Rugged landscapes: Complexity and implementation science

BACKGROUND: Mis-implementation-defined as failure to successfully implement and continue evidence-based programs-is widespread in public health practice. Yet the causes of this phenomenon are poorly understood. METHODS: We develop an agent-based computational model to explore how complexity hinders effective implementation. The model is adapted from the evolutionary biology literature and incorporates three distinct complexities faced in public health practice: dimensionality, ruggedness, and context-specificity. Agents in the model attempt to solve problems using one of three approaches-Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA), evidence-based interventions (EBIs), and evidence-based decision-making (EBDM). RESULTS: The model demonstrates that the most effective approach to implementation and quality improvement depends on the underlying nature of the problem. Rugged problems are best approached with a combination of PDSA and EBI. Context-specific problems are best approached with EBDM. CONCLUSIONS: The model\u27s results emphasize the importance of adapting one\u27s approach to the characteristics of the problem at hand. Evidence-based decision-making (EBDM), which combines evidence from multiple independent sources with on-the-ground local knowledge, is a particularly potent strategy for implementation and quality improvement

National Register Testing At 41TT896 And 41TT906 And Archeological Survey Of Three Parcels, FM 1000 Realignment Project (CSJ No. 1226-04-001), Titus County, Texas

Prewitt and Associates, Inc., was contracted by PTP Transportation, LLC, to perform archeological investigations for Titus County in the proposed final alignment of FM 1000. The work, performed under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 5998, consisted of archeological test excavations at sites 41TT896 and 41TT906 to assess their eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and designation as State Archeological Landmarks and archeological survey of three parcels. Fieldwork was done in July–August 2011, January–February 2012, and July 2012 and required about 99 person-days of effort. Test excavations at 41TT896 consisted of 23 backhoe trenches, eight 1x1-m test units, and 13 shovel tests. This effort revealed low-density scatters of prehistoric chipped stone artifacts and twentieth-century historic artifacts, along with a single historic feature. No prehistoric cultural features were identified. Recovered projectile points and the absence of prehistoric ceramics suggest that the prehistoric component dates to the Late Archaic period. The historic component relates to a farm complex outside the project area. Neither component at 41TT896 has the capacity to contribute important information, and thus the site is ineligible for National Register listing or State Archeological Landmark designation. Test excavations at 41TT906 consisted of 15 backhoe trenches and four 1x1-m test units; the final task consisted of mechanically scraping 1,864 m2 of the site to ensure that no Native American burials were present. These efforts revealed a lowdensity scatter of prehistoric chipped stone artifacts and ceramics and a single disturbed burned rock feature representing sparse Late Caddo, Archaic, and perhaps late Paleoindian components. The investigated part of 41TT906 has no capacity to contribute important information and thus is ineligible for National Register listing or State Archeological Landmark designation. Investigation of Survey Areas 1–3 included the excavation of 50 shovel tests across 13 acres. No archeological sites were identified in Survey Areas 1 or 2. A historic-age residential structure in Survey Area 2 was moved onto the property in the 1960s–1970s; it does not possess integrity of place or materials and is not eligible for listing in the National Register. Historic site 41TT918 was identified in Survey Area 3. It consists of a historic scatter that represents outbuildings associated with a twentieth-century farmstead located outside the project area to the southeast. It has no capacity to contribute important information and thus is ineligible for National Register listing or State Archeological Landmark designation. All artifacts and records generated by this project are curated at the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin

On the Admissibility of Expert Testimony on Eyewitness Identification: A Legal and Scientific Evaluation

This article is a state-by-state and circuit-by-circuit analysis of judicial decisions on the admissibility of expert testimony on eyewitness identification problems. The basis for the admission of expert testimony is analyzed, and then the rationale used in those decisions is considered with regard to the current data from psychological studies. This article also addresses the apparent disregard of social science research by the judicial system

X-ray Properties of the GigaHertz-Peaked and Compact Steep Spectrum Sources

We present {\it Chandra} X-ray Observatory observations of Giga-Hertz Peaked Spectrum (GPS) and Compact Steep Spectrum (CSS) radio sources. The {\it Chandra} sample contains 13 quasars and 3 galaxies with measured 2-10 keV X-ray luminosity within $10^{42} - 10^{46}$ erg s$^{-1}$. We detect all of the sources, five of which are observed in X-ray for the first time. We study the X-ray spectral properties of the sample. The measured absorption columns in the quasars are different than those in the galaxies in the sense that the quasars show no absorption (with limits $\sim 10^{21} \rm cm^{-2}$) while the galaxies have large absorption columns ($> 10^{22} \rm cm^{-2}$) consistent with previous findings. The median photon index of the sources with high S/N is $\Gamma=1.84 \pm0.24$ and it is larger than the typical index of radio loud quasars. The arcsec resolution of {\it Chandra} telescope allows us to investigate X-ray extended emission, and look for diffuse components and X-ray jets. We found X-ray jets in two quasars (PKS 1127-145, B2 0738+32), an X-ray cluster surrounding a CSS quasar (z=1.1, 3C 186), detected a possible binary structure in 0941-080 galaxy and an extended diffuse emission in galaxy PKS B2 1345+12. We discuss our results in the context of X-ray emission processes and radio source evolution. We conclude that the X-ray emission in these sources is most likely unrelated to a relativistic jet, while the sources' radio-loudness may suggest a high radiative efficiency of the jet power in these sources.Comment: 15 pages, to be published in Ap

