Effects of Nanosilica Powder from Rice Hull Ash on Seed Germination of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum)

open5noNanosilica powders were synthesized from rice hull ash (RHA) and their effects on seed germination of tomato plants were investigated. Synthesized nanosilica powder was subjected to various characterization studies for identification of the size, structure, morphology and elemental composition. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results showed that the nanoparticles were in agglomerated form with an average diameter of 46.5 nm and 40 nm, respectively. X-ray diffractometry (XRD) indicated that nanosilica powder is amorphous in nature. The nanosilica powder was also characterized as having a purity of 98.33% using EDXRF spectroscopy and having a surface area 172.19 m2 g-1 using the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method. The study showed that nanosilica powder significantly improved germination parameters such as germination percentage, germination index, vigor index, mean germination time and average shoot length of tomato but not fresh weight and dry weight. The best results were found at 5gL-1 nanosilica powder. The increase over untreated control seeds was 22% for germination percentage, 47% for germination index, 92% for vigor index and 55% for average shoot length with the addition of 5 gL-1 nanosilica powder. Nanosilica powder-mediated improvement of seed germination in tomato suggests a potential application of nanosilica powder in seed germination of the plant. The study can serve as theoretical basis for further agricultural applications of nanosilica powder.openMaria Morissa Lu, Diana Marie De Silva, Engelbert Peralta, Alvin . Fajardo, Milagros PeraltaMaria Morissa, Lu; DE SILVA, DIANA MARIE; Engelbert, Peralta; Fajardo, Alvin.; Milagros, Peralt

Growth and Yield of Tomato Applied with Silicon Supplements with Varying Material Structures

The effect of varying material structure of silicon (Si) supplements on the growth and yield performance of tomato was investigated. The experimental design consisted of three Si sources (nanosilica, microsilica and sodium silicate) at 5 g/L Si concentration. Among the treatments, nanosilica posted the highest increase in tomato plants\u2019 height increment, fresh weights and dry weights of all plant organs, Si concentrations, and yield. Tomato plants grown with nanosilica had increased height increment and fresh weights of roots, stems and leaves by 23%, 48%, 9% and 22%, respectively. Likewise, dry weight contents among individual organs of plants treated with nanosilica showed 40% and 34% significant increase in roots and stems, respectively. Only nanosilica significantly increased the average fruit yield of tomato by 35% as affected by the 23% increase in the average number of fruits per plant. hence, among the treatments investigated, Si supplementation using nanosilica powder is the most effective in improving the growth characteristics and yield of tomato. Si in root samples supplemented with nanosilica was 72%, 105% and 152% larger as compared to microsilica, sodium silicate and control samples, respectively, which led to the conclusion that the nanostructured scale of silicon supplement contribute to the effective uptake of silicon in the tomato plants, thereby improving growth and yield

Single-Molecule Dynamics Reveals Cooperative Binding-Folding in Protein Recognition

The study of associations between two biomolecules is the key to understanding molecular function and recognition. Molecular function is often thought to be determined by underlying structures. Here, combining a single-molecule study of protein binding with an energy-landscape–inspired microscopic model, we found strong evidence that biomolecular recognition is determined by flexibilities in addition to structures. Our model is based on coarse-grained molecular dynamics on the residue level with the energy function biased toward the native binding structure (the Go model). With our model, the underlying free-energy landscape of the binding can be explored. There are two distinct conformational states at the free-energy minimum, one with partial folding of CBD itself and significant interface binding of CBD to Cdc42, and the other with native folding of CBD itself and native interface binding of CBD to Cdc42. This shows that the binding process proceeds with a significant interface binding of CBD with Cdc42 first, without a complete folding of CBD itself, and that binding and folding are then coupled to reach the native binding state. The single-molecule experimental finding of dynamic fluctuations among the loosely and closely bound conformational states can be identified with the theoretical, calculated free-energy minimum and explained quantitatively in the model as a result of binding associated with large conformational changes. The theoretical predictions identified certain key residues for binding that were consistent with mutational experiments. The combined study identified fundamental mechanisms and provided insights about designing and further exploring biomolecular recognition with large conformational changes

Development and Pilot Test of a Chinese Medicine as Longevity Modality (CALM) Videos in Improving Hypertension Management in Chinese Immigrants: Feasibility of Educational and Storytelling Video

