Two-scale homogenization of a stationary mean-field game

In this paper, we characterize the asymptotic behavior of a first-order stationary mean-field game (MFG) with a logarithm coupling, a quadratic Hamiltonian, and a periodically oscillating potential. This study falls into the realm of the homogenization theory, and our main tool is the two-scale convergence. Using this convergence, we rigorously derive the two-scale homogenized and the homogenized MFG problems, which encode the so-called macroscopic or effective behavior of the original oscillating MFG. Moreover, we prove existence and uniqueness of the solution to these limit problems.Comment: 36 page

Marroquíes en Portugal: Imaginacion y poder en la migración trasnacional

Utilizando como ejemplo los inmigrantes marroquíes en Portugal, intentaremos comprender el papel que juega la imaginación en la construcción del proyecto migratorio, y cómo los sujetos migrantes gestionan ese imaginario de manera que propicie un cambio en lo que respecta a las relaciones de poder en su entorno de origen. Nos acercaremos a la triple imaginación de un espacio marcado por el transito, la dispersión y la heterogeneidad social: a) la idealización del país de acogida, b) la desilusión con el país de acogida y la idealización del país de origen, y c) la imaginación de un segundo espacio potencial de migració

The shading sign: is it exclusive of endometriomas?

To investigate if the shading sign is an exclusive MRI feature of endometriomas or endometrioid tumors, and to analyze its different patterns. Three hundred and fourty six women with adnexal masses who underwent 1.5/3-T MRI were included in this retrospective, board-approved study. The shading sign was found in 56 patients, but five cases were excluded due to lack of imaging follow-up or histological correlation. The final sample included 51 women. The type of tumor and the pattern of shading were recorded for each case. Thirty endometriomas and five endometrioid carcinomas were found. The remaining 16 cases corresponded to other benign and malignant tumors. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 73%, 93%, 59%, and 96%, respectively. Restricting the analysis to cystic lesions without solid or fat component, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 73%, 96%, 94%, and 80%. Five shading patterns were identified: layering (15.7%), liquid-liquid level (11.8%), homogenous (45.1%), heterogeneous (11.8%), and focal/multifocal shading within a complex mass (19.6%). No significant correlation was found between these patterns and the type of tumor. The shading sign is not exclusive of endometriomas or endometrioid tumors. Homogenous shading was the most prevalent pattern in endometriomas and half of the cases with focal/multifocal shading within a complex mass were endometrioid carcinomas.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The role and regulation of FOXO3a in cancer and chemotherapy resistance

Drug resistance is the major impediment to the success of cancer therapy. The PI3K/AKT pathway mediates a plethora of cellular functions, including cell survival, proliferation and differentiation. However, increased activation of this pathway has been correlated with drug resistance mechanisms. This pathway regulates the activity of FOXO transcription factors in a negative manner through AKT-dependent phosphorylations. The modulation of FOXO activity leads to a variety of cellular outputs, including cell cycle arrest and apoptosis that define this transcription factor as a tumour suppressor. Importantly, FOXO has also been shown to mediate the effect of many anti-cancer drugs, suggesting that it has an additional role in drug sensitivity and resistance. With this work, by studying the PI3K/AKT/FOXO axis in breast cancer, I have characterised its impact in drug sensitivity and resistance. I found that this axis is deregulated in breast cancer resistant cells. By extending my in vitro findings to clinical samples, I further elucidated the potential role of AKT and FOXO3a as indicators and predictors of treatment response in breast cancer. In addition, I have also characterised three novel downstream targets of FOXO3a - FOXP1, FOXM1 and VEGF – with important roles towards breast cancer progression and in the development of drug-resistance. By characterising these FOXO3a effectors, I unravelled a potential general mechanism by which FOXO3a represses gene target expression

Uma análise transversal e integradora do exercício físico: estudo com praticantes desportivos

Este estudo foi realizado junto de praticantes de exercício físico (EF), tendo como principais objetivos: (a) compreender a importância dos fatores psicológicos na fase de adoção e manutenção do comportamento de EF; e (b) analisar o comportamento de EF tendo por base uma perspetiva conceptual integradora de diferentes fatores envolvidos neste comportamento, principalmente ao nível psicológico. Foram incluídos no estudo quinze participantes com diferentes níveis de experiência de EF (cinco com 1 mês, cinco com 6 meses e cinco com 12 ou mais meses de prática), sendo sete do sexo masculino e oito do sexo feminino, com uma média de idades de 37.3 anos. Os dados foram recolhidos tendo por base o guião de entrevista “Avaliação Psicológica no EF: Guiões de Entrevista para os Praticantes e para os Monitores (APEF-PM) - versão praticantes”. Os principais resultados evidenciaram que o comportamento de EF foi explicado por fatores individuais (e.g., psicológicos), contextuais (e.g., local de prática) e culturais (estereótipos) que, por sua vez, apresentaram alterações ao longo do tempo de prática de EF. Concluindo, a utilização de uma perspetiva qualitativa que integre diferentes abordagens conceptuais revelou-se fundamental para a compreensão dos fatores envolvidos no comportamento de EF.This study was done with individuals that practiced exercise and had two main objectives: (a) understand the importance of psychological factors in the process of adoption and maintenance of exercise behavior; and (b) analyze exercise behavior by assuming an integrative conceptual perspective of different factors involved in exercise, especially the ones related with the psychological domain. Fifteen participants (seven males and eight females) with different levels of experience in exercise were selected for this study (five at one month, five at six months and five with 12 or more months of exercise practice). The participants had a mean age of 37.3 years old. Data were collected based on the interview guide “Psychological Assessment in Exercise: Interview Guides for Practitioners and Instructors - Version for Practitioners”. The main results showed that the exercise was explained by individual factors (e.g., psychological), contextual factors (e.g., local of practice), and cultural factors (e.g., stereotypes) that, in turn, changed across the time of exercise practice of participants. In conclusion, the use of a qualitative perspective that integrates different conceptual approaches proved to be crucial to understand the factors involved in exercise behavior.FCT -Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia(SFRH / BD / 71369 / 2010)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio