60 results on '"G. Prates"'
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2. Learning From Network Data Changes for Unsupervised Botnet Detection.
- Author
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Bruno Henrique Schwengber, Andressa Vergütz, Nelson G. Prates, and Michele Nogueira
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- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. A Method Aware of Concept Drift for Online Botnet Detection.
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Bruno Henrique Schwengber, Andressa Vergütz, Nelson G. Prates, and Michele Nogueira
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- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. A Defense Mechanism for Timing-based Side-Channel Attacks on IoT Traffic.
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Nelson G. Prates, Andressa Vergütz, Ricardo T. Macedo, Aldri Santos, and Michele Nogueira
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- 2020
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- View/download PDF
5. Does gamification work for boys and girls?: An exploratory study with a virtual learning environment.
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Lais Z. Pedro, Aparecida M. Z. Lopes, Bruno G. Prates, Julita Vassileva, and Seiji Isotani
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- 2015
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6. Learning From Network Data Changes for Unsupervised Botnet Detection
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Andressa Vergutz, Nelson G. Prates, Michele Nogueira, and Bruno Henrique Schwengber
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Computer Networks and Communications ,Computer science ,business.industry ,Botnet ,Network data ,Artificial intelligence ,Electrical and Electronic Engineering ,Machine learning ,computer.software_genre ,business ,computer - Published
- 2022
7. An Architecture for the Performance Management of Smart Healthcare Applications.
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Andressa Vergütz, Nelson G. Prates, Bruno Henrique Schwengber, Aldri Santos, and Michele Nogueira
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- 2020
- Full Text
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8. Evidence of the existence of the As4S6 molecule produced by light exposure of alacranite, As8S9
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L. Bindi, P. Bonazzi, L. Chelazzi, M. M. N. Franceschini, G. O. Lepore, M. Morana, G. Pratesi, A. Taddei, M. Zoppi, and S. Menchetti
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Mineralogy ,QE351-399.2 - Abstract
The As4S6 molecule, although theoretically predicted and supposed to occur in amorphous arsenic sulfides, was missing in the reported structures of crystalline As chalcogenides; the thermodynamic stable phase for this stoichiometry, in fact, is that of the mineral orpiment, which shows a layered structural arrangement based on trigonal AsS3 pyramids. Here we report the first possible occurrence of the As4S6 molecule together with the other known As4Sn (n=3, 4, 5) molecules randomly replacing each other in the crystalline structure of a new monoclinic product obtained by the light-induced alteration of the mineral alacranite, As8S9. Our findings are based on single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments. The fact that As4S6 formed in a crystalline light-induced alteration product could indicate a heretofore unknown role of this molecule in the photoinduced changes of the physico-chemical properties of both bulk glasses and thin films in the As–S system, widely studied in optics and optoelectronics.
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- 2024
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9. Experiências de governança da restauração de ecossistemas e paisagens no Brasil
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Chazdon, Robin L., primary, Chaves, Rafael B., additional, Calmon, Miguel, additional, Siqueira, Ludmila Pugliese de, additional, and Junqueira, Rodrigo G. Prates, additional
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- 2022
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10. Experiências de governança da restauração de ecossistemas e paisagens no Brasil
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Robin L. Chazdon, Rafael B. Chaves, Miguel Calmon, Ludmila Pugliese de Siqueira, and Rodrigo G. Prates Junqueira
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Cultural Studies ,Coalizões Multiatores ,Governance innovations ,Plataformas multissetoriais ,Sociology and Political Science ,POLÍTICA AMBIENTAL ,Redes ,Multiplayer coalitions ,Multisectoral platforms ,Networks ,Inovações de governança - Abstract
RESUMO O Brasil tem uma longa história de políticas, pesquisa e prática de restauração de ecossistemas degradados. A Década da Restauração de Ecossistemas das Nações Unidas (2021-2030) foi lançada com o principal objetivo de prevenir, cessar e reverter a degradação de ecossistemas em todo o mundo. Neste artigo, descrevemos algumas experiências no Brasil e ilustramos como elas podem contribuir para o cumprimento desses objetivos. As ações de restauração florestal no Brasil são fortemente motivadas e lideradas por associações da sociedade civil descentralizadas, e coalizões e plataformas multissetoriais. Destacamos o papel crítico das inovações de governança nos níveis regional, estadual e municipal que fortalecem as ações de restauração, apesar da implementação deficiente das iniciativas do governo federal. ABSTRACT Brazil has a long history of policies, research and practice to restore degraded ecosystems. The United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) was launched with the primary objective of preventing, halting and reversing the degradation of ecosystems worldwide. Here, we describe some experiences with ecosystem restoration in Brazil and illustrate how they can contribute to achieving these goals. Forest restoration actions in Brazil are strongly motivated and led by decentralized civil society associations and multisectoral coalitions and platforms. We highlight the critical role of governance innovations at the regional, state and municipal levels that strengthen restoration actions despite the poor implementation of federal government initiatives.
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- 2022
11. O intervalo de tempo entre o processo de deformação e a atividade sísmica na Ilha El Hierro durante o processo eruptivo (2011-2014): uma abordagem funcional em fases
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Fernando Fernández-Palacín, Sonia Pérez-Plaza, Belén Rosado, G. Prates, Manuel Berrocoso, Estadística e Investigación Operativa, and Matemáticas
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QB275-343 ,QE1-996.5 ,geography ,geography.geographical_feature_category ,Time series ,Lag ,GPS ,P-splines ,Time lag ,Functional data analysis ,Geology ,Deformation (meteorology) ,Induced seismicity ,Geodesy ,Submarine eruption ,Volcano ,Space and Planetary Science ,Long period ,Geography. Anthropology. Recreation ,FDA - Abstract
On 10 October 2011, a submarine eruption occurred in El Hierro island. Thus, the eruptive process in the Canary islands was reactivated after 40 years of inactivity. The main objective of this work is to evaluate, using Functional Data Analysis, how the surface deformation phenomenon explains the seismic–volcanic activity in the island. The GNSS-GPS data are from the FRON (GRAFCAN) station, located in Frontera. These data measure, each 4 h, the distance between the FRON station and the reference station LPAL (La Palma island) from August, 2010 to December, 2013. In this study a functional correlation measure is employed to establish the relation between the deformation curve and the curve of cumulative energy released. The period of time analysed has been divided into four phases to avoid the mix of phenomena. For each phase, the correlation measure and the time lag between deformation curve and the curve of cumulative energy released have been estimated. These values show a strong relation between these curves. With respect to time lag period, the only significant lag, of about 1 month, occurred in Phase 1, which was after a long period without seismic activity. The later phases had very short, insignificant, lags. After a long period without seismic and volcanic activity in El Hierro island, the time lag between the deformation process and the beginning of the seismic activity takes approximately 1 month. In a similar situation a method to predict in real time the beginning of the seismic activity is proposed. This method, based on the changes produced in the derivative curves when there is a rapid descent in the deformation curve, could activate a warning system approximately 13 days before the beginning of seismicity.
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- 2021
12. Um Ambiente de Experimentação em Cibersegurança para Internet das Coisas
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Nelson G. Prates Jr., Allex Magno Andrade, Emerson Ribeiro de Mello, Michelle Silva Wangham, and Michele Nogueira
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A grande escala da Internet das Coisas exige estruturas complexas capazes de suportar cenários experimentais com escala suficiente para avaliar eficientemente soluções de cibersegurança contra ataques DDoS baseados em botnets. Este trabalho descreve uma arquitetura para o MENTORED Testbed, um ambiente de experimentação criado sobre a Infraestrutura Definida por Software da Rede Nacional de Ensino e Pesquisa (IDS-RNP). O testbed cria experimentos com redes de longa distância, tecnologias de nuvem e com dispositivos sem fio inseridos nos servidores do IDS-RNP. O comportamento do testbed foi analisado por meio de um caso de uso que reproduz automaticamente capturas de rede em um cenário realístico para avaliar propostas de detecção de botnets.
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- 2021
13. Recent Macaronesian kinematics from GNSS ground displacement analysis
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G. Prates, I. Barbero, Raúl Páez, Manuel Berrocoso, Cristina Torrecillas, Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Ingeniería Gráfica, and Repositório da Universidade de Lisboa
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Geochemistry & Geophysics ,geography ,geography.geographical_feature_category ,continuous GNSS time series ,010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences ,GNSS ,Canary Islands ,Fault (geology) ,010502 geochemistry & geophysics ,Geodesy ,01 natural sciences ,Cape verde ,Tectonics ,Plate tectonics ,Geophysics ,isostatic adjustment ,Geochemistry and Petrology ,Oceanic crust ,strain rate analysis ,Intraplate earthquake ,Shear zone ,Structural geology ,Geology ,cluster analysis ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences - Abstract
Macaronesia is a complex oceanic region spanning three tectonic plates in the northeast Atlantic ocean. It is composed of four archipelagos, widely distributed and limited to the east by the Iberian Peninsula and north-western coast of Africa. This study aims to clarify recent Macaronesian kinematics from 19 GNSS stations located on the four archipelagos and the Iberian and African coastlines. The analysis is based on nearly 15 years of common data acquisition and aimed to detect new effects of intraplate tectonics or similar local/regional events consistent with calculated ground displacements. Evaluating the GNSS stations residual velocities relative to those expected from the NNR-MORVEL56 model, higher residuals were found at continental coastal stations (Africa) than at oceanic ones (Canaries and Madeira). From the computed strain rate map, the possible existence of a shear zone connecting the Gloria and Transmoroccan fault systems, already mentioned by other authors, was depicted. Cluster statistical analysis of the horizontal residual velocities helped to identify tectonic boundaries in Macaronesia and four groups of analogous intraplate residual velocities within this region. Three of four groups were identified in the Azores, highlighting the African-Nubian-Eurasian diffuse plate boundary in this region. Furthermore, in the Canary Islands, two distinct kinematic behaviours were detected, possibly due to the activity along a previously detected tectonic fault between Tenerife and Gran Canaria, where some stations have similar intraplate residuals to those at Madeira and Cape Verde stations, while others have similar intraplate residuals to those of continental stations. Finally, all stations on oceanic crust, except Cape Verde, present recent ground subsidence which may be attributed to isostatic adjustment. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
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- 2021
14. A Defense Mechanism for Timing-based Side-Channel Attacks on IoT Traffic
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Andressa Vergutz, Nelson G. Prates, Ricardo Tombesi Macedo, Aldri Santos, and Michele Nogueira
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Computer science ,Mechanism (biology) ,business.industry ,Vulnerability ,020206 networking & telecommunications ,02 engineering and technology ,Computer security ,computer.software_genre ,0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering ,020201 artificial intelligence & image processing ,Side channel attack ,Internet of Things ,business ,computer - Abstract
This work proposes FISHER: a deFense mechanIsm against timing-based Side-channel attack related to response time on the intERnet of things (IoT). IoT connects objects that support important applications, such as electronic health, smart homes, and Industry 4.0. However, timing-based side-channel attacks on IoT network traffic compromise user privacy. Related works present a limited view of side-channel leakages and as a solution, these works try to mask them. However, they ignore that devices have unique behaviors that intensify the problem of privacy leaks through response time. Hence, FISHER follows two modules: (i) vulnerability test and (ii) privacy protection. The vulnerability test module identifies timing-based side-channel leakages and reveals new vulnerabilities associated with the response time. The privacy protection module implements two methods that mask the identified time-based leakages on the network traffic. Results from an experimental scenario show that FISHER identifies precisely the side-channel leakages related to response time and efficiently masks them.
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- 2020
15. A Method Aware of Concept Drift for Online Botnet Detection
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Michele Nogueira, Andressa Vergutz, Nelson G. Prates, and Bruno Henrique Schwengber
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Concept drift ,Computer science ,020204 information systems ,Distributed computing ,0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering ,Botnet ,020201 artificial intelligence & image processing ,Denial-of-service attack ,02 engineering and technology ,Adaptation (computer science) - Abstract
Botnets deeply threaten cybersecurity due to their distributed and dynamic nature, causing attacks with severe consequences for users and companies, such as Distributed Denial of Service. Detecting botnets is challenging once they constantly evolve, resulting in fast behavior changes in network. Current techniques usually detect botnets without considering these changes and their fast adaptation to new behavior. Hence, this paper presents CONFRONT, a method aware of concept drift (fast changes in network behavior) for online botnet detection. Different from the literature, this paper introduces a new technique to detect concept drift and optimize botnet classification. CONFRONT employs features from network flow on the unsupervised concept drift detector and a supervised incremental botnet classifier. Results show CONFRONT feasibility, reaching 95% of accuracy in less than 1 ms.
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- 2020
16. An Architecture for the Performance Management of Smart Healthcare Applications
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Nelson G. Prates, Bruno Henrique Schwengber, Aldri Santos, Andressa Vergutz, and Michele Nogueira
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Performance management ,network slicing ,Computer science ,050801 communication & media studies ,02 engineering and technology ,lcsh:Chemical technology ,Biochemistry ,Article ,smart healthcare ,Analytical Chemistry ,Scheduling (computing) ,0508 media and communications ,Health care ,0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering ,Humans ,lcsh:TP1-1185 ,Electrical and Electronic Engineering ,Instrumentation ,latency ,Monitoring, Physiologic ,6G ,Emulation ,reliability ,business.industry ,05 social sciences ,Reproducibility of Results ,020206 networking & telecommunications ,network-as-a-service ,Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics ,Networking hardware ,Telemedicine ,Network as a service ,Risk analysis (engineering) ,Information and Communications Technology ,Resource allocation ,Traffic shaping ,business ,Delivery of Health Care ,Wireless Technology - Abstract
The sixth-generation (6G) network intends to revolutionize the healthcare sector. It will offer smart healthcare (s-health) treatments and allow efficient patient remote monitoring, exposing the high potential of 6G communication technology in telesurgery, epidemic, and pandemic. Healthcare relies on 6G communication technology, diminishing barriers as time and space. S-health applications require strict network requirements, for instance, 99.999% of service reliability and 1 ms of end-to-end latency. However, it is a challenging task to manage network resources and applications towards such performance requirements. Hence, significant attention focuses on performance management as a way of searching for efficient approaches to adjust and tune network resources to application needs, assisting in achieving the required performance levels. In the literature, performance management employs techniques such as resource allocation, resource reservation, traffic shaping, and traffic scheduling. However, they are dedicated to specific problems such as resource allocation for a particular device, ignoring the heterogeneity of network devices, and communication technology. Thus, this article presents PRIMUS, a performance management architecture that aims to meet the requirements of low-latency and high-reliability in an adaptive way for s-health applications. As network slicing is central to realizing the potential of 5G&ndash, 6G networks, PRIMUS manages traffic through network slicing technologies. Unlike existing proposals, it supports device and service heterogeneity based on the autonomous knowledge of s-health applications. Emulation results in Mininet-WiFi show the feasibility of meeting the s-health application requirements in virtualized environments.
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- 2020
17. A Hélice da Universidade no Desenvolvimento Local de Montes Claros/MG
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Fabiana S. A. Martins, Rodolfo G. S. P. G. Prates, Jardel N. Martins, Felipe Fróes Couto, and Isabela L. Santos
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General Medicine - Abstract
Esta narrativa foi construída a partir de uma pesquisa documental com arquivos disponibilizados pelo Departamento de Administração e o Setor de Estágios do curso de Administração da Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros – UNIMONTES. Foram consultados planos de curso dos anos de 1978 a 1997, um relatório para fim de conhecimento do curso do ano de 1998, além de Projetos Políticos Pedagógicos de 2000 a 2013. Visamos, ao longo deste trabalho, reconstruir a história do curso de Administração da referida Universidade. O argumento apresentado é que o curso teve uma importância fundamental no desenvolvimento de Montes Claros e da região do Norte de Minas; e que a SUDENE teve uma influência direta para que o curso nascesse. Essas construções serão indicadas a partir da análise de como o curso nasceu de uma necessidade de profissionais capacitados para trabalhar nas grandes empresas que se instalavam na cidade. E por meio desta narrativa, busca-se perceber a relação construída entre a universidade, o governo e as empresas locais, usando o modelo Tripla Hélice como base de estudo.
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- 2019
18. An Architecture for the Performance Management of Smart Healthcare Applications
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Vergütz, Andressa, primary, G. Prates, Nelson, additional, Henrique Schwengber, Bruno, additional, Santos, Aldri, additional, and Nogueira, Michele, additional
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- 2020
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19. Um Mecanismo de Defesa Contra Ataques Traffic Side-Channel Temporais na IoT
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Michele Nogueira, Andressa Vergutz, Ricardo Tombesi Macedo, and Nelson G. Prates
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A Internet das Coisas (IoT) conecta objetos à Internet para prestar serviços inovadores. Entretanto, a ocorrência de ataques traffic side-channel temporais ameaçam ferir o princípio de privacidade dos usuários IoT ao revelar informações privilegiadas sobre o seu comportamento. Este trabalho apresenta um Mecanismo de Defesa Contra Ataques Traffic Side-Channel Temporais na IoT. O mecanismo segue dois módulos, o de teste de vulnerabilidade e o de proteção de privacidade. O módulo de teste de vulnerabilidade identifica os vazamentos temporais side-channel e inicia o processo de defesa, diferente dos trabalhos prévios que apenas identificam as vulnerabilidades. O módulo de proteção de privacidade implementa três abordagens para mascarar o comportamento dos dispositivos em rede e ocultar os vazamentos temporais, diferentemente dos trabalhos da literatura focam em outros vazamentos como eletromagnetismo ou consumo de energia. Os resultados da avaliação de desemprenho conduzida em um cenário experimental mostram que a melhor abordagem reduz a acurácia de identificação dos dispositivos em até 63%.
- Published
- 2019
20. Volcano-tectonic dynamics of Deception Island (Antarctica): 27 years of GPS observations (1991–2018)
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Adelina Geyer, G. Prates, Belén Rosado, Manuel Berrocoso, A. de Gil, Jorge Gárate, A. Fernández-Ros, Geyer, Adelina, Geyer, Adelina [0000-0002-8803-6504], and Repositório da Universidade de Lisboa
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System ,010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences ,Evolution ,Peninsula ,Volcano-tectonic model 4D ,Structural basin ,010502 geochemistry & geophysics ,01 natural sciences ,Basin ,Bransfield Strait ,Geochemistry and Petrology ,Models ,Eruptions ,GNSS-GPS ,Volcano geodesy ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Shetland ,South Shetland Islands ,Deception Island Volcano ,geography ,geography.geographical_feature_category ,Rift ,Stress-strain model ,Geodetic datum ,Subsidence ,Deformation ,Tectonics ,Geophysics ,Volcano ,Constraints ,Seismology ,Geology - Abstract
Deception Island (South Shetland Islands) is one of the most active volcanoes in Antarctica. In the 1988–1989 austral summer, after the most recent eruptive process on the island (1967–1970), monitoring of volcanic activity through geophysical and geodetic techniques was resumed by Spanish and Argentinean scientists. In order to monitor the island's tectonic and volcanic behavior, a geodetic network was deployed. Currently, this network consists of 15 geodetic benchmarks located around Port Foster, Deception's inner bay open to the sea. Two additional geodetic benchmarks were installed outside Deception Island to be used as reference benchmarks for the differential positioning strategy. Since 1991–1992, geodetic ground-displacement velocities between the successive austral summer Antarctic campaigns have been computed and analyzed. The overall geodynamic behavior of Deception Island within the South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula and Bransfield Basin regional environment has been analyzed from geodetic ground-displacements. Results obtained demonstrate that Deception and Livingston island have a similar behavior derived from the Bransfield Basin extension and the Phoenix micro-plate subsidence processes. However, Deception Island is also highly influenced by its volcanic activity. Deception Island's volcanic behavior between 1991 and 2018 is shown by the velocity field, strain tensors and pressure source evolution obtained from the ground-displacements at the geodetic benchmarks. During this time period, it is possible to identify different inflation and deflation phases separated by transitional (or mixed) stages of extension without uplift and compression without subsidence. The most representative inflation and deflation periods were analyzed in detail, to show how they correlate with high and low seismic activity, respectively. The transitional or mixed stages, seem to be the precursors of the next inflation or deflation phase being the Bransfield basin rifting and NW-SE extension the potential related process. Finally, we have analyzed the processes that occurred prior to the volcanic unrests of 1999–2000 and 2012–2013. In both cases, an increase in detected seismic activity and/or soil and seawater temperature was observed and a mixed phase of extension without uplift seems to be precursory to the volcanic unrest. The correlation between the inflation processes, identified by ground-displacement of the network geodetic benchmarks, the increase in seismicity and the increment of soil and seawater temperature makes these transitional mixed phases potential precursors of Deception Island's volcanic unrest periods. © 2019 Elsevier B.V.
