Rethinking entry mode choice of agro-exporters: the effect of the Internet

Understanding a firm's internationalization process, including entry mode decisions, has attracted increasing attention from the literature in international business. However, most of the existing literature on exportation by agri-food firms examines single-stage decision making processes based on the decision of whether or not to export, which export mode to use (direct versus indirect export), or both of them simultaneously, with three independent alternatives. This article researches the impact of internet use on entry mode decisions of exporting agri-food firms. In this new context, we propose that the Internet influences the entry mode decision and that the decision regarding exporting and the choice of export channels are nested decisions. The results show a positive effect of internet use on the propensity to export. The empirical evidence of the paper also supports the existence of a nested structure

CteG, a Chlamydia trachomatis protein involved in host cell lytic exit

The Phylum Chlamydiae comprises bacteria that only multiply inside eukaryotic host cells, within a membrane-bound vacuole. Among Chlamydiae, the Family Chlamydiaceae includes Chlamydia trachomatis, a major human pathogen causing ocular and genital infections. The characteristic infectious cycle of Chlamydiae involves chlamydial-mediated host cell invasion and egress. Throughout the cycle, Chlamydiae subvert host cell processes through effector proteins delivered into host cells by a type III secretion system. Previously, it was shown that the C. trachomatis CteG effector localizes at the Golgi and plasma membrane of infected cells. Moreover, the first 100 residues of CteG fused to EGFP (EGFP-CteG100) localize at the Golgi upon their ectopic expression in mammalian cells. In this work, we found that CteG mediates C. trachomatis host cell lytic exit. Cells infected by a CteG-deficient strain showed less chlamydiae in the culture supernatant and displayed lower levels of cytotoxicity comparing to cells infected by CteG-producing wild-type and complemented strains. We further showed that CteG and Pgp4, a global regulator of transcription encoded in the C. trachomatis virulence plasmid, act on the same pathway leading to chlamydial host cell lytic exit. We also found a predicted α-helix on the N-terminal region of CteG that is essential for the localization of ectopically expressed EGFP-CteG100 at the Golgi and plays a role in adequate targeting of CteG to the Golgi and plasma membrane in infected cells. Finally, we identified host cell proteins that may interact with CteG and provided insights into the evolutionary history of cteG by bioinformatics analysis of its homologs in Chlamydiaceae. In summary, this work revealed a role of CteG in C. trachomatis host cell exit, a crucial step of the chlamydial infectious cycle. Together with other findings, this expanded the knowledge on C. trachomatis-host cell interactions and opened avenues for future research.O Filo Chlamydiae abrange bactérias que se multiplicam exclusivamente em células de hospedeiros eucariontes, no interior de um vacúolo. Chlamydia trachomatis, da Família Chlamydiaceae, causa infeções genitais e oculares em humanos. O ciclo infecioso das Chlamydiae envolve processos de invasão e saída da célula hospedeira promovidos pela bactéria. Durante este ciclo, as Chlamydiae manipulam as células hospedeiras através de proteínas efetoras, transportadas para essas células hospedeiras por um sistema de secreção do tipo III. Previamente, observou-se que CteG, uma proteína efetora de C. trachomatis, se localiza no Golgi e na membrana plasmática de células infetadas. Adicionalmente, os primeiros 100 aminoácidos de CteG, fundidos a EGFP (EGFP-CteG100), localizam-se no Golgi após a sua expressão ectópica em células de mamífero. Neste trabalho, mostrou-se que CteG intervém na saída lítica de C. trachomatis da célula hospedeira. Verificou-se também que CteG e Pgp4, uma proteína codificada no plasmídeo de virulência de C. trachomatis, atuam na mesma via que resulta na saída lítica desta bactéria da célula hospedeira. Noutra parte do trabalho, descobriu-se que uma possível hélice-α na região N-terminal de CteG é essencial para a localização de EGFP-CteG100 no Golgi, após a sua expressão ectópica em células de mamífero. Também se mostrou que esta hélice-α é importante para um eficiente direcionamento de CteG para o Golgi e para a membrana plasmática de células infetadas. Finalmente, foram identificadas proteínas da célula hospedeira que podem interagir com CteG e foi investigada a história evolutiva de cteG através de uma análise bioinformática dos seus homólogos em Chlamydiaceae. Em resumo, este trabalho revelou uma função de CteG na saída lítica de C. trachomatis, um passo crucial no ciclo infecioso desta bactéria. Juntamente com outras descobertas, foi assim expandido o conhecimento sobre as interações entre C. trachomatis e a célula hospedeira e abriram-se várias novas linhas futuras de investigação

How can digital help biotherm growing in the Portuguese selective skincare channel?

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Non-isolated integrated motor drive and battery charger based on the split-phase PM motor for plug-in vehicles

In electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, the utility grid charges the vehicle battery through a battery charger. Different solutions have been proposed to reduce the size and cost of the charger. One solution to achieve this is to include the devices used in the traction circuit in the charger circuit; this is called an integrated motor drive and battery charger. A split-phase PM motor, a motor with double set of windings, gives the opportunity to implement different winding configurations to keep the motor at stand-still when it is connected to the grid. The motor will act as inductors in the charging process. This is an advantageous chance in order to use the motor in an integrated battery charger. In the current thesis, a non-isolated battery charger based on some of these special configurations is tested. Two different PM motors are utilized in proposed chargers. Different windings configurations have been practically tested. The main challenge is to keep the motor in stand-still during charge operation. Practical results show that with proposed schemes, the motors are in stand-still. A National Instrument CompactRIO system is used to perform the control of the integrated charger in the practical implementation. A brief explanation of the practical setup and a user guide for running the experimental system is included as well.Ingeniería Industria

Production of xylitol by the yeast Komagataella pastoris

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that can replace sucrose, is tolerated by diabetics and has several clinical applications. Currently, xylitol is manufactured on a large scale through a chemical process, but there is a search for alternative processes that are environmentally friendly and more cost-effective. In this thesis, the biotechnological production of xylitol has been examined as an alternative to the chemical process, using the yeast Komagataella pastoris to produce xylitol from glucose/xylose mixtures. Different parameters, namely, pH, temperature, xylose concentration, the presence of arabinose as substrate and dissolved oxygen were tested. This work demonstrated that the best pH value for xylitol synthesis was 7.0 - 7.5 that resulted in 4.04 g/L of xylitol, with a volumetric productivity of 0.024 g/L.h and a specific productivity 0.35 gxylitol /gCDW. Cultivation with initial pH value 7.00 and 37 ºC, in fully aerobic conditions, and changing the pH to 6.4 at 72 h of cultivation, resulted in the highest xylitol concentration of this study: 12.00 g/L, concomitant with a volumetric productivity of 0.071 g/L.h and a specific productivity of 1.41 gxylitol/gCDW. Limiting oxygen conditions resulted in a xylitol concentration of 5.81 g/L, with a specific productivity of 0.33 gxylitol/ gCDW, and a volumetric productivity, of 0.035 g/L.h. Several concentrations of xylose in the glucose/xylose mixtures were tested. The highest xylitol production was obtained with 60 g/L of xylose. Reducing the xylose concentration resulted in lower xylitol production. Interestingly, it was observed for the first time that K. pastoris was able to synthesize arabitol using arabinose as substrate, with the arabitol concentration reaching 3.15 g/L on cultivation at 37 ºC under oxygen limitation. This feature opens up the possibility of using this process for the synthesis of both sugar alcohols, xylitol and arabitol, being apparently possible to tune the synthesis of each product by altering the cultivation conditions

Inclusion and citizenship – plural cultural context of creativity and curricular innovation

Inclusion and citizenship conceives the understanding of diversity as a space of collaboration between what is local and what is global. Generally, countries respond to the multiple challenges of an increasing globalised world by introducing changes in the different systems which organise these countries. There is an intention to generate structures capable of preparing countries for responding to the challenges of society, which intends to be based on experience, information, knowledge, life-long learning and in developing the ability to increase citizens’ well-being. Inclusion and citizenship – a plural, cultural context of creativity and curricular innovation consists of an ability to question ourselves about the possibility of re-imagining a plural and inclusive pedagogical/training, cultural and social space. It is within the citizen’s interaction with the environment, with the personal and collective action contexts that the inclusion of everyone can be fostered in evolutionally more plural societies, in which the curriculum establishes the cultural and social legacy, promoting the development of meaning of the human activity, that may also be strengthened when supported by innovating and creative ways of doing it.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Improving the in vitro bioaccessibility of β-carotene using pectin added nanoemulsions

The intestinal absorption of lipophilic compounds such as β-carotene has been reported to increase when they are incorporated in emulsion-based delivery systems. Moreover, the reduction of emulsions particle size and the addition of biopolymers in the systems seems to play an important role in the emulsion properties but also in their behavior under gastrointestinal conditions and the absorption of the encapsulated compound in the intestine. Hence, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of pectin addition (0%, 1%, and 2%) on the physicochemical stability of oil-in-water nanoemulsions containing β-carotene during 35 days at 4 °C, the oil digestibility and the compound bioaccessibility. The results showed that nanoemulsions presented greater stability and lower β-carotene degradation over time in comparison with coarse emulsion, which was further reduced with the addition of pectin. Moreover, nanoemulsions presented a faster digestibility irrespective of the pectin concentration used and a higher β-carotene bioaccessibility as the pectin concentration increased, being the maximum of ≈36% in nanoemulsion with 2% of pectin. These results highlight the potential of adding pectin to β-carotene nanoemulsions to enhance their functionality by efficiently preventing the compound degradation and increasing the in vitro bioaccessibility.This work was funded by the project AGL2015-65975-R (FEDER, MINECO, UE) and project RTI2018-094268-B-C21 (MCIU, AEI; FEDER, UE)

Genetic and Molecular Factors in Drug-Induced Liver Injury: A Review

The diagnosis of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is challenging and based on complex diagnostic criteria. DILI falls into two main categories i) intrinsic 'dose-dependent' Type A reactions ii) 'idiosyncratic' or Type B reactions (which are usually not predictable). Idiosyncratic reactions can be immunoallergic (hypersensitivity), or metabolic, although overlap between categories can occur. The aim of this review is to summarise the general view of underlying mechanisms in DILI and to highlight individual risk factors for developing hepatotoxicity. Polymorphisms of bioactivation/ toxification pathways through CYP450 enzymes (Phase I), detoxification reactions (Phase II) and excretion/transport (Phase III) are explored together with immunological factors that might determine DILI. The importance of establishing a multidisciplinary and multi-centric network to promote the understanding and research in hepatotoxicity is underlined. Challenges such as genetic analyses for association studies and whole genome studies, pharmacogenetic testing and future approaches to study DILI are considered. Knowledge regarding these operational mechanisms could provide further insight for the prospective identification of susceptible patients at risk of developing drug-induced hepatotoxicity.