bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antibody screening at reduced pH enables preferential selection of potently neutralizing antibodies targeting SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Madan Bharat , Reddem Eswar R. , Wang Pengfei , Casner Ryan G. , Nair Manoj S. , Huang Yaoxing , Fahad Ahmed S. , de Souza Matheus Oliveira , Banach Bailey B. , López Acevedo Sheila N. , Pan Xiaoli , Nimrania Rajani , Teng I‐Ting , Bahna Fabiana , Zhou Tongqing , Zhang Baoshan , Yin Michael T. , Ho David D. , Kwong Peter D. , Shapiro Lawrence , DeKosky Brandon J.
Published: September 2021

Antiviral monoclonal antibody (mAb) discovery enables the development of antibody‐based antiviral therapeutics. Traditional antiviral mAb discovery relies on affinity between antibody and a viral antigen to discover potent neutralizing antibodies, but these approaches are inefficient because many high affinity mAbs have no neutralizing activity. We sought to determine whether screening for anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 mAbs at reduced pH could provide more efficient neutralizing antibody discovery. We mined the antibody response of a convalescent COVID‐19 patient at both physiological pH (7.4) and reduced pH (4.5), revealing that SARS‐CoV‐2 neutralizing antibodies were preferentially enriched in pH 4.5 yeast display sorts. Structural analysis revealed that a potent new antibody called LP5 targets the SARS‐CoV‐2 N‐terminal domain supersite via a unique binding recognition mode. Our data combine with evidence from prior studies to support antibody screening at pH 4.5 to accelerate antiviral neutralizing antibody discovery.
In‐depth investigation of incremental layer build‐up from dried deposited droplets
Authors: Janocha Manuel , Tsotsas Evangelos
Published: September 2021

This study presents an approach to closely investigate the process of incremental layer build‐up from convectively dried sessile droplets. In a droplet‐by‐droplet manner, three layers of sodium benzoate solution droplets are consecutively applied on a glass substrate and successively dried in a laboratory‐scale drying chamber. The morphology of the simplified layer structure that incrementally forms from the individual deposits is analyzed via white‐light interferometry, after every addition of a new droplet. Furthermore, complementary X‐ray micro‐tomography measurements of the deposits were carried out to monitor inner structure development. Recurring steps and phenomena throughout the experimental build‐up process were identified and could be characterized through these methods. Moreover, these phenomena could be linked to specific combinations of droplet positioning and drying conditions. Finally, the overall influence of convective drying parameters as well as droplet properties on the layer formation process was investigated with regard to morphology and porosity.
Influence of geometry modifications on the permeability of open‐cell foams
Authors: Föhst Sonja , Osterroth Sebastian , Arnold Felix , Redenbach Claudia
Published: September 2021

A stochastic microstructure model based on a random Laguerre tessellation is used to simulate virtual open cell foam structures. Both circular cylindric and concave triangular strut cross section shapes are considered. Additional geometry modifications are introduced by relaxation of the tessellation cells using the Surface Evolver software and by closing a certain percentage of the foam windows. The effect of these modifications on the foams' permeabilities is investigated. In particular, permeability anisotropies resulting from anisotropic closing of the windows are taken into account. The dimensionless permeability (Darcy number) in the different directions is well explained by regression models using porosity, geometric tortuosity, and constrictivity as explanatory variables.
Predictive factors for the duration until return to work after surgery for work‐related rotator cuff syndrome: A prospective study of 92 workers
Authors: Pichené‐Houard Anne , Paysant Jean , Claudon Laurent , Paris Nicolas , Michel Blaise , Jacquot Adrien , Martinet Noël , Sirveaux François , Wild Pascal
Published: September 2021

Background

Return to work (RTW) after surgery for a work‐related rotator cuff disorder (WRRCD) is often difficult. The study's purpose was to identify preoperative factors predicting RTW.

Methods

Ninety‐two workers with a WRRCD were identified by four surgeons. Before surgery, the workers completed a series of standardized questionnaires related to working conditions, health, and health beliefs. They were followed up prospectively for 20 months. Statistical analysis was based on single and multiple‐factor Cox models of the duration of absence from the time of surgery until RTW.

Results

The median age at inclusion was 49 years (27–62), with 52 women included (57%). Sixty‐one subjects (66%) were employed in highly physically demanding jobs. Forty‐two (46%) stayed at work until their surgery, whereas preoperative sick leave exceeded 100 days in 20 subjects (21%). Twenty months after surgery, 14 were still not back at work. For the other participants, the mean duration until RTW was 225 days (SD 156). In the fully adjusted model, variables that were significantly predictive of the duration until RTW were: work physical demand levels, preoperative sick leave, the number of body parts causing pain or discomfort in the last 12 months, self‐assessed 2‐year workability, and the Readiness for RTW (RRTW) Scale.

Conclusions

Several physical, psychological, and work‐related factors, easily recorded, can be identified preoperatively. They may be predictive of delayed return, loss of employment, or employability as a result of shoulder surgery.
Chemo‐selective Synthesis of 4‐Chloro‐3‐(arylethynyl)coumarins and their Synthetic Transformations
Authors: Rao Maddali L. N. , Nand Sachchida
Published: September 2021

A study describing the chemoselective reactivity of 4‐chloro‐3‐(2,2‐dibromovinyl)‐2H‐chromen‐2‐ones with triarylbismuth reagents in the synthesis of 4‐chloro‐3‐(arylethynyl)coumarins under Pd‐catalyzed conditions is presented. A viable Pd‐catalyzed protocol for the chemoselective cross‐coupling reactivity of the 3‐gem‐dibromide in comparison to the 4‐chloro substituent in coumarin substrates is developed. The synthetic scope of 4‐chloro‐3‐(arylethynyl)coumarins with reactive 4‐chloro substituent was further demonstrated in the synthesis of 2‐(arylethynyl)benzofurans, 4‐(N‐heteroaryl)‐3‐(arylethynyl)coumarins, and 4‐methoxy‐3‐(p‐tolylethynyl)coumarin under different reaction conditions.
Direct Experimental Characterization of a Bridged Bicyclic Glycosyl Dioxacarbenium Ion by 1H and 13C NMR Spectroscopy: Importance of Conformation on Participation by Distal Esters
Authors: Upadhyaya Kapil , Subedi Yagya P. , Crich David
Published: September 2021

Low‐temperature NMR studies with a 4‐C‐methyl‐4‐O‐benzoyl galactopyranosyl donor enable the observation and characterization of a bridged bicyclic dioxacarbenium ion arising from participation by a distal ester. Variable‐temperature NMR studies reveal this bridged ion to decompose at temperatures above ≈−30 °C. In the absence of the methyl group, the formation of a bicyclic ion is not observed. It is concluded that participation by typical secondary distal esters in glycosylation reactions is disfavored in the ground state conformation of the ester from which it is stereoelectronically impossible. Methylation converts the secondary ester to a conformationally more labile tertiary ester, removes this barrier, and renders participation more favorable. Nevertheless, the minor changes in selectivity in model glycosylation reactions on going from the secondary to the tertiary esters at both low and room temperature argue against distal group participation being a major stereodirecting factor even for the tertiary system.
Fabrication and investigation of multifunctional fluorinated polysiloxane coatings with phenyl as bridging group
Authors: Cai Lu , Lv Cun , Kang Jialiang , Wang Lili , He Xuemei , Zhou Tianchi
Published: September 2021

In this study, we fabricated the multifunctional fluorophenyl polysiloxane coatings with different grafting densities of fluorophenyl groups. The structure and emulsion stability of fluorophenyl polysiloxanes were analyzed by Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectrum, nuclear magnetic resonance, particle size, and zeta potential, and the application performance of fluorophenyl polysiloxanes were investigated. FT‐IR spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy proved the successful application of fluorophenyl polysiloxanes onto cotton fabrics. Afterwards, the liquid repellency, thermal stability, and deepening performance of cotton fabrics treated with fluorophenyl polysiloxane coatings were investigated. Results showed that all the treated cotton fabrics possessed contact angles greater than 110°, and cotton fabrics treated with FPPS‐23 (fluorophenyl polysiloxane with 23% theoretical fluorine content) obtained the best thermal stability. Additionally, the blue cotton fabric and orange cotton fabric treated with FPPS‐23 had the best deepening performance with K/S values as 27.23 and 20.56, which increased by 34.20% and 16.82%, respectively.
Polycyclic Arenes Dihydrodinaphthopentacene‐based Hole‐Transporting Materials for Perovskite Solar Cells Application
Authors: Chandrasekaran Dharuman , Chiu Yu‐Lin , Yu Chun‐Kai , Yen Yung‐Sheng , Chang Yuan‐Jay
Published: September 2021

In this paper, two D‐π‐D type compounds, C1 and C2, containing dihydrodinaphthopentacene (DHDNP) as a π‐bridge, p‐methoxydiphenylamine and p‐methoxytriphenylamine groups as the donor groups were synthesized. The four 4‐hexylphenyl groups at the sp3‐carbon bridges of DHDNP were acquainted with control morphology and improving solubility. The light absorption, energy level, thermal properties, and application as hole‐transporting materials in perovskite solar cells of these compounds were fully investigated. The HOMO/LUMO levels and energy gaps of these DHDNP‐based molecules are suitable for use as hole‐transporting materials in PSCs. The best power conversion efficiencies of the PVSCs based on the C1 and C2 are 15.96% and 12.86%, respectively. The performance of C1 is comparable to that of the reference compound spiro‐OMeTAD (16.38%). Compared with spiro‐OMeTAD, the C1‐based PVSC device showed good stability, which was slightly decreased to 98.68% of its initial efficiency after 48 h and retained 81% of its original PCE after 334 h without encapsulation. These results reveal the potential usefulness of the DHDNP building block for further development of economical and highly efficient HTMs for PVSCs.
Reducing tumor invasiveness by ramucirumab and TGF‐β receptor kinase inhibitor in a diffuse‐type gastric cancer patient‐derived cell model
Authors: Lee Song‐Yi , Byeon Seonggyu , Ko Jihoon , Hyung Sujin , Lee In‐Kyoung , Jeon Noo Li , Hong Jung Yong , Kim Seung Tae , Park Se Hoon , Lee Jeeyun
Published: September 2021

Background

Diffuse‐type gastric cancer (GC) is known to be more aggressive and relatively resistant to conventional chemotherapy. Hence, more optimized treatment strategy is urgently needed in diffuse‐type GC.

