Identifying Distributive Injustice Through Housing (Mis)Match Analysis: The Case of Social Housing in Amsterdam

In this paper, an analytical model for measuring match and mismatch between social housing units and their tenants is presented and applied to the social rented housing sector of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Through the use of a large set of unique micro-data combining housing unit and household characteristics, mismatches on two key dimensions of physical adequacy and affordability and for different household types and parts of the city can be revealed. Empirically assessing the (mis)match of social housing units at a small scale – where socio and spatial (mis)matches manifest – creates opportunities for innovation in the analysis of effects of market mechanisms and local housing allocation policies. An improved understanding of these mismatches based on a strong empirical base can be related to and evaluated against different principles of distributive justice. The findings for the case of Amsterdam show that the famous large social housing stock incorporates significant mismatches. Households in the least popular parts of the city comparatively do not live affordably and large inequities exist between households based on length of residence. These findings offer a basis for further exploration of the complex of housing allocation, changing housing distributions and the resulting outcomes in terms of distributive justice.     

Composition and functional analysis of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae trehalose synthase complex

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) and trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase (TPP), which convert glucose 6-phosphate plus UDP-glucose to trehalose, are part of the trehalose synthase complex. In addition to the TPS1 (previously also called GGS1, CIF1, BYP1, FDP1, GLC6, and TSS1) and TPS2 (also described as HOG2 and PFK3) gene products, this complex also contains a regulatory subunit encoded by TSL1. We have constructed a set of isogenic strains carrying all possible combinations of deletions of these three genes and of TPS3, a homologue of TSL1 identified by systematic sequencing. Deletion of TPS1 totally abolished TPS activity and measurable trehalose, whereas deletion of any of the other genes in most cases reduced both. Similarly, deletion of TPS2 completely abolished TPP activity, and deletion of any of the other genes resulted in a reduction of this activity. Therefore, it appears that all subunits are required for optimal enzymatic activity. Since we observed measurable trehalose in strains lacking all but the TPS1 gene, some phosphatase activity in addition to Tps2 can hydrolyze trehalose 6-phosphate. Deletion of TPS3, in particular in a tsl1Delta background, reduced both TPS and TPP activities and trehalose content. Deletion of TPS2, TSL1, or TPS3 and, in particular, of TSL1 plus TPS3 destabilized the trehalose synthase complex. We conclude that Tps3 is a fourth subunit of the complex with functions partially redundant to those of Tsl1. Among the four genes studied, TPS1 is necessary and sufficient for growth on glucose and fructose. Even when overproduced, none of the other subunits could take over this function of Tps1 despite the homology shared by all four proteins. A portion of Tps1 appears to occur in a form not bound by the complex. Whereas TPS activity in the complex is inhibited by Pi, Pi stimulates the monomeric form of Tps1. We discuss the possible role of differentially regulated Tps1 in a complex-bound or monomeric form in light of the requirement of Tps1 for trehalose production and for growth on glucose and fructose.     

Biosurfactants: Multifunctional Biomolecules of the 21st Century

In the era of global industrialisation, the exploration of natural resources has served as a source of experimentation for science and advanced technologies, giving rise to the manufacturing of products with high aggregate value in the world market, such as biosurfactants. Biosurfactants are amphiphilic microbial molecules with hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties that partition at liquid/liquid, liquid/gas or liquid/solid interfaces. Such characteristics allow these biomolecules to play a key role in emulsification, foam formation, detergency and dispersal, which are desirable qualities in different industries. Biosurfactant production is considered one of the key technologies for development in the 21st century. Besides exerting a strong positive impact on the main global problems, biosurfactant production has considerable importance to the implantation of sustainable industrial processes, such as the use of renewable resources and “green” products. Biodegradability and low toxicity have led to the intensification of scientific studies on a wide range of industrial applications for biosurfactants in the field of bioremediation as well as the petroleum, food processing, health, chemical, agricultural and cosmetic industries. In this paper, we offer an extensive review regarding knowledge accumulated over the years and advances achieved in the incorporation of biomolecules in different industries.     

Combined Gemcitabine and Immune-Checkpoint Inhibition Conquers Anti-PD-L1 Resistance in Low-Immunogenic Mismatch Repair-Deficient Tumors

Tumors arising in the context of Lynch Syndrome or constitutional mismatch repair deficiency are hypermutated and have a good response towards immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), including α-PD-L1 antibodies. However, in most cases, resistance mechanisms evolve. To improve outcomes and prevent resistance development, combination approaches are warranted. Herein, we applied a combined regimen with an α-PD-L1 antibody and gemcitabine in a preclinical tumor model to activate endogenous antitumor immune responses. Mlh1^−/− mice with established gastrointestinal tumors received the α-PD-L1 antibody (clone 6E11; 2.5 mg/kg bw, i.v., q2wx3) and gemcitabine (100 mg/kg bw, i.p., q4wx3) in mono- or combination therapy. Survival and tumor growth were recorded. Immunological changes in the blood were routinely examined via multi-color flow cytometry and complemented by ex vivo frameshift mutation analysis to identify alterations in Mlh1^−/−-tumor-associated target genes. The combined therapy of α-PD-L1 and gemcitabine prolonged median overall survival of Mlh1^−/− mice from four weeks in the untreated control group to 12 weeks, accompanied by therapy-induced tumor growth inhibition, as measured by ^[18F]-FDG PET/CT. Plasma cytokine levels of IL13, TNFα, and MIP1β were increased and also higher than in mice receiving either monotherapy. Circulating splenic and intratumoral myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), as well as M2 macrophages, were markedly reduced. Besides, residual tumor specimens from combi-treated mice had increased numbers of infiltrating cytotoxic T-cells. Frameshift mutations in APC, Tmem60, and Casc3 were no longer detectable upon treatment, likely because of the successful eradication of single mutated cell clones. By contrast, novel mutations appeared. Collectively, we herein confirm the safe application of combined chemo-immunotherapy by long-term tumor growth control to prevent the development of resistance mechanisms.     

What influences farmers to keep trees?: A case study from the Brigalow Belt, Queensland, Australia

Landscape change is driven by economic, demographic and cultural factors operating at a range of spatial and temporal scales. However, landscapes developed for agriculture often retain some wooded areas or paddock trees. The study aimed to identify the relationships between, and influence of, the demographic, economic and cultural values of landholders on the retention of native trees on farms in the Brigalow Belt, Queensland. Two response variables were tested: the proportion of total tree cover on all soil types, and the proportion of tree cover on fertile soils most suitable for agriculture. Explanatory variables were grouped into five conceptual areas: economic factors, demographic characteristics, cultural/social values, attachment to property, and opinions about vegetation management control. Principal components analysis and generalised linear models were used to select and assess the influence of the explanatory variables. An economic factor, farm size, had the strongest influence on both response variables, although the effect was less strong for tree cover on fertile soils. Agreement that tree cover was attractive (a cultural value) and attendance on training courses (a demographic characteristic) were also influential, together with other economic factors recognising production benefits from wooded areas. We conclude that a better understanding of social, economic and cultural factors that influence landholders’ decisions about how much tree cover to retain on their property is a prerequisite to targeting passive landscape restoration in areas where over-clearing is threatening landscape health.     

Bücherschau

Ohne Zusammenfassung VDI     

A maximum variance cluster algorithm

We present a partitional cluster algorithm that minimizes the sum-of-squared-error criterion while imposing a hard constraint on the cluster variance. Conceptually, hypothesized clusters act in parallel and cooperate with their neighboring clusters in order to minimize the criterion and to satisfy the variance constraint. In order to enable the demarcation of the cluster neighborhood without crucial parameters, we introduce the notion of foreign cluster samples. Finally, we demonstrate a new method for cluster tendency assessment based on varying the variance constraint parameter     

Rundschau

Ohne Zusammenfassung