Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genital Cutting as Gender Oppression: Time to Revisit the WHO Paradigm

The World Health Organization (WHO) condemns all medically unnecessary female genital cutting (FGC) that is primarily associated with people of color and the Global South, claiming that such FGC violates the human right to bodily integrity regardless of harm-level, degree of medicalization, or consent. However, the WHO does not condemn medically unnecessary FGC that is primarily associated with Western culture, such as elective labiaplasty or genital piercing, even when performed by non-medical practitioners (e.g., body artists) or on adolescent girls. Nor does it campaign against any form of medically unnecessary intersex genital cutting (IGC) or male genital cutting (MGC), including forms that are non-consensual or comparably harmful to some types of FGC. These and other apparent inconsistencies risk undermining the perceived authority of the WHO to pronounce on human rights. This paper considers whether the WHO could justify its selective condemnation of non-Western-associated FGC by appealing to the distinctive role of such practices in upholding patriarchal gender systems and furthering sex-based discrimination against women and girls. The paper argues that such a justification would not succeed. To the contrary, dismantling patriarchal power structures and reducing sex-based discrimination in FGC-practicing societies requires principled opposition to medically unnecessary, non-consensual genital cutting of all vulnerable persons, including insufficiently autonomous children, irrespective of their sex traits or socially assigned gender. This conclusion is based, in part, on an assessment of the overlapping and often mutually reinforcing roles of different types of child genital cutting—FGC, MGC, and IGC—in reproducing oppressive gender systems. These systems, in turn, tend to subordinate women and girls as well as non-dominant males and sexual and gender minorities. The selective efforts of the WHO to eliminate only non-Western-associated FGC exposes the organization to credible accusations of racism and cultural imperialism and paradoxically undermines its own stated goals: namely, securing the long-term interests and equal rights of women and girls in FGC-practicing societies.
Lipid Biomarkers From Microbial Mats on the McMurdo Ice Shelf, Antarctica: Signatures for Life in the Cryosphere

Persistent cold temperatures, a paucity of nutrients, freeze-thaw cycles, and the strongly seasonal light regime make Antarctica one of Earth’s least hospitable surface environments for complex life. Cyanobacteria, however, are well-adapted to such conditions and are often the dominant primary producers in Antarctic inland water environments. In particular, the network of meltwater ponds on the ‘dirty ice’ of the McMurdo Ice Shelf is an ecosystem with extensive cyanobacteria-dominated microbial mat accumulations. This study investigated intact polar lipids (IPLs), heterocyte glycolipids (HGs), and bacteriohopanepolyols (BHPs) in combination with 16S and 18S rRNA gene diversity in microbial mats of twelve ponds in this unique polar ecosystem. To constrain the effects of nutrient availability, temperature and freeze-thaw cycles on the lipid membrane composition, lipids were compared to stromatolite-forming cyanobacterial mats from ice-covered lakes in the McMurdo Dry Valleys as well as from (sub)tropical regions and hot springs. The 16S rRNA gene compositions of the McMurdo Ice Shelf mats confirm the dominance of Cyanobacteria and Proteobacteria while the 18S rRNA gene composition indicates the presence of Ochrophyta, Chlorophyta, Ciliophora, and other microfauna. IPL analyses revealed a predominantly bacterial community in the meltwater ponds, with archaeal lipids being barely detectable. IPLs are dominated by glycolipids and phospholipids, followed by aminolipids. The high abundance of sugar-bound lipids accords with a predominance of cyanobacterial primary producers. The phosphate-limited samples from the (sub)tropical, hot spring, and Lake Vanda sites revealed a higher abundance of aminolipids compared to those of the nitrogen-limited meltwater ponds, affirming the direct affects that N and P availability have on IPL compositions. The high abundance of polyunsaturated IPLs in the Antarctic microbial mats suggests that these lipids provide an important mechanism to maintain membrane fluidity in cold environments. High abundances of HG keto-ols and HG keto-diols, produced by heterocytous cyanobacteria, further support these findings and reveal a unique distribution compared to those from warmer climates.
Flow Diversion vs. Stent-Assisted Coiling in the Treatment of Intradural Large Vertebrobasilar Artery Aneurysms

Objective To compare the safety, angiographic, and long-term clinical outcomes of intradural large vertebrobasilar artery (VBA) aneurysms following flow diversion (FD) or conventional stent-assisted coiling (SAC). Methods We performed a retrospective study of 66 consecutive patients with intradural large VBA aneurysms between 2014 and 2021 who underwent FD or SAC. Patients' characteristics, postprocedural complications, and clinical and angiographic outcome details were reviewed. Results A total of 66 intradural large VBA aneurysms were included, including 42 (63.6%), which were treated with SAC (SAC group) and 24 (36.4%), which were treated with FD (FD group). Clinical follow-up was obtained at the median of 24.0 [interquartile range (IQR) 12.0–45.0] months, with 34 (81.0%) patients achieved the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≤ 2 in the SAC group and 21 (87.5%) patients in the FD group. Thirteen (19.7%) patients experienced neurological complications, of which 9 (13.6%) patients first occurred during the periprocedural phase and 4 (6.1%) patients first occurred during follow-up. The overall complication rate and periprocedural complication rate were both higher in the SAC group, but did not reach statistical significance (23.8 vs. 12.5%, P = 0.430; 16.7 vs. 8.3%, P = 0.564). The mortality rates were similar between the groups (11.9 vs. 12.5%). Angiographic follow-up was available for 46 patients at the median of 7 (IQR 6–14) months, with a numerically higher complete occlusion rate in the SAC group (82.1 vs. 55.6%, P = 0.051) and similar adequate aneurysm occlusion rates between the groups (85.7 vs. 83.3%, P = 1.000). In the multivariate analysis, ischemic onset (P = 0.019), unilateral vertebral artery sacrifice (P = 0.008), and older age (≥60 years) (P = 0.031) were significantly associated with complications. Conclusion There was a trend toward lower complication rate and lower complete occlusion rate for intradural large VBA aneurysms following FD as compared to SAC. FD and SAC have comparable mortality rates and favorable outcomes. Ischemic onset, unilateral vertebral artery sacrifice, and older age could increase the risk of complications.
Artificial Intelligence–Assisted Endoscopic Diagnosis of Early Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic ability of artificial intelligence (AI) in the detection of early upper gastrointestinal cancer (EUGIC) using endoscopic images. Methods Databases were searched for studies on AI-assisted diagnosis of EUGIC using endoscopic images. The pooled area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Results Overall, 34 studies were included in our final analysis. Among the 17 image-based studies investigating early esophageal cancer (EEC) detection, the pooled AUC, sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, and DOR were 0.98, 0.95 (95% CI, 0.95–0.96), 0.95 (95% CI, 0.94–0.95), 10.76 (95% CI, 7.33–15.79), 0.07 (95% CI, 0.04–0.11), and 173.93 (95% CI, 81.79–369.83), respectively. Among the seven patient-based studies investigating EEC detection, the pooled AUC, sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, and DOR were 0.98, 0.94 (95% CI, 0.91–0.96), 0.90 (95% CI, 0.88–0.92), 6.14 (95% CI, 2.06–18.30), 0.07 (95% CI, 0.04–0.11), and 69.13 (95% CI, 14.73–324.45), respectively. Among the 15 image-based studies investigating early gastric cancer (EGC) detection, the pooled AUC, sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, and DOR were 0.94, 0.87 (95% CI, 0.87–0.88), 0.88 (95% CI, 0.87–0.88), 7.20 (95% CI, 4.32–12.00), 0.14 (95% CI, 0.09–0.23), and 48.77 (95% CI, 24.98–95.19), respectively. Conclusions On the basis of our meta-analysis, AI exhibited high accuracy in diagnosis of EUGIC. Systematic Review Registration https://www.crd. york.ac. uk/PROSPERO/, identifier PROSPERO (CRD42021270443).
Normalization of Four Different Types of Pulmonary Hypertension After Atrial Septal Defect Closure

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is an established risk factor in patients with atrial septal defect (ASD), and its persistence after ASD closure is associated with increased mortality. Therefore, predictors for PH normalization after defect closure are needed. Multiple hemodynamic types of PH exist, but little is known about their prevalence and prognostic value for PH normalization after ASD closure. We carried out a retrospective study on 97 patients (76% female, median age at ASD closure 58 years) with four types of PH determined predominantly by right heart catheterization: hyperkinetic, pulmonary arterial hypertension, isolated post-capillary, and combined pre- and post-capillary. We investigated the frequency of the PH types and their prognostic significance for PH normalization after ASD closure. Frequency of PH types before ASD closure in our study was: hyperkinetic 55%, pulmonary arterial hypertension 10%, isolated post-capillary PH 24%, and combined PH 11%. Hyperkinetic PH type was positively associated with PH normalization after ASD closure (78% patients normalized), remaining a significant independent predictor when adjusted for age at closure, sex, heart failure, and NYHA. Hyperkinetic PH patients also had significantly better survival prognosis versus patients with other PH types (p = 0.04). Combined PH was negatively associated with PH normalization, with no patients normalizing. Pulmonary arterial hypertension and isolated post-capillary PH had intermediate rates of normalization (60 and 52%, respectively). In summary, all four hemodynamic types of PH are found in adult patients with ASD, and they can be used to stratify patients by their likelihood of PH normalization and survival after ASD closure.
Detection of Dengue Virus From Aedes aegypti (Diptera, Culicidae) in Field-Caught Samples From Makkah Al-Mokarramah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Using RT-PCR

Dengue fever (DF) is endemic to Makkah and Jeddah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). However, until recently, the circulation of dengue virus (DENV) in Aedes mosquitoes in these areas was unknown. Serological surveillance of DENV in Ae aegypti is a powerful tool for early detection of dengue outbreaks and essential for developing effective control strategies. Therefore, this research aimed to examine a sample of adult Ae aegypti mosquitoes from Makkah, KSA, to detect DENV. In total, 1295 Ae aegypti mosquitoes were collected from the field from target areas of Makkah with a high incidence and prevalence of DF. The samples were divided into 259 coded pools (five mosquitoes in each) and preserved in 1.5 mL plastic tubes. The tubes were labeled, capped, and stored at−86°C until use. RT-PCR was used to detect DENV in the samples. All positive pools were confirmed by RT-PCR. The RT-PCR products were analyzed by gel electrophoresis (1.5% agarose in Tris-acetate EDTA buffer), stained with ethidium bromide, and visualized. DENV was isolated from six female Ae Aegypti collected from six pools (out of 259 pools). No other viruses were detected. Only five of the nine target localities had positive pools. Samples from the remaining four localities yielded negative results. Four DENV-positive mosquitoes were collected at the aquatic stages, and two were collected at the adult stage. These results show the circulation of DENV in adult mosquitoes and offspring, indicating vertical transmission of DENV. In conclusion, this study found that, in Makkah, DENV is circulating in dengue vectors with a high significance rate, suggesting the possibility of a dengue outbreak in the future; therefore, a sensitive surveillance system is vital to predict the outbreak and for early intervention and control.
Local Food Systems: Making Visible the Invisible Through Urban Agroecology

The world is going through the second wave of urbanization. Although cities still occupy a relatively small area, they are the main consumers of natural resources, energy and water. And in general, they depend for their food, on resources from outside. The economic and bioecological crisis such as the economic one, the social one, pandemics, war or clime change, have faced cities with unexpected problems but also with new perspectives. Likewise, the advance of industrial agriculture nearby urban areas generates other types of impacts. The intensive use of agrochemicals and synthetic fertilizers, especially in developing countries but also in developed countries, impacts the socio-environmental health of urbanites. Making visible the invisible and the immeasurable—through tools such as ecological economics–puts under a comprehensive umbrella, a set of ecological, social and economic aspects that urban societies had not perceived until now such as greening of cities, the recovery of ecosystem services and restoration of “brown lands” or the relevance of food self-sufficiency production. Urban agroecology plays a significant role to reach these ones and begins to be a real possibility to build local food systems and new ways of consumption and networks. This is a particular contribution in times of crises.
Sinusoidal Vibration Source Localization in Two-Dimensional Space Around the Hand

There are use cases where presenting spatial information via the tactile sense is useful (e.g., situations where visual and audio senses are not available). Conventional methods that directly attach a vibrotactile array to a user's body present spatial information such as direction by having users localize the vibration source from among the sources in the array. These methods suffer from problems such as heat generation of the actuator or the installation cost of the actuators in a limited space. A promising method of coping with these problems is to place the vibrotactile array at a distance from the body, instead of directly attaching it to the body, with the aim of presenting spatial information in the same way as the conventional method. The present study investigates the method's effectiveness by means of a psychophysical experiment. Specifically, we presented users with sinusoidal vibrations from remote vibrotactile arrays in the space around the hand and asked them to localize the source of the vibration. We conducted an experiment to investigate the localization ability by using two vibration frequencies (30 Hz as a low frequency and 230 Hz as a high frequency). We chose these two frequencies since they effectively activate two distinctive vibrotactile channels: the rapidly adapting afferent channel and the Pacinian channel. The experimental results showed that humans can recognize the direction of the vibration source, but not the distance, regardless of the source frequency. The accuracy of the direction recognition varied slightly according to the vibration source direction, and also according to the vibration frequency. This suggests that the calibration of stimulus direction is required in the case of both high and low frequencies for presenting direction accurately as intended. In addition, the accuracy variance of direction recognition increased as the source became farther away, and the degree of increase was especially large with the low-frequency source. This suggests that a high frequency is recommended for presenting accurate direction with low variance.
Subspace projection methods for model order reduction and nonlinear eigenvalue computation

Numerical simulation enables the study of complex physical problems for which hand analysis is intractable and experiments are difficult, expensive, or dangerous. Algorithm design and analysis are at the heart of numerical simulation. This dissertation consists of two parts under a unified theme: the design and analysis of structure-preserving subspace projection algorithms for model order reduction and nonlinear eigenvalue computation. In the first part, we study substructuring methods for model order reduction. These methods include the component mode synthesis (CMS) method, which has been studied since the 1960s. The modes of subsystems associated with the lowest frequencies are typically retained in these methods. This is largely heuristic and does not necessarily produce an optimal reduced system. We present a coupling-matrix based mode selection scheme for the CMS method, referred to as the CMSχ method. This new scheme is derived using a moment-matching principle defined on the interface between substructures. It is compatible to the one in recently proposed optimal modal reduction (OMR) method. The improvements of the CMSχ method to the CMS and OMR methods are demonstrated by numerical examples from structural dynamics in both the frequency and time domain. In the second part, we study numerical methods for solving large-scale nonlinear eigenvalue problems arising from finite element analysis of external Q of waveguide-loaded resonant cavities in the design of next-generation particle accelerators. We present a structure-preserving nonlinear Rayleigh-Ritz iterative subspace projection algorithm, NRRIT in short, and demonstrate that NRRIT is a promising approach for solving large scale nonlinear eigenvalue problems in two cavity designs.
Spring 2022 – Systems Biology of Reproduction Lecture Outline – Epigenetics and Transgenerational Reproductive Disease

One of the most important developing cell types in any biological system is the gamete (sperm and egg). The transmission of phenotypes and optimally adapted physiology to subsequent generations is in large part controlled by gametogenesis. In contrast to genetics, the environment actively regulates epigenetics to impact the physiology and phenotype of cellular and biological systems. The integration of epigenetics and genetics is critical for all developmental biology systems at the cellular and organism level. The current review is focused on the role of epigenetics during gametogenesis for both the spermatogenesis system in the male and oogenesis system in the female. The developmental stages from the initial primordial germ cell through gametogenesis to the mature sperm and egg are presented. How environmental factors can influence the epigenetics of gametogenesis to impact the epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of phenotypic and physiological change in subsequent generations is reviewed.
BertNet: Harvesting Knowledge Graphs from Pretrained Language Models

Symbolic knowledge graphs (KGs) have been constructed either by expensive human crowdsourcing or with complex text mining pipelines. The emerging large pretrained language models (LMs), such as B ERT , have shown to implicitly encode massive knowledge which can be queried with properly designed prompts. However, compared to the explicit KGs, the implict knowledge in the black-box LMs is often difﬁcult to access or edit and lacks explainability. In this work, we aim at harvesting symbolic KGs from the LMs, and propose a new framework for automatic KG construction empowered by the neural LMs’ ﬂexibility and scalability. Compared to prior works that often rely on large human annotated data or existing massive KGs, our approach requires only the minimal deﬁnition of relations as inputs, and hence is suitable for extracting knowledge of rich new relations that are instantly assigned and not available before. The framework automatically generates diverse prompts, and performs efﬁcient knowledge search within a given LM for consistent outputs. The knowledge harvested with our approach shows competitive quality, diversity, and novelty. As a result, we derive from diverse LMs a family of new KGs (e.g., B ERT N ET and R O BERT A N ET ) that contain a richer set of relations, including some complex ones (e.g., "A is capable of but not good at B" ) that cannot be extracted with previous methods. Besides, the resulting KGs also serve as a vehicle to interpret the respective source LMs, leading to new insights into the varying knowledge capability of different LMs.
Obesity definition for personalised treatment of type 2 diabetes

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The Application of Fire Behavior Modeling to Fuel Treatment Assessments at Army Garrison Camp Williams, Utah

Large wildfires (>40 ha in size) occur about every three years within Army Garrison Camp Williams, located near South Jordan, Utah, USA. In 2010 and 2012, wildfires originating on the practice firing range burned beyond the camp’s boundaries into the adjacent wildland-urban interface areas. The political and public reaction to these escaped fires was intense. Fire researchers at Utah State University were asked if a spatially organized system of fuel treatments could be developed to prevent such incidents in the future. We used a combination of empirically based guidelines and semi-physical fire modeling systems, coupled with climatological data, to make assessments of fire behavior potential for the sagebrush steppe vegetation/fuel types found in AGCW, that also considered slope steepness. The results suggested the need for removal of woody vegetation within 20 m of firebreaks and a minimum firebreak width of 8.0 m in grassland fuels. In stands of juniper, a canopy coverage of 25% or less is recommended. In Gambel oak stands along the northern boundary of the installation, a fuelbreak width of 60 m for secondary breaks (used for segmenting large areas of fuels) and 90 m for primary breaks (used for protecting urban development and valuable natural resources) is recommended.