PECMS: modeling a personalized energy and comfort management system based on residents’ behavior anticipation in smart home

Indoor electrical systems are aimed to provide comfort to the occupants. However, their operation is contingent on the presence or needs of the residents. Hence, to optimize energy consumption and guarantee the desired comfort level of residents, any indoor energy control system should consider the occupancy dynamism within houses and the occupants’ behavior patterns. Moreover, there is a growing demand for localized and personalized comfort controls in residential buildings to improve the occupants’ satisfaction. This paper presents a Personalized Energy and Comfort Management System (PECMS) that optimizes building energy consumption and meanwhile maintains residents’ intended comfort levels by predicting their trajectories. Considering home thermal characterization, PECMS coordinates the building system devices and residents by anticipating residents’ behavior using an activity mining and tracking method. With this capability, efficient scheduling of the electrical devices would be achieved. PECMS is simulated and tested on a dataset from a real-world smart home project, including the home’s actual thermal zones, temperatures, and residents’ preferences. Comparative analysis is conducted to evaluate PECMS against existing methods and systems, showcasing its effectiveness in achieving the desired trade-off between energy consumption and occupant comfort levels

Single nucleotide polymorphism and asthma: from conformational variations to structural alternations

Background: Asthma is the main reason of disability, health resource exploitation and low quality of life for those who are affected. It is estimated that nearly 300 million people in the world are suffering from asthma. Studies have identified 18 genomic regions and more than 100 genes associated with asthma. Among these candidate genes, IL-17F plays a very interesting role in asthma. This study was conducted to predict the conformational and functional impact of asthma-associated IL-17F polymorphisms on protein product of the corresponding gene using Phyre2, PolyPhen2 and SIFT softwares. Methods: In the present study, 10 significant missense SNPs (rs763780, rs144576902, rs11465553, rs368500268, rs141798304, rs2397084, rs146083682, rs200163061, rs376671742, and rs373228601) were taken from Ensembl Genome Browser database. Polymorphism-induced protein structural changes were predicted using Protein Homology analogY Recognition Engine V2.0 (PHYRE2) program. The possible impact of an amino acid substitution on the function of protein was analyzed using PolyPhen-2 (Polymorphism Phenotyping Version2) and SIFT (Sorting Intolerant From Tolerant) tools. Results: The analysis revealed mutant proteins having structural changes in the number of atoms, H-bonds, turns and helices. While wild copy has 82 H-bonds, 5 helices and 20 turns, the mutant types show considerable changes. At functional level also, substantial changes were observed between the wild protein and the mutant one. Conclusion: A single nucleotide polymorphism in the gene sequence can lead to the substantial structural and functional variations in the protein product of the gene, a process that may account for etiology of a number of complex diseases including asthma

Study on the Serum Titer of Anti-Hbs Antibody of the Vaccinated Staffs of A Hospital in Three Consecutive Years

Hepatitis B virus is one of the main factors causing acute and chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Among others, healthcare workers are at the highest risk for exposure to hepatitis B virus. Vaccination against hepatitis B virus is one of the protective strategies but anti-HBs titer will be reduced in the sera of vaccinated people after some time. The aim of this study was to determine the titer of anti-HBs in the sera of vaccinated medical staffs in three consecutive years since administration of the last dose of hepatitis B vaccine.Materials and Methods : This study was carried out on 90 Omidvar Hospital (Lar, Iran) medical staffs that had passed 3-4 months since the administration of the last dose of hepatitis B vaccine. All sera samples were tested for anti-HBs in an ELISA method. Finally, statistical analysis was performed using SPSS-16 software.Results : This study was conducted in duration of 3 consecutive years on 90 medical staffs including 14.44% lab technicians, 10% obstetricians, 43.35% nurses, 6.665% specialists, 5.55% general practitioners and 20% maid staffs. While HBs Ab titer was measured as 87.7% (>100 mIU/ml) in the first year elapsed since the last dose of hepatitis B vaccination, it had been decreased to 55.4% after 3 years.Conclusion : The results showed that re-vaccination of the medical staffs is quite necessary as anti-HBs titer had been decreased after 3 years and the desired immune response was seen only in 55.4% of the medical staffs

Single nucleotide polymorphism and Asthma: from conformational variations to structural alternations

Background: Asthma is the main reason of disability, health resource exploitation and low quality of life for those who are affected. It is estimated that nearly 300 million people in the world are suffering from asthma. Studies have identified 18 genomic regions and more than 100 genes associated with asthma. Among these candidate genes, IL-17F plays a very interesting role in asthma. This study was conducted to predict the conformational and functional impact of asthma-associated IL-17F polymorphisms on protein product of the corresponding gene using Phyre2, PolyPhen2 and SIFT softwares. Methods: In the present study, 10 significant missense SNPs (rs763780, rs144576902, rs11465553, rs368500268, rs141798304, rs2397084, rs146083682, rs200163061, rs376671742, and rs373228601) were taken from Ensembl Genome Browser database. Polymorphism-induced protein structural changes were predicted using Protein Homology analogY Recognition Engine V2.0 (PHYRE2) program. The possible impact of an amino acid substitution on the function of protein was analyzed using PolyPhen-2 (Polymorphism Phenotyping Version2) and SIFT (Sorting Intolerant From Tolerant) tools. Results: The analysis revealed mutant proteins having structural changes in the number of atoms, H-bonds, turns and helices. While wild copy has 82 H-bonds, 5 helices and 20 turns, the mutant types show considerable changes. At functional level also, substantial changes were observed between the wild protein and the mutant one. Conclusion: A single nucleotide polymorphism in the gene sequence can lead to the substantial structural and functional variations in the protein product of the gene, a process that may account for etiology of a number of complex diseases including asthma

Evaluation of inflammatory markers interleukin-6 (IL-6) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in asthma

Even though IL-6 and MMP-9 are associated with airway inflammation in asthma, there is paucity of data in Indian population. Objective: To determine the levels of IL-6 and MMP-9 in the serum of patients suffering from asthma, and correlate with (a) disease severity, as per GINA guidelines; (b) clinical phenotypes; and (c) response to treatment. Methodology: The levels of IL-6 and MMP-9 were compared between moderate persistent asthma (n = 25), severe persistent asthma (n = 25) and normal controls (n = 30). IL-6 and MMP-9 were measured by ELISA (R&D Systems Inc., USA and Canada) and compared between controls and asthmatics and between groups of different asthma severity, clinical variables, spirometry, and allergen sensitization. Spirometry was repeated after 2 months of ICS+LABA to assess response to treatment in relation to baseline IL-6 and MMP-9 levels. Results: We observed a significant difference in both IL-6 and MMP-9 levels among asthmatics versus controls (p 0.5) was observed with IL-6 and MMP-9 levels and FEV1 improvement after 2 months of ICS+LABA. Conclusion: Higher levels of IL-6 and MMP-9 were observed in asthmatics as compared to controls and in severe persistent asthma as compared to moderate persistent asthma, higher levels of MMP-9 was associated with lower lung functions

Evaluation of inflammatory markers interleukin-6 (IL-6) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in asthma

Even though IL-6 and MMP-9 are associated with airway inflammation in asthma, there is paucity of data in Indian population. Objective: To determine the levels of IL-6 and MMP-9 in the serum of patients suffering from asthma, and correlate with (a) disease severity, as per GINA guidelines; (b) clinical phenotypes; and (c) response to treatment. Methodology: The levels of IL-6 and MMP-9 were compared between moderate persistent asthma (n = 25), severe persistent asthma (n = 25) and normal controls (n = 30). IL-6 and MMP-9 were measured by ELISA (R&D Systems Inc., USA and Canada) and compared between controls and asthmatics and between groups of different asthma severity, clinical variables, spirometry, and allergen sensitization. Spirometry was repeated after 2 months of ICS+LABA to assess response to treatment in relation to baseline IL-6 and MMP-9 levels. Results: We observed a significant difference in both IL-6 and MMP-9 levels among asthmatics versus controls (p 0.5) was observed with IL-6 and MMP-9 levels and FEV1 improvement after 2 months of ICS+LABA. Conclusion: Higher levels of IL-6 and MMP-9 were observed in asthmatics as compared to controls and in severe persistent asthma as compared to moderate persistent asthma, higher levels of MMP-9 was associated with lower lung functions

Serum levels of IL-10, IL-17F and IL-33 in patients with asthma: a case–control study

AbstractObjectives: The development of inflammation in asthma involves an intricate network of cytokines that recruit and activate numerous immune cells. This study was aimed to compare serum levels of IL-10, IL-17F, and IL-33 in asthmatic patients and non-asthmatic controls and correlate cytokine levels to asthma severity and various clinical, spirometric, and laboratory variables. Methods: Using ELISA, serum levels of IL-10, IL-17F, and IL-33 were evaluated in 44 asthmatics (14 mild persistent, 15 moderate persistent, and 15 severe persistent) and 44 controls. Results: This is one of the first reports showing a significant difference in serum levels of asthma-associated cytokines, anti-inflammatory IL-10, and pro-inflammatory IL-17F and IL-33, in the same subset of asthmatic patients. Our results showed diminished level of IL-10 and elevated levels of IL-17F and IL-33 in asthmatics than in controls (p < 0.001). Assessment of cytokine levels between subjects of different gender, age group, and BMI showed non-significant differences. Correlation analysis of cytokine levels to clinical variables showed that IL-17F is associated negatively to FVC % predicted (forced vital capacity) and FEV1% predicted (forced expiratory volume in one second) and positively to number of allergens sensitized and FEV1 reversibility. A strong negative correlation was found between IL-10 and IL-33 levels (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Negative correlation between IL-10 and IL-33 levels may reflect a converse relationship between anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines in an individually balanced pattern. The association between IL-17F level and asthmatic phenotypes such as reduced FVC and FEV1, higher degree of sensitization, and post-bronchodilator reversibility needs further assessments

Serum levels of IL-10, IL-17F and IL-33 in patients with asthma: A case-control study

Objectives: The development of inflammation in asthma involves an intricate network of cytokines that recruit and activate numerous immune cells. This study was aimed to compare serum levels of IL-10, IL-17F, and IL-33 in asthmatic patients and non-asthmatic controls and correlate cytokine levels to asthma severity and various clinical, spirometric, and laboratory variables. Methods: Using ELISA, serum levels of IL-10, IL-17F, and IL-33 were evaluated in 44 asthmatics (14 mild persistent, 15 moderate persistent, and 15 severe persistent) and 44 controls. Results: This is one of the first reports showing a significant difference in serum levels of asthma-associated cytokines, anti-inflammatory IL-10, and pro-inflammatory IL-17F and IL-33, in the same subset of asthmatic patients. Our results showed diminished level of IL-10 and elevated levels of IL-17F and IL-33 in asthmatics than in controls (p\textless0.001). Assessment of cytokine levels between subjects of different gender, age group, and BMI showed non-significant differences. Correlation analysis of cytokine levels to clinical variables showed that IL-17F is associated negatively to FVC % predicted (forced vital capacity) and FEV1% predicted (forced expiratory volume in one second) and positively to number of allergens sensitized and FEV1 reversibility. A strong negative correlation was found between IL-10 and IL-33 levels (p=0.001). Conclusions: Negative correlation between IL-10 and IL-33 levels may reflect a converse relationship between anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines in an individually balanced pattern. The association between IL-17F level and asthmatic phenotypes such as reduced FVC and FEV1, higher degree of sensitization, and post-bronchodilator reversibility needs further assessments

Serum levels of IL-10, IL-17F, and IL-33 in asthmatic patients of south India

Background: Asthma is an inflammatory disorder of the airways in which the development of inflammation involves an intricate network of cytokines. Objectives: This study was aimed to compare serum levels of IL-10, IL-17F and IL-33 in asthmatic patients and non-asthmatic controls and correlate with asthma severity and various demographic, clinical, spirometric and laboratory variables. Methods: Asthmatics were diagnosed and classified as mild, moderate and severe persistent asthma according to GINA guidelines. Age and gender-matched healthy controls were selected from the general population. Using ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) method, serum levels of IL-10, IL-17F, and IL-33 were evaluated in 44 asthmatics and 44 non-asthmatic controls. Results: This is one of the first reports showing a significant difference in serum levels of three important cytokines associated with asthma, anti-inflammatory IL-10 and pro-inflammatory IL-17F and IL-33 in the same subset of asthmatic patients. Our results showed diminished level of IL-10 and elevated levels of IL-17F and IL-33 in asthmatics than in controls (p &#60; 0.001). No correlation was observed with most of the demographic, clinical and laboratory variables for the levels of all the three cytokines. IL-17F was associated negatively to FVC% predicted (Forced Vital Capacity) and positively to number of allergens sensitized and FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in one second) reversibility. Conclusion: The association between IL-17F and asthmatic phenotypes such as asthmatics with reduced FVC, higher degree of sensitization and post bronchodilator reversibility needs further evaluation