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Power generation under the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) can reduce greenhouse gas emissions below the baseline level, so entities may argue to use this attribute to meet the goal of Emission Trading Scheme (ETS). Although these two quantity-based regulation systems have different policy objectives, both mechanisms are implicitly linked by credit conversions depending on credit prices. This paper builds an analytic partial equilibrium model and derives market equilibria in a closed form to demonstrate how each mechanism influences the other by policy instruments such as a renewable requirement, a reduction target in greenhouse gas emission, levels of penalties, or marginal costs. We can compare “direct vs indirect” effectiveness of a regulatory changes across both markets with the case where converting renewable offsets are completed prohibited.

Numerous studies have reported conflicting results associated with cow’s milk intake and coronary heart disease (CHD). However, studies involving postmenopausal women are very limited. This study was therefore undertaken to identify the relationship between cow’s milk intake and CHD risk in postmenopausal women, using data from the 6th period of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013–2015). A total of 1825 postmenopausal women, aged 50–64 years old, were included in the final analysis. The frequency of cow’s milk consumption for each subject was determined using the semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and was classified into four groups (Q1–Q4): Q1, group that did not drink milk (no milk, n = 666); Q2, 0 < frequency of milk intake per week ≤ 1 (n = 453); Q3, 1 < frequency of milk intake per week ≤ 3 (n = 319); and Q4, frequency of milk intake >3 times per week (n = 387). General characteristics, such as education, living area, household income, and obesity level, were compared between the four groups. Percentages of daily nutrient intake compared to the dietary reference intake for Koreans (KDRIs) were determined, and the Framingham Risk Score (FRS), atherogenic index (AI), and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) were determined as the CHD risk indicators. Except household income, no significant difference was obtained among the four groups with respect to age, education, living area, or obesity. Compared to KDRIs, the intake ratio of calcium, phosphorus, and riboflavin were significantly higher in the Q4 group than in the Q1–Q3 groups. Blood HDL-cholesterol was significantly higher in Q4 than in Q1. The CHD risk factors FRS (%), AI, and AIP were significantly lower in the Q4 group as compared to the other groups (CHD risk (%): Q1 9.4, Q4 8.5; AI: Q1 3.06, Q4 2.83; API: Q1 0.37, Q2 0.31, Q4 0.32). FRS was determined to be significantly and positively correlated to AI or AIP, and negatively correlated with the cow’s milk intake frequency and calcium intake. In conclusion, compared to women who do not consume cow’s milk, postmenopausal women who consume cow’s milk frequently have a better nutritional status of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin B12, higher HDL levels, and a lower level of CHD risk indicators, such as FRS, AI, and AIP, contributing to decreased CHD risk in a 10-year period. Therefore, to prevent the risk of CHD in postmenopausal women, there needs to be a greater emphasis for cow’s milk consumption four or more times per week.

Membrane-based vacuum dehumidification technology is currently being actively studied. In most studies, the performance of the membrane-based systems is evaluated under the assumption that the membrane can achieve ideal separation, which results in ideal coefficient of performance (COP) values. However, the performance factors for membranes vary depending on the experimental conditions and measurement methods. Therefore, relevant values can only be calculated if the data are measured in an environment close to that of the application conditions. The cup measurement method is a simple method to measure the permeability, however, there are limitations regarding adding variables during the experiment. To overcome these limitations, a new experimental device was constructed that combines pressurized cell with the cup method. Using the device, the performance of polyethylene-amide-bonded dense membranes was evaluated under conditions where absolute pressure differentials occurred before and after the membrane, such as in air conditioner dehumidification systems.

This study compares the investigated water vapor diffusion coefficient in the neat polyurethane (PU) membrane, the silica–PU nanocomposite membrane, and two surface-modified silica–PU nanocomposite membranes. The silane first surface modifier is with an amine functional group known as N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ethylenediamine, while the second one is with an aniline functional group known as N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]aniline. The enhancement of water vapor diffusivity values through the polymer nanocomposite is desirable for the membrane air dehumidification application. The diffusivities were calculated via molecular dynamics simulations at the temperature of 298.15 K. The Einstein's relationship known as the mean square displacement method was used to obtain the diffusivity for the membranes. The results showed a significant effect on the diffusivity of water vapor for the surface-modified silica–PU nanocomposite membrane as compared with the neat PU and the unmodified silica–PU nanocomposite membranes. For the amine-modified silica, the diffusion coefficient increased by 80.3% compared with the unmodified silica–PU nanocomposite membrane. On the other hand, the aniline-modified silica outperformed the amine-modified one in terms of the diffusion coefficient by 22.4%.

We developed a novel method preparing nonspherical hollow silica particles (HSP) using a micron-sized granule self-assembled from partially oxidized PE wax. The morphology of the granule was closely investigated in terms of concentration and acid value of PE wax and cooling rate. Due to the oxidized unit in PE wax, magnetic nanoparticle was incorporated into the granule during the self-assembly, and silica was coated on the granule surface via the self-assembly. Silica-coating condition was studied by varying water content and reaction time. After the PE wax was removed by calcination, nonspherical HSP or magnetic HSP was obtained. This cost-effective HSP is expected to be useful for practical applications.

