In Vitro Studies on Pollen Viability, Pollen Germination and Pollen Tube Growth of Hornstedtia Conoidea Ridl. – a Philippine Endemic Ginger Species

Zingiberaceous plants are predominantly propagated through underground rhizomes and seeds. In this study, the viability of pollen, rate of pollen germination and length of pollen tube of the Philippine endemic Hornstedtia conoidea were examined. Four petri plates containing pollen samples were prepared, of which two petri plates were used immediately after the collection, while the other two petri plates were stored for one week. The determination of pollen viability was made employing stain tests using IKI (iodine + potassium iodide) solution and safranin and measured immediately after the collection and after one week. Likewise, pollen germination test was carried out in vitro on agar medium and measured after 24 hours and one week of incubation. Data revealed that pollen viability was higher in the samples which were sown immediately with safranin with percentage pollen viability of 92.43%, while IKI test was lower with 89.36%. On the other hand, the pollen stored for one week measured 47.29% for safranin test and 33.14% for IKI test. The percentage germination of pollen after 24 hours was 72.65%, while 11.13% after one week. The pollen samples which were subjected for tube growth were examined for two weeks and gave positive results. Overall, it can be concluded that H. conoidea pollen can successfully be collected and stored for certain time. Knowledge regarding the pollen viability, pollen germination and pollen tube growth of this species will give practical benefit for plant breeding and conservation purposes, since H. conoidea is found in the wild, and as of now, the species has been recorded only in the Philippines

Response of beam-to-column web cleated joints for FRP pultruded members

Physical testing is used to characterize the structural properties of beam-to-column joints, comprising pultruded fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) H-shapes of depth 203 mm, connected by 128 mm-long web cleats and two M16 bolts per leg. Testing is performed on two batches of nominally identical specimens. One batch had web cleats of pultruded FRP and the other had structural steel. The structural behavior of the joints is based on their moment-rotation responses, failure modes, and serviceability vertical deflection limits. Joints with FRP cleats failed by delamination cracking at the top of the cleats, and when the cleats were of steel, the FRP failure occurred inside the column members. Neither failure mode is reported in the design manuals from pultruders. At the onset of the FRP damage, it was found that the steel joints were twice as stiff as the FRP joints. On the basis of a characteristic (damage) rotation, calculated in accordance with Eurocode 0, the serviceability deflection limits are established to be span/300 and span/650 for the joints with FRP and steel cleats, respectively. This finding suggests that appropriate deflection limits, in relation to cleated connections, should be proposed in manufactures’ design manuals and relative design standards and design codes. Failure to address the serviceability, by the engineer of record, could lead to unreliable designs

Inputs Prices Shocks and Economic Growth: Comparative Analysis of the Effects of Oil and Cotton Prices Shocks in Burkina Faso

This paper analyzes the effects of oil and cotton price shocks on Burkina Faso economic growth using a multivariate VAR model estimation. We have distinguished between the linear and nonlinear specification of oil and cotton price shocks in our study. For the nonlinear specification, we make the difference between prices increase and price decreases. We find that oil price shocks do not affect Burkina Faso’s real GDP in both linear and nonlinear specification. However, we do find that cotton price shocks in linear and nonlinear model, Granger cause real GDP and final consumption. In addition, the study has shown that both positive and negative cotton price shocks affect positively the real GDP

Cross Cultural Dimensions of Cultural Capital: A Comparison Between Greece and Turkey

In this research, cross cultural dimensions between two ancient societies, Greece and Turkey have been examined and compared. In addition, West and Anatolia were also compared based on selected cross cultural dimensions. Cross cultural dimensions were evaluated in 11 factors: Education, Political Trust, Voluntary Work, Political Participation, Life Satisfaction Component, and Trust in People, Fear of Others, Life Satisfaction, Happiness, Income and Deprivation Index. In the research, a rhetorical analysis was also performed based on interviews with selected organizations in Greece and Turkey. According to results of the research, all 11 factors of cross cultural dimension were statistically significant between two countries (p<.05). Education levels were higher in Greece. Turkish people trust more political institutions. Greek people were less volunteering for community and social services. Political participation was higher in Turkish participants. Greek participants were more satisfied with education, accommodation, health and social life. Greek participants had less trust to other people. Life satisfaction level was higher in Turkish participants. Happiness levels of Greek participants were also lower. Income levels of Greek participants were lower, where deprivation index was higher in Turkish participants

Morphoanatomy and Phenoplasticity of Cardamine hupingshanensis (Brassicaceae) Under Cadmium Stress

Using a soil culture method, this study investigated the morphoanatomical responses and phenotypic plasticity of Cardamine hupingshanensis (Brassicaceae) under different cadmium (Cd) concentrations. Root morphological indices initially increased at low Cd levels but decreased as Cd concentrations rose, exhibiting a low-promoting and high-inhibiting effect. Leaf morphology and biomass peaked at 5 or 10 mg kg-1 Cd before decreasing at higher concentrations but were still significantly higher than the control (P \u3c 0.05). Anatomical structure analysis revealed no significant difference at 5 mg kg-1 Cd; however, at ≥ 100 mg kg-1 Cd, epidermal and spongy tissue thickness differed significantly from the control. Correlation analysis indicated a significant positive correlation between Cd concentration and epidermal and spongy tissue thickness but a negative correlation with palisade tissue thickness. The mean phenotypic plasticity index of C. hupingshanensis under Cd stress was 0.73, with root morphology exhibiting greater plasticity. These findings show the adaptability of C. hupingshanensis in cadmium-contaminated environments and its resilience under heavy metal stress

Potential of pyrolysis processes in the waste management sector

The fundamentals of pyrolysis, its latest developments, the different conditions of the process and its residues are of great importance in evaluating the applicability of the pyrolysis process within the waste management sector and in waste treatment. In particular the types of residue and their further use or treatment is of extreme interest as they could become the source of secondary raw materials or be used for energy generation in waste treatments. The main area of focus of this paper is the investigation of the link between the pyrolysis conditions, the chemical and mineralogical composition of their products and the benefits of pyrolysis in the waste management sector. More specifically the paper covers the fast, intermediate and slow pyrolysis of organic waste and mixtures of inorganic and organic waste from households. The influence of catalysts during fast pyrolysis on the product yield and composition is not being considered in this review.This reported work was conducted as part of the “Design Optimisation of the HERU Waste Treatment System” project in Brunel University London that was funded by Manik Ventures Limited

From Monodisciplinary via Multidisciplinary to an Interdisciplinary Approach Investigating Air-Sea Interactions – a SOLAS Initiative

Understanding the physical and biogeochemical interactions and feedbacks between the ocean and atmosphere is a vital component of environmental and Earth system research. The ability to predict and respond to future environmental change relies on a detailed understanding of these processes. The Surface Ocean-Lower Atmosphere Study (SOLAS) is an international research platform that focuses on the study of ocean-atmosphere interactions, for which Future Earth is a sponsor. SOLAS instigated a collaborative initiative process to connect efforts in the natural and social sciences related to these processes, as a contribution to the emerging Future Earth Ocean Knowledge-Action Network (Ocean KAN). This is imperative because many of the recent changes in the Earth system are anthropogenic. An understanding of adaptation and counteracting measures requires an alliance of scientists from both domains to bridge the gap between science and policy. To this end, three SOLAS research areas were targeted for a case study to determine a more effective method of interdisciplinary research: valuing carbon and the ocean’s role; air-sea interactions, policy and stewardship; and, air-sea interactions and the shipping industry

Allelopathic effect of Piper aduncum L. leaf extract on the seed germination of Vigna radiata L. as model organism

The presented study was conducted to evaluate the allelopathic effect of the aqueous extract and ethanolic extract of Piper aduncum L. (spiked peper) on the seed germination of Vigna radiata L. (mung bean). Seed germination percentage (GP) was monitored at 8 hours after treatment (HAT), 24 HAT and 48 HAT. Further, radicle length was examined 48 HAT. The results indicated that after treatment with 1:10 aqueous extract GP was 40%, while after 1:100 ethanolic extract GP was 11.11%, showing significant decrease in seed germination of V. radiata at 24 HAT. At 48 HAT, all concentrations showed no significant difference from the control, except 1:10 ethanolic extract, which completely inhibited radicle growth, preventing seed germination. Moreover, at 48 HAT, same treatments induced significant decrease in the radicle length compared to the control. Consequently, P. aduncum extracts demonstrated a dose-dependent phytotoxic effect on V. radiata which negatively impacted V. radiata seeds at higher concentrations in both aqueous and ethanolic extracts