Regulatory Snapshots: Integrative Mining of Regulatory Modules from Expression Time Series and Regulatory Networks

Explaining regulatory mechanisms is crucial to understand complex cellular responses leading to system perturbations. Some strategies reverse engineer regulatory interactions from experimental data, while others identify functional regulatory units (modules) under the assumption that biological systems yield a modular organization. Most modular studies focus on network structure and static properties, ignoring that gene regulation is largely driven by stimulus-response behavior. Expression time series are key to gain insight into dynamics, but have been insufficiently explored by current methods, which often (1) apply generic algorithms unsuited for expression analysis over time, due to inability to maintain the chronology of events or incorporate time dependency; (2) ignore local patterns, abundant in most interesting cases of transcriptional activity; (3) neglect physical binding or lack automatic association of regulators, focusing mainly on expression patterns; or (4) limit the discovery to a predefined number of modules. We propose Regulatory Snapshots, an integrative mining approach to identify regulatory modules over time by combining transcriptional control with response, while overcoming the above challenges. Temporal biclustering is first used to reveal transcriptional modules composed of genes showing coherent expression profiles over time. Personalized ranking is then applied to prioritize prominent regulators targeting the modules at each time point using a network of documented regulatory associations and the expression data. Custom graphics are finally depicted to expose the regulatory activity in a module at consecutive time points (snapshots). Regulatory Snapshots successfully unraveled modules underlying yeast response to heat shock and human epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, based on regulations documented in the YEASTRACT and JASPAR databases, respectively, and available expression data. Regulatory players involved in functionally enriched processes related to these biological events were identified. Ranking scores further suggested ability to discern the primary role of a gene (target or regulator). Prototype is available at: http://kdbio.inesc-id.pt/software/regulatorysnapshots

New eco-friendly hybrid composite materials for civil construction

This paper concerns the development of new hybrid composite materials using granulated cork, a by-product of cork industry, cellulose pulp, from recycling of paper residues, and hemp fibres. The binder used is either cellulose pulp or lime-pozzolan mixture. Such materials may be used as composite boards and mortars for non structural elements of construction, such as dry walls and ceiling or floor levelling and filling. The possibility of using these composites in conjugation with light structural supports has been studied. The paper will present the properties and the manufacturing methods used to produce the above mentioned promising eco-friendly composites that can unfold ways of using industrial wastes as new construction materials with excellent inherent thermal and acoustic properties

Conformidade da resistência à compressão de betões

O incumprimento das regras específicas e a consequente não conformidade dos betões em relação à normativa vigente pode originar o aparecimento de anomalias e a degradação precoce das construções. Neste contexto procedeu-se à recolha de vários provetes in situ, representativos do betão a aplicar em determinadas obras, com o objectivo de realizar um estudo estatístico com um número suficientemente vasto de resultados exigidos pelas normas, o que permitiu verificar as probabilidades de estas serem respeitadas ou não. A análise dos resultados obtidos evidenciou que em quatro das cinco obras seleccionadas a classe de betão obtida foi superior à exigida, enquanto que numa das obras o betão não verificou os critérios. Nesta obra, a classificação do estaleiro pode ser considerada como média, enquanto nas restantes variou entre bom e muito bom. A classificação foi feita tomando em conta odesvio-padrão dos resultados dos ensaios de resistência à compressão

Desenvolvimento de métodos para análise qualitativa e quantitativa de aflatoxinas em amendoim.

Dissertação (Mestrado em Engenharia Agrícola) - Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, Centro de Tecnologia e Recursos Naturais, Campina Grande, PB. Orientador: Everaldo Paulo de Medeiros - Embrapa Algodão

Performance of stones under different conditions : a study of metro stations

The study of stone alterations in the Lisbon Metro stations allowed the discussion of the influence in the development of these alterations of stones characteristics and the actual conditions to which the stones are subjected. Alterations occur under what can be considered the usual conditions of use but also under abnormal situations that must be taken into account given its frequency. The diverse situations identified are considered in the discussion of possible recommendations bearing in mind the actual situations found at the stations.Financiado pela Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia com fundos nacionais (programa plurianual de financiamento de unidades de investigação)

An explanation for another familial case of Rett syndrome: maternal germline mosaicism

Rett syndrome (RTT; OMIM#312750) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder that affects mainly girls. It has an estimated incidence of 1:10,000-15,000 females. Mutations in the X-linked gene methyl CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) have been found in most patients. The most accepted explanation for the sex bias is that the Rett mutation in sporadic cases has its origin in the paternal germline X chromosome and can thus only be transmitted to females. The majority of cases are sporadic (99.5%) but some familial cases have been described. These cases can either be explained by germline mosaicism or by asymptomatic carrier mothers with skewing of X-inactivation towards the wild-type MECP2 allele. We describe one of the few familial cases of RTT in which a maternal germline mosaicism is the most likely explanation. The mutation p.Arg270fs (c.808delC) was identified in both a girl with classical RTT and her brother who had the severe neurological phenotype usually described in males. The mutation was absent in DNA extracted from blood of both parents. These type of events must be taken into consideration in the genetic counselling of families after the diagnosis of a first case of RTT in a female or a MECP2 mutation in a male

Performance of stones under different conditions: a study of metro stations

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Critical Delocalization of Chiral Zero Energy Modes in Graphene

Graphene subjected to chiral-symmetric disorder is believed to host zero energy modes (ZEMs) resilient to localization, as suggested by the renormalization group analysis of the underlying nonlinear sigma model. We report accurate quantum transport calculations in honeycomb lattices with in excess of $10^9$ sites and fine meV resolutions. The Kubo dc conductivity of ZEMs induced by vacancy defects (chiral BDI class) is found to match $4e^2/(\pi h)$ within 1% accuracy, over a parametrically wide window of energy level broadenings and vacancy concentrations. Our results disclose an unprecedentedly robust metallic regime in graphene, providing strong evidence that the early field-theoretical picture for the BDI class is valid well beyond its controlled weak-coupling regime

Results of Surgery Versus Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Lung Cancer

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio