cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantifying transient erosion of orogens with detrital thermochronology from syntectonic basin deposits

Abstract The evolution of an orogen is marked by phases of topographic growth, equilibrium, and decay. During these phases erosion rates vary in response to temporal and spatial changes in climate, topographic relief and slope, and deformation. Detrital thermochronometer cooling-age data collected from syntectonic basin deposits are a promising tool for quantifying erosion histories during orogenic evolution. Previous studies typically assume steady-state erosion for interpreting detrital data, although in many situations this assumption is not justified. Here we present a new numerical modeling approach that predicts thermochronometer cooling ages in a stratigraphic section where sediment is sourced from a region with a temporally variable erosion history. Multiple thermochronometer cooling ages are predicted at different stratigraphic horizons as a function of variable erosion histories, rock cooling rates in the hinterland, and thermophysical material properties and boundary conditions. The modeling approach provides the context for the interpretation of natural data, including geologically realistic situations with a temporally varying erosion rate. The results of three end-member hinterland erosion histories are explored: (1) steady-state erosion; (2) increasing erosion rate with time; and (3) decreasing erosion rate with time. Results indicate that for steady erosion rates between 0.2 and 1.0 mm/yr, up to 30 m.y. will pass following a change in erosion rate before the detrital ages have adjusted to reflect a new erosion regime. In simulations with transient erosion, the estimation of erosion rates from a detrital record using assumption of thermal steady-state will generally be in error, often by as much as − 25 to 100%. These results highlight that assumptions of steady erosion in mountain belts should be used with caution. Application of the model to thermochronometer cooling ages preserved in syntectonic sediments sourced from the Nanga Parbat region, Himalaya, illustrates how the transient catchment averaged erosion history can be quantified with detrital thermochronology. In this example, we found that erosion rates increased over the past 20 Ma, from about 1.0 mm/yr to modern rates in the range of 1.5 to 2.0 mm/yr.
When I’s Meet Sharing Subjective Experience With Someone From the Outgroup

Believing one shares a subjective experience with another (i.e., I-sharing) fosters connections among strangers and alters perceptions of the ingroup and outgroup. In this article, the authors ask whether I-sharing also fosters liking for members of a salient outgroup. Study 1 establishes that I-sharing promotes liking for the other sex, even among people with salient social identities. Study 2 shows that I-sharing promotes liking for a member of the sexual orientation outgroup, whether it occurs before or after group memberships get revealed. Study 3 focuses on salient race categories and looks at the effects of I-sharing versus value-sharing as a function of shared group membership. For those high in existential isolation, I-sharing trumps value-sharing, regardless of the I-sharer’s social identity. I-sharing may offer a way of improving attitudes toward outgroup members that still enables people to embrace their differing social identities.
Synaptic Adaptation and Sustained Generation of Waves in a Model of Turtle Visual Cortex

Both single and repeated visual stimuli produce waves of activity in the visual cortex of freshwater turtles. Large-scale, biophysically realistic models of the visual cortex capture the basic features of the waves produced by single stimuli. However, these models do not respond to repetitive stimuli due to the presence of a long-lasting hyperpolarization that follows the initial wave. This paper modifies the large-scale model so that it responds to repetitive stimuli by incorporating Hebbian and anti-Hebbian learning rules in synapses in the model. The resulting adaptive model responds to repetitive stimuli with repetitive waves. However, repeated presentation of a stimulus to a restricted region of visual space produces a habituation in the model in the same way it does in the real cortex.
184-P: KEEP REAGENT RECEIPT AND QUALITY CONTROL UNDER CONTROL

Aim Reagent receipt and quality control is very important in each laboratory, our aim was to implement an easy and efficient system that would document the receipt of each reagent and automatically trigger QC testing prior to use. Methods The following steps were implemented: 1) One key technologist was identified to oversee the process. 2) An electronic Excel-based reagent tracking spreadsheet was developed. The information recorded on the tracking spreadsheet includes: reagent name, lot number, order date, receipt date, date of QC, technologist performing QC, date of QC review, date the reagent was put in-use, and, last date the reagent was in-use. The spreadsheet is simple to complete and a filtering option was added for easy searching. 3) A procedure was written and competency was documented. 4) QC testing to be completed within one week of reagent receipt was assigned by the key technologist to a specific workbench. 5) A simplified reagent QC guideline was developed. 6) QC data were reviewed for acceptability by the key technologist. 7) All QC data were then approved by the supervisor. 8) An audit of the tracking system was performed monthly. Results In January of 2013, after six months of implementing the system, we performed an audit of thirty random patient charts focusing on the completeness and documentation of reagent QC. The results of this audit revealed that all reagents used were documented and QC testing was complete. This represented a significant improvement over audit findings prior to the implementation of the tracking system. Conclusions Streamlining reagent receiving and quality control testing is extremely important in every laboratory. Its successful implementation requires everyone’s participation. We have found that our restructured systematic process is not only easily monitored, but also 1)easily adhered to by all personnel, 2)saves time and facilitates inventory control, 3)avoids midnight reagent crises, and (best of all), 4)we are always ready for inspection.
Mitigating the Corporate Valuation Problem in Chapter 11 Reorganizations: Transferable Put Rights and Contingent Value Rights

Bebchuk (1988) advances a new methodology for allocating financial claims against a reorganized company that does not require inter- (or intra-) group bargaining, nor is it necessary to explicitly identify (or agree on) the value of the reorganized company. Despite its apparent attractiveness for the quick and efficient reallocation of reorganized firm value, some have suggested that the method may be too complicated for practical purposes. Thus, there is a gap between the theoretical appeal of the Bebchuk proposal and the practical realities of employing the technique in an actual bankruptcy reorganization. We show how that gap can be bridged (at least partially) with two recent financial innovations. We also describe the actual use of the financial innovations in two recent corporate bankruptcy reorganizations.
Analysis on the Status of HBV,HCV,HIV and Syphilis Infections Among Drug Addicts in Yanfeng District of Hengyang

Objective To investigate the status of HBV,HCV,HIV and syphilis infections in drug addicts of a compulsory detoxification center in Hengyang,and to provide a basis for preventing and controlling these diseases among this population.Methods A total of 277 drug users from a compulsory detoxification center in Hengyang were investigated with anonymous questionnaires.Their venous blood samples were collected to test HIV antibody,HBsAg,HCV antibody and syphilis antibody by ELISA method.And the results were analyzed.Results Among the surveyed drug addicts,15.52% took drug only orally,64.26% used simple vein injection,and 20.22% used both.The positive rates of HBV,HCV,HIV and syphilis infections among the 277 drug users were 46.21%(128/277),66.06%(183/277),6.50%(18/277) and 0.72%(2/277),respectively.The co-infection rates of HBV-HCV,HBV-HIV,HCV-HIV,and HBV-HCV-HIV were 34.66%(96/277),4.33%(12/277),6.14%(17/277) and 3.97%(11/277),respectively.Conclusions The infection rates of HBV,HCV,HIV and syphilis are high among drug users in Hengyang,which have an association with the intravenous drug injection behavior.It is necessary to develop the education program on prevention of the diseases and behavioral intervention for drug addicts in order to reduce the transmission and spread of these diseases in the population.
Racial Disparity in Stroke Awareness in the US: An Analysis of the 2014 National Health Interview Survey.

Background/Aims: Stroke is a leading cause of premature death and disability, and increasing the proportion of individuals who are aware of stroke symptoms is a target objective of the Healthy people 2020 project. Methods: We used data from the 2014 Supplement of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to assess the prevalence of stroke symptom knowledge and awareness. We also tested, using a logistic regression model, the hypothesis that individuals who have knowledge of all 5 stroke symptoms will be have a greater likelihood to activate Emergency Medical Services (EMS) if a stroke is suspected. Results: From the 36,697 participants completing the survey 51% were female. In the entire sample, the ageadjusted awareness rate of stroke symptoms/calling 911 was 66.1%. Knowledge of the 5 stroke symptoms plus importance of calling 911 when a stroke is suspected was higher for females, Whites, and individuals with health insurance. Stroke awareness was lowest for Hispanics, Blacks, and survey participants from Western US region Conclusion: The findings allude to continuing differences in the knowledge of stroke symptoms across race/ ethnic and other demographic groups. Further research will confirm the importance of increased health literacy for Stroke management and prevention in minority communities.
Axonal Transport and Neurodegeneration: How Marine Drugs Can Be Used for the Development of Therapeutics

Unlike virtually any other cells in the human body, neurons are tasked with the unique problem of transporting important factors from sites of synthesis at the cell bodies, across enormous distances, along narrow-caliber projections, to distally located nerve terminals in order to maintain cell viability. As a result, axonal transport is a highly regulated process whereby necessary cargoes of all types are packaged and shipped from one end of the neuron to the other. Interruptions in this finely tuned transport have been linked to many neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's (AD), Huntington's disease (HD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) suggesting that this pathway is likely perturbed early in disease progression. Therefore, developing therapeutics targeted at modifying transport defects could potentially avert disease progression. In this review, we examine a variety of potential compounds identified from marine aquatic species that affect the axonal transport pathway. These compounds have been shown to function in microtubule (MT) assembly and maintenance, motor protein control, and in the regulation of protein degradation pathways, such as the autophagy-lysosome processes, which are defective in many degenerative diseases. Therefore, marine compounds have great potential in developing effective treatment strategies aimed at early defects which, over time, will restore transport and prevent cell death.
AAV-Mediated Gene Therapy to the Isolated Limb in Rhesus Macaques

The development of a nonhuman primate (NHP) model for vascular delivery of therapeutic transgenes with adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors is crucial for successfully treating muscular dystrophies. Current animal models for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) gene therapy have species limitations related to assessing function, immune response, and distribution of the micro- and minidystrophin transgenes in a clinically relevant manner. In addition, there are many forms of muscular dystrophy for which there are no available disease models. NHPs provide the ideal model to optimize vector delivery across a vascular barrier and provide accurate dose estimates for local or broadly targeted gene therapy studies. The vascular anatomy NHPs more clearly parallels humans providing an appropriate substrate for translational experiments. Here we outline the development of a rhesus macaque isolated focal limb perfusion (IFLP) protocol targeting the vascular bed of the gastrocnemius. This protocol serves as a model with broad implications for other muscle diseases along with the capability of targeting multiple muscle groups. To overcome the partial homogeneity between portions of the human microdystrophin transgene and those of the NHP dystrophin gene, we utilized a FLAG tag for tracking distribution of microdystrophin. We also provide methods for assessing transduction efficiency of microdystrophin.FLAG following the IFLP vascular delivery protocol.
HRV Analysis to Identify Stages of Home-based Telerehabilitation Exercise

Spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) has been widely used to investigate activity of autonomous nervous system. Previous studies demonstrated potential of analysis of short-term sequences of heart rate data in a time domain for continuous monitoring of levels of physiological stress however the value of HRV parameters in frequency domain for monitoring cycling exercise has not been established. The goal of this study was to assess whether HRV parameters in frequency domain differ depending on a stage of cycling exercise. We compared major HRV parameters in high, low and very low frequency ranges during rest, height of exercise, and recovery during cycling exercise. Our results indicated responsiveness of frequency-domain indices to different phases of cycling exercise program and their potential in monitoring autonomic balance and stress levels as a part of a tailored home-based telerehabilitation program.
Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 inhibits porcine granulosa cell function in vitro

Recombinant human insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (rhIGFBP-3) effects on basal, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I)-, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-stimulated progesterone (P...
A Comparison of Three Professional Development Mechanisms for Improving the Quality of Standards-Based IEP Objectives.

Professional development is a necessary component of maintaining competency in professional practice. Technology has opened the door to new formats for delivering professional development, in addit...
Exploring the Next Generation of Older Gamers: Middle-Aged Gamers

In recent years, much attention has been drawn to the burgeoning market of older gamers. As such, a greater base of knowledge has been amassed from studies that assess the characteristics of this active gamer population. Yet, not much is known about today’s Middle-Aged Gamers, the next generation of older gamers. Using grounded theory methodology and a life course perspective, the interview responses of 56 gamers – 30 Older Gamers (age 60 to 77) and 26 Middle-Aged Gamers (age 43 to 59) – were coded and examined with an eye for recognizing generational characteristics. This resulted in the identification of three distinct themes: game preferences, platform used, and anticipated future gameplay. The findings demonstrate that it cannot be assuming that the Middle-Aged Gamers will, in time, be like today’s Older Gamers. Rather, they exhibit qualities that will reshape scholars’ and game developers’ notions of gameplay in old age.
Core Biopsy of Cervical Lymph Node

This chapter provides a comprehensive procedural report for core biopsy of cervical lymph node procedure, with up-to-date explanatory notes, synopsis of the indications and contraindications, and potential complications in an organized and practical format.
Effects of chemical impurities on prebreakdown events in toluene

Effects of chemical impurities on the breakdown process in toluene have been investigated under non-uniform field conditions using a high-speed image converter camera. The resistivity of the four samples investigated ranged from 109 to 1013 Ω cm. It was noted that when the cathode was a point, streamer growth rate increased slightly with decreasing resistivity. When the needle was an anode, streamer growth rate was not measurably affected by changes in resistivity or applied voltage, requiring 1.6 ± 0.3 μs to cross the 3 mm gap. Independent of the polarity of the needle, the last step in the traverse leading to breakdown of the gap occurred at speeds greater than 1 × 106 cm/s. In purified toluene, more than 200 kV could be applied to a 3 mm gap without breakdown. With the needle as a cathode, impurities facilitated the generation of secondary streamers which appeared to grow from the primary bush-like streamers. With decreasing resistivity, the branching of these streamers seemed to increase.
Expert consensus of general surgery residents' proficiency with common endocrine operations.

Background Proficiency with common endocrine operations is expected of graduating, general surgery residents. However, no expert consensus guidelines exist about these expectations. Methods Members of the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons were surveyed about their opinions on resident proficiency with common endocrine operations. Results Overall response rate was 38%. A total of 92% of the respondents operate with residents. On average, they believed that the steps of a total thyroidectomy for benign disease and a well-localized parathyroidectomy could be performed by a postgraduate year 4 surgery resident. Specific steps that they thought might require more training included decisions to divide the strap muscles or leaving a drain. Approximately 66% of respondents thought that a postgraduate year 5 surgery resident could independently perform a total thyroidectomy for benign disease, but only 45% felt similarly for malignant thyroid disease; 79% thought that a postgraduate year 5 surgery resident could independently perform a parathyroidectomy. Respondents’ years of experience correlated with their opinions about resident autonomy for total thyroidectomy (benign r = 0.38, P P = .001) but not parathyroidectomy. On multivariate analysis, sex and years of experience of the respondents were independently associated with opinions on autonomy but only for total thyroidectomy for benign disease ( P = .001). Annual endocrine volume of the respondents did not correlate with beliefs in autonomy. Conclusion There was general agreement among responding members of the AAES about resident proficiency and autonomy with common endocrine operations. As postgraduate year 5 residents may not be proficient in advanced endocrine operations, opportunities exist to improve training prior to the transition to independent practice for graduates that anticipate performing endocrine operations routinely.
Incidence, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Cardiac Toxicity From Trastuzumab in Patients With Breast Cancer

