bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chained and Confused
Authors: Lannin Amy A , Fox Roy F
Published: July 2010

This study focuses on how teachers enrolled in a graduate level, online English Education course perceived formulaic or thesis-driven student writing, commonly associated with the traditional “five-paragraph essay.” One goal of this course, “Writing, Reading, and Teaching Creative Nonfiction,” was to engage teachers in reflecting about the uses of this “new” genre in their own classrooms. Living in several states, the participants included one science teacher, four Special Education teachers, and ten middle and secondary Language Arts teachers. We analyzed 12 separate prompts posted to the discussion board over a six-week period. Also, participants were required to post one “thread” into each discussion board, with follow-up comments to threads from at least two other participants. Approximately 75 out of a total of 800 coded comments dealt with formulaic writing. The following patterns of participants’ perceptions emerged from these comments: (1) student benefits of formulaic writing; (2) a hierarchical sequence for teaching writing; (3) obligations to teach formulaic writing; (4) resistance to formulaic writing; (5) the constraints of formulaic writing on students; and (6) the constraints of formulaic writing on teachers. Based on this study, we recommend that teachers engage in writing themselves which includes risk taking, modeling writing and significant revision for their students, and sharing models of writing; ensure that their students write in many forms and genres, including, but not limited to, the five-paragraph essay; develop realistic views of the expectations and obligations they face daily; and internalize effective writing practices. In the process of exploring the genre of creative nonfiction, teachers also had to grapple with old debates, as almost all of this study’s participants changed their views, discovering that the chains they had felt actually were not as tight as they had originally believed.
Engaging Future Teachers to Reflect on How Reading and Writing Can Change Lives
Authors: Hall Maureen P , Waxler Robert P
Published: July 2010

This essay describes a literacy project involving college students who are preservice teachers and students in an urban alternative public school. Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” served as a touchstone or linchpin for the development of literacy skills and identity construction for both the college and secondary school students. Utilizing the idea of “a new neighborhood” as a metaphor and a goal, all students were given opportunities to engage with language, opening them up to a variety of new experiences and a new sense of belonging within a safe classroom environment.
MicroRNA profiling of benign and malignant pheochromocytomas identifies novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets
Authors: Meyer-Rochow Goswin Y , Jackson Nicole E , Conaglen John V , Whittle Denis E , Kunnimalaiyaan Muthusamy , Chen Herbert , Westin Gunnar , Sandgren Johanna , Stålberg Peter , Khanafshar Elham , Shibru Daniel , Duh Quan-Yang , Clark Orlo H , Kebebew Electron , Gill Anthony J , Clifton-Bligh Rory , Robinson Bruce G , Benn Diana E , Sidhu Stan B
Published: July 2010

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs (∼22 bp) that post-transcriptionally regulate protein expression and are found to be differentially expressed in a number of human cancers. There is increasing evidence to suggest that miRNAs could be useful in cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy. We performed miRNA microarray expression profiling on a cohort of 12 benign and 12 malignant pheochromocytomas and identified a number of differentially expressed miRNAs. These results were validated in a separate cohort of ten benign and ten malignant samples using real-time quantitative RT-PCR; benign samples had a minimum follow-up of at least 2 years. It was found that IGF2 as well as its intronic miR-483-5p was over-expressed, while miR-15a and miR-16 were under-expressed in malignant tumours compared with benign tumours. These miRNAs were found to be diagnostic and prognostic markers for malignant pheochromocytoma. The functional role of miR-15a and miR-16 was investigated in vitro in the rat PC12 pheochromocytoma cell line, and these miRNAs were found to regulate cell proliferation via their effect on cyclin D1 and apoptosis. These data indicate that miRNAs play a pivotal role in the biology of malignant pheochromocytoma, and represent an important class of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets warranting further investigation.
The One-to-One Relationship: Is it Really Key to an Effective Preceptorship Experience? A Review of the Literature
Authors: Luhanga Florence Loyce , Billay Diane , Grundy Quinn , Myrick Florence , Yonge Olive
Published: July 2010

Currently, considerable focus is directed at improving clinical experiences for nursing students, with emphasis placed on adequate support and supervision for the purpose of creating competent and safe beginning practitioners. Preceptors play a vital role in supporting, teaching, supervising and assessing students in clinical settings as they transition to the graduate nurse role. Intrinsic to this model is the assumption that the one-to-one relationship provides the most effective mechanism for learning. With the current Registered Nurses (RN) shortage, among other factors, the one-to-one relationship may not be feasible or as advantageous to the student. Thus, nurse educators need to carefully assess how this relationship is configured and maintained to assist them in fostering its evolution. In this review of the literature, the authors explore the assumption that a one-to-one relationship in the preceptorship experience fosters a rich and successful learning environment, and implications for nursing education, practice and research are outlined.
An Object-Oriented Graphics Interface Simulator for Analysis of Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis
Authors: Fernandes Fabiano A. N. , Cartaxo Samuel J. M.
Published: July 2010

This paper describes a computer program that increases the productivity of petrochemical scientists conducting research on Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. FTSlurry integrates Fortran 90 simulation codes with a graphical front end and various visualization tools developed in Delphi. The software serves to evaluate operating process conditions and reaction kinetics on the product distribution of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis carried out on slurry reactors. The software allows for full parameter analysis and study of factor effects. A detailed description of the system architecture and a typical scenario of usage are presented, along with parameter analysis and visualization features.
Early stress affects neurogenesis in the rat rostral migratory stream
Authors: Lievajová Kamila , Martončíková Marcela , Blaško Juraj , Orendáčová Judita , Almašiová Viera , Račeková Enikő
Published: July 2010

Stressful experience during the early postnatal period may influence processes associated with neurogenesis (i.e. proliferation, cell death, appearance of astrocytes or cell differentiation) in the neonatal rat rostral migratory stream (RMS). To induce stress, pups were subjected to maternal deprivation daily for three hours, starting from the first postnatal day till the seventh postnatal day. Immunohistochemical methods were used to visualize proliferating cells and astrocytes; dying cells and nitrergic cells were visualized using histochemical staining. Quantitative analysis showed that maternal deprivation decreased the number of proliferating cells and significantly increased the number of dying cells in the RMS. Maternal deprivation did not influence the appearance of astrocytes in the RMS, but caused premature differentiation of nitrergic cells. In control rats, nitrergic cells can be observed in the RMS as early as the tenth postnatal day. In maternally deprived pups, these cells were detected as early as the seventh postnatal day. The observed earlier appearance of nitrergic cells in the RMS was associated with altered proliferation and increased cell dying and this observation supports the hypothesis that nitric oxide has an anti-proliferative role in the RMS. Our study demonstrates that maternal deprivation represents a stressful condition with a profound impact on early postnatal neurogenesis.
Electromagnetic field effects on Artemia hatching and chromatin state
Authors: Shckorbatov Yuriy , Rudneva Irina , Pasiuga Vladimir , Grabina Valentin , Kolchigin Nikolay , Ivanchenko Dmitriy , Kazanskiy Oleg , Shayda Valentin , Dumin Oleksandr
Published: July 2010

The influence of magnetic fields on hatching and chromatin state of brine shrimp, Artemia sp., was investigated. Dry Artemia cysts were exposed to a magnetic field of intensity 25 mT for 10 min. The magnetic field was applied in different variants: constant field, rotating field of different directions (right-handed and left-handed) and different magnet polarization. The effect of ultra wideband pulse radiation and microwave radiation was also investigated. The energy density on the surface of object exposed to ultra wideband pulse radiation was 10−2, 10−3, 10−4, 10−5 and 10−6 W/cm2, the power of microwave radiation was 10−4 and 10−5 W/cm2, exposure time - 10 s. After incubation of the cysts for 48 hours in sea water the hatching percentage of Artemia from exposed cysts was higher than in controls. The number of heterochromatin granules was significantly higher in the nauplia (newborn larvae of Artemia) developed from cysts that had been exposed to magnetic and electromagnetic fields. The data obtained demonstrate an increase in percentage hatching of Artemia cysts after treatment with magnetic and electromagnetic fields and chromatin condensation in nauplia. We have also shown different effects of right-handed and left-handed rotating magnetic fields on these processes.
Agrobacterium-mediated Transformation and Constitutive Expression of PgNHX1 from Pennisetum glaucum L. in Oryza sativa L. cv. Binnatoa
Authors: Islam S.M. Touhidul , Tammi R.S. , Singla-Pareek Sneh L. , Seraj Z.I.
Published: July 2010

In an effort to improve salinity tolerance in rice, the Pennisetum glaucum vacuolar Na+/H+ antiporter gene (PgNHX1) was transformed and expressed in Bangla-deshi rice Binnatoa under the constitutive promoter CaMV35S. Transgenic status of the plant was confirmed by PCR and Southern blot hybridization. RT-PCR and Western dot-blot analyses were performed to validate the expression of the transgene at RNA and protein levels, respectively. At 160 mM (ECe of 16 dS/m) NaCl stress the transgenic seedlings showed enhanced tolerance compared to controls. Key words:  Salinity tolerance, PgNHX1, CaMV35S, Binnatoa D.O.I.10.3329/ptcb.v19i1.4912 Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 19(1): 25-33, 2009 (June)
Molecular Analysis of Hexaploid Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Cultivars by RAPD Markers
Authors: Mitra S. , Nasiruddin K. M. , Chowdhury E. H.
Published: July 2010

RAPD assay was conducted for molecular genetic analysis of six wheat cultivars, such as, Kanchan, Sourav, Gourab, Shatabdi, Pavon and BAW-1006 to observe genetic variability and relatedness among these cultivars. Three out of 12 decamer random primers showed distinctly polymorphic bands when used to amplify genomic DNA. The primers yielded a total of 23 RAPD markers of which 14 were considered as polymorphic. The proportion of polymorphic loci and gene diversity (h) values were 34.78% and 0.153 for BAW-1006, 30.43% and 0.124 for Kanchan, 26.09% and 0.127 for Shatabdi, 26.09% and 0.127 for Pavon, 26.09% and 0.111 for Gourab, 21.74% and 0.098 for Sourav, respectively. The coefficient of gene differentiation (Gst) and gene flow (Nm) values across all the loci were 0.50 and 0.50, respectively indicating genetic divergence among populations. The UPGMA  dendrogram  based  on Nei’s  genetic distance, grouped  six cultivars into two main clusters:  Kanchan, Sourav, Gourab  and Shatabdi  in cluster I; Pavon and BAW-1006 in cluster II. The cluster I was further separated: Kanchan alone in sub-cluster I and Sourav, Gourab, Shatabdi in sub-cluster II; furthermore, Sourab and Gourab grouped together in sub-sub-cluster I of sub-cluster II with the lowest genetic distance of 0.035. Thus, RAPD offer a potentially simple, rapid and reliable method to evaluate genetic variation and relatedness among six wheat cultivars.  Key words: RAPD, genetic diversity, polymorphic loci, wheat D.O.I. 10.3329/ptcb.v19i1.4915 Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 19(1): 35-44, 2009 (June)
In vitro Regeneration through Apical and Axillary Shoot Proliferation of Ficus religiosa L. - A Multi-purpose Woody Medicinal Plant
Authors: Hassan A.K.M. Sayeed , Afroz Farhana , Jahan Miskat Ara Akhter , Khatun Rahima
Published: July 2010

