Online Circle and Sphere Packing

In this paper we consider the Online Bin Packing Problem in three variants: Circles in Squares, Circles in Isosceles Right Triangles, and Spheres in Cubes. The two first ones receive an online sequence of circles (items) of different radii while the third one receive an online sequence of spheres (items) of different radii, and they want to pack the items into the minimum number of unit squares, isosceles right triangles of leg length one, and unit cubes, respectively. For Online Circle Packing in Squares, we improve the previous best-known competitive ratio for the bounded space version, when at most a constant number of bins can be open at any given time, from 2.439 to 2.3536. For Online Circle Packing in Isosceles Right Triangles and Online Sphere Packing in Cubes we show bounded space algorithms of asymptotic competitive ratios 2.5490 and 3.5316, respectively, as well as lower bounds of 2.1193 and 2.7707 on the competitive ratio of any online bounded space algorithm for these two problems. We also considered the online unbounded space variant of these three problems which admits a small reorganization of the items inside the bin after their packing, and we present algorithms of competitive ratios 2.3105, 2.5094, and 3.5146 for Circles in Squares, Circles in Isosceles Right Triangles, and Spheres in Cubes, respectively

Renal Impairment in Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Prevalent Condition to Consider

We read with interest the paper by Couderc, et al1 on the prevalence of renal impairment in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) from the ASASCOMOSPA study (Assessment of Spondyloarthritis international Society–COMOrbidities in SPondyloArthritis). Their results encouraged us to investigate renal impairment prevalence in our cohort. Renal impairment [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2] prevalence in the ASAS-COMOSPA cohort was 5.2% and was associated with age, HLA-B27 positivity, and inflammation in the multivariate analysis. Data are scarce on the prevalence of renal involvement in SpA with evident heterogeneity, ranging from 0.1% to 11.3% of the cases

The application of bilingual language acquisition strategies: two case studies

In studies of language choice patterns in families, most of the study cases are based on reports written by linguists about their own children bilingual development. Therefore, there is a strong possibility that the parents’ scientific and theoretical knowledge as linguists might have influenced in the child’s bilingual acquisition. To overcome this approach limits, two study cases based on empirical data were carried out done in (Brazilian) Portuguese-English bilingual families to determine how language strategies are applied in real-life conversations. The interactions within the members of two families were analyzed to test the effectiveness of the language strategies. The data collected show that none of the families strictly applies the policies. The effectiveness of such practice is therefore to be questioned

Contribution of patient registries to regulatory decision making on rare diseases medicinal products in Europe

Between 2000 and 2021, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) assigned the orphan designation to over 1,900 medicines. Due to their small target populations, leading to challenges regarding clinical trial recruitment, study design and little knowledge on the natural history of the disease, the overall clinical evidence submitted at the time of marketing authorisation application for these medicines is often limited. Patient registries have been recognised as important sources of data on healthcare practices, drug utilisation and clinical outcomes. They may help address these challenges by providing information on epidemiology, standards of care and treatment patterns of rare diseases. In this review, we illustrate the utility of patient registries across the different stages of development of medicinal products, including orphans, to provide evidence in the context of clinical studies and to generate post-authorisation long term data on their effectiveness and safety profiles. We present important initiatives leveraging the role of registries for orphan medicinal products' development and monitoring to ultimately improve patients' lives

Questões de particular importância : breves notas

Vida intrauterina, início da personalidade, família e crianças : direito interno e transnacional / coordenação [de] Ana Sofia da Silva Gomes. - Lisboa : Universidade Lusíada. 2023. - ISBN 978-989-640-***-*.. - P. ?-?

Análise de parâmetros ecológicos de Dyckia encholirioides (Gaudich.) Mez - Bromeliaceae, considerando componentes geomorfológico e pedológico em costões rochosos na Ilha do Mel, Litoral do Paraná

Orientador : Dr. Gustavo Ribas CurcioCo-orientadora : Profª. Drª. Annete BonnetDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Agrárias, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Florestal. Defesa: Curitiba, 31/03/2014Inclui referênciasÁrea de concentração : Conservação da naturezaResumo: O estudo de parâmetros ecológicos das populações de Dyckia encholirioides em costões rochosos da Ilha do Mel, litoral do Paraná, teve como objetivos identificar as variações nos parâmetros estruturais e biométricos desta espécie e relacioná-las com as características geomorfológicas e pedológicas de encostas distintas. Para tal, foram realizadas amostragens em três tipos de feições: convexa-divergente (CvD), convexa-retilínea (CvR) e côncava-convergente (CcC), as quais foram compartimentadas em terços superior, médio e inferior. As encostas convexas (divergentes e retilíneas) são constituídas dominantemente por Neossolo Litólico com baixa saturação por bases, enquanto a côncava-convergente, por Neossolo Regolítico com maiores teores em saturação por bases. Para o estudo dos parâmetros estruturais foram alocadas 10 parcelas de 1 m2 por área de amostragem (terço da encosta), totalizando 90, e contabilizado os dados referentes à cobertura, densidade e frequência de D. encholirioides. No estudo da biometria da espécie, em cada área de amostragem foram coletadas 7 rosetas com seus respectivos rizomas, totalizando 63 indivíduos amostrados e mensurado a altura e diâmetro de projeção da roseta, também foram contabilizados o número e o comprimento das folhas, o comprimento e diâmetro do rizoma e mensuradas as biomassas fresca e seca da roseta, rizoma e total do indivíduo. Para verificar a interferência dos fatores pedológicos sobre a variação nos parâmetros estruturais e sobre a biometria das populações estudadas, os dados dos atributos do solo foram submetidos à análise de componentes principais (PCA) e os resultados foram expressos por meio de uma matriz de correlações, a qual teve como objetivo analisar a significância do coeficiente de correlação (r) entre os parâmetros estruturais e as variáveis biométricas dos indivíduos de D. encholirioides em relação aos atributos do solo. Complementarmente, os parâmetros estruturais e biométricos foram submetidos à análise de variância (ANOVA). Foram contabilizadas 169 rosetas de D. encholirioides, a cobertura da feição CcC e a densidade da população em CvD foi significativamente maior e menor que as demais encostas, respectivamente. A frequência foi considerada similar entre as encostas. Em relação à biometria os resultados demonstraram que as populações diferiram, ao menos entre duas encostas, nos parâmetros: altura e diâmetro da roseta, número e comprimento das folhas, massa seca da roseta e total do indivíduo, estas diferenças foram mais evidentes entre as encostas e discretas entre os terços. De maneira geral, as populações com menores indivíduos estão inseridas na feição CvR enquanto os maiores em CcC, ficando os intermediários em CvD. A conformação da encosta foi determinante quando associada às peculiaridades do solo para a diferenciação na ocupação e biometria de D. encholirioides. Palavras-chave: Geomorfologia, solos, parâmetros estruturais, biometria, ecologia.Abstract: (Analysis of ecological parameters of Dyckia encholirioides - Bromeliaceae, considering the geomorphological and pedological components in rocky shores in Ilha do Mel, Coast of Paraná). The study of ecological parameters of the populations of Dyckia encholirioides on rocky shores of Ilha do Mel, Paraná coast, aimed to identify the variations in the structural parameters and biometric in this species and relate them with the geomorphological and pedological characteristics of different slopes. For this purpose, three sampling types were carried out: convex-divergent, convex-rectilinear and convergent-concave, which were compartmentalized in upper, middle and lower thirds. The convex slopes (divergent and rectilinear) consist dominantly by Litholic Neosoil with low base saturation, while the concave-convergent, by Entisol with higher level of base saturation. For the study of structural parameters, 10 plots of 1 m² per sampling area (third of the slope) were installed, totaling 90, and accounting the data regarding coverage, density and frequency of D. encholirioides. In the study of biometrics of species, in each sampling area 7 rosettes with their respective rhizomes were collected, totaling 63 sampled individuals. Measuring the height and projection diameter of the rosettes, the research also accounted the number and the length of the leaves, the length and diameter of the rhizome. Measuring the fresh and dry biomass of the rosettes, rhizome and total of the individual. To check the interference of soil factors on the variation in the structural parameters and in the biometrics of the populations studied, the data of soil attributes to principal components analysis (PCA) and the results were expressed through a correlations matrix. This aimed to analyze the significance of the coefficient of correlation (r) between the structural parameters and the biometric variables of individuals of D. encholirioides in relation to soil attributes. In addition, the structural and biometric parameters were submitted to variance analysis (ANOVA). 169 rosettes of D. encholirioides were accounted, the coverage of populations in CcC and the density in CvD was significantly higher and lower than the other slopes, respectively. The frequency was similar between the slopes. Regarding biometrics, the results demonstrated that the populations differed, at least between two slopes, in the parameters: height and diameter of the rosette, number and length of the leaves, dry mass of the rosette and total individual, these differences were more evident between the slopes and discreet between the thirds. In General, the populations with lower individuals are inserted into the CvR lineament, while the largest in CcC, and the middle in CvD. The conformation of the slope was decisive when associated to peculiarities of the soil for differentiation in the occupation and biometrics of D. encholirioides. Key words: Geomorphology, soils, structural parameters, biometry, ecology

A evolução do perfil, papel e relevância do diretor médico numa companhia farmacêutica

Mestrado em Biomedicina FarmacêuticaOver the last years, operations in Pharmaceutical Companies have become more complex, trying to adapt to new demands of the market environment. Overall, the observed change of paradigm requires adapting, mainly by the setting of new priorities, diversification of investments, cost containment strategies, exploring new markets and developping new sets of skills. In this context, new functions have been created, the relevance of some has diminished, and the importance of others has arisen. Amongst these, the medical structure within a Pharmaceutical Company, increased to meet demands, with companies adopting different models to respond to these needs, and becoming a pillar to the business. Assuming the leading role within a medical department, the medical director function often lies in the shadow. It is a key function within Pharma Industry, either on a country or on a Global basis. It has evolved and changed in the past years to meet the constant demands of a changing environment. The Medical Director is a highly skilled and differeniated professional who provides medical and scientific governance within a Pharmaceutical company, since early stages of drug development and up to loss of exclusivity, not only but also by leading a team of other physicians, pharmacists or life scientists whose functions comprise specificities that the medical director needs to understand, provide input to, oversee and lead. As the organization of Pharmaceutical Companies tends to be different, in accordance to values, culture, markets and strategies, the scope of activities of a Medical Director can be broader or may be limited, depending on size of the organization and governance model, but they must fulfil a large set of requirements in order to leverage impact on internal and internal customers. Key technical competencies for medical directors such as an MD degree, a strong clinical foundation, knowledge of drug development, project and team management experience and written and verbal skills are relatively easy to define, but underlying behavioural competencies are more difficult to ascertain, and these are more often the true predictors of success in the role. Beyond seamless proficiency in technical skills, at this level interpersonal skills become far more important, as they are the driver and the distinctive factor between a good and an excelent medical director. And this has impact in the business and in the people doing it.Nos últimos anos, as operações das empresas farmacêuticas têm-se tornado mais complexas, tentando adaptar-se às novas exigências do ambiente de mercado. Globalmente, a mudança de paradigma observada requer adaptação, principalmente através do estabelecimento de novas prioridades, diversificação dos investimentos, estratégias de contenção de custos, explorando novos mercados e desenvolvendo novos conjuntos de competências. Neste contexto, novas funções foram criadas, a importância de algumas diminuiu, e a importância de outras emergiu. Entre estas, a estrutura médica dentro de uma empresa farmacêutica aumentou para responder às exigências, com as empresas a adoptarem diferentes modelos para responder a estas necessidades, tornando-se um pilar para o negócio. Assumindo o papel de lider dentro de um departamento médico, a função de diretor médico permanece muitas vezes na sombra. É uma função chave dentro da Indústria Farmacêutica, seja num país ou numa base global. Esta função tem evoluído e mudado nos últimos anos para responder às exigências constantes de um ambiente em mudança. O Diretor Médico é um profissional altamente qualificado e diferenciado que confere orientação médica e científica dentro de uma empresa farmacêutica, desde as fases iniciais de desenvolvimento de medicamentos e até perda de exclusividade, não só mas também por liderar uma equipa de outros médicos, farmacêuticos ou cientistas, cujas funções incluem especificidades que o diretor médico precisa compreender, contribuir para, supervisionar e liderar. Como a organização das empresas farmacêuticas tende a ser diferente, de acordo com os valores, cultura, mercados e estratégias, o âmbito das actividades de um diretor médico pode ser mais amplo ou pode ser limitado, dependendo do tamanho e do modelo de organização e governança, mas deve cumprir um largo conjunto de requisitos a fim de maximizar o seu impacto sobre os clientes internos e externos. Competências técnicas fundamentais para diretores médicos, como uma especialização em Medicina, uma forte base clínica, conhecimento de desenvolvimento de medicamentos, experiência em gestão de equipas e de projectos, e elevada capacidade escrita e verbal são relativamente fáceis de definir, mas competências comportamentais subjacentes são mais difíceis de encontrar, e estas são mais frequentemente os verdadeiros preditores de sucesso na função. Além da proficiência irrepreensível em habilidades técnicas, a este nível as habilidades interpessoais tornam-se muito mais importantes, pois são o condutor e o factor distintivo entre um bom e um excelente diretor médico. E isso tem impacto no negócio e nas pessoas que nele trabalham