Gauge and Yukawa mediated supersymmetry breaking in the triplet seesaw scenario

We propose a novel supersymmetric unified scenario of the triplet seesaw mechanism where the exchange of the heavy triplets generates both neutrino masses and soft supersymmetry breaking terms. Our framework is very predictive since it relates neutrino mass parameters, lepton flavour violation in the slepton sector, sparticle and Higgs spectra and electroweak symmetry breakdown. The phenomenological viability and experimental signatures in lepton flavor violating processes are discussed.Comment: 11 pages, 3 eps figs. Comments and references added. Final version to be published in Phys. Rev. Let

Equidistribution of the Fekete points on the sphere

The Fekete points are the points that maximize a Vandermonde-type determinant that appears in the polynomial Lagrange interpolation formula. They are well suited points for interpolation formulas and numerical integration. We prove the asymptotic equidistribution of the Fekete points in the sphere. The way we proceed is by showing their connection with other array of points, the Marcinkiewicz-Zygmund arrays and the interpolating arrays, that have been studied recently

Dendrimer nanoparticles for colorectal cancer applications

Accepted ManuscriptCancer nanotechnology is a prolific field of research, where nanotools are employed to diagnose and treat cancer with unprecedented precision. Targeted drug delivery is fundamental for more efficient cancer treatments. For this, nanoparticles have been extensively used during the last years in order to improve the specificity, selectivity and controlled release of drug delivery. It holds potential in minimizing systemic toxicity through the development of functionalized particles for targeted treatment. Among all the type of nanoparticles, dendrimers display several advantages, which make them ideal candidates for improved and targeted drug delivery in cancer research. Dendrimers can transport large amount of drug into specific areas. In addition, they can be employed for monitoring the progress of the treatment process, with an  unprecedented theranostic capability. Special emphasis is given in colorectal cancer, as well as the preferred employed strategies for producing drug-loaded/functionalized NPâ s for cancer therapy in the last years

Equidistribution of the Fekete points on the sphere

The Fekete points are the points that maximize a Vandermonde-type determinant that appears in the polynomial Lagrange interpolation formula. They are well suited points for interpolation formulas and numerical integration. We prove the asymptotic equidistribution of the Fekete points in the sphere. The way we proceed is by showing their connection with other array of points, the Marcinkiewicz-Zygmund arrays and the interpolating arrays, that have been studied recently

Employment generation in Brazilian coffee regions

Due to the specific characteristics of coffee production on each of the main Brazilian states producers of arabica (Coffea arabica) and robusta coffee (Coffea canephora), a better understanding of the structural links between production and industrialization of coffee on those states and the national economy can provide subsides for implementation of public policies, essential to plan the coffee production and increase the sector competitiveness. Therefore, this study analyzed the employment generation in production and coffee industrialization in the major Brazilian production regions, based on an inter-regional input-output model, with seven regions, which represent the main coffee-producing states - Minas Gerais, Espirito Santo, São Paulo, Paraná, Bahia and Other States - with 44 sectors each, in a system of 308 sectors. The results indicated that the production of robusta coffee is the sector that generates more employments (total) per currency unit, and that arabica production sector is the fourth largest generator of employments, among the 44 sectors considered for the country. The results for each state emphasized the importance of farming and coffee industry for national and state economies.Coffee; Coffee Production; Input-Output

Development of a bilayered scaffold based on silk fibroin and silk fibroin/nano-calcium phosphate for osteochondral regeneration

Objectives: Osteochondral defect is a common condtion in clinic. Satisfactory outcomes are rarely achieved by traditional methods. Tissue engineering might be a promising strategy for this hinder. The aim of this study is to mimick the stratified structure of osteochondral tissue, by developing a bilayered scaffold for osteochondral regeneration. The developed bilayered scaffold is composed of a porous silk fibroin scaffold as the cartilage-like layer and a porous silk fibroin/nano-calcium phosphate (CaP) scaffold as the bone-like layer

Fundamentals and current strategies for Peripheral Nerve Repair and Regeneration

A body of evidence indicates that peripheral nerves have an extraordinary yet limited capacity to regenerate after an injury. Peripheral nerve injuries have confounded professionals in this field, from neuroscientists to neurologists, plastic surgeons, and the scientific community. Despite all the efforts, full functional recovery is still seldom. The inadequate results attained with the â gold standardâ autograft procedure still encourage a dynamic and energetic research around the world for establishing good performing tissue engineered alternative grafts. Resourcing to nerve guidance conduits, a variety of methods have been experimentally used to bridge peripheral nerve gaps of limited size, up to 30-40 mm in length, in humans. Herein, we aim to summarize the fundamentals related to peripheral nerve anatomy and overview the challenges and scientific evidences related to peripheral nerve injury and repair mechanisms. The most relevant reports dealing with the use of both synthetic and natural-based biomaterials used in tissue engineering strategies when treatment of nerve injuries is envisioned are also discussed in depth, along with the state-of-the-art approaches in this field.This work was supported by Cristiana Carvalho PhD scholarship (Norte-08-5369-FSE-000037). J. M. Oliveira also thanks the FCT for the funds provided under the program Investigador FCT 2015 (IF/01285/2015).The authors are also thankful to the FCT funded project NanoOptoNerv(ref. PTDC/NAN-MAT/29936/2017).The authors would also like to acknowledge the project: “Nano-accelerated nerve regeneration and optogenetic empowering of neuromuscular functionality” (ref.PTDC/NAN-MAT/29936/2017)

Silk Fibroin/Nano-CaP Bilayered scaffolds for osteochondral tissue engineering

In this study, bilayered silk and silk/nano-CaP scaffolds were developed for osteochondral (OC) tissue engineering. Aqueous silk solution (16 wt.%) was used for preparation of the cartilage-like layer and, for generation of the silk/nano-CaP suspension and the bottom layer (CaP/Silk: 16 wt.%). The scaffolds were formed by using salt-leaching/lyophilization approach. The scanning electron microscopy revealed that the both layers presented porous structure and integrated well. Micro-computed tomography images confirmed that the CaP phase was only retained in the silk/nano-CaP layer. The hydration degree and mechanical properties of the bilayered scaffold were comparable to the ones of each single layer. The apatite crystal formation was limited to the silk/nano-CaP layer, when soaking the scaffold in a simulated body fluid solution, which is a must for the application of the developed scaffolds in OC tissue engineerin

Finding the perfect match between nanoparticles and microfluidics to respond to cancer challenges

The clinical translation of new cancer theranostic has been delayed by inherent cancerâ s heterogeneity. Additionally, this delay has been enhanced by the lack of an appropriate in vitro model, capable to produce accurate data. Nanoparticles and microfluidic devices have been used to obtain new and more efficient strategies to tackle cancer challenges. On one hand, nanoparticles-based therapeutics can be modified to target specific cells, and/or molecules, and/or modified with drugs, releasing them over time. On the other hand, microfluidic devices allow the exhibition of physiologically complex systems, incorporation of controlled flow, and control of the chemical environment. Herein, we review the use of nanoparticles and microfluidic devices to address different cancer challenges, such as detection of CTCs and biomarkers, point-of-care devices for early diagnosis and improvement of therapies. The future perspectives of cancer challenges are also addressed herein.F.R. Maia acknowledges Portuguese Foundation for Scienceand Technology (FCT) for her work contract under theTransitional Rule DL 57/2016 (CTTI-57/18-I3BS5). J. M.Oliveira thanks FCT for his distinction attributed under theFCT Investigator program (IF/01285/2015)

Advances on gradient scaffolds for osteochondral tissue engineering

The osteochondral (OC) tissue is one of the most hierarchical and complex structures known and it is composed by two main compartments of hyaline articular cartilage and subchondral bone. It exhibits unique cellular and molecular transitions from the cartilage to the bone layers. OC diseases such as osteoarthritis and traumatic lesions may affect the articular cartilage, calcified cartilage (interface region) and subchondral bone, thus posing great regenerative challenges. Tissue engineering (TE) principles can offer novel technologies and combinatorial approaches that can better recapitulate the biological OC challenges and complexity in terms of biochemical, mechanical, structural and metabolic gradients, and ultimately can provide biofunctional 3D scaffolds with high reproducibility, versatility and adaptability to each patientâ s needs, as it occurs in OC tissue defects. The recent reports and future directions dealing with gradient scaffolds for OCTE strategies are overviewed herein. A special focus on clinical translation/regulatory approval is given.The authors thank the financial support provided by the EU-EC through the BAMOS project (H2020-MSCA-RISE-2016-734156). Viviana P Ribeiro acknowledge for the Junior Researcher contract (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-031367) attributed by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology to Fun4TE project (PTDC/EMD-EMD/31367/2017)