An Efficient and Reproducible Method for in vitro Clonal Multiplication of Rauvolfia tetraphylla L. and Evaluation of Genetic Stability using DNA-Based Markers

An efficient protocol is described for the rapid in vitro clonal propagation of an endangered medicinal plant, Rauvolfia tetraphylla L., through high frequency shoot induction from nodal explants collected from young shoots of a field grown plant. Effects of growth regulators [6-benzyladenine (BA), kinetin (Kin) 2iP, or ??-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA)], carbohydrates, different medium [Murashige and Skoog (MS), Woody Plant Medium (WPM), Gamborg medium (B5), Linsmier and Skoog medium (LS)], and various pH levels on in vitro morphogenesis were investigated. The highest frequency of shoot regeneration (90?%) and maximum number of shoot (35.4?±?2.3) per explant were observed on WPM medium supplemented with 7.5???M BA, 2.5???M NAA, and 30?g/l sucrose at pH?5.8. Well-developed shoots, 4?C5?cm in length, were successfully rooted ex vitro at 90?% by a 30-min pulse treatment with 150???M IBA prior to their transfer in planting substrates. The survival rate of transplantation reached 90?% when transferred to field condition. Genetic stability of micropropagated plantlets was assessed and compared with mother plant using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA and Inter Simple Sequence Repeats markers. No variation was observed in DNA fingerprinting patterns among the micropropagated plants, which were similar to that of the donor plant illustrating their genetic uniformity and clonal fidelity. This confirms that clonal propagation of this plant using axillary shoot buds can be used for commercial exploitation of the selected genotype where a high degree of fidelity is an essential prerequisite. The work contributed to a better in vitro regeneration and clonal mass multiplication of R. tetraphylla and to develop a strategy for the germplasm conservation of this endangered medicinal plant.     

Maximum principle for quasilinear SPDE’s on a bounded domain without regularity assumptions

We prove a maximum principle for local solutions of quasi-linear parabolic stochastic PDEs, with non-homogeneous second order operator on a bounded domain and driven by a space–time white noise. Our method based on an approximation of the domain and the coefficients of the operator, does not require regularity assumptions. As in previous works by Denis et al. (2005, 2009)  and , the results are consequences of Itô’s formula and estimates for the positive part of local solutions which are non-positive on the lateral boundary.     

On Semilattice Decomposition of an Abel–Grassmann’s Groupoid

In this paper, we have decomposed an AG-groupoid. Let S be an AG-groupoid with left identity and a relation γ be defined on S as: aγb if and only if there exist positive integers m and n such that bm ∈ ( Sa)S and a n ∈ ( Sb)S for all a and b in S. We have proved that S/γ is a maximal separative semilattice homomorphic image of S. Every AG-groupoid S is uniquely expressible as a semilattice Y of archimedean AG-groupoids Sα (α∈ Y ). The semilattice Y is isomorphic to S/γ and the S α (α∈ Y ) are the equivalence classes of S mod γ.     

Evidence of a canted magnetic state in self-doped LaMnO(3+δ) (δ?=?0.04): a magnetocaloric study

We report a detailed investigation of the magnetocaloric properties of self-doped polycrystalline LaMnO(3+δ) with δ?=?0.04. Due to the self-doping effect, the system exhibits a magnetic transition from a paramagnetic to ferromagnetic-like canted magnetic state (CMS) at ～120?K, which is associated with an appreciably large magnetocaloric effect (MCE). The CMS is an inhomogeneous magnetic phase developing due to a steady growth of antiferromagnetic correlation in its predominant ferromagnetic state below ～120?K. The stabilization of CMS in this material is concluded from a comprehensive analysis of magnetocaloric data using Landau theory, which is in excellent agreement with our neutron diffraction study. The magnetic entropy change versus temperature curves for different applied fields collapse into a single curve, revealing a universal behavior of MCE. Our studies suggest that investigation of MCE is an effective technique to acquire fundamental understanding about the basic magnetic structure of a system with complex competing interactions.     

A combinatorial approach for enhancing the performance of TH-PPM UWB systems: chaotic vs. classical codes sequences

In this paper, we propose a method to minimize the Multi-User Interference (MUI) caused by Multiple Access (MA) in a Time Hopping Ultra Wide Band (TH-UWB) system with Line-Of-Sight (LOS) multipath channel in a residential environment IEEE 802.15.4a. We consider both synchronous and asynchronous cases.     

Binary mixture of p‐methylbenzaldehyde with polar and nonpolar solvents

In this work, a combined theoretical and experimental study of binary mixture of liquid p‐methylbenzaldehyde (PMBz) is reported using ab initio calculations as well as Raman and IR spectroscopies. The purpose of this study was twofold: firstly, to describe the interaction of PMBz in terms of bonding energies and preferred geometries; and secondly, to characterize the spectroscopic effects on the vibrational modes of PMBz in the binary mixture of different polar and nonpolar solvents. The three vibrational modes, namely, carbonyl stretching, ν(C CH₃) and aldehydic (C H) vibrations have been analyzed in all the three solvents in different concentrations. The dependence of Raman linewidth on the concentration of PMBz of these modes was also taken into account. By analyzing the peak position and linewidth of these modes, it is seen that the solute–solvent interaction is stronger in BuOH and 1,2 dichloroethane (DCE) because of the hydrogen‐bonding interaction between these molecules. The formation of C H···O hydrogen bonds in liquid p‐methylbenzaldehyde is also investigated by Gaussian fitting. The ab initio calculations suggest several possible dimer configurations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Generation of 11 fs pulses by using hollow-core gas-filled fibers at a 100 kHz repetition rate

Using self-phase modulation in a hollow-core fiber filled with xenon, we were able to produce 2.3 microJ laser pulses with a duration of 10.9 fs at a repetition rate of up to 100 kHz. We started with 45 fs, 4.4 microJ, 800 nm pulses generated by a Coherent RegA Ti:sapphire regenerative amplifier system, then spectrally broadened the 30 nm bandwidth to more than 100 nm. Dispersion compensation was achieved with two pairs of chirped mirrors. This is believed to be the first time this type of compression was achieved at a repetition rate as high as 100 kHz. This brings the advantages of few-cycle laser pulses to experiments that require high-repetition-rate, low-energy laser systems, for example, coincidence experiments.     

FNDC5/Irisin: Physiology and Pathophysiology

A sedentary lifestyle or lack of physical activity increases the risk of different diseases, including obesity, diabetes, heart diseases, certain types of cancers, and some neurological diseases. Physical exercise helps improve quality of life and reduces the risk of many diseases. Irisin, a hormone induced by exercise, is a fragmented product of FNDC5 (a cell membrane protein) and acts as a linkage between muscles and other tissues. Over the past decade, it has become clear that irisin is a molecular mimic of exercise and shows various beneficial effects, such as browning of adipocytes, modulation of metabolic processes, regulation of bone metabolism, and functioning of the nervous system. Irisin has a role in carcinogenesis; numerous studies have shown its impact on migration, invasion, and proliferation of cancer cells. The receptor of irisin is not completely known; however, in some tissues it probably acts via a specific class of integrin receptors. Here, we review research from the past decade that has identified irisin as a potential therapeutic agent in the prevention or treatment of various metabolic-related and other diseases. This article delineates structural and biochemical aspects of irisin and provides an insight into the role of irisin in different pathological conditions.     

Solution of the Spinless Salpeter Equation with a Time-Dependent Linear Potential

We derive the general solution of the semi-relativistic spinless Salpeter equation in the presence of a time-dependent linear potential via the Lewis–Riesenfeld framework and using two forms of the invariant. For comparison, we reobtain the solution in the momentum-space directly by applying a time-momentum transformation to the involved partial differential equation. We also investigate the classical-quantum correspondence for the model in the case of time-periodic force using a momentum-space Gaussian wave-packet.     

Cholinesterase inhibitory constituents from Onosma hispida

Hispidone, a new flavanone, has been isolated from Onosma hispida and assigned the structure (2S)-5,2'-dihydroxy-7,4',5'-trimethoxyflavanone (1) by spectroscopic methods. In addition, (2S)-5,2'-dihydroxy-7,5'-dimethoxyflavanone (2), benzoic acid (3), and 4-hydroxy benzoic acid (4) are also reported for the first time from this species.