Le risposte dei consumatori alle crisi di identità sociale. Analisi empirica del caso Samsung.

La presente ricerca si propone di comprendere se l’esposizione ad alcune minacce all’identità di una marca ha un effetto su alcune variabili: la visione di se stessi dei soggetti, la valutazione di un prodotto della marca utilizzato prevalentemente in un contesto privato e la valutazione di un prodotto della marca utilizzato prevalentemente in un contesto pubblico, in cui gli altri possono osservare il consumatore e riconoscere la marca dell’oggetto senza grandi difficoltà. I fattori che abbiamo esaminato nella nostra indagine empirica, come possibili moderatori delle risposte dei soggetti, sono l’identificazione del soggetto con la marca, la natura del prodotto (pubblica vs. privata), il self-monitoring e il capitale culturale. Lo strumento utilizzato per la raccolta dei dati è un questionario somministrato online. The object of the current research is to examine if the exposition to threats that damage the identity of a brand might have some effect on three variables: self-concept, evaluation of a privately consumed good (almost no one can see the user) and evaluation of a publicly consumed good (people can observe and identify the brand of the product with little or no difficulty, since it is used in public contexts). The factors we have examined in our study, as possible moderators of subjects’ reactions, are self-brand connection, nature of the product (private vs. public), self-monitoring and cultural capital. The data have been collected through an online questionnaire

Reflections on the contemporary city : architectures, memories and times in Porto Maravilha (RJ)

Orientador: Silvana Barbosa RubinoDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Filosofia e Ciências HumanasResumo: A Operação Urbana Consorciada da Região do Porto do Rio, chamada de Porto Maravilha, foi instituída pela lei complementar n.º 101 em 2009. Desde então, uma série de intervenções urbanas foram iniciadas nos bairros que compõe a região portuária do Rio de Janeiro (Saúde, Santo Cristo e Gamboa) e em partes dos bairros do Caju e São Cristóvão. Pensado como instrumento de promoção de mudança na estrutura urbana existente, o Porto Maravilha alinha arquitetura e urbanismo contemporâneo, patrimônio cultural e temporalidades no intento de ressignificar a região portuária transformada em imagem da a cidade do Rio de Janeiro. Posicionado como objeto de análise, busca-se refletir como, em meio à dinâmica do capitalismo financeiro do século XXI, produção de imagens e marketing urbano se desdobram sobre o espaço urbano consolidadoAbstract: The Joint Urban Operation of the Port of Rio Region, called Porto Marvilha, was instituted by complementary law no. 101 in 2009. Since then, a series of urban interventions have been initiated in the districts that make up the port region of Rio de Janeiro (Saúde, Santo Cristo and Gamboa) and in parts of the districts of Caju and São Cristóvão. Designed as an instrument to promote change in the existing urban structure, Porto Maravilha aligns contemporary architecture and urbanism, cultural heritage and temporalities in an attempt to re-signify the port region transformed into an image of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Positioned as an object of analysis, it seeks to analyze how, in the midst of the dynamics of financial capitalism of the 21st century, image production and urban marketing unfold on the consolidated urban spaceMestradoPolitica, Memoria e CidadeMestre em HistóriaCAPE

Immunoexpression of aromatase and estrogen receptors beta in stem spermatogonia of bullfrogs indicates a role of estrogen in the seasonal spermatogonial mitotic activity

Bullfrog stem spermatogonia, also named primordial germ cells (PGCs), show strong testosterone immunolabeling in winter, but no or weak testosterone immunoexpression in summer. Thus, the role of testosterone in these cells needs to be clarified. in this study, we proposed to evaluate whether PGCs express aromatase and estrogen receptors, and verify a possible role of estrogen in PGCs seasonal proliferation. Testes of male adult bullfrogs, collected in winter (WG) and summer (SG), were fixed and embedded in historesin, for quantitative analysis, or paraffin for immunohistochemistry (IHC). the number of haematoxylin/eosin stained PGCs/lobular area was obtained. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), aromatase, estrogen receptor beta (ER beta) and PCNA/ER beta double immunolabeling were detected by IHC. the number of PCNA-positive PGCs and the histological score (HSCORE) of aromatase and ER beta immunolabeled PGCs were obtained. Although the number of PGCs increased significantly in WG, a high number of PCNA-positive PGCs was observed in summer. Moreover, aromatase and ER beta HSCORE was higher in SG than WG. the results indicate that PGCs express a seasonal proliferative activity; the low mitotic activity in winter is related to the maximal limit of germ cells which can be supported in the large lobules. in SG, the increased ER beta and aromatase HSCORE suggests that testosterone is converted into estrogen from winter to summer. Moreover, the parallelism between the high PGCs mitotic activity and ER beta immunoexpression suggest a participation of estrogen in the control of the PGCs seasonal proliferative activity which guarantee the formation of new germ cysts from summer to next autumn. (c) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação para o Desenvolvimento da UNESP (FUNDUNESP)Fed Univ São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Morphol & Genet, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Sch Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Biol Sci, Araraquara, BrazilUniv Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Sch Dent, Dept Morphol,Lab Histol & Embryol, Araraquara, BrazilFed Univ São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Morphol & Genet, São Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 2009/17895-5FUNDUNESP: 00661/04-DFPWeb of Scienc

Optimalni uvjeti za proizvodnju biomase i rekombinantne glicerol kinaze s pomoću kvasca Pichia pastoris

The extracellular glycerol kinase gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (GUT1) was cloned into the expression vector pPICZα A and integrated into the genome of the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris X-33. The presence of the GUT1 insert was confirmed by PCR analysis. Four clones were selected and the functionality of the recombinant enzyme was assayed. Among the tested clones, one exhibited glycerol kinase activity of 0.32 U/mL, with specific activity of 0.025 U/mg of protein. A medium optimized for maximum biomass production by recombinant Pichia pastoris in shaker cultures was initially explored, using 2.31 % (by volume) glycerol as the carbon source. Optimization was carried out by response surface methodology (RSM). In preliminary experiments, following a Plackett-Burman design, glycerol volume fraction (φ(Gly)) and growth time (t) were selected as the most important factors in biomass production. Therefore, subsequent experiments, carried out to optimize biomass production, followed a central composite rotatable design as a function of φ(Gly) and time. Glycerol volume fraction proved to have a significant positive linear effect on biomass production. Also, time was a significant factor (at linear positive and quadratic levels) in biomass production. Experimental data were well fitted by a convex surface representing a second order polynomial model, in which biomass is a function of both factors (R²=0.946). Yield and specific activity of glycerol kinase were mainly affected by the additions of glycerol and methanol to the medium. The optimized medium composition for enzyme production was: 1 % yeast extract, 1 % peptone, 100 mM potassium phosphate buffer, pH=6.0, 1.34 % yeast nitrogen base (YNB), 4·10^–5 % biotin, 1 % methanol and 1 % glycerol, reaching 0.89 U/mL of glycerol kinase activity and 14.55 g/L of total protein in the medium after 48 h of growth.Gen za ekstracelularnu glicerol kinazu iz Saccharomyces cerevisiae (GUT1) kloniran je u ekspresijski vektor pPICZα A i integriran u genom metilotrofnog kvasca Pichia pastoris X-33. Prisutnost GUT1 potvrđena je PCR analizom. Izdvojena su četiri klona, u kojima je ispitana funkcionalnost rekombinantnog enzima. Jedan je od ispitanih klonova imao aktivnost glicerol kinaze od 0,32 U/mL i specifičnu aktivnost proteina od 0,0025 U/mg. Podloga za maksimalnu proizvodnju biomase na tresilici s pomoću rekombinantnog kvasca Pichia pastoris optimirana je uporabom glicerola, volumnog udjela od 2,31 %, kao izvora ugljika. Za optimiranje je upotrijebljena metoda odzivnih površina. U preliminarnim su ispitivanjima, primjenom Plackett-Burmanovog dizajna, određeni najvažniji čimbenici što utječu na proizvodnju biomase, a to su: volumni udio glicerola (φ(Gly)) i vrijeme uzgoja (t). Daljnji su eksperimenti provedeni radi optimiranja proizvodnje biomase, a pratili su centralno složeni dizajn kao funkciju volumnog udjela glicerola i vremena. Volumni je udio glicerola imao pozitivni linearni utjecaj na proizvodnju biomase. Vrijeme uzgoja je također bitno utjecalo (na razini linearno pozitivnih i kvadratnih zavisnosti) na proizvodnju biomase. Eksperimentalni su se podaci dobro uklapali u konveksnu funkciju koja opisuje polinom drugoga reda, u kojem je biomasa funkcija obaju faktora (R²=0,946). Prinos i specifična aktivnost glicerol kinaze ponajprije su ovisili o dodatku glicerola i metanola podlozi. Sastav optimirane podloge za proizvodnju enzima bio je: 1 % kvaščeva ekstrakta, 1 % peptona, 100 mM fosfatnog pufera (pH=6,0), 1,34 % podloge s kvascem i dušikom, 4·10^-5 % biotina, 1 % metanola i 1 % glicerola, pomoću kojih je dobivena aktivnost glicerol kinaze od 0,89 U/mL i koncentracija ukupnih proteina od 14,55 g/L u podlozi nakon 48 sati uzgoja

ANTEPARTUM DISTRESS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Background: The present study investigates the impact of the Coronavirus diseases 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic on the subjective experience of pregnant women, as well as the impact of the pandemic on this population in terms of psychopathological correlates. Subjects and methods: Pregnant women referring to the Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the General Hospital of Perugia, Italy, were recruited from 1st May, 2021 to 15th June, 2021. Socio-demographic and clinical data was collected, as well as information regarding the Covid-19 pandemic impact on the subjective experience of pregnancy. Psychopathology was evaluated by means of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y (STAI-Y), the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) and the Prenatal Distress Measure (Pre-DM). Descriptive analyses were performed. Significant associations between distress symptoms and the collected sociodemographic and clinical variables were assessed by using the Pearson correlation (p<0.05). Results: 25 women were included in the study. Among these, 18 (72%) reported that the Covid-19 pandemic negatively impacted their experience of pregnancy. Were detected an average Pre-DM total score of 7.28±4.33 and an average state anxiety scale value of 35.56+-9.21 and an average trait anxiety scale value of 34.04+-7.44 at the STAI-Y. A global severity index > 1 at SCL-90 was detected in 8.3% of the sample. Conclusions: The identification of antepartum distress and the early treatment of perinatal psychopathology represent a priority during the Covid-19 pandemic era

ANTEPARTUM DISTRESS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Background: The present study investigates the impact of the Coronavirus diseases 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic on the subjective experience of pregnant women, as well as the impact of the pandemic on this population in terms of psychopathological correlates. Subjects and methods: Pregnant women referring to the Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the General Hospital of Perugia, Italy, were recruited from 1st May, 2021 to 15th June, 2021. Socio-demographic and clinical data was collected, as well as information regarding the Covid-19 pandemic impact on the subjective experience of pregnancy. Psychopathology was evaluated by means of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y (STAI-Y), the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) and the Prenatal Distress Measure (Pre-DM). Descriptive analyses were performed. Significant associations between distress symptoms and the collected sociodemographic and clinical variables were assessed by using the Pearson correlation (p<0.05). Results: 25 women were included in the study. Among these, 18 (72%) reported that the Covid-19 pandemic negatively impacted their experience of pregnancy. Were detected an average Pre-DM total score of 7.28±4.33 and an average state anxiety scale value of 35.56+-9.21 and an average trait anxiety scale value of 34.04+-7.44 at the STAI-Y. A global severity index > 1 at SCL-90 was detected in 8.3% of the sample. Conclusions: The identification of antepartum distress and the early treatment of perinatal psychopathology represent a priority during the Covid-19 pandemic era

Expression of interferon-γ, interferon-α and related genes in individuals with Down syndrome and periodontitis

AbstractBackgroundRecently, attenuation of anti-inflammatory and increase of pro-inflammatory mediators was demonstrated in individuals with Down syndrome (DS) in comparison with euploid patients during periodontal disease (PD), suggesting a shift to a more aggressive inflammation in DS.AimTo determine the influence of DS in the modulation of interferons (IFNs) signaling pathway in PD.Materials and methodsClinical periodontal assessment was performed and gingival tissue samples obtained from a total of 51 subjects, including 19 DS individuals with PD, 20 euploid individuals with PD and 12 euploid individuals without PD. Expression levels of interferon-gamma (IFNG) and interferon-alpha (IFNA), and their receptors IFNGR1, IFNGR2, IFNAR1 and IFNAR2, the signaling intermediates Janus kinase 1 (JAK1), signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) and interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1) were determined using real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).ResultsClinical signs of periodontal disease were markedly more severe in DS and euploid patients with PD in comparison to euploid and periodontally healthy patients. There was no difference on mRNA levels of IFNA, IFNG, INFGR2, IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 between DS and euploid individuals, even though some of these genes are located on chromosome 21. STAT1 and IRF1 mRNA levels were significantly lower in DS patients in comparison with euploid individuals with PD. In euploid individuals, PD was associated with an increased expression of IFNGR1, IFNGR2, IFNAR1, STAT1 and IRF1.ConclusionsReduced expression of STAT1 and IRF1 genes indicate an impaired activation of IFNs signaling in individuals with DS and PD. Expression of IFNA, IFNG and IFN receptors was not altered in DS patients, indicating that indirect mechanisms are involved in the reduced activation of IFN signaling