•A hybrid cooling system HYB incorporated with dry ice and ventilation was developed.•HYB's cooling performance was examined and compared with a water-cooling suit WCS.•Both HYB and WCS prevented ...core temperature from rising >38.0 °C throughout 60-min trials.•HYB and WCS significantly improved thermophysiological and perceptual responses.•HYB's total weight gradually reduced due to dry ice sublimation, thereby it helped mascot actors to alleviate heat strain.
Mascot actors have to wear bulky, heavy and low permeability costumes during a performance. Documented work and headline news have consistently demonstrated that severe heat illnesses associated with mascot costumes are the major health problem among mascot actors. Though various personal cooling systems (PCSs) have been developed to mitigate the heat stress of people wearing protective clothing, no research has been reported on the actual cooling benefit of using PCSs under mascot costumes. Thus, in this work, a newly developed hybrid personal cooling suit based with dry ice and ventilation fans (HYB), and a water-cooling suit (WCS) were chosen to examine their actual cooling performances on mascot actors while performing a moderate activity in a hot and humid condition (i.e., 34 ± 0.5 °C, RH = 78 ± 5%, wet-bulb globe temperature WBGT = 31.8 °C). The total trial duration was 60 min, which comprised 40-min walking at 4.0 km/h followed by 20-min resting at room temperature (i.e., 24 ± 1 °C, RH = 55 ± 5%, WBGT = 20.1 °C). The present study showed that both HYB and WCS successfully prevented the core temperature of mascot wearers from rising above 38.0 °C throughout the 60-min trials. In contrast, the wearers’ core temperature reached 38.0 °C in about 35 min in CON (i.e., CONTROL, no cooling). HYB and WCS could also bring remarkable cooling to the body surface so that mean skin temperatures stayed <36.5 °C. Moreover, both HYB and WCS decreased the total sweat production by over 34.2–46.0% compared to CON. Heart rates in HYB and WCS were also decreased by 12 and 20 beats/min compared to that of CON. Therefore, physiological strain index and perceptual responses have been greatly improved by using HYB and WCS. It is thus concluded that the two cooling suits can be used to mitigate heat stress on mascot wearers during a one-hour performance in the studied condition. It was noted that the cooling performance of WCS was greatly deteriorated approaching the end of the trials. Thus, mascot actors are advised to replace cooling sources during the resting period in order to ensure the WCS suit could still bring pronounced body cooling benefits for upcoming work-rest cycles.
Food-based carbon dots (CDs) hold significant importance across various fields, ranging from biomedical applications to environmental and food industries. These CDs offer unique advantages over ...traditional carbon nanomaterials, including affordability, biodegradability, ease of operation, and multiple bioactivities. This work aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent developments in food-based CDs, focusing on their characteristics, properties, therapeutic applications in biomedicine, and safety assessment methods. The review highlights the potential of food-based CDs in biomedical applications, including antibacterial, antifungal, antivirus, anticancer, and anti-immune hyperactivity. Furthermore, current strategies employed for evaluating the safety of food-based CDs have also been reported. In conclusion, this review offers valuable insights into their potential across diverse sectors and underscores the significance of safety assessment measures to facilitate their continued advancement and application.
Most studies support that saturated fatty acid replacement with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and put emphasis on the effects of N-3 PUFAs. ...The reported relationships between N-6 PUFAs and CVD risks vary. We aimed to examine the associations between N-6 PUFA concentrations and CVD risks. In this community-based prospective cohort study on CVD-free patients at baseline (N = 1835, age: 60.6 ± 10.5 years, women: 44.5%), we measured the fatty acid concentrations in the blood using gas chromatography. Four hundred twenty-four participants developed CVDs during follow up. The total N-6 PUFA concentration was inversely associated with the CVD risk, with a 48% lower risk in the highest N-6 PUFA concentration quartile (hazard ratio = 0.52; P for trend <0.001). The estimated population attributable risk of N-6 PUFAs indicated that approximately 20.7% of CVD events would have been prevented if the plasma N-6 PUFA concentration had been higher than the median value. The total N-6 PUFA concentration presented the highest net reclassification improvement (NRI = 7.2%, P = 0.03) for predicting incident CVD. Further studies on N-6 PUFAs, diet habits, and their relationships with healthcare are warranted.
We aimed to investigate prospective associations of circulating or adipose tissue odd-chain fatty acids 15:0 and 17:0 and trans-palmitoleic acid, t16:1n-7, as potential biomarkers of dairy fat ...intake, with incident type 2 diabetes (T2D).
Sixteen prospective cohorts from 12 countries (7 from the United States, 7 from Europe, 1 from Australia, 1 from Taiwan) performed new harmonised individual-level analysis for the prospective associations according to a standardised plan. In total, 63,682 participants with a broad range of baseline ages and BMIs and 15,180 incident cases of T2D over the average of 9 years of follow-up were evaluated. Study-specific results were pooled using inverse-variance-weighted meta-analysis. Prespecified interactions by age, sex, BMI, and race/ethnicity were explored in each cohort and were meta-analysed. Potential heterogeneity by cohort-specific characteristics (regions, lipid compartments used for fatty acid assays) was assessed with metaregression. After adjustment for potential confounders, including measures of adiposity (BMI, waist circumference) and lipogenesis (levels of palmitate, triglycerides), higher levels of 15:0, 17:0, and t16:1n-7 were associated with lower incidence of T2D. In the most adjusted model, the hazard ratio (95% CI) for incident T2D per cohort-specific 10th to 90th percentile range of 15:0 was 0.80 (0.73-0.87); of 17:0, 0.65 (0.59-0.72); of t16:1n7, 0.82 (0.70-0.96); and of their sum, 0.71 (0.63-0.79). In exploratory analyses, similar associations for 15:0, 17:0, and the sum of all three fatty acids were present in both genders but stronger in women than in men (pinteraction < 0.001). Whereas studying associations with biomarkers has several advantages, as limitations, the biomarkers do not distinguish between different food sources of dairy fat (e.g., cheese, yogurt, milk), and residual confounding by unmeasured or imprecisely measured confounders may exist.
In a large meta-analysis that pooled the findings from 16 prospective cohort studies, higher levels of 15:0, 17:0, and t16:1n-7 were associated with a lower risk of T2D.
De novo lipogenesis (DNL) is the primary metabolic pathway synthesizing fatty acids from carbohydrates, protein, or alcohol. Our aim was to examine associations of in vivo levels of selected fatty ...acids (16:0, 16:1n7, 18:0, 18:1n9) in DNL with incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D).
Seventeen cohorts from 12 countries (7 from Europe, 7 from the United States, 1 from Australia, 1 from Taiwan; baseline years = 1970-1973 to 2006-2010) conducted harmonized individual-level analyses of associations of DNL-related fatty acids with incident T2D. In total, we evaluated 65,225 participants (mean ages = 52.3-75.5 years; % women = 20.4%-62.3% in 12 cohorts recruiting both sexes) and 15,383 incident cases of T2D over the 9-year follow-up on average. Cohort-specific association of each of 16:0, 16:1n7, 18:0, and 18:1n9 with incident T2D was estimated, adjusted for demographic factors, socioeconomic characteristics, alcohol, smoking, physical activity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, menopausal status, and adiposity. Cohort-specific associations were meta-analyzed with an inverse-variance-weighted approach. Each of the 4 fatty acids positively related to incident T2D. Relative risks (RRs) per cohort-specific range between midpoints of the top and bottom quintiles of fatty acid concentrations were 1.53 (1.41-1.66; p < 0.001) for 16:0, 1.40 (1.33-1.48; p < 0.001) for 16:1n-7, 1.14 (1.05-1.22; p = 0.001) for 18:0, and 1.16 (1.07-1.25; p < 0.001) for 18:1n9. Heterogeneity was seen across cohorts (I2 = 51.1%-73.1% for each fatty acid) but not explained by lipid fractions and global geographical regions. Further adjusted for triglycerides (and 16:0 when appropriate) to evaluate associations independent of overall DNL, the associations remained significant for 16:0, 16:1n7, and 18:0 but were attenuated for 18:1n9 (RR = 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.94-1.13). These findings had limitations in potential reverse causation and residual confounding by imprecisely measured or unmeasured factors.
Concentrations of fatty acids in the DNL were positively associated with T2D incidence. Our findings support further work to investigate a possible role of DNL and individual fatty acids in the development of T2D.
We investigated the association between plasma saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and the risk of metabolic syndrome among ethnic Chinese adults in Taiwan who attended a health check-up center.
A ...case-control study based on 1000 cases of metabolic syndrome and 1:1 matched control participants (mean age, 54.9 ± 10.7 y; 36% females) were recruited. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation. Gas chromatography was used to measure the distribution of fatty acids in plasma (% of total fatty acids).
Even-chain SFAs, including 14:0, 16:0, and 18:0, were associated with metabolic syndrome; the adjusted odds ratio OR and 95% confidence interval CI per standard deviation SD difference was 3.32, 1.98–5.59; however, very-long-chain SFAs, including 20:0, 21:0, 22:0, 23:0, and 24:0, were inversely associated with metabolic syndrome. The adjusted OR 95% CI per SD difference was 0.67 0.58–0.78. The area under the receiver operative characteristic curve increased from 0.814 in the basic model to 0.815 (p = 0.54, compared with the basic model), 0.818 (p < 0.0001), and 0.820 (p < 0.0001) after adding odd-chain, even-chain, and very-long chain SFAs. A meta-analysis based on 12 studies showed that the summarized OR for type 2 diabetes mellitus was 1.16 0.96–1.41 for the top versus bottom SFAs.
Different carbon numbers of SFAs have been shown to have differential effects on the status of metabolic syndrome, implying that SFAs are not homogenous for the effects.
•Different carbon numbers of SFAs correlates differently with metabolic syndrome.•Significant joint additive effects are shown for these fatty acids.•The heterogeneous effects should be considered in dietary guideline and surveillance.
Aims
Evidence of a role for type 2 diabetes in overall cancer risk and risk for specific types of cancer is limited in ethnic Chinese populations. We therefore investigated whether there is an ...association between diabetes and cancer incidence in Taiwan.
Methods
This study recruited a total of 3602 adults aged 35 years or over (average 54.9 ± 12.3 years, 52.8% women). Participants with fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL, or taking hypoglycemic medications, were classed as having type 2 diabetes. Cancer incidence was established through regular follow-up interviews and medical records. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to examine associations for diabetes with risk of all-cause and site-specific cancers.
Results
During a median of follow-up of 10.5 years, 275 individuals developed cancer, including 157 digestive cancers and 31 urinary cancers. Younger participants (aged < 55 years) with diabetes had a greater risk of all cancers adjusted relative risk (RR) 3.42; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.78–6.57, digestive cancers (adjusted RR 2.88; 95% CI 1.15–6.94) and urinary cancers (adjusted RR 13.4; 95% CI 2.70–66.3) compared with individuals in the same age group without diabetes.
Conclusions
Our results clearly demonstrate that middle-aged individuals of Chinese ethnicity with diabetes have a greater risk of all-cause cancer and specific subtypes of cancer.
We present a new theoretical model for the broadband reflection spectra of etched FBGs which includes the effects of axial contraction and stress-induced index change. The reflection spectra of the ...etched FBGs with several different taper profiles are simulated based on the proposed model. In our observation, decaying exponential profile produces a broadband reflection spectrum with good uniformity over the range of 1540-1560 nm. An etched FBG with similar taper profile is fabricated and the experimental result shows good agreement with the theoretical model.
This study demonstrated the performance of flight control systems of a hybrid rocket in a hovering flight test by developing a rocket designated HTTP-3AT powered by High Test Peroxide (HTP, a term ...used for concentrated hydrogen peroxide, H2O2). Hybrid rocket excels in system simplicity, operational safety, oxidizer storability, cost, and throttling capability compared to current solid and liquid rocket engine systems. Although issues such as the severe oxidizer-to-fuel (O/F) ratio shift during combustion and difficulty in gimbaled thrust vector control (TVC) caused by the lengthy chambers need to be solved, hybrid rocket propulsion is nevertheless a promising propulsion technology for future space exploration. To achieve accurate orbit insertion, thrust magnitude control and TVC of the rocket engines are necessary. However, no organizations have successfully implemented this technology on a practical hybrid rocket, not even using this technology for hovering flight tests. On September 8th, 2020, a hovering flight test of HTTP-3AT was conducted, achieving a steady hover 3 m above ground for 25 s utilizing both attitude and position controls. This test showed that a hybrid rocket could achieve a stable hovering flight with the capability of vertical takeoff and vertical landing (VTVL), demonstrating excellent throttling control and TVC capabilities of hybrid rocket propulsion.
•Demonstration of the first-ever hovering flight test using hybrid rocket engines.•Preliminary verification of the capability of the vertical landing of hybrid rocket.•Validation of precise thrust control of the hybrid rocket engine.•Controlling the oxidizer mass flow rate by using an industrial ball valve.•Validation of direct-drive TVC for the hybrid rocket engine.
MIMO antenna with Wi-Fi and Blue-Tooth for smart watch applications Wen-Shan Chen; Chih-Kai Yang; Wei-Syum Sin
2015 IEEE MTT-S 2015 International Microwave Workshop Series on RF and Wireless Technologies for Biomedical and Healthcare Applications (IMWS-BIO),
09/2015
Conference Proceeding
This paper presents an Inverted-F Antennas (IFAs) type MIMO antenna with Wi-Fi and Blue-Tooth band for smart watch application. The overall dimensions of 40×40×5.4 mm 3 of the proposed design ...consisting of an antenna portion of 40×5×0.1 mm 3 and system ground portion of 40×40×0.4 mm 3 . The antenna geometry is composed of two identical IFA antennas extended from the two side of the ground, which designed on the FR4 substrate. The distance between both antennas is 40 mm. The measured results show that S11 is lower than -10 dB and the isolation S12 is better than -15 dB across the bands of Wi-Fi and Blue-Tooth. As these antennas are dedicated to be placed in watch, the influence of ABS and screen on the smart watch for the antenna performances is also investigated. The proposed antenna design also has good performance and small size.
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