-A commercial casein hydrolysate was microencapsulated in liposomes produced with non-purified soy lecithin, cryoprotected with two different disaccharides and lyophilized. The encapsulation efficiency of casein hydrolysate ranged from 30 to 40%. The powders were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron micrography (SEM), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). DSC data revealed the presence of an exothermal transition in empty lyophilized liposomes, which was ascribed to the presence of a quasicrystalline lamellar phase (intermediary characteristics between the L β and L c phases). The addition of peptides to the liposomal system caused the disappearance of this exothermic phenomenon, as they were located in the polar headgroup portion of the bilayer, causing disorder and preventing the formation of the quasicrystalline phase. Infrared data indicated the presence of the peptides in the lyophilized formulations and showed that the cryoprotectants interacted effectively with the polar heads of phospholipids in the bilayer.

Throughout human history, people expressed admiration for heroes who possessed extraordinary abilities and achieved superhuman goals. For many, modern-day celebrities fulfil this role and are prominent in various marketing communications activities. This paper addresses the literature review gaps and provides an in-depth review of the psychological and social psychological perspectives which are relevant to the celebrity endorsement literature. The contributions of this paper consist of a detailed analysis of most important consumercelebrity relationships, key emotional drivers (e.g., envy and admiration) of celebrity influence and the development of an original conceptual model. The conceptual model pulls together the past research and identifies new research gaps, which synthesises different research perspectives and provides a sound theoretical basis guiding future researchers and marketing managers.

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Summary The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of producing proliposomes incorporating beta‐carotene by spray drying and to assess the capacity of the liposomes produced by the hydration of the dry phospholipid particles to preserve the encapsulated carotenoid. Powders containing beta‐carotene, hydrogenated phosphatidylcholine and sucrose were obtained and characterised in terms of crystallinity, morphology, thermal behaviour, density, solubility and hygroscopicity. The preservation of beta‐carotene in the powder was evaluated for two storage conditions under normal atmosphere and vacuum. The proliposome was highly soluble, with all components embedded in the matrix and capable of preserving more than 90% of the incorporated beta‐carotene for 60 days of refrigerated storage under vacuum. The liposome dispersions maintained their average size, polydispersity index and zeta potential for 100 days of storage. After 60 days, the degradation of encapsulated beta‐carotene was minimal, and the colour of the dispersions was preserved.

Small and medium-sized technology-based companies are recognized as essential for the economy and business activity. The purpose of this article is to study how the technological innovation process occurs in small and medium technology-based companies located in the metropolitan region of the Paraíba Valley and North Coast -Brazil. The theoretical framework used is composed by six our models of innovation: the technology push, the market pull, the coupling innovation process, the functional integration innovation process, the systems integration and networking innovation process and open innovation. It was used in this research the multiple case studies with a qualitative approach. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with owner-managers. The sample consisted of four small and medium technology-based companies of metropolitan region of the Paraíba Valley and North Coast -Brazil. In the data analysis, there was an intra and cross case analysis in order to verify the similarities and differences of the cases studied. As a result of observation of innovation development models adopted by companies, it appears that the model is closer to what was proposed in the chain interactions model. The development of innovation depends on the type of economic activity that is developed by the company and the interactions it has with internal and external environment. It was concluded that the small and medium-sized technology-based companies do not innovate in a systematic way, but intuitively and very focused on the ideas of its founders. They innovate focusing for meeting the requirements of customers and the needs observed in the market. The formation of partnerships is still viewed warily by the leaders and owners.