Why not "do simple things in a simple way": Use of the Pap test as the first step in screening genetic stability for human cultured stem cell therapy?

The aim of this study was to analyze adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSCs) using the Pap test as a first screening step to evaluate genetic stability. Human adipose tissue from six healthy female donors was obtained from elective liposuction procedures. The cells were isolated, cultivated at P2/P3, characterized by flow cytometric analysis, and differentiation induced. The AT-MSCs were stained by Papanicolaou staining and analyzed according to the Bethesda classification, and viability-apoptosis relationships were evaluated. The results of the Pap test for Sample I indicated high-grade alterations consistent with genetic instability; for Samples II-V, atypical cells of undetermined significance; and for Sample VI, normal cells. These results demonstrate the potential of using the Pap test as an initial screening step to evaluate the genetic stability of cultured AT-MSCs and also suggest its use for other adherent cells such as embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells

Brief references about teacher training in Portugal: the importance of school associations training centers – CFAE and the collaborative experience between Brazil and Portugal in continuous training through the digital teaching on network course

This article, is a clipping that derives from a post-doctoral research report carried out at the Open University of Portugal in the field of teacher training, it was sought, through a bibliographic and documentary research, approaches and historical evidence, from authors who discuss the theme in an evolutionary process, and also, in the legal basis in the educational context in Portugal. In this sense, it was possible to know the organizational aspects of the basic academic structure of teaching in Portugal with regard to continuous training and specialized training of teachers, whose paths are directed to the possibilities of improvement and professional development throughout the life of these teachers in their careers. It was also considered to analyze the rise and importance attributed to the Training Centers for School Associations - CFAEs, which act as decentralized networks integrating schools, teachers and managers through training plans organized territorially. At the end of the study, we carried out a brief analysis of the Course entitled, Digital Teaching in Network, idealized by the Open University of Portugal, having been applied to Brazilian and Portuguese professors in a collaborative regime through the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), the State university of Maranhão (UEMA) and the Open University of Portugal (UAb-PT).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Diagnóstico do uso de energia elétrica em um abatedouro de frangos

In slaughterhouses, the operations that occur are heavily dependent on electricity. This study aimed to diagnose, analyze and propose solutions that lead to the rational use of electricity, without interfering, or maintain, the quality of the final product on the production lines of a broiler slaughterhouse. The work was carried through in a slaughterhouse of broilers, located in São Paulo, in the period of 2004 to 2008. It was found that the compressors responsible for maintaining cold the refrigerated environment showed the highest consumption of electricity in the fridge, representing 97% of total consumption. It was observed that in none of the evaluated electric motors the power factor reaches the value recommended by ANEEL, and that possibly the energy efficiency indicators can be optimized. It was concluded that there are failures in electric energy use, demonstrating the need to implement an action plan that aims the conservation and rational use of energy and consequent reduction in production cost of chicken meat.3014146CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQSem informaçãoNos matadouros, as operações que ocorrem são altamente dependentes da eletricidade. Este estudo teve como objetivo diagnosticar, analisar e propor soluções que levem ao uso racional de energia elétrica, sem interferir, e manter, a qualidade do produto final nas linhas de produção de frangos de corte matadouro. O trabalho foi realizado em um matadouro de frangos de corte, localizada em São Paulo, no período de 2004 a 2008. Verificou-se que os compressores responsáveis pela manutenção da frio do ambiente refrigerado apresentaram o maior consumo de electricidade no frigorífico, o que representa 97% do consumo total. Foi observado que em nenhum dos motores elétricos avaliados o fator de potência atinge o valor recomendado pela ANEEL, e que, possivelmente, os indicadores de eficiência energética pode ser otimizado. Concluiu-se que existem falhas no uso da energia elétrica, demonstrando a necessidade de implementar um plano de ação que visa a conservação e uso racional de energia e conseqüente redução do custo de produção de carne de frango

Bacteriological evaluation in Salmon (Salmo salar) benefit in fish's warehouse in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The consumption of raw fish is increasing in Brazil however it may present a higher risk to public health, because its integrity depends only on proper handling and storage. Hence, the use of effective means to ensure the safety of the product is extremely important. The aim of this investigation was to carry out microbiological analysis of salmon (Salmosalar) before and after the processing in a fish industry. The microbiological analyzes were: Salmonella spp(SS), Staphylococcus aureus (SA), total coliforms (TC), Escherichia coli (EC) and Aerobic Mesophilic Heterotrophic Bacteria (AMHB). The raw material and the final product had low levels of AMHB and SA. TC was in low concentration only in the final product. The SS and EC bacteria were not isolated. It is suggested that fish industries with ?good processing practices? can produce suitable raw fish to fresh consumption

CONTROLE PREDITIVO BASEADO EM MODELO PARA SATÉLITES COM ESTRUTURAS FLEXÍVEIS

O controle de atitude de satélites é extremamente importante para garantir o seu desempenho de operação e atender aos requisitos de funcionamento em missões espaciais. A presença de estruturas flexíveis em satélites, tais como antenas ou painéis solares, implica no desenvolvimento de sistemas de controle com alta performance e robustez no intuito de reduzir as indesejáveis vibrações e deflexões que são geradas em função de manobras no espaço. Tais manobras, se executadas de forma incorreta, podem excitar modos de vibração, prejudicando o controle de orientação. Além disso, o projeto do controlador deve levar em consideração as diversas restrições dos atuadores e variáveis de estado do satélite, mantendo as condições operacionais em regime ótimo de funcionamento. Neste contexto, foi desenvolvido um controlador preditivo baseado em modelo (MPC) para o controle de atitude em satélites que possuem estruturas flexíveis. O controlador proposto foi discretizado edesenvolvido baseado no sistema linearizado da planta, e calcula, a cada instante de amostragem, uma solução ótima para o problema de controle, considerando, na formulação da estratégia, as saturações dos atuadores e limitações nas variáveis de estado do satélite. Os resultados de simulação mostram a eficiência do método de controle empregado e são comparados com o regulador linear quadrático (LQR). Palavras-chave: Satélites rígido-flexíveis, Controle preditivo baseado em modelo (MPC), Controle de atitud

Probiotic and antifungal attributes of lactic acid bacteria isolates from naturally fermented Brazilian table olives

Research with fermented olives as a source of wild Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) strains with probiotic and biotechnological characteristics constitutes a promising field of work. The present study evaluated in vitro probiotic, antifungal, and antimycotoxigenic potential of LAB isolates from naturally fermented Brazilian table olives. Among fourteen LAB isolates, the Levilactobacillus brevis CCMA 1762, Lactiplantibacillus pentosus CCMA 1768, and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei CCMA 1770 showed potential probiotic and antifungal properties. The isolates showed resistance to pH 2.0 (survival ≥ 84.55), bile salts (survival ≥ 99.44), and gastrointestinal tract conditions (survival ≥ 57.84%); hydrophobic cell surface (≥27%); auto-aggregation (≥81.38%); coaggregation with Escherichia coli INCQS 00181 (≥33.97%) and Salmonella Enteritidis ATCC 564 (≥53.84%); adhesion to the epithelial cell line Caco-2 (≥5.04%); antimicrobial activity against the bacteria S. Enteritidis ATCC 564 (≥6 mm), Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19117 (≥6 mm), Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 8702 (≥3 mm), and the fungi Penicillium nordicum MUM 08.16 (inhibition ≥ 64.8%). In addition, the strains showed the ability to adsorb the mycotoxins aflatoxin B1 (≥40%) and ochratoxin A (≥34%). These results indicate that LAB strains from naturally fermented Brazilian table olives are potentially probiotic and antifungal candidates that can be used for food biopreservation.This research was funded by the Brazilian agencies Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico do Brasil (CNPq) [423095/2016-1; 309561/2019-1], Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) [CAG-APQ-03478-16], Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) [PNPD20131289], Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) [UIDB/04469/2020], LABBELS—Associate Laboratory in Biotechnology, Bioengineering and Microelectromechnaical Systems [LA/P/0029/2020]. Luís Abrunhosa acknowledges FCT for the assistant research contract CEECIND/00728/2017.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Influence of Cutting Speed and Feed Rate on the Wear of an S-Type Mixed Ceramic Tool in Turning of AISI 4140 Hardened Steel

In this study, the performance and the useful life of a mixed ceramic tool with S-type edge microgeometry are evaluated for the case of dry turning of AISI 4140 steel hardened to 55 HRC. The influence of the cutting speed and feed rate of the cutting parameters on the tool failure was investigated. The experiments were designed and analysed using the complete factorial design technique. Our results indicate that the cutting speed and feed rate values exert significant influence on the tool lifespan. Crater and flank wear occur in all cutting conditions. The predominant tool wear mechanisms are diffusion, abrasion, and adhesion, which are also known as attrition. The tool life curve and equation were established for the machining conditions of this investigation to achieve the subsequent optimisation of this process

Using Model Cards for ethical reflection on machine learning models: an interview-based study

How do tools designed for documenting machine learning models contribute to developers’ ethical reflection? We set out to answer this question regarding Model Cards, a tool proposed for such purpose. We conducted a thematic analysis of eight semi-structured interviews based on speculative design sessions. Each participant assumed the role of developer of an artificial intelligence model in one of two scenarios: loan applications or university admissions. We found evidence that designers may have been selective about which ethical issues – from among those they had reflected on – they recorded in the Model Cards. While participants were hesitant to grant full autonomy to the artifact to be developed, we identified they still tended to rely on a third party (outside the design team) to mediate the relationship between the system and other stakeholders. Our findings contribute to our understanding of documentation tools, their epistemic value, and how they can be leveraged to engage in a more ethically informed design process of artificial intelligence systems