Understanding Trends in Authoritarian Populism by Examining the Crackdown on the Cambodian Free Press

Examining trends in authoritarian populism by examining the crackdown on the Cambodian free press. The study focuses on Cambodia’s crackdown on the free press in the lead up to their national election in 2017 in order to repress opposition. The work draws attention to the various scales and spaces in which authoritarianism is produced, enacted and imagined

Class-B CpG-ODN formulated with a nanostructure induces type I interferons-dependent and CD4+T cell-independent CD8+T-Cell response against unconjugated protein antigen

There is a need for new vaccine adjuvant strategies that offer both vigorous antibody and T-cell mediated protection to combat difficult intracellular pathogens and cancer. To this aim, we formulated class-B synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide containing unmethylated cytosine-guanine motifs (CpG-ODN) with a nanostructure (Coa-ASC16 or coagel) formed by self-assembly of 6-0-ascorbyl palmitate ester. Our previous results demonstrated that mice immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) and CpG-ODN formulated with Coa-ASC16 (OVA/CpG-ODN/Coa-ASC16) elicited strong antibodies (IgG1 and IgG2a) and Th1/Th17 cellular responses without toxic systemic effects. These responses were superior to those induced by a solution of OVA with CpG-ODN or OVA/CpG-ODN formulated with aluminum salts. In this study, we investigated the capacity of this adjuvant strategy (CpG-ODN/Coa-ASC16) to elicit CD8+ T-cell response and some of the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in adaptive response. We also analyzed whether this adjuvant strategy allows a switch from an immunization scheme of three-doses to one of single-dose. Our results demonstrated that vaccination with OVA/CpG-ODN/Coa-ASC16 elicited an antigen-specific long-lasting humoral response and importantly-high quality CD8+ T-cell immunity with a single-dose immunization. Moreover, Coa-ASC16 promoted co-uptake of OVA and CpG-ODN by dendritic cells. The CD8+ T-cell response induced by OVA/CpG-ODN/Coa-ASC16 was dependent of type I interferons and independent of CD4+ T-cells, and showed polyfunctionality and efficiency against an intracellular pathogen. Furthermore, the cellular and humoral responses elicited by the nanostructured formulation were IL-6-independent. This system provides a simple and inexpensive adjuvant strategy with great potential for future rationally designed vaccines.Fil: Chiodetti, Ana Laura. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; ArgentinaFil: Sánchez Vallecillo, María Fernanda. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; ArgentinaFil: Dolina, Joseph S.. La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology; Estados UnidosFil: Crespo, Maria Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Marin, Constanza. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Schoenberger, Stephen P.. La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology; Estados UnidosFil: Allemandi, Daniel Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo en Tecnología Farmacéutica. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo en Tecnología Farmacéutica; ArgentinaFil: Palma, Santiago Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo en Tecnología Farmacéutica. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo en Tecnología Farmacéutica; ArgentinaFil: Pistoresi, Maria Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Moron, Victor Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Maletto, Belkys Angélica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentin

Performance Assessment in Fingerprinting and Multi Component Quantitative NMR Analyses

An interlaboratory comparison (ILC) was organized with the aim to set up quality control indicators suitable for multicomponent quantitative analysis by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. A total of 36 NMR data sets (corresponding to 1260 NMR spectra) were produced by 30 participants using 34 NMR spectrometers. The calibration line method was chosen for the quantification of a five-component model mixture. Results show that quantitative NMR is a robust quantification tool and that 26 out of 36 data sets resulted in statistically equivalent calibration lines for all considered NMR signals. The performance of each laboratory was assessed by means of a new performance index (named Qp-score) which is related to the difference between the experimental and the consensus values of the slope of the calibration lines. Laboratories endowed with a Qp-score falling within the suitable acceptability range are qualified to produce NMR spectra that can be considered statistically equivalent in terms of relative intensities of the signals. In addition, the specific response of nuclei to the experimental excitation/relaxation conditions was addressed by means of the parameter named NR. NR is related to the difference between the theoretical and the consensus slopes of the calibration lines and is specific for each signal produced by a well-defined set of acquisition parameters

Crossing the line : the changing nature of highlander cross-border trade in northern Vietnam

This thesis investigates how changing Vietnamese state control over the Vietnam-China border has impacted cross-border trade networks and livelihoods of border residents in Lao Cai province, North Vietnam. The investigation uses information from qualitative research with 91 marketplace traders and border officials at four crossing points in the province. I find that state control over the border and cross-border trade has increased as this trade has been progressively brought within legal parameters from 1954 to 2005.By taking a commodity chain approach to investigate the trade networks of three locally produced goods that move across the border I discuss the complex interactions of state policy, social relations and location factors in shaping contemporary cross-border trade. This investigation suggests that state policy to encourage small scale cross-border trade and new tradable commodities are increasing the livelihood options available to border residents in the province

Ruptures in Living in and Knowing Land Grabbing in Cambodia

When the land grab emerged as an object of study in the late 2000s, Cambodia was a 'hotspot' due to the scale, rapaciousness, and violence of the land grab. The overall objective of this dissertation is to examine how fear, uncertainty and hope animate and infuse the processes by which relations to land are shaped and reshaped in the context of the land grab. I draw from 20-months of multi-method fieldwork – inclusive of multi-site ethnography, interviews, a large survey across six provinces (n=480), and collaborative research projects with civil society – to make four core contributions. First, I argue that land grabs are not just events but are ontologically more complex because affect and fear contours the process by which people come to know and experience the land grab. Reframing the land grab to see it as a networked object that is tied into, and made up of, wider webs of power unmoored from the moment of displacement has epistemological and methodological implications. The second contribution of the dissertation is to explore these implications. I examine how the workings of fear and uncertainty surrounding the land grab posed challenges to the researcher and the research process. Facing these challenges led me to argue for alternative methodologies that are attentive to affective encounters. Third, I examine how a titling campaign ruptured the land grab and how citizens' organizing work contributed to destabilizing the dominance of land grabs. I detail two cases in which communities left out of the campaign grabbed onto the openings it provided to make newly legitimate claims to land. Fourth, this dissertation contributes to an emerging literature surrounding land relations in Cambodia. I examine the continuities and ruptures that shaped land relations in the Cambodia-Vietnam borderlands starting with the French colonial period and continuing to contemporary processes of enclosure. These four insights contribute to the study of state formation in post-conflict settings by integrating the roles that fear, uncertainty and hope play in shaping territorial relations in ways that run counter to common narratives about capitalism and authoritarian-style rule

Exploratory Workshop : Food Security in East and Southeast Asia, 3-4 June 2010, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; workshop report

The workshop’s objectives were: to develop a broad understanding of patterns, dynamics and causes of food insecurity for Southeast and East Asia; to develop understanding of agricultural productivity and production, marketing and storage systems with regard to access to food; to identify research issues for future research and programming; to explore possible partnerships with diverse organizations including agri‐research institutes and civil society actors for future work on food security. Vulnerability to food insecurity in the region is increasing due to degradation of natural resources, privatization of land and fishing rights, the granting of concessions to large private interests, with increasing marginalization and inequality

Features That Middle-aged and Older Cancer Survivors Want in Web-Based Healthy Lifestyle Interventions: Qualitative Descriptive Study

BackgroundWith the increasing number of older cancer survivors, it is imperative to optimize the reach of interventions that promote healthy lifestyles. Web-based delivery holds promise for increasing the reach of such interventions with the rapid increase in internet use among older adults. However, few studies have explored the views of middle-aged and older cancer survivors on this approach and potential variations in these views by gender or rural and urban residence. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore the views of middle-aged and older cancer survivors regarding the features of web-based healthy lifestyle programs to inform the development of a web-based diet and exercise intervention. MethodsUsing a qualitative descriptive approach, we conducted 10 focus groups with 57 cancer survivors recruited from hospital cancer registries in 1 southeastern US state. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic and content analyses with NVivo (version 12.5, QSR International). ResultsA total of 29 male and 28 female urban and rural dwelling Black and White survivors, with a mean age of 65 (SD 8.27) years, shared their views about a web-based healthy lifestyle program for cancer survivors. Five themes emerged related to program content, design, delivery, participation, technology training, and receiving feedback. Cancer survivors felt that web-based healthy lifestyle programs for cancer survivors must deliver credible, high-quality, and individually tailored information, as recommended by health care professionals or content experts. Urban survivors were more concerned about information reliability, whereas women were more likely to trust physicians’ recommendations. Male and rural survivors wanted information to be tailored to the cancer type and age group. Privacy, usability, interaction frequency, and session length were important factors for engaging cancer survivors with a web-based program. Female and rural participants liked the interactive nature and visual appeal of the e-learning sessions. Learning from experts, an attractive design, flexible schedule, and opportunity to interact with other cancer survivors in Facebook closed groups emerged as factors promoting program participation. Low computer literacy, lack of experience with web program features, and concerns about Facebook group privacy were important concerns influencing cancer survivors’ potential participation. Participants noted the importance of technology training, preferring individualized help to standardized computer classes. More rural cancer survivors acknowledged the need to learn how to use computers. The receipt of regular feedback about progress was noted as encouragement toward goal achievement, whereas women were particularly interested in receiving immediate feedback to stay motivated. ConclusionsImportant considerations for designing web-based healthy lifestyle interventions for middle-aged and older cancer survivors include program quality, participants’ privacy, ease of use, attractive design, and the prominent role of health care providers and content experts. Cancer survivors’ preferences based on gender and residence should be considered to promote program participation

Using the TIDieR checklist to describe development and integration of a web-based intervention promoting healthy eating and regular exercise among older cancer survivors

Objective To facilitate replication and future intervention design of web-based multibehavior lifestyle interventions, we describe the rationale, development, and content of the A i M , P lan, and act on LIF est Y les (AMPLIFY) Survivor Health intervention which provides healthy eating and exercise behavior change support for older cancer survivors. The intervention promotes weight loss, improvements in diet quality, and meeting exercise recommendations. Methods The Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist was used to provide a comprehensive description of the AMPLIFY intervention, consistent with CONSORT recommendations. Results A social cognitive theory web-based intervention founded on the core components of efficacious print and in-person interventions was conceptualized and developed through an iterative collaboration involving cancer survivors, web design experts, and a multidisciplinary investigative team. The intervention includes the AMPLIFY website, text and/or email messaging, and a private Facebook group. The website consists of: (1) Sessions (weekly interactive e-learning tutorials); (2) My Progress (logging current behavior, receiving feedback, setting goals); (3) Tools (additional information and resources); (4) Support (social support resources, frequently asked questions); and (5) Home page. Algorithms were used to generate fresh content daily and weekly, tailor information, and personalize goal recommendations. An a priori rubric was used to facilitate intervention delivery as healthy eating only (24 weeks), exercise only (24 weeks), or both behaviors concurrently over 48 weeks. Conclusions Our TIDieR-guided AMPLIFY description provides pragmatic information helpful for researchers designing multibehavior web-based interventions and enhances potential opportunities to improve such interventions