MPER-specific antibodies induce gp120 shedding and irreversibly neutralize HIV-1

Antibody-mediated gp120 shedding and HIV neutralization exhibit similar kinetics and thermodynamic requirements

Evaluating expert-based habitat suitability information of terrestrial mammals with GPS-tracking data

Aim Macroecological studies that require habitat suitability data for many species often derive this information from expert opinion. However, expert-based information is inherently subjective and thus prone to errors. The increasing availability of GPS tracking data offers opportunities to evaluate and supplement expert-based information with detailed empirical evidence. Here, we compared expert-based habitat suitability information from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with habitat suitability information derived from GPS-tracking data of 1,498 individuals from 49 mammal species. Location Worldwide. Time period 1998-2021. Major taxa studied Forty-nine terrestrial mammal species. Methods Using GPS data, we estimated two measures of habitat suitability for each individual animal: proportional habitat use (proportion of GPS locations within a habitat type), and selection ratio (habitat use relative to its availability). For each individual we then evaluated whether the GPS-based habitat suitability measures were in agreement with the IUCN data. To that end, we calculated the probability that the ranking of empirical habitat suitability measures was in agreement with IUCN's classification into suitable, marginal and unsuitable habitat types. Results IUCN habitat suitability data were in accordance with the GPS data (> 95% probability of agreement) for 33 out of 49 species based on proportional habitat use estimates and for 25 out of 49 species based on selection ratios. In addition, 37 and 34 species had a > 50% probability of agreement based on proportional habitat use and selection ratios, respectively. Main conclusions We show how GPS-tracking data can be used to evaluate IUCN habitat suitability data. Our findings indicate that for the majority of species included in this study, it is appropriate to use IUCN habitat suitability data in macroecological studies. Furthermore, we show that GPS-tracking data can be used to identify and prioritize species and habitat types for re-evaluation of IUCN habitat suitability data

CD4-Specific Designed Ankyrin Repeat Proteins Are Novel Potent HIV Entry Inhibitors with Unique Characteristics

Here, we describe the generation of a novel type of HIV entry inhibitor using the recently developed Designed Ankyrin Repeat Protein (DARPin) technology. DARPin proteins specific for human CD4 were selected from a DARPin DNA library using ribosome display. Selected pool members interacted specifically with CD4 and competed with gp120 for binding to CD4. DARPin proteins derived in the initial selection series inhibited HIV in a dose-dependent manner, but showed a relatively high variability in their capacity to block replication of patient isolates on primary CD4 T cells. In consequence, a second series of CD4-specific DARPins with improved affinity for CD4 was generated. These 2nd series DARPins potently inhibit infection of genetically divergent (subtype B and C) HIV isolates in the low nanomolar range, independent of coreceptor usage. Importantly, the actions of the CD4 binding DARPins were highly specific: no effect on cell viability or activation, CD4 memory cell function, or interference with CD4-independent virus entry was observed. These novel CD4 targeting molecules described here combine the unique characteristics of DARPins—high physical stability, specificity and low production costs—with the capacity to potently block HIV entry, rendering them promising candidates for microbicide development

Poetics/Poelitics of materiality in latin american digital poetry

Este artículo propone leer la poesía digital latinoamericana en vinculación con el acontecimiento poético-político que emerge cuando se considera su materialidad. Dar visibilidad a la materialidad habilita limitar la naturalización de los sentidos que vienen asociados a la cultura digital hegemónica contemporánea. Esto se logra desde procedimientos que ponen de relieve tanto los diversos niveles de materialidad inherentes a cada evento artístico literario digital —materialidad textual de superficie, materialidad relacional de las interfaces tanto de software como de hardware, materialidad del código— como los modos convencionales de ser con y hacer sentido de los entramados técnicos digitales que organizan nuestra vida cotidiana.This paper aims to read Latin American digital poetry in regards to the poetic-political event that emerges whenever its materiality is considered. To make materiality visible enables one to restrict the naturalization of meanings associate with contemporary hegemonic digital culture. This is accomplished through artistic procedures that emphasize, on the one hand, the multiple levels of materiality inherent to digital literary works— surface/textual materiality, software and hardware interface relational materiality, code materiality—and, on the other hand, the conventional ways to interact with and build meaning within the digital space that organize everyday life.Fil: Kozak, Claudia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Instituto de Investigaciones "Gino Germani". Estudios Culturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero; Argentin

Poéticas del imaginario técnico: arte, mercado, universidad

Nos interesa señalar la importancia de la poesía experimental que apela a la incorporación de nuevas tecnologías, para el estudio de consumos culturales e imaginarios colectivos, con especial atención en la circulación de lenguajes y el recurso recíproco entre producciones literarias o artísticas y publicitarias. Desde su especificidad, estas producciones contribuyen a afirmar, negar o poner en duda símbolos y significados sociales, y a instituir temporalidades, regímenes de sensibilidad, de atención, entre otros. ¿Qué impactos tienen estas tecnologías en los discursos del arte y la crítica? ¿Qué lugar ocupan estas preocupaciones específicas en la academia? We want to stress the importance of experimental poetry that appeals to the incorporation of new technologies for the study of cultural consumption and collective imagination, with focus on the movement of languages —and the reciprocal recourse between literary or artistic productions and advertising. From its specificity, these productions contribute to affirm, deny or doubt social meanings and symbols, and to institute temporalities, sensitivity and attention regimes, among others. What is the impact of these technologies in the discourses of art criticism? What place takes up these concerns in the academy