As life quality has been greatly improved recently, the importance of humidity control has increased. Various kinds of humidifiers and dehumidifiers have been developed and utilized widely in our daily lives and industrial processes. In this work, we focused on dehumidification facilitated by a pervaporation system that employs a nonporous membrane. The system mainly consists of two parallel chambers separated by the membrane and a vacuum pump that constantly drives moisture removal. The membrane-pump couple sets out a vapor concentration gradient across the membrane to permeate water vapors from the feed chamber of ambient wet air to the low-pressure permeate. The experiments were performed in a constant temperature and humidity chamber to supply the constant concentration of vapor to the feed chamber. We measured the outlet humidity and the water vapor transport rate, the mass of vapor permeated through the membrane, under various experimental conditions of different feed flow rates and feed chamber heights. As the flow rate increases, the outlet humidity is decreased, whereas the water vapor transport rate is increased. However, they are independent of the height in our experiment range. Combining the mass transport theory of the membrane and volume conservation of an infinitesimal control volume, we have established theories of the outlet humidity and the water vapor transport rate. The experimental data points are entirely consistent with our theory curves. Comparing the experimental results to the theories, we also have derived the membrane coefficient.

Congenital uterine anomalies (CUA) may influence reproductive performance, resulting in adverse pregnancy associated complications. This study aimed to assess the association of CUA subtypes with reproductive, obstetric, and perinatal outcomes. We performed a systematic search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane libraries for studies comparing pregnancy outcomes between women with CUA and those with a normal uterus. The random effects model was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Women with CUA had a lower rate of live births (OR 0.47; 95% CI 0.33–0.69), and a higher rate of first trimester miscarriage (OR, 1.79; 95% CI 1.34–2.4), second trimester miscarriage (OR 2.92; 95% CI 1.35–6.32), preterm birth (OR 2.98; 95% CI 2.43–3.65), malpresentation (OR 9.1; 95% CI 5.88–14.08), cesarean section (OR 2.87; 95% CI 1.56–5.26), and placental abruption (OR 3.12; 95% CI 1.58–6.18). Women with canalization defects appear to have the poorest reproductive performance during early pregnancy. However, unification defects were associated with obstetric and neonatal outcomes throughout the course of pregnancy. It may be beneficial for clinicians to advise on potential complications that may be increased depending on the type and severity of CUA.

The adhesion molecule Nectin-4 is a new potential therapeutic target for different types of cancer; however, little is known about its diagnosis significance in endometrial cancer (EC). We found that Nectin-4 expression was significantly higher in EC tissues than in nonadjacent normal tissue. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value of 0.922 indicated good diagnostic accuracy for Nectin-4 expression in EC. Furthermore, Nectin-4 expression was associated with DNA mismatch repair (MMR) protein deficiency. Notably, the high Nectin-4 expression group of patients with MSH2/6-deficient EC had shorter progression-free survival than that of the low Nectin-4 expression group. The number of lymphovascular space invasion-positive patients in groups with MMR deficiency and high Nectin-4 expression was also increased compared with that in the low Nectin-4 expression group. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that alteration in Nectin-4 and MMR genes is associated with Nectin-4 expression in EC. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to show that Nectin-4 expression may be a potential biomarker for EC diagnosis and that high Nectin-4 expression in MMR-deficient patients with EC can predict short progression-free survival, thus providing clues to identify patients for adjuvant therapy.

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is a serious systemic endothelial complication after stem cell transplantation. Defibrotide is under investigation as a prophylactic agent for VOD; however, high costs limit its utility. We evaluated the prophylactic efficacy of a low-dose defibrotide regimen for VOD. We retrospectively enrolled 147 paediatric patients who underwent autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT; 69 with defibrotide prophylaxis and 78 historical controls) at the Yonsei Cancer Center in Seoul, Korea, between March 2013 and Feb 2020. Low-dose defibrotide (12.5 mg/kg/day) was administered from D−3 to D+10 after HSCT. The most common diagnosis in the cohort was brain tumour (N = 86). VOD developed in 10 (12.8%) and 3 (4.3%) patients in the control and prophylaxis groups, respectively (P = 0.071). In the second HSCT group, VOD incidence was significantly lower in the prophylaxis group [2.9% (1/35)] than in the control group (28.6%, 6/21, P = 0.005). VOD severity was significantly higher in the control group than in the prophylaxis group (P = 0.006). Three VOD-related mortalities occurred in the control group, whereas no VOD-related mortality occurred in the prophylaxis group. In conclusion, low-dose defibrotide prophylaxis is a promising and economical strategy for preventing VOD, especially in second-round HSCT.

Patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) are important in vivo models for the development of precision medicine. However, challenges exist regarding genetic alterations and relapse after primary treatment. Thus, PDX models are required as a new approach for preclinical and clinical studies. We established PDX models of gynecologic cancers and analyzed their clinical information. We subcutaneously transplanted 207 tumor tissues from patients with gynecologic cancer into nude mice from 2014 to 2019. The successful engraftment rate of ovarian, cervical, and uterine cancer was 47%, 64%, and 56%, respectively. The subsequent passages (P2 and P3) showed higher success and faster growth rates than the first passage (P1). Using gynecologic cancer PDX models, the tumor grade is a common clinical factor affecting PDX establishment. We found that the PDX success rate correlated with the patient’s prognosis, and also that ovarian cancer patients with a poor prognosis had a faster PDX growth rate (p < 0.0001). Next, the gene sets associated with inflammation and immune responses were shown in high-ranking successful PDX engraftment through gene set enrichment analysis and RNA sequencing. Up-regulated genes in successful engraftment were found to correlate with ovarian clear cell cancer patient outcomes via Gene Expression Omnibus dataset analysis.