bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kekulé’s OscillatingD3hCyclohexatriene Structure of Benzene
Authors: Wentrup Curt 
Published: February 2023

AbstractKekulé 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

AbstractTaking 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.
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

AbstractWe 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

AbstractCheck 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

AbstractBackgroundThe 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.MethodsPON2 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.ResultsPON2 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.ConclusionPON2 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

AbstractIt 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

AbstractEfferocytosis 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

AbstractReal‐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

ABSTRACTThe 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

ABSTRACTThe 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

ABSTRACTCompanies 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

ABSTRACTThe 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

ABSTRACTArtificial 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

ABSTRACTAs 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.