System Modeling of a large FPGA project: the SKA Tile Processing Module

Large projects like the SKA have an intrinsic complexity due to their scale. In this context, the application of a management design system becomes fundamental. For this purpose the SysML language, a UML customization for engineering applications, has been applied. As far as our work is concerned, we focused on the SKA Low Telescope - Tile Processing Module, designing diagrams at different detail levels. We designed a conceptual model of the TPM, primarily focusing on the main interfaces and the major data flows between product items. Functionalities are derived from use cases and allocated to hardware modules in order to guarantee the project's internal consistency and features. This model has been used both as internal documentation and as job specification, to commit part of the design to external entities

Radioastronomic signal processing cores for the SKA radio telescope

Modern radio telescopes require the processing of wideband signals, with sample rates from tens of MHz to tens of GHz, and are composed from hundreds up to a million of individual antennas. Digital signal processing of these signals include digital receivers (the digital equivalent of the heterodyne receiver), beamformers, channelizers, spectrometers. FPGAs present the advantage of providing a relatively low power consumption, relative to GPUs or dedicated computers, a wide signal data path, and high interconnectivity. Efficient algorithms have been developed for these applications. Here we will review some of the signal processing cores developed for the SKA telescope. The LFAA beamformer/channelizer architecture is based on an oversampling channelizer, where the channelizer output sampling rate and channel spacing can be set independently. This is useful where an overlap between adjacent channels is required to provide an uniform spectral coverage. The architecture allows for an efficient and distributed channelization scheme, with a final resolution corresponding to a million of spectral channels, minimum leakage and high out-of-band rejection. An optimized filter design procedure is used to provide an equiripple response with a very large number of spectral channels. A wideband digital receiver has been designed in order to select the processed bandwidth of the SKA Mid receiver. The receiver extracts a 2.5 MHz bandwidth form a 14 GHz input bandwidth. The design allows for non-integer ratios between the input and output sampling rates, with a resource usage comparable to that of a conventional decimating digital receiver. Finally, some considerations on quantization of radioastronomic signals are presented. Due to the stochastic nature of the signal, quantization using few data bits is possible. Good accuracies and dynamic range are possible even with 2-3 bits, but the nonlinearity in the correlation process must be corrected in post-processing. With at least 6 bits it is possible to have a very linear response of the instrument, with nonlinear terms below 80 dB, providing the signal amplitude is kept within bounds

The Gender-Climate-Security Nexus: Conceptual Framework, CGIAR Portfolio Review, and Recommendations towards an Agenda for One CGIAR

This position paper provides a conceptual framework for the gender-climate-security-nexus, a CGIAR portfolio review of work related to the nexus, and recommendations towards an agenda for One CGIAR in addressing the nexus. We anticipate the paper will help inform the One CGIAR and its stakeholders towards an understanding of the connections between gender, climate, and security through case study examples of the gender dimensions of climate-related security risks, a review of the CGIAR work to date on the gender-climate-security nexus and how this work can be used to promote gender transformative goals in climate security research, policy, and programming, as well as recommendations for One CGIAR on what actions should be taken to inform future research and policy in addressing gendered climate impacts and associated threats to human security

Instrumentos diagnóstico-terapêuticos nas síndromes mielodisplásicas no Uruguai

Los Síndromes Mielodisplásicos (SMD) son un grupo heterogéneo de enfermedades mieloides. Esta heterogeneidad en la presentación clínica complejiza el diagnóstico requiriendo diversos estudios complementarios. El tratamiento debe ser individualizado y adaptado al riesgo, desde terapias de soporte hasta intervenciones de alto costo. Para conocer la accesibilidad a las herramientas diagnóstico y terapéuticas se realizó una encuesta online dirigida a los hematólogos que asisten pacientes con SMD en Uruguay en 2016 y 2019. Las encuestas fueron respondidas por 32.5% y 26.6% de los miembros de la Sociedad de Hematología del Uruguay. Más del 90% tienen acceso a estudios histológicos, citogenéticos, FISH y citometría de flujo. La posibilidad de realizar paneles de secuenciación masiva se encuentra restringida a menos de 10% derivando la muestra al exterior, siendo mayor en 2019 en comparación a 2016. Los sistemas de estratificación de riesgo más utilizados son el sistema internacional de puntuación de riesgo (IPSS) y su versión revisada (IPSS-R). La disponibilidad de tratamientos de soporte (transfusiones, eritropoyetina y G-CSF), de azacitidina y del trasplante alogénico de precursores hematopoyéticos es amplia. Existió un aumento en indicación de azacitidina en 2019 con respecto a 2016. Sin embargo, el acceso a decitabina, lenalidomida y fármacos quelantes de hierro es escaso y no se cuenta con ensayos clínicos donde incluir pacientes que fallan o no responden a los tratamientos convencionales. La presente encuesta, realizada en dos períodos, describe la realidad y su evolución en nuestro país en cuanto a accesibilidad a herramientas diagnósticas y terapéuticas extrapolables a otras patologías oncohematológicas. Los datos recabados permitirán plantear estrategias tendientes a mejorar el abordaje diagnóstico-terapéutico de los pacientes con SMD en UruguayMyelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) constitutes an heterogenous group of hematological malignancies. Reaching an accurate diagnosis, represents in an important number of cases, a major challenge that requires different diagnostic tools. In order to acknowledge the scope of access to those tools in our country, we performed a survey addressed to Uruguayan hematologists who care for MDS patients in their clinical practice. The survey was carried out in 2016 and 2019 among Uruguayan Hematology Society members. Response rate was 32.5% and 26.6% respectively. Access to bone marrow biopsy, cytogenetics, FISH and flow cytometry was accessible to more than 90% of physicians. Less than 10% of respondents were able to request next generation sequencing (NGS) studies and in that case, they have to send them abroad. IPSS and R-IPSS were the most frequently used risk scores. Support treatment such as growth factors and transfusions are widely accessible. Azacytidine and allogenic transplant are available as well. However, access to decitabine, lenalidomide and iron chelating drugs is scarce and there are no clinical trials to include patients who fail or do not respond to conventional treatments. This survey, carried out in two periods, describes the reality and its evolution in our country in terms of accessibility to diagnostic and therapeutic tools that can be extrapolated to other oncohematological pathologies. We were able to get to know our country reality regarding diagnostic and therapeutic tools for MDS patients. This, would represent an important input in order to design health strategies aiming to improve clinical care for our patients.As Síndromes Mielodisplásicas (SMD) são um grupo heterogêneo de doenças mielóides. Essa heterogeneidade na apresentação clínica torna o diagnóstico mais complexo, exigindo vários estudos complementares. O tratamento deve ser individualizado e adaptado ao risco, desde terapias de suporte até intervenções de alto custo. Para conhecer a acessibilidade de ferramentas diagnósticas e terapêuticas, foi realizada uma pesquisa online dirigida aos hematologistas que atendem pacientes com SMD no Uruguai em 2016 e 2019. As pesquisas foram respondidas por 32,5% e 26,6% dos membros da Sociedad de Hematologia do Uruguai. Mais de 90% têm acesso a estudos histológicos, citogenéticos, FISH e citometria de fluxo. A possibilidade de realização de painéis de sequenciamento massivo está restrita a menos de 10% provenientes da amostra no exterior, sendo maior em 2019 em relação a 2016. Os sistemas de estratificação de risco mais utilizados são o sistema internacional de pontuação de risco (IPSS) e sua versão revisada (IPSS -R). Tratamentos de suporte (transfusões, eritropoietina e G-CSF), azacitidina e transplante alogênico de células-tronco hematopoiéticas estão amplamente disponíveis. Houve aumento da indicação de azacitidina em 2019 em relação a 2016. No entanto, o acesso a decitabina, lenalidomida e quelantes de ferro é escasso e não há ensaios clínicos para incluir pacientes que falham ou não respondem aos tratamentos convencionais. Este inquérito, realizado em dois períodos, descreve a realidade e a sua evolução no nosso país em termos de acessibilidade a instrumentos diagnósticos e terapêuticos que podem ser extrapolados para outras patologias onco-hematológicas. Os dados coletados permitirão propor estratégias destinadas a melhorar a abordagem diagnóstico-terapêutica de pacientes com SMD no Uruguai

