cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evolutionary dynamics of gastropod size across the end-Permian extinction and through the Triassic recovery interval

Abstract A global database of gastropod sizes from the Permian through the Middle Triassic documents trends in gastropod shell size and permits tests of the suggestion that Early Triassic gastropods were everywhere unusually small. Analysis of the database shows that no specimens of unambiguous Early Triassic age larger than 2.6 cm have been reported, in contrast to common 5– 10-cm specimens of both Permian and Middle Triassic age. The loss of large gastropods is abrupt even at a fine scale of stratigraphic resolution, whereas the return of larger individuals in the Middle Triassic appears gradual when finely resolved. Taphonomic and sampling biases do not adequately explain the absence of large Early Triassic gastropods. Examination of size trends by genus demonstrates that the size decrease across the Permian/Triassic boundary is compatible with both size-selective extinction at the species level and anagenetic size change within lineages. Size increase in the Middle Triassic resulted from the originati...
Distinct functional determinants of influenza hemagglutinin-mediated membrane fusion

Membrane fusion is the critical step for infectious cell penetration by enveloped viruses. We have previously used single-virion measurements of fusion kinetics to study the molecular mechanism of influenza-virus envelope fusion. Published data on fusion inhibition by antibodies to the 'stem' of influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) now allow us to incorporate into simulations the provision that some HAs are inactive. We find that more than half of the HAs are unproductive even for virions with no bound antibodies, but that the overall mechanism is extremely robust. Determining the fraction of competent HAs allows us to determine their rates of target-membrane engagement. Comparison of simulations with data from H3N2 and H1N1 viruses reveals three independent functional variables of HA-mediated membrane fusion closely linked to neutralization susceptibility. Evidence for compensatory changes in the evolved mechanism sets the stage for studies aiming to define the molecular constraints on HA evolvability.
Homogeneous Ultrathin Diffusion Barriers Deposited on Low Dielectric Constant Polymers

TiN and TaN thin films are proposed as barrier layers between copper interconnects and low dielectric constant (low-k) polymers. As the barrier layer thickness is scaled down, the uniformity and morphology of these films will be severely affected by the nitride-polymer interface and become an important issue for the reliability of the whole interconnect structure. In order to evaluate nitride formation and the interfacial chemistry we deposited TiN and TaN on fully cured low-k polymers by two different techniques: reactive evaporation of the metal in nitrogen ambient and by ion assisted reactive deposition using a low energy (100 eV) nitrogen ion beam during evaporation. Photoelectron spectra were recorded in situ for metal coverages from 0.1 nm until bulk like metal or metal nitride spectra were obtained. Nitride concentrations, extracted from the photoelectron spectra, show that even though very similar nitride films are produced by both techniques for thicker films (>5 nm) we only find significant amounts of nitride at the interface in the ion assisted case. Thinner films formed in nitrogen ambient were very similar to those where the pure metal was deposited and were dominated by the formation of compounds with carbon and oxygen from the polymer. This shows that the composition of barrier layers can be drastically altered near the polymer interface. Low energy ions in contrast allow the growth of more homogeneous films which can significantly improve the reliability of copper based high density interconnects.
Clinical and Neuropsychological Features of Pure and Mixed Hippocampal Sclerosis Dementia (P05.039)

Objective: To characterize the clinical and neuropsychological features of pure and mixed hippocampal sclerosis dementia (HS) compared to Alzheimer9s disease (AD). Background HS dementia accounts for about 10% of cases of dementia in the elderly. At present it is diagnosed only at autopsy, as it lacks distinctive clinical features. It is often found along with neurodegenerative conditions including AD, Lewy body and fronto-temporal dementias, labeled 9mixed9 HS dementia. A proportion of HS is found without concomitant classical neurodegenerative pathology, and is labeled 9pure9 HS. There is a need to clinically characterize HS in relation to dementia, as its underlying etiology and subsequent treatment might be expected to differ from other neurodegenerative dementias. Design/Methods: Retrospective case control study comparing the clinical and neuropsychological profile of a series of pure HS cases and a series of mixed HS/AD with matched samples of neuropathologically confoirmed pure AD cases. Each series was matched on gender, age at death, and interval from last MMSE to death. The groups were compared in MMSE, Mattis DRS (total and subscales), and a panel of psychometric tests. Results: At first presentation, pure HS subjects (n=17) differed from matched AD patients (n=102) only regarding relatively preserved logical memory immediate recall (p=0.02). At last clinical examination prior to death, pure HS subjects had a significantly higher mean MMSE and DRS memory subscale scores compared to matched AD cases. Mixed HS+AD subjects (n=22) did not differ in any of the cognitive measures compared to matched AD cases (n=66) at initial examination or at last examination prior to death. Conclusions: Relative deterioration of learning and delayed recall, and slower progression of cognitive decline may help to distinguish pure HS dementia from AD. Mixed HS dementia appeared indistinguishable from AD. Disclosure: Dr. Pillai has nothing to disclose. Dr. Edland has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gahagan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Salmon has received personal compensation for activities with Bristol Myer Squibb as a consultant. Dr. Galasko has received personal compensation for activities with United BioSource Corporation, Elan Pharmaceuticals and Janssen Pharmaceuticals(DSMB) as a consultant. Dr. Galasko has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for Alzheimer9s Disease Research and Treatment, published by Biomed Central. Dr. Galasko has received research support from Pfizer Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly, Inc.
Origin of Toughness in Dispersion-Cast Nafion Membranes

The gelation behavior of Nafion dispersions was investigated using small-angle neutron scattering to better understand the mechanical toughness of dispersion-cast Nafion membranes. Three types of gelation were observed, depending on dispersing fluids: (i) homogeneous, thermally reversible gelation that was present in most aprotic polar dispersing fluids; (ii) inhomogeneous, thermally irreversible gelation as films, found in alcohols; and (iii) inhomogeneous, thermally irreversible gelation which precipitates in water/monohydric alcohol mixtures. The mechanical toughness of dispersion-cast Nafion membranes depends on the dispersing fluid, varying by more than 4 orders of magnitude. Excellent correlation between the critical gelation concentration and mechanical toughness was demonstrated with the Nafion membranes cast at 140 °C. Additional thermal effects among Nafion membranes cast at 190 °C were qualitatively related to the boiling point of dispersing fluids. Little correlation between mechanical toughne...
Binding energies of 4 d 6 5 s 2 states in Tc

Relativistic configuration-interaction calculations predict the ${\mathrm{Tc}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ ${4d}^{6}{5s}^{2}$ $J=4,3,2,1,0$ levels are bound to the neutral Tc I ground state by 636, 552, 503, 481, and 460 meV, respectively. The $J=4$ value is in good agreement with a revised semiempirical estimate presented here.
Draft Genome Sequences of 63 Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates Recovered from Cystic Fibrosis Sputum

Here, we report the draft genome sequences of 63 ITALIC! Pseudomonas aeruginosaisolates, recovered in culture of sputum from 15 individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) receiving care in a single CF care center over a 13-year period. These sequences add value to studies of within-host evolution of bacterial pathogens during chronic infection.
XPC-PAT polymorphism and genetic predisposition to colorectal cancer

Objective To assess the relationship between XPC polymorphism (XPC-PAT) and susceptibility to colorectal cancer in chinese population. Methods Genotypes were determined by PCR methods in 150 healthy controls and 120 patients with colorectal cancer. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using multivariate logistic regression. Results The distribution of XPC-PAT genotypes among controls was LL 12.0%, LS 47.3%, SS 40.7%, respectively. The frequencies of the 3 genotypes among colorectal cancer cases were LL 5.8%, LS 38.4%, SS 58.8%, respectively. Individuals carrying LL genotype were at a decreased risk for colorectal cancer compared with those with the SS (adjusted OR 0.40, 95%CI = 0.18～0.99). Conclusions Our findings indicate that the Poly(AT) polymorphism in the XPC locus is associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer in chinese population.
Activismo medioambiental en la época tardofranquista. El caso de El Saler

This article provides an overview of the evolution of environmental ideas and discourse during the final decades of the Franco regime, between 1950 and 1975. Throughout this period, a group of naturalists and natural scientists worked in collaboration with regime officials and an international network of conservationists to protect discrete spaces with special ecological value. By the late 1960s, as the regime weakened and social unrest increased, a new group of activists emerged who understood environmental protection as inextricably linked to issues of social justice. Through an analysis of an antidevelopment campaign carried out in the area surrounding the Albufera de Valencia, this article examines the tensions between these currents in the origins of the Spanish environmental movement, and the role of environmental activism in the erosion of the dictatorship’s political legitimacy.
Prevalence of self-reported falls, balance or walking problems in older cancer survivors from Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare Health Outcomes Survey.

Abstract Objective To determine the prevalence of falls and balance/walking problems in the past 12months among older cancer survivors before and after cancer diagnosis. Materials and Methods We analyzed cross-sectional data from individuals aged ≥65years with first primary cancer from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results and Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (SEER-MHOS) linkage (n=12,659). The first MHOS completed by each survivor from 0 to 2years before cancer diagnosis to 1–4years after cancer diagnosis were included. We estimated unadjusted and demographic-adjusted prevalence of falls and balance/walking problems for each type of cancer during five one-year time periods before and after cancer diagnosis. Results Adjusted prevalence of falls was significantly higher post-diagnosis than pre-diagnosis in prostate (12% during years 1–2 pre-diagnosis vs. 17%–20% during years 1–4 post-diagnosis)( p =0.01) and lung cancer (17% during years 1–2 pre-diagnosis vs. 28% during years 1–2 post-diagnosis)( p =0.019). Adjusted prevalence of balance/walking problems were significantly higher post-diagnosis than pre-diagnosis in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (26% during years 1–2 pre-diagnosis vs. 45% during years 1–2 post-diagnosis)( p =0.012), breast (32% during years 1–2 pre-diagnosis vs. 41% during years 3–4 post-diagnosis)( p =0.001), prostate (22% during years 1–2 pre-diagnosis vs. 28%–29% during years 1–4 post-diagnosis)( p =0.012), and lung cancer (33% during years 1–2 pre-diagnosis vs. 40% during year 0–1 pre-diagnosis and 46% during years 1–2 post-diagnosis)( p =0.018). Prevalence did not differ across time periods in other cancers. Conclusions Falls and balance/walking problems may become more frequent after the diagnosis of some cancers. Screening, surveillance, and interventions need to consider functional deficits and cancer diagnosis.
A New Perspective on GMM Subspace Compensation Based on PPCA and Wiener Filtering

Abstract : We present a new perspective on the subspace compensation techniques that currently dominate the field of speaker recognition using Gaussian Mixture Models (GMMs). Rather than the traditional factor analysis approach, we use Gaussian modeling in the sufficient statistic supervector space combined with Probabilistic Principal Component Analysis (PPCA) within-class and shared across class covariance matrices to derive a family of training and testing algorithms. Key to this analysis is the use of two noise terms for each speech cut: a random channel offset and a length dependent observation noise. Using the Wiener filtering perspective, formulas for optimal train and test algorithms for Joint Factor Analysis (JFA) are simple to derive. In addition, we can show that an alternative form of Wiener filtering results in the i-vector approach. thus tying together these two disparate techniques.
The estate of change: The specialist rebellion and the democratic movement in Moscow, 1989–1991

The August 1991 overthrow of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union destroyed the institutional foundation of the Soviet political order, presenting a classic case of political revolution in Alexis de Tocqueville's sense.1 The following study reconstructs the relation between systemic change and collective action before, during, and after "the August Revolution" by means of a sociological analysis of the principal organization of the democratic movement in Russia at the end of the Soviet period, Democratic Russia or DemRossiia. In 1990, DemRossiia united a plethora of voluntary associations, nascent political parties, pro-reform factions in the CPSU, opposition candidates running in semi-free elections, and prodemocracy deputies in soviet bodies under a broad opposition umbrella intent on democratizing Soviet society. DemRossiia's key role in Boris Yeltsin's June 1991 election as the first president of the Russian Republic creating a "dual power" situation that culminated in political revolution underscores the movement's historical significance.2
Adverse Events Following Cervical Disc Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review:

Study Design:Systematic review.Objectives:Cervical arthroplasty is an increasingly popular treatment of cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy. An understanding of the potential adverse events (AEs)...
Disparities in Health Literacy and Healthcare Utilization among Adolescents and Young Adults with Chronic or End-stage Kidney Disease.

Abstract Purpose Low health literacy adversely affects health outcomes in adults with chronic kidney disease. The current study examined associations between limited/inadequate health literacy and health services utilization among adolescents and young adults (AYA) with chronic or end-stage kidney disease (CKD or ESKD). Design and Methods This was a retrospective cohort study that enrolled patients from both the pediatric- and adult-focused nephrology clinics of a major university hospital. Demographic information, patients' health literacy and numeracy skills (Newest Vital Sign), and health services utilization (emergency department visits, preventable hospitalizations, total hospitalizations, and length of stay in the hospital) were evaluated. A negative binomial regression model for counts tested the association between AYA patients' literacy/numeracy skills and health services utilization. Results The study enrolled 142 participants, 66 (46.5%) patients from adult nephrology and 76 (53.5%) from pediatric nephrology clinics, with a mean age of 20.8 ± 5.60 years (range 12–31). Half of the sample (n = 72, 51%) had limited health literacy skills. Health literacy/numeracy level was not significantly associated with total hospitalizations, preventable hospitalizations, emergency department (ED) visits, or length of hospital stay. However, public insurance/self-pay, minority race, and kidney transplant/dialysis diagnoses were associated with more preventable hospitalizations. Conclusions Among AYA with CKD/ESKD, there were no differences between the low and adequate health literacy groups on health care utilization outcomes when modeling clinical outcomes (total hospitalizations, preventable hospitalizations, ED visits, and length of hospital stay) after adjusting for demographics and disease type. This suggests that other factors warrant consideration in healthcare utilization rates.
The mechanism of directed Ni(II)-catalyzed C–H iodination with molecular iodine

The density functional theory method is used to elucidate the elementary steps of Ni(ii)-catalyzed C(sp2)-H iodination with I2 and substrates bearing N,N'-bidentate directing centers, amide-oxazoline (AO) and 8-aminoquinoline (AQ). The relative stability of the lowest energy high- and low-spin electronic states of the catalyst and intermediates is found to be an important factor for all of the steps in the reaction. As a result, two-state reactivity for these systems is reported, where the reaction is initiated on the triplet surface and generates a high energy singlet nickelacycle. It is shown that the addition of Na2CO3 base to the reaction mixture facilitates C-H activation. The presence of I2 in the reaction provides the much needed driving force for the C-H activation and nickelacycle formation and ultimately reacts to form a new C-I bond through either a redox neutral electrophilic cleavage (EC) pathway or a one-electron reductive cleavage (REC) pathway. The previously proposed Ni(ii)/Ni(iv) and homolytic cleavage pathways are found to be higher in energy. The nature of the substrate is found to have a large impact on the relative stability of the lowest electronic states and on the stability of the nickelacycle resulting from C-H activation.
Motion planning for continuum reconfigurable incisionless surgical parallel robots

