cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Statistics for the Social Sciences: A General Linear Model Approach

Written by a quantitative psychologist, this textbook explains complex statistics in accessible language to undergraduates in all branches of the social sciences. Built around the central framework of the General Linear Model (GLM), Statistics for the Social Sciences teaches students how different statistical methods are interrelated to one another. With the GLM as a basis, students with varying levels of background are better equipped to interpret statistics and learn more advanced methods in their later courses. Russell T. Warne makes statistics relevant to students' varying majors by using fascinating real-life examples from the social sciences. Students who use this book will benefit from clear explanations, warnings against common erroneous beliefs about statistics, and the latest developments in the philosophy, reporting and practice of statistics in the social sciences. The textbook is packed with helpful pedagogical features including learning goals, guided practice and reflection questions.
Mg-Supplementation Protects Against Oxidative Stress and Cardiac Dysfunction in Chronic Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy–Treated Rats

Abstract Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) agents, azidothymidine (AZT), ritonavir (RTV), and efavirenz (EFV), were assessed in vivo for oxidative stress, cardiac injury, and dysfunction in rats, and dietary Mg-supplementation (Mg-Sup sixfold higher) was evaluated for antioxidant benefits. Three weeks AZT or up to 8 weeks of RTV- and EFV treatments led to substantial elevations in neutrophil basal superoxide production, plasma 8-isoprostane, and RBC oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels. Echocardiography revealed that AZT had minimal impact on left ventricular systolic function but depressed diastolic function. RTV and EFV led to diastolic and systolic dysfunction ≥5 weeks and decreased left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPW), suggesting onset of dilated cardiomyopathy; RTV and EFV caused ventricular fibrosis at 8 weeks. Mg-Sup suppressed HAART-induced neutrophil superoxide production, isoprostane, and GSSG elevations, attenuated systolic and diastolic dysfunction, lessened LVPW wall thinning, and reduced fibrosis. Mg-Sup provided protection against oxidative cardiac toxicity associated with different classes of HAART agents.
Impact of bitter taste receptor phenotype upon clinical presentation in chronic rhinosinusitis

Background Genetic variation of the bitter taste receptor T2R38 has been associated with recalcitrant chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Specific T2R38 polymorphisms, correlating with bitter taste sensitivity to phenylthiocarbamide (PTC), have been identified as an independent risk factor for surgical intervention in CRS patients without polyps; however, the exact role of PTC tasting ability in clinical practice remains unknown. In this investigation we characterize PTC taste sensitivity in a tertiary care rhinology practice with pertinent clinical measures of disease and quality of life (QOL). Methods Adult CRS patients were prospectively assessed for their ability to taste PTC and categorized as nontasters, tasters, or supertasters. Objective taste was assessed with strips for bitter, sweet, sour, and salty, whereas olfactory testing was measured with Sniffin' Sticks. Correlation was performed between PTC tasting ability and patient demographics, endoscopy scores, validated QOL surveys, and both subjective and objective measures of taste and olfaction. Results Sixty-seven patients were enrolled. Fifty-two percent were identified as nontasters, 34% as tasters, and 13% as supertasters. Nontasters were more likely to be non-Hispanic (p = 0.018), white (p = 0.027), without nasal polyposis (p = 0.004), and nonasthmatics (p = 0.019). There were no other statistical differences in patients' demographics, QOL measures, and subjective or objective olfactory and taste scores when compared with patients' oral PTC-sensing ability. Conclusion Oral PTC-sensing ability may serve as a convenient marker of increased disease severity in white CRS patients without polyps and vary among regional populations. PTC tasting ability appears to provide unique phenotypic information not obtained using other subjective or objective measures of smell and taste.
Overlayer Formation on High-Temperature Superconductors

Studies of the surface properties and interface properties of the high-temperature superconductors (HTS) have gone hand in hand with other developments in HTS science and technology. The relevance of such surface/interface properties is clear: If these superconductors are to be integrated with other materials, then materials compatibility issues must be thoroughly explored and, ultimately, optimized. In the last few years, the techniques of surface science have been used to advantage to explore such materials compatabilities, and a great deal has been learned [1, 2].
Adolescent Overuse Spine Injuries

With the increase in organized sports for young people has come a concomitant rise of a new type of sports injury caused by “overuse.” Overuse injuries of the spine are relatively common in the young athletic population, with athletes in certain sports more likely to sustain such injuries. Spinal overuse injuries may be divided into anterior- and posterior-element injuries. It is important to understand the risk factors for overuse injuries of the spine in order to provide proper diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. In addition to complete history and physical examination, modalities for diagnosis include radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging. Treatment options are wide ranging, depending on the particular condition, and may range from conservative measures such as physical therapy and medication but may also include surgical intervention when necessary.
Isoperimetric Sets of Integers

1. A. Benjamin and J. Quinn, Proofs that Really Count: The Art of Combinatorial Proof, Mathematical Association of America, Washington, DC, 2003. 2. D. Dummit and R. Foote, Abstract Algebra, 3rd ed., John Wiley, Hoboken, NJ, 2004. 3. E. Escott, Solution to Problem 151, Amer. Math. Monthly 15 (1908) 187. doi:10.2307/2969581 4. R. Tudoran, “A Well-Known Sequence,” Solution to Problem 653, College Math. J. 31 (2000) 223–224. doi: 10.2307/2687495
The enigmatic endosome - sorting the ins and outs of endocytic trafficking

The early endosome (EE), also known as the sorting endosome (SE) is a crucial station for the sorting of cargoes, such as receptors and lipids, through the endocytic pathways. The term endosome relates to the receptacle-like nature of this organelle, to which endocytosed cargoes are funneled upon internalization from the plasma membrane. Having been delivered by the fusion of internalized vesicles with the EE or SE, cargo molecules are then sorted to a variety of endocytic pathways, including the endo-lysosomal pathway for degradation, direct or rapid recycling to the plasma membrane, and to a slower recycling pathway that involves a specialized form of endosome known as a recycling endosome (RE), often localized to the perinuclear endocytic recycling compartment (ERC). It is striking that 'the endosome', which plays such essential cellular roles, has managed to avoid a precise description, and its characteristics remain ambiguous and heterogeneous. Moreover, despite the rapid advances in scientific methodologies, including breakthroughs in light microscopy, overall, the endosome remains poorly defined. This Review will attempt to collate key characteristics of the different types of endosomes and provide a platform for discussion of this unique and fascinating collection of organelles. Moreover, under-developed, poorly understood and important open questions will be discussed.
Feminism, Theory, and Communication: Progress, Debates, and Challenges Ahead

This chapter brings renewed attention to the important role and building of theory in women-and-media communication research, particularly mediated communication, where public discourse occurs and where—for better or worse—messages and representations appear that serve to help to construct gendered selves and their understandings of the world. The discussion reviews the definitions of feminist communication theory, traces its development over the years, identifies distinct positionalities among feminist scholars, sets forth key debates and critiques, and calls for greater attention to both the building and naming of feminist communication theories.
A genomic score prognostic of outcome in trauma patients.

Traumatic injuries frequently lead to infection, organ failure, and death. Health care providers rely on several Injury scoring systems to quantify the extent of injury and to help predict clinical outcome. Physiological, anatomical, and clinical laboratory analytic scoring systems (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation [APACHE], Injury Severity Score [ISS]) are utilized, with limited success, to predict outcome following injury. The recent development of techniques for measuring the expression level of all of a person’s genes simultaneously may make it possible to develop an injury scoring system based on the degree of gene activation. We hypothesized that a peripheral blood leukocyte gene expression score could predict outcome, including multiple organ failure, following severe blunt trauma. To test such a scoring system, we measured gene expression of peripheral blood leukocytes from patients within 12 h of traumatic injury. cRNA derived from whole blood leukocytes obtained within 12 h of injury provided gene expression data for the entire genome that were used to create a composite gene expression score for each patient. Total blood leukocytes were chosen because they are active during inflammation, which is reflective of poor outcome. The gene expression score combines the activation levels of all the genes into a single number which compares the patient’s gene expression to the average gene expression in uninjured volunteers. Expression profiles from healthy volunteers were averaged to create a reference gene expression profile which was used to compute a difference from reference (DFR) score for each patient. This score described the overall genomic response of patients within the first 12 h following severe blunt trauma. Regression models were used to compare the association of the DFR, APACHE, and ISS scores with outcome. We hypothesized that patients with a total gene response more different from uninjured volunteers would tend to have poorer outcome than those more similar. Our data show that for measures of poor outcome, such as infections, organ failures, and length of hospital stay this is correct. DFR scores were associated significantly with adverse outcome, including multiple organ failure, duration of ventilation, length of hospital stay, and infection rate. The association remained significant after adjustment for injury severity as measured by APACHE or ISS. A single score representing changes in gene expression in peripheral blood leukocytes within hours of severe blunt injury is associated with adverse clinical outcomes that develop later in the hospital course. Assessment of genome-wide gene expression provides useful clinical information that is different from that provided by currently utilized anatomic or physiologic scores.
Analytical monitoring of pretreatment and hydrolysis processes in lignocellulose-to-bioalcohol production

Abstract: This chapter presents common analytical technologies used to study and/or monitor sample composition during chemical pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials. Analytical determinations of carbohydrates and degradation products present in biomass hydrolysates are reviewed. Capabilities for universal and selective detection are highlighted along with critical evaluation of the presented analytical strategies.
Using Delegation as a Teacher's Aid and a Teaching Tool

(1990). Using Delegation as a Teacher's Aid and a Teaching Tool. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas: Vol. 63, No. 8, pp. 379-381.
Introduction to the Laplace Transform

This chapter provides an overview of the Laplace transform. It presents a list of Laplace transforms of frequently used functions. The Laplace transform has many operational properties. Apart from these operational properties, the chapter highlights additional frequently used properties of the Laplace transform as well. The chapter discusses the theorem and corollary that show that the Laplace transform of the derivative of a given function can be obtained from the Laplace transform of the function. It also reviews a theorem that states that the Laplace transform of the integral of a given function can also be obtained from the Laplace transform of the function. It shows how to find out inverse Laplace transform of equations with several examples. Laplace transforms can be used to solve certain differential equations. Typically, when Laplace transforms is used to solve a differential equation for a function y, the Laplace transform of each term in the equation will be computed, the resulting equation for L {y} will be solved, and y will be determined by computing the inverse Laplace transform of L{y}. Laplace transforms can also be used to solve certain equations with nonconstant coefficients, although Laplace transforms do not provide a general method for solving such equations and delay equations.
Measuring the effectiveness of stress prevention programs in military personnel

The effects of stress on military personnel are a pervasive concern. To mitigate stress's negative impacts, Defense agencies employ stress inoculation training and, more recently, have begun to provide stress resilience instruction. However, such pre-deployment programs suffer from measurement limitations, rendering their assessment difficult. Novel application of objective, individual, repeated measures, conducted under realistically stressful settings, may help address this gap. Towards that end, we reviewed common neurophysiological techniques and examined their usefulness for measuring stress reactions. These techniques include: 1) cortisol in the blood or saliva, 2) adrenaline in the blood or urine, 3) skin conductivity, 4) EEG, 5) Skin conductance, and 6) Heart rate.
Securing Emerging Nonvolatile Main Memory With Fast and Energy-Efficient AES In-Memory Implementation

As CMOS technology approaches its scaling limit, emerging nonvolatile memory (NVM) technologies become promising alternatives to DRAM due to their low leakage power and better scalability. However, the nonvolatile main memory system suffers from a new security vulnerability. An attacker can readily access sensitive information on the memory, since the nonvolatility allows information to be retained for a long time even after the power is OFF. While real-time memory encryption during memory accesses with dedicated Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) engine is an effective solution for this vulnerability, it incurs runtime performance and energy overhead. Alternatively, in this paper, we propose a fast and efficient AES in-memory (AIM) implementation, to encrypt the whole/part of the memory only when it is necessary. Rather than adding extra processing elements to the cost-sensitive memory, we take advantage of NVM’s intrinsic logic operation capability to implement the AES algorithm. We leverage the benefits (large internal bandwidth and dramatic data movement reduction) offered by the in-memory computing architecture to address the challenges of the bandwidth intensive encryption application. Embracing the massive parallelism inside the memory, AIM outperforms existing mechanisms with higher throughput yet lower energy consumption. The experimental results show that compared with state-of-the-art AES engine running at 2.1 GHz, AIM speeds up the encryption process by $80\times $ for a 1-GB NVM.
A Pilot Study Identifying Brain-Targeting Adaptive Immunity in Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Patients With Acquired Brain Injury.

Objectives:Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation provides short-term cardiopulmonary life support, but is associated with peripheral innate inflammation, disruptions in cerebral autoregulation, and acquired brain injury. We tested the hypothesis that extracorporeal membrane oxygenation also induces CN
Abstract # 3142 Association between complicated grief and inflammation among bereaved adults

The loss of a spouse is a highly stressful life event and bereavement is associated with an increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD). Given inflammation’s key role in CVD, it is an essential mechanism through which bereaved individuals may experience heightened risk for CVD. Complicated grief symptoms are prognostic of both mental and physical health issues, including cardiovascular problems, and engender negative emotions that may amplify inflammation. This study explored the mechanisms linking inflammation and CVD to complicated grief among 100 bereaved participants using the Inventory of Complicated Grief to assess ”caseness” of complicated grief (CG). Inflammation was measured using in vitro stimulated cytokine secretion by T cells. After controlling for medication use income, alcohol use, time since bereavement, BMI, age, and comorbid conditions, bereaved individuals with CG had higher levels of several pro-inflammatory cytokines. Specifically, complicated grief was associated with higher levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 ( M CG = 5.07, SD CG = 0.38, M NCG = 4.25, SD NCG = 0.24, p =.03), TNF-alpha ( M CG = 6.89, SD CG = 0.43, M NCG = 6.24, SD NCG = 0.22, p =.03), and IFN-gamma ( M CG = 8.50, SD CG = 0.49, M NCG = 7.76, SD NCG = 0.27, p =.03). CG did not significantly predict IL17-A, IL-2, or any other chemokines (CCL5, CXCL10, CCL2). This is the first study to demonstrate the association between CG and inflammation. .
Modis Validation, Data Merger and Other Activities Accomplished by the Simbios Project: 2002-2003

The purpose of this technical report is to provide current documentation of the Sensor Intercomparison and Merger for Biological and Interdisciplinary Oceanic Studies (SIMBIOS) Project activities, satellite data processing, and data product validation. This documentation is necessary to ensure that critical information is related to the scientific community and NASA management. This critical information includes the technical difficulties and challenges of validating and combining ocean color data from an array of independent satellite systems to form consistent and accurate global bio-optical time series products. This technical report focuses on the SIMBIOS Project s efforts in support of the Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Earth Observing System (EOS) Terra platform (similar evaluations of MODIS/Aqua are underway). This technical report is not meant as a substitute for scientific literature. Instead, it will provide a ready and responsive vehicle for the multitude of technical reports issued by an operational project.
Zinc overload in weaned pigs: tissue accumulation, pathology, and growth impacts.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is commonly fed to pigs at pharmacologic concentrations (2,000-3,000 ppm) for the first 3 wk post-weaning to increase growth and reduce enteric bacterial disease. The safety of this high-dose treatment is assumed based upon lower bioavailability of ZnO compared to other common forms of Zn in feed; however, limited data are available regarding the specific serum and tissue concentrations of Zn expected in animals experiencing overload following feeding of excessive ZnO. Fifty-five 3-wk-old pigs were divided into 5 groups receiving various concentrations of ZnO (0-6,000 ppm) for 3 wk. Pigs receiving 6,000 ppm ZnO had higher mean pancreatic Zn concentrations (p 500 ppm and >2 ppm, respectively, are indicative of Zn overload, and dietary trace mineral analysis is warranted if expected inclusion rates are ≤3,000 ppm ZnO.
Understanding the Practice, Application, and Limitations of Meta-Analysis:

This article discusses the basic assumptions and practices for meta-analysis as well as describing options and innovations for implementing this tool. Meta-analysis represents a family of technique...
Modelo algorítmico de soluciones financieras aplicado a empresas que cotizan en el Ipsa en base a su movimiento bursátil.

La presente investigacion busca alternativas para ser usadas en el analisis de una entidad cotizante en la Bolsa de Santiago, en base a su movimiento bursatil, en un momento determinado de tiempo y tratando de predecir su tendencia en el corto plazo. Los resultados obtenidos ayudan a sustentar los metodos de eficiencia operacional en el mundo de los negocios que estan pronto a ser una herramienta esencial para desenvolverse y trabajar como administrador financiero en las finanzas corporativas y bursatiles. La aplicacion tangible se efectua mediante el procesamiento matematico-estadistico de los precios diarios de las acciones de empresas del sector retail y del sector bancario que cotizan en el IPSA, en razon de una cantidad determinada de anos que permite concluir la situacion de las empresas en un momento para el corto plazo. El analisis tecnico se realiza por medio de graficos, correspondientes a los entregados por el GAT (grafico de analisis financiero) de la Bolsa de Santiago y la definicion del algoritmo a desarrollar considera los parametros de rentabilidad, riesgos y el analisis tecnico GAT. Concluyendo que el modelo algoritmico desarrollado permite conocer el movimiento de una empresa en el corto plazo en sus aspectos generales.
A Statistical Framework for Detecting Electricity Theft Activities in Smart Grid Distribution Networks

Electricity distribution networks have undergone rapid change with the introduction of smart meter technology, that have advanced sensing and communications capabilities, resulting in improved measurement and control functions. However, the same capabilities have enabled various cyber-attacks. A particular attack focuses on electricity theft, where the attacker alters (increases) the electricity consumption measurements recorded by the smart meter of other users, while reducing her own measurement. Thus, such attacks, since they maintain the total amount of power consumed at the distribution transformer are hard to detect by techniques that monitor mean levels of consumption patterns. To address this data integrity problem, we develop statistical techniques that utilize information on higher order statistics of electricity consumption and thus are capable of detecting such attacks and also identify the users (attacker and victims) involved. The models work both for independent and correlated electricity consumption streams. The results are illustrated on synthetic data, as well as emulated attacks leveraging real consumption data.
Assessment of Teeth Prepared by Senior Dental Students for CAD/CAM Restorations

The aim of this study was to evaluate teeth prepared for computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) restorations by senior dental students using recently developed rubrics. The rubrics used evaluation criteria based on four factors: retention or resistance form; marginal or internal adaption or manufacturing process; biology, esthetics, or durability of restorative material; and intraoral scanner impression. In academic year 2018-19, four faculty members used the rubrics to assess 111 first maxillary right premolars (tooth no. 4) prepared for lithium disilicate crowns and 223 second maxillary right premolars (tooth no. 5) and first maxillary right molars (tooth no. 3) prepared for monolithic zirconia partial fixed dental prostheses. The preparations had been performed on typodont teeth. The most common errors identified for tooth preparations were in the finish line quality (136 errors in 223 prostheses), a criterion that is crucial for quality CAD/CAM restorations. To prevent poorly fit CAD/CAM restoration preparations that result from an unacceptable finish line quality, students need to understand the rationale used to develop detailed rubrics and adhere to the defined critera.
Radical Perineal Prostatectomy

Radical prostatectomy can be performed either by a retropubic, a laparoscopic, a robotic or a perineal approach. The radical perineal prostatecomy is a minimally invasive approach that in skilled hands may take no longer than 60 min. Patients have minimal postoperative pain, requiring minimal analgesics, are ambulatory immediately, and are routinely discharged from the hospital on the first or second postoperative day. The three important surgical endpoints of cure, continence, and potency are comparable to the other two approaches. With experienced derived surgeons, the surgical margin status on low-volume prostate cancers is less than 20%, full continence returns in 80-90% of patients, and 1-yr potency rates have been reported as high as 70%. Whether these results can be universally reproduced throughout the urological community remains to be seen. With the recent stage migration in the diagnosis of lower-volume prostate cancers, especially in the younger patient, the necessity of a laparoscopic lymph node dissection has been eliminated, but the emphasis on nerve-sparing techniques has increased. Similar to the evolution of radical laparoscopic and robotic surgery, the ultimate role of radical perineal prostatectomy will depend on the ability to consistently perform successful bilateral nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy.
CBCT-based synthetic CT generation using deep-attention cycleGAN for pancreatic adaptive radiotherapy.

PURPOSE Current clinical application of cone-beam CT (CBCT) is limited to patient setup. Imaging artifacts and Hounsfield unit (HU) inaccuracy make the process of CBCT-based adaptive planning presently impractical. In this study, we developed a deep-learning-based approach to improve CBCT image quality and HU accuracy for potential extended clinical use in CBCT-guided pancreatic adaptive radiotherapy. METHODS Thirty patients previously treated with pancreas SBRT were included. The CBCT acquired prior to the first fraction of treatment was registered to the planning CT for training and generation of synthetic CT (sCT). A self-attention cycle generative adversarial network (cycleGAN) was used to generate CBCT-based sCT. For the cohort of 30 patients, the CT-based contours and treatment plans were transferred to the first fraction CBCTs and sCTs for dosimetric comparison. RESULTS At the site of abdomen, mean absolute error (MAE) between CT and sCT was 56.89 ± 13.84 HU, comparing to 81.06 ± 15.86 HU between CT and the raw CBCT. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed in the PTV and OAR dose-volume-histogram (DVH) metrics between the CT- and sCT-based plans, while significant differences (P < 0.05) were found between the CT- and the CBCT-based plans. CONCLUSIONS The image similarity and dosimetric agreement between the CT and sCT-based plans validated the dose calculation accuracy carried by sCT. The CBCT-based sCT approach can potentially increase treatment precision and thus minimize gastrointestinal toxicity.
Buildtest: A Software Testing Framework with Module Operations for HPC Systems.

HPC support teams are often tasked with installing scientific software for their user community and the complexity of managing a large software stack gets very challenging. Software installation brings forth many challenges that requires a team of domain expertise and countless hours troubleshooting to build an optimal software state that is tuned to the architecture. In the past decade, two software build tools (Easybuild, Spack) have emerged that are widely accepted in HPC community to accelerate building a complete software stack for HPC systems. The support team are constantly involved in fulfilling software request for end-users which leads to an ever-growing software ecosystem. Once a software is installed, the support team hands it off to the user without any testing because scientific software requires domain expertise in order to test software. Some software packages are shipped with a test suite that can be run at post build while many software have no mechanism for testing. This poses a knowledge gap between HPC support team and end-users on the type of testing to do. Some HPC centers may have developed in-house test scripts that are suitable for testing their software, but these tests are not portable due to hardcoded paths and are often site dependent. In addition, there is no collaboration between HPC sites in building a test repository that will benefit the community. This paper presents buildtest, a framework to automate software testing for a software stack along with several module operations that would be of interest to the HPC support team.
Disturbances in Water Balance Controls Following Lesions to the Area Postrema and Adjacent Solitary Nucleus

Lesions which remove the area postrema (AP) and the subjacent portions of the nucleus of the solitary tract (cmNTS) which lie in the caudal brainstem close to the dorsal spinomedullary junction cause dramatic and apparently permanent alterations in energy and fluid balance1,2. There is a well characterized syndrome of transient hypophagia and accompanying weight loss. Two to three weeks into this syndrome normophagia resumes with eventual stabilization of body weight but at a lower level. In addition there is a mild hyperdipsia. See figure 1.
What China and India Once Were: The Pasts That May Shape the Global Future: Sheldon Pollock and Benjamin Elman eds, New York: Columbia University Press, 2018. 384 pages. Paperback, $35, ISBN: 9780231184717. Hardcover, $105, ISBN: 9780231184700.

In the summer of 2020, while the world was preoccupied by the COVID-19 pandemic, a border conflict erupted between China and India without attracting much attention. The soldiers of the two Asian n...
Women Faculty in STEM Disciplines: Experiences with the Tenure Process and Departmental Practices:

Using data from a national survey of tenure-track faculty job satisfaction, the purpose of the study is to explore predictors of perceptions of tenure clarity for faculty in STEM and non-STEM field...
Conservation Capital and Sustainable Economic Growth

The key question addressed in this paper is: Does preservation of environmental quality inevitably conflict with economic growth? Concern for environmental protection in the dynamic context in the endogenous growth and environment literature has manifested itself almost exclusively in models which link the discharges of pollutants to the level of consumption or production activities and focus on abatement of pollution at the end-of-the-pipe. In contrast, this paper links pollution to the ineffective use of inputs in the process of production. It develops a macro-economic model in which pollution can be prevented at source by increasing the effectiveness with which inputs are applied in production thereby reducing input waste and pollution. The paper distinguishes between conservation capital, which is input productivity increasing and pollution reducing, and production capital which does not affect the pollution intensity of inputs. It demonstrates conditions under which individual preferences for environmental quality and private gains in input-productivity through investment in conservation capital can lead to rates of investment in conservation capital that reduce pollution to a sustainable level, even in the absence of environmental regulations. However, when these conditions are not met, environmental policy in the form of an emissions-tax is required to maintain environmental quality constant. The paper demonstrates that environmental policy may lead to a sustainable balanced growth rate higher than the rate of growth in an unregulated economy, if the weight attached to environmental quality in individual preferences is high, the rate of time preference is low and output-elasticity of conservation capital is high. These conditions mitigate the intensity of the crowding-out effect of investment in conservation capital on growth rates by increasing the willingness of society to sacrifice present consumption and by increasing the productivity-effect of investment in conservation capital.
Radiation-Associated Lymphopenia and Outcomes of Patients with Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated with Radiotherapy

Background The immune system plays a crucial role in cancer surveillance. Previous studies have shown that lymphopenia associated with radiotherapy (RT) portends a poor prognosis. We sought to differentiate the effects of proton and photon RT on changes in absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients and methods Patients with HCC treated with definitive RT from 2006 to 2016 were studied. Serial ALCs were graded according to CTCAE v4.0. Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival, and distant metastasis-free survival were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariable and multivariable Cox-proportional hazards analyses were used to identify predictors of OS. A cohort analysis matched for treatment volume was performed to investigate differences in ALC dynamics between photon and proton therapy. Results Of 143 patients identified, the median age was 66 (range, 19-90) years. The treatment modality was photon in 103 (72%) and proton in 40 (28%). Median follow-up was 17 months (95% confidence interval, 13-25 months). The median time to ALC nadir after initiation of RT was 17 days with a median relative decrease of 67%. Those who received proton RT had a higher median ALC nadir (0.41 vs 0.32 k/µL, p=0.002) and longer median OS (33 vs 13 months, p=0.002) than those who received photon RT. Matched cohort analyses revealed a larger low-dose liver volume in the photon group, which correlated with lower ALC. On multivariable Cox analysis, Grade 3 or higher lymphopenia prior to or after RT, portal venous tumor thrombus, larger planning target volumes, Child-Pugh (CP) Class B, and increased CP score after RT were associated with a higher risk of death, whereas the use of proton therapy was associated with lower risk. Conclusion Grade 3 or higher lymphopenia may be associated with poorer outcomes in patients receiving RT for HCC. Protons may mitigate lymphopenia compared with photons, potentially due to reduced dose exposure of sites of lymphopoiesis.
Dynamic Programming Method to Optimally Select Power Distribution System Reliability Upgrades

This paper presents a novel dynamic programming (DP) technique for the determination of optimal investment decisions to improve power distribution system reliability metrics. This model is designed to select the optimal small-scale investments to protect an electrical distribution system from disruptions. The objective is to minimize distribution system reliability metrics: System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) and System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI). The primary input to this optimization model is years of recent utility historical outage data. The DP optimization technique is compared and validated against an equivalent mixed integer linear program (MILP). Through testing on synthetic and real datasets, both approaches are verified to yield equally optimal solutions. Efficiency profiles of each approach indicate that the DP algorithm is more efficient when considering wide budget ranges or a larger outage history, while the MILP model more efficiently handles larger distribution systems. The model is tested with utility data from a distribution system operator in the U.S. Results demonstrate a significant improvement in SAIDI and SAIFI metrics with the optimal small-scale investments.
Array analysis of two-dimensional variations in surface wave phase velocity and azimuthal anisotropy in the presence of multipathing interference

