cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Squeezed light in an optical parametric oscillator network with coherent feedback quantum control

We present squeezing and anti-squeezing spectra of the output from a degenerate optical parametric oscillator (OPO) network arranged in different coherent quantum feedback configurations. One OPO serves as a quantum plant, the other as a quantum controller. The addition of coherent feedback enables shaping of the output squeezing spectrum of the plant, and is found to be capable of pushing the frequency of maximum squeezing away from the optical driving frequency and broadening the spectrum over a wider frequency band. The experimental results are in excellent agreement with the developed theory, and illustrate the use of coherent quantum feedback to engineer the quantum-optical properties of the plant OPO output.
CLOSED-INCISION NEGATIVE PRESSURE WOUND THERAPY VERSUS ANTIMICROBIAL DRESSINGS AFTER SURGERY FOR PERIPROSTHETIC FRACTURES ABOUT THE HIP AND KNEE

Introduction The incidence of periprosthetic fractures is increasing as the population ages. Wound complications and surgical site infections following surgery to treat periprosthetic fractures are a major source of patient morbidity and health care burden. This study evaluates the efficacy of closed-incision negative-pressure wound therapy (ciNPT) in decreasing wound complications and surgical site infections (SSIs) after periprosthetic fracture surgery about the hip and knee. Methods An IRB-approved retrospective quality improvement analysis of sixty-five consecutive periprosthetic fracture surgeries performed by four surgeons at a single institution in a fifteen-year period was performed. ciNPT was selectively used on patients in the last 20 months of the study period. Rates of wound complications, surgical site infections, and reoperation were compared with those of a sterile antimicrobial dressing (AMD). Results AMD was used on 44 patients, while ciNPT was used in 21 patients. Compared with those treated with AMD, patients treated with ciPNT developed fewer wound complications 5% (1/21) vs 25% (11/44) (p = 0.045), deep infections 0% (0/21) vs 20% (9/44) (p = 0.014), and underwent fewer reoperations 5% (1/21) vs 20% (9/44) (p = 0.045). All patients had at least thirty days of follow up. Conclusion Our findings suggest that ciNPT decreases the incidence of wound complications, deep infections, and reoperations in patients requiring surgical management of periprosthetic fractures about the hip and knee.
Residential distance to major roadways and cardiac structure in African Americans: cross-sectional results from the Jackson Heart Study.

Heart failure (HF) is a significant source of morbidity and mortality among African Americans. Ambient air pollution, including from traffic, is associated with HF, but the mechanisms remain unknown. The objectives of this study were to estimate the cross-sectional associations between residential distance to major roadways with markers of cardiac structure: left ventricular (LV) mass index, LV end-diastolic diameter, LV end-systolic diameter, and LV hypertrophy among African Americans. We studied baseline participants of the Jackson Heart Study (recruited 2000–2004), a prospective cohort of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among African Americans living in Jackson, Mississippi, USA. All cardiac measures were assessed from echocardiograms. We assessed the associations between residential distance to roads and cardiac structure indicators using multivariable linear regression or multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for potential confounders. Among 4826 participants, residential distance to road was <150 m for 103 participants, 150–299 m for 158, 300–999 for 1156, and ≥1000 m for 3409. Those who lived <150 m from a major road had mean 1.2 mm (95% CI 0.2, 2.1) greater LV diameter at end-systole compared to those who lived ≥1000 m. We did not observe statistically significant associations between distance to roads and LV mass index, LV end-diastolic diameter, or LV hypertrophy. Results did not materially change after additional adjustment for hypertension and diabetes or exclusion of those with CVD at baseline; results strengthened when modeling distance to A1 roads (such as interstate highways) as the exposure of interest. We found that residential distance to roads may be associated with LV end-systolic diameter, a marker of systolic dysfunction, in this cohort of African Americans, suggesting a potential mechanism by which exposure to traffic pollution increases the risk of HF.
CONTINUED FRACTIONS: YET ANOTHER TOOL TO OVERCOME THE CURSE OF DIMENSIONALITY

We provide a rapid prediction method, in which a larger number of antecedents is accounted for than is currently considered. To this end, we encode the successive (possibly rescaled) values of a time series, as the partial quotients of a continued fraction, resulting in a number from the unit interval. The accuracy of a rule-based system utilizing this coding is investigated to some extent. Qualitative criteria for the applicability of the algorithm are formulated.
Modeling MOOC Student Behavior With Two-Layer Hidden Markov Models

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) provide educators with an abundance of data describing how students interact with the platform, but this data is highly underutilized today. This is in part due to the lack of sophisticated tools to provide interpretable and actionable summaries of huge amounts of MOOC activity present in log data. In this paper, we propose a method for automatically discovering student behavior patterns by leveraging the click log data that can be obtained from the MOOC platform itself in a completely unsupervised manner.
Creating Isolated Liquid Compartments Using Photopatterned Obstacles in Microfluidics

