Assessing the potentially misleading nature of metrics and of those who assess and create them

This self-published note makes a formal critique of a paper published in Wiley’s Bioessays as an invited paper: Gutierrez, F.R.S., Beall, J., Forero, D.A. (2015) Spurious alternative impact factors: The scale of the problem from an academic perspective. Bioessays 37: 474-476. DOI: 10.1002/bies.201500011. I am of the opinion that several incorrect and even misleading statements have been made in that paper. The refusal by the authors to respond to these concerns publicly, as well as the excuse by the publisher to not consider this critique on the basis of “journal space limitations” further accentuates the concerns. This model of publishing also serves as a viable way of exposing ideas and criticisms that lie beyond the manipulated hand of the self-serving interests of publishers

Assessing the potentially misleading nature of metrics and of those who assess and create them

This self-published note makes a formal critique of a paper published in Wiley’s Bioessays as an invited paper: Gutierrez, F.R.S., Beall, J., Forero, D.A. (2015) Spurious alternative impact factors: The scale of the problem from an academic perspective. Bioessays 37: 474-476. DOI: 10.1002/bies.201500011. I am of the opinion that several incorrect and even misleading statements have been made in that paper. The refusal by the authors to respond to these concerns publicly, as well as the excuse by the publisher to not consider this critique on the basis of “journal space limitations” further accentuates the concerns. This model of publishing also serves as a viable way of exposing ideas and criticisms that lie beyond the manipulated hand of the self-serving interests of publishers

Physical activity, strength training and nutritional support in patients with metabolic syndrome from a Northeaster Portuguese primary health care: a pilot community intervention program

The prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) has been increasing exponentially in the Portuguese population. Primary prevention using physical activity (PA), exercise and healthy lifestyles seems to be limited. Thus, current study aims to present the design and preliminary findings of a pilot community intervention for patients with MetS. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted between April and July 2022 with patients with MetS, from a Northeaster Portuguese primary health care. Eight participants completed the three-month intervention program, 6 women (51.0±6.4 years) and 2 men (46.5±4.9 years). The program included: (1) evaluation and prescription of PA (steps/day and floors/day); (2) nutritional and dietary support; (3) strength training sessions; (3) blood testing; (4) anthropometric and body composition assessment. A pre- and post-intervention follow up was conducted. Garmin®F 745 were used for PA prescription and assessment. PA targets per day were: number of steps ≥10 000; uphill walking ≥10 floors; and minutes of intensity ≥150 per week. Nutritional and dietary evaluation was recorded by completing the food frequency questionnaire with subsequent recommendation of changes to healthy diet. The designed strength training program was: (i) frequency of 2x/week; (ii) 8 to 10 exercises, in order to work the main muscle groups; (iii) 2 sets of 10 to 12 repetitions; (iv) 60 to 70% of one maximum repetition. Blood samples evaluated glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fating glucose (FG), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, total cholesterol (TC), systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Body weight (kg), lean body mass (kg) and fat mass percentage (%) was evaluated by bio-impedance scale (Tanita MC 780-P MA®). MetS parameters was defined by joint interim statement (JIS) criteria (Alberti et al, 2009). Results: Regarding PA parameters at the end of the three-month program, the average number of daily steps was 11 818, the number of daily floors was 15.35 and moderate to vigorous PA was 253 minutes/week. An improvement in pre- and post-intervention blood concentrations and pressure was observed, namely in HbA1c (-7.4%±15.2), FG (-4.9%±14.4), HDL (-4.8%±9.7), TC (-1.9%±19.9), SBP (-15.6%±10.7) and DBP (-12.7%±9.3). All participants registered a weight loss (-3.4%±2.0), with an increase in lean mass (-4.5%±2.0) and a decrease in fat mass (-8.7%±6.3). Except for one participant, all improved in heart rate recovery after exercise (19.3%±28.2), suggesting an improvement in cardiovascular capacity. Conclusions: The effect of the implemented pilot community intervention program was greater in the participants who followed the program more rigorously. Additionally, the strength training may have been important in increasing lean body mass. The inclusion of PA, strength training and nutritional support in primary health care, through a supervised program, seems to be a key strategy to reduce the risk associated with MetS and delay the complications associated with cardiometabolic diseases.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Phenomenological viability of orbifold models with three Higgs families

We discuss the phenomenological viability of string multi-Higgs doublet models, namely a scenario of heterotic $Z_3$ orbifolds with two Wilson lines, which naturally predicts three supersymmetric families of matter and Higgs fields. We study the orbifold parameter space, and discuss the compatibility of the predicted Yukawa couplings with current experimental data. We address the implications of tree-level flavour changing neutral processes in constraining the Higgs sector of the model, finding that viable scenarios can be obtained for a reasonably light Higgs spectrum. We also take into account the tree-level contributions to indirect CP violation, showing that the experimental value of $\epsilon_K$ can be accommodated in the present framework.Comment: 31 pages, 12 figures. Comments and references added. Final version to be published in JHE

Note. Colonisation of bench cover materials by Salmonella typhimurium

Due to the increasing requirements of food safety, it is of utmost importance to know the mechanisms that can determine the occurrence of the phenomenon commonly assigned by cross contamination, which can be expressed by the transference of harmful substances or microorganisms to the human food chain. This is particularly susceptible during food preparation, because it can occur by the transference of the pathogen microorganisms from food to the surfaces where they had been prepared, and from there to foods initially not contaminated, therefore initiating the cycle. This study attempted to investigate the colonisation by Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 13311 of marble and granite, two materials commonly used as bench covers in kitchens of many countries. These materials were selected because there is a lack of studies in the literature about their ability for bacterial colonisation. In addition, the colonisation of stainless steel (SS) 304, a material usually studied, was also analysed in terms of comparison. Surface hydrophobicity and roughness were determined in order to explain the differences in the extent of adhesion. The results showed that SS was the material with a greater extent of colonisation by S. typhimurium, followed by marble and, almost to the same extent, by granite. S. typhimurium adheres to a greater extent to the most hydrophobic material and to the material with roughest surface.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - PRAXIS SFRH/BPD/11553/2002, projecto POCI/AGR/59358/200

The interaction of La3+ complexes of DOTA/DTPA-glycoconjugates with the RCA120 lectin : a saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR spectroscopic study

The study of ligand-receptor interactions using high resolution NMR techniques, namely the Saturation Transfer Difference (STD), is presented for the recognition process between La(III) complexes of DOTA mono(amide) and DTPA bis(amide) glycoconjugates and the galactose specific lectin Ricinus Communis agglutinin (RCA120). This new class of Gd(III)-based potential targeted MRI contrast agents (CAs), bearing one or two terminal sugar (galactosyl or lactosyl) moieties, has been designed for in vivo binding to ASGPR (the asialoglycoprotein receptor), which is specifically expressed at the surface of liver hepatocytes, with the aim of leading to a new possible diagnosis of liver pathologies. The in vitro affinity constants of the divalent La(III)- glycoconjugate complexes to RCA120, used as a simple, water soluble receptor model, were higher than those of the monovalent analogues. The combination of the experimental data obtained from the STD NMR experiments with molecular modelling protocols (Autodock 4.1) allowed us to predict the binding mode of mono and divalent forms of these CAs to the galactose 1 binding sites of RCA120. The atomic details of the molecular interactions allowed corroborating and supporting the interaction of both the sugar moieties and the linkers with the surface of the protein and thus, their contribution to the observed interaction stabilities.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Evaluation of the protection against norovirus afforded by E. coli monitoring of shellfish production areas under EU regulations

EC Regulation 854/2004 requires the classification of bivalve mollusc harvesting areas according to the faecal pollution status of sites. It has been reported that determination of Escherichia coli in bivalve shellfish is a poor predictor of norovirus (NoV) contamination in individual samples. We explore the correlation of shellfish E. coli data with norovirus presence using data from studies across 88 UK sites (1,184 paired samples). We investigate whether current E. coli legislative standards could be refined to reduce NoV infection risk. A significant relationship between E. coli and NoV was found in the winter months (October to February) using data from sites with at least 10 data pairs (51 sites). We found that the ratio of arithmetic means (log10 E. coli to log10 NoV) at these sites ranged from 0.6 to 1.4. The lower ratios (towards 0.6) might typically indicate situations where the contribution from UV disinfected sewage discharges was more significant. Conversely, higher ratios (towards 1.4) might indicate a prevalence of animal sources of pollution; however, this relationship did not always hold true and so further work is required to fully elucidate the factors of relevance. Reducing the current class B maximum (allowed in 10% of samples) from 46,000 E. coli per 100 g (corresponding NoV value of 75750±103) to 18,000 E. coli per 100 g (corresponding NoV value of 29365±69) reduces maximum levels of NoV by a factor of 2.6 to 1; reducing the upper class B limit to 100% compliance with 4,600 E. coli per 100 g (corresponding NoV value of 7403±39) reduces maximum levels of NoV by a factor of 10.2 to 1. We found using the UK filtered winter dataset that a maximum of 200 NoV corresponded to a maximum of 128±7 E. coli per 100 g. A maximum of 1,000 NoV corresponded to a maximum of 631±14 E. coli per 100 g

Enhancement of bacteriocin production and antimicrobial activity of Pediococcus acidilactici HA-6111-2

The effect of sequential treatments of pressure (50–150 MPa, 10 ºC, 5 min) and temperature (57 ºC, 15 min) on the survival and bacteriocin production of Pediococcus acidilactici HA-6111-2 cells in the exponential growth phase was assessed. The growth curves were fitted with the modified Gompertz model, and the estimated maximum specific growth rate was considered to be pressure dependent. A delay in the maximum value of bacteriocin production was registered for more severe pressure conditions, but it was found more notorious for pressure followed by temperature treatments. At lower pressure intensity treatment, regardless of the application order, there was an enhancement of bacteriocin production per cell when compared to the control while maintaining the maximum production value. Bacteriocin production after the treatments can be described by an exponential model

Effects of Impurity Content on the Sintering Characteristics of Plasma-Sprayed Zirconia

Yttria-stabilized zirconia powders, containing different levels of SiO2 and Al2O3, have been plasma sprayed onto metallic substrates. The coatings were detached from their substrates and a dilatometer was used to monitor the dimensional changes they exhibited during prolonged heat treatments. It was found that specimens containing higher levels of silica and alumina exhibited higher rates of linear contraction, in both in-plane and through-thickness directions. The in-plane stiffness and the through-thickness thermal conductivity were also measured after different heat treatments and these were found to increase at a greater rate for specimens with higher impurity (silica and alumina) levels. Changes in the pore architecture during heat treatments were studied using Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry (MIP). Fine scale porosity (<_50 nm) was found to be sharply reduced even by relatively short heat treatments. This is correlated with improvements in inter-splat bonding and partial healing of intra-splat microcracks, which are responsible for the observed changes in stiffness and conductivity, as well as the dimensional changes

Infraestrutura de investigação para a biomassa e a bioenergia: BBRI - Biomass and Bioenergy Research Infrastructure

CIES2020 - XVII Congresso Ibérico e XIII Congresso Ibero-americano de Energia SolarRESUMO: A BBRI é a única Infraestrutura Nacional de Investigação em Biomassa e Bioenergia, que integra o Roteiro Nacional de Infraestruturas de Investigação de Interesse Estratégico em Portugal desde 2014, sendo distribuída por dois nós. O nó de Lisboa tem por base as infraestruturas laboratoriais e piloto existentes na Unidade de Bioenergia e Biorrefinarias (UBB) do Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia (LNEG) e o nó de Braga, as infraestruturas laboratoriais e tecnológicas do Centro de Engenharia Biológica (CEB) da Universidade do Minho (UM). As atividades científicas da BBRI estão focadas nas tecnologias de conversão de biomassa para obtenção de biocombustíveis avançados, produtos não-energéticos de base biológica e outros biomateriais, inseridas em seis sub-plataformas de investigação (sub-RIs). O trabalho da BBRI nestas 6 sub-RIs encontra-se complementarmente organizado em atividades de formação, serviços e atividades de disseminação, visando a capacitação de novos profissionais em bioenergia sustentável e contribuindo para a excelência da investigação em Portugal no domínio da Bioenergia e Bioeconomia.ABSTRACT: BBRI is the only National Infrastructure for Research in Biomass and Bioenergy, which is part of the National Roadmap of Research Infrastructures of Strategic Interest in Portugal since 2014, being distributed by two nodes. The Lisbon node is based on the laboratory and pilot infrastructures existing in the Bioenergy and Biorrefineries Unit of National Laboratory of Energy and Geology and the Braga node the laboratory and technological infrastructures of the Center of Biological Engineering of the University of Minho (UM). BBRI's scientific activities are focused on biomass conversion technologies to obtain advanced biofuels, bio-based non-energy products and other biomaterials, inserted in six research sub-platforms (sub-IRs). BBRI's work in these 6 sub-IRs is complementarily organized in training activities, services and dissemination activities, aiming at the training of new professionals in sustainable bioenergy and contributing to the excellence of research in Portugal in the fields of Bioenergy and Bioeconomy.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio