Search

Global defects in RNA polymerase II transcription might be overlooked by transcriptomic studies analyzing steady-state RNA. Indeed, the global decrease in mRNA synthesis has been shown to be compensated by a simultaneous decrease in mRNA degradation to restore normal steady-state levels. Hence, the genome-wide quantification of mRNA synthesis, independently from mRNA decay, is the best direct reflection of RNA polymerase II transcriptional activity. Here, we discuss a method using non-perturbing metabolic labeling of nascent RNAs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae). Specifically, the cells are cultured for 6 min with a uracil analog, 4-thiouracil, and the labeled newly transcribed RNAs are purified and quantified to determine the synthesis rates of all individual mRNA. Moreover, using labeled Schizosaccharomyces pombe cells as internal standard allows comparing mRNA synthesis in different S. cerevisiae strains. Using this protocol and fitting the data with a dynamic kinetic model, the corresponding mRNA decay rates can be determined.

Global defects in RNA polymerase II transcription might be overlooked by transcriptomic studies analyzing steady-state RNA. Indeed, the global decrease in mRNA synthesis has been shown to be compensated by a simultaneous decrease in mRNA degradation to restore normal steady-state levels. Hence, the genome-wide quantification of mRNA synthesis, independently from mRNA decay, is the best direct reflection of RNA polymerase II transcriptional activity. Here, we discuss a method using non-perturbing metabolic labeling of nascent RNAs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae). Specifically, the cells are cultured for 6 min with a uracil analog, 4-thiouracil, and the labeled newly transcribed RNAs are purified and quantified to determine the synthesis rates of all individual mRNA. Moreover, using labeled Schizosaccharomyces pombe cells as internal standard allows comparing mRNA synthesis in different S. cerevisiae strains. Using this protocol and fitting the data with a dynamic kinetic model, the corresponding mRNA decay rates can be determined.

Statoliths are nonskeletal calcified structures included in most invertebrates’ gravireceptors. They have been identified and characterized in several gastropod and cephalopod molluscs and have proved to be very useful for age estimation, growth studies, and connectivity analysis, among other applications. Beyond the scarce available records on their occurrence in Class Bivalvia, statoliths are yet to be documented in the grooved carpet shell, Ruditapes decussatus, a species of high ecological and commercial value. An easy method for the extraction and processing of R. decussatus statoliths is described herein. The statolith growth was followed from the initial shell length (SL) of 2.5–3.5 mm (seed commercial size T1.5) for a period of 6 months in a nursery facility located in the Ria de Aveiro (an estuarine system in NW Portugal). The relationship between statolith diameter (StD) and SL follows the function StD=14.305 SL0.254 (N=173; r=0.855, pµm in diameter, possibly as a result of growth arrest during metamorphosis, a metamorphic ring, as described for their gastropod counterparts. Subsequent studies should validate this and will involve a search for the occurrence of additional checks that may potentially be present in older specimens and if they are, would open a new range of most promising applications for bivalve statoliths.

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa), one of the most consumed leafy vegetables in the world, is frequently implicated with foodborne disease (FBD) outbreaks, with Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli O157:H7 being the most common bacteria to cause this illness. Estimates of prevalence and levels of these pathogens on lettuce are scarce in developed or in developing countries, which hinders risk assessment attempts. In here, we present a systematic review and meta-analysis of reported prevalence and levels of Salmonella spp. and E. coli O157:H7 on lettuce using the worldwide available data. Literature was reviewed and examined the results for inclusion of articles in the meta-analysis. Data (prevalence and/or concentration of Salmonella spp. and E. coli O157:H7 on lettuce, sample characteristic, country of origin, and Salmonella identified serovars) were extracted, and meta-analysis was performed using Open Meta-Analyst, Task Order # 2 software. Although only one work reported the presence of E coli O157:H7 on lettuce, several reports indicated the presence of other, distinct enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) strains, with a mean prevalence of 0.041 (95% CI: 0.005–0.078) and concentration varying from 1100 MPN/g. Furthermore, the mean prevalence of Salmonella spp. on lettuce was 0.041 (95% CI: 0.030–0.052), with reported concentrations varying between 0.054 ± 0.058 CFU/g to 218.78 MPN/g. In addition, subgroup analysis of the presence of Salmonella spp. in lettuce revealed a mean prevalence of the bacteria of 0.028 (95% CI: 0.014–0.042) in developed nations and 0.064 (0.041–0.087) in developing nations, with reports varying from 0.001 in Japan to 0.5 in Burkina Faso. Despite a relatively low prevalence, consumption of lettuce is inherently risky because it usually is eaten raw, without thermal treatment to inactivate pathogens. This potential risk further supports performance of quantitative risk assessments to quantify the probability of FBD caused by Salmonella spp. and E. coli O157:H7 transmitted to lettuce.

A proposta é debater as mudanças no universo dos museus e da Museologia no que se refere às questões de gênero assim como de classe e étnicas.

Previous studies suggested that expression of most yeast mRNAs is dominated by either transcription factor TFIID or SAGA. We re-examined the role of TFIID by rapid depletion of S. cerevisiae TFIID subunits and measurement of changes in nascent transcription. We find that transcription of nearly all mRNAs is strongly dependent on TFIID function. Degron-dependent depletion of Taf1, Taf2, Taf7, Taf11, and Taf13 showed similar transcription decreases for genes in the Taf1-depleted, Taf1-enriched, TATA-containing, and TATA-less gene classes. The magnitude of TFIID dependence varies with growth conditions, although this variation is similar genome-wide. Many studies have suggested differences in gene-regulatory mechanisms between TATA and TATA-less genes, and these differences have been attributed in part to differential dependence on SAGA or TFIID. Our work indicates that TFIID participates in expression of nearly all yeast mRNAs and that differences in regulation between these two gene categories is due to other properties.

O trabalho tem como objetivo a análise do comportamento de ferramentas de corte com insertos de diamante policristalino, utilizadas para a maquinação da grafite. Pretendeu-se comparar o comportamento de diferentes tipos de diamante policristalino e geometria de corte de modo a otimizar o rendimento deste tipo de ferramenta. Os PCD’s utilizados para comparação foram CTB010, CTH025 e CTM302, cujas diferenças se centravam no tipo de grão. Para a realização do projeto foram fabricadas na empresa Araújo & Silva dezoito ferramentas. Este número de ferramentas foi obtido através da técnica do DOE, onde foram considerados os principais parâmetros de corte. Através da realização do trabalho foi possível concluir que o PCD do tipo CTH 0 25 permite mais horas de maquinação do que os outros PCD’s utilizados no entanto o PCD CTB 0 10 permite uma melhor qualidade de acabamento. Além disso, podemos concluir que ao utilizar parâmetros de corte, como o avanço, a velocidade de corte e a rotação, mais baixos é possível aumentar a vida útil das ferramentas.

This study seeks an overall view of the memory of the LGBT community (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) in museums and community initiatives, the project LGBT memory mapping and analyzes the main existing shares in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia and Oceania. Through technical visits, interviews, non-directive (attendance or virtual), the magazine LGBT Memory publications, bibliographical researches and queries to official sites, mapping aims to indicate the limits and possibilities that are presented to museological field by including a minority present in every continent but still forgotten. This museological invisibility, favors forgetfulness and consequently strengthens phobias of sexual orientation and gender identity. By analyzing the preservation techniques, the exhibition content of each mapped proposal and its absence in large territories, looking to indicate strategies found in building a global LGBT memory, questioning, therefore, the democratization of memory and manifest content in museums, community initiatives or museological policies interested in winning civil rights and overcoming phobias to sexual / emotional diversity. Keywords: LGBT, Diversity, Social Museology

In this paper we describe and analyze the use of the Cartesian Genetic Programming method to evolve Artificial Neural Networks (CGPANN) in an open-ended evolution scenario. The issue of open-ended evolution has for some time been considered one of the open problems in the field of Artificial Life. In this paper we analyze the capabilities of CGPANN to evolve behaviors in a scenario without artificial selection, more specifically, without the use of explicit fitness functions. We use the BitBang framework and one of its example scenarios as a proof of concept. The results obtained in these first experiments show that it is indeed possible to evolve CGPANN brains, in an open-ended environment, without any explicit fitness function. We also present an analysis of different parameter configurations for the CGPANN when used in this type of scenario.

Deregulated expression of histone deacetylases (HDACs) has been implicated in tumorigenesis. Herein, we investigated class I HDACs expression in bladder urothelial cell carcinoma (BUCC), its prognostic value and biological significance. Significantly increased transcript levels of all HDACs were found in BUCC compared to 20 normal mucosas, and these were higher in lower grade and stage tumors. Increased HDAC3 levels were associated with improved patient survival. SiRNA experiments showed decrease cell viability and motility, and increased apoptosis. We concluded that class I HDACs play an important role in bladder carcinogenesis through deregulation of proliferation, migration and apoptosis, constituting putative therapeutic targets. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most incident malignancies worldwide. Although efficient therapy is available for early-stage PCa, treatment of advanced disease is mainly ineffective and remains a clinical challenge. microRNA (miRNA) dysregulation is associated with PCa development and progression. In fact, several studies have reported a widespread downregulation of miRNAs in PCa, which highlights the importance of studying compounds capable of restoring the global miRNA expression. The main aim of this study was to define the usefulness of enoxacin as an anti-tumoral agent in PCa, due to its ability to induce miRNA biogenesis in a TRBP-mediated manner. Using a panel of five PCa cell lines, we observed that all of them were wild type for the TARBP2 gene and expressed TRBP protein. Furthermore, primary prostate carcinomas displayed normal levels of TRBP protein. Remarkably, enoxacin was able to decrease cell viability, induce apoptosis, cause cell cycle arrest, and inhibit the invasiveness of cell lines. Enoxacin was also effective in restoring the global expression of miRNAs. This study is the first to show that PCa cells are highly responsive to the anti-tumoral effects of enoxacin. Therefore, enoxacin constitutes a promising therapeutic agent for PCa.

As complicações tromboembólicas são as mais frequentemente reportadas durante a terapêutica endovascular de aneurismas intracranianos com espiras metálicas. A frequência deste tipo de complicação varia na literatura, contudo autores referem uma incidência entre 2,5 e 28%. Diversos mecanismos poderão estar envolvidos na formação e migração do trombo: pode ser já preexistente no interior do aneurisma a tratar e deslocar-se para o vaso portador; pode formar-se de novo na superfície das espiras ou dos cateteres utilizados; ou ainda no eventual colo residual se o grau de oclusão não for completo. Estudos demonstraram maior incidência de complicações tromboembólicas em aneurismas de colo largo. Neste trabalho discutimos a importância e justificação de medidas utilizadas na prevenção de complicações tromboembólicas durante e após a terapêutica endovascular de aneurismas rotos intra-cranianos. Referem-se ainda as opções e estratégias a adoptar na eventualidade de uma oclusão vascular ser detectada durante o procedimento, como a administração de inibidores da glicoproteina IIb/IIIa ou mesmo a libertação de stents intra-cranianos. Diversos casos exemplificativos são exibidos. A prevenção de complicações tromboembólicas e a rápida actuação perante a oclusão vascular são essenciais para a melhoria do prognóstico dos doentes submetidos a terapêutica endovascular de aneurismas rotos. O conhecimento profundo das opções disponíveis é essencial para a persecução desse objectivo.

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a relatively rare but serious condition potentially reversible upon accurate diagnosis and adequate therapy. The peri-partum state and pregnancy are predisposing factors and TVC accounts for about 6% of maternal deaths. Its clinical symptoms depend on the the thrombus site and extension, and also on the existing collateral vessels network. We present the case of a 33 year-old woman, 13 weeks pregnant, that complained of headaches and whose cranial magnetic resonance imaging revealed a subtotal oclusión of the superior sagittal sinus. We discuss the imaging features of dural venous thrombosis in the acute phase.

