Technological innovation in banking services: an exploratory analysis to perceptions of the front office employee

It is widely recognized that the increased intensity of competition in the banking sector has had direct implications for financial institutions’ approach to customers and how they define their business strategy. Considering that the current economic stance embraces innovation and technology as fundamental elements of strategic management and business and economic development, new approaches to the relationship between technological innovation and financial services are essential in achieving competitive advantage. Based on this premise, the purpose of this paper is to analyze the main effects of technological innovation on financial services at the bank branch level by evaluating responses from front office employees. The results show that information and communication technologies are an important lever in the modernization of the sector. Practical implications, strengths and limitations of our empirical study are also presented.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Própolis: avaliação quantitativa da produção de própolis

O estudo foi realizado no posto apícola do INIAV, Tapada da Ajuda, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, tendo como objetivo a avaliação da produção de própolis, durante um período de 60 dias, em plena época de floração. Foram selecionadas e padronizadas vinte colónias de abelhas Apis melifera iberiensis instaladas em colmeias modelo “Lusitana”. Realizaram-se análises do ciclo biológico e classificaram-se as colónias, estimando-se, por observação direta, o número de abelhas da colónia e a percentagem de mel, pólen e criação presentes. Globalmente, nas avaliações efetuadas, as colónias encontravamse vigorosas e saudáveis. A própolis, recolhida com recurso a rede tipo mosquiteira, foi avaliada de duas em duas semanas. No final do ensaio, procedeu-se à limpeza da própolis, congelaram-se as redes, durante um período de 48 horas, e quantificou-se a própolis obtida. A produção total de própolis foi bastante díspar, entre colmeias, em média de 65,4±19,4 g, valor que se encontra de acordo com a bibliografia. Globalmente, obtiveram-se valores médios de produção superiores nas colónias com maior força, embora a genética de cada colónia tenha sido um aspeto relevante na produção de própolis. A rede tipo mosquiteira utilizada revelou ser pouco eficiente, quando da remoção da própolis, tendo-se conseguido obter apenas 23,8% da própolis produzida.The study was conducted in the apiculture post of INIAV, Hunting Reserve Aid, Superior Institute of Agronomy, having as objective the evaluation of propolis, over a period of 60 days, in full flowering season. Were selected and standardized twenty colonies of Apis bees in hives installed melifera iberiensis model "Lusitanian". Analyses were performed from biological cycle and the colonies were classified, by estimated, by direct observation, the number of bees from the colony, and the percentage of honey and pollen create present. Overall, the assessments made, the colonies found themselves strong and healthy. Propolis was collected using mosquito net type and evaluated every two weeks. At the end of the test proceeded to cleaning the propolis, the networks were frozen during a 48 hours period and quantitated propolis obtained. The total production of propolis were quite disparate, among hives on average 65.4 ± 19.4 g, a value which is in line with the literature. Overall, mean values were obtained at higher production colonies with greater strength, although the genetics of each colony was an important aspect in the production of propolis. The mosquito type network used proved to be inefficient in the removal of propolis, having managed to get only 23.8% of propolis produced

Life history traits and genotoxic effects on Daphnia magna exposed to waterborne uranium and to a uranium mine effluent - a transgenerational study

Assessing the impact of uranium mining industry on aquatic ecosystems near mining areas is critical to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of ecosystem services. As so, a transgenerational study with Daphnia magna has been conducted to perceive to what extent intermittent discharges of uranium mine effluents into watercourses may impact the DNA integrity and life history traits of cladocerans. Organisms were exposed for 48 h to a 2% dilution of an uranium mine effluent (UME) and to a corresponding dose of waterborne uranium (WU) that, according to our preliminary studies, induces significant DNA damage in daphnids. After exposure, organisms were transferred to clean medium, where three successive generations were monitored for genotoxicity and other effects at the individual and population level. Despite some differences between WU and UME data, our results revealed that the negative impacts of the short-term exposure gradually disappeared after placing the organisms in clean medium. These results suggest that, under intermittent stress, daphnids are able to recover, since after the 3rd brood release, DNA damage (measured as DNA strand breaks) is no longer observed and has no significant impact on the detectable life traits of offspring. Although our results indicate that populations of D. magna are not affected by intermittent and highly diluted discharges from uranium mining, aquatic systems under this kind of pressure should not be seen as hazardous-free. Future studies in this field are recommended and these should consider radionuclides in the water column, their accumulation in the sediments and also multiple life stages.publishe

Synthesis and characterization of sensitive hydrogels based on semi- interpenetrated networks of poly 2-ethyl-(2-pyrrolidone) methacrylate and hyaluronic acid

Sensitive hydrogels attract interest due to their soft wet appearance and shape response to environmental variations. The synthesis and characterization of semi-interpenetrated hydrogels obtained by radical-induced polymerization of 2-ethyl-(2-pyrrolidone)methacrylate (EPM) in the presence of different concentrations of hyaluronic acid (HA) using N,N′-methylene-bisacrylamide or triethylene glycol dimethacrylate as crosslinker, followed by freeze-drying, are described. Polymeric systems were characterized by NMR, FTIR, SEM, TGA, and DMA. PEPMHA hydrogels' mechanical properties and swelling were found to be intimately related to HA concentration and crosslinker. The swelling response was assessed for temperature and pH variation in order to study the behavior of the hydrogels. We found that the presence of HA in PEPM polymeric systems induced a sensitivity to pH variation rather than temperature. Finally, the biocompatibility profile of the hydrogels was evaluated, using mesenchymal stem cells. Cell adhesion and proliferation results revealed the non-cytotoxicity of the systems. We estimate that PEPMHA hydrogels can be used for applications in tissue engineering and for the controlled release of bioactive compounds.Contract grant sponsor: Marie Curie Early Stage Training Alea Jacta Est; contract grant number: MEST-CT-2004-8104The authors thank David Gomez, Sofia Caridade, and Justyna Chojnacka for their technical support and BIOIBERICA for the supply of hyaluronic acid. This work was carried out under the scope of the European NoE EXPERTISSUES, projects MAT 2007-63355, PTDC/QUI/68804/2006 (FCT), CIBER-BBN and Plan-E 2009-0144. In the memory of Prof. Roberto Sastre

A semiautomated microfluidic platform for real-time investigation of nanoparticles' cellular uptake and cancer cells' tracking

Aims: develop a platform composed of labeled dendrimer nanoparticles and a microfluidic device for real-time monitoring of cancer cells fate. Materials and Methods: The physicochemical and biological characterization of the developed Carboxymethyl-chitosan/poly(amidoamine) (CMCht/PAMAM) dendrimer nanoparticles were performed using TEM, AFM, Zeta Sizer, DSC and cytotoxicity screening. Cancer cell lines derived from different tumor types, including HeLa (Cervical Carcinoma), HCT-116 (Colon Carcinoma) and U87MG (Glioblastoma), were exposed to different concentrations of CMCht/PAMAM dendrimer nanoparticles over a period of 3 days (MTS/DNA). Results: Nanoparticles were successfully modified with an average size of 50 nm. Internalization levels go from 87% to 100% in static and from 95% to 100% in dynamic conditions. Viability levels range from 95% to 100% in static and from 90% to 100% in dynamic conditions, being HCT the most sensitive to the presence of the NP. Conclusions: the results show different responses to the presence of 0.5 mg.mL-1 dendrimer nanoparticles when comparing static to dynamic conditions, with a tendency towards higher sensitivity when subjected to confinement. This work demonstrated that the proposed microfluidic-based platform allows real-time cell monitoring, which, upon more studies, namely the assessment of the drug release effect, could be used for cancer theranostics.FR Maia acknowledges ERC-2012-ADG 20120216–321266 (ComplexiTE) for her Postdoc scholarship. JM Oliveira thanks Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for his distinction attributed under the FCT Investigator program (IF/00423/2012). BM Costa also thanks Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (PTDC/SAU-GMG/113795/2009 and IF/00601/2012 to BM Costa), Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian (BM Costa) and Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro (BM Costa). MR Carvalho also thanks the funding through the LA ICVS/3Bs project (UID/Multi/50026/2013). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Optimal design of THEDES based on Perillyl Alcohol and Ibuprofen

Therapeutic deep eutectic systems (THEDES) have dramatically expanded their popularity in the pharmaceutical field due to their ability to increase active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) bioavailability. However, their biological performance has not yet been carefully scrutinized. Herein, THEDES based on the binary mixture of perillyl alcohol (POH) and ibuprofen (IBU) were prepared using different molar ratios. Our comprehensive strategy includes the characterization of their thermal and structural behavior to identify the molar ratios that successfully form deep eutectic systems. The in vitro solubility of the different systems prepared has demonstrated that, unlike other reported examples, the presence of the terpene did not affect the solubility of the anti-inflammatory agent in a physiological simulated media. The biological performance of the systems was studied in terms of their antimicrobial activity against a wide panel of microorganisms. The examined THEDES showed relevant antimicrobial activity against all tested microbial strains, with the exception of P. aeruginosa. A synergistic effect from the combination of POH and IBU as a eutectic system was verified. Furthermore, the cytotoxic profile of these eutectic systems towards colorectal cancer (CRC) in vitro cell models was also evaluated. The results provide the indication that the cell viability varies in a dose-dependent manner, with a selective THEDES action towards CRC cells. With tunable bioactivities in a ratio-dependent manner, THEDES enhanced the antimicrobial and anticancer properties, representing a possible alternative to conventional therapies. Therefore, this study provides foreseeable indications about the utility of THEDES based on POH and IBU as strong candidates for novel active pharmaceutical systems.Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), through project PTDC/BBB-490 EBB/1676/2014–Des.Zyme, Light2Skin-PTDC/CTM-CTM/29813/2017 and ERC-2016-CoG 725034 (ERC Consolidator Grant Des.solve). E.S. would also like to acknowledge the financial support by the FCT through the doctoral grant with reference number SFHR/BD/143902/2019. J.M.S. would also like to acknowledge the financial support by the FCT through the post-doctoral grant with reference number SFRH/BPD/116779/201

Raman spectrometry as a tool for an online control of a phototrophic biological nutrient removal process

UIDP/04378/2020 UIDB/04378/2020 PD/BD/114574/2016Real-time bioprocess monitoring is crucial for efficient operation and effective bioprocess control. Aiming to develop an online monitoring strategy for facilitating optimization, fault detection and decision-making during wastewater treatment in a photo-biological nutrient removal (photo-BNR) process, this study investigated the application of Raman spectroscopy for the quantifi-cation of total organic content (TOC), volatile fatty acids (VFAs), carbon dioxide (CO2 ), ammonia (NH3 ), nitrate (NO3 ), phosphate (PO4 ), total phosphorus (total P), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), total carbohydrates, total and volatile suspended solids (TSSs and VSSs, respectively). Specifically, partial least squares (PLS) regression models were developed to predict these parameters based on Raman spectra, and evaluated based on a full cross-validation. Through the optimization of spectral pre-processing, Raman shift regions and latent variables, 8 out of the 11 parameters that were investigated—namely TOC, VFAs, CO2, NO3, total P, PHAs, TSSs and VSSs—could be predicted with good quality by the respective Raman-based PLS calibration models, as shown by the high coefficient of determination (R2 > 90.0%) and residual prediction deviation (RPD > 5.0), and relatively low root mean square error of cross-validation. This study showed for the first time the high potential of Raman spectroscopy for the online monitoring of TOC, VFAs, CO2, NO3, total P, PHAs, TSSs and VSSs in a photo-BNR reactor.publishersversionpublishe

Rheological and mechanical properties of acellular and cellladen methacrylated gellan gum hydrogels

Tissue engineered hydrogels hold great potential as nucleus pulposus substitutes (NP), as they promote intervertebral disc (IVD) regeneration and re-establish its original function. But, the key to their success in future clinical applications greatly depends on its ability to replicate the native 3D micro-environment and circumvent their limitation in terms of mechanical performance. In the present study, we investigated the rheological/mechanical properties of both ionic- (iGG-MA) and photo-crosslinked methacrylated gellan gum (phGG-MA) hydrogels. Steady shear analysis, injectability and confined compression stress-relaxation tests were carried out. The injectability of the reactive solutions employed for the preparation of iGG-MA and phGG-MA hydrogels was firstly studied, then the zero-strain compressive modulus and permeability of the acellular hydrogels were evaluated.In addition, human intervertebral disc (hIVD) cells encapsulated in both iGG-MA and phGG-MA hydrogels were cultured in vitro, and its mechanical properties also investigated under dynamic mechanical analysis at 37ºC and pH 7.4. After 21 d of culturing, hIVD cells were alive (Calcein AM) and the E’ of ionic-crosslinked hydrogels and photo-crosslinked was higher than that observed for acellular hydrogels. Our study suggests that methacrylated gellan gum hydrogels present promising mechanical and biological performance as hIVD cells were producing extracellular matrix

Evaluation of different formulations of gellan gum-based hydrogels for tissue engineering of intervertebral disc

Gellan gum based-hydrogels present advantageous features for application as acellular and cellular nucleus pulposus (NP) substitutes due to the possibility of fine-tuning its physico-chemical and biological properties. In this study, ionic-crosslinked hydrogel discs were produced by means of mixing a raw and chemically modified material, i.e., high acyl gellan gum (HAGG) and methacrylated low acyl gellan gum (GG-MA), respectively. The hydrogel discs were characterized in terms of its mechanical properties and degradation/swelling ability. The biocompatibility of the different hydrogel formulations was assessed in vitro using NP rabbit cells isolated from the intervertebral disc. The biological performance of the developed gellan gum-based hydrogels formulations was evaluated by: (i) culturing of NP cells in the presence of the hydrogel leachables, and (ii) seeding or encapsulation of the NP cells within the hydrogels. The present work demonstrated that as HAGG content increases, the modulus of the hydrogels decreases. Moreover, the increase of the HAGG content induces a higher weight loss of the GG-MA/HA-GG formulation as compared to GG-MA hydrogel. The in vitro study revealed that hydrogels are non-cytotoxic and support the encapsulation of rabbit NP cells. The methacrylated gellan gum and formulations possessing high acyl gellan gum present tunable properties that may be interesting for application as NP substitutes

Injectable gellan gum-based hydrogels for intervertebral disc regeneration

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a challenging pathology that, due to the inefficiency of the current treatments, urgently demands for the development of new regenerative approaches[1]. The best viable implant material for nucleus pulposus (NP) regeneration has yet to be identified, but it is believed that biodegradable hydrogelbased materials are promising candidates[2]. In this work, we are proposing the use of ionic- and photocrosslinked methacrylated gellan gum (GG-MA) hydrogels as potential acellular and cellular injectable scaffolds for IVD regeneration