bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How does habitat restoration influence resilience of salmon populations to climate change?
Authors: Beechie Timothy J. , Fogel Caleb , Nicol Colin , Jorgensen Jeff , Timpane‐Padgham Britta , Kiffney Peter
Published: February 2023

A pressing question for managing recovery of depressed or declining species is: Can habitat restoration increase resilience to climate change? We addressed this question for salmon populations with varying life histories, where resilience is defined as maintaining or increasing population size despite climate change effects. Previous studies indicate that several interrelated mechanisms may influence salmon resilience to climate change, including improving either habitat capacity or productivity, and ameliorating climate change effects on flood flow, low flow, or stream temperature. Using the Habitat Assessment and Restoration Planning (HARP) model, we first examined the relative importance of each mechanism for increasing salmon population resilience by comparing projected salmon spawner abundance for seven individual restoration action types under current and projected mid‐ and late‐century climates. We found that restoring habitats with the greatest restoration potential most increased resilience for all species, but the most beneficial restoration actions varied among species. Increasing habitat capacity and productivity both contributed to resilience, and ameliorating climate change effects was important in a few subbasins where the restoration opportunity was widespread. Cool‐water climate refuges contributed to resilience of some subpopulations by reducing late‐century declines in spawner abundance even without restoration. We also modeled more complex habitat restoration strategies comprised of several restoration action types at varying restoration intensities and found that the restoration action types and level of restoration effort needed to increase resilience varied among species. Less vulnerable species such as coho salmon responded well to four restoration actions (floodplain reconnection, wood augmentation, increased shade, and increased beaver ponds) applied at low restoration intensity and over a large area. More vulnerable species such as spring Chinook responded to fewer action types (floodplain reconnection, wood augmentation, and increased shade), but at much higher intensity and over a much smaller area. The analysis also identified important locations for each restoration action type for each species, which helps focus habitat restoration effort on areas that are likely to provide the largest increases in resilience.
Changes in wildfire occurrence and risk to homes from 1990 through 2019 in the Southern Rocky Mountains, USA
Authors: Hawbaker Todd J. , Henne Paul D. , Vanderhoof Melanie K. , Carlson Amanda R. , Mockrin Miranda H. , Radeloff Volker C.
Published: February 2023

Wildfires and housing development have increased since the 1990s, presenting unique challenges for wildfire management. However, it is unclear how the relative influences of housing growth and changing wildfire occurrence have altered risk to homes, or the potential for wildfire to threaten homes. We used a random forests model to predict burn probability in relation to weather variables at 1‐km resolution and monthly intervals from 1990 through 2019 in the Southern Rocky Mountains ecoregion. We quantified risk by combining the predicted burn probabilities with decadal housing density. We then compared the predicted burn probabilities and risk across the study area with observed values and quantified trends. Finally, we evaluated how housing growth and changes in burn probability influenced risk individually and combined. Fires burned 9055 km2 and exposed more than 8500 homes from 1990 to 2019. Observed burned area increased 632% from the 1990s to the 2000s, which combined with housing growth, resulted in a 1342% increase in homes exposed. Increases continued in the 2010s but at lower rates; burned area by 65% and exposure by 32%. The random forests model had excellent fit and high correlation with observations (AUC = 0.88 and r = 0.9). Observed values were within the 95% uncertainty interval for all years except 2016 (burned area) and 2000 (exposure). However, our model overpredicted in years with low observed burned area and underpredicted in years with high observed burned area. Overpredictions in risk resulted in lower rates of change in predicted risk compared with change in observed exposure. Increases in risk between the 1990s and 2000s were primarily due to warmer and drier weather conditions and secondarily because of housing growth. However, increases between the 2000s and 2010s were primarily due to housing growth. Our modeling approach identifies spatial and temporal patterns of wildfire potential and risk, which is critical information to guide decision‐making. Because the drivers behind risk shift over time, strategies to mitigate risk may need to account for multiple drivers simultaneously.
Modeling climate‐driven range shifts in populations of two bird species limited by habitat independent of climate
Authors: Schofield Lynn N. , Siegel Rodney B. , Loffland Helen L.
Published: February 2023

Ranges of species around the world are expected to contract in response to climate change. Species distribution models (SDMs) are a powerful tool for predicting changes in habitat availability, but the variables selected to create SDMs influence their performance. In addition to climate, habitat characteristics and species traits can play a role in predicting species distribution. In this paper, we consider how variable selection influences the accuracy of SDMs when applied to isolated subpopulations of two widely distributed bird species: great gray owl (Strix nebulosa) and willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii). In the Sierra Nevada of California, these species are restricted largely to discrete patches of meadow habitat within a forest matrix, providing the potential to identify specific locations to target conservation efforts. We contrast predictions made by SDMs that consider climatic variables alone with those that incorporate both climate and geophysical variables. Adding geophysical variables resulted in differing model predictions. For willow flycatchers, adding geophysical variables improved predictive performance. In the case of great gray owls, models with and without geophysical variables had nearly identical performance under historical conditions but differed starkly in their predictions. The full model (climatic and geophysical variables) predicted habitat availability to decrease moderately, whereas the climate‐only model predicted nearly complete loss of favorable habitat by 2099. The climate‐only model is consistent with expectations based on previous SDMs of birds across North America, but previous studies also assumed homogeneity in species traits and range‐wide habitat requirements. The full model appears more consistent with recent trends in great gray owl numbers in the Sierra Nevada specifically, where the population has remained relatively stable over recent decades. Given contradictions in our model predictions, care should be taken when trying to apply similar SDMs to other systems.
High winds and melting sea ice trigger landward movement in a polar bear population of concern
Authors: Kellner Annie , Atwood Todd C. , Douglas David C. , Breck Stewart W. , Wittemyer George
Published: February 2023

Some animal species are responding to climate change by altering the timing of events like mating and migration. Such behavioral plasticity can be adaptive, but it is not always. Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from the southern Beaufort Sea subpopulation have mostly remained on ice year‐round, but as the climate warms and summer sea ice declines, a growing proportion of the subpopulation is summering ashore. The triggers of this novel behavior are not well understood. Our study uses a parametric time‐to‐event model to test whether biological and/or time‐varying environmental variables thought to influence polar bear movement and habitat selection also drive decisions to swim ashore. We quantified the time polar bears spent occupying offshore sea ice of varying ice concentrations. We evaluated variations in the ordinal date bears moved to land with respect to local environmental conditions such as sea ice concentration and wind across 10 years (2005–2015). Results from our study suggest that storm events (i.e., sustained high wind speeds) may force polar bears from severely degraded ice habitat and catalyze seasonal movements to land. Unlike polar bears long adapted to complete summer ice melt, southern Beaufort Sea bears that summer ashore appear more tolerant of poor‐quality sea ice habitat and are less willing to abandon it. Our findings provide a window into emergent, climatically mediated behavior in an Arctic marine mammal vulnerable to rapid habitat decline.
The timing of heat waves has multiyear effects on milkweed and its insect community
Authors: Cope Olivia L. , Zehr Luke N. , Agrawal Anurag A. , Wetzel William C.
Published: February 2023

Extreme heat events are becoming more frequent and intense as climate variability increases, and these events inherently vary in their timing. We predicted that the timing of a heat wave would determine its consequences for insect communities owing to temporal variation in the susceptibility of host plants to heat stress. We subjected common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) plants to in‐field experimental heat waves to investigate how the timing of heat waves, both seasonally and relative to a biotic stressor (experimental herbivory), affected their ecological consequences. We found that heat waves had multiyear, timing‐specific effects on plant–insect communities. Early‐season heat waves led to greater and more persistent effects on plants and herbivore communities than late‐season heat waves. Heat waves following experimental herbivory had reduced consequences. Our results show that extreme climate events can have complex, lasting ecological effects beyond the year of the event—and that timing is key to understanding those effects.
Effects of range and niche position on the population dynamics of a tropical plant
Authors: Moutouama Jacob K. , Gaoue Orou G.
Published: February 2023

The center‐periphery hypothesis predicts a decline in population performance toward the periphery of a species' range, reflecting an alteration of environmental conditions at range periphery. However, the rare demographic tests of this hypothesis failed to disentangle the role of geography from that of ecological niche and are biased toward temperate regions. We hypothesized that, because species are expected to experience optimal abiotic conditions at their climatic niche center, (1) central populations will have better demographic growth, survival, and fertility than peripheral populations. As a result, (2) central populations are expected to have higher growth rates than peripheral populations. Peripheral populations are expected to decline, thus limiting species range expansion beyond these boundaries. Because peripheral populations are expected to be in harsh environmental conditions, (3) population growth rate will be more sensitive to perturbation of survival‐growth rather than fertility in peripheral populations. Finally, we hypothesized that (4) soils properties will drive the variations in population growth rates for narrowly distributed species for which small scale ecological factors could outweigh landscape level drivers. To test these hypotheses, we studied the demography of Thunbergia atacorensis (Acanthaceae), a range‐limited herb in West Africa. We collected three years of demographic data to parameterize an integral projection model (IPM) and estimated population level demographic statistics. Demographic vital rates and population growth rates did not change significantly with distance from geographic or climatic center, contrary to predictions. However, populations at the center of the geographic range were demographically more resilient to perturbation than those at the periphery. Soil nitrogen was the main driver of population growth rate variation. The relative influence of survival‐growth on population growth rates exceeded that of fertility at the geographic range center while we observed the opposite pattern for climatic niche. Our study highlights the importance of local scale processes in shaping the dynamics and distribution of range‐limited species. Our findings also suggest that the distinction between geographic distribution and climatic niche is important for a robust demographic test of the center‐periphery hypothesis.
Kekulé’s OscillatingD3hCyclohexatriene Structure of Benzene
Authors: Wentrup Curt
Published: February 2023

Kekulé postulated that neighbouring carbon atoms in benzene undergo incessant collision with each other, thereby leading to the interchange of double and single bonds, which amounts to an oscillation between two cyclohexatriene structures in dynamic equilibrium. It has been claimed that Kekulé arrived at a fully symmetricD6hstructure of benzene and that the oscillation hypothesis should not be attributed to him. However, Clausius’ collision theory, which was known at the time, implies that, when the absolute temperature approaches zero, the collision frequency will tend toward zero too, i.e. collisions will stop, and a static,D3hcyclohexatriene obtains. The classical collision theory did not allow Kekulé to construct the desiredD6hstructure as the energy minimum. The theory of harmonic oscillators would have allowed it, but that was not attempted at Kekulé’s time.
Surface plasmon resonance‐enhanced photoelectrochemical immunoassay of prostate‐specific antigen based on BiOCl‐Au heterojunction
Authors: Lin Xiaorong , You Liuxia , He Qingliu , Zhuang Wei , Huang Bizhen , Zheng Dongxu
Published: February 2023

Taking advantage of the high‐efficiency photocurrent response of bismuth oxychloride sensitized with gold nanoparticles (BiOCl−Au) in combination with the antigen‐antibody biological recognition reaction, a convenient photoelectrochemical (PEC) immunoassay (model target: prostate‐specific antigen; PSA) has been fabricated. In particular, the enhanced photocurrent response could be attributed to the enhanced optical absorption of visible light from surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect of gold nanoparticles in the hierarchical structure of BiOCl layered. To realize the biological detection process, an immunoreaction was implemented between target PSA and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)‐labeled anti‐PSA antibodies. With the formation of ternary sandwich immunocomplex, the carried and loaded ALP catalysed the substrate ascorbic acid 2‐phosphate (AAP) to generate ascorbic acid for increasing the photocurrent intensity of BiOCl−Au/FTO. Under optimum reaction time, the photocurrent peak intensity of BiOCl−Au/FTO increased with the increasing of target PSA concentration in the range of 0.01 ng/mL to 50 ng/mL with a limit of detection (LOD) down to 2.3 pg/mL. In the photocurrent control experiment, the photocurrent of BiOCl−Au/FTO was not only higher than that of BiOCl/FTO, but also showed greater changes in photocurrent under the same target PSA concentration. Impressively, the proposed split‐type PEC immunoassay was applied to detect PSA concentration in human serum samples, giving acceptable and satisfactory accuracy compared with the gold standard PSA ELISA method.
In Situ Atomic Force Microscopy and X‐ray Computed Tomography Characterization of All‐Solid‐State Lithium Batteries: Both Local and Overall
Authors: Chen Weiheng , Chen Xiaoping , Chen Wenhua , Jiang Zhongqing
Published: February 2023

All‐solid‐state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) are promising due to their high‐energy output and low‐risk profile, but their development has only just begun. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and related techniques have had an impact on ASSLBs research by elucidating the interfacial, morphological, mechanical, electrical, and electrochemical properties of a wide range of electrodes and electrolytes. However, because a cross‐section cut is necessary to define the solid–solid interface, true in situ analysis is not practical. The first part of this review will assess recent advancements in the study of ASSLBs utilizing AFM and other scanning probe microscopy techniques. The interior solid–solid interfaces can be illuminated in situ using X‐ray computed tomography (X‐CT) and other nondestructive characterization techniques, whereas, in contrast, to deepen the subject, it is further examined how X‐CT vary from the use of other instruments for solid‐state battery characterization, compare the information that various methods may give, and assess how well they can accurately reflect real batteries. This review may serve as a reference and point researchers in the direction of future study on the solid–solid interface of ASSLBs.
Refrigerant Selection for Heat Pumps: The Compressor Makes the Difference
Authors: Neumaier Lisa , Roskosch Dennis , Schilling Johannes , Bauer Gernot , Gross Joachim , Bardow André
Published: February 2023

Increasingly stringent regulations and new applications require selecting improved refrigerants for heat pumps. The selected refrigerants should be environmentally friendly and maximize the performance of the heat pump process. Systematic refrigerant selection methods usually model the compressor with one fixed isentropic efficiency identical for all refrigerants. However, compressor studies indicate that the isentropic efficiency may be highly refrigerant‐dependent. Herein, the need for a refrigerant‐dependent compressor model for refrigerant selection is investigated. For this purpose, a refrigerant‐dependent compressor model is combined with an integrated design of refrigerant and heat pump process. To guarantee a comparable nominal heating power among refrigerants, the compressor design is tailored to the refrigerant by expanding the refrigerant‐dependent compressor model toward compressor sizing. Integrating compressor design into systematic refrigerant selection is enabled by a computationally efficient model implementation. Accounting for refrigerant‐dependent compression substantially changes the resulting refrigerant ranking compared to the widely used assumption of identical isentropic efficiencies for all refrigerants: The best‐performing refrigerant is not even identified among the best ten refrigerants when assuming identical isentropic efficiencies. Consequently, compression is identified as the main driver for differences in refrigerant performance. Therefore, integrating refrigerant‐dependent compressor models is crucial for systematic refrigerant selection.
Societal Acceptability of Large Stationary Battery Storage Systems
Authors: Baur Dorothee , Baumann Manuel Johann , Stuhm Patrick , Weil Marcel
Published: February 2023

Large stationary battery storage (BS) has experienced rapid growth, but only few studies have examined the social acceptability of these. An online survey is conducted by examining the visual impact (location and design) of BS on acceptability. Analyses indicate that BS is more readily accepted in industrial and rural areas compared to residential areas or the participants’ immediate neighborhoods. Adapting the design of BS to its surroundings can help to increase acceptability in residential areas, whereas battery storage design does not significantly influence acceptability in locations further away from homes. Finally, findings concerning public support for diverse mitigation measures with regard to the siting of BS in residential areas show that environmental mitigation measures are most supported. The findings support the notion that the location and design of BS affect technology acceptability. When possible, BS should be built away from residential areas, for which acceptability is rather low. On the other hand, especially industrial areas emerge as a promising location for siting battery storage, with acceptability being very high. If BS is built close to or in residential areas, attention should be paid to minimizing visual intrusion by adapting the exterior of the infrastructure toward its surroundings.
Exotic tree plantations in the Chilean Coastal Range: Balancing effects of discrete disturbances, connectivity and a persistent drought on catchment erosion
Authors: Tolorza Violeta , Mohr Christian , Zambrano-Bigiarini Mauricio , Sotomayor Benjamin , Poblete-Caballero Dagoberto , Carretier Sebastien , Galleguillos Mauricio , Seguel Oscar
Published: February 2023

The Coastal Range in the Mediterranean segment of the Chilean active
margin is a soil mantled landscape able to store fresh water and
potentially support a biodiverse native forest. In this landscape, human
intervention has been increasing soil erosion for ~200
yr, with the last ~45 yr experiencing intensive
management of exotic tree plantations. At the same time, this landscape
has been affected by a prolonged megadrought, and how the anthropogenic
disturbances and hydrometeorologic trends affect sediment transport is
not yet well understood.

In this study we calculate a decadal-scale catchment erosion rate from
suspended sediment loads and compare it with a
10-year-scale catchment denudation rate estimated
from detritic 10Be. We then contrast these rates against the effects of
discrete disturbances and hydroclimatic trends. Erosion/denudation rates
are similar on both time scales, i.e. 0.018 ± 0.005 mm/yr and 0.024 ±
0.004 mm/yr, respectively. Recent human-made disturbances include
logging operations during each season and a dense network of forestry
roads, which increase structural sediment connectivity. Other
disturbances include the 2010 M 8.8 Maule
earthquake, and two widespread wildfires in 2015 and 2017.

A decrease in suspended sediment load is observed during the wet seasons
for the period 1986-2018 coinciding with a decline in several
hydroclimatic parameters. The low 10-year denudation
rate agrees with a landscape dominated by slow soil creep. The low
10-year-scale erosion rate and the decrease in suspended sediments,
however, conflicts with both the observed disturbances and increased
structural (sediment) connectivity. These observations suggest that,
either suspended sediment loads and, thus, catchment erosion, are
underestimated, and/or that decennial sediment detachment and transport
were smeared by decreasing rainfall and streamflow. Our findings
indicate that human-made disturbances and hydrometeorologic trends may
result in opposite, partially offsetting effects on recent sediment
transport, but both contribute to the degradation of the landscape.
The socioeconomic inequity in healthcare utilization among individuals with cardiovascular diseases in India
Authors: Akhtar Azharuddin , Roy Chowdhury Indrani
Published: February 2023

We assess the effects of socioeconomic inequity on healthcare utilization among individuals with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in India using the indirect standardization method with Erreygers' corrected concentration index. We analyze both horizontal and vertical inequities and linearly decompose the respective inequities to identify the major factors driving both kinds of inequities. Our findings show that actual healthcare utilization is highly concentrated among rich CVD individuals. After controlling for the confounding effects of health needs, horizontal inequity is found to be significantly pro‐rich, and income and urban concentration are found to be the major factors driving this inequity. However, the direction and magnitude of vertical inequity vary, depending on the selection of the target group. When we use healthcare utilization of the richest 20 percent as the target, we find no significant vertical inequity among CVD individuals. However, when we take the richest 10 percent as the target, we observe a significant pro‐rich differential effect of health needs on healthcare utilization between all individuals and the target group. Decomposition reveals an inappropriate differential effect of health needs and age in driving vertical inequity. Hence, the presence of vertical inequity may trigger further pro‐rich socioeconomic inequity in healthcare utilization if not supported by any targeted healthcare coverage.
A preliminary investigation of water storage in check‐dams across China's Loess Plateau using electrical resistivity tomography
Authors: Liu Chenggong , Jia Xiaoxu , Ren Lidong , Duan Guoxiu , Shao Ming'an
Published: February 2023

Check dams are typical deposition sites that trap and store eroded sediments from uplands and are widely constructed on China's Loess Plateau (LP) as an effective soil and water conservation practice. Compared with slope land (SL), check‐dam land (DL) may store more water resources and play an important role in food production and water regulation in watersheds. However, little is known about the water distribution characteristics and driving factors of DL. In this study, we investigated seven DLs in different regions of the LP and four SLs under different land uses using the non‐invasive electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) technique and established a nonlinear model correlating electrical resistivity (ρ) and soil water content (θv). The results showed that θv can be successfully estimated by ρ using the power function model according to the coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.77) and root‐mean‐square error (RMSE = 0.035 cm3/cm3), indicating that ERT is applicable for estimating water resources in the loessal region. Generally, the distribution of DL water resources can be divided into three types: (i) unsaturated throughout the entire profile, (ii) unsaturated in the top but saturated in the lower profile and (iii) approximately saturated throughout the profile with minimal spatial variation. The different water distribution characteristics among the DLs may be related to the soil texture, land use type and drainage facility. The total mean water storage in the 0–4 m profile of DL for different land‐use types was 1.5–2.0 times higher than that of SL. Therefore, DL water stores should not be ignored when assessing hydrological cycles and the water budget in a watershed in the LP. Future research should be implemented to understand the hydrological processes and ecological effects of both DL and SL to optimize water management strategies with sustainable ecosystem functions in the loessal region.
PON2 ameliorates Ang II‐induced cardiomyocyte injury by targeting the CANX/NOX4 signaling pathway
Authors: Ye Yuanzheng , Zhang Jian , Guo Yankai , Zhu Jiajun , Tang Baopeng , Fan Ping
Published: February 2023

Background

The incidence of heart failure (HF) presents an escalating trend annually, second only to cancer. Few literatures are available regarding on the role of paraoxonase 2 (PON2) in HF so far despite the protective role of PON2 in cardiovascular diseases.

Methods

PON2 expression in AC16 cells was examined with reverse transcriptase‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot following angiotensin II (Ang II) challenging. After PON2 elevation, 2, 7‐dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay estimated reactive oxygen species content, related kits appraised oxidative stress, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay evaluated inflammatory levels, and Western blot was applied to the analysis of apoptosis levels. Research on cytoskeleton was conducted by immunofluorescence (IF), and Western blot analysis of the expressions of hypertrophy‐related proteins was performed. BioGRID and GeneMania databases were used to analyze the relationship between PON2 and Calnexin (CANX), which was corroborated by co‐immunoprecipitation experiment. Subsequently, PON2 and CANX were simultaneously overexpressed in AC16 cells induced by Ang II to further figure out the mechanism.

Results

PON2 expression was depleted in Ang II‐induced AC16 cells. PON2 might mediate CANX/NOX4 signaling to inhibit oxidation, inflammatory, hypertrophy, and damage in Ang II‐induced AC16 cells.

Conclusion

PON2 can ease Ang II‐induced cardiomyocyte injury via targeting CANX/NOX4 signaling.
Are monoclonal antibodies effective in patients with severe obesity in SARS‐CoV‐2 infected?
Authors: Ucciferri Claudio , Moffa Livia , Moffa Samanta , Vecchiet Jacopo , Falasca Katia
Published: February 2023

It is important to block SARS‐CoV‐2 infection immediately with early therapies, such as monoclonal antibodies (MonoAbs). Also, several studies show that obesity is associated with a high risk of severe COVID‐19 disease. We enrolled 32 SARS‐CoV‐2 infected patients who received MonoAbs, all patients were not vaccinated for SARS‐CoV‐2, and they received therapy after 7 ± 2 days from the onset of COVID‐19 symptoms. In the days following administration, patients followed home therapy with Pidotimod 800 mg bid for 10 days and cholecalciferol 2000 UI for 20 days, prescribed the same day they received MonoAbs therapy. Our study found that there are no differences in the therapeutic response between obese and nonobese patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection undergoing MonoAbs therapy, in fact, none of them underwent hospitalization. Furthermore, the effect of the immunostimulant Pidotimod and cholecalciferol may have contributed to the resolution of COVID‐19 symptoms in these patients.
Progranulin deficiency suppresses allergic asthma and enhances efferocytosis via PPAR‐γ/MFG‐E8 regulation in macrophages
Authors: Huang Qi , Weng Danlin , Yao Shifei , Shen Hailan , Gao Song , Zhang Yanyu , Huang Wenjie , Wang Yan , Wang Hong , Xu Wenchun
Published: February 2023

Efferocytosis can resolve airway inflammation and enhance airway tolerance in allergic asthma. While previous work has reported that progranulin (PGRN) regulated macrophage efferocytosis, but it is unclear whether PGRN‐mediated efferocytosis is associated with asthma. Here, we found that in an ovalbumin (OVA)‐induced allergic asthma model, the airway inflammation was suppressed and the apoptosis in lung tissues was ameliorated in PGRN‐deficient mice. In contrast, PGRN knockdown in human bronchial epithelial cells increased apoptosis in vitro. Furthermore, PGRN‐deficient macrophages had significantly stronger efferocytosis ability than wild type (WT) macrophages both in vitro and in vivo. PGRN‐deficient peritoneal macrophages (PMs) exhibited increased expression of genes associated with efferocytosis including milk fat globule‐epidermal growth factor 8 (MFG‐E8), peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPAR‐γ) and sirtuin1 (SIRT1) and increased capacity to produce the anti‐inflammatory mediator interleukin (IL)‐10 during efferocytosis. GW9662, the inhibitor of PPAR‐γ, abolished increased efferocytosis and MFG‐E8 expression in PGRN‐deficient PMs suggesting that PGRN deficiency enhanced MFG‐E8‐mediated efferocytosis through PPAR‐γ. Correspondingly, efferocytosis genes were increased in the lungs of OVA‐induced PGRN‐deficient mice. GW9662 treatment reduced MFG‐E8 expression but did not significantly affect airway inflammation. Our results demonstrated that PGRN deficiency enhanced efferocytosis via the PPAR‐γ/MFG‐E8 pathway and this may be one of the reasons PGRN deficiency results in inhibition of airway inflammation in allergic asthma.
First‐linenab‐paclitaxel plus carboplatin for patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer: Final results of the NEPTUN study
Authors: Dechow Tobias , Riera‐Knorrenschild Jorge , Hackanson Björn , Janssen Jan , Schulz Holger , Oppermann Ursula , Chiabudini Marco , von Weikersthal Ludwig Fischer , Budweiser Stephan , Nacke Axel , Taeuscher Dagmar , Welslau Manfred , Potthoff Karin
Published: February 2023

