A Scanning Electron Microscope Study of Fiowers of Carambola, Durian and Rambutan

Fresh specimens of flowers of carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.), durian (Durio zibethinus Murr.) and rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) were examined using the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Whole flowers and floral parts were described and illustrated in the micrographs. Floral structures and their differences within species were highlighted, their relationship and functions are discussed with special reference to pollination mechanisms and pollen morphology

Pulsed electric field in combination with vacuum impregnation with trehalose improves the freezing tolerance of spinach leaves

Pulsed electric fields in combination with vacuum infusion have been utilized to impregnate cells with trehalose, aiming at substantially improving the freezing tolerance of spinach leaves. Spinach samples were first treated with ten trains of bi-polar, rectangular electric field pulses with a nominal electric field strength of 580 V/cm and immediately immersed in a 40% (w/w) solution of trehalose under vacuum for 20 min. The samples were kept in the trehalose solution for 2.5 h at atmospheric pressure, immersed in deionised water at 4 ºC overnight, frozen in liquid nitrogen and thawed in water at room temperature. The leaves were evaluated for cell damage with microscopic observations and wilting tests. The results provided evidence that the impregnation with trehalose by the combined actions of electric fields and vacuum impregnation drastically improved the freezing tolerance of the spinach leaves

High-speed, high-frequency ultrasound, \u3ci\u3ein utero\u3c/i\u3e vector-flow imaging of mouse embryos

Real-time imaging of the embryonic murine cardiovascular system is challenging due to the small size of the mouse embryo and rapid heart rate. High-frequency, linear-array ultrasound systems designed for small-animal imaging provide high-frame-rate and Doppler modes but are limited in regards to the field of view that can be imaged at fine-temporal and -spatial resolution. Here, a plane-wave imaging method was used to obtain high-speed image data from in utero mouse embryos and multi-angle, vector-flow algorithms were applied to the data to provide information on blood flow patterns in major organs. An 18-MHz linear array was used to acquire plane-wave data at absolute frame rates ≥10 kHz using a set of fixed transmission angles. After beamforming, vector-flow processing and image compounding, effective frame rates were on the order of 2 kHz. Data were acquired from the embryonic liver, heart and umbilical cord. Vector-flow results clearly revealed the complex nature of blood-flow patterns in the embryo with fine-temporal and -spatial resolution

Nephrology training in Australia and New Zealand: a survey of outcomes and adequacy

Advanced training programmes in nephrology should provide broad exposure to all aspects of nephrology. In Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), the Advanced Training Committee in Nephrology oversees training, and recent increases in trainee numbers have led to concern about dilution of experience.To investigate early career paths of nephrologists in ANZ and determine the adequacy of training by comparing self-determined competency and skill relevance among recently graduated nephrologists.In 2015, the Advanced Training Committee in Nephrology administered an online survey during the annual subscription for members of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology. Nephrologists who were awarded Fellowship after 2002 were invited to participate.The survey was completed by 113 Fellows with 8 respondents excluded (response rate 44.1%). Initial post-Fellowship work included full-time public hospital appointments (34.3%) or undertaking full-time higher research degrees (41.9%). The majority reported securing their desired employment. Respondents indicated adequate training in most clinical skills; however, responses of 'well trained' in home haemodialysis (41.8%), conservative care (42.9%), automated peritoneal dialysis (38.8%), and assessment of kidney transplant recipients (48%) and living kidney donors (34.7%) were less adequate. Although considered highly relevant to current practice, responses of 'well trained' were low for management and research skills, including complaint management (16.3%), private practice management (2%), health system knowledge (14.3%) and regulations (6.1%), ethics approval (23.5%), research funding (11.2%) and quality assurance (26.5%).Nephrology training in ANZ generally meets clinical needs and most secure their desired employment. Training in management and research are areas for improvement

Assessment parameters for coal-fired generation plant site selection

In order to meet future demand for electricity, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) is committedto the long-term strategic planning in locating suitable sites for future development of power stations.Site selection is an important process in the early planning stage of any power plant development asit will have significant implications on the capital investment, operational as well as the environmentand socio-economic costs of the power plant.The aim of this presentation is to briefly describe the ten (10) main assessment parametershaving the most profound effects on the selection of potential coal-fired generation plant sites.These assessment parameters were derived based on a survey of approximately 40 experts, comprisingfrom various specialists such as engineers from TNB, senior officers from Department Of EnvironmentMalaysia (DOE), scientist from University Malaya (UM) and a number of other independentconsultants

Loss of CSL Unlocks a Hypoxic Response and Enhanced Tumor Growth Potential in Breast Cancer Cells

Notch signaling is an important regulator of stem cell differentiation. All canonical Notch signaling is transmitted through the DNA-binding protein CSL, and hyperactivated Notch signaling is associated with tumor development; thus it may be anticipated that CSL deficiency should reduce tumor growth. In contrast, we report that genetic removal of CSL in breast tumor cells caused accelerated growth of xenografted tumors. Loss of CSL unleashed a hypoxic response during normoxic conditions, manifested by stabilization of the HIF1α protein and acquisition of a polyploid giant-cell, cancer stem cell-like, phenotype. At the transcriptome level, loss of CSL upregulated more than 1,750 genes and less than 3% of those genes were part of the Notch transcriptional signature. Collectively, this suggests that CSL exerts functions beyond serving as the central node in the Notch signaling cascade and reveals a role for CSL in tumorigenesis and regulation of the cellular hypoxic response.</p