Normalized embryoid cDNA library of oil palm ( Elaeis guineensis )

A normalized embryoid cDNA library (EON) was constructed based on reassociation kinetics reaction. Results from dot blot hybridization and sequencing of EON cDNA clones clearly indicated that the normalization process reduced the frequency of high abundance transcripts and increased the frequency of low abundance gene transcripts. A total of 553 non-redundant expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were identified, 325 of these were not observed in the standard oil palm cDNA libraries sequenced previously. A total of 10 EON cDNA clones were chosen for expression profiling across samples from different stages of the tissue culture process. Two of the genes exhibited promising expression patterns for predicting the embryogenic potential in callus. Some of these genes were also differentially expressed in the various tissues of oil palm. This study showed that normalization of the existing embryoid library improved the chances of identifying transcripts not captured in the standard libraries, some of which could be associated with embryogenesis. This collection of ESTs is particularly well suited for use as candidate genes for development of an oil palm DNA chip, which can be used to obtain a more comprehensive view of the molecular mechanism associated with oil palm tissue culture

APOE ɛ4 exacerbates age-dependent deficits in cortical microstructure

The apolipoprotein E ɛ4 allele is the primary genetic risk factor for the sporadic type of Alzheimer’s disease. However, the mechanisms by which apolipoprotein E ɛ4 are associated with neurodegeneration are still poorly understood. We applied the Neurite Orientation Dispersion Model to characterize the effects of apolipoprotein ɛ4 and its interactions with age and education on cortical microstructure in cognitively normal individuals. Data from 1954 participants were included from the PREVENT-Dementia and ALFA (ALzheimer and FAmilies) studies (mean age = 57, 1197 non-carriers and 757 apolipoprotein E ɛ4 carriers). Structural MRI datasets were processed with FreeSurfer v7.2. The Microstructure Diffusion Toolbox was used to derive Orientation Dispersion Index maps from diffusion MRI datasets. Primary analyses were focused on (i) the main effects of apolipoprotein E ɛ4, and (ii) the interactions of apolipoprotein E ɛ4 with age and education on lobar and vertex-wise Orientation Dispersion Index and implemented using Permutation Analysis of Linear Models. There were apolipoprotein E ɛ4 × age interactions in the temporo-parietal and frontal lobes, indicating steeper age-dependent Orientation Dispersion Index changes in apolipoprotein E ɛ4 carriers. Steeper age-related Orientation Dispersion Index declines were observed among apolipoprotein E ɛ4 carriers with lower years of education. We demonstrated that apolipoprotein E ɛ4 worsened age-related Orientation Dispersion Index decreases in brain regions typically associated with atrophy patterns of Alzheimer’s disease. This finding also suggests that apolipoprotein E ɛ4 may hasten the onset age of dementia by accelerating age-dependent reductions in cortical Orientation Dispersion Index

Applied Physics; New applied physics data have been reported by scientists at Multimedia University

According to recent research published in the European Physical Journal - Applied Physics, A simple Monte Carlo (MC) model is proposed to study the avalanche characteristics of heterojunction avalanche photodiode (HAPD)

Nanostructures; Researchers at Multimedia University release new data on nanostructures

According to a study from Melaka, Malaysia, The mean multiplication gain and excess noise factor of thin GaAs/Al0.6Ga0.4As heterojunction avalanche photodiodes (HAPDs) are simulated

Factor substitution and complementarity in the Asia airport industry

10.1016/j.jairtraman.2006.07.003Journal of Air Transport Management125261-26

Network effects in the East Asia container ports industry

10.1080/03088839.2012.689879Maritime Policy and Management394369-38

Assessment of hub status among Asian ports from a network perspective

10.1016/j.tra.2009.04.004Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice436593-60

Port choice behavior in Asia - a network perspective#

10.1109/INDIN.2008.4618238IEEE International Conference on Industrial Informatics (INDIN)946-95

Floral nectar secretion and ploidy in Brassica rapa and B napus (Brassicaceae). I. Nectary size and nectar carbohydrate production and composition

Haploid (n = 10), diploid (2n = 20) and tetraploid (4n = 40) lines of Brassica rapa (syn campestris), and a line of allotetraploid (4n = 38) B napus, were examined to determine whether ploidy can influence nectar production. Flowers of all lines developed functional nectaries. Overall, nectar carbohydrates consisted almost exclusively of glucose and fructose, present in quantities slightly in favour of the former. Sucrose was detected in only 15% of samples, usually in trace amounts. For all levels of ploidy, 95% of total nectar carbohydrate per flower was expelled from the lateral (inner) pair of glands. These glands were directly supplied with phloem alone, whereas the median (outer) glands, which were poor nectar yielders, usually did not receive any vascular supply. Haploids only produced 30% as much nectar carbohydrate as 2n and 4n lines of B rapa, which in tum exuded only 44-50% of the average quantity of nectar carbohydrate released by B napus. A linear regression (r = 0.803) of mean lateral-nectary volume on average total nectar-carbohydrate per flower was determined for all plants of B rapa, but this was modified (r = 0.445) when data for B napus were included. In all lines, opportunity exists for selection for high nectar-carbohydrate production. Plants yielding the most floral nectar carbohydrate had high frequencies (80-95%) of lateral glands that were symmetrical and of uniform size within a flower

Patterning of graphene with tunable size and shape for microelectrode array devices

10.1016/j.carbon.2013.10.009Carbon67390-397CRBN