cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
M11-L: A Local Density Functional That Provides Improved Accuracy for Electronic Structure Calculations in Chemistry and Physics

Local approximations to the exchange-correlation functional are of special interest because of their cost advantages and their useful accuracy for efficient calculations on systems (such as many transition metal catalysts) with significant multiconfigurational wave function character. We present a meta-GGA exchange-correlation functional, called M11-L, that employs dual-range local exchange to provide broad accuracy for both single-configurational and multiconfigurational molecules and for solid-state lattice constants. Also notable is the high accuracy (for a local functional) for chemical reaction barrier heights. The mean unsigned error on a broad chemistry database of 338 energetic data is lower than that for any other known functional, even hybrid functionals and range-separated hybrid functionals. This success shows that the dependence of the exchange energy density on interelectronic distance is quite different at short-range and long-range, and it establishes a new standard for the limit of what c...
UAV Flight Testing with an Airborne Sonic Anemometer, IMU and GPS

This paper details a series of flight tests performed on an 11-foot wingspan UAV. Flight test objectives included calculation of the aerodynamic angles (angle of attack and sideslip angle), calculation of in-flight horizontal wind velocity, and characterization of aircraft dynamic modes. Important flight variables included rotation rates as measured by MEMS rate gyros, velocities relative to the ground as measured by GPS, and airspeed as measured by an airborne sonic anemometer. The aerodynamic angles were calculated using a vector analysis of the aircraft's orientation and velocity as determined from the rate gyros and GPS, respectively. These results were then compared to those calculated from the onboard sonic anemometer. Similarly, wind speeds were calculated by subtracting groundspeed as measured by the GPS from airspeed as measured by the airborne sonic anemometer. These results were then compared to windspeeds measured from a second, grounded sonic anemometer. Finally, the short period, roll, and Dutch roll modes were excited by appropriate flight maneuvers and compared to theoretical/empirical predictions. Trendwise, the rate gyro/GPS aerodynamic angles agreed with the sonic anemometer during straight and level passes. The calculations would be improved by better Euler angle estimates and better knowledge of ambient wind. The average wind velocity vector obtained from the onboard instrumentation was higher than the one measured from the ground station. The aerodynamic influence of the aircraft at the location of the sonic anemometer and measurement errors of the Euler angles might be the possible causes. The dynamic mode flight results matched the theoretical/empirical predictions, though they were significantly affected by atmospheric turbulence.
Analysis of epidemic of Keshan disease in Heilongjiang province,2013

Objective To master epidemic of Keshan disease and implementation of its prevention and control measures at survey points in Heilongjiang province,accumulate data and information for assessment of elimination of Keshan disease in "Twelfth Five-year Plan" period. Methods All the information of cardiomyopathy patients visited medical institutions at county level, rural health centers and village clinic were surveyed during 2008-2012. Based on the patient's medical history, clinical symptoms and signs, ECG, echocardiogram and chest X-ray examination and the results of epidemiological data, the suspected cases of Keshan disease were screened. Results 118 suspected cases of Keshan disease were found among 1727 cases of suspected cases of myocardial disease from 845 medical units and 41 cases of Keshan disease were final diagnosed by expert group. Conclusion The epidemic of Keshan disease in Heilongjiang province has been in a stable stage, 41 patients were chronic Keshan disease, 21 of which were original cases and 20 were new cases. It is necessary to strengthen the prevention and control work for Keshan disease in future.
The complete physical.

The concept of the “complete” physical examination can be viewed from several perspectives.
Emissions and Health Effects of Wood Biomass Combustion

This chapter provides an overview of what is known and not known about emissions from wood combustion, with a particular focus on the nonresidential scale. In addition, it reviews the state of the evidence on health effects associated with of exposure to emissions from wood combustion, information that is relevant to decisions about wood biomass applications at any scale. Finally, the chapter describes policy approaches available for protecting public health from pollution and concludes with solutions: recommendations for changes in technologies, policy and programs to better protect public health. While the discussion focuses on the Northeast region of the USA, it has broader implications, providing a framework for incorporating health in renewable energy decision-making across the country.
Nickel adipate coordination polymers with isomeric dipyridylamide ligands: topological disorder and divergent magnetic properties

Hydrothermal reaction of nickel nitrate, adipic acid, and a dipyridylamide ligand produced two coordination polymers which were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. {[Ni2(adipate)2(3-pna)2(H2O)]·H2O}n (1, 3-pna = 3-pyridylnicotinamide) possesses carboxylate bridged {Ni(μ2-H2O)(OCO)2} dimeric units connected into (6,3) graphitic 2D layer motifs. Use of the isomeric 3-pyridylisonicotinamide (3-pina) afforded {[Ni2(adipate)2(3-pina)2(H2O)]·2H2O}n (2), which manifested similar {Ni(μ2-H2O)(OCO)2} dimeric units. Crystallographic disorder within the adipate ligands in 2 produced a 3D coordination polymer net that is a hybrid of a non-interpenetrated 3D 6-connected primitive cubic α-Po 41263pcu net and 2D 7-connected slab motifs with a pillared (3,6) triangular net 3641253 topology. Magnetic analysis for 1 revealed weak antiferromagnetic coupling (J = −0.36(1) cm−1 with g = 2.077(1)), while 2 exhibited weak ferromagnetic coupling (J = +0.51(2) cm−1 with g = 2.034(7)).
A chopping switched-capacitor RF receiver with integrated blocker detection, +31dBm OB-IIP3, and +15dBm OB-B1dB

