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The ginsenoside isomers were analyzed and distinguished by using inlet ionization-high resolution mass spectrometry technology under positive and negative ion modes with optimum inlet temperatures. The results showed that under the full scanning mode of positive and negative ion modes with the optimum experimental temperature, different types of ions were formed according to the characteristics of different numbers of polymers formed by isomeric monomers of ginsenoside, and the identification of ginsenoside isomers was realized. For the identification of ginsenoside CK and Rh2, there was no obvious difference in their MS spectra under positive ion mode. However, under negative ion mode with the inlet temperature of 200 ℃, ginsenoside CK tended to form polymers of [M+Cl]－, Rh2 tended to form polymers of [M+COOH]－, and the number of polymers of CK was significantly higher than that of Rh2. For the identification of ginsenoside Rb2 and Rc, under positive ion mode with the inlet temperature of 200 ℃, ginsenoside Rb2 and Rc could produce polymers of [M+Na]+, but the polymers peak intensity of Rb2 was significantly higher than that of Rc. Under negative ion mode with the inlet temperature of 200 ℃, Rb2 tended to form polymers of [M+Cl]－, and Rc tended to form polymers of [M+COOH]－. For the identification of ginsenoside Rg1 and Rf, there was no obvious difference in their MS spectra under the positive ion mode. Under negative ion mode with the inlet temperature of 200 ℃, Rg1 and Rf tended to form polymers of [M+Cl]－ and [M−H]−, respectively. In this study, the three pairs of isomers in ginsenosides were basically identified by using the full MS scanning method and the control of the mass spectrometry inlet temperature. The experimental method is simple, fast, and has the characteristics of low consumption. This study confirms that the entrance ionization mass spectrometry technique can provide a theoretical reference for the rapid discrimination and identification of ginsenoside isomers.

Photonic reservoir computing (RC) is a simple and efficient neuromorphic computing framework for human cortical circuits, which is featured with fast training speed and low training cost. Photonic time delay RC, as a simple hardware implementation method of RC, has attracted widespread attention. In this paper, we present and experimentally demonstrate a time delay RC system based on a Fabry Perot (FP) laser for multiple tasks processing. Here, the various tasks are attempted to perform in parallel in the multiple longitudinal modes of the FP laser. It is found that the time delay RC system based on the FP laser can successfully handle different tasks across multiple longitudinal modes simultaneously. The experimental results demonstrate the potential of the time delay RC system based on the FP laser to achieve multiple tasks processing, providing various possibilities for improving the information processing ability of neural morphology RC systems, and promoting the development of RC systems.

Abstract Wu-tou decoction (WTD), a traditional Chinese medicine prescription, is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It works by controlling intestinal flora and its metabolites, which in turn modulates the inflammatory response and intestinal barrier function. Small molecular compounds (SM) and polysaccharides (PS) were the primary constituents of WTD extract. In this work, a model of adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) in rats was established and treated with WTD, SM, and PS, respectively. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to examine the regulatory impact of the various groups on the disturbance of the gut flora induced by RA. Further, since PS cannot be absorbed into the blood, the influence of PS on the absorption and metabolism of SM was studied by examining their pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of 23 active components in SM by UPLC-MS/MS. WTD was found to be more effective than PS and SM in alleviating arthritis in AIA rats, which may be related to changes in gut flora. The PK properties of 13 active compounds were altered after PS intervene. Based on the findings, PS may be able to manage the disruption of intestinal microbiota, enhance the intestinal environment of model animals, and hence influence SM absorption and metabolism.

The control of diamond film growth is crucial for the application of diamond films. In this article, different diamond film samples were prepared by adding nitrogen and oxygen in different proportions during the growth process. The key conditions for controlling the growth of diamond film with preferred orientation were obtained using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy characterizations. During the growth process, the growth of the diamond film with (100) preferred orientation could be achieved by adjusting nitrogen content. It was necessary to introduce nitrogen and oxygen in the growth process, and precisely regulate the ratio of the two to obtain the (111) preferred orientation of the diamond film. When only oxygen was introduced during growth, the preferred orientation of the diamond could not be achieved, leading to a smaller grain size and poorer crystal quality. From the perspective of grain morphology to film morphology evolution, this study obtained the crystal orientation control conditions during the diamond film growth, which has important guiding significance for the application of the diamond film. This study seeks to drive progress in the large-scale growth of readily machinable diamond and the evolution of diamond-grain optical fiber sensing through comprehensive investigations into the correlation between the preferred orientation in polycrystalline diamonds and reaction conditions.

