scholarly journals Systematic characterization of human response to H1N1 influenza vaccination through the construction and integration of personalized transcriptome response profiles

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlo De Intinis ◽  
Margherita Bodini ◽  
Denise Maffione ◽  
Laurane De Mot ◽  
Margherita Coccia ◽  
...  

AbstractGene expression data is commonly used in vaccine studies to characterize differences between treatment groups or sampling time points. Group-wise comparisons of the transcriptional perturbations induced by vaccination have been applied extensively for investigating the mechanisms of action of vaccines. Such approaches, however, may not be sensitive enough for detecting changes occurring within a minority of the population under investigation or in single individuals. In this study, we developed a data analysis framework to characterize individual subject response profiles in the context of repeated measure experiments, which are typical of vaccine mode of action studies. Following the definition of the methodology, this was applied to the analysis of human transcriptome responses induced by vaccination with a subunit influenza vaccine. Results highlighted a substantial heterogeneity in how different subjects respond to vaccination. Moreover, the extent of transcriptional modulation experienced by each individual subject was found to be associated with the magnitude of vaccine-specific functional antibody response, pointing to a mechanistic link between genes involved in protein production and innate antiviral response. Overall, we propose that the improved characterization of the intersubject heterogeneity, enabled by our approach, can help driving the improvement and optimization of current and next-generation vaccines.

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 2313
Author(s):  
Maria Luisa Beconcini ◽  
Pietro Croce ◽  
Paolo Formichi ◽  
Filippo Landi ◽  
Benedetta Puccini

The evaluation of the shear behavior of masonry walls is a first fundamental step for the assessment of existing masonry structures in seismic zones. However, due to the complexity of modelling experimental behavior and the wide variety of masonry types characterizing historical structures, the definition of masonry’s mechanical behavior is still a critical issue. Since the possibility to perform in situ tests is very limited and often conflicting with the needs of preservation, the characterization of shear masonry behavior is generally based on reference values of mechanical properties provided in modern structural codes for recurrent masonry categories. In the paper, a combined test procedure for the experimental characterization of masonry mechanical parameters and the assessment of the shear behavior of masonry walls is presented together with the experimental results obtained on three stone masonry walls. The procedure consists of a combination of three different in situ tests to be performed on the investigated wall. First, a single flat jack test is executed to derive the normal compressive stress acting on the wall. Then a double flat jack test is carried out to estimate the elastic modulus. Finally, the proposed shear test is performed to derive the capacity curve and to estimate the shear modulus and the shear strength. The first results obtained in the experimental campaign carried out by the authors confirm the capability of the proposed methodology to assess the masonry mechanical parameters, reducing the uncertainty affecting the definition of capacity curves of walls and consequently the evaluation of seismic vulnerability of the investigated buildings.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Narjes Firouzkouhi ◽  
Abbas Amini ◽  
Chun Cheng ◽  
Mehdi Soleymani ◽  
Bijan Davvaz

Inspired by fuzzy hyperalgebras and fuzzy polynomial function (term function), some homomorphism properties of fundamental relation on fuzzy hyperalgebras are conveyed. The obtained relations of fuzzy hyperalgebra are utilized for certain applications, i.e., biological phenomena and genetics along with some elucidatory examples presenting various aspects of fuzzy hyperalgebras. Then, by considering the definition of identities (weak and strong) as a class of fuzzy polynomial function, the smallest equivalence relation (fundamental relation) is obtained which is an important tool for fuzzy hyperalgebraic systems. Through the characterization of these equivalence relations of a fuzzy hyperalgebra, we assign the smallest equivalence relation α i 1 i 2 ∗ on a fuzzy hyperalgebra via identities where the factor hyperalgebra is a universal algebra. We extend and improve the identities on fuzzy hyperalgebras and characterize the smallest equivalence relation α J ∗ on the set of strong identities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4707
Author(s):  
Mariana Lopes ◽  
Sandra Louzada ◽  
Margarida Gama-Carvalho ◽  
Raquel Chaves

(Peri)centromeric repetitive sequences and, more specifically, satellite DNA (satDNA) sequences, constitute a major human genomic component. SatDNA sequences can vary on a large number of features, including nucleotide composition, complexity, and abundance. Several satDNA families have been identified and characterized in the human genome through time, albeit at different speeds. Human satDNA families present a high degree of sub-variability, leading to the definition of various subfamilies with different organization and clustered localization. Evolution of satDNA analysis has enabled the progressive characterization of satDNA features. Despite recent advances in the sequencing of centromeric arrays, comprehensive genomic studies to assess their variability are still required to provide accurate and proportional representation of satDNA (peri)centromeric/acrocentric short arm sequences. Approaches combining multiple techniques have been successfully applied and seem to be the path to follow for generating integrated knowledge in the promising field of human satDNA biology.


Author(s):  
M. Ferrara ◽  
M. Trombetti

AbstractLet G be an abelian group. The aim of this short paper is to describe a way to identify pure subgroups H of G by looking only at how the subgroup lattice $$\mathcal {L}(H)$$ L ( H ) embeds in $$\mathcal {L}(G)$$ L ( G ) . It is worth noticing that all results are carried out in a local nilpotent context for a general definition of purity.


2012 ◽  
Vol 730-732 ◽  
pp. 569-574
Author(s):  
Marta Cabral ◽  
Fernanda Margarido ◽  
Carlos A. Nogueira

Spent Ni-MH batteries are not considered too dangerous for the environment, but they have a considerable economical value due to the chemical composition of electrodes which are highly concentrated in metals. The present work aimed at the physical and chemical characterisation of spent cylindrical and thin prismatic Ni-MH batteries, contributing for a better definition of the recycling process of these spent products. The electrode materials correspond to more than 50% of the batteries weight and contain essentially nickel and rare earths (RE), and other secondary elements (Co, Mn, Al). The remaining components are the steel parts from the external case and supporting grids (near 30%) containing Fe and Ni, and the plastic components (<10%). Elemental quantitative analysis showed that the electrodes are highly concentrated in metals. Phase identification by X-ray powder diffraction combined with chemical analysis and leaching experiments allowed advancing the electrode materials composition. The cathode is essentially constituted by 6% metallic Ni, 66% Ni(OH)2, 4.3% Co(OH)2 and the anode consists mainly in 62% RENi5 and 17% of substitutes and/or additives such as Co, Mn and Al.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3272
Author(s):  
Paúl Carrión-Mero ◽  
Maribel Aguilar-Aguilar ◽  
Fernando Morante-Carballo ◽  
María José Domínguez-Cuesta ◽  
Cristhian Sánchez-Padilla ◽  
...  

In the last decade, in the mining district of Zaruma-Portovelo, there has been significant land subsidence related to uncontrolled mining activity. The purpose of this work was to carry out a surface and underground geomechanical characterization of a mining sector north of the city of Zaruma that allows the definition of potentially unstable areas susceptible to the mass movement. The methodology used consists of the following stages: (i) compilation of previous studies; (ii) surface and underground characterization of rocky material to establish its susceptibility to mass movement; (iii) interpretation of results; and (iv) proposal of action measures. Among the most relevant results, it stands out that 26.1% of the 23 stations characterized on the surface present conditions that vary from potentially unstable to unstable. In underground galleries, the studied mean values of the 17 stations indicate that the rock has a medium to good quality, representing a medium susceptibility to gallery destabilization. The results obtained for the surface areas (depths up to 50 m, where altered materials predominate) and the underground areas (depths > 50 m, where the alterations are specific) can be used to identify the areas with a more significant potential for instability. For both cases, it has been possible to define specific monitoring, control, and planning actions for sensitive areas.


1989 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-266
Author(s):  
Prabir Bhattacharya ◽  
N. P. Mukherjee

For a finite group G and an arbitrary prime p, letSP(G)denote the intersection of all maximal subgroups M of G such that [G:M] is both composite and not divisible by p; if no such M exists we setSP(G)= G. Some properties of G are considered involvingSP(G). In particular, we obtain a characterization of G when each M in the definition ofSP(G)is nilpotent.


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