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This study analyzes valuable information (image feature information) from pixel-based images to systematize the form generation process utilizing this information. Information in architecture is mainly used as an analytical tool for functional design optimization. However, the Fourth Industrial Revolution and advances in information and communication technology have positioned information as a core value-creating tool. Consequently, there is a growing need to develop methodologies for effectively applying information to architectural design generation. This study combines digital technology with images, which directly influence architectural design, transforming them into numerical information. By systematizing the three-dimensional form generation process using low-level image feature information, it analyzes the relationship between the characteristics of valuable information and the generated forms. This approach helps identify the interrelationships between the characteristics of valuable information and the generated forms, the complementarity needed to mitigate the limitations of valuable information, and the potential for architectural applications of the three-dimensional form generation methodology utilizing image information. This approach reduces labor and enhances architectural aesthetics by instantly generating diverse early design alternatives. Such research can provide a more logical basis for avoiding intuitive judgments during the design decision-making process. It can also lay the groundwork for information-centric design systems in architecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Voltage and current measurements in high-voltage substations are fundamental for stable operation. Conventional instrument transformers (ITs) face challenges in gas-insulated switchgears (GISs), such as size, weight, accuracy limitations, and behavioral instability at abnormal voltages and currents. Non-conventional instrument transformers (NCITs) have emerged to address these issues, complying with International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards and providing millivolt-level signals, enabling downsizing of GIS bays. The transition to digital substations, as mandated by IEC 61850-9-2, requires a shift from the conventional 110 V/5 A outputs to levels ranging from millivolts to volts. Electronic instrument transformers (EITs), compliant with the IEC 60044-7 and 8 standards, offer alternatives to conventional ITs with smaller sizes and wider frequency ranges. However, issues remain with EITs, including limited adoption, the necessity of separate power sources, and susceptibility to electromagnetic interference. Recent standards, transitioning to IEC 61869, focus on low-power instrument transformers (LPITs). Low-power voltage transformers (LPVTs) and low-power current transformers (LPCTs), designed with passive components, present potential solutions by directly connecting to merging units (MUs) for digital signal transmission. This review outlines the current status of various IT standards, covering conventional ITs, EITs based on IEC 60044-7 and 8, and LPITs based on IEC 61869-10 and 11. Advancements in sensor technology relevant to these standards are also explored. The paper provides insights into the evolving landscape of instrument transformers, addressing challenges and offering potential pathways for future developments in digital substations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the global population ages, the prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) is steadily on the rise. PD demonstrates chronic and progressive characteristics, and many cases can transition into dementia. This increases societal and economic burdens, emphasizing the need to find effective treatments. Among the widely recognized causes of PD is the abnormal accumulation of proteins, and autophagy dysfunction accelerates this accumulation. The resultant Lewy bodies are also commonly found in Alzheimer's disease patients, suggesting an increased potential for the onset of dementia. Additionally, the production of free radicals due to mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to neuronal damage and degeneration. The activation of astrocytes and the M1 phenotype of microglia promote damage to dopamine neurons. The drugs currently used for PD only delay the clinical progression and exacerbation of the disease without targeting its root cause, and come with various side effects. Thus, there is a demand for treatments with fewer side effects, with much potential offered by natural products. In this study, we reviewed a total of 14 articles related to herbal medicines and natural products and investigated their relevance to possible PD treatment. The results showed that the reviewed herbal medicines and natural products are effective against lysosomal disorder, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation, key mechanisms underlying PD. Therefore, natural products and herbal medicines can reduce neurotoxicity and might improve both motor and non-motor symptoms associated with PD. Furthermore, these products, with their multi-target effects, enhance bioavailability, inhibit antibiotic resistance, and might additionally eliminate side effects, making them good alternative therapies for PD treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]