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To predict the market dynamics of various zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) technologies, this study introduces a dynamic discrete vehicle choice model (VCM) that investigates the probabilities associated with 14 decision factors, applying these to the purchase of ZEVs from 2020 to 2040. Market share and penetration results are presented under eight scenarios, that vary by vehicle costs infrastructure development and incentive strategies. The findings suggest that in the early years, incentives alone may not generate significant market penetration of ZEVs before the infrastructure meets the basic convenience for daily use, especially for fuel cell vehicles (FCVs). However, in later years, incentives play a more important role in the market penetration of ZEVs under well-defined infrastructure networks. By 2040, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are projected to dominate the market in California. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and FCVs may experience a decline in market share due to improved charging convenience, which benefits the market penetration of BEVs. However, fuel cell plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (FC-PHEVs) could still be beneficial if accessible models are available, considering the limited availability of hydrogen refueling stations. The goal set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is achievable, but it requires a sustained combination of measures; no single effort can achieve it. These measures include technological improvements to reduce the cost of ZEVs, a wider range of models available for consumers to choose from based on their desired performance, the establishment of infrastructure (battery chargers and hydrogen dispensers), and attractive incentives aimed at promoting ZEV adoption. The proposed methodology can be adapted for other regions in the United States and globally by carefully examining the inputs for each decision factor at the desired scale., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

Despite great progress in battery safety modeling, accurately predicting the evolution of multiphysics systems is extremely challenging. The question on how to ensure safety of billions of automotive batteries during their lifetime remains unanswered. In this study, we overcome the challenge by developing machine learning techniques based on the recorded data that are uploaded to the cloud. Using charging voltage and temperature curves from early cycles that are yet to exhibit symptoms of battery failure, we apply data-driven models to both predict and classify the sample data by health condition based on the observational, empirical, physical, and statistical understanding of the multiscale systems. The best well-integrated machine learning models achieve a verified classification accuracy of 96.3% (exhibiting an increase of 20.4% from initial model) and an average misclassification test error of 7.7%. Our findings highlight the need for cloud-based artificial intelligence technology tailored to robustly and accurately predict battery failure in real-world applications., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2022 The Author(s).)

Bostrichoclerus bicornus Van Dyke is known from southwest United States and northwest Mexico. To date, only two specimens have been captured: the holotype, collected on Isla Angel de la Guarda, in the Gulf of California, Mexico, and a second individual collected in San Bernardino County, California, United States. The original description of B. bicornus is brief and lacks any images. Considering its rarity, we present the redescription of this species based on the examination of the holotype and compare this taxon to similar genera of New World Tillinae. Images of the holotype and the Bostrichoclerus specimen collected in southern California are given. We conclude that B. bicornus is undoubtedly a member of the subfamily Tillinae with unclear intergeneric relations in the group.

Five new species of Cymatodera from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica and Panama are described here based on adult male and female specimens: Cymatodera humeralis sp. n; Cymatodera lorenae sp. n.; Cymatodera crassa sp. n.; Cymatodera depressa sp. n; and Cymatodera nigrofasciata sp. n. Male genitalia and other characters of taxonomic value are used for diagnostic purposes.

The New World checkered beetle genus Callotillus Wolcott, 1911 is revised and the new genus Neocallotillus established. The subspecies Callotillus elegans vafer Wolcott is synonymized with the nominal subspecies, Callotillus elegans elegans (Erichson), which is transferred to, and designated as the type species of Neocallotillus gen. n. as Neocallotillus elegans (Erichson, 1847), comb. n. Two additional species are transferred from Callotillus to the new genus: Neocallotillus intricatus (Wolcott & Dybas, 1947), comb. n. and Neocallotillus crusoe (Wolcott, 1923), comb. n., the latter tentatively and based on Wolcott's original description. Callotillus is now composed of two species: Callotillus eburneocinctus Wolcott, 1911 and Callotillus bahamensis Vaurie, 1952. All abovementioned species except Neocallotillus crusoe are diagnosed and redescribed. In the absence of reference material of Neocallotillus crusoe, Wolcott's original description is transcribed. An illustrated key to species is provided. Characters of taxonomic relevance are illustrated and discussed. Updated distribution maps and locality data for all specimens examined are presented.

