Showing papers by "Ford Motor Company published in 2016"

The TimeGeo modeling framework for urban motility without travel surveys.

Abstract: Well-established fine-scale urban mobility models today depend on detailed but cumbersome and expensive travel surveys for their calibration. Not much is known, however, about the set of mechanisms needed to generate complete mobility profiles if only using passive datasets with mostly sparse traces of individuals. In this study, we present a mechanistic modeling framework (TimeGeo) that effectively generates urban mobility patterns with resolution of 10 min and hundreds of meters. It ties together the inference of home and work activity locations from data, with the modeling of flexible activities (e.g., other) in space and time. The temporal choices are captured by only three features: the weekly home-based tour number, the dwell rate, and the burst rate. These combined generate for each individual: (i) stay duration of activities, (ii) number of visited locations per day, and (iii) daily mobility networks. These parameters capture how an individual deviates from the circadian rhythm of the population, and generate the wide spectrum of empirically observed mobility behaviors. The spatial choices of visited locations are modeled by a rank-based exploration and preferential return (r-EPR) mechanism that incorporates space in the EPR model. Finally, we show that a hierarchical multiplicative cascade method can measure the interaction between land use and generation of trips. In this way, urban structure is directly related to the observed distance of travels. This framework allows us to fully embrace the massive amount of individual data generated by information and communication technologies (ICTs) worldwide to comprehensively model urban mobility without travel surveys.

Cradle-to-Gate Emissions from a Commercial Electric Vehicle Li-Ion Battery: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract: We report the first cradle-to-gate emissions assessment for a mass-produced battery in a commercial battery electric vehicle (BEV); the lithium-ion battery pack used in the Ford Focus BEV. The assessment was based on the bill of materials and primary data from the battery industry, that is, energy and materials input data from the battery cell and pack supplier. Cradle-to-gate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for the 24 kWh Ford Focus lithium-ion battery are 3.4 metric tonnes of CO2-eq (140 kg CO2-eq per kWh or 11 kg CO2-eq per kg of battery). Cell manufacturing is the key contributor accounting for 45% of the GHG emissions. We review published studies of GHG emissions associated with battery production to compare and contrast with our results. Extending the system boundary to include the entire vehicle we estimate a 39% increase in the cradle-to-gate GHG emissions of the Focus BEV compared to the Focus internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV), which falls within the range of literature estimates of 27–63%...

DeepLanes: End-To-End Lane Position Estimation Using Deep Neural Networks

Abstract: Camera-based lane detection algorithms are one of the key enablers for many semi-autonomous and fullyautonomous systems, ranging from lane keep assist to level-5 automated vehicles. Positioning a vehicle between lane boundaries is the core navigational aspect of a self-driving car. Even though this should be trivial, given the clarity of lane markings on most standard roadway systems, the process is typically mired with tedious pre-processing and computational effort. We present an approach to estimate lane positions directly using a deep neural network that operates on images from laterally-mounted down-facing cameras. To create a diverse training set, we present a method to generate semi-artificial images. Besides the ability to distinguish whether there is a lane-marker present or not, the network is able to estimate the position of a lane marker with sub-centimeter accuracy at an average of 100 frames/s on an embedded automotive platform, requiring no pre-or post-processing. This system can be used not only to estimate lane position for navigation, but also provide an efficient way to validate the robustness of driver-assist features which depend on lane information.

Electrochemical Model-Based State of Charge and Capacity Estimation for a Composite Electrode Lithium-Ion Battery

Abstract: Increased demand for hybrid and electric vehicles has motivated research to improve onboard state of charge (SOC) and state of health estimation (SOH). In particular, batteries with composite electrodes have become popular for automotive applications due to their ability to balance energy density, power density, and cost by adjusting the amount of each material within the electrode. SOH algorithms that do not use electrochemical-based models may have more difficulty maintaining an accurate battery model as the cell ages under varying degradation modes, such as lithium consumption at the solid-electrolyte interface or active material dissolution. Furthermore, efforts to validate electrochemical model-based state estimation algorithms with experimental aging data are limited, particularly for composite electrode cells. In this paper, we first present a reduced-order electrochemical model for a composite LiMn2O4-LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 electrode battery that predicts the surface and bulk lithium concentration of each material in the composite electrode, as well as the current split between each material. The model is then used in dual-nonlinear observers to estimate the cell SOC and loss of cyclable lithium over time. Three different observer types are compared: 1) the extended Kalman filter; 2) fixed interval Kalman smoother; and 3) particle filter. Finally, an experimental aging campaign is used to compare the estimated capacities for five different cells with the measured capacities over time.