Sure, oil and water don't mix, but there is more to it than just an old adage. The authors show how to reliably trap pockets of either oil or water by sequentially injecting immiscible liquids over photopatterned obstacles in a microchannel. According to their geometric model, the amount of liquid trapped may be controlled by varying the wetting and shape of an obstacle. These findings seem likely to interest researchers working on two-phase flows, microfluidics for lab-on-a-chip applications, or the wetting of fibers and fabrics, for example.
Prospective assessment of patient-reported outcomes and estradiol and drug concentrations in patients experiencing toxicity from adjuvant aromatase inhibitors

Aromatase inhibitors (AI), which decrease circulating estradiol concentrations in post-menopausal women, are associated with toxicities that limit adherence. Approximately one-third of patients will tolerate a different AI after not tolerating the first. We report the effect of crossover from exemestane to letrozole or vice versa on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and whether the success of crossover is due to lack of estrogen suppression. Post-menopausal women enrolled on a prospective trial initiating AI therapy for early-stage breast cancer were randomized to exemestane or letrozole. Those that discontinued for intolerance were offered protocol-directed crossover to the other AI after a washout period. Changes in PROs, including pain [Visual Analog Scale (VAS)] and functional status [Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ)], were compared after 3 months on the first versus the second AI. Estradiol and drug concentrations were measured. Eighty-three patients participated in the crossover protocol, of whom 91.3% reported improvement in symptoms prior to starting the second AI. Functional status worsened less after 3 months with the second AI (HAQ mean change AI #1: 0.2 [SD 0.41] vs. AI #2: −0.05 [SD 0.36]; p = 0.001); change in pain scores was similar between the first and second AI (VAS mean change AI #1: 0.8 [SD 2.7] vs. AI #2: −0.2 [SD 2.8]; p = 0.19). No statistical differences in estradiol or drug concentrations were found between those that continued or discontinued AI after crossover. Although all AIs act via the same mechanism, a subset of patients intolerant to one AI report improved PROs with a different one. The mechanism of this tolerance remains unknown, but does not appear to be due to non-adherence to, or insufficient estrogen suppression by, the second AI.
Uncertain School Quality and House Prices: Theory and Empirical Evidence

Observable measures of public school quality provide noisy signals of underlying quality to parents. Accordingly, this paper examines the house price effects of school quality and quality uncertainty. Residential bid rent theory under this type of uncertainty shows that greater school quality increases housing prices and steepens the gradient whereas quality risk decreases housing prices and flattens the gradient. The empirical models incorporate two sources of quality risk, the uncertainty over the quality of a given school and the uncertainty over which school a household will be assigned. Estimates reveal capitalization consistent with the theory. Including risk measures in the empirical model reduces quality level effects. All capitalization effects tend to be stronger in higher income neighborhoods. Further, attendance zone uncertainty exhibits more stable capitalization across subsamples than does uncertainty over the performance of a given school.
The influence of MCAT and GPA preadmission academic metrics on interview scores

Medical school admissions interviews are used to assess applicants’ nonacademic characteristics as advocated by the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Advancing Holistic Review Initiative. The objective of this study is to determine whether academic metrics continue to significantly influence interviewers’ scores in holistic processes by blinding interviewers to applicants’ undergraduate grade point averages (uGPA) and Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). This study examines academic and demographic predictors of interview scores for two applicant cohorts at the University of Michigan Medical School. In 2012, interviewers were provided applicants’ uGPA and MCAT scores; in 2013, these academic metrics were withheld from interviewers’ files. Hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to examine the influence of academic and demographic variables on overall cohort interview scores. When interviewers were provided uGPA and MCAT scores, academic metrics explained more variation in interview scores (7.9%) than when interviewers were blinded to these metrics (4.1%). Further analysis showed a statistically significant interaction between cohort and uGPA, indicating that the association between uGPA and interview scores was significantly stronger for the 2012 unblinded cohort compared to the 2013 blinded cohort (β = .573, P < .05). By contrast, MCAT scores had no interactive effects on interviewer scores. While MCAT scores accounted for some variation in interview scores for both cohorts, only access to uGPA significantly influenced interviewers’ scores when looking at interaction effects. Withholding academic metrics from interviewers’ files may promote assessment of nonacademic characteristics independently from academic metrics.
On capacity of noncoherent MIMO with asymmetric link strengths

We study the generalized degrees of freedom (gDoF) of the block-fading noncoherent MIMO channel with asymmetric distributions of link strengths, and a coherence time of T symbol durations. We first derive the optimal signaling structure for communication over this channel, which is distinct from that for the i.i.d MIMO setting. We prove that for T = 1, the gDoF is zero for MIMO channels with arbitrary link strength distributions, extending the result for MIMO with i.i.d links. We then show that selecting the statistically best antenna is gDoF-optimal for both Multiple Input Single Output (MISO) and Single Input Multiple Output (SIMO) channels. We also derive the gDoF for the 2×2 MIMO channel with different exponents in the direct and cross links. In this setting, we show that it is always necessary to use both antennas to achieve the optimal gDoF, in contrast to the results for 2 × 2 MIMO with identical link distributions. We also show that having weaker crosslinks gives gDoF gain compared to the case with identically distriuted links.
Identification and estimation using heteroscedasticity without instruments: The binary endogenous regressor case

Abstract Lewbel (2012) provides an estimator for linear regression models containing an endogenous regressor, when no outside instruments or other such information is available. The method works by exploiting model heteroscedasticity to construct instruments using the available regressors. Some authors have considered the method in empirical applications where an endogenous regressor is binary (e.g., endogenous Diff-in-Diff or endogenous binary treatment models). The present paper shows that the assumptions required for Lewbel’s estimator can indeed be satisfied when an endogenous regressor is binary. Caveats regarding application of the estimator are discussed.
How physicians draw satisfaction and overcome barriers in their practices: "It sustains me".

Abstract Objective Major reorganizations of medical practice today challenge physicians’ ability to deliver compassionate care. We sought to understand how physicians who completed an intensive faculty development program in medical humanism sustain their humanistic practices. Methods Program completers from 8 U.S. medical schools wrote reflections in answer to two open-ended questions addressing their personal motivations and the barriers that impeded their humanistic practice and teaching. Reflections were qualitatively analyzed using the constant comparative method. Results Sixty-eight physicians (74% response rate) submitted reflections. Motivating factors included: 1) identification with humanistic values; 2) providing care that they or their family would want; 3) connecting to patients; 4) passing on values through role modelling; 5) being in the moment. Inhibiting factors included: 1) time, 2) stress, 3) culture, and 4) episodic burnout. Conclusions Determination to live by one’s values, embedded within a strong professional identity, allowed study participants to alleviate, but not resolve, the barriers. Collaborative action to address organizational impediments was endorsed but found to be lacking. Practice implications Fostering fully mature professional development among physicians will require new skills and opportunities that reinforce time-honored values while simultaneously partnering with others to nurture, sustain and improve patient care by addressing system issues.
An Efficient Framework for Data-Plane Verification With Geometric Windowing Queries

Modern networks have complex configurations to provide advanced functions. Network softwarization, a promising new movement in the networking community, could make networks more complexly configured due to the nature of software. Since these complexities make the networks error-prone, network verification is attracting attention as a key technology to detect inconsistencies between a configuration and an operational policy. Existing verifiers are, unfortunately, either inefficient or incomplete (operational policies are not rigorously checked). This paper presents a novel framework of data-plane verification. So as to efficiently manage the large search space defined by packet headers, our framework formalizes the consistency check by applying simple set operations defined in a small quotient space of packet header. This paper also reveals that the two spaces can be connected via the windowing query in computational geometry. Two windowing algorithms are proposed and backed by solid theoretical analyses. Experiments on real network datasets show that our framework with the windowing algorithms is surprisingly fast; when verifying policy compliance in a real network with thousands of switches, our framework reduces the verification time of all-pairs reachability from ten hours to ten minutes.
The Annular Suspension and Pointing System

Abstract The Annular Suspension and Pointing System (ASPS) is a general purpose mount designed to provide orientation, mechanical isolation, and fine pointing for space experiments. The ASPS consists of two assemblies, the first being a set of two gimbals attached to a carrier spacecraft (e.g., Space Shuttle) and providing coarse pointing, and the second a magnetic vernier pointing and isolation assembly attached to the inner gimbal of the first assembly and providing fine pointing. The magnetic vernier assembly uses an annular rim as its pitch and yaw controlled element. The rim surrounds an experiment mounting plate. Roll control is provided by a noncontacting roll motor which also uses the rim as its controlled element. Discussion of the evolution of this concept, required related technology, data from analyses and simulations predicting pointing accuracies, and a description of a flight test unit will be presented.
Comparison of Cytosol Estrogen Receptor Status in Ovarian Carcinoma Using Different Radiolabeled Ligands and Methods

It is not uncommon to find more than one class of steroid hormone receptors present in a given tissue specimen. In this study we compared methods with different ligands and incubation conditions. Samples were also assayed using the dextran-coated charcoal as well as sucrose gradient. The purpose of this paper is to show the need for a standardization of technique if we are to draw meaningful conclusions from the values obtained by different workers. Whereas normal ovaries and benign ovarian lesions lacked estrogen receptors, the presence of estrogen receptor was confirmed in malignant ovarian lesions.
Experience With Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Relief of Intractable Pain in Cancer Patients

Sixty patients with intractable cancer pain were subjected to transcutaneous electrical stimulation for pain control. Evaluation, after two weeks of treatment, revealed: 17 (28.3%) excellent response, 22 (36.2%) fair and 21 (35.0%) no relief. Re-assessment after 3 months revealed 9 (15%) excellent responses, 11 (18.3%) fair and 40 (67%) failures. Extremity and trunk pains appeared to be most rewarding to patient pain, so far as pain relief is concerned. Perineal and pelvic pains were most difficult to control, only 5 of 12 (41%) cases obtained some short term relief. Pain location and sources correlated with treatment results.
Late Occurrence of Malignancy in a Ganglioneuroma 19 Years Following Radiation Therapy to a Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is a common solid tumor of childhood. Maturation to a ganglioneuroma or regression has been reported to occur spontaneously or following minimal treatment. Malignant degeneration of such a ganglioneuroma is extremely rare. We present a report of a malignant tumor arising in a ganglioneuroma 19 years following abdominal radiation therapy for neuroblastoma.
Loss of Alleles of Loci on the Short Arm of Chromosome 3 in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Loss of genes at specific chromosomal loci is a characteristic of retinoblastoma, Wilms' tumour, transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, embryonal tumours and small cell carcinoma of the lung. The significance of nonrandom gene loss in these neoplasms is that gene loss on one chromosome may uncover null mutations at corresponding loci of the homologous chromosome. Loss of specific gene products from somatic cells may be critical in the origin or evolution of certain human tumours. Clues to identification of new loci of gene loss in common adult solid tumours may be found in literature that describes chromosomal abnormalities in rare heritable cancers. Karyotypes of tumours in two families with hereditary renal carcinoma showed translocations involving the short arm of chromosome 3 (refs 10 and 11). We have examined tumours from 18 patients with non-hereditary renal cell carcinomas and found loss of alleles at loci on the short arm of chromosome 3 in all eleven of the patients who could be evaluated.
Course of Renal Pathology in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Evaluation of the course of lupus nephropathy by serial kidney biopsy in 50 patients revealed a complex pattern of transitions from one histologic class to another. A high rate of transformations (56 percent) was observed, with fewer than half the patients remaining in the original category. Although the general trend was towards transformation to a less severe lesion (WHO classes III and IV transforming into classes II and V), this was certainly not the rule for all individual classes. These transformations were rarely predictable on the basis of available clinical, laboratory, or pathologic information, and were less common in younger patients. These results help clarify the pathologic behavior of lupus nephropathy in the modern therapeutic era and highlight the value of pathologic examination for the planning and evaluation of therapy in selected patients.
Metrology manufacturing control factors: A holistic approach for supporting 14nm and 7nm

In this paper we will demonstrate a systematic approach for controlling the inputs around a measurement process which has been applied at GLOBALFOUNDRIES Fab 8. The approach covers a wide range of topics which are each individually known but not uniformly applied across the industry. We will discuss the various manufacturing control factors involved around performing a measurement, which can be considered universally applicable to any measurement process. In order to determine the success of the application of these control factors, the First-Time Right (FTR) methodology for measurement quality will also be introduced. Additionally, by comparing failures through the development-to-manufacturing transition against the key signal categories including Fault Detection Control (FDC), pattern recognition greyscale matching and blurriness of pattern alignment images it is possible to identify and separate out key contributors and resolve them systematically.
Identifiability Analysis of Planar Rigid-Body Frictional Contact

This paper addresses the identifiability of the inertial parameters and the contact forces associated with an object making and breaking frictional contact with the environment. Our goal is to explore under what conditions, and to what degree, the observation of physical interaction, in the form of motions and/or forces, is indicative of the underlying dynamics that governs it. In this initial study we consider the cases of passive interaction, where an object free-falls under gravity, and active interaction, where known external perturbations act on the object at contact. We assume that both object and environment are planar and rigid, and exploit the well-known complementarity formulation for contact resolution to establish a closed-form relationship between inertial parameters, contact forces, and observed motions. Consistent with intuition, the analysis indicates that without the application of known external forces, the identifiable set of parameters remains coupled, i.e., the ratio of mass moment of inertia to mass and the ratio of contact forces to the mass. Interestingly, the analysis also shows that known external forces can lead to decoupling and identifiability of mass, mass moment of inertia, and normal and tangential contact forces. We evaluate the identifiability formulation both in simulation and with real experiments.
Regularization of Feedwater Flow Rate Evaluation for Venturi Meter Fouling Problem in Nuclear Power Plants

Inferential sensing is a method that can be used to evaluate parameters of a physical system based on a set of measurements related to these parameters. The most common method of inferential sensing uses mathematical models to infer a parameter value from correlated sensor values. However, since inferential sensing is an inverse problem, it can produce inconsistent results due to minor perturbations in the data. This research shows that regularization can be used in inferential sensing to produce consistent results. Data from Florida Power Corporation's Crystal River nuclear power plant (NPP) are used to give an important example of monitoring NPP feedwater flow rate.
The Impact of Crowding on Calorie Consumption

Consumer behavior is often influenced by subtle environmental cues, such as temperature, color, lighting, scent, or sound. We explore the effects of a not-so-subtle cue—human crowding—on calorie consumption. Although crowding is an omnipresent factor, it has received little attention in the marketing literature. We present six studies showing that crowding increases calorie consumption. These effects occur because crowding increases distraction, which hampers cognitive thinking and evokes more affective processing. When consumers process information affectively, they consume more calories. We show the specific reason for the increase in calories. When given a choice between several different options, people select and eat higher-calorie items, but when presented with only one option, people eat more of the same food item. We document this process, rule out alternative explanations, and discuss theoretical and managerial implications.
Efficient Maneuver Placement for Automated Trajectory Design

When designing a mission, the addition of a maneuver at the right spot often improves the utility of an otherwise mediocre trajectory. However, the additional degrees of freedom of finding the best...
Cancer-related loneliness mediates the relationships between social constraints and symptoms among cancer patients

Cancer patients have high rates of persistent and disabling symptoms. Evidence suggests that social constraints (e.g., avoidance and criticism) negatively impact symptoms, but pathways linking these variables have yet to be identified. This study examined whether cancer-related loneliness (i.e., feeling socially disconnected related to having cancer) mediated the relationships between social constraints and symptoms (i.e., pain interference, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and cognitive complaints) in patients with various cancers (N = 182). Patients (51% female, mean age = 59) were recruited from the Indiana Cancer Registry and completed questionnaires assessing social constraints, cancer-related loneliness, and symptoms. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the hypothesized relationships among variables. The model demonstrated good fit. Consistent with our hypothesis, cancer-related loneliness mediated the relationships between social constraints and each symptom. Findings suggest that addressing cancer-related loneliness in symptom management interventions may mitigate the negative impact of social constraints on outcomes.
Theory of the Leading Edge Gap in Underdoped Cuprates

We present the theory of the leading edge gap in the normal state of underdoped high-Tc materials. The consideration is based on a magnetic scenario for cuprates. We show that as doping decreases, the increasing interaction with paramagnons gives rise to a near destruction of the quasiparticle peak near (0, π) and symmetry related points. We then solve the d-wave pairing problem and show that the actual Tc decreases with the strength of the coherent quasiparticle peak, but the precursors to d-wave state exist above Tc even for fully incoherent quasiparticles.
Economic Assessment of 4 Approaches to the Diagnosis and Initial Treatment of Sleep Apnea.

BACKGROUND: A dilemma faced by health-care administrators is that need greatly outstrips capacity for diagnosing and treating sleep apnea, with such decisions carrying significant economic consequences. Our objective was to develop an economic model to estimate the relative costs of 4 approaches for diagnosis and initial treatment of sleep apnea. METHODS: The analysis consisted of developing a mathematical model depicting possible diagnostic and treatment approaches to the care of patients with sleep apnea; developing 4 clinical scenarios to describe distinct approaches to the management of sleep apnea patients (in-laboratory, unattended, direct-to-autotitrating PAP [auto-PAP], and mixed); and identifying costs associated with each scenario. We created a hypothetical cohort of 1,000 patients with 85% prevalence of sleep apnea to generate cost estimates. RESULTS: The driver of per-patient costs was the total number of sleep studies, which varied widely across scenarios: from 425 for the direct-to-auto-PAP approach to 1,441 in the unattended approach. The scenarios also differed in per-patient costs: Per-patient costs excluding facility startup costs were $456 for direct-to-auto-PAP, $913 for in-laboratory, $991 for mixed, and $1,090 for unattended. CONCLUSIONS: Approaches to diagnosing and treating sleep apnea that emphasized early application of auto-PAP had lower per-patient costs.
Were Nineteenth-Century Industrial Workers Permanent Income Savers?

Theories of household saving posit that households add to or draw down wealth to equalize the discounted present value of consumption over time. This article examines the extent to which 19th century urban American industrial workers saved and dissaved to smooth consumption in response to unanticipated, plausibly exogenous, shocks to income. Information on the expected and unexpected number of days unemployed is used to construct estimates of transitory income. The data are then used to estimate the marginal propensity to save from transitory income. The results are broadly consistent with Friedman's (1957) permanent income hypothesis in that the marginal propensity to consume from transitory income is about twice that of nontransitory income.
Prospective parents' perspectives on antenatal decision making for the anticipated birth of a periviable infant.