Res_por:O cinema feito em Portugal esteve, desde o primeiro momento, sujeito a um escrutinio publico muito maior do que qualquer outra arte. Grande parte deste debate girou em torno da possibilidade, ou da necessidade, de o cinema portugues se construir como uma cinematografia nacional distinta de todas as outras, com temas proprios, um estilo autonomo e uma relacao privilegiada com os espectadores do seu pais de origem. Era isso realizavel e desejavel, ou nao? E teria efeitos positivos no sucesso dos filmes portugueses, ou nao? Houve respostas para todos os gostos porque o que uma «cinematografia nacional» devia ser, como seria de esperar, teve sempre as mais variadas interpretacoes e nunca deixou de mudar ao longo do tempo. O unico dado certo, a unica constante do cinema portugues foi, para o melhor e para o pior, o proprio cinema portugues. Estas onze decadas de invencao permanente sobre o que o «nosso» cinema devia ou nao ser, sobre os temas que ele devia ou nao abordar e sobre o modo como o deveria ou nao fazer, dizem-nos muito mais sobre as expectativas depositadas no cinema portugues, do que sobre o cinema feito em Portugal propriamente dito. A distincao entre uma coisa e outra nao e um mero jogo de palavras. Serve para separar algo que sempre existiu - os filmes portugueses - de algo que, em rigor, nunca passou de uma ideia - a «nossa» cinematografia nacional, o «cinema portugues». A forca desta ideia, porem, pesou sobre todo o cinema feito em Portugal e acabou por determinar quase tudo o que ele foi e quase tudo o que se pensou e escreveu acerca dele.

Prior studies suggested that SAGA and TFIID are alternative factors that promote RNA polymerase II transcription, with about 10% of genes in S. cerevisiae dependent on SAGA. We reassessed the role of SAGA by mapping its genome-wide location and role in global transcription in budding yeast. We find that SAGA maps to the UAS elements of most genes, overlapping with Mediator binding and irrespective of previous designations of SAGA- or TFIID-dominated genes. Disruption of SAGA through mutation or rapid subunit depletion reduces transcription from nearly all genes, measured by newly synthesized RNA. We also find that the acetyltransferase Gcn5 synergizes with Spt3 to promote global transcription and that Spt3 functions to stimulate TBP recruitment at all tested genes. Our data demonstrate that SAGA acts as a general cofactor required for essentially all RNA polymerase II transcription and is not consistent with the previous classification of SAGA- and TFIID-dominated genes. Baptista et al. show that SAGA, a transcriptional coactivator conserved in all eukaryotes, is involved in overall RNA polymerase II transcription in budding yeast. Using ChEC-seq, SAGA was shown to be recruited to both TATA-containing and TATA-less genes. In agreement, inactivation of SAGA leads to dramatic effects on nascent transcription.

A healthy 68-year-old man presented in the emergency room with a sudden episode of headache and vomiting together with disequilibrium and crural paresis. The laboratory evaluation revealed hyponatraemia (Na+115 mEq/L). Head MRI demonstrated a giant 40×25×31 mm pituitary lesion (figures 1 and 2). Laboratory studies revealed growth hormone (GH) 0.1 ng/mL (0.06–5), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) 14.5 mUI/mL (0.7–11.1), luteinising hormone (LH) 1.9 mUI/mL (0.8–7.6), prolactin 23.1 ng/mL (2.5–17), low free thyroxine (fT4) 0.4 ng/mL (0.8–1.9), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) 7.88 mUI/mL (0.4–4), cortisol 2.4 μg/dL (5–25), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) 9.26 pg/mL (

The SAGA (Spt–Ada–Gcn5 acetyltransferase) coactivator complex contains distinct chromatin-modifying activities and is recruited by DNA-bound activators to regulate the expression of a subset of genes. Surprisingly, recent studies revealed little overlap between genome-wide SAGA-binding profiles and changes in gene expression upon depletion of subunits of the complex. As indicators of SAGA recruitment on chromatin, we monitored in yeast and human cells the genome-wide distribution of histone H3K9 acetylation and H2B ubiquitination, which are respectively deposited or removed by SAGA. Changes in these modifications after inactivation of the corresponding enzyme revealed that SAGA acetylates the promoters and deubiquitinates the transcribed region of all expressed genes. In agreement with this broad distribution, we show that SAGA plays a critical role for RNA polymerase II recruitment at all expressed genes. In addition, through quantification of newly synthesized RNA, we demonstrated that SAGA inactivation induced a strong decrease of mRNA synthesis at all tested genes. Analysis of the SAGA deubiquitination activity further revealed that SAGA acts on the whole transcribed genome in a very fast manner, indicating a highly dynamic association of the complex with chromatin. Thus, our study uncovers a new function for SAGA as a bone fide cofactor for all RNA polymerase II transcription.

// Fatima Liliana Monteiro 1 , Tiago Baptista 2 , Francisco Amado 1 , 3 , Rui Vitorino 1 , Carmen Jeronimo 2,4 and Luisa A. Helguero 1 1 Mass Specrometry Center, Organic Chemistry and Natural Products Unit (QOPNA), Dep. of Chemistry, Universidade de Aveiro., Aveiro, Portugal 2 Cancer Biology & Epigenetics Group, Research Center Portuguese Oncology Institute – Porto. Porto, Portugal 3 School of Health Sciences, Universidade de Aveiro., Portugal 4 Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS) – University of Porto, Porto, Portugal Correspondence: Luisa A. Helguero, email: // Keywords : epigenetics, post-translational modifications, histone H2A, cancer. Received : April 8, 2014 Accepted : May 24, 2014 Published : May 26, 2014 Abstract Regulation of gene expression includes the replacement of canonical histones for non-allelic histone variants, as well as their multiple targeting by postranslational modifications. H2A variants are highly conserved between species suggesting they execute important functions that cannot be accomplished by canonical histones. Altered expression of many H2A variants is associated to cancer. MacroH2A variants are enriched in heterocromatic foci and are necessary for chromatin condensation. MacroH2A1.1 and macroH2A1.2 are two mutually exclusive isoforms. MacroH2A1.1 and macroH2A2 inhibit proliferation and are associated with better cancer prognosis; while macroH2A1.2 is associated to cancer progression. H2AX variant functions as a sensor of DNA damage and defines the cellular response towards DNA repair or apoptosis; therefore, screening approaches and therapeutic options targeting H2AX have been proposed. H2A.Z is enriched in euchromatin, acting as a proto-oncogene with established roles in hormone responsive cancers and overexpressed in endocrine-resistant disease. Other H2A family members have also been found altered in cancer, but their function remains unknown. Substantial progress has been made to understand histone H2A variants, their contribution to normal cellular function and to cancer development and progression. Yet, implementation of high resolution mass spectrometry is needed to further our knowledge on highly homologous H2A variants expression and function.

Interview with Laura Mulvey, recorded in Lisbon, in May 14, 2013.

A common issue in Artificial Life research, and mainly in open-ended evolution simulations, is that of defining the bootstrap conditions of the simulations. One usual technique employed is the random initialization of individuals at the start of each simulation. However, by using this initialization method, we force the evolutionary process to always start from scratch, and thus require more time to accomplish the objective. Artificial Life simulations, being typically, very time consuming, suffer particularly when applying this method. In a previous paper we described a technique we call step evolution, analogous to incremental evolution techniques, that can be used to shorten the time needed to evolve complex behaviors in open-ended evolutionary simulations. In this paper we further extend this technique by automating the process of stepping the simulation. We provide results from experiments done on an open-ended evolution of foraging scenario, where agents evolve, adapting to a world with a day and night cycle. The results show that we can indeed automate this process and achieve a performance at least as good as on the best performant non-automated version.

Deregulated expression of histone deacetylases (HDACs) has been implicated in tumorigenesis. Herein, we investigated class I HDACs expression in bladder urothelial cell carcinoma (BUCC), its prognostic value and biological significance. Significantly increased transcript levels of all HDACs were found in BUCC compared to 20 normal mucosas, and these were higher in lower grade and stage tumors. Increased HDAC3 levels were associated with improved patient survival. SiRNA experiments showed decrease cell viability and motility, and increased apoptosis. We concluded that class I HDACs play an important role in bladder carcinogenesis through deregulation of proliferation, migration and apoptosis, constituting putative therapeutic targets.