Diet, physical activity, and behavioural interventions for the treatment of overweight or obesity in preschool children up to the age of 6 years

Abstract: Background: Child overweight and obesity has increased globally, and can be associated with short- and long-term health consequences. Objectives: To assess the effects of diet, physical activity, and behavioural interventions for the treatment of overweight or obesity in preschool children up to the age of 6 years. Search methods: We performed a systematic literature search in the databases Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and LILACS, as well as in the trial registers ClinicalTrials.gov and ICTRP Search Portal. We also checked references of identified trials and systematic reviews. We applied no language restrictions. The date of the last search was March 2015 for all databases. Selection criteria: We selected randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of diet, physical activity, and behavioural interventions for treating overweight or obesity in preschool children aged 0 to 6 years. Data collection and analysis: Two review authors independently assessed risk of bias, evaluated the overall quality of the evidence using the GRADE instrument, and extracted data following the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. We contacted trial authors for additional information. Main results: We included 7 RCTs with a total of 923 participants: 529 randomised to an intervention and 394 to a comparator. The number of participants per trial ranged from 18 to 475. Six trials were parallel RCTs, and one was a cluster RCT. Two trials were three-arm trials, each comparing two interventions with a control group. The interventions and comparators in the trials varied. We categorised the comparisons into two groups: multicomponent interventions and dietary interventions. The overall quality of the evidence was low or very low, and six trials had a high risk of bias on individual 'Risk of bias' criteria. The children in the included trials were followed up for between six months and three years. In trials comparing a multicomponent intervention with usual care, enhanced usual care, or information control, we found a greater reduction in body mass index (BMI) z score in the intervention groups at the end of the intervention (6 to 12 months): mean difference (MD) -0.3 units (95% confidence interval (CI) -0.4 to -0.2); P < 0.00001; 210 participants; 4 trials; low-quality evidence, at 12 to 18 months' follow-up: MD -0.4 units (95% CI -0.6 to -0.2); P = 0.0001; 202 participants; 4 trials; low-quality evidence, and at 2 years' follow-up: MD -0.3 units (95% CI -0.4 to -0.1); 96 participants; 1 trial; low-quality evidence. One trial stated that no adverse events were reported; the other trials did not report on adverse events. Three trials reported health-related quality of life and found improvements in some, but not all, aspects. Other outcomes, such as behaviour change and parent-child relationship, were inconsistently measured. One three-arm trial of very low-quality evidence comparing two types of diet with control found that both the dairy-rich diet (BMI z score change MD -0.1 units (95% CI -0.11 to -0.09); P < 0.0001; 59 participants) and energy-restricted diet (BMI z score change MD -0.1 units (95% CI -0.11 to -0.09); P < 0.0001; 57 participants) resulted in greater reduction in BMI than the comparator at the end of the intervention period, but only the dairy-rich diet maintained this at 36 months' follow-up (BMI z score change in MD -0.7 units (95% CI -0.71 to -0.69); P < 0.0001; 52 participants). The energy-restricted diet had a worse BMI outcome than control at this follow-up (BMI z score change MD 0.1 units (95% CI 0.09 to 0.11); P < 0.0001; 47 participants). There was no substantial difference in mean daily energy expenditure between groups. Health-related quality of life, adverse effects, participant views, and parenting were not measured. No trial reported on all-cause mortality, morbidity, or socioeconomic effects. All results should be interpreted cautiously due to their low quality and heterogeneous interventions and comparators. Authors' conclusions: Muticomponent interventions appear to be an effective treatment option for overweight or obese preschool children up to the age of 6 years. However, the current evidence is limited, and most trials had a high risk of bias. Most trials did not measure adverse events. We have identified four ongoing trials that we will include in future updates of this review. The role of dietary interventions is more equivocal, with one trial suggesting that dairy interventions may be effective in the longer term, but not energy-restricted diets. This trial also had a high risk of bias.

Assessment of physical function and participation in chronic pain clinical trials: IMMPACT/OMERACT recommendations

Abstract: Although pain reduction is commonly the primary outcome in chronic pain clinical trials, physical functioning is also important. A challenge in designing chronic pain trials to determine efficacy and effectiveness of therapies is obtaining appropriate information about the impact of an intervention on physical function. The Initiative on Methods, Measurement, and Pain Assessment in Clinical Trials (IMMPACT) and Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) convened a meeting to consider assessment of physical functioning and participation in research on chronic pain. The primary purpose of this article is to synthesize evidence on the scope of physical functioning to inform work on refining physical function outcome measurement. We address issues in assessing this broad construct and provide examples of frequently used measures of relevant concepts. Investigators can assess physical functioning using patient-reported outcome (PRO), performance-based, and objective measures of activity. This article aims to provide support for the use of these measures, covering broad aspects of functioning, including work participation, social participation, and caregiver burden, which researchers should consider when designing chronic pain clinical trials. Investigators should consider the inclusion of both PROs and performance-based measures as they provide different but also important complementary information. The development and use of reliable and valid PROs and performance-based measures of physical functioning may expedite development of treatments, and standardization of these measures has the potential to facilitate comparison across studies. We provide recommendations regarding important domains to stimulate research to develop tools that are more robust, address consistency and standardization, and engage patients early in tool development.

A Single-Phase PV Quasi-Z-Source Inverter With Reduced Capacitance Using Modified Modulation and Double-Frequency Ripple Suppression Control

Abstract: In single-phase photovoltaic (PV) system, there is double-frequency power mismatch existed between the dc input and ac output. The double-frequency ripple (DFR) energy needs to be buffered by passive network. Otherwise, the ripple energy will flow into the input side and adversely affect the PV energy harvest. In a conventional PV system, electrolytic capacitors are usually used for this purpose due to their high capacitance. However, electrolytic capacitors are considered to be one of the most failure prone components in a PV inverter. In this paper, a capacitance reduction control strategy is proposed to buffer the DFR energy in single-phase Z-source/quasi-Z-source inverter applications. Without using any extra hardware components, the proposed control strategy can significantly reduce the capacitance requirement and achieve low input voltage DFR. Consequently, highly reliable film capacitors can be used. The increased switching device voltage stress and power loss due to the proposed control strategy will also be discussed. A 1-kW quasi-Z-source PV inverter using gallium nitride (GaN) devices is built in the lab. Experimental results are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Risk Factors Associated With Severe Hypoglycemia in Older Adults With Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract: OBJECTIVE Severe hypoglycemia is common in older adults with long-standing type 1 diabetes, but little is known about factors associated with its occurrence. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A case-control study was conducted at 18 diabetes centers in the T1D Exchange Clinic Network. Participants were ≥60 years old with type 1 diabetes for ≥20 years. Case subjects ( n = 101) had at least one severe hypoglycemic event in the prior 12 months. Control subjects ( n = 100), frequency-matched to case subjects by age, had no severe hypoglycemia in the prior 3 years. Data were analyzed for cognitive and functional abilities, social support, depression, hypoglycemia unawareness, various aspects of diabetes management, C-peptide level, glycated hemoglobin level, and blinded continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) metrics. RESULTS Glycated hemoglobin (mean 7.8% vs. 7.7%) and CGM-measured mean glucose (175 vs. 175 mg/dL) were similar between case and control subjects. More case than control subjects had hypoglycemia unawareness: only 11% of case subjects compared with 43% of control subjects reported always having symptoms associated with low blood glucose levels ( P P = 0.008) and experienced CGM glucose levels P = 0.10). On certain cognitive tests, case subjects scored worse than control subjects. CONCLUSIONS In older adults with long-standing type 1 diabetes, greater hypoglycemia unawareness and glucose variability are associated with an increased risk of severe hypoglycemia. A study to assess interventions to prevent severe hypoglycemia in high-risk individuals is needed.

Active Fault-Tolerant Control for Electric Vehicles With Independently Driven Rear In-Wheel Motors Against Certain Actuator Faults

Abstract: An active fault-tolerant control (AFTC) system is proposed in this paper for electric vehicles with independently driven in-wheel motors (IWMs). It comprises a baseline controller, a set of reconfigurable controllers, a fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) mechanism, and a decision mechanism. The baseline controller, which is actually a passive fault-tolerant controller, is applied to accommodate actuator faults and stabilize the faulty vehicle when the actuator fault occurs. After the fault is detected and estimated by the FDD mechanism, a proper reconfigurable controller is switched ON to achieve optimal postfault performance. Taking advantage of the robust gain-scheduling algorithm, the loss-of-effectiveness and additive faults of the IWMs can be accommodated by the baseline controller, and the estimation error of the FDD mechanism can be tolerated by the reconfigurable controllers. The results of simulations in CarSim and vehicle experimental tests show the effectiveness of this AFTC system in dealing with certain IWM faults.

OPA-15406, a novel, topical, nonsteroidal, selective phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor, in the treatment of adult and adolescent patients with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (AD): A phase-II randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Abstract: Background Peripheral leukocytes in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) have elevated phosphodiesterase-4 activity, which is associated with production of proinflammatory mediators OPA-15406 is a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor with high selectivity for phosphodiesterase-4-B Objectives We sought to assess effectiveness and tolerability of topical OPA-15406 in patients with AD Methods This was a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, phase-II study Patients 10 to 70 years of age with mild or moderate AD received topical OPA-15406 03% (n = 41), OPA-15406 1% (n = 43), or vehicle (n = 37) twice daily for 8 weeks Results The primary end point, Investigator Global Assessment of Disease Severity score of 0 or 1 with greater than or equal to 2-grade reduction, was met at week 4 in the OPA-15406 1% group ( P = 0165 vs vehicle) Mean percentage improvement from baseline Eczema Area and Severity Index score for OPA-15406 1% was notable in week 1 (314% vs 60% for vehicle; P = 0005), even larger in week 2 (390% vs 30%; P = 0001), and persisted for 8 weeks Visual analog scale pruritus scores improved from moderate to mild within the first week in the OPA-15406 1% group (364% mean change; P = 0011) OPA-15406 levels in blood were negligible Incidence of adverse events was low, with most events mild in intensity Limitations Further confirmatory phase-III studies are required Conclusion OPA-15406 ointment may provide an effective therapeutic modality for patients with mild to moderate AD

Dynamic Loss Minimization of Finite Control Set-Model Predictive Torque Control for Electric Drive System

Abstract: This paper proposes a dynamic optimization strategy of finite control set-model predictive torque control for permanent magnet synchronous machines, which takes into account the inverter losses and machine losses simultaneously. In order to reduce the switching losses (or to optimize the switching sequence) of the inverter, a recognized and feasible constrain which considers the accumulated ON/OFF times of the switches is implemented. The machine losses are taken into account by utilizing an optimal stator flux reference. An alternative loss model control method is proposed to calculate the optimal stator flux reference, which combines the conventional maximum torque/ampere method and the conventional loss model control method. Furthermore, a discrete-time machine model is introduced, which can reduce the predictive error at relative low switching frequency. The key results are illustrated by a combination of simulation and prototype interior permanent magnet machine drive measurements.

Profit Shifting of U.S. Multinationals

Abstract: We analyze the profit shifting behavior of U.S. multinational firms using a unique panel data set of U.S. tax returns over the period 2002-2012. Prior research has found significant effects of tax rates in affiliate and parent countries on the profit shifting behavior of multinational entities, with semi-elasticities ranging from close to zero to well above one. We build on this prior work by allowing more heterogeneity in response across the distribution of tax rates and by including affiliates located in tax havens around the world. Our findings suggest that elasticities based on a log-linear specification may severely understate the sensitivity of profits to tax in low-tax jurisdictions while simultaneously overstating this elasticity in high-tax jurisdictions. Accounting for this type of nonlinearity appears crucial in considering how the global allocation of firm profits might change in response to tax rate changes.

Transformer-Less Unified Power-Flow Controller Using the Cascade Multilevel Inverter

Abstract: The conventional unified power-flow controller (UPFC) that consists of two back-to-back inverters requires bulky and often complicated zigzag transformers for isolation and reaching high voltage. This paper proposes a completely transformer-less UPFC based on an innovative configuration of two cascade multilevel inverters (CMIs). The unique configuration and control of the two CMIs as a power-flow controller make it possible to independently control active and reactive power flows over a line. The new UPFC offers several advantages over the traditional technology, such as transformer-less, light weight, high efficiency, high reliability, low cost, and fast dynamic response. The transformer-less UPFC is thereby very suited for fast and distributed power flow control, such as wind and solar power transmission. Experimental results based on 13.8-kV/2-MV·A transformer-less UPFC prototype are shown to validate the theoretical analysis and operating principle.

Phase 2 Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of RG7667, a Combination Monoclonal Antibody, for Prevention of Cytomegalovirus Infection in High-Risk Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Abstract: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a significant complication after kidney transplantation. We examined the ability of RG7667, a combination of two monoclonal antibodies, to prevent CMV infection in high-risk kidney transplant recipients in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. CMV-seronegative recipients of a kidney transplant from a CMV-seropositive donor (D+R-) were randomized to receive RG7667 (n = 60) or placebo (n = 60) at the time of transplant and 1, 4, and 8 weeks posttransplant. Patients were monitored for CMV viremia every 1 to 2 weeks posttransplant for 24 weeks. Patients who had seroconverted (D+R+) or withdrawn before dosing were excluded from the analysis (n = 4). CMV viremia occurred in 27 of 59 (45.8%) patients receiving RG7667 and 35 of 57 (61.4%) patients receiving placebo (stratum-adjusted difference, 15.3%; P = 0.100) within 12 weeks posttransplant and in 30 of 59 (50.8%) patients receiving RG7667 and 40 of 57 (70.2%) patients receiving placebo (stratum-adjusted difference, 19.3%; P = 0.040) within 24 weeks posttransplant. Median time to CMV viremia was 139 days in patients receiving RG7667 compared to 46 days in patients receiving placebo (hazard ratio, 0.53; P = 0.009). CMV disease was less common in the RG7667 than placebo group (3.4% versus 15.8%; P = 0.030). Adverse events were generally balanced between treatment groups. In high-risk kidney transplant recipients, RG7667 was well tolerated, numerically reduced the incidence of CMV infection within 12 and 24 weeks posttransplant, delayed time to CMV viremia, and was associated with less CMV disease than the placebo. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT01753167.).

The Transient Friction Response of a Laser-Textured, Reciprocating Contact to the Entrainment of Individual Pockets

