Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stigmatization and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS: Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare workers in the primary healthcare centers in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, 2022

Abstract BACKGROUND: There are very few studies in Saudi Arabia on stigmatization and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), a critical step for the prevention and control of HIV. The aim of this study was to assess the level of stigmatization and discrimination against PLWHA by healthcare workers (HCWs) as well as their knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 182 HCWs at primary healthcare centers in Medina, Saudi Arabia. The validated short version of the Healthcare Provider HIV/AIDS Stigma Scale and the AIDS Attitude Scale were used in this research. Student’s t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to assess the differences in the mean knowledge, attitudes, and practices KAP scores by various sociodemographic factors. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with KAP scores. RESULTS: Most participants were males (58.2%) and aged more than 30 years (60.4%). The tendency to stigmatizing behavior was present in 24.2%–68.17% of the participants, and discriminatory practice was present in 11.5%–50% of the participants. In multiple linear regression analysis, factors that independently predicted the knowledge score were being a doctor compared to nurses (P < 0.001), receiving in-service training for PLWHA (P < 0.001), and male gender (P = 0.002). Attitude was predicted by being female (P = 0.008) and a doctor (P = 0.005). Practice was predicted by the knowledge score (P < 0.001) and being married (P = 0.035). CONCLUSION: This study found that stigmatization and discrimination were less prevalent in HCWs who had good HIV-related knowledge and had received in-service training for PLWHA. The results highlight the significance of continuing education and training opportunities for HCWs to provide effective and appropriate treatment to PLWHA.
OakRootRNADB—a consolidated RNA-seq database for coding and noncoding RNA in roots of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur)

Abstract The degree to which roots elongate is determined by the expression of genes that regulate root growth in each developmental zone of a root. Most studies have, however, focused on the molecular factors that regulate primary root growth in annual plants. In contrast, the relationship between gene expression and a specific pattern of taproot development and growth in trees is poorly understood. However, the presence of a deeply located taproot, with branching lateral roots, can especially mitigate the effect of insufficient water availability in long-lived trees, such as pedunculated oak. In the present article, we integrated the ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing data on roots of oak trees into a single comprehensive database, named OakRootRNADB that contains information on both coding and noncoding RNAs. The sequences in the database also enclose information pertaining to transcription factors, transcriptional regulators and chromatin regulators, as well as a prediction of the cellular localization of a transcript. OakRootRNADB has a user-friendly interface and functional tools that increase access to genomic information. Integrated knowledge of molecular patterns of expression, specifically occurring within and between root zones and within root types, can elucidate the molecular mechanisms regulating taproot growth and enhanced root soil exploration. Database URL https://oakrootrnadb.idpan. poznan.pl/
The association between metabolic equivalent and visceral adiposity index among children and adolescents: Ten-cycle cross-sectional study on NHANES (1999–2018)

Metabolic disorder is globally prevalent in children and adolescents, and physical activity may have a protective role against metabolic disorder. However, the association between metabolic equivalent (MET) and visceral adiposity index (VAI) among children and adolescents remains unclear. This study aimed to address this concern. Data were retrieved from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which used the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire to assess the physical activity levels. VAI was calculated according to body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Linear regression was adopted to assess the association between MET and VAI. Restricted cubic spline regression was used to further explore the nonlinear relationship, Interaction effect analysis was conducted to identify whether the sample characteristic could modify the effect of MET on VAI. After data cleansing, a total of 3402 participants aged <18 years were enrolled. In the fully adjusted linear regression model, the β for VAI was 0.01 (95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.08, 0.09) for the second tertile and −0.11 (95% CI: −0.20, −0.03) for the third tertile. A linear downward trend was found in the restricted cubic spline regression (overall P < .05). Interaction effect analysis revealed no significant effects of age, gender, race, income poverty ratio, and insurance (all P for interaction >0.05). High physical activity intensity is associated with decreased VAI scores in children and adolescents.
High-resolution ALMA observation of the 12CO(3–2) and 350 GHz continuum emissions of the debris disc of 49 Ceti

We present high resolution ALMA observations of the CO(3-2) and 350 GHz continuum emissions of the debris disc of 49 Ceti, known to be particularly rich in molecular gas in spite of its age. The main new results are: i) both CO and dust discs share a same position angle and a same inclination but the gas disc is more homogeneous, more central and thinner than the dust disc; ii) evidence is obtained for a significant deficit of observed CO(3-2) emission at Doppler velocities differing from the star systemic velocity by less than 1 \kms; iii) gas velocities are accurately measured and found Keplerian over a broad range of disc radii; iv) the observed CO(3-2) line width is dominated by Keplerian shear and upper limits are obtained to the intrinsic line width. Simple phenomenological models of both CO(3-2) and \mbox{350 GHz} continuum emissions are presented, requiring the use of only very few parameters. The results are discussed in the frame of currently favoured models.
Dolutegravir potentiates platelet activation by a calcium-dependent, ionophore-like mechanism

Abstract Dolutegravir is a highly potent HIV integrase strand transfer inhibitor that is recommended for first-line anti-retroviral treatment in all major treatment guidelines. A recent study has shown that people taking this class of anti-retroviral treatment have a substantially higher risk of early-onset cardiovascular disease, a condition shown previously to be associated with increased platelet reactivity. To date, few studies have explored the effects of dolutegravir on platelet activation. Accordingly, the current study was undertaken with the primary objective of investigating the effects of dolutegravir on the reactivity of human platelets in vitro. Platelet-rich plasma, isolated platelets, or buffy coat cell suspensions prepared from the blood of healthy adults were treated with dolutegravir (2.5–10 µg/ml), followed by activation with adenosine 5’-diphosphate (ADP), thrombin, or a thromboxane A2 receptor agonist U46619. Expression of platelet CD62P (P-selectin), formation of heterotypic neutrophil:platelet aggregates, and calcium (Ca2+) fluxes were measured using flow cytometry and fluorescence spectrometry, respectively. Dolutegravir caused dose-related potentiation of ADP-, thrombin- and U46619-activated expression of CD62P by platelets, as well as a significant increases in formation of neutrophil:platelet aggregates. These effects were paralleled by a spontaneous, receptor-independent elevation in cytosolic Ca2+ that appears to underpin the mechanism by which the antiretroviral agent augments the responsiveness of these cells to ADP, thrombin and U46619. The most likely mechanism of dolutegravir-mediated increases in platelet cytosolic Ca2+ relates to a combination of lipophilicity and divalent/trivalent metal-binding and/or chelating properties of the anti-retroviral agent. These properties are likely to confer ionophore-type activities on dolutegravir that would promote movement of Ca2+ across the plasma membrane, delivering the cation to the cytosol where it would augment Ca2+-dependent intracellular signaling mechanisms. These effects of dolutegravir may lead to hyper-activation of platelets which, if operative in vivo, may contribute to an increased risk for cardiometabolic co-morbidities.
Sress-Tensor for parafermions from the generalized Frenkel-Kac construction of affine algebra

I discuss a realization of stress-tensor for parafermion theories following the generalized Frenkel-Kac construction for higher level Kac-Moody algebras. All the ﬁelds are obtained from d =rank free bosons compactiﬁed on torus. This gives an alternative realization of Virasoro algebra in terms of a non-local correction of a free ﬁeld construction which does not ﬁt the usual background charge of Feigin-Fuchs approach.
Globular clusters with Gaia

The treatment of crowded fields in Gaia data will only be a reality in a few years from now. In particular, for globular clusters, only the end-of-mission data (public in 2022-2023) will have the necessary full crowding treatment and will reach sufficient quality for the faintest stars. As a consequence, the work on the deblending and decontamination pipelines is still ongoing. We describe the present status of the pipelines for different Gaia instruments, and we model the end-of-mission crowding errors on the basis of available information. We then apply the nominal post-launch Gaia performances, appropriately worsened by the estimated crowding errors, to a set of 18 simulated globular clusters with different concentration, distance, and field contamination. We conclude that there will be 103-104 stars with astrometric performances virtually untouched by crowding (contaminated by <1 mmag) in the majority of clusters. The most limiting factor will be field crowding, not cluster crowding: the most contaminated clusters will only contain 10-100 clean stars. We also conclude that: (i) the systemic proper motions and parallaxes will be determined to 1% or better up to 15 kpc, and the nearby clusters will have radial velocities to a few km/s ; (ii) internal kinematics will be of unprecendented quality, cluster masses will be determined to 10% up to 15 kpc and beyond, and it will be possible to identify differences of a few km/s or less in the kinematics (if any) of cluster sub-populations up to 10 kpc and beyond; (iii) the brightest stars (V<17 mag) will have space-quality, wide-field photometry (mmag errors), and all Gaia photometry will have 1-3% errors on the absolute photometric calibration.
A narrative review on food neophobia throughout the lifespan: relationships with dietary behaviours and interventions to reduce it

Abstract Food neophobia is defined as the unwillingness to taste new foods and the avoidance of unfamiliar foods. This eating behaviour is a complex issue, and both genetic and environmental factors play a role in it. The aim of this review is to understand its relationships with dietary behaviours throughout the lifespan and to examine the impact of interventions on food neophobia. A literature search was performed using the PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and ScienceDirect databases. As a result of the screening, a total of 139 studies, seven of which were intervention studies, were included in this review. According to current evidence, food neophobia is negatively associated with the acceptance of not only novel/unfamiliar foods but also familiar foods. Many studies have shown that food neophobia is negatively associated with the hedonics and consumption of core foods, especially vegetables and fruits. Individuals with higher levels of food neophobia are less familiar with many foods, but familiarity is a prominent motivator in food choices for these individuals. Therefore, it may be considered a barrier limiting diet quality and this trend is similar for both children and adults. However, food neophobia is not an unchangeable personality trait. Intervention studies have pointed out that educational programmes and food-related activities that increase familiarity and exposure to foods and create positive attitudes towards and positive experiences with foods can reduce food neophobia. The results highlight that people with high food neophobia need more support to improve their diets and the quality of dietary behaviour.
Gapless odd-frequency superconductivity induced by the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev model

We show that a single-fermion quantum dot acquires odd-frequency Gor'kov anomalous averages in proximity to strongly correlated Majorana zero modes, described by the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev (SYK) model. Despite the presence of finite anomalous pairing, the superconducting gap vanishes for the intermediate coupling strength between the quantum dot and Majoranas. The increase of the coupling leads to smooth suppression of the original quasiparticles. This effect might be used as a characterization tool for recently proposed tabletop realizations of the SYK model.
Hypermassive Neutron Star Disk Outflows and Blue Kilonovae

We study mass ejection from accretion disks around newly formed hypermassive neutron stars (HMNSs). Standard kilonova model fits to GW170817 require at least a lanthanide-poor (“blue”) and lanthanide-rich (“red”) component. The existence of a blue component has been used as evidence for an HMNS remnant of finite lifetime, but average disk outflow velocities from existing long-term HMNS simulations fall short of the inferred value (∼0.25c) by a factor of ∼2. Here we use time-dependent, axisymmetric hydrodynamic simulations of HMNS disks to explore the limits of the model and its ability to account for observations. For physically plausible parameter choices compatible with GW170817, we find that hydrodynamic models that use shear viscosity to transport angular momentum cannot eject matter with mass-averaged velocities larger than ∼0.15c. While outflow velocities in our simulations can exceed the asymptotic value for a steady-state neutrino-driven wind, the increase in the average velocity due to viscosity is not sufficient. Therefore, viscous HMNS disk winds cannot reproduce by themselves the ejecta properties inferred from multi-component fits to kilonova light curves from GW170817. Three possible resolutions remain feasible within standard merger ejecta channels: more sophisticated radiative transfer models that allow for photon reprocessing between ejecta components, inclusion of magnetic stresses, or enhancement of the dynamical ejecta. We provide fits to our disk outflow models once they reach homologous expansion.
Hot stars in old stellar populations: a continuing need for intermediate ages

We investigate the effect of a low-level contamination of hot, old, metal-poor starlight on the inferred stellar populations of early-type galaxies in the core of the Coma Cluster. We find that the required correction to the Balmer and metal absorption-line strengths for old, metal-poor stars does not significantly affect the inferred age of the stellar population when the Hβ strength is large. Intermediate-aged populations are therefore still needed to explain enhanced Balmer-line strengths in early-type galaxies. This gives us increased confidence in our age estimates for these objects. For galaxies with weak Balmer-line strengths corresponding to very old populations (t > 10 Gyr), however, a correction for hot stars may indeed alter the inferred age, as previously suggested. Finally, the inferred metallicity [Z/H] will always be higher after any correction for old, metal-poor starlight than if it were not taken into account, but the enhancement ratios [E/Fe] will strengthen only slightly.
Neutrino mass and neutrinoless double beta decay in SO(10) GUT with Pati–Salam symmetry

We demonstrate how a class of non-supersymmetric $SO(10)$ GUT with asymmetric left-right theory $SU(2)_L \times U(1)_R \times U(1)_{B-L} \times SU(3)_C$ and Pati-Salam theory $SU(2)_L \times SU(2)_R \times SU(4)_C$ as intermediate symmetry breaking steps leads to successful gauge coupling unification satisfying proton decay constraints. The motivation behind this work is two fold: firstly to study the renormalization group evolution equations for gauge couplings by keeping right-handed neutral gauge boson $Z_R$ around LHC energy range leading interesting dilepton searches at collider while fixing charge partner of the gauge boson $W_R$ at very high scale; secondly to explain neutrino masses and associated lepton number violating process like neutrinoless double beta decay in three possible cases depending on how $SU(2)_L \times U(1)_R \times U(1)_{B-L} \times SU(3)_C$ breaks down to SM. We include one extra fermion singlet per generation in order to implement gauged extended seesaw where light neutrino mass is governed by natural type-II seesaw mechanism whereas type-I seesaw contribution is exactly canceled out. Since light neutrino mass formula is independent of Dirac neutrino mass matrix, the value of Dirac neutrino mass is taken to be up-type quark mass matrix which is a characteristics of Pati-Salam symmetry relating quarks with leptons. We present analytic relation for effective Majorana mass parameter and corresponding half-life arising from new physics contributions due to purely left-handed currents through exchange of heavy right-handed neutrinos and sterile neutrinos. We numerically estimate effective Majorana mass parameter and half-life vs. lightest neutrino mass and derive lower bound on lightest neutrino mass by saturating with experimental bounds like GERDA Phase-II, KamLANDZen and EXO.
The redshift distribution of infrared-faint radio sources

Infrared-Faint Radio Sources (IFRSs) are an important class of high-redshift active galaxy, and potentially important as a means of discovering more high-redshift radio sources, but only 25 IFRSs had redshifts prior to this paper. Here we increase the number of IFRSs with known spectroscopic redshifts by a factor of about 5 to 131, with redshifts up to z=4.387, and a median redshift of z = 2.68. The IFRS redshift distribution overlaps with the high-z radio galaxy (HzRG) redshift distribution but is significantly narrower, suggesting that the IFRSs are a subset of the larger class of HzRGs. We also confirm and measure the proposed correlation between redshift and 3.6 $\mu$m flux density, making it possible to use this correlation to find even higher redshift radio sources. Many more high-redshift sources are probably present in existing radio survey catalogues.
Renormalization and radiative corrections to masses in a general Yukawa model

We consider a model with arbitrary numbers of Majorana fermion fields and real scalar fields $\varphi_a$, general Yukawa couplings and a $\mathbb{Z}_4$ symmetry that forbids linear and trilinear terms in the scalar potential. Moreover, fermions become massive only after spontaneous symmetry breaking of the $\mathbb{Z}_4$ symmetry by vacuum expectation values (VEVs) of the $\varphi_a$. Introducing the shifted fields $h_a$ whose VEVs vanish, $\overline{\mbox{MS}}$ renormalization of the parameters of the unbroken theory suffices to make the theory finite. However, in this way, beyond tree level it is necessary to perform finite shifts of the tree-level VEVs, induced by the finite parts of the tadpole diagrams, in order to ensure vanishing one-point functions of the $h_a$. Moreover, adapting the renormalization scheme to a situation with many scalars and VEVs, we consider the physical fermion and scalar masses as derived quantities, $\textit{i.e.}$ as functions of the coupling constants and VEVs. Consequently, the masses have to be computed order by order in a perturbative expansion. In this scheme we compute the selfenergies of fermions and bosons and show how to obtain the respective one-loop contributions to the tree-level masses. Furthermore, we discuss the modification of our results in the case of Dirac fermions and investigate, by way of an example, the effects of a flavour symmetry group.
Phenomenology of extra quarks at the LHC

In this thesis, we study in a model independent way models of new Physics featuring extra quarks (XQs). These quarks are predicted by several extensions of the Standard Model (SM) but have never been observed yet even though many searches have been designed to find them at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). After an introduction about the SM and the LHC, we present the main properties of these XQs and a model independent parametrisation that can be used to describe their phenomenology with generic hypotheses about their mixing with SM quarks, both in the case of XQ coupling with SM bosons and with Dark Matter (DM) candidates. In these two cases we study the offshellness effects in pair-production and decay and show that if the Narrow-Width Approximation (NWA), that we describe in detail, is a good approximation of the full result in the small width over mass ratio limit, sizeable differences occur when the XQ width becomes larger. The conclusion of our analysis is that even though the small width assumption is always conservative it is not possible to trivially rescale the mass bounds obtained considering processes of pair production and decay in the NWA to determine constraints for XQs with large widths. We also study the role of interference in the process of pair production of new heavy XQs decaying to SM particles and show that in the NWA the interference contribution can be described by considering a parameter which contains only the relevant couplings and the scalar part of the propagators of the new quarks, both at the cross section level and at the distribution level. Finally, we study how various Supersymmetry (SUSY) searches perform for our simplified model with XQs decaying to DM. We show that cross section upper limit maps and efficiency maps obtained for stop simplified models in stop searches can also be applied to analogous XQ models, provided the NWA applies: the bound for XQs can therefore be obtained from the SUSY ones just by rescaling the exclusion with the XQ cross section.
htseq-clip: a toolset for the preprocessing of eCLIP/iCLIP datasets

Abstract Summary Transcriptome-wide detection of binding sites of RNA-binding proteins is achieved using Individual-nucleotide crosslinking and immunoprecipitation (iCLIP) and its derivative enhanced CLIP (eCLIP) sequencing methods. Here, we introduce htseq-clip, a python package developed for preprocessing, extracting and summarizing crosslink site counts from i/eCLIP experimental data. The package delivers crosslink site count matrices along with other metrics, which can be directly used for filtering and downstream analyses such as the identification of differential binding sites. Availability and implementation The Python package htseq-clip is available via pypi (python package index), bioconda and the Galaxy Tool Shed under the open source MIT License. The code is hosted at https://github.com/EMBL-Hentze-group/htseq-clip and documentation is available under https://htseq-clip.readthedocs. io/en/latest.