Leveraging the Country-of-Origin Image by managing it at different levels

The study aims to articulate the Country-of-Origin Image (COI) at different levels (country, industry and firm levels) by advancing the knowledge and exploring ways to manage the COI at different levels underpinned on corporate brand and brand architecture strategies. For that, a mixed-methods approach was conducted where a qualitative study—looking into the case of the Brazilian Machinery Solutions Programme (BMS)—was carried out in combination with a quantitative survey held with a specific target country (Colombia). Data for the quantitative study were collected with 89 Colombian industrial buyers using Brazil as a manufacturer-supplier and country of reference. Findings indicate the relevance of managing the COI at different levels and highlight the development of the COI at the industry level. This demonstrates that nation-branding and COI literature should be developed and articulated using strategic marketing programmes and brand architecture elements. The study advances the body of knowledge in the COI literature by analysing it within three different levels and offers a framework to manage the COI using corporate brand and brand architecture elements, which is beneficial to institutions, governments, trade agencies, industry associations and firms to leverage the COI by understanding aspects of it transferrable to industry and firm levels

Tos4 mediates gene expression homeostasis through interaction with HDAC complexes independently of H3K56 acetylation

Saccharomyces cerevisiae exhibits gene expression homeostasis, which is defined as the buffering of transcription levels against changes in DNA copy number during the S phase of the cell cycle. It has been suggested that S. cerevisiae employs an active mechanism to maintain gene expression homeostasis through Rtt109-Asf1-dependent acetylation of histone H3 on lysine 56 (H3K56). Here, we show that gene expression homeostasis can be achieved independently of H3K56 acetylation by Tos4 (Target of Swi6-4). Using Nanostring technology, we establish that Tos4-dependent gene expression homeostasis depends on its forkhead-associated (FHA) domain, which is a phosphopeptide recognition domain required to bind histone deacetylases (HDACs). We demonstrate that the mechanism of Tos4-dependent gene expression homeostasis requires its interaction with the Rpd3L HDAC complex. However, this is independent of Rpd3’s well-established roles in both histone deacetylation and controlling the DNA replication timing program, as established by deep sequencing of Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorted (FACS) S and G2 phase populations. Overall, our data reveals that Tos4 mediates gene expression homeostasis through its FHA domain-dependent interaction with the Rpd3L complex, which is independent of H3K56ac

Process Monitoring of Moisture Content and Mass Transfer Rate in a Fluidised Bed with a Low Cost Inline MEMS NIR Sensor

Purpose The current trend for continuous drug product manufacturing requires new, affordable process analytical techniques (PAT) to ensure control of processing. This work evaluates whether property models based on spectral data from recent Fabry–Pérot Interferometer based NIR sensors can generate a high-resolution moisture signal suitable for process control. Methods Spectral data and offline moisture content were recorded for 14 fluid bed dryer batches of pharmaceutical granules. A PLS moisture model was constructed resulting in a high resolution moisture signal, used to demonstrate (i) endpoint determination and (ii) evaluation of mass transfer performance. Results The sensors appear robust with respect to vibration and ambient temperature changes, and the accuracy of water content predictions (±13 % ) is similar to those reported for high specification NIR sensors. Fusion of temperature and moisture content signal allowed monitoring of water transport rates in the fluidised bed and highlighted the importance water transport within the solid phase at low moisture levels. The NIR data was also successfully used with PCA-based MSPC models for endpoint detection. Conclusions The spectral quality of the small form factor NIR sensor and its robustness is clearly sufficient for the construction and application of PLS models as well as PCA-based MSPC moisture models. The resulting high resolution moisture content signal was successfully used for endpoint detection and monitoring the mass transfer rate

CLOUD POINT EXTRACTION/PRECONCENTRATION OF COPPER IONS EXPLOITING THE FORMATION OF COMPLEXES WITH DMIT [4,5-DIMERCAPTO-1,3-DITHYOL-2-THIONATE]

CLOUD POINT EXTRACTION/PRECONCENTRATION OF COPPER IONS EXPLOITING THE FORMATION OF COMPLEXES WITH DMIT [4,5-DIMERCAPTO-1,3-DITHYOL-2-THIONATE]. The present study proposes a method for cloud point preconcentration of copper ions at pH 2.0 based on complexes formed with [4,5-dimercapto-1,3-dithyol-2-thionate] and subsequent determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Under optimal analytical conditions, the method provided limits of detection of 0.84 and 0.45 mu g L-1, by preconcentrating 12.0 and 24.0 mL of sample, respectively. The method was applied for copper determination in water samples, synthetic saliva, guarana powder, tea samples and soft drinks and the accuracy was assessed by analyzing the certified reference materials Dogfish Liver (DOLT-4) and Lobster Hepatopancreas (TORT-2).3581600160

Chromosome phylogeny of the subfamily Pitheciinae (Platyrrhini, Primates) by classic cytogenetics and chromosome painting

Background: The New World monkey (Platyrrhini) subfamily Pitheciinae is represented by the genera Pithecia, Chiropotes and Cacajao. In this work we studied the karyotypes of Pithecia irrorata (2n = 48) and Cacajao calvus rubicundus (2n = 45 in males and 2n = 46 in females) by G-and C-banding, NOR staining and chromosome painting using human and Saguinus oedipus whole chromosome probes. The karyotypes of both species were compared with each other and with Chiropotes utahicki (2n = 54) from the literature. Results: Our results show that members of the Pitheciinae have conserved several chromosome forms found in the inferred ancestral Platyrrhini karyotype (associations of human homologous segments 3a/21, 5/7a, 2b/16b, 8a/18, 14/15a and 10a/16a). Further, the monophyly of this subfamily is supported by three chromosomal synapomorphies (2a/10b, an acrocentric 15/14 and an acrocentric human 19 homolog). In addition, each species presents several autapomorphies. From this data set we established a chromosomal phylogeny of Pitheciinae, resulting in a single most parsimonious tree. Conclusions: In our chromosomal phylogeny, the genus Pithecia occurred in a more basal position close to the inferred ancestor of Platyrrhini, while C. c. rubicundus and C. utahicki are closely related and are linked by exclusive synapomorphies

Recent trends in molecular diagnostics of yeast infections : from PCR to NGS

The incidence of opportunistic yeast infections in humans has been increasing over recent years. These infections are difficult to treat and diagnose, in part due to the large number and broad diversity of species that can underlie the infection. In addition, resistance to one or several antifungal drugs in infecting strains is increasingly being reported, severely limiting therapeutic options and showcasing the need for rapid detection of the infecting agent and its drug susceptibility profile. Current methods for species and resistance identification lack satisfactory sensitivity and specificity, and often require prior culturing of the infecting agent, which delays diagnosis. Recently developed high-throughput technologies such as next generation sequencing or proteomics are opening completely new avenues for more sensitive, accurate and fast diagnosis of yeast pathogens. These approaches are the focus of intensive research, but translation into the clinics requires overcoming important challenges. In this review, we provide an overview of existing and recently emerged approaches that can be used in the identification of yeast pathogens and their drug resistance profiles. Throughout the text we highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each methodology and discuss the most promising developments in their path from bench to bedside

SSwWS: structural model of information architecture

The Web Technologies allow a representation of a domain of knowledge. This facilitates the conversion of an explicit and tacit knowledge to the possibility of adding knowledge to the Web for automatic processing by the computer. For this reason, it has been designed to be an architecture known as SSwWS (Search Semantic with Web Services) or Search Semantic Web Services, to show how to extend the functionality of the Web search and semantic raised by Berners-Lee, on the meta-references, defined in a Web ontology, so that a user on the Internet can find the answers to their questions through Web services in a simple and fast

CENTRO DE PARTO NORMAL COMO ESTRATÉGIA DE INCENTIVO AO PARTO NORMAL: ESTUDO DESCRITIVO

Recientemente se verificó un esfuerzo gubernamental para reducir las tasas de cesariana en el sector público y cualificar la asistencia al parto normal. Así, se crearon los Centros de Parto Normal (CPN) destinados al acompañamiento de nacimientos fisiológicos, a cargo de enfermeras obstétricas. Este estudio descriptivo tuvo como objetivo caracterizar a las parturientas en cuanto a la edad materna, historia obstétrica, condiciones del parto y del recién-nacido en un CPN, en la ciudad de São Paulo. Se utilizaron datos secundarios de registros de nacimientos atendidos por enfermeras obstétricas y se analizaron 1.860 registros de partos ocurridos en julio y agosto de 2001. Los resultados indican: edad media de 23,7 años; 44,4% de nulíparas; 79,0% de partos normales; peso medio de los recién-nacidos de 3.174g; Apgar ≥7 en el primer y quinto minutos en 93,7% y 99,1% de los recién nacidos, respectivamente. Se concluyó que la atención al parto hecha por enfermeras obstétricas es importante para valorar la fisiología del parto y nacimiento, con indicadores obstétricos y neonatales de calidad.Tem-se verificado um esforço governamental para reduzir as taxas de cesariana no setor público e qualificar a assistência ao parto normal. Assim, foram criados Centros de Parto Normal (CPN) destinados ao acompanhamento de nascimentos fisiológicos, a cargo de enfermeiras obstétricas. Este estudo descritivo teve como objetivo caracterizar as parturientes quanto à idade materna, história obstétrica, condições do parto e do recémnascido em um CPN, na cidade de São Paulo. Utilizaram-se dados secundários de registros de nascimentos assistidos por enfermeiras obstétricas. Foram analisados 1.860 registros de partos ocorridos em julho e agosto de 2001. Os resultados indicam: idade média de 23,7 anos; 44,4% de nulíparas; 79,0% de partos normais; peso médio dos recém-nascidos de 3.174 g; índice de Apgar ≥7 no primeiro e quinto minutos em 93,7% e 99,1% dos recémnascidos, respectivamente. Concluiu-se que a assistência prestada por enfermeiras obstétricas em CPN vai ir ao encontro da valorização da fisiologia do parto e nascimento, com indicadores neonatais e obstétricos de qualidade

Dynamics of early establishment of SARS-CoV-2 VOC Omicron lineages in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Brazil is one of the nations most affected by Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The introduction and establishment of new virus variants can be related to an increase in cases and fatalities. The emergence of Omicron, the most modified SARS-CoV-2 variant, caused alarm for the public health of Brazil. In this study, we examined the effects of the Omicron introduction in Minas Gerais (MG), the second-most populous state of Brazil. A total of 430 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) samples from November 2021 to June 2022 from Belo Horizonte (BH) city were sequenced. These newly sequenced genomes comprise 72% of all previously available SARS-CoV-2 genomes for the city. Evolutionary analysis of novel viral genomes reveals that a great diversity of Omicron sublineages have circulated in BH, a pattern in-keeping with observations across Brazil more generally. Bayesian phylogeographic reconstructions indicate that this diversity is a product of a large number of international and national importations. As observed previously, São Paulo state is shown as a significant hub for viral spread throughout the country, contributing to around 70% of all viral Omicron introductions detected in MG