Implementation of machine learning in DNA barcoding for determining the plant family taxonomy

The DNA barcoding approach has been used extensively in taxonomy and phylogenetics. The differences in certain DNA sequences are able to differentiate and help classify organisms into taxa. It has been used in cases of taxonomic disputes where morphology by itself is insufficient. This research aimed to utilize hierarchical clustering, an unsupervised machine learning method, to determine and resolve disputes in plant family taxonomy. We take a case study of Leguminosae that historically some classify into three families (Fabaceae, Caesalpiniaceae, and Mimosaceae) but others classify into one family (Leguminosae). This study is divided into several phases, which are: (i) data collection, (ii) data preprocessing, (iii) finding the best distance method, and (iv) determining disputed family. The data used are collected from several sources, including National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), journals, and websites. The data for validation of the methods were collected from NCBI. This was used to determine the best distance method for differentiating families or genera. The data for the case study in the Leguminosae group was collected from journals and a website. From the experiment that we have conducted, we found that the Pearson method is the best distance method to do clustering ITS sequence of plants, both in accuracy and computational cost. We use the Pearson method to determine the disputed family between Leguminosae. We found that the case study of Leguminosae should be grouped into one family based on our research.

Between State Law and Islamic Law: The Practice of Divorce Outside the Situbondo Religious Courts, Indonesia

The relationship between state law and religion (Islamic law) is still problematic in its implementation. This problem occurs in practising divorce outside the court in Situbondo, Indonesia. Its case is interesting because it is still considered legal by the community and religious leaders according to religious law even though the divorce decision has not been received from the court. This legal phenomenon is contrary to positive law in Indonesia. This article aims to explain the practice of divorce outside the court in Situbondo and the authority problem between state law and Islamic law. After conducting intensive field research for three months with perpetrators of out-of-court divorce, religious leaders, and the Head of the Office of Religious Affairs, the authors found that the widespread practice of divorce outside the court was caused by the influence of religious leaders’ understanding and public understanding. This understanding becomes the doctrine that divorce in Islamic law is legal without having to await a divorce decision from the religious court. The authors stated that the dominance of the authority of Islamic law over state law in the practice of divorce in Muslim societies has negative implications for the rights of children and ex-wives.