Bacterial inter-species communication mediated by the autoinducer-2 signal

Dissertation presented to obtain the Ph.D degree in Biology by Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Instituto de Tecnologia Qu��mica e Biol��gica, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ci��ncia.

Nitrogen (N) : from science to society. A science communication project

O Azoto (N): da ci��ncia para a sociedade �� um projecto de comunica����o de ci��ncia que tem por objecNvo consciencializar os jovens para as amea��as que o azoto (N) em excesso traz para a humanidade. Pode ser dividido em duas partes. Uma, de invesNga����o, sobre a an��lise de resultados de uma consulta p��blica realizada entre professores, usando o m��todo qualitaNvo do focus group, para compreender a sua sensibilidade e propostas de solu����o para minimizar o excesso de N no ambiente. Os resultados obNdos foram instrumentais para o desenvolvimento da segunda parte. Esta segunda parte �� uma proposta de projecto a submeter ao Horizon 2020, no ��m-����� bito da ���Science with and for Society ���. Nela se prop��e uma abordagem educaNva trans-�����disciplinar, conseguida atrav��s da interac����o entre docentes do secund��rio, e do ensino superior, associa����o de pais e organiza����es c��vicas n��o governamentais, com vista �� consciencializa����o dos jovens para as amea��as do N em excesso no meio ambiente, fazendo o enquadramento cien@fico e fornecendo abordagens tecnol��gi-����� cas. A inova����o desta proposta baseia-�����se: (i) no acompanhamento e desenvolvimen-����� to profissional dos docentes do secund��rio, (ii) na moNva����o dos estudantes a de-����� senvolver o seu pr��prio estudo e pesquisa com a tutoria dos docentes, da escola e do ensino superior, e (iii) no desenvolvimento de capacidades de comunica����o dos jo-����� vens para exercer uma cidadania acNva em prol da minimiza����o das amea��as do N.

How to promote and enhance communication between a big retailer's after-sales department and its suppliers

W is the biggest electronic goods retailer in Portugal accounting with almost fifty percent of market share in its area. During the last years, many small W suppliers had to close their doors, and many others are in huge troubles. Among the reason for this situation, the huge bargaining power of W in the relationship seems crucial. The focus of the directed research will be in the after sales department where I did an internship from September 2014 to January 2015.

Non-cell autonomous neuroprotective effect of carbon monoxide : microglia-to-neuron communication

RESUMO: A isqu��mia cerebral �� uma das doen��as mais predominantes a nivel mundial, sendo uma das principais causas de mortalidade e invalidez. Parte da propaga����o de dano no c��rebro �� causado por inflama����o descontrolada, causada principalmente por disfun����o da microglia. Desta forma, existe a necessidade de tentar desenvolver estrat��gias para melhor compreender e modular as ac����es destas c��lulas. O mon��xido de carbono (CO), �� uma mol��cula end��gena com provas dadas como anti-neuroinflamat��rio em v��rios modelos. Assim, o principal objectivo do trabalho foi o estudo do CO como um modulador da ac����o da microglia, com principal foco dado �� comunica����o entre estas c��lulas e neur��nios, tentando entender se existe um efeito neuroprotector por inibi����o da inflama����o. Um protocolo de meio condicionado foi estabelecido usando as linhas celulares BV2 e SH-SY5Y, de microglia e neur��nio. A mol��cula CORM-A1, que liberta expontaniamente CO, foi usada como m��todo de entrega da mol��cula ��s celulas. Demonstr��mos que o pre-tratamento de c��lulas BV2 com CORM-A1 gera neuroprotec����o j�� que reduz a morte celular de neur��nios SH-SY5Y quando s��o incubados com meio condicionado de microglia activada em conjunto com o pr��-oxidante t-BHP (tert-butil hidroper��xido). Assim, consider��mos que o CO promove neuroprotec����o ao inibir as ac����es inflamat��rias da microglia. O papel anti-inflamat��rio da mol��cula CORM-A1 foi confirmado quando se verificou que pr��-tratamento desta mol��cula em microglia BV2 limita a secre����o de TNF-�� mas estimula a secre����o de IL-10. Por ��ltimo, a CORM-A1 induziu a express��o do receptor da microglia CD200R1, mol��cula que participa na comunica����o neur��nio-microglia e fundamental para a modula����o das ac����es inflamat��rias destas ��ltimas. Em suma, o nosso trabalho refor��ou as propriedades anti-neuroinflamat��rias do CO e uma capacidade de modular viabilidade neuronal atrav��s do seu efeito a n��vel de comunica����o c��lula-c��lula. ---------------------------- ABSTRACT: Brain ischemia is a widespread disease worldwide, being one of the main causes of mortality and permanent disability. A portion of the damage that ensues following the ischemic event is caused by unrestrained inflammation, which is mainly orchestrated by exacerbated microglial activity. Hence, developing strategies for modulating microglial inflammation is a major concern nowadays. The endogenous molecule carbon monoxide (CO) has been shown to possess anti-neuroinflammatory properties using in vitro and in vivo approaches. Thus, our objective was to study CO as modulator of microglial activity, in particular in what concerns their communication with neurons, by promoting neuronal viability and limiting inflammatory output of activated microglia. A conditioned media strategy was established with BV2 microglia and SH-SY5Y neurons as cell models. CO-releasing molecule A1 (CORM-A1), a compound that releases CO spontaneously, was used as method of CO delivery to cells. We found that CORM-A1 pre-treatment in BV2 cells yields neuroprotective results, as it limits cell death when SH-SY5Y neurons are challenged with conditioned media from LPS-activated microglia and the pro-oxidant t-BHP (tert-butyl-hydroperoxide). Thus, we assumed carbon monoxide promotes neuroprotection via inhibition of microglial inflammation, displaying a non-cell autonomous role. CORM-A1 pre-treatment limited inflammation by inhibiting BV2 secretion of TNF-�� and stimulating IL-10 production. These results reinforce that CO���s anti-inflammatory role confers neuroprotection, as the alterations in these cytokines occur concurrently with the increase in SH-SY5Y viability. Finally, we showed for the first time that carbon monoxide promotes the expression of CD200R1, a microglial receptor involved in neuron-glia communication and modulation of microglia inflammation. Further studies are necessary to clarify this role. Altogether, other than just highlighting CO as an anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective molecule, this work set the foundation for disclosing its involvement in cell-to-cell communication.

Which communication strategy should a male luxury (fashion) brand ��� associated with a luxury car brand ��� develop, in order to increase its awareness in Europe

This work project explores how a male luxury (fashion) brand (subsidiary) that is associated with a luxury car brand (parent company) should develop its communication strategy in order to increase awareness in Europe. For this purpose a quantitative research was conducted. The aim was to find out whether the company in question had low brand awareness among European luxury consumers. Hereafter, a qualitative research revealed important insights in regard to luxury communication among male luxury consumers. Both the results of the research and the recommendations of luxury experts laid the foundation for the development of a solution-oriented communication strategy. The result of the analysis crystallizes the importance of the shared heritage and the synergistic effects, of which the subsidiary should make vast use when communicating.

The impact of in-store activations (communication) in the consumer's emotions

Consumer behavior: Sport Zone. The analysis of "The impact of in-store activations (communication) in the consumer's emotions" Several studies have been conducted on the consumer behavior. This study aims to analyze and understand which factors are important to consumers��� emotions when the purchase decision occurs, the brand awareness, brand loyalty and the campaigns/activations��� impact in the above factors. Two research surveys were conducted to realize this study, the first online and the other was an interview to the Agency Up Partner who conceived and put into practice this Fitness campaign. First of all, was the consumer���s survey, a survey with 100 answers, to understand which factors are taken into account when a campaign in-store is held, in which the atmosphere is mainly used to arouse consumer���s desire to purchase, and also emotions. Second, the interview with the agency was realized to find out on what they were based on when they delineate it, and if the raise of emotions was taken into account in the origin of it. Concluding, emotions have a significant impact on formation of consumer in-store behavior, satisfaction and loyalty. As we could assay through of how this Fitness campaign was carried out as well as the optimal feedback received by consumers, improved attention over in-store marketing activity strongly influences consumer behavior at the point of purchase. ���Sport Zone: A new store concept where the love for sports is combined with functionality���

Corporate social responsability in advergames: Adjusting communication to the kids of today

Field lab: Consumer insights

The global shopper & brands communication at airports

This project aims to illuminate two perspectives on travel retail. On the one hand, it describes the main character of the shopping scenario at airports, namely the Global Shopper. It covers the entire profile of the referred character, the main nationalities that represent him and the current shopping trends of the passenger. Also estimates of the booming nationalities and the future purchasing trends are accurately presented. On the other hand, the travel retail market is analyzed from the airport brands��� perspective. It is described what is currently done in terms of brands communication in the top ten airports around the world and the expected future market retail trends. To accurately explore the Global Shopper behavior and purchasing preferences, a market research was conducted with a sample of 128 respondents, male and female, from different nationalities, age groups, occupation and education backgrounds. The essay tests hypothesis regarding the relevance of several variables in the purchasing process of the Global Shopper in order to understand the most pleasant way to approach consumers in travel retail. The main variables studied concern the reasons to shop at airports, to whom the passenger shops, the preferred category and brand of purchase, feelings while shopping abroad, impulsive buying behavior, brand loyalty, the use of mobile devices in the shopping process, brands communication at airports, pre-ordering online and the attitude towards self-service stores. Some findings were in accordance with expectations, while others were a surprise and may produce valuable recommendations for future travel retail practices. 4 The main relevant results concern two areas, namely pre-ordering online and self-service stores. Results showed a certain stress about not having enough time to choose between the various offerings in travel retail, as well as difficulty in dealing with crowed stores. However, pre-ordering online was not common, which would be an initiative that could solve the discomfort at airport���s stores. Moreover, self-service would promote efficiency in stores allowing passengers to save time if they already know how to go through the shopping process by themselves. Another possible recommendation concerns differentiating the strategy in travel retail for the two genders. Some differences were found in the categories bought by male and female, as well as to how brands should shape their approach concerning the demands of each gender.