A Modelling Approach for Exploring Muscle Dynamics during Cyclic Contractions

Hill-type muscle models are widely used within the field of biomechanics to predict and understand muscle behaviour, and are often essential where muscle forces cannot be directly measured. However, these models have limited accuracy, particularly during cyclic contractions at the submaximal levels of activation that typically occur during locomotion. To address this issue, recent studies have incorporated effects into Hill-type models that are oftentimes neglected, such as size-dependent, history-dependent, and activation-dependent effects. However, the contribution of these effects on muscle performance has yet to be evaluated under common contractile conditions that reflect the range of activations, strains, and strain rates that occur in vivo. The purpose of this study was to develop a modelling framework to evaluate modifications to Hill-type muscle models when they contract in cyclic loops that are typical of locomotor muscle function. Here we present a modelling framework composed of a damped harmonic oscillator in series with a Hill-type muscle actuator that consists of a contractile element and parallel elastic element. The intrinsic force-length and force-velocity properties are described using Bézier curves where we present a system to relate physiological parameters to the control points for these curves. The muscle-oscillator system can be geometrically scaled while preserving dynamic and kinematic similarity to investigate the muscle size effects while controlling for the dynamics of the harmonic oscillator. The model is driven by time-varying muscle activations that cause the muscle to cyclically contract and drive the dynamics of the harmonic oscillator. Thus, this framework provides a platform to test current and future Hill-type model formulations and explore factors affecting muscle performance in muscles of different sizes under a range of cyclic contractile conditions

“Hearing from All Sides” How Legislative Testimony Influences State Level Policy-Makers in the United States

Background: This paper investigates whether state legislators find testimony influential, to what extent testimony influences policy-makers’ decisions, and defines the features of testimony important in affecting policy-makers’ decisions. Methods: We used a mixed method approach to analyze responses from 862 state-level legislators in the United States (U.S.). Data were collected via a phone survey from January-October, 2012. Qualitative data were analyzed using a general inductive approach and codes were designed to capture the most prevalent themes. Descriptive statistics and cross tabulations were also completed on thematic and demographic data to identify additional themes. Results: Most legislators, regardless of political party and other common demographics, find testimony influential, albeit with various definitions of influence. While legislators reported that testimony influenced their awareness or encouraged them to take action like conducting additional research, only 6% reported that testimony changes their vote. Among those legislators who found testimony influential, characteristics of the presenter (e.g., credibility, knowledge of the subject) were the most important aspects of testimony. Legislators also noted several characteristics of testimony content as important, including use of credible, unbiased information and data. Conclusion: Findings from this study can be used by health advocates, researchers, and individuals to fine tune the delivery of materials and messages to influence policy-makers during legislative testimony. Increasing the likelihood that information from scholars will be used by policy-makers may lead to the adoption of more health policies that are informed by scientific and practice-based evidence

Understanding misimplementation in U.S. state health departments: An agent-based model

INTRODUCTION: The research goal of this study is to explore why misimplementation occurs in public health agencies and how it can be reduced. Misimplementation is ending effective activities prematurely or continuing ineffective ones, which contributes to wasted resources and suboptimal health outcomes. METHODS: The study team created an agent-based model that represents how information flow, filtered through organizational structure, capacity, culture, and leadership priorities, shapes continuation decisions. This agent-based model used survey data and interviews with state health department personnel across the U.S. between 2014 and 2020; model design and analyses were conducted with substantial input from stakeholders between 2019 and 2021. The model was used experimentally to identify potential approaches for reducing misimplementation. RESULTS: Simulations showed that increasing either organizational evidence-based decision-making capacity or information sharing could reduce misimplementation. Shifting leadership priorities to emphasize effectiveness resulted in the largest reduction, whereas organizational restructuring did not reduce misimplementation. CONCLUSIONS: The model identifies for the first time a specific set of factors and dynamic pathways most likely driving misimplementation and suggests a number of actionable strategies for reducing it. Priorities for training the public health workforce include evidence-based decision making and effective communication. Organizations will also benefit from an intentional shift in leadership decision-making processes. On the basis of this initial, successful application of agent-based model to misimplementation, this work provides a framework for further analyses