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O congresso anual da APTN é uma evidência clara do seu papel multidimensional, quer em prol do desenvolvimento desportivo da natação portuguesa, quer na promoção da relevância social dos técnicos de natação. Quem é profissional do desporto sabe, e reconhece, a importância da prática baseada em evidência científica – um compromisso que nos permite uma tomada de decisão coerente, segura e responsável. Aliás, como já referi noutros contextos, a ciência precisará sempre da utilidade, como a prática precisará sempre de fundamento e de experiências prévias relevantes. Este congresso, ano após ano, procura precisamente essa reciprocidade entre a teoria e a prática, que creio ser a chave para o desenvolvimento da competência profissional. Este ano acolheu-nos Viana do Castelo, uma cidade que pulsa arte , património, e uma vasta tradição desportiva. Sendo Cidade Europeia do Desporto 2023 (ACES Europa e ACES Portugal), a Câmara Municipal de Viana do Castelo foi co-promotora desta 46ª edição do congresso da APTN, que este ano assume uma dimensão ibérica por via da parceria com a Asociación Española de Técnicos de Natación - AETN. Como sempre, contamos com o apoio institucional de muitas outras entidades, nomeadamente da Federação Portuguesa de Natação, do Instituto Português do Desporto e da Juventude, da Confederação de Treinadores de Portugal e da Associação de Natação do Minho. O programa procurou ser eclético e ao mesmo tempo incisivo sobre os principais assuntos que preocupam a nossa comunidade aquática. Tivemos connosco vários treinadores de classe internacional em diferentes disciplinas aquáticas, cientistas reconhecidos, e dirigentes desportivos com experiência e boas práticas para partilhar. Somamos a isso a habitual sessão de comunicações orais livres e, pela primeira vez, uma feira de produtos e equipamentos de piscinas. Será também uma oportunidade para conhecer e rever muitos colegas. Foi neste ambiente corporativo que reconhecemos o mérito de quem procura a excelência todos os dias.

The aim of this study was to perform a validation of the Aquanex system to assess in-water forces during aquatic exercise. One sensor (Type A) that composes the differential pressure system (Aquanex v.4.1, STR, USA) was placed inside a wind tunnel (Axial Propellor Fan, England), this last being considered as the gold standard technique for measurement. A frequency inverter was used to control a range of twenty-two frequencies. The mean force (FMEAN, N) acting on the sensor and in the wind tunnel model was measured. The validation criteria were defined as follows: (i) p>0.05 in a paired t-test; (ii) R2≥0.49 in a simple linear regression model; and (iii) at least 80 % of the plots within the limits of agreement in the Bland-Altman plots. The results showed no differences between both methods (p=0.884). A significant relationship with a high effect (R2=0.573, p

ASCL1 is a transcription factor that directs neural progenitors towards lineage differentiation. Although many of the molecular mechanisms underlying its action have been described, several of its targets remain unidentified. We identified in the chick genome a putative enhancer (cE1) upstream of the transcription factor Scratch2 (Scrt2) locus with a predicted heterodimerization motif for ASCL1 and POU3F2. In this study, we investigated the role of ASCL1 and this enhancer in regulating the expression of the Scrt2 in the embryonic spinal cord. We confirmed that cE1 region interacted with the Scrt2 promoter. cE1 was sufficient to mediate ASCL1-driven expression in the neural tube through the heterodimerization sites. Moreover, Scrt2 expression was inhibited when we removed cE1 from the genome. These findings strongly indicate that ASCL1 regulates Scrt2 transcription in the neural tube through cE1.

Since the beginning, APTN has believed in the value of corporate education, which means that it has always sought to maintain a constant stimulus to critical thinking, engagement, and sharing of best practices. This is a very strong institutional purpose, and therefore APTN is proud to continuously organize an annual technical-scientific congress in cities where sports, in general, have reached high levels of development. Along with local actors, this event has grown in quality, size, and internationalisation. It is currently one of the largest national congresses of sports technicians and one of the largest in the world in the area of swimming. As a result, APTN’s annual congress is a regular training event in the programs of cities recognised as European sports cities or capitals (ACES Europe). This year, on October 15th and 16th, the host city is Leiria, a land with recognised history and traditions, and a European sports city in 2022 (ACES Europe and ACES Portugal). The Municipality of Leiria, together with the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria (School of Education and Social Sciences - ESECS), are co-promoters of this 45th edition, which marks the resumption of face-to-face training activity after two years of pandemic. The Portuguese Swimming Federation is our main partner in the event. We also count on the invaluable institutional support of the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth (IPDJ), the Olympic Committee of Portugal (COP), the Paralympic Committee of Portugal (CPP), the Confederation of Trainers of Portugal (CPAT), and the Leiria District Swimming Association (ANDL). The program construction is always a complex task, especially when we try to meet the interests of different aquatic disciplines. But this eclectic character is also what characterizes the “APTN Congress” brand, where a vast panel of excellent speakers conveys the relevance and pertinence of the themes. In this edition, we are inaugurating a new format, as there are no plenary conferences, and most sessions will be preceded by a contextualization of the theme by the invited moderator. Additionally, moments of interaction with the participants will be created, providing a reflective formative experience and, therefore, high personal growth. The possibility of submitting oral communications (or posters) is open, a contest that returns to being face-to-face this year. The merit recognition gala for our coaches and associates also returns, which will take place during the official event dinner, open to all interested parties. The official ceremony for the delivery of the 2022 swimming teaching award will also be part of the program. Let’s make this congress a sign of cohesion and vitality of our technical community because together, we always do more and better for our swimming.

Conversion of biomass into gas suitable for further exploitation is one of the valuable renewable energy pathways due to the wide distribution and availability of raw materials. Biomass gasification is a thermochemical process of partial combustion in a reduced oxygen environment that aims to produce hydrogen-enriched syngas. Updraft gasifier design, with its advantages of high efficiency, produces syngas with higher hydrogen yield compared to other gasifier designs. The main drawback of the updraft gasifier is high yield of tars in the outflow gas decreasing its lower heating value. Recently, significant research efforts have focused on the optimization of the updraft gasifiers operating conditions, especially by developing numerical models as a complementary approach to experiments. The simplest modelling approach for predicting biomass gasification behaviour is the thermodynamic equilibrium model. When describing the behaviour of an updraft gasifier, special focus needs to be given to the pyrolysis stage, since in this type of reactor pyrolysis products directly outflow from the gasifier. In this work, a pilot-scale biomass gasifier was modelled using a combination of a pyrolysis kinetic model with a thermodynamic equilibrium model. To describe the pyrolysis behaviour, the CRECK-S-BIO and two secondary gas-phase mechanisms with distinct levels of complexity were used. The gasification and oxidation of char were modelled using a thermodynamic equilibrium model through the minimization of Gibbs free energy approach. The predicted results of dry clean syngas were compared to the experimental data considering eleven different operating conditions. The model combination that used the detailed secondary gas-phase mechanism achieved generally lower average prediction errors. Although some discrepancies were observed in the predictions, these preliminary results show that the model approach considered in this study represents a good basis for future development of the model.

Em 2018, durante a III Jornada Internacional de Citotecnologia, promovida pela Associação Nacional de Citotecnologia (ANACITO), em parceria com o Instituto Nacional de Câncer José Alencar Gomes da Silva (INCA) do Ministério da Saúde, reuniram-se profissionais técnicos da saúde dos países membros da Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa (CPLP), Angola, República da Guiné-Bissau, Cabo Verde, Portugal e Brasil, com a presença da Escola Politécnica de Saúde Joaquim Venâncio (EPSJV/Fiocruz), a Seção Integrada de Tecnologia em Citopatologia (SITEC), o Serviço de Tecnologia da Informação (STI) e a Divisão de Detecção Precoce e Apoio à Organização de Rede do INCA, para discutir a formação de um grupo internacional com intuito de discutir o panorama e a atuação do citotecnologista nos países do bloco dos países da CPLP, visando criar uma rede colaborativa e apoio a educação em saúde, criação de material educativo e a rede de serviços na prevenção e detecção do câncer. Assim, foi pleiteado junto à coordenação nacional da Rede RUTE (Rede Universitária de Telemedicina) a criação de um Grupo de Interesse Especial (SIG) em citotecnologia e, em abril de 2021, foi aprovado o SIG-CT no âmbito do GT Telemedicina da CPLP e o fruto do nosso primeiro ano de trabalho é o “Perfil de Competências para Formação em Citotecnologia”, que aqui será apresentado.

In the past years, there was an increasing interest in the biomechanical responses in water fitness sessions. The present review consolidates the current “state-of-art” on the biomechanical responses in water fitness programmes. The literature was searched and screened studies on: (i) healthy subjects; and (ii) water fitness sessions and programmes reporting physical condition outcomes. A total of 36 studies met the inclusion criteria and categorized into four categories: (i) kinematics (n = 5); (ii) ground reaction force (n = 10); (iii) neuromuscular (n = 8); and (iv) strength (n = 14). There was a larger amount of evidence on strength, whereas some gaps in the body of knowledge still persist in the remaining categories. The existent studies cover a large range of age brackets (from young adults to the elderly). Women were recruited more often than men to be part of the studies. The effect of music cadence, body segments, exercise type (e.g., alternated or simultaneous), water depth, resistance equipment, and training protocols were the main topics under research.

Estudos prévios na hidroginástica objetivaram, de uma forma dissociada, analisar variáveis cinéticas e cinemáticas em diferentes exercícios base (p.e., Costa, 2011; Santos, Rama, Marinho, Barbosa, & Costa, 2019). Contudo, o comportamento cinemático associado à força aplicada permanece inexplorado. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar e associar as variáveis cinéticas e cinemáticas no chuto frontal realizado a diferentes cadências musicais. Quatro adultos jovens do género feminino (24,25± 0,74 anos de idade, 67,75± 8,99 kg de massa corporal e 165,50± 6,40 cm de estatura) foram sujeitos a um protocolo incremental de candências musicais (120, 135 e 150 batimentos por minuto) durante a execução do chuto frontal unilateral. O nível da água foi definido junto ao apêndice xifoide e o ritmo de execução foi controlado por um metrónomo digital (Korg, MA-30, Tokyo, Japan). Os participantes permaneceram numa plataforma a 25 cm do solo (Step Reebok, USA) e apoiados numa estrutura fixa. A avaliação das forças propulsivas (variável cinética) do membro inferior dominante foi realizada por meio de um sistema diferencial de pressões (Aquanex 4.1, Swimming Technology Research, USA). Uma câmara do mesmo sistema foi posicionada no plano sagital para avaliar as seguintes variáveis cinemáticas: período de ciclo, ângulo mínimo e ângulo máximo. Posteriormente, foi considerada a análise da amplitude do movimento para a articulação do joelho. Modelos de regressão linear foram calculados para descrever a relação entre as variáveis. O coeficiente de determinação (R²), o coeficiente de determinação ajustado (R²a) e o erro padrão da estimativa (SEE) foram considerados para a análise. Os modelos de regressão linear entre o Pe e a cadência (R2= 0,77; R2a= 0,75; SEE= 0,107; p< 0,001), e entre a FPmáx e o Pe (R2= 0,35; R2a= 0,28; SEE= 9,409; p= 0,04) mostraram a existência de uma relação inversa alta e moderada, respetivamente. Uma relação direta alta e significativa foi encontrada entre a FPmáx e a cadência (R2= 0,49; R2a= 0,44; SEE= 8,337; p= 0,01), sendo que o ADM (R2= 0,38; R2a= 0,32; SEE= 9,159; p= 0,03) demostrou uma relação direta moderada e significativa com a FPmáx. A diminuição do período de ciclo está associada ao aumento da cadência musical, verificando-se uma tendência para a força propulsiva aumentar à medida que a duração do período de ciclo diminui. Verificou-se ainda um aumento da amplitude de movimento da articulação do joelho. Parece que valores de força propulsiva mais elevados acontecem em cadências mais altas e estão associados a períodos de ciclo menores com alterações angulares mais proeminentes.

The aim of this study was to analyse and compare propulsive forces, relative force production and symmetry between genders during water fitness exercises. Eighteen participants (women, n=9; age: 20.67 ± 0.87 years; body mass: 58.18 ± 4.97 kg; height: 159.19 ± 5.85 cm; and men, n=9; age: 22.11 ± 1.76 years; body mass: 72.93 ± 7.00 kg; height: 170.83 ± 5.57 cm) underwent two incremental protocols performing horizontal adduction (HA) and the rocking horse (RHadd) exercises, from 105 to 150 bpm. Propulsive peak force of dominant (PFD) and non-dominant upper-limbs (PFND) was assessed by a differential pressure system. An isokinetic dynamometer was used to collect the dry-land isometric peak strength of the dominant upper-limb. Significant differences between genders were found for most of the music cadences in HA and RHadd. Men were able to produce higher propulsive force values for both upper-limbs during the overall incremental protocol, whereas women reached a higher relative force production. However, no significant differences were found between both genders at the same music cadence. Most actions were asymmetric in women, whereas men showed a symmetric pattern. The cadence of 135 bpm elicits a symmetric motion in both genders while exercising water fitness exercises. Keywords:aquatic exercise; propulsive force; isometric strength; cadence; sex

The papers published in this book of abstracts / proceedings were submitted to the Scientific Commission of the International Congress of Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences & Human Development, held on 11 and 12 November 2016, at the University of Évora, Évora, Portugal, under the topic of Exercise and Health, Sports and Human Development. The content of the abstracts is solely and exclusively of its authors responsibility. The editors and the Scientific Committee of the International Congress of Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences & Human Development do not assume any responsibility for the opinions and statements expressed by the authors. Partial reproduction of the texts and their use without commercial purposes is allowed, provided the source / reference is duly mentioned.

Background and Objectives: The degenerative pathology of the hip joint appears in young age groups, related to fem-oroacetabular impingement, and in advanced age, due to other inflammatory causes, with greater potential for severity in the presence of comorbidities. Objectives: To evaluate the participation of the main causes of osteoarthritis in relation to physical activities, s Body Mass Index (BMI) and television time (TV). Materials and Methods: 54 patients with surgical indication treated at an orthopedic referral university hospital were stratified into groups (Impact: I, Osteonecrosis/rheumatic: II, Infectious/traumatic: III), and the influence of comorbidities on physical activity performance, relative to BMI and TV time. Results: It was observed that the impact group was the most frequent (51.8%), with 79.6% under the age of 60 years. This group followed the general mean (p < 0.05), using the variables of comorbidity and the level of physical activity. Pain intensity, TV time, BMI showed no correlation with physical activity. Conclusion: Morphostructural changes (group I) represented the most frequent etiological group, and severe pain was common in almost the entire sample. Unlike BMI, comorbidity showed a significant relationship with the level of physical activity.

The main purpose of the present work was to evaluate the efficiency of the gasification process of three different types of agro-forest biomass residue (rapeseed, softwood, and sunflower husks) along with the characterization of size-segregated particulates’ emissions. The experiments were carried out in a drop tube furnace (DTF), using two different gasifying agents (O2/N2 and O2/N2/CO2) at atmospheric pressure and a constant temperature of 1000 °C. In focus was the effect of biomass and the gasifying agent on syngas composition (CO, H2, CH4, and CO2), cold gas and carbon conversion efficiency, and on the emissions of by-products, such as particulate matter (PM), known for having negative environmental and health impacts. The collected particulates were characterized by SEM/EDS and XPS analysis. The results reveal that: (i) the introduction of CO2 increased the production of CO and CH4 and syngas’ lower heating value (LHV), thus leading to higher cold gas and carbon conversion efficiency; (ii) CO2 decreased the production of H2, leading to lower H2/CO ratio (between 0.25 and 0.9). Therefore, the generated syngas is suitable for the synthesis of higher hydrocarbons, (iii) CO2 lowered the emissions of char (cyclone) particles but increased the overall PM10–0.3. Submicron size PM was the dominant fraction (PM1–0.3) in O2/N2 and (PM1.6–0.3) in O2/N2/CO2. Unimodal PM size distribution was observed, except for sunflower husks gasification in O2/N2/CO2; (iv) the SEM/EDS and XPS analysis confirmed that submicron-sized PM1–0.3 contain above 80% of carbon associated to soot, due to incomplete oxidation, whereas in cyclone (char) particles, carbon decreased to about 50%. The SEM/EDS results showed that K and Cl are typical constituents of the submicron size PM, whereas the alkaline earth metals were detected mainly in fine and coarse particulates. Detailed analysis of the XPS (C1s) spectra showed that the most common oxygen-containing groups on the PM1 surface were carbonyl and carboxyl.

This work focuses on the impact of the devolatilization and char combustion mode modelling on the structure of a large-scale, biomass and coal co-fired flame using large eddy simulations. The coal modelling framework previously developed for the simulation of combustion in large-scale facilities is extended for biomass capabilities. An iterative procedure is used to obtain devolatilization kinetics of coal and biomass for the test-case specific fuels and heating conditions. This is achieved by calibrating the model constants of two empirical models: the single first-order model and the distributed activation energy model. The reference data for calibration are devolatilization yields obtained with predictive coal and biomass multistep kinetic mechanisms. The variation of both particle density and diameter during char combustion is governed by the conversion mode, which is modelled using two approaches: the power law using a constant parameter that assumes a constant mode during char combustion and a constant-free model that considers a variable mode during combustion. Three numerical cases are considered: single first-order reaction with constant char combustion mode, distributed activation energy with constant char combustion mode, and single first-order reaction with variable char combustion mode. The numerical predictions from the large eddy simulations are compared with experimental results of a high co-firing rate large-scale laboratory flame of coal and biomass. Furthermore, results from single particle conversion under idealised conditions, isolating the effects of turbulence, are presented to assist the interpretation of the predictions obtained with large eddy simulations. The effects of the devolatilization and conversion mode modelling on the flame lift-off, flame length, and spatial distribution and radial profiles of O2 and CO2 are presented and discussed. Both the devolatilization and conversion mode modelling have a significant effect on the conversion of particles under idealised conditions. The large eddy simulations results show that the devolatilization model has a strong impact on the flame structure, but not on the flame lift-off. On the other hand, for the tested numerical conditions, the char combustion mode model has a marginal impact on the predicted results.

The supercritical CO2 power cycle (s-CO2) is receiving much interest in the utilization of waste heat sources in the medium-to-high temperature range. The low compression work and highly regenerative layout result in high thermal efficiencies, even at moderate turbine inlet temperatures. The capability of heat extraction from the waste heat source is, however, limited because the heat input takes place over a limited temperature range close to the maximum cycle temperature. Accordingly, novel s-CO2 layouts have been recently proposed, aimed at increasing the heat extraction from the heat source while preserving as much as possible the inherently high thermal efficiency. Among these, the most promising ones feature dual expansion, dual recuperation, and partial heating. This work concentrates on the conceptual design of these novel s-CO2 layouts using a systematic approach based on the superimposition of elementary thermodynamic cycles. The overall structure of the single flow split with dual expansion (also called cascade), partial heating, and dual recuperated cycles is decomposed into elementary Brayton cycles to identify the building blocks for the achievement of a high performance in the utilization of waste heat sources. A thermodynamic optimization is set up to compare the performance of the three novel layouts for utilization of high temperature waste heat at 600 °C. The results show that the single flow split with a dual expansion cycle provides 3% and 15% more power compared to the partial heating and dual recuperated cycles, respectively, and 40% more power compared to the traditional single recuperated cycle used as the baseline. The separate evaluation of thermal efficiency and heat recovery effectiveness shows the main reasons behind the achievement of the highest performance, which are peculiar to each novel layout.

Several countries have recently realized that the present development paradigm is not sustainable from an environmental and energy point of view. The growing awareness of the population regarding environmental issues is pushing governments worldwide more and more to promote policies aiming at limiting harmful effects of human development. In particular, the rapid increase of the global temperature, especially in the polar regions, and the management of human wastes, mainly plastic in seas, are some of the main points to be addressed by these novel policies. Several actions must be implemented in order to limit such issues. Unfortunately, the recent COP 24 Conference was not successful, but hopefully an agreement will be established in 2020 at the COP 26 Conference. The effort performed by policymakers must be mandatorily supported by the scientific community. In this framework, this paper aims at showing that countries worldwide are trying to negotiate an agreement to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In addition, in this paper all the researchers reported can provide quantitative measures of the actions to be implemented in order to address a sustainable and efficient use of energy. Here, innovations in terms of novel efficient and environmentally friendly technologies mainly based on renewable energy sources have been also investigated. The study also highlights different sectors that have been involved for this aim, such as energy conversion systems, urban areas, mobility, sustainability, water management, social aspects, etc. In this framework, specific conferences are periodically organized in order to provide a forum for discussion regarding these topics. In this area the Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES) conference is the most ordinary conference. The 13th Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems Conference was held in Palermo, Italy in 2018. The current Special Issue of Energies, precisely dedicated to the 13th SDEWES Conference, is based on three main topics: energy policy and energy efficiency in urban areas, energy efficiency in industry and biomass and other miscellaneous energy systems.

EU energy policy is more and more promoting a resilient, efficient and sustainable energy system. Several agreements have been signed in the last few months that set ambitious goals in terms of energy efficiency and emission reductions and to reduce the energy consumption in buildings. These actions are expected to fulfill the goals negotiated at the Paris Agreement in 2015. The successful development of this ambitious energy policy needs to be supported by scientific knowledge: a huge effort must be made in order to develop more efficient energy conversion technologies based both on renewables and fossil fuels. Similarly, researchers are also expected to work on the integration of conventional and novel systems, also taking into account the needs for the management of the novel energy systems in terms of energy storage and devices management. Therefore, a multi-disciplinary approach is required in order to achieve these goals. To ensure that the scientists belonging to the different disciplines are aware of the scientific progress in the other research areas, specific Conferences are periodically organized. One of the most popular conferences in this area is the Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES) Series Conference. The 12th Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems Conference was recently held in Dubrovnik, Croatia. The present Special Issue of Energies, specifically dedicated to the 12th SDEWES Conference, is focused on five main fields: energy policy and energy efficiency in smart energy systems, polygeneration and district heating, advanced combustion techniques and fuels, biomass and building efficiency.

Propulsive efficiency is one of the most interesting issues for competitive swimming researchers, has it presents significant relationships with the swimmer’s biophysical behavior and his/her performance. Although propulsive efficiency is a variable that has been quite studied in elite swimmers, there is no research on this issue in young and non-expert swimmers. Thus, the aim of this study was to: (i) estimate the propulsive efficiency on non-expert swimmers; (ii) identify biomechanical and anthropometrical parameters that are associated with propulsive efficiency; (iii) identify the association between the propulsive efficiency and swim performance. Twenty-eight non-expert swimmers participated on this study. It was assessed the propulsive efficiency, biomechanical and anthropometrical parameters, as well as, the swim performance. The propulsive efficiency of non-expert swimmers is lower than data reported in the literature to higher competitive levels swimmers and there are no significant differences between boys and girls. It was also noted that several biomechanical and anthropometrical parameters, as well as, the swim performance are associated with the propulsive efficiency.

Nowadays conventional district heating and cooling (DHC) systems face the challenge of reducing fossil fuel dependency while maintaining profitability. To address these issues, this study examines the possibility of retrofitting DHC systems with refuse-derived fuel (RDF) gasifiers and gas upgrading equipment. A novel system is proposed based on the modification of an existing DHC system. Thermodynamic and economic models were established to allow for a parametric analysis of key parameters. The study revealed that such an upgrade is both feasible and economically viable. In the basic scenario, the retrofitted DHC system can simultaneously produce 60.3 GWh/year of heat, 65.1 GWh/year of cold, 33.2 GWh/year of electricity and 789.5 tons/year of synthetic natural gas. A significant part of the heat load can be generated from the waste heat of the upgrading equipment. The investment in retrofitting the polygeneration DHC system presents a payback period of 3 years.

ASCL1 is a transcription factor that directs neural progenitors towards lineage differentiation. Although many of the molecular mechanisms underlying its action have been described, several of its targets remain unidentified. We identified in the chick genome a putative enhancer (cE1) upstream of the transcription factor Scratch2 (Scrt2) locus with a predicted heterodimerization motif for ASCL1 and POU3F2. In this study, we investigated the role of ASCL1 and this enhancer in regulating the expression of the Scrt2 in the embryonic spinal cord. We confirmed that cE1 region interacted with the Scrt2 promoter. cE1 was sufficient to mediate ASCL1-driven expression in the neural tube through the heterodimerization sites. Moreover, Scrt2 expression was inhibited when we removed cE1 from the genome. These findings strongly indicate that ASCL1 regulates Scrt2 transcription in the neural tube through cE1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]