Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differences in aromatase expression and steroid hormone concentrations in the reproductive tissues of male domestic turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) with white and yellow semen

ABSTRACT 1. To show hormonal differences between male turkeys with yellow semen syndrome (YSS) and white, normal semen (WNS), the expression of aromatase, oestrogen receptor α (ERα), and oestrogen receptor β (ERβ) as well as testosterone and oestradiol concentrations in YSS and WNS testes, epididymis, and ductus deferens were examined. 2. To measure gene expression levels of aromatase and oestrogen receptors (ERs), three complementary techniques (real-time PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry) were used, whereas steroid hormone levels were determined radio-immunologically. 3. Upregulation of aromatase and ERα mRNAs in YSS testes (P < 0.05; P < 0.01), epididymis (P < 0.001; P < 0.001), and ductus deferens (P < 0.05; P < 0.01) compared to those of WNS tissues was detected. Significant increases in the levels of aromatase and ERα proteins were detected in YSS testes (P < 0.001; P < 0.05), epididymis (P < 0.001; P < 0.001), and ductus deferens (P < 0.001; P < 0.05). The expression of ERβ mRNA and protein level was upregulated in the testes (P < 0.05; P < 0.01) and epididymis (P < 0.001; P < 0.01) but not in ductus deferens where it was downregulated (P < 0.01; P < 0.01). Increased intensity of immunoreactive proteins in YSS versus WNS reproductive tissues corroborated gene expression results. 4. Testosterone concentration diminished in YSS epididymis (P < 0.05) and ductus deferens (P < 0.05), but not in the testes, remaining at high level (P < 0.05) compared to WNS values. Concomitantly, increased oestradiol concentration was found in YSS testes (P < 0.05) and epididymis (P < 0.05) but decreased in the ductus deferens (P < 0.05). 5. From the published literature, this study is the first to demonstrate the ability for androgen aromatisation in the turkey reproductive tissues and to show the cellular targets for locally produced oestrogens. The data suggested that the androgen/oestrogen ratio is a mechanistic basis for amplification of differences between turkeys with white and yellow semen and that these results can have a relevance in applied sciences to widen the knowledge on domestic bird reproduction.
HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVE USE AND PERCEPTIONS OF TRUST MODULATE THE EFFECT OF RELATIONSHIP CONTEXT ON WOMEN'S PREFERENCES FOR SEXUAL DIMORPHISM IN MALE FACE SHAPE

Women demonstrate stronger preferences for femininity when assessing men's attrac- tiveness for long-term rather than short-term relationships. One explanation of this effect is that the pro-social traits associated with femininity are particularly important for long-term relation- ships. This explanation has recently been challenged, however, following null findings for effects of pro-social attributions on women's preferences for feminine long-term partners. A limitation of these latter analyses is that they did not consider hormonal contraceptive use, which is a factor that previous studies suggest affects mate preferences. In our study, we found that women not using hormonal contraceptives demonstrated stronger preferences for femininity in men's faces when assessing men as long-term partners than when assessing men as short-term partners. More- over, this effect was most pronounced among women who perceived feminine men as particularly trustworthy. No equivalent effects were observed among women using hormonal contraceptives. These findings support the proposal that the effect of relationship context on women's face pref- erences occurs, at least in part, because women value pro-social traits more in long-term than short-term partners. Additionally, our findings suggest that both hormonal contraceptive use and individual differences in perceptions of pro-social traits modulate the effect of relationship con- text on women's face preferences.
Atomic layer deposition of GaN at low temperatures

The authors report on the self-limiting growth of GaN thin films at low temperatures. Films were deposited on Si substrates by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition using trimethylgallium (TMG) and ammonia (NH3) as the group-III and -V precursors, respectively. GaN deposition rate saturated at 185 °C for NH3 doses starting from 90 s. Atomic layer deposition temperature window was observed from 185 to ∼385 °C. Deposition rate, which is constant at ∼0.51 A/cycle within the temperature range of 250 – 350 °C, increased slightly as the temperature decreased to 185 °C. In the bulk film, concentrations of Ga, N, and O were constant at ∼36.6, ∼43.9, and ∼19.5 at. %, respectively. C was detected only at the surface and no C impurities were found in the bulk film. High oxygen concentration in films was attributed to the oxygen impurities present in group-V precursor. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy studies revealed a microstructure consisting of small crystallites dispersed in an amorphous matrix.
Loss of androgen receptor signaling in prostate cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) promotes CCL2‐ and CXCL8‐mediated cancer cell migration

Fibroblasts are abundantly present in the prostate tumor microenvironment (TME), including cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) which play a key role in cancer development. Androgen receptor (AR) signaling is the main driver of prostate cancer (PCa) progression, and stromal cells in the TME also express AR. High‐grade tumor and poor clinical outcome are associated with low AR expression in the TME, which suggests a protective role of AR signaling in the stroma against PCa development. However, the mechanism of this relation is not clear. In this study, we isolated AR‐expressing CAF‐like cells. Testosterone (R1881) exposure did not affect CAF‐like cell morphology, proliferation, or motility. PCa cell growth was not affected by culturing in medium from R1881‐exposed CAF‐like cells; however, migration of PCa cells was inhibited. AR chromatin immune precipitation sequencing (ChIP‐seq) was performed and motif search suggested that AR in CAF‐like cells bound the chromatin through AP‐1‐elements upon R1881 exposure, inducing enhancer‐mediated AR chromatin interactions. The vast majority of chromatin binding sites in CAF‐like cells were unique and not shared with AR sites observed in PCa cell lines or tumors. AR signaling in CAF‐like cells decreased expression of multiple cytokines; most notably CCL2 and CXCL8 and both cytokines increased migration of PCa cells. These results suggest direct paracrine regulation of PCa cell migration by CAFs through AR signaling.
Hepatitis B Virus Testing and Care among Pregnant Women Using Commercial Claims Data, United States, 2011–2014

Introduction Pregnant women should receive hepatitis B virus (HBV) testing with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), but it is unclear whether HBV-infected pregnant women are linked to care. Methods We analyzed MarketScan™ commercial insurance claims. We included pregnant women, aged 10–50 years, with 42 weeks of continuous enrollment before (predelivery) and 6 months after (postdelivery) the first delivery claim for each unique pregnancy between 1/1/2011 and 6/30/2014. We identified claims for HBsAg testing by CPT code and described the care continuum among pregnancies with an associated ICD-9 HBV diagnosis code by demographic and clinical characteristics, including HBV-directed care ([HBV DNA or hepatitis B e antigen] and ALT test codes) and antiviral treatment (claims for tenofovir, entecavir, lamivudine, adefovir, or telbivudine) pre- and postdelivery. Results There were 870,888 unique pregnancies (819,752 women) included. Before delivery, 714,830 (82%) pregnancies had HBsAg test claims, but this proportion decreased with subsequent pregnancies (p < 0.0001): second (80%), third (71%), and fourth (61%). We identified 1,190 (0.14%) pregnancies with an associated HBV diagnosis code: most were among women aged ≥ 30 years (76%) residing in the Pacific (34%) or Middle Atlantic (18%) regions. Forty-two percent of pregnancies with an HBV diagnosis received HBV-directed care (42% predelivery and 39% postdelivery). Antiviral treatment was initiated before delivery in 128 (13%) of 975 pregnancies and postdelivery in 16 (1.6%) pregnancies. Conclusions While most of these commercially insured pregnant women received predelivery HBV screening, we identified gaps in HBV testing and the HBV care continuum which highlight potential targets for public health interventions.
2 Preliminary Concepts 2 . 1 Problem Statement

One of the basic requirements in grasping and manipulation of objects is the determination of a suitable set of grasping forces such that the external forces and torques applied on the object are balanced and the object remains in equilibrium. This report presents a new mathematical approach to efficiently obtain the optimal solution of this problem using the dual theorem of non-linear programming. The problem is modeled such that the basic convexity property necessary to apply the dual theorem is satisfied and, then, it is transformed into another one much easier to be solved. Three examples showing the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed methodology are included in the report.
Evaluation of communication between physicians and patients in Astana City Hospital №1

Introduction Communication between patients and health care providers is important for the effective functioning of health care systems. Miscommunication often stems from discrepancies in expectations of both healthcare professionals and patients due to cultural and historical influences. We investigated the degree to which health care providers (doctors and nurses) and patients in Kazakhstan believe that interaction between doctors and patients should be doctor- or patient-oriented. Material and methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of 163 patients and 176 health care providers (71 doctors and 105 nurses) in a general hospital in Astana, Kazakhstan. The subjects completed a structured questionnaire containing the Patient-Practitioner Orientation Scale (PPOS), and scales assessing life and job satisfaction, effort-reward balance of healthcare professionals, and the patients’ perceptions of communication practices. Results An overwhelming majority of doctors (81.7%), nurses (88.1%), and patients (92.3%) were doctor-oriented. Among health care providers, PPOS was not associated with age, sex, life and job satisfaction, or effort-reward imbalance. Among patients, PPOS was not associated with age, sex, or specialty of health care provider. However, higher PPOS among patients (indicating preference for patient-oriented interaction) was associated with higher satisfaction with communication with health care providers and, less strongly, with their life satisfaction. Conclusion The main finding of this study is the very small proportion of doctors, nurses and patients who believe that interaction should be patient-oriented. These results highlight the necessity of improvement of communication among health care providers towards patient-oriented approach in order to decrease miscommunication with patients. The fact that most patients prefer doctor-oriented interaction may reflect historical stereotypes; educational/information interventions among patients may also be needed.
Toll-like receptor signaling in macrophages is regulated by extracellular substrate stiffness and Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase (ROCK1/2)

Macrophages participate in immunity, tissue repair and tissue homeostasis. Activation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) by conserved exogenous or endogenous structures initiates signaling cascades that result in the release of cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα). Extracellular substrate stiffness is known to regulate functions of non-immune cells through a process called mechanotransduction, yet less is known about how physical cues affect macrophage function or TLR signaling. To investigate this question, we cultured murine primary bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) and RAW264.7 cells on fibronectin-coated polyacrylamide (PA) gels of defined stiffnesses (1, 20 and 150 kPa) that approximate the physical properties of physiologic tissues. BMMs on all gels were smaller and more circular than those on rigid glass. Macrophages on intermediate stiffness 20 kPa PA gels were slightly larger and less circular than those on either 1 or 150 kPa. Secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNFα, in response to stimulation of TLR4 and TLR9 was increased in macrophages grown on soft gels versus more rigid gels, particularly for BMMs. Inhibition of the rho-associated coiled-coil kinase 1/2 (ROCK1/2), key mediators in cell contractility and mechanotransduction, enhanced release of TNFα in response to stimulation of TLR4. ROCK1/2 inhibition enhanced phosphorylation of the TLR downstream signaling molecules, p38, ERK1/2 and NFκB. Our data indicate that physical cues from the extracellular environment regulate macrophage morphology and TLR signaling. These findings have important implications in the regulation of macrophage function in diseased tissues and offer a novel pharmacological target for the manipulation of macrophage function in vivo.
Pluripotent Stem Cells: Differentiation Potential and Therapeutic Efficacy for Cartilage Repair

Articular cartilage injuries, often caused by trauma, have a limited potential to heal, which over time, may lead to osteoarthritis, an inflammatory and degenerative joint disease frequently associated with activity-related pain, swelling and impaired mobility. Many treatment modalities have been introduced but with limited success due to the formation of inferior fibrocartilage at the damaged area/injured site during the repair process. Pluripotent stem cells (human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells) provide a valuable cell source for critical understanding of pluripotency and lineage-specific differentiation, as well as for derivation of therapeu‐ tic mesenchymal cells and chondrocytes for articular cartilage repair. Here, we discuss the characteristics of pluripotent stem cells, their differentiation pathways to mesen‐ chymal progenitors and chondrocytes, and their emerging roles in cartilage regenera‐ tion.
Taking a Beating on the Stock Market: Crime and Stock Returns

Using daily reported crime incidents from over 2,500 law enforcement agencies across 27 states from 1991-2012, I examine the social effects of realized stock market returns using micro-level (city/county) data. Proposing crime as a measure of revealed utility, I find a contemporaneous positive and convex relationship between daily stock returns and overall crime rates. I also find that market changes impact investors’ and non-investors’ utility differently and interpret this as evidence in support of envy models such as Abel (1990) that individuals care about their own wealth relative to others.
Effects of Creative Thinking and Its Personality Determinants on Negative Emotion Regulation

This study investigated the relationship between creativity and negative emotion, and the effects of integrating creative insight into the reappraisal process on negative emotions. In Study 1, participants’ creativity and baseline anxiety levels were measured; then anxiety was induced, and anxiety levels were reassessed. In Study 2, participants wrote about past negative events and then completed the positive and negative affect schedule. They were split into three groups (insight reappraisal, simple reappraisal, or control groups); each of them received a separate intervention, and then they completed positive and negative affect schedule again. In Study 3, participants were randomly assigned to insight reappraisal or control groups; apart from measuring cognitive changes, the procedures were identical to Study 2. All participants were undergraduate students. Results showed that flexibility, originality, risk-taking, and complexity are negatively correlated with anxiety, and that insight reappraisal can induce insight experience and enhance cognitive changes, and reduce negative emotional responses. Therefore, integrating creative insight into the reappraisal process can enhance its effectiveness in reducing negative emotions.
The Relationship between Burden and Depression in Spouses of Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the burden and depression in spouses of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The interrelation between burden and depression in family caregivers has been pointed out by previous researches in several chronic diseases and researchers agree that they clearly go together and one cannot talk about one without considering the other. More particularly, in the present study, the caregiver burden, the depression, anxiety, and also health-related quality of life and demographic factors of spouses of patients with CKD were examined, using self-report questionnaires. Participants were 50 spouses of patients with CKD, 29 of whom were dialysis dependent and 21 were not dialysis dependent. Group differences were examined for participants. Results confirm the interrelation between caregiver burden and depression in spouses. The increased perceived burden related to higher levels of depression. Low levels of caregiver burden, depression, anxiety, and satisfactory quality of life were found in spouses, with no differences between them relevant to whether the patients were dialysis dependent or not. All the above parameters interrelated. Implications for the findings and future research directions are discussed.
On the Practical Computational Power of Finite Precision RNNs for Language Recognition

While Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs) are famously known to be Turing complete, this relies on infinite precision in the states and unbounded computation time. We consider the case of RNNs with finite precision whose computation time is linear in the input length. Under these limitations, we show that different RNN variants have different computational power. In particular, we show that the LSTM and the Elman-RNN with ReLU activation are strictly stronger than the RNN with a squashing activation and the GRU. This is achieved because LSTMs and ReLU-RNNs can easily implement counting behavior. We show empirically that the LSTM does indeed learn to effectively use the counting mechanism.
Effect of Agro-ecology on Nutrient Content, Yield and Digestibility of Forage oat (Avena sativa L.) Varieties

Effect of agro-ecologyon nutrient content, yield and digestibility of three oat varieties (Lamptone, CI8235 and CI8237) were evaluated. Two agro ecologies, which varied in altitude, were selected for the experiment. Gummer site was 2925 masl while Albazer was 2400masl. Representative soil samples at the depth of 20cm were collected from randomly selected spots (20 cm depth) of both the sites. The samples were then sent to the laboratory. Plots were prepared and assigned for each of the each variety randomly using RCBD design. Seeds were sown at 100 kg/ha rate on 7, July, 2015 with replication. Di-ammonium phosphate and urea were applied in the similar rate. From the two fertilizers, urea was applied in two levels. Plots were regularly weeded and supervised for the disease. At maturity, the whole plant from each plot was cut 2cm above the ground. Seed with its husk (SH) and straw were separated. Values were extrapolated to hectare. Similar to the soil sample, forge representative samples were sent to the laboratory. Soil type at Gummer was silt, acidic, with lower cation exchange capacity (CEC) and higher exchangeable acidity (EA) whereas at Albazer it was clay, alkaline with higher CEC and lower EA. Soil organic carbon (OC), dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (TN) and available phosphorus (AP) were more at Gummer than Albazer. Crop maturation period was varying between the two agro ecologies. At Gummer, maturation was 161days on average but at Albazer it was141 days in average. Straw had similar DM but more OM at Gummer than Albazer. The lowest DM and OM content SH was from Lamptone but highest from CI8235 and CI8237 at Albazer. Crude protein (CP) content of oats was more at Albazer than Gummer. Highest straw CP was obtained from Lamptone at Albazer than Gummer. CI8237 at Albazer had highest EE but Lamptone at Gummer had the lowest. SH at Gummer had higher EE than at Albazer. Lamptone’s SH was lowest in NDF at Albazer but highest at Gummer. Higher DM, OM and CP yields were from Gummer than Albazer. Interaction was observed between agro-ecology and the varieties for nutrient content and yield. Albazer had better CP content whereas Gummer was efficient in yield. CI8235 at Albazer hadlowest IVDMD while CI8237 at both sites had the highest. Thus, before introducing oats to a new area, determining soil physiochemical characteristics for suitability is recommended.
Burnout Risk and Protection Factors in Certified Nursing Aides

Studies have found a higher risk of burnout among employees in the healthcare sector. As such, this study focused on Certified Nursing Aides (CNAs) who have shown a high prevalence of burnout and are therefore considered an especially vulnerable group. The objective of this study was to identify the relationships between some organizational, personal, and sociodemographic factors and burnout. The final study sample included 278 working CNAs with a mean age of 40.88 (SD = 9.41). To compile the data, an ad hoc questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic information. To collect professional and employment information, we used the Brief Emotional Intelligence Inventory for Adults, the Brief Questionnaire on Perceived Social Support, and the General Self-Efficacy Scale. The results showed that Burnout Syndrome is significantly and negatively related to all the emotional intelligence factors, self-efficacy, and perceived social support. The risk of burnout is higher in younger persons and in permanently employed professionals. General self-efficacy and stress management act as protective factors against the likelihood of burnout. This study suggests that organizations should urge coaching and transformational leadership training programs to promote the wellbeing and organizational commitment of workers.
The comparison of extraction methods for evaluating some heavy metals in polluted soils

The extractability of Cd, Co, Cr, Ni and Pb was evaluated using ammonium chloride, calcium chloride, strontium chloride and DTPA extractants in this research. The eight surface soils were used to assess plant available metals with different extraction methods. The amounts of metal extracted were related to pseudototal contents, determined aer microwave digestion using HNO 3 . Quantification of dissolved metals was used by ICP-MS matrix-matched stan - dards. The obtained results indicated a high variability of metal extraction depending on extraction procedure, source of pollution, and nature of the soil. The results showed that the extractability for calcareous soils was best determined by DTPA. In comparison of chloride salts, a higher efficiency of extraction with ammonium chloride for these soils was found.