Regeneration of begonia plantlets by direct organogenesis

The economic importance of ornamentals worldwide suggests a bright future for ornamental breeding. Rapid progress in plant molecular biology has great potentials to contribute to the breeding of novel ornamental plants utilizing recombinant DNA technology. The plant cell, tissue or organ culture of many ornamental species and their regeneration are essential for providing the material and systems for their genetic manipulation, and this is therefore the first requirement of genetic engineering. In this research, different concentration of BA (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mgl(-1) with NAA ( 0.0, 0.5, 1.0 mgl(-1)) and BA (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mgl(-1)) with IAA ( 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, mgl(-1)) were investigated to optimize regeneration of Begonia elatior cv. Toran orange. The best regeneration and growth were obtained from the media containing 2.0 mgl(-1) BA and 1.0 mgl(-1) NAA (70%) followed by 1.0 mgl(-1) BA and 0.5 mgl(-1) NAA (50%), 1.0 mgl(-1) BA and 1.0 mgl(-1) NAA (20%) in BA - NAA combination. The media with BA - IAA combination showed that the best regeneration was 0.5 mgl(-1) BA and 0.5 mgl(-1) IAA (43%) followed by 0.5 mgl(-1) BA and 1.0 mgl(-1) IAA (23%)

The role of specific heat capacity on building energy performance and thermal discomfort

The key role of the building and construction sector, in terms of sustainability and decarbonization, has led building codes to tighten mandatory requirements related to buildings energy performance. Envelope quality, beyond light efficiency or the renewable energy contribution, is a key factor since the highest percentage of energy consumption is produced by thermal losses through enclosures. Therefore, building codes have significantly increased the mandatory benchmarks for equivalent thermal transmittance. However, the specific heat capacity (SHC) has commonly been overlooked in the discussion. Thus, in order to estimate the impact of such parameter in the energy consumption and thermal comfort of residential and non-residential buildings, a building model has been simulated by means of Transfer Functions Methods and the Finite Difference Methods. A traditional double brick façade has been considered and the SHC of bricks has been varied from 800 to 1800 kJ/kg K. The thermal behavior of the building has been assessed at several locations in accordance with the Spanish building code. In addition, building orientation has also been shifted from north to south. Although passive strategies have not been considered, the results show significant energy savings (i.e. up to 20%) and a reduction of thermal discomfort (i.e. up to 20%), depending on the type of building and its location

Regeneration of begonia plantlets by direct organogenesis

The economic importance of ornamentals worldwide suggests a bright future for ornamental breeding. Rapid progress in plant molecular biology has great potentials to contribute to the breeding of novelornamental plants utilizing recombinant DNA technology. The plant cell, tissue or organ culture of many ornamental species and their regeneration are essential for providing the material and systems for their genetic manipulation, and this is therefore the first requirement of genetic engineering. In this research, different concentration of BA (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mgl-¹ with NAA (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 mgl-¹) and BA (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mgl-¹) with IAA (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, mgl-¹) were investigated to optimize regeneration of Begonia elatior cv. Toran orange. The best regeneration and growth were obtained from the media containing 2.0 mgl-¹ BA and 1.0 mgl-¹ NAA (70%) followed by 1.0 mgl-¹ BA and 0.5 mgl-¹ NAA (50%), 1.0 mgl-¹ BA and 1.0 mgl-¹ NAA (20%) in BA - NAA combination. The media with BA - IAA combination showed that the best regeneration was 0.5 mgl-¹ BA and 0.5 mgl-¹ IAA (43%) followed by 0.5 mgl-¹ BA and 1.0 mgl-¹ IAA (23%)

Polymer waste materials as fillers in polymer mortars: experimental and finite elements simulation

Serious environmental problems are due to large amounts of polymer waste, which are mostly thrown into landfills. As we known, polymer composites has been used to produce a variety of products like acid tanks, manholes, drains, highway median barriers, and so forth. One option is to use waste polymers as aggregates in polymer composites. In this work, waste polymers (PET, polycarbonate and automotive tires), partially replaced silica sand in polyester based mortar. Waste particles (0.7–2.36 mm), in concentrations of 1, 2 and 3% by weight, were used. The polymer mortar specimens were subjected to compressive and flexural tests, and the elasticity modulus was calculated. In addition, mechanical values were calculated by Finite Element Method (FEM), and compared with experimental data. Surface morphology and degree of crystallinity of waste particles were analyzed by SEM and XRD techniques, respectively. The results show improvement on the mechanical strength (up to 20%) for polymer mortar with waste PET; but lower mechanical values when adding polycarbonate or tire particles, compared to control mortar. These mechanical results can be related to the crystallinity degree, because PET particles shown higher crystallinity than those for polycarbonate and tire particles. This work is an alternative to reduce environmental contamination through to use waste polymers as fillers in polymer mortars. Keywords: Polymer waste, Polymer mortar, Polyethylene terephthalate, Polycarbonate, Tire rubber, Mechanical propertie

Algorithmic thinking and creativity: a deck of cards for early childhood education

The challenges presented to educational systems and researchers about algorithmic thinking are wide and exciting. Several initiatives are working on contributions. In the framework of a European Project focused on algorithmic thinking skills through play-based learning, we undertook the development of a resource for introducing algorithmic thinking to teachers and children in Early Childhood Education. The paper presents the resource, a deck of cards, highlighting its connections to creativity and algorithmic thinking. The paper briefly introduces the research design in place to pilot together with preliminary data from the tests with future teachers and a group of 5 years-old children. The deck of cards has been well received by both future teachers and children. The simple drawings are considered attractive and allow for diverse decisions about what to represent. Conditions, in particular, were well received by children. Further analysis of existing data will provide more information regarding the potential and limitations of the deck of cards.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A comparison of size estimation techniques applied early in the life cycle

Timing is one of the most critical factors of software size estimation. We need to know quite a bit about the software project to make a meaningful size estimate. However, most of the software estimates should be performed at the beginning of the life cycle, when we do not yet know the problem we are going to solve. In the literature, there are few early size estimation methods. This study demonstrates the results of size estimation methods utilized on a large software intensive military application within the boundary of a project for Request for Proposal (RFP) preparation

Alveolar bone, upper lip and columellar reconstruction with composite abbe flap

PubMedID: 26967094Bilateral cleft lip and palate repair usually requires secondary corrective intentions. Abbe flap is a useful option and has many modifications for revision surgeries of cleft lip nose deformities. Study evaluated a 23-year-old woman for secondary cleft lip nose correction. The authors performed a composite Abbe flap, which included mental bone for repairing the upper lip harmony, maintaining the columellar elongation and bridging central alveolar bone cleft. No complications were observed and aesthetic and functional improvement was maintained. Presented new modification of Abbe flap maintains not only upper lip relaxation (additional skin soft tissue replacement) and columellar lengthening (extended designed flap) but also alveolar cleft reconstruction (vascularized mental bone) by a composite flap. Also, this modification prevents additional surgeries for alveolar cleft repair in cleft lip nose patients. © 2016 Mutaz B. Habal, MD

Utilizing business process models for requirements elicitation

Acquisition of software intensive systems demands significant work on requirements prior to establishing the contract. The acquirer needs to understand the domain, needs, and constraints of the project clearly in order to make realistic size and effort estimates, and to have a solid foundation for defining contract requirements. In this study, an approach for requirements elicitation based on business processes is investigated. The approach proposes determination of requirements of a software intensive system to be acquired, according to the business objectives and base lining business processes. This study presents the implementation of the approach in a large innovative military application within the boundary of a project for Request for Proposal (RFP) preparation

A useful flap combination in wide and complex defect reconstruction of the medial canthal region: Glabellar rotation and nasolabial V-Y advancement flaps

Background: Reconstruction of medial canthal defects after tumour excision is difficult owing to the thin skin of the region and the concavity of the anatomical landmarks, which enclose complex structures such as the medial canthal ligament and the lacrimal system. Local reconstruction methods for this region include secondary healing, full-thickness skin grafts, and skin flaps from the frontal, transnasal, glabellar and upper eyelid regions. Objective: To demonstrate a useful combination of two local flaps in wide defects of the medial canthal region. Methods: Between 1998 and 2012, a combination of glabellar rotation and nasolabial V-Y advancement flaps were used in 11 patients with wide complex defects after excision, including periosteum, of invasive basal cell carcinoma. Results : All patients were tumour free and underwent functional and aesthetic reconstruction of the medial canthal region. There were no major complications, and no relapses were observed. Conclusion: This technique achieves good match in colour and texture, and has satisfactory results both aesthetically and functionally. In addition, donor area morbidity is minimal and surgical technique is simple. © 2015 Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons