Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using behavior and genital swellings to monitor social dynamics and track reproductive cycling in zoo‐housed lion‐tailed macaques (Macaca silenus)

Though lion‐tailed macaques are managed ex situ as an assurance population, little information is available on the relationship between behavior and reproductive physiology to ensure successful management and evaluate welfare. To facilitate social and reproductive management in a group of one male and three female lion‐tailed macaques at Disney's Animal Kingdom®, we observed behaviors associated with dominance and reproduction, rated genital swellings, recorded menses, tracked ovarian cycles as determined by measurement of fecal immunoreactive progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2), and monitored fecal cortisol (CORT). We analyzed the dominance hierarchy of females, compared hormone patterns of ovarian cycles with genital swellings and copulations relative to menses, and tested for correlations between hormones and behavior. The strength of the dominance hierarchy indicated moderate linearity, but relaxed after the dominant female received anxiolytic medications to reduce intraspecific aggression. Fecal P4 and E2 patterns revealed ovarian cycle lengths averaging 29.7 ± 0.8 days. The timing of single‐day E2 peaks varied between and within females' cycles. However, on average, E2 peaks occurred 6–10 days after the first day of menses, with maximum genital swellings and copulations occurring slightly thereafter in uncontracepted females. Female‐to‐female aggression and sexual behaviors with the male were related to ovarian cycle phase, but correlations between behaviors and hormones varied between females. Initiated aggression was positively correlated with E2 in the dominant and mid‐ranked females, while aggression received was positively correlated with P4 or negatively correlated with E2 in the mid‐ranked and subordinate females. In one uncontracepted female, sexual behaviors with the male were negatively correlated to P4. CORT was positively correlated to aggression in the dominant and mid‐ranked females and negatively correlated to grooming in the subordinate female. Results indicate observations of visual and behavioral cues can be used to track ovarian cycles and evaluate social dynamics and welfare in zoo‐housed lion‐tailed macaques.
Does cannabis use predict aggressive or violent behavior in psychiatric populations? A systematic review

ABSTRACT Background: Despite an increase in information evaluating the therapeutic and adverse effects of cannabinoids, many potentially important clinical correlates, including violence or aggression, have not been adequately investigated. Objectives: In this systematic review, we examine the published evidence for the relationship between cannabis and aggression or violence in individuals with psychiatric disorders. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, articles in English were searched on PubMed, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO from database inception to January 2022. Data for aggression and violence in people with psychiatric diagnoses were identified during the searches. Results: Of 391 papers identified within the initial search, 15 studies met inclusion criteria. Cross-sectional associations between cannabis use and aggression or violence in samples with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were found. Moreover, a longitudinal association between cannabis use and violence and aggression was observed in psychotic-spectrum disorders. However, the presence of uncontrolled confounding factors in the majority of included studies precludes any causal conclusions. Conclusion: Although cannabis use is associated with aggression or violence in individuals with PTSD or psychotic-spectrum disorders, causal conclusions cannot be drawn due to methodological limitations observed in the current literature. Well-controlled, longitudinal studies are needed to ascertain whether cannabis plays a causal role on subsequent violence or aggression in mental health disorders.
Whole-genome sequence and assembly of the Javan gibbon (Hylobates moloch)

Abstract The Javan gibbon, Hylobates moloch, is an endangered gibbon species restricted to the forest remnants of western and central Java, Indonesia, and one of the rarest of the Hylobatidae family. Hylobatids consist of 4 genera (Holoock, Hylobates, Symphalangus, and Nomascus) that are characterized by different numbers of chromosomes, ranging from 38 to 52. The underlying cause of this karyotype plasticity is not entirely understood, at least in part, due to the limited availability of genomic data. Here we present the first scaffold-level assembly for H. moloch using a combination of whole-genome Illumina short reads, 10X Chromium linked reads, PacBio, and Oxford Nanopore long reads and proximity-ligation data. This Hylobates genome represents a valuable new resource for comparative genomics studies in primates.
The effects of age, sex, breed, diet, reproductive status and housing condition on the amounts of 25(OH) vitamin D in the serum of healthy dogs: Reference values

Abstract Background Optimal amount of vitamin D for the proper functioning of the immune system is different from the required vitamin D amount for bones to prevent rickets. However, reports on vitamin D reference values in dogs are minimal, and there is still not enough information regarding the relationship between vitamin D and various variables such as disease, age, breed, diet type, and so on, as well as its relationship with haematological and serum biochemical parameters. Obgectives The present study aimed to determine reference values of 25(OH) Vit D in dogs and its concentration in different groups, categorized based on age, sex, breed, housing conditions, and diet, as well as 25(OH) Vit D relationship with hematology and serum biochemistry parameters. Methods In this study, 90 healthy dogs were selected to determine the reference value of 25 (OH) Vit D of serum after evaluating of their haematological and biochemical parameters to assess their general health. Dogs were divided into different groups according to above‐mentioned variables. Serum 25 (OH) Vit D was subsequently measured by the ELISA method. Results The median concentration of 25 (OH) Vit D was 52.50 ng/ml with minimum and maximum amounts of 14.00 and 155.57 ng/ml, respectively. No significant difference was observed between 25 (OH) Vit D levels in the studied dogs regarding their different age, sex, breed, diet, housing condition, and reproductive status. Serum 25 (OH) Vit D concentration is directly correlated with the number of band neutrophils (p < 0.05). We also witnessed indirect correlations between serum 25 (OH) Vit D levels and the number of blood eosinophils and serum glucose (p < 0.05). Conclusion In the present study age, sex, breed, housing condition and age had no significant effects on the amounts of 25(OH) vitamin D. According to correlations of vitamin D with MCH, band and eosinophil numbers and glucose, vitamin D may have a role in erythropoiesis and leukocytes response and also in energy metabolism in dog.
Quantile-Specific Heritability of Mean Platelet Volume, Leukocyte Count, and Other Blood Cell Phenotypes

Introduction: “Quantile-dependent expressivity” occurs when the effect size of a genetic variant depends upon whether the phenotype (e.g., mean platelet volume, MPV) is high or low relative to its distribution. Methods: Offspring-parent regression slopes (βOP) were estimated by quantile regression, from which quantile-specific heritabilities (h2) were calculated (h2 = 2βOP/[1 + rspouse]) for blood cell phenotypes in 3,929 parent-offspring pairs from the Framingham Heart Study. Results: Quantile-specific h2 (±SE) increased with increasing percentiles of the offspring’s age- and sex-adjusted MPV distribution (plinear = 0.0001): 0.48 ± 0.09 at the 10th, 0.53 ± 0.04 at the 25th, 0.70 ± 0.06 at the 50th, 0.74 ± 0.06 at the 75th, and 0.90 ± 0.12 at the 90th percentile. Quantile-specific h2 also increased with increasing percentiles of the offspring’s white blood cell (WBC, plinear = 0.002), monocyte (plinear = 0.01), and eosinophil distributions (plinear = 0.0005). In contrast, heritibilities of red blood cell (RBC) count, hematocrit (HCT), and hemoglobin (HGB) showed little evidence of quantile dependence. Quantile-dependent expressivity is consistent with gene-environment interactions reported by others, including (1) greater increases in WBC and PLT concentrations in subjects who are glutathione-S-transferase Mu1 (GSTM1) null homozygotes than GSTM1 sufficient when exposed to endotoxin; (2) significantly higher WBC count in AA homozygotes than carriers of the G-allele of the glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) rs1695 polymorphism at low but not high benzene exposure in shoe factory workers; (3) higher WBC counts in TT homozygotes than C-allele carriers of the interleukin-1β (IL1B) c.315C>T polymorphism after undergoing surgery for infective endocarditis but not before surgery. Discussion/Conclusion: Quantile-dependent expressivity may explain several purported gene-environment interactions involving blood cell phenotypes.
Evaluation of material point method for use in geotechnics

The first part of the paper presents a material point method solution for the bearing capacity of a deep foundation in purely cohesive soil, which is a widely known engineering problem. The results computed with the generalised interpolation material point method are compared to the results obtained previously with an advanced limit analysis code. The second part of the paper shows material point method simulations of collapsing piles of granular material and compares the results with experimental observations from the literature. The problems considered are problematic to solve using the displacement finite element method as they generally include very large deformations. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Wideband Tympanometry: Normative Data for Young Iranian Adults

Introduction: The middle ear sound transmission features can impact acoustic sounds reaching the inner ear. Wideband tympanometry (WBT) or wideband acoustic immittance is an effective and desirable measurement of conductive conditions in newborns and adults and has appropriate sensitivity to distinguish different pathologies like otosclerosis from other middle ear conflicts. Recently, there has been an increased utilization of WBT, which highlights the importance of collecting population-based normative data as a necessary step in the standardization of this test, as well as for its clinical application. This study aimed to obtain normative data on WBT in the adult Iranian ethnic. Methods: There were 101 participants (202 ears) consisting of 53 males (57.4%) and 48 females (42.6%) in the age range of 19–29 years. The Titan WBT device (Interacoustics, Assens, Denmark) was used for WBT measurements. The broadband click was utilized as the probe tone between frequencies of 250 Hz and 8,000 Hz. All the participants underwent ear, nose, and throat assessments, pure-tone audiometry, and conventional tympanometry (226 Hz). Features like equivalent ear canal volume (Veq), tympanometric peak pressure, gradient, resonance frequency (RF), energy absorbance (EA), and admittance (Ad) were tested. Results: In this cross-sectional study, 202 ears were tested for WBT. EA increased by frequency enhancement; at 1 kHz and 2 kHz the EA was the most prominent; at 2,519 Hz, it started decreasing, and at 8 kHz, there was a slight increase. There was also a significant difference in the Veq and Ad between males and females. Studies have shown that the Veq may vary between male and female subjects based on body size. Conclusion: In this study, normative data for the WBT were obtained from young Iranian adults with normal hearing ranges and middle ear conditions. We hope that this study and the resulting norm will provide a basis for increasing the use of WBT in Iranian diagnostic and clinical practices.
Prevalence and risk factors of cooking-related burn injury among under-five-years old children in a resource-limited setting: a community-based cross-sectional study in Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract Cooking-related child burn injury causes a greater health burden in low-and-middle-income countries. Therefore, a community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 5830 under-five-years old children in a resource-limited community in Northwest Ethiopia to determine the prevalence and risk factors of this child health problem. Data were collected by trained nurses using a questionnaire and the logistic regression analysis method was applied to identify factors linked with burn injury. Injury prevalence was 6.2% (95% CI:5.5–6.8); and this burden was linked with several risk factors such as lower literacy status of caretakers [AOR = 2.21 (95% CI:1.05–4.67)], overcrowding [AOR = 2.35(95% CI:1.25–4.43], lack of separate kitchen [AOR =2.19 (95% CI:1.56–3.07)], using traditional cookstove [AOR = 2.04 (95% CI:1.23–3.36)], and lack of child supervision [AOR = 2.27 (95% CI:1.63–3.17)]. In conclusion, children experience a high burden of burn injury. Thus, stakeholders should work to reduce child burn injury by modifying the aforementioned risk factors.
A Blind H I Survey for Galaxies in the Zone of Avoidance, 308° ≤ l ≤ 332°

We report on a blind neutral hydrogen survey for galaxies using the 21 cm multibeam receiver on the Parkes 64 m telescope. The surveyed region covers |b| ≤ 5° in the zone of avoidance (ZOA) from Galactic longitude 308° to 332°. The survey represents the first phase of a blind H I survey covering the southern ZOA (l = 212° to 36°). We have detected H I in 42 galaxies above a 3 σ limit of 60 mJy. The galaxies detected in this survey have velocities out to 6000 km s-1 and H I masses in the range 4 × 107 to 3 × 1010M⊙ (h). Only eight of the 42 galaxies have velocities previously measured. A further nine galaxies appear to have optical counterparts in the Woudt's 1998 catalog. In total, 16 of the galaxies appear to be associated with IRAS sources, although only three of these are without optical counterparts. The estimated median extinction for the 20 galaxies with optical or IR counterparts is AB = 3.8 mag. For the 22 galaxies with no counterparts, the estimated median extinction is AB = 5.6 mag. The distribution of galaxies is suggestive of a connection between the Centaurus supercluster above the Galactic plane and the Pavo-Indus supercluster beneath the plane. No previously hidden concentrations of galaxies were found.
Who is expected to make contact? Interpretative repertoires related to an intergroup encounter between Finnish majority mothers and immigrant mothers

Abstract Although the benefits of contact for positive intergroup relations are widely acknowledged, less is known about how group members construct the agency and responsibility of contact participants in intergroup encounters. Using critical discursive psychology, we analysed the interpretative repertoires that Finnish majority mothers (N = 13) and mothers with an immigrant background (N = 10) used when talking about a hypothetical intergroup encounter among Finnish and immigrant mothers in a ‘family café’ (a group for mothers and children). Our analysis identified five interpretative repertoires that differed in terms of the levels of categorization used (individual, group, motherhood) and how agency and responsibility for initiating contact were discursively attributed to the parties in the intergroup encounter. Overall, constructing someone as agentic did not automatically result in their being portrayed as more responsible for making contact. Respondents described contact to occur with only two repertoires, in which both agency and responsibility for initiating contact were discursively attributed to the same party. This highlights the need to consider both agency and sense of responsibility as possible factors preceding intergroup contact.
The mass ratio distribution of MBH binaries in the hierarchical model

We present different mass ratio distributions of massive black hole (MBH) binaries due to different mechanisms involved in binary evolution. A binary system of MBHs forms after the merger of two galaxies, which has three stages: the dynamical friction stage, the stellar scattering or circumbinary disk stage, and the gravitational radiation stage. The second stage was once believed to be the “final parsec problem” (FPP) as the binary stalled at this stage because of the depletion of stars. Now, the FPP has been shown to no longer be a problem. Here we get two different mass ratio distributions of MBH binaries under two mechanisms, stellar scattering and the circumbinary disk interaction. For the circumbinary disk mechanism, we assume that the binary shrinks by interaction with a circumbinary disk and the two black holes (BHs) have different accretion rates in the simulation. We apply this simple assumption to the hierarchical coevolution model of MBHs and dark matter halos, and we find that there will be more equal-mass MBH binaries in the final coalescence for the case where the circumbinary mechanism operates. This is mainly because the secondary BH in the circumbinary disk system accretes at a higher rate than the primary one.
Is there a relationship between mean platelet volume and response to treatment with daily tadalafil in patients with erectile dysfunction?

Mean platelet volume (MPV) has been related to erectile dysfunction (ED). However, its value in predicting therapeutic response to phosphodiesterase‐5 inhibitors is not evaluated. This study aimed to investigate the value of MPV as a marker for the prediction of the response of the tadalafil treatment of ED. A retrospective analysis of patients who were admitted to the andrology outpatient clinic between 2020–2022 were performed. The inclusion criteria were, ≥40 years old male, International Index of Erectile Function–Erectile Function domain score < 26, not received any ED treatment before, have a stable heterosexual relationship, and prescribed 5 mg daily tadalafil for primary treatment of ED. A total of 116 patients were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 53.7 ± 8.7 years. The response rate to 5 mg tadalafil treatment was 52.6% (Group‐1; N = 61). An MPV value 3 10.05 fL was associated with 66% sensitivity and 75,4% specificity for no response to 5 mg daily tadalafil treatment (Area under curve = 76.9% [95% CI 68.2%–85.6%; p < 0.001]). Initial IIEF‐EF score, fasting blood glucose, and MPV level was independently associated with the response to the tadalafil treatment. This is the only study to evaluate the value of MPV level on the therapeutic response of ED to tadalafil. Strict inclusion criteria were applied to the cohort. However, the diagnose of vascular ED has been made by clinical evaluation and retrospective design of the study were the limitations of the study. The results of our study suggest that MPV might be used to predict the result of 5 mg daily tadalafil treatment in selected ED patients as a fast and cost‐effective test.
Social ecological influences on treatment decision‐making in men diagnosed with low risk, localised prostate cancer

Abstract Objective Individuals diagnosed with low risk, localised prostate cancer (PCa) face a difficult decision between active surveillance (AS) and definitive treatment. We aimed to explore perceived influences on treatment decision‐making from the patient and partner's perspectives. Methods Patients (and partners) who met AS criteria and had chosen their treatment were recruited. Semi‐structured individual interviews were conducted via telephone to explore experiences of diagnosis, impact on patient lifestyle, experiences with physicians, treatment preferences/choice, treatment information understanding and needs, and overall decision‐making process. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Results Twenty‐four male patients (18 chose AS) and 12 female partners participated. Five themes relating to social‐ecological influences on treatment choice were identified: (1) partner support and direct influence on patient treatment choice, (2) patient and partner vicarious experiences may influence treatment decisions, (3) the influence of the patient's life circumstances, (4) disclosing to wider social networks: friends, family, and co‐workers, and (5) the importance of a good relationship and experience with physicians. Additionally, two themes were identified relating to information patients and partners received about the treatment options during their decision‐making process. Conclusions A range of individual and social influences on treatment decision‐making were reported. Physicians providing treatment recommendations should consider and discuss the patient and partner's existing beliefs and treatment preferences and encourage shared decision‐making. Further research on treatment decision‐making of partnered and non‐partnered PCa patients is required. We recommend research considers social ecological factors across the personal, interpersonal, community, and policy levels.
Nephrotic Syndrome Gene TBC1D8B Is Required for Endosomal Maturation and Nephrin Endocytosis in Drosophila

Significance Statement Variants in TBC1D8B cause isolated nephrotic syndrome. TBC1D8B protein interacts with the slit diaphragm protein nephrin, but the pathogenesis remains unclear. We used Drosophila to elucidate the functional role of the recently discovered disease-causing gene. A null allele of Tbc1d8b in Drosophila exhibits a nephrocyte-restricted phenotype similar to patient presentation. Tbc1d8b protein localizes to mature early and late endosomes and promotes endosomal maturation and degradation, and is further required for nephrin transport. Expression of the murine ortholog rescues loss-of-function of the Drosophila TBC1D8B, which indicates evolutionary conservation. Discovery of two novel variants in TBC1D8B in a cohort of 363 patients with FSGS and functional validation in Drosophila suggest that TBC1D8B variants significantly underlie hereditary FSGS. Visual Abstract Background Variants in TBC1D8B cause nephrotic syndrome. TBC1D8B is a GTPase-activating protein for Rab11 (RAB11-GAP) that interacts with nephrin, but how it controls nephrin trafficking or other podocyte functions remains unclear. Methods We generated a stable deletion in Tbc1d8b and used microhomology-mediated end-joining for genome editing. Ex vivo functional assays utilized slit diaphragms in podocyte-like Drosophila nephrocytes. Manipulation of endocytic regulators and transgenesis of murine Tbc1d8b provided a comprehensive functional analysis of Tbc1d8b. Results A null allele of Drosophila TBC1D8B exhibited a nephrocyte-restricted phenotype of nephrin mislocalization, similar to patients with isolated nephrotic syndrome who have variants in the gene. The protein was required for rapid nephrin turnover in nephrocytes and for endocytosis of nephrin induced by excessive Rab5 activity. The protein expressed from the Tbc1d8b locus bearing the edited tag predominantly localized to mature early and late endosomes. Tbc1d8b was required for endocytic cargo processing and degradation. Silencing Hrs, a regulator of endosomal maturation, phenocopied loss of Tbc1d8b. Low-level expression of murine TBC1D8B rescued loss of the Drosophila gene, indicating evolutionary conservation. Excessive murine TBC1D8B selectively disturbed nephrin dynamics. Finally, we discovered four novel TBC1D8B variants within a cohort of 363 patients with FSGS and validated a functional effect of two variants in Drosophila, suggesting a personalized platform for TBC1D8B-associated FSGS. Conclusions Variants in TBC1D8B are not infrequent among patients with FSGS. TBC1D8B, functioning in endosomal maturation and degradation, is essential for nephrin trafficking.