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- 2019
21. Dry-Stone walls as touristic attractive. Comparative between northeast and southwest of Iberian Peninsula
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Alberto Muñoz Santos, G. Prates, Cèlia Mallafrè Balsells, Sergio Coll Pla, Marta Marçal Gonçalves, Stefan Rosendahl, and Agustí Costa Jover
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geography ,geography.geographical_feature_category ,Catalonia ,business.industry ,Walls ,Environmental resource management ,Sustainable tourism ,Vernacular ,Context (language use) ,Heritage ,Andalucía ,Outreach ,Peninsula ,Dry stone ,Algarve ,Vernacular heritage ,Rural area ,business - Abstract
The promotion of dry-stone vernacular heritage as a pole of attraction of sustainable tourism has a key role on its preservation. Moreover, the outreach prevents the loss of the technique, since the knowledge becomes accessible for people. In the same way, this interest on vernacular heritage has a favourable impact on rural areas, where devalued and non-profitable terrains can be attractive for the society with new uses. Dry-stone technique only uses stones without other joining material. The shape and the appearance of those constructions varies from one place in function of various features. Based on the structural principles of dry-stone technique, they had to adapt to the material, the surroundings and the necessities. The methodology proposes the analysis of formal and structural differences and similarities of dry-stone walls located on different Iberian Peninsula areas. Three areas of study are chosen to perform the comparison: Northeast and Southwest of Iberian Peninsula. In the Northeast, the study is focused on the Terra Alta region (Spain) and, in the Southwest the study analyses the North of Seville region (Spain) and Algarve area (Portugal). This study evidences the differences and common features for the conservation of that heritage, which are common all over the world. Following, the study focuses on the context of conservation, dissemination and formation of this vernacular heritage, both in these specific areas and in the international context. Finally, a protocol is proposed to design promoting actions in the context of sustainable tourism linked to the dry-stone heritage. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
- Published
- 2019
22. Assessment of ground deformation following Tenerife’s 2004 volcanic unrest (Canary Islands)
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Alicia García, G. Prates, I. Barbero, Cristina Torrecillas, Jorge Gárate, Manuel Berrocoso, Raúl Páez Jiménez, Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (España), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (España), Barbero, Ignacio, Torrecillas, Cristina, Prates, G., Páez, Raúl, Repositório da Universidade de Lisboa, Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Ingeniería Gráfica, Barbero, Ignacio [0000-0003-2778-5437], Torrecillas, Cristina [0000-0002-3650-3174], Prates, G. [0000-0001-5797-9158], and Páez, Raúl [0000-0003-4617-261X]
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geography ,geography.geographical_feature_category ,Rift ,010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences ,Gravitational sinking ,Context (language use) ,Massif ,Unrest ,010502 geochemistry & geophysics ,01 natural sciences ,Teide ,Geophysics ,Volcano ,Volcanic unrest ,Archipelago ,Ground deformation ,Caldera ,GNSS time series ,Volcanic cone ,Seismology ,Geology ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Earth-Surface Processes - Abstract
After the 2004 unrest on Tenerife (Canary Islands), the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) network called TEGETEIDE was designed and deployed with seven survey mode stations to contribute to a volcanic alert system. Starting in 2008, public access data from continuous GNSS stations, managed by public institutions, were included in this network allowing measurement of ground displacement at 14 locations in Tenerife. Data acquired from 2005 to 2015 was analysed to assess ground deformation in Tenerife following the 2004 volcanic unrest. The overall ground deformation depicted compression in the central Las Cañadas Caldera possibly caused by gravitational subsidence of the high central volcanic cone. This sinking is generalised around the whole island but is less in the northeast (Anaga Massif) where we found an extension rate close to 200 strain/y that could be related to a secondary submarine fault accommodating rifting to the northeast and isolating the behaviour of this massif. At the south volcanic field (south rift), another localized area with an extensional deformation was detected, possibly resulting from the subsurface fluid migration or mass addition that caused the 2004 volcanic unrest because is located following the seismic swarm alignment along Icod Valley towards Roque del Conde massif that persists since that event. We also detected residual plate velocity indicating movement of Tenerife towards Gran Canaria that should be studied in the context of the entire Canary Islands archipelago., This research has been partially funded by the projects TEGETEIDE (CGL2004-21643E), METOTEIDE (CGL2005-25066E), VOLRESTE (CGL2009-MEC) and PEVERTE (CGL2011-28682-C02-01) as well as the 200430E438 CSIC project.
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- 2018
23. No-value generation? success is an 'exact science' that everyone can learn! / Geração sem valor? o sucesso é uma ciência exata que todos podem aprender!
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Rodolfo G. S. P. G. Prates, Isabela L. Santos, Jardel N. Martins, Fabiana S. A. Martins, and Felipe F. Couto
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critical theory ideologia ,teoria crítica ,lcsh:Commerce ,análise crítica do discurso ,poder ,ideology ,critical discourse analysis ,lcsh:Business ,power ,lcsh:Social Sciences ,lcsh:H ,lcsh:HF1-6182 ,lcsh:HF5001-6182 ,management - Abstract
Purpose: The general objective is to critically analyze the ideologies and constructions of management ideology in the Internet blog called Geração de Valor (Generation of Value), behind the discourse of success. Originality/value: The pop-management phenomenon has been widespread in the Brazilian context. It leads individuals to look for formulas of excel and achieve success as entrepreneurs. One of the disseminators of this ideology has been Geração de Valor. This article innovates when dealing with thematic without prima donna behaviors or fanciful romanticism. Design/methodology/approach: This article aims to analyze texts available on Geração de Valor through critical discourse analysis (CDA). Findings: We conclude that the voice of the businessman and blogger Flávio Augusto da Silva is nothing more than one of several voices, including in administration, that seek to defend the cult of personal victory and disdain for the collectivist practices of social organization. This kind of analysis is still scarce in this field of study, as they require enriched readings of the text in terms of context and intertextuality. Critical analyses contradict hegemonic visions and sharpen the reader's critical sense. Also, they are useful in highlighting the cult following that Administration has been receiving by the media. Objetivo: O objetivo geral é analisar criticamente, por trás dos discursos criados em torno do sucesso, as ideologias e construções do management no Blog "Geração de Valor". Originalidade/relevância: O fenômeno Pop Management tem sido popular no contexto brasileiro. Nele, os indivíduos buscam fórmulas para se sobressair e ganhar seu lugar de sucesso como empreendedores. Um dos disseminadores dessa ideologia tem sido o blog "Geração de Valor". Este artigo inova ao tratar da temática sem estrelismos e fantasiosos romantismos. Principais aspectos metodológicos: Este artigo busca, por meio da Análise Crítica do Discurso (ACD), analisar alguns textos do Blog Geração de Valor. Síntese dos principais resultados: Percebemos que a voz de Flávio Augusto nada mais é do que uma das várias vozes que buscam defender, inclusive no campo da Administração, o culto à vitória pessoal e o desdém às práticas coletivistas de organização social. Análises desta natureza ainda são escassas no campo, pois demandam leituras enriquecidas do texto em relação ao contexto e à intertextualidade. Análises críticas contrapõem visões hegemônicas e aguçam o senso crítico do leitor. Além disso, são úteis em evidenciar o culto midiático que a Administração vem recebendo.
