Control Demonstration of Multiple Doubly-Fed Induction Motors for Hybrid Electric Propulsion

The Convergent Aeronautics Solutions (CAS) High Voltage-Hybrid Electric Propulsion (HVHEP) task was formulated to support the move into future hybrid-electric aircraft. The goal of this project is to develop a new AC power architecture to support the needs of higher efficiency and lower emissions. This proposed architecture will adopt the use of the doubly-fed induction machine (DFIM) for propulsor drive motor application.The Convergent Aeronautics Solutions (CAS) High Voltage-Hybrid Electric Propulsion (HVHEP) task was formulated to support the move into future hybrid-electric aircraft. The goal of this project is to develop a new AC power architecture to support the needs of higher efficiency and lower emissions. This proposed architecture will adopt the use of the doubly-fed induction machine (DFIM) for propulsor drive motor application. DFIMs are attractive for several reasons, including but not limited to the ability to self-start, ability to operate sub- and super-synchronously, and requiring only fractionally rated power converters on a per-unit basis depending on the required range of operation. The focus of this paper is based specifically on the presentation and analysis of a novel strategy which allows for independent operation of each of the aforementioned doubly-fed induction motors. This strategy includes synchronization, soft-start, and closed loop speed control of each motor as a means of controlling output thrust; be it concurrently or differentially. The demonstration of this strategy has recently been proven out on a low power test bed using fractional horsepower machines. Simulation and hardware test results are presented in the paper

Profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest in excision of renal cell carcinoma invading the vena cava.

Two patients with renal cell carcinoma invading the inferior vena cava to the level of the right atrium underwent complete excision of their renal tumours. Clearance of the caval extension was accomplished using cardiopulmonary bypass, profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest. The use of these techniques visually improved the operative field without extending operating time. Profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest do not increase postoperative morbidity or mortality and offer the best opportunity for cure

Teamwork between Engineering and Medicine: Collaborative Training in the Emergency Department

Introduction: Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) 9 and 13 are to “collaborate as a member of an interprofessional team” and to “identify system failures thereby contributing to a culture of safety and improvement.” Addressing EPA 9, an interprofessional initiative was begun using a project team between two university programs: medical education and health systems engineering. Addressing EPA 13, this team set out to provide diagnostic analytics for Length of Stay (LOS) delays in the Emergency Department (ED).Methods: This project was performed in 2018 at an ED with 42 beds, an annual census of 70,000, and a 38% admission rate. Two healthcare systems engineering students and a medical student performed on-site observations to identify specific bottlenecks that could contribute to ED LOS. This data and data generated from the electronic medical record were analyzed and correlated with observations. Factors (44) that affect ED processes were analyzed, including time interval metrics such as arrival to triage, arrival to admit, disposition to departure, and bed request to admit. Results: Patients had an average LOS of 5.9 hours. A total of 4,940 adult, non-psychiatric cases presented; 1,599 (32.4%) of these were admitted. Process evaluation (Figure, mean and median minutes) showed differences between day (7a-7p) and night (7p-7a) flow patterns. These quantitative results (EPA 13) were determined by the interprofessional collaborative work efforts of the students (qualitatively, the outcome of EPA 9).This project demonstrated a synergistic educational experience that allowed the blending of medical education with process engineering, ultimately improving knowledge gaps of both. This unique process allowed for diagnostics to be performed that were necessary for the ED and simultaneously provided a stronger foundation for QI undertakings for both engineering and medical students.Conclusion: Medical students can benefit from working alongside systems engineers, allowing them to see the value of using tools (simulation modeling, statistical analysis, process flow mapping, etc.) to uncover evidence-based improvements to a variety of medical processes. Healthcare systems engineering students can gain valuable experience in a complex medical environment. Looking for solutions to the disparity between flow during the day and night is an opportunity for future study

PTH(1-34) Replacement Therapy in a Child With Hypoparathyroidism Caused by a Sporadic Calcium Receptor Mutation

Autosomal dominant hypocalcemia (ADH) is an inherited form of hypoparathyroidism caused by activating mutations in the calcium-sensing receptor (CaR). Treatment with PTH(1-34) may be superior to conventional therapy but is contraindicated in children, and long-term effects on the skeleton are unknown. The patient is a 20-yr-old female with ADH treated with PTH continuously since 6 yr and 2 mo of age. A bone biopsy was obtained for histomorphometry and quantitative backscattered electron imaging (qBEI). Her data were compared with one age-, sex-, and length of hypoparathyroidism–matched control not on PTH and two sex-matched ADH controls before and after 1 yr of PTH. The patient's growth was normal. Hypercalciuria and hypermagnesuria persisted despite normal or subnormal serum calcium and magnesium levels. Nephrocalcinosis, without evidence of impaired renal function, developed by 19 yr of age. Cancellous bone volume was dramatically elevated in the patient and in ADH controls after 1 yr of PTH. BMD distribution (BMDD) by qBEI of the patient and ADH controls was strikingly shifted toward lower mineralization compared with the non-ADH control. Moreover, the ADH controls exhibited a further reduction in mineralization after 1 yr of PTH. These findings imply a role for CaR in bone matrix mineralization. There were no fractures or osteosarcoma. In conclusion, long-term PTH replacement in a child with ADH was not unsafe, increased bone mass without negatively impacting mineralization, and improved serum mineral control but did not prevent nephrocalcinosis. Additionally, this may be the first evidence of a role for CaR in human bone

Teamwork between Engineering and Medicine: Collaborative Training in the Emergency Department

Introduction: Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) 9 and 13 are to “collaborate as a member of an interprofessional team” and to “identify system failures thereby contributing to a culture of safety and improvement.” Addressing EPA 9, an interprofessional initiative was begun using a project team between two university programs: medical education and health systems engineering. Addressing EPA 13, this team set out to provide diagnostic analytics for Length of Stay (LOS) delays in the Emergency Department (ED).Methods: This project was performed in 2018 at an ED with 42 beds, an annual census of 70,000, and a 38% admission rate. Two healthcare systems engineering students and a medical student performed on-site observations to identify specific bottlenecks that could contribute to ED LOS. This data and data generated from the electronic medical record were analyzed and correlated with observations. Factors (44) that affect ED processes were analyzed, including time interval metrics such as arrival to triage, arrival to admit, disposition to departure, and bed request to admit. Results: Patients had an average LOS of 5.9 hours. A total of 4,940 adult, non-psychiatric cases presented; 1,599 (32.4%) of these were admitted. Process evaluation (Figure, mean and median minutes) showed differences between day (7a-7p) and night (7p-7a) flow patterns. These quantitative results (EPA 13) were determined by the interprofessional collaborative work efforts of the students (qualitatively, the outcome of EPA 9).This project demonstrated a synergistic educational experience that allowed the blending of medical education with process engineering, ultimately improving knowledge gaps of both. This unique process allowed for diagnostics to be performed that were necessary for the ED and simultaneously provided a stronger foundation for QI undertakings for both engineering and medical students.Conclusion: Medical students can benefit from working alongside systems engineers, allowing them to see the value of using tools (simulation modeling, statistical analysis, process flow mapping, etc.) to uncover evidence-based improvements to a variety of medical processes. Healthcare systems engineering students can gain valuable experience in a complex medical environment. Looking for solutions to the disparity between flow during the day and night is an opportunity for future study

Teamwork between Engineering and Medicine: Collaborative Training in the Emergency Department

Introduction: Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) 9 and 13 are to “collaborate as a member of an interprofessional team” and to “identify system failures thereby contributing to a culture of safety and improvement.” Addressing EPA 9, an interprofessional initiative was begun using a project team between two university programs: medical education and health systems engineering. Addressing EPA 13, this team set out to provide diagnostic analytics for Length of Stay (LOS) delays in the Emergency Department (ED).Methods: This project was performed in 2018 at an ED with 42 beds, an annual census of 70,000, and a 38% admission rate. Two healthcare systems engineering students and a medical student performed on-site observations to identify specific bottlenecks that could contribute to ED LOS. This data and data generated from the electronic medical record were analyzed and correlated with observations. Factors (44) that affect ED processes were analyzed, including time interval metrics such as arrival to triage, arrival to admit, disposition to departure, and bed request to admit. Results: Patients had an average LOS of 5.9 hours. A total of 4,940 adult, non-psychiatric cases presented; 1,599 (32.4%) of these were admitted. Process evaluation (Figure, mean and median minutes) showed differences between day (7a-7p) and night (7p-7a) flow patterns. These quantitative results (EPA 13) were determined by the interprofessional collaborative work efforts of the students (qualitatively, the outcome of EPA 9).This project demonstrated a synergistic educational experience that allowed the blending of medical education with process engineering, ultimately improving knowledge gaps of both. This unique process allowed for diagnostics to be performed that were necessary for the ED and simultaneously provided a stronger foundation for QI undertakings for both engineering and medical students.Conclusion: Medical students can benefit from working alongside systems engineers, allowing them to see the value of using tools (simulation modeling, statistical analysis, process flow mapping, etc.) to uncover evidence-based improvements to a variety of medical processes. Healthcare systems engineering students can gain valuable experience in a complex medical environment. Looking for solutions to the disparity between flow during the day and night is an opportunity for future study