Evaluation of conditions affecting Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of soybean (Glycine max L.) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

With the need for increased food production by 70% by 2050, plant genetic transformation plays a key role in the development of crops more tolerant to stress, pests, and disease. Legumes are immensely important in terms of nutritional and economic value in addition to nitrogen fixation capabilities. However, legumes have often proved difficult to transform with genetic engineering. This thesis evaluates conditions affecting genetic transformation of soybean (Glycine max L.) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Transformation of soybean is now routine but requires much skill and labor. To reduce the labor required for the transformation of soybean, it is important to maximize the transformation efficiency. An important factor for genetic transformation of any crop is the selectable marker system that allows the identification of transformed cells and tissue. The choice of promoters driving selectable marker genes is important for maximizing transformation frequency in Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated plant transformation. The cauliflower mosaic virus 35S (CaMV 35S) and nopaline synthase (NOS) promoter and one regulator, tobacco etch viral (TEV) translational enhancer, were tested in this study. The NOS promoter with enhancer resulted in a significantly higher transformation efficiency than NOS without the enhancer and both CaMV 35S constructs. No significant differences were identified between constructs in the average copy number of the bar gene. Common bean is one of most important sources of dietary protein for human consumption, especially for small landholder farmers in many tropical countries. Transformation of common bean has proved more challenging than other legumes. The development of a robust and reproducible method of common bean transformation is important to allow crop improvements to be made more efficiently than can be achieved with conventional breeding. Ninety-three (93) common bean cultivars were screened for the ability of each cultivar to turn green and continue shoot development using a half seed transformation method. Twenty cultivars with high regeneration frequency were further evaluated for their responses to infection using two Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains using a transient GUS assay. Transient GUS expression varied between cultivars comparing EHA101 and LBA4404, however higher regeneration resulted from EHA101. Eight cultivars were further used for optimizing regeneration conditions. Overall, tissue culture on MS basal media resulted in healthier growth compared to culture on B5 media. Across eight cultivars, cytokinin 6-benzylaminopurine (5 mg/L) was determined to be optimal for shoot induction, gibberellic acid was important for shoot elongation, and auxin indole-3-butyric acid was important for root induction

Intensive Archeological Survey Of The Willrae Tract City Of Florence, Williamson County, Texas

Georgetown Independent School District (GISD) has proposed the Willrae Tract project where school facilities will be constructed south of Florence, Williamson County, Texas. GISD retained Terracon Consultants, Inc. to conduct a systematic, intensive pedestrian survey of the approximate 100-acre project area. Because GISD, a political subdivision of the State of Texas, sponsored the project, the proposed undertaking is subject to compliance with the Antiquities Code of Texas and oversight from the Texas Historical Commission. In addition, the survey meets the standards for compliance under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, should a US Army Corps of Engineers permit be required for the project. The cultural resources survey was carried out under Texas Antiquities Permit Number 8232, issued to Ann M. Scott, PhD, RPA, Principal Investigator. Fieldwork was carried out by Project Archeologist Caitlin Gulihur, MA, and Jacob Hooge, MA, under the supervision of Dr. Scott. Records from the project will be curated at the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University. The 100-acre project area was considered the Area of Potential Effect (APE). Survey of the APE consisted of systematic pedestrian coverage, including discretionary shovel tests. The work was carried out on December 20-21, 2017. Forty-four shovel tests were excavated in areas that had less than 30 percent ground visibility or placed in areas previously undisturbed. Cultural materials were observed in two shovel tests. As a result of the survey, two historic-age sites were recorded, 41WM1386 and 41WM1387. Site 41WM1386 consisted of historic-age features, including a well/cistern and a concrete foundation; artifacts included glass fragments, ceramics, bricks, metal flatware and tool, and metal scrap. The majority of the artifacts appear to date from mid-20th century, with some dating from early-20th century. Little potential for buried deposits was noted when the site was recorded. Site 41WM1387 consisted of historic-age features, including a collapsed chimney and a well/cistern; artifacts included glass fragments, metal scrap, metal cans, and ceramic sherds. Artifacts appear to date from the early- to mid-20th century. Limited potential for significant buried deposits was noted when the site was recorded. Neither site appears to maintain integrity and substantive research value. Deed and historic research did not substantially link the sites to significant events or individuals. Neither site is recommended as eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) or for designation as a State Antiquities Landmark (SAL). Given the absence of eligible historic properties within the APE, it is Terracon’s recommendation that the proposed project be allowed to proceed as currently designed. In the unlikely event that human remains or previously undocumented archeological features are discovered during construction, construction should cease in the vicinity of the remains and Terracon, the Texas Historical Commission’s Archeology Division, or other proper authorities should be contacted

