On-lattice agent-based simulation of populations of cells within the open-source chaste framework

Over the years, agent-based models have been developed that combine cell division and reinforced random walks of cells on a regular lattice, reaction-diffusion equations for nutrients and growth factors and ordinary differential equations (ODEs) for the subcellular networks regulating the cell cycle. When linked to a vascular layer, this multiple scale model framework has been applied to tumour growth and therapy. Here we report on the creation of an agent-based multiscale environment amalgamating the characteristics of these models within a Virtual Pysiological Human (VPH) Exemplar Project. This project enables re-use, integration, expansion and sharing of the model and relevant data. The agent-based and reactiondiffusion parts of the multiscale model have been implemented and are available for download as part of the latest public release of Chaste (“Cancer, Heart and Soft Tissue Environment”), (http://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/chaste/) version 3.1, part of the VPH Toolkit (http://toolkit.vph-noe.eu/). The environment functionalities are verified against the original models, in addition to extra validation of all aspects of the code. In this work, we present the details of the implementation of the agent-based environment, including the system description, the conceptual model, the development of the simulation model and the processes of verification and validation of the simulation results. We explore the potential use of the environment by presenting exemplar applications of the “what if” scenarios that can easily be studied in the environment. These examples relate to tumour growth, cellular competition for resources and tumour responses to hypoxia. We conclude our work by summarising the future steps for the expansion of the current system

Social responsibility and environmental sustainability: the Case of Caixa Geral de Depósitos (Portugal) and Vale (Brazil)

Social responsibility requires a set of duties and obligations, whether individuals or firms in relation to society and to the communities in which the organization is operating. The tradition of social intervention in Portugal dates from the fifteenth century and the founding of Mercy. However, environmental issues have never been felt in a sensitive position in responsible business, given the weakness of industrial development which lasted until the 60’s. In Brazil, the corporate social responsibility is still particularly a big challenge, since the actions of social responsibility have not contributed effectively to improve the living conditions of society and the transformation of existing social reality. The purpose of this study is to emphasize the perspective of environmental sustainability that underpins the more general concept of social responsibility and, through the case study Caixa Geral de Depósitos, assess the strengths and weaknesses of the development of measures of social responsibility in this area in Portugal, and present the case of the company Vale, carrying out business in Brazil

Update on ranolazine in the management of angina.

Mortality rates attributable to coronary heart disease have declined in recent years, possibly related to changes in clinical presentation patterns and use of proven secondary prevention strategies. Chronic stable angina (CSA) remains prevalent, and the goal of treatment is control of symptoms and reduction in cardiovascular events. Ranolazine is a selective inhibitor of the late sodium current in myocytes with anti-ischemic and metabolic properties. It was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2006 for use in patients with CSA. Multiple, randomized, placebo-controlled trials have shown that ranolazine improves functional capacity and decreases anginal episodes in CSA patients, despite a lack of a significant hemodynamic effect. Ranolazine did not improve cardiovascular mortality or affect incidence of myocardial infarction in the MERLIN (Metabolic Efficiency with Ranolazine for Less Ischemia in Non-ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome)-TIMI (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) 36 trial, but significantly decreased the incidence of recurrent angina. More recently, ranolazine has been shown to have beneficial and potent antiarrhythmic effects, both on supraventricular and ventricular tachyarrhythmias, largely due to its inhibition of the late sodium current. Randomized controlled trials testing these effects are underway. Lastly, ranolazine appears to be cost-effective due to its ability to decrease angina-related hospitalizations and improve quality of life

Far-infrared all sky diffuse mapping with AKARI

We discuss the capability of AKARI in recovering diffuse far-infrared emission, and examine the achieved reliability. Critical issues in making images of diffuse emission are the transient response and long-term stability of the far-infrared detectors. Quantitative evaluation of these characteristics are the key to achieving sensitivity comparable to or better than that for point sources (< 20 -- 95 MJy sr-1). We describe current activity and progress toward the production of high quality images of the diffuse far-infrared emission using the AKARI all-sky survey data.Comment: 4 pages, 8 figures, to appear in the Proceedings of the Conference "AKARI, a light to illuminate the misty Universe", Fukutake Hall, The University of Tokyo, Japan, 16-19 February 200

Catalytic Oxidation of Soot and Volatile Organic Compounds over Cu and Fe Doped Manganese Oxides Prepared via Sol-Gel Synthesis

A set of manganese oxide catalysts was synthesized and doped with Cu and/or Fe by means of the citric acid sol-gel preparation method. The samples were studied by means of several characterization techniques: field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), N2-physisorption at -196 °C, H2 and soot temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR, soot-TPR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The catalytic performance of the prepared catalysts was investigated in the oxidation of a probe VOC molecule (propylene) and carbon soot singularly and simultaneously. The catalytic performances were studied as well assuring a content of 5 vol.% of water in the gaseous reactive mix. The investigations evidenced that the best soot catalytic oxidation rates occurred over the Mn2O3 sample, while the copper-doped manganese oxide (i.e. the MnCu15) showed the best performance in the decomposition of propylene. The soot conversion rates of the samples were positively correlated to the Mn3+/Mn2+ ratio of the samples, while the activity in the oxidation of propylene could be attributed to the reducibility enhancement caused by the insertion of Cu species in the structure of Mn2O3. The most active samples in soot oxidation demonstrated only a slight catalytic activity deactivation after thermal aging and practically no deactivation during the tests with humidity. Interestingly, the simultaneous soot-propylene oxidation tests evidenced an enhancement of the oxidation of soot particles in "tight"contact with the catalyst, likely due to a cooperative effect between soot and propylene oxidation

Catalytic Abatement of Volatile Organic Compounds and Soot over Manganese Oxide Catalysts

A set of manganese oxide catalysts was synthesized via two preparation techniques: solution combustion synthesis (Mn3O4/Mn2O3-SCS and Mn2O3-SCS) and sol-gel synthesis (Mn2O3-SG550 and Mn2O3-SG650). The physicochemical properties of the catalysts were studied by means of N2-physisorption at −196◦ C, X-ray powder diffraction, H2 temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR), soot-TPR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The high catalytic performance of the catalysts was verified in the oxidation of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) probe molecules (ethene and propene) and carbon soot in a temperature-programmed oxidation setup. The best catalytic performances in soot abatement were observed for the Mn2O3-SG550 and the Mn3O4/Mn2O3-SCS catalysts. The catalytic activity in VOC total oxidation was effectively correlated to the enhanced low-temperature reducibility of the catalysts and the abundant surface Oα-species. Likewise, low-temperature oxidation of soot in tight contact occurred over the Mn2O3-SG550 catalyst and was attributed to high amounts of surface Oα-species and better surface reducibility. For the soot oxidation in loose contact, the improved catalytic performance of the Mn3O4/Mn2O3-SCS catalyst was attributed to the beneficial effects of both the morphological structure that—like a filter—enhanced the capture of soot particles and to a probable high amount of surface acid-sites, which is characteristic of Mn3O4 catalysts

Cerium‐Copper Oxides Synthesized in a Multi‐Inlet Vortex Reactor as Effective Nanocatalysts for CO and Ethene Oxidation Reactions

In this study, a set of CuCeOx catalysts was prepared via the coprecipitation method using a Multi‐Inlet Vortex Reactor: the Cu wt.% content is 5, 10, 20, 30 and 60. Moreover, pure CeO2 and CuO were synthesized for comparison purposes. The physico‐chemical properties of this set of samples were investigated by complementary techniques, e.g., XRD, N2 physisorption at −196 °C, Scanning Electron Microscopy, XPS, FT‐IR, Raman spectroscopy and H2‐TPR. Then, the CuCeOx catalysts were tested for the CO and ethene oxidation reactions. As a whole, all the prepared samples presented good catalytic performances towards the CO oxidation reaction (1000 ppm CO, 10 vol.% O2/N2): the most promising catalyst was the 20%CuCeOx (complete CO conversion at 125 °C), which exhibited a long‐term thermal stability. Similarly, the oxidative activity of the catalysts were evaluated using a gaseous mixture containing 500 ppm C2H4, 10 vol.% O2/N2. Accordingly, for the ethene oxidation reaction, the 20%CuCeOx catalyst evidenced the best catalytic properties. The elevated catalytic activity towards CO and ethene oxidation was mainly ascribed to synergistic interactions between CeO2 and CuO phases, as well as to the high amount of surface‐chemisorbed oxygen species and structural defects

Modelo para estimativa de produtividade da cultura do milho no Estado do Piauí.

Modelo para Estimativa de Produtividade da Cultura do Milho no Estado do Piauí; Desenvolvimento do modelo; Conversão de CO2 em CH2 O; Correção para respiração de manutencão e crescimento; CRMCI; Correcão para interceptação de radiação solar (CRs); índice de colheita (IC); Produtividade potencial de grãos (PPgr); Balanco hídrico; Evapotranspiracão de referência; índice térmico e coeficiente empírico composto; Evapotranspiração da cultura; Capacidade de água disponível; Saldo (SI e negativo acumulado (L); Variaçao do armazenamento; Evapotranspiracao real; Deficiência hidrica; Fator de depleção de produtividade (Fd); Produtividade deplecionada de grãos (Pgrãos).bitstream/item/35900/1/Doc157.pd

Case Study: An international study on CSR in five countries (Portugal, Bulgaria, Brazil, India and Greece): Effects on economic development, environmental sustainability and social welfare

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) refers to companies'policies and actions aimed at achieving a positive impact on environment, consumers, employees or communities. It requires a set of duties self-regulating mechanisms and obligations, in relation to the society and to the communities in which the organization is operating. Corporate Social Responsibility is nowadays important enough to make that organizations put very challenging objectives in this area. In this Framework Companies shall ensure that law is guaranted as far as ethical standards and international norms shall be assured as well. There are many studies in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility but the presentation of several cases in one study reveals some particular aspects to be considered and to be had in account when CSR is studied. This study discusses the implications of CSR for economic development, environmental sustainability and social welfare in five countries.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio