Influence of Silver Nitrate on Somatic Embryogenesis Induction in Arabica Coffee (Coffea arabica L.).

Plant somatic embryogenesis (SE) has been defined as the formation of embryos from a single or group of haploid or somatic cells [1, 2]. Low frequency (LFSE) and high frequency somatic embryogenesis (HFSE) have been described. In the first type, somatic embryos are induced directly from pro-embryogenic cells of explants, while in the second, they originate from embryogenic callus [1]. It has been suggested that in LFSE the origin of somatic embryos is unicellular, whereas in HFSE has been described as unicellular or multicellular [3]. SE is a powerful biotechnological tool used to propagate elite plants or to conserve important genotypes [4]. Moreover, SE offers an efficient in vitro regeneration approach as a fundamental step in plant genetic improvement for studying basic aspects of ontogenesis of somatic embryos [5]. In Coffea spp., the first studies of SE have been reported at the beginning of 1970 [6]. Since then, a large quantity of LFSE and HFSE protocols have been optimized demonstrating that coffee is not a recalcitrant species for SE [4]. In the LFSE the somatic embryos are obtained faster (approximately 70 days) using only one medium meanwhile in HFSE several media are used and somatic embryo formation takes 9-10 months [4]. Although, in LFSE small number of somatic embryos are obtained (around 10 per explant) compared to hundreds of somatic embryos obtained per gram of embryogenic calli [4], the unicellular origin of somatic embryos in LFSE represents an advantage for the chemical and physical mutagenesis, genetic transformation and genetic editing, since prevents or reduces the appearance of chimeras [7]. In C. arabica and C. canephora many factors (such as genotype, explant type, the physiological state, age and growth conditions of the donor plants, the season of collection, nutrient composition of the medium, the volume of dissolved CO2 or O2 in the culture flask, and plant growth regulators) that affect LFSE induction have been studied [3, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13]. However, few studies reported the effect of silver nitrate on LFSE using leaf explants of C. arabica L. and to the best of our knowledge it has not been analyzed using Caturra and Catuaí, which are two economic important producer cultivars in Costa Rica. Since SE is genotype dependent, the culture medium need to be modified for the different genotypes [7].Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the influence of the benzyladenine (BAP), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and silver nitrate (AgNO3) on low frequency somatic embryogenesis using leaf explants of Coffea arabica L. cultivars Caturra and Catuaí

The role of resveratrol in liver disease: A comprehensive review from in vitro to clinical trials

Many studies have shown that resveratrol has a lot of therapeutic effects on liver disorders. Its administration can significantly increase the survival rate after liver transplantation, reduce fat deposition and ischemia-induced necrosis and apoptosis in Wistar rats. Resveratrol can provide Liver protection against chemical, cholestatic, and alcohol-mediated damage. It can improve glucose metabolism and lipid profile, reduce liver fibrosis, and steatosis. Additionally, it is capable of altering the fatty acid composition of the liver cells. Resveratrol may be a potential treatment option for the management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and calorie-restricting effects. There are also studies that have evaluated the effect of resveratrol on lipid and liver enzyme profiles among patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and related disorders. Based on the extent of liver disease worldwide and the need to find new treatment possibilities, this review critically examines current in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies and human clinical studies related to liver protection

Modelling Li+ Ion Battery Electrode Properties

We formulated two detailed models for an electrolytic cell with particulate electrodes based on a lithium atom concentration dependent Butler-Volmer condition at the interface between electrode particles and the electrolyte. The first was based on a dilute-ion assumption for the electrolyte, while the second assumed that Li ions are present in excess. For the first, we used the method of multiple scales to homogenize this model over the microstructure, formed by the small lithium particles in the electrodes. For the second, we gave rigorous bounds for the effective electrochemical conductivity for a linearized case. We expect similar results and bounds for the "full nonlinear problem" because variational results are generally not adversely affected by a sinh term. Finally we used the asymptotic methods, based on parameters estimated from the literature, to attain a greatly simplified one-dimensional version of the original homogenized model. This simplified model accounts for the fact that diffusion of lithium atoms within individual electrode particles is relatively much faster than that of lithium ions across the whole cell so that lithium ion diffusion is what limits the performance of the battery. However, since most of the potential drop occurs across the Debye layers surrounding each electrode particle, lithium ion diffusion only significantly affects cell performance if there is more or less complete depletion of lithium ions in some region of the electrolyte which causes a break in the current flowing across the cell. This causes catastrophic failure. Providing such failure does not occur the potential drop across the cell is determined by the concentration of lithium atoms in the electrode particles. Within each electrode lithium atom concentration is, to leading order, a function of time only and not of position within the electrode. The depletion of electrode lithium atom concentration is directly proportional to the current being drawn off the cell. This leads one to expect that the potential of the cell gradually drops as current is drawn of it. We would like to emphasize that all the homogenization methods employed in this work give a systematic approach for investigating the effect that changes in the microstructure have on the behaviour of the battery. However, due to lack of time, we have not used this method to investigate particular particle geometries

The asymmetry and temporal dynamics of incidental letter-location bindings in working memory.

Verbal-spatial bindings are integral to routine cognitive operations (e.g., reading), yet the processes supporting them in working memory are little understood. Campo and colleagues [Campo, P., Poch, C., Parmentier, F. B. R., Moratti, S., Elsley, J. V., Castellanos, N., … Maestú, F. (2010). Oscillatory activity in prefrontal and posterior regions during implicit letter-location binding. Neuroimage, 49, 2807-2815] recently reported data suggesting obligatory letter-location binding when participants were directed to remember the letters in a display (of letters in locations), but no evidence for binding when instructed to remember the filled locations. The present study contrasted two explanations for this binding asymmetry. First, it may result from an obligatory dependence on "where" during the representation of "what" information, while "where" information may be held independently of its contents (the strong asymmetry hypothesis). Second, it may constitute a snapshot of a dynamic feature inhibition process that had partially completed by test: the asymmetrical inhibition hypothesis. Using Campo and colleagues' task with a variable retention interval between display and test, we presented four consonants in distinct locations and contrasted performance between "remember letters" and "remember locations" instructions. Our data supported the strong asymmetry hypothesis through demonstrating binding in the verbal task, but not in the spatial task. Critically, when present, verbal-spatial bindings were remarkably stable, enduring for at least 15 seconds

‘When Birds of a Feather Flock Together’: Synesthetic Correspondences Modulate Audiovisual Integration in Non-Synesthetes

Parise C, Spence C. ‘When Birds of a Feather Flock Together’: Synesthetic Correspondences Modulate Audiovisual Integration in Non-Synesthetes. Presented at the 10th International Multisensory Research Forum (IMRF 2009), New York, NY

Computer-aided DSM-IV-diagnostics – acceptance, use and perceived usefulness in relation to users' learning styles

BACKGROUND: CDSS (computerized decision support system) for medical diagnostics have been studied for long. This study was undertaken to investigate how different preferences of Learning Styles (LS) of psychiatrists might affect acceptance, use and perceived usefulness of a CDSS for diagnostics in psychiatry. METHODS: 49 psychiatrists (specialists and non-specialists) from 3 different clinics volunteered to participate in this study and to use the CDSS to diagnose a paper-based case (based on a real patient). LS, attitudes to CDSS and complementary data were obtained via questionnaires and interviews. To facilitate the study, a special version of the CDSS was created, which automatically could log interaction details. RESULTS: The LS preferences (according to Kolb) of the 49 physicians turned out as follows: 37% were Assimilating, 31% Converging, 27% Accommodating and 6% Diverging. The CDSS under study seemed to favor psychiatrists with abstract conceptualization information perceiving mode (Assimilating and Converging learning styles). A correlation between learning styles preferences and computer skill was found. Positive attitude to computer-aided diagnostics and learning styles preferences was also found to correlate. Using the CDSS, the specialists produced only 1 correct diagnosis and the non-specialists 2 correct diagnoses (median values) as compared to the three predetermined correct diagnoses of the actual case. Only 10% had all three diagnoses correct, 41 % two correct, 47 % one correct and 2 % had no correct diagnose at all. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the use of CDSS does not guarantee correct diagnosis and that LS might influence the results. Future research should focus on the possibility to create systems open to individuals with different LS preferences and possibility to create CDSS adapted to the level of expertise of the user