Methods

Using a panel of 10 GC cell lines and 3 GC patient‐derived cells (PDCs), we identified cell lines with high EMTness which is a distinct feature for diffuse‐type GC. We treated GC cells with high EMTness with ramucirumab alone, TGF‐β receptor kinase inhibitor (TEW‐7197) alone, or in combination to investigate the drug's effects on invasiveness, spheroid formation, EMT marker expression, and tumor‐induced angiogenesis using a spheroid‐on‐a‐chip model.

Results

Both TEW‐7197 and ramucirumab treatments profoundly decreased invasiveness of EMT‐high cell lines and PDCs. With a 3D tumor spheroid‐on‐a‐chip, we identified versatile influence of co‐treatment on cancer cell‐induced blood vessel formation as well as on EMT progression in tumor spheroids. The 3D tumor spheroid‐on‐a‐chip demonstrated that TEW‐7197 + ramucirumab combination significantly decreased PDC‐induced vessel formation.

Conclusions

In this study, we showed TEW‐7197 and ramucirumab considerably decreased invasiveness, thus EMTness in a panel of diffuse‐type GC cell lines including GC PDCs. Taken together, we confirmed that combination of TEW‐7197 and ramucirumab reduced tumor spheroid and GC PDC‐induced blood vessel formation concomitantly in the spheroid‐on‐a‐chip model.
Magneto‐chiral anisotropy: From fundamentals to perspectives
Authors: Atzori Matteo , Train Cyrille , Hillard Elizabeth A. , Avarvari Narcis , Rikken Geert L. J. A.
Published: September 2021

The interplay between chirality and magnetic fields gives rise to a cross effect referred to as magneto‐chiral anisotropy (MChA), which can manifest itself in different physical properties of chiral magnetized materials. The first experimental demonstration of MChA was by optical means with visible light. Further optical manifestations of MChA have been evidenced across most of the electromagnetic spectrum, from terahertz to X‐rays. Moreover, exploiting the versatility of molecular chemistry toward chiral magnetic systems, many efforts have been made to identify the microscopic origins of optical MChA, necessary to advance the effect toward technological applications. In parallel, the replacement of light by electric current has allowed the observation of nonreciprocal electrical charge transport in both molecular and inorganic conductors as a result of electrical MChA (eMChA). MChA in other domains such as sound propagation, photochemistry, and electrochemistry are still in their infancy, with only a few experimental demonstrations, and offer wide perspectives for further studies with potentially large impact, like the understanding of the homochirality of life. After a general introduction to MChA, we give a complete review of all these phenomena, particularly during the last decade.
Artificial intelligent based smart system for safe mining during foggy weather
Authors: Kumari Sushma , Choudhary Monika , Mishra Richa , Chaulya Swades Kumar , Prasad Girendra Mohan , Mandal Sujit Kumar , Banerjee Gautam
Published: September 2021

Opencast mining operations at hilly areas are usually affected during foggy weather due to the inability of drivers to operate heavy earth‐moving machinery in low visibility conditions. This article deals with an intelligent vision enhancement system for continuing opencast mining operations during foggy weather. The system integrates hardware and software to provide multistage safety features that make it unique from existing systems. The system includes hardware like thermal cameras, high definition cameras, proximity radar, wireless devices, GNSS module, graphical processing unit, display unit, and so forth, and image processing software, namely real‐time image stitching, image enhancement, and object detection using convolutional neural networks. The integrated system and algorithms display a 180° panorama field view of the vehicle's front using real‐time video stitching. The front view after image processing, rear camera view, object detection through proximity radar, and real‐time location of the vehicles on a 3D geo‐tagged mine map by GNSS modules are displayed in four splitter windows on a touch screen fitted on the dashboard in front of the driver's seat. The driver can drive the vehicle by seeing the display screen during foggy weather. The output image of the developed image‐processing algorithm has less distortion, better quality, and better depth perception than existing methods. Overall, there are significant improvements in the persistence of the color elements by 39.65%, contrast by 4.62%, and the corresponding entropy by 7.11% concerning the similar existing methods. The final system has been successfully tested in an opencast mine.
Grey wolf optimization with fuzzy logic for energy‐efficient communication in wireless sensor network‐based Internet of Things scenario
Authors: Verma Kritika , Baliyan Niyati
Published: September 2021

Wireless sensor network is an essential building block for Internet of Things (IoT) due to its usage for collecting and sensing data by the sensor nodes in a nearby environment. Energy efficiency is an important requirement for these networks as the sensors used are short on power and memory. In this paper, an enhanced energy‐efficient clustering protocol is proposed that works on three major phases under network setup: grid formation and grid head selection, clustering, and cluster head (CH) selection. Clustering is achieved using nature‐inspired grey wolf optimization (GWO) algorithm, and CH selection is accomplished using fuzzy inference‐based system. Simulation is performed in MATLAB software, and the protocol is evaluated in terms of network lifetime, the first node dead (FND), half node dead (HND), and last node dead (LND). Additionally, a prototype modeling of IoT using the Thingspeak IoT Platform provided by Mathworks is also integrated with the proposed protocol to demonstrate its usage in IoT applications. The simulation results indicated that the proposed scheme attained better performance in preserving energy and extending network lifetime.
Treatment of achalasia with peroral endoscopic myotomy in situs inversus totalis
Authors: Fujiyoshi Mary Raina Angeli , Shimamura Yuto , Fujiyoshi Yusuke , Ushikubo Kei , Shibata Yuki , Nishikawa Yohei , Ono Masashi , Ikeda Haruo , Onimaru Manabu , Inoue Haruhiro
Published: September 2021

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has become established as a safe, effective, and versatile minimally invasive endoscopic treatment for achalasia and other esophageal motility disorders. Situs inversus totalis is a rare congenital disorder characterized by a completely reversed position (mirror‐image) of the thoracic and abdominal visceral organs. This case report demonstrated a successful treatment of achalasia in a situs inversus totalis by POEM.

Similar to the POEM procedure in a normal patient, it is important to maintain the orientation throughout the submucosal tunneling while keeping in mind the reversed orientation and anatomical landmarks. The submucosal tunnel and myotomy were created by an anterior approach which is in this case located at the reversed axis, at 10 o'clock position. There were no major technical modifications needed to be carried out by the operator. No adverse events were noted. Improvement in the Eckardt Symptom Score as well as the barium esophagogram and high‐resolution manometry findings on 2‐month follow‐up exhibited that although POEM was performed in a reversed orientation, similar effects and outcomes were achieved, indicating a successful procedure in this case.

In summary, by keeping in mind the reversed positioning and anatomical landmarks in situs inversus totalis, POEM shows to be a safe, effective, and versatile intervention in treating achalasia in situs inversus totalis without the need for major modifications in the procedural technique.
Effects of the sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor empagliflozin on vascular function in patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Kolwelter Julie , Bosch Agnes , Jung Susanne , Stabel Lena , Kannenkeril Dennis , Ott Christian , Bramlage Peter , Schiffer Mario , Achenbach Stephan , Schmieder Roland E.
Published: September 2021

Aims

Impairment of vascular function contributes to the progression of chronic heart failure (HF) by increasing the afterload. Treatment with selective sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors improves the prognosis of HF, but the precise mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of empagliflozin on vascular function in patients with HF.

Methods and results

In an investigator initiated, double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group, clinical study, patients with HF NYHA II‐III and an ejection fraction of 49% or less were randomized 2:1 to receive empagliflozin 10 mg once daily or placebo for 3 months. A total of 74 patients (15% female), aged 66 ± 9 years, with a mean ejection fraction of 39 ± 8% and a median NTproBNP of 558 pg/mL (IQR 219–1051 pg/mL), were included. Vascular parameters such as central systolic blood pressure (cSBP), central pulse pressure (cPP), forward (FPH), and reflected pressure pulse height (RPH) decreased under resting conditions after 1 and 3 months (1 month: cSBP −6.4 ± 8.3 mmHg, P < 0.001, cPP −3.0 ± 6.6 mmHg, P = 0.004, FPH −2.5 ± 4.5 mmHg, P = 0.001, RPH −1.6 ± 3.0 mmHg, P = 0.001; 3 months: cSBP −4.6 ± 8.4 mmHg, P = 0.001, cPP −3.1 ± 4.8 mmHg, P < 0.001, FPH −1.7 ± 3.7 mmHg, P = 0.004, RPH −1.4 ± 2.5 mmHg, P = 0.001) in patients treated with empagliflozin (n = 45). In accordance, cSBP and cPP decreased in patients with empagliflozin treatment under 24 h ambulatory conditions after 1 and 3 months (1 month: cSBP −4.8 ± 10.1 mmHg, P = 0.003, cPP −2.0 ± 5.7 mmHg, P = 0.026; 3 months: cSBP −4.7 ± 9.0 mmHg, P = 0.002, cPP −2.1 ± 6.4 mmHg, P = 0.044). In the placebo group, there was no significant change after 1 and 3 months. The decrease in cSBP under resting conditions (−5.7 ± 2.4 mmHg, P = 0.019) after 1 month and in cSBP (−6.0 ± 2.6, P = 0.027) as well as in pulse wave velocity (−0.5 ± 0.2 m/s, P = 0.021) under 24 h ambulatory conditions after 3 months was greater in the empagliflozin group than in the placebo group.

Conclusions

We found an improvement of vascular function after treatment with empagliflozin that indicates decreased afterload of the left ventricle and may contribute to the beneficial effects of SGLT2 inhibition in HF.
Boronic Acid Substituted Polyaniline Based Enzymatic Biosensor System for Catechol Detection
Authors: Kalkan Zeycan , Yence Merve , Turk Fatih , Bektas Tamer U. , Ozturk Soner , Surdem Sedat , Yildirim‐Tirgil Nimet
Published: September 2021

In this research, an electrochemical enzymatic biosensor system for sensitive and selective catechol detection was developed with using boric acid substituted Polyaniline film coated two different electrodes; gold screen‐printed electrode and glassy carbon electrode. Electropolymerization of 3‐aminophenylboronic acid is carried out through various electropolymerization conditions, and the best conditions for biosensors systems are concluded. The developed tyrosinase enzyme‐based biosensor system is used for the determination of catechol. The limit of detections(LOD) of the developed biosensor was 0.25 μM and 1.8 μM with Au SPE and GCE systems, respectively. Additionally, real sample analysis was also performed for controlled catechol added green tea samples.
Experimental investigation on the damage accumulation of reinforced concrete columns under mainshock‐aftershock sequences
Authors: Sun Pengyu , Zhai Changhai , Wen Weiping
Published: September 2021

This paper presents the details and results of shaking table tests conducted on six 1/3‐scaled reinforced concrete columns subjected to mainshock‐aftershock (MSAS) ground motions. For each of the two subsets distinguished by the axial compression ratio in the test matrix, one column specimen was subjected to a standard cyclic loading protocol, whereas the second specimen was subjected to a mainshock ground motion record followed by a standard cyclic loading protocol. The third specimen was subjected to MSAS ground motion records followed by a standard cyclic loading protocol. The cyclic loading protocol was used to examine the degradation of the seismic capacity of the specimens. The intensity of the aftershock ground motion record was 0.68 times that of the mainshock ground motion record. The test results indicated that the damage accumulation of columns induced by the MSAS sequence is significant in the shaking table tests, and the MSAS‐induced maximum displacement of the specimen with an axial compression ratio of 0.4 was approximately twice as large as that induced by mainshock only. In comparison with the mainshock only case, the aftershock further reduced the structural strength and stiffness of the specimens by 9% and 7%, respectively. The ductility of the specimens tended to decrease with the increase of damage. The damage accumulation of the column with a higher axial compression ratio was more serious than that observed in a column with a lower axial compression ratio.
Autocyclic (avulsion‐induced) base‐level change, its upstream and downstream controls, and effects on floodbasin sedimentation: The 1870s avulsion of the Saskatchewan River, Cumberland Marshes, Canada
Authors: Morozova Galina S.
Published: September 2021

This study examines centennial‐scale hydrological and sedimentological effects of floodplain inundation by avulsion and its upstream and downstream controls. The 1870s avulsion in Cumberland Marshes diverted the Saskatchewan River flow towards Cumberland Lake, a local base level. It invaded a poorly drained sub‐basin of Cumberland Marshes floodplain linked to the parent Saskatchewan River by two small outlets in the resistant substrate. The rapid increase in inflow (~5× on average) during the earlier stages of the avulsion resulted in the base‐level rise and floodplain inundation by the avulsion lake. Since the early 20th century, the forced regression of the avulsion lake occurred, caused by ~5× outlet channel enlargement by ‘hungry‐water’ outflows, whereas the mean lake inflows experienced little change. The avulsion lake served as an effective sediment trap and was filled by predominantly progradational sandy and silty avulsion deposits up to 3–4 m thick, covering about 700 km2. Elsewhere, fluviodeltaic settings with ‘negative relief’ and limited hydrologic connectivity with the rest of the floodplain may be prone to avulsion lakes that form if the rates of inflow increased by avulsion exceed the rates of outflow. Avulsion lakes can last for ~100 years or more before they drain and/or become filled by overbank sediments. On well‐drained floodplains, inundations by avulsions are expected to be short‐term and result in little progradational deposition. This study demonstrates that in some local hydrographic basins, base level becomes a variable of an evolving avulsion rather than its fixed external control. Although avulsion‐induced base‐level changes are short‐lived, they affect 102–103 km2 of a floodplain and occur rapidly, accompanied by high aggradation rates.
Basin‐wide hydromorphological analysis of ephemeral streams using machine learning algorithms‡
Authors: Rabanaque Maria Pilar , Martínez‐Fernández Vanesa , Calle Mikel , Benito Gerardo
Published: September 2021

Sustainable river management now encompasses a much wider concept that includes hydromorphological and fluvial habitat studies. In ephemeral streams, the geomorphological characterization of channels is complex due to episodic flows and riparian vegetation dynamics. Stream channel survey and classification at the watershed scale provide the basis for geomorphological conservation, process interpretation, assessing sensitivity to disturbance, and identifying reaches that supply and store sediment. Here, we present a stream classification based on a two‐step approach: (1) automatic river segmentation based on spatial variability in channel/valley morphology from topographic measurements (LiDAR, light, detection and ranging), and (2) fluvial landform and vegetation density mapping derived from multispectral open‐source satellite images (Sentinel‐2) using support vector machine (SVM) and Random Forest (RF) algorithms. These analyses provide continuous, quantitative spatial values of geometric (channel/valley width, slope gradient, and route distance), landform (active channel and gravel bars with five densities of vegetation cover), and hydraulic (specific stream power) variables. Four stream types were identified in the Rambla de la Viuda catchment (~1500 km2), an ephemeral gravel‐bed river in eastern Spain. The spatial distribution of channel types is explained by differences in geometry (active channel width, valley width, and slope gradient) and a hydraulic parameter (specific stream power). The landforms/vegetation patterns provided insight on causal relationships between erosion and deposition processes during high flow periods and the time since the most recent large disruptive flood event. Channel type distribution provided first‐order predictions about the location of reaches that supply and store sediment and thus information on sediment continuity along the river. Dam effects on downstream reaches resulted in geomorphological disequilibrium, producing narrowing of the active channel, slope reduction, and a decrease of gravel bar areal extension. The proposed catchment scale analysis provides a comprehensive and replicable methodology for environmental planning in Mediterranean ephemeral streams to guide further hydromorphological surveys at the reach scale.
Mobile‐fog‐cloud assisted deep reinforcement learning and blockchain‐enable IoMT system for healthcare workflows
Authors: Lakhan Abdullah , Mohammed Mazin Abed , Kozlov Sergei , Rodrigues Joel J. P. C.
Published: September 2021

The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) is increasingly being used to secure blockchain technology to operate healthcare applications in a distributed network. The applications are mobile and can move from one place to another with different wireless connectivity. However, there are a lot of challenges that are investigated further. For instance, dynamic content values changed during mobile applications during any business goal. The workflow healthcare applications are complex as compared to coarse‐grained and fine‐grained workload in IoMT. In this article, the study analyzed offloading and scheduling problems for healthcare workflows in IoMT fog‐cloud network. Therefore, the study considered the problem as an offloading and scheduling problem formulated deep reinforcement learning as Markov problem. The study devises the novel deep reinforcement learning and blockchain‐enabled system, consisting of multi‐criteria offloading based on deep reinforcement learning policies and blockchain task scheduling with task sequencing and research matching methods for healthcare workloads in the IoMT system. The simulation results suggested strategies that reduced the communication and computation time for each application in the system.
Developing an artificial intelligent model for predicting combustion and flammability properties
Authors: Jiang Lin , Mensah Rhoda Afriyie , Asante‐Okyere Solomon , Försth Michael , Xu Qiang , Ziggah Yao Yevenyo , Restás Ágoston , Berto Filippo , Das Oisik
Published: September 2021

While there have been various attempts in establishing a model that can predict the flammability characteristics of polymers based on their molecular structure, artificial intelligence (AI) presents a promising alternative in tackling this pressing issue. Therefore, a novel approach of adopting AI methods, extreme learning machines (ELMs) and group method of data handling (GMDH) in estimating heat release capacity, total heat release and char yield from thermophysical properties of polymers were addressed. GMDH showed a clear indication of overfitting whereby the models generated excellent training results but could not provide similar performance during testing. The superior generalisation performance of ELM during testing makes it the standout method. ELM produced HRC predictions having R and RRMSE of 0.86 and 0.405 for training, 0.94 and 0.356 for testing. For THR estimates from ELM, the R and RRMSE scores were 0.9 and 0.195 for training, 0.93 and 0.131 for testing. While char yield ELM model generated 0.88 and 0.795 for training, 0.93 and 0.383 for testing. The potential of ELM was demonstrated as it estimated the flammability parameters of 105 polymers having little or no empirical test results.
Using cross‐impact analysis for probabilistic risk assessment
Authors: Salo Ahti , Tosoni Edoardo , Roponen Juho , Bunn Derek W.
Published: September 2021

Cross‐impact analysis is widely employed to inform management and policy decisions based on the formulation of scenarios, defined as combinations of outcomes of relevant uncertainty factors. In this paper, we argue that the use of nonprobabilistic variants of cross‐impact analysis is problematic in the context of risk assessment where the usual aim is to produce conservative risk estimates which may exceed but are not smaller than the actual risk level. Then, building on the characterization of probabilistic dependencies, we develop an approach to probabilistic cross‐impact analysis which (i) admits several kinds of probabilistic statements about the outcomes of relevant uncertainty factors and their dependencies; (ii) maps such statements into constraints on the joint probability distribution over all possible scenarios; (iii) provides support for preserving the consistency of elicited statements; and (iv) uses mathematical optimization to compute lower and upper bounds on the overall risk level. This approach—which is illustrated with an example from the context of nuclear waste repositories—is useful in that it retains the informativeness of cross‐impact statements while ensuring that these statements are interpreted within the coherent framework of probability theory.
The predictive power of serum vitamin D for poor outcomes in COVID‐19 patients
Authors: Derakhshanian Hoda , Rastad Hadith , Ghosh Sanjoy , Zeinali Marjan , Ziaee Mahsa , Khoeini Tara , Farrokhpour Mohsen , Qorbani Mostafa , Ramezani Ghamsari Mona , Hasani Hossein , Mirzaasgari Zahra
Published: September 2021

Considering the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency worldwide and its relationship with immune response to viral infections, this study attempted to identify the predictive power of serum vitamin D for poor outcomes among the COVID‐19 patients. This retrospective cohort study included all patients with confirmed COVID‐19 hospitalized between February 20, 2020, and April 20, 2020, at a designated COVID‐19 hospital, located in Tehran province, Iran. General characteristics, medical history and clinical symptoms were recorded by trained physicians. Blood parameters including complete blood count, creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C‐reactive protein and vitamin D were tested. This study included 290 hospitalized patients with COVID‐19 (the mean age [SD]: 61.6 [16.9], 56.6% males), of whom 142 had vitamin D concentrations less than 20 ng/ml, defined as vitamin D deficiency. COVID‐19 patients with vitamin D deficiency were more likely to die (Crude OR [95% CI]: 2.30 [1.25–4.26]), require ICU (2.06 [1.22–3.46]) and invasive mechanical ventilation (2.03 [1.04–3.93]) based on univariate logistic regression results. Although, after adjusting for potentials confounders such as gender and age, the association between vitamin D and need to invasive mechanical ventilation lost its significance, adjusted values for the risk of death and ICU requirement were still statistically significant. Vitamin D deficiency can be considered as a predictor of poor outcomes and mortality in COVID‐19 patients. Therefore, checking serum 25 (OH) D on admission and taking vitamin D supplements according to the prophylactic or treatment protocols is recommended for all COVID‐19 patients.
The anatomical measurements of vulva in Indian women: A cross‐sectional prospective study
Authors: Agrawal Neha , Singh Pratibha , Ghuman Navdeep Kaur , Sharma Charu , Yadav Garima , Gothwal Meenakshi , Jhirwal Manisha
Published: September 2021

Objective

To measure the anatomical dimensions of the vulva in adult Indian women. To analyze their correlations with age, body mass index (BMI), parity, and mode of delivery.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care university hospital in India, among 400 women aged 18 years and above. Various vulval measurements were taken, and Pearson's correction was applied to variables like age, BMI, parity, and mode of delivery.

Results

Mean length of glans of clitoris was 5.2 ± 1.43 mm, the labia minora width was 2.6 ± 0.74 cm, length of introitus was 1.3 ± 0.59 cm, and perineal body length was 2.3 ± 0.60 cm. The range of some measurements was extensive, for example labia minora width ranged from 0.7 to 4.9 cm. Normal centile curves were constructed for vulval measurements according to age groups. Statistically significant positive correlations of age, BMI, and obstetrical history were seen with labia minora width (r = 0.165, P = 0.001; r = 0.284, P < 0.001; r = 0.246, P < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion

The centile curves can be used as a reference for the Indian population of different ages. These can be used when counseling women coming for female genital cosmetic surgery.
Non‐BCMA targeted CAR‐T cell therapies for multiple myeloma
Authors: Wang Xiangmin , Pan Bin , Huang He , Xu Kailin
Published: September 2021

Despite the emergence of new strategies in recent years, multiple myeloma (MM) is still an incurable disease with poor outcome. As a new treatment, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR‐) T cell therapy brought exciting news to patients with relapsed or refractory MM. B‐cell maturation antigen (BCMA) is ubiquitously expressed on the surface of myeloma cells and is considered an “ideal” target of CAR‐T cell. BCMA‐targeted CAR‐T cell therapies achieved remarkable efficacy in relapsed or refractory MM patients in several clinical trials. However, some patients had no response or relapsed after BCMA targeted CAR‐T cell therapy. Myeloma cells also express other surface markers which might be used as targets for CAR‐T cell therapy. Encouragingly, CAR‐T cells targeting these non‐BCMA markers are being tested in clinical trials or under preclinical investigation, already showing some promising results. In this review, we summarized and provided an update of these advances.
Amelioration of takyric solonetz using drip irrigation with soil‐water‐redistribution medium*
Authors: Huang Pengfei , Kang Yaohu , Wan Shuqin , Li Xiaobin
Published: September 2021

Takyric solonetz is a highly saline‐sodic soil with poor soil structure and a saturated hydraulic conductivity close to zero. Drip irrigation, soil‐water‐redistribution medium (RM), ridge planting and film mulching have been successfully used to ameliorate such soils. Here, we compared soil moisture and cation distribution during the amelioration with planting years of 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6. A suitable root zone with low electrical conductivity, pH and sodium absorption ratio was quickly and continuously formed in the arid area. An irrigation regime with a decreasing soil matric potential threshold of −5 to −20 kPa in improving years 1–4 and stabilized at −20 kPa was feasible. The wetting front kept moving downward with time, and the dry soil layer in the middle of the profile gradually disappeared after 4 years. In the initial 4 years, the Na+ in the root zone leached mainly to the top layer of ridge slope and furrow. And then the Na+ leached downward. The spatial distribution of soil water and Na+ indicated that soil permeability improved with time, and significant changes occurred after the fifth year.
Model‐Based Systems Product Line Engineering of Physical Protection Systems
Authors: Tekinerdogan Bedir , Özcan Murat Kaan , Yakın İskender , Yağız Sevil
Published: September 2021

A physical protection system (PPS) aims to protect a system against adversarial attacks by deterrence, detection, delay, and response. PPSs have targeted the protection of various systems, each of which has its specific requirements. On the other hand, PPSs also share a large set of features that are implemented for each system. To reduce the development cost, reduce time‐to‐market, and increase the quality of systems, a large‐scale systematic reuse approach as defined by systems product line engineering (SPLE) can be applied. So far, PPS methods have mainly considered the systems engineering of single PPSs. In this paper, we report on our industrial experiences and lessons learned for adopting SPLE for PPSs. An explicit model‐based systems engineering approach is adopted in which the focus is on the formalized application of models in the overall systems engineering life cycle. Hereby, the presented approach adopts and integrates model‐based systems engineering, product line engineering, and the PPS method to provide a systematic large‐scale reuse approach for systems engineering of PPSs. We discuss the detailed steps of the approach and report on the lessons learned for adopting model‐based systems product line engineering for PPS.
Using the Security Views in UAF
Authors: Hause Matthew , Kihlström Lars‐Olof
Published: September 2021

Architectures, systems, subsystems, and the data that they contain, are valuable assets. Systems engineers and architects must plan for system security from concept inception to retirement to ensure that security is embedded into every part of every process, procedure, system and component as well as in the mindset of the people in the enterprise. While the various DoDAF views contain attributes of security, there are no views for defining system security goals, threats, risks, mitigating elements, etc. and demonstrating how these are integrated and implemented into the operational, system, standards and services views. The Unified Architecture Framework (UAF) has integrated a set of security views that provide engineers a means of defining security goals and requirements and demonstrating how these are implemented throughout the architecture.
Experience in Designing for Cyber Resiliency in Embedded DoD Systems
Authors: Barzeele Jennifer , Siu Kit , Robinson Mike , Suantak Liana , Merems John , Durling Michael , Moitra Abha , Meng Baoluo , Williams Patrice , Prince Daniel
Published: September 2021

In DoD systems, software component reuse is highly valued, and development is rarely started from scratch. Most embedded weapon systems are a heterogeneous mixture of new, modified, and legacy components. This mixture drives an increased impetus to improve upon the existing system's model, and also creates an opportunity to assess potential cyber vulnerabilities earlier in the lifecycle. In this paper, we describe our experience in developing an experimental platform, which is a representative testbed that incorporates legacy, modified, and new components, using a process where we address cyber resiliency early in development. We give accounts of where each of the parts of our representative testbed originated, what modeling decisions we made, and how we analyzed cyber vulnerabilities. We also propose a system engineering process, based on architectural modeling of the system, which introduces analysis early in the design for cyber resiliency. We are developing an approach to use advanced tools to find vulnerabilities and to develop cyber resiliency requirements to counter those vulnerabilities. The creation of the model and documentation of cyber resiliency requirements and design decisions provide a positive impact on the system lifecycle and future integration of the system.
A value‐driven, integrated approach to Model‐Based Product Line Engineering
Authors: Navas Juan , Bonnet Stéphane , Voirin Jean‐Luc , Chalé Gongora Hugo Guillermo
Published: September 2021

Pushed to the edge of their capabilities in a highly competitive world market, organizations everywhere look for efficient means to innovate and develop their products and services. This paper proposes and illustrates a holistic integration of Product Line Engineering (PLE) and Model‐Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) to connect and align market and business analysis, architecting, design, and engineering. This value‐driven, integrated approach capitalizes on MBSE best practices to tackle the concrete challenges of product line engineering.
Agility in the Future of Systems Engineering (FuSE) ‐ A Roadmap of Foundational Concepts
Authors: Willett Keith D. , Dove Rick , Chudnow Alan , Eckman Rusty , Rosser Larri , Stevens Jennifer S. , Yeman Robin , Yokell Mike
Published: September 2021

The Future of Systems Engineering (FuSE) is an INCOSE led multi‐organization collaborative activity focusing on many initiatives to identify and shape the future of systems engineering. The FuSE Agility collaboration identifies and elaborates a roadmap for an initial set of foundational concepts to further the integration of agility into the systems engineering lifecycle. This paper identifies four objectives for agility integration in people, process, technology, and environment and aligns nine foundational concepts to advance thinking and practice in agile‐systems engineering (solutions) and agile systems‐engineering (process).
A Systems Engineering Approach to the Design and Education of a Robotic Baby
Authors: Zhu Hanqing , Feron Eric
Published: September 2021

In this paper, a novel architecture, Baby, for robotic babies is proposed with a systems engineering design approach. A robotic baby is an autonomous learning system with minimal structures at the beginning of its life, aiming to gradually learn languages and actions from interactions with human parents and the world. Throughout the paper, the philosophy and the reasoning behind a robotic baby with a systems engineering design approach is discussed. With the architecture, system verification and validation are conducted, which shows convincing language skills in parsing, similar to observed human cognitive behaviors. A proof of concept demonstration involving an integration with a 3D printer is also presented. With preliminary results, the roadmap for further development and the positioning of the architecture are presented.
An Assessment of the Adequacy of Common Definitions of the Concept of System
Authors: Salado Alejandro , Kulkarni Aditya U.
Published: September 2021

In all areas of scientific study, definitions are used to describe the meaning of terms. Thus, a good set of definitions aids the scientific process by enabling researchers to communicate in a common language. In this regard, the Systems Engineering community has allocated significant effort to understanding the nature and scope of common definitions of a system. However, less attention has been given to formally examining whether these common definitions of a system are adequate. In this paper, we argue that the common definitions of a system are limited in their ability to adequately define a system's boundary. Furthermore, we argue that the common definitions of a system rely on context and prior understanding to communicate the boundary of a system. Finally, by using concepts from philosophy and mathematical logic, we show that the common definitions of a system are nominal in their ability to define a system's boundary.
Dealing with COVID‐19 Pandemic in Complex Societal System for Resilience Study: A Systems Approach
Authors: Wang Bijun , Mansouri Mo
Published: September 2021

The continuing spread of COVID‐19 has triggered a global health crisis with raising a series of problems in healthcare, economics, policymaking and environment, which significantly affected the resilience of the whole societal system. We emphasize the societal system, as an adaptive and complex system, has a fundamental impact on the spread of the virus linked to individual behavior change and disaster governance system. This paper combined system thinking and resilience thinking to visualize the complexity and comprehend the governance system under global pandemic threats towards recovering the resilient society. We underline the societal system can be affected by the pandemic, and in turn, impinge on the individual behaviors and governance with a proposed multi‐stage and multi‐scalar framework dealt with the process from crisis to recovery. Meanwhile, a qualitative system dynamics model is proposed inspired by the general Susceptible‐Infected‐Recovery (SIR) model with multiple interactions and interdependency of intervention policies, human psychological factors and mobility‐related factors to explore the influence on the societal system with time effect. Through this perspective, we should enhance the sense of crisis and integrate resilience thinking into the current hazards and recovery process combined with the interconnectedness among societal system in the future.