User:Honestbean/sandbox

(from the wikipedia page for ALAD, which I am hoping to improve)

The ALAD enzyme is composed of 8 identical subunits and catalyzes the condensation of 2 molecules of delta-aminolevulinate to form porphobilinogen (a precursor of heme, cytochromes and other hemoproteins). ALAD catalyzes the second step in the porphyrin and heme biosynthetic pathway; zinc is essential for enzymatic activity. Some strains of ALAD in plants and some bacteria utilize magenisium for enzymatic activity instead of zinc.

Enzymatic Activity
ALAD catalyzes the production of porphobilinogen. The catalysis is carried out by the dimerization of 5-amino-laevulinic acid.

Inhibition
ALAD enzymatic activity is inhibited by lead, beginning at blood lead levels that were once considered to be safe (<10 μg/dL) and continuing to correlate negatively across the range from 5 to 95 μg/dL. --- The Inhibition of ALAD by lead leads to anemia primarily because it both inhibits heme synthesis and shortens the lifespan of circulating red blood cells, but also by stimulating the excessive production of the hormone erythropoietin, leading to inadequate maturation of red cells from their progenitors. A defect in the ALAD structural gene can cause increased sensitivity to lead poisoning and acute hepatic porphyria. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been identified.

My article evaluation (Calmodulin)

 * Content seems to all relate to Calmodulin and there wasn't any content that overtly distracted me, however, I would suggest making the "General Role" in the body is a heading, because there are several subcategories of it and it could be beneficial to the flow of the article.
 * There don't see to be any apparent biased opinions in the article, just a neutral discussion of the role of calmodulin and it's make-up
 * Viewpoint of the Role is heavily dicussed to a greater extent than that of the chemical makeup and the chemical processes it facilitates.
 * #4 reference gives a "this page is obsolete" webpage when clicked. Other links do support the viewpoints on the wikipedia page
 * Most linked articles come from peer reviewed journals and have a neutral opinion and are from journals or collections that are based on experiments conducted
 * One article is from 1988 and another article is over 20 years old, and there could probably be an article with updated information from a more recent experiment. As for missing information I am not sure, because a majority of my research has been in the ALAD, where there is so much missing information. However I'll be on the lookout for missing information as I find more sources for calmodulin in the my molecule project
 * This article is part of 4 WikiProjects, each either Start Class low importance or Start Class Mid Importance. It is a part of the Chemical, Molecular and Cell Biology, Cell Signaling, and Neuroscience Wiki Projects
 * This article did not mention lead as an inhibitor at all, and focuses more on the larger role of Calmodulin, and not as much the molecular level

= Martha Doan Sc.D. = Martha Doan (June 6, 1872 - April 18, 1960) was an American chemist whose work includes research in compounds of thallium, three published works, and work as a professor and dean at various institutions in the US. Throughout her lifetime she received four degrees, a B.S. and Master's from Purdue, a B.L. from Earlham College, and a Sc.D. from Cornell. She was a Dean of Women for two Colleges, Earlham College and Iowa Wesleyan College. In addition to her involvement in higher education, she was involved with several national organizations that involved chemistry and science. She was awarded a certificate for Outstanding Service to Science in 1951. There is now a garden dedicated to her in her hometown of Westfield, Indiana, in honor of her interests in science, nature, and horticulture.

Early Life
Born to Pheobe MacPherson and Abel Doan, Martha grew up in Westfeild, Indiana. She was the oldest of seven children. Abel Doan was the president of the local bank, and the family was well known among the community. Martha graduated from Union High School, a Quaker school which was known to help students develop into leaders in many different fields of study. After high school, Martha decided to pursue a college education. Her six younger siblings would also attend college.

Education and Career
Martha Doan would eventually hold 4 collegiate level degrees. She earned her B.S. at age 19, from Purdue University. Her next year of study would be directed at the pursuit of a B.L. from Earlham College in English Literature. Afterwards, she received an M.S. from Purdue.

Her final degree came from Cornell University. During her time at Cornell, she pursued a Doctorate of Science (Sc.D.) in chemistry. Her studies were funded by the Henry W. Sage Fellowship offered to select graduate students at Cornell. Her work towards this advanced chemistry degree revolved around the research of thallium and related compounds. In 1896, the year that she received her Sc.D., she was listed as a co-author for a paper regarding the thallium related compounds, that would be published by the American Chemical Society.

Another publication of Martha Doan's is the Index to Literature of Thallium 1861-1896. This index was unanimously recommended to the Smithsonian Institute by a committee from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. It would go on to appear in Miscellaneous Collections at the Smithsonian Institute in 1899. Her last publication was a translation of Radio Indicators and other selected topics in Inorganic Chemistry.

In addition to being a published chemist, Martha Doan taught for a majority of her life. Her first job in teaching was at Manual Training High School, in Indianapolis. She was then quickly offered a position at Vassar College, where she taught as an instructor for 14 years. After teaching at Vassar College, she went on to be both a professor and Dean of Women at Earlham College. She stayed at Earlham until 1926. Three years later, she became a professor and Dean of Women for yet another College, Iowa Wesleyan College and held this position until 1937. There were several occasions where she served as an active or assistant dean of women during summer semesters at other institutions. During her deanship's, there were no indicators of difficulties, and she concerned herself with expanding the educational opportunities available. Her pursuits as an administrator included further developing strong teaching, research, and university extension work.

Recognition, Honors and Awards
Throughout her career, Martha was highly involved in several organizations in the scientific and academic realm. after retirement she was an active member of the community. Her involvement and dedication to science and academia earned her several honors and awards from the various institutions she was involved in.