Optimization of Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction of Active Components and Antioxidant Activity from Polygala tenuifolia: A Comparative Study of the Response Surface Methodology and Least Squares Support Vector Machine

Dried roots of Polygala tenuifolia (YuanZhi in Chinese) are widely used in Chinese herbal medicine. These components in YuanZhi have significant anti-oxidation properties owing to high levels of 3,6’-disinapoylsucrose (DISS) and Polygalaxanthone III (PolyIII). In order to efficiently extract natural medicines, response surface methodology (RSM) and least squares support vector machine (LSSVM) were used for the modeling and optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of DISS and PolyIII together to determine the antioxidant activity of the extracts obtained from YuanZhi. For the optimal combination of the comprehensive yield of DISS and PolyIII (Y), the Box-Behnken design (BBD) was used to improve extraction time (X₁), extraction temperature (X₂), liquid–solid ratio (X₃), and ethanol concentration (X₄). The optimal process parameters were determined to be as follows: extraction time, 93 min; liquid–solid ratio, 40 mL/g; extraction temperature, 48 °C; and ethanol concentration, 67%. With these conditions, the predictive optimal combination comprehensive evaluation value is 13.0217. It was clear that the LS-SVM model had higher accuracy in predictive and optimization capabilities, with higher antioxidant activity and lower relative deviations values, than did RSM. Hence, the LS-SVM model proved to be more effective for the analysis and improvement of the extraction process.     

交叉分段差分进化支持向量回归的气体超声 流量计测量方法

为了进一步提高全量程气体超声流量计的测量精度,基于多通道声波到时和实时温度,提出了一种交叉分段差分进化(Differential Evolution)支持向量回归(Support Vector Regression)DE-SVR模型。考虑到气体在不同流量条件下的流体状态不同,提出了交叉分段处理的方法,采用DE算法优化选取SVR参数。实验结果表明,对于16~1600m3/h全量程,交叉分段DE-SVR和传统积分方法计算气体流量的平均相对误差分别为0.00447和0.02781,前者较后者降低了83.93%;对于16~160m3/h小流量,交叉分段DE-SVR和无分段DE-SVR算法计算结果平均相对误差分别为0.00436和0.03214,前者较后者降低了86.43%。该方法有效避免了声道长度、探头角度以及管道直径等参数不确定性对流量计算的影响,为全量程气体流量的高精度测量提供了保障。     

基于有限元模拟的超声应力系数标定及分析*

应力系数的标定作为超声应力检测最为关键的环节,直接决定应力检测结果的准确性。传统的应力系数试验标定对于被测物的表面粗糙度、耦合剂厚度、声匹配块与被测物接触力等因素十分敏感,但缺少基本参照值。基于COMSOL建立多物理场耦合的超声应力检测模型,施加不同的拉伸载荷,计算临界折射纵波到达时间与不同应力值之间的关系,模拟标定45#钢的超声应力系数为13.7MPa/ns。单轴水平拉伸试验标定的45#钢应力系数为16.5MPa/ns。结果表明,通过两种方法标定的应力系数较为接近,试验标定的应力系数偏大,这是由于有限元方法能够消除试验过程中各种不确定因素对声时精确测量所造成的影响,能够更加纯粹的反映材料的声弹性效应,因此具有作为基础数据的参考价值。有限元方法作为传统试验方法的补充,可以减小试验标定数据的离散性,提高超声应力检测结果的可信度。     

Umbelliferose Isolated from Cuminum cyminum L. Seeds Inhibits Antigen-Induced Degranulation in Rat Basophilic Leukemia RBL-2H3 Cells

Cuminum cyminum L. (cumin) is an annual plant of the Umbelliferae family native to Egypt. We previously showed that the aqueous extract of cumin seeds suppresses degranulation by downregulating the activation of antigen-induced intracellular signaling molecules in rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells. However, the active substances in the extract have not yet been identified. Accordingly, herein, we aimed to ascertain the water-soluble substances present in cumin seeds that inhibit degranulation, which led to the identification of umbelliferose, a characteristic trisaccharide present in plants of the Umbelliferae family. Our study is the first to reveal the degranulation-suppressing activity of umbelliferose, and quantification studies suggest that cumin seed powder contains 1.6% umbelliferose. Raffinose, an isomer of umbelliferose, was also found to significantly suppress antigen-induced degranulation, but less so than umbelliferose. Both umbelliferose and raffinose contain sucrose subunits in their structures, with galactose moieties bound at different sites. These differences in structure suggest that the binding of galactose to the sucrose subunit at the α1-2 bond contributes to its strong degranulation-inhibiting properties.     

The Classification of Rice Blast Resistant Seed Based on Ranman Spectroscopy and SVM

Rice blast is a serious threat to rice yield. Breeding disease-resistant varieties is one of the most economical and effective ways to prevent damage from rice blast. The traditional identification of resistant rice seeds has some shortcoming, such as long possession time, high cost and complex operation. The purpose of this study was to develop an optimal prediction model for determining resistant rice seeds using Ranman spectroscopy. First, the support vector machine (SVM), BP neural network (BP) and probabilistic neural network (PNN) models were initially established on the original spectral data. Second, due to the recognition accuracy of the Raw-SVM model, the running time was fast. The support vector machine model was selected for optimization, and four improved support vector machine models (ABC-SVM (artificial bee colony algorithm, ABC), IABC-SVM (improving the artificial bee colony algorithm, IABC), GSA-SVM (gravity search algorithm, GSA) and GWO-SVM (gray wolf algorithm, GWO)) were used to identify resistant rice seeds. The difference in modeling accuracy and running time between the improved support vector machine model established in feature wavelengths and full wavelengths (200–3202 cm⁻¹) was compared. Finally, five spectral preproccessing algorithms, Savitzky–Golay 1-Der (SGD), Savitzky–Golay Smoothing (SGS), baseline (Base), multivariate scatter correction (MSC) and standard normal variable (SNV), were used to preprocess the original spectra. The random forest algorithm (RF) was used to extract the characteristic wavelengths. After different spectral preproccessing algorithms and the RF feature extraction, the improved support vector machine models were established. The results show that the recognition accuracy of the optimal IABC-SVM model based on the original data was 71%. Among the five spectral preproccessing algorithms, the SNV algorithm’s accuracy was the best. The accuracy of the test set in the IABC-SVM model was 100%, and the running time was 13 s. After SNV algorithms and the RF feature extraction, the classification accuracy of the IABC-SVM model did not decrease, and the running time was shortened to 9 s. This demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of IABC in SVM parameter optimization, with higher prediction accuracy and better stability. Therefore, the improved support vector machine model based on Ranman spectroscopy can be applied to the fast and non-destructive identification of resistant rice seeds.     

The Antibacterial Activity Mode of Action of Plantaricin YKX against Staphylococcus aureus

We aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effect and mechanism of plantaricin YKX on S. aureus. The mode of action of plantaricin YKX against the cells of S. aureus indicated that plantaricin YKX was able to cause the leakage of cellular content and damage the structure of the cell membranes. Additionally, plantaricin YKX was also able to inhibit the formation of S. aureus biofilms. As the concentration of plantaricin YKX reached 3/4 MIC, the percentage of biofilm formation inhibition was over 50%. Fluorescent dye labeling combined with fluorescence microscopy confirmed the results. Finally, the effect of plantaricin YKX on the AI-2/LuxS QS system was investigated. Molecular docking predicted that the binding energy of AI-2 and plantaricin YKX was −4.7 kcal/mol and the binding energy of bacteriocin and luxS protein was −183.701 kcal/mol. The expression of the luxS gene increased significantly after being cocultured with plantaricin YKX, suggesting that plantaricin YKX can affect the QS system of S. aureus.     

Sensing the ortho Positions in C6Cl6 and C6H4Cl2 from Cl2− Formation upon Molecular Reduction

The geometrical effect of chlorine atom positions in polyatomic molecules after capturing a low-energy electron is shown to be a prevalent mechanism yielding Cl₂⁻. In this work, we investigated hexachlorobenzene reduction in electron transfer experiments to determine the role of chlorine atom positions around the aromatic ring, and compared our results with those using ortho-, meta- and para-dichlorobenzene molecules. This was achieved by combining gas-phase experiments to determine the reaction threshold by means of mass spectrometry together with quantum chemical calculations. We also observed that Cl₂⁻ formation can only occur in 1,2-C₆H₄Cl₂, where the two closest C–Cl bonds are cleaved while the chlorine atoms are brought together within the ring framework due to excess energy dissipation. These results show that a strong coupling between electronic and C–Cl bending motion is responsible for a positional isomeric effect, where molecular recognition is a determining factor in chlorine anion formation.     

Effect of Bauhinia monandra Kurz Leaf Preparations on Embryonic Stages and Adult Snails of Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1818), Schistosoma mansoni Cercariae and Toxicity in Artemia salina

Biomphalaria glabrata snails constitute the main vector of schistosomiasis in Brazil, and Bauhinia monandra Kurz, the leaves of which contain BmoLL lectin with biocidal action, is a plant widely found on continents in which the disease is endemic. This work describes the composition of B. monandra preparations and the effect on embryos and adult snails, their reproduction parameters and hemocytes. We also describe the results of a comet assay after B. glabrata exposure to sublethal concentrations of the preparations. Additionally, the effects of the preparations on S. mansoni cercariae and environmental monitoring with Artemia salina are described. In the chemical evaluation, cinnamic, flavonoid and saponin derivatives were detected in the two preparations assessed, namely the saline extract and the fraction. Both preparations were toxic to embryos in the blastula, gastrula, trochophore, veliger and hippo stages (LC₅₀ of 0.042 and 0.0478; 0.0417 and 0.0419; 0.0897 and 0.1582; 0.3734 and 0.0974; 0.397 and 0.0970 mg/mL, respectively) and to adult snails (LC₅₀ of 6.6 and 0.87 mg/mL, respectively), which were reproductively affected with decreased egg deposition. In blood cell analysis, characteristic cells for apoptosis, micronucleus and binucleation were detected, while for comet analysis, different degrees of nuclear damage were detected. The fraction was able to cause total mortality of the cercariae and did not present environmental toxicity. Therefore, B. monandra preparations are promising in combating schistosomiasis since they can control both the intermediate host and eliminate the infectious agent, besides being safe to the environment.     

Pressure-Dependent Base-Wavefunction Admixture and Lifetime of R1 State of La3Lu2Ga3O12:Cr3+

As a key factor leading to the pressure-dependent R₁-line-shift reversal and R₁-state lifetime, at 10 K, the pressure-dependent variation of mixing-degree of |t₂²(³T₁)e⁴T₂〉 and |t₂³² E〉base-wavefunctions in the wavefunction of R₁ state of LLGG:Cr³⁺ has been calculated and analyzed. From this, the physical origin of the pressure-dependent R₁-line-shift reversal has been revealed. Furthermore, by using the pressure-dependent values of the sum of all square mixing-coefficients of |t₂²(³T₁)e⁴T₂〉in the wavefunction of R₁ state, the lifetimes of R₁ state of LLGG:Cr³⁺ at various pressures have been calculated, which are in good agreement with observed results. The quantum anticrossing effect between t₂³²E and t₂²(³T₁)e⁴T₂ levels due to both spin-orbital interaction and electron-phonon interaction is remarkable, which is related to the admixture of |t₂²(³T₁)e⁴T₂〉and |t₂³² E〉as well as the low-high crystal-field transition.     

导电聚苯胺线膜修饰ZnO纳米棒阵列的可控制备及其紫外探测性能

基于p-n结的光生伏特效应可构筑性能优异的UV探测器,本文采用水热法可控制备竖直排列的氧化锌纳米棒阵列(n型ZnO-NRs),利用原位聚合法在ZnO-NRs表面上修饰p型聚苯胺线膜(PANI-NWs),再组装成ZnO-NRs与ZnO-NRs/PANI-NWs紫外探测器.通过扫描电镜(SEM)、X射线衍射仪(XRD)、紫...