Completeness of tuberculosis case notifications in Germany in 2013–2017: first results of an inventory study

Background Evaluating the completeness of tuberculosis (TB) notification data is important for monitoring of TB surveillance systems. We conducted an inventory study to calculate TB underreporting in Germany in 2013–2017. Methods Acquisition of two pseudonymized case-based data sources (national TB notification data and antibiotic resistance surveillance data) was followed by two-source Capture-recapture (CRC) analysis, as case-based data from a third source was unavailable. Aggregated data on consumption of a key anti-TB drug (pyrazinamide [PZA]) was compared to an estimated need for PZA based on TB notification data to obtain an independent underreporting estimation. Additionally, notified TB incidence was compared to TB rate in an aggregated health insurance fund dataset. Results CRC and PZA-based approaches indicated that between 93 and 97% (CRC) and between 91 and 95% (PZA) of estimated cases were captured in the national TB notification data in the years 2013–2017. Insurance fund dataset did not indicate TB underreporting on the national level in 2017. Conclusions Our results suggest that more than 90% of estimated TB cases are captured within the German TB surveillance system, and accordingly the TB notification rate is likely a good proxy of the diagnosed TB incidence rate. An increase in underreporting and discrepancies however should be further investigated.Peer Reviewe

Optimization potentials of the transverse flux machine over the product life cycle

This study focuses on improving the performance and reliability of a transverse flux machine (TFM) for automotive applications over the whole product life cycle. TFMs offer high torque density but present challenges in electromagnetic design, cooling, and vibration control. To address these issues, different measures like additive manufacturing, sensor integration, and optimization techniques are explored and evaluated. By incorporating sensors for real-time data collection during operation and integrating structural improvements during development, TFMs can achieve higher efficiency and reliability. This study gives an overview over several topics which have been researched in 2 projects, each of which consists of 3 participating institutions. It explores the integration of vibration sensors/actuators and temperature sensors. Additionally, additive manufacturing techniques are utilized for manufacturing of soft magnetic components to reduce eddy current losses and optimize the cooling. The findings demonstrate the potential of these approaches to enhance TFMs for automotive use, and further research is recommended to assess their durability and applicability under real-world conditions

Vollständigkeit der Tuberkulose-Meldungen in Deutschland in den Jahren 2013 – 2017: Ergebnisse einer Inventurstudie

Für die Evaluation der Qualität von Tuberkulose-Meldesystemen ist die Bewertung der Vollständigkeit der Meldedaten von zentraler Bedeutung, da diese die Basis für eine aussagekräftige Tuberkulose-Surveillance und daraus abgeleitete Maßnahmen sind. Wie das Epidemiologische Bulletin 11/2021 beschreibt, wurde am Robert-Koch-Institut für den Zeitraum 2013-17 eine Inventarstudie zur Schätzung der Tuberkulose-Untererfassung in Deutschland durchgeführt. Das Ergebnis: mit einer Erfassungsquote von über 90% ist die Tuberkulose-Melderate trotz eines leichten Rückgangs innerhalb des untersuchten Zeitraums ein guter Näherungswert für die tatsächliche Tuberkulose-Inzidenz

UNICARagil – New architectures for disruptive vehicle concepts

This paper provides an overview of the research topics of the UNICARagil project with the focus on different architectures, such as the mechatronic, the software, and the mechanic architecture. The main research questions as well as possible solutions, which will be investigated in this project, are described. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of Germany In terms of the mechatronic and the software architecture, this paper focuses on the ECU concept: the main tasks of the automated driving process are executed on three ECUs, which are called the cerebrum, the brainstem and the spinal cord. This architecture supports the modular approach regarding functional safety, the ability of future updates and upgrades, and the service orientated architecture (SOA) of the software. The well-known SOA approach is transferred to automotive applications and becomes the automotive service orientated architecture (ASOA). Furthermore, the mechanic structure of the four vehicles AUTOtaxi, AUTOelfe, AUTOliefer and AUTOshuttle is described

DNA methylation-based classification of central nervous system tumours.

Accurate pathological diagnosis is crucial for optimal management of patients with cancer. For the approximately 100 known tumour types of the central nervous system, standardization of the diagnostic process has been shown to be particularly challenging-with substantial inter-observer variability in the histopathological diagnosis of many tumour types. Here we present a comprehensive approach for the DNA methylation-based classification of central nervous system tumours across all entities and age groups, and demonstrate its application in a routine diagnostic setting. We show that the availability of this method may have a substantial impact on diagnostic precision compared to standard methods, resulting in a change of diagnosis in up to 12% of prospective cases. For broader accessibility, we have designed a free online classifier tool, the use of which does not require any additional onsite data processing. Our results provide a blueprint for the generation of machine-learning-based tumour classifiers across other cancer entities, with the potential to fundamentally transform tumour pathology

UNICARagil - Disruptive Modular Architectures for Agile, Automated Vehicle Concepts

This paper introduces UNICARagil, a collaborative project carried out by a consortium of seven German universities and six industrial partners, with funding provided by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of Germany. In the scope of this project, disruptive modular structures for agile, automated vehicle concepts are researched and developed. Four prototype vehicles of different characteristics based on the same modular platform are going to be build up over a period of four years. The four fully automated and driverless vehicles demonstrate disruptive architectures in hardware and software, as well as disruptive concepts in safety, security, verification and validation. This paper outlines the most important research questions underlying the project

Contrasting disease patterns in seropositive and seronegative neuromyelitis optica: A multicentre study of 175 patients

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic and pathophysiological relevance of antibodies to aquaporin-4 (AQP4-Ab) in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) has been intensively studied. However, little is known so far about the clinical impact of AQP4-Ab seropositivity. OBJECTIVE: To analyse systematically the clinical and paraclinical features associated with NMO spectrum disorders in Caucasians in a stratified fashion according to the patients' AQP4-Ab serostatus. METHODS: Retrospective study of 175 Caucasian patients (AQP4-Ab positive in 78.3%). RESULTS: Seropositive patients were found to be predominantly female (p 1 myelitis attacks in the first year were identified as possible predictors of a worse outcome. CONCLUSION: This study provides an overview of the clinical and paraclinical features of NMOSD in Caucasians and demonstrates a number of distinct disease characteristics in seropositive and seronegative patients

Trace Checking with Real−Time Specifications

Abstract: Obtaining full models for the validation and verification of embedded systems is often diffi-cult. The presented approach overcomes this problem by checking finite traces, which does not require any system model. Traces are generated by test car runs or hardware-in-the-loop simulation. We pro-pose a canonical extension of linear-time temporal logic (LTL) for real-time specifications. Our algorithm translates real-time LTL formulae into corresponding Büchi automata that check finite traces. The algo-rithm has been implemented as part of an industrial validation and verification framework for automotive electronics and successfully applied to real-world systems