bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of a Partial and Selective TRPV1 Agonist CPIPC for Alleviation of Inflammatory Pain
Authors: Dong Liying , Zhou Qiqi , Liang Qianqian , Qiao Zhen , Liu Yani , Shao Liming , Wang Kewei
Published: August 2022

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is a non-selective cation channel, predominantly expressed in a subset of peripheral sensory neurons for pain signaling. Topical application of agonist capsaicin for desensitizing TRPV1 currents has been approved for relief of chronic pain. However, the potent TRPV1 capsaicin is not ingestible and even topical capsaicin causes common side effects such as skin irritation, swelling, erythema and pruritus, suggesting that a mild TRPV1 agonist might be helpful for reducing side effects while reliving pain. In this study, we reported on a partial and selective TRPV1 agonist 4-(5-chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-(1H-indazol-6-yl)piperazine-1-carboxamide named CPIPC that was modified based on targeting the residue Arg557, important for conversion between the channel antagonism and agonism. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings indicated a concentration-dependent activation of TRPV1 currents by CPIPC with an EC50 of 1.56 ± 0.13 μM. The maximum efficacy of CPIPC (30 μM) was about 60% of saturated capsaicin (10 μM). Repetitive additions of CPIPC caused TRPV1 current desensitization in both TRPV1-expressing HEK293 cells and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) sensory neurons. Oral administration of CPIPC dose-dependently alleviated inflammatory pain in mice. Further site-directed mutagenesis combined with molecular docking revealed that residue Arg557 is critical for TRPV1 activation by CPIPC. Taken together, we identified a novel partial and selective TRPV1 agonist CPIPC that exhibits antinociceptive activity in mice.
Radionuclides for Targeted Therapy: Physical Properties
Authors: Stokke Caroline , Kvassheim Monika , Blakkisrud Johan
Published: August 2022

A search in PubMed revealed that 72 radionuclides have been considered for molecular or functional targeted radionuclide therapy. As radionuclide therapies increase in number and variations, it is important to understand the role of the radionuclide and the various characteristics that can render it either useful or useless. This review focuses on the physical characteristics of radionuclides that are relevant for radionuclide therapy, such as linear energy transfer, relative biological effectiveness, range, half-life, imaging properties, and radiation protection considerations. All these properties vary considerably between radionuclides and can be optimised for specific targets. Properties that are advantageous for some applications can sometimes be drawbacks for others; for instance, radionuclides that enable easy imaging can introduce more radiation protection concerns than others. Similarly, a long radiation range is beneficial in targets with heterogeneous uptake, but it also increases the radiation dose to tissues surrounding the target, and, hence, a shorter range is likely more beneficial with homogeneous uptake. While one cannot select a collection of characteristics as each radionuclide comes with an unchangeable set, all the 72 radionuclides investigated for therapy—and many more that have not yet been investigated—provide numerous sets to choose between.
Piezo1 Mechano-Activation Is Augmented by Resveratrol and Differs between Colorectal Cancer Cells of Primary and Metastatic Origin
Authors: Greenlee Joshua D. , Liu Kevin , Lopez-Cavestany Maria , King Michael R.
Published: August 2022

Cancer cells must survive aberrant fluid shear stress (FSS) in the circulation to metastasize. Herein, we investigate the role that FSS has on colorectal cancer cell apoptosis, proliferation, membrane damage, calcium influx, and therapeutic sensitization. We tested this using SW480 (primary tumor) and SW620 cells (lymph node metastasis) derived from the same patient. The cells were exposed to either shear pulses, modeling millisecond intervals of high FSS seen in regions of turbulent flow, or sustained shear to model average magnitudes experienced by circulating tumor cells. SW480 cells were significantly more sensitive to FSS-induced death than their metastatic counterparts. Shear pulses caused significant cell membrane damage, while constant shear decreased cell proliferation and increased the expression of CD133. To investigate the role of mechanosensitive ion channels, we treated cells with the Piezo1 agonist Yoda1, which increased intracellular calcium. Pretreatment with resveratrol further increased the calcium influx via the lipid-raft colocalization of Piezo1. However, minimal changes in apoptosis were observed due to calcium saturation, as predicted via a computational model of apoptosis. Furthermore, SW480 cells had increased levels of Piezo1, calcium influx, and TRAIL-mediated apoptosis compared to SW620 cells, highlighting differences in the mechano-activation of metastatic cells, which may be a necessary element for successful dissemination in vivo.
CdS Nanocubes Adorned by Graphitic C3N4 Nanoparticles for Hydrogenating Nitroaromatics: A Route of Visible-Light-Induced Heterogeneous Hollow Structural Photocatalysis
Authors: Liang Zhi-Yu , Chen Feng , Huang Ren-Kun , Huang Wang-Jun , Wang Ying , Liang Ruo-Wen , Yan Gui-Yang
Published: August 2022

Modulating the transport route of photogenerated carriers on hollow cadmium sulfide without changing its intrinsic structure remains fascinating and challenging. In this work, a series of well-defined heterogeneous hollow structural materials consisting of CdS hollow nanocubes (CdS NCs) and graphitic C3N4 nanoparticles (CN NPs) were strategically designed and fabricated according to an electrostatic interaction approach. It was found that such CN NPs/CdS NCs still retained the hollow structure after CN NP adorning and demonstrated versatile and remarkably boosted photoreduction performance. Specifically, under visible light irradiation (λ ≥ 420 nm), the hydrogenation ratio over 2CN NPs/CdS NCs (the mass ratio of CN NPs to CdS NCs is controlled to be 2%) toward nitrobenzene, p-nitroaniline, p-nitrotoluene, p-nitrophenol, and p-nitrochlorobenzene can be increased to 100%, 99.9%, 83.2%, 93.6%, and 98.2%, respectively. In addition, based on the results of photoelectrochemical performances, the 2CN NPs/CdS NCs reach a 0.46% applied bias photo-to-current efficiency, indicating that the combination with CN NPs can indeed improve the migration and motion behavior of photogenerated carriers, besides ameliorating the photocorrosion and prolonging the lifetime of CdS NCs.
Cucurbit[7]uril Complexation of Near-Infrared Fluorescent Azobenzene-Cyanine Conjugates
Authors: Kommidi Sai Shradha Reddy , Smith Bradley D.
Published: August 2022

Two new azobenzene heptamethine cyanine conjugates exist as dispersed monomeric molecules in methanol solution and exhibit near-infrared (NIR) cyanine absorption and fluorescence. Both conjugates form non-emissive cyanine H-aggregates in water, but the addition of cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) induces dye deaggregation and a large increase in cyanine NIR fluorescence emission intensity. CB7 encapsulates the protonated azonium tautomer of the 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)azobenzene component of each azobenzene–cyanine conjugate and produces a distinctive new absorption band at 534 nm. The complex is quite hydrophilic, which suggests that CB7 can be used as a supramolecular additive to solubilize this new family of NIR azobenzene–cyanine conjugates for future biomedical applications. Since many azobenzene compounds are themselves potential drug candidates or theranostic agents, it should be possible to formulate many of them as CB7 inclusion complexes with improved solubility, stability, and pharmaceutical profile.
Antioxidant and Skin Whitening Activities of Sub- and Super-Critical Water Treated Rutin
Authors: Jo Yeon Jae , Yoo Dan Hee , Lee In Chul , Lee Junsoo , Jeong Heon Sang
Published: August 2022

We focused on the functional components, antioxidant activity, skin-whitening, and anti-wrinkle properties of subcritical and supercritical water (SCW)-treated rutin. Rutin treatments were performed at the following temperature and pressure conditions: 200 °C/15 bar, 300 °C/100 bar, and 400 °C/250 bar. ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities and reducing power presented their highest values (1193.72 mg AAE/g, 728.73 mg AAE/g, and 0.65, respectively) at 300 °C/100 bar. The tyrosinase inhibitory activity of SCW-treated rutin was 21.72–60.05% at 1 mg/mL. The ethyl acetate fraction showed 14.91% melanin inhibitory activity at a concentration of 10 µg/mL compared to the α-MSH treatment group. The protein expression inhibition rates of MITF, tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2 in the ethyl acetate fractions were 14.05%, 72%, 93.05%, and 53.44%, respectively, at a concentration of 10 µg/mL, compared to the control. These results indicate that SCW treatment could be used to develop cosmetic materials and functional food with physiological activity, and that SCW-treated rutin can be used as a skin-whitening cosmetic material.
Optimization and Comparative Study of Different Extraction Methods of Sixteen Fatty Acids of Potentilla anserina L. from Twelve Different Producing Areas of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Luan Guangxiang , Yang Mei , Nan Xingmei , Lv Huiling , Liu Qi , Wang Yuwei , Li Yongfang
Published: August 2022

In this study, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE), and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) were applied to explore the most suitable extraction method for fatty acids of Potentilla anseris L. from 12 different producing areas of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Meanwhile, the important experimental parameters that influence the extraction process were investigated and optimized via a Box-Behnken design (BBD) for response surface methodology (RSM). Under optimal extraction conditions, 16 fatty acids of Potentilla anserina L. were analyzed via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection, using 2-(4-amino)-phenyl-1-hydrogen-phenanthrene [9,10-d] imidazole as the fluorescence reagent. The results showed that the amounts of total fatty acids in sample 6 by applying SFE, UAE, and MAE were, respectively, 16.58 ± 0.14 mg/g, 18.11 ± 0.13 mg/g, and 15.09 ± 0.11 mg/g. As an environmental protection technology, SFE removed higher amounts of fatty acids than did MAE, but lower amounts of fatty acids than did UAE. In addition, the contents of the 16 fatty acids of Potentilla anserina L. from the 12 different producing areas Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau were significantly different. The differences were closely related to local altitudes and to climatic factors that corresponded to different altitudes (e.g., annual mean temperature, annual mean precipitation, annual evaporation, annual sunshine duration, annual solar radiation.). The temperature indices, photosynthetic radiation, ultraviolet radiation, soil factors, and other factors were different due to the different altitudes in the growing areas of Potentilla anserina L., which resulted in different nutrient contents.
Screening of Codonopsis radix Polysaccharides with Different Molecular Weights and Evaluation of Their Immunomodulatory Activity In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Li Guangxin , Ju Yanhong , Wen Yuwei , Zuo Min , Wang Chao , Zhang Xiaomei , Hou Xiaoxiang , Yang Guiqing , Gao Jianping
Published: August 2022

Polysaccharide is one of the main components of Codonopsis radix (CR) and has good immune activity. However, the immune activity of CR polysaccharides with different molecular weights has not been systematically screened. In this study, the polysaccharides of CR from Pingshun of Shanxi Province (PSDSs) were first divided into two groups using ultrafiltration: 3.3 kDa (PSDSs-1) and more than 2000 kDa (PSDSs-2). The immunomodulatory effects of PSDSs with different molecular weights were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. In vitro experimental results showed that compared with Lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophages, PSDSs-1 increased TNF-α and IL-6 levels and decreased IL-10. Meanwhile, PSDSs-2 showed the opposite effect, indicating the difference in pro- and anti-inflammatory activities of PSDSs with different molecular weights. The immunosuppressive model of cyclophosphamide proved that PSDSs have immune-promoting function, with PSDSs-1 exhibiting a better effect than PSDSs-2. In vitro and in vivo experiments illustrated the complexity of PSDS immunomodulation. Further research on the functions of PSDs with different molecular weights is needed to lay a foundation for their classification and application.
Prognostic Value of Molecular Intratumor Heterogeneity in Primary Oral Cancer and Its Lymph Node Metastases Assessed by Mass Spectrometry Imaging
Authors: Kurczyk Agata , Gawin Marta , Paul Piotr , Chmielik Ewa , Rutkowski Tomasz , Pietrowska Monika , Widłak Piotr
Published: August 2022

Different aspects of intra-tumor heterogeneity (ITH), which are associated with the development of cancer and its response to treatment, have postulated prognostic value. Here we searched for potential association between phenotypic ITH analyzed by mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) and prognosis of head and neck cancer. The study involved tissue specimens resected from 77 patients with locally advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma, including 37 patients where matched samples of primary tumor and synchronous lymph node metastases were analyzed. A 3-year follow-up was available for all patients which enabled their separation into two groups: with no evidence of disease (NED, n = 41) and with progressive disease (PD, n = 36). After on-tissue trypsin digestion, peptide maps of all cancer regions were segmented using an unsupervised approach to reveal their intrinsic heterogeneity. We found that intra-tumor similarity of spectra was higher in the PD group and diversity of clusters identified during image segmentation was higher in the NED group, which indicated a higher level of ITH in patients with more favorable outcomes. Signature of molecular components that correlated with long-term outcomes could be associated with proteins involved in the immune functions. Furthermore, a positive correlation between ITH and histopathological lymphocytic host response was observed. Hence, we proposed that a higher level of ITH revealed by MSI in cancers with a better prognosis could reflect the presence of heterotypic components of tumor microenvironment such as infiltrating immune cells enhancing the response to the treatment.
Antioxidant Capacity of Herzegovinian Wildflowers Evaluated by UV–VIS and Cyclic Voltammetry Analysis
Authors: Zlatić Gloria , Arapović Anamarija , Martinović Ivana , Martinović Bevanda Anita , Bošković Perica , Prkić Ante , Paut Andrea , Vukušić Tina
Published: August 2022

Considering the vast cultural and traditional heritage of the use of aromatic herbs and wildflowers for the treatment of light medical conditions in the Balkans, a comparison of the antioxidant capacity of wildflowers extracts from Herzegovina was studied using both cyclic voltammetry and spectrophotometry. The cyclic voltammograms taken in the potential range between 0 V and 800 mV and scan rate of 100 mV s−1 were used for the quantification of the electrochemical properties of polyphenols present in four aqueous plant extracts. Antioxidant capacity expressed as mmoL of gallic acid equivalents per gram of dried weight of the sample (mmoL GAE g−1 dw) was deduced from the area below the major anodic peaks (Q400 pH 6.0, Q500 pH 4.7, Q600 pH 3.6). The results of electrochemical measurements suggest that the major contributors of antioxidant properties of examined plants are polyphenolic compounds that contain ortho-dihydroxy-phenol or gallate groups. Using Ferric reducing-antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2′-azino-bis spectrophotometric methods (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical cation-scavenging activity (ABTS) additionally determined antioxidant capacity. The FRAP results ranged from 2.9702–9.9418 mmoL Fe/g dw, while the results for ABTS assays expressed as Trolox equivalents (TE) ranged from 14.1842–42.6217 mmoL TE/g dw. The Folin–Ciocalteu procedure was applied to determine the total phenolics content (TP). The TP content expressed as Gallic acid equivalents (GAE) ranged from 6.0343–9.472 mmoL GAE/g dw. The measurements of total flavonoid (TF) and total condensed tannin (TT) contents were also performed to obtain a broader polyphenolic profile of tested plant materials. Origanum vulgare L. scored the highest on each test, with the exception of TT content, followed by the Mentha × piperita L., Artemisia annua L., and Artemisia absinthium L., respectively. The highest TT content, expressed as mg of (−)catechin equivalents per gram of dried weight of sample (mg CE/g dw), was achieved with A. absinthium extract (119.230 mg CE/g dw) followed by O. vulgare (90.384 mg CE/g dw), A. annua (86.538 mg CE/g dw) and M. piperita (69.231 mg CE/g dw), respectively. In addition, a very good correlation between electrochemical and spectroscopic methods was achieved.
Drought Stress Stimulates the Terpenoid Backbone and Triterpenoid Biosynthesis Pathway to Promote the Synthesis of Saikosaponin in Bupleurum chinense DC. Roots
Authors: Yang Linlin , Qiao Lu , Su Xiuhong , Ji Baoyu , Dong Chengming
Published: August 2022

Bupleurum chinense is an important medicinal plant in China; however, little is known regarding how this plant transcribes and synthesizes saikosaponins under drought stress. Herein, we investigated how drought stress stimulates the transcriptional changes of B. chinense to synthesize saikosaponins. Short-term drought stress induced the accumulation of saikosaponins, especially from the first re-watering stage (RD_1 stage) to the second re-watering stage (RD_2 stage). Saikosaponin-a and saikosaponin-d increased by 84.60% and 75.13%, respectively, from the RD_1 stage to the RD_2 stage. Drought stress also stimulated a rapid increase in the levels of the hormones abscisic acid, salicylic acid, and jasmonic acid. We screened 49 Unigenes regarding the terpenoid backbone and triterpenoid biosynthesis, of which 33 differential genes were significantly up-regulated during drought stress. Moreover, one P450 and two UGTs are possibly involved in the synthesis of saikosaponins, while some transcription factors may be involved in regulating the expression of key enzyme genes. Our study provides a reference for the cultivation of B. chinense and a practical means to ensure the quality (safety and effectiveness) of B. chinense for medicinal use, as well as insights into the modernization of the China Agriculture Research System.
Anion–Cation Co-Doped g-C3N4 Porous Nanotubes with Efficient Photocatalytic H2 Evolution Performance
Authors: Zhang Xiaohan , Li Tong , Hu Chun , Yan Xiutong , Qiao Kai , Chen Zhihong
Published: August 2022

Graphitic C3N4-based materials are promising for photocatalytic H2 evolution applications, but they still suffer from low photocatalytic activity due to the insufficient light absorption, unfavorable structure and fast recombination of photogenerated charge. Herein, a novel anion–cation co-doped g-C3N4 porous nanotube is successfully synthesized using a self-assembly impregnation-assisted polymerization method. Ni ions on the surface of the self-assembly nanorod precursor can not only cooperate with H3P gas from the thermal cracking of NaH2PO2 as an anion–cation co-doping source, but, more importantly, suppress the shape-collapsing effect of the etching of H3P gas due to the strong coordinate bonding of Ni-P, which leads to a Ni and P co-doped g-C3N4 porous nanotube (PNCNT). Ni and P co-doping can build a new intermediate state near the conduction band in the bandgap of the PNCNT, and the porous nanotube structure gives it a higher BET surface area and light reflection path, showing a synergistic ability to broaden the visible-light absorption, facilitate photogenerated charge separation and the light-electron excitation rate of g-C3N4 and provide more reaction sites for photocatalytic H2 evolution reaction. Therefore, as expected, the PNCNT exhibits an excellent photocatalytic H2 evolution rate of 240.91 μmol·g−1·h−1, which is 30.5, 3.8 and 27.8 times as that of the pure g-C3N4 nanotube (CNT), single Ni-doped g-C3N4 nanotube (NCNT) and single P-doped g-C3N4 nanotube (PCNT), respectively. Moreover, the PNCNT shows good stability and long-term photocatalytic H2 production activity, which makes it a promising candidate for practical applications.
Correction: Xie et al. Preparation and Characterization of New Electrospun Poly(Lactic Acid) Nanofiber Antioxidative Active Packaging Films Containing MCM-41 Mesoporous Molecular Sieve Loaded with Phloridzin and Their Application in Strawberry Packaging. Nanomaterials 2022, 12, 1229
Authors: Xie Yuan , Cheng Guiguang , Wu Zhoushan , Shi Shang , Zhao Jinghao , Jiang Lin , Jiang Dengbang , Yuan Mingwei , Wang Yudan , Yuan Minglong
Published: August 2022

In the original publication, there was a mistake in Figure 7, as published in [...]
Synthesis, Physical Properties and Electrocatalytic Performance of Nickel Phosphides for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction of Water Electrolysis
Authors: Liu Gaoyang , Hou Faguo , Peng Shanlong , Wang Xindong , Fang Baizeng
Published: August 2022

Nickel phosphides have been investigated as an alternative to noble metals and have emerged as potential catalysts that can efficiently catalyze the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, the impacts of facet morphology and crystal structure of the nickel phosphides on their catalytic reactivity have not been systematically investigated. Herein, nickel phosphides with different crystalline states were prepared through a facile calcination treatment. It was found that the calcination treatment had important effects on the phase compositions, morphologies, and crystallinity of nickel phosphides, which are closely related to their HER activity. Generally, the crystallized Ni-P catalysts exhibited faster kinetics than the amorphous Ni-P. In particular, the Ni-P 300 showed remarkable HER performance with η10 of ca. 65 mV, along with a very low Tafel slope of ca. 44 mV dec−1 due to the increased catalytically active sites. Furthermore, the Ni-P 300 exhibited negligible decay during the 140 h galvanostatic electrolysis, showing better catalytic stability than the commercial Pt/C catalyst. Compared with the amorphous Ni-P, the boosted HER activity of the Ni-P 300 could benefit from the mixed nanocrystalline Ni2P and Ni3P, which could contribute to the Hads adsorption/desorption abilities and helped provide more activity sites, promoting the HER performance.
Gain Enhancement of the Optical Waveguide Amplifier Based on NaYF4/NaLuF4: Yb, Er NPs-PMMA Integrated with a Si3N4 Slot
Authors: Liu Xiao , Zhang Meiling , Hu Guijun
Published: August 2022

