bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building blocks towards progressive fatigue damage modeling of a whole wind turbine blade
Authors: Paepegem W Van , Hajikazemi M
Published: November 2023

This paper presents a concise summary of the recent fatigue damage modeling research in the Mechanics of Materials and Structures (MMS) research group at Ghent University, which utilizes physics-based models and microscopic experiments to develop components for a progressive fatigue damage model of laminated composite structures. The paper discusses the evolution of ply cracking and delamination under cyclic loading and highlights distinct modeling elements for stress analysis and fatigue damage evolution characterization. It also explores the experiments required for model calibration and validation, including the use of digital image correlation to quantify damage mechanisms. Additionally, the paper discusses the use of neural networks for efficient and robust modeling of damage effects and outlines the remaining steps required to develop a comprehensive fatigue design tool. Finally, the recent developments with the BladeMesher software of the research group provide a platform to integrate this fatigue design tool for complete wind turbine blades.
Analysis of a small recyclable wind turbine blade
Authors: Carnicero Rafael , Cano Luis , Cruz Ignacio , Lopez-Manchado Miguel A , Verdejo Raquel
Published: November 2023

The wind energy industry is constantly seeking lower levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and also to improve its environmental and social sustainability. Thermoplastic resins are considered to be key to recycling wind turbine blades in the best possible way to reuse the main raw materials at the end of their life. In this work, a new thermoplastic liquid resin, AKELITE, patented by CSIC, is used to produce a new generation of 100% circular, sustainable wind turbine blades. The aim is to recover the two main components, the fibres and the resin, in optimal conditions to produce a new wind blade. First, the recycling protocol of composite laminates was optimised and the properties of the recycled composite were analysed. Interestingly, the first recycling process resulted in an improvement in the mechanical properties compared to the original laminate, which is ascribed to the presence of a thin layer of resin on the fibre surface that improves the adhesion between the layers. Thus, it is expected that the new blade will have a good performance, using almost 100% of recyclable materials. A 1.9 m recycled wind turbine blade is currently being manufactured to validate the results of this study. The successful development of such blades could have a significant impact on the sustainability of wind energy, providing a path towards circularity and reducing the environmental impact of wind turbine blades at the end of their life cycle.
Characterization of a short fiber-reinforced adhesive designed for wind turbine rotor blades
Authors: Balzani Claudio , Kuhn Michael
Published: November 2023

Wind turbine rotor blades are usually made of two half-shells and shear webs that are joined together by structural adhesives. The adhesive joints suffer from longitudinal strains from blade bending combined with shear strains from torsion and shear forces acting on the blade. It is thus important to provide an accurate and reliable characterization of the adhesive as a bulk material to account for cohesive failure.

This work focusses on the characterization of a short fiber-reinforced adhesive used in wind turbine rotor blades under uniaxial tension, compression, and shear as well as biaxial tension-compression/shear for both static and fatigue loading. To obtain small scatter in measurement results, a specimen geometry was designed that ensures a clear maximum stress in the test section while minimizing stress concentrations in the transition between the load introduction regions and the test section. The manufacturing process was then designed in such a way that an optimum mixture of resin and hardener was obtained without the inclusion of voids. The latter was verified after manufacturing by means of micro-CT scanning for all specimens. A very extensive test campaign was then carried out in order to quantify stiffness, static strength, fatigue strength, and fatigue-related stiffness degradation. Excerpts of this test campaign are presented in this paper.
Cure characterisation and prediction of thermosetting epoxy for wind turbine blade manufacturing
Authors: Jørgensen Jesper K. , Mikkelsen Lars P. , Andersen Tom L.
Published: November 2023

In the wind industry, the increasing length of turbine blades and the use of thick composite sections make it vital to understand the thermoset and the underlying curing process. In this study, the curing of a specific thermoset epoxy for application in wind turbine blades is characterised by differential scanning calorimetry. The thermoset is analysed under dynamic and isothermal conditions to determine the complex cure behaviour under these various conditions. The data is fitted to determine firstly; the cure kinetics of the material through a kinetic model. Secondly; the phenomenon of the glass transition temperature Tg
is studied to predict the development of Tg
as a function of the degree of cure. Thirdly, a Diffusion-Kinetic model was utilised to make more accurate cure predictions based on the interaction between kinetic chemical reactions and diffusion control affecting the reaction rate through the incorporation of the glass transition temperature. A simple experimental framework for validating the diffusion-kinetic model was used to make a final validation of the model predictions on a larger scale. A set of final parameters is presented for application in a full diffusion-kinetic model for cure predictions and simulations beyond this study.
Generative AI and image based numerical mechanics in wind blade adhesive composites
Authors: Khan AW , Balzani C
Published: November 2023

Numerical modelling of adhesive composites in wind energy is complicated in part due to material heterogeneity. Microstructural CT scan fibre composite patterns or representative elements, which play a major role in defining the mechanical behaviour of these adhesive structures, are both difficult to characterize as well as hard to numerically simulate. With advances in deep learning based generative AI, new ways of predicting the mechanical behaviour of heterogeneous materials is now possible. Here we put forward a data driven method to relate input composite adhesive microstructures with field data using deep learning and generative AI based methods. The prediction of mechanical stress or strain fields or other similar patterns and combining them as a function of boundary conditions, fibre composite microstructure and material models is achieved and the models are trained such that they closely approximate computationally expensive simulations based on numerical FE techniques and would have the ability to generalize. We also create a dataset of wind energy adhesives with their numerical mechanics based FE simulations subject to different boundary conditions and material models for further deep learning based composite studies.
Online Tg estimation for blade manufacturing
Authors: Pantelelis Nikos
Published: November 2023

Cost reduction is one of the main drivers in the production of wind turbine blades in the last few years. In this direction, the use of intelligent process monitoring to optimize the infusion, curing and bonding by measuring online the actual process can reduce energy and increase productivity by 20% while ensuring product quality. In this framework, durable non-intrusive and disposable sensors have been developed for the monitoring of resin arrival, the resin’s viscosity during infusion and the on-going Tg during curing by measuring the resin’s electrical resistivity and temperature.
Residual stresses in thick composites considering through-thickness temperature gradients during manufacturing
Authors: Wang Yixing , Balzani Claudio
Published: November 2023

In the composite materials of wind turbine rotor blades, residual stresses form during manufacturing due to the different thermo-chemo-mechanical behaviors of the fibers and the matrix. These residual stresses decrease the ultimate and fatigue strength of the blade because the failure stress and cycles to failure are reached at lower levels of external loading. It is thus of utmost importance to consider residual stresses in the design stage to obtain reliable blade designs.

This work deals with the prediction of residual stresses in a thick composite representative for a spar cap in a wind turbine rotor blade. A model is formulated for the thermo-chemo-mechanically coupled problem. An emphasis is given on the non-uniform and time-variable temperature distribution across the thickness of the composite. The different sources of residual stresses (e.g., chemical shrinkage, non-uniform distribution of different thermal expansion coefficients of fibers and matrix, exotherm, etc.) are analyzed, quantified, and compared. The impact of the time-dependent temperature distribution on the formation of residual stresses is highlighted by means of a representative numerical example.
Review existing strategies to improve circularity, sustainability and resilience of wind turbine blades – A comparison of research and industrial initiatives in Europe
Authors: Kramer Kathrin Julia , Beauson Justine
Published: November 2023

To become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, the EU is committing to ambitious targets such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 (compared to 1990) and increasing the share of renewable energies in the EU energy mix to 45% by 2030. To meet these targets, the wind industry has to grow significantly while ensuring enough resources across the supply chains to scale the wind energy market and by striving to reduce its already shallow environmental impact. As material extraction and the production of wind turbines cause the most emissions, costs and risks on the scarcity of resources, the implementation of a circular economy could support the wind industry in meeting the EU target and improving its sustainability and resilience. However, the circular economy is a complex concept, and it can be challenging to translate it into precise action points, objectives and measurements. To clarify how a circular economy can support the wind industry, this paper takes the example of wind turbine blades, and it establishes a structured overview of research results and industrial initiatives aiming at implementing circularity for improving sustainability and resilience. The overview is used to investigate if objectives and clear actions are stated and how those differ between research and industry. By identifying gaps, future research and industry initiatives can be directed towards closing the bigger picture. The results show that many initiatives are ongoing, but only some circular strategies are comprehensively investigated, and clear objectives and measurements often remain to be included. The industry and research progressed the furthest on recycling. Future research and industry activities should further follow the path of closing the loop but need to also concentrate on reducing material use, extending the lifetime of blades and enabling a second lifecycle of blades.
A seed and bridge layer method for inkjet printing of narrow traces on receding ink-substrate combinations
Authors: Pratt Nicholas , Rao Pratap M
Published: November 2023

Inkjet printing of electronic materials is of interest for digital printing of flexible electronics and sensors, but the width of the inkjet-printed lines is still large, limiting device size and performance. Decreasing the drop volume, increasing the drop spacing, and increasing the ink-substrate contact angle are all approaches by which the line width can be lowered, however these approaches are limited by the nozzle geometry, ink coalescence and bead instabilities, and contact angle hysteresis, respectively. Here we demonstrate a novel approach for stable inkjet printing of very narrow lines on ink-substrate combinations with a high contact angle, utilizing the de-wetting of the ink due to the decreased contact angle hysteresis. After printing and drying an initial layer of disconnected seed drops of silver nanoparticle ink, we print an additional layer of bridging drops of the same ink in between the dried seed drops. The bridging drops expand to touch the dried seed drops and then retract into a line, due to the pinning of the wet ink on the dried seed ink but not on the substrate, forming a continuous silver trace. The trace width is decreased from 60 μm with a traditional printing approach down to 12.6 μm with this seed-bridge approach. The electrical conductivity of the silver trace is similar to that of a conventionally printed trace. Due to poor adhesion on the print substrate, the trace was transferred to a separate polymer substrate with a simple hot-pressing procedure, which preserves the electrical conductivity of the trace.
Correcting for Antibody Waning in Cumulative Incidence Estimation From Sequential Serosurveys
Authors: Kadelka Sarah , Bouman Judith A , Ashcroft Peter , Regoes Roland R
Published: November 2023

Serosurveys are a widely used tool to estimate the cumulative incidence—the fraction of a population that has been infected by a given pathogen. These surveys rely on serological assays that measure the level of pathogen-specific antibodies. Because antibody levels are waning, the fraction of previously infected individuals that have seroreverted increases with time past infection. To avoid underestimating the true cumulative incidence, it is therefore essential to correct for waning antibody levels. We present an empirically supported approach for seroreversion correction in cumulative incidence estimation when sequential serosurveys are conducted in the context of a newly emerging infectious disease. The correction is based on the observed dynamics of antibody titers in seropositive cases and validated using several in silico test scenarios. Furthermore, through this approach we revise a previous cumulative incidence estimate relying on the assumption of an exponentially declining probability of seroreversion over time, of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, of 76% in Manaus, Brazil, by October 2020 to 47.6% (95% confidence region: 43.5–53.5). This estimate has implications, for example, for the proximity to herd immunity in Manaus in late 2020.
Impaired proactive cognitive control in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Kricheldorff Julius , Ficke Julia , Debener Stefan , Witt Karsten
Published: November 2023

Adaptive control has been studied in Parkinson’s disease mainly in the context of proactive control and with mixed results. We compared reactive- and proactive control in 30 participants with Parkinson’s disease to 30 age matched healthy control participants. The electroencephalographic activity of the participants was recorded over 128 channels while they performed a numerical Stroop task, in which we controlled for confounding stimulus-response learning. We assessed effects of reactive- and proactive control on reaction time-, accuracy- and electroencephalographic time-frequency data. Behavioural results show distinct impairments of proactive- and reactive control in participants with Parkinson’s disease, when tested on their usual medication. Compared to healthy control participants, participants with Parkinson’s disease were impaired in their ability to adapt cognitive control proactively and were less effective to resolve conflict using reactive control. Successful reactive and proactive control in the healthy control group was accompanied by a reduced conflict effect between congruent and incongruent items in midline-frontal theta power. Our findings provide evidence for a general impairment of proactive control in Parkinson’s disease and highlight the importance of controlling for the effects of S-R learning when studying adaptive control. Evidence concerning reactive control was inconclusive, but we found that participants with Parkinson’s disease were less effective than healthy control participants in resolving conflict during the reactive control task.
Protocolized polyoma BK viral load monitoring and high-dose immunoglobulin treatment in children after kidney transplant
Authors: Pollack Shirley , Plonsky-Toder Moran , Tibi Rami , Yakubov Renata , Libinson-Zebegret Irina , Magen Daniella
Published: November 2023

Background

BKPyV virus nephropathy (BKPyVAN) is diagnosed in 5%–16% of pediatric renal transplant recipients (PRTR) and preceded by BKPyV-viruria and DNAemia. Despite the risk of irreversible transplant damage associated with BKPyVAN, evidence-based consensus guidelines for BKPyVAN prevention are still lacking. In this retrospective study, we examined the safety and efficacy of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (HD-IVIG) therapy for prevention of BKPyVAN in PRTR with significant BKPyV-viruria/DNAemia.

Methods

Between January 2013 and December 2022, all PRTR under our care underwent routine urine and blood testing for BKPyV viral load, using specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). BKPyV DNAemia, with <103 copies/mL, with BKPyV viruria <107 copies/mL, with no evidence of BKPyVAN, were managed with 50% dose reduction of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Patients showing no decline in BKPyV viral load within two months of MMF dose reduction were managed with HD-IVIG (2 g/kg).

Results

Seventy patients were recruited during a ten-year period and 31/70 patients (44%) demonstrated significant post-transplantation BKPyV-viruria/DNAemia, while 13/31 (42%) patients were unresponsive to MMF dose reduction, and were administered HD-IVIG. Of these, 12/13 (92%) patients achieved BKPyV viral clearance within six months from completion of HD-IVIG therapy and 1/13 patient (8%) was unresponsive to HD-IVIG therapy, showing increased BKPyV viral load. There were no major adverse events associated with HD-IVIG, and none of our patients developed BKPyVAN during the study period.

Conclusions

Prophylactic HD-IVIG therapy in PRTR with significant BKPyV-viruria/DNAemia unresponsive to MMF dose reduction is safe and might be effective in preventing BKPyVAN. Our findings remain to be established by large-scale prospective studies.
Comparative metabolic analysis and antioxidant properties of purple and white wheat grains: implications for developing functional wheat varieties
Authors: Sun Nannan , Zhang Zhizhong , Xu Yueting , Xu Zhengyuan , Li Baoqiang , Fan Qingfeng , Zhang Guoping , Ye Lingzhen
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Pigmented wheat has garnered increased attention due to its elevated antioxidant activity. This study aimed to compare the metabolic components and antioxidant properties of purple and white wheat grains.

Materials and Methods

Metabolic analysis identified a total of 405 secondary metabolites using three extraction methods: free, acid, and alkali hydrolysis.

Results

The results revealed that, compared with white wheat, purple wheat exhibited significantly higher levels of total polyphenols, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity. Notably, there were substantial variations in 90, 80, and 73 secondary metabolites between white and purple wheat under the respective extraction methods. The contents of hispidulin-8-C-(2ʹʹ-O-glucosyl) glucoside, hispidulin-8-C-glucoside, diosmetin-6-C-glucoside, and scoparin decreased across all groups, while the contents of peonidin-3-O-glucoside, keracyanin, kuromanin cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, and cyanidin-3-O-(6ʹʹ-O-malonyl) glucoside increased.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that pathways associated with anthocyanin, flavone, and flavonol biosynthesis were influenced. Furthermore, each extraction method revealed distinct secondary metabolites. Acid and alkali hydrolysis upregulated 16 and 3 metabolites in purple wheat, and 20 and 3 metabolites in white wheat, respectively. Acid and alkaline hydrolysis also identified indole-3-carboxylic acid, vanillic acid, pyridoxine, and other metabolites with antioxidant and antihypertensive effects in both white and purple wheat. This indicates that acid and alkaline hydrolysis can dissociate a greater variety and quantity of differential metabolites. These findings offer valuable insights for breeders seeking to develop wheat varieties with enhanced functional nutritional value.
An overview of the impacts of fishing on seabirds, including identifying future research directions
Authors: Votier S C , Sherley R B , Scales K L , Camphuysen K , Phillips R A
Published: November 2023

Knowledge of fisheries impacts, past and present, is essential for understanding the ecology and conservation of seabirds, but in a rapidly changing world, knowledge and research directions require updating. In this Introduction and in the articles in this Themed Set “Impacts of fishing on seabirds”, we update our understanding of how fishing impacts seabird communities and identify areas for future research. Despite awareness of the problems and mitigation efforts for >20 years, fisheries still negatively impact seabirds via the effects of bycatch, competition, and discards. Bycatch continues to kill hundreds of thousands of seabirds annually, with negative population-level consequences. Fisheries for forage fish (e.g. anchovy, sandeel, and krill) negatively impact seabirds by competing for the same stocks. Historically, discards supplemented seabird diets, benefitting some species but also increasing bycatch rates and altering seabird community composition. However, declining discard production has led to potentially deleterious diet switches, but reduced bycatch rates. To improve research into these problems, we make the following recommendations: (1) improve data collection on seabird–vessel interaction and bycatch rates, on fishing effort and vessel movements (especially small-scale fleets), and on mitigation compliance, (2) counter the current bias towards temperate and high-latitude ecosystems, larger-bodied species and particular life stages or times of year (e.g. adults during breeding), and (3) advance our currently poor understanding of combined effects of fisheries and other threats (e.g. climate change, offshore renewables). In addition, research is required on under-studied aspects of fishing impacts: consequences for depleted sub-surface predators, impacts of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, artisanal and emerging fisheries, such as those targeting mesopelagic fish, have received insufficient research attention. Some of these shortfalls can be overcome with new tools (e.g. electronic monitoring, remote sensing, artificial intelligence, and big data) but quantifying and addressing fishing impacts on seabirds requires greater research investment at appropriate spatio-temporal scales, and more inclusive dialogue from grassroots to national and international levels to improve governance as fishing industries continue to evolve.
Resource allocation during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and the impact on patients with lung cancer: a systematic review
Authors: EL-Andari Ryaan , Fialka Nicholas M , Jogiat Uzair , Laing Bryce , Bédard Eric L R , Nagendran Jayan
Published: November 2023

OBJECTIVES

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in unprecedented tolls on both economies and human life. Healthcare resources needed to be reallocated away from the care of patients and towards supporting the pandemic response. In this systematic review, we explore the impact of resource allocation during the COVID-19 pandemic on the screening, diagnosis, management and outcomes of patients with lung cancer during the pandemic.

METHODS

PubMed and Embase were systematically searched for articles investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with lung cancer. Of the 1605 manuscripts originally screened, 47 studies met the inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

Patients with lung cancer during the pandemic experienced reduced rates of screening, diagnostic testing and interventions but did not experience worse outcomes. Population-based modelling studies predict significant increases in mortality for patients with lung cancer in the years to come.

CONCLUSIONS

Reduced access to resources during the pandemic resulted in reduced rates of screening, diagnosis and treatment for patients with lung cancer. While significant differences in outcomes were not identified in the short term, ultimately the effects of the pandemic and reductions in cancer screening will likely be better delineated in the coming years. Future consideration of the long-term implications of resource allocation away from patients with lung cancer with an attempt to provide equitable access to healthcare and limited interruptions of patient care may help to provide the best care for all patients during times of limited resources.
Effect of cardiopulmonary bypass on coagulation factors II, VII and X in a primate model: an exploratory pilot study
Authors: Shimoda Tomonari , Liu Chang , Mathis Bryan J , Goto Yukinobu , Ageyama Naohide , Kato Hideyuki , Matsubara Muneaki , Ohigashi Tomohiro , Gosho Masahiko , Suzuki Yasuyuki , Hiramatsu Yuji
Published: November 2023

OBJECTIVES

The use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in cardiac surgery is a major risk factor for postoperative bleeding. We hypothesized that consumptive coagulopathy and haemodilution influence the coagulation factors; therefore, we aimed to estimate the activity profiles of coagulation factors II, VII and X during CPB circulation.

METHODS

A 120-min bypass was surgically established in cynomolgus monkeys (n = 7). Activities of coagulation factors II, VII and X were measured at 6 time points during the experiment (baseline, 0, 30, 60, 120 min of bypass and 60 min after bypass). To assess the influence of consumptive coagulopathy, the values were adjusted for haemodilution using the haematocrit values. Data were expressed as mean (standard deviation).

RESULTS

Activities of coagulation factors decreased during the experiment. In particular, the activities for II, VII and X were decreased the most by 44.2% (5.0), 61.4% (4.3) and 49.0% (3.7) at 30 min following CPB initiation (P < 0.001, P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Following adjustments for haemodilution, change magnitudes lessened but remained significant for factor VII. The adjusted concentration of factor VII was observed to decrease from the baseline to the initiation of bypass circulation.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, coagulation factor II, VII and X concentrations decreased during CPB. Following adjustment for haemodilution, a decrease in concentration was observed with factor VII.
Gene essentiality in cancer is better predicted by mRNA abundance than by gene regulatory network-inferred activity
Authors: Tudose Cosmin , Bond Jonathan , Ryan Colm J
Published: November 2023

Gene regulatory networks (GRNs) are often deregulated in tumor cells, resulting in altered transcriptional programs that facilitate tumor growth. These altered networks may make tumor cells vulnerable to the inhibition of specific regulatory proteins. Consequently, the reconstruction of GRNs in tumors is often proposed as a means to identify therapeutic targets. While there are examples of individual targets identified using GRNs, the extent to which GRNs can be used to predict sensitivity to targeted intervention in general remains unknown. Here we use the results of genome-wide CRISPR screens to systematically assess the ability of GRNs to predict sensitivity to gene inhibition in cancer cell lines. Using GRNs derived from multiple sources, including GRNs reconstructed from tumor transcriptomes and from curated databases, we infer regulatory gene activity in cancer cell lines from ten cancer types. We then ask, in each cancer type, if the inferred regulatory activity of each gene is predictive of sensitivity to CRISPR perturbation of that gene. We observe slight variation in the correlation between gene regulatory activity and gene sensitivity depending on the source of the GRN and the activity estimation method used. However, we find that there is consistently a stronger relationship between mRNA abundance and gene sensitivity than there is between regulatory gene activity and gene sensitivity. This is true both when gene sensitivity is treated as a binary and a quantitative property. Overall, our results suggest that gene sensitivity is better predicted by measured expression than by GRN-inferred activity.
Exposure to urban and rural contexts shapes smartphone usage behavior
Authors: Sapienza Anna , Lítlá Marita , Lehmann Sune , Alessandretti Laura
Published: November 2023

Smartphones have profoundly changed human life. Nevertheless, the factors that shape how we use our smartphones remain unclear, in part due to limited availability of usage-data. Here, we investigate the impact of a key environmental factor: users’ exposure to urban and rural contexts. Our analysis is based on a global dataset describing mobile app usage and location for ∼500,000 individuals. We uncover strong and nontrivial patterns. First, we confirm that rural users tend to spend less time on their phone than their urban counterparts. We find, however, that individuals in rural areas tend to use their smartphones for activities such as gaming and social media. In cities, individuals preferentially use their phone for activities such as navigation and business. Are these effects (1) driven by differences between individuals who choose to live in urban vs. rural environments or do they (2) emerge because the environment itself affects online behavior? Using a quasi-experimental design based on individuals that move from the city to the countryside—or vice versa—we confirm hypothesis (2) and find that smartphone use changes according to users’s environment. This work presents a quantitative step forward towards understanding how the interplay between environment and smartphones impacts human lives. As such, our findings could provide information to better regulate persuasive technologies embedded in smartphone apps. Further, our work opens the door to understanding new mechanisms leading to urban/rural divides in political and socioeconomic attitudes.
Estimating the environmental impacts of global lithium-ion battery supply chain: A temporal, geographical, and technological perspective
Authors: Llamas-Orozco Jorge A , Meng Fanran , Walker Gavin S , Abdul-Manan Amir F N , MacLean Heather L , Posen I Daniel , McKechnie Jon
Published: November 2023

A sustainable low-carbon transition via electric vehicles will require a comprehensive understanding of lithium-ion batteries’ global supply chain environmental impacts. Here, we analyze the cradle-to-gate energy use and greenhouse gas emissions of current and future nickel-manganese-cobalt and lithium-iron-phosphate battery technologies. We consider existing battery supply chains and future electricity grid decarbonization prospects for countries involved in material mining and battery production. Currently, around two-thirds of the total global emissions associated with battery production are highly concentrated in three countries as follows: China (45%), Indonesia (13%), and Australia (9%). On a unit basis, projected electricity grid decarbonization could reduce emissions of future battery production by up to 38% by 2050. An aggressive electric vehicle uptake scenario could result in cumulative emissions of 8.1 GtCO2eq by 2050 due to the manufacturing of nickel-based chemistries. However, a switch to lithium iron phosphate-based chemistry could enable emission savings of about 1.5 GtCO2eq. Secondary materials, via recycling, can help reduce primary supply requirements and alleviate the environmental burdens associated with the extraction and processing of materials from primary sources, where direct recycling offers the lowest impacts, followed by hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 61, 51, and 17%, respectively. This study can inform global and regional clean energy strategies to boost technology innovations, decarbonize the electricity grid, and optimize the global supply chain toward a net-zero future.
Connectome-based prediction of the severity of autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Ma Xuefeng , Zhou Weiran , Zheng Hui , Ye Shuer , Yang Bo , Wang Lingxiao , Wang Min , Dong Guang-Heng
Published: November 2023

Background

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by social and behavioural deficits. Current diagnosis relies on behavioural criteria, but machine learning, particularly connectome-based predictive modelling (CPM), offers the potential to uncover neural biomarkers for ASD.

Objective

This study aims to predict the severity of ASD traits using CPM and explores differences among ASD subtypes, seeking to enhance diagnosis and understanding of ASD.

Methods

Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data from 151 ASD patients were used in the model. CPM with leave-one-out cross-validation was conducted to identify intrinsic neural networks that predict Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) scores. After the model was constructed, it was applied to independent samples to test its replicability (172 ASD patients) and specificity (36 healthy control participants). Furthermore, we examined the predictive model across different aspects of ASD and in subtypes of ASD to understand the potential mechanisms underlying the results.

Results

The CPM successfully identified negative networks that significantly predicted ADOS total scores [r (df = 150) = 0.19, P = 0.008 in all patients; r (df = 104) = 0.20, P = 0.040 in classic autism] and communication scores [r (df = 150) = 0.22, P = 0.010 in all patients; r (df = 104) = 0.21, P = 0.020 in classic autism]. These results were reproducible across independent databases. The networks were characterized by enhanced inter- and intranetwork connectivity associated with the occipital network (OCC), and the sensorimotor network (SMN) also played important roles.

Conclusions

A CPM based on whole-brain resting-state functional connectivity can predicted the severity of ASD. Large-scale networks, including the OCC and SMN, played important roles in the predictive model. These findings may provide new directions for the diagnosis and intervention of ASD, and maybe could be the targets in novel interventions.
Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Profiling of Californian Xylella fastidiosa Strains
Authors: Wallis Christopher M. , Chen Jianchi
Published: November 2023

Xylella fastidiosa ssp. fastidiosa ( Xff) is the causal agent of Pierce's disease of grapevine, a management-intensive and potentially deadly disease. However, different stains and other subspecies, such as Xylella fastidiosa ssp. multiplex ( Xfm), exist in the same regions and vary in capacity to cause disease. All strains differ in the fatty acids that comprise cell membranes, as these allow adaptations to specific host microenvironments. Therefore, studies were initiated to observe the fatty acid profiles of different Californian Xf isolates via fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis. Observations revealed that the four Xff strains had similar FAME profiles that were distinct from those of the three Xfm strains, even in isolates that originated from the same host plant species. These data show consistent differences between Xff and Xfm strains and demonstrate the potential that FAME profiling has for Xylella subspecies identification of novel isolates.

[Formula: see text] The author(s) have dedicated the work to the public domain under the Creative Commons CC0 “No Rights Reserved” license by waiving all of his or her rights to the work worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law, 2024.
Impact of Intraoperative Fluctuations of Cardiac Output on Cerebrovascular Autoregulation: An Integrative Secondary Analysis of Individual-level Data
Authors: Kahl Ursula , Krause Linda , Amin Sabrina , Harler Ulrich , Beck Stefanie , Dohrmann Thorsten , Mewes Caspar , Graefen Markus , Haese Alexander , Zöllner Christian , Fischer Marlene
Published: November 2023

Background:

Intraoperative impairment of cerebral autoregulation (CA) has been associated with perioperative neurocognitive disorders. We investigated whether intraoperative fluctuations in cardiac index are associated with changes in CA.

Methods:

We conducted an integrative explorative secondary analysis of individual-level data from 2 prospective observational studies including patients scheduled for radical prostatectomy. We assessed cardiac index by pulse contour analysis and CA as the cerebral oxygenation index (COx) based on near-infrared spectroscopy. We analyzed (1) the cross-correlation between cardiac index and COx, (2) the correlation between the time-weighted average (TWA) of the cardiac index below 2.5 L min−1 m−2, and the TWA of COx above 0.3, and (3) the difference in areas between the cardiac index curve and the COx curve among various subgroups.

Results:

The final analysis included 155 patients. The median cardiac index was 3.16 [IQR: 2.65, 3.72] L min−1 m−2. Median COx was 0.23 [IQR: 0.12, 0.34]. (1) The median cross-correlation between cardiac index and COx was 0.230 [IQR: 0.186, 0.287]. (2) The correlation (Spearman ρ) between TWA of cardiac index below 2.5 L min−1 m−2 and TWA of COx above 0.3 was 0.095 (P=0.239). (3) Areas between the cardiac index curve and the COx curve did not differ significantly among subgroups (<65 vs. ≥65 y, P=0.903; 0 vs. ≥1 cardiovascular risk factors, P=0.518; arterial hypertension vs. none, P=0.822; open vs. robot-assisted radical prostatectomy, P=0.699).

Conclusions:

We found no meaningful association between intraoperative fluctuations in cardiac index and CA. However, it is possible that a potential association was masked by the influence of anesthesia on CA.
Small-vessel vasculitis leading to severe acute kidney injury after ipilimumab: a case report
Authors: Duarte Rui , Trigo Filipa , Luz Ivan , Santos Paulo
Published: November 2023

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are effective monoclonal antibodies used in cancer treatment, particularly in metastatic melanoma. They target proteins responsible for cancer cells evading the immune system. However, their use can lead to immune-related adverse events, with the skin and gastrointestinal tract being commonly affected. Kidney involvement is rarer, with interstitial nephritis being the most common manifestation. In a unique case, kidney biopsy-proven small-vessel vasculitis with arteriolar immune deposition was observed following ipilimumab administration.
Distribution of Pathogenic Bacteria and Antimicrobial Resistance after Plastic Surgery for Microtia
Authors: Hu Jintian , Chen Qi , Jiang Fengli , Wu Yuanyuan , Su Xueshang , Zhuang Jun , Zhan Sien
Published: November 2023

Background:

Microtia, or congenital malformation (smallness or absence) of the outer ear, can be treated with ear prosthetics and/or surgery.

Methods:

Between January 2011 and December 2021, following plastic surgery, microbial strains from patients with microtia were collected, identified, and counted. WHONET 5.6 was used to analyze in vitro drug resistance of the microbial strains, according to procedures outlined by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (document M100, 2021). Data regarding surgical techniques, the duration of infection, and other clinical details were also collected.

Results:

A total of 261 patients were included in the study. Among these, 235 Gram-positive bacteria were detected, with Staphylococcus aureus (140/235) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (84/235) accounting for the majority. There were also 26 Gram-negative bacteria, of which Enterobacter (11/26) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7/26) were the most common. According to the results of testing for antimicrobial resistance, S. aureus was highly sensitive to cotrimoxazole, levofloxacin, vancomycin, chloramphenicol, and linezolid, whereas coagulase-negative staphylococci were highly sensitive to vancomycin and linezolid. Both were highly resistant to penicillin and erythromycin. In this study, the pathogenic bacteria involved in postoperative infections varied overall, but the most prevalent was S. aureus. The infections appeared mainly in the late postoperative period. A total of 24,548 procedures were performed in the same period, and the infection rate was 1.06%.

Conclusions:

Gram-positive bacteria are the major cause of infection following plastic surgery for microtia. The bacterial species, degrees of antimicrobial resistance, and length of infection varied among the various surgical procedures.
Donor Risk Factors and Environmental Conditions Associated With Poor-Quality Corneas: An Analysis of the Central Eye Bank of Iran (2018–2021)
Authors: Javadi Fatemeh , Khorrami Zahra , Ashrafi Sadra , Abolhosseini Mohammad , Kanavi Mozhgan Rezaei , Safi Sare
Published: November 2023

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the donor risk factors and environmental conditions associated with poor-quality corneas using the database of the Central Eye Bank of Iran over 4 years.

Methods:

This cohort study was conducted on the recorded data of all donated corneas at the Central Eye Bank of Iran database from March 2018 to March 2022. Donors' characteristics and tissue variables were extracted from the database. The final corneal quality was determined based on slitlamp biomicroscopic observations and the results of specular microscopy. Environmental variables were also obtained from reliable resources. Risk factors for poor-quality corneas were calculated using logistic mixed-effect regression analysis. All analyses were performed with STATA 17.0. The significance level of 0.05 was considered for all the analyses.

Results:

The data of 20,625 eyes of 10,601 donors were evaluated. We found that donor age had an inverse correlation with endothelial cell density (r = −0.28, P < 0.001). The trend of donated corneal poor quality decreased between 2018 and 2021. Several factors, including intoxication (odds ratio [OR] = 1.29), obesity (OR = 1.34), diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.63), hypertension (OR = 1.52), and pseudophakic eyes (OR = 1.56), were associated with the poor quality of donated corneal tissues. The outdoor temperature over 26°C was associated with higher odds of poor corneal quality (OR = 1.31), whereas high relative humidity decreased the odds of poor corneal quality (OR = 0.82).

Conclusions:

This study revealed that the cause of donor death, obesity, donor comorbidities, pseudophakia, and environmental factors could affect the corneal quality and make the donated corneas less suitable for transplantation.
Quality and Agreement With Scientific Consensus of ChatGPT Information Regarding Corneal Transplantation and Fuchs Dystrophy
Authors: Barclay Kayson S. , You Jane Y. , Coleman Michael J. , Mathews Priya M. , Ray Vincent L. , Riaz Kamran M. , De Rojas Joaquin O. , Wang Aaron S. , Watson Shelly H. , Koo Ellen H. , Eghrari Allen O.
Published: November 2023

Purpose:

ChatGPT is a commonly used source of information by patients and clinicians. However, it can be prone to error and requires validation. We sought to assess the quality and accuracy of information regarding corneal transplantation and Fuchs dystrophy from 2 iterations of ChatGPT, and whether its answers improve over time.

Methods:

A total of 10 corneal specialists collaborated to assess responses of the algorithm to 10 commonly asked questions related to endothelial keratoplasty and Fuchs dystrophy. These questions were asked from both ChatGPT-3.5 and its newer generation, GPT-4. Assessments tested quality, safety, accuracy, and bias of information. Chi-squared, Fisher exact tests, and regression analyses were conducted.

Results:

We analyzed 180 valid responses. On a 1 (A+) to 5 (F) scale, the average score given by all specialists across questions was 2.5 for ChatGPT-3.5 and 1.4 for GPT-4, a significant improvement (P < 0.0001). Most responses by both ChatGPT-3.5 (61%) and GPT-4 (89%) used correct facts, a proportion that significantly improved across iterations (P < 0.00001). Approximately a third (35%) of responses from ChatGPT-3.5 were considered against the scientific consensus, a notable rate of error that decreased to only 5% of answers from GPT-4 (P < 0.00001).

Conclusions:

The quality of responses in ChatGPT significantly improved between versions 3.5 and 4, and the odds of providing information against the scientific consensus decreased. However, the technology is still capable of producing inaccurate statements. Corneal specialists are uniquely positioned to assist users to discern the veracity and application of such information.
The Managerial Role and Psychosocial Factors of Job Satisfaction
Authors: Colin-Chevalier Rémi , Pereira Bruno , Dewavrin Samuel , Cornet Thomas , Zak Marek , Benson Amanda Clare , Dutheil Frédéric
Published: November 2023

Objective

Job satisfaction is an emerging indicator for measuring workers’ occupational well-being; however, this has been poorly studied in managers. We aimed to explore job satisfaction between managers and employees and assess its factors.

Methods

Data from Wittyfit’s users were collected between January 2018 and February 2020. Volunteers anonymously provided their sociodemographic profile, their sense of job satisfaction, and their psychosocial feelings (ambiance, meaning, organization, recognition, values, work-life balance).

Results

Data of 10,484 employees and 836 managers were collected. Job satisfaction was higher in managers than employees. All psychosocial factors had an impact on job satisfaction in workers. There was a higher prevalence of satisfied managers than employees. Managerial position and other sociodemographic variables influenced this prevalence.

Conclusions

Managers seem to be more satisfied than employees. Psychosocial and sociodemographic factors can influence workers’ job satisfaction.
Comparison of Serum Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Concentrations in Incumbent and Recruit Firefighters and Longitudinal Assessment in Recruits
Authors: Nematollahi Amy J. , Fisher Julia M. , Furlong Melissa A. , Beamer Paloma I. , Goodrich Jaclyn M. , Graber Judith M. , Calafat Antonia M. , Botelho Julianne Cook , Beitel Shawn C. , Littau Sally R. , Gulotta John J. , Wallentine Darin D. , Burgess Jefferey L.
Published: November 2023

Objective

Firefighters are occupationally exposed to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This study objective was to compare serum PFAS concentrations in incumbent and recruit firefighters and evaluate temporal trends among recruits.

Methods

Serum PFAS concentrations were measured in 99 incumbent and 55 recruit firefighters at enrollment in 2015–2016, with follow-up 20 to 37 months later for recruits. Linear and logistic regression and linear mixed-effects models were used for analyses. Fireground exposure impact on PFAS concentrations was investigated using adjusted linear and logistic regression models.

Results

Incumbents had lower n-PFOA and PFNA than recruits and most PFAS significantly decreased over time among male recruits. No significant links were found between cumulative fireground exposures and PFAS concentrations.

Conclusions

Serum PFAS concentrations were not increased in incumbent firefighters compared with recruits and were not associated with cumulative fireground exposures.