Real‐world data on the first‐line treatment of patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are still limited. The NEPTUN study evaluated effectiveness and safety of first‐line nab‐paclitaxel (Abraxane) plus carboplatin (nab‐P/C) in patients with advanced NSCLC in routine clinical practice in Germany. Patients included in our study were aged ≥18 years, diagnosed with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC and with decision for first‐line nab‐P/C in routine clinical practice. Primary objective was 6‐month progression‐free survival rate (PFS6), secondary objectives included overall survival (OS), overall response rate (ORR) and safety. From 2016 to 2019, 408 patients from 75 sites were enrolled. PFS6 was 39.5% (95% CI: 34.2‐44.8), median PFS was 5.1 months (95% CI: 4.6‐5.6), ORR was 42.9% (95% CI: 37.7‐48.2). Median OS was 10.5 months (95% CI: 9.2‐11.6). In subgroup analyses, median OS for squamous vs non‐squamous histology was 11.5 months (95% CI: 9.2‐13.8) vs 9.8 months (95% CI: 8.1‐11.3) and for patients aged ≥70 vs <70 years median OS was 12.4 months (95% CI: 9.8‐15.1) vs 9.6 months (95% CI: 7.7‐11.1). Adverse events (AEs) related to nab‐paclitaxel were reported in 247 (66.4%) patients, while carboplatin‐related AEs were documented in 224 (60.2%) patients. Most frequently related AEs were leukopenia (22.3%) for nab‐paclitaxel and anemia (20.2%) for carboplatin. Nab‐P/C‐related deaths were reported in 2 (0.5%) patients (sepsis and neutropenic sepsis). No new or unexpected safety signals emerged. These results support the effectiveness and safety of first‐line nab‐P/C in patients with advanced NSCLC reported in the pivotal trial and highlight the clinical value of this regimen in the real‐world setting.
DLR Institute of Systems Engineering for Future Mobility – Technical Trustworthiness as a Basis for Highly Automated and Autonomous Systems
Authors: Bolles André , Hagemann Willem , Hahn Axel , Fränzle Martin
Published: February 2023

The newly established Institute of Systems Engineering for Future Mobility within the German Aerospace Center opened its doors at the beginning of 2022. Emerging from the former OFFIS Division Transportation after a two‐year transition phase, the new institute can draw on more than thirty years of experience in the research field of safety‐critical systems. With the transition to the DLR, the institute's new research roadmap focuses on technical trustworthiness for highly automated and autonomous systems. Within this field, the institute will develop new concepts, methods, and tools to support the integration and assurance of technical trustworthiness for automated and autonomous systems during their whole lifecycle – from the early development through verification, validation, and operation to updates of the systems in the field.
Scenario‐based Verification and Validation of Automated Transportation Systems
Authors: Neurohr Birte , Möhlmann Eike
Published: February 2023

The research and development activities performed by the DLR Institute of Systems Engineering for Future Mobility (DLR‐SE) are organized via so‐called assets. We present a scenario‐based verification and validation process and relate selected research activities.

Verification and validation approaches of automated transportation systems based on driving a certain number of kilometers are infeasible. Therefore, the DLR‐SE asset “Scenario‐based Verification and Validation of Automated Transportation Systems” investigates methods and prototyping tools for verifying and validating automated transportation systems employing scenarios as the main structuring element to capture complex traffic evolutions. While there are many different approaches, our focus is formally specifying relevant abstract scenarios that are readable by humans while also being machine‐readable. This allows us to automatize the verification and validation process, which increases confidence in, for example, the safety of the systems due to a dramatically increased number of executed tests while reducing the manual effort from humans.
Distilling Reference Architectures in the High‐tech Equipment Industry
Authors: Doornbos Richard , Marincic Jelena , Vasenev Alexandr , Wesselius Jacco
Published: February 2023

Companies in the high‐tech equipment industry are continuously looking for ways to optimize their business. A notoriously difficult part of optimizing is the R&D activities, as risks and uncertainties are inherent. In our experience, creating and using a reference architecture for a product or portfolio to guide future developments is a good way to improve R&D effectiveness and efficiency. But developing a reference architecture by capturing the relevant information and establishing the structure, the models and their interrelations, the tools, and secondly, getting clarity on how to use such reference is not easy. In this article, we describe a method to ‘distill’ a reference architecture using the knowledge built‐up in years of developing products and using the customer and business values to capture the key architectural decisions for future products. We explain the purpose and usage of a reference architecture and how to organize it. The experiences obtained in Thermo Fisher Scientific have proven the importance and practicality of this approach.
Human Models for Future Mobility
Authors: Lüdtke Andreas , Osterloh Jan‐Patrick , Suchan Jakob , Trende Alexander
Published: February 2023

The new DLR Institute of Systems Engineering for Future Mobility (DLR SE) opened its doors at the beginning of 2022. As the new DLR institute emerged from the former OFFIS Division Transportation, it can draw on more than 30 years of experience in the research field on safety critical systems. With the transition to the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the institute has developed a new research roadmap focusing on technical trustworthiness for highly automated and autonomous systems, as described in the article “DLR Institute of Systems Engineering for Future Mobility – Technical Trustworthiness as a Basis for Highly Automated and Autonomous Systems” in this journal. In this paper, we describe how the Group Human Centered Engineering (HCE) contributes to this roadmap with our methods of “virtual test drivers” and “virtual co‐drivers.”
AI4SE and SE4AI: Setting the Roadmap toward Human‐Machine Co‐Learning
Authors: Pepe Kara , Hutchison Nicole
Published: February 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technology are becoming increasingly critical in systems: both to provide new capabilities and in the practice of systems engineering itself, especially as digital transformation improves the automation of many routine engineering tasks. The application of AI, ML, and autonomy to complex and critical systems encourage the development of new systems engineering methods, processes, and tools. This article highlights a series of workshops conducted jointly by the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (CCDC AC) Systems Engineering Directorate and the Systems Engineering Research Center (SERC). These workshops focus on the relationships between AI and systems engineering and elicit input from hundreds of stakeholders across government, industry, and academia. They also provide critical direction to the SERC's research roadmap on AI/autonomy as it looks towards the long‐term outcome of “human‐machine co‐learning.” Though the workshops are US‐centric, the lessons and insights gained are applicable globally.
Getting a Grip on the Ever‐Changing Software in Cyber‐Physical Systems
Authors: Oortwijn Wytse , Hendriks Dennis , van der Meer Arjan , Huijbrechts Bas
Published: February 2023

As industrial cyber‐physical systems grow ever more complex, their software grows naturally and changes continuously. In order to make risk‐free changes to their software, it is crucial to understand how the system behaves, and how software changes have an impact on system behavior. We propose a generic two‐fold approach to infer state machine models capturing system behavior, and to compare these models to determine and visualize the impact of software changes on system behavior, in a way to make them easily understandable for engineers. Our approach has been applied in the industry at ASML to help prevent software regression problems during critical software redesigns. In that, our approach has been shown to reduce risk and to be valuable.
LncRNA GABPB1‑IT1 inhibits the tumorigenesis of renal cancer via the miR‐21/PTEN axis
Authors: Tan Chao , Du Huasheng , Wang Yang , Zhao Jianjun , Cheng Xiaolong , Lan Haihe
Published: February 2023

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) (GABPB1‑IT1) has been reported to be downregulated in lung cancer, while its expression and function in other cancers are unknown. In this study, the expression levels of GABPB1‑IT1 in tissue samples from 62 ccRCC patients were measured by performing RT‐qPCR. Potential base pairing formed between GABPB1‑IT1 and miR‐21 was explored using the online program IntaRNA 2.0 and further confirmed by Dual‐luciferase activity assay and RNA pulldown assay. The role of GABPB1‑IT1 and miR‐21 in regulating the expression of PTEN was evaluated by RT‐qPCR and Western blot. The role of GABPB1‑IT1, miR‐21, and PTEN in regulating the proliferation of Caki‐2 cells was explored by CCK‐8 assay. It was observed that GABPB1‑IT1 was downregulated in ccRCC and predicted poor survival. GABPB1‑IT1 directly interacted with miR‐21, while it did not regulate the expression of each other. Moreover, upregulation of PTEN, which is a target of miR‐21, was observed in ccRCC cells with overexpression of GABPB1‑IT1. Overexpression of GABPB1‑IT1 and PTEN decreased the proliferation rates of ccRCC cells. In addition, overexpression of GABPB1‑IT1 reduced the enhancing effects of miR‐21 on cell proliferation. Therefore, GABPB1‑IT1 may upregulate PTEN by sponging miR‐21 in ccRCC to inhibit cancer cell proliferation. Our study characterized a novel GABPB1‑IT1/miR‐21/PTEN axis in ccRCC.
Initial perception of the mentoring role and related mentors' approach of autonomy support or control in formal youth mentoring relationships
Authors: Javornicky Brumovska Tereza , Seidlova Malkova Gabriela
Published: February 2023

Mentors' initial perceptions of the mentoring role in formal youth mentoring bonds; and the subsequent characteristics of autonomy support or autonomy control in mentoring interactions developed by mentors after 5 months of mentoring experience are discussed in this paper. The data is drawn from a longitudinal phenomenological study conducted in the Czech mentoring scheme between 2010 and 2017. In‐depth semi‐structured interviews were collected with 10 mentoring matches over 1 year of mentoring involvement. The results of Interpretive phenomenological analysis showed differences in mentors' initial perceptions of the role, and related autonomy‐supportive or autonomy‐controlling characteristics in mentors' approach. The benefits and risks of resulting autonomy support or control in mentoring interactions are discussed. The results argue for the theoretical conceptualisation of a child‐centred perspective in youth mentoring that aims at mentees' support of autonomy, active agency and empowement, thus arguing for further in‐depth exploration of natural mentoring principles in child‐centred perspective, supporting approaches such as youth‐initiated mentoring, and broadening the discussion on good evidence‐based mentoring practice in the EU context.
Legacy phosphorus in Alabama Hartsells soil after long‐term amendment with broiler litter
Authors: Waldrip Heidi M. , Campbell Terra N. , Koziel Jacek A. , Watts Dexter B. , Torbert Henry Allen
Published: February 2023

Numerous studies have investigated effects of long‐term manure application on total phosphorus (P) and inorganic P (Pi), but few have evaluated soil organic P (Po). Little is known about crop management effects on Po in soils with varying minerology. In this study, sequential fractionation was used to characterize specific P forms after 25 years of broiler litter (BL) or ammonium nitrate (Con) applications to an Alabama Hartsells soil. Crops (corn [Zea mays L.], soybean [Glycine Willd.], and corn or soybean with a wheat [Triticum aestivum L.] cover crop) were under conventional tillage (CT) or no‐tillage (NT). Regardless of crop, tillage, or fertilizer type, the proportion of extractable Pi was relatively stable at 21%–49% at 0–5 cm and 25%–45% at 5–10 cm. Extractable Pi ranged from 0.69 to 2.4 mg g−1. BL increased total extractable Pi (p ≤ 0.001) at 0–5 cm and 5–10 cm. Total extractable P was influenced at 0–5 cm (p ≤ 0.006) by both tillage and fertilization type, but not at 5–10 cm or at either depth in soybean plots. Long‐term BL application increased total extractable soil P at 0–5 cm. In corn systems, CT did not reduce P loading to topsoil or result in P leaching to lower soil depths, compared to NT. Soybean and soybean–wheat reduced P loading in BL plots, compared to corn and corn–wheat. Soil Po was classed in the order of monoesters > phytate and polyphosphates, where most was extractable with NaOH. BL increased extractable Po in all fractions. Care should be taken when applying BL to highly weathered soils to avoid legacy Po accumulation. Soybean rotations and cover crops could help remediate P‐laden soils after repeated BL application.
Metal/catalyst/alkyne/alkene‐free one‐pot synthesis of indolizines from 2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)acetate, DMF‐DMA and α‐halomethylenes
Authors: Jalani Hitesh B. , Lee Doha , Lee Ju‐Young , Jeong Jin‐Hyun
Published: February 2023

We have described a simple and robust one‐pot synthesis of 1,3‐disubstitued‐indolizines from 2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)acetate, DMF‐DMA and α‐halomethylenes without using metal/catalyst/alkyne/alkene. This protocol provides variety of indolizine analogs via in‐situ formed 3‐(dimethylamino)‐2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)acrylate intermediate, undergoes N‐alkylation followed by Michael addition/cyclization. The gram scale synthesis of indolizine developed by this protocol does not require chromatographic purification. The post synthesis application of alkyne bearing indolizine provided triazole and a beta‐ketoester containing indolizine provided indolizine‐tethered pyrimidine heterocyclic system.
Acceptability and retention of the key population‐led HIV treatment service for men who have sex with men and transgender women living with HIV in Thailand
Authors: Lujintanon Sita , Amatavete Sorawit , Leenasirimakul Prattana , Meechure Jantana , Noopetch Preudtipong , Sangtong Supakarn , Sittikarn Satayu , Phoopisutthisak Poonnanat , Seekaew Pich , Mills Stephen , Phanuphak Praphan , Ramautarsing Reshmie A. , Phanuphak Nittaya
Published: February 2023

Introduction

In Thailand, where the HIV epidemic is concentrated among key populations (KPs), particularly men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW), an HIV service delivery model tailored to KPs was piloted. This study evaluated the acceptability and retention of clients who accepted and declined the KP‐led HIV treatment service.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using secondary data from three community‐based organizations (CBOs) and three hospitals in Thailand. KP lay providers were trained to lead HIV treatment service in which MSM and TGW living with HIV received counselling and a 3‐month antiretroviral therapy (ART) supply at CBOs. Thai MSM and TGW who were at least 18 years, on ART for at least 6–12 months, without co‐morbidities/co‐infections, and virally suppressed were eligible and offered the service. Those who declined received ART via other service models offered by the hospitals and served as a comparison group.

Results

Of 220 clients screened between February 2019 and February 2020, 72% (159/220) were eligible of which 146 were MSM and 13 were TGW. Overall, 45% (72/159) accepted the KP‐led service. Of those who declined, 98% (85/87) preferred to see the physician at the hospital. After 12 months of follow‐up, among those accepted, 57% were in care at the CBO, 32% were referred back to and in care in other service models offered by the hospital, 10% were successfully transferred out to other hospital and 1% were lost to follow‐up (LTFU); among those declined, 92% were in care in any service models offered by the hospital, 5% were successfully transferred out to other hospital, 2% were LTFU and 1% died (p‐value<0.001).

Conclusions

Despite moderate acceptability and retention in care at the CBO among the clients accepting the KP‐led service, almost all clients were engaged in care overall. Multiple service models that meet the preferences and needs of KPs living with HIV should be available to optimize engagement in care.