Exploring Challenging Properties of Liquid Metallic Systems through Machine Learning: Liquid La and Li4Pb Systems.

In this machine learning (ML) study, we delved into the unique properties of liquid lanthanum and the Li4Pb alloy, revealing some unexpected features and also firmly establishing some of the debated characteristics. Leveraging interatomic potentials derived from ab initio calculations, our investigation achieved a level of precision comparable to first-principles methods while at the same time entering the hydrodynamic regime. We compared the structure factors and pair distribution functions to experimental data and unearthed distinctive collective excitations with intriguing features. Liquid lanthanum unveiled two transverse collective excitation branches, each closely tied to specific peaks in the velocity autocorrelation function spectrum. Furthermore, the analysis of the generalized specific heat ratio in the hydrodynamic regime investigated with the ML molecular dynamics simulations uncovered a peculiar behavior, impossible to discern with only ab initio simulations. Liquid Li4Pb, on the other hand, challenged existing claims by showcasing a rich array of branches in its longitudinal dispersion relation, including a high-frequency LiLi mode with a nonhydrodynamic optical character that maintains a finite value as q → 0. Additionally, we conducted an in-depth analysis of various transport coefficients, expanding our understanding of these liquid metallic systems. In summary, our ML approach yielded precise results, offering new and captivating insights into the structural and dynamic aspects of these materials.

Brazilian indigenous nonstarter lactic acid bacteria enhance the diversification of volatile compounds in short-aged cheese.

There is growing interest in using autochthonous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that provide unique sensory characteristics to dairy products without affecting their safety and quality. This work studied the capacity of three Brazilian indigenous nonstarter LABs (NSLAB) to produce biogenic amines (BAs) and evaluated their effect on the volatile organic compounds (VOCs), microbial LAB communities, and physicochemical profile of short-aged cheese. Initially, the strain's potential for biosynthesis of BAs was assessed by PCR and in vitro assays. Then, a pilot-scale cheese was produced, including the NSLAB, and the microbial and VOC profiles were analyzed after 25 and 45 days of ripening. As a results, the strains did not present genes related to relevant BAs and did not produce them in vitro. During cheese ripening, the Lactococci counts were reduced, probably in the production of alcohols and acid compounds by the NSLAB. Each strain produces a unique VOC profile that changes over the ripening time without the main VOCs related to rancid or old cheese. Particularly, the use of the strain Lacticaseibacillus. paracasei ItalPN16 resulted in production of ester compounds with fruity notes. Thus, indigenous NSLAB could be a valuable tool for the enhancement and diversification of flavor in short-aged cheese.

Bacteriocins against biogenic amine-accumulating lactic acid bacteria in cheese: nisin A shows the broadest antimicrobial spectrum and prevents the formation of biofilms.

Cheese is a food in which toxic concentrations of biogenic amines (BA) may be reached, mainly as a consequence of the decarboxylation of determined amino acids by certain lactic acid bacteria (LAB). To maintain the food safety of cheese, environmentally friendly strategies are needed that specifically prevent the growth of BA-producing LAB and the accumulation of BA. The bacteriocins produced by LAB are natural compounds with great potential as food biopreservatives. This work examines the antimicrobial potential of 7 bacteriocin-containing, cell-free supernatants (CFS: coagulin A-CFS, enterocin A-CFS, enterocin P-CFS, lacticin 481-CFS, nisin A-CFS, nisin Z-CFS and plantaricin A-CFS) produced by LAB against 48 strains of the LAB species largely responsible for the accumulation of the most important BA in cheese, i.e., histamine, tyramine and putrescine. Susceptibility to the different CFS was strain-dependent. The histamine-producing species with the broadest sensitivity spectrum were Lentilactobacillus parabuchneri (the species mainly responsible for the accumulation of histamine in cheese) and Pediococcus parvulus. The tyramine-producing species with the broadest sensitivity spectrum was Enterococcus faecium, while Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus hirae were among the most sensitive putrescine producers. Nisin A-CFS was active against 31 of the 48 BA-producing strains (the broadest antimicrobial spectrum recorded). Moreover, commercial nisin A prevented biofilm formation by 67% of the BA-producing, biofilm-forming LAB strains. These findings underscore the potential of bacteriocins in the control of BA-producing LAB, and support the use of nisin A as a food grade biopreservative for keeping BA-producing LAB in check and reducing BA accumulation in cheese.

