The importance of Intermediaries organizations in international R&D cooperation: an empirical multivariate study across Europe

Despite the large number of publications related to business cooperation in R&D and the wide perception of the importance of intermediary institutions in the R&D cooperation process, empirical studies on its role are scarce, scattered and fragmented. Moreover, the academic work developed in this area is basically of a theoretical nature, whereas the international perspective of R&D cooperation is seldom approached. Departing from a unique database that includes 473 R&D cooperation projects developed within the 6th Framework Programme, involving firms and intermediaries from all European Union countries, this paper gauges the determinants of the importance attached to Intermediaries, through a direct survey to the organizations involved. Based on an estimation of the multivariate model, this study demonstrates that the importance given to Intermediaries depends more on project features than on the characteristics of the participating organizations. In particular, the nationality of participating organizations and the promoter emerged with a strong explanatory power: ceteris paribus, projects with at least one participant from the United Kingdom tend to assign greater importance to intermediaries in international R&D cooperation. Unambiguously, results evidence that the innovating capacity of an organization emerges (both positively and significantly) associated with a greater importance attached to Intermediaries.R&D Cooperation; Intermediaries; International projects; Europe

The deflocculation of kaolin suspensions : the effect of various electrolytes

The deflocculation effect of conventional additives to kaolin suspensions is evaluated from the results standard rheological measurements. Several widely used electrolytes (NaOH, Na2C03, Na2Si03, SHMP = sodium hexametaphosphate, and CMC = sodium salts of carboxymethylcellulose) have been tested. The optimal concentrations of these deffloculants, in respect to reaching the maximum reduction of initial suspension viscosity, are found. The stability of deflocculated kaolin suspensions against sedimentation is evaluated and different aspects of the observed flow enhancement discussed. Inorganic electrolytes are found to be more effective in viscosity reduction, but on the other hand, low-molecular organic CMC additives produce more stable final suspensions.Czech Science Foundation GACR through the contract P101/12/058

Mathematical modeling of the thermal degradation kinetics of vitamin C in cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum) nectar

The thermal degradation kinetics of both components of vitamin C, ascorbic acid (AA) and dehydroascorbic acid (DHAA), were determined in a nectar of Cupuacßu (Theobroma grandi¯orum) with 25% of pulp and 15% of sugar in water. AA was assayed by HPLC and the results showed that AA degraded into DHAA. A reversible ®rst order model described well the AA degradation data, with an activation energy of 74 5 kJ/mol and k80 C 0:032 0:003min ÿ1. DHAA kinetic behavior suggested a consecutive ®rst order reaction where DHAA was the intermediate product of AA degradation. A mechanistic model was derived to predict DHAA concentration. Rate constants were replaced by the Arrhenius equation in the model to evaluate the temperature dependence and the kinetic parameters for AA degradation, previously determined, were used. An activation energy of 65 9 kJ/mol and a k80 C of 0:013 0:003 min ÿ1 were estimated. The present ®ndings will help to predict the best Cupuacßu nectar processing conditions that minimize degradation of an important quality factor such as vitamin C

Detection of adulterations in food products containing milk and/or milk proteins

A critical review of the most relevant analytical methodologies for quality and authenticity control of dairy products and foods containing milk proteins is presented. Chromatographic, electrophoretic and immunological methods are used for: detection of cow's milk in ewe and goat milks, detection of whey added to milk, detection of caseins and/or whey proteins in non-lactic foods and study compounds resulting from milk proteins degradation. Techniques based on polimerase chain reaction are also suitable for detection of cow's milk on cheeses of ewe and goat milks

New steroidal aromatase inhibitors: Suppression of estrogen-dependent breast cancer cell proliferation and induction of cell death

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Aromatase, the cytochrome P-450 enzyme (CYP19) responsible for estrogen biosynthesis, is an important target for the treatment of estrogen-dependent breast cancer. In fact, the use of synthetic aromatase inhibitors (AI), which induce suppression of estrogen synthesis, has shown to be an effective alternative to the classical tamoxifen for the treatment of postmenopausal patients with ER-positive breast cancer. New AIs obtained, in our laboratory, by modification of the A and D-rings of the natural substrate of aromatase, compounds <b>3a </b>and <b>4a</b>, showed previously to efficiently suppress aromatase activity in placental microsomes. In the present study we have investigated the effects of these compounds on cell proliferation, cell cycle progression and induction of cell death using the estrogen-dependent human breast cancer cell line stably transfected with the aromatase gene, MCF-7 aro cells.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The new steroids inhibit hormone-dependent proliferation of MCF-7aro cells in a time and dose-dependent manner, causing cell cycle arrest in G₀/G₁phase and inducing cell death with features of apoptosis and autophagic cell death.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our <it>in vitro </it>studies showed that the two steroidal AIs, <b>3a </b>and <b>4a</b>, are potent inhibitors of breast cancer cell proliferation. Moreover, it was also shown that the antiproliferative effects of these two steroids on MCF-7aro cells are mediated by disrupting cell cycle progression, through cell cycle arrest in G₀/G₁phase and induction of cell death, being the dominant mechanism autophagic cell death. Our results are important for the elucidation of the cellular effects of steroidal AIs on breast cancer.</p

Response surface optimization of the culture medium for production of elastin-like polymers by E. coli

ASTM program POCI 2010 (project POCI/CTM/57177/2004) suported by FEDER and FCTElastin-Like Polymers (ELP`s), a family of proteins based on repetitive pentapeptide sequences known by their smart and extremely biocompatible behavior (1, 2), are of great interest to our research group. Ongoing work using E. coli as the expression system, strongly suggests that the biomass and polymer production are closely related. The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is a collection of mathematical and statistical techniques useful for the modeling and analysis of problems, in which a response of interest is influenced by several variables and the objective is to optimize this response, in a suitable set of experiments (3). This strategy was employed in order to improve the production of both, biomass and ELP`s, in an auto induction medium previously designed by us (adapted from Terrific Broth and Phosphate Buffer Glycerol). The nutrients yeast extract, lactose and glycerol were the factors subjected to this statistical treatment. Knowing that glycerol and lactose are, respectively, sub-products of biodiesel production and dairy industry, the use of these compounds is highly favorable for the design of a sustainable scale-up procedure. On the other hand, yeast extract was selected in order to maximize the final yield due to it`s described importance in the boost of production. The validation of the model obtained was achieved and allowed the optimization of biomass levels.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Sensitive areas under radium/uranium mine drainage - the Picoto mine case study, central Portugal

A zona mineira de Picoto está localizada próximo de Vilar Seco (Viseu, Centro de Portugal). Ocorre numa área de declive suave, altitude variando entre 360-380 m, incluída na bacia do rio Cagavaio, com drenagem dominante NE-SW. A mineralização ocorre em veios de quartzo, que intersectam o granito Varisco, porfiróide de duas micas. Os filões de quartzo preenchem falhas N37°-45°E e N50°-70°E, localmente brechificadas. Estes filões contêm meta-torbernite e uranófano, e alguns minerais portadores de U, como clorite e hidróxidos de Fe e Mn. A exploração ocorreu em duas fases, entre 1917 e 1953. Após cessada a exploração, permaneceram as escombreiras resultantes da exploração e a área nunca foi reabilitada. Neste momento, está ocupada por culturas locais, principalmente vinhas e produtos agrícolas. Vinte amostras de águas superficiais e subterrâneas foram colhidas entre 2008 e 2009. Em geral, as águas apresentam valores de pH entre 4.7 a 6.3 e são pouco mineralizadas (CE = 44-190 μS/cm; TDS = 49-137 mg/L). Contudo, algumas águas estão contaminadas em NO2, Fe, Mn, Cu, As e U, e não devem ser utilizadas para consumo humano nem em atividades agrícolas. A contaminação da água está associada principalmente à antiga mina de rádio/urânio e atividades humanas desenvolvidas.The Picoto mine area is located at Vilar Seco village (Viseu, central Portugal), in a soft slope area with altitudes ranging from 360 to 380 m, included in the Cagavaio river catchment, with a dominant NE-SW drainage. The mineralization occurs mainly in quartz veins, which intersect a Variscan porphyritic two-mica granite. The quartz veins fill N37°-45°E and N50°-70°E faults, locally brecciated. The quartz veins contain meta-torbernite and uranophane, and some U-bearing minerals, such as chlorite and Fe- and Mn-hydroxides. The exploitation was carried out in two stages, between 1917 and 1953. Since closure, the area contains mine rejected materials and has never been restored. Therefore, a local cultivated area, mainly for vines and domestic consumption agricultural products, is now deployed. A total of twenty surface and groundwater samples were collected between 2008 and 2009. In general, the waters yield pH values ranging from 4,4 to 6,3 and are poorly mineralized (EC=44-190 µS/cm; TDS= 49-137 mg/L). However, some waters are contaminated with NO₂, Fe, Mn, Cu, As and U and must not be used neither for human consumption nor in agricultural activities. The water contamination is mainly associated with the old radium/uranium mine and subsequent human activities developed in the area.Este trabalho teve suporte financeiro através do ICT e do projeto UID/GEO/04035/2013.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Evolving biofilm inhibition and eradication in clinical settings through plant-based antibiofilm agents

Background After almost 100 years since evidence of biofilm mode of growth and decades of intensive investigation about their formation, regulatory pathways and mechanisms of antimicrobial tolerance, nowadays there are still no therapeutic solutions to eradicate bacterial biofilms and their biomedical related issues. Purpose This review intends to provide a comprehensive summary of the recent and most relevant published studies on plant-based products, or their isolated compounds with antibiofilm activity mechanisms of action or identified molecular targets against bacterial biofilms. The objective is to offer a new perspective of most recent data for clinical researchers aiming to prevent or eliminate biofilm-associated infections caused by bacterial pathogens. Methods The search was performed considering original research articles published on PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus from 2015 to April 2023, using keywords such as antibiofilm, antivirulence, phytochemicals and plant extracts. Results Over 180 articles were considered for this review with a focus on the priority human pathogens listed by World Health Organization, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. Inhibition and detachment or dismantling of biofilms formed by these pathogens were found using plant-based extract/products or derivative compounds. Although combination of plant-based products and antibiotics were recorded and discussed, this topic is currently poorly explored and only for a reduced number of bacterial species. Conclusions This review clearly demonstrates that plant-based products or derivative compounds may be a promising therapeutic strategy to eliminate bacterial biofilms and their associated infections. After thoroughly reviewing the vast amount of research carried out over years, it was concluded that plant-based products are mostly able to prevent biofilm formation through inhibition of quorum sensing signals, but also to disrupt mature biofilms developed by multidrug resistant bacteria targeting the biofilm extracellular polymeric substance. Flavonoids and phenolic compounds seemed the most effective against bacterial biofilms.This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 and UIDP/04469/2020, and by LABBELS – Associate Laboratory in Biotechnology, Bioengineering and Microelectromechanical Systems, LA/P/0029/2020. The authors also acknowledge FCT for the PhD grant (UI/BD/151243/2021) to Eduarda Silva and for Scientific Employment Stimulus 2017 (CEECIND/01507/2017) provided to Ana Margarida Sousa.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio