cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Membrane-type Matrix Metalloproteinase 5

Publisher Summary This chapter elaborates the structural chemistry and the biological aspects of membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase 5 (MT5-MMP). MT5-MMP is named as the fifth member of the MT-MMP subfamily. It has the serial designation of MMP-24 within the MMP superfamily. MT5-MMP is a type I transmembrane protein composed of a signal peptide, a propeptide, a furin-cleavable motif, a catalytic domain, a hinge region, a hemopexin domain, a short stem region, a C-terminal transmembrane anchor and a cytosolic tail. MT5-MMP is synthesized as a precursor protein of about 65 kDa that is converted into a 58 kDa active species in the trans-Golgi network by furin. MT5-MMP contains potential N-glycosylation sites. A cryptic furin motif within the stem region between the pexin and the transmembrane domains has been shown to mediate the shedding of MT5-MMP ectoenzyme into the extracellular milieu. Therefore, MT5-MMP may function both as a membrane-bound and/or as a soluble enzyme. MT5-MMP differs from the rest of MT-MMP family by being brain and neuronal specific or enriched.
Explaining Variation in the Structural Correlates of Protest Participation

Resource-based explanations of protest participation examine the way in which individual characteristics predict whether or not a particular person will engage in protest activity. This paper examines variation in these predictors over space and time, using data from the first four waves of the World Values Survey. After identifying the magnitude and statistical significance of sociodemographic predictors for each country-year in the data, I make a first cut at explaining what causes the importance of these predictors to vary across contexts. The study confirms previous results with regard to the existence of a gender gap in political participation and the usefulness of educational resources for predicting protest participation. Comparing an economic modernization explanation and a democratic openness explanation for variation in the correlates of protest, I find more support for the modernization hypothesis.
Modulation of ATP/ADP concentration at the endothelial surface by shear stress: effect of flow disturbance

The adenine nucleotides ATP and ADP modulate the release of endothelial-derived relaxing factors and hence play an important role in flow-mediated arterial vasoregulation. Adenine nucleotide concentration at the endothelial cell (EC) surface within an artery is determined by a balance of convective-diffusive delivery of blood-borne nucleotides to the EC surface, hydrolysis of these nucleotides at the cell surface, and flow-induced ATP release from ECs. Previous numerical simulations in a parallel plate flow chamber had demonstrated that flow-induced ATP release has a profound effect on nucleotide concentration under both steady and pulsatile flow conditions. In the present study, we have extended this analysis to probe the impact of disturbed flow downstream of a backward facing step on adenine nucleotide concentration at the EC surface. The results have demonstrated that over a wide range of applied wall shear stress, the ATP concentration at the EC surface drops abruptly within the disturbed flow zone due to increased nucleotide residence time within this region. The concentration is intricately sensitive to the kinetics of flow-induced ATP release, and this sensitivity is more pronounced at lower levels of wall shear stress.
Reflections on a Community Psychology Setting and the Future of the Field.

The 50th anniversary of the Swampscott Conference offers an opportunity to reflect on a community psychology setting, The Consultation Center at Yale, that was formed in response to the 1963 Community Mental Health Act and the 1965 Swampscott Conference. The Center has flourished as a community psychology setting for practice, research, and training for 39 of the 50 years since Swampscott. Its creation and existence over this period offers an opportunity for reflection on the types of settings needed to sustain the field into the future.
A review about robotic inspection considering the locomotion systems and odometry

There are many types of transportation of fluids such as a truck, train and ship. However, it is not suitable and economic practical. The employment of truck vehicles increase problems with traffic and pollution. The transport of train requires high maintenance of structures responsible for training moves. The ship conveys can be used just where there is sea or lagoon. The most method used to convey fluids is pipeline. However, aging, corrosion, mechanical damage and cracks in pipes, depending on which product is been transported, can be hazardous to the environment or monetary loss. One of the solutions to this problem is to realise maintenance of pipelines. To reduce time of maintenance, it is realised inspection before maintenance. However, there are inaccessible structures of pipes, size extreme temperature that makes dangerous realise manual inspection. The development of embedded system and field of instrumentation makes possible the employment of robotics for the execution of inspection tasks. The principal objective of this work is to realise a review about robots inspection, expound differences between robots considering application, adaptability, locomotion, sensors inspection and odometers.
Avoiding the Carbapenem Trap: KPC-2 β-lactamase Sequence Requirements for Carbapenem Hydrolysis

β-lactamases are bacterial enzymes that mediate antibiotic resistance through hydrolysis and inactivation of β-lactam antibiotics. The hydrolysis reaction is a two-step process involving cleavage o...
An alternative analysis of the LSND neutrino oscillation search data on nu -bar micro--> nu -bare.

