Low Complexity Cooperative Multicast Beamforming in Heterogeneous Networks

The increasing popularity of distance education courses, including Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), creates a demand for the production of quality video-based educational material. In order to reduce the costs involved in the production of video lectures, several researchers have investigated alternatives for capture and access systems which automatically capture lecture contents to generate corresponding video lectures. We also developed a system for this purpose; however our system generates Interactive Multimedia Learning Objects (iMLO) instead of a traditional (linear) video lecture. The iMLO’s features and its interface are important issues for the development of the capture and access system. Interface aspects, such as which are proper ways to present content for users and which navigation facilities are more useful, are distinctive requirements and may impact the user experience. In this paper we present a novel design for the iMLOs which results from an evolution process supported by feedbacks from the main stakeholders: students and lecturers. The feedbacks have been acquired by analyzing the interaction of students with the iMLOs in real scenarios. Based on these feedbacks, we have identified several design implications. We present the proposed interfaces and proof-of-concepts implementations and report lessons learned during the development of the final design solution, which can guide other designers in the conception of new iMLOs. The whole process is documented by means of Design Rationale.São Paulo Research Foundation – FAPESP (process no. 13/50469-5)CAPESCNPQInternational Conference on Human-Computer Interaction - HCI (2015 Los Angeles) \ud International Conference on Learning and Collaboration Technologies - LCT (2. 2015 Los Angeles

Injured Achilles Tendons Treated with Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Transplantation and GDF-5

Tendon injuries represent a clinical challenge in regenerative medicine because their natural repair process is complex and inefficient. The high incidence of tendon injuries is frequently associated with sports practice, aging, tendinopathies, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and the use of corticosteroids. The growing interest of scientists in using adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSC) in repair processes seems to be mostly due to their paracrine and immunomodulatory effects in stimulating specific cellular events. ADMSC activity can be influenced by GDF-5, which has been successfully used to drive tenogenic differentiation of ADMSC in vitro. Thus, we hypothesized that the application of ADMSC in isolation or in association with GDF-5 could improve Achilles tendon repair through the regulation of important remodeling genes expression. Lewis rats had tendons distributed in four groups: Transected (T), transected and treated with ADMSC (ASC) or GDF-5 (GDF5), or with both (ASC+GDF5). In the characterization of cells before application, ADMSC expressed the positive surface markers, CD90 (90%) and CD105 (95%), and the negative marker, CD45 (7%). ADMSC were also differentiated in chondrocytes, osteoblast, and adipocytes. On the 14th day after the tendon injury, GFP-ADMSC were observed in the transected region of tendons in the ASC and ASC+GDF5 groups, and exhibited and/or stimulated a similar genes expression profile when compared to the in vitro assay. ADMSC up-regulated Lox, Dcn, and Tgfb1 genes expression in comparison to T and ASC+GDF5 groups, which contributed to a lower proteoglycans arrangement, and to a higher collagen fiber organization and tendon biomechanics in the ASC group. The application of ADMSC in association with GDF-5 down-regulated Dcn, Gdf5, Lox, Tgfb1, Mmp2, and Timp2 genes expression, which contributed to a lower hydroxyproline concentration, lower collagen fiber organization, and to an improvement of the rats’ gait 24 h after the injury. In conclusion, although the literature describes the benefic effect of GDF-5 for the tendon healing process, our results show that its application, isolated or associated with ADMSC, cannot improve the repair process of partial transected tendons, indicating the higher effectiveness of the application of ADMSC in injured Achilles tendons. Our results show that the application of ADMSC in injured Achilles tendons was more effective in relation to its association with GDF-5

Fish Biodiversity of the Vitória-Trindade Seamount Chain, Southwestern Atlantic: An Updated Database

<div><p>Despite a strong increase in research on seamounts and oceanic islands ecology and biogeography, many basic aspects of their biodiversity are still unknown. In the southwestern Atlantic, the Vitória-Trindade Seamount Chain (VTC) extends ca. 1,200 km offshore the Brazilian continental shelf, from the Vitória seamount to the oceanic islands of Trindade and Martin Vaz. For a long time, most of the biological information available regarded its islands. Our study presents and analyzes an extensive database on the VTC fish biodiversity, built on data compiled from literature and recent scientific expeditions that assessed both shallow to mesophotic environments. A total of 273 species were recorded, 211 of which occur on seamounts and 173 at the islands. New records for seamounts or islands include 191 reef fish species and 64 depth range extensions. The structure of fish assemblages was similar between islands and seamounts, not differing in species geographic distribution, trophic composition, or spawning strategies. Main differences were related to endemism, higher at the islands, and to the number of endangered species, higher at the seamounts. Since unregulated fishing activities are common in the region, and mining activities are expected to drastically increase in the near future (carbonates on seamount summits and metals on slopes), this unique biodiversity needs urgent attention and management.</p></div

Number of species recorded in each sampling site of the Vitória-Trindade Chain, southwestern Atlantic.

<p>Number of species recorded in each sampling site of the Vitória-Trindade Chain, southwestern Atlantic.</p

Summary of the fish assemblage characteristics found along the VTC.

<p>Geographic distribution (WA = Western Atlantic; TA = Trans Atlantic). Trophic guilds (CAR = carnivores; PLA = planktivores; HER = herbivores; OMN = omnivores). Spawn type (PEL = Pelagic eggs; LIV = Live birth; DEG = Demersal egg; BAL = Balistid-type demersal eggs; BRO = Brooded egg; DNP = Demersal eggs no pelagic phase). Endangered status following IUCN (CR = Critically Endangered; ED = Endangered; VU = Vulnerable; NT = Near threatened; LC = Least concern; DD = Data deficient) or Brazilian Red List (ET = Threatened of extinction; OT = Over-exploited). Habitat use (total species = proportion between the number of species that use one habitat on the total number of species found in the VTC; exclusive species = proportion between the number of species that use exclusively one habitat on the total number of species found in this habitat) (RS = reefs; RH = rhodolith beds; WC = water column; SD = sand).</p

Vitória-Trindade Chain, Southwestern Atlantic.

<p>Sites surveyed in this study are named. Bathymetric data from Smith and Sandwell [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0118180#pone.0118180.ref105" target="_blank">105</a>].</p

Diversity of habitats on the VTC.

<p>(A) rhodolith beds, extensively found on seamount summits and island’ shelves, (B) rocky reefs from Trindade and Martin Vaz islands, (C) patch reefs from Trindade Island, (D) Coralline reef structures covered of sponges at Davis Seamount; (E) High relief and complex reef structures that reaches depths of 17 m at Davis Seamount. Photos by R.M. Macieira, R. Francini-Filho, R.L. Moura, H.T. Pinheiro, PANGEA expedition.</p

Summary of sampling effort, data sources and sampling site characteristics of the Vitória-Trindade Seamount Chain, southwestern Atlantic.

<p>Type of substrate: RS—Reef structure (carbonatic); RR—Rocky reef; PR—patch reef; RH—Rhodolith bed; SD—Sand and unconsolidated substrate. Sampling techniques: DIV—Diving; ROV—Remote operated vehicle; CF—Commercial fishing; ZEE—REVIZEE scientific fishing. Primary data type: VO—Voucher specimen; PHO—photo record; VID—video record; VIS—<i>in situ</i> visual record; UVC—underwater visual census; ZEE—REVIZEE project record; OB—onboard observer record during commercial fishing.</p><p>Summary of sampling effort, data sources and sampling site characteristics of the Vitória-Trindade Seamount Chain, southwestern Atlantic.</p