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A energia nuclear é uma das principais alternativas para futuras fontes de energia sem emissões de gases contribuintes ao efeito estufa. Neste contexto os reatores nucleares modulares de pequeno porte têm grande potencial de desenvolvimento. Nesta categoria, por suas características de segurança e semelhanças com os reatores atuais em operação, destacam-se os reatores integrais de água pressurizada (iPWR). Neste trabalho, é apresentado um modelo computacional neutrônico baseado no código Monte Carlo Serpent para o projeto e análise de um ciclo de combustível estendido de quatro anos em um reator de tipo iPWR. Os principais parâmetros do comportamento neutrônico do núcleo são calculados e comparados com as recomendações para retores refrigerados a água.

The use of advanced generation III+ and IV nuclear reactors, and their applications, has become important, seen as a means capable of contributing to the global transition to more sustainable, affordable and reliable energy systems. This technology, which could be integrated into future carbon-free electric power generation systems with high proportions of different renewable energy sources, includes Small Modular Reactors (SMR). There are about 100 different proposed projects of Generation III+ and IV, of which about 50 are SMR concepts, in various stages of development and of different types of technologies. Other important issues for achieving the long-term sustainability of nuclear energy are the proper use of its fuel sources and the improvement of nuclear waste management. Therefore, fuels based on a mixture of oxides have been used successfully in several countries. In addition, the incorporation of thorium-based fuel is a current challenge for the new designs of advanced reactors. The present paper focuses on the analysis of a small modular integral pressurized water reactor (iPWR) with Thorium-Uranium Oxide (Th-U MOX) mixtures. A thermohydraulic model is developed using the Ansys CFX program, which allows the calculation of the temperature distribution in the section where the highest power is produced within the SMR IPWR core (critical section). The temperature distributions in the fuel, clad and coolant were calculated with the objective of verifying that they were within the safety limits.

INTRODUCTION: This study compared the inter-instrument reliability of the Jamar Hand Dynamometer (Jamar) to the BTE EVJ Handgrip tool (EVJ). The EVJ is a new digital handgrip instrument designed by BTE Technologies Inc. (BTE Tech) utilizing Bluetooth technology to automatically upload data to a computer or electronic health record. METHOD: This repeated measure study engaged 338 participants (N= 199 females, N= 139 males) ages 20 to 50. All participants were tested on both devices following the protocol established by the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT). RESULTS: Comparative statistics included ICC values (0.81–0.84), Pearson R (correlation coefficient) (0.68–0.77), and Bland Altman plots (93–95% of data within 2 SD), indicating good inter-instrument agreement. CONCLUSIONS: The EVJ Handgrip, developed by BTE Technologies, demonstrated good inter-instrument reliability with the Jamar Hand Dynamometer and may be reliable to use when referencing the published normative values in the clinical environment.

A growing literature shows an improvement of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related depression after successful treatment with direct-acting antivirals. However, depression after HCV cure remains insufficiently documented in people living with HIV (PLWH) and HCV, a population with specific mental health challenges. This study aimed to (i) document the prevalence of moderate-to-severe depression (PHQ-9 score ≥10) across different age classes in HCV-cured PLWH; (ii) identify associated socio-behavioral correlates.Descriptive analyses were performed on data collected during a cross-sectional survey (February 2018 - May 2019) nested in a prospective, multicenter cohort of individuals living with HIV and HCV (ANRS CO13 HEPAVIH). Socio-behavioral correlates of moderate-to-severe depression were identified using logistic regression.Among the 398 HCV-cured individuals in the study sample (median age [IQR]: 56 [53-59] years; 73.1% men), 23.9% presented with moderate-to-severe depression (PHQ-9 score ≥10). Depressive symptom prevalence rates were as follows: anhedonia: 52.3%; feeling 'down' or feelings of hopelessness: 48.3%; sleeping problems: 65.7%; lack of energy: 70.3%; eating disorders: 51.2%; lack of self-esteem: 34.3%; difficulty concentrating: 34.9%; sluggishness (in movement and voice) or restlessness: 24.6%; suicidal ideation: 17.1%. No significant difference was detected across age classes. Female sex, unhealthy alcohol use, sedentary lifestyle, and unhealthy eating behaviors were associated with increased odds of moderate-to-severe depression.Depressive symptoms were common in this sample of HCV-cured PLWH. Unlike findings for the French general population, the prevalence of depression did not decrease with age class. Mental health remains a key issue for HIV-HCV-coinfected individuals, even after HCV cure, especially in women and in individuals with unhealthy behaviors.Despite potential improvements in mental health after successful treatment with direct-acting antivirals, many people living with HIV (PLWH) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) - even in older age classes - still face depressive symptoms after HCV cure. In this population, women and people reporting unhealthy alcohol use, sedentary lifestyle, or unhealthy eating behaviors are more prone to report depressive symptoms after HCV cure. Mental health and lifestyle-related issues should be integrated in a global care model for PLWH living with or having a history of hepatitis C.

A porosidade e uma das propriedades dos concretos que esta associada a sua qualidade por influenciar diretamente na sua resistencia. A microtomografia e uma tecnica nao destrutiva para caracterizacao de materiais que permite a obtencao de imagens da sua estrutura interna. Informacoes sobre esta estrutura interna podem ser extraidas e analisadas utilizando tecnicas de processamento e analise de imagens. O objetivo deste trabalho e implementar uma metodologia que, usando tecnicas de processamento de imagens, permita analisar imagens geradas por microtomografia computadorizada com o intuito de determinar a porosidade em concretos.

Many quadrupeds are capable of power efficient gaits, especially trot and gallop, thanks to their flexible trunk. The oscillations of the system that includes the backbone, the tendons and musculature, store and release elastic energy, helping a smooth deceleration and a fast acceleration of the hindquarters and forequarters, which improves the dynamics of running and its energy efficiency. Forelegs and hindlegs play a key role in generating the bending moment in the trunk. In this paper we present our studies aimed at modeling and reproducing such phenomena for efficient quadrupedal robot locomotion. We propose a model, called mass-mass-spring model, that overcomes the limitation of existing models, and demonstrate that it allows studying how the masses of the legs generate a flexing force that helps the natural bending of the trunk during gallop. We apply our model to six animals, that adopt two different galloping patterns (called transverse and rotatory), and compare their energy efficiency.

The goal of time series analysis is extract non-trivial information from chronological sorted points. Time series data creation it is not a difficult task, however the same cannot be said about its analysis and predictions, with these processes being considered in 2006 one of the ten main challenges of data mining research field. The time series utilized in this research was an economic time series with the monthly prices of the basic food basket in Ilheus and Itabuna cities. When analyzing time series, different methods can be applied, but recently the methods related to Deep Learning are becoming more popular, with recurrent neural networks (RNNs) being the most popular among them. This paper experimented an RNN architecture in three different experiments, predicting in different time terms the prices of the basic food basket time series of 2019 and 2020. All experiments presented a satisfactory prediction result and sensitivity to the real values series behavior. These results suggest that the RNN architecture can generalize well the time series to periods yet not seen by the network and that the NN can have an even better performance in a more data abundant environment.

O Grupo Cataratas de Eficiência Energética (GCEE) é constituído por docentes e discentes do CECE da Unioeste - Foz do Iguaçu, e tem por finalidade enriquecer a formação de seus integrantes por meio de atividades de projeto, construção e manejo de veículos para competições de eficiência energética para veículos movidos à energia elétrica e etanol. A equipe já participou de diversas competições sendo a detentora do recorde latino-americano na categoria etanol (736 Km com um litro de etanol).

The High Performance Light Water Reactor (HPLWR) is one of the most promising designs of the Super-Critical Water Reactor (SCWR). The use of uranium nitride (UN) and uranium carbide (UC), as alternative nuclear fuels for the SCWR, offer the advantage of high thermal conductivity compared to uranium dioxide (UO2). For the analysis of these alternative nuclear fuels in SCWRs, some important design features must be considered. One of them is the porosity; the nuclear fuel is manufactured with different porosity values, as high as 20%, to reduce its hardness and swelling, influencing its thermal conductivity. Another issue is related to the chemical reactivity of UN and UC with water and nickel, which forces the use of coatings for fuel pellets. In this paper, a preliminary thermal-hydraulic analysis, using CFD codes, of the HPLWR fuel assembly, focused on the thermal behavior of ceramic fuel, was carried out. The use of UN coated with zirconium carbide layers and UC coated with titanium nitride layers were analyzed. The impact of porosity induced changes in fuel temperature profiles was analyzed. The radial and axial fuel temperature distributions were obtained for all cases. It was found that the maximum temperature values obtained using UN and UC, both coated and uncoated, were lower than those obtained with UO2. It was found that the porosity changes on the proposed fuels have a small influence on the maximum fuel temperature.

Background: Nasal dermoid sinus cysts (NDSC) are infrequent congenital midline lesions. Complete removal is the treatment of choice. When there is intracranial involvement, the traditional surgical approach requires a bicoronal flap and frontal craniotomy. Case report: A 17-year-old male presented with a midline nasal dorsum mass. The radiological exams revealed a cystic lesion within nasal dorsum with intracranial extension through a patent foramen caecum into a bifid crista galli. Total macroscopic resection was performed through an endoscopic-assisted open rhinoplasty approach. The patient remains asymptomatic and free of recurrence after 20 months follow-up. Conclusion: This case demonstrates the feasibility of an endoscopic-assisted open rhinoplasty approach for successful resection of NDSC, avoiding a frontal craniotomy and the significant morbidity associated herewith.

The nuclear energy is a good alternative to meet the continuous increase in world energy demand. In this pers-pective, VHTRs (Very High Temperature Reactors) are serious candidates for energy generation due to its inherently safe performance, low power density and high conversion efficiency. However, the viability of these reactors depends on an efficient safety system in the operation of nuclear plants. The HTR (High Temperature Reactor)-10 model, an experimental reactor of the pebble bed type, is used as a case study in this work to perform the thermohydraulic simulation. Due to the complex patterns flow that appear in the pebble bed reactor core CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) techniques are used to simulate these reactors. A realistic approach is adopted to simulate the central annular column of the reactor core. As geometrical model of the fuel elements was selected the BCC (Body Centered Cubic) arrangement. Parameters considered for reactor design are available in the technical report of benchmark issues by IAEA (TECDOC-1694). We obtain the temperature profile distribution in the core for regimes where the coolant flow rate is smaller than recommended in a normal operation. In general, the temperature distributions calculated are consistent with phenomenological behavior. Even without considering the reactivity changes to reduce the reactor power or other safety mechanisms, the maximum temperatures do not exceed the recommended limits for TRISO fuel elements.

The Very High Temperature Reactor (VHTR) is one of the candidates of next generation of the nuclear reactors according to IAEA. Predicting the thermohydraulic behavior of High Temperature Reactors (HTR) is an important contribution to the development of this technology. Evaluation of thermohydraulic performance and a comparison with experimental data were proposed to the international research community. The impact of porosity of pebble beds in the thermohydraulic performance in normal operation and under accident condition is the goal of many kinds of research. In this sense, the three-dimensional CFD thermohydraulic simulation of a HTR using ANSYS CFX has been done. The full-scale approach is used to study the influence of different porosity scheme in the main structural materials of the HTR-10 reactor. The porous medium model was used to simulate the pebble bed core zone and the discharge system of pebbles. A comparison with experimental data was made. The steady-state thermohydraulic performance of the HTR-10 reactor at normal operation and anticipated transients without scram (ATWS) tests result, were used. In this work, was possible to estimate the effect of the porosity in the interior regions of the reactor and the impact on the temperature distribution. Finally, the study broadens the knowledge about the impact that the use of variable porosity has on safety analyses in pebble beds reactors.

In an iPWR (integral pressurized water reactor), the pressurizer is located at the top of the reactor vessel; this configuration requires the investigation of the mechanisms adopted for the homogenization of boron. In previous work, three representative experiments were conducted in an experimental installation made of stainless steel with a volumetric scale equal to 1:200, representing one-fourth of the pressurizer of an iPWR. The test facility layout was mounted so that the test section was fed with water or saline solutions with different concentrations, representing scenarios of boration or deboration. To determine the concentration at the inlet and outlet of the test section, samples have been collected every 10 min during the experiments representing some scenarios. The main goal in this work was to investigate how well mixing during boron dilution transients in the pressurizer of a small modular reactor can be modelled accurately by CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) codes. Two CFD codes were used, the commercial ANSYS CFX and the open source CFD code OpenFOAM. The use of open source software such as OpenFOAM offers a way to CFD gain acceptance in the licensing. The results of the comparison of simulations with an experiment at the test section were presented and showed a very good agreement. It was verified that deviations are less than 4%, both codes can be used to accurately represent this phenomenon. In order to improve future experiments, the dispersion of the solution inside the test section is studied with the aim to propose positions for sensors. A first simple configuration is proposed, but some further simulations will be done to find an optimum configuration.

In the province of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, the COVID-19 epidemic has a limited progression that shows an early small-number peak of infections. Most published mathematical models fit data with high numbers of confirmed cases. In contrast, small numbers of cases make it difficult to predict the course of the epidemic. We present two known models adapted to capture the noisy dynamics of COVID-19 in the Santiago de Cuba province. Parameters of both models were estimated using the approximate-Bayesian-computation framework with dedicated error laws. One parameter of each model was updated on key dates of travel restrictions. Both models approximately predicted the infection peak and the end of the COVID-19 epidemic in Santiago de Cuba. The first model predicted 57 reported cases and 16 unreported cases. Additionally, it estimated six initially exposed persons. The second model forecasted 51 confirmed cases at the end of the epidemic. In conclusion, an opportune epidemiological investigation, along with the low number of initially exposed individuals, might partly explain the favorable evolution of the COVID-19 epidemic in Santiago de Cuba. With the available data, the simplest model predicted the epidemic evolution with greater precision, and the more complex model helped to explain the epidemic phenomenology.

The annular flow two-phase regime appears in nuclear power plants cooling by water. On accidents with lost of cooling this regime determine the heat extraction conditions from the core. The experimental facility Gerador de Película Ondulatoria (GEPELON) was constructed at Universitat Politècnica de València to study this phenomenon. In this work, we use computational fluid dynamics techniques to simulate an air-water regime, specifically a gravity-driven falling liquid film in the GEPELON experimental facility. We consider a multibody geometry where the porous sintered of the input device is simulated in a realistic way. The Volume of Fluid (VOF) model was used in the resolution of the constitutive equations. We propose three geometric approximations to estimate film thickness, and simulation results were compared with experimental values. The simulation results show a good agreement with experimental measurements. Besides, no significant differences were observed between geometrical approximations for film thickness calculations.

Tecnicas de inteligencia artificial tem sido amplamente utilizada na analise e previsao de series temporais de dados socioeconomicos. Neste trabalho apresentamos duas abordagens hibridas aplicadas a previsao de series temporais do custo da cesta basica de alimentos na regiao Sul da Bahia. A primeira metodologia combina Redes Neurais Artificiais (RNA) com o modelo Autorregressivo Integrado e de Medias Moveis (ARIMA) e a segunda RNA com um sistema de inferencia Fuzzy (sistema Neurofuzzy). Foram realizadas previsoes a curto prazo dividido em tres etapas, prevendo quatro, seis e doze meses. Os resultados mostram que os metodos hibridos oferecem previsoes de maior qualidade aglutinando as vantagens das tecnicas que os compoem. Foi feita uma avaliacao de desempenho das previsoes atraves das medidas de acuracia, sendo o sistema Neurofuzzy o que apresentou um desempenho superior com o aumento do numero de previsoes.

Luc a vécu depuis sa naissance avec une mère atteinte d’une maladie chronique, et dont le cancer a été ressenti d’emblée comme létal. Son père l’emmène en consultation psychologique alors qu’il est âgé de six ans et un suivi s’engage. Nous exposerons le travail effectué avec l’enfant, appuyé sur deux médiateurs, le dessin et le jeu, également nourri de beaucoup de parole. Nous observerons comment il a intégré la maladie chronique et l’enjeu létal, et mis en œuvre des tentatives de solutions et exploité le transfert. Nous nous interrogerons sur la pertinence de l’alternative d’un relais extérieur éventuel.

A professor and a preservice teacher take some risks constructing a “homemade” printer.

Técnicas de modelagem computacional têm sido extensivamente aplicadas na análise e previsão de series temporais de dados socioeconômicos. Estas aplicações adquirem maior relevância no contexto de governança eletrônica, isto é, quando aplicadas na otimização de políticas públicas. Os métodos estatísticos e os modelos baseados em redes neurais oferecem resultados satisfatórios na previsão de series temporais. Entretanto, diversos autores destacam que o uso de modelos híbridos, que combinem ambas as abordagens, deve gerar previsões de maior qualidade. Neste trabalho, apresentamos um modelo híbrido que combina o método Autoregressivo Integrado e de Médias Móveis (ARIMA) com Redes Neurais Artificiais (RNA) na previsão de séries temporais do custo da cesta básica de alimentos na cidade de Ilhéus, região Sul da Bahia. A construção do método híbrido envolve selecionar o modelo ARIMA apropriado e a estimação de seus parâmetros através da analise das funções de correlação. Em relação a rede neural devemos selecionar a topologia da rede, e calcular os pesos sinápticos de cada neurônio mediante um algoritmo de treinamento. O modelo híbrido resultante é utilizado para gerar previsões em curto e médio prazo, avaliando os resultados através de medidas estatísticas de acurácia. Ademais, os resultados do modelo híbrido são comparados com os gerados pelos modelos de abordagem individual RNA e ARIMA, destacando as vantagens do uso de modelos híbridos.

Accurate solution of neutron transport problems in the discrete ordinates (SN) formulations is relevant in many areas of engineering and nuclear science. Several researches have led to a variety of numerical differencing schemes in order to generate even more accurate numerical solutions. However, most differencing schemes seem to become unstable for sufficiently large spatial cell width and negative solutions may arise, which are non-physical results. In this work, we present a spectral analysis of the Extended Linear Discontinuous (ELD) and the classical Linear Discontinuous (LD) difference schemes for one-dimensional monoenergetic SN problems with isotropic scattering in non-multiplying media. This analysis can predict analytic threshold values for the discretization cell width, beyond which SN numerical solutions become unstable. Analytical threshold values were calculated by means of the spectrum of spatially discretized SN equations and tested by solving two model problems to compare the practical results with the theoretical predictions offered in this paper.

Model building and depth imaging with PS converted-wave data is more complicated than with P-wave data alone. We must determine appropriate compressional and shear velocities such that PP and PS sections match, and accuracy of anisotropic parameters is crucial to minimize residual moveout on both data types. Fortunately, recent technological developments, notably joint PP-PS tomography, allow us to produce excellent PS depth-imaged results with reasonable turnaround time. In this case study we describe the application of PP-PS model building and depth imaging to an OBC seismic survey. The area is characterized by complex structure combined with large velocity contrasts, both of which cause problems for PS model building. A state-of-the-art workflow was applied that included joint PP-PS tomography, maximum use of well data, and minimal interpretation. High-quality PP and PS results were produced in a reasonable timeframe.

In this work we describe the Service Quality Multi-Agent System (SQ-MAS), a software developed using a multi-agent system platform to register failures in electric power distribution networks allowing the real-time calculation of several service quality indexes supervised by the Brazilian National Electric Agency (ANEEL). We introduce some basic concepts of generic MAS in order to illustrate the complexity of the problem related with the propagation of faults across the distribution network. The main features of SQ-MAS are listed and the calculation of the monitored indexes is addressed. A case study consisting of an Operation Unit of Petrobras, at Bahia State, Brazil, is used to illustrate how the system works.

Mice lacking DIX domain containing-1 (DIXDC1), an intracellular Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway protein, have abnormal measures of anxiety, depression and social behavior. Pyramidal neurons in these animals' brains have reduced dendritic spines and glutamatergic synapses. Treatment with lithium or a glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) inhibitor corrects behavioral and neurodevelopmental phenotypes in these animals. Analysis of DIXDC1 in over 9000 cases of autism, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia reveals higher rates of rare inherited sequence-disrupting single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) in these individuals compared with psychiatrically unaffected controls. Many of these SNVs alter Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity of the neurally predominant DIXDC1 isoform; a subset that hyperactivate this pathway cause dominant neurodevelopmental effects. We propose that rare missense SNVs in DIXDC1 contribute to psychiatric pathogenesis by reducing spine and glutamatergic synapse density downstream of GSK3 in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

The Transmutation Advanced Device for Sustainable Energy Applications (TADSEA) is a pebble-bed Accelerator Driven System (ADS) with a graphite-gas configuration. It is designed for nuclear waste transmutation and for obtaining heat at very high temperatures. In this paper, a new burnup strategy was modelled for obtaining a fuel composition in the equilibrium state such that it simulates a multi-pass scheme of the pebbles through the core. The heterogeneity of the pebbles was considered using a detailed model of the TRISO (tristructural-isotropic) particles. In this work, a body-centered cubic cell was considered for studying the heat transfer inside the spherical fuel elements, and the full height of the core was considered. During the steady state, the critical elements do not reach the temperature limit for this fuel type. In addition, CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulations considering coolant's mass flow rate reductions, in the main cooling system were performed.

Background Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) represent a heterogeneous group of rare tumors, some of them secreting serotonin resulting in the carcinoid syndrome (CS). CHD is an integral part of this syndrome but remains poorly understood. The GTE is conducting a national survey of patients at risk for CHD aiming at evaluating the occurrence & progression rates of CHD, the frequency & results of cardiac surgery, and patient outcomes as well as the role of clinical characteristics and biomarkers as predictive markers; 600 patients are expected over a 5-year period with a 10-year follow-up. We herein present the study status at one year. Methods Patients with a metastatic ileum or bronchial NET, or any NET with a CS or 5HIAA levels greater than at least twice the upper normal range, seen by a NET specialist and a referee cardiologist are eligible. Clinical, pathological, biological parameters and previous treatments are collected. A transthoracic echocardiography is realised at inclusion and at least every year. Results From March 2018 to March 2019, 167 patients from 8 centers were included. Median [range] time from NET diagnosis to study inclusion was 56 months [0-501]. Median age was 66 years [34-86] with a male preponderance (53%); 85% had ileum NETs, 8% lung NETs, and 7% other NETs with CS or elevated 5HIAA; 100% had metastatic disease. Most of them have been pretreated: somatostatin analogs 96%, surgery of primary tumor 81% or metastasis 34%, liver embolization 24%, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy 19%, chemotherapy 16%, targeted therapy 12%, radiofrequency ablation 6%, interferon 2%. At inclusion, 81 patients (49%) had a CS, 67% with flushing, 68% with diarrhea. CHD was documented in 22 (13%) patients, all of them had tricuspid disease and simultaneous pulmonary, mitral and/or aortic disease for respectively 13, 3 and 1 of them; 14 patients with CHD had a CS. Seven patients underwent cardiac surgery for CHD. Conclusions The first large prospective multicentric study about CHD is ongoing. Preliminary results confirm the feasibility of the study with nearly 170 patients included in one year and 13% of CHD. The inclusion of new patients and 10-year follow-up will allow a better knowledge of the current incidence, progression and prognosis of CHD. Clinical trial identification NCT03498040. Legal entity responsible for the study French Group of Endocrine Tumors (GTE). Funding IPSEN. Disclosure G. Cadiot: Advisory / Consultancy: Novartis; Advisory / Consultancy: Ipsen; Advisory / Consultancy: AAA; Advisory / Consultancy: Keocyt. P. Nazeyrollas: Honoraria (self), Honoraria (institution), Travel / Accommodation / Expenses, Non-remunerated activity/ies: Novartis; Honoraria (self), Non-remunerated activity/ies: MSD; Honoraria (institution): Sanofi; Honoraria (institution): novo-nordisk; Travel / Accommodation / Expenses, Non-remunerated activity/ies: actelion; Travel / Accommodation / Expenses, Non-remunerated activity/ies: Bayer; Non-remunerated activity/ies: Servier; Non-remunerated activity/ies: bms. P. Afchain: Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Novartis; Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Ipsen. F. Delelis: Honoraria (self): Novartis; Honoraria (self): boehringer. J. Forestier: Honoraria (self): Amgen; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (institution): Bayer; Honoraria (self), Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (institution): Ipsen; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Sanofi; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Merck; Honoraria (self): Servier. C. Lombard Bohas: Advisory / Consultancy: Ipsen; Advisory / Consultancy: Novartis; Advisory / Consultancy: Pfizer; Advisory / Consultancy: AAA. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Background Tumor stroma represents 20-60% of solid tumor mass and plays a key role in promotion, invasiveness and metastasis. FAP-expressing CAFs, the predominant stroma cell type, are involved in tumor immune response. A novel antibody-drug conjugate, OMTX705, was generated through CYS-based conjugation of a new anti-FAP humanized antibody to a novel cytolysin using an optimized vcPABA linker. Methods In vivo studies were performed in patient-derived xenograft models for NSCL cancer in humanized mice. Tumor volume and animal weight were monitored over 4-week treatment with OMTX705 administered intravenously at different doses, alone or combined with Pembrolizumab. FACS and IHC analysis of markers for immune cells, CAFs, and cell proliferation or apoptosis, were performed on tumor samples to study OMTX705 effect on tumor stroma and elucidate its mechanism of action. In vitro assays were performed to support in vivo data. OMTX705 stability in blood was determined after i.v administration in CD1 mice. Results OMTX705 showed 100% tumor growth inhibition and higher activity than Pembrolizumab in the humanized PDX model for NSCL cancer without weight loss. Full tumor regression was found in 10% of mice treated with OMTX705 alone and 20% in combination with Pembrolizumab. A significant delay in tumor recurrence was observed. OMTX705 was 100% stable in bloodstream after 7 days. FACS analysis evidenced a significant increase in CD8(+) T cell tumor infiltration. Results from in vitro studies and IHC analysis of tumors identified CAFs as highly specific reservoir cells for OMTX705 from which the high potent cytolysin payload is released to induce apoptosis of adjacent tumor cells and CD8(+) T cell immunomodulation. Conclusions OMTX705 alone induces tumor shrinkage, and full regression with Pembrolizumab, through highly specific, CAF-dependent and long-lasting modulation of tumor stroma. This novel mechanism of action makes OMTX705 a potent and innovative strategy for NSCL cancer treatment. Considering FAP is expressed in a wide array of carcinomas, OMTX705 represents a highly promising and well-tolerated candidate to treat solid tumors with low response to anti-PD1 immunotherapies. Legal entity responsible for the study Oncomatryx Biopharma, S.L. Funding Oncomatryx Biopharma, S.L. Disclosure M. Fabre: Full / Part-time employment: Oncomatryx Biopharma, S.L. C. Ferrer: Full / Part-time employment: Oncomatryx Biopharma, S.L. S. Dominguez-Hormaetxe: Full / Part-time employment: Oncomatryx Biopharma, S.L. R. Kontermann: Advisory / Consultancy: Oncomatryx Biopharma, S.L.; Advisory / Consultancy: SunRock Biopharma, S.L.; Advisory / Consultancy: Roche. K. Pfizenmaier: Advisory / Consultancy: Oncomatryx Biopharma, S.L.; Advisory / Consultancy: SunRock Biopharma, S.L. O. Seifer: Research grant / Funding (institution): Oncomatryx Biopharma, S.L. M.D. Vivanco: Research grant / Funding (institution): Oncomatryx Biopharma, S.L. S. Lee: Research grant / Funding (institution): Oncomatryx Biopharma, S.L. P. Lopez-Casas: Full / Part-time employment: Bioncotech Therapeutics, S.L. M. Abbas: Full / Part-time employment: Tube Pharmaceuticals GmBH. W. Richter: Advisory / Consultancy: Oncomatryx Biopharma, S.L.; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options, Full / Part-time employment: Tube Pharmaceuticals GmBH. L. Simon: Honoraria (self), Leadership role, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses, Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options, Licensing / Royalties, Full / Part-time employment, Patents: Oncomatryx Biopharma, S.L.; Honoraria (self), Leadership role, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses, Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options, Licensing / Royalties, Full / Part-time employment, Patents: Patia Biopharma, SA de CV; Honoraria (self), Leadership role, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses, Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options, Full / Part-time employment: Patia Europe, S.L.; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options, Full / Part-time employment: PatiaCan, SA de CV; Honoraria (self), Leadership role, Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options, Full / Part-time employment: Permedika Entrepeneurs; Travel / Accommodation / Expenses, Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: SunRock Biopharma, S.L.; Licensing / Royalties, Patents: Quimatryx, S.L.; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Stemcell Therapeutics, S.L.; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Helenes Ventures, S.L.; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Nellum Corp. M. Hidalgo: Advisory / Consultancy: Oncomatryx Biopharma, S.L.; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Champions Oncology; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Pharmacite Biotech; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: BioOncotech; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Nelum; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self): Pfizer; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Novartis; Honoraria (self): MSD Oncology; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self), Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Celgene; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self), Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: BiolineRX; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Roche/Genentech; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: SOBI; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Agenus; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Erytech Pharma; Advisory / Consultancy: Merck; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): AstraZeneca/MedImmune; Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Menarini; Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Bayer; Research grant / Funding (self): Bicycle Therapeutics; Research grant / Funding (self): Asana Biosciences.

Moment invariants have been thoroughly studied and repeatedly proposed as one of the most powerful tools for 2D shape identification. In this paper a set of such descriptors is proposed, being the basis functions discontinuous in a finite number of points. The goal of using discontinuous functions is to avoid the Gibbs phenomenon, and therefore to yield a better approximation capability for discontinuous signals, as images. Moreover, the proposed set of moments allows the definition of rotation invariants, being this the other main design concern. Translation and scale invariance are achieved by means of standard image normalization. Tests are conducted to evaluate the behavior of these descriptors in noisy environments, where images are corrupted with Gaussian noise up to different SNR values. Results are compared to those obtained using Zernike moments, showing that the proposed descriptor has the same performance in image retrieval tasks in noisy environments, but demanding much less computational power for every stage in the query chain.

A novel data-evaluation procedure for the automatic atom to peak or multiplet assignment of 1H-NMR spectra of small molecules has been developed using a fast and robust expert system. The applicability and reliability of the method are demonstrated by comparison of a manually assigned database of 1H-NMR spectra with the assignments produced by the automatic procedure. The results of this analysis show an excellent success ratio, indicating that this new algorithm can have a major impact as a time saving tool for the organic chemist. A new graphical feature used to illustrate both the stability and quality of the elementary assignments is also introduced.

Nodal methods are widely regarded as forming an accurate class of coarse-mesh methods for neutron transport problems in the discrete ordinates (S N ) formulation. They are also viewed as efficient methods, as the number of floating point operations generally decrease, as a result of the reduced number of mesh points; therefore they generate accurate results in shorter running time. However, the coarse-mesh numerical solutions do not yield detailed information on the solution profile, as the grid points can be located considerably apart from each other. In this paper, we describe an analytical spatial reconstruction of coarse-mesh solutions of the S N transverse integrated nodal equations with constant approximations for the transverse leakage terms, as generated by the hybrid spectral diamond–spectral Green’s function–constant nodal (SD–SGF–CN) method for monoenergetic S N eigenvalue problems in X,Y geometry for neutron multiplying systems. Numerical results for typical model problems are given and we close with general concluding remarks and suggestions for future work.

This paper presents preliminary results from experiments directed to demonstrate novel approximations that can lead to new applications for Floating-gate MOS transistors (FGMOS). This device began to be used in the ′60s in digital and analog configurations in a variety of reliable applications, either supported on the non-volatile or volatile property of this transistor. This is achieved by injecting/extracting charge to/from the floating gate through electrical mechanisms like Fowler-Nordheim Tunneling (FNT) or Channel Hot Electrons (CHE). This work shows that the same as with the mentioned mechanisms, I–V characteristics can also be modulated with physical rather than electrical phenomena, like the photonic one, among others. A simple amplifier configuration was used, using discrete components like a small solar cells module and an integrated photo sensor. After measurement of the corresponding transfer curve of the amplifier, a curve shift was obtained thanks to the VOC generated in the discrete device after illumination of the components, giving support to the hypothesis considered in this work, which can lead to a research work where integrated FGMOS transistors can be coupled to an integrated photo sensor, using a standard CMOS technology.