New Releases by Ian Barr

Academy, esteemed school and centre for innovation in the world, is home to people from all walks of life. National tensions are put aside, the topic of faith is not up for debate, and peace has reigned there for as long as the school has been in operation. That calm is shattered when the misguided Avery Adder flies his aero into the volatile auroran lights during a trek to the north. The incident, seeming at first to be nothing more than showboating gone awry, soon unfolds into something far more sinister as the repercussions of Avery's actions incite discord amongst the students, with the potential for it to echo into the world beyond Academy. Enemies stalk the shadows, blood is shed under the flickering lights in the sky, and the students of Academy become pawns in a game played by mortals, immortals, and the beings that straddle the line between the two. Synthetic Magic is the first volume of The Bloodless Affairs series, featuring a diverse cast of characters in a world that blends old magic and new technology seamlessly. Synthetic Magic is Ian Barr's debut novel.

The RNA-binding protein DiGeorge Critical Region 8 (DGCR8) and its partner, the nuclease Drosha, are necessary for processing of primary microRNA (pri-miRNA) transcripts in animals. MicroRNAs, in turn, are essential pieces of the cell's regulatory machinery, where they serve to post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression through the RNA-Induced Silencing Complex. Work described in this dissertation concerns the interaction of DGCR8 with the cofactor heme, and shows how the activity of DGCR8 - and by extension, the activity of Drosha - is controlled by the presence of heme within the heme-binding domain. Biochemical and spectrophotometric assays are used to show that the heme in DGCR8 is in the Fe(III) form and is ligated to two cysteines, one from each subunit of the DGCR8 homodimer. The activity of DGCR8 is shown to depend on the oxidation state of the iron; Fe(II) is unable to activate processing or allow trimerization of DGCR8 on pri-miRNA. I also show that, from a screen of ten metalloporphyrins, only Co(III) protoporphyrin IX is able to both bind to DGCR8 and activate pri-miRNA processing. The implications of this work are discussed.

IGCSE English second edition is designed for students following the University of Cambridge International Examinations 0500 First Language English syllabus. Simple guidelines, advice from experienced examiners and extensive use of examples taken from candidates' work make this a book that will genuinely help students raise their level of success and enjoyment in English. It includes a section entitled 'How writers achieve their effects', revised questions and mark schemes, and an extended section on coursework. This practical approach, with straightforward explanations backed by clearly analysed examples make it invaluable for all students taking any first-level secondary English course. - Chapter 1 aims to improve and develop students' reading skills, to help them achieve the best possible grade in the Reading and Directed Writing paper. - Chapter 2 covers reading comprehension and other skills needed for the Directed Writing and Composition paper. - Chapter 3 aims to improve and develop students' writing skills, to help them achieve the best possible grade in the Directed Writing and Composition paper. - Chapter 4 helps students practise the specific skills needed for the writing aspects of the extended Directed Writing and Composition paper. - Chapter 5 looks at the particular skills needed when writing a summary - a task which features in both Component 1 and Component 2. - Chapter 6 advises on continuous writing and is divided into two sections: one on composition writing, for those taking Component 3, and one on coursework. - Chapter 7 outlines the requirements of the Speaking and Listening exam.

Grade A Secrets offers a useful mock exam. Inside each pack, actual GCSE examiners reveal inside information on the forthcoming 2001 exams. They also add tips on how to attain A/A* grades.

Intended for achieving examination success, this series replaces the former GCSE Study Guides. Revise GCSE offers complete study and reference support for the English Literature GCSE course as well as being a revision guide for English Literature GCSE examinations and Scottish Standard Grade. It provides a breakdown of the syllabuses and exam structure for every exam board, advice on studying, revising, coursework and exams, topic-by-topic coverage, clearly presented with many examples and diagrams, quick tests for every topic to check progress, and a bank of recent GCSE exam questions with answers to fine-tune exam techniques.

This edition is intended for use in the preparation for the GCSE English examination in 2000. Written by GCSE teachers and examiners these questions and answers are produced to offer students the opportunity to practice answering exam questions, so as improve their exam technique and performance. The specially selected exam questions with worked answers and examiner's tips, show students how to avoid common mistakes and achieve maximum marks. Included is a mark scheme, revision summaries, and a full mock exam paper.

One of a series of literature guides for students from Key Stage 3 to A-Level, this book focuses on Harold Brighouse's Hobson's Choice. Each title in the series aims to develop the skills and techniques required for English-literature coursework and exams, and at the same time to encourage an exploratory reading of the text under discussion. There are introductions to the plot, characters and themes, detailed commentary on the text, self-test questions, and guidance on literary terms, memorable quotes and examination essays.

This English classroom book is one of a series which forms an introduction to the new GCSE syllabus. To complement this book there is also a homework book for children and a teacher's guide containing answers. The same principles have been applied to the other core subects.

This English teachers guide, including guidance on assessment, is one of a series which forms an introduction to the new GCSE syllabus. To complement this book there is also a homework book and a classwork book. The teachers guide comes free when orders for the classbook and homework book exceed u200."