Compendium in Vehicle Motion Engineering

This compendium is written for the course “MMF062 Vehicle Motion Engineering” at Chalmers University of Technology. The compendium covers more than included in that course; both in terms of subsystem designs and in terms of some teasers for more advanced studies of vehicle dynamics. Therefore, it is also useful for the more advanced course “TME102 Vehicle Modelling and Control”.The overall objective of the compendium is to educate vehicle dynamists, i.e., engineers that understand and can contribute to development of good motion and energy functionality of vehicles. The compendium focuses on road vehicles, primarily passenger cars and commercial vehicles. Smaller road vehicles, such as bicycles and single-person cars, are only very briefly addressed. It should be mentioned that there exist a lot of ground-vehicle types not covered at all, such as: off-road/construction vehicles, tracked vehicles, horse wagons, hovercrafts, or railway vehicles.Functions are needed for requirement setting, design and verification. The overall order within the compendium is that models/methods/tools needed to understand each function are placed before the functions. Chapters 3-5 describes (complete vehicle) “functions”, organised after vehicle motion directions:\ub7\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0 Chapter 3:\ua0Longitudinal\ua0dynamics\ub7\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0 Chapter 4:\ua0Lateral\ua0dynamics\ub7\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0 Chapter 5:\ua0Vertical\ua0dynamicsChapter 1 introduces automotive industry and the overall way of working there and defines required pre-knowledge from “product-generic” engineering, e.g. modelling of dynamic systems.Chapter 2 also describes the subsystems relevant for vehicle dynamics:• Wheels and Tyre\ua0• Suspension\ua0• Propulsion\ua0• Braking System\ua0• Steering System\ua0• Environment Sensing Syste

Real-world evidence of axicabtagene ciloleucel for the treatment of large B cell lymphoma in the United States

Axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) is a standard-of-care for patients with relapsed or refractory (r/r) large B cell lymphoma who have received 2 or more lines of prior therapy. Patients receiving axi-cel in the real world could have broader a demographic, disease, and treatment profile compared with that of the cohort in the pivotal ZUMA-1 trial. The present study was conducted to evaluate the outcomes of axi-cel therapy in the real-world setting. A total of 1297 patients receiving commercial axi-cel between 2017 and 2020 were selected from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research\u27s data registry, of whom 739 (57%) would have been ineligible for inclusion in the ZUMA-1 cohort. Efficacy and safety outcomes were described for the entire cohort and by ZUMA-1 eligibility. Their associations with age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Score, and comorbidities were evaluated using multivariable logistic and Cox regressions. At a median follow-up of 12.9 months, the overall response rate (ORR) was 73%, with a 56% complete response (CR) rate. Median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 21.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 17.4 to 28.8 months) and 8.6 months (95% CI, 6.5 to 12.1 months), respectively. Duration of response (DOR) was comparable in the ZUMA-1 ineligible patients and ZUMA-1 eligible patients (62% by 1 year [95% CI, 57% to 66%] versus 67% [95% CI, 62% to 72%]). Patients age ≥65 years had favorable ORR (odds ratio [OR], 1.39; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.83) despite having a higher risk of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.94) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) (OR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.39-2.26). Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Score ≥2 was associated with inferior efficacy outcomes (OR for ORR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.18-0.56; hazard ratio [HR] for OS, 3.27; 95% CI, 2.37 to 4.52) and higher incidence of ICANS (OR, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.40 to 4.93). The patients ineligible for ZUMA-1 still had a durable response with axi-cel. Elderly patients had favorable efficacy outcomes despite higher rates of CRS and ICANS. Patient selection for standard-of-care axi-cel should consider comorbidities and risk-to-benefit ratio rather than be based strictly on ZUMA-1 eligibility

Morphological and molecular characterization of three Eimeria species from captured rangeland goats in Western Australia

Faecal shedding of Eimeria by captured rangeland goats (Capra hircus) was investigated using a longitudinal observational study. Faecal samples were collected from 125 male goats on four occasions. The first sampling occurred following capture and transport, immediately after arrival at a commercial goat depot (feedlot) in Western Australia, with subsequent 3 sample collections occurring at one month intervals thereafter. Goats were composite breed and aged approximately 9–12 months on arrival at the feedlot. Prevalence and shedding intensity (faecal oocyst concentration) for Eimeria were determined using qPCR. Species were identified from individual oocysts (isolated using micromanipulation) using molecular analysis at two loci, specifically 18S rRNA and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase gene (COI), and confirmed by microscopy. Longitudinal prevalence (animals positive at least once) for Eimeria spp. by qPCR was 90.4%, with 60% goats shedding Eimeria spp. on more than one occasion. Point prevalence (prevalence at a single sampling occasion) ranged from 2.4% (fourth sampling) to 70.4% (second sampling). Three species were identified at the 18S rRNA locus and confirmed by microscopy: E. christenseni (longitudinal prevalence for single infection 34.4%), E. hirci (17.6%) and E. arloingi (8.8%) over the four sample collections. Mixed infections were identified in 56.8% goats (longitudinal prevalence). 18S rRNA sequences from E. christenseni and E. hirci were 100% homologous with ovine E. ahsata and E. crandallis respectively, and E. arloingi was 100% similar to caprine E. arloingi. At the COI locus, E. christenseni, E. hirci and E. arloingi grouped separately, and were closely related to ovine E. ahsata, with genetic similarities of 96.5%, 92.6% and 91.4% respectively. This is the first report for molecular characteristics of caprine-derived Eimeria spp. using a combination of 18S rRNA and COI. Molecular techniques can be used to identify Eimeria spp. in goat faecal samples, specifically through characterization at 18S locus and other gene loci when used in parallel. Molecular techniques offer some advantages over microscopy for identification of Eimeria species, particularly with respect to precision

Compendium in Vehicle Motion Engineering

This compendium is written for the course “MMF062 Vehicle Motion Engineering” at Chalmers University of Technology. The compendium covers more than included in that course; both in terms of subsystem designs and in terms of some teasers for more advanced studies of vehicle dynamics. Therefore, it is also useful for the more advanced courses, such as “TME102 Vehicle Modelling and Control”.The overall objective of the compendium is to educate engineers that understand and can contribute to development of good motion and energy functionality of vehicles. The compendium focuses on road vehicles, primarily passenger cars and commercial vehicles. Smaller road vehicles, such as bicycles and single-person cars, are only very briefly addressed. It can be mentioned that there exist a lot of ground-vehicle types not covered at all, such as: off-road/construction vehicles, tracked vehicles, horse wagons, hovercrafts, and railway vehicles.Functions are needed for requirement setting, design and verification. The overall order within the compendium is that models/methods/tools needed to understand each function are placed before the functions. Chapters 3-5 describes (complete vehicle) “functions”, organised after vehicle motion directions:\ub7\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0 Chapter 3:\ua0Longitudinal\ua0dynamics\ub7\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0 Chapter 4:\ua0Lateral\ua0dynamics\ub7\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0\ua0 Chapter 5:\ua0Vertical\ua0dynamicsChapter 1 introduces automotive industry and the overall way of working there and defines required pre-knowledge from “product-generic” engineering, e.g. modelling of dynamic systems.Chapter 2 also describes the subsystems relevant for vehicle dynamics:• Wheels and Tyre\ua0• Suspension\ua0• Propulsion\ua0• Braking System\ua0• Steering System\ua0• Environment Sensing SystemThe compendium is released in a new version each year, around October, which is the version your read now. A "latest draft" is more frequently updated and often includes some more, sometimes unfinished, material: https://chalmersuniversity.box.com/s/6igaen1ugcjzuhjziuon08axxiy817f

Fishing and bottom water temperature as drivers of change in maximum shell length in Atlantic surfclams (Spisula solidissima)

Maximum shell length of Atlantic surfclams (Spisula solidissima) on the Middle Atlantic Bight (MAB) continental shelf, obtained from federal fishery survey data from 1982-present, has decreased by 15-20 mm. Two potential causes of this decreasing trend, fishery removal of large animals and stress due to warming bottom temperatures, were investigated using an individual-based model for post-settlement surfclams and a fifty-year hindcast of bottom water temperatures on the MAB. Simulations showed that fishing and/or warming bottom water temperature can cause decreases in maximum surfclam shell length (body size) equivalent to those observed in the fished stock. Independently, either localized fishing rates of 20% or sustained bottom temperatures that are 2 degrees C warmer than average conditions generate the observed decrease in maximum shell length. However, these independent conditions represent extremes and are not sustained in the MAB. The combined effects of fishing and warmer temperatures can generate simulated length decreases that are similar to observed decreases. Interannual variability in bottom water temperatures can also generate fluctuations in simulated shell length of up to 20 mm over a period of 10-15 years. If the change in maximum size is not genotypic, simulations also suggest that shell size composition of surfclam populations can recover if conditions change; however, that recovery could take a decade to become evident

Molecular characterisation of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and Campylobacter jejuni faecal carriage by captured rangeland goats

Western Australian rangeland goats were surveyed for faecal carriage of Salmonella enterica and Campylobacter spp. Faecal samples were collected from 125 goats on four occasions. The first sample was collected immediately upon arrival at a commercial goat depot (feedlot). Subsequent samples were collected at one month intervals thereafter. Frequency of detection and faecal carriage intensity were determined using qPCR targeting the S. enterica outer membrane protein (ompF) and Campylobacter spp. purine biosynthesis gene (purA). Salmonella enterica were identified in 40/500 of faecal samples, with S. enterica faecal carriage detected in 30% (38/125) goats over the duration of the study. Campylobacter spp. were identified in 12/500 of samples, with Campylobacter spp. detected in 10% (12/125) goats over duration of the study. Frequency of detection was highest at the first sample collection for both S. enterica (26%) and Campylobacter spp. (8%). Repeat detection of Salmonella was observed for only a single goat (0.8%). Salmonella qPCR positive samples were characterised at ompF and invA genes as S. enterica. Further characterisation at STM2755 and STM4497 genes confirmed the isolates were S. enterica serovar Typhimurium. Characterization at the 16S rRNA and hippuricase (hipO) genes revealed all Campylobacter spp. positive samples were C. jejuni. This study demonstrates that qPCR can be used for rapid identification of faecal carriage in goat faecal samples and showed evidence of carriage of zoonotic S. Typhimurium and C. jejuni by captured rangeland goats. The findings have implications for management of goats at abattoirs and in confined feeding facilities

Genetic, serological and biochemical characterization of Leishmania tropica from foci in northern Palestine and discovery of zymodeme MON-307

Background Many cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) have been recorded in the Jenin District based on their clinical appearance. Here, their parasites have been characterized in depth. Methods Leishmanial parasites isolated from 12 human cases of CL from the Jenin District were cultured as promastigotes, whose DNA was extracted. The ITS1 sequence and the 7SL RNA gene were analysed as was the kinetoplast minicircle DNA (kDNA) sequence. Excreted factor (EF) serotyping and multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE) were also applied. Results This extensive characterization identified the strains as Leishmania tropica of two very distinct sub-types that parallel the two sub-groups discerned by multilocus microsatellite typing (MLMT) done previously. A high degree of congruity was displayed among the results generated by the different analytical methods that had examined various cellular components and exposed intra-specific heterogeneity among the 12 strains. Three of the ten strains subjected to MLEE constituted a new zymodeme, zymodeme MON-307, and seven belonged to the known zymodeme MON-137. Ten of the 15 enzymes in the profile of zymodeme MON-307 displayed different electrophoretic mobilities compared with the enzyme profile of the zymodeme MON-137. The closest profile to that of zymodeme MON-307 was that of the zymodeme MON-76 known from Syria. Strains of the zymodeme MON-307 were EF sub-serotype A2 and those of the zymodeme MON-137 were either A9 or A9B4. The sub-serotype B4 component appears, so far, to be unique to some strains of L. tropica of zymodeme MON-137. Strains of the zymodeme MON-137 displayed a distinctive fragment of 417 bp that was absent in those of zymodeme MON-307 when their kDNA was digested with the endonuclease RsaI. kDNA-RFLP after digestion with the endonuclease MboI facilitated a further level of differentiation that partially coincided with the geographical distribution of the human cases from which the strains came. Conclusions The Palestinian strains that were assigned to different genetic groups differed in their MLEE profiles and their EF types. A new zymodeme, zymodeme MON-307 was discovered that seems to be unique to the northern part of the Palestinian West Bank. What seemed to be a straight forward classical situation of L. tropica causing anthroponotic CL in the Jenin District might be a more complex situation, owing to the presence of two separate sub-types of L. tropica that, possibly, indicates two separate transmission cycles involving two separate types of phlebotomine sand fly vector

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Presenting as Multiple Cavitary Lung Lesions

Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) typically presents similarly to an infectious etiology, thus awareness of its atypical presentations is essential. We present a case of an adult woman who was found to have HL after presenting with a dry, non-productive cough and showing cavitary lesions on chest computed tomography (CT). We also describe the clinical, laboratory, and radiological workup done leading to the diagnosis and management of HL in a critical care setting

Introduction to Quantum-Gravity Phenomenology

After a brief review of the first phase of development of Quantum-Gravity Phenomenology, I argue that this research line is now ready to enter a more advanced phase: while at first it was legitimate to resort to heuristic order-of-magnitude estimates, which were sufficient to establish that sensitivity to Planck-scale effects can be achieved, we should now rely on detailed analyses of some reference test theories. I illustrate this point in the specific example of studies of Planck-scale modifications of the energy/momentum dispersion relation, for which I consider two test theories. Both the photon-stability analyses and the Crab-nebula synchrotron-radiation analyses, which had raised high hopes of ``beyond-Plankian'' experimental bounds, turn out to be rather ineffective in constraining the two test theories. Examples of analyses which can provide constraints of rather wide applicability are the so-called ``time-of-flight analyses'', in the context of observations of gamma-ray bursts, and the analyses of the cosmic-ray spectrum near the GZK scale.Comment: 46 pages, LaTex. Based on lectures given at the 40th Karpacz Winter School in Theoretical Physic