Objective: To examine prospective parents’ perceptions of management options and outcomes in the context of threatened periviable delivery, and the values they apply in making antenatal decisions d...
Evolution of corporate reporting: From stand-alone corporate social responsibility reporting to integrated reporting

Abstract Both financial and corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting are bound by global constraints. A common trait among the reporting systems is a growing movement toward comparability and accountability. Global pressures initially motivated the push toward stand-alone CSR reporting and now toward integrated reporting. Integrated reports (IR) include financial, economic, governance, and social information in one report. In the United States, integrated reporting is voluntary and only a small number of companies have issued IRs to date. This report provides a history of CSR reporting and then examines whether the non-financial economic, governance and social indicators identified in prior literature as being of interest to retail investors (Cohen et al. 2011) are disclosed in the pioneering U.S. IRs. Descriptive results indicate the initial IRs cover predominately indicators of economic and social performance with little focus on governance. Further analysis indicates that the IRs examined do not, as a rule, provide the information most highly desired by investors (i.e. market share, executive compensation, and product safety). This study provides a baseline for companies preparing IRs and for regulators (i.e. SEC, FASB) in the context of determining future disclosure regulations.
Assisted reproductive technology with donor sperm: national trends and perinatal outcomes.

Background Information regarding the use of donor sperm in assisted reproductive technology, as well as subsequent treatment and perinatal outcomes, remains limited. Outcome data would aid patient counseling and clinical decision making. Objectives The objectives of the study were to report national trends in donor sperm utilization and live birth rates of donor sperm–assisted reproductive technology cycles in the United States and to compare assisted reproductive technology treatment and perinatal outcomes between cycles using donor and nondonor sperm. We hypothesize these outcomes to be comparable between donor and nondonor sperm cycles. Study Design This was a retrospective cohort study using data from all US fertility centers reporting to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Assisted Reproductive Technology Surveillance System, accounting for ∼98% of assisted reproductive technology cycles (definition excludes intrauterine insemination). The number and percentage of assisted reproductive technology cycles using donor sperm and rates of pregnancy, live birth, preterm birth ( Results Of all banking and fresh donor and autologous oocyte assisted reproductive technology cycles performed between 1996 and 2014, 74,892 (4.4%) used donor sperm. In 2014, 7351 assisted reproductive technology cycles using donor sperm were performed, as compared with 1763 in 1996 (6.2% vs 3.8% of all cycles). Among all autologous oocyte cycles performed between 2010 and 2014, the live birth rate was lower for donor sperm (27.9%) than nondonor sperm cycles (32.5%); however, after adjustment for maternal age, donor sperm use was associated with an increased likelihood of live birth (adjusted relative risk, 1.06, 95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.10). Per transfer, there was no significant difference in live birth rates for donor vs nondonor sperm (31.9% vs 36.8%; adjusted relative risk, 1.04, 95% confidence interval, 0.998–1.09). Per singleton live birth, there was no significant difference in preterm birth (11.5% vs 11.8%; adjusted relative risk, 0.98, 95% confidence interval, 0.90–1.06); however, low birthweight delivery was slightly lower in donor sperm cycles (8.8% vs 9.4%; adjusted relative risk, 0.91, 95% confidence interval, 0.83–0.99). Conclusion Donor sperm use in assisted reproductive technology has increased in the United States, accounting for approximately 6% of all assisted reproductive technology cycles in 2014. Assisted reproductive technology treatment and perinatal outcomes were clinically similar in donor and nondonor sperm cycles.
10-K Disclosure Repetition and Managerial Reporting Incentives

ABSTRACT: Standard setters and investors have expressed concern about the substantial amount of repetition of information found within firms' 10-K disclosures. Ostensibly, such repetition is the result of overlapping disclosure requirements that solicit similar information in separate sections of the 10-K. Our evidence, however, suggests that repetition of information within the 10-K is also a strategic response to managers' reporting incentives. We find evidence that, on average, discretionary repetition of information within the 10-K is driven by both litigation concerns and by managers' incentives to report information more opaquely when earnings performance is poor. We find no evidence that repetition of information within the 10-K is associated with improved price discovery following the 10-K filing date, but that repetition is in some cases associated with slower price discovery. Overall, our results suggest that current overlap in disclosure requirements allows managers to repeat information in way...
Big Data and Reliability Applications: The Complexity Dimension

Big data features not only large volumes of data but also data with complicated structures. Complexity imposes unique challenges on big data analytics. Meeker and Hong (2014; Quality Engineering, p...
Regulation of Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptides (OATP) 1B1- and OATP1B3-Mediated Transport: An Updated Review in the Context of OATP-Mediated Drug-Drug Interactions

Organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATP) 1B1 and OATP1B3 are important hepatic transporters that mediate the uptake of many clinically important drugs, including statins from the blood into the liver. Reduced transport function of OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 can lead to clinically relevant drug-drug interactions (DDIs). Considering the importance of OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 in hepatic drug disposition, substantial efforts have been given on evaluating OATP1B1/1B3-mediated DDIs in order to avoid unwanted adverse effects of drugs that are OATP substrates due to their altered pharmacokinetics. Growing evidences suggest that the transport function of OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 can be regulated at various levels such as genetic variation, transcriptional and post-translational regulation. The present review summarizes the up to date information on the regulation of OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 transport function at different levels with a focus on potential impact on OATP-mediated DDIs.
Charge Density Analysis Attending Bond Torsion: A Bond Bundle Case Study

For nearly a century chemical understanding has been tied to the properties of bonds, though more often than not, these bond properties are rooted in molecular orbital or valence bond representations of the electronic structure. Technological advances, however, are allowing for experimental measurements of the density via high resolution x-ray diffraction, while theoretical insights are opening the door to its direct calculation using fast and potentially versatile orbital free DFT methods. Capitalizing on these emerging tools without sacrificing hard won orbital derived understanding has spurred a search for density based representations that deliver the same information available from the orbital perspective. We show that recent extensions of the QTAIM formalism are useful as a means of recovering some of the bond properties that have become an intrinsic part of our chemical understanding. Specifically, we compute from the density the changing bond order accompanying the rotation about a double bond using the well-studied fulvene molecule as a test case. We compare the picture that emerges from this density based perspective with that stemming from molecular orbital approaches and argue that the two viewpoints are compatible.
Markov Chain Monte Carlo Simulation Methods in Econometrics

We present several Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation methods that have been widely used in recent years in econometrics and statistics. Among these is the Gibbs sampler, which has been of particular interest to econometricians. Although the paper summarizes some of the relevant theoretical literature, its emphasis is on the presentation and explanation of applications to important models that are studied in econometrics. We include a discussion of some implementation issues, the use of the methods in connection with the EM algorithm, and how the methods can be helpful in model specification questions. Many of the applications of these methods are of particular interest to Bayesians, but we also point out ways in which frequentist statisticians may find the techniques useful.
Parental Experiences of Child Participation in a Phase I Pediatric Oncology Clinical Trial: “We Don’t Have Time to Waste”:

Children with cancer are only eligible for phase I clinical trials (P1Ts) when no known curative therapy remains. However, the primary aims of P1Ts are not focused on directly benefiting participants. This raises ethical concerns that can be best evaluated by exploring the experiences of participants. An empirical phenomenology study, using an adapted Colaizzi method, was conducted of 11 parents' lived experiences of their child's participation in a pediatric oncology P1T. Study findings were that parents' experiences reflected what it meant to have a child fighting to survive high-risk cancer. Although elements specific to P1T participation were identified, more pervasive was parents' sense of running out of time to find an effective treatment and needing to use time they had with their child well. Even though some problems were identified, overall parents did not regret their child's P1T participation and would recommend P1Ts to other parents of children with cancer.
Action potential propagation recorded from single axonal arbors using multielectrode arrays

We studied action potential propagation in single axons using low-density multielectrode arrays. We unambiguously identified the neuronal sources of propagating action potentials and recorded extra...
Quantum control of surface acoustic-wave phonons

One of the hallmarks of quantum physics is the generation of non-classical quantum states and superpositions, which has been demonstrated in several quantum systems, including ions, solid-state qubits and photons. However, only indirect demonstrations of non-classical states have been achieved in mechanical systems, despite the scientific appeal and technical utility of such a capability1,2, including in quantum sensing, computation and communication applications. This is due in part to the highly linear response of most mechanical systems, which makes quantum operations difficult, as well as their characteristically low frequencies, which hinder access to the quantum ground state3-7. Here we demonstrate full quantum control of the mechanical state of a macroscale mechanical resonator. We strongly couple a surface acoustic-wave8 resonator to a superconducting qubit, using the qubit to control and measure quantum states in the mechanical resonator. We generate a non-classical superposition of the zero- and one-phonon Fock states and map this and other states using Wigner tomography9-14. Such precise, programmable quantum control is essential to a range of applications of surface acoustic waves in the quantum limit, including the coupling of disparate quantum systems15,16.
Changes of glucose levels precede dementia in African-Americans with diabetes but not in Caucasians

Abstract Introduction Changes in glucose levels may represent a powerful metabolic indicator of dementia in African-Americans with diabetes. It is unclear whether these changes also occur in Caucasians. Methods A secondary data analysis using electronic medical records from 5228 African-Americans and Caucasians aged ≥65 years was carried out. Mixed effects models with repeated serum glucose measurements were used to compare changes in glucose levels between African-Americans and Caucasian patients with and without incident dementia. Results African-Americans and Caucasians with diabetes had significantly different changes in glucose levels by dementia status ( P P P = .3071). Discussion Significant changes in glucose levels precede dementia in African-American patients with diabetes but not in Caucasians.
Binding energy and lifetime of excitons in metallic nanotubes

