Developmental validation of the AGCU EX-38 typing system : a comprehensive forensic tool for enhanced genetic identification

The necessity for developing the AGCU EX-38 typing system arises from the ever-increasing demand for more accurate and comprehensive forensic tools. Traditional kits with fewer STRs often fall short in complex cases requiring higher resolution. The AGCU EX-38 typing system incorporates 35 autosomal STRs, including extended CODIS loci as well as additional non-CODIS loci (D6S1043, D19S3045, D3S3045, D7S3048, D11S2368, D4S2366, D8S1132, D15S659, Penta D, Penta E, D6S447, D3S1744, D14S608, D18S535). This combination of CODIS and non-CODIS markers provides a significant advantage, particularly in complex kinship analyses such as half-sibship cases. This six-dye kit encompasses 38 loci, with a maximum amplicon size of 550 base pairs (bp), and features nine STRs within 200 bp and 14 STRs within 300 bp, offering unparalleled coverage and sensitivity. The AGCU EX-38 typing system is the only available kit on the market containing 35 autosomal STRs with six-dye chemistry, making it a unique and invaluable resource for forensic laboratories. This configuration allows for higher resolution and superior performance in cases with degraded or mixed DNA samples. In this study, we report the results of the developmental validation study, which followed the SWGDAM (Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods) guidelines. The data includes PCR-based studies, sensitivity, species specificity, stability, precision, reproducibility and repeatability, concordance, stutter, DNA mixtures, and performance on mock casework samples. The results validate the multiplex design and demonstrate the kit’s robustness, reliability, and suitability for genetic identification and population studies

Retinal vasculometry associations with cognition status in UK Biobank

Retinal vasculometry (RV) provides a neurovascular biomarker which may relate to cognitive status. However, the presence and form of association remains unclear and unexamined at scale. One hundred ten thousand two hundred eighty-two retinal images from 63,165 (95%) participants (mean age 56.6 years, 55.5% female) were analyzed. A one SD increase in cognition score was strongly associated with increased arteriolar width, arteriolar tortuosity, increased venular width particularly among those 50 years; also, inversely associated with venular tortuosity, and arteriolar and venular width variance

Grow through what you go through : a multiple-case study of competitive bodybuilders’ experiences of learning to manage the demands of their engagement in the sport

To date, most research amongst competitive bodybuilders has focused on highlighting the demands of competitive bodybuilding, competitors’ emotional and behavioural responses to these demands, and the subsequent psychosocial outcomes, with limited attention to the process of coping. The current study aims to address this gap in the literature by providing insight into how competitors learn to manage and cope with the demands of their sport. Using a multiple-case study design, five high-profile competitive bodybuilders (with over 211,000 Instagram followers and 82,000 YouTube subscribers combined) engaged in semi-structured interviews and provided Instagram and personal journal data. Using reflexive thematic analysis, three overarching themes were constructed: (a) learning by trial and error, (b) understanding the self, the substances and the process, and (c) flexible guiding priorities. These findings have implications for informing future harm reduction initiatives amongst competitive bodybuilders (e.g. accelerating the experiential learning process), as well as enhancing social support for competitors (e.g. encouraging communal coping). Furthermore, this study illustrates the value of combining traditional methods (e.g. semi-structured interviews, journals) and social media data (e.g. Instagram posts, vlog-style videos) when conducting qualitative case studies in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon of interest

The role of rehabilitation services in the academic and social emotional development of children and young people with neurodevelopmental disorders : a case study of vision impairment

The current chapter discusses the positive role of rehabilitation services in the lives of children and young people with neurodevelopmental disorders such as sensory impairments and also identifies gaps in current research and practice. Despite the increasing number of children and young people with neurodevelopmental disorders, current research on the effects of rehabilitation support on the academic achievement and social emotional development of this population remains very limited. However, financial investment in providing such support to vulnerable student populations may avoid future costs to both the health and social care budgets. To further highlight the impact of rehabilitation support on children and youth with neurodevelopmental disorders, findings from a case study conducted in a UK-based rehabilitation service is presented and discussed. The findings highlight the benefits of habilitation and rehabilitation support in daily life, academic learning and social emotional development of children and adolescents with vision impairment and additional needs