bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accuracy of identifying pediatric acute bacterial sinusitis diagnoses in outpatient claims data
Authors: Savage Timothy J. , Wardell Hanna , Huybrechts Krista F.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Acute bacterial sinusitis is among the most frequent outpatient infections in children and adolescents and is well suited to study in large healthcare utilization databases, but the validity of International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD‐10) codes together with antibiotic prescriptions to identify cases of acute bacterial sinusitis has not been established. We aimed to evaluate the validity of ICD‐10 codes combined with antibiotic prescriptions to identify new diagnoses of acute bacterial sinusitis among pediatric patients evaluated in the outpatient setting.

Methods

Children and adolescents aged 17 years and younger with an outpatient diagnosis of acute sinusitis along with an antibiotic prescription from an ambulatory facility affiliated with the Mass General Brigham health system were identified via a clinical data warehouse. Patients were stratified by age (0–5 years, 6–11 years, and 12–17 years), and 50 cases per age group were randomly sampled. Medical records were independently reviewed by two pediatric infectious diseases physicians to assess for the documentation of a clinician‐defined diagnosis of acute bacterial sinusitis. Positive predictive values (PPVs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

Results

A total of 150 patients were included in the final cohort. Frontal, maxillary, and “unspecified” sinuses accounted for 88% of the diagnoses. The positive predictive value of the algorithm to identify clinician‐defined diagnoses of acute bacterial sinusitis was 92% (95% CI 87%, 95%). The PPVs were consistent across age strata.

Conclusions

ICD‐10 codes for acute sinusitis, when paired with a same‐day antibiotic prescription, have a high positive predictive value among a cohort of pediatric patients, suggesting that they can be used to study new acute bacterial sinusitis diagnoses with claims.
Maternal acceptability of iron supplementation in young breastfed rural Gambian infants
Authors: Stelle Isabella , Bah Mamadou , Saidykhan Mariama , Verhoef Hans , Prentice Andrew M. , Cerami Carla , Silverio Sergio A. , Moore Sophie E.
Published: March 2023

Introduction

A recent analysis of Gambian infants showed that plasma iron concentrations decline rapidly from birth to levels below the 95% reference range within 5 months of age. To address this issue, a clinical trial was initiated to assess the efficacy of early iron supplementation in breastfed infants under 6 months of age (‘Iron Babies’; NCT04751994). To understand if such an intervention is feasible for scaleup, the acceptability, through the lens of local stakeholders and mothers (as the primary caregiver), must be considered.

Methods

An embedded qualitative study, therefore, explored acceptability through focus group discussions with local stakeholders and interviews with mothers. Four focus group discussions with local stakeholders (n = 19) and individual interviews (n = 14) with mothers whose infants were enrolled in the clinical trial were conducted. Qualitative data were analysed with respect to an implementation acceptability framework using Template Analysis.

Results

From the focus group discussions, there was a general sense of enthusiasm for the intervention, but also a concern due to confusion around nutritional messaging. The intervention was acceptable to mothers with limited mention of side effects and enthusiasm for participating in clinical trials on iron supplementation. However, when looking at scaleup, there were mixed opinions on the practicality of daily supplementation, as well as concerns around costs. In addition, it was suggested that proper dissemination of information and inclusion of all family members in decision‐making, especially fathers, is key to acceptability.

Conclusion

There was no indication that stakeholders or mothers were resistant to iron supplementation of breastfed infants.
Bioinspired Electrode for the Production and Timely Separation of Nitrile and Hydrogen
Authors: Jiao Junrong , Wang Xiaobing , Wei Chengyu , Zhao Yong
Published: March 2023

Replacing electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with amine oxidation reaction is adopted to boost clean and environment‐friendly energy source hydrogen (H2) in water. However, the electrocatalytic reaction is severely restricted by the strong adsorption of product on the catalyst surface. Inspired by the cooperation of flavin adenine dinucleotide and mitochondria membrane in biological system, the catalysis‐separation complex electrodes are introduced to promote the desorption of product and hinder its readsorption by applying polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)‐separation membrane on the one side of electrode, which is benefit for the cleanness of active sites on the catalyst surface for the continuous production and timely separation of nitrile and hydrogen. With the intermolecular force between PTFE and nitrile, the nitrile droplets can be quickly desorbed and separated from catalyst surface of anode, and the size of nitrile droplets on the catalyst surface is only 0.23% to that without PTFE. As a result, the current at 1.49 VRHE from the catalyst with PTFE membrane is about 33 times to that of catalyst without PTFE after long‐term operation. Moreover, the cathode with PTFE membrane also achieves the rapid desorption of H2 bubbles and stable cathodic current because of the strong absorption of PTFE to H2.
Ultrathin 2D Cerium‐Based Metal–Organic Framework Nanosheet That Boosts Selective Oxidation of Inert C(sp3)H Bond through Multiphoton Excitation
Authors: Ji Guanfeng , Zhao Liang , Tang Yang , Liu Songtao , Wang Yefei , He Cheng , Duan Chunying
Published: March 2023

