Thyroid function in relation to bile lipids and bile acids

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Usual behaviour of frog and human serum proteins loaded with 131I-labelled thyroid hormones during paper electrophoresis

No Abstrac

SELF-RADIATION PRODUCTS FORMED FROM 3,5,3'-TRI-IODO-L-THYRONINE LABELLED WITH131I

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Density functional theory of the trapped Fermi gas in the unitary regime

We investigate a density-functional theory (DFT) approach for an unpolarized trapped dilute Fermi gas in the unitary limit . A reformulation of the recent work of T. Papenbrock [Phys. Rev. A, {\bf 72}, 041602(R) (2005)] in the language of fractional exclusion statistics allows us to obtain an estimate of the universal factor, $\xi_{3D}$, in three dimensions (3D), in addition to providing a systematic treatment of finite-$N$ corrections. We show that in 3D, finite-$N$ corrections lead to unphysical values for $\xi_{3D}$, thereby suggesting that a simple DFT applied to a small number of particles may not be suitable in 3D. We then perform an analogous calculation for the two-dimensional (2D) system in the infinite-scattering length regime, and obtain a value of $\xi_{2D}=1$. Owing to the unique properties of the Thomas-Fermi energy density-functional in 2D our result, in contrast to 3D, is {\em exact} and therefore requires no finite-$N$ corrections

Advocating for the inclusion of operatic collaborative piano curricula in higher education: Informing curricula through lived experience

The purpose of this article was to examine how the lived experiences of five professional collaborative pianists during the 35th International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition, that was held in Cape Town in 2016, could inform the inclusion of new curricula for specialised operatic collaborative piano modules in tertiary institutions. Based on the literature reviewed and themes that emerged from the data, a curriculum could include the following aspects: a knowledge of the rules of lyric diction in foreign languages; excellent sight-reading skills; knowledge of the art of orchestral reduction and repertoire; the ability to transcribe and reduce full opera scores. One personal skill that is not often developed and should also be included is the ability of a pianist to evince empathy when working with singers

Phase I and Phase II control charts for the variance and generalized variance

By extending the results of Human, Chakraborti and Smit (2010), Phase I control charts are derived for the generalized variance when the mean vector and covariance matrix of multivariate normally distributed data are unknown and estimated from m independent samples, each of size n. In Phase II predictive distributions based on a Bayesian approach are used to construct Shewart-type control limits for the variance and generalized variance. The posterior distribution is obtained by combining the likelihood (the observed data in Phase I) and the uncertainty of the unknown parameters via the prior distribution. By using the posterior distribution the unconditional predictive density functions are derived

Riemann zeros, prime numbers and fractal potentials

Using two distinct inversion techniques, the local one-dimensional potentials for the Riemann zeros and prime number sequence are reconstructed. We establish that both inversion techniques, when applied to the same set of levels, lead to the same fractal potential. This provides numerical evidence that the potential obtained by inversion of a set of energy levels is unique in one-dimension. We also investigate the fractal properties of the reconstructed potentials and estimate the fractal dimensions to be $D=1.5$ for the Riemann zeros and $D = 1.8$ for the prime numbers. This result is somewhat surprising since the nearest-neighbour spacings of the Riemann zeros are known to be chaotically distributed whereas the primes obey almost poisson-like statistics. Our findings show that the fractal dimension is dependent on both the level-statistics and spectral rigidity, $\Delta_3$, of the energy levels.Comment: Five postscript figures included in the text. To appear in Phys. Rev.

The role of social support in the persistence of first-year first-generation African students in a higher education institution in South Africa

Although there are several studies on first-year, first-generation students internationally, their focus have predominantly been on reasons for dropping out, transition issues and the students’ pre-entry attributes. However, few studies have focused on the first-year, first-generation African students (FYFGAS) in the African context. This article employed a qualitative inquiry to explore the role of social support in school retention among FYFGAS within the South African context. Twenty-three students in all participated in the individual interviews (n = 5) and in the focus group (n = 18) discussion. The interviews were based on questions where the research sought to understand the determinants and contributors to the students’ persistence and success in their first year of study. Themes that emerged from the data analysis indicated the important role of the family, the community at home and at university and of peers in supporting and encouraging the FYFGAS in pursuing their studies throughout their first year. Findings of this study indicated the importance of social support towards the persistence and success for FYFGAS in their first year of study at university

An Agronomic Evaluation of Grazing Maize Combined with Companion Crops for Sheep in Northwestern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Northwestern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), in South Africa, is well known for its sheep production from natural rangeland in summer (October to May). During winter however, the nutritional value of the rangeland cannot maintain young growing sheep or pregnant and lactating ewes. With this in mind Lyle (1991) suggested the use of planted pastures for the winter. Crichton, Gertenbach & Henning (1998) and Esterhuizen & Niemand (1989) suggested maize crop residues for both cattle and sheep during winter, whereas Moore (1997) evaluated grazing maize (not harvested) for this purpose. He found that the protein content of the crop was inadequate and for this reason, protein rich companion crops were evaluated in this study