Mapping the Contemporary Studies on Alliances and Strategic Networks

The competition among the companies depends on the velocity and efficience they can create and commercialize knowledge in a timely and cost-efficient manner. In this context, collaboration emerges as a reaction to the environmental changes. Although strategic alliances and networks have been exploited in the strategic literature for decades, the complexity and continuous usage of these cooperation structures, in a world of growing competition, justify the continuous interest in both themes. This article presents a scanning of the contemporary academic production in strategic alliances and networks, covering the period from January 1997 to august 2007, based on the top five journals accordingly to the journal of Citation Report 2006 in the business and management categories simultaneously. The results point to a retraction in publications about strategic alliances and a significant growth in the area of strategic. networks. The joint view of strategic alliances and networks, cited by some authors a the evolutionary path of study, still did not appear salient. The most cited topics found in the alliance literature are the governance structure, cooperation, knowledge transfer, culture, control, trust, alliance formation,,previous experience, resources, competition and partner selection. The theme network focuses mainly on structure, knowledge transfer and social network, while the joint vision is highly concentrated in: the subjects of alliance formation and the governance choice.

Irrigation requirements and transpiration coupling to the atmosphere of a citrus orchard in Southern Brazil

Crop evapotranspiration (ETc) was measured as evaporative heat flux from an irrigated acid lime orchard (Citrus latifolia Tanaka) using the aerodynamic method. Crop transpiration (T) was determined by a stem heat balance method. The irrigation requirements were determined by comparing the orchard evapotranspiration (ETc) and T with the reference evapotranspiration (ETo) derived from the Penman-Monteith equation, and the irrigation requirements were expressed as ETc/ETo (Kc) and T/ETo (Kcb) ratios. The influence of inter-row vegetation on the ETc was analyzed because the measurements were taken during the summer and winter, which are periods with different regional soil water content. In this study, the average Mc values obtained were 0.65 and 0.24 for the summer and winter, respectively. The strong coupling of citrus trees to the atmosphere and the sensitivity of citrus plants to large vapor pressure deficits and air/leaf temperatures caused variations in the Kcb in relation to the ETo ranges. During the summer, the Kcb value ranged from 0.34 when the ETo exceeded 5 mm d(-1) to 0.46 when the ETo was less than 3 mm d(-1). (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Plasmodium vivax recombinant vaccine candidate AMA-1 plays an important role in adaptive immune response eliciting differentiation of dendritic cells

The Apical Membrane Antigen-1 (AMA-1) is a well-characterized and functionally important merozoite protein and is currently considered a major candidate antigen for a malaria vaccine. Previously, we showed that AMA-1 has an influence on cellular immune responses of malaria-naive subjects, resulting in an alternative activation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells and induction of a pro-inflammatory response by stimulated PBMCs. Although there is evidence, from human and animal malaria model systems that cell-mediated immunity may contribute to both protection and pathogenesis, the knowledge on cellular immune responses in vivax malaria and the factors that may regulate this immunity are poorly understood. In the current work, we describe the maturation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells of P. vivax naturally infected individuals and the effect of P. vivax vaccine candidate Pv-AMA-1 on the immune responses of the same donors. We show that malaria-infected subjects present modulation of DC maturation, demonstrated by a significant decrease in expression of antigen-presenting molecules (CD1a, HLA-ABC and HLA-DR), accessory molecules (CD40, CD80 and CD86) and Fc gamma RI (CD64) receptor (P <= 0.05). Furthermore, Pv-AMA-1 elicits an upregulation of CD1a and HLA-DR molecules on the surface of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (P=0.0356 and P=0.0196, respectively), and it is presented by AMA-1-stimulated DCs. A significant pro-inflammatory response elicited by Pv-AMA-1-pulsed PBMCs is also demonstrated, as determined by significant production of TNF-alpha, IL-12p40 and IFN-gamma (P <= 0.05). Our results suggest that Pv-AMA-1 may partially revert DC down-modulation observed in infected subjects, and exert an important role in the initiation of pro-inflammatory immunity that might contribute substantially to protection. (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copper salt-catalyzed homo-coupling reaction of potassium alkynyltrifluoroborates: a simple and efficient synthesis of symmetrical 1,3-diynes

The copper-catalyzed dimerization of alkynyltrifluoroborates proceeds readily with good yields. The homo-coupling reaction can be effected in DMSO, in the open air, using Cu(OAc)(2) as catalyst in the absence of any other additives. A variety of functional groups are tolerated. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of functionalized 1,3-enynes by palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of alpha-styrylbutyltelluride with alkynyltrifluoroborate salts

An ultrasound-assisted synthesis of functionalized 1,3-enyne scaffolds is described and illustrated by palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of potassium alkynyltrifluoroborate salts and alpha-styrylbutyltellurides. This procedure offers easy access to 1,3-enyne architecture that contains aliphatic and aromatic groups in good to excellent yields.

Evaluation of flow regimes in a semi-cylindrical spouted bed through statistical, mutual information, spectral and Hurst`s analysis

Hydrodynamic studies were conducted in a semi-cylindrical spouted bed column of diameter 150 mm, height 1000 mm, conical base included angle of 60 degrees and inlet orifice diameter 25 mm. Pressure transducers at several axial positions were used to obtain pressure fluctuation time series with 1.2 and 2.4 mm glass beads at U/U-ms from 0.3 to 1.6, and static bed depths from 150 to 600 mm. The conditions covered several flow regimes (fixed bed, incipient spouting, stable spouting, pulsating spouting, slugging, bubble spouting and fluidization). Images of the system dynamics were also acquired through the transparent walls with a digital camera. The data were analyzed via statistical, mutual information theory, spectral and Hurst`s Rescaled Range methods to assess the potential of these methods to characterize the spouting quality. The results indicate that these methods have potential for monitoring spouted bed operation.

Functionalization of (2S)-Isopropyl-5-iodo-2,3-dihydro-4(H)-pyrimidin-4-ones by a Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling Reaction Using Aryltrifluoroborate Salts: Convenient Enantioselective Preparation of alpha-Substituted beta-Amino Acids

A simple protocol for the Pd(OAc)(2)-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of 1-benzoyl-(2S)-isopropyl-5-iodo-2,3-dihydro-4(H)-pyrimidin-4-ones with potassium aryltrifluoroborates was developed. The reaction is performed at 110 degrees C with a ligand-free catalyst. In all cases, complete conversion of the 1-benzoyl-(2S)-isopropyl-5-iodo-2,3-dihydro-4(H)-pyrimidin-4-ones and aryltrifluoroborates into the C-C coupling products was observed within 30-360 min. It is noteworthy that a large variety of groups present in the potassium aryltrifluoroborates (-CF(3), -OMe, -SEt, -CN, -CHO, -Cl, -Cbz, -NCbz, -OH, -CO(2)H) could be tolerated. Hydrogenation of the endocyclic double bonds in the Suzuki-Miyaura products followed by acid hydrolysis afforded highly enantioenriched alpha-aryl-substituted beta-amino acids.

alpha-Arylation and Alkynylation of Cyclic alpha-Iodoenones Using Palladium-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions with Trifluoroborate Salts

An expeditious synthesis of alpha-aryl- and alpha-alkynylcyclo-hexenones is described and illustrated by palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of cyclic alpha-iodoenones with potassium aryltrifluoroborate salts. This procedure offers easy access to alpha-arylated and alkynylated cyclohexenones functionalized with electrondonor and -acceptor substituents in good yields.

Sequence analysis, chromosomal distribution and long-range organization show that rapid turnover of new and old pBuM satellite DNA repeats leads to different patterns of variation in seven species of the Drosophila buzzatii cluster

We aimed to study patterns of variation and factors influencing the evolutionary dynamics of a satellite DNA, pBuM, in all seven Drosophila species from the buzzatii cluster (repleta group). We analyzed 117 alpha pBuM-1 (monomer length 190 bp) and 119 composite alpha/beta (370 bp) pBuM-2 repeats and determined the chromosome location and long-range organization on DNA fibers of major sequence variants. Such combined methodologies in the study of satDNAs have been used in very few organisms. In most species, concerted evolution is linked to high copy number of pBuM repeats. Species presenting low-abundance and scattered distributed pBuM repeats did not undergo concerted evolution and maintained part of the ancestral inter-repeat variability. The alpha and alpha/beta repeats colocalized in heterochromatic regions and were distributed on multiple chromosomes, with notable differences between species. High-resolution FISH revealed array sizes of a few kilobases to over 0.7 Mb and mutual arrangements of alpha and alpha/beta repeats along the same DNA fibers, but with considerable changes in the amount of each variant across species. From sequence, chromosomal and phylogenetic data, we could infer that homogenization and amplification events involved both new and ancestral pBuM variants. Altogether, the data on the structure and organization of the pBuM satDNA give insights into genome evolution including mechanisms that contribute to concerted evolution and diversification.

Calcium Carbonate Particle Growth Depending on Coupling among Adjacent Layers in Hybrid LB/LbL Films

There are practical and academic situations that justify the study of calcium carbonate crystallization and especially of systems that are associated with organic matrices and a confined medium. Despite the fact that many different matrices have been studied, the use of well-behaved, thin organic films may provide new knowledge about this system. In this work, we have studied the growth of calcium carbonate particles on well-defined organic matrices that were formed by layer-by-layer (LbL) polyelectrolyte films deposited on phospholipid Langmuir-Blodgett films (LB). We were able to change the surface electrical charge density of the LB films by changing the proportions of a negatively charged lipid, the sodium salt of dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-phosphatidyl acid (DMPA), and a zwitterionic lipid. dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-phosphatidylethanolamine (DMPE). This affects the subsequent polyelectrolyte LbL film deposition, which also changes the the nature of the bonding (electrostatic interaction or hydrogen bonding). This approach allowed for the formation of calcium carbonate particles of different final shapes, roughnesses, and sizes. The masses of deposited lipids, polyelectrolytes, and calcium cabonate were quantified by the quartz crystal microbalance technique. The structures of obtained particles were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy.

Synthesis and Characterization of Semi-Interpenetrating Networks Based on Poly(dimethylsiloxane) and Poly(vinyl alcohol)

Semi-interpenetrating networks (Semi-IPNs) with different compositions were prepared from poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), and poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) by the sol-gel process in this study. The characterization of the PDMS/PVA semi-IPN was carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and swelling measurements. The presence of PVA domains dispersed in the PDMS network disrupted the network and allowed PDMS to crystallize, as observed by the crystallization and melting peaks in the DSC analyses. Because of the presence of hydrophilic (-OH) and hydrophobic (Si-(CH(3))(2)) domains, there was an appropriate hydrophylic/hydrophobic balance in the semi-IPNs prepared, which led to a maximum equilibrium water content of similar to 14 wt % without a loss in the ability to swell less polar solvents. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 115: 158-166, 2010

Synthesis of (Z)-tributylstannyl enynes: systematic studies of Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions between (E)-1-iodovinyl-1-tributylstannanes and terminal acetylenes using amines or tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBAOH) as activator

Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions involving (E)-iodo vinyl stannanes and terminal acetylenes were carried out in the presence of Pd(PPh(3))(4), Cul and several amines, affording (Z)-tributylstannyl enynes in moderate to good yields (62-91%). Utilizing the catalytic system containing Pd(PPh(3))(4) (5%), Cul (10%), and TBAOH (40% in aqueous media) as activator, better yields (72-91%) and lower reaction times were achieved. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An fMRI Normative Database for Connectivity Networks Using One-Class Support Vector Machines

The application of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in neuroscience studies has increased enormously in the last decade. Although primarily used to map brain regions activated by specific stimuli, many studies have shown that fMRI can also be useful in identifying interactions between brain regions (functional and effective connectivity). Despite the widespread use of fMRI as a research tool, clinical applications of brain connectivity as studied by fMRI are not well established. One possible explanation is the lack of normal pattern, and intersubject variability-two variables that are still largely uncharacterized in most patient populations of interest. In the current study, we combine the identification of functional connectivity networks extracted by using Spearman partial correlation with the use of a one-class support vector machine in order construct a normative database. An application of this approach is illustrated using an fMRI dataset of 43 healthy Subjects performing a visual working memory task. In addition, the relationships between the results obtained and behavioral data are explored. Hum Brain Mapp 30:1068-1076, 2009. (C) 2008 Wiley-Liss. Inc.

In situ apoptosis of adaptive immune cells and the cellular escape of rabies virus in CNS from patients with human rabies transmitted by Desmodus rotundus

The aim of the current study was to investigate the apoptosis of neurons, astrocytes and immune cells from human patients that were infected with rabies virus by vampire bats bite. Apoptotic neurons were identified by their morphology and immune cells were identified using double immunostaining. There were very few apoptotic neurons present in infected tissue samples, but there was an increase of apoptotic infiltrating CD4+ and TCD8+ adaptive immune cells in the rabies infected tissue. No apoptosis was present in NK, macrophage and astrocytes. The dissemination of the human rabies virus within an infected host may be mediated by viral escape of the virus from an infected cell and may involve an anti-apoptotic mechanism, which does not kill the neuron or pro-apoptosis of TCD4+ and TCD8+ lymphocytes and which allows for increased proliferation of the virus within the CNS by attenuation of the adaptive immune response. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A description of adaptive and maladaptive behaviour in children and adolescents with Cri-du-chat syndrome

Background Psychological tests can be useful to record adaptive and maladaptive behaviours of children with intellectual disability. The objective of this study was to describe the adaptive and maladaptive behaviour of children and adolescents with Cri-du-chat syndrome. Methods The sample consisted of 10 children and adolescents with Cri-du-chat syndrome (mean chronological age = 11.3 years, mean mental age = 18 months). The developmental quotient was calculated through the Psychoeducational Profile - Revised. An observational protocol was used to record adaptive and maladaptive behaviours. Results The number of maladaptive behaviours observed was different among participants. However, all of them had high rates of adaptive behaviours, such as rule-following. Conclusions These results, though preliminary, justify that we continue to think about the need for psychoeducational interventions aimed at stimulating the repertoire of adaptive behaviours, in people with Cri-du-chat syndrome.