Currently, there are minimal educational materials customized for first-generation Chinese immigrants on hypertension management. The San Francisco Bay area has an increasingly large population of first-generation Chinese immigrants. Thus, the need for culturally sensitive and appropriate educational materials is critical for this vulnerable population to manage their hypertension. The aim of this study was to update and test the feasibility of the Chinese Medicine as Longevity Modality (CALM) DVD videos, including: 1) a patient education program using a Powerpoint file, conveyed via a video format; and 2) a storytelling video. The feasibility of the CALM videos was assessed by individual interviews using structured, open-ended questions to determine the participants’ comprehension of the video content and offering feedback and suggestions for the refinement of the videos. Findings generally demonstrated helpfulness of the proposed intervention protocol suggesting that educational materials that are culturally sensitive and appropriate are beneficial for the target population

Scholarship of Teaching & Learning: Who, what, when, where, why, and how?

Published in Proceedings of the 39th Georgia Educational Research Association Conferenc

The Scholarship of Teaching & Learning: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How?

This session will present a panel discussion of the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning [SoTL]. Panelists include: scholars new to SoTL and those with over a decade’s experience with it, the editor of a pre-eminent international SoTL journal, the chair of a pre-eminent international SoTL conference, and a University System of Georgia SoTL Award winner. The panel will discuss what SoTL is (and is not), the value of SoTL, how to get started with SoTL research projects, how to contextualize and theoretically ground SoTL research, how SoTL both informs and dovetails with teaching, and will provide examples of SoTL projects at both the undergraduate and graduate level

The Scholarship of Teaching & Learning: Who, what, when, where, why, and how?

Panel symposium presented at the 2014 Georgia Educational Research Association Conference, Savannah, GA. This session will present a panel discussion of the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning [SoTL]. Panelists include: scholars new to SoTL and those with over a decade’s experience with it, the editor of a pre-eminent international SoTL journal, the chair of a pre-eminent international SoTL conference, and a University System of Georgia SoTL Award winner. The panel will discuss what SoTL is (and is not), the value of SoTL, how to get started with SoTL research projects, how to contextualize and theoretically ground SoTL research, how SoTL both informs and dovetails with teaching, and will provide examples of SoTL projects at both the undergraduate and graduate level

Evaluación del diseño curricular de la carrera de trabajo social en el período 1999-2001 del Centro Regional Universitario de Veraguas

Todo gobierno debe luchar para que sus habitantes tengan igualdad de oportunidades, de recibir una educación con calidad que esté basada en sus intereses y necesidades que les permita a todos capacitarse de manera integral, de responder de manera efectiva a las exigencias del mercado laboral de un país. La Universidad de Panamá como entidad educativa, autónoma, es responsable en nuestro país de brindar carreras acordes con las exigencias del mercado laboral a los estudiantes que egresan de los centros educativos oficiales y particulares. A través de este estudio investigativo se hace una evaluación al Diseño Curricular de la carrera de Trabajo Social que se ofrece a estudiantes que aspiran al título de Licenciados en Trabajo Social en el Centro Regional Universitario de Veraguas. Durante el desarrollo de esta investigación se tratan aspectos generales que nos conducen a lograr las metas lijadas, entre los que podemos mencionar. Los objetivos de la carrera, el perfil de egreso, las áreas básicas de formación, el plan de estudios y los programas de las asignaturas. Con el propósito de recolectar la información requerida, para este estudio investigativo se aplican encuestas a los estudiantes y egresados de la carrera de Trabajo Social en el período 1999-2001 como también a los docentes de la Escuela de Trabajo Social del Centro Regional Universitario de Veraguas. Los resultados obtenidos se tabulan e interpretan, lo cual nos permitirá ofrecer una propuesta que responda a las necesidades educativas de los futuros profesionales, y a su vez a las exigencias del mercado laboral actual

Complete genome sequence of pseudomonas aeruginosa Phage vB_PaeM_CEB_DP1

vB_PaeM_CEB_DP1 is a Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteriophage (phage) belonging to the Pbunalikevirus genus of the Myoviridae family of phages. It was isolated from hospital sewage. vB_PaeM_CEB_DP1 is a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) phage, with a genome of 66,158 bp, containing 89 predicted open reading frames.NIH -National Institutes of Health(1DP2OD008435