Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2023-02"
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- Editorial: Advanced (gene and cell) therapies for central nervous system applicationsPublication . Mendonça, Liliana; Webster, Christopher; Boltze, Johannes; Nóbrega, ClévioAdvanced therapies as defined by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) comprises strategies involving gene therapy, cell therapy, and tissue engineering. Overall, these strategies offer a wide range of possibilities to treat and cure diseases, including those affecting the central nervous system (CNS). In this line, Advanced (Gene and Cell) Therapies for Central Nervous System Applications Research Topic was intended to provide a platform for researchers to publish their findings, contributing to the continuous advance of this research area. Nine papers were accepted and published in this Research Topic, from which four described original research data, two papers were reviews and two mini reviews, and one paper focused on hypothesis and theory. In the paper Administration of Variants AAV-PHP.B and AAV-PHP.eB on Brain Transduction in Adult Rhesus Macaques (Arotcarena et al.), presented new data on the biodistribution and CNS transduction efficiencies after lumbar intrathecal bolus delivery of identical doses of either AAV-PH.B:CAG-EGFP or AAV-PHP.eB:CAG-EGFP in rhesus macaque monkeys.
- Mobility planning of LoRa gateways for edge storage of IoT dataPublication . Carvalho, Rodrigo; Correia, Noélia; Al-Tam, FaroqLoRaWAN is now a leading technology in IoT developments due to its low power consumption and simple deployment features. Despite being termed a long-distance technology, its coverage is often hampered by the harsh propagation environment. In such cases, a very cost-effective solution is to use mobile gateways for both data collection and delivery at specific places of the edge, avoiding the need for cellular communication modules. This article addresses the optimization problem of deciding how mobile gateways should move, and which edge devices should be visited (and when) for collected data to be fed into the edge distributed storage, while ensuring data usefulness. This optimization problem of gateway mobility with edge storage is formulated mathematically, and a deep reinforcement learning framework is proposed to solve it. Results show that the proposed framework can achieve near optimal results, in particular for large-dense deployments and not very strict time windows. The proposed deep reinforcement learning solution is able to capture underlying patterns, like device coverage and traffic, without prior knowledge of such information.
- Editorial: Sustainable solutions in food technology, volume IIPublication . Cruz, Rui; Jung, JooyeounThis is the second edition of the Research Topic—Sustainable Solutions in Food Technology and it consists of four articles that provide recent advances and insights on new technologies and food sources that ensure food quality and safety while also having a positive environmental impact. The article of Moreira et al. presents pequi (Caryocar brasiliense) waste extract as a synergistic agent in the microbial and physicochemical preservation of low-sodium raw goat cheese. To investigate the effect of pequi waste extract (PWE), combined with UV-C radiation (CEU) and vacuum packaging (CEV) a Principal Component Analysis was applied. The results showed that CEV samples presented lower loadings for Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcus subsp. compared with other treatments. A count reduction up to 3-fold (p < 0.05) was observed compared to when vacuum treatment was used alone. On the other hand, CEU presented an increase of up to 1.2-fold in staphylococcal count compared to the treatment only with UV-C. A 8.5% protein loss was shown when PWE was added to UV-C-treated cheeses. During storage, PWE, particularly in CEV, delayed post-acidification. CEV was more stable for color and texture, up to 4.5 and 1.6-fold, respectively, compared with the vacuum treatment. The obtained results indicate that PWE, when combined with the vacuum, may be a new and promising synergistic agent in the microbial and physicochemical preservation of low-sodium raw milk cheese.
- Functional evolution in total knee arthroplasty: first and second-generation patient-specific instrumentation compared with conventional instrumentationPublication . Fontes, Ana Paula; CINTRA, RUI; Gomes, Luis; João Paulo SousaBackground: This study compares the functional evolution between the first- and second-generation patient-specific instrumentation and conventional instrumentation pre-surgery and the third month post-surgery after TKA. We analyzed the functional outcomes achieved and the absolute gains of each study variable. In addition, we aimed to elucidate the results of the three surgical techniques regarding the surgery length of time, length of hospital stay, percentage drop in hemoglobin (Hg) at 24 h, and hip-knee-ankle angle post-surgery. Methods: We reported our experience in TKA using PSI Visionaire System® and CI technique in 688 procedures. The patients were divided into first (N=272) and second-generation (N=151) PSI designs. The control group (N=265) underwent TKA with the CI. The instruments for assessing the functioning were: visual analog scale, goniometry, 6- minute walk test (6MWT), and domains of the WOMAC Index. Results: The functioning achieved three months after surgery was lower in the CI than the first-generation PSI. The respective differences at absolute gains were found in the 6MWT and pain and function WOMAC scores (p=0.023, p=0.049, and p=0.018, respectively). The mean surgical time was higher in the CI compared to PSI designs (both p<0.001), and the mean hospital length of stay was higher in the CI compared to second-generation PSI (p=0.002). The percentual drop in Hg was higher in the first-generation PSI than with the CI (p=0.006). Conclusions: Three months after TKA, the functioning achieved with the first-generation PSI was greater than the CI. However, the functional results between second-generation PSI and CI were similar.
- The exceptional presence of megaloceros giganteus in North-Eastern Iberia and Its palaeoecological implications: the case of Teixoneres cave (Moià, Barcelona, Spain)Publication . Uzunidis, Antigone; Rivals, Florent; Rufà, Anna; Blasco, Ruth; Rosell, JordiIn this article we announce the discovery of the first remains of Megaloceros giganteus found in Catalonia (north-eastern Iberia) from the Late Pleistocene: a fragment of maxillary. Dated between 35,000 and 37,000 cal BP, it is also among the youngest occurrence of this taxon in the Iberian Peninsula, while its last known occurrence is dated to the Neolithic period. Through a comparison with the giant deer of the northern Pyrenees, we analyzed the herbivore guilds in which this taxon was associated to understand the context in which it was able to enter the Iberian Peninsula. By comparing its diet with those of specimens from Northern Europe, we detail the ecological adaptations of this taxon in this new environment. We suggest that Megaloceros accompanied the migrations of cold-adapted species by taking advantage of the opening of corridors on both sides of the Pyrenees during the coldest periods of the Late Pleistocene. The diet of the Iberian individuals, which is oriented towards abrasive plants, suggests an adaptation to a different ecological niche than that found in Northern European individuals. The northern Iberian Peninsula may have been an extreme in the geographical expansion of M. giganteus. More specimens will be needed in the future to establish the variability of the southern Megaloceros populations.
- Guidance on marine protected area protection level assignments when faced with unknown regulatory informationPublication . Driedger, Alex; Sletten, Jennifer; Colegrove, Claire; Vincent, Timothé; Zetterlind, Virgil; Claudet, Joachim; Horta E Costa, BarbaraStrong human use regulations are an important precondition for marine protected area (MPA) effectiveness. Distinguishing MPAs based on their protection levels has shown advantages, but the availability of regulatory information about allowed activities is a major roadblock towards completing assessments at scale. Here, using a California case study, we explore assigning MPA protection levels following the regulation-based classification system (RBCS) under different scenarios of incomplete regulatory information. In the first group of scenarios (A), only readily available information was used, i.e., information contained in direct MPA implementing regulations and management plans. In the second group (B), information was limited to the activities in ProtectedSeas' Navigator that matched those in the RBCS. From group A, 99% and 100% correct classification of fully and highly protected areas, respectively, were obtained when treating unknown aquaculture, bottom exploitation, and bottom extraction as 'prohibited' and boating, anchoring, and fishing activities as 'allowed'. High classifi-cation accuracy was also obtained for moderately, poorly, and unprotected areas. From group B, 92% and 94% correct classification of fully and highly protected areas were obtained when using the same assumptions for non -fishing activities but using Navigator's Level of Fishing Protection (LFP) score to guide assumptions about un-known fishing activities. Correct classification rates were poorer with different assumptions. Regulation-based MPA evaluation systems can reliably identify fully and highly protected areas in the face of unknown infor-mation, when assumptions about unknown information are guided by contextual indicators such as generally regulated human activities and/or overall level of fishing restriction.
- Minimally processed fruits as vehicles for foodborne pathogensPublication . Melo, Jessie; Quintas, CéliaThe consumption of minimally processed fruit (MPF) has increased over the last decade due to a novel trend in the food market along with the raising consumers demand for fresh, organic, convenient foods and the search for healthier lifestyles. Although represented by one of the most expanded sectors in recent years, the microbiological safety of MPF and its role as an emergent foodborne vehicle has caused great concern to the food industry and public health authorities. Such food products may expose consumers to a risk of foodborne infection as they are not subjected to prior microbial lethal methods to ensure the removal or destruction of pathogens before consumption. A considerable number of foodborne disease cases linked to MPF have been reported and pathogenic strains of Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, as well as Norovirus accounted for the majority of cases. Microbial spoilage is also an issue of concern as it may result in huge economic losses among the various stakeholders involved in the manufacturing and commercialization of MPF. Contamination can take place at any step of production/manufacturing and identifying the nature and sources of microbial growth in the farm-to-fork chain is crucial to ensure appropriate handling practices for producers, retailers, and consumers. This review aims to summarize information about the microbiological hazards associated with the consumption of MPF and also highlight the importance of establishing effective control measures and developing coordinated strategies in order to enhance their safety.
- Evaluating the repetitive mucus extraction effects on mucus biomarkers, mucous cells, and the skin-barrier status in a marine fish modelPublication . Sanahuja, Ignasi; Guerreiro, Pedro; Girons, Albert; Fernandez-Alacid, Laura; Ibarz, AntoniAmong all the mucosal barriers, the skin and its surrounding mucus are possibly the main defensive tool against changes in the environment that can be harmful for fish. Due to the extraction of this mucus being less invasive, the study of its production and functions has attracted great interest in recent years. However, there are still many gaps concerning the sampling process as well as the possible alterations in skin integrity and mucus composition. In the current study, the effects of skin mucus extraction were determined by comparing the effects of a single extraction (single extraction group, SEG) with those of three successive extractions separated by 3 days (repetitive extractions group, REG). Intact skin histology without mucus extraction (oEG) and both plasma and skin mucus biomarkers and antibacterial capacities were also assessed. Regarding the skin histology and skin barrier properties, both the SEG and REG did not show differences in the intact skin. Interestingly, repetitive mucus extractions seemed to activate skin mucus turnover, significantly increasing the number of small-sized mucous cells (cell area< 100 mu m(2)) and reducing the number of large-sized mucous cells (cell area > 150 mu m(2)). Repetitive extractions significantly decreased the amounts of soluble protein and increased cortisol secretion. These metabolites remained unaltered in the plasma, indicating different responses in the plasma and mucus. Despite changes in the mucus biomarkers, antibacterial capacity against pathogenic bacteria (Pseudomonas anguilliseptica and Vibrio anguillarum) was maintained in both the plasma and mucus irrespective of the number of mucus extractions. Overall, the mucus sampling protocol had little effect on skin integrity and mucus antibacterial properties, only modifying the amounts of soluble protein exuded and stimulating mucous cell replacement. This protocol is a feasible and minimally invasive way of studying and monitoring fish health and welfare and can be used as an alternative or a complement to plasma analysis. This methodology can be transferred to farm culture conditions and be very useful for studying threatened species in order to preserve fish welfare.
- The role of artificial contact materials in experimental use-wear studies: A controlled proxy to understand use-wear polish formationPublication . Schunk, Lisa; Gneisinger, Walter; Calandra, Ivan; Marreiros, JoaoTraceological studies aim at the recognition and the identification of use-wear traces on artefacts to gain a functional interpretation of past human technologies. However, the development of use-wear traces is known to be dependent on different mechanics involved, such as those related to the contact materials, but also to the tool raw material and morphology, the use intensity and the performed task. Therefore, an understanding of the fundamental mechanics affecting wear formation is necessary to build reliable interpretations based on causation. The cause-effect relationship between individual variables and the formation of use-wear can only be inves-tigated by conducting controlled, second-generation experiments. To test individual variables, others have to be standardised. This applies, for instance, to the contact material. The here presented sequential second-generation experiment tested for differences between soft and hard contact materials. Simultaneously, this experiment aimed to validate the comparability of artificial and natural contact material as a standardised substitute, but also as an ethically more acceptable choice. Combined with qualitative and quantitative use-wear analyses, the data generated throughout the experiment did not only provide insights into the development of use-wear, but also into abrasion processes within the experimental setup. Concerning these aspects, no significant difference between the natural and artificial contact materials could be observed. Consequently, while not used as direct proxies to interpret wear on archaeological artefacts, the use of standardised contact materials can be an advantageous choice in controlled experimental setups. Moreover, the experiment highlights the relevance of use intensity and duration in the context of wear formation.
- MILP-based model predictive control for home energy management systems: A real case study in Algarve, PortugalPublication . Gomes, I.L.R.; Ruano, Maria; Ruano, AntonioThis paper addresses the development of an innovative home energy management system (HEMS). The presented HEMS relies on a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP)-based model predictive control. The system takes advantage of the powerful formulation capabilities of a MILP-based mathematical pro-gramming problem with the capabilities of model predictive control to optimize, at each sample instant the HEMS operation using a receding-horizon formulation. The system is designed for a residence located in Algarve, Portugal. The results of the presented system are compared with the real experimental results obtained by a commercial PV-battery management system. Additionally, an analysis of the system???s per-formance is conducted, in terms of operation planning for 2021 market prices compared to 2022 prices, where there was a significant rise of buying price due to the energy world context. In all simulations per-formed, it is verified that the MILP-based model predictive control presents better results, with statistical relevance. CO 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.