#Gene expression signatures

[hilaris1]

Analytical and Clinical Validation of a Novel Blood- Based Biomarker of Liver Transplant Rejection

Weems JC, Pierry D, Holman J, Kandpal M, Kurian SM, Meintjes P, Beswick N, and Levitsky J. "Analytical and Clinical Validation of a Novel Blood-Based Biomarker of Liver Transplant Rejection." J Transplant Technol Res 11 (2021): 180.

Abstract Background: We have discovered and validated a microarray-based test that analyzes blood gene expression profiles (GEP) as an indicator of immune status in liver transplant recipients with stable liver function. Methods: Analytical performance studies to characterize stability of RNA in blood during collection and shipment, analytical sensitivity (input RNA concentration), analytical specificity (interfering substances) and assay performance (clinical validity, and intra-assay, inter-assay, inter- laboratory reproducibility). Results: Total RNA extracted from whole blood specimens collected in PAXgene Blood RNA tubes was stable up to 3 days at room temperature (stable RNA yield). Under routine ambient shipping conditions, storage and shipping temperatures did not affect results. However, specimen shipments exposed to temperatures >400°C or to ambient temperatures for >3 days were unacceptable for processing. Analytical sensitivity studies demonstrated tolerance to variation in RNA input (50 to 400 ng per 3’ IVT (in vitro transcript] labeling reaction). Specificity studies using genomic Jurkat DNA spiked into 3 ’IVT reactions at 10-20% demonstrated negligible assay interference. The test was reproducible across operators, runs, reagent lots, and laboratories. External validation demonstrated that the TruGraf Liver blood test accurately classified patients in 84% of 155 samples. Conclusions: The previously published biomarker is the first non-invasive test to be demonstrated to have clinical utility in assessing immune status of LT recipients with stable liver function and shows promise as a reasonable and necessary tool supporting personalizing immunosuppressive therapy.

Submit manuscript at https://www.scholarscentral.org/submissions/transplantation-technologies-research.html or  as an e-mail attachment to the Editorial Office at transplantation@emedscience.org  

[jaysng]

when your daughter is mad at him | pjs

pairing: pilot!husband!jay x female!reader

genre: fluff, comedy

synopsis: your daughter misses jay, but as a pilot his schedule requires him to be in places but at home. So she sulks and sulks..

“Come on, say hi to appa” you coo at your 3 year old daughter who refused to talk to her dad, “yeorum-ah i miss you so much, i promise to come back to you and give you all the cuddles and all the kisses. Let’s not be mad at each other hmm?” Hearing your husbands voice trying to convince your daughter to finally open her mouth and respond. A smile appeared on your face, reflecting your amusement. 

But she was your daughter, maybe jay’s genes did not even try to fight at this. Your husband, a pilot was once again gone for his work. A grueling week with multiple destinations was for sure hectic. “He said the same thing last time” your daughter mumbles, pushing the phone back to voice barely audible because of her pout.

You gently try to console her. “I know it’s hard, sweetie,” you say softly. “Appa has to be away for work, but he loves you very much.”

Mumbling again, “But it’s not the same when he’s not here. I miss him mmh…..” she complains shifting again on your lap. you sigh, understanding the pain in your daughter’s voice. 

You know too well the sacrifices involved and the strain it places on your family. “I miss him too,”you admit, talking to her as you gently rub yeorum’s back. “But we’re so proud of him, and he’s working hard to provide for us. It’s just for a little while longer. So can you talk to him?” Jay watches through his phone as your daughter finally sits still on your lap, “That’s my girl, appa apologizes for making my little princess this sad.”

“I wish you could be here right now” yeorum says as she overdramatically lets out an exhale, Jay gives a reassuring smile. “Me too. But I am thinking of us every moment. And when i get back, we’ll have all the time we want together.”

With her lips curved up to a smile, your daughter looks convinced now “Will you do anything i want when your back here?” She asks as your husband raises his eyebrow and chuckles softly, trying to predict the little one’s answer “Yes honey, tell me anything you want or want to do. Now, what does my baby want?” 

“You’ll play princess-princess with me!”

jay thinks, about the time when yeorum watched her first ever disney princess film, where her eyes first caught the glammed up looks and the pretty dresses, she wanted to recreate it on her dad. Well, she actually wanted to do it on you but then she claimed, ‘eomma s’already a princess’ 

Jay sat on the floor of the living room, smiling as yeorum carefully applies makeup to his face. She’s holding a small brush with great concentration, her tongue poking out in focus as she sweeps bright eyeshadow across his eyelids.

“close your eyes, appa!” she says with a giggle. He obliges, chuckling softly. She hums a little tune while she works, drawing thick lines around his eyes and then reaching for the lipstick. 

“You look just like a princess!” She says passing the mini pink hand mirror to her now pretty appa.

Just as he’s about to comment on his new look, his phone buzzes on the table. He picks it up and his expression shifts from amused to concerned. “Oh, man. I’ll be there in 10 minutes don’t worry”

Yeorum looks up at him with wide eyes, her signature disappointed pout evident on her face. “Appa, you have to see how pretty you look first!” she insists, holding up a small handheld mirror.

He glances at his reflection and stifles a laugh. “Wow, I look… amazing, baby.” But there’s no time to fully appreciate her artistry. He rushes to the bathroom to wash it off, only to find that the eyeliner and lipstick won’t budge. His heart sinks as he scrubs harder, but the marks remain stubbornly in place. Walking past the washroom, a distressed jay catching your attention. You walk over keeping a hand on his shoulder as he flinches, “Oh my god.. is it not coming off?” You say slowly getting worried and tensed yourself. 

“Yeorum-ah” you call out, trying to keep your voice calm, “what did you use to do appa’s makeup?”

She proudly holds up a set of colorful markers. “These! They were in your drawer!”He groans inwardly as he realizes she’s used permanent markers. His meeting is in ten minutes, and there’s no way to get it off in time. Double fuck.

“Shit. What do we do jay?” You say, trying to rub the eyeliner of his face. With no other option, he throws on a hat and large sunglasses, hoping they’ll hide most of it. As he heads out the door, kissing you and yeorum goodbye. She waves cheerfully. “Good luck appa! You look so fancy!”

He forces a smile, knowing this is going to be an interesting day at work.

You could say, to this day you’re grateful that she didn’t glam you up. 

It finally lift yeorum’s mood up after jay promised her he would once again, play the game with her. Now deep asleep in her room, your and your husband’s laugther echoes as you reminisced about that day. This time you’ll make sure to hide all the permanent markers from the drawer. 

As your giggles go quiet, suddenly feeling shy as jay looks at you through the screen with those lovestruck eyes. “Hi” you say, voice sweet and soft. “Hi” jay says as he brings the phone closer to his face, eyes shifting between you and the camera every then and now.

“You look beautiful, did i tell you that yet?” He adds, As the words left his lips, you felt a warm blush creeping up your cheeks. Your smile widened, almost uncontrollably, and you glanced down, biting your lower lip to suppress the giggle bubbling up inside of you.

He caught the change in your demeanor and chuckled, his voice low and full of affection. “What? Did I say something wrong?” he teased, leaning a little closer to the camera, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

“yeah i heard that a couple of times today” He grinned, unable to contain his own laughter now, the sound of it mixing with yours in a harmonious, joyous melody. You both knew that the words you shared were simple, but it was the way he said it, the way you looked at each other, that made you feel like teenagers in love.

You tilt your head “It’s hard convincing her you know..” you start, “when i feel the same, lonely without you.” you start to smile a little as jay raises his eyebrows and smiles back at you “I know, no wonder where she got this trait from.” he jokes as red tint appears on your cheeks, “But i know, i love you and i miss you every single moment honey.” He says, bringing his camera close to his lips as he kisses it. 

Back in the cockpit, jay adjusts his headset and catches a glimpse of his family photo pinned near his control panel. He takes a deep breath, a mix of longing and determination in his eyes. He knows his absence is hard on them, but he holds onto the thought of their reunion, using it as motivation to get through the flight.

all do not copy or repost — @/jaysng

[akutasoda]

Have you ever think about Aventurine with Kirara reader?

Sometimes you will appear in IPC to deliver something to customers, but if the customers are busy then you just sit in waiting room till you get their signatures.

The life will be easy for you if Aventurine don’t pet and play with you till you exhausted.

Aventurine who is holding a cat laser toy while point it anywhere: “this is kinda fun..”

Kirara reader aka a neko yokai: *Chasing the red dot with sparkle eyes* Meoww—-!!

Let say he loves playing around with that yokai.

pawprint deliveries!

synopsis - aventurine finds that disrupting your job is much more entertaining than doing his

includes - aventurine

warnings - gn!reader, fluff, slight crack, maybe ooc?, wc - 1.5k

the IPC was an intergalactic mega corporation with many subordinate factions and sectors. it had connections to practically every corner of the galaxy and those needed to be upheld day in and day out. those that had lower ranking jobs within the corporation were much less fortunate than those at the top but were crucial into helping the intergalactic conglomerate alive and working.

trading was a grand part of many business deals but due to most deals being made and upheld by higher-ups, they wouldn't always have the time to travel half way across the galaxy and back - especially when the journey could be rather treacherous. the IPC didn't exactly have a dedicated trade unit, most being workers under the P47 and P48 levels, and so sometimes they would hire outside contractors.

a particular favourite, and trusted, outside contract was an express company that served on it's home planet but expanded to take up intergalactic deliveries. the IPC had dealings with this planet in the past and so deliveries for them became apart of the exchange. unfortunately the express was still relatively small when it came to workers who willingly wished to head out into space to deliver packages but that was where you would come in.

you had taken upon most intergalactic deliveries because you were the most well versed at travelling across the galaxy and you were quick - your youkai genes aided greatly aswell. fortunately you didn't mind all that much, you enjoyed taking these deliveries as to you they seemed more like outings for yourself and you wanted to help keep the company afloat.

your boss had always stressed the importance of IPC related deliveries amd how important it was that they took top priority, the urgency was practically screaming at you as soon as they required a delivery. however, you didn't actually see them as anything special but for the sake of your boss, you'd prioritise their deliveries. it wasn't exactly the best place to have an outing to as it was heavily corporate and finding the actual departments needed took much longer than need be but they paid well.

most of the time you'd show up and either manage to greet your client immediately and get them to sign of the package or, patiently sit in the designated waiting room for them to become free. your company had a very strict rule about gathering the required signature, especially when it came to intergalactic deliveries. sometimes you'd be unfortunate enough to be requested to deliver the package to the planet or sector it was required for but as long as the original client approved this than you had no room to argue back.

most of you're time spent waiting was on your phone but sometimes you needed to look a bit more professional and so had no other choice but to sit there patiently. occasionally you'd watch some workers go about their day's but that got boring very quickly when they appeared to be doing the exact same thing every day. however, today your client was taking a rather long time to show up and sign for their package and so you eventually decided that taking a brief walk to stretch wouldn't be so bad. picking the parcel up and holding it safely, you strolled out the waiting room and down the hallway.

---✩

the meeting had practically drained him of all will he had left for today, sometimes meeting with the other stonehearts seemed like more effort than it truly was worth. it had over ran and now his schedule for the day would have to over run a bit - not that he really ever cared about the schedules. besides, the only thing he had to do now was sign for a delivery, it wasn't exactly the most difficult task apart from the fact that he had missed the scheduled delivery time by a wide margin.

aventurine passed through the hallways back to where he had asked the delivery to be delivered just to find nobody in the area. he let out a sigh, maybe it was a bit much for wishful thinking that whoever was delivering his package to still be here after 20 mins past the schedule. perhaps they would pass it on to the next department, he thought before catching sight of a cheerful figure that certainly wasn't an IPC member walking back his way.

he noted the slight panic on your face at the sight of him before glancing at the package in your hands and gathering that you either went to find someone or were late yourself.

'apologies sir, i had waited a while and nobody showed so i took a small walk' an almost sheepish smile crossed your face before continuing 'are you mr.aventurine?'

'indeed i am, i got held up a while but i assume that's my delivery then' he couldn't blame you for not wanting to wait around in the waiting room

'yes, i just need to see id first please' a standard procedure to ensure you weren't handing the delivery of to a poser, aventurine had no issue proving who he was and so you held out a work notepad 'sign here then'

after he signed, you gave him his delivery and quickly wished him goodbye and proceeded to walk away in search of the exit. aventurine couldn't help but notice your more feline features throughout the encounter, more so your two tails - it certainly wasn't everyday one could meet a nekomata.

---✩

barely even a couple of days later before your boss approached you with yet another delivery for the IPC and so you set your travels toward the same delivery point as your last visit. you knew you're client was the same 'aventurine' as last time, seeing as his name was there and the details were the exact same as last time - you just hoped he wouldn't be so late this time.

you walked toward the same waiting room as instructed in the delivery notes and you were quite pleased to see the recipient stood waiting outside, it just made your job all the more easier. you greeted him with a smile and he reciprocated before going through the same procedure as last time.

however, just as you were about to bid the man farewell, he stopped you and posed a simple question 'you are a nekomata no?' he spotted your hesitation and quickly added 'i am simply curious and want to know for sure'

you weren't exactly opposed to people knowing about your youkai origins, especially when it was quite obvious, he had simply caught you off guard - 'indeed i am'

aventurine hummed in acknowledgement before adding 'it's not exactly everyday you meet a youkai such as yourself, are they common back home', surprisingly he had become quite genuinely intrigued.

'i wouldn't say common but there are a a handful or so, yes' you expected more questions but he simply thanked you for your time amd gave a rather generous tip for answering his questions, so you weren't exactly going to complain.

---✩

recently it felt like someone at the IPC was actively looking to keep you busy with your work, they seemed to be putting more deliveries in than necessary. and because you were the only one willing to travel that far, you had to take up all of them - they became less of an outing each and every time.

and to make it worse it seemed that there was something happening at the IPC departments you had to visit as for the past couple of times you had waited in waiting rooms there was always a single red dot across from you. you weren't exactly a cat but it always looked very tempting to chase, especially when the dot was start actively moving.

now you spent most of your time in the wiating room sat on a chair desperately trying to look anywhere else but where that dot was. you had an image to uphold and your company's professional on the line, you could not risk giving in and chasing that light. what you didn't know however, was that a very bored aventurine stood on the opposite side of the glass with a laser pointer he stole from one of the board rooms.

he merely wanted to test a theory that nekomata still had those 'cat-like' instincts and he knew he was correct, you just were very focused on keeping up an air of professionalism. it still provided great entertainment compared to sitting in his office all day when he didn't have anything better to do.

you also never really questioned how aventurine kept showing up 'by coincidence' everytime you had a delivery to the IPC. surely he'd have an actual job to do than hang around and annoy you? right?

taglist - @little-miss-chaoss, @frankiesteinn

[starboykel]

an artist and his muse ⭑⚝

artist! König x chubby!F!reader

!!content warnings: nudity, suggestive but nothing happens, Konig is slightly cold and rude, shaving, reader is described as 'plump' 'chubby'. Slow burn.

3,6k words — english isn't my first language, I apologize for any mistakes !

You were the daughter of a model, your father in his youngers was a famous model, modelling for artists and his body was practically all over Austria, in paintings, portraits, movies, you name it! Every slightly artistic place you went he was there. He was more famous in Austria than internacionally but he was still famous, a bunch of people would recognize him even in a small country, that was sure... And you were an introvert.

You didn't liked the attention, how everyone's eyes were always on you, trying to interview you, to get into your personal life and invading your space. You never meet your mother and the fact you looked a lot like your father didn't helped, apparently, you mother was an immigrant that got deported back to her country and her DNA was nowhere to be found... So you lived all your life with your father, Anton. You were half Austrian and half whatever your mother was, you didn't looked like an stereotypical Austrian girl, that was sure but you also didn't fit any other stereotype, making your beauty unique...

One thing was sure, the few genes that were in your body from your mother made a difference. While you father was more muscular, you were more plump, chubby. You father never bodyshamed you but he did made your exercise but you could never lose the weight, you weren't unhealthy you just... Couldn't change your body and surgery was out of question, your father never needed one, why would you?

One day, you decided to try modelling. Starting at something small since you didn't liked the spotlights, you model for a local clothes store that were looking for bigger model and just your last name made them immediately accept you. You just took a few photos and done, you made great money and was happy.

You decided to buy something sweet before going back home, you get inside a ice-cream parlor and orders your favorite milkshake and some donuts. You sit down on one of the comfy pink chairs and starts eating... Then, this wall of a man walks in, he had a long wavy ginger hair, a tired expression and glasses on, he was handsome, you can't deny it. He orders some sundae and sits down, waiting.

He takes off a sketchbook and starts sketching some poses and expressions. You decides to be nosy and peeks on it but he notices and closes the notebook, "oh sorry- I'm...I was just intrigued... Sorry." You apologizes, thinking you might have made him uncomfortable but then his sundae is ready and he stands up to grab it and then walks out of the parlor. You sigh and goes back to your donut.

You finished and just then you noticed, the man had forgotten his sketchbook. You grab it and opens it, he had a lot of drawings there, that man had so much talent, hot and smart? That's your type. His signature was almost unreadable but you can make a few letter out of it and assumes its something along the lines of 'König'... Well, king. You assume it's just a nickname, a bunch of artists has those artistic names just to be easily recognized and such. You liked how that sounds, 'König'...

You grabbed his sketchbook and starts walking around the city, looking for him but you couldn't find him anywhere, he could've took an Uber and already be in another city and you were there, with his random guy sketchbook... You take a closer look and finds at one of the last pages, 'If lost — call (xxxxxxxx)' and then a phone number. You dial the number on your cellphone and after a few seconds, it's accepted.

"Hello?" "Hello, hm... Is this König?" "Ja." You gulps, this man had only spoke two words and you were already falling in love with his deep voice.

"Uh... You were at the ice cream parlor earlier and you forgot your sketchbooks, I'm waiting here on front of it, I'm with it." You explains and it goes silent for a while. "Scheisse..." Then, he hangs out, leaving you confused. You assume he's coming, so you stay there.

...

You get distracted by your phone, spending time on whatever social media you were until you heard a raspy voice behind you, "Hey." You jump in surprise, looking at the guy behind... It was the big guy, "oh hey..." You replies and he reaches out for the sketchbook, in which you give him.

You two stare at each other until you can see him frowning under the mask, "You're... Anton's daughter?" He questions and you nods, his eyes widen slightly. "Mein gott... You're identical to him." He says, a bit amazed, you were beautiful but he thought you would be somewhere else, at a fancier ice cream parlor, where the ice creams would be so expensive a commoner like him wouldn't never even feel the sweet taste of the cold dessert... But you were in front of him, at a mediocre at best ice cream parlor, looking up at him with your pretty eyes.

"Everyone says that, you're not the first." You spoke, smiling up at him. "Oh by the way, what's your name? I saw here that is König but-" "Call me that." "Uh?" "König... My name is König." He interrupts you a few times, making you chuckles. "Well... You aleady know my name." You replies and he nods, "Who doesn't?" He jokes and laughs softly, making you giggle.

You look up at him. He wasn't an ugly guy, no, he was quite handsome actually, his smile was even prettier, the scar on his lips was such a charm and his tired eyes were so hypnotizing... You noticed you were staring for too long and looks back down, blushing slightly, getting embarrassed. "Sorry- I-i...I'm just intrigued, you're so tall and big." You excuses, gesturing confused, trying to explain yourself. He shakes his head, "I don't care." He says, a bit harshly, "I need to go, delete my number. Bye." He starts walking away before you could say goodbye back and question why he wanted you to delete his number... But you do as what he asked.

⚝

A few weeks passed by after the unusual encounter with the scary big artist guy at the ice cream parlor. You went to that same ice cream parlor practically everyday after modeling but he never came back.

One day, you were walking in the park, just looking around, petting some cats here and there, watching the ducks swimming and then you notice that same guy, with a canvas, painting the lake with the duck. He had his hair tied back this time, he notices you at the other side of the lake and looks at you for a moment before going back to the canvas. You quietly approached him, you weren't the only one watching him paint, 2 or 3 more people watching, one of them with a child but you were the only one there when he finished, at 6pm.

He stares at it. He doesn't look like someone that likes what he sees as he frowns slightly. "I think it looks good." You steps in, looking at the painting, a gentle breeze passing by, making you shiver, "oh, I forget how cold Austria can be sometimes..." You says, a bit embarrassed. He doesn't even look at you as he keeps eyeing the canvas, trying to figure how what he did wrong. He stares at it for a few minutes until it clicked... The ducks, he forgot the ducks but it was already late and he had to come back tomorrow to try again. He starts packing his thing while you rambled, he wasn't even paying attention. He walks away without looking at you.

"Rude..." You sighs and whispers to yourself until another cold breeze comes and you start running back home desperately.

Your father was at the living room when you got back home, "You forgot your hoodie?" He says, not taking the eyes out of the book he was reading, "I didn't know it would be that cold today." You replies. "It was all over the news, tonight it's a snow night." Your father says and before you could reply, he interrupts, "The bathtub it's filled with warm water, go take a shower, you smell bad." He complains. You rolls your eyes and goes to the bathroom.

You grab your cellphone before stepping into the bathtub, you always liked listening to music while cleaning yourself — even if your father complained —, you put on your favorite playlist but then, you receive a message. It was the clothe store you modelled for the last time.

"Hey, are you free next weekend? We need you to model some new skirts, shirts and sweaters for our winter season." It reads, you reply with a 'yes' and they send you the informations about the time and place.

⚝

The week passed by like a minute and it was already the weekend. You got ready for the photoshoot, took a shower, the hairstylists fixed your hair and you went to try on the new clothes, they were cute and really warm, the skirts had warm shorts sew on them, making a good job on protection and keeping the person warm, the sweaters were cute and really, really warm, the long sleeved shirts had a cute print on it. The photoshoot was at the park, they closed an area of the park so you could take the photos, you were really nervous since a lot of people were watching you pose and the snow was making everything harder, the cameraman having to often clean the lenses even with the lense protection because the thin snow was getting underneath it.

Everything went well, the photos were pretty, you were amazing and the clothes were ready to be sold, you even got a few of them! You were getting ready to leave the park when someone approached you... It was the big guy from a few days ago. He just... Stared at you, he hands you a paper and then walk away, he didn't even ran, he just... Simply, walked away, leaving you confused.

You opened the paper and it was... A bunch of sketches of the poses you were making during the photoshoot and a big sketch of you, even the smallest detail of the skirt and oh god, how did he made the sweater look so comfy with just a bunch of lines? Your eyes were practically shining, impressed by the amount of details. You noticed a phone number on the back of the paper, 'call me.' it says. You think for a moment and puts the paper on your backpack carefully.

⚝

It was 10pm when you got home, exhausted. The day was filled with you and the editor of the magazine of the clothe store, he was a new guy there and was always asking for your feedback, the only problem was that he talked a lot! He was talented, amazing, but he just couldn't shut up for a minute and you had to listen to his annoying rambling for hours to the point you started having a headache.

When you got home, you took some headache meds and took a warm shower, cleaned your hair and put on your pajamas. You practically jumped on the bed, the warm temperature of your room making you immediately fall asleep.

⚝

You woke up at 7am Went to the kitchen and you found a note, from your father, 'I went to Mödling, gonna meet a woman. Take care of yourself. There's money on my room, be safe and smart.' it wrote. You rolls your eyes and sighs, your father was always like this, went to another place, minutes, hours or even days away just to meet someone, it always annoyed you but you couldn't do anything, you're in your 20s and he was in his 50s, changing him wasn't easy and he absolutely loved his car, you think he loves that car more than he loves you... But at 7am?! He was crazy.

Anyway, you made some breakfast for yourself, something simple as you were just going to stay at home today. You were planning to just lay around and watch TV the whole day, you really wanted to watch that new series on Netflix... But then you remembered the paper the big guy gave you and the number on it. You decided to message him while you ate, not really thinking he would answer you, it was 7am after all...

'Hey, it's Anton's daughter, the model girl :) how are you?' you sends and then goes back to eating.

It took a few minutes but he texted back, 'hey'... Dry and simple as always. You two texted for a few minutes until he eventually went straight to the point.

'i need a model and I saw you at the park, you're perfect for what i want to do, how much do you ask for an hour?' He sends, you were taken by surprise, he wants you to model for him? Yeah, sure, whatever, that's what it's paying for bills for a long time now. 'how much are you willing to pay?' '€30/hour.' you think for a moment, €30 is fine but you don't know how long it is going to take... So you ask. 'How long it would take?' '4-5 hours.' oh wow, that was a quick response, he probably already has all your questions answered and you're just wasting your time now.

'when and where?' 'today at 10am, at the local museum, i have a room for myself there, it has cameras, you can call a friend if you want if it makes your feel safer with me, I just want to get my work done.' another quick response, you send him a thumbs up and he answered with an 'okay'.

You finished eating, washed the dishes, did your bed, organized the living room and took a shower, you don't often shave but you decided to shave your legs, arms and armpits. Exfoliating your skin gently and then using the soft razor that was like a massage on your skin, soft and gentle, then moisturizing with a cream for post-shave that smelled so good you were addicted.

It was 9:40am, you got dressed with something simple, simple jeans short, a white shirt and some comfortable shoes and socks, everything so simple that if someone saw you at the streets they couldn't even know your dad is one of the most famous men in Austria. You got into your bike and starts riding to the museum while listening to some music.

You arrived at the museum at 9:57am, took off your headphones and headed inside, König was there, waiting for you. You two looked at each other. "Hey." You says and he motions for you to follow him. He leads you to a backroom, filled with art supplies such as empty canvas, paints, a bunch of brushes, chair and such.

He takes a deep breath, "take off your clothes." He says, shocking you. Like, you don't even know his real name and he wants to see you naked?... Yeah, sure, that's what being a model means. You nods and takes off your clothes, staying on your bra and panties. He stares at your body for a moment but it doesn't look like he's looking at you lustful or like something sexual but rather as something to be studied and adored. He nods and explains you how to pose.

He sits you in the edge of a chair, putting your hands on your knees, 'the palms down' he repeats, tilting your head a bit to the left side, letting your hair fall in your shoulders, placing the right leg over the left one and arching your spine a bit.

After 40 minutes or so, you couldn't tell the time, you started to get bored, he wasn't talking to you and making small talk was useless, that man was concentrated and didn't want to talk. "Hey." You say and he doesn't even look at you, "hey... Heeey!!" He then looks at you, sounding a bit frustrated, "what?" "Can you turn the TV on? I'm bored." He sighs and turns on the TV, putting on a random sitcom. It was good, too good, you starts chuckling and giggling at the bad jokes, smiling and probably ruining the neutral expression he wanted you to keep.

He shakes his head, "You seem to be enjoying yourself." He commented, not leaving his eyes out of you and the canvas. "It's not everyday i pose practically naked for an artist i met at an ice cream parlor." You answered and he even smiles a bit.

"Thats true." He replies and continues on the painting, after a few minutes, you opened your mouth again. "Do you work with your art?" You asks, he nods, "I do commissions, people pay me to paint then and I have my own little exhibition on the museum." He replies, brushing the canvas talentedly, seeming a bit more good humored.

"Do you paint a lot of naked people or is it just me?" You asks, smiling and König laughs a bit. "I've had my fair share of naked paintings, you're not the first one and probably not the last." He laughed but it didn't last long until his cold expression came back. His expressions change so quickly it's actually impressive.

⚝

You were getting tired, your butt was hurting of sitting down on that goddamn chair for so long and your hand was itching and the sitcom was getting bored, how long has it passes? 2 hours, 3 hours? Before you could fall asleep, König speaks, "We are gonna do a pause now, it's..." He looks at the clock, "It's 1pm, I'm gonna get us some lunch. Put your back on if you wish." He stated and put the brush and palette he was using on the table next to the canvas. You grab your clothing and puts it back on, it was good to put your clothes back on, you stepped outside and... Oh, it was snowing again and you didn't had your hoodie with you, damn.

You followed König to a cafeteria, it was a simple and cute little place with not a lot of people and a cheap selfservice. You got just spaghetti and orange juice and König... His plate was a mess, honestly, and he was drinking water. You decided to start some small talk, "How old are you?" You ask. "32." He replied, more focused on eating than answering you, you nodded, taking the hint that he doesn't want to talk but at least now you know his age. And you two got back to the museum after eating at 1:40pm.

⚝

Hours passed by like a minute and all of a sudden, he was finished with the painting and you were tired and it was just 5pm! He grabbed the canvas to the outside to dry while you put your clothes back on and drank some water. You went outside to the garden, where he was with the painting and you finally got a look at the canva... It was amazing, beautiful, you were mesmerized, your eyes shining but then, the cold breeze hits you again, slapping you out of your state, "Oh, shit-" you complained, hugging yourself to keep warm.

König looks at you and sighed, he approached you and took off his jacket and wrapped it around you, "I'll take you home. It's not safe to ride a bike in the snow." He says and leads you outside, you nods and follows him, putting on his warm jacket. He opens the car's door to you, what a gentleman.

You tell him his address and he starts driving, the bike on the car trunk, the warmer of the car keeping you two warm and a music coming out of the radio. It took a few minutes to get home and you the two of you got there, what was just a simple snow turned into a snow storm, you didn't thought twice when you insisted to visit him inside... But he refused.

"I can go home. I'll be fine." He insisted, "No, c'mon, I'll make some coffee for us, I- "I said no." He says, as cold as the snow, he walks away like the first time you two meet at the ice cream parlor. You were frustrated, all of that, he saw you naked, he payed for your food, he drove you home and he wouldn't let you return the favor? "Rude!" You shouts and he turns back to you, looking a you frowning, "What's wrong with you? I just want to help! It's a snow storm, you're gonna get stuck in the snow! Let me return the favor, König!" You shouts, the sound of the wind muffling your voice slightly. He seemed to think for a moment when he starts walking back to you and get inside your house.

König took a deep breath and looks at you as you locked the door and took off your shoes. "Why?" He asks and you looks up at him, "what-" "Why are you helping me? Why do you care?" He interrupts, sounding a bit desperate, damn, who hurt this man? "I couldn't let you freeze outside, you'd die." You replies, turning on the warmer. It was just 6:30pm and you were hungry and delivery was out off limit so you would have to cook. He nods and sits down on the couch, looking nervous.

You went to the kitchen and starts to cut some vegetables, he quietly walks behind you, "can I help?" He offered his help and you give him the meat, "Cut it, season it with salt and add it to the oil in the frying pan." You practically ordered, focused on the vegetables. He does as you asked, you two talk while cooking and you discovered a few things about him. He was single, served the army for 10 years, was an only child and was allergic to peanuts and some other things. His smile was beautiful and his long hair falling on his broad shoulders was so handsome... He was handsome!

You and König sat down to eat looking at each other, "Hm- you put too much salt on the meat." You commented and he smiles, "sorry." He apologizes. You two eat mostly in silence and it was already 7:50pm when the plates were empty and the dishes were clean. You helped König organize the guest room for him, finally fixing the broken warmer of the room with his help, you gave him a disposable toothbrush and grabbed a few clothes from your dad so König could shower.

It was 9:20pm, König was sleeping and you were on your room... Feeling a warm sensation on your chest, it was love, it was obvious but you don't know if he loves you back, he was so hard to understand, difficult to read. You took a deep breath and tried to relax, you fell asleep after some long minutes.

⚝

You woke up at 8am and went to the living room, you saw König getting ready to leave. He looks at you, "Hey." He says, "Thank you for letting me sleep here tonight." He added, you nods. You approached him and gives him a hug, "Be safe out there, okay?" You says and he returns the hug, in a bold movement, he kisses you forehead and smiles, "Bye... Can you open the door?" You nods, blushing slightly, you open the door and steps ouside, the snow practically melted, he waves at you and smiles, "Bye!" You waves back, smiling and blushing. You close the door and sighs happily, your heart beating fast, your face red and a dumb smile on your face.

Well, you have things to do, so it's best to forget him for now. For now.

┄┄ ︰ ┄୨୧┄ ︰ ┄┄

Askbox is open!

[cherryrainn]

OMG HIII!! I see you write for KISS now. I lit hit the jackpot with your page omgg..

My request is Ace Frehley x Reader who is Pauls younger sister? Like Paul is super overprotective of her and yeah do as you wish with that.

SECRET .

; pairing ; ace frehley x reader

; note ; i'm so happy i love these all 4 of these sillies so much i love you anon

; warnings ; none

paul’s overprotective nature kicked in as he introduced you to the band – his closest friends.

ace, with his signature grin, was the first to speak up.

"hey there, little sis. paul's been keepin' you a secret," he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

paul shot ace a warning look. "ace, this is y/n. my sister. and she’s off limits, got it? and that goes for both of you too." he said looking over at gene and peter.

ace raised his hands in mock surrender. "alright, alright. sister is off-limits, i hear you loud and clear."

after that, surprisingly, they respected his wishes. and from that day forward, the band welcomed you like an honorary member.

as the years rolled by, your friendship with the band, especially ace, got a lot deeper, and the once-clear lines of "off-limits" became a really blurry mix. late-night parties turned into lingering glances, and inside jokes became a secret language only the two of you understood.

one day, during a rehearsal break, you found yourself sitting next to ace. he leaned in, a sly grin playing on his lips. "y'know, y/n, if i didn't know any better, i'd say you're flirting with me."

you shot back with a playful smirk. "flirting? me? never. must be your imagination."

ace chuckled, his eyes lingering on yours. "imagination, huh? well, it's either that or you're developin' a serious crush on the spaceman."

you nudged him playfully. "please, ace, i think you've been spending too much time with those guitars. they're warping your sense of reality."

he leaned in closer, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "or maybe," he whispered, "reality’s finally catching up with the both of us."

a sudden throat-clearing sound broke the intimate moment. both you and ace turned to find gene and peter standing behind you, wearing knowing smirks.

"well, well, well," gene said, a wicked grin on his face. "looks like the lovebirds are finally figuring it out."

peter joined in, chuckling. "about time. we've been placing bets on when you two would stop dancin' around each other."

you shot ace a look of disbelief, and he just shrugged, a sheepish grin playing on his lips. "guess the secret's out, huh?"

gene raised an eyebrow. "oh, please. we've known for ages. paul, on the other hand, is a bit slow on the uptake."

peter nodded in agreement. "he's been clueless about the whole thing. you might wanna break the news to him, ace."

ace scratched his head, looking a bit guilty. "yeah, about that..."

gene and peter erupted into a chorus of exaggerated groans and mock complaints. "oh, great. just what we needed," gene lamented, rolling his eyes dramatically.

peter chimed in with a mock whine. "seriously, we're gonna need a whole new set of rules for this. 'off-limits' my ass."

you exchanged amused glances with ace as the duo continued their exaggerated complaints, their reactions more akin to little boys than seasoned rockstars.

ace raised his hands in mock surrender. "alright, alright, settle down. it's not like we planned this."

gene shot ace a deadpan look. "not planned? with those looks you've been giving each other, it's like a soap opera around here."

peter added, "next thing ya know, we'll be playin' at weddings instead a' concerts."

as the banter reached its peak, the door creaked open, and in walked paul, looking as stern as ever. the room fell silent as everyone turned their attention to him.

for a moment, paul just stood there, a confused expression on his face, scanning the room with a raised eyebrow. gene opened his mouth to say something, but before a single word escaped, peter delivered a swift punch to his arm, shutting him up instantly.

paul walked around the couch slowly, eyeing each of you with a piercing gaze, but still pretty confused. the tension in the room was palpable as he approached, his eyes locking onto ace and you.

without a word, paul continued to stare for what felt like an eternity. the room was filled with an awkward silence as paul made his way towards the door behind you guys.

as he exited and closed the door, the silence exploded into something else. gene and peter immediately started throwing hurling insults at each other.

"what the fuck, paul's gonna kill us!"

"did you see the look on his face?"

"fuck you!"

"what!?"

ace shot a glare at the duo. "you couldn't keep it together for two minutes, could you?" he grumbled.

peter shot back, "well, maybe if someone knew how t' control his fuckin' hormones!"

gene chimed in, "yeah, ace, keep it in your pants."

ace shot back, "at least i have hormones. there's no sign of any in your pants!" ace laughed, and peter joined in

"you guys are unbelievable," you sighed, shaking your head at the absurdity of the situation. "paul doesn't even know what's going on, and you're acting like a bunch of teenagers caught doing something they shouldn't."

gene scoffed. "you think he won't find out? he's got a sixth sense for these things."

"no he doesn-"

ace cut you off. "well, if he didn't know before, he sure as hell knows now. thanks, guys."

peter rolled his eyes. "was bound to happen sooner or later."

as time went on, your relationship with ace continued to progress. you managed to keep it a secret from paul, and surprisingly, peter and gene were respectful of your privacy.

one evening, as you and ace snuck from the band's after-party to have a moment on the rooftop, peter casually approached, pretending to be absorbed in his drumsticks.

peter smirked, glancing up from the sticks. "enjoyin' the view up here?"

ace chuckled, throwing an arm around your shoulder. "yeah, it's not bad."

peter raised an eyebrow, his eyes flickering between the two of you. "so, how long has this been goin' on anyway? like when'd you guys become official?"

you shot him a skeptical look. "you knew about us actually getting together?"

peter grinned. "of course, we fuckin' knew. we're not blind, y'know."

ace added with a smirk, "apparently, gene n' peter are still runnin' a betting pool on when paul would finally catch on."

you rolled your eyes. "figures."

peter leaned against the rooftop railing, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "you guys betta' be careful. if paul finds out, he might lecture ace on the dos and don'ts of dating his sister."

ace laughed. "i can handle paul. besides, he's still clueless. we've been.. discreet."

gene appeared out of nowhere, joining the conversation with a smirk. "discreet, my ass."

gene's comment was met with a collective eye roll from both you and ace. "yeah, yeah, laugh it up." ace retorted, waving him off.

peter added, "he's just jealous he's not parta' the love story."

the rooftop banter with gene and peter had lightened the mood, and the two troublemakers left you and ace alone under the night sky. as they vanished from sight, ace turned to you with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"well, that was interesting," he said, a playful grin on his face.

you laughed, shaking your head. "yup. those two are something else."

ace leaned in, his lips close to your ear. "you know what would be even more interesting?"

you raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on your lips. "enlighten me."

without another word, ace closed the gap between you, his lips meeting yours in a soft, lingering kiss. the world around you seemed to fade as the rooftop became an intimate space just for the two of you.

when you pulled away, the grin on ace's face told you everything you needed to know. "now, that was interesting," he said.

you chuckled, your fingers tracing the contours of his face. "very interesting."

the tender moment between you and ace was abruptly interrupted by the sound of a slamming door. both of you turned to see paul standing there, a furious expression etched on his face. the atmosphere shifted from sweet to tense in an instant.

"paul," ace began, attempting to defuse the situation, but paul held up a hand, cutting him off.

"don't.," paul seethed. "you thought i wouldn't find out?"

ace glanced at you briefly, then back at paul. "did gene and peter tell you?"

"what!?" paul's eyes widened in disbelief. "gene and peter knew? and they didn't tell me? what?"

you couldn't help but interject, frustration creeping into your voice. "why are you so mad? i'm an adult, and i can do whatever i want. it's not hurting me or anyone."

paul's anger seemed to waver as he looked at you, realizing the truth in your words. he took a deep breath and sighed, the tension in the palpable.

"i can't believe they knew and didn't say anything," paul muttered, his initial fury giving way to a sense of betrayal.

ace put a hand on paul's shoulder. "look, it wasn't their secret to share. we wanted to tell you when the time was right."

paul turned to ace, a mix of frustration and curiosity in his eyes. "so, when did this happen? how long have you two been… you know?"

ace grinned, sensing a change in paul's tone. "well, it's been a while, but we were tryna figure out the best way t' tell ya."

paul's expression softened. "you two? really?"

you nodded, a small smile forming. "yeah. he's been my best friend for so long, and we just realized that we care about each other in a different way."

paul's initial frustration gave way to a subtle grin. "ace, you sneaky son of a bitch. of all the people, it had to be you."

ace chuckled. "yeah, well, you know me."

paul laughed, shaking his head. "can't believe I didn't see this coming."

you playfully nudged paul. "surprise! now, are you okay with this?"

paul looked at both of you, a genuine smile on his face. "honestly, i'm sorta relieved. at least it's ace. i'd rather have my best friend dating my sister than some random guy. just promise me you'll take care of her, okay?"

ace gave him a mock salute. "you got it."

paul clapped ace on the shoulder. "alright, okay. now, go be happy or whatever."

[tu-sugar-mami]

See? Not that complicated

Around 900 words

Summary: Alcina thinks you might be staring too much.

-a spec of fluff at the end and implied smooches

_________________________________________

Contrary to what most people would think, it wasn't uncommon for Alcina to catch the maids staring at her one way or another.

Certainly one would think that with how easily fright took over the poor souls condemned to serve in the castle, they would be more careful with their gaze.

With time, such behavior was noticed but barely acknowledged by the Lady of house Dimitrescu, or at least that's what she liked to tell herself. 

It had been a few months at least since Alcina noticed that one specific maid who seemed even more reckless than the last curious ones, and slowly but surely started to get on the Lady's nerves. 

At dinner, said maid would be planted on the sides of the table with the rest, patiently awaiting the order to refill the glasses for the family, but the Lady knew her curious eyes drifted towards her whenever she thought Alcina wasn't looking. In the halls, when Alcina had the disgrace of being stuck with this maid, the woman was attentive to her in every detail. Whenever Alcina climbed up the stairs and the maid happened to be there, she could sense eyes following until she was out of sight.

At first it was… how to say? Not flattering of course, since Alcina was already used to it, but it certainly was a surprise how often the maid would look at her, not even bothering to hide her staring. And now, well… if the woman was stupid or she was simply not afraid, Alcina couldn't tell. 

It was…strange.

That is until, on a rainy day that forced Alcina's daughters to stay indoors and spend time with their mother, the Lady realized that the maid's gaze wasn't in any place other than her lips. Especially with every laugh and smile the joy of bonding with her daughters provoked her that seemed to make the staring more intense.

Although, at the time it was a mere theory. 

A theory that Alcina, in all the brilliance of her mystery solving gene, set herself to prove.

She started by officially naming you her handmaiden. That would ensure to keep you close in order to study you and, if she was proven right, try to discover why you were so invested in her lips. 

After a while though, she started to look for other things that weren't in her original plan at all, such as how often you'd stare, what expressions would take over your face, and other things that gave Alcina an idea of why you so adamantly kept your gaze glued to her mouth. Of course, there was always the option of asking you directly, but immortality is boring after a few decades, so where was the fun in that?

After a few months of spending time with you, she realized that she may have been enjoying your company a little too much. It was fun to try and solve the mystery, but it was also nice to have you distract her from the things that stressed her (AKA her idiotic brother's antics and the more and more impossible tasks Miranda asked of her) on a daily basis.

And then, almost as if it was divine intervention, the waters in Alcina's mind parted and led a path to illumination.

What if you were just daydreaming of… a kiss? 

It wouldn't be strange, no. Plenty of maids had done so before, yearning for a kiss of the Mistress, but never asking for it so silently and much less than your signature intensive gaze.

Perhaps, Alcina thought, she should try that. After all, her kisses were like glasses of water, she wouldn't deny them to no one. Although, the only 'no one' she would allow near her was you… still, she was feeling generous, and so she went on her way to fetch you from the gardens.

To prove her new theory, of course.

But then, after you had been lured onto her bed for an impromptu make out session and you dumbly called her a cuddle bug while laying snuggly next to her with your leg thrown over her side, Alcina was proven wrong.

If her heart could still beat, right there and then it would be hammering against her chest at the sight of your content droopy eyes and the loving smile that rested relaxed on your face.

It was then that Alcina realized, as your hands cupped her face and your thumbs started gently tracing her lips, that you Kept. Staring. 

Was it not a kiss that you wanted then? 

Had she read it all wrong? But she was so sure! 

What else could it possibly be the reason for your incessant and annoying stari–

"You don't have fangs…" 

In a single moment, all of Alcina's thoughts came to a quite harsh halt.

What?

Your drowsy eyes started closing, and between yawning and burying your face in her neck Alcina could only make out a muffled explanation.

"You're a vampire, I think. I was wondering for a long time if you had them, but you're tall and I'm a bit blind so it's hard to see…"

 

Alcina struggled to keep down the exasperated laugh that inevitably came from her at the answer to the so called mystery, and as she held you closer to her, a vague memory of you wearing glasses for a while when you first arrived at the castle drifted through her mind before she too surrendered to the grasp of sleep.

________________________

You can buy me a coffee here if you'd like ;)

[pokemoncenter]

On Pokemon genetics

If I am being honest, I do not want to post this. The truth contained in this post is something I despise. Not due to any moral judgment, nor is it unbelievable. It is simply... deeply unsatisfying, to have chased this truth, and come to such a ridiculous answer.

Ditto is a very unique Pokemon. Through its signature ability, Transform, it can transform into anything, capable of rearranging its entire cellular structure to perfectly mimic anything it sees. Somehow, its visual scan is even able to identify the DNA of the other Pokemon, making it able to become a viable- that is, fertile- member of that species.

Mew is believed to have been the first Pokemon, three hundred million years ago. It was believed to have the same transformative properties as Ditto. Thus, it can be assumed Mew had the same properties. Mew was able to transform into anything, and thus, could breed with other beings. It was believed it became extinct in this way- By breeding by transforming into other beings, the resulting babies were not Mews, and thus, the species could not maintain its own population.

Even if it can rearrange its own cellular structure, its own DNA, its own natural structure must remain recorded, so it can change back.

In other words, when Mew bred with other beings... and passed on its own genetics to the children. This may be the origin of Pokemon as we know it. This is the meaning of the fact that all Pokemon are descended from Mew. All Pokemon share the genetics of Mew.

... I digress.

Through our studies here, we have determined that Pokemon have a far, far greater quantity of 'junk DNA' than any other creature. However, though it is non-coding, it appears to not be junk. It seems that ncDNA is... remnants of not only Mew, but every other Pokemon in that Pokemon's ancestry.

(This also seems to explain why Pokemon are able to interbreed among each other, despite not being the same species.)

I have mentioned before, the Great Mysteries of Pokemon. One of them is the extreme mutatability, the extreme changes that occur in Pokemon, but only when they need to for environmental factors, that then stabilize so quickly.

The ncDNA has so much information. While all the Pokemon have so much interbreeding between species, this means that generally, each Pokemon will have quite a variety of ancestry in them, with an endless variety of traits.

It is our current belief that when faced with environmental pressures, a mother Pokemon will be able to use... something of a degraded form of Transform. Not for itself, but for what genes it will pass down. It will make it easier to adapt its children to different environments, by bringing forward atavistic traits.

Atavism, for the record, is when recessive or seemingly-lost genetic traits are suddenly expressed again, many generations later.

For example, if there was a prehistoric mammalian Pokemon adapted to the cold- likely, one that would have existed during the Ice Age after the Chicxulub Impact- that was within this Vulpix's distant, distant ancestry, Team Winter's sudden freeze would have caused this Ninetales to attempt to adapt its children. Two of them were already too developed to receive the adaptation, but one of them was able to properly receive the atavistic transformation.

The idea of genetic code lasting that long is ridiculous. Everything about this is ridiculous. Ascribing this all to Mew genetics feels like we may as well be ascribing it to magic.

And yet, it is, as far as we are able to tell, the truth.

Regional formes, extreme mutations, inexplicable mysteries of Pokemon... So much of it is nothing more than ncDNA being called upon to create atavistic regressions to more suitable forms.

As a side note, the mother Ninetales was not released to our care, so we were unable to find the genetic mechanism by which the mother can trigger this effect, which is causing no end of frustration, yet we know it must be there.

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

My name is Dr Jill Simons. I'm a board-certified pediatrician and the executive director for the American College of Pediatricians. Today I'm here alongside my colleagues representing the Coalition of co-signers of the Doctors Protecting Children Declaration. Our coalition consists of physicians together with nurses, behavioral health clinicians, other health professionals, scientists, researchers and public health and policy professionals. And we have serious concerns about the physical and mental health effects of the current protocols promoted for the care of children and adolescents in the United States who express discomfort with their biological sex.

This declaration was authored by the American College of Pediatricians, but really it was developed from the expertise of hundreds of doctors researchers and other healthcare workers and leaders wh, for years have been sounding the alarm on the harmful protocols that continue to be promoted by the medical organizations in the United States. Despite recent revelations from the leaked WPATH Files and the recent release of the final report from the Cass Review, these medical organizations have not changed course.

So, we are calling on these medical organizations of the United States, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Endocrine Society, the Pediatric Endocrine Society, the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry to follow the science and their European colleagues and immediately stop the promotion of social affirmation, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgeries for children and adolescents who experience distress over their biological sex.

In our declaration, we affirm that sex is a dimorphic, innate trait defined in relation to an organism's biological role in reproduction: male and female this genetic signature is present in every nucleated somatic cell in the body and is not altered by drugs or surgical interventions. Consideration of these innate differences is critical to the practice of good medicine and to the development of sound policy for children and adults alike. Medical decision-making should be based upon an individual's biological sex. It should respect biological reality and the dignity of the person by compassionately addressing the whole person.

We are here defying the claims made by these medical organizations in the US that those of us who are concerned are a minority and that their protocols are consensus. They are not consensus, and we are speaking in a loud unified voice: enough.

[ Full press conference: https://youtu.be/C2tU90XPFlg ]

--

Doctors Protecting Children Declaration

As physicians, together with nurses, psychotherapists and behavioral health clinicians, other health professionals, scientists, researchers, and public health and policy professionals, we have serious concerns about the physical and mental health effects of the current protocols promoted for the care of children and adolescents in the United States who express discomfort with their biological sex.

We affirm:

1. Sex is a dimorphic, innate trait defined in relation to an organism’s biological role in reproduction. In humans, primary sex determination occurs at fertilization and is directed by a complement of sex determining genes on the X and Y chromosomes.  This genetic signature is present in every nucleated somatic cell in the body and is not altered by drugs or surgical interventions

2. Consideration of these innate differences is critical to the practice of good medicine and to the development of sound public policy for children and adults alike.

3. Gender ideology, the view that sex (male and female) is inadequate and that humans need to be further categorized based on an individual’s thoughts and feelings described as “gender identity” or “gender expression”, does not accommodate the reality of these innate sex differences. This leads to the inaccurate view that children can be born in the wrong body. Gender ideology seeks to affirm thoughts, feelings and beliefs, with puberty blockers, hormones, and surgeries that harm healthy bodies, rather than affirm biological reality.

4. Medical decision making should not be based upon an individual’s thoughts and feelings, as in “gender identity” or “gender expression”, but rather should be based upon an individual’s biological sex. Medical decision making should respect biological reality and the dignity of the person by compassionately addressing the whole person.

We recognize:

1. Most children and adolescents whose thoughts and feelings do not align with their biological sex will resolve those mental incongruencies after experiencing the normal developmental process of puberty.

Desistance is the norm without affirmation as documented by Zucker in his article “The Myth of Peristence”. (1) Zucker, KJ. The myth of persistence: Response to “A critical commentary on follow-up studies and ‘desistance’ theories about transgender and gender nonconforming children” by Temple Newhook et al. International Journal of Transgenderism. 2018: 19(2), 231–245. Published online May 29, 2018.http://doi.org/10.1080/15532739.2018.1468293 [1]

In the “largest sample to date of boys clinic-referred for gender dysphoria,” there was a desistance rate of 87.8%. (2) Singh D, Bradley SJ and Zucker KJ. A Follow-Up Study of Boys With Gender Identity Disorder. Front Psychiatry. 2021;12:632784. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.632784

The pro-affirmation Endocrine Society Guidelines (2017) admit: “…the GD/gender incongruence of a minority of prepubertal children appears to persist in adolescence.” (3) Hembree, W., Cohen-Kettenis PT, Gooren L, et al. Endocrine treatment of gender-dysphoric/gender-incongruent persons: An Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2017; 102:1–35.

A longitudinal study from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands followed 2772 adolescents (recruited from a psychiatric clinic) from age 11 years through 22 – 26 years. “In early adolescence 11% of participants reported gender non- contentedness. The prevalence decreased with age and was 4% at the last follow-up (around age 26).” Even in this psychiatric patient study group for which interventions were not addressed, but “gender affirmation” is most likely, gender non-contentedness (essentially gender noncongruence) decreased substantially from early adolescence to young adulthood.(4) Rawee P, Rosmalen JGM, Kalverdiijk L and Burke SM. Development of gender non-contentedness during adolescence and early adulthood. Archives of Sexual Behavior. 2024; https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-024-02817-5

2. Responsible informed consent is not possible in light of extremely limited long-term follow-up studies of interventions, and the immature, often impulsive, nature of the adolescent brain. The adolescent brain’s prefrontal cortex is immature and is limited in its ability to strategize, problem solve and make emotionally laden decisions that have life-long consequences.[2]

3. Sex-trait modification or “Gender affirming” clinics in the United States base their treatments upon the “Standards of Care” developed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). However, the foundation of WPATH guidelines is demonstrably flawed and pediatric patients can be harmed when subjected to those protocols.

The two Dutch studies that form the foundation for treatment guidelines as documented in the WPATH “Standards of Care” guidelines version 7 (SOC 7) had serious flaws.[3]

These studies did show that the appearance of secondary sex characteristics in adolescents and young adults could be changed by hormonal and surgical interventions, but they failed to demonstrate meaningful long-term improvement in psychological well-being.

Scientific concerns with these studies also include a lack of a control group, small sample sizes, significant numbers of patients lost to follow up, and the elimination of patients who experienced significant mental illness from entering the studies.

It is concerning that the Dutch studies did not address complications and adverse outcome in the adolescent cohort that underwent transition. These complications included new onset diabetes, obesity and one death.[4]

4. There is now sufficient research to further demonstrate the failure of the WPATH, American Academy of Pediatrics and Endocrine Society protocols.

The Cass Review was released on April 10, 2024, as an “independent review of gender identity services for children and young people”. The following points are from Cass’s final report:[5]

Commissioned by the National Health Service (NHS) England, and chaired by Dr. Hilary Cass, the 388-page report utilized systematic reviews, qualitative and quantitative research, as well as focus groups, roundtables and interviews with international clinicians and policy makers.

As part of the evaluation, they reviewed the research on social transition, puberty blockers, and cross-sex hormones.

Social transition

“The systematic review showed no clear evidence that social transition in childhood has any positive or negative mental health outcomes, and relatively weak evidence for any effect in adolescence.

However, those who had socially transitioned at an earlier age and/or prior to being seen in clinic were more likely to proceed to a medical pathway.”

Puberty blockers

“The systematic review undertaken by the University of York found multiple studies demonstrating that puberty blockers exert their intended effect in suppressing puberty, and also that bone density is compromised during puberty suppression. However, no changes in gender dysphoria or body satisfaction were demonstrated [emphasis added].”

“There was insufficient/inconsistent evidence about the effects of puberty suppression on psychological or psychosocial wellbeing, cognitive development, cardio-metabolic risk or fertility.”

“Moreover, given that the vast majority of young people started on puberty blockers proceed from puberty blockers to masculinizing/ feminizing hormones, there is no evidence that puberty blockers buy time to think, and some concern that they may change the trajectory of psychosexual and gender identity development.”

Cross-sex hormones

“The University of York carried out a systematic review of outcomes of masculinising/feminising hormones.” They concluded, “There is a lack of high-quality research assessing the outcomes of hormone interventions in adolescents with gender dysphoria/incongruence, and few studies that undertake long-term follow-up. No conclusions can be drawn about the effect on gender dysphoria, body satisfaction, psychosocial health, cognitive development, or fertility.”

