Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Query-Adaptive Hash Code Ranking for Large-Scale Multi-View Visual Search

Hash-based nearest neighbor search has become attractive in many applications. However, the quantization in hashing usually degenerates the discriminative power when using Hamming distance ranking. Besides, for large-scale visual search, existing hashing methods cannot directly support the efficient search over the data with multiple sources, and while the literature has shown that adaptively incorporating complementary information from diverse sources or views can significantly boost the search performance. To address the problems, this paper proposes a novel and generic approach to building multiple hash tables with multiple views and generating fine-grained ranking results at bitwise and tablewise levels. For each hash table, a query-adaptive bitwise weighting is introduced to alleviate the quantization loss by simultaneously exploiting the quality of hash functions and their complement for nearest neighbor search. From the tablewise aspect, multiple hash tables are built for different data views as a joint index, over which a query-specific rank fusion is proposed to rerank all results from the bitwise ranking by diffusing in a graph. Comprehensive experiments on image search over three well-known benchmarks show that the proposed method achieves up to 17.11% and 20.28% performance gains on single and multiple table search over the state-of-the-art methods.
Silage Collected from Dairy Farms Harbors an Abundance of Listeriaphages with Considerable Host Range and Genome Size Diversity

ABSTRACT Since the food-borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes is common in dairy farm environments, it is likely that phages infecting this bacterium (“listeriaphages”) are abundant on dairy farms. To better understand the ecology and diversity of listeriaphages on dairy farms and to develop a diverse phage collection for further studies, silage samples collected on two dairy farms were screened for L. monocytogenes and listeriaphages. While only 4.5% of silage samples tested positive for L. monocytogenes, 47.8% of samples were positive for listeriaphages, containing up to >1.5 × 104 PFU/g. Host range characterization of the 114 phage isolates obtained, with a reference set of 13 L. monocytogenes strains representing the nine major serotypes and four lineages, revealed considerable host range diversity; phage isolates were classified into nine lysis groups. While one serotype 3c strain was not lysed by any phage isolates, serotype 4 strains were highly susceptible to phages and were lysed by 63.2 to 88.6% of phages tested. Overall, 12.3% of phage isolates showed a narrow host range (lysing 1 to 5 strains), while 28.9% of phages represented broad host range (lysing ≥11 strains). Genome sizes of the phage isolates were estimated to range from approximately 26 to 140 kb. The extensive host range and genomic diversity of phages observed here suggest an important role of phages in the ecology of L. monocytogenes on dairy farms. In addition, the phage collection developed here has the potential to facilitate further development of phage-based biocontrol strategies (e.g., in silage) and other phage-based tools.
Modeling the Growth of Listeria monocytogenes in Soft Blue-White Cheese

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to develop a predictive model simulating growth over time of the pathogenic bacterium Listeria monocytogenes in a soft blue-white cheese. The physicochemical properties in a matrix such as cheese are essential controlling factors influencing the growth of L. monocytogenes. We developed a predictive tertiary model of the bacterial growth of L. monocytogenes as a function of temperature, pH, NaCl, and lactic acid. We measured the variations over time of the physicochemical properties in the cheese. Our predictive model was developed based on broth data produced in previous studies. New growth data sets were produced to independently calibrate and validate the developed model. A characteristic of this tertiary model is that it handles dynamic growth conditions described in time series of temperature, pH, NaCl, and lactic acid. Supplying the model with realistic production and retail conditions showed that the number of L. monocytogenes cells increases 3 to 3.5 log within the shelf life of the cheese.
Characterization of Novel Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Dioxygenases from the Bacterial Metagenomic DNA of a Contaminated Soil

ABSTRACT Ring-hydroxylating dioxygenases (RHDs) play a crucial role in the biodegradation of a range of aromatic hydrocarbons found on polluted sites, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Current knowledge on RHDs comes essentially from studies on culturable bacterial strains, while compelling evidence indicates that pollutant removal is mostly achieved by uncultured species. In this study, a combination of DNA-SIP labeling and metagenomic sequence analysis was implemented to investigate the metabolic potential of main PAH degraders on a polluted site. Following in situ labeling using [13C]phenanthrene, the labeled metagenomic DNA was isolated from soil and subjected to shotgun sequencing. Most annotated sequences were predicted to belong to Betaproteobacteria, especially Rhodocyclaceae and Burkholderiales, which is consistent with previous findings showing that main PAH degraders on this site were affiliated to these taxa. Based on metagenomic data, four RHD gene sets were amplified and cloned from soil DNA. For each set, PCR yielded multiple amplicons with sequences differing by up to 321 nucleotides (17%), reflecting the great genetic diversity prevailing in soil. RHDs were successfully overexpressed in Escherichia coli, but full activity required the coexpression of two electron carrier genes, also cloned from soil DNA. Remarkably, two RHDs exhibited much higher activity when associated with electron carriers from a sphingomonad. The four RHDs showed markedly different preferences for two- and three-ring PAHs but were poorly active on four-ring PAHs. Three RHDs preferentially hydroxylated phenanthrene on the C-1 and C-2 positions rather than on the C-3 and C-4 positions, suggesting that degradation occurred through an alternate pathway.
Party profiles on the web: an analysis of the logfiles of non-partisan interactive political internet sites in the 2003 and 2004 election campaigns in Belgium

During recent election campaigns non-partisan party profile websites (PPWs) have become hugely popular in various countries with multiparty systems, sometimes even attracting 25 percent of all voters. On these interactive websites, PPW users respond to policy questions, and their answers are used to calculate the distance between their own preferences and party agendas, resulting in an individualized `party profile'. PPWs can be seen as one of the few innovations in election campaigning that fully exploit the internet's interactive opportunities. The analysis in this article of the log files of 2003 and 2004 Belgian PPWs demonstrate that PPW users tend to be highly educated, male and young. Party and policy preferences of late PPW users (the final days before the elections) are not more crystallized than those of early PPW users (40 days before the elections). The article concludes with speculation on what this finding might reveal about campaign dynamics.
Detection of Differential Host Susceptibility to the Marine Oomycete Pathogen Eurychasma dicksonii by Real-Time PCR: Not All Algae Are Equal

ABSTRACT In the marine environment, a growing body of evidence points to parasites as key players in the control of population dynamics and overall ecosystem structure. However, their prevalence and impact on marine macroalgal communities remain virtually unknown. Indeed, infectious diseases of seaweeds are largely underdocumented, partly because of the expertise required to diagnose them with a microscope. Over the last few years, however, real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) has emerged as a rapid and reliable alternative to visual symptom scoring for monitoring pathogens. Thus, we present here a qPCR assay suitable for the detection and quantification of the intracellular oomycete pathogen Eurychasma dicksonii in its ectocarpalean and laminarialean brown algal hosts. qPCR and microscopic observations made of laboratory-controlled cultures revealed that clonal brown algal strains exhibit different levels of resistance against Eurychasma, ranging from high susceptibility to complete absence of symptoms. This observation strongly argues for the existence of a genetic determinism for disease resistance in brown algae, which would have broad implications for the dynamics and genetic structure of natural populations. We also used qPCR for the rapid detection of Eurychasma in filamentous brown algae collected in Northern Europe and South America and found that the assay is specific, robust, and widely applicable to field samples. Hence, this study opens the perspective of combining large-scale disease monitoring in the field with laboratory-controlled experiments on the genome model seaweed Ectocarpus siliculosus to improve our understanding of brown algal diseases.
Environmental Surveillance of Human Parechoviruses in Sewage in the Netherlands

ABSTRACT The circulation of human parechoviruses (HPeVs) in the population was studied by environmental surveillance comprising of molecular analyses of sewage samples (n = 89) that were collected from 15 different locations in the Netherlands. Samples were taken from sewage originating from schools (n = 9) or from parts of municipalities (n = 6) during the Dutch school year 2010-2011. At 13/15 locations HPeV1, HPeV3, or HPeV6 RNA was detected at least once; however, sequence diversity did not reflect associations in time or place. A higher percentage of positives was observed in the samples originating from the municipalities. It was demonstrated that HPeV circulated in the studied population to a higher extent than would be expected from the current knowledge on infections predominating in young children.
Arkansas Partnership Program: An Innovative Continuum of Care Program for Dually Diagnosed Forensic Patients

Abstract A unique public-private partnership created a new continuum of care that would effectively bridge the gap between inpatient treatment and community after-care for insanity acquitees suffering from chronic mental illness and substance abuse disorders. Focusing specifically on the needs of dually-diagnosed patients, treatment is delivered in a secure, 42-bed residential facility using a carefully designed series of hierarchical stages that enable residents to gradually build and strengthen their coping and life skills. Following graduation from the residential program, patients receive “assertive community treatment,” which provides enhanced, enduring supports to prevent “revolving door” recidivism. Although the patients have severe chronic diagnoses and have been acquitted of extremely dangerous criminal behavior, eighteen discharged patients have made a successful transition to the community for an average of 508 days without a single relapse into criminal behavior or substance abuse. Only two have required brief temporary readmission for stabilization of mental illness, and one needed inpatient readmission.
Molecular Subtyping and Distribution of the Serine Protease from Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli among Atypical Enteropathogenic E. coli Strains

ABSTRACT Atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC) and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) were examined to determine the prevalence and sequence of espP, which encodes a serine protease. These analyses indicated shared espP sequence types between the two E. coli pathotypes and thus provide further insights into the evolution of aEPEC and STEC.
Mucosal Adhesion Properties of the Probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG SpaCBA and SpaFED Pilin Subunits

ABSTRACT Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is a well-established Gram-positive probiotic strain, whose health-benefiting properties are dependent in part on prolonged residence in the gastrointestinal tract and are likely dictated by adherence to the intestinal mucosa. Previously, we identified two pilus gene clusters (spaCBA and spaFED) in the genome of this probiotic bacterium, each of which contained the predicted genes for three pilin subunits and a single sortase. We also confirmed the presence of SpaCBA pili on the cell surface and attributed an intestinal mucus-binding capacity to one of the pilin subunits (SpaC). Here, we report cloning of the remaining pilin genes (spaA, spaB, spaD, spaE, and spaF) in Escherichia coli, production and purification of the recombinant proteins, and assessment of the adherence of these proteins to human intestinal mucus. Our findings indicate that the SpaB and SpaF pilin subunits also exhibit substantial binding to mucus, which can be inhibited competitively in a dose-related manner. Moreover, the binding between the SpaB pilin subunit and the mucosal substrate appears to operate through electrostatic contacts and is not related to a recognized mucus-binding domain. We conclude from these results that it is conceivable that two pilin subunits (SpaB and SpaC) in the SpaCBA pilus fiber play a role in binding to intestinal mucus, but for the uncharacterized and putative SpaFED pilus fiber only a single pilin subunit (SpaF) is potentially responsible for adhesion to mucus.
A Psychiatric Odyssey

As Dr. Masserman states in his opening sentence, this is a curious book. But it is also a fascinating, intriguing, frank, provocative, and occasionally irritating one. The author, a brilliant, erudite, extremely active psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, researcher, and administrator, has played a prominent part in the psychiatric scene during the past 30 years. In this volume, the 49th either written or edited by him, he opens to public view various intimate memorabilia—letters, case histories, book reviews, reports to the courts, casual comments, and recapitulations of his philosophy and of his clinical approach. The reader, particularly if he has any acquaintance with dramatis personae, will find himself absorbed by the author's openness; will be admiring and perhaps envious of his keen intelligence, humor, and courage; will be alternately amused and aghast when he tilts with his protagonists; and will be inevitably left breathless by his amazing energy. Dr. Masserman does not suffer
l-Malate Production by Metabolically Engineered Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli strains (KJ060 and KJ073) that were previously developed for succinate production have now been modified for malate production. Many unexpected changes were observed during this investigation. The initial strategy of deleting fumarase isoenzymes was ineffective, and succinate continued to accumulate. Surprisingly, a mutation in fumarate reductase alone was sufficient to redirect carbon flow into malate even in the presence of fumarase. Further deletions were needed to inactivate malic enzymes (typically gluconeogenic) and prevent conversion to pyruvate. However, deletion of these genes (sfcA and maeB) resulted in the unexpected accumulation of d-lactate despite the prior deletion of mgsA and ldhA and the absence of apparent lactate dehydrogenase activity. Although the metabolic source of this d-lactate was not identified, lactate accumulation was increased by supplementation with pyruvate and decreased by the deletion of either pyruvate kinase gene (pykA or pykF) to reduce the supply of pyruvate. Many of the gene deletions adversely affected growth and cell yield in minimal medium under anaerobic conditions, and volumetric rates of malate production remained low. The final strain (XZ658) produced 163 mM malate, with a yield of 1.0 mol (mol glucose−1), half of the theoretical maximum. Using a two-stage process (aerobic cell growth and anaerobic malate production), this engineered strain produced 253 mM malate (34 g liter−1) within 72 h, with a higher yield (1.42 mol mol−1) and productivity (0.47 g liter−1 h−1). This malate yield and productivity are equal to or better than those of other known biocatalysts.
Performance evaluation of three adaptive equalization algorithms

The three simplified versions of the stochastic gradient algorithm are analyzed. Assuming gaussian probability distributions for the input signal and the output error signal, their stability is studied, their output mean square error performance is evaluated and their optimal step-size parameters are given. For digitally implemented equalizers we also indicate the minimum number of bits required to store the equalizer coefficients. Computer simulation results are reported which confirm the validity of the theoretical results.
Accurate parameter estimation of noisy speech-like signals

Assuming that a short segment of observed speech signal can be modeled as the noisy impulse response of a linear system we obtain the pole locations of the system from the zeros of a polynomial. The coefficients of the polynomial are accurately determined by two methods using eigenvalue-eigenvector decomposition of an estimated correlation matrix. The speech-like signal is used in the reversed time direction to identify the signal related zeros of the Polynomial from the rest. Experimental results comparing the accuracy of the Pole parameters obtained by different methods are given.
Newer dimensions of patient care

Want to get experience? Want to get any ideas to create new things in your life? Read newer dimensions of patient care now! By reading this book as soon as possible, you can renew the situation to get the inspirations. Yeah, this way will lead you to always think more and more. In this case, this book will be always right for you. When you can observe more about the book, you will know why you need this.
Genomic Characterization and Transcriptional Studies of the Starch-Utilizing Strain Bifidobacterium adolescentis 22L

ABSTRACT Bifidobacteria are members of the gut microbiota, but the genetic basis for their adaptation to the human gut is poorly understood. The analysis of the 2,203,222-bp genome of Bifidobacterium adolescentis 22L revealed a nutrient acquisition strategy that targets diet/plant-derived glycans, in particular starch and starch-like carbohydrates. Starch-like carbohydrates were shown to support the growth of B. adolescentis 22L. Transcriptome profiling of 22L cultures grown under in vitro conditions or during colonization of the murine gut by RNA sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR assays revealed the expression of a set of chromosomal loci responsible for starch metabolism as well as for pilus production. Such extracellular structures include so-called sortase-dependent and type IVb pili, which may be involved in gut colonization of 22L through adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins.
Cannabinoids and analgesia

Abstract Cannabis extracts have been used medicinally for many thousands of years, including for pain relief. The identification of the major psychoactive component of cannabis, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9 THC) and the subsequent identification of an endogenous cannabinoid system has led to an explosion in cannabinoid research. The substantial body of evidence for cannabinoid analgesia in various animal models of pain has not yet been confirmed in clinical studies. The major hurdles in the development of clinically useful cannabinoids are the separation of psychotropic and analgesic effects and the development of cannabinoids with sufficient bioavailability for a practical route of administration.
ATOPIC DERMATITIS (DISSEMINATED NEURODERMATITIS) OF YOUNG ADULTS: ANALYSIS OF PRECIPITATING FACTORS IN ONE HUNDRED AND ONE CASES AND REPORT OF TEN CASES WITH ASSOCIATED JUVENILE CATARACT

The exact classification of certain dermatoses the chief feature of which is pruritus with lichenification has long been a subject of dispute. Fifty years ago, Vidal1discussed the lichens and prurigos, and under the term "lichen simplex chronicus" he distinguished a peculiar chronic condition of certain types of young persons (spare types) who suffered from irregularly recurring episodes of paroxysmal pruritus followed by thickening of the skin, lichenification, excoriated papules and other manifestations involving circumscribed zones or widely disseminated over the body in characteristic locations. He mentioned the tendency for the condition to become worse during the fall and winter and the association or alternation with asthma in certain cases, and he spoke of a constitutional background consisting of an unstable nervous temperament, which was present in most cases. The treatment he advised, in addition to topical remedies, included the use of sedatives, restriction of diet with regard to
Comparison of pitch detection by cepstrum and spectral comb analysis

Most reliable methods of detecting pitch in the speech signal are based on the assumed periodicity found in the voiced speech spectrum (cf. the cepstrum method). Due to recent hardware developments, this approach is becoming more attractive since the prerequired harmonic analysis can now be easily performed in real time. The spectral comb correlation, a new method based on spectral analysis, was recently introduced (5). Rather than performing a second spectral analysis on the log power spectrum, this approach relies on the correlation between the power spectrum and a spectral comb with "teeth" of decreasing amplitude and variable teeth intervals. The maximum of this correlation function is obtained when the width of the teeth intervals corresponds to the periodicity of the spectrum. The spectral comb method is compared to the cepstrum on both theoretical and experimental levels. It is shown in particular that the comb method is computationally more efficient, gives a better fundamental frequency resolution, and can use smaller duration windows for the initial spectral analysis.
Substrate-Induced Transcriptional Activation of the MoCel7C Cellulase Gene Is Associated with Methylation of Histone H3 at Lysine 4 in the Rice Blast Fungus Magnaporthe oryzae

ABSTRACT The mechanisms involved in substrate-dependent regulation of a Magnaporthe oryzae gene encoding a cellulase which we designate MoCel7C (MGG_14954) were investigated. The levels of MoCel7C transcript were dramatically increased more than 1,000-fold, 16 to 24 h after transfer to a medium containing 2% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), while levels were very low or undetectable in conventional rich medium. Green fluorescent protein reporter assays showed that the MoCel7C promoter was activated by cello-oligosaccharides larger than a pentamer. CMC-induced activation of the MoCel7C promoter was suppressed by glucose and cellobiose. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that histone H3 methylation on lysine 4 (H3K4) at the MoCel7C locus was associated with activation of the gene by CMC. Consistently, CMC-induced MoCel7C gene activation was drastically diminished in a knockout (KO) mutant of the MoSET1 gene, which encodes a histone lysine methyltransferase that catalyzes H3K4 methylation in M. oryzae. Interestingly, however, MoCel7C transcript levels under noninducing conditions were significantly increased in the MoSET1 KO mutant, suggesting that MoSET1 directly or indirectly plays a role in both activation and suppression of the MoCel7C gene in response to environmental signals. In addition, gene expression and silencing vectors using the MoCel7C promoter were constructed.