A common issue in Artificial Life research, and mainly in open-ended evolution simulations, is that of defining the bootstrap conditions of the simulations. One usual technique employed is the random initialization of individuals at the start of each simulation. However, by using this initialization method, we force the evolutionary process to always start from scratch, and thus require more time to accomplish the objective. Artificial Life simulations, being typically, very time consuming, suffer particularly when applying this method. In this paper, we describe a technique we call step evolution, that can be used to shorten the time needed to evolve complex behaviors in open-ended evolutionary simulations. We provide results from experiments done on an open-ended evolution of foraging scenario, where agents evolve, adapting to a world with a day and night cycle. The results show that the employment of this technique can improve both the overall success of simulation runs, and the time needed to evolve the observed behaviors.

Thromboembolic phenomena are the most commonly reported complications during endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms with coils. Frequency of this complication varies in the literature, but authors reported rates ranging from 2.5 to 28%. Several mechanisms may be involved in the formation and migration of thrombus: it may be already existing inside the aneurysm and be dislocated and then migrate distally; it can be formed on the surface of the coils or catheters used, or it can appear in the remnant aneurysm sac it. Studies have shown a higher incidence of thromboembolic complications in wide neck aneurysms. In this paper we discuss the importance of prevention of thromboembolic complications during and after endovascular treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms. We also refer options and strategies to adopt in the event of a vascular occlusion is detected during the procedure, as the administration of inhibitors of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa or the release of an intra-cranial stent. Illustrative cases are shown. The prevention of thromboembolic complications and rapid action after the vascular occlusion is essential in order to improve the prognosis of patients undergoing endovascular treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms. Extensive knowledge of available options is essential to the pursuit of that goal.

Endoluminal reconstruction with flow diverter devices represents an innovative technique in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms.These new stents, self-expandable and of low porosity, are released through the microcatherization of the parent artery. The main goal of these systems is thereby rebuilding the vessel wall and excluding the aneurysmal formation of the arterial circulation.We show the preliminary results in treating 10 patients at Hospital de São José, Lisbon. These patients, with wide-necked (4 mm)or unfavorable dome/neck ratios (1.5) aneurysms, were treated with the PIPELINE® system, and angiographic control were made at three and six months. New control will be done at 12 months. The mean age of enrolled patients is 54.3 years; eight patients were female and two male. Aneurysms were incidentally discovered in two patients. The remaining patients were diagnosed during imaging investigation for headache (n = 3), visual field defect (n = 1), vertigo(n = 1) and at least one cranial palsy (n = 2). Only two patients had had prior subarachnoid hemorrhage and two patients underwent prior endovascular treatment with coils. The locations of aneurysms treated were the proximal segment of the middle cerebral artery(n = 1) and the paraophthalmic (n = 6), ophthalmic (n = 2) and cavernous (n = 4) internal carotid artery segments. Thirteen intracranial aneurysms were treated as three patients had multiple aneurysms. Control studies were conducted and shown an average degree of occlusion at three months of 74% and at six months of 86%. There was no reduction in size of one paraophthalmic artery aneurysm.The experience of this department is favorable to the use of flow-diverter devices to treat selected aneurysms. High occlusion rates were obtained given the existing challenges in the treatment of such aneurysms.

Este trabalho apresenta uma nova t?cnica de equaliza??o de canal para sistemas monoportadora com acesso m?ltiplo por divis?o de frequ?ncia (SC-FDMA) baseada no Algoritmo Concorrente (que ? considerado o estado da arte em termos de equaliza??o de canal). Os modelos de um transmissor e de um receptor SC-FDMA foram descritos em SystemC para simula??o, onde no modelo do receptor o m?todo de equaliza??o ? reconfigur?vel a fim de comparar com diferentes t?cnicas. Os efeitos de degrada??o do canal de transmiss?o foram simulados em MATLAB? considerando o modelo Rayleigh com dispers?o Doppler seguindo o cl?ssico espectro de Jakes, onde foram adotados os perfis de atraso de pot?ncia indicados pela 3GPP para testes de desempenho do sistema LTE (EPA5, EVA5, EVA70, ETU70 e ETU300). Os resultados da simula??o comprovam que a utiliza??o da nova t?cnica, principalmente quando aliada a outras j? aplicadas nesse tipo de sistema, e.g. interpola??o linear, melhora consideravelmente o processo de desconvolu??o de canal. O equalizador concorrente proposto foi capaz de realizar a desconvolu??o de todos os canais testados. This Master Thesis presents a novel equalization technique for single-carrier frequency domain multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems based on Concurrent Algorithm (which is considered the state of art in terms of channel equalization). The SC-FDMA transmitter and receiver models have been described in SystemC for simulation, where the equalization method is reconfigurable in the receiver in order to compare multiple techniques. The channel degradation effects have been simulated using MATLAB?, considering the Rayleigh model with Doppler dispersion following the classical Jakes spectrum, where the power delay profiles indicated by 3GPP for the LTE performance tests have been adopted (EPA5, EVA5, EVA70, ETU70 and ETU300). The simulation results prove that the use of the novel technique, mainly when combined with other ones already applied in this kind of system, e.g. linear interpolation, improve substantially the channel deconvolution process. The concurrent equalizer which has been proposed was able to perform the deconvolution on all of tested channels.

