cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Expression and Distribution of Meprin Protease Subunits in Mouse Intestine

Meprins, zinc metalloendopeptidases of kidney and intestinal brush border membranes, are composed of differing ratios of alpha and beta subunits. Previous work indicated that the beta subunit was expressed in kidney and intestine of all mouse strains, but that the alpha subunit was only expressed in kidney of random-bred and some inbred strains and not in mouse intestine. The work herein, however, reports that low levels of meprin alpha subunit mRNA and protein are detectable in mouse intestine and are present in increasing concentrations from the duodenum to the ileum. In ICR mice, the duodenum expressed less than 1% of the meprin alpha mRNA (micrograms/g tissue) relative to kidney, the ileum approximately 20%. The large intestine contained approximately 10% of the message found in kidney. An inbred mouse strain, C3H/He, found previously to contain only meprin beta subunits in kidney and intestine, displayed very low levels of meprin alpha mRNA (approximately 1% of that in ICR kidney) in both the kidney and intestine. Intestinal meprin beta mRNA in ICR and C3H/He mice, by contrast, was expressed at similar levels to that found in kidney, and for both strains there was an increase (two- to threefold) in the beta message in the ileum relative to duodenum or jejunum. In general, the pattern of the meprin alpha protein along the intestine was similar to that of alpha mRNA, and activity and response of intestinal meprin A to inhibitors were typical of the enzyme isolated from kidney. These data indicate that meprin alpha can be detected in mouse small and large intestine and that expression is not only tissue- and strain-specific but also longitudinally variable in intestine. The expression pattern for both a and beta subunits indicates an ileal function for the meprins.
Glomerular cell proliferation and PDGF expression precede glomerulosclerosis in the remnant kidney model

Glomerular cell proliferation and PDGF expression precede glomerulosclerosis in the remnant kidney model. Increasing evidence supports a role of glomerular cell proliferation in the development of focal or diffuse glomerulosclerosis. This study investigates the chronology and sequence of cellular events that precede glomerulosclerosis in 5/6 nephrectomized rats. Within three days of renal ablation, a phenoty pic switch occurred in which some mesangial cells expressed α-smooth muscle actin. This was followed by proliferation of mesangial cells, and to a lesser degree endothelial cells from day 5 to week 4 as detected by immunostaining for the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Glomerular cell proliferation was accompanied by increased immuno-histochemical expression of PDGF B-chain. In situ hybridization showed no glomerular PDGF B-chain mRNA expression at the induction of proliferation (day 5), and a marked increase between week 1 and 4 in operated rats. In parallel, increased expression of PDGF receptor β-subunit protein and mRNA was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and Northern analysis of total glomerular RNA. The onset of glomerular cell proliferation was also associated with mild glomerular platelet accumulation (as defined by 111 In-labelled platelet studies) as well as with fibrinogen deposition. Proteinuria, glomerular sclerotic changes, and leukocyte infiltration all followed cell proliferation. The glomerular leukocyte infiltrate consisted of monocytes/macrophages and increased markedly at week 10 in rats with renal ablation. Thus, our results suggest that in the remnant kidney model: 1) proliferation of intrinsic glomerular cells precedes glomerulosclerosis; 2) proliferation may be initiated by degranulating platelets and sustained by PDGF released from intrinsic glomerular cells; and 3) glomerular monocyte/macrophage infiltration occurs after the proliferation, and may possibly contribute to the development of glomerular sclerotic changes.
Recruitment of postlarval and juvenile brown shrimp (Penaeus aztecus ives) from offshore to estuarine waters of the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico

Abstract We use relatively rare continental shelf distribution and abundance data for postlarval brown shrimp, Penaeus aztecus Ives, along with marsh postlarval and juvenile data, to investigate recruitment to the Calcasieu River estuary in western Louisiana. Catches of postlarvae peaked in the offshore sampling in February and March, while catches in the marsh peaked in March. Densities of postlarvae collected offshore were greater in the shallowest nearshore depths. For the five years of collections in the marsh, the peak immigration period of late stage postlarvae and juveniles varied from the end of March to mid-May. Highest densities of postlarvae were taken at water temperatures of 12-18 °C for both offshore and marsh plankton collections. We relate the postlarval data and meteorological data on atmospheric cold-front passages, along with field and experimental data from the literature, to hypothesize a behaviorally-mediated transport mechanism for the enhancement of postlarval brown shrimp recruitment. The postulated mechanism utilizes the post-frontal return of southerly winds and northward flowing currents. In this model, postlarvae use cold-front associated changes in water temperature and salinity as environmental cues in combination with a diel activity cycle that puts them in contact with the bottom. This behaviour would facilitate the selection of the appropriate directional flow and could also facilitate the accumulation of postlarvae at the mouths of estuaries.
MAVS-mediated apoptosis and its inhibition by viral proteins.

