Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ignition and combustion process in high charged SI engines with direct injection of CNG

The paper concerns the direct injection in SI internal combustion engines by compressed natural gas in order to decrease the global CO2. The increase of the working parameters of the spark ignition engines in comparison to the diesel engines would be done by applying a high charge pressure and with direct injection of CNG for two modes with the homogenous charge and stratified charge. Decreasing of NOx emission is possible by fuelling the engine by lean mixtures ( = 1.2 1.6). Ignition of the mixture at high compression pressure above 40 bars requires applying of a strictly defined dose of gas fuel. Sparking of the high compressed mixture can be done only by high voltage ignition system. The paper describes the total problems of injection, ignition and combustion CNG in high compressed spark ignition engines with simulation results in one-cylinder fourstroke SI engine. There are also compared the test and calculation results in the caloric chamber. The paper gives dependences of compression ratio and air-fuel ratio for lean burning of CNG. 1. Development of IC engines fuelled by natural gas Recently in automotive industry the applying of compressed natural gas in the spark ignition internal combustion engines is more real than never before. There are known many designs of the diesel engines fuelled by the natural gas, which is injected into inlet pipes. Because of the bigger octane number of the natural gas the compression ratio of SI engines can be increased, which takes effect on the increase of the total combustion efficiency. However in diesel engines the compression ratio has to be decreased for homogeneity of the mixture, which flow into the cylinder. Such mixture cannot initiate the self-ignition in traditional diesel engines because of higher value of octane number. Direct injection of the compressed natural gas besides of the defined dose of the fuel delivered by the injectors requires also high energy supplied by the ignition systems. A natural tendency in the development of the piston engines is an increase of the air pressure in the inlet systems by applying of high charge level by applying of a turbo-charging or mechanical charging. The high engine charging causes a higher compression pressure during the moment of sparking and also the higher temperature. The liquid form of CNG requires the storage temperature near -162 C and much heat to vaporization after direct injection from the cylinder charge. Naturally aspirated SI engine fuelled by the natural gas has lower value of thermodynamic efficiency than diesel engine. The experiments conducted on SI engine fuelled by CNG with lean homogeneous mixtures ( 1.4) show that in many cases it causes a faulty ignition and for this reason the better solution is the concept of the stratified charge with CNG injection during the compression stroke. The world automotive corporations have worked on a new direct injection of compressed natural gas in spark ignition engines with high charging bigger than in diesel engines. It is assumed that charging ratio reach value about 2.5 which is not met
GENERALIZED LEAST SQUARES AND WEIGHTED LEAST SQUARES ESTIMATION METHODS FOR DISTRIBUTIONAL PARAMETERS

• Regression procedures are often used for estimating distributional parameters because of their computational simplicity and useful graphical presentation. However, the resulting regression model may have heteroscedasticity and/or correction problems and thus, weighted least squares estimation or alternative estimation methods should be used. In this study, we consider generalized least squares and weighted least squares estimation methods, based on an easily calculated approximation of the covariance matrix, for distributional parameters. The considered estimation methods are then applied to the estimation of parameters of different distributions, such as Weibull, log-logistic and Pareto. The results of the Monte Carlo simulation show that the generalized least squares method for the shape parameter of the considered distributions provides for most cases better performance than the maximum likelihood, least-squares and some alternative estimation methods. Certain real life examples are provided to further demonstrate the performance of the considered generalized least squares estimation method.
Comparison of Droplet Digital PCR to Real-Time PCR for Quantitative Detection of Cytomegalovirus

ABSTRACT Quantitative real-time PCR (QRT-PCR) has been widely implemented for clinical viral load testing, but a lack of standardization and relatively poor precision have hindered its usefulness. Digital PCR offers highly precise, direct quantification without requiring a calibration curve. Performance characteristics of real-time PCR were compared to those of droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) for cytomegalovirus (CMV) load testing. Tenfold serial dilutions of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) CMV quantitative standards were tested, together with the AcroMetrix CMV tc panel (Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA) and 50 human plasma specimens. Each method was evaluated using all three standards for quantitative linearity, lower limit of detection (LOD), and accuracy. Quantitative correlation, mean viral load, and variability were compared. Real-time PCR showed somewhat higher sensitivity than ddPCR (LODs, 3 log10 versus 4 log10 copies/ml and IU/ml for NIST and WHO standards, respectively). Both methods showed a high degree of linearity and quantitative correlation for standards (R 2 ≥ 0.98 in each of 6 regression models) and clinical samples (R 2 = 0.93) across their detectable ranges. For higher concentrations, ddPCR showed less variability than QRT-PCR for the WHO standards and AcroMetrix standards (P < 0.05). QRT-PCR showed less variability and greater sensitivity than did ddPCR in clinical samples. Both digital and real-time PCR provide accurate CMV load data over a wide linear dynamic range. Digital PCR may provide an opportunity to reduce the quantitative variability currently seen using real-time PCR, but methods need to be further optimized to match the sensitivity of real-time PCR.
Patient-Reported Symptoms and Survival in Ovarian Cancer

Objective While the development of an index of clinical symptoms to use for the detection and diagnosis of ovarian cancer is under active investigation, the role of clinical symptoms in survival after the initial diagnosis is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to correlate the type and extent of clinical symptoms with survival outcomes in ovarian cancer. Methods Medical records of 276 cases of primary epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancers were evaluated. Thirty-one symptoms in 5 categories were cataloged. The significance of clinical symptoms in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was evaluated. Results Overall, 93.5% of ovarian cancer patients expressed at least 1 symptom at the time of initial diagnosis. The 3 most common symptoms were abdominal pain (40.6%), increased abdominal size (33.7%), and bloating (21.7%). In survival analysis, weight loss (16.3%), nausea/vomiting (13.4%), and lower extremity edema (6.5%) were significantly associated with both decreased PFS and OS (all, P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, lower extremity edema remained the strongest significant symptom, associated with increased surgical mortality rate, decreased response rate to adjuvant chemotherapy after primary cytoreductive surgery, and diminished survival outcomes (median PFS, 4.9 vs 15.3 months, P < 0.0001; and median OS, 5.9 vs 49.1 months, P < 0.001). Multiple symptoms were associated with poor survival outcomes (individual number of symptom ≤1 vs 2 vs ≥3; median PFS, 26.8 vs 17.4 vs 11.7 months [P < 0.001]; and median OS, 70 vs 41.6 vs 37.2 months [P < 0.001]). Conclusions Lower extremity edema at initial diagnosis is a strong prognostic indicator of ovarian cancer patient.
Differential distribution of subchains of the basement membrane components type IV collagen and laminin among the amniotic membrane, cornea, and conjunctiva.

PURPOSE Amniotic membrane transplantation has been reported to be an effective surgical procedure for the reconstruction of the anterior segment of the eye. To understand better the function of transplanted amniotic membrane, we compared the distributions of subchains of type IV collagen and laminin in the amniotic membrane to those in the cornea and conjunctiva. METHODS Five human corneas with conjunctivas and three human amniotic membranes were frozen in OCT compound. Cryosections were cut with a cryostat and stained by an indirect immunofluorescent microscopy. We used antibodies of the collagen alpha2(IV) and alpha5(IV) subchains, laminin-1, laminin-5, fibronectin, and type VII collagen. RESULTS In the conjunctival basement membrane and the amniotic membrane, fluorescence was evident for collagen alpha2(IV) but not for collagen alpha5(IV). By contrast, in the corneal basement membrane, fluorescence was apparent for the collagen alpha5(IV) subchain but not for the collagen alpha2(IV) subchain. Laminin-1, laminin-5, fibronectin, and type VII collagen were present in all the basement membranes examined. CONCLUSION The distribution of alpha subchains of type IV collagen in the amniotic membrane was identical to that in the conjunctiva but different from that in the cornea. No difference in the distribution pattern of other basement membrane components was observed. These results demonstrate that the basement membrane of the amniotic membrane and the conjunctiva might share the same components; therefore, the amniotic membrane might be useful as a replacement for the basement membrane of the conjunctiva.
Long‐term outcomes of previously untreated myeloma patients: responses to induction chemotherapy and high‐dose melphalan incorporated within a risk stratification model can help to direct the use of novel treatments

Induction chemotherapy followed by high‐dose melphalan (HDM) is the standard treatment for fitter patients with myeloma. The place of bortezomib and the thalidomide analogues within this treatment paradigm is yet to be established. We sought to identify patients who may benefit from the introduction of novel agents during their initial management. An intention‐to‐treat analysis was performed on 383 patients with newly diagnosed myeloma eligible for HDM to determine whether the extent of response to induction therapy and HDM correlated with long‐term survival. Early response [complete response (CR) and partial response (PR)] to induction therapy was predictive of overall survival (OS) [median OS, 7·47 years for responders (CR and PR) versus 4·89 years for non‐responders; P = 0·035]. The attainment of CR at 3 months post‐HDM correlated with a prolonged progression‐free survival (PFS) (median PFS, 7·4 years in CR group versus 5·3 years in non‐CR group; P = 0·023). This data suggests that, at every stage of treatment, the aim should be to achieve CR. Patients with suboptimal responses could be offered alternative therapy. We propose a multiparametric risk‐adapted model that includes response to induction chemotherapy and HDM, for identifying patients who may benefit from novel approaches to treatment.
Multi-kernel learning of deep convolutional features for action recognition

