A secreted high-affinity inhibitor of human TNF from Tanapox virus.

A class of secreted poxvirus tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-binding proteins has been isolated from Tanapox-infected cell supernatants. The inhibitor bound to a TNF-affinity column and was identified as the product of the 2L gene. Sequence analysis of 2L family members from other yatapoxviruses and swinepox virus yielded no sequence homology to any known cellular gene. The expressed Tanapox virus 2L protein bound to human TNF with high affinity (K(d) = 43 pM) and exhibits an unusually slow off-rate. However, 2L is unable to bind to a wide range of human TNF family members. The 2L protein can inhibit human TNF from binding to TNF receptors I and II as well as block TNF-induced cytolysis. Thus, Tanapox virus 2L represents an inhibitor of human TNF and offers a unique strategy with which to modulate TNF activity.

Complementarity between human capital and trade in regional technological progress

The effect of openness and trade orientation on economic growth remains a highly contentious issue in the literature. Trade facilitates the spread of knowledge and the adoption of more advanced and efficient technologies, which hastens total factor productivity (TFP) growth and, hence, per capita income. New technologies that spread through trade require a sufficiently skilled labour force to adapt them to the domestic productive environment. Thus, openness and human capital accumulation will lead to TFP growth and the greater the complementarity between both variables, the higher the TFP growth. This paper discusses the implications of these assumptions and tests their empirical validity, using a pool of data for manufacturing industry in Spanish regions in a period in which both the stock of human capital and openness experienced a notable increase.

Complementarity between human capital and trade in regional technological progress

The effect of openness and trade orientation on economic growth remains a highly contentious issue in the literature. Trade facilitates the spread of knowledge and the adoption of more advanced and efficient technologies, which hastens total factor productivity (TFP) growth and, hence, per capita income. New technologies that spread through trade require a sufficiently skilled labour force to adapt them to the domestic productive environment. Thus, openness and human capital accumulation will lead to TFP growth and the greater the complementarity between both variables, the higher the TFP growth. This paper discusses the implications of these assumptions and tests their empirical validity, using a pool of data for manufacturing industry in Spanish regions in a period in which both the stock of human capital and openness experienced a notable increase.

Dominant-Negative Effects of Adult-Onset Huntingtin Mutations Alter the Division of Human Embryonic Stem Cells-Derived Neural Cells.

Mutations of the huntingtin protein (HTT) gene underlie both adult-onset and juvenile forms of Huntington's disease (HD). HTT modulates mitotic spindle orientation and cell fate in mouse cortical progenitors from the ventricular zone. Using human embryonic stem cells (hESC) characterized as carrying mutations associated with adult-onset disease during pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, we investigated the influence of human HTT and of an adult-onset HD mutation on mitotic spindle orientation in human neural stem cells (NSCs) derived from hESCs. The RNAi-mediated silencing of both HTT alleles in neural stem cells derived from hESCs disrupted spindle orientation and led to the mislocalization of dynein, the p150Glued subunit of dynactin and the large nuclear mitotic apparatus (NuMA) protein. We also investigated the effect of the adult-onset HD mutation on the role of HTT during spindle orientation in NSCs derived from HD-hESCs. By combining SNP-targeting allele-specific silencing and gain-of-function approaches, we showed that a 46-glutamine expansion in human HTT was sufficient for a dominant-negative effect on spindle orientation and changes in the distribution within the spindle pole and the cell cortex of dynein, p150Glued and NuMA in neural cells. Thus, neural derivatives of disease-specific human pluripotent stem cells constitute a relevant biological resource for exploring the impact of adult-onset HD mutations of the HTT gene on the division of neural progenitors, with potential applications in HD drug discovery targeting HTT-dynein-p150Glued complex interactions.

Kolmen hyvinvointiaseman toimintakustannusten määritys Etelä-Karjalassa

Työn tavoitteena oli tutkia, millä tavalla perusterveydenhuollon perinteisestä terveysasemamallista hyvinvointiasemamalliin siirtyminen vaikuttaa sosiaali- ja terveyspalvelujen tarjonnan kustannuksiin, mikäli vaikutus on havaittavissa. Toisaalta tavoitteena oli kartoittaa, millä keinoilla hyvinvointiasemien kustannustehokkuutta voitaisiin parantaa tulevaisuudessa ja mitä kustannushyötyjä tiiviimmällä sosiaali- ja terveystoimen yhteistyöllä on mahdollista saavuttaa. Tutkimuksessa käsiteltiin terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin edistämisen roolin merkitystä perusterveydenhuollossa, sähköistä asiointipalveluja ja terveydenhuollon ammattiryhmien välistä työnjakoa sekä edelleen, miten näillä voidaan vaikuttaa tuottavuuteen ja vaikuttavuuteen. Havaittiin, että sähköisellä asioinnilla ja työnjaolla on selkeä yhteys kustannuksiin. Työn empiirisessä osassa tarkasteltiin kolmea hyvinvointiasemamallin pilottihankkeessa mukana olevaa asemaa Lauritsalassa, Lemillä ja Ruokolahdella. Kustannusten tarkastelu keskittyi henkilöstö- ja tilakustannuksiin. Tutkittiin myös, miten sähköinen asiointi ja Eksoten alueen puhelinpalvelujen keskittäminen vaikuttaa edellä mainittuihin kustannuseriin. Tutkimuksen tuloksina havaittiin, että hyvinvointiasemamallin pilotointi ei ole tutkittavilla asemilla merkittävästi vaikuttanut kustannuksiin henkilöstön osalta; tilakustannukset olivat pienentyneet Lemillä ja Ruokolahdella. Laskelmien perusteella muodostettujen tavoitteiden mukaisesti on hyvinvointiasemilla kuitenkin pyrittävä vähintään noin 14 % tai enintään 32 % säästöön henkilöstö- ja tilakustannuksissa pilottivaiheen kustannuksiin verrattuna. Tulevaisuudessa olennaiseksi kustannusten hallinnan edellytykseksi havaittiin työnjaon muuttaminen hoitajavetoisemmaksi ja sähköisten asiointipalvelujen lisääntyvä tarjonta. Sähköisten asioinnin lisääntyvällä käytöllä on mahdollista vähentää hoitohenkilöstön tarvetta kokonaisuudessaan. Sekä sähköisen asioinnin käytön lisäämisellä että puhelinpalvelujen keskittämisellä tulevaisuudessa havaittiin olevan huomattava vaikutus henkilöstöresurssien käyttöön ja edelleen kustannustehokkuuteen.

Purification of human albumin by the combination of the method of Cohn with liquid chromatography

Large volumes of plasma can be fractionated by the method of Cohn at low cost. However, liquid chromatography is superior in terms of the quality of the product obtained. In order to combine the advantages of each method, we developed an integrated method for the production of human albumin and immunoglobulin G (IgG). The cryoprecipitate was first removed from plasma for the production of factor VIII and the supernatant of the cryoprecipitate was fractionated by the method of Cohn. The first precipitate, containing fractions (F)-I + II + III, was used for the production of IgG by the chromatographic method (see Tanaka K et al. (1998) Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 31: 1375-1381). The supernatant of F-I + II + III was submitted to a second precipitation and F-IV was obtained and discarded. Albumin was obtained from the supernatant of the precipitate F-IV by liquid chromatography, ion-exchange on DEAE-Sepharose FF, filtration through Sephacryl S-200 HR and introduction of heat treatment for fatty acid precipitation. Viral inactivation was performed by pasteurization at 60ºC for 10 h. The albumin product obtained by the proposed procedure was more than 99% pure for the 15 lots of albumin produced, with a mean yield of 25.0 ± 0.5 g/l plasma, containing 99.0 to 99.3% monomer, 0.7 to 1.0% dimers, and no polymers. Prekallikrein activator levels were <=5 IU/ml. This product satisfies the requirements of the 1997 Pharmacopée Européenne.

Comparison of pre- versus post-incision administration of intraplantar indomethacin and MK886 in a rat model of postoperative pain

The amplification of pain long after the initial stimulus may be avoided if the treatment of pain is introduced before its initiation. However, conflicting evidence exists about the efficacy of such preemptive analgesia for the management of postoperative pain. This study compares the efficacy of intraplantar administration of indomethacin (a non-selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase) and MK886 (an inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein), separately or in combination to produce preemptive analgesia in a model of surgical incisional pain in male Wistar rats. All incised rats (5 to 6 rats per group) had allodynia at 2, 6, and 24 h after surgery as evaluated using von Frey filaments. MK886, but not indomethacin (50 to 200 µg/paw), reduced the allodynia when injected either 1 h before or 1 h after surgery. The effect of preoperative MK886 (160 µg/paw) against incisional allodynia had a magnitude apparently similar to that produced by postoperative MK886. Pre-, but not postoperative MK886 (80 µg/paw) reduced the allodynia but the effect was seen only at 6 h after surgery. In contrast, MK886 (40 µg/paw) intensified the allodynia observed 2 h after the incision either injected before or after surgery. MK886 or indomethacin alone did not provide preemptive analgesia in the model of incisional pain. In contrast, the combination of MK886 with indomethacin reduced the allodynia more effectively when used before than after surgery, thus fulfilling the criteria for preemptive analgesia. In conclusion, preoperative inhibition of the local generation of both prostaglandins and leukotrienes by surgical incision may be an alternative to provide preemptive analgesia.

Dynamic nature of human rights: Rawls's critique of moral universalism

Human rights do not represent an absolute truth. Otherwise, they would represent ideology, which is contradictory to the basic idea of human rights itself. Consequently, there is a need for redefinition of the main presuppositions of modern conception of human rights represented in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This paper argues that Rawls's conception of human rights is significant for the refiguration of human rights. It represents the path towards postmodern idea of human rights and the recognition of difference.

Étude longitudinale du lien entre la satisfaction intrinsèque et la satisfaction extrinsèque au travail et l’intention de quitter chez les travailleurs du secteur des TIC

Le but de ce mémoire est de comprendre l’influence de la satisfaction intrinsèque et de la satisfaction extrinsèque sur l’intention de quitter des travailleurs. Afin d’étudier ce sujet, nous avons formulé trois hypothèses basées sur la théorie des attentes et la théorie des deux facteurs d’Herzberg. La première hypothèse stipule que la satisfaction intrinsèque fait diminuer l’intention de quitter des travailleurs. La seconde hypothèse est formulée à l’effet que la satisfaction extrinsèque fait diminuer l’intention de quitter des travailleurs. La dernière hypothèse stipule que la satisfaction intrinsèque a une influence plus importante sur l’intention de quitter des travailleurs que la satisfaction extrinsèque. Les données utilisées afin de tester nos hypothèses de recherche ont été collectées dans le cadre d’une étude plus vaste portant sur « les liens entre la rémunération, la formation et le développement des compétences et l’attraction et la rétention d’employés clés ». L’entreprise au sein de laquelle les données ont été collectées est dans le domaine des technologies de l’information et des communications (TIC) à Montréal. Les employés interrogés sont les nouveaux employés embauchés par l’entreprise. Les résultats de notre mémoire confirment deux de nos hypothèses. Ainsi, nos résultats ont démontré que la satisfaction intrinsèque fait diminuer l’intention de quitter des travailleurs d’ici six mois, un an et deux ans. De plus, nos résultats ont démontré que la satisfaction intrinsèque a une influence plus importante sur l’intention de quitter que la satisfaction extrinsèque. Par contre, une de nos hypothèses est partiellement confirmée. En effet, nos résultats ont démontré que la satisfaction extrinsèque fait seulement diminuer l’intention de quitter d’ici un an et deux ans et n’a aucune influence significative sur l’intention de quitter d’ici six mois. Le soutien organisationnel perçu est une variable qui a également une forte influence sur l’intention de quitter des travailleurs. Pour terminer, la conclusion de ce mémoire présente en quoi nos résultats peuvent être utiles aux gestionnaires des ressources humaines et des relations industrielles.

Economic evaluation of proposed pure and mixed stands in Central Vietnam highlands

In comparison with mixed forest stands, the cultivation of pure plantations in Vietnam entails serious ecological consequences such as loss of biodiversity and higher rate of soil erosion. The economic evaluation is elaborated between pure plantations and mixed forests where the fast-growing tree species are mixed with slow growing tree species which are planted in stripes separating the segments with fast-growing tree species (Acacia sp.). For the evaluation, the input values were used from local costs of goods, services and labour. The results show that the internal rate of return is the highest in the case of pure plantation in comparison with mixed forests – 86% to 77%(first planting pattern: Acacia sp. + noble hardwood species) and 54% (second planting pattern: Acacia + Dipterocarpus sp. + Sindora sp.). The average profit per hectare and year is almost five times higher in the case of mixed stands. The first planting pattern reaches 2,650 $, the second planting pattern 2,280 $ and the pure acacia plantation only 460 $. From an economic point of view, the cultivation of mixed forests that corresponds to the principles of sustainable forestry generates a good economical profit while maintaining habitat complexity and biodiversity.

Análisis estructural de la visión estratégica futura internacional de la organización para alcanzar objetivos diferenciales enfocados en contact center: MAPFRE, ANDIASISTENCIA

Por medio del estudio realizado a los diferentes enfoques y estudios hechos hacia el área de recursos humanos y cultura (organizacional y nacional) se han logrado identificar ciertos procesos y características que pueden ser implementados en el modelo de integración de operaciones de Call Center de Mapfre. Partiendo de la cultura organizacional pasando por la cultura nacional y sabiendo como ingresar y ser aceptado en una cultura internacional. Características y procesos totalmente opuestos desde su implementación pasando por sus costos y su posterior gestión; debido al choque cultural y la forma de gestión planteada por la organización basado en su modelo estructural de jerarquización y centralización de toma de decisiones. Queriendo lograr con éste trabajo generar un proyecto de unificación de un sector operativo dirigido hacia servicio al cliente y de la misma manera servir como un ejemplo a demás organizaciones nacionales o multinacionales con el objetivo de aumentar la eficiencia de su administración y la eficiencia de su estructura de costos siempre enfocado a un bien último que es el servicio al cliente.

The Court of Justice of the European Union as a fundamental rights tribunal: challenges for the effective delivery of fundamental rights in the area of freedom, security and justice. CEPS Paper in Liberty and Security in Europe No. 49, 29 August 2012

This paper reflects on the challenges facing the effective implementation of the new EU fundamental rights architecture that emerged from the Lisbon Treaty. Particular attention is paid to the role of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and its ability to function as a ‘fundamental rights tribunal’. The paper first analyses the praxis of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg and its long-standing experience in overseeing the practical implementation of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Against this analysis, it then examines the readiness of the CJEU to live up to its consolidated and strengthened mandate on fundamental rights as one of the prime guarantors of the effective implementation of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. We specifically review the role of ‘third-party interventions’ by non-governmental organisations, international and regional human rights actors as well as ‘interim relief measures’ when ensuring effective judicial protection of vulnerable individuals in cases of alleged violations of fundamental human rights. To flesh out our arguments, we rely on examples within the scope of the relatively new and complex domain of EU legislation, the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (AFSJ), and its immigration, external border and asylum policies. In view of the fundamental rights-sensitive nature of these domains, which often encounter shifts of accountability and responsibility in their practical application, and the Lisbon Treaty’s expansion of the jurisdiction of the CJEU to interpret and review EU AFSJ legislation, this area can be seen as an excellent test case for the analyses at hand. The final section puts forth a set of policy suggestions that can assist the CJEU in the process of adjusting itself to the new fundamental rights context in a post-Lisbon Treaty setting.

Comparison of dietary fat and fatty acid intake estimated by the duplicate diet collection technique and estimated dietary records

Introduction A high saturated fatty acid intake is a well recognized risk factor for coronary heart disease development. More recently a high intake of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in combination with a low intake of the long chain n-3 PUFA, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid has also been implicated as an important risk factor. Aim To compare total dietary fat and fatty acid intake measured by chemical analysis of duplicate diets with nutritional database analysis of estimated dietary records, collected over the same 3-day study period. Methods Total fat was analysed using soxhlet extraction and subsequently the individual fatty acid content of the diet was determined by gas chromatography. Estimated dietary records were analysed using a nutrient database which was supplemented with a selection of dishes commonly consumed by study participants. Results Bland & Altman statistical analysis demonstrated a lack of agreement between the two dietary assessment techniques for determining dietary fat and fatty acid intake. Conclusion The lack of agreement observed between dietary evaluation techniques may be attributed to inadequacies in either or both assessment techniques. This study highlights the difficulties that may be encountered when attempting to accurately evaluate dietary fat intake among the population.

Evaluation of agri-environmental and forestry schemes with multiple objectives

The evaluation of EU policy in the area of rural land use management often encounters problems of multiple and poorly articulated objectives. Agri-environmental policy has a range of aims, including natural resource protection, biodiversity conservation and the protection and enhancement of landscape quality. Forestry policy, in addition to production and environmental objectives, increasingly has social aims, including enhancement of human health and wellbeing, lifelong learning, and the cultural and amenity value of the landscape. Many of these aims are intangible, making them hard to define and quantify. This article describes two approaches for dealing with such situations, both of which rely on substantial participation by stakeholders. The first is the Agri-Environment Footprint Index, a form of multi-criteria participatory approach. The other, applied here to forestry, has been the development of ‘multi-purpose’ approaches to evaluation, which respond to the diverse needs of stakeholders through the use of mixed methods and a broad suite of indicators, selected through a participatory process. Each makes use of case studies and involves stakeholders in the evaluation process, thereby enhancing their commitment to the programmes and increasing their sustainability. Both also demonstrate more ‘holistic’ approaches to evaluation than the formal methods prescribed in the EU Common Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.