Coevolutionary arms races: increased host immune defense promotes specialization by avian fleas.

We investigated the relationship between host defense and specialization by parasites in comparative analyses of bird fleas and T-cell mediated immune response of their avian hosts, showing that fleas with few main host species exploited hosts with weak or strong immune defenses, whereas flea species that parasitized a large number of host species only exploited hosts with weak immune responses. Hosts with strong immune responses were exploited by a larger number of flea species than hosts with weak responses. A path analysis model with an effect of T-cell response on the number of host species, or a model with host coloniality directly affecting host T-cell response, which in turn affected the number of host species used by fleas, best explained the data. Therefore, parasite specialization may have evolved in response to strong host defenses.

Strategic alliances. How to make them succeed

Mitjançant aquest treball hem analitzat com en aquest temps en què la internacionalització és un fet necessari i les empreses volen globalitzar, aquestes decideixen unir-se per tal d'aconseguir. Aquí analitzem els diferents tipus d'unió possible centrant-nos més específicament en les aliances estratègiques però veient també les adquisicions. Primer analitzem quan és més convenient aliar-se amb una empresa o adquirir-la. Això ho portarem a terme mitjançant el desenvolupament d'una sèrie d'elements a tenir en compte. Un cop vist això, analitzem els principals motius pels quals les empreses decideixen aliar-se, entre els quals destaquen l'obtenció de coneixement i recursos. A més analitzem les diferents variants d'aliança estratègica com són les llicències, franquícies, contractes de recerca i desenvolupament, Joint Ventures, etc. i quan és més convenient desenvolupar una o una altra. En aquest treball, ja que com veurem les aliances tendeixen a fracassar ja que les empreses no les implementen correctament o no dediquen el temps suficient a analitzar l'entorn i les condicions per veure quina estratègia li convé més a l'empresa, analitzarem els elements necessaris per fer-les funcionar i els factors claus d'èxit d'aquestes aliances com ara l'experiència, la reputació, la confiança, els objectius clars, el Know-how, la cultura ... A més en aquest treball analitzem el cas de l'aliança estratègica sorgida entre Disney i Pixar el 1991. Aquest anàlisi el duem a terme tenint en compte els factors que Dyer et. al. esmentà en el seu estudi. Aquest anàlisi el realitzem amb l'objectiu de conèixer si l'aliança realitzada per ambdues empreses va ser una estratègia encertada o si per contra deurien haver dut a terme una altra estratègia, la qual els hauria aportat més beneficis.

Strategic Plan State Fiscal Years 2015-2017, Department on Aging, 2014

This report outlines the strategic plan for Iowa Department on Aging, goals and mission.

Reduction of choroidal neovascularization in mice by adeno-associated virus-delivered anti-vascular endothelial growth factor short hairpin RNA.

BACKGROUND: Strategies leading to the long-term suppression of inappropriate ocular angiogenesis are required to avoid the need for repetitive monthly injections for treatment of diseases of the eye, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The present study aimed to develop a strategy for the sustained repression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is identified as the key player in exudative AMD. METHODS: We have employed short hairpin (sh)RNAs combined with adeno-associated virus (AAV) delivery to obtain the targeted expression of potent gene-regulatory molecules. Anti-VEGF shRNAs were analyzed in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells using Renilla luciferase screening. For in vivo delivery of the most potent shRNA, self-complementary AAV vectors were packaged in serotype 8 capsids (scAAV2/8-hU6-sh9). In vivo efficacy was evaluated either by injection of scAAV2/8-hU6-sh9 into murine hind limb muscles or in a laser-induced murine model of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) following scAAV2/8-hU6-sh9 subretinal delivery. RESULTS: Plasmids encoding anti-VEGF shRNAs showed efficient knockdown of human VEGF in RPEs. Intramuscular administration led to localized expression and 91% knockdown of endogenous murine (m)VEGF. Subsequently, the ability of AAV2/8-encoded shRNAs to impair vessel formation was evaluated in the murine model of CNV. In this model, the sizes of the CNV were significantly reduced (up to 48%) following scAAV2/8-hU6-sh9 subretinal delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Using anti-VEGF vectors, we have demonstrated efficient silencing of endogenous mVEGF and showed that subretinal administration of scAAV2/8-hU6-sh9 has the ability to impair vessel formation in an AMD animal model. Thus, AAV-encoded shRNA can be used for the inhibition of neovascularization, leading to the development of sustained anti-VEGF therapy. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Issue review : impact on the insurance premium tax rate reduction .

In 2002, Senate File 2318, Insurance Premium Tax Reduction Act, the Iowa General Assembly approved a reduction in the insurance premium tax rate from 2 percent to 1 percent. The reduction was phased in at the rate of 1/4 percent annual increments over a five-year period, beginning with life and health insurance policy payments made on or after January 1st, 2003. Calendar year 2007 was the first year all premiums were taxed at 1 percent and fiscal year 2008 was the first full fiscal year at the 1 percent rate. Insurance premiums tax is paid only by insurance companies. The companies that benefit from the tax reduction are uniquely identified in government employment statistics. This allows for a unique opportunity to evaluate both the revenue impact and the employment impact of the tax rate reduction in Senate File 2318. This issue review focuses on the General Fund revenue impact of the rate reduction and the Iowa employment trends for the insurance industry since the rate reduction legislation was approved.

Iowa Division of Banking, Strategic Plan, 2014-2018

This report outlines the strategic plan for Iowa Division of banking including, goals and mission.

Iowa Department for the Blind State Strategic Plan, 2014-2019

The Iowa Department for the Blind is the means for persons who are blind to obtain for themselves universal accessibility and full participation as citizens in whatever roles they may choose, including roles that increase family income, create jobs, improve educational outcomes, and reduce reliance on public services.

Iowa Civil Rights Commission Strategic Plan 2014-2017

This report outlines the strategic plan for Iowa Civil Rights Commission Strategic Plan including, goals and mission.

Iowa College Student Aid Commission Strategic Plan 2013-2015

This report outlines the strategic plan for Iowa College Student Aid Commissions including,goals and mission.

Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division Strategic Plan, 2003

Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division Strategic Plan

Iowa Utilities Board, Strategic Plan, 2010-2015

This report outlines the strategic plan for Iowa Utilities Board including, goals and mission.

Iowa Department of Administrative Services Four Year Strategic Plan, FY 2012-2015

Strategic Plan for the Iowa Department of Administrative Services

Update on the Strategic Initiatives of the Department of Administrative Services, June 26. 2014

Updated Strategic Plan for the Iowa Department of Administrative Services

Iowa Department of Human Services Strategic Plan FY 2015-2017, April 28, 2014

Iowa Department of Human Services Strategic Plan