cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
GAIT ANALYSIS OF ACHONDROPLASTIC PATIENTS WHO HAVE UNDERGONE LOWER LIMB LENGTHENING USING THE ILIZAROV METHOD: A FIVE- TO 19-YEAR FOLLOW-UP STUDY

Many studies describe the use of the Ilizarov ring fixator for lower limb lengthening and for the management of the 3-dimensional lower limb deformities in achondroplasia, and most confirm the efficacy of this technique. However, long term follow up of these achondroplastic patients is lacking. Most studies have focused on magnitude of lengthening, treatment time required and complications, but no study has analyzed the long term postoperative condition of these patients using an objective, functional method such as gait analysis. Nineteen (19) achondroplastic patients, 12 males and 7 females, aged 19–38 years (mean 27.3 y) who have undergone tibia and femur lengthening, using the Ilizarov method, at the age of 9–19 years (mean 12.6 y), were evaluated 5–19 years (mean 10.1 y) after their last surgery, using 3-dimensional gait analysis. Nineteen (19) normal, height-matched subjects were used as controls. The VICON Nexus 8 Camera System was used to accurately measure spatiotemporal characteristics (walking velocity, stride length, step length, cadence) and kinematics (range of motion) of lower limb joints. Statistical comparison of deformity parameters between achondroplastic patients and normal population was done using the student t- test. A level of p Walking velocity, step length and stride length were statistically significantly decreased (p o ± 7.3), excessive pelvic rotation (range 28.7 o ±7.8), decreased hip extension (mean 1.8 o ±10.1) and decreased plantar flexion (mean 17.1 o ±5.1) when compared to normal controls. There was no statistically significant difference in the knee kinematics between the operated achondroplastic patients and normal controls. The achondroplastic patients present decreased values in their spatiotemporal characteristics compared to the normal subjects because, despite the height gain, their lower limbs remain shorter. Their excessive anterior pelvic tilt is attributed to their lordosis. Their excessive forward pelvic rotation is an attempt to increase stride and step length. The decreased hip extension is due to their anterior pelvic tilt. The correction of these patients genu varum restored knee kinematics to normal. In order to address the hip and pelvis deformities a proximal femoral osteotomy should be considered. The Ilizarov method provides functional height gain and substantially corrects the three-dimensional lower limb deformities of achondroplastic patients especially around the knee joint but more planning needs to be implemented when the system is applied to correct the disease specific deformities of the hip and pelvis. Gait analysis is an objective tool that can be used to address these design issues.
Lithic procurement patterning as a proxy for identifying Late Paleoindian group mobility along the Lower Tennessee River Valley

Abstract The Tennessee and Cumberland River Valleys boast some of the highest concentrations of diagnostic Paleoindian artifact finds in the Americas. However, many of these finds are from secondary contexts void of associated deposits. The study utilizes chert provenance data, obtained using reflectance spectroscopy, on a large sample of Late Paleoindian diagnostic bifaces from sites along the Lower Tennessee River Valley. The objective of the study is to visualize group identity and mobility at the close of the Pleistocene. Resulting data suggests that band group mobility may have been significantly less than proposed models for adjacent regions. The data may also indicate that groups were periodically congregating along the Lower Tennessee River from three regions. Chert source data provides a means to glean useful cultural information even from disassociated materials.
Hedonic Price Analysis of Non-Barren Broodmares

The current real average selling price of a thoroughbred broodmare is nearly half its peak value in 2000. While annual price changes are influenced by economic performance, different prices at an auction are influenced by physical and genetic characteristics of broodmares. We use auction data from the 2013 November Keeneland Breeding Stock Sales to estimate a hedonic pricing model. We find prices are positively influenced by earnings of the covering sire, earnings of the broodmare, pedigree, and the racing performance of broodmare progeny. Conversely, the age of a broodmare and the day on which the horse sold have dampening effects on broodmare prices.
Large area, label-free imaging of extracellular matrix using telecentricity

Subtle alterations in stromal tissue structures and organizations within the extracellular matrix (ECM) have been observed in several types of tissue abnormalities, including early skin cancer and wounds. Current microscopic imaging methods often lack the ability to accurately determine the extent of malignancy over a large area, due to their limited field of view. In this research we focus on the development of simple mesoscopic (i.e. between microscopic and macroscopic) biomedical imaging device for non-invasive assessment of ECM alterations over a large, heterogeneous area. In our technology development, a telecentric lens, commonly used in machine vision systems but rarely used in biomedical imaging, serves as a key platform to visualize alterations in tissue microenvironments in a label-free manner over a clinically relevant area. In general, telecentric imaging represents a simple, alternative method for reducing unwanted scattering or diffuse light caused by the highly anisotropic scattering properties of biological tissue. In particular, under telecentric imaging the light intensity backscattered from biological tissue is mainly sensitive to the scattering anisotropy factor, possibly associated with the ECM. We demonstrate the inherent advantages of combining telecentric lens systems with hyperspectral imaging for providing optical information of tissue scattering in biological tissue of murine models, as well as light absorption of hemoglobin in blood vessel tissue phantoms. Thus, we envision that telecentric imaging could potentially serve for simple site-specific, tissue-based assessment of stromal alterations over a clinically relevant field of view in a label-free manner, for studying diseases associated with disruption of homeostasis in ECM.
The effect of CEO compensation structure on the early internationalization of newly public firms

AbstractThis study suggests the incentive perspective as an antecedent of early internationalization. We argue that early internationalization is a risky strategy for a CEO in a relatively young firm and that a potential agency problem arises between a CEO and shareholders in such a context. By drawing on agency theory, we theorize that the CEO compensation structure plays a critical role in the early internationalization decision. In a sample of 145 newly public U.S. firms, we find that the likelihood of early internationalization is negatively associated with the CEO’s secured cash pay and positively associated with the CEO’s equity-based compensation. In addition, we find that the positive association between equity-based compensation and the likelihood of early internationalization becomes stronger as the CEO’s tenure increases. These findings show that the interest alignment between a CEO and shareholders affects the strategic decision of early internationalization. Our study contributes to the liter...
FRETTING CORROSION IN MODULAR HIP DESIGNS: TRUTHS AND CONSEQUENCES

Since the advent of total hip arthroplasty (THA), there have been many changes in implant design that have been implemented in an effort to improve the outcome of the procedure and enhance the surgeon9s ability to reproducibly perform the procedure. Some of these design features have not stood the test of time. However, the introduction of femoral stem head/neck modularity made possible by the Morse taper has now been a mainstay design feature for over two decades. Modularity at the head-neck junction facilitates intraoperative adjustments. ‘Dual Taper’ modular stems in total hip arthroplasty have interchangeable modular necks with additional modularity at the neck and stem junction. This ‘dual taper’ modular femoral stem design facilitates adjustments of the leg length, the femoral neck version and the offset independent of femoral fixation. This has the potential advantage of optimizing hip biomechanical parameters by accurately reproducing the center of rotation of the hip. More recently, however, there is increasing concern regarding the occurrence of adverse local tissue reactions in patients with taper corrosion, which is emerging as an important reason for failure requiring revision surgery. Although adverse tissue reactions or ‘pseudotumor’ were initially described as a complication of metal-on-metal (MoM) bearings, the presence of pseudotumor in patients with taper corrosion is thought to result from corrosion at the neck-stem taper junction, secondary to reciprocating movement at the modular junction leading to fretting corrosion in a process described as mechanically assisted crevice corrosion (MACC). Therefore, the focus of this presentation is to summarise clinical challenges in diagnosis and treatment of patients with adverse tissue reactions due to taper corrosion and review up-to-date evidence.
Immigration Restrictions as Active Labor Market Policy: Evidence from the Mexican Bracero Exclusion.

An important class of active labor market policy has received little rigorous impact evaluation: immigration barriers intended to improve the terms of employment for domestic workers by deliberately shrinking the workforce. Recent advances in the theory of endogenous technical change suggest that such policies could have limited or even perverse labor-market effects, but empirical tests are scarce. We study a natural experiment that excluded almost half a million Mexican 'bracero' seasonal agricultural workers from the United States, with the stated goal of raising wages and employment for domestic farm workers. We build a simple model to clarify how the labor-market effects of bracero exclusion depend on assumptions about production technology, and test it by collecting novel archival data on the bracero program that allow us to measure state-level exposure to exclusion for the first time. We cannot reject the hypothesis that bracero exclusion had no effect on U.S. agricultural wages or employment, and find that important mechanisms for this result include both adoption of less labor-intensive technologies and shifts in crop mix.
Reinforcement learning with deep energy-based policies

We propose a method for learning expressive energy-based policies for continuous states and actions, which has been feasible only in tabular domains before. We apply our method to learning maximum entropy policies, resulting into a new algorithm, called soft Q-learning, that expresses the optimal policy via a Boltzmann distribution. We use the recently proposed amortized Stein variational gradient descent to learn a stochastic sampling network that approximates samples from this distribution. The benefits of the proposed algorithm include improved exploration and compositionality that allows transferring skills between tasks, which we confirm in simulated experiments with swimming and walking robots. We also draw a connection to actor-critic methods, which can be viewed performing approximate inference on the corresponding energy-based model.
Student Success through Leadership Self-Efficacy: A Comparison of International and Domestic Students.

