Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of 11 single‐locus and seven multilocus DNA barcodes in Lamium L. (Lamiaceae)

The aim of this work was to evaluate the suitability of selected DNA regions in the barcoding of plants, based on the species belonging to the genus Lamium (Lamiaceae). For this purpose, nine chloroplast barcodes, that is, accD, matK, rbcL, rpoA, rpoB, rpoC1, rpoC2, trnH‐psbA, trnL‐trnF, as well as ITS nuclear region, and intron of mitochondrial nad5 gene were tested. Among the single‐locus barcodes, most effective in the identification of Lamium species was the trnH‐psbA spacer and matK gene. The high level of variability and resolving power was also observed in the case of rpoA and rpoC2 genes. Despite the high interspecies variability of ITS region, it turned out to be inapplicable in Lamium identification. An important disadvantage of ITS as a barcode is a limitation of its use in polyploid plants, samples contaminated with fungal material or samples with partially degraded DNA. We have also evaluated five‐two‐locus and two‐three‐locus barcode regions created from a combination of most effective single loci. The best‐performing barcode combinations were matK + trnH‐psbA and matK + rpoA. Both of them had equally high discriminative power to identify Lamium species.
Chronic diseases Diabetes mellitus / thyroid disease / hypertension Low energy fracture history Familial history of fracture Relatives with kyphosis Previous level of knowledge about osteoporosis

I Ministry of Health Numune Educational and Research Hospital PMR Clinic Ankara, Turkey II Ministry of Health Dışkapı Educational and Research Hospital PMR Clinic Ankara, Turkey IIIAnkara University Faculty of Medicine Department of PMR Ankara, Turkey IV GATA Department of Biostatistics Ankara, Turkey Emaıl: drgkayalar@yahoo.com Tel: 90 3125084000 Received for publication on January 20, 2009 Accepted for publicaiton on May 07, 2009 THE VALUE OF CALCANEAL BONE MASS MEASUREMENT USING A DUAL X-RAY LASER CALSCAN DEVICE IN RISK SCREENING FOR OSTEOPOROSIS
Investigation on the Effect of Cooling Medium and Aging Condition on Low-Temperature Properties of Asphalt Binder based on BBR

The low-temperature properties of asphalt binder are fundamental for designing asphalt mixture in the cold regions. This is especially true for new technologies such as Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA), for which a reduction in the production temperature may potentially lead to substantial benefits in terms long-term aging. Currently, the specification addressing the low-temperature property of asphalt binder is based on creep tests performed with the Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR) in ethanol. Recently, an alternative experimental method was proposed to conduct the tests in air. In this paper, the effect of cooling medium and aging temperatures on the rheological properties obtained from BBR tests is experimentally investigated and modeled. First, BBR tests are performed in both ethanol and air on four PAV long-term aged asphalt binders, which were previously RTFOT short-term aged at three different temperatures (123 oC, 143 oC, and 163 oC). Then, the creep stiffness, S(t), and m-value are computed. Finally, the Huet model is used to compare the effect of cooling medium and aging temperatures on the rheological model parameters. Results indicate that the reduced production temperature of 40oC significantly affects the material properties at low temperatures, while air leads to higher creep stiffness and poorer relaxation capabilities compared to ethanol.
Performance Improvement of Plant Identification Model based on PSO Segmentation

Plant identification has been a challenging task for many researchers. Several researches proposed various techniques for plant identification based on leaves shape. However, image segmentation is an essential and critical part of analyzing the leaves images. This paper, proposed an efficient plant species identification model using the digital images of leaves. The proposed identification model adopts the particle swarm optimization for leaves images segmentation. Then, feature selection process using information gain and discritization process are applied to the segmented image's features. The proposed model was evaluated on the Flavia dataset. Experimental results on different kind of classifiers show an improvement in the identification accuracy up to 98.7%. Index Terms—Plant identification; Segmentation; Particle Swarm Optimization; Information Gain; Discretization.
NORTH SUMATRAN MALAY FOLKTALES: ITS STRUCTURE, SOCIAL FUNCTION, AND MEANING

This study is a descriptive-qualitative analysis that uses the techniques of observation, interviews and written documents. The Systemic Functional Linguistic (SFL) approach based on the principle of semiotics is used in this study. The data analysis consists of folktales found in North Sumatra, that is, “Batu Belah Batu Betangkup”, “Putri Kuau” and “Sri Putih Cermin”. By using the SFL approach this study describes the structure, social function, and meaning of North Sumatran Malay folktales. From the analysis it is found that the structure, function and meaning of all the three NSM folktales are similar. The material and verbal processes found in the texts of the folktales depict life in the palace and the everyday life of North Sumatran Malay society in the past as well as in the present. North Sumatran Malay texts are the representation of culture and meaning in which the value of of North Sumatran Malay society are inherent.
Molecular and cellular genetics of fragile X syndrome.

Fragile X syndrome (FraX) is one of the most prevalent genetic causes of developmental disability, representing the most frequent form of inherited severe cognitive deficit, second only to Down syndrome as a genetic cause of mental retardation. It is estimated that the FraX affects approximately 1 in 2,500 individuals [Gustavson et al., 1986; Webb et al., 1986; Neri et al., 1988; Rousseau et al., 1991; Warren and Ashley, 1995]. FraX was originally described by Martin and Bell [1943], who reported the first pedigree of a sex-linked form of mental retardation. Later, Lubs [1969] demonstrated its cosegregation with a cytogenetic abnormality of the X chromosome. The latter was characterized as a constriction, or isochromatid gap, close to the distal end of the long arm of the X chromosome of male affected individuals as well as of female carriers. Studies by Sutherland [1977] and Harrison et al. [1983] finally helped to establish the nature of this anomaly as a fragile site, that can be induced under certain culture conditions. Since the early descriptions by Turner et al. [1975] of the association of X-linked mental retardation and macroorchidism, considerable advances have been made in further defining the phenotypic spectrum of FraX. This information, in conjunction with the identification of a single mutated gene (FMR1) as the cause of FraX, has made this syndrome probably the best understood form of mental retardation. Furthermore, recent data on the neurobiology of the FraX gene product (FMRP) [Feng et al., 1997] have provided new directions for research on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying cognitive processes. This review intends to provide an update on both the molecular genetics of FraX and on the possible role of FMRP at the cellular level, particularly in the central nervous system (CNS). DEFINITION OF THE FRAGILE X PHENOTYPE
Levofloxacin-containing triple therapy versus bismuth-based quadruple therapy as regimens for second line anti- Helicobacter pylori

Background: Although the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection decreased following the hygiene promotion and application of proper anti- H.pylori treatments, unfortunately gradual increase is reported in treatment failure; hence, application of a proper treatment regimen as a second-line therapy is of great importance. Methods: In the current randomized, clinical trial, a total of 120 patients with peptic ulcers who failed to respond to treatment were enrolled. In the OLA group, a regimen of omeprazole 40 mg/day, levofloxacin 1 g/day, and amoxicillin 2 g/ day was prescribed; however, a regimen of omeprazole 40 mg/day, bismuth sub-citrate 480 mg/day, furazolidone 400 mg/day, and amoxicillin 2 g/day was administered to the OFAB group. Both groups were treated for 2 weeks, and 6 weeks after the treatment, the urea breath test (UBT) was performed in the subjects. Collected data were analyzed with SPSS Version 18. At the end, 58 patients in group OLA and 57 patients in the OFAB group were analyzed. Results: According to the results of the current study, 96.7% of the subjects in the OLA and 95% in the OFAB groups completed the treatment course and the eradication rates were 86.7% and 78.3% in the OLA and OFAB groups, respectively (P=0.23). Treatment side effects were observed in 51.7% and 11.7% of the subjects in the OLA and OFAB groups, respectively (P<0.01). Conclusion: Both regimens were applicable as the second-line therapy due to insignificant difference between the results of the 2 groups; however, OLA regimen was superior to OFAB, due to lower side effects.
Biological characteristics of spawning population of vendace (Coregonus albula L.) from Lake Chłop (Międzyrzecz District)

„Journal of Research and Applications in Agricultural Engineering” 2017, Vol. 62(3) Jan MAZURKIEWICZ 117 Janusz GOLSKI, Sławomir RUNOWSKI, Mieczysław GRZELAK, Wojciech ANDRZEJEWSKI, Jan MAZURKIEWICZ 1 Poznan University of Life Sciences, Institute of Zoology Division of Inland Fishery and Aquaculture ul. Wojska Polskiego 71 C, 60-625 Poznań, Poland 2 Poznan University of Life Sciences, Department of Grassland and Natural Landscape Sciences ul. Dojazd 11, 60-632 Poznań, Poland e-mail: esox.poznan@interia.pl Received: 2017-07-25 ; Accepted: 2017-08-22
Egyptian Society of Rheumatic Diseases The Egyptian Rheumatologist

Ankylosing spondylitis; HLA B27; BASDAI; BASFI; Biologics; DMARDs Abstract Aim of the work: To study the clinical, laboratory and radiographic characteristics of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients living in Qatar. Patients and methods: Sixty-two consecutive AS patients including 4 Qataris were enrolled. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and AS quality of life (ASQoL) scores were calculated. Inflammatory markers, human leukocytic antigen-B27 (HLA-B27), plain x-rays and magnetic resonance imaging of the sacroiliac joint and spine were considered. Results: Mean age at symptom onset was 25.9 ± 7.3 years and at diagnosis 32.3 ± 8.4 years with an average delay in the diagnosis of 6.4 years. The male-to-female ratio was 5.2:1. Arabs comprised 40.3% while 59.7% were non-Arabs. HLA-B27 was positive in 80.7%. Family history of spondyloarthritis was present in 16 (25.8%) patients. All patients had inflammatory low back pain. Peripheral arthritis was observed in 46.8%, heel enthesitis in 37.1% and tenosynovitis in 14.5% patients. Anterior uveitis occurred in 14.5% patients. Radiological evidence of bilateral sacroiliitis and spine involvement was observed in 83.3% and 59.7% patients respectively. Mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein were 20.3 ± 14.2 mm/hr and 11.4 ± 11.8 mg/L respectively. Mean BASDAI, BASFI and ASQoL were 3.3 ± 1.8, 2.9 ± 2.1 and 6.5 ± 5.2 respectively. Twenty-eight patients (45.2%) were maintained on NSAIDs monotherapy, 14.5% were receiving DMARDs and 40.3% were on biologics. Conclusion: The characteristics of AS patients in Qatar are revealed. Similar to others, there is male predominance. Disease activity and functional status were found to be low which may be due to high frequency of patients receiving biologics. 2016 Egyptian Society of Rheumatic Diseases. Publishing services provided by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Flow-Field Dynamics of a Flexible Flapping Airfoil using a Navier-Stokes Solver

Nature’s flyers have been an inspiration in the development of flapping wing MAVs. The secret to their flight has been attributed to the wing kinematics and wake patterns generated. The wing kinematics used in flapping wing studies is usually sinusoidal. But in reality, a flexible flight motor dictates the kinematics. In the current work, a Duffing oscillator model of the insect flight motor is used to predict the kinematics, in the presence wing loads that are computed by a two-dimensional Navier-Stokes solver. This fluid-structure interaction problem uses a discrete vortex method solver to solve for the fluid part and a Runge-Kutta solver to solve for the structural part. The present work investigates the structural response exhibited by the flexible insect flight-motor, and the corresponding wake structures and loads in a sub-resonance regime. A period-doubling route to chaotic structural response is identified, which is reflected in the flow-field and the aerodynamic loads. Keyword: Flapping wings, Discrete vortex method, Fluid-Structure Interaction
T cells and aging.

Deterioration of the immune system with aging ("immunosenescence") is believed to contribute to morbidity and mortality in man due to the greater incidence of infection, as well as possibly autoimmune phenomena and cancer in the aged. Dysregulation of T cell function is thought to play a critical part in these processes. Factors contributing to T cell immunosenescence may include a) stem cell defects, b) thymus involution, c) defects in antigen presenting cells (APC), d) aging of resting immune cells, e) disrupted activation pathways in immune cells, f) replicative senescence of clonally expanding cells. This review aims to consider the current state of knowledge on the scientific basis for and potential clinical relevance of those factors in immunosenescence.
A new balaenopterid whale from the late Miocene of the Southern North Sea Basin and the evolution of balaenopterid diversity (Cetacea, Mysticeti)

Background Balaenopterid mysticetes represent the most successful family-rank group of this clade. Their evolutionary history is characterized by a rich fossil record but the origin of the living genera is still largely not understood. Recent discoveries in the southern border of the North Sea revealed a number of well preserved fossil balaenopterid whales that may help resolving this problem. In particular, skull NMR 14035 shares morphological characters with the living humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae and, for this reason, its characteristics are investigated here. Methods The comparative anatomical analysis of the new specimen formed the basis of a new phylogenetic analysis of the Mysticeti based on a matrix including 350 morphological character states scored for 82 Operational Taxonomic Units. The stratigraphic age of the specimen was determined based on the analysis of the dinocyst assemblage recovered in the associated sediment. We assessed clade diversity in Balaenopteridae by counting the numbers of clades in given time intervals and then plotted the results. Results Nehalaennia devossi n. gen. et sp. is described for the first time from the late Tortonian (8.7–8.1 Ma) of the Westerschelde (The Netherlands). This new taxon belongs to Balaenopteridae and shows a surprisingly high number of advanced characters in the skull morphology. Nehalaennia devossi is compared to a large sample of balaenopterid mysticetes and a phylogenetic analysis placed it as the sister group of a clade including the genus Archaebalaenoptera. The inclusion of this fossil allowed to propose a phylogenetic hypothesis for Balaenopteridae in which (1) Eschrichtiidae (gray whales) represents a family of its own, (2) Balaenopteridae + Eschrichtiidae form a monophyletic group (superfamily Balaenopteroidea), (3) Cetotheriidae is the sister group of Balaenopteroidea, (4) living Balaenoptera species form a monophyletic group and (5) living M. novaeangliae is the sister group of Balaenoptera. Our work reveals a complex phylogenetic history of Balaenopteridae and N. devossi informs us about the early morphological transformations in this family. Over time, this family experienced a number of diversity pulses suggesting that true evolutionary radiations had taken place. The paleoecological drivers of these pulses are then investigated.
Accuracy of the Sauvegrain method in determining skeletal age during puberty.

BACKGROUND The method of Sauvegrain et al. for the assessment of skeletal age from radiographs of the elbow is useful during the two years of the pubertal growth spurt. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of the method and its value in pediatric orthopaedics. METHODS The Sauvegrain method uses four anatomical landmarks of the elbow: the lateral condyle, trochlea, olecranon apophysis, and proximal radial epiphysis. It is based on a 27-point scoring system. The scores for these structures are summed, and a total score is determined. A graph is then used to determine the skeletal age. The method was evaluated by three independent observers who used it to assess skeletal age on anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the left elbow of sixty boys and sixty girls and compared the results with assessments made with use of the Greulich and Pyle atlas on posteroanterior radiographs of the left hand and wrist. Skeletal age determinations were performed twice by each observer at a four-week interval. RESULTS The skeletal age determination from radiographs of the elbow was more precise because a clear semiannual age determination was possible. On the basis of the rating by the observers, the Sauvegrain method presented excellent interobserver correlation (r = 0.93) and excellent reproducibility (r = 0.96). The correlation between the methods of Sauvegrain et al. and Greulich and Pyle was good (r = 0.85). Nevertheless, certain elbow growth centers showed an intermediate developmental morphology, which failed to correspond to the score described by Sauvegrain et al. This led to errors in the interpretation of data. We suggest an intermediate score for these cases, and we modified the original graph to make it more accurate. CONCLUSIONS The modified method of Sauvegrain et al. is simple, reliable, and reproducible, and it complements the Greulich and Pyle atlas. In clinical practice, maturity can best be evaluated by associating skeletal age, annual growth rate, and secondary sexual characteristics. Therefore, this method is useful when major decisions such as the timing of epiphysiodesis or spinal arthrodesis are necessary during puberty.
Transition of ADHD Patients from Childhood into Adulthood

This article summarises the current knowledge base and cutting-edge research into ADHD as presented at the Medice symposium, 5th EUNETHYDIS International Conference on ADHD, 25 September 2018, Edinburgh, UK. The clinical perspective presents an overview of how ADHD symptoms change over an individual’s lifespan, the effects of comorbidity, and current treatment options. There is a high genetic correlation of ADHD with psychiatric disorders such as depression, signifying that ADHD is biologically determined and genetically driven. The neurobiological aspect provides insight into the genetic contribution to ADHD and the success of collaborative initiatives which serve to increase understanding into the genes and biological pathways involved.
GENETIC POLYMORPHISMS OF GENES GSTM1 AND CYP2D6 AND BLADDER CANCER

Objective: To study the relationship between GSTM1 and CYP2D6 polymorphisms and exposure to risk factors, and the occurrence of bladder cancer. Patients and Methods: The study included 77 patients with fully characterized transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, from whom a complete history was taken, and 191 healthy individuals, who served as controls for the genetic assessment. Using a polymerase chain reaction technique, GSTM1 polymorphisms were studied in all patients and controls, and CYP2D6 polymorphisms were studied in 53 patients and 99 controls. Chi-squared test was used for statistical analysis. Results: GSTM1 null genotype was detected in 75.3% of patients and in 57.1% of controls, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ 2 = 7.79; p = 0.005). This difference was due exclusively to individuals with tumors Ta/T1 (81.5% were GSTM1 deficient, χ 2 = 10.7; p = 0.001). More smokers (85.7%) than nonsmokers (62.8%) demonstrated the GSTM1 null phenotype (χ 2 = 5.36; p = 0.02), and 95.8% of heavy smokers (> 40 pack-year) were GSTM1 null. Familial history of tumors was associated with GSTM1 null: 91.7% of patients with familial history versus 67.9% without such history showed the null phenotype ( χ 2 = 5.01; p = 0.02). Patients and controls were not significantly different in respect to frequency of CYP2D6 polymorphisms. Among patients, no significant association between CYP2D6 polymorphisms and tumor characteristics was found. Conclusions: GSTM1 null genotype seems to be associated with bladder tumor occurrence, particularly “superficial” tumors (Ta/T1). This association is stronger in individuals with exposure to tobacco smoke. CYP2D6 gene does not seem to play any significant role in bladder tumor development.
A service evaluation of outcomes in two in-patient recovery units

Aims and method To evaluate outcomes for patients during their admission or in the first year of treatment in two in-patient recovery units. Changes in health and social functioning, service use and need (rated by patients and staff) were evaluated. Results In 43 patients treated, there was a large (30%) increase in patients discharged to their own tenancies, rather than supported accommodation. There was minimal change in Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) scores in the course of the admission but staff- and patient-rated unmet needs reduced and met needs increased. Needs changed mainly in domains relating to social functioning. Reductions in risk to self and others were rated by staff but not patients. There were no cases of patients being readmitted to acute hospital during the study period. Clinical implications Although these results offer some support to the treatment approach described in these in-patient recovery units, further research in larger samples is needed to identify how these services can best be deployed to help individuals with severe mental illness and complex needs.
Voltage-balance limits in four-level diode-clamped converters with passive front ends

Multilevel diode-clamped converters with more than three levels cannot maintain voltage balance in the dc-link capacitors for some operating conditions due to the existence of dc currents in the middle points. Since capacitors are either completely charged or discharged for those conditions, this circumstance severely limits practical application of these converters. The limit explored in this paper is that the four-level converter cannot achieve voltage balance. Proper redundant vectors are selected in the space-vector diagram so that a quadratic parameter related to the currents in the middle points is minimized.
Do We Really Know the WTO Cures Cancer ? False Positives and the Effects of Institutions

Assessing the effect of institutions on state behavior is a difficult task since unobservable factors affect institutional membership and compliance with the institution’s rules. These unobservables potentially bias estimates in favor of finding a potentially false positive effect of institutions. We use a replication experiment of 94 specifications from 16 different studies to show the severity of this problem. Using a variety of existing approaches, we show that membership in the GATT/WTO institution has a significant effect on a surprisingly high number of dependent variables (34%), variables which have little to no theoretical relationship to the multilateral trade regime. Monte Carlo simulations confirm that the problem is severe even in controlled environments. We apply two types of sensitivity analysis and give guidance for the conditions under which each sensitivity approach can guard against false positives.