bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of bronchoalveolar lavage in diagnosing pulmonary infections and malignancies: Experience from a tertiary care center
Authors: Zaidi Ariba , Kaur Harpreet , Gupta Parikshaa , Gupta Nalini , Srinivasan Radhika , Dey Pranab , Rohilla Manish , Rajwanshi Arvind , Bal Amanjit , Agarwal Ritesh 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundBronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), is a safe, minimally invasive procedure to sample the terminal airways and the lung parenchyma. Although frequently used, there is lack of contemporary literature regarding the diagnostic utility of BAL for various pulmonary diseases. This study was conducted to evaluate the utility of BAL in diagnosis of various pulmonary pathologies, both infectious and neoplastic.MethodsThis was a retrospective study performed over a period of 2 years. All the BAL samples reported on cytology were studied, their clinical details were retrieved, and the corresponding smears were reviewed. Cyto‐histopathologic correlation was done, wherever possible.ResultsThere were a total of 1835 cases (1153 men, 682 women; age, 8 months to 78 years). Of these, 19 (1%) cases were assessed as inadequate for opinion. In 348 (19%) cases, specific infective cause could be identified on BAL cytology alone. Tuberculosis and fungal infections could be diagnosed in 165 (9%) and 178 (9.7%) cases respectively. There were 46 (2.5%) neoplasms, including adenocarcinoma (n = 20), squamous cell carcinoma (n = 5), small cell carcinoma (n = 2), Langerhans cell histiocytosis (n = 1), suspicious for malignancy (n = 15) and metastatic carcinoma (n = 3). Some rare diagnoses were also reported on BAL cytology, including sarcoidosis, actinomycosis, leishmaniasis, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis and metastatic papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.ConclusionBAL is a safe and useful procedure for primary diagnosis of infections such as tuberculosis and fungal infections, which has special significance in developing nations where prevalence of such infections is high. In addition, BAL has the potential to diagnose both primary as well as secondary malignant lung lesions.
Hotspots of species loss do not vary across future climate scenarios in a drought‐prone river basin
Authors: Gill Kenneth C. , Fovargue Rachel E. , Neeson Thomas M. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractClimate change is expected to alter the distributions of species around the world, but estimates of species’ outcomes vary widely among competing climate scenarios. Where should conservation resources be directed to maximize expected conservation benefits given future climate uncertainty? Here, we explore this question by quantifying variation in fish species’ distributions across future climate scenarios in the Red River basin south‐central United States. We modeled historical and future stream fish distributions using a suite of environmental covariates derived from high‐resolution hydrologic and climatic modeling of the basin. We quantified variation in outcomes for individual species across climate scenarios and across space, and identified hotspots of species loss by summing changes in probability of occurrence across species. Under all climate scenarios, we find that the distribution of most fish species in the Red River Basin will contract by 2050. However, the variability across climate scenarios was more than 10 times higher for some species than for others. Despite this uncertainty in outcomes for individual species, hotspots of species loss tended to occur in the same portions of the basin across all climate scenarios. We also find that the most common species are projected to experience the greatest range contractions, underscoring the need for directing conservation resources toward both common and rare species. Our results suggest that while it may be difficult to predict which species will be most impacted by climate change, it may nevertheless be possible to identify spatial priorities for climate mitigation actions that are robust to future climate uncertainty. These findings are likely to be generalizable to other ecosystems around the world where future climate conditions follow prevailing historical patterns of key environmental covariates.
Energy–water and seasonal variations in climate underlie the spatial distribution patterns of gymnosperm species richness in China
Authors: Pandey Bikram , Khatiwada Janak R. , Zhang Lin , Pan Kaiwen , Dakhil Mohammed A. , Xiong Qinli , Yadav Ram Kailash P. , Siwakoti Mohan , Tariq Akash , Olatunji Olusanya Abiodun , Justine Meta Francis , Wu Xiaogang , Sun Xiaoming , Liao Ziyan , Negesse Zebene Tadesse 
Published: August 2020

AbstractStudying the pattern of species richness is crucial in understanding the diversity and distribution of organisms in the earth. Climate and human influences are the major driving factors that directly influence the large‐scale distributions of plant species, including gymnosperms. Understanding how gymnosperms respond to climate, topography, and human‐induced changes is useful in predicting the impacts of global change. Here, we attempt to evaluate how climatic and human‐induced processes could affect the spatial richness patterns of gymnosperms in China. Initially, we divided a map of the country into grid cells of 50 × 50 km2 spatial resolution and plotted the geographical coordinate distribution occurrence of 236 native gymnosperm taxa. The gymnosperm taxa were separated into three response variables: (a) all species, (b) endemic species, and (c) nonendemic species, based on their distribution. The species richness patterns of these response variables to four predictor sets were also evaluated: (a) energy–water, (b) climatic seasonality, (c) habitat heterogeneity, and (d) human influences. We performed generalized linear models (GLMs) and variation partitioning analyses to determine the effect of predictors on spatial richness patterns. The results showed that the distribution pattern of species richness was highest in the southwestern mountainous area and Taiwan in China. We found a significant relationship between the predictor variable set and species richness pattern. Further, our findings provide evidence that climatic seasonality is the most important factor in explaining distinct fractions of variations in the species richness patterns of all studied response variables. Moreover, it was found that energy–water was the best predictor set to determine the richness pattern of all species and endemic species, while habitat heterogeneity has a better influence on nonendemic species. Therefore, we conclude that with the current climate fluctuations as a result of climate change and increasing human activities, gymnosperms might face a high risk of extinction.
Interactions between serum FSH, inhibin B and antral follicle count in the decline of serum AMH during the menstrual cycle in late reproductive age
Authors: Robertson David M. , Lee Chel Hee , Baerwald Angela 
Published: August 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the hormonal interrelationships during the menstrual cycle in women of late reproductive age with suppressed serum AMH and antral follicle count (AFC).MethodsSerum hormones (AMH, FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, inhibin A, inhibin B), AFC (2‐10 mm) and AMH/AFC ratio (an estimate of AMH/follicle) were assessed every 2‐3 days across the menstrual cycle in 26 healthy ovulatory women aged 18‐50 years.ResultsAn 11‐fold fall in AMH/AFC was observed in women aged ≥45 years compared to those 18‐45 years (P < .001). Although women ≥45 years exhibited normal menstrual cycle patterns of serum estradiol, progesterone, LH and inhibin A, FSH was elevated (P < .001) and inhibin B suppressed (P < .001) compared to the younger group. Overall FSH was inversely correlated (r = .55, P < .05) and AMH directly correlated (r = .88, P < .01) with AFC; however, these relationships were curvilinear and more pronounced when AFC was low. Inhibin B was directly linearly correlated (r = .70, P < .01) with AFC across both high and low AMH/follicle groups.ConclusionsIt is hypothesized that the marked fall in AMH/follicle in late reproductive age is attributed to the change in the hormonal interplay between the pituitary and ovary. The fall in AFC leads to a decrease in inhibin B and a concomitant increase in FSH by a recognized feedback mechanism. It is postulated the elevated FSH suppresses AMH either directly or indirectly through oocyte‐specific growth factors leading to a marked fall in AMH/follicle. We propose that pituitary‐ovarian and intra‐ovarian regulatory systems underpin the accelerated fall in AMH/follicle during the transition to menopause.
Bio‐Based Polymers Obtained from Modified Fatty Acids and Soybean Oil with Tailorable Physical and Mechanical Performance
Authors: Hernández Emanuel , Mosiewicki Mirna. A. , Marcovich Norma. E. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe impending world oil shortage, global climate changes, and environmental pollution encourage the use of natural renewable resources to produce substitutes for petroleum‐derived polymers. In this work, two series of bio‐based thermoset polymers are prepared by free radical polymerization of commercially available acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) with different amounts of methacrylated oleic (MOA) or lauric (MLA) acids. The characterization of the resulting cured bio‐based copolymers is performed by infrared spectroscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and tensile tests. Experimental results show that heat resistance index, storage modulus, and crosslinking density increase as the content of AESO in the samples increases, whereas the corresponding glass transition temperatures (Tg) decrease slightly. Samples containing MLA present higher tensile modulus and strength than polymers made from MOA or 100% AESO. All materials are insoluble in water and common organic solvents, show high transparency and water contact angles among 67° and 86.3°, and at least some of the samples demonstrate stress relaxation capacity.Practical Applications: The properties of the bio‐based polymers obtained in this work can be adapted to different potential applications by selecting both the amount and type of constituents. Their tailorable physical and mechanical performance, malleability at elevated temperatures, moderate wettable surfaces, easy preparation, high content of bio‐carbon, and environmental benefits make these novel bio‐based polymers great candidates not only for structural applications but also as protective or decorative coatings.
Electrochemical Determination of Caffeine Using Bimetallic Au−Ag Nanoparticles Obtained from Low‐cost Green Synthesis
Authors: Masibi Kgotla K. , Fayemi Omolola E. , Adekunle Abolanle S. , Sherif El‐Sayed M. , Ebenso Eno E. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractA novel caffeine sensor was constructed. The sensor is based on a platinum electrode (PtE) modified with polypyrrole (PPY) and green synthesized Ag−Au bimetallic nanoparticles. The work further describes the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), as well as Ag−Au bimetallic nanoparticles (BMNPs) using the extract of citrus sinensis (sweet orange) peels. The nanoparticles were used to form nanocomposite material supported on polypyrrole (PPY) and, consequently used to modify PtE using drop‐cast method. Synthesized nanomaterials were characterized by FT‐IR, UV‐Vis, XRD and TEM. Electrochemical characterization of the modified electrodes was conducted using the ferrocyanide/ferricyanide redox probe prepared in PBS. PPY/Ag‐AuBMNP modified PtE exhibited faster electron transport properties as well as enhanced catalytic current response as compared to bare‐PtE, PtE/AgNPs, PtE/AuNPs, PtE/Ag‐AuBMNPs and PtE/PPY. By Square‐wave voltammetry (SWV) the PPY/Ag‐AuBMNPs modified PtE yielded a detection limit of 2.02 μM with a sensitivity of 0.75 μA/μM, in the caffeine concentration range of 0 μM to 59 μM. The proposed sensor further demonstrated good selectivity and was successfully applied for the detection of caffeine in commercial samples.
Expression profile analysis and stability evaluation of 18 small RNAs in the Chinese Han population
Authors: Wang Shouyu , Tao Ruiyang , Ming Tianyue , Wang Mengge , Liu Jing , He Guanglin , Zou Xing , Wang Zheng , Hou Yiping 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIn recent years, differentially expressed small RNAs have been widely used to identify the compositions of forensically relevant biological samples, and a vast number of such RNA candidates have been proposed. Nevertheless, when assessing the expression levels of target small RNAs using relative quantitative analysis methods, credible internal controls are usually required for reliable data normalization. Therefore, the identification of optimal reference genes is an important task. In this study, the expression profile of 18 small RNA reference genes was characterized in the Chinese Han population using TaqMan real‐time quantitative PCR. Systematic evaluations of these candidate genes were performed based on their expression levels and stability in several common types of body fluids (i.e., venous blood, menstrual blood, saliva, semen, and vaginal secretions). Analysis results from the ΔCq method, BestKeeper, NormFinder, and geNorm were integrated by RefFinder for ranking and comparing the candidates in each type of body fluid. Among all the candidates, miR‐191 was identified as the most suitable reference gene because it had a favorable ranking value in all tested samples. In addition, miR‐423, miR‐93, miR‐484, and let‐7i were also shown to be applicable reference genes. Overall, this study provides detailed assessment results of these candidate genes in different body fluids; thus, it could be used as a guide for the selection of reference genes according to their performance in the sample of choice.
Design and analysis of enhanced capacitive radio frequency MEMS switch based on Nb2O5 and HfO2 dielectric for satellite payload applications
Authors: Narzary Trigunesh , R Kumar , Bhattacharjee Rituraj , Brahma Muktimani , P Mohamed Shakeel. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAn innovative capacitive radio frequency MEMS shunt switch with a unique shaped spring is designed and analyzed using COMSOL Multiphysics 5.4. The proposed switch using Hafnium oxide (HfO2) and Niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) as the dielectric material between the transmission line and the deflecting gold membrane provides certain advantageous benefits with respect to performance parameters such as low actuation voltage, less spring constant, good isolation, low insertion loss, small size, and high capacitance ratio compared to other designs. A combination of three‐turn meander and C‐ shaped spring having a spring constant of 0.186 N/m helps in achieving convenient actuation voltage. For 1, 1.5, and 2 μm air gaps, the actuation voltages required to bring the switch to ON mode are 1.77, 3.24, and 4.96 V respectively with Nb2O5 as the dielectric layer and 1.8, 3.28, and 5.01 V respectively with HfO2 as the dielectric layer respectively. At 2‐μm air gap, the capacitance ratio is 329 for Nb2O5 and 113 for HfO2. RF analysis using ANSYS HFSS software shows the isolation of −19.41 dB at 11 GHz and insertion loss as low as −0.27 dB at 15 GHz. The proposed switch operating within the range of 1 to 30 GHz gives optimum results compared to other devices and is suitable for wireless communication and satellite payload applications.
An improved ensemble based intrusion detection technique usingXGBoost
Authors: Bhati Bhoopesh Singh , Chugh Garvit , Al‐Turjman Fadi , Bhati Nitesh Singh 
Published: August 2020

AbstractNetwork attacks are increasing day by day. In order to detect them, a system has been created, which actively detects intrusions and attacks in a network or an intranet. The system that detects these types of attacks and intrusions is called intrusion detection system (IDS). The attacks are of two kinds, known and unknown. The IDSs are able to protect against known attacks as they are designed specifically for them. As the usage of the Internet is growing every day, the attacks are increasing as well and all of them are not known to an IDS without proper upgradation, which is harmful as it will not be detected by the IDS and leave the system open to threats. Therefore, an IDS should not just detect the known attacks but even provide security from unknown attacks. Motivated by this, in this article, an ensemble‐based IDS using XGBoost is presented. There has been previous research on the topic and with the help of improved technologies, it becomes possible to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the ensemble based IDS. This article proposes to present a scheme that shows the usage of XGBoost with ensemble based IDS can provide better results as XGBoost is based on the tree boosting machine learning algorithms, which helps dealing with a smoother “bias‐variance” trade‐off. The experiment is performed on the KDDCup99 dataset and the recorded accuracy of the proposed method through this experiment is 99.95%.
Plasma fatty acid profile is related to cognitive function in obese Chinese populations (35–64 years): A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Duan Qi , Fan Rong , Lei Ruqing , Ma Weiwei , Ding Bingjie 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundA fast‐growing body of evidence suggests that dietary lipids influence cognition, but the effects of dietary fatty acid (FA) intake and plasma FA profile on cognitive function in obese populations are currently unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the dietary FA intakes and plasma FA composition and their association with cognitive functions in obese and overweight populations aged 35–64 years.MethodsA total of 672 subjects were recruited and divided into normal‐weight, overweight, and obese groups based on their body mass index (BMI). Dietary information was collected using a semiquantified food frequency questionnaire. Plasma FAs composition was examined using gas chromatography. The mini‐mental state examination and Montreal Cognitive Assessment scales were carried out to assess the cognitive performance of each participant. Dietary FA intake and plasma FA composition were compared with rank transformation followed by one‐way ANOVA analysis across different BMI groups. Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between dietary FA intake and plasma FA composition and cognitive functions in normal‐weight, overweight, and obese subjects, respectively.ResultsOverweight and obese subjects consumed larger amounts of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) compared to normal‐weight participants (p < .05). Obese populations also had higher plasma levels of total SFAs and total monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFAs) than normal‐weight subjects (both p < .05). In addition, plasma levels of SFAs, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and MUFAs were negatively correlated with cognitive functions in obese subjects but showed no correlation in normal‐weight and overweight subjects.ConclusionsFrom current data, we found higher plasma levels of SFA, PUFA, and MUFA in obese populations, which were associated with declined cognition. Lowering plasma FA levels may help maintaining normal cognitive functions in obese people.
Is the synthetic stock price really lower than actual price?
Authors: Hu Jianfeng 
Published: August 2020

AbstractConventional wisdom suggests synthetic stock prices are lower than actual prices due to short‐sale constraints and voting premiums. This study finds that such underpricing of the synthetic midquote disappears if arbitrageurs face security borrowing costs. The synthetic spread predominantly contains the actual spread. Synthetic stock overpricing is as common as underpricing but the former is more persistent and more profitable. The difference between synthetic and actual quotes is significantly affected by options market makers' hedging costs and investors' demand for leverage.
Stochastic multifactor models in risk management of energy futures
Authors: Guo Zi‐Yi 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWe adopt Schwartz and Smith's model to calculate risk measures of Brent oil and light sweet crude oil (WTI) futures contracts and Mirantes, Poblacion, and Serna's model to calculate risk measures of natural gas, gasoil, heating oil, RBOB gasoline, PJM Western Hub peak, and off‐peak electricity futures contracts. The models generate well in‐sample goodness of fit and satisfactory out‐of‐sample Value‐at‐Risk and expected shortfall forecasts for all the eight of the analyzed commodities. A simple and flexible estimation method improving upon existing estimation methods is developed.
Immune‐Mobilizing Monoclonal T Cell Receptors Mediate Specific and Rapid Elimination of Hepatitis B–Infected Cells
Authors: Fergusson Joannah R. , Wallace Zoë , Connolly Mary M. , Woon Amanda P. , Suckling Richard J. , Hine Dominic W. , Barber Claire , Bunjobpol Wilawan , Choi Beak‐San , Crespillo Sara , Dembek Marcin , Dieckmann Nele , Donoso Jose , Godinho Luis F. , Grant Tressan , Howe Dawn , McCully Michelle L. , Perot Carole , Sarkar Anshuk , Seifert Florian U. , Singh Praveen K. , Stegmann Kerstin A. , Turner Bethany , Verma Anil , Walker Andrew , Leonard Sarah , Maini Mala K. , Wiederhold Katrin , Dorrell Lucy , Simmons Ruth , Knox Andrew 
Published: August 2020

Background and Aims
Therapies for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are urgently needed because of viral integration, persistence of viral antigen expression, inadequate HBV‐specific immune responses, and treatment regimens that require lifelong adherence to suppress the virus. Immune mobilizing monoclonal T Cell receptors against virus (ImmTAV) molecules represent a therapeutic strategy combining an affinity‐enhanced T Cell receptor with an anti‐CD3 T Cell‐activating moiety. This bispecific fusion protein redirects T cells to specifically lyse infected cells expressing the target virus‐derived peptides presented by human leukocyte antigen (HLA).

Approach and Results
ImmTAV molecules specific for HLA‐A*02:01‐restricted epitopes from HBV envelope, polymerase, and core antigens were engineered. The ability of ImmTAV‐Env to activate and redirect polyclonal T cells toward cells containing integrated HBV and cells infected with HBV was assessed using cytokine secretion assays and imaging‐based killing assays. Elimination of infected cells was further quantified using a modified fluorescent hybridization of viral RNA assay. Here, we demonstrate that picomolar concentrations of ImmTAV‐Env can redirect T cells from healthy and HBV‐infected donors toward hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells containing integrated HBV DNA resulting in cytokine release, which could be suppressed by the addition of a corticosteroid in vitro. Importantly, ImmTAV‐Env redirection of T cells induced cytolysis of antigen‐positive HCC cells and cells infected with HBV in vitro, causing a reduction of hepatitis B e antigen and specific loss of cells expressing viral RNA.

Conclusions
The ImmTAV platform has the potential to enable the elimination of infected cells by redirecting endogenous non‐HBV‐specific T cells, bypassing exhausted HBV‐specific T cells. This represents a promising therapeutic option in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, with our lead candidate now entering trials.