Continuum Reconfigurable Incisionless Surgical Parallel (CRISP) robots consist of multiple needle-diameter flexible instruments that are assembled into a parallel structure inside the human body. With a camera placed at the tip of one of the instruments, the CRISP robot can be used to inspect anatomical sites in constrained body cavities in a minimally invasive manner. We introduce a motion planner for CRISP robots that computes manipulations of the flexible instruments outside the body such that the camera can visually inspect a user-specified site of clinical interest inside the body. Our sampling-based motion planner ensures avoidance of collisions with anatomical obstacles inside the body, enforces remote-center-of-motion constraints on the instrument's entry points into the body, and efficiently handles the expensive computation of CRISP robot kinematics. We also extend the motion planner to estimate the set of points inside a body cavity that can be visually inspected by the camera of a CRISP robot for a given setup. We demonstrate our method in a simulated endoscopic medical procedure in the pleural space around a lung.
Phenethylamines Intoxication (Amphetamines, Methamphetamine, Cathinones, and “Designer Amphetamines)

History, chemical profile Phenethylamines—commonly named amphetamines—have been used in virtually every human culture for centuries to provide increased alertness and euphoria. In the modern western world, amphetamine was the first phenethylamine to be synthetized, in the late nineteenth century. Initially used a nasal decongestant, it rapidly attracted attention for its other properties (cognitive enhancement, euphoriant, etc.) leading to the synthesis of numerous sister-molecules, many of them becoming drugs of abuse. Today, phenethylamines constitute a large family of drugs. Some of them are of clinical interest and have gained approval for medical use. These authorized amphetamines are usually long-acting and used in conditions such as attention deficit, narcolepsy, or even depression.
What to Teach Law Students About Artificial Intelligence and Law

It is helpful to provide law students with a basic understanding of the current state of artificial intelligence (AI) and its likely near-term impact on law. With this knowledge, students can orient their careers to avoid those legal positions that are most vulnerable to automation and focus instead on activities for which their legal training and cognitive abilities provide the most value for clients.
Probability Theory, Statistics, and Noise

Many of the phenomena that occur in acoustics are complex, and detailed descriptions cannot be derived or would be of no practical value. In such cases, probability theory furnishes means by which details can be eliminated. Amplifier noise, turbulence, flow noise, sound scattering at temperature inhomogeneities in the sea, scattering at the sea surface, scattering of supersonic waves in crystalline substances are examples where probability theory and statistics have proved to be very useful.
Tutorial: Social Media Analytics

In this tutorial we present an overview of some of the common tasks in analyzing text messages on Social Media (mostly on microblogging sites). We review the state of the art as well as present new ideas on handling common research problems like Event Detection from Social Media, Summarization, Location Inference and fusing external data sources with social data. The tutorial would assume basic knowledge of Data Mining, Text Analytics and NLP Methods.
Reputation Effects in Online Auction Markets

This paper examines the impact of reputation on electric guitar auctions on eBay. The paper estimates equations for the number of bids in an auction, likelihood of sale, and high bid price. In addition, this paper uses not only the full eBay feedback profile, but more recent feedback measures as well to determine if recent reputation has a different impact on auction outcomes than the overall reputation of the seller. The results suggest that reputation has an impact in the decision on whether to bid on an item, but very little impact on the amount of the high bid.
Characterization and Localization of Ganglionic Nicotinic Receptors Using Neuronal Bungarotoxin

It has been known since the studies of Paton and Zaimis (1949) on the effects of various bisquaternary ammonium compounds, such as hexamethonium and decamethonium, that cholinergic nicotinic receptors found in skeletal muscle differ pharmacologically from those found in autonomic ganglia. More recent demonstrations of this difference are the findings of Brown and Fumagalli (1977) and Patrick and Stallcup (1977) that α-bungarotoxin (BGT), a snake venom neurotoxin that has a high affinity for nicotinic receptors in skeletal muscle, does not block nicotinic receptors in the superior cervical ganglion or in PC12 cells. Interestingly, in spite of its inability to block these ganglionic nicotinic receptors, BGT does bind with high affinity to sites in these preparations and these sites have a nicotinic pharmacology.
Centralizer Near-Rings Determined by End g

Let G be a group. The structure of the centralizer near-ring M E (G) = {f: G → G | fσ = σf for every σ ∈ End G} is investigated for the cases in which G is a finitely generated abelian, characteristically simple, symmetric or generalized quaternion group.
The Way Out: Toward a Legal Standard for Imposing Alternative Electoral Systems as Voting Rights Remedies

The article discusses the use of “proportional”-type electoral systems, such as limited voting, cumulative voting, and preference (or choice) voting, as remedies for minority vote dilution under the Voting Rights Act. It argues that such systems are available as alternatives to the usual remedy of drawing single-member electoral districts with significant minority populations. Although applicable law requires that plaintiffs establish that a compact majority-minority district can be drawn to establish liability, the article suggests replacing that prong of the liability test with a showing that the minority group meets the “threshold of exclusion,” a well-established political science formula designed to test whether a cohesive political minority can elect a single candidate of choice under such an alternative electoral system.
A Translation Tuning HuDdle for Neurons.

In this issue of Molecular Cell, Tebaldi et al. (2018) identify the neuron-specific RNA-binding protein HuD as a regulator of global protein synthesis and translation enhancer of specific mTORC1-responsive transcripts. Importantly, the authors identify that the Y3 small non-coding RNA binds HuD to modulate translation and neurogenesis.
Effect of Adsorption on the Photoluminescence of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles

Photoluminescence (PL) changes of ZnO nanospheres at room temperature have been measured during exposure to gases and vapors using a traditional fluorometer and a portable, ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diode-based instrument. Thermal gravimetric analysis indicates that the nanospheres are essentially fully hydroxylated, with OH groups and H atoms attached to surface Zn and O sites, respectively. The PL spectrum has both a UV excitonic emission peak and a visible, defect-related one. Exposure to the gases and vapors studied, whether they physisorb or chemisorb, causes a decrease in the intensity of the visible emission peak relative to pure nitrogen, although to different degrees. Electron-donating molecules, such as hydrogen and methanol, cause a reversible increase in the UV emission peak intensity due to formation of an electron-rich accumulation layer around the nanoparticles. Electron-withdrawing molecules, such as oxygen and water, cause a corresponding decrease due to a depletion layer. For react...
Congenital and Acquired Systemic Venous Anomalies: A Potpourri of Right to Left Shunts:

Systemic venous anomalies can occur in isolation or in association with other congenital heart disease. A left superior vena cava draining to a roofed coronary sinus represents the most common venous variant and is usually inconsequential. Embryologic or acquired disruptions in systemic veins can be problematic due to shunting and/or venous obstruction. In this case series, we report four systemic venous anomalies in patients with atrial and ventricular situs solitus. Each case demonstrates how clinically significant right to left shunts can occur from a systemic vein to the left atrium. Diagnosis in each of these patients was delayed due to suboptimal diagnostic testing. Accurate diagnosis can be made by thorough anatomic evaluation of the presence, patency, and drainage of all systemic veins and supported with proper planning and interpretation of bubble studies.
Acoustic emission and the Portevin-Le Chatelier effect

Many metals and alloys which exhibit repeated discontinuous yielding (Portevin-Le Chatelier effect) also emit rather interesting acoustic energy during work hardening. Both phenomena are dramatic in dead-weight extensions of annealed specimens of brass or aluminum. The acoustic emission from such specimens was monitored and correlated with the features of the Portevin-Le Chatelier effect. It is shown that, when the discontinuous yielding subsides in aluminum, so does the acoustic emission; in fact, smooth continuous flow can occur in these materials with no detectable acoustic emission. Data are presented which are consistent with the hypothesis that, at room temperature, elastic energy released during a yield increment is proportional to the elastic energy stored since the last yield increment. This is not observed at elevated temperatures. It is concluded that additional studies of the acoustic-emission phenomena associated with plastic deformation can aid in achieving a better knowledge of the strain-hardening process for crystalline solids.
Seeking shelter from the storm: Conservation and management of imperiled species in a changing climate

Climate change is anticipated to exacerbate the extinction risk of species whose persistence is already compromised by habitat loss, invasive species, disease, or other stressors. In coastal areas of the southeastern United States (USA), many imperiled vertebrates are vulnerable to hurricanes, which climate models predict to become more severe in the 21st century. Despite this escalating threat, explicit adaptation strategies that address hurricane threats, in particular, and climate change more generally, are largely underrepresented in recovery planning and implementation. We provide a basis for stronger emphasis on strategic planning for imperiled species facing the increasing threat of catastrophic hurricanes. Our reasoning comes from observations of short-term environmental and biological impacts of Hurricane Michael, which impacted the Gulf Coast of the southeastern USA in October 2018. During this storm, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, located along the northern Gulf of Mexico's coast in the panhandle region of Florida, received storm surge that was 3.0-3.6 m (NAVD88) above sea level. Storm surge pushed sea water into some ephemeral freshwater ponds used for breeding by the federally threatened frosted flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum). After the storm, specific conductance across all ponds measured varied from 80 to 23,100 µS/cm, compared to 75 to 445 µS/cm in spring 2018. For 17 overwashed wetlands that were measured in both spring and fall 2018, posthurricane conductance observations were, on average, more than 90 times higher than in the previous spring, setting the stage for varying population responses across this coastal landscape. Importantly, we found live individual flatwoods salamanders at both overwashed and non-overwashed sites, although we cannot yet assess the demographic consequences of this storm. We outline actions that could be incorporated into climate adaptation strategies and recovery planning for imperiled species, like A. cingulatum, that are associated with freshwater coastal wetlands in hurricane-prone regions.
Characterization of the Importin-β binding domain in nuclear import receptor KPNA7

The KPNA family of mammalian nuclear import receptors are encoded by seven genes that generate isoforms with 42-86% identity. KPNA isoforms have the same protein architecture and share the functional property of nuclear localization signal (NLS) recognition, however, the tissue and developmental expression patterns of these receptors raise the question of whether subtle differences in KPNA isoforms might be important in specific biological contexts. Here, we show that KPNA7, an isoform with expression mostly limited to early development, can bind Importin-β (Imp-β) in the absence of NLS cargo. This result contrasts with Imp-β interactions with other KPNA family members, where affinity is regulated by NLS cargo as part of a cooperative binding mechanism. The Imp-β binding (IBB) domain, which is highly conserved in all KPNA family members, generally serves to occlude the NLS binding groove and maintain the receptor in an auto-inhibited 'closed' state prior to NLS contact. Cooperative binding of NLS cargo and Imp-β to KPNA results in an 'open'state. Characterization of KPNA2-KPNA7 chimeric proteins suggests that features of both the IBB domain and the core structure of the receptor contribute to the extent of IBB domain accessibility for Imp-β binding, which likely reflects an 'open' state. We also provide evidence that KPNA7 maintains an open-state in the nucleus. We speculate that KPNA7 could function within the nucleus by interacting with NLS-containing proteins.
Tertiary Amine Lewis Base Catalysis in Combination with Transition Metal Catalysis

The cooperation between two orthogonal catalytic events during the formation of carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds has emerged as an effective strategy for enantioselective chemical synthesis. In recent years, a number of pioneering investigations have described useful chemical synthesis methods whereby the reactivity or nucleophile-electrophile combinations can be fine-tuned or extended far beyond the effect and influence of a single catalyst. The recognition of this has had profound implications for the development cooperative catalysis as a field and has provided a foundation for the development of broadly useful chemical synthesis methods. This chapter focuses on the combination of tertiary amine Lewis base and transition metal catalysts, which the authors hope will simulate further developments and advances.
Relationship of Anthropometric Measures on Female Trainees' and Active Duty Soldiers' Performance of Common Soldiering Tasks.

INTRODUCTION This study compared the relationship between height (HT), body mass (BM), and body mass index (BMI) of female trainees and active duty female soldiers and their performance on simulated common soldiering tasks (CSTs) with high physical demands. METHODS Female trainees (n = 133) and soldiers (n = 229) completed the following CSTs: sandbag carry, move under fire, casualty drag, casualty evacuation, and road march. Quartiles were created among HT, BM, and BMI by which task performance was compared using ANOVAs with Tukey post hoc comparisons. RESULTS For both trainees and soldiers, HT, BM, and BMI were positively associated with improved road march, casualty drag, casualty evacuation, and sandbag carry performance. On the move under fire task, only soldier HT was positively associated with improved performance. CONCLUSION Female trainees and soldiers who are taller and heavier with a higher BMI may demonstrate better performance on CSTs required of all soldiers. In addition to task-specific training, performance of CSTs may be enhanced in tasks requiring strength and power by recruiting and retaining taller and heavier females with a higher BMIs. Allowances should be considered for soldiers and trainees who can successfully perform soldiering tasks with high physical demands despite less desirable anthropometric measurements.
Monitoring nursing of using V - EEG for 245 case children with epilepsy

Video-electroen cephalogram (V-EEG) has been widely applied to clinic. It plays a un-replaceable role in diagnosing epilepsy. 245 children had been monitored by V - EEG from June to July 2007. The key problem of monitoring nursing is to do well some preparative work, which makes children and their parent un-derstand and cooperate in using V - EEG. In order to offer reliable gists for diagnosing, the nurse should duly find and dispose of various problems and correctly identify the counterfeit dispersion during monitoring nursing. Key words: Epilepsy; V-EEG; Monitoring nursing
TIM-3 Expression Is Downregulated on Human NK Cells in Response to Cancer Targets in Synergy with Activation

Among natural killer (NK) cell receptors, the T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-containing domain (TIM-3) has been associated with both inhibitory and activating functions, depending on context and activation pathway. Ex vivo and in vitro, expression of TIM-3 is inducible and depends on activation stimulus. Here, we report that TIM-3 expression can be downregulated on NK cells under specific conditions. When NK cells are exposed to cancer targets, they synergize with stimulation conditions to induce a substantial decrease in TIM-3 expression on their surface. We found that such downregulation occurs following prior NK activation. Downregulated TIM-3 expression correlated to lower cytotoxicity and lower interferon gamma (IFN-γ) expression, fueling the notion that TIM-3 might function as a benchmark for human NK cell dysfunction.
A Multi-Disciplinary Perspective for Conducting Artificial Intelligence-enabled Privacy Analytics: Connecting Data, Algorithms, and Systems

Events such as Facebook-Cambridge Analytica scandal and data aggregation efforts by technology providers have illustrated how fragile modern society is to privacy violations. Internationally recognized entities such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) have indicated that Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled models, artifacts, and systems can efficiently and effectively sift through large quantities of data from legal documents, social media, Dark Web sites, and other sources to curb privacy violations. Yet considerable efforts are still required for understanding prevailing data sources, systematically developing AI-enabled privacy analytics to tackle emerging challenges, and deploying systems to address critical privacy needs. To this end, we provide an overview of prevailing data sources that can support AI-enabled privacy analytics; a multi-disciplinary research framework that connects data, algorithms, and systems to tackle emerging AI-enabled privacy analytics challenges such as entity resolution, privacy assistance systems, privacy risk modeling, and more; a summary of selected funding sources to support high-impact privacy analytics research; and an overview of prevailing conference and journal venues that can be leveraged to share and archive privacy analytics research. We conclude this paper with an introduction of the papers included in this special issue.
In vitro comparison of wear of three orthodontic bite materials and opposing enamel.

Summary Objective Orthodontic bite turbos are used to separate the maxillary and mandibular arch when disocclusion is needed for brackets placement or extrusion of teeth. Bite turbos should have adequate wear resistance to maintain disocclusion but also avoid abrasion of the opposing enamel. The objective of this study was to measure the wear of three materials used as bite turbos and opposing enamel wear. Materials and methods 10 mm × 8 mm × 4 mm specimens (n = 8) of Transbond™LR (3M™) Transbond™ Plus (3M™) and Triad®gel (Dentsply) were prepared in silicone molds. Cusps of extracted premolars were prepared to a standard cone shape. Extracted maxillary incisors were used as reference for flat enamel surfaces. The experiments were performed on the modified UAB wear testing device at 20N for 200,000 cycles at 1 Hz. All surfaces were scanned with a non-contact profilometer at 10micron resolution. Volumetric wear was measured with superimposition software and data analysed with one-way ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc. Results Significant differences were seen in the wear of materials and opposing enamels (P Transbond™ Plus (.317 ± .062 mm3) > Transbond™ LR (.136 ± .027 mm3) > Enamel (.053 ± .04 mm3). Opposing enamel ranked: Transbond™ LR (.158 ± .086 mm3) = Enamel (.128 ± .035 mm3) = Transbond™ Plus (.126 ± .025 mm3) > Triad®gel (.039 ± .008 mm3). Conclusions All bite turbo materials wore more than natural enamel but caused equal or less wear to opposing enamel than tooth-tooth contact. Triad®gel underwent 2.5× and 6× the wear of Transbond™ Plus and Transbond™ LR respectively. The bite turbo material used may be selected based on preference for longevity.
MHD Stability of ISM Phase Transition Layers I: Magnetic Field Orthogonal to Front

We consider the scenario of a magnetic field orthogonal to a front separating two media of different temperatures and densities, such as cold and warm interstellar gas, in a 2-D plane-parallel geometry. A linear stability analysis is performed to assess the behavior of both evaporation and condensation fronts when subject to incompressible, corrugational perturbations with wavelengths larger than the thickness of the front. We discuss the behavior of fronts in both super-Alfvenic and sub-Alfvenic flows. Since the propagation speed of fronts is slow in the ISM, it is the sub-Alfvenic regime that is relevant, and magnetic fields are a significant influence on front dynamics. In this case we find that evaporation fronts, which are unstable in the hydrodynamic regime, are stabilized. Condensation fronts are unstable, but for parameters typical of the neutral ISM the growth rates are so slow that steady state fronts are effectively stable. However, the instability may become important if condensation proceeds at a sufficiently fast rate. This paper is the first in a series exploring the linear and nonlinear effects of magnetic field strength and orientation on the corrugational instability, with the ultimate goal of addressing outstanding questions about small-scale ISM structure.
Neuron Growth Control by PDE Backstepping: Axon Length Regulation by Tubulin Flux Actuation in Soma.

In this work, stabilization of an axonal growth in a neuron associated with the dynamics of tubulin concentration is proposed by designing a boundary control. The dynamics are given by a parabolic Partial Differential Equation (PDE) of the tubulin concentration, with a spatial domain of the axon's length governed by an Ordinary Differential Equation (ODE) coupled with the tubulin concentration in the growth cone. We propose a novel backstepping method for the coupled PDE-ODE dynamics with a moving boundary, and design a control law for the tubulin concentration flux in the soma. Through employing the Lyapunov analysis to a nonlinear target system, we prove a local exponential stability of the closed-loop system under the proposed control law in the spatial $H_1$-norm.
How eukaryotic filamentous pathogens evade plant recognition

Plant pathogenic fungi and oomycetes employ sophisticated mechanisms for evading host recognition. After host penetration, many fungi and oomycetes establish a biotrophic interaction. It is assumed that different strategies employed by these pathogens to avoid triggering host defence responses, including establishment of biotrophic interfacial layers between the pathogen and host, masking of invading hyphae and active suppression of host defence mechanisms, are essential for a biotrophic parasitic lifestyle. During the infection process, filamentous plant pathogens secrete various effectors, which are hypothesized to be involved in facilitating effective host infection. Live-cell imaging of fungi and oomycetes secreting fluorescently labeled effector proteins as well as functional characterization of the components of biotrophic interfaces have led to the recent progress in understanding how eukaryotic filamentous pathogens evade plant recognition.
Aggregation and Efficiency

Economic theory is typically developed in dimensions higher than those in which it is tested empirically. For example, producer theory is by now well developed for the general m-output, n-input case, although until recently empirical applications of the theory were restricted largely to the scalar output, two-input case. Even now, limitations imposed by data availability and computing resources restrict the empirical application of the theory to “small” numbers of inputs and outputs. The question naturally arises, therefore, whether one’s stories about economic phenomena of interest are sensitive to the degree of aggregation of the underlying data.
Attenuation of the systemic and coronary hemodynamic effects of cocaine in conscious dogs: propranolol versus labetalol.

The interaction of cocaine with myocardial and vascular adrenoceptors is incompletely understood. The systemic and coronary hemodynamic effects of intravenous cocaine (1.5 mg/kg) were examined in dogs with and without pretreatment with propranolol (2 mg/kg i.v.) or labetalol (5 mg/kg i.v.) on different days. A total of 24 experiments was completed (three sets of experiments) using eight dogs chronically instrumented for measurement of aortic and left-ventricular pressure, left-ventricular dP/dt, subendocardial segment length, coronary blood flow, and cardiac output. Myocardial oxygen consumption was estimated from the pressure work index (PWI). Cocaine significantly (p < 0.05) increased heart rate (+51 +/- 17 bpm), mean arterial pressure (+72 +/- 10 mm Hg), left-ventricular systolic and end-diastolic pressures (+56 +/- 9 and +14 +/- 6 mm Hg, respectively), coronary blood flow (+32 +/- 10 ml/min) and the PWI (+10.0 +/- 2.3 ml O2/min/100 g). Significant reductions in stroke volume (-9 +/- 5 ml) and percent segment shortening (-7.1 +/- 1.7) were observed. These changes returned to control after 30 min. After pretreatment with propranolol, the cocaine-mediated increases in mean arterial pressure, left-ventricular systolic pressure, rate-pressure product, and the pressure work index (4.4 +/- 0.7 ml O2/min/100 g) were significantly (p < 0.05) less than those observed with cocaine alone. Cocaine also reduced contractility [dP/dt50 (-341 +/- 80 mm Hg/s)] and increased systemic vascular resistance (+2703 +/- 339 dyn.s.cm-5) in the presence of propranolol. Labetalol abolished the cocaine-mediated increases in heart rate and coronary blood flow and significantly attenuated the increases in mean arterial pressure, left-ventricular systolic pressure, cardiac output, rate-pressure product, and calculated myocardial oxygen consumption when compared to results obtained with cocaine alone. The results demonstrate that a portion of the basic dynamic effects of cocaine is mediated by stimulation of alpha and beta adrenoceptors. Combined alpha and beta adrenergic blockade reduces the hemodynamic effects of cocaine more than beta blockade alone. During antagonism of the sympathomimetic response of cocaine, direct negative inotropic actions of this drug are unmasked.
High performance sub-half micron CMOS using rapid thermal processing

A sub-half micron CMOS technology has been developed using rapid thermal processing (RTP) and a simplified process design. The threshold voltages are set high to permit operation above room temperature without excessive leakage. Novel process features include zero-topography well design, RTP CMOS well anneal in an ammonia ambient, RTP gate oxide, RTP source/drain anneal, and BPSG reflow at 750 degrees C in a high-pressure nitrogen ambient. Transistors with 8 nm gate oxide and 0.4 mu m gate lengths provide 65 ps gate delay at 3.3 V. The use of 4*10/sup 17//cm/sup 3/ CMOS well doping without added channel implants results in higher diode capacitance and increases inverter chain delay by approximately 20 ps/stage, but speeds less than 50 ps/stage should be obtained with L=0.3 mu m NMOS and L=0.4 mu m PMOS, both having effective channel lengths of approximately 0.2 mu m. >
Learning to Learn

In this article we present a definition of ‘learning to learn’ followed by a brief history of the development of the study of learning to learn processes and a description of a model summarizing much of the current research in the area. Learning to learn strategies include any thoughts, behaviors, beliefs, or emotions that facilitate the acquisition, understanding, or later application and transfer of new knowledge and skills in different performance contexts. They range from active rehearsal to help remember word lists to the use of elaboration and organization to encode, integrate, and later recall or apply knowledge across several content areas. Learning to learn strategies help us to generate meaning for new information we are trying to learn. A learning strategy is also a plan for orchestrating cognitive resources (e.g., attention, and long-term memory) to help reach a learning goal. Researchers, such as Biggs, Boekaerts, Dansereau, De Corte, Entwistle, McKeachie, Pintrich, Pressley, Weinstein, and Zimmerman, have demonstrated the effectiveness of teaching ‘learning to learn’ strategies to students, often with quite dramatic results.
Psychological attributes of preoperative total joint replacement patients: implications for optimal physical outcome.

In this study, 107 primary total joint replacement (TJR) patients were assessed preoperatively using the SF-36 (Mental Component Score [MCS] and Physical Component Score [PCS]), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory, Interpersonal Support Evaluation List, and the Coping Strategies Questionnaire. Patients with preoperative MCS or = 50. Low MCS patients used more catastrophizing coping techniques (P <.001) and reported poorer pain control (P <.04). A multivariate prediction model found that adding preoperative MCS to baseline demographic and physical function (PCS) measures significantly improved the prediction of 6-month change in PCS. Further research should evaluate the role of multimodality emotional support in assuring optimal physical return after TJR.