There is scarce research that examines the leadership experiences of international students on campus. Leadership capacity and efficacy are important indicators of success in higher education and are linked to important academic, career, and life benefits, such as career and leadership aspirations, work performance, the ability to cope and overcome stereotypes, and the adaptation to and persistence in the face of challenging situations. This quantitative study focuses on international students’ confidence in their leadership abilities while studying in a foreign country and system in comparison with their domestic student peers. Findings suggest that college campuses and higher education professionals need to do a better job at engaging their international students in leadership opportunities while being culturally relevant.
Beamspace aware adaptive channel estimation for single-carrier time-varying massive MIMO channels

In this paper, the problem of sequential beam construction and adaptive channel estimation based on reduced rank (RR) Kalman filtering for frequency-selective massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems employing single-carrier (SC) in time division duplex (TDD) mode are considered. In two-stage beamforming, a new algorithm for statistical pre-beamformer design is proposed for spatially correlated time-varying wideband MIMO channels under the assumption that the channel is a stationary Gauss-Markov random process. The proposed algorithm yields a nearly optimal pre-beamformer whose beam pattern is designed sequentially with low complexity by taking the user-grouping into account, and exploiting the properties of Kalman filtering and associated prediction error covariance matrices. The resulting design, based on the second order statistical properties of the channel, generates beamspace on which the RR Kalman estimator can be realized as accurately as possible. It is observed that the adaptive channel estimation technique together with the proposed sequential beamspace construction shows remarkable robustness to the pilot interference. This comes with significant reduction in both pilot overhead and dimension of the pre-beamformer lowering both hardware complexity and power consumption.
Achieving economic operation and secondary frequency regulation simultaneously through feedback control

This article presents an important finding: the parameters of secondary frequency control based on integral or proportional integral control can be tuned to achieve economic operation and frequency regulation simultaneously. We show that if the power imbalance is represented by frequency deviation, an iterative dual ascent based economic dispatch solving is equivalent to integral control. An iterative method of multipliers based economic dispatch is equivalent to proportional integral control. Similarly, if the controller parameters of the secondary frequency controls are chosen based on generator cost functions, these secondary frequency controllers achieve both economic operation and frequency regulation simultaneously.
On the failure of scientific research: an analysis of SBIR projects funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is the primary source of public funding in the United States for research by small firms on new technologies, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a major contributor to that funding agenda. Although previous research has explored the determinants of research success for NIH SBIR projects, little is known about the determinants of project failure. This paper provides important, new evidence on the characteristics of NIH SBIR projects that fail. Specifically, we find that firms that have a founder with a business background are less likely to have their funded projects fail. We also find, after controlling for the endogenous nature of woman-owned firms, that such firms are also less likely to fail.
Ultrahigh-Q mechanical oscillators through optical trapping

Rapid advances are being made toward optically cooling a single mode of a micro-mechanical system to its quantum ground state and observing the quantum behavior at macroscopic scales. Reaching this regime in room- temperature environments requires a stringent condition on the mechanical quality factor Qm and frequency fm, Qm fm & kBTbath/h, which so far has been marginally satisfied only in a small number of systems. Here we propose and analyze a new class of systems that should enable one to obtain unprecedented Q-frequency products. The technique is based on the use of optical forces to 'trap' and stiffen the motion of a tethered mechanical structure, thereby freeing the resulting mechanical frequencies and decoherence rates from the underlying material properties.
Many-body localization in spin chain systems with quasiperiodic fields

We study the many-body localization of spin chain systems with quasiperiodic fields. We identify the lower bound for the critical disorder necessary to drive the transition between the thermal and many-body localized phase to be ${W}_{c}g1.85$, based on finite-size scaling of entanglement entropy and fluctuations of the bipartite magnetization. We also examine the time evolution of the entanglement entropy of an initial product state where we find power-law and logarithmic growth for the thermal and many-body localized phases, respectively, with a transition point ${W}_{c}\ensuremath{\sim}2.5$. For larger disorder strength, both imbalance and spin-glass order are preserved at long times, while spin-glass order shows dependence on system size. Quasiperiodic fields have been applied in different experimental systems, and our study finds that such fields are very efficient at driving the many-body localized phase transition.
Individualized 4-dimensional computed tomography proton treatment for pancreatic tumors.

