1,721,110 research outputs found
Expo 2015 as a laboratory for neoliberalization
Full text linkGreat Exhibitions provide analytical lenses whereby capitalist development can be read from material as well as intangible perspectives. Thus, the paper approaches Milan EXPO 2015 through the grid of intelligibility provided by the concept of neoliberalism/neoliberalization, namely as a regulatory experi-ment. EXPO 2015 is first situated against the background of a growing body of literature which interprets mega-events as catalysts of territorial dispossession. Starting from the critical urban theory premise that neoliberalization is necessarily a spatial project, the features of urban space production set in motion by the World Fair are analyzed by paying particular attention to the ways in which social movements framed such transformations and eventually mobilized in reaction to them. Secondly, EXPO 2015 functioned as a laboratory for the implementation of unprecedented labor relations. In particular, the widespread re-course to voluntary or unpaid workforces is in connection with the shift from wage to human capital as the pillar of social mediation between productive subjects
La prospettiva discorsiva applicata allo studio delle rappresentazioni “mediali” delle professioni: il caso dell’assistente sociale.
No full textIn this paper we analyse the modalities thanks to which Social Representations (Moscovici, 1961/67, 1981, 1984) of the Social Worker are created and socialised by mass media (Allegri, 2006). The study presents a number of discursive analyses (Billig, 1985 ; Potter, 1996) concerning extracts from daily and weekly magazine articles which appeared in the Italian national press during 2008. Methodology is based on specific techniques of Discursive Social Psychology, namely Discourse Analysis (Potter, 1996). Discursive analysis of these extracts from magazine articles has led us to the extrapolation of a number of Rhetorical Devices and Interpretative Repertoires that highlight the articulation of discursive factors which offers a negatively-oriented Social Representation of Social workers
Rational Engineering of a Sub-Picomolar HIV-1 Blocker
No full textWith the aim of rationally devising a refined and potent HIV-1 blocker, the cDNA of CCL5 5p12 5m, an extremely potent CCR5 antagonist, was fused to that of C37, a gp41-targeted fusion inhibitor. The resulting CCL5 5p12 5m-C37 fusion protein was expressed in E. coli and proved to be capable of inhibiting R5 HIV-1 strains with low to sub-picomolar IC50, maintaining its antagonism toward CCR5. In addition, CCL5 5p12 5m-C37 inhibits R5/X4 and X4 HIV-1 strains in the picomolar concentration range. The combination of CCL5 5p12 5m-C37 with tenofovir (TDF) exhibited a synergic effect, promoting this antiviral cocktail. Interestingly, a CCR5-targeted combination of maraviroc (MVC) with CCL5 5p12 5m-C37 led to a synergic effect that could be explained by an extensive engagement of different CCR5 conformational populations. Within the mechanism of HIV-1 entry, the CCL5 5p12 5m-C37 chimera may fit as a powerful blocker in several instances. In its possible consideration for systemic therapy or pre-exposure prophylaxis, this protein design represents an interesting lead in the combat of HIV-1 infection
Influenza del messaggio uditivo e audiovisivo nella produzione di testi scritti a penna e al computer
No full textPrepare for the Future: Dissecting the Spike to Seek Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies and Universal Vaccine for Pandemic Coronaviruses
No full textLearning from the lengthy fight against HIV-1, influenza, and Ebola virus infection, broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs), directed at conserved regions of surface proteins crucial to virus entry (Env, hemagglutinin, and GP, respectively), are an essential resource for passive as well as active immunization. Rare in their emergence and antigen recognition mode, bnAbs are active toward a large set of different viral strains. Isolation, characterization and production of bnAbs lead to their possible use in passive immunotherapy and form the basis for an educated effort in the development of vaccines for universal coverage. SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies targeting the spike receptor binding domain (RBD) may lead to antibody dependent enhancement (ADE) of infection, possibly hampering the field of vaccine development. This perspective points to the identification of conserved regions in the spike of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV through investigation, dissection and recombinant production of isolated moieties. These spike moieties should be capable of independent folding and allow the detection as well as the elicitation of bnAbs, thus setting the basis for an effective passive immunotherapy and the development of a universal vaccine against human epidemic coronaviruses (HCoVs). SARS, MERS and, most of all, COVID-19 demonstrate that humanity is the target of HCoV, preparedness for future hits is thus no longer an option
Self-expressive behaviour and symbolic aspects of consumer conducts: explaining the role of Self-Identity in purchase models of hi-tech product.
No full textRecent perspectives in Retailing and Consumer research field have highlighted how consumer behaviour often
satisfies functions of expressing consumer's personal and social identity. Our study has considered the Self-
Expressive Behaviour model (SEB; Mannetti & Pierro, 2004) as an extended version of Theory of Planned
Behaviour (Ajzen, 1991). In the SEB model, the dimension of Self-Identity is framed hypothesizing its
significant influence on purchase processes. The intention to buy a particular hi-tech product (Apple iPhone 4)
was studied in a sample of 250 Italians. Data analyses showed the higher explanatory power of the SEB model,
which contributes significantly in the explanation consumer's intention
Rational design of novel HIV-1 entry inhibitors by RANTES engineering
No full textThe discovery that the CC chemokines RANTES, MIP-1α and MIP-1β act as potent natural inhibitors of HIV-1, the causative agent of AIDS, and the subsequent identification of CCR5 as a major virus coreceptor have triggered a wealth of basic and applied research approaches aimed at developing safe and effective viral entry inhibitors. Some of these efforts have focused on RANTES engineering with the goal of enhancing the antiviral activity of the native molecule while reducing or abrogating its inflammatory properties. The wavefront generated a decade ago is still on its course, with a flow of promising leads constantly emerging and being evaluated in preclinical studies. Here, we present an overview of this rapidly evolving field, highlighting the most important features of RANTES molecular architecture and structure-function relationships. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
Rethinking Infrastructure Towards Synergic Design
No full textAfter decades of detailed descriptive efforts, we can start to look at the dispersed city by evaluating its performance in terms of resilience and flexibility: in this context, the presence of large amounts of infrastructure becomes a major element of design interest.
How could infrastructure re-orientate the phenomenon of the European dispersed city, providing the formation of sustainable urban life? In this paper, we suggest how new interpretations of infrastructure, and more specifically the recycling of existing stock, might play a crucial role in improving the sustainability, austerity and resilience agendas of the post-Fordist (decentralized) society (Belanger 2010). We shall discuss the case study of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, a region which is undergoing a process of dispersion of urbanization whilst concurrently having the opportunity of a larger re-structuring of its infrastructural asset.
As Pièrre Bélanger suggests, new alliances between ecology and economy within an “infrastructural urbanism” (Allen 2007) approach can be envisaged, towards the exploration of multidimensional and multipurpose characteristics of infrastructure. This opposes current mono-functional segregation and towards the application of synergic design in the redevelopment of decaying infrastructure and contaminated land (Bélanger 2003)
The superior folding of a RANTES analogue expressed in lactobacilli as compared to mammalian cells reveals a promising system to screen new RANTES mutants
No full textDevelopment of effective topical microbicides for the prevention of HIV-1 sexual transmission represents a primary goal for the control of the AIDS pandemic. The viral coreceptor CCR5, used by the vast majority of primary HIV-1 isolates, is considered a primary target molecule. RANTES and its derivatives are the most suitable protein-based compounds to fight HIV-1 via CCR5 targeting. Yet, receptor activation should be avoided to prevent pro-inflammatory effects and possibly provide anti-inflammatory properties. C1C5 RANTES is a chemokine mutant that exhibits high anti-HIV-1 potency coupled with CCR5 antagonism. However, the need for the formation of an N-terminal intramolecular disulfide bridge between non-natural cysteine residues at positions 1 and 5 represents a challenge for the correct folding of this protein in recombinant expression systems, a crucial step towards its development as a microbicide against HIV-1. We report here a rare case of superior folding in a prokaryote as compared to an eukaryotic expression system. Production of C1C5 RANTES was highly impaired in CHO cells, with a dramatic yield reduction compared to that of wild type RANTES and secretion of the molecule as disulfide-linked dimer. Conversely, a human vaginal isolate of Lactobacillus jensenii engineered to secrete C1C5 RANTES provided efficient delivery of the monomeric protein. This and other reports on successful secretion of complex proteins indicate that lactic acid bacteria are an excellent system for the expression of therapeutic proteins, which can be used as a platform for the engineering of conceptually novel RANTES mutants with potent anti-HIV-1 activity. © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved
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