When Digitalization Meets Omnichannel in International Markets: A Case Study from the Agri-Food Industry

Digitalization is prompting small and medium-sized enterprises to structural and strategic transformations, also providing new opportunities to expand and succeed in foreign markets. However, relatively few studies have investigated emergent digital technologies in international business management. Contextually, there is still a dearth of research on the multi-faceted impacts of digitalization on omnichannel strategy characterizing most of the global business environment today. This paper, therefore, aims to examine the impact of digitalization on omnichannel choices adopted by internationalized SMEs. A qualitative approach, based on a single case study methodology, is adopted. An Italian agri-food SME is chosen as this industry is considered a key and distinctive pillar of Made in Italy in the international markets. Findings reveal the potential of digital technologies’ applications in an omnichannel environment, blurring the boundaries between channels, through a synergetic integration of them. This evidence contributes to the existing literature on technology management and omnichannel strategies in the international context by rereading these phenomena through a smart ecosystem lens. In addition, this study provides practical insights on how multiple channels adopted by Made in Italy SMEs can be integrated, managed, and operated synergistically on international markets to sustain a digitalized value creation

Human matrix metalloproteinases: An ubiquitarian class of enzymes involved in several pathological processes

Human matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) belong to the M10 family of the MA clan of endopeptidases. They are ubiquitarian enzymes, structurally characterized by an active site where a Zn(2+) atom, coordinated by three histidines, plays the catalytic role, assisted by a glutamic acid as a general base. Various MMPs display different domain composition, which is very important for macromolecular substrates recognition. Substrate specificity is very different among MMPs, being often associated to their cellular compartmentalization and/or cellular type where they are expressed. An extensive review of the different MMPs structural and functional features is integrated with their pathological role in several types of diseases, spanning from cancer to cardiovascular diseases and to neurodegeneration. It emerges a very complex and crucial role played by these enzymes in many physiological and pathological processes

26th Annual Computational Neuroscience Meeting (CNS*2017): Part 3 - Meeting Abstracts - Antwerp, Belgium. 15–20 July 2017

This work was produced as part of the activities of FAPESP Research,\ud Disseminations and Innovation Center for Neuromathematics (grant\ud 2013/07699-0, S. Paulo Research Foundation). NLK is supported by a\ud FAPESP postdoctoral fellowship (grant 2016/03855-5). ACR is partially\ud supported by a CNPq fellowship (grant 306251/2014-0)

Cyclic compression behaviour of multilayered nanostructured foams: numerical meso scale modelling and experimental validation

In the present paper the mechanical fatigue behavior of a complex porous and hierarchical structure at a macroscopic scale is investigated from the experimental point of view. A numerical model describing the cyclic behavior is developed considering the geometric structure of the foam and the constitutive model, using a macro-mechanical hyperelastic material Ogden models. The coated open cell foam is characterized by Representative Volume Element of Finite Elements (FEA-RVE) model at the mesoscale with periodic boundary conditions. The RVE model is based on the microscopic foam topology and density, then a tessellation is applied to randomly generate the inner structure. The FEA model is then inserted, and the overall response is validated and calibrated from quasi-static and fatigue compression tests run at two different frequencies. The mesoscale model is used to simulate the mechanism involved in the compression of PU hierarchical composite foams, the structure buckling and the dissipated energy

Functional and Structural Characterization of ClC-1 and Nav1.4 Channels Resulting from CLCN1 and SCN4A Mutations Identified Alone and Coexisting in Myotonic Patients.

Non-dystrophic myotonias have been linked to loss-of-function mutations in the ClC-1 chloride channel or gain-of-function mutations in the Nav1.4 sodium channel. Here, we describe a family with members diagnosed with Thomsen’s disease. One novel mutation (p.W322*) in CLCN1 and one undescribed mutation (p.R1463H) in SCN4A are segregating in this family. The CLCN1-p.W322* was also found in an unrelated family, in compound heterozygosity with the known CLCN1-p.G355R mutation. One reported mutation, SCN4A-p.T1313M, was found in a third family. Both CLCN1 mutations exhibited loss-of-function: CLCN1-p.W322* probably leads to a non-viable truncated protein; for CLCN1-p.G355R, we predict structural damage, triggering important steric clashes. The SCN4A-p.R1463H produced a positive shift in the steady-state inactivation increasing window currents and a faster recovery from inactivation. These gain-of-function effects are probably due to a disruption of interaction R1463-D1356, which destabilizes the voltage sensor domain (VSD) IV and increases the flexibility of the S4-S5 linker. Finally, modelling suggested that the p.T1313M induces a strong decrease in protein flexibility on the III-IV linker. This study demonstrates that CLCN1-p.W322* and SCN4A-p.R1463H mutations can act alone or in combination as inducers of myotonia. Their co-segregation highlights the necessity for carrying out deep genetic analysis to provide accurate genetic counseling and management of patients.Universidad de Costa Rica/[]/UCR/Costa RicaFondazione AIRC per la Ricerca sul Cancro/[IG 21558]/AIRC/ItaliaItalian Research Ministry/[PRIN 20174TB8KW]//ItaliaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Salud::Facultad de Medicina::Escuela de MedicinaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias de la Salud::Centro de Investigación en Neurociencias (CIN)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias de la Salud::Instituto de Investigaciones en Salud (INISA)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ciencias Básicas::Facultad de Ciencias::Escuela de Biologí

Development and validation of a scoring system to predict response to obeticholic acid in primary biliary cholangitis

Background & aims: Obeticholic acid (OCA) is the only licensed second-line therapy for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). With novel therapeutics in advanced development, clinical tools are needed to tailor the treatment algorithm. We aimed to derive and externally validate the OCA response score (ORS) for predicting the response probability of individuals with PBC to OCA. Methods: We used data from the Italian RECAPITULATE (N 441) and the IBER-PBC (N 244) OCA real-world prospective cohorts to derive/validate a score including widely available variables obtained either pre-treatment (ORS), or also after 6 months of treatment (ORS+). Multivariable Cox's regressions with backward selection were applied to obtain parsimonious predictive models. The predicted outcomes were biochemical response according to POISE (ALP/ULN<1.67 with a reduction of at least 15%, and normal bilirubin), or ALP/ULN<1.67, or NORMAL RANGE criteria (NR: normal ALP, ALT and bilirubin) up to 24 months. Results: Depending on the response criteria, ORS included age, pruritus, cirrhosis, ALP/ULN, ALT/ULN, GGT/ULN and bilirubin. ORS+ also included ALP/ULN and bilirubin after 6 months of OCA therapy. Internally validated c-statistics for ORS were of 0.75, 0.78 and 0.72 for POISE, ALP/ULN<1.67 and NR response, which raised to 0.83, 0.88, 0.81 with ORS+, respectively. The respective performances in validation were of 0.70, 0.72 and 0.71 for ORS, and 0.80, 0.84, 0.78 for ORS+. Results were consistent across groups with mild/severe disease. Conclusions: We developed and externally validated a scoring system capable to predict OCA response according to different criteria. This tool will enhance a stratified second-line therapy model to streamline standard care and trial delivery in PBC

First scientific observations with MEGARA at GTC

On June 25th 2017, the new intermediate-resolution optical IFU and MOS of the 10.4-m GTC had its first light. As part of the tests carried out to verify the performance of the instrument in its two modes (IFU and MOS) and 18 spectral setups (identical number of VPHs with resolutions R=6000-20000 from 0.36 to 1 micron) a number of astronomical objects were observed. These observations show that MEGARA@GTC is called to fill a niche of high-throughput, intermediateresolution IFU and MOS observations of extremely-faint narrow-lined objects. Lyman-α absorbers, star-forming dwarfs or even weak absorptions in stellar spectra in our Galaxy or in the Local Group can now be explored to a new level. Thus, the versatility of MEGARA in terms of observing modes and spectral resolution and coverage will allow GTC to go beyond current observational limits in either depth or precision for all these objects. The results to be presented in this talk clearly demonstrate the potential of MEGARA in this regard

Estrategias docentes innovadoras para el estudio de las interrelaciones metabólicas entre órganos y tejidos especializados y su papel clave en diferentes estados fisiopatológicos

El objetivo principal del proyecto es facilitar el estudio del metabolismo, su regulación y las interrelaciones entre órganos y tejidos con distintos perfiles metabólicos, destacando su importancia en diversos estados fisiopatológicos. El proyecto pretende además poner de manifiesto la importancia de estos conocimientos para poder desarrollar proyectos de investigación en diferentes áreas. Con este objetivo, los estudiantes de los cinco grupos de primero de Grado en Biología, tutorizados por M Teresa Portolés (responsable del proyecto), Begoña Gómez-Miguel, Ana Saborido y Mercedes Echaide, profesoras que imparten Metabolismo en la asignatura de Bioquímica, han realizado las actividades indicadas a continuación, organizados en equipos de trabajo centrados en órganos y tejidos clave como cerebro, hígado, músculo, tejido adiposo y glóbulos rojos. - Elaboración de preguntas de examen, fijando la atención en los aspectos más importantes al finalizar el estudio de cada tema. - Realización de infografías expuestas en la Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas del 13 al 17 de mayo, para representar de forma clara, concisa y atractiva las características metabólicas de tipos celulares especializados y sus interrelaciones, facilitando su comprensión y estudio. - Elaboración de un mapa integrador interactivo del metabolismo en las aulas de informática de la Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas con la pizarra digital interactiva, destacando la interconexión de las diferentes rutas metabólicas en la que se basa el funcionamiento del organismo. Laura Casarrubios (Doctora en Biología) ha participado preparando dos vídeos explicativos de los programas Miro y BioRender. - Asistencia a charlas impartidas por las profesoras del proyecto enfocadas en sus proyectos de investigación y con la participación de Mónica Cicuéndez (PAD) experta en Metabolómica, para transmitir a los estudiantes la importancia del estudio del metabolismo en el desarrollo de actividades investigadoras en diferentes áreas. El proyecto ha contado con la participación de Lourdes Varea (Secretaria Administrativa) para la organización de los listados de los diferentes equipos y otras tareas administrativas, así como con numerosos estudiantes colaboradores de cursos anteriores que han aconsejado a los nuevos estudiantes en las actividades realizadas. El proyecto es interfacultativo e interdepartamental, ya que los componentes del equipo pertenecen a las Facultades de Ciencias Químicas, Ciencias Biológicas y Farmacia, y a los Departamentos de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Química en Ciencias Farmacéuticas. El equipo cuenta con 5 miembros PDI (1 Catedrática de Universidad, 3 Profesoras Titulares de Universidad y 1 Profesora Ayudante Doctor), 2 miembros PAS y estudiantes de cursos anteriores. El elevado número de estudiantes (alrededor de 400) que han desarrollado las diferentes actividades, pone de manifiesto el entusiasmo del alumnado y deja constancia de la motivación y el interés que el proyecto ha despertado en los estudiantes de primero de Grado en Biología.Depto. de Bioquímica y Biología MolecularDepto. de Química en Ciencias FarmacéuticasFac. de Ciencias QuímicasFac. de Ciencias BiológicasFac. de FarmaciaFALSEsubmitte

Impact of antibiotic resistance on outcomes of neutropenic cancer patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteraemia (IRONIC study): study protocol of a retrospective multicentre international study

WOS: 000471192800144PubMed ID: 31129580Introduction Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) has historically been one of the major causes of severe sepsis and death among neutropenic cancer patients. There has been a recent increase of multidrug-resistant PA (MDRPA) isolates that may determine a worse prognosis, particularly in immunosuppressed patients. The aim of this study is to establish the impact of antibiotic resistance on the outcome of neutropenic onco-haematological patients with PA bacteraemia, and to identify the risk factors for MDRPA bacteraemia and mortality. Methods and analysis This is a retrospective, observational, multicentre, international study. All episodes of PA bacteraemia occurring in neutropenic onco-haematological patients followed up at the participating centres from 1 January 2006 to 31 May 2018 will be retrospectively reviewed. The primary end point will be overall case-fatality rate within 30 days of onset of PA bacteraemia. The secondary end points will be to describe the following: the incidence and risk factors for multidrug-resistant and extremely drug-resistant PA bacteraemia (by comparing the episodes due to susceptible PA with those produced by MDRPA), the efficacy of ceftolozane/tazobactam, the rates of persistent bacteraemia and bacteraemia relapse and the risk factors for very early (48 hours), early (7 days) and overall (30 days) case-fatality rates. Ethics and dissemination The Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Bellvitge University Hospital approved the protocol of the study at the primary site. To protect personal privacy, identifying information of each patient in the electronic database will be encrypted. The processing of the patients' personal data collected in the study will comply with the Spanish Data Protection Act of 1998 and with the European Directive on the privacy of data. All data collected, stored and processed will be anonymised. Results will be reported at conferences and in peer-reviewed publications.Plan Nacional de I+ D+ i 2013-2016; Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Subdireccion General de Redes y Centros de Investigacion Cooperativa, Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad, Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Diseases [REIPI RD16/0016/0001]; European Development Regional Fund "A way to achieve Europe", Operative Programme Intelligent Growth 2014-2020This study was supported by Plan Nacional de I+ D+ i 2013-2016 and Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Subdireccion General de Redes y Centros de Investigacion Cooperativa, Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad, Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI RD16/0016/0001) and co-financed by European Development Regional Fund "A way to achieve Europe", Operative Programme Intelligent Growth 2014-2020