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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2008.12.003 Byline: Carlos Bohle, Sergio Maturana, Jorge Vera Keywords: Robust optimization; Wine supply chain; Scheduling Abstract: Optimization models are increasingly being used in agricultural planning. However, the inherent uncertainties present in agriculture make it difficult. In recent years, robust optimization has emerged as a methodology that allows dealing with uncertainty in optimization models, even when probabilistic knowledge of the phenomenon is incomplete. In this paper, we consider a wine grape harvesting scheduling optimization problem subject to several uncertainties, such as the actual productivity that can be achieved when harvesting. We study how effective robust optimization is solving this problem in practice. We develop alternative robust models and show results for some test problems obtained from actual wine industry problems. Author Affiliation: Industrial and Systems Engineering Department, Escuela de Ingenieria, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Casilla 306, Correo 22, Santiago, Chile Article History: Received 21 July 2007; Accepted 2 December 2008

This study examined organizational factors affecting the impact of shiftwork on work life conflict and subjective health. A model was proposed in which support from supervisors, support from colleagues, and team identity influence time-based work life conflict through two mediating variables: team climate and control over the working environment. Reduced conflict, in turn, produces enhanced psychological well-being and diminished physical symptoms. A structural equation model based on survey data from 530 nurses supported the proposed model. It also identified unpredicted direct links between team identity and physical symptoms, and between supervisor support and both control over the work environment and psychological well-being. The results indicate that organizational interventions focused on social support, team identity, team climate, and control can diminish the negative effects of shiftwork on work life conflict and health in shiftworkers. Keywords: Shiftwork; Work life conflict; Social support; Team identity; Team climate

Respiratory viral infections may have different impacts ranging from infection without symptoms to severe disease or even death though the reasons are not well characterized. A patient (age group 5–15 years) displaying symptoms of hemolytic uremic syndrome died one day after hospitalization. qPCR, next generation sequencing, virus isolation, antigenic characterization, resistance analysis was performed and virus replication kinetics in well-differentiated airway cells were determined. Autopsy revealed hemorrhagic pneumonia as major pathological manifestation. Lung samples harbored a large population of A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses with the polymorphism H456H/Y in PB1 polymerase. The H456H/Y viruses replicated much faster to high viral titers than upper respiratory tract viruses in vitro. H456H/Y-infected air-liquid interface cultures of differentiated airway epithelial cells did reflect a more pronounced loss of ciliated cells. A different pattern of virus quasispecies was found in the upper airway samples where substitution S263S/F (HA1) was observed. The data support the notion that viral quasispecies had evolved locally in the lung to support high replicative fitness. This change may have initiated further pathogenic processes leading to rapid dissemination of inflammatory mediators followed by development of hemorrhagic lung lesions and fatal outcome. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Birch pollen–related apple allergy is among the most prevalent food allergies in adolescent/adult subjects and mainly results from sensitization to the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 and subsequent cross-reaction with the apple protein Mal d 1. However, specific immunotherapy with birch pollen has inconsistent effects on apple allergy. Objective We sought to compare the safety and efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with 2 formulations containing either rMal d 1 or rBet v 1 on birch pollen–related apple allergy. Methods Sixty participants with birch pollen–related apple allergy were randomized to daily sublingual application of placebo (n = 20) or 25 μg of rMal d 1 (n = 20) or rBet v 1 (n = 20) for 16 weeks. Adverse events were regularly recorded. Sublingual challenges with standardized doses of rMal d 1, skin prick tests with recombinant allergens, and measurements of allergen-specific IgE and IgG 4 antibodies were performed before and after treatment. Results Both formulations caused comparable, mainly local adverse events. No systemic reactions occurred. Compared with the placebo and rBet v 1–treated groups, SLIT with rMal d 1 reduced rMal d 1–induced oral symptoms ( P = .001 and P = .038) accompanied by longitudinally reduced rMal d 1–specific cutaneous reactions ( P = .022) and enhanced IgG 4 /IgE ratios ( P = .012). SLIT with rBet v 1 neither improved the clinical reactivity to rMal d 1 nor enhanced rMal d 1–specific IgG 4 /IgE ratios. Participants receiving placebo showed no allergen-specific changes. Conclusion Sublingual treatment with a recombinant food allergen was safe and clinically effective, as determined by using standardized challenges. We present a promising approach for the effective treatment of birch pollen–related apple allergy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recombinant fusion proteins of flagellin and antigens have been demonstrated to induce strong innate and adaptive immune responses. Such fusion proteins can enhance the efficacy of allergen-specific immunotherapy. Objective:We sought to characterize different fusion proteins of flagellin and the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 for suitability as allergy vaccines. Methods: A truncated version of flagellin (NtCFlg) was genetically fused to the N- or C-terminus of Bet v 1. Toll-like receptor (TLR) 5 binding was assessed with HEK293 cells expressing TLR5. Upregulation of CD40, CD80, CD83, and CD86 on monocyte-derived dendritic cells from allergic patients was analyzed by using flow cytometry. The T cell-stimulatory capacity of the fusion proteins was assessed with naive and Bet v 1-specific T cells. IgE binding was tested in inhibition ELISAs and basophil activation tests. Mice were immunized with the fusion proteins in the absence and presence of aluminum hydroxide. Cellular and antibody responses were monitored. Murine antibodies were tested for blocking capacity in basophil activation tests. Results: Both fusion proteins matured monocyte-derived dendritic cells through TLR5. Compared with Bet v 1, the fusion proteins showed stronger T cell-stimulatory and reduced IgE-binding capacity and induced murine Bet v 1-specific antibodies in the absence of aluminum hydroxide. However, only antibodies induced by means of immunization with NtCFlg fused to the C-terminus of Bet v 1 inhibited binding of patients' IgE antibodies to Bet v 1. Conclusion: Bet v 1-flagellin fusion proteins show enhanced immunogenicity, reduced allergenicity, and intrinsic adjuvanticity and thus represent promising vaccines for birch pollen allergen-specific immunotherapy. However, the sequential order of allergen and adjuvant within a fusion protein determines its immunologic characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farmers are forced to undertake adaptive measures to protect their crops against climate change impacts. Fruit trees present farmers with unique adaptive challenges. In pursuit to expand the knowledge base on climate change effects on crops in underreported regions, we present herein data from Chile and Tunisia on the vulnerability of cherry and peach orchards to climate change and on possible measures to counter its impact. We aimed to ascertain a) the extent to which fruit farming biophysical operations in Chile and Tunisia are vulnerable to climate change impacts, b) whether the vulnerability can be reduced through agronomic, technological or financial adaptive measures and, c) how to overcome challenges that may prevent implementation of these measures. The study is based on face-to-face interviews with 801 peach and cherry farmers in Tunisia and Chile and three focus meetings with farm representatives. Fruit farmers have used and are planning to use a number of agricultural, technological, and financial tools to reduce the vulnerability of their crops to climate change. Agronomical measures are focused on planting varieties with higher drought and disease resistance as well as lower winter chill requirements. Technological measures focus on installing nets reflects farmer regional experiences with crop hail damage and rain at the fruit maturing stage. Planned improvements in irrigation reflect anticipated future problems with water availability and drought. The decision not to implement adaptive measures is mainly linked to economic barriers. Specific actions are proposed to overcome these and other measure implementation barriers. The self-reported experiences of fruit farmers provide valuable insight into the effectiveness of various climate change adaptive measures, which often differ from scientific expectations or recommendations. For example, farmers are not overly concerned about fulfilling winter chill requirements, they are also not well informed about all available climate change adaptive tools. In addition, many adaptive measures are not implemented due to administrative or financial barriers. To help address this, regionally-led cooperation between farmers, policy makers, industry, and scientists is needed to identify and overcome these barriers, allowing for the successful implementation of appropriate adaptive measures. [Display omitted] • Background: Vulnerability assessment provides the means to identify specific actions needed to minimize climate change impacts on farms • Objectives: Ascertain the extent to which cherry and peach farms in Chile and Tunisia are vulnerable to climate change impacts • Results: Farmers predict drought and water availability issues will affect their farming operations over the next ten years the most • Conclusions/significance: Address climate change impacts at a regional level, focusing on barriers hindering implementation of adaptive measures [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The induction of allergen-specific IgE-blocking antibodies is a hallmark of allergen immunotherapy (AIT). The inhibitory bioactivity has largely been attributed to IgG 4 ; however, our recent studies indicated the dominance of IgG 1 early in AIT. Here, the IgE-blocking activity and avidity of allergen-specific IgG 1 and IgG 4 antibodies were monitored throughout 3 years of treatment. Serum samples from 24 patients were collected before and regularly during AIT with birch pollen. Bet v 1–specific IgG 1 and IgG 4 levels were determined by ELISA and ImmunoCAP, respectively. Unmodified and IgG 1 - or IgG 4 -depleted samples were compared for their inhibition of Bet v 1–induced basophil activation. The stability of Bet v 1–antibody complexes was compared by ELISA and by surface plasmon resonance. Bet v 1–specific IgG 1 and IgG 4 levels peaked at 12 and 24 months of AIT, respectively. Serological IgE-blocking peaked at 6 months and remained high thereafter. In the first year of therapy, depletion of IgG 1 clearly diminished the inhibition of basophil activation while the absence of IgG 4 hardly reduced IgE-blocking. Then, IgG 4 became the main inhibitory isotype in most individuals. Both isotypes displayed high avidity to Bet v 1 ab initio of AIT, which did not increase during treatment. Bet v 1–IgG 1 complexes were enduringly more stable than Bet v 1–IgG 4 complexes were. In spite of the constant avidity of AIT-induced allergen-specific IgG 1 and IgG 4 antibodies, their dominance in IgE-blocking shifted in the course of treatment. The blocking activity of allergen-specific IgG 1 should not be underestimated, particularly early in AIT. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A complex of indium(III) protoporphyrin IX acetate was prepared and characterized crystallographically as its pyridine solvate. The structure of the 5-coordinate In complex is dimeric through a strong bridging hydrogen bond between the propionic acid group of one porphyrin unit and the carbonyl of the In-bound acetate, leading to a structure that mimics the reciprocal dimer structure of the malaria pigment hemozoin with an expanded frame. Inter-dimer π-stacking and hydrogen bonding interactions of the propionic acid groups are the dominant structural features. This result, following the report of reciprocal dimers of gallium(III) protoporphyrin IX species, indicates that this is a common motif for metalloprotoporphyrin IX species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma (SEF) is a rare fibrosarcoma variant with specific histomorphology and consistent translocation (EWSR1-CREB3L1/2). To date, 110 cases have been reported; only 15 originated within the abdomen. With only 2 cases reported parallel to our study and one case briefly mentioned in a previous series, primary renal SEF is exceptionally rare but might be underrecognized. We herein describe 2 cases affecting a 23-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man. Tumor size was 22 and 4.2 cm, respectively. Patient 1 developed skeletal and multiple pulmonary metastases. She died of disease 82 months later, despite aggressive multimodality therapy. Patient 2 has no evidence of recurrence or metastasis (8 months after surgery). Histologic examination showed similar appearance with monotonous bland medium-sized epithelioid cells with rounded slightly vesicular nuclei and clear cytoplasm imparting a carcinoma-like appearance set within a highly sclerotic hyaline fibrous stroma. The tumor cells were arranged in nests, single cell cords, trabeculae, or solid sheets with frequent entrapment of renal tubules and glomeruli. Immunohistochemistry showed strong expression of vimentin, bcl2, CD99, and MUC4, whereas cytokeratin and other markers were negative. Fluorescence in situ hybridization showed a translocation involving the EWSR1 gene locus in case 2. Molecular analysis in case 1 was not successful due to poor signal quality. To our knowledge, this is the second report documenting primary renal SEF. Awareness of this entity would help avoid misinterpretation as clear cell carcinoma, sclerosing perivascular epithelioid cell tumor, Xp.11 translocation carcinoma, and other more frequent neoplasms at this site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Bet v 1 is the main sensitizing allergen in birch pollen. Like many other major allergens, it contains an immunodominant T cell–activating region (Bet v 1 142-156 ). Api g 1, the Bet v 1 homolog in celery, lacks the ability to sensitize and is devoid of major T-cell epitopes. Objective We analyzed the T-cell epitopes of Mal d 1, the nonsensitizing Bet v 1 homolog in apple, and assessed possible differences in uptake and antigen processing of Bet v 1, Api g 1, and Mal d 1. Methods For epitope mapping, Mal d 1–specific T-cell lines were stimulated with overlapping synthetic 12-mer peptides. The surface binding, internalization, and intracellular degradation of Bet v 1, Api g 1, and Mal d 1 by antigen-presenting cells were compared by using flow cytometry. All proteins were digested with endolysosomal extracts, and the resulting peptides were identified by means of mass spectrometry. The binding of Bet v 1 142-156 and the homologous region in Mal d 1 by HLA class II molecules was analyzed in silico . Results Like Api g 1, Mal d 1 lacked dominant T-cell epitopes. The degree of surface binding and the kinetics of uptake and endolysosomal degradation of Bet v 1, Api g 1, and Mal d 1 were comparable. Endolysosomal degradation of Bet v 1 and Mal d 1 resulted in very similar fragments. The Bet v 1 142-156 and Mal d 1 141-155 regions showed no striking difference in their binding affinities to the most frequent HLA-DR alleles. Conclusion The sensitizing activity of different Bet v 1 homologs correlates with the presence of immunodominant T-cell epitopes. However, the presence of Bet v 1 142-156 is not conferred by differential antigen processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adaptive expertise allows individuals to perform at a high level in the face of changing job tasks and work methods, setting it apart from routine expertise. Given the increased need for flexibility in the workplace, adaptive expertise is increasingly important for today's graduates and professionals. This review investigates which individual and environmental factors distinguish adaptive expertise from routine expertise and thus provides insights into how to facilitate adaptive expertise and its development. Key differences between routine and adaptive expertise are related to knowledge representation, cognitive and analogical problem solving abilities, and past experiences. Learning and working environments, which give individuals the responsibility to develop their own solution strategy and have supportive superiors benefit adaptive expertise. The results of our review also indicate that there is little consensus on the degree of adaptation adaptive expertise provides and the characteristics of a novel situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]