Model-Based Control of Torque and Nitrogen Oxide Emissions in a Euro {VI} 3.0 L Diesel Engine through Rapid Prototyping

In the present paper, a model-based controller of engine torque and engine-out Nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, which was previously developed and tested by means of offline simulations, has been validated on a FPT F1C 3.0 L diesel engine by means of rapid prototyping. With reference to the previous version, a new NOx model has been implemented to improve robustness in terms of NOx prediction. The experimental tests have confirmed the basic functionality of the controller in transient conditions, over different load ramps at fixed engine speeds, over which the average RMSE (Root Mean Square Error) values for the control of NOx emissions were of the order of 55-90 ppm, while the average RMSE values for the control of brake mean effective pressure (BMEP) were of the order of 0.25-0.39 bar. However, the test results also highlighted the need for further improvements, especially concerning the effect of the engine thermal state on the NOx emissions in transient operation. Moreover, several aspects, such as the check of the computational time, the impact of the controller on other pollutant emissions, or on the long-term engine operations, will have to be evaluated in future studies in view of the controller implementation on the engine control unit

The extracellular matrix of the human aortic wall: Ultrastructural observations by FEG-SEM and by tapping-mode AFM.

Fragments of human ascending aorta harvested during heart surgery were cryofractured and observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Elastic fibers appear as irregular, undulated laminae of variable size and shape. Their surface shows an evident fibrous texture suggestive of a criss-crossed, delicate filamentous scaffold and is marked by a number of features such as ridges, holes and protruding ribs. At higher magnification, both SEM and AFM show the surface composed of a finely granular material, with a bead size of approximately 20 nm. However, the thickness of the metal coating in one case, and the tip convolution effect on the other, may equally result in an artifactual enlargement of the structures, so that the beads may be significantly smaller. The surfaces created by the fracture always appear smooth and compact and with this technique do not reveal significant detail. The collagen component is mostly represented by small, uniform fibrils gathered in flexuous bundles and following a wavy course not unlike that of the elastic laminae. An orthogonal lattice of small proteoglycans is readily evident even without a specific treatment. Occasionally, the fibrils appear encrusted or engulfed in a grainy matrix reminiscent of the elastic fiber surface. Fluid Tapping-Mode Atomic Force Microscopy simultaneously reveals the surface-bound proteoglycans and the inner architecture of the fibrils, composed of smaller subunits following a spiral course with a winding angle of approximately 17 degrees.Fragments of human ascending aorta harvested during heart surgery were cryofractured and observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Elastic fibers appear as irregular, undulated laminae of variable size and shape. Their surface shows an evident fibrous texture suggestive of a criss-crossed, delicate filamentous scaffold and is marked by a number of features such as ridges, holes and protruding ribs. At higher magnification, both SEM and AFM show the surface composed of a finely granular material, with a bead size of approximately 20 nm. However, the thickness of the metal coating in one case, and the tip convolution effect on the other, may equally result in an artifactual enlargement of the structures, so that the beads may be significantly smaller. The surfaces created by the fracture always appear smooth and compact and with this technique do not reveal significant detail. The collagen component is mostly represented by small, uniform fibrils gathered in flexuous bundles and following a wavy course not unlike that of the elastic laminae. An orthogonal lattice of small proteoglycans is readily evident even without a specific treatment. Occasionally, the fibrils appear encrusted or engulfed in a grainy matrix reminiscent of the elastic fiber surface. Fluid Tapping-Mode Atomic Force Microscopy simultaneously reveals the surface-bound proteoglycans and the inner architecture of the fibrils, composed of smaller subunits following a spiral course with a winding angle of approximately 17\ub0. \ua9 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Comparison of Physics-Based, Semi-Empirical and Neural Network-Based Models for Model-Based Combustion Control in a 3.0 L Diesel Engine

A comparison of four different control-oriented models has been carried out in this paper for the simulation of the main combustion metrics in diesel engines, i.e., combustion phasing, peak firing pressure, and brake mean effective pressure. The aim of the investigation has been to understand the potential of each approach in view of their implementation in the engine control unit (ECU) for onboard combustion control applications. The four developed control-oriented models, namely the baseline physics-based model, the artificial neural network (ANN) physics-based model, the semi-empirical model, and direct ANN model, have been assessed and compared under steady-state conditions and over the Worldwide Harmonized Heavy-duty Transient Cycle (WHTC) for a Euro VI FPT F1C 3.0 L diesel engine. Moreover, a new procedure has been introduced for the selection of the input parameters. The direct ANN model has shown the best accuracy in the estimation of the combustion metrics under both steady-state/transient operating conditions, since the root mean square errors are of the order of 0.25/1.1 deg, 0.85/9.6 bar, and 0.071/0.7 bar for combustion phasing, peak firing pressure, and brake mean effective pressure, respectively. Moreover, it requires the least computational time, that is, less than 50 μs when the model is run on a rapid prototyping device. Therefore, it can be considered the best candidate for model-based combustion control applications

Inflammatory mediators and other biomarkers in co-intoxicated patients after hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO2)

Objective: The present study was conducted in attempt to identify reliable biomarkers in predicting the severity of neurological injury. Materials and methods: A number of 30 patients with confirmed CO poisoning and a number of 7 healthy control volunteers were involved into the study. All participants received at least 60 minutes of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO2) at 2.5 atmospheres absolute (ATA). Standard blood gas analysis was performed on 10 mL venous blood samples obtained immediately before and after HBO2. Seven biomarkers and carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels were measured. Results: Following HBO2, all patients recovered fully and were discharged in stable condition. Significant differences between pre and post HBO2 values were found in three of the seven biomarkers analyzed: TNF-alpha, IL-10, and S100B. Additionally, S100B and NSE levels were significantly different from controls for the 10 patients who experienced temporary loss of consciousness (LOC), and IL-6 levels were significantly different from controls for all CO-intoxicated patients. Conclusion: Conclusive evidence of a correlation between a single biomarker and LOC patients was not found. However, the data suggests that the significance of the fall between pre and post HBO2 values for TNF-alpha and IL-10, along with the resolution of IL-6 levels, may herald the severity of the patient's neurological condition

Urinalysis parameters for predicting severity in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Urinalysis Parameters for Predicting Severity in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19

Laboratory predictors of death from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the area of Valcamonica, Italy

Background Comprehensive information has been published on laboratory tests which may predict worse outcome in Asian populations with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The aim of this study is to describe laboratory findings in a group of Italian COVID-19 patients in the area of Valcamonica, and correlate abnormalities with disease severity. Methods The final study population consisted of 144 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 (70 who died during hospital stay and 74 who survived and could be discharged) between March 1 and 30, 2020, in Valcamonica Hospital. Demographical, clinical and laboratory data were collected upon hospital admission and were then correlated with outcome (i.e. in-hospital death vs. discharge). Results Compared to patients who could be finally discharged, those who died during hospital stay displayed significantly higher values of serum glucose, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), urea, creatinine, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hscTnI), prothrombin time/international normalized ratio (PT/INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), D-dimer, C reactive protein (CRP), ferritin and leukocytes (especially neutrophils), whilst values of albumin, hemoglobin and lymphocytes were significantly decreased. In multiple regression analysis, LDH, CRP, neutrophils, lymphocytes, albumin, APTT and age remained significant predictors of in-hospital death. A regression model incorporating these variables explained 80% of overall variance of in-hospital death. Conclusions The most important laboratory abnormalities described here in a subset of European COVID-19 patients residing in Valcamonica are highly predictive of in-hospital death and may be useful for guiding risk assessment and clinical decision-making

Pensare la creatività. Ricerche nei contesti educativi prescolari.

Il volume presenta le ricerche e le attività svolte in ambito italiano nel contesto di un progetto europeo (CREANET) che ha creato una rete tra università e istituzioni educative per l’infanzia di differenti paesi sul tema dell’educazione alla creatività. Dopo aver passato in rassegna le indagini più significative realizzate a livello internazionale e nazionale su alcuni aspetti di tale tema, la parte centrale del testo presenta una ricerca empirica sulle concezioni di educatrici e insegnanti italiani sul bambino creativo e sulle pratiche che possono favorire la creatività nei contesti educativi prescolari. Le concezioni sono esaminate alla luce dei criteri teorici emersi dalla letteratura più rilevante esaminata. La terza parte illustra esperienze educative realizzate nelle scuole appartenenti alla rete creanet