Fostering Europe’s Future Physician-Scientists: An Interview with European MD/PhD Association Chairman Dr. André dos Santos Rocha

Dr. André dos Santos Rocha is a Resident Physician in Intensive Care Medicine & Anaesthesiology and a current MD-PhD student in the Department of Acute Medicine at the University of Geneva. In parallel, he is also the current Chairman of the European MD/PhD Association (EMPA), a role in which he coordinates a diverse group of highly-driven MD-PhD students. EMPA is a not-for-profit organisation which was founded with the central aims of bringing together MD-PhDs from across Europe, fostering a comfortable setting for networking, promotion of European scientific collaborations and support for research and mobility of European MD-PhD students. One of the main medium through which EMPA achieves a number of these lofty goals is their annual conference, which is typically held in conjunction with one of the national associations. I met with André after the recent European and Swiss MD-PhD Conference in Geneva to discuss his experience in this role and what the future holds for EMPA

Symbolic Computation of Variational Symmetries in Optimal Control

We use a computer algebra system to compute, in an efficient way, optimal control variational symmetries up to a gauge term. The symmetries are then used to obtain families of Noether's first integrals, possibly in the presence of nonconservative external forces. As an application, we obtain eight independent first integrals for the sub-Riemannian nilpotent problem (2,3,5,8).Comment: Presented at the 4th Junior European Meeting on "Control and Optimization", Bialystok Technical University, Bialystok, Poland, 11-14 September 2005. Accepted (24-Feb-2006) to Control & Cybernetic

GPU-BASED PARALLEL COMPUTING IN REAL-TIME MODELING OF ATMOSPHERIC TRANSPORT AND DIFFUSION OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

Atmospheric radionuclide dispersion systems (ARDS) are essential mechanisms to predict the consequences of unexpected radioactive releases from nuclear power plants. Considering, that during an eventuality of an accident with a radioactive material release, an accurate forecast is vital to guide the evacuation plan of the possible affected areas. However, in order to predict the dispersion of the radioactive material and its impact on the environment, the model must process information about source term (radioactive materials released, activities and location), weather condition (wind, humidity and precipitation) and geographical characteristics (topography). Furthermore, ARDS is basically composed of 4 main modules: Source Term, Wind Field, Plume Dispersion and Doses Calculations. The Wind Field and Plume Dispersion modules are the ones that require a high computational performance to achieve accurate results within an acceptable time. Taking this into account, this work focuses on the development of a GPU-based parallel Plume Dispersion module, focusing on the radionuclide transport and diffusion calculations, which use a given wind field and a released source term as parameters. The program is being developed using the C ++ programming language, allied with CUDA libraries. In comparative case study between a parallel and sequential version of the slower function of the Plume Dispersion module, a speedup of 11.63 times could be observed

The complete mitochondrial genome of the endemic Iberian pygmy skate Neoraja iberica Stehmann, Séret, Costa, & Baro 2008 (Elasmobranchii, Rajidae)

Skates, Chondrichthyes fishes from order Rajiformes, are the most species-rich group of all Batoidea. However, their phylogenetic relationships and systematics is still a highly discussed and controversial subject. The use of complete mitogenome has shown to be a promising tool to fill this gap of knowledge. Here, the complete mitogenome of the Iberian pygmy skate Neoraja iberica (Stehmann, Séret, Costa & Baro 2008) was sequenced and assembled. The mitogenome is 16,723 bp long and its gene content (i.e. 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA, and 2 ribosomal RNA genes) and arrangement are the expected for Batoidea. Phylogenetic reconstructions, including 89 Rajiformes and two outgroup Rhinopristiformes, recovered family Rajidae as monophyletic, and further divided in the monophyletic tribe Rajini, sister to tribes Amblyrajini and Rostrorajini. The newly sequenced N. iberica mitogenome is the first representative of the tribe Rostrorajini.FCT: PTDC/ART-DAQ/29537/2017/ FEDER: POCI-01-0145-FEDER-029537/ PT2020 COMPETE 2020 – FCT: UIDB/04423/2020, UIDP/04423/2020 / SFRH/BD/137935/2018/ SFRH/BD/147493/2019 PTDC/ASP-PES/28053/2017info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The gill transcriptome of threatened European freshwater mussels

Genomic tools applied to non-model organisms are critical to design successful conservation strategies of particularly threatened groups. Freshwater mussels of the Unionida order are among the most vulnerable taxa and yet almost no genetic resources are available. Here, we present the gill transcriptomes of five European freshwater mussels with high conservation concern: Margaritifera margaritifera, Unio crassus, Unio pictorum, Unio mancus and Unio delphinus. The final assemblies, with N50 values ranging from 1069–1895 bp and total BUSCO scores above 90% (Eukaryote and Metazoan databases), were structurally and functionally annotated, and made available. The transcriptomes here produced represent a valuable resource for future studies on these species’ biology and ultimately guide their conservation.AGS was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the grant SFRH/ BD/137935/2018, that also supported MLL (2020.03608.CEECIND) and EF (CEECIND/00627/2017). This research was developed under the project EdgeOmics - Freshwater Bivalves at the edge: Adaptation genomics under climate-change scenarios (PTDC/CTA-AMB/3065/2020) funded by FCT through national funds. Additional strategic funding was provided by FCT UIDB/04423/2020 and UIDP/04423/2020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Momentum distribution of Vinen turbulence in trapped atomic Bose-Einstein condensates

The decay of multicharged vortices in trapped Bose-Einstein condensates may lead to a disordered vortex state consistent with the Vinen regime of turbulence, characterized by an absence of large-scale flow and an incompressible kinetic energy spectrum $E\propto k^{-1}$. In this work, we study numerically the dynamics of a three-dimensional harmonically trapped Bose-Einstein condensate excited to a Vinen regime of turbulence through the decay of two doubly-charged vortices. First, we study the momentum distribution and observe the emergence of a power-law behavior $n(k)\propto k^{-3}$ consistent with the coexistence of wave turbulence. We also study the kinetic energy and particle fluxes, which allows us to identify a direct particle cascade associated with the turbulent stage.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figure

Laser Doppler Measurements of Twin Impinging Jets Aligned with a Crossflow

This paper presents a detailed analysis of the complex flow beneath two impinging jets aligned with a low-velocity crossflow which is relevant for the future F-35 VSTOL configuration, and provides a quantitative picture of the main features of interest for impingement type of flows. The experiments were carried out for a Reynolds number based on the jet exit conditions of Rej = 4.3 104, an impingement height of 20.1 jet diameters and for a velocity ratio between the jet exit and the crossflow VR = Vj/Uo of 22.5. The rear jet is located at S = 6 D downstream of the first jet. The results show a large penetration of the first (upstream) jet that is deflected by the crossflow and impinges on the ground, giving rise to a ground vortex due to the collision of the radial wall and the crossflow that wraps around the impinging point like a scarf. The rear jet (located downstream) it is not so affected by the crossflow in terms of deflection, but due to the downstream wall jet that flows radially from the impinging point of the first jet it does not reach the ground. The results indicate a new flow pattern not yet reported so far, that for a VSTOL aircraft operating in ground vicinity with front wind or small forward movement may result in enhanced under pressures in the aft part of the aircraft causing a suction down force and a change of the pitching moment towards the ground.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologiainfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Unprecedented in Vitro Antitubercular Activitiy of Manganese(II) Complexes Containing 1,10- Phenanthroline and Dicarboxylate Ligands: Increased Activity, Superior Selectivity, and Lower Toxicity in Comparison to Their Copper(II) Analogs

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the etiologic agent of tuberculosis. The demand for new chemotherapeutics with unique mechanisms of action to treat (multi)resistant strains is an urgent need. The objective of this work was to test the effect of manganese(II) and copper(II) phenanthroline/dicarboxylate complexes against M. tuberculosis. The water-soluble Mn(II) complexes, [Mn2(oda)(phen)4(H2O)2][Mn2(oda)(phen)4(oda)2]·4H2O (1) and ([Mn(3,6,9-tdda)(phen)2]·3H2O·EtOH)n (3) (odaH2 = octanedioic acid, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, tddaH2 = 3,6,9-trioxaundecanedioic acid), and water-insoluble complexes, [Mn(ph)(phen)(H2O)2] (5), [Mn(ph)(phen)2(H2O)]·4H2O (6), [Mn2(isoph)2(phen)3]·4H2O (7), ([Mn(phen)2(H2O)2])2(isoph)2(phen)·12H2O (8) and [Mn(tereph)(phen)2]·5H2O (9) (phH2 = phthalic acid, isophH2 = isophthalic acid, terephH2 = terephthalic acid), robustly inhibited the viability of M. tuberculosis strains, H37Rv and CDC1551. The water-soluble Cu(II) analog of (1), [Cu2(oda)(phen)4](ClO4)2·2.76H2O·EtOH (2), was significantly less effective against both strains. Whilst (3) retarded H37Rv growth much better than its soluble Cu(II) equivalent, ([Cu(3,6,9-tdda)(phen)2]·3H2O·EtOH)n (4), both were equally efficient against CDC1551. VERO and A549 mammalian cells were highly tolerant to the Mn(II) complexes, culminating in high selectivity index (SI) values. Significantly, in vivo studies using Galleria mellonella larvae indicated that the metal complexes were minimally toxic to the larvae. The Mn(II) complexes presented low MICs and high SI values (up to 1347), indicating their auspicious potential as novel antitubercular lead agents. © 2018 McCarron, McCann, Devereux, Kavanagh, Skerry, Karakousis, Aor, Mello, Santos, Campos and Pavan

Low temperature extremes influence both the presence of palms and palm species richness in the Atlantic Forest, Southern Brazil

Este estudo examina a relação entre o clima e a riqueza de espécies e composição de palmeiras (Arecaceae) no estado brasileiro de Santa Catarina. Utilizamos dados do Inventário Florístico Florestal de Santa Catarina e do WorldClim - Global Climate Data. Nossa hipótese é de que a baixa temperatura e a precipitação limitam a riqueza e distribuição de espécies de palmeira em Santa Catarina. Para modelar a riqueza de espécies de palmeiras utilizamos um modelo linear generalizado para dados inflados de zero, e para avaliar as razões por trás das diferenças na abundância e composição de espécies de palmeiras em todo o estado, utilizamos uma análise canônica de coordenadas principais (CAP). Descobrimos que apenas a distribuição de Euterpe edulis Mart. e Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Glassman apresentaram efeitos significativos do clima, principalmente por serem as espécies mais abundantes e frequentes encontradas nas parcelas amostradas. Os resultados de modelagem apontaram a temperatura mínima do mês mais frio como o mais forte preditor da riqueza e composição de espécies de palmeiras em Santa Catarina. Nossos resultados contribuíram para o conhecimento sobre a ocorrência de palmeiras nativas da Mata Atlântica e suas limitações ambientais.This study examines the relationship between climate and species richness and distribution of palms (Arecaceae) in the Brazilian State of Santa Catarina. We use data from the Floristic and Forest Inventory of Santa Catarina and WorldClim - Global Climate Data. We hypothesized that low temperature and precipitation limit palm species richness and distribution in Santa Catarina. For modeling palm species richness, we used a generalized linear model for zero inflated data and to assess reasons behind differences in palm species abundance and species richness across the state, we used a canonical analysis of principal coordinates (CAP). We found that only the distribution of Euterpe edulis Mart. and Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Glassman showed significant effects of climate, largely because they were the most abundant and frequent species found in sampled plots. Modelling results pinpointed minimum temperature of the coldest month as the strongest predictor of palm species richness and distribution in Santa Catarina. Our results contribute to knowledge about the occurrence of native palms of the Atlantic Forest and their environmental limitations