List of Titles

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The Late Glacial and Holocene avifauna of the island of St Helena, South Atlantic Ocean

- Lewis, Colin A

Authors: Lewis, Colin A
Date: 2008
Language: English
Type: Article
Identifier: vital:6702 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006738
Description: Bird bones from unconsolidated sediments provide a record of the changing avifauna of St Helena from the Late Glacial, at ~ 14000BP, until the present. Changes in avifauna apparently reflect climatic and associated ecological conditions, as well as the effects of human occupation since the island was discovered in 1502. Introduced mammals decimated birds in the seventeenth century and seven endemic species are now extinct, while seven other species are locally extinct. At least nine species that now breed on St Helena have been introduced anthropogenically to the island since it was discovered. The failure to find evidence of native songbirds in the former woodlands of the interior of the island deserves explanation.
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Date Issued: 2008

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Klipfontein residents during the move in 1979

Date: 1979
Subjects: Forced migration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Photographs , Forced migration -- South Africa -- Glenmore -- Photographs , Forced migration -- South Africa -- Klipfontein -- Photographs , Blacks -- South Africa -- Relocation -- Photographs , Apartheid -- South Africa -- Photographs , Glenmore (South Africa) -- Race relations -- Photographs , Squatters -- South Africa -- Glenmore -- Photographs
Type: Image
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/15091 , vital:22001 , PIC/M 4801-24
Description: A series of photographs showing views of forced removal of communities from Klipfontein farm, near Kenton-on-sea, and other areas, to Glenmore in 1979. These photographs were accumulated by Ben Maclennan when he worked as a journalist for Eastern Province Herald, covering the move, and when he wrote the book "Glenmore : the story of a forced romoval" This photograph showing Klipfontein residents in a tractor, together with their belongings taken to Glenmore. Photograph taken by Jack Cooper in 1979
Full Text: false
Date Issued: 1979

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The impact of total productive maintenance (TPM) on manufacturing performance at the Colt Section of DaimlerChrysler in the Eastern Cape

- Ncube, Mfowabo

Authors: Ncube, Mfowabo
Date: 2006
Subjects: Total productive maintenance , Plant maintenance -- Management , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
Identifier: vital:8560 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/579 , Total productive maintenance , Plant maintenance -- Management , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Description: Today's successful manufacturing organisations require a significant competitive advantage, hence the need to implement and develop a Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) strategy. This research paper addresses the impact of TPM on manufacturing performance at the Colt production facility (DCSA). A literature survey was undertaken into the elements and benefits of TPM. Questionaires were also sent to all levels of people at the Colt production facility for their views on TPM and the impact, they believe, it has had on manufacturing performance. In conclusion, this research paper has also led to the development of recommendations to improve TPM activities at the Colt production facility. From the research, it was shown that top management support for TPM activities is needed and that training is an essential factor for TPM's success in improving manufacturing performance.
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Date Issued: 2006

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Rural students' local knowledge of learning in formal and informal contexts

- Visser, Alvin-Jon

Authors: Visser, Alvin-Jon
Date: 2000
Subjects: Non-formal education -- South Africa , Education and state -- South Africa , Rural children -- Education -- South Africa , Blacks -- Education -- South Africa , Community and school -- South Africa , Education, Rural -- Social Aspects -- South Africa , Rural schools -- South Africa
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
Identifier: vital:3079 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002588 , Non-formal education -- South Africa , Education and state -- South Africa , Rural children -- Education -- South Africa , Blacks -- Education -- South Africa , Community and school -- South Africa , Education, Rural -- Social Aspects -- South Africa , Rural schools -- South Africa
Description: The general aim of this thesis is to illuminate the process of learning as it occurs in formal and informal contexts. The study focuses on South African scholars attending school in rural areas where the contrast between learning in formal and informal learning contexts is more pronounced than that in urban areas. The research draws on rural scholars' local knowledge of formal and informal learning contexts in order to gain a rich insight into how cognition is situated in different learning contexts. This is accomplished through investigating the structure of the respective learning tasks, the mediators involved, the task objectives and the means for achieving these objectives in the different learning contexts. The thesis draws on a socio-cultural approach to the study of cognitive development to probe the activity of learning in a formal and informal learning context. Through the use of a context sensitive methodological methods especially Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools and techniques, it was possible to illuminate tacit local knowledge structures and to get participants to actively explicate their understandings related to learning in different contexts The research results illustrate the assertion that the activity of learning is fundamentally situated in the learning context from which it arises. Learning is framed by the community of practice which structures affordances for situated learning, through mediation, within zones of proximal development. Learning in a formal context such as the school is often abstract, rule-based, standardised and theory related. Learners also find it difficult to reflect on the learning tasks and the mediational means used in a formal learning context. In contrast, the learning which takes place in an informal setting is often practical, individualised, flexible and environment based. This learning is structured around everyday activities and is dynamically defined and supported. In a situation where a learner is exposed to dislocated learning contexts, the essential goal of educational initiatives is to bridge the gap between the two. This can be achieved through mediators creating effective zones of proximal development which facilitate the individuals adaptation between learning contexts. Exposing rural scholars' local knowledge of learning in formal and informal contexts allows for a fuller understanding of the cognitive development structured within formal and informal communities of practice. It is this understanding that is necessary to address the situation where learning contexts, drawing on different knowledge bases find ways of thinking, prove challenging and/or conflicting to the scholar.
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Date Issued: 2000

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A Cost-Efficient Energy Management Model for ICT4D Platforms in Low Resource Communities

- Mbotoloshi, Dumisani

Authors: Mbotoloshi, Dumisani
Date: 2018
Subjects: Information technology , Communication in community development|
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Computer Science )
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/14538 , vital:39999
Description: A couple of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) researches have been conducted in the rural communities of South Africa (SA). This has encouraged the development of ICT services such as e-government, e-commerce, e-judiciary, e-health, e-agriculture and many others. Proper ICT implementation has led to societal development, economic empowerment and sustainable communities. However, this is achieved after intensive planning and stakeholders‟ involvement. It is clear that ICTs require energy to function. Most significantly is the fact that a bulk of ICTs in low resource communities (LRC) are mainly donations and less consideration if any is made on their energy consumption. LRC are regions with minimum access to energy, clean water, educational facilities, health facilities, government facilities, technology etc. There have been debates on whether in LRC ICTs are consuming energy. Most ICTs have been deployed without much consideration on the required energy consumption. On the other hand, less research has been done on the sustainability of ICTs, especially considering that all ICT devices and related platforms rely on the availability of energy. There are a lot of possible low cost energy solutions that are available, which could be used to support ICTs in LRC. However, there are so many ICT services, devices and platforms that are lying idle and not been fully utilized in such areas due to the energy related issues. In most cases, ICT solutions in LRC are introduced mainly with Computer Science and Information Systems researchers, without including other key stakeholders like energy experts. The research presents a Cost Effecient Energy Management Model that could be used to assist ICT for Development (ICT4D) platforms or projects in LRC. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used within the Siyakhula Living Lab (SLL) in Eastern Cape (EC) Province of SA. Design Science theory is considered for the designing of the model. The SLL is an ICT project which is undertaken within the Dwesa, Bulembu and Alice rural communities. In this dissertation, Dwesa rural community is the chosen case. The surrounding schools in the communities have been used as the ICT point of contact. Interviews, questionnaires, literature v review, action research, focus group, experiments, formulas and evaluation were the specific methods used to conduct this research. Results show that ICTs deployed in the SLLs are mainly donations which consume much energy. The main source of energy use within the SLLs is electricity. From the three schools that were selected where ICTs have been deployed it was found that the electricity bill has increased enormously. This has caused some schools not to open the computer laboratories, which are supposed to be used by the community members. It was also found that there is no energy management plan or solution in place for the SLL resources. The findings show that ICTs within the SLL are been affected by energy related subjects, though the community has been willing to pay for electricity. The Cost Efficient Energy Management Model is proposed at the end of the dissertation. The model is targeted for ICT service providers and has five (5) main pillars i.e stakeholders‟ engagement, energy and ICT infrastructure, new business models, monitoring and evaluation, and finally awareness and training. The dissertation identified all the ICT resources and services at three selected schools within the SLL and drew up the energy consumption for each school. All schools indicated that there has been an increase in the electricity bill after the introduction of the SLL project. There was a clear indication that no energy expert was involved in the establishment of the SLLs. The dissertation indicates that there is a need for renewable source of energy for ICTs to improve service delivery in LRC. ICT service providers should consider energy subjects when planning for development of such solutions in LRC. This research focuses on designing a low cost ICT energy model to inform on ICTs energy consumption in LRC. It further outlines the possible ICT energy solutions that could be used to benefit targeted communities.
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Date Issued: 2018

