Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Informing Consent: A Grounded Theory Study of Parents of Transgender and Gender-Diverse Youth Seeking Gender-Confirming Endocrinological Interventions

This qualitative grounded theory study is the first of its kind aimed at understanding the decision-making process of parents and guardians of transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) youth providing informed consent for their children to undergo gender-confirming endocrinological interventions (GCEI), such as hormone replacement therapy and puberty blockers. Using primarily intensive interviews supported by observational field notes and document review, this study examined the decision-making processes of a national sample of participants who identified as a parent or legal guardian of at least one TGD youth and who have given informed consent for the youth in their care to undergo GCEI. A variety of inhibiting and contributing factors were illuminated as well as a “dissonance-to-consonance” model that participants used to combine contributing factors to overcome inhibitors and grant informed consent. Implications for professional counseling practitioners are discussed, including guidance for direct services, gatekeeping, case management, and advocacy functions.
The Bovine Tuberculoid Granuloma

The bovine tuberculoid granuloma is the hallmark lesion of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) due to Mycobacterium bovis infection. The pathogenesis of bTB, and thereby the process of bovine tuberculoid granuloma development, involves the recruitment, activation, and maintenance of cells under the influence of antigen, cytokines and chemokines in affected lungs and regional lymph nodes. The granuloma is key to successful control of bTB by preventing pathogen dissemination through containment by cellular and fibrotic layers. Paradoxically, however, it may also provide a niche for bacterial replication. The morphologic and cellular characteristics of granulomas have been used to gauge disease severity in bTB pathogenesis and vaccine efficacy studies. As such, it is critical to understand the complex mechanisms behind granuloma initiation, development, and maintenance.
The mitochondrial genome and phylogenetic analysis of the tick Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis Teng, 1980 (Acari:Ixodidae)

Abstract Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis is an endemic species and mainly inhabiting in the northwestern plateau of China, which can transmit many zoonotic pathogens and cause great harm to animals. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of H. qinghaiensis was assembled through the Illumina HiSeq platform. The mitogenome was 14,533 bp in length, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes and 3 noncoding regions (NCRs). The bias towards a high A+T content with 77.65% in mitogenome of H. qinghaiensis. The rearrangement of mitochondrial genes in H. qinghaiensis was consistent with other hard ticks. The phylogenetic analysis based on the concatenation of 13 PCGs from 65 tick mitogenomes showed that the H. qinghaiensis was clustered into a well-supported clade within the Haemaphysalis genus. This is the first complete mitogenome sequence of H. qinghaiensis, which provides a useful reference for understanding of the taxonomic and genetics of ticks.
Millennial-scale migration of the frozen/melted basal boundary, western Greenland ice sheet

Abstract The geometry and thermal structure of western Greenland ice sheet are known to have undergone relatively substantial change over the Holocene. Evolution of the frozen and melted fractions of the bed associated with the ice-sheet retreat over this time frame remains unclear. We address this question using a thermo-mechanically coupled flowline model to simulate a 11 ka period of ice-sheet retreat in west central Greenland. Results indicate an episode of ~100 km of terminus retreat corresponded to ~16 km of upstream frozen/melted basal boundary migration. The majority of migration of the frozen area is associated with the enhancement of the frictional and strain heating fields, which are accentuated toward the retreating ice margin. The thermally active bedrock layer acts as a heat sink, tending to slow contraction of frozen-bed conditions. Since the bedrock heat flux in our region is relatively low compared to other regions of the ice sheet, the frozen region is relatively greater and therefore more susceptible to marginward changes in the frictional and strain heating fields. Migration of melted regions thus depends on both geometric changes and the antecedent thermal state of the bedrock and ice, both of which vary considerably around the ice sheet.
Motor Cortical Network Excitability in Parkinson's Disease

Motor impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD) reflects changes in the basal ganglia‐thalamocortical circuit converging on the primary motor cortex (M1) and supplementary motor area (SMA). Previous studies assessed M1 excitability in PD using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)‐evoked electromyographic activity. TMS‐evoked electroencephalographic activity may unveil broader motor cortical network changes in PD.
The Genomic Characterization of KPC-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae from the ICU of a Teaching Hospital in Shanghai, China

