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Tourism sector is based in services, most of them offered by small enterprises. The information and knowledge represents to this enterprises one of the main areas, used to define strategies and short/medium term business plans. This paper pretends to discuss the integrated knowledge management concept and present a new matrix developed during a Phd Thesis in Tourism at University of Aveiro (Portugal). The EGIC Matrix (Integrated Knowledge Management Spiral) is a new flexible methodology that can be used to analyse different destinations or even tourism market segments. Is a new concept of an integrated approach that can be very useful for public and private enterprises and tourism organizations. The authors used this matrix to study a market segment growing, residential tourism, thus proving its usefulness and added value achieved for the sector.

As creative tourism consolidates both as an autonomous research area and a valid sustainable form of tourism based on learning, active participation, co-creation, creative self-expression, and local community engagement, its economic models have evolved from simple creative activities to complex territorial and technological-based networks, boosting the entrepreneurship of creative communities in tourism. Seen as a means of territorial development strategy through tourism, creative networks can stem from private partnerships, the public sector, the local community, or third sector organisations. Focusing on a case study approach, this research adopts a multidimensional framework with the goal of analysing the benefits of creative tourism towards a creative tourism network. Using a quantitative approach through Likert scale statements of five items, this research aimed to study the creative supply and demand linked to a creative tourism network. Based on the principles and benefits of creative tourism and the goals of the creative network, the following dimensions were analysed: job creation; production and commerce of creative products; safeguarding of tangible and intangible heritage; development of social capital between network agents; creative and innovative images of the region; the active role of the local community in the network; and the consumption profile of the creative tourist through the network. The main conclusions of the study point to the network boosting local job creation and preserving local traditions but struggling to expand sales and increase tourist stays. While it enhances the region's image, there is a need for stronger collaboration and community engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryopreservation protocols have not yet been defined for seeds of some Coffea species due to their high sensitivity to desiccation and to ultra-low temperatures, factors that lead to low seed survival rates after warming. This reduced rate occurs due to several factors that compromise cellular integrity during the steps of the process. In this study, we evaluated the effect of moisture content and the types of packaging on the cryopreservation of Coffea racemosa and Coffea liberica var dewevrei seeds. For that purpose, seeds were dried to moisture contents of 18, 20, and 25% (dry basis—db) for C. racemosa and to contents of 20, 25, 30, and 35% for C. liberica. The seeds were then packed in mesh bags, Falcon tubes, and triple-laminated aluminum foil pouches before being directly immersed in liquid nitrogen. Physiological and biochemical analyses were performed on the seeds. There was interaction between moisture content and the packaging of the seeds of the species. Drying the seeds to a 20% moisture content and packing them in triple-laminated aluminum foil pouches provided the best cryopreservation protocol among those studied, with survival rates of 79 and 8% for C. racemosa and C. liberica, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to verify whether germline single nucleotide variants (SNV) in CTLA-4 gene, c.-1765C>T, c.-1661A>G, c.-1577G>A, and c.-1478G>A, influence the risk, clinicopathological aspects, and survival of patients with CM, as well as its functional consequences. A total of 432 patients with CM and 504 controls were evaluated. CTLA-4 genotypes were identified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and expression of CTLA-4 by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and luciferase assay. Cell cycle, proliferation, apoptosis/necrosis, and migration analyses were performed in SK-MEL-28 and A-375 cell lines modified to present homozygous ancestral or variant genotypes by CRISPR technique. Individuals with the CTLA-4 c.-1577 AA genotype and the combined CTLA-4 c.-1577 and c.-1478 AA + AA genotypes were at 1.60- and 3.12-fold higher risk of developing CM, respectively. The CTLA-4 c.-1577 AA genotype was seen as an independent predictor of worse event-free survival and was also associated with higher gene expression, higher cell proliferation, lower cell apoptosis, and higher cell migration. Our data present, for the first time, evidence that CTLA-4 c.-1577G>A alters the risk and clinical aspects of CM treated with conventional procedures and may be used for selecting individuals for tumor prevention and patients for distinct treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a polyhedral silsesquioxane (POSS) was used as an engineered drug delivery system for two oxindolimine–copper(II) anticancer complexes, [Cu(isaepy)]+ and [Cu(isapn)]+. The interest in hybrid POSS comes from the necessity of developing materials that can act as adjuvants to improve the cytotoxicity of non-soluble metallodrugs. Functionalization of POSS with a triazole ligand (POSS-atzac) permitted the anchorage of such copper complexes, producing hybrid materials with efficient cytotoxic effects. Structural and morphological characterizations of these copper-POSS systems were performed by using different techniques (IR, NMR, thermogravimetric analysis). A combination of continuous-wave (CW) and pulsed EPR (HYSCORE) spectroscopies conducted at the X-band have enabled the complete characterization of the coordination environment of the copper ion in the POSS-atzac matrix. Additionally, the cytotoxic effects of the loaded materials, [Cu(isapn)]@POSS-atzac and [Cu(isaepy)]@POSS-atzac, were assessed toward melanomas (SK-MEL), in comparison to non-tumorigenic cells (fibroblast P4). Evaluation of their nuclease activity or ability to facilitate cleavage of DNA indicated concentrations as low as 0.6 μg mL−1, while complete DNA fragmentation was observed at 25 μg mL−1. By using adequate scavengers, investigations on active intermediates responsible for their cytotoxicity were performed, both in the absence and in the presence of ascorbate as a reducing agent. Based on the observed selective cytotoxicity of these materials toward melanomas, investigations on the reactivity of these complexes and corresponding POSS-materials with melanin, a molecule that contributes to melanoma resistance to chemotherapy, were carried out. Results indicated the main role of the binuclear copper species, formed at the surface of the silica matrix, in the observed reactivity and selectivity of these copper-POSS systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]