cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design of a Solar Tracking Interactive Kiosk.

A two-axis solar tracker and its interactive kiosk were designed by an interdisciplinary team of students and faculty. The objective was to develop a publicly accessible kiosk that would facilitate the study of energy usage and production on campus. Tracking is accomplished by an open-loop algorithm, microcontroller, and ham radio rotator. Solar panel output is monitored in real time and displayed to the public with lights and digits that can be read by the casual passersby. While maximum power point tracking is the most accurate means of quantifying the output power of a photovoltaic panel, simplicity and design constraints dictated the use of short-circuit current as a proxy for power. A touchscreen display allows kiosk visitors to compare two solar panels, an automatic tracker that faces the sun, and an identical panel whose elevation and azimuth can be controlled with a virtual joystick. This project was a capstone experience for students in physics/engineering, computer science, and instructional technology. We discuss technical challenges and design choices, as well as the educational goals of the kiosk.
The Utility of the Shock Index in Patients with Acute Respiratory Failure

The shock index (heart rate divided by systolic blood pressure) reflects the overall cardiovascular status and is usually ≤ 0.7 heart beats per minute per mmHg. An increased shock index in patients undergoing emergent intubation for acute respiratory failure can identify patients who are at risk for post-intubation hypotension.
Paraesophageal Hernia and Reflux Prevention: Is One Fundoplication Better than the Other?

The management of paraesophageal hernia (PEH) is one of the most debated in surgery. Trends regarding indications, approach (open, laparoscopic, thoracoscopic), sac excision, mesh placement, and routine performance of fundoplication have changed over time. Today, most surgeons tend to perform a laparoscopic PEH repair that entails the excision of the sac, liberal use of a mesh to buttress the hiatus, and the addition of an anti-reflux procedure. Nevertheless, very little has been written on which type of fundoplication should be performed in these patients. Therefore, the goal of our study was to provide an evidence-based overview of which type of fundoplication should be performed during a PEH repair and the role of preoperative function tests in the decision-making We searched the MEDLINE, Cochran, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Embase databases for papers published between 1996 and 2016 pertaining to the surgical treatment of PEH. We hand-searched the bibliographies of included studies and we excluded all reviews and case reports. We selected clinical studies and technical reports. We only considered papers stating rationales for the type of fundoplication performed. Our search yielded 24 articles: 17 clinical studies and 7 technical reports. In five of the clinical studies, a fundoplication was added only to patients with reflux symptoms. In all clinical studies, the most performed procedure was a total fundoplication (Nissen or Nissen-Rossetti), whereas a partial fundoplication (Toupet more frequently than Dor) or no fundoplication was reserved to those with impaired esophageal motility. All seven technical reports recommended a tailored approach and suggested adding a partial fundoplication (mainly Toupet) when the manometric findings showed esophageal dismotility. The argument of whether or not a fundoplication should be added to a PEH repair in patients without evidence of reflux still persists. However, this review highlights that, when a fundoplication is performed, a tailored approach based on preoperative function tests is almost always preferred.
Deploying large scale school census hub: an experience report

In this paper, we address the problem of improving data collection of the education system by presenting School Census Hub (SCH). The SCH concept emerged from field studies with stakeholders in Kenya. The goal of these studies were to help unlocking three key high-level requirements for the design of SCH. i) Budget allocation, allocating budget should be based on a verifiable number of active students and teachers, ii) Spending, spending on assets should be transparent and verifiable, iii) and, Improving learning environment, unlocking the limited insight into statistical relationship between school effectiveness and demographic variables. We present the overall architecture and design of SCH based on the findings from the field studies. The first version supporting a core set of capabilities for school data collection has been implemented. To evaluate the system, we conducted a large scale pilot in 97 schools. We report on a usability study of SCH that demonstrates user awareness and support for data acquisition and reporting in education management information system in Sub-Sharan Africa.
Bis-Cyclometalated Iridium Complexes with Chelating Dicarbene Ancillary Ligands

In this work, we report that covalent postsynthetic modification can be used for the preparation of a class of bis-cyclometalated iridium complexes featuring Chugaev-type chelating dicarbene ligands. Bis-cyclometalated iridium complexes with electron-deficient aryl isocyanide ancillary ligands react with hydrazine to form neutral dicarbene complexes. The neutral iridium carbene complexes have a basic site that can be protonated by strong acid, permitting access to complexes in two protonation states and allowing an additional layer of control over the key properties. These new Chugaev-type iridium complexes exhibit blue phosphorescence at both room temperature and 77 K. Compared to their bis-isocyanide precursors, the electrochemical and photophysical properties of these new complexes are substantially perturbed, demonstrating the concept that the electronic structure and excited state dynamics can be controlled by ancillary ligand modification. Furthermore, the emission spectra and excited-state dynamics...
Linchpin DNA-binding residues serve as go/no-go controls in the replication factor C-catalyzed clamp-loading mechanism.

DNA polymerases depend on circular sliding clamps for processive replication. Clamps must be loaded onto primer–template DNA (ptDNA) by clamp loaders that open and close clamps around ptDNA in an ATP-fueled reaction. All clamp loaders share a core structure in which five subunits form a spiral chamber that binds the clamp at its base in a twisted open form and encloses ptDNA within, while binding and hydrolyzing ATP to topologically link the clamp and ptDNA. To understand how clamp loaders perform this complex task, here we focused on conserved arginines that might play a central coordinating role in the mechanism because they can alternately contact ptDNA or Walker B glutamate in the ATPase site and lie close to the clamp loader–clamp-binding interface. We mutated Arg-84, Arg-88, and Arg-101 in the ATPase-active B, C, and D subunits of Saccharomyces cerevisiae replication factor C (RFC) clamp loader, respectively, and assessed the impact on multiple transient events in the reaction: proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) clamp binding/opening/closure/release, ptDNA binding/release, and ATP hydrolysis/product release. The results show that these arginines relay critical information between the PCNA-binding, DNA-binding, and ATPase sites at all steps of the reaction, particularly at a checkpoint before RFC commits to ATP hydrolysis. Moreover, their actions are subunit-specific with RFC-C Arg-88 serving as an accelerator that enables rapid ATP hydrolysis upon contact with ptDNA and RFC-D Arg-101 serving as a brake that confers specificity for ptDNA as the correct substrate for loading PCNA.
Some General Results on Equilibrium Prices in Large Random Exchange Economies

In this paper we are concerned with a model of a Walrasian exchange economy in which the preferences and endowments of the agents are random. Stochastic interaction among the agents is formally described in terms of dependency neighborhoods. The main result concerns a characterization of the distribution of market-clearing equilibrium prices in a large economy. The paper establishes conditions for asymptotic normality of appropriately normalized equilibrium prices.
THE FUTURE OF COMPUTER SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY AND ITS EFFECTS ON COMPUTER PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

As computers progressively play a more important role in the lives of every individual, the demand for efficient computer program development is becoming vital. This paper investigates state-of-the-art software technology and its implementation through the 1980′s. A mathematical methodology to evaluate the effectiveness of various software tools is presented as well as a matrix showing productivity factors associated with a representative sample of the tools. The most efficient tools are then applied to a normalized workload from which proposed architectures for a software support facility are derived.
List of the Optically Pumped Laser Lines of D20

Deuterated water, D2O, is a light, asymmetric top molecule which has the singular distinction of being the most powerful emitter in the far-infrared spectral region when pumped by high pressure, pulsed C02 (TEA) lasers (Evans et al., 1976 and 1977). Since it is the lightest molecule to be optically pumped, the origin of its emission strength can be traced directly to the large individual ground state populations caused by the small rotational partition function (DeTemple and Lawton, 1978). The strength in emission is further documented by the fact that the first identifiable pure rotational stimulated Raman emission was seen in this molecule on a number of different transitions (Petuchowski et al., 1977; Temkin, 1977; Wiggins et al., 1978). Because of the strength of emission of this molecule in the FIR and because of the possibility of laser-isotope separation for use as a nuclear fuel, the infrared spectroscopy is of more than passing interest and will be reviewed here.
Evaluating Outcomes of Differential Surgical Management of Nonfunctioning Upper Pole Renal Moieties in Duplex Collecting Systems.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the management and clinical outcomes of nonfunctioning upper pole moieties treated with either upper pole heminephrectomy or upper pole preservation with lower ureteral reconstruction at a single tertiary institution. Methods After Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, patients with duplicated systems undergoing upper pole heminephrectomy, ureteroureterostomy, or common sheath ureteral reimplantation from 2012-2017 were identified. Only patients with a nonfunctioning upper pole moiety on ultrasound or renal scan were included. Patients undergoing upper pole heminephrectomy were compared to those undergoing upper pole preservation with respect to demographics, anatomic variations preoperatively, and postoperative outcomes. Results Twenty-seven (57%) patients underwent upper pole preservation with lower ureteral reconstruction; 20 (43%) patients underwent upper pole heminephrectomy. Patients undergoing lower ureteral reconstruction were older (1.63 vs 2.76 years, P = .018) and more commonly presented with lower pole vesicoureteral reflux (67% vs 25%, P = .008). No significant difference in postoperative complications was seen between the two groups. After ureteroureterostomy, one patient developed new onset symptomatic reflux to the upper pole requiring intravesical reimplantation. In the heminephrectomy group, 4 of 11 patients with ureteroceles had ureterocelectomy with concomitant lower pole reimplantation. After heminephrectomy, two additional patients required further interventions: ureterocele excision and transurethral polyp excision. Conclusion For patients with nonfunctional upper poles, lower tract reconstruction is a safe alternative to upper pole heminephrectomy. No significant difference in outcomes was seen. Considering that nearly 1 of 3 of patients with upper pole heminephrectomy required additional lower urinary tract procedures, pursuing upper pole preservation with lower urinary tract reconstruction may be favorable.
Discovering Multiple Time Lags of Temporal Dependencies from Fluctuating Events

As one of the key features of temporal dependency, time lag plays an important role in analyzing sequential data and predicting the developing trend. Huge number of temporal mining approaches have been successfully applied in many applications, like finance, environmental science and health-care. However, these approaches cannot effectively deal with a more realistic scenario, where more than one types of time lags are existed in sequences and all of them are fluctuating due to the inevitable noise. In this paper, we study the problem of discovering multiple time lags of temporal dependencies from event sequences considering the randomness property of the hidden time lags. We first present a parametric model as well as an EM-based solution for solving this problem. Then two approximate approaches are proposed for efficiently finding diverse types of time lags without significant loss of accuracy. Extensive empirical studies on both synthetic and real datasets demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of our proposed approaches.
Enhanced solar thermal evaporation of Ethanol-water mixtures, through the use of porous media

A significant enhancement of solar irradiation induced evaporation of water, and ethanol–water mixtures, through the use of carbon foam based porous media, is demonstrated. A relationship between the consequent rate of mass loss, with respect to the equilibrium vapor pressure, dynamic viscosity, surface tension, and density, was developed to explain experimental observations. The evaporative heat loss was parametrized through two convective heat transfer coefficients—one related to the surface and another related to the vapor external to the surface. The work promotes a better understanding of thermal processes in binary liquid mixtures with applications ranging from phase separation to distillation and desalination.
Pediatric Surgical Risk Assessment Tools: A Systematic Review.

Abstract Background Pediatric surgical risk assessment tools use patient- and procedure-specific variables to predict postoperative complications. These tools assist clinicians in preoperative counseling and surgical decision-making. The objective of this systematic literature review was to compile and compare existing pediatric surgical risk tools that are broadly applicable across pediatric surgical specialties. Methods A systematic literature review was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) guidelines. Relevant publications were identified and screened based on predefined eligibility criteria: (1) a preoperative risk assessment tool predicting postoperative complications or mortality, (2) applicable across various surgical specialties, and (3) pertinent to the pediatric population. Studies with specialty- or procedure-specific risk scores and validation studies were excluded. Included articles were assessed for quality and risk of bias by using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Results Four studies met inclusion criteria. Risk factors were evaluated across the models as proxies for operative suitability of patients before surgery. Risk factors common to all studies were the presence of cardiovascular or neurological diseases and history of prematurity. Three of the four included studies defined most risk factors in binary terms, whereas one study used a scale of severity of organ system disease when defining preoperative risk. Generated risk score models provided good to strong concordance with inpatient mortality or postoperative complications, with c-statistic values ranging from 0.77 to 0.98. Conclusions Each study reported an assessment of a novel, generally applicable pediatric surgical risk assessment tool for risk-stratifying children preoperatively for complications that rise after surgery. More studies are needed to assess generalizability in all populations and procedures.
Prophet Inequalities vs. Approximating Optimum Online

We revisit the classic prophet inequality problem, where the goal is selling a single item to an arriving sequence of buyers whose values are drawn from independent distributions, to maximize the expected allocated value. The usual benchmark is the expected value that an omniscient prophet who knows the future can attain. We diverge from this framework and compare the performance of the best single pricing mechanism with the best optimum online mechanism.
Evaluation of U.S. Manufacturing Subsectors at Risk of Physical Water Shortages

The potential impact of water shortages on U.S. manufacturing is unknown. While water for manufacturing constitutes an estimated 6% of U.S. water intake, the data (i.e., location, quantity, and purpose of water intake) needed to determine this impact does not exist. This paper will identify manufacturing subsectors at risk of physical water shortages by applying a method for estimating U.S. manufacturing water intake at the necessary spatial and sectoral resolutions. First, the data requirements to quantify a manufacturing facility's water footprint within the context of the watershed are developed. Second, using international data, water intake at the national, state, and county-levels by each U.S. manufacturing subsector is estimated. Third, manufacturing subsectors that are most vulnerable to risks of physical water shortages are identified. Based on the results, the Paper, Primary Metals, Chemical, Petroleum and Coal Products, and Food subsectors have the largest intake, respectively. However, the Primary Metals, Fabricated Metals, Transportation Equipment, Petroleum and Coal Products, and Plastics and Rubber subsectors are at the greatest risk of physical water shortages based on concentrations of water intake in water-stressed regions. The results can be used to develop strategies to mitigate the risks of water shortages on the U.S. manufacturing sector.
Improved cryopreservation yield of pancreatic islets using combination of lower dose permeable cryoprotective agents.

Abstract Islet transplantation has been shown to restore normoglycemia in animal models and for type 1 diabetic patients in clinical trials. One method of storing islets intended for transplantation is via cryobanking at very low temperatures (−196 °C). Cryobanking islets without the use of cryoprotecting agents (CPAs) contributes to cellular shear stress and cell death. Although current CPA protocols vary, high concentrations of these agents are toxic to islets cells. This study tested the effects of the permeating CPA dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO) with the addition of ethylene glycol (EG), both at reduced concentrations, on rat and human islet cell yield, viability, and glucose stimulated insulin release (GSIR). To test this, islets were treated using three combinations of CPAs (2M ME2SO, 1M ME2SO + 1M EG, and 1M ME2SO + 0.5M EG). Next, fresh islets, 2M ME2SO islets, and 1M ME2SO + 0.5M EG isolated rat islets were transplanted into streptozotocin-induced (STZ) diabetic mice. Our data showed that cryopreservation with a reduced concentration of ME2SO (1M ME2SO + multimolar EG) achieved a higher percent yield and viability when compared to the current standard 2M ME2SO treatment for both rat and human islets. Furthermore, STZ-induced diabetic mice achieved normoglycemia after transplantation with 1000 islet equivalents (IE), an average 12 days sooner, with islets cryopreserved with reduced-concentration (ME2SO + 0.5M EG), compared to islets preserved with 2M ME2SO. In conclusion, reduced concentration of penetrating CPAs during islet cryopreservation increases islet yield and viability in vitro and reduces delay before normoglycemia in diabetic mice.
Proteomic analysis of urinary extracellular vesicles reveal biomarkers for neurologic disease.

Abstract Background Extracellular vesicles (EVs) harbor thousands of proteins that hold promise for biomarker development. Usually difficult to purify, EVs in urine are relatively easily obtained and have demonstrated efficacy for kidney disease prediction. Herein, we further characterize the proteome of urinary EVs to explore the potential for biomarkers unrelated to kidney dysfunction, focusing on Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods Using a quantitative mass spectrometry approach, we measured urinary EV proteins from a discovery cohort of 50 subjects. EVs in urine were classified into subgroups and EV proteins were ranked by abundance and variability over time. Enriched pathways and ontologies in stable EV proteins were identified and proteins that predict PD were further measured in a cohort of 108 subjects. Findings Hundreds of commonly expressed urinary EV proteins with stable expression over time were distinguished from proteins with high variability. Bioinformatic analyses reveal a striking enrichment of endolysosomal proteins linked to Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's disease. Tissue and biofluid enrichment analyses show broad representation of EVs from across the body without bias towards kidney or urine proteins. Among the proteins linked to neurological diseases, SNAP23 and calbindin were the most elevated in PD cases with 86% prediction success for disease diagnosis in the discovery cohort and 76% prediction success in the replication cohort. Interpretation Urinary EVs are an underutilized but highly accessible resource for biomarker discovery with particular promise for neurological diseases like PD.
Strategies for interfacing with the trigeminal nerves in rodents for bioelectric medicine

Abstract Background Bioelectric medicine seeks to modulate neural activity via targeted electrical stimulation to treat disease. Recent clinical evidence supports trigeminal nerve stimulation as a bioelectric treatment for several neurological disorders; however, the mechanisms of trigeminal nerve stimulation and potential side effects remain largely unknown. The goal of this study is to optimize the methodology and reproducibility of neural interface implantation for mechanistic studies in rodents. New method(s) This article describes a single incision surgical approach to the infraorbital nerve of rats and mice and the supraorbital nerve in rats for trigeminal nerve stimulation studies. This article also presents the use of cortical evoked potentials and electromyography as methods for demonstrating effective engagement between the implanted electrode and target nerve. Comparison with existing method(s) A number of surgical approaches to the infraorbital nerve in rats exist, many of which are technically difficult. A simple, standardized approach to infraorbital nerve in rats and mice, as well as the supraorbital nerve of rats is integral to reproducibility of future trigeminal nerve stimulation studies. Conclusion The infraorbital nerve of rats and mice can be easily accessed from a single dorsal incision on the bridge of the nose that avoids major anatomical structures such as the facial nerve. The supraorbital nerve is also accessible in rats from a single dorsal incision, but not mice due to size. Successful interfacing and engagement of the infra- and supraorbital nerves using the described methodology is demonstrated by recording of evoked cortical potentials and electromyography.
Highly effective PQQ inhibition by alkynyl and aryl mono-and diiodonium salts

PQQ (methoxatin), a bis(quinone) tricarboxylic acid, is an organic cofactor in a variety of biological redox processes. It is effectively inhibited on a micromolar scale by alkynyl and aryl monoiodonium salts, whereas bis-(iodonium)triflates 5 and 8 are PQQ inhibitors at nanomolar levels
The United States and Multilateralism

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO’s) evolution and persistence in the post-Cold War period is demonstrated by the four cases presented in this volume. Whereas previous analyses tend to treat these cases as separate watershed moments, I also posit the importance of examining the inter-conflict periods. A more complete understanding of NATO’s evolution reveals an understated element in the existing explanations of the alliance’s persistence: the role of the United States. Because the United States believed the alliance was valuable to its security and defense interests, it continued to invest in NATO, despite declining investments from the European allies and divergent attitudes regarding collective security and defense. This chapter provides a more comprehensive explanation of the incentives for the United States’ continued participation in NATO, as demonstrated in the four cases: the 1999 Kosovo intervention, the 2001 war in Afghanistan, the 2003 Iraq War, and the 2009 Libya operation. The United States pursued NATO for legitimacy enhancement and to project an image of adherence to international norms regarding international intervention. Despite its military dominance, the United States also benefitted from the military contributions of the allies.
Combination of a δ-opioid Receptor Agonist and Loperamide Produces Peripherally-mediated Analgesic Synergy in Mice.

Editor’s PerspectiveWhat We Already Know about This TopicThe adverse effects of opioids are largely mediated by central μ-opioid receptorsCentral μ- and δ-opioid receptors synergistically provide analgesiaWhat This Article Tells Us That Is NewThe administration of a selective δ-opioid agonist, oxymo
Hematology and Depression Levels: Examining Correlated Factors Among Hospitalized Patients.

Background Depression in patients with cancer negatively influences physical symptoms, treatment success, coping, and quality of life (QOL), and is associated with increased mortality. Objectives This study investigated the prevalence of depression and explored fatigue, QOL, and pain that is associated with depression in patients on first admission to a hematologic oncology unit. Methods This descriptive study measured depression, QOL, and fatigue with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT)-General, and the FACT-Anemia scale, respectively. Pain levels were examined with a numeric rating scale. Findings 58 patients participated; 17 reported moderate to severe depression, which highly correlated with fatigue, QOL, and pain. Among all factors, multivariate analysis showed that fatigue, particularly the physical domain of fatigue, has the strongest reverse correlation with depression.
Central Nervous System Opportunistic Infections

Opportunistic infections of the central nervous system are classically associated with immunosuppression arising from infection with human immunodeficiency virus and with various hematologic malignancies. However, over the past few years, they are increasingly associated with transplantation and various immunosuppressive treatments used to treat autoimmune diseases. They cause significant morbidity and mortality and remain a diagnostic challenge due to the absence of typical signs and symptoms of infection and mimicry by various noninfectious causes. The pathogens associated with these infections are often commonly found pathogens of low virulence in immunocompetent hosts and include various bacteria, parasites, fungi, or viruses. These infections can present as various clinical syndromes, including meningitis, encephalitis, space-occupying lesions, stroke-like presentations, or even neoplastic manifestations. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy can be seen in patients with multiple sclerosis on various new immunomodulatory drugs in addition to patients with human immunodeficiency virus, transplantation, or hematologic malignancies, and is characterized by multifocal white matter lesions. Human herpesvirus-6 causes severe encephalitis in transplant recipients, known as posttransplantation acute limbic encephalitis. Neoplastic manifestations like Epstein-Barr virus-associated primary central nervous system lymphoma and posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorders are particularly challenging to diagnose and manage. Modern diagnostic techniques, including advanced imaging techniques like magnetic resonance spectroscopy, use of polymerase chain reaction, and metagenomic sequencing, can be helpful in early recognition of pathogens. Treatment of most of these involves lowering of immunosuppression when possible and use of specific antimicrobial agents when available. Improved outcomes can be seen when early diagnosis is made.
Socialization through stories of disaster in engineering laboratories

The initiation of novices into research communities relies on the communication of tacit knowledge, behavioral norms and moral values. Much of this instruction happens informally, as messages subtly embedded in everyday interactions. Through participant-observation and interviews, I investigate how engineers socialize future engineers. Specifically, I study how undergraduate students who work in an engineering laboratory learn their research community's social and technical norms. I found that a key method of conveying knowledge about social behavior and technical practices is the narration of the experience of mistakes and failures. As a powerful tool of socialization, these 'disaster stories' contain messages of self-deprecation, humility, teamwork and mutual learning. They are most often told by the principal investigator or a graduate student to an undergraduate student, thus generously offering novices the opportunity to learn vicariously through more experienced engineers' errors. Disaster stories can reduce hierarchy, normalize learning through mistakes and build relationships among workers through the sharing of humbling personal struggles. The stories promote collaboration, a sense of belonging and the value of continuous learning for all the community's members. They demonstrate the power of storytelling in the acquisition of tacit social and technical knowledge.
Population-Based Study of Traffic-Related Air Pollution and Obesity in Mexican Americans.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess the cross-sectional association between residential exposure to traffic-related air pollution and obesity in Mexican American adults. METHODS A total of 7,826 self-reported Mexican Americans aged 20 to 60 years old were selected from the baseline survey of the MD Anderson Mano-a-Mano Mexican American Cohort. Concentrations of traffic-related particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 μm were modeled at geocoded residential addresses using a dispersion models. The residential proximity to the nearest major road was calculated using a Geographic Information System. Linear and logistic regression models were used to estimate the adjusted associations between exposure and obesity, defined as BMI ≥ 30. RESULTS More than half (53.6%) of the study participants had BMI ≥ 30, with a higher prevalence in women (55.0%) than in men (48.8%). Overall higher traffic-related air pollution exposures were associated with lower BMI in men but higher BMI in women. By stratifying for those who lived in a 0- to 1,500-m road buffer, the one-interquartile-range (685.1 m) increase of distance to a major road had a significant association with a 0.58-kg/m2 lower BMI (95% CI: -0.92 to -0.24) in women. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to intensive traffic is associated with increased risk of obesity in Mexican American women.
A Design Quality Learning Unit in Relational Data Modeling Based on Thriving Systems Properties

This paper presents a learning unit that addresses quality design in relational data models. The focus on modeling allows the learning to span analysis, design, and implementation enriching pedagogy across the systems development life cycle. Thriving Systems Theory presents fifteen choice properties that convey design quality in models integrating aspects of aesthetics, the more subjective phenomena of satisfaction; a quality perspective more expansive than that usually found in software engineering, the traditional “objective” notion of metrics. Recent IS curriculum guidelines relegate software development to elective status confining design pedagogy into smaller and smaller pockets of course syllabi. Where undergraduate IS students may once have practiced modeling in analysis, design, and implementation across several courses using a variety of languages and tools, they commonly now experience modeling in two or three courses in at most a couple of paradigms. And in most of these courses their modeling focuses on acceptable syntax rather than achieving design quality in information systems. Learning design quality may once have been an osmotic side effect of development practice, but now it must be a conscious goal in pedagogy if it is to be taught at all. This learning unit is intended as an adaptable framework to be tailored to the coursework and the overall objectives of specific IS programs.
Conopsoides Hitchcock 1858: an ichnological chimera of Acanthichnus and Bifurculapes

The ichnogenus Conopsoides, established in the Nineteenth Century, was differentiated from other ichnogenera by the presence of mounds of sediment associated with the tracks, but this characteristic is now considered an invalid ichnotaxobase by some invertebrate ichnologists. Consequently, Conopsoides has been compared to other ichnogenera in the Hitchcock collection in order to determine if other characteristics could be used to differentiate it. As a result, the morphologies exhibited by Conopsoides are seen in two other ichnogenera, Acanthichnus and Bifurculapes. Specifically, the morphologies seen in the type species, Conopsoides larvalis, are observed in Acanthichnus cursorius and Acanthichnus saltatorius, and therefore different specimens of Conopsoides larvalis are considered to belong to these two ichnospecies. Similarly, the morphology observed in Conopsoides curtus is observed in Bifurculapes laqueatus, so the former ichnospecies is considered a junior subjective synonym of the latter.
Computing controlled invariant sets in two moves

In this paper we revisit the problem of computing controlled invariant sets for controllable discrete-time linear systems. We propose a novel algorithm that does not rely on iterative computations. Instead, controlled invariant sets are computed in two moves: 1) we lift the problem to a higher dimensional space where a controlled invariant set is computed in closed-form; 2) we project the resulting set back to the original domain to obtain the desired controlled invariant set. One of the advantages of the proposed method is the ability to handle larger systems.
Misvaluation of Hospital-Based Upper Extremity Surgery Across Payment, Relative Value Units, and Operative Time.

Background Many US health care institutions have adopted compensation models based on work relative value units (wRVUs) to standardize payments and incentivize providers. Among other factors, a major determinant of payment and wRVU assignments is operative time. Our objective was to determine whether differences in estimated operative times between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) contribute to payment and wRVU misvaluation for the most common hospital-based hand and upper extremity procedures. Methods Data on wRVUs, surgeon payment, and estimated operative times were collected from CMS for 53 procedures. We used regression models to compare relationships between these variables, in addition to actual median operative times as reported in the NSQIP database, from 2011 to 2016. We then determined the relative valuation of each procedure based on operative time. Results There was a wide discrepancy between CMS and NSQIP operative times (R2=0.49), with 60% of CMS times being longer than NSQIP times. Payment correlated more strongly with CMS operative times (R2=0.55) than with NSQIP operative times (R2=0.24). Similarly, wRVUs more strongly correlated with CMS operative times (R2=0.84) than with NSQIP operative times (R2=0.51). In general, for trauma-related procedures, any distal radius open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) had the highest valuation while any ORIF proximal to the distal radius had lower valuation in analysis of both databases. While 61% of trauma procedures were highly valued, 70% of elective procedures had a low valuation, including nearly all elective tendon procedures. Notable compensation differences were found between trapeziectomy versus ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition, epicondyle debridement with tendon repair versus denervation, proximal row carpectomy versus four corner fusion, and distal radius open versus percutaneous fixation. Conclusions CMS may misvalue payment and wRVU rates of hospital-based hand procedures due to inaccurate operative time estimates. By identifying which procedures are misvalued in terms of payment and wRVU per operative time, providers and payors may be able to address these imbalances and maximize appropriate care delivery incentives.Level of Evidence: III.
Term Limits in Academic Public Health Administration.

OBJECTIVES Term limits might be appropriate for leadership positions in academic public health. This study assessed the appointment processes and terms for deans, directors, and chairs of schools and programs of public health and their views on term limits. METHODS A 10-question survey was developed for the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health and provided electronically to 127 deans and program directors in November and December 2019, of whom 58 (46%) responded. RESULTS Of 54 respondents to the question on term limits, 45 deans and directors of schools and programs of public health served with no terms or limits and 9 served with terms of 3-5 years with no limits on the number of terms. Respondents largely agreed with most arguments for or against term limits. Of 51 respondents, most indicated completely or moderately valid support for 2 arguments for term limits: diversity (n = 40) and succession planning (n = 40). Of 51 respondents, most indicated completely or moderately valid support for 3 arguments against term limits: stable and continuous leadership (n = 40), time for leadership development (n = 37), and loss of institutional memory (n = 35). Twenty-seven of 53 responding deans and directors viewed the most appropriate terms and limits as being more restrictive than their current terms; the other 26 viewed the most appropriate terms as being the same as their current terms. No respondents preferred less restrictive limits than their current terms. CONCLUSION Although term limits for deans, directors, and chairs are rare in schools and programs of public health, many deans and directors view term limits as appropriate. Schools and programs may reconsider their current policies for term limits.
Outcomes of Septuagenarian and Octogenarian Females Hospitalized For Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Introduction Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) is generally considered a disease of the elderly. Hospitalizations for HFpEF in the United States are rising, especially among women. It is largely unknown if there are any differences in-hospital outcomes between two elderly age groups of women admitted for acute HFpEF. Aim -To evaluate inpatient differences in outcomes between septuagenarian and octogenarian females admitted for acute HFpEF. Methods The United States Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was queried for hospitalizations of females aged 70 years and above with a primary diagnosis of HFpEF in 2016. Primary outcomes of interest include mortality, length of stay (LOS), and charges. A 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to match octogenarians with septuagenarians based on race, region, and selected disease conditions. Outcomes were compared among matched cohorts using multivariable regression models. Results A total of 19,309 HFpEF hospitalizations were identified: 10,895 female patients were octogenarians, and 8,414 were septuagenarians. After PSM, 7,213 patients were matched in each group. Compared to septuagenarians, octogenarians were associated with increased odds of inpatient mortality (OR, 1.25 [1.02-1.54], P=0.0327), and an average of $4,973 less total hospital charges ($3271-$6675, P Conclusion Octogenarian hospitalizations compared to septuagenarian hospitalizations in women for HFpEF was associated with greater risk of in-hospital deaths, lower hospital charges, and decreased utilization of mechanical ventilation.
Cyber Operations, Legal Secrecy, and Civil-Military Relations (book chapter in Reconsidering American Civil-Military Relations, Lionel Beehner, Risa Brooks & Daniel Maurer, eds. (2020))

Civil-military relations in cyberspace are under-studied. So too are the roles at their intersection played by law and secrecy. To illuminate the nexus of these matters and to spur additional thought and policy action, this chapter makes several observations and recommendations. First, salient aspects of cyberspace make civil-military relations in the realm of digital national security operations especially challenging, uncertain, and consequential. Second, the two most powerful masters of the military in the American constitutional system – the Congress and the President – have in recent years given the military expansive authority for operations in a realm where it is unusually difficult for civilians and elected officials to monitor and appraise their performance. A reported classified order by President Trump appears to be consistent with his administration’s broader effort to drive responsibility for national security decisions down the chain of command. That is, away from suits and toward uniforms, and away from the Executive Branch’s electorally accountable Commander in Chief and toward agencies. Third, the public record indicates that the military is gaining its greater authority in cyberspace in meaningful part through legal secrecy – via the use of unpublished legal authorities. Such “secret law” is both useful and inherently problematic in a republic, as I have explored in depth elsewhere in my scholarship. Fourth and finally, this chapter argues that Congress is right to be engaged on cyber operations. But Congress should be doing more than delegating authority. It should also exercise its constitutional prerogatives to write rules that govern and regulate cyber operations in ways that expressly account for the challenges in transparency, technical familiarity, and civil-military relationships these operations inevitably raise.
The Legal and Regulatory Status of Biosimilars: How Product Naming and State Substitution Laws May Impact the United States Healthcare System

Alongside the constitutional controversy ultimately addressed by the Supreme Court, the colossal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) ushered in a new paradigm for regulation of biologics by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Nestled within the expansive ACA, the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA) set forth an abbreviated pathway to market for "biosimilar" and "interchangeable" biological products. While the current BPCIA implementation debate focuses chiefly on the scope of scientific and technical assessments by the FDA and the effect on the emergent biosimilar industry, two issues will prove essential for determinations of access to and costs of the resulting products: how the biosimilar and interchangeable biosimilar biologics are to be named, and whether pharmacist substitution is appropriate for products the FDA deems interchangeable. This article examines the current debate surrounding the use of nonproprietary names for biosimilar biologics, as well as state efforts to reconcile automatic substitution laws for the eventual products. In particular, the article addresses the implications for patients and the United States health care system, highlighting the potential negative effect on anticipated cost-savings, hindrances for effective tracking and reporting of adverse events, and a general lack of consistency in state laws.
Beyond Screenshots: Machine-Actionable, Canonical, Semantic Citation of Graphed Data

In 2016 and 2017, a series of conferences for European philologists was organized around the question, “What digital services, collections or curricula need to be developed so that a field of study can flourish in a digital society?” This paper argues for the need to cite graphs of data with machine-actionable canonical citation, independently of the data organized by a graph. It describes ongoing work to implement a “Canonical Graph Service” into the CITE/CTS framework used by the Homer Multitext (HMT). It describes citation of graphs, parts of graphs, and sub-graphs by URN, with some examples of how such URN citations might usefully be resolved. Finally, I discuss the limits of this approach, problems that will not be solved by a Canonical Graph Service. This approach may facilitate the creation of generic tools for documenting syntax across languages, integrating data from diverse projects, and opening new areas of research to scholars outside of quantitative fields.
Two-Sided Messages Promote Openness for Morally Based Attitudes:

This research demonstrates that two- versus one-sided counterattitudinal messages can encourage people with a strong moral basis for their attitudes to be more open to contrary positions. Studies 1A/B demonstrated that the interaction between moral basis and message sidedness was present not just for a controversial issue with balanced views in society but also for a topic with a majority opinion. In Study 2, the relative effectiveness of two- over one-sided messages for people with a moral attitude basis was shown to occur only when the two-sided message respectfully acknowledged the recipient's side. In Study 3, the effect was replicated in a preregistered experiment. Furthermore, moral bases provided unique predictive power beyond alternative attitude strength indicators. Across all studies, perceived appreciation of the speaker acknowledging the recipient's view mediated the impact of the independent variables on openness.
Writing an effective National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget: How to get the money for your science.

Abstract In the scheme of developing an application for funding from any federal or foundation source, it is reasonable to place significant attention on the science. However, it is also imperative to remember that your budget is what will provide the resources to make sure you can complete your proposed investigations and, as such, deserves appropriate consideration. In the competitive arena of extramural funding, funding agencies are incentivized to ensure that the funds committed to research will yield maximum impact. A well-thought-out budget demonstrates to the funding agency 2 key factors: (1) that you understand the needs of the project and (2) you have a realistic expectation of the project costs. When these 2 things are communicated to the funding agency, in addition to the significance of your science, it is more likely that you will receive the budget you request. Herein, we put forth the fundamentals for preparing your budget and the nuances that may help you not only be in compliance but also improve your chances of success. This article will discuss issues to consider when designing a budget for large research grants, using the NIH R&R Budget as a prototype.