Melt conveying in counter-rotating twin-screw extruders

Imperial Users onl

Heat and hydrolytic enzymes treatment improved the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of recalcitrant indica rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Reported Agrobacterium transformation efficiency of indica rice shoot apices varied from 0.4 to 13.8 %. In order to improve the transformation efficiency, modification of transformation protocols through heat and hydrolytic enzyme treatments on rice shoot apices were carried out. Transient expression study using reporter genes revealed that shoot apices heat treated for 3 min at 42 °C during bacterial immersion showed improved GFP (63.0 %) and GUS (42.5 %) expressions per plant as compared to standard protocol (34.0 % GFP and 36.25 % GUS). Shoot apices pre-treated with hydrolytic enzymes containing macerase, pectinase and cellulase at concentration ratio of 1:1:1 (w/v) also demonstrated high percentage of transient GFP (40.0 %) and GUS (35.0 %) expressions per plant. PCR analyses further confirmed the presence of GFP and GUS genes in the transformants. Stable expressions of GFP and GUS were also obtained in multiple shoots of regenerated shoot apices after 4 weeks of culturing in shoot proliferation media without hygromycin. In conclusion, the transformation efficiencies were improved significantly when heat (15.83 %) and hydrolytic enzymes (16.67 %) were applied as individual treatments as compared to the standard transformation method which only accounted for 5.83 %

A survey on the measure of combat readiness

Measuring the combat readiness in military forces involves the measures of tangible and intangible elements of combat power. Though these measures are applicable, the mathematical models and formulae used focus mainly on either the tangible or the intangible elements. In this paper, a review is done to highlight the research gap in the formulation of a mathematical model that incorporates tangible elements with intangible elements to measure the combat readiness of a military force. It highlights the missing link between the tangible and intangible elements of combat power. To bridge the gap and missing link, a mathematical model could be formulated that measures both the tangible and intangible aspects of combat readiness by establishing the relationship between the causal (tangible and intangible) elements and its effects on the measure of combat readiness. The model uses multiple regression analysis as well as mathematical modeling and simulation which digest the capability component reflecting its assets and resources, the morale component reflecting human needs, and the quality of life component reflecting soldiers’ state of satisfaction in life. The results of the review provide a mean to bridge the research gap through the formulation of a mathematical model that shows the total measure of a military force’s combat readiness. The results also significantly identify parameters for each of the variables and factors in the model

Minimal inhibitory concentration of common selectable agents on recalcitrant Malaysian rice cultivar

Determining the suitable and optimized Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the selectable agents is critical to successfully recover stably transformed plants. In this study, the MIC of five different antibiotics and one herbicide was determined for their inhibitory effect on the growth of a recalcitrant rice cultivar, MR219 using rice shoot apices as target tissue. Antibiotics such as kanamycin, paromomycin and neomycin did not inhibit the shoot apices growth while geneticin (G-418) and hygromycin showed complete growth inhibition at 400 and 25 mg LG1 , respectively. Similarly, the herbicide basta indicated that 9 mg LG1 was sufficient to cause growth inhibition. To conclude, hygromycin and basta were suggested to the suitable selectable agent to select transformed rice shoot apices

Blended learning as a conduit for inquiry-based instruction, active learning, formative assessment and its impact on students’ learning outcomes in higher education

There is a definite impact of inquiry-based instruction, active learning and formative assessment on students’ learning outcomes because all of these factors have the tendency to drive student’s motivation, interest and performance in learning, especially when it is grounded in the use of the Blended Learning (BL) method. In view of this, the study attempted to identify the effect of these factor(s) on students’ learning outcomes such as self interest, self efficacy and cognitive development.This study employed a quantitative method and a 5 point Likert scale survey instrument was used to gauge the response from students at the Faculty of Education in a public university. A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed and about 80% were returned from 444 student respondents. BL based formative assessment was found to be a strong contributor to the variance in learning outcomes, in higher education. The study indicated that a student’s interest, cognitive development and self efficacy were influenced by many factors however, providing them with BL based active learning opportunities were extremely fruitful.In addition, inquiry based instruction and formative performance assessment are known as outstanding methods in recent years that have produced a shift in the focus of students’ attention particularly towards learning in tertiary institutions

The relationship between collaboration in learning, quantity and timing of feedback, and self-efficacy of students in higher education / Chan Yuen Fook … [et al.]

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of collaboration in learning, and the quantity and timing of feedback towards the enhancement of self-efficacy among students in a public university in Malaysia. Data was collected using a survey questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to a total of 500 randomly selected tertiary students. A total of 475 questionnaires were returned and used for analysis. Data was analysed with both descriptive and inferential st atistics. The findings revealed that most of the students collaborate with peers in their learning. Feedback that was identified has a positive and significant relationship with student selfefficacy. A moderate, positive and significant correlation has been identified between collaboration in learning, quantity and timing of feedback and selfefficacy among the students in a public university. However, collaboration in learning and quantity and timing of feedback only induced a low effect size on self-efficacy

A Study of New Ceramic Membrane for Use in Hemodialysis

ABSTRACT The non-uniformity of pore size and pore distribution of the current hemodialysis membrane results in low efficiency of uremic solute removal as well as the loss of albumin. By using nano technology, an anodic alumina membrane (ceramic membrane) with self-organized nano-pore structure was produced. The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between various anodization conditions and the pore characteristics of the ceramic membrane as a potential use in artificial kidney / hemodialysis. An aluminum thin film was oxidized in two electrolytes consisting of 3% and 5% sulfuric acid and 2.7% oxalic acid. The applied voltages were 12.5, 15, 17.5 and 20 (V) for sulfuric acid and 20, 30, 40 and 50 (V) for oxalic acid. Pore size and porosity were determined by analyzing scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and hydraulic conductivity was measured. Pore size increased linearly with voltage. Acid concentration affected pore formation but not pore size and pore distribution. Hydraulic conductivity of the ceramic membrane was higher than that of polymer dialysis membrane. The optimal formation conditions for self-organized nano-pore structure of ceramic membrane were 12.5-17.5V in 3-5% sulfuric acid at 0 o C. These conditions produced ceramic membranes with pores of ~ 10 nm diameter. Conclusion: Anodic alumina technology reliably produced in quantity structures with pore sizes in the 10-50 nm diameter range. Because of more uniform pore size, high porosity, high hydraulic conductivity and resistance to high temperature, the ceramic membrane has potential for future application as a hemodialysis membrane

Institutional support for postgraduate study in Malaysia / Gurnam Kaur Sidhu … [et al.]

The twin forces of globalisation and internationalisation witnessed the global democratisation of higher education leading to the mushrooming of institutions of higher learning alongside with the rapid increase in student enrolments at all levels including postgraduate study. Despite the rapid developments in higher education, postgraduate study has been plagued with high attrition and low completion rates. Consequently, there is a need to look into delivery systems to ensure students are not short-changed and quality education and delivery systems are maintained at all times. This paper aims to investigate institutional support provided for postgraduate study in Malaysia. This descriptive study involved a total of 121 supervisors and 209 postgraduate students from two public universities in Malaysia. Data for the study were collected using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The findings revealed that students and supervisors were moderately satisfied with the information support provided by their respective institutions with regards to postgraduate study and courses. Nevertheless, students felt that institutional support was lacking in terms of facilities, professional development and opportunities for setting up learning communities. Supervisors too expressed the need for better postgraduate facilities, professional development and sought for more transparency in terms of grant and fellowship applications. Both groups also voiced concern regarding the knowledge, skills and attitude of administrators and clerical staff. These findings have implications for the need of quality delivery systems, especially institutional support for postgraduate study

Vasculature-on-a-chip platform with innate immunity enables identification of angiopoietin-1 derived peptide as a therapeutic for SARS-CoV-2 induced inflammation

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