Abstract: To shed light on the mechanisms with which surface texture improves the tribological performance of piston–liner contacts, we have measured the transient friction response as individual pockets pass through a reciprocating sliding contact. Tests were performed at different sliding speeds and results compared to those from a non-textured, reference specimen under different lubrication regimes. At low speed when the contact is in the boundary regime, friction force falls abruptly as each pocket leaves the contact zone, before gradually returning to an approximately steady-state value. This suggests that each pocket acts to temporarily increase the film thickness, which then decays to its non-textured value as oil is squeezed out. At higher speeds, friction is seen to reduce in a stepwise fashion, since the period between pockets being entrained is less than the time taken for the film to decay. In addition, friction results obtained when the contact is operating in the middle of the mixed regime point to a temporary film thickness collapse as the pocket enters the contact, and this agrees with recent modelling predictions. At higher speeds, the compound effect of successive pockets is to shift the contact to the right on Stribeck curve. These results imply that each pocket gives rise to an increase in film thickness that is both short-lived and small in magnitude (we estimate a few tens of nm). However, the resulting effect on friction can be significant (up to 82 % in this study) for two reasons: (1) provided the pocket frequency is sufficiently high, each successive pocket entrainment builds the film up without there being time for it to reduce back to its steady-state value; (2) when the contact is in the mixed regime, the Stribeck curve is at its steepest and friction is therefore most sensitive to film thickness changes. This has important practical implications in that pocket spacing on piston liners should be varied as a function of reciprocating sliding speed.

Life Cycle Impacts of Natural Fiber Composites for Automotive Applications: Effects of Renewable Energy Content and Lightweighting

Abstract: Summary This study examines the life cycle energy demand and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with substituting natural cellulose and kenaf in place of glass fibers in automotive components. Specifically, a 30 wt% glass-fiber composite component weighing 3 kilograms (kg) was compared to a 30 wt% cellulose fiber composite component (2.65 kg) and 40 wt% kenaf fiber composite component (2.79 kg) for six cars, crossovers, and sport utility vehicles. The use-phase fuel consumption of the baseline and substitute components, with and without powertrain resizing, were determined using a mass-induced fuel consumption model based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency test records. For all vehicles, compared to the baseline glass fiber component, using the cellulose composite material reduced life cycle energy demand by 9.2% with powertrain resizing (7.2% without) and reduced life cycle GHG emissions by 18.6% with powertrain resizing (16.3% without), whereas the kenaf composite component reduced energy demand by 6.0% with powertrain resizing (4.8% without) and GHG emissions by 10.7% with powertrain resizing (9.2% without). For both natural fiber components, the majority of the life cycle energy savings is realized in the use-phase fuel consumption as a result of the reduced weight of the component.

The Use of Very Low Concentrations of High-sensitivity Troponin T to Rule Out Acute Myocardial Infarction Using a Single Blood Test.

Abstract: Background: Recent single-center and retrospective studies suggest that acute myocardial infarction (AMI) could be immediately excluded without serial sampling in patients with initial high-sensiti ...

The effect of iron loading and hydrothermal aging on one-pot synthesized Fe/SAPO-34 for ammonia SCR

Abstract: The current commercially-available technique for NOx reduction for diesel engines is the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx with NH3 over Cu zeolites. One of the problems of this technique is their limited ability to convert NOx at diesel particulate filter (DPF) regeneration temperatures. In addition, during regeneration of the DPF there is a risk of thermally deactivating the SCR catalyst. Thus, the aim of the current work was the development of a catalytic system that can reduce NOx both at low as well as high temperature and in addition is stable at high temperature. In order to reach this goal, a Fe/SAPO-34 with chabazite (CHA) structure was combined in a system with a commercial Cu/CHA catalyst. Earlier studies have shown that it is difficult to ion-exchange Fe into CHA structures due to steric hindrance, and we have therefore used a novel synthesis procedure which incorporated iron directly into the zeolite structure. Fe/SAPO-34 with three different Fe-loadings (0.27; 0.47 and 1.03 wt.% Fe) were synthesized and the catalysts were characterized using inductively coupled plasma atomic spectroscopy (ICP-AES), N-2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, BET area measurements and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The chemical composition, porous and crystalline structure of the parent SAPO-34 sample were found to be only slightly affected by addition of small amounts of Fe in the framework zeolite structure. However, more visible changes in the crystallinity were observed in the Fe/SAPO-34 catalysts with higher Fe content, which were attributed to the unit cell size expansion provoked by integration of higher amounts of Fe into the zeolite SAPO-34 framework. The Fe/SAPO-34 with the lowest Fe-loading (0.27 wt.%) was found to be the best catalyst when considering activity as well as high temperature stability. The synthesized Fe/SAPO-34 catalyst demonstrated a significantly improved NOx reduction performance at high temperatures (600-750 degrees C) when compared to a commercial Cu/CHA SCR system, and the combined system (Fe/SAPO-34+ Cu/CHA) exhibited a very good performance in a large temperature interval (200-800 degrees C) that encompasses most diesel exhaust gas conditions.

Autonomous probability control

Abstract: An action probability factor is developed based at least in part on a plurality of probability arrays predicting one or more probabilities of a deviation from at least one of a planned vehicle direction, position, speed, and acceleration. Levels of autonomous control are transitioned based at least in part on the action probability factor.

Life Cycle Assessment of Vehicle Lightweighting: A Physics-Based Model To Estimate Use-Phase Fuel Consumption of Electrified Vehicles.

Abstract: Assessing the life-cycle benefits of vehicle lightweighting requires a quantitative description of mass-induced fuel consumption (MIF) and fuel reduction values (FRVs). We have extended our physics-based model of MIF and FRVs for internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) to electrified vehicles (EVs) including hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and battery electric vehicles (BEVs). We illustrate the utility of the model by calculating MIFs and FRVs for 37 EVs and 13 ICEVs. BEVs have much smaller MIF and FRVs, both in the range 0.04–0.07 Le/(100 km 100 kg), than those for ICEVs which are in the ranges 0.19–0.32 and 0.16–0.22 L/(100 km 100 kg), respectively. The MIF and FRVs for HEVs and PHEVs mostly lie between those for ICEVs and BEVs. Powertrain resizing increases the FRVs for ICEVs, HEVs and PHEVs. Lightweighting EVs is less effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions than lightweighting ICEVs, however the benefits differ substantially for different vehicle m...

High-Density Genetic Mapping Identifies New Susceptibility Variants in Sarcoidosis Phenotypes and Shows Genomic-driven Phenotypic Differences

Abstract: Rationale: Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease of unknown cause. Lofgren’s syndrome (LS) is a characteristic subgroup of sarcoidosis that is associated with a good prognosis in sarcoidosis. However, little is known about its genetic architecture or its broader phenotype, non-LS sarcoidosis.Objectives: To address the genetic architecture of sarcoidosis phenotypes, LS and non-LS.Methods: An association study in a white Swedish cohort of 384 LS, 664 non-LS, and 2,086 control subjects, totaling 3,134 subjects using a fine-mapping genotyping platform was conducted. Replication was performed in four independent cohorts, three of white European descent (Germany, n = 4,975; the Netherlands, n = 613; and Czech Republic, n = 521), and one of black African descent (United States, n = 1,657), totaling 7,766 subjects.Measurements and Main Results: A total of 727 LS-associated variants expanding throughout the extended major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region and 68 non-LS–associated variants located in the MHC c...

Anthropogenic effects on bacterial diversity and function along a river-to-estuary gradient in Northwest Greece revealed by metagenomics.

Abstract: Studies assessing the effects of anthropogenic inputs on the taxonomic and functional diversity of bacterioplankton communities in lotic ecosystems are limited. Here, we applied 16S rRNA gene amplicon and whole-genome shotgun sequencing to examine the microbial diversity in samples from the Kalamas River (Northwest Greece), a mid-size river that runs through agricultural and NATURA-protected areas, but also receives urban sewage from a large city through a manmade ditch. Samples from three different locations between the exit of the ditch and the estuary, during three different months showed that temporal differences of taxonomic and functional diversity were more pronounced than spatial ones, and <1% of total taxa were shared among all samples, revealing a highly dynamic ecosystem. Comparisons of gene diversity with other aquatic habitats showed that only the high flow winter samples resembled more to freshwater environments while samples during the decreased water flow months were dominated by sewage inputs and soil-related organisms. Notably, microbial human gut signals were detectable over background freshwater and soil/runoff related signals, even at tens of kilometers downstream the city. These findings revealed the significance of allochthonous inputs on the composition and dynamics of river bacterial communities, and highlighted the potential of metagenomics for source tracking purposes.