Licensing under Cournot vs Bertrand competition

In this paper we consider, on one hand, a differentiated Cournot model, and, on the other hand, a differentiated Bertrand model, when one of the firms engages in an R&D process that gives an endogenous cost-reducing innovation. The aim of the present paper is two-fold. The first is to study the licensing of the costreduction by a per-unit royalty and a fixed-fee in these Cournot and Bertrand models. The second is to do a direct comparison between Cournot model and Bertrand model. We analyse the implications of these types of licensing contracts over the R&D effort, the profits of the firms, the consumer surplus and the social welfare. We show that some previous results for two-part tariff licensing are not robust, in the sense that they can be not true for just either a per-unit royalty contract or a fixed-fee contract. Furthermore, by using comparative static analysis, we conclude that the degree of the differentiation of the goods assumes a great importance in the results. We also discuss the optimal licensing, meaning that which licensing method is preferred, in each of the duopoly models considered.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Mentha aquatica L. extract effects on mitochondrial bioenergetics

Mentha aquatica (water mint) extracts are regularly used in food flavoring and pharmacology. In the present study, the possible effects of an ethanolic extract from leaves of M. aquatica L. on rat liver mitochondria bioenergetics were evaluated. The plant extract (25 μg·mg protein−1) but not the vehicle, inhibited the mitochondrial oxidative system, as seen by a depression of respiration (state 3, respiratory control ratio (RCR), FCCP stimulated respiration) and lower generation of the transmembrane electric potential using glutamate+malate and succinate as respiratory substrates. The depressing effects in oxidative phosphorylation can probably be related with the polyphenolic composition of the extract (mainly eriodictyol-7-O-rutinoside, luteolin-7-O-rutinoside, naringenin- 7-O-rutinoside, hesperitin-7-O-rutinoside and rosmarinic acid) that can interact with membrane and change the inner mitochondrial membrane lipidic moiety. Despite decreasing the RCR, the presence of M. aquatica extract did not affect the mitochondrial phosphorylative capacity, as estimated by the ADP/O ratio. No significant increase in inner mitochondrial membrane permeability was observed and induction of mitochondrial permeability transition pore was not altered in the range of concentrations tested (up to 25 μg·mg protein−1) either. For the highest concentrations tested (25 μg·mg protein−1 or higher) the inhibition observed on the mitochondrial respiratory chain, as reflected by FCCP-stimulated respiration, revealed that M. aquatica ethanolic extract is toxic for mitochondrial bioenergetics. In conclusion, the presente study suggests that a high daily consumption of an ethanolic extract of M. aquatica leaves should be regarded as hazardous

Systematic review and evidence gap mapping of biomarkers associated with neurological manifestations in patients with COVID-19

Objective: This study aimed to synthesize the existing evidence on biomarkers related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients who presented neurological events. Methods: A systematic review of observational studies (any design) following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines and the Cochrane Collaboration recommendations was performed (PROSPERO: CRD42021266995). Searches were conducted in PubMed and Scopus (updated April 2023). The methodological quality of nonrandomized studies was assessed using the Newcastle‒Ottawa Scale (NOS). An evidence gap map was built considering the reported biomarkers and NOS results. Results: Nine specific markers of glial activation and neuronal injury were mapped from 35 studies published between 2020 and 2023. A total of 2,237 adult patients were evaluated in the included studies, especially during the acute phase of COVID-19. Neurofilament light chain (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) biomarkers were the most frequently assessed (n = 27 studies, 77%, and n = 14 studies, 40%, respectively). Although these biomarkers were found to be correlated with disease severity and worse outcomes in the acute phase in several studies (p < 0.05), they were not necessarily associated with neurological events. Overall, 12 studies (34%) were judged as having low methodological quality, 9 (26%) had moderate quality, and 9 (26%) had high quality. Conclusions: Different neurological biomarkers in neurosymptomatic COVID-19 patients were identified in observational studies. Although the evidence is still scarce and conflicting for some biomarkers, well-designed longitudinal studies should further explore the pathophysiological role of NfL, GFAP, and tau protein and their potential use for COVID-19 diagnosis and management.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Bioactivity and phenolic characterization of different medicinal and aromatic plants

Introduction: Plants are widely used to treat various diseases and have been widely recognized as a rich source of phytochemicals with antimicrobial potential. In fact, plants have received considerable attention by researchers being their biological properties widely explored. Hypothesis and aims: Medicinal and aromatic plants are known to have a wide range of uses and health benefits, and should be exploited concerning their bioactivity. Therefore, the antimicrobial activity of Satureja montana L., Origanum majorana L., Allium schoenoprasum L. and Anethum graveolens L. were evaluated and its phytochemical composition was profiled. Methodology: The antimicrobial susceptibility of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria to four decoction and hydroethanolic (80:20, v/v) extracts, obtained from medicinal and aromatic plants (S. montana , O. majorana , A. schoenoprasum and A. graveolens ), was assessed aiming to identify the active extracts and the most effective were then tested against biofilms. Furthermore, the decoctions were characterized in terms of phenolic compounds by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSn. Results: Overall, S. montana and O. majorana extracts were the most effective against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus , Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus dysgalactiae ) and Gram-negative (Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ) bacteria, with decoction presenting the most pronounced effects. O. majorana and S. montana decoction, at minimum inhibitory concentrations, were significantly effective against planktonic cells of S. aureus ATCC 25923. Concerning biofilm cells, S. montana promoted a slight antimicrobial activity against S. aureus ATCC 25923. A total of twentyfour phenolic compounds (9 phenolic acids and 15 flavonoids glycosides) were identified in S. montana and O. majorana decoctions, being rosmarinic acid the main molecule in the extracts. Conclusion: This study confirmed the bioactive potential of the medicinal and aromatic herbs, being S. montana and O. majorana decoction extracts those that showed the most promising applicability for the development of novel formulations with antimicrobial properties.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Segmentation algorithms for ear image data towards biomechanical studies

In recent years, the segmentation, i.e. the identification, of ear structures in video-otoscopy, computerised tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) image data, has gained significant importance in the medical imaging area, particularly those in CT and MR imaging. Segmentation is the fundamental step of any automated technique for supporting the medical diagnosis and, in particular, in biomechanics studies, for building realistic geometric models of ear structures. In this paper, a review of the algorithms used in ear segmentation is presented. The review includes an introduction to the usually biomechanical modelling approaches and also to the common imaging modalities. Afterwards, several segmentation algorithms for ear image data are described, and their specificities and difficulties as well as their advantages and disadvantages are identified and analysed using experimental examples. Finally, the conclusions are presented as well as a discussion about possible trends for future research concerning the ear segmentation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Toxicological evaluation of pterospartum tridentatum flower water

Pterospartum tridentatum Willk. (prickled broom) is an autochthonous plant, common in Portuguese territory. The yellow flowers are widely used in traditional medicine, as a potential cure for all body illnesses, mainly for throat irritation treatment or for diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia therapy. Despite its wide traditional use, no toxicological assessment of this plant has been performed, as far as we know. The major goal of this work was the P. tridentatum water extracts safety assessment. Methodology: Chemical characterization of MS analysis of P. tridentatum flower extract was performed by ESI-MS spectroscopy; phenols and quercetins content were also determined. Antioxidant activity was evaluated through -carotene bleaching test and ABTS radical-scavenging activity. Oxygen consumption of isolated mitochondria was determined polarographically with a Clark oxygen electrode and mitochondrial respiratory rates evaluated accordingly to Chance and Williams (1956) and mitochondrial swelling was evaluated the apparent absorbance changes at 520 nm. Results and discussion: A high antioxidant activity of P. tridentatum flower water extract was assessed in good agreement with its ESI-MS spectrum that revealed the presence of several flavonoids, as luteolin-O-(O-acetyl)-glucuronide, luteolin-Oglucuronide or isorhamnetin-O-hexoside. Mitocondrial respiratory rates (state 4, state 3 and FCCP-stimulated respiration) and respiratory indexes (respiratory control and P/O ratios) showed no consistent decrease of respiratory and phosphorylative efficiencies for the concentrations tested (up to 500 μg.mL-1). In conclusion, for the concentration range commonly used P. tridentatum flowers usage can be regarded as harmless and trustworthy and due to its great antioxidant properties it is useful to counteract diabetes mellitus associated diseases

Polyphenols characterization and toxicological evaluation of pterospartum tridentatum leaf water extracts

Pterospartum tridentatum Willk. (prickled broom) is an autochthonous and common plant in Portugal. Leaves and stems are normally used in cooking, to flavour rice, roast meat or hunting animals. Leaves are also used as a condiment in fresh salads and, despite of its traditional use, no toxicological evaluation has been performed. P. tridentatum leaves aqueous extract ESI-MS spectrum revealed the presence of several luteolin and isorhamnetin derived phenolic compounds, which can be associated to the health benefits claimed for this plant species. Still, P. tridentatum leaves extract (up to 100 µg plant extract.mg-1 protein) stimulated state 4 and FCCP-stimulated liver mitochondria respiratory rates and inhibited the state 3 respiratory rate. Respiratory control ratio was diminished, indicating a decrease in phosphorylative efficiency due to inner mitochondrial membrane induced by P. tridentatum leaves extract. Nevertheless, previous results, cytotoxicity evaluation by MTT assay (50 and 125 µg plant extract) showed no significant decrease on HepG2 cell viability. Overall, the present study suggests that the consumption of P. tridentatum leaves should be regarded as safe

Retaining eucalyptus harvest residues promotes different pathways for particulate and mineral-associated organic matter

Eucalyptus plantations have replaced other (agro)ecosystems over 5.6 Mha in Brazil. While these plantations rapidly accumulate carbon (C) in their biomass, the C storage in living forest biomass is transient, and thus, longer-term sustainability relies on sustaining soil organic matter (SOM) stocks. A significant amount of harvest residues (HR) is generated every rotation and can yield SOM if retained in the field. Yet, there is little information on how managing eucalyptus HR changes SOM dynamics. We used isotopic and molecular approaches in a 3-yr field decomposition experiment where a native grassland has been replaced by eucalyptus plantations to assess how HR management practices influence content and chemistry of two distinct SOM fractions [particulate (POM) and mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM)] at two soil depths (0–1 and 1–5 cm). The management practices investigated were HR removal (−R), only bark removal (−B), and retention of all HR (including bark, +B), combined with two levels of nitrogen (N) fertilization [0 (−N) and 200 (+N) kg/ha]. N fertilization inhibited HR decomposition (P = 0.0409), while bark retention had little effect (P = 0.1164). Retaining HR, especially with bark, increased POM-C and MAOM-C content (2.1- and 1.2-fold, respectively), decreased POM-δ13C (1.2-fold), and increased inorganic N retention (1.7-fold) compared with plots where HR had been removed. Inorganic N applications, however, diminished the positive impacts of bark retention. Although the influence of HR management was most pronounced in POM, retaining HR reduced potential soil C mineralization by up to 20%. POM and MAOM chemistry shifted over time and revealed distinct influence of HR on the formation of these fractions. We demonstrate that HR management alters SOM dynamics and that retaining HR, particularly including bark, enhances SOM retention. With continuing conversion of native grassland ecosystems to eucalyptus, long-term sustainability will require careful HR and fertilizer management to balance total biomass harvest with sustaining belowground SOM concentrations