69166 research outputs found
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Untangling the link between iron and the activity of the antifungal drug caspofungin
No full text"Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are responsible for an
unacceptably high number of deaths each year, posing a serious
global health threat. Among them, those caused by Candida species,
known as in invasive candidiasis (IC), are particularly concerning,
especially for critically ill patients who often undergo
immunosuppressive or intensive antibacterial therapies(...)"N/
Quorum sensing signaling in mammalian gut microbes
No full text"For a long time, bacteria were thought to function as individual organisms.
Currently, mounting evidence shows that bacteria form communities interacting and
communicating through cell-cell signaling mechanisms like quorum sensing (QS).
One of the most studied communities is the gut microbiota, which plays an
important role in human health. However, the role of cell-cell communication via QS
in the gut microbiota is still underexplored, mainly in the Bacteroidota phylum, where
only a few members possess synthases of known QS signals. This fact inspired us
to conduct the work described in this thesis, which aimed to characterize the
production of and response to QS signals in gut bacteria, focusing on the
Bacteroidota phylum.(...)"PTDC/BIA-MIC/6990/202
AI Integrations on B2B sales tools: How the job performance and job satisfaction of sales representatives are influenced by AI integrations in B2B sales tools
No full textDissertation presented as the partial requirement for obtaining a Master's degree in Data Driven Marketing, specialization in Digital Marketing and AnalyticsThe integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in sales tools is transforming sales operations by
automating repetitive tasks, enhancing data analysis, and providing predictive insights. This
research explores how AI influences the job performance and job satisfaction of frontline sales
representatives in B2B contexts, focusing on the psychological and behavioural effects,
particularly concerning autonomy and efficiency. AI is expected to improve sales performance
by enabling sales representatives to focus on high-potential prospects and streamline
workflows, but it may also decrease perceived autonomy, leading to job dissatisfaction.
Through examining the mediating effects of autonomy and sales efficiency, this study aims to
highlight the balance between AI-enhanced performance and its potential psychological
drawbacks. Findings will offer insights into how organisations can adopt AI tools in a way that
maximises both efficiency and employee satisfaction. By identifying the factors that influence
the adoption of AI, this research seeks to inform managerial strategies for effectively integrating
AI into sales operations, ensuring it supports organisational objectives and employee wellbeing
Exploring the Influence of AI Technologies on Consumer Behavior in Retail: A Study of Emotions before Purchase using Recommendation Agents
No full textDissertation presented as the partial requirement for obtaining a Master's degree in Information Management, specialization in Business IntelligenceThe retail industry has undergone profound changes with the integration of AI technologies,
especially through the use of recommendation agents that influence consumers’ purchasing
decisions. Despite the growing presence of recommendation agents in companies, there is a
lack of empirical studies addressing the emotional impact of AI use in retail. The goal of this
research is to explore the impact of recommendation agents on consumers’ purchase
intentions and subjective well-being, as well as the emotions they experience during this
process. Two experimental studies were conducted, one of which included a neuromarketing
analysis using FaceReader software. The findings suggest that higher resistance to AI is
associated with greater fear, and that the use of recommendation agents increases purchase
intention but only in a higher-involvement purchase context. Furthermore, the
neuromarketing analysis revealed that, contrary to expectations, consumers feel happier
when making purchases without AI assistance, and sometimes the self-reported emotions
differ from those detected by the software. These findings underscore the significance of
recommendation agents in influencing consumer behavior, emphasizing their potential to
enhance the shopping experience and influence emotional responses, particularly in contexts
where convenience and personalization are valued. Therefore, it is essential for businesses to
understand these conditions to effectively implement AI technologies in retail environments
Business in practice: a personal reflection and analysis of a car manufacturer´s transition to electrification and sustainability
No full textThe Business in Practice (BiP) program blends theory with practical experience through a
virtual simulation of a global car manufacturer’s shift to electrification and automation. By
coordinating decisions in Finance, HR, Marketing, Innovation, and Operations, the program
develops leadership, decision-making, and teamwork over six years of firm analysis, engaging
students from diverse backgrounds in a dynamic learning environment.
The first section analyzes Grizzly's performance in the business simulation, focusing on
strategy, innovation and finance. The second section presents a personal reflection on two
critical incidents that offered important lessons in teamwork and insights into career
development
Scaling impact startups: what funding options are available in the Portuguese ecosystem, and how do they compare with European best practices?
No full textImpact startups face unique funding challenges, which combined with a rapidly changing
regulatory landscape, provides for both risk and opportunities for these startups and the
ecosystems that host them. This thesis explores the funding options available to impact startups
within the Portuguese ecosystem and compares these against best practices from leading
European ecosystems. By collecting data on the perceived top European impact funding
ecosystems, as seen by current and future entrepreneurs, the ecosystems of the United Kingdom,
Germany, and Estonia were scoured for innovative examples that can be used as examples by
Portuguese impact players to stay ahead of the curve. Future research into possible connections
between these ecosystem-wide perceptions, and the perceptions surrounding the startups
operating within them, is also proposed
Customer decision journey and B2B buyer behavior in X’s comercial’s effort to increase business in SME
No full textThis research highlights the importance of understanding the Customer Decision Journey (CDJ)
and buyer behaviour in the B2B context. By examining bronze, silver, and gold client segments,
it reveals key insights into decision-making processes, emphasizing the role of price for SMEs
and tailored offerings for larger clients. X’s integration of technology for personalized
experiences and proactive service approaches is explored. Key findings include the significance
of price-quality ratio, reliance on personal networks, and face-to-face interactions. The research
provides a framework for evaluating and mapping the CDJ, considering the nuances of enterprise
buying behaviour
Citizenship and voting behaviour: evaluating the role of citizenship concessions in shaping electoral outcomes in Italy
No full textThis research examines the link between citizenship concessions and voter behavior in Italy
during the 2018 and 2022 general elections. Using a Difference-in-Differences (DiD) method,
it investigates the introduction of the 2018 Decreto Sicurezza on the political landscape. By
analyzing provincial election results and citizenship data from 2016 to 2022, the study finds
that stricter citizenship policies reduced support for traditional parties and increased backing
for emerging parties. The research highlights gender-specific responses and significant
regional differences, particularly stronger impacts in southern Italy, where demographic
changes are more significant
Shaping the future of grocery retail: a consulting lab on integrating generative Artificial Intelligence to enhance in-store operations at a Portuguese retailer: providing the pillars for sustainable integration through governance and change management
No full textThe project explores the application of Generative-AI to enhance in-store operational
efficiency at Pingo Doce. The project focuses specifically on the development and
implementation of a chatbot designed to support in-store employees, by streamlining task
execution and boosting productivity. Through a comprehensive analysis, the study evaluates
both the operational and financial feasibility of the chatbot. Furthermore, the study
encompasses the elaboration of a pilot project, conducted to evaluate key performance
indicators, providing insight into the chatbot’s impact. Finally, strategic recommendations for
a full-scale roll-out were outlined, including governance and change management metrics to
ensure smooth integration and long-term success
Estudo do impacto de diferentes materiais na detecção do CMVnos Dried Blood Spots
No full text"A infeção congénita por citomegalovírus (cCMV) é a principal causa de infeção congénita no mundo. O seu diagnóstico pode ser realizado por nested-PCR de sangue seco em cartões de filtro - dried blood spots (DBS). No entanto, a literatura indica variabilidade na sensibilidade deste método de diagnóstico. (...)"N/