Mental disorders, especially schizophrenia, still pose a great challenge for diagnosis in early stages. Recently, computer-aided diagnosis techniques based on resting-state functional magnetic ...resonance imaging (Rs-fMRI) have been developed to tackle this challenge. In this work, we investigate different decision-level and feature-level fusion schemes for discriminating between schizophrenic and normal subjects. Four types of fMRI features are investigated, namely the regional homogeneity, voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity, fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations and amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations. Data denoising and preprocessing were first applied, followed by the feature extraction module. Four different feature selection algorithms were applied, and the best discriminative features were selected using the algorithm of feature selection via concave minimization (FSV). Support vector machine classifiers were trained and tested on the COBRE dataset formed of 70 schizophrenic subjects and 70 healthy subjects. The decision-level fusion method outperformed the single-feature-type approaches and achieved a 97.85% accuracy, a 98.33% sensitivity, a 96.83% specificity. Moreover, feature-fusion scheme resulted in a 98.57% accuracy, a 99.71% sensitivity, a 97.66% specificity, and an area under the ROC curve of 0.9984. In general, decision-level and feature-level fusion schemes boosted the performance of schizophrenia detectors based on fMRI features.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Selection and use of genetically diverse genotypes are key factors in any crop breeding program to develop cultivars with a broad genetic base. Molecular markers play a major role in selecting ...diverse genotypes. In the present study, a reference set representing a wide range of sorghum genetic diversity was screened with 40 EST-SSR markers to validate both the use of these markers for genetic structure analyses and the population structure of this set. Grouping of accessions is identical in distance-based and model-based clustering methods. Genotypes were grouped primarily based on race within the geographic origins. Accessions derived from the African continent contributed 88.6 % of alleles confirming the African origin of sorghum. In total, 360 alleles were detected in the reference set with an average of 9 alleles per marker. The average PIC value was 0.5230 with a range of 0.1379–0.9483. Sub-race, guinea margaritiferum (Gma) from West Africa formed a separate cluster in close proximity to wild accessions suggesting that the Gma group represents an independent domestication event. Guineas from India and Western Africa formed two distinct clusters. Accessions belongs to the kafir race formed the most homogeneous group as observed in earlier studies. This analysis suggests that the EST-SSR markers used in the present study have greater discriminating power than the genomic SSRs. Genetic variance within the subpopulations was very high (71.7 %) suggesting that the germplasm lines included in the set are more diverse. Thus, this reference set representing the global germplasm is an ideal material for the breeding community, serving as a community resource for trait-specific allele mining as well as genome-wide association mapping.
The layer-by-layer (LbL) technique has been widely used to produce nanofilms for biomedical applications. Naturally occurring polymers such as ECM macromolecules are attractive candidates for LbL ...film preparation. In this study, we assessed the build-up of type I collagen (Col1)/chondroitin sulfate (CS) or Col1/Heparin (HN) on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates. The build-up was assessed by quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Integrin-mediated cell adhesion was assessed by studying the cytoskeletal organization of mammalian primary cells (chondrocytes) seeded on different end layers and number of layers. Data generated from the QCM-D observations showed a consistent build-up of films with more adsorption in the case of Col1/HN. Col1/CS films were stable in media, whereas Col1/HN films were not. AFM analysis showed that the layers were fibrillar in structure for both systems and between 20 and 30 nm thick. The films promoted cell adhesion when compared with tissue culture plastic in serum-free media with cycloheximide. Crosslinking of the films resulted in constrained cell spreading and a ruffled morphology. Finally, beta1 integrin blocking antibodies prevented cell spreading, suggesting that cell adhesion and spreading were mediated mainly by interaction with the collagen fibrils. The ability to construct stable ECM-based films on PDMS has particular relevance in mechanobiology, microfluidics, and other biomedical applications.
English is now widely considered the most powerful and influential language in the world. Saudi Arabia believes that its transition from oil to a knowledge-based economy is dependent on its citizenry ...learning English as a foreign language (EFL). To play their role, Saudi women need access to EFL, access that is affected by their agency and responses to challenging gendered norms. This exploratory qualitative study sheds light on two discourses associated with Saudi women investing in learning EFL: guilt and defiance. Data were collected (2018-2019) via semi-structured interviews with nine Saudi women of various ages, social, educational, employment, and sectarian backgrounds. A thematic analysis revealed how Saudi women exhibited the discourses of guilt and defiance throughout their EFL learning journey. The major guilt subthemes were child rearing guilt, L1 (loss of first language) guilt, and regret for not starting to learn EFL sooner. Defiance subthemes included gendered identity, professional hegemony, and Eurocentrism defiance. Despite personal and other-attributed guilt and shame, study participants defied societal and cultural norms and chose to invest in learning EFL. This study demonstrated the benefit of hearing Saudi women's voices to address the paucity of research targeting their investment in learning EFL.
Sorghum has shown the adaptability necessary to sustain its improvement during time and geographical extension despite a genetic foundation constricted by domestication bottlenecks. Initially ...domesticated in the northeastern part of sub-Saharan Africa several millenia ago, sorghum quickly spread throughout Africa, and to Asia. We performed phylogeographic analysis of sequence diversity for six candidate genes for grain quality (Shrunken2, Brittle2, Soluble starch synthaseI, Waxy, Amylose extender1, and Opaque2) in a representative sample of sorghum cultivars. Haplotypes along 1-kb segments appeared little affected by recombination. Sequence similarity enabled clustering of closely related alleles and discrimination of two or three distantly related groups depending on the gene. This scheme indicated that sorghum domestication involved structured founder populations, while confirming a specific status for the guinea margaritiferum subrace. Allele rooted genealogy revealed derivation relationships by mutation or, less frequently, by recombination. Comparison of germplasm compartments revealed contrasts between genes. Sh2, Bt2, and SssI displayed a loss of diversity outside the area of origin of sorghum, whereas O2 and, to some extent, Wx and Ae1 displayed novel variation, derived from postdomestication mutations. These are likely to have been conserved under the effect of human selection, thus releasing valuable neodiversity whose extent will influence germplasm management strategies.
A murine model of myelofibrosis in tibia was used in a co-clinical trial to evaluate segmentation methods for application of image-based biomarkers to assess disease status. The dataset (32 mice with ...157 3D MRI scans including 49 test-retest pairs scanned on consecutive days) was split into approximately 70% training, 10% validation, and 20% test subsets. Two expert annotators (EA1 and EA2) performed manual segmentations of the mouse tibia (EA1: all data; EA2: test and validation). Attention U-net (A-U-net) model performance was assessed for accuracy with respect to EA1 reference using the average Jaccard index (AJI), volume intersection ratio (AVI), volume error (AVE), and Hausdorff distance (AHD) for four training scenarios: full training, two half-splits, and a single-mouse subsets. The repeatability of computer versus expert segmentations for tibia volume of test-retest pairs was assessed by within-subject coefficient of variance (%wCV). A-U-net models trained on full and half-split training sets achieved similar average accuracy (with respect to EA1 annotations) for test set: AJI = 83-84%, AVI = 89-90%, AVE = 2-3%, and AHD = 0.5 mm-0.7 mm, exceeding EA2 accuracy: AJ = 81%, AVI = 83%, AVE = 14%, and AHD = 0.3 mm. The A-U-net model repeatability wCV 95% CI: 3 2, 5% was notably better than that of expert annotators EA1: 5 4, 9% and EA2: 8 6, 13%. The developed deep learning model effectively automates murine bone marrow segmentation with accuracy comparable to human annotators and substantially improved repeatability.
•103 photoperiod-insensitive sorghum accessions were evaluated for stem composition and agronomic traits in South of France.•This genetic panel showed a great variation for key parameters of stem ...composition (lignin content, fibre digestibility…).•Our study indicated that variability for stem composition was highly structured according to the genetic origin.•Correlation analyses revealed that both biomass yield and quality can be improved simultaneously.•We identified genetic clusters and accessions of specific interest to use sorghum stems for energy and fodder purposes.
Over the last decade, the merits of sorghum as a dedicated feedstock have been highlighted. The relevance of sorghum biomass as an energy or biomaterial source relies on the possibility that its composition meets the requirement of the different production processes. In order to better assess the phenotypic variation existing in sorghum for stem composition, 103 accessions representing a broad genetic panel of insensitive and moderate photoperiod-sensitive landraces were evaluated during two consecutive years at Montpellier, South of France. Our data confirmed the existence of a great range of variation for several key parameters of stem composition, in particular for crude protein, lignin content and in vitro organic matter degradation and at a less extent for fibre digestibility. Sugar content in stems estimated by Brix was positively correlated with cycle duration and dry stem yield. Lignin content and fibre digestibility, two key traits linked to the potential utilization of sorghum biomass for fodder and 2nd-generation energy source, were strongly (positive and negative, respectively) correlated with plant height but not linked with dry stem yield. These results indicated that both biomass yield and quality can be improved simultaneously. Variability of stem composition was highly structured according to the genetic origins of the accessions. Durra and kafir groups emerged as good sources of high fibre digestibility. The same two groups and the photoperiod-insensitive caudatum from Africa comprised the best accessions for high sugar content in stems. Several Chinese caudatum and bicolor-caudatum accessions included in this panel stand out for high lignin content. This information will be mobilized to broaden the genetic diversity relevant for on-going breeding programs of sweet and biomass sorghum for temperate areas.
Even after achieving tremendous advances in diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), many of the patients undergo delays in diagnosis and initiation of treatment, which leads to ...worsening of the condition and poor prognosis.
The objective of this study was to perform a literature review to quantify the lag times in diagnosis and treatment of RA and study the reported factors associated with it.
The authors searched literature published until September 2016 in electronic full-text and abstract databases and hand-searched the suitable articles.
The weighted average of median lag time from symptom onset to therapy was 11.79 months (12 studies, 5,512 patients, range 3.6-24.0 months). Lag1 was 3.14 months (onset of symptoms to first physician consultant; 12 studies, 6,055 patients, range 0-5.7 months); lag2 was 2.13 months (physician visit to RA specialist referral; 13 studies, 34,767 patients, range 0.5-6.6 months); lag3 was 2.91 months (consultation with rheumatologist to diagnosis; 3 studies, 563 patients, range 0-5 months), lag4 was 2.14 months (diagnosis to initiation of disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy; 5 studies, 30,685 patients, range 0-2.2 months). Numerous patient-and physician-related factors like gender, ethnicity, primary care physician knowledge of the condition, availability of diagnostics, and so on were responsible for the delays.
This review estimated the delay times and identified the main factors for delay in RA patients in diagnosis and initiation of treatment. A most plausible solution to this is coordinated effort by the rheumatology and primary care physicians.
The complex, tetraploid genome structure of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) has obstructed advances in genetics and genomics in the species. The aim of this study is to understand the genome structure of ...Arachis by developing a high-density integrated consensus map. Three recombinant inbred line populations derived from crosses between the A genome diploid species, Arachis duranensis and Arachis stenosperma; the B genome diploid species, Arachis ipaënsis and Arachis magna; and between the AB genome tetraploids, A. hypogaea and an artificial amphidiploid (A. ipaënsis × A. duranensis)(4×), were used to construct genetic linkage maps: 10 linkage groups (LGs) of 544 cM with 597 loci for the A genome; 10 LGs of 461 cM with 798 loci for the B genome; and 20 LGs of 1442 cM with 1469 loci for the AB genome. The resultant maps plus 13 published maps were integrated into a consensus map covering 2651 cM with 3693 marker loci which was anchored to 20 consensus LGs corresponding to the A and B genomes. The comparative genomics with genome sequences of Cajanus cajan, Glycine max, Lotus japonicus, and Medicago truncatula revealed that the Arachis genome has segmented synteny relationship to the other legumes. The comparative maps in legumes, integrated tetraploid consensus maps, and genome-specific diploid maps will increase the genetic and genomic understanding of Arachis and should facilitate molecular breeding.
To ensure food security in Africa and Asia, developing sorghum varieties with grain quality that matches consumer demand is a major breeding objective that requires a better understanding of the ...genetic control of grain quality traits. The objective of this targeted association study was to assess whether the polymorphism detected in six genes involved in synthesis pathways of starch (
Sh2
,
Bt2
,
SssI
,
Ae1
, and
Wx
) or grain storage proteins (
O2
) could explain the phenotypic variability of six grain quality traits amylose content (AM), protein content (PR), lipid content (LI), hardness (HD), endosperm texture (ET), peak gelatinization temperature (PGT), two yield component traits thousand grain weight (TGW) and number of grains per panicle (NBG), and yield itself (YLD). We used a core collection of 195 accessions which had been previously phenotyped and for which polymorphic sites had been identified in sequenced segments of the six genes. The associations between gene polymorphism and phenotypic traits were analyzed with Tassel. The percentages of admixture of each accession, estimated using 60 RFLP probes, were used as cofactors in the analyses, decreasing the proportion of false-positive tests (70%) due to population structure. The significant associations observed matched generally well the role of the enzymes encoded by the genes known to determine starch amount or type.
Sh2
,
Bt2
,
Ae1
, and
Wx
were associated with TGW.
SssI
and
Ae1
were associated with PGT, a trait influenced by amylopectin amount.
Sh2
was associated with AM while
Wx
was not, possibly because of the absence of waxy accessions in our collection.
O2
and
Wx
were associated with HD and ET. No association was found between
O2
and PR. These results were consistent with QTL or association data in sorghum and in orthologous zones of maize. This study represents the first targeted association mapping study for grain quality in sorghum and paves the way for marker-aided selection.
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