Search

The rapid rise of social media has brought about new ways of digital communication, along with a worrying increase in online hate speech (HS), which, in turn, has led researchers to develop several Natural Language Processing methods for its detection. Although significant strides have been made in automating HS detection, research focusing on the European Portuguese language remains scarce (as it happens in several under-resourced languages). To address this gap, we explore the efficacy of various transfer learning models, which have been shown in the literature to have better performance for this task than other Deep Learning models. We employ BERT-like models pre-trained on Portuguese text, such as BERTimbau and mDeBERTa, as well as GPT, Gemini and Mistral generative models, for the detection of HS within Portuguese online discourse. Our study relies on two annotated corpora of YouTube comments and tweets, both annotated as HS and non-HS. Our findings show that the best model for the YouTube corpus was a variant of BERTimbau retrained with European Portuguese tweets and fine-tuned for the HS task, with an F-score of 87.1% for the positive class, outperforming the baseline models by more than 20% and with a 1.8% increase compared with base BERTimbau. The best model for the Twitter corpus was GPT-3.5, with an F-score of 50.2% for the positive class. We also assess the impact of using in-domain and mixed-domain training sets, as well as the impact of providing context in generative model prompts on their performance.

Abstract Directional protection of transmission lines is an important feature in situations where short‐circuit direction must be correctly detected. The proper operation of this protection is highly dependent on phasor comparison techniques called polarisation methods. In practice, there are not clearly defined procedures to analyse and set polarisation methods. Hence, these methods are not normally studied in detail, so their effectiveness is often uncertain. For this reason, this work proposes a novel methodology for analysing the performance of polarisation methods, which includes criteria for the selection of the most appropriate methods and their settings according to each application. Particular phasor diagrams and angular statistics are used for the analysis, while a mathematical optimization problem is defined to determine the best settings of these methods. Based on the benefits that can be obtained, the methodology is intended to be considered as an effective strategy to ensure proper use of polarization methods. The methodology is applied in a portion of the Ecuadorian Transmission System which shows the possibility of studying the performance of polarisation methods. The selection and optimal setting criteria of these methods are also analysed providing opportunities to improve the initial performance of the protection system.

Resumen: Las líneas aéreas de transmisión de energía eléctrica presentan un régimen de operación constante y deben soportar esfuerzos mecánicos debido a posibles descargas atmosféricas, en este sentido es importante realizar una adecuada selección de sus conductores de fase y de guarda. Para soportar los esfuerzos mecánicos los conductores de guarda tienen un componente de acero que presenta características eléctricas variables en función de la corriente circulante por el mismo, por otra parte, esta corriente puede determinarse si se conocen los parámetros eléctricos del cable de guarda. En este contexto, el presente documento detalla dos métodos para determinar la distribución de la corriente entre la tierra y el cable de guarda en condiciones de desbalance, con el cual es posible seleccionar los parámetros eléctricos para la modelación adecuada de una línea de transmisión. Los resultados de estos métodos, aplicados en cuatro casos de estudio, se verifican en su respectiva simulación en el software Alternative Transients Program (ATP).

En este documento, se plantea el modelamiento geométrico de las líneas aéreas de transmisión de energía eléctrica (L/T) con la finalidad de realizar un análisis de la afectación de este modelo en los dispositivos de protección de distancia. Los acoplamientos que se presentan entre circuitos de diferentes L/T son también presentados y analizados. Adicionalmente, se plantea una revisión de las opciones disponibles en los relés numéricos para corregir este fenómeno.

The reach of primary protection zones of transmission lines distance relays is affected when large power flows circulate through the transmission line prior to a short circuit occurrence. This can cause improper operation of the protection system in certain scenarios. In practice, protection zone adjustments are made by considering the apparent impedances obtained from short‐circuit simulations in the line of interest using standard methods such as IEC 60909‐0 or ANSI/IEEE C37.010. However, these short‐circuit calculation methods omit the existing operating conditions prior to the fault. Therefore, this work proposes a set of equations developed for calculating the apparent impedance seen by the distance relay in view of different types of short circuits, including the effects of power flow prior to the fault. These equations are then used to establish the distance primary protection zone settings. The analysis uses the mathematical expressions proposed of voltages and currents at the relay location, and the impedance diagrams obtained from simulated short circuits. Subsequently, the settings obtained with these equations are compared to those achieved using the IEC 60909‐0 standard, allowing for the differences in settings and their effectiveness. Finally, this procedure is applied to a part of the Ecuadorian Transmission System. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is the etiological agent of enzootic bovine leukosis and causes a persistent infection that can leave cattle with no symptoms. Many countries have been able to successfully eradicate BLV through improved detection and management methods. However, with the increasing novel molecular detection methods there have been few efforts to standardize these results at global scale. This study aimed to determine the interlaboratory accuracy and agreement of 11 molecular tests in detecting BLV. Each qPCR/ddPCR method varied by target gene, primer design, DNA input and chemistries. DNA samples were extracted from blood of BLV-seropositive cattle and lyophilized to grant a better preservation during shipping to all participants around the globe. Twenty nine out of 44 samples were correctly identified by the 11 labs and all methods exhibited a diagnostic sensitivity between 74 and 100%. Agreement amongst different assays was linked to BLV copy numbers present in samples and the characteristics of each assay (i.e., BLV target sequence). Finally, the mean correlation value for all assays was within the range of strong correlation. This study highlights the importance of continuous need for standardization and harmonization amongst assays and the different participants. The results underscore the need of an international calibrator to estimate the efficiency (standard curve) of the different assays and improve quantitation accuracy. Additionally, this will inform future participants about the variability associated with emerging chemistries, methods, and technologies used to study BLV. Altogether, by improving tests performance worldwide it will positively aid in the eradication efforts.

This article defines the concept of feedback, proposes a classification of the different types of feedback, and explores the application of extrinsic feedback by tennis coaches. Furthermore, the influence of feedback on the learning and performance of tennis players is analysed. Finally, a series of practical implications that coaches can consider evaluating the feedback they provide to their players and to make the teachinglearning-evaluation process more effective in their training sessions are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the pervasive issue of hate speech within Twitter/X Portuguese network conversations, offering a multifaceted analysis of its characteristics. This study utilizes a mixed-method approach, combining several methodologies of network analysis (triad census and participation shifts) over the network of interaction between users. Qualitative manual content annotation was applied to the dataset to dissect different patterns of hate speech on the platform. Key findings reveal that the number of users followed by an individual and potentially reads is a relevant predictor for a user's propensity to post aggressive content. We concluded also that during a conversation thread, hate speech happens significantly more within the first 2 h of interaction. Transitivity of interactions and individual expression are considerably lower as more hate speech is prevalent in conversations. Our research confirms that hate speech is usually expressed by external individuals who intrude into conversations. Conversely, the expression of hate speech of indirect type by third parties interfering in conversations is uncommon. We also found that counter-speech discourse is strongly correlated with a type of discourse that typically avoids conflict and is not privately held.

This article discusses a case of fat embolism, a rare cause of pulmonary infarction, in a 68-year-old woman who had sustained tibial and fibular fractures. The woman presented with sudden dyspnea and chest pain, and a chest CT scan revealed a filling defect in the left lower lobe pulmonary artery with fatty attenuation, consistent with pulmonary infarction. Fat embolism syndrome, characterized by the release of fat into the systemic or pulmonary circulation, typically occurs after long bone fractures, orthopedic surgery, or cosmetic procedures. The diagnosis of fat embolism is based on the demonstration of fat-attenuation filling defects in the pulmonary arteries, which can be differentiated from pulmonary thromboembolism. [Extracted from the article]

In 2021, the H5N1 virus lineage 2.3.4.4b spread to the Americas, causing high mortality in wild and domestic avian populations. South American countries along the Pacific migratory route have reported wild bird deaths due to A/H5Nx virus since October 2022. However, limited genomic data resulted in no cases reported in Brazil until May 2023.Brazil reported its first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI A/H5N1) in May 2023. The virus was detected in Cabot's tern specimen in Marataízes, Espírito Santo. Cases were also found in backyard poultry and other wild birds, but no human or commercial poultry cases occurred. HPAI poses risks to the poultry industry, food security, and public health.Researchers used next-gen sequencing and phylogenetic analysis to study the Brazilian sample. It confirmed its affiliation with the 2.3.4.4b clade and proximity to sequences from Chile and Peru.This sheds light on the spread and evolution of HPAI A/H5N1 in the Americas, emphasizing continuous monitoring to mitigate risks for both avian and human populations. Understanding the virus's genetics and transmission allows implementing effective control measures to protect public health and the poultry industry.

