cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Enigma of Standing Doctrine in Texas Courts

This Article examines federal and Texas standing doctrine and makes recommendations for the principled application of the traditional non-jurisdictional approach of the procedural defense of standing under Texas law for common law claims and statutory rights of action and for the concomitant restriction of the jurisdictional aspects of standing to litigation brought by private persons and governmental units to enforce public rights or compel the performance of public duties. This Article also explains how the concepts of standing and capacity can be reconciled and harmonized.
Chemical Biology Approaches for Investigating the Functions of Lysine Acetyltransferases

The side-chain acetylation of lysine residues in histones and non-histone proteins catalyzed by lysine acetyltransferases (KATs) represents a widespread posttranslational modification (PTM) in the eukaryotic cells. Lysine acetylation plays regulatory roles in major cellular pathways inside and outside the nucleus. In particular, KAT-mediated histone acetylation has an effect on all DNA-templated epigenetic processes. Aberrant expression and activation of KATs are commonly observed in human diseases, especially cancer. In recent years, the study of KAT functions in biology and disease has greatly benefited from chemical biology tools and strategies. In this Review, we present the past and current accomplishments in the design of chemical biology approaches for the interrogation of KAT activity and function. These methods and probes are classified according to their mechanisms of action and respective applications, with both strengths and limitations discussed.
The NCDR ICD Registry: A Foundation for Quality Improvement.

![Figure][1] ![Figure][1] With the publication of the SCD-HeFT (Sudden Cardiac Death in Heart Failure Trial) in 2005 [(1)][2], the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a National Coverage Decision (NCD) for the implantation of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators
Three-dimensional imaging of trapped cold atoms with a light field microscope

This research images trapped atoms in three dimensions, utilizing light field imaging. Such a system is of interest in the development of atom interferometer accelerometers in dynamic systems where strictly defined focal planes may be impractical. In this research, a light field microscope was constructed utilizing a Lytro Development Kit micro lens array and sensor. It was used to image fluorescing rubidium atoms in a magneto optical trap. The three-dimensional (3D) volume of the atoms is reconstructed using a modeled point spread function (PSF), taking into consideration that the low magnification (1.25) of the system changed typical assumptions used in the optics model for the PSF. The 3D reconstruction is analyzed with respect to a standard off-axis fluorescence image. Optical axis separation between two atom clouds is measured to a 100 μm accuracy in a 3 mm deep volume, with a 16 μm in-focus standard resolution with a 3.9 mm by 3.9 mm field of view. Optical axis spreading is observed in the reconstruction and discussed. The 3D information can be used to determine properties of the atom cloud with a single camera and single image, and can be applied anywhere 3D information is needed but optical access may be limited.
Direct Chlorination of Trispyrazolyl Borate Ligands in Tp-Ruthenium Complexes

Trispyrazolyl borate (Tp) ligands are highly modifiable to vary their steric and electronic properties, and the ability to selectively modify them after metal complexation would allow for rapid catalyst diversification. To this end, stable ruthenium complexes TpRu(cod)Cl (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) and TpRu(nbd)Cl (nbd = norbornadiene) were selectively chlorinated at the 4-positions of the Tp pyrazole rings in high yields to afford TpClRu(cod)Cl and TpClRu(nbd)Cl. The chlorinated complexes could then undergo diene ligand exchange to afford phosphine complexes TpClRu(phosphine)Cl and TpClRu(phosphine)Cl2. Complexes were characterized via NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, UV–vis spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry.
Mixed Methods Designs for Making Cross-Cultural Comparisons:

Mixed methods, cross-cultural designs are a special case of the more general, mixed methods between-groups designs. The defining feature of mixed methods is the principled integration of qualitativ...
Fractal Regional Myocardial Blood Flows: The Anatomical Basis

Fractals provide a basis for analyzing recursive processes in biology, such as the growth of arborizing networks in the circulatory system, airways or glandular ducts. Coronary branching patterns appear fractal; constructing artificial vascular networks from the anatomical statistics can be done in various ways. Using a simple avoidance algorithm to position successive segments of an adult coronary arterial system correctly provides a priori prediction of five physiological features: (1) pressure profiles, (2) spatial heterogeneity in regional flows, (3) fractal dimension for the self-similarity, (4) spatial self-similar autocorrelation in flows, (5) fractal temporal washout from vascular indicators with power law exponent of —3. The success in explaining the physiology from the anatomy does not explain why the anatomy itself explains so much: growth processes of a variety of sorts may lead to similar results through a combination of growth followed by remodeling to fine-tune the relationship between tissue demands and vascular supply of oxygen and nutrients. The remodeling may be even more important than the original growth processes.
Condition Dependence of Structural Plumage Coverage in Indigo Buntings Passerina Cyanea

Nuptial plumage colouration is seemingly favoured by females of avian species with regards to sexual selection. This particular secondary sexual characteristic has been previously shown to be a con...
Total Hip Arthroplasty

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a surgical procedure that replaces the components of a damaged hip joint (femoral head and acetabulum), most commonly due to osteoarthritis, with acetabular and femoral prostheses. The goal of these prostheses is to recreate a normal ball-in socket hip joint which allows for pain-free motion of the hip. THA is becoming one of the most frequently performed orthopedic procedures with recent figures estimating that over 2.5 million people in the United States are living with total hip prostheses: Furthermore, since the 1800s, when the first THA was performed techniques have rapidly advanced. Given the commonality and complexity of this topic, it is important that medical students have a firm understanding of the fundamental principles of THA. This chapter presents questions that students may encounter during their orthopedic rotations and may serve as a guide as to what THA fundamental concepts medical students should understand at the end of their rotation. This includes, but is not limited to, the relevant anatomy, anatomical approaches used for THA, the components of a THA, and the technical considerations in THA.
Thermochemical Fractionation and Liquefaction of Wood

Approximately 40% of the wood harvested in the US today is for pulp and paper production.1 This high grade use will certainly continue in the years to come. Thus our approaches to biomass utilization have emphasized systems which complement cellulose production and incorporate schemes for total utilization of the woody stem. This means more efficient utilization of wood industry wastes and byproducts. Our plan is oriented to both the energy and materials crises.
Proactive Knowledge Replication: The Choice and Performance Effects of Using Principles or Templates

We seek to identify the antecedents and consequences of using two different forms of knowledge replication: principles and templates. We predict that MNE consulting project leaders with strong loca...
Colon Cancer Sidedness, Presentation, and Survival at Different Stages

Background. Several prognostic factors have been used to guide therapy for colon cancer (CC). However, the relationship between CC laterality (sidedness) and prognosis remains under investigation. Objectives. To assess the effect of laterality on CC presentation and survival, using a Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) population-based cohort. Methods. A retrospective cohort study using data from the SEER program (2007-2015). Results. Of the 163,980 patients with CC, 85,779 (52.3%) presented with right-sided CC (RCC) and 78,201 (47.7%) with left-sided CC (LCC). Stage distributions were as follows: stage I, 24.1%; stage II, 27.3%; stage III, 28.2%; and stage IV, 20.4%. In an adjusted modified Poisson regression approach for risk ratio (RR), patients with LCCs were more likely to be male (RR = 1.14; 95% CI 1.12-1.15, p<0.001). As compared to stage I, stage II cancers (RR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.87-0.90, p<0.001) were less likely to be LCC. Stage IV CC was slightly less likely to be left-sided (RR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.98, 0.96-1.00, p = 0.028). The median overall survival (OS) for RCC was 87 months. The median OS for LCC was not established, as more than half of the patients diagnosed with LCC were still living at the time of the analysis. In adjusted Cox proportional Hazard model, individuals with stage I, III, and IV LCCs had superior OS as compared to those with matched-stage RCC (adjusted HR = 0.87; 95% CI 0.85-0.88, p<0.001). However, OS was worse among those with stage II disease who presented with LCC (adjusted Hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.06; 95% CI 1.02-1.11, p = 0.004). CC-specific survival (CSS) was superior for LCC versus RCC for stages III and IV but worse for II. Conclusions. In this population-cohort study, LCC is associated with superior OS and CSS survival. The overall survival advantage was attributed to stage I, III, and IV disease. Individuals presenting with stage II disease exhibit superior survival if the CC is right-sided.
How Preservice Teachers Use Learner Knowledge for Planning and In-the-Moment Teaching Decisions during Guided Reading.

Decision-making is essential for the work of teaching. Preservice teachers must learn to leverage knowledge about young readers’ strengths, needs, and interests in order to plan and teach guided re...
Modified Thermomechanical Triaxial Cell for Microscopic Assessment of Clay Fabric Using Synchrotron X-Ray Diffraction

This article presents a thermomechanical triaxial cell modified to fit inside a synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) beamline aiming to assess thermally induced microstructural changes in saturated clays under in situ conditions. Understanding these thermally induced microstructural alternations in clays will explain some of the poorly understood or misunderstood concepts about the thermomechanical behavior of these soils; this, in turn, will allow more robust designs of geostructures for thermal and energy applications. Compared to other techniques, synchrotron diffraction provides (1) high accuracy and sensitivity to small changes compared to benchtop XRD and (2) the ability to assess microstructure changes under in situ conditions (i.e., stress, saturation, and temperature). The design and selection of the various materials used in the modified triaxial cell are first presented. Based on this design, it is recommended to use (1) sample diameters in the 5 to 7–mm range to minimize sample disturbance during trimming and X-ray background scattering during X-ray scans and (2) a transparent cell with acrylic walls, with nitrogen gas as the confining fluid and neoprene membranes, since all considered cell wall materials (i.e., acrylic and aluminum), confining gases (i.e., nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon, and compressed air), and membrane materials (i.e., latex and neoprene) result in accurate diffraction measurements. The modified cell was then used to assess the changes in particle reorientations of a normally consolidated kaolinite clay after the saturation and consolidation stages as well as the heating load. The results showed that the saturation and consolidation stages reoriented the particles perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sample, which is the same direction as the pore water flowing in and out of the sample. Further particle reorientations were observed due to heating.
GroundTruth: Augmenting Expert Image Geolocation with Crowdsourcing and Shared Representations

Expert investigators bring advanced skills and deep experience to analyze visual evidence, but they face limits on their time and attention. In contrast, crowds of novices can be highly scalable and parallelizable, but lack expertise. In this paper, we introduce the concept of shared representations for crowd--augmented expert work, focusing on the complex sensemaking task of image geolocation performed by professional journalists and human rights investigators. We built GroundTruth, an online system that uses three shared representations-a diagram, grid, and heatmap-to allow experts to work with crowds in real time to geolocate images. Our mixed-methods evaluation with 11 experts and 567 crowd workers found that GroundTruth helped experts geolocate images, and revealed challenges and success strategies for expert-crowd interaction. We also discuss designing shared representations for visual search, sensemaking, and beyond.
Hepatic Transcriptomic Patterns in the Neonatal Rat After Pentabromodiphenyl Ether Exposure.

Human exposure to pentabromodiphenyl ether (PBDE) mixture (DE-71) and its PBDE-47 congener can occur both in utero and during lactation. Here, we tested the hypothesis that PBDE-induced neonatal he...
Reaction–permeability optimum time heating policy via process control for debinding green ceramic components

ABSTRACTThe minimisation of temperature–time schedules to thermally debind ceramic green bodies has been examined for the case when the species of binder degradation transit the green component via...
Effects of Controller Saturation on Domain of Attraction Estimation of Droop-Controlled Inverter

This paper examines the effects of introducing controller saturation on the estimated domain of attraction of a droop-controlled inverter connected to an infinite bus. Previous studies have explored the effect of operating conditions and parameters on the inverter's domain of attraction. However, in these studies controller saturation was ignored. This paper accomplishes the above by introducing a saturation function on the controller output. A Takagi-Sugeno Multimodel Linear Matrix Inequality was used to show the effect of the saturation function on the estimated domain of attraction. Simulation results were used to illustrate the results of the estimated domains. Results highlight the importance of including the controller saturation to improve the accuracy of the estimated domain of attraction. Simplified models may be able to correctly estimate the stable domains of many saturated system states.
Using Electronic Data Collection Platforms to Assess Complementary and Integrative Health Patient-Reported Outcomes: Feasibility Project.

Background: The Veteran Administration (VA) Office of Patient-Centered Care and Cultural Transformation is invested in improving veteran health through a whole-person approach while taking advantage of the electronic resources suite available through the VA. Currently, there is no standardized process to collect and integrate electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) of complementary and integrative health (CIH) into clinical care using a web-based survey platform. This quality improvement project enrolled veterans attending CIH appointments within a VA facility and used web-based technologies to collect ePROs. Objective: This study aimed to (1) determine a practical process for collecting ePROs using patient email services and a web-based survey platform and (2) conduct analyses of survey data using repeated measures to estimate the effects of CIH on patient outcomes. Methods: In total, 100 veterans from one VA facility, comprising 11 cohorts, agreed to participate. The VA patient email services (Secure Messaging) were used to manually send links to a 16-item web-based survey stored on a secure web-based survey storage platform (Qualtrics). Each survey included questions about patient outcomes from CIH programs. Each cohort was sent survey links via Secure Messaging (SM) at 6 time points: weeks 1 through 4, week 8, and week 12. Process evaluation interviews were conducted with five primary care providers to assess barriers and facilitators to using the patient-reported outcome survey in usual care. Results: This quality improvement project demonstrated the usability of SM and Qualtrics for ePRO collection. However, SM for ePROs was labor intensive for providers. Descriptive statistics on health competence (2-item Perceived Health Competence Scale), physical and mental health (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Global-10), and stress (4-item Perceived Stress Scale) indicated that scores did not significantly change over time. Survey response rates varied (18/100, 18.0%-42/100, 42.0%) across each of the 12 weekly survey periods. In total, 74 of 100 participants provided ≥1 survey, and 90% (66/74) were female. The majority, 62% (33/53) of participants, who reported the use of any CIH modality, reported the use of two or more unique modalities. Primary care providers highlighted specific challenges with SM and offered solutions regarding staff involvement in survey implementation. Conclusions: This quality improvement project informs our understanding of the processes currently available for using SM and web-based data platforms to collect ePROs. The study results indicate that although it is possible to use SM and web-based survey platforms for ePROs, automating scheduled administration will be necessary to reduce provider burden. The lack of significant change in ePROs may be due to standard measures taking a biomedical approach to wellness. Future work should focus on identifying ideal ePRO processes that would include standardized, whole-person measures of wellness.
Assessing the Effectiveness of an Extender Model Partnership in Implementing a Multicomponent, School-Based Nutrition Intervention:

Childhood obesity continues to be a problem of national concern; school-based obesity prevention programs that incorporate nutrition education are among the efforts to address this issue. Implementation of these programs is often conducted through partner agencies like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed). As educators within these agencies have limited time and many schools qualify for programming, developing programs that extend reach by partnering with classroom teachers to deliver nutrition education is critical. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the effectiveness of a teacher extender model compared with direct nutrition education from trained staff using the research-tested, evidence-based Shaping Healthy Choices Program. Data collected as part of this evaluation in intervention and control groups included nutrition knowledge, body mass index percentile, and vegetable identification in youth; lesson fidelity observations and feasibility from teachers; and demographics from parents. Overall, unequal within variances did not allow for the statistical power to detect change. Generally, teachers enjoyed the program but found it too time-consuming to implement. While results were unclear, important lessons were learned regarding the implementation of extender programs warranting further research. Overall, this study aligns with others in the literature that indicate time is a major barrier to implementing nutrition education in the classroom. This study underscores the need for policy mandating nutrition education in schools.
Factors affecting time to treatment in hepatocellular cancer.

e19088Background: Significant disparities in the stage at diagnosis and survival outcomes exist between various groups diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on sex, race, insurance co...
Promises and Perils of Mobile Voting

Voter turnout is often low and unequal, but the opportunity to vote on a mobile device could drastically lower the cost of democratic participation. In 2018, West Virginia became the first U.S. sta...
The important role of immunizations in alcoholic and non-alcoholic chronic liver disease: a population-based study

OBJECTIVE To determine differences in frequencies of vaccine-preventable diseases between alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and non-alcoholic liver disease (NALD) patients. METHODS This population-based cohort study used USA national inpatient sample ICD-9 codes from January 2012 to September 2015. Frequencies of admissions for ALD and NALD in patients with pneumococcal pneumonia, influenza, herpes zoster virus, varicella zoster virus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, human papilloma virus, meningococcal meningitis, diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus were measured. Frequencies and patients' characteristics were compared for ALD and NALD using χ2 test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS There was no difference in admissions for hepatitis A and pneumococcal pneumonia between the ALD and NALD groups. There were fewer admissions for hepatitis B (1.17% vs 1.80%, odds ratio [OR] 0.64, P < 0.01), herpes zoster (0.12% vs 0.17%, OR 0.69, P < 0.01), influenza (0.16% vs 0.26%, OR 0.59, P < 0.01) and all others (0.005% vs 0.015%, OR 0.36, P = 0.01) in the ALD group than the NALD group. The extreme all patient refined-diagnosis related groups mortality risk was 15.24% in ALD and 7.77% in NALD admissions (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS The most frequent vaccine-preventable disease in both groups was hepatitis B. Patients with NALD had higher odds of admissions for hepatitis B, herpes zoster virus, influenza and other vaccine-preventable disease than ALD patients. However, the ALD group had a higher risk of mortality when admitted to hospital with a vaccine-preventable disease than the NALD group.
Role of Node Dissection in Pancreatic Tumor Resection

Pancreatic cancer is a lethal disease, and, even with modern therapies, the mortality has not decreased significantly in decades. The prognostic importance of lymph node status is well defined; however, the role of extended lymphadenectomy to improve local recurrence and overall survival remains debated. Six randomized controlled trials have evaluated the extent of lymph node dissection in pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer. We sought to review the current literature to evaluate the role of lymphadenectomy in pancreatic cancer. The impact of each trial and its contribution to the literature is discussed. Multiple randomized trials have failed to note an improvement in overall survival with extended lymphadenectomy for pancreatic cancer. Rather, extended lymphadenectomy was associated with increased morbidity, operating room time, and length of stay.
Clinical Significance of Positive Results of the BioFire Cerebrospinal Fluid FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel at a Tertiary Medical Center in the United States.

Context.— The FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis (ME) panel is the first US Food and Drug Administration-cleared multiplex polymerase chain reaction panel for the detection of central nervous system infections. While the assay's performance characteristics have been described, the real-world significance of positive results has not been fully characterized. Objective.— To evaluate the clinical significance of positive ME panel results in a tertiary care medical center in New York, New York. Design.— Four physicians independently performed retrospective clinical assessments of all positive ME panel results at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, including the Children's Hospital of New York, during an 18-month period. Each reviewer determined the likelihood of central nervous system infection for all cases and whether cases fit Brighton diagnostic criteria for meningitis, encephalitis, or meningoencephalitis. Results.— Among 119 cases, there was 75% positive agreement (95% CI, 54%-89%) between ME panel results and clinical consensus, which varied among panel targets. Conclusions.— The ME panel showed good agreement with expert clinical consensus for patients presenting with acute meningitis/encephalitis. Factors contributing to clinically insignificant ME positive results included low pretest probability, traumatic lumbar puncture, specimen contamination, and detection of incidental viral targets such as human herpesvirus 6. Notably, the ME panel detected more than twice the number of cases of bacterial meningitis detected by culture alone, particularly among patients receiving empiric antimicrobial therapy before lumbar puncture. Appropriate test use and contextual interpretation of results are critical to leveraging the advantages of the platform while avoiding potential pitfalls.
Chronic inflammatory diseases and coronary heart disease: Insights from cardiovascular CT.

Abstract Epidemiological and clinical studies have demonstrated a consistent relationship between increased systemic inflammation and increased risk of cardiovascular events. In chronic inflammatory states, traditional risk factors only partially account for the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) but underestimate total cardiovascular risk likely due to the residual risk of inflammation. Computed coronary tomography angiography (CCTA) may aid in risk stratification by noninvasively capturing early CAD, identifying high risk plaque morphology and quantifying plaque at baseline and in response to treatment. In this review, we focus on reviewing studies on subclinical atherosclerosis by CCTA in individuals with chronic inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematous (SLE), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and psoriasis. We start with a brief review on the role of inflammation in atherosclerosis, highlight the utility of using CCTA to delineate vessel wall and plaque characteristics and discuss combining CCTA with laboratory studies and emerging technologies to complement traditional risk stratification in chronic inflammatory states.
Quantized Nonlinear Pumping with Photons

The topological properties of the two dimensional integer quantum Hall effect are also captured by 1+1 dimensional pumping models. These, so called Thouless pumps [1] , have served as simplified models to understand quantized transport. Exact quantization arises from uniform occupation of topologically nontrivial bands and can be observed in fermionic as well as bosonic systems. Here, we theoretically propose and experimentally observe quantized nonlinear Thouless pumping, with a decidedly nonuniform occupation of any band, in an array of weakly coupled waveguides with Kerr nonlinearity, which arises due to the ambient borosilicate glass.
Accounting for Differences of Legitimacy

In Chapter 2, it was argued that legitimacy of law is more easily maintained and reinforced in cases of perceived ingroup governance. We have seen that government fishery regulation has a significantly larger degree of legitimacy in Uerhavn than in Little Spruce Harbour. If we assume that this is a general difference between Norway and Newfoundland, we might start looking for differences on the macro level that might explain these observations.
Integrating learning into a hierarchical vehicle control system

The National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Intelligent Systems Division (ISD) is a participant in the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) LAGR (Learning Applied to Ground Robots) Program. The NIST team's objective for the LAGR Program is to embed learning algorithms into the modules that make up the 4D/RCS (Four Dimensional/Real-Time Control System), the standard reference model architecture that ISD has applied to many intelligent systems. This enables the vehicle to learn to navigate in complex, off-road terrain. The vehicle learns in several ways. These include learning by example, learning by experience, and learning how to optimize traversal. Learning takes place in the sensory processing, world modeling, and behavior generation parts of the control system. This paper describes the 4D/RCS structure, its application to the LAGR program, and the learning and mobility control methods used by the NIST team's vehicle. Results are shown from the series of tests conducted by an independent evaluation team, and the performance of one of the learning algorithms is evaluated.
Evolution and the Plasticity of Aging in the Reproductive Schedules in Long-Lived Animals: The Importance of Genetic Variation in Neuroendocrine Mechanisms

Publisher Summary This chapter considers the importance of genetic variation in neuroendocrine mechanisms in evolution and the plasticity of aging in the reproductive schedules in long-lived animals, bringing new examples into the discussion of the evolution of aging. The plasticity of aging in the evolution of reproductive schedules of long-lived animals is considered in neuroendocrine terms. Humans, like certain other warm-blooded vertebrates, produce relatively few progeny per female parent during prolonged reproductive schedules. These reptiles, birds, and mammals have extended reproductive schedules during life spans that extend into and possibly beyond the human range. In some species, parental success increases progressively with age, possibly by the acquisition of experience and ecological skills after sexual maturation. Using laboratory flies, artificial selection of early or later reproductive schedules also expands and contracts the life expectancy within 10 generations.
Preventing complications in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Alternative anticoagulants are improving patient outcomes.

PREVIEWDelays in treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), the most common serious drug reaction in hospitals, contribute to poor patient outcomes. Fortunately, therapeutic strategies have been refined, and new and effective therapeutic agents are available. In this article, Drs Rice, Nguyen, and Vann briefly review the epidemiologic, clinical, pathophysiologic, and diagnostic features of HIT and focus on current treatment approaches.
Making Sense of Complex Systems through Integrated Modeling and Simulation

Making sense of complex systems is difficult due in part to the open, nonlinear, multi-dimensional, highly interdependent nature of such systems. For such systems, modeling and simulation may be the only viable means for facilitating the sensemaking process. In this chapter, we explore a particular form of modeling and simulation, called integrated modeling and simulation, which is well-suited to empower users to make sense of complex systems. We demonstrate the potential of integrated modeling and simulation through the Integrated Modeling Environment (IME).We also illustrate how the design of the IME respects important implications of sensemaking on integrated modeling and simulation.
Personality Science: Three Approaches and Their Applications to the Causes and Treatment of Depression

The latest volume from respected scholar and researcher Marvin Zuckerman is a masterful examination of three contemporary scientific approaches to the study of personalitythe psychodynamic, the trait-psychobiological, and the cognitive. The book also focuses on corresponding theoretical frameworks that continue to guide much of the research on personality disordersAttachment and Separation, the psychobiological paradigm, and cognitive frameworks. Most books on personality theories devote little attention to the applied, clinical realm. Yet Personality Science engages the reader in a discussion of applied personality theories on psychopathology and the crucial contemporary research they have generated: prospective studies from childhood to adulthood, and concurrent studies of the biological correlates of major personality traits. In the concluding chapters of this work, Professor Zuckerman applies the three approaches to the psychopathology of depressionspecifically, to Major Depressive Disorder and dysthymiasurveying the theories and research on the etiology of depression, and exploring clinical applications of the three personality approaches (i.e., psychodynamic and cognitive therapy, and psychopharmacological therapy) to the treatment of the disorder.
Quantifying the relative contributions of riparian and hillslope zones to catchment runoff

[1] The spatial and temporal sources of headwater catchment runoff are poorly understood. We quantified the contributions of hillslopes and riparian zones to streamflow for two storm events in a highly responsive, steep, wet watershed located on the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand. We examined the spatial and temporal components of catchment storm flow using a simple continuity-based approach. We tested this with independent isotopic/solute mass balance hydrograph separation techniques. We monitored catchment runoff, internal hydrological response, isotopic, and solute dynamics at a trenched hillslope, and at hillslope and riparian positions in a 2.6-ha catchment. The gauged hillslope was used to isolate and quantify (by difference) riparian and hillslope zone contributions to the 2.6-ha headwater catchment. Utilizing flow-based approaches and a tracer-based mass balance mixing model, we found that hillslope runoff comprised 2–16% of total catchment storm runoff during a small 27-mm event and 47–55% during a larger 70-mm event. However, less than 4% of the new water collected at the catchment outlet originated from the hillslopes during each event. We found that in the 27-mm rain event, 84–97% of total storm runoff was generated in the riparian zone. In a larger 70-mm event, riparian water dominated total flow early in the event, although the hillslope became the main contributor once hillslope runoff was initiated. Despite the large amount of subsurface hillslope runoff in total storm runoff during the second larger event, riparian and channel zones accounted for 96% of the new water measured at the catchment outlet. Riparian water dominated between events, throughout small runoff events, and during early portions of large events. While this sequencing of catchment position contributions to flow has been conceptualized for some time, this is the first study to quantify this timing, constrained by hydrometric, isotopic, and solute approaches.
Regional expression and cellular localization of the Na(+)-dependent inorganic phosphate cotransporter of rat brain

We have recently isolated and identified a brain specific Na(+)-dependent inorganic phosphate (Pi) cotransporter cDNA (rBNPI) from a rat brain cDNA library (Ni, et al., 1994). We now report the regional and developmental expression, as well as the cellular localization, of rBNPI mRNA in the rat brain. In situ hybridization histochemistry reveals that rBNPI mRNA is selectively expressed in neuron-enriched regions of the adult rat brain, such as the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum. Cellular localization of rBNPI transcripts reveals expression in both pyramidal and granule neurons in these regions. By contrast, little to no hybridization signal was observed in white matter-enriched areas such as the corpus callosum. The expression of rBNPI mRNA was determined during pre- and postnatal development of the rat CNS. From embryonic day 17 to early postnatal day 10 (PND 10), there is a rather widespread but diffuse pattern of rBNPI expression in brain. During late postnatal development, however, the expression of rBNPI mRNA becomes confined to discrete populations of neurons in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum. Thus, rBNPI expression is developmentally regulated and abundant levels of mRNA are found in rather discrete populations of neurons in the adult rat brain. The latter suggests that rBNPI may serve to selectively regulate intracellular Pi transport in certain neurons for either metabolic and (or) signaling events.
Factors contributing to emergency department care within 30 days of hospital discharge and potential ways to prevent it: differences in perspectives of patients, caregivers, and emergency physicians.

BACKGROUND Identifying needs in patients who utilize the emergency department (ED) soon after being discharged from inpatient care is essential for planning appropriate care-transition interventions. OBJECTIVE To examine differences in stakeholder perspectives on reasons for ED care soon after hospital discharge and interventions that could be useful to prevent these ED visits. DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS A convenience sample of 135 patients who presented to an urban teaching hospital ED <30 days after last hospital discharge, their caregivers (when present), and emergency physicians were administered identical structured surveys. Concordance and agreement rates between patient-physician and patient-caregiver dyads were calculated. RESULTS Concordances between stakeholders were poor, with weighted kappas ranging from 0.02 to 0.34 for patient-physician dyads and 0.03 to 0.68 for patient-caregiver dyads. Emergency physicians and caregivers identified factors between 1% and 42% of the time the patients did not. Less than half of any stakeholder could identify an intervention to potentially prevent the ED visit. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest the difficulty in forming unified definitions for root cause of ED visits soon after hospital discharge and support the use of multiple stakeholders in identifying appropriate targets for care-transition interventions. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2014;9:315–319. © 2014 Society of Hospital Medicine
Analysis of Pro/ENGINEER V19 Bench98 benchmark on a platform based on the Pentium(R) II Xeon/sup TM/ processor

The paper characterizes the behavior of the latest Pro/ENGINEER V19 benchmark, Bench98/sup TM/, on an IA-32 workstation platform based on the recently introduced Pentium(R) II Xeon/sup TM/ processor and 82440GX AGPset. The paper investigates the sensitivity of the benchmark to the size and/or speed of various platform components and analyzes the floating point, branching, caching, and memory behavior of the benchmark, comparing the results to the measurements obtained using SPEC95.
Properties of Cement-Sand Based Piezoelectric Composites

A novel cement-sand based piezoelectric smart composite was developed for structural health monitoring (SHM) in civil infrastructures. Most researches have focused on cement-based piezoelectric composites that are unrealistic in their applications due to their incompatibility with reinforced concrete with cement and sand. In this study, sand was applied to fabricate the composite to address the important issue. Two sets of specimens containing 30 vol% and 50 vol% lead zirconate titanate (PZT) were manufactured and their piezoelectric coefficient and dielectric constant were determined. The results showed that the piezoelectric effect and dielectric constant were enhanced with increasing PZT content. In addition, the sensing effect was conducted under compressive tests. The invesitigation demonstrated the feasibility of the new composite in its application to the SHM system.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Echocardiographic Measures of Myocardial Deformation by Speckle-Tracking Technologies: The Need for Standardization?

Background Multiple vendor-specific two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiographic algorithms with which to characterize myocardial mechanics are commercially available. The purpose of this study was to compare global longitudinal strain (GLS) results between two independent software vendors using a neutral image platform. Methods A convenience sample of 100 prospectively collected patients was evaluated. Subjects with more than two left ventricular endocardial segments poorly delineated were excluded. GLS was obtained from the apical four-chamber, three-chamber, and two-chamber views using two independent speckle-tracking echocardiographic software packages (EchoInsight version 1.5.0 and Image-Arena version 4.5). Linear regression analysis and paired t tests were used to compare GLS results. Intraclass correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman plots were used for assessments of reliability. Results The "out-of-the-box" mean GLS was −12.99 ± 2.38% using EchoInsight and −16.87 ± 2.84% using Image-Arena (mean difference, 3.87 ± 2.42%; P = .0001). Agreement between the software packages was moderate (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.43; 95% confidence interval, 0.32–0.55). Using uniform variables to derive GLS (Lagrangian strain measured in systole and diastole at the endocardium and averaging the peak segmental strain curves), EchoInsight GLS was −16.17 ± 2.90% and Image-Arena GLS was −16.87 ± 2.84% (mean difference, 0.70 ± 2.75%; P = .02), with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.70 (95% confidence interval, 0.52–0.79). Conclusions Image-Arena GLS results were consistently different (more negative) than EchoInsight measures out of the box but became similar when information used to derive GLS was uniform. The evolution of measures of myocardial mechanics into routine clinical practice will require vigilance and standardization of the various techniques, necessitating independent validation of commercially available speckle-tracking echocardiographic products.
The true cost of self-signed SSL certificates

As more and more businesses move to online interactions and transactions, many are looking to cut costs and increase profits. One way businesses have sought to do this has been by adopting a do-it-yourself approach to Secure Socket Layer (SSL) security. Doing so, however, puts organisations at risk of both costly breaches and loss of trust from customers and partners. Few companies have the resources and skills to create and manage SSL certificates to the level of security and reliability offered by a Certificate Authority (CA), argues Reiner Kappenberger of Symantec. As more and more businesses move to online interactions and transactions, many are looking to cut costs and increase profits. One way businesses have sought to do this has been adopting a do-it-yourself approach to Secure Socket Layer (SSL) security. Doing so, however, puts their organisation at risk of both costly breaches and loss of trust from customers and partners.
Estimating the Safety Impact of Differential Speed Limit and Truck Lane Restriction on Interstate-10 through Atchafalaya Basin in Louisiana

The safety impact of differential speed limits (DSL) with a truck lane restriction was investigated on a 17 mile long elevated freeway segment over the Atchafalaya Basin in Louisiana that has been a subject of concern for the past decade due to sporadically occurring fatal crashes involving large trucks. Three before and after (B-A) methods were used in the current study: A naive B-A method, the improved B-A method, and the comparison group B-A method. The last two methods estimate the safety difference of a highway facility between, with, and without an intended treatment while taking into account other variables that may affect safety. Although all three methods show the reduction in truck and total crashes with DSL implementation, the naive method clearly underestimates the magnitude of the reductions in this case. Lack of traffic composition information makes the results from the comparison group B-A method less reliable than that by the improved B-A method. Based on the improved B-A method, that is m...
Oxaloacetate production via carboxylations in Crithidia fasciculata preparations.

SYNOPSIS. Fractions containing soluble enzymes from Crithidia fasciculata had an ADP-linked phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxykinase. The enzyme produced ATP and oxaloacetate (OAA) from PEP, ADP and HCO−3. OAA was determined as the endproduct of reactions by forming the 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone derivative; the hydrazone was identified by thin-layer chromatography. Approximate Michaelis constants (PEP, Mg, HCO−3, ADP) were determined spectrophotometrically by linking OAA production to malic dehydrogenase. The PEP carboxykinase did not utilize GDP, UDP or IDP as cofactors; the metal requirement was also satisfied by Mn. The enzyme was inhibited by the biotin antagonists avidin and desthiobiotin. A pyruvate carboxylase was also present in the preparations, generating OAA from pyruvate and ATP. The role of both enzymes in OAA production and subsequent production of succinate is discussed with regard to C. fasciculata and other trypanosomatids.
Positive interactions among plants

Experimental evidence for positive interactions, or facilitation, among plants has increased markedly during the last 10 years. Experiments documenting facilitation have been conducted in many diverse ecological systems, which suggests that positive interactions may be fundamental processes in plant communities. Here, I review the evidence for facilitation, the mechanisms by which facilitation operates, and the effects facilitation has on community structure. Facilitative mechanisms may act simultaneously with resource competition or allelopathy, and the overall effect of one species on another may be the product of multiple, complex interactions. Positive interactions may also determine community spatial patterns, permit coexistence, enhance diversity and productivity, and drive community dynamics. Once viewed as anecdotal and idiosyncratic, facilitation is now contributing to a more complete understanding of community structure and dynamics.
Theoretical analysis of the double cleavage drilled compression specimen

A theoretical analysis of stress intensity factors and crack opening displacements for the double cleavage drilled compression specimen (DCDC) is presented. This specimen exploits a well known fact that the stress field around a circular hole in a plate subjected to uniaxial stress reverses sign at points on the hole which are parallel to the applied stress. Under uniaxial compression, tensile stresses exist at the edge of the hole and this tensile stress propagates a crack in the DCDC specimen. Because this tensile region is very localized, catastrophic crack growth cannot occur and it is not necessary to groove the specimen to promote straight crack growth. The controlled crack growth possible with this specimen should make it possible to examine fracture mechanisms in detail. The simplicity of this test specimen also makes it an ideal candidate for studying environmental effects on fracture.
Queueing delays on virtual circuits using a sliding window flow control scheme

A tandem queue model is developed that models the end-to-end delay behavior in networks that employ sliding window flow control. Messages arriving to find the window filled are assumed to be queued outside the network to await their turn to enter. The model is analyzed using a hierarchical decomposition method; the key step entails incorporating the fact that the interdeparture process is not exponentially distributed. End-to-end delay in virtual circuits can then be obtained by modelling a virtual route as a tandem queue [1] using the method of “adjusted rates.”
Radiation Therapy Improves Survival Outcome in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: Comparison of a 15-Year Institutional Experience at the University of Nebraska Medical Center with SEER Data

Objectives. We examined the role of radiation therapy (RT) in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA) treatment through a 15-year retrospective analysis of patients treated at University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) as well as those from the SEER database. Methods. A total of 561 patients diagnosed with PA at UNMC between 1995 and 2011 and 60,587 patients diagnosed between 1995 and 2009 from the SEER were included. Examined prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) were age, gender, race, stage, year of diagnosis, and treatment with surgery, chemotherapy (CT), or RT. Time to death was plotted by Kaplan-Meier method. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate prognostic factors for OS. Results. The median OS was 7.3 and 5 months for patients from UNMC and the SEER database, respectively. A Cox model of patients from UNMC showed that RT was associated with improved OS (HR 0.77, ) after adjusting for factors including age, race, gender, stage, year of diagnosis, having surgery, or having CT. Cox analysis of patients from the SEER showed similar results (HR 0.65, ). Conclusions. RT confers an independent survival advantage in patients being treated for PA which is apparent both at UNMC and through SEER data.