The Institutionalisation of Political Science in ECE: The Grounding of Theory

The chapter aims to establish a theoretical framework regarding the institutionalisation of political science as an academic discipline, by building on the experiences of 16 selected countries. Whether a discipline is institutionalised revolves around three issues: the process, that is, how institutionalisation develops; the outcome, that is, which properties appear indispensable; and what contextual factors matter most in influencing either process or property. Based on a critical review of the literature, the properties of stability, identity, autonomy, reproduction and legitimacy have been defined. These embody a well-institutionalised science: one that should have stable existential patterns, a clear academic profile; one that should be able to independently define its own rules and norms while getting external agents to accept them, and be able to ensure its own reproduction and to maintain a legitimate position. The chapter also examines the specificities in the latecomer political science communities’ institutionalisation patterns. Formation conditions, potential starting points, stability concerns and the issue of ‘regionality’ are specifically considered. As the institutionalisation tasks had to be dealt with in a ‘compressed period of time’ academia here faced the free world of opportunities and adjustment requirements at one and the same time.

The Effectiveness of Topical Drugs with a Personalized Approach in the Treatment of Chronic Dermatoses

At the present time, dermatologists’ arsenal has been significantly enriched with new highly effective drugs able to improve significantly the treatment of chronic immune-dependent dermatoses, in particular – atopic dermatitis and microbial eczema. The article discusses topical external agents for the treatment of patients with chronic dermatoses.

Innovation of Women Farmers: A Technological Proposal for Mezcalilleras’ Sustainability in Mexico, Based on Knowledge Management

Currently, technology usage is a fundamental asset for creating, developing, and implementing innovations; however, these are not available to everyone, which is accentuated in women with agricultural occupations. The present study develops a proposal of technologies for mezcalilleras’ sustainability from Oaxaca, Mexico, based on a knowledge management methodology, through the application of questionnaires in face-to-face sessions, field visits, and statistical analysis to explore the imbalances enclosed in the agave–mezcal activity seen as its problems, failures, and barriers, as well as its correlation with the identified technological routes. The results reveal that a technological platform creation, the fabrication of fiber optic refractometer, a metal roof construction, the design of a horizontal distiller–fractionator, the employment of metal containers and production of glass bottles, and the generation of a software and an application, are the suitable technologies, according to the mezcalilleras’ requirements. This proposal can be important for academics, policymakers, and producers who wish to revitalize traditional knowledge of the small-scale sectors in Mexico through new ways of interaction with external agents and customers, new ways of production, and previous years’ production analysis.

The Keratinocyte as a Crucial Cell in the Predisposition, Onset, Progression, Therapy and Study of the Atopic Dermatitis

The keratinocyte (KC) is the main functional and structural component of the epidermis, the most external layer of the skin that is highly specialized in defense against external agents, prevention of leakage of body fluids and retention of internal water within the cells. Altered epidermal barrier and aberrant KC differentiation are involved in the pathophysiology of several skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis (AD). AD is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by cutaneous and systemic immune dysregulation and skin microbiota dysbiosis. Nevertheless, the pathological mechanisms of this complex disease remain largely unknown. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about the participation of the KC in different aspects of the AD. We provide an overview of the genetic predisposing and environmental factors, inflammatory molecules and signaling pathways of the KC that participate in the physiopathology of the AD. We also analyze the link among the KC, the microbiota and the inflammatory response underlying acute and chronic skin AD lesions.

Protein Hydration in a Bioprotecting Mixture

We combined broad-band depolarized light scattering and infrared spectroscopies to study the properties of hydration water in a lysozyme-trehalose aqueous solution, where trehalose is present above the concentration threshold (30% in weight) relevant for biopreservation. The joint use of the two different techniques, which were sensitive to inter-and intra-molecular degrees of freedom, shed new light on the molecular mechanism underlying the interaction between the three species in the mixture. Thanks to the comparison with the binary solution cases, we were able to show that, under the investigated conditions, the protein, through preferential hydration, remains strongly hydrated even in the ternary mixture. This supported the water entrapment scenario, for which a certain amount of water between protein and sugar protects the biomolecule from damage caused by external agents.

Evaluation of the corrosion potential in armed concrete as a function of armature covering

In concrete structures, it is not uncommon to observe the presence of pathological problems that can often be associated with high temperature range, inadequate execution of works, inefficient projects, materials without quality control, unprepared labor, harmful external agents, among others. Among the pathological manifestations of hardened concrete is the corrosion of steel reinforcement, directly influencing the durability and strength of concrete structures. The object of this research is to analyze the influence of concrete cover thickness and chloride contamination on the potential readings of reinforcement corrosion. Since the cover thickness has a direct influence on the potential readings in chloride contaminated concrete. The corrosion potential measurement method will be used as an electrochemical tool to assist in the corrosion monitoring of reinforced concrete structures. As a standard for the evaluation results, the corrosion potential range recommended by ASTM C 876: 2015 and its relationship with the possibility of corrosion is normally used. With the results obtained during the application of this method, it is possible to identify regions where the reinforcement presents corrosion and how the process of steel depassivation is distributed in the region under study. Therefore, it is expected to verify the influence that the concrete cover has on chloride contamination and also influence the values of the corrosion potential.

