Using Satellite Images to Study Temporal changes in the Mississippi Delta

OCN 499 - Undergraduate Thesi

What Will You Do If I Say 'I Do'?: The Effect of the Sex Ratio on Time Use within Taiwanese Married Couples

This paper uses the natural experiment of a large imbalance between men and women of marriageable age in Taiwan in the 1960s to test the hypothesis that higher sex ratios lead to husbands (wives) having a lower (higher) share of couple's time in leisure and higher (lower) share of the couple's total work time (employment, commuting and housework). A large sample of Taiwanese couples' time diaries from 1987, 1990, and 1994 is used. The analysis finds evidence of the predicted effects of the county-level sex ratio on husbands' and wives' share of leisure and total work time. In addition, the age difference between husbands and wives is shown to be positively correlated with heightened county-level sex ratio a result which is also consistent with the theory that marriage market participants' choices are affected by the prevailing sex ratio

Loss of Immunohistochemical Reactivity in Association With Handling-Induced Dark Neurons in Mouse Brains.

The handling-induced dark neuron is a histological artifact observed in brain samples handled before fixation with aldehydes. To explore associations between dark neurons and immunohistochemical alterations in mouse brains, we examined protein products encoded by Cav3 (neuronal perikarya/neurites), Rbbp4 (neuronal nuclei), Gfap (astroglia), and Aif1 (microglia) genes in adjacent tissue sections. Here, dark neurons were incidental findings from our prior project, studying the effects of age and high-fat diet on metabolic homeostasis in male C57BL/6N mice. Available were brains from 4 study groups: middle-aged/control diet, middle-aged/high-fat diet, old/control diet, and old/high-fat diet. Young/control diet mice were used as baseline. The hemibrains were immersion-fixed with paraformaldehyde and paraffin-embedded. In the hippocampal formation, we found negative correlations between dark neuron hyperbasophilia and immunoreactivity for CAV3, RBBP4, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) using quantitative image analysis. There was no significant difference in dark neuron hyperbasophilia or immunoreactivity for any protein examined among all groups. In contrast, in the hippocampal fimbria, old age seemed to be associated with higher immunoreactivity for GFAP and allograft inflammatory factor-1. Our findings suggest that loss of immunohistochemical reactivity for CAV3, RBBP4, and GFAP in the hippocampal formation is an artifact associated with the occurrence of dark neurons. The unawareness of dark neurons may lead to misinterpretation of immunohistochemical reactivity alterations

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone regulates expression of the DNA damage repair gene, Fanconi anemia A, in pituitary gonadotroph cells

Gonadal function is critically dependant on regulated secretion of the gonadotropin hormones from anterior pituitary gonadotroph cells. Gonadotropin biosynthesis and release is triggered by the binding of hypothalamic GnRH to GnRH receptor expressed on the gonadotroph cell surface. The repertoire of regulatory molecules involved in this process are still being defined. We used the mouse LβT2 gonadotroph cell line, which expresses both gonadotropin hormones, as a model to investigate GnRH regulation of gene expression and differential display reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to identify and isolate hormonally induced changes. This approach identified Fanconi anemia a (Fanca), a gene implicated in DNA damage repair, as a differentially expressed transcript. Mutations in Fanca account for the majority of cases of Fanconi anemia (FA), a recessively inherited disease identified by congenital defects, bone marrow failure, infertility, and cancer susceptibility. We confirmed expression and hormonal regulation of Fanca mRNA by quantitative RT-PCR, which showed that GnRH induced a rapid, transient increase in Fanca mRNA. Fanca protein was also acutely upregulated after GnRH treatment of LβT2 cells. In addition, Fanca gene expression was confined to mature pituitary gonadotrophs and adult mouse pituitary and was not expressed in the immature αT3-1 gonadotroph cell line. Thus, this study extends the expression profile of Fanca into a highly specialized endocrine cell and demonstrates hormonal regulation of expression of the Fanca locus. We suggest that this regulatory mechanism may have a crucial role in the GnRH-response mechanism of mature gonadotrophs and perhaps the etiology of FA

Antibacterial Activity of Extracts from Physalis peruviana (Poha Berry)

Physalis Peruviana (Pp) L., a member of Solanaceae family, has been used traditionally since Columbian times, particularly to treat various diseases. It is native to Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador. Pp is known for its high amounts of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fibers. Several species in Solanaceae have been shown to exhibit antibacterial properties against gram-positive and gram­negative bacteria. In Hawai\u27i, Poha berry fruits are eaten fresh and used for jams. For this experiment, Physalis peruviana whole plants and fruits were collected and further extracted. Both crude methanol extract of aerial (PpA) and 70% ethanol extract of fruits (PpF) from Pp were successively extracted with n-hexane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol, respectively. The ethyl acetate fraction of fruits and whole plant extracts were separated via column chromatography (CC). The hyphae formation inhibition assay was used in bioassay-guided fractionation to screen the bioactive components within the extracts. Samples were evaluated for their inhibitory activities against Streptomyces 85E in the hyphae formation inhibition assay (HFI). The sub-fractions PpA2 and PpA3 exhibited inhibitory activities against strain of Streptomyces 85E. Pp fractions exhibited significant inhibitory activities against the strain and gave 12-19 mm clear and bald zones of inhibitions at 20 μg/disk. One of the fractions was applied to silica gel and further purified in the Sephadex LH-20 column, eluted with organic solvent, and yielded two different compounds. Extracts and fractions with antibacterial activity will be presented. The biological activity observed in the extracts, partition, and fractions validate ethnomedicinal use of Physalis peruviana

Consulting report – CICLO

El proyecto de Eco Adoquines de la empresa CICLO es una ambiciosa iniciativa que busca aumentar su capacidad y participación en el mercado a través de la inversión en activos fijos y capital de trabajo. Para respaldar esta estrategia, se han realizado exhaustivos estudios cualitativos y cuantitativos que revelan un Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) actual del 10.57%. El plan de negocios se enfoca en el análisis de mercado, la estrategia de negocios y el pronóstico financiero para impulsar las ventas y mejorar la posición de Ciclo en el mercado. Con el objetivo de aumentar su participación de mercado del 0.35% actual al 5% para finales de 2027, Ciclo planea la contratación de tres especialistas en finanzas, operaciones y marketing. Estos expertos serán clave para ordenar las finanzas, desarrollar estrategias de gestión de recursos y marketing, y mejorar la competitividad de la empresa en el mercado. Se proyecta que el proyecto de Eco Adoquines generará un Valor Neto Actual de S/ 412,250.88, una Tasa Interna de Retorno del 52%, y un retorno de inversión en 2 años, 3 meses y 4 días, lo que demuestra el atractivo potencial de inversión en esta iniciativa. En resumen, CICLO se embarca en un proyecto estratégico para expandir su presencia en el mercado a través de Eco Adoquines. Con un enfoque claro en el análisis, la estrategia y la inversión en recursos clave, la empresa busca un crecimiento sostenible y rentable, respaldado por sólidos indicadores financieros y un retorno de inversión atractivo.CICLO is a sustainable construction company founded in 2015, with operations commencing in 2020, focusing on the production of eco pavers made from recycled construction material. The company operates in two main lines of business: (1) collecting construction waste, and (2) converting the collected material into construction material. Despite the significant environmental benefits and market potential of its operations, CICLO faces a critical challenge of insufficient funding which hampers its growth and scalability. To address this, the company aims to develop a comprehensive business plan to present to potential investors to secure the necessary funding. The business plan is structured into three main categories: market analysis, financial information, and growth strategy. The financial information will include detailed financial statements, projections, and a break-even analysis to provide a clear picture of the company’s financial health and future prospects. The market analysis will provide an overview of the current market scenario, including the demand for sustainable construction materials, competitor analysis, and the potential market share that CICLO can capture. The growth strategy will outline the company's plan for scaling its operations, expanding its product line, and capturing a larger market share. Qualitative and quantitative data will be utilized to analyze the company thoroughly and present a compelling case for investment. The analysis will not only demonstrate the financial viability of CICLO but also highlight the environmental impact of its operations, aligning with the growing trend of impact investing. Implementing recommendations for the company moving forward will also be included, ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of the business. By securing the necessary funding, CICLO aims to scale its operations, contribute to a more sustainable construction industry, and provide a lucrative return on investment for its stakeholders. The business plan will serve as a roadmap for achieving these objectives and a tool for convincing potential investors of the compelling opportunity that CICLO represents

The Landscape of Long Non-Coding RNA Dysregulation and Clinical Relevance in Muscle Invasive Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma.

Bladder cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States, but few advancements in treatment options have occurred in the past few decades. This study aims to identify the most clinically relevant long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) to serve as potential biomarkers and treatment targets for muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Using RNA-sequencing data from 406 patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we identified differentially expressed lncRNAs in MIBC vs. normal tissues. We then associated lncRNA expression with patient survival, clinical variables, oncogenic signatures, cancer- and immune-associated pathways, and genomic alterations. We identified a panel of 20 key lncRNAs that were most implicated in MIBC prognosis after differential expression analysis and prognostic correlations. Almost all lncRNAs we identified are correlated significantly with oncogenic processes. In conclusion, we discovered previously undescribed lncRNAs strongly implicated in the MIBC disease course that may be leveraged for diagnostic and treatment purposes in the future. Functional analysis of these lncRNAs may also reveal distinct mechanisms of bladder cancer carcinogenesis

Safety and Feasibility of a First-Person View, Full-Body Interaction Game for Telerehabilitation Post-Stroke

This study explored the feasibility and safety of pairing the Microsoft Kinect® sensor with the Oculus Rift® Head Mounted Display (HMD) as a telerehabilitation technology platform for persons post-stroke. To test initial safety, fourteen participants without disabilities (age 30 ± 8.8 years) engaged in a game-based task using the Microsoft Kinect® with a first-person view using the Oculus Rift®. These tasks were repeated for five participants post-stroke (age 56 ± 3.0 years). No significant adverse events occurred in either study population. When using the Oculus Rift® HMD, three participants without disabilities reported dizziness and nausea. All of the participants post-stroke required hands-on assistance for balance and fall prevention. The intensive nature of physical support necessary for this type of interaction limits the application as a telerehabilitation intervention.  Given the increasing availability of HMDs for commercial use, it is crucial that the safety of immersive games and technologies for telerehabilitation is fully explored

Multiple steady states in exchange flows across faults and the dissolution of CO2

We develop a model of the steady exchange flows which may develop between two aquifers at different levels in the geological strata and across which there is an unstable density stratification, as a result of their connection through a series of fractures. We show that in general there are multiple steady exchange flows which can develop, depending on the initial conditions, and which may involve a net upwards or downwards volume flux. We also show that there is a family of equilibrium exchange flows with zero net volume flux, each characterised by a different interlayer flux of buoyancy. We present experiments which confirm our simplified model of the exchange flow. Such exchange flows may supply unsaturated water from a deep aquifer to drive dissolution of a structurally trapped pool of geologically stored $\text{CO}_{2}$, once the water in the aquifer containing the trapped pool of $\text{CO}_{2}$ has become saturated in $\text{CO}_{2}$, and hence relatively dense. Such exchange flows may also lead to cross-contamination of aquifer fluids, which may be of relevance in assessing risks of geological storage systems.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from CUP via http://journals.cambridge.org/download.php?file=%2FFLM%2FFLM769%2FS0022112015001007a.pdf&code=58f6f56d3a1302266ca4bcf617ba24df