Contributions of a minerals industry cluster to sustainable development: A case study on human and social capital in Richards Bay, South Africa

The South African economy has developed with its strong connection to the minerals extraction and processing industries. Rich endowments of coal and a well-established mining sector in the country enabled the generation and supply of competitively priced electricity to energy and capital intensive processing and chemical industries. Although the minerals industry cluster remains globally competitive at the present time, whether it can be a catalyst for sustainable development, economically, socially and environmentally is in question. Field work was carried out in Richards Bay to analyse the development contributions of the local aluminium industry cluster in terms of two of the five capitals essential for sustainable development, viz. human and social capital. This town is the host of world class aluminium smelters as well as mineral sands mining and smelting, amongst other energy intensive industries such as paper pulp and phosphate production. The analysis interrogates the importance of skills development and of collective action between various stakeholders centred on the Hillside smelter of South 32, and including interviews with representatives of ten further stakeholders. Evidence found shows that the minerals industry cluster has contributed to human capital development, and continues to do so, through well-established in-house training and mentorship programmes as well as their corporate social investment into enterprise and supplier development, education and primary health care. However, a more competitive and environmentally responsible industrial cluster would require continuous improvement through institutional and individual capabilities. Research and training institutions and government intervention have important roles to play in this regard. One of the major challenges is rooted in the lack of social capital development in the past. Although no single accepted definition nor standard for measuring exists, social capital can be defined as the norms and networks that enable people to act collectively. The racially segregated development pattern in the region had left residents with huge disparities and a trust deficit. This mitigated against collective actions within the community except in the few cases of natural disaster responses and crime prevention. This is evidenced in the free-riding of skilled labourers by some companies in the region and the failure of socio-economic development programmes in the past due to the low level of community buy-in. The research highlights that the significance of the local minerals industry cluster remains undoubtedly high; however, a facilitative process of social capital development is necessary to promote collective actions. The process requires accountable formal institutions who can mitigate social distrust, create dialogue and a cooperative environment between different interest groups. This is particularly important as the government resource-based industrialisation policy is centralised in developing linkages from extractive sector (downstream, upstream, and side-stream) but little attention has been paid to the aspect of social capital development. It is expected that the study itself contributes to social capital development and works as a communication platform to further promote studies in applying multidisciplinary learning-by-doing process across academia, policymakers, and practitioners

Half-Metallic Heusler Alloy/GaN Heterostructure for Semiconductor Spintronics Devices

Because spin-orbit coupling in wurtzite semiconductors is relatively weak compared with that in zincblende ones, the III-nitride semiconductor GaN is a promising material for high-performance optical semiconductor spintronic devices such as spin lasers. For the purpose of reducing the operating power of spin lasers, it is necessary to demonstrate highly efficient electrical spin injection from a ferromagnetic material into GaN with a low-resistance contact. Here, an epitaxial half-metallic Heusler alloy Co2FeAlxSi1−x(CFAS)/GaN heterostructure is developed by inserting an ultrathin Co layer between the CFAS and GaN. The CFAS/n+-GaN heterojunctions clearly show tunnel conduction with very small rectification and a low resistance-area product of ≈3.8 kΩµm2, which is several orders of magnitude smaller than those reported in previous work, at room temperature. Nonlocal spin signals and a Hanle effect curve are observed at low temperatures using lateral spin-valve devices with the CFAS/n+-GaN contacts, suggesting pure spin current transport in bulk GaN. The spin transport is observed at temperatures as high as room temperature, with a high spin polarization of 0.2 at a low bias voltage less than 2.0 V. This study is expected to open a path to GaN-based spintronic devices with highly spin-polarized and low-resistance contacts.Yamada S., Kato M., Ichikawa S., et al. Half-Metallic Heusler Alloy/GaN Heterostructure for Semiconductor Spintronics Devices. Advanced Electronic Materials 9, 2300045 (2023); https://doi.org/10.1002/aelm.202300045

Preoperative Graft Volume Assessment with 3D-CT Volumetry in Living-Donor Lobar Lung Transplantations

To determine the effectiveness of living-donor lobar lung transplantation (LDLLT), it is necessary to predict the recipient's postoperative lung function. Traditionally, Date's formula, also called the segmental ratio, has used the number of lung segments to estimate the forced vital capacity (FVC) of grafts in LDLLT. To provide a more precise estimate of graft FVC, we calculated the volumes of the lower lobe and total lung using three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) and the volume ratio between them. We calculated the volume ratio in 52 donors and tested the difference between the segmental volume ratios with a one-tailed t-test. We also calculated the predicted graft FVC in 21 LDLLTs using the segmental ratio pFVC(c) and the volume ratio pFVC(v), and then found the Pearson's correlation coefficients for both pFVC(c) and pFVC(v) with the recipients' actual FVC (rFVC) measured spirometrically 6 months after surgery. Significant differences were found between the segmental ratio and the average volume ratio for both sides (right, p＝0.03;left, p＝0.0003). Both pFVC(c) and pFVC(v) correlated significantly with rFVC at 6 months after surgery (p＝0.007 and 0.006). Both the conventional and the volumetric methods provided FVC predictions that correlated significantly with measured postoperative FVC

FANTOM5 CAGE profiles of human and mouse samples

In the FANTOM5 project, transcription initiation events across the human and mouse genomes were mapped at a single base-pair resolution and their frequencies were monitored by CAGE (Cap Analysis of Gene Expression) coupled with single-molecule sequencing. Approximately three thousands of samples, consisting of a variety of primary cells, tissues, cell lines, and time series samples during cell activation and development, were subjected to a uniform pipeline of CAGE data production. The analysis pipeline started by measuring RNA extracts to assess their quality, and continued to CAGE library production by using a robotic or a manual workflow, single molecule sequencing, and computational processing to generate frequencies of transcription initiation. Resulting data represents the consequence of transcriptional regulation in each analyzed state of mammalian cells. Non-overlapping peaks over the CAGE profiles, approximately 200,000 and 150,000 peaks for the human and mouse genomes, were identified and annotated to provide precise location of known promoters as well as novel ones, and to quantify their activities

The Maximum Standardized Uptake Value Is More Reliable Than Size Measurement in Early Follow-up to Evaluate Potential Pulmonary Malignancies Following Radiofrequency Ablation

We retrospectively evaluated the accumulation of fluorodeoxy glucose (FDG) in pulmonary malignancies without local recurrence during 2-year follow-up on positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) after radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Thirty tumors in 25 patients were studied (10 non-small cell lung cancers;20 pulmonary metastatic tumors). PET/CT was performed before RFA, 3 months after RFA, and 6 months after RFA. We assessed the FDG accumulation with the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) compared with the diameters of the lesions. The SUVmax had a decreasing tendency in the first 6 months and, at 6 months post-ablation, FDG accumulation was less affected by inflammatory changes than at 3 months post-RFA. The diameter of the ablated lesion exceeded that of the initial tumor at 3 months post-RFA and shrank to pre-ablation dimensions by 6 months post-RFA. SUVmax was more reliable than the size measurements by CT in the first 6 months after RFA, and PET/CT at 6 months post-RFA may be more appropriate for the assessment of FDG accumulation than that at 3 months post-RFA

Pengaruh Kandungan Lemak Dan Energi Yang Berbeda Dalam Pakan Terhadap Pemanfaatan Pakan Dan Pertumbuhan Patin (Pangasius Pangasius)

Pakan merupakan faktor terpenting dalam menunjang pertumbuhan dan perkembangan dalam kegiatan budidaya ikan, didalam pakan harus mengandung nutrisi yang lengkap. Penggunaan lemak dalam pakan sangat penting dalam menunjang pertumbuhan, karena lemak merupakan sumber energi yang memiliki nilai cukup tinggi dibanding protein dan karbohidrat. Pengunaan lemak sebagai “Protein sparing effect” yaitu pengganti protein sebagai sumber energi, sehingga penggunaan energi yang berasal dari protein dapat digunakan untuk menunjang pertumbuhan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh kandungan lemak dan energi yang berbeda dalam pakan terhadap pemanfaatan pakan dan pertumbuhan patin (P. pangasius).Metode penelitian yang dilakukan adalah metode eksperimen dengan rancangan acak lengkap (RAL) yang terdiri dari 4 perlakuan dan 3 kali ulangan. Perlakuan yang diterapkan adalah perbedaan kandungan lemak dan energi antara lain pada perlakuan A (8%, 281,98 kkal); B (9%, 286,74 kkal); C (10%, 289,45 kkal); dan D (11%, 296,21 kkal). Ikan uji yang digunakan adalah patin (Pangasius pangasius) yang berasal dari Banjarnegara, Jawa Tengah. Ikan uji yang digunakan dengan bobot rata-rata 6,48±0,68 g/ekor, dengan padat tebar 1 ekor/liter. Pakan diberikan 3 kali dalam sehari yaitu pada sekitar pukul 08.00 WIB, pukul 12.00 WIB, dan pukul 16.00 WIB. Pemberian pakan diberikan secara at satiation.Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa kandungan lemak dan energi yang berbeda dalam pakan buatan, memberikan pengaruh nyata (P<0,05) terhadap EPP, PER, dan RGR pada patin (P. pangasius), sedangkan pada variabel TKP dan SR tidak memberikan pengaruh nyata (P>0,05). Perlakuan D diperoleh hasil tertinggi dengan nilai TKP (25,27±0,06g), EPP (54,62±0,93%), PER (1,82±0,03%), RGR (0,75±0,02%/hari), dan SR (95,83%).Kandungan lemak dan energi yang berbeda dalam pakan, memberikan pengaruh nyata terhadap EPP, PER, dan RGR; tetapi tidak memberikan pengaruh nyata terhadap TKP dan SR patin (P. pangasius). Feed played an important role in fish farming and therefor, it should contain complete nutrition. The use of fat in fish diet was required for energy supply and producing of growth. The fat was used to subtitute energy source from protein, so the use of protein for fish growth can be optimaled. This study was aimed to observe the influence of different fat and energy on the feed utilization and growth of P. pangasius.The experimental method used was completely randomized design, which consisted of 4 treatments and 3 replicats, that were trial diets with ratio of treatment A (8%, 281.98 kkal); B (9%, 286.74 kkal); C (10%, 289.45 kkal); dan D (11%, 296.21 kkal) respectively. The ratio of vegetable oil : animal oil was equal. The fish used was P. pangasius, which was quired from Banjarnegara, Central Java. It\u27s average body weight of 6.48±0.68 g. The fish was maintenance in 8 l-tanks for 35 days. with a stocking density of 1 fish/l. The fish were feed 3 times a day, at 08.00, 12.00, and 16.00 by appliying at satiation method.The fish fed on resulted on dietary of different fat and energy on the feed on values significantly different (P<0.05) on the EPP, PER and RGR. But for feed in TKP and SR values (P>0.05). TKP value (25.27±0.06g) EPP (54.62±0.93%) , PER (1.82±0.03%) , RGR (0.75±0.02%/day), and SR (95.83%).It was concluded that the influence of different fat and energy on the feed utilization and growth of pangasius in feed significantly effect on, EPP, PER, and RGR while for TKP and SR where not significantly different

Maackiain Suppresses H1R and IL-4 Gene Transcriptions

Kujin contains antiallergic compounds that inhibit upregulation of histamine H1 receptor (H1R) and interleukin (IL)‐4 gene expression. However, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. We sought to identify a Kujin‐derived antiallergic compound and investigate its mechanism of action. The H1R and IL‐4 mRNA levels were determined by real‐time quantitative RT‐PCR. To investigate the effects of maackiain in vivo, toluene‐2,4‐diisocyanate (TDI)‐sensitized rats were used as a nasal hypersensitivity animal model. We identified (−)‐maackiain as the responsible component. Synthetic maackiain showed stereoselectivity for the suppression of IL‐4 gene expression but not for H1R gene expression, suggesting distinct target proteins for transcriptional signaling. (−)‐Maackiain inhibited of PKCδ translocation to the Golgi and phosphorylation of Tyr311 on PKCδ, which led to the suppression of H1R gene transcription. However, (−)‐maackiain did not show any antioxidant activity or inhibition of PKCδ enzymatic activity per se. Pretreatment with maackiain alleviated nasal symptoms and suppressed TDI‐induced upregulations of H1R and IL‐4 gene expressions in TDI‐sensitized rats. These data suggest that (−)‐maackiain is a novel antiallergic compound that alleviates nasal symptoms in TDI‐sensitized allergy model rats through the inhibition of H1R and IL‐4 gene expression. The molecular mechanism underlying its suppressive effect for H1R gene expression is mediated by the inhibition of PKCδ activation

雌ラットにおいて生殖腺の状態とエストロゲン環境が視床下部オキシトシン遺伝子発現および血清オキシトシンレベルに及ぼす影響

Oxytocin (OT) and its receptor (OTR) play various roles in the central and peripheral regulation of appetite and body weight. Previously, we have shown that the administration of OT markedly decreased appetite and body weight gain in ovariectomized (OVX) obese rats. In addition, recent studies have shown that the endogenous OT system is also affected by endogenous or exogenous estrogen. In this study, we showed that ovariectomy decreased rats' hypothalamic OT/OTR mRNA and serum OT levels, but did not affect their visceral fat OTR mRNA levels. The chronic administration of estradiol (E2) abrogated these ovariectomy-induced changes; i.e., it increased the rats' hypothalamic OT/OTR mRNA and serum OT levels, and may be associated with reductions in food intake and body weight gain. In addition, acute E2 administration increased the rats' hypothalamic OTR mRNA and serum OT levels, but did not affect their hypothalamic OT mRNA levels. Taken together, these results suggest that endogenous OT and/or OTR expression might be positively regulated by E2 and that the suppressive effects of E2 on appetite and body weight gain might be mediated, at least in part, by the OT system. Thus, we consider that OT might be a target hormone to pursue subsequent interventions of menopause for menopause-induced metabolic disorders