This checklist presents the distribution of the checkered beetle subfamily Tillinae (Coleoptera: Cleridae) in the New World. Information for 164 species and 2 subspecies from 11 genera is included. The data are based on an extensive survey of material collected throughout the Americas, descriptions of new species, a number of revisionary works, data from museum specimens, as well as unpublished checklists. Cymatodera, the most speciose tilline genus in the New World, has its greatest diversity in Mexico where 100 of the 134 recognized species are known to occur. Remaining genera inhabiting the New World and corresponding species numbers are: Araeodontia, 5 species; Barrotillus, 1 species; Bogcia, 2 species; Bostrichoclerus, 1 species; Callotillus, 5 species; Cylidrus, 1 species; Cymatoderella, 3 species; Lecontella, 3 species; Monophylla, 4 species; and Onychotillus, 5 species. An illustrated key to the genera of the New World Tillinae is provided. Forty-eight new country records are given for 35 species. References are presented for all species listed. Distribution maps for all New World genera are provided and locality data is presented for selected species.

Four new species of Cymatodera are described from Mexico: Cymatoderatortuosa Burke & Rifkind, sp. n. from Hidalgo and Tamaulipas; Cymatoderaortegae Burke, sp. n. from Colima, Jalisco and Michoacan; Cymatoderagerstmeieri Burke & Rifkind, sp. n. from Chiapas; and Cymatoderamixteca Burke & Rifkind, sp. n. from Puebla and Guerrero. Male genitalia and other characters of taxonomic value are illustrated.

Cymatodera ochlera Barr 1972 has been considered to be very similar to but distinct from C. wolcotti Barr 1950. We present evidence to show that these two species are conspecific and C. ochlera should be treated as a junior synonym of C. wolcotti. Cymatodera wolcotti is compared to C. balteata and C. undulata, two species remarkably similar to C. wolcotti. Morphological characters of significant value are presented that confirm C. balteata and C. undulata are separate species. Images of all characters discussed are provided.

Four new species of Cymatodera from Mexico: Cymatodera bogcioides sp. n.; Cymatodera pueblae sp. n.; Cymatodera mitae sp. n.; and Cymatodera lineata sp. n. are described based on adult male and female specimens. Male genitalia and other characters of taxonomic value are presented.

Concerns about climate change, urban air pollution and dependence on unstable and expensive supplies of foreign oil have led policy-makers and researchers to investigate alternatives to conventional petroleum-fuelled internal-combustion-engine vehicles in transportation. Because vehicles that get some or all of their power from an electric drivetrain can have low or even zero emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and urban air pollutants, and can consume little or no petroleum, there is considerable interest in developing and evaluating advanced electric vehicles (EVs), including pure battery-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles. To help researchers and policy-makers assess the potential of EVs to mitigate climate change and reduce petroleum use, this paper discusses the technology of EVs, the infrastructure needed for their development, impacts on emissions of GHGs, petroleum use, materials use, lifetime costs, consumer acceptance and policy considerations.

Six new Cymatodera speciesfrom the Mexican states of Jalisco and Chiapas, and the Central American countries of El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica and Panamá are described: Cymatodera rosalinae sp. n., Cymatodera capax sp. n., Cymatodera sinuosa sp. n., Cymatodera vittata sp. n., Cymatodera rubida sp. n. and Cymatodera limatula sp. n. Justification for retaining Cymatodera obliquefasciata within Cymatodera instead of transferring it to Bogcia is provided. Male genitalia and other characters of taxonomic value are illustrated.

Increased circulating levels of hepatotoxic bile acids may contribute to the cholestasis characteristic of cystic fibrosis-related liver disease. The aims of this study were to compare serum bile acid profiles in patients with cystic fibrosis with and without liver disease, and to evaluate the effect of treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid, a non-hepatotoxic bile acid, on liver biochemistry and serum bile acids in patients with cystic fibrosis-related liver disease. Fasting and postprandial serum bile acid levels were analysed in 15 patients (nine males; median age 18 years) with cystic fibrosis-related liver disease and compared with serum bile acid levels in 18 cystic fibrosis patients (12 males; median age 22 years) without liver disease and 10 control subjects. Fasting and postprandial serum levels of primary and secondary serum bile acids were analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Liver biochemistry and serum bile acids were measured in six cystic fibrosis patients with liver disease before and 6 months after treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid 20 mg/kg/day and compared with six control patients with cystic fibrosis-related liver disease. Total fasting and postprandial serum bile acid levels were significantly (P < 0.01) elevated in patients with liver disease compared to those without liver disease and controls. The fasting glycine conjugates of cholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid and deoxycholic acid, and the fasting and postprandial taurine conjugates of cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid were significantly (P < 0.05) elevated in liver disease patients compared to patients without liver disease and controls. After 6 months' treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid, although the serum was significantly saturated with ursodeoxycholic acid and significant improvements in liver biochemistry were observed in the treatment group, there was no significant reduction in the levels of individual serum bile acids. Although circulating levels of potentially hepatotoxic serum bile acids are elevated in patients with cystic fibrosis-related liver disease, improvements in liver biochemistry associated with ursodeoxycholic acid treatment cannot be attributed solely to alterations in levels of endogenous bile acids.