Protracted Protection to \u3ci\u3ePlasmodium berghei\u3c/i\u3e Malaria Is Linked to Functionally and Phenotypically Heterogeneous Liver Memory CD\u3csup\u3e8+\u3c/sup\u3e T Cells\u3csup\u3e1\u3c/sup\u3e

We previously demonstrated that protection induced by radiation-attenuated (y) Plasmodium berghei sporozoites is linked to MHC class I-restricted CD8+ T cells specific for exoerythrocytic-stage Ags, and that activated intrahepatic memory CD8+ T cells are associated with protracted protection. In this study, we further investigated intrahepatic memory CD8+ T cells to elucidate mechanisms required for their maintenance. Using phenotypic markers indicative of activation (CD44, CD45RB), migration (CD62L), and IFN-y production, we identified two subsets of intrahepatic memory CD8+ T cells: the CD44highCD45RBlowCD62LlowCD122low phenotype, representing the dominant effector memory set, and the CD44highCD45RBhighCD62Llow/highCD122high phenotype, representing the central memory set. Only the effector memory CD8+ T cells responded swiftly to sporozoite challenge by producing sustained IFN-y; the central memory T cells responded with delay, and the IFN-y reactivity was short-lived. In addition, the subsets of liver memory CD8+ T cells segregated according to the expression of CD122 (IL-15R) in that only the central memory CD8+ T cells were CD122high, whereas the effector memory CD8+ T cells were CD122low. Moreover, the effector memory CD8+ T cells declined as protection waned in mice treated with primaquine, a drug that interferes with the formation of liver-stage Ags. We propose that protracted protection induced by P. berghei radiation-attenuated sporozoites depends in part on a network of interactive liver memory CD8+ T cell subsets, each representing a different phase of activation or differentiation, and the balance of which is profoundly affected by the repository of liver-stage Ag and IL-15

Thermal noise suppression: how much does it cost?

In order to stabilize the behavior of noisy systems, confining it around a desirable state, an effort is required to suppress the intrinsic noise. This noise suppression task entails a cost. For the important case of thermal noise in an overdamped system, we show that the minimum cost is achieved when the system control parameters are held constant: any additional deterministic or random modulation produces an increase of the cost. We discuss the implications of this phenomenon for those overdamped systems whose control parameters are intrinsically noisy, presenting a case study based on the example of a Brownian particle optically trapped in an oscillating potential.Comment: 6 page

Las mujeres sostienen (más de) la mitad del cielo: examinando las motivaciones, los comportamientos y el capital social en un juego multijugador popular entre las jugadoras

This study combined survey and behavioral data to examine the connections between socio-relational motivations, socializing behaviors, and social capital. Participants were U.S. players (N = 1,027; 65% female) from a fantasy mobile game popular among female players. Consistent with gender role theory, female players partook in higher socializing behaviors. Moreover, in support of uses and gratifications theory and the social capital framework, the smarty-pants and socializing motivations, and socializing behaviors were positively associated with social capital. Partly in support of gender role theory and the social capital framework, both bridging and bonding social capital were higher for female players. This study’s results offer nuance to how certain game affordances and incentives may be predictive of social capital outcomes.Este estudio combina datos encuestas y comportamientais para examinar las conexiones entre las motivaciones sociorrelacionales, los comportamientos de socialización y el capital social del juego. Las personas que participaron fueron jugadores estadounidenses (N = 1.027; 65 % mujeres) del un juego de fantasía popular entre las jugadoras. En consonancia con la teoría de los roles de género, las jugadoras participaron en mayores comportamientos de socialización. Además, siguiendo la teoría de los usos y gratificaciones y la teoría del capital social, las motivaciones de los sabelotodo y las socializadoras, así como los comportamientos de socialización, están positivamente asociados con el capital social. Confirmando parcialmente los roles de género y capital social, tanto el capital social puente como el vínculo fue mayor entre las jugadoras. Los resultados de este estudio ofrecen un matiz sobre la forma en que ciertos propósitos e incentivos del juego pueden predecir los resultados del capital social

The Second ARM Training and Science Application Event : Training the Next Generation of Atmospheric Scientists

Non peer reviewe

Diasporas and secessionist conflicts : the mobilization of the Armenian, Albanian and Chechen diasporas

This article examines the impact of diasporas on secessionist conflicts, focusing on the Albanian, Armenian and Chechen diasporas and the conflicts in Kosovo, Karabakh and Chechnya during the 1990s. How do diasporas radicalize these conflicts? I argue that despite differences in diaspora communal characteristics and the types of the secessionist conflicts, a common pattern of mobilization develops. Large-scale diasporic support for secessionism emerges only after independence is proclaimed by the local elites. From that point onwards diasporas become engaged in a conflict spiral, and transnational coalitions are formed between local secessionist and diaspora groups. Depending on the organizational strength of the local strategic centre and the diasporic institutions, these coalitions endure or dissipate. Diasporas exert radicalization influences on the conflict spiral on two specific junctures – when grave violations of human rights occur in the homeland and when local moderate elites start losing credibility that they can achieve the secessionist goal

Central synapses release a resource-efficient amount of glutamate.

Why synapses release a certain amount of neurotransmitter is poorly understood. We combined patch-clamp electrophysiology with computer simulations to estimate how much glutamate is discharged at two distinct central synapses of the rat. We found that, regardless of some uncertainty over synaptic microenvironment, synapses generate the maximal current per released glutamate molecule while maximizing signal information content. Our result suggests that synapses operate on a principle of resource optimization

Draft Genome Sequences of Six Strains Isolated From the Rhizosphere of Wheat Grown In Cadmium-Contaminated Soil

This study presents high-quality draft genome assemblies of six bacterial strains isolated from the roots of wheat grown in soil contaminated with cadmium. The results of this study will help to elucidate at the molecular level how heavy metals affect interactions between beneficial rhizobacteria and crop plants

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London