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Upgrading the caisson-type quay wall could be conducted by strengthening the rubble mound beneath the front caisson toe. Subsequently, the rubble in front of the wall is removed to increase the front water depth. This study assessed the dynamic response of the upgraded quay wall under earthquake loading and compared it to the existing case using a centrifuge test and numerical study. The tests were performed in a dry condition under six consecutive input waves with increasing magnitude. The results indicated that the upgrade significantly reduced the displacements of the quay wall. The deformation trend of the caisson also changed from overturning to slipping. A numerical study of the upgraded case was conducted using the PLAXIS 2D program in the dry condition to validate the model. In addition, the simulation in water was performed to realize the difference between the models with and without water. The numerical results were in good agreement with the experimental model. The deformed mode of the quay wall in the dry condition did not differ from that in water. However, the horizontal displacement of the quay wall in water was higher than in the dry condition, whereas the vertical component was slightly lower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A tri-generation system combining cooling, heating, and power generation can contribute to increased system efficiency and thereby reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This study proposed a novel concept using 100-kW polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) as the basis for a tri-generation system with an integrated heat pump and adsorption chiller for greenhouse use. Three configurations of heat pump loop were designed to recover the waste heat from PEMFCs and used either for direct heating or cooling power generation in adsorption cooling. Analyses were carried out in terms of primary energy rate (PER) and exergy efficiencies. Of those investigated, the layout with a heat pump and internal heat exchanger demonstrated the best performance, with PERs of the cooling and heating modes at 0.94 and 0.78, respectively. Additionally, the exergy analysis revealed that the exergies are mostly destroyed at the expansion valve and evaporator due to differences in pressure and temperature. These differences are minimized when the system layout contains a cascade heat pump loop or an internal heat exchanger, thus resolving the problem of exergy destruction. As a result, the total exergy destruction in the system was decreased from 61.11% to 49.18% and 46.60%, respectively. Furthermore, the proposed configurations showed 36.1% and 31.4% lower values in terms of energy consumption compared with relevant works in the heating mode and cooling mode, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although many genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have evaluated the association with metabolic disorders, the current study is the first attempt to analyze the genetic risk factors for various metabolic disorders according to sex and age groups of the life course in Korean adults. A total population of 50,808 people were included in this GWAS. The genetic traits for eight metabolic phenotypes were investigated in peri-, and postmenopausal women compared to a younger group or men of corresponding age groups. The metabolic phenotypes include general obesity, abdominal obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypo-high-density lipoprotein cholesterolemia, and metabolic syndrome. In the total participants, GWAS results for eight metabolic phenotypes found 101 significant loci. Of these, 15 loci were the first reported to be associated with the risk of metabolic disorder. Interestingly, some of the significant loci presented the association with the various phenotypes, which presented when there was a correlation between phenotypes. In addition, we analyzed divided by gender and age (young adult, peri-menopausal group, older adult), and specifically identified specific loci in peri-menopausal women. Meanwhile, several genetic factors associated with metabolic disorders were newly reported in our study. In particular, several genes were significantly associated with one of the metabolic phenotypes in only a single specific group. These findings suggest that menopausal transition rather than aging itself potentiates the influence of genetic risks on metabolic disorders. In addition, some genetic loci with low frequencies may play a role in the metabolic disturbances in a specific sex and age group. The genetic traits derived from our study may contribute to understanding the genetic risk factors for metabolic disorders in the Korean population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ambient air and ground temperatures strongly impact underground power cable systems. • Critical current carrying capacity occurs at the asymptotic maximum air temperature. • Prepacked aggregate concrete enhances thermal efficiency, reduces cable temperature. • Ground temperature distribution is crucial for reliable UPCS temperature prediction. Underground power cable systems (UPCSs) are generally buried close to the ground surface, exposing them to significant influences from ambient air and ground temperatures, which can affect heat dissipation and thermal efficiency. This study compares the heat transfer performance of UPCS with different cable bedding materials at critical current carrying capacity, considering the effects of ambient air and ground temperatures on system performance. The findings indicate that current carrying capacity decreases with higher ground temperatures, and that the critical ampacity leading to maximum cable temperature in UPCS is significantly influenced by actual ambient air and ground temperatures, rather than standard reference values like 20 °C. The newly developed cable bedding material, prepacked aggregate concrete (PAC), to enhance heat dissipation efficiency and prevent cable overheating is also proposed. Experimentally, PAC, with a higher thermal conductivity of 2.094 W/(m·K) versus 1.365 W/(m·K) for sand, lowers the maximum cable temperature to 70.6 °C, compared to 77.6 °C for sand under critical conditions. Moreover, the analytical solutions for ground temperature distribution models as boundary conditions are also highlighted, in which steady-state ground temperature analysis at the relevant depth may impact the accuracy of cable temperature predictions related to UPCS operation for both the system itself and the surrounding earth materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The benefits of the use of horizontal U-type and spiral-coil-type ground heat exchangers (GHE) were investigated and compared based on heat transfer performance and economic analysis. The feasibility of a novel backfill material (controlled low-strength material) for a horizontal ground heat exchanger was also assessed. A numerical analysis model was developed to simulate the heat transfer in a horizontal ground source heat exchanger and calculate the annual heat exchange using 100 case studies with different GHE types, backfill materials, fluid velocities, and installation depths. A thermal response test was conducted using a spiral-coil GHE backfilled with sand and a controlled low-strength material to validate the numerical model. The economic feasibility of each case was investigated using analytical tools including the annual heat exchange, payback period, and internal rate of return. The results indicate that, although a spiral-coil-type GHE has 30% higher total initial installation costs, its high annual heat exchange (twice that of U-type) results in a shorter payback period (12.7 years compared with 8.4 years for U-type) and a higher internal rate of return (12.0% compared with 6.9% for U-type). The use of a controlled low-strength material leads to a slight increase in the initial investment; however, as expected, its high heat exchange capacity shows better long-term economic performance than a ground heat exchanger backfilled with normal soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steelmaking slag, which is used as a construction material, can be crushed during compaction or repetitive loading in construction work. This crushing has a considerable influence on its physical and mechanical properties. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate/estimate the crushing properties and particle size distribution of steelmaking slag under various compaction loads. Accordingly, compaction tests were conducted by subjecting steelmaking slag with 10 different particle sizes to an increasing number of compaction cycles (1–15 times) to simulate repetitive compaction loading. The compaction test results were analyzed by considering the particle size distribution, particle size distribution curve, breakage factors, and fractal dimension. The results revealed that these factors could be influenced by changing the voids in steelmaking slag by altering the repetitive compaction load and particle size. An equation for predicting the particle size distribution from the compaction energy and particle size based on the sequence limit with the rational and the recurrence formulas was proposed. The proposed equation demonstrated excellent accuracy, and it can be utilized in efficiently predicting the particle size distribution curve. [Display omitted] • Steel Making slag can be crush by repeated compaction energy. • Steelmaking slag that has been crushed by repeated compaction energy shows a clear change in particle size distribution. • The crushing of steelmaking slag has a certain pattern due to repetitive compaction energy. • The crushing of steel making slag with a certain pattern can be quantified and predicted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent evidence suggests that cellular perturbations play an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, we analyzed the association between the levels of urinary metabolites and arterial stiffness. Our cross-sectional study included 330 Korean men and women. The brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity was measured as a marker of arterial stiffness. Urinary metabolites were evaluated using a high-performance liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer. The brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity was found to be positively correlated with l-lactate, citrate, isocitrate, succinate, malate, hydroxymethylglutarate, α-ketoisovalerate, α-keto-β-methylvalerate, methylmalonate, and formiminoglutamate among men. Whereas, among women, the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity was positively correlated with cis-aconitate, isocitrate, hydroxymethylglutarate, and formiminoglutamate. In the multivariable regression models adjusted for conventional cardiovascular risk factors, three metabolite concentrations (urine isocitrate, hydroxymethylglutarate, and formiminoglutamate) were independently and positively associated with brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity. Increased urine isocitrate, hydroxymethylglutarate, and formiminoglutamate concentrations were associated with brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and independent of conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Our findings suggest that metabolic disturbances in cells may be related to arterial stiffness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local measurement of current was conducted using a segmented cell to understand local electrochemical characteristics of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell with counter flow channel under pressurized condition. We changed stoichiometry ratio (SR), relative humidity (RH), and operating temperature to examine the effect of operating parameters on the performance of fuel cell under pressurized condition. A segmented fuel cell with a divided active area of 25 cm2 was used to measure local current distribution to analyze complex relationships between SR, RH, temperature and pressure. The results show that RH and SR are the main factors for determining current distribution. High SR with low-RH reactants make the membrane of the inlet region more dried out, which leads to less electrochemical reaction. When SR is low, however, less water is evaporated and the effect of RH condition is minimized. On the other hand, current distribution at various RH and SR conditions at 3 bar is relatively similar among the results. Thus, the effects of RH and SR can be neglected for high operating pressure cases. When the temperature is high in pressurized condition, the Ohmic loss decreased and the overall cell performance improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to develop a thermally enhanced controlled low-strength material (CLSM) that functions as a heat transfer medium in the ground source heat pump (GSHP) system based on by-products. Steel-making slags (raw and ground slags) and fly ash were used as main materials of CLSM mixture. The general properties of the CLSM mixture, such as flowability, bleeding properties, initial setting time, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), permeability, thermal conductivity, and environmental impact, were investigated with different steel-making slag contents. Finally, the total construction costs of GSHP with different backfill materials were calculated to assess the benefits of the proposed CLSM mixtures. As the results, the steel-making slag based CLSM exhibited good flowability and bleeding and a significantly enhanced UCS and hydraulic resistance with respect to those of CLSM. However, the thermal conductivity, UCS, and hydraulic resistance tended to decrease when the raw steel-making slag exceeded a certain amount. Furthermore, all proposed CLSM mixtures satisfied the environmental regulations for their safe use in the underground. The cost analysis revealed that proposed CLSM mixtures slag can reduce the total construction costs of GSHP system by up to 41.36%, 0.73%, and 20.44% when compared to those of conventional materials. • CLSM composed of steel-making slag (SMS) was developed as a heat transfer material. • Developed CLSM satisfied all general and environmental requirements. • The pore structure of SMS causes a negative effect on thermal conductivity of CLSM. • Thermal conductivity of CLSM is significantly enhanced by using ground SMS. • Using proposed CLSM as thermal grout can reduce up to 41.36% total construction costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Myricetin is isolated from Rhodomyrtus tomentosa fruits. • Myricetin inhibits IL-8 and MCP-1 productions and adhesion molecule generation. • Myricetin suppresses NF-κB activation in histamine-activated endothelial cells. • Myricetin diminishes eNOS phosphorylation and intracellular calcium elevation. Histamine plays a key role in inflammatory responses via increasing chemokine and adhesion molecule productions and augmenting vascular permeability in endothelial cells. Rhodomyrtus tomentosa has been found as a rich source of structurally diverse and biologically active metabolites. In this study, the role of phenolic compound from Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Aiton) Hassk fruits in down-regulation of histamine-induced EA.hy926 endothelial cell activation was investigated. Herein, myricetin was successfully isolated from R. tomentosa fruits by HPLC and its characterization was identified by mass spectrometer and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. It was revealed that myricetin was effective in suppression of IL-8 and MCP-1 productions and adhesion molecule generation. Moreover, NF-κB activation was inhibited by myricetin via reducing IκB-α phosphorylation and p50/p65 subunit level. Notably, myricetin potentially attenuated vascular permeability of endothelial cells through decrease in eNOS phosphorylation and intracellular calcium elevation. These results indicate that myricetin from R. tomentosa possesses a promissing pharmaceutical property for the amelioration of endothelial inflammatory responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• To effectively mobilize the pozzolanic ability of the new green binders, the main components (FA, GBA, and BFS) need to be activated by the activators. • The strength behavior was a function of the G/R ratio. • The red mud in the new green binders FA(G/R), GBA(G/R), BFS(G/R) enhanced the early strengths of stabilized RGS mixtures. Meanwhile, phosphogypsum strongly enhanced to the long-term strengths. • The hardened RGS mixtures stabilized by the new green binders were classified as nonhazardous materials. In this study, residual granitic soil (RGS) was stabilized by using various new green binders (i.e., fly ash (FA), ground bottom ash (GBA), blast-furnace slag (BFS) activated by lime (L), phosphogymsum (G), and red mud (R)). As a result, these new green binders developed from industrial by-products led to a significant improvement in engineering properties of RGS. Interestingly, the red mud amount in the new green binders enhanced the early strength while phosphogypsum enhanced the 28-day strength. A series of strength, microstructure, and environmental tests were carried out to prove the feasibility of these new green binders in RGS stabilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, a flowering plant of Myrtaceae family from southern and southeastern Asia, was known to possess a rich source of structurally diverse and various biological activities. In this study, the inhibitory effect of R. tomentosa fruit extract (RFE) on allergic responses in calcium ionophore A23187-activated RBL-2H3 mast cells was investigated. The result showed that RFE was able to inhibit mast cell degranulation via decreasing β-hexosaminidase release and intracellular Ca2+ elevation at the concentration of 400 μg/ml. Moreover, the suppressive effects of RFE on the production of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were evidenced. In addition, RFE effectively scavenged DPPH radical and suppressed the reactive oxygen species generation in a dose-dependent manner. Notably, the pretreatment of RFE caused the downregulation of tyrosine kinase Fyn phospholipid enzyme phospholipase Cγ (PLCγ), extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) phosphorylation. These results indicated that RFE could be a promising inhibitor of allergic responses and may be developed as bioactive ingredient for prevention or treatment of allergic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the suppressive effects of peptides P1 (LDAVNR) and P2 (MMLDF) from enzymatic hydrolysate of Spirulina maxima on mast cell degranulation was elucidated. It was revealed that P1 and P2 exhibited significant inhibition on cell degranulation via decreasing β-hexosaminidase release at concentration of 200 μM. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of P1 and P2 on expression and production of interleukin (IL)-13 were evidenced. Furthermore, peptide treatment caused a remarkable inhibition on the phosphorylation of Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) including ERK, p38, and JNK. Notably, the inhibitory activity of P1 on cell degranulation was found due to blockade of FcεRI receptor. Meanwhile, the inhibitory activity of P2 was involved in alleviation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Collectively, peptides P1 and P2 from S. maxima were suggested to be promising inhibitors of mast cell degranulation, contributing to the development of bioactive ingredients for amelioration of allergic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper evaluates the feasibility of by-product-based controlled low-strength material (CLSM) as a grout for geothermal systems. Quartz-based mine tailings and pond ash were adopted as filler and fine aggregates, respectively. Settlement, compressive strength, and thermal conductivity, required for grout for geothermal systems were investigated and the leaching behavior of toxic elements from the CLSM was evaluated. In addition, a cost analysis for actual construction sites of the geothermal system was conducted using a design program. The high-workable CLSM with tailings and pond ash satisfied the strength specified in the ACI 229R and its thermal conductivity was higher than that of conventional grout, i.e., bentonite-sand mixture. The CLSM made only with tailings satisfied the ‘Treatment Standard for Hazardous Wastes’ in the Code of Federal Regulations of US governments (40 CFR 268.40), whereas that with both tailings and pond ash did not. The total construction costs of the geothermal system reduced up to 20.8% when utilizing the by-product-based CLSM compared with conventional grout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Green binders made from industrial byproducts can be used instead of Portland cement in CLSM. • This article discusses the benefits of green binders on engineering properties of CLSM and provides an overview, standards, and their utilization. • The feasibility of using green binders in CLSM for sustainable production is established, with recommendations for future research. Controlled low-strength materials (CLSM) are widely recognized as cementitious materials that are self-leveling and self-compacting, and are mainly used to replace conventional structural fillings and backfill soil. Conventionally, Portland cement (PC) is the main binder used to produce CLSM. Nevertheless, owing to a low unconfined compressive strength, it has the potential of utilizing new green binders, which can be developed by using industrial by-products, as partial or full replacements of cement in CLSM mixtures. This plays an essential role in the reduction of industrial by-products and waste disposal and eventually promotes contributions to sustainable development. This article critically reviews the utilization of new green binders in the production of CLSM. Specifically, this work (i) provides a comprehensive introduction to CLSM as well as typical standards and requirements for this material; (ii) introduces types of commonly used by-products as green binders in CLSM; (iii) discusses how these green binders have been utilized in CLSM in terms of dosages and how positive the green binders can enhance the engineering properties of CLSM; and (iv) provides constructive comparisons and discussions on the role and the effectiveness of each green binder in CLSM mixture as well as their environmental impacts when being used. Based on extensive previous studies, using green binders to replace cement in the sustainable production of CLSM was determined to be feasible. Several constructive recommendations for future research in CLSM with green binders were provided. It is believed that the work done in this article could provide a systematic summary and informative discussion and comparison to encourage researchers and practitioners to promote the practical applications of CLSM made of new green binders, leading to innovative contributions toward the sustainable development of civil infrastructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Results regarding the association between adipokine levels and bone mineral density (BMD) have been inconsistent; the effects of sex, menopause, and central obesity remain unknown. We evaluated the association between serum leptin, adiponectin, and high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin levels and BMD according to menopause and central obesity status in Korean women. This cross-sectional study comprised 255 women undergoing examinations at the CHA Bundang Medical Center. Participants were divided according to menopause, and central obesity status. We measured serum adipokine levels and BMD using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, respectively. After adjusting for age, body mass index, alkaline phosphatase levels and the Homeostasis Model Assessment index, leptin levels were negatively associated with non-vertebral BMD (total hip, β = -0.576, P = 0.006; femoral neck, β = -0.608, P = 0.007) in postmenopausal women without central obesity. Among women without central obesity, HMW adiponectin levels were positively associated with total hip BMD (β = 0.240, P = 0.010) in premenopausal women but negatively associated with BMD (lumbar, β = -0.436, P = 0.012; femoral neck, β = -0.468, P = 0.007) in postmenopausal women. Thus, the association between adipokine levels and BMD varies according to the menopause and central obesity status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demethoxyfumitremorgin C, a secondary metabolite of the marine fungus, Aspergillus fumigatus , had been reported to demonstrate cytotoxic effect on mouse tsFT210 cells. However, no information is available regarding its functional mechanism and the chemo-sensitization effects on different kinds of human cancer cells. We found that treatment of demethoxyfumitremorgin C inhibited the cell viability of PC3 human advanced prostate cancer cells, induced apoptosis as determined by Annexin V/propidium iodide double staining, and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. Demethoxyfumitremorgin C induced apoptosis was associated with downregulation of anti-apoptotic proteins: Ras, PI3K, Akt, Bcl-xL, and Bcl-2, and upregulation of pro-apoptotic Bax. Demethoxyfumitremorgin C activated caspase-3, -8, and -9, leading to PARP cleavage. Additionally, caspase inhibitors blocked demethoxyfumitremorgin C-induced apoptosis of PC3 cells. These results suggest that demethoxyfumitremorgin C from Aspergillus fumigatus inhibits the proliferation of PC3 human prostate cancer cells via the intrinsic (mitochondrial) and extrinsic pathway, followed by downstream events leading to apoptotic cell death. Demethoxyfumitremorgin C could therefore, serve as a useful agent to treat human advanced prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal ash generated from the combustion process of thermal power plants and excavated soil from construction sites in Jeolla Province (South Korea) have significant environmental and economic impacts. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of controlled low strength material (CLSM) production using wastes (e.g., ponded ash, fly ash, and excavated soil) and cementless binder as full replacement of Portland cement in CLSM mixtures by assessing its engineering properties. First, control mixtures were produced with Portland cement or cementless binder, Class F fly ash, ponded ash, and water. Then, for other mixtures, excavated soil substituted for ponded ash in amounts of 10, 20, 30, and 40% by weight. The bleeding, flowability, and initial setting time of fresh CLSM mixtures were measured; afterward, they were hardened and tested for compressive strength, water absorption, and corrosivity. It was found that the engineering properties of CLSM with excavated soil, possibly up to 30%, satisfied the specifications of ACI 229R. In particular, it was found that an increase in excavated soil content as replacement could lead to an improvement in the stability (bleeding rate) of the proposed CLSM mixtures. Finally, it is worth noting that cementless binder could be feasibly used to completely replace Portland cement in CLSM production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anti-inflammatory Mytilus edulis hydrolysates (MEHs) were prepared by peptic hydrolysis and MEH was further fractionated into three fractions based on molecular weight, namely >5 kDa, 1–5 kDa, and <1 kDa. The >5 kDa peptide fraction exerted the highest nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activity and inhibited prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) secretion in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Pretreatment with the >5 kDa peptide fraction markedly inhibited LPS-stimulated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein and gene expressions. Stimulation by LPS induced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and -1β (IL-1β), whereas co-treatment with the >5 kDa peptide fraction suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine production. The >5 kDa peptide fraction inhibited the translocation of NF-κB (nuclear factor-kappa B) through the prevention of IκBα (inhibitory factor kappa B alpha) phosphorylation and degradation and also inhibited the MAPK signaling pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Emerging evidence suggests that intermuscular adipose tissue is a risk factor for insulin resistance, but the underlying mechanism still remains unclear. We investigated whether the levels of leptin, adiponectin, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 are associated with intermuscular adipose tissue in obese subjects. Design and methods A cross-sectional study was performed on 77 obese Korean women. Areas of visceral adipose tissue, subcutaneous adipose tissue, and intermuscular adipose tissue were measured by computed tomography scan, and serum concentrations of adipokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Correlation between the levels of adipokines and the fat areas was assessed using Pearson correlation and covariate-adjusted multivariable regression. Results Leptin was positively correlated with subcutaneous adipose tissue ( r = 0.452, P < 0.001), fasting insulin ( r = 0.403, P < 0.001), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance ( r = 0.360, P = 0.001), whereas monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 was positively correlated with intermuscular adipose tissue ( r = 0.483, P < 0.001). After adjustment for age, height, and other body composition metrics, leptin was still related to subcutaneous adipose tissue ( β = 0.390, P = 0.001). Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 was associated with intermuscular adipose tissue ( β = 0.433, P = 0.001) after adjustment for visceral adipose tissue. Conclusions Intermuscular adipose tissue was correlated with monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, suggesting its role in the development of insulin resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis has been implicated in conditioned taste aversion (CTA) learning induced by lithium chloride. This study investigated if circadian activation of the HPA axis affects the lithium-induced CTA formation. The pairing of conditioned stimulus (sucrose) and unconditioned stimulus (lithium chloride) was performed at night (shortly after light-off) when the HPA activity shows its circadian increase. Intraperitoenal injection of lithium chloride (0.15 M, 3 ml/kg or 12 ml/kg) at night induced CTA formation and the HPA axis activation and increased c-Fos expression in both the parabrachial nucleus (PBN) and the nucleus tractus of solitarius (NTS) in a dose dependent manner. However, intracerebroventricular lithium (0.6 M, 5 µl) at night failed to induce CTA or the HPA axis activation, although it increased c-Fos expression in the PBN and NTS. Results suggest that circadian activation of the HPA axis may affect central, but not peripheral, effect of lithium in CTA formation, and the lithium-induced c-Fos expression in brain regions may not be effective to induce CTA unless it is coupled with the HPA axis activation. It is concluded that the HPA axis activation may play an important role mediating not only peripheral but also central effect of lithium in CTA formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells are used as a power source in automobiles where they are required endure harsh conditions like sub-zero temperatures. A new purge method is introduced in this study that uses a sudden pressure reduction to minimize residual water in the fuel cell. The internal ohmic resistance and the dew point temperature of the exhaust gas in the cathode were measured to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. In addition, images of the surface of the microporous layer were obtained using a microscope and cold start experiments were conducted to verify the effectiveness of the method. The results show that most of water on the catalyst layer and the membrane electrolyte assembly was removed following the pressure reduction purge compared to the normal gas blowing purge process. A durability test was also conducted and no significant degradation during the pressure reduction purge process was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfated polysaccharides isolated from seaweeds are thought of as ideal ingredients in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetics industries. Our previous study isolated and characterized sulfated polysaccharides from Padina boryana. The sulfated polysaccharides of Padina boryana (PBP) were extracted, and the antioxidant activity of PBP was evaluated. The results indicate that PBP possesses antioxidant effects and potential in the cosmetic industry. To further investigate the potential of PBP in cosmetics, the photoprotective and anti-melanogenesis effects of PBP were evaluated. The anti-melanogenesis test results display that PBP reduced the melanin content in the murine melanoma cells stimulated by alpha melanocyte-stimulating hormone from 203.7% to 183.64%, 144.63%, and 127.57% at concentrations of 25 μg/mL, 50 μg/mL, and 100 μg/mL, respectively. The anti-photodamage test results showed that PBP significantly protected skin cells against UVB-stimulated photodamage. PBP suppressed human epidermal keratinocyte (HaCaT cell) death by inhibiting apoptosis and reducing the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species. The intracellular reactive oxygen species level of HaCaT cells irradiated by UVB was reduced from 192.67% to 181.22%, 170.25%, and 160.48% by 25 μg/mL, 50 μg/mL, and 100 μg/mL PBP, respectively. In addition, PBP remarkably reduced UVB-induced human dermal fibroblast damage by suppressing oxidative damage, inhibiting collagen degradation, and attenuating inflammatory responses. These results indicate that PBP possesses photoprotective and anti-melanogenesis activities and suggest that PBP is a potential ingredient in the cosmetic industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The association between frailty domains and falls was investigated among older adults. • Social isolation and exhaustion but not weakness were significantly associated with more fall events in a longitudinal analysis. • Tailored interventional strategies should be targeted to older adults with social isolation and exhaustion. Evidence has shown that frailty is associated with the risk of falls in older people. However, the components of frailty that have the highest association with fall events are largely unknown. This study analyzed panel data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging. We used the Korean Frailty Instrument, which includes domains for social isolation, exhaustion and weakness estimated by grip strength, to assess frailty. Fall event data were collected during follow-up visits. A total of 3122 community-dwelling adults aged 65 years or older were included at baseline in 2006 and were followed up every 2 years until 2018. The participants with frailty had a higher risk of falls than those without frailty (OR=1.31, 95% CI=1.11–1.54, P = 0.001; fully adjusted model). We found that three components of frailty, namely, social isolation, exhaustion, and weakness, were independently and significantly related to fall events in the unadjusted model. In the fully adjusted model, social isolation and exhaustion were significantly associated with fall events (OR=1.38, 95% CI=1.18–1.61, P < 0.001 and OR=1.28, 95% CI=1.10–1.51, P = 0.006, respectively), and there was no significant association between weakness and the risk of falls (OR=1.11, 95% CI=0.91–1.34, P = 0.307). Frailty was associated with more fall events in Korean older adults. Social isolation and exhaustion but not weakness were significantly associated with fall events. Our study suggests that interventions should be tailored to older adults with social and psychological frailty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between sex hormones and metabolic syndrome independent of age and BMI in Korean men. Study design: We conducted a cross-sectional study with data from a health promotion center during the period from March 2007 to February 2010. 2172 Korean men aged 21–79 were enrolled. Total testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and glucose were assessed with overnight fasting serum samples. Main outcome measures: Sex hormones were divided into quartiles; odds ratios for metabolic syndrome and each component were analyzed. Results: Total testosterone showed negative associations with waist circumference (WC), fasting glucose, TG, blood pressure and body mass index (BMI), and a positive relationship with HDL cholesterol (P for trend <0.001, respectively). SHBG was negatively associated with WC, fasting glucose, TG, and BMI, and positively associated with total testosterone and age. Comparing with the highest quartile, odds ratios of lowest quartile of total testosterone and SHBG for metabolic syndrome were 3.01 (95% CI, 2.11–4.28) and 6.34 (95% CI, 2.29–17.58), respectively, after adjusting for age, smoking status, alcohol intake, exercise, and BMI. Total testosterone was significantly associated with each metabolic component and SHBG was associated with glucose and TG after adjustment for age, smoking status, alcohol intake, and BMI. Calculated free testosterone had no significant relationship with metabolic syndrome or its components. Conclusion: Total testosterone and SHBG are negatively associated with prevalence of metabolic syndrome independent of age and BMI in Korean men. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Illicium verum Hook. f. (star anise) has been used in traditional medicine for treatment of skin inflammation, rheumatism, asthma, and bronchitis. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of Illicium verum extract (IVE) in the human keratinocyte HaCaT cell line. Materials and methods: We investigated the effectiveness of IVE in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)/interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-induced human keratinocytes. To measure the effects of IVE on chemokine and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in HaCaT cells, we used the following methods: cell viability assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blotting, and luciferase reporter assay. Results: IVE inhibited the expression of TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced mRNA and protein expression of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17), macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC/CCL22), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β. Furthermore, IVE decreased TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced mRNA expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). IVE inhibited nuclear factor (NF)-κB translocation into the nucleus, as well as phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα. IVE inhibited TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced NF-κB and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)1 activation in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, IVE significantly inhibited activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and Akt. Furthermore, IVE contained 2.14% trans-anethole and possessed significant anti-inflammatory activities. Conclusions: IVE exerts anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing the expression of TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced chemokines, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and adhesion molecules via blockade of NF-κB, STAT1, MAPK, and Akt activation, suggesting that IVE may be a useful therapeutic candidate for inflammatory skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Illicium verum Hook. f. (star anise) has been used in traditional medicine for treatment of skin inflammation, rheumatism, asthma, and bronchitis. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of Illicium verum extract (IVE) in the human keratinocyte HaCaT cell line. Materials and methods: We investigated the effectiveness of IVE in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)/interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-induced human keratinocytes. To measure the effects of IVE on chemokine and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in HaCaT cells, we used the following methods: cell viability assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blotting, and luciferase reporter assay. Results: IVE inhibited the expression of TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced mRNA and protein expression of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17), macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC/CCL22), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β. Furthermore, IVE decreased TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced mRNA expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). IVE inhibited nuclear factor (NF)-κB translocation into the nucleus, as well as phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα. IVE inhibited TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced NF-κB and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)1 activation in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, IVE significantly inhibited activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and Akt. Furthermore, IVE contained 2.14% trans-anethole and possessed significant anti-inflammatory activities. Conclusions: IVE exerts anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing the expression of TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced chemokines, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and adhesion molecules via blockade of NF-κB, STAT1, MAPK, and Akt activation, suggesting that IVE may be a useful therapeutic candidate for inflammatory skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background. Sarcopenia is an important factor of functional impairment related to aging. This study is conducted to investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity in Korean population. Methods. Representative Korean men (4,486) and women (5,999) aged 20 years or older were analyzed from the Fourth Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys. Sarcopenia was classified into Class I defined relative skeletal muscle mass loss within 1–2 SD of the gender-specific mean for healthy young adults and Class II below 2 SD. Relative skeletal muscle mass was represented by the appendicular skeletal muscle mass adjusted by height and body weight. Sarcopenic obesity was considered present in Class II sarcopenic participants whose waist circumference was more than or equal to 90 cm for men and more than or equal to 85 cm for women, respectively. Results. The prevalence of Class II sarcopenia in the Korean elderly population was 12.4% for men and 0.1% for women by height-adjusted definition and 9.7% for men and 11.8% for women by weight-adjusted definition. The prevalence of sarcopenic obesity was 7.6% for men and 9.1% for women by weight-adjusted definition but nearly zero for men and women by height-adjusted definition. The prevalence of sarcopenia increased with age for men but for women only when applied with weight-adjusted definition. Conclusions. The prevalence of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity differs by gender and definition criteria. The height-adjusted definition may tend to underestimate the prevalence of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity, especially in women. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective It is generally believed that gonadal function in men declines with ageing. However, observations on ageing-related decrease in total testosterone ( TT) are not consistent. The aim of this study is to examine the ageing-related changes of testosterone and to investigate the influence of the ageing-related factors on TT. Design Changes of TT with ageing were observed in longitudinal design in a single health promotion centre. Subjects A total of 220 Korean men aged ≥40 years were included between 2002 and 2011. TT assay was repeated for all subjects, with an interval of ≥3 years. Measurements Information of medical history and lifestyle habits was collected. Anthropometry and blood pressure were measured. TT, glucose, creatinine, highly sensitive C-reactive protein, liver enzymes and lipid profiles were tested. Results Mean TT level did not decline significantly with ageing during median 4·3 years follow-up (18·1 vs 17·8 n m, P = 0·439). Longitudinal change of TT was approximately + 0·8% per year. TT was negatively correlated with body mass index ( BMI), waist circumference and glucose. With mixed effects model, diabetes ( P = 0·038) and BMI ( P = 0·007) affected TT level, but age and follow-up interval did not. Conclusions TT did not change significantly in 220 Korean men for a median 4·3 years follow-up. TT was not influenced by the age and follow-up interval. BMI and diabetes mellitus affected TT decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The use of chemically modified XAD-4-salen chelating resin had been studied for the separative concentration of metal ions from an aqueous solution. XAD-4-salen was synthesized by diazonium coupling reaction of salen[N,N′-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine] and Amberlite XAD-4 resin. The distribution coefficient at various pH values and adsorption capacities were obtained with respect to Cu(II), Pb(II) and Bi(III). Trace elements were pre-concentrated on the synthesized XAD-4-salen by batch method for atomic absorption spectrometric determination. Some conditions, such as the pH of aqueous solution, amount of XAD-4-salen, kinds and concentration of acids were optimized for the analytical application of XAD-4-salen. For the pre-concentration of metal ions, the pH of the aqueous solution was adjusted to approximately 5.5, and then it was stirred 30 min after the addition of 50 mg of pulverized XAD-4-salen. The adsorbed metal ions were desorbed by 10 mL of 1.0 M HNO3. The desorption efficiency of Bi(III) was enhanced by the addition of 30 mg/L of Pd(II). The addition of Pd(II) as a matrix modifier could improve the reproducibility and sensitivity in the Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) determination of volatile lead and bismuth. In the present study, this procedure has been applied for the determination of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Bi(III) in real samples of five kinds of river water, using a standard calibration curve method. Recoveries of 85–120% were obtained in the spiked samples in which given amount of analytes were added. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) have been successfully used for solving a wide variety of problems. However, determining a suitable set of structural and learning parameter values for an ANN still remains a difficult task. This article is concerned with the robust design of multilayer feedforward neural networks trained by backpropagation algorithm (Backpropagation net, BPN) and develops a systematic, experimental strategy which emphasizes simultaneous optimization of BPN parameters under various noise conditions. Unlike previous works, the present robust design problem is formulated as a Taguchi''s dynamic parameter design problem, together with a fine-tuning of the BPN output when necessary. A series of computational experiments are also conducted using the data sets from various sources. From the computational results, statistically significant effects of the BPN parameters on the robustness measure (i.e., signal-to-noise ratio) are identified, based upon which an economical experimental strategy is derived. It is also shown that fine-tuning the BPN output is effective in improving the signal-to-noise ratio. Finally, the step-by-step procedures for implementing the proposed approach are illustrated with an example. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Accurately estimating the dimensionless ground thermal response factor (g-function) is critical for the design and operation of geothermal energy systems. This process, however, is fraught with uncertainties stemming from the difficulty in controlling on-site geometric parameters and estimating thermal properties through field experiments. The relative contributions of these parameters to response uncertainty change temporally as the response progresses. Thus, understanding this temporal sensitivity variation is crucial for effective response uncertainty management. To address this, we conducted transient global sensitivity analyses. Regardless of borefield setups, ground thermal properties were key factors in thermal response uncertainty. However, their influence decreased from the late-mid term as borehole radius and borehole distance became more significant in single-borehole and multi-borehole setups, respectively. This time-varying relative sensitivity suggests that prioritizing parameters to reduce response uncertainty depends on the temporal characteristics of the ground load. To demonstrate this, we systematically halved the uncertainty for each parameter and examined the resultant change in the fluid temperature uncertainty for a dynamic ground load scenario. Notably, prioritizing parameters with high early-response sensitivity significantly reduced fluid temperature uncertainty. These findings highlight the need for dynamic uncertainty management strategies in geothermal system design and operation. For dynamic load profiles utilizing the ground as a heat source or sink, prioritizing parameters with high sensitivity in the early- to mid-term is crucial. Conversely, for long-term storage applications, focusing on parameters with high sensitivity in the mid- to long-term response becomes essential. • Analyzed time-dependent parameter contributions to ground thermal response uncertainty • Clarified temporal changes in parameter contributions using transient global sensitivity analyses • Demonstrated relative parameter sensitivity to response uncertainty varies dynamically over time • Identified key influential parameters on response uncertainty depends on temporal load patterns • Dynamic uncertainty management is required considering temporal sensitivity and load patterns [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurately estimating the dimensionless ground thermal response factor (g-function) is critical for the design and operation of geothermal energy systems. This process, however, is fraught with uncertainties stemming from the difficulty in controlling on-site geometric parameters and estimating thermal properties through field experiments. The relative contributions of these parameters to response uncertainty change temporally as the response progresses. Thus, understanding this temporal sensitivity variation is crucial for effective response uncertainty management. To address this, we conducted transient global sensitivity analyses. Regardless of borefield setups, ground thermal properties were key factors in thermal response uncertainty. However, their influence decreased from the late-mid term as borehole radius and borehole distance became more significant in single-borehole and multi-borehole setups, respectively. This time-varying relative sensitivity suggests that prioritizing parameters to reduce response uncertainty depends on the temporal characteristics of the ground load. To demonstrate this, we systematically halved the uncertainty for each parameter and examined the resultant change in the fluid temperature uncertainty for a dynamic ground load scenario. Notably, prioritizing parameters with high early-response sensitivity significantly reduced fluid temperature uncertainty. These findings highlight the need for dynamic uncertainty management strategies in geothermal system design and operation. For dynamic load profiles utilizing the ground as a heat source or sink, prioritizing parameters with high sensitivity in the early- to mid-term is crucial. Conversely, for long-term storage applications, focusing on parameters with high sensitivity in the mid- to long-term response becomes essential. • Analyzed time-dependent parameter contributions to ground thermal response uncertainty • Clarified temporal changes in parameter contributions using transient global sensitivity analyses • Demonstrated relative parameter sensitivity to response uncertainty varies dynamically over time • Identified key influential parameters on response uncertainty depends on temporal load patterns • Dynamic uncertainty management is required considering temporal sensitivity and load patterns [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)‐enriched products (GEP) exhibited a wide range of pharmaceutical properties. In this study, anti‐inflammatory activity of GEP from Lactobacillus fermentum‐fermented water solution of rice bran was evaluated on lipopolysaccharide‐activated macrophage model. GABA content in L. fermentum‐fermented rice bran solution was determined up to 1.27 g/L. GEP was shown to inhibit the expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase‐2 enzymes. Moreover, pretreatment of GEP attenuated the generation level of interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐1β, tumor necrosis factor α, and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1. Especially, the activation of signaling pathways due to nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) and mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) was interrupted in GEP‐exposed cells. Notably, molecular docking result showed a potential binding of GABA to Toll‐like receptor 4 with a binding energy of −3.88 kcal/mol, suggesting the role of GABA in suppression of Toll‐like receptor 4‐MAPK/NF‐κB signaling cascades. As the result, GEP from L. fermentum‐fermented rice bran solution could be suggested as a promising food for suppression of inflammatory responses. Practical applications: GABA‐enriched products have been evidenced to possess various pharmaceutical properties and health beneficial effects. In this study, GABA‐enriched product from L. fermentum‐fermented rice bran solution exhibited the inhibition on inflammatory response in macrophages. Hence, it could be used as a potential ingredient for the mitigation of inflammatory responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The maturation of the oocyte is influenced by cumulus cells (CCs) and associated with pregnancy rate, whereas the influencing factors have not been completely elucidated in the CCs. In this study, we identified new regulators of CCs for high-quality oocytes and successful pregnancies during assisted reproductive techniques. CCs were collected from cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) in young (≤33 years old) and old (≥40 years old) women undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) procedures. We screened for factors differentially expressed between young vs. old CCs and pregnancy vs. non-pregnancy using whole mRNA-seq-next-generation sequencing (NGS). We characterized the transcriptome of the CCs to identify factors critical for achieving pregnancy in IVF cycles. Women in the young and old pregnancy groups exhibited the up- and downregulation of multiple genes compared with the non-pregnancy groups, revealing the differential regulation of several specific genes involved in ovarian steroidogenesis in CCs. It was shown that the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor to the steroidogenesis pathway was upregulated in CCs with higher maturity rates of oocytes in the pregnancy group. In conclusion, a higher pregnancy rate is related to the signaling pathway of steroidogenesis by the LDL receptor in infertile women undergoing IVF procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Energy and exergy analysis is performed based on the experimental results. • The largest exergy destruction ratio takes place on the HCCI engine. • Through the energy analysis, heat losses have been identified and quantified. • Through the exergy analysis, the use of SOFC should be increased. • Suggestions are made for improving the efficiency of hybrid system. A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC)-based hybrid power generation system using homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) was previously proposed, based on which a proof-of-concept test has already been conducted by the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials. In this study, energy and exergy analyses were performed to evaluate the experimental data obtained from the proof-of-concept test of the SOFC-HCCI engine hybrid system. In the analyses, particular attention is paid to the SOFC stack, HCCI engine, balance of plant (BOP) hot-box subsections and, accordingly, the energy and exergy flows within and between the above subsections. For the BOP hot-box, the energy and exergy analyses reveal different results. The energy analysis demonstrated that 75.1% of the transferred heat was recovered by the BOP components and pipes; only 25% of the heat, i.e., 638 W, was lost. However, the exergy analysis identified that only 35.1% of the transferred exergy was recovered; thus, 64.9% of the exergy was destroyed. Based on the energy and exergy analysis results, it is observed that the amount of exergy destruction exceeds the heat loss as the latter contributes to the former; this is in addition to the exergy destruction due to the irreversibility of the heat transfer between the components located in the BOP hot box. Based on the analyses of the entire system, the various heat losses and exergy destruction are quantitatively identified. In particular, significant heat loss and exergy destruction occur in the engine, additional burner, and BOP components. To improve the efficiency of the system, the insulation of the system can be reinforced, thereby reducing heat loss and exergy destruction and burner usage can be minimized. This suggests that the heat losses from the system components, mostly in the HCCI engine, should be reduced or reused to improve the overall efficiency of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) based power generation system with cascade configuration has been analyzed using the exergy-based analysis method. A cascade system has double SOFC stacks, where the unreacted fuel released from the primary SOFC stack is re-utilized in the secondary stack, generating additional power and maximizing fuel-use in the system. For comparison and evaluation, a simple SOFC system and an SOFC system with anode off-gas recirculation are also analyzed. In all the SOFC systems, efficiency increases with increasing fuel utilization. The simple and anode off-gas recirculation systems show 63.7% and 66.0% electrical efficiency at 85% and 90% fuel utilization, respectively. The cascade system shows 66.47% electrical efficiency at 90% fuel utilization, which is the highest electrical efficiency among the systems analyzed. Through the exergy analysis, the magnitude, location, and resources of the thermodynamic irreversibility within the SOFC systems are clearly identified, giving the quantified information why the cascade configuration has higher efficiency than the other configurations. The SOFC stack shows very high exergetic efficiency over 90%. In the cascade configuration, the released exergy from the primary SOFC stack can be exergetically-efficiently utilized in the secondary SOFC stack, contributing to a higher efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Machine learning (ML) models have been increasingly employed to predict osteoporosis. However, the incorporation of hair minerals into ML models remains unexplored. This study aimed to develop ML models for predicting low bone mass (LBM) using health checkup data and hair mineral analysis. A total of 1206 postmenopausal women and 820 men aged 50 years or older at a health promotion center were included in this study. LBM was defined as a T-score below − 1 at the lumbar, femur neck, or total hip area. The proportion of individuals with LBM was 59.4% (n = 1205). The features used in the models comprised 50 health checkup items and 22 hair minerals. The ML algorithms employed were Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), Random Forest (RF), Gradient Boosting (GB), and Adaptive Boosting (AdaBoost). The subjects were divided into training and test datasets with an 80:20 ratio. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and an F1 score were evaluated to measure the performances of the models. Through 50 repetitions, the mean (standard deviation) AUROC for LBM was 0.744 (± 0.021) for XGB, the highest among the models, followed by 0.737 (± 0.023) for AdaBoost, and 0.733 (± 0.023) for GB, and 0.732 (± 0.021) for RF. The XGB model had an accuracy of 68.7%, sensitivity of 80.7%, specificity of 51.1%, PPV of 70.9%, NPV of 64.3%, and an F1 score of 0.754. However, these performance metrics did not demonstrate notable differences among the models. The XGB model identified sulfur, sodium, mercury, copper, magnesium, arsenic, and phosphate as crucial hair mineral features. The study findings emphasize the significance of employing ML algorithms for predicting LBM. Integrating health checkup data and hair mineral analysis into these models may provide valuable insights into identifying individuals at risk of LBM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Unsaturated thermal conductivity is determined by two sample preparation methods. • Ground steelmaking slag has a positive effect on thermal conductivity of CLSM. • Thermal conductivity and degree of saturation of CLSM has a linear relationship. • Air-dried method overestimates the thermal conductivity. • New predictive equations for thermal conductivity of CLSM are proposed. Controlled low-strength materials (CLSMs) with high workability and relatively high thermal conductivity can function as a thermal grout in the heat exchanger of ground source heat pump systems. The degree of saturation of CLSM strongly influences its thermal conductivity and thus affects the heat transfer capacity of the heat exchanger system. This study investigates the degree of saturation–thermal conductivity relationship of steelmaking slag-based CLSM using two sample preparation methods: a modified high-pressure membrane extractor coupled with a thermal needle probe (HP) and air-dried (AD) methods. The effect of grinding steelmaking slag on the mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of CLSM is also evaluated. The engineering properties test results indicate that ground steelmaking slag presents a positive effect on the compressive strength and thermal conductivity of CLSMs owing to the reduction of the inherent porosity and increased specific surface area of the raw steelmaking slag by the grinding. The degree of saturation and thermal conductivity have a linear relationship for both the AD and HP test methods. However, it was found that the AD method overestimates the thermal conductivity owing to the uneven distribution of the water content in the specimen. Finally, predictive equations are proposed to estimate the thermal conductivity of CLSM for the entire range of degree of saturation. Compared to the recently proposed equation, these equations are more appropriate for thermal conductivity estimation of grouting materials based CLSM, especially at low water content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An SOFC-engine hybrid system is proposed and a demonstration system is integrated. • Proof-of-concept test has been conducted over various operating conditions. • The engine accounts for 7.6–26.0% of the total net power at various fuel utilization. • At a target condition, efficiency improvesby 5.3% points owing to the engine power. A novel concept of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC)-based hybrid power generation—an SOFC–engine hybrid—is introduced, and proof-of-concept test results for a 5-kW-class system are presented. The SOFC–engine hybrid system is a combination of an SOFC and internal combustion engine, consisting of an SOFC stack, a reformer, an air blower, a fuel supply system, a water pump, an air preheating exchanger, a steam generator, and an internal combustion engine. To prove the feasibility of the proposed hybrid system concept, a 5-kW-class small-scale demonstration system was integrated with the proposed system, and tests were performed under various experimental conditions with pure hydrogen fuel and reformed methane gas. In the hydrogen-based test, the SOFC and engine generated 4.4 kW and 731 W, respectively, at 70% fuel utilization. This indicates that the engine improved the efficiency by 7.9% compared with fuel-cell-only operation (47.8%). In the reformed gas test, the demonstration was conducted for more than 200 h. At a lower fuel utilization of 50.6%, the SOFC and engine generated 3.3 kW and 1168 W, respectively; the engine accounted for 26.0% of the total net power production. As the fuel utilization increased, the power share of the engine decreased; the engine accounted for 17.3%, 13.1%, and 7.6% of the total net power at fuel utilizations of 61.2%, 65.4%, and 70.1%, respectively. Based on the results, it can be concluded that at 70.1% fuel utilization, the efficiency improved by 5.3% because of the additional power from the engine. Through a series of tests, it was observed that at a fuel utilization of more than 65%, the total power production and sum of the SOFC power and engine power maintained similar values because the engine compensated for the power decrease in the SOFC stack. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells need humidification for proper operation. A membrane humidifier humidifies the gas supplied to the cell. Additional power is not required; however, the large pressure drop and large volume are disadvantageous. To minimize the role of the humidifier, the pressurized operation and water storage process (WSP) was adapted during dry start-up to accumulate the water generated by the reaction. A segmented cell was used. The relative humidity of the discharged gas was analyzed at the cathode outlet. For extreme dry conditions, dehydrated hydrogen and air at 30 °C and 50 °C, respectively, were used. The fuel cell showed easier hydration in the pressurized operation; the performance of the dry start-up improved under high operating pressure. The WSP was effective for all pressure condition, but its effect could not be maintained for high temperature dry start-up. Because water accumulation in the cell at high pressure facilitates hydration, successful dry start-up is possible at high operating temperatures. The dew point temperature measurement of the outlet gas confirmed that water generated by the chemical reaction accumulated in the cell, rather vaporization and discharge to the outlet. Thus, the role of the humidifier in the fuel cell system was minimized. • Dry start-up performance of a segmented fuel cell is measured in this study. • Various pressure and temperature start-up operating conditions are used. • At 