Background: The goal of this study is to determine whether a phase or reconstruction of a 10-phase 4 dimensional computed tomography (4D CT) scan can be used as the primary planning scan for proton treatment of the pancreas, thus eliminating the need for second a slow CT or free breathing CT. Methods: Ten patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma were simulated with 4D CT and a proton treatment plan generated based upon one of three primary planning scans, the T0 phase, T50 phase or average reconstruction. These plans were then exported to each of the remaining phases of the 4D CT and the dose to 95% of the target (D95) calculated. Plans were deemed adequate if the D95 remained at 99% of the prescribed dose or greater. Results: For the ten patients in this study anterior abdominal motion was found to range from 2–27 mm (mean 7.50±6.79 mm). For 9 of 10 patients the anterior abdominal motion was ≤8 mm and all three primary planning scans provided adequate target coverage, resulting in minimum D95 coverage per plan of T0_plan 99.7%, T50_plan 99.3% and AVE_plan 99%. However no plan provided adequate target coverage on the single patient with the largest anterior abdominal motion, 27 mm, and cranio-caudal motion, 20 mm, with minimum D95 values of T0_plan 96.3%, T50_plan 68%, and AVE_plan 68%. Conclusions: The primary plans tested based up on the T0, T50 and average reconstructions provided adequate D95 coverage throughout the respiratory cycle as long as the anterior abdominal motion was ≤8 mm and can be considered for use as the primary proton planning scan.
Enabling Interactive Analytics of Secure Data using Cloud Kotta

Research, especially in the social sciences and humanities, is increasingly reliant on the application of data science methods to analyze large amounts of (often private) data. Secure data enclaves provide a solution for managing and analyzing private data. However, they do not readily support discovery science-a form of exploratory or interactive analysis by which researchers execute a range of analyses in an iterative and collaborative manner. The batch computing model offered by many data enclaves is well suited to executing large compute tasks; however it is far from ideal for day-to-day discovery science as the high latencies inherent in queue-based, batch computing systems hinder interactive analysis. In this paper we describe how we have augmented the Cloud Kotta secure data enclave to support collaborative and interactive analysis of sensitive data. Our model uses Jupyter notebooks as a flexible analysis environment and Python language constructs to support the execution of arbitrary analyses on private data within this secure framework.
Using language inference to verify omega-regular properties

A novel machine learning based approach was proposed recently as a complementary technique to the acceleration based methods for verifying infinite state systems. In this method, the set of states satisfying a fixpoint property is learnt as opposed to being iteratively computed. We extend the machine learning based approach to verifying general ω-regular properties that include both safety and liveness. To achieve this, we first develop a new fixpoint based characterization for the verification of w-regular properties. Using this characterization, we present a general framework for verifying infinite state systems. We then instantiate our approach to the context of regular model checking where states are represented as strings over a finite alphabet and the transition relation of the system is given as a finite state transducer; unlike previous learning based algorithms, we make no assumption about the transducer being length-preserving. Using Angluin's L* algorithm for learning regular languages, we develop an algorithm for verification of w-regular properties of such infinite state systems. The algorithm is a complete verification procedure for systems for whom the fixpoint can be represented as a regular set. We have implemented the technique in a tool called LEVER and use it to analyze some examples.
A Predictive Control Algorithm for Continuous Distillation Columns

Abstract A distillation column control algorithm that uses the parameters of differential tray temperatures and differential pressure across sections of distillation trays was investigated. A general short cut design method was incorporated as part of the overall control scheme to detect and correct, utilizing conventional three mode (PID) control, the values of these parameters during transient operation of the distillation column A determination of the usefulness of the algorithm was made through the application of a dynamic multicomponent distillation computer model. The column model included control details for temperature control, composition control, material balance control, and feed forward control configuration The results of the simulation studies showed that, except for the Shinskey feed forward system, an improvement in the detection of upset conditions and control of the distillation column could be obtained by application of the improved algorithm to the rectifying section of the column. Negligible improvement over conventional control was obtained by application of the same algorithm to the stripping section of the distillation column investigated
Buildings-to-Grid Integration Framework

This paper puts forth a mathematical framework for buildings-to-grid (BtG) integration in smart cities. The framework explicitly couples power grid and building’s control actions and operational decisions, and can be utilized by buildings and power grids operators to simultaneously optimize their performance. Simplified dynamics of building clusters and building-integrated power networks with algebraic equations are presented—both operating at different time-scales. A model predictive control-based algorithm that formulates the BtG integration and accounts for the time-scale discrepancy is developed. The formulation captures dynamic and algebraic power flow constraints of power networks and is shown to be numerically advantageous. This paper analytically establishes that the BtG integration yields a reduced total system cost in comparison with decoupled designs where grid and building operators determine their controls separately. The developed framework is tested on standard power networks that include thousands of buildings modeled using industrial data. Case studies demonstrate building energy savings and significant frequency regulation, while these findings carry over in network simulations with nonlinear power flows and mismatch in building model parameters. Finally, simulations indicate that the performance does not significantly worsen when there is uncertainty in the forecasted weather and base load conditions.
Optimal Design of an Automatic Voltage Regulator for Static Var Systems

Abstract The performance of Static Var System is described in conceptual terms. The design of an optimal regulator to control the Static Var System is presented. The effectiveness of such controller is examined by digital simulation study of the response of the Static Var System (SVS) subjected to various load disturbances. The time responses of different output variables are compared to those resulting from the use of a conventional voltage regulator to judge the merits of the proposed controller. These two controllers are studied and their effects on the closed loop responses are shown. It is found that the proposed control system design gives faster overall time-reponse characteristics. When evaluated over a wide range of operating conditions, it consistently results in improvements in system behavior unlike the conventional control system.
Artificial Insemination in a Lesbian: A Case Analysis

Artificial insemination is frequently used to circumvent infertility resulting from a man's physical or psychological inability to impregnate his partner by sexual intercourse. 1 When artificial insemination is accomplished using semen from a woman's husband (AIH), few ethical problems are believed to exist. In this instance, AIH is seen merely as a physical technique for overcoming barriers to effective impregnation in the context of marriage. When, for various reasons, semen is used from an unrelated donor (AID), many ethical problems have surfaced. As will be detailed later, these ethical considerations range from fear that AID is analogous to adultery and doubt about the donor's responsibilities to the child to varied beliefs about the nature of parenthood itself. All these issues arose in the case described herein. However, the case raises special clinical and ethical For editorial comment see p 419. problems. It concerns AID in a lesbian and the handling
Distribution of Blood Group Substances in Normal Human Colon. Use of the Unlabeled Antibody (PAP) Immunoperoxidase Technic to Identify A and B Blood Group Substances

A modification of the unlabeled antibody immunoperoxidase technic, using human antisera to identify blood group substances A and B in normal human colon is described. Overall, staining for the blood group substances is strongest in the cecum and proximal colon; there is a progressive reduction of staining for the blood group substances in the distal colon with almost complete loss in the recto-sigmoid area. The blood group substances are present in epithelial cells and in epithelial mucin, the most intense positive staining often being located in the supranuclear, Golgi region of the cells.
Benign Glandular Elements and Decidual Reaction in Retroperitoneal Lymph Nodes

Among 70 patients with gynecologic malignancies who underwent surgical staging and pelvic and periaortic lymphadenectomy, five were found to have benign glandular and/or stromal elements in the retroperitoneal lymph nodes. In three instances, these were originally diagnosed as metastatic cancer. The literature on this subject is reviewed and its significance is discussed.
The Association Between Genital Ulcer Disease and Acquisition of HIV Infection in Homosexual Men

We analyzed the association of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection and syphilis, the two most common causes of genital ulceration in homosexual men, with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in 200 men enrolled between 1983 and 1986 into a study evaluating the microbial causes of acute proctitis. Infection with HIV was independently associated with a history of syphilis, serologic evidence of syphilis, a history of HSV infection, and antibody to HSV-2. Antibody to HIV was not associated with a history of other genital infections or with antibody to Chlamydia trachomatis or HSV-1. Similar associations were observed in 111 asymptomatic homosexuals seen for HIV screening. Men who presented with primary HSV proctitis had a lower prevalence of HIV antibody than those with preexisting HSV-2 antibody (44% vs 68%); this suggests that HSV-2 infection antedated HIV infection. These data suggest that genital ulcerative diseases are an important risk factor for the acquisition of HIV infection in homosexual men; measures directed at control of these diseases may reduce the transmission of HIV in this population. ( JAMA 1988;260:1429-1433)
Serum Enzyme Changes During Marathon Training

Blood enzyme activities that might be suggestive of organ-specific damage were measured over a six-week period in two, male, long-distance runners training for a marathon. Striking changes were observed in the CK and LD isoenzymes. Runner B exhibited a flipped LD1/LD2 isoenzyme ratio that paralleled his persistent MB CK elevation. The hepatic enzyme ALT was transiently elevated in Runner A. These data suggest that increases of cardiac isoenzymes (MB CK and LD1) and the specific hepatic enzyme ALT could lead to an inappropriate laboratory diagnosis of a myocardial infarction or liver disease, respectively, in a healthy runner during intense training for a marathon.
Does an Expanding Fetal Abdominal Mass Produce Pulmonary Hypoplasia

Fatal pulmonary hypoplasia has been related to multiple factors. In an effort to define which fetuses may benefit from prenatal intervention to prevent or reverse pulmonary hypoplasia, we studied the relative contribution of an enlarging abdominal mass in the fetus. We produced abdominal masses in fetal rabbits at 24 days gestation by two methods. In one group, a small cylindrical chip of Takasen, (a synthetic polymer that expands to 50 times its size in 1 week; Grobeast, Pop Art Co, Cleveland, OH) was inserted into the peritoneal cavity of the fetal rabbit; in another group, the blader neck was obstructed with a surgical clip. Amniotic fluid volume was restored at the surgical procedure. Sham-operated littermates served as controls. At cesarean delivery on day 30, fetal lung, liver, and body weights were measured, and the abdominal masses were quantitated by volume displacement of the removed mass or bladder. In both groups large abdominal masses of comparable size were produced. Newborns with the synthetic abdominal mass did not have significant pulmonary hypoplasia, but often had a prune belly deformity of the abdominal wall, whereas newborns with bladder obstruction had significant pulmonary hypoplasia. Liver weight was not significantly affected. We conclude that (1) a fetal abdominal mass does not independently produce pulmonary hypoplasia, possibly because the "mass effect" is relieved by distension of the abdominal wall rather than elevation of the diaphragm; (2) the pulmonary hypoplasia that occurs in bladder outlet obstruction is probably due to the associated oligohydramnios rather than the mass effect of the dilated urinary tract; and (3) prenatal decompression of an abdominal mass or dilated urinary tract is not justified to prevent pulmonary hypoplasia in the absence of oligohydramnios.
Surgical Complications Related to Insertion of Penile Prostheses with Emphasis on Infection and Cost

We initiated a prospective study of penile prosthesis implant surgery to evaluate risk factors for infection and other complications. Twenty-one patients admitted for surgery or related complications were evaluated over a seven-month period. The two types of penile prostheses implanted were (1) inflatable and (2) semirigid. Nine of 21 patients (43%) developed postoperative complications. Although cephapirin and gentamicin were given prophylactically, four of nine patients had four wound infections and one case of pneumonia. One case of Bacteroides fragilis bacteremia was due to stool incontinency during surgery. In two of the wound infections, removal and reinsertion of the prosthesis was necessary. Other complications included hypotension during surgery, prosthesis malfunction and malposition, and urethral tears. There were no significant associations between infection and age, length of surgery, or type of prosthesis used. These complications contributed to prolonged hospital stay and readmission (87 extra days for the infected patients at a cost of $44,000). Antibiotic costs to treat the infections totaled $1,900. Prospective evaluation by infection control practitioners of various elective surgeries can be useful in quantitating the complication rate and targeting patients at risk, with the goal of minimizing hospital costs. [Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 1988;
Pseudomonas Bacteremia: Retrospective Analysis of 410 Episodes

• We reviewed 410 episodes of Pseudomonas bacteremia occurring in patients with cancer during a ten-year period. Pseudomonas bacteremia was most common among patients with acute leukemia. The majority of patients acquired their infections in the hospital, and 51% had received antibiotic therapy for other presumed or proved infection during the preceding week. Shock occurred in 33%, and 32% had concomitant pneumonia. The overall cure rate was 62%; it was 67% for patients receiving appropriate antibiotics but only 14% for those receiving inappropriate antibiotics. A one- to two-day delay in the administration of appropriate antibiotic therapy reduced the cure rate from 74% to 46%. Patients who received an antipseudomonal β-lactam antibiotic with or without an aminoglycoside had a significantly higher cure rate than patients who received only an aminoglycoside (72% and 71% vs 29%). Patients with shock, pneumonia, or persistent neutropenia had a substantially poorer prognosis. ( Arch Intern Med 1985;145:1621-1629)
Iron Intercalation in Covalent–Organic Frameworks: A Promising Approach for Semiconductors

Covalent–organic frameworks (COFs) are intriguing platforms for designing functional molecular materials. Here, we present a computational study based on van der Waals dispersion-corrected hybrid density functional theory (UB3LYP-D2, i.e., DFT-D) to design boroxine-linked and triazine-linked COFs intercalated with Fe. Keeping the original P–6m2 symmetry of the pristine COF (COF-Fe-0), we have computationally designed seven new COFs by intercalating Fe atoms between two organic layers. The equilibrium structures and electronic properties of both the pristine and Fe-intercalated COF materials are investigated here. We predict that the electronic properties of COFs can be fine-tuned by adding Fe atoms between two organic layers in their structures. Our calculations show that these new intercalated-COFs are promising semiconductors. The effect of Fe atoms on the electronic band structures and density of states (DOSs) has also been investigated using the aforementioned DFT-D method. The contribution of the d-s...
Complications of gastrectomy following CPT-11-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy for gastric cancer

Potential benefits of neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced gastric cancer include tumor downstaging and an increased R0 resection rate. Potential disadvantages include increased surgical complications. This study assesses postoperative morbidity and mortality by comparing patients undergoing gastrectomy with and without neoadjuvant chemotherapy. From October 1998 to July 2002, a total of 34 patients with locally advanced gastric cancer were placed on a phase II neoadjuvant chemotherapy protocol consisting of two cycles of CPT-11 (75 mg/m2) with cisplatin (25 mg/m2). Demographic, clinical, morbidity, and mortality data were compared for these patients (CHEMO) versus 85 patients undergoing gastrectomy without neoadjuvant chemotherapy (SURG). The CHEMO patients were more likely to be less than 70 years of age (P ≦ 0.01), have proximal tumors (P ≦ 0.01), and undergo proximal gastrectomy (P ≦ 0.025). Fifty-two percent of SURG patients had T3/T4 tumors compared to 19% of CHEMO patients, consistent with tumor downstaging. The R0 resection rate was similar (80%). Morbidity was 41% in CHEMO patients and 39% in SURG patients. There were five postoperative deaths (4.4%), two in the CHEMO group and three in the SURG group (P = NS). It was concluded that neoadjuvant chemotherapy with CPT-11 and cisplatin is not associated with increased postoperative morbidity compared to surgery alone. CPT-11-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy should be tested further in combined-modality treatment of gastric cancer.
Inference for large financial systems

