Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
University of Groningen Integration techniques for modern bioinformatics workflows

Today there is a plethora of Locus-Specific Mutation Databases (LSMD) that contain genetic variants for many organisms and for a large range of phenotypes and diseases. This knowledge base is expanding almost daily with the discovery of novel variants in a daily base that have various consequences in human physiology. One of the most widely used standards for reporting new variants is HGVS (Human Genome Variation Society). HGVS describes a variant according to a reference sequence, its position and its nucleotide or amino acid change However, the lack of established quality standards for reporting genetic variants and the plethora of existing reference sequence systems have led to incidental erroneous or ambiguous reporting of variants in LSMDs or even in published reports. Another source of ambiguity is the use of gene names instead of reference sequences in HGVS variants. These inconsistencies hinder the task of identifying the chromosomal position of a HGVS variant, which is a vital part in confirming its existence in a fully genotyped or sequenced sample. Here we review and evaluate the ability of existing tools to infer the genomic position of variants described in HGVS. We also introduce a new tool, MutationInfo, which combines nine existing tools with a BLAT search in order to exhaustively search for the chromosomal position of HGVS variants. To evaluate MutationInfo we applied it to 1,014 variants from dbSNP, 634 HGVS variants that use sequence accession numbers, and 33,337 HGVS variants that use gene names as reference sequences. Its application to dbSNP variants revealed six problematic variants. For HGVS variants with sequence accession numbers it revealed that 129 (20%) could not be analyzed by any individual tool except for MutationInfo’s pipeline. Finally, its application to HGVS variants with gene names revealed the effect of this erratic practice, since half of them could not be unequivocally assigned to a single chromosomal position. Link: http://www.epga. gr/MutationInfo/ Source code: https://github.com/kantale/MutationInfo License: MIT License
The role of KIBS in the clients’ knowledge absorption process: the case of exploration innovation

It is well known that absorptive capacity facilitates innovation performance. And yet, despite firms may have difficulty developing effective absorptive capacity on their own and the growing importance of service firm in innovation activities, extant literature has neglected the influence of service suppliers in this process. We contribute to the literature by identifying how knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) may affect the knowledge absorption process of their clients. Using an empirical study based on three exploration innovation contracts, our results confirm that KIBS affects the absorption process. This research highlights three decisive roles played by KIBS, which are seen to function as trigger, developer and teacher of their client’s absorptive capacity and underlines the interdependencies between KIBS and clients in this process. We discuss the idea of an “insemination capacity” developed by KIBS leading to enhanced clients’ absorption process – and the relative nature of absorptive capacity. Important managerial implications for both KIBS and innovative firms are given.
Synergistic Effects of Gibberellic Acid and Triacontanol on Growth , Physiology , Enzyme Activities and Essential Oil Content of Coriandrum sativum L .

Two well known growth regulators, triacontanol (TRIA) and gibberellic acid (GA3), were applied on economically as well as medicinally important plant coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) and their effects were noted in the present study. The plants were sprayed with either TRIA or different combinations of TRIA and GA3 at 30 days after sowing. Among the treatments, a foliar spray of 10 T + 10 G significantly promoted the values for most of the growth (shoot and root lengths, fresh and dry weights), physiological and biochemical (total chlorophyll and carotenoid, nitrate reductase activity, carbonic anhydrase activity, leaf nitrogen and leaf phosphorus content except leaf potassium content) parameters, including the essential oil content and yield characteristics (number of umbels per plant, number of fruits per umbel, 100-seed weight and seed yield). On the basis of data obtained from the present work, it may be concluded that a combined spray of TRIA and GA3 (10 T + 10 G) on coriander plant is highly effective for productivity with increased essential oil content. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Scalable Self-Tuning Data Placement in Distributed Key-value Stores

This paper addresses the problem of autonomic data placement in replicated key-value stores. The goal is to automatically optimize replica placement in a way that leverages locality patterns in data accesses, such that inter-node communication is minimized. To do this efficiently is extremely challenging, as one needs not only to find lightweight and scalable ways to identify the right data placement, but also to preserve fast data lookup. The paper introduces new techniques that address each of the challenges above. The first challenge is addressed by optimizing, in a decentralized way, the placement of the objects generating most remote operations for each node. The second challenge is addressed by combining the usage of consistent hashing with a novel data structure, which provides efficient probabilistic data placement. These techniques have been integrated in Infinispan, a popular open-source key-value store. The performance results show that the throughput of the optimized system can be 6 times better than a baseline system employing the widely used static placement based on consistent hashing.
Gender Similarity 1 Effects of Principal-Teacher Gender Similarity on Teacher ' s Trust and Organizational Commitment

In many Western public primary school systems, the gender composition of the principals is more heterogenic than that of the teachers, but research on the effect of gender on social psychological processes related to school leadership is scarce. The present work aims to address this lacuna by exploring the effects of principal-teacher gender similarity in the Israeli public primary school system, where most teachers are women, on teachers' trust in their principals and on organizational commitment. Data from 594 female public primary teachers working with male and female principals were analyzed. The results show that when the principal and teacher are of the same gender, both affective and cognitive trust in the principal are higher. Moderation analysis indicated that female teachers' affective trust in male principals increases with relational duration. A second moderation effect that was found indicated that gender similarity and cognitive trust in principal have a negative interactive effect on teachers' continued commitment to school, countering the positive effect of gender similarity on commitment. The results and their implications are discussed, and future research is recommended.
FOOT HEALTH OF ASIAN ELEPHANTS (ELEPHAS MAXIMUS) IN EUROPEAN ZOOS

Abstract: Foot problems are a common concern in elephant husbandry. Studies on this topic with sample sizes greater than 100 animals have only been carried out in North America. We investigated foot health of 243 Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in 69 European institutions. During on-site visits between August 2016 and July 2017, standardized pictures were taken of each elephant's nails and pads. The pictures were analyzed with respect to pathological lesions (i.e. nail cracks, abscesses), care issues (i.e. minor abnormalities, which are easily resolvable with routine foot work), and pad structure. Of all analyzed nails and pads, 35.6% revealed varying degrees of pathological lesions, with minor nail cracks and overgrown cuticles with attachment to the nails being most frequently observed. The most lateral nail (N5) on both front feet demonstrated the highest percentage of pathological lesions, providing support to a separate study showing that the mean peak pressure of an elephant's foot occurs along the most lateral digits; however, this was not observed along the most lateral nail (N5) of the rear feet. Three (of 243) elephants did not show any pathological lesions in their feet. The most common issues requiring foot care were fissures in the nail sole. The structure of the pads was categorized in four grades reflecting the percentage of surface marked by sulci. These four grades occurred at nearly equal frequency. Pearson product moment correlations revealed no significant association between the frequency of care issues and pathological lesions per nail. Despite this finding, it may be prudent to implement husbandry protocols that could alleviate commonly observed pathological and care foot issues in captive Asian elephants. A standardized approach to evaluate elephant foot health will provide a more objective way to monitor responses to management and medical decisions and ultimately contribute to the overall wellbeing of elephants in human care.
CLINICAL CONDITIONS FOUND RADIOGRAPHICALLY IN THE FRONT FEET OF RETICULATED GIRAFFE (GIRAFFA CAMELOPARDALIS RETICULATA) IN A SINGLE ZOO

Abstract: Front foot radiographs from 22 giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) at one zoo were analyzed to better understand causes of lameness in this giraffe population. The herd had a history of front hoof overgrowth and intermittent lameness. Radiographic findings included distal interphalangeal joint osteoarthritis (OA), distal phalangeal bone (P3) osteitis, P3 fractures, P3 rotation, and sesamoid bone cysts. OA of the distal interphalangeal joint occurred in at least one front foot of 73% (16/22 giraffe) of the herd, and all giraffe had OA by 7 yr of age. Pedal osteitis was present in at least one front foot in 86% (19/22) of the giraffe, starting in animals as young as 1 yr old. P3 fractures were present in 36% (8/22) of the herd. These fractures were near the site of the deep digital flexor attachment and were diagnosed in giraffe as young as 10 yr old. The presence of severe osteitis was associated with the presence of P3 fractures. This study is unique in that a large herd was trained to participate in voluntary front foot radiographs so multiple causes of foot disease could be diagnosed antemortem and without anesthesia. Although the underlying causes of these lesions are likely multifactorial and currently unknown to us, the high prevalence of foot disease in relatively young animals warrants further investigation across zoos. In this study, OA, osteitis, and P3 fractures were common radiographic findings among giraffe that were limping. Subsequent monitoring and management changes suggest that proactive management of foot health can decrease morbidity and mortality in zoo giraffe.
Nesting behaviour of Natewa Silktail Lamprolia klinesmithi

Summary. — I report observations on the nesting behaviour of Natewa Silktail Lamprolia klinesmithi on the Natewa Peninsula, Vanua Levu, Fiji. Field work in June–August 2018 located four nests of which two were closely monitored. Nest attentiveness was very low (42.58% and 42.05% of total observation time spent at the nest), as was provisioning rate (35.29% of nest visits with food) in part due to uniparental care but possibly also in response to nest predation and fecundity-survival trade-off by the parent. Nest site and habitat were significantly different from historical records pertaining to the closely related (previously conspecific) Taveuni Silktail L. victoriae. The close proximity of nests and presence of six individuals in the nesting area poses questions concerning the species' breeding strategy. The paucity of data surrounding the ecology of Lamprolia and the lack of formal protective legislation on the Natewa Peninsula highlight the need for research into this endemic and globally threatened species.
Antibiotic resistance: Perspective of the physicians from West Bengal

Context: Antibiotic resistance is a major threat to global health emerging rapidly in recent years, especially in countries such as India. Aims: This study aims to study the knowledge, attitude, and practices of physicians toward this issue. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study, over a period of 9 months, involving 100 medical officers working at primary and secondary tier hospitals in West Bengal. Subjects and Methods: A pretested, structured questionnaire with 15 items was used to collect information on knowledge, attitude, and practices. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were tabulated and analyzed. Results: About 61% had worked in infectious disease ward, 95% did not have any special training on rational antibiotic use. 84% had prescribed antibiotics more than 30 times in the past 3 months. Furthermore, 87%, 80%, and 67% reported confidence in prescribing correct type, correct dose, and correct duration of antibiotic, respectively. Previous knowledge/training and national policy/guidelines were prominent guiding factors for prescribing. 84% think antibiotic resistance is a national problem and 69% think that it exists in their hospitals. Patient push and fear of the treatment failure were the driving forces behind overprescription of antibiotics. More than half of the respondents think too many antibiotics prescribed, too long duration, too low dose, and use in livestock were the reason for the spread of antibiotic resistance. More than 50% think policy, training, monitoring, and regulation would help in combating antibiotic resistance. Conclusions: Identifying and addressing the driving forces behind the irrational use of antibiotics and bridging knowledge and attitude gap of clinicians would help combating antibiotic resistance. Appropriate policies, training, monitoring, and involving physicians as key stakeholders would be necessary for addressing the issue.
Lip lesions: A 10-year retrospective analysis from a Nigerian tertiary healthcare institution

Introduction: Lip lesions can be acquired or congenital, benign, or malignant. They can also form as a result of systemic manifestation or infection such as cancrum oris or gangrenous stomatitis. Lesion can affect the upper, lower, or both lips together. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study of patients attending the oral and maxillofacial clinic of a tertiary health institution between January 2006 and December 2015 was undertaken. Results: The majority of the patients were from 2nd to 5th decades of life with a ratio of 1.54:1. The age ranged from 1.5 to 78 years. The lower lip (64%) was the most affected, and the unspecified represented 7.8%. The upper-to-lower lip ratio was 1:2.85. Conclusion: Acquired lesions formed the bulk of the lesions seen.
Outcome of Management of Neonatal Intestinal Obstruction at a Tertiary Center in Nigeria

Background: Intestinal obstruction in a newborn remains a significant emergency in pediatric surgery. Clinical presentation is often subtle with sudden deterioration of their clinical states. Clinical outcome in the developing countries is poor owing to a variety of factors. Objective: The objective of this study is to identify the factors affecting the management outcome in our environment. Patients and Methods: Data on clinical presentation, management, and outcome of all neonates managed for intestinal obstruction over a 13-year period at a tertiary center in Nigeria were retrospectively reviewed. Analysis of factors affecting the management outcome was also performed. Results: One hundred and seventeen neonates comprising 85 (72.7%) boys and 32 (27.3%) girls were managed for intestinal obstruction. The age at presentation ranged from 0 to 29 days, with a mean of 6.86 ± 8.4 days. Seventy-five (64.1%) patients presented within a week of onset of symptoms and 42 (35.9%) patients later. Eighty-five patients (72.6%) presented with symptoms from birth. The most common causes of intestinal obstruction included anorectal malformation in 62 (53%) neonates and Hirschsprung's disease in 16 (13.7%) neonates. Other causes included obstructed inguinoscrotal hernias, duodenal atresia, jejunoileal atresia, malrotation, and annular pancreas. Eleven patients died with a mortality rate of 9.4%. The age at presentation (P = 0.001) and the presence of postoperative complications (P = 0.009) were significantly related to the duration of hospital stay. Furthermore, the presence of postoperative complications (P = 0.012) was significantly associated with postoperative mortality. Conclusion: Early presentation and postoperative complications significantly affected the morbidity and mortality associated with the management of neonates with intestinal obstruction.
Mixed-Method Analysis of Community Health Camps: A Novel Approach Beckoning

Background: In India, 60% of the population lack basic medical facilities, so health camps which provide short-term medical interventions for target communities may be beneficial. This study epidemiologically analyzes a health camp event in a rural area of Maharashtra to provide practical insights for organizing, planning, and implementation of health camps. Objectives: 1. Assess the sociodemographic profile and spectrum of morbidity of camp beneficiaries. 2. Assess expectations and satisfaction perceived by community and organizers from health camps. 3. Gain practical insights from the camp event to advocate participation-friendly policies in the community. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional mixed design study. Using qualitative method, a total of four focus group discussions (FGDs) were held with beneficiaries attending the camp and three in-depth interviews (IDIs) were held with camp organizers. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview 358 beneficiaries to be studied quantitatively. Results: The camp comprised 52.7% of males and 36.7% of females as beneficiaries. Observed were cases of acute disease (41.6% [n = 149]) and chronic disease (58.7% [n = 209]) with maximum beneficiaries visiting ophthalmology department (25.4%) followed by general medicine (16.70%). FGDs and IDIs revealed two major themes – expectation and satisfaction and several subthemes. Conclusion: The beneficiaries appreciated the event and expressed the requirement of organizing such camps in future again. The camp was need based as revealed by the organizers and beneficiaries. Few strategies in future can result in more participation-friendly health camps.
Hepatoprotective Effects of Aqueous Extract of Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Seeds on Ethanol-Induced Oxidative Damage in Wister Rats

Background: Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a roundish or ovoid fruit rich in antioxidant supplements that prevent oxidative stress in hepatic tissues due to generation of reactive oxygen species following exposure to alcohol. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of watermelon seed on ethanol-induced oxidative damage in liver of Wister rats. Methods: Twenty-five adult Wister rats of both sexes were randomly divided into five groups of five rats each. Rats in group I were administered distilled water for 8 days. Group II were administered distilled water for 7 days followed by 20 mL/kg body weight of 40% ethanol per body weight on day 8. Groups III and IV were administered 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively, of the extract for 7 days followed by 20 mL/kg of 40% ethanol on day 8. Group V received 100 mg/kg body weight of silymarin for 7 days followed by 20 mg/kg of 40% ethanol on day 8. Animals were sacrificed on day 8. Liver was excised and then processed for histopathological examination. Biochemical assay for the following hepatic marker enzymes was carried out: alanine amino-transferase (ALT), aspartate amino-transferase (AST), alkaline phosphates (ALP), and protein concentration. Results: The results showed that watermelon treatment leads to increase in body weight. Furthermore, pretreatment with watermelon seed extract lead to significant decrease (P < 0.05) in plasma AST, ALT, ALP, and protein concentration, compared to ethanol treatment group. Conclusion: Watermelon seed extract demonstrates hepatoprotective effect in ethanol-induced oxidation in the liver of Wister rats, which might be linked to various antioxidant phytochemical content present in the extract.
Spatiotemporal Distributions of Non-ophidian Ophidiomorphs, With Implications for Their Origin, Radiation, and Extinction

Non-ophidian ophidiomorphs, colloquially referred to as ‘dolichosaurs,’ are small-bodied aquatic lizards that lived in shallow seaways, rivers, and reef environments during the Late Cretaceous. Preservational, geographic, and taphonomic biases in this group make trends in biodiversity difficult to assess. This is exemplified by the fact that the majority of the described species are monotypic and known only from single specimens, imparting very little information on morphological or spatial variation. Here we present a revision of the spatial and temporal distributions of non-ophidian ophidiomorph lizards (‘dolichosaurs’) from Cretaceous sediments worldwide. The fossil record of dolichosaurs begins in the Valanginian (Early Cretaceous). The late Early Cretaceous records are sparse but suggest a wide geographic distribution spanning the Tethys and Western Pacific. This is followed by a dense Cenomanian record from Tethyan and British deposits, and rarer specimens from North America. Though there is a substantial drop in the number of specimens recorded from the Turonian-Maastrichtian, these rare occurrences represent the largest geographical distribution of dolichosaurs: spanning Europe, North America, and South America before going extinct during the end-Cretaceous mass extinction. These occurrences indicate that ophidiomorphs most likely originated in the Jurassic Tethys and continued to radiate spatially and phylogenetically until the end of the Mesozoic, showing much more temporally and environmentally diverse patterns than previously indicated.
Assessing Ploidy Level Analysis and Single Pollen Genotyping of Diploid and Euploid Citrus Genotypes by Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting and Whole-Genome Amplification

Flow cytometry is widely used to determine genome size and ploidy level in plants. This technique, when coupled with fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), whole genome amplification and genotyping (WGA), opens up new opportunities for genetic studies of individualized nuclei. This strategy was used to analyze the genetic composition of single pollen nuclei of different citrus species. The flow cytometry and microscope observations allowed us to differentiate the populations of pollen nuclei present in the diploid and euploid genotypes analyzed, showing that citrus has binuclear pollen. We have identified in the “CSO” tangor an additional nuclei population composed by the vegetative plus generative nuclei. Genotyping of this nuclei population revealed that vegetative and generative nuclei show the same genetic configuration. In addition, we have demonstrated the presence of unreduced gametes in the diploid genotype “Mexican lime. ” Genomic amplification is a robust method for haploid nuclei genotyping with several molecular markers, whereas in diploid nuclei using heterozygous markers showed a bias towards one of the two alleles, limiting the use of this tool in this type of nuclei. We further discuss the importance and applications of single pollen genotyping in citrus genetic studies.