A reconstrução endoluminal com sistemas de derivação de fluxo (flow diverter devices) constitui uma técnica inovadora no tratamento de aneurismas intra-cranianos. Estes novos stents, auto-expansíveis e de reduzida porosidade, são libertados através de microcateterização da artéria portadora do aneurisma, reconstruindo assim a sua parede e excluindo a formação aneurismática da circulação arterial. Neste trabalho mostramos os resultados preliminares obtidos no tratamento de 10 doentes no Hospital de São José, Lisboa. Estes doentes, com aneurismas de colo largo (> 4mm) ou ratio saco/colo não favorável (< 1,5), foram tratados com o sistema PIPELINE®, e estudos angiográficos de controlo foram efectuados aos três e seis meses. Novo controlo será feito aos 12 meses. A idade media dos doentes envolvidos é de 54,3 anos, oito doentes são do sexo feminino e dois doentes do sexo masculino. Os aneurismas foram incidentalmente descobertos em dois doentes e os restantes foram diagnosticados no contexto de investigação imagiológica por cefaleias (n = 3), defeito de campo visual (n = 1), vertigens (n = 1) e parésia de pelo menos um par craniano (n = 2). Em apenas dois doentes foi observada hemorragia subaracnoideia e outros dois doentes foram submetidos a terapêutica endovascular prévia, com espiras metálicas. As localizações dos aneurismas tratados são o segmento M1/M2 da artéria cerebral média (n = 1) e os segmentos da artéria carótida interna para-oftálmico (n = 6), oftálmico (n = 2) e cavernoso (n = 4). Treze aneurismas intra-cranianos foram tratados uma vez que três doentes apresentavam múltiplos aneurismas. Os estudos de controlo efectuados demonstram um grau de oclusão médio aos três meses de 74% e aos seis meses de 86%. Não se observou qualquer redução das dimensões do saco de um dos aneurismas para-oftálmico. A experiência deste serviço é muito favorável a utilização de sistemas de derivação de fluxo no tratamento de aneurismas seleccionados, tendo obtido taxas de oclusão elevadas dados os desafios existentes na terapêutica deste tipo de aneurismas.

Throughout the last decades, Darwin's theory of natural selection has fueled a vast amount of research in the field of computer science, and more specifically in artificial intelligence. The majority of this work has focussed on artificial selection, rather than on natural selection. In this paper we study the evolution of agents' controllers in an open-ended scenario. To that end, we set up a multi-agent simulation inspired by the ant foraging task, and evolve the agents' brain (a rule list) without any explicit fitness function. We show that the agents do evolve sustainable foraging behaviors in this environment, and discuss some evolutionary conditions that seem to be important to achieve these results.

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a relatively rare but serious condition potentially reversible upon accurate diagnosis and adequate therapy. The peri-partum state and pregnancy are predisposing factors and TVC accounts for about 6% of maternal deaths. Its clinical symptoms depend on the the thrombus site and extension, and also on the existing collateral vessels network. We present the case of a 33 year-old woman, 13 weeks pregnant, that complained of headaches and whose cranial magnetic resonance imaging revealed a subtotal oclusión of the superior sagittal sinus. We discuss the imaging features of dural venous thrombosis in the acute phase.

International audience; We present some methodological lessons and thoughts inferred from a research we are making on a simulation of the Rungis Wholesale Market (in France) using cognitive agents. The implication of using cognitive agents with an objective of realism at the individual level question some of the classical methodological assertions about simulations. Three such lessons are of particular interest: the calibration and validation focus on individuals rather than global values (1); the definition of the simulation model is made independently from the research objectives (2), and without targeting the usual objective of hypothesis simplicity (3).

The synchronisation phenomena in biological systems is a current and recurring subject of scientific study. This topic, namely that of circadian clocks, served as inspiration to develop an agent-based simulation that serves the main purpose of being a proof-of-concept of the model used in the BitBang framework, that implements a modern autonomous agent model. Despite having been extensively studied, circadian clocks still have much to be investigated. Rather than wanting to learn more about the internals of this biological process, we look to study the emergence of this kind of adaptation to a daily cycle. To that end we implemented a world with a day/night cycle, and analyse the ways the agents adapt to that cycle. The results show the evolution of the agents’ ability to gather food. If we look at the total number of agents over the course of an experiment, we can pinpoint the time when reproductive technology emerges. We also show that the agents adapt to the daily cycle. This circadian rhythm can be shown by analysing the variation on the agents metabolic rate, which is affected by the variation of their movement patterns. In the experiments conducted we can observe that the metabolic rate of the agents varies according to the daily cycle.

This paper proposes a new paradigm for the generation of game worlds using principles from the science of complexity. It argues that through the emergence of complex phenomena from simple interactions and building blocks, game worlds capable of surprise and of showing creative behavior may be evolved. A conceptual model incorporating these principles is described and BitBang, a software framework implementing this model, is presented. Usage examples are given and implications for game design are addressed.

This paper describes the implementation of MPI-2 one-sided communications (OSC) for the forthcoming WMPI II product, aimed at clusters of workstations (Windows workstations, for now). This implementation is layered directly on top of the WMPI Management Layer (WML), rather than being on top of the MPI layer and as such can draw more performance from the new features of the WMPI's WML. The major features of this implementation are presented, including the synchronization operations, the remote memory operations and the datatype handling mechanism. Performance benchmarks were taken, comparing the message passing and the one-sided communication models, as well as to compare this implementation with one layered on top of MPI.

This paper presents a dynamic bit frame (window) selection algorithm to address the mismatch in the number of bits in the output of a digital signal processing and the bit range size of the input of the following block. The algorithm is designed to be a flexible tool to tackle general, possibly highly varying input signals in such a way that maintains the maximum signal power without introducing significant data loss. Numerical experiments are presented in the end of the paper to illustrate the behavior of the proposed algorithm.

Background Multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) gene encodes for an ATP binding cassette transporter - P-glycoprotein (P-gp) - involved in chemoresistance to taxanes. MDR1 promoter methylation is frequent in prostate carcinoma (PCa), suggesting an epigenetic regulation but no functional correlation has been established. We aimed to elucidate the epigenetic mechanisms involved in MDR1 deregulation in PCa. Results MDR1 promoter methylation and P-gp expression were assessed in 121 PCa, 39 high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN), 28 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 10 morphologically normal prostate tissue (NPT) samples, using quantitative methylation specific PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. PCa cell lines were exposed to a DNA methyltransferases inhibitor 5-aza-2′deoxycytidine (DAC) and histone deacetylases inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA). Methylation and histone posttranscriptional modifications status were characterized and correlated with mRNA and protein expression. MDR1 promoter methylation levels and frequency significantly increased from NPTs, to HGPIN and to PCa. Conversely, decreased or absent P-gp immunoexpression was observed in HGPIN and PCa, inversely correlating with methylation levels. Exposure to DAC alone did not alter significantly methylation levels, although increased expression was apparent. However, P-gp mRNA and protein re-expression were higher in cell lines exposed to TSA alone or combined with DAC. Accordingly, histone active marks H3Ac, H3K4me2, H3K4me3, H3K9Ac, and H4Ac were increased at the MDR1 promoter after exposure to TSA alone or combined with DAC. Conclusion Our data suggests that, in prostate carcinogenesis, MDR1 downregulation is mainly due to histone post-translational modifications. This occurs concomitantly with aberrant promoter methylation, substantiating the association with P-gp decreased expression.