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Bioavailability and interactions of schisandrin B with 5-fluorouracil in a xenograft mouse model of colorectal cancer
No full textSchisandrin B (Sch B) is a predominant bioactive lignan from the fruit of a Chinese medicine food homology plant, Schisandra chinensis. Previously, we observed potent anti-tumor effect of Sch-B in colorectal cancer (CRC) and enhanced chemotherapy efficacy with fluorouracil (5-FU). However, their bioavailability and reciprocal interactions under CRC conditions are unclear. In this study, we first compared the bioavailability, metabolism and tissue distribution of Sch-B between non-tumor-bearing and xenograft CRC tumor-bearing mice. Next, we examined SchB-5-FU interactions via investigating alterations in drug metabolism and multidrug resistance. Using a validated targeted metabolomics approach, five active metabolites, including Sch-B and fluorodeoxyuridine triphosphate, were found tumor-accumulative. Co-treatment resulted in higher levels of Sch-B and 5-FU metabolites, showing improved phytochemical and drug bioavailability. Multidrug resistance gene (MDR1) was significantly downregulated upon co-treatment. Overall, we demonstrated the potential of Sch-B to serve as a promising chemotherapy adjuvant via improving drug bioavailability and metabolism, and attenuating MDR
Tuning the Performance of Poly(quaterphenyl piperidinium) Anion-Exchange Membranes by Monomer Configuration
No full textPoly(arylene piperidinium)s are attractive anion exchange membranes (AEMs) for alkaline membrane fuel cells and water electrolyzers because of their high chemical stability and hydroxide conductivity. Here, ether- and fluorine-free hydroxide conducting poly(quaterphenyl piperidinium) membranes with very similar ion exchange capacity (IEC), but different ratios of meta to para connectivity in the quaterphenyl units, are synthesized and explored. Ionic clustering, water uptake, and the hydroxide conductivity of the AEMs increase gradually with increasing backbone flexibility, i.e., the fraction of meta connectivity. At 80 °C, the AEMs with para,para- and meta,meta-quaterphenyl units, respectively, reach a conductivity of 96 and 178 mS cm−1, respectively, at a water uptake of 37 and 209%, respectively. Alkaline stability evaluations reveal high alkaline stability, increasing with backbone flexibility. Under very harsh conditions, the cationic loss increases with chain stiffness and occurs mainly through Hofmann β-elimination, but also increasingly via nucleophilic methyl substitution. Copolymerization of quaterphenyls provides properties in between the corresponding homopolymers. In conclusion, it is demonstrated that the configuration of the quaterphenyl monomer can be efficiently tailored to manipulate the chain flexibility of highly alkali-stable AEMs for control over the water uptake and ionic conductivity in a wide range without changing the ionic content of the membranes
Towards an experiential ethics of AI and robots : a review of empirical research on human encounters
No full textThe past few years have seen a profound re-acceleration of interest in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, accompanied by intensifying debates about ethical regulation. Yet, less attention has been paid to how people experience AI and robots in practice. This paper explores the potential of an experiential approach to AI and robot ethics. Specifically, we review empirical studies on human experiences with AI and robots and argue for the value of assembling and analysing findings from studies that inquire into the everyday encounters with AI and robots. Following a hybrid approach that combines systematic review with narrative social inquiry, we identify six key dimensions of human experiences with AI and robots: appreciation of imperfection, formation of affective relationships, discomfort with lack of transparency, addition of invisible work, shifting responsibilities, and readiness to trade off privacy for other benefits. By placing these dimensions into dialogue with ethical AI governance, pragmatist philosophy and Science and Technology Studies, we argue for an experiential approach to ethics, i.e. an approach that grounds ethical reflection in lived encounters, where abstract principles often take new, context-specific meanings. Thereby, we invite attentiveness to ethical concerns that might otherwise become sidelined in extant AI and robotics policy frameworks
Authors must follow the editorial guidelines on the use of large language models in review papers
No full text"Vi ska ju liksom följa budget”. Barnrätt i kommunalt beslutsfattande: Från teori till praktik
No full textDisjunct distributions and evolutionary diversification of Australasian geometrid moths : subfamilies Epidesmiinae, Desmobathrinae and Oenochrominae (Lepidopera)
No full textDisjunct distribution patterns have long intrigued biogeographers, sparking ongoing debates about the mechanisms driving the current distribution of biodiversity. Among the most discussed patterns are long-distance dispersal and vicariance. While these patterns have been extensively studied in plants, marine taxa, mammals, and some invertebrates, they remain less explored in groups like moths. In this study, we use the Epidesmiinae + Oenochrominae + Desmobathrinae complex-three closely related subfamilies within the Geometridae family-as a model to examine disjunct distribution patterns in Australasian moths. Epidesmiinae + Oenochrominae moths are primarily distributed within the Australasian region, with some taxa being endemic to New Zealand. In contrast, their sister group, Desmobathrinae, exhibits a trans-continental and mainly pantropical distribution. The biogeography and evolution of these subfamilies, which currently have different distribution areas, have not been analysed in an evolutionary context before. To investigate this, we inferred phylogenetic trees using a Maximum-Likelihood approach and used the topology to estimate time-calibrated trees and reconstruct ancestral biogeographical areas using a Bayesian method. Additionally, we explored the diversification rates of these lineages. Our results suggest that the ancestor of the three subfamilies most likely originated in Australasia during the Eocene (∼58 Ma). Bayesian biogeographical analyses suggested dispersal events of the Desmobathrinae into the Indo-Malayan region and other areas, with an important jump to the Neotropics, while Epidesmiinae and Oenochrominae dispersed mainly within Australasia. Diversification analysis revealed no significant shifts in diversification rates, with the phylogeny showing a pattern of declining speciation rates over time. Our study exemplifies how phylogenetics in combination with biogeographical reconstruction uncovers macroevolutionary patterns in moths
KRIMINALSAMTAL : En lite annorlunda podd om brott och straff
No full textKRIMINALSAMTAL är en samtalsserie och en lite annorlunda podd om brott och straff. På hemsidan www.kriminalsamtal.se finns information om våra aktiviteter och källor och länkar för material vi utgår ifrån och hänvisar till
Reducing electricity penalty of carbon capture by waste heat valorization in an industrial pulp mill
No full textIndustrial CO2 emissions, particularly from flue gases, are a major barrier to climate change mitigation. Carbon capture, particularly with bioenergy (BECCS), offers a pathway to negative emissions. This study models an MEA-based carbon capture system using operational data from a stand-alone pulp mill, focusing on its energy impact and optimization strategies. The analysis distinguishes between high-quality steam, critical for electricity generation, and waste heat, which can be valorized for carbon capture. The thermal energy demand for capture was found to be 3.6 MJ/kg CO2, leading to a reduction in energy efficiency. Integration scenarios such as flue gas valorization, combustion air preheating, and a steam generation heat pump (SGHP) were evaluated to address this. The electrical energy penalty (EEP) was introduced as a metric to quantify power losses due to steam extraction. The results show that while flue gas valorization and air preheating offer limited benefits, the steam generation heat pump effectively reduces both steam dependency and electrical energy losses, enabling high CO2 capture efficiency with minimal impact on mill operations, with the SGHP achieving the lowest EEP of 0.50 MJ/kg CO2 and enabling a 90% CO2 capture rate
Nutritional practices in long-term care across five European countries : Findings from the COST Action PROGRAMMING
No full textObjectives: High quality nutrition and medical nutrition therapy in long-term care (LTC) settings are essential to overcome malnutrition and ensure a better quality of life. Heterogenous and often insufficient regulations contribute to a disparity in nutritional practices across Europe. The aim of the study was to gather information on nutrition-related regulations and practices, as well as establish potential future directions in LTC settings in five European countries: Greece, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal and Türkiye. Design: A country-specific literature review was conducted, including analysis of national regulations on nutrition in LTC settings. Additionally, the authors discussed possible future directions for each of the areas included in the review. Results: In all the countries included regulations regarding the nutrition of LTC residents were identified. Countries differed in the availability of nutritional guidelines for this specific population, the requirement to employ a dietitian, and the presence of a mandatory nutritional assessment. No country-specific tools were identified for screening, assessment and diagnosing malnutrition. Meals are adapted in all countries to accommodate religious and/or cultural dietary preferences. Conclusion: Areas for significant improvement were identified in all countries. The exchange of experiences between different European countries can lead to the development of good practices and a common direction for quality improvement regulations for nutritional care in LTC