The difficulty of describing excitons in semiconducting single-wall nanotubes analytically lies with the fact that excitons can neither be considered strictly one- nor two-dimensional objects. However, the situation changes in the case of metallic nanotubes where, by virtue of screening from gapless metallic subbands, the radius of the exciton becomes much larger than the radius of the nanotube ${R}_{\text{ex}}\ensuremath{\gg}R$. Taking advantage of this, we develop the theory of excitons in metallic nanotubes, determining that their binding energy is about $0.08v/R$, in agreement with the existing experimental data. Additionally, because of the presence of the gapless subbands, there are processes where bound excitons are scattered into unbound electron-hole pairs belonging to the gapless subbands. Such processes lead to a finite exciton lifetime and the broadening of its spectral function. We calculate the corresponding decay rate of the excitons.
Big Data and the Precision Medicine Revolution

The big data revolution is making vast amounts of information available in all sectors of the economy including health care. One important type of data that is particularly relevant to medicine is observational data from actual practice. In comparison to experimental data from clinical studies, observational data offers much larger sample sizes and much broader coverage of patient variables. Properly combining observational data with experimental data can facilitate precision medicine by enabling detection of heterogeneity in patient responses to treatments and tailoring of health care to the specific needs of individuals. However, because it is high‐dimensional and uncontrolled, observational data presents unique methodological challenges. The modeling and analysis tools of the production and operations management field are well‐suited to these challenges and hence POM scholars are critical to the realization of precision medicine with its many benefits to society.
Polyphosphate kinase genes from activated sludge carrying out enhanced biological phosphorus removal.

The community structure and metabolic function of activated sludge carrying out enhanced biological phosphorus removal have been investigated. Laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactors were operated at several influent COD/P ratios to obtain sludges with a range of phosphorus contents. Molecular microbiological techniques based on small subunit ribosomal RNA were used to characterize the community structure of these sludges. The dominant polyphosphate accumulating organism was a close relative of Rhodocyclus tenuis , a member of the β subclass of the Proteobacteria. Fragments of genes coding for polyphosphate kinase (PPK), thought to be responsible for polyphosphate accumulation, were retrieved from one of the sludges. The relative abundance of PPK gene copies in genomic DNA extracted from sludges was determined to confirm that at least one of the PPK gene sequences was derived from the dominant polyphosphate accumulating organism.
Capital is not enough: opportunity entrepreneurship and formal institutions

We examine how economic institutions, measured by the Economic Freedom of the World (EFW) index, affect the relationship between capital—human, social, and financial—and opportunity-motivated entrepreneurship (OME). To do this, we develop a multi-level model that connects theories of human and social capital at the micro-level to institutional theories at the macro-level. Using data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), we then test the predictions of our model and find evidence that economic institutions play a crucial role in the relationship between these three distinct types of capital and OME. Our results are somewhat counter-intuitive—as the quality of the institutional environment improves, human and financial capitals become less important determinants of entrepreneurship while the relationship between social capital and entrepreneurship substantially strengthens.
Towards robust interpretability with self-explaining neural networks

Most recent work on interpretability of complex machine learning models has focused on estimating a posteriori explanations for previously trained models around specific predictions. Self-explaining models where interpretability plays a key role already during learning have received much less attention. We propose three desiderata for explanations in general – explicitness, faithfulness, and stability – and show that existing methods do not satisfy them. In response, we design self-explaining models in stages, progressively generalizing linear classifiers to complex yet architecturally explicit models. Faithfulness and stability are enforced via regularization specifically tailored to such models. Experimental results across various benchmark datasets show that our framework offers a promising direction for reconciling model complexity and interpretability.
Co-opting the Lap System of Pseudomonas fluorescens To Reversibly Customize Bacterial Cell Surfaces

Initial attachment to a surface is a key and highly regulated step in biofilm formation. In this study, we present a platform for reversibly functionalizing bacterial cell surfaces with an emphasis on designing biofilms. We engineered the Lap system of Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf0-1, which is normally used to regulate initial cell surface attachment, to display various protein cargo at the bacterial cell surface and control extracellular release of the cargo in response to changing levels of the second messenger c-di-GMP. To accomplish this goal, we fused the protein cargo between the N-terminal retention module and C-terminal secretion signal of LapA and controlled surface localization of the cargo with natural signals known to stimulate or deplete c-di-GMP levels in P. fluorescens Pf0-1. We show this system can tolerate large cargo in excess of 500 amino acids, direct P. fluorescens Pf0-1 to surfaces it does not typically colonize, and program this microbe to sequester the toxic medal cadmium.