Treatment with trastuzumab is a cornerstone of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-overexpressing breast cancer treatment, but carries an unfortunate risk of toxicity to the cardiovascular system. Here, we review recent findings on trastuzumab-associated cardiotoxicity, focusing on its incidence, diagnosis, and treatment. Screening with multigated acquisition scan (MUGA) or echocardiogram (ECHO) is recommended to assess cardiac function prior to and during trastuzumab therapy. Because trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity is typically reversible, cessation of trastuzumab and/or administration of first-line heart failure agents effectively restores cardiac function in most cases. Severe trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity is rare enough that the risk-benefit ratio still weighs in favor of its use in the vast majority of patients with HER2+ breast cancer. An improved understanding of the pathophysiology underlying trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity and the identification of patients at highest risk will allow us to continue to safely administer trastuzumab in patients with breast cancer.
A Robotic Platform for Corn Seedling Morphological Traits Characterization

Crop breeding plays an important role in modern agriculture, improving plant performance, and increasing yield. Identifying the genes that are responsible for beneficial traits greatly facilitates plant breeding efforts for increasing crop production. However, associating genes and their functions with agronomic traits requires researchers to observe, measure, record, and analyze phenotypes of large numbers of plants, a repetitive and error-prone job if performed manually. An automated seedling phenotyping system aimed at replacing manual measurement, reducing sampling time, and increasing the allowable work time is thus highly valuable. Toward this goal, we developed an automated corn seedling phenotyping platform based on a time-of-flight of light (ToF) camera and an industrial robot arm. A ToF camera is mounted on the end effector of the robot arm. The arm positions the ToF camera at different viewpoints for acquiring 3D point cloud data. A camera-to-arm transformation matrix was calculated using a hand-eye calibration procedure and applied to transfer different viewpoints into an arm-based coordinate frame. Point cloud data filters were developed to remove the noise in the background and in the merged seedling point clouds. A 3D-to-2D projection and an x-axis pixel density distribution method were used to segment the stem and leaves. Finally, separated leaves were fitted with 3D curves for morphological traits characterization. This platform was tested on a sample of 60 corn plants at their early growth stages with between two to five leaves. The error ratios of the stem height and leave length measurements are 13.7% and 13.1%, respectively, demonstrating the feasibility of this robotic system for automated corn seedling phenotyping.
Instrument Adjustment Policies

Instrument adjustment policies play a key role in the reliability of calibrated instruments to maintain their accuracy over a specified time interval. Periodic review and adjustment of assigned cal...
Concerning an infinite series of Ramanujan related to the natural logarithm

We consider an infinite series, due to Ramanujan, which converges to a simple expression involving the natural logarithm. We show that Ramanujan’s series represents a completely monotone function, and explore some of its consequences, including a non-trivial family of inequalities satisfied by the natural logarithm, some formulas for the Euler–Mascheroni constant, and a recurrence satisfied by the Bernoulli numbers. We also provide a one-parameter generalization of Ramanujan’s series, which includes as a special case another related infinite series evaluation due to Ramanujan.
Drying kinetics and bioactive compounds of Bunchosia glandulifera

The aim of this study was to describe the drying kinetics of Bunchosia glandulifera pulp, as well as the changes in its phenolic compounds, carotenoid content, and antioxidant activity. The experiments were performed in a drying oven with forced air at 45, 65, and 85 °C, until the equilibrium moisture was reached. An increase in the mass transfer rate was observed at the highest temperature, with a subsequent decrease in the drying time. The drying curves exhibited a period of fast decline and an exponential trend was observed in all of them, validated using Page's mathematical model. The concentration of phenolic compounds and carotenoids decreased during the first minutes of drying. Bioactive compounds were the most sensitive to high temperatures and the antioxidant activity was mainly affected by the drying time. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Bunchosia glandulifera is a fruit with nutraceutical potential by the presence of bioactive compounds. The removal of water from a fruit extends the conservation time of the product during storage and transportation, facilitating the access to such foods. However, the phenolic and carotenoid compounds present in the fruit are sensitive to the thermal process. Thus it is important to know the behavior kinetic drying of fruit and its consequences in the bioactive compounds present and antioxidant activity for better use of the fruit.
Trapped on the island: the politics of race and belonging in Jazīrat al-Maghrib

Drawing on ethnographic engagement with Moroccans and sub-Saharan Africans from varying socioeconomic positions this article interrogates how notions of race and belonging – or blackness and nation...
Public Reason and Constitutional Interpretation

This chapter discusses John Rawls’ idea that the Supreme Court is the exemplar of public reason. In a pluralistic democracy, public reason is framed by the constitution. Reciprocally, public reason contributes to the development of a constitutional consensus that provides the principles for the expression of differences which exist in society. As it takes place within the framework of constitutional consensus, legal argumentation must be independent of any comprehensive idea of the good and compatible with a plurality of comprehensive ideas of the good. It thus contributes to the legitimacy of the law. Those who function in a judicial capacity should be exemplars of such public reason. In the end, the ideal of Supreme Court Justice may be seen as an ideal type of argumentation for judges, legislators, politicians and citizens at large.
Comparison of sensory and instrumental methods for the analysis of texture of cooked individually quick frozen and fresh‐frozen catfish fillets

Catfish fillet texture is important to consumers, especially if the texture is not what the consumer expects. Therefore, it is important to be able to assure that texture quality is consistent. Texture is a humanly perceived sensory trait and can be costly to processors when texture quality is substandard. Instrumental methods of monitoring texture are much less costly over time than maintaining a sensory quality panel. The purpose of this research was to develop methods for monitoring texture quality using reliable instrumental methods. A descriptive sensory texture panel evaluated fresh-frozen and individually quick frozen (IQF) catfish fillets and was compared to the instrumental analysis of the same cooked fish, using texture profile analysis (TPA). The TPA evaluation was more successful for identifying differences between IQF and fresh-frozen catfish, with the most significance (p < 0.02) seen for the attributes springiness, resilience, chewiness-1, hardness-1, and residual parameters of springiness, chewiness-1, chewiness-1b, and hardness-1b. For sensory evaluation, only moisture release and moisture retention were this significant. Overall, IQF fillets were more moist and cohesive, with fresh-frozen fillets greater in all other parameters. Predictive equations were developed for sensory texture attributes from various TPA attributes calculated from the compression-force curves generated from two compressions of a ball probe. In the fresh-frozen catfish, sensory attributes firmness, flaky, moisture retention, and residual cohesiveness of mass had correlation coefficients (R) of 0.50 or greater. For the IQF catfish, all sensory attributes had an R of less than 0.4. The firmness sensory attribute had TPA predictor variables in both fresh-frozen and IQF that consisted mainly of hardness, chewiness, or thickness-related attributes. Based on results, instrumental texture of catfish should be measured before further processing, such as IQF.
Beyond Good and Evil Symbolism: Allegories and Metaphysics of Blackfaced Folly from Augustine to Fanon

This chapter focuses on anti-black proto-racist ideology and Christian iconography informing comic representations like Harlequin. It examines, for instance, metaphysical lore and related moral allegories ascribing immutable intellectual extremes to light versus darkness, and white versus black, that were eventually applied in racial thought. A metaphysical typology ascribing folly and irrationality to blackness rather than more familiar Manichean good/evil dualism was often most at issue in colonial allegorical thought. Noting Frantz Fanon’s observation that the colonial world’s “metaphysics” aimed at “decerebralizing” dark-complexioned colonized peoples, this chapter traces the historical roots of this colonial project of ascribing immutable irrationality to blackness back to its chief sources, St. Augustine, the Curse of Ham, and the Psalter insipiens. This alternative metaphysics of folly in which black devils of “colore nigro” recalled the stupid Roman stage fool (the “stultus”) created a highly influential trope in medieval and Tudor drama, especially allegorical moral interludes. With the spread of pan-European blackface fool traditions alongside the slave trade, the logic of such iconography and its terminology were applied frequently in trade encounters where Europeans called Africans “the ignorant people,” “foolish,” “clownish,” and lacking in “wit” and “reason.” Thus, conceptions developed in religious traditions, in which blackness served as a metaphysical mark of inherent mental debility, were deployed in the promotion of real-world proto-racist stereotypes that were, in the end, damning less in terms of ascriptions of evil than of innate folly. That is, Augustinian and Hamitic allegories rather than Manichean ones had the greatest influence in the development of anti-black racism.
Physician perceptions of the types of roles interpreters play in limited English proficient pediatric encounters and how they evaluate the quality of interpretation.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to understand different roles that interpreters play in a pediatric, limited English proficient (LEP) health care encounter and to describe what factors within each role inform physicians' assessment of the overall quality of interpretation. BACKGROUND Language barriers contribute to lower quality of care in LEP pediatric patients compared to their English-speaking counterparts. Use of professional medical interpreters has been shown to improve communication and decrease medical errors in pediatric LEP patients. In addition, in many pediatric encounters, interpreters take on roles beyond that of a pure language conduit. METHODS We conducted 11 semi-structured interviews with pediatricians and family medicine physicians in one health system. Transcripts were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. We analyzed our data using directed content analysis. Two study team members coded all transcripts, reviewed agreement, and resolved discrepancies. FINDINGS Physicians described four different interpreter roles: language conduit, flow manager, relationship builder, and cultural insider. Within each role, physicians described components of quality that informed their assessment of the overall quality of interpretation during a pediatric encounter. We found that for many physicians, a high-quality interpreted encounter involves multiple roles beyond language transmission. It is important for health care systems to understand how health care staff conceptualize these relationships so that they can develop appropriate expectations and trainings for medical interpreters in order to improve health outcomes in pediatric LEP patients.
Bumbling, Stumbling, Fumbling: Weakness, Steppage Gait, and Facial Droop in a 3-Year-Old Male.

A previously healthy, unimmunized, 3-year-old Caucasian boy presented to the emergency department with right-sided facial droop, clumsiness, and intermittent bilateral hip pain. Two weeks ago, he had 24 hours of self-resolving rhinorrhea and fever. Examination was significant for right facial nerve palsy, lower extremity pain, areflexia of his right lower extremity, and diminished reflexes of his left lower extremity. He was admitted for urgent magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein was 85 mg/dL with elevated albumin and immunoglobulin, and CSF white blood cell was 3 cells/mm3. Serum Mycoplasma immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG were elevated. There was concern for Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). He was started on intravenous IG (IVIG) and was treated for presumed Mycoplasma infection. Weakness and gait disturbances in a child can present the clinician with a diagnostic challenge. Gait disturbance may indicate a neurological lesion anywhere from the central nervous system to the peripheral nerves, neuromuscular junction, or muscle. In the present case, the combination of peripheral facial palsy, presumed neuropathic pain, gait difficulties, and areflexia in the setting of an antecedent respiratory illness were suggestive of GBS. The cornerstone treatments involve hospitalization to facilitate continuous monitoring for serious sequelae, such as acute respiratory failure and cardiac dysrhythmia, followed by immunotherapy with IVIG or plasma exchange. Gait disturbance and weakness in a child is a diagnostic challenge. GBS is the most common cause of acute paralysis in the Western world and should remain high on the clinician's differential diagnosis. However, patients with GBS may also present nonclassically with extremity pain and cranial nerve palsies.
Low Fouling, Peptoid-Coated Polysulfone Hollow Fiber Membranes—the Effect of Grafting Density and Number of Side Chains

The development of low fouling membranes to minimize protein adsorption has relevance in various biomedical applications. Here, electrically neutral peptoids containing 2-methoxyethyl glycine (NMEG) side chains were attached to polysulfone hollow fiber membranes via polydopamine. The number of side chains and grafting density were varied to determine the effect on coating properties and the ability to prevent fouling. NMEG peptoid coatings have high hydrophilicity compared to unmodified polysulfone membranes. The extent of biofouling was evaluated using bovine serum albumin, as well as platelet adhesion. The results suggest that both the number of side chains and grafting density play a role in the surface properties that drive biofouling. Protein adsorption decreased with increasing peptoid grafting density and is lowest above a critical grafting density specific to peptoid chain length. Our findings show that the optimization of grafting density and hydration of the surface are important factors for achieving the desired antifouling performance.
Does Hydroxychloroquine Protect against Preeclampsia and Preterm Delivery in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Pregnancies

Objective Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) increases the risk of complications in pregnancy. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) decreases flares and neonatal lupus syndrome. Limited evidence suggests that HCQ also reduces preeclampsia and preterm birth in SLE pregnancies. We studied whether HCQ was associated with lower odds of preeclampsia and preterm delivery in SLE pregnancies. Study Design We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 129 deliveries of 110 patients with SLE delivered at a single institution (2000–2017). HCQ exposure and preeclampsia, along with other clinical data, were extracted from chart review. Crude and multivariable-adjusted logistic regression estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results A total of 41% were exposed to HCQ, of whom 13.5% were complicated by preeclampsia versus 26.3% unexposed to HCQ (adjusted OR = 0.5; 95% CI: 0.2–1.4). The difference was pronounced for first pregnancies (7 vs. 44%), but power was limited. The difference in preterm deliveries was less pronounced comparing HCQ-exposed pregnancies with HCQ-unexposed pregnancies (34 vs. 40.8%; OR = 0.3; 95% CI: 0.3–1.5). Conclusion Pregnant SLE patients trended toward less preeclampsia and preterm delivery when treated with HCQ. Future larger studies are needed to increase the statistical power, account for additional potential confounders, and more fully account for parity.
Combined achalasia and cricopharyngeal achalasia in a patient with type 1 myotonic dystrophy: a case report.

Type 1 myotonic dystrophy (MD) is a rare inherited disease which presents with skeletal muscle weakness and myotonia. Involvement of smooth muscles is also common and mainly manifests in the gastrointestinal tract. We report a case of type 1 MD who presented with dysphagia and was found to have unique esophageal manometry findings. A 57-year-old male patient presented with dysphagia for the last few months. Past medical history was significant for type 1 myotonic muscular dystrophy, gastroesophageal reflux disease, diaphragmatic paralysis, and obstructive sleep apnea. Both his father and brother died in their 50s because of unclear respiratory problems. He was a former smoker and did not drink alcohol. Review of systems was unremarkable. His neurological examination was significant for bilateral facial muscle weakness and mild ptosis. He had atrophy and weakness of the distal upper and lower extremities. Deep tendon reflexes were absent. Upper endoscopy and 24-hour esophageal pH testing were non-diagnostic. Finally, esophageal manometry revealed elevated lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, elevated upper esophageal sphincter (UES) pressure, and very week peristalsis of the esophageal body. Esophageal involvement is common in type 1 MD manifesting with dysfunction of UES, esophageal body, and LES. Manometry usually describes a reduced resting tone of the UES and LES. The patient had elevated LES pressure and week peristalsis of the esophageal body consistent with achalasia. He also had an elevated UES pressure consistent with cricopharyngeal achalasia. This is the opposite of what is expected in type 1 MD.Keywords: Esophageal achalasia, Dysphagia, Myotonic dystrophy.(Please cite as: Ghazaleh S, Nehme CH, Khader Y, Hasan S, Nawras A. Combined achalasia and cricopharyngeal achalasia in a patient with type 1 myotonic dystrophy: a case report. Gastroenterol Hepatol Bed Bench 2020;13(2):181-183).
Effects of Pneumonia Education on Hospital Readmission for COPD Patients

Background: Pneumonia and COPD are two diagnoses that carry a 30-day hospital readmission penalty implemented by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in 2012. Based on two 2018 studies, COPD patients are not knowledgeable on the signs and symptoms of pneumonia. COPD patients are also more likely to develop pneumonia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of a patient education program for the reduction of early hospital re-admission for these two diagnoses. Methods: Using the same survey items from two 2018 studies, an educational brochure Pneumonia and You” was developed for patients enrolled in this study. The brochure identifies seven major symptoms of pneumonia: fever, cough, chest pain, mucus production, shortness of breath, fatigue, and nausea/vomiting/diarrhea. Institutional and hospital IRB approvals were obtained. In-patients with COPD were recruited from a private hospital in Alabama. Verbal and written consents were obtained. Following patient education on the signs and symptoms of pneumonia, the brochure and a reminder key chain were given to the patient. Each patient was contacted by phone 5 weeks following initial patient contact. Patient admission records were also reviewed to cross-check the readmission information, if any. Data was reviewed and summarized by a descriptive method. Results: All 10 enrolled patients had a diagnosis of COPD plus one of these conditions: pneumonia, CHF, chest pain, STEMI, head injury, general weakness, and atrial fibrillation. Six answered the phone when called five weeks after initial contact. Readmission information for all 10 patients were cross-checked using the EMR. Of the 10 enrolled COPD patients, only 2 were readmitted within 30 days of discharge from hospital, one for chest pain and the other for CHF. One patient had not left the hospital during the time period of study. Two patients were admitted to nursing homes upon discharge from the hospital. The remaining 5 patients were discharged home and were not readmitted to any acute care facility. In summary, of the 9 discharged COPD patients, none of them were readmitted for COPD or pneumonia. Conclusions: The patient educational program (in-person visit, brochure, and reminder key chain) appears to be an effective tool to prevent hospital readmission within 30 days. Due to time constrains, the limitations of this study include low number of enrolled COPD patients and short duration of data collection (5 weeks). "
Sources of State Practice in International Law: Republic of Korea

This chapter in the Sources of State Practice in International Law summarizes and analyzes South Korea's international law practice especially relating to treaty succession, treaty implementation, and practice related to international custom. Korea did not succeed any treaties concluded before August 15, 1948, when the government of the Republic of Korea was newly established. Treaties are primary sources of law in Korea. Korea signed the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties on November 27, 1969 and later ratified it on April 27, 1977. The article explains in detail the treaty-making process in Korea and where new treaties are published and archived. The article also shows which sources to look at to figure out Korean legal practice with an annotated bibliography.
Exclusively endoscopic endonasal resection of benign orbital tumors: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Background The Cavernous Hemangioma Exclusively Endonasal Resection (CHEER) classification system was developed to standardize prospective outcome analysis following orbital cavernous hemangioma (OCH) resection. The goal of this study was to retroactively apply the CHEER system to all prior existing reports of endoscopic resection of primary benign orbital tumors (BOTs) to: (1) compare patient presentations, perioperative characteristics, and outcomes between OCH and other BOTs; and (2) determine whether the CHEER categorization regime could be expanded to other BOTs. Methods A systematic review of studies reporting exclusively endoscopic resections of OCH and other BOTs (eg, solitary fibrous tumor, schwannoma, and meningioma) was performed. Patient, tumor characteristics, and operative outcomes were recorded. All tumors with adequate reporting were retrospectively assigned a CHEER stage. Outcomes were compared using chi-square or Fisher's exact tests. Results Ninety-three studies met inclusion criteria, and sufficient data were available in 36 studies, comprising 105 tumors (n = 87 OCHs; n = 18 other BOTs). Baseline patient and tumor characteristics, as well as intraoperative and short-term postoperative outcomes were not significantly different between OCHs and other BOTs. Long-term outcomes (eg, visual deficits, diplopia, eye position, and recurrence) also did not differ when controlling for CHEER stage. Conclusion This review represents the largest collection of outcomes data following exclusively endoscopic endonasal resection of BOTs. Short-term and long-term outcomes appear similar between OCHs and other BOTs. These results suggest that exclusively endoscopic resection of orbital tumors may be effective in a range of benign pathologies. Furthermore, these results support a broader application of the CHEER system to other benign primary orbital tumors.
Passive separation control of shortfin mako shark skin in a turbulent boundary layer

Abstract This experimental investigation discusses the effectiveness of shortfin mako shark skin to passively control turbulent boundary layer separation. Experiments were conducted in a water tunnel facility with the shark skin specimens mounted on a smooth flat plate subjected to an adverse pressure gradient. The two skin specimens have shark scales with different sizes, shapes, and bristling angles. The flank region scales (B2) are slender, tall, and can bristle at 50°, while the scales in the region between flank and dorsal fin (B1) are wide, short, and can bristle at 30°. The adverse pressure gradient on the plate was generated by a rotating cylinder. DPIV measurements indicate that unpainted scales B2 can fully control or delay boundary layer separation and reduce the fraction of time the flow is reversed. The bristling of the scales caused fluctuation in the skin friction curve and the single spike intensity of the normal stress very close to the wall. These capabilities are directly related to the scale bristling angle. In contrast, the low bristling angle of the scales from region B1 did not impede the reversing flow, and therefore separation was enhanced. The increase in Reynold’s stress fluctuations away from the wall indicated that the separation region increased in size due to vortex structures further from the wall. Once the bristling mechanism of the B2 scales was eliminated by painting over the skin, the scales functioned as a rough surface but still promoted separation delay. In addition, the streamwise Reynolds stress profile for the flow over the painted scales measured after separation occurred, along with the high intensity of the normal stress near the surface are both characteristics of a flow over a rough surface. In summary, the shark skin surface showed an ability to both delay and increase flow separation depending on the capabilities of the scale bristling to inhibit reversing flow.
Open source RAN slicing on POWDER: a top-to-bottom O-RAN use case

This demonstration will showcase our efforts to develop a radio access network (RAN) slicing mechanism that is controllable via management software in an Open RAN framework. To our knowledge, our work represents the first effort that combines an open source Open RAN framework with an open source mobility stack, provides a top-to-bottom RAN application via the RAN intelligent control (RIC) provided by that framework and illustrates its functionality in a realistic wireless environment. Our software is publicly available and we provide a profile in the POWDER platform to enable others to replicate and build on our work.
Clinicopathologic and prognostic features of TdT-negative pediatric B-lymphoblastic leukemia.

Little is known about B-lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) that lacks expression of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT). To address this, we performed the largest study to date of TdT-negative B-ALL using data from St. Jude Total XV and XVI clinical trials. Compared to TdT-positive B-ALL (n = 896), TdT-negative B-ALL (n = 21) was associated with younger age (median, 1.4 versus 6.8 years, P < 0.001), higher white blood cell count (median, 52.8 versus 9.9 × 109/L, P < 0.001), absence of hyperdiploidy (0 versus 27.8%, P = 0.002), KMT2A rearrangement (100 versus 1.9%, P < 0.001), and inferior 5-year event-free survival (EFS) (76.2 versus 90.3%, P = 0.047). In the context of KMT2A-rearranged B-ALL (n = 38), TdT-negativity was significantly associated with the MLLT1 rearrangement partner (P = 0.026) but was not independently predictive of survival, suggesting that the high-risk features of TdT-negative B-ALL are secondary to underlying KMT2A rearrangements. Finally, we compared the sensitivity of TdT-negativity to neuron-glial antigen 2 (NG.2) expression for the detection of KMT2A rearrangements and found that 63% of KMT2A-rearranged B-ALL cases not identified by NG.2 were TdT-negative. The results of this study expand the spectrum of immunophenotypic features that are specific for high-risk KMT2A rearrangements in pediatric B-ALL and can be readily implemented using existing standard acute leukemia flow cytometry panels.
Misalignment and managed exchange rates : an application to the Thai baht

This paper proposes a methodology for analyzing dynamic misalignment in managed exchange rate systems that combines the estimation approach to modeling the real exchange rate with the calibration approach to generating the equilibrium real exchange rate. The methodology is applied to the Thai baht and the model is estimated using only pre-July 1997 data. An analysis of the difference between the evolution of the actual real exchange rate and the generated equilibrium rate - the misalignment gap - reveals the extent to which the market was persistently factoring in an expected depreciation of the Thai baht.