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- 2018
24. NO-VALUE GENERATION? SUCCESS IS AN 'EXACT SCIENCE' THAT EVERYONE CAN LEARN!
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Jardel N. Martins, Rodolfo G. S. P. G. Prates, Fabiana S. A. Martins, Felipe Fróes Couto, and Isabela L. Santos
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Poder ,Teoria Crítica ,Sociology and Political Science ,05 social sciences ,General Business, Management and Accounting ,Management ,Análise Crítica do Discurso ,Power ,Critical Discourse Analysis ,0502 economics and business ,050211 marketing ,Critical Theory ,Ideology ,050203 business & management ,Ideologia - Abstract
Purpose: The general objective is to critically analyze the ideologies and constructions of management ideology in the Internet blog called Geração de Valor (Generation of Value), behind the discourse of success. Originality/value: The pop-management phenomenon has been widespread in the Brazilian context. It leads individuals to look for formulas of excel and achieve success as entrepreneurs. One of the disseminators of this ideology has been Geração de Valor. This article innovates when dealing with thematic without prima donna behaviors or fanciful romanticism. Design/methodology/approach: This article aims to analyze texts available on Geração de Valor through critical discourse analysis (CDA). Findings: We conclude that the voice of the businessman and blogger Flávio Augusto da Silva is nothing more than one of several voices, including in administration, that seek to defend the cult of personal victory and disdain for the collectivist practices of social organization. This kind of analysis is still scarce in this field of study, as they require enriched readings of the text in terms of context and intertextuality. Critical analyses contradict hegemonic visions and sharpen the reader's critical sense. Also, they are useful in highlighting the cult following that Administration has been receiving by the media. RESUMO Objetivo: O objetivo geral é analisar criticamente, por trás dos discursos criados em torno do sucesso, as ideologias e construções do management no Blog "Geração de Valor". Originalidade/relevância: O fenômeno Pop Management tem sido popular no contexto brasileiro. Nele, os indivíduos buscam fórmulas para se sobressair e ganhar seu lugar de sucesso como empreendedores. Um dos disseminadores dessa ideologia tem sido o blog "Geração de Valor". Este artigo inova ao tratar da temática sem estrelismos e fantasiosos romantismos. Principais aspectos metodológicos: Este artigo busca, por meio da Análise Crítica do Discurso (ACD), analisar alguns textos do Blog Geração de Valor. Síntese dos principais resultados: Percebemos que a voz de Flávio Augusto nada mais é do que uma das várias vozes que buscam defender, inclusive no campo da Administração, o culto à vitória pessoal e o desdém às práticas coletivistas de organização social. Análises desta natureza ainda são escassas no campo, pois demandam leituras enriquecidas do texto em relação ao contexto e à intertextualidade. Análises críticas contrapõem visões hegemônicas e aguçam o senso crítico do leitor. Além disso, são úteis em evidenciar o culto midiático que a Administração vem recebendo.
- Published
- 2018
25. Renewing Terraces and Drystone Walls of Algarvian Barrocal: Cultural and Touristic Values
- Author
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G. Prates, Marta Marçal Gonçalves, and Stefan Rosendahl
- Subjects
Value (ethics) ,education.field_of_study ,Portugal ,business.industry ,Population ,Environmental resource management ,Acknowledgement ,Heritage ,Context (language use) ,Drystone walls ,Common good ,Geography ,Algarve ,Sensibility ,education ,business ,Recreation ,Meaning (linguistics) - Abstract
This paper aims to enhance the functions of terraces and drystone walls as structural elements and distinctive factors of the traditional rural zone known as the barrocal of the Algarve, south of Portugal. In fact, such elements define the character of the landscape that forms the background of a traditional touristic region along the coast. The core of this paper will be the knowledge of construc-tion processes, spatial distribution, and hydrological, ecological, economic and social functions, once it is quite necessary for the Algarve region. Some projects and studies have been developed in the Mediterranean context, but there is not enough research on this subject in the south of Portugal. Secondly, the social meaning, or acknowledgement of the landscape characterized by drystone wall structures, will be the key for finding real possibilities of renewing the terraces. Therefore, the landscape will be assumed as a common good. In this subject, we take into account the potential role and sensibility of tourists and resident popu-lation. Beyond static patrimonial statutes, we can design some practical possibil-ities to enhance plastic features and new uses leading to an acknowledgement of the Algarvian drystone wall structure, referred as a part of Mediterranean coastal landscapes. Some examples that can add cultural and touristic value could be: recreation areas for urbanites, new cooperative forms of agriculture, hobby farm-ing, workshops about harvesting traditional products, circuits and pedestrian paths, and interchange with similar Mediterranean regions defining broader cir-cuits. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
- Published
- 2018
26. Caldera unrest detected with seawater temperature anomalies at Deception Island, Antarctic Peninsula
- Author
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Luis Miguel Peci, A. Fernández-Ros, Manuel Berrocoso, A. de Gil, G. Prates, Belén Rosado, Raúl Páez Jiménez, Bismarck Jigena, and Repositório da Universidade de Lisboa
- Subjects
geography ,geography.geographical_feature_category ,010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences ,Seawater temperature anomalies ,010502 geochemistry & geophysics ,01 natural sciences ,Fumarole ,Atmosphere ,Oceanography ,Volcano ,Antarctic Peninsula ,Geochemistry and Petrology ,Sea ice ,Caldera ,Tide gauge ,Seawater ,Caldera unrest ,Geothermal gradient ,Geology ,Deception Island ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences - Abstract
Increased thermal activity was detected to coincide with the onset of volcano inflation in the seawater-filled caldera at Deception Island. This thermal activity was manifested in pulses of high water temperature that coincided with ocean tide cycles. The seawater temperature anomalies were detected by a thermometric sensor attached to the tide gauge (bottom pressure sensor). This was installed where the seawater circulation and the locations of known thermal anomalies, fumaroles and thermal springs, together favor the detection of water warmed within the caldera. Detection of the increased thermal activity was also possible because sea ice, which covers the entire caldera during the austral winter months, insulates the water and thus reduces temperature exchange between seawater and atmosphere. In these conditions, the water temperature data has been shown to provide significant information about Deception volcano activity. The detected seawater temperature increase, also observed in soil temperature readings, suggests rapid and near-simultaneous increase in geothermal activity with onset of caldera inflation and an increased number of seismic events observed in the following austral summer.
- Published
- 2018
27. A Role of Lipid Metabolism during Cumulus-Oocyte Complex Maturation: Impact of Lipid Modulators to Improve Embryo Production
- Author
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J. T. Nunes, E. G. Prates, and R.M. Pereira
- Subjects
Cytoplasm ,Swine ,Immunology ,Embryonic Development ,Review Article ,Biology ,Oogenesis ,Cryopreservation ,Embryo cryopreservation ,Lipid droplet ,Organelle ,lcsh:Pathology ,medicine ,Animals ,Cell Nucleus ,Cumulus Cells ,Fatty Acids ,Embryo ,Lipid metabolism ,Cell Biology ,Lipid Metabolism ,Oocyte ,Lipids ,Cell biology ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Impac Embryo Production [Cumulus-Oocyte Complex Maturation] ,Biochemistry ,Fertilization ,Cumulus-Oocyte complex ,Oocytes ,Female ,Signal Transduction ,lcsh:RB1-214 - Abstract
Oocyte intracellular lipids are mainly stored in lipid droplets (LD) providing energy for proper growth and development. Lipids are also important signalling molecules involved in the regulatory mechanisms of maturation and hence in oocyte competence acquisition. Recent studies show that LD are highly dynamic organelles. They change their shape, volume, and location within the ooplasm as well as their interaction with other organelles during the maturation process. The droplets high lipid content has been correlated with impaired oocyte developmental competence and low cryosurvival. Yet the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In particular, the lipid-rich pig oocyte might be an excellent model to understand the role of lipids and fatty acid metabolism during the mammalian oocyte maturation and their implications on subsequent monospermic fertilization and preimplantation embryo development. The possibility of using chemical molecules to modulate the lipid content of oocytes and embryos to improve cryopreservation as well as its biological effects during development is here described. Furthermore, these principles of lipid content modulation may be applied not only to germ cells and embryo cryopreservation in livestock production but also to biomedical fundamental research.
- Published
- 2014
28. Fatty acid composition of porcine cumulus oocyte complexes (COC) during maturation: effect of the lipid modulators trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid (t10,c12 CLA) and forskolin
- Author
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C.C. Marques, Susana P. Alves, E. G. Prates, M.C. Baptista, Rui J.B. Bessa, R.M. Pereira, and A.E.M. Horta
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medicine.medical_specialty ,Chromatography, Gas ,Conjugated linoleic acid ,Sus scrofa ,In Vitro Techniques ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Animals ,Linoleic Acids, Conjugated ,chemistry.chemical_classification ,Cumulus Cells ,Forskolin ,Colforsin ,Fatty Acids ,Fatty acid ,Cell Biology ,General Medicine ,Oocyte ,In vitro maturation ,Oleic acid ,Endocrinology ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,chemistry ,Oocytes ,Arachidonic acid ,Chromatography, Liquid ,Developmental Biology ,Polyunsaturated fatty acid - Abstract
The effect of maturation and of two lipid modulators supplementation along in vitro maturation (IVM) on fatty acid (FA) and dimethylacetal (DMA) composition of porcine cumulus oocyte complexes (COC) were studied. Abattoir-derived immature COC were analyzed for FA and DMA or submitted to IVM as follows: control group; t10,c12 CLA group, t10,c12 CLA supplementation for 44 h; Forskolin group, forskolin supplementation during the initial 2 h; t10,c12 CLA + forskolin group, t10,c12 CLA for 44 h and forskolin for just 2h. Each experimental group had five replicates. FA analysis of oocytes, cumulus cells (CC), follicular fluid, and culture media were performed by gas-liquid chromatography. Oocytes and their CC had different FA composition. Oocytes were richer in saturated FA (SFA) preferentially maintaining their FA profile during maturation. Mature CC had the highest polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) content. Five individual and total SFA, and monounsaturated FA (MUFA), notably oleic acid (c9-18:1), percentages were lower (P ≤ 0.023) in mature than in immature CC. t10,c12 CLA was accumulated by COC from t10,c12 CLA and t10,c12 CLA + forskolin groups, mostly in CC where MUFA and an eicosatrienoic isomer decreased (P ≤ 0.043). Nevertheless, PUFA or FA and DMA total content were not affected. Arachidonic acid was reduced in t10,c12 CLA + forskolin CC and hexadecanal-DMA-16:0 in t10,c12 CLA CC. Forskolin alone increased (P ≤ 0.043) c9-18:1 in oocytes. In conclusion, maturation process clearly changed porcine COC FA and DMA profiles, mostly of CC, also more susceptible to modifications induced by t10,c12 CLA. This possibility of manipulating COC lipid composition during IVM could be used to improve oocyte quality/cryopreservation efficiency.
- Published
- 2013
29. SPINA Region (South of Iberian Peninsula, North of Africa) GNSS Geodynamic Model
- Author
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G. Prates, A. Fernández-Ros, Belén Rosado, Manuel Berrocoso, Jorge Gárate, A. Jiménez, I. Barbero, and Raúl Páez Jiménez
- Subjects
Paleontology ,geography ,Plate tectonics ,geography.geographical_feature_category ,Subduction ,GNSS applications ,Peninsula ,Physical geography ,Boundary (real estate) - Abstract
As it is well known, GNSS data analysis is a powerful tool to study geodynamic processes. However, observational methodologies and data analysis results should be adapted to determine local or even regional effects. It is particularly important in tectonic plate boundary areas when looking for subduction zone limits.
- Published
- 2016
30. Geodetic implications on block formation and geodynamic domains in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula
- Author
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G. Prates, Manuel Berrocoso, S. Kraus, A. Fernández-Ros, Alicia García, and Repositório da Universidade de Lisboa
- Subjects
Shetland ,South Shetland Islands ,geography ,geography.geographical_feature_category ,010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences ,Volcanic arc ,Geodynamic regions ,Subsidence ,Post-glacial rebound ,010502 geochemistry & geophysics ,01 natural sciences ,Tectonic deformation ,Geophysics ,Oceanography ,Antarctic Peninsula ,Lithosphere ,Peninsula ,Archipelago ,Submarine volcano ,Geology ,Geodesy ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Earth-Surface Processes - Abstract
The South Shetland Islands archipelago is dynamically complex due to its tectonic surroundings. Most islands are part of a formerly active volcanic arc, although Deception, Penguin and Bridgeman Islands, as well as several submarine volcanoes, are characterized by active back-arc volcanism. Geodetic benchmarks were deployed and the movement of the lithosphere to which they were fixed measured to provide geodynamic insight for the South Shetland Islands, Bransfield Basin and Antarctic Peninsula area based on surface deformation. These benchmarks' data add spatial and temporal coverage to previous results. The results reveal two different geodynamic patterns, each confined to a distinct part of the South Shetland Islands archipelago. The inferred absolute horizontal velocity vectors for the benchmarks in the northeastern part of the archipelago are consistent with the opening of the Bransfield Basin, while benchmark vectors in the southwestern part of the archipelago are similar to those of the benchmarks on the Antarctic Peninsula. In between, Snow, Deception and Livingston Islands represent a transition zone. In this area, the horizontal velocity vectors relative to the Antarctic plate shift northeastwards from N to NW. Furthermore, the South Shetland Islands benchmarks, except for that at Gibbs (Elephant) Islands, indicate subsidence, which might be a consequence of the slab roll-back at the South Shetland Trench. In contrast, the uplift revealed by the Antarctic Peninsula benchmarks suggests glacial isostatic adjustment after the Larson B ice-shelf breakup., This geodetic research has been carried out with the support of the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science as part of the National Antarctic Program. The following research projects contributed directly to this work: “Recognition and fast evaluation of volcanic activity on Deception Island (GEODESY) (ANT1999-1430-E/HESP)”; “Geodetic Studies on Deception Island: deformation models, geoid determination and Scientific Information System (REN2000-0551-C03-01/ANT)”; “Acquisition of scientific software for GPS data processing (REN2000-2690-E)”; “Geodetic Control of the volcanic activity of Deception Island (CGL2004-21547-E/ANT)”; “Update of the Spanish Cartography for Deception Island (CGL2004-20408-E/ANT)”; “Volcano-tectonic activity on Deception Island: geodetic, geophysical investigations and Remote Sensing on Deception Island and its surroundings (CGLl2005-07589-c03-01/ANT)”; and “Geodetic and Geothermal Researches, Time Serial Analysis and Volcanic Innovation in Antarctica (South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula (GEOTINANT) (CTM2009-07251/ANT))”.
- Published
- 2016
31. Normal vector analysis from GNSS—GPS data applied to Deception volcano surface deformation
- Author
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Alicia García, Manuel Berrocoso, G. Prates, and A. Fernández-Ros
- Subjects
Satellite geodesy ,business.industry ,Antarctic peninsula ,Automated data processing ,Tectonics ,Field ,Geodetic datum ,Magnitude (mathematics) ,Volcanism ,Geodesy ,Geophysics ,Geochemistry and Petrology ,GNSS applications ,Bransfield strait ,Global Positioning System ,South-shetland islands ,Inclinometer ,business ,Seismology ,Geology - Abstract
Surface deformation parameters and its use in volcano monitoring have evolved from classical geodetic procedures up to those based on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), in particular the most widely used and known Global Positioning System (GPS), profiting from the automated data processing, positioning precision and rates, as well as the large storage capacity and low power consumption of its equipments. These features have enabled the permanent GNSSGPS data acquisition to ensure the continuous monitoring of geodetic benchmarks for the evaluation of surface deformation in active tectonic or volcanic areas. In Deception Island (Antarctica), a normal vector analysis is being used to give surface deformation based on three permanently observed GNSSGPS benchmarks. Due to data availability, both in the past and for near real-time use, all benchmarks used are inside the monitored volcanic area, although the reference is away from thermal springs and/or fumaroles, unlike the other two. The time variation of slope distances to the reference benchmark and of the magnitude and inclination of the normal vector to the triangle defined by the reference benchmark and any other two, provides the spatial deformation in the volcanic area covered. The normal vector variation in magnitude gives information on compression or expansion, here called spatial dilatometer, while the changes in inclination gives information on relative uplift or subsidence, here called spatial inclinometer. In geodesy, the triangle is a basic geometric unit and the areal strain is commonly applied in tectonics and volcanism. The normal vector analysis conjugates both, benefiting from the method's precision, simplicity and possibility to model the surface using several triangles. The proposed method was applied to GNSSGPS data collected every austral summer between 20012002 and 20092010 in Deception Island. The results evidence that Deception Island acts as a strain marker in the Bransfield Basin volcano-tectonic setting. Spanish Ministry of Education and Science as part of the National Antarctic Program; Recognition and fast evaluation of volcanic activity on Deception Island (GEODESY) [ANT1999-1430-E/HESP]; Geodetic Studies on Deception Island: deformation models, geoid determination and Scientific Information System [REN2000-0551-C03-01/ANT]; Acquisition of scientific software for GPS data processing [REN2000-2690-E]; Geodetic Control of the volcanic activity of Deception Island [CGL2004-21547-E/ANT]; Update of the Spanish Cartography for Deception Island [CGL2004-20408-E/ANT]; Volcanotectonic activity on Deception Island: geodetic, geophysical investigations and Remote Sensing on Deception Island and its surroundings [CGLl2005-07589-c03-01/ANT]; Geodetic and Geothermal Researches, Time Serial Analysis and Volcanic Innovation in Antarctica (South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula (GEOTINANT) [CTM2009-07251/ANT] info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
- Published
- 2012
32. Risk factors for 30-day mortality in patients with carbapenem-resistantAcinetobacter baumanniiduring an outbreak in an intensive care unit
- Author
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F. Ramos, C. G. Prates, Alexandre P. Zavascki, Andreza Francisco Martins, Silvana Superti, F. S. Lopes, and V. V. Cantarelli
- Subjects
Acinetobacter baumannii ,Male ,Pediatrics ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Epidemiology ,beta-Lactam Resistance ,Disease Outbreaks ,law.invention ,Risk Factors ,law ,medicine ,Humans ,Risk factor ,APACHE ,Aged ,Aged, 80 and over ,Cross Infection ,biology ,Septic shock ,business.industry ,Proportional hazards model ,Hazard ratio ,Outbreak ,biology.organism_classification ,medicine.disease ,Shock, Septic ,Intensive care unit ,Anti-Bacterial Agents ,Intensive Care Units ,Infectious Diseases ,Carbapenems ,Female ,business ,Acinetobacter Infections - Abstract
SUMMARYThis study assessed risk factors for 30-day mortality in 66 patients with carbapenem-resistantAcinetobacter baumannii(CRAB) infection or colonization during an outbreak in an intensive-care unit. Clinical and demographic characteristics were evaluated. The overall 30-day mortality was 47·0%. In the multivariate Cox regression model, septic shock [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 5·01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2·32–10·01] and APACHE II score at onset of infection (aHR 1·11, 95% CI 1·04–1·18) were significantly associated with 30-day mortality. Administration of appropriate therapy was a protective factor, but it was not statistically significant (aHR 0·48, 95% CI 0·21–1·12). A sample of isolates tested (n=27) carried theblaOXA-23gene. Severity of baseline condition and severity of infection presentation were major risk factors for mortality during the outbreak. Patients who received appropriate therapy tended to have lower mortality rates, although therapy was started late and dosage was suboptimal in most cases.
- Published
- 2010
33. Does Gamification Work for Boys and Girls? An Exploratory Study with a Virtual Learning Environment
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Bruno G. Prates, Seiji Isotani, Aparecida Maria Zem Lopes, Lais Z. Pedro, and Julita Vassileva
- Subjects
Game mechanics ,Multimedia ,Process (engineering) ,Computer science ,E-learning (theory) ,Applied psychology ,Exploratory research ,Context (language use) ,Boredom ,computer.software_genre ,Work (electrical) ,E learning ,medicine ,Virtual learning environment ,medicine.symptom ,computer - Abstract
The development and use of Virtual Learning Environments (VLE) has increased considerably over the past decades. Following that trend, many research findings have shown the benefits of using VLE during the learning process. Nevertheless, there are important problems that hinder their use requiring further investigation. Among them, one of the main problems is the inappropriate use of these systems by students. The boredom, lack of interest, monotony, lack of motivation, among other factors, ultimately causes students to behave inappropriately and lead them to a lower performance. In this context, the proposed study investigates whether it is possible to reduce undesirable behaviors and increase performance of students through the use of game mechanics (i.e. gamification). We develop a VLE, E-Game, that can turn on/off several game mechanics, such as points, badges, levels and so on. A case study was conducted with two groups of students to investigate their behavior during their interaction with E-Game with and without gamification. The results indicate that the gamification implemented by E-Game contributed to improve student performance in the case of boys. Yet, improvement was not observed in the case of girls. Furthermore, it was not possible to conclude whether the use of gamification helps to prevent inappropriate student behavior, and therefore, further studies and experiments are needed.
