Increased regeneration efficiency of _Brassica napus_ L. cultivars Star, Westar and Cyclone from hypocotyle and cotyledonary explants

The comparative organogenesis of _Brassica napus_ L cultivars Cyclone, Star and Westar was studied. The cotyledonary explants gave a higher response to all the combinations of 0.5 mg/L 2,4-D and BAP (0.5, 1.0,1.5 and 2.0 mg/L} used for optimizing the conditions for callus induction. The best mean weight and mean length of callus was obtained at 0.5 mg/L 2,4-D and 1.5mg/L BAP for Star cotyledonary explants. For the complete plant regeneration the new method of exposing the explants culture to Growth regulator free medium was performed. The method was applicable to both hypocotyl and cotyledonary explants. The Shoot Induction Frequency for hypocotyl (6-34%) in the three cultivars is higher than the cotyledonary explants (3-23%). The method is speedy and almost all of the shoots and some unshooted calli (78%) form roots on the same media without prior transfer to rooting medium

MENINGKATKAN KAPASITAS OUTPUT DAYA LISTRIK MIKROHIDRO SERTA PENGENALAN PEMBANGKIT LISTRIK PIKOHIDRO SEBAGAI UPAYA ELEKTRIFIKASI DI DAERAH TERPENCIL

Air merupakan energy yang terbarukan, karena keberadaannya berupa siklus yang berulang, yaitu terkait dengan penguapan air laut dan terjadinya hujan di pegunungan. Pemanfaatan air sebagai energy pembangkit listrik perlu digalakkan dan ditingkatkan, mengingat biayanya murah dan ramah lingkungan. Usaha yang dilakukan pada kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat melalui skim Ipteks bagi Masyarakat (IbM) ini adalah untuk meningkatkan kapasitas output mikrohidro dan kegiatan pengenalan pembangkit listrik pikohidro, kedua kegiatan tersebut merupakan upaya untuk mengenalkan dan mengembangkan teknologi serta diharapkan dapat meningkatkan taraf hidup masyarakat di daerah terpencil, tertinggal atau terbelakang. Identifikasi yang telah dilakukan dalam meningkatkan output daya mikrohidro adalah dengan jalan menambah ketinggian jatuh air dengan menambah panjang pipa pesat, sedangkan dalam upaya meningkatkn pemanfaatan air skala kecil dilakukan pengenalan dan pelatihan mengidentifikasi sumber air yang bisa dimanfaatkan sebagai pembangkit pikohidro. Dari hasil survey dan pemetaan lapangan telah disiapkan pipa pesat 12” sepanjang 2x28 meter dari kebutuhan total sepanjang 2x60 meter, dengan penambahan tersebut dapat meningkatkan daya listrik dan diperkirakan akan menambah sebanyak sekitar 125 KK baru yang akan dialiri listrik. Sedangkan dari pengenalan dan pelatihan pikohidro, telah teridentifikasi sumber air yang bisa dimanfaatkan bagi keperluan implementasi pikohidro skala 200 watt

Attitudes and Perceptions of Teachers Towards Code-switching in the EFL College Classrooms of Sindh, Pakistan

This quantitative descriptive study investigates the attitudes in general and perceptions of college teachers towards the functional category of code-switching. Research data was collected through a survey questionnaire, which was comprised of 24 items. Attitude items were scaled as negative and positive; however, the functional category has three components: Curriculum Access, Classroom Management, and interpersonal relationship. Collected data were analyzed through SPSS software using percentage and mode. Code-switching is a natural phenomenon that occurs in bilingual and multilingual classrooms in Pakistan. However, the medium of instruction in Pakistan’s classrooms is English. Participants for this study were 50 EFL college teachers from 20 different colleges of Sindh Pakistan; in them, 31 (62%) were male, and 19 (38%) were female. It was found that; code-switching is being used extensively in the EFL college classrooms of Sindh for different reasons. Almost all the teachers who participated in the study have positive attitudes towards code-switching. According to the results of survey results, teachers’ do not deny code-switching in teaching in learning. Results conclude that Teachers use code-switching as a teaching technique to compensate the students' limited expertise in the target language. Educational officials and policymakers must recognize and make appropriate adjustments to overcome the constraints in the current curriculum. Keywords: Code-switching, EFL classrooms, Attitudes, Perceptions, Code-switching functions. DOI: 10.7176/JLLL/78-05 Publication date: April 30th 202

Sustainable competitive advantage in entrepreneurial software firms in Pakistan: Establishing a conceptual research framework

Software firms are expanding within increasingly-competitive domestic and global marketplaces. Registered software firms in Pakistan seek new ways to better compete and remain as sustainable competitive entities. Such firms operate entrepreneurially, and remain subject to dynamic digital and globally-emerging changes. A literature review establishes constructs, conceptual relational hypothesis pathways, and an overall (testable) research framework for software firms in Pakistan. The framework is likely useful when modelling for improvements contributing towards sustainable competitive advantage shifts

Effect of GABA

The present study was designed to demonstrate the potential effect of CGP 35348 (GABAB receptor antagonist) on the learning, memory formation, and neuromuscular coordination in albino mouse. Mice were intrapertoneally injected with 1 mg CGP 35348/mL of distilled water/Kg body weight, while the control animals were injected with equal volume of saline solution. A battery of neurological tests was applied following the intrapertoneal injections. Results of rota rod indicated that CGP 35348 had no effect on neuromuscular coordination in both male (P=0.528) and female (P=0.125) albino mice. CGP 35348 treated females demonstrated poor exploratory behavior during open filed for several parameters (time mobile (P=0.04), time immobile (P=0.04), rotations (P=0.04), and anticlockwise rotations (P=0.038)). The results for Morris water maze (MWM) retention phase indicated that CGP 35348 treated male mice took shorter latency to reach the hidden platform (P=0.04) than control indicating improved memory. This observation was complemented by the swim strategies used by mice during training days in MWM as CGP 35348 treated males used more direct and focal approach to reach the platform as the training proceeded

Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of some derivatives of alkyl piperidine

Abstract: Synthesis of novel phenacyl derivatives of alkyl piperidine as cytotoxic agents via simple and single step reaction procedure is going to be reported here. Twelve new compounds were successfully synthesized in moderate yield and in solid form. Their synthesis was confirmed by TLC, melting point, CHN analysis and through different spectral studies such as UV, IR, Mass and proton NMR. The advantages of this synthetic route are simple operation, mild reaction conditions and good yields. These newly synthesized derivatives were extensively explored for their cytotoxicity by brine shrimp lethality assay

A cost effectiveness analysis of salt reduction policies to reduce coronary heart disease in four Eastern Mediterranean countries.

BACKGROUND: Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is rising in middle income countries. Population based strategies to reduce specific CHD risk factors have an important role to play in reducing overall CHD mortality. Reducing dietary salt consumption is a potentially cost-effective way to reduce CHD events. This paper presents an economic evaluation of population based salt reduction policies in Tunisia, Syria, Palestine and Turkey. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Three policies to reduce dietary salt intake were evaluated: a health promotion campaign, labelling of food packaging and mandatory reformulation of salt content in processed food. These were evaluated separately and in combination. Estimates of the effectiveness of salt reduction on blood pressure were based on a literature review. The reduction in mortality was estimated using the IMPACT CHD model specific to that country. Cumulative population health effects were quantified as life years gained (LYG) over a 10 year time frame. The costs of each policy were estimated using evidence from comparable policies and expert opinion including public sector costs and costs to the food industry. Health care costs associated with CHDs were estimated using standardized unit costs. The total cost of implementing each policy was compared against the current baseline (no policy). All costs were calculated using 2010 PPP exchange rates. In all four countries most policies were cost saving compared with the baseline. The combination of all three policies (reducing salt consumption by 30%) resulted in estimated cost savings of $235,000,000 and 6455 LYG in Tunisia;$39,000,000 and 31674 LYG in Syria; $6,000,000 and 2682 LYG in Palestine and$1,3000,000,000 and 378439 LYG in Turkey. CONCLUSION: Decreasing dietary salt intake will reduce coronary heart disease deaths in the four countries. A comprehensive strategy of health education and food industry actions to label and reduce salt content would save both money and lives

HERON: Demonstrating a Novel Biological Platform for Small Satellite Missions

Long-duration deep space missions pose a significant health risk for both humans and their resident microorganisms. The GeneSat, PharmaSat and O/OREOS missions have previously explored biological questions regarding the effects of spaceflight on S. cerevisiase, B. subtilis, and E. coli. However, there currently exists both a knowledge and an accessibility gap in small satellite biological experiments. These payloads require precise instrumentation and complex platforms that are usually reserved for large research organizations. This makes it difficult for smaller organizations to perform biological research in low Earth orbit (LEO). To address these challenges, the University of Toronto Aerospace Team (UTAT) Space Systems Division is currently developing the HERON CubeSat. HERON houses a payload platform which measures the effects of the LEO environment on the gene expression and drug resistance of Candida albicans, a yeast commonly found in the human gut microbiome. Previous research has suggested that C. albicans might display increased pathogenicity and drug resistance in response to microgravity, which has important implications for long-duration human spaceflight. The yeast cells are housed in custom acrylic microfluidics chips containing 32 wells with channels for media and drug delivery. A measurement printed circuit board (PCB) contains custom optics capable of measuring minute changes in cell fluorescence. The entire payload stack is then housed in a temperature- and humidity-controlled 2U pressure vessel. Space Systems as a whole is an undergraduate student-led and student-funded design team, dedicated to the development of small satellite missions with a focus on education and undergraduate learning. HERON is scheduled to launch Q1 2022 into a Sun-synchronous orbit via a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at an altitude of approximately 550 km. Our platform is open-source and can serve as a low-cost template for future biological CubeSat missions. This paper serves as a technical and scientific description of the platform, along with the lessons learned during the payload design, assembly, and validation processes