Purpose This study retrospectively analyzed the genome characteristics of blaKPC-2 in multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae collected from the ICU of a teaching hospital in Shanghai, China. Methods From February 2018 to December 2019, 36 strains of multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae were collected from the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of critically ill patients. The genome of all isolates was obtained through the Illumina sequence, and single nucleotide polymorphisms of the blaKPC-2 gene were analyzed to explore blaKPC-2’s evolutionary characteristics. Different strains’ genetic relationships and homology were studied by constructing an evolutionary tree on a single copy orthologue. Pacbio combined Illumina sequence was conducted to evaluate the structure and potential mobility of drug-resistant plasmids of the strain KP-s26. Results The distribution of resistance and virulence genes had little difference, but most strains had significant differences in the plasmid-encoded region. Most strains (31/36) carried the carbapenemase gene blaKPC-2, with no single nucleotide polymorphism in different strains. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase resistance genes, such as blaCTX-M and blaSHV, were found in the isolates, but no metallo-β-lactamases were detected. All strains with blaKPC-2 coexisted with chromosomal-associated fosfomycin resistance genes fosA6, and the coexistence of blaKPC-2 and blaCTX variants (blaCTX-M-15, blaCTX-M-65, and blaCTX-M-27) was also detected in 29/31 strains. The isolate KP-s26 carried five circular plasmids. pA and pB were conjugate plasmids, as they carried drug resistance genes and contained a complete IV secretion system. Conclusion The blaKPC-2 carbapenemase gene is relatively conservative in the process of evolution; drug-resistant plasmids containing conjugated transfer elements contribute to the spreading of drug resistance. The coexistence of blaKPC-2 with fosA6 or blaCTX-M variants was associated with increased fosfomycin resistance and broad-spectrum β-lactam resistance, respectively. Clinical Trials Registration Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT03950544
Revisiting the Oxidation of Flavonoids: Loss, Conservation or Enhancement of Their Antioxidant Properties

Flavonoids display a broad range of health-promoting bioactivities. Among these, their capacity to act as antioxidants has remained most prominent. The canonical reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging mode of the antioxidant action of flavonoids relies on the high susceptibility of their phenolic moieties to undergo oxidation. As a consequence, upon reaction with ROS, the antioxidant capacity of flavonoids is severely compromised. Other phenol-compromising reactions, such as those involved in the biotransformation of flavonoids, can also markedly affect their antioxidant properties. In recent years, however, increasing evidence has indicated that, at least for some flavonoids, the oxidation of such residues can in fact markedly enhance their original antioxidant properties. In such apparent paradoxical cases, the antioxidant activity arises from the pro-oxidant and/or electrophilic character of some of their oxidation-derived metabolites and is exerted by activating the Nrf2–Keap1 pathway, which upregulates the cell’s endogenous antioxidant capacity, and/or, by preventing the activation of the pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory NF-κB pathway. This review focuses on the effects that the oxidative and/or non-oxidative modification of the phenolic groups of flavonoids may have on the ability of the resulting metabolites to promote direct and/or indirect antioxidant actions. Considering the case of a metabolite resulting from the oxidation of quercetin, we offer a comprehensive description of the evidence that increasingly supports the concept that, in the case of certain flavonoids, the oxidation of phenolics emerges as a mechanism that markedly amplifies their original antioxidant properties. An overlooked topic of great phytomedicine potential is thus unraveled.
Intrusion Detection System for CAN Bus In-Vehicle Network based on Machine Learning Algorithms

The advent of automotive industry has an increasing market demand pertaining to installation of intelligent transportation facilities in modern vehicles. Now more comfortable and safer travelling experience is one best trait of these vehicles. Moreover, it has opened new gates to advancement in automotive sector. Modern vehicles are connected to advance systems and technologies using various communication protocols. Amongst numerous communication protocols, one widely used protocol is the controller area network (CAN) bus which serves as a central medium for in-vehicle communications. However, the communication in these vehicles may impose greater threats and may ultimately compromise the security by breaching the system. Various attacks on CAN bus may compromise the confidentiality, integrity and availability of vehicular data through intrusions which may endanger the physical safety of vehicle and passengers. In this paper, a novel machine learning based approach is used to devise an Intrusion Detection System for the CAN bus network. The proposed system is scalable and adaptable to a diverse set of emerging attacks on autonomous vehicles. Results witnessed the accuracy of 100% of our proposed system in detecting and safeguarding threats against multiple impersonation and denial of service attacks as well as 99% accuracy of fuzzy attacks.
Antiplatelet therapy in cardiovascular disease: Current status and future directions

Antiplatelet medications remain a cornerstone of therapy for atherosclerotic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. In primary prevention (patients with cardiovascular risk factors but no documented events, symptoms or angiographic disease), there is little evidence of benefit of any antiplatelet therapy, and such therapy carries the risk of excess bleeding. Where there is documented disease (secondary prevention), stable patients benefit from long‐term antiplatelet monotherapy, aspirin being first choice in those with coronary heart disease and clopidogrel in those with cerebrovascular disease; moreover, recent evidence shows that low‐dose rivaroxaban in combination with aspirin confers added benefit, in patients with stable cardiovascular and peripheral arterial disease. In patients with acute cerebrovascular disease, aspirin combined with clopidogrel reduces subsequent risk, while in acute coronary syndrome, dual antiplatelet therapy comprising aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor (clopidogrel, prasugrel or ticagrelor) confers greater protection than aspirin monotherapy, with prasugrel and ticagrelor offering greater antiplatelet efficacy with faster onset of action than clopidogrel. Although greater antiplatelet efficacy is advantageous in preventing thrombotic events, this must be tempered by increased risk of bleeding, which may be a particular issue in certain patient groups, as will be discussed. We will also discuss possible future approaches to personalisation of antiplatelet therapy.
Bull fertility and semen quality are not correlated with dairy and production traits in Brown Swiss cattle

Graphical Abstract Summary: The genetic relationship between male reproduction and economically relevant traits is unknown. Here, we used genome-wide imputed genotypes to estimate genetic correlation between 6 estimates of male fertility and 57 dairy traits. We used allele substitution effects calculated with an additive regression approach for 11,804,781 genome-wide sequence variants. Correlations between male reproduction and other traits were small (r = -0.0681–0.0787). However, we observed correlations among various semen quality parameters and sire reproductive success (head anomalies and tail anomalies: r = 0.8380, head anomalies and motility: r = -0.7083, tail anomalies and motility: r = -0.7739, motility and volume: r = -0.1266, concentration and volume: r = -0.3503, nonreturn rate and motility: r = 0.1598, nonreturn rate and head anomalies: r = -0.1640, nonreturn rate and tail anomalies: r = -0.1580). To identify QTL responsible for the correlation among these traits, we conducted a multitrait meta-analysis; this revealed pleiotropy of a known QTL on chromosome 6 and identified a novel QTL for sperm head anomalies on chromosome 11.
One high school basketball coach’s self-study of leadership development

Abstract Over the course of one high school basketball season, a coach chronicled his journey as a mentor of his captains, leadership development and conducted a self-study on the data. Through field notes, interviews with captains, and journals, the coach described his successes and failures as a mentor in allowing captains to use their personal voice, distributing and delegating leadership tasks to captains, offering reminders of important leadership concepts, learning to mentor athletically skilled but quiet or inconsistent captains, and setting an effective example as the coach. Following the data presentation, a discussion regarding future research opportunities and practical applications for coaches is provided.
Seismic performance of an innovative structural system having seesaw motion and columns equipped with friction dampers at base level

Most seismic design codes accept heavy damages to buildings in case of large earthquakes, provided that they are prevented against collapse. However, this leads to unacceptable consequences, such as very large volume of the required reconstruction works, in large populated cities. One way to get rid of these adverse consequences is using the idea of combining rocking/seesaw motion of the building's structure and energy dissipation at base level to create buildings easily repairable even after a large earthquake. In the present study, this idea has been employed for designing steel buildings with seesaw motion capability by using a central massive column at ground floor, with elastic behavior and other columns at that floor quipped with friction dampers. A set of buildings has been designed, once based on the conventional provisions and once by using the suggested structural system. Then, a set of nonlinear time history analyses have been performed on all buildings by using selected earthquake records. Results show that the suggested structural system has reliable seismic behavior, so that large deformations happen only in columns at ground floor which have telescopic motion because of the friction dampers, as such, these buildings can be easily repaired even after large earthquakes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design types of cycle facilities at roundabouts and their effects on traffic safety: some empirical evidence

Roundabouts in general have a favourable effect on traffic safety, at least for crashes causing injuries. Especially the number of severe crashes (fatalities and crashes involving serious injuries) appears to decrease after converting intersections into roundabouts. Less is known about the safety effects of roundabouts for particular types of road users, such as bicyclists. A before-and-after study with the use of a comparison group on a sample of 90 roundabouts in FlandersBelgium was conducted in order to assess the effects on crashes with bicyclists. This study revealed a significant increase in the number of severe injury crashes with bicyclists after the construction of a roundabout. Roundabouts with cycle lanes perform worse, regarding injury crashes with bicyclists, compared to three other design types (mixed traffic, separate cycle paths and grade-separated cycle paths). Roundabouts that are replacing signal-controlled intersections seem to have had a worse evolution compared to roundabouts on other types of intersections.
Effect of Tricarboxylic Acids on the Formation of Hydrogels with Melem or Melamine: Morphological, Structural and Rheological Investigations

Herein, aggregation behaviors of melem or melamine in the presence of three symmetric carboxylic acids (1,3,5-tris(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene (TPCA), 1,3,5-benzene-tri-carboxylic acid (BTA) and 1,3,5-cyclohexane-tri-carboxylic acid (CHTA)) have been performed to check the influence of acid on the formation of aggregated structures which have been investigated by optical microscopy, FESEM, FTIR, XRD and viscoelastic properties have been explored with rheological studies. Interestingly, melem, that has limited solubility in aqueous medium, forms aggregation that leads to the formation of hydrogels with TPCA. More significantly, hydrogel is formed here by matching the size selectivity. Melem forms hydrogel with only large tricarboxylic acid, whereas melamine produces hydrogel with any kind of its counterpart from small to large tricarboxylic acid derivatives. Present investigations and results provide the strategy of design of organic self-assembled materials having two component systems.
Physico-Chemical Parameters and Seasonal Variation of Zooplankton in Song River at
Gularghati of Dehradun, Uttarakhand

The present study is carried out during the period of January, 2020 to December, 2020 to investigate seasonal variation of the zooplankton in Song river, Gularghati, District Dehradun. During study period total 22 zooplankton species were found belonging to different groups. Protozoa consist of 8 species, rotifera consist of 7 species, copepoda consist of 5 species and two species of ostrocoda. The number of zooplankton was highest in summer season followed by winter and monsoon season.
Analysis of Dynamic Magnetoelastic Coupling in Mechanically Driven Magnetoelectric Antennas

Mechanically driven magnetoelectric antennas are a promising new technology that enable a reduction in antenna size by many orders of magnitude, as compared to conventional antennas. The magnetoelastic coupling in these antennas, a phenomenon playing a direct role in determining performance, has been modeled using approaches that are severely lacking in both accuracy and tractability. In response to this problem, we take a physics-based approach to the analysis of magnetoelastic coupling. We find that certain directions of applied stress will maximize the coupling and we derive general expressions to quantify it. Our results are applied in comprehensive simulations that demonstrate the dynamic nature of the coupling as well as the impact of various operating conditions and material properties. Our work contributes analytical expressions and associated insight that can serve not only as guidelines for the design of mechanically driven magnetoelectric antennas, but also as stepping stones towards the development of more accurate models.
Multi-Parametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Radiomics Analysis of Cervical Cancer for Preoperative Prediction of Lymphovascular Space Invasion

Background Detection of lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) in early cervical cancer (CC) is challenging. To date, no standard clinical markers or screening tests have been used to detect LVSI preoperatively. Therefore, non-invasive risk stratification tools are highly desirable. Objective To train and validate a multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI)-based radiomics model to detect LVSI in patients with CC and investigate its potential as a complementary tool to enhance the efficiency of risk assessment strategies. Materials and Methods The model was developed from the tumor volume of interest (VOI) of 125 patients with CC. A total of 1037 radiomics features obtained from conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including a small field-of-view (sFOV) high-resolution (HR)-T2-weighted MRI (T2WI), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), T2WI, fat-suppressed (FS)-T2WI, as well as axial and sagittal contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MRI (T1c). We conducted a radiomics-based characterization of each tumor region using pretreatment image data. Feature selection was performed using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method on the training set. The predictive performance was compared with single variates (clinical data and single-layer radiomics signatures) analyzed using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Three-fold cross-validation performed 20 times was used to evaluate the accuracy of the trained classifiers and the stability of the selected features. The models were validated by using a validation set. Results Feature selection extracted the six most important features (3 from sFOV HR-T2WI, 1 T2WI, 1 FS-T2WI, and 1 T1c) for model construction. The mpMRI-combined radiomics model (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.940) reached a significantly higher performance (better than the clinical parameters [AUC: 0.730]), including any single-layer model using sFOV HR-T2WI (AUC: 0.840), T2WI (AUC: 0.770), FS-T2WI (AUC: 0.710), ADC maps (AUC: 0.650), sagittal, and axial T1c values (AUC: 0.710, 0.680) in the validation set. Conclusion Biomarkers using multi-parametric radiomics features derived from preoperative MR images could predict LVSI in patients with CC.
New Aspects of Kidney Fibrosis–From Mechanisms of Injury to Modulation of Disease

Organ fibrogenesis is characterized by a common pathophysiological final pathway independent of the underlying progressive disease of the respective organ. This makes it particularly suitable as a therapeutic target. The Transregional Collaborative Research Center “Organ Fibrosis: From Mechanisms of Injury to Modulation of Disease” (referred to as SFB/TRR57) was hosted from 2009 to 2021 by the Medical Faculties of RWTH Aachen University and the University of Bonn. This consortium had the ultimate goal of discovering new common but also different fibrosis pathways in the liver and kidneys. It finally successfully identified new mechanisms and established novel therapeutic approaches to interfere with hepatic and renal fibrosis. This review covers the consortium's key kidney-related findings, where three overarching questions were addressed: (i) What are new relevant mechanisms and signaling pathways triggering renal fibrosis? (ii) What are new immunological mechanisms, cells and molecules that contribute to renal fibrosis? , and finally (iii) How can renal fibrosis be modulated?