This analysis of data from the Liquid Scintillator Neutrino Detector (LSND) at the Los Alamos Meson Physics Facility (LAMPF) sets bounds on neutrino oscillations in the appearance channel {bar {nu}}{sub {mu}}{r_arrow}{bar {nu}}{sub {ital e}} by searching for the signature of the reaction {bar {nu}}{sub {ital e}}{ital p}{r_arrow}{ital e}{sup +}{ital n}: an {ital e}{sup +} followed by a 2.2 MeV {gamma} ray from neutron capture. Five {ital e}{sup {plus_minus}}-{gamma} coincidences are observed in time with the LAMPF beam, with an estimated background of 6.2 events. The 90% confidence limits obtained in this analysis are {Delta}{ital m}{sup 2}{lt}0.07 eV{sup 2} for sin{sup 2}2{theta}=1, and sin{sup 2}2{theta}{lt}6{times}10{sup {minus}3} for {Delta}{ital m}{sup 2}{approx_gt}20 eV{sup 2}. The possible signal at the edge of the detector`s sensitivity is mentioned.
The relationship between moderate alcohol consumption, depressive symptomatology, and C-reactive protein: the Health and Retirement Study

Objective Moderate alcohol use has been broadly associated with health benefits among older adults, including improved mood. Aims of this study were to evaluate the relationship of moderate alcohol use and depressive symptomatology over a period of eight years, and to examine inflammation, indicated by C-reactive protein (CRP), as one mechanism by which this relationship functions. Methods The study included 3177 community-dwelling participants over the age of 65 in 2008 drawn from the Health and Retirement Study. Data from the 2006, 2008, 2012, and 2014 waves were used. Alcohol use was measured via self-report and was dichotomized as abstinent (0 drinks per week) and moderate (1–14 drinks per week). Inflammation was measured using CRP, which was collected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and provided in units of μg/mL. Control variables included gender, age, body mass index (BMI), and medical burden. Results A latent growth curve model with full information maximum likelihood was used, with results revealing that moderate drinkers endorsed fewer depressive symptoms at baseline and a steeper rate of change over time. Abstinent respondents' depressive symptomatology was characterized by a more linear change rate. Further, moderate drinkers had lower CRP levels suggesting that inflammation partially mediates the relationship between moderate alcohol use and depressive symptomatology. Conclusions Moderate alcohol use predicts fewer depressive symptoms among older adults. This relationship is partially moderated by CRP and is eroded by the passage of time. Future research should identify additional mechanisms relating alcohol to positive health outcomes and less depressive symptomatology. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experiential Wisdom and Lifelong Learning

This chapter explores the self-regulative concept of “experiential wisdom,” or the notion that creativity and lifelong learning are enhanced by the capacity to make experiential course corrections that lead to states of interest and flow experience. A person with experiential wisdom recognizes that these heightened states are more likely to occur when an affectively charged intuitive mode works in synchrony with a deliberative rational mode and is better able to cultivate situations where the interrelation of these two modes is optimized. The first part of this chapter provides a broad framework for thinking about experiential wisdom. It addresses implicit assumptions of the proposed model, the relationship of experiential wisdom to broader theories of human development, and the necessary conditions in childhood that facilitate the emergence of experiential wisdom in adulthood. The second part of this chapter explores in more detail the dynamics at work as a person negotiates a person–environment fit that is more conducive to optimal experience, namely, the flexible interoperation of spontaneous/intuitive and selective/rational modes of attention. Finally, part three of this chapter illustrates experiential wisdom by drawing on past interviews with three distinguished individuals—poet Mark Strand, social scientist Donald Campbell, and medical researcher Jonas Salk. It is argued that the experiential wisdom of these three helped keep them engaged on a path of creativity and lifelong learning.
Constrained minimum variance control for discrete-time stochastic linear systems

Abstract We propose a computational scheme for the solution of the so-called minimum variance control problem for discrete-time stochastic linear systems subject to an explicit constraint on the 2-norm of the input (random) sequence. In our approach, we utilize a state space framework in which the minimum variance control problem is interpreted as a finite-horizon stochastic optimal control problem with incomplete state information. We show that if the set of admissible control policies for the stochastic optimal control problem consists exclusively of sequences of causal (non-anticipative) control laws that can be expressed as linear combinations of all the past and present outputs of the system together with its past inputs, then the stochastic optimal control problem can be reduced to a deterministic, finite-dimensional optimization problem. Subsequently, we show that the latter optimization problem can be associated with an equivalent convex program and in particular, a quadratically constrained quadratic program (QCQP), by means of a bilinear transformation. Finally, we present numerical simulations that illustrate the key ideas of this work.
Quality of life in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A compared with normative and disease populations.

