AI4CITY - An automated machine learning platform for smart cities

Nowadays, the general interest in Machine Learning (ML) based solutions is increasing. However, to develop and deploy a ML solution often requires experience and it involves developing large code scripts. In this paper, we propose AI4CITY, an automated technological platform that aims to reduce the complexity of designing ML solutions, with a particular focus on Smart Cities applications. We compare our solution with popular Automated ML (AutoML) tools (e.g., H2O, AutoGluon) and the results achieved by AI4CITY were quite interesting and competitive.This work has been supported by FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within the R&D Units Project Scope: UIDB/00319/2020, and was carried out within the project ”City Catalyst - Catalisador para Cidades Sustentáveis” reference POCI/LISBOA-01-0247-FEDER-046119, co-funded by Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER), through Portugal 2020 (P2020)

Alternative Oxidase Gene (Aox I): A Good DNA Barcoding Candidate for the Genus Fusarium

DNA barcoding is a tool for taxonomy analysis that uses a short standard genomic sequence present in all the taxa of interest, which has enough sequence variation to discriminate among species. Members of the genus Fusarium are recognized as saprophytes and important plant and human pathogens, and their taxonomic identification commonly relies on macro and microscopical characteristics and molecular methods. However, identification can be difficult due to the lack of some structures in culture or poor polymorphism in ribosomal DNA sequences. Barcoding could provide an easy and reliable method to overcome these problems. This study is a preliminary study to evaluate sequences of Cox (mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I) and Aox (alternative oxidase) as potential DNA barcodes for identification of Fusarium species. DNA was extracted from 12 Fusarium isolates previously identified by traditional methods into different complexes: F. solani, F. oxysporum and Gibbellera fujikuroi. For PCR amplification of Cox 1 gene, primers designed in a previous study were used and amplicons of approximately 600 pb were observed in all the isolates. For the amplification of Aox, primers were designed by our group showing amplification of a region of 800 bp approximately in all Fusarium species. The sequences were clustered using phylogenetic trees, additionally, intra-and interspecific divergence were estimated with the K2P model. These results showed that the Aox sequence clustered the isolates into the appropriate Fusarium species complex, according to previous morphological characterization, indicating its potential to differentiate Fusarium isolates to the species level. Similarity analysis of Cox1 sequences showed insufficient variation to discriminate among isolates. In conclusion, the 800 bp sequence of AOX is a candidate to become a DNA barcode sequence, but more species and isolates are needed to further test its discriminating ability

CORREÇÃO CIRÚRGICA DE RECIDIVA DE HÉRNIA DA REGIÃO SACROCOCCÍGEA APÓS RESSECÇÃO DE UM TUMOR PRÉ-SAGRADO: ABORDAGEM POSTERIOR (PROCEDIMENTO DE KRASKE)

Presacral tumors are rare and mostly congenital. If, on the one hand, the Kraske procedure ensures complete excision, reducing local recurrence, on the other hand, it has the development of an incisional sacral hernia as a complication. We present a case of a 44-year-old woman with a relapsing sacral hernia after a posterior approach (Kraske procedure) for the resection of a presacral extra-ovarian fibroma. We describe a surgical repair with dual mesh via a posterior open approach. Twelve months after this surgical procedure, the patient shows no signs of recurrence. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report, in the literature, on surgical correction of presacral hernia after a Kraske procedure.Os tumores pré-sagrados são raros e, maioritariamente, têm origem congénita. Embora a via posterior (procedimento de Kraske) assegure uma excisão completa, com diminuição da taxa de recidiva, tem como complicação possível o desenvolvimento de hérnia incisional sagrada. Os autores apresentam o caso de uma mulher de 44 anos com o diagnóstico de hérnia sagrada recidivante após resseção de fibroma extraovárico por via posterior. Neste artigo, é descrita a correção cirúrgica com prótese plana por via aberta posterior da hérnia descrita. Doze meses após a correção, a doente não apresenta sinais ou sintomas sugestivos de recidiva. Este caso clínico é o primeiro, na literatura, a descrever a correção cirúrgica de uma hérnia incisional após cirurgia de resseção tumoral por via de Kraske

Platinum nanoparticles stabilized by N-heterocyclic thiones. Synthesis and catalytic activity in mono- and di-hydroboration of alkynes

N-Heterocyclic Thiones (NHT) proved to be efficient ligands for the stabilization of small platinum nanoparticles (1.3-1.7 nm), synthesized by decomposition of [Pt(dba)2], under a H2 atmosphere, in the presence of variable sub-stoichiometric amounts of the NHT. Full characterization by means of TEM, HR-TEM, NMR, ICP, TGA and XPS have been carried out, providing information about the nature of the metal nanoparticles and the interaction of the NHT ligands to the metal surface. Importantly, DFT calculations indicate that some NHT ligands interact with the metal through the C[double bond, length as m-dash]C double bond of the imidazole fragment in addition to the sulfur atom, thus providing additional stabilization to the nanoparticles. According to XPS, TGA and ICP techniques, the surface coverage by the ligand increases by decreasing the size of the substituents on the nitrogen atom. The platinum nanoparticles have been used as catalyst in the hydroboration of alkynes. The most active system is that with a less covered surface area lacking an interaction of the ligand by means of the C[double bond, length as m-dash]C double bond. This catalyst hydroborates alkynes with excellent selectivities towards the monoborylated anti-Markovnikov product (vinyl-boronate) when one equiv. of borane is used. Very interestingly, aliphatic alkynes undergo a second hydroborylation process leading to the corresponding 1,1- and 1,2-diboroylated species with good selectivities towards the former.España MINECO (Projects CTQ2016-76267-P, CTQ2016-80814-R and CTQ2016- 81797-REDC)España Junta de Andalucía Project FQM-212

Prediction of clinical toxicity in locally advanced head and neck cancer patients by radio-induced apoptosis in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs)

Head and neck cancer is treated mainly by surgery and radiotherapy. Normal tissue toxicity due to x-ray exposure is a limiting factor for treatment success. Many efforts have been employed to develop predictive tests applied to clinical practice. Determination of lymphocyte radio-sensitivity by radio-induced apoptosis arises as a possible method to predict tissue toxicity due to radiotherapy. The aim of the present study was to analyze radio-induced apoptosis of peripheral blood lymphocytes in head and neck cancer patients and to explore their role in predicting radiation induced toxicity. Seventy nine consecutive patients suffering from head and neck cancer, diagnosed and treated in our institution, were included in the study. Toxicity was evaluated using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group scale. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated and irradiated at 0, 1, 2 and 8 Gy during 24 hours. Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry using annexin V/propidium iodide. Lymphocytes were marked with CD45 APC-conjugated monoclonal antibody. Radiation-induced apoptosis increased in order to radiation dose and fitted to a semi logarithmic model defined by two constants: α and β. α, as the origin of the curve in the Y axis determining the percentage of spontaneous cell death, and β, as the slope of the curve determining the percentage of cell death induced at a determined radiation dose, were obtained. β value was statistically associated to normal tissue toxicity in terms of severe xerostomia, as higher levels of apoptosis were observed in patients with low toxicity (p = 0.035; Exp(B) 0.224, I.C.95% (0.060-0.904)). These data agree with our previous results and suggest that it is possible to estimate the radiosensitivity of peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients determining the radiation induced apoptosis with annexin V/propidium iodide staining. β values observed define an individual radiosensitivity profile that could predict late toxicity due to radiotherapy in locally advanced head and neck cancer patients. Anyhow, prospective studies with different cancer types and higher number of patients are needed to validate these results

Prediction of clinical toxicity in localized cervical carcinoma by radio-induced apoptosis study in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cervical cancer is treated mainly by surgery and radiotherapy. Toxicity due to radiation is a limiting factor for treatment success. Determination of lymphocyte radiosensitivity by radio-induced apoptosis arises as a possible method for predictive test development. The aim of this study was to analyze radio-induced apoptosis of peripheral blood lymphocytes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Ninety four consecutive patients suffering from cervical carcinoma, diagnosed and treated in our institution, and four healthy controls were included in the study. Toxicity was evaluated using the Lent-Soma scale. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated and irradiated at 0, 1, 2 and 8 Gy during 24, 48 and 72 hours. Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry using annexin V/propidium iodide to determine early and late apoptosis. Lymphocytes were marked with CD45 APC-conjugated monoclonal antibody.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Radiation-induced apoptosis (RIA) increased with radiation dose and time of incubation. Data strongly fitted to a semi logarithmic model as follows: RIA = βln(Gy) + α. This mathematical model was defined by two constants: α, is the origin of the curve in the Y axis and determines the percentage of spontaneous cell death and β, is the slope of the curve and determines the percentage of cell death induced at a determined radiation dose (β = ΔRIA/Δln(Gy)). Higher β values (increased rate of RIA at given radiation doses) were observed in patients with low sexual toxicity (Exp(B) = 0.83, C.I. 95% (0.73-0.95), p = 0.007; Exp(B) = 0.88, C.I. 95% (0.82-0.94), p = 0.001; Exp(B) = 0.93, C.I. 95% (0.88-0.99), p = 0.026 for 24, 48 and 72 hours respectively). This relation was also found with rectal (Exp(B) = 0.89, C.I. 95% (0.81-0.98), p = 0.026; Exp(B) = 0.95, C.I. 95% (0.91-0.98), p = 0.013 for 48 and 72 hours respectively) and urinary (Exp(B) = 0.83, C.I. 95% (0.71-0.97), p = 0.021 for 24 hours) toxicity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Radiation induced apoptosis at different time points and radiation doses fitted to a semi logarithmic model defined by a mathematical equation that gives an individual value of radiosensitivity and could predict late toxicity due to radiotherapy. Other prospective studies with higher number of patients are needed to validate these results.</p

Assessing the performance of the HARMONIE-AROME and WRF-ARW numerical models in North Atlantic Tropical Transitions

Producción CientíficaTropical cyclones (TCs) can develop as a result of the tropical transition (TT) process, which occurs when an extratropical cyclone (EC) begins to exhibit tropical characteristics, forming a TC. In this study, four TT processes that lead to a hurricane structure [Delta (2005), Ophelia (2017), Leslie (2018), and Theta (2020)] are evaluated using two high-resolution numerical models (WRF and HARMONIE-AROME). Both tracks and intensities of the cyclones are assessed by comparing the simulated minimum sea level pressure and maximum wind speed to an observational dataset. Moreover, a spatial verification is performed by comparing the MSG-SEVIRI brightness temperature (BT) and accumulated precipitation (IMERG) to the corresponding simulations accomplished by both models. Analyzing the track results, the WRF model, on average, outstands HARMONIE-AROME. However, it is the HARMONIE-AROME model that performs better than WRF when reproducing the intensity of these cyclones. Concerning the BT spatial validation, HARMONIE-AROME slightly outperformed WRF when reproducing the cyclone's structure but failed when simulating the BT amplitude. Besides, both models achieved a nearly perfect cyclone location. In terms of accumulated precipitation results, the HARMONIE-AROME model overestimates the larger structures while underestimating the smaller ones, whereas the WRF model underestimates the bigger structures, being poorly located by both models. Although it is difficult to establish which numerical model performs better, the overall results show an outstanding of the HARMONIE-AROME model over the WRF model when simulating TT processes.IBERCANES (Project PID2019-105306RB-I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033)Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación de España - FPI program (PRE2020-092343

Assessment of HARMONIE-AROME in the simulation of the convective activity associated to a subtropical transition using satellite data

Producción CientíficaSubtropical transition events (STT) are a challenge for forecasting and research due to the hybrid characteristics they give to the cyclones. The ability and skillfulness of the HARMONIE-AROME model to reproduce the cloud structure and convection associated to the October 2014 STT is here evaluated. Brightness temperature, cloud top height and accumulated precipitation are assessed against satellite data using traditional skill scores and object-based techniques specific to forecasting spatial evaluation. The results present differences in the simulation of the cyclone between the periods before and after the transition. They also show a very good performance of the model in the location of the events and a good simulation of the intensity of the variables. The performance is sub-optimal for the estimation of the sizes of the convective objects. Brightness temperature and cloud top heights yield very good results in general, with a slight overestimation in both cases. However, the model struggles to capture the accumulated precipitation. There is scarce work evaluating the HARMONIE-AROME model in this type of events; nevertheless, the results are in line with those produced by the simulations with other numerical models. The overall performance of the model is very adequate, although it might be hindered by the internal stability of the model produced by the deep-convection computation.Agencia Estatal de Investigación (PID2019-105306RB-I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033)Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación de España - FPI program (PRE2020-092343

Biomechanical and morphological changes produced by ionizing radiation on bone tissue surrounding dental implant

Objective: This study analyzed the effect of ionizing radiation on bone microarchitecture and biomechanical properties in the bone tissue surrounding a dental implant. Methodology: Twenty rabbits received three dental morse taper junction implants: one in the left tibia and two in the right tibia. The animals were randomized into two groups: the nonirradiated group (control group) and the irradiated group, which received 30 Gy in a single dose 2 weeks after the implant procedure. Four weeks after the implant procedure, the animals were sacrificed, and the implant/bone specimens were used for each experiment. The specimens (n=10) of the right tibia were examined by microcomputed tomography to measure the cortical volume (CtV, mm3), cortical thickness (CtTh, mm) and porosity (CtPo, %). The other specimens (n=10) were examined by dynamic indentation to measure the elastic modulus (E, GPa) and Vickers hardness (VHN, N/mm2) in the bone. The specimens of the left tibia (n=10) were subjected to pull-out tests to calculate the failure load (N), displacement (mm) up to the failure point and interface stiffness (N/mm). In the irradiated group, two measurements were performed: close, at 1 mm surrounding the implant surface, and distant, at 2.5 mm from the external limit of the first measurement. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Tukey’s test and Student’s t-test (α=0.05). Results: The irradiated bone closer to the implant surface had lower elastic modulus (E), Vickers hardness (VHN), Ct.Th, and Ct.V values and a higher Ct.Po value than the bone distant to the implant (P&lt;0.04). The irradiated bone that was distant from the implant surface had lower E, VHN, and Ct.Th values and a higher Ct.Po value than the nonirradiated bone (P&lt;0.04). The nonirradiated bone had higher failure loads, displacements and stiffness values than the irradiated bone (P&lt;0.02). Conclusion: Ionizing radiation in dental implants resulted in negative effects on the microarchitecture and biomechanical properties of bone tissue, mainly near the surface of the implant