83 research outputs found

    Here Today, Gone Tomorrow: The Temporal Stability of Crime Hot Spots and the Criminology of Place

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    It is widely recognized that the distribution of crime in urban areas is not randomly distributed, but is highly concentrated in small pockets of space known as crime “hot spots”. While the empirical evidence supporting the law of crime concentration is strong, most studies that have examined the stability of crime hot spots over time have aggregated crime across years. This dissertation seeks to expand our understanding of the temporal stability of micro-geographic crime hot spots by addressing three research questions: (1) How are high-crime micro-places distributed at the monthly level? How much variation exists in the distribution of crime across micro-places when crimes are aggregated on a monthly rather than an annual basis?; (2) Do structural characteristics associated with micro-geographic crime hot spots differ compared to low-crime and crime-free places?; and (3) Are structural characteristics of micro-geographic hot spots associated with hot spot periodicity? Can the likelihood that a place will experience multiple high-crime months be determined by its structural characteristics? To address these questions, the dissertation examines data from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD), the American Communities Survey (ACS), the decennial Census of the United States, and the St. Louis Open Data Portal. In response to the first question, this dissertation explores monthly crime concentrations at the micro-geographic level using street segments in St. Louis, Missouri. Logistic and negative binomial regression models are estimated to address the second research question regarding the structural attributes of violent and property crime hot spots. Finally, the structural characteristics of temporary and violent crime hot spots are compared using a Cox regression model commonly used in survival analyses. Results from these analyses produced several substantively interesting findings, including: (1) there is significant within-year variation in the distribution of crime hot spots, including differences in the temporal stability of high-crime street segments depending on the type of crime studied; (2) violent and property crime hot spots can be distinguished based on their specific sets of structural attributes, with some characteristics of place exhibit inverse relationships between crime types; and (3) the attributes of micro-geographic places may influence the temporal stability of crime hot spots. Implications of these findings for criminal justice policy and directions for future research are discussed

    Philosophical Enquiries into the Science of Sensibility

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    This chapter places Burke's Philosophical Enquiry in its broader context of a culture of sensibility. The three sections of this introductory essay broadly correspond to the three sections of this book. The first part, 'Science and sensibility', provides a background to the writing of Burke's Philosophical Enquiry and how it fits into the medical and scientific study of sensibility. The writing of this text in its particular eighteenth-century culture reflects both a reaction to overly mechanistic world-views, on the one hand, and secondly, the necessity of verifying all theories in experience. Burke's contribution to the scientific core of the culture of sensibility consisted in an emphasis on nerves and feelings as well as physiological causes that could be recognised in the common person's experience. The second part, 'Sensibility, morals and manners', considers the moral implications of this physiological and psychological experience. On the one hand, by examining literary examples of Jane Austen and Samuel Richardson, it is shown that the experience of reading was considered an emotional and character-building enterprise. The result of reading novels could be called 'sentimental education'. Earlier eighteenth-century writers such as the Third Earl of Shaftesbury and Hutcheson attempted to bring together beauty and the good by defending a theory of 'moral sensibility', which would later be elaborated by Hume and Smith. Burke differs from this perspective by defending a distinction between virtue and beauty. On the other hand, Burke's physiological theory is closely tied to his view of morality. It is the sublime, through its tensions and labours, that more likely leads to virtue, in contrast to the indolence and relaxation of beauty. In the third part, 'Sensibility and aesthetics', it is further shown how the notion of taste and the arts developed in the eighteenth century. Behind this development were the ability to arouse emotions by means of words as well as rhetorical gestures and devices. Does everyone universally react in the same way to the same stimuli? The answer to this question is both scientific and aesthetic, requiring experimental methods to prove the probability of how art, music but also food, for instance, affect the human beings' sensible nature. The introductory essay ends with an analysis of the context in which the discussion about universality versus diversity arises vis Ă  vis the 'standard of taste', in particular in the work of Burke and Hume

    Femoral Head Penetration Rates of Second-Generation Sequentially Annealed Highly Cross-Linked Polyethylene at Minimum Five Years

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    Background Highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) liners in total hip arthroplasty (THA) have demonstrated decreased wear rates, resilience to cup orientation, and reduced osteolysis compared to conventional polyethylene. Sequential irradiation and annealing below the melting temperature is unique compared to most HXLPE which is irradiated and remelted. This study purpose is to provide minimum 5-year femoral head penetration rates of sequentially annealed HXLPE in primary THA. Methods A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database identified 198 consecutive, cementless primary THAs utilizing sequentially annealed HXLPE (X3; Stryker, Mahwah, NJ). Operative technique was standardized. Radiographs were analyzed utilizing the Martell method with minimum 5-year and 1-year radiographs as baseline to minimize the initial bedding-in period. Results Seventy-seven hips with minimum 5-year follow-up were analyzed. Mean steady state linear and volumetric head penetration rates were 0.095 mm/y and 76 mm3/y, respectively. Volumetric head penetration was significantly less for 32-mm compared to 36-mm (P = .028). In addition, less head penetration was observed for ceramic 32-mm heads at nearly half the rate compared to cobalt-chromium 36-mm heads (P ≥ .092). No correlations existed between penetration rates and age, body mass index, University of California Los Angeles Activity Level, polyethylene thickness, cup inclination, or anteversion (P ≥ .10). No radiographic osteolysis was observed. Conclusion Surprisingly, linear head penetration rates of sequentially annealed HXLPE were nearly identical to the osteolysis threshold for conventional polyethylene and greater than reports of irradiated and remelted HXLPE. Furthermore, these data corroborate reports that HXLPE is resilient to cup orientation and demographic variables. Longer term follow-up is recommended

    PCM Behavior in Finite Thickness Slabs Under a Step Response Heat Input

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    Phase change materials (PCMs) can provide thermal buffering to systems that experience transient heat loads, including electronics packaging. Placing the PCM in the primary path of heat rejection decreases the thermal resistance between the heat source and the PCM volume, but increases the total thermal resistance between the heat source and heat sink. In systems that operate in both steady-state and transient regimes, this introduces tradeoffs between cooling performance in these distinct regimes. Employing a conductive finite volume model, Parapower, we investigate those tradeoffs considering the impact of adding a layer of gallium, a low melting point metal, and a layer of copper between a planar heat source and a convective boundary condition heatsink. We demonstrate: 1) side-by-side comparisons of latent (Ga) and sensible (Cu) heat storage layers must consider different layer thicknesses to account for the different thermal storage mechanisms, 2) for short periods of time, conditions exist in which a PCM outperforms a traditional heat sink for transient thermal buffering at an equivalent steady state temperature rise, and 3) under these conditions, the Ga layer is approximately an order of magnitude thinner than the equivalent Cu, leading to significant mass and volume savings

    Contemporary Dual Mobility Head Penetration at Five Years: Concern for the Additional Convex Bearing Surface?

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    Background Dual mobility (DM) bearings are increasingly popular and second-generation designs contain highly cross-linked polyethylene. The purpose of this study is to report head penetration rates in modern DM bearings. Methods A review of 63 consecutive DM bearings was performed. Radiographs were analyzed for head penetration using Martell methodology at regular postoperative intervals. Results Thirty-four DM bearings were analyzed. Mean linear head penetration was 1.59 mm/y at 1 year, 1.07 mm/y at 2 years, and 0.27 mm/y at 5 years following an exponential regression model (R2 = 0.999). Mean volumetric wear was 783 mm3/y at 1 year, 555 mm3/y at 2 years, and 104 mm3/y at 5 years following an exponential regression model (R2 = 0.986). Conclusion Initial head penetration of DM bearings is larger than contemporary cross-linked polyethylene bearings; however, rates approach steady state after 2 years, analogous to traditional bearings. The larger “bedding-in” head penetration may be due to the additional convex bearing surface, creating 2 surfaces for deformation/wear

    Utility of Two-Stage Laryngotracheal Reconstruction in the Management of Subglottic Stenosis in Adults

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    No abstract.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/83473/1/21521_ftp.pd

    A Dual-Pivot Pattern Simulating Native Knee Kinematics Optimizes Functional Outcomes After Total Knee Arthroplasty

