cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Selection of Breeding Stock in Relation to the Inheritance of Form and Function in the Domestic Fowl

Abstract Future progress in the poultry breeding industry depends largely upon the poultry breeder’s ability to control heredity, and heredity can be controlled and directed best only when the knowledge of poultry breeders develops sufficiently to enable them to select breeding stock that will transmit to their offspring the most desirable qualities. Selection is the keynote in the program of future development. The refinement of methods of selection, therefore, is a very important problem confronting poultry breeders of today. Poultry breeding as an industry lies at the foundation of poultry husbandry and the many diversified standard breeds and varieties of domestic chickens which have been produced from a very small number of originally ancestral forms is striking evidence of the degree to which man has developed and extended his control over the natural processes of reproduction. It is a truism that man’s fancies have led to the production of many of . . .
The relationship between refractive and biometric changes during Edinger-Westphal stimulated accommodation in rhesus monkeys.

Experiments were undertaken to understand the relationship between dynamic accommodative refractive and biometric (lens thickness (LT), anterior chamber depth (ACD) and anterior segment length (ASL=ACD+LT)) changes during Edinger–Westphal stimulated accommodation in rhesus monkeys. Experiments were conducted on three rhesus monkeys (aged 11·5, 4·75 and 4·75 years) which had undergone prior, bilateral, complete iridectomies and implantation of a stimulating electrode in the Edinger–Westphal (EW) nucleus. Accommodative refractive responses were first measured dynamically with video-based infrared photorefraction and then ocular biometric responses were measured dynamically with continuous ultrasound biometry (CUB) during EW stimulation. The same stimulus amplitudes were used for the refractive and biometric measurements to allow them to be compared. Main sequence relationships (ratio of peak velocity to amplitude) were calculated. Dynamic accommodative refractive changes are linearly correlated with the biometric changes and accommodative biometric changes in ACD, ASL and LT show systematic linear correlations with increasing accommodative amplitudes. The relationships are relatively similar for the eyes of the different monkeys. Dynamic analysis showed that main sequence relationships for both biometry and refraction are linear. Although accommodative refractive changes in the eye occur primarily due to changes in lens surface curvature, the refractive changes are well correlated with A-scan measured accommodative biometric changes. Accommodative changes in ACD, LT and ASL are all well correlated over the full extent of the accommodative response.
Patent foramen ovale, cardiac valve thickening and antiphospholipid antibodies as risk factors for subsequent vascular events: The PICSS-APASS Study

Background and Purpose— We sought to estimate risk of recurrent stroke/TIA/death in the subgroup of the Patent Foramen Ovale in the Cryptogenic Stroke Study (PICSS) cohort with patent foramen ovale (PFO) and antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) and to estimate risk of recurrent stroke/TIA/death in aPL-positive patients who have thickened left-side heart valves (VaT). PFO is associated with cryptogenic ischemic stroke. Also, the presence of aPL is associated with ischemic cerebrovascular disease. Methods— Combined data from 2 major substudies of the Warfarin Aspirin Recurrent Stroke Trial (WARSS) were evaluated. PICSS subjects were included if they were enrolled in the Antiphospholipid Antibodies and Stroke Study (APASS) and underwent a baseline aPL test (lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antibodies, or both) within 1 month of the stroke. All patients in PICSS underwent transesophageal echocardiography for PFO as well as VaT, which was performed blinded to aPL status and treatment arm (325 mg/day aspirin or adjusted dose warfarin; target international normalized ratio, 1.4–2.8). The primary outcome event was the 2-year risk of recurrent stroke/TIA/death and was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards model. Because there was no treatment effect, warfarin and aspirin groups were combined to increase power. For the combined end point, power to detect HR of 2 was 47.8% for the PFO and aPL-positive group, and 75.3% for the valve thickening and aPL-positive group, assuming 2-sided type I error of 0.05. Results— Five hundred twenty-five subjects were tested for the combined presence of PFO and aPL and were available for evaluation. The primary outcome event rate was 23.9% (HR, 1.39; 95% CI, 0.75–2.59) in the PFO-positive/aPL-positive group, compared to 13.9% (HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.44–1.56) in the PFO-positive/aPL-negative group, and 19.9% (HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.68–1.90) in the PFO-negative/aPL-positive group. Five hundred forty-five subjects tested for combined presence of aPL and left-side cardiac VaT were available for evaluation. The primary event rate was 22.6% (HR, 1.65; 95% CI, 0.88–3.09) in the VaT-positive/aPL-positive group, compared to 19.4% (HR, 1.50; 95% CI, 0.82–2.75) in the VaT-positive/aPL-negative group, and 20.2% (HR, 1.63; 95% CI, 0.81–3.25) in the VaT-negative/aPL-positive group. Conclusions— The combined presence of aPL either with a PFO or with left-side cardiac VaT did not significantly increase risk of subsequent cerebrovascular events in this PICCS/APASS cohort of patients.
Cyclopropanones—IX: Reactions of acids and amines with cyclopropanone and some alkyl cyclopropanones

The reactions of cyclopropanone (1) and several alkyl cyclopropanones (2, 3 and 4) with acids and amines are described. Although ring-closed adducts are the major products from 1, ring opened products generally form when alkyl cyclopropanones are treated with acids or amines.
Saratin (an inhibitor of platelet-collagen interaction) decreases platelet aggregation and homocysteine-mediated postcarotid endarterectomy intimal hyperplasia in a dose-dependent manner.

Abstract Background This study investigated Saratin's (Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany) prevention of platelet adhesion and intimal hyperplasia at different doses and in the hyperhomocystinemia rat carotid endarterectomy (CEA) model. Methods Rats were divided into two groups: (1) platelet adhesion or (2) luminal stenosis because of intimal hyperplasia. At CEA, rats received 0, 0.5, 5.0, 10.0, or 20.0 μg Saratin on the artery. Post-CEA platelet aggregation was evaluated by standard error of the mean. Intimal hyperplasia group received either (1) control or (2) 4.5 g/kg DL-homocystine diets for two weeks followed by CEA and treated with diluent or 5.0 μg Saratin. Endpoints included platelet adhesion, intimal hyperplasia, plasma homocysteine (HCys), and its metabolic enzymes cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). Results Platelet adhesion: post-CEA, platelet adhesion was reduced by 63%, 67%, and 67% in Saratin doses ≥5.0 μg. Intimal hyperplasia: 5.0 μg Saratin in the HCys group decreased intimal hyperplasia by 45% compared with the non-Saratin-treated HCys group. Plasma HCys levels were not altered with Saratin treatment in the HCys groups nor were CBS or MTHFR. Conclusions Saratin significantly inhibited platelet adhesion at ≥5.0 μg, and Saratin at 5.0 μg attenuated luminal stenosis in a hyperhomocysteinemic rat CEA model.
Transactional rollback for language-based systems

Language run-time systems are routinely used to host potentially buggy or malicious codelets-software modules, agents, applets, etc.-in a secure environment. A number of techniques exist for managing access control to system services and even for terminating codelets once they have been determined to be misbehaving. However because codelets can be terminated anywhere in their execution, a codelet's internal state might become inconsistent; restarting the codelet could result in unexpected behavior. Any state the codelet shares with other codelets may likewise become inconsistent, destabilizing those codelets as well. To address these problems, we have designed a mechanism, strictly using code-to-code transformations, which provides transactional rollback support for codelets. Each instance of a codelet is run in its own transaction, and standard (ACID) transactional semantics apply. All changes made by the codelet are automatically rolled back when the corresponding transaction aborts. We discuss a transactional rollback implementation for Java, and present its performance.
Homogenization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 biofilms visualized by freeze-substitution electron microscopy

A knowledge of the mechanical properties of bacterial biofilms is required to more fully understand the processes of biofilm formation such as initial adhesion or detachment. The main contribution of this article is to demonstrate the use of homogenization techniques to compute mechanical parameters of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 biofilms. For this purpose, homogenization techniques are used to analyze freeze substitution electron micrographs of the biofilm cross-sections. The concept of a representative volume element and the study about his representativeness allows us to determine the optimal size in order to analyze these biofilm images. Results demonstrate significant heterogeneities with respect to stiffness and these can be explained by varying cell density distribution throughout the bacterial biofilms. These stiffness variations lead to different mechanical properties along the height of the biofilm. Moreover, a numerical shear stress test shows the impact of these heterogeneities on the detachment process. Several modes of detachment are highlighted according to the local strain energy in the different parts of the biofilm. Knowing where, and how, a biofilm may detach will allow better prediction of accumulation and biomass detachment.
Formal Methods and the Engineering Paradigm

The snail's pace of formal methods adoption disappoints those who believe such techniques are important for software engineering. My thesis is that the failure of formal methods to have much impact is a consequence of a general misunderstanding of the engineering paradigm. Most formal methods proponents have backgrounds in science or mathematics, where the rules for adoption of a new system are clear cut and unambiguous. The engineering method, however, is grounded in the use and application of heuristics, several of which relate to the application of science. This paper discusses the role of formal methods in the context of the engineering method. Several approaches to increase the use of formal methods are proposed based on this analysis.
Micromechanical failure analysis of thin plain weave textile composites using the finite element method

A micromechanical analysis of the representative volume element (RVE) of a plain weave textile composite has been performed using the finite element method. A previous study by the authors extended a method, known as the Direct Micromechanics Method (DMM), to develop failure envelopes for a plain-weave textile composite under plane stress in terms of applied macroscopic stresses (σx,σy, τxy). In the current study, stress gradient effects are investigated, and it is assumed that the stress state is not uniform across the RVE. This is unlike most stiffness and strength models, which start with this premise that there exists an RVE, which is subjected to a uniform stress or strain. However, for textile geometries, nonuniform stress considerations are important, as the size of a textile RVE will typically be several orders of magnitude larger than that of a unidirectional RVE, for which many analysis techniques are developed. Thus a gradient across this dimension could be appreciable. The stress state is defined in terms of the well-known laminate theory load matrices [N], [M], i.e. applied loads and applied moments. Furthermore, structural stiffness coefficients analogous to the [A], [B], [D] matrices are defined. In this approach, these structural stiffness coefficients are computed directly from the micromechanical models, rather than making estimations based upon the homogeneous Young’s modulus and plate thickness. Assuming that micro level failure criteria for the yarn and matrix are known, failure envelopes for a plain-weave textile composite have been constructed using microstresses from finite element analysis of the RVE. The predicted values of stiffness and strength compare well to expectable magnitudes. Failure of the fiber tow was the dominant mode of initial failure. The DMM failure envelope compared closely to the Tsai-Wu failure theory, but was more conservative in some areas.
Using Sequential Self-Calibration Method to Identify Conductivity Distribution: Conditioning on Tracer Test data

An iterative inverse method, the sequential self-calibration method, is developed for mapping spatial distribution of a hydraulic conductivity field by conditioning on nonreactive tracer breakthrough curves. A streamline-based, semi-analytical simulator is adopted to simulate solute transport in a heterogeneous aquifer. The simulation is used as the forward modeling step. In this study, the hydraulic conductivity is assumed to be a deterministic or random variable. Within the framework of the streamline-based simulator, the efficient semi-analytical method is used to calculate sensitivity coefficients of the solute concentration with respect to the hydraulic conductivity variation. The calculated sensitivities account for spatial correlations between the solute concentration and parameters. The performance of the inverse method is assessed by two synthetic tracer tests conducted in an aquifer with a distinct spatial pattern of heterogeneity. The study results indicate that the developed iterative inverse method is able to identify and reproduce the large-scale heterogeneity pattern of the aquifer given appropriate observation wells in these synthetic cases.
Using change dynamics to implement a new software system in the OR

Even though goals are essential, maintenance of rapport and communication must not be overlooked when the leader focuses on the overall plan. When the leader shows understanding toward those living with the day-to-day challenges of change, the staff and leader are brought together as a team. The effective leader also must learn to distinguish between barriers that must be confronted and those that should be avoided to lessen potential for permanent damage to relationships. Change managed effectively provides opportunities for growth as a team as well as integration of new practices.
Signal Processing Architectures for Chemical Sensing Microsystems

This paper reviews several levels of signal processing and associated architectures for chemical sensing microsystems that use either arrays of optical or of physical sensors. Many chemical sensors, because of their interaction and vulnerability to the environment, have been eliminated from inclusion in sensing systems that require high precision and accuracy. This discussion evaluates parametric vs. nonparametric techniques and linear vs. nonlinear signal processing approaches for addressing chemical classification problems using imperfect sensing technologies. Hardware implementations of signal processing and biologically inspired signal processing are also reviewed. Future research into the development of more accurate chemical classification systems demands the customization of current approaches, so that underlying principles of chemical sensors and associated interfering influences do not overburden the computational space, thereby allowing higher accuracy rates.
Statistical process control for frequency control

Some possibilities of using statistical process control (SPC) tools to improve the accuracy, precision and quality of frequency control are discussed. The tools presented are process flow charts, Pareto charts, cause and effect charts, histograms, scatter diagrams/regression, control charts and experiments in the control of frequency standard processes. Some of the major variables considered are crystals, thermistors, selastic, and workmanship. Their relationships to frequency stability are studied. No experimental work has been done. A few approaches to studying frequency control using the preventative method of SPC are discussed. The major emphasis is on reducing the variation of the frequency stability by studying variation and being able to sort out the signal (assignable causes) from the noise (random causes). Some specific items included are when and how to look at the distributions of the data along with when and how to look at the data over time. >
Detecting and Identifying Tactile Gestures using Deep Autoencoders, Geometric Moments and Gesture Level Features

While several sensing modalities and transduction approaches have been developed for tactile sensing in robotic skins, there has been much less work towards extracting features for or identifying high-level gestures performed on the skin. In this paper, we investigate using deep neural networks with hidden Markov models (DNN-HMMs), geometric moments and gesture level features to identify a set of gestures performed on robotic skins. We demonstrate that these features are useful for identifying gestures, and predict a set of gestures from a 14-class dataset with 56% accuracy, and a 7-class dataset with 71% accuracy.
Choline-deficiency fatty liver: impaired release of hepatic triglycerides

After intravenous injection of palmitate-l-'C to rats fed a choline-deficient (CD) or choline-supplemented (CS) diet for 15-1 8 hr, liver triglycerides became labeled very rapidly. In CS, but not in CD rats, there was a considerable loss, with time, of radioactivity from liver triglycerides. At the same time, significantly less radioactivity appeared in plasma triglycerides of CD rats than of CS animals. No difference was seen in the triglyceride content of microsomes isolated from the liver of rats fed the two diets. The lower radioactivity in plasma triglycerides of CD rats was essentially due to a lower level and specific activity of very low density lipoprotein tri- glycerides. After intravenous injection of Triton and labeled palmitate, considerably less radioactivity accumulated in plasma tri- glycerides and phospholipids of CD rats than of CS animals. Post-Triton hyperphospholipidemia was also less pronounced in CD rats. It was concluded that the fatty liver observed in CD rats results from an impaired release of hepatic triglycerides into plasma.
Trusting, Happy, Religious, and Giving: Explaining Volunteering in the Context of Nordic Exceptionalism

AbstractUsing data from the European Values Study, this article examines the mechanisms through which social capital facilitates volunteering in Nordic countries. Three specific mechanisms are examined as drivers of volunteering: Generalized trust, subjective well-being, and religious activity. We find that trust bridges social capital and that people volunteer more as their level of generalized and institutional trust increases. Our results also indicate that individuals with higher levels of well-being and those who attend religious services regularly are more likely to volunteer.
Pressure and Potential Difference Characteristics of Surgically Created Canine Hiatal Hernia

Summary Small hiatal hernias were made in four dogs, large hernias were made in five dogs. Roentgenological, manometric, electrical potential difference studies were done before and after operation. In dogs with hernia, the zone of increased pressure between the abdominal stomach and the esophagus was elongated and at times showed more than one respiratory reversal and two peaks of pressure with an intervening plateau. The observations confirm the usefulness of these pressure abnormalities in the diagnosis of hiatal hernia in human beings. Acute observations in dogs with and without hiatal hernia demonstrated that the site of maximal change in potential difference was at, or within, a few millimeters of the gastroesophageal mucosal junction. Displacement of the point of greatest change in potential difference from the middle of, or distal part of, the zone of elevated pressure into the proximal half of the zone and particularly to its orad extremity was confirmed as a characteristic of hiatal hernia. Reflux was demonstrated roentgenographically in all dogs with small hernia and in all but one dog with a large hernia. In small hernias, reflux occurred only when the sphincter relaxed as a consequence of deglutition or distension of the lower esophagus. Spontaneous reflux occurred in dogs with large hernia. Thus, displacement of the sphincter into the chest reduces the ability of the sphincter to prevent reflux.
Inventory Fulfillment Strategies for an Omni-Channel Retailer

In this paper, we study the fulfillment strategies of an omni-channel retailer that would like to leverage its established offline retail channel infrastructure to help its online sales. We consider a single newsvendor-type product that is sold in both online and offline channels to non-overlapping markets with independent Poisson demand. The offline store can fulfill online demand at an additional handling and fulfillment cost, k, but not vice versa. The retailer makes decisions at three different levels: 1) at the strategic level the retailer must establish a fulfillment structure between the two channels in terms of where to stock inventory in the two channels, 2) at the tactical level, the retailer decides how much inventory to have for each channel before the season starts, 3) at the operational level throughout the season, as demand unfolds and inventory depletes, the retailer makes rationing decision about whether to use offline inventory to fill online order at any moment. We build separate and integrated models to study these decisions, and find that the optimal rationing decision has a threshold-based structure that depends critically on k and the mix of demand between the two channels. Two simple rationing heuristics are proposed and shown to be effective. Furthermore, integrating the rationing policy into higher-level decisions, we show that it can have significant impact on the retailer’s stocking and fulfillment structure decisions. As a result, we propose an integrated policy, where the retailer builds separate inventory stocks for each channel but can use the offline inventory to back up online sales, subject to a rationing heuristic, is proved to be simple, effective, and robust. We discuss the various practical implications of our findings.
Variational estimates of 〈 Σ i r i q 〉 for q = − 1 , 1 , and 2 for atoms with Z from 2 to 18

The utility of variational principles for the estimation of the expectation values of certain operators, so far established only for helium, has been tested for atoms with $Z$ from 2 through 18 for the operators ${\overline{r}}^{q}\ensuremath{\equiv}\ensuremath{\Sigma}{i}^{}{r}_{i}^{q}$ for $q=\ensuremath{-}1,1,2$ using simple atomic wave functions. The trial wave function ${\ensuremath{\Psi}}_{t}$ is taken to be a Hartree product of hydrogenic orbitals with different effective charges fixed through phenomenological approaches such as Slater's empirical screening rules. This form for ${\ensuremath{\Psi}}_{t}$ is particularly useful for these exploratory calculations since all steps in the variational method can actually be carried out analytically. Results for $〈{\overline{r}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}〉$ and $〈\overline{r}〉$ are obtained through neon, while for the more interesting case of $〈{\overline{r}}^{2}〉$ they are extended up through argon. The results for $〈{\overline{r}}^{2}〉$ are generally the least accurate and are especially sensitive to the choice of effective charges, since they depend almost entirely on the outermost electrons whereas the ${\ensuremath{\Psi}}_{t}$ used represents an average description of the atom. The variational estimates of $〈{\overline{r}}^{2}〉$ represent a substantial improvement over the zeroth-order estimates and agree to within about 3 to 10% with the Hartree-Fock results. The simplicity and relative accuracy of these calculations generally support the utility of the variational principle and suggest future calculations with a better ${\ensuremath{\Psi}}_{t}$ as a starting point.
Stability of gold nanorods passivated with amphiphilic ligands.

The stability of gold nanorods (NRs) coated with amphiphilic ligands (ALs) was investigated. NRs coated with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) were ligand exchanged with polyoxyethylene [10] cetyl ether (Brij56), Oligofectamine (OF), and phosphatidylserine (PS). An aggregation index based on the longitudinal surface plasmon resonance peak broadening was used to measure stability of the NR-ALs under different conditions including the number of washes, pH, ionic concentration, and temperature. The aggregation index was also used to measure the stability of the NR-ALs under ultrafast laser irradiation and in the presence of proteins commonly used in cell culture. Differences in NR-AL stability were found, which were due to differences in the physical and chemical properties of the ALs. Apart from the charge on the AL headgroup, we suggest the Gibbs free energy of passivation (ΔGp) and enthalpy of passivation (ΔHp) of the AL could potentially aid in the selection of amphiphiles that can effectively passiv...
Ingestion Efficiency and Protein Consumption by a Heteropteran Predator

The ingestion efficiency of the predaceous heteropteran Geocoris punctipes (Say) was studied with pea aphids, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), used as prey. G. punctipes consumed aphids up to nearly 50% of their own body weights within a 6-h period. Aphid leftovers (orts) retained about the same proportion of protein (45.8% dry weight) after attack by G. punctipes as was true for intact aphids (42.8%). The amino acid profiles of intact aphids compared with orts differ somewhat, indicating that some proteins were inaccessible or undigestible to the predators. Ingestion efficiency averaged 64.6%, and the approximate digestibility of ingested material was >90%. This study demonstrates high efficiency in feeding due to pre-oral digestion and internal mechanical disruption of the prey's tissues by this predator's mouthparts.
Emphysematous Prostatic Abscess: Diagnosis and Treatment

We report an unusual case of an emphysematous prostatic abscess. Prostatic abscess is a difficult clinical diagnosis associated with lower urinary tract symptomatology and frequently diabetes mellitus. Computerized axial tomography and transrectal or transurethral ultrasonography can assist in making a specific diagnosis. Definitive treatment is complete surgical drainage, which is achieved by transurethral resection of the prostate. Wide spectrum, adjuvant antibiotic therapy should be given to assure coverage of anaerobic bacteria.
Towards Three-Color Live-Cell Imaging of Spliceosome Assembly

The process whereby introns are removed from pre-mRNAs occurs in a complex macromolecular machine known as the spliceosome. The spliceosome is dynamic, assembling each of its five small ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs) and hundreds of associated proteins prior to each splicing event. This complexity has made characterization of splicing incredibly challenging. While extensive biochemical and biophysical studies have been carried out to elucidate the binding mechanism and dynamics, these studies do not take into consideration the effect of the cellular environment on the kinetics of protein and RNA interactions. We recently demonstrated that fast relaxation imaging (FReI), which combines fluorescence microscopy and temperature jumps, provides a powerful method to study protein-RNA interactions inside a living cell (Guzman Dissertation 2015). That study provided insight into binding kinetics and RNA-mediated localization of the U1A-SL2 complex, components of the U1 snRNP subunit of the spliceosome. We are now developing a three-color FReI that enables the correlation of multiple events and determination of their order and timing. By monitoring the FRET between successively larger complexes, we will be able to determine the association kinetics, dissociation kinetics and coupling within and between snRNP and associated proteins during spliceosome assembly in the native cellular environment.
Subsurface Super-resolution Imaging of Unstained Polymer Nanostructures

Optical imaging has offered unique advantages in material researches, such as spectroscopy and lifetime measurements of deeply embedded materials, which cannot be matched using electron or scanning-probe microscopy. Unfortunately, conventional optical imaging cannot provide the spatial resolutions necessary for many nanoscopic studies. Despite recent rapid progress, super-resolution optical imaging has yet to be widely applied to non-biological materials. Herein we describe a method for nanoscopic optical imaging of buried polymer nanostructures without the need for extrinsic staining. We observed intrinsic stochastic fluorescence emission or blinking from unstained polymers and performed spatial-temporal spectral analysis to investigate its origin. We further applied photon localization super-resolution imaging reconstruction to the detected stochastic blinking and achieved a spatial resolution of at least 100 nm, which corresponds to a six-fold increase over the optical diffraction limit. This work demonstrates the potential for studying the static heterogeneities of intrinsic polymer molecular-specific properties at sub-diffraction-limited optical resolutions.
Abstract 41: Integrin Outside-in Signaling Regulates Local Microenvironments Within Hemostatic Plugs

Prior studies have demonstrated that platelet activation within a hemostatic plug is heterogeneous. In particular, we recently determined that following vascular injury in vivo, a platelet mass is composed of distinct regions defined by the extent of platelet activation and other properties. At least two regions are apparent: a core of fully activated and degranulated platelets immediately adjacent to the site of injury, which is overlaid by a shell of less activated platelets that have not undergone a-granule secretion. Here, we tested the hypothesis that platelet accumulation and activation are regulated by the interaction of platelet signaling pathways with local microenvironments present within the different regions of a hemostatic plug using novel confocal intravital imaging approaches. We also hypothesized that integrin outside-in signaling plays a role in shaping the core region microenvironment. The results reveal that plasma volume (i.e. porosity) and solute transport velocity are significantly reduced in the interplatelet space of a hemostatic plug as compared to the bulk blood flow following laser-induced injury in mouse cremaster arterioles. Further, porosity and solute transport are significantly reduced in the core region of the hemostatic plug as a result of tight platelet packing, as compared to the outer shell region composed of loosely adherent platelets. To examine the impact of integrin outside-in signaling we utilized mice lacking beta 3 integrin cytoplasmic tail tyrosine phosphorylation (diYF). Prior studies have shown unstable platelet aggregation and defective fibrin clot retraction in diYF mice. We found diYF mice formed smaller hemostatic plugs following vascular injury in vivo. This decrease in total platelet accumulation was associated with reduced formation of the hemostatic plug core region and decreased fibrin generation, indicating decreased thrombin activity within the hemostatic plug. Taken together, these results support the hypothesis that tight platelet packing provides a protected microenvironment within a hemostatic plug in which bioactive molecules may accumulate to support platelet activation. They also identify a novel role for aIIbb3 outside-in signaling in hemostatic plug formation.
Cognitive Task Performance in Technology-Enhanced Learning Environments

This study investigated the impact of technology-generated listening environments upon processing of cognitive information. The main question asked was: To what extent does background sound impact accuracy on a cognitive task? A total of 217 museum-goers (127 f, 90 m) completed a language categorization task in four different listening environments: rain sounds, fast music, calm music, and silence. Overall, task scores during the four listening conditions were similar, with male scores stronger than female in every condition. Significant differences were seen between children ages 7-12 and teenage and adult groups, and between young adults and adults over 60 years. Strong, but not significant, differences were noted between older teenagers (16 to 19 years) and the youngest adults (20 to 30 years). In addition, strong correlations were seen between the four sound conditions and personal media usage, as well as between sound conditions and years of musical training. Findings support the duplex-mechanism theory (Hughes, Vachon, a Jones, 2007), and suggest that the ability to screen out irrelevant sounds may be more controllable through greater top-down task engagement.
207 EFFICIENT GENERATION OF MYOSTATIN PROMOTER MUTATIONS IN BOVINE EMBRYOS USING THE CRISPR/Cas9 SYSTEM

The myostatin gene or growth differentiation factor 8 is a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily that acts as a negative regulator of muscle growth. Mutations inactivating this gene occur naturally in Piedmontese and Belgian Blue cattle breeds, resulting in a dramatic increase in muscle mass, albeit with unwanted consequences of increased dystocia and decreased fertility. Modulation of muscle mass increase without the unwanted effects would be of great value for improving livestock growth and economic value of livestock. The objective of our work was to use the CRISPR-Cas9 genetic engineering tool to generate deletions of different elements in the myostatin promoter in order to decrease the level of expression and obtain an attenuated phenotype without the detrimental consequences of an inactivating mutation. To achieve this objective 4 different small guide RNA (sgRNA) targeting the promoter near the mutation were designed with PAM positions from transcription starting site of −1577, −689, −555, and −116. These sgRNA were cloned individually into the Cas9 plasmids (px461, and px462; Addgene®). These plasmids allow for a dual puromycin resistance (px462) and green fluorescent protein (px461) selection. We first tested the functionality of these sgRNA in vitro by co-transfecting bovine fetal fibroblasts with a combination of both plasmids (Set 1 = sgRNA 1–4; Set 2 = sgRNA 2–3). Cells were exposed to puromycin (0.2 µg mL−1) for 72 h, then single and mixed colonies positive for green fluorescent protein expression were separated for propagation. The DNA was extracted for PCR amplification of the targeted region. Multiple deletions and a few insertion events were observed after PCR, bands were cloned into TOPO® vector (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA) and sequenced. Sequencing results confirmed the PCR products as insertions or deletions in the myostatin promoter region. We proceeded to modify the myostatin promoter directly in bovine zygotes. For this, IVF-derived zygotes were randomly assigned to 3 different treatment groups Set 1, Set 2, or Null (no sgRNA) for microinjections. Each zygote was injected with ~100 pL of trophectoderm buffer containing 50 ng µL−1 of total sgRNA, 10 ng µL−1 of Cas9 mRNA, and 30 ng µL−1 of Cas9 protein with 1 mg mL−1 of fluorescent dextran. Day 7 post-IVF blastocysts were lysed and DNA was extracted for PCR amplification of the target region. In Set 1, 16 of 19 embryos (94.12%) were successfully edited, whereas in Set 2 there were 11 of 17 embryos (64.7%) edited. In both sets of sgRNA there was a high degree of mosaicism, with only 1 embryo demonstrating a homozygous deletion. In conclusion, CRISPR/Cas9 acts over the course of the first few cleavage divisions Further research is necessary to refine the CRISPR/Cas9 system for inducing genetic mutations in bovine embryos.
Seismotectonics of the Coast Ranges in the vicinity of Lake Berryessa, northern California

Tectonic deformation as manifested by seismicity and active faulting in the Coast Ranges in the vicinity of Lake Berryessa appears to be concentrated along the Green Valley-Cedar Roughs fault trend and to a lesser degree, the Coast Ranges-Sierran block (CRSB) boundary zone. The Green Valley-Cedar Roughs fault trend appears to be a complex, discontinuous or segmented shear zone consisting of multiple faults. Geomorphic evidence of Quaternary displacement exists along many portions of the fault trend with Holocene features and evidence for fault creep occurring along the Green Valley fault. In contrast, no historic earthquakes greater than ML 5 are known to have occurred along the fault trend. Earthquakes relocated in this study from 1970 to 1988 occur in the vicinity of mapped faults; however, the seismicity is discontinuous with a strong tendency to occur in clusters. Also superimposed on the general north-northwest fault trend are north-south epicentral trends not associated with any mapped faults. Focal mechanisms suggest predominantly right-lateral, strike-slip faulting on both north and north-northwest-trending planes. The existence of reverse and normal focal mechanisms also attests to the complex faulting occurring along the Green Valley-Cedar Roughs trend. In general, the geologic and seismogenic characteristics are consistent with the hypothesis that the Green Valley-Cedar Roughs fault trend represents young faulting, possibly related to a newly developing plate boundary east of the San Andreas fault. Earthquakes are confined to the top 12 km of the upper crust. Seismicity within the CRSB boundary zone since 1970 has been generally confined to a sequence in 1978 near Madison with a mainshock of ML 4.2. Thrust/reverse faulting appears to be the source of this activity, consistent with the seismogenic processes observed along other segments of the boundary zone. Only one earthquake has occurred since 1970 in the epicentral area of the 1892 ML 6¾ Vacaville-Winters earthquake. The state of stress in the Lake Berryessa region as exhibited by focal mechanisms appears to be characterized by NE-directed tectonic compression as observed elsewhere away from the San Andreas fault system in northern and central California.
Cathodically Dissolved Platinum Resulting from the O2 and H2O2 Reduction Reactions on Platinum Ultramicroelectrodes.

The cathodic dissolution of platinum, resulting from the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) or hydrogen peroxide reduction on platinum, has been investigated. Highly oxidizing hydroxyl radicals (OH•) are believed to be the species responsible for the platinum dissolution phenomenon. These radicals are produced from the ORR byproduct, hydrogen peroxide, through a 1 electron reduction pathway (H2O2 + e– → OH• + OH–). Platinum ultramicroelectrodes (UMEs) were polarized sufficiently negative to drive the ORR or H2O2 reduction on the platinum surface, mainly using square wave potential pulses but constant applied potential and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were also investigated. The dissolved platinum was detected using a femtomolar level detection technique which involves reducing platinum ions to platinum metal species followed by an electrocatalytic amplification of proton reduction on an inert carbon fiber electrode. This method has allowed the quantification of the amount of platinum metal dissolved into the solu...
A mere holding effect: Haptic influences on impression formation through mobile dating apps

Abstract Tandem advances in mobile technologies and social networks have given rise to app-initiated romantic relationships. Little is understood, however, about the role of the device in this initiation. This experimental study explored the impact of “mere holding” of mobile devices on impressions formed when consuming dating app content. Mere holding (compared to no-touch viewing) was associated with reduced attraction, ascribed personhood, and psychological ownership. Findings suggest that holding may be experienced as a false realization of potential relationships through physical engagement of devices; theoretically, this realization may be understood as an inversion of interpersonal haptic nonverbals, as holding is less about interpersonal intimacy and more about heuristic engagement with the other as an object.
Apolipoprotein E promotes invasion in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients generally have a poor prognosis, because of the invasive nature of these tumors. In comparing transcription profiles between OSCC tumors with a more invasive (worst pattern of tumor invasion 5) versus a less invasive (worst pattern of tumor invasion 3) pattern of invasion, we identified a total of 97 genes that were overexpressed at least 1.5-fold in the more invasive tumor subtype. The most functionally relevant genes were assessed using in vitro invasion assays with an OSCC cell line (UM-SCC-1). Individual siRNA knockdown of 15 of these 45 genes resulted in significant reductions in tumor cell invasion compared to a nontargeting siRNA control. One gene whose knockdown had a strong effect on invasion corresponded to apolipoprotein E ( APOE ). Both matrix degradation and the number of mature invadopodia were significantly decreased with APOE knockdown. APOE knockdown also resulted in increased cellular cholesterol, consistent with APOE's role in regulating cholesterol efflux. APOE knockdown resulted in decreased levels of phospho–extracellular signal–regulated kinase 1/2, phospho–c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and phospho-cJun, as well as decreased activator protein 1 (AP-1) activity. Expression of matrix metalloproteinase 7 ( MMP7 ), an AP-1 target, was also significantly decreased. Our findings suggest that APOE protein plays a significant role in OSCC tumor invasion because of its effects on cellular cholesterol and subsequent effects on cell signaling and AP-1 activity, leading to changes in the expression of invasion-related proteins, including MMP7.
‘Comments in Tags, Please!’: Tagging practices on Tumblr

