Oxygen: A Stimulus, Not “Only” a Drug

Depending on the oxygen partial pressure in a tissue, the therapeutic effect of oxygenation can vary from simple substance substitution up to hyperbaric oxygenation when breathing hyperbaric oxygen at 2.5–3.0 ATA. Surprisingly, new data showed that it is not only the oxygen supply that matters as even a minimal increase in the partial pressure of oxygen is efficient in triggering cellular reactions by eliciting the production of hypoxia-inducible factors and heat-shock proteins. Moreover, it was shown that extreme environments could also interact with the genome; in fact, epigenetics appears to play a major role in extreme environments and exercise, especially when changes in oxygen partial pressure are involved. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is, essentially, “intermittent oxygen” exposure. We must investigate hyperbaric oxygen with a new paradigm of treating oxygen as a potent stimulus of the molecular network of reactions.

Main Organs Involved in Glucose Metabolism

Sugar, or technically known as glucose, is the main source of energy of all cells in the human body. The glucose homeostasis cycle is the mechanism to maintain blood glucose levels in a healthy threshold. When this natural mechanism is broken, many metabolic disorders appear such as diabetes mellitus, and some substances of interest, like glucose, are out of control. In the mechanism to maintain blood glucose, several organs are involved but the role of most of them has been disregarded in the literature. In this chapter, the main organs involved in such a mechanism and their role in glucose metabolism are described. Specifically, the stomach and small intestine, organs of the gastrointestinal system, are the first to play an important role in the regulatory system, because it is where carbohydrates are digested and absorbed as glucose into the bloodstream. Then glucose as a simple substance goes to the liver to be stored as glycogen. Glucose storage occurs due to the delivery of hormones from the pancreas, which produces, stores, and releases insulin and glucagon, two antagonistic hormones with an important role in glucose metabolism. The kidneys assist the liver in insulin clearance in the postprandial state and gluconeogenesis in the post absorptive state. Physiological aspects and the detailed role of every organ involved in glucose metabolism are described in this chapter.

Preparation and Characterization of Mg–Al–B Alloy (Mg0.5Al0.5B2) Via High-Temperature Sintering

Boron and its alloys have long been explored as potential fuel and increasingly replace pure aluminum powder in high-energy formulations. The ignition and burning properties of boron can be improved by making boron alloys. In this study, an Mg–Al–B alloy was synthesized from magnesium, aluminum and boron powders in a 1:1:4 molar ratio by preheating to 600 °C for 30 min, followed by high-temperature sintering in a tube furnace. The effects of sintering temperature (700–1000 °C) and holding time (0.5–10 h) on the phase composition of mixed powders were studied. After the samples were cooled to room temperature, they were ground into powder. The phase composition, micromorphology and the bonding forms of elements of the synthesized samples were studied using XRD, SEM and XPS. The results show that each element exists in the form of simple substance in the alloy. The influence of the sintering temperature on the synthesis reaction of Mg0.5Al0.5B2 is very important, but holding time has little effect on it. With the increase of sintering temperature, the content of the Mg0.5Al0.5B2 phase gradually increases, and the phase content of residual metal gradually decreases. The phase and morphology analyses show that the optimum sintering temperature is 1000 °C with a minimum holding time of 0.5 h. It is expected to be used in gunpowder, propellant, explosives and pyrotechnics with improved characteristics.

Preface from the Guest Editor of Special Issue “Simple Substances of Non-Metals: Molecular Structures Modeling with Using DFT and More Advanced Methods of Quantum Chemistry”

According to the traditional definition of the concept of “simple substance” adopted in chemistry, it is as a chemical compound, the structural unit of which (molecule, ion, radical, the link of the polymer chain, the unit cell of the crystal lattice, etc [...]

The Sound Monad: A Philosophical Perspective on Sound Design

This article aims at sketching a philosophical theory of sound based on the perspective of sound designers: unique agents blurring the boundaries between engineering, music, acoustics and sound-based art. After having introduced the general framing in Section 1, focusing on a short history of the theory and practice of sound design, in Section 2 we propose a reading of sound as monad. We derive such intuition from the technology of digital sampling of audio signals, based on the decomposition of complex sound waves in a number of elementary sinusoidal waves. Thus, in Section 3, we attempt at grounding the resulting “sound-atom” on Leibniz’s notion of monad, intended both as a “simple substance without parts” and as a “nucleus of forces in statu possibilitatis.” The insight is resumed and further discussed in Section 4, where we draw our conclusions by demonstrating the fitness of such framing with regards to the standpoint of sound design, while accounting for the work of sound artists Carsten Nicolai and Ryoji Ikeda.

From Simple Substance to Chemical Element

The introduction of the modern concept of chemical element has often been credited to Lavoisier. I will argue that despite the significant impact of the definition of elements as non-decompound bodies in Lavoisier’s “Elements of Chemistry,” this claim is misleading for at least three reasons. First, elements were already defined as residues of analysis prior to Lavoisier. Second, Lavoisier did not totally give up the traditional view of elements as constituents of all bodies. Third, the modern definition of chemical element implies a clear distinction between simple bodies and elements that was later introduced by Dmitri Mendeleev. I will outline the role of this conceptual distinction in Mendeleev’s process of classification of elements and symmetrically emphasize how the periodic system contributed to stabilize his notion of element as an individual defined by its position in the system. Thus the concept of element appears as both a precondition and a product of the construction of the periodic system.

Chemical Elements and Chemical SubstancesRethinking Paneth’s Distinction

In 1931, Paneth identified a dual meaning of the term “chemical element,” translated as “basic substance” and “simple substance.” Since then multiple philosophers of chemistry have also identified ambiguities surrounding this concept, and the IUPAC still holds a double definition today. This paper aims to help resolve this ambiguity through an analysis and reinterpretation of the two meanings of the term “element” proposed by Paneth. It is important to distinguish between elements as substances and elements as constituents, because the elementary substances disappear when elements enter into compounds, whereas the constituent subsists. The notion of simple substance fails to capture the stability of the element as a constituent of matter, and Paneth’s metaphysical idea of basic substance is contradictory with a concept of element that evolved thanks to scientific practice, not independent of it. Since these meanings are mutually exclusive, their combination within one term is problematic; yet, this paper will show that neither of them individually suffice to qualify the element. Therefore, based on a brief analysis of the history of chemistry, I will propose a way of rethinking Paneth’s distinction in order to understand the different aspects of this complex chemical concept. Though there is a certain duality to the notion of element in the sense that it can be characterized both as an abstract constituent and as a chemical substance, the term “element” does not have two distinct meanings; it refers to the element in all forms of chemical combination.

Raising Awareness About the Impacts of Squalene on the Well-Being of Individuals, Societies & the Environment!

Before humans inserted themselves into the aquatic food chain, sharks were at the top maintaining balance and playing a crucial role on this earth. For hundreds of millions of years (even before the dinosaurs!) sharks have been shaping our underwater ecosystem and creating a foundation for life in all parts of the sea. Now with 95% of shark populations decreasing everywhere our health and the planet's health is at major risk. Shark livers contain an oil so hydrating and rich all cosmetic that companies want to get their hands on it. This simple substance, also known as squalene, is found all around the world in the form of cosmetics (lotions, anti-wrinkle creams, sunscreen, foundations) and daily off the shelf supplements. With the serious lack of education about what’s in our cosmetics, it makes it scary to think that almost all of us have been absentmindedly plastering on prehistoric predators on our body in the name of beauty.

Effect of Ca and Zr Additions and Aging Treatments on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Mg-Sn Alloy

The effect of Ca and Zr Additions and Aging Treatments on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Mg-Sn alloy was investigated. It was found that the grain size of as-cast Mg-4Sn-xCa and Mg-4Sn-xZr alloys was refined with the increase of alloying elements addition. The alloys were solution-treated at 480 °C and aged at 160 °C, and the aging peak appeared after 4-5 h. The difference was that the maximum tensile strength and Brinell hardness of Mg-4Sn-0.3Ca were 140.7 MPa and 44.5 HB, respectively, while in Mg-4Sn-xZr alloy, Mg-4Sn-0.5Zr was optimal. The maximum tensile strength and Brinell hardness of Mg-4Sn-0.5Zr were 137.4 MPa and 41.5 HB, respectively. This difference was mainly due to the formation of the brittle phase CaMgSn in the Mg-4Sn-xCa alloy. The excessive brittle phase was not conducive to the strength of the alloy, but could increase the hardness of the alloy. However, Zr existed as a simple substance in the alloy, which can be used as a nucleation particle to inhibit grain growth and play a role of fine grain strengthening. But the addition of Zr did not form many hard phases, so the hardness did not change much.

The periodic system of chemical elements solid model in the geological aspect

The topicality of the research comes from the need to obtain new knowledge about the manifestation of the periodic law in nature. Research aim is to associate the periodic system of chemical elements with the chemical composition and structure of natural objects. The research method suggests the creation of a solid model of the periodic system of chemical elements along with its comparison with ore formation objects as well as the manifestation of chemical elements isomorphism and some natural processes geochemistry. Research results. The solid version of the periodic table of the first 95 chemical elements together with a conventional zero element is proposed. Each volume cell characterizes a chemical element with an elementary crystal lattice of simple substance. Similar models can be composed of minerals and rocks associating with material substance of the earth's crust. 16 vertical groups in the model are arranged in a snake-like pattern. The model of the earth's crust with the “cubes” of chemical elements, minerals and mineral associations is proposed. The elements of adjacent spatial groups are naturally concentrated in combination, showing isomorphism while minerals enter the crystal lattice. The relative position of adjacent “cubes” follows the rule of translation in mutually perpendicular directions. The chemical elements of the first group can correspond spatially to volcanoes as well as mud volcanoes. The place of the zero chemical element is considered to be occupied by the elements of adjacent spatial groups. It is assumed that the faces of the “cube” of chemical elements are permeable areas through which chemical elements can be transferred. Summary. The confirmation of the model follows while considering ore formations, isomorphism of chemical elements in minerals and geochemistry of volcanic processes. 46 "Izvestiya vysshikh uchebnykh zavedenii. Gornyi zhurnal". No. 1. 2020 ISSN 0536-1028 Key words: chemical elements; solid model of periodic system; ore formations; isomorphism in crystals; geochemistry of volcanic processes.