A strategy to gradual implementation of data interoperability

Data interoperability is a major concern on e-government, both from the point of view of service offering and from the point of view of public administration efficiency. This paper purposes an incremental, pragmatic approach to data interoperability. It is argued that integration with minor required initial efforts from institutions is feasible, may provide useful solutions and is a solid ground basis for subsequent evolution. This paper presents general guidelines and model solutions to support this approach. Also, presents a demo implementation that proves feasibility of the purposed models and delivers useful solutions on a specific business e-government scenario. Although still limited in range and demonstrated on a quite specific business environment, it is expected that the analysis and the proposed strategies, solutions and models be of interest on a larger spectrum of data interoperability problems.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

A role for the small GTPases RAC1 and RAC1b in the modulation of NIS expression: potentiation of therapy with radioactive iodine in differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Introduction or Background: The Sodium Iodide Symporter (NIS) is responsible for active transport of iodide into thyroid follicular cells. The retention of its functional expression in most of the well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas (DTCs) enables the use of radioactive iodine (RAI) for treatment of metastatic disease. Still, about 30% of patients with advanced forms of DTC became refractory to RAI which makes their management very challenging. The main reason for impaired iodide uptake in refractory-DTC is the defective functional expression of NIS. Several molecular players have been described as critical for TSH-induced NIS expression, an example being the p38 mitogenic kinase. In breast cancer cells, the small GTPase RAC1 was shown to mediate the positive impact of p38 kinase activity on NIS expression. We, on the other hand, have previously shown that overexpression of RAC1b, a tumor-related splicing variant of RAC1, is associated with worse outcomes in DTC and correlates with the MAPK-activating BRAFV600E mutation, which has been related to the loss of NIS. Since RAC1 and RAC1b may act in an antagonistic fashion to regulate specific cellular responses, we asked if RAC1b would be implicated in NIS downregulation observed in DTCs. Methods Section: NIS expression levels were analyzed by RT-qPCR in a RAC1/RAC1b expression model system developed in non-transformed thyroid cell lines. A non-radioactive iodide influx assay was used to confirm the impact of RAC1-signaling on the efficacy of iodide uptake. Results Section: We demonstrate that ectopic overexpression of RAC1b is sufficient to decrease TSH-induced NIS expression, antagonizing the positive effect of RAC1 GTPase. Moreover, we clearly document, for the first time in thyroid cells, that both NIS expression and iodide uptake are downregulated upon RAC1 inhibition, supporting the role of canonical RAC1 signaling in promoting TSH-induced NIS expression. Conclusion: Our findings provide evidence that RAC1 and RAC1b signaling are implicated in the regulation of NIS expression in thyroid cells and suggest that RAC1b overexpression may be one of the mechanisms contributing to the low levels of NIS observed in some subgroups of DTCs, antagonizing RAC1 stimulatory effect on the TSH/cAMP-mediated induction of NIS expression.FCT - PTDC/BIAMOL/31787/2017N/

Tailoring: A case study on the application of the seventh principle of PMBOK 7 in a public institution

In the 7th edition of PMBOK the Tailoring process is legitimized as an essential ally in project management, since it makes several adjustments throughout the project's life cycle to provide the best possible environment to achieve the deliverables and the value added to the organization. Tailoring as a principle further highlights the unique nature of each project and the need to carry out this process continuously. Based on a unique case study, the beginning of the management functions in a sector of a public organization is discussed, as well as the adaptations made to optimize the workflow and productivity in the deliverables. From this investigation results the proposal of a framework adapted to the needs of the institution, as a starting point for the professionalization of project management.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Integrated versus non-integrated perspectives of auditors concerning the new ISO 9001 revision

The process of integration of management systems is being unfolded by a great deal of companies nowadays. A crucial feature of it relates with the audit function and the integrated perceptions of the auditors. This issue is of utmost importance if one takes into account the remarkable effort developed by ISO in the last revisions (2015) of the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards aiming at the standards integration by adopting a common high level structure, identical core context, and common terms and common definitions. The available drafts of the new ISO 45001 standard suggest the same effort. This paper aims, within a global research study on ISO 9001:2015, to report the integrated versus non-integrated perspectives of auditors concerning the new ISO 9001 revision based on the results from a survey conducted among IRCA auditors. It is intended specifically to assess if the perceptions from the auditors holding several certifications are different of those from the auditors that hold solely the QMS certification. Results suggest that the auditors holding several certifications foreseen more benefits from this new revision, i.e., auditors with a wider integrated perspective rate systematically higher the different dimensions assessed in this survey.The authors would like to thank to all the responding auditors for their great collaboration and will pursue this study by applying more powerful statistical tools and adding a time perspective by replicating the survey in the future. This study had the financial support of FCT-Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia of Portugal under the project UID/CEC/00319/2013. Pedro Domingues is supported by FCT Post-Doc Grant Reference SFRH/BPD/103322/2014.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Efect of bovine milk addition to buffalo's milk on different characteristics of artisanal Marajó "cream cheese" type.

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Behavior of project management in a context of project skidding

WOS:000450056500165This article aims to understand the behavior of project managers in a context of skidding when monitoring and controlling projects in the area of information systems and technologies and identify which performance dimensions are most valued in this context. The results obtained in this research indicate that the most experienced project managers prioritize Cost and Time, while in internal projects the project managers act by norm on the Scope.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Monitorização óptica da evolução de deformações em edifícios históricos

As estruturas de património arquitectónico apresentam, pela sua natureza e história, um elevado desafio no campo da conservação. Para vencer esse desafio é indispensável combinar o conhecimento e experiência científico e cultural para o estudo exaustivo das melhores soluções a aplicar, quer no âmbito da análise e diagnóstico, quer no âmbito da intervenção e conservação. Com o objectivo de facultar meios de análise e diagnóstico adequados ao património arquitectónico, foram desenvolvidos e implementados sistemas ópticos para monitorização estrutural. Um dos sistemas tem por base o uso de sensores de fibra óptica baseados em redes de Bragg. Um outro sistema tem por base a medição laser de distâncias por diferença de fase

Buckling strength of adhesively-bonded single and double-strap repairs on carbon-epoxy structures

This work reports on an experimental and finite element method (FEM) parametric study of adhesively-bonded single and double-strap repairs on carbon-epoxy structures under buckling unrestrained compression. The influence of the overlap length and patch thickness was evaluated. This loading gains a particular significance from the additional characteristic mechanisms of structures under compression, such as fibres microbuckling, for buckling restrained structures, or global buckling of the assembly, if no transverse restriction exists. The FEM analysis is based on the use of cohesive elements including mixed-mode criteria to simulate a cohesive fracture of the adhesive layer. Trapezoidal laws in pure modes I and II were used to account for the ductility of most structural adhesives. These laws were estimated for the adhesive used from double cantilever beam (DCB) and end-notched flexure (ENF) tests, respectively, using an inverse technique. The pure mode III cohesive law was equalled to the pure mode II one. Compression failure in the laminates was predicted using a stress-based criterion. The accurate FEM predictions open a good prospect for the reduction of the extensive experimentation in the design of carbon-epoxy repairs. Design principles were also established for these repairs under buckling

Dietary tryptophan deficiency and its supplementation compromises inflammatory mechanisms and disease resistance in a teleost fish

Tryptophan participates on several physiological mechanisms of the neuroendocrine-immune network and plays a critical role in macrophages and lymphocytes function. This study intended to evaluate the modulatory effects of dietary tryptophan on the European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) immune status, inflammatory response and disease resistance to Photobacterium damselae piscicida. A tryptophan deficient diet (NTRP); a control diet (CTRL); and two other diets supplemented with tryptophan at 0.13% (TRP13) and 0.17% (TRP17) of feed weight were formulated. Fish were sampled at 2 and 4 weeks of feeding and the remaining were i.p. injected with Phdp (3 × 106 cfu/fish) at 4 weeks and the inflammatory response (at 4, 24, 48 and 72 hours post-infection) as well as survival were evaluated. Results suggest that fish immune status was not altered in a tryptophan deficient scenario whereas in response to an inflammatory insult, plasma cortisol levels increased and the immune cell response was compromised, which translated in a lower disease resistance. When dietary tryptophan was offered 30% above its requirement level, plasma cortisol increased and, in response to bacterial infection, a decrease in lymphocytes, monocytes/macrophages and several immune-related genes was observed, also compromising at some degree fish disease resistance.This work was partially supported by Projects ALISSA (reference ALG-01-0247-FEDER-3520), IF/00197/2015 and INFLAMMAA (reference 02/SAICT/2017/032349), financed by Portugal and the European Union through FEDER, COMPETE 2020 and CRESC Algarve 2020, in the framework of Portugal 2020, and through the COMPETE and Operational Human Potential Programmes and national funds through Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal). M. Machado and B. Costas were supported by FCT, Portugal (SFRH/ BD/108243/2015 and IF/00197/2015, respectively). The authors also acknowledge Dr. Nuno Santos (i3S/IBMC) for critically reviewing the manuscript