The case study of Sheraton Cascais Resort

Nowadays the number of hotels that feel the need to change their brands is increasingly a reality present in the hotel industry. Based on this industry characteristic, the present thesis aims to study the implementation process of rebranding an independent hotel into a hotel chain through the case study of Sheraton Cascais Resort. Supported by a review of the existing literature on this topic, the case study presents a real analysis in terms of implementing the rebranding process in hospitality. The methodology of analysis concentrates a deductive method of direct observation where all data collected derives from the accomplishment of a 6-month internship within the property and from interviews conducted to the hotel General Manager and Human Resources Director. The study is limited to the component directly visible to the guest, due to the existence of strict brand privacy and confidentiality policies that do not allow analyzing or making public information regarding the internal component of service. All the research conducted throughout the case study allowed recognizing that the correct implementation of rebranding follows all four and sequential phases proposed by the Ahonen´s (2008) model. Future studies should be carried out allowing following the hotel at a stage before, during and after rebranding, in order to investigate the rebranding outcome with greater accuracyAtualmente, o número de hotéis que sentem a necessidade de mudar a sua marca é cada vez mais uma realidade presente na indústria hoteleira. Tendo por base esta característica da indústria, a presente tese visa estudar a implementação do processo de rebranding de um hotel independente num hotel de cadeia, através do estudo de caso do Sheraton Cascais Resort. Suportado por uma revisão da literatura existente sobre esta temática, o estudo de caso apresenta e expõe uma análise real em termos de implementação do processo de rebranding na hotelaria. A metodologia de análise concentra um método dedutivo de observação direta onde todos os dados recolhidos derivam da realização de um estágio de 6 meses na da propriedade e de entrevistas realizadas ao Diretor Geral e à Diretora de Recursos Humanos do hotel. O estudo é limitado à componente diretamente visível pelo hóspede, devido à existência de rígidas políticas de privacidade e confidencialidade da marca que não permitem analisar ou tornar pública informação relativa à componente interna do serviço. Toda a pesquisa realizada ao longo do caso de estudo permitiu reconhecer que a correta implementação de rebranding segue as quatro fases sequenciais propostas pelo modelo de Ahonen. Deverão ser realizados estudos futuros permitindo acompanhar o hotel numa fase anterior, durante e posterior ao rebranding, a fim de se investigar a fase dos resultados de rebranding com maior precisão

Investigação teórica das propriedades fotoquímicas da silola ao longo das coordenadas de abertura do anel pela ligação C-Si

O uso de moléculas orgânicas semicondutoras para a conversão de energia solar em energia elétrica é estratégico, uma vez que são potencialmente mais leves, podem apresentar transparência e ser facilmente modificadas por via química. Apesar dos semicondutores orgânicos apresentarem baixa eficiência, baixo coeficiente de difusão de éxcitons e perda de energia de excitação via acoplamento vibrônico, o menor custo de produção torna seu uso viável economicamente. A silolas têm sido estudadas experimentalmente como unidades de polímeros semicondutores para o uso em células solares, OFETs e LCDs, pois elas são eficientes aceptores de elétrons. Nestre trabalho busca-se compreender e mapear recortes da superfície de energia potencial da silola ao longo das coordenadas de abertura do anel pelo alongamento da ligação C-Si. Foram estudados dois tipos de abertura: uma seguindo o modo de vibração 2A (fora do plano) e uma seguindo a média dos modos normais 5A e 10A (no plano). O método utilizado para a construção das superfícies de energia potencial foi o equation-of-motion coupled cluster singles and doubles (EOM-CCSD) implementado no pacote MOLPRO. A geometria do estado fundamental (0) e dos dois primeiros estados excitados (1 e 2) foram otimizadas na base 6-31++G**. A partir de cálculos de energia de excitação verticais foi determinado o desvio de Stokes para o processo 1 − 0 (0,99 eV) e 2 − 0 (1,45 eV). Os cortes nas superfícies de energia potencial indicam possíveis cruzamentos entre o bright state 3 e os estados 2 e 4 para o mecanismo de abertura do anel no plano e possíveis cruzamentos entre os estados 1/2, 2/3 e 3/4 para a abertura do anel fora do plano. Nenhum dos dois mecanismos apresentou cruzamentos entre as superfícies dos estados excitados e o estado fundamental, o que indica que a silola apresenta uma certa fotoestabilidade em relação a esse processo. Para uma investigação mais criteriosa destas SEPs, foram feitos estudos preliminares para a escolha do espaço ativo mais adequado para o sistema utilizando o método complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF). Seguindo critérios de energia,custo computacional e natureza do processo para a escolha, obteve-se que o espaço ativo escolhido considera a inclusão de 6 elétrons e 8 orbitais - CAS(6,8)

To Provide a Double Feeder in Growing Pigs Housed under High Environmental Temperatures Reduces Social Interactions but Does Not Improve Weight Gains

Heat stress and competition for food are two major challenges in pigs reared in intensive conditions. The aim of the present work was to study the e ect of providing a double feeder for pigs reared under two di erent environmental temperatures. In addition, two types of flooring, of 100% slat and 30% slat 70% concrete, were also considered. A total of 256 pigs in the growing-finishing period (from 27 kg to 110 kg) were housed using two environmental temperatures: control (from 18 C to 25 C) and heat stress (above 30 C six hours a day). They were housed in 32 pens of 8 pigs each, distributed into 4 rooms (16 with one feeder and 16 with two). Pigs subjected to temperatures above 30 C up to six hours had lower body weight gains than pigs subjected to a maximum temperature of 25 C, confirming that thermal stress negatively a ects performance in pigs. In addition, heat stress a ected the final product by decreasing the lean percentage of carcasses by 2.6%. A double feeder reduced the presence of negative social behavior, especially in the feeding area, but body weight was lower than when one single feeder was used. A 30% slat 70% concrete floor showed better results in the pig stress indicators and body weights than 100% slat. It is concluded that providing a double feeder in the pens, although reducing the presence of negative social interactions, negatively a ected body weight, in comparison to pigs fed with just one feeder.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Comparative genomic analysis of light-regulated transcripts in the Solanaceae

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Plants use different light signals to adjust their growth and development to the prevailing environmental conditions. Studies in the model species <it>Arabidopsis thaliana </it>and rice indicate that these adjustments are mediated by large changes in the transcriptome. Here we compared transcriptional responses to light in different species of the Solanaceae to investigate common as well as species-specific changes in gene expression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>cDNA microarrays were used to identify genes regulated by a transition from long days (LD) to short days (SD) in the leaves of potato and tobacco plants, and by phytochrome B (phyB), the photoreceptor that represses tuberization under LD in potato. We also compared transcriptional responses to photoperiod in <it>Nicotiana tabacum </it>Maryland Mammoth (MM), which flowers only under SD, with those of <it>Nicotiana sylvestris</it>, which flowers only under LD conditions. Finally, we identified genes regulated by red compared to far-red light treatments that promote germination in tomato.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Most of the genes up-regulated in LD were associated with photosynthesis, the synthesis of protective pigments and the maintenance of redox homeostasis, probably contributing to the acclimatization to seasonal changes in irradiance. Some of the photoperiodically regulated genes were the same in potato and tobacco. Others were different but belonged to similar functional categories, suggesting that conserved as well as convergent evolutionary processes are responsible for physiological adjustments to seasonal changes in the Solanaceae. A β-ZIP transcription factor whose expression correlated with the floral transition in <it>Nicotiana </it>species with contrasting photoperiodic responses was also regulated by photoperiod and phyB in potato, and is a candidate gene to act as a general regulator of photoperiodic responses. Finally, <it>GIGANTEA</it>, a gene that controls flowering time in <it>Arabidopsis thaliana </it>and rice, was regulated by photoperiod in the leaves of potato and tobacco and by red compared to far-light treatments that promote germination in tomato seeds, suggesting that a conserved light signaling cascade acts across developmental contexts and species.</p

Adapting to survive: how Candida spp. respond to environmental physiological constraints

Candida species are important human pathogens and have emerged as a leading cause of nosocomial fungal infections. In order to survive and proliferate within the human host, these species have to adapt to the different niches and assimilate the available nutrients. For instance, during infection, they can encounter glucose-poor microenvironments and some studies have suggested that the ability to use non-fermentable carbon sources affects the virulence of these pathogens. Our studies have demonstrated that the presence of alternative carbon sources such as lactate and acetate influence Candida biofilm formation, antifungal drug resistance and immune recognition. Additionally, there is evidence that carboxylate transporters have a role on these processes. An overview of the most significant results will be presented.Our data support the view that the different carbon sources present in the host niches affect directly the physiology of Candida cells, with implications on how these pathogens respond to antifungal treatment

Shade delays flowering in Medicago sativa

Shade intolerant plants respond to the decrease in the red (R) to far-red light (FR) ratio (R:FR) occurring under shade by elongating stems and petioles and re-positioning leaves, in a race to out-compete neighbors for the sunlight resource. In some annual species, these shade-avoidance responses (SAS) are accompanied by the early induction of flowering. Anticipated flowering is viewed as a strategy to set seeds before the resources become severely limiting. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms of SAS in perennial forage crops like alfalfa (Medicago sativa). To study SAS in alfalfa, we exposed alfalfa plants to simulated shade by supplementing with FR. Low R:FR produced a classical SAS, such as increased internode and petiole length but, unexpectedly, delayed flowering. To understand the molecular mechanisms involved in uncoupling SAS from early flowering, we used a transcriptomic approach. SAS were likely mediated by increased expression of msPIF3 and msHB2 in low R:FR. Constitutive expression of these genes in Arabidopsis led to SAS, including early flowering, strongly suggesting their roles are conserved. Delayed flowering was likely to be mediated by the downregulation of msSPL3, which promotes flowering in both Arabidopsis and alfalfa. Shade-delayed flowering in alfalfa may be important to extend the vegetative phase under sub-optimal light conditions and thus assure the accumulation of reserves necessary to resume growth after the next season. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.Fil: Lorenzo, Christian Damián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Iserte, Javier Alonso. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Sanchez Lamas, Maximiliano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Antonietti, Mariana Sofía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Garcia Gagliardi, Pedro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Hernando, Carlos Esteban. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Dezar, Carlos Alberto Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Rosario. Instituto de Agrobiotecnología de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Vazquez, Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Rosario. Instituto de Agrobiotecnología de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Casal, Jorge José. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura; ArgentinaFil: Yanovsky, Marcelo Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Cerdan, Pablo Diego. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; Argentin

Study of 6-propyl-2-thiouracil as a radioprotector for the thyroid gland

The objective of the paper was to study the application of 6-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) as a radioprotector for the thyroid gland. Rat thyroid epithelial cells (FRTL-5) and human colon cancer cells (ARO81-1) were exposed to γ-irradiation with or without 1 mM PTU. Radiation response was analysed by clonogenic survival assay. Cyclic AMP levels were measured by Radioimmunoassay (RIA). The results showed that PTU increased the Surviving Cell Fraction (SF) at 2 Gy significantly (p < 0.05) in both cell lines. PTU increased extracellular levels of cAMP in all the treatments in a dose- and time-dependent manner for FRTL-5 cells. In ARO81-1 cells, a peak was observed at 24 hours in extracellular levels incubated with 1 mM PTU (36.97 ± 6.74 fmol/μg prot vs. control: 17.53 ± 3.9 fmol/μg prot, p < 0.001). Forskolin and dibutyril cAMP mimicked the effect of PTU on SF. Thus PTU appears to be a radioprotector for thyroid cells and could exert its effect through cAMP.Fil: Perona, Marina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia de Area de Aplicaciones de la Tecnología Nuclear. Gerencia de Radiobiología (Centro Atómico Constituyentes); ArgentinaFil: Dagrosa, María Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia de Area de Aplicaciones de la Tecnología Nuclear. Gerencia de Radiobiología (Centro Atómico Constituyentes); ArgentinaFil: Pagotto, Romina. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Casal, Mariana. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Constituyentes; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo"; ArgentinaFil: Pignataro, Omar Pedro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Pisarev, Mario Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Constituyentes; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo"; ArgentinaFil: Juvenal, Guillermo Juan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Constituyentes; Argentin

Efficacy of Low Dose Chemoprophylaxis for Coccidioidomycosis Infection in Liver Transplant Recipients

Background: Coccidioidomycosis (CM) infections among transplant recipients result in significant morbidity and mortality. The goal of our study was to establish the efficacy of low dose (LD) versus standard dose (LD, 50 mg daily) fluconazole in preventing CM infection. Methods: This was a retrospective study utilizing electronic medical records of liver transplant recipients at the University of Arizona. The primary end point was post-transplant CM status, such as infection, complications and survival. Results: We detected a statistically significant correlation between positive pre-transplant status and positive post-transplant status (hazards ratio: 8.25 (95% confidence interval: 1.028 - 66.192)). There was a trend towards improved survival in patients who had a positive post-transplant CM status in the SD group versus LD group (90.9% versus 81.3%), although not statistically significant. Conclusion: The risk of CM infection among transplant recipients in the absence of prophylaxis is associated with high morbidity and mortality. We currently use SD fluconazole as universal prophylaxis in all transplant recipients despite not establishing statistical significance between LD and SD. We believe that the survival trend detected may have not reached statistical significance due to low power impact. Since the standardization of SD prophylaxis at our institution, we have not diagnosed further new post-transplant CM infections.Open access journalThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Intake, Energy Expenditure and Methane Emissions of Grazing Dairy Cows at Two Pre-Grazing Herbage Masses

A grazing experiment was undertaken to assess the effects of two levels of herbage mass (HM) on herbage DM intake (DMI), fat and protein corrected milk yield (FPCM), grazing behaviour, energy expenditure (HP), and methane emissions (CH4) of grazing dairy cows in spring. Treatments were a low HM (1447 kg DM/ha; LHM) or a high HM (1859 kg DM/ha; HHM). Pasture was composed mainly of cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) and lucerne (Medicago sativa), offered at a daily herbage allowance of 30 kg DM/cow, above 5 cm. Eight multiparous Holstein cows were used in a 2 × 2 Latin Square design in two 10-day periods. Despite the differences in pre-grazing HM between treatments, OM digestibility was not different (P = 0.28). Herbage mass did not affect DMI or FPCM. Grazing time was not different between treatments, but cows had a greater bite rate when grazing on LHM swards. However, HP did not differ between treatments. Daily methane emission (per cow), methane emission intensity (per kg FPCM) and methane yield (as percentage of gross energy intake) were not different. The lack of effect of the amount of pre-grazing HM on energy intake, confirms that the difference between HM treatments was beyond the limits that impose extra energy expenditure during grazing.Fil: Loza, Cecilia. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Gere, José Ignacio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional Buenos Aires. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo de las Ingenierías; ArgentinaFil: Orcasberro, María Soledad. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Casal, Alberto. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Carriquiry, Mariana. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Juliarena, María Paula. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. - Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Ramírez-Bribiesca, Efren. Colegio de Postgraduados; MéxicoFil: Astigarraga, Laura. Universidad de la República; Urugua

Impact of alternative carbon sources and antifungal treatment on Candida glabrata biofilms transcription profile

Candida glabrata is considered a major opportunistic fungal pathogen of humans and has emerged as a leading cause of nosocomial fungal infections. The capacity of this yeast species to cause infections is dependent on the ability to grow within the human host environment and to assimilate the carbon sources available. Previous studies have suggested that Candida can encounter glucose-poor microenvironments during infection and that the ability to use alternative non-fermentable carbon sources, such as carboxylic acids, contributes to the virulence of these fungi. Our recent study (Mota et al., 2015) supported this view by demonstrating that acetic acid influences C. glabrata behavior in biofilm formation, antifungal drug resistance and phagocytosis; and suggesting a potential role of putative carboxylate transporters on these processes. In order to extend our studies and provide a comprehensive view of the C. glabrata biofilms’ response to alternative carbon sources and antifungal treatment, we performed comparative transcriptomics analyses using RNA-sequencing. Our data support the view that adaptative responses of Candida cells to the types of carbon source present in host niches affects the virulence of these fungal cells through multifarious mechanisms (Brown et al., 2014). Finally, elucidating the effect of local nutrients and pH environment on drug resistance can potentially provide new and effective treatment strategies for C. glabrata infections such as vaginal candidiasis.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio