Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Note: Identification of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subspecies bulgaricus and subspecies lactis dairy isolates by amplified rDNA restriction analysis

Amplification and restriction analysis of the 16S rRNA gene (PCR‐ARDRA) was used to identify Lactobacillus delbrueckii dairy isolates and to assign them to its three subspecies (delbrueckii, lactis and bulgaricus). PCR‐ARDRA allowed confirmation of predictions from the DNA database regarding the restriction mapping of the 16S sequence to be verified in practice. PCR‐ARDRA was shown to be a reliable and rapid method for identifying Lact. delbrueckii isolates at the subspecies level and for differentiating this species from Lact. helveticus and Lact. acidophilus.
Intestinal parasitism prevalence amongst children from six indigenous communities residing in Cali, Colombia.

OBJECTIVE Establishing the prevalence of intestinal parasitism in children aged 5 to 14 years of age from six indigenous communities residing in the city of Cali. METHODOLOGY A cross-sectional, descriptive epidemiological study was carried out in six indigenous communities residing in the city of Cali; it consisted of making a direct serial and concentration coproparasitological examination of a randomly selected sample of fifty-seven 5 to 14 year-old children. RESULTS Of the 57 samples obtained, 84 % of the children were infected with parasites; protozoa (98 %) predominated over helminths (16.7 %) and mixed parasitemia was found in 14.6 % of the samples. Monoparasitism appeared in children over 10 years of age and biparasitism (10.4 %) and polyparasitism (52.1 %) in children under 10 years of age. Regarding occult blood determination, 6 % were observed to be positive in all the samples analysed; 4 % of these results were associated with E. histolyticaldispar. The simple parasitism index (SPI) reflected a high degree of infestation amongst the children included in the study. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of intestinal parasitism in indigenous infants was higher than that reported nationally in the overall adolescent and school-aged children population in the same age group. Mono- and polyparasitism prevailed in the positive samples. The infestation load was not randomly distributed amongst the communities.
Nonholonomic virtual constraints and gait optimization for robust walking control

A key challenge in robotic bipedal locomotion is the design of feedback controllers that function well in the presence of uncertainty, in both the robot and its environment. This paper addresses the design of feedback controllers and periodic gaits that function well in the presence of modest terrain variation, without over-reliance on perception and a priori knowledge of the environment. Model-based design methods are introduced and subsequently validated in simulation and experiment on MARLO, an underactuated three-dimensional bipedal robot that is of roughly human size and is equipped with an inertial measurement unit and joint encoders. Innovations include an optimization method that accounts for multiple types of disturbances and a feedback control design that enables continuous velocity-based posture regulation via nonholonomic virtual constraints. Using a single continuously defined controller taken directly from optimization, MARLO traverses sloped sidewalks and parking lots, terrain covered with randomly thrown boards, and grass fields, all while maintaining average walking speeds between 0.9 and 0.98 m/s and setting a new precedent for walking efficiency in realistic environments.
Guided Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has been effectively treated with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in face-to face settings. Internet-delivered CBT could be a way to increase the accessibility and affordability of CBT for people suffering from GAD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of guided Internet-delivered CBT for GAD in a controlled trial with a wait-list control group. A total of 89 participants were included following online screening and a structured psychiatric telephone interview. Participants were randomized to either an 8-week treatment group (n = 44) or a wait-list control group (n = 45). Treatment consisted of a self-help program based on CBT principles and applied relaxation along with therapist guidance. The main outcome measure was the Penn State Worry Questionnaire. Ratings of clinical improvement and symptoms were included as well as secondary outcome measures dealing with anxiety, depression, and quality of life. Among the treatment group participants, 13.6% did not complete the posttreatment measures. The treatment group showed significant improvement compared with the control group on all outcome measures. Large effect sizes (Cohen's d>0.8) were found both within the treatment group and between the groups in favor of the treatment on all outcome measures except on a measure of quality of life. Results at 1- and 3-year follow-up indicated that treatment results improved or were maintained. The authors conclude that Internet-delivered CBT with therapist support can reduce symptoms and problems related to GAD.
Control of underactuated biped running robot via CPG

In this paper, we propose a control method which is adaptive to the environment and apply it to a biped underactuated robot named “KenkenII” which has springs mimicing a tendon system of animals so that KenkenII can walk and run stably from zero-velocity on irregular terrains. In the proposed method, we use a CPG(Central Pattern Generator) constructed by a neural oscillator network and realize rhythmic movements. Parameters in the control system are seached by PSO(Particle Swarm Optimization) and the validity is conformed by numerical simulation and experiment.
Meloxicam carbopol-based gels: characterization and evaluation.

PURPOSE To formulate and evaluate the hydrogels containing meloxicam for topical application and also compare the effect of penetration enhancers on release of drug. METHODS Meloxicam gels were prepared by dispersion method using carbopol-940 and 934 (1%w/w) as rate controlling polymer and drug penetration enhancers such as tween 80, oleic acid and sesame oil in the concentration of 1% and 2% . The formulated gels were evaluated for drug content, pH, viscosity, spreadability, extrudability, in vitro drug permeation, drug release kinetics, bioadhesion test, accelerated stability of selected gel formulation. The in vitro drug permeation through pig's skin was carried out by using Keshary-Chein diffusion cell and viscosity was determined by brookfield viscometer (Modle No. LVDVE). RESULTS All the gel formulations were found to be very clear and homogeneous. Drug content of all formulations was found to be above 93%. Formulation F(14) containing carbopol-934(1%w/w) and sesame oil 2% gave 99% release as compared to other formulations obeying zero order kinetic with a good bioadhesion quality. The permeability coefficient of all formulations was found in the range of 0.2 to 0.4×10(-3)cm(2)/hr. The results were compared statistically and found with satisfactory correlation and it was observed that the rate of drug release increased with increase in concentration of penetration enhancers.
Androgen deprivation therapy for localized prostate cancer and the risk of cardiovascular mortality.

BACKGROUND We investigated whether androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) use is associated with an increased risk of death from cardiovascular causes in patients treated for localized prostate cancer. METHODS From the Cancer of the Prostate Strategic Urologic Research Endeavor database, data on 3262 patients treated with radical prostatectomy and 1630 patients treated with external beam radiation therapy, brachytherapy, or cryotherapy for localized prostate cancer were included in this analysis. Competing risks regression analyses were performed to assess whether use of ADT was associated with a shorter time to death from cardiovascular causes after controlling for age (as a continuous variable) and the presence of baseline cardiovascular disease risk factors. All tests for statistical significance were two-sided. RESULTS The median follow-up time was 3.8 years (range = 0.1-11.3 years). Among the 1015 patients who received ADT, the median duration of ADT use was 4.1 months (range = 1.0-32.9 months). In a competing risks regression analysis that controlled for age and risk factors for cardiovascular disease, both ADT use (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 2.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.4 to 4.7; P = .002) and age (adjusted HR = 1.07; 95% CI = 1.02 to 1.1; P = .003) were associated with statistically significantly increased risks of death from cardiovascular causes in patients treated with radical prostatectomy. Among patients 65 years or older treated with radical prostatectomy, the 5-year cumulative incidence of cardiovascular death was 5.5% (95% CI = 1.2% to 9.8%) in those who received ADT and 2.0% (95% CI = 1.1% to 3.0%) in those who did not. Among patients 65 years or older treated with external beam radiation therapy, brachytherapy, or cryotherapy, ADT use was associated with a higher cumulative incidence of death from cardiovascular causes, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS The use of ADT appears to be associated with an increased risk of death from cardiovascular causes in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer.
Hydrogen Sulfide Augments Neutrophil Migration through Enhancement of Adhesion Molecule Expression and Prevention of CXCR2 Internalization: Role of ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channels1

In this study, we have addressed the role of H2S in modulating neutrophil migration in either innate (LPS-challenged naive mice) or adaptive (methylated BSA (mBSA)-challenged immunized mice) immune responses. Treatment of mice with H2S synthesis inhibitors, dl-propargylglycine (PAG) or β-cyanoalanine, reduced neutrophil migration induced by LPS or methylated BSA (mBSA) into the peritoneal cavity and by mBSA into the femur/tibial joint of immunized mice. This effect was associated with decreased leukocyte rolling, adhesion, and P-selectin and ICAM-1 expression on endothelium. Predictably, treatment of animals with the H2S donors, NaHS or Lawesson’s reagent, enhanced these parameters. Moreover, the NaHS enhancement of neutrophil migration was not observed in ICAM-1-deficient mice. Neither PAG nor NaHS treatment changed LPS-induced CD18 expression on neutrophils, nor did the LPS- and mBSA-induced release of neutrophil chemoattractant mediators TNF-α, keratinocyte-derived chemokine, and LTB4. Furthermore, in vitro MIP-2-induced neutrophil chemotaxis was inhibited by PAG and enhanced by NaHS treatments. Accordingly, MIP-2-induced CXCR2 internalization was enhanced by PAG and inhibited by NaHS treatments. Moreover, NaHS prevented MIP-2-induced CXCR2 desensitization. The PAG and NaHS effects correlated, respectively, with the enhancement and inhibition of MIP-2-induced G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 expression. The effects of NaHS on neutrophil migration both in vivo and in vitro, together with CXCR2 internalization and G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 expression were prevented by the ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP+) channel blocker, glybenclamide. Conversely, diazoxide, a KATP+ channel opener, increased neutrophil migration in vivo. Together, our data suggest that during the inflammatory response, H2S augments neutrophil adhesion and locomotion, by a mechanism dependent on KATP+ channels.
Virtual Garden Computer Program for use in Exploring the Elements of Biodiversity People Want in Cities

Urban ecology is emerging as an integrative science that explores the interactions of people and biodiversity in cities. Interdisciplinary research requires the creation of new tools that allow the investigation of relations between people and biodiversity. It has been established that access to green spaces or nature benefits city dwellers, but the role of species diversity in providing psychological benefits remains poorly studied. We developed a user‐friendly 3‐dimensional computer program (Virtual Garden [www.tinyurl.com/3DVirtualGarden]) that allows people to design their own public or private green spaces with 95 biotic and abiotic features. Virtual Garden allows researchers to explore what elements of biodiversity people would like to have in their nearby green spaces while accounting for other functions that people value in urban green spaces. In 2011, 732 participants used our Virtual Garden program to design their ideal small public garden. On average gardens contained 5 different animals, 8 flowers, and 5 woody plant species. Although the mathematical distribution of flower and woody plant richness (i.e., number of species per garden) appeared to be similar to what would be expected by random selection of features, 30% of participants did not place any animal species in their gardens. Among those who placed animals in their gardens, 94% selected colorful species (e.g., ladybug [Coccinella septempunctata], Great Tit [Parus major], and goldfish), 53% selected herptiles or large mammals, and 67% selected non‐native species. Older participants with a higher level of education and participants with a greater concern for nature designed gardens with relatively higher species richness and more native species. If cities are to be planned for the mutual benefit of people and biodiversity and to provide people meaningful experiences with urban nature, it is important to investigate people's relations with biodiversity further. Virtual Garden offers a standardized tool with which to explore these relations in different environments, cultures, and countries. It can also be used by stakeholders (e.g., city planners) to consider people's opinions of local design.
On the Market Timing Choices of Enterprise or Government Regulations:IPO Market Timing and Capital Structure with China's Certain Institutional Background

The paper examines the effect of IPO market timing on the capital structure with China's certain institutional background,using the data of all A-share IPO firms in Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Market during the year of 2000 to 2010.We conclude that in the current IPO system,China's IPO market timing includes not only the timing of enterprise choices,but also the timing of government regulations.Market timing has a significant effect on the capital structure,but mostly due to the government regulations rather than enterprise choices.The significant negative correlation between enterprise market timing and capital structure that Baker and Wurgler (2002) have found does not exist in China's IPO market.Government regulation is the main reason for the difference between the actual situation in China and the western market timing theory.These findings have certain reference value for regulatory agencies to promote the? IPO system reform.
Unconventional monetary policy at the zero nominal bound : a case study of United States, United Kingdom and Japan

The objective of this paper is to assess unconventional monetary policy at the zero nominal bound: First, we assemble a framework for implementing and evaluating unconventional monetary policy. Second, we use the framework to conduct three detailed case studies on unconventional policy responses in Japan, United States and United Kingdom. Third, we make a cross-country analysis of the development in key macroeconomic variables after the adaption of unconventional monetary policies. We find that unconventional monetary policy responses by the Federal Reserve Bank of the United States and the Bank of England during the financial crisis of 2007-09 have succeeded to a greater extent in fighting deflationary pressures than earlier unconventional policies by the Bank of Japan. Our analysis suggests that unconventional monetary policy responses should be adapted to the particular circumstances in each country to have their full effect. In addition, unconventional policy should be pre-emptive, timely and aggressive in order to signal a credible commitment from the central bank. However, there is great uncertainty about the effect of unconventional monetary policy at the zero nominal bound and policymakers cannot fine-tune their response. Structural factors in the economy may be a hindrance for the effect of unconventional monetary policy. In particular, we find that financial sector structural problems need to be addressed, but that this is not necessarily a task for central banks. Further on, we argue that unconventional policy responses beyond the traditional role of central banks should be considered carefully in the future, as this may threaten central bank independence in the long run.
The accuracy and efficacy of real-time continuous glucose monitoring sensor in Chinese diabetes patients: a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this multicenter study was to investigate the accuracy of a real-time continuous glucose monitoring sensor in Chinese diabetes patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS In total, 48 patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes from three centers in China were included in the study. The MiniMed Paradigm(®) 722 insulin pump (Medtronic, Northridge, CA) was used to monitor the real-time continuous changes of blood glucose levels for three successive days. Venous blood of the subjects was randomly collected every 15 min for seven consecutive hours on the day when the subjects were wearing the sensor. Reference values were provided by the YSI(®) 2300 STAT PLUS™ glucose and lactate analyzer (YSI Life Sciences, Yellow Springs, OH). RESULTS In total, 1,317 paired YSI-sensor values were collected from the 48 patients. Of the sensor readings, 88.3% (95% confidence interval, 0.84-0.92) were within±20% of the YSI values, and 95.7% were within±30% of the YSI values. Clarke and consensus error grid analyses showed that the ratios of the YSI-sensor values in Zone A to the values in Zone B were 99.1% and 99.9%, respectively. Continuous error grid analysis showed that the ratios of the YSI-sensor values in the region of accurate reading, benign errors, and erroneous reading were 96.4%, 1.8%, and 1.8%, respectively. The mean absolute relative difference (ARD) for all subjects was 10.4%, and the median ARD was 7.8%. Bland-Altman analysis detected a mean blood glucose level of 3.84 mg/dL. Trend analysis revealed that 86.1% of the difference of the rates of change between the YSI values and the sensor readings occurred within the range of 1 mg/dL/min. CONCLUSIONS The Paradigm insulin pump has high accuracy in both monitoring the real-time continuous changes and predicting the trend of changes in blood glucose level. However, actual clinical manifestations should be taken into account for diagnosis of hypoglycemia.
Thermal-flow analysis and cooling performance enhancement of a totally enclosed fan-cooled motor

Cooling performance of rotating machines is one of the critical qualities determining product lifespan. As power density of the machines is considerably increased, enhancement of the cooling performance is required in order to secure thermal safety and prevent failure such as dielectric breakdown. In this paper, thermal-flow analysis using CFD (computational fluid dynamics) was carried out to evaluate temperature rise of a TEFC (totally enclosed fan-cooled) motor of which power density had been improved. From the analysis result, we investigated flow structures reducing cooling efficiency, such as bending loss, reverse flow and flow separation. In order to attenuate these negative phenomena, we modified cooling design for fan-cover, frame and end-shield of the motor. As a result, temperature rise of stator winding of the motor was decreased by 7.5%, from 97.4K to 90.1K. For reference, an error rate of the analysis result is 3.7% in comparison with the test result.
The aroC Gene of Aspergillus nidulansCodes for a Monofunctional, Allosterically Regulated Chorismate Mutase*

The cDNA and the chromosomal locus of thearoC gene of Aspergillus nidulans were cloned and is the first representative of a filamentous fungal gene encoding chorismate mutase (EC 5.4.99.5), the enzyme at the first branch point of aromatic amino acid biosynthesis. The aroC gene complements the Saccharomyces cerevisiae aro7Δ as well as the A. nidulans aroC mutation. The gene consists of three exons interrupted by two short intron sequences. The expressed mRNA is 0.96 kilobases in length and aroC expression is not regulated on the transcriptional level under amino acid starvation conditions. aroC encodes a monofunctional polypeptide of 268 amino acids. Purification of this 30-kDa enzyme allowed determination of its kinetic parameters (k cat = 82 s−1, n H = 1.56, [S]0.5 = 2.3 mm), varying pH dependence of catalytic activity in different regulatory states, and an acidic pI value of 4.7. Tryptophan acts as heterotropic activator and tyrosine as negative acting, heterotropic feedback-inhibitor with aK i of 2.8 μm. Immunological data, homology modeling, as well as electron microscopy studies, indicate that this chorismate mutase has a dimeric structure like the S. cerevisiae enzyme. Site-directed mutagenesis of a crucial residue in loop220s (Asp233) revealed differences concerning the intramolecular signal transduction for allosteric regulation of enzymatic activity.
Recent trends and some applications of isothermal titration calorimetry in biotechnology

Isothermal titration calorimeters (ITCs) are thermodynamic instruments used for the determination of enthalpy changes in any physical/chemical reaction. This can be applied in various fields of biotechnology. This review explains ITC applications, especially in bioseparation, drug development and cell metabolism. In liquid chromatography, the separation/purification of specific proteins or polypeptides in a mixture is usually achieved by varying the adsorption affinities of the different proteins/polypeptides for the adsorbent under different mobile‐phase conditions and temperatures. Using ITC analysis, the binding mechanism of proteins with adsorbent solid material is derived by elucidating enthalpy and entropy changes, which offer valuable guidelines for designing experimental conditions in chromatographic separation. The binding affinity of a drug with its target is studied by deriving binding enthalpy and binding entropy. To improve the binding affinity, suitable lead compounds for a drug can be identified and their affinity tested by ITC. Recently ITC has also been used in studying cell metabolism. The heat produced by animal cells in culture can be used as a primary indicator of the kinetics of cell metabolism, which provides key information for drug bioactivity and operation parameters for process cell culture.
Explanation of binarized time series using genetic learning model of investor sentiment

The aim of this paper is to reveal the relations between time scales and time series properties by concentrating on information requisite for speculators using a genetic learning model of investor sentiment. For this purpose, first the authors identified the conditions for describing investor sentiment by altering parameters of genetic algorithm. Then auto-correlations and conditional probabilities were calculated using the estimated models in the first step. The results show that both the amount and quality of information for the agents determine the time series properties. This implies that the preciseness of information which speculators permit depends on their time scales.
DelphMag Locator : a system for real time mapping of magnetic anomalies

DelphMag Locator is a complete system that enables to compute and display sea bottom magnetic anomalies maps in real-time. The system is composed of a very high resolution marine magnetometer, MAGIS, coupled to an acquisition and processing software. Part II is devoted to the presentation of the sensor principle and main characteristics. Part III is dedicated to the description of the acquisition and processing flowchart. We then present some examples of magnetic map anomalies obtain on real survey data. In conclusion, we give the future perspective of development.