Tenghuang Jiangu Wan (THJGW) is a commonly utilized treatment for osteoarthritis (OA), yet its pharmacodynamic material basis and molecular mechanism remain inadequately understood. This study systematically characterized the in vitro and in vivo chemical components of THJGW using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). The pharmacodynamic material basis of THJGW in the treatment of OA was explored through a target network pharmacology approach and molecular docking technology. Cellular experiments were subsequently employed to validate the molecular mechanisms. Consequently, a total of 134 components from THJGW were identified in vitro, comprising 45 flavonoids, 10 iridoid glycosides, 39 phenylethanoid glycosides, 9 phenylpropanoids, 11 organic acids, 4 phenolics, and 16 other compounds. Additionally, 38 prototype absorbed components in serum were characterized for the purpose of network construction. 11 key components and 10 core targets (VEGFA, STAT3, RELA/NF-κB p65, PIK3R1, PIK3CA, MMP9, MMP1, IL-6, HDAC1, and FGF2) were determined by the target network pharmacology. Through Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, it was found that these intersection targets are associated with various signaling pathways such as pathways in cancer, lipid and atherosclerosis, and prostate cancer. Notably, the lipid and atherosclerosis pathway was closely linked to OA. The molecular docking results demonstrated strong binding affinities of the three core targets: IL-6, STAT3, and RELA/NF-κB p65. These results suggest that these targets may play a significant role for THJGW in treating OA. In vitro experiments showed that THJGW had notable protective effects on LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages by reducing levels of TNF-α and IL-6, and inhibiting phosphorylation expression of STAT3 and NF-κB p65 proteins related to the lipid and atherosclerosis pathway. This study provides insight into the pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanism of action for THJGW in the treatment of OA, which provide scientific evidence for the scientific application and improvement of quality standards for THJGW.

Abstract As a red tide algal toxin with intense neurotoxicity distributed worldwide, domoic acid (DA) has attracted increasing concerns. In this work, the integrative analysis of metagenome and metabolome are applied to investigate the impact of DA on nitrogen cycling in coastal sediments. Here we show that DA can act as a stressor to induce the variation of nitrogen (N) cycling by altering the abundance of functional genes and electron supply. Moreover, microecology theory revealed that DA can increase the role of deterministic assembly in microbial dynamic succession, resulting in the shift of niches and, ultimately, the alteration in N cycling. Notably, denitrification and Anammox, the important process for sediment N removal, are markedly limited by DA. Also, variation of N cycling implies the modification in cycles of other associated elements. Overall, DA is capable of ecosystem-level effects, which require further evaluation of its potential cascading effects.

BackgroundMalnutrition is the most common nutritional issue in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients, but there is still a lack of a comprehensive evaluation of the nutritional status in AD patients. This study aimed to determine the potential association of various nutritional indices with AD at different stages.MethodsSubjects, including individuals with normal cognition (NC) and patients diagnosed with AD, were consecutively enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Demographics, body composition, dietary patterns, nutritional assessment scales and nutrition-related laboratory variables were collected. Binary logistics regression analyses and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to indicate the association between nutrition-related variables and AD at different stages.ResultsTotals of 266 subjects, including 73 subjects with NC, 72 subjects with mild cognitive impairment due to AD (AD-MCI) and 121 subjects with dementia due to AD (AD-D) were included. There was no significant difference in dietary patterns, including Mediterranean diet and Mediterranean-DASH diet intervention for neurodegenerative delay (MIND) diet between the three groups. Lower BMI value, smaller hip and calf circumferences, lower Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) scores, and lower levels of total protein, albumin, globulin, and apolipoprotein A1 were associated with AD (all p

The high frequency H-diamond metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) were fabricated on single diamond substrate using 300°C ALD grown Al2O3 as gate dielectric and passivation layer. The devices gate length, gate/drain spacing and dielectric thickness are 100 nm, 2 μm, and 10 nm, respectively. The direct-current and frequency characteristics were investigated. The device shows a maximum saturation drain current of −492.6 mA/mm and gm of 135.2 mS/mm. The device shows good high temperature working performance, and the maximum saturation drain current only has a little decreasing of 7.6%. at 200°C. In addition, the device exhibits a maximum cut-off frequency of 36.2 GHz and maximum oscillation frequency of 70.5 GHz. The transient drain current response measurement indicates that the drain current can follow the changing of gate voltage at the frequency of 1 MHz. These results indicate that the Al2O3 dielectric is suitable for using in high frequency or the high-speed switching devices.

Spleen qi deficiency (SQD) is an important immune change in traditional Chinese medicine. Ginseng tonic for deficiency treatment focuses on qi tonicity, which is consistent with the modern medical view of immune enhancement. In this study, the therapy of wild ginseng (WG) extract was examined using weight measurement, histopathology, flow cytometry, and ELISA. Then, 16S rDNA gene sequencing of the gut microbiota and fecal RRLC-Q-TOF tandem mass spectrometry-based metabolomic analysis were carried out. Finally, the relationship among immunity indicators, permeability indicators, gut microbiota and metabolites was analyzed. Results showed that WG administration significantly increased the body weight and organ index in SQD rats; significantly reversed the levels of immune markers, such as IgA and TNF-a; decreased serum levels, such as LPS; and increased the expression of tight-junction proteins, such as ZO-1, in colonic tissues. The abundance of intestinal microorganisms, such as Lactobacillus and Akkermansia, was restored in SQD rats. Elevated amino acid content and decreased bile acid content were observed in fecal metabolites. Overall, this study demonstrated the central role of WG in immunomodulation and intestinal microecology in SQD rats, providing a reference for a more in-depth study of the scientific connotation of the traditional efficacy of WG and the interpretation of its clinical pharmacodynamic mechanism.

The chemical complexity and toxicity of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are primarily encountered through intensive anthropogenic emissions in suburban areas. Here, pollution characteristics, impacts on secondary pollution formation, and health risks were investigated through continuous in-field measurements from 1–30 June 2020 in suburban Nanjing, adjacent to national petrochemical industrial parks in China. On average, the total VOCs concentration was 34.47 ± 16.08 ppb, which was comprised mostly by alkanes (41.8%) and halogenated hydrocarbons (29.4%). In contrast, aromatics (17.4%) dominated the ozone formation potential (OFP) and secondary organic aerosol formation potential (SOAFP) with 59.6% and 58.3%, respectively. Approximately 63.5% of VOCs were emitted from the petrochemical industry and from solvent usage based on source apportionment results, followed by biogenic emissions of 22.3% and vehicle emissions of 14.2%. Of the observed 46 VOC species, hexachlorobutadiene, dibromoethane, butadiene, tetrachloroethane, and vinyl chloride contributed as high as 98.8% of total carcinogenic risk, a large fraction of which was ascribed to the high-level emissions during ozone pollution episodes and nighttime. Therefore, the mitigation of VOC emissions from petrochemical industries would be an effective way to reduce secondary pollution and potential health risks in conurbation areas.

The high-value-added compounds of sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus) intestine have not been exploited in sea cucumber processing. Here, low molecular weight peptides from the sea cucumber intestine (SCIP) were prepared using papain, and the effect of SCIP on promoting cartilage callus formation and their underlying mechanisms were studied. The results exhibited that the SCIP supplement markedly increased the area of the cartilage callus and ameliorated the early inflammatory environment at the fracture site by modulating the levels of inflammatory factors. Furthermore, SCIP promoted the polarization of M1 to M2 macrophages and finally promoted the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into chondrocytes at the fracture site through M2-like macrophage-mediated TGF-family factors and secretion of exosomes. This is the first report that SCIP can promote cartilage callus formation in mice with tibial fractures by promoting the polarization of M1 to M2 macrophages. SCIP might be considered raw material for developing nutraceutical additives.

The high-value-added substances in tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) skin have not been fully utilized, and the demand for novel food-derived bioactive peptides is increasing. Here, the cytoprotective peptides in the tilapia skin enzymatic hydrolyzate were isolated and identified. In addition, novel peptides with potential high biological activity (APDPFRMY and NGGPDWAR) were screened by a computer virtual screening strategy for artificial synthesis, and the cytoprotective activity was verified by the oxidative stress-induced ovarian granulosa cell model. Meanwhile, molecular docking and western blot results showed that two novel cytoprotective peptides could interact with critical residues of the Kelch domain of Keap1 through hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and hydrophobic interactions. Moreover, APDPFRMY and NGGPDWAR could partially occupy the binding sites of Nrf2 and Keap1, thus playing a role in protecting cells from oxidative damage. This study also provides a new idea for isolating and identifying food-derived bioactive peptides.

Abstract This paper investigates the network capacity considering residual queues and connected automated vehicles. First, the weighted network outflow is introduced to measure the network capacity. Then, two bilevel models are built to calculate the network capacity with residual queues under the user equilibrium (UE) principle and the system optimum (SO) principle, respectively. The UE‐based network capacity model is employed to estimate the capacity of the dedicated road network for human‐driven vehicles (HVs), while the SO‐based network capacity model is employed to estimate the capacity of the dedicated road network for connected automated vehicles (CAVs). Furthermore, by combining the two proposed network capacity models, a model to allocate link capacity between CAV lanes and HV lanes to maximise the whole network capacity is presented, in which the CAV travellers’choice behaviour of driving modes is considered. Finally, through two numerical examples, the characteristics of the proposed models are demonstrated and their potential applications are discussed. The results show that the proposed models are capable of 1) identifying critical links and potential critical links of networks, 2) guiding the land‐use development and macroscopic travel demand management, 3) evaluating network optimisation schemes, and 4) allocating the road supply to CAVs and HVs efficiently.

Background: Dried and red ginseng are well-known types of processed ginseng and are widely used as healthy food. The dried and red ginseng quality may vary with the storage period of raw ginseng. Therefore, herein, the effect of the storage period of fresh ginseng on processed ginseng quality was evaluated through multicomponent quantification with statistical analysis. Methods: A method based on ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry in multiple-reaction monitoring mode (UPLC-MRM-MS) was developed for quantitation of ginsenosides and oligosaccharides in dried and red ginseng. Principal component analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis were conducted to evaluate the dynamic distributions of ginsenosides and oligosaccharides after different storage periods. Results: Eighteen PPD, PPT and OLE ginsenosides and nine reducing and nonreducing oligosaccharides were identified and quantified. With storage period extension, the ginsenoside content in the processed ginseng increased slightly in the first 2 weeks and decreased gradually in the following 9 weeks. The content of reducing oligosaccharides decreased continuously as storage time extending, while that of the nonreducing oligosaccharides increased. Chemical conversions occurred during storage, based on which potential chemical markers for the storage period evaluation of fresh ginseng were screened. Conclusion: According to ginsenoside and oligosaccharide distributions, it was found that the optimal storage period was 2 weeks and that the storage period of fresh ginseng should not exceed 4 weeks at 0 °C. This study provides deep insights into the quality control of processed ginseng and comprehensive factors for storage of raw ginseng.

The RNA methylation regulator m7G plays a vital role in forming malignancies. However, its contribution to lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) has not been fully elucidated. TCGA dataset was used to assess the gene expression data of 594 individuals with LUAD by evaluating the 28 key RNA methylation regulators of m7G. The abnormalities in the m7G regulators from the genome were related to the prognosis of LUAD patients. The expression of 12 m7G regulators increased in the LUAD samples, including DCPS, EIF4E, EIF4EIB, EIF4E2, GEMIN5, LARP1, LSM1, METTL1, NCBP2, NSUN2, NUDT4B, and WDR4. CYFIP1, DCPS, EIF4E3, METTL1, and WDR4, which were all related to a poor LUAD prognosis. In this study, we found for the first time that a ginseng fermentation solution (GFS) suppressed LUAD by regulating the DCPS gene. The GFS is a promising target in LUAD and an indicator for cancer immunotherapy through modulation of the m7G regulator.

Seaweeds are classified as Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta, and Phaeophyta. They constitute a number of the most significant repositories of new therapeutic compounds for human use. Seaweed has been proven to possess diverse bioactive properties, which include anticancer properties. The present review focuses on colorectal cancer, which is a primary cause of cancer-related mortality in humans. In addition, it discusses various compounds derived from a series of seaweeds that have been shown to eradicate or slow the progression of cancer. Therapeutic compounds extracted from seaweed have shown activity against colorectal cancer. Furthermore, the mechanisms through which these compounds can induce apoptosis in vitro and in vivo were reviewed. This review emphasizes the potential utility of seaweeds as anticancer agents through the consideration of the capability of compounds present in seaweeds to fight against colorectal cancer.

This study investigated the mechanism of characteristic non-volatile organic compounds (NVOCs) from ginseng Huang jiu (GH) in the treatment of alcoholic liver disease through UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-HRMS and network pharmacological analyses. Changes in NVOC contents in ginseng Huang jiu and ginseng-soaked wine fermented by different processing technologies were analyzed through liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS). A total of 96 ginsenosides were identified in ginseng Huang jiu throughout the fermentation process, which included 37 protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides, 47 protopanaxatriol-type ginsenosides, and 4 oleanolic acid-type ginsenosides. Orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) revealed that 20(R)-Rg2, Gypenoside XVII, 20(S)-Rf3, CK, Rg5, Rh2, and other rare ginsenosides in ginseng Huang jiu could be the potential index for determining ginseng Huang jiu. In addition, ginseng Huang jiu could improve alcoholic liver disease by regulating the GSTP1, HRAS, AKR1B1, GSTA1, Androgen receptor (AR), GSR, and LDHB genes through bioinformatics analysis. This study provides new insights into improving the industrial production of ginseng Huang jiu and treating alcoholic liver disease with medicinal and food products.

AbstractTo study the response characteristics of coal samples to impact load under different surrounding pressures, the self-developed magnetic drop hammer impact device was used to measure the change of ultrasonic wave velocity before and after drop hammer impact, the internal damage of coal samples was quantitatively characterized, and then, the damage factor, damage difference, and crack development direction of briquette samples were analyzed. Based on the Griffith strength theory, the relationship between stress intensity factor, crack development angle, and surrounding pressure ratio of coal samples with composite cracks was deduced. It was found that a certain surrounding pressure would slow crack expansion and reduce the amount of damage increase. The damage degree of briquette samples caused by impact load under no surrounding pressure is the largest, followed by that at the surrounding pressure ratio of 0 and 2 and that at the surrounding pressure ratio of 1 is the smallest. When the amount of damage difference of the sample is positively correlated with the number of impacts, the crack development is directional; when the amount of damage difference of the sample is nonpositively correlated with the number of impacts, the direction of crack development is random. It is therefore reasonable to predict the direction of crack expansion by the trend in the amount of damage difference. Besides, the difference in impact load between briquette and raw coal samples under different surrounding pressure ratios was discussed, and the fractal dimension of the sample surface under different surrounding pressure ratios was compared and analyzed. It is found that the fractal dimension of raw coal is larger than that of briquette, indicating that the crack development of raw coal is higher after impact; the damage amount of raw coal is larger than that of briquette, indicating that raw coal is easier to be damaged after impact.

ObjectiveTo investigate the preventive effects of plant oils with different linoleic acid/alpha-linolenic acid (LA/ALA) ratios against colitis symptoms, and dysbiosis of gut microbiota in acute colitis mouse model.MethodsSixty male C57BL/6 mice were assigned into six groups (n = 10): three groups were fed low-fat diets with low, medium, and high LA/ALA ratios; and three groups were fed with high-fat diets with low, medium, and high LA/ALA ratios. After 3 months of diet, the mice were exposed to dextran sodium sulfate solution to induce acute colitis. The severity of colitis was estimated by disease activity index (DAI) and histopathological examination. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used for the analysis of gut microbiota.ResultsPlant oils with a lower LA/ALA ratio showed higher alleviating effects on the symptoms of colitis, which were accompanied by the better prebiotic characteristics manifested as effectively inhibiting the abnormal expansion of phylum Proteobacteria and genus Escherichia-Shigella in the gut microbiota of colitis mouse models.ConclusionA potential IBD prevention strategy of reducing the LA/ALA ratio in the daily consumed plant oils was proposed in this study. Furthermore, based on the optimized LA/ALA ratio, this preventive effect might not be weakened by the high intake of plant oils.

With the increasing depth and intensity of coal mining, there is an increasing risk to the working face due to high static load and periodic breakage of the roof. The relation between the support and the surrounding rock under static–dynamic coupling loading disturbance is an important factor affecting the stability of the working face. In this study, a 3D physical modeling platform is developed to study the interaction between the shield and strata under dynamic and static disturbance. In the experiment, the static load is set to 0, 0.5, 1, and 2 MPa, respectively. The different dynamic load is realized by changing the fall height of the iron plate. The change in hydraulic support resistance is recorded by the pressure monitoring system. The displacement of the coal wall is monitored by using an infrared rangefinder. The results show that the change in static load and dynamic load will affect the support resistance and coal wall displacement. With the increase in dynamic load, coal wall displacement, and bracket resistance increase, the increase is not linear. The larger the dynamic load, the greater the increase. Static load change has little effect on bracket resistance, and the impact on coal wall displacement is large. With the increase in static load, coal wall displacement is reduced and then increased. In static load, for the stability of coal wall, there is a threshold; below the threshold, the static load can improve the stability of coal wall, exceed the threshold, but accelerate the destruction of coal wall. At the same time, the stability coefficient of the quarry bracket and surrounding rock is defined. The sensitivity analysis of the main parameters is carried out. The method of controlling the stability of the quarry bracket and surrounding rock is proposed.

This paper focuses on the safety issue for cyclists and pedestrians at unsignalized intersections. The cycling speed needs to be calmed when approaching the intersection. This study proposes and deploys an integrated portable ultra-wideband/inertial navigation system (UWB/INS) to extract cycling trajectories for a cycling safety study. The system is based on open-source hardware and delivers an open-source code for an adaptive Kalman filter to enhance positioning precision for data quality assurance at an outdoor experimental site. The results demonstrate that the system can deliver reliable trajectories for low-mobility objects. To mitigate accident risk and severity, varied cycling speed calming measures are tested at an experimental site. Based on the trajectory data, the statistical features of cycling velocities are evaluated and compared. A new proposed geometric design is found to be most effective when compared with conventional traffic signs.

Organic peroxy radicals (RO2) as key intermediates in tropospheric chemistry exert a controlling influence on the cycling of atmospheric reactive radicals and the production of secondary pollutants, such as ozone and secondary organic aerosols (SOA). Herein, we present a comprehensive study of the self-reaction of ethyl peroxy radicals (C2H5O2) by using advanced vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photoionization mass spectrometry in combination with theoretical calculations. A VUV discharge lamp in Hefei and synchrotron radiation at the Swiss Light Source (SLS) are employed as the photoionization light sources, combined with a microwave discharge fast flow reactor in Hefei and a laser photolysis reactor at the SLS. The dimeric product, C2H5OOC2H5, as well as other products, CH3CHO, C2H5OH and C2H5O, formed from the self-reaction of C2H5O2 are clearly observed in the photoionization mass spectra. Two kinds of kinetic experiments have been performed in Hefei by either changing the reaction time or the initial concentration of C2H5O2 radicals to confirm the origins of the products and to validate the reaction mechanisms. Based on the fitting of the kinetic data with the theoretically calculated results and the peak area ratios in the photoionization mass spectra, a branching ratio of 10 ± 5% for the pathway leading to the dimeric product C2H5OOC2H5 is measured. In addition, the adiabatic ionization energy (AIE) of C2H5OOC2H5 is determined at 8.75 ± 0.05 eV in the photoionization spectrum with the aid of Franck-Condon calculations and its structure is revealed here for the first time. The potential energy surface of the C2H5O2 self-reaction has also been theoretically calculated with a high-level of theory to understand the reaction processes in detail. This study provides a new insight into the direct measurement of the elusive dimeric product ROOR and demonstrates its non-negligible branching ratio in the self-reaction of small RO2 radicals.

Abstract This study aimed to optimize the microencapsulation method for a functional oil using high amylose corn starch (HACS) and assessed its structure and antioxidant capacity. The results showed that the optimal microencapsulation condition is achieved by using 28.5% of functional oil, 15.75% of HACS, and 57.86% of proportion of monoglyceride in emulsifier with 94.86% microencapsulation efficiency. Scanning electron microscopy and particle size measurement showed that the functional oil microcapsules were uniform size, smooth surface, spherical shape, and without cracks in the wall of the capsules. In vitro oil release of microencapsulates results showed that microencapsulated functional oil containing HACS has a better sustained release effect. The microcapsules containing HACS exhibited a lower lipid oxidation rate during storage. In conclusion, microencapsulation of HACS as wall material improved the stability of functional oil and this formulation of microcapsules was satisfactorily applied in powdered food for diabetic patients.

Background: This article aims to compare and analyze the contents of ginsenosides in ginseng of different plant ages from different localities in China. Methods: In this study, 77 fresh ginseng samples aged 2–4 years were collected from 13 different cultivation regions in China. The content of eight ginsenosides (Rg3, Rc, Rg1, Rf, Rb2, Rb1, Re, and Rd) was determined using rapid resolution liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole–time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (RRLC-Q-TOF MS/MS) to comparatively evaluate the influences of cultivation region and age. Results: Ginsenoside contents differed significantly depending on age and cultivation region. The contents of ginsenosides Re, Rc, Rg1, Rg3, and Rf increased with cultivation age, whereas that of ginsenoside Rb1 peaked in the third year of cultivation. Moreover, the highest ginsenoside content was obtained from Changbai (19.36 mg/g) whereas the lowest content was obtained from Jidong (12.05 mg/g). Ginseng from Jilin Province contained greater total ginsenosides and was richer in ginsenoside Re than ginseng of the same age group in Heilongjiang and Liaoning provinces, where Rb1 and Rg1 contents were relatively high. Conclusion: In this study, RRLC-Q-TOF MS/MS was used to analyze ginsenoside contents in 77 ginseng samples aged 2–4 years from different cultivation regions. These patterns of variation in ginsenoside content, which depend on harvesting location and age, could be useful for interested parties to choose ginseng products according to their needs. keywords: Cultivation, Ginsenosides, Harvest age, Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, Regions

This work comprehensively investigated the constituents, sources, and associated health risks of ambient volatile organic compounds (VOCs) sampled during the autumn of 2020 in urban Nanjing, a megacity in the densely populated Yangtze River Delta region in China. The total VOC (TVOC, sum of 108 species) concentration was determined to be 29.04 ± 14.89 ppb, and it was consisted of alkanes (36.9%), oxygenated VOCs (19.9%), halogens (19.1%), aromatics (9.9%), alkenes (8.9%), alkynes (4.9%), and others (0.4%). The mean TVOC/NOx (ppbC/ppbv) ratio was only 3.32, indicating the ozone control is overall VOC-limited. In terms of the ozone formation potential (OFP), however, the largest contributor became aromatics (41.9%), followed by alkenes (27.6%), and alkanes (16.9%); aromatics were also the dominant species in secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation, indicative of the critical importance of aromatics reduction to the coordinated control of ozone and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Mass ratios of ethylbenzene/xylene (E/X), isopentane/n-−pentane (I/N), and toluene/benzene (T/B) ratios all pointed to the significant influence of traffic on VOCs. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) revealed five sources showing that traffic was the largest contributor (29.2%), particularly in the morning. A biogenic source, however, became the most important source in the afternoon (31.3%). The calculated noncarcinogenic risk (NCR) and lifetime carcinogenic risk (LCR) of the VOCs were low, but four species, acrolein, benzene, 1,2-dichloroethane, and 1,2-dibromoethane, were found to possess risks exceeding the thresholds. Furthermore, we conducted a multilinear regression to apportion the health risks to the PMF-resolved sources. Results show that the biogenic source instead of traffic became the most prominent contributor to the TVOC NCR and its contribution in the afternoon even outpaced the sum of all other sources. In summary, our analysis reveals the priority of controls of aromatics and traffic/industrial emissions to the efficient coreduction of O3 and PM2.5; our analysis also underscores that biogenic emissions should be paid special attention if considering the direct health risks of VOCs.

The antineoplastic effects of docosahexaenoic acid-containing phosphatidylcholine (DHA-PC) and eicosapentaenoic acid-containing phosphatidylcholine (EPA-PC) were explored, and their underlying mechanisms in the human lung carcinoma 95D cells (95D cells) were investigated. After treatment of 95D cells with DHA-PC or EPA-PC, cell biological behaviors such as growth, adhesion, migration, and invasion were studied. Immunofluorescence and western blotting were carried out to assess underlying molecular mechanisms. Results showed that 95D cells proliferation and adherence in the DHA-PC or EPA-PC group were drastically inhibited than the control group. DHA-PC and EPA-PC suppressed the migration and invasion of 95D cells by disrupting intracellular F-actin, which drives cell movement. The protein expression of PPARγ was induced versus the control group. Furthermore, critical factors related to invasion, including matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9), heparanase (Hpa), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), were drastically downregulated through the PPARγ/NF-κB signaling pathway. C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) and cofilin were significantly suppressed via DHA-PC and EPA-PC through the PPARγ/phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)/serine-threonine protein kinase (AKT) signaling pathway. DHA-PC and EPA-PC reversed the PPARγ antagonist GW9662-induced reduction of 95D cells in migration and invasion capacity, suggesting that PPARγ was directly involved in the anti-metastasis efficacy of DHA-PC and EPA-PC. In conclusion, DHA-PC and EPA-PC have great potential for cancer therapy, and the antineoplastic effects involve the activation of PPARγ. EPA-PC showed more pronounced antineoplastic effects than DHA-PC, possibly due to the more robust activation of PPARγ by EPA-PC.

Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) is an RNA virus and a member of the Closteroviridae, Crinivirus, that is primarily vectored by Bemisia tabaci MED (B. tabaci MED). An outbreak of ToCV causes destructive damage to tomato plants and other solanaceous vegetables. Currently, ToCV has not been effectively controlled. Rhodopseudomonas palustris PSB-06 is a novel biological agent that is effective at controlling the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). In this study, we investigated the role of PSB-06 in ToCV-infected tomato plants, and we studied the effects of PSB-06 on plant defense and plant photosynthetic pathways. Furthermore, the effect of PSB-06 on the acquisition and transmission of B. tabaci MED was determined. The results showed that compared with water-treated tomato plants, the contents of jasmonic acid increased, and the activities of catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase increased significantly in tomato plants treated with PSB-06. The relative expression of genes involved in chlorophyll development, chlorophyll metabolism and photosynthesis also increased significantly. Simultaneously, treatment with PSB-06 reduced the acquisition and transmission of B. tabaci MED. We verified the hypothesis that PSB-06 is effective at controlling ToCV by promoting plant defense responses and reducing the amount of ToCV in tomato plants. We also confirmed the ability of B. tabaci MED to transmit ToCV. This study should help to control B. tabaci MED and reduce the spread of ToCV.

Cancer is a leading cause of death in worldwide. Growing evidence has shown that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has ameliorative effects on cancer. However, the effects of DHA-enriched phosphatidylcholine (DHA-PC) and efficacy differences between DHA-PC, DHA-triglyceride (DHA-TG), and DHA- ethyl esters (DHA-EE) on cancer cells had not been studied. In this study, 95D lung cancer cells in vitro were used to determine the effects and underlying mechanisms of DHA with different molecular forms. The results showed that DHA-PC and DHA-TG treatment significantly inhibited the growth of 95D cells by 53.7% and 33.8%, whereas DHA-EE had no significantly effect. Morphological analysis showed that DHA-PC and DHA-TG prompted promoted cell contraction, increased concentration of cell heterochromatin, vacuolization of cytoplasm, and edema of endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. TUNEL and AO/EB staining indicated that both DHA-PC and DHA-TG promoted cell apoptosis, in which DHA-PC performed better than DHA-TG. Mechanistically, DHA-PC and DHA-TG treatment up-regulated the PPARγ and RXRα signal, inhibited the expression of NF-κB and Bcl-2, and enhanced the expression of Bax and caspase-3, thereby promoting cell apoptosis. In conclusion, DHA-PC exerted superior effects to DHA-TG and DHA-EE in promoting apoptosis in 95D non-small-cell lung cancer cells. These data provide new evidence for the application of DHA in treatment of cancer.

Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV), is one of the most devastating cultivated tomato viruses, seriously threatened the growth of crops worldwide. As the vector of ToCV, the whitefly Bemisia tabaci Mediterranean (MED) is mainly responsible for the rapid spread of ToCV. The current understanding of tomato plant responses to this virus and B. tabaci is very limited. To understand the molecular mechanism of the interaction between tomato, ToCV and B. tabaci, we adopted a next-generation sequencing approach to decipher miRNAs and mRNAs that are differentially expressed under the infection of B. tabaci and ToCV in tomato plants. Our data revealed that 6199 mRNAs were significantly regulated, and the differentially expressed genes were most significantly associated with the plant-pathogen interaction, the MAPK signaling pathway, the glyoxylate, and the carbon fixation in photosynthetic organisms and photosynthesis related proteins. Concomitantly, 242 differentially expressed miRNAs were detected, including novel putative miRNAs. Sly-miR159, sly-miR9471b-3p, and sly-miR162 were the most expressed miRNAs in each sample compare to control group. Moreover, we compared the similarities and differences of gene expression in tomato plant caused by infection or co-infection of B. tabaci and ToCV. Taken together, the analysis reported in this article lays a solid foundation for further research on the interaction between tomato, ToCV and B. tabaci, and provide evidence for the identification of potential key genes that influences virus transmission in tomato plants.

This paper develops an approach for solving the problem of least-cost transition firing sequences estimation in labeled Petri nets with unobservable transitions. Each transition in the net is labeled as either observable or unobservable, and has a nonnegative cost. Additionally, we assume that the net system is bounded, the unobservable subnet is acyclic, and the cost of each unobservable transition is strictly positive. We propose the method mainly on the basis of the notions of basis marking and basis reachability graph (BRG), which is a compact representation of the reachability graph of the net system. By sacrificing extra storage space to keep the BRG and other necessary information in memory, some time-consuming computations are moved off-line. This makes our proposed approach more feasible for on-line applications. Finally, we present a brief survey and comparison of some representative methods that use labeled Petri nets as a formalism in the literature.

This paper aims to propose a new analytical method of deriving the enveloping macroscopic fundamental diagram (MFD) in the light of the well-defined sufficient condition and the route choice criterion in a general network. The enveloping MFD is defined to describe the boundary of all scatter points relating the flow rate (vehicles per unit time) to the vehicle accumulation (vehicles) in a road network. The theoretical framework consists of two parts. The first part is a static congested traffic assignment model which is based on the congested link performance function and the deterministic user equilibrium principle under the entirely congested condition. The second part is the new analytical method which is proposed based on the static uncongested and congested traffic assignments with the deterministic user equilibrium, in which the well-defined sufficient condition is satisfied by employing the static traffic assignment models, and the route choice criterion is fulfilled by the deterministic user equilibrium condition (Wardrop's principle). The main findings of this paper are summarized as follows: 1) the enveloping MFD delimits a region where all scatter points are located; 2) the existence and reproducibility of the enveloping MFD in a general network are verified through numerical examples; 3) the proposed method is suggested to be applied to transportation planning for describing and evaluating the macro-characteristics and the performance of road networks and evaluating whether the OD pattern is congruous with the network topology.

Background: The structural conversions in ginsenosides induced by steaming or heating or acidic condition could improve red ginseng bioactivities significantly. In this paper, the chemical transformations of red American ginseng from fresh Panax quinquefolium L. under steaming were investigated, and the possible mechanisms were discussed. Methods: A method with reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with linear ion trap mass spectrometry (HPLC-MSn)-equipped electrospray ionization ion source was developed for structural analysis and quantitation of ginsenosides in dried and red American ginseng. Results: In total, 59 ginsenosides of protopanaxadiol, protopanaxatriol, oleanane, and ocotillol types were identified in American ginseng before and after steaming process by matching the molecular weight and/or comparing MSn fragmentation with that of standards and/or known published compounds, and some of them were determined to be disappeared or newly generated under different steaming time and temperature. The specific fragments of each aglycone-type ginsenosides were determined as well as aglycone hydrated and dehydrated ones. The mechanisms were deduced as hydrolysis, hydration, dehydration, and isomerization of neutral and acidic ginsenosides. Furthermore, the relative peak areas of detected compounds were calculated based on peak areas ratio. Conclusion: The multicomponent assessment of American ginseng was conducted by HPLC-MSn. The result is expected to provide possibility for holistic evaluation of the processing procedures of red American ginseng and a scientific basis for the usage of American ginseng in prescription. Keywords: ginsenoside conversions, HPLC-MSn, multicomponent assessment, Panax quinquefolium L

The aims of this paper are to present a new model to calculate the maximum equilibrium road network capacity and obtain the associated optimal origin-destination (i.e. OD) flow pattern for a general road network with given network topology and link attributes. First, the Static Congested Traffic Assignment (SCTA) is introduced to describe the network where all used routes are in a congested state. Congested Equilibrium Travel Times (CETTs) between OD pairs obtained by the SCTA model are regarded as the corresponding upper limits of actual equilibrium travel times which are called Uncongested Equilibrium Travel Times (UETTs) and derived from the traditional Static Uncongested Traffic Assignment (SUTA) model. The main idea of modeling is that the total OD flows can be maximized by flexibly scaling and adjusting OD flows of each individual OD pairs to make the UETTs of all OD pairs reach their upper limits (i.e. CETTs). Next, a novel equilibrium road network capacity model is built by combining the SUTA and the SCTA models. Then, the equivalency condition and the solution uniqueness of the proposed model are proved. The paper moves on to provide two solution algorithms together with an analysis of the model characteristics. Finally, through three numerical examples, it is demonstrated that the proposed model can obtain the unique equilibrium network capacity with the given network topology and associated link attributes. The optimal OD flow pattern, which leads to the maximum total OD flows, is thus obtained. The findings in the paper can help to improve the utilization of road networks and contribute to land development planning and control.

Isoquercitrin (IQ) widely exists in natural products, with a variety of pharmacological activities. In this study, the anti-apoptotic and antioxidative activities of IQ were evaluated. IQ showed protective activity against 2, 2′-azobis [2-methylpropionamidine] dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced cell damage, as well as a marked reduction in reactive oxygen species (ROS). The evidence of IQ regulating Keap1-Nrf2-ARE and the mitochondrial-mediated Caspase 3 pathway were found in the MC3T3 osteoblastic cell line. Furthermore, IQ significantly decreased ROS production, apoptosis, and lipid peroxidation in AAPH-treated 72 h post-fertilization (hpf) zebrafish, as observed via DCFH-DA, acridine orange (AO), and a 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino) propane (DPPP) probe, respectively. In AAPH-treated 9 day post-fertilization (dpf) zebrafish, IQ strongly promoted osteogenic development, with increased concentrations by calcein staining, compared with the untreated group. In a molecular docking assay, among all signal proteins, Keap1 showed the strongest affinity with IQ at −8.6 kcal/mol, which might be the reason why IQ regulated the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway in vitro and in vivo. These results indicated that IQ promotes bone development and repairs bone injury, which is valuable for the prevention and treatment of bone diseases.

This study aims to screen and characterize the protective effect of polysaccharides from Portulaca oleracea L. (POP) against H2O2-stimulated osteoblast apoptosis in vivo and in vitro. The enzymes viscozyme, celluclast, α-amylase, and β-glucanase were used to extract POPs. Among all enzyme-assisted POPs, the first participating fraction of viscozyme extract POP (VPOP1) exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. Hoechst 33342 and acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining and flow cytometry of MC3T3 cells revealed that VPOP1 inhibited apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, VPOP1 increased the expression levels of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NADPH quinine oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and decreased the expression levels of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) and Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) in H2O2-induced cells compared with their controls. The results of an in vivo experiment show that VPOP1 significantly reduced reactive oxygen species generation and lipid peroxidation in zebrafish at 72 h post-fertilization and promoted bone growth at 9 days post-fertilization. Furthermore, VPOP1 was identified via 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone derivatization as an acidic heteropolysaccharide comprising mannose and possessing a molecular weight of approximately 7.6 kDa. Collectively, VPOP1 was selected as a potential anti-osteoporotic functional food because of its protective activity against H2O2-induced damage in vitro and in vivo.

The dynamic hazards in the open face area caused by the impact load of the massive strong roof become increasingly severe with the increase in the cutting height of the longwall face and its depth of cover. Understanding the strata-shield interaction under the dynamic impact loading condition may relieve the dynamic hazards. In this paper, a 3D physical modelling platform is developed to study the interaction between the roof strata and the longwall shield under the dynamic impact load conditions. A steel plate is dropped to the coal face wall at a certain height above the immediate roof to simulate the free fall of the main roof and the dynamic impact loading environment. The occurrence of major roof falls is modelled at different height above the model and at different positions relative to the longwall faceline. The large-cutting-height and top-coal-caving mining methods are modelled in the study to include the nature of the immediate roof. The results show that the level of face and roof failures depends on the magnitude of the dynamic impact load. The position and height of the roof fall have an important influence to the stability of the roof and face. The pressures on the shield and the solid coal face are relieved for the top-coal-caving face as compared to the large-cutting-height face.