Bayesian optimization with approximate set kernels

Machine Learning - We propose a practical Bayesian optimization method over sets, to minimize a black-box function that takes a set as a single input. Because set inputs are permutation-invariant,...     

Infusion efficiency of fluorescein derivatives of different molecular sizes into various starches under atmospheric and high hydrostatic pressures

Food Science and Biotechnology - Fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextrans (FDs) of different molecular weights were infused into corn, waxy rice, tapioca, and potato starches under atmospheric and high...     

Modeling occupant behavior of the manual control of windows in residential buildings

Window opening and closing is the most preferred behavior for occupants to control their indoor environment in homes. This study aims to identify driving forces for window opening and closing behavior in the home. The additional field survey was carried out for the cooling period after following the previous study. The state of windows and environmental variables for outdoor and indoor were continuously monitored in 23 sample homes over one year. The monitored data provide evidence that there is a statistically significant relationship between window opening behavior and outdoor temperature. The behavior of the occupant's manual control of windows can be described by seasonal effects, occupancy, and time of day. Indoor stimuli, such as such as temperature, humidity, and CO₂, can better account for the window opening behavior than can outdoor stimuli. There are clear differences in driving variables between window opening and closing behavior. The closing behavior is better described when the outdoor and indoor variables are combined. Finally, multivariate logistic regression models were developed to predict typical patterns of window opening and closing as a function of indoor and outdoor variables.     

Deep freezing to maintain the freshness of pork loin during long-term storage

Food Science and Biotechnology - As storage temperature impacts frozen meat quality, we evaluated the ideal freezing and storage temperatures for pork loin, and effects of long-term storage...     

Effect of hydrothermal aging on dental multilayered zirconia for monolithic restorations: An in vitro study

The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the changes in mechanical, optical, and surface properties of multilayered zirconia during hydrothermal aging.One conventional block (Katana Zirconia HT) and three multilayered blocks (Katana Zirconia ML, STML, and UTML) of monolithic zirconia were examined. Bar-shaped specimens were autoclaved at 134°C and 0.2MPa for 0, 5, and 10 h. The Young's modulus, three-point flexural strength, and nanoindentation hardness were measured to evaluate the mechanical properties. The surface roughness, phase distribution, surface microstructure, and elemental composition were measured to analyze the surface properties. The contrast ratio and total transmittance were measured via spectrophotometry to evaluate the optical properties. Statistical differences were analyzed using appropriate ANOVA, Tukey HSD post hoc tests, and independent and paired sample t-tests (α = .05).The monoclinic phase increased gradually after hydrothermal aging. The yttrium and zirconium concentrations decreased, and the oxygen concentration and the surface roughness increased in all specimens (P<.05) after the aging process. All specimens showed significant grain push-out and microcracks. The total transmittance increased, and the contrast ratio and Young's modulus decreased in all specimens (P<.05) after the aging process. The nanoindentation hardness and three-point flexural strength exhibited a decreasing tendency after the aging process. However, there were no statistical differences (P>.05) between the materials. Significant interactions between material grades and hydrothermal aging were found for all the properties studied (P<.001).Microstructural alterations and significant phase transformations were detected on the surface of the multilayered zirconia after hydrothermal aging. The hydrothermal aging led to increased surface roughness, opaqueness, and elasticity of multilayered zirconia. The optical, mechanical, and surface properties of multilayered zirconia were influenced by the grade of the material after hydrothermal aging. Careful consideration of the grade of materials is necessary for the appropriate selection of multilayered zirconia ceramics for monolithic restorations.     

Rice PIN Auxin Efflux Carriers Modulate the Nitrogen Response in a Changing Nitrogen Growth Environment

Auxins play an essential role in regulating plant growth and adaptation to abiotic stresses, such as nutrient stress. Our current understanding of auxins is based almost entirely on the results of research on the eudicot Arabidopsis thaliana, however, the role of the rice PIN-FORMED (PIN) auxin efflux carriers in the regulation of the ammonium-dependent response remains elusive. Here, we analyzed the expression patterns in various organs/tissues and the ammonium-dependent response of rice PIN-family genes (OsPIN genes) via qRT–PCR, and attempted to elucidate the relationship between nitrogen (N) utilization and auxin transporters. To investigate auxin distribution under ammonium-dependent response after N deficiency in rice roots, we used DR5::VENUS reporter lines that retained a highly active synthetic auxin response. Subsequently, we confirmed that ammonium supplementation reduced the DR5::VENUS signal compared with that observed in the N-deficient condition. These results are consistent with the decreased expression patterns of almost all OsPIN genes in the presence of the ammonium-dependent response to N deficiency. Furthermore, the ospin1b mutant showed an insensitive phenotype in the ammonium-dependent response to N deficiency and disturbances in the regulation of several N-assimilation genes. These molecular and physiological findings suggest that auxin is involved in the ammonium assimilation process of rice, which is a model crop plant.     

E7766, a Macrocycle-Bridged Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) Agonist with Potent Pan-Genotypic Activity

A strategy for creating potent and pan-genotypic stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonists is described. Locking a bioactive U-shaped conformation of cyclic dinucleotides by introducing a transannular macrocyclic bridge between the nucleic acid bases leads to a topologically novel macrocycle-bridged STING agonist (MBSA). In addition to substantially enhanced potency, the newly designed MBSAs, exemplified by clinical candidate E7766 , exhibit broad pan-genotypic activity in all major human STING variants. E7766 is shown to have potent antitumor activity with long lasting immune memory response in a mouse liver metastatic tumor model. Two complementary stereoselective synthetic routes to E7766 are also described.     

Microstructure and dielectric properties of compositionally graded Ba1-xSrxTiO3 multilayer tunable capacitors

Li₂O/B₂O₃-added Ba_1-xSr_xTiO₃ (B_1-xS_xT) ceramics, where 0.2 ≤ x ≤ 0.35, were well densified at 920 °C with pure perovskite structure. The dielectric constant, tunability, and figure of merit (FOM) of B_1-xS_xT ceramics increased with x because of the decreasing Curie temperature (T_C). The specimen with x = 0.35, whose T_C was close to room temperature, exhibited a large tunability of 27.4 % and FOM of 110 at 10 kV/cm. A compositionally graded multilayer (CGML), which was sintered at 920 °C, was fabricated using B_1-xS_xT thick films to produce a temperature-stable tunable capacitor, and it evinced a dense microstructure and a continuous interface between the B_1-xS_xT thick film and the Ag electrode. This CGML capacitor showed a large tunability (51 %) and FOM (150) at 20 kV/cm. It also exhibited stable tunability (17–28 % at 10 kV/cm) at temperatures between 30–90 °C. Therefore, the B_1-xS_xT CGML capacitor is a suitable candidate for temperature-stable tunable capacitors.     

Three-dimensional complex construct fabrication of illite by digital light processing-based additive manufacturing technology

Illite is a group of clay minerals that are expected to be widely used in catalyst fabrication, radioactive element adsorption, and so forth, due to its excellent adsorption properties. However, the shape control limitation of the illite product should be overcome to maximize its utilization and properties. We herein propose additive manufacturing (AM) as one of the best solutions to solve this structural drawback. Digital light processing (DLP) technology with the film-type of the material supplying system was adapted instead of the general vat-type DLP system to increase illite printability. The photo-curability and printability of illite-contained photocurable suspension were optimized. The color effect due to different ferric oxide content in yellow- and white-illite which influence the photopolymerization process also adjusted thoroughly. White illite showed better photo-curability and could be increased solid loading than yellow illite. The defect-free illite products with three-dimensional complex structures, which cannot be produced by typical ceramic processes, were obtained by DLP technology for both yellow- and white-illite after sintering at 1100°C. The overcoming of shape control limitation of illites by ceramic AM proved in this study has excellent potential for expanding illite utilities in various applications.     

Activation of the Complement System on Human Endothelial Cells by Urban Particulate Matter Triggers Inflammation-Related Protein Production

Exposure to particulate matter (PM) is becoming a major global health issue. The amount and time of exposure to PM are known to be closely associated with cardiovascular diseases. However, the mechanism through which PM affects the vascular system is still not clear. Endothelial cells line the interior surface of blood vessels and actively interact with plasma proteins, including the complement system. Unregulated complement activation caused by invaders, such as pollutants, may promote endothelial inflammation. In the present study, we sought to investigate whether urban PM (UPM) acts on the endothelial environment via the complement system. UPM-treated human endothelial cells with normal human serum showed the deposition of membrane attack complexes (MACs) on the cell surface via the alternative pathway of the complement system. Despite the formation of MACs, cell death was not observed, and cell proliferation was increased in UPM-mediated complement activation. Furthermore, complement activation on endothelial cells stimulated the production of inflammation-related proteins. Our results revealed that UPM could activate the complement system in human endothelial cells and that complement activation regulated inflammatory reaction in microenvironment. These findings provide clues with regard to the role of the complement system in pathophysiologic events of vascular disease elicited by air pollution.