(RE)COMPREENDENDO O RELACIONAMENTO MARCA-CONSUMIDOR

Na área de marketing sabe-se que a marca pode estabelecer relacionamento com o consumidor. A maioria dos estudos que investigam esse fenômeno sugere que essa interação pode ser compreendida sob a ótica das relações interpessoais. A personalização da marca é a principal condição para possibilitar que isso ocorra, já que é torná-la um "ser vivo". Entretanto, não há consenso por parte de todos os acadêmicos acerca desse fato, pois a marca (por ser um objeto inanimado) seria incapaz de interagir com o consumidor como se fosse uma pessoa. Logo, essa relação deveria ser estudada sob a perspectiva dos relacionamentos entre objeto inanimado e pessoa: relações parassociais. Para lançar luz sobre esse impasse, este artigo objetiva (re)compreender o relacionamento marca-consumidor sob a perspectiva de um novo arcabouço conceitual. Para tal, ao longo do estudo são lançadas 13 (treze) proposições, as quais sugerem as circunstâncias em que essa relação deva ser concebida. Por fim, com base na teoria em uso no texto é apresentada e discutida uma representação do significado do relacionamento marca-consumido

Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the feces of schoolchildren of two different socioeconomic groups: children from a favela and children from a private school

OBJECTIVE: To determine the number of lactobacillus and bifidobacterium colonies in the feces of schoolchildren from two different socioeconomic levels. METHODS: We analyzed fecal samples of children aged 6 to 10 years without gastrointestinal symptoms or recent use of antimicrobials. The first group included 86 children living in a favela in the city of Osasco, state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. The second group included 36 children attending a private school in the same city. Body mass index (BMI) was used to assess nutritional status according to the reference values of the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Specific anaerobic culture media were used for isolation of colonies for 48 and 72 hours at 37 °C. The number of colonies was determined using the plate-counting method. RESULTS: The mean lactobacillus (1.125 x 10(9) colony-forming units, CFU/g) and bifidobacterium (1.675 x 10(9) CFU/g) counts in the private school group were higher (p -1.0 SD (n = 57): 0.350 x 10(9) and 0.420 x 10(9) CFU/g, respectively. CONCLUSION: The microbiota of schoolchildren living in unfavorable environmental conditions shows lower numbers of fecal lactobacillus and bifidobacterium colonies, especially in children with lower BMI values.OBJETIVO: Determinar o número de colônias de lactobacilos e bifidobactérias nas fezes de crianças escolares, pertencentes a dois estratos socioeconômicos. MÉTODOS: Foram analisadas amostras de fezes de crianças com idade entre 6 e 10 anos sem sintomas gastrointestinais ou uso recente de antimicrobianos. O primeiro grupo foi constituído por 86 crianças, moradoras em uma favela localizada no município de Osasco (SP). O segundo grupo foi constituído por 36 crianças matriculadas em uma escola particular da mesma cidade. O estado nutricional foi avaliado usando o índice de massa corporal (IMC) de acordo com os valores de referência do National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). O isolamento das colônias foi realizado em meios de cultura específicos em anaerobiose, durante 48 e 72 horas a 37 °C. A determinação do número foi feita pelo método da contagem em placa. RESULTADOS: A mediana de lactobacilos (1,125 x 10(9) unidades formadoras de colônia, UFC/g) e bifidobactérias (1,675 x 10(9) UFC/g) na escola particular foi superior (p -1,0 desvio padrão (n = 57): 0,350 x 10(9) e 0,420 x 10(9) UFC/g, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: A microbiota de crianças escolares que moram em condições ambientais desfavoráveis apresenta menor número de colônias de lactobacilos e bifidobactérias nas fezes, especialmente naquelas com menores valores do IMC.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de PediatriaUNIFESP Departamento de PediatriaCentro Universitário Fundação e Instituto de Educação de Osasco Departamento de Ciências da Saúde Instituto de Pesquisa UnolabUNIFIEO Departamento de Ciências da Saúde Instituto de Pesquisa UnolabUNIFIEO Departamento de PediatriaUNIFESP Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e ParasitologiaUNIFESP, Depto. de PediatriaUNIFESP, Depto. de PediatriaUNIFESP, Depto. de Microbiologia, Imunologia e ParasitologiaSciEL

Lipidomic Profile of Rhodotorula toruloides by GC/MS and Antioxidant Capacity of the Oil by DPPH and TLC-Plate Methods

This work was undertaken to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of Rhodotorula toruloides lipid extract in TLC plate, using the (DPPH) (1,1-diphenyl-2-picril-  hydrazine) method as an innovative way to visualise lipid groups that comprise this activity. Similarly, carotenoids and crude oil were analysed for  antioxidant capacity by the DPPH and β-carotene/linoleic acid methods. The lipidomic profile extract analysis was performed by GC/MS and HPLC/DAD.  The sample preparation for the GC/MS analysis was made by ultrasound-assisted transesterification. Free compounds were silylated with BSTFA (N,O-Bis  (trimethylsilyl) trifluoracetamide) + 1% TMCS (Trimethylchlorosilane). The analysis of the lipid extract showed that in the saponifiable fraction saturated  fatty acids (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were present; and in the unsaponifiable fraction were steroids and carotenoids. The antioxidant  capacity was expressed as IC50 reaching 6.4 mg/L that means relative efficiency. The oil profile, using TLC, shows the chemical groups:  carotenoids, acylglycerols, free fatty acids and steroids. Similarly, the GC/ MS analysis shows the fatty acids and steroids. The HPLC analysis describes the  carotenoids profile, highlighting b-carotene as the majority and the presence of β-carotene-5,8-epoxide, zeaxanthin and b-cryptoxanthin, characterising  the lipidomic study of this yeast

On human-in-the-loop CPS in healthcare: a cloud-enabled mobility assistance service

Despite recent advancements on cloud-enabled and human-in-the-loop cyber-physical systems, there is still a lack of understanding of how infrastructure-related quality of service (QoS) issues affect user-perceived quality of experience (QoE). This work presents a pilot experiment over a cloud-enabled mobility assistive device providing a guidance service and investigates the relationship between QoS and QoE in such a system. In our pilot experiment, we employed the CloudWalker, a system linking smart walkers and cloud platforms, to physically interact with users. Different QoS conditions were emulated to represent an architecture in which control algorithms are performed remotely. Results point out that users report satisfactory interaction with the system even under unfavorable QoS conditions. We also found statistically significant data linking QoE degradation to poor QoS conditions. We finalize discussing the interplay between QoS requirements, the human-in-the-loop effect, and the perceived QoE in healthcare applications

Influence of different adhesive systems on the pull-out bond strength of glass fiber posts

This in vitro study evaluated the tensile bond strength of glass fiber posts (Reforpost - Angelus-Brazil) cemented to root dentin with a resin cement (RelyX ARC - 3M/ESPE) associated with two different adhesive systems (Adper Single Bond - 3M/ESPE and Adper Scotchbond Multi Purpose (MP) Plus - 3M/ESPE), using the pull-out test. Twenty single-rooted human teeth with standardized root canals were randomly assigned to 2 groups (n=10): G1- etching with 37% phosphoric acid gel (3M/ESPE) + Adper Single Bond + #1 post (Reforpost - Angelus) + four #1 accessory posts (Reforpin - Angelus) + resin cement; G2- etching with 37% phosphoric acid gel + Adper Scotchbond MP Plus + #1 post + four #1 accessory posts + resin cement. The specimens were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 7 days and submitted to the pull-out test in a universal testing machine (EMIC) at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. The mean values of bond strength (kgf) and standard deviation were: G1- 29.163 ± 7.123; G2- 37.752 ±13.054. Statistical analysis (Student's t-test; a=0.05 showed no statistically significant difference (

Inflammation and adipose tissue: effects of progressive load training in rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Cytokines (IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α) are increased after exhaustive exercise in the rat retroperitoneal (RPAT) and mesenteric adipose tissue (MEAT) pads. On the other hand, these cytokines show decreased expression in these depots in response to a chronic exercise protocol. However, the effect of exercise with overload combined with a short recovery period on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine expression is unknown. In the present study, we investigated the regulation of cytokine production in the adipose tissue of rats after an overtraining-inducing exercise protocol.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Control (C), Trained (Tr), Overtrained (OT) and recovered overtrained (R). Cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10) levels and Toll Like Receptor 4 (TLR4), Nuclear Factor kBp65 (NF-kBp65), Hormone Sensitive Lipase (HSL) and, Perilipin protein expression were assessed in the adipose tissue. Furthermore, we analysed plasma lipid profile, insulin, testosterone, corticosterone and endotoxin levels, and liver triacylglycerol, cytokine content, as well as apolipoprotein B (apoB) and TLR4 expression in the liver.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>OT and R groups exhibited reduced performance accompanied by lower testosterone and increased corticosterone and endotoxin levels when compared with the control and trained groups. IL-6 and IL-10 protein levels were increased in the adipose tissue of the group allowed to recover, in comparison with all the other studied groups. TLR-4 and NF-kBp65 were increased in this same group when compared with both control and trained groups. The protein expression of HSL was increased and that of Perilipin, decreased in the adipose in R in relation to the control. In addition, we found increased liver and serum TAG, along with reduced apoB protein expression and IL-6 and IL-10 levels in the of R in relation to the control and trained groups.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In conclusion, we have shown that increases in pro-inflammatory cytokines in the adipose tissue after an overtraining protocol may be mediated via TLR-4 and NF-kBp65 signalling, leading to an inflammatory state in this tissue.</p

Enhancing Network Slicing Architectures with Machine Learning, Security, Sustainability and Experimental Networks Integration

Network Slicing (NS) is an essential technique extensively used in 5G networks computing strategies, mobile edge computing, mobile cloud computing, and verticals like the Internet of Vehicles and industrial IoT, among others. NS is foreseen as one of the leading enablers for 6G futuristic and highly demanding applications since it allows the optimization and customization of scarce and disputed resources among dynamic, demanding clients with highly distinct application requirements. Various standardization organizations, like 3GPP's proposal for new generation networks and state-of-the-art 5G/6G research projects, are proposing new NS architectures. However, new NS architectures have to deal with an extensive range of requirements that inherently result in having NS architecture proposals typically fulfilling the needs of specific sets of domains with commonalities. The Slicing Future Internet Infrastructures (SFI2) architecture proposal explores the gap resulting from the diversity of NS architectures target domains by proposing a new NS reference architecture with a defined focus on integrating experimental networks and enhancing the NS architecture with Machine Learning (ML) native optimizations, energy-efficient slicing, and slicing-tailored security functionalities. The SFI2 architectural main contribution includes the utilization of the slice-as-a-service paradigm for end-to-end orchestration of resources across multi-domains and multi-technology experimental networks. In addition, the SFI2 reference architecture instantiations will enhance the multi-domain and multi-technology integrated experimental network deployment with native ML optimization, energy-efficient aware slicing, and slicing-tailored security functionalities for the practical domain.Comment: 10 pages, 11 figure