From local networks of SMEs to virtual districts?

Industrial districts as local networks of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) rooted their competitiveness in a mix of economic relationships and social ties. Recently, network technologies have promised gains of efficiency through a reduction in transaction costs and showed new commercial opportunities for small firms. Despite the morphological similarities between industrial districts and network technologies, a longitudinal analysis of ICT diffusion within Italian districts shows that the foreseen convergence between the district economic model and new technologies should not be taken for granted. The observed specific evolutionary paths concerning technology innovation in local systems also opens-up issues of economic policy

Corneal Cross-Linking for the Treatment of Keratoconus in a Patient with Ipsilateral Myelinated Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer

Keratoconus associated with myelinated retinal nerve fibers is not frequent and the relationship between the two pathologies is difficult to explain, therefore studies and further investigation are required. The etiology of each condition may suggest the role of genetic factors. Follow-up is important to evaluate the progression of keratoconus and myelination. Here we describe the unusual coexistence of keratoconus and ipsilateral myelinated retinal nerve fiber layer and, for the first time, the corneal cross-linking treatment in this condition

Effects of n-Octyl-β-D-Glucopyranoside on Human and Rat Erythrocyte Membrane Stability against Hemolysis

The practical importance for the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries of the interactions between biological membranes and surfactant molecules has led to intensive research within this area. The interactions of non-ionic surfactant n-octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (OG) with the human and rat erythrocyte membranes were studied. The in vitro hemolytic and antihemolytic activities were determined by employing a method in which both erythrocytes were added to the hypotonic medium containing OG at different concentrations, and the amount of haemoglobin released was determined. n-octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside was found to have a biphasic effect on both types of erythrocyte membrane. We also investigated the interactions of OG with the erythrocyte membrane in isotonic medium; the dose-dependent curves show similar behaviour in both human and rat erythrocytes. Our results showed that OG has greater antihemolytic potency on rat than on human erythrocytes; furthermore, rat erythrocytes were more sensitive than human erythrocytes to hypotonic shock. How the different lipoprotein structure of these erythrocytes determines a difference in antihemolytic activity is discussed

Respiratory chain complex I, a main regulatory target of the cAMP/PKA pathway is defective in different human diseases

In mammals, complex I (NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase) of the mitochondrial respiratory chain has 31 supernumerary subunits in addition to the 14 conserved from prokaryotes to humans. Multiplicity of structural protein components, as well as of biogenesis factors, makes complex I a sensible pace-maker of mitochondrial respiration. The work reviewed here shows that the cAMP/PKA pathway regulates the biogenesis, assembly and catalytic activity of complex I and mitochondrial oxygen superoxide production. The structural, functional and regulatory complexity of complex I, renders it particularly vulnerable to genetic and sporadic pathological factors. Complex I dysfunction has, indeed, been found, to be associated with several human diseases. Knowledge of the pathogenetic mechanisms of these diseases can help to develop new therapeutic strategies. (C) 2011 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved

Respiratory chain complex I, a main regulatory target of the cAMP/PKA pathway is defective in different human diseases.

In mammals, complex I (NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase) of the mitochondrial respiratory chain has 31 supernumerary subunits in addition to the 14 conserved from prokaryotes to humans. Multiplicity of structural protein components, as well as of biogenesis factors, makes complex I a sensible pace-maker of mitochondrial respiration. The work reviewed here shows that the cAMP/PKA pathway regulates the biogenesis, assembly and catalytic activity of complex I and mitochondrial oxygen superoxide production. The structural, functional and regulatory complexity of complex I, renders it particularly vulnerable to genetic and sporadic pathological factors. Complex I dysfunction has, indeed, been found, to be associated with several human diseases. Knowledge of the pathogenetic mechanisms of these diseases can help to develop new therapeutic strategies. (C) 2011 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved

Psicologia da Saúde: Extensão de serviços à comunidade, ensino e pesquisa.

Les psychologues ont un rôle croissant dans le secteur médical. Ce rapport a pour objectif de décrire le développement et le stade actuel du Service de Psychologie de l’Hôpital de Base de la FAMERP, commencé en 1981 par l’embauche d’une psychologue pour travailler à l’infirmerie de pédiatrie. Aujourd’hui, l’hôpital compte 40 psychologues (professeurs, superviseurs et résidents) qui développent des activités d’extension de services à la communauté, d’enseignement et de recherche en Psychologie Médicale. Ces activités comprennent les niveaux primaires, secondaire et tertiaire de soins en urgence, à l’hôpital, au centre Hospitalier Universitaire, principalement en équipes interdisciplinaires. L’enseignement comprend des cours de 3ème cycle en médecine et infirmerie, des stages pour des étudiants en psychologie, un programme de Perfectionnement en Psychologie de la Santé, Cours de Spécialisation, de Spécialisation professoral, de recherches du programme de post-graduation en Sciences de la santé (maîtrise et doctorat) à la FAMERP. Les recherches visent principalement l’étude des relations entre comportement et santé, en abordant des thèmes comme la promotion de la santé, de la prévention et l’aide au traitement et lê manège des maladies. Bien que ce secteur soit en expansion, il faut penser que l’entretien de la crédibilité et de l’espace conquis dépendent d’une solide formation professionnelle, d’éthique et de développement des recherches dans ce secteur.O trabalho de psicólogos na área da saúde vem se desenvolvendo de form a crescente. O objetivo deste relato é descrever o desenvolvimento e estágio atual do Serviço de Psicologia do Hospital de Base da FAMERP, iniciado em 1981 com a contratação de uma psicóloga para atuar na enfermaria de Pediatria. Atualmente, o hospital conta com 40 psicólogos (docentes, contratados e aprimorandos) desenvolvendo atividades de extensão de serviços à comunidade, ensino e pesquisa em Psicologia da Saúde. A atuação abrange os níveis primário, secundário e terciário de atendimento e é realizada no ambulatório, no hospital, em Centro de Saúde Escola e na comunidade, principalmente em equipes interdisciplinares. O ensino envolve aulas para os cursos de graduação em medicina e enfermagem, estágio para alunos de psicologia, um Programa de Aprimoramento em Psicologia da Saúde, Cursos de Extensão, de Especialização e docência e orientação no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde (mestrado e doutorado) da FAMERP. As pesquisas visam principalmente o estudo das relações entre comportamento e saúde, abordando temas como promoção da saúde, prevenção e auxílio no tratamento e manejo de doenças. Embora a área esteja em expansão, é preciso pensar que a manutenção da credibilidade e do espaço conquistado dependem de uma sólida formação profissional, de um desempenho ético e do desenvolvimento de pesquisas na área.Psychologists have had an increasing role in the medical area. The objective of this study is to report the development and current status of the Psychology Service at Hospital de Base, São José do Rio Preto Medical School (FAMERP), which started in 1981, when a psychologist was hired to work at the Pediatrics Outpatient Ward. Currently, the hospital has a staff of 40 psychologists (professors, supervisors, and residents), developing community services, education and research activities in Health Psychology. Such activities are carried out at a primary, secondary and tertiary level at the outpatient ward of the hospital and at a Medical School Health Community Center, especially with interdisciplinary teams. Teaching involves classes in post-graduation courses in medicine and nursing; internships for psychology students; a Residency Program in Health Psychology; Extension, Specialization, and Teaching Courses; and assistance to graduate students from the Post-Graduation Program in Health Sciences (masters degree and PhD) at FAMERP. Research is aimed at assessing the relationship between behavior and health, approaching issues such as providing health, prevention and assistance in the treatment and management of diseases. Even though this is an expanding area, the maintenance of credibility and the progress achieved depend on a solid professional training, ethics and the development of research in the area

3D active edge silicon sensors: Device processing, yield and QA for the ATLAS-IBL production

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Prototype ATLAS IBL Modules using the FE-I4A Front-End Readout Chip

The ATLAS Collaboration will upgrade its semiconductor pixel tracking detector with a new Insertable B-layer (IBL) between the existing pixel detector and the vacuum pipe of the Large Hadron Collider. The extreme operating conditions at this location have necessitated the development of new radiation hard pixel sensor technologies and a new front-end readout chip, called the FE-I4. Planar pixel sensors and 3D pixel sensors have been investigated to equip this new pixel layer, and prototype modules using the FE-I4A have been fabricated and characterized using 120 GeV pions at the CERN SPS and 4 GeV positrons at DESY, before and after module irradiation. Beam test results are presented, including charge collection efficiency, tracking efficiency and charge sharing.Comment: 45 pages, 30 figures, submitted to JINS