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Real Estate investment analysis of a car park development in Frankfurt
No full textThe following work project analyses an investment proposal for a car park development on a
property located in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The analysis is based on an existing property
and structured as a conventional real estate investment analysis, basing the investment decision
on a comprehensive market, location and financial analysis. With an innovative long-stay
parking concept, the result of this analysis shall establish if a car park development provides
the optimal utilisation for the subject property and whether such an investment is feasible and
shall be recommended under the current macro-environment
X Chromosome Inactivation in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
No full textIntrodução: O lúpus eritematoso sistémico (LES) é uma doença imuno-mediada com elevada morbilidade e mortalidade. A prevalência nas mulheres (XX) é muito superior à dos homens (XY) e aumenta na síndrome do triplo X (XXX) e de Klinefelter (XXY) e diminui na de Turner (XO). Há, assim, uma associação entre o número de cromossomas X e o risco de lúpus. Em cada célula da mulher um dos cromossomas X é silenciado aleatoriamente para igualar a informação genética entre os sexos. A Inativação do Cromossoma X (ICX) é regulada por um RNA não codificante: o XIST. A inativação preferencial de um dos cromossomas X, a desregulação da expressão do XIST e a produção de anticorpos contra o XIST e as proteínas às quais se liga podem estar envolvidos na patogénese do LES. Objetivos: Estudar a ICX no LES.
Métodos: Estudo de doentes com LES (critérios ACR/EULAR 2019) e controlos saudáveis. Isolamento de monócitos e linfócitos B e T (CD4+ e CD8+) por FACS. Quantificação do XIST por PCR quantitativo. Análise da inativação do cromossoma X pelo método HUMARA e pyrosequencing.
Resultados: 1) Os doentes com LES tinham uma elevação dos níveis de XIST em comparação com os controlos saudáveis. Esta diferença é estatisticamente significativa para os linfócitos B (p=0.0092) e os linfócitos T CD4+ (p=0.0077). 2) A expressão de XIST estava significativamente aumentada em monócitos de doentes com LN ativo versus LN inativo (p=0.0140). 3) Pelo método HUMARA, a distorção do ICX (≥70%) ocorreu mais frequentemente no LES (linfócitos T CD4+: 38% dos doentes com LES vs 15% dos controlos; linfócitos B: 29% dos doentes com LES vs 11% dos controlos). Utilizando o pyrosequencing em linfócitos B, ICX foi aleatória em todos os controlos, tendo sido encontrada uma inativação preferencial em 27% dos doentes com LES com o SNP XIST rs16 e em 11% com o SNP XIST rs18.
Discussão: Os resultados evidenciam o potencial envolvimento da ICX na patogénese do LES.Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an immune-mediated disease with high morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of SLE in women (XX) is much higher than in men (XY) and increases in triple X syndrome (XXX) and Klinefelter syndrome (XXY) and decreases in Turner syndrome (XO). There is, therefore, an association between the number of X chromosomes and the risk of lupus in each female cell, one of the X chromosomes is randomly silenced to equalize the genetic information in the X chromosome between the sexes. X chromosome inactivation (XCI) is regulated by XIST, a long non-coding RNA. Preferential inactivation of one of the X chromosomes, XIST expression deregulation, and the production of autoantibodies against the XIST ribonucleoprotein complex may be involved in SLE pathogenesis.
Objectives: To study XCI in SLE.
Methods: Study of patients with SLE (2019 ACR/EULAR criteria) and healthy controls. Isolation of monocytes and B and T lymphocytes (CD4+ and CD8+) by FACS. Quantification of XIST by quantitative PCR. Analysis of the preferential inactivation of one of the X chromosomes by HUMARA and pyrosequencing.
Results: 1) XIST was over-expressed in SLE patients compared to healthy controls. This difference was statistically significant for B lymphocytes (p=0.0092) and CD4+ T lymphocytes (p=0.0077). 2) XIST expression was significantly increased in monocytes of patients with active vs inactive LN (p=0.0140). 3) By the HUMARA method, skewing XCI (≥70%) was more common in SLE (CD4+ T lymphocytes: 38%of SLE patients vs 15% of controls; B lymphocytes: 29% of SLE patients vs 11% of controls). Using the pyrosequencing method in B lymphocytes, the controls were all randomly inactivated, and preferential inactivation was found in 27% of SLE patients with the SNP XIST rs16 and 11% with the SNP XIST rs18.
Discussion: These results highlight the potential involvement of XCI in the pathogenesis of SLE
Evolution of shared service centers: exploring the transformative power of artificial intelligence
No full textAs Artificial Intelligence (AI) gains increasing relevance across various segments,
understanding its transformative power on Shared Service Centers (SSCs) is essential.
Therefore, this paper explores the impact of AI on SSCs in collaboration with Horváth.
Through literature review, it defines AI and SSCs and assesses the current state of AI
integration. Employing expert interviews, the research identifies AI as an effective enabler for
different SSC features but also reveals challenges that are posed by the integration of AI.
Therefore, diverse managerial implications for successful AI integration are provided.
Comparative insights from a Henkel case study enrich the analysis
Otimização de Operações CIP na Indústria Cervejeira
No full textAs limpezas Clean-In-Place (CIP) correspondem à limpeza automatizada dos equipamentos, sendo compostas por vários passos cujo objetivo é a eliminação de todo o tipo de resíduos para garantir a maior segurança possível na Indústria Alimentar.
A presente dissertação teve como objetivo estudar os processos CIP das áreas das Adegas e Filtração da Sociedade Central de Cervejas e Bebidas, realizar uma caracterização dos mesmos, perceber de que forma podem ser otimizados com vista à poupança de recursos e ainda desenvolver um plano de validação da eficácia de limpeza através da bioluminescência
de ATP.
A caracterização feita às CIPs através de um levantamento de dados permitiu reunir toda a informação num único ficheiro de utilidade futura para a empresa. As CIPs abordadas neste trabalho dividem-se em circuitos frios e quentes, os circuitos frios representam 66% das CIPs das áreas mencionadas e os quentes 34%. Esta caracterização também possibilitou a identificação dos Tanques que apresentavam um maior consumo de água no período de um ano.
A informação acerca dos tanques com consumo de água superior resultou em testes para a otimização da sua receita CIP. Através das otimizações validadas e implementadas foi possível alcançar poupanças de 31415hl/ano, 124h/ano e 4440€/ano.
Foi desenvolvido um plano de implementação de ATP para a SCC, tendo por base os testes comparativos de bioluminescência de ATP e microbiologia através de amostras emparelhadas que apresentaram uma concordância de 81% entre eles. Com este plano foram estabelecidos limites para a avaliação da bioluminescência e definidos os tanques prioritários para avaliação da eficácia de limpeza.
Para além da vertente de poupança de recursos, uma das grandes prioridades foi a manutenção da segurança alimentar, que foi alcançada, garantindo que não existiam resíduos de detergentes no fim das CIPs.Clean-In-Place (CIP) cleaning is the automated cleaning of equipment and consists of several steps aimed at eliminating all types of waste to ensure the greatest possible safety in the food industry.
The aim of this dissertation was to study the CIP processes in the Cellars and Filtration areas of Sociedade Central de Cervejas e Bebidas, to characterise them, to understand how they can be optimised in order to save resources and to develop a plan to validate cleaning efficiency using ATP bioluminescence.
Characterising the CIPs through a data survey made it possible to gather all the information in a single file that will be useful to the company in the future. The CIPs addressed in this work are divided into cold and hot circuits, with cold circuits accounting for 66 per cent of the CIPs in the areas mentioned and hot circuits for 34 per cent. This characterisation also made it possible to identify the tanks that consumed the most water over the course of a year.
The information about the tanks with the highest water consumption resulted in tests to optimise their CIP recipe. Through the optimisations validated and implemented, it was possible to achieve savings of 31415hl/year, 124h/year and 4440€/year.
An ATP implementation plan was developed for the SCC, based on comparative ATP
bioluminescence and microbiology tests using grilled samples, which showed 81 per cent agreement between them. With this plan, limits were set for the assessment of bioluminescence and priority tanks were defined for assessing cleaning effectiveness.
As well as saving resources, one of the main priorities was to maintain food safety, which was achieved by ensuring that there were no detergent residues at the end of the CIPs
Venture development in the leisure industry: recommendations for a platform based startup - designing a digital business model for personalised leisure exploration
No full textThis work project presents a venture designed to redefine leisure exploration and planning in
the experience economy, focusing on Millennials and Generation Z in Germany. The resulting
app distinguishes itself in the competitive industry by offering personalised and holistic leisure
and travel recommendations, addressing an identified market gap. The business model chapter
delves into the key components relevant to the idea and considers the characteristics of
platforms. As a result, suitable recommendations are proposed, and the idea is evaluated. This
work culminates in a user-centric solution that leverages technology, poised to transform how
modern consumers engage with leisure activities
A signals-based approach: unraveling the dynamics of ipo returns
No full textIn today’s capital markets, predicting the performance and fate of IPOs remains uncertain. This
research enhances our understanding of IPO dynamics and their implications by analyzing six
key financial metrics. The study emphasizes the need for a nuanced approach to explore the
interplay between financial ratios and returns. Using a signals approach, the research unveils a
deeper understanding of how selected financial metrics impact at-IPO returns. Results indicate
ROA, ROE and P/S ratios to be the best performers (highest ISR) and also ROA, not only the top
performer, but also the most illustrative multiple among all
The role of metabolism in neural stem cells proliferation in development and disease
No full textBrain development is a complex and highly coordinated process that involves interactions within the neural tissue, among its different cell types, and occurs in concert with the entire organism. Neural stem cells play a crucial role in generating the large majority of brain cells. However, the mechanisms that regulate the proliferation of neural stem cells are not yet fully understood. In this project, I use Drosophila melanogaster as an animal model to investigate the interorgan regulation of neural stem cell proliferation, called neuroblasts in flies, specifically focusing on the timing of their cell cycle exit. Additionally, I examine how dysregulation of neural stem cells can lead to uncontrolled neuroblast proliferation and tumor formation.
Preliminary data from the lab showed that the fat body plays a key role in interorgan communication, regulating neuroblast proliferation and ensuring timely cell cycle exit, or decommission, by secreting lipids to the brain. I further wanted to understand what role lipids played in neuroblast decommissioning. I showed that lipids are important to activate hedgehog signaling between neurons, the Hh producing cells, and neuroblasts, the receiving cells, in the brain to promote neuroblasts to cease proliferating and exit cell cycle.
Drosophila tumor neuroblasts evade normal cues for cell cycle exit, leading to indefinite proliferation supported by metabolic remodeling. Previous lab data revealed that a subset of tumor neuroblasts upregulate Ldh, although its role was unclear. I demonstrate that tumor neuroblasts overexpressing Ldh produce more lactate, which is not merely a byproduct but actively modifies proteins through increased lactylation. Additionally, I observed that heterogeneous upregulation of Ldh is conserved across Drosophila tumors, irrespective of tissue of origin
Analysing the profitability trade-off between price discounts and online advertising for Canyon bicycles - the role of advertising elasticities
No full textThis study analyses overstock sell-out strategies for COMPANY in the challenging German
bicycle market, comparing price discounts and advertising increase. Elasticity analysis reveals
that price reductions ( = -2.474) significantly impact demand more than advertising ( =
0.086). Both strategies are profitable, but 64% advertising increase is required to match profits
of 1% price discount. While discounts drive immediate revenue, advertising plays a key role in
building long-term customer relationship. The study's findings are specific to the examined
period, and while not universally applicable, they offer a methodology to continually assess and
integrate these concepts into marketing and sales strategies
Pneumococcal adaptation during invasion
No full text"Streptococcus pneumoniae, or the pneumococcus, frequently colonizes the human nasopharynx, particularly in children. From the nasopharynx, the pneumococcus can transit to other body sites and cause disease such as otitis media, pneumonia, bacteremia and meningitis. Multivalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV), targeting pneumococcal capsular types, or serotypes, have been designed and implemented since 2001, to reduce the incidence of pneumococcal disease worldwide. (...)"N/
Navigating turbulence in the Raytheon technologies merger: drivers of the merger: strategic alignment and synergy evaluation
No full textThis individual part examines the key strategic drivers and synergy expectations underpinning
the merger between UTC and Raytheon. The analysis focuses on how the merger sought to
achieve resilience and long-term growth through diversification, operational efficiencies, and
financial stability. The combination of UTC’s cyclical aerospace revenues with Raytheon’s
stable defence contracts aimed to balance risk and stabilise cash flows. Cost synergies of $1
billion were projected, driven by procurement, SG&A, and facility consolidation, while
financial synergies were expected through an improved credit rating and reduced WACC,
supported by the coinsurance effect. Additionally, the merger sought to leverage
complementary R&D capabilities to drive innovation synergies, though these were more
speculative in nature. The analysis is supported by case study materials and quantitative
valuation approaches provided in the instructor’s Excel model, enabling students to evaluate
whether the anticipated synergies justified the transaction’s complexity and risk