Design 3D Printed Coils for WPT

The geometric shapes of coils influence the performance of a 3D IPT system. In this paper, we proposed a 3D coil design method based on (3D) printing electronics. Given a 3D transmitter coil, the center position of the receiver coil is estimated as a random seed position in the corresponding 3D surface first. At this position, we use the heatmap method with electromagnetic constraints to iteratively extend the coil until the desired power can be transferred via the coil. For each extension of the coil, i.e. a new turn, the shape of the coil is optimized by calculating the convex hull of the new turn in the 2D projection plane. Using this method, we are able to generate a receiver coil to transmit “just enough” power at a given seed position. Then, by fixing the receiver coil, the 3D shape of the transmitter coil can be optimized as well. This zig-zag optimization process iterates until there are few changes of the position and 3D shapes in the iteration. Experiment results with Ansys Maxwell verified the effectiveness of the proposed 3D coil design method, and highlighted possible future research directions as well.

6mer seed toxicity in viral microRNAs

SUMMARYMicro(mi)RNAs are short double stranded noncoding RNAs (19-23nts) that regulate gene expression by suppressing mRNAs through RNA interference. Targeting is determined by the seed sequence (position 2-7/8) of the mature miRNA. A minimal G-rich seed of just 6 nucleotides is highly toxic to cells by targeting genes essential for cell survival. A screen of 215 miRNAs encoded by 17 human pathogenic viruses (v-miRNAs) now suggests that a number of v-miRNAs can kill cells through a G-rich 6mer sequence embedded in their seed. Specifically, we demonstrate that miR-K12-6-5p, an oncoviral mimic of the tumor suppressive miR-15/16 family encoded by human Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpes virus, harbors a noncanonical toxic 6mer seed (position 3-8) and that v-miRNAs are more likely than cellular miRNAs to utilize a noncanonical 6mer seed. Our data suggest that during evolution viruses evolved to use 6mer seed toxicity to kill cells.

Emergence of garden spurge (Euphorbia hirta) and large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) in response to different physical properties and depths of common mulch materials

Greenhouse and outdoor container experiments were conducted to determine garden spurge and large crabgrass emergence when seeds were placed either on top of or below three different mulch materials [pine bark (PB), hardwood (HW), or pine straw (PS)] applied at five depths (0, 1.3, 2.5, 5.1, and 10.2 cm). To elucidate mulch characteristics that contributed to weed control, photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) was recorded underneath each mulch layer, moisture retention was monitored for 24 h following irrigation, and particle size was determined using standard soil sieves. HW reduced PAR (97%) more than did PB (90%) or PS (92%) at 1.3 cm, but few or no differences were noted between mulches at greater mulch depths. HW also contained the highest percentage of small particles and consequently retained more water (29%), than PB (14%) or PS (22%) 24 h following a simulated irrigation event. Emergence of large crabgrass and garden spurge was consistently greater when seeds were placed on top of the mulch, compared to seeds placed below. Emergence of both species also tended to respond to increasing depth in a quadratic manner, indicating that once a critical level of mulch was applied (2.5 to 5 cm), further reductions in weed emergence would not be observed, at least over the short term (12 wk). PB and PS tended to provide a greater reduction in emergence of both species compared to HW. This research also indicates that larger particle materials such as PB or PS would be advantageous because of their ability to suppress weed emergence regardless of seed position.

Seed position and influences on Caesalpinia pulcherrima germination and reserve proteins

Caesalpinia pulcherrima has diverse uses in the world, including ornamental and landscape characteristics, but there is a great disparity of germination during the time of seedlings production, being this factor attributed to the position of the seeds in fruits. This study aimed to evaluate some germinative aspects and concentration of reserve proteins in C. pulcherrima seeds in the function of its position in fruits. The work was carried out in greenhouse, in a completely random experimental design, with five seed position in the pod, based on the distance from seed to the peduncle (P1 - distal, P2 - distal/median, P3 - median, P4 -proximal/ median, P5 - proximal). Eight replicates with eight seeds each, were sowed to germinate for 21 days in expanded polystyrene trays filled with substrate. The percentage, speed index, average germination time and 50% germination time of the plantlets were evaluated. The reserve proteins (albumin, globulin, prolamin and glutelin) contents were also determined. There was influence of the position of the seed in the fruit on germination and reserve proteins contents. The proximal/median position showed excellent results, having correlations of albumin, globulin and glutelin concentrations with some germinative parameters. Therefore, the use of proximal/median position of the seeds is recommended for C. pulcherrima propagation.

The Effect of Seed Position in Pod on The Seed Viability of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)

In Indonesia, cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) is widely cultivated in the dry climate area. Famers used the seeds from previous plants or traditional markets. The aims of the study were to determine the effect of seed position in the pods on seed viability and to study the seed and seedling characteristics regarding the genetic variation and seed position. The cowpea used in this study was from 18 Indonesian local varieties. Twenty-five matured pods were randomly detached from each variety. Each pod was divided into three parts, i.e. the lower third (base), the middle third, and the upper third (tip). The seeds of each part were germinated using sand media to evaluate their viability. Each local variety has different response to the percentage of seed viability in each seed position in the pod. The highest abnormal germination occurred in the seed from lower part of the pod, followed by seed in the middle of the pod and the tip of the pod. The variation of seed viability in pods was more determined by genetic differences in local varieties. The average seed viability from three parts of the pods was highest for seeds originated from local varieties of Lumajang and Sampang. Therefore, it is recommended that the seeds of both local varieties can be mixed to be used for optimum cowpea cultivation.

Substrate and seed sowing position on the production of Plukenetia volubilis L. seedlings

ABSTRACT Plukenetia volubilis is a species native to the Amazonia and has economic potential due to the high contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamins of the seeds; however, information about production of seedlings in nursery is scarce. Factors that contribute to fast emergence and generation of vigorous seedlings are desirable for plant production in the nursery. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the most favorable substrate and seed position for the production of P. volubilis seedlings. The seeds were sown in the following four positions: hilum facing up, hilum facing down, seed lying on its cotyledon suture, and seed lying flat on one of its cotyledon faces. The substrates were sand, vermiculite and commercial substrate. Treatments were distributed according to a completely randomized design in a 4 × 3 factorial arrangement (seed position and substrate) with three replicates of 25 seeds each. The following variables were evaluated: emergence percentage; first count of seedlings; number, width and length of leaves; plant height; stem diameter; dry matter of shoots and roots. It was concluded that the production of P. volubilis seedlings is not affected by either substrate or seed position at sowing. The substrates most favorable to the quality of P. volubilis seedlings were the commercial substrate and vermiculite, always for the positions of seed lying on its cotyledon suture, with faces parallel to tube walls, and seed lying flat on one of its faces.

Viabilitas Biji dan Pertumbuhan Bibit Kelor (Moringa oleifera Lam.)

Buah kelor (Moringas oleifera L.) yang secara fisik berukuran panjang dan memiliki banyak biji di dalamnya tentu akan menyebabkan perbedaan tingkat kematangan biji dan kemudian perbedaan pada viabilitas benih yang dihasilkan. Penelitian ekperimental ini terdiri atas dua percobaan, yaitu percobaan pertama bertujuan mengetahui viabilitas biji dari tiga posisi biji dalam buah dan percobaan kedua bertujuan mengetahui pertumbuhan bibit tanaman kelor hingga umur dua bulan dari masing-masing posisi biji pada buah tersebut. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa posisi biji dalam buah kelor berpengaruh nyata terhadap viabilitas benih, namun berpengaruh tidak nyata terhadap pertumbuhan bibit hingga umur dua bulan. Biji-biji pada posisi di pangkal dan tengah dari buah memiliki viabilitas lebih baik dibandingkan biji-biji pada posisi di ujung buah.Kata kunci: berat biji, pemasakan, perkecambahan, posisi biji ABSTRACTFruits of Moringas oleifera L. is physically long and has many seeds in would certainly cause differences in seed maturity level and then difference in seed viability. This experimental research consisted of two experiments, the first experiment was aimed to find out the seed viability of the three seed positions in the fruits and the second experiment was aimed to determine the growth of the Moringa seedlings up to two months age from each seed position. The results shows that the seed position was significantly affected the viability of the seeds, but were not affected to the growth of seedlings until the age of two months. The seeds in position at the base and the middle of the fruit have better viability than the seeds in position at the end of the fruit.Key words: germination, seed position, ripening, seed weight