Effects of window position on natural cross ventilation in vernacular architecture of mazandaran (case study: SARI)

Among the most effective architectures is vernacular architecture of Mazandaran whose incorporation in nature is so delicate that appears to be an essential part of it. Paying more attention to vernacular architecture and promoting it can be helpful in reducing energy consumption. Increasing use of fossil fuels in heating and cooling systems of buildings that come with excessive costs can result from inattention to vernacular architecture principles. However taking them into consideration can be an effective solution for reducing energy consumption. This research aimed to study the effects of window position on natural cross ventilation in Vernacular architecture of Mazandaran applying Descriptive - analytical approach. For this reason, a number of vernacular buildings, located in Sari, were studied regarding numbers and sizes of bilateral opening and its function in ventilation. Variables in this research were tested using SPSS and Regression correlation coefficient; additionally, all 3 formulas suggested in the results were evaluated to achieve an optimal model. In this study, for a desirable ventilator, for every percent added to the room area, the windows showed a 0.87 percent increase in size, and for every additional story, the optimal ventilation grew 30 percent. On the other hand, in high-rise apartments, the protrusion contribution in ventilation system was highlighted. This research study aims to clarify the principles of proper ventilation in vernacular architecture which have long been forgotten. Keywords: natural ventilation; window; vernacular architecture; temperate and wet climate

Optimization of different TDM techniques in DWDM optical networks for FWM suppression

Next-generation optical communication systems demand more capacity, a large number of users, and high data rates this is solved by using dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) systems with lower interchannel space and high input power. However, increasing power and decreasing space can cause nonlinear effects such as four wave mixing (FWM). Time-division multiplexing (TDM) can be used to decrease the power of FWM products. In this paper, the effect of TDM combined with DWDM is analysed to reduce FWM. The analysis is carried out and the system is evaluated based on FWM efficiency, bit error rate (BER), quality factor (Q-factor), and the received power. Simulations are carried out at 2.5, 3.5, and 5 Gbps at a transmission length of 100 km. The simulation procedure includes the use of 2-TDM, 4-TDM and 8-TDM at different data rates aiming to enhance the system performance. The obtained average FWM efficiency is − 68.2, − 70.6, and − 74.8, respectively. While, 2-TDM, 4-TDM, and 8-TDM provide average Q-factor of 33.9, 19.2, and 12.7, respectively, clearly illustrating the surge in system quality. A trade-off between the system quality and FWM efficiency is done using different data rates

Effects on how corn distiller grains with solubles (DDGS) as a replacement for soybean meal (SBM) in a Boer goat diet can improve profitably for producers by saving $0.17 per lbs. of feed

Forty-eight Boer goats were fed a DDGS diet, to which replaced the common SBM diet through 4 separate treatments (Exp. 1 to 4). The experiment is based on evaluating the efficacy of corn dried distiller grains with solubles (DDGS) as a replacement for soybean meal (SBM) in a Boer goat diet to determine growth performance, diet digestibility, carcass traits, and how these outcomes influence profitability for feed producers. Goats were fed a pelleted concentrated diet at Kansas State University’s Sheep and Goat Unit. These feeds either contained no DDGS in replace of SBM (Exp. 1), 33% DDGS in replace of SBM (Exp. 2), 66% DDGS in replace of SBM (Exp. 3), 100% DDGS in replace of SBM (Exp. 4). The study had 16 pens total dedicated to each treatment, with 4 pens containing 3 goats in each. These goats were fed twice a day along with weighing weekly from 0 d to 47 d; 0 d being the start of the experiment. On d 47, the lowest and highest weighed goats were taken out of each corresponding pen for carcass evaluations (hot carcass weight, carcass yield, loin eye area, loin eye depth, back fat, and body wall thickness). After Boer goats were slaughtered, the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS determined the data regarding growth performance (body weight, average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and gain to fed ratio). Overall, carcass traits, growth performance, and feed efficiency had results of acute change in numbers, indicating DDGS lacked the opportunity to cause unnecessary weight gain or loss in goats. From a marketing standpoint, when balancing Exp. 4’s diet compared to Exp. 1; there is a $56.23/ton saving in formulating the feed; converting to$0.17/lbs. basis. Overall, Exp. 4 with only DDGS affected the absence of goat’s comprehensive hot carcass weight and average daily gain in a sustainable and more profitable way. In conclusion, 100% DDGS in Exp. 4 showed no significant negative differences in the goats compared to the usual soybean meal diet in Exp. 1

Targeted knockdown of Tim3 by short hairpin RNAs improves the function of anti-mesothelin CAR T cells

T-cell immunoglobulin mucin 3 (Tim3) is an immune checkpoint receptor that plays a central role in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell exhaustion within the tumor microenvironment. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of targeted-knockdown of Tim3 on the antitumor function of anti-mesothelin (MSLN)-CAR T cells. To knockdown Tim3 expression, three different shRNA sequences specific to different segments of the human Tim3 gene were designed and co-inserted with an anti-MSLN-CAR transgene into lentiviral vectors. To investigate the efficacy of Tim3 targeting in T cells, expression of Tim3 was assessed before and after antigen stimulation. Afterwards, cytotoxic effects, proliferative response and cytokine production of MSLN-CAR T cells and Tim3-targeted MSLN-CAR T cells were analyzed. Our results showed that activation of T cells and MSLN-CAR T cells led to up-regulation of Tim3. Tim3 knockdown significantly decreased its expression in different groups of MSLN-CAR T cells. Tim3 knockdown significantly improved cytotoxic function, cytokine production and proliferation capacity of MSLN-CAR T cells. Our findings indicate that targeted knockdown of Tim3 allows tumor-infiltrating CAR T cells that would otherwise be inactivated to continue to expand and carry out effector functions, thereby altering the tumor microenvironment from immunosuppressive to immunosupportive via mitigated Tim3 signaling

Construction and Functional Characterization of a Fully Human Anti-mesothelin Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) Expressing T Cell

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is considered as an encouraging approach for the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, its efficacy in solid tumors has not been satisfying, mainly in the immunosuppressive network of the tumor microenvironment and paucity of appropriate target antigens. Mesothelin (MSLN) is a tumor-associated antigen (TAA) expressed in numerous types of solid tumors such as gastrointestinal, ovarian, and pancreatic tumors. Owing to high expression in tumor cells and low expression in normal tissues, MSLN-targeted therapies like monoclonal antibodies have been previously developed. In the present study, a CAR T cell harboring the second-generation of a fully human anti-MSLN-CAR construct containing CD3 zeta and 4-1BB signaling domains was produced and it was functionally evaluated against an MSLN-expressing cell line. The findings showed potent, specific proliferation, cytotoxic activity, and interleukin (IL)-2, Tumor necrosis factor-(TNF) alpha, and Interferon-(IFN) gamma production in an antigen-dependent manner. Cytotoxic activity was shown in effector-to-target ratio from 1:1 to 20:1, but the most adequate efficacy was observed in the ratio of 10:1. Non-specific activity against MSLN negative cell line was not observed. Our data demonstrated that primary human T cells expressing fully human MSLN-CAR construct are effective against MSLN-expressing cell lines in vitro, suggesting this MSLN-CAR construct as a potential therapeutic tool in a clinical setting

A multilevel inverter topology using diode half-bridge circuit with reduced power component

This paper presents a new multilevel converter with a reduced number of power components for medium voltage applications. Both symmetric and asymmetric structures of the presented multilevel converter are proposed. The symmetric topology requires equal dc source values, whereas the asymmetric topology uses minimum switch count. However, both structures suffer from high blocking voltage across the switches. To reduce the blocking voltage on switches, an optimal topology is presented and analyzed for the selection of the minimum number of switches and dc sources, while maintaining a low blocking voltage across the switches. A comparative analysis with recently published topologies was performed. The simulation results, as well as the comparative analysis, validated the robustness and effectiveness of the proposed topology in terms of the reduced power loss, lowered number of components, and cost. Furthermore, in addition to the simulation results, the performance of the proposed topology was verified using experimental results of 9, 17, and 25 evels.

Construction and Functional Characterization of a Fully Human Anti-mesothelin Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) Expressing T Cell

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is considered as an encouraging approach for the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, its efficacy in solid tumors has not been satisfying, mainly in the immunosuppressive network of the tumor microenvironment and paucity of appropriate target antigens. Mesothelin (MSLN) is a tumor-associated antigen (TAA) expressed in numerous types of solid tumors such as gastrointestinal, ovarian, and pancreatic tumors. Owing to high expression in tumor cells and low expression in normal tissues, MSLN-targeted therapies like monoclonal antibodies have been previously developed. In the present study, a CAR T cell harboring the second-generation of a fully human anti-MSLN-CAR construct containing CD3ζ and 4-1BB signaling domains was produced and it was functionally evaluated against an MSLN-expressing cell line. The findings showed potent, specific proliferation, cytotoxic activity, and interleukin (IL)-2, Tumor necrosis factor-(TNF) α, and Interferon-(IFN) γ production in an antigen-dependent manner. Cytotoxic activity was shown in effector-to-target ratio from 1:1 to 20:1, but the most adequate efficacy was observed in the ratio of 10:1. Non-specific activity against MSLN negative cell line was not observed. Our data demonstrated that primary human T cells expressing fully human MSLN-CAR construct are effective against MSLN-expressing cell lines in vitro, suggesting this MSLN-CAR construct as a potential therapeutic tool in a clinical setting