“Uncertainty remains about the outcomes for height/growth, cardio-metabolic and bone health.”

The Cass Review further stated, “Assessing whether a hormone pathway is indicated is challenging. A formal diagnosis of gender dysphoria is frequently cited as a prerequisite for accessing hormone treatment. However, it is not reliably predictive of whether that young person will have longstanding gender incongruence in the future, or whether medical intervention will be the best option for them.”

A 2024 German systematic review on the evidence for use of puberty blockers (PB) and cross-sex hormones (CSH) in minors with gender dysphoria (GD) also found “The available evidence on the use of PB and CSH in minors with GD is very limited and based on only a few studies with small numbers, and these studies have problematic methodology and quality. There also is a lack of adequate and meaningful long-term studies. Current evidence doesn’t suggest that GD symptoms and mental health significantly improve when PB or CSH are used in minors with GD.”[6]  

5. There are serious long-term risks associated with the use of social transition, puberty blockers, masculinizing or feminizing hormones, and surgeries, not the least of which is potential sterility.

Youth who are socially affirmed are more likely to progress to using puberty blockers and cross-sex (masculinizing or feminizing) hormones.

“Social transition is associated with the persistence of gender dysphoria as a child progresses into adolescence.”[7]

“Gender social transition of prepubertal children will increase dramatically the rate of gender dysphoria persistence when compared to follow-up studies of children with gender dysphoria who did not receive this type of psychosocial intervention and, oddly enough, might be characterized as iatrogenic.”[8]

Puberty blockers permanently disrupt physical, cognitive, emotional and social development.

Side effects listed in the Lupron package insert include emotional lability, worsening psychological illness, low bone density, impaired memory, and the rare side-effect of pseudotumor cerebri (brain swelling).[9]

A coalition of physicians and medical organizations from around the world submitted a petition to the Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requesting urgent action be taken to eliminate the off-label use of GnRH (growth hormone) agonists in children.[10]

Testosterone use in females and estrogen use in males are associated with dangerous health risks across the lifespan including, but not limited to, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, heart attacks, blood clots, stroke, diabetes, and cancer.[xi],[12]

Genital surgeries affect future fertility and reproduction.

6. A report from Environmental Progress released on March 4, 2024, entitled “The WPATH Files” revealed “widespread medical malpractice on children and vulnerable adults at global transgender healthcare authority.”[13]

“The WPATH Files reveal that the organization does not meet the standards of evidence-based medicine, and members frequently discuss improvising treatments as they go along.”

“Members are fully aware that children and adolescents cannot comprehend the lifelong consequences of ‘gender-affirming care’ and, in some cases due to poor health literacy, neither can their parents.”

In addition, developmentally challenged and mentally ill individuals were being encouraged to “transition”, and treatments were often improvised.

7. Evidence-based medical research now demonstrates there is little to no benefit from any or all suggested “gender affirming” interventions for adolescents experiencing Gender Dysphoria. Social “affirmation”, puberty blockers, masculinizing or feminizing hormones, and surgeries, individually or in combination, do not appear to improve long-term mental health of the adolescents, including suicide risk.[14]

8. Psychotherapy for underlying mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and autism, as well as prior emotional trauma or abuse should be the first line of treatment for these vulnerable children experiencing discomfort with their biological sex.

9. England, Scotland, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland have all recognized the scientific research demonstrating that the social, hormonal and surgical interventions are not only unhelpful but are harmful. So, these European countries have paused protocols and are instead focusing on evaluating and treating the underlying and preceding mental health concerns.

10. Other medical organizations are adhering to the evidence-based medicine documented in the Cass Review Final Report.

The constitution of the National Health Service in England will be updated to state, “We are defining sex as biological sex.”[15]

The European Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry issued a document titled “ESCAP statement on the care for children and adolescents with gender dysphoria: an urgent need for safeguarding clinical, scientific, and ethical standards.”

In this paper, they stated, “The standards of evidence-based medicine must ensure the best and safest possible care for each individual in this highly vulnerable group of children and adolescents. As such, ESCAP calls for healthcare providers not to promote experimental and unnecessarily invasive treatments with unproven psycho-social effects and, therefore, to adhere to the “primum-nil-nocere” (first, do no harm) principle”.[16]

11. Health care professionals around the world are also acknowledging the urgent need to protect children from harmful “gender-affirming” interventions.

In a letter to the British newspaper, The Guardian, sixteen psychologists, some of whom worked at the Tavistock Center for Gender Identity Development Service, acknowledged the role clinical psychologists played in placing children on an “irreversible medical pathway that in most cases was inappropriate.”[17]

In the United States, a group of psychiatrists, physicians and other health care workers wrote an open Letter to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), calling on the APA to explain why it glaringly ignored many scientific developments in gender-related care and to consider its responsibility to promote and protect patients’ safety, mental and physical health.[18]

12. Despite all the above evidence that gender affirming treatments are not only unhelpful, but are harmful, and despite the knowledge that the adolescent brain is immature, professional medical organizations in the United States continue to promote these interventions. Further, they state that legislation to protect children from harmful interventions is dangerous since it interferes with necessary medical care for children and adolescents.

The American Psychological Association states it is the largest association of psychologists worldwide. The organization released a policy statement in February 2024 stating, “The APA opposes state bans on gender-affirming care, which are contrary to the principles of evidence-based healthcare, human rights, and social justice.”[19]

The Endocrine Society responded to the Cass Review by reaffirming their stance. “We stand firm in our support of gender-affirming care…. NHS England’s recent report, the Cass Review, does not contain any new research that would contradict the recommendations made in our Clinical Practice Guideline on gender-affirming care.”[20]

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Board of Directors in August 2023, voted to reaffirm their 2018 policy statement on gender-affirming care. They did decide to authorize a systematic review but only because they were concerned “about restrictions to access to health care with bans on gender-affirming care in more than 20 states.”[21]

Of note, Dr. Hilary Cass called out the AAP for “holding on to a position that is now demonstrated to be out of date by multiple systematic reviews.”[22]

In Conclusion

Therefore, given the recent research and the revelations of the harmful approach advocated by WPATH and its followers in the United States, we, the undersigned, call upon the medical professional organizations of the United States, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the  Endocrine Society, the Pediatric Endocrine Society, American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry to follow the science and their European professional colleagues and immediately stop��the promotion of social affirmation, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgeries for children and adolescents who experience distress over their biological sex.  Instead, these organizations should recommend comprehensive evaluations and therapies aimed at identifying and addressing underlying psychological co-morbidities and neurodiversity that often predispose to and accompany gender dysphoria. We also encourage the physicians who are members of these professional organizations to contact their leadership and urge them to adhere to the evidence-based research now available.

[amber-tortoiseshell]

White spotting II.

Genetics

Right now we have one identified gene (tyrosine kinase receptor - KIT), with several identified alleles. Let's look over them, in order of dominance.

*Usual eye color means here blue for pointed patterns and yellow, green and similar shades (so all non-blue cat eye colors) for everything else.

Full white. The cat is completely white. Eye color is blue, usual or odd. Mutation type: partial retrovirus insertion.

Traditional white spotting. The coat is partly white, partly colored. Eye color is usual, rarely blue or odd. Mutation type: full-length retrovirus insertion.

No white - No white spotting, although the cat may seem white (eg: pointed, silver shaded), or can have white as part of the pattern (tabbies, smokes, points ect). Eye color is usual. Mutation type: no mutation, wild type.

White gloving - White paws, otherwise no white spotting. Eye color: na, since this allele, while it can be found in other breeds and randombred cats, was mostly studied in the birman breed which only comes in pointed colors. (But probably usual.) Mutation type: missense mutation.

Further more-or-less suspected white spotting alleles (maybe KIT, maybe different genes):

Dominant blue eyes. Often goes with other usually small white patches. Eye color is blue, odd, or rarely usual (DBE present but not expressed).

Low-level white spotting. Lockets, belly spots, tailtip ect. Unclear if it has any independent genetic component. I heard about two non-white cats giving birth to kittens with white tailtip. Eye color is usual.

Sources:

David VA, Menotti-Raymond M, Wallace AC, et al. Endogenous retrovirus insertion in the KIT oncogene determines white and white spotting in domestic cats. G3 (Bethesda). 2014;4(10):1881-1891. Published 2014 Aug 1. doi:10.1534/g3.114.013425

Montague MJ, Li G, Gandolfi B, et al. Comparative analysis of the domestic cat genome reveals genetic signatures underlying feline biology and domestication. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014;111(48):17230-17235. doi:10.1073/pnas.141008311

[pisscreant]

An open and needlessly explicit letter to the anonymous message in my inbox, RE: my carnal desire towards one (1) Lieutenant Double-Yfreitor Harrier Du Bois

Just. Just listen ok. Would Harry even get around to having sex with me? Probably not. Provably, he'd cry or call me a slur or both. Then he'd flee by running straight through my wall, leaving a Harry-shaped hole in the bricks looney-tunes style.

Even if he managed to pass that skill check, would he be stinky? Would he be his cringe, diseased and obnoxious self? Absolutely, and so would I.

You don't understand. I am consumed with lust and degeneracy, and it has been pent up in my virginial form for a decade. I've put myself at risk of worse diseases at the mere CHANCE of getting some action, and I'd fucking do it again for some Harry Du Bussy. There is A Chance. A Chance of something twisted within me getting sated. And imo it is worth the risk.

"you'd fuck a fence if it was white" oh oh I'm sorry! is the fence psychic? Does the fence have like ten guys in his head who might be able to find my g-spot with the precision of a team of NASA engineers? Would the fence maybe let me peg him, tug him around by his facial hair, let me put a nose hook on him, and call him a 'good pig'? Then fucking call me cooper the way I'm about to build the whole bloody enclosure.

And you know what? You underestimate me. You think a 28 year old wasian woman can't match the rank energy of Harry Du Bois? Buddy I have Issues that you wouldn't believe. I've had identity crises that you could not comprehend. My little hirstuite body has created Odours that would horrify even the most seasoned medieval plague doctor. And I dont even have the Body Odour Gene! I had to DIY this shit, dickhead! Signature blend! Im defying racism so hard thay not even BIOLOGY ITSELF has command over me!

fuck the double standard. so like I'm allowed to drool about big fat hairy milfs and their glorious old pussies, but suddenly when I desire some morally dubious whiteman hole I'M too much of a pervert??? Well I don't fucking care. I was always an equal opportunity pervert, and I always will be. I have rights. I have a right to express how much I want to go at Harry Du Bois like a bull elephant in musth. This is my fucken blog and I control what I write here.

If Kim doesn't fuck that sad little man, then I will.

[thesockbehindthewashingmachine]

GEOTHERMAL ESCAPISM FIX IT FIC BECAUSE FUCK YOU DAN HARMON

“ It's not a game for me, Troy. I'm seeing real lava because you're leaving. It's embarrassing and I don't want to be crazy, but I am crazy, so... I made a game that made you and everyone else see what I see”

This is a short (and super rushed im so sorry) self-indulgent fix-it fic for geothermal escapism because otherwise ill die/j @starrrgazingbunny if you still wanna read :D

"By the way, when I cloned you, I had to patch some missing parts of your DNA with genes from a homing pigeon."

Troy struggled to hold back tears. "I can't do this, I can't do this, I can't do this," he thought, staring at his boyfriend best friend. Abed met his gaze with gentle brown eyes, and Troy couldn't go through with it. Not again.

"You may notice side effects, like a compulsion to come back."

The words were meant to sound playful, but Troy could hear the hurt in Abed’s voice.

"Not again, I can't do this again," Troy thought to himself, attempting to appear nonchalant as if his heart wasn't shattering into a thousand pieces. 

"Cool," he managed to mutter, in a voice that didn't sound like his. "Clone hug?" He held his arms out, trying his hardest to stop them from shaking.

Abed hugged him tightly. "Please don't let go again," they both thought to themselves, gripping each other for dear life. Troy heard an engine in the background, and Abed released him, leaving Troy with a coldness he hadn't felt in years.

"I know you hate when people do this in movies," his own voice echoed in the back of his mind.

He turned around to see a large boat on wheels, and a man standing on it with a captain's hat. If he wasn’t so distraught he would have noticed that it was LeVar Burton, but at that moment he didn't care about (or see) anyone but Abed. His Abed. His… Friend? 

For some reason that word didn’t feel quite right anymore. 

“No, I'm not doing this again,” He thought, turning back to Abed. He hastily wiped a tear that was making its way down his face and took a shaky breath.

“Abed I can’t”, he whispered. 

Abed tilted his head and furrowed his brows “You have to, Troy. This is your chance to be one person, remember?” he asked, truthfully trying more to remind himself than to remind the other. 

Troy shook his head and wiped his eyes again with his sleeve. “I don’t want to be. At least not that way. Not if being one person... Means being alone.” 

He took another, less shaky breath, and looked up at the man in front of him. “Abed, I’m already one person and that person wants to be with you.”  The pained expression etched on Abed’s face faded into a sad smile. 

 “Troy, I know. And... I want to be with you too. but even though I hate the anguished confession trope, that's what this has to be. Because you need to do this. It's not just the money, it's that you need the chance to see the world. To become your own man.” 

 Abed’s voice stayed calm, but Troy could see the hurt in his eyes. 

“I am my own man. You showed me who I am. I am my own man because you let me be me, without judgment or expectations.”  Troy said, almost begging, even though he still wasn’t 100% sure what he was begging for.

“U-um Troy?” Annie’s voice became apparent, reminding the two that the rest of the study group was there too. Troy quickly wiped his face and turned to her.

“Pierce said that someone would have to be assigned to make sure you don't cheat… but he never explicitly said who. I'm guessing he meant uh... Mr. Burton... But he never put it in writing that it had to be him.” 

She implored, looking between him and Abed with her signature look, saying “It’s him. Take him with you.” 

Troy's eyes lit up, and he saw Abed's expression relax. "You mean he could... could I even ask him to do that? Would he—" Abed interrupted him. "Troy." Troy looked at him nervously before Abed spoke again. "If you asked me to go, I would."

Troy smiled so broadly that his mouth hurt. "You would? I mean, you have a whole life, and I wouldn't want to disrupt that if you—"

Abed interrupted once more. "I would. I'm one person too, and I couldn't bear being without you again." He paused for a moment before continuing. "I have so many scenes that would be perfect for this, but a movie scene isn't what we need right now... What we need is Troy and Abed. And I, Abed, love you, Troy."

Annie and Britta squealed with excitement, but Jeff elbowed them, signaling them to quiet down and let the two share their moment. Shirley clutched her cross necklace and hid a smile. In the background, Duncan handed Chang $20 as they watched.

Troy beamed and responded without hesitation. "I, Troy, love you too, Abed."

 The two of them smiled at each other before Troy stepped towards Abed. “Can I.. Can I hug you?” He asked, arms wide open. Abed nodded hugging Troy as tightly as possible The two of them stayed that way for a full minute before separating, abed planting a light kiss on Troy’s forehead.

"Excuse me," LeVar interjected awkwardly from the boat. "This is really sweet, but I was paid $3,000 in advance for this. What do you want me to do?"

Troy glanced at Abed and then back at LeVar. "Um, I don't know—just go home?" LeVar nodded, stepped down from the boat ladder, and walked toward his car. "Oh, and uh, congratulations you two," he added before waving to them as he left. 

“So.. should we? Do You need to get your stuff first?” Troy looked back to Abed curiously. “We can stop by the dorm before we go to the dock” Abed replied, his arm still around Troy.

The rest of the group takes this moment to run up to the two of them, murmuring “congratulations” and “I knew it”s.

everyone exchanges hugs and goodbyes, and after 30 minutes (and many tears) The two board the boat, smiling at each other before singing: “Troy and abed around the wo-rld”

[catsofcalifornia]

Lolli from Purebreds Plus Cat Rescue in Sacramento, California

Click here for more information about adoption and other ways to help!

Lolli sees the world from rose-colored glasses. She proves that nothing can stop you if you want to do it and Lolli has got plenty of love and adoring looks to give! Lolli came to us with a congenital deformity in her shoulders which impairs her hind end mobility somewhat but that doesn’t stop her from doing everything her foster mates do, including climbing the tall cat tree and stealing toys if she so desires. Her lack of hind end strength doesn’t stop this girl from living her best life, appreciating every happy life has! This girl is full of personality and very outgoing. You can expect Lolli to be close to you and nuzzle up to you for love and play most of the time! She loves playing with all sorts of toys, sliding into home base, having other kitty friends who are a bit on the softer side of playful and just getting her happy on, and with a face like hers who could resist?! As with most precious things, this gem does require some special care, Lolli, while she can defecate on her own, does best when expressed at least twice daily. While that can be intimidating, it’s much easier than most think. While Scottish fold cats are known for their signature folded ears, they’re actually born with straight ears. The fold begins to develop when the kitten is between 18 and 24 days old, but only if they have the gene that is responsible for the fold. Lolli does not have the folder ear gene.

Lolli is an adorable, happy, affectionate, sweet, silly girl who will make a purr-fect companion for some lucky family.

[umhuhwellthen]

Rise! Leosagi/Leoichi Fankids

All that effort put in to keep the quality and tumblr ruins it

Click for better quality please!

Finally done! Disclaimer: I traced over Leo and Donnie's ref sheet for the poses but the rest is original with expression redraws ignore that I forgot the shadows/shorts on rumi

Rumi

Eldest of the kids(but not of this gen of Hamato)

Looks like a carbon copy of her dad at her age except her legs are bigger and thicker with muscle and resting bitch face

From her rabbit side of the family she got the leg strength, The Usagi Glare, a bit more heightened hearing, that rabbit tick of tapping a foot rapidly in frustration

Leo used to call her Moonlight when she was little

Disaster lesbian

Her mystic is projections(?), She can summon hundreds of swords and swing them around, she can also do clone constructs but it's a quantity vs quality thing, if she wants to confuse the enemy on who the real one is she can only make like 3-4, many to barrage an enemy are all glowy and stuff, like shadow clones can hit but can't really take one

Shuichi

Middle child of both the 'blue branch' of the Hamato clan and this gen

Great singer

Shuichi tail is pretty long for a rabbit tail cuz of turtle gene

My version of Yuichi would not get a grape stuck up his nose for a year

His eldest son on the other hand...

Leo used to call bun Starlight

Think DBZ Goku, nice and dumb as hell, but pretty smart in fights

Has Hamato clan symbol somewhere on her person but miniature to respect both clans they come from

Lightning mystic, can teleport (has hang on to someone to teleport others) and move really fast(DC speedster like)

Sandro

Youngest of this gen

gnc af

I took inspo for his outfit from Casey(Sr.), Karai and tried to incorporate a kimono elements that usagi is always wearing, I put Hamato black and red, his signature color, Donnie's purple and dark purple for the hooded cloak

A family joke is that Donnie 'stole' him from Leo

But he's still a Papa's boy through and through

Leo used to call him his little Jade

I'm thinking either him or Mikey's daughter Elisebeta are Big Mama's heir favorite grandkid(s)

Still undecided on his mystic? Something like Donnie's or exactly, or maybe ice?

Both Shuichi and Sandro can make turtle noises, and have long claws like male sliders, they also hibernate thanks(more like nothanks) to the turtle brumation gene, and they have the third eyelid thing the turtles have that make their eyes pure white.

[captainkurosolaire]

X1 ~ Assassinate Love? Mission Failure!

Reference ~ Chapter One ~ ♪ "Violet" ♪ Heavy downpour of rain cascaded down below weeping skies, trembling with aches roaring amongst Othard city-scape. This story is gray, from time; before…                                   When they first met.                                                                 Softly a footstep rippled against a puddle left in aftermath. Until arriving indoors to an inner-sanctum, where native magpies chirped happily. Eastern-garbed Seeker blindfolded, but not senseless as one of the swarming envoy magpie flew above dropped a contract that would forever change the course of history, his hands-skillfully swiped. This particular individual served within an elite-group of assassins known as Black Miracles, underground where secrets are bred in a shadow organization. Specially-lethally designed to exterminate or hunt; mankind. Often they solved-plights that Doma citizens sought fortune with mere whispers, a jar was created in the space-and-void thought barren of nothing; and sometimes remedy and salvation was granted as alternative fortune.  Duzan-tai-gachi, a foretelling katana, rumors said it could cut-through-anything; was stolen by treacherous pirates stowing near a coast in Ruby Seas, a crucial weapon for arms, The Far East would need to further utilize in their efforts against the Imperial-noose in this period. Fingers-done tracing the braille, understood. Vanishing like fellow-air, his excelling reflexes, heard and moved gracefully not even droplets of rain stood a chance to drench him or deter his pace. Overlooking a cliff where the treacherous sea-vessel took station under canopies of tree-shade; leafs blown taken from creaking branches.

A small-pixie companion peeked her-eyes out of his sleeve and gave a yawn! Awakening, Flicker, who acted as his ‘Sight’ for bound-style. His-motionless tone and verbiage simplistically gave volume, “How many signatures do you detect below?” Commanding an estimate. She peered-forth and squinted, her eyes-zooming inward, aether dancing-around them, creating a distinct aura. As she began counting them… Something odd-occurred, never happening prior that frightened, even the magical-being. The fluttering pixie had eyes-dart back at her of powerful brilliant-violets orbs. “T-t-there’s someone unique in there! They perceived my snooping! I counted a hundred-thirty-nine; before seen Master!” It could be worrying that his own outline was seen back. Most would derail from this mission, dangerous to advance.  Emotionless discarded and donning a mask. “Very well. I’ll just have to slaughter them before they anticipate further thoughts.” There wasn’t any maliciousness in conveying, killing was nothing more than breathing. He pricked a thumb and swiped it across a scroll quickly, and a Hingashi Kite appeared. Gale-winds of the storm, tempest were felt in not only the perception of his incredible-Miqo'te genes, but analyzing when to act with timing and trajectory.  Laughing drunk freebooters on the deck were festively continuing their putrid vices. Descending and atop them with a shadow-drop, they saw a kite above. Before their eyes-caught up, the lights dimmed out, he let himself go from the kite’s handles, and was on their table, kunai-knives, needles and strong-tempered wire linked to those projectiles, swept underneath his sleeves from various directions, piercing their throats, jugulars, every vital and alongside, severing them. A curvaceous courtesan who was getting rowdy sea-dog drinks walked upon poor time, she saw crimson ichor being washed away, the rain was frighteningly his accomplice, the puddle-of-red reflected his true murder-design. She couldn’t bellow aloud, a death-palm wrapped around her mouth, another callous-leather-gloved hand squeezing around her throat, tight-too-much-so. Expression's fear wrinkled her facially… Then… absence, null, but silent-peace, strangled and manhandled. He was just a loyal-bound blade of servitude, no attachments anchored him. Who molded him into such a proficient-weapon, broke, rebuilt, and then broke him again until he was forged; meant to horrifically slash, he-zoned away from his identity. Becoming Doma’s hidden blade, The Black Miracle; resident night-fright, his-assassin moniker; Shadow Father. Before disappearing from his deed, fire erupted from below the floorboards, he barely dodged unscathed, his tail-singed and soles alongside garb, strand hairs engulfed to embers. Instinct kept him solid. Quick-but-not fast enough to slaughter-everyone as intended. That presence aboard who peered back, unthinkably walked up above, her aroma drove him wildly in familiarity and attempted to evoke; tranquility, and even open to possibilities of allure. Beyond all that emotionless, senses were being drawn-back for the memory, he wore so many masks and bore many scars, to forget, manipulatively disciplined. You are nothing but steel…           You will execute for peace.    You are formless, stainless. You’re too sharp and have no delicate edges.            You slaughter in one-blow decisively. You hold no-weights, your identity-matters not. For you are The-Blade! Remembering this poisonous teaching, he was whipped, brutalized, his body-soul-mind-spirit forged, conducted in a method, to become strictly something conditioned, for War. A thing; the technology, advancements of all of Garlemald would be fearful to know; as an enemy not even precious machinery could stay guarded.

Flicker pried out of his sleeve gaining some distance but telepathically linking to him, “Careful, Master! She’s got spirits! They’re… they’re everywhere… even the ones-you-slew.” Silencing and restoring composure from his flash-back once again being his own bane of emotion, blinding himself. Her bare-feet walked on the dock, connected with nature’s blessing, life to death, in the fullest. A totem-hanging on her waist. “I’m so sorry. This is my fault, I should’ve figured they’d bring someone to retrieve that blade! I’v-” Before she could explain; that reasoning beyond their thievery was to remove the Voidal curse placed on that blade! If anyone unsheathed it, they would’ve gone on a mad killing-spree and struck all allies. She was round-kicked in the gut-sent reeling back and upchucking saliva, her breathing labored and consciousness staggered. The assassin lunged-forth with a piercing-charge but was blocked by an earth-spirit who defended her, conditionally and lovingly. The fire-element sent another blast towards him that caused his tail-senses to react with a bolted dodge. The-pirated angry spirits that were slain became malevolent and wicked, to the point they were manifesting pure-hatred toward their executor. He took punches and blows, from-the-unseen in-between worlds as-if air-was fighting back. Visibly-soundless blows cracked ribs heard, his teeth-gritted, palms grabbing the hilt of his true-sheathed Hingashi-forged, blade, aether exuding out of him before pulling out with a spinning slash, true-compact steel like he wielded, neutralizes spirits-demons, once again he slew and their heads dissipated, as so-did their forms, but they would manifest again, in time. This occurrence wasn’t normal. Most often people vanquished will dissolve to the life-stream typically, but not always. Some spirits-souls, become lost or fragments! And as-such, become damned, malevolent-incarnates, they curse, and will-sink into where they often were slain with irritation if not given proper guidance or closure. By a-proper mender. That woman was responsible, that strange-totem on her waist, strange-aura emitted from it. Flicker shouted out at him.You’ll have to kill her or destroy that thing on her buckle! Regaining her stature a little wobble in her legs and shaking, she spat out blood, giving a look at her palm of her condition; feeling it; embracing, “I don’t like to hurt others, but I’ve no choice! You’re too dangerous!” Taking a fighting-pose, her lips pursed apart.                                      “Soul-Integration: Earth"

He took a sword-stance, which his blade-charged lightning swirled around him, in blinding-speed he would-take once again another plunge forth, it didn’t matter if any of her element-spirits were blocking him. He’d blitz and take that damned-head! The accomplice of the assassin, the rainstorm taking place, struck lightning and fed into his aetherial charge! Blowing-through, uprooting and tearing the-deck of the ship, lightning-set-ablaze and struck the sail, burning it; rain-weather sought to quell. His powerful-strike was rooted and grabbed-shockingly, by her hand that was earthly-attuned and imbued, startling to him, the soles-of-her feet had become-gravel clad-boots to absorb electricity and nullify it, entirely and reinforce her physical-strengths ten-fold. She delivered a counter-punch uppercut that shattered his mask and broke into his face, following with her long and powerful legs, thighs credibly known of the Seeker and kicked him in the ribs if they were-cracked from earlier onslaught, it broke just now!

His air-gone and wheezing lungs took placement, sanguine-drenched down from his nose-broke, he realigned with a snap.   She fused herself with the Earth spirit? What-was this woman?! “MASTER, I’VE HEARD OF THIS!”                                     “SHE’S A SHAMAN!!!”

Coughing and hacking up internal-injury, the Black Miracle, blindfolded visage revealed mask-shattered, but some of his tribal-marks showing his distinguished face.                                                                                                                         They knew another. Gasp of realization came from her, tackled off her feet the Integration breaking, detecting her stance-wavered showing signs of weakness to exploit, falling back on the wood below crashing with him over-top her, he aligned his blade up to the skies and was going to pierce it-downward into her heart, in that instantaneous moment fire-erupted, his-blindfold, was extinguished purposely, her delicate hands grabbed his cheek; comfortably, an ilm-away from puncture, her composure didn’t waver, his unyielding and dazzling golden eyes-open and the world unraveled to truth. Time felt removed. With all that was ingrained, emotionless, nothingness. How could he forget the one-person who combated him many, years ago, strangers that passed by in their moments-in-life, and for some reason, she conveyed something out of him and extracted it to make him; change his destiny and create a dynasty to live for a greater-good. He was Shadow, mysterious and deadly, but unbiased-slaughtered he sacrificed his identity without even being born from the Nationality to make amends for the atrocities of a Nunh formerly, he became emotionless not trusting his raging ire of old; transforming to cold steel; removing former color until it was midnight-black. She was Light, warm, non-discriminating, embraced notions, exhibiting pure heat. Just her presence-alone, felt like you were able to confide-in, she sacrificially served as a heroine ahead-of-time and threw herself at the task of any troubled-spirit, soul, and brought eternal-heaven before them. Exiled and Freed from their Tribe Sept-branches they entangled on fate-paths long-ago and had but a simple conversation, but there was something that felt-so intimate between them and joy-easiness, that type of feeling; you cannot conceive, can’t put currency on it and try determining the value, or place-why, it just exists! Love meant to be. When gaze met; constellations opened, peering futures, hearts awoke, hers longingly and that blade himself, alongside wielded, surrendered clanging against the planks.                 “I know you.” "Yeah, and I know you.”                                                             Her smile sheathed his steel-composure. For the first-time again… his heart-beat thrummed.      Reminded his identity-of-former, beyond obligated masks wore.

How problematic after a succession-rate of 100%                                                         Mission,                                         Contract,                                                             Failed...

[jcmarchi]

Machine learning and the microscope

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/machine-learning-and-the-microscope/

Machine learning and the microscope

With recent advances in imaging, genomics and other technologies, the life sciences are awash in data. If a biologist is studying cells taken from the brain tissue of Alzheimer’s patients, for example, there could be any number of characteristics they want to investigate — a cell’s type, the genes it’s expressing, its location within the tissue, or more. However, while cells can now be probed experimentally using different kinds of measurements simultaneously, when it comes to analyzing the data, scientists usually can only work with one type of measurement at a time.

Working with “multimodal” data, as it’s called, requires new computational tools, which is where Xinyi Zhang comes in.

The fourth-year MIT PhD student is bridging machine learning and biology to understand fundamental biological principles, especially in areas where conventional methods have hit limitations. Working in the lab of MIT Professor Caroline Uhler in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society, and collaborating with researchers at the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Center at the Broad Institute and elsewhere, Zhang has led multiple efforts to build computational frameworks and principles for understanding the regulatory mechanisms of cells.

“All of these are small steps toward the end goal of trying to answer how cells work, how tissues and organs work, why they have disease, and why they can sometimes be cured and sometimes not,” Zhang says.

The activities Zhang pursues in her down time are no less ambitious. The list of hobbies she has taken up at the Institute include sailing, skiing, ice skating, rock climbing, performing with MIT’s Concert Choir, and flying single-engine planes. (She earned her pilot’s license in November 2022.)

“I guess I like to go to places I’ve never been and do things I haven’t done before,” she says with signature understatement.

Uhler, her advisor, says that Zhang’s quiet humility leads to a surprise “in every conversation.”

“Every time, you learn something like, ‘Okay, so now she’s learning to fly,’” Uhler says. “It’s just amazing. Anything she does, she does for the right reasons. She wants to be good at the things she cares about, which I think is really exciting.”

Zhang first became interested in biology as a high school student in Hangzhou, China. She liked that her teachers couldn’t answer her questions in biology class, which led her to see it as the “most interesting” topic to study.

Her interest in biology eventually turned into an interest in bioengineering. After her parents, who were middle school teachers, suggested studying in the United States, she majored in the latter alongside electrical engineering and computer science as an undergraduate at the University of California at Berkeley.

Zhang was ready to dive straight into MIT’s EECS PhD program after graduating in 2020, but the Covid-19 pandemic delayed her first year. Despite that, in December 2022, she, Uhler, and two other co-authors published a paper in Nature Communications.

The groundwork for the paper was laid by Xiao Wang, one of the co-authors. She had previously done work with the Broad Institute in developing a form of spatial cell analysis that combined multiple forms of cell imaging and gene expression for the same cell while also mapping out the cell’s place in the tissue sample it came from — something that had never been done before.

This innovation had many potential applications, including enabling new ways of tracking the progression of various diseases, but there was no way to analyze all the multimodal data the method produced. In came Zhang, who became interested in designing a computational method that could.

The team focused on chromatin staining as their imaging method of choice, which is relatively cheap but still reveals a great deal of information about cells. The next step was integrating the spatial analysis techniques developed by Wang, and to do that, Zhang began designing an autoencoder.

Autoencoders are a type of neural network that typically encodes and shrinks large amounts of high-dimensional data, then expand the transformed data back to its original size. In this case, Zhang’s autoencoder did the reverse, taking the input data and making it higher-dimensional. This allowed them to combine data from different animals and remove technical variations that were not due to meaningful biological differences.

In the paper, they used this technology, abbreviated as STACI, to identify how cells and tissues reveal the progression of Alzheimer’s disease when observed under a number of spatial and imaging techniques. The model can also be used to analyze any number of diseases, Zhang says.

Given unlimited time and resources, her dream would be to build a fully complete model of human life. Unfortunately, both time and resources are limited. Her ambition isn’t, however, and she says she wants to keep applying her skills to solve the “most challenging questions that we don’t have the tools to answer.”

She’s currently working on wrapping up a couple of projects, one focused on studying neurodegeneration by analyzing frontal cortex imaging and another on predicting protein images from protein sequences and chromatin imaging.

“There are still many unanswered questions,” she says. “I want to pick questions that are biologically meaningful, that help us understand things we didn’t know before.”