The Quest for Optimal Sorting Networks: Efficient Generation of Two-Layer Prefixes

Previous work identifying depth-optimal $n$-channel sorting networks for $9\leq n \leq 16$ is based on exploiting symmetries of the first two layers. However, the naive generate-and-test approach typically applied does not scale. This paper revisits the problem of generating two-layer prefixes modulo symmetries. An improved notion of symmetry is provided and a novel technique based on regular languages and graph isomorphism is shown to generate the set of non-symmetric representations. An empirical evaluation demonstrates that the new method outperforms the generate-and-test approach by orders of magnitude and easily scales until $n=40$

Patterns for Programming in the Semantic Web

Originally proposed in the mid-90s, design patterns for software development played a key role in object-oriented programming not only in increasing software quality, but also by giving a better understanding of the power and limitations of this paradigm. Since then, several authors have endorsed a similar task for other programming paradigms, in the hope of achieving similar benefits. In this paper we discuss design patterns for the Semantic Web, giving new insights on how existing programming frameworks can be used in a systematic way to design large-scale systems. The common denominator between these frameworks is the combination between different reasoning systems, namely description logics and logic programming. Therefore, we chose to work in a generalization of dl-programs that supports several (possibly different) description logics, expecting that our results will be easily adapted to other existing frameworks such as multi-context systems. This study also suggests new constructs to enforce legibility and internal structure of logic-based Semantic Web programs

Achieving tightness in dl-programs

Reviewed by Francisco MartinsIn the field of the combination between description logics and rule-based reasoning systems, dl- programs have proved to be a very successful mechanism. One of their recognized shortcomings, however, is their lack of full tightness: the language constructs that feed data from the logic program have a local effect, leaving the knowledge base essentially unchanged throughout. In this paper, we present a construction that we call lifting, which allows predicates to be fully shared between the two components of a dl-program in a systematic way, and show how lifting can be used to provide intuitive solutions to a number of everyday reasoning problems involving the verification of integrity constraints and the implementation of default rules. This construction preserves consistency of the underlying knowledge base and complexity of the overall system. Furthermore, the resulting semantics of default rules has a natural interpretation under the original Reiter semantics

Reciprocal gene flow between conventional and genetically modified soybean cultivars

The objective of this work was to determine the reciprocal gene flow between two soybean cultivars, one tolerant and the other sensitive to glyphosate, as well as to use estimators to determine the outcrossing rate in the population and the number of hybrid seeds in the progeny. The experiment was composed of four blocks of 40 soybean rows, of which 20 rows of each cultivar (CD217 and CD219RR). At the R8 stage, five rows, distant 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 m from the adjacent cultivar, were harvested, threshed and analyzed as for the occurrence of gene flow. As phenotypical markers, the trait color of flowers, hypocotil and pubescence, as well as the tolerance to glyphosate were used. The cultivars contrast for all the analyzed traits, each one conditioned by a single gene with two alleles, in a complete dominance interaction. In the tolerant cultivar progeny, the largest outcross rate was 0.27%, and in the sensitive cultivar progeny, 0.83% was identified; by the dilution effect hypothesis, the outcross rates in natural populations would be 0.104 and 0.388%, respectively. The reciprocal gene flow between CD217 and CD219RR cultivars is not the same in both directions. The proposed estimators are useful for determining the hybrid rates in seed samples

Fluxo gênico recíproco entre cultivares de soja convencional e geneticamente modificada

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o fluxo gênico recíproco entre duas cultivares de soja, uma tolerante e outra sensível ao glifosato, além de aplicar estimadores para determinar a taxa de fecundação cruzada na população e o número de sementes híbridas na progênie. O experimento compôs-se de quatro blocos com 40 fileiras de soja, com 20 fileiras de cada cultivar (CD217 e CD219RR). No estádio R8, cinco fileiras, distantes 0,5, 1, 2, 4 e 8 m da cultivar adjacente, foram colhidas, trilhadas e analisadas quanto à ocorrência de fluxo gênico. Como características marcadoras, foram utilizadas as cores da flor, hipocótilo e pubescência, e a tolerância ao glifosato. As cultivares contrastam quanto às características analisadas, cada uma condicionada por um gene com dois alelos, em interação de dominância completa. Na progênie da cultivar tolerante, a maior taxa de híbridos encontrada foi 0,27% e, na progênie da cultivar sensível, identificou-se 0,83%; pela hipótese do efeito diluição, as taxas de hibridação natural populacional seriam 0,104 e0,388%, respectivamente. O fluxo gênico recíproco entre as cultivares CD217 e CD219RR não é o mesmo em ambas as direções. Os estimadores propostos são úteis para determinar a taxa de híbridos em amostras de sementes

Atherosclerosis and Bone Loss in Humans–Results From Deceased Donors and From Patients Submitted to Carotid Endarterectomy

Funding: We wish to thank all the collaborators (administrative staff, nurses, etc.) of the surgery block, as well as the doctors of the vascular surgery and transplantation departments of the Hospital of Santa Maria for the availability and assistance in the collection of the samples. We also thank Sociedade Portuguesa de Reumatologia for funding with two fellowships: Fundo de Apoio à Investigação 2014 and SPR/MSD 2015. DC-F received funding from a PhD grant from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (SFRH/BD/80940/2011).Background and Aims: Atherosclerosis and osteoporosis share common risk factors, as well as inflammatory mechanisms. Our aim was to understand how atherosclerotic lesions are related with disturbances in bone. Methods: Gene expression of pro-inflammatory and bone metabolism related proteins (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, TNF, RANKL, OPG, COL1, CTSK, OCL, TRAP, CBFA1, DKK1, SOST, ADIPOQ, and ADIPOR1) were analyzed in arteries and bones from 45 deceased donors and adipose tissue was used as control. Additionally, in 139 patients with advanced atherosclerosis submitted to carotid endarterectomy we compared calcium content (Alizarin red) and plaque inflammatory scores (CD3+, CD68+, and adiponectin) of patients with normal bone mineral density (BMD) with those with low BMD and explored the associations between gene expression in atherosclerotic plaques and BMD. Serum levels of pro-inflammatory and bone related proteins were measured both in donors and patients. Associations were investigated by the Pearson or Spearman correlation tests, and multivariate regression analyzes were performed when justified. Results: Gene expression of bone remodeling and pro-inflammatory proteins correlated positively in bone and aorta, independently of age and sex of donors, but not in adipose tissue. The expression of bone formation genes was significantly higher in atheroma plaques from endarterectomized patients with normal vs. low BMD as well as inflammatory CD68+ scores, regardless of patients' age and sex, but not of body mass index. No relationship was observed between serum levels and gene expression levels of pro-inflammatory or bone remodeling proteins. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the relationship between bones and vessels in the context of atherosclerotic disease and osteoporosis may rely on the intrinsic connection between the tissues involved, independently of disease stage. Serum measurements of pro-inflammatory and bone-remodeling proteins do not accurately translate tissue pathologic processes.publishersversionpublishe

Portuguese Football Federation consensus statement 2020: nutrition and performance in football

Nutrition is an undeniable part of promoting health and performance among football (soccer) players. Nevertheless, nutritional strategies adopted in elite football can vary significantly depending on culture, habit and practical constraints and might not always be supported by scientific evidence. Therefore, a group of 28 Portuguese experts on sports nutrition, sports science and sports medicine sought to discuss current practices in the elite football landscape and review the existing evidence on nutritional strategies to be applied when supporting football players. Starting from understanding football's physical and physiological demands, five different moments were identified: preparing to play, match-day, recovery after matches, between matches and during injury or rehabilitation periods. When applicable, specificities of nutritional support to young athletes and female players were also addressed. The result is a set of practical recommendations that gathered consensus among involved experts, highlighting carbohydrates periodisation, hydration and conscious use of dietary supplements.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio