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The psychology of people and behavior associated with decision-making can be analyzed by examining their visual attention to products based on the introduction of neuromarketing at the intersection of neuroscience and marketing. This study aims to identify factors affecting consumers’ decision-making on travel products by investigating their preferences and areas of interest via online vacation booking sites. In this experimental study, eye-tracking was measured on 30 male participants in the age of forties, and data on their gazes in response to stimuli were extracted and compared with their choices in the questionnaire survey. The study addresses the following research question: “On what areas of customer preference can visual attention be deemed an influence?” Whether changes to the visual information about spatial products influence product preferences and decision-making was investigated. As a result of analyzing the region of interest in the eye-tracking according to the order of space preference, the preference rate for image 3 (M = 782.65) containing the outdoor space was the highest, followed by furniture and web information. Regarding the initial concentration, among the flow of time, the fastest concentration started at stimuli 2 (4.21s), but the time when concentration increased was at stimuli 3 (16.28s). Visual perception data were analyzed as a verification process for determining the time difference in the concentration of gaze movements according to personal preference. The correlation between the questionnaire survey, reflecting consumers’ conscious preferences, and the data of gaze movements, showing unconscious decision-making, was analyzed.

This study investigated the physicochemical properties influencing the sensory characteristics of long-term aged ganjang. Eight ganjang samples aged 3, 10, and 15 years were obtained from three different manufacturers and analyzed for physicochemical characteristics, sensory profiles, and consumer acceptability. The proximate composition (moisture, ash, protein, and crude fat), total solids, salinity, acidity, pH, color (L, a, b, chrome, and hue), 27 free amino acids (FAAs), and volatile compounds were analyzed. Quantitative descriptive analysis was performed by 11 trained panelists for sensory profiles and 102 consumers evaluated consumer acceptability (overall, appearance, odor, taste/flavor, and mouthfeel). The results demonstrated a positive correlation between the aging period and increases in total solids, proteins, crude fat, acidity, color hue, FAA, major volatile compounds, and overall consumer acceptability. Specifically, correlation maps by partial least squares regression between descriptive attributes and FAAs or volatile compounds revealed that these components significantly affected consumer acceptability. Furthermore, sensory attributes such as color intensity, viscosity, sweetness, umami, and aftertaste were positively correlated with consumer preference, whereas attributes such as greenish-brown color, fish sauce-like flavor, and moldy notes were negatively correlated. Overall, these findings could be utilized to enhance the marketability and consumer appeal of long-term aged ganjang products by providing objective information supporting premium values.

Functional foods have emerged as a crucial area of research and innovation in the realm of food science, offering promising solutions for the prevention and management of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes, and hypertension [...]

Heavy metals are commonly released into the environment through industrial processes such as mining and refining. The rapid industrialization that occurred in South Korea during the 1960s and 1970s contributed significantly to the economy of the country; however, the associated mining and refining led to considerable environmental pollution, and although mining is now in decline in South Korea, the detrimental effects on residents inhabiting the surrounding areas remain. The bioaccumulation of toxic heavy metals leads to metabolic alterations in human homeostasis, with disruptions in this balance leading to various health issues. This study used metabolomics to explore metabolomic alterations in the plasma samples of residents living in mining and refining areas. The results showed significant increases in metabolites involved in glycolysis and the surrounding metabolic pathways, such as glucose-6-phosphate, phosphoenolpyruvate, lactate, and inosine monophosphate, in those inhabiting polluted areas. An investigation of the associations between metabolites and blood clinical parameters through meet-in-the-middle analysis indicated that female residents were more affected by heavy metal exposure, resulting in more metabolomic alterations. For women, inhabiting the abandoned mine area, metabolites in the glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathways, such as ribose-5-phosphate and 3-phosphoglycerate, have shown a negative correlation with albumin and calcium. Finally, Mendelian randomization(MR) was used to determine the causal effects of these heavy metal exposure-related metabolites on heavy metal exposure-related clinical parameters. Metabolite biomarkers could provide insights into altered metabolic pathways related to exposure to toxic heavy metals and improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the health effects of toxic heavy metal exposure.

Abstract Enhancing adult neurogenesis in the brain has been suggested as a potential therapeutic strategy for AD. We developed a screening platform, ATRIVIEW®, for molecules that activate neuronal differentiation of adult mouse NSCs. The most potent hit from an FDA-approved drug library was SNR1611 (trametinib), a selective MEK1/2 inhibitor. We found that trametinib increases the levels of P15INK4b and Neurog2, suggesting a mechanism by which MEK1/2 inhibition induces neuronal differentiation. Oral administration of trametinib increased adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus and subventricular zone of the 5XFAD AD mouse model. Surprisingly, we also found that trametinib enhanced adult neurogenesis in the cortex. Consequently, trametinib rescued AD pathologies such as neuronal loss and cognitive impairment in 5XFAD mice. Finally, trametinib induced neurogenic differentiation of NSCs derived from AD patient iPSCs, which suggests its potential therapeutic application. Altogether, we suggest that restoration of endogenous adult neurogenesis by trametinib may be a promising therapeutic approach to AD.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a significant change in the field of architecture and design education. Students and educators have been forced to rapidly adopt virtual courses, and returning to the physical classroom in the near future is still uncertain. This study investigates the recent remote learning experiences of tertiary students in Architecture programs through a questionnaire. In addition to the three dimensions of the community of inquiry (CoI) framework, including teaching, social, and cognitive presences, spatial presence is explored in this research because learners’ presence of space can affect their learning experience. The findings indicate that first- and second-year students have significantly different remote learning experiences than third- to fifth-year students, depending on their experience in face-to-face classes. The extended survey concludes with a discussion of three approaches to reflective learning in online architectural design education. This paper provides systematic knowledge of students’ perceptions of distance learning during the pandemic and contributes to developing smart education environments in architectural pedagogy.

AbstractIntroduction Various approaches are required to prevent and treat heterogeneity-based prostate cancer. Here, we analyzed the anticancer effects of metformin, which has a good toxicity profile and is inexpensive.Method From January 2010 to December 2019, analysis was conducted retrospectively in a cohort from the National Health Insurance Service database. The wash-out period was set for cancer diagnosis in 2010 and 2011, and subjects (105,279) diagnosed with prostate cancer (ICD C61) from 2012 to 2014 were excluded The final subjects (105,216) were defined as the metformin administration group when they took metformin for 180 days or more from January 2012 to December 2019. The non-metformin group was defined as those who took less than 180 days from January 2012 to December 2019. The prevalence of prostate cancer according to metformin administration and the risk according to the cumulative duration of metformin were analyzed.Results A total of 105,216 people were included in this study, with 59,844 in the metformin group and 45,372 in the metformin non-administration group. When calculating HRs (Hazard Rate) according to the cumulative period of metformin administration, metformin administration period length was inversely associated with prostate cancer risk (Q2 HR = 0.791 95% CI: 0.773–0.81, Q3 HR = 0.634 95% CI: 0.62–0.649, Q4 HR = 0.571 95% CI: 0.558–0.585). HRs tended to decrease with the cumulative duration of metformin administration.Conclusion This study confirmed that prostate cancer risk decreased with increasing duration of metformin administration. Metformin should be considered as a new strategy in the treatment and prevention of prostate cancer characterized by heterogeneity.

We aimed to identify the mechanism underlying the preventive effects of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) through Platycodi Radix consumption using liver proteomic and bioinformatic analysis. C57BL/6J mice were categorized into three groups: those receiving a standard chow diet (NCD), those on a high-fat diet (HFD), and those on an HFD supplemented with 5% Platycodi Radix extract (PRE). After a 12-week period, PRE-fed mice exhibited a noteworthy prevention of hepatic steatosis. Protein identification and quantification in liver samples were conducted using LC-MS/MS. The identified proteins were analyzed through Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software, revealing a decrease in proteins associated with FXR/RXR activation and a concurrent increase in cholesterol biosynthesis proteins in the PRE-treated mouse liver. Subsequent network analysis predicted enhanced bile acid synthesis from these proteins. Indeed, the quantity of bile acids, which was reduced in HFD conditions, increased in the PRE group, accompanied by an elevation in the expression of synthesis-related proteins. Our findings suggest that the beneficial effects of PRE in preventing hepatic steatosis may be mediated, at least in part, through the modulation of FXR/RXR activation, cholesterol biosynthesis, and bile acid synthesis pathways.

Chronic exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM) causes respiratory damage in humans owing to oxidative stress and inflammation. Chrysanthemum zawadskii Herbich var. latilobum (Maxim.) Kitamura (CZL) has been used in traditional medicine to treat several inflammatory diseases; however, studies on inflammatory pulmonary diseases are scarce. This study investigated the protective effects of CZL extract against PM10-induced lung injury in BALB/c mice. Cell type specific signaling pathways were explored using A549 and RAW264.7 cell lines. CZL extract noticeably attenuated PM10-induced lung injury and inflammatory cell infiltration in a mouse model. Protein markers, such as p-AKT, p-ERK, and p-NF-κB for PM10 induced lung inflammation were effectively reduced in CZL extract-treated mice and cells. Furthermore, CZL extracts considerably reduced the generation of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide in cells. Collectively, CZL extract effectively reduced PM10-induced lung injury by suppressing pulmonary inflammation, potentially due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

High-rise apartments are one representative form in the era of urbanization. However, the management of the high-rise apartment is not easy because of large household densities and the complex structures. Advanced technologies have permeated our daily lives and management services are becoming more intelligent. The aim of this study is to explore the smart management service model of high-rise apartments by investigating the current state of management services and residents’ consciousness of it, as well as to identify necessary management services. A survey was conducted in two apartment complexes with a focus on the actual users’ demands and preferences. The results show that the characteristics of the common space would be decided by considering residents’ diverse needs for these common spaces. Further, residents of high-rise apartments lack awareness and experience of technologies for smart management. This suggests that smart management services should be developed in consideration of the perspectives of the residents to satisfy their psychological and safety needs. Virtual social spaces would be provided to create a sense of neighborhood among the residents. With a human-centered approach, this study would be a basis for the development of smart management services supporting the quality of residential life in high-rise apartments.

The processing of fishery resources results in the production of a growing quantity of byproducts, including heads, skins, viscera, intestines, frames, and fillet cutoffs. These byproducts are either wasted or utilized for the production of low-value items and fish oil. Typically, fish processing industries use only 25%, while the remaining 75% is considered as waste by-products. This review presents a comprehensive review on the extraction of collagen from fish byproducts, highlighting numerous techniques including acid-soluble collagen (ASC), enzyme-soluble collagen (ESC), ultrasound extraction, deep eutectic solvent (DES) extraction, and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). A detailed explanation of various extraction parameters such as time, temperature, solid to liquid (S/L) ratio, and solvent/pepsin concentration is provided, which needs to be considered to optimize the collagen yield. Moreover, this review extends its focus to a detailed investigation of fish collagen applications in the biomedical sector, food sector, and in cosmetics. The comprehensive review explaining the extraction methods, extraction parameters, and the diverse applications of fish collagen provides a basis for the complete understanding of the potential of fish-derived collagen. The review concludes with a discussion of the current research and a perspective on the future development in this research field.

Objective The purpose of our study is to develop a spoken dialogue system (SDS) for pain questionnaire in patients with spinal disease. We evaluate user satisfaction and validated the performance accuracy of the SDS in medical staff and patients. Methods The SDS was developed to investigate pain and related psychological issues in patients with spinal diseases based on the pain questionnaire protocol. We recognized patients’ various answers, summarized important information, and documented them. User satisfaction and performance accuracy were evaluated in 30 potential users of SDS, including doctors, nurses, and patients and statistically analyzed. Results The overall satisfaction score of 30 patients was 5.5 ± 1.4 out of 7 points. Satisfaction scores were 5.3 ± 0.8 for doctors, 6.0 ± 0.6 for nurses, and 5.3 ± 0.5 for patients. In terms of performance accuracy, the number of repetitions of the same question was 13, 16, and 33 (13.5%, 16.8%, and 34.7%) for doctors, nurses, and patients, respectively. The number of errors in the summarized comment by the SDS was 5, 0, and 11 (5.2%, 0.0%, and 11.6 %), respectively. The number of summarization omissions was 7, 5, and 7 (7.3%, 5.3%, and 7.4%), respectively. Conclusion This is the first study in which voice-based conversational artificial intelligence (AI) was developed for a spinal pain questionnaire and validated by medical staff and patients. The conversational AI showed favorable results in terms of user satisfaction and performance accuracy. Conversational AI can be useful for the diagnosis and remote monitoring of various patients as well as for pain questionnaires in the future.

Neuroimaging studies using electroencephalography (EEG) have been crucial in uncovering brain activity in sensory perception, emotion regulation, and decision-making. Despite tea’s global popularity, its temperature-related neural basis remains underexplored. This study investigated the effect of hot and cold germinated wheat beverages (HB and CB) in changes of brain waves using EEG. Four distinct approaches and topographical assessments were performed to gain deeper insights into the impact of EEG signals in the human brain. The four approaches showed different impacts of HB and CB intake, as all EEG spectral powers increased after drinking HB and decreased after consumption of CB. Significant increases in delta and theta waves were observed as a result of drinking HB, but significant decreases in alpha and beta waves were observed after drinking CB. The topographic maps illustrate the significant effects of HB more prominently than those of CB, displaying greater changes in delta, theta, and beta. These findings suggest the intake of HB is probably related to relaxation, calmness, mindfulness and concentration, while the intake of CB is related to alertness, attention, and working memory. Ultimately, the neuroscientific approaches provided in this study could advance consumer-based research on beverage consumption.

Abstract The role of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in tumor cell migration has been widely studied, however, the characteristics and effects of MMP-2 in clinical sample of metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) remain poorly understood. Here, in order to unveil the perturbed proteomic signal during MMP-2 induced cancer progression, we analyzed plasma proteome of CRC patients according to disease progression, HCT116 cancer secretome upon MMP-2 knockdown, and publicly available CRC tissue proteome data. Collectively, the integrative analysis of multi-layered proteomes revealed that a protein cluster containing EMT (Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition)-associated proteins such as CD9-integrin as well as MMP-2. The proteins of the cluster were regulated by MMP-2 perturbation and exhibited significantly increased expressions in tissue and plasma as disease progressed from TNM (Tumor, Node, and Metastasis) stage I to II. Furthermore, we also identified a plausible association between MMP-2 up-regulation and activation of focal adhesion kinase signaling in the proteogenomic analysis of CRC patient tissues. Based on these comparative and integrative analyses, we suggest that the high invasiveness in the metastatic CRC resulted from increased secretion of MMP-2 and CD9-integrin complex mediated by FAK signaling activation.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal adult lung disease. Here the authors investigate the functional significance of PDCD5 in club cells as a mediator of lung fibrosis and potential therapeutic target for IPF.

Abstract Soft electronic devices that are bendable and stretchable require stretchable electric or electronic components. Nanostructured conducting materials or soft conducting polymers are one of the most promising fillers to achieve high performance and durability. Here, we report silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) embedded with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) synthesized in aqueous solutions at room temperature, using NaBH4 as a reducing agent in the presence of highly oxidized SWCNTs as efficient nucleation agents. Elastic composite films composed of the AgNPs-embedded SWCNTs, Ag flake, and polydimethylsiloxane are irradiated with radiation from a Xenon flash lamp within a time interval of one second for efficient sintering of conductive fillers. Under high irradiation energy, the stretchable electrodes are created with a maximum conductivity of 4,907 S cm−1 and a highly stretchable stability of over 10,000 cycles under a 20% strain. Moreover, under a low irradiation energy, strain sensors with a gauge factor of 76 under a 20% strain and 5.4 under a 5% strain are fabricated. For practical demonstration, the fabricated stretchable electrode and strain sensor are attached to a human finger for detecting the motions of the finger.

The present study investigated the occurrence, potential habitats, and COI gene sequence of Leptoglossus occidentalis in South Korea between 2016 and 2018. Since its first detection in 2010 in Changwon, L. occidentalis has been reported in 44 cities and provinces in South Korea. Five species belonging to three families act as hosts in South Korea, including Pinus densiflora, Pinus strobus, Pinus thunbergii, Thuja orientalis, and Euonymus japonicas. Analyzing the mtDNA COI gene sequence of 95 samples from South Korea and data of 16 samples from overseas from the NCBI GenBank, the results indicated three haplotypes distributed throughout South Korea and eight haplotypes globally. The Hap_1 and Hap_2 in South Korea were consistent with those from eastern North America, and the latter was also consistent with samples from Germany and Hungary. Hap_3 was unique in South Korea. To predict the potential distribution of L. occidentalis, the Maxent model was applied, in which the accuracy was assessed to be high (0.902) for 12 model variables at 64 emergence locations. The contribution of each environmental variable to the model was as follows: distance from road (44%), distance from forest (19.8%), and elevation (18.1%). The variable distance from road was found to be a critical factor for the presence of L. occidentalis. Keywords: COI, Distribution, Heteroptera, Host plants, Maxent

Collagen hydrolysate were extracted from Alaska pollock skin using enzymatic (EAE), ultrasound (UAE), or combination of enzymatic and ultrasound (EAE+UAE) treatment. Control (C) was not treated with enzymatic or ultrasound. The extracts from C, EAE, UAE, and EAE+UAE were fractionated with ≤3, 3–10, 10–30, and ≥30 kDa. Each fraction was evaluated for biological activity and structural properties. All fractions contained high levels of glycine and proline. The ≤3 kDa fraction of control and ultrasound-assisted extracts exhibited the highest antioxidant activity as measured using Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, ferric ion reducing antioxidant power, oxygen radical absorbance capacity, and an assay on the inhibition of nitric oxide production by LPS-induced macrophages. The structurally digested collagen was evaluated using FTIR spectra and SDS-PAGE after Alcalase® and ultrasound treatments. The microstructure of collagen hydrolysate was assessed using SEM microscopy; the surface morphology was altered according to fraction size and extraction conditions. Overall, it was determined that enzyme treatment in combination with ultrasound is the most effective procedure for obtaining digested collagen hydrolysate, which could be used to further improve biotechnological processing for the addition of value to marine production chains in the future.

The reduction in face-to-face contact and the increase in time spent at home during the ongoing coronavirus disease pandemic have resulted in increasing interest and demand for smart homes. Further, the rapid increase in the number of one-person and two-person households in Korea recently has led to these becoming representative household types. This study identifies the wellness characteristics of such households and proposes a direction for smart home development to help them lead healthy, happy lives. It focuses on mapping residents’ perceptions and experiences to scenarios and on identifying the functions required in smart homes and the technologies needed to provide these functions. It uses data from a survey to investigate and analyze the wellness characteristics of one- and two-person households in five dimensions and develops five scenarios of representative household types. By analyzing the developed scenarios, this study proposes smart homes that support the wellness of such households in six categories: exercise/sports, hobby/entertainment, social communications, occupation/work, self-development/education, and energy conservation. These households are exposed to digital environments from an early age and are familiar with the internet and technologies. Therefore, they are likely to adopt innovative technologies in housing. Thus, the smart home development proposed in this study is a promising strategic approach to housing planning.

In order to fulfill the objective of the comparative flavor profiling of hot and cold serving, different concentrations of hot (hot infusion) and cold (boiled and cold serving) roasted-steamed-germinated wheat beverages were prepared in order to explore the comparative profile of the amino acids, volatiles, taste, total flavonoid content (TFC), total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant capacities, including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (DPPH) and the Trolox equivalent antioxidant activity (TEAC). The instrumental analysis was performed using electronic sensors (an electric nose and an electric tongue), high-performance liquid chromatography, and spectrophotometry, and the statistical assessment was conducted using univariate (correlation pattern and heatmap) and multivariate (clustering and principal component analysis) analyses. The cold beverages at the highest concentration showed the highest values of TFC, TPC, DPPH, and TEAC, showing 32.31 ± 1.13 μg CE/100 mL, 202.37 ± 20.94 μg GAE/100 mL, 68.43 ± 3.41 μM TE/100 mL, and 126.66 ± 4.00 mM TE/100 mL, respectively. The correlation analysis revealed a remarkable correlation between the taste and the flavor compounds. The clustering analysis and the PCA clearly divided the key metabolites, which were attributed to the different tastes in the hot and cold beverages. This study clearly demonstrates the impact of different temperatures on the aroma metabolites, the taste, and the characteristics of wheat beverages.

Asthma is one of the most common inflammatory diseases of the lung worldwide. There has been considerable progress in recent studies to treat and prevent allergic asthma, however, various side effects are still observed in clinical practice. Six-week-old male BALB/c mice were orally administered with either sword bean pod extracts (SBP; 100 or 300 mg/kg) or dexamethasone (DEX; 5 mg/kg) once daily over 3 weeks, followed by ovalbumin sensitization (OVA/Alum.; intraperitoneal administration, 50 μg/2 mg/per mouse). Scoring of lung inflammation was performed to observe pathological changes in response to SBP treatment compared to OVA/Alum.-induced lung injury. Additionally, inflammatory cytokines were quantified in serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and lung tissue using ELISA and Western blot analyses. SBP treatment significantly reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells, and release of histamine, immunoglobulin E, and leukotriene in serum and BALF. Moreover, the therapeutic effect of SBP was also assessed to analyze the inflammatory changes in the lung tissues. SBP markedly suppressed the activation of the MAPK signaling pathway and the expression of key inflammatory proteins (e.g., TNF-α) and Th2 type cytokines (IL-5 and IL-13). SBP was effective in ameliorating the allergic inflammation against OVA/Alum.-induced asthma by suppressing pulmonary inflammation.

Abstract Background Natural products play a significant role in human health in relation to the prevention and treatment of inflammatory conditions. One of the plants with great medicinal potentials is Diospyros kaki which is mainly cultivated in Asian countries including Korea, Japan, and China. Astringent D. kaki is a wild species with an astringent taste until they are Ripened. kaki calyx is a traditional Korean medicine (TKM) made from the stalks of astringent D. kaki and is used in treating bed-wetting, vomiting, and hiccupping. The present study was designed to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory activities of astringent D. kaki stalks based on cultivar types and stages of maturity. Methods The anti-inflammatory effects of the stalk extracts of local astringent D. kaki cultivar species were evaluated on RAW 264.7 cells. Cell viability was measured using a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) method. The anti-inflammatory effects were determined by measuring the nitric oxide (NO) concentration of the supernatant. Cellular signaling pathways were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reactions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Protein expression of iNOS and phospho-p65 was determined using western blot, and the nuclear localization of p65 was determined using confocal imaging in RAW 264.7 cells. Results We found that the stage 1 (8–9 month) samples all showed a high percentage of tannic acid content and Gojongsi (Hamyang) stalks had the highest content. The stage 1 samples also showed the highest inhibition of NO production. Decreases in the expression of iNOS and phosphorylated p65, and in the nuclear localization of p65, were dose-dependent. All the extracts were nontoxic under 100 μg/ml concentration. Conclusion This study provides insight into the changes in tannic acid content in astringent D. kaki and their anti-inflammatory effects, in relation to their stage of maturity. These results are expected to be useful in the verification of the efficacy of oriental medicine and the timing of proper harvest for medical use.

We report a case of clinically occult diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the middle turbinate (MT) identified by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ( 18F-FDG PET/CT) in a 71-year-old man along with imaging findings. DLBCL was presented with a hypermetabolic right MT [maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) = 8.8 gm/dL] on 18F-FDG PET/CT, while rhinologic examination was normal. CT showed nothing but slightly more intense enhancement of the right MT compared with the opposite side. The disease progressed during next 7 months until follow-up CT demonstrated solidly enhancing mass occupying entire right nasal cavity which was intensely hypermetabolic (SUVmax = 12.8 gm/dL). Surgical biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. Follow-up CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT performed after chemotherapy demonstrated complete resolution of DLBCL of the right nasal cavity including the right MT. This is thought to be the first case report in the literature concerning clinically occult DLBCL presenting as a hypermetabolic MT on 18F-FDG PET/CT.

Since the COVID-19 crisis has caused the cancellation of a great number of travel plans in the last two years, this study examines the prospects of the post-COVID-19 era, during which we expect tourism will return strongly. The impact of the epidemic on people’s attitudes toward tourism, particularly their tourist choices, appears to be a major challenge for post-COVID-19 international tourism development. Very little is known about tourists’ accommodation preferences during the period emerging after the COVID-19 crisis. With a long and challenging experience of lockdowns, stress, and fear of disease, the current study attempts to examine peoples’ preferences for hotel attributes during the post-COVID-19 era. It examines factors contributing to peoples’ preferences for hotels with biophilic attributes. A total of 507 Iranian undergraduate and graduate students participated in the study. They answered questions on their perceived stress, level of depression, the specific burden of COVID-19, the perceived benefits of nature, and their preferences for biophilic design attributes in their accommodation. The online survey was conducted from August to October 2021. We found that the burden of COVID-19 increased the stress level of the respondents, which consequently increased the chance of depression. We further found that perceived stress and the benefits of nature significantly affect tourists’ preferences for exposure to nature and hotels with biophilic attributes. Based on the data, we suggest that the demand for biophilic buildings will be strongly increased during the post-COVID-19 era.

Considerable research has been performed on smart working environments in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry, with building information modeling considered as a critical element for implementing intelligent working systems. Although much software has been developed, a lack of understanding inhibits a user-centered approach to the application of building information modeling in architectural design offices. This study focuses on usability factors for the development of software and proposes a direction for the adoption of building information modeling in architectural design offices. This study adopts a persona method that focuses on user experience, starting with a survey conducted in two large domestic architectural offices. For developing the persona scenarios, this study provides a conceptual framework of usability, identifies user demands, and characterizes user experience. Four representative personas were developed for the representative types of users in smart working environments. The persona scenarios provide a basis that directly reflects user needs and experiences regarding the use of building information modeling software in architectural design offices. Two implications of the application of building information modeling are proposed based on the scenarios: a user-friendly working environment for smart workflows and a customized training program focusing on user experience for the use of building information modeling software.

Practitioners in the domains of architecture, engineering, and construction have conducted considerable research on smart homes and smart environments [...]

This study examined the health promotion model (HPM) as a framework for assessing perceptions and health-related behaviors related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among blue-collar workers. This was done with the aim of providing time-sensitive educational and training materials for workers while on the job or functioning in their communities. The revised HPM was evaluated in the above context using specific criteria developed by Chinn and Kramer (2008) and scoping literature review. Specifically, we assessed the model based on five criteria such as its clarity, simplicity, generality, accessibility, and importance. The revised HPM showed strengths in both accessibility and generality. That is, it applied to all populations and chronic illnesses through clearly defined and specified major concepts. However, there were several weaknesses in areas of clarity and consistency; the model included three new concepts (i.e., activity-related affect, commitment to a plan of action, and immediate competing demands and preference) that actually decreased these elements. In this context, situational influences require adequately reflected external variables. Nevertheless, the revised HPM showed predictive power among this study’s target population. The HPM was modified to address deficiencies in regard to the concept of risk perception. Work-related situational influences were also restructured based on individual and environmental characteristics. The modified framework can be used to clarify health-related behaviors among blue-collar workers.

The success of smart homes is fundamentally dependent on their adoption and use by people in the context of daily life. This study investigated ways to control and adapt the technology to fulfill user daily needs, which are the active drivers of smart housing technology adoption. A framework of smart home services was developed by focusing on the practicability of each variable from the perspective of supporting user experience. By developing scenarios based on previous studies, we identified residents’ behaviors and intentions regarding smart home technology and its use. Their issues were identified through the health problems and daily activities identified in the scenarios, and customized smart home services were developed for each resident based on technical solutions, space requirements, and design solutions. The main strength of this study is the adoption of user-centered methods to build a rich picture of the issues that affect households and the community related to the design, installation, and use of technology.

The physicochemical, microbial, and antioxidant properties of a Korean wheat variety (Jokyoung) were measured according to milling yield (60–90%) by adding fractions from millstreams. As the milling yield increased, the wheat flour showed low quality on physicochemical properties in general. Significant differences in proximate analysis, color, solvent retention capacity, pasting property, and antioxidant activity were observed as the yield increased to maximize the production of wheat flour from wheat kernels. Adding clear flour and shorts did not significantly affect the quality of the wheat flour in comparison with straight flour samples. However, as brans were added to the flour portion, the wheat flour quality parameters decreased significantly in color, solvent retention capacity, and pasting properties. On the other hand, antioxidant properties increased as brans were added. Maximizing wheat flour yield is a key to minimizing the production cost of Korean wheat flour, which is approximately three times more expensive than imported wheat flour. Adding clear flour and a certain portion of shorts did not seem to significantly influence the overall quality of wheat flour from Korean domestic wheat variety.

Various smart services and technologies have been developed to support older adults' well-ness, make their daily tasks easier, and enhance their overall quality of life. When people grow older, older adults inevitably experience a significant decrease in their physical, cognitive, and sensory capabilities, which makes them develop negative attitudes toward technology. In this regard, this study highlights that older adults require not only usable and practical spaces but also smart residential environments that can fulfill them emotionally. Research on smart environments for this population should consider the hedonic and experiential factors of interacting with technology, such as fun, fulfillment, play, and user engagement. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of smart residential environments to support positive aging and pleasurable user experience in the architecture domain. For this critical review emphasizing the pleasurable smart environment, an evaluation framework was developed, consisting of four categories: well-ness, independence, acceptance, and design. Through an extensive analysis of selected papers in the architecture domain, it was found that studies on the smart home tend to focus on utilitarian factors, such as usability, monitoring physical experiences, and simulating energy efficiency, and rarely mention psychological well-ness. Smart environments should be designed to not only emphasize efficiency, effectiveness, and satisfaction but also to engage older adults and provide them positive experiences. As various smart technologies continue to evolve and integrate into smart living spaces, it is important to understand older adults' cognitive and emotional aspects and make the smart environment a more comfortable place for them.

The objective of this study was to investigate the possibility of using germinated wheat as a nutritionally improved novel cereal beverage. To enhance the health-related functionality of a germinated wheat beverage (GWB), the roasting time and temperature of germinated wheat were optimized using a central composite design and response surface methodology. The optimum roasting conditions were determined as roasting temperature of 180 °C and roasting time of 44.56 min, resulting in maximum total flavonoid content (0.74 mg CE/g), total phenolic content (1.95 mg GE/g), 2,2-diphnyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity (5.10 μM TE/g), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (9.45 mM TE/g), and γ-aminobutyric acid content (2.25 mg/g). The germinated wheat roasted with optimum conditions was prepared in two types of GWB (hot and cold), and the sensory characteristics were tested by consumers (n = 102). The cold GWB showed relatively high preferences compared to hot GWB in appearance, odor, taste, and overall acceptabilities. In the intensity results of the sensory properties of GWB, the cold GWB tended to have stronger browning, grain odor, and nutty taste than the hot GWB. Conclusively, this study showed that optimizing the roasting conditions of germinated wheat could achieve desirable sensory properties and consumer acceptance while improving the health-related functionality of GWB.

Purpose: This study was describes the development and implementation a sex education program with a blended learning method for university students. Methods: Sixty-eight university students were recruited either to the experimental group (n=35) or the control group (n=33). This program was developed based on the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation model. The analysis phase consisted of a literature review, focus group interview, expert consultations, and target group survey. In addition, learning objectives and structure were designed, and a printed text-book, presentation slides, cross-word puzzle, and debate topics were developed. In the implementation phase, the program was conducted 3 times over the course of 3 weeks. The evaluation phase involved verification of the effects of the program on sex-related knowledge, sexual autonomy, and justification of violence, as well as an assessment of satisfaction with the program. Results: The experimental group had significantly higher scores on sex-related knowledge (t=5.47, p

Quantification and assessment of nationwide population access to health-care services is a critical undertaking for improving population health and optimizing the performance of national health systems. Rural–urban unbalance of population access to health-care services is widely involved in most of the nations. This unbalance is also potentially affected by varied weather and road conditions. This study investigates the rural and urban performances of public health system by quantifying the spatiotemporal variations of accessibility and assessing the impacts of potential factors. Australian health-care system is used as a case study for the rural–urban comparison of population accessibility. A nationwide travel time-based modified kernel density two-step floating catchment area (MKD2SFCA) model is utilized to compute accessibility of travel time within 30, 60, 120, and 240 min to all public hospitals, hospitals that provide emergency care, and hospitals that provide surgery service, respectively. Results show that accessibility is varied both temporally and spatially, and the rural–urban unbalance is distinct for different types of hospitals. In Australia, from the perspective of spatial distributions of health-care resources, spatial accessibility to all public hospitals in remote and very remote areas is not lower (and may even higher) than that in major cities, but the accessibility to hospitals that provide emergency and surgery services is much higher in major cities than other areas. From the angle of temporal variation of accessibility to public hospitals, reduction of traffic speed is 1.00–3.57% due to precipitation and heavy rain, but it leads to 18–23% and 31–50% of reduction of accessibility in hot-spot and cold-spot regions, respectively, and the impact is severe in New South Wales, Queensland, and Northern Territory during wet seasons. Spatiotemporal analysis for the variations of accessibility can provide quantitative and accurate evidence for geographically local and dynamic strategies of allocation decision-making of medical resources and optimizing health-care systems both locally and nationally.

Purpose: To prospectively assess the diagnostic potential of computed tomography urography (CTU) as a prior examination in the detection of bladder cancer. Materials and Methods: A total of 3280 CTU examinations were assessed in 3050 consecutive patients. Patients who were over 35 years of age, with gross hematuria, persistent microhematuria, or a history of urothelial tumor, were included in our study. Our study investigated the diagnostic capability of CTU over the course of two prior examinations. After the first examination, patients with a definite lesion observed by CTU were referred directly for rigid cystoscopy (RC) and patients with negative or probable lesion were referred for flexible cystoscopy (FC). After the second examination, patients with a definite lesion observed by CTU were referred directly for RC, patients with probable lesion were referred for FC, and patients with negative lesion were referred for clinical follow-up. Performance characteristics for the two prior examinations were determined by using pathologic findings or clinical follow-up as the reference standard. Results: The overall sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for detecting bladder cancer were 95.2%, 95.4%, 95.4%, 69.1%, and 99.2%, respectively, for the first prior examination, and 93.4%, 93.3%, 93.3%, 61.1%, and 98.4%, respectively, for the second prior examination. Conclusion: CTU as a prior examination is accurate for the early detection of bladder cancer. Notably, when used as a second prior examination, CTU could help to avoid the unnecessary use of FC in patients with negative lesions.

Parovarian cyst is usually simple cyst, and accounts for 10%–20% of adnexal masses. Borderline or malignant parovarian tumor is rare, and it contains papillary projection at the smooth inner wall. We report the ultrasonography, CT and MRI findings of a parovarian serous borderline tumor in 19-year-old female presenting left lower quadrant abdominal discomfort for 2 days.

The aspects of cellular metabolism controlled by phosphatidylinositol phosphates (PtdInsPs) have been broadly expanded, and these phospholipids have drawn tremendous attention as pleiotropic signaling molecules. PtdInsPs analysis using LC/MS/MS has remained challenging due to the strong hydrophilicity of these lipids. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) or a neutral loss scan has been performed to quantitatively measure PtdInsPs after chemical derivatization on the phosphate groups of inositol moieties. Only predefined PtdInsPs can be measured in MRM mode, and fatty acyl compositions of sn-1 and sn-2 positions of PtdInsPs cannot be obtained from a neutral loss scan. In our present study, we developed a simple LC/MS/MS method for structural identification of sn-1 and sn-2 fatty acids of PtdInsPs and their relative quantitation. Precursor ion scans of sn-1 monoacylglycerols (MAGs) of PtdInsPs provided structural information about the lipids, and ammonium adduction enhanced signal intensities of PtdInsPs. The relative amount of observed PtdInsPs in biological samples could be compared using chromatographic peak areas from the neutral loss scans. Using precursor ion scans of sn-1 MAG and neutral loss scans of headgroups, major PtdInsPs in cells and tissues were successfully identified with structural information of sn-1 and sn-2 fatty acids, and their relative amounts in different samples were compared.

Designer-oriented space design has been transferred to user-oriented space design that considers users′ emotions as well as the functions of the space, producing a multi-sensory space. Further, with the advent of embedded digital media and information technology in a space, various interface functions of the space have been developed and the user experience in the space has been much extended. This research investigated user experience and emotional aspects of a space′s design, which have been sparsely researched previously. Further, authors emphasize not only the emotion expression of the space, but also the interaction of people and space for the embodiment of the emotions from a wider perspective. Authors reviewed multidisciplinary literatures and compared various methodologies of measurement. Based on the understanding of the studies on the measurement of emotion, authors developed measures of emotion in interaction associated with spaces. The strength of the research is the focus on the integration of the space with technologies and user experiences from a new perspective in emotion research, rather than concentrating only on the architecture components of the buildings themselves. Through empirical studies, the measurements of emotion in architectural spaces can be verified and elaborated.

PURPOSE: This paper examined the relationship between knowledge differences of maternal oral health and of relevant demographic variables. METHODS: Participants included 239 pregnant women who were recruited from Women's Hospital located in B city who agreed to participate in this study. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis using the SPSS 21.0 program. RESULTS: Maternal knowledge of oral health was moderate level (10.22±2.36). Scores of maternal knowledge of oral health were different according to age, education, occupation, parity, and dental care experience in pregnancy. Level of oral healthcare knowledge was weakly related to age and education. CONCLUSION: Consequently, it is necessary to encourage pregnant women to take part in oral health education program during antenatal care.

The processes regulating the ageing of stem cells are not clearly defined. Here, the authors report that in haematopoietic stem cells (HSC) thioredoxin-interacting protein, known to regulate the cell cycle, binds to p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and regulates HSC ageing and rejuvenation.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of milling methods (jet mill (JM) and hammer mill (HM)) and wheat cultivars (Keumkang (K), Jokyung (J), and Anzunbaengi (A)) on physicochemical and dough properties of whole-wheat flour (WWF). The color, particle size, starch damage (SD), falling number (FN), water absorption index (WAI), water solubility index (WSI), pasting and Mixolab® properties, and dough extensibility of WWF were measured. Significant differences were observed in proximate compositions as well as in color, particle size, FN, and WAI between the distinct milling methods and cultivars (p

Since architect Nicholas Negroponte first proposed a vision of responsive architecture smart environments have been widely investigated, especially in the fields of computer science and engineering. Despite growing interest in the topic, a comprehensive review of research about smart environments from the architectural perspective is largely missing. In order to provide a formal understanding of smart environments in architecture, this paper conducts a systematic literature review of scholarly sources over the last decade, focusing on four related subjects: (1) responsive architecture, (2) kinetic architecture, (3) adaptive architecture and (4) intelligent buildings. Through this review, the paper identifies and examines interactive and collective behaviors in smart environments, thereby contributing to defining the properties of creative, smart spaces in the contemporary digital ecosystem. In addition, this research offers a means of systematically characterizing and constructing smart environments as interactive and collective platforms, enabling occupants to sense, experience and understand smart spaces.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a serious lung disease characterized by excessive collagen matrix deposition and extracellular remodeling. Signaling pathways mediated by fibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) make important contributions to pulmonary fibrosis, but it remains unclear how TGF-β1 alters metabolism and modulates the activation and differentiation of pulmonary fibroblasts. We found that TGF-β1 lowers NADH and NADH/NAD levels, possibly due to changes in the TCA cycle, resulting in reductions in the ATP level and oxidative phosphorylation in pulmonary fibroblasts. In addition, we showed that butyrate (C4), a short chain fatty acid (SCFA), exhibits potent antifibrotic activity by inhibiting expression of fibrosis markers. Butyrate treatment inhibited mitochondrial elongation in TGF-β1-treated lung fibroblasts and increased the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Consistent with the mitochondrial observations, butyrate significantly increased ADP, ATP, NADH, and NADH/NAD levels in TGF-β1-treated pulmonary fibroblasts. Collectively, our findings indicate that TGF-β1 induces changes in mitochondrial dynamics and energy metabolism during myofibroblast differentiation, and that these changes can be modulated by butyrate, which enhances mitochondrial function.

Representing visual experiences is an essential part of architectural design education for creativity. The representation of creative ideas relates to the ability to communicate spatial design concepts. This study examined whether filmic spaces could function as visual communication to enhance students’ creative thinking in architecture. It explored how creativity can be supported throughout an architectural design studio with a conceptual tool that translates filmic spaces into spatial design. To investigate the ways to translate filmic space into spatial design tools for creative thinking, we conducted a design studio with first-year university students. Focusing on using various elements of film, including movement, frame, montage, light, and color, and scene changes to represent architectural languages, a curriculum was developed and implemented in a Visual Communication Design Studio for one semester, stimulating students to engage in expressing their ideas in three-dimensional spaces. The overall results suggested that the design education method that used the filmic space as a stimulating tool for creative thinking, emphasizing the role of visual communication, could enhance students’ creative thinking, leading to improved creative design processes.

The function of natural killer (NK) cell-derived interferon-γ (IFN-γ) expands to remove pathogens by increasing the ability of innate immune cells. Here, we identified the critical role of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) in the production of IFN-γ in NK cells during bacterial infection. TXNIP inhibited the production of IFN-γ and the activation of transforming growth factor β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) activity in primary mouse and human NK cells. TXNIP directly interacted with TAK1 and inhibited TAK1 activity by interfering with the complex formation between TAK1 and TAK1 binding protein 1 (TAB1). Txnip−/− (KO) NK cells enhanced the activation of macrophages by inducing IFN-γ production during Pam3CSK4 stimulation or Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infection and contributed to expedite the bacterial clearance. Our findings suggest that NK cell-derived IFN-γ is critical for host defense and that TXNIP plays an important role as an inhibitor of NK cell-mediated macrophage activation by inhibiting the production of IFN-γ during bacterial infection.

Carcinoid tumors are neoplasms with neuroendocrine differentiation, and they are most commonly found in the gastrointestinal and respiratory systems. Primary renal carcinoid tumor has rarely been reported. Here, we present a case of primary renal carcinoid tumor manifesting as a small but a gradually enhancing mass with calcification and a cystic component.

The purpose of this study was to develop a formulation of Sunsik with improved health benefits by adding germinated wheat (GW) and herbal plant extract (HPE) using a response surface methodology (RSM). The central composite experimental design (CCD) was used to evaluate the effects of Sunsik with added HPE (2–4%) and GW (10–20%) on total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity, gamma butyric acid (GABA) content, total color changes (△E), browning index (BI), water absorption index (WAI), and water solubility index (WSI). As a result of the CCD, the independent and dependent variables were fitted by the second-order polynomial equation, and the lack of fit for response surface models was not significant except in relation to WSI. The GABA content, TPC, and TEAC were more adequate for a linear model than for a quadratic model, and they might be affected by GW rather than HPE. Alternatively, the TFC, DPPH radical scavenging capacity, WAI, WSI, △E, and BI were fitted with quadratic models. The optimum formulation that could improve antioxidant and physicochemical properties was Sunsik with 3.5% and 20% added HPE and GW, respectively.

Human cognitive processes in wayfinding may differ depending on the time taken to accept visual information in environments. This study investigated users’ wayfinding processes using eye-tracking experiments, simulating a complex cultural space to analyze human visual movements in the perception and the cognitive processes through visual perception responses. The experiment set-up consisted of several paths in COEX Mall, Seoul—from the entrance of the shopping mall Starfield to the Star Hall Library to the COEX Exhibition Hall—using visual stimuli created by virtual reality (four stimuli and a total of 60 seconds stimulation time). The participants in the environment were 24 undergraduate or graduate students, with an average age of 24.8 years. Participants’ visual perception processes were analyzed in terms of the clarity and the recognition of spatial information and the activation of gaze fixation on spatial information. That is, the analysis of the visual perception process was performed by extracting “conscious gaze perspective” data comprising more than 50 consecutive 200 ms continuous gaze fixations; “visual understanding perspective” data were also extracted for more than 300 ms of continuous gaze fixation. The results show that the methods for analyzing the gaze data may vary in terms of processing, analysis, and scope of the data depending on the purpose of the virtual reality experiments. Further, they demonstrate the importance of what purpose statements are given to the subject during the experiment and the possibility of a technical approach being used for the interpretation of spatial information.

The integration of building information modeling (BIM) and geographic information system (GIS) is attracting more attention than ever due to its potential benefits for both the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) domain and the geospatial industry. The main challenge in BIM and GIS integrated application comes from the fundamental data conversion, especially for the geometric information. BIM and GIS use different modeling paradigms to represent objects. The BIM dataset takes, for example, Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) that use solid models, such as boundary representation (B-Rep), swept solid, constructive solid geometry (CSG), and clipping, while the GIS dataset mainly uses surface models or B-Rep. The fundamental data conversion between BIM and GIS is the foundation of BIM and GIS integrated application. However, the efficiency of data conversion has been greatly impaired by the human intervention needed, especially for the conversion of the clipping geometry. The goal of this study is to automate the conversion of IFC clipping representation into the shapefile format. A process-level approach was developed with an algorithm for instantiating unbounded half spaces using B-Rep. Four IFC models were used to validate the proposed method. The results show that (1) the proposed approach can successfully automate the conversion of IFC clipping representation into the shapefile format; and (2) increasing boundary size has no effect on the file size of unbounded half spaces, but slightly increases the producing time of half spaces and processing time of building components. The efficiency of this study can be further improved by using an open-source package, instead of using the low-efficiency packages provided by ArcGIS.

The physicochemical and antioxidant properties of dough and bread were measured in wheat flours substituted with two types of bran (HMB: bran pulverized by a hammer mill and JMB: bran pulverized by a jet mill) at various ratios (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%) of substitution. The particle size of hammer mill bran (HMB) (119.71 µm) was larger than that of jet mill bran (JMB) (25.78 µm). Wheat flours substituted with HMB contained more total dietary fiber than those with JMB. A significant increase of water absorption and dough development time in Mixolab® analysis was observed depending on the level of HMB or JMB substitution. The breads made with HMB or JMB (5% or 10%) showed a higher specific volume and lower crumb hardness than the control bread. However, breads made with ≥15% HMB or JMB had a decreased specific volume and increased crumb hardness. Overall, breads made with wheat flour substituted with 5%−10% HMB or JMB were of a higher bread quality and had more antioxidant properties.