Multipath propagation of surface waves introduces distortions in waveforms that can bias array measurements of phase velocities. We present a method for array analysis of laterally and azimuthally varying phase velocities that represents the incoming wavefield from each earthquake as the sum of two interfering plane waves. This simple approximation successfully represents the amplitude and phase variations for most earthquakes recorded in the MELT Experiment on the East Pacific Rise in the period range from 16 to 67 s. The inversion for velocities automatically reduces the importance of data from earthquakes or periods that are not described well by this approximation. Each iteration in the inversion involves two stages: a simulated annealing inversion for the best wave parameter description of each event, and a linearized inversion for velocities and changes in the wave parameters. At 29 s period, the two-plane-wave solutions indicate that nearly every signal is significantly affected by multipathing. The larger of the two plane waves typically has an apparent azimuth of propagation that is within a few degrees of the great circle path. The smaller wave is more scattered, differing in apparent azimuth from the larger wave by an average of about 13° at 29 s. Both lateral and azimuthal variations in Rayleigh wave phase velocity in the study area are significant, although it is possible to trade off azimuthal anisotropy with rapid and probably unrealistic lateral variations in velocity. Apparent azimuthal anisotropy reaches 5 to 6%, with the fast direction approximately perpendicular to the ridge.
What Factors Sustain the Production of Online Reviews? Role of Community Feedback and Differences in Individual Motivation

Online reviews have become an important part of the retailing environment. However, comparatively little is known about why ordinary consumers voluntarily produce reviews, sometimes in substantial volume over a long period. We examine the role of social facilitation, in the form of community feedback, as well as differences in individual motivation. For this purpose we constructed an archive of data on Yelp restaurant reviewers and also surveyed a separate sample of reviewers. In a longitudinal analysis we find that receiving positive feedback on reviews increases the probability that a novice reviewer will continue to produce reviews, but has no detectable effect on established reviewers. The survey indicated that the most productive reviewers may also have a distinct motivation, which is to publish their writing and gain an audience or public presence for themselves. In turn, the most productive reviewers are also less likely to produce extremely positive or extremely negative reviews (raves and rants). Implications for how retailers should respond to consumer reviews in light of these differences in motivation are discussed.
On lossy image compression using adaptive wavelet filters

Adaptive Wavelet-based Coding is a new technique where instead of using a fixed wavelet filter for coding and decoding all images, different filters are used for different images. Since there is no single filter that gives the maximum PSNR for all images, adaptive selection and usage of wavelet filters improves the coding performance. In this paper, we discuss a methodology for adaptive wavelet filter selection, and analyze the performance of such adaptive wavelet-based lossy image coders.
A List of Photosynthesis Conferences and of Edited Books in Photosynthesis

This paper is a general appendix to the three parts of ‘Celebrating the millennium — historical highlights of photosynthesis research’ (Photosynth Res, Vols 73 (2002), 76 (2003), 80 (2004)). The major part of this paper includes a comprehensive list of most of the edited volumes on research in the area of photosynthesis. However, I begin this paper by describing selected conferences, related to photosynthesis, held in USA, during 1935–1965, followed by the 1963 International Colloquim held in Gif-sur-Yvette, France (Rene Wurmser (1890–1993), President); and the 2nd Western European Congress (1965), held in the Netherlands, under the leadership of Jan B. Thomas (1907–1991), both these European conferences being the precursors of the first International Congress on Photosynthesis (1968), organized by Helmut Metzner (1925–1999) at Freudenstadt, Germany. A list of the subsequent international photosynthesis congresses is available in Govindjee and David Krogmann (this volume).
MALDI mass spectrometry imaging analysis of pituitary adenomas for near-real-time tumor delineation

We present a proof of concept study designed to support the clinical development of mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) for the detection of pituitary tumors during surgery. We analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) MSI six nonpathological (NP) human pituitary glands and 45 hormone secreting and nonsecreting (NS) human pituitary adenomas. We show that the distribution of pituitary hormones such as prolactin (PRL), growth hormone (GH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in both normal and tumor tissues can be assessed by using this approach. The presence of most of the pituitary hormones was confirmed by using MS/MS and pseudo-MS/MS methods, and subtyping of pituitary adenomas was performed by using principal component analysis (PCA) and support vector machine (SVM). Our proof of concept study demonstrates that MALDI MSI could be used to directly detect excessive hormonal production from functional pituitary adenomas and generally classify pituitary adenomas by using statistical and machine learning analyses. The tissue characterization can be completed in fewer than 30 min and could therefore be applied for the near-real-time detection and delineation of pituitary tumors for intraoperative surgical decision-making.
Historical biology and the problem of design

Abstract Organisms are historical entities in that their past history plays an important role in shaping the properties they exhibit today. While this fact is widely acknowledged, little attempt has been made to develop a testable approach to the analysis of the historical factor in evolutionary morphology. The analysis of extrinsic environmental factors may reveal the limits imposed by the environment on biological design, but the intrinsic phylogenetic component of design may severely constrain the directions of structural modification that can occur. The importance of history can be assessed with (1) a phylogenetic hypothesis of genealogical relationship, (2) the use of emergent structural or functional attributes with general properties, and (3) the testing of historical hypotheses by the comparison of general properties between monophyletic lineages. The synthesis of a structural/phylogenetic approach to historical morphology with the analysis of extrinsic limits to form may provide the level of resolution needed to generate testable mechanistic hypotheses regarding the distribution of extant organismal forms in the hyperspace of possible morphologies.
Optic and peripheral neuropathy in Cuba.

To the Editor. —We write concerning the epidemic of neuropathy that has been affecting Cubans since 1991. As of June 18, 1993, more than 45000 cases had been reported, with 86.6% of the patients between the ages of 25 and 64 years. The principal clinical forms are optic neuropathy and myeloneuropathy. This condition has been called epidemic neuropathy.1 We believe that Leber's disease can be used as a theoretical model to explain greater susceptibility of certain persons to epidemic neuropathy. It is possible that the risk of developing epidemic neuropathy is higher in genetically susceptible persons and those with Leber's disease than among those lacking this genotype. Nikoskelainen et al2observed that the frequency of preexcitation syndromes in patients with Leber's disease and their families was unusually high. The fact that this disease is mitochondrial would explain the electrocardiographic changes in the patients.3 With this background information
Characterization of byssochlamyopeptidase A

The enzyme properties of byssochlamyopeptidase A, a chymosin-like enzyme produced by Byssochlamys fulva were studied. The enzyme was shown to be electrophoretically and immunochemically pure. Most metallic cations had negligible effect, whereas Hg2+ greatly suppressed the enzyme activity, N-Bromosuccinimide and I2 completely inactivated the enzyme. For milk clotthing at pH 4.6–6.6, the enzyme was less sensitive to pH than pepsin. The substrate specificity of the enzyme was studied by incubation of the enzyme at 37°C with whole and individual casein fractions at pH 6.6 and pH 3.0, respectively. The proteolysis by the enzyme was found to be most extensive for αs- less for κ-, and least for β-casein. Studies with different synthetic dipeptides and tripeptides revealed that byssochlamyopeptidase A exhibits specificity for Phe-Tyr and Gly-Phe-Phe, but the enzyme did not hydrolyze Ac-Phe-Tyr(I2).
Coming Home: Student Veterans' Articulation of College Re-Enrollment.

This study described student veterans’ navigation of college re-enrollment. Fifteen participants interviewed at one institution were less likely to seek academic support and more inclined to pursue social support in the form of associating with fellow veterans with whom they felt more comfortable. They downplayed or hid their veteran status from campus community members. Recommendations for acknowledging and supporting student veterans are discussed.
U.S. Rural Drug Abuse Research Needs and Research Policy

SUMMARY This article is the result of a literature review and assessment of U.S. rural drug abuse research and drug research policy formation by government agencies. It also presents results of a participant observation study of one of the major research institutes, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and its linkages with groups influential to its research policies. NIDA also has linkages that influence its other activities, such as service and drug testing oversight functions, but these activities were not studied. This review reveals a decade of relative inattention to the job of obtaining a national assessment of the rural drug situation, especially with regard to prevalence and impact of drugs in the adult population, efficacy of prevention efforts by rural institutions and workplaces, effectiveness of treatment programs, and drugs and crime. There have also teen relatively few individual subnational or regional research efforts or even rural- urban case study comparisons aimed at these rese...
Appearance and distribution of carbohydrate-rich macromolecules on the epithelial surface of the developing rat palatal shelf

Abstract The synthesis and appearance of carbohydrate-rich macromolecules by epithelial cells of the developing secondary palate was examined with concanavalin A (CON A) binding and [ 3 H]glucosamine labeling. The amount of [ 125 I]CON A bound to the epithelial surface of the rat palatal shelf in vitro increased from day 15 of gestation to day 16 when initial adhesion to the opposite shelf occurs in vivo . Visualization of CON A binding by electron microscopy using the peroxidase method revealed a dramatic increase in binding between days 15 and 16 of gestation, most apparent on the medial-edge epithelial surface. The incorporation in vivo of [ 3 H]glucosamine during this period into the medial-edge epithelial cells was detected with autoradiography. These results show that a glycoprotein-rich surface material appears on the superficial cells of the medial-edge epithelium prior to adhesion of the apposing shelves.