The development of methodologies for inducing and tailoring activities of catalysts is an important issue in various catalysis. The ultrathin 2D monolayer metal–organic framework (MOF) nanosheets with more accessible active sites and faster diffusion obtained by exfoliating 3D layered MOFs are of great potential as heterogeneous catalysts, but the rational design and preparation of 3D layered MOFs remains a grand challenge. Herein, a novel weak electrostatic interaction strategy to construct a 3D layered cerium‐bearing MOF by coordinating chlorine‐capped cerium nodes and linear photoactive methyl viologen (MV+) organic linkers is used. Under multiphoton excitation, the MV+ ligands and CeCl chromophores are triggered consecutively to form the high activity chlorine radical (Cl•) for activation of inert C(sp3)H bond through a hydrogen atom transfer. Benefiting from framework confinement effects, synergistic effects of two active sites and/or flexibility of the ultrathin framework nanosheets with high surface utilization, the observed activities increase in the order CeCl3/MV+ < bulk 3D MOF crystals < 2D MOF nanosheets in photocatalysis. This work not only contributes a new strategy to construct 3D layered MOFs and their ultrathin nanosheets but also paves the way to use nanostructured MOFs to handle synergy of multiple molecular catalysts.
Development of organic redox‐active materials in aqueous flow batteries: Current strategies and future perspectives
Authors: Pan Mingguang , Shao Minhua , Jin Zhong
Published: March 2023

Aqueous redox flow batteries, by using redox‐active molecules dissolved in nonflammable water solutions as electrolytes, are a promising technology for grid‐scale energy storage. Organic redox‐active materials offer a new opportunity for the construction of advanced flow batteries due to their advantages of potentially low cost, extensive structural diversity, tunable electrochemical properties, and high natural abundance. In this review, we present the emergence and development of organic redox‐active materials for aqueous organic redox flow batteries (AORFBs), in particular, molecular engineering concepts and strategies of organic redox‐active molecules. The typical design strategies based on organic redox species for high‐capacity, high‐stability, and high‐voltage AORFBs are outlined and discussed. Molecular engineering of organic redox‐active molecules for high aqueous solubility, high chemical/electrochemical stability, and multiple electron numbers as well as satisfactory redox potential gap between the redox pair is essential to realizing high‐performance AORFBs. Beyond molecular engineering, the redox‐targeting strategy is an effective way to obtain high‐capacity AORFBs. We further discuss and analyze the redox reaction mechanisms of organic redox species based on a series of electrochemical and spectroscopic approaches, and succinctly summarize the capacity degradation mechanisms of AORFBs. Furthermore, the current challenges, opportunities, and future directions of organic redox‐active materials for AORFBs are presented in detail.
Retinal image‐based artificial intelligence in detecting and predicting kidney diseases: Current advances and future perspectives
Authors: Wen Jingyi , Liu Dong , Wu Qianni , Zhao Lanqin , Iao Wai Cheng , Lin Haotian
Published: March 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) has reformed the healthcare system with its compelling capabilities of processing biomedical data for disease diagnosis, prediction, and individualized management. The eye, as a non‐invasive observation window for many systemic diseases, can be used to detect the signs of chronic kidney diseases, and other diseases like hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus, based on specific manifestations of retinal images. Recent advances using AI technology have posed a great potential of using retinal images for rapid mass screening and prognosis prediction of kidney diseases. Herein, we outlined the key applications of AI in ophthalmology and the detection of systemic diseases based on retinal imaging, especially the current progress of retinal image‐based AI models for the detection and prediction of kidney diseases. We hope to shed light on the current opportunities and future challenges in this field to provide suggestions for further improvement and applications.
Matrix and tensor witnesses of hidden symmetry algebras
Authors: Ramgoolam Sanjaye , Sword Lewis
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Permutation group algebras, and their generalizations called permutation centralizer algebras (PCAs), play a central role as hidden symmetries in the combinatorics of large N gauge theories and matrix models with manifest continuous gauge symmetries. Polynomial functions invariant under the manifest symmetries are the observables of interest and have applications in AdS/CFT. We compute such correlators in the presence of matrix or tensor witnesses, which by definition, can include a matrix or tensor field appearing as a coupling in the action (i.e a spurion) or as a classical (un-integrated) field in the observables, appearing alongside quantum (integrated) fields. In both matrix and tensor cases we find that two-point correlators of general gauge-invariant observables can be written in terms of gauge invariant functions of the witness fields, with coefficients given by structure constants of the associated PCAs. Fourier transformation on the relevant PCAs, relates combinatorial bases to representation theoretic bases. The representation theory basis elements obey orthogonality results for the two-point correlators which generalise known orthogonality relations to the case with witness fields. The new orthogonality equations involve two representation basis elements for observables as input and a representation basis observable constructed purely from witness fields as the output. These equations extend known equations in the super-integrability programme initiated by Mironov and Morozov, and are a direct physical realization of the Wedderburn-Artin decompositions of the hidden permutation centralizer algebras of matrix/tensor models.
HNL mass degeneracy: implications for low-scale seesaws, LNV at colliders and leptogenesis
Authors: Fernández-Martínez Enrique , Marcano Xabier , Naredo-Tuero Daniel
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Low-scale seesaw variants protected by lepton number symmetry provide a natural explanation of the smallness of neutrino masses but, unlike their higher-scale counterparts, with potentially testable phenomenology. The approximate lepton number symmetry arranges the heavy neutrinos in pseudo-Dirac pairs, which might be accessible at collider or even beam dump experiments if their mass is low enough and their mixing with the active neutrinos sufficiently large. Despite their pseudo-Dirac nature, their small mass splittings may lead to oscillations that prevent the cancellation of their potential lepton-number-violating signals. Interestingly, these small splittings may also resonantly enhance the production of a lepton number asymmetry for low-scale leptogenesis scenarios or, for extremely degenerate states, lead to an asymmetry large enough to resonantly produce a keV sterile neutrino dark matter candidate with the correct relic abundance via the Shi-Fuller mechanism. In this work we explore the parameter space of the different low-scale seesaw mechanisms and study the size of these splittings, given their important and interesting phenomenological consequences. While all low-scale seesaw variants share the same dimension 5 and 6 operators when integrating out the heavy states, we point out that the mass splitting of the pseudo-Dirac pairs are very different in different realizations such as the inverse or linear seesaw. This different phenomenology could offer a way to discriminate between low-scale seesaw realizations.
Pseudoscalar MSSM Higgs Production at NLO SUSY-QCD
Authors: Bagnaschi Emanuele , Fritz Lukas , Liebler Stefan , Mühlleitner Margarete , Nguyen Thanh Tien Dat , Spira Michael
Published: March 2023

Abstract

One of the most important mechanisms at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) for the production of the pseudoscalar Higgs boson of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) is the loop-induced gluon fusion process gg → A. The higher-order QCD corrections have been obtained a long time ago and turned out to be large. However, the genuine supersymmetric (SUSY–)QCD corrections have been obtained only in the limit of large SUSY particle masses so far. We describe our calculation of the next-to-leading-order (NLO) SUSY-QCD results with full mass dependence and present numerical results for a few representative benchmark points. We also address the treatment of the effective top and bottom Yukawa couplings, in the case of heavy SUSY particles, in terms of effective low-energy theories where the heavy degrees of freedom have been decoupled. Furthermore, we include a discussion of the relation between the SUSY-QCD corrections that we have computed and the Adler-Bardeen theorem for the axial anomaly. In addition, we apply our results to the gluonic and photonic pseudoscalar Higgs decays A → gg, γγ at NLO.
Diagrams of Spatial Experience Based on Mathematical Models
Authors: Mei Xiaohan , Pang Lingbo
Published: March 2023

This study focuses on diagrams that use mathematical models to describe the spatial experience, from 1920 to 2020 s. By reviewing and discussing the diagrams classified by the two main mathematical models, topology and encoding, this study tries to rediscover the empirical studies of spatial experience.
On the Stability of Solitons for the Maxwell-Lorentz Equations with Rotating Particle
Authors: Komech A. I. , Kopylova E. A.
Published: March 2023

We prove the stability of solitons of the Maxwell–Lorentz equations with extended charged rotating particle. The solitons are solutions which correspond to the uniform rotation of the particle. To prove the stability, we construct the Hamilton–Poisson representation of the Maxwell–Lorentz system. The construction relies on the Hamilton least action principle. The constructed structure is degenerate and admits a functional family of the Casimir invariants. This structure allows us to construct the Lyapunov function corresponding to a soliton. The function is a combination of the Hamiltonian with a suitable Casimir invariant. The function is conserved, and the soliton is its critical point. The key point of the proof is a lower bound for the Lyapunov function. This bound implies that the soliton is a strict local minimizer of the function. The bound holds if the effective moment of inertia of the particle in the Maxwell field is sufficiently large with respect to the “bar moment of inertia".
Adult-type and Pediatric-type Diffuse Gliomas
Authors: Nafe Reinhold , Porto Luciana , Samp Patrick-Felix , You Se-Jong , Hattingen Elke
Published: March 2023

The classification of diffuse gliomas into the adult type and the pediatric type is the new basis for the diagnosis and clinical evaluation. The knowledge for the neuroradiologist should not remain limited to radiological aspects but should be based additionally on the current edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of tumors of the central nervous system (CNS). This classification defines the 11 entities of diffuse gliomas, which are included in the 3 large groups of adult-type diffuse gliomas, pediatric-type diffuse low-grade gliomas, and pediatric-type diffuse high-grade gliomas. This article provides a detailed overview of important molecular, morphological, and clinical aspects for all 11 entities, such as typical genetic alterations, age distribution, variability of the tumor localization, variability of histopathological and radiological findings within each entity, as well as currently available statistical information on prognosis and outcome. Important differential diagnoses are also discussed.
Soll die asymptomatische Bakteriurie bei Immunsupprimierten antibiotisch therapiert werden?
Authors: Stangl Fabian P. , Godly Julia , Kranz Jennifer , Neumann Thomas , Schneidewind Laila
Published: March 2023

Hintergrund

Antimikrobielle Resistenzentwicklung (AMR) stellt selbst in Europa ein essentielles Problem dar. Dies gilt insbesondere für multiresistente Escherichia-coli-Stämme, daher sollte inadäquater Antibiotikaeinsatz, insbesondere bei der asymptomatischen Bakteriurie (ASB), vermieden werden.

Fragestellung

Soll die ASB bei immunsupprimierten Patienten, namentlich in der soliden Organtransplantation und insbesondere der Nierentransplantation sowie in der Stammzelltransplantation, antibiotisch therapiert werden?

Material und Methoden

Es wurde eine Evidenzanalyse mittels Literaturrecherche in MEDLINE im Zeitraum 1980 bis 2022 durchgeführt. Für die Evidenzsynthese wurden lediglich RCT („randomized controlled trials“) sowie Quasi-RCT berücksichtigt.

Ergebnisse

Für den Suchbegriff solide Organtransplantation und die Stammzelltransplantation konnten keine Studien identifiziert werden. Hinsichtlich der Nierentransplantation wurden drei RCT (antibiotische Therapie vs. keine Therapie) mit adulten Patienten eingeschlossen. Keine Studie zeigte einen Benefit für die antibiotische Therapie der ASB zur Vermeidung von Harnwegsinfektionen, insbesondere in der späten Transplantationsphase 2 Monate nach Transplantation. Allerdings kann die Therapie zur AMR-Entwicklung beitragen. Zusätzlich gibt es zahlreiche Evidenzlücken, z. B. bzgl. der pädiatrischen Transplantation oder zum Einfluss der Art der Immunsuppression.

Schlussfolgerung

Es gibt keine Evidenz für die antibiotische Therapie der ASB in der adulten Nierentransplantation 2 Monate nach Transplantation. Doch weitere Studien hinsichtlich der aufgedeckten Evidenzlücken sind essentiell zur Vermeidung der weiteren AMR-Entwicklung.
Snow Microorganisms Colonise Arctic Soils Following Snow Melt
Authors: Malard Lucie A. , Bergk-Pinto Benoit , Layton Rose , Vogel Timothy M. , Larose Catherine , Pearce David A.
Published: March 2023

Arctic soils are constantly subjected to microbial invasion from either airborne, marine, or animal sources, which may impact local microbial communities and ecosystem functioning. However, in winter, Arctic soils are isolated from outside sources other than snow, which is the sole source of microorganisms. Successful colonisation of soil by snow microorganisms depends on the ability to survive and compete of both, the invading and resident community. Using shallow shotgun metagenome sequencing and amplicon sequencing, this study monitored snow and soil microbial communities throughout snow melt to investigate the colonisation process of Arctic soils. Microbial colonisation likely occurred as all the characteristics of successful colonisation were observed. The colonising microorganisms originating from the snow were already adapted to the local environmental conditions and were subsequently subjected to many similar conditions in the Arctic soil. Furthermore, competition-related genes (e.g. motility and virulence) increased in snow samples as the snow melted. Overall, one hundred potentially successful colonisers were identified in the soil and, thus, demonstrated the deposition and growth of snow microorganisms in soils during melt.
Establishment of a novel NFAT-GFP reporter platform useful for the functional avidity maturation of HLA class II-restricted TCRs
Authors: Fujiki Fumihiro , Morimoto Soyoko , Nishida Yuya , Tanii Satoe , Aoyama Nao , Inatome Miki , Inoue Kento , Katsuhara Akiko , Nakajima Hiroko , Nakata Jun , Nishida Sumiyuki , Tsuboi Akihiro , Oka Yoshihiro , Oji Yusuke , Sogo Shinji , Sugiyama Haruo
Published: March 2023

CD4+ T cells that recognize antigenic peptides presented on HLA class II are essential for inducing an optimal anti-tumor immune response, and adoptive transfer of tumor antigen-specific TCR-transduced CD4+ T cells with high responsiveness against tumor is a promising strategy for cancer treatment. Whereas a precise evaluation method of functional avidity, an indicator of T cell responsiveness against tumors, has been established for HLA class I-restricted TCRs, it remains unestablished for HLA class II-restricted TCRs. In this study, we generated a novel platform cell line, CD4-2D3, in which GFP reporter was expressed by NFAT activation via TCR signaling, for correctly evaluating functional avidity of HLA class II-restricted TCRs. Furthermore, using this platform cell line, we succeeded in maturating functional avidity of an HLA class II-restricted TCR specific for a WT1-derived helper peptide by substituting amino acids in complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) of the TCR. Importantly, we demonstrated that transduction of an avidity-maturated TCR conferred strong cytotoxicity against WT1-expressing leukemia cells on CD4+ T cells, compared to that of its original TCR. Thus, CD4-2D3 cell line should be useful not only to evaluate TCR functional avidity in HLA class II-restricted TCRs but also to screen appropriate TCRs for clinical applications such as cancer immunotherapy.
GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms associated with pain in a chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy cohort
Authors: Dunn Paul J. , Griffiths Lyn R. , Yates Patsy , Haupt Larisa M. , Alexander Kim E.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a debilitating condition that is a direct consequence of receiving cancer treatment. The molecular aetiology of CIPN is not well understood, and it is theorised that there may be a genetic component. Genetic polymorphisms in Glutathione-S Transferase (GST) genes, including GSTT1, GSTM1 and GSTP1, encode for enzymes known to metabolise drugs used in chemotherapy, and have been theorised to be associated with CIPN. This study aimed to investigate four markers in these genes for an association in a mixed cancer cohort in relation to CIPN (n = 172).

Methods

CIPN was measured using the neuropathy item from the Patient Reported Outcome Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Event (PRO-CTCAE) assessment. Genotyping for all samples was performed using PCR for the GSTM1 and GSTT1 null variants and restriction fragment length polymorphisms for the GSTP1 and GSTM1 polymorphisms.

Results

No associations were found for the GST gene markers in relation to CIPN within our study, or CIPN severity. Longitudinal stratification of the CIPN phenotypes to examine links for neuropathy, identified nominally significant protective associations with the GSTM* null allele (p-value = 0.038, OR = 0.55) and the presence of pain at month 2 of treatment, as well as a risk factor for pain related month 2 of treatment for individuals with the GSTT1*null allele (p-value = 0.030, OR = 1.64). Higher severity of pain in patients with CIPN persisted at each time-point compared to those without CIPN.

Conclusion

No significant results for an association between CIPN with polymorphisms in GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 were identified. However, associations for the GSTM1¬-null and GSTT1-null polymorphisms with pain at month 2 following chemotherapy were identified.
Experimental Validation of a Structure-Borne Sound Model of a Direct Drive Wind Turbine Generator
Authors: Decker Thomas , Cardaun Martin , Mülder Christoph , Duda Tobias , Bosse Dennis , Jacobs Georg , Büschel Alexander
Published: March 2023

In this paper the methodology and results of the validation of a multi-physical system model of a direct drive wind turbine are presented. The analyzed model serves the purpose of examining the structure borne sound resulting from electromagnetic excitations inside the turbine’s generator. To study the accuracy of this model and to increase the confidence in the simulation results, an experimental validation is performed in the course of this work. Hereby, the simulation results are compared with data from a measurement campaign in which the real generator was tested on a full-scale system test bench. The validation takes the structure-borne sound transfer, modal behavior of the generator and effects of structural dynamics into account.
Analogy test rig for the generation of tooth flank fractures at large gears (WZL-double pulsator)—commissioning and first test results
Authors: Goergen Fabian , Rolzhäuser Johannes , Mevissen Dieter , Brecher Christian
Published: March 2023

As a result of the enhanced of load-carrying capacity with regard to pitting and tooth root breakage, generation of tooth flank fractures became more frequent. This type of damage differs from existing fatigue damages on the tooth flank in that crack initiation takes place below the case hardened surface layer and the tooth breaks in the area of the active tooth flank. An isolated investigation of tooth flank fractures is currently not possible because there is no analogy test rig available that can reproduce both, the compressive stress due to Hertzian contact flattening as well as the tensile stress due to tooth bending. For this reason, a test rig concept is being developed, manufactured and put into operation in the DFG research project “Analogy test rig for tooth flank fractures”, which allows the generation of tooth flank fractures in absence of other damage types. This report deals with the commissioning of the WZL-Double Pulsator as well as first test results. The FE model of the analogy test rig is validated by measuring tooth root strains with strain gauges and comparing them with the calculated strains. Finally, the commissioning is carried out and first tests are performed.
Multi-domain optimization of cast iron components in wind turbines
Authors: Weber Felix , Broeckmann Christoph , Züch Vitali , Jacobs Georg , Zimmermann Jannik , Schröder Kai-Uwe , Bami Youness , Jakumeit Jürgen , Bodenburg Mathias , Weiß Reinhard
Published: March 2023

The continuously rising demand for renewable energies leads to increased installations of wind turbines with higher power. While the current power-to-weight ratio of up to 20 metric tons of cast iron per megawatt is stagnating, cast iron components of modern wind turbines are facing new challenges in terms of weight, manufacturability, and castability. These challenges can be addressed by systematically using multi-domain optimization approaches to reduce component weight and increase local component utilization.

In order to meet the requirements for modern cast iron components, this multi-domain approach must employ methods from casting simulation, micromechanical analysis, topology optimization, and strength assessment. Here, casting simulation is used to determine local microstructure descriptors, which are subsequently used in micromechanical shakedown analysis to estimate the local microstructure-dependent fatigue strength. In parallel to the fatigue strength estimation, topology optimization is performed iteratively in combination with a castability analysis. The component strength is evaluated using a strength assessment approach based on the previously determined local material properties in combination with the topology optimized component.

In this study, the overall concept of the proposed multi-domain approach is presented and requirements for the application of such an approach are formulated. The use case of this study is a planet carrier of a wind turbine gearbox manufactured from austempered ductile cast iron ADI-GJS-1050‑6. For this use case, a weight reduction of 17% was achieved while maintaining the required stiffness, such that the microstructure variance along the component was significantly reduced. Furthermore, the potentials and limitations of the presented approach are outlined and discussed in the context of the design of heavy-section castings.
Power train degradation modelling for multi-objective active power control of wind farms
Authors: Moghadam Farid K. , Chabaud Valentin , Gao Zhen , Chapaloglou Spyridon
Published: March 2023

With the coming installation of hundreds of GW of offshore wind power, penetration of the inherent power fluctuations into the electricity grid will become significant. Therefore, the use of wind farms as power reserve providers to support the regulation of the grid’s voltage and frequency through delivering a desired power is expected to increase. As a result, wind turbines will not be necessarily delivering the maximum available power anymore – known as curtailed or derated operation – and will have to be able to deal with time-variant power demand. For this purpose, power setpoints from the grid are dispatched at the farm-level and then tracked at the turbine-level under the constraint of available power in the wind (known as active power control). The idea of this work is taking advantage of the additional degree of freedom lying in the power dispatch between turbines when operating in curtailed conditions. As failure of power train system components is frequent, costly and predictable, we seek to introduce power train degradation into the farm control objectives. To this end, a data-driven model of drivetrain fatigue damage as function of wind conditions and derating factor adapted to the farm active power control objective function is developed based on the pre-analysis of single-turbine simulations and degradation calculations, where the increased turbulence intensity due to wind farm wake effect is also considered. The proposed analytical power train degradation model is computationally efficient, can reflect the fatigue damage of individual gears and bearings in the overall power train life function and in contrast with high-fidelity models can be easily adjusted for different drivetrain configurations. A case study on the TotalControl reference wind power plant is demonstrated.
Reusable workflows for virtual testing of multidisciplinary products in system models
Authors: Berges Julius Moritz , Spütz Kathrin , Zhang Yizhe , Höpfner Gregor , Berroth Jörg , Konrad Christian , Jacobs Georg
Published: March 2023

Developing increasingly complex multidisciplinary products in short development cycles is one major challenge in today’s product development. Model-based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approaches are well suited to address this challenge. With MBSE, products are virtually represented in central system models. For the efficient verification of customer requirements and to avoid exhaustive physical testing with prototypes, virtual domain models (e.g. FE-models) are integrated into the system model. To perform a virtual test, domain models need to be executed in a sequence, so-called workflows.

Current workflows link several product system levels in one workflow and are often only valid for one specific system architecture. As the number of requirements and system complexity increases, these workflows become also more complex. The effort for creating new comprehensible workflows is currently high and the reusability cannot be ensured. To solve these deficits, a method for the systematic formalization of reusable workflows in system models as well as their structured integration is presented. Behavior diagrams in the modelling language SysML are used to control the execution order of the domain models of different purposes and fidelities. Modular sub-workflows are developed for each system level. These sub-workflows can be reused and combined modularly to form larger workflows. The approach shows a high potential to easily build and organize workflows in reusable libraries thereby supporting automated virtual testing in product development. To demonstrate the approach, workflows for bearing lifetime calculation and shaft fatigue testing of a wind turbine drive train as well as their integration into the SysML system model are presented.
Reduction of wind turbine gearbox damage risk due to electrical faults via component design optimization
Authors: Röder Julian , Jacobs Georg , Bosse Dennis , Herzog Fabian , Zang Aaron
Published: March 2023

Over the lifetime of a wind turbine (WT) it is likely that several electrical faults occur. Electrical faults may induce significant electromagnetic generator torque excitations. The torque excitations are transferred to the gearbox components and lead to dynamic load changes as well as changes in the speed of rotation. Dynamic load changes in combination with changing rotational speeds might lead to gearbox component damage. Gearbox component damage is the main driver for WT downtime due to the high time to repair the fault. Especially the components of the high-speed stage (HSS) are prone to failure. This paper presents a method for introducing gearbox component design optimizations in order to reduce the damage risk during electrical faults. Via profile shift the HSS safety against scuffing cannot be further increased compared to the reference. The HSS safety against micropitting can be increased via profile shift by max. 41% and the safety against tooth flank fracture on the HSS by max. 3% compared to the reference. Via profile modification the HSS safety against scuffing can be increased by max. 14%, the HSS safety against micropitting by max. 8% and the safety against tooth flank fracture on the HSS by max. 8% compared to the reference. Via roller profile optimization the smearing risk on the HSS cylindrical roller bearing can be reduced by max. 3% compared to the reference. Thus, on the basis of two exemplarily analyzed electrical faults, this paper shows that gearbox component design optimizations can significantly reduce the gearbox damage risk during electrical faults.
Implementing digital twins in existing infrastructures
Authors: Lünnemann Pascal , Lindow Kai , Goßlau Leo
Published: March 2023

Digital twins can offer various added values for companies. As part of a three-year research project, we are investigating the methodological approach, for building digital twins in existing infrastructures. In particular, the functional requirements of future users will be addressed, as this is less focused in existing approaches. Within the framework of this publication, we discuss the applied methodology as well as the created models and concepts. Initial insights were gained in the simultaneous development of digital twins in parallel projects with use cases for electric motors, production process monitoring and maintenance of gas turbine components.