Life cycle analysis of Brazilian startups: characteristics, intellectual capital, agents and associated risks

PurposeThe purpose of this paper was to present the stages of the Brazilian startups' organizational life cycle (OLC), identifying and describing the main factors related to the entrepreneurial and organizational perspectives, as well as the factors related to external relationship agents and the associated risks at each OLC stage. In addition, the variables that comprised the three perspectives above were used for a descriptive reading of the evolutionary process from the perspective of intellectual capital during the stages.Design/methodology/approachThe type of research used was quantitative with a descriptive character. For data collection, the authors have used the survey method and two complementary questionnaires were used as research tools. The measurement scale used in these instruments was the 11-point Likert scale. In total, 100 Brazilian startups registered in the STARTUPBASE and residents in São Paulo comprised the sample of this research. For the data processing, it was used the exploratory factor analysis techniques, to identify the analysis factors, and the cluster analysis, to identify the OLC stages.FindingsBased on the results obtained, four stages were identified and described to build the OLC model of this research: Stage I – conception and development; Stage II – organization and traction; Stage III – growth and scale; and Stage IV – consolidation and transition. In addition, the authors described the main lines of evidence found at each stage.Practical implicationsThis research contributes to academic studies of the OLC in startups and the evolution of risks that originate from the relationship between external agents in the business environment and startups. Thus, a management map is built, which helps entrepreneurs and managers construct these businesses since such a management map allows identifying the risks and challenges that a startup needs to overcome to grow and develop.Originality/valueThe originality of this research lies in the adaptation of the OLC approach, which is widely used in studies analyzing the growth and development of mature organizations. The authors used this adaptation to analyze the growth and development of startups in Brazil. In addition, the identification and analysis of external agents that make up the business environment, as well as the analysis of the risks, originated from the relationships between the startup and these agents, brought original and essential results and discussions, both for OLC studies and for risk analysis studies in startups.

APPLICATION OF AN AUTOMATED OPTICAL-MECHANICAL DEVICE FOR TOMOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION OF THE GUM UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF EXTERNAL AGENTS

The work highlights the use of the developed automated optical-mechanical device for tomographic studies of the gums treated with special types of toothpastes. The optical parameters of the gum depth were measured under and without the influence of external agents. This task is relevant and important for therapeutic dentistry. The paper reveals the scheme of an automated opto-mechanical device and its operation, as well as the technical characteristics of the device. The objects of the study were determined and data on the distribution of the reflection coefficient from the subsurface layers (depth 0.5 mm) were obtained. A section of the upper gum area with an area of (1×1) cm2 after treatment with gum pastes in 15 minutes at a wavelength of 0.83 microns was analyzed.

Mechanical Design and Manufacturing of Signal Interception Antenna in Composite Material for Naval Application

This work shows the mechanical design and the FE analyses performed for an innovative naval Antenna Unit for signal interception application: more than twenty electromagnetic sensors operating from HF up to Ka band and microwave modules are integrated in a unique structure designed for a top mast installation (i.e. for naval platform). The number of constraints in terms of weight and electromagnetic transparency calls for the employment of composite materials such as glass, aramidic and carbon epoxy prepregs. Primary structures was modelled by using FE codes: both orthotropic and isotropic models have been implemented as well as non-linear contacts and bolted joints. The mast-mounted installation requires high mechanical stiffness and strength but the exposure to saline environment needs many manufacturing issues to be respected. In particular, the selection process of suitable materials and the sealing manufacturing procedures to protect them from the external agents was reported. Another key feature of the presented design concerns the electromagnetic compatibility requirement: to avoid electromagnetic emissions (EMC) generated by antenna’s internal units and to protect antenna sensors by external platform’s emitters, an appropriate stacking sequence was chosen for composite laminates with a prepreg copper mesh.

TNF-α Inhibitors from natural compounds: An overview, CADD approaches, and their exploration for anti-inflammatory agents

: Inflammation is a natural process that occurs in the organism in response to harmful external agents. Despite being considered beneficial, exaggerated cases can cause severe problems for the body. The main inflammatory manifestations are pain, increased temperature, edema, decreased mobility, and quality of life for affected individuals. Diseases such as arthritis, cancer, allergies, infections, arteriosclerosis, neurodegenerative diseases, and metabolic problems are mainly characterized by an exaggerated inflammatory response. Inflammation is related to two categories of substances: pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators. Among the pro-inflammatory mediators is tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). It is associated with immune diseases, cancer, and psychiatric disorders that increase its excretion. Thus, it becomes a target widely used in discovering new anti-inflammatory drugs. In this context, secondary metabolites biosynthesized by plants have been used for thousands of years and continue to be one of the primary sources of new drug scaffolds against inflammatory diseases. To minimize costs related to the drug discovery process, computer-aided drug design (CADD) techniques are broadly explored to increase the chances of success. In this review, the main natural compounds that are derived from alkaloids, flavonoids, terpene, and polyphenols as promising TNF-α inhibitors will be discussed. Finally, we applied a molecular modeling protocol involving all compounds described here, suggesting that their interactions with Tyr59, Tyr119, Tyr151, Leu57, and Gly121 residues are essential for the activity. Such findings may prove useful for research groups worldwide to design new anti-inflammatory TNF-α inhibitors.