Functioneel onderzoek van Laat-Paleolithische en Vroeg-Mesolithische sites in Vlaanderen

Lithische artefacten zijn de meest voorkomende resten die worden teruggevonden op steentijdsites en op basis van een gedetailleerde studie van deze artefacten kan gereconstrueerd worden wat er precies op deze plaats in het landschap gebeurde. Veelal gebeurt dit via een typologische classificatie van het materiaal, vaak gecombineerd met een technologische studie en al dan niet met de integratie van studies van het ruw materiaal zelf. Deze methodes exploiteren echter slechts een deel van de beschikbare gegevens en geven geen inzicht in welke artefacten werkelijk gebruikt werden, waarvoor ze gebruikt werden en hoe. Een gebruikssporenonderzoek is één van de enige manieren om inzicht te verkrijgen in de organische component van de prehistorische technologie, die veelal niet bewaard is gebleven. Een dergelijke analyse laat ook toe om te bepalen wat de functie van een site was (bv. basiskamp, jachtkamp, productie-site) en te onderzoeken wat het verband is met de locatie in het landschap of met andere sites in de omgeving (voor eenzelfde tijdsperiode). Tot op heden is de functie van de meeste Paleo/Mesolithische sites nog onbekend en is het vaak moeilijk om in te schatten hoe concentraties moeten geïnterpreteerd worden. De mogelijkheden hiervan worden natuurlijk mee bepaald door de gebruikte opgravingsstrategie. Op dit moment is de regel dat het opgegraven sediment moet gezeefd worden, maar de exacte zeefmethode heeft een grote invloed op de bewaring van de gebruikssporen en de eventueel aangehechte residus. Er was tot op heden nog geen systematische studie gebeurd over de invloed van de gebruikte zeeftechniek op de bewaring van functionele resten

Cultural Resources Survey for the Oncor Cogdell - Clairemont 138 kV Transmission Line Project, Kent and Scurry Counties, Texas

Oncor Electric Delivery Company, LLC (Oncor) and Brazos Electric Power Cooperative propose to construct a new, singlecircuit 138 kilovolt (kV) transmission line (Project) between the existing Oncor Cogdell substation located in Scurry County, approximately 15 miles northeast of Snyder, Texas, east of Farm-to-Market (FM) 1231, and the existing Brazos Electric Clairemont substation located in Kent County, approximately seven miles northwest of Clairemont, Texas. The proposed transmission line would be constructed with one circuit of 138 kV transmission line supported by double circuit 138 kV steel or concrete monopole structures within a 70-foot (ft) right-of-way (ROW). AECOM Technical Services, Inc. (AECOM) conducted a 100 percent pedestrian archaeological survey of the Project ROW for the portion of the Project from the Cogdell substation to the Project midpoint, which covers approximately 14.4 miles (including various potential reroutes). The survey was conducted from October 8 to 13, 2019, requiring 156 person hours in the field. The investigations reported herein were conducted in accordance with Oncor’s Generic Research Design for Archaeological Surveys of Oncor Electric Delivery Electric Transmission Line Projects in Texas (PBS&J 2008). The survey resulted in the identification and recording of a historic windmill and cistern site (41SC76), two prehistoric lithic scatters (41KT176 and 41KT177), and nine isolated finds (IFs 1 through 9). In addition, two flakes from one previously recorded site (41KT107) were found within the Project ROW. Based upon poor integrity contexts of these sites, the lack of any known associations with significant historic events and/or persons, and because the sites are not likely to yield information important to prehistory or history, each of these sites and the IFs are recommended as not eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Furthermore, these sites do not merit designation as State Antiquities Landmarks (SALs). A single historic-age ranch complex was identified 240 feet north of the Project ROW. The ranch complex with associated agricultural outbuildings was built ca. 1930. The complex contains one single-family domestic dwelling and five outbuildings of various sizes. The resource retains some aspects of integrity, but they are unremarkable examples of a common dwelling and outbuildings. The resources do not convey association with significant historical events or a significant pattern of development. The buildings do not appear to be associated with significant persons in history and lack architectural design merit. Furthermore, the resources are not likely to yield information important to history or prehistory of the area. Therefore, the ranch complex and associated outbuildings are recommended as not eligible for listing in the NRHP. A geomorphological evaluation of the project area revealed that the Project ROW does not exhibit the pedologic and geomorphic conditions necessary for the deep burial and preservation of cultural deposits. Therefore, no geoarchaeological monitoring of transmission pole emplacement is recommended. Based on the results of the survey, the development, construction, and operation of the proposed Project should have No Effect on historic properties or SALs. It is recommended that construction can proceed without further cultural resources investigations. However, should the dimensions of the Project change, additional investigations may be required. If any unmarked prehistoric or historic human remains or burials are encountered at any point, the area of the remains is considered a cemetery under current Texas law and is protected. Section 28.03(f) of the Texas Penal Code provides that intentional damage or destruction inflicted on a human burial site is a state jail felony. If a cemetery is identified in the Project ROW, all work in the area of the discovery must cease and the THC must be notified by contacting the History Programs Division at (512) 463-5853 and the Archeology Division at (512) 463-6096. Following consultation with the THC, a treatment or avoidance plan would be developed and implemented. No artifacts were collected during the survey. All correspondence, field records, and photographs generated during field investigations will be prepared for permanent curation at Texas Archeological Research Laboratory (TARL), Austin, Texas

Electromagnetic launcher system prototype for non-lethal engagements: Innovation in materials and engineering for sustainable defense technologies

Background: Electromagnetic launchers specifically coil guns have gained a considerable attention as one of the potential tools for non-lethal engagements. Methods: This research will explore the potential, working principles, and calculation that purpose. Coil guns utilize magnetic field in the form of coils are used to launch a projectile at high velocity without any chemical reaction, unlike conventional firearm. Development for coil gun on non-lethal engagements are still a challenge due to the precision of impact force, device’s reliability, and more. This prototype was developed as a two-staged coil gun controlled by Arduino and using a ST41 steel projectile. The system also implements IR LED in the coil as a failsafe should the timing did not work as expected. Findings: The results that the predicted results from the testing shown that the device could be capable for non-lethal engagements because the prototype performed with a peak muzzle velocity of 15.9 m/s and did not exceed the maximum of 100 Joules of energy at impact. Conclusion: This clearly shows that with more research, this method of a launcher could be promising due to the fact that in future advancements of research, coil gun is capable of great things, especially in the segment of non-lethal engagements. Novelty/Originality of this Study: This study contributes to the field of non-lethal weapon technology by developing a two-staged coil gun prototype controlled by Arduino, demonstrating its feasibility for non-lethal engagements with a peak muzzle velocity of 15.9 m/s and impact energy below 100 Joules, while incorporating an IR LED failsafe system to enhance operational reliability

Electromagnetic launcher system prototype for non-lethal engagements: Innovation in materials and engineering for sustainable defense technologies

Background: Electromagnetic launchers specifically coil guns have gained a considerable attention as one of the potential tools for non-lethal engagements. Methods: This research will explore the potential, working principles, and calculation that purpose. Coil guns utilize magnetic field in the form of coils are used to launch a projectile at high velocity without any chemical reaction, unlike conventional firearm. Development for coil gun on non-lethal engagements are still a challenge due to the precision of impact force, device’s reliability, and more. This prototype was developed as a two-staged coil gun controlled by Arduino and using a ST41 steel projectile. The system also implements IR LED in the coil as a failsafe should the timing did not work as expected. Findings: The results that the predicted results from the testing shown that the device could be capable for non-lethal engagements because the prototype performed with a peak muzzle velocity of 15.9 m/s and did not exceed the maximum of 100 Joules of energy at impact. Conclusion: This clearly shows that with more research, this method of a launcher could be promising due to the fact that in future advancements of research, coil gun is capable of great things, especially in the segment of non-lethal engagements. Novelty/Originality of this Study: This study contributes to the field of non-lethal weapon technology by developing a two-staged coil gun prototype controlled by Arduino, demonstrating its feasibility for non-lethal engagements with a peak muzzle velocity of 15.9 m/s and impact energy below 100 Joules, while incorporating an IR LED failsafe system to enhance operational reliability