In detail, it becomes clear that software development methods (e.g. use cases, user stories, scenario development) are a good way to describe the expected added value functions. It is essential to involve the future users in the development as early as possible. Transferring the necessary functions identified in this way into a functional architecture shows that this architecture is mostly independent of the use case. Likewise, the IT systems used here hardly vary at all. Overall, it shows that a methodical approach can be followed in the development and the implementation can have a high degree of similarity, even in very different use cases, while the exact design, depending on these use cases, is very diverse.
Investigation of the load distribution in planetary gearboxes of wind turbines using multibody-system simulation
Authors: Rosenlöcher Thomas , Schlecht Berthold
Published: March 2023

The high costs for the development, erecting und operation of wind turbines are connected to very high expectations for a reliable and low-maintenance operation and require a precise knowledge of the loads and stresses to be expected. The transfer of knowledge from smaller wind turbines and possibly other concepts succeeds only to a limited extent. Rather comprehensive simulation approaches to determine wind loads, operational conditions and possible resonances are already used since many years. By means of simulation models, the natural frequencies can be determined and compared to possible excitations. The simulation of the operation of the wind turbine under different wind speeds allows the calculation of component loads as a basis for the further design process.

The paper concentrates on the possibility of using multibody-system simulation models in the design process of gearboxes for wind turbines and the associated dynamic properties of the complete system by the example of the 15 MW reference wind turbine of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The comprehensive factors which influence the load distribution in the gearing of the first planetary gear stage require a detailed consideration of the elasticity of all relevant components. Based on the developed gearbox design and a detailed multibody-system simulation model, the influence of the level of detail of the model on the resulting natural frequencies and the occurring load distribution in the gearing of the planetary gear stages can be discussed. The present results show that findings on the required level of detail of simulation models cannot be applied to new turbines independently of the power class.
Classification of function-oriented solution elements for MBSE
Authors: Jagla Patrick , Jacobs Georg , Spütz Kathrin , Berroth Joerg
Published: March 2023

Many different engineering models are used in the development of technical systems such as the electro-mechanical drive train. The goal of utilising these models is to predict the physical behaviour of the system by virtually testing it. Already existing engineering models have to be identified and reused, to increase the efficiency of the development process. The model-based systems engineering (MBSE) approach motego [1, 2] supports the development of mechanical systems in a holistic and function-oriented manner. The system solution and the solution element are core elements in motego, that realise specific functions. The solution element contains the principle solution and domain models (e.g. engineering models), while the system solution contains solution elements and domain models. The system solution and especially the solution element provides a meaningful structure for organising and reusing models.

However, in literature those solution elements are not identified and structured yet. This is also true for the electro-mechanical drive train, which is used as case for this study. It is assumed the solution elements can be identified by analysing the interaction between active surfaces of parts in contact. This contribution proposes a classification procedure for solution elements, which is based on elementary functions and principle solutions as they are elements of established development methods.
Low estimated glomerular filtration rate is an independent risk factor for higher hydroxychloroquine concentration
Authors: Zhong Xue , Jin Yue-bo , Zhang Qin , Liu Si-lu , He Jing
Published: March 2023

Background

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) blood concentrations in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.

Method

Patients with SLE who had been taking HCQ for more than 12 months were recruited. All subjects gave written informed consent. Various clinical characteristics and laboratory values were examined. The blood concentration of HCQ was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography, and the relationship of eGFR to HCQ blood concentration was mainly investigated.

Result

In total, 115 patients with SLE receiving long-term HCQ therapy were included in the study. The median concentration of HCQ was 1096 ng/ml (range 116–8240 ng/ml). The eGFR was strongly associated with blood concentration of HCQ (P = 0.011, P < 0.05), when adjusted for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), weight-adjusted dose, prednisone use and immunosuppressive drug use. No statistically significant association were found between age, duration, BMI, weight-adjusted HCQ dose, corticosteroid use, immunosuppressant use and blood concentrations of HCQ.

Conclusion

We provided novel evidence that impaired renal function influenced the blood concentration of HCQ. Patients with low eGFR need to adjust the HCQ dosage according to the monitoring results of HCQ blood concentrations.

Key points• A higher HCQ blood concentration was associated with low eGFR.• This finding reinforces the importance of routine HCQ measurement to maintain normal blood concentrations.• HCQ blood monitoring will be useful for dose modification in patients with renal dysfunction.
Effect of alkalinity and light intensity on the growth of the freshwater sponge Ephydatia fluviatilis (Porifera: Spongillidae)
Authors: Gost Marc , Pinya Samuel , Sureda Antoni , Tejada Silvia , Ferriol Pere
Published: March 2023

The adaptation of sponges to freshwater environments was a major event in the evolutionary history of this clade. The transition from a marine environment to freshwater ecosystems entailed a great number of adaptations to more unstable habitats, such as the ability to form resistance gemmules as a defense mechanism against environmental adversity. However, data on the parameters that modulate hatching and growth of these animals are scarce. In the present study, the growth response capacity ofEphydatia fluviatilis(Porifera: Spongillidae) has been evaluated in relation to both water alkalinity and light intensity. The results obtained revealed a positive association between the growth capacity of this freshwater sponge and high alkalinity values. On the other hand, exposure to light, regardless of its intensity, affected the development and distribution of the symbionts, which in turn, corresponds to a higher growth rate of the sponge. The obtained data suggest an explanation for the greater distribution of this species in alkaline environments. The results of this work also shed light on the importance of the symbiosis phenomenon inE. fluviatilis.
Possible Implications of Obesity-Primed Microglia that Could Contribute to Stroke-Associated Damage
Authors: Ramírez-Carreto Ricardo Jair , Rodríguez-Cortés Yesica María , Torres-Guerrero Haydee , Chavarría Anahí
Published: March 2023

Microglia, the resident macrophages of the central nervous system, are essential players during physiological and pathological processes. Although they participate in synaptic pruning and maintenance of neuronal circuits, microglia are mainly studied by their activity modulating inflammatory environment and adapting their phenotype and mechanisms to insults detected in the brain parenchyma. Changes in microglial phenotypes are reflected in their morphology, membrane markers, and secreted substances, stimulating neighbor glia and leading their responses to control stimuli. Understanding how microglia react in various microenvironments, such as chronic inflammation, made it possible to establish therapeutic windows and identify synergic interactions with acute damage events like stroke. Obesity is a low-grade chronic inflammatory state that gradually affects the central nervous system, promoting neuroinflammation development. Obese patients have the worst prognosis when they suffer a cerebral infarction due to basal neuroinflammation, then obesity-induced neuroinflammation could promote the priming of microglial cells and favor its neurotoxic response, potentially worsening patients’ prognosis. This review discusses the main microglia findings in the obesity context during the course and resolution of cerebral infarction, involving the temporality of the phenotype changes and balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory responses, which is lost in the swollen brain of an obese subject.

Graphical Abstract

Obesity enhances proinflammatory responses during a stroke. Obesity-induced systemic inflammation promotes microglial M1 polarization and priming, which enhances stroke-associated damage, increasing M1 and decreasing M2 responses.
Parental Early Life Maltreatment and Related Experiences in Treatment of Youth Anxiety Disorder
Authors: Bertelsen Thomas B. , Haugland Bente Storm Mowatt , Wergeland Gro Janne , Håland Åshild Tellefsen
Published: March 2023

The role of parents’ early life maltreatment (ELM) (e.g. physical, sexual abuse) and related experiences, in relation to offspring anxiety is not well understood. The current study investigated the association between self-reported depression and ELM and related experiences in mothers (n = 79) and fathers (n = 50), and mother-, father-, and youth-reported symptoms of youth anxiety (n = 90). Outcomes were assessed at pre,- and posttreatment and 3-, 6-, and 12-months follow-up. Parental ELM were not associated with pre-treatment differences or differences in outcome of treatment. However ELM related experiences were associated with increased mother-, father-, and youth-rated youth anxiety at pretreatment. Fathers depressive symptoms were found to mediate the relationship between father ELM related experiences and father-rated youth anxiety symptoms. Future research is warranted on parental ELM and depression as factors affecting outcomes of treatment of youth anxiety. Trial registered at: helseforskning.etikkom.no (reg. nr. 2017/1367).
STAR Voting, equality of voice, and voter satisfaction: considerations for voting method reform
Authors: Wolk Sara , Quinn Jameson , Ogren Marcus
Published: March 2023

The vote itself forms the foundation of our political discourse, and how we vote may be the single most important decision in a representative democracy. In the pursuit of more fair and representative elections, we explore common electoral pathologies like vote-splitting, Favorite Betrayal, and the center-squeeze Spoiler Effect, and discuss criteria and methodology for evaluating voting method quality. We introduce STAR Voting for consideration in place of Plurality and Instant Runoff Voting for governmental elections, and compare it to other leading voting method proposals. To evaluate voting method accuracy and strategy resilience, we present the metrics Voter Satisfaction Efficiency (VSE) and Pivotal Voter Strategic Incentive (PVSI). We find that compared to Plurality Voting, all methods tested substantially reduce the need for voters to consider candidate electability but that STAR Voting, Smith/Minimax, the Condorcet method included, and Approval Top Two go further to ensure an equally weighted vote. We conclude that STAR Voting in particular offers a viable, competitive, and compelling proposal for more representative elections.