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Mtsitso II 1979

- Venancio Mbande and his group of 25, Tracey, Andrew T N

Authors: Venancio Mbande and his group of 25 , Tracey, Andrew T N
Date: 1979
Subjects: Chopi (African people) -- South Africa , Folk music , Xylophone music , Rattle (Musical instrument) , Drum
Language: Chopi
Type: sound recordings , field recordings , Sound recording material
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/94708 , vital:31071
Description: Traditional dance song with Timbila xylophone rattles and one drum accompaniment.
Full Text: false
Date Issued: 1979

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Kyarutema

- Twa musicians of Chief Biniga (Performer), Composer not specified

Authors: Twa musicians of Chief Biniga (Performer) , Composer not specified
Subjects: Tutsi dance song , Indigenous folk music , Makondere horns , Drum
Type: Sound , Music
Identifier: vital:15427 , MOA30-15 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017733
Description: Tutsi dance song by Twa musicians of Chief Biniga, with Makondere horns, accompanied by a drum , This recording is held at the International Library of African Music. For further information contact ilamlibrary@ru.ac.za , This recording was digitised by the International Library of African Music , Original format: 15ips reel , Equipment used in digitisation: Studer B 67 Tape Recorder; Nagra III , Software: Sound Forge V.6 , Sample rate: 44100Hz 16Bit Stereo
Full Text: false

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The constitutional rights of 'benefactor children' and 'saviour siblings' to bodily intergrity and autonomy

- Du Plessis, Emma Kate

Authors: Du Plessis, Emma Kate
Date: 2011
Subjects: Children's rights , Civil rights , Genetic engineering
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
Identifier: vital:10283 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1010420 , Children's rights , Civil rights , Genetic engineering
Description: In modern society, children are acknowledged as bearers of both children‟s rights and all other rights in the Bill of Rights which generally apply to children. One important right, outside of section 28, is that of bodily integrity or the right to control and decide what happens to their body. Therefore, children theoretically have the right to consent to medical treatment and surgery. However, children are generally deemed to lack the necessary maturity to make decisions of this nature and require parental consent before any medical procedure may be performed. Following the enactment of the Children‟s Act 38 of 2005, the age of consent for medical intervention was lowered to the uniform age of twelve. Children above the age of twelve are recognised as having the capacity to make their own decisions in respect of bodily integrity, whereas those under twelve still require parental consent. While this may be a positive evelopment, it is potentially problematic for two groups of children, known as „benefactor children‟ and „saviour siblings‟. In the last 50 years, there has been a noticeable advancement in the field of genetic research. One such development is the possibility of creating one child to save the life of another through tissue or organ donation. This has provided options to parents of children with life threatening conditions where before, there was little hope of a cure. Now, at the request of these parents, children can be specifically “genetically engineered” as an embryo, to become a tissue or organ match to a sick sibling. These children are known as „saviour siblings‟. Another group of children has emerged. While not the result of “genetic engineering”, they serve a similar purpose in being potential life-saving donors to an ill sibling and are known as „benefactor children‟. Both categories of children enjoy the protection of fundamental rights. For those who are under twelve years of age however, the right to bodily integrity can be infringed upon by the proposed surgical removal of organs or tissue for the benefit of a sick sibling, based purely on a parent‟s consent. At stake too, is the right to reproductive autonomy. Parents bear children for a number of different reasons, which can include raising a child to save the life of another. As they have the right to reproductive autonomy, adults are able to decide when they want children and for what reason they want children, which can include the various techniques used to bring about „saviour siblings‟. However, as rights are mutually interrelated and nterdependent, they cannot be viewed in isolation. Therefore, it must be asked: does a person‟s right to reproductive autonomy, as guaranteed by the Constitution, justify interference with an embryo? As an embryo is not recognised in South African law as a legal subject, it will be difficult to justify interference with this right on this basis. The right to consent to medical intervention only from age twelve was described as potentially problematic for „benefactor children‟ and „saviour siblings‟, as parents with seriously ill children may become so emotionally burdened, that they place the welfare of the sick child over that of the healthy child. Thus, it is possible that parents will consent to any and all procedures on the „benefactor child‟ or „saviour sibling‟, regardless of the implications to the health and suffering of the healthy child. Section 28(2) of the Constitution states that the child‟s best interests are of paramount importance but, it must be asked, whose best interests are more important when more than one child is involved? As this is a decision parents are incapable of making at that time, the decision should be made by a neutral, impartial and unemotional third party such as the Court, which can be assisted by the Family Advocate and an ombudsman, who are experts in assisting children and promoting their best interests. Presently, South African law does not expressly address „saviour siblings‟. However, with few changes to the National Health Act and other Regulations, this is an area which could be regulated in time. These changes could include finalising the draft regulations as well as providing a list of the medical and dental purposes for which blood and tissue can be removed and should make specific reference to the removal of tissue, blood or blood products to treat a sick sibling. It is also imperative that South Africa regulates these matters now, as „saviour siblings‟ are no longer simply a matter for the future. Furthermore, legislation needs to be amended and enacted to prevent the law from becoming out-dated and redundant, leaving „benefactor children‟ and „saviour siblings‟ vulnerable while law is being drafted. In that international law is silent on the matter, South Africa would be well advised to consider foreign law such as the United Kingdom, in developing its law. As the United Kingdom has developed a National Board, so too should South Africa, as this would assist in regulating „saviour siblings‟ by allowing members to review each proposed case of „saviour siblings‟. This is merely one recommendation of several which could facilitate a smooth, controlled regulation of a highly emotional topic. Children remain one of the most vulnerable groups in society and their rights are often susceptible to infringement or abuse. It is incumbent on the law to ensure that, wherever possible, these rights are protected, especially as science continues to advance and it becomes more difficult to determine what is morally correct.
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Date Issued: 2011