30 °C, chemical reaction barely occurs at the inlet at atmospheric pressure. • At higher pressure, the reaction occurs more readily in the middle and outlet regions. • The reaction during the dry start-up minimizes the need for the fuel cell humidifier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interval colorectal cancers detected after colonoscopy are known to be highly associated with proximal colorectal neoplasms (CRNs). This cross-sectional study investigated whether periodontitis could be a risk factor for proximal CRNs in healthy individuals. A total of 2504 subjects who received a colonoscopy and dental exam were enrolled in this study. We divided the subjects into the periodontitis group (n = 216) and the control group (n = 2288). The periodontitis group was defined as subjects who had one or more teeth with a probing pocket depth (PPD) ≥4 mm. The prevalence of proximal CRNs was significantly higher in the periodontitis group (25.0%) than in the control group (12.3%) (P < 0.001). Independent risk factors for proximal CRNs in the multivariate analysis were periodontitis, smoking, age, waist circumference, and triglycerides, and those for proximal advanced CRNs were periodontitis, age, and family history of CRC. However, periodontitis was not a risk factor for overall CRNs and advanced CRNs. Periodontitis was associated with an increased risk of proximal CRNs (odds ratio [OR], 1.525; 95% confidence intervals [95% CI], 1.071–2.172) and proximal advanced CRNs (OR, 2.671; 95% CI, 1.088–6.560). Periodontitis might be associated with proximal CRNs and proximal advanced CRNs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes an ammonia-fed cascade recirculation system comprising: (1) two stacks connected in series and (2) an anode off-gas recirculation configuration to enhance electrical efficiency of the system. The proposed system is both energetically and economically investigated. Under energetic analysis, the effects of fuel utilization, temperature, and recirculation rate, are clarified. Information from energetic analysis is employed to investigate levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) value in the entire working range. Due to the high potential of the cascade configuration, a cascade system without recirculation is also investigated using the same methods. The results reveal that the cascade-only and cascade recirculation systems obtain electrical efficiency up to 67.78% and 68.80%, respectively. The minimum LCOEs are 0.485 and 0.486 $/kWh, respectively, which are both higher than grid electricity cost; however, compared with other ammonia-fed SOFC systems, the two cascade configuration-based systems show significant improvements in both efficiency and cost. • A novel cascade recirculation configuration was proposed for ammonia SOFC system. • The system was investigated in both thermodynamics and economic points of views. • Net electrical efficiency of the proposed system can reach to 68.80%. • Minimum levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of the proposed system is 0.486 $/kWh. • The system is superior than the others in both cost and efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The life-cycle cost reduction of medium-class gas turbine power plants was investigated using the mathematical optimization technique. Three different types of gas turbine power cycles—a simple cycle, a regenerative cycle, and a combined cycle—were examined, and their optimal design conditions were determined using the sequential quadratic programming (SQP) technique. As a modeling reference, the Siemens SGT-700 gas turbine was chosen and its technical data were used for system simulation and validation. Through optimization using the SQP method, the overall costs of the simple cycle, regenerative cycle, and combined cycle were reduced by 7.4%, 12.0%, and 3.9%, respectively, compared to the cost of the base cases. To examine the effect of economic parameters on the optimal design condition and cost, different values of fuel costs, interest rates, and discount rates were applied to the cost calculation, and the optimization results were analyzed and compared. The values were chosen to reflect different countries' economic situations: South Korea, China, India, and Indonesia. For South Korea and China, the optimal design condition is proposed near the upper bound of the variation range, implying that the efficiency improvement plays an important role in cost reduction. For India and Indonesia, the optimal condition is proposed in the middle of the variation ranges. Even for India and Indonesia, the fuel cost has the largest contribution to the total cost, accounting for more than 60%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • A new cementless binder is developed from fly ash, red mud, lime, and gypsum. • Engineering properties of CLSM using the developed binder satisfy the specifications of ACI 229R. • CLSMs made with the newly developed binder are classified as non-hazardous materials, conforming to the EPA guidelines. • An increase in red mud content can lead to an improvement in early strengths of CLSM. • It is feasible to completely replace Portland cement with the proposed cementless binder in CLSM production. Abstract The aim of this study is to develop of a new binder using entirely by-products for a production of CLSM. The new cementless binder, tentatively named Fa-RmLG, was made from fly ash (Fa), lime (L), gypsum (G) and red mud (Rm). Various CSLM mixtures were produced with pond ash and different proportions of the new cementless binder Fa-RmLG. To assess the technical feasibility of this cementless binder in CLSM, three phases corresponding with three mix proportions were performed in this study. A preliminary proportion (phase I) was conducted to evaluate the engineering properties of five proposed CLSM mixtures in which the ratio of gypsum to red mud (G/Rm) varied in the range of 0.4–6.0. Subsequently, the best CLSM mixture was selected to be the control mix for a further study, which investigated the effect of fly ash content (phase II) and lime content (phase III) on the engineering properties of all CLSM mixtures in these phases. The obtained results showed that the engineering properties (flowability, bleeding, setting time, unconfined compressive strength, and microstructural analysis) and environmental impacts (corrosivity, heavy metals) of CLSM made with the proposed cementless binder met the ACI 229R requirements through a control of the cementless binder proportions. In conclusion, it was found a feasibility of using the developed Fa-RmLG binder for the production of CLSM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying and characterizing novel bioactive compounds from natural sources are crucial in many industries, including nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, functional foods, and food additives. However, these natural bioactive compounds can often be found in nature (either of plant or animal origin) at very low levels. Therefore, recovering compounds synthesized by natural organisms in large quantities for industrial applications requires massive harvesting or large-scale culturing of these organisms, which further increases the production cost of the final product. However, the high demand and profitability of these industries have led to the development of advanced technologies for the efficient extraction of bioactive compounds. Advanced techniques such as pressurized-liquid extraction, subcritical and supercritical extraction, and microwave- and ultrasound-assisted extraction now play a unique role in industries engaged in bioactive compound-related businesses. With research and development, the efficiency of these extraction techniques has been further enhanced by combination with enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE) techniques. The combination of EAE with traditional and novel extraction techniques facilitates the release of compounds from the matrix. These combined approaches provide an innovative approach to increase the production efficiency of specific compounds for use as ingredients in different industries. Recently, the recovery of bioactive compounds from marine organisms such as Seaweeds and microalgae has become a hot topic, and many industries are seeking to develop functional products from marine organisms. However, the extraction efficiency and bioavailability of the bioactive compounds identified in seaweeds and microalgae are limited, as is the case for land plants. Therefore, the recovery of bioactive compounds from seaweeds and microalgae in large quantities for industrial applications requires modern approaches, such as EAE, in combination with conventional extraction techniques. The insights offered in this review hold potential benefits for researchers and industries engaged in marine bioactive compound-related enterprises to develop functional products. In this comprehensive review, we reviewed research articles mainly focused on the bioactive properties of seaweeds and microalgae extracted using EAE techniques. Furthermore, only studies published after 2018 were included in this review. This initiative presents a promising pathway for future progressions in the domain of functional product development from seaweeds and microalgae. • Bioactive compounds Extracted from Seaweeds using Enzyme-assisted extraction methods. • Enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE) techniques presented. • Bioactive compounds Extracted from microalgae using Enzyme-assisted extraction methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]