Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Integrative analysis of rare variants and pathway information shows convergent results between immune pathways, drug targets and epilepsy genes

Trio family and case-control studies of next-generation sequencing data have proven integral to understanding the contribution of rare inherited and de novo single-nucleotide variants to the genetic architecture of complex disease. Ideally, such studies should identify individual risk genes of moderate to large effect size to generate novel treatment hypotheses for further follow-up. However, due to insufficient power, gene set enrichment analyses have come to be relied upon for detecting differences between cases and controls, implicating sets of hundreds of genes rather than specific targets for further investigation. Here, we present a Bayesian statistical framework, termed gTADA, that integrates gene-set membership information with gene-level de novo and rare inherited case-control counts, to prioritize risk genes with excess rare variant burden within enriched gene sets. Applying gTADA to available whole-exome sequencing datasets for several neuropsychiatric conditions, we replicated previously reported gene set enrichments and identified novel risk genes. For epilepsy, gTADA prioritized 40 risk genes (posterior probabilities > 0.95), 6 of which replicate in an independent whole-genome sequencing study. In addition, 30/40 genes are novel genes. We found that epilepsy genes had high protein-protein interaction (PPI) network connectivity, and show specific expression during human brain development. Some of the top prioritized EPI genes were connected to a PPI subnetwork of immune genes and show specific expression in prenatal microglia. We also identified multiple enriched drug-target gene sets for EPI which included immunostimulants as well as known antiepileptics. Immune biology was supported specifically by case-control variants from familial epilepsies rather than do novo mutations in generalized encephalitic epilepsy.
The Familiarity of Medical Students at Clinical Years about the Influence of Ionizing Radiations Doses

Background: Since the medical students at the clinical phases increasingly becoming more close to the patient’s diagnosis and treatment is very important to be aware of radiation dose. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the familiarity of Medical students at clinical years about the influence of ionizing radiation doses. Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, 443 medical students at clinical phases of the study (4th, 5th, and 6th years) were randomly selected from three medical colleges in 3 universities (Hail, Jouf, and Tabuk). A purposeful questionnaire was designed and distributed electronically to collect the desired data. Results: Out of the 433 students, 339/433 (78.3%) knew that a person’s body weight is an important determinant of radiation dose, whereas, the remaining 94/433 (21.7%) claimed that weight has no role. Correct radiation dose for Bone scan (>300 mSv), Spine MRI (0 mSv-1 mSv), Abdominal x-ray (10 mSv-50 mSv), Abdominal US (0 mSv-1 mSv), PET Scan (10 mSv-50 mSv), PET/CT scan (10 mSv-50 mSv), Mamo (2 views) (5 mSv-10 mSv), and Thyroid scan (10 mSv-50 mSv), constituting 16/433 (3.7%), 129/433 (29.8%), 49/433 (11.3%), 144/433 (33.3%), 48/433 (11%), 50/43 (11.5%), 115/433 (26.6%), and 55/433 (12.7%), in that order. Conclusion: Medical students in the late clinical years have inadequate knowledge of ionizing radiation doses in Northern Saudi Arabia Medicine College, which necessitates further interventions in this context, at the level of general curriculum as well as, at the training in the late clinical years
From Music Ontology towards Ethno-Music-Ontology

This paper presents exploratory work investigating the suitability of the Music Ontology [33] - the most widely used formal speciﬁcation of the music domain - for modelling non-Western musical traditions. Four contrasting case studies from a variety of musical cultures are analysed: Dutch folk song research, reconstructive performance of rural Russian traditions, contemporary performance and composition of Persian classical music, and recreational use of a personal world music collection. We propose semantic models describing the respective domains and examine the applications of the Music Ontology for these case studies: which concepts can be successfully reused, where they need adjustments, and which parts of the reality in these case studies are not covered by the Music Ontology. The variety of traditions, contexts and modelling goals covered by our case studies sheds light on the generality of the Music Ontology and on the limits of generalisation “for all musics” that could be aspired for on the Semantic Web.
Harmful algal blooms and climate change: exploring future distribution changes

Harmful algae can cause death in fish, shellfish, marine mammals, and humans, via their toxins or from effects associated with their sheer quantity. There are many species, which cause a variety of problems around north-west Europe, and the frequency and distribution of algal blooms have altered in the recent past. Species distribution modelling was used to understand how harmful algal species may respond in the future to climate change, by considering environmental preferences and how these may shift. Most distribution studies to date use low resolution global model outputs. In this study, high resolution, downscaled shelf seas climate projections for the north-west European shelf were nested within lower resolution global projections, to understand how the distribution of harmful algae may change by the mid to end of century. Projections suggest that the habitat of most species (defined by temperature, salinity, depth, and stratification) will shift north this century, with suitability increasing in the central and northern North Sea. An increase in occurrence here might lead to more frequent detrimental blooms if wind, irradiance and nutrient levels are also suitable. Prioritizing monitoring of species in these susceptible areas could help in establishing early-warning systems for aquaculture and health protection schemes.
Joint Optimization of Handover Control and Power Allocation Based on Multi-Agent Deep Reinforcement Learning

In this paper, we study the handover (HO), and power allocation problem in a two-tier heterogeneous network (HetNet), which consists of a macro base station, and some millimeter-wave (mmWave) small base stations. We establish an HO management, and power allocation scheme to maximize the overall throughput while reducing the HO frequency. In particular, considering the interrelationship among decisions made by different user equipments (UEs), we first model the HO, and power allocation problem as a fully cooperative multi-agent task, in which all agents, i.e., UEs, have the same target. Then, to solve the multi-agent task, and get decentralized policies for each UE, we develop a multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL) algorithm based on the proximal policy optimization (PPO) method, by introducing the centralized training with decentralized execution framework. That is, we use global information to train policies for each UE, and after the training is finished, each UE obtains a decentralized policy, which can be implemented only based on each UE's local observation. Specially, we introduce the counterfactual baseline to address the credit assignment problem in centralized learning. Due to the centralized training, the decentralized polices learned by multi-agent PPO (MAPPO) can work more cooperatively. Finally, the simulation results demonstrate that our method can achieve better performance comparing with other existing works.
Molecular characterization of pyrethroids resistance mechanisms in field populations of Rhipicephalus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) in district of Kpinnou and Opkara, Benin

ABSTRACT The tick Rhipicephalus microplus developed resistance against synthetic pyrethroid classes used for its control. The aim of this study was to characterize resistance of R. microplus for synthetic acaricides in order to establish an efficient control plan. The adult immersion test (AIT) was performed to test the susceptibility of R. microplus ticks to pyrethroids in two districts of Benin. Besides after DNA extraction from the tick larvae, a molecular identification test was done. Specific primers were used to determine the different mutations on the sodium channel gene in R. microplus population by PCR. AIT revealed a reproductive index of 0.02 ± 0.01 (p < 0.001) (Kpinnou) and 0.04 ± 0.02 (p < 0.03) (Opkara) with alphacypermethrin. Using deltamethrin, reproductive index was 0.24 ± 0.01 (p < 0.05) at Kpinnou and 0.10 ± 0.03 at Opkara, all at a concentration of 4 mg/ml. The resistance factors (RF) in the two districts were well above 41. The T2134A mutation was absent on the investigated farms. Regarding the C190A mutation, 86.67% and 56.67% of R. microplus larvae have resistant homozygotes in Kpinnou and Opkara, respectively. The introduction of new methods of tick control is essential to limit its population and control resistance.
Customer satisfaction level toward public hospital’s healthy cafeteria in Sabah / Rafidzah D.K.... [et al.]

Customer satisfaction is influenced by factors such as food quality, service quality and price consequently affected their perception. This study was conducted to determine customer satisfaction level and to identify the difference between demographic profiles. A total of 321 respondents from healthy cafeterias located in public hospital in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The tests used are descriptive test, Mann- Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis. The results show for food quality, various healthy menu items offered scored the highest mean (4.86±1.41) and food temperature based on customer preference scored the lowest mean (4.14±1.58). For service quality, presence of physical facilities scored the highest mean (5.44±1.28) and special routes for patients, senior citizens are provided scored the lowest mean (3.15±1.64) and for last factor which is price, the price is cheaper than nearby food establishments scored the highest mean (4.63±1.54) and price charged for each kind of dish is suitable is scored the lowest mean (4.40±1.57). Between three factor only price has a significant difference (p<0.05) with the demographic factors such as age, race, religion, education level, occupation, monthly income and visiting intentions except gender. In conclusion customers at Healthy Cafeteria take price as a vital factor in assessing their satisfaction level.
Effets De l’Acide Naphtalène Acétique, Du Type De Substrat Et De La Grosseur Des Boutures Sur Le Bouturage De Tige De Pterocarpus Erinaceus Poir. (Fabaceae)

This study, conducted in south-east Benin, aims to provide practical information on the optimal conditions for successful propagation of stem cuttings of Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir. (Fabaceae), a real alternative to its regeneration and domestication. A trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of different doses of Acid Naphthalene Acetate (ANA) (0; 500; 750; 1000 and 1500 mg/l), the type of substrate (black forest sand and fine sand) and the size of the cuttings used ([1.5-2] and [2.5-3] cm of diameter) on the recovery of these cuttings. To evaluate the effect of different treatments on budding rate, bud burst rate and degenerate cuttings rate, Generalized Linear Mixed Models and Generalized Linear Models of the binomial family with the lme4 and nlme packages were used with the R.3. 2.4 statistical software. The results showed that the application of ANA does not significantly improve the cuttings recovery. The probability of budding and budding with 0 mg / l of ANA is similar to that of 500 mg/l, and 750 mg/l of ANA ; doses of 1000 and 1500 mg/l of ANA significantly reduce the probability of budding and bud burst. The diameter of the stems of Pterocarpus erinaceus does not affect the recovery of the cuttings while the substrate has a marginal effect. Levels of degenerate cuttings during the trial do not vary with the treatments.
Adding function to the genome of African Salmonella ST313

Salmonella Typhimurium ST313 causes invasive nontyphoidal Salmonella (iNTS) disease in sub-Saharan Africa, targeting susceptible HIV+, malarial or malnourished individuals. An in-depth genomic comparison between the ST313 isolate D23580, and the well-characterized ST19 isolate 4/74 that causes gastroenteritis across the globe, revealed extensive synteny. To understand how the 856 nucleotide variations generated phenotypic differences, we devised a large-scale experimental approach that involved the global gene expression analysis of strains D23580 and 4/74 grown in sixteen infection-relevant growth conditions. Comparison of transcriptional patterns identified virulence and metabolic genes that were differentially expressed between D23580 versus 4/74, many of which were validated by proteomics. We also uncovered the S. Typhimurium D23580 and 4/74 genes that showed expression differences during infection of murine macrophages. Our comparative transcriptomic data are presented in a new enhanced version of the Salmonella expression compendium SalComD23580: bioinf.gen.tcd.ie/cgi-bin/salcom_v2. pl. We discovered that the ablation of melibiose utilization was caused by 3 independent SNP mutations in D23580 that are shared across ST313 lineage 2, suggesting that the ability to catabolise this carbon source has been negatively selected during ST313 evolution. The data revealed a novel plasmid maintenance system involving a plasmid-encoded CysS cysteinyl-tRNA synthetase, highlighting the power of large-scale comparative multi-condition analyses to pinpoint key phenotypic differences between bacterial pathovariants.
Genomic selection of Nili-Ravi buffalo: A choice for buffalo breeders

Among three well documented breeds of buffalo dairy breeds in Pakistan, Nili-Ravi is the best milk producer owing to its characteristic of disease and parasitic resistance, and better convertor of roughages into useful products than cattle. A selection program to enhance the genetic potential for milk production of Nili-Ravi using progeny testing program is going on. Traditional progeny testing program has made a remarkable improvement in the genetic potential of dairy cattle in the developed world. However, this program faces severe implementation issues in buffalo improvement due to limitation of resources and basic infrastructure. Simulated studies have shown the potential of genomic selection in shortening generation interval and increasing the accuracy of selection (especially young bulls) that can bring a relatively rapid genetic improvement. The current study intends to explore the application of genomic selection in a typical buffalo breeding perspective using Nili-Ravi in Pakistan as an example. The assumed size of the training population for genomic selection was 15860 present with BRI, Pattoki. Our calculations indicated that genomic selection can reduce the generation intervals in the male to male selection pathway from 9.5 years down to 3.3 years. It can result in almost 2 times increase in response to selection compared to that in a progeny testing program. Furthermore, it reduced the costs of proving bulls by 88%. The present study suggests the initiation of the program of genomic selection for Nili-Ravi in Pakistan and may serve as an example for other developing countries. The findings of the current study may encourage the researchers and policy makers to use the genomic selection for improvement in the productivity of dairy buffalo of developing countries.
Agronomic traits in common bean are influenced by infestation and coexistence with volunteer maize

1. Received: June 24, 2019. Accepted: Feb. 05, 2020. Published: Apr. 22, 2020. DOI: 10.1590/1983-40632020v5059098. 2. Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Departamento de Fitotecnia, Viçosa, MG, Brasil. E-mail/ORCID: adalin-cezar@hotmail.com/0000-0003-1138-8197. 3. Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Departamento de Ciências Agronômicas e Ambientais, Frederico Westphalen, RS, Brasil. E-mail/ORCID: diecsonros@hotmail.com/0000-0002-0354-7744, claudirbasso@gmail.com/0000-0002-3013-5702, brunadalpizoln@outlook.com/0000-0002-1099-6900, alvaroalba1@outlook.com/0000-0002-3854-1449. Maize seeds lost during harvest may emerge and establish themselves during the cultivation of common bean, becoming a problematic weed in succession crops. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the infestation level and interference period of volunteer maize on agronomic traits of common bean. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design, with four replications, in a 2 x 8 factorial scheme consisting of two maize infestation levels (4 plants m-2 and 12 plants m-2) combined with eight coexistence periods between crop and weed (0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and 88 days after the emergence of the common bean). Variables related to the common bean vegetative growth (plant height, stem diameter, number of side branches and shoot dry matter) and to its grain production (number of pods per plant, grain yield and weight of 1,000 grains), as well as the period prior to interference, were assessed. The increase of the coexistence period and volunteer maize infestation level negatively affected the common bean growth and grain yield. The densities with 4 plants m-2 and 12 plants m-2 of volunteer maize reduced the common bean grain yield by 60 % and 84 %, respectively; while the periods prior to interference between crop and weed, for the respective infestation levels, were 15 and 8 days after the common bean emergence. In addition, the volunteer maize reduces the period prior to interference to very low values, indicating the need to anticipate the control of this weed.
Benefits and Effectiveness of Using Paullinia cupana: A Review Article

Guarana is native to the Amazonian region of Brazil and, widely used in liquid preparations due to its stimulating effect, along with other therapeutic properties. Its chemical components, methylxanthines and condensed tannins, exhibiting a marked biological activity, may be found in commercially available powdered guarana brands at varying levels, possibly due to their provenance and drying processes. However, the chemical standardization of its extract maintains the same quantified content of active substances on each and every lot of extract produced, thus asssuring their quality and therapeutic efficacy. Consumption of guarana by the population should be controlled, since there is controversy as to its dosage and association with allopathic drugs, the interactions of which may result in increasing the therapeutic effect, reducing efficacy or even bringing about adverse reactions. However, the use of guarana in adequate concentrations may contribute to achieve therapeutic properties with less toxicity on account of it being some natural antioxidants source and considered one of the most important new substances directly used as effective medicinal agents.
Oil spillage measures caused drastic reduction in total petroleum hydrocarbon levels in petroleum depot in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract The concentrations of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) in surface water samples from ten sampling sites in the streams around the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Depot, Apata, Nigeria were examined to evaluate the environmental quality and health risks of TPH using (ninety) 90 samples. Physicochemical parameters such as pH, temperature, acidity, alkalinity, nitrate, phosphate, total dissolved solid (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were determined using standard methods. Extraction of TPHs from the water samples was achieved by liquid-liquid extraction method and quantified by gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Results showed that physicochemical parameters determined were within the acceptable limit except phosphate. In addition, the even-numbered aliphatic hydrocarbons (C18-C22) were higher in concentration than their odd-numbered (C15-C19). Mean TPH concentrations ranged from 0.59 ± 0.01 to 34.60 ± 5.50 ng/L were generally below target values. The health risk assessment of non-carcinogenic effects showed HQ and HI values for benzo (a) pyrene and indeno (1,2,3-cd) pyrene were less than 1.0 for adults and children, indicating no adverse effects but the sum of CR was lower than the permissible limit of 1.0 × 10−4. Although pollution was low, there is a need for monitoring and regular checks to ensure public safety.
Stochastic Congestion Game for Load Balancing in Mobile-Edge Computing

Mobile-edge computing can reduce task execution delay and improve the Quality of Experience (QoE) for the network edge users. However, when there are multiple independent cloudlets in the network with the mobile users offloading tasks randomly, how to maintain the load balancing of the independent cloudlets, how to improve the quality of service and users’ QoE are still issues need to be solved. To this end, we study these issues from the perspective of game theory and propose decentralized learning algorithms. First, we turn the cloudlets load-balancing issue into a competition that each user minimizes its task execution time, and then a stochastic congestion game with incomplete information is proposed. Second, based on the existence proof of the Nash equilibria by using potential game theory, we propose a multiuser decentralized learning algorithm to obtain the pure Nash equilibrium strategy of each user. Then, an ordinary differential equation is derived to prove the convergence of the algorithm. Finally, we propose two application scenarios, one is for static users and the other is for dynamic users, and then the performances of the algorithm in a static scenario is tested. In order to adapt to dynamic scenarios, and further improve the performance and reduce communication costs, we propose a decentralized learning algorithm with termination condition. The experiments show that this algorithm can improve the load balancing of the multicloudlet system, and enhance the quality of service.
PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROFILE OF HONEYS FROM DIFFERENT SPECIES OF STINGLESS BEES FROM WESTERN PARÁ, BRAZILIAN AMAZONIA

Stingless honey is a product with a peculiar flavor and quality and its consumption is increasing both as food and as therapeutic and medicinal purposes, particularly in rural communities. This work evaluates the physicochemical profile of different stingless honeys from the Brazilian Amazonia. We analyzed 13 honey samples of the species Melipona interrupta, Scaptotrigona aff. xanthotricha, Melipona sp. , Melipona seminigra and Scaptotrigona polystica from different communities in western Pará State, Brazil. We evaluated the physicochemical parameters of moisture, pH, total acidity, electrical conductivity, ash, hydroxymethylfurfural, diastatic activity, total soluble solids, reducing sugar, and apparent sucrose. The physicochemical profiles showed differences between the species studied, despite coming from the same geographical region. Most parameters comply with limits established from the Identity and Quality of Socially Stingless Honey, from the State of Amazonas. Our results contribute to other studies that investigate and qualify honeys from this region, particularly honeys from Scaptotrigona aff. xanthotricha, whose physicochemical characteristics are still little known in the Brazilian Amazonian region.