INVESTIMENTO EM SUSTENTABILIDADE E O IMPACTO MERCADOLÓGICO: UMA AVALIAÇÃO A PARTIR DO SCORE ESG

Sustainability draws attention because it allows the creation of value for various stakeholders in the business environment and becomes part of the marketing concerns of corporations of the most varied segments and sizes. This article aims to evaluate the impact of investments in sustainability activities (environmental, social and economic) on the marketing performance of companies. Therefore, a descriptive quantitative research was developed with 1,231 companies that appear in the Asset4 Refinitiv database (Thomson Reuters) that have classifications in the ESG Score - Environmental, Social and Governance, using the panel data technique with multilevel hierarchical model. Based on the models generated with the dependent variables: return on sales, return on investment in marketing, sales and marketing and advertising expenses, it was found in this study that specific and targeted actions promote more market results than combined actions, highlighting the social score. The findings contribution allows us to understand the nuances of the dimensions of sustainability from a marketing perspective, with implications for investors, companies and researchers.  A sustentabilidade chama atenção por possibilitar a criação de valor para vários stakeholders no âmbito empresarial e torna-se parte das preocupações mercadológicas de corporações dos mais variados segmentos e tamanhos. O presente artigo tem como objetivo avaliar o impacto de investimentos em atividades de sustentabilidade (ambientais, sociais e econômicas) no desempenho mercadológico das empresas. Para tanto, desenvolveu-se uma pesquisa quantitativa descritiva com 1.231 empresas presentes no banco de dados Asset4 do Refinitiv (Thomson Reuters) que possuem classificações no índice ESG - Environmental, Social and Governance, utilizando-se da técnica de dados em painel com modelo hierárquico multinível. A partir dos modelos gerados com as variáveis dependentes: retorno sobre as vendas, retorno sobre o investimento em marketing, vendas e marketing e despesas com publicidade, encontrou-se neste estudo que ações específicas e direcionadas promovem mais resultados mercadológicos do que ações combinadas, destacando-se os efeitos no pilar social. A contribuição dos achados permite compreender as nuances das dimensões da sustentabilidade sob o olhar mercadológico, com implicações aos investidores, empresas e pesquisadores

Estudios citogenéticos y mecanismos moleculares en los Síndromes Mielodisplásicos

Las alteraciones genéticas debidas a mutaciones, hallazgos cromosómicos balanceados o no, disomía uniparental adquirida, haploinsuficiencia y los fenómenos epigenéticos estarían involucrados al inicio y en la progresión de los SMD. Entre los genes implicados se encuentran el NRAS, FLT3, TP53, RUNX1, p15INK4b, TET2, ASXL1 y RPS14. Un 30-59% de pacientes con SMD de novo presentan cariotipos alterados y este porcentaje se incrementa según el riego de los subtipos FAB o WHO. Las aberraciones citogenéticas más frecuentes son: -5/del(5q) [2%-11%], -7/del (7q) [2%-5%], +8 [3%-12%], del(20q) [2%-4%], –Y [2%-4%] y cariotipos complejos (≥3 alteraciones) [10-20%]. Un 60-90% de los SMD secundarios presentan cariotipos anormales, un aumento de translocaciones y de cariotipos complejos [50%]. Las alteraciones en los cromosomas 5/7 [80%] se asocian con exposición a agentes alquilantes y los rearreglos 11q23 o 21q22 con exposición a inhibidores de topoisomerasa II. El cariotipo ayuda en el diagnóstico, pronóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento de los pacientes. La categorización del riesgo citogenético del IPSS ha sido comprobada aplicando las clasificaciones FAB y WHO, y validada en el WPSS. Aunque el grupo Intermedio es heterogéneo, el Consenso Internacional en Citogenética de los SMD sugiere la continuidad de su utilización hasta que se realice un nuevo estudio multicéntrico.Fil: Belli, Carolina Bárbara. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Investigaciones Hematológicas "Mariano R. Castex". Departamento de Genética; ArgentinaFil: Benasayag, Silvia. Fundagen; ArgentinaFil: Gallino, María Inés. Fundagen; ArgentinaFil: Correa, Walter A. Fundagen; ArgentinaFil: Larripa, Irene Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Investigaciones Hematológicas "Mariano R. Castex". Departamento de Genética; Argentin

Estudios citogenéticos y mecanismos moleculares en los Síndromes Mielodisplásicos

Las alteraciones genéticas debidas a mutaciones, hallazgos cromosómicos balanceados o no, disomía uniparental adquirida, haploinsuficiencia y los fenómenos epigenéticos estarían involucrados al inicio y en la progresión de los SMD. Entre los genes implicados se encuentran el NRAS, FLT3, TP53, RUNX1, p15INK4b, TET2, ASXL1 y RPS14. Un 30-59% de pacientes con SMD de novo presentan cariotipos alterados y este porcentaje se incrementa según el riego de los subtipos FAB o WHO. Las aberraciones citogenéticas más frecuentes son: -5/del(5q) [2%-11%], -7/del (7q) [2%-5%], +8 [3%-12%], del(20q) [2%-4%], –Y [2%-4%] y cariotipos complejos (≥3 alteraciones) [10-20%]. Un 60-90% de los SMD secundarios presentan cariotipos anormales, un aumento de translocaciones y de cariotipos complejos [50%]. Las alteraciones en los cromosomas 5/7 [80%] se asocian con exposición a agentes alquilantes y los rearreglos 11q23 o 21q22 con exposición a inhibidores de topoisomerasa II. El cariotipo ayuda en el diagnóstico, pronóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento de los pacientes. La categorización del riesgo citogenético del IPSS ha sido comprobada aplicando las clasificaciones FAB y WHO, y validada en el WPSS. Aunque el grupo Intermedio es heterogéneo, el Consenso Internacional en Citogenética de los SMD sugiere la continuidad de su utilización hasta que se realice un nuevo estudio multicéntrico.Fil: Belli, Carolina Bárbara. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Investigaciones Hematológicas "Mariano R. Castex". Departamento de Genética; ArgentinaFil: Benasayag, Silvia. Fundagen; ArgentinaFil: Gallino, María Inés. Fundagen; ArgentinaFil: Correa, Walter A. Fundagen; ArgentinaFil: Larripa, Irene Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Investigaciones Hematológicas "Mariano R. Castex". Departamento de Genética; Argentin

Contribution of polymorphisms in IFNG and TNF to complications of the allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with sibling donors

Las complicaciones del trasplante alogénico de células progenitoras hematopoyéticas (TACPH) relacionado incluyen tiempos variables de engraftment,enfermedad injerto contra huésped (EICH), infeccionesbacterianas y reactivación de citomegalovirus(CMV), entre otras. La existencia de polimorfismosen genes no HLA que codifican citoquinas proinflamatoriastales como el factor de necrosis tumoralalfa (TNF) e interferón gamma (IFNG) condicionaría la aparición de estas complicaciones. Se evaluóel impacto de la variante +1349 CAn del gen INFG y del polimorfismo -308 G/A de TNF en el engraftment y en la EICH en 148 receptores de TACPHrealizados en los centros participantes. Con respecto al engraftment tardío (≥15 días), el análisis multivariado confirmó el poder predictivo desfavorable del genotipo CAno12/no12 (baja producción) de IFNG(OR 3,9; p=0,003), médula ósea (MO) como fuente de células progenitoras (OR 4,6; p=0,013) y bacteriemia (OR 3,0; p=0,033). En relación a EICHa 3-4,las variables independientes fueron el genotipo de baja producción de IFNG (OR 0,1; p=0,008), bacteriemia (OR 3,3; p=0,048) y presencia de CMV(OR3,3; p=0,046). Y con respecto a EICHc, el riesgo fue influenciado por el genotipo -308 GG (producción baja) de TNF (OR 3,3; p=0,038), SP como fuente (OR 5,0; p=0,028), acondicionamiento mieloablativo (OR 3,3; p=0,014) y antecedente de EICHa 2-4 (OR 2,6; p=0,029). Aunque es necesario confirmar estos hallazgos, el genotipo de baja producción de IFNG se asoció con engraftment tardío y menor EICHa, mientras que los genotipos de baja producción de TNF se relacionaron con mayor incidencia de EICHc. Las variantes polimórficas estudiadas contribuirían al desarrollo de complicaciones en pacientes con TACPH relacionado.Complications of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) include variable engraftment times, acute (aGVHD) and chronic (cGVHD) graft-versus-host diseases, bacterial infections and reactivation of cytomegalovirus (CMV), among others. The existence of polymorphisms in non-HLA genes that encode pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) and interferon gamma (IFNG) would condition the appearance of these complications. The impact of polymorphic variants +1349 CAn of INFG gene and -308 G/A of TNF was evaluated on the engraftment and GVHD in 148 allo-HSCT recipients with sibling donors. In the multivariate analysis, the genotype CAno12/no12 (low production) of INFG (OR 3.9, p=0.003), bone marrow (BM) as source of progenitor cells (OR 4.6, p=0.013) and bacteremia (OR 3.0, p=0.033) maintained their predictive power with respect to late engraftment (≥15 days). Genotype of low IFNG production (OR 0.1, p=0.008), bacteremia (OR 3.3, p=0.048) and presence of CMV (OR 3.3, p=0.046) showed a significant association with aGVHD 3-4. And with respect to cGVHD, the genotype -308 GG (low production) of TNF (OR 3.3, p=0.038), PB as source (OR 5.0, p=0.028), myeloablative conditioning (OR 3.3, p=0.014) and previous aGVHD 2-4 (OR 2.6, p=0.029). Although it is necessary to confirm these findings, the genotype of lower IFNG production was associated with a later engraftment and less severe aGVHD and genotypes of lower TNF production was related to a higher incidence of cGVHD contributing to the development of complications in allo-HSCT.Fil: Palau Nagore, Maria Virginia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Berro, Mariano. Universidad Austral; ArgentinaFil: Bestach, Yesica Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Rivas, M.M.. Universidad Austral; ArgentinaFil: Foncuberta, C.. Instituto Alexander Fleming; ArgentinaFil: Vitriu, A.. Instituto Alexander Fleming; ArgentinaFil: Remaggi, G.. Fundaleu; ArgentinaFil: Martínez Rolón, J.. Fundaleu; ArgentinaFil: Jaimovich, Sebastian Gaston. Fundación Favaloro; ArgentinaFil: Requejo, A.. Fundación Favaloro; ArgentinaFil: Padros, K.. Primer Centro Argentino de Inmunogenética; ArgentinaFil: Rodríguez, M.B.. Primer Centro Argentino de Inmunogenética; ArgentinaFil: Kusminsky, G.. Universidad Austral; ArgentinaFil: Larripa, Irene Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Belli, Carolina Bárbara. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; Argentin

