Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thermal-Fluid Sciences: An Integrated Approach

Preface Part I. Fundamentals: 1. Beginnings 2 Thermodynamic properties, property relationships and processes 3. Conservation of mass 4. Energy and energy transfer 5. Conservation of energy 6. Conservation of momentum 7. Second law of thermodynamics and some of its consequences 8. Similitude and dimensionless parameters Part II. Beyond the Fundamentals 9. External flows: friction, drag and heat transfer 10. Internal flows: friction, pressure drop and heat transfer 11. Thermal-fluid analysis of steady-flow devices 12. Systems for power production, propulsion, heating and cooling Appendix A. Timeline Appendix B. Thermodynamic properties of ideal gases and carbon Appendix C. Thermodynamic and thermo-physical properties of air Appendix D. Thermodynamic properties of H20 Appendix E. Various thermodynamic data Appendix F. Thermo-physical properties of selected gases at 1 ATM Appendix G. Thermo-physical properties of selected liquids Appendix H. Thermo-physical properties of hydrocarbon fuels Appendix I. Thermo-physical properties of selected solids Appendix J. Radiation properties of selected materials and substances Appendix K. Mach number relationships for compressible flow Answers to selected problems Index.
Patient Perceptions of Quality of Life With Diabetes-Related Complications and Treatments

OBJECTIVE— Understanding how individuals weigh the quality of life associated with complications and treatments is important in assessing the economic value of diabetes care and may provide insight into treatment adherence. We quantify patients’ utilities (a measure of preference) for the full array of diabetes-related complications and treatments. RESEARCH DESIGNANDMETHODS— We conducted interviews with a multiethnic sample of 701 adult patients living with diabetes who were attending Chicago area clinics. We elicited utilities (ratings on a 0–1 scale, where 0 represents death and 1 represents perfect health) for hypothetical health states by using time-tradeoff questions. We evaluated 9 complication states (e.g., diabetic retinopathy and blindness) and 10 treatment states (e.g., intensive glucose control vs. conventional glucose control and comprehensive diabetes care [i.e., intensive control of multiple risk factors]). RESULTS— End-stage complications had lower mean utilities than intermediate complications (e.g., blindness 0.38 [SD 0.35] vs. retinopathy 0.53 [0.36], P 0.01), and end-stage complications had the lowest ratings among all health states. Intensive treatments had lower mean utilities than conventional treatments (e.g., intensive glucose control 0.67 [0.34] vs. conventional glucose control 0.76 [0.31], P 0.01), and the lowest rated treatment state was comprehensive diabetes care (0.64 [0.34]). Patients rated comprehensive treatment states similarly to intermediate complication states. CONCLUSIONS— End-stage complications have the greatest perceived burden on quality of life; however, comprehensive diabetes treatments also have significant negative quality of-life effects. Acknowledging these effects of diabetes care will be important for future economic evaluations of novel drug combination therapies and innovations in drug delivery.
China's Exports and Employment

Dooley et al (2003, 2004a,b,c) argue that China seeks to raise urban employment by 10-12 million persons per year, with about 30% of that coming from export growth. In fact, total employment increased by 7.5-8 million per year over 1997-2005. We estimate that export growth over 1997-2002 contributed at most 2.5 million jobs per year, with most of the employment gains coming from non-traded goods like construction. Exports grew much faster over the 2000-2005 period, which could in principal explain the entire increase in employment. However, the growth in domestic demand led to three-times more employment gains than did exports over 2000-2005, while productivity growth subtracted the same amount again from employment. We conclude that exports have become increasingly important in stimulating employment in China, but that the same gains could be obtained from growth in domestic demand, especially for tradable goods, which has been stagnant until at least 2002.
Air temperature and diet influence body composition and water turnover in zoo-living African elephants (Loxodonta africana)

African elephants, the largest land animal, face particular physiological challenges in captivity and the wild. Captive elephants can become over- or under-conditioned with inadequate exercise and diet management. Few studies have quantified body composition or water turnover in elephants, and none to date have examined longitudinal responses to changes in diet or air temperature. Using the stable isotope deuterium oxide (2H2O), we investigated changes in body mass, estimated fat-free mass (FFM, including fat-free gut content) and body fat in response to a multi-year intervention that reduced dietary energy density for adult African elephants housed at the North Carolina Zoo. We also examined the relationship between air temperature and water turnover. Deuterium dilution and depletion rates were assayed via blood samples and used to calculate body composition and water turnover in two male and three female African elephants at six intervals over a 3-year period. Within the first year after the dietary intervention, there was an increase in overall body mass, a reduction in body fat percentage and an increase in FFM. However, final values of both body fat percentage and FFM were similar to initial values. Water turnover (males: 359 ± 9 l d−1; females: 241 ± 28 l d−1) was consistent with the allometric scaling of water use in other terrestrial mammals. Water turnover increased with outdoor air temperature. Our study highlights the physiological water dependence of elephants and shows that individuals have to drink every 2–3 days to avoid critical water loss of approximately 10% body mass in hot conditions.
On the accuracy and applicability of a new implicit Taylor method and the high-order spectral method on steady nonlinear waves

This paper presents an investigation and discussion of the accuracy and applicability of an implicit Taylor (IT) method versus the classical higher-order spectral (HOS) method when used to simulate two-dimensional regular waves. This comparison is relevant, because the HOS method is in fact an explicit perturbation solution of the IT formulation. First, we consider the Dirichlet–Neumann problem of determining the vertical velocity at the free surface given the surface elevation and the surface potential. For this problem, we conclude that the IT method is significantly more accurate than the HOS method when using the same truncation order, M, and spatial resolution, N, and is capable of dealing with steeper waves than the HOS method. Second, we focus on the problem of integrating the two methods in time. In this connection, it turns out that the IT method is less robust than the HOS method for similar truncation orders. We conclude that the IT method should be restricted to M = 4, while the HOS method can be used with M ≤ 8. We systematically compare these two options and finally establish the best achievable accuracy of the two methods as a function of the wave steepness and the water depth.
Detection Method of Irradiated Chicken by GC Analysis of 2-Alkylcyclobutanones and Hydrocarbons Using Soxhlet Extraction and Florisil Chromatography.

A procedure was established for the detection of irradiated chicken by GC/FID analysis of2- alkylcyclobutanones (RCBs) and hydrocarbons (HCs) using cleanup by Soxhlet extraction and Florisil chromatography.Fat extract was obtained from irradiated chickens by a Soxhlet apparatus. A concentrated fat extract containing200 mg of fat with 2 μg of n-eicosane as internal standard (IS) was applied to Florisil columns, which were deactivated by adding 17parts of water to 100 parts of adsorbent. The HCs were eluted in 60 ml of n-hexane. This eluate was concentrated and analyzed by GC/FID. After 150ml of n-hexane was eluted from the same column, RCBs were eluted with 120ml of 1% diethyl ether solution in n-hexane. This eluate was concentrated to 0.2ml and 0. 1μg of 2-cyclohexylcyclohexanone (IS) was added to the mixture, which was analyzed by GC/FID. This process rendered it possible to detect HCs and RCBs efficiently and simultaneously.HCs and RCBs were detected in chicken meat irradiated at 0.5 kGy by GC/FID.
From likely to likable: The role of statistical typicality in human social assessment of faces

Humans readily form social impressions, such as attractiveness and trustworthiness, from a stranger’s facial features. Understanding the provenance of these impressions has clear scientific importance and societal implications. Motivated by the efficient coding hypothesis of brain representation, as well as Claude Shannon’s theoretical result that maximally efficient representational systems assign shorter codes to statistically more typical data (quantified as log likelihood), we suggest that social “liking” of faces increases with statistical typicality. Combining human behavioral data and computational modeling, we show that perceived attractiveness, trustworthiness, dominance, and valence of a face image linearly increase with its statistical typicality (log likelihood). We also show that statistical typicality can at least partially explain the role of symmetry in attractiveness perception. Additionally, by assuming that the brain focuses on a task-relevant subset of facial features and assessing log likelihood of a face using those features, our model can explain the “ugliness-in-averageness” effect found in social psychology, whereby otherwise attractive, intercategory faces diminish in attractiveness during a categorization task.
Strategies for integrating disparate social information

Social information use is widespread in the animal kingdom, helping individuals rapidly acquire useful knowledge and adjust to novel circumstances. In humans, the highly interconnected world provides ample opportunities to benefit from social information but also requires navigating complex social environments with people holding disparate or conflicting views. It is, however, still largely unclear how people integrate information from multiple social sources that (dis)agree with them, and among each other. We address this issue in three steps. First, we present a judgement task in which participants could adjust their judgements after observing the judgements of three peers. We experimentally varied the distribution of this social information, systematically manipulating its variance (extent of agreement among peers) and its skewness (peer judgements clustering either near or far from the participant's judgement). As expected, higher variance among peers reduced their impact on behaviour. Importantly, observing a single peer confirming a participant's own judgement markedly decreased the influence of other—more distant—peers. Second, we develop a framework for modelling the cognitive processes underlying the integration of disparate social information, combining Bayesian updating with simple heuristics. Our model accurately accounts for observed adjustment strategies and reveals that people particularly heed social information that confirms personal judgements. Moreover, the model exposes strong inter-individual differences in strategy use. Third, using simulations, we explore the possible implications of the observed strategies for belief updating. These simulations show how confirmation-based weighting can hamper the influence of disparate social information, exacerbate filter bubble effects and deepen group polarization. Overall, our results clarify what aspects of the social environment are, and are not, conducive to changing people's minds.
Cytoplasmic mRNA recapping has limited impact on proteome complexity

The m7G cap marks the 5′ end of all eukaryotic mRNAs, but there are also capped ends that map downstream within spliced exons. A portion of the mRNA transcriptome undergoes a cyclical process of decapping and recapping, termed cap homeostasis, which impacts the translation and stability of these mRNAs. Blocking cytoplasmic capping results in the appearance of uncapped 5′ ends at native cap sites but also near downstream cap sites. If translation initiates at these sites the products would lack the expected N-terminal sequences, raising the possibility of a link between mRNA recapping and proteome complexity. We performed a shotgun proteomics analysis on cells carrying an inducible inhibitor of cytoplasmic capping. A total of 21 875 tryptic peptides corresponding to 3565 proteins were identified in induced and uninduced cells. Of these, only 29 proteins significantly increased, and 28 proteins significantly decreased, when cytoplasmic capping was inhibited, indicating mRNA recapping has little overall impact on protein expression. In addition, overall peptide coverage per protein did not change significantly when cytoplasmic capping was inhibited. Together with previous work, our findings indicate cap homeostasis functions primarily in gating mRNAs between translating and non-translating states, and not as a source of proteome complexity.
Airway relaxation mechanisms and structural basis of osthole for improving lung function in asthma

A compound derived from a traditional Chinese medicine targets a phosphodiesterase to induce airway relaxation. Breathing better with osthole β2-Adrenoreceptor agonists used to acutely relieve airway constriction in asthmatic patients become less effective with repeated use due to receptor desensitization and increase the risk of death. Using cells, lung slices, and mouse models of asthma, Wang et al. characterized osthole, a compound derived from a traditional Chinese medicine, in their search for compounds that induce bronchodilation through mechanisms other than activating β2-adrenoreceptors. Osthole promoted airway relaxation by inhibiting the phosphodiesterase PDE4D to prevent the breakdown of the second messenger cAMP, resulting in amplification of prostaglandin E2 signaling. These results suggest that variants of osthole could be developed to induce bronchodilation without desensitizing receptors or increasing the risk of death. Overuse of β2-adrenoceptor agonist bronchodilators evokes receptor desensitization, decreased efficacy, and an increased risk of death in asthma patients. Bronchodilators that do not target β2-adrenoceptors represent a critical unmet need for asthma management. Here, we characterize the utility of osthole, a coumarin derived from a traditional Chinese medicine, in preclinical models of asthma. In mouse precision-cut lung slices, osthole relaxed preconstricted airways, irrespective of β2-adrenoceptor desensitization. Osthole administered in murine asthma models attenuated airway hyperresponsiveness, a hallmark of asthma. Osthole inhibited phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) activity to amplify autocrine prostaglandin E2 signaling in airway smooth muscle cells that eventually triggered cAMP/PKA-dependent relaxation of airways. The crystal structure of the PDE4D complexed with osthole revealed that osthole bound to the catalytic site to prevent cAMP binding and hydrolysis. Together, our studies elucidate a specific molecular target and mechanism by which osthole induces airway relaxation. Identification of osthole binding sites on PDE4D will guide further development of bronchodilators that are not subject to tachyphylaxis and would thus avoid β2-adrenoceptor agonist resistance.
Pathogenic Factors Correlate With Antimicrobial Resistance Among Clinical Proteus mirabilis Strains

Proteus mirabilis is the third most common etiological factor of urinary tract infection. It produces urease, which contributes to the formation of a crystalline biofilm, considered to be one of the most important virulence factors of P. mirabilis strains, along with their ability to swarm on a solid surface. The aim of this study was to analyze the pathogenic properties of two selected groups of clinical P. mirabilis isolates, antimicrobial susceptible and multidrug resistant (MDR), collected from hospitals in different regions in Poland. The strains were examined based on virulence gene profiles, urease and hemolysin production, biofilm formation, and swarming properties. Additionally, the strains were characterized based on the Dienes test and antibiotic susceptibility patterns. It turned out that the MDR strains exhibited kinship more often than the susceptible ones. The strains which were able to form a stronger biofilm had broader antimicrobial resistance profiles. It was also found that the strongest swarming motility correlated with susceptibility to most antibiotics. The correlations described in this work encourage further investigation of the mechanisms of pathogenicity of P. mirabilis.
Targeting the Ubiquitin System in Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma is the most common primary brain tumor in adults with poor overall outcome and 5-year survival of less than 5%. Treatment has not changed much in the last decade or so, with surgical resection and radio/chemotherapy being the main options. Glioblastoma is highly heterogeneous and frequently becomes treatment-resistant due to the ability of glioblastoma cells to adopt stem cell states facilitating tumor recurrence. Therefore, there is an urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies. The ubiquitin system, in particular E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinating enzymes, have emerged as a promising source of novel drug targets. In addition to conventional small molecule drug discovery approaches aimed at modulating enzyme activity, several new and exciting strategies are also being explored. Among these, PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) aim to harness the endogenous protein turnover machinery to direct therapeutically relevant targets, including previously considered “undruggable” ones, for proteasomal degradation. PROTAC and other strategies targeting the ubiquitin proteasome system offer new therapeutic avenues which will expand the drug development toolboxes for glioblastoma. This review will provide a comprehensive overview of E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinating enzymes in the context of glioblastoma and their involvement in core signaling pathways including EGFR, TGF-β, p53 and stemness-related pathways. Finally, we offer new insights into how these ubiquitin-dependent mechanisms could be exploited therapeutically for glioblastoma.
Association Between SIRT1, Cytokines, and Metabolic Syndrome in Schizophrenia Patients With Olanzapine or Clozapine Monotherapy

Objective: Previous studies consistently showed the interaction between Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and immune inflammation is significantly related to metabolic abnormalities, but their role in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome caused by second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) in schizophrenia patients largely remains unknown. Hence, the present study aimed to fill this gap. Methods: A total of 54 schizophrenia patients with olanzapine or clozapine monotherapy [metabolic syndrome (MetS)/non-MetS patients, 27/27] and 67 healthy subjects were recruited in the present study. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale was used, and the plasma levels of SIRT1, interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were measured. Results: The results showed that schizophrenia patients treated with olanzapine or clozapine (both MetS and non-MetS groups) had significantly higher plasma levels of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α compared to normal controls (all P < 0.05). Moreover, the MetS patients exhibited markedly lower plasma levels of SIRT1 and higher plasma levels of IL-6 than non-MetS patients and normal controls (all P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in IL-8 levels between groups. Our correlation analysis showed that SIRT1 was significantly correlated with diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in schizophrenia patients. The stepwise logistic regression analysis further identified the IL-6 × SIRT1 (β = −0.463, t = 10.040, P = 0.002) as the influencing factor for the MetS in the patients. Conclusion: Our preliminary findings suggest that SIRT1 interacted with inflammatory cytokines associated with MetS in schizophrenia patients treated with SGA monotherapy.
Current Conceptual Understanding of the Epileptogenic Network From Stereoelectroencephalography-Based Connectivity Inferences

Localization of the epileptogenic zone (EZ) is crucial in the surgical treatment of focal epilepsy. Recently, EEG studies have revealed that the EZ exhibits abnormal connectivity, which has led investigators to now consider connectivity as a biomarker to localize the EZ. Further, abnormal connectivity of the EZ may provide an explanation for the impact of focal epilepsy on more widespread brain networks involved in typical cognition and development. Stereo-electroencephalography (sEEG) is a well-established method for localizing the EZ that has recently been applied to examine altered brain connectivity in epilepsy. In this manuscript, we review recent computational methods for identifying the EZ using sEEG connectivity. Findings from previous sEEG studies indicate that during interictal periods, the EZ is prone to seizure generation but concurrently receives inward connectivity preventing seizures. At seizure onset, this control is lost, allowing seizure activity to spread from the EZ. Regulatory areas within the EZ may be important for subsequently ending the seizure. After the seizure, the EZ appears to regain its influence on the network, which may be how it is able to regenerate epileptiform activity. However, more research is needed on the dynamic connectivity of the EZ in order to build a biomarker for EZ localization. Such a biomarker would allow for patients undergoing sEEG to have electrode implantation, localization of the EZ, and resection in a fraction of the time currently needed, preventing patients from having to endure long hospital stays and induced seizures.