The Role of Kernel Epicuticular Wax in Zea Mays Resistance to Aspergillus Flavus and Aflatoxin Production.

The physical and chemical roles of Zea mays (corn) kernel epicuticular wax in conferring resistance to aflatoxin production were examined. There was no evidence of a correlation between the amount of epicuticular wax and aflatoxin production in a kernel development experiment. Aflatoxin levels decreased as kernels developed. Epicuticular wax removal reduced aflatoxin at the earlier stages of development but increased aflatoxin in some genotypes at the later stages, indicating the importance of epicuticular wax during late-stage development and hinting of different defense mechanisms between the early- and late-stage kernels. The amount of epicuticular wax from mature kernels of 23 commercial hybrids and the aflatoxin resistant GT-MAS:gk genotype was compared with aflatoxin production in wax-extracted and non-wax-extracted kernels. Unextracted GT-MAS:gk kernels produced the lowest aflatoxin in a kernel screening assay but ranked fourth in weight of extracted wax per seed. Data from all 24 genotypes in the regression test resulted in an r-square value of 0.042 (positive correlation) and of 0.0325 (negative correlation) between amount of wax per seed and aflatoxin in wax extracted and non-wax-extracted kernels, respectively. Regression analysis for a selected group of 16 genotypes produced r-square values of 0.1528 and 0.5659 for wax-extracted and non-wax-extracted kernels, respectively, indicating a decrease in aflatoxin with increasing extractable wax. Epicuticular wax analysis indicated alkanes of odd numbered chain lengths C27, C29, and C31, predominated in all genotypes at all stages of development. However, sterol analysis indicated quantitative differences between resistant and susceptible genotypes. Epicuticular wax profiles for resistant genotypes showed differences in epicuticular wax for each genotype. Four chemical components were detectable exclusively in the resistant genotypes. A thin layer chromatography plate bioassay showed antifungal spots in waxes from Pioneer 3154 and T115. Fatty acid analysis of GT-MAS:gk and those of 13 commercial hybrids showed that epicuticular wax of GT-MAS:gk was the most different. This study represents the first report of epicuticular wax accumulation and aflatoxin production during kernel development

Which financing model is right for hotel properties? An exploratory study of financing models highlighting the practice and effects of different financing models adopted by hotel industries in USA and Singapore

The high debt-financing model adopted by hotel owners in United States had contributed to a large number of foreclosures during the economic downturn. In contrast, the conservative financing model adopted by hotel owners in Singapore had sheltered them through the past recessions. Cultural values may have influenced the types of financing model adopted by hotel owners. Americans have a value system of using borrowed money to invest, while Singaporeans have a value system of saving for rainy days and spending within one’s means. The studies concluded that hotel owners in the United States and Singapore should consider Juglar’s nine to eleven year business cycle as reference (Juglar, n.d.), and adopt a financing model that undertakes an appropriate level of debt at early stage of economic upturns and when the hotel properties are increasingly enjoying high profitability. At the peak of economic upturns, hotel owners should revert to conservative financing model in preparation for potential economic downturns. As hotel business is a high-risk industry, a Quick Ratio of at least 1.5, and Interest Coverage of at least two must be maintained all the time

The punctuality of the airline in air transportation system: Factors of flight delay in-time

The research purpose is to evaluate the relationship between on-time flight performances with the factor of the flight delay in-time.Departure and arrival punctuality is the key performance indicators of airlines and essentials for time valuing travelers.A crucial driver for good punctuality is good planning.Potential reasons of delays maybe weak in planning such as lack of communication, inefficiency of the ground operational factor, airport congestion problem, and other unexpected condition such as weather condition. Secondary data of the methodology will be useful for the research paper

Primary screening for natural inhibitors against eukaryotic signal transduction from local medicinal plants in Sabah, Malaysia

Studies on eukaryotic signal transduction pathways have led to a variety of potential molecular targets for cancer therapy including Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Kinase 1 (MKK1), Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3ß (GSK-3ß) and Type 1 Protein Phosphatase (PP1). The protein kinases and phosphatases in the signal transduction pathways play a vital role in mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase signal transduction, tumorigenesis, apoptosis, and cancer metastasis. In this study, enetically engineered yeast strains were used as a model in the search for potential inhibitors against these signalling elements. Eleven species of medicinal plants were selected from various locations in Sabah, Malaysia, extracted and tested against MKK, GSK-3ß and PP1. Preliminary results showed the presence of potential MKK1 inhibitors in the crude extracts of Alphitonia excelsa, Cordyline terminalis and Tinospora crispa. However, no inhibitor was found against GSK-3ß and PP1. The crude extracts of Cordyline terminalis was further fractionated using a bioassay guided fractionation and four partially pure active fractions were isolated

Potential regions in the Persian Gulf to deploy offshore floating photovoltaic systems

Generating energy needs by means of renewable sources is a vital strategy for all the GCC countries. Photovoltaic systems in the GCC have been a primary choice of renewable sources due to regional weather and high levels of irradiance. However, the unfavorable environmental factors such as high temperatures, soiling, and dust have been a concern in PV performance. Offshore photovoltaic systems can provide a solution to mitigate these issues and improve system performance. So far, the Floating PV systems have remained unexplored in the GCC region. This paper identifies and presents the six potential regions in the GCC to deploy the Floating PV system based on three environmental factors

Non-chemically amplified resists for 193-nm immersion lithography: Influence of absorbance on performance

The feasibility of three polymer systems for use as non chemically amplified resists for 193 nm lithography are discussed. The three systems are polycarbonates, polyphthalaldehydes and polysulfones. In general it was found that increased absorbance resulted in higher sensitivity to 193 nm light. However, the exception to this was the polycarbonates, which were found to undergo crosslinking due to an alkene group present in the polymer backbone. Although polyphthalaldehydes were very sensitive, their absorbance values were too high to be useful in a commercial environment. Absorbing polysulfones were found to be sensitive to 193 nm light and initial patterning results have been presented

Air-Conditioning and the Transmission of COVID-19 in Indoor Environment

Substandard ventilation in restricted air-conditioning indoor places is allied with upsurge in the respiratory infections’ transmission. There have been several COVID-19 spread occurrences connected with indoor environment, together with a few from pre-symptomatic situations. Ventilation role in averting coronavirus transmission is not precise (i.e., through inhibiting transmission of an infectious dose to susceptible individuals or preventing the spreading of contagious particles to lessen the risk of transmission). SARS-CoV-2 is believed to be mainly spread through significant respiratory droplets, nevertheless, a growing amount of epidemic information associate aerosol role in the epidemics of coronavirus. Aerosols comprise of droplet nuclei and little droplets which stay in the air for longer than significant droplets. Recent studies show that coronavirus particles can stay transmissible on numerous substances, including aerosols within the indoor environments, as well as the contagion period contingent on humidity and temperature. Thus far, COVID-19 transmission via air-conditioning systems is unclear, but it is considered possible

Assessment of Renewable Air-Conditioning Using Economic Feasibility Procedures

The renewable energy utilization is attaining numerous recognition and diverse assessment is obligatory to be executed for several innovations which has in turn become a general system requirement. The increasing application of fossil fuels is virtually not only triggering swift energy sources depletion; nevertheless, deliberately manufacturing harmful gases which in turn directly impacts humanity. Therefore, this paper addresses the economic assessment of renewable airconditioning using ARR, NPV, IRR and payback period technique. Knowing the obscured fossil fuels effects and its consequences to human wellbeing is key for assessing renewable-based airconditioning using economic feasibility practices and for underpinning further remarkable conclusions for imminent energy production. The system economic assessment is measured in conjunction with the use of cleaner energy sources, vis-à-vis renewable energy utilization such as photovoltaic solar power. The outcome reveals that photovoltaic solar airconditioning is worth undertaking using economic assessment procedures. The accounting rate of return is 185.7%; the net present value yielded a positive value NPV > 0 which suggests the project is worth undertaking; payback period is 9.5 years, and this typically demonstrates that the system will begin to make profit after 9.5 years of operation and at the discount rate of up to 10.19%, photovoltaic solar airconditioning investment is worth undertaking

Theoretical Assessment of Sustainability Principles for Renewable Smart Air-Conditioning

Upon an improvement in the quality of life, air-conditioning has generally been applied. Nevertheless, environmental and health issues related with the use of air-conditioning occurs more often. Therefore, this paper aims to theoretically assess the principles of sustainability to achieve sustainability for renewable smart air-conditioning. Not only with consideration to the geometry (i.e. system mechanisms and components), fuzzy logic control and proportional-integral-derivative that such studies drawn particular attention to, but with concerns to a matter which has been previously ignored. That is with consideration to the potential which the renewable-based options, advanced smart control technique and profitability measures of air-conditioning reinforces the three pillars of sustainability, and their sustainable indicators as context-specific transformations have, to not only eradicate indoor health effects, lower the levels of energy consumption and rate of carbon emissions, but to uncover the significance of and particular contribution renewables and smart control opportunities makes to the sustainability of the system. In meeting this aim and demonstrating the sustainability of the theoretical framework, this paper reveals renewable and smart control system as the fundamental key components of the air-conditioning as it promotes to reduce levels of energy consumption and lower carbon emissions, vis-à-vis establish a comfortable and healthy indoor environment as an exercise in the sustainable theoretical framework whose status as renewable smart air-conditioning not only tackle poor indoor air quality but also combat global warming and climate change

Study of Photovoltaics (PV) Performance Degradation Analysis in Oman

The demand for electricity usage is increasing all around the globe. As an alternative and clean source to produce electricity there has been an emphasis on the usage of renewable energies. Sultanate of Oman has also taken an initiative by 2030 that at least 15% of the total energy mix should be generated through renewables. Considering the investments made in future it is also vital to estimate the Performance and reliability of PV modules under local climatic conditions. The surveyed data analysis of five sites under local climatic conditions has shown that the visual degradations such as encapsulate discolouration and delamination are main causes in old age group modules for higher degradation rates. Infrared (IR)-image analysis has shown that PV modules with 'hot cells' have higher degradation rates than the modules without 'hot cells'. The interconnect test results have indicated that series resistance increases with the increase in the severity of interconnect breakages (SIB) thus increasing the output power degradation rates. Electrical parameter data analysis has shown that all the module average power degradation rate is 2.05%/year which is much higher than European counties. CdTe PV technology has shown fewer degradation rates which is less than 1%/year and seems to be the best choice in the local climatic conditions. The average degradation rate with regard to PV module size is higher for small size and lower for a larger size. In the contrary with regard to PV system size, larger size has observed with fewer degradation rates. The roof-mounted installations have also observed with higher degradation rates than the ground-based installations