Geoprodutos em Geoparques Mundiais da UNESCO: um estudo aplicado ao Platåbergens Geoparque Aspirante (Suécia)

Dissertação de mestrado em Geociências Património Geológico e GeoconservaçãoWith the arrival of geoparks around 20 years ago, the geoproducts topic was introduced due to its close connection with local communities' sustainable development through geotourism. Geoparks are territories with sites with international geological significance and with a development strategy to promote the whole heritage of the area and better living conditions to local communities. Since 2015 that geoparks are recognized by UNESCO with the Global Geopark label. Geotourism is an approach to attract visitors to geoparks, offering them the possibility to buy geoproducts that has the potential to generate income for local communities. However, this is not the only benefit that people and geoparks receive of the selling of geoproducts. Geoproducts also have educational and conservation benefits as they can contribute to raise public awareness for all geopark assets. Geoproducts are not limited to geology, they can be related with any type of heritage of the territory and have different types of usages. Although there are some studies about geoproducts, its definition is still unclear and varied. This dissertation proposes a clear definition of geoproducts and of their different types based on their tangible, intangible or service character. The main purpose of this study is to propose some ideas of geoproducts for Platåbergens Aspiring Geopark in Sweden. This is the first geopark in Sweden and this situation provides it the opportunity to be followed later as a model by new future aspiring geoparks in the country. After a literature review about this Geopark, some local features with the potential to inspire geoproducts were selected. The proposed geoproducts for Platåbergens Geopark were based on local natural and cultural features, and also on the profile of visitors and their interests. Some geoproducts proposed for Platåbergens Geopark can be adapted to other geoparks, using other local materials. The effective implementation of geoproducts in a geopark should be made in a dialogue with the local community in order to assess their capacity and interest to implement and sell these geoproducts. Their involvement can contribute to strength the community's commitment with the geopark project in their territory.Com a chegada dos geoparques há cerca de 20 anos, foi também introduzido o novo conceito de geoprodutos devido à sua estreita ligação com o desenvolvimento sustentável das comunidades locais através do geoturismo. Os geoparques são territórios com sítios de importância geológica internacional e com uma estratégia de desenvolvimento para promover todo o património da área e melhores condições de vida para as comunidades locais. Desde 2015 que os geoparques são reconhecidos pela UNESCO com a designação Geoparque Mundial. O geoturismo é uma abordagem para atrair visitantes aos geoparques, oferecendo-lhes a possibilidade de comprar geoprodutos com potencial para gerar rendimentos para as comunidades locais. Contudo, este não é o único benefício que as pessoas e os geoparques recebem da venda de geoprodutos. Os geoprodutos também têm benefícios educacionais e de conservação, uma vez que podem contribuir para a sensibilização do público para todo o património do geoparque. Os geoprodutos não estão limitados à geologia, podem estar relacionados com qualquer tipo de património do território e têm diferentes tipos de utilizações. Embora existam alguns estudos sobre geoprodutos, a sua definição é ainda pouco clara e variada. Esta dissertação propõe uma definição clara de geoproduto e dos seus diferentes tipos com base no seu carácter tangível, intangível ou de serviço. O principal objectivo deste estudo é o de propor algumas ideias de geoprodutos para o Platåbergens Aspiring Geopark na Suécia. Este é o primeiro geoparque na Suécia e esta situação constitui uma oportunidade de ser seguido, mais tarde, como modelo por futuros geoparques aspirantes no país. Após uma revisão bibliográfica sobre este geoparque, foram selecionadas algumas características locais com potencial para servir de inspiração para criar geoprodutos. Os geoprodutos propostos para o Geoparque Platåbergens basearam-se em características naturais e culturais locais, e também no perfil dos visitantes e nos seus interesses. Alguns geoprodutos propostos para o Geoparque Platåbergens podem ser adaptados a outros geoparques, utilizando outros materiais locais. A implementação efetiva de geoprodutos num geoparque deve ser feita em diálogo com a comunidade local, a fim de avaliar a sua capacidade e interesse em implementar e vender estes geoprodutos. O seu envolvimento pode contribuir para reforçar o compromisso da comunidade com o projeto do geoparque no seu território.This dissertation was supported by national funding awarded by FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. (projects UIDB/04683/2020 and UIDP/04683/2020) to the Institute of Earth Sciences

Discover hidden splicing variations by mapping personal transcriptomes to personal genomes.

RNA-seq has become a popular technology for studying genetic variation of pre-mRNA alternative splicing. Commonly used RNA-seq aligners rely on the consensus splice site dinucleotide motifs to map reads across splice junctions. Consequently, genomic variants that create novel splice site dinucleotides may produce splice junction RNA-seq reads that cannot be mapped to the reference genome. We developed and evaluated an approach to identify 'hidden' splicing variations in personal transcriptomes, by mapping personal RNA-seq data to personal genomes. Computational analysis and experimental validation indicate that this approach identifies personal specific splice junctions at a low false positive rate. Applying this approach to an RNA-seq data set of 75 individuals, we identified 506 personal specific splice junctions, among which 437 were novel splice junctions not documented in current human transcript annotations. 94 splice junctions had splice site SNPs associated with GWAS signals of human traits and diseases. These involve genes whose splicing variations have been implicated in diseases (such as OAS1), as well as novel associations between alternative splicing and diseases (such as ICA1). Collectively, our work demonstrates that the personal genome approach to RNA-seq read alignment enables the discovery of a large but previously unknown catalog of splicing variations in human populations

Higher-order nonlinear electromechanical effects in wurtzite GaN/AlN quantum dots

As we demonstrated earlier, conventional mathematical models based on linear approximations may be inadequate in the analysis of properties of low-dimensional nanostructures and band structure calculations. In this work, a general three-dimensional axisymmetric coupled electromechanical model accounting for lattice mismatch, spontaneous polarization and higher-order nonlinear electrostriction effects has been applied to analyze properties of GaN/AlN quantum dots coupled with wetting layer. The generalized model that accounts for five independent electrostriction coefficients has been solved numerically via a finite-element implementation. The results, exemplified for truncated conical GaN/AlN quantum dots, demonstrate that the effect of nonlinear electrostriction in GaN/AlN nanoheterostructure quantum dots could be significant. In particular, the influence of nonlinear electromechanical effects on optoelectronic properties is highlighted by the results on band structure calculations based on a multiband effective mass theory

Unusual Behaviour of an Earth-Rockhill Dam

The post-construction behaviour of a 47.5 m high and 700 m long earth-rockfill dam, located in northwestern Iran, is described. The embankment dam is founded on Tertiary rock on both abutments, but in the river channel it rests on alluvial deposits of variable composition and thickness. Since the first impoundment, the dam has undergone large deformations, both in vertical and in horizontal directions. These have resulted in unusual differential settlements, visible along the crest, and have produced wide longitudinal cracks in the asphalt pavement of the crest road. The principle features of the dam are described and selected monitoring results of the crest movements for a sixteen year period are presented. Based on the analysis of the available data and taking into account the geotechnical characteristics of the foundation and the fill materials, an interpretation of the unusual behaviour has been attempted

Evaluation of Nerium oleander aqueous extract effect on Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis

زمینه و هدف: مقاومت‌ آنتی‌بیوتیکی زمینه را برای جایگزین نمودن روش های درمانی گیاهی دارای عوارض جانبی کمتر نسبت به داروهای رایج فراهم نموده است. این مطالعه با هدف تعیین اثر ضد میکروبی گیاه خرزهره (Nerium oleander) بر باکتری های استافیلوکوکوس اورئوس و اپیدرمیس انجام شده است. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه تجربی اثر عصاره آبی برگ و گل گیاه خرزهره به صورت مجزا با روش جوشاندن در سه غلظت 5/12، 25 و50 میلی گرم بر میلی لیتر با مقادیر 20،40 و 80 میکرولیتر بر دو گونه استافیلوکوکوس اورئوس و استافیلوکوکوس اپیدرمیس، با ایجاد چاهک و تلقیح عصاره بررسی شد. همچنین تست آنتی بیوگرام با سه آنتی‌بیوتیک اکسی‌تتراسایکلین، اریترومایسین و پنی‌سیلین بر روی این دو گونه انجام گرفت. قطر هاله‌ های عدم رشد اندازه گیری شد و اثر عصاره مورد ارزیابی قرار گرفت. یافته‌ها: در تست آنتی‌بیوگرام استافیلوکوکوس اورئوس به اریترومایسین حساس و به پنی‌سیلین و اکسیتتراسایکلین مقاوم بود. استافیلوکوکوس اپیدرمیس به اریترومایسین نسبتاً مقاوم و به اکسی تتراسایکلین و اریترومایسین مقاوم بود. استافیلوکوکوس اورئوس به مقادیر 40 و 80 میکرولیتر از غلظت mg/ml 25، کلیه مقادیر از غلظت mg/ml50 عصاره برگ و کلیه مقادیر از غلظت mg/ml 50 عصاره گل حساس بود ولی استافیلوکوکوس اپیدرمیس به هیچ کدام از غلظت های عصاره حساسیت نشان نداد. در تمامی غلظت ها با افزایش میزان عصاره از 20 تا 80 میکرولیتر، میانگین قطر هاله افزایش نشان داد. عصاره برگ از عصاره گل گیاه اثر مهاری بیشتری داشت. نتیجه گیری: با توجه به افزایش روز افزون مقاومت‌های آنتی‌بیوتیکی، عصاره گیاه خرزهره می تواند به عنوان یک ترکیب ضد میکروبی جدید جهت استعمال خارجی عفونت‌های زخمی و رفع آلودگی‌های سطحی پیشنهاد گردد

αCP binding to a cytosine-rich subset of polypyrimidine tracts drives a novel pathway of cassette exon splicing in the mammalian transcriptome.

Alternative splicing (AS) is a robust generator of mammalian transcriptome complexity. Splice site specification is controlled by interactions of cis-acting determinants on a transcript with specific RNA binding proteins. These interactions are frequently localized to the intronic U-rich polypyrimidine tracts (PPT) located 5' to the majority of splice acceptor junctions. αCPs (also referred to as polyC-binding proteins (PCBPs) and hnRNPEs) comprise a subset of KH-domain proteins with high affinity and specificity for C-rich polypyrimidine motifs. Here, we demonstrate that αCPs promote the splicing of a defined subset of cassette exons via binding to a C-rich subset of polypyrimidine tracts located 5' to the αCP-enhanced exonic segments. This enhancement of splice acceptor activity is linked to interactions of αCPs with the U2 snRNP complex and may be mediated by cooperative interactions with the canonical polypyrimidine tract binding protein, U2AF65. Analysis of αCP-targeted exons predicts a substantial impact on fundamental cell functions. These findings lead us to conclude that the αCPs play a direct and global role in modulating the splicing activity and inclusion of an array of cassette exons, thus driving a novel pathway of splice site regulation within the mammalian transcriptome

A comparative study of preliminary dosimetry for human based on distribution data in rats with 111In, 90Y, 153Sm, and 177Lu labeled rituximab

Radio immunotherapy is one of the most important and effective therapies for B-cell non Hoddgkin’s lymphoma treatment. Today, anti CD-20 antibodies labeled with beta emitter radionuclides are used in radio immunotherapy. Various radionuclides for labeling anti CD-20 antibodies have been studied and developed for the treatment and diagnosis of malignancies. This paper describes the preparation, bio-distribution and absorbed dose rate of 111In, 90Y, 177Lu, and 153Sm labeled anti CD-20 antibodies (rituximab) in human organs, after injection to rats. The macro cyclic bifunctional chelating agent, N-succinimidyl-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraazacyclododecane-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA-NHS) for conjugation to antibody, was used to prepare DOTA-rituximab. The conjugates were purified by molecular filtration, the average number of DOTA conjugated per mAb was calculated and total concentration was determined by spectrophotometric method. Radio-labeling was performed at 40 °C for 24 hours. After the quality control studies, the final radioactive solution was injected intravenously into rats through their tail vein. The tissue uptakes of each injection were measured. Then we calculated S values for 177Lu and 153Sm by using specific absorbed fractions and data used in the manner of radio-labeled analysis and dosimetry for humans. The absorbed dose rate of each organ was calculated in the specific time by medical internal radiation dose method with linear approximation in the activity measurements

Preparation and Quality Control of the [153Sm]-Samarium Maltolate Complex as a Lanthanide Mobilization Product in Rats

Development of lanthanide detoxification agents and protocols is of great importance in management of overdoses. Due to safety of maltol as a detoxifying agent in metal overloads, it can be used as a lanthanide detoxifying agent. In order to demonstrate the biodistribution of final complex, [153Sm]-samarium maltolate was prepared using Sm-153 chloride (radiochemical purity >99.9%; ITLC and specific activity). The stability of the labeled compound was determined in the final solution up to 24h as well as the partition coefficient. Biodistribution studies of Sm-153 chloride, [153Sm]-samarium maltolate were carried out in wild-type rats comparing the critical organ uptakes. Comparative study for Sm3+ cation and the labeled compound was conducted up to 48 h, demonstrating a more rapid wash out for the labeled compound. The effective and biological half lives of 2.3 h and 2.46h were calculated for the complex. The data suggest the detoxification property of maltol formulation for lanthanide overdoses

Preparation and quality control of 177Lu-[tris(1,10-phenanthroline) lutetium(III)] complex for therapy

The 177Lu-[tris(1,10-phenanthroline)lutetium(III)] complex (177Lu-PQ3) was prepared successfully with high radiochemical purity (> 99%). Lu-177 chloride was obtained by thermal neutron flux (4 × 1013 n.cm–2.s–1) of natural Lu2(NO3)3 sample, dissolved in acidic media. The radiochemical yield was checked by measuring the radiochemical purity of the 177Lu-PQ complex by ITLC (10 mM DTPA, pH = 5, as mobile phase). The final complex solution was injected intravenously into wild-type male rats and bio-distribution of the complex was checked for up to 48 hours. The dose limiting organs were shown to be the reticulu-endothelial system. The bio-distribution of the labelled compounds in tumour-bearing animals is under investigation. Nuclear Med Rev 2010; 13, 2: 49–5