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Investigating the effects of performance appraisal in the department of water and sanitation: a study of southern operations regional office

- Adonis Phelisa

Authors: Adonis Phelisa
Date: 2019
Subjects: Employees -- Rating of
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40226 , vital:35983
Description: This research examined the use of a personnel performance appraisal, a component of performance management system to evaluate employees at the Southern Operation Region Office of the Department of Water and Sanitation, Port Elizabeth and how this affects their performance. Writers in the available literature, contend that the objective of performance appraisal policy is to review work performance and provide feedback to facilitate measures and programmes to improve employee performance. Cascio and Aginis (2011:73) write that performance appraisal is a systematic description of individual or group job-relevant strengths and weaknesses as an important part of a performance management system. The study firstly analyses the effectiveness of performance appraisal in evaluating the management of the utilisation of resources. Secondly, the appropriateness of the tool in assessing the capacity of employees and contributing towards facilitating programmes and training to develop employee effectiveness. Thirdly, the study also examined the perception of employees on the use of performance appraisal as a management tool in the Department of Water and Sanitation Regional Operation Office. The study adopted a mainly qualitative methodological approach and purposively selected a sample of 30 employees at the Southern Operation Region Office of the Department of Water and Sanitation in Port Elizabeth who completed the questionnaire for the study. The choice of the qualitative research methodology is due to the fact that the approach is well suited to the collection of in-depth and perceptual information and for discovering underlying motivations and perceptions of the employees as respondents. The general employees at the area chosen for the study is one of a relatively young employee profile. The average age of the employees is about 28. The findings revealed that competence, assessment and development, communication and the adequate training which employees received based on the performance appraisal all had an impact on employee performance in Department of Water and Sanitation. Furthermore, factors, such as employee training, competence and communication could not be ignored since they were rated to a moderate extent v by the employees and it also contributed to employee performance. The study findings specifically highlight the importance of effective communication between the employer and the employees in order to improve employee performance appraisal processes. The study recommends a set of guidelines which could be used in improving the current performance appraisal policy and further boost employee performance.
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Date Issued: 2019

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Title not specified

- Performer not specified, Tracey, Andrew T N

Authors: Performer not specified , Tracey, Andrew T N
Date: 1987
Subjects: Music--European influences , Dance music , Bass guitar , Drum , Organ music , Brass instrument music , Sub-Saharan African music
Language: English
Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/107185 , vital:32772
Description: Small dance band song
Full Text: false
Date Issued: 1987

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Mtsitso III 1979

- Venancio Mbande and his group of 25, Tracey, Andrew T N

Authors: Venancio Mbande and his group of 25 , Tracey, Andrew T N
Date: 1979
Subjects: Chopi (African people) -- South Africa , Folk music , Xylophone music , Rattle (Musical instrument) , Drum
Language: Chopi
Type: sound recordings , field recordings , Sound recording material
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/94727 , vital:31072
Description: Traditional dance song with Timbila xylophone rattles and one drum accompaniment.
Full Text: false
Date Issued: 1979

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The E.coli RNA degradosome analysis of molecular chaperones and enolase

- Burger, Adélle

Authors: Burger, Adélle
Date: 2010
Subjects: Molecular chaperones , Escherichia coli -- Biotechnology , Polyphosphates , Polyphosphates -- Biotechnology , RNA-protein interactions
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
Identifier: vital:3950 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004009 , Molecular chaperones , Escherichia coli -- Biotechnology , Polyphosphates , Polyphosphates -- Biotechnology , RNA-protein interactions
Description: Normal mRNA turnover is essential for genetic regulation within cells. The E. coli RNA degradosome, a large multi-component protein complex which originates through specific protein interactions, has been referred to as the “RNA decay machine” and is responsible for mRNA turnover. The degradosome functions to process RNA and its key components have been identified. The scaffold protein is RNase E and it tethers the degradosome to the cytoplasmic membrane. Polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase), ATP-dependent RNA helicase (RhlB helicase) and the glycolytic enzyme enolase associate with RNase E to form the degradosome. Polyphosphate kinase associates with the degradosome in substoichiometric amounts, as do the molecular chaperones DnaK and GroEL. The role of DnaK as well as that of enolase in the RNA degradosome is unknown. Very limited research has been conducted on the components of the RNA degradosome under conditions of stress. The aim of this study was to understand the role played by enolase in the assembly of the degradosome under conditions of stress, as well as investigating the protein levels of molecular chaperones under these conditions. The RNA degradosome was successfully purified through its scaffold protein using nickel-affinity chromatography. In vivo studies were performed to investigate the protein levels of DnaK and GroEL present in the degradosome under conditions of heat stress, and whether GroEL could functionally replace DnaK in the degradosome. To investigate the recruitment of enolase to the degradosome under heat stress, a subcellular fractionation was performed to determine the localization of enolase upon heat shock in vivo. The elevated temperature resulted in an increased concentration of enolase in the membrane fraction. To determine whether there is an interaction between enolase and DnaK, enolase activity assays were conducted in vitro. The effect of DnaK on enolase activity was measured upon quantifying DnaK and adding it to the enolase assays. For the first time it was observed that the activity of enolase increased with the addition of substoichiometric amounts of DnaK. This indicates that DnaK may be interacting with the RNA degradosome via enolase.
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Date Issued: 2010

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Photocatalytic activity and antibacterial properties of Ag/N-doped TiO2 nanoparticles on PVAE-CS nanofibre support

- Ocwelwang, Atsile Rosy

Authors: Ocwelwang, Atsile Rosy
Date: 2012
Subjects: Nanocomposites (Materials) , Nanofibers , Electrospinning
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Chemistry)
Identifier: vital:11337 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006794 , Nanocomposites (Materials) , Nanofibers , Electrospinning
Description: Lack of potable water is one of the major challenges that the world faces currently and the effects of this are mainly experienced by people in developing countries. This has therefore propelled research in advanced oxidation technologies AOTs to improve the current water treatment methods using cost effective, non toxic and efficient treatment methods. Hence, in this study the sol-gel synthesis method was used to prepare TiO2 nanoparticles that were photocatalytically active under UV and visible solar light as well as possessing antibacterial properties. Silver and nitrogen doping was carried out to extend the optical absorption of TiO2. For easy removal and reuse of the photocatalyst the nanoparticles were immobilized on chitosan and poly (vinyl-alcohol-co-ethylene) using the electrospining technique. The synthesized nanomaterials were characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM/EDS, TEM, DRS, and TGA. FTIR and EDS analysis confirmed the formation and composition of TiO2 nanopowders for the doped and undoped nanoparticles. XRD analysis showed that the anatase phase was the dominant crystalline phase of the synthesized nanopowders. SEM and TEM respectively illustrated the distribution and size of the electrospun nanofibers and the nanoparticles of TiO2. DRS results showed that there was a significant shift in the absorption band edge and wavelength of Ag-TiO2 to 397 nm, followed by N-TiO2 at 396 nm compared to the commercial titania which was at 359 nm. The photocatalytic activities and antibacterial properties of these materials were tested on methylene blue dye and E.coli microorganism respectively. Ag-TiO2 immobilized on nanofibers of chitosan and PVAE had the highest photocatalytic activity compared to N-TiO2. Similar results were observed when the biocide properties of these materials were tested on E. coli.
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Date Issued: 2012

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Boyoka malinga

- Lifungula Pascal (Performer), Composer not specified

Authors: Lifungula Pascal (Performer) , Composer not specified
Subjects: Town dance , Guitar , Rumba , Vocal
Type: Sound , Music
Identifier: vital:15510 , MOA05-08 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017239
Description: Rumba town dance song by Lifungula Pascal, accompanied by guitar , This recording is held at the International Library of African Music. For further information contact ilamlibrary@ru.ac.za , This recording was digitised by the International Library of African Music , Original format: 15ips reel , Equipment used in digitisation: Studer B 67 Tape Recorder; Nagra III , Software: Sound Forge V.6 , Sample rate: 44100Hz 16Bit Stereo
Full Text: false

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The isolation and partial characterization of a2-antiplasmin and plasminogen from ostrich plasma

- Thomas, Adele René

Authors: Thomas, Adele René
Date: 2000
Subjects: Serpins , Ostriches , Antifibrinolytic agents , Plasminogen , Plasmin
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
Identifier: vital:11080 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/274 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1005751 , Serpins , Ostriches , Antifibrinolytic agents , Plasminogen , Plasmin
Description: This study reports the isolation, purification and partial characterisation of the ostrich serpin, a2AP, as well as its target enzyme, ostrich plasmin, in its active and inactive proenzyme, viz. plasminogen, forms. Three different procedures were undertaken to isolate and purify ostrich a2AP. The first one involved L-lysine-Sepharose chromatography, ammonium sulfate fractionation, ion-exchange chromatography on Toyopearl Super-Q 650S, and ostrich plasminogen-Sepharose affinity chromatography. The second procedure replaced the latter chromatographic step with gel filtration on Sephadex G-200 and hydroxylapatite chromatography, while the third one employed instead the theoretically more efficient LBSI-Sepharose chromatographic step. The third procedure yielded purified ostrich a2AP, but the degree of purity and yield were relatively low. Ostrich plasminogen was highly purified after L-lysine-Sepharose chromatography and ostrich plasmin was obtained by the urokinase-activation of the purified ostrich plasminogen Ostrich a2AP revealed an Mr of 77-84 K and two isoelectric forms of pI 3.85 and 6.18. Nterminal sequence analysis showed ostrich a2AP to have only 2 out of 11 residues in common with both those of human and bovine a2AP. Ostrich a2AP showed the largest inhibitory effects on ostrich plasmin, followed by comm. bovine chymotrypsin, trypsin and plasmin, in that order, and it appeared to be a much less potent plasmin inhibitor than bovine aprotinin, but a much more potent one than the synthetic inhibitors, DFP and EACA. Ostrich plasminogen showed an Mr of 92 K and multiple isoelectric forms (~7) in the pI range 6.01-9.18, with a major one of pI 6.01. It showed a total of 775 amino acid residues and its N-terminal sequence showed ~53 percent identity with those of human, rabbit, cat, and ox plasminogens. Ostrich plasmin revealed an Mr of 78 K, two isoelectric forms of pI 4.07 and 6.01, and a total of 638 amino acid residues. N-terminal sequence analysis showed that 2-4 residues are identical to the 5 of human, cat, dog, rabbit, and ox plasmins. The pH and temperature optima of ostrich plasmin were determined as 8.0 and 40 oC, respectively. The thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of ostrich plasmin were computed, and plasmin was shown to prefer Lys to Arg residues in the S1 position. In conclusion, ostrich a2AP, plasminogen and plasmin showed definite similarities to their mammalian counterparts, but there were also significant differences.
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Date Issued: 2000

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