Myelodysplastic syndromes in Latin America: State of the art

Latin America is a group of countries that covers an area of approximately 19 197 000 km2. In 2016, itspopulation was estimated at more than 639 million. The prevalent languages are Spanish andPortuguese.Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) are a heterogeneous group of myeloid neoplasms characterized byabnormal differentiation and maturation of myeloid cells, bone marrow failure, and genetic instability withenhanced risk of transforming to acute myeloid leukemia.The incidence rates for MDS in Europe and the United States range from 3 to 5 per 100 000 personyearsand increase markedly with age to 20 per 100 000 person-years for those older than age 70 years.Despite the absence of epidemiologic data, Latin America also has an aging population, as with otherdeveloped countries, and an increasing rate of secondary MDS from previous toxic exposure not only asa consequence of treating other malignancies but also as a result of environmental or occupationalfactors. Diagnosis and treatment remain difficult because of the high number of economic andtechnological disparities within and among Latin American countries.Fil: Crisp, Renée. Hospital Nacional "a Posadas"; ArgentinaFil: Grillé, Sofía. Hospital de Clínicas; UruguayFil: Belli, Carolina Bárbara. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Diaz, Lilian. Hospital de Clínicas; UruguayFil: Undurraga, Soledad. Hospital El Salvador; ChileFil: Navarro, Juan. Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins; PerúFil: Vidal, Gabriela. Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins; PerúFil: Gusmao, Breno. Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein; BrasilFil: Reyes, Jheremy. Clínica Los Nogales; ColombiaFil: Huaman Garaicoa, Fuad. Instituto Oncológico Nacional Dr. J. Tanca Marengo; EcuadorFil: Magalhaes, Silvia. Universidade Federal Do Ceara; BrasilFil: Barroso, Fernando. Universidade Estadual do Ceará; BrasilFil: Ovilla, Roberto. Hospital Angeles Lomas; MéxicoFil: Flores, Gabriela. Gobierno de Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Carlos G. Durand"; ArgentinaFil: Choque, Juan. Hospital de Especialidades Materno Infantil; BoliviaFil: Distéfano, Marcos. Hospital Domingo Luciani; VenezuelaFil: Salinas Viedma, Victor. Instituto de Prevision Social; ParaguayFil: Iastrebner, Marcelo. Sanatorio Sagrado Corazón; Argentin