Cysteine-free peptides in scorpion venom: geographical distribution, structure-function relationship and mode of action

Scorpion venoms are well known sources of Na+-channel, K+-channel, Cl--channel, Ca2+-channel and ryanodine channel selective peptides. In 1993, the first cysteine-free peptide was isolated from scorpionvenom. Within the last six years, cysteine-free peptides with and without antimicrobial activity have been isolated from scorpion venom. The first antimicrobial peptides being parabutoporin and hadrurin, after which nine more have followed. Characteristics of these peptides include pore-formation and/or antimicrobial activity. Six peptides of similar structures without antimicrobial activity have also been isolated. Two of these peptides have bradykinin-potentiating functions. The functions of the other four are unknown. These peptides have the potential to combat cancer, a variety of skin or wound bacterial and fungal infections. This review will focus on the primary and secondary structures as well asreported functions and applications of the cysteine-free peptides identified in scorpion venom

The comparative advantage of dryland soybean production in Brits, North West

The effect of policy on the South African soybean industry is analysed, using the policy analysis matrix. The absence of effective protection from cheap imports of soy-cake and -oil, as well as the ineffectiveness of the processing industry, lead to relatively low farmgate prices of soybeans in South Africa. This could result in producers using their resources for more profitable crops, thus depriving the South African feed industry to benefit from more full fat soy in feed rations.Crop Production/Industries,

Consumer preferences towards the marketing communication activities of non-profit organisations in Gauteng : a generational perspective

With donations declining as donors become older (Baby Boomers), non-profit organisations (NPOs) are compelled to shift their marketing focus to younger generations (Generation X and Generation Y) if they are to survive in a sector hampered by an increase in competition, a lack of funding and a shortage of volunteers. In order to address the younger generations, NPOs are required to have a better understanding of their donors’ demographic and psychographic characteristics, as this would enable them to communicate more effectively with the respective generations. As such, the purpose of this study is to measure the preferences of Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y as current donors towards the marketing communication activities of NPOs. More specifically, the generations’ preferences towards the nature of marketing done by NPOs, the marketing communication elements, media channels, marketing messages and communication sources used by NPOs are measured and based on the results, a number of recommendations are suggested as to how NPOs should adapt their marketing communication strategies when addressing the different generations. Exploratory research, in the form of a secondary data analysis and five informal expert surveys, as well as descriptive research, in the form of a structured self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain the necessary data. The target population included all Baby Boomers (i.e. individuals born between 1946 and 1964), Generation X (i.e. individuals born between 1965 and 1976), and Generation Y members (i.e. individuals born between 1977 and 1994) residing in Gauteng, who had supported an NPO in the previous year and who were representative of the four major racial groups in South Africa (i.e. Black, Coloured, Indian and White). Quota sampling was used to divide the population into three quotas according to generation, while convenience sampling was used to fill each quota. In-home and intercept interviewing was used to obtain the necessary data from the respondents. In the end, the results revealed a number of similarities and differences between the three generations in terms of their preferences towards the marketing communication activities of NPOs. In terms of the generations’ preferences towards the nature of marketing done in the NPO sector, the respondents generally prefer NPOs that provide them with different options in terms of how they can support the NPO. More specific differences reveal that Generation Y, in contrast to Baby Boomers, prefers NPOs that allow them to provide feedback on their experience with the NPO. Considering the marketing communication elements that NPOs can use to convince the different generations to support them, respondents overall show preference towards making small contributions for a product purchased. More specifically Generation X and Generation Y prefer online fundraising appeals and social networks; Generation Y prefers NPOs’ websites; Generation X prefers special events and Baby Boomers show a strong preference towards articles placed in newspapers and magazines. In terms of the media channels that NPOs can use to communicate with donors, the respondents overall have a preference towards radio. In terms of specific differences between the generations, Generation Y and Generation X prefer the Internet, while Generation X prefers e-mail messages in relation to Baby Boomers, and sms messages in relation to Generation Y. As for the marketing messages used by NPOs, the respondents overall prefer the NPO’s marketing message if it is a positive one rather than a negative one. Comparing the generations, it is evident that Generation Y, compared to Baby Boomers, prefer the marketing messages of NPOs that create an emotion, that show information that will shock them, that use music which is popular to Generation Y listeners, and that contain images which attract their attention. In terms of the communication sources that NPOs might use, the respondents overall have a preference towards the NPO itself as the source – and, to a slightly lesser degree, if a beneficiary of the NPO is the source. Based on the similarities and differences between the generations, a number of specific recommendations are formulated in terms of how NPOs should communicate with the different generations, which media channels to use, the type of messages that should be conveyed and which communication source to use

Terminologiebestuur in Suid- Afrika: 'n Ideaalmodel *

Die nuwe taalbestel in Suid-Afrika het tot gevolg gehad dat die ontwikkeling, die uitbouing, die bestuur en ook die verspreiding van terminologiese inligting in elf amptelike tale gedoen moet word. 'n Veranderde terminologiebestuursprogram moet derhalwe daargestel word om aan die behoeftes van 'n nuwe terminologiegemeenskap te voldoen. So 'n model sou ideaal gesien binne die Nasionale Taaldiens se terminologiekoördineringsafdeling geïmplementeer kon word. In die eerste gedeelte van hierdie artikel word 'n model voorgestel van hoe terminologiebestuur suksesvol binne 'n terminologiebestuursentrum aangepak kan word. In die tweede gedeelte van die artikel word die implikasies van die model in die Suid-Afrikaanse situasie verreken om vas te stel hoe die terminologiebestuursprogram aangepas sou kon word om aan die eise van die nuwe taalbestel te voldoen en om die nuwe teikengroep(e) voldoende te bereik. Sleutelwoorde: Amptelike Tale, Beplanning En Koördinering, Disseminering, Evaluering, Gemarginaliseerde Tale, Inheemse Tale, Implementering, Meertalige Terminologiebestuursisteem, Navorsing, Ontwikkelende Tale, Ontwikkelde Tale, Opleiding, Standaardisering, Termbank, Terminologie, Terminologiebestuursentrum, Terminologiebestuursprogram, Terminologieontwikkeling, Terminologiewer

Towards a Responsible Land Administration Curriculum

In line with the GLTN focus on strengthening land policy, improving global knowledge, and strengthening capacity of partners, the GLTN Secretariat engaged ITC (University of Twente) to explore the feasibility of the design and development of curricula in Responsible Land Administration. The general objective is to strengthen the capacity of higher education and other relevant networks or institutions globally and provide quality undergraduate and post-graduate courses on the theme of pro-poor, gender responsive land tools. In inception phase representatives from ITC and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) in consultation with GLTN secretariat, guided by the project’s general objective, developed a framework with overall approach. The main output was a curriculum design entitled ”Teaching Essentials for Responsible Land Administration” with a course title “Responsible Land Administration 101” was created and distributed for review and comments. A final report included a brief outline of a draft curriculum and recommendations for next phase/s of curriculum development. This preliminary work forms the basis for the next stage of development, which is coordinated by RMIT University and University of East London under project 2 of the GLTN Research and Training Cluster. This project aims to develop detailed outlines for each of the 6 Modules, and commence development of full curricula. Based on the original design by ITC expanded outlines for each Module have been developed and it is on these that we are seeking expert input with key stakeholders. In November 2016, an expert group meeting (EGM) was held at the University of East London. The EGM was organized by GLTN partners UN-Habitat, the University of East London and RMIT University. A total of 18 experts, from various countries and academic and professional disciplines within the land sector, discussed and agreed on next steps in the production of a structured knowledge base to support the development and delivery of the curriculum. The potential users include any land-related academic program and self-study courses with potential for certification. This EGM has established a firm foundation for the development of the structured knowledge base, which is planned for completion during 2017. Six modules are planned, including an introductory, module on responsible land administration, plus five substantial modules covering the key subject areas of access to land & land tenure security, land management & planning, land policy & regulatory frameworks, land based financing / land value sharing, and responsible land administration and information

A Cosine Rule-Based Discrete Sectional Curvature for Graphs

How does one generalize differential geometric constructs such as curvature of a manifold to the discrete world of graphs and other combinatorial structures? This problem carries significant importance for analyzing models of discrete spacetime in quantum gravity; inferring network geometry in network science; and manifold learning in data science. The key contribution of this paper is to introduce and validate a new estimator of discrete sectional curvature for random graphs with low metric-distortion. The latter are constructed via a specific graph sprinkling method on different manifolds with constant sectional curvature. We define a notion of metric distortion, which quantifies how well the graph metric approximates the metric of the underlying manifold. We show how graph sprinkling algorithms can be refined to produce hard annulus random geometric graphs with minimal metric distortion. We construct random geometric graphs for spheres, hyperbolic and euclidean planes; upon which we validate our curvature estimator. Numerical analysis reveals that the error of the estimated curvature diminishes as the mean metric distortion goes to zero, thus demonstrating convergence of the estimate. We also perform comparisons to other existing discrete curvature measures. Finally, we demonstrate two practical applications: (i) estimation of the earth's radius using geographical data; and (ii) sectional curvature distributions of self-similar fractals

Thiocarbonate collectors in pyrite flotation ? fundamentals and applications

Journal ArticleRecent results from electrochemical measurements demonstrate that trithiocarbonate (TTC) collectors are more readily oxidized to their corresponding dithiolates than the dithiocarbonate/xanthate (DTC) collectors. Based on the traditional analysis of collector adsorption, trithiocarbonates might then be expected to be effective for bulk sulfide mineral flotation. Previous bench-scale flotation research had shown that TTC collectors are very effective for the flotation of copper sulfide minerals and PGM (platinum group metal) sulfide minerals

Portfolio optimisation for the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)

Thesis (M.M. (Finance & Investment))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Graduate School of Business Administration, 2014.The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is South Africa’s largest development financial institution with a stated objective of generating sustainable economic growth across Africa. Additionally, the IDC is also mandated by the South African government to assist in key national development policies. In order to achieve these goals, the IDC seeks to maximise development returns within an acceptable risk portfolio. Using historical data, sector development scorecard analysis and results, and portfolio investment theory, this dissertation examines the investment portfolio weighting to determine if the IDC is positioned to achieve its stated and mandated objectives. The guiding question of this thesis is whether or not the IDC is optimising its capital allocation, and I further seek to identify the sectors in which the IDC should invest in more and the ones the IDC should invest in less in order to achieve maximum development returns. In order to attain an optimal portfolio, the IDC should strive for portfolio selection methodologies as outlined in Markowitz’s Mean-Variance Theory. One of the key benefits of driving this methodology is, depending on the strategic objective, the achievement of an optimised portfolio with predefined constraints. Furthermore the methodology establishes an analytical approach to maximising the strategic objectives

Monitoring of Laser Powder Bed Fusion by Acoustic Emission: Investigation of Single Tracks and Layers

Quality concerns in laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) include porosity, residual stresses and deformations during processing. Single tracks are the fundamental building blocks in L-PBF and their shape and geometry influence subsequent porosity in 3D L-PBF parts. The morphology of single tracks depends primarily on process parameters. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate an approach to acoustic emission (AE) online monitoring of the L-PBF process for indirect defect analysis. This is demonstrated through the monitoring of single tracks without powder, with powder and in layers. Gas-borne AE signals in the frequency range of 2–20 kHz were sampled using a microphone placed inside the build chamber of a L-PBF machine. The single track geometry and shape at different powder thickness values and laser powers were studied together with the corresponding acoustic signals. Analysis of the acoustic signals allowed for the identification of characteristic amplitudes and frequencies, with promising results that support its use as a complementary method for in-situ monitoring and real-time defect detection in L-PBF. This work proves the capability to directly detect the balling effect that strongly affects the formation of porosity in L-PBF parts by AE monitoring

Human spaceflight: to infertility and beyond

Garrett-Bakelman FE et al, demonstrated a spectrum of molecular and physiological changes attributed to spaceflight in their recently published “NASA Twins Study”.1 During his 340 days in space onboard the International Space Station (ISS), one of a pair of monozygotic twins was not only challenged by noise, isolation, hypoxia, and alterations in the circadian rhythm, but more importantly the exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) and microgravity. Terrestrials are subjected constantly to surface gravity and most if not all physiological processes have adapted accordingly. It is therefore easy to envisage that weightlessness can have consequences for space travellers.