Immigrant Entrepreneurs and Neighborhood Revitalization

Commissioned by The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc., this study examines the role of immigrant entrepreneurs in the revitalization of three Boston neighborhoods. All of these neighborhoods had undergone economic decline but rising immigrant populations in each have postively impacted their revival. In particular, the study looks at the role of immigrant entrepreneurs and their connection to Boston's community and economic development. It identifies the specific ways in which immigrant entrepreneurs contribute to the revitalization of their neighborhoods, centering on the perspectives of the immigrant entrepreneurs themselves. Business start-up, business operations, neighborhood relationships and future plans were covered in 35 interviews, augmented by input from key informants and census data. All in all, the immigrant businesses have proven to be engines of change that contribute to a feeling of stability. One is let with wonder and appreciation for what they have achieved for themselves and their communities

The MX-Helix of Muscle nAChR Subunits Regulates Receptor Assembly and Surface Trafficking.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) are pentameric channels that mediate fast transmission at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and defects in receptor expression underlie neuromuscular disorders such as myasthenia gravis and congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS). Nicotinic receptor expression at the NMJ is tightly regulated and we previously identified novel Golgi-retention signals in the β and δ subunit cytoplasmic loops that regulate trafficking of the receptor to the cell surface. Here, we show that the Golgi retention motifs are localized in the MX-helix, a juxta-membrane alpha-helix present in the proximal cytoplasmic loop of receptor subunits, which was defined in recent crystal structures of cys-loop receptor family members. First, mutational analysis of CD4-MX-helix chimeric proteins showed that the Golgi retention signal was dependent on both the amphipathic nature of the MX-helix and on specific lysine residues (βK353 and δK351). Moreover, retention was associated with ubiquitination of the lysines, and βK353R and δK351R mutations reduced ubiquitination and increased surface expression of CD4-β and δ MX-helix chimeric proteins. Second, mutation of these lysines in intact β and δ subunits perturbed Golgi-based glycosylation and surface trafficking of the AChR. Notably, combined βK353R and δK351R mutations increased the amount of surface AChR with immature forms of glycosylation, consistent with decreased Golgi retention and processing. Third, we found that previously identified CMS mutations in the ε subunit MX-helix decreased receptor assembly and surface levels, as did an analogous mutation introduced into the β subunit MX-helix. Together, these findings indicate that the subunit MX-helix contributes to receptor assembly and is required for normal expression of the AChR and function of the NMJ. In addition, specific determinants in the β and δ subunit MX-helix contribute to quality control of AChR expression by intracellular retention and ubiquitination of unassembled subunits, and by facilitating the appropriate glycosylation of assembled surface AChR

The Brazilian experience: democracy, at its fullest, saves lives

Brazil is a deeply unequal democracy which enjoyed an economic boom in the 2000s – and is now suffering from a recession and the threat of austerity cuts. Michael Touchton, Natasha Borges Sugiyama and Brian Wampler analysed the factors that led to falls in infant mortality. They found that while competitive local elections were important, they alone were not enough. Citizen participation in how services are run, social welfare programmes and well-run local government mattered more

Participation and the Poor: Social Accountability Institutions and Poverty Reduction in Brazil

Democracy, according to a large body of research, contributes to human development by improving citizens\u27 lives (Prezeworkski et al. 2000; Gerrign et al. 2012; McGuire 2010; Baum and Lake 2003; Gerring et al. 2015). Broad evidence demonstrates that democracies provide higher standards of living, on average, for their citizens than authoritarian countries (Boix 2001; Brown and Hunter 2004; Brown and Mobarak 2009; Besley and Kudamatsu 2006; Lake and Baum 2001). But what is it about democratic practice that enhances the quality of its citizens\u27 lives? Proponents argue that democratic practices such as competitive elections, checks and balances, and protection of individual rights contribute to government\u27s responsiveness to citizens\u27 demands, which in turn improves the quality of government performance and citizens\u27 well-being (Rueschemayer, Stephens, and Stephens 1992; Przeworkski et al. 2000; Fox 2015; Sen 1999; Diamond 1999; Gerring et al. 2015; O\u27Donnell 1998). But many new democracies are beset by weak party systems, low voter knowledge, entrenched clientelistic practices, fragmented states, and partial protection of the rights formally guaranteed by new constitutions. These limitations often combine to hinder the ability of democratically elected governments to improve basic human development (Przeworski et al. 1999; O\u27Donnell 1998; Weyland 1996; Cleary 2010). And yet, some new democracies are new improving and expanding public goods provisions, which enhances citizens\u27 basic social well-being and helps them to develop basic capabilities (Sen 1999; Gerring et al. 2015). In this article, we identify three casual pathways that establish a close link between democracy and human capabilities to provide a more robust accounting of how specific features of democratic regimes lead to specific improvements in human development. It is important to note that we control for elections\u27 potential influence on local poverty rates, but we argue that elections are too distant from ongoing policy cycles to impact poverty directly. Instead, we present evidence for specific institutions and policies\u27 role for reducing local poverty in Brazil. We also control for economic growth, which represents the dominant explanation for poverty reduction in Brazil and around the world

Immigrant Entrepreneurs and Neighborhood Revitalization: Studies of the Allston Village, East Boston and Fields Corner Neighborhoods in Boston

Although somewhat later than other major urban areas, Boston has been experiencing fundamental demographic changes. The 2000 Census reported that for the first time non-Hispanic whites constitute a minority of the city’s population. Subsequent Census estimates confirm an even stronger trend toward a rapidly diversifying population. Immigration has been a major factor in this growth and diversification. A recent report shows that over the last 15 years more than 22,000 new immigrants have annually settled in Massachusetts. The foreign-born as a percentage of the population has grown from 9.4 percent in 1980 to 14.3 percent in 2004

New records of rove-beetles (Insecta, Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) for Azores Islands (Portugal)

The data we present consist of an updated checklist of the Azorean Staphylinidae (Insecta, Coleoptera), by compiling new identified records of three recent published studies about Azorean arthropods. In general, the records were obtained from different standardised sampling campaigns and from non-standardised observations. The presented records were collected between July 1999 and September 2020, in five islands of the Azores Archipelago: Flores, Graciosa, Terceira, São Miguel and Santa Maria. The samples include records collected in several habitat types, such as native, mixed and exotic forests, pasturelands and agricultural areas (maize fields, orchards, citrus areas and vineyards). This inventory represents the most updated checklist and knowledge about Staphylinidae in Azores and new information includes one new exotic rove-beetle for the Azores (Thecturota tenuissima Casey, 1893) and seven new islands records.his work was funded by eight projects: (1) Direccao Regional dos Recursos Florestais (Azorean Government/project 17.01-080203), (2) FCT-project PTDC/BIA-BEC/100182/2008 MACRISK - "Predicting extinctions on islands: a multi-scale assessment", (3) DRCT project M112/F/014/2007; (4) FCT-NETBIOME -ISLANDBIODIV; (5) AZORESBIOPORTAL - PORBIOTA (ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000072) and (6) AGRO-ECOSERVICES (ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000073), both supported by FEDER and Azorean Public funds through the Operational Program Azores 2020; and (7) PRIBES (LIFE17 IPE/PT/000010) (2019-2020) and (8) LIFE-BETTLES (LIFE18 NAT/PT/000864) (2020-2024), both supported by Direccao Regional do Ambiente. Open access was funded by the project AGRO-ECOSERVICES (ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000073), supported by FEDER and Azorean Public funds through the Operational Program Azores 2020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

New records, detailed distribution and abundance of rove-beetles (Insecta, Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) collected between 1990 and 2015 in Azores (Portugal) with an updated checklist

Background: The dataset we present consists of an inventory compiling all records and knowledge about Staphylinidae (Insecta, Coleoptera) in the Azores and is part of a long-term monitoring performed between 1990 and 2015 in different habitat types of eight islands of the Azores Archipelago. Most samples come from the BALA project (Biodiversity of Arthropods from the Laurisilva of Azores) that sampled native forests in the Azores. Additional sampled habitats include exotic forests, intensive and semi-natural pasturelands, orchards, caves and lava flows. Most of the records (about 96.7%) were collected in standardised sampling campaigns, which included pitfall traps and beating transect protocols. Non-standardised records are based on hand-collecting and sifting, as well as cave, colour and malaise traps. New information: We provide a long-term inventory of Staphylinidae (Insecta, Coleoptera) collected in the course of several standardised sampling campaigns and recorded with non-standardised methods. We collected a total of 10744 specimens belonging to 69 identified species of Staphylinidae, which represents 51% of the species known from the Azores Archipelago. Four endemic species were sampled, representing 40% of the known Azorean endemic species. From this dataset, seven species are new for the Azores: Aleochara funebris Wollaston, 1864; Amischa forcipata Mulsant & Rey, 1873; Bledius unicornis (Germar, 1825); Carpelimus troglodytes (Erichson, 1840); Cypha seminulum (Erichson, 1839); Paraphloeostiba gayndahensis (MacLeay, 1871); Tachyporus caucasicus Kolenati, 1846. We also registered a total of 66 new island records for eight Azorean islands. This contribution continues a series of publications on the distribution and abundance of Azorean arthropods. We also provide an updated list of Azorean rove-beetles (Staphylinidae) that now includes 136 species, ten of them considered Azorean endemics.Species collecting was possible, based on the funding from the following projects: "Reservas Florestais dos Açores: Cartografia e Inventariação dos Artrópodes Endémicos dos Açores" (BALA) (Direccao Regional dos Recursos Florestais, project 17.01-080203) (1999-2003) ; "Agriculture, habitat fragmentation, indicator species and conservation of endemic fauna and flora in the Azores - the 2010 Target" (Direccao Regional da Ciência e Tecnologia, DRCT-Postdoc M112/F/014/2007) (2007-2009) ; "Predicting extinctions on islands: a multi-scale assessment" (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia-FCT-PTDC/BIA-BEC/100182/2008) (2010-2013) ; "Understanding biodiversity dynamics in tropical and subtropical islands as an aid to science based conservation action" (ISLANDBIODIV) (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, FCT/NETBIOME/0003) . The database management was funded by FEDER (85%) and by Azorean Public funds (15%) through Operational Programme Azores 2020, under the project AZORESBIOPORTAL -PORBIOTA (ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000072).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Navigating the Global Economy: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Massachusetts Maritime Economy

The Massachusetts Maritime Economy is comprised of 5,555 establishments that employ 90,482 workers, pay $3.4 billion in total wages, and account for$6.4 billion in gross state product. These businesses are a significant economic driver in Massachusetts, representing 2.6 percent of the Commonwealth’s direct employment and 1.3 percent of its direct gross state product. 5,555 establishments 90,482 employees $3.4 billion total wages$6.4 billion gross state product Employment in the industry compares favorably with other major sectors of the state’s economy, including the Information and Manufacturing sectors. Growth in the Massachusetts Maritime Economy Was More Robust Than the Statewide Industry Total Growth in Massachusetts’ Maritime Economy was generally more robust than the state as a whole from 2005 to 2015; employment grew by 18.2 percent from 2005 to 2015, compared to 8.4 percent for the statewide industry total. Gross State Product (48.0% vs. 32.1%) and Real Gross State Product (36.7% vs. 11.4%) also increased significantly more than the state total, although the number of establishments grew at a slower pace. The Maritime Economy Grew Through the Great Recession The Massachusetts Maritime Economy exhibited fairly consistent employment and real GSP growth throughout the economic cycle. While the Maritime Economy experienced a slight downturn in employment and real GSP in 2009, both indicators returned to an upward trajectory just a year later and this trend continued through 2014 and 2015. The Massachusetts Maritime Economy Is a Significant Economic Driver The Massachusetts Maritime Economy generated a total statewide economic impact of $17.336 billion in output (sales), 135,924 jobs, and$6.839 billion in labor income in 2015. Or put another way, with $9.828 billion in output, 90,482 workers, and$3.924 billion in labor income (direct impacts), maritime related businesses supported an additional $7.508 billion in output, 45,442 jobs, and$2.915 billion in labor income in the Massachusetts economy (indirect and induced impacts). Tourism & Recreation is the Largest Maritime Economy Sector There are six major sectors in the Massachusetts Maritime Economy: Living Resources Marine Construction Offshore Minerals Ship & Boat Building & Repair Tourism & Recreation (Coastal) Transportation Tourism & Recreation is by far the largest sector in terms of employment, although it accounts for a smaller share of total wages and gross state product. Conversely, the Marine Transportation sector, which includes Marine Technology, accounts for only 13 percent of employment, yet 35 percent of total wages and 35 percent of GSP, is primarily due to the high value of the products and services the sector provides. The Living Resources sector accounts for six percent of Maritime Economy employment. Employment in the sector has been declining since 2009, particularly in the fishing industry. Ship & Boat Building & Repair accounts for only small portions of employment and GSP due to the almost total absence of major ship and boat builders in the Commonwealth. (One portion of executive summary--much more in total summary, see PDF

An ex vivo gene therapy approach to treat muscular dystrophy using inducible pluripotent stem cells.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a progressive and incurable neuromuscular disease caused by genetic and biochemical defects of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex. Here we show the regenerative potential of myogenic progenitors derived from corrected dystrophic induced pluripotent stem cells generated from fibroblasts of mice lacking both dystrophin and utrophin. We correct the phenotype of dystrophic induced pluripotent stem cells using a Sleeping Beauty transposon system carrying the micro-utrophin gene, differentiate these cells into skeletal muscle progenitors and transplant them back into dystrophic mice. Engrafted muscles displayed large numbers of micro-utrophin-positive myofibers, with biochemically restored dystrophin-glycoprotein complex and improved contractile strength. The transplanted cells seed the satellite cell compartment, responded properly to injury and exhibit neuromuscular synapses. We also detect muscle engraftment after systemic delivery of these corrected progenitors. These results represent an important advance towards the future treatment of muscular dystrophies using genetically corrected autologous induced pluripotent stem cells