Crease o no: alternancia política y desagregación de los poderes locales en el conurbano bonaerense (2005-2007)

Hemos seleccionado un conjunto de casos en los que se constató una renovación en el control del estado local que produjo como consecuencia el quiebre de históricos armados de poder. Los municipios que hemos tomado para el análisis, entendiendo que los mismos cubrían el variado espectro de formatos a través de los cuales se desplegó este proceso dentro del área del conurbano bonaerense, son: Quilmes; Lanús; Almirante Brown; Esteban Echeverría; San Miguel; Tigre y La Plata. Distintos interrogantes serán planteados entonces a la hora de mirar estos casos. En primer lugar: ¿desde qué tipo de armado político se consumaron las diferentes vías de alternancia? ¿qué factores o condiciones le dieron verosimilitud a estas opciones de recambio? ¿cuál fue el rol que tuvieron los liderazgos locales en este proceso? En segundo lugar: ¿de qué modo incidieron sobre los escenarios locales las lógicas nacionales motorizadas mediante la acción del liderazgo del hoy ex presidente, Néstor Kirchner? ¿en qué medida este análisis da cuenta del proceso de transformación que vienen experimentando los lazos de representación política? y, finalmente: ¿qué nos dice dicho proceso respecto de las características que definen hoy en día a las estructuras políticas de aquellas fuerzas partidarias que fueron protagonistas históricos de la escena provincial, y particularmente, de la vida política del conurbano bonaerense? Estas preguntas serán la guía sobre la base de la cual se desarrollará el presente trabajo en el que tomaremos como escenarios específicos de observación, la constitución de la oferta electoral; las estrategias de campaña desplegadas y, por último, la distribución de las preferencias electorales.Jornadas realizadas junto con el I Encuentro Latinoamericano de Metodología de las Ciencias Sociales.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Crease o no: alternancia política y desagregación de los poderes locales en el conurbano bonaerense (2005-2007)

Hemos seleccionado un conjunto de casos en los que se constató una renovación en el control del estado local que produjo como consecuencia el quiebre de históricos armados de poder. Los municipios que hemos tomado para el análisis, entendiendo que los mismos cubrían el variado espectro de formatos a través de los cuales se desplegó este proceso dentro del área del conurbano bonaerense, son: Quilmes; Lanús; Almirante Brown; Esteban Echeverría; San Miguel; Tigre y La Plata. Distintos interrogantes serán planteados entonces a la hora de mirar estos casos. En primer lugar: ¿desde qué tipo de armado político se consumaron las diferentes vías de alternancia? ¿qué factores o condiciones le dieron verosimilitud a estas opciones de recambio? ¿cuál fue el rol que tuvieron los liderazgos locales en este proceso? En segundo lugar: ¿de qué modo incidieron sobre los escenarios locales las lógicas nacionales motorizadas mediante la acción del liderazgo del hoy ex presidente, Néstor Kirchner? ¿en qué medida este análisis da cuenta del proceso de transformación que vienen experimentando los lazos de representación política? y, finalmente: ¿qué nos dice dicho proceso respecto de las características que definen hoy en día a las estructuras políticas de aquellas fuerzas partidarias que fueron protagonistas históricos de la escena provincial, y particularmente, de la vida política del conurbano bonaerense? Estas preguntas serán la guía sobre la base de la cual se desarrollará el presente trabajo en el que tomaremos como escenarios específicos de observación, la constitución de la oferta electoral; las estrategias de campaña desplegadas y, por último, la distribución de las preferencias electorales.Jornadas realizadas junto con el I Encuentro Latinoamericano de Metodología de las Ciencias Sociales.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Cross-reactivity between HLA-A2-restricted FLU-M1:58–66 and HIV p17 GAG:77–85 epitopes in HIV-infected and uninfected individuals

BACKGROUND: The matrix protein of the influenza A virus and the matrix and capsid proteins of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) share striking structural similarities which may have evolutionary and biological significance. These similarities led us to hypothesize the existence of cross-reactivity between HLA-A2-restricted FLU-M1:58–66 and HIV-1 p17 GAG:77–85 epitopes. METHODS: The hypothesis that these two epitopes are cross-reactive was tested by determining the presence and extent of FLU/GAG immune cross-reactivity in lymphocytes from HIV-seropositive and seronegative HLA-A2(+ )donors by cytotoxicity assays and tetramer analyses. Moreover, the molecular basis for FLU/GAG cross-reactivity in HIV-seropositive and seronegative donors was studied by comparing lymphocyte-derived cDNA sequences corresponding to the TCR-β variable regions, in order to determine whether stimulation of lymphocytes with either peptide results in the expansion of identical T-cell clonotypes. RESULTS: Here, we report evidence of cross-reactivity between FLU-M1:58–66 and HIV-1 p17 GAG:77–85 epitopes following in vitro stimulation of PBMC derived from either HIV-seropositive or seronegative HLA-A2(+ )donors as determined by cytotoxicity assays, tetramer analyses, and molecular clonotyping. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that immunity to the matrix protein of the influenza virus may drive a specific immune response to an HLA-A2-restricted HIV gag epitope in HIV-infected and uninfected donors vaccinated against influenza

Worldwide diffusion of Fig latent virus 1 in fig accessions and its detection by serological and molecular tools

A virus with filamentous particles ca. 700 nm long, denoted Fig latent virus 1 (FLV-1) is widespread in Apulian (southern Italy) fig orchards, in trees showing or not mosaic symptoms and in symptomless seedlings. The virus was transmitted by sap inoculation to a very restricted range of herbaceous hosts without inducing apparent symptoms and was transmitted through fig seeds to a very high percentage (80 to 100 %). It was successfully purified from root tissues of infected figs. A virus-specific antiserum raised in rabbits, proved useful for its detection in fig leaf dips by immunosorbent electron microscopy (ISEM), Western Blot, dot immuno-binding (DIBA), ELISA. The viral genome structure resembles that of members of the genus Trichovirus in the family Flexiviridae. Keywords: fig latent virus, Trichovirus, serology, ISEM, Western blot, DIBA, ELIS

Combining polynomial chaos expansions and genetic algorithm for the coupling of electrophysiological models

The number of computational models in cardiac research has grown over the last decades. Every year new models with di erent assumptions appear in the literature dealing with di erences in interspecies cardiac properties. Generally, these new models update the physiological knowledge using new equations which reect better the molecular basis of process. New equations require the fi tting of parameters to previously known experimental data or even, in some cases, simulated data. This work studies and proposes a new method of parameter adjustment based on Polynomial Chaos and Genetic Algorithm to nd the best values for the parameters upon changes in the formulation of ionic channels. It minimizes the search space and the computational cost combining it with a Sensitivity Analysis. We use the analysis of di ferent models of L-type calcium channels to see that by reducing the number of parameters, the quality of the Genetic Algorithm dramatically improves. In addition, we test whether the use of the Polynomial Chaos Expansions improves the process of the Genetic Algorithm search. We conclude that it reduces the Genetic Algorithm execution in an order of 103 times in the case studied here, maintaining the quality of the results. We conclude that polynomial chaos expansions can improve and reduce the cost of parameter adjustment in the development of new models.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

\u3ci\u3ePlectus\u3c/i\u3e of the Prairie: A Case Study of Taxonomic Resolution from a Nematode Biodiversity Survey

Taxonomic resolution is a critical component of biodiversity assessments. In this case study, we examined a single taxon within a larger study of nematode diversity to evaluate the taxonomic resolution of different diversity assessment methods. The selected taxon was the microbial-feeding genus Plectus, a group considered to include multiple cosmopolitan species. The methods included a morphological evaluation by light microscopy, Sanger sequencing of PCR amplicons of COI and 18S gene regions, and 18S metabarcoding sequencing. The study sites were 15 remnant tallgrass prairie plots in eastern Nebraska. In the morphological analysis, we observed two basic morphotypes, a short-tailed form with a small amphid and a long-tailed form with a large amphid. Sanger sequencing of COI sorted Plectus diversity into six distinct clades. The largest two of these six clades keyed to P. parietinus and P. rhizophilus based on morphology. BLAST analysis with COI revealed no close matches in GenBank. Sanger sequencing of the 18S region did not differentiate the six clades. These results illustrate that the method of diversity assessment strongly influences estimates of biodiversity. An additional 95 Plectus specimens, from outside the remnant sites, added taxonomic breadth to the COI phylogenetic tree. There were no geographically widespread COI haplotypes and no evidence of cosmopolitan Plectus species

The Innate Immune System of the Perinatal Lung and Responses to Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

The response of the preterm and newborn lung to airborne pathogens, particles, and other insults is initially dependent on innate immune responses since adaptive responses may not fully mature and require weeks for sufficient responses to antigenic stimuli. Foreign material and microbial agents trigger soluble, cell surface, and cytoplasmic receptors that activate signaling cascades that invoke release of surfactant proteins, defensins, interferons, lactoferrin, oxidative products, and other innate immune substances that have antimicrobial activity, which can also influence adaptive responses. For viral infections such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the pulmonary innate immune responses has an essential role in defense as there are no fully effective vaccines or therapies for RSV infections of humans and reinfections are common. Understanding the innate immune response by the preterm and newborn lung may lead to preventive strategies and more effective therapeutic regimens

Circumventing antivector immunity: potential use of nonhuman adenoviral vectors

Adenoviruses are efficient gene delivery vectors based on their ability to transduce a wide variety of cell types and drive high-level transient transgene expression. While there have been advances in modifying human adenoviral (HAdV) vectors to increase their safety profile, there are still pitfalls that need to be further addressed. Preexisting humoral and cellular immunity against common HAdV serotypes limits the efficacy of gene transfer and duration of transgene expression. As an alternative, nonhuman AdV (NHAdV) vectors can circumvent neutralizing antibodies against HAdVs in immunized mice and monkeys and in human sera, suggesting that NHAdV vectors could circumvent preexisting humoral immunity against HAdVs in a clinical setting. Consequently, there has been an increased interest in developing NHAdV vectors for gene delivery in humans. In this review, we outline the recent advances and limitations of HAdV vectors for gene therapy and describe examples of NHAdV vectors focusing on their immunogenicity, tropism, and potential as effective gene therapy vehicles

Anxiety and Expressed Emotion in a Sample of Obese Patients

INTRODUCTION Expressed Emotion (EE) is a measure of the intensity of the affective family climate and plays a role in disease course and outcome. Especially in urban settings, obesity is a severe problem with serious implications as far as health risks are concerned. Having a high EE caregiver has been suggested to correlate with a worse treatment compliance in obese patients. OBJECTIVES To measure level of EE, stressful events and anxiety in obese patients and their caregivers; to investigate the possible correlations between compliance with treatment and emotional temperature of families. METHODS We have already recruited more than 150 obese patients and their caregivers. Assessment included: Level of Expressed Emotion Scale (LEE), one version for patients and one for relatives in order to evaluate 4 dimensions: intrusiveness, emotional response, attitude toward disease, tolerance and expectation; the Paykel\u2019s Interview for Recent Life Events; STAI Y1 concerning state anxiety and STAI Y2 concerning trait anxiety. Furthermore we collected demographic characteristics and BMI (Body Mass Index). RESULTS Data collection and analyses are still ongoing. Preliminary results suggest a correlation between obesity and level of anxiety. We expect to find a correlation between level of EE and variation of BMI. CONCLUSIONS Levels of EE and anxiety should be considered when planning treatment interventions to enhance compliance in obese patients and to support change in their life-style

Early Rehabilitation in a Psychiatric Ward for Acute Patients: the Experience of the S.C. Psichiatria, Aou Maggiore Della Carit\ue0, Novara, Italy

Introduction Our Psychiatry Ward (SC Psichiatria, Maggiore della Carit\ue0 Hospital, Novara) has a longstanding tradition in the training of clinicians (psychiatrists, but also non-psychiatrists) about the importance of the approach in helping relationships. This tradition reflects itself in the organization of the assistance to the acute psychiatric inpatients admitted to the Ward. In addition to treatment as usual, patients have the opportunity of being involved in several group activities. The activities are proposed to them, with an approach that varies according to the patient's lifetime diagnosis, current conditions, relational difficulties, etc. In other words, different activities may be proposed to different patients, in different ways. Aims To describe the integrated treatment approach we use in our Psychiatry Ward. Methods Group activities are guided by a group leader who is supported by one or two assistants whose role is to facilitate discussion. Activities include: Newspaper Reading (everyday in the morning, 1 hour); Music Listening Group (once a week; 1 hour); Cinema Group (once a week; 2 hours and a half); Fairytale Group (on alternating days in the evening, 1 hour). Results More details will be supplied regarding the theoretical background for the group, the group features/implementation, and its specific objectives. Conclusions All the group activities integrate themselves in an early rehabilitation project tailored to each patients' characteristics and needs. Briefly, their main objectives include: 1) to help patients endorse their cognitive, emotional and relational skills; 2) to offer support to the crisis they are experiencing, which led them to admission to the Ward