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Abstract Vehicle platooning is seen as an enabler to improve driving safety, traffic congestion and stress‐free driving. A platoon is a highly non‐linear system and fuzzy control is able to deal with those systems. This paper presents a pioneering solution to the complex problem of vehicle platooning. Our adaptive controller seamlessly integrates fuzzy logic with conventional PID control technology, thereby ensuring safe and efficient travel for vehicles within a platoon. The key objectives of this controller encompass the maintenance of a consistent inter‐vehicle time gap and the consideration of time‐varying parameter uncertainties and communication delays between vehicles. It provides mathematical proof of the stability of the platoon formation using the Routh–Hurwitz theorem and a set of equations that describe the platoon's overall performance. Simulation results show that the proposed controller is effective in controlling vehicle platoons, even in the presence of random communication delays, resulting in improved driving safety and reduced traffic congestion.

Monitoring battery aging is crucial for maintaining reliability and performance. This study investigates Frequency Domain Reflectometry (FDR) as a tool for monitoring lithium-ion battery State-of-Health (SoH). While FDR has been applied in battery research, the existing literature fails to address SoH assessment and lacks studies on larger battery samples to provide more meaningful results. In this work, nineteen cells initially underwent Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) to assess their degradation levels during cyclic aging. This work evaluates FDR’s effectiveness in monitoring battery health indicators, such as capacity and equivalent series resistance (ESR), by correlating these with FDR-measured impedance between 300 kHz and 1 GHz. Analytical comparison between impedance measured before and after de-embedding processes were presented. The results show FDR reactance within 300 kHz–40 MHz correlates with EIS-measured ESR, suggesting its potential as a SoH indicator. However, reduced sensitivity and accuracy, particularly after de-embedding, may limit practical applicability. Additionally, resonance-based analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between changes in circuit resonance and cell dielectric permittivity. Despite having the lowest sensitivity, the method showed that the resonance frequencies of cells remain relatively constant, mirroring behaviours associated with changes in resistive properties. Overall, this study provides insights into FDR’s potential for battery diagnostics while highlighting avenues for future research to enhance effectiveness in real-world scenarios.

Abstract Vehicle platoon systems are widely recognized as key enablers to address mass‐transport. Vehicle‐to‐vehicle (V2V) and vehicle‐to‐infrastructure (V2I) are two technologies that drive platooning. The inter‐vehicle spacing and collaboration velocity in the platoon are important parameters that must be controlled. A new mass‐transport system called the Tracked Electric Vehicles (TEV) has been proposed which has reduced the inter‐vehicular spacing to only a quarter of the regular car length. This enables mass transport at uniform speed for cars with speed of 200km/h. However, conventional radar based adaptive cruise control (ACC) system fail to control each vehicle in these scenarios. Lately, sliding mode control (SMC) has been applied to control platoons with communication technology but with low speed and without delay. This paper proposes a novel SMC design for TEV using global dynamic information with the communication delay. Also, graph theory has been employed to investigate different V2V communication topology structures. To address issues of node vehicle stability and string stability, Lyapunov candidate function is chosen and developed. Additionally, this paper uses first‐order vehicle models with different acceleration/deceleration parameters for simulation validations under communication delay. The results show that this SMC has a significant tolerance ability and meets the design requirements of TEV.

Background: Western lifestyle has been associated with an increase in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). In mice, dietary wheat amylase–trypsin inhibitors (ATIs) activate intestinal myeloid cells and augment T cell-mediated systemic inflammation. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether a wheat- and thus ATI-reduced diet might exert beneficial effects in RRMS patients with modest disease activity. Methods: In this 6-month, crossover, open-label, bicentric proof-of-concept trial, 16 RRMS patients with stable disease course were randomized to either 3 months of a standard wheat-containing diet with consecutive switch to a > 90% wheat-reduced diet, or vice versa. Results: The primary endpoint was negative, as the frequency of circulating pro-inflammatory T cells did not decrease during the ATI-reduced diet. We did, however, observe decreased frequencies of CD14 + CD16 ++ monocytes and a concomitant increase in CD14 ++ CD16 − monocytes during the wheat-reduced diet interval. This was accompanied by an improvement in pain-related quality of life in health-related quality of life assessed (SF-36). Conclusion: Our results suggest that the wheat- and thus ATI-reduced diet was associated with changes in monocyte subsets and improved pain-related quality of life in RRMS patients. Thus, a wheat (ATI)-reduced diet might be a complementary approach accompanying immunotherapy for some patients. Registration: German Clinical Trial Register (No. DRKS00027967).

