Corn and potato starch as an agar alternative for Solanum tuberosum micropropagation

Potato single nodes were subcultured onto fresh MS medium gelled with 0, 1 and 2 g/l of agar + 40, 50 or 60 g/l of commercial corn and potato starch (CS or PS, respectively). After 4 weeks of culture, the pH of medium supplemented with 50 or 60 g/l of CS or 60 g/l of PS was significantly decreased to 3.91 - 4.00. This reduction coincided with a significant increment in electric conductivity (EC) which was 172 - 214 ìmhos/cm-1 for media containing 50 or 60 g/l of CS, or 60 g/l of PS. Corn and potato starch had no significant effect in plantlet height nevertheless, they significantly increased the number of shoots/explant over the control treatment (2.5) which had 7 g/l of agar. The highest number ofshoots/explant (6.8) was achieved in medium with 50 or 60 g/l of PS + 1 g/l of agar. Plantlets developed on media with 40 g/l of CS or PS had higher shoot fresh and dry weight (p < 0.5) compared to those in thecontrol one. Media with 50, 60 g/l of PS or 60 g/l of CS and 50 g/l of CS + agar at 1 g/l significantly enhanced the percentage of dry weight. Moreover, 92 - 98% of plantlets were acclimatized to the greenhouse conditions regardless the type of gelling agent. The results suggest that the combination of agar and PS or CS could offer a firm support for plant tissues and could be successfully used for potato micropropagation

Studying Some Electrical and Mechanical Properties of Epoxy- Polyaniline (PANI) Composites

As ordinary known the ability of synthesizing electrical conducting polymercomposite is possible but with poor mechanical properties, for the solution of thisproblem, we carried out this study in order to obtain both properties.The PANI composite was prepared by using the prepared (EP/glass fiber)composite as substrate for the deposition of the PANI. The chemical oxidativemethod was adopted for polymerization of the aniline and simultaneouslyprotonated of PANI with a hydrochloric acid at a concentration of (1M).Theoxidation agent (FeCl3.6H2O) was used. The conductivity results showed that theprepared composite lies within semiconductors region (1.7×10-3(S.cm-1)). TheHall Effect measurement showed a p-type behavior for the prepared composite.The creep and tensile behavior was studied and concluded that PANI Precipatedon the EP/glass fiber composite has no remarkable effect on the mechanical creepand tensile behavior as compared with the untreated composites with PANI.Buthave higher creep resistance and ultimate strength

Design of an electrochemical micromachining machine

Electrochemical micromachining (μECM) is a non-conventional machining process based on the phenomenon of electrolysis. μECM became an attractive area of research due to the fact that this process does not create any defective layer after machining and that there is a growing demand for better surface integrity on different micro applications including microfluidics systems, stress-free drilled holes in automotive and aerospace manufacturing with complex shapes, etc. This work presents the design of a next generation μECM machine for the automotive, aerospace, medical and metrology sectors. It has three axes of motion (X, Y, Z) and a spindle allowing the tool-electrode to rotate during machining. The linear slides for each axis use air bearings with linear DC brushless motors and 2-nm resolution encoders for ultra precise motion. The control system is based on the Power PMAC motion controller from Delta Tau. The electrolyte tank is located at the rear of the machine and allows the electrolyte to be changed quickly. This machine features two process control algorithms: fuzzy logic control and adaptive feed rate. A self-developed pulse generator has been mounted and interfaced with the machine and a wire ECM grinding device has been added. The pulse generator has the possibility to reverse the pulse polarity for on-line tool fabrication.The research reported in this paper is supported by the European Commission within the project “Minimizing Defects in Micro-Manufacturing Applications (MIDEMMA)” (FP7-2011-NMPICT- FoF-285614)

Mitigating street flooding with permeable structures: A modelling case study

This paper describes the modelling efforts of placing a permeable street adjacent to flash-flood-causing urban drain so that overflowing floodwaters from the drain could be absorbed by water storage structure under the street. Three types of permeable structures were included in the modelling with porosities of 23, 63 and 86 % representing low, medium and high storage volumes, respectively. By using the Storm Water Management Model developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency, the properties of the three types of permeable structures were implemented in models imitating a commercial center and its drainage system, as a case study. The permeable street was modelled as part of the drainage system, in contrast to conventional roads rarely modelled as such. Local rainfall patterns were then used with the models of the case study, in which water flow characteristics of the drainage systems with and without the permeable structures were analyzed. The first type that involved conventional pavers and aggregates had the least water detention time of 2 hours. The second type that consisted of modular precast concrete units held the water for 5 hours; and the third type that was cast-in-place concrete tank system held the water longer for 6 hours. The longer the time floodwater is detained within a permeable structure, the better the mitigating effects of the street flooding. The second and third types of structures were more promising than the first type. However, choosing either second type or third type would be a case-by-case decision, considering various factors of the flash flood

ECONSTRUCTION OF 1st JANUARY 2020 STORM IN AN URBAN HOUSING AREA OF TANGERANG SELATAN, INDONESIA

The storm in the early hours on the first day of 2020 had recorded the highest intensity of rainfall since 1996. It deluged Jakarta as the capital city of Indonesia and the surrounding satellite cities which including Tangerang Selatan. An urban housing area in Tangerang Selatan, located adjacent to the Ciputat river is selected as study area. The area was affected by floods since the urban housing was established. The United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Storm Water Management Model version 5.1 was used for finding out the hydrological and hydraulic problems. The model indicated that the flows from the sub-catchments did not contribute to cause flood. It was discovered that backwater effects occurred in the Ciputat river was the main cause of flooding. Thus, the existing drainage channels were overwhelmed by additional flow from the river

Silver colloidal nanoparticles : effect on matrix composition and structure of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata biofilms

Aim : The aim of this study was to assess the effect of different silver nanoparticles (SN) concentrations on the matrix composition and structure of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata biofilms. Methods and Results : Candida biofilms were developed in 6-well microtiter plates during 48 h. After, these biofilms were exposed to 13·5 or 54 μg SN ml−1 for 24 h. Then, extracellular matrices were extracted from biofilms and analysed chemically in terms of proteins, carbohydrates and DNA. To investigate the biofilm structure, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and epifluorescence microscopy were used. SN interfered with the matrix composition of Candida biofilms tested in terms of protein, carbohydrate and DNA, except for the protein content of C. albicans biofilm. By SEM, Candida biofilms treated with SN revealed structural differences, when compared with the control groups. Further, SN showed a trend of agglomeration within the biofilms. Epifluorescence microscopy images suggest that SN induced damage on cell walls of the Candida isolates tested. Conclusions : In general, irrespective of concentration, SN affected the matrix composition and structure of Candida biofilms and these findings may be related to the mechanisms of biocide action of SN. Significance and Impact of the Study : This study reveals new insights about the behaviour of SN when in contact with Candida biofilms. SN may contribute to the development of therapies to prevent or control Candida infections.We thank David Williams (Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK) for providing strain 324LA/94. The authors also thank CAPES (grant BEX 1221/10-8) and FAPESP (2009/15146-5), Brazil, for supporting Douglas Roberto Monteiro work. The colloidal suspension of silver nanoparticles used herein was prepared and characterized by LIEC-CMDMC and INCTMN/FAPESP-CNPq, Sao Carlos, Brazil

Successful implementation of new technologies in nursing care: a questionnaire survey of nurse-users

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A growing number of new technologies are becoming available within nursing care that can improve the quality of care, reduce costs, or enhance working conditions. However, such effects can only be achieved if technologies are used as intended. The aim of this study is to gain a better understanding of determinants influencing the success of the introduction of new technologies as perceived by nursing staff.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study population is a nationally representative research sample of nursing staff (further referred to as the Nursing Staff Panel), of whom 685 (67%) completed a survey questionnaire about their experiences with recently introduced technologies. Participants were working in Dutch hospitals, psychiatric organizations, care organizations for mentally disabled people, home care organizations, nursing homes or homes for the elderly.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Half of the respondents were confronted with the introduction of a new technology in the last three years. Only half of these rated the introduction of the technology as positive.</p> <p>The factors most frequently mentioned as impeding actual use were related to the (kind of) technology itself, such as malfunctioning, ease of use, relevance for patients, and risks to patients. Furthermore nursing staff stress the importance of an adequate innovation strategy.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A prerequisite for the successful introduction of new technologies is to analyse determinants that may impede or enhance the introduction among potential users. For technological innovations special attention has to be paid to the (perceived) characteristics of the technology itself.</p

Network adaptation improves temporal representation of naturalistic stimuli in drosophila eye: II Mechanisms

Retinal networks must adapt constantly to best present the ever changing visual world to the brain. Here we test the hypothesis that adaptation is a result of different mechanisms at several synaptic connections within the network. In a companion paper (Part I), we showed that adaptation in the photoreceptors (R1-R6) and large monopolar cells (LMC) of the Drosophila eye improves sensitivity to under-represented signals in seconds by enhancing both the amplitude and frequency distribution of LMCs' voltage responses to repeated naturalistic contrast series. In this paper, we show that such adaptation needs both the light-mediated conductance and feedback-mediated synaptic conductance. A faulty feedforward pathway in histamine receptor mutant flies speeds up the LMC output, mimicking extreme light adaptation. A faulty feedback pathway from L2 LMCs to photoreceptors slows down the LMC output, mimicking dark adaptation. These results underline the importance of network adaptation for efficient coding, and as a mechanism for selectively regulating the size and speed of signals in neurons. We suggest that concert action of many different mechanisms and neural connections are responsible for adaptation to visual stimuli. Further, our results demonstrate the need for detailed circuit reconstructions like that of the Drosophila lamina, to understand how networks process information

Are mice good models for human neuromuscular disease? Comparing muscle excursions in walking between mice and humans

The mouse is one of the most widely used animal models to study neuromuscular diseases and test new therapeutic strategies. However, findings from successful pre-clinical studies using mouse models frequently fail to translate to humans due to various factors. Differences in muscle function between the two species could be crucial but often have been overlooked. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare muscle excursions in walking between mice and humans