A Si3N4 slot waveguide has the ability to confine light tightly in the slot, shows weak absorption of 980 nm pump light, and has lower transmission loss compared to a Si slot. Hence, the optical waveguide amplifier based on Er3+ and Yb3+codoped was proposed to be integrated with a Si3N4 slot to increase the gain. The core-shell NaYF4/NaLuF4: 20%Yb3+, 2%Er3+ nanocrystals-polymeric methyl methacrylate covalent linking nanocomposites were synthesized and filled into the slot as gain medium. The concentrations of Er3+ and Yb3+ were increased compared with traditional physical doping methods. High-efficiency emission at 1.53 μm was achieved under 980 nm laser excitation. The slot waveguide was accurately designed using the semivector finite difference method in combination with the maximum confinement factors and the minimum effective mode area. The optimum width of the slot was 200 nm, and the optimum height and width of the silicon strip waveguide were 400 nm and 400 nm, respectively. The six-level spectroscopic model was presented, and the gain characteristics of the slot waveguide amplifier were numerically simulated. A net gain of 8.2 dB was achieved, which provided new ideas and directions for waveguide amplifiers.
The Impact of Pharmacist-Led Medication Management Services on the Quality of Life and Adverse Drug Reaction Occurrence
Authors: Brajković Andrea , Bićanić Lucija Ana , Strgačić Marija , Orehovački Helena , Ramalho-de-Oliveira Djenane , Mucalo Iva
Published: August 2022

The aim of this research was to assess the impact of comprehensive medication management (CMM) services on patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and frequency of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in older patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). A prospective, pre- and post-intervention study with a one-year follow-up was conducted at the Health Care Centre Zagreb—Centre (HCZC). The Euro-Quality of Life Questionnaire 5 Dimensions 5 Levels (EQ-5D-5L) was used to measure the HRQoL at baseline (initial visit at the HCZC) and 12 months following CMM services. The ADRs collected at the initial assessment of the CMM services and throughout follow-up consultations were analyzed according to the occurrence mechanism, seriousness, expectedness and distribution of the Preferred Term according to the System Organ Class. Following the CMM intervention, 65 patients reported significant improvement in dimensions “self-care” (p = 0.011) and “usual activities” (p = 0.003), whereas no significant change was found in the “mobility” (p = 0.203), “pain/discomfort” (p = 0.173) and “anxiety/depression” (p = 0.083) dimensions and the self-rated VAS scale (p = 0.781). A total of 596 suspected ADR reports were found, the majority at patients’ initial assessment (67.3%), with a mean ± SD of 9.2 ± 16.9 per patient. The CMM services significantly reduced the rate of suspected ADRs, namely 2.7 ± 1.7 ADRs per patient at the initial assessment vs. 1.0 ± 1.5 ADRs per patient at the last consultation (p < 0.001). The obtained results indicate that CMM services may improve patients’ HRQoL. Additionally, as CMM services diminished the proportion of ADRs following 1-year patient follow-up, they may serve as a viable solution for safety management.
Conceptualizing Machines in an Eco-Cognitive Perspective
Authors: Magnani Lorenzo
Published: August 2022

Eco-cognitive computationalism explores computing in context, adhering to some of the key ideas presented by modern cognitive science perspectives on embodied, situated, and distributed cognition. First of all, when physical computation is seen from the perspective of the ecology of cognition it is possible to clearly understand the role Turing assigned to the process of “education” of the machine, paralleling it to the education of human brains, in the invention of the Logical Universal Machine. It is this Turing’s emphasis on education that furnishes the justification of the conceptualization of machines as “domesticated ignorant entities”, that is proposed in this article. I will show that conceptualizing machines as dynamically active in distributed physical entities of various kinds suitably transformed so that data can be encoded and decoded to obtain appropriate results sheds further light on my eco-cognitive perspective. Furthermore, it is within this intellectual framework that I will usefully analyze the recent attention in computer science devoted to the importance of the simplification of cognitive and motor tasks caused in organic entities thanks to morphological features: ignorant bodies can be computationally domesticated to make an intertwined computation simpler, relying on the “simplexity” of animal embodied cognition, which represents one of the main qualities of organic agents. Finally, eco-cognitive computationalism allows us to clearly acknowledge that the concept of computation evolves over time as a result of historical and contextual factors, and we can construct an epistemological view that depicts the “emergence” of new types of computations that exploit new substrates. This new viewpoint demonstrates how the computational domestication of ignorant entities might result in the emergence of novel unconventional cognitive embodiments.
Parallel Distribution Matcher Base on CCDM for Probabilistic Amplitude Shaping in Coherent Optical Fiber Communication
Authors: Zhang Yao , Wang Hongxiang , Ji Yuefeng , Zhang Yu
Published: August 2022

As a typical high-order modulation format optimization technology, constellation probability shaping enhances generalized mutual information (GMI) by optimizing the probability distribution of each constellation point of the signal. It can improve the transmission capacity of the same order M Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) signal under the condition of limited average transmission power, and further narrow the gap with the Shannon limit capacity. The distribution matcher is a key part of constellation probability shaping since it not only ensures the one-to-one mapping of input and output sequences but also realizes the function of probability shaping. The constant composition distribution matcher (CCDM) structure is a widely utilized distribution matcher in the current probability shaping technology. Based on CCDM, a parallel distribution matcher scheme is proposed in this paper. It has a lower rate loss than CCDM for short output lengths (n is less than 100). Block lengths can be reduced by up to 30% with the same rate loss. When the GMI is the same as for the probability shaping (PS) 64QAM signal using CCDM, the OSNR required by the PS-64QAM signal using this scheme can be enhanced by 0.12dB, the block length can be reduced by 40%, and the transmission distance in a standard single-mode fiber can be slightly extended.
Why Do Elementary Particles Have Such Strange Mass Ratios?—The Importance of Quantum Gravity at Low Energies
Authors: Singh Tejinder P.
Published: August 2022

When gravity is quantum, the point structure of space-time should be replaced by a non-commutative geometry. This is true even for quantum gravity in the infra-red. Using the octonions as space-time coordinates, we construct pre-spacetime, pre-quantum Lagrangian dynamics. We show that the symmetries of this non-commutative space unify the standard model of particle physics with SU(2)R chiral gravity. The algebra of the octonionic space yields spinor states which can be identified with three generations of quarks and leptons. The geometry of the space implies quantisation of electric charge, and leads to a theoretical derivation of the mysterious mass ratios of quarks and the charged leptons. Quantum gravity is quantisation not only of the gravitational field, but also of the point structure of space-time.
A Novel Soy Isoflavone Derivative, 3′-Hydroxyglycitin, with Potent Antioxidant and Anti-α-Glucosidase Activity
Authors: Wu Jiumn-Yih , Wang Tzi-Yuan , Ding Hsiou-Yu , Lee Chuan-Che , Chang Te-Sheng
Published: August 2022

This study demonstrated the enzymatic hydroxylation of glycitin to 3′-hydroxyglycitin, confirming the structure by mass and nucleic magnetic resonance spectral analyses. The bioactivity assays further revealed that the new compound possessed over 100-fold higher 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazine free-radical scavenging activity than the original glycitin, although its half-time of stability was 22.3 min. Furthermore, the original glycitin lacked anti-α-glucosidase activity, whereas the low-toxic 3′-hydroxyglycitin displayed a 10-fold higher anti-α-glucosidase activity than acarbose, a standard clinical antidiabetic drug. The inhibition mode of 3′-hydroxyglycitin was noncompetitive, with a Ki value of 0.34 mM. These findings highlight the potential use of the new soy isoflavone 3′-hydroxyglycitin in biotechnology industries in the future.
Transcriptome Analysis of Eggplant under Salt Stress: AP2/ERF Transcription Factor SmERF1 Acts as a Positive Regulator of Salt Stress
Authors: Shen Lei , Zhao Enpeng , Liu Ruie , Yang Xu
Published: August 2022

Salt stress, a type of abiotic stress, impedes plant growth and development and strongly reduces crop yield. The molecular mechanisms underlying plant responses to salt stress remain largely unclear. To characterize the enriched pathways and genes that were affected during salt treatment, we performed mRNA sequencing (mRNA-seq) in eggplant roots and identified 8509 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the mock and 24 h under salt stress. Among these DEGs, we found that the AP2/ERF transcription factor family member SmERF1 belongs to the plant–pathogen interaction pathway, which was significantly upregulated by salt stress. We found that SmERF1 localizes in the nuclei with transcriptional activity. The results of the virus-induced gene silencing assay showed that SmERF1 silencing markedly enhanced the susceptibility of plants to salt stress, significantly downregulated the transcript expression levels of salt stress defense-related marker genes (9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase [SmNCED1, SmNCED2], Dehydrin [SmDHN1], and Dehydrin (SmDHNX1), and reduced the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase. Silencing SmERF1 promoted the generation of H2O2 and proline. In addition, the transient overexpression of SmERF1 triggered intense cell death in eggplant leaves, as assessed by the darker diaminobenzidine and trypan blue staining. These findings suggest that SmERF1 acts as a positive regulator of eggplant response to salt stress. Hence, our results suggest that AP2/ERF transcription factors play a vital role in the response to salt stress.
Potential Use of Agave Genus in Neuroinflammation Management
Authors: Herrera-Ruiz Maribel , Jiménez-Ferrer Enrique , González-Cortazar Manasés , Zamilpa Alejandro , Cardoso-Taketa Alexandre , Arenas-Ocampo Martha Lucía , Jiménez-Aparicio Antonio Ruperto , Monterrosas-Brisson Nayeli
Published: August 2022

Agavaceae contains about 480 species, commonly used in the production of alcoholic beverages such as tequila and mezcal, making it a resource of economic and cultural importance. Uses of this plant rely mainly on the stem; other components such as the leaves are discarded, generating agro-industrial waste, despite being a source of bioactive and nutraceutical products. Reports show anti-inflammatory and anti-neuroinflammatory effects of these species, with flavonoids and saponins being mainly responsible. Neuroinflammation is a brain process that plays a key role in the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative disorders and its effects contribute greatly to mortality and morbidity worldwide. This can be triggered by mechanisms such as glial reactions that lead to the release of inflammatory and oxidative molecules, causing damage to the CNS. Treatments do not cure chronic disease associated with inflammation; they only slow its progression, producing side effects that affect quality of life. Plant-based therapy is promising for treating these diseases. Pharmacological activities have been described for the Agavaceae family; however, their role in neuroinflammation has not been fully investigated, and represents an important target for study. This review synthesizes the existing literature on the biologically active compounds of Agave species that are related in some way to inflammation, which will allow us to propose a line of research with this genus on the forefront to orient experimental designs for treating neuroinflammation and associated diseases.
Increasing the Contents of Paddy Soil Available Nutrients and Crop Yield via Optimization of Nitrogen Management in a Wheat–Rice Rotation System
Authors: Ma Peng , Fan Ping , Yang Zhiyuan , Sun Yongjian , Ma Jun
Published: August 2022

To explore the impact of nitrogen (N) rate during the wheat season and N fertilizer management during the rice season on carbon and soil nutrient pools in paddy soil, a wheat–rice rotation system for 2 successive years was implemented. In the rotation system, a conventional N rate (Nc; 150 kg/ha) and a reduced N rate (Nr; 120 kg/ha) were applied in the wheat season. Based on an application rate of 150 kg/hm2 N in the rice season, three N management models were applied, in which the application ratio of base:tiller:panicle fertilizer was 20%:20%:60% in treatment M1, 30%:30%:40% in treatment M2, and 40%:40%:20% in treatment M3. Zero N was used as the control (M0). Experimental results indicate that, under Nc, the M2 management model during the rice season, improvements were seen in paddy soil urease, organic carbon, and annual yield relative to other conditions. The average organic matter and total N associated with the M2 rice management model and conventional N application during the wheat season were 5.13% and 4.95% higher, respectively, relative to the use of a reduced N application rate during the wheat season. Similarly, the average total carbon content and annual yields were 6.61% and 5.56% higher under the model M2 with conventional N application during the wheat season, respectively, relative to reduced N application after the two-year study period. These findings indicate that production and carbon fixation in paddy fields can be optimized through a conventional N application rate during the wheat season, and an M2 N management model during the rice season in southern China under a wheat–rice rotation system.
Molecular Cloning and Expression Analysis of the Cryptochrome Gene CiPlant-CRY1 in Antarctic Ice Alga Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-L
Authors: Zhao Yaoyao , Zheng Zhou , Zhang Xin , Bao Yating , Miao Jinlai
Published: August 2022

Cryptochrome (CRY) is a kind of flavin-binding protein that can sense blue light and near-ultraviolet light, and participates in the light response of organisms and the regulation of the circadian clock. The complete open reading frame (ORF) of CiPlant-CRY1 (GenBank ID OM389130.1), encoding one kind of CRY, was cloned from the Antarctic ice alga Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-L. The quantitative real-time PCR study showed that the expression level of the CiPlant-CRY1 gene was the highest at 5 °C and salinity of 32‰. CiPlant-CRY1 was positively regulated by blue or yellow light, suggesting that it is involved in the establishment of photomorphology. The CiPlant-CRY1 gene can respond to polar day and polar night, indicating its expression is regulated by circadian rhythm. The expression level of CiPlant-CRY1 was most affected by UVB irradiation, which may be related to the adaptation of ice algae to a strong ultraviolet radiation environment. Moreover, the recombinant protein of CiPlant-CRY1 was expressed by prokaryotic expression. This study may be important for exploring the light-induced rhythm regulation of Antarctic ice algae in the polar marine environment.
Theoretical-Experimental Analysis of the Performance of Geothermal Heat Pumps for Air Conditioning Greenhouses in Arid Zones
Authors: Rubalcaba Velasco Jesús Octavio , Acuña Ramírez Alexis , Quintal López Jammin Abdi , Mercado Herrera Abelardo , Suástegui Macías José Alejandro , Ruelas Puente Adolfo Heriberto , Lara Chávez Fernando , Rosales Escobedo Pedro Francisco , Corona Sánchez José Armando
Published: August 2022

This study shows the results of a simulation tool using the TRNSyS 2017 simulator, validated with experimental data from a greenhouse in an arid zone in northwestern Mexico. Additionally, experimental data on the performance of geothermal heat pumps are shown during the year 2020 in heating and cooling mode. With this information, an average deviation of the simulator for the outlet fluid temperature of the geothermal heat exchanger (GHE) of 2.77% and an average deviation of the coefficient of performance in cooling mode (EER) of the geothermal heat pump (GHP) of 3.7% was obtained. In the experimental study, it was observed that in the last 2 weeks of July and the first 2 weeks of August, the subsoil is saturated, which causes a decrease in the thermal inertia of the GHE. During the experimental study, it was possible to determine that the flow indicated in the GHE to obtain the highest performance of the GHP system in greenhouses in arid zones corresponds to 1 GPM, obtaining an EER of 3.24.
Bojungikki-Tang Enhances the Effect of PD-1 Blockade in a Syngeneic Murine Model of Lung Carcinoma
Authors: Chun Jaemoo , Kang Han Na , Yi Jin-Mu , Hong Se Hyang , Park Sang-Min , Jeong Mi-Kyung
Published: August 2022

Although immunotherapy has become the standard of treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), only a limited number of patients benefit from it clinically because of the resistance to immunotherapeutic agents. Of late, the usefulness of herbal medicines in combination with immunotherapy has been investigated. Bojungikki-Tang (BJIKT) is a widely used traditional herbal medicine. It synergistically enhances the antitumor effects of chemotherapy and regulates the immune responses in cancer, but its antitumor effect with immunotherapy in NSCLC is unclear. In this study, we investigated the combined effects of BJIKT and an anti-PD-1 antibody in a KLN205-DBA/2 syngeneic lung cancer model. Immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry analyses were performed to analyze the changes in immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. BJIKT plus an anti-PD-1 antibody treatment significantly inhibited tumor growth, unlike the respective monotherapies. Compared to monotherapy, the combination treatment resulted in a higher population of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells and a lower number of Ki67+ cells in the tumor tissues. Furthermore, the combination treatment decreased the proportion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells but increased the proportion of M1-like macrophages compared to that observed with monotherapy. Cytokine analysis showed that the combination treatment increased the levels of T helper type 1-related cytokines. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that BJIKT might regulate multiple signaling pathways related to immune function and tumor progression in NSCLC. These findings indicate that the combination treatment with BJIKT and an anti-PD-1 antibody effectively suppresses tumor growth by regulating immune function and may be an alternative therapeutic option for the treatment of NSCLC.
Cultivation of Nitrifying and Nitrifying-Denitrifying Aerobic Granular Sludge for Sidestream Treatment of Anaerobically Digested Sludge Centrate
Authors: Morgan Guillian , Hamza Rania
Published: August 2022

In this study, three 1.2-L aerobic granular sludge sequencing batch reactors (AGS-SBRs) were used to cultivate nitrifying and nitrifying-denitrifying granules (w/supplemental carbon) and investigate sidestream treatment of synthetic-centrate and real-centrate samples from Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant (ABTP) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Results showed that although the cultivation of distinct granules was not observed in the nitrifying reactors, sludge volume index (SVI30) values achieved while treating real and synthetic centrate were 72 ± 12 mL/g and 59 ± 11 mL/g (after day 14), respectively. Ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) removal in the nitrifying SBRs were 93 ± 19% and 94 ± 16% for real and synthetic centrate, respectively. Granules with a distinct round structure were successfully formed in the nitrifying-denitrifying SBR, resulting in an SVI30 of 52 ± 23 mL/g. NH3-N, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and phosphorus (P) removal in the nitrifying-denitrifying SBR were 92 ± 9%, 94 ± 5%, and 81 ± 14% (7th to 114th day), respectively with a low nitrite (NO2-N) and nitrate (NO3-N) concentration in the effluent indicating simultaneous nitrification-denitrification (SND) activity. High nutrient removal efficiencies via the nitrification and SND pathways shows that AGS technology is a viable process for treating sidestreams generated in a WWTP.
Flow Characteristics and Optimization Design of the Stator–Rotor Cavity of the Full Tubular Pump
Authors: Shi Lijian , Zhu Jun , Li Jindong , Tang Fangping , Chen Beishuai , Jiang Yuhang , Xu Tian , Chai Yao
Published: August 2022

The full tubular pump device is taken as the research object in this article. This research method adopts the numerical simulation technology based on the SST (Shear-Stress-Transport) k-ω turbulence model to explore the internal flow characteristics of the stator–rotor cavity of the full tubular pump and optimize the stator–rotor clearance structure. The research shows that under the design conditions, compared with the axial flow pump, the torque increases by 47.91 N·m at the stator–rotor cavity structure and the efficiency decreases by about 20%. The torque at the rotor clearance of the full tubular pump accounts for about 50% of the torque at the rotor. Since there is a large area of backflow on both sides of the cavity, and there is a vortex structure on the inlet side of the cavity, it shows that the rotor structure and its area greatly affect the operating efficiency of the pump device. With the reduction in the rotor force area, the clearance length, and the outer diameter of the disc, the operating efficiency of the pump device gradually increases. Under the design conditions, the optimized model has a maximum efficiency increase of 14.04% and the torque at the cavity rotor is reduced by 39.25 N·m. The results show that the operating efficiency of the full tubular pump is closely related to its rotor structure area, and the force area of the rotor structure needs to be controlled in the actual design process.
Screening and Testing of Anti-Slagging Agents for Tobacco-Stalk-Based Biomass Pellet Fuel for Tobacco Curing
Authors: Wang Liang , Fan Yikuan , He Fan , Niu Baoquan , Wei Fengjie , Zhao Haobin , Wang Jianan
Published: August 2022

Using tobacco stalks as a biomass fuel for flue-cured tobacco production creates a closed, green production cycle. Tobacco stalks are rich in cellulose and can be crushed to produce biomass pellet fuel (BPF). However, single flue-cured tobacco stalk (FCTs) BPF can easily slag during flue-cured tobacco heating (FTH), which affects the operation of biomass burners. In this study, five anti-slagging agents (ASAs), one organic (sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, CMC) and four inorganic (kaolin, KLN; diatomite earth, DTE; calcium carbonate, CCO; and calcium dihydrogen phosphate, CHO)], were compared. An ash fusibility test was conducted in two steps to optimize the proportion and treatments that were then screened using FTH. Compared with pure FCT-based BPFs, the slag resistance of 2% CCO and CHO could be controlled below 15%. The emission of particulate matter from chimneys burning BPF with 2% CCO was lower than that with other ASAs. The ASAs achieved complete combustion with low carbon monoxide content in the tail gas. Considering the anti-slagging effect and economic cost, 2% CCO was the best additive for the biomass burner. These results provide a reference for FCT-based BPF production.
Sterba’s Logical Argument from Evil and the God Who Walks Away from Omelas
Authors: Wielenberg Erik J.
Published: August 2022

The logical argument from evil, generally thought to have been defused by Alvin Plantinga’s free will defense, has been reinvigorated by James Sterba’s exposition and defense of a new version of the argument that draws on recent work in moral philosophy. Whereas J.L. Mackie’s argument uses what can now be seen to be overly simplistic principles to try to establish a logical incompatibility between the existence of God and any evil at all, Sterba’s argument uses more sophisticated moral principles and seeks to establish a logical incompatibility between the existence of God (specifically, the God of Perfect Being Theology) and specific sorts of evil that our world contains. Here, I provide a brief exposition of Sterba’s argument and then sketch one possible theistic response to the argument. On the basis of that discussion, I conclude that Sterba’s argument is not decisive as it stands. However, I then develop a revised version of Sterba’s argument and argue that the Perfect Being Theist faces the following dilemma: she can answer the revised version of Sterba’s argument only by accepting a position that is deeply at odds with commonsense morality. Therefore, although Sterba’s argument does not quite succeed, it points us in the direction of a serious problem for Perfect Being Theism.