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
34. Detection of ionospheric signatures from GPS-derived total electron content maps
- Author
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Tibor Durgonics, Manuel Berrocoso, and G. Prates
- Subjects
geographic information systems ,lcsh:QB275-343 ,Geographic information system ,Total electron content ,business.industry ,Applied Mathematics ,regional ionospheric maps ,lcsh:Geodesy ,total electron content ,Astronomy and Astrophysics ,Geodesy ,Geophysics ,Geography ,Earthquake precursors ,global positioning system ,Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous) ,Global Positioning System ,Computers in Earth Sciences ,Ionosphere ,business ,Remote sensing - Abstract
The processing of measurement data from satellite constellations such as Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), including the well-known Global Positioning System (GPS), have been successfully applied to virtually all areas of geophysical sciences. In this work, a method is described where Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are employed to build hourly ionospheric Total Electron Content (TEC) maps for 2011 over the southern Iberian Peninsula. The maps used GPS-derived geometryfree linear combinations attained from station data from the Algarve, Alentejo (Portugal), Andalusia, Murcia and Valencia (Spain) regions. Following the construction of the ionospheric maps, it was possible to relate these results to natural phenomena. The observed phenomena included diurnal and seasonal variations: daytime TEC maxima, nighttime TEC peaks, summer TEC value decreases, and spring and fall TEC maxima. After validation of these periodic phenomena, detection of non-periodic changes, such as solar flares and tectonic interactions with the ionosphere were attempted. The results showed a TEC increase following a selected solar flare event and a potential TEC build-up prior to the 2011 Lorca earthquake. Further studies could open up the possibility of building early warning systems. The presented methods, based on available software packages, are also of value in monitoring the effect of the ionosphere on radio signals, satellite and mobile communication, power grids, and for accurate GNSS navigation.
- Published
- 2014
35. Volcanic alert system (VAS) developed during the 2011–2014 El Hierro (Canary Islands) volcanic process
- Author
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Alicia García, Servando De la Cruz-Reyna, Manuel Berrocoso, J. M. Marrero, A. Fernández-Ros, G. Prates, and Ramon Ortiz
- Subjects
geography ,geography.geographical_feature_category ,Volcano ,Geochemistry and Petrology ,Landslide ,Analysis tools ,Unrest ,Data patterns ,Alert system ,Hazard ,Volcanic unrest ,Geology ,Seismology - Abstract
The 2011 volcanic unrest at El Hierro Island illustrated the need for a Volcanic Alert System (VAS) specifically designed for the management of volcanic crises developing after long repose periods. The VAS comprises the monitoring network, the software tools for analysis of the monitoring parameters, the Volcanic Activity Level (VAL) management, and the assessment of hazard. The VAS presented here focuses on phenomena related to moderate eruptions, and on potentially destructive volcano-tectonic earthquakes and landslides. We introduce a set of new data analysis tools, aimed to detect data trend changes, as well as spurious signals related to instrumental failure. When data-trend changes and/or malfunctions are detected, a watchdog is triggered, issuing a watch-out warning (WOW) to the Monitoring Scientific Team (MST). The changes in data patterns are then translated by the MST into a VAL that is easy to use and understand by scientists, technicians, and decision-makers. Although the VAS was designed specifically for the unrest episodes at El Hierro, the methodologies may prove useful at other volcanic systems.
- Published
- 2014
36. Magma displacements under insular volcanic fields, applications to eruption forecasting: El Hierro, Canary Islands, 2011-2013
- Author
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J. M. Marrero, Ramon Ortiz, G. Prates, Manuel Berrocoso, S. De la Cruz-Reyna, A. Fernández-Ros, and Alicia García
- Subjects
System ,Volcano monitoring ,Oceanic-Island ,Lateral eruption ,La-Palma ,Geochemistry ,Crustal structure ,Volcanic hazards and risks ,Geochemistry and Petrology ,Caldera ,Pluton emplacement ,Atlantic Ocean ,Magma migration and fragmentation ,geography ,geography.geographical_feature_category ,Volcano seismology ,Gravity-data ,Phreatic eruption ,Surface deformation ,Rift zones ,Geophysics ,Dense-rock equivalent ,Volcano ,Constraints ,Magma ,Offshore ,Geology ,Seismology ,Submarine eruption - Abstract
Significant deformations, followed by increased seismicity detected since 2011 July at El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain, prompted the deployment of additional monitoring equipment. The climax of this unrest was a submarine eruption first detected on 2011 October 10, and located at about 2 km SW of La Restinga, southernmost village of El Hierro Island. The eruption ceased on 2012 March 5, after the volcanic tremor signals persistently weakened through 2012 February. However, the seismic activity did not end with the eruption, as several other seismic crises followed. The seismic episodes presented a characteristic pattern: over a few days the number and magnitude of seismic event increased persistently, culminating in seismic events severe enough to be felt all over the island. Those crises occurred in 2011 November, 2012 June and September, 2012 December to 2013 January and in 2013 March- April. In all cases the seismic unrest was preceded by significant deformations measured on the island's surface that continued during the whole episode. Analysis of the available GPS and seismic data suggests that several magma displacement processes occurred at depth from the beginning of the unrest. The first main magma movement or 'injection' culminated with the 2011 October submarine eruption. A model combining the geometry of the magma injection process and the variations in seismic energy release has allowed successful forecasting of the new-vent opening. © The Authors 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Royal Astronomical Society.
- Published
- 2014
37. Impact of temporal variability of radon concentration in workplaces on the actual radon exposure during working hours
- Author
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G. Venoso, A. Iacoponi, G. Pratesi, M. Guazzini, L. Boccini, E. Corbani, S. Bucci, F. Leonardi, R. Trevisi, M. Ampollini, S. Antignani, M. Caprio, C. Carpentieri, C. Di Carlo, and F. Bochicchio
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract For workplaces where significant diurnal variations in radon concentrations are likely, measurements to evaluate average radon concentration during working hours could be useful for planning an optimized protection of workers according to the 2013/59/Euratom Directive. However, very few studies on this subject, generally limited to periods of few weeks, have been published. Therefore, a study has been conducted to evaluate the actual long-term radon exposure during working hours for a sample of 33 workplaces of four different types (postal offices, shops, restaurants, municipal offices), mainly located at the ground floor, and with expected considerable air exchange rate occurring during working hours due to frequent entrance/exit of persons or mechanical ventilation. The results show that the difference between the average radon level during working hours and that one during the whole day is about 20% on average and ranges from 0 to 50%. These observed differences, generally smaller compared with those found in other similar studies, are nearly the same if the analysis is restricted to workplaces with annual radon level higher than 300 Bq m–3, and therefore natural or mechanical ventilation normally present during working hours of the monitored workplaces cannot be considered an effective mitigation measure. However, the costs and time-response characteristics of the active monitors, as those used for the present study, will probably allow using more frequently a similar measurement strategy in workplaces.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
38. Enhancement of sub-daily positioning solutions for surface deformation surveillance at El Hierro volcano (Canary Islands, Spain)
- Author
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G. Prates, J. M. Marrero, Alicia García, Manuel Berrocoso, Ramon Ortiz, and A. Fernández-Ros
- Subjects
Shore ,geography ,geography.geographical_feature_category ,Satellite geodesy ,Geodetic datum ,Satellite system ,Kalman filter ,Deformation (meteorology) ,Geodesy ,Seismic wave ,Geochemistry and Petrology ,Satellite ,Geology ,Seismology - Abstract
El Hierro Island in the Canary Archipelago recently experienced a submerged eruption a few kilometers off its southern shore, detected 2011 October 10 on the island’s south-rift alignment. The seismic activity suddenly increased around mid 2011 July, and ground deformation was then detected on the only geodetic benchmark that is continuously observed by global navigation satellite systems techniques and provides public data access. Based on that information, several other global navigation satellite system signal receivers were deployed on the island to provide continuous observation. For data collected by these receivers, a processing strategy was applied to achieve millimeter-level half-hourly positioning solutions. Position updates every 24 h are satisfactory to determine tectonic-plates’ velocities. Updates near 1 s or less are required to characterize seismic waves. In between, minute-level updates are well suited for monitoring active volcano's inflation or deflation, providing an optimal time resolution of the local ground deformation. In half-hourly positioning solutions, the heterogeneous satellites’ distribution in their orbital planes gives different constraints during satellite-constellation revolution, which can bias the solutions. Also, several geophysical influences can bias the solutions, including those related to gravitational movements. These influences have mostly semi-diurnal periodicities and may be considered Gaussian colored noise on the position’s time series. Daily solutions that average out these influences can be applied in active volcanoes, but they can impose some limitations because they average the daily deformation, and the update waiting time is not suitable when near real-time surveillance is mandatory. These semi-diurnal biases do need to be removed or minimized to achieve millimeter-level sub-daily positioning solutions, however, and to do so, a discrete Kalman filter was applied to enhance the half-hourly positioning solutions required during El Hierro’s 2011–2012 unrest and eruption. Throughout El Hierro’s volcanic activity, there were correlations between ground deformation and seismic activity. Many times the deformation preceded the earthquakes, though at other times the seismic activity was followed by the ground deformation response. This correlation is the outcome of ground deformation taking place as the result of energy accommodation, whereas seismic events correspond to energy release. Hence, those observed correlations indicate that the Kalman filter-enhanced half-hourly positioning solutions measured local ground deformation accurately; they were not a mathematical "trick" producing a spurious precision.
- Published
- 2013
39. Enhancement of sub-daily positioning solutions for surface deformation monitoring at Deception volcano (South Shetland Islands, Antarctica)
- Author
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G. Prates, Alicia García, A. Fernández-Ros, and Manuel Berrocoso
- Subjects
Shetland ,geography ,geography.geographical_feature_category ,Satellite geodesy ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Kalman filter ,Deception ,Deformation (meteorology) ,Natural (archaeology) ,Volcano ,Geochemistry and Petrology ,Satellite ,Seismology ,Geology ,media_common - Abstract
Deception Island is one of the most visited places in Antarctica. There are biological, geological, and archeological features that are major attractions within Port Foster, its horse shoe-shaped natural inner bay, and two scientific bases that are occupied during austral summers. Deception Island is an active volcano, however, and needs to be monitored in order to reduce risk to people on the island. Surface deformation in response to fluid pressure is one of the main volcanic activities to observe. Automated data acquisition and processing using the global navigation satellite systems allow measurements of surface deformation in near real time. Nevertheless, the positioning repeatability in sub-daily solutions is affected by geophysical influences such as ocean tidal loading, among others. Such periodic influences must be accurately modeled to achieve similar repeatability as daily solutions that average them. However, a single solution each 24 h will average out the deformation suffered during that period, and the position update waiting time can be a limitation for near real-time purposes. Throughout the last five austral summer campaigns in Deception, using simultaneous wireless communications between benchmarks, a processing strategy was developed to achieve millimeter-level half-hourly positioning solutions that have similar repeatability as those given by 24-h solutions. For these half-hourly solutions, a tidal analysis was performed to assess any mismodeling of ocean tide loading, and a discrete Kalman filter was designed and implemented to enhance the sub-daily positioning repeatability. With these solutions, the volcano-dynamic activity resulting in localized surface deformation for the last five austral summer campaigns is addressed. Although based on only three carefully located benchmarks, it is shown that Deception has been shortening and subsiding during these last 4 years. The method’s accuracy in baselines up to a few hundred kilometers assures its applicability to other volcanoes worldwide.
- Published
- 2013
40. Maternal HTLV-1 transmission: is the transplacental mechanism important?
- Author
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G., Prates, Tang Y., T., Assone, de Oliveira A. C., Penalva, Jiang G., and J., Casseb
- Abstract
Background Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HTLV-1 is an important transmission route and causes lifelong infection, and prevention of MTCT is expected to reduce HTLV-1 transmission. Objective To identify HTLV-1 viral mRNA expression in different placental regions. Methods Use RNAscope/DNAscope assays to measure HTLV-1 RNA/DNA in the placenta tissue at the single cell level. These novel assays enable us to detect very low levels of viral RNA/DNA distribution in the placenta. The placental tissue sections from these women were then used to examine in vivo placental infection by conducting RNAscope and DNAscope in situ hybridization (RNAISH and DNAISH). Results By co-staining with a trophoblast marker protein cytokeratin 7 (CK7), we observed HTLV-1 viral mRNA expression in different placental regions (Figure 1A-C). Viral RNA (HBZ and Tax) was detected in the placental villus, residing either in the trophoblast layer surrounding the placenta villus (Figure 1A and B) and/or inside the placental villus underneath the trophoblast layer (Figure 1A). Viral RNA was also detected in decidua (Figure 1B) as well as in intervillous space. The relative distribution of HBZ mRNA in these regions was shown in Figure 1C. The level of HBZ mRNA was relatively higher than the level of mRNA from the other two targets, Tax and Gag (Figure 1E). HTLV DNA (HBZ) was mainly detected in the placental trophoblasts at a relatively low level (Figure 1D and E), suggesting that the placental trophoblast layer could be a major target and serve as the initial entry site. In the proposed study, we will extensively use these highly sensitive in situ RNAISH and DNAISH technologies to verify and expand these observations to deeply map placental infection and uncover the truth of transplacental transmission. Conclusions These results indicate in vivo placental infection in this HTLV-1 woman and HTLV-1 maintains a low level of viral RNA expression and possible viral replication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
41. Fat area and lipid droplet morphology of porcine oocytes during in vitro maturation with trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid and forskolin
- Author
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J. T. Nunes, R.M. Pereira, A.E.M. Horta, E. G. Prates, C.C. Marques, M.C. Baptista, Rui Charneca, Nuno Carolino, and M.I. Vasques
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Time Factors ,Conjugated linoleic acid ,Linoleic acid ,lipid droplets ,Sus scrofa ,Oogenesis ,SF1-1100 ,conjugated linoleic acid ,forskolin ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Lipid droplet ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Animals ,Linoleic Acids, Conjugated ,Forskolin ,Colforsin ,Oocyte ,In vitro ,In vitro maturation ,Animal culture ,Endocrinology ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,chemistry ,Oocytes ,Animal Science and Zoology ,lipid content ,Female ,porcine oocyte maturation - Abstract
Lipid droplets (LD) in porcine oocytes form a dark mass reaching almost all cytoplasm. Herein we investigated changes in fat areas, cytoplasmic tone and LD morphology during in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes cultured with 100 μM trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid (t10,c12 CLA) or 10 μM forskolin at different time periods. Four groups were constituted: control, excipient, t10,c12 CLA and forskolin, with drugs being supplemented during 44 to 48 h and the initial 22 to 24 h in Experiments 1 and 2, respectively. In Experiment 3, forskolin was supplemented for the first 2 h. Matured oocytes were inseminated with frozen-thawed boar semen and cleavage rate recorded. Before and during IVM, samples of oocytes were evaluated for LD, total and fat areas and fat gray value or for meiotic progression. Results showed that forskolin supplementation during 44 to 48 h or 22 to 24 h inhibits oocyte maturation (exp. 1: forskolin = 5.1 ± 8.0%, control = 72.6 ± 5.0%; exp. 2: forskolin = 24.3 ± 7.4%, control = 71.6 ± 5.6%) and cleavage (exp. 1: forskolin = 0.0 ± 0.0%, control = 55.4 ± 4.1%; exp. 2: forskolin = 8.3 ± 3.3%, control = 54.5 ± 3.0%). Forskolin also reduced oocyte and fat areas. In Experiment 3, forskolin negative effect on oocyte maturation and cleavage disappeared, although minor (P ⩽ 0.03) LD and oocyte fat areas were identified at 22 to 24 h of IVM. Oocytes supplemented with t10,c12 CLA during 44 to 48 h presented a lighter (P ⩽ 0.04) colour tone cytoplasm than those of control and forskolin. In conclusion, t10,c12 CLA and forskolin were capable of modifying the distribution and morphology of cytoplasmic LD during porcine oocyte maturation, thus reducing its lipid content in a time-dependent manner.
- Published
- 2012
42. Frozen chicken for wild fish: nutritional transition in the Brazilian Amazon region determined by carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios in fingernails
- Author
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Tatiana Schor, Edila Arnaud Ferreira Moura, Rui Sérgio Sereni Murrieta, Luís Enrique G. Prates, Cristina Adams, Paulo José Duarte-Neto, Fernando D. Rinaldi, Maria Elisa de Paula Eduardo Garavello, Gabriela Bielefeld Nardoto, André de Oliveira Moraes, Luiz Antonio Martinelli, and Juliana Gonçalez Gragnani
- Subjects
Adult ,Rural Population ,Urban Population ,Amazonian ,NITROGÊNIO ,Animal science ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,Urbanization ,Genetics ,Nutrition transition ,Humans ,Sugar ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Carbon Isotopes ,Nitrogen Isotopes ,δ13C ,Amazon rainforest ,Stable isotope ratio ,Ecology ,Feeding Behavior ,δ15N ,Diet ,Geography ,Nails ,Isotope Labeling ,Anthropology ,Keratins ,Anatomy ,Brazil ,Food Analysis - Abstract
Objectives: Amazonian populations are experiencing dietary changes characteristic of the nutrition transition. However, the degree of change appears to vary between urban and rural settings. To investigate this process, we determined carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios in fingernails and dietary intake of Amazonian populations living along a rural to urban continuum along the Solimoes River in Brazil. Methods: Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios were analyzed from the fingernails of 431 volunteer subjects living in different settings ranging from rural villages, small towns to urban centers along the Solimoes River. Data from 200 dietary intake surveys were also collected using food frequency questionnaires and 24-h recall interviews in an effort to determine qualitative aspects of diet composition. Results: Fingernail δ13C values (mean ± standard deviation) were −23.2 ± 1.3, −20.2 ± 1.5, and −17.4 ± 1.3‰ and δ15N values were 11.8 ± 0.6, 10.4 ± 0.8, and 10.8 ± 0.7‰ for those living in rural villages, small towns, and major cities, respectively. We found a gradual increase in the number of food items derived from C4 plant types (meat and sugar) and the replacement of food items derived from C3 plant types (fish and manioc flour) with increasing size of urban centers. Conclusion: Increasing urbanization in the Brazilian Amazon is associated with a significant change in food habits with processed and industrialized products playing an increasingly important role in the diet and contributing to the nutrition transition in the region. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc. .
- Published
- 2011
43. [Problem solving training: intervention for depressed women]
- Author
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N V, Cade and J G, Prates
- Subjects
Adult ,Psychotherapy ,Depression ,Humans ,Female ,Middle Aged ,Problem Solving - Abstract
This is an exploratory and descriptive study which has aimed from the Problem Solving Training accomplished in 12 group sessions with women admitted to hospital suffering from depression, to evaluate the effect of this intervention. BECK Depression Scale, SPILBERGER Anxiety State Scale, MCKAY Problem List, a Written Simulation Exercises about coping in five situations and an interview about the perception of group participation were used for the assessment of the patients. It was concluded that the training had positive effects about the women as for the technique used as for the communication established and for group therapeutic factors which appeared in this scenery.
- Published
- 2002
44. Comparaçăo entre Técnicas de Filtragem no Domínio do Offset Comum: DMO, FK, MIX e FX
- Author
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G. Prates Neto, E. Vieira Santos, and M.M. De Melo Cortes
- Published
- 1993
45. Advances in the way of dealing with antibiotic exposure in studies assessing risk factors for drug-resistant pathogens
- Author
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Alexandre P. Zavascki and Cassiana G. Prates
- Subjects
Acinetobacter baumannii ,Microbiology (medical) ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Imipenem ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Drug resistance ,Risk Factors ,Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ,medicine ,Humans ,Intensive care medicine ,Spurious relationship ,Categorical variable ,Statistic ,media_common ,Cross Infection ,Variables ,biology ,business.industry ,General Medicine ,Odds ratio ,biology.organism_classification ,Anti-Bacterial Agents ,Infectious Diseases ,business ,Acinetobacter Infections ,medicine.drug - Abstract
We read with interest the article by Tsai et al. (2008) that assessed risk factors for colonization or infection by extensive drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (EDRAB). The study importantly advanced in the analysis of the role of antibiotics in the acquisition of these drug-resistant organisms not only by assessing antibiotic exposure as a dichotomized variable, with antibiotic usage or not, but also through the evaluation of other antibiotic characteristics, that is, accumulated dosage, overall treatment duration, and average treatment potency. By assessing these 3 latter characteristics as continuous variables, it is possible to better infer about a potential causal relation between the independent and the dependent variable. This has only rarely been assessed in previous studies evaluating risk factors for antibiotic-resistant organisms. However, we were concerned about the multiple categorizations of these variables that have been done by the authors. Although odds ratios of categorical variables are easier to interpret than those of continuous variables, this way of dealing with data may lead to a decrease in statistic power, but mainly, to an increased chance of finding a spurious association (Bland and Altman, 1995). These problems have likely occurred, for example, with imipenem in the analyses presented in the Table 4 of the article, when low accumulated dosage and short treatment duration were significantly associated with EDRAB instead of high and long accumulated dosage and treatment duration, respectively. This is not in accordance with the dose-response effect expected for this variable. The problem of excessive comparisons and spurious associations is well known, and researches should avoid its
- Published
- 2009
46. Improved mapping functions for atmospheric refraction correction in SLR
- Author
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D. E. Pavlis, E. C. Pavlis, G. Prates, V. B. Mendes, and Richard B. Langley
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Satellite laser ranging ,Elevation ,Atmospheric correction ,Elevation angle ,Radio sounding ,law.invention ,Geophysics ,law ,Radiosonde ,General Earth and Planetary Sciences ,Atmospheric refraction ,Ray tracing (graphics) ,Geology ,Remote sensing - Abstract
[1] We present two new mapping functions (MFs) to model the elevation angle dependence of the atmospheric delay for satellite laser ranging (SLR) data analysis. The new MFs were derived from ray tracing through a set of data from 180 radiosonde stations globally distributed, for the year 1999, and are valid for elevation angles above 3°. When compared against ray tracing of two independent years of radiosonde data (1997–1998) for the same set of stations, our MFs reveal submillimetre accuracy for elevation angles above 10°, representing a significant improvement over other MFs, and is confirmed in improved solutions of LAGEOS and LAGEOS 2 data analysis.
- Published
- 2002
47. Antiproliferative effect of mifepristone (RU486) on human neuroblastoma cells (SK-N-SH): in vitro and in vivo studies
- Author
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L.A. Casulari, D. Dondi, G. Pratesi, F. Piva, M. Milani, M. Piccolella, and R. Maggi
- Subjects
Mifepristone ,RU486 ,Cell proliferation ,Neuroblastoma ,Nude mice ,Tumor cell growth ,Medicine (General) ,R5-920 ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
RU486 (mifepristone), a glucocorticoid and progesterone receptor antagonist, has been reported to exert antiproliferative effects on tumor cells. Experiments were performed to analyze the effects of RU486 on the proliferation of the human neuroblastoma, both in vitro and in vivo, using the human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cell line. The exposure in vitro of SK-N-SH cells to RU486 revealed a dose-dependent inhibition of 3H-thymidine incorporation due to a rapid but persistent inhibition of MAPKinase activity and ERK phosphorylation. A significant decrease of SK-N-SH cell number was evident after 3, 6, and 9 days of treatment (up to 40% inhibition), without evident cell death. The inhibitory effect exerted by RU486 was not reversed by the treatment of the cells with dexamethasone or progesterone. Moreover, RU486 induced a shift in SK-N-SH cell phenotypes, with an almost complete disappearance of the neuronal-like and a prevalence of the epithelial-like cell subtypes. Finally, the treatment with RU486 of nude mice carrying a SK-N-SH cell xenograft induced a strong inhibition (up to 80%) of tumor growth. These results indicated a clear effect of RU486 on the growth of SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells that does not seem to be mediated through the classical steroid receptors. RU486 acted mainly on the more aggressive component of the SK-N-SH cell line and its effect in vivo was achieved at a concentration already used to inhibit oocyte implantation.
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- 2020
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48. A Role of Lipid Metabolism during Cumulus-Oocyte Complex Maturation: Impact of Lipid Modulators to Improve Embryo Production
- Author
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E. G. Prates, J. T. Nunes, and R. M. Pereira
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Pathology ,RB1-214 - Abstract
Oocyte intracellular lipids are mainly stored in lipid droplets (LD) providing energy for proper growth and development. Lipids are also important signalling molecules involved in the regulatory mechanisms of maturation and hence in oocyte competence acquisition. Recent studies show that LD are highly dynamic organelles. They change their shape, volume, and location within the ooplasm as well as their interaction with other organelles during the maturation process. The droplets high lipid content has been correlated with impaired oocyte developmental competence and low cryosurvival. Yet the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In particular, the lipid-rich pig oocyte might be an excellent model to understand the role of lipids and fatty acid metabolism during the mammalian oocyte maturation and their implications on subsequent monospermic fertilization and preimplantation embryo development. The possibility of using chemical molecules to modulate the lipid content of oocytes and embryos to improve cryopreservation as well as its biological effects during development is here described. Furthermore, these principles of lipid content modulation may be applied not only to germ cells and embryo cryopreservation in livestock production but also to biomedical fundamental research.
- Published
- 2014
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49. Mapping heavy mineral deposits on the coast of the state of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) using orbital and proximal remote sensing.
- Author
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Prates Hallal G, de Almeida Espinoza JM, Veettil BK, Porcher CC, Oliveira Righi da Silva M, and Beatriz Alves Rolim S
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- Brazil, Environmental Monitoring methods, Titanium analysis, Titanium chemistry, Minerals analysis, Remote Sensing Technology methods
- Abstract
Heavy mineral deposits occur in several coastal areas of the world, formed over a long period due to variations in mean sea level, wave action, and winds. These are the main sources of ilmenite (FeTiO3), which in turn is the source of more than 80% of the TiO2 produced and applied in various industries, most recently in nanotechnology. The present study mapped heavy mineral deposits on the coast of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil using integrated proximal and orbital thermal infrared (TIR) remote sensing techniques. Mineral groups, such as oxides and silicates, have spectral features in the TIR wavelengths. Using laboratory spectroscopy at TIR using Nicolet 6700 Thermo Scientific Spectrometer, we measured the spectral signature of the local sample of heavy minerals (between 8 and 14 μm) and identified a diagnostic spectral feature at 10.75 μm. The signature was resampled to be compatible with the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission Radiometer (ASTER) sensor bandwidth values and used as a reference endmember for the Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) and Linear Spectral Unmixing (LSU) digital image classification algorithms. Thus, we identified the presence of the reference endmember (heavy minerals) in the pixels of the ASTER scene. In pixels classified by SAM as the presence of heavy minerals, LSU was applied to estimate the surface concentration within the pixel. The results showed a concentration of up to 20% of heavy minerals, with the highest concentration on the beach and dune fields. Opaque minerals such as ilmenite do not have spectral reflectance features in visible, near-infrared, and short-wave infrared, which makes their identification by remote sensing difficult. The present study showed that the integration of proximal and orbital as well as hyperspectral and multispectral thermal data can be considered as an alternative for detecting and mapping heavy minerals in coastal areas., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright: © 2024 Prates Hallal et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)
- Published
- 2024
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50. Can Persistent Infections with Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, and Human T Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 Be Eradicated?
- Author
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Vieira Teixeira S, Prates G, Marcondes Fonseca LA, and Casseb J
- Subjects
- Humans, HIV, Hepatitis B virus, Hepacivirus, Persistent Infection, Human T-lymphotropic virus 1, Hepatitis B epidemiology, Hepatitis B prevention & control, HTLV-I Infections, HIV Infections complications, HIV Infections epidemiology, Hepatitis C
- Abstract
Persistent viruses are hard to be eradicated, even using effective medications, and can persist for a long time in humans, sometimes regardless of treatment. Hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus, and human T cell lymphotropic virus infections, the most common in our era, are still a challenge despite the increased knowledge about their biology. Most of them are highly pathogenic, some causing acute disease or, more often, leading to chronic persistent infections, and some of the occult, carrying a high risk of morbidity and mortality. However, if such infections were discovered early, they might be eradicated in the near future with effective medications and/or vaccines. This perspective review points out some specific characteristics of the most important chronic persistent viruses. It seems that in the next few years, these persistent viruses may have control by vaccination, epidemiological strategies, and/or treatment.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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