The Alienation of Nature in Emily Dickinson’s Poems through the Prism of Taoism

In the poems created by the renowned American poet Emily Dickinson,those related to nature constitute a considerable proportion.However,Dickinson’s attitude toward nature is,in fact,contradictory.On the one hand,Dickinson perceives nature as gentle and kind,akin to a mother.Nature is regarded as“heaven”and embodies harmony.On the other hand,nature possesses its own operational principles and harbors inherent cruelty.According to Dickinson,humans should refrain from excessive interference in the natural order.This article attempts to analyze the similarities in attitude towards nature between Dickinson’s poetry and Taoist philosophy.

The Macrolichens of Barluk Mountain National Nature Reserve, Xinjiang Province, China

A checklist of the macrolichens (foliose, fruticose & squamulose) of Barluk Mountain National Nature Reserve located in northwestern China is presented. It was derived from 47 inventories of preserved and undeveloped areas which yielded more than 670 collections containing 102 taxa (99 species, 1 subspecies, 2 varieties). Eight species were found that were new to Xinjiang, China. Twenty-eight species and 2 varieties were found on rock, 31 species on bark of deciduous and coniferous trees, 26 species on soil and 14 species and 1 subspecies over mosses. Foliose lichens were dominant with 76 species, followed by 16 species of squamulose lichens and 7 species of fruticose lichens.

The Exploration of Human Nature in Young Goodman Brown

Taking Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Young Goodman Brown as an example,this paper analyzes the Puritan thought of“inherently evil human nature”embodied by the main characters in the work.Through the analysis of characters,such as Brown,Faith,and the mysterious old man,it shows the evil under Brown’s loyal and kind appearance,the devilish nature under Faith’s angelic appearance,and the evil of human nature revealed by everyone’s participation in the devil’s appointment.At the same time,it is pointed out that the novel not only reveals the life of Puritans,but also prompts readers to think about how to redeem themselves in the case of inherently evil human nature and explore the dark side of human nature and the deep themes of the novel against the dark and mysterious background.

Spatiotemporal Evolution of Ecological Quality in Alpine Freshwater Lake Nature Reserves in the Past 20 Years

The Caohai Nature Reserve is one of the three major plateau freshwater lakes in China.Since the 1950s,human activities such as land reclamation and population relocation have greatly damaged Caohai.A rapid evaluation of the spatiotemporal evolution trend of the ecological quality of the Caohai Nature Reserve is significant for the maintenance and construction of the ecosystem in this area.The research is based on the Google Earth Engine(GEE)remote sensing cloud computing platform.Landsat TM/OLI images from May to October in five time periods:2000-2002,2004-2006,2009-2011,2014-2016,and 2019-2021 were obtained to reconstruct the optimal cloud image set by averaging the images in each time period.By constructing four ecological indicators:Greenness(NDVI),Wetness(Wet),Hotness(LST),and Dryness(NDBSI),and using Principal Component Analysis(PCA)method to obtain the Remote Sensing Ecological Index(RSEI)for the corresponding years,the spatiotemporal variation of ecological quality in the Caohai Nature Reserve over 20 years was analyzed.The results indicate:①the mean value of RSEI increased from 0.460 in 2000-2002 to 0.772 in 2019-2021,a 67.83%increase,indicating a significant improvement in the ecological quality of the reserve over the 20 years;②from the perspective of functional zoning of the Caohai Nature Reserve,the ecological quality of the core area showed a degrading trend,while the ecological quality of the buffer zone and experimental zone significantly improved;③with the implementation of ecological restoration projects,the ecological quality of the reserve gradually recovered and improved from 2014 to 2021.The trend of RSEI value changes is well correlated with human interventions,indicating that the PCA-based RSEI model can be effectively used for ecological quality assessment in lake areas.

“Eternal Motion” as a “Form of Movement of a Special Nature” and the Main Condition for the Creation of the Universe

The article hypothesizes that DE and DM (UCM) are a “Form of Motion of a Special Nature”, where “Form of Motion” means “Eternal Motion” as the power of dynamics of different levels and varying degrees of self-sufficiency, and by “Special Nature”, gravitational and two other properties of matter, “tied” to the “Eternal Movement” and completely dependent on it. Carriers of key properties of a “Special Nature” have been established: “0”-DE particles and “3”-DM particles (UDM). The unity of their inherent “motionally-gravitational” properties and the peculiarity of the relationship between “motion” and “gravity” are revealed: the higher the intensity of “Eternal Motion”, the stronger the gravitational properties of matter are manifested (and vice versa). The relationship of “time” with the “vibration frequency” and the “mass” of photons with the “degree of bonding and deformation properties of the field” is shown. The maximum level of gravity has been determined, which allows Nature to successfully create the Universe: such a landmark is the proximity to the property of the Primary Source—the “pure graviton” of the OSP space, the most powerful “motionally-gravitational” particle of the Universe. The reasons for the emergence of such an identity of the gravitational properties of particles with the indicators of a “pure graviton” are established: for “0”-DE particles, this is the acquisition of the function of “freedom of movement”;for “3”-DM particles (UDM), the creation of a special structure—a “double field” (“Main” and “Small”). The presence in the “double field” of specific “tools” for the creation of the worlds of the Universe—gravitational “waves” gives rise to impulses (shocks) of varying intensity and shape. A list of functions performed by “waves” in the “Main” and “Small” fields has been compiled. The specific conditions for the formation of “UDM Streams”, their transformation into a “Vortex” and, under the influence of a powerful Initial Impulse (push), sending them to the “place” of the creation of galaxies, are shown. It is suggested that there is a “Cycle of Matter in Nature” in the closed structure of our Universe due to the “work” of “waves” and the functioning of special “factories” in the form of exotic space objects—Black holes.

Mushroomβ-glucan and polyphenol formulations as natural immunity boosters and balancers:nature of the application

Mushrooms are experiencing a kind of renaissance as a part of the contemporary human diet.These valuable organisms are more than food,they fit in perfectly as a novel market group known as nutra-mycoceuticals.Immune-balancing mushroom dietary fibers and secondary metabolites such as polyphenols are the main focus of the healthcare industry.Wellness and cosmetic companies are increasingly using mushroom extracts rich in these ingredients.This review considers the basic molecular immunomodulatory mechanisms of action of the most commonly used mushroom dietary fibers,β-glucans.The literature data on their bioavailability,metabolic transformations,preclinical and human clinical research,and safety are discussed.Immunomodulatory mechanisms of polyphenol ingredients are also considered.These molecules present great potential in the design of the new immunity balancer formulations according to their widespread structural diversity.Finally,we draw attention to the perspectives of modern trends in mushroom nutraceutical and cosmeceutical formulations to strengthen and balance immunity.

Biomimetic natural biomaterials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine:new biosynthesis methods,recent advances,and emerging applications

Biomimetic materials have emerged as attractive and competitive alternatives for tissue engineering(TE)and regenerative medicine.In contrast to conventional biomaterials or synthetic materials,biomimetic scaffolds based on natural biomaterial can offer cells a broad spectrum of biochemical and biophysical cues that mimic the in vivo extracellular matrix(ECM).Additionally,such materials have mechanical adaptability,micro-structure interconnectivity,and inherent bioactivity,making them ideal for the design of living implants for specific applications in TE and regenerative medicine.This paper provides an overview for recent progress of biomimetic natural biomaterials(BNBMs),including advances in their preparation,functionality,potential applications and future challenges.We highlight recent advances in the fabrication of BNBMs and outline general strategies for functionalizing and tailoring the BNBMs with various biological and physicochemical characteristics of native ECM.Moreover,we offer an overview of recent key advances in the functionalization and applications of versatile BNBMs for TE applications.Finally,we conclude by offering our perspective on open challenges and future developments in this rapidly-evolving field.

Facile synthesis of hierarchical NaX zeolite from natural kaolinite for efficient Knoevenagel condensation

Zeolite catalysts have found extensive applications in the synthesis of various fine chemicals.However,the micropores of zeolites impose diffusion limitations on bulky molecules,greatly reducing the catalytic efficiency.Herein,we explore an economic and environmentally friendly method for synthesizing hierarchical NaX zeolite that exhibits improved catalytic performance in the Knoevenagel condensation reaction for producing the useful fine chemical 2-cyano-3-phenylacrylate.The synthesis was achieved via a low-temperature activation of kaolinite and subsequent in-situ transformation strategy without any template or seed.Systematic characterizations reveal that the synthesized NaX zeolite has both intercrystalline and intra-crystalline mesopores,smaller crystal size,and larger external specific surface area compared to commercial NaX zeolite.Detailed mechanism investigations show that the inter-crystalline mesopores are generated by stacking smaller crystals formed from in-situ crystallization of the depolymerized kaolinite,and the intra-crystalline mesopores are inherited from the pores in the depolymerized kaolinite.This synthesis strategy provides an energy-saving and effective way to construct hierarchical zeolites,which may gain wide applications in fine chemical manufacturing.

Synthetic polymers:A review of applications in drilling fluids

With the growth of deep drilling and the complexity of the well profile,the requirements for a more complete and efficient exploitation of productive formations increase,which increases the risk of various complications.Currently,reagents based on modified natural polymers(which are naturally occurring compounds)and synthetic polymers(SPs)which are polymeric compounds created industrially,are widely used to prevent emerging complications in the drilling process.However,compared to modified natural polymers,SPs form a family of high-molecular-weight compounds that are fully synthesized by undergoing chemical polymerization reactions.SPs provide substantial flexibility in their design.Moreover,their size and chemical composition can be adjusted to provide properties for nearly all the functional objectives of drilling fluids.They can be classified based on chemical ingredients,type of reaction,and their responses to heating.However,some of SPs,due to their structural characteristics,have a high cost,a poor temperature and salt resistance in drilling fluids,and degradation begins when the temperature reaches 130℃.These drawbacks prevent SP use in some medium and deep wells.Thus,this review addresses the historical development,the characteristics,manufacturing methods,classification,and the applications of SPs in drilling fluids.The contributions of SPs as additives to drilling fluids to enhance rheology,filtrate generation,carrying of cuttings,fluid lubricity,and clay/shale stability are explained in detail.The mechanisms,impacts,and advances achieved when SPs are added to drilling fluids are also described.The typical challenges encountered by SPs when deployed in drilling fluids and their advantages and drawbacks are also discussed.Economic issues also impact the applications of SPs in drilling fluids.Consequently,the cost of the most relevant SPs,and the monomers used in their synthesis,are assessed.Environmental impacts of SPs when deployed in drilling fluids,and their manufacturing processes are identified,together with advances in SP-treatment methods aimed at reducing those impacts.Recommendations for required future research addressing SP property and performance gaps are provided.

The Man Who Organized Nature: The Life of Linnaeus by Gunnar Broberg

GunnarBroberg(1942–2022),a professor of history ideas and sciences at the Lund University in Sweden,has assembled and summarized virtually all of the contemporary documents relating to the life of Carl Linnaeus(1707–1778).This is therefore a fact-laden and definitive personal biography of the founder of our systems of plant and animal taxonomy.Linnaeus’childhood included much time in nature that forever provided him an experience background for the huge amount of plant and animal species he would encounter.In his early days,his country was in an era of poverty where“hordes of starving,homeless people drifted along the roads in the years when the harvest failed.”Linnaeus himself“...could lie awake all night as he lacked the money for evening meals when he was a student.”He inserted paper into his shoes to cover the holes on which he walked.

On Reserves of Hippophae rhamnoides L. Fruit on the Territory of the Zarafshan National Nature Park of Uzbekistan

The article is devoted to the study of stocks of Hippophae rhamnoides fruits on the territory of the Zarafshan National Park. Hippophae rhamnoides is a medicinal plant. This species is a naturally distributed plant. All parts of Hippophae rhamnoides are a source of biologically active substances, especially flavonoids, carotenoids, phytosterols and others. In the course of field studies, 10 monitoring sites were selected in the size of 10 × 10 m, and the productivity of one site in the amount of 10 × 10 averaged 51.33 ± 8.24 kg. According to the results obtained, it was revealed that the biological reserve averages 21.9 tons, respectively, the operational reserve is 13.14 tons and the volume of annual harvesting averages 1.31 tons. When the water level of the Zarafshan River rises, some plants are damaged.

The Significance of Constructing TCM Psychosomatic Medicine from the Holistic View of the Unity of Nature and Man

With the development of medical technology, the problem of fragmentation of medical research has become increasingly prominent, and a series of iatrogenic diseases, drug-induced diseases and drug toxicity and side effects have resulted in an increase in the number of diseases. In the face of these problems, the medical concept has been re-examined and re-thought. The concept of the holistic view of the unity of nature and man in traditional Chinese medicine has certain enlightenment for dealing with the problems in the current medical development. Based on the holistic view of the unity of nature and man, the overall connection between human’s heart and body and nature is explained, and the further construction of TCM psychosomatic medicine is conducive to guiding the diagnosis and treatment of clinical diseases, and providing new enlightenment for the current medical concept thinking and clinical disease research.

Simulation of the Ecosystem Productivity Responses to Aerosol Diffuse Radiation Fertilization Effects over the Pan-Arctic during 2001–19

The pan-Arctic is confronted with air pollution transported from lower latitudes.Observations have shown that aerosols help increase plant photosynthesis through the diffuse radiation fertilization effects(DRFEs).While such DRFEs have been explored at low to middle latitudes,the aerosol impacts on pan-Arctic ecosystems and the contributions by anthropogenic and natural emission sources remain less quantified.Here,we perform regional simulations at 0.2o×0.2ousing a well-validated vegetation model(Yale Interactive terrestrial Biosphere,YIBs)in combination with multi-source of observations to quantify the impacts of aerosol DRFEs on the net primary productivity(NPP)in the pan-Arctic during 2001-19.Results show that aerosol DRFEs increase pan-Arctic NPP by 2.19 Pg C(12.8%)yr^(-1)under clear-sky conditions,in which natural and anthropogenic sources contribute to 8.9% and 3.9%,respectively.Under all-sky conditions,such DRFEs are largely dampened by cloud to only 0.26 Pg C(1.24%)yr^(-1),with contributions of 0.65% by natural and 0.59% by anthropogenic species.Natural aerosols cause a positive NPP trend of 0.022% yr^(-1)following the increased fire activities in the pan-Arctic.In contrast,anthropogenic aerosols induce a negative trend of-0.01% yr^(-1)due to reduced emissions from the middle latitudes.Such trends in aerosol DRFEs show a turning point in the year of 2007 with more positive NPP trends by natural aerosols but negative NPP trends by anthropogenic aerosols thereafter.Though affected by modeling uncertainties,this study suggests a likely increasing impact of aerosols on terrestrial ecosystems in the pan-Arctic under global warming.

Exploration of Nature Education Path for Teenagers:A Case Study of Yancheng Wetland Nature Education Based on the World Natural Heritage Site

Nature education is the trend of the current social development.By gradually improving the awareness of ecological civilization among the whole people,the achievements in ecological civilization are jointly built and shared by the whole people.Yancheng Yellow Sea Wetland is a characteristic natural resource and the name card of Yancheng City,and also an important part of the natural education of teenagers in Yancheng.As one of the main resources of nature education in Yancheng,the Yellow Sea Wetland World Natural Heritage resources play a more important role in the cultivation of youth ecological civilization values and legal awareness of environmental protection.Based on the protection and utilization of the Yellow Sea Wetland World Natural Heritage resources,this paper explores the methods and approaches of nature education for teenagers in Yancheng.

From landslide characterization to nature reserve management:The“Scialimata Grande di Torre Alfina”landslide Geosite(Central Apennines,Italy)

Italy is characterized by widespread geomorphological instability,among which landslides leave impressive marks on the landscape.Nevertheless,landslide bodies may represent key sites for thematic and educational itineraries,especially in protected areas,where their management becomes an important issue.Our study focuses on the"Monte Rufeno Nature Reserve"(Central Apennines,Italy),where iconic landslides are present.Here,the"Scialimata Grande di Torre Alfina"landslide(SGTA)is listed in the regional Geosite database.This work aims to propose a multiscale procedure for landslide analysis,in terms of both hazard sources but also educational and geoheritage enhancement opportunities in natural reserves.After performing a Landslide Susceptibility conditional Analysis(LSA)for the reserve territory,attention was focused on the SGTA,to define properly its features and morphodynamics.A multi-disciplinary approach was adopted,by applying both remote sensing(UAV structure from motion,Photointerpretation)and field survey(geomorphological and GPS monitoring).From the LSA,based on drainage density,curvature,and slope triggering factors,the road and trail susceptibility maps were derived,as base tools for future risk assessments and trail paths management within the reserve.At the SGTA scale,the monitoring showed a displacement of up to 23 m during the time interval between 2015 and 2018.The landslide dynamics seem to be driven by alternating dry and extremely wet periods;moreover,leaks from the aqueduct in the detachment area and piping effects through clays may have also decreased the substrate cohesion.The SGTA complex influence on the Paglia River valley geometry was also hypothesized,underlining the action of landslide through different spatial scales(on-site and off-site)and on different environment features(sediment connectivity,hydrology).Finally,the SGTA appears highly representative of the geomorphic dynamics within the Nature Reserve(i.e.,scientific value)and it could be classified as an active geosite.Since the site was featured by a tourist trail,adequate management strategies must be adopted,considering the educational value and safety issues.

Development and validation of an online calculator to predict the pathological nature of colorectal tumors

BACKGROUND No single endoscopic feature can reliably predict the pathological nature of colorectal tumors(CRTs).AIM To establish and validate a simple online calculator to predict the pathological nature of CRTs based on white-light endoscopy.METHODS This was a single-center study.During the identification stage,530 consecutive patients with CRTs were enrolled from January 2015 to December 2021 as the derivation group.Logistic regression analysis was performed.A novel online calculator to predict the pathological nature of CRTs based on white-light images was established and verified internally.During the validation stage,two series of 110 images obtained using white-light endoscopy were distributed to 10 endoscopists[five highly experienced endoscopists and five less experienced endoscopists(LEEs)]for external validation before and after systematic training.RESULTS A total of 750 patients were included,with an average age of 63.6±10.4 years.Early colorectal cancer(ECRC)was detected in 351(46.8%)patients.Tumor size,left semicolon site,rectal site,acanthosis,depression and an uneven surface were independent risk factors for ECRC.The C-index of the ECRC calculator prediction model was 0.906(P=0.225,Hosmer-Lemeshow test).For the LEEs,significant improvement was made in the sensitivity,specificity and accuracy(57.6%vs 75.5%;72.3%vs 82.4%;64.2%vs 80.2%;P<0.05),respectively,after training with the ECRC online calculator prediction model.CONCLUSION A novel online calculator including tumor size,location,acanthosis,depression,and uneven surface can accurately predict the pathological nature of ECRC.

Treatment on Nature’s lap:Use of herbal products in the management of hyperglycemia

Diabetes mellitus(DM)is characterized by persistently elevated blood glucose concentration that lead to multisystem complications.There are about 400 medicinal plants cited to have a beneficial effect on DM.We must choose products wisely based on data derived from scientific studies.However,a major obstacle in the amalgamation of herbal medicine in modern medical practices is the lack of clinical data on its safety,efficacy and drug interaction.Trials of these herbal products often underreport the side effects and other crucial intervention steps deviating from the standards set by Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials.Due to a lack of knowledge of the active compounds present in most herbal medicines,product standardization is difficult.Cost-effectiveness is another issue that needs to be kept in mind.In this mini-review,we focus on the antihyperglycemic effect of herbal products that are commonly used,along with the concerns stated above.

How to Inscribe Nature and the Environment Into the Philosophy of Politics?

The purpose of this text is to examine,describe,and elaborate on contemporary attempts to incorporate nature and the environment into reflection related to the philosophy of politics.Both attempts to extend Foucault’s biopolitics and attempts to introduce competing concepts are analysed.This theme has a strong presence mainly due to the multifaceted degradation of nature and the environment,contamination,and over-extraction of natural resources in the era of climate and ecological crises.In this text,the author analyses interdisciplinary activities developed by researchers associated with very different fields,such as anthropology and art criticism,which are based on the philosophy of politics.

Revolutionizing gastric cancer treatment:The potential of immunotherapy

Gastric cancer,a prevalent malignancy worldwide,ranks sixth in terms of frequency and third in fatality,causing over a million new cases and 769000 annual deaths.Predominant in Eastern Europe and Eastern Asia,risk factors include family medical history,dietary habits,tobacco use,Helicobacter pylori,and Epstein-Barr virus infections.Unfortunately,gastric cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage,leading to a grim prognosis,with a 5-year overall survival rate below 5%.Surgical intervention,particularly with D2 Lymphadenectomy,is the mainstay for early-stage cases but offers limited success.For advanced cases,the National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends chemotherapy,radiation,and targeted therapy.Emerging immunotherapy presents promise,especially for unresectable or metastatic cases,with strategies like immune checkpoint inhibitors,tumor vaccines,adoptive immunotherapy,and nonspecific immunomodulators.In this Editorial,with regards to the article“Advances and key focus areas in gastric cancer immunotherapy:A comprehensive scientometric and clinical trial review”,we address the advances in the field of immunotherapy in gastric cancer and its future prospects.

Gastrointestinal Ulcers Treatment: Plants and Recipes Used by Herbalists of Abomey-Calavi and Cotonou Districts, Southern Benin

This study set out to identify plants and recipes used by herbalists in the municipalities of Abomey-Calavi and Cotonou to treat gastrointestinal ulcers and to characterize the distribution of their knowledge. An ethno-pharmacological survey was carried out in which informants who agreed freely were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 85 herbalists were surveyed. The data were processed with Microsoft Excel to calculate the relative frequencies of citation of the various species mentioned by the herbalists and various indices including Simpson’s Index were adapted to test the distribution of their knowledge. Multiple regression and correspondence analysis were performed using R studio. Our results revealed that the Dendi, Ifè and Mina, all equitable in their knowledge of anti-ulcer plants, are likely to know more than the other ethnic groups. On the other hand, respondents practicing Islam are more likely to know many antiulcer plants than those practicing Vodoun and Christianity. This constant distribution of knowledge of anti-ulcer plants among the Dendi, Ifè and Mina, three different ethnic groups seems normal and attests to the fusion between these different ethnic groups in view of this knowledge. A total of 70 anti-ulcer recipes, made from 71 species of medicinal plants or non-floristic resources were recorded. Vitellaria paradoxa, Parkia biglobosa and Ocimum gratissimum were the top 03 most frequently cited in descending order of frequency. All the species cited are grouped into 44 botanical families among which the Fabaceae, Lamiaceae and Sapotaceae were strongly represented. Benin’s flora abounds in a diversity of medicinal plant species known to herbalists in Abomey-Calavi and Cotonou for the treatment of gastrointestinal ulcers. The results of this study constitute a good archive for the selection of plant species for in-depth studies with a view to formulating improved traditional medicines for gastrointestinal ulcers.