A Tale of Two States: Pluripotency Regulation of Telomeres.

Inside the nucleus, chromatin is functionally organized and maintained as a complex three-dimensional network of structures with different accessibility such as compartments, lamina associated domains, and membraneless bodies. Chromatin is epigenetically and transcriptionally regulated by an intricate and dynamic interplay of molecular processes to ensure genome stability. Phase separation, a process that involves the spontaneous organization of a solution into separate phases, has been proposed as a mechanism for the timely coordination of several cellular processes, including replication, transcription and DNA repair. Telomeres, the repetitive structures at the end of chromosomes, are epigenetically maintained in a repressed heterochromatic state that prevents their recognition as double-strand breaks (DSB), avoiding DNA damage repair and ensuring cell proliferation. In pluripotent embryonic stem cells, telomeres adopt a non-canonical, relaxed epigenetic state, which is characterized by a low density of histone methylation and expression of telomere non-coding transcripts (TERRA). Intriguingly, this telomere non-canonical conformation is usually associated with chromosome instability and aneuploidy in somatic cells, raising the question of how genome stability is maintained in a pluripotent background. In this review, we will explore how emerging technological and conceptual developments in 3D genome architecture can provide novel mechanistic perspectives for the pluripotent epigenetic paradox at telomeres. In particular, as RNA drives the formation of LLPS, we will consider how pluripotency-associated high levels of TERRA could drive and coordinate phase separation of several nuclear processes to ensure genome stability. These conceptual advances will provide a better understanding of telomere regulation and genome stability within the highly dynamic pluripotent background

Graph usage in financial reports: evidence from Portuguese listed companies

When assessing investment options, investors focus on the graphs of annual reports, despite lack of auditing. If poorly constructed, graphs distort perceptions and lead to inaccurate decisions. This study examines graph usage in all the companies listed on Euronext Lisbon in 2013. The findings suggest that graphs are common in the annual reports of Portuguese companies and that, while there is no evidence of Selectivity Distortion, both Measurement and Orientation Distortions are pervasive. The study recommends the auditing of financial graphs, and urges preparers and users of annual reports to be wary of the possibility of graph distortion

Window of chaotic delayed synchronization

We consider a general coupling of two chaotic dynamical systems and we obtain conditions that provide delayed synchronization. We consider four different couplings that satisfy those conditions. We define Window of Delayed Synchronization and we obtain it analytically. We use four different free chaotic dynamics in order to observe numerically the analytically predicted windows for the considered couplings.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Spaces sing, are you listening?

We present ​Soniferous Resonances​, an ongoing collection of electroacoustic composition pieces that intersect music, digital technologies and architecture. The creative impetus supporting this research is grounded in the interchange of the following two concepts: 1) the phenomenological exploration of the aural architecture [1], particularly the reverberation as a sonic effect [2] through music performance and 2) the real time sound analysis of both the performance and the reverberation (i.e. impulse responses) intervallic content — which ultimately leads to a generic control over consonance/dissonance (C/D). Their conceptual and morphological nature can be understood as sonic improvisations where the interaction of sound producing bodies (e.g. saxophone) with the real (e.g. performance space) and the imaginary (i.e. computer) acoustic response of a space results in formal elements mirroring their physical surroundings. Particular emphasis is given to spectromorphological manipulations by a large array of “contrasting” digital reverberations with extended control over the sound mass [3] and its musical interval content across a continuum between pitched and consonant to unpitched and dissonant sounds. Two digital applications developed by the authors are seminal in Soniferous Resonances​: Wallace [4] and MusikVerb [5]. The first is a navigable user-control surface that offers a fluid manipulation of audio signals to be convolved with several “contrasting” digital reverberations. The second offers refined (compositional) control over the interval content and/or C/D levels computed from the perceptually-inspired Tonal Interval Space [6] resulting in an automatically adaptation of harmonic content in real time. Soniferous Resonances​ aims at pushing the boundaries of musical performances that are formally tied to its surrounding space, as well as triggering new concepts and greater awareness about the sublime qualities of experiencing aural architecture.N/

Relationship between the ratio of the cervical muscles and non-specific neck pain in the school community

Neck disorders appear more often associated with pain and muscle fatigue, both in young individuals and in individuals of middle age. Sustained muscle contraction needed to maintain the head in several positions and fatigue caused by muscle weakness are some of the factors for the arising of neck pain.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Influence of exercise on functional capacity and in the lumbar and thoracic disability in ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease, associated to spine moblity limitations. Until today it isn’t known an efficient treatment; although, there are therapeutic strategies, like exercise, that can alleviate and delay the disease complications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Paris agreement and electricity markets outside the EU

Climate change has been at the center of economic and social discussion for some years. The passage of time has intensified this debate and reflection. A well-known relevant event in this domain was the signature of the Paris Agreement in 2014, and its subsequent enforcement by European Union (EU) member countries. This study examines if the climate change measures adopted by the Agreement had an impact on the electricity sector outside the EU28, seeking to assess whether there is international diversity in these markets or if they work uniformly at global level. The goal of this work is to study the behavior of spot electricity prices before and after the Agreement was signed by EU members, analyze its effect in terms of spot prices, and determine the conditions that lead to stability and non-stability. We examine the behavior of spot electricity prices in two different electricity markets: the US and Brazil. The study applies both qualitative methodologies, namely fsQCA, and quantitative methodology, in order to identify changes in the pattern of electricity price behavior with the advent of the Agreement. Arguably, regulatory theory still incorporates the effects of the emergence of global dynamics in the regulation process. However, what this article suggests is that changes in regulatory frameworks with global impact, even if exogenous to a specific market, can profoundly alter the dynamics of that market.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Prevalence of cervical pain and functional disability in the school community

The school community is exposed to numerous risk factors for the occurrence of neck pain. These symptoms may cause restrictions on their functional capacity and there’s a need to make a proper measurement of this phenomenon, in a valid and reproducible manner. For this, the most recommended instrument is the Neck Disability Index (NDI); however its use in Portugal requires an analysis of its psychometric properties.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effect of exercise on quality of sleep in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory rheumatic disease, associated with limited mobility of the spine, sleep disturbance, and fatigue. The exercise aims are to preserve mobility and decrease sleep disorders.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

O Tribunal Europeu dos Direitos Humanos e a Convenção Europeia dos Direitos Humanos na garantia dos direitos fundamentais de cidadãos detidos e reclusos

A violação dos Direitos Fundamentais de cidadãos detidos persiste como um tema atual, com especial visibilidade para o uso da força excessivo por elementos policiais. O presente trabalho analisa o sistema nacional de proteção dos Direitos Humanos, com enfoque na proibição da tortura, enquanto direito fundamental constitucionalmente consagrado em Portugal, contextualizando-se, numa primeira fase, o sistema internacional de proteção dos Direitos Humanos. A nível europeu, salienta-se a relevância do Tribunal Europeu dos Direitos Humanos e do Comité para a Prevenção da Tortura, enquanto mecanismos de prevenção da tortura consagrados na esfera do Conselho da Europa. O estudo assenta no raciocínio dedutivo, numa estratégia de investigação qualitativa, sustentado num estudo de caso e complementado com entrevistas realizadas a especialistas na temática. Com esta investigação, inferimos que as Forças de Segurança se deparam com desafios elementares no âmbito da prevenção da tortura de cidadãos detidos, concluindo se ser fundamental a adoção de rigorosos critérios no recrutamento de elementos policiais, reconhecendo-se a necessidade das instituições assegurarem um papel ativo na formação inicial e contínua dos seus elementos, medidas estas que poderão ser reforçadas com uma alteração legislativa que possibilite a utilização de sistemas de videovigilância nos locais de detenção das Forças de Segurança. Abstract: Fundamental Rights violations of detained citizens continue to be a current issue, with particular visibility for the use of excessive force by police elements. This paper analyzes the national system for the protection of Human Rights, focusing on the prohibition of torture as a fundamental right constitutionally enshrined in Portugal, contextualizing, in a first phase, the international system for the protection of Human Rights. As mechanisms for the prevention of torture within the scope of the Council of Europe at the European level, the European Court of Human Rights and the Committee for the Prevention of Torture must be highlighted. The study is based on deductive reasoning, based on a qualitative research strategy, supported by a case study and complemented by interviews with specialists in the subject. Evidence shows that Security Forces are faced with elementary challenges in the prevention of torture of detained citizens, with the adoption of strict criteria in recruiting police elements, recognizing the need for institutions to ensure an active role in the initial and continuous training of its members. These measures could be reinforced with a legislative change that allows video surveillance systems in the Security Forces' places of detention.N/