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This study aimed to develop a neural network (NN)-based method to predict the long-term mean radiant temperature (MRT) around buildings by using meteorological parameters as training data. The MRT dramatically impacts building energy consumption and significantly affects outdoor thermal comfort. In NN-based long-term MRT prediction, two main restrictions must be overcome to achieve precise results: first, the difficulty of preparing numerous training datasets; second, the challenge of developing an accurate NN model. To overcome these restrictions, a combination of principal component analysis (PCA) and K-means clustering was employed to reduce the training data while maintaining high prediction accuracy. Second, three widely used NN models (feedforward NN (FFNN), backpropagation NN (BPNN), and BPNN optimized using a genetic algorithm (GA-BPNN)) were compared to identify the NN with the best long-term MRT prediction performance. The performances of the tested NNs were evaluated using the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), which was ≤ 3% in each case. The findings indicate that the training dataset was reduced effectively by the PCA and K-means. Among the three NNs, the GA-BPNN produced the most accurate results, with its MAPE being below 1%. This study will contribute to the development of fast and feasible outdoor thermal environment prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities of water extract (WE) and methanol extract (ME) of acorn shells (AS), from Quercus acutissima Carruth. grown in Korea, were investigated. At a concentration of 50 μg/mL, the WE had a scavenging activity of 53.84% for the DPPH and 76.09% for the ABTS radical, while the ME had corresponding scavenging activities of 29.09 and 48.43%. Total phenolic contents of WE and ME were 375.96 and 288.01 mg gallic acid equivalents/g of extracts, respectively. Both extracts significantly inhibited 3T3-L1 adipogenesis in a dose-dependent manner, and concomitantly decreased the size and number of intracellular lipid droplets. Furthermore, the antiadipogenic activities of WE and ME are largely limited in the pre- and early stages of adipogenesis. The results suggest that AS may be a promising source of antioxidants and anti-obesity compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities of chestnut byproducts were evaluated. At 100 μg/mL, the methanol extract (ME) scavenged 34.2% of DPPH and 78.8% of ABTS radicals. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity of the water extract (WE) was found to be low (13.7 and 33.1%, respectively) compared with controls. WE and ME dose-dependently inhibited lipid accumulation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. WE and ME at 100 μg/mL suppressed 3T3-L1 adipogenesis by 71.0 and 96.5%, respectively, when compared with mature adipocytes. The results indicated that WE and ME inhibited adipocyte differentiation by down-regulating the mRNA expression levels of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)-β, C/EBPα, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ in 3T3-L1 cells. Our study also revealed that WE and ME inhibited pre- and early stage adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. The results suggest that chestnut byproducts are a promising source of antioxidant and antiobesity molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acorn ( Quercus acutissima CARR.) is a nut from the Fagaceae family that has been used in traditional medicine for many years. However, shells from acorns are regarded as a by-product and are mostly discarded. Anti-adipogenic activities of acorn shells were investigated using 3T3-L1 cells and methanol shell extracts (AE-M). AE-M demonstrated Cu-chelation activities and anti-oxidant activities via reduction of oxidative stress levels induced using AAPH. Six days after adipocyte differentiation, 50 and 100 μg/mL AE-M completely suppressed 3T3-L1 adipogenesis and the anti-adipogenic effect was stronger than for the positive control 50 μM quercetin. Treatment with AE-M in 3T3-L1 cells reduced mRNA expression levels of adipogenic genes. AE-M-inhibition was found in pre-adipogenic, early, and intermediate stages of adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is required for AE-M-inhibition of 3T3-L1 adipogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case of pseudoaneurysm that is a rare complication of shoulder arthroscopy is reported. A 73-year-old man with rotator cuff tear underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. On post-operative day 3, a pulsating mass (diameter 5 mm) was detected near the anterior portal. Then, the mass gradually enlarged, which was diagnosed as pseudoaneurysm. After the consultation with vascular surgeons, the mass was surgically excised following ligation of feeding artery 6 weeks after the arthroscopic surgery. Thus far, no recurrence has been observed. Level of evidence V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]