The Importance of Mathematical Models to Explore the Effects of Marijuana and Other Plant Based Products on Learning and Memory

This article describes the use of the first order system transfer function for learning and memory studies involving consumption of marijuana and other plant based products. We provide detailed instructions on how the model can be used to analyze the performance of individual participants using a memory test developed by the senior authors. The importance of identifying possible learning and memory deficits of marijuana is paramount due to the growing number of states in the U.S. legalizing marijuana use for medicinal and recreational purposes. The model can also be extended to other plant based products purported to improve memory. While this article does not study the effect of marijuana, we provide details on how it can be used by illustrating its application on individuals consuming an amphetamine-like psychostimulant drug using our own memory test.

Comparison of a plant based natural surfactant with SDS for washing of As(V) from Fe rich soil

This study explores the possible application of a biodegradable plant based surfactant, obtained from Sapindus mukorossi, for washing low levels of arsenic （As） from an iron （Fe） rich soil. Natural association of As（Ⅴ） with Fe（Ⅲ） makes the process difficult. Soapnut solution was compared to anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate （SDS） in down-flow and a newly introduced suction mode for soil column washing. It was observed that soapnut attained up to 86% efficiency with respect to SDS in removing As. Full factorial design of experiment revealed a very good fit of data. The suction mode generated up to 83 kPa pressure inside column whilst down-flow mode generated a much higher pressure of 214 kPa, thus making the suction mode more efficient. Micellar solubilisation was found to be responsible for As desorption from the soil and it followed 1st order kinetics. Desorption rate coefficient of suction mode was found to be in the range of 0.005 to 0.01, much higher than down-flow mode values. Analysis of the PT-IR data suggested that the soapnut solution did not interact chemically with As, offering an option for reusing the surfactant. Soapnut can be considered as a soil washing agent for removing As even from soil with high Fe content.

Definition of a plant-based diet and overview of this special issue

A plant-based diet consists of all minimally processedfruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds,herbs, and spices and excludes all animal products, includ-ing red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products.

Base editing in plants: Current status and challenges

Genome editing technologies have revolutionized the field of plant science by enabling targeted modification of plant genomes and are emerging as powerful tools for both plant gene functional analyses and crop improvement. Although homology-directed repair(HDR)is a feasible approach to achieve precise gene replacement and base substitution in some plant species, the dominance of the non-homologous end joining pathway and low efficiency of HDR in plant cells have limited its application. Base editing has emerged as an alternative tool to HDR-mediated replacement, facilitating precise editing of plant genome by converting one single base to another in a programmable manner without a doublestranded break and a donor repair template. In this review, we summarize the latest developments in base-editing technologies as well as their underlying mechanisms. We review current applications of these technologies in plant species. Finally, we address the challenges and future perspectives of this emerging technology in plants.

A plant-based diet for overweight and obesity prevention and treatment

The goal of this paper is to review the evidence related to the effect of plant-based dietary pattems on obesity and weight loss, includingboth observational and intervention trials. Literature from plant-based diets （PBDs） epidemiological and clinical trial research was used toinform this review. In addition, data on dietary quality, adherence, and acceptability were evaluated and are presented. Both clinical trials andobservational research indicate an advantage to adoption of PBDs for preventing overweight and obesity and promoting weight loss. PBDsmay also confer higher levels of diet quality than are observed with other therapeutic diet approaches, with similar levels of adherence andacceptability. Future studies should utilize health behavior theory to inform intervention development and delivery of PBDs studies and newtechnologies to bring interventions to scale for greater public health impact. Research examining PBDs and weight loss is also needed withmore diverse populations, including older adults. Based on the available evidence, PBDs should be considered a viable option for the treat-ment and prevention of overweight and obesity.

A plant-based diet and coronary artery disease： a mandate for effective therapy

A 1999 autopsy study of young adults in the US betweenthe ages of 17 and 34 years of who died from accidents,suicides, and homicides confirmed that coronary artery dis-ease （CAD） is ubiquitous in this age group. The diseaseprocess at this stage is too early to cause coronary events butheralds their onset in the decades to follow.

A plant-based diet and hypertension

Hypertension is an insidious, common, and deadly dis-ease, often detected incidentally at a routine doctor＇s visit orworkplace health screening. Worldwide, it is estimated thatone billion people have hypertension and approximately 80million Americans 20 years of age and older are hyperten-sive.

Highly efficient CRISPR-SaKKH tools for plant multiplex cytosine base editing

Base editing, as an expanded clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)-Cas genome editing strategy, permits precise and irreversible nucleotide conversion. SaKKH, an efficient variant of a Cas9 ortholog from Staphylococcus aureus(SaCas9), is important in genome editing because it can edit sites with HHHAAT protospacer adjacent motif(PAM) that the canonical Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9(SpCas9) or its variants(e.g. xCas9, Cas9-NG) cannot. However, several technical parameters of SaKKH involved base editors have not been well defined and this uncertainty limits their application. We developed an effective multiplex cytosine base editor(SaKKHn-pBE) and showed that it recognized NNARRT, NNCRRT, NNGRGT, and NNTRGT PAMs. Based on 27 targets tested, we defined technical parameters of SaKKHn-pBE including the editing window, the preferred sequence context, and the mutation type. The editing efficiency was further improved by modification of the SaKKH sgRNA. These advances can be applied in future research and molecular breeding in rice and other plants.

Trait-based representation of hydrological functional properties of plants in weather and ecosystem models

Land surface models and dynamic global vegetation models typically represent vegetation through coarse plant functional type groupings based on leaf form, phenology, and bioclimatic limits. Although these groupings were both feasible and functional for early model generations, in light of the pace at which our knowledge of functional ecology, ecosystem demographics, and vegetation-climate feedbacks has advanced and the ever growing demand for enhanced model performance, these groupings have become antiquated and are identified as a key source of model uncertainty. The newest wave of model development is centered on shifting the vegetation paradigm away from plant functional types(PFTs)and towards flexible trait-based representations. These models seek to improve errors in ecosystem fluxes that result from information loss due to over-aggregation of dissimilar species into the same functional class. We advocate the importance of the inclusion of plant hydraulic trait representation within the new paradigm through a framework of the whole-plant hydraulic strategy. Plant hydraulic strategy is known to play a critical role in the regulation of stomatal conductance and thus transpiration and latent heat flux. It is typical that coexisting plants employ opposing hydraulic strategies, and therefore have disparate patterns of water acquisition and use. Hydraulic traits are deterministic of drought resilience, response to disturbance, and other demographic processes. The addition of plant hydraulic properties in models may not only improve the simulation of carbon and water fluxes but also vegetation population distributions.

A plant-based diet and heart failure： case report and literature review

Heart failure is associated with high rates of morbidityand mortality, and is a burden to the healthcare system.There is a growing appreciation for the role diet may play inthe development and treatment of heart failure.

A plant-based diet and stroke

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in theUnited States and globally. Each year, approxirnately 795,000Americans experience a stroke.Total annual costs of stroke,both direct and indirect, amount to $33 billion. Ischemicstroke is predicted to cost more than $2.2 trillion between2005 and 2050. In the United States, 87% of all strokesare ischemic, 10% are due to intracerebral hemorrhage, and3% are due to subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Plant-based nutrition for healthcare professionals： implementing diet as aprimary modality in the prevention and treatment of chronic disease

Cardiovascular disease remains the world＇s leading cause of death. Yet, we have known for decades that the vast majority of athero-sclerosis and its subsequent morbidity and mortality are influenced predominantly by diet. This paper will describe a health-promoting wholefood, plant-based diet; delineate macro- and micro-nulxition, emphasizing specific geriatric concerns; and offer guidance to physicians andother healthcare practitioners to support patients in successfully utilizing nutrition to improve their health.

Strategies for practitioners to support patients in plant-based eating

Successfully implementing a plant-based diet is attain-able for patients, but the likelihood of achieving long-term,dietary maintenance can be increased by follow-up andsupport from practitioners. Practitioners, in particular physi-cians, are seen as nutrition authorities,and are thereforewell-positioned to deliver dietary advice and nutritionalprescriptions.

Rheological Properties of Six Plant-Based Seed Gums

The rheological properties of six mucilage solutions (Guar Gum, Locust Bean Gum, Tamarind Gum, Flaxseed Gum, Artemisia Sphaerocephala Krasch Gum and Cassia Gum) have been examined. It was found that all six gums could be classified into three different types according to the changes of viscosity with increasing shear rate. Steady shear viscous properties in a range of shear rate from 0.1 to 100 s-1 were investigated in the provision of mucilage concentration, pH, temperature and salts. A non-Newtonian shear-thinning behavior was observed. The data of viscosity-shear successfully correlated Power law model. Apparent viscosity was apparently dependent on mucilage concentration increasing significantly as mass fraction went up. A marked dependence of viscosity on temperature was also observed;as temperature increased, the viscosity decreased sharply. The value n of flaxseed gum is minimum, which means it behaves the greatest shear-thinning properties. Both Guar gum and Tamarind gum possessed better acid-proof and alkali-proof advantages. The flow activation energy of ASKG is 4.3 kcal which is higher than other gums so that the influence of temperature on characteristics of viscosity is stronger. The mechanical spectra in the linear viscoelasticity region were studied in the temperature range from 20°C to 90°C, at a frequency range from 0.1 to 10 Hz. It was observed that Both elastic modulus G' and viscous modulus G" behaviors were found to be dependent on temperature and frequency. What have been investigated in this work could provide guidance for practical application in the field of food industry.

A Clean Technology for Future Prospective: Emission Modeling of Gas Based Power Plant

The aim of present research is to study the dispersion of air pollutants using the air quality model, AERMOD and to predict the impact of pollutants (PM10, NO2 and CO) at the receptor level released from Gas Based Power Plant (GBPP). The net-concentrations including monitored data plus predicted values of PM10, NO2 and CO would be increased from base value 75 to 77.61 μg/m3 with an increase of 3.48%, 22 to 26.66 μg/m3 with an increase of 21.18% and 428 to 538.37 μg/m3 with an increase of 25.79% respectively. The study of hill effect showed that it had profound impact upon the dispersion of pollutants and the ratio (with hill and without hill) of each pollutant was 3.89 for PM10 (24 hr), 2.40 for NO2 (24 hr) and 13.98 for CO (1 hr). The natural gas based plant not only decreases the pollution level but also reduces the hospital treatment cost and protects the public health. The modeling results suggest that the GBPP could be a clean technology as replacement of coal power plants located in the city which pollute the environment considerably in spite of control measures installed.

植物基乳产业的发展趋势与技术创新

植物基乳产品作为植物基食品产业的重要组成部分,其发展水平对促进植物基食品产业有着举足轻重的作用。分析了全球植物基乳产品的市场规模和我国植物乳产品的市场情况:2023年,全球规模为296亿美元,并以11.4%的速度增长;我国植物基饮品包括豆奶、椰奶、核桃乳、杏仁乳等呈稳定性增长趋势,粉体类产品市场也较稳定(达30万t)。指出植物基乳作为未来食品需要进一步完善定义,充分体现植物基乳特征和属性要求;要加大力度开发满足新消费场景和渠道的新技术、新产品,解决消费者关心的植物基乳产品口味、价格和清洁标签等关键问题,加快植物基酸奶、冷饮等技术的成熟和落地,并通过开发满足不同消费场景、特殊营养、健康需求的产品,为植物基乳产品价值和市场竞争力赋能,创立多元化的植物基乳产业发展新模式。

DEVELOPMENT OF THE RISK-BASED MAINTENANCE OPTIMIZATION SYSTEM FOR FOSSIL POWER PLANTS

Cost reduction in electric power generation is a major management concern, and it is therefore necessary to reduce maintenance expenses while upholding plant reliability. A maintenance optimization system 'FREEDOM', which uses RBM technique, DCF (discounted cash flow) and NPV (net present value) calculation functions, has been newly developed. This system probabilistically evaluates the lifetime of boiler and turbine and quantitatively calculates the risk defined as the cumulative probability of failure multiplied by the consequence of failure. Economically optimized timing of inspection and alternative countermeasure such as repair and replacement are then recommended. This system has already been applied to seven plants in Japan, and its effectiveness has been confirmed.

真丝织物的植物染料染色

采用植物红和植物蓝染料对真丝织物进行直接染色,探讨了染液浓度、染色pH、染色温度、染色时间、元明粉用量、固色剂用量对真丝织物染色效果的影响。通过正交试验得到的最佳染色工艺为:植物红染料质量分数1.00%(omf),染液pH为3,染色温度90℃,染色时间40 min,元明粉质量浓度5 g/L,固色剂质量分数1%;植物蓝染料质量分数1.00%(omf),染液pH为7,染色温度90℃,染色时间55 min,元明粉质量浓度5 g/L,固色剂质量分数1%。染色织物具有较好的耐皂洗色牢度、耐摩擦色牢度和耐汗渍色牢度,基本达到3~4级以上。

植物基食品的科学共识与未来发展思考

自2019年起,我国植物基食品经过5年的发展已进入了平稳、有序发展期,已成为食品产业一个新的品类。根据中国食品科学技术学会的总结,全行业就植物基食品在其发展理念、营养特性、品质特性、加工技术和政策法规方面已形成了科学共识:发展植物基食品是食品产业实现资源高效利用和绿色低碳发展的重要途径;植物基食品可提供优质蛋白质,更有助于改善居民膳食结构;该类食品且充分发挥了其功能属性且与传统素食、斋食等有明显区别;其加工要充分实现产品的营养丰富、品质提升和风味优良的特点;植物基食品行业的规范发展需要相应的政策法规与标准支持。未来,该产业的发展应以市场多元化发展趋势为引导,以口味、价格和清洁标签为问题抓手,突破技术瓶颈,多角度思考,多元化选择,挖掘其潜在价值,实现全产业的稳步发展。

不同植物蛋白肉坯料的香气和质地分析

为研究不同植物蛋白肉坯料的香气和质地,以花生、小麦、豌豆3种植物蛋白粉为原料,利用高温螺杆挤压技术,控制成型区温度制备植物蛋白肉坯料,采用气相色谱-串联质谱仪和质构分析仪对喜好度最佳的坯料进行香气和质构分析。结果显示,花生、小麦、豌豆蛋白肉坯料的最佳成型区温度分别为140、100、150℃,3种植物蛋白肉坯料均有较强的豆香、豆腥和油脂香气,其中豌豆蛋白肉坯料的豆香最强。香气分析结果显示,花生蛋白肉坯料的特征香气物质为庚醇、(2 E,4E)-癸二烯醛和苯甲醛,小麦蛋白肉坯料的特征香气物质为2-庚酮、庚醇和(E)-2-壬烯醛,豌豆蛋白肉坯料的特征香气物质为2-庚酮、甲基辛基甲酮、2-乙基-3,5-二甲基吡嗪和2-乙基-3,6-二甲基吡嗪。不同复水方法比较结果显示,花生蛋白肉坯料和豌豆蛋白肉坯料适合在50℃温度下复水,而小麦蛋白肉坯料适合在室温(25℃)下复水。小麦蛋白肉坯料复水后硬度、黏附性和咀嚼力最高,豌豆蛋白肉坯料的硬度、黏附性和咀嚼力最低。研究结果旨在为植物蛋白肉坯料风味品质提升和应用提供科学依据。