cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Una perspectiva del desarrollo acerca del ideal de la razón en el derecho constitucional estadounidense

The ideal of reason is central to contemporary accounts of citizenship in American constitutional law. The individual capacity for reasoned choice lies closely aligned with the constitutional values of personal liberty and democratic self-government as they have evolved in Supreme Court decisions over the past century. Yet as presently conceived, the ideal of reason in constitutional law overlooks the process by which individuals actually acquire the capacity to choose their own values and commitments or to engage in reasoned thinking about collective ends. This paper argues that we cannot hope to sustain and foster a constitutional polity committed to the principles of individual liberty and democratic self-government without knowing something about how individual citizens come to possess this requisite skill of mind. A developmental perspective on reason in constitutional law provides a framework for examining the source and contours of the psychological skills that make it possible to lead an autonomous, self directed life and to participate meaningfully in the processes of democratic self-government. Developmental psychology, together with research in related fields, provides empirical support for the proposition that the psychological capacity for reasoned thinking has its roots in the early caregiving relationship. Thus, a comprehensive and integrated constitutional family law must recognize the role of early caregiving in the political socialization of children. This developmental approach offers a substantial reworking of constitutional doctrine in the areas of family privacy, parental rights, congressional power, and affirmative welfare rights.
Balancing Acute Graft Versus Host Disease (aGVHD) and Survival after Peripheral Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation (SCT) in Hematological Malignancies: A Potential for Graft Engineering.

Purpose: Peripheral allogeneic SCT is used to treat different types of hematologic malignancies. The target CD34 stem cell dose is 2 -5 x 106/Kg. The dose of CD3+ cells in the infusate is not taken into account except in T-depleted transplant. T-cell dose in peripheral blood stem cell collections is at least 10-fold more than that in a bone marrow harvest. Regulatory T cells (CD4+, CD25+), which comprises 5–10% of CD4 + T cells have been correlated with less incidence of aGVHD. In our study we are trying to determine the impact of T-cell dosing on the overall survival and incidence of aGVHD after peripheral allogeneic SCT in a group of patients with hematological malignancy. Methods: A retrospective study of 66 consecutive patients who underwent peripheral allogeneic SCT for hematological malignancy in our institution between January 2003 and April 2006. The median duration of follow up after SCT was 12.6 months (range 0.2–53). Duration of follow up was compromised only in a subset of patients who had early mortality following SCT. Proportional hazard model was used to define the cutoff value of CD3, CD4, and CD8 cell dose that separate 2 groups of patients with highest statistically significant difference in terms of incidence of aGVHD. Kaplan-Meier Survival Analysis was used for correlate the overall survival (calculated from date of transplant) among these groups subdivided in terms of CD3, CD4, and CD8 cell doses. Results: The 66 patients (6 females, and 60 males) with median age of 48 years (range: 19–63 years) had different malignancies; 6 ALL, 34 AML, 1 biphenotypic leukemia, 1 CLL, 11 CML, 5 Hodgkin lymphoma, 8 NHL. The SCT was from matched related donors in 39 patients, and from matched unrelated donors in 27 patients. The incidence of aGVHD (grade 2–4) was statistically significantly less among those who received CD3 dose 33.5 ×107/kg IBW (P value: 0.35). Median OS was 12 months for those who received CD4 dose ≤ 32.6 ×107/kg IBW and 16.3 months for those who received > 32.6 ×107/kg IBW (P value: 0.8). Median OS was 6 months for those who received CD8 dose ≤ 6.2 ×107/kg IBW and 14.4 months for those who received > 6.2 ×107/kg IBW (P value: 0.13). Conclusions: In our series, CD3 dose less than 33.5 ×107/kg IBW and CD8 dose less than 6.2 ×107/kg IBW were associated with statistically significant reduced risk of grade 2–4 acute GVHD following peripheral allogeneic SCT. Overall survival was not statistically different among these groups of patients. These data suggest that, in addition to considering CD34 dose required for engraftment in allogeneic transplant, the CD3 dose and its subsets CD8 and CD4 may need to be considered to try to minimize the risk of acute GVHD without compromising survival after transplant.
Biased inheritance protects older bacteria from harm

In clonal bacterial cultures, where all cells are genetically identical, individual bacteria can nevertheless express different traits, giving rise to a diverse and complex population of phenotypic variants. This phenotypic heterogeneity allows single organisms to survive in conditions that are lethal for most of the population, such as assault with antibiotics ( 1 ). The survivors can then live on and regenerate the population when conditions become favorable again. To prevent this type of antibiotic failure, a greater understanding of the mechanisms that underlie phenotypic heterogeneity is essential. On page [311][1] of this issue, Bergmiller et al. ( 2 ) uncover such a mechanism. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/content/356/6335/311.full
Modeling African American prostate adenocarcinoma by inducing defined genetic alterations in organoids

// Kenji Unno 1 , Meejeon Roh 1 , Young A. Yoo 1 , Yousef Al-Shraideh 1 , Lu Wang 2 , Larisa Nonn 3 and Sarki A. Abdulkadir 1, 2, 4 1 Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA 2 Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA 3 Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA 4 The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA Correspondence to: Sarki A. Abdulkadir, email: sarki.abdulkadir@northwestern.edu Keywords: prostate cancer, organoid culture, malignant transformation, cancer development, African American Received: February 15, 2017 Accepted: March 16, 2017 Published: April 19, 2017 ABSTRACT Genomic studies are rapidly identifying genetic alterations in human cancer, but functional validation of such alterations has been slow. Here, using human prostate cancer as a model, we have assessed the feasibility of engineering defined genetic alterations in well-known cancer driver genes to transform benign prostate epithelial organoids derived from African American men. Benign human prostate organoids were transduced with lentiviruses expressing MYC, shPTEN, shTP53 and AR, alone and in various combinations, to recapitulate prostate cancer development. Organoids expressing MYC, shPTEN, shTP53 and AR (denoted MPPA); MYC, shPTEN and shTP53 (MPP); or MYC (M) were significantly larger, had higher proliferation rates and demonstrated pathologically transformed morphology compared to organoids transduced with control lentivirus. Alterations in MYC, PTEN and TP53 also affected the rate of organoid basal-to-luminal differentiation in vitro . MPPA and MPP organoids expressed the clinical prostate cancer marker AMACR and developed prostate adenocarcinoma when grafted under the renal capsule in mice. These data indicate that genetic alterations commonly observed in human prostate cancer can be rapidly modeled in human organoid culture. Prostate cancer organoids provide a useful pre-clinical model for the evaluation of new candidate cancer genes, cancer disparities, and potentially for testing of novel therapeutic agents.
Response Gene to Complement-32 promotes Th17 cell differentiation through TGF-β dependent and independent mechanisms

Response Gene to Complement (RGC)-32 is an intracytoplasmatic protein expressed in a variety of cells in response to sublytic complement activation, TGF-β and several growth factors. Upon activation it translocates into the nucleus and plays an important role in cells proliferation, migration, angiogenesis and TGF-β induced epithelial mesenchymal transition and fibrosis. A number of signaling pathways including CDC2 kinase, NF-kB, Akt, SMAD2/3, ROCK2 and PKC have been reported to mediate RGC-32 effects in different cell types. We have recently shown that RGC-32 promotes Th17 but not Treg, Th1 or Th2 differentiation in murine CD4 + T cells in vitro. The molecular mechanisms underlying the enhanced Th17 generation by RGC-32 are unknown. Under Th17 conditions, CD4 + T cells from RGC-32 knockout (KO) mice displayed significantly lower IL-6Rα and TGF-βRI mRNA expression. Smad dependent TGFβ signaling was altered in RGC-32 KO T cells as demonstrated by decreased phosphorylation of Smad2, while IL-6 induced STAT3 phosphorylation did not differ between RGC-32 KO and wild-type CD4 + T cells. mRNA and protein expression of RORyt, the Th17 lineage specific transcription factor, was significantly lower in RGC-32 KO CD4 + T cells. In addition, RGC-32 KO CD4 + T cells expressed significantly lower mRNA levels of the initiator transcription factors, BATF and IRF4. These results suggest that RGC-32 positively regulates the differentiation of the Th17 lineage through TGFβ dependent and independent mechanisms by enhancing the activation of Smad2, IRF4, BATF and RORyt.
Performance of a High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography-Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry System for Metabolic Profiling.

A commercial liquid chromatography/drift tube ion mobility-mass spectrometer (LC/IM-MS) was evaluated for its utility in global metabolomics analysis. Performance was assessed using 12 targeted metabolite standards where the limit of detection (LOD), linear dynamic range, resolving power, and collision cross section (Ω) are reported for each standard. Data were collected in three different instrument operation modes: flow injection analysis with IM-MS (FIA/IM-MS), LC/MS, and LC/IM-MS. Metabolomics analyses of human plasma and HaCaT cells were used to compare the above three operation modes. LC/MS provides linearity in response, data processing automation, improved limits of detection, and ease of use. Advantages of LC/IM-MS and FIA/IM-MS include the ability to develop mobility–mass trend lines for structurally similar biomolecules, increased peak capacity, reduction of chemical/matrix noise, improvement in signal-to-noise, and separations of isobar/isomer compounds that are not resolved by LC. We further ...
The prognostic significance of glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies in patients with chronic pancreatitis undergoing total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation

Abstract Aim Islet autotransplantation (IAT) is considered a ‘non-immune' model of islet transplant, with no risk for autoimmune-mediated beta cell loss, but we have previously observed de novo type 1 diabetes in one total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) recipient. We aimed to investigate the clinical significance of glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GADA), as a sensitive marker for autoimmune diabetes mellitus (DM), in patients with chronic pancreatitis undergoing TPIAT. Methods We identified 9 patients undergoing TPIAT with elevated GADA pre-TPIAT (8 non-diabetic and 1 with C-peptide positive DM), otherwise demographically similar to GADA negative TPIAT recipients ( n =341). Metabolic and clinical measures related to islet cell function were recorded both before and after TPIAT. Results None of the 9 TPIAT patients achieved insulin independence after surgery, vs. 33% of GADA negative patients ( n =318 with 1-yr follow-up). The two patients with the highest titters of GADA (>250 IU/mL) both experienced islet graft failure, despite normoglycaemia pre-TPIAT and high islet mass transplanted (5276 and 9378 IEQ per kg), with elevated HbA1c levels post-TPIAT (8.3%, 9.6%). The remaining 7 seven were insulin dependent with partial graft function and HbA1c levels Conclusion Insulin dependence was more frequent in 9 patients with elevated GADA prior to TPIAT than in GADA negative TPIAT recipients, with graft failure in 2 cases. We speculate that beta-cell autoimmunity may occur in a small subset of TPIAT recipients and that beta cell antibody testing prior to TPIAT may be warranted to identify individuals at higher risk for insulin dependence.
How Things Go Wrong: Breakdowns in Organization

Over the course of this book, we’ve adopted the neuropsychological concept of organization to help us characterize the unconscious processes that enable us to learn. While we are using the term in a technical sense, it is helpful for our purposes to note that organization, in the everyday sense of the word, is evocative of structure and activity. These connotations are entirely apt – they help to highlight just how much activity our minds are constantly engaged in, which, though unaware of it, we are entirely dependent upon to make our experience comprehensible and in order to learn.
Effect of biochar, hydraulic residence time, and nutrient loading on greenhouse gas emission in laboratory-scale denitrifying bioreactors

Abstract Increased adoption of denitrifying bioreactors to mitigate nutrient export in agricultural drainage can improve water quality but also raises concerns about potential unintended consequences of widespread implementation. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, especially as nitrous oxide (N2O) produced during denitrification, are of particular concern. To gain understanding of the variables controlling bioreactor GHG production, the effects of nutrient loading, hydraulic residence time, and biochar addition on emissions of N2O, methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2) were tested in 6550 cm3 laboratory columns. Biochar, an organic carbon pyrolysis product, was hypothesized to reduce GHG emissions, as has been reported with its use as an agricultural soil amendment. GHG fluxes were measured during 5-day trials using the closed dynamic chamber technique. The 36 combinations of three media types (woodchips, 10% biochar, and 30% biochar), three residence times (3, 6, and 12 h), and four influent formulations, all combinations of high and low nitrogen as nitrate (16.1 and 4.5 mg NO3-N L−1) and phosphorus as orthophosphate (1.9 and 0.6 mg PO4-P L−1) concentrations, were tested in triplicate. Treatment effects were assessed with linear mixed effects models. Biochar addition, particularly at the 30% rate, was found to increase N2O and CO2 emissions and the proportion of removed NO3-N released as N2O-N. However, quantified GHG flux rates were not environmentally concerning. Methane fluxes were negligible, and CO2 fluxes were not considered to increase net GHG emissions. Nitrous oxide fluxes normalized to surface area averaged 2.92 mg N2O-N m−2 d−1, and 98% of measured fluxes were within the range previously reported for woodchip bioreactors and considered acceptable.
Mitral valvular abnormalities associated with supravalvular aortic stenosis. Observations in 3 cases.

Abstract In 3 of 5 specimens of heart from patients with supravalvular aortic stenosis, lesions of the mitral valve were observed. In the youngest patient, an infant, the changes consisted of collagenous thickening of leaflets and mild degrees of protrusion of segments of the leaflets toward the left atrium (hooding). In the 2 older subjects, aged 7 and 38 years, respectively, the processes of hooding and valvular thickening were pronounced. In addition, each of the latter 2 patients had endocardial fibrous lesions of the left ventricular endocardium related to thick chordae attaching to the posterior leaflets. In the oldest subject, chordae were adherent to the related left ventricular endocardium. The lesions of the mural endocardium and of the chordae are considered to result from friction incident to the underlying valvular hooding. Since the material was limited in amount, it is uncertain whether the mitral valvular changes represent a coincidental or true association with supravalvular aortic stenosis.
Testing the Susceptibility of Users to Deceptive Data Visualizations When Paired with Explanatory Text

In this paper we present the results of an empirical study that analyzed how people understand the data presented to them in deceptive data visualizations when those visualizations are paired with non-deceptive text. This study was administered as an online user survey and was designed to test the extent to which deceptive data visualizations can fool users, even when they are accompanied by a paragraph of accurate text. The study consisted of a basic demographic questionnaire, chart familiarity assessment, and data visualization survey. A total of 256 participants completed the survey and were evenly distributed between a control (non-deceptive) survey and a test (deceptive) survey in which participants were asked to observe a paragraph of text and a data visualization. Participants then answered a question relevant to the observed information to measure how they perceived the information. The results of the study confirmed that deceptive techniques in data visualizations caused participants to misinterpret the information in the deceptive data visualizations even when they were accompanied by accurate explanatory text. Furthermore, certain demographics and comfort levels with chart types were more susceptible to certain types of deceptive techniques. These results highlight the importance of education and awareness in the area of data visualizations to ensure deceptive practices are not utilized on the part of developers and to avoid misinformation on the part of users.
Cyber Business Law and Project-Based Learning

This article describes a project-based learning pedagogical approach to learning legal concepts that transforms these concepts into managerial propositions for students, especially for computer information systems and business administration majors. This pedagogy provides opportunities and experiences for students to become sensitive enough to real-world topics that they can posit a question to a legal professional regarding cyber business laws. The hands-on project-based learning method is an engaging and interactive way to learn the information in a group environment, and then it requires the student to demonstrate knowledge at the individual level. The data collected for this study suggests that the project-based learning style is effective for learning legal concepts.
Investigating the Impact of a Community Makers’ Guild Training Program on Elementary and Middle School Educator Perceptions of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

Transformative STEM learning spaces have grown rapidly in schools, libraries, and museums as “Learning Labs” or “Makerspaces.” This paper introduces an elementary and middle school project-based learning-integrated curricular approach and Makers’ Guild professional development program that introduces participants to STEM career pathways using challenge cards. Makerspaces provide opportunities to assist organizations in efforts to improve teacher attitudes and confidence levels toward STEM and instructional technology. This study investigated a Makerspace professional development program, the Makers’ Guild, provided to teachers within North Texas over the course of a semester and was funded through a NASA Makerspace outreach grant. The research employed a constructionist approach delivered via instructional methods incorporating 2D and 3D technologies during STEM instructional activities within a creative space. Participants reported a statistically significant increases in self-reported competence in technology integration, confidence levels toward integrating World Wide Web, emerging technologies for student learning, teacher professional development, and attitudes toward math, technology, science, and STEM careers.
Resistance and tolerance: A hierarchical framework to compare individual versus family-level host contributions in an experimental amphibian-trematode system

Hosts have two general strategies for mitigating the fitness costs of parasite exposure and infection: resistance and tolerance. The resistance-tolerance framework has been well developed in plant systems, but only recently has it been applied to animal-parasite interactions. However, difficulties associated with estimating fitness, controlling parasite exposure, and quantifying parasite burden have limited application of this framework to animal systems. Here, we used an experimental approach to quantify the relative influence of variation among host individuals and genetic families in determining resistance and tolerance within an amphibian-trematode system. Importantly, we used multiple, alternative metrics to assess each strategy, and employed a Bayesian analytical framework to compare among responses while incorporating uncertainty. Relative to unexposed hosts, exposure to the pathogenic trematode (Ribeiroia ondatrae) reduced the survival and growth of California newts (Taricha torosa) (survival: 93% vs. 74%; growth: 0.29 vs. -0.5 vs mm day -1). Similarly, parasite infection success (the inverse of resistance) ranged from 8% to 100%. Yet despite this broad variation in host resistance and tolerance among individual newts, we found no evidence for transmissable, among-family variation in any of the resistance or tolerance metrics. This suggests that opportunities for evolution of these traits is limited, likely requiring significant increases in mutation, gene flow, or environmental heterogeneity. Our study provides a quantitative framework for evaluating the importance of alternative metrics of resistance and tolerance across multiple time points in the study of host-parasite interactions in animal systems.
Lung cancer and family-centered concerns.

Genetic and environmental interactions predispose certain groups to lung cancer, including families. Families or caregiving units experience the disease interdependently. We have previously evaluated the concerns and preferences of patients in addressing the lung cancer experience and cancer risks in their families. This qualitative study evaluates the concerns and preferences of family members and caregivers of patients with lung cancer in the lung cancer experience and familial cancer risks. We held focus groups to discuss the format and timing of addressing these preferences and concerns. Qualitative data generated was analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Five focus groups totaling 19 participants were conducted. Seven themes were identified: (1) journey to lung cancer diagnosis has core dimensions for patient and family, (2) importance of communication between patients, families, and providers, (3) challenges for caregivers and family, (4) mixed perceptions of lung cancer causation among relatives, (5) discussion of cancer risk with relatives has complex dynamics, (6) impact of diagnosis on family health behaviors and screening, (7) role of genetic counseling. Family members of patients with lung cancer are interested in discussing risk factors, prevention, and diagnoses and also would like access to other supportive services do learn about and cope with some of the stresses and barriers they experience in the family lung cancer journey. The diagnosis represents a potential teachable moment with the opportunity to reduce the risk of LC development or improve early detection in LC patient’s family members.
The Somatic Nervous System

Abstract The somatic nervous system provides control of skeletal muscle movement. Conscious control of movement originates in the motor cortex (both premotor and primary motor cortex). However, movement is refined and coordinated by various structures in the CNS, including extrapyramidal regions and the cerebellum. Furthermore, spinal reflexes also modulate motor function. Ultimately, the contraction of muscle is induced by activation of motoneurons that innervate skeletal muscle. Electrical impulses from these neurons are converted to a chemical message at the neuromuscular junction, where the neurotransmitter ACh is released by the motoneuron. Numerous diseases of motor control arise from either defects in the CNS, the peripheral neurons (motoneurons) or the muscle itself. Various drugs can influence motor control by acting on the CNS or in the periphery.
Conserving the Future Force Fighting Strength: Findings from the ARmy Medical Department Transformation Workshop 2002

Abstract : The Army is in the process of transforming itself and is developing new operational concepts and technologies to enable this transformation. The Army Medical Department (AMEDD) has been deeply involved in the overall Army transformation effort since its inception, and it has identified operational medicine issues whose resolution will be critical to its ability to support the Army of the future. The purpose of this research was to develop a method to assess these issues and further investigate a subset of them. Rand Arroyo Center designed and conducted the Army Medical Department Transformation Workshops (ATW) held in April, August, and November 2002. The purpose of the workshops was to initiate an assessment of the medical risks associated with emerging Army operational concepts and the capacity of AMEDD to mitigate these risks. Medical risk is defined generally as the number, severity, and fate of casualties incurred. The workshops examined combat operations of a notional future force, each supported by a different health service support (HSS) structure. Eight hours of simulated combat provided the context for the workshops, generating casualty data to support the analysis of the HSS structure. AMEDD experts determined likely outcomes for individual casualties resulting from the Army simulation of its 2015 future force. It was concluded that, in this particular simulation, the structure and concepts postulated for the evacuation and treatment of future force combat casualties were overwhelmed by 8 hours of relatively low-intensity combat. This report describes the development of issues that provided a basis for the workshops, workshop organization, the composition of the various teams and cells, objectives and issues, the scenario used, and the analysis methodology employed. Finally, the report provides results and observations. (3 tables, 2 figures)
Fast Immunoassay for Microfluidic Western Blotting by Direct Deposition of Reagents onto Capture Membrane

Western blotting is a widely used protein assay platform, but the technique requires long analysis times and multiple manual steps. Microfluidic systems are currently being explored for increased automation and reduction of analysis times, sample volumes, and reagent consumption for western blots. Previous work has demonstrated that proteins separated by microchip electrophoresis can be captured on membranes by dragging the microchip outlet across the membrane. This process reduces the separation and transfer time of a western blot to a few minutes. To further improve the speed and miniaturization of a complete western blot, a microscale immunoassay with direct deposition of immunoassay reagents has been developed. Flow deposition of antibodies is used to overcome diffusion limited binding kinetics so that the entire immunoassay can be completed in 1 h with detection sensitivity comparable to incubation steps requiring 20 h. The use of low microliter/min flow rates with antibody reagents applied directly and locally to the membrane where the target proteins have been captured, reduced antibody consumption ~30-fold. The complete western blot was applied to the detection of GAPDH and β-Tubulin from A431 cell lysate.
Optimal timing for social distancing during an epidemic

Social distancing is an effective way to contain the spread of a contagious disease, particularly when pharmacological interventions are not available. Conventional wisdom suggests that social distancing measures should be introduced as soon as possible after the beginning of an outbreak. Using a simple epidemiological model we show, however, that there is in fact an optimal time to initiate a temporal social distancing intervention if the goal is to reduce the final epidemic size or flatten the epidemic curve. The optimal timing depends strongly on the effective reproduction number (R0) of the disease, such that as the R0 increases, the optimal time decreases non-linearly. Additionally, if pharmacological interventions (e.g., a vaccine) become available at some point during the epidemic, the sooner these interventions become available the sooner social distancing should be initiated to maximize its effectiveness. Although based on a simple model, we hope that these insights inspire further investigations within the context of more complex and data-driven epidemiological models, and can ultimately help decision makers to improve temporal social distancing policies to mitigate the spread of epidemics.
Compact mid-infrared dual-comb spectrometer for outdoor spectroscopy

This manuscript describes the design of a robust, mid-infrared dual-comb spectrometer operating in the 3.1-µm to 4-µm spectral window for future field applications. The design represents an improvement in system size, power consumption, and robustness relative to previous work while also providing a high spectral signal-to-noise ratio. We demonstrate a system quality factor of 2×106 and 30 hours of continuous operation over a 120-meter outdoor air path.
Assessment of Telestroke Capacity in US Hospitals.

This study describes the growth of telestroke capacity in US hospitals and compares the characteristics of the hospitals with and without telestroke capacity.
Washington View: Education + Money = Freedom

The COVID-19 pandemic and related economic downturn has made the persistent inequities in the U.S. education system even more evident than before. In her monthly Kappan column, Maria Ferguson discu...
COVID-19 and Market Structure Dynamics.

We examine the impact of COVID-19 on market structure in the U.S. Specifically, we analyze the impact of both the COVID-19-induced market uncertainty period as well as the suspension of the NYSE floor on trading dynamics such as market fragmentation, algorithmic trading, and hidden liquidity in the market. During both the heightened market uncertainty and NYSE floor suspension periods, we find a significant increase in hidden liquidity yet significant decreases in both algorithmic trading and market fragmentation. However, despite withdrawing from the market during this period, remaining algorithmic traders appear to improve market quality. Our results indicate that COVID-19 had a significant impact on order routing, pre-trade transparency, and automated trading.
Meet the IUPAB councilor — Angela M. Gronenborn

As an incoming IUPAB Councilor, I have been asked to write a short commentary describing myself and my career in science. Throughout my scientific life, my interests have evolved from initially trying to understand the physical and chemical properties of small molecules toward unraveling biological systems. To that end, I now apply biophysical, biochemical and chemistry tools. Along my journey, I developed and applied nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy methods to figure out how proteins work at the atomic level and this voyage took me from Germany, where I earned degrees in Physics and Chemistry, to the UK and back to Germany, finally dropping anchor in the USA, where I have led research programs at both the National Institutes of Health and the University of Pittsburgh. I am now the UPMC Rosalind Franklin Professor and Chair of the Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, a Professor of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, and a Professor of Chemistry, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh.
Spectral Theory of Non-Self-Adjoint Two-Point Differential Operators

Unbounded linear operators Fredholm operators Introduction to the spectral theory of differential operators Principal part of a differential operator Projections and generalized eigenfunction expansions Spectral theory for general differential operators Bibliography Index.
Development of Science Process Skills in the Early Childhood Years

The developmental trajectory of learning to do science is long. Though some mechanisms of science learning – like curiosity, asking questions, and exploration – seem to develop spontaneously in children, all science process skills require support, scaffolding, and instruction to mature into the sophisticated process skills seen in scientifically literate adults and trained scientists. Using the first dimension of newly published science education standards as a guide, this chapter focuses on three specific process skills: asking questions, conducting investigations, and interpreting and using evidence. Our discussion of these skills is motivated by the idea that young children are “naturally curious” and that uncertainty is one of the factors that prompts curiosity, as well as a driving force of the scientific process. As such, we begin the discussion with what is known about children’s curiosity. Second, we focus on dealing with uncertainty – or the process skill of asking questions. Next, we review process skills aimed at investigating uncertainty – what young children understand about investigation by examining what they know about using experiments and how they interpret patterns of data and use evidence. Finally, we consider some educational interventions designed for preschool and young elementary children that incorporate some or all of these process skills, and link these skills to the more sophisticated processes observed in later scientific thinking.
The Banach-Steinhaus Theorem for Ordered Spaces

Let X and Y be vector lattices and Ti: X → Y a sequence of linear operators which are sequentially continuous with respect to relative uniform convergence. If {Tjx} is relatively uniformly convergent to Tx for each x ∈ X, under appropriate assumptions on the spaces, we show that the linear operator T is also continuous and that the {Ti} are order equicontinuous in a certain sense. We also establish an order version of the Uniform Boundedness Principle.
Simulating Large-scale Structure

After two decades of direct dynamical simulation of large-scale structure in the universe, it is safe to say the subject is now mature. Still, there are parts of the problem that are less well developed than others. In general, the collisionless dynamics of the dark matter component is better understood than the collisional gas dynamics of the baryonic component. In situations where the gas dynamics is relatively simple, such as the Lyman-$\alpha$ forest and the intracluster medium in X-ray clusters, our ability to reproduce observational data has evolved rapidly, and the interpretive and predictive power of such experiments should now be taken seriously. A comparison of twelve gas dynamic codes to the problem of forming a single X-ray cluster shows that numerical inaccuracies are modest (typically below ten percent), leaving missing physics as the main source for large systematic differences between theory and observation. Galaxy formation, being more complex, is farther behind in its development, but simulations capable of resolving the morphological range of the Hubble sequence in cosmologically interesting volumes may be just around the corner.
Heckman–Meyers Algorithm

The collective risk model for aggregate losses states that total losses for a period comprise a random number of random payments where the payments have identical distributions and all variables are independent. Evaluating probabilities for this model can be difficult. The Heckman–Meyers Algorithm is one of several approaches to this problem. While computationally challenging, it is accurate and in many situations is extremely fast. Keywords: collective risk model; Heckman–Meyers algorithm; fourier inversion
Ecostratigraphic criteria for evaluating the magnitude, character and duration of bioevents

In order to have the capability for recognizing as many of the extinction and adaptive radiations in the fossil record as possible we should take advantage of the ecostratigraphic approach in our work. This means that we will carefully collect, stratum by stratum, data about the stratigraphic ranges of the individual taxa within individual community groups, biofacies narrowly construed, as opposed to the all too customary habit of lumping taxa from varied community groups together indiscriminately. Following this procedure enables one to far more easily recognize as well, those brief intervals when portions of the ecosystem were restructured, which is important owing to the fact that such restructuring commonly coincides with extinction and adaptive radiation events. It must be recognized that major changes in supra-specific abundance are fully as useful in pin pointing extinction and adaptive radiation events as are mere taxonomic compilations. The ecostratigraphic approach also emphasizes the fact that so-called "known" stratigraphic ranges are commonly far less than "true" ranges except for the small number of abundant genera and their species. Awareness of this last relationship makes it clear that there is no such thing as a "Background Extinction Rate" within any one community group, i.e., biofacies, because the species to species name changes within the genera of each community group are merely evidence of phyletic evolution, not the termination of a lineage. Emphasis is placed on the importance of separating out the major ecosystem components, such as the level bottom from the reef complex when trying to recognize event horizons, i.e., compilations that lump taxa from such ecosystem components together tend to blur the actual nature of the units being mixed together, giving rise to an artifactual background extinction (and adaptive radiation) rate. We now need to far more carefully sample beds above and below suspected event horizons, community group by community group, in order to discover whether or not the taxa involved in radiations and extinctions undergo a sigmoidal change in abundance or not. All of this requires that we carefully evaluate our data against a sound knowledge of classical biostratigraphy, based on the evolutionarily useful data developed during the past century and more.
Revealing Brown Carbon Chromophores Produced in Reactions of Methylglyoxal with Ammonium Sulfate

Atmospheric brown carbon (BrC) is an important contributor to light absorption and climate forcing by aerosols. Reactions between small water-soluble carbonyls and ammonia or amines have been identified as one of the potential pathways of BrC formation. However, detailed chemical characterization of BrC chromophores has been challenging and their formation mechanisms are still poorly understood. Understanding BrC formation is impeded by the lack of suitable methods which can unravel the variability and complexity of BrC mixtures. This study applies high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to photodiode array (PDA) detector and high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) to investigate optical properties and chemical composition of individual BrC components produced through reactions of methylglyoxal (MG) and ammonium sulfate (AS), both of which are abundant in the atmospheric environment. A direct relationship between optical properties and chemical composition of 30 major BrC chromophores is es...
Optical power requirements for an optoelectronic database filter based on VCSEL/HPT smart pixel arrays

Recently we have presented the design concepts and initial progress towards the implementation of a database filter using free space optical interconnects and smart pixel arrays based on vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) and heterojunction phototransistors (HPTs). In addition to the development of HPT logic gate arrays (XOR and AND), demonstration of the database filter requires VCSEL arrays, a suitable opto-mechanical platform, and an emulator for the page oriented optical memory. All of these tasks have now been completed and this paper presents an overview of the system design with emphasis on the optical power budget, and critical device characteristics. Finally, experimental results from a demonstration of both the selection and projection modules will be presented.
Spectral conditions for local nondeterminism

Abstract Let X(t) be a real Gaussian process with stationary increments and spectral distribution function F(x). Put φ(t)=F(∞) − F( 1 t ) . Sufficient conditions in terms of F are given for the process to be locally φ-nondeterministic. These are formulated for discrete and absolutely continuous functions F. The results in the discrete case are applied to the analysis of the local time of a random Fourier series with i.i.d. coefficients. The class of distributions of the coefficients includes not only the normal distribution but others such as the symmetric stable distribution.
The effect of ortho substitution on the mass spectral fragmentation of polychlorinated biphenyls

Isomeric chlorinated biphenyls are observed to yield very similar mass spectra, rarely exhibiting a [M - Cl]+ fragment of any significant magnitude. However, those isomers containing three ortho chloro substituents display a relatively intense [M - Cl]+ fragment. A rationalization for this observation is put forth on the basis of the relative stabilities of both product and reactant.
Evaluation of the cytotoxic effects of ophthalmic solutions containing benzalkonium chloride on corneal epithelium using an organotypic 3-D model.

Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is a common preservative used in ophthalmic solutions. The aim of this study was to compare the cytotoxic effects of BAC-containing ophthalmic solutions with a BAC-free ophthalmic solution using an organotypic 3-dimensional (3-D) corneal epithelial model and to determine the effects of latanoprost ophthalmic solution and its BAC-containing vehicle on corneal thickness in a monkey model. The cytotoxicity of commercially available BAC-containing ophthalmic formulations of latanoprost (0.02% BAC) and olopatadine (0.01% BAC) was compared to that of BAC-free travoprost and saline in a corneal organotypic 3-D model using incubation times of 10 and 25 minutes. To compare the extent of differentiation of 3-D corneal cultures to monolayer transformed human corneal epithelial (HCE-T) cell cultures, expression levels (mRNA and protein) of the corneal markers epidermal growth factor receptor, transglutaminase 1 and involucrin were quantified. Finally, latanoprost ophthalmic solution or its vehicle was administered at suprapharmacologic doses (two 30 μL drops twice daily in 1 eye for 1 year) in monkey eyes, and corneal pachymetry was performed at baseline and at weeks 4, 13, 26 and 52. In the 3-D corneal epithelial culture assays, there were no significant differences in cytotoxicity between the BAC-containing latanoprost and olopatadine ophthalmic solutions and BAC-free travoprost ophthalmic solution at either the 10- or 25-minute time points. The 3-D cultures expressed higher levels of corneal epithelial markers than the HCE-T monolayers, indicating a greater degree of differentiation. There were no significant differences between the corneal thickness of monkey eyes treated with latanoprost ophthalmic solution or its vehicle (both containing 0.02% BAC) and untreated eyes. The lack of cytotoxicity demonstrated in 3-D corneal cultures and in monkey studies suggests that the levels of BAC contained in ophthalmic solutions are not likely to cause significant direct toxicity to epithelium of otherwise normal corneas.
Optofluidic waveguides with Ta 2 O 5 cladding layers and low photoluminescence

A new type of hollow core waveguide fabricated with Ta 2 O 5 and SiO 2 films is demonstrated. The photoluminescence background of ARROW waveguides is decreased significantly by replacing Si 3 N 4 with Ta 2 O 5 films, while maintaining low optical losses.
Complex mixtures of air pollutants: characterizing the cancer risk of polycyclic organic matter.

Complex mixtures of polycyclic organic matter (POM) are used to illustrate the scientific problems and issues associated with characterizing the comparative risk of related complex mixtures. The co...
The mamas and the papas: the invisible diversity of families with same‐sex parents in the United States

This literature review is intended for administrators, educators, and counselors to generate discussion and awareness of the issues facing families with same‐sex parents in the United States, a demographic that is rapidly growing and needing service and attention from its communities. To provide educators with background into how these families are formed, research exploring the emotional and legal dynamics of conception and adoption is included. In the context of school settings, disclosure of family structure to teachers and peers is discussed, with consideration for the effects of homophobia and heterosexism. Speaking to a highly contended issue, the literature indicates that children raised by same‐sex parents are not disadvantaged compared with their peers raised in households headed by heterosexual parents. In fact, more than biological or legal status, research points to the quality of relationships with caregivers as the greatest predictor of outcomes in a child's development. While the research h...
Postoperative radiation therapy for carcinoma of the breast: improved results with elective irradiation of the chest wall.

Abstract A review was conducted of all patients with primary cancer of the breast treated by the Radiation Therapy Department of Mount Sinai Medical Center from 1966–1978. The initial surgical procedure was radical mastectomy or modified radical mastectomy for 926 patients. The mean follow-up for this group was 6.42 years, the range was 1–13 years. All postoperative therapy was given with megavoltage equipment. Treatment was directed to either the peripheral lymphatics (internal mammary chain, supraclavicular and axillary apex) or to the peripheral lymphatics fossa and chest wall. The decision to include the chest wall within the treatment volume was based upon the extent of disease at the primary site and the degree of involvement of the axilla. Curves were generated to compare, by stage, control of disease for both postoperative radiotherapy techniques. The expected enhancement of local (regional) control was seen for patients with more advanced disease who received chest wall irradiation. Differences favoring the more comprehensively irradiated group were also seen in disease-free and overall survival for all three stages of disease, with statistically significant benefit in survival analysis for patients with Stage II and III disease. (Stage II-peripheral lymphatic group: 5 years=54%; 10 years=36%. Peripheral lymphatic plus chest wall group: 5 years=71%; 10 years=49 %.Stage III-peripheral lymphatic group: 5 years=32%; 10 years=15%. Peripheral lymphatic plus chest wall group: 5 years=51 %; 10 years=38%.) These results imply that microscopic residual disease within the soft tissues of the chest wall can metastasize without necessarily manifesting as regionally recurrent disease. Postoperative irradiation of the chest wall imparts additional survival advantage to a significant percentage of patients treated by radical surgery. Criteria for the inclusion of the chest wall within postoperative radiotherapy fields should be broadened.
Self-organization of front patterns in large wildebeest herds

Abstract Aerial photographs of migrating wildebeest herds reveal striking distributional patterns, including wavy fronts. These patterns vary over scales that are much larger than the individual's perceptual range, and thus cannot be explained simply as random fluctuations on uniformity. Furthermore, since the individual is only aware of its immediate surroundings, broad-range patterns must be explained in terms of local decisions. This paper suggests a model for the dynamics of large herds and a mechanism for their self-organizing pattern formation. We overcome the problem of modeling a two-dimensional distribution of a large population by considering only the leading layer. The conditions under which uniform fronts are stable (or unstable) are analyzed. In the latter case, small perturbations on uniformity evolve to large-scale patterns, as we demonstrate by computer simulations. We suggest this as a possible mechanism for spontaneous generation of long-range patterns.