Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ANNUAL, INTRA-, AND INTER-SPECIFIC VARIATIONS IN BODY SIZE AND POTENTIAL FECUNDITY OF SOME TABANUS SPECIES (DIPTERA: TABANIDAE)

Abstract Because egg production in Tabanus atratus, T. catenatus, T. lineola, T. quinquevittatus, and T. similis is not known in southwestern Quebec, potential fecundity and body size were evaluated respectively from the analysis of ovariole number and wing length in field-collected females. Ovariole number appears to be proportional to the third power of wing length, and fecundity indices can be derived from that relationship. Significant differences in body size and potential fecundity of the species suggest that there are different reproductive strategies within the genus Tabanus. Body size and potential fecundity varied significantly in both sampling years in T. lineola but not in T. quinquevittatus or T. similis. These results may prove useful in future studies of population dynamics or phylogeny. Résumé Étant donné que la production d’oeufs de Tabanus atratus, T. catenatus, T. lineola, T. quinquevittatus, et de T. similis n’est pas connue dans le sud-ouest du Québec, nous avons évalué leur fécondité potentielle et leur taille respective par le nombre d’ovarioles et la longueur de l’aile de femelles prélevées sur le terrain. Le nombre d’ovarioles paraît proportionnel au cube de la longueur de l’aile, et des indices de fécondité peuvent être dérivés de cette relation. Les différences significatives de la taille et de la fécondité potentielle des espèces étudiées suggèrent qu’il y a diverses stratégies de reproduction au sein du genre Tabanus. La taille et la fécondité potentielle ont varié de manière significative au cours de 2 années d’échantillonnage chez T. lineola mais non chez T. quinquevittatus et T. similis. Ces informations devraient s’avérer utiles lors d’études futures de dynamique des populations ou de phylogénie.
Dormancy-breaking and germination requirements for seeds of Acacia papyrocarpa, Acacia oswaldii and Senna artemisioides ssp.coriacea, three Australian arid-zone Fabaceae species

Physical dormancy is common in seeds of arid-land legumes. Improved understanding of germination requirements of hard-seeded species will further our understanding of arid lands and aid restoration projects. We studied the germination responses of Acacia papyrocarpa (Benth.), A. oswaldii (F.Muell) and Senna artemisioides (Gaudich. ex DC.) Randell ssp. × coriacea (Benth.) Randell from a chenopod shrubland in South Australia. Imbibition testing indicated that all three species had physical dormancy, but the proportion of dormant seeds was lower in A. oswaldii. This corresponded to a thinner testa in this species. Mechanisms tested to scarify seeds included mechanical scarification and different durations of wet or dry heat. Mechanically scarified seeds germinated readily, reaching maximum numbers in 10–15 days, independently of incubation temperatures, with the exception of S. artemisioides seeds, which germinated at a slower rate in cooler temperatures. Overall, wet heat was more effective than dry heat to alleviate physical dormancy, whereas dry heat in some cases resulted in seed mortality. On the basis of these results, it is recommended that seeds of A. papyrocarpa and S. artemisoides be pretreated with wet heat in future restoration programs. No pre-treatment is required for dormancy loss in A. oswaldii seeds. The different responses of seeds of these species suggest that their populations have varying strategies for persistence in this unpredictable environment.
Assessment of Burnout and its Factors Among Doctors Using the Abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory

Background Occupational burnout is an unwanted outcome of chronic workplace stressors which may be emotional or interpersonal. Chronic exposure to human suffering and long working hours have contributed to greater job stress and early burnout among healthcare providers. This study utilized the abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory (aMBI) to gauge the extent of overall burnout and on three subscales – perspective taking, compassionate care, and walking in patients' shoes – among interns, postgraduate trainees, and physicians of internal medicine. Materials and methods In this cross-sectional study, 71 internal medicine doctors – 40 interns, 22 postgraduate trainees, and nine physicians – completed aMBI with informed consent. It is a nine-item scale with three subscales – emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and personal accomplishment (PA). Each subscale has three items that are marked on a seven-point Likert scale. Higher scores of EE and DP indicate higher burnout, and a higher score of PA indicates lower burnout. Overall burnout was taken as the sum of EE and DP. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS v. 22. Results There were 23 (32.4%) male and 48 (67.5%) female doctors with a mean age of 24.25 ± 13.17 years. The mean score of overall burnout was 22.51 ± 6.07 (range: 0–36) and PA was 15.35 ± 1.82 (range: 0–18). Overall moderate to high burnout was seen in 33.8% of doctors. On an individual subscale, 47.8% had high EE, 24% had high DP, and 25.4% reported high burnout on PA. Overall burnout had a statistically significant correlation with the marital status of the doctors, their working hours per week, their average on-call days per week, and their level of expertise. Conclusion There is a high degree of burnout among internal medicine physicians. Working hours and the number of on-call days per week were significant predicting factors. Interns reported the highest frequency of burnout.
Detection and identification of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus and Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis by nonradioactive hybridization, polymerase chain reaction, and restriction enzyme analysis

C. n1ichigo11e11.si.s subsp. //iiclrigtr~~or.sis obtained with 22 out of 24 C. ~~iichignrrerr.si.s subsp. r~ric~lrignrre/isis strains. A weak hybridization signal occurred only with two strains of C. niichign~rerrsis SLI~S~. i/r.sidios~r~. NO hybridization occurred with any of the 7 1 other related and unrelated bacterial strains tested including tomato saprophytes. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms detected with the Diagen probe allowed differentiation between C. t~riclrign/re/~si.s subsp. sepetlo/ric~rs and the related C. t~richign/re/i.si.s subsp. i~r.sicliosrrs. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis using the MIC I probe and Bon7HI showed at least two groups of patterns within C. ~i~i~. lrig~~~e~~ sis subsp. nric~/riiqarieri.si.s. By using a primer set derived from the Diagen probe, a DNA sequence could be amplified with all C. ~~ric~lrign/rerrsi.s subsp. sc,/)etlo/ric~rr.s strains tested. Only the nontarget organism C. niichi~qrr~rerrsis subsp. i1r.sit1io. su.s yielded n similar polymerase chain reaction product. Restriction enzyme analysis of the polymerase chain reaction product enabled rapid distinction between the subspecies. With a CMM primer set derived from the MIC I probe a DNA sequence was amplified from the same 22 out of24 C. /,ric~lri~qn/rer~sis subsp. niichiLqnrre/r.si.s strains that showed hybridization with the MIC I probe. The polymerase chnin reaction product could be verified by restriction enzyme analysis. The Diagen and MIC I probes and derived primer sets were shown to be ~~seful for the detection and identification of C. ~~ric/ii~qn/rensi.s subsp. scl~erlo/iicrrs and C. /~riclri~qo/re/~. si.s subsp. /? riclrigorre/r.sis. The MIC 1 probe. however. failed to detect two strains of the latter subspecies. Key rvor.rls: biotin, PCR, REA. potato bacterial ring rot, bacterial canker of tomato, RFLP, Clnvil~ac~rer~~~ ~ic~l~ign/ie/isi s subsp. i~rsirlios~~s.
Go COMPARE! “One serves all” next-generation sequencing framework

COMPARE (Collaborative Management Platform for detection and Analyses of [Re-] emerging and foodborne outbreaks in Europe) is a multidisciplinary research network that is set up with the common vision of becoming the enabling analytical framework and globally linked data and information sharing platform system for the rapid identification, containment and mitigation of emerging infectious diseases and foodborne outbreaks.
Alterations of the CxxC Domain Preclude Oncogenic Activation of Mixed Lineage Leukemia 2 (MLL2).

The mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) family of histone methyltransferases has become notorious for the participation of the founding member MLL in fusion proteins that cause acute leukemia. Despite a high overall structural conservation no other MLL homolog has been found involved in leukemogenic fusion proteins. This surprising fact might be either due to a relative genomic stability of the MLL2 locus that prevents chromosomal translocations or MLL2 might be altogether incapable of contributing to oncogenic fusions because of functional constraints. Here we demonstrate the latter to be true for fusion proteins based on MLL2, the closest relative of MLL. A MLL2-ENL protein constructed in analogy to the highly leukemogenic MLL-ENL was incapable of transforming primary hematopoietic cells. Elaborate swap experiments identified the zinc binding “CxxC”- region of MLL2 and an adjacent “post-CxxC” stretch of basic amino acids as the essential determinants for the observed difference between MLL and MLL2. Surprisingly gel shift experiments indicated that the CxxC and post-CxxC domains of MLL and MLL2 conferred almost indistinguishable in vitro DNA binding properties. However, in vivo these motifs guided MLL-ENL and MLL2-ENL to a largely non-overlapping gene repertoire. Divergent nuclear localization, a distinct potency to activate a MLL model promoter in reporter assays, and measurements of homeobox gene levels in primary cells expressing MLL and MLL2 fusion proteins all argued for a separate target site selection of the two fusions. Therefore, the CxxC domain appears to be largely responsible for target finding and as a consequence this domain is a promising object for therapies aimed at MLL fusion proteins without affecting the general function of other MLL family members.
Analgesic, Anti-diarrheal, Anti-depressant, Membrane Stabilizing and Cytotoxic Activities of Bridelia verrucosa Haines

The present study was aimed for the evaluation of analgesic, anti-diarrheal and anti-depressant activities of methanol crude extract of Bridelia verrucosa leaves in Swiss albino mice. The analgesic activity was assessed by formalin-induced paw licking method, where the crude extract of B. verrucosa (400 mg/kg, b.w.) exhibited 54.55% reduction of licking response in mice as compared to 69.09% reduction exhibited by standard acetylsalicylic acid. In the castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice, the plant extract at the dose of 400 mg/kg, b.w. , demonstrated 57.67% reduction of diarrheal feces in mice. The antidepressant activity of the plant extract was evaluated through phenobarbitone-Na induced sleeping time test. The methanol extract of B. verrucosa and its different Kupchan fractions were also subjected to screenings for membrane stabilizing and cytotoxic activities using acetylsalicylic acid and vincristine sulphate as standard, respectively. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 22(1): 50-55, 2019
Unrelated Cord Blood Transplantation (UCBT) for Transfusion- Dependent Thalassemia a CIBMTR Audited Retrospective Analysis of 30 Consecutive Patients from a Single Center

UCBT offers a cure for thalassemia and has advantages as a stem cell source because the requirement for an HLA match between donor and recipient is less stringent. Previous reports of UCBT for thalassemia have yielded transplant related mortality (TRM) that was quite high and it is known that pre-freeze total nucleated cell (TNC) dose is critical for UCBT. With strategies that maximize TNC dose – using non-red cell reduced but plasma depleted (PD) CB, no post-thaw wash (NW), and double cord transplantation (DCT) when necessary – we have achieved promising results with UCBT in young patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia. Between 10/2003 and 5/2008, 39 CB products were infused after Bu/Cy/ATG myeloablation into 30 pediatric thalassemia major patients (9 DCT) using NW PD CB exclusively. Patient status: 21 Pesaro class−1, 8 Pesaro class−2, and 2 unknown. Median age was 5 years (range 1–14 years) with a median weight of 18 kg (range 11–37 kg). The data was audited by the transplant center (TC) and on-site by CIBMTR (98.5% accuracy for Chang Gung). Median pre-freeze TNC cell dose was 10.9×10 7 /kg, and median pre-freeze CD34 + cell dose was 4.0×10 5 /kg. The number of CB products HLA ABDR matched were 4, 11, and 24 for 6/6, 5/6, and 4/6 or fewer matches. No significant adverse events were observed despite major ABO incompatibility in some cases and forgoing post-thaw wash. Cumulative incidences of donor-derived (determined by chimerism studies) neutrophil (ANC500), platelet 20K and 50K (plt 20K & 50K) engraftment were 96±11%, 92±11% and 92±12%, and median times to ANC500, plt 20K and 50K engraftment were 17.5 days (range 11–26), 49.5 days (range 28–135) and 63.5 days (range 35–203), respectively. Grade III/IV acute GvHD occurred in 40±9%, and extensive chronic GvHD occurred in 4±4% of the patients. Transplant related mortality were 10±5% at 100 days and 13±6% at 1 year. Overall survival at 1 and 3 years were 87±6% and 82±8%, while disease-free survival at 1 and 3 years were 85±7% and 78±9%. Five patients expired including 1 death prior to day +10 due to traumatic head injury. Mean and median follow up times were 24 and 16 months respectively (range 0.3–58 months) as of August 2008. To our knowledge, this is the largest single-institutional UCBT series for thalassemia, and shows the favorable clinical results that are attainable when TNC dose is optimized with PD CBU, no post-thaw wash and DCT when necessary.
Sleep Impairment at the Time of First Diagnosis in Patients with Seronegative Elderly-Onset Rheumatoid Arthritis and in Patients with Polymyalgia Rheumatica    

Background: Differential diagnosis between polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and seronegative elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis (SEORA) is not easy, to the point that in the past they were considered the same entity. In these patients, sleep disorders have been scarcely assessed, and considered as expression of mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Methods: In 38 Caucasian elderly patients (median age: 73.9 ± 8.06 years) consecutively referred to two outpatient clinics from January to May 2018 with diagnosis of PMR and SEORA, sleep impairment was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study-Sleep scale (MOS-SS). Depression and anxiety were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) score, with point 0 for absent and point 3 for severe. Comorbidities were assessed using the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS). Patients taking medications used to treat sleep disturbance or that could favor sleep disturbances were excluded. The study was approved by the local ethics committee and carried out in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration, revised 2013. Every patient signed an informed consent form at the time of the first visit. Results: MOS-SS total point in PMR patients was significantly higher than in SEORA patients (47.60 ± 8.4 vs 28.26 ± 12.4; P = 0.000). After six-month therapy with prednisone (12.5–15 mg/day, followed after 4 weeks by gradual tapering), MOS-SS total point improved in the two groups of patients, with no significant difference (17.0 ± 6.2 vs 17.8 ± 4.2; P = 0.644). No correlation was found between MOS-SS and comorbidities, and between MOS-SS, anxiety or depression. Conclusions: Our data suggest that the assessment of sleep impairment could be very useful in the differential diagnosis between PMR and SEORA. Up today, the reasons why patients with PMR have—at the time of diagnosis—a sleep impairment higher than SEORA are speculative. Further ad hoc complementary studies in multicenter cohorts are needed.
ION TRANSPORT IN CHLOROPLASTS AND PLANT MITOCHONDRIA

The developments in recent years demonstrate that the occurrence of light and substrate dependent ion movements in chloroplasts and mitochon­ dria, respectively, are closely linked to the electron and energy transfer reactions as they occur within these organelles. Hence a review of this sub­ ject cannot ignore questions of electron transport and the relation of ion movements to energy coupling. Nevertheless, we have decided to focus the subject upon factors that affect the movement of the chief ions, namely H+, that have been studied in these organelles. Some questions which require answers in considering this subject are: (a) What ion (e.g. H+)movements may be regarded as primary? (b) What is the relation of the ion movements to the mechanisms of energy coupling? (c) How are the ion movements re­ lated to the ionic balance that is obtained in the green plant? (d) To what extent can the predictions concerning the properties of ion transport of or­ ganelles in vitro lead to useful predictions of these activities in vivo? Several aspects of this subject have been adequately treated in recent reviews. The reader is referred to monographs published recently by Robert­ son (161) and Luttge (94), and to articles by Avron & Neumann (4), Packer & Crofts (145), and Hanson & Hodges (45), which have considered especially aspects of the ion movements. Structural aspects related to ion movemen ts in chloroplasts have been stressed by Packer & Deamer (146). A particularly comprehensive and critical review, focused upon Mitchell & Moyle's chemi­ osmotic hypothesis ( 1 11 , 1 13), by Greville (40) has recently appeared. The point of departure for the present article is the relevant Annual Review of Plant Physiology article by Avron & Neumann (4) in 1968. A perusal of this subject identifies some new directions for research. The chemiosmotic hypothesis has made the most compelling arguments toward bringing a comprehensive picture into focus upon the various types of ion movements predictable from a hydrogen gradient as being the pri­ mary energetic even t accompanying electron transport in energy transd ueing
Basic of Artificial Neural Network

An Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is an information processing paradigm that is inspired by the way biological nervous systems, such as the brain, process information. The key element of this paradigm is the novel structure of the information processing system. It is composed of a large number of highly interconnected processing elements (neurons) working in unison to solve specific problems. ANNs, like people, learn by example. An ANN is configured for a specific application, such as pattern recognition or data classification, through a learning process. Learning in biological systems involves adjustments to the synaptic connections that exist between the neurons. This is true of ANNs as well. This paper gives overview of Artificial Neural Network, working & training of ANN. It also explain the application and advantages of ANN.
A Phase I Study of XL019, a Selective JAK2 Inhibitor, in Patients with Polycythemia Vera

More than 98% of patients with polycythemia vera (PV) carry the activating JAK2 mutation V617F, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of PV by promoting hematopoetic cell proliferation and survival. PV is characterized by an increased red blood cell mass and is generally accompanied by increased myeloid and megakaryocytic production. Current therapy consists of supportive care measures including aspirin, phlebotomy, interferon and hydroxyurea to reduce the risk of complications of the disease such as thrombotic events. Such palliative therapy is often unsatisfactory due to side effects and the persistent susceptibility of the patients to development of thrombosis, and the failure to prevent transformation to myelofibrosis or acute leukemia. XL019 potently and selectively inhibits JAK2 (K i of 2 nM); relative to other JAK family kinases (JAK1 K i of 134 nM, JAK3 K i of 195 nM and TYK2 K i of 344 nM). Cellular selectivity of XL019 was confirmed in primary human cell assays; while EPO-stimulated pSTAT5 in primary erythroid cells was quite sensitive to XL019 treatment (IC 50 of 64 nM), stimulation of T-cells with IL-2 or B-cells with IL-4 or IL-6 gave pSTAT IC 50 s of >800 nM in each case. Potent effects on JAK2-STAT signaling were also demonstrated in single-dose pharmacodynamic studies in xenograft tumors, including HEL92.1. 7, CFPAC-1 and DU 145. XL019 is being evaluated in a Phase 1 dose escalation study in subjects with PV who have failed or are intolerant of standard therapies defined as follows: symptomatic splenomegaly in spite of current therapy, thrombocytosis with a platelet count >450K/μl, or non-controlled constitutional symptoms such as pruritus, night sweats, or weight loss. The primary objectives of this study are to determine the safety and tolerability of XL019 when administered orally either once daily, or every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in 28-day cycles (starting doses 10 mg QD and 25 mg QMWF). Secondary objectives include determination of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of XL019, and to evaluate clinical response using the following endpoints: hematologic response; time to hematologic response; duration of hematologic response; phlebotomy independence; change in spleen and/or liver size; change in bone marrow morphology; impact on quality of life (QOL); and impact on functional exercise capacity. Pharmacodynamic assessments for this study include JAK2 V617F allele burden, erythropoietin-independent colony formation, changes in cytokine levels and JAK2 signaling pathways in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and changes in bone marrow histology. Our initial findings regarding the tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and preliminary clinical activity of XL019 in PV patients will be presented.
Fast Return Path Planning for Agricultural Autonomous Terrestrial Robot in a Known Field

The agricultural sector is becoming more critical than ever in view of the expected overpopulation of the Earth. The introduction of robotic solutions in this field is an increasingly researched topic to make the most of the Earth's resources, thus going to avoid the problems of wear and tear of the human body due to the harsh agricultural work, and open the possibility of a constant careful processing 24 hours a day. This project is realized for a terrestrial autonomous robot aimed to navigate in an orchard collecting fallen peaches below the trees. When it receives the signal indicating the low battery, it has to return to the docking station where it will replace its battery and then return to the last work point and resume its routine. Considering a preset path in orchards with tree rows with variable length by which the robot goes iteratively using the algorithm D*. In case of low battery, the D* algorithm is still used to determine the fastest return path to the docking station as well as to come back from the docking station to the last work point. MATLAB simulations were performed to analyze the flexibility and adaptability of the developed algorithm. The simulation results show an enormous potential for adaptability, particularly in view of the irregularity of orchard field, since it is not flat and undergoes modifications over time from fallen branch as well as from other obstacles and constraints. The D* algorithm determines the best route in spite of the irregularity of the terrain. Moreover, in this work, it will be shown a possible solution to improve the initial points tracking and reduce time between movements. Keywords—Path planning, fastest return path, agricultural terrestrial robot, autonomous, docking station.