We treat the parameter estimation problem for mean‐field models of large interacting financial systems such as the banking system and a pool of assets held by an institution or backing a security. We develop an asymptotic inference approach that addresses the scale and complexity of such systems. Harnessing the weak convergence results developed for mean‐field financial systems in the literature, we construct an approximate likelihood for large systems. The approximate likelihood has a conditionally Gaussian structure, enabling us to design an efficient numerical method for its evaluation. We provide a representation of the corresponding approximate estimator in terms of a weighted least‐squares estimator, and use it to analyze the large‐system and large‐sample behavior of the estimator. Numerical results for a mean‐field model of systemic financial risk highlight the efficiency and accuracy of our estimator.
An unsung success story: A forty-year retrospective on U.S. communications policy

Abstract This paper looks back at forty years of U.S. communications policy, and concludes that all of the challenges that were salient when Telecommunications Policy published its first issue—the lack of competition in CPE, long distance, local telephone service, television networks, and multichannel video program distribution—have essentially been addressed. The other technology that has grown in importance since 1976—the Internet—is widely regarded as a raging success. Although no history is completely uniform, the past forty years illustrates the key considerations underlying the choice between whether to impose access regulations or whether to rely on facilities-based competition. Moreover, the paper considers the important role that U.S. courts have played in promoting competition and consumer welfare. In many cases, timely judicial intervention has forced regulators to retreat from positions that protected incumbents and limited competition. The paper concludes with outlooks on new issues and debates that will continue to arise.
A single-cell survey of the small intestinal epithelium

Intestinal epithelial cells absorb nutrients, respond to microbes, function as a barrier and help to coordinate immune responses. Here we report profiling of 53,193 individual epithelial cells from the small intestine and organoids of mice, which enabled the identification and characterization of previously unknown subtypes of intestinal epithelial cell and their gene signatures. We found unexpected diversity in hormone-secreting enteroendocrine cells and constructed the taxonomy of newly identified subtypes, and distinguished between two subtypes of tuft cell, one of which expresses the epithelial cytokine Tslp and the pan-immune marker CD45, which was not previously associated with non-haematopoietic cells. We also characterized the ways in which cell-intrinsic states and the proportions of different cell types respond to bacterial and helminth infections: Salmonella infection caused an increase in the abundance of Paneth cells and enterocytes, and broad activation of an antimicrobial program; Heligmosomoides polygyrus caused an increase in the abundance of goblet and tuft cells. Our survey highlights previously unidentified markers and programs, associates sensory molecules with cell types, and uncovers principles of gut homeostasis and response to pathogens.
Cyborg political machines: Political brokering and modern political campaigning in Colombia

Colombian professional political consultants couple information technologies and local political brokering to circumvent strict voter privacy regulations that limit campaigns’ access to voters’ personal data. I argue that political consultants use information technologies to bolster traditional vertical, personality-centered political organizations, and to produce tightly controlled “cyborg political machines.” I challenge widespread notions that oppose media-based politics to traditional face-to-face politics (known also as clientelism). Instead, I show that although political elites introduced American political marketing methods hoping to modernize campaigns, the American way provided a new framework to preserve traditional authoritarian political arrangements after the extensive democratic reforms of the early 1990s.
Information diffusion of upstream and downstream industry-wide earnings surprises and its implications

This study presents new evidence that industry-wide earnings surprises diffuse gradually across the supply chain at both industry and individual-firm levels. This evidence provides fundamental support for studies in the literature of gradual information diffusion, commonly using lagged returns as a proxy for information. To allow for the possibility that firms react differently to the industry-wide earnings surprises, this study measures how a stock’s returns respond to the part of its main customer or supplier industry’s lagged returns that are associated with earnings surprises. A long/short equity strategy that combines the firm’s response coefficient and the prior month’s main customer/supplier industry return is shown to be profitable. The strategy tends to select medium-sized firms across industries. Firms in the winner portfolio are more likely to have a positive earning response coefficient and to be less capital intensive and financially constrained. Winners also experience positive responses to both positive and negative shocks while losers experience negative responses to both types of shocks.
Sensor Fusion to Detect Scale and Direction of Gravity in Monocular Slam Systems

