The recent episodes of haze in Southeast Asia have caused some of the worst regional atmospheric pollution ever recorded in history. In order to control the levels of airborne fine particulate matters (PM) indoors, filtration systems providing high PM capturing efficiency are often sought, which inadvertently also results in high airflow resistance (or pressure drop) that increases the energy c...

Fragments of the African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) genome, cloned upstream of the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene in an expression cassette, were analysed for their ability to direct complementary-sense gene expression in tobacco protoplasts by measuring GUS activity. Five arbitrary domains (A-E) have been designated that contribute to the expression of AC1 (replication-associated prot...

The capsid proteins (CPs) of geminiviruses combine multiple functions for packaging the single-stranded viral genome, insect transmission and shuttling between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) CP was expressed in fission yeast, and purified by SDS gel electrophoresis. After tryptic digestion of this protein, mass spectrometry covered 85% of the amino acid seque...

AIMS To develop a multiplex TaqMan-based real-time PCR assay (qPCR) for the simultaneous detection and quantification of both RNA and DNA viruses affecting cassava (Manihot esculenta) in eastern Africa. METHODS AND RESULTS The diagnostic assay was developed for two RNA viruses; Cassava brown streak virus (CBSV) and Uganda cassava brown streak virus (UCBSV) and two predominant DNA viruses; Afr...

With over a third of global energy used for building construction and operation, an optimum design envelopes is essential to improve the performance existing buildings. This study revealed that typical government high-rise office buildings in Malaysia have average Building Energy Intensity (BEI) 161 kWh/m2/year before any upgrading works on air-conditioning mechanical ventilation (ACMV) systems...

Background Jatropha curcas is a drought resistant shrub native in tropical America, now widely grown in many tropical and subtropical regions for biodiesel production [1]. First reports on virus infections in Jatropha indicated the occurrence of viruses closely related to Cassava mosaic virus in India, reaching a disease incidence from 25 to 47%. This might represent a major constrain to the pr...

Cassava is a crop used by subsistence farmers in tropical and subtropical regions. It is extensively cultivated in certain regions of India (e.g. Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu) and also in other Asian and African countries, and its cultivation is expected to further increase due to climate changes and increased water shortage, since cassava is drought-adaptive. Viruses, especi...