Image understanding using deep convolutional network has reached human-level performance, yet a closely related problem of video understanding especially, action recognition has not reached the requisite level of maturity. We combine multi-kernels based support-vector-machines (SVM) with a multi-stream deep convolutional neural network to achieve close to state-of-the-art performance on a 51-class activity recognition problem (HMDB-51 dataset); this specific dataset has proved to be particularly challenging for deep neural networks due to the heterogeneity in camera viewpoints, video quality, etc. The resulting architecture is named pillar networks as each (very) deep neural network acts as a pillar for the hierarchical classifiers. In addition, we illustrate that hand-crafted features such as improved dense trajectories (iDT) and Multi-skip Feature Stacking (MIFS), as additional pillars, can further supplement the performance.
Robustness of Stochastic Discrete-Time Switched Linear Systems With Application to Control With Shared Resources

Motivated by control applications relying on shared resources (such as computation time or bandwidth), we analyze the stability and robustness of discrete-time switched linear systems with stochastic commutations. We show that a wide class of shared resources control strategies can be modeled by a stochastic jump linear system involving two stochastic processes. The class of systems we study encompasses Markov chains and independent and identically distributed switching processes. For these systems, we recall existing definitions of stability and robustness, by relying on the input-to-state stability (ISS) property. We show that, for the class of systems under concern, δ-moment stability is equivalent to δ-moment ISS and that they both imply almost sure ISS. Several sufficient conditions are provided to guarantee these properties. Anytime control design for a translational oscillator/rotational actuator (TORA) system is used to illustrate all these concepts.
Letter to the editor Reply: Re: Cost-effectiveness of continuous subcutaneous apomorphine in the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease in the UK and Germany

Accepted: 14 July 2015; published online: 25 August 2015 Citation: J Med Econ 2015; 18:860–862 Reply to: http://informahealthcare.com/doi/pdf/10.3111/13696998.2015. 1066797 Original Article: http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3111/13696998. 2014.979937 The basic objective of any health economic evaluation is to assist rational and unbiased decision-making for the provision of the best and affordable therapies. Therefore, evaluation studies have to meet the criteria of methodological soundness, retrieval of transparent input data, and their sources and connectivity to relevant studies on the same topic. Debating studies and their analytical procedures as well as results is usually helpful, provided the rules of the game are observed. In this vein, the comments of Barnett and Williams (hereafter B&W) are welcome in principle, although the purpose of their Letter to the Editor, namely to contribute to clarification and transparency, is harmed by submitting non-verifiable cost data and by referring to studies which have a differing coverage. Their harsh final criticism that readers of our study ‘should be cautious about basing decisions on the conclusions provided’ strikes back to their comments. Let us take up the major points in the order they have been raised by B&W. The aim of our health economic evaluation was to compare the costeffectiveness of all available therapies in advanced Parkinson’s disease (aPD), continuous subcutaneous apomorphine (CSAI), levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG), deep brain stimulation (DBS), and the standard-of-care (SOC). In contrast, only one study, carried out by Valldeoriola and colleagues has compared all three therapies, CSAI, LCIG, and DBS in a detailed cost analysis spanning over a 5-year time horizon. However, even this study did not consider outcomes, which was one aim of our article as clearly mentioned in its introduction. The published studies include only two alternatives, usually comparing one therapy vs SOC. The major part of B&W pertains to cost. Regarding UK costs the following should be noted: Cost data for DBS surgery in our study were derived from 2013– 2014 National Tariffs. This was the only source at the time of publishing the article (2014). The 2014–2015 National Tariffs, mentioned by B&W, were naturally not available at the time of carrying out our calculations. Turning to the calculation of total surgery costs it is explained in the cost section of our article that they include not only the procedure costs (£7131; Code: AA072Z), but also pre-operative assessment (£641; Code: AA25Z), implantable pulse generator device price (£8326; UK list price), electrode (£1530), extension lead (£1786), patient controller (£560), accessory kit (£90), and re-
EEG patterns associated with nitrogen narcosis (breathing air at 9 ATA).

INTRODUCTION The narcotic effect of nitrogen impairs diver performance and limits dive profiles, especially for deep dives using compressed air. It would be helpful to establish measurable correlates of nitrogen narcosis. METHODS The authors observed the electroencephalogram (EEG) of 10 subjects, ages 22-27 yr, who breathed air during a 3-min compression to a simulated depth of 80 msw (9 ATA). The EEG from a 19-electrode cap was recorded for 20 min while the subject reclined on a cot with eyes closed, first at 1 ATA before the dive and again at 9 ATA. Signals were analyzed using Fast Fourier Transform and brain mapping for frequency domains 0-4 Hz, 4-7 Hz, 7-12 Hz, and 12-15 Hz. Student's paired t-test and correlation tests were used to compare results for the two conditions. RESULTS Two EEG patterns were observed. The first was an increase in delta and theta activity in all cortical regions that appeared in the first 2 min at depth and was related to exposure time. The second was an increase in delta and theta activity and shifting of alpha activity to the frontal regions at minute 6 of breathing air at 9 ATA and was related to the narcotic effects of nitrogen. DISCUSSION If confirmed by studies with larger case series, this EEG pattern could be used to identify nitrogen narcosis for various gas mixtures and prevent the dangerous impact of nitrogen on diver performance.
A Mitochondria-Targeted Triphenylphosphonium-Conjugated Nitroxide Functions as a Radioprotector/Mitigator

Abstract Jiang, J., Stoyanovsky, D. A. , Belikova, N. A. , Tyurina, Y. Y. , Zhao, Q. , Tungekar, M. A. , Kapralova, V. , Huang, Z. , Mintz, A. H. , Greenberger, J. S. and Kagan, V. E. A Mitochondria-Targeted Triphenylphosphonium-Conjugated Nitroxide Functions as a Radioprotector/Mitigator. Removal of excessive mitochondrial reactive oxygen species by electron scavengers and antioxidants is a promising therapeutic strategy to reduce the detrimental effects of radiation exposure. Here we exploited triphenylphosphonium (TPP) cation as a means to target nitroxide radicals to mitochondria. We synthesized a library of TPP-conjugated nitroxides and tested their radioprotective effects in γ-irradiated mouse embryo cells and human epithelial BEAS-2B cells. Cells were incubated with conjugates either before or after irradiation. We found that [2-(1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidin-4-ylimino)-ethyl]-triphenyl-phosphonium (TPEY-Tempo) significantly blocked radiation-induced apoptosis as revealed by externalization of phosphatidylserine on the cell surface and inhibition of cytochrome c release from mitochondria. Using electron paramagnetic resonance, we showed that TPEY-Tempo was integrated into cells and mitochondria, where it underwent one-electron reduction to hydroxylamine. TPEY-Tempo acted as an electron scavenger that prevented superoxide generation and cardiolipin oxidation in mitochondria. Finally, TPEY-Tempo increased the clonogenic survival rate of irradiated cells. The cellular integration efficiencies of nonradioprotective TPP conjugates, including Mito-Tempo (Alexis, San Diego, CA), were markedly lower, although these homologues were integrated into isolated succinate-energized mitochondria to a similar extent as TPEY-Tempo. We conclude that mitochondrial targeting of TPP-conjugated nitroxides represents a promising approach for the development of novel radioprotectors.
Mitochondrial hexokinase. Release, rebinding, and location.

Abstract The particulate hexokinase of ascites tumor, Sarcoma 37, is shown to be mitochondrial. The activity is readily solubilized by glucose 6-phosphate, ribonucleoside triphosphates, or high salt concentration with differing pH dependencies. Specificity and kinetic studies suggest that the effect of glucose-6-P is related to the regulator site on the enzyme. The enzyme can be bound again to previously eluted mitochondria in a Mg++-dependent equilibrium (and, more weakly, in the absence of added metal ions). The interaction follows a simple over-all equation, (binding sites) + (enzyme) + (Mg++) ⇄ (complex), represented by a single equilibrium constant. Mitochondria from tumor, liver, and brain have binding sites. Soluble enzyme from tumor, brain, and skeletal muscle can be bound to a large extent to tumor mitochondria. Soluble liver hexokinase and eluted tumor hexokinase which has been incubated with liver extract are not bound. Loss of ability to bind is attributed to a lysosomal cathepsin, and is also brought about by very small amounts of chymotrypsin. The tumor mitochondrial hexokinase is not in the compartment of oxidative phosphorylation, as shown by kinetic competition studies for oxidatively generated adenosine triphosphate and the lack of effect of atractyloside on the action of hexokinase on added ATP.
Factor × Roma: a congenital factor × variant defective at different degrees in the intrinsic and the extrinsic activation

A factor × molecular variant was identified in a 13‐year‐old girl affected by a bleeding tendency. Factor × antigen levels and activation by Russel's viper venom (tested both by clotting and amidolytic assays) were normal. Factor × crossed immunoelectrophoresis was found to be identical to that of the control plasma. Factor × functional activity was low (3% of the normal) if tested by PTT‐derived assays, whereas it was found at intermediate levels (about 30–50% of the normal) if measured by prothrombin time‐derived assays. The defect in the extrinsic activation was more clearly disclosed using as activating agent thromboplastin from ox brain. The factor × of the patient was completely adsorbed by aluminium hydroxide. The parents of the propositus (first degree cousins) showed factor × functional levels compatible with a condition of heterozygosity for the abnormality. This factor × molecular variant appears different from the other ones so far described and was named ‘Factor × Roma’.