A 0.1–0.6GHz chopping switched-capacitor RF receiver with integrated blocker detector features tunable center frequency, programmable filter order, and very high out-of-band linearity. RF impedance matching, high-order OB interferer filtering, and flicker-noise chopping are achieved by passive SC circuits only. The 34–80mW 65nm receiver achieves 35dB gain, +31dBm OB-IIP3, +15dBm B1dB, and 4.6–9dB NF. The filter order is adapted to blocker power with a blocker detector with a 1us response time.
Modeling the Role of Epitope Arrangement on Antibody Binding Stoichiometry in Flaviviruses

Cryo-electron-microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of flaviviruses reveal significant variation in epitope occupancy across different monoclonal antibodies that have largely been attributed to epitope-level differences in conformation or accessibility that affect antibody binding. The consequences of these variations for macroscopic properties such as antibody binding and neutralization are the results of the law of mass action-a stochastic process of innumerable binding and unbinding events between antibodies and the multiple binding sites on the flavivirus in equilibrium-that cannot be directly imputed from structure alone. We carried out coarse-grained spatial stochastic binding simulations for nine flavivirus antibodies with epitopes defined by cryo-EM or x-ray crystallography to assess the role of epitope spatial arrangement on antibody-binding stoichiometry, occupancy, and neutralization. In our simulations, all epitopes were equally competent for binding, representing the upper limit of binding stoichiometry that results from epitope spatial arrangement alone. Surprisingly, our simulations closely reproduced the relative occupancy and binding stoichiometry observed in cryo-EM, without having to account for differences in epitope accessibility or conformation, suggesting that epitope spatial arrangement alone may be sufficient to explain differences in binding occupancy and stoichiometry between antibodies. Furthermore, we found that there was significant heterogeneity in binding configurations even at saturating antibody concentrations, and that bivalent antibody binding may be more common than previously thought. Finally, we propose a structure-based explanation for the stoichiometric threshold model of neutralization.
The effects of procedural injustice during police–citizen encounters: a factorial vignette study

This study tested the effect of procedural injustice relative to being sanctioned by police on a variety of outcome measures, such as decision acceptance and immediate compliance, in two types of police–citizen encounters, traffic stops and noise complaints. A factorial vignette design was used to determine the effect that the manipulations (i.e., procedural injustice and receiving a citation) had on the dependent variables. Participants (N = 594) were randomly assigned one vignette scenario with four possible conditions. After reading the hypothetical encounter, closed-ended survey items were administered to participants. The standardized regression coefficients from the ordinal regression models revealed that participants who were administered the procedural injustice stimuli are less satisfied with how the police resolved the encounter, reported that they are less likely to follow the police directives, said they are less willing to accept the officer’s decisions, and are more likely to wish the police had handled the situation differently. This pattern of findings was consistent in both types of police encounters. Importantly, support was also found for the hypothesis that procedural injustice is more salient in predicting outcomes than whether a citation is issued. The results support the process-based model of regulation and serve to underscore the influence of unfair police processes on encounter-specific outcome variables.
Single Z-Plasty Versus Double-Opposing Z-Plasty: A Cadaveric Study of Palatal Lengthening.

OBJECTIVE The double-opposing Z-plasty is an effective method of repairing the cleft palate due to its reorientation of the palatal musculature and lengthening of the soft palate. A technique for lengthening the palate with a single oral Z-plasty has also been described. The authors hypothesize that these 2 techniques have equivalent effects on palate length. METHODS A cadaver study was performed. Ten fresh adult cadaver heads were used.All palates were divided in the midline. In 5 specimens, a modified double-opposing Z-plasty technique was used; 5 other specimens underwent an oral Z-plasty with a straight-line repair of the nasal mucosa. In both groups, the levator veli palatini muscles were separately dissected and reapproximated with an intravelar veloplasty. The velar length, defined in this study as the distance from the posterior nasal spine to the tip of uvula, was measured before and after the surgical procedure. RESULTS The double-opposing Z-plasty produced a mean increase of 1.0 ± 0.6 cm in velar length (P = 0.023). The single Z-plasty repair resulted in a mean gain of 1.1 ± 0.3 cm (P = 0.001). There was no difference in change in palate length between the 2 procedures (P = 0.941), and no difference in the percentage of soft palate lengthening (24% vs 29%, respectively; P = 0.565). CONCLUSIONS A single oral Z -plasty provides palatal lengthening equivalent to that of a double-opposing Z-plasty procedure.
A right whale pootree: classification trees of faecal hormones identify reproductive states in North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis).

Immunoassay of hormone metabolites extracted from faecal samples of free-ranging large whales can provide biologically relevant information on reproductive state and stress responses. North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis Muller 1776) are an ideal model for testing the conservation value of faecal metabolites. Almost all North Atlantic right whales are individually identified, most of the population is sighted each year, and systematic survey effort extends back to 1986. North Atlantic right whales number <500 individuals and are subject to anthropogenic mortality, morbidity and other stressors, and scientific data to inform conservation planning are recognized as important. Here, we describe the use of classification trees as an alternative method of analysing multiple-hormone data sets, building on univariate models that have previously been used to describe hormone profiles of individual North Atlantic right whales of known reproductive state. Our tree correctly classified the age class, sex and reproductive state of 83% of 112 faecal samples from known individual whales. Pregnant females, lactating females and both mature and immature males were classified reliably using our model. Non-reproductive [i.e. 'resting' (not pregnant and not lactating) and immature] females proved the most unreliable to distinguish. There were three individual males that, given their age, would traditionally be considered immature but that our tree classed as mature males, possibly calling for a re-evaluation of their reproductive status. Our analysis reiterates the importance of considering the reproductive state of whales when assessing the relationship between cortisol concentrations and stress. Overall, these results confirm findings from previous univariate statistical analyses, but with a more robust multivariate approach that may prove useful for the multiple-analyte data sets that are increasingly used by conservation physiologists.
Women and Gay Men in the Postwar Period

In Women and Gay Men in the Postwar Period, John Portmann explores the nature of what he views as the unique style of friendship shared by American women and gay men since World War II. Noting that...
Endoscopic Removal of Benign Forehead Tumors: Patient Satisfaction With Decision Making and Scar Outcomes:

The endoscopic approach is an alternative treatment to direct excision of benign forehead tumors. Prior publications describe the technique and outcomes. Our study assumes a quality improvement per...
Design and development of a simple UV fluorescence multi-spectral imaging system

Healthcare access in low-resource settings is compromised by the availability of affordable and accurate diagnostic equipment. The four primary poverty-related diseases – AIDS, pneumonia, malaria, and tuberculosis - account for approximately 400 million annual deaths worldwide as of 2016 estimates. Current diagnostic procedures for these diseases are prolonged and can become unreliable under various conditions. We present the development of a simple low-cost UV fluorescence multi-spectral imaging system geared towards low resource settings for a variety of biological and in-vitro applications. Fluorescence microscopy serves as a useful diagnostic indicator and imaging tool. The addition of a multi-spectral imaging modality allows for the detection of fluorophores within specific wavelength bands, as well as the distinction between fluorophores possessing overlapping spectra. The developed instrument has the potential for a very diverse range of diagnostic applications in basic biomedical science and biomedical diagnostics and imaging. Performance assessment of the microscope will be validated with a variety of samples ranging from organic compounds to biological samples.
Subjects and Events Mentioned by Naim Efendi Corroborated in Ottoman Documents

In summary, the book completely shatters the arguments of the Turkish denialist school, which has for decades dismissed the Naim Efendi Memoirs and Talat Pasha telegrams as forgeries, fabricated to advance the Armenian position. In fact, there was an Ottoman bureaucrat by the name of Naim Efendi, he did write memoirs, and the people and events he mentions in them were real and actually did happen. And now it is possible to prove each and every one of these facts by virtue of Ottoman archival documents. The central pillar of the Turk denialist argument in this regard has been pulled down, and the cornerstone of its claims removed.
The position of the tongue root in the articulation of posterior sibilants in Polish

Standard Polish has a typologically relatively rare contrast between “hard” post-alveolar affricates and fricatives, transcribed by Ladefoged and Disner (2012) as (/tṣ, dẓ, ṣ, ẓ/ and “soft” alveolo-palatal affricates and fricatives (IPA transcription /tɕ, dʑ, ɕ, ʑ /). The hard post-alveolars are notoriously ambiguous—phonetically they are neither sense stricto retroflexes (though some authors adopt such an analysis based on phonological arguments, e.g., Hamann 2003) nor typical palatoalveolars. Additionally, the “hard” post-alveoalars can be allophonically palatalized in the context of [i]. Multiple approaches have been proposed to differentiate the hard and soft series, all of them primarily focusing on the shape of the body of the tongue, including the level of raising of the body of the tongue, the place of articulation, and the length of the constriction. In this study, we present 3-D tongue shapes of the consonants. The 3D ultrasound images—besides additional details of the shape of the tongue body—reveal a consistent difference in terms of the tongue root position, with a fronting of the tongue root and a pronounced groove along the center of the tongue in the root part of the tongue for prepalatals and no such fronting for the “hard” post-alveolars.Standard Polish has a typologically relatively rare contrast between “hard” post-alveolar affricates and fricatives, transcribed by Ladefoged and Disner (2012) as (/tṣ, dẓ, ṣ, ẓ/ and “soft” alveolo-palatal affricates and fricatives (IPA transcription /tɕ, dʑ, ɕ, ʑ /). The hard post-alveolars are notoriously ambiguous—phonetically they are neither sense stricto retroflexes (though some authors adopt such an analysis based on phonological arguments, e.g., Hamann 2003) nor typical palatoalveolars. Additionally, the “hard” post-alveoalars can be allophonically palatalized in the context of [i]. Multiple approaches have been proposed to differentiate the hard and soft series, all of them primarily focusing on the shape of the body of the tongue, including the level of raising of the body of the tongue, the place of articulation, and the length of the constriction. In this study, we present 3-D tongue shapes of the consonants. The 3D ultrasound images—besides additional details of the shape of the tongue body—r...
Modal Logics I: Modalities and Intensional Languages

The subject of this paper is the foundations of modal logic. By foundations, we generally mean the underlying assumptions, the underpinnings. There is a normative sense in which it has been claimed that modal logic is without foundation. Professor Quine, in Word and Object, suggests that it was conceived in sin: the sin of confusing use and mention. The original transgressors were Russell and Whitehead. Lewis followed suit and constructed a logic in which an operator corresponding to ‘necessarily’ operates on sentences whereas ‘is necessary’ ought to be viewed as a predicate of sentences. As Professor Quine reconstructs the history of the enterprise1, the operational use of modalities promised only one advantage: the possibility of quantifying into modal contexts. This several of us2 were enticed into doing. But the evils of the sentential calculus were found out in the functional calculus, and with it — to quote again from Word and Object — ‘the varied sorrows of modality’.
Involvement of the Cholinergic System in Levodopa-Induced Dyskinesia

Although levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID) in Parkinson’s disease arises because of aberrant dopaminergic transmission, extensive evidence indicates that nondopaminergic drugs may be useful in the suppression of these abnormal involuntary movements. Here, we review a compelling literature which suggests that drugs that act on the nicotinic cholinergic system are beneficial in reducing LID. Nicotine treatment decreased LID in several parkinsonian animal models including mice, rats, and monkeys using treatment modes that readily extend to human use (patch or oral administration). Nicotine decreased LID when given either before or several months after the start of levodopa treatment, with no tolerance to its beneficial effect during the course of the study (30 weeks). Work with nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) null mutant mice shows that nicotine exerts its antidyskinetic effects by acting at nAChRs, with the α4β2, α6β2, and α7 receptor subtypes all contributing to the occurrence of LID. An involvement of multiple subtypes in LID is also supported by studies with drugs targeting select nAChR populations. Notably, nicotine and nAChR drugs did not worsen parkinsonism in any animal model. The mechanisms whereby nicotine and nAChR drugs reduce LID may involve long-term nAChR downregulation and/or desensitization followed by a decline in striatal dopamine release. In addition to its ability to reduce LID, nicotine also protects against nigrostriatal damage and has cognitive-enhancing and antidepressant effects. These combined properties suggest that nicotine and nAChR drugs may be of benefit in the management of LID in Parkinson’s disease.
Yablo on subject-matter

I discuss Yablo’s approach to truthmaker semantics and compare it with my own, with special focus on the idea of a proposition being true of or being restricted to some subject-matter, the idea of propositional containment, and the development of an ‘incremental’ semantics for the conditional. I conclude with some remarks on the relationship between truth-maker approach and the standard possible worlds approach to semantics.
Comparison of vaccination with rhesus CMV (RhCMV) soluble gB with a RhCMV replication-defective virus deleted for MHC class I immune evasion genes in a RhCMV challenge model.

A human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) vaccine to prevent infection and/or reduce disease associated with congenital infection or visceral disease in transplant recipients is a high priority, but has remained elusive. We created a disabled infectious single cycle rhesus CMV (RhCMV) deleted for glycoprotein L (gL) and the MHC class I immune evasion genes Rh178 and Rh182-189, and restored its epithelial cell tropism by inserting the Rh128-131A genes. The resulting virus, RhCMVRΔgL/178/182-189, was used to vaccinate rhesus monkeys intramuscularly and was compared with vaccination of animals with soluble RhCMV glycoprotein B (gB) in alum/monophosphoryl lipid A or with PBS as a control. At 4 weeks after the second vaccination, an increased frequency of RhCMV-specific CD8 T cells was detected in animals vaccinated with the RhCMVRΔgL/178/182-189 vaccine compared to animals vaccinated with soluble gB. In contrast, monkeys vaccinated with soluble gB had 20-fold higher gB antibody titers than animals vaccinated with RhCMVRΔgL/178/182-189. Titers of neutralizing antibody to RhCMV infection of fibroblasts were higher in animals vaccinated with gB compared with RhCMVRΔgL/178/182-189. Following vaccination, monkeys were challenged subcutaneously with RhCMV UCD59, a low passage virus propagated in monkey kidney epithelial cells. All animals became infected after challenge; however, the frequency of RhCMV detection in the blood was reduced in monkeys vaccinated with soluble gB compared with those vaccinated with RhCMVRΔgL/178/182-189. The frequency of challenge virus shedding in the urine and saliva and the RhCMV copy number shed at these sites was not different in animals vaccinated with RhCMVRΔgL/178/182-189 or soluble gB compared with those that received PBS before challenge. Although the RhCMVRΔgL/178/182-189 vaccine was superior in inducing cellular immunity to RhCMV, it induced lower titers of neutralizing antibody and antibody to gB than the soluble gB vaccine; after challenge, animals vaccinated with soluble gB had a lower frequency of virus detection in the blood than those vaccinated with RhCMVRΔgL/178/182-189.
A thermo-mechanical model for simulating the temperature and stress distribution during laser cladding process

During the laser cladding process, thermal stresses are induced because of the high-energy input, high temperature gradient, fast cooling rate, and inconsistency of the clad-substrate material. The induced thermal stresses not only increase the crack tendency, but also influence the mechanical performance of the deposited layer. In this study, a three dimensional (3D) uncoupled thermo-mechanical finite element (FE) model was established to simulate the stress evolution of laser cladding of cobalt-based coatings on mild steel A36. The temperature field was simulated first and then used as transient thermal loading to simulate the stress evolution. Stress distributions for three cases: single track on a flat substrate, double-track on a flat substrate, and double-track on a cylindrical substrate, were investigated in detail. To check the accuracy of the simulation results, validation experiments were carried out using an 8-kW high-power direct diode laser. The thermocouples were used to monitor the temperature cycles at several marked points. The cross-sections of single and double tracks on a flat substrate obtained experimentally were compared with the simulation results. The residual stress on the clad was experimentally determined by an X-ray diffraction machine. The experimentally obtained data showed a significant consistency with the prediction results.
Feature Databases in Planetary Geology

The study of planetary surfaces is as diverse as the surfaces themselves, yet almost all can be assisted by the existence of feature databases. Databases provide a single, standardized source that can serve as an important reference for different studies that involve the same kinds of landforms. The construction of a planetary features database involves many different considerations, each of which should be addressed before construction of the database begins. These considerations are broadly classified into three different sections in this chapter and involve pre-planning what features will be included and how measurements will be conducted, the mechanics of the database construction, and how uncertainties and biases can be minimized. This chapter also addresses an important final step for database construction, the art of sharing and leaving one’s database open to future corrections.
Dehydrogenative Coupling of Aldehydes with Alcohols Catalyzed by a Nickel Hydride Complex

A nickel hydride complex, {2,6-(iPr2PO)2C6H3}NiH, has been shown to catalyze the coupling of RCHO and R′OH to yield RCO2R′ and RCH2OH, where the aldehyde also acts as a hydrogen acceptor and the alcohol also serves as the solvent. Functional groups tolerated by this catalytic system include CF3, NO2, Cl, Br, NHCOMe, and NMe2, whereas phenol-containing compounds are not viable substrates or solvents. The dehydrogenative coupling reaction can alternatively be catalyzed by an air-stable nickel chloride complex, {2,6-(iPr2PO)2C6H3}NiCl, in conjunction with NaOMe. Acids in unpurified aldehydes react with the hydride to form nickel carboxylate complexes, which are catalytically inactive. Water, if present in a significant quantity, decreases the catalytic efficiency by forming {2,6-(iPr2PO)2C6H3}NiOH, which causes catalyst degradation. On the other hand, in the presence of a drying agent, {2,6-(iPr2PO)2C6H3}NiOH generated in situ from {2,6-(iPr2PO)2C6H3}NiCl and NaOH can be converted to an alkoxide species, bec...
Improved Searches for H I in Three Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxies

Previous searches for H I in our Galaxy's dwarf spheroidal companions have not been complete enough to settle the question of whether or not these galaxies have H I, especially in their outer parts. We present VLA observations of three dwarf spheroidals: Fornax, Leo II, and Draco, all of which have known stellar velocities. The new data show no H I emission or absorption. Column density limits in emission are 4 × 1018 to 7 × 1018 cm-2 in the centers of the galaxies. The importance of the new observations is that they cover larger areas than previous searches and are less plagued by confusion with foreground (Galactic) H I. The apparent absence of neutral gas in the Fornax dwarf spheroidal is especially puzzling, because recent photometry shows evidence of stars only 108 years old. We discuss whether the VLA observations could have missed significant amounts of H I.
Soft Frequency Reuse-Based Resource Allocation for D2D Communications Using Both Licensed and Unlicensed Bands

To realize D2D communications, several challenging issues such as the device discovery, spectrum resource allocation, interference management, power control, and communication security remain to be studied. In this paper, we intend to design a resource allocation algorithm which is based on the soft frequency reuse (SFR) scheme, adopts power control, alleviates interference, and uses both the licensed and unlicensed bands for D2D communications. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed resource allocation algorithm achieves much better performance in terms of system capacity and blocking rate, compared with the conventional allocation scheme that purely uses the licensed band and does not support D2D.
Cytokine secretion in breast cancer cells - MILLIPLEX assay data.

Abstract Metastatic breast cancer is the most advanced stage of breast cancer and the leading cause of breast cancer mortality. Although understanding of the cancer progression and metastasis process has improved, the bi-directional communication between the tumor cell and the tumor microenvironment is still not well understood. Breast cancer cells are highly secretory, and their secretory activity is modulated by a variety of inflammatory stimuli present in the tumor microenvironment. Here, we characterized the cytokine expression in human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, T-47D, and BT-474) in vitro using 41 cytokine MILLIPLEX assay. Further, we compared cytokine expression in breast cancer cells to those in non-tumorigenic human breast epithelial MCF-10A cells.
IVIG-Induced Abrupt Hemolysis in Neurological Conditions

Background Immunoglobulin (IVIG) is used to treat autoimmune conditions, but there are reports of brisk hemolysis within 48 hours (hrs) of treatment due to anti-A isohemogglutinins(1). Despite these reports, hemolysis remains an unrecognized side effect of IVIG. Methods We presented a series of 3 cases of IVIG-induced hemolysis in patients with autoimmune neurological disorders. In the investigative phase, we traced the cases to a common IVIG lot number. The sample was tested to determine the anti-A titer levels. Case Studies (See Table 1) Case 1 75-year-old man presented with SOB and dysarthria from myasthenia gravis (MG). He received IVIG for 4 days. He developed a hemolytic anemia with 3 g drop in hemoglobin (Hb) 48 hours later. He needed a pRBC transfusion and folic acid. Case 2 59-year-old female with history of MG treated with IVIG at another hospital until 3 months earlier in crisis, with SOB and dysphagia. She received IVIG for 5 days and rituximab. She improved and was discharged, but returned to the ER 7 days later with SOB. Her Hb fell to 8.0 g/dL from 13 g/dL on last admission. She required a pRBC transfusion, folic acid, and vitamin B12 with improvement of SOB. Case 3 20-year-old female admitted for lower extremity weakness, diagnosed with presumed syndrome (GBS). She received IVIG for 4 days. On the 5th day, her Hb fell from 15 g/dL to 9 g/dL. She began prednisone, folic acid, and vitamin B12 with improvement in her Hb. Conclusions Although acute hemolysis is well described in the literature, it is under recognized, as exemplified by the first two cases. Their initial SOB was due to MG, so when SOB recurred, they were misdiagnosed with recurrent MG. A hemolytic anemia was later suspected, and a work up revealed a positive DAT. The initial eluate was negative against type O panel cells, suggesting a drug related hemolysis. It was only when the eluate was tested against type A cells that the etiology became clear. The third patient's hemolytic reaction was then rapidly identified. These cases remind us to consider IVIG induced anti-A hemolysis in patients who are blood type A and AB, and to evaluate the eluate against the appropriate reagent cells. These patients should receive specific IVIG that is low in anti-A isohemagglutinins. Since the second patient did not hemolyze from earlier exposure to IVIG, she likely received a low titer product. Download : Download high-res image (41KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Direct Anterior Approach in Total Hip Arthroplasty Leads to Superior Outcomes at 3-Month Follow-up When Compared With the Posterior Approach: A Matched Study Using Propensity Score Analysis.

The purpose of this study was to report and compare early outcomes during the first 3 months of the recovery phase in patients who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) with direct anterior approach (DAA) and posterior approach (PA). Background The DAA for primary THA has gained popularity within the past few years. Although controversy exists regarding the long-term benefit when compared with the PA, several authors have reported markedly better outcomes in the early recovery weeks, when using DAA. Methods For this study, data were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed for all primary THAs from March 2014 to October 2017. Included patients underwent primary THA through DAA or PA and had minimum 3-month postoperative measures for the Harris Hip Score, Forgotten Joint Score-12, Veterans RAND 12 Mental (VR-12 Mental), Veterans RAND 12 Physical (VR-12 Physical), 12-Item Short-Form (SF) Survey Mental, 12-Item SF Survey Physical (SF-12 Physical), Visual Analog Scale, and patient satisfaction. An analysis using propensity score matching was done to establish the DAA and PA groups. Matching (1:1 ratio) was conducted based on the following covariates: age, sex, body mass index, and laterality. Results Twenty-four DAA THA patients were successfully matched using propensity scoring to 24 PA THA patients. The DAA group demonstrated significantly higher scores for the following patient-reported outcome scores: Harris Hip Score, VR-12 Mental, VR-12 Physical, and SF-12 Physical (P = 0.0090, P = 0.0388, P = 0.0063, and P = 0.0132, respectively). Conclusion At 3-month follow-up, both the DAA and PA groups reported favorable outcomes after THA. However, the DAA group scored markedly higher regarding quality-of-life outcomes when compared with a propensity score-matched group of PA patients.
Designing Mars Missions for the Utilization of Rotorcraft

Following the technical demonstration of the Mars Helicopter on the Mars 2020 mission, interest in further exploration of Mars utilizing rotorcraft is expected to increase. Previously, scientific exploration has been limited by the resolution of instruments on satellites and the terrain a rover can traverse. Rotorcraft enable exploration in previously inaccessible locations with increased efficiency compared to rovers and improved resolution (compared to satellites). This paper describes missions designed to utilize the unique capabilities of rotorcraft in order to advance the science performed extraterrestrially. For Mars this includes tasks such as determining if Mars ever supported life, understanding climate processes and history, determining the evolution of Martian geology, and preparing for human exploration. The missions fall into three general categories: rover assistance, sample collection, and data collection. Complimentary concept vehicles are also discussed. This paper is meant to serve as a reference, resource, and starting point for the future exploration of Mars with rotorcraft.
The water dimer I: Experimental characterization

As the archetype of water hydrogen bonding, the water dimer has been studied extensively by both theory and experiment for nearly seven decades. In this article, we present a detailed chronological review of the experimental dimer studies and the insights into the complex nature of water and hydrogen bonding gained from them. A subsequent letter will review the corresponding theoretical advances.
Land-atmosphere carbon and water flux relationships to vapor pressure deficit, soil moisture, and stream flow

Abstract Climatic change is exerting considerable influence on the hydrologic and biogeochemical cycles of snow- dominated montane forest ecosystems. Growing season drought stress is a common occurrence after snowmelt-derived soil water content (WC) and stream flow ( Q ) have declined, leading to an increase in atmospheric water demand ( i.e. , vapor pressure deficit, VPD). Here, we analyzed a 6-year record (2006–2011) of H 2 O and CO 2 fluxes from the Tenderfoot Creek Experimental Forest, a montane forest in the northern Rocky Mountains to examine (1) how growing season evapotranspiration (ET), net ecosystem production (NEP), and water-use efficiency (WUE, NEP/ET) respond to changing WC and VPD, (2) how stream flow ( Q ), an integrated measure of catchment-level water availability, relates to NEP, and (3) how annual NEP is related to annual precipitation and the temperature-defined growing season length (GSL). Growing season NEP exhibited a linear relationship with WC and a log-linear relationship with Q , indicative of persistent water limitations when streamflow and soil moisture reach their annual minima late in the growing season. Nevertheless, years with long GSLs had relatively higher NEP, with a small net carbon sink maintained even at low levels of WC and Q , suggesting that trees are able to obtain water from deeper portions of the soil profile (>30 cm) during droughts. However, the warmer, drier climate projected for this region could bring this system closer to a critical threshold of GSL, WC, and VPD, introducing vegetation water stress that could alter the current relationship between GSL and annual NEP.
Network System's Vulnerability Quantification Using Multi-layered Fuzzy Logic Based on GQM.

Network security is one of the crucial components of an organization’s security system. Much research has been conducted to come up with a clear-cut approach in order to quantify organizations’ network system vulnerabilities. Many security standards such as NIST SP-800 and ISO 27001 with the guidelines and clauses are published with a reasonable outline to pave the ground for a safe track towards secure system design, however, these standards do not clearly show the details of work implementation. In this paper, we apply Fuzzy Logic methodology to quantify each factor and sub-factors derived using Goal Question Metrics in network security. Our procedure follows a bottom-up hierarchy model from the details of a security component to the desired goal in order to address vulnerabilities in a quantified manner in the Department of Transportation. Thus, our approach measures different types of potential vulnerabilities in a network.
Sir William Jones, language families, and Indo-European

This paper will reevaluate Jones’s famous 1786 formulation and his other findings that essentially founded modern linguistics. Building on ideas about language relationships that had been voiced fo...
Facets of Emotion Regulation and Emotional Disorder Symptom Dimensions: Differential Associations and Incremental Validity in a Large Clinical Sample.

Abstract A growing literature suggests robust associations between dimensions of emotion regulation and emotional disorder psychopathology. However, limited research has investigated associations of emotion regulation dimensions across several emotional disorders (transdiagnostic associations), or the incremental validity of emotion regulation versus the higher-order construct of neuroticism. The current study used exploratory structural equation modeling and a large clinical sample (N = 1,138) to: (a) develop a multidimensional emotion regulation measurement model, (b) evaluate the differential associations between latent emotion regulation dimensions and five latent emotional disorder symptom dimensions (social anxiety, depression, agoraphobia/panic, obsessions/compulsions, generalized worry), and (c) determine the incremental contribution of emotion regulation in predicting symptom dimensions beyond neuroticism. The best-fitting measurement model of emotion regulation included four dimensions: Problematic Responses, Poor Recognition/Clarity, Negative Thinking, and Emotional Inhibition/Suppression. Although many zero-order associations between the four latent emotion regulation dimensions and five latent symptom dimensions were significant, few associations remained significant in a structural regression model that included neuroticism. Specifically, Negative Thinking and Problematic Responses incrementally predicted depression symptoms, while Emotional Inhibition/Suppression predicted both social anxiety and depression symptoms. Associations between neuroticism and the emotional disorder dimensions were similar regardless of whether the emotion regulation dimensions were held constant. These results suggest that self-reported emotion regulation dimensions are associated with the severity and expression of a range of emotional disorder symptoms, but that some emotion regulation dimensions have limited incremental validity after accounting for general emotional reactivity. Studies of emotion regulation should assess neuroticism as a key covariate.
Sensation seeking versus alcohol use: Evaluating temporal precedence using cross-lagged panel models

Abstract Background: Sensation seeking has been theoretically conceptualized as the personality trait for novel and complex experiences responsible for the predilection of engaging in risky activities. The study evaluated several cross-lagged panel models premised on various measurement variations of sensation seeking to determine the extent that each representation operates as the temporal antecedent or consequent of alcohol use. Methods: Participants (N = 201) were United States college students under 21 years of age. The measures, completed in two assessments separated by a month, included the Sensation Seeking Scale-V (SSS-V) and its subscales of boredom susceptibility, disinhibition, experience seeking, thrill & adventure seeking; the Brief Sensation Seeking Scale (BSSS); and the frequency and quantity of alcoholic drinks. Cross-lagged panel models containing synchronous correlations, auto-regressive paths, and cross-lagged paths were estimated in path analysis using structural equation modeling. Results: The cross-lagged panel model results varied depending on the measurement variant of sensation seeking. The SSS-V emerged as a longitudinal precursor to both drink frequency and quantity. Thrill & adventure seeking longitudinally anticipated drink frequency and quantity. However, disinhibition and drink quantity reciprocally reinforced one another across time. Boredom susceptibility and experience seeking did not exhibit any temporal directionality with alcohol behaviors. Furthermore, the BSSS operated as a longitudinal precursor of drink quantity. Conclusions: Findings help to unravel the temporal precedent of sensation seeking versus alcohol behaviors based on the scrutiny of various sensation seeking measurement approaches.
CircTLK1 Modulates Sepsis-Induced Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis via Enhancing PARP1/HMGB1 Axis-Mediated Mitochondrial DNA Oxidative Damage by Sponging miR-17-5p

Background: Septic cardiomyopathy is a primary complication of sepsis with higher mortality rate, but specific therapy for it remains limited. This study evaluated the role and novel mechanisms of circTLK1 in septic cardiomyopathy. Methods: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged HCM cells and cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-treated rats were used as in vitro and in vivo models of septic cardiomyopathy. Cell viability and apoptosis were detected by CCK8, TUNEL and flow cytometry. LDH, CK, SOD, MDA, ATP, 8-OHdG and NAD+/NADH ratio were evaluated using commercial kits. qRT-PCR and western blotting were performed for determining mRNA and protein levels. MitoSOX Red staining, JC-1 staining, and immunofluorescent staining were used for detecting ROS level, mitochondrial membrane potential, and cytochrome C distribution, respectively. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number and transcription were assessed by quantitative PCR. The effect of PARP1 on HMGB1 acetylation was detected by co-immunoprecipitation. The interaction between circTLK1/PARP1 and miR-17-5p was verified by dual luciferase assay and RNA immunoprecipitation. Results: CircTLK1, PARP1 and HMGB1 were up-regulated in HCM cells and myocardial tissues induced by sepsis. Inhibition of circTLK1 restrained LPS-induced PARP1 and HMGB1 expression. Moreover, suppression of circTLK1 repressed sepsis-induced mtDNA oxidative damage, mitochondrial dysfunction and consequent cardiomyocyte apoptosis by inhibiting PARP1/HMGB1 axis in vitro and in vivo. In addition, circTLK1 enhanced PARP1 expression via sponging miR-17-5p. Inhibition of miR-17-5 abolished the protection of circTLK1 silencing against oxidative mtDNA damage-mediated cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Conclusion: CircTLK1 sponged miR-17-5p to promote mtDNA oxidative damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis via activating PARP1/HMGB1 axis. Funding Statement: This work was supported by the grants from the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (81671969), Key Laboratory of Emergency Medicine for Children, and Ministry of Science and Technology of Hunan Province (2018TP1028). Declaration of Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. Ethics Approval Statement: All experiments performed were approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee of Hunan Children’s Hospital.
Predictors to forgo resuscitative effort during Covid-19 critical illness at the height of the pandemic : A retrospective cohort study.

Background:Early in the Covid-19 pandemic, there was uncertainty regarding critical illness prognosis and challenges to traditional face-to-face family meetings. Ethnic minority populations have su...
A Course on Statistics for Finance

INTRODUCTORY CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS Review of Basic Statistics What Is Statistics? Characterizing Data Measures of Central Tendency Measures of Variability Higher Moments Summarizing Distributions Bivariate Data Three Variables Two-Way Tables Stock Price Series and Rates of Return Introduction Sharpe Ratio Value-at-Risk Distributions for RORs Several Stocks and Their Rates of Return Introduction Review of Covariance and Correlation Two Stocks Three Stocks m Stocks REGRESSION Simple Linear Regression CAPM and Beta Introduction Simple Linear Regression Estimation Inference Concerning the Slope Testing Equality of Slopes of Two Lines through the Origin Linear Parametric Functions Variances Dependent upon X A Financial Application: CAPM and "Beta" Slope and Intercept Multiple Regression and Market Models Multiple Regression Models Market Models Models with Both Numerical and Dummy Explanatory Variables Model Building PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS Mean-Variance Portfolio Analysis Introduction Two Stocks Three Stocks m Stocks m Stocks and a Risk-Free Asset Value-at-Risk Selling Short Market Models and Beta Utility-Based Portfolio Analysis Introduction Single-Criterion Analysis TIME SERIES ANALYSIS Introduction to Time Series Analysis Introduction Control Charts Moving Averages Need for Modeling Trend, Seasonality, and Randomness Models with Lagged Variables Moving-Average Models Identification of ARIMA Models Seasonal Data Dynamic Regression Models Simultaneous Equations Models Regime Switching Models Introduction Bull and Bear Markets Appendix A: Vectors and Matrices Appendix B: Normal Distributions Appendix C: Lagrange Multipliers Appendix D: Abbreviations and Symbols Index A Summary, Exercises, and Bibliography appear at the end of each chapter.