Comparison between regionalized minimum reference flow and On-Site measurements in hydrographic basins of rural communities in the state of Goiás, Brazil

Reference flows are important variables for assessing water availability in Brazil, as well as in rural communities in the state of Goiás (Brazil). However, as there is a lack of flowrate data and measurement points, regionalization methods have been used for forecasting the minimum reference flow (Qref) allowed for maintaining water uses. The present research covered 92 hydrographic basins within 46 selected rural communities in the state of Goiás, and 21 basins were selected for carrying out on-site flow measurements, as well as for Qref estimation following three regionalization methodologies. Results show a large variation between the values measured and estimated by the three methodologies, but the statistical analysis found regression equations of one of the methods more suitable for application in rural hydrograph basins of Goiás.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Geologic and petrophysic analysis of a travertine block as hydrocarbon reservoir analogue

Microbialitic limestones are gaining space in petroleum geology due to the existence of many reservoirs composed of these lithologies in the pre-salt producing fields. Travertine, calcareous tufa and stromatolites figure among the rocks proposed as analogous for the microbialitic rocks. This work conduces the study of geological, petrophysical and geophysical parameters of a travertine block measuring 1,60 x 1,60 x 2,70 m, weighing 21,2 tons and available in the Centro de Estudo do Petróleo (CEPETRO) at the Universidade Estadual de Campinas. The Italian block, named T-block, corresponds to the representative elementary volume of its original formation and allows the study in an intermediate scale between the hand sample and the outcrop scale. Permeability tests and gamma ray spectrometry measurements were conducted and the porosity was calculated by image analysis. Models were generated from the obtained data and then associated with descriptive geology of the block. A reduction in permeability, porosity and concentration of elements potassium (K), uranium (U) and thorium (Th) was recorded, following a gradient towards the top of the T-block accompanying the reduction in the degree of development of the rock fabric.Os carbonatos de origem microbialítica vêm ganhando espaço na geologia do petróleo visto a existência de diversos reservatórios compostos por essas litologias nos campos produtores do Pré-Sal. Dentre as rochas propostas como análogas aos microbialitos estão os travertinos, os estromatólitos e as tufas calcárias. Neste trabalho foi realizado o estudo de parâmetros geológicos, petrofísicos e geofísicos de um bloco de travertino de dimensões 1,60 x 1,60 x 2,70m, de 21,2 toneladas e disponível no Centro de Estudos de Petróleo (CEPETRO) na Universidade Estadual de Campinas. O bloco de origem italiana, denominado T-block, corresponde ao volume elementar representativo da formação de origem e permitiu o estudo em uma escala intermediária entre a escala de afloramento e a amostra de mão. Foram realizados ensaios de permeabilidade, medições de espectrometria de raios gama e obtenção da porosidade superficial por meio de análise de imagens. Modelos foram gerados a partir dos dados obtidos e então associados à geologia descritiva do bloco. Foi registrado um padrão de redução de permeabilidade, porosidade e concentração dos elementos potássio (K), urânio (U) e tório (Th), seguindo um gradiente em direção ao topo do T-block que acompanha a redução do grau de desenvolvimento da fábrica da rocha.

Geologic and petrophysic analysis of a travertine block as hydrocarbon reservoir analogue

Os carbonatos de origem microbialítica vêm ganhando espaço na geologia do petróleo visto a existência de diversos reser-vatórios compostos por essas litologias nos campos produtores do Pré-Sal. Dentre as rochas propostas como análogas aos microbialitos estão os travertinos, os estromatólitos e as tufas calcárias. Neste trabalho foi realizado o estudo de parâmetros geológicos, petrofísicos e geofísicos de um bloco de travertino de dimensões 1,60 x 1,60 x 2,70m, de 21,2 toneladas e dis-ponível no Centro de Estudos de Petróleo (CEPETRO) na Universidade Estadual de Campinas. O bloco de origem italiana, denominado T-block, corresponde ao volume elementar representativo da formação de origem e permitiu o estudo em uma escala intermediária entre a escala de afloramento e a amostra de mão. Foram realizados ensaios de permeabilidade, medi-ções de espectrometria de raios gama e obtenção da porosidade superficial por meio de análise de imagens. Modelos foram gerados a partir dos dados obtidos e então associados à geologia descritiva do bloco. Foi registrado um padrão de redução de permeabilidade, porosidade e concentração dos elementos potássio (K), urânio (U) e tório (Th), seguindo um gradiente em direção ao topo do T-block que acompanha a redução do grau de desenvolvimento da fábrica da rocha17221122

MODELAGEM 2D E 3D DA PERMO-POROSIDADE DE AMOSTRAS DE COQUINA DA FORMAÇÃO MORRO DO CHAVES, BACIA DE SERGIPE-ALAGOAS, BRASIL

A caracterização petrofísica de carbonatos heterogêneos, com foco nas análises de permeabilidade e porosidade, é de grande importância para a produção de óleo e gás, principalmente para se definir a capacidade de armazenamento e a caracterização das condições de fluxo da rocha reservatório. Neste trabalho se propõe um método para predizer a distribuição da permo-porosidade em duas e três dimensões de amostras de coquina, por meio da aplicação da técnica computacional rede neural de múltiplas camadas, MPL (multilayer perceptron). A rede neural foi utilizada para a correlação entre dados obtidos por meio de ensaios de permeabilidade, utilizando um permeâmetro portátil, e atributos de imagens geradas a partir de diferentes fontes (escaneamento convencional e tomografia computadorizada). O método foi testado em uma amostra de coquina da Formação Morro do Chaves, com diferenças texturais visíveis, condicionadas a cinco camadas paralelas e de pequena escala que foram reproduzidas pelas imagens resultantes

MedCase: uma ferramenta online para estudo de casos clínicos = Medcase: an online tool for medical learning

Objetivo: descrever um software educacional que promove o auto-aprendizado em Medicina através da utilização de uma ferramenta “online” para estudo de casos clínicos. Métodos: trata-se de um trabalho descritivo da construção de um “software” educacional para Medicina. Durante um período de observação de aproximadamente 4 meses, os profissionais da área de Informática, guiados por professores e alunos de Medicina, acompanharam a rotina do ensino médico na Faculdade de Medicina da Pontifícia Universiade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul. Foi, então, elaborado um projeto para a criação deste “software” (Sistema MedCase) baseado na utilização de “softwares” livres com códigos abertos. Resultados: o programa já se encontra disponível “online” para uso, restando ainda a confecção da “janela” de apresentação dos exames de imagem e gráficos eventualmente solicitados. Desde a janela de apresentação até o ambiente fórum todas as etapas já disponíveis no MedCase são apresentadas no site http://www. pucrs. br/famed/medcase. Conclusões: considerando as novas tendências na área da educação, o MedCase representa uma nova proposta para a comunidade médica acadêmica, ao viabilizar a união de conhecimento científico com ambientes tecnológicos. Acreditamos que este programa será muito útil no ensino médico em diferentes estágios de formação, desde alunos debutantes até professores de medicin

Dopamine Induced Neurodegeneration in a PINK1 Model of Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is a common neurodegenerative disease characterised by progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons, leading to dopamine depletion in the striatum. Mutations in the PINK1 gene cause an autosomal recessive form of Parkinson's disease. Loss of PINK1 function causes mitochondrial dysfunction, increased reactive oxygen species production and calcium dysregulation, which increases susceptibility to neuronal death in Parkinson's disease. The basis of neuronal vulnerability to dopamine in Parkinson's disease is not well understood

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

The Third International Symposium on Fungal Stress – ISFUS

Stress is a normal part of life for fungi, which can survive in environments considered inhospitable or hostile for other organisms. Due to the ability of fungi to respond to, survive in, and transform the environment, even under severe stresses, many researchers are exploring the mechanisms that enable fungi to adapt to stress. The International Symposium on Fungal Stress (ISFUS) brings together leading scientists from around the world who research fungal stress. This article discusses presentations given at the third ISFUS, held in São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil in 2019, thereby summarizing the state-of-the-art knowledge on fungal stress, a field that includes microbiology, agriculture, environmental science, ecology, biotechnology, medicine, and astrobiology

Phase II study of the farnesyltransferase inhibitor R115777 in advanced melanoma (CALGB 500104)

BACKGROUND: Multiple farnesylated proteins are involved in signal transduction in cancer. Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) have been developed as a strategy to inhibit the function of these proteins. As FTIs inhibit proliferation of melanoma cell lines, we undertook a study to assess the impact of a FTI in advanced melanoma. As farnesylated proteins are also important for T cell activation, measurement of effects on T cell function was also pursued. METHODS: A 3-stage trial design was developed with a maximum of 40 patients and early stopping if there were no responders in the first 14, or fewer than 2 responders in the first 28 patients. Eligibility included performance status of 0–1, no prior chemotherapy, at most 1 prior immunotherapy, no brain metastases, and presence of at least 2 cutaneous lesions amenable to biopsy. R115777 was administered twice per day for 21 days of a 28-day cycle. Patients were evaluated every 2 cycles by RECIST. Blood and tumor were analyzed pre-treatment and during week 7. RESULTS: Fourteen patients were enrolled. Two patients had grade 3 toxicities, which included myelosuppression, nausea/vomiting, elevated BUN, and anorexia. There were no clinical responses. All patients analyzed showed potent inhibition of FT activity (85-98%) in tumor tissue; inhibition of phosphorylated ERK and Akt was also observed. T cells showed evidence of FT inhibition and diminished IFN-γ production. CONCLUSIONS: Despite potent target inhibition, R115777 showed no evidence of clinical activity in this cohort of melanoma patients. Inhibition of T cell function by FTIs has potential clinical implications. Clinicaltrials.gov number NCT0006012

Genome-wide association study identifies multiple susceptibility loci for pancreatic cancer

We performed a multistage genome-wide association study including 7,683 individuals with pancreatic cancer and 14,397 controls of European descent. Four new loci reached genome-wide significance: rs6971499 at 7q32.3 (LINC-PINT, per-allele odds ratio (OR) = 0.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74-0.84, P = 3.0 x 10(-12)), rs7190458 at 16q23.1 (BCAR1/CTRB1/CTRB2, OR = 1.46, 95% CI 1.30-1.65, P = 1.1 x 10(-10)), rs9581943 at 13q12.2 (PDX1, OR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.10-1.20, P = 2.4 x 10(-9)) and rs16986825 at 22q12.1 (ZNRF3, OR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.12-1.25, P = 1.2 x 10(-8)). We identified an independent signal in exon 2 of TERT at the established region 5p15.33 (rs2736098, OR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.76-0.85, P = 9.8 x 10(-14)). We also identified a locus at 8q24.21 (rs1561927, P = 1.3 x 10(-7)) that approached genome-wide significance located 455 kb telomeric of PVT1. Our study identified multiple new susceptibility alleles for pancreatic cancer that are worthy of follow-up studies