Micro propagation of wormwood ( Artemisia annua l.) using leaf primordia

A study was carried out to determine the effect of varying concentrations of some plant growth hormones on the in vitro propagation of Artemisiaannua from leaf primordial in the Biotechnology Laboratory of Plant Science Department of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Leaf primordial from aChinyong variety were sterilized, excised and inoculated on a full and half strengths Murashige & Skoog basal media supplemented with differentconcentrations of GA3, BAP and NAA. Highest regeneration percent was observed using full strength MS media supplemented with a combination of 1.5µm/l GA3 and 0.5µm/l BAP. However, a combination of 0.5µm/l GA3  and 0.5µm/l NAA had the fewer days to regeneration. Highest height wasobserved at 1.0µm/l GA3 and 0.5µm/l BAP. Similarly, 2.0µm/l GA3 and 0.5µm/l BAP followed by 0.5µm/l GA3 and 0.1µm/l BAP produced the best vigor with no response from half strength MS media. Results of Analysis of Variance indicated significant difference among the treatments compared  with the control which did not respond (P.0.05). Regeneration of Artemisia through leaf primordial provides a biomass of leaf material needed for Artemisinin production. Therefore, this is a viable approach to the supply ofthe raw materials needed for the production of anti malaria drugs for the fight against malaria fever.Key Words: Artemisia annua, Plant growth hormones, in vitro propagation, leaf primordia

Effect of isolated Footing settlement on structural response under lateral loads

The structural frames are normally analyzed by assuming frames with fixed base, and role of foundation and soil properties, on member action is neglected. It implies that foundation of frame being analyzed is very heavy and soil on which the structure is going to be constructed is rock like material, therefore settlement at the base of frame is considered zero. Actions thus obtained are used in designing the foundations and other structural members like beams and columns. Since base is considered fixed which may not always be true the actions in members and loads transferred at foundation level in this manner do not depict the true structural behavior. A proper and economical design of foundation results in elastic behavior, which makes the foundations vulnerable to settlement under loads. When uniform gravity loads are applied this settlement is less at base of vertical members located at corners of a frame and more under vertical members located in interior spans. Whereas when lateral loads are applied settlement in bases at far ends is very high as compared to the bases located at the near ends. Theses settlements results in member actions, which are different from those obtained when analyses is carried on assumption, that frame has fixed base. Also different types of foundations have different effect on member actions. Response of foundation in terms of settlement in the structure varies with nature and direction of loading. The cross sectional properties of foundation depend upon the soil properties. When the structural frame and the foundation are modeled together and analyzed, real response of the structural frame can be observed. Due to advancement in computational technology i.e. availability of high-speed computers and efficient softwares it has become possible and economical now to conduct analyses in this way. This work is focused on analyzing frame and isolated foundations together and studying the results in terms of foundation reactions and member actions. All results were than compared. It was concluded from the comparison of results that modeling of structure along with foundation affects its response. Under lateral forces the accumulation of stresses at certain points in the foundation resulted in large settlements. The settlements, which occurred in the modeled foundation directly, affected the member forces in the structural members. The research work can be helpful for the practicing engineers to achieve the more realistic response of the structure and more economical and safe design of reinforced concrete structures under gravity as well as seismic loadings

Drastic impacts of 8th October earthquake in Kashmir and role of sustainable development

The main environmental loses from the earthquake to the environment were the heavy landslides, destruction of residential and commercial structures, destruction and rerouting of water bodies, etc. Due to the lack of sustainable planning and awareness, debris, building waste materials and misuse of other materials are seriously spoiling the sustainability of the area. Detail survey of the ruined areas of Kashmir due to 8th October earthquake after five years has been performed during this research. Present conditions of the study area are presenting the worst picture. Improper management of dumped construction waste is one of the serious issues. Environmental and sustainability conditions before and after earthquake are compared in this research work. It is concluded that infrastructure development and building construction during last five years after the earthquake are not fulfilling the sustainability requirement. Proper waste handing, recycling of materials, promotion of indigenous building materials and awareness among the local dwellers may help to improve the sustainability and environmental conditions in the study area

Liquefaction of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) core for wood laminating adhesive.

A study was carried out to produce polyurethane (PU) as a wood laminating adhesive from liquefied kenaf core (LKC) polyols by reacting it with toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) and 1,4-butanediol (BDO). The LKC polyurethane (LKCPU) adhesive has a molecular weight (MW) of 2666, viscosity of 5370 mPa s, and solids content of 86.9%. The average shear strength of the rubberwood (RW) bonded with LKCPU adhesive was 2.9 MPa. Most of the sheared specimens experienced a total adhesive failure. The formation of air bubbles through the liberation of carbon dioxide was observed to reduce the adhesive penetration and bonding strength which was obviously seen on the sheared specimens. The percentage of catalyst used can be varied based on the usage and working time needed. Nonetheless, the physical properties of LKCPU produced in this work had shown good potential as edge-bonding adhesive

Islamic Monetary Economics: Insights from the Literature

This chapter reviews critical early literature of Islamic monetary economics. The prohibition of Riba has imposed challenges on Islamic economists to come up with the viable alternatives to achieve Islamic monetary policy goals. Our extensive review of theoretical and empirical literature indicates that equity based profit- and loss-sharing instruments have been proposed for conducting open market operations in an interest-free economy. Theoretically, the central bank can achieve desired goals by controlling money supply and profit-sharing ratios. The findings from empirical literature suggest that money demand tend to be more stable in an interest-free economy. Whether monetary transmission works through Islamic banking channel is controversial, but the literature is growing. These findings are not surprising as majority Muslim countries lack sustainable and equitable economic growth. Moreover, these countries suffer from higher inflation and unemployment with little or no monetary freedom due to fixed exchange rate regime, shallow financial markets and strict capital control

Biodegradable starch-based composites: effect of micro and nanoreinforcements on composite properties

Thermoplastic starch (TPS) matrix was reinforced with various kenaf bast cellulose nanofiber loadings (0–10 wt%). Thin films were prepared by casting and evaporating the mixture of aqueous suspension of nanofibers (NFs), starch, and glycerol which underwent gelatinization process at the same time. Moreover, raw fibers (RFs) reinforced TPS films were prepared with the same contents and conditions. The effects of filler type and loading on different characteristics of prepared materials were studied using transmission and scanning electron microscopies, X-ray diffractometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and moisture absorption analysis. Obtained results showed a homogeneous dispersion of NFs within the TPS matrix and strong association between the filler and matrix. Moreover, addition of nanoreinforcements decreased the moisture sensitivity of the TPS film significantly. About 20 % decrease in moisture content at equilibrium was observed with addition of 10 wt% NFs while this value was only 5.7 % for the respective RFs reinforced film

Obatoclax induces Atg7-dependent autophagy independent of beclin-1 and BAX/BAK

Direct pharmacological targeting of the anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) family is an attractive therapeutic strategy for treating cancer. Obatoclax is a pan-BCL-2 family inhibitor currently in clinical development. Here we show that, although obatoclax can induce mitochondrial apoptosis dependent on BCL-2 associated x protein/BCL-2 antagonist killer (BAX/BAK) consistent with its on-target pharmacodynamics, simultaneous silencing of both BAX and BAK did not abolish acute toxicity or loss of clonogenicity. This is despite complete inhibition of apoptosis. Obatoclax dramatically reduced viability without inducing loss of plasma membrane integrity. This was associated with rapid processing of light chain-3 (LC3) and reduction of S6 kinase phosphorylation, consistent with autophagy. Dramatic ultrastructural vacuolation, not typical of autophagy, was also induced. Silencing of beclin-1 failed to prevent LC3 processing, whereas knockout of autophagy-related (Atg)7 abolished LC3 processing but failed to prevent obatoclax-induced loss of clonogenicity or ultrastructural changes. siRNA silencing of Atg7 in BAX/BAK knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts did not prevent obatoclax-induced loss of viability. Cells selected for obatoclax resistance evaded apoptosis independent of changes in BCL-2 family expression and displayed reduced LC3 processing. In summary, obatoclax exhibits BAX- and BAK-dependent and -independent mechanisms of toxicity and activation of autophagy. Mechanisms other than autophagy and apoptosis are blocked in obatoclax resistant cells and contribute significantly to obatoclax's anticancer efficacy

Multifactorial day hospital intervention to reduce falls in high risk older people in primary care: a multi-centre randomised controlled trial [ISRCTN46584556]

Falls in older people are a major public health concern in terms of morbidity, mortality and cost. Previous studies suggest that multifactorial interventions can reduce falls, and many geriatric day hospitals are now offering falls intervention programmes. However, no studies have investigated whether these programmes, based in the day hospital are effective, nor whether they can be successfully applied to high-risk older people screened in primary care. The hypothesis is that a multidisciplinary falls assessment and intervention at Day hospitals can reduce the incidence of falls in older people identified within primary care as being at high risk of falling. This will be tested by a pragmatic parallel-group randomised controlled trial in which the participants, identified as at high risk of falling, will be randomised into either the intervention Day hospital arm or to a control (current practice) arm. Those participants preferring not to enter the full randomised study will be offered the opportunity to complete brief diaries only at monthly intervals. This data will be used to validate the screening questionnaire. Three day hospitals (2 Nottingham, 1 Derby) will provide the interventions, and the University of Nottingham's Departments of Primary Care, the Division of Rehabilitation and Ageing Unit, and the Trent Institute for Health Service Research will provide the methodological and statistical expertise. Four hundred subjects will be randomised into the two arms. The primary outcome measure will be the rate of falls over one year. Secondary outcome measures will include the proportion of people experiencing at least one fall, the proportion of people experiencing recurrent falls (>1), injuries, fear of falling, quality of life, institutionalisation rates, and use of health services. Cost-effectiveness analyses will be performed to inform health commissioners about resource allocation issues. The importance of this trial is that the results may be applicable to any UK day hospital setting. SITES: General practices across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Day hospitals: Derbyshire Royal Infirmary (Southern Derbyshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust) Sherwood Day Service (Nottingham City Hospital Trust) Leengate Day Hospital (Queen's Medical Centre Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust