INSIGHTS IN INTERNATIONALIZATION OF TOURISM FIRMS

The international dimension of tourism industry is becoming increasingly important and complex in the world of economy. Despite this increasing prominence little is known about the internationalization of tourism firms. This paper attempts to examine the concepts underpinning the notion of internationalization in light of today’s changes and challenges. In addition, it is our purpose to reflect on how the tourism firms could internationalize in an already “born global” world, where the “instantly international” outlook is becoming, nowadays, increasingly prevalent. Even though space does not permit a full approach, we hope to provide the necessary outline.Internationalization; Tourism; Small and Medium Enterprises; Strategic management.

Validation of a Miniaturized Spectrometer for Trace Detection of Explosives by Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) measurements of some common military explosives were performed with a table-top micro-Raman system integrated with a Serstech R785 miniaturized device, comprising a spectrometer and detector for near-infrared (NIR) laser excitation (785 nm). R785 was tested as the main component of a miniaturized SERS detector, designed for in situ and stand-alone sensing of molecules released at low concentrations, as could happen in the case of traces of explosives found in an illegal bomb factory, where solid microparticles of explosives could be released in the air and then collected on the sensor's surface, if placed near the factory, as a consequence of bomb preparation. SERS spectra were obtained, exciting samples in picogram quantities on specific substrates, starting from standard commercial solutions. The main vibrational features of each substance were clearly identified also in low quantities. The amount of the sampled substance was determined through the analysis of scanning electron microscope images, while the spectral resolution and the detector sensitivity were sufficiently high to clearly distinguish spectra belonging to different samples with an exposure time of 10 s. A principal component analysis procedure was applied to the experimental data to understand which are the main factors affecting spectra variation across different samples. The score plots for the first three principal components show that the examined explosive materials can be clearly classified on the basis of their SERS spectra

Depression and Anxiety - Risk Factors in the Evolution of Breast Cancer in Women

Psychological evaluation of women with suspected or diagnosed breast cancer can provide psychooncological elements for predicting the evolution of the disease and imperative customization of specific oncological therapies. In this study, we assessed the psychological status in terms of depression, anxiety and dysfunctional attitudes in both the group of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer and that of patients with suspected breast cancer who are in the stage of histopathological evaluation of the diagnosis. The results of the psychometric evaluations allowed the development of a common neurobiological model for the two categories of patients. Given the staging model of breast cancer, the clinical and psychometric data obtained through our study allowed us to develop an integrative neurobiological model based on the evolutionary staging of anxiety and depressive disorders (Zhao et al., 2013). Based on these hypotheses, we argue that the staging of psychological disorders, the customization of specific psychotherapeutic prophylaxis strategies and the prudent pharmacological approach to these psychological changes can significantly improve the evolution and prognosis of cancer and the quality of life of patients. The state of relative psychoemotional balance (objectified by psychometric scales), without its validation by normalizing multisystemic biological indicators of depression (C-reactive protein, proinflammatory cytokines, blood-brain barrier disruption and cerebral blood flow decrease), suggests the risk of progression of the neoplastic process. We argue that when communicating the diagnosis and the therapeutic plan, a special methodology (specific protocol) must be applied to reduce distress, correct emotional balance and improve cognitive dysfunction by supporting the motivation to survive, as well as increasing patients' self-esteem.</p

Comprehensive infrared study of tetryl, dinitrotoluene, and trinitrotoluene compounds

The present work describes an experimental and theoretical study of energetic materials used for detecting explosives in order to prevent terrorist actions, as well as for de-mining projects. Particular attention was devoted to examining the infrared absorption spectroscopy of classic explosives in order to create a useful mobile apparatus for on-field detection of explosives. This paper reports the vibrational absorption spectra of tetryl, dinitrotoluene, and trinitrotoluene molecules approached using two different spectroscopic techniques, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and laser photoacoustic spectroscopy (LPAS). Diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectra of all samples were analyzed in a very wide spectral range (400–7500 cm−1) showing for the first time the existence of weak absorption bands attributable to overtones or combination bands, while laser photoacoustic spectroscopy spectra have been investigated in the fingerprint region of organic compounds that share the CO2 laser emission range (∼920–1100 cm−1). The Fourier transform infrared spectra of both matrix isolated dinitrotoluenes have been also investigated. The theoretical treatment of tetryl is reported for the first time

Submersible Spectrofluorometer for Real-Time Sensing of Water Quality

In this work, we present a newly developed submersible spectrofluorometer (patent pending) applied to real-time sensing of water quality, suitable for monitoring some important indicators of the ecological status of natural waters such as chlorophyll-a, oil and protein-like material. For the optomechanical realization of the apparatus, a novel conceptual design has been adopted in order to avoid filters and pumps while maintaining a high signal-to-noise ratio. The elimination of filters and pumps has the advantage of greater system simplicity and especially of avoiding the risk of sample degradation. The use of light-emitting diodes as an excitation source instead of Xe lamps or laser diodes helped save on size, weight, power consumption and costs. For sensor calibration we performed measurements on water samples with added chlorophyll prepared in the laboratory. The sensor functionality was tested during field campaigns conducted at Albano Lake in Latium Region of Italy as well as in the Herzliya Harbor, a few kilometers North East of Tel Aviv in Israel. The obtained results are reported in the paper. The sensitivity achieved for chlorophyll-a detection was found to be at least 0.2 µg/L

Characterization and Discrimination of Italian Olive (Olea europaea sativa) Cultivars by Production Area Using Different Analytical Methods Combined with Chemometric Analysis

Olives and olive products are particularly important for the national agroindustrial sector, for the aspects related to the production territory (authenticity), and for the link with the Mediterranean Diet. Several studies indicate that the elemental profile of olive and olive products depends on the production area in which the olive trees were grown, and the elemental content of the olives can be used as a marker of the production area. In order to confirm this hypothesis, the multi-elemental profile of olive drupes and olive leaves of eleven cultivars arising from two different production areas was evaluated through ICP-MS and ICP-AES techniques. In addition, some leaf samples were analysed by LPAS in order to evaluate the applicability of this new analytical technique for determining the geographic origin. The obtained results, combined with chemometric tools, showed the possibility of discriminating samples according to the production area on the basis of the elemental content, as well as by LPAS

Photoacoustic Laser System for Food Fraud Detection

Economically motivated adulterations of food, in general, and spices, in particular, are an emerging threat to world health. Reliable techniques for the rapid screening of counterfeited ingredients in the supply chain need further development. Building on the experience gained with CO2 lasers, the Diagnostic and Metrology Laboratory of ENEA realized a compact and user-friendly photoacoustic laser system for food fraud detection, based on a quantum cascade laser. The sensor has been challenged with saffron adulteration. Multivariate data analysis tools indicated that the photoacoustic laser system was able to detect adulterants at mass ratios of 2% in less than two minutes

Characterization and Discrimination of Italian Olive (<i>Olea europaea sativa</i>) Cultivars by Production Area Using Different Analytical Methods Combined with Chemometric Analysis

Olives and olive products are particularly important for the national agroindustrial sector, for the aspects related to the production territory (authenticity), and for the link with the Mediterranean Diet. Several studies indicate that the elemental profile of olive and olive products depends on the production area in which the olive trees were grown, and the elemental content of the olives can be used as a marker of the production area. In order to confirm this hypothesis, the multi-elemental profile of olive drupes and olive leaves of eleven cultivars arising from two different production areas was evaluated through ICP-MS and ICP-AES techniques. In addition, some leaf samples were analysed by LPAS in order to evaluate the applicability of this new analytical technique for determining the geographic origin. The obtained results, combined with chemometric tools, showed the possibility of discriminating samples according to the production area on the basis of the elemental content, as well as by LPAS

UV-B radiation induced effects on human T-lymphocytes

The reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced inside cells by UV-B radiation may induce apoptosis, a process that realizes the programmed death of cells. In the present paper the UV induced damage was studied in a human T-Lymphocyte cell line (the Jurkat line) by mean of IR laser photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) and by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) combined with biological assays based on flow cytometry. The apoptosis was induced in vitro in the Jurkat samples by exposition to UV-B radiation with a dose of 310 mJ/cm2. PAS measurements were performed through a 10W c.w. CO2 laser based optical system realised at ENEA Molecular Spectroscopy Laboratory in Frascati (Italy)