bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Skellam market model for loan prime rate options
Authors: Chen Zhanyu , Zhang Kai , Zhao Hongbiao 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis paper documents vanilla interest‐rate options newly introduced in China. The underlying rates are the RMB loan prime rates (LPRs), the foremost interest rates that matter to almost all businesses and households in China. They are digital with a tick size of five basis points, and the changes only occur monthly at predetermined announcement times. We propose a novel continuous‐time discrete‐state market model based on the integer‐valued Skellam distribution, and derive arbitrage‐free pricing formulas in closed forms. We advocate that it is more meaningful to quote LPR option prices in terms of implied intensity rather than implied volatility.
Do enhanced derivative disclosures work? An informational perspective
Authors: He Guanming , Ren Helen Mengbing , Taffler Richard 
Published: September 2021

AbstractFirms use derivatives both for hedging and nonhedging purposes. The Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161 (SFAS 161) requires firms to disclose the purposes of their derivatives usage, thereby helping investors to evaluate the effects of derivatives usage on firm performance. Using a hand‐collected sample of US listed firms and a difference‐in‐differences research design, we find that, compared with nonderivative‐users, derivative‐users compliant with SFAS 161 experience a significantly greater reduction in stock illiquidity and the probability of informed trading in the post‐SFAS 161 period, and such impact is evident only for firms with a high degree of investor attention.
Identifying individuals with Alzheimer's disease‐like brains based on structural imaging in the Human Connectome Project Aging cohort
Authors: Li Binyin , Jang Ikbeom , Riphagen Joost , Almaktoum Randa , Yochim Kathryn Morrison , Ances Beau M. , Bookheimer Susan Y. , Salat David H. ,   For the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: September 2021

AbstractGiven the difficulty in factoring out typical age effects from subtle Alzheimer's disease (AD) effects on brain structure, identification of very early, as well as younger preclinical “at‐risk” individuals has unique challenges. We examined whether age‐correction procedures could be used to better identify individuals at very early potential risk from adults who did not have any existing cognitive diagnosis. First, we obtained cross‐sectional age effects for each structural feature using data from a selected portion of the Human Connectome Project Aging (HCP‐A) cohort. After age detrending, we weighted AD structural deterioration with patterns quantified from data of the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. Support vector machine was then used to classify individuals with brains that most resembled atrophy in AD across the entire HCP‐A sample. Additionally, we iteratively adjusted the pipeline by removing individuals classified as AD‐like from the HCP‐A cohort to minimize atypical brain structural contributions to the age detrending. The classifier had a mean cross‐validation accuracy of 94.0% for AD recognition. It also could identify mild cognitive impairment with more severe AD‐specific biomarkers and worse cognition. In an independent HCP‐A cohort, 8.8% were identified as AD‐like, and they trended toward worse cognition. An “AD risk” score derived from the machine learning models also significantly correlated with cognition. This work provides a proof of concept for the potential to use structural brain imaging to identify asymptomatic individuals at young ages who show structural brain patterns similar to AD and are potentially at risk for a future clinical disorder.
Experimental investigation of hot AISI 304 steel plate with very‐high mass‐flux varying water temperature spray
Authors: Kumar Prashant , Chakraborty Sudipto 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe spray cooling is investigated for very high mass‐flux coolants at different temperatures. First, the intended spray is characterized for its role in the cooling enhancement, which reveals that droplet detachment frequency, droplet residence time, liquid film, and vapor film wavelength influence heat‐transfer performance for high‐temperature very‐high mass‐flux spray. After that, the furnace heated 6‐mm thick steel plate at 1030°C is quenched using spray possessing average impingement density (231 kg/m2s) and coolant temperatures (30°C, 40°C, and 50°C). The heat transfer performance is analyzed using inverse heat conduction analysis, wherein temperature‐dependent steel thermophysical properties are considered. The heat transfer performance assessment through parameters such as cooling rate, surface heat flux, and heat transfer coefficient curves shows improvement in cooling performance. For 50°C coolant temperature, we observed the maximum improvement in cooling rate, 141°C/s, and critical heat flux, 3.64 MW/m2. The efficiency analysis reveals that coolant at the highest temperature is the most efficient. Also, an approximate cost assessment suggests enhanced coolant temperature as an economical alternative for heat transfer enhancement than additives‐based coolant.
Interleukin‐6 receptor alpha and CD27 discriminate intratumoral T helper 17 subpopulations with distinct functional properties in a mouse lung cancer model
Authors: Liu Chong , Xiong Fei , Wang Lingying , Chen Kang , Wu Pingshang , Hua Li , Zhang Zhuo 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundT helper 17 (Th17) cells actively participate in the tumor immune response in lung cancer. However, the heterogeneity and plasticity of intratumoral Th17 cells in lung cancer remain elusive. In this study, Th17 subpopulations were characterized in a mouse lung cancer model.MethodsUrethane was administered to induce lung cancer in interleukin (IL)‐17‐EGFP transgenic mice. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the phenotypes, signaling status, and functions of Th17 subpopulations either in vivo or in vitro. The adoptive transfer assay and real‐time polymerase chain reaction were applied to analyze the plasticity of Th17 subpopulations.ResultsIL‐6RαhighCD27− Th17 and IL‐6RαlowCD27+ Th17 were identified in intratumoral Th17 cells. The two subpopulations expressed equivalent RORγt. However, the former expressed higher T‐bet but lower Foxp3, more IL‐17A and IFN‐γ but less IL‐10 than the latter. Furthermore, IL‐6RαhighCD27− Th17 moderately inhibited the proliferation of lung cancer cells while IL‐6RαlowCD27+ Th17 could not. IL‐6RαhighCD27− Th17 exhibited weaker Jun N‐terminal kinases (JNK) signaling but stronger signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) signaling than IL‐6RαlowCD27+ Th17. The adoptive transfer assay indicated that both subpopulations downregulated RORγt in recipients' spleens but maintained RORγt in recipients' lungs. Meanwhile, IL‐6RαhighCD27− Th17 expressed higher T‐bet and IFN‐γ than IL‐6RαlowCD27+ Th17 in the recipients. IL‐6RαlowCD27+ Th17 expressed Foxp3 and IL‐10 in recipients' spleens but not lungs.ConclusionsThis study reveals intratumoral Th17 subpopulations with distinct functional properties and signaling patterns, thus offering valuable insight into Th17 heterogeneity and plasticity in lung cancer.
Immunogenomic characterization in gastric cancer identifies microenvironmental and immunotherapeutically relevant gene signatures
Authors: Han Xiao , Lu Heyue , Tang Xiaojun , Zhao Yao , Liu Hongxue 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundMultiple molecular subtypes with distinct clinical outcomes in gastric cancer have been identified. Nonetheless, the immunogenomic subtypes of gastric cancer and its mediated tumor microenvironment (TME) characterizations have not been fully understood.MethodsSix gastric cancer cohorts with 1506 samples were obtained. Unsupervised methods were used to perform immunogenomic phenotype clustering. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression method was used to construct immunogenomic characterization score (IGCS).ResultsThree distinct immunogenomic phenotypes were determined. We observed a prominent survival difference between three phenotypes. The TME cell‐infiltrating characteristics under these three phenotypes were highly consistent with three immune subtypes of tumors. Cluster 1, was characterized by the “immune‐desert” phenotype, with relatively lower cell infiltration level (type 1 “cold tumor”); Cluster 2, characterized by “immune‐inflamed” phenotype, with abundant innate and adaptive immune cell infiltration (“hot tumor”); Cluster 3, characterized by “immune‐excluded” phenotype, with significant stromal activation and inactivated immune cell infiltration (type 2 “cold tumor”). We demonstrated IGCS signature was significantly correlated with TME inflammation and stroma activity, molecular subtypes, genetic variation, microsatellite instability, immune checkpoint molecules, and patient prognosis. High IGCS subtype, with poorer survival and enhanced stromal activity, presented an immune‐exclusion and non‐inflamed TME characterization. Low IGCS, related to increased mutation/neoantigen load and microsatellite instability, showed enhanced responses to anti‐checkpoint immunotherapy. Four immunotherapy cohorts confirmed patients with low IGCS exhibited prominently enhanced clinical responses and treatment advantages.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated the immunogenomic characterizations could play a crucial role in shaping the complexity and diversity of tumor microenvironment. Targeting tumor immunogenomic characteristic in order for changing adverse phenotypes may contribute to exploiting the novel immunotherapy combination strategies or novel immunotherapeutic drugs, and promoting the advance of tumor personalized immunotherapy.
Interpretability of deep neural networks used for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Pohl Tomáš , Jakab Marek , Benesova Wanda 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAlzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic brain disorder and is the most common cause of dementia. Patients suffering from AD experience memory loss, confusion, and other cognitive and behavioral complications. As the disease progresses, these symptoms become severe enough to interfere with the patient's daily life. Since AD is an irreversible disease and existing treatments can only slow down its progress, early diagnosis of AD is a key moment in fighting this disease. In this article, we propose a novel approach for diagnosing AD via deep neural networks from magnetic resonance imaging images. Additionally, we propose three new propagation rules for the layer‐wise relevance propagation (LRP) method, which is a method used for visualizing evidence in deep neural networks to obtain a better understanding of the network's behavior. We also propose various rule configurations for the LRP to achieve better interpretability of the network. Our proposed classification method achieves a 92% accuracy when classifying AD versus healthy controls, which is comparable to state‐of‐the‐art approaches and could potentially aid doctors in AD diagnosis and reduce the occurrence of human error. Our proposed visualization approaches also show improvements in evidence visualization, which helps the spread of computer‐aided diagnosis in the medical domain by eliminating the “black‐box” nature of the neural networks.
Modelling of potential groundwater artificial recharge in the transboundary Algero‐Tunisian Basin (Tebessa‐Gafsa): The application of stable isotopes and hydroinformatics tools*
Authors: Hamed Younes , Hadji Riheb , Ncibi Kaouther , Hamad Amor , Ben Sâad Amina , Melki Achraf , Khelifi Faten , Mokadem Naziha , Mustafa Eissa 
Published: September 2021

AbstractWater resource overuse is a considerable challenge in areas with diverse activities and mixed climate. An area with deteriorated water quality (salinity higher than 5 g/L), typical of the transboundary Algero‐Tunisian area of the Tebessa‐Gafsa Basin in North Africa, was selected to investigate the spatial distribution of groundwater recharge and the water resources management. Several data including soil type, hydrogeologic characteristics, geomorphologic parameters, and climatic settings were used. Seasonal and early groundwater recharge and evapotranspiration were evaluated by applying the physical WetSpass model (Water and Energy Transfer between Soil, Plants, and Atmosphere Under quasi‐Steady State) model‐based geographic information system during 44 years. Results indicate spatio‐temporal changes in the recharge values. The highest values (13.3 mm) were recorded to the north of the study area during the wet season, while the lowest values, which reached −0.5 mm, were recorded to the south during the dry season. The recharge period of these transboundary aquifers, dated using isotopic tools (3H, 2H, and 18O), coincides with the Late Pleistocene and the Early Holocene humid periods. This Pleistocene and Holocene period could be responsible for the groundwater recharge in the Middle East and North Africa regions. Then, management and geovalorization of unconventional water processes promoting better water resource use have been proposed by applying artificial groundwater recharge.
Development and characterization of matrix‐derived microcarriers from decellularized tissues using electrospraying techniques
Authors: Kornmuller Anna , Flynn Lauren E. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractStirred bioreactor systems integrating microcarriers represent a promising approach for therapeutic cell manufacturing. While a variety of microcarriers are commercially available, current options do not integrate the tissue‐specific composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM), which can play critical roles in directing cell function. The current study sought to generate microcarriers comprised exclusively of ECM from multiple tissue sources. More specifically, porcine decellularized dermis, porcine decellularized myocardium, and human decellularized adipose tissue were digested with α‐amylase to obtain ECM suspensions that could be electrosprayed into liquid nitrogen to generate 3D microcarriers that were stable over a range of ECM concentrations without the need for chemical crosslinking or other additives. Characterization studies confirmed that all three microcarrier types had similar soft and compliant mechanical properties and were of a similar size range, but that their composition varied depending on the native tissue source. In vivo testing in immunocompetent mice revealed that the microcarriers integrated into the host tissues, supporting the infiltration of host cells including macrophages and endothelial cells at 2 weeks post‐implantation. In vitro cell culture studies validated that the novel microcarriers supported the attachment of tissue‐specific stromal cell populations under dynamic culture conditions within spinner flasks, with a significant increase in live cell numbers observed over 1 week on the dermal‐ and adipose‐derived microcarriers. Overall, the findings demonstrate the versatility of the electrospraying methods and support the further development of the microcarriers as cell culture and delivery platforms.
Effect of COOH in organic linkers on the hydrochlorination performance of SnMOF‐based catalysts
Authors: Wu Yibo , Li Fuxiang , Song Guoqiang , Cao Yunli , Xv Fu , Pan Zihong , Feng Yangyang , Li Qingbin 
Published: September 2021

AbstractA series of tin‐organic frameworks materials (SnMOF) were synthesized using different organic linkers, including phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, 1,4‐dicarboxybenzene, and 1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylic acid. The structure and morphology of SnMOF were characterized by Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction, N2 adsorption/desorption isortherm (BET), scanning electron microscope‐Energy Dispersive System (EDS), and Thermogravimetry (TG). Taking together, these experimental results indicated that the different types and amounts of COOH in organic linkers have a significant effect on the physical properties of SnMOF. Among them, carbon‐supported SnMOF as catalysts for acetylene hydrochlorination features the considerable activity and vinyl chloride selectivity. Such excellent performance is attributed to the fact that 1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylic acid can effectively strengthen the interaction effect between C2H2 and Sn‐O‐C, according to the results of C2H2‐TPD, HCl adsorption experiments, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
GJB2 mutations in Iranian Azeri population with autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL): First report of c.238 C>A mutation in Iran
Authors: Abbaspour Rodbaneh Ehsan , Panahi Mohammad , Rahimi Bahareh , Mokabber Haleh , Farajollahi Reza , Davarnia Behzad 
Published: September 2021

AbstractObjectiveAutosomal‐recessive nonsyndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL) is a heterogeneous genetic disorder. Mutations in the gap junction protein beta 2 (GJB2) gene, encoding connexin 26, are a significant cause of ARNSHL in different ethnic groups. This study aimed to identify the frequency and type of GJB2 mutations in the Iranian Azeri population.MethodsFifty unrelated families presenting ARNSHL in Ardabil Province, the northwest of Iran, were studied to determine the frequency and type of GJB2 mutations leading to ARNSHL. ARMS‐PCR screened all DNA samples to detect c.35delG; p. Gly12Val mutation. In addition, normal samples for c.35delG; p. Gly12Val were analyzed by direct sequencing for other GJB2 mutations.ResultOf the fifty families, 13 (26%) showed a GJB2 gene mutation, with c.35delG; p. Gly12Val mutation was the most prevalent one that occurred in eight (61.5%) out of the 13 families. Of the families, two were homozygous for c.358‐360delGAC; p. Glu120del mutation, and one was homozygous for c.290dupA; p. Tyr97Ter and c.299–300delAT; p. His100Arg mutations. Also, we detected a novel mutation, c.238C>A; p. Gln80lys, in one of the families.ConclusionOur findings are comparable to previous studies, indicating c.35d3lG; p. Gly12Val mutation in the GJB2 gene is the most common cause of GJB2‐related hearing loss in the Iranian Azeri population. Furthermore, our study highlights the significance of ARNSHL screening programs of live births based on local population data in Iran.
Performance of SPINK1 and SPINK1‐based diagnostic model in detection of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang Fang , Liu Hui , Bai Youxi , Li Hui , Wang Zhonglin , Xu Xin 
Published: September 2021

AbstractObjectivesTo identify the SPINK1 or SPINK1‐based model as a more reliable biomarker for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsSerum samples and related laboratory parameters were collected from 540 subjects (119 healthy donors, 113 patients with chronic hepatitis B, 122 patients with liver cirrhosis, and 186 patients with HCC). SPINK1 was determined by ELISA assay. Differences in each variable were compared by one‐way ANOVA or Kruskal‐Wallis test. ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve analysis was conducted to compare the diagnostic efficiency of alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP), SPINK1, and a SPINK1‐based combine model constructed by binary Logistic regression.ResultsIn detecting HCC using the other three groups as control, ROC curve analysis revealed that SPINK1 alone reached AUC of 0.899 (0.866–0.933), with the sensitivity of 0.812 of and specificity of 0.953. The combined model increased the AUC to 0.945 (0.926–0.964) with the sensitivity and specificity of 0.860 and 0.910, respectively. For AFP, significantly lower AUC (p < 0.0001) was shown, which was 0.695 (0.645–0.745) with the sensitivity and specificity of 0.634 and 0.718, respectively. In discriminating HCC from liver disease control, AUC of SPINK1 was 0.863(0.826–0.894), the sensitivity and specificity were 0.823 and 0.906, respectively. For combined model, the AUC, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.915 (0.884–0.940), 0.863, and 0.916, respectively. For detecting early‐stage HCC, SPINK1 and combined model achieved the sensitivity of 0.788 and 0.818, respectively, much higher than AFP of 0.485 (p < 0.05); however, the difference between SPINK1 and combined model was not statistically significant (p = 1).ConclusionWe provided solid evidence for SPINK1 as a robust serological tool for HCC diagnosis.
Bioinspiration of the vein structure of dragonfly wings on its flight characteristics
Authors: Liu Chao , Du Ruijuan , Li Fadong , Sun Jiyu 
Published: September 2021

AbstractDragonflies have excellent flight characteristics, which are inextricably related to the characteristics of their wings. Their wings not only support a variety of loads during flight but also maintain high‐efficiency flight characteristics. In this study, the forewing of a dragonfly (Pantala flavescens (Fabricius)) was used as a research object to explore the microstructure of the surface, cross section, and the vein distribution. Three‐dimensional models of three different structures of the forewing vein, including an oval‐shaped hollow tube, a circular hollow tube, and a circular solid tube, were established. Fluid dynamics analysis of these three forewing models under different angles of attack during gliding was carried out by FLUENT software, and subsequently, the influence of the dragonfly forewing vein structure on its flight characteristics was analyzed. The numerical simulation results indicated that the vein structure has a considerable influence on the lift, drag, and lift–drag ratio of the P. flavescens forewing. It was indicated that among the tested models, the forewing model with oval‐shaped hollow tubular veins has better flight efficiency and aerodynamic characteristics. The results of this study may provide the basis for a novel bionic concept of flapping wing microaircraft design.
Impact of conversion surgery on survival in locally advanced pancreatic cancer patients treated with FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy
Authors: Lee Mirang , Kang Jae Seung , Kim Hongbeom , Kwon Wooil , Lee Sang Hyub , Ryu Ji Kon , Kim Yong‐Tae , Oh Do‐Youn , Chie Eui Kyu , Jang Jin‐Young 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundLocally advanced (unresectable) pancreatic cancer (LAPC) is surgically unresectable and often treated with chemotherapy. Most previous studies, that have evaluated conversion surgery after chemotherapy, included heterogeneous patients and chemotherapy regimens, making it challenging to determine the impact of FOLFIRINOX. The present study evaluated the survival benefit of conversion surgery in patients with LAPC who received FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy, and analyzed the prognostic factors.MethodsPatients with LAPC who received FOLFIRINOX as first‐line therapy for at least four cycles were included. During chemotherapy, surgical eligibility was determined based on radiologic and metabolic response to the treatment. Clinicopathologic characteristics were compared between the curative‐intent surgery and non‐resection groups, and the prognostic factors were analyzed.ResultsA total of 279 patients were included. The rates of partial response (PR) and stable disease (SD) were 34.1% and 51.4%, respectively, and 16.8% patients underwent curative‐intent surgery. The median survival was significantly longer in the resection group than in the non‐resection group (56 vs 21 months, P < .001). In a multivariate analysis, curative‐intent surgery (HR 0.260; P < .001) was the most important factor.ConclusionsConversion surgery after FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy effectively rescues patients with LAPC. Patients without progression after FOLFIRINOX could be considered as potential candidates for conversion surgery.