EasyBDI: integração automática de big data e consultas analíticas de alto nível

Abstract The emergence of new areas, such as the internet of things, which require access to the latest data for data analytics and decision-making environments, created constraints for the execution of analytical queries on traditional data warehouse architectures. In addition, the increase of semi-structure and unstructured data led to the creation of new databases to deal with these types of data, namely, NoSQL databases. This led to the information being stored in several different systems, each with more suitable characteristics for different use cases, which created difficulties in accessing data that are now spread across various systems with different models and characteristics. In this work, a system capable of performing analytical queries in real time on distributed and heterogeneous data sources is proposed: EasyBDI. The system is capable of integrating data logically, without materializing data, creating an overview of the data, thus offering an abstraction over the distribution and heterogeneity of data sources. Queries are executed interactively on data sources, which means that the most recent data will always be used in queries. This system presents a user interface that helps in the configuration of data sources, and automatically proposes a global schema that presents a generic and simplified view of the data, which can be modified by the user. The system allows the creation of multiple star schemas from the global schema. Finally, analytical queries are also made through a user interface that uses drag-and-drop elements. EasyBDI is able to solve recent problems by using recent solutions, hiding the details of several data sources, at the same time that allows users with less knowledge of databases to also be able to perform real-time analytical queries over distributed and heterogeneous data sources.O aparecimento de novas áreas, como a Internet das Coisas, que requerem o acesso aos dados mais recentes para ambientes de tomada de decisão, criou constrangimentos na execução de consultas analíticas usando as arquiteturas tradicionais de data warehouses. Adicionalmente, o aumento de dados semi-estruturados e não estruturados levou a que outras bases de dados fossem criadas para lidar com esse tipo de dados, nomeadamente bases NoSQL. Isto levou a que a informação seja armazenada em sistemas com características distintas e especializados em diferentes casos de uso, criando dificuldades no acesso aos dados que estão agora espalhados por vários sistemas com modelos e características distintas. Neste trabalho, propõe-se um sistema capaz de efetuar consultas analíticas em tempo real sobre fontes de dados distribuídas e heterogéneas: o EasyBDI. O sistema é capaz de integrar dados logicamente, sem materializar os dados, criando uma vista geral dos dados que oferece uma abstração sobre a distribuição e heterogeneidade das fontes de dados. As consultas são executadas interativamente nas fontes de dados, o que significa que os dados mais recentes serão sempre usados nas consultas. Este sistema apresenta uma interface de utilizador que ajuda na configuração de fontes de dados, e propõe automaticamente um esquema global que apresenta a vista genérica e simplificada dos dados, podendo ser modificado pelo utilizador. O sistema permite a criação de múltiplos esquema em estrela a partir do esquema global. Por fim, a realização de consultas analíticas é feita também através de uma interface de utilizador que recorre ao drag-and-drop de elementos. O EasyBDI é capaz de resolver problemas recentes, utilizando também soluções recentes, escondendo os detalhes de diversas fontes de dados, ao mesmo tempo que permite que utilizadores com menos conhecimentos em bases de dados possam também realizar consultas analíticas em tempo-real sobre fontes de dados distribuídas e heterogéneas.Mestrado em Engenharia Informátic

Quantificação dos Recursos Eólicos no Estado do Piauí através de Simulações Computacionais

Wind energy has been prominent in the global context to be a clean energy source and an alternative to the use of conventional sources. As the variability of wind speed and direction depends on climatic conditions, the development of tools that can estimate these quantities have singular role. Thus, this study aims to estimate the wind profile of the state of Piauí through computer simulations using the atmospheric model BRAMS. It was also possible to highlight the wind vector field and the areas of greatest wind potential through computer generated maps.A energia eólica têm-se destacado no contexto mundial por ser uma fonte de energia limpa e uma alternativa ao uso das fontes convencionais. Como a variabilidade da velocidade e direção do vento depende das condições climáticas, o desenvolvimento de ferramentas que possam estimar estas grandezas tem papel singular. Dessa forma, esse trabalho tem por objetivo estimar o perfil eólico do Estado do Piauí por meio de simulações computacionais através do modelo atmosférico BRAMS. Foi possível ainda destacar o campo vetorial do vento e as zonas de maior potencial eólico através de mapas gerados por computador

Ethanolic extract of Copaifera, Croton and Lippia on the control of phytopathogenic fungi

The search for vegetable extracts for phytosanitary control has been expanded to find new active ingredients to control plant diseases. This study aimed to evaluate thein vitroeffect of the fixed constituents of Copaifera luetzelburgii, Croton zehntneriandLippia lasiocalycina, at the concentrations of 2, 20, 200 and 2,000 μg mL-1, on the percentage of mycelial growth inhibition of Colletotrichum siamense, C. truncatum,Fusarium sacchari,F.udum,Lasiodiplodia theobromaeandThielaviopsis ethacetica, as well as the conidium concentration ofC. siamense,F. sacchariandF. udum produced in culture medium with all the extracts. The tested ethanolic extract, especially at the highest concentration, inhibited the percentage of mycelial growth and/or conidium concentration of the evaluated fungi. The other concentrations showed low inhibitory effects or no activity against the fungi. The average values for percentage of mycelial growth inhibition of the ethanolic extract fromL. lasiocalycina,C. zehntneriandC. luetzelburgiiagainst the six fungi were 62.5, 53.4 and 51.0 %, respectively. The ethanolic extract of L. lasiocalycinashowed the most significant effect on the percentage of mycelial growth inhibition and conidia concentration. The fixed constituents ofC.luetzelburgii,C. zehntneriandL.lasiocalycina at 2,000 μg mL-1 showed to be efficient in inhibiting the mycelial growth of C. siamense,C. truncatum,F. sacchari, F.udum, L. theobromaeandT. ethacetica, and inhibit the conidia production ofC. siamense,F. sacchariandF.udum

Campus, campo, cidade... Itinerários de uma ludoteca

Muitas vezes as atividades lúdicas são vistas como não promotoras da aprendizagem, sendo excluídas das propostas pedagógicas e do cotidiano da infância. Com o propósito de incorporar o lúdico às práticas escolares regulares e mostrar os diversos benefícios das mesmas, a ludoteca da Universidade Federal de Viçosa implementa atividades de formação social, realizando vivências lúdicas e culturais no campus universitário. Quando a ludoteca itinerante se desloca para além do campus para desenvolver o trabalho em escolas localizadas nas áreas urbanas e rurais, suas atividades alcançam distantes e diferentes lugares. Nesse trabalho articulado com a rede pública de ensino, a realização de diagnósticos, a coleta de informações para iniciar as discussões temáticas, são atividades que antecedem as vivências lúdicas. Como resultado do trabalho, registrou-se aumento do interesse social das escolas por ações que valorizem o brincar, para a formação profissional da equipe que nela atua e dos demais educadores, além de ampliar o acesso dos alunos às brincadeiras no cotidiano infantil

Cofilin-1 is a mechanosensitive regulator of transcription

The mechanical properties of the extracellular environment are interrogated by cells and integrated through mechanotransduction. Many cellular processes depend on actomyosin-dependent contractility, which is influenced by the microenvironment's stiffness. Here, we explored the influence of substrate stiffness on the proteome of proliferating undifferentiated human umbilical cord-matrix mesenchymal stem/stromal cells. The relative abundance of several proteins changed significantly by expanding cells on soft (∼3 kPa) or stiff substrates (GPa). Many such proteins are associated with the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, a major player of mechanotransduction and cell physiology in response to mechanical cues. Specifically, Cofilin-1 levels were elevated in cells cultured on soft comparing with stiff substrates. Furthermore, Cofilin-1 was de-phosphorylated (active) and present in the nuclei of cells kept on soft substrates, in contrast with phosphorylated (inactive) and widespread distribution in cells on stiff. Soft substrates promoted Cofilin-1-dependent increased RNA transcription and faster RNA polymerase II-mediated transcription elongation. Cofilin-1 is part of a novel mechanism linking mechanotransduction and transcription.publishe

Estudo piloto: Desvio positivo de pacientes hipertensos na cidade de Barbacena, Minas Gerais – Brazil

A hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) é uma condição clínica multifatorial caracterizada por níveis elevados e sustentados de pressão arterial (PA). 1 O paciente é considerado hipertenso quando a pressão sistólica é ≥ 140 mmHg e a diastólica é ≥ 90 mmHg em três aferições. 1-5 Embora o tratamento adequado seja importante para o controle da HAS, a prevenção se destaca, especialmente nos pacientes de risco. 5-

Estudo piloto: Desvio positivo de pacientes hipertensos na cidade de Barbacena, Minas Gerais – Brazil

A hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) é uma condição clínica multifatorial caracterizada por níveis elevados e sustentados de pressão arterial (PA). 1 O paciente é considerado hipertenso quando a pressão sistólica é ≥ 140 mmHg e a diastólica é ≥ 90 mmHg em três aferições. 1-5 Embora o tratamento adequado seja importante para o controle da HAS, a prevenção se destaca, especialmente nos pacientes de risco. 5-

Prognostic value of MGMT promoter methylation in glioblastoma patients treated with temozolomide-based chemoradiation : a Portuguese multicentre study

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor. The identification of novel molecular prognostic markers of GBM has recently been an area of great interest in neuro-oncology. The methylation status of the MGMT gene promoter is currently a promising molecular prognostic marker, but some controversial data have precluded its clinical use. We analyzed MGMT methylation by methylation-specific PCR in 90 GBM patients from four Portuguese hospitals, uniformly treated with radiotherapy combined with concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide (Stupp protocol). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to construct survival curves, and the log-rank test and a Cox-regression model were used to analyze patient survival. The methylation status of MGMT was successfully determined in 89% (80/90) of the tumors. The frequency of tumoral MGMT promoter methylation was 47.5%. The median overall survivals (OSs) were 16 months (95% CI 12.2-19.8) and 13 months (95% CI 13.3-18.7) for patients whose tumors had a methylated or unmethylated MGMT, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses did not show any statistically significant association between MGMT methylation status and patient OS (P=0.583 by the log-rank test; P=0.617 by the Cox-regression test) or progression-free survival (P=0.775 by the log-rank test; P=0.691 by the Cox-regression test). None of the patient clinical features were significantly correlated with survival. This is the first study to report the frequency of MGMT methylation among Portuguese GBM patients. Our data did not show statistically significant associations between MGMT promoter methylation and the outcome of GBM patients treated with temozolomide. Additional robust prospective studies are warranted to clarify whether the MGMT status should be used in clinical decisions.This project was sponsored, in part, by Schering-Ploug Farma (Portugal). B.M.C. and O.M. are recipients of fellowships from the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (SFRH/BPD/33612/2009 and SFRH/BD/36463/ 2007). The funding institutions had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, interpretation of the results, the preparation of the manuscript, or the decision to submit the manuscript for publication

Impact of EGFR genetic variants on glioma risk and patient outcome

B.M. Costa and M. Viana-Pereira contributed equally to this work; The authors thank the Immunochemotherapy Department of Hospital S. Marcos, and Clinica Laboratorial Dr. Edgar Botelho Moniz, S. Tirso, Portugal, for their helpful assistance in the management of controlsBACKGROUND: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) regulates important cellular processes and is frequently implicated in human tumors. Three EGFR polymorphisms have been described as having a transcriptional regulatory function: two single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the essential promoter region, -216G/T and -191C/A, and a polymorphic (CA)(n) microsatellite sequence in intron 1. We aimed to elucidate the roles of these EGFR polymorphisms in glioma susceptibility and prognosis. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study with 196 patients with glioma and 168 cancer-free controls. Unconditional multivariate logistic regression models were used to calculate ORs and 95% confidence intervals. A Cox regression model was used to evaluate associations with patient survival. False-positive report probabilities were also assessed. RESULTS: None of the EGFR -216G/T variants was significantly associated with glioma risk. The -191C/A genotype was associated with higher risk for glioma when the (CA)(n) alleles were classified as short for ≤16 or ≤17 repeats. Independently of the (CA)(n) repeat cutoff point used, shorter (CA)(n) repeat variants were significantly associated with increased risk for glioma, particularly glioblastoma and oligodendroglioma. In all tested models with different (CA)(n) cutoff points, only -191C/A genotype was consistently associated with improved survival of patients with glioblastoma. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings implicate EGFR -191C/A and the (CA)(n) repeat polymorphisms as risk factors for gliomas, and suggest -191C/A as a prognostic marker in glioblastoma. Impact: Our data support a role of these EGFR polymorphisms in determining glioma susceptibility, with potential relevance for molecularly based stratification of patients with glioblastoma for individualized therapies.Schering-Plough Farma, PortugalFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - SFRH/BPD/33612/2009; SFRH/BD/29145/200