Abstract Tumblr is one of the most popular content sharing websites, where the use of keyword tags that enhance the searchability and visibility of posts is prominent. However, this resource has been creatively exploited by some users beyond its folksonomic use: Since Tumblr does not have a separate comment section for posts, the tag section may also be used for tags with discourse functions such as expressing an opinion, a reaction, or including asides. This article explores the practice of including comments in tags, taking into account the specific technological features of Tumblr’s tagging system, as well as the role of the communities within the website. The corpus analyzed in the study comprises two datasets collected from the general ‘Trending’ page of Tumblr and 60 fan communities (‘fandoms’). Comment tags and their identified discourse functions (opinion, reaction, aside) are analyzed quantitatively for differences regarding use, structure, and sentiment. The analysis shows significant differences between the comment tags and traditional keyword tags, as well as among comment tags with the three different discourse functions. The results suggest that social tagging practices on Tumblr are influenced both by the technological specifications of the platform and the social structure of the website.
Behavioral Underpinnings of Turkish Society

This chapter provides a historical assessment of the primary fault lines in Turkish society since the end of the nineteenth century. The chapter offers a broad overview of three distinct eras in Turkish politics. The first focuses on the political and social intellectuals of the Ottoman era and the thought system these ideologues used to form the identity of the new republic. The second focuses on early Republican-era politics and the steps taken toward a democratic regime, which was later followed by three military interventions. The third section addresses contemporary Turkish politics since 2000. After providing this historical background, the chapter evaluates the current standing of the academic literature concerning electoral behavior. Erisen examines the earliest studies of political behavior in Turkey before discussing the theoretical approaches used by previous scholars. The chapter ends by reviewing current trends in the literature, with an emphasis on electoral behavior.
Hereditary and familial thyroid tumours

The worldwide incidence of thyroid malignancies has been increasing rapidly. Sensitive imaging modalities and early detection of thyroid lesions have made thyroid cancers the most rapidly increasing cancers in the USA in 2017 (SEER Cancer Facts, 2017). Clinical awareness of potential risk factors, such as inherited thyroid cancers, has allowed earlier recognition of more vulnerable population clusters. Hereditary thyroid neoplasms arising from calcitonin-producing C cells are known as familial medullary thyroid carcinomas (FMTCs), and include well-documented syndromes such as multiple endocrine neoplasia IIA or IIB, and pure familial medullary thyroid carcinoma syndrome. Familial thyroid cancers arising from follicular cells are referred to as familial non-medullary thyroid carcinoma (FNMTC), or familial follicular cell-derived carcinoma. Clinicopathological correlations have resulted in the further subclassification of FNMTCs into two groups. Among the first group are found syndromes characterised by a predominance of non-thyroidal tumours, including familial adenomatous polyposis, Cowden syndrome, Werner syndrome, Carney complex, and Pendred syndrome. The second group encompasses a spectrum of familial syndromes characterised by a predominance of non-medullary thyroid tumours, such as pure familial papillary thyroid carcinoma with or without oxyphilia, familial papillary thyroid carcinoma with papillary renal cell carcinoma, and familial papillary carcinoma with multinodular goitre. Most familial thyroid cancers have been described as being more aggressive than sporadic thyroid cancers, with a predisposition for lymph node metastasis, extrathyroidal invasion, and a younger age of onset. The distinct thyroid pathology in some of these syndromes should alert the pathologist to a possible familial cancer syndrome.
The AKT/BCL-2 Axis Mediates Survival of Uterine Leiomyoma in a Novel 3D Spheroid Model

A deeper understanding of the pathways that drive uterine leiomyoma (ULM) growth and survival requires model systems that more closely mimic the in vivo tumors. This would provide new insights into developing effective therapeutic strategies for these common benign tumors of childbearing-aged women. In this study, we examined the role of BCL-2 in mediating ULM survival in the context of increased protein kinase B (AKT) and oxidative stress using a three-dimensional (3D), spheroid-based model that more closely resembles the native ULM tumor microenvironment. Human primary cells from matched myometrium (MM) and ULM tissues were used to establish spheroid cultures in vitro. Histological and immunohistochemical methods were used to assess the spheroid architecture and characteristics. Viability assays for 3D cultures were used to evaluate their response to BH3 mimetics and the superoxide inducer, paraquat (PQ). Primary MM and ULM cells formed spheroids in culture. Notably, ULM spheroids exhibited low proliferation, increased oxidative stress, and secretion of interstitial collagen. Knockdown studies revealed that AKT sustained BCL-2 expression in ULM. The targeting of BCL-2 with BH3 mimetics effectively reduced viability and induced apoptosis in a subset of ULM spheroids. ULM spheroids that did not respond to BH3 mimetics alone responded to combination treatment with PQ. In conclusion, BCL-2 mediates AKT survival of ULM, providing compelling evidence for further evaluation of BH3 mimetics for ULM treatment. ULM spheroids recapitulated intrinsic features of the native ULM tumor microenvironment and can be used as a model for preclinical testing of potential therapeutic options for ULM.