The integration of electric vehicles (EVs) as an environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuel cars faces a range of technological obstacles, including battery technology, charging infrastructure, and standardization. Dynamic conductive road charging (DCRC) of EVs at high speed has the potential to overcome the technical limitations of existing static charging methods. An intelligent motorway system for EVs called tracked electric vehicle (TEV) was proposed to incorporate the latest technologies of dynamic road charging, autonomous driving, and smart city data into transport infrastructure. This paper presents the operation and control of an active bipolar power collection unit (PCU) for the TEV system. The PCU is seamlessly integrated within the wheel structure of an EV using the concept of a stationary-hub wheel, enabling conductive power transfer from roadside conduction rails while the vehicle is in motion. The PCU is equipped with various features designed to maintain the contact force (CF) with the conduction rails, effectively handle instances of wheel bouncing and vibrations, and ensure a consistently smooth dynamic power transfer. This paper presents the experimental validations of the active PCU controls, including the operation sequence of the PCU, CF control, and PCU interaction with wheel bouncing.

Abstract Electric vehicles (EVs) require an onboard battery charger unit and a battery management system (BMS) unit that balances the voltage levels for each battery cell. So far, both units are two completely autarkic power electronics systems. The circuit presented here operates as a battery charger when the EV is connected to the grid and as a voltage balancer when the EV is driving. Thus, the proposed circuit utilises two functions in one and therefore eliminates the need of having two autarkic units reducing complexity and reduction in component count. The proposed circuit operates as a flyback converter and achieves power factor correction during battery charging. The constant‐current constant‐voltage (CC–CV) charging method is employed to charge the batteries. However, to limit the number of sensors that will be employed as a result of varying cells during charging, the battery current is estimated using a single current transducer and embedding a converter model in the controller. The operation of the circuit is presented in detail and is supported by simulation results. A laboratory prototype is built to verify the effectiveness of the proposed topology. Experiment results show that the proposed method provides an integrated solution of on‐board charging and voltage equalisation.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has notably affected the epidemiology of various infectious diseases. The imposed public health measures and disruptions in vaccination programs have potentially altered the patterns of these diseases post pandemic. Objective: To investigate the change in epidemiology of otorhinolaryngological infectious diseases in adult and pediatric patients after the COVID-19 pandemic and the relaxation of public health measures. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a large tertiary university otolaryngology department in the south of Germany, examining admissions with specific ICD-10 diagnoses from 2019 to 2023. Data were seasonally categorized and statistically analyzed. Results: A total of 1728 inpatient cases were analyzed. There was a significant increase in otorhinolaryngological infections in the post-pandemic winter of 2022, particularly of peritonsillar abscesses, acute tonsillitis and acute mastoiditis. No significant post-pandemic spike in mononucleosis was observed. The duration of hospitalization was shorter in 2022, and the median age of patients did not change significantly pre- versus post-pandemic. Conclusions: The study indicates a significant post-pandemic rise in otorhinolaryngological infections. Remarkably, the typical "dip" in infections during the summer months was not observed in the post pandemic years, possibly reflecting the impact of the termination of non-pharmaceutical interventions. Mononucleosis was the only infection not following this pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With advancing age, cognitive decline is frequently associated with endothelial dysfunction, but data on vascular performance prior to the onset of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is scarce. Objective: To investigate the relationship between endothelial function, vital parameters and cognitive performance in older adults with subjective cognitive decline (SCD). Methods: Forty-five volunteers aged 65 years and older with SCD underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment-based prognosis evaluation by means of the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI), full neuropsychological examination and peripheral arterial tonometry measurement by means of EndoPAT™2000 to evaluate endothelial flexibility and vital parameters. Six months after initial evaluation, participants were contacted by phone and a telephone-administered version of the MPI (TELE-MPI) was conducted. Results: Fifteen study participants scored below the cutoff score of 26 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, suggesting MCI (26.56±2.23). Nominal significant correlations were found between heart rate (HR) and trail making test (TMT) A (β= –0.49, p = 0.03), between heart rate variability (HRV) and TMT B (β= 0.78, p = 0.041), between power of low-frequency band (LF) HRV and Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (β= 0.007, p = 0.037) as well as between augmentation index (AI) and CogState Detection Test (β= 0.002, p = 0.034). Conclusions: HR, HRV, and AI, but not endothelial flexibility are associated with cognitive performance in SCD and suspected MCI patients and may serve as clinical biomarkers in the early diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders with advancing age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Among preventive strategies against dementia, nutrition is considered a powerful one and the recently established "nutritional cognitive neuroscience of aging" is a highly active research field. Objective: The present study was designed to deeply characterize older adults across the continuum from cognitive integrity to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and better elucidate the prognostic role of lipophilic micronutrients within their lipidomic signature. Methods: 123 participants older than 65 years across the continuum from cognitive integrity to MCI were included [49 with subjective cognitive impairment, 29 women, 72.5±5.4 years, 26 MCI, 9 women, 74.5±5.8 years and 50 without cognitive impairment, 21 women, 70.8±4.3 years]. All participants underwent neuropsychological and nutritional examination as well as comprehensive geriatric assessment with calculation of the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI) as a proxy of frailty and biological age and blood withdrawal for the analyses of lipophilic micronutrients, metabolomics and oxylipidomics. One year after the evaluation, same tests are ongoing. Results: After adjustment for age, sex, daily fruit and vegetable intake and cholesterol, we found a significant positive correlation between lutein and the number of correct words in category fluency (p = 0.016). Conclusions: This result supports the importance of carotenoids as robust biomarkers of cognitive performance independent of the nutritional status and frailty of the participants, as the entire present study collective was robust (MPI 0–0.33). The complete analyses of the metabolome and the oxylipidome will hopefully shed light on the metabolic and prognostic signature of cognitive decline in the rapidly growing population at risk of frailty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Older patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) are at high risk for frailty and geriatric syndromes (GSs), which modulate their individual prognosis and are therefore relevant for further management. Because few studies have evaluated the geriatric profile of older AF patients, this secondary analysis aims to further characterize the patterns of GSs and geriatric resources (GRs) in AF patients and their association with anticoagulation use. Methods: Data from 362 hospitalized patients aged 65 years and older with AF (n = 181, 77.8 ± 5.8 years, 38% female) and without AF (non-AF [NAF]; n = 181, 77.5 ± 5.9 years, 40% female) admitted to an internal medicine and nephrology ward of a large university hospital in Germany were included. All patients underwent usual care plus a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) including calculation of the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI) and collection of 17 GSs and 10 GRs. Patients were followed up by telephone 6 and 12 months after discharge to collect data on their health status. Results: The mean MPI score of 0.47 indicated an average risk of poor outcome, and patients with AF had a significantly higher MPI than those without AF (p = 0.040). After adjustment for chronological age, biological sex, Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS) for relevant chronic diagnoses and MPI as a proxy for biological age, AF patients had significantly more mnestic resources (63.5% vs. 33.1%, p < 0.001), a tendency for less age-appropriate living conditions (56.4% vs. 72.9%, p = 0.051) and more sensory impairment (78.5% vs. 52.5%, p < 0.001) than NAF patients. They also had a higher number of GSs (p = 0.046). AF patients on oral anticoagulants (OACs, n = 91) had less age-appropriate living conditions (48.4% vs. 64.4%, p < 0.05) and mnestic resources (36.3% vs. 54.4%, p < 0.01), but more emotional resources (80.2% vs. 65.6%, p < 0.05) and chronic pain (56% vs. 40%, p < 0.05) than patients without OACs (n = 90). Overall, mortality at 1 year was increased in patients with a higher MPI (p < 0.009, adjusted for age, sex and CIRS), with a diagnosis of AF (p = 0.007, adjusted for age, sex, CIRS and MPI), with of male sex (p = 0.008, adjusted for age, CIRS and MPI) and those with AF and treated with hemodialysis (p = 0.022, compared to AF patients without dialysis treatment). Conclusions: Patients with AF and patients with AF and OACs show differences in their multidimensional frailty degree as well as GR and GS profiles compared to patients without AF or with AF not treated with OACs. Mortality after 1 year is increased in AF patients with a higher MPI and dialysis, independently from OAC use and overall burden of chronic disease as assessed per CIRS. GRs and GSs, especially age-appropriate living conditions, emotional resources, sensory impairment and chronic pain, can be considered as factors that may modify the individual impact of frailty, underscoring the relevance of these parameters in the management of older patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]