6,579 research outputs found
Enterprise modeling:process and REA value chain perspective
Get PDFThe paper focuses on enterprise business value chain modeling as an alternative to business process modeling. Well known REA methodology proposed by McCarthy and Geerts is used as the basic modeling framework. The research presented in the paper results in a generic semantic enterprise model using REA ontology. This rather static model is then converted into UML activity, sequence and state diagrams thus achieving dynamic view of the REA model. The dynamic REA view connects the process model and the value chain perspectives. It is shown that by using REA model transition called dynamization not only process models at task level can be achieved but also a consistency check of the REA model can be accomplished. By means of step by step value chain modeling of the enterprise a consistent process model can be reached preserving all advantages of the typical business process modeling methodsProcess model; Value chain model; REA; Production planning
Clinical Features in Patients With PANDAS/PANS and Therapeutic Approaches: A Retrospective Study
No full textObjective: The clinical characteristics of patients with PANDAS (pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infection) and PANS (pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome) and the efficacy of antibiotic therapy with psychotherapy and antipsychotics were investigated to improve neurological symptoms as well as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 62 patients with a clinical diagnosis of PANDAS/PANS enrolled from May 14, 2013 to September 15, 2020 in the Neurology Childhood Division, Department of Pediatrics at Sapienza, Rome. Clinical manifestations, neurological and psychiatric, laboratory investigations, and familiar history were collected to evaluate the differences between the two groups. The effects of various therapeutic approaches were examined. Descriptive and comparative statistical analyses were performed. Results: The mean age at onset of PANDAS/PANS symptoms was 6.2 ± 1.2 years. The most common diagnosis was PANDAS, followed by PANS. Neurological and psychiatric symptoms were mostly evident in both groups (>70% of the population), with no significant difference between them (P = 0.52 and P = 0.15, respectively). Irritability, aggressivity, and food restriction were more prevalent in children with PANS than in those with PANDAS (P = 0.024 and P = 0.0023, respectively). The levels of anti-streptolysin O and anti-DNAse B 10-fold higher in PANDAS than those in PANS (P < 0.0001). Antibiotics or psychotherapy were administered in most cases (90.3 and 53.2%, respectively), followed by antipsychotic treatments (24.2%). In the multivariate analysis, among the therapies used, psychotherapy significantly resulted in the most efficacious relief of OCD, reducing stress in patients and their parents (P = 0.042). Conclusion: Our findings confirm a clear clinical difference between the two groups, PANDAS and PANS, using different approaches. In fact, irritability, aggressivity, and food restriction were significantly more frequent in children with PANS and the levels of anti-streptolysin O and anti-DNAse B were higher in PANDAS. Another relevant finding is the efficacy of psychotherapy, especially for obsessive-compulsive disorder, and of antibiotic prophylaxis in managing acute neurological symptoms
Activation of an Estrogen/ Estrogen Receptor Signaling by BIG3 Through Its Inhibitory Effect on Nuclear Transport of PHB2/REA in Breast Cancer
Get PDFBreast cancer is known to be a hormone-dependent disease, and estrogens through an interaction with estrogen receptor (ER) enhance the proliferative and metastatic activity of breast tumor cells. Here we show a critical role of transactivation of BIG3, brefeldin A-inhibited guanine nucleotide-exchange protein 3, in activation of the estrogen/ER signaling in breast cancer cells. Knocking-down of BIG3 expression with small-interfering RNA (siRNA) drastically suppressed the growth of breast cancer cells. Subsequent co-immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting assays revealed an interaction of BIG3 with prohibitin 2/repressor of estrogen receptor activity (PHB2/REA). When BIG3 was absent, stimulation of estradiol caused the translocation of PHB2/REA to the nucleus, enhanced the interaction of PHB2/REA and ER[alpha], and resulted in suppression of the ER[alpha]; transcriptional activity. On the other hand, when BIG3 was present, BIG3 trapped PHB2/REA in cytoplasm and inhibited its nuclear translocation, and caused enhancement of ER[alpha]; transcriptional activity. Our results imply that BIG3 overexpression is one of the important mechanisms causing the activation of the estrogen/ER[alpha]; signaling pathway in the hormone-related growth of breast cancer cells
Uma metodologia para análise e comparação do desempenho de empresas através de índices econômico-financeiros
Get PDFDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico. Programa de Pós-graduação em Engenharia de Produçã
On the binary nature of the γ-ray sources AGL J2241+4454 (= MWC 656) and HESS J0632+057 (= MWC 148)
No full textWe present optical spectroscopy of MWC 656 and MWC 148, the proposed optical counterparts of the gamma-ray sources AGL J2241+4454 and HESS J0632+0 57, respectively. The main parameters of the Halpha emission line (EW, FWHM and centroid velocity) in these stars are modulated on the proposed orbital periods of 60.37 and 321 days, respectively. These modulations are likely produced by the resonant interaction of the Be discs with compact stars in eccentric orbits. We also present radial velocity curves of the optical stars folded on the above periods and obtain the first orbital elements of the two gamma-ray sources thus confirming their binary nature. Our orbital solution support eccentricities e~0.4 and 0.83+-0.08 for MWC 656 and MWC 148, respectively. Further, our orbital elements imply that the X-ray outbursts in HESS J0632+057/MWC 148 are delayed ~0.3 orbital phases after periastron passage, similarly to the case of LS I +61 303. In addition, the optical photometric light curve maxima in AGL J2241+4454/MWC 656 occur ~0.25 phases passed periastron, similar to what is seen in LS I +61 303. We also find that the orbital eccentricity is correlated with orbital period for the known gamma-ray binaries. This is explained by the fact that small stellar separations are required for the efficient triggering of VHE radiation. Another correlation between the EW of Halpha and orbital period is also observed, similarly to the case of Be/X-ray binaries. These correlations are useful to provide estimates of the key orbital parameters Porb and e from the Halpha line in future Be gamma-ray binary candidates
Myrmekioderma rea
No full text<i>Myrmekioderma rea</i> (de Laubenfels 1934) <p>Tables 6, 7; Figs. 12A–G, 16L</p> <p> <b>Synonymy and references:</b> <i>Anacanthaea rea</i> de Laubenfels (1934: 11); <i>Epipolasis rea</i>, <i>Epipolasis reiswigi</i> and <i>Myrmekioderma styx</i>: see references compiled in Muricy <i>et al.</i> (2011: 96); <i>Myrmekioderma rea</i>: Muricy <i>et al.</i> (2011: 96), Rützler <i>et al.</i> (2014: 72), Pérez <i>et al.</i> (2017: 11), and van Soest (2017: 56).</p> <p> <b>Type locality.</b> Puerto Rico.</p> <p> <b>Material examined.</b> CNPGG-2261, Triangulo Oeste reef (20.95629°N, - 92.308609°W), 8 m depth, coll. Oscar Bocardo, 10 September 2017; CNPGG-2433, Cabezo reef (19.05086°N, - 95.82388°W), 8.3 m depth, coll. Diana Ugalde, 30 August 2018.</p> <p> <b>Description.</b> Massive habit; larger specimen size 7.5 × 5 × 3 cm (Fig. 16L). Surface slightly irregular, covered by sand and calcareous debris. Pores are not visible. Oscules scattered up to 2 mm diameter. Color <i>in vivo</i> orangishyellow, pinkish beige preserved in ethanol. Consistency firm and slightly resilient.</p> <p> <b>Skeleton.</b> The ectosomal region is constituted by acanthoxeas perpendicular to the surface in a palisade-like structure (Fig. 12A). Some acanthoxeas in a paratangential and criss-cross arrangement (Fig. 12B). It is covered by a crust of sand grains and calcareous debris, up to 200 µm thick. Choanosomal region with longitudinal tracts (up to 120 µm thick) of large oxeas towards the surface. The large oxeas are also scattered in between. Raphides scattered throughout the skeleton; in trichodragmas. Rounded channels, up to 100 µm diameter, are horizontally aligned beneath the palisade of acanthoxeas. Channels scattered in the choanosome, up to 130 µm in diameter. Scattered debris was also found in the choanosomal region (Fig. 12B).</p> <p> <b>Spicules.</b> Megascleres: Large oxeas with styloid and strongylote modifications, stout, slightly curved to sinuous, some forms double bent, and smooth (Fig. 12C). The tips are conical, stepped, or blunt; 535– <i>807</i> (161.3)– 1110/8– <i>11.5</i> (1.5)–14 µm (Figs. 12D–E). Acanthoxeas are slightly curved to sinuous; some are double bent, covered irregularly with minute spines, sometimes smoother at the middle region (Figs. 12F–G). With sharp and acerate tips; 235– <i>362</i> (48.9)–420/7.2– <i>10.7</i> (2)–14 µm. Microscleres: raphides very thin; 120– <i>150.3</i> (20.7)–180 µm in length.</p> <p> <b>Distribution.</b> Mexico (current records), US (Florida), Barbados, Bahamas, Cuba, other countries in the Caribbean Sea (Diaz <i>et al.</i> 1993); Guyana (van Soest 2017).</p> <p> <b>Remarks.</b> Van Soest (2017) believed the observed variability in Guyana’s specimens obtained from the same trawl (98 m and 65 m depth) was intraspecific. He observed variation in the habit (i.e., broad knoll, club-shaped body or finger-shaped body) and spiculation (i.e., the shape of oxeas and number of categories of oxeas and raphides). We extend this intraspecific variation of <i>M. rea</i> by considering specimens from Belize (Rützler <i>et al.</i> 2014) and the GoM (present study), both no deeper than 20 m. These specimens have massive cushion shape habits. In adition, spicule measurements of the Mexican specimens analyzed in our study (particularly of oxeas) are thinner than those in specimens from Belize and Guyana. However, in general, our material’s spicule measurements are more similar to specimens from Belize than the ones from Guyana (Table 1).</p> <p> Intraspecific variation of <i>Myrmekioderma rea</i> can be observed in Brazilian specimens too (Rosa-Barbosa 1995, Mothes <i>et al.</i> 2004, 2006). They were all reported with a massive habit, similar to our material’s and Belize’s (Rützler <i>et al.</i> 2014), but devoid of raphides in northern Brazil (Mothes <i>et al.</i> 2004), and possessing styles (744.2– 1497/10–23.9 µm) and small trichodragmas (23–92/4.6–13 µm) in materials reported by Mothes <i>et al.</i> (2006), from southern Brazil. These variations deviate from typical spiculation of <i>M. rea</i> in specimens from Guyana, the Caribbean region, and the GoM (our material) (Table 1). Previous and the present records of <i>M. rea</i> are from shallow to mesophotic depths on coral reefs (de Laubenfels 1953; van Soest & Stentoft 1988; Díaz <i>et al</i>. 1993; Rützler <i>et al</i>. 2014), and from muddy sand bottoms down to 100 m depth (van Soest 2017).</p> <p> <b>Order Biemnida Morrow, 2013</b></p>Published as part of <i>Ugalde, Diana, Fernandez, Julio C. C., Gómez, Patricia, Lôbo-Hajdu, Gisele & Simões, Nuno, 2021, An update on the diversity of marine sponges in the southern Gulf of Mexico coral reefs, pp. 1-112 in Zootaxa 5031 (1)</i> on pages 19-20, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5031.1.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/5454380">http://zenodo.org/record/5454380</a>
At the Foot of the Lateran Hill, from Via Sannio to Viale Ipponio: Archaeological Investigations Prior to the Construction of Metro Line C
No full textIl contributo racconta i rinvenimenti avvenuti negli scavi per la nuova metropolitana di Roma (linea C) in via dell'Amba Aradam, dove è stata messa in luce una caserma di epoca imperiale, e nei giardini di via Sannio, in cui è stato messo in luce un portico del I sec. d.C
Quando il produttore guida l'innovazione: l'esperienza del "tool kit" Luxottica nel retail ottico
No full textDa anni impegnati in un'ampia ricerca empirica sull'innovazione di marketing nel retailing, i curatori del volume, sulla base delle evidenze raccolte nei numerosi casi analizzati, hanno proposto un'originale chiave di lettura del fenomeno innovativo articolata su tre livelli fondamentali. Un primo livello "strategico", che si riferisce al contenuto innovativo del format e al posizionamento sul mercato, ovvero alla store image che l'impresa è in grado di sviluppare; un secondo livello che rimanda alle più tradizionali aree di creazione di valore, alle leve che permettono di realizzare il posizionamento (assortimento, comunicazione, ambiente di vendita, servizi accessori); un terzo livello che comprende alcune aree innovative riconducibili a una categoria di innovazioni "relazionali", volte a riconfigurare su nuove basi il rapporto impresa-cliente.
Il libro propone esempi di applicazione in ciascuna delle aree innovative descritte. La prima parte, con i casi Princi, Kasanova, e Smoll, offre una visione d'insieme dell'innovazione nell'impresa commerciale, sottolineando l'importanza di presidiare contemporaneamente i diversi fronti in cui si manifesta: tecnologia, mercato e rapporti con i fornitori. La seconda parte si concentra sulle innovazioni market-based fondate sulla proposta di esperienze di shopping inedite e originali, analizzando casi assai diversi fra di loro come Lush, Epicenter di Prada e Gucci Store. L'ultima parte, che presenta i casi Lombardini-Coltiva, Luxottica e Prénatal, è dedicata a channel partnership di successo, volte a realizzare innovazioni di tipo relazionale.
L'auspicio dei curatori del volume è che la conoscenza innovativa raccolta nei casi analizzati induca numerose altre imprese commerciali e industriali a intraprendere l'affascinante percorso dell'innovazione e che questo sia in grado di creare valore per tutti gli stakeholder: clienti, fornitori, azionisti, personale e comunità locali
Molecular identification of Candida lusitaniae using a PCR-REA method
No full textA pair of primers selected from the costant region of the ERG11 gene of C. albicans, was used to amplified a 350 bp segment from the genomic DNA of C. lusitaniae strain. The PCR product was cloned in plasmid pCR-TOPO (Invitrogen) and sequenced (GenBank submitted). The sequence of the fragment was compared with the published gene sequences of C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. glabrata, C. guillermondi, C. dubliniensis, C. parapsilosis and C. kefyr. The homology range observed was 62% to 97% among all species.
The amplicon obtained from C. lusitaniae was therefore subjected to REA using Sau3A, HincII and Not I according to a precedent study in which restriction enzyme analysis (REA) of PCR product was used to identify Candida strains at the species level.
The REA pattern obtained allowed to differenziate C. lusitaniae from the other species of Candida except from C. glabrata whose patterns were very similar. Thus we tested another restriction enzyme, RsaI, with all species of Candida previously described. The results showed that only C. lusitaniae and C. krusei had a recognition site for this enzyme but the patterns were different from each other . The use of Rsa I for PCR-REA, in addition to the other enzyme, makes the identification of C. lusitaniae possible.
An early and rapid identification of this species in clinical specimens is of great importance because C. lusitaniae is an emerging human pathogen that can cause severe infections in immunocompromised hosts
Evaluation of thin metal film thickness from light attenuation and multi-reflection effects on micro-Raman response
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