Ab initio study of longitudinal and transverse dynamics, including fast sound, in molten UO2 and liquid Li-Pb alloys.

The disparity between the masses of the two components in a binary liquid system can lead to the appearance of a peculiar phenomenon named "fast sound," which was identified for the first time in Li4Pb several decades ago and later observed in other Li based alloys. However, the exact characteristics and nature of this phenomenon and the reasons behind its appearance have not totally been identified yet. In this work, we analyze the longitudinal and transverse current correlation functions of UO2, Li4Pb, and Li0.17Pb0.83, as obtained from ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. We find that fast sound appears to occur in the two former systems but not in the latter. Additionally, we discuss some of the properties of the liquid mixtures that may be related to the appearance (or absence) of the phenomenon, such as the composition, the polyhedral structure of the melt, and the type of bonding in the system.

Workshop for Basic Gynaecological Examinations: Improving Medical Student Learning through Clinical Simulation.

INTRODUCTION: This study was designed to evaluate whether the Workshop on Basic Principles for Clinical Gynaecological Exploration, offered to medical students, improves theoretical-practical knowledge, safety, confidence, global satisfaction and the achievement of the proposed objectives in the area of gynaecological clinical examinations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a quasi-experimental pre-post-learning study carried out at the Gynaecology and Obstetrics department of Gregorio Marañón Hospital in Madrid (Spain). The volunteer participants were 4th-year students earning a degree in Medicine during the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 academic years. The study period was divided into the following stages: pre-workshop, intra-workshop and 2 weeks post-workshop. In the pre-workshop stage, students completed a brief online course to prepare for the workshop. The effectiveness of the workshop was evaluated through multiple-choice tests and self-administered questionnaires to assess self-assurance, self-confidence, self-satisfaction and the achievement of the objectives. RESULTS: Of the 277 students invited in both academic years, 256 attended the workshop (92.4%), with a total participation in the different stages of the study greater than 70%. A total of 82.5% of the students in the 2020-2021 academic year and 80.6% of students in the 2021-2022 academic year did not have any type of experience performing gynaecological clinical examinations. Between the pre-workshop and 2 weeks post-workshop stages, there was significant improvement in theoretical-practical knowledge (improvement mean = 1.38 and 1.21 in 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 academic years, respectively). The security and confidence of the students prior to the workshop were low (average scores less than 5 points) in both academic years. However, post-workshop scores for satisfaction and the achievement of objectives were high in the two academic years; all the values approached or exceeded 8 points. CONCLUSIONS: Our students, after outstanding participation, evaluated the BPCGE, and improved their theoretical and practical knowledge, as well as their skills in a gynaecological clinical examination. Moreover, in their view, after the workshop, they felt very satisfied, far outreaching the proposed aims. In addition, excellent results were maintained over time, year after year.

Enterococcus faecium Bacteriophage vB_EfaH_163, a New Member of the Herelleviridae Family, Reduces the Mortality Associated with an E. faecium vanR Clinical Isolate in a Galleria mellonella Animal Model.

The rise of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria is a major health concern, especially with regard to members of the ESKAPE group, to which vancomycin-resistant (VRE) Enterococcus faecium belongs. Phage therapy has emerged as a novel alternative for the treatment of AMR infections. This, however, relies on the isolation and characterisation of a large collection of phages. This work describes the exploration of human faeces as a source of new E. faecium-infecting phages. Phage vB_EfaH_163 was isolated and characterised at the microbiological, genomic, and functional levels. vB_EfaH_163 phage, a new member of Herelleviridae, subfamily Brockvirinae, has a dsDNA genome of 150,836 bp that does not harbour any virulence factors or antibiotic resistance genes. It infects a wide range of E. faecium strains of different origins, including VRE strains. Interestingly, it can also infect Enterococcus faecalis strains, even some that are linezolid-resistant. Its capacity to control the growth of a clinical VRE isolate was shown in broth culture and in a Galleria mellonella animal model. The discovery and characterisation of vB_EfaH_163 increases the number of phages that might be used therapeutically against AMR bacteria.

Assessing care-related regret among nurses specialized in multiple sclerosis: A psychometric analysis of a new assessment battery.

Experiences of regret associated with caring for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) can affect medical decisions. A non-interventional study was conducted to assess the dimensionality and item characteristics of a battery including the Regret Intensity Scale (RIS-10) and 15 items evaluating common situations experienced by nurses in MS care. A total of 97 nurses were included. The RIS-10 showed good internal reliability and a unidimensional structure according to Mokken analysis. All-item homogeneity coefficients exceeded 0.30, whereas scalability for the overall RIS-10 was 0.66, indicating a strong scale. This battery showed adequate psychometric properties to evaluate regret among MS nurses.

The Irrintzi and Other Folk Cries High Pich and Loud Emission. Can We Learn Something?

INTRODUCTION: In various cultures there are vocal sounds and cries associated with the folk tradition. All these cries are emitted in a single breath, have a high frequency and are loud. They are consequently audible over long distances and cut through other vocal expressions or other sounds generated by instruments. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this work is to acoustically analyze some of these folkloric cries and study elements common to all of them. METHODS: In this study, Irrintzi, Aturuxo, Tzagrit, ululation Darfur and Kurava cries were subjected to descriptive acoustic spectrographic analysis, and the resulting descriptions were compared both quantitatively, in terms of various acoustic parameters, and qualitatively, in terms of spectrographic characteristics and the way the cries sound. RESULTS: All of the cries contained high frequencies. Spectrograms of the cries revealed that they had a common pattern: a lower initial frequency ascends rapidly (the attack) and is then maintained throughout a stable phase of the emission (the body) before a final drop in frequency (the ending or coda). The body is the longest phase. CONCLUSIONS: This initial study of five sounds of folk tradition has opened up a wealth of acoustic and cultural discoveries. Broader studies are now needed to determine if the characteristics we have reported are common to other cries, to look for other similarities, and to delve into meanings, implications and possible applications. In-depth understanding of the mechanism of emission of traditional cries could provide tools for voice re-education in patients with dysphonia due to vocal strain (muscle tension dysphonia, vocal nodules, etc.), for improving voice quality, and for increasing the efficiency of vocal performance.

Describing the Acoustic and Vocal Production Characteristics of the Irrintzi: Feasibility of Its Use for the Treatment of Voice Disorders.

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to analyze and characterize the irrintzi (a folkloric shout emitted in a single breath used by the Basque people) acoustically and to describe the mechanism by which it is emitted. METHOD: Thirty-six sound samples of 12 female volunteers were analyzed. Acoustic analysis included primarily fundamental frequency (f o), spectral analysis in the time domain with a narrowband filter, and the use of linear predictive coding (LPC). Laryngeal and pharyngeal movements while emitting an irrintzi were studied by fiberoptic nasal endoscopy. Postural and mandible movements were observed and video recorded. Movements of the larynx and the vocal tract were also studied by lateral pharyngo-laryngeal radioscopy. RESULTS: The central part of an irrintzi spectrogram contains a peculiar, repeated M-shaped motif unseen in the spectrogram of any other human vocal emission, and intensity was over 90 dB SPL in all cases. f o was very high (1487 Hz) especially at the end of the irrintzi. Fiberoptic nasal endoscopy consistently revealed considerable elevation of the glottis, with the larynx swinging forward and retraction of the ventricular bands. Lateral radioscopy showed a very high larynx and a high tongue dorsum. CONCLUSIONS: The irrintzi is a sound emitted in a single breath and characterized by its shrillness and loudness, qualities that make it audible in noisy environments and over large distances and the vocal technique observed when it is produced can be explained by the Estill voice model (Steinhauer et al., 2017). The use of this technique may help in the treatment of voice disorders and improve efficiency in singers, teachers, actors, and people who use their voice at high volume or at high frequency. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.20779405.

Investigating the biotechnological potential of lactic acid bacteria strains isolated from different Algerian dairy and farm sources.

Currently, consumption of spontaneously fermented milks is common in Algeria, making it a feasible source of diverse lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with the potential to be used as adjunct cultures to improve quality and safety of fermented dairy products. In this context, to select eligible indigenous strains which could be applied as bioprotective and/or starter cultures, the present study aimed to characterize the genomic variability, biotechnological potential, and safety of thirty-eight LAB isolated from Algerian dairy and farm sources of western Algeria. The isolates were unequivocally identified by 16S rRNA gene and fingerprint-based methods. The following species were identified: Enterococcus faecium (n = 15), Enterococcus durans (n = 2), Enterococcus hirae (n = 2), Enterococcus lactis (n = 1), Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (n = 6), Lactococcus lactis (n = 4), Levilactobacillus brevis (n = 3), Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (n = 3), Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (n = 1), and Pediococcus acidilactici (n = 1). Among the strains, three of them, L. lactis LGMY8, Lb. plantarum LGMY30 and Lb. paracasei LGMY31 were safe and showed some valuable biotechnological properties, such as high acidification, proteolytic activity, EPS production, and inhibition of undesirable bacteria that made them powerful candidates to be used as starter.

Bibliometric Differences Between WEIRD and Non-WEIRD Countries in the Outcome Research on Solution-Focused Brief Therapy.

Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) developed in parallel to Positive Psychology, as a type of intervention that also emphasizes the strengths and resources of clients. The aim of this study was to examine the development of outcome research on SFBT and to determine whether it is predominantly carried out in Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich and Democratic (WEIRD) countries. A literature review was conducted using a bibliometric methodology, identifying: (a) authors and countries, (b) time trends, (c) language of publications; (d) and journals; (e) samples on which they were tested; (f) characteristics of interventions; and (g) main study designs. A total of 365 original outcome research articles published in scientific journals on solution-focused interventions were extracted. The results show that outcome research on SFBT has grown steadily over the last three decades. Although it started in WEIRD countries, the number of outcome research publications generated in non-WEIRD countries is now higher. There is little international collaboration and, although English is the main language of publication in WEIRD countries, English, Chinese and Parsi predominate in non-WEIRD countries. Productivity is low and most authors have only published one paper. The journals that have published the most papers have a very diverse visibility. The tested interventions are conducted both in clinical and non-clinical samples; mostly in individual and group format; face-to-face; and not only in the form of psychotherapy, but also as coaching and school interventions. Almost half of the publications are randomized controlled trials. The results confirm the wide applicability of SFBT as a single or main component of psychosocial interventions. They support the claim that solution-focused interventions are not a WEIRD practice, but a global practice.

Behavioral aspects of nurse practitioners associated with optimal multiple sclerosis care in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Nurse practitioners (NPs) play a critical role in the multidisciplinary management of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Neurologists´ behavioral characteristics have been associated with suboptimal clinical decisions. However, limited information is available on their impact among NPs involved in MS care. The aim of this study was to assess nurses´ therapeutic choices to understand behavioral factors influencing their decision making process. METHODS: A non-interventional, cross-sectional, web-based study was conducted. NPs actively involved in the care of patients with MS were invited to participate in the study by the Spanish Society of Neurology Nursing. Participants answered questions regarding their standard practice and therapeutic management of seven simulated relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) case scenarios. A behavioral battery was used to measure participants´ life satisfaction, mood, positive social behaviors, feeling of helpfulness, attitudes toward adoption of evidence-based innovations, occupational burnout, and healthcare-related regret. The outcome of interest was therapeutic inertia (TI), defined as the lack of treatment escalation when there is clinical and radiological evidence of disease activity. A score to quantify TI was created based on the number of simulated scenarios where treatment intensification was warranted. RESULTS: Overall, 331 NPs were invited to participate, 130 initiated the study, and 96 (29%) completed the study. The mean age (SD) was 44.6 (9.8) years and 91.7% were female. Seventy-three participants (76.0%) felt their opinions had a significant influence on neurologists´ therapeutic decisions. Sixteen NPs (16.5%) showed severe emotional exhaustion related to work and 13 (13.5%) had depressive symptoms. The mean (SD) TI score was 0.97 (1.1). Fifty-six of NPs showed TI in at least one case scenario. Higher years of nursing experience (p = 0.014), feeling of helpfulness (p = 0.014), positive attitudes toward innovations (p = 0.046), and a higher intensity of care-related regret (p = 0.021) were associated with a lower risk of TI (adjusted R2 = 0.28). Burnout was associated with higher risk of TI (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although NPs cannot prescribe MS treatments in Spain, their behavioral characteristics may influence the management of patients with RRMS. Continuing education and specific strategies for reducing occupational burnout may lead to better management skills and improve MS care.

Binge Drinking: The Top 100 Cited Papers.

We conducted a review to analyze the 100 most-cited studies on binge drinking (BD) in the Web of Science (WoS) database to determine their current status and the aspects that require further attention. We carried out a retrospective bibliometric analysis in January 2021. The year of publication, authors, design, subject, journal, institution and lead author's country, as well as the definition of BD, were extracted from the articles. The data on the country, year, thematic category of the journals and their rank were obtained from the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) Journal Citation Reports 2020. The number of citations was collected from the WoS, and the h index was collected from the Scopus database. The citation density and Bradford's law were calculated. The majority of the articles were empirical quantitative studies with a cross-sectional design published between 1992 and 2013 in 49 journals. There were 306 authors, mostly English-speaking and from the USA. The definitions used to describe BD are not homogeneous. The most-cited topics were the analysis of consequences, determinants and epidemiology. There is a need to unify the definitions of BD and base them on scientific evidence. The multidisciplinary nature of BD is not well reflected in each of the thematic areas discussed in this work.

Regret and Therapeutic Decisions in Multiple Sclerosis Care: Literature Review and Research Protocol.

Background: Decisions based on erroneous assessments may result in unrealistic patient and family expectations, suboptimal advice, incorrect treatment, or costly medical errors. Regret is a common emotion in daily life that involves counterfactual thinking when considering alternative choices. Limited information is available on care-related regret affecting healthcare professionals managing patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: We reviewed identified gaps in the literature by searching for the combination of the following keywords in Pubmed: "regret and decision," "regret and physicians," and "regret and nurses." An expert panel of neurologists, a nurse, a psychiatrist, a pharmacist, and a psychometrics specialist participated in the study design. Care-related regret will be assessed by a behavioral battery including the standardized questionnaire Regret Intensity Scale (RIS-10) and 15 new specific items. Six items will evaluate regret in the most common social domains affecting individuals (financial, driving, sports-recreation, work, own health, and confidence in people). Another nine items will explore past and recent regret experiences in common situations experienced by healthcare professionals caring for patients with MS. We will also assess concomitant behavioral characteristics of healthcare professionals that could be associated with regret: coping strategies, life satisfaction, mood, positive social behaviors, occupational burnout, and tolerance to uncertainty. Planned Outcomes: This is the first comprehensive and standardized protocol to assess care-related regret and associated behavioral factors among healthcare professionals managing MS. These results will allow to understand and ameliorate regret in healthcare professionals. Spanish National Register (SL42129-20/598-E).

Positive Organizational Psychology: A Bibliometric Review and Science Mapping Analysis.

Positive organizational psychology (POP) is a research area that focuses on the positive aspects of optimal functioning at work. Although consolidated and with a large volume of publications, no bibliometric analysis has been performed that allows knowing its high-level structure, developments, and distribution of knowledge since its origins. The objective is to analyze the 7181 articles published in POP on the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). A retrospective bibliometric analysis and science mapping were performed. The title, authors, institutions, countries, scientific categories, journals, keywords, year, and citations were extracted from WoSCC. Impact factor, quartile, and country were collected from Journal Citation Reports (JCR) 2019. Authors were classified according to the proposal of Crane, and Bradford's law was calculated. The results show that it is an area with more than 100 years of experience, divided into three stages of different productivity and visibility, highlighting a decrease in its visibility in recent years. With a multidisciplinary and international interest, psychology and business and economics stand out, especially in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. Four popular study topics emerged: well-being at work, positive leadership, work engagement, and psychological capital.

Behavior of Proteins under Pressure from Experimental Pressure-Dependent Structures.

Structure-based models are coarse-grained representations of the interactions responsible for the protein folding process. In their simplest form, they use only the native contact map of a given protein to predict the main features of its folding process by computer simulation. Given their limitations, these models are frequently complemented with sequence-dependent contributions or additional information. Specifically, to analyze the effect of pressure on the folding/unfolding transition, special forms of these interaction potentials are employed, which may a priori determine the outcome of the simulations. In this work, we have tried to keep the original simplicity of structure-based models. Therefore, we have used folded structures that have been experimentally determined at different pressures to define native contact maps and thus interactions dependent on pressure. Despite the apparently tiny structural differences induced by pressure, our simulation results provide different thermodynamic and kinetic behaviors, which roughly correspond to experimental observations (when there is a possible comparison) of two proteins used as benchmarks, hen egg-white lysozyme and dihydrofolate reductase. Therefore, this work shows the feasibility of using experimental native structures at different pressures to analyze the global effects of this physical property on the protein folding process.

GABA-Producing Lactococcus lactis Strains Isolated from Camel's Milk as Starters for the Production of GABA-Enriched Cheese.

The multiple health benefits attributed to the bioactive compound γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) have prompted the food industry to investigate the development of functional GABA-rich foods via the use of GABA-producing microorganisms. This study reports the isolation of six GABA-producing Lactococcus lactis strains from camel's milk; this is the first time that such microorganisms have been isolated from milk. The sequencing and in silico analysis of their genomes, and the characterisation of their technological and safety properties, confirmed their potential as starters. Experimental cheeses made with all six strains (individually) accumulated GABA at concentrations of up to 457 mg/kg. These GABA-producing L. lactis strains could be used as starter cultures for the manufacture of functional GABA-enriched cheeses that provide health benefits to consumers.

Atypical posterior scleritis mimicking an amelanotic choroidal melanoma. A case report.

Purpose: To describe a clinical case of atypical posterior scleritis mimicking an amelanotic choroidal melanoma. Method: Observational case report of a 54-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with photophobia and blurred vision in her left eye for three days. The development of a raised hypopigmented lesion superior to the papilla with choroidal folds and without vitritis simulated an amelanotic choroidal melanoma. Differential diagnosis took into consideration other compatible entities, including choroidal masses or orbital pseudotumor. Results: The patient was subject to full clinical examination, laboratory test, optical coherence tomography, orbital echography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Treatment with oral prednisone showed a significant improvement in all clinical and anatomical parameters. Discussions: Posterior scleritis is characterized by great clinical variability and sometimes can simulate an amelanotic choroidal melanoma. Performing an appropriate differential diagnosis of a large amelanotic lesion is the most important point during a routine ocular examination due to the implications for the patient. Conclusions: Posterior scleritis is a rare and incompletely understood inflammatory disease that affects the posterior part of the sclera. It can be associated with a range of conditions and very often is underdiagnosed. In about one third of the cases, it is related to some systemic disease, especially to autoimmune entity, so it may require a multidisciplinary approach. This case highlighted the importance of a solid differential diagnosis and an early treatment in order to help prevent the appearance of complications that can limit not only the visual outcome of the patient but even his survival in the most extreme cases. Abbreviations: LE = left eye; RE = right eye; BCVA = best corrected visual acuity; BO = both eyes; IOP = intraocular pressure; OCT = optical coherence tomography; MRI = Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Polyphasic Characterisation of Non-Starter Lactic Acid Bacteria from Algerian Raw Camel's Milk and Their Technological Aptitudes.

RESEARCH BACKGROUND: Consumption of spontaneously fermented camel´s milk is common in Algeria, making it a feasible source of diverse lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with the potential to be used as adjunct cultures to improve quality and safety of fermented dairy products. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Twelve raw camel´s milk samples were used as a source of indigenous LAB, which were further characterised by examining39 phenotypic traits with technological relevance. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Thirty-five non-starter LAB (NSLAB) were isolated from 12 Algerian raw camel's milk samples and they were microbiologically, biochemically and genetically characterised. Some isolates showed proteolytic activity, acidifying capacity, the ability to use citrate, and to produce dextran and acetoin. Ethanol, acetaldehyde, methyl acetate, acetoin and acetic acid were the major volatile compounds detected. Cluster analysis performed using the unweighted group with arithmetic average (UPGMA) method, and based on the thirty-nine phenotypic characteristics investigated, reflected the microbial diversity that can be found in raw camel´s milk. NOVELTY AND SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTION: The isolated strains, from a non-typical source, showed interesting technological traits to be considered as potential adjunct cultures. Cluster analysis based on the examined phenotypic characteristics proved to be a useful tool for the typification of isolates when no genetic information is available. These findings may be of use towards an industrialised production of camel's milk dairy products.

An Efficient Deep Learning Scheme To Predict the Electronic Structure of Materials and Molecules: The Example of Graphene-Derived Allotropes.

Computations based on density functional theory (DFT) are transforming various aspects of materials research and discovery. However, the effort required to solve the central equation of DFT, namely the Kohn-Sham equation, which remains a major obstacle for studying large systems with hundreds of atoms in a practical amount of time with routine computational resources. Here, we propose a deep learning architecture that systematically learns the input-output behavior of the Kohn-Sham equation and predicts the electronic density of states, a primary output of DFT calculations, with unprecedented speed and chemical accuracy. The algorithm also adapts and progressively improves in predictive power and versatility as it is exposed to new diverse atomic configurations. We demonstrate this capability for a diverse set of carbon allotropes spanning a large configurational and phase space. The electronic density of states, along with the electronic charge density, may be used downstream to predict a variety of materials properties, bypassing the Kohn-Sham equation, leading to an ultrafast and high-fidelity DFT emulator.