Understanding the process of envelope glycoprotein incorporation into virions in simian and feline immunodeficiency viruses

The lentiviral envelope glycoproteins (Env) mediate virus entry by interacting with specific receptors present at the cell surface, thereby determining viral tropism and pathogenesis. Therefore, Env incorporation into the virions formed by assembly of the viral Gag polyprotein at the plasma membrane of the infected cells is a key step in the replication cycle of lentiviruses. Besides being useful models of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in humans and valuable tools for developing AIDS therapies and vaccines, simian and feline immunodeficiency viruses (SIV and FIV, respectively) are relevant animal retroviruses; the study of which provides important information on how lentiviral replication strategies have evolved. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying the incorporation of the SIV and FIV Env glycoproteins into viral particles.Fil: Affranchino, Jose Luis. Universidad de Belgrano. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Laboratorio de Virología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez, Silvia Adriana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Belgrano. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Laboratorio de Virología; Argentin

Frontoparietal action-oriented codes support novel task set implementation

A key aspect of human cognitive flexibility concerns the ability to rapidly convert complex symbolic instructions into novel behaviors. Previous research proposes that this fast configuration is supported by two differentiated neurocognitive states, namely, an initial declarative maintenance of task knowledge, and a progressive transformation into a pragmatic, action-oriented state necessary for optimal task execution. Furthermore, current models predict a crucial role of frontal and parietal brain regions in this transformation. However, direct evidence for such frontoparietal formatting of novel task representations is still lacking. Here, we report the results of an fMRI experiment in which participants had to execute novel instructed stimulus-response associations. We then used a multivariate pattern-tracking procedure to quantify the degree of neural activation of instructions in declarative and procedural representational formats. This analysis revealed, for the first time, format-unique representations of relevant task sets in frontoparietal areas, prior to execution. Critically, the degree of procedural (but not declarative) activation predicted subsequent behavioral performance. Our results shed light on current debates on the architecture of cognitive control and working memory systems, suggesting a contribution of frontoparietal regions to output gating mechanisms that drive behavior

Informed consent

La profesión de odontólogo se ejerce a través de numerosos actos que requieren de la responsabilidad del profesional, relacionado con distintos problemas que ocurren en el quehacer diario en relación a la aprobación por parte del paciente. El consentimiento informado constituye un acto jurídico que debe reunir características propias.The dental profession is exercised through numerous events that require professional responsibility, related to different problems that happen in daily life in relation to the approval of the patient. Informed consent is a legal act that must meet characteristics.Fil: Gonzalez, Silvia Inés. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Odontologí

Creating a new food category - Insights from stakeholders in the Swedish Market

Title Creating a new food category - Insights from stakeholders in the Swedish market Author Silvia D. García González Division Packaging Logistics, Department of Design Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Lund University Supervisors Märit Beckeman and Karla Marie Paredes Issue of Study The food industry faces a large number of challenges. For that, companies need to understand the dynamic of its industry and built strategies to face those challenges and go beyond. Innovation could be used as a strategic change process. One previous study related to Swedish food innovation suggests that creating a new category could be considered one success criterion to achieve innovation. Moreover, creating a new category could not just be launching a new product but creating new market shares, new experiences and new solutions for the consumers. Provided that, the author decided to explore elements for the positioning of a new food category on the market based on insights obtained from some stakeholders within the Swedish food business. Purpose To obtain insights of how a new food category could be created by (1) reviewing potential drivers and challenges, (2) examining the evolution of some examples of category creations and (3) identifying the role of different stakeholders. Method An exploratory study was carried out with an overall qualitative approach, considering a mix-method. The mix-method included: literature survey, 15 semi-structured interviews considering two case studies. The collected data was processed by triangulation of the multi-sources of evidence, and data analysis was performed by thematic and cross-case analysis. Findings were aimed to answer the research question. Finally a set of conclusions and recommendations for future research was done. Conclusion The creation of a new category is not a one-moment event but a process that needs evolution. The life cycle of a [food] category faces drivers and challenges along the cycle. A simple introduction of one innovative product could be the start up of a potential category. Once a group of products share common targets and/or characteristics, a category is born. Then, the category starts to grow until it becomes mainstream and its time frame will be shaped according to market needs. A road map for the creation of a category was suggested by (1) identifying an opportunity, (2) discussing with potential partners, (3) building a solution for a specific need, (4) constantly upgrading the company and solutions, (5) being visible at the market place and (6) attracting the mainstream consumers. Considering the food value chain, each stakeholder has a role. One key driver is to maintain strong relationships. Retailer and food manufacturer could start a new category. The marketing research body mainly monitors opportunities and provides service and information to the units that develop the product and service. On the other hand, packaging suppliers play a role in the development of alternative products as a solution provider of added-value elements to differentiate a product that could help to start a new category. Lastly, academia plays a triple role, one as an educator of principles, also as a research body of new knowledge and as a collaborator with the industry

Polarized thermal emission from X-ray Dim Isolated Neutron Stars: the case of RX J1856.5-3754

The observed polarization properties of thermal radiation from isolated, cooling neutron stars depend on both the emission processes at the surface and the effects of the magnetized vacuum which surrounds the star. Here we investigate the polarized thermal emission from X-ray Dim Isolated Neutron Stars, taking RX J1856.5-3754 as a representative case. The physical conditions of the star outermost layers in these sources is still debated, and so we consider emission from a magnetized atmosphere and a condensed surface, accounting for the effects of vacuum polarization as the radiation propagates in the star magnetosphere. We have found that, for a significant range of viewing geometries, measurement of the phase-averaged polarization fraction and phase-averaged polarization angle at both optical and X-ray wavelengths allow us to determine whether this neutron star has an atmosphere or a condensed surface. Our results may therefore be relevant in view of future developments of soft X-ray polarimeters.Comment: 12 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Archives, promises, values: forensic infrastructures in times of austerity

This article analyses the role of infrastructures in the ‘bioinformational turn’ in forensic science and examines processes through which evidence is constituted, validated, or challenged in and through domains of expertise that engage different techniques, data, objects and knowledges through infrastructural arrangements. While the digitisation of the infrastructures that underpin forensic service delivery promised connectivity, prosperity and wellbeing, in reality it also brought forward new levels of risk and vulnerability, generating new tensions and frictions in the body politic. As genetic science reaches post-archival horizons through new genetic sequencing technologies, forensic science in postarchival times raises questions concerning the differential impact of the fragmentation of analytical and archival infrastructures and increasingly asynchronous bureaucracies whose role is displaced by the relative autonomy of datasets and computational architectures that elude governance oversight and citizens’ scrutiny

Remote Sub-Wavelength Addressing of Quantum Emitters with Chirped Pulses

We propose to use chirped pulses propagating near a bandgap to remotely address quantum emitters with sub-wavelength resolution. We introduce a particular family of chirped pulses that dynamically self-focus during their evolution in a medium with a quadratic dispersion relation. We analytically describe how the focusing distance and width of the pulse can be tuned through its initial parameters. We show that the interaction of such pulses with a quantum emitter is highly sensitive to its position due to effective Landau-Zener processes induced by the pulse chirping. Our results propose pulse engineering as a powerful control and probing tool in the field of quantum emitters coupled to structured reservoirs.Comment: 5+3 pages, 3+2 figure

Testicular expression of the TGF-B1 system and the control of Leydig cell proliferation

Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1) is a key regulator that modulates male reproductive function. Testicular TGF-beta1 modulates the steroidogenesis of Leydig cells, the organization of peritubular myoid cells, testis development and spermatogenesis. Several studies have indicated that TGF-beta1 is involved in the tight balance between proliferative and apoptotic re- sponses in the Leydig cells. In the present review, we summarize the direct effects of this cytokine in Ley- dig cells under normal and pathological conditions. We analyze the effect of TGF-beta1 in Leydig cells de- pending on the type of receptors involved in the sig- naling pathway of TGF-beta1. Our group has been ana- lyzing the canonical and non canonical intracellular signaling pathways of TGF-beta1 that are involved in the expression of proliferative and apoptotic markers in Leydig cells. On the basis of our studies and from those of other authors we conclude that the balance between the expression of TGF-beta1 receptors and co receptors is of relevance in Leydig cell physiology and pathophisiology.Fil: Gonzalez, Candela Rocio. Universidad Maimonides. Area de Invest.biomedicas y Biotecnologicas; ArgentinaFil: Calandra, Ricardo Saul. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez Calvar, Silvia Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; Argentin

PUBLIC BUS SERVICE AND THE CONCESSION CONTRACT IN ANDALUSIA. EFFECT OF TRANSMISSION

[EN] The Andalusian sector of regular public passenger transport of general use, has beentraditionally characterized by being configured by a wide variety of operators of small andmedium-scale, where the concession contracts were the only and main economic activity.Over time, new trends have appeared on the market that have led to the evolution of thesector to other models. On the one hand, transformation of the business owner tocorporations, and secondly the penetration of large multinational companies which haveentered the sector through the acquisition and, on many occasions, absorbing existingconcession companies.This paper analyzes the changes experienced in the concession contracts related to theirchange of ownership and its impact on the current structure industry. The analysis showsan overview of the regular public transport system travelers utility road in Andalusia.The results are interesting for the planning and design of new concession contracts,extension approach of the current contracts and general optimization of the system forpromotion of a sustainable transport, which satisfies needs of users, respecting the rule offree market.In short, this paper aims to provide a deeper knowledge of the sector, from the point ofview of the operating companies that intergrates it, showing the evolution in existingbusiness structures.Sanchez Portales, S.; Maeso Gonzalez, E. (2016). PUBLIC BUS SERVICE AND THE CONCESSION CONTRACT IN ANDALUSIA. EFFECT OF TRANSMISSION. En XII Congreso de ingeniería del transporte. 7, 8 y 9 de Junio, Valencia (España). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 329-336. https://doi.org/10.4995/CIT2016.2016.3975OCS32933

Evaluation of Using Semi-Autonomy Features in Mobile Robotic Telepresence Systems

Mobile robotic telepresence systems used for social interaction scenarios require that users steer robots in a remote environment. As a consequence, a heavy workload can be put on users if they are unfamiliar with using robotic telepresence units. One way to lessen this workload is to automate certain operations performed during a telepresence session in order to assist remote drivers in navigating the robot in new environments. Such operations include autonomous robot localization and navigation to certain points in the home and automatic docking of the robot to the charging station. In this paper we describe the implementation of such autonomous features along with user evaluation study. The evaluation scenario is focused on the first experience on using the system by novice users. Importantly, that the scenario taken in this study assumed that participants have as little as possible prior information about the system. Four different use-cases were identified from the user behaviour analysis.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. Plan Nacional de Investigación, proyecto DPI2011-25483