A protocol was established for mass propagation of the valuable medicinal plant Ficus religiosa L. (Moraceae) through in vitro culture using apical and axillary buds of young sprouts from selected plants. Best shoot induction was observed on MS basal medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l BAP + 0.1 mg/l IAA, in which 78 per cent of the explants produced 16 shoots per culture. Repeated subcultures in the same medium, resulted rapid shoot multiplication with 24 shoots per culture. In vitro raised shoots rooted on half strength MS supplemented with 2.0 mg/l IBA + 0.1 mg/l NAA. For acclimatization and transplantation, the plantlets in the rooting culture tubes were kept in normal room temperature for seven days before transplanting in pots where plantlets were reared for three weeks. The survival rate of regenerated plantlets was 85 per cent.  Key words: Ficus religiosa, Medicinal plant, Shoot proliferation, Regeneration,                   Acclimatization D.O.I. 10.3329/ptcb.v19i1.4987 Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 19(1): 71-78, 2009 (June)
Somatic Embryogenesis and In vitro Plant Regeneration in Vigna trilobata (L.) Verd. - A Potential Pasture Legume
Authors: Choudhary K. , Singh M. , Rathore M. S. , Shekhawat N. S.
Published: July 2010

This long term study demonstrates for the first time that it is possible to propagate embryogenic Vigna trilobata and to subsequently initiate the differentiation of embryos into complete plantlets. Initiation of callus was possible on 2,4-D. Somatic embryos differentiated on modified MS basal nutrient medium with 1.0 mg/l  of 2,4-D and 0.5 mg/l  of Kn. Sustained cell division resulted in globular and heart shape stages of somatic embryos. Transfer of embryos on to a fresh modified MS basal medium with 0.5 mg/l of Kn and 0.5 mg/l of GA3 helped them to attain maturation and germination. However, the propagation of cells, as well as the differentiation of embryos, were inhibited by a continuous application of these growth regulators. For this reason, a long period on medium lacking these growth regulators was necessary before the differentiation of embryos occurred again. The consequences for improving the propagation of embryogenic cultures in Vigna species are discussed. Key words: Pasture  legume, Vigna trilobata, Globular, Heart shape, somatic embryogenesis D.O.I. 10.3329/ptcb.v19i1.4990 Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 19(1): 89-99, 2009 (June)
In vitro Regeneration and Agrobacterium-mediated Genetic Transformation of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)
Authors: Sarker Rakha Hari , Islam Khaleda , Hoque M.I.
Published: July 2010

Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation system has been developed for two tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) varieties, namely Pusa Ruby (PR) and BARI Tomato-3 (BT-3). Prior to the establishment of transformation protocol cotyledonary leaf explants from the two varieties were cultured to obtain genotype independent in vitro regeneration. Healthy multiple shoot regeneration was obtained from the cut ends of cotyledonary leaf segments for both the varieties on MS containing 1.0 mg/l BAP and 0.1 mg/l IAA. The maximum root induction from the regenerated shoots was achieved on half the strength of MS medium supplemented with 0.2 mg/l IAA. The in vitro grown plantlets were successfully transplanted into soil where they flowered and produced fruits identical to those developed by control plants. Transformation ability of cotyledonary leaf explants was tested with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 harboring binary plasmid pBI121, containing GUS and npt II genes. Transformed cotyledonary leaf explants were found to produce multiple shoots on MS containing 1.0 mg/l BAP and 0.1 mg/l IAA. Selection of the transformed shoots was carried out by gradually increasing the concentration of kanamycin to 200 mg/l since kanamycin resistant gene was used for transformation experiments. Shoots that survived under selection pressure were subjected to rooting. Transformed rooted plantlets were transferred to soil. Stable expression of GUS gene was detected in the various tissues from putatively transformed plantlets using GUS histochemical assay.  Key words: In vitro regeneration, transformation, tomato D.O.I. 10.3329/ptcb.v19i1.5004 Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 19(1): 101-111, 2009 (June)
In vitro Clonal Propagation of Vitex negundo L.-An Important Medicinal Plant
Authors: Islam M.R. , Khan Ruseli , Hossain S.N. , Ahmed G. , Hakim L.
Published: July 2010

Vitex negundo L., a perennial shrub belonging to the family Verbenaceae, is an important medicinal plant. It grows abundantly in St. Martin’s Island and commonly known as Nishinda. Generally leaf is used for medicinal purpose but root, flower and fruit also have the medicinal values (Hasan 1982). Leaf of the plant contains essential oil, an alkaloid, nishindin. Stem and bark contain flavonoid glycosides. Leaves of nishinda very effectively reduce the inflamma-tory swellings of joints in rheumatic attacks. Juice of fresh leaf removes fetid discharges and worms from ulcers. Flower oil is applied to sinuses and scrofulous sores. Root juice is tonic, expectorant and diuretic (Ghani 1998).        Tissue culture has greatly enhanced the scope and potentiality of mass propagation by exploiting the regenerative behavior in a wide range of selected horticultural and agricultural plants including the medicinal ones (Roy et al. 1994, Thiruvengadam and Jayabalan 2000, Islam et al. 2001 and Jawahar et al. 2008). Keeping in mind the medicinal importance of all the parts of this plant, an attempt has been made to formulate its regeneration system through in vitro culture.  Key words: Vitex negundo, medicinal plant, Clonal propagation D.O.I. 10.3329/ptcb.v19i1.5005 Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 19(1): 113-117, 2009 (June) –Short Communication
Genetic Relationship Among Ten Promising Eggplant Varieties Using RAPD Markers
Authors: Biswas Md. Sanaullah , Akhond Md. Abdullah Yousuf , Al-Amin Md. , Khatun Mahmuda , Kabir Muhammed Rezwan
Published: July 2010

RAPD technique was used as a tool for assessing genetic diversity and varietal relationships among ten varieties of eggplant. Out of 21 primers screened four were selected. With these primers 76 clear and bright fragments were obtained of which 44 fragments considered polymorphic. The proportion of polymorphic loci and gene diversity values across all loci were 57.89% and 0.23, respectively. The UPGMA dendrogram based on genetic distance segregated the ten varieties of eggplant into two main clusters. Dohazari, Kazla, Nayantara and ISD-006 were grouped together in cluster I whereas Uttara, Islampuri, Khatkhatia, Singnath, BARI Begun-08 and Eggplant Line-083 into cluster II. Kazla and Nayantara variety pair was very close to each other with the highest intervarietal similarity index (92.54%) and lowest genetic distance (0.14). On the other hand, Khatkhatia and Nayantara pair was the lowest intervarietal similarity index (41.67%) with highest genetic distance (0.48). Therefore, identification of genetically distinct varieties using RAPD markers could be a potential tool for eggplant improvement. Key words: Eggplant, Polymorphism, Genetic relationship, RAPD D.O.I. 10.3329/ptcb.v19i2.5006 Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 19(2): 119-126, 2009 (December)
The Combined Role of Sucrose with IBA and NAA in Rooting of Date Palm Somatic Embryos cv. Khanaizi
Authors: Ibrahim Kamla , Alromaihi K.B. , Elmeer Khaled M. Suliman
Published: July 2010

The combined role of carbohydrate and auxin is effective in root formation of date palm somatic embryos. The best combination resulted a mean of 2.5 roots per embryo and reached up to ten good and healthy roots when the rooting medium containing 60 g/l sucrose supplemented with NAA was used. 60 g/l sucrose combined with 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 mg/l of either NAA or IBA gave about 74% root thickness. IBA with a low sucrose concentration of 30 g/l promoted root length, while NAA was found to be superior over IBA, when a high concentration of sucrose of 60 g/l was used which may be due to the effect of NAA is on the main root while IBA on the lateral root. Key words: Auxins, Rooting, Combined effect, Date palm, Somatic embryos D.O.I. 10.3329/ptcb.v19i2.5429 Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 19(2): 127-132, 2009 (December)
Plant Regeneration from Leaf Derived Callus of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni
Authors: Janarthanam B. , Gopalakrishnan M. , Sai G. Lakshmi , Sekar T.
Published: July 2010

Juvenile leaf explants of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni produced maximum callus than the nodal explants  cultured on MS containing 11.31 mM 2, 4-D and 2.22 mM BAP. Callus transferred to MS supplemented with 4.44 mM BA and 1.34 mM NAA showed better growth response and produced 14.0 ± 1.0 shoots with an average length of 5.6 ± 0.1 cm after 28 days. All plantlets produced profuse rooting within 25 days after transfer to half strength of MS basal medium supplemented with 2.46 mM IBA. Rooted plantlets were transferred for hardening, with 90% of plantlets successfully established in the field.  Key words: Stevia rebaudiana, Leaf explant, callus culture, micropropagation D.O.I. 10.3329/ptcb.v19i2.5430 Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 19(2): 133-141, 2009 (December)
In vitro Propagation of Ionidium suffruticosum Ging. ? A Seasonal Multipotent Medicinal Herb.
Authors: Sonappanavar Arunkumar B. , Jayaraj M. , Bagadekar Asha N. , Bhandarkar Anant V.
Published: July 2010

Indirect regeneration of plant was obtained through organogenesis in leaf callus cultures of Ionidium suffruticosum. Leaf explants were found to be best suited for callus induction on MS with 2, 4-D (0.5 and 1.0 mg/l). Maximum shoot regeneration was obtained in MS supplemented with Kn (4.0 mg/l) alone and NAA (0.4 mg/l) with Kn (2.0 m/l).  The in vitro shoots thus obtained were successfully rooted in MS supplemented with Kn (4.0 mg/l) alone and with NAA (2.0 mg/l) and Kn (0.2  mg/l).  Seventy per cent of the rooted plants survived and they were successfully acclimated in soil. Key words: Ionidium suffruticosum, micropropagation, Medicinal herb D.O.I. 10.3329/ptcb.v19i2.5431 Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 19(2): 143-150, 2009 (December)
In vitro Mass Clonal Propagation of Spathoglottis plicata Blume
Authors: Sinha Pinaki , Hakim M. Lokman , Alam M. Firoz
Published: July 2010

For in vitro clonal propagation of Spathoglottis plicata Blume nodal segments of young shoots were cultured on half strength of MS  with  2% sucrose + 2.0 mg/l BA + 0.5 mg/l NAA + 2 g/l peptone + 15% (v/v) CW + 0.5 g/l AC,  incubated at 24 ± 2ºC under 3000 lux fluorescent light for a 16 hr photoperiod per day. About 19 micro-shoots were induced from the explants within 12 weeks. Subculture of micro-shoots for eight weeks on the same nutrient medium enhanced the number of micro-shoots up to 60. The clumps of the micro-shoots were dissected and cultured on half strength of MS  with 2% sucrose + 2 g/l peptone + 15% (v/v) CW + 0.5 g/l AC + 200 mg/l L-glutamine. The micro-shoot sections elongated to form shoots, and new micro shoots were induced from the base within eight weeks of culture. For plantlet formation the best rooting medium was determined as  half strength of MS  with 2% sucrose + 2 g/l peptone + 15% (v/v) CW + 0.5 g/l AC + 50 g/l banana pulp. After rearing 25 g mixture of urea, TSP and MOP (2 : 1 : 1) were applied per plant at three months intervals. All the regenerated plants blossomed on the third year. Key words: Spathoglottis plicata, Clonal propagation, Acclimation D.O.I. 10.3329/ptcb.v19i2.5432 Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 19(2): 151-160, 2009 (December)
Auxin Prompted Improved Micropropagation Protocol of Picrorhiza kurroa: An Endangered Medicinal Plant
Authors: Jan Arif , S Phalisteen , Thomas G.T. , Shawl A. S.
Published: July 2010

In vitro shoot multiplication from nodal explants of Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex. Benth. (Kour) was obtained on MS without cytokinin. Addition of NAA in the culture medium favours shoots as well as root formation. Among the various combinations of MS and B5 media, the average number of shoots per explant was (18.3) on MS supplemented with 0.6 mg/l NAA. Shoot length was maximum (5.8 cms) in MS augmented with 0.4 mg/l  NAA. The elongated shoots rooted within 15 - 25 days either on MS alone or supplemented with NAA (0.4 mg/l), IAA and IBA (0.1 - 0.5 mg/l). About 81.5% of the rooted plantlets survived acclimation and transferred to the greenhouse. All the in vitro derived plants at maturity displayed normal development as that of the mother plants at their maturity. Key words: Picrorhiza kurroa, Hardening, Medicinal plant, Propagation D.O.I. 10.3329/ptcb.v19i2.5433 Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 19(2): 161-167, 2009 (December)
In vitro Micropropagation of Plumbago indica L. Through Induction of Direct and Indirect Organogenesis
Authors: Bhadra S. K. , Akhter T. , Hossain M. M.
Published: July 2010

Leaf and nodal segments of two months old field grown seedlings of Plumbago indica L. were cultured on agar solidified MS supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of NAA, IAA, 2,4-D and picloram, and BAP and Kn. The nodal segments produced either multiple shoot buds (MSBs) or callus of different nature depending on the combinations of plant growth regulators (PGRs). The callus of light green and nodular shape, on further subculture on wide range of PGRs supplemented media, differentiated into MSBs. These MSBs underwent rapid elongation on different PGRs supplemented media. The elongated shoot buds were rooted on transferring in rooting medium and were acclimated in field with 90% survivability. The leaf segments, however, produced only white and friable calluses failed to undergo any differentiation in some of the media combinations.  Key words: Callus induction, Organogenesis, Plumbago indica D.O.I. 10.3329/ptcb.v19i2.5434 Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 19(2): 169-175, 2009 (December)
In vitro Micropropagation of Abutilon indicum L. through Leaf Explants
Authors: Rout Jyoti Ranjan , Mishra Manorama , Das Ritarani , Sahoo Santi Lata
Published: July 2010

The present investigation was conducted to develop a protocol for rapid callus induction and plant regeneration from leaf explant of Abutilon indicum L. Callus induction and plantlet regeneration at various frequencies were observed on MS using different concentrations of 2,4-D alone or in combination with BAP and Kn. The highest percentage of callus induction was observed with 2.5 mg/l 2,4-D (90) and with combination of 0.5 mg/l Kn (85). Optimum shoot formation was observed on same medium but supplemented with 2.0 mg/l Kn and 1.0 mg/l NAA (11.2). Rooting experiments with half strength of MS revealed that NAA was more suitable for root induction compared to IBA and IAA. The healthy in vitro rooting plantlets were successfully transferred to the field. The survival of the plantlets under ex vitro condition was 87%. Key words: Abutilon indicum, Callus induction, Leaf explants, Micropropagation D.O.I. 10.3329/ptcb.v19i2.5435 Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 19(2): 177-184, 2009 (December)
In vitro Plant Regeneration from Seedling-derived Explants of two Cultivars of White Jute (Corchorus capsularies L.)
Authors: Sarker Rakha Hari , Sarkar Bivas Kumar , Sarkar Bivas Kumar , Hoque M. I. , Hoque M. I.
Published: July 2010

An in vitro regeneration system for two varieties of white jute (Corchorus capsularis L.) namely, BJC-7370 and BJC-83 was developed.  The regeneration protocol was based upon direct organogenesis from seedling-derived explants such as cotyledon with petioles, cotyledonary node. Shoot regeneration was achieved from cotyledon with petiole and cotyledonary node through use of MS supplemented with 0.5 mg/l BAP and 1.0 mg/l IAA for BJC-7370 while for BJC-83 shoot initiation was obtained on 1.25 mg/l BAP and 0.25 mg/l NAA using the same explants. Elongation of shoots was achieved on MS containing 0.2 mg/l BAP for the two said jute varieties. Regenerated excised shoots developed effective in vitro root system on half strength of MS supplemented with 0.3 mg/l IBA for both the varieties. The in vitro grown plantlets were transferred to soil for acclimation. These plants grew up to maturity, flowered and produced seeds identical to the control plants.  Key words:  Corchorus capsularies, In vitro plant regeneration, seedling explants D.O.I. 10.3329/ptcb.v19i2.5437 Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 19(2): 199-206, 2009 (December)
Identification and Characterization of Ribosomal Protein S8 Gene of Jute
Authors: Ahmed Salim , Alam Md. Maksudul , Islam Md. Sazzadul , Shafiuddin MD. , Mondal Md. Mosharrof Hossain , Hossain Md. Amzad , Khan Haseena
Published: July 2010

Identification and confirmation of ESTs (expressed sequence tags) corresponding to genomic clones is one of the most important steps in the identification of genes. In this regard, computational approaches such as ab initio and homology based searches using NCBI web portal, together with common laboratory approaches - PCR, RT-PCR and DNA sequencing were used to identify jute ESTs from a jute genomic library. Using degenerate primer-based gene walking from a computationally identified and experimentally verified jute EST, this study has led to the identification of the full length sequence of a jute gene, namely ribosomal protein S8. The sequence of this gene was found to be similar to ribosomal protein S8 gene of related species like Hibiscus macrophyllus, Gossypium hirsutum etc. and that of other species like Carica papaya, Arabidopsis thaliana etc. This gene was further characterized for determining its cellular location to the chloroplast.      Key words: Identification, Characterization, Ribosomal protein S8, Jute D.O.I. 10.3329/ptcb.v19i2.5438 Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 19(2): 207-215, 2009 (December)
In vitro Propagation of Holarrhena antidysenterica Wall., Wedelia chinensis (Osb.) Merr. and Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz.
Authors: Islam S.A.M. Nurul , Banik Haradhan , Tarek Saiful Alam M. , Rahman Mahbubur
Published: July 2010

Key words:  Medicinal plant, Holarrhena antidysenterica, Wedelia chinensis,  Woodfordia fruticosa, In vitro cloning, Multiple shoot D.O.I. 10.3329/ptcb.v19i2.5443 Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 19(2): 253-255, 2009 (December)    - Short communication
Vacuolar Na+/H+ Antiporter Expression and Salt Tolerance Conferred by Actin1D and CaMV35S are Similar in Transgenic Binnatoa Rice
Authors: Islam S.M. Touhidul , Seraj Zeba I.
Published: July 2010

Key words:  RT-PCR, ion imbalance, Binnatoa, transgenic plant  D.O.I. 10.3329/ptcb.v19i2.5444 Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 19(2): 257-262, 2009 (December)       - Short communication
Asexual Propagation of Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) through Encapsulated Axillary Buds
Authors: Huda A.K.M. N. , Bari , M.A. , Rahman M.
Published: July 2010

Key words: Auxillary buds, Eggplant, Encapsulation, Synthetic seed D.O.I. 10.3329/ptcb.v19i2.5445 Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 19(2): 263-288, 2009 (December)       - Short communication
A ~400 ka supra-Milankovitch cycle in the Na, Mg, Pb, Ni, and Co records of a ferromanganese crust from the Vityaz fracture zone, central Indian ridge
Authors: Banerjee R. , Gupta S. M. , Miura H. , Borole D. V.
Published: July 2010

Abstract. A ~400 ka (kilo years) supra-Milankovitch cycle, recorded in the sodium, magnesium, lead, nickel and cobalt contents of a 32 mm thick ferromanganese crust from Vityaz fracture zone, central Indian ridge is reported here. To arrive at the geological ages, we used both 230Thexeccs and Co-chronometric datings. The correlation coefficient between the 230Thexeccs based dates and Co-chronometric dates for the top 0–8 mm is very high (r=0.9734, at 99.9% significance). The cobalt chronometric age for the bottom most oxide layer of this crust is computed as 3.5 Ma. Red-fit and multi-taper spectral analyses of time series data revealed the existence of the significant ~400 ka cycle, representing the changes in the hydrogeochemical conditions in the ocean due to the Earth's orbital eccentricity related summer insolation at the equator. This is the first report of such cycle from a hydrogenous ferromanganese crust from equatorial Indian ocean.
Structuring Strategies for Complex Geometries
Authors: Mangelsdorf Wolf
Published: July 2010

Over the last couple of decades, computation has proved a great facilitator for design, allowing far greater scope for analysis and generative design. Intelligent engineering, though, can only be truly set apart by the pursuit of the right design strategy, as outlined here by Wolf Mangelsdorf of Buro Happold. Mangelsdorf highlights four different models that enable the generation and engineering of geometrically complex forms and describes how they have been applied by Buro Happold in four very diverse projects with different architect collaborators. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optioneering: A New Basis for Engagement Between Architects and Their Collaborators
Authors: Holzer Dominik , Downing Steven
Published: July 2010

Conventionally, architects are somewhat tardy when inviting engineers to join their projects. By only introducing consulting engineers to participate in the later stages of the design process, engineers are commonly assigned a fixing role. This provides little opportunity for creative engineering solutions at the generative stage. Optioneering, a new business management model, however, offers the possibility of a new collaborative method for interaction between designers and their partners. Dominik Holzer and Steven Downing describe how a research project between the Spatial Information Research Laboratory (SIAL) at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) and the engineering firm Arup investigated the capability of this new form of collaboration. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structuring Materiality: Design Fabrication of Heterogeneous Materials
Authors: Oxman Neri
Published: July 2010

What happens when we invert the usual sequence of the design process ‐ form‐structure‐material ‐ so materiality becomes the generative driver? Taking nature as her model, Neri Oxman advocates a new material method, Variable Property Design (VPD), in which material assemblies are modelled, simulated and fabricated with varying properties in order to correspond with multiple and continuously shifting functional constraints. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fabricating Design: A Revolution of Choice
Authors: Barkow Frank
Published: July 2010

Berlin‐based practice Barkow Leibinger has become synonymous with expertise in digital fabrication. For 12 years, the firm has been engaged in designing buildings for machine‐tool company Trumpf in Stuttgart ‐ a relationship that has given the firm remarkable insights into the laser cutting of sheet metal. Here, Frank Barkow describes the fruitful research that the studio has undertaken in laser cutting as well as two innovative projects that have resulted from it. He explains why a new technology like that of digital fabrication must be for architects by necessity ‘a revolution of choice’ ‐ a speculation on where best to exploit new possibilities, albeit informed by research and experimentation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Encoding Material
Authors: Gramazio Fabio , Kohler Matthias , Oesterle Silvan
Published: July 2010

Gramazio & Kohler's work in the faculty of Architecture and Digital Fabrication at ETH Zurich is renowned for its pioneering work with industrial robots. Here, Fabio Gramazio, Matthias Kohler and Silvan Oesterle describe how the integration of fabrication‐relevant decisions into encoded designs enables the control of complex interactions between material elements and facilitates the direct generation of machine data, as epitomised by their West Fest Pavilion project. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protein Localization in Silica Nanospheres Derived via Biomimetic Mineralization
Authors: Cardoso Mateus B. , Luckarift Heather R. , Urban Volker S. , O'Neill Hugh , Johnson Glenn R.
Published: July 2010

Lysozyme‐templated precipitation of silica synthesized by sol‐gel chemistry produces a composite material with antimicrobial properties. This study investigates the structural properties of the composite material that allow for retention of the antimicrobial activity of lysozyme. Scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy reveal that the composite has a hierarchical structure composed of quasi‐spherical structures (∼450 nm diameter), which are in turn composed of closely packed spherical structures of ∼8–10 nm in diameter. Using small‐angle neutron scattering (SANS) with contrast variation, the scattering signatures of the lysozyme and silica within the composite were separated. It was determined that the lysozyme molecules are spatially correlated in the material and form clusters with colloidal silica particles. The size of the clusters determined by SANS agrees well with the structural architecture observed by TEM. BET analysis revealed that the surface area of the composite is relatively low (4.73 m2/g). However, after removal of the protein by heating to 200 °C, the surface area is increased by ∼20%. In addition to demonstrating a well organized sol‐gel synthesis which generates a functional material with antimicrobial applications, the analysis and modeling approaches described herein can be used for characterizing a wide range of mesoporous and ultrastructural materials.
Molecular Origins of the Mechanical Behavior of Hybrid Glasses
Authors: Oliver Mark S. , Dubois Geraud , Sherwood Mark , Gage David M. , Dauskardt Reinhold H.
Published: July 2010

Hybrid organic‐inorganic glasses exhibit unique electro‐optical properties along with excellent thermal stability. Their inherently mechanically fragile nature, however, which derives from the oxide component of the hybrid glass network together with the presence of terminal groups that reduce network connectivity, remains a fundamental challenge for their integration in nanoscience and energy technologies. We report on a combined synthesis and computational strategy to elucidate the effect of molecular structure on mechanical properties of hybrid glass films. We first demonstrate the importance of rigidity percolation to elastic behavior. Secondly, using a novel application of graph theory, we reveal the complex 3‐D fracture path at the molecular scale and show that fracture energy in brittle hybrid glasses is fundamentally governed by the bond percolation properties of the network. The computational tools and scaling laws presented provide a robust predictive capability for guiding precursor selection and molecular network design of advanced hybrid organic‐inorganic materials.
Air‐Operable, High‐Mobility Organic Transistors with Semifluorinated Side Chains and Unsubstituted Naphthalenetetracarboxylic Diimide Cores: High Mobility and Environmental and Bias Stress Stability from the Perfluorooctylpropyl Side Chain
Authors: Jung Byung Jun , Lee Kyusang , Sun Jia , Andreou Andreas G. , Katz Howard E.
Published: July 2010

N,N′‐bis(3‐(perfluoroctyl)propyl)‐1,4,5,8‐naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid diimide (8–3‐NTCDI) was newly synthesized, as were related fluorooctylalkyl‐NTCDIs and alkyl‐NTCDIs. The 8–3‐NTCDI‐based organic thin‐film transistor (OTFT) on an octadecyltrimethoxysilane (OTS)‐treated Si/SiO2 substrate shows apparent electron mobility approaching 0.7 cm2 V‐1s‐1 in air. The fluorooctylethyl‐NTCDI (8–2‐NTCDI) and fluorooctylbutyl‐NTCDI (8–4‐NTCDI) had significantly inferior properties even though their chemical structures are only slightly different, and nonfluorinated decyl and undecyl NTCDIs did not operate predictably in air. From atomic force microscopy, the 8–3‐NTCDI active layer deposited with the substrate at 120 °C forms a polycrystalline film with grain sizes >4μm. Mobilities were stable in air for one week. After 100 days in air, the average mobility of three OTFTs decreased from 0.62 to 0.12 cm2 V‐1s‐1, but stabilized thereafter. The threshold voltage (VT) increased by 15 V in air, but only by 3 V under nitrogen, after one week. On/off ratios were stable in air throughout. We also investigated transistor stability to gate bias stress. The transistor on hexamethlydisilazane (HMDS) is more stable than that on OTS with mobility comparable to amorphous Si TFTs. VT shifts caused by ON (30 V) and OFF (–20 V) gate bias stress for the HMDS samples for 1 hour were 1.79 V and 1.27 V under N2, respectively, and relaxation times of 106 and 107 s were obtained using the stretched exponential model. These performances are promising for use in transparent display backplanes.
A Generalized System for Photoresponsive Membrane Rupture in Polymersomes
Authors: Kamat Neha P. , Robbins Gregory P. , Rawson Jeff , Therien Michael J. , Dmochowski Ivan J. , Hammer Daniel A.
Published: July 2010

Polymersomes are vesicles whose membranes comprise self‐assembled block copolymers. It has recently been shown that co‐encapsulating conjugated multiporphyrin dyes in a polymersome membrane with ferritin protein in the aqueous lumen confers photolability to the polymersome. In the present study, the photolability is shown to be extendable to vesicles containing dextran, an inert and inexpensive polysaccharide, as the luminal solute. How structural features of the polymersome/porphyrin/dextran composite affect its photoresponse is explored. Increasing dextran molecular weight, decreasing block copolymer molecular weight, and altering fluorophore‐membrane interactions results in increasing the photoresponsiveness of the polymersomes. Amphiphilic interactions of the luminal encapsulant with the membrane coupled with localized heat production in the hydrophobic bilayer likely cause differential thermal expansion in the membrane and the subsequent membrane rupture. This study suggests a general approach to impart photoresponsiveness to any biomimetic vesicle system without chemical modification, as well as a simple, bio‐inert method for constructing photosensitive carriers for controlled release of encapsulants.
Multifunctional Triphenylamine/Oxadiazole Hybrid as Host and Exciton‐Blocking Material: High Efficiency Green Phosphorescent OLEDs Using Easily Available and Common Materials
Authors: Tao Youtian , Wang Qiang , Yang Chuluo , Zhong Cheng , Qin Jingui , Ma Dongge
Published: July 2010

A new triphenylamine/oxadiazole hybrid, namely m‐TPA‐o‐OXD, formed by connecting the meta‐position of a phenyl ring in triphenylamine with the ortho‐position of 2,5‐biphenyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole, is designed and synthesized. The new bipolar compound is applicable in the phosphorescent organic light‐emitting diodes (PHOLEDs) as both host and exciton‐blocking material. By using the new material and the optimization of the device structures, very high efficiency green and yellow electrophosphorescence are achieved. For example, by introducing 1,3,5‐tris(N‐phenylbenzimidazol‐2‐yl)benzene (TPBI) to replace 2, 9‐dimethyl‐4,7‐diphenyl‐1, 10‐phenanthroline (BCP)/tris(8‐hydroxyquinoline)aluminium (Alq3) as hole blocking/electron transporting layer, followed by tuning the thicknesses of hole‐transport 1, 4‐bis[(1‐naphthylphenyl)amino]biphenyl (NPB) layer to manipulate the charge balance, a maximum external quantum efficiency (ηEQE,max) of 23.0% and a maximum power efficiency (ηp,max) of 94.3 lm W−1 are attained for (ppy)2Ir(acac) based green electrophosphorescence. Subsequently, by inserting a thin layer of m‐TPA‐o‐OXD as self triplet exciton block layer between hole‐transport and emissive layer to confine triplet excitons, a ηEQE,max of 23.7% and ηp,max of 105 lm W−1 are achieved. This is the highest efficiency ever reported for (ppy)2Ir(acac) based green PHOLEDs. Furthermore, the new host m‐TPA‐o‐OXD is also applicable for other phosphorescent emitters, such as green‐emissive Ir(ppy)3 and yellow‐emissive (fbi)2Ir(acac). A yellow electrophosphorescent device with ηEQE,max of 20.6%, ηc,max of 62.1 cd A−1, and ηp,max of 61.7 lm W−1, is fabricated. To the author’s knowledge, this is also the highest efficiency ever reported for yellow PHOLEDs.
Self‐Propagating Domino‐like Reactions in Oxidized Graphite
Authors: Kim Franklin , Luo Jiayan , Cruz‐Silva Rodolfo , Cote Laura J. , Sohn Kwonnam , Huang Jiaxing
Published: July 2010

Graphite oxide (GO) has received extensive interest as a precursor for the bulk production of graphene‐based materials. Here, the highly energetic nature of GO, noted from the self‐propagating thermal deoxygenating reaction observed in solid state, is explored. Although the resulting graphene product is quite stable against combustion even in a natural gas flame, its thermal stability is significantly reduced when contaminated with potassium salt by‐products left from GO synthesis. In particular, the contaminated GO becomes highly flammable. A gentle touch with a hot soldering iron can trigger violent, catastrophic, total combustion of such GO films, which poses a serious fire hazard. This highlights the need for efficient sample purification methods. Typically, purification of GO is hindered by its tendency to gelate as the pH value increases during rinsing. A two‐step, acid–acetone washing procedure is found to be effective for suppressing gelation and thus facilitating purification. Salt‐induced flammability is alarming for the fire safety of large‐scale manufacturing, processing, and storage of GO materials. However, the energy released from the deoxygenation of GO can also be harnessed to drive new reactions for creating graphene‐based hybrid materials. Through such domino‐like reactions, graphene sheets decorated with metal and metal oxide particles are synthesized using GO as the in situ power source. Enhanced electrochemical capacitance is observed for graphene sheets loaded with RuO2 nanoparticles.
In situ Porous Structures: A Unique Polymer Erosion Mechanism in Biodegradable Dipeptide‐Based Polyphosphazene and Polyester Blends Producing Matrices for Regenerative Engineering
Authors: Deng Meng , Nair Lakshmi S. , Nukavarapu Syam P. , Kumbar Sangamesh G. , Jiang Tao , Weikel Arlin L. , Krogman Nicholas R. , Allcock Harry R. , Laurencin Cato T.
Published: July 2010

Synthetic biodegradable polymers serve as temporary substrates that accommodate cell infiltration and tissue in‐growth in regenerative medicine. To allow tissue in‐growth and nutrient transport, traditional three‐dimensional (3D) scaffolds must be prefabricated with an interconnected porous structure. Here a unique polymer erosion process through which polymer matrices evolve from a solid coherent film to an assemblage of microspheres with an interconnected 3D porous structure is demonstrated for the first time. This polymer system is developed on the highly versatile platform of polyphosphazene‐polyester blends. Co‐substituting a polyphosphazene backbone with both hydrophilic glycylglycine dipeptide and hydrophobic 4‐phenylphenoxy group generates a polymer with strong hydrogen bonding capacity. Rapid hydrolysis of the polyester component permits the formation of 3D void space filled with self‐assembled polyphosphazene spheres. Characterization of such self‐assembled porous structures reveals macropores (10–100 μm) between spheres as well as micro‐ and nanopores on the sphere surface. A similar degradation pattern is confirmed In vivo using a rat subcutaneous implantation model. 12 weeks of implantation results in an interconnected porous structure with 82–87% porosity. Cell infiltration and collagen tissue in‐growth between microspheres observed by histology confirms the formation of an in situ 3D interconnected porous structure. It is determined that the in situ porous structure results from unique hydrogen bonding in the blend promoting a three‐stage degradation mechanism. The robust tissue in‐growth of this dynamic pore forming scaffold attests to the utility of this system as a new strategy in regenerative medicine for developing solid matrices that balance degradation with tissue formation.