The symptom and genetic diversity of cassava brown streak viruses infecting cassava in East Africa

The genetic and symptom diversity of six virus isolates causing cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) in the endemic (Kenya, Mozambique, and Tanzania) and the recently affected epidemic areas (Uganda) of eastern Africa was studied. Five cassava varieties; Albert, Colombian, Ebwanateraka, TMS60444 (all susceptible) and Kiroba (tolerant) were graft inoculated with each isolate. Based on a number of parameters including the severity of leaf and root symptoms, and the extent of virus transmission by grafting, the viruses were classified as either severe or relatively mild. These results were further confirmed by the mechanical inoculation of 13 herbaceous hosts in which the virulent isolates caused plant death in Nicotiana clevelandii and N. benthamiana whereas the milder isolates did not. Phylogenetic analysis of complete coat protein gene sequences of these isolates together with sequences obtained from 14 other field-collected samples from Kenya and Zanzibar, and reference sequences grouped them into two distinct clusters, representing the two species of cassava brown streak viruses. Put together, these results did not suggest the association of a hypervirulent form of the virus with the current CBSD epidemic in Uganda. Identification of the severe and milder isolates, however, has further implications for disease management and quarantine requirements

Marching Towards Access and Equity in Higher Education – An Exploration of Infinite Possibilities of MOOC

MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) are a relatively recent online learning model with infinite possibilities of offering freedom for access to higher education. The MOOC design depicts a future of openness in higher education. The evolution of MOOC based on the ideals that knowledge should be shared freely, and the urge to learn should be met without demographic, economic, and geographical constraints. In this framework, creative use of technologies makes a wide variety of open education provision. Along the movement towards open education, this new scenario opens up spaces for sharing thoughts, collaborating between institutions, educators and learners locally and internationally, and for expediting more meaningful teaching and learning process. In order to raise awareness of MOOCs and their implications for Higher Education sector in India, this paper synthesises features and characteristics of MOOCs and describes their potential as an innovation towards greater openness in Higher Education. Also, the paper tries to discuss possibilities and challenges to integrate MOOCs into higher education system of India

A dynamic two-dimensional (D2D) weight-based map-matching algorithm

Existing map-Matching (MM) algorithms primarily localize positioning fixes along the centerline of a road and have largely ignored road width as an input. Consequently, vehicle lane-level localization, which is essential for stringent Intelligent Transport System (ITS) applications, seems difficult to accomplish, especially with the positioning data from low-cost GPS sensors. This paper aims to address this limitation by developing a new dynamic two-dimensional (D2D) weight-based MM algorithm incorporating dynamic weight coefficients and road width. To enable vehicle lane-level localization, a road segment is virtually expressed as a matrix of homogeneous grids with reference to a road centerline. These grids are then used to map-match positioning fixes as opposed to matching on a road centerline as carried out in traditional MM algorithms. In this developed algorithm, vehicle location identification on a road segment is based on the total weight score which is a function of four different weights: (i) proximity, (ii) kinematic, (iii) turn-intent prediction, and (iv) connectivity. Different parameters representing network complexity and positioning quality are used to assign the relative importance to different weight scores by employing an adaptive regression method. To demonstrate the transferability of the developed algorithm, it was tested by using 5,830 GPS positioning points collected in Nottingham, UK and 7,414 GPS positioning points collected in Mumbai and Pune, India. The developed algorithm, using stand-alone GPS position fixes, identifies the correct links 96.1% (for the Nottingham data) and 98.4% (for the Mumbai-Pune data) of the time. In terms of the correct lane identification, the algorithm was found to provide the accurate matching for 84% (Nottingham) and 79% (Mumbai-Pune) of the fixes obtained by stand-alone GPS. Using the same methodology adopted in this study, the accuracy of the lane identification could further be enhanced if the localization data from additional sensors (e.g. gyroscope) are utilized. ITS industry and vehicle manufacturers can implement this D2D map-matching algorithm for liability critical and in-vehicle information systems and services such as advanced driver assistant systems (ADAS)

Microwave assisted biodiesel production from Lagenaria vulgaris seed oil using amberlyst 15 ion exchange resin and eggshell as catalysts

The study involves the extraction of oil from the seeds of lagenaria vulgaris (Calabash) using soxhlet apparatus. The physicochemical properties of the calabash seeds oil analyzed were; crude oil yield (37.8%), density of oil (0.925g/cm3), acid value of oil (5.6mgKOH/g) and saponification value (190.1mgKOH/g).Catalytic transesterification was carried out using the oil produced in a microwave to yield biodiesel. A comparative analysis of the biodiesel produced from the extracted oil using two different catalysts; Amberlyst 15 ion exchange resin and calcium oxide (waste eggshell) was carried out. The biodiesel production was conducted under different catalyst concentrations, different temperature range and different time (minutes). The best yield of 95.07% was achieved with treated waste eggshell at 600C, 5% catalyst to oil ratio and 40% methanol to oil volume ratio after 40 minutes. Biodiesel characterization showed; specific gravity (0.890g/cm3), acid value (0.7mgKOH/g), API gravity (27.5g/cm3), kinematic viscosity (5.6mm2/s), cloud point (3.50C), pour point (-30C), copper strip corrosion test (1b), flash point (1380C), cetane/diesel index (35.1). The result shows that the biodiesel quality parameters were within the acceptable limits set by ASTM, although blends and additives maybe needed to improve performance.Keywords: Biodiesel, Transesterification, Amberlyst 15, Eggshel

Metamorphic Malware Detection Based on Support Vector Machine Classification of Malware Sub-Signatures

Achieving accurate and efficient metamorphic malware detection remains a challenge. Metamorphic malware is able to mutate and alter its code structure in each infection, with some vital functionality and codesegment remain unchanged. We exploit these unchanged features for detecting metamorphic malware detection using Support Vector Machine(SVM) classifier. n-gram features are extracted directly from sample malware binaries to avoid disassembly, which are then masked with the extracted Snort signature n-grams. These masked features reduce considerably the number of selected n-gram features. Our method is capable to accurately detect metamorphic malware with ~99 % accuracy and low false positive rate. The proposed method is also superior than commercially available anti-viruses in detecting metamorphicmalware

Transcriptional response of virus-infected cassava and identification of putative sources of resistance for cassava brown streak disease

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is a major food staple in sub-Saharan Africa, which is severely affected by cassava brown streak disease (CBSD). The aim of this study was to identify resistance for CBSD as well as to understand the mechanism of putative resistance for providing effective control for the disease. Three cassava varieties; Kaleso, Kiroba and Albert were inoculated with cassava brown streak viruses by grafting and also using the natural insect vector the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci. Kaleso expressed mild or no disease symptoms and supported low concentrations of viruses, which is a characteristic of resistant plants. In comparison, Kiroba expressed severe leaf but milder root symptoms, while Albert was susceptible with severe symptoms both on leaves and roots. Real-time PCR was used to estimate virus concentrations in cassava varieties. Virus quantities were higher in Kiroba and Albert compared to Kaleso. The Illumina RNA-sequencing was used to further understand the genetic basis of resistance. More than 700 genes were uniquely overexpressed in Kaleso in response to virus infection compared to Albert. Surprisingly, none of them were similar to known resistant gene orthologs. Some of the overexpressed genes, however, belonged to the hormone signalling pathways and secondary metabolites, both of which are linked to plant resistance. These genes should be further characterised before confirming their role in resistance to CBSD

The viability of forward osmosis in the concentration of biologically produced fumaric acid using l-alanine as a draw solution

Separation and concentration processes of fumaric acid from industrial products and down streams have been a subject of wide range in research. With the emergence of Forward Osmosis (FO) technology attention has shifted to utilising it in downstream processing. This study has investigated the viability of FO technology in concentration a fumaric acid solution produced by continuous microbial fermentation process using L-Alanine as a novel draw solution (DS). Thin Film Composite (TFC) aquaporin protein flat sheet membrane was used in the FO set up. L-Alanine was used as a DS at a concentration of 0.085 g/mL. The DS concentration was chosen based on preliminary studies which were conducted to determine the optimal DS concentration which achieved the highest water flux with the lowest reverse solute diffusion. The fumaric acid produced by continuous microbial fermentation process was investigated as a Feed Solution (FS). The biologically produced Fumaric acid was obtained from a continuous microbial fermentation process developed by the Bioreaction Engineering group at University of Pretoria. Rhizopus oryzae fungus was utilised in the fermentation process with glucose as the substrate. The influence of temperature on the efficiency of the FO process was also investigated. The results show that fumaric acid solution concentrated by 26.00 % and 19.80 % in 32 ℃ and 17 ℃, respectively. The results demonstrate FO technology to be an effective way to concentrate the fumaric acid solution produced by continuous microbial fermentation process. However, achieving high concentration has been limited because of high residual concentration of glucose and other minerals in the biological process. This lead to reduce the net driving osmotic force through the membrane. The initial concentration of glucose contributed with 50.50 % of overall osmotic pressure of FS, while the initial concentration of fumaric acid contributed only with 12.20 %. Minimising the residual glucose concentration could lead to a doubling of the fumaric acid concentration in the FO process.http://www.aidic.it/cetam2018Chemical Engineerin

Forward osmosis for water recovery using polyelectrolyte PolyDADMAC and DADMAC draw solutions as a low pressure energy saving process

Polydiallyldimethylammonium Chloride (PolyDADMAC) is a cationic polyelectrolyte utilised widely in drinking water industry. This study has evaluated the performance of cationic organic polyelectrolyte PolyDADMAC and its monomer DADMAC as osmotic agents in Forward Osmosis (FO) process. The properties of PolyDADMAC and DADMAC draw solutions were initially studied. Thereafter, a series of experiments were conducted to examine the efficiency of these solutions for water recovery using CTA and Aquaporin flatsheet membranes under FO mode. The results show a high electrical conductivity of both draw solutions due to the presence of strong cation electrolyte (C8H6N+) in solutions. The obtained water flux and reverse solute diffusion of DADMAC were higher than PolyDADMAC at same concentrations. Factors contributing to the change of water flux and reverse solutes diffusion through membranes were addressed. CTA membranes accomplished higher water flux than the aquaporin membranes, however; the latter was more selective and provided better results of reverse solutes diffusion. Diluted draw solutions were reconcentrated via Nanofiltration-system. High ion rejection of DADMAC (96%) and poor ion rejection of PolyDADMAC (85%) were observed. Lastly, this article introduced a valuable comparison between cationic polyelectrolyte and its electrolyte based on their behaviours as draw solutes in FO process.The National Research Foundation NRF (Grant Unique Number: 100471), and the University of Pretoria, South Africa.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/desal2020-03-01hj2019Chemical Engineerin

Evaluation of the anticancer potential of Iraqi Date Palma dactylifera L. seed extract on breast cancer MCF7 and prostate cancer PC3 cell lines

Date seeds are rich in many dietary elements, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory and anticancer phytochemical compounds. The present study aimed to evaluate the anticancer potential of  Iraqi Date Palma dactylifera L. seed extracts on breast cancer MCF7 and prostate cancer PC3 cell lines. The seeds were extracted with 70% ethanol and explored for the presence of many anticancer compounds by High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis . The cytotoxicity of date seed extracts on cell lines was studied using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The cytotoxic assay of multi-parameters was carried out to detect the extract activity on valid cell count, total nuclear intensity, cell membrane permeability, mitochondrial membrane potential and cytochrome C release by using High-Content Screening (HCS) assay. The results of HPLC confirmed the presence of caffeic acid, sinapic acid and gallic acid. The results of MTT assay showed significantly reduced cell viability of MCF7, PC3 and control HdFn cell lines with IC50 of 269,325 and 1499 μg/ml, respectively. Analysis of HCS findings indicated significant changes in all tested parameters at concentrations of 100 μg/ml. Ethanolic extract of seeds was rich in many antioxidant compounds and the extract appeared to have strong cytotoxic activity against both  MCF7 and PC3 cancer cell lines. The cells of MCF7 were more sensitive to extract than PC3. The viability of normal  HDFn cells was not affected by the extract. The study showed the importance of date seeds as a very effective antioxidant and can contribute to reducing the risk of breast and prostate cancer.

Scientometrics Profile of the Banasthali Vidyapith: A Deemed University of Rajasthan, India

The current investigation work utilized bibliometric and visualization techniques. Scopus bibliographic database sources used to retrieve data. Two thousand seven hundred sixty-four (2764) papers retrieved by applying the \u27Affiliation\u27 in Scopus\u27 simple search section. Biblioshiny (3.0), MS-Access, Excel, and VOS Viewer software used to analyze data and bibliometric indicator extraction employ to evaluate the research productivity of Banasthali University for a period of twenty-one years from 2000 to 2020. This data analysis leads to monitor the university\u27s past and present status to maps its future perspectives. This study ventured to examine the overall performance of the faculties and researchers of the Banasthali University in research productivity and publications. The study concerned on finding the year-wise distribution of the publications, author\u27s keywords ID, period, average citations per documents, top-ranked subjects, authors, most distinguished and productive author, author appearances, single-authored documents, multi-authored documents, top-ranked publications, co-authors per documents, co-authorship index, degree of collaboration based on the collected data and information gathered