Export Potential of Russian Pharmaceutical Companies in the Emerging Regional Clusters

The article provides an analysis of comparative importance of the company export potential growth factors in the emerging pharmaceutical clusters of the European part of Russia. The classification and assessment of export potential factors in terms of the elements of such potential (production, financial, labor, marketing potential) allowed identifying a strong link between cluster and regional factor groups and results of export activities. The goal of this paper is to propose to pharmaceutical companies involved in foreign trade activities a set of measures based on the test of a scientific hypothesis to improve their export potential. The authors have proposed and tested the hypothesis that the cumulative effect of these factors leads to increased export opportunities for the pharmaceutical cluster and promotes the effective integration of the region into the global economy. The methodological base of the research was provided by the method of geoeconomic analysis of the regional economy combined with the method of econometric modeling involving the use of mathematical statistics. After studying five Russian pharmaceutical clusters, including Belgorod, Kaluga, Moscow, Oryol, Yaroslavl clusters, the authors identified a causal link between the company export potential growth and the factors of competitiveness and cluster origin (interacting business chains, relationship and interoperability of functions, compact location in the region). The authors elaborated a set of measures to maximize the competitive advantages of cluster organization for export activities of pharmaceutical companies. The conclusions and recommendations of the study are intended for pharmaceutical companies and the authorities of regions that implement the concept of cluster development. To achieve sustainable growth of export potential and development objectives, Russian export-oriented companies should pay more attention to implementing the marketing and organizational innovations, competent optimization of commercial expenses within the cluster, and development of logistics chains for drug deliveries from the laboratory to the final consumers.The article has been prepared with the support of the Grant of Russian Humanitarian Science Foundation, Project № 15–32–01043 The Model for Integration of the Russian Region into the Global Economic Sphere through the Development and Adaptation of New Organizational. Structures

Arabidopsis HAP2/GCS1 is a gamete fusion protein homologous to somatic and viral fusogens

Cell-cell fusion is inherent to sexual reproduction. Loss of HAP LESS 2/GEN ERA TIVE CELL SPE CIF IC 1 (HAP2/GCS1) proteins results in gamete fusion failure in diverse organisms, but their exact role is unclear. In this study, we show that Arabidopsis thaliana HAP2/GCS1 is sufficient to promote mammalian cell-cell fusion. Hemifusion and complete fusion depend on HAP2/GCS1 presence in both fusing cells. Furthermore, expression of HAP2 on the surface of pseudotyped vesicular stomatitis virus results in homotypic virus-cell fusion. We demonstrate that the Caenorhabditis elegans Epithelial Fusion Failure 1 (EFF-1) somatic cell fusogen can replace HAP2/GCS1 in one of the fusing membranes, indicating that HAP2/GCS1 and EFF-1 share a similar fusion mechanism. Structural modeling of the HAP2/GCS1 protein family predicts that they are homologous to EFF-1 and viral class II fusion proteins (e.g., Zika virus). We name this superfamily Fusexins: fusion proteins essential for sexual reproduction and exoplasmic merger of plasma membranes. We suggest a common origin and evolution of sexual reproduction, enveloped virus entry into cells, and somatic cell fusion.Fil: Valansi, Clari. Technion- Israel Institute of Technology; IsraelFil: Moi, David. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas; ArgentinaFil: Leikina, Evgenia. National Institutes of Health; Estados UnidosFil: Matveev, Elena. Technion- Israel Institute of Technology; IsraelFil: Graña, Martín. Instituto Pasteur de Montevideo; UruguayFil: Chernomordik, Leonid V.. National Institutes of Health; Estados UnidosFil: Romero, Héctor. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Aguilar, Pablo Sebastián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas; ArgentinaFil: Podbilewicz, Benjamin. Technion- Israel Institute of Technology; Israe

A guide to the Treaty of Amsterdam

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:4567.4766(1/98) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo