Influence of the rotator cuff tear pattern in shoulder stability after arthroscopic superior capsule reconstruction: a computational analysis

Objectives: To assess the ability of the arthroscopic superior capsule reconstruction (SCR) in restoring glenohumeral stability in the presence of different preoperative patterns of irreparable rotator cuff tears (RCTs). Methods: A computational musculoskeletal (MSK) model of the upper limb was used to simulate isolated SCR and to estimate the stability of the shoulder. Four patterns of preoperative irreparable RCTs were modeled: Supraspinatus (SSP); SSP ​+ ​Subscapularis (SSC); SSP ​+ ​Infraspinatus (ISP); and SSP ​+ ​SSC ​+ ​ISP. The muscles involved in the irreparable RCT were removed from the MSK model to simulate an irreparable full-thickness tear. In the MSK model, the muscle and joint forces were estimated for a set of upper limb positions, from four types of motions (abduction in the frontal plane, forward flexion in the sagittal plane, reaching behind the back, and combing the hair) collected in a biomechanics laboratory, through inverse dynamic analysis. The stability of the shoulder was estimated based on the tangential and compressive components of the glenohumeral joint reaction force. The comparison of pre- and post-operative conditions, for the four patterns of irreparable RCTs, with the healthy condition, was performed using ANOVA and Tukey's tests (statistical level of p ​< ​0.05). Results: In the setting of an isolated irreparable SSP tear, SCR statistically significantly improved stability compared with the preoperative condition (p ​< ​0.001). For the irreparable SSP ​+ ​SSC pattern, a statistically significant loss in stability was observed (p ​< ​0.001) when SCR was applied. For the irreparable SSP ​+ ​ISP and SSP ​+ ​SSC ​+ ​ISP patterns, the postoperative condition increased shoulder stability, compared to the preoperative condition; however, the improvement was not statistically significantly different. Conclusion: Isolated SCR for irreparable RCTs extending beyond the SSP does not statistically significantly improve the stability of the glenohumeral jointinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture systems: energy transfers and food web organization in coastal earthen ponds

Three Ecopath models were built to reproduce 3 experimental treatments carried out in earthen ponds located in Olhao, southern Portugal, to understand the energy transferred and the ecosystem state in integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA). These earthen ponds behave as simplified ecosystems or mesocosms, with well-defined borders, where the relationships between trophic groups can be described through ecosystem modeling. Different combinations of species were produced in these ponds, corresponding to the 3 treatments: (1) fish, oysters and macroalgae (FOM); (2) fish and oysters (FO); and (3) fish and macroalgae (FM). The managed species were meagre Argyrosomus regius, white seabream Diplodus sargus, flathead grey mullet Mugil cephalus, Japanese oyster Crassostrea gigas and sea lettuce Ultra spp. The results showed that the total amount of energy throughput was 15 to 17 times higher when compared with an equivalent naturalized system. The high biomass and low recycling indicated an immature system with low resilience and low stability that demands high rates of water renewal and aeration to maintain good water-quality levels for finfish production. The addition of oysters and macroalgae in the FOM treatment appeared to improve the water quality, since oysters controlled the excess of phytoplankton produced in the ponds by ingesting a fair amount of the phytoplankton, while the macroalgae helped in the absorption of excess nutrients and created a habitat for periphyton and associated macroinvertebrates. Some ecosystem attributes of the FOM ponds approached the values of the naturalized model, suggesting a possible path towards more sustainable aquaculture.COFASP/0003/2015 Interreg Atlantic Area project INTEGRATE EAPA_232/2016 project DIVERSIAQUA Mar2020 16-02-01-FMP-0066 UID/Multi/04326/2019/UID/Multi/04326/2020info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Multispectral and hyperspectral remote sensing as a source of knowledge in the Portuguese sector of the Iberian Pyrite Belt

ABSTRACT: Remote sensing is an invaluable tool to increase geological and mining knowledge, due to its screening view and variable discrimination and identification capabilities of the target materials. In this study an overview of remote sensing research developed and ongoing within the Portuguese sector of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (PSIPB) since 2000 is given. Multispectral and hyperspectral datasets were processed using hybrid methods, related both to general and detailed characterization, to: 1) support geological, mineral and hydrothermal mapping, 2) generate products derived from multivariate analysis and band ratios, 3) enhance correlation with radiometric data, 4) provide elements for environmental assessment concerning mining activity, 5) map Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) based on spectral field signatures, 6) quantify AMD based on high correlation mineralogical mapping, and 7) monitor AMD. The results highlight the importance of the quantitative digital support given by remote sensing tools within the Portuguese Sector of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (PSIPB), ruled by georesource exploitation in different stages of the Mine Lyfe Cycle.RESUMO: A deteção remota é uma ferramenta valiosa para aumentar o conhecimento geológico e mineiro, devido à visão sinótica e à capacidade variável de discriminação e identificação dos materiais-alvo. Neste trabalho dá-se uma visão geral da investigação através dos trabalhos de deteção remota desenvolvidos e em curso no Setor Português da Faixa Piritosa Ibérica (SPFPI) desde 2000. Os dados multiespectrais e hiperespectrais foram processados usando métodos híbridos quer para a sua caracterização geral quer detalhada para: 1) apoiar a cartografia geológica, de mineralizações e sistemas hidrotermais, 2) gerar produtos de análise multivariada e rácios de bandas, 3) melhorar a correlação com dados radiométricos 4) fornecer elementos para avaliação ambiental em áreas mineiras, 5) cartografar a drenagem ácida de mina (DAM) com assinaturas espectrais de campo, 6) quantificar a DAM através de cartografia mineralógica de alta correlação, e 7) monitorizar a DAM. Destaca-se a importância do suporte digital quantitativo dado por ferramentas de deteção remota no SPFPI, regido pela exploração de georrecursos em diferentes fases do Ciclo de Vida das Minas

Alu-Alu Recombination Underlying the First Large Genomic Deletion in GlcNAc-Phosphotransferase Alpha/Beta (GNPTAB) Gene in a MLII Alpha/Beta Patient

Mucolipidosis type II α/β is a severe, autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder, caused by a defect in the GNPTAB gene that codes for the α/β subunits of the GlcNAc-phosphotransferase. To date, over 100 different mutations have been identified in MLII α/β patients, but no large deletions have been reported. Here we present the first case of a large homozygous intragenic GNPTAB gene deletion (c.3435-386_3602 + 343del897) encompassing exon 19, identified in a ML II α/β patient. Long-range PCR and sequencing methodologies were used to refine the characterization of this rearrangement, leading to the identification of a 21 bp repetitive motif in introns 18 and 19. Further analysis revealed that both the 5' and 3' breakpoints were located within highly homologous Alu elements (Alu-Sz in intron 18 and Alu-Sq2, in intron 19), suggesting that this deletion has probably resulted from Alu-Alu unequal homologous recombination. RT-PCR methods were used to further evaluate the consequences of the alteration for the processing of the mutant pre mRNA GNPTAB, revealing the production of three abnormal transcripts: one without exon 19 (p.Lys1146_Trp1201del); another with an additional loss of exon 20 (p.Arg1145Serfs*2), and a third in which exon 19 was substituted by a pseudoexon inclusion consisting of a 62 bp fragment from intron 18 (p.Arg1145Serfs*16). Interestingly, this 62 bp fragment corresponds to the Alu-Sz element integrated in intron 18.This represents the first description of a large deletion identified in the GNPTAB gene and contributes to enrich the knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underlying causative mutations in ML II.This work was supported by FCT - project PIC/IC/83252/2007 (http://alfa.fct.mctes.pt/). Coutinho MF and Quental S received grants from the FCT (SFRH/BD/48103/2008; SFRH/BPD/64025/2009)

Deteção remota multiespectral e hiperespetral como fonte de conhecimento no sector português da Faixa Piritosa Ibérica