Abstract Background Patient-reported outcomes are measured in chronic disease states to inform intervention and management decisions while minimizing negative outcomes. We hypothesized that health-related quality of life in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A would be worse than the general US population but similar to other chronic diseases. Methods Adults ≥18 years with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A were recruited to complete the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 29-item questionnaire (n = 45). Scores based on the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System T-score metric were compared with the general US population and with cohorts with low back pain, cancer, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, major depressive disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, neuroendocrine tumors, primary hyperparathyroidism, and MEN1. Results Compared with US normative data, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A patients reported worse anxiety (58.2 ± 12.0, P Conclusions This study is the first to use the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System to compare patient-reported outcomes between multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A and other chronic conditions. Individuals with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A reported worse health-related quality of life in all 7 domains compared with US normative data. Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A patients reported greater fatigue but greater physical function compared with several other conditions. Prospective longitudinal evaluation of patient-reported outcomes in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A should be conducted to identify treatments associated with the highest health-related quality of life.
One-Dimensional Array of Interacting Two-State Units at Steady State

This chapter extends the subject dealt with in Chapter 8 to steady states. The treatment given here is merely an introduction to a field that is in its infancy. The present chapter is confined to analytical results; a few Monte Carlo results on one-dimensional lattices are postponed until Chapter 10 (where the Monte Carlo method is introduced for this type of problem, especially in two dimensions).
A Surface Charge Hypothesis for the Actions of Palmitylcarnitine on the Kinetics of Excitatory Ionic Currents in Heart

The relationship between increased levels of free fatty acids (FFA) and the increased incidence of severe arrhythmias reported by Kurien and Oliver (1) in the pathogenesis of ischemic heart disease has prompted a critical examination of the mechanisms by which changes in lipid metabolism disturb the regulation of ion transport in cardiac membranes. This concept has been modified to include the possibility that long chain fatty acid derivatives (acyl carnitine; 2) and lysophosphatidylcholine, which accumulate in the ischemic heart, can alter ion transport in cardiac membranes (reviewed in 3, 4). These reviews have also addressed the molecular mechanisms by which these lipid metabolites alter membrane structure and thereby change the function of transport proteins in the sarcoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane.
First generation CAR-T therapies can be rendered therapeutically effective when engineered into a novel human CD26high CD4+ T cell

Despite a few very exciting results from adoptive cell transfer (ACT) therapy-based clinical trials, most studies have infused less than ideal cell populations into patients. Human CD4 + T cells differentiate into multiple effector subsets, but their distinct roles in anti-tumor immunity remain elusive. Interestingly, we found that CD26 high CD4 + T cells were more polyfunctional than the other CD4 + T cells subsets- with increased production of IL-17, IFN-γ, IL-22 and TNF-α. Additionally, CD26 high T cells had increased expression of anti-apoptotic molecules c-flip, bcl2, AKT and CEBPD. Moreover, CD26 high T cells had a more pathogenic phenotype compared to Th17 cells. To test the therapeutic potential, cells were genetically redirected to recognize human mesothelioma using a 1 st generation chimeric antigen receptor (CAR, scFv from monoclonal antibodies that are linked to the CD3z intracellular signaling domain of the TCR complex). To date, effective antitumor responses were only seen in 2 nd generation CARs with additional costimulatory molecules. Surprisingly, 1 st generation CAR-engineered CD26 high T cells possessed a superior ability to kill large human tumors when infused into NSG mice compared to Th1, Th2 or Th17 cells. Furthermore, CD26 high T cells strongly bolster infused CD8 + T cells, as seen by an increase in both cell number and functionality. Contrary to Th17 cells, CD26 high T cells do not require CD8 + T cells to aid in tumor killing, as the antitumor response was similar with or without CD8 + T cell infusion. These results suggest that the generation of multifunctional, long-lived human CD26 high T cells could be instrumental to the design of novel, effective T cell-based therapies, targeted to any number of malignancies.
The Cerebral Palsy Profile of Health and Function: Upper-Extremity Domain's Sensitivity to Change Following Musculoskeletal Surgery.

Purpose The Cerebral Palsy Profile of Health and Function (CP-PRO) Computerized Adaptive Tests (CAT) are quality of life measures developed specifically for use in children with cerebral palsy. This study examined the ability of the upper-extremity (UE) CP-PRO CAT to detect change in function after UE surgery compared with the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI), ABILHAND-Kids, and Box and Blocks test. Methods From 2009 to 2013, children with cerebral palsy who had UE musculoskeletal surgery completed the UE CP-PRO CAT, PODCI-UE, ABILHAND-Kids, and Box and Blocks tests before surgery (97 children) and at 3 postoperative intervals: 6 months (80 children), 12 months (73 children), and 24 months (52 children). Mean, SD, effect size (ES), and standardized response mean (SRM) values for each measure at each time interval and each level of the Manual Ability Classification System were calculated and compared. Finally, the minimal detectable change at the 90% confidence level was determined. Results Values for the ES (0.40) and SRM (0.53) for the UE CP-PRO CAT at baseline to 6 months were moderate and significantly greater than the PODCI-UE (ES, 0.18; SRM, 0.25). The ES and SRM for the PODCI-UE, ABILHAND-Kids, and Box and Blocks tests were not significantly greater than for the UE CP-PRO CAT at any period. From baseline to 6 months, the UE CP-PRO CAT detected a large and significant improvement for Manual Ability Classification System level II (SRM, 0.70; ES, 0.70). The minimal detectable change for the UE CP-PRO CAT was 5.20. Conclusions The UE CP-PRO CAT is significantly better in detecting change in UE function in the first 6 months after surgery and is comparable to other measures at 12 and 24 months. Type of study/level of evidence Diagnostic II.
"You Can't Go Back to Holding Hands." Reading Judy Blume's Forever in the #MeToo Era

Judy Blume’s Foreveris a cultural artifact that gives readers a historical look at society’s attitudes about sex and sexuality at the time of publication in 1975. However, in the #MeToo era, Blume’s text is poised for new analysis in light of important conversations and concerns about sex, sexuality, and consent. In this article, Critical Youth Studies and Queer Theory are used to explore the ways in which young readers can critically engage with Blume’s novel and questions about virginity, sex, sexuality, and consent associated with the #MeToo movement.
Imaging for Barrett's esophagus: state of the art

Purpose of reviewBarrett's esophagus is the premalignant condition for esophageal cancer and the diagnosis of esophageal adenocarcinoma on index endoscopy is increasing. Many advanced endoscopic techniques are available and aim to identify Barrett's esophagus-associated neoplasia earlier, thereby pr
Platonic Curriculum; Epicurean Society

This chapter explores the state and national elementary curriculum. These standards are designed to prepare students for college and democracy. This curriculum is therefore highly literate, numerate, and abstract. It is “Platonic” after the Greek philosopher Plato who prized these cognitive abilities in his educational blueprint, The Republic. While all students can and should learn to participate in a democracy, not all students are equally capable of engaging in the type of abstract thinking demanded by the Platonic curriculum. Given the cognitive demands of higher education, only about 25–50% of the population is capable of handling it. After 13 years of this Platonic material, the half of students who will never go to college feel defeated and are unprepared for a noncollege career path. Many of the behavioral problems in the classroom are caused by the disconnect between a highly academic curriculum and the students who have little interest in or ability to do it. Elementary school should not begin a rigorous college prep curriculum but provide basic numeracy and literacy skills needed for a healthy life in a democracy. Schools would later begin a process to ascertain the proper curriculum track students should take in middle and high school.
Pre-acculturation as a risk factor for obesity: Findings from the Health of Philippine Emigrants Study (HoPES)

Abstract Immigrants to the United States may have an advantage in terms of healthier weight, but tend to gain excessive weight after arrival, and may suffer from obesity and related health conditions. Acculturation theory suggests that this increase in obesity risk is due to adoption of unhealthy western dietary behaviors, and assumes that “eastern/traditional” dietary behaviors prior to migration are healthier. While this assumption is supported by studies conducted several decades ago, the phenomenon of globalization that has risen since the 1990s has increased exposure to western ideas and behaviors in communities worldwide. Hence, today's immigrants are more likely to have already adopted less healthy behaviors that increase obesity risk prior to their arrival in the U.S., a phenomenon we term “pre-acculturation.” The present study investigates the role of pre-acculturation in obesity development among immigrants from the Philippines. Data come from the Health of Philippine Emigrants Study, fielded in 2017 (n = 1632). Pre-acculturation was measured with English proficiency, preparation to migrate, receiving care packages, texting, telephone, or internet contact with friends/family in the U.S. Outcomes included the body mass index (BMI, kg/m2), waist circumference (WC, cm), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and waist-to-hip-ratio (WHR). Covariates included age, gender, education, financial strain, physical activity, and diet. Migrants reported greater English proficiency, preparation, and a slightly lower WHtR than non-migrants, but did not differ on BMI, WC, or WHR. Preparation was associated with greater BMI, WC, and WHtR, and the effects of preparation status differed by migration status. Among migrants, more preparation was associated with greater BMI, WC, and WtHR. Further, among non-migrants, texting and telephone communications was related to lower BMI, WC, and WHR. In summary, pre-acculturation may be a risk factor for obesity in the Philippines, suggesting that binary notions of “Western” versus “eastern/traditional” cultures may be too simplistic.
Towards a science of the acquisition of expert performance in sports: Clarifying the differences between deliberate practice and other types of practice

Ericsson, Krampe, and Tesch- Romer published their research on “The role of deliberate practice in the acquisition of expert performance” over 25 years ago. Since then, hundreds of new articles hav...
Economic crisis and security concerns of wholesalers in Eastern European and Central Asian countries

We examine how the 2008-2009 global crisis affected wholesalers’ spending on security and their losses due to crime in Eastern European and Central Asian countries. The results indicate that a similar percentage of wholesalers paid for security pre- and post-crisis. The results also indicate that the wholesalers that paid for security spent less on security post-crisis. A higher percentage of the partnerships and the larger wholesalers spent money on security post-crisis when compared to the pre-crisis period. On the other hand, fewer shareholding firms with shares traded privately and fewer firms with one or more female owners spent money on security post-crisis when compared to pre-crisis. Especially smaller firms, firms that are not part of a larger firm and sole proprietorships spent less on security post-crisis. Also, fewer wholesalers experienced losses due to crime post-crisis when compared to the pre-crisis period. Finally, our results indicate that, after the crisis, crime was seen as less of an obstacle by these firms.
Cannabis use in people with multiple sclerosis and spasticity: A cross-sectional analysis.

Abstract Background Growing evidence supports that cannabinoids relieve MS-related spasticity but little is known about cannabis use among people with MS (PwMS) and spasticity. Objective To characterize cannabis use among PwMS and spasticity. Methods As part of baseline data collection for a spasticity intervention trial in Oregon, PwMS and self-reported spasticity answered questions about cannabis use. Results 54% reported ever using cannabis and 36% currently use. 79% use multiple routes of administration, 58% use at least daily. 79% find cannabis helpful for spasticity and 26% use cannabis and prescribed oral antispasticity medications. Conclusions Many PwMS and spasticity use cannabis and report it helps their spasticity.
Effects of Holding Beta-Blockers on the Vital Signs of Heart Failure Patients.

Background: Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is associated with recurrent hospitalizations and high mortality. Guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) reduces morbidity, mortality and re-admission rates. Despite the evidence, less than 50% of patients with HFrEF are prescribed appropriate medical therapy. When hospitalized patients have these medications discontinued on admission or during hospitalization, they are less likely to have them restarted on discharge. The goal of this study was to determine the incidence of disruption of beta-blocker (BB) therapy during hospitalization for HFrEF patients admitted to an academic tertiary referral hospital. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in a single teaching hospital over the course of 1 year, and utilized data queried from the electronic medical record (EPIC) database. Inclusion criteria were met by patients with an ICD-10 code diagnosis of heart failure, left ventricular ejection fraction less than 40% and BB prescription prior to admission. Additional information noted included age, sex, vital signs throughout the admission and dates where BB was not given for a full 24-h period. Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) were excluded due to uncertainty of their hemodynamics. Data were extracted from the electronic medical record database and analyzed through Python, Microsoft Excel and RStudio. The incidence of BB disruption during hospitalization was defined as a 24-h period where no BB was administered. Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) levels were compared between patients who received BB and patients who had a disruption in their BB. Measurements were also obtained to assess whether a correlation exists between holding BB therapy and time of the year, age, or sex. Results: Between January 2018 and January 2019, 780 patient encounters met inclusion criteria for the study. Patients who were continued on BB therapy had an average BP of 120.8/68.7 mm Hg and an HR of 82.4 bpm on days they received their BB. Patients who had a disruption of BB therapy had an average BP of 117.7/67.6 mm Hg and an HR of 88.6 bpm on the days of the disruption (P < 0.001). There was no association between holding BB and age, sex, or time of year. Conclusions: This study showed that in an academic tertiary referral center, patients with HFrEF who are not in an ICU have a 23% chance of not receiving their recommended BB therapy for 24 h. While the differences measured for BP and HR are statistically significant, they are not clinically significant. Cardiol Res. 2021;12(1):2-9 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/cr1169
Are people aware of the link between alcohol and different types of Cancer

Alcohol consumption is causally linked to several different types of cancer, including breast, liver, and colorectal cancer. While prior studies have found low awareness of the overall alcohol-cancer link, few have examined how awareness differs for each type of cancer. Greater awareness of risks associated with alcohol use may be a key factor in reducing alcohol-related cancer incidence. We surveyed 1759 people of legal drinking age at the 2019 Minnesota State Fair. We used multivariable generalized linear models and linear regression models with robust standard errors to investigate factors associated with alcohol-cancer risk awareness. Models were fit examining predictors of overall awareness of alcohol as a risk factor for cancer, and prevalence of awareness of alcohol as a risk factor for specific types of cancer. Prevalence of awareness varied by cancer type, with awareness of alcohol causing liver cancer having the highest prevalence (92%) and awareness of alcohol causing breast cancer having the lowest prevalence (38%). Factors associated with awareness of alcohol-cancer risk differed by type of cancer. In general, awareness of the risk of alcohol for certain types of cancer was low to moderate, reflecting a need to inform people not only that alcohol increases risk of cancer, but which types of cancer are most highly associated alcohol.
Bounds on the Number of Compatible k -Simplices Matching the Orientation of the ( k − 1)-Skeleton of a Simplex

We extend the notion of tournaments to orientation of the (k − 1)-skeleton of an (n − 1)-dimensional simplex. We ask for the maximal number of k-simplices whose boundary matches the orientation, extending the question on the upper bound of the number of directed 3-cycles of a tournament. In the general case we show polynomial upper and lower bounds. For the case k = 3 we improve the lower bound. Furthermore, this lower bound reaches the upper bound when n or n − 1 is a prime power congruent to 3 modulo 4.
Representation Disentanglement for Multi-modal Brain MRI Analysis

Multi-modal MRIs are widely used in neuroimaging applications since different MR sequences provide complementary information about brain structures. Recent works have suggested that multi-modal deep learning analysis can benefit from explicitly disentangling anatomical (shape) and modality (appearance) information into separate image presentations. In this work, we challenge mainstream strategies by showing that they do not naturally lead to representation disentanglement both in theory and in practice. To address this issue, we propose a margin loss that regularizes the similarity in relationships of the representations across subjects and modalities. To enable robust training, we further use a conditional convolution to design a single model for encoding images of all modalities. Lastly, we propose a fusion function to combine the disentangled anatomical representations as a set of modality-invariant features for downstream tasks. We evaluate the proposed method on three multi-modal neuroimaging datasets. Experiments show that our proposed method can achieve superior disentangled representations compared to existing disentanglement strategies. Results also indicate that the fused anatomical representation has potential in the downstream task of zero-dose PET reconstruction and brain tumor segmentation. The code is available at https://github.com/ouyangjiahong/representation-disentanglement.
Healthy lifestyle interventions across diverse workplaces: a summary of the current evidence.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Workplaces provide a unique opportunity to deliver health promotion interventions to their workers. This review summarizes evidence from the most recent studies (September 2019 to April 2021) of workplace healthy lifestyle interventions and identifies gaps in the literature and key aspects for successful future workplace lifestyle interventions. RECENT FINDINGS Recent intervention studies have focused on four health domains: (1) multicomponent wellness programs, (2) healthy diet interventions, (3) physical activity interventions, and (4) mental health/sleep interventions. Within each group of studies, there was significant heterogeneity in study length, intervention components, and worker populations. Nonetheless, most studies across all categories showed positive associations between healthy lifestyle interventions and improved worker health. SUMMARY Although recent literature has shown an overall positive trend between healthy lifestyle interventions implemented at the workplace and improvements in markers of health and wellbeing, further research should include longer follow-up periods, more objective measures of wellbeing, evaluation of worker performance, and analogous interventions between studies to identify the most effective interventions to improve worker health and wellness.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms predict corticostriatal dysfunction that is reversed by prazosin treatment in alcohol use disorder.

Chronic alcohol use increases risk of alcohol withdrawal symptoms (AW) and disrupts stress biology and resilient coping, thereby promoting excessive alcohol intake. Chronic alcohol intake and multiple alcohol detoxifications are known to impair brain medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and striatal functioning, regions involved in regulating stress, craving and alcohol intake. In two related studies, we examined whether AW predicts this functional brain pathology and whether Prazosin versus Placebo treatment may reverse these effects. In Study 1, patients with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) (N = 45) with varying AW levels at treatment entry were assessed to examine AW effects on corticostriatal responses to stress, alcohol cue and neutral visual images with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In Study 2, 23 AUD patients entering a 12-week randomised controlled trial (RCT) of Prazosin, an alpha1 adrenergic antagonist that decreased withdrawal-related alcohol intake in laboratory animals, participated in two fMRI sessions at pretreatment and also at week 9-10 of chronic treatment (Placebo: N = 13; Prazosin: N = 10) to assess Prazosin treatment effects on alcohol-related cortico-striatal dysfunction. Study 1 results indicated that higher AW predicted greater disruption in brain mPFC and striatal response to stress and alcohol cues (p < 0.001, family-wise error [FWE] correction) and also subsequently greater heavy drinking days (HDD) in early treatment (p < 0.01). In Study 2, Prazosin versus Placebo treatment reversed mPFC-striatal dysfunction (p < 0.001, FWE), which in turn predicted fewer drinking days (p < 0.01) during the 12-week treatment period. These results indicate that AW is a significant predictor of alcohol-related prefrontal-striatal dysfunction, and Prazosin treatment reversed these effects that in turn contributed to improved alcohol treatment outcomes.
In Reply: Ethical Basis for Repealing Religious Exemptions From Child Abuse Statutes

The letter from Dr Jecker presents an important and cogent basis for repeal of the religious exemption laws that are part of child abuse and neglect legislation in many states, including my own. Whereas her discussion focuses on the issues from the viewpoint of the rights and duties of parents, the American Academy of Pediatrics and its Committee on Bioethics tended to view the problem more in terms of the rights or interests of the child. Dr Jecker is, however, correct in pointing out that the AAP statement did not outline the formal ethical arguments that formed the basis of their statement.
Peer Presentations of Case Studies in Medical Neurobiology

Here, we describe a classroom innovation instituted during weeks 5 and 6 of a 7-week Medical Neurobiology course for first-year medical students (MS1s) consisting of student-led peer presentations of neurological case studies. After completing study of the major sensory/motor pathways comprising CNS functional systems, students were divided into small groups and randomly assigned a classic neurology case problem. After brief instruction in neurology case study problem solving, groups were given time to work on presentations for one another. Outcomes were evaluated via subjective feedback and by a two-way ANOVA comparison of scores achieved by the classes on a standardized national subject exam. Student evaluations of instruction indicate that the exercise was favorably received by most. Faculty observations were that students brought a great deal of creative energy to this endeavor. Comparison of National Board of Medical Examiners Neuroscience subject exam scores indicated that relative to MS1 classes not participating in peer presentations, the exercise significantly increased the proportion of students achieving scores in the 75th–90th national percentile range. We also observed a concomitant significant decrease in the proportion of students achieving scores in the 25th–52nd national percentile range. This suggests that student scores shifted toward higher scores as a result of participating in the peer presentation exercise. We additionally note that peer communication, problem solving, active learning and use of a knowledge base are important core competencies fostered by these peer presentations. Whether there is an identifiable academic profile characterizing students likely to benefit from the exercise remains to be investigated.
Label‐free relative quantification of alpha‐2‐macroglobulin site‐specific core‐fucosylation in pancreatic cancer by LC‐MS/MS

We describe a label-free relative quantification LC-MS/MS method for core-fucosylation in alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2MG) immunoprecipitated from human sera. The method utilizes endoglycosidase F partial deglycosylation to reduce glycosylation microheterogeneity, while retaining the innermost N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) and core fucose. Precursor ion peak areas of partially deglycosylated peptides were obtained and site-specific core-fucosylation ratios based on the peak areas of core-fucosylated and nonfucosylated counterparts were calculated and evaluated for assay development. This assay was applied in a preliminary study of sera samples from normal controls and patients with pancreatic diseases, including pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis. A2MG fucosylation levels at sites N396 and N1424 were found to decrease in both chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer compared to normal controls. The two sites were identified by two peptides and their core-fucosylation ratios were found to be internally consistent. This method provides a platform to quantify fucosylation levels and can be used to study site-specific core-fucosylation aberrations in other glycoproteins for other diseases.
Committee of Presidents of Statistical Societies (COPSS)

The Committee of Presidents of Statistical Societies (COPSS) was established in 1963 to address common interests and concerns of North American Statistical Societies. The member societies are the American Statistical Association (ASA), the Eastern North American Region (ENAR) of the International Biometric Society (IBS), and the Institute for Mathematical Statistics (IMS), the Statistical Society of Canada, and the Western North American Region (WNAR) of the IBS. COPSS consists of the presidents, past presidents, and presidents-elect of each member society plus a chair and a secretary/treasurer appointed by the committee. The COPSS committee provides a forum for member societies to discuss issues important to statistics. Keywords: statistical society; directory; profile; lecture; COPSS awards; Fisher; Snedecor; women in statistics
Ceftizoxime interpretive criteria for in vitro susceptibility tests with Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Abstract Ceftizoxime was tested in triplicate against 100 clinical strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in accordance with National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards guidelines to establish susceptibility testing interpretive criteria. The MICs for 50 and 90% of the strains tested were 0.008 and 0.03 microgram/ml, respectively. These results confirm those of other studies reporting ceftizoxime's excellent activity against gonococci. Because no resistant strains were identified, a breakpoint MIC of or = 32 mm. Ceftizoxime appears to represent an alternative to other beta-lactamase-stable beta-lactams for cost-effective therapy of uncomplicated gonorrhea.
Symptoms of Depression Are Associated With Opioid Use Regardless of Pain Severity and Physical Functioning Among Treatment-Seeking Patients With Chronic Pain

Depression may be a critical factor in the initiation and maintenance of opioids. This study investigated the association among opioid use, pain, and depression in patients evaluated at a university-based outpatient pain clinic. Of the 2,104 new patients included, 55.89% reported current opioid use and showed a worse phenotypic profile (eg, higher pain severity, worse physical functioning) compared with nonopioid users. In addition, more opioid users reported symptoms suggestive of depression than those not taking opioids (43.6% vs 26.8%, P < .001). In a multivariate logistic regression model, increased pain severity was associated with increased probability of taking opioids; however, this was moderated by depression (estimate = -.212, P < .001). For nondepressed patients, the predicted probabilities of opioid use increased as pain severity increased. In contrast, among patients with symptoms of depression, the probability of taking opioids did not change based on pain severity. Similarly, although increased physical function was associated with increased probability of opioid use, this was moderated by depression (estimate = .033, P = .034). Patients with symptoms of depression were more likely to be taking opioids at higher levels of functioning (Ps < .03). Perspective: This study investigated the association among opioid use, pain, and depression at a university-based outpatient pain clinic. Depression emerged as a moderator of the relationship among opioid use, pain severity, and physical functioning. These findings lend support to the hypothesis that patients may be self-medicating affective pain with opioids.
Energy Storage Applications

This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the most common applications of PCMs . These include thermal management of electronics , concentrating solar power , energy storage in building materials, solar thermal heating systems, space-based applications, textile designs, heat exchangers and packed bed technology. Each application is presented in depth with a clear explanation of how PCMs are implemented and with a discussion of advantages and challenges in each case.
A Survey of Uncertainties and Their Consequences in Probabilistic Legal Argumentation

In this chapter, we present a survey of different sorts of uncertainties lawyers reason with and connect them to the issue of how probabilistic models of argumentation can facilitate litigation planning. We briefly survey Bayesian Networks as a representation for argumentation in the context of a realistic example. After introducing the Carneades argument model and its probabilistic semantics, we propose an extension to the Carneades Bayesian Network model to support probability distributions over argument weights, a feature we believe is desirable. Finally, we scout possible future approaches to facilitate reasoning with argument weights.
Tepees, modern (Southern Australia) and ancient (Permian—Texas and New Mexico)—a comparison

Abstract Tepee structures are forming today about the edges of a number of Holocene groundwater lakes (coastal salinas) in the coastal zone of South Australia. Tepees form by the groundwater-induced deformation of an extensive sheet of fenestral limestone known as a veneer boundstone. Underlying the veneer boundstone is an extremely porous aquifer known as a boxwork boundstone. Areas of groundwater resurgence in these salinas are characterized by an association of tepee structures, boxwork boundstones and stromatolites. The tepees in these salinas are termed groundwater or boxwork tepees to emphasize the importance of resurging groundwater in their formation. Preliminary studies of tepee structures in the back-reef strata of Guadalupian age in the Guadalupe Mountains of West Texas and New Mexico has shown that these tepees are also groundwater tepees. Such tepee structures in the Guadalupe Mountains are often associated with remnants of an underlying boxwork boundstone and/or an underlying sandy palaeoaquifer. They are tepees which formed in zones of groundwater resurgence at a time when the nearby “reef” was a subaerially exposed barrier. Limestone sheets composed of vadose pisolites were deformed coincident with tepee formation. This association implies that vadose pisolites, like tepees, formed in areas of periodic groundwater resurgence characterized by a complex schizohaline hydrological regime.
Direct ab initio simulation of silver ion dynamics in chalcogenide glasses

In this paper, we present new models of germanium selenide chalcogenide glasses heavily doped with silver. The models were readily obtained with ab initio molecular dynamics and their structure agrees closely with diffraction measurements. Thermal molecular dynamics simulation reveals the dynamics of Ag+ ions and the existence of trapping centers as conjectured in other theory work. We show that first principles simulation is a powerful tool to reveal the motion of ions in glass. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Biofeedback in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders

A wide range of secretory (salivation, gastric acid and bile secretion) and motor functions (rumination, esophageal and anal sphincter contraction, gastric and colonic motility) have been successfully modified using operant conditioning procedures or biofeedback training. The clinical syndromes to which these studies have been addressed include rumination, reflux esophagitis, hypersecretion of acid associated with peptic ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome, and fecal incontinence. The available evidence strongly suggests that biofeedback is effective and is the treatment of choice for some types of fecal incontinence, and the evidence supports the effectiveness of operant conditioning for the treatment of intractable rumination in infants or retarded individuals. There is suggestive evidence that a nonspecific biofeedback technique, EMG biofeedback for skeletal muscle relaxation, may contribute to the healing of peptic ulcers, but the data are so far inconclusive. Biofeedback approaches to the treatment of other clinical syndromes are at the investigational stage only, and no predictions can be made regarding their efficacy.
Simplified estimation technique for organic contaminant transport in groundwater

Abstract The analytical solution for one-dimensional dispersive—advective transport of a single solute in a saturated soil accompanied by adsorption onto soil surfaces and first-order reaction rate kinetics for degradation can be used to evaluate the suitability of potential sites for burial of organic chemicals. The technique can be used to the greatest advantage with organic chemicals that are present in groundwaters in small amounts. The steady-state solution provides a rapid method for chemical landfill site evaluation because it contains the important variables that describe interactions between hydrodynamics and chemical transformation. With this solution, solute concentration, at a specified distance from the landfill site, is a function of the initial concentration and two dimensionless groups. In the first group, the relative weights of advective and dispersive variables are compared, and in the second group the relative weights of hydrodynamic and degradation variables are compared. The ratio of hydr odynamic to degradation variables can be rearranged and written as (aL·λ)/(q/e), where aL is the dispersivity of the soil, λ is the reaction rate constant, q is groundwater flow velocity, and e is the soil porosity. When this term has a value less than 0.01, the degradation process is occurring at such a slow rate relative to the hydrodynamics that it can be neglected. Under these conditions the site is unsuitable because the chemicals are unreactive, and concentrations in groundwaters will change very slowly with distance away from the landfill site.