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In this study, an ANN (artificial neural network) based real-time optimized control algorithm for a chilled water cooling system was developed and applied in an actual building to analyze its cooling energy saving effects through in-situ application and actual measurements. For this purpose, the cooling tower’s CndWT (condenser water temperature) and the chiller’s ChWT (chilled water temperature) were set as system control variables. To evaluate algorithm performance, the electric consumption and the COP (coefficient of performance) were compared and analyzed when ChWT and CndWTs were controlled conventionally and controlled based on the ANN. During the analysis, unexpected abnormal data was observed due to insufficient training data and limited consideration of OWBT (outdoor air wet-bulb temperature) when determining the CndWT set-point. Therefore, it is necessary to further build training data from a wider range of conditions and to set the lower limit of CndWT set-point to at least +3.6 °C above OWBT when the OWBT is higher than 23 °C, so that further energy savings can be achieved.

AbstractAutophagy serves as a survival mechanism and plays important role in nutrient recycling under conditions of starvation, nutrient storage, ad differentiation of plant pathogenic fungi. However, autophagy-related genes have not been investigated in Colletotrichum scovillei, a causal agent of pepper fruit anthracnose disease. ATG8is involved in autophagosome formation and is considered a marker of autophagy. Therefore, we generated an ATG8deletion mutant, ΔCsatg8, via homologous recombination to determine the functional roles of CsATG8in the development and virulence of C. scovillei. Compared with the wild-type, the deletion mutant ΔCsatg8exhibited a severe reduction in conidiation. Conidia produced by ΔCsatg8were defective in survival, conidial germination, and appressorium formation. Moreover, conidia of ΔCsatg8showed reduced lipid amount and PTS1 selectivity. A virulence assay showed that anthracnose development on pepper fruits was reduced in ΔCsatg8. Taken together, our results suggest that CsATG8plays various roles in conidium production and associated development, and virulence in C. scovillei.

Because of depletion of fossil fuel from the earth curst and increase of environmental concerns, in search of an efficient alternative to the traditional carbon black (CB), a biochar known as rice husk carbon (RHC) has been examined here as a filler material to develop the EPDM composite. In this regard, the ball milled RHC was further treated with ultrasonic wave and used with or without its surface treatment by the silane coupling agent [i.e., 3-mercaptopropyl triethoxysilane (3-MPTMS)]. Among the RHC, ultrasonic treated RHC (UHC) and silane treated UHC (USHC), the EPDM composite of USHC showed nearly similar tensile strength to that of the CB (e.g., CB: 33.88 kgf/cm2, USHC: 31.38 kgf/cm2at 20 wt% filler loading) with an enhanced elongation at break (e.g., CB: 206%, USHC: 342% at 20 wt% filler loading) and surprisingly much less compression set value (CB: 40.87%, USHC: 18.95% even after 40 wt% of filler loading). Compared to RHC, the UHC also showed its better performance next to the USHC. In addition to presence of both the carbon and silica in RHC and additional silica within the flexible aliphatic chain in USHC, the disintegration of RHC by ultrasonic treatment towards its narrow particle distribution, smaller particle size, and increased surface area is considered very much effective to develop the corresponding high performance EPDM composites. Thus, the use of waste material, i.e., rice husk through the ultrasonication of RHC followed by its surface treatment can be used as a potential filler material to prepare the environment friendly and cost effective high performing composites to be used in different efficient end products, and motivated further for industrial upscaling.

Biological species collections are critical for natural product drug discovery programs. However, prioritization of target species in massive collections remains difficult. Here, we introduce an untargeted metabolomics-based prioritization workflow that uses MS/MS molecular networking to estimate scaffold-level distribution. As a demonstration, we applied the workflow to 40 polyporoid fungal species. Nine species were prioritized as candidates based on the chemical structural and compositional similarity (CSCS) metric. Most of the selected species showed relatively higher richness and uniqueness of metabolites than those of the others. Cryptoporus volvatus, one of the prioritized species, was investigated further. The chemical profiles of the extracts of C. volvatusculture and fruiting bodies were compared, and it was shown that derivative-level diversity was higher in the fruiting bodies; meanwhile, scaffold-level diversity was similar. This showed that the compounds found from a cultured fungus can also be isolated in wild mushrooms. Targeted isolation of the fruiting body extract yielded three unknown (1–3) and six known (4–9) cryptoporic acid derivatives, which are drimane-type sesquiterpenes with isocitric acid moieties that have been reported in this species. Cryptoporic acid T (1) is a trimeric cryptoporic acid reported for the first time. Compounds 2and 5exhibited cytotoxicity against HCT-116 cell lines with IC50values of 4.3 and 3.6 μM, respectively.

Objective: We assessed the andropause (=male climacteric syndrome)-relief effects of the sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus) samples in an in vivoanimal model using aged male SD rats (24 weeks old). Methods: During the experimental period, G1 (control group) received saline, and G2, G3, and G4 were administered 250 mg/kg of sea cucumber hot water extract, sea cucumber fermented by Cordycepe mili-taris, and hydrolysate of sea cucumber, daily by oral gavage, respectively. After 4 weeks, the effects of male menopause and aging on vascular health were assessed by measuring the total cholesterol (TC), tri-glyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein-c (HDL-c), and low density lipoprotein-c (LDL-c) in the serum. Testosterone levels, the most important indicator in male menopause, were measured in the blood. Aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels were also measured in order to evaluate liver toxicity.

Understanding the nature of destination images has considerable importance in the tourism industry, which is highly image-driven. This study aims to measure the image attributes of destinations using data for both explicit cognitions (based on self-report surveys) and implicit cognitions (based on reaction times) based on theory drawn from tourism psychology. A series of experimental studies was carried out using the Single-Target Implicit Association Test (ST-IAT) to measure individuals’ explicit and implicit cognitions of image attributes in the context of three destination countries: China, England and France. The findings imply that knowing the weight values between explicit image measures and the ST-IAT is imperative in predicting behavioral intentions in tourism.

Background: In the last few decades, cancer immunotherapy has been extensively researched, and novel checkpoint signaling mechanisms involving Programmed Death (PD)-1 and PDLigand 1 (PD-L1) receptors have been targeted. The PD-1/PD-L1 binding and interaction play a critical role in the development of malignancies. Objective: The present review focuses on recent patents on the pharmacological and biological cancerregulating properties of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors involved in immunotherapeutic cancer drug development. Methods: Thorough patent literature search published during the last seven years, including the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO®), United States Patent Trademark Office (USPTO®), Espacenet®, and Google Patents, to identify PD-1/PD-L1-targeting small molecule immunomodulators. Results: Several small molecule PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors were patented for regulation of tumor progression by academic and industry-associated investigators. Most of the claimed patents have been validated and confined to in vitro and in vivo mouse models limiting their entry into clinical settings. Majority of the patents are claimed by the researchers at Aurigene Ltd. (India) on novel peptidomimetic compounds. It is worth to be noted that macrocyclic compounds such as the peptides QP20, HD20, WQ20, SQ20, and CQ-22 from Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) Company, biaryl, and heterocyclic derivatives including 1,3-dihydroxy-phenyl compounds were efficient in regulating the PD-1/PD-L1 protein-protein binding and interaction compared to those of the approved monoclonal antibodies. Conclusion: PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors show significant anti-cancer responses as stand-alone agents and in combination with other cancer therapies. More efficient experimental studies and clinical trials are necessary to evaluate the host-tumor cells’ interactions. Understanding the cancer microenvironment, and identifying specific biomarkers and X-ray crystalline structures of PD-1/PD-L1 complexes, including molecular and genomic signature studies are essential to determine the feasibility of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors for development into drug-like cancer immunotherapeutics.

Background and purpose The status of collateral vessels has important clinical implications in acute ischemic stroke. To evaluate which components of ischemic symptoms were predictive of pretreatment collateral status, we tested the hypothesis that sub-item scores from the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) are associated with leptomeningeal collateral status in acute ischemic stroke with middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion.Methods This study included consecutive patients with acute M1 occlusion who underwent revascularization treatment for acute MCA infarction. We evaluated clinical factors and the NIHSS score according to the collateral status assessed by multiphase perfusion computed tomography.Results Eighty-six patients were included (48 good collateral status, 38 poor collateral status). The patients with poor collateral status were more likely to have a higher total NIHSS score (18 versus 11, p< 0.001) and atrial fibrillation (65.8% versus 41.7%, p= 0.026) than patients with good collateral flow. In a multiple logistic regression, the NIHSS sub-items such as profound “facial palsy” (score 2 versus 0–1) and “visual field defect” (score 2 versus 0–1) were independently associated with poor collateral status.Conclusion Among the NIHSS sub-items, severe facial palsy and visual field defect were associated with poor collateral status in acute MCA stroke with M1 occlusion. Decision on whether to treat these patients endovascularly should be made more cautiously due to the possibility of a poor outcome.

Background: Inflammasomes are recognized as key regulators in innate immunity from the pathogenic to endogenous danger signals. Although controlled activation of inflammasome is highly beneficial, dysregulation of inflammasome activation plays central role in various autoimmune, inflammatory disorders and aid in promoting various forms of cancers in humans such as breast cancer, fibrosarcoma, gastric carcinoma, and lung metastasis. NLRP3 inflammasome activation has been emerged as a topic of interest and is under profound investigation for its involvement in multiple forms of cancers. Objective: This review emphasizes an overview of the recent patents on NLRP3 inflammasome activation inhibitors with their relevant biological/pharmacological properties for the prevention and treatment of inflammation-associated cancer disorders. Methods: Data were obtained from online patent searchers such as World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO®), Free Patent Online (FPO), Espacenet® and Google Patents. Results: Several NLRP3 inflammasome activation inhibitors were recently patented from naturally derived and synthetic agents mainly by academic researchers. Most of the claimed patents have been validated and confined to cell lines and animal models limiting their entry into clinical settings. Conclusion: The vigorous effort to discover and develop agents to specifically inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation, may pave the way to therapeutic intervention targeting inflammasome-regulated pathways that are involved in the pathogenesis of various forms of cancer.

Both Panax ginsengMeyer and Panax quinquefoliusare obligate shade-loving plants whose natural habitats are broadleaved forests of Eastern Asia and North America. Panaxspecies are easily damaged by photoinhibition when they are exposed to high temperatures or insufficient shade. In this study, a cytohistological study of the leaf structures of two of the most well-known Panaxspecies was performed to better understand the physiological processes that limit photosynthesis.

Pterocarpus indicusWilld has been widely used as a traditional medicine to treat edema, cancer, and hyperlipidemia, but its antiallergic properties and underlying mechanisms have not yet been studied. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antiallergic activity of Pterocarpus indicusWilld water extract (PIW) using activated mast cells and an atopic dermatitis (AD)-like mouse model. PIW decreased IgE/Ag-induced mast cell degranulation and the phosphorylation of Syk and downstream signaling molecules such as PLC-γ, Akt, Erk 1/2, JNK compared to stimulated mast cells. In DNCB-induced AD-like mice, PIW reduced IgE level in serum, as well as AD-associated scratching behavior and skin severity score. These results indicate that PIW inhibits the allergic response by reducing mast cell activation and may have clinical potential as an antiallergic agent for disorders such as AD.

T-cell-mediated immune responses play an important role in body protection. However, aberrantly activated immune responses are responsible for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The regulation of pathologic immune responses may be a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of these diseases. Despite that multiple pharmacologic properties of benzoxathiole derivatives have been defined, the molecular mechanisms underlying these properties remain to be clarified. Here, we demonstrated the benzoxathiole derivative 2-cyclohexylimino-6-methyl-6,7-dihydro-5H-benzo[1,3]oxathiol-4-one (BOT-4-one) regulated immune responses and ameliorated experimentally induced inflammatory skin diseases both in vitro and in vivo. BOT-4-one inhibited the differentiation of CD4+T-cell subsets by regulating the expression and production of T-cell lineage-specific master transcription factors and cytokines and activating the signal transducer and activator of transcription proteins. In addition, BOT-4-one inhibited TCR-mediated Akt and NF-κB signaling. Topical application of BOT-4-one ameliorated experimentally induced inflammatory skin diseases in mice models such as 2,4,6-trinitrochlorobenzene-induced contact and atopic dermatitis and IL-23-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation. Our study demonstrated that BOT-4-one ameliorates inflammatory skin diseases by suppressing the pathogenic CD4+T cell differentiation and overall immune responses.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Highly transparent phototransistors that can detect visible light have been fabricated by combining indium–gallium–zinc oxide (IGZO) and quantum dots (QDs). A wide-band-gap IGZO film was used as a transparent semiconducting channel, while small-band-gap QDs were adopted to absorb and convert visible light to an electrical signal. Typical IGZO thin-film transistors (TFTs) did not show a photocurrent with illumination of visible light. However, IGZO TFTs decorated with QDs showed enhanced photocurrent upon exposure to visible light. The device showed a responsivity of 1.35 × 104A/W and an external quantum efficiency of 2.59 × 104under illumination by a 635 nm laser. The origin of the increased photocurrent in the visible light was the small band gap of the QDs combined with the transparent IGZO films. Therefore, transparent phototransistors based on IGZO and QDs were fabricated and characterized in detail. The result is relevant for the development of highly transparent photodetectors that can detect visible light.

Seismic provisions have utilized design eccentricities to reduce planar irregularities in lateral stiffness of buildings. In calculating a design eccentricity, the dynamic amplification factor may be applied either to accidental eccentricity or to both inherent and accidental eccentricities according to design codes. In this paper, different code provisions and their impact on torsional responses of buildings are investigated using example buildings with various aspect ratios and eccentricities. It was found that dynamic amplification is underestimated if the inherent eccentricity is small, when buildings are designed by seismic provisions using dynamic amplification factors for both to inherent and accidental eccentricities. On the other hand, the design eccentricity determined by applying the dynamic amplification factor only to accidental eccentricity reflects torsional amplification accurately.

The use of steel-concrete composite members has been significantly increased as they have the advantages of the reduction of cross sectional areas, excellent ductility against earthquake loadings and a longer life span than typical steel frame members. In this paper, push-out tests were performed on six specimens to investigate the structural behavior and shear strength of perfobond connection of a steel-concrete composite slim floor system. An equation to theoretically estimate the shear strength of the perfobond connection is proposed, and its accuracy is examined by comparing its predictions with the test results. A finite element analysis model is also developed and used to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed strength equation.

Recent randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have evaluated the benefit of new oral anticoagulants in reducing the risk of vascular events and bleeding complications in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, abundant and strict enrollment criteria may limit the validity and applicability of results of RCTs to clinical practice. We estimated the eligibility for participation in RCTs of an unselected group of patients with AF. In addition, we compared features favoring new oral anticoagulant use between patients with versus without stroke. Randomized Evaluation of Long-Term Anticoagulation Therapy

Nodakenin, derived from the roots of Angelica gigas Nakai, is an important natural resource and medicinal material with anti-allergic and anti- inflammatory activities. We have previously shown that nodakenin inhibits IgE/Ag-induced degranulation in mast cells. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of nodakenin on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD)- like skin lesions in ICR mice. Scratching behavior, skin severity score, blood IgE level, and skin thickness were improved in DNCB-induced AD-like ICR mice. Our results showed that nodakenin suppressed the increase of AD-like skin lesions in ICR mice. These results suggest that nodakenin may be a potential therapeutic resource for AD as well as an adjunctive agent to control itching associated with AD.

The present study aims to investigate the importance of informational elements used in course management systems (CMS) and to identify tailored applications of CMS in hospitality education programs. As a type of CMS, Blackboard was selected for this study because of its popularity in the United States. In addition, importance-performance analysis was used to identify respondents’ perceptual mapping in terms of informational elements in CMS. The findings show significant gaps between importance and performance measures for the informational elements of CMS. With regard to the importance-performance analysis, the primary results reveal that respondents perceived test-related elements (e.g., assignment scores, exam/test scores, quiz scores, extra points) as high in performance and importance. This study helps hospitality educators better understand students’ perceptions of the system’s functionality so that they can provide more tailored e-class content for the efficiency of the system.

Beta-glucans (-glucans), naturally occurring polysaccharides, are present as constituents of the cell wall of cereal grains, mushrooms, algae, or microbes including bacteria, fungi, and yeast. Since Pillemer et al. first prepared and investigated zymosan in the 1940s and others followed with the investigation of -glucans in the 1960s and 1970s, researchers have well established the significant role of -glucans on the immune system relative to cancer treatment, infection immunity, and restoration of damaged bone marrow. However, information on their biological role in anti-metastatic activity remains limited. As an immunomodulating agent, -glucan acts through the activation of innate immune cells such as macrophages, dendritic cells, granulocytes, and natural killer cells. This activation triggers the responses of adaptive immune cells such as CD4 or CD8 T cells and B cells, resulting in the inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis. Reports have shown that -glucans exert multiple effects on cancer cells and cancer prevention. However the mechanisms of their actions appear complex due to differences in source, chemical structure, insufficiently defined preparation, and molecular weight, hence the inconsistent and often contradictory results obtained. This review is focused on the potential of -glucans as anti-metastatic agents and the known mechanisms underlying their biological effects.

AbstractThe primary purposes of this study are to identify individual’s attitudes toward the two Asian foods (Chinese food and Japanese food) applying both general explicit and implicit measures and to suggest further theoretical and managerial implications for the measurement of hospitality research. As an experimental study, the Implicit Association Test (IAT) is primarily employed to identify the research objectives in a psychological approach. In total, 39 American (all Caucasian) college students are recruited to complete a self-reported survey and implicit association test (IAT) simultaneously in the U.S. The finding indicates that there are significant mean differences of PFAs between two Asian foods (Chinese food and Japanese food), and that significant mean differences are found in implicit attitudes, but not in explicit attitudes. Furthermore, the study results reveal that PFAs are positively and significantly correlated with GEA, but not with IA (i.e., reaction time). Specific implications and limitations are discussed.

Inflammation is a system used by a host to defend against the presence of bacteria, viruses, or yeasts. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the plasma membranes of macrophages are activated when they recognize the molecular structure of a virus or bacterium. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an outer cell-wall component of Gram-negative bacteria, initiates an inflammatory process viaTLR4. We investigated the effect of the extract of Anethum graveloensflowers (AGFs) on LPS-mediated inflammation in RAW 264.7 cells. The extract markedly suppressed nitric oxide generation in a concentration-dependent manner in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. It inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the mRNA expression of cytokines such as interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. It also inhibited iNOS protein levels in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, AGF decreased the LPS-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. AGF inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt, an upstream molecule of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, and thus inhibited NF-κB activity in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. These results suggest that AGF exerts an anti-inflammatory effect in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells by inhibiting iNOS expression and blocking the NF-κB pathway.

While the ability to develop nanomaterials and incorporate them into products is advancing rapidly worldwide, understanding of the potential health safety effects of nanomaterials has proceeded at a much slower pace. Since 2008, Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) started an investigation to prepare “Strategic Action Plan” to evaluate safety and nano risk management associated with foods, drugs, medical devices and cosmetics using nano-scale materials. Although there are some studies related to potential risk of nanomaterials, physical-chemical characterization of nanomaterials is not clear yet and these do not offer enough information due to their limitations. Their uncertainties make it impossible to determine whether nanomaterials are actually hazardous to human. According to the above mention, we have some problems to conduct the human exposure risk assessment currently. On the other hand, uncertainty about safety may lead to polarized public debate and to businesses unwillingness for further nanotechnology investigation. Therefore, the criteria and methods to assess possible adverse effects of nanomaterials have been vigorously taken into consideration by many international organizations: the World Health Organization, the Organization for Economic and Commercial Development and the European Commission. The object of this study was to develop risk assessment principles for safety management of future nanoproducts and also to identify areas of research to strengthen risk assessment for nanomaterials. The research roadmaps which were proposed in this study will be helpful to fill up the current gaps in knowledge relevant nano risk assessment.

The clinical significance of microembolic signals (MES) in the posterior circulation remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the sources and consequences of MES in acute posterior circulation cerebral ischemia.

Motor weakness progression is relatively common in acute pontine infarction and frequently associated with increased functional disability. We designed this study to identify the predictors of progression of motor weakness in patients with pontine infarction during the acute phase.

The clinical significance of sulcal effacement has been widely investigated in CT studies, but the results are controversial. In this study, we evaluated the presence of perisylvian sulcal effacement (PSE) on fluid attenuation inversion recovery MRI and hypothesized that PSE may be related to collateral flow status together with hyperintense vessels on fluid attenuation inversion recovery in hyperacute stroke. In addition, we investigated whether an association between PSE and clinical outcome could be found in these patients.

Variable Air Volume (VAV) unit system is one of the commonly used forced-air heating and cooling systems in office buildings. It controls the airflow with the discharge air temperature fixed for cooling, while the discharge air temperature is adjusted with the airflow fixed at the minimum for heating. This study presents the simulation of conventional VAV unit system performance applied in the typical office building prototype. Each VAV unit has the minimum airflow setting for the ventilation purpose and its impact on the energy consumption is significant. The aim of this study is to evaluate the energy impact of the minimum airflow setting of VAV box using EnergyPlus ver. 6.0 software platform. The energy result breakdown of three model cases is discussed: minimum airflow fraction setting of 10%, 20% and 30%. As a result, the minimum airflow setting has significant impact on the reheat energy and thus the annual boiler gas consumption shows significant difference among each simulation case. Monthly heating energy profile is also discussed for the better understanding of the impact of different minimum fractions on the heating energy.