ABSTRACT: Remote sensing is an invaluable tool to increase geological and mining knowledge, due to its screening view and variable discrimination and identification capabilities of the target materials. In this study an overview of remote sensing research developed and ongoing within the Portuguese sector of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (PSIPB) since 2000 is given. Multispectral and hyperspectral datasets were processed using hybrid methods, related both to general and detailed characterization, to: 1) support geological, mineral and hydrothermal mapping, 2) generate products derived from multivariate analysis and band ratios, 3) enhance correlation with radiometric data, 4) provide elements for environmental assessment concerning mining activity, 5) map Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) based on spectral field signatures, 6) quantify AMD based on high correlation mineralogical mapping, and 7) monitor AMD. The results highlight the importance of the quantitative digital support given by remote sensing tools within the Portuguese Sector of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (PSIPB), ruled by georesource exploitation in different stages of the Mine Lyfe Cycle.RESUMO: A deteção remota é uma ferramenta valiosa para aumentar o conhecimento geológico e mineiro, devido à visão sinótica e à capacidade variável de discriminação e identificação dos materiais-alvo. Neste trabalho dá-se uma visão geral da investigação através dos trabalhos de deteção remota desenvolvidos e em curso no Setor Português da Faixa Piritosa Ibérica (SPFPI) desde 2000. Os dados multiespectrais e hiperespectrais foram processados usando métodos híbridos quer para a sua caracterização geral quer detalhada para: 1) apoiar a cartografia geológica, de mineralizações e sistemas hidrotermais, 2) gerar produtos de análise multivariada e rácios de bandas, 3) melhorar a correlação com dados radiométricos 4) fornecer elementos para avaliação ambiental em áreas mineiras, 5) cartografar a drenagem ácida de mina (DAM) com assinaturas espectrais de campo, 6) quantificar a DAM através de cartografia mineralógica de alta correlação, e 7) monitorizar a DAM. Destaca-se a importância do suporte digital quantitativo dado por ferramentas de deteção remota no SPFPI, regido pela exploração de georrecursos em diferentes fases do Ciclo de Vida das Minas.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Molecular Phylogenetic Signature of Clades in Decline

Molecular phylogenies have been used to study the diversification of many clades. However, current methods for inferring diversification dynamics from molecular phylogenies ignore the possibility that clades may be decreasing in diversity, despite the fact that the fossil record shows this to be the case for many groups. Here we investigate the molecular phylogenetic signature of decreasing diversity using the most widely used statistic for inferring diversity dynamics from molecular phylogenies, the γ statistic. We show that if a clade is in decline its molecular phylogeny may show evidence of the decrease in the diversification rate that occurred between its diversification and decline phases. The ability to detect the change in diversification rate depends largely on the ratio of the speciation rates of the diversification and decline phases, the higher the ratio the stronger the signal of the change in diversification rate. Consequently, molecular phylogenies of clades in relative rapid decline do not carry a signature of their decreasing diversification. Further, the signal of the change in diversification rate, if present, declines as the diversity drop. Unfortunately, the molecular signature of clades in decline is the same as the signature produced by diversity dependent diversification. Given this similarity, and the inability of current methods to detect declining diversity, it is likely that some of the extant clades that show a decrease in diversification rate, currently interpreted as evidence for diversity dependent diversification, are in fact in decline. Unless methods can be developed that can discriminate between the different modes of diversification, specifically diversity dependent diversification and declining diversity, we will need the fossil record, or data from some other source, to distinguish between these very different diversity trajectories

Fashion showcases design: perceptions of the showcase in the brazilian popular market

The present work aims to present the showcase, its relation with the building, with fashion and with the observer. The importance of this exhibition space extends from the aesthetic and communication functions to be part of a wide textile and clothing chain. This role integrates the whole cycle of creation, textiles, clothing and fashion accessories. For this article we used bibliographical references of design and fashion, as well as methodologies of photographic and ethnographic documentation, with application of focus groups. From the focus groups were identified descriptors related to emotional design. Such descriptors point to the emotions arising from memories, tastes and attitudes. These factors can lead to decisions and assist the wider knowledge of the target audience.- This work is supported by CNPq funding on the Programa Ciencias Sem Fronteiras - CSF by national funds within the scope of the project Processo no 203068/2014-9.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio