1,101 research outputs found
A rice centromeric sequence is conserved between wheat and rice; as well as between monocots and dicots
Resistance to stem rust race TTKS in wheat relative Haynaldia villosa
Tese de doutoramento em Território, Risco e PolÃticas Públicas, apresentada ao Instituto de Investigação Interdisciplinar da Universidade de CoimbraFor several decades critical infrastructure management belonged to engineering
domains; however a new paradigm has emerged - socio-technical paradigm -
infrastructures are critical because they have value for society and for a culture. Thus,
critical infrastructure operate not only according to technical specifications but also
according to constraints imposed by the social environment. The problem is how to
integrate in the same model the linkages between infrastructure and social systems. The
main goal of this thesis is to propose a new model the Structural Functional Risk Model –
SFRM- a model that identifies the roads more vulnerable to interruptions, based on an
integrated approach of the structural and functional component of the road network- a
critical infrastructure responsible for connecting people, assets and services separated in
space. The model is applied to real road network in a multiscalar perspective, the
regional context and the municipal context. The case studies are the Central Region of
Portugal and Coimbra, a municipality located in this Region. The system used as example
focus the road network as element of connection and access between the parishes and
the nearest Hospital – a critical infrastructure of the health sector.
The methodological approach is composed by three main phases: firstly, the road
network is assessed in a structural perspective based on the application of a new
approach of the biclustering technique; the following phase is focused on the evaluation
of the road network in a functional perspective based on a modified gravity model; the
last phase is focused on the integration of structural and functional perspective, which
resulted the SFRM. Scenario- based approaches are also relevant in this work, focusing
questions such: what can happen? If it does happen, what are the consequences? A
scenario-based approach can be a useful support to a more informed, strategic action.
Thus, through the work there will be simulated and analyzed road interruption
scenarios.
The results confirmed the importance of an integrated approach of the structural and
functional components. In the assessment of the road network structural component
the results pointed that the Biclusters with highest connectivity are mainly located in the
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areas economically most dynamic, such the Coastal zone, and the Biclusters with lowest
connectivity are mainly located in areas less dynamic, such Beira Transmontana. So,
even when the analysis is focused on a network transformed into nodes and edges it is
possible to identify relations with the territorial dynamics. The results of the road
network functional component assessment point to a significant resources
concentration in Coimbra municipality; in the regional context identified significant
accessibility gaps across geographical areas and population groups; even in a normal
scenario there are significant disparities in terms of accessibility to health care, which
can get worse in a road network interruption scenario. From the integration of the
structural and functional component of the road network resulted the SFRM, which is a
step forward; quantifying the share of accountability of each of the components in the
road level of vulnerability. The results demonstrate that territorial constraints play a
fundamental role in critical infrastructure management; the strategies set in this domain
should take into account the specificities of each territory and population
characteristics.
This thesis can be seen as step forward in the consolidation of the socio-technical
paradigm as well as a tool for the definition of efficient of prevention measures and the
definition of strategies aiming quick recovery of the system in case of a disruptive event.Durante várias décadas a gestão das infra-estruturas crÃticas pertenceu ao domÃnio da
engenharia; contudo surgiu um novo paradigma – o paradigma socio-técnico – as infraestruturas
são crÃticas pelo valor que representam para a sociedade e para a cultura.
Neste sentido, o funcionamento das infra-estruturas crÃticas depende não só de
especificidades técnicas, mas também é condicionado pelo meio social. O problema
reside em saber como integrar no mesmo modelo as ligações existentes entre as infraestruturas
e os sistemas sociais. O principal objetivo deste trabalho é propor um novo
modelo - Modelo de Risco Estrutural e Funcional – MREF- que identifica as vias mais
vulneráveis a interrupções, numa abordagem integrada da componente estrutural e
funcional da rede viária – uma infra-estrutura crÃtica que tem como função ligar pessoas,
bens e serviços separados no espaço. O MRFE é aplicado a uma rede viária real numa
perspetiva multiescalar, os casos de estudo são a Região Centro de Portugal e Coimbra,
um municÃpio localizado nesta Região. O sistema de análise, usado como exemplo, focase
na rede viária como elemento de ligação e acesso entre as freguesias e os Hospitais –
importantes infra-estruturas crÃticas do sector da saúde.
A metodologia usada neste trabalho é constituÃda por três fases: numa primeira fase a
rede viária é avaliada sob o ponto de vista estrutural com base numa nova abordagem
da técnica de biclustering; a fase seguinte foca-se na avaliação da rede viária sob o
ponto de vista funcional com base num modelo gravitacional adaptado aos objetivos do
presente trabalho; a última fase foca-se na integração da avaliação estrutural com a
funcional da qual resulta o MRFE. As abordagens com base em cenários também
assumem relevância neste trabalho, focando questões como: O que pode acontecer?
Caso aconteça, quais são as consequências? Os resultados desta abordagem contribuem
para ação mais informada e estratégica. Neste sentido, ao longo do trabalho serão
apresentados e avaliados vários cenários de interrupção de vias.
Os resultados demonstram a importância de uma abordagem integrada da componente
funcional e da estrutural. Aquando da avaliação da rede viária sob o ponto de vista
estrutural os resultados indicaram que os biclusters com maior nÃvel de conectividade se
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encontram essencialmente localizados nas áreas economicamente mais dinâmicas –
como a zona costeira, enquanto os biclusters com menor nÃvel de conectividade se
encontram essencialmente localizados nas áreas economicamente mais deprimidas –
como a Beira Transmontana. Conclui-se que mesmo quando a análise se foca na rede
viária enquanto conjunto de nós e ligações é possÃvel identificar relações com a dinâmica
territorial. Os resultados da avaliação da rede viária sob o ponto de vista funcional
indicam uma significativa polarização de recursos no municÃpio de Coimbra, no contexto
regional foram identificadas expressivas diferenças em termos de áreas geográficas e
grupos populacionais; estas significativas disparidades poderão ser agravadas num
cenário de interrupção de vias. O MREF resulta de uma abordagem integrada das
componentes estruturais e funcionais da rede viária, um modelo que pode ser visto
como um passo em frente uma vez que são definidas e quantificadas as variáveis que
influenciam a vulnerabilidade da rede viária. Os resultados demonstram que as
condicionantes territoriais devem constituir uma componente fundamental na gestão
das infra-estruturas crÃticas; as estratégias definidas neste âmbito devem ter em atenção
as especificidades do território e as caracterÃsticas da população.
O presente trabalho pode ser visto como contributo para a consolidação do paradigma
sociotécnico assim como um instrumento para a definição de medidas de prevenção
eficientes e definição de estratégias que tenham em vista o rápido restabelecimento do
funcionamento do sistema num cenário disruptivo.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - SFRH/BD/70952/201
Homology of 54K protein of signal-recognition particle, docking protein and two E. coli proteins with putative GTP-binding domains
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A pilot randomised controlled trial of personalised care for depressed patients with symptomatic coronary heart disease in South London general practices: the UPBEAT-UK RCT protocol and recruitment.
ABSTRACT:
Background: Community studies reveal people with coronary heart disease (CHD) are twice as likely to be depressed as the general population and that this co-morbidity negatively affects the course and outcome of both conditions. There is evidence for the efficacy of collaborative care and case management for depression treatment, and whilst NICE guidelines recommend these approaches only where depression has not responded to psychological, pharmacological, or combined treatments, these care approaches may be particularly relevant to the needs of people with CHD and depression in the earlier stages of stepped care in primary care settings.
Methods: This pilot randomised controlled trial will evaluate whether a simple intervention involving a personalised care plan, elements of case management and regular telephone review is a feasible and acceptable intervention that leads to better mental and physical health outcomes for these patients. The comparator group will be usual general practitioner (GP) care.
81 participants have been recruited from CHD registers of 15 South London general practices. Eligible participants have probable major depression identified by a score of ≥8 on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale depression subscale (HADS-D) together with symptomatic CHD identified using the Modified Rose Angina Questionnaire.
Consenting participants are randomly allocated to usual care or the personalised care intervention which involves a comprehensive assessment of each participant’s physical and mental health needs which are documented in a care plan, followed by regular telephone reviews by the case manager over a 6-month period. At each review, the intervention participant’s mood, function and identified problems are reviewed and the case manager uses evidence based behaviour change techniques to facilitate achievement of goals specified by the patient with the aim of increasing the patient’s self efficacy to solve their problems.
Depressive symptoms measured by HADS score will be collected at baseline and 1, 6- and 12 months post randomisation. Other outcomes include CHD symptoms, quality of life, wellbeing and health service utilisation.
Discussion: This practical and patient-focused intervention is potentially an effective and accessible approach to the health and social care needs of people with depression and CHD in primary care.
Trial registration: ISRCTN21615909
Homology of 54K protein of signal-recognition particle, docking protein and two E. coli proteins with putative GTP–binding domains
Cholinesterase Inhibitors and Hospitalization for Bradycardia: A Population-Based Study
Laura Park-Wyllie and colleagues examined the health records of more than 1.4 million older adults and show that initiation of cholinesterase inhibitor therapy is associated with a more than doubling of the risk of hospitalization for bradycardia
Experiences, attitudes and barriers towards research amongst junior faculty of Pakistani medical universities
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The developing world has had limited quality research and in Pakistan, research is still in its infancy. We conducted a study to assess the proportion of junior faculty involved in research to highlight their attitude towards research, and identify the factors associated with their research involvement.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional study was conducted in four medical universities/teaching hospitals in Pakistan, representing private and public sectors. A pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information from 176 junior faculty members of studied universities/hospitals. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors related to attitudes and barriers in research among those currently involved in research with those who were not.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Overall, 41.5% of study subjects were currently involved in research. A highly significant factor associated with current research involvement was research training during the post-graduate period (p < 0.001). Other factors associated with current involvement in research were male gender, working in the public sector and previous involvement in research. Overall, a large majority (85.2%) of doctors considered research helpful in their profession and had a positive attitude towards research; nevertheless this positive attitude was more frequently reported by doctors who were currently involved in research compared to those who were not (OR = 4.69; 95% CI = 1.54-14.26). Similarly, a large proportion (83.5%) of doctors considered research difficult to conduct; higher by doctors who were not presently involved in research (OR = 2.74; 95% CI = 1.20-6.22)</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Less than half of the study participants were currently involved in research. Research output may improve if identified barriers are rectified. Further studies are recommended in this area.</p
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