A avaliação de estabilidade das barragens de rejeitos de mineração tem sofrido uma evolução nos últimos anos, sustentada pela informação que foi sendo analisada por painéis de especialistas após os numerosos casos de roturas. A gestão dos níveis de segurança a adotar vem sendo cada vez mais associada à necessidade de introduzir fatores condicionantes da análise de risco que tenham em consideração as variabilidades e incertezas, considerando probabilidades de fatores de estabilidade da barragem e as implicações de perdas de vidas e ambientais de um eventual rompimento. Assim, as características dos materiais geotécnicos devem ser integradas nas distintas e complementares condições de estado permanente e as ações frequentes, raras, etc. Enquanto essas novas metodologias não são implementadas nas estruturas existentes, as auditorias técnicas de segurança periódicas ainda se baseiam em Fatores de Segurança determinísticos que procuram garantir a estabilidade destes ativos. Neste artigo, serão discutidos esses fatores de segurança à luz das boas práticas de engenharia internacional e serão feitas considerações sobre como se podem assegurar valores característicosdos parâmetros usados nos cálculos de avaliação de estabilidade e como se considera que estas análises devem ser conduzidas em condições drenadas e não drenadas bem como que modelos de equilíbrio devem ser usados.

Abstract Background Hevea brasiliensis is an important commercial crop due to the high quality of the latex it produces; however, little is known about viral infections in this plant. The only virus described to infect H. brasiliensis until now is a Carlavirus, which was described more than 30 years ago. Virus-derived small interfering RNA (vsiRNAs) are the product of the plant’s antiviral defense triggered by dsRNA viral intermediates generated, during the replication cycle. These vsiRNAs are complementar to viral genomes and have been widely used to identify and characterize viruses in plants. Methods In the present study, we investigated the virome of leaf and sapwood samples from native H. brasiliensis trees collected in two geographic areas in the Brazilian Amazon. Small RNA (sRNA) deep sequencing and bioinformatic tools were used to assembly, identify and characterize viral contigs. Subsequently, PCR amplification techniques were performed to experimentally verify the presence of the viral sequences. Finally, the phylogenetic relationship of the putative new virus with related viral genomes was analyzed. Results Our strategy allowed the identification of 32 contigs with high similarity to viral reference genomes, from which 23 exhibited homology to viruses of the Tymoviridae family. The reads showed a predominant size distribution at 21 nt derived from both strands, which was consistent with the vsiRNAs profile. The presence and genome position of the viral contigs were experimentally confirmed using droplet digital PCR amplifications. A 1913 aa long fragment was obtained and used to infer the phylogenetic relationship of the putative new virus, which indicated that it is taxonomically related to the Grapevine fleck virus, genus Maculavirus. The putative new virus was named Hevea brasiliensis virus (HBrV) in reference to its host. Conclusion The methodological strategy applied here proved to be efficient in detecting and confirming the presence of new viral sequences on a ‘very difficult to manage’ sample. This is the second time that viral sequences, that could be ascribed as a putative novel virus, associated to the rubber tree has been identified.

This article will analyze the role that Devil's figure carries out in two novels of the Colombian writer Germán Espinosa (Cartagena, 1938-Bogotá, 2007), in the novels Los cortejos del diablo and Aitana, the author uses the Devil's figure to support two subjects that were fundamentals throughout his career: the conflict between different cultural elements in the colonial Colombia and the problem of good and evil in the Colombian contemporary society. He also shows the evolution of this figure in the occidental history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) is a powerful and sensitive analytical technique, which has been extensively used for both the qualitative and quantitative analysis of complex samples. However, its potential as a quantitative technique has not been full explored, but the use of multivariate chemometric techniques instead of conventional peak integration strategies is emerging as an important alternative for this task. The use of GC×GC-FID for the quantification of either individual chemical components or complex formulation ingredients on perfumes and similar materials using this approach is described. A procedure based on the application of a novel chemometric algorithm — multivariate curve resolution (MCR) — was applied to quantify one of the ingredients in a perfume-like formulation, rosemary oil, using GC×GC-FID data. The combination of GC×GC-FID and MCR allowed accurate and precise quantification of rosemary oil on this formulation, with root mean squared error of prediction of 0.46% for concentrations in the range between 4-12% v/v. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Audit reviews systematically that the glided thing previously is made as it was expected, when it is made opportunely, systematic and constantly prevents further and bigger complications. It is application for almost four decades, has been a useful tool to reduce the error incidence and to learn from them. It helps to reduce costs and avoids severe so expensive legal complaints. It is necessary to modify the medical thinking about auditory and the inquisitive and persecutory perception that generates these procedures. It does not persecute negligent doctors and frauds exclusively. An analysis of medical literature demonstrates the basic characteristics of the auditory system and the correct definition. The most important differences between another medical care evaluation's procedures and the objectives of this method are reviewed. It exposes the experience of many authors in this area, and the influence on the health care quality. We have an example of the instrument to audit in a polyvalent intensive care unit. Many doctors do not accept the auditory in the daily clinical practice. The work to sensitize and educate is even very incipient. The total understanding of the procedure will motivate its use as an instrument to the service of the clinical one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A passagem à reforma é um acontecimento de vida de caráter transicional que exige uma inevitável adaptação à mudança (Fonseca, 2011; Meleis, 2010). A evolução dos comportamentos e do estado de saúde que os indivíduos revelam durante esse período são ilustrativos deste facto e traduzem os efeitos que a aquisição deste estatuto lhes poderá suscitar, em termos de saúde. Com a finalidade de conhecer esses efeitos, o presente estudo teve por objetivo descrever a evolução dos comportamentos e do estado de saúde dos indivíduos no período de passagem à reforma. Tratou-se de um estudo de caráter quantitativo, no qual foi aplicado um questionário a 432 indivíduos aposentados há menos de cinco anos. A amostra foi conseguida pelo método de rede e os dados foram analisados recorrendo ao SPSS17. As evidências revelaram que os inquiridos melhoraram os seus comportamentos em saúde após a reforma. Todavia essa melhoria não se expressou numa correspondente melhoria do estado de saúde (ex. Índice Massa Corporal aumentou em 94,8% dos casos e a patologia crónica em 3,7%, com destaque para o foro psiquiátrico). Concluiu-se que a passagem à reforma apresenta expressivas implicações na saúde dos indivíduos, particularmente naquelas que são as dimensões psicoemocionais desse mesmo estado.La jubilación es un acontecimiento transicional que exige la experiencia de una adaptación a los cambios (Fonseca, 2011; Meleis, 2010). La evolución de la conducta y del estado de salud, expresado por las personas durante ese período, puede ser ilustrativo de ese fenómeno y reflejar los efectos que esta condición les puede aportar a su salud. El estudio tuvo por objeto describir la evolución del comportamiento y del estado de salud de las personas durante la jubilación. Fue un estudio de carácter cuantitativo, en el cual se aplicó un cuestionario a 432 personas que se jubilaron hace menos de cinco años. La muestra se obtuvo por método de una red y los datos se analizaron utilizando el programa SPSS17. Después de la jubilación los encuestados mejoraron sus hábitos de salud, sin embargo, esta mejora no se tradujo en una mejora significativa de su estado de salud (Índice Masa Corporal aumentó 94,8%; enfermedad crónica aumentó 3,7%, con un énfasis en el foro psiquiátrico). Se concluyó que la jubilación tiene implicaciones significativas en la salud de los individuos, especialmente aquellas que constituyen sus dimensiones psicoemocionales.Retirement is a transitional life event which requires an inevitable adaptation to change (Fonseca, 2011; Meleis, 2010). The evolution of behaviour and health status revealed by individuals during this period illustrates this and reflects the effect that this status change may have in terms of health. To understand these effects, we developed a study whose aim was to describe the evolution of behaviour and health status of individuals during retirement. This was a quantitative study, in which a questionnaire was administered to 432 individuals who had been retired for less than five years. The sample was selected by the network method and data were analysed using the SPSS17 program. After retirement, respondents improved their health behaviours, but this improvement was not as accompanied by a corresponding improvement in their health status (Body Mass Index increased in 94.8% of cases and the incidence of chronic disease by 3.7%, particularly psychiatric illness). We concluded that retirement has important implications for the health of individuals, particularly in the psychological and emotional dimensions.

A investigação existente sobre a adaptação ao ensino superior sugere que a mesma se vê infl uenciada por factores internalistas, que dizem respeito às características pessoais dos próprios estudantes, e por factores associados ao contexto universitário, que remetem para as características e especifi cidades dos respectivos contextos de ensino. Neste estudo procurou- se compreender, junto de um grupo de estudantes voluntários de uma instituição de ensino superior pública, qual a infl uência das actividades extracurriculares na percepção que os mesmos detinham da adaptação ao ensino superior e da aquisição de competências profi ssionais. Utilizou-se uma metodologia qualitativa de investigação, obtendo-se as percepções dos estudantes através de uma entrevista. Concluiu-se a relevância que as universidades detêm na potenciação do desenvolvimento psicológico dos seus estudantes, facto que se vê favorecido quando se conjugam as condições físicas e infra-estruturais, relacionais e do investimento na promoção de valores associados à cidadania, à responsabilidade, à refl exão e à autonomia dos discentes, nomeadamente, através de iniciativas de envolvimento académico.

Resumo: Foi realizado um estudo de epidemiologia molecular a estirpes de Mycobacterium tuberculosis isoladas em hospitais de Lisboa. Analisaram-se geneticamente os isolados de Mycobacterium tuberculosis com o método restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) utilizando a sequência de inserção IS6110 como sonda, com o objectivo de detectar as estirpes da família Lisboa e determinar a diversidade genética das estirpes de Mycobacterium tuberculosis isoladas em Lisboa, identificando os mais importantes factores de risco de transmissão da tuberculose.Foram analisados 290 isolados de Mycobacterium tuberculosis, dos quais 64,8% se encontraram agrupados em clusters; mesmo excluindo as estirpes que apresentaram mais de 5 cópias de IS6110, a percentagem de agrupamento foi de 60,7%. A multirresistência foi observada em 4,1% das estirpes e encontraram-se todas em clusters. Quarenta e cinco isolados (18,2%) pertenciam à família Lisboa. Considerando a percentagem relativamente alta de estirpes em cluster detectada neste estudo, cremos que a transmissão activa continua a ser uma realidade em Lisboa. Para além disso, as estirpes dos clusters Lisboa representam as estirpes predominantes que circulam em Lisboa. continuando muito relacionadas com a resistência aos antibacilares, embora correspondam a uma percentagem inferior à verificada em estudos anteriores.Rev Port Pneumol 2007; XIV (2): 239-259 Abstract: We conducted a molecular epidemiology study of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated from patients in Lisbon hospitals. We used restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) to detect Lisbon family strains and to determine the genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated in Lisbon, through identification of the most important risk factors of tuberculosis transmission analysis, with the insertion sequence IS6110 as a probe to fingerprint isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. 64.8% of the 290 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates were grouped in clusters. This figure was 60.7% if we excluded strains with five or fewer IS6110 copies. Multidrug-resistance was observed in 4.1% of the strains and they were all in clusters. Forty-five (18.2%) strains were included in the Lisbon family. Considering the relatively high percentage of strains in cluster detected in this study, we believe that active transmission is still taking place in Lisbon. Moreover, clusters of Lisbon strains represent the predominant strains circulating in Lisbon and are still related to drug resistance although presenting a lower percentage than that observed in previous studies.Rev Port Pneumol 2007; XIV (2): 239-259 Palavras-chave: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, multirresistência, epidemiologia molecular, Key-words: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, multidrugresistance, molecular epidemiology

Abstract At the molecular level, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is frequently categorized as PAM50 basal-like subtype, but despite the advances in molecular analyses, the clinical outcome for these subtypes is uncertain. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are master regulators of genes involved in hallmarks of cancer, which makes them suitable biomarkers for breast cancer (BRCA) diagnosis and prognosis. Here, we evaluated the regulatory role of lncRNA SOX9-AS1 in these subtypes. Using the BRCA-TCGA cohort, we observed that SOX9-AS1 was significantly overexpressed in basal-like and TNBC in comparison with other BRCA subtypes. Survival analyzes showed that SOX9-AS1 overexpression was associated with a favorable prognosis in TNBC and basal-like patients. To study the functions of SOX9-AS1, we determined the expression levels in a panel of nine BRCA cell lines finding increased levels in MDA-MB-468 and HCC1187 TNBC. Using subcellular fractionation in these cell lines, we ascertained that SOX9-AS1 was located in the cytoplasmic compartment. In addition, we performed SOX9-AS1 gene silencing using two short-harping constructs, which were transfected in both cell models and performed a genome-wide RNA-seq analysis. Data showed that 351 lncRNAs and 740 mRNAs were differentially expressed in MDA-MB-468 while 56 lncRNAs and 100 mRNAs were modulated in HCC1187 cells (Log2FC 1.5, p.adj value

Neste trabalho resumem-se os resultados obtidos num de três solos, que fizeram parte de um estudo laboratorial mais alargado realizado sobre manchas de empréstimo distintas em Portugal Continental e que se encontram frequentemente nas obras geotécnicas realizadas no país, designadamente na construção de aterros. Sobre estes solos foi realizada uma caracterização física e química inicial e, posteriormente, os mesmos foram submetidos a uma estabilização com três teores 1,5; 2,5 e 4% de cal viva (óxido de cálcio). Com a finalidade de avaliar as modificações imediatas foram realizados ensaios de caracterização - análises granulométricas, determinação de limites de Atterberg, azul de metileno, equivalente de areia e densidade das partículas -, ensaios de compactação Proctor e CBR. Neste artigo, serão especialmente enfocados os resultados relevantes de ensaios triaxiais com amostras dos solos naturais e de solo estabilizado, com cura a 7 dias e mais de 1 ano, tanto na vertente da resposta mecânica como hidráulica. O efeito do tempo na cimentação pelas benéficas reacções pozolânicas será aqui debatido, sendo enquadrado com a tendência de crescimento de resistência obtida em ensaios de compressão simples, realizados a vários e crescentes tempos de cura.

Neste trabalho avaliou-se a susceptibilidade à liquefacção de uma areia dunar proveniente de Ain Beniam, em Argel, Argélia, onde, em 2003, ocorreu o sismo Boumerdès que causou graves danos a nível estrutural, muitos deles associados a este fenómeno. Estes estudos têm vindo a ser efectuado no LabGeo da FEUP, incorporando ensaios de compressão isotrópica e edométrica, assim como ensaios triaxiais cíclicos, não drenados, tendo-se utilizado transdutores piezoeléc tricos, do tipo bender-extender elements, que permitiram a medição de ondas de compressão (“P”) e distorcio nais ou de corte (“S”). O conjunto de amostras ensaiadas foi preparado com recurso à técnica de apiloamento com solo húmido (“moist tamping”), para um determinado valor do teor em água, mas com variações do índice de vazios, de forma a ser possível definir quais as condições de compacidade limite para a ocorrência do fenómeno em estudo. Desta forma foi possível avaliar a susceptibilidade à liquefacção estática e cíclica, para diferentes condições de estado, utilizando diferentes critérios, tal como o da composição física do material, o da condição de estado pela teoria dos estados críticos, e correlacionando a acção com a resistência em acções cíclicas por via da velocidade normalizada das ondas distorcionais sísmicas.

Monitoring antibiotic consumption is a valuable tool which has been increasingly used in the last years due to the current concern with the emergence of resistant microbial strains. The present study aimed at monitoring antibiotic consumption, evaluating the economic impact of hospital antibiotic prescription and assessing the relationship between the prescribed antibiotics and the indications for either prophylactic or therapeutic use. This was a longitudinal pilot-study for which data were collected in six privately managed public hospital units during the month of May 2004, with a resulting sample of 1,122 admitted patients. We observed a prescription incidence rate of 76.9%, corresponding to a total of 1,154 dispensed antimicrobials, with a mean 71.2% of these antimicrobials being dispensed for the prophylaxis of surgical site infection (SSI). The mean cost of antibiotic courses was higher in cases of "suspected infection" (9.09 euro) or "confirmed infection" (8.74 euro) and lower in cases of "prophylaxis" (5.67 euro), a finding which is explained by the shorter mean duration of the later. There was a considerable variation among the different hospital units regarding the type of antibiotic compound that was used for SSI prophylaxis, with a mean duration of antibiotic use of 2.61 days for this indication and about half of the prophylactic regimens lasting longer than 24 hours, a fact that suggests an insufficient observation of the current recommendations for antibiotic use in SSI prophylaxis. This finding indicates the need for an investigation on the actual existence of local recommendations for SSI prophylaxis in individual hospital units and also for the evaluation of the compliance of practicing surgeons with eventually existing recommendations.

En el ámbito del estudio del comportamiento de jabres graníticos de Oporto para su uso en explanadas de pavimentos, fueron realizados ensayos triaxiales isotrópicamente consolidados y drenados en muestras compactadas. Parte importante de este proceso consiste en obtener la completa saturación de la muestra del suelo antes de la realización de los ensayos, ya que los mismos deben ser ejecutados de forma a simular las condiciones más adversas en que el pavimento se situará durante su vida útil, o sea, con la total saturación del terraplén. A esto debe sumarse el importante hecho de querer asegurar que el análisis de las tensiones se realice garantizando un total control de las dos componentes: neutra y efectiva, y que la primera no esté condicionada por valores no cuantificables de succión. Como consecuencia de este estudio, durante la realización de este trabajo y porque no está clara, en la basta bibliografía (y normativa) internacional consultada, la forma mejor de asegurar una real saturación, se utilizaron varios procesos para la saturación de las muestras con el propósito de encontrar el más adecuado para este caso en particular. Seguidamente, se describe con detalle este asunto.

Apresentam-se os resultados de um estudo destinado a caracterizar e avaliar a adequação da prescrição de antibióticos para infecções respiratórias por parte dos médicos de Medicina Geral e Familiar (MF). Para o efeito, foi inquirida, entre os meses de Dezembro de 2001 e Janeiro de 2002, uma amostra aleatória de MF, estratificada por etapas sucessivas, quanto ao tipo de antibiótico prescrito em infecções do foro respiratório. Participaram no estudo, enviando pelo menos uma ficha adequadamente preenchida, 247 médicos de Clínica Geral e da carreira de Medicina Geral e Familiar. Foi avaliado um total de 2.200 prescrições, correspondendo a 2.257 indicações. A idade média dos doentes foi de 31,87. As indicações para a prescrição de antibióticos com 100 ou mais inquéritos válidos foram, por ordem decrescente de frequência, a amigdalite (663, 29,38%), bronquite (430, 19,05%), otite (315, 13,96%), sinusite (232, 10,28%), faringite (228, 10,10%), rinite/rinofaringite (212, 9,39%), e a pneumonia (116, 5,14%). Os grupos ATC3 de antimicrobianos mais prescritos foram, por ordem decrescente de frequência, os betalactâmicos/ penicilinas (50,55%), os macrólidos (23,09%), as cefalosporinas (14,77%), as quinolonas (8,32%), as tetraciclinas (2,45%) e as sulfonamidas/trimetoprim (0,59%). No referente ao nível ATC5, o antimicrobiano mais prescrito foi a associação amoxicilina/ácido clavulânico (35,36%), a qual foi, também, o antibiótico mais prescrito em cada uma das situações clínicas referidas. No que respeita ao perfil dos fármacos escolhidos para cada indicação, foram evidenciadas situações de clara inadequação, salientando-se a larga e não justificada utilização da associação amoxicilina/ácido clavulânico no tratamento da amigdalite/faringite. Os antibióticos foram frequentemente prescritos em situações clínicas nas quais não estão formalmente indicados e as recomendações do FEM quanto a fármacos de primeira linha apenas foram observadas para a pneumonia. Os autores concluem pela possibilidade de obter benefícios clínicos e económicos significativos melhorando a prática clínica corrente nesta área específica através de intervenções apropriadas.

A sodium chloride supported cobalt catalyst was found to be active in the synthesis of carbon nanotubes by a CCVD method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use near-infrared spectroscopy covering simultaneously the zJHK bands to look for outflowing gas from the nuclear environment of 1H 0707−495 taking advantage that this region is dominated by low-ionization broad-line region lines, most of them isolated. We detect broad components in H i , Fe ii , and O i , at rest to the systemic velocity, displaying FWHM values of ∼500 km s ^−1 , consistent with its classification as a narrow-line Seyfert 1 active galactic nucleus. Moreover, most lines display a conspicuous blue-asymmetric profile, modeled using a blueshifted component, whose velocity shift reaches up to ∼826 km s ^−1 . This last feature can be interpreted in terms of outflowing gas already observed in X-ray and UV lines in 1H 0707−495 but not detected before in the low-ionization lines. We discuss the relevance of our findings within the framework of the wind scenario already proposed for this source and suggest that the wind extends well into the narrow-line region owing to the observation of a blueshifted component in the forbidden line of [S iii ] λ 9531.

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy and the leading cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. Breast cancer development and progression are mainly associated with tumor-intrinsic alterations in diverse genes and signaling pathways and with tumor-extrinsic dysregulations linked to the tumor immune microenvironment. Significantly, abnormal expression of lncRNAs affects the tumor immune microenvironment characteristics and modulates the behavior of different cancer types, including breast cancer. In this review, we provide the current advances about the role of lncRNAs as tumor-intrinsic and tumor-extrinsic modulators of the antitumoral immune response and the immune microenvironment in breast cancer, as well as lncRNAs which are potential biomarkers of tumor immune microenvironment and clinicopathological characteristics in patients, suggesting that lncRNAs are potential targets for immunotherapy in breast cancer.

Background: Breast cancer (BRCA) represents the most frequent diagnosed malignancy in women worldwide. Despite treatment advances, BRCAs eventually develop resistance to targeted therapies, resulting in poor prognosis. The identification of new biomarkers, like immune-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), could contribute to the clinical management of BRCA patients. In this report, we evaluated the LINC00426 expression in PAM50 BRCA subtypes from two clinical independent cohorts (BRCA-TCGA and GEO-GSE96058 datasets).Methods and results: Using Cox regression models and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses, we identified that LINC00426 expression was a consistent overall survival (OS) predictor in luminal B (LB) BRCA patients. Subsequently, differential gene expression and gene set enrichment analyses identified that LINC00426 expression was associated with different immune-related and cancer-related pathways and processes in LB BRCA. Additionally, the LINC00426 expression was correlated with the infiltration level of diverse immune cell populations, alongside immune checkpoint and cytolytic activity-related gene expression.Conclusion: This evidence suggests that LINC00426 is a potential biomarker of immune phenotype and an OS predictor in PAM50 LB BRCA.

El presente artículo tiene como objetivo documentar y compartir los principios de la autonomía curricular, así como su incidencia en la transformación de la educación básica en México. Por consiguiente, se espera coadyuvar a la reflexión de la práctica educativa en el país, en el marco de una pandemia mundial, con la cual estamos experimentando cambios sociales y económicos importantes. En el ámbito educativo, sus efectos han comprometido la continuidad de las actividades académicas de miles de centros escolares, la educación ha sido uno de los sectores que se ha tenido que adecuar a las exigencias de los constantes cambios sociales, económicos, políticos y tecnológicos, y en esta ocasión no ha sido la excepción. Desde un enfoque cualitativo por medio de la recolección y análisis de información acerca de la autonomía curricular y su incidencia en la mejora de la práctica educativa, se considera que la autonomía curricular puede ser una alternativa viable para cubrir las necesidades formativas de las personas, al ofrecer espacios de desarrollo y aprendizaje que contemplen los intereses particulares de cada estudiante al flexibilizar no solo el contenido sino los medios, espacios y la práctica educativa, ampliando el panorama de desarrollo disponible para cada alumno.

Background: Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a major challenge, especially in communities of low- and middle-income countries with poor medical assistance influenced by distinct local, financial, infrastructural, and resource-related factors. Objective: This a community-based study aimed to determine the proportion and prevalence of uncontrolled cardiovascular risk factors (CRF) in Brazilian communities. Methods: The EPICO study was an observational, cross-sectional, and community clinic-based study. Subjects were living in Brazilian communities and were of both sexes and ≥18 years old, without a history of a stroke or myocardial infarction but presenting at least one of the following cardiovascular risk factors: hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia. The study was carried out in Brazil, including 322 basic health units (BHU) in 32 cities. Results: A total of 7,724 subjects with at least one CRF were evaluated, and one clinical visit was performed. Mean age was 59.2 years-old (53.7% were >60 years old). A total of 66.7% were women. Of the total, 96.2% had hypertension, 78.8% had diabetes mellitus type II, 71.1% had dyslipidemia, and 76.6% of patients were overweight/obese. Controlled hypertension (defined by

After democratic debates in the National Constituent Assembly, the Constitution of Republic was promulgated, embodying in its text plural values, principles and rights. Normatively, it has become the political and moral parameter of normative production and of the construction of society, in which fundamental rights present themselves as limits for legal and political discourses. In this context, the growing fundamentalist conservative wave notably in the National Congress puts at risk the constitutional project of equality and freedom of minorities. Specifically, LGBT + people endure Parliament's conservative offensive, stressing the difficulty of tolerance over legislative proposals to use institutional and legal systems to restrict the fundamental rights of that minority.

Leukemia is the most common childhood malignancy in Mexico, representing more than 50% of all childhood cancers. Although treatment leads to a survival of up to 90% in developing countries, in our country, it is less than 65%. Additionally, ~30% of patients relapse with poor prognosis. Alternative splicing plays an important role in transcriptome diversity and cellular biology. This mechanism promotes an increase in the assortment of proteins with potentially distinct functions from a single gene. The proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) gene encodes two transcripts for the same protein of 261 amino acids, which is associated with several important cellular processes and with several types of cancer. However, the diversity of the transcript variants expressed in this condition is not clear. Then, we used microarray gene expression to identify changes in the exon expression level of PCNA. The data were validated using RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing, and three additional transcripts (PCNA_V3, PCNA_V4, and PCNA_V5) were identified. Computational analyses were used to determine the potential proteins resulting, their structure, and interactions with PCNA native protein and themselves. Additionally, the PCNA transcript variants were inhibited using specific siRNA, determining that their inhibition contributes to the malignant characteristics in vitro. Finally, we quantified the PCNA transcript variants in acute lymphoblastic leukemia samples and identified their expression in this disease. Based on the clinical characteristics, we determined that PCNA_V2 and PCNA_V4 are expressed at significantly low levels in relapsed B-ALL patients. We conclude that the low expression of PCNA_V2 and PCNA_V4 could be a potential molecular marker of relapse in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients.

En la ciudad de Tunja no se cuenta con fuentes de información e indicadores exactos que establezcan la cantidad de llantas usadas y desechadas en tiraderos clandestinos, patios de casas y centros de acopio, las cuales generan impacto negativo en el medio ambiente y la salud de los habitantes, evidenciando la necesidad de generar una solución logística. Se presenta una investigación de enfoque cuantitativo de tipo estudio de caso; en esta se utilizó el método CVRP, que consiste en el diseño de un conjunto de rutas de menor coste, donde cada cliente se visite una única vez por un único vehículo y todas las rutas comienzan y finalizan en un centro de gravedad. Como resultados se logró la caracterización y diseño de un modelo logístico, que integró la ubicación de punto de acopio, demanda, rutas de recolección, capacidades, como herramienta sólida y actualizada que generara alternativas ambientales para la ciudad.