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    Background Kinematics after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have been studied for decades; however, few studies have correlated kinematic patterns to patient reported outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine if a pattern of lateral pivot motion in early flexion and medial pivot motion in high flexion, simulating native knee kinematics, produces superior clinical outcomes. A second study objective was to determine if a specific kinematic pattern throughout the various ranges of flexion produces superior function and patient satisfaction. Methods 120 consecutive TKAs were performed using sensor embedded tibial trials to record intraoperative knee kinematics through the full range of motion. Established criteria were used to identify lateral (L) or medial (M) pivot kinematic patterns based on the center of rotation within three flexion zones -- 0 to 45° (early flexion), 45 to 90° (mid flexion) and 90° to terminal flexion (late flexion). Knee Society Scores, pain scores, and patient satisfaction were analysed in relationship to kinematic patterns. Results Knee Society function scores were significantly higher in TKAs with early lateral pivot/late medial pivot intraoperative kinematics compared to all other kinematic patterns (p = 0.018) at minimum one-year follow-up. There was a greater decrease in the proportion of patients with early lateral/late medial pivot kinematics who reported that their knee never feels normal (p = 0.011). Higher mean function scores at minimum one-year follow-up (p < 0.001) and improvement from preoperative baseline (p = 0.008) were observed in patients with the most ideal “LLM” kinematic pattern (lateral pivot 0 to 45o and 45 to 90o; medial pivot beyond 90o) compared to those with the least ideal “MLL” kinematic pattern. All patients with the optimal “LLM” kinematic pattern compared to none of those with the “MLL” kinematic pattern reported that they were very satisfied with their TKA (p = 0.003). Conclusion Patients who exhibited an early flexion lateral pivot kinematic pattern accompanied by medial pivot motion in later flexion, as measured intraoperatively, reported higher functional outcome scores along with higher overall patient satisfaction. Replicating the dual-pivot kinematic pattern observed in native knees may improve function and satisfaction after TKA. Further study is warranted to explore a correlation with in-vivo kinematic patterns

    From Russia with Love: Understanding the Russian Cyber Threat to U.S. Critical Infrastructure and What to Do about It

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    I. Introduction II. A Short History of Russian Hacking of U.S. Government Networks and Critical Infrastructure III. Unpacking the Ukraine Grid Hacks and Their Aftermath IV. Analyzing Policy Options to Help Promote the Resilience of U.S. Government Systems and Critical Infrastructure ... A. Contextualizing and Introducing Draft Version 1.1 of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework ... B. Operationalizing International Cybersecurity Norms on Critical Infrastructure ... C. Deterrence and a Path Forward ... 1. Publicize Benefits as Applied … 2. Publicize Exercise Results ... 3. Publicize Updates V. Conclusio

    The Effect of Tourniquet Use and Sterile CO2 Gas Bone Preparation on Cement Penetration in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

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    Introduction Tourniquetless total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is experiencing resurgence in popularity due to potential pain control benefits. Further, optimal cement technique and implant fixation remain paramount to long-term cemented TKA success, as aseptic loosening continues to be a leading cause of revision. The purpose of this study was to determine how tourniquet use and/or novel bone preparation using sterile, compressed carbon dioxide (CO2) gas affected cement penetration in TKA. Methods A retrospective review was performed on 303 consecutive primary TKAs with the same implant in three groups: (1) a tourniquet without sterile CO2 compressed gas used for bone preparation, (2) no tourniquet with CO2 gas, and (3) tourniquet use and CO2 gas bone preparation. Cement penetration was measured on radiographs by two independent, blinded raters across seven zones defined by the Knee Society Radiographic Evaluation System. Results The three groups did not differ on age, BMI, or sex (p≥0.1). Cement penetration was greater in six of seven zones with significantly greater cement penetration in three zones (Tibial AP Zone 2, Femoral Lateral Zones 3A and 3P) in groups that utilized CO2 gas bone preparation compared to the tourniquet only group (p≤0.039). Conclusion Bone prepared with CO2 gas showed significantly more cement penetration in three zones with greater cancellous bone. The results suggest use of CO2 gas bone preparation may achieve greater cement penetration than using a tourniquet with lavage only
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