Lymphocyte subpopulations and neutrophil function in chronic human Chagas' disease

The absolute numbers of total leukocytes, lymphocytes, T cells, helper/inducer, suppressor/cytotoxic and B cells were decreased in the peripheral blood of patients with chronic Chagas' disease. Since antilymphocyte antibodies were present only in a minority of patients they probably cannot account for the abnormalities in lymphocyte subsets. Patient neutrophils stimulated with endotoxin-treated autologous plasma showed depressed chemotactic activity and this seems to be an intrinsic cellular defect rather than plasma inhibition. Random migration of neutrophils was normal. Reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium by endotoxin- stimulated neutrophils was also decreased. These findings further document the presence of immunosuppression in human Chagas' disease. They may be relevant to autoimmunity, defense against microorganisms and against tumor cells at least in a subset of patients with more severe abnormalities.

Aplicação do Método SFA (Safety Function Analisys) a um. Posto de Transformação de Energia Eléctrica da Renova

Riscos Industriais e Emergentes, 2009 pp. 827-844

Light memory function in a double pin SiC device

A double pi'npin heterostructure based on amorphous SiC has a non linear spectral gain which is a function of the signal wavelength that impinges on its front or back surface. An impulse of a configurable length and amplitude is applied to a 390 nm LED which illuminates one of the sensor surfaces, followed by a time period without any illumination after which an input signal with a different wavelength is impinged upon the front surface. Results show that the intensity and duration of the impulse illumination of the surfaces influences the sensor's response with different output for the same input signal. This paper studies this effect and proposes an application as a short term light memory. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Executive Function Impairments in Patients with Depression

Depression, the most prevalent psychiatric disorder, has a lifelong risk of 20% and is related to high rates of death among the patients. Thus, this study aims to conduct a systematic review of changes in executive functions of adult patients diagnosed with depression. We found 1381 articles; however, only 28 were selected and recovered. The inclusion criteria was the assessment of executive functions with at least one neuropsychological test, and articles that evaluated primarily adult individuals with depression, without comparison to other psychiatric disorders. Although most of the studies (25 out of 28 analyzed) have shown deficits in some executive subcomponents, these findings are not conclusive because they used different parameters of assessment. Moreover, many variables were not controlled, such as the different subtypes of the disorder, the high level of severity, comorbidity and the use of drugs. Most studies showed different deficits in executive functions in depressed patients, but further longitudinal studies are needed in order to confirm these findings.

A survey of e-learning content aggregation standards

As e-learning gradually evolved many specialized and disparate systems appeared to fulfil the needs of teachers and students, such as repositories of learning objects, authoring tools, intelligent tutors and automatic evaluators. This heterogeneity raises interoperability issues giving the standardization of content an important role in e-learning. This article presents a survey on current e-learning content aggregation standards focusing on their internal organization and packaging. This study is part of an effort to choose the most suitable specifications and standards for an e-learning framework called Ensemble defined as a conceptual tool to organize a network of e-learning systems and services for domains with complex evaluation.

On the numerical computation of the Mittag-Leffler function

Recently simple limiting functions establishing upper and lower bounds on the Mittag-Leffler function were found. This paper follows those expressions to design an efficient algorithm for the approximate calculation of expressions usual in fractional-order control systems. The numerical experiments demonstrate the superior efficiency of the proposed method.

Defective protein folding and function in metabolic disorders: studies on the mitochondrial flavoenzyme ETF

Dissertation presented to obtain the PhD degree in Biochemistry at the Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa

Demand Response Programs Definition Using Demand Price Elasticity to Define Consumers Aggregation for an Improved Remuneration Structure

The positioning of the consumers in the power systems operation has been changed in the recent years, namely due to the implementation of competitive electricity markets. Demand response is an opportunity for the consumers’ participation in electricity markets. Smart grids can give an important support for the integration of demand response. The methodology proposed in the present paper aims to create an improved demand response program definition and remuneration scheme for aggregated resources. The consumers are aggregated in a certain number of clusters, each one corresponding to a distinct demand response program, according to the economic impact of the resulting remuneration tariff. The knowledge about the consumers is obtained from its demand price elasticity values. The illustrative case study included in the paper is based on a 218 consumers’ scenario.

Remuneration Structure Definition for Distributed Generation Units and Demand Response Participants Aggregation

The implementation of competitive electricity markets has changed the consumers’ and distributed generation position power systems operation. The use of distributed generation and the participation in demand response programs, namely in smart grids, bring several advantages for consumers, aggregators, and system operators. The present paper proposes a remuneration structure for aggregated distributed generation and demand response resources. A virtual power player aggregates all the resources. The resources are aggregated in a certain number of clusters, each one corresponding to a distinct tariff group, according to the economic impact of the resulting remuneration tariff. The determined tariffs are intended to be used for several months. The aggregator can define the periodicity of the tariffs definition. The case study in this paper includes 218 consumers, and 66 distributed generation units.

Constructing the National Canon in Ireland and Macedonia: The Function of Folklore in the Plays The Countess Cathleen and The Land of Heart’s Desire by William Butler Yeats, and Proud Flesh and The Black Hole by Goran Stefanovski and Their Role in Strengthening National Identity

Erasmus Mundus Masters “Crossways in European Humanities” June 2011

Cavin 1 and cavin 2 roles on adipocyte cell function

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Genética Molecular e Biomedicina

Microglial clearance function: dependence on phenotypes

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Genética Molecular e Biomedicina