Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A polyphasic approach to highlight genotypic and phenotypic diversities of Lactobacillus helveticus strains isolated from dairy starter cultures and cheeses

In the present work, 67 strains of Lactobacillus helveticus isolated from whey starter cultures and cheeses were identified and grouped by genotypic and phenotypic methods. Strains were identified by sugar fermentation pattern, by cell-wall protein profile, and by probe hybridisation. Phenotypic diversity was evaluated by a chemometric model taking into account biochemical characteristics (i.e. acidifying and peptidase activities) of technological interest. Genotypic diversity was evidenced by RAPD-PCR, which provided strain-specific patterns and revealed the occurrence of different strains. The RAPD-PCR profiles were clustered according to their similarities; the groups obtained, together with the cell-wall protein profiling and the chemometric information, could be sometimes correlated with the type of cheese and/or dairy niches used as sources of strains. A computerised analysis of genotypic and phenotypic information could be successfully applied for rapid and reliable differentiation and characterisation of Lb. helveticus isolates occurring in different dairy products.
Tolerance of β‐diketone hydrolases as representatives of the crotonase superfamily towards organic solvents

Crotonase superfamily enzymes catalyze a wide variety of reactions, including hydrolytic C–C bond cleavage in symmetrical β‐diketones by 6‐oxo camphor hydrolase (OCH) from Rhodococcus sp. The organic solvent tolerance and temperature stability of OCH and its structurally related ortholog Anabaena β‐diketone hydrolase have been investigated. Both enzymes showed excellent tolerance toward organic solvents; for instance, even in the presence of 80% (v/v) THF or dioxane, OCH was still active. In most solvent mixtures, except methanol, the stereospecificity was conserved (>99% e.e. of product), hence neither the type of solvent nor its concentration appeared to have an effect on the stereoselectivity of the enzyme. Attempts to correlate the observed activities with log P, functional solvent group or denaturing capacity (DC) of the solvent were only successful in the case of DC for water miscible solvents. This study represents the first investigation of organic solvent stability for members of the crotonase superfamily. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2011;108: 2815–2822. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
What Rewards Do Clinical Preceptors in Nursing Think Are Important?

This article explores the use of preceptors for a capstone course in a baccalaureate curriculum. Nursing faculty, nursing managers, and staff educators from local hospitals developed a survey to determine the range of items that would serve as recognition or rewards for staff working in a preceptor role. The challenge was to identify rewards that are meaningful to the preceptors and financially feasible for the organization and the School of Nursing.
The interstitial nucleus of the superior fasciculus, posterior bundle (INSFp) in the guinea pig: Another nucleus of the accessory optic system processing the vertical retinal slip signal

Abstract As in rabbit, gerbil, and rat, the guinea pig interstitial nucleus of the superior fasciculus, posterior bundle (INSFp) is a sparse assemblage of neurons scattered among the fibers forming the fasciculus bearing this name. Most of the INSFp neurons are small and are ovoid in shape. Interspersed among these, are a few larger, elongated neurons whose density becomes greater and whose shape becomes fusiform in correspondence to the zone of transition from the superior fasciculus to the ventral part of the medial terminal nucleus (MTN). Like the MTN, the INSFp is activated by retinal-slip signals evoked by whole-field visual patterns moving in the vertical direction, as shown by the increase of 14C-2-deoxyglucose (2DG) uptake into this nucleus. At the same level of luminous flux, neither pattern moving in the horizontal direction nor the same pattern held stationary can elicit increases in the INSFp 2DG assumption. The specificity of the observed increases in metabolic rates in INSFp following vertical whole-field motion suggests that this assemblage of neurons relays visual signals used in the control of vertical optokinetic nystagmus.
Aceclofenac topical dosage forms: In vitro and in vivo characterization

Aceclofenac topical dosage forms: In vitro and in vivo characterization Aceclofenac is a new generation non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug showing effective anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It is available in the form of tablets of 100 mg. Importance of aceclofenac as a NSAID has inspired development of topical dosage forms. This mode of administration may help avoid typical side effects associated with oral administration of NSAIDs, which have led to its withdrawal. Furthermore, aceclofenac topical dosage forms can be used as a supplement to oral therapy for better treatment of conditions such as arthritis. Ointments, creams, and gels containing 1% (m/m) aceclofenac have been prepared. They were tested for physical appearance, pH, spreadability, extrudability, drug content uniformity, in vitro diffusion and in vitro permeation. Gels prepared using Carbopol 940 (AF2, AF3) and macrogol bases (AF7) were selected after the analysis of the results. They were evaluated for acute skin irritancy, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects using the carrageenan-induced thermal hyperalgesia and paw edema method. AF2 was shown to be significantly (p < 0.05) more effective in inhibiting hyperalgesia associated with inflammation, compared to AF3 and AF7. Hence, AF2 may be suggested as an alternative to oral preparations. Dozirani pripravci aceklofenaka za topičku primjenu: In vitro i in vivo karakterizacija Aceklofenak je lijek nove generacije nesteroidnih protuupalnih lijekova sa izraženim protuupalnim i analgetskim djelovanjem. Dostupan je u obliku tableta od 100 mg. U ovom radu razvijeni su dozirani pripravci za topičku primjenu u svrhu smanjenja ili uklanjanja nuspojava povezanih s oralnom primjenom nesteroidnih protuupalnih lijekova. Ti pripravci mogu se upotrijebiti kao dodatak peroralnoj terapiji artritisa i srodnih bolesti. Opisana je priprava mazila, krema i gela s 1% m/m aceklofenaka te njihova fizička svojstva, pH, mazivost, istiskivost, jednolikost sadržaja ljekovite tvari, difuzija i permeabilnost in vitro. Nakon analize rezultata za daljnja ispitivanja odabrani su gelovi pripravljeni na bazi Carbopola 940 (AF2, AF3) i makrogola (AF7). Ispitana je akutna iritacija kože, protuupalno i analgetsko djelovanje koristeći karagenom induciranu termičku hiperalgeziju i edem šape. Pripravak AF2 bio je značajno (p < 0,05) učinkovitiji u inhibiciji hiperalgezije s upalom nego pripravci AF3 i AF7. Stoga se AF2 može predložiti kao alternativa peroralnim pripravcima.
Novel Mutations in MYO7A and USH2A in Usher Syndrome

Purpose: Usher syndrome is an autosomal recessive disease associating retinitis pigmentosa and neurosensory deafness. Three clinical types (USH1, USH2, USH3) and 11 mutated genes or loci have been described. Mutations in MYO7A and USH2A are responsible for about 40% and 60% of Usher syndromes type 1 and 2, respectively. These genes were screened in a series of patients suffering from Usher syndrome. Methods: We performed SSCP screening of MYO7A in 12 unrelated patients suffering from Usher syndrome type 1 (USH1) and USH2A in 28 unrelated patients affected by Usher syndrome type 2 (USH2). Results/conclusions: Six mutations in MYO7A were found in five patients, including two novel mutations c.397C>G (His133Asp) and 1244-2A>G (Glu459Stop), accounting for 42% of our USH1 patients. Twelve mutations in USH2A were found in 11 patients, including four new mutations c.850delGA, c.1841-2A >G, c.3129insT, and c.3920C>G (Ser1307Stop), accounting for 39% of our USH2 patients.
Rethinking the Target Corollary

This study examines the effects of social distance, perceived exposure, and perceived predispositions on perceived media effects for desirable and undesirable health messages. It finds support for the effect social distance as traditionally measured; that is, groups that are more socially distant from the self, like the public, are perceived to be more affected by cigarette ads than close groups, such as friends. However, individual measures of respondents' social distance from any given comparison group generally are unrelated to perceived effects on the group. The influence of a group's perceived exposure on perceived message effects is confirmed for cigarette ads but not for desirable messages. Perceived attitudes of comparison groups toward message-relevant behaviors emerge as a factor that deserves inclusion in models of perceived effects.
Homogeneous Features Utilization to Address the Device Heterogeneity Problem in Fingerprint Localization

Building context-aware services in pervasive computing environments have enabled the wide development of wireless local area network-based indoor positioning systems. In fingerprint localization, radio frequency (RF) signal strengths from access points (APs) are annotated with location labels to build the map of RF fingerprints. However, the newly received signal strength (RSS) variation due to device heterogeneity, which may cause RSS pattern mismatch, could jeopardize positioning accuracy. Solutions based on extra manual calibrations of RSSs for new, individual devices could address the problem. However, they are laborious and unpractical for real-world deployment. In this paper, an indoor positioning algorithm that utilizes two homogeneous features of different devices is proposed to solve the problem of device heterogeneity in fingerprint localization. The features of RSS order and linear dependency between RSSs measured by different devices are extensively investigated. The experimental results show that the proposed positioning algorithm solves the device heterogeneity problem without requiring extra manual calibration for diverse devices.
Analysis of a Geometrical Multiscale Model Based on the Coupling of ODE and PDE for Blood Flow Simulations

The purpose of the present article is to provide a theoretical analysis heterogeneous model coupling ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and partial differential equations (PDEs), providing a local-in-time existence result for the solution. The heterogeneous problem will actually be split into subproblems. The solution of the original problem will be regarded as the solution of a suitable fixed point problem, based on the successive solution of the subproblems. Moreover, the authors study the role of matching conditions between the two submodels for the numerical simulation.
Le système SHERPA : étiquetage et classification automatique par apprentissage pour le décodage automatique de la parole continue

Cette these presente le systeme SHERPA, decodeur phonetique a apprentissage automatique pour la reconnaissance de la parole continue. L’apprentissage comporte : - un etiquetage automatique reposant sur un double lissage energetique et temporel de la courbe d’energie (C. E) effectue en fonction de la transformation de la chaine phonetique par des regles d’alternances. Cet etiquetage, par sa complete automatisation et par ses performances (98% d’etiquettes bien placees) offre la possibilite d’utiliser des corpus etendus pour la constitution de dictionnaires de references phonetiques ; - la constitution du dictionnaire de references phonetiques se fait automatiquement par classification incrementale orientee par la connaissance des correspondances phonetiques. Le decodage phonetique comporte : - une segmentation du signal sur la C. E, avec un taux global d’erreurs inferieur a 9% ; - une preselection pour chaque segment a identifier, d’une partir du dictionnaire en fonction de la position minimale ou maximale du segment sur la C. E et d’indices definis sur les donnees d’apprentissage ; - une identification qui fournit, pour chaque segment les references phonetiques les plus proches dans la partie preselectionnee du dictionnaire. Sur un treillis de profondeur 4 (au plus) le pourcentage d’identification atteint 93%. Des ameliorations au systeme sont annoncees.
Multi-core based Parallel N-path labeling HKM clustering algorithm

The detection of useful patterns in large datasets has attracted considerable interest recently. The hierarchical K-means clustering algorithm (HKM) is very efficient in large scale data analysis. It has been extensively used for building visual vocabulary in large scale image/video retrieval. However, the accuracy and speed of HKM still have room for improvement. In this paper, we propose a Parallel N-path labeling HKM clustering algorithm (PNHKM) which improves on the HKM clustering algorithm in the following ways. Firstly, we adopt a Greedy N-best Paths Labeling (GNPL) method to improve the clustering accuracy. Secondly, we focus on developing a parallel clustering algorithm for multicore processors. Our results confirm that the PNHKM is much faster and more effective.
Coded generalized spatial modulation for structured large scale MIMO systems

Generalized spatial modulation (GSM) is a MIMO transmission technique using only a subset of the antennas available at the transmitter. While every active antenna transmits individual QAM-symbols, additional information is conveyed by the selection of the active set of transmit antennas. If the number of active antennas is small compared to the number of available antennas, the transmit vector is sparse and compressed sensing reconstruction algorithms can be applied. The complexity of the receiver increases heavily with the number of available and active transmit antennas. In this paper a spatial and temporal segmentation at the transmitter is proposed allowing low complexity algorithms at the receiver.
Standard states and activity coefficients of interfacial species.

Standard states of species at solid - liquid interface was analyzed in the same way as for other thermodynamic systems such as liquid or solid mixtures, gaseous phase and solutions. Accordingly, standard states of interfacial species are described by two characteristics ; the first one is composition and the second one is ideality. It is proposed to define standard composition on the basis of surface coverage or surface concentration. The ideal state of interfacial species were taken to be at the zero electrostatic potential and deviation from ideality was described by means of activity coefficients. Activity coefficients were derived for interfacial species charged due to the interaction with potential determining ions and for interfacial ion pairs. The presented approach was demonstrated on the example of the "2-pK" mechanism of surface complexation model and may be applied to any assumed mechanism of interfacial reactions. The derived thermodynamic equilibrium constants correspond to classical "intrinsic equilibrium constants".
Automatic emotion detection in speech using mel frequency cesptral coefficients

Emotional states produce physiological alterations in the vocal tract introducing variability in the acoustic parameters of speech. Emotion recognition in speech can be used in human-machine interaction applications, speaker verification, analysis of neurological disorders and psychological diagnostic tools. This paper proposes the use of Mel Frequency Cesptral Coefficients (MFCC) for automatic detection of emotions in running speech. Experiments were conducted on the Berlin emotional speech database for a three- class problem (anger, boredom and neutral emotional states). In order to evaluate the discrimination ability of the features three different classifiers were implemented: k-nearest neighbor, Bayesian Linear and quadratic. The highest accuracy results are obtained when neutral and anger emotions are evaluated.
Exploitation of mitochondrial nad6 as a complementary marker for studying population variability in Lepidoptera

The applicability of mitochondrial nad6 sequences to studies of DNA and population variability in Lepidoptera was tested in four species of economically important moths and one of wild butterflies. The genetic information so obtained was compared to that of cox1 sequences for two species of Lepidoptera. nad6 primers appropriately amplified all the tested DNA targets, the generated data proving to be as informative and suitable in recovering population structures as that of cox1. The proposal is that, to obtain more robust results, this mitochondrial region can be complementarily used with other molecular sequences in studies of low level phylogeny and population genetics in Lepidoptera.
Longitudinale associaties tussen ouder-kind relaties en depressieve symptomen in de adolescentie: de modererende rol van sekse, leeftijd en persoonlijkheid

Deze longitudinale studie onderzocht bidirectionele verbanden tussen waargenomen kwaliteit van ouder-adolescent relaties en depressieve symptomen en de modererende rol van sekse, leeftijd en persoonlijkheidstype op deze verbanden. Hiervoor beantwoordden 1313 Nederlandse adolescenten (51% meisjes; 923 12-jarigen en 390 16-jarigen) vragen over hun persoonlijkheid, depressieve symptomen en waargenomen ouder-kind relatiekwaliteit in vier meetrondes. Resultaten toonden een negatief verband tussen depressieve symptomen en later gemeten waargenomen relatiekwaliteit. Kwaliteit van de relatie met moeders voorspelde depressieve symptomen voor jongens en meisjes, maar relatiekwaliteit met vaders voorspelde alleen voor jongens depressieve symptomen. Persoonlijkheidstype modereerde alleen initiele associaties tussen de relatiekwaliteit met moeders en depressieve symptomen. Deze verbanden waren sterker voor overcontrollers en ondercontrollers dan voor veerkrachtigen. Resultaten geven dus een patroon weer van een wederzijdse invloed tussen waargenomen relatiekwaliteit en depressieve symptomen, die gemodereerd wordt door sekse van de ouder en de adolescent en persoonlijkheid van de adolescent.
Persons with psychosis perceptions of participating in a lifestyle intervention.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To describe how persons with psychosis perceive participation in a lifestyle intervention, and use these perceptions to present factors to for consideration in future interventions. BACKGROUND Metabolic syndrome is common in persons with psychosis. A healthy lifestyle is the primary option for preventing and treating metabolic syndrome, which is why the importance of lifestyle interventions has come into focus among health care professionals. Identifying perceptions of participation in a lifestyle intervention can increase the understanding of how to design future interventions. DESIGN A qualitative, phenomenographic approach was selected, using semi-structured interviews. METHODS The sample consisted of 40 participants with a psychotic disorder, who had undergone a lifestyle intervention focusing on theoretical education in healthy eating and physical activities. The interviews were conducted in 2011 and 2012, six to seven months after the intervention had been completed. RESULTS The findings comprise three categories that emphasise the need for a moderate intervention level that facilitates participation and thereby social interactions among group members. The experience of success in the intervention supported the perception of oneself as a capable individual. However, it could also be the opposite, another experience of failure. CONCLUSION Content in moderation can facilitate participation, and participants can thereby achieve health benefits and find social contacts. In addition to physical activity and lifestyle habits, interventions should have a social focus and be continuous. Professional support is a prerequisite and should facilitate the participants' ability to mirror themselves against healthy people in society by introducing activities that ordinary people do. RELEVANCE FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE Identifying perceptions of participation in a lifestyle intervention can increase the understanding of how to design and manage future interventions. This is also an aspect that is important to consider in everyday clinical practice.
Formation of the Arterivirus Replication/Transcription Complex: a Key Role for Nonstructural Protein 3 in the Remodeling of Intracellular Membranes

ABSTRACT The replication/transcription complex of the arterivirus equine arteritis virus (EAV) is associated with paired membranes and/or double-membrane vesicles (DMVs) that are thought to originate from the endoplasmic reticulum. Previously, coexpression of two putative transmembrane nonstructural proteins (nsp2 and nsp3) was found to suffice to induce these remarkable membrane structures, which are typical of arterivirus infection. Here, site-directed mutagenesis was used to investigate the role of nsp3 in more detail. Liberation of the hydrophobic N terminus of nsp3, which is normally achieved by cleavage of the nsp2/3 junction by the nsp2 protease, was nonessential for the formation of DMVs. However, the substitution of each of a cluster of four conserved cysteine residues, residing in a predicted luminal loop of nsp3, completely blocked DMV formation. Some of these mutant nsp3 proteins were also found to be highly cytotoxic, in particular, exerting a dramatic effect on the endoplasmic reticulum. The functionality of an engineered N glycosylation site in the cysteine-containing loop confirmed both its presence in the lumen and the transmembrane nature of nsp3. This mutant displayed an interesting intermediate phenotype in terms of DMV formation, with paired and curved membranes being formed, but DMV formation apparently being impaired. The effect of nsp3 mutations on replicase polyprotein processing was investigated, and several mutations were found to influence processing of the region downstream of nsp3 by the nsp4 main protease. When tested in an EAV reverse genetics system, none of the nsp3 mutations was tolerated, again underlining the crucial role of the protein in the arterivirus life cycle.
Relationship between food availability, glycerol and glycogen levels in low-temperature challenged rainbow smelt Osmerus mordax

SUMMARY Rainbow smelt Osmerus modax accumulate glycerol in winter that serves as an antifreeze. Fish were held at 8°C, or subjected to a decrease in water temperature to –1°C over a 19 day period, and subsequently maintained at –1°C from 15 January to 11 May 2004. Starved fish did not survive the challenge of temperature decrease, with death ensuing above the typical freeze point for marine teleosts (–0.8°C). A decrease in temperature activates the glycerol accumulation mechanism at about 5°C with peak plasma levels exceeding 300 μmol ml–1. Glycerol levels begin to decrease in late February even at water temperatures below– 1°C, suggesting either an inherent circannual or photoperiod trigger, possibly in association with sufficiently high levels of antifreeze protein. Glycogen levels in liver did not change significantly in starved fish maintained at 8°C. However, liver glycogen was depleted in fish subjected to the low-temperature challenge and at a faster rate in starved than in fed fish. Stored glycogen in liver and other tissues can account for only a small amount of the total glycerol production, suggesting a strong requirement for food during accelerated glycerol production. Liver glycogen levels increased in April and May in association with the decrease in glycerol. Levels of glycerol in liver, kidney, spleen, gill, intestine, heart, muscle and brain follow the same pattern as that in plasma. During the early part of the glycerol accumulation phase, all tissues except for liver have lower levels of glycerol in the intracellular space than the levels in plasma. In liver, glycerol is in equilibrium between the two compartments.