Interest rates and the 2004 Australian Election

During the October 2004 Australian federal election campaign the expected or possible effect of the election outcome on interest rates was a key point of differentiation between the Australian Labor Party and the Liberal–National Party coalition. The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, we examine whether this effect was a significant factor in the election outcome, as measured by the percentage swing towards the coalition in each electorate. Second, we use standard methodology from financial economics to examine whether the election outcome had an effect on interest rates. Contrary to media coverage of the campaign, we find that the election result did have an effect on interest rates but that the possibility of interest rate changes was not a dominant factor in the election result.     

New techniques for the recovery of small amounts of mature enamel proteins

Currently there are no non-destructive techniques to obtain protein from the dental enamel, the most mineralized tissue in mammals and most resistant to diagenesis, which provides a window to the developing period by means of incremental markings containing proteins. To recover protein, dissolution of powdered enamel is required. Here we tested whether samples obtained by micro-etching of the enamel surface were adequate for protein analysis by MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry and identification in protein databases. The micro-etch techniques were effective in generating adequate samples for mass spectrometry (from 3 to 13.4 μm superficial enamel), being also highly conservative, since they rendered masses of enamel ranging from 0.1 to 0.4 mg. Using these techniques the separation of proteins by SDS-PAGE was not necessary, and the whole procedure was easier. Results showed successful identification of specific enamel proteins after whole crown superficial etching with 11% EDTA in the case of immature porcine samples, and with 10% HCl in the case of mature human enamel. X- and Y-isoforms of amelogenin, ameloblastin, and enamelin peptides were identified. The new techniques described here allowed the successful recovery of enamel proteins, opening new avenues for the use of enamel protein information in fossil/archeological material, where sometimes little protein is left.     

Remarques sur le servage au Bourbonnais au XVe siécle

The terrier of the lordship of Maussat and La Romagière, drawn up in 1470–1480, is the principal source of information for this study of serfdom in western Bourbonnais. Conclusions are drawn from this source concerning the proportion of serfs in the population as a whole, the nature of the bonds of dependence, the ways of becoming a serf, and the obligations and rights of both lord and serf. The possibilities of serfs making socioeconomic progress through the concentration of tenures in a small number of servile families and the exercise of ministeriality are considered. The study demonstrates the dynamism and importance of serfdom in the organisation of the lordship. La condition du servage dans la seigneurie de Maussat et de La Romagière - à l'Ouest du Bourbonnais - a ètè ètudié à partir du tm?oignage principal du terrier de cette seigneurie, rédigé en 1470–1480. Dans ce travail, on établit: (1) La population totale de la seigneurie et celle de chacun des groupes afin de connaître l'importance quantitative du servage: 25% du total des dépendants; (2) La nature de lien de dépendance: serfs personnels ou réels, les premiers étant beaucoup plus nombreux; (3) Les voies menant au servage - héritage et accord - toutes deux en pleine vigueur; (4) Les obligations et les droits des serfs, et les droits du seigneur montrant une nette amélioration dans la condition du servage. On analyse enfin les possibilités d'évolution du groupe grâce à la concentration de tenures par un petit nombre de familles serviles et par l'exercise de la ministérialité. Cette étude permet de constater le dynamisme du servage et son importance dans l'organisation de la seigneurie.