What drives foreign direct investment: the role of language, geographical distance, information flows and technological similarity

This paper sheds new light on the impact of linguistic and technological similarities between countries on foreign direct investment (FDI), using an extended gravity model. The model includes technological commonality, as measured by the aggregate production of intellectual property, at the country level. An analysis of 71,309 pairs of FDI relationships, from 2000 to 2012, showed that language is positively associated with a high level of FDI. Technological differences do impede the flow of FDI between countries, and information flow is crucial for large flows of FDI. Information flow diminishes the negative impact of distance.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Surface Coatings and Treatments for Controlled Hydrate Formation: A Mini Review

LA/P/0008/2020Gas hydrates (GHs) are known to pose serious flow assurance challenges for the oil and gas industry. Neverthless, over the last few decades, gas hydrates-based technology has been explored for various energy- and environmentally related applications. For both applications, a controlled formation of GHs is desired. Management of hydrate formation by allowing them to form within the pipelines in a controlled form over their complete mitigation is preferred. Moreover, environmental, benign, non-chemical methods to accelerate the rate of hydrate formation are in demand. This review focused on the progress made in the last decade on the use of various surface coatings and treatments to control the hydrate formation at atmospheric pressure and in realistic conditions of high pressure. It can be inferred that both surface chemistry (hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity) and surface morphology play a significant role in deciding the hydrate adhesion on a given surface.publishersversionpublishe

Ultrasonic speed of sound and derived thermodynamic properties of liquid 1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 3, 3-heptafluoropropane (HFC227ea) from 248 K to 333 K and pressures up to 65 MPa

This work reports experimental data of the speed of sound in liquid 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane (HFC227ea) from 248 K to 333 K and pressures up to 65 MPa, measured with a pulse-echo method. The results are fitted with a rational approximant. Derived thermodynamic properties are calculated, combining our experimental data with density and isobaric heat capacity values published by other authors. The results were compared with the data available in the literature.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Intralobar pulmonary sequestration: diagnostic expertise

An obese 22-year-old man with a history of recurrent respiratory infections presented to the emergency room with left pleuritic chest pain, productive cough with mucupurulent sputum and an axillary temperature of 37.7°C. Blood work showed elevated inflammatory parameters and chest X-ray was relevant for heterogeneous infiltration in the left base and opacity of the left costophrenic angle. An angio-CT scan revealed areas of bilateral consolidation with presence of an arterial branch originating from the aorta to the collected area of the left lower lobe, consistent with a respiratory infection grafted on a intralobar pulmonary sequestration of the left lung base. The infectious process was treated and the patient was planned for a lower left lobectomy

Diarylethene-Based Ionic Liquids: Synthesis and Photo-Driven Solution Properties

Funding text The authors acknowledge Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia through the PhD grant SFRH/BD/81693/2011 (M. R. C. Soromenho). This work was supported by the Associate Laboratory for Green Chemistry-LAQV (Portugal) (UIDB/50006/2020, UIDP/50006/2020, and LA/P/0008/2020) and by the Instituto de Investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa) (UIDB/04138/2020, and UIDP/04138/2020) which are financed by national funds from FCT/MCTES. The NMR spectrometers are part of the National NMR Network (PTNMR) are partially supported by Infrastructure Project Nº 022161 (co-financed by FEDER through COMPETE 2020, POCI and PORL and FCT through PIDDAC).In this work, the design and synthesis of a series of photochromic gemini diarylethene-based ionic liquids (GDILs) with different cationic motifs is reported. Several synthetic pathways were optimized for the formation of cationic GDILs with chloride as the counterion. The different cationic motifs were achieved through the N-alkylation of the photochromic organic core unit with different tertiary amines, including different aromatic amines such as imidazole derivatives and pyridinium, and other non-aromatic amines. These novel salts present surprising water solubility with unexplored photochromic features that broaden their known applications. The covalent attachment of the different side groups dictates their water solubility and differences upon photocyclization. The physicochemical properties of GDILs in aqueous and in imidazolium-based ionic liquid (IL) solutions were investigated. Upon irradiation with ultraviolet (UV) light, we have observed changes in the physico-chemical properties of distinct solutions containing these GDILs, at very low concentrations. More specifically, in aqueous solution, the overall conductivity increased with the time of UV photoirradiation. In contrast, in IL solution, these photoinducible changes are dependent on the type of ionic liquid used. These compounds can improve non-ionic and ionic liquids’ solutions since we can change their properties, such as conductivity, viscosity or ionicity, only by UV photoirradiation. The electronic and conformational changes associated with these innovative stimuli GDILs may open new opportunities for their use as photoswitchable materials.publishersversionpublishe

Nonsecretory Multiple Myeloma – a diagnostic challenge!

The Nonsecretory Multiple Myeloma is a rare variant (1-5 %) of the classical form of multiple myeloma (MM). Although clinically similar to MM, nonsecretory multiple myeloma is not associated with a monoclonal gammopathy in serum or urine, making it difficult diagnosis this entity. The authors describe the case of an eighty-year-old man, who was admitted in September 2012 in our hospital, by acute renal failure, low back pain and disorientation. He had been well until approximately 6 months earlier, when he experienced adynamia, asthenia and weight loss (8kg). On examination, he showed no significant alterations except urinary retention requiring catheterization. The analytical study performed pointed out normocytic normochromic anemia (Hb 9.9 g/dl), renal failure and increase of B2 microglobulin (11684). The electrophoresis of serum proteins was normal, as well as urinary light chains and serum. Renal ultrasound was normal. Thoracic-abdominal-pelvic computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple osteolytic metastases, associated to a mass of soft tissue, in pelvis bones and in several vertebral bodies. Following the study of an occult primary tumor, upper and lower endoscopy, bronchofibroscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage, prostate and thyroid ultrasound were performed and showed no changes. The magnetic resonance imaging of the spine revealed multiple infiltrative lesions of the cervical-dorsal-lumbar-sacred vertebrae, pathological fractures of the vertebral bodies of D4, D7 and D9 and a mass of soft tissue/infiltrative component in D12. It also displayed secondary infiltrative lesions of iliac bones and some ribs. The positron emission tomography (PET) showed avidity for 18FDG in iliac and sternal body. The patient underwent CT-guided aspiration biopsy of iliac lesion, which result was negative for neoplastic involvement. This result led to the completion of two additional biopsies directed at D12, both inconclusive. It was instituted systemic corticosteroid therapy and fluid therapy with good clinical outcome, which allowed the patient’s discharge to the outpatients’ department. Five months later, he was re-admitted for low back pain, decreased strength in the lower limbs, worsening of renal function and hypercalcemia. He made a new thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT scan, which revealed progression of lytic lesions, affecting all bone parts and increasing bone mass on D12, conditioning extensive lysis of the vertebral bodies. Given the exuberance of the lesion on D12 and the consequent damage to adjacent structures, an open biopsy was held and radiotherapy for symptomatic control was initiated. The histological result of the biopsy revealed plasmacytoma/multiple myeloma with restriction of kappa light chains. The patient was referred to the Oncology Service, and started dexamethasone in high doses. The bone biopsy showed 49% of plasmocytes, all with abnormal phenotypic characteristics. The nonsecretory multiple myeloma is an uncommon entity, with clinical presentation similar to MM, which diagnosis requires histological evidence of plasmocytic infiltration. Limitations inherent to biopsy may delay correct treatment. However, whenever we are faced with an elderly with bone pain, acute renal failure and anemia of unknown etiology, one need to persist in the diagnosis of MM, not forgetting this rare entity that is nonsecretory multiple myeloma