Background Host responses to viral infection include both immune activation and programmed cell death. The mitochondrial antiviral signaling adaptor, MAVS (IPS-1, VISA or Cardif) is critical for host defenses to viral infection by inducing type-1 interferons (IFN-I), however its role in virus-induced apoptotic responses has not been elucidated.
Significance of location (anterior versus inferior) and type (Q-wave versus non-Q-wave) of acute myocardial infarction in patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for postinfarction ischemia

Predictors of increased risk for recurrent cardiac events and death after acute myocardial infarction include postinfarction myocardial ischemia, anterior location of the infarct, and non-Q-wave versus Q-wave infarction. Although coronary angioplasty is performed in patients with postinfarction ischemia to alleviate symptoms, the outcome according to location and type of infarction and the effect on prevention of subsequent myocardial infarction and death are not known. To determine if location and type of myocardial infarction provide prognostic information in patients with postinfarction ischemia, we analyzed morbidity and mortality during and after coronary angioplasty according to the location (anterior vs inferior) and type (Q-wave vs non-Q-wave) of myocardial infarction in 505 consecutive patients. The incidence of recurrent angina, repeat coronary angioplasty, coronary bypass surgery, reinfarction, and death during long-term follow-up after hospital discharge (mean 34 +/- 19 months) for the 440 patients with an initial successful angioplasty was also compared. During the procedure, there was no difference in the primary success rate or mortality among the different groups; however, more patients with anterior non-Q-wave myocardial infarction underwent emergent bypass grafting after unsuccessful coronary angioplasty (p = 0.001). Multivariate Cox proportional-hazards analyses controlling for age, gender, number of diseased vessels, location, type of infarction, and year of coronary angioplasty revealed that more patients with anterior infarction had > or = 1 cardiac event (repeat angioplasty, coronary artery bypass grafting, reinfarction, or death) than did those with inferior infarction (RR 1.80, 95% confidence interval [Ci] 1.22 to 2.65, p = 0.003).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Symmetric invariant pairings in vertex operator super algebras and Gramians

Abstract We define a symmetric bilinear pairing on any connected vertex operator super algebra with various vertex operator invariance properties including the translation invariance. The notion of quasi-primary vectors leads to an orthogonal double grading decomposition of the algebra. Hermitian pairings associated to certain conjugate-linear involutions are shown to be positive definite and integral for vertex operator algebras generated by vectors of weight one half. No Hilbert space structure on the vertex operator algebra is assumed. We deduce it. Our pairings of canonical basis vectors can be expressed in terms of Gramian determinants of matrices of binomial coefficients. Our construction can be carried out over the ring of integers, hence it makes sense over any field.
Unsteady separated wake behind an impulsively started cylinder in slightly viscous fluid

Etude a l'aide de la methode numerique du tourbillon aleatoire. Etude de la genese et de l'evolution des structures d'ecoulement complexe et instable de la zone de recirculation derriere le cylindre
Improved gastrointestinal tolerance and palatability of didanosine in adults by the use of pediatric powder formulation

Administration of didanosine (ddI) as buffered tablets is complicated by its poor palatability. The tolerance and palatability of pediatric powder ddI in an adult population of subjects with HIV infection as compared with buffered ddI tablets was compared. Twenty HIV-infected subjects, in whom the use of ddI was clinically indicated, were enrolled in a randomized crossover trial. Subjects took one of the two randomly assigned formulations for 4 weeks and then were crossed over to the alternative treatment. Twenty subjects were enrolled, and all of them completed the study. Of these 16 subjects, 10 reported that taking the ddI tablets affected the quality of their lives negatively. Of the participants, 18 (90%) rated the pediatric formulation as 6 (better) or 2 (much better) than the buffered tablets. Preference was based on better taste and ease to swallow, although none of these 18 patients reported difficulties taking the pediatric formulation. In contrast, 19 of the 20 subjects reported difficulties taking the buffered tablets during the study period, including poor taste, trouble swallowing them, and diarrhea. Tolerance and palatability of ddI demonstrate marked improvement by the use of the pediatric powder, which suggests that the administration of ddI can be markedly enhanced by the use of pediatric formulation.
Automated analysis of stellar spectra

Classical model-atmosphere analyses of stellar spectra usually begin by measuring equivalent widths, and then proceed into a loop in which 1) model spectra are calculated for a set of abundances and atmospheric parameters, and 2) observed and computed spectra are compared and corrections to the abundances and parameters are inferred. Automated techniques have been developed to automate the measurement of equivalent widths, and some or all parts in the analysis loop. However, in order to tackle the massive datasets provided by the new spectroscopic surveys with dedicated telescopes, it is necessary to make some radical changes. It is argued that future analyses of stellar spectra should abandon the use of equivalent widths, and rely on tables of synthetic spectra that can be either interpolated extremely fast in minimum-distance optimization methods or used for training genetic algorithms. Examples of ongoing projects involving high-dispersion stellar spectra for a small sample and low-dispersion spectra for a sample of tens of thousands of stars are described. (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
When statistics provide unsatisfying answers: revisiting the breast self-examination controversy

When CMAJ published a report in June 2001 that questioned the value of teaching breast self- examination (BSE) to women,[1][1] angry respondents, ranging from breast cancer survivors to clinicians, derided the study as “bizarre” and “lame-brained.”[2][2],[3][3] Other commentators, using more
Range Size and Extinction Risk in Forest Birds

Small geographical range size is the single best predictor of threat of extinction in terrestrial species. Knowing how small a species' range has to be before authorities consider it threatened with extinction would allow prediction of a species' risk from continued deforestation and warming climates and provide a baseline for conservation and management strategies aspiring to mitigate these threats. To determine the threshold at which forest-dependent bird species become threatened with extinction, we compared the range sizes of threatened and nonthreatened species. In doing so, we present a simple, repeatable, and practical protocol to quantify range size. We started with species' ranges published in field guides or comparable sources. We then trimmed these ranges, that is, we included only those parts of the ranges that met the species' requirements of elevation and types of forest preferred. Finally, we further trimmed the ranges to the amount of forest cover that remains. This protocol generated an estimate of the remaining suitable range for each species. We compared these range estimates with those from the World Conservation Union Red List. We used the smaller of the two estimates to determine the threshold, 11,000 km2, below which birds should be considered threatened. Species considered threatened that have larger ranges than this qualified under other (nonspatial) red list criteria. We identified a suite of species (18) that have not yet qualified as threatened but that have perilously small ranges--about 11% of the nonthreatened birds we analyzed. These birds are likely at risk of extinction and reevaluation of their status is urgently needed.
Electrostriction of polymer dielectrics with compliant electrodes as a means of actuation

Abstract The electrostriction of elastomeric polymer dielectrics with compliant electrodes is potentially useful as a small-scale, solid-state actuator technology. Electrostrictive polymer (EP) materials are capable of efficient and fast response with high strains (> 30%), good actuation pressures (up to 1.9 MPa), and high specific energy densities (up to 0.1 J g−1). In this article, the mechanism of electrostriction is shown to be due to the electrostatic attraction of free charges on the electrodes. Although EP actuators are electrostatics based, they are shown to produce 5–20 times the effective actuation pressure of conventional air-gap electrostatics at the same electric field strength. The thin uniform dielectric films necessary for fabrication of EP actuators have been fabricated by techniques such as spin coating, casting, and dipping. A variety of materials and techniques have been used to produce the compliant electrodes, including lift-off stenciling techniques for powdered graphite, selective wetting of ionically conductive polymers, and spray coating of carbon blacks and fibrils in polymeric binders. Prototype actuators have been demonstrated in a variety of configurations such as stretched films, stacks, rolls, tubes, and unimorphs. Potential applications of the technology in areas such as microrobots, sound generators, and displays are discussed in this article.
Synthesis and Cell Adhesive Properties of Linear and Cyclic RGD Functionalized Polynorbornene Thin Films

Described herein is the efficient synthesis and evaluation of bioactive arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) functionalized polynorbornene-based materials for cell adhesion and spreading. Polynorbornenes containing either linear or cyclic RGD peptides were synthesized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) using the well-defined ruthenium initiator [(H_(2)IMes)(pyr)_(2)(Cl)_(2)Ru═CHPh]. The random copolymerization of three separate norbornene monomers allowed for the incorporation of water-soluble polyethylene glycol (PEG) moieties, RGD cell recognition motifs, and primary amines for postpolymerization cross-linking. Following polymer synthesis, thin-film hydrogels were formed by cross-linking with bis(sulfosuccinimidyl) suberate (BS^3), and the ability of these materials to support human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) adhesion and spreading was evaluated and quantified. When compared to control polymers containing either no peptide or a scrambled RDG peptide, polymers with linear or cyclic RGD at varying concentrations displayed excellent cell adhesive properties in both serum-supplemented and serum-free media. Polymers with cyclic RGD side chains maintained cell adhesion and exhibited comparable integrin binding at a 100-fold lower concentration than those carrying linear RGD peptides. The precise control of monomer incorporation enabled by ROMP allows for quantification of the impact of RGD structure and concentration on cell adhesion and spreading. The results presented here will serve to guide future efforts for the design of RGD functionalized materials with applications in surgery, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine.
Automatic adaptive grid refinement for the Euler equations

A method of adaptive grid refinement for the solution of the steady Euler equations for transonic flow is presented. Algorithm automatically decides where the coarse grid accuracy is insufficient, and creates locally uniform refined grids in these regions. This typically occurs at the leading and trailing edges. The solution is then integrated to steady state using the same integrator (FLO52) in the interior of each grid. The boundary conditions needed on the fine grids are examined and the importance of treating the fine/coarse grid inerface conservatively is discussed. Numerical results are presented.
The effect of state on sensory gating: comparison of waking, REM and non-REM sleep.

Abstract Objectives : Auditory sensory gating is an electrophysiological assay that has been employed in clinical and basic research to clarify the neurobiological basis of perceptual and attentional impairments associated with schizophrenia and other diseases. In addition to genetically-linked characteristics, this measure also exhibits potentially confounding sensitivity to behavioral state, most notably acute stress. The goal of the present study is to determine if auditory sensory gating of evoked potential component P50 (‘P1') could be measured during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, as an alternative to the waking state. Methods : The suppression of vertex-recorded auditory evoked potential components, P30, P50 and N100, was measured as a function of stimulus redundancy using the paired-click paradigm during all-night sleep in 10 control subjects. Average evoked responses were computed separately for 30 min periods of waking, REM sleep, and non-REM (stage 2) sleep. Results : Evoked response component P50 exhibited suppression to the paired-click stimulus during REM sleep, not significantly different than waking. Suppression of wave N100 was significantly poorer during both sleep stages than waking. Component P30 was not suppressed in response to repetitive stimuli under any state of vigilance. Conclusions : In addition to waking, response suppression of evoked potential component P50 can be measured during REM sleep, thus allowing the separation of trait- and state-dependent effects in future investigations of auditory sensory gating.
Verification-Aware Microprocessor Design

The process of verifying a new microprocessor is a major problem for the computer industry. Currently, architects design processors to be fast, power-efficient, and reliable. However, architects do not quantify the impact of these design decisions on the effort required to verify them, potentially increasing the time to market. We propose designing processors with formal verifiability as a first-class design constraint. Using Cadence SMV, a composite formal verification tool that combines model checking and theorem proving, we explore several aspects of processor design, including caches, TLBs, pipeline depth, ALUs, and bypass logic. We show that subtle differences in design decisions can lead to large differences in required verification effort.
Some genetic traits in Solomon Island populations. II. Hand clasping, arm folding, and handedness.

Among 1,438 persons in four Solomon Island populations, handclasp showed no age, sex, or tribal differences. The percentage of R-claspers (right thumb on top), 66.4, exceeded those previously reported for Caucasian and Mongoloid peoples and resembled those for Oceanic and African samples. Handclasp was associated with handedness but not with armfold; it showed no assortative mating and no simple form of inheritance. Armfold showed an age association (more R-folders among the youngest children), but none with sex or tribe, no assortative mating, and no pattern of inheritance. Its frequency, 41.4%, resembled those of populations around the world. Left handedness, 2.8% over all four tribes, paralleled contact with Western culture.
Import of Proteins into Peroxisomes

Publisher Summary This chapter outlines the import of protein into peroxisomes. The first section reveals the discovery and metabolic functions of peroxisomes and highlights that peroxisomes were the last of the major subcellular organelles to be discovered. Unlike the nucleus, mitochondrion and chloroplast, peroxisomes have no DNA. Therefore, all of their polypeptide components are encoded by nuclear genes, synthesized on cytoplasmic polyribosomes, and then, transported post-translationally to peroxisomes. Peroxisomal membrane proteins (PMPs) embedded in the organelle membrane use membrane PTSs (mPTSs) for their targeting. These have been characterized in several proteins but have little in common except for a basic region. Early experiments on the peroxisomal targeting of reporter and endogenous proteins in the late 1980s showed that similar PTSs were used from yeast to humans. The alternative model is one in which the PTS receptors recognize cargo in the cytosol and shuttle them to the peroxisome. For the few PMPs whose targeting has been analyzed in vitro, the process is independent of ATE but dependent on cytosolic factors. For the few PMPs whose targeting has been analyzed in vitro, the process is independent of ATE but dependent on cytosolic factors. This chapter also highlights peroxisome inheritance and biogenesis intermediates along with a brief note on disorders involving peroxisomes.
The two-hop interference untrusted-relay channel with confidential messages

This paper considers the two-user interference relay channel where each source wishes to communicate to its destination a message that is confidential from the other destination. Furthermore, the relay, that is the enabler of communication, due to the absence of direct links, is untrusted. Thus, the messages from both sources need to be kept secret from the relay as well. We provide an achievable secure rate region for this network. The achievability scheme utilizes structured codes for message transmission, cooperative jamming and scaled compute-and-forward. In particular, the sources use nested lattice codes and stochastic encoding, while the destinations jam using lattice points. The relay decodes two integer combinations of the received lattice points and forwards, using Gaussian codewords, to both destinations. The achievability technique provides the insight that we can utilize the untrusted relay node as an encryption block in a two-hop interference relay channel with confidential messages.
Optical Properties and Chirality

Abstract Optical absorption and circular dichroism (CD) measurements and calculations provide useful information about the geometric and electronic structure of monolayer-protected gold and silver nanoparticles. Small nanoparticles display discrete optical absorption spectra with multiple peaks that are characteristic of a particular nanoparticle stoichiometry and core structure. Calculated time-dependent density functional theory spectra often provide excellent agreement with experiment and can be used to distinguish between proposed nanoparticle structures. In addition, calculations permit the assignment of the origin of the transitions observed in the spectra. Examination of CD spectra enables elucidation of the factors responsible for the large optical activity observed in these systems.
Catch me if you can…early simulation efforts affect fundamental surgical skill assessment scores

Abstract Background We evaluated whether early exposure to a simulation curriculum enhances acquired surgical skills. Methods The "Surgical Olympics" evaluates interns on basic surgical skills and knowledge. After the Summer Olympics (July), interns were randomly divided into groups: "A" participated in a 7-week curriculum once a week, whereas "B" attended 7 weeks of lectures once a week. All interns then participated in the October Olympics. The 2 groups then switched. Finally, all interns completed a January Olympics. Results Scores were tabulated for the July, October, and January Olympics. Mean scores (A = 182 ± 42, Group B=188 ± 34; P = .70) were similar in July; in October, group A (mean score=237 ± 31) outperformed group B (mean score=200 ± 32; P = .01). Mean total scores in January (A = 290 ± 34, B=276 ± 34; P = .32) were similar. Conclusions Early exposure to a surgical simulation curriculum enhances surgical intern performance in our Surgical Olympics. Subsequent simulation experience helps learners close this gap.
Treatment of hypothyroidism.

Thyroid disease affects up to 0.5 percent of the population of the United States. Its prevalence is higher in women and the elderly. The management of hypothyroidism focuses on ensuring that patients receive appropriate thyroid hormone replacement therapy and monitoring their response. Hormone replacement should be initiated in a low dosage, especially in the elderly and in patients prone to cardiac problems. The dosage should be increased gradually, and laboratory values should be monitored six to eight weeks after any dosage change. Once a stable dosage is achieved, annual monitoring of the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level is probably unnecessary, except in older patients. After full replacement of thyroxine (T4) using levothyroxine, the addition of triiodothyronine (T3) in a low dosage may be beneficial in some patients who continue to have mood or memory problems. The management of patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (a high TSH in the presence of normal free T4 and T3 levels) remains controversial. In these patients, physicians should weigh the benefits of replacement (e.g., improved cardiac function) against problems that can accompany the excessive use of levothyroxine (e.g., osteoporosis).
A System for the Macroexamination of Eyes in the Laboratory

A system used in the preparation, gross sectioning, macroexamination, and recording of findings in eyes enucleated both in surgery and at autopsy is detailed. This system emphasizes a simple gross sectioning technic that causes minimal derangement of intraocular structures, careful examination with a stereomicroscope with movable focusable high intensity illuminator (permitting a wide variety of lighting technics and maximal visual interpretation), and a specially devised form facilitating the accurate recording of findings.
Fatigue in adolescent and adult survivors of non-CNS childhood cancer: a report from project REACH

Studies of fatigue in childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are inconclusive, with some reporting increased fatigue prevalence in this population while others do not. Given the potentially significant consequences of unmanaged fatigue, we sought to estimate the prevalence of fatigue and to identify factors associated with fatigue in a population of non-CNS CCS ranging from adolescence to middle adulthood using a single fatigue measurement tool. Two hundred sixty-eight CCS ages 12–49 years followed in a survivorship clinic at a single cancer center completed validated self-report measures of fatigue, depression, and quality of life. Demographic and current health data were collected by study questionnaire and chart review Based on age-adjusted population norms, the prevalence of fatigue was 13.8 %, which is not significantly different compared to results in healthy populations. Fatigue was independently associated with having ≥3 chronic health conditions (OR 4.27, 95 % CI 1.52–11.99). Fatigued participants reported lower overall quality of life scores (OR 0.86, 95 % CI 0.82–0.89) and were more likely to be depressed compared to non-fatigued patients (20.4 vs. 1.4 %, respectively, p < 0.0001). There were 41(78.8 %) survivors with fatigue in our population who did not report significant depression. CCS did not demonstrate increased fatigue compared to age-matched normative data. Fatigued survivors were more likely to have multiple chronic conditions, depression, and decreased quality of life. Longitudinal study will promote better understanding of the relationship between fatigue and specific chronic conditions, thereby facilitating early identification of those individuals most at risk.
The Use of Nuclear Morphometry in Predicting Recurrence of Transitional Cell Carcinoma

AbstractDespite apparently adequate surgical resection, metastases develop in about 50% of the patients who undergo radical cystectomy for invasive bladder cancer and they die of disease within 2 years of surgery. Recent reports have shown that combination chemotherapy with regimens including cisplatin results in significant improvement in time to progression and overall survival for patients with transitional cell carcinoma. We have used quantitative nuclear morphometry in an effort to predict which individual patients with muscle invasive transitional cell carcinoma are at increased risk for recurrence and in need of adjuvant therapy. A total of 14 patients with deeply invasive tumors without known metastases (tumors, nodes and metastasis stage P3A-B, N-, MO) who had not received perioperative radiation or systemic chemotherapy was studied. Of the patients 7 (group 1) had no evidence of disease with a mean followup of 41 months and 7 (group 2) had recurrent transitional cell carcinoma at a mean followup...
Disaster Risk Management and Business Education: the Case of Small and Medium Enterprises

It is safe to say that building disaster resilience by preparing for disasters with a business continuity plan is vital for small business to thrive in the long run. More often than not, small business owners invest large sums of money, time, and resources to make their ventures successful and yet, many of them fail to properly plan and prepare for disaster situations. With this problem in mind, Florida International University (FIU) became the house of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Extreme Events Institute (EEI). Together, both institutes have collaborated in their mission to spread disaster resilience and business continuity management knowledge and best practices in an accessible way to small businesses in South Florida and Latin America. By developing and disseminating knowledge, processes and best-practices through several activities and channels such as business consulting and business continuity plan elaboration, Pasantias (Practicums), and the Disaster Resilience Toolkit for Small-and-Medium-Sized Enterprises, both institutes truly represent FIU’s experience with SMEs and its commitment with entrepreneurship and South Florida’s community.
Laser-pumped atomic vapor optical filters

Narrow-bandwidth optical sources are readily available. However, tunable narrow-bandwidth, wide field-of-view optical filters are not available. The laser-pumped atomic vapor optical filters presented here are in principle tunable narrow-bandwidth, wide field-of-view optical filters. These filters can simultaneously provide high resolution (0.001 nm), wide field-of-view (±90°), high quantum efficiency, and electrically tunable optical filtering. These devices are ideally suited for extracting weak narrow-bandwidth signals buried in strong nonresonant optical background radiation. Potential applications of these fitters include laser communications, laser radar, detection of Raman radiation, and atomic spectroscopy.
Banach-Mazur Games

We use the definitions and notation on the topology of Cantor space and Baire space from §8.1 with basic open sets ⟦σ⟧ defined in (8.1). We extend Definition 8.6.1, which introduced dense sets and dense open sets.
Too little, too late? Evaluating the European Works Councils Recast Directive

In 2009, Europe launched a Recast Directive on European Works Councils (EWCs) aiming to improve:(1) the effectiveness of EWCs and (2) increase the amount of EWCs. In 2016, this Recast Directive will be evaluated by the European Commission. This report feeds into this, building on data of EWC agreements from the EWC Database managed by the ETUI.The results show that the Recast was generally too little and too late to deliver on its declared objectives. The Recast did not stimulate the creation of more EWCs as it provided insufficient instruments to do so. The Recast did affect the content of EWC agreements on some domains, but generally came too late to have a significant effect. In many ways, the Recast reflected the most common practices rather than stimulating best practices.
Phenomenological Nursing in Schutzian Perspective

In order to support the recommendation that philosophical phenomenologists look into phenomenology as done in disciplines beyond philosophy, substantive as well as methodological positions in writings by a nursing phenomenologist are related to Alfred Schutz’s theory of the cultural sciences.
Making the Microbiology Lecture a Passionate Performance, with Stories and Songs: To teach more effectively, microbiologists or other specialists need to convey their passion for their chosen subject matter

Many of you reading this feature spend roughly half your waking hours in some form of professional activity. Why did you choose that particular activity? For the money? Because your parents or a teacher made you? Many of you might answer “because it's important.” However, that answer is not very particular. We live in a complex world in which a capable person can pursue any number of career paths. Why pursue the particular path that you do? Why, among the vast array of potential occupations, are you interested in microbiology?
Predictors and Moderators of Sexual Distress in Women with Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder

The degree of general distress reported by women with Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD) varies greatly, which might relate to their level of anxiety or depression. A variety of medical pro...
Internal cooling of fiber and disc lasers by radiation balancing and other optical and phonon processes: radiation-balanced lasers: new vistas in optical gain and refrigeration materials (Conference Presentation)

A new AFOSR MURI program, devoted to the pursuit of cooling solid state lasers internally, is underway and will be described. Comprising research teams from four universities, this program will focus on fiber and disc lasers and the demonstration of optical and/or phonon-based processes capable of maintaining beam quality as power loading of the medium rises. Emphasis will be placed on leveraging novel resonator designs to enhance a targeted optical field-material interaction such that localized cooling occurs within the gain medium. Examples will be given of two systems that are being pursued initially.
INTEL® XDK: cross-platform ide for development of mobile apps including games and IoT: tutorial presentation

Intel® XDK is a free IDE for people who want to create apps for mobile and IoT platforms. It offers essential tools to rapidly design, debug, tune, and build apps for Android*, iOS*, and Windows* app stores. Our users range from beginners who have never programmed to experienced Web developers who want to move into the mobile arena.
Effects of ryanodine on SR Ca2+ release channels demonstrated with caffeine-induced tension transients in skinned striated and vascular smooth muscle.

Ryanodine has been shown to cause cardiac arrest and contracture of skeletal muscle and to bind to a receptor with high specificity and affinity in isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR).1 We tested the hypothesis that the ryanodine binding itself, to the receptor is the mechanism of ryanodine’s pharmacological effects. We used a skinned muscle fiber preparation2,3 which is unique in that the ryanodine effect on the SR can be monitored by tension development. This study shows that: (i) ryanodine, in skeletal muscle, enhances the caffeine-induced tension transient, and in striated and vascular smooth muscle, decreases the caffeine-induced tension transient of the subsequent control (C2 depression); (ii) C2 depression is dependent on the duration of the open state of the SR Ca2+ release channels; and (iii) C2 depression is a direct function of [Ca2+] and [caffeine], and is an inverse function of [Mg2+].
Androgens Support Male Acrobatic Courtship Behavior by Enhancing Muscle Speed and Easing the Severity of Its Tradeoff With Force

Steroid hormone action in the brain regulates many animals' elaborate social displays used for courtship and competition, but it is increasingly recognized that the periphery may also be a site for potent steroidal modulation of complex behavior. However, the mechanisms of such "bottom-up" regulation of behavioral outflow are largely unclear. To study this problem, we examined how androgenic sex hormones act through the skeletal muscular system to mediate elaborate courtship acrobatics in a tropical bird called the golden-collared manakin. As part of their display, males snap their wings together above their backs at rates that are at least 2× faster than the normal wing-beat frequency used for flight. This behavior, called the roll-snap, is actuated by repeatedly activating a humeral retractor muscle-the scapulohumeralis caudalis (SH)-which produces contraction-relaxation cycling speeds similar to the "superfast" muscles of other taxa. We report that endogenous androgenic activation of androgen receptor (AR) sustains this muscle's exceptionally rapid contractile kinetics, allowing the tissue to generate distinct wing movements at oscillation frequencies >100 Hz. We also show that these effects are rooted in an AR-dependent increase to contractile velocity, which incurs no detectable cost to force generation. Thus, AR enhances SH speed necessary for courtship display performance while avoiding the expected tradeoff with strength that could otherwise negatively influence aspects of flight. Peripheral AR therefore not only sets up the muscular system to perform a complex wing display, but does so in a way that balances the functional requirements of this muscle for other life-sustaining behavior.
Sulfate mineralogy of fumaroles in the Salton Sea Geothermal Field, Imperial County, California

Abstract The Salton Trough lies in the transition between the San Andreas Fault and oblique spreading centers and transform faults in the Gulf of California. The Salton Sea Geothermal Field is the northernmost expression of those spreading centers. In ~ 2007 two ammonia-emitting fumarole fields that had been submerged beneath the Salton Sea were exposed for the first time in nearly 50 years. As the sea level continued to drop these fields have developed a number of boiling pools, mud pots, gryphons and a unique suite of ammonium sulfate minerals. These have been studied over time with long-wave infrared remote sensing coupled with ground truth surveys backed by laboratory analyses of the minerals. Many vents lie at the center of concentric rings of mineralization with systematic occurrence of different minerals from center to edge. Three semi-concentric zones (fumarole, transition and evaporite) have been defined with respect to ammonia-emitting vents and bubbling pools. The scale of these zones range from several meters, localized around individual vents, to that of the fumarole fields as a whole. The fumarole zone is closest to the vents and locally contains cavernous sulfur crystals and significant deposits of gypsum, mascagnite, boussingaultite and other ammonium sulfates. The transition zone comprises a dark brown surficial band of inconspicuous sodium nitrate underlain by anhydrite/bassanite that is thought to have formed by ammonia-oxidizing microbes interacting with the ammonium sulfates of the outer fumarole zone. The evaporite zone is the outermost and contains blodite, thenardite and glauberite, which are typical of the sulfates associated with the shoreline of the Salton Sea. Remote sensing has shown that the mineral zones have remained relatively stable from 2013 to 2017, with minor variations depending on rainfall, temperature and levels of agricultural runoff.
On the simulation, economic analysis, and life cycle assessment of batch-mode organic solvent recovery alternatives for the pharmaceutical industry

This study explores design alternatives for the purification and possible reuse of low-volume organic solvents waste streams in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Solvent use has a large impact on the life cycle of pharmaceutical processes, as typically 80–90% of the total mass used in the production of an active pharmaceutical ingredient is attributed to solvent use. Solvents are not consumed in pharmaceutical processes so they exit the process as waste. These waste streams are usually disposed of using incineration; therefore, generating significant life cycle emissions from disposal and replacement of virgin solvent. Solvent recovery efforts are generally limited to large-volume waste streams. However, results show that solvents in low-volume streams can also be economically recovered using a versatile multi-campaign solvent recovery skid. Three different solvent waste streams were evaluated, and 85.3% reduction in total emissions and 86.3% reduction in operating costs were achieved. Investment in the solvent recovery system was determined to have a payback period of 4.5 years and a 28% IRR over 10 years. A life cycle impact assessment shows impacts on the human health, ecosystems, and resources categories have been reduced by 82.4, 85.1, and 87.1%, respectively.
Sodium Alginate Toughening of Gelatin Hydrogels.

Gelatin is a popular material for the creation of tissue phantoms due to its ease-of-use, safety, low relative cost, and its amenability to tuning physical properties through the use of additives. One difficulty that arises when using gelatin, especially in low concentrations, is the brittleness of the material. In this paper, we show that small additions of another common biological polymer, sodium alginate, significantly increase the toughness of gelatin without changing the Young’s modulus or other low-strain stress relaxation properties of the material. Samples were characterized using ramp-hold stress relaxation tests. The experimental data from these tests were then fit to the Generalized Maxwell (GM) model, as well as two models based on a fractional calculus approach: the Kelvin–Voigt Fractional Derivative (KVFD) and Fractional Maxwell (FM) models. We found that for our samples, the fractional models provided better fits with fewer parameters, and at strains within the linear elastic region, the l...
ATTEMPTS AT THE MOLECULAR CLONING OF A TRANSFORMING ALLELE FROM CHEMICALLY TRANSFORMED MOUSE CELLS

DNA has been extracted from a series of chemically transformed mouse fibroblast cells. As reported previously (1), DNA of some of these cell lines will induce foci when applied to NIH3T3 mouse fibroblast monolayer cultures. The data suggest the presence of discrete, dominantly acting, transmissible alleles for transformation present in the chemically-transformed cells but not in their normal counterparts. The transfection technique allows one to use the transforming alleles as selectable markers in procedures designed to generate molecular clones of these genes. An experimental strategy, currently underway, is described by which the transformation allele and other single-copy, selectable marker genes may be cloned.
Blocking CXCL1-dependent neutrophil recruitment prevents immune damage and reduces pulmonary bacterial infection after inhalation injury.

Smoke inhalation associated with structural fires, wildfires, or explosions leads to lung injury, for which innovative and clinically relevant animal models are needed to develop effective therapeu...
Ethnic Variations of Trajectories in Suicide Ideation and Attempt: From Middle School to High School.

The purpose of this study was to compare patterns of suicide ideation and suicide attempt in three ethnic groups. We analyzed data from 463 students with ethnic backgrounds of African American (AA), Asian American (ASA), and European American (EA) for 6 years. The best fit model was a three-trajectory class model for all groups. The majority of adolescents belonged in the nonideators trajectory. The high level of ideation was found in the high ideators (4%), high-fluctuating ideators (8%), and high-decreasing ideators (4%) trajectory in AA, ASA, and EA, respectively. In the AA group, being a member of ideators was not a significant predictor of suicide attempt. In the ASA group, being a member of high-fluctuating ideators was a significant predictor. In the EA group, being a member of both ideators predicted suicide attempt. The timing of onset, patterns of change, and peak time in the ideators trajectories in the three ethnic groups were markedly different. The high level of attempts found in the ASA-AA group was not explained by having suicide ideation. Findings suggest the need for in-depth examination of suicide behaviors across ethnic groups and culturally adapted preventive efforts with distinct developmental timing for adolescents from different ethnic backgrounds.
System-level coexistence impact of USB type-C and type-A connectors with WiFi radio

In this paper, system-level coexistence impact of USB type-C connector with WiFi radio is assessed in comparison to USB type-A. As data rate increases and small form factor is highly demanded, adoption rate of USB Type-C connector has been substantially increasing. As compared to USB-A connector, USB-C connector has not been extensively investigated for RFI risk and coexistence impact of USB-C and WiFi radio. Therefore, radiated RFI noise and WiFi throughput of USB-C connector is characterized and compared to USB-A connector. The USB-C RFI risk assessment shows that 20dB RFI reduction realizes 180% throughput improvement as compared to one of the USB-A connector. The results demonstrate that RFI-shielded USB type-C connector has much less impact on wireless communication than USB-A, resulting in wireless performance improvement in mobile computer platforms.
Automated tower crane planning: leveraging 4-dimensional BIM and rule-based checking

Abstract Reviewing tower crane plans in the pre-construction phase is an iterative process and one that is in need of an approach that improves its effectiveness and efficiency. This study proposes a framework that integrates 4D modeling and rule-based checking for reviewing tower crane plans. A template of crane-specific rules that are based on prevailing tower crane design standards in the United States was developed. This framework is capable of automating the review process and identifying potential spatial and capacity conflicts based on design models and construction schedules. This work presents a prototype system to which crane-specific rules are applied in a rule-checking platform that uses a 4D model as input. In the validation tests, the system's effectiveness is demonstrated by its high recall rates. Efficiency is achieved through diminishing manual interventions. The proposed approach also gives rise to an automated tower crane-planning process, reducing the need for manual input. Higher efficiency allows users to review more alternatives consistently when compared with the manual approach.