Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A six-zone simulation model for HCCI engines with a non-segregated solver of zone state

A new six-zone simulation model for the calculation of changes in an HCCI engine has been developed and tested. The model uses comprehensive chemical kinetics and a non-sequential solver of zone states. This means that the state vector comprises the states in all zones, and that the changes in states in all zones are calculated simultaneously. In this manner, physical accuracy during the calculation of a new state is maintained at the expense of the calculation time. The model comprises the wall heat transfer, zone heat transfer and zone mass transfer as means of zone interactions. The cylinder is divided into two central zones, three boundary layer zones and one crevice zone. Since the model calculates only the high pressure part of an engine cycle, it has been connected with the cycle simulation software AVL Boost. In this way, a relatively easy-to-use, higher accuracy, simulation tool for HCCI engines has been obtained. The model was tested by comparing simulation results with experimental ones. The comparison was made with a single cylinder engine running on isooctane. The calculated pressure and net rate of heat release correspond to the experimental results very well in the entire operating region. By using the six-zone simulation model, a big improvement, compared to the single zone simulation, is obtained in operating points where combustion efficiency is over 90%. Results of emissions of unburned HC and CO show that predictions of these species are greatly improved, but it has also been noticed that these emissions are still slightly underpredicted. Predictions of emissions that come from crevice regions are good, but emissions that come from the corners of boundary layers are not captured very well. A detailed description of the simulation model is given, and validation results and possibilities of a further development are discussed.
The efficacy of memantine in the treatment of civilian posttraumatic stress disorder: an open-label trial

ABSTRACT Background: Currently, there is a paucity of pharmacological treatment options for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the development of a novel pharmacotherapeutic approach has become a matter of great interest. Objective: We conducted a 12-week open-label clinical trial to examine the efficacy and safety of memantine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, in the treatment of civilian PTSD. Method: Thirteen adult patients with DSM-IV PTSD, all civilian women, were enrolled. They were monitored at an ambulatory care facility every week until 4 weeks and then every 4 weeks until 12 weeks. Memantine was added to each patient’s current medication, with the initial dosage of 5 mg/day and then titrated. Concomitant medications were essentially kept unchanged during the trial. The primary outcome was PTSD diagnosis and severity assessed with the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale (PDS). Results: Of the 13 cases, one dropped out and two were discarded due to the protocol deviation, and the analysis was done for the remaining 10. Mean PDS total scores decreased from 32.3 ± 9.7 at baseline to 12.2 ± 7.9 at endpoint, which was statistically significant with a large effect (paired t-test: p = .002, d = 1.35); intrusion, avoidance, hyperarousal symptoms were all significantly improved from baseline to endpoint. Six patients no longer fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of PTSD at endpoint. Some adverse, but not serious, effects possibly related to memantine were observed, including sleep problems, sleepiness, sedation, weight change and hypotension. Conclusions: Memantine significantly reduced PTSD symptoms in civilian female PTSD patients and the drug was well tolerated. Future randomized controlled trials are necessary to verify the efficacy and safety of memantine in the treatment of PTSD.
Endogenous Double-Stranded RNA

The birth of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) is closely associated with the presence and activation of repetitive elements in the genome. The transcription of endogenous retroviruses as well as long and short interspersed elements is not only essential for evolving lncRNAs but is also a significant source of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). From an lncRNA-centric point of view, the latter is a minor source of bother in the context of the entire cell; however, dsRNA is an essential threat. A viral infection is associated with cytoplasmic dsRNA, and endogenous RNA hybrids only differ from viral dsRNA by the 5′ cap structure. Hence, a multi-layered defense network is in place to protect cells from viral infections but tolerates endogenous dsRNA structures. A first line of defense is established with compartmentalization; whereas endogenous dsRNA is found predominantly confined to the nucleus and the mitochondria, exogenous dsRNA reaches the cytoplasm. Here, various sensor proteins recognize features of dsRNA including the 5′ phosphate group of viral RNAs or hybrids with a particular length but not specific nucleotide sequences. The sensors trigger cellular stress pathways and innate immunity via interferon signaling but also induce apoptosis via caspase activation. Because of its central role in viral recognition and immune activation, dsRNA sensing is implicated in autoimmune diseases and used to treat cancer.
Modeling the Mechanobiology of Cancer Cell Migration Using 3D Biomimetic Hydrogels

Understanding how cancer cells migrate, and how this migration is affected by the mechanical and chemical composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is critical to investigate and possibly interfere with the metastatic process, which is responsible for most cancer-related deaths. In this article we review the state of the art about the use of hydrogel-based three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds as artificial platforms to model the mechanobiology of cancer cell migration. We start by briefly reviewing the concept and composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the materials commonly used to recreate the cancerous ECM. Then we summarize the most relevant knowledge about the mechanobiology of cancer cell migration that has been obtained using 3D hydrogel scaffolds, and relate those discoveries to what has been observed in the clinical management of solid tumors. Finally, we review some recent methodological developments, specifically the use of novel bioprinting techniques and microfluidics to create realistic hydrogel-based models of the cancer ECM, and some of their applications in the context of the study of cancer cell migration.
Microemulsions as Solubilizers and Penetration Enhancers for Minoxidil Release from Gels

Micro- and nanoemulsions are potential drug solubilizers and penetration enhancers through the high surfactant/co-surfactant content. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of minoxidil (MXD) solubilized in the microemulsions (MEs) on drug release by in vitro/ex vivo diffusion through the semi-permeable membrane Spectra/Por® (Spectrum Laboratory, Gardena, CA, USA) and porcine ear skin. Moreover, a residual amount of drug in the skin after ex vivo diffusion was evaluated. The reference MER, lecithin-containing MEL, and gelatin-containing MEG were characterized in terms of their size, polydispersity index, density, viscosity, electrical conductivity and surface tension. Based on the in vitro diffusion, it can be argued that MEL slowed down the drug release, while MER and MEG have no significant effect compared to the sample, in which propylene glycol (PG) was used as a solubilizer. Determination of the residual drug amount in the skin after 6 h of the ex vivo permeation was demonstrated as the most valuable method to evaluate the effectiveness of the ME’s application. The results indicate that the most optimal MXD permeation enhancers in alginate gel were the natural surfactants containing MEs. MXD solubilization in MEG and MEL had caused more than 5% of the drug remaining in the skin, which is almost a 1.5-fold higher amount compared to the reference gel.
Deodorizing function and antibacterial activity of fabrics dyed with gallnut (Galla Chinensis) extract

To examine the deodorizing function and antibacterial activity of fabrics dyed with gallnut extract, a natural dying aqueous solution was prepared by extraction from gallnut using water at 90℃ for 90 min with a fixed liquor ratio of 1:10. The colorimetric properties, the deodorization performance and the antibacterial ability of fabrics (cotton, silk and wool fabrics) dyed with the natural colorant extract solution were evaluated. The main component of the colorant (yellowish color) in the gallnut extract was found to be gallotannin. The K/S value of the dyed fabrics increased in the order of cotton < silk <wool. From curve fitting of ultraviolet-visible spectra, the gallnut extract obtained in this study was found to comprise gallotannin (69.0%), gallic acid (25.7%) and methyl gallate (5.3%). The dyed fabrics showed a better deodorizing function against ammonia, trimethyl amine and acetaldehyde, compared to the control (undyed) fabrics. The dyed fabrics showed an excellent antibacterial function (99.9% reduction) against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia. These results highlight the strong potential of the natural dyed fabrics as a functional material with both high antibacterial activity and deodorizing function.
Event-Triggered ADP for Tracking Control of Partially Unknown Constrained Uncertain Systems

An event-triggered adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) algorithm is developed in this article to solve the tracking control problem for partially unknown constrained uncertain systems. First, an augmented system is constructed, and the solution of the optimal tracking control problem of the uncertain system is transformed into an optimal regulation of the nominal augmented system with a discounted value function. The integral reinforcement learning is employed to avoid the requirement of augmented drift dynamics. Second, the event-triggered ADP is adopted for its implementation, where the learning of neural network weights not only relaxes the initial admissible control but also executes only when the predefined execution rule is violated. Third, the tracking error and the weight estimation error prove to be uniformly ultimately bounded, and the existence of a lower bound for the interexecution times is analyzed. Finally, simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the present event-triggered ADP method.
Physical and Electrochemical Properties of PVdF‐HFP/SiO2‐Based Polymer Electrolytes Prepared Using Dimethyl Acetamide Solvent and Water Non‐Solvent

Poly[(vinylidene fluoride)-co-hexafluoropropylene]/Si02 polymer electrolytes were prepared by a phase inversion technique using DMAc solvent and water non-solvent. Cast film electrolytes filled with the same amount of SiO 2 using DMAc were also made to compare physical and electrochemical properties. DMAc had a higher solubility to PVdF-based polymers than NMP, and DMAc produced highly porous structures with bigger cavities and influenced the reduction of crystallinity. Due to the highly porous nature of phase inversion membranes, the uptake of electrolyte solution reached more than 400% and room-temperature ionic conductivity was more than 10 -5 S cm -1 . All of the liquid absorbed, however, did not necessarily contribute to increases in ionic conductivity. This was due to the different conduction modes of lithium cations in a complicated porous structure. Comprehensively optimizing all the properties measured, the phase inversion membrane electrolytes with 10-30 wt. -% SiO 2 were the best candidates for use as the polymer electrolyte of lithium rechargeable batteries.
Racket orientation angle differences between accurate and inaccurate squash shots, as determined by a racket embedded magnetic-inertial measurement unit.

Ascertaining how racket orientation angle differences at ball-impact influence the accuracy of different squash strokes could assist player skill development and possibly reduce the number of unforced errors hit within a match. The purpose of this study was to identify differences in racket orientation angles of accurate and inaccurate forehand and backhand drive, volley and drop shots. A magnetic-inertial measurement unit embedded in a racket output orientation angles of twelve male junior players, with five accurate and five inaccurate shots per player per stroke analysed. Paired samples t-tests revealed that inaccurate backhand drop shots exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) less racket roll angle (racket face less open) at impact than accurate shots, indicating this parameter was a determining factor in the accuracy of this stroke. Racket orientation angle differences between accurate and inaccurate shots of the remaining strokes were too small to be used to distinguish shot accuracy. There was significantly greater variability in racket orientation angles during inaccurate forehand drop and backhand drive shots compared to accurate shots. These findings demonstrate how racket orientation angle differences at ball-impact can influence the accuracy of shots and highlights the need for consistent racket orientations to allow for an accurate shot.
Porous Spheres Assembled from Polythiophene (PTh)-Coated Ultrathin MnO2 Nanosheets with Enhanced Lithium Storage Capabilities

In this work, we propose a strategy to enhance the lithium storage capabilities of metal oxide based anodes for lithium-ion batteries through nanopainting with a thin layer of conducting polymer. To demonstrate the concept, we have developed a facile, one-step aqueous/organic interfacial synthesis to prepare polythiophene (PTh)-coated ultrathin MnO2 nanosheets (≈5 nm) with a uniform mesoporous hierarchical structure. When evaluated for lithium storage capability, the MnO2/PTh nanocomposite exhibits enhanced capacity retention upon high-rate charge/discharge cycling.
Changes in the fine-scale genetic structure of Finland through the 20th century

Information about individual-level genetic ancestry is central to population genetics, forensics and genomic medicine. So far, studies have typically considered genetic ancestry on a broad continental level, and there is much less understanding of how more detailed genetic ancestry profiles can be generated and how accurate and reliable they are. Here, we assess these questions by developing a framework for individual-level ancestry estimation within a single European country, Finland, and we apply the framework to track changes in the fine-scale genetic structure throughout the 20th century. We estimate the genetic ancestry for 18,463 individuals from the National FINRISK Study with respect to up to 10 genetically and geographically motivated Finnish reference groups and illustrate the annual changes in the fine-scale genetic structure over the decades from 1920s to 1980s for 12 geographic regions of Finland. We detected major changes after a sudden, internal migration related to World War II from the region of ceded Karelia to the other parts of the country as well as the effect of urbanization starting from the 1950s. We also show that while the level of genetic heterogeneity in general increases towards the present day, its rate of change has considerable differences between the regions. To our knowledge, this is the first study that estimates annual changes in the fine-scale ancestry profiles within a relatively homogeneous European country and demonstrates how such information captures a detailed spatial and temporal history of a population. We provide an interactive website for the general public to examine our results.
How predictive learning influences choice: Evidence for a GPCR‐based memory process necessary for Pavlovian‐instrumental transfer

Predictive learning endows stimuli with the capacity to signal both the sensory‐specific and general motivational properties of their associated rewards or outcomes. These two signals can be distinguished behaviorally by their influence on the selection and performance of instrumental actions, respectively. This review focuses on how sensory‐specific predictive learning guides choice between actions that earn otherwise equally desirable outcomes. We describe evidence that outcome‐specific predictive learning is encoded in the basolateral amygdala and drives the accumulation of delta‐opioid receptors on the surface of cholinergic interneurons located in the nucleus accumbens shell. This accumulation constitutes a novel form of cellular memory, not for outcome‐specific predictive learning per se but for the selection of, and choice between, future instrumental actions. We describe recent evidence regarding the cascade of events necessary for the formation and expression of this cellular memory and point to open questions for future research into this process. Beyond these mechanistic considerations, the discovery of this new form of memory is consistent with recent evidence suggesting that intracellular rather than synaptic changes can mediate learning‐related plasticity to modify brain circuitry to prepare for future significant events.
Coagulation status, fibrinolysis, and platelet dynamics in dogs with chronic inflammatory enteropathy

Abstract Background Coagulation status is poorly understood in dogs with chronic inflammatory enteropathy (CIE). Fibrinolytic activity and platelet dynamics have not been evaluated in CIE dogs. Objectives To assess coagulation status and fibrinolysis in normoalbuminemic CIE dogs (CIE‐N) and CIE dogs with protein‐losing enteropathy (CIE‐PLE) compared to healthy controls (HC). To evaluate thromboelastography (TEG) variable differences between groups and for correlations with clinicopathologic data. To report platelet dynamics in CIE dogs. Animals Twenty‐five client‐owned dogs with CIE (n = 16 CIE‐N; n = 9 CIE‐PLE); 14 HC beagle dogs. Methods All dogs had tissue factor + tissue plasminogen activator TEG. Nine of 25 CIE dogs had whole blood impedance platelet aggregometry. The TEG variables and coagulation data were compared between all CIE vs HC dogs, CIE‐N dogs vs HC, and CIE‐PLE dogs vs HC. Clinicopathologic and coagulation data were available for CIE dogs and assessed for correlation to TEG variables. Results Dogs with CIE had higher maximum amplitude (MA; P < .001), longer clot lysis times (CLTs; P < .001), lower % lysis after 30 minutes (LY30; P < .001), and % lysis after 60 minutes (LY60; P < .001) compared to HC, suggesting hypercoagulability and hypofibrinolysis. When separated out, both CIE‐N and CIE‐PLE dogs had higher MA, longer CLT, and lower LY30 and LY60 compared to HC. Serum albumin and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentrations, and plasma antithrombin and fibrinogen concentrations moderately correlated with MA. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Normoalbuminemic and hypoalbuminemic CIE dogs were considered hypercoagulable based on TEG compared to HC. Some CIE dogs displayed hypofibrinolytic phenotypes on TEG.
Amino acids dominate diffusive nitrogen fluxes across soil depths in acidic tussock tundra.

Organic nitrogen (N) is abundant in soils, but early conceptual frameworks considered it nonessential for plant growth. It is now well recognized plants have the potential to take up organic N. However, it is still unclear whether plants supplement their N requirements by taking up organic N in-situ: At what rate is organic N diffusing towards roots and are plants taking it up? We combined microdialysis with live root-uptake experiments to quantify amino acid speciation and diffusion rates towards roots of Eriophorum vaginatum. Amino acid diffusion rates (321 ng N cm-2 h-1 ) were about 3× higher than inorganic N. Positively charged amino acids made up 68% of the N diffusing through soils relative to neutral and negatively charged amino acids. Live-root uptake experiments confirmed amino acids are taken up by plants (up to 1 µg N g-1 min-1 potential net uptake). Amino acids must be considered when forecasting plant-available N, especially where they dominate N supply, and where acidity favors proteolysis over net N mineralization. Determining amino acid production pathways and supply rates will become increasingly important in projecting the extent and consequences of shrub expansion, especially considering the higher C:N ratio of plants relative to soil.
Modeling and Reproducibility of Twin Concentric Electrical Impedance Myography

<italic>Objective:</italic> Electrical impedance myography (EIM) is a recent technology to assess muscle health. As of today, the clinical application of EIM has been applied only to evaluate muscle condition using non-invasive surface electrodes in contact with the skin; however, intermediate tissues at the recording site introduce confounding artifacts which reduce the technique’s performance as a biomarker of neuromuscular disorders (NMD). Here, we develop and test in humans a new approach using two concentric needles for intramuscular EIM recordings. <italic>Methods:</italic> First, we study the recording characteristics of dual concentric needle EIM via analytical models and finite element models (FEMs). Next, the validity of the models is verified by performing experiments on saline and agar phantoms. Finally, 8 subjects with various neuromuscular diseases were studied measuring tibialis anterior, biceps, deltoid, adductor pollicis brevis, first dorsal interosseous and flexor carpi radialis muscles. <italic>Results:</italic> Analytical and FEM simulations are in good agreement with a maximum experimental discrepancy <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$< $</tex-math></inline-formula>8% and <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$< $</tex-math></inline-formula>9% using gauge needles 26 and 30, respectively. The inter-session reproducibility, as measured by the intraclass correlation coefficients for all muscles studied, was 0.926, which is comparable or exceeds the reproducibility of other well-established electrophysiological tests to assess muscle health. <italic>Conclusion:</italic> The reproducibility of the technique support future clinical validation of needle EIM for assessment of disease status, either as part of standard patient care or as biomarker measure in clinical trials. <italic>Significance</italic>: Needle EIM has the potential of becoming a valuable diagnostic tool to evaluate NMD in adult population.
Immunopositivity for Siglec-15 in gastric cancer and its association with clinical and pathological parameters

The sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-type lectin Siglec-15 is a promising target for cancer immunotherapy in several tumor types. The present study aimed to investigate Siglec-15 expression in gastric cancer (GC) patient tissues and to evaluate its clinical value. Siglec-15 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 71 patients. Siglec-15 staining was observed in tumor cells of 53 (74.64%) patients, with significant association with histologic classification and angiolymphatic invasion (p<0.05). Immunohistochemistry analysis also detected Siglec-15 in tumor-associated stroma cells (macrophages/myeloid cells). There was no significant association with outcome parameters. Siglec-15 expression in well differentiated histological GC tissues and in the tumor microenvironment are potential targets to be further investigated as a novel prognostic factor for GC.