Monocular simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) is an important technique that enables very inexpensive environment mapping and pose estimation in small systems such as smart phones and unmanned aerial vehicles. However, the information generated by monocular SLAM is in an arbitrary and unobservable scale, leading to drift and making it difficult to use with other sources of odometry for control or navigation. To correct this, the odometry needs to be aligned with metric scale odometry from another device, or else scale must be recovered from known features in the environment. Typically known environmental features are not available, and for systems such as cellphones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), which may experience sustained, small scale, irregular motion, an IMU is often the only practical option. Because accelerometers measure acceleration and gravity, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) must filter out gravity and track orientation with complex algorithms in order to provide a linear acceleration measurement that can be used to recover SLAM scale. This paper will explore an alternative method, which detects and removes gravity from the accelerometer measurement by using the unscaled direction of acceleration derived from the SLAM odometry.
A Scale-Adaptive Turbulent Kinetic Energy Closure for the Dry Convective Boundary Layer

AbstractA pragmatic scale-adaptive turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) closure is proposed to simulate the dry convective boundary layer for a variety of horizontal grid resolutions: from 50 m, typical of large-eddy simulation models that use three-dimensional turbulence parameterizations/closures, up to 100 km, typical of climate models that use one-dimensional turbulence and convection parameterizations/closures. Since parameterizations/closures using the TKE approach have been frequently used in these two asymptotic limits, a simple method is proposed to merge them with a mixing-length-scale formulation for intermediate resolutions. This new scale-adaptive mixing length naturally increases with increasing grid length until it saturates as the grid length reaches mesoscale-model resolution. The results obtained using this new approach for dry convective boundary layers are promising. The mean vertical profiles of potential temperature and heat flux remain in good agreement for different resolutions. A contin...
Are all perks solely perks? Evidence from corporate jets ☆

Abstract While shareholders have strong incentives to limit value-destroying perquisite consumption, it is challenging to identify such perquisites. Many corporate assets that enable forms of perquisite consumption also provide operational benefits. Corporate jets represent a potent example. We find business-related flights increase firm performance. Our results also highlight the channels through which jet use can either enhance or destroy firm value. Consistent with the benefits of information gathering and monitoring, firms with soft and complex information that is difficult to transmit remotely are more likely to fly to company subsidiaries and plants, and these flights positively affect firm value. In contrast, among firms with weak governance structures where flights are more likely motivated by agency factors, jet use is more likely to be value-decreasing. The ability to differentiate has important implications in today's activism environment.
Sticky foam as a less-than-lethal technology

Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) in 1994 completed a project funded by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) to determine the applicability of sticky foam for correctional applications. Sticky foam is an extremely tacky, tenacious material used to block, entangle, and impair individuals. The NIJ project developed a gun capable of firing multiple shots of sticky foam, tested the gun and sticky foam effectiveness on SNL volunteers acting out prison and law enforcement scenarios, and had the gun and sticky foam evaluated by correctional representatives. Based on the NIJ project work, SNL supported the Marine Corps Mission, Operation United Shield, with sticky foam guns and supporting equipment to assist in the withdrawal of UN Peacekeepers from Somalia. Prior to the loan of the waste disposal, use limitations, use protocol and precautions, emergency facial clean-up, skin clean-up, gun filling, targeting and firing, and gun cleaning. The Marine Corps successfully used the sticky foam guns as part of that operation. This paper describes these recent developments of sticky foam for non-lethal uses and some of the lessons learned from scenario and application testing.
Brown adipose tissue thermogenic adaptation requires Nrf1-mediated proteasomal activity

Adipocytes possess remarkable adaptive capacity to respond to nutrient excess, fasting or cold exposure, and they are thus an important cell type for the maintenance of proper metabolic health. Although the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a critical organelle for cellular homeostasis, the mechanisms that mediate adaptation of the ER to metabolic challenges in adipocytes are unclear. Here we show that brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenic function requires an adaptive increase in proteasomal activity to secure cellular protein quality control, and we identify the ER-localized transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 1 (Nfe2l1, also known as Nrf1) as a critical driver of this process. We show that cold adaptation induces Nrf1 in BAT to increase proteasomal activity and that this is crucial for maintaining ER homeostasis and cellular integrity, specifically when the cells are in a state of high thermogenic activity. In mice, under thermogenic conditions, brown-adipocyte-specific deletion of Nfe2l1 (Nrf1) resulted in ER stress, tissue inflammation, markedly diminished mitochondrial function and whitening of the BAT. In mouse models of both genetic and dietary obesity, stimulation of proteasomal activity by exogenously expressing Nrf1 or by treatment with the proteasome activator PA28α in BAT resulted in improved insulin sensitivity. In conclusion, Nrf1 emerges as a novel guardian of brown adipocyte function, providing increased proteometabolic quality control for adapting to cold or to obesity.