ViruSurf: an integrated database to investigate viral sequences

ViruSurf, available at http://gmql.eu/virusurf/, is a large public database of viral sequences and integrated and curated metadata from heterogeneous sources (RefSeq, GenBank, COG-UK and NMDC); it also exposes computed nucleotide and amino acid variants, called from original sequences. A GISAID-specific ViruSurf database, available at http://gmql.eu/virusurf_gisaid/, offers a subset of these functionalities. Given the current pandemic outbreak, SARS-CoV-2 data are collected from the four sources; but ViruSurf contains other virus species harmful to humans, including SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, Ebola and Dengue. The database is centered on sequences, described from their biological, technological and organizational dimensions. In addition, the analytical dimension characterizes the sequence in terms of its annotations and variants. The web interface enables expressing complex search queries in a simple way; arbitrary search queries can freely combine conditions on attributes from the four dimensions, extracting the resulting sequences. Several example queries on the database confirm and possibly improve results from recent research papers; results can be recomputed over time and upon selected populations. Effective search over large and curated sequence data may enable faster responses to future threats that could arise from new viruses.

ViruSurf: an integrated database to investigate viral sequences

ABSTRACTViruSurf, available at http://gmql.eu/virusurf/, is a large public database of viral sequences and integrated and curated metadata from heterogeneous sources (GenBank, COG-UK and NMDC); it also exposes computed nucleotide and amino acid variants, called from original sequences. A GISAID-specific ViruSurf database, available at http://gmql.eu/virusurf_gisaid/, offers a subset of these functionalities. Given the current pandemic outbreak, SARS-CoV-2 data are collected from the four sources; but ViruSurf contains other virus species harmful to humans, including SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, Ebola, and Dengue.The database is centered on sequences, described from their biological, technological, and organizational dimensions. In addition, the analytical dimension characterizes the sequence in terms of its annotations and variants. The web interface enables expressing complex search queries in a simple way; arbitrary search queries can freely combine conditions on attributes from the four dimensions, extracting the resulting sequences.Several example queries on the database confirm and possibly improve results from recent research papers; results can be recomputed over time and upon selected populations. Effective search over large and curated sequence data may enable faster responses to future threats that could arise from new viruses.

Blood and Chuser across Research Paradigms: Constitutive Links in Mapping Biomedical Cancer onto Tibetan Medical Nosology

Collaborative research on Tibetan medicine for conditions difficult to treat by Euroamerican biomedicine, such as many intractable types of cancer, has developed in recent years due to treatment outcomes and growing patient interest. In these collaborations, more nuanced analyses of how one medical tradition’s etiology maps onto the other are required for productive dialogue and sophisticated research methodologies. Building on earlier work that provides the initial etiologic and diagnostic mapping of biomedical cancer onto Tibetan medical nosology, this article develops a further analytical dimension by describing the specific etiologic role of blood (Tib. khrag) and chuser (Tib. chu ser), as well as their specific ontological characterizations in Sowa Rigpa more generally. The Four Treatises and its commentaries elucidate a unique perspective on these substances as implemented in clinical praxis. This analysis furthers work to disentangle contemporary Tibetan medical and biomedical paradigms by highlighting therapeutic and investigative distinctions for cancer and research collaborations more broadly.

Prophesying success in the higher education system of multilingual Switzerland

This paper investigates the conditions under which stakeholders in the higher education system in multilingual Switzerland link expectations of students’ future economic to the development of human capital. Drawing on ethnographic data collected in a project focusing on mobile students crossing linguistic borders within Switzerland, I examine how this expected success in the imagined future is conceptualized, i. e. what kind of learning and which multilingual repertoires are part of the prophesying marketing discourse produced by universities and students alike. I explore how dominant language ideologies are reproduced and transferred into a speculative future, without any adjustment to account for changing market conditions. Juxtaposing institutional and individual discourse, I first argue that understandings of language ideologies are shared, seen as promotional assets translatable into the imagined but unchallenged future of which students as well as universities have a joint vision. Second, I suggest that investigating dominant visions of the future sheds light on which languages are chosen to be taught/learnt at tertiary level and how this offer mirrors the economized perspective adopted in the higher education system. Finally, I conclude that considering time as an analytical dimension contributes to our understanding of how prophesies of the multilingual (and thus marketable) self are discursively constructed in the here and now, and are dominated by certain interests, and I raise the question whether the successful visions we are striving for are ever to be reached in a neoliberal logic in line with the pressure of continuously becoming.

SEPARAÇÃO DOS PODERES E A EVOLUÇÃO DO ENTENDIMENTO DO STF SOBRE O MANDADO DE INJUNÇÃO

RESUMOTrata-se de artigo cujo objetivo é identificar o entendimento do Supremo Tribunal Federal - STF sobre a Separação dos Poderes no que se refere à natureza do Mandado de Injunção, um remédio constitucional a ser concedido em caso de omissão do Poder Público em editar norma regulamentadora necessária para viabilizar o exercício dos direitos e liberdades constitucionais e das prerrogativas inerentes à nacionalidade, à soberania e à cidadania. O entendimento histórico do STF sobre o tema não é consensual e são percebidas ao menos duas grandes correntes às quais se afiliaram os ministros: Teoria Concretista e Teoria Não-Concretista (além de suas subdivisões). As duas grandes correntes diferenciam-se radicalmente, tanto no que se refere ao relacionamento entre o Judiciário e os demais Poderes, quanto aos efeitos do Mandado de Injunção. Além disso, o entendimento do STF evoluiu historicamente, não apenas quanto ao posicionamento majoritária da Corte em torno de alguma das teorias, mas também quanto ao desenvolvimento de cada uma delas. A partir da análise das principais decisões do STF sobre o tema, sistematizaremos as características centrais de cada uma das correntes (e como se diferenciam), bem como suas fundamentações e evolução. A metodologia adotada é a Dogmática Jurídica (cf. Alexy e Dreier), com foco nas dimensões empírica (pela análise das decisões do STF) e analítica (estabelecendo definições e sistematizando os conceitos utilizados pelos ministros do STF). Como conclusão, apresentaremos as características centrais de cada uma das teorias adotadas pelo STF no que se refere ao tema Separação dos Poderes.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Separação dos Poderes; Mandado de Injunção; Função Normativa. ABSTRACTThe purpose of this article is to identify how Supremo Tribunal Federal – STF (Brazilian’s Supreme Court) sees the Separation of Powers related to the nature of the Writ of Injunction, a constitutional remedy (relief) to be granted in case of Public Power’s omission in enacting a regulatory norm needed to enable the exercise of constitutional rights and freedoms and the prerogatives inherent in nationality, sovereignty and citizenship. The historical opinion of the STF on this subject is not consensual, and there is at least two major currents in which the ministers-judges have joined: Concretist Theory and Non-Concretist Theory (and its subdivisions). The two major currents differ radically, either about the relationship between the Judiciary and the other Powers, as about the effects of the Writ of Injunction. Besides, the STF’s opinion has evolved historically, not only regards the majority position of the Court around one of the theories, but also as to the development of each of them. After analysing the main STF’s decisions on the subject, we systematize the central characteristics of each of the currents (and how they differ from each other), as well as their foundations and evolution. The methodology is the Legal Dogmatic (according Alexy and Dreier), with focus on the empirical dimension (the analysis of STF’s decisions) and analytical dimension (the establishment of definitions and the systematization the concepts used by the STF’s ministers-judges). In conclusion, we present the central characteristics related to Separation of Powers of each one the theories adopted by the STF.KEYWORDS: Separation of Powers; Writ of Injunction; Normative Function.

Heterogeneity, Co-production, and Polycentric Governance

Chapter 6 elaborates the conceptual framework and the apparatus emerging from the Ostroms’ efforts, especially the pivotal notion of polycentricity, as a unifying and organizing framework or principle for governance theorizing. First, it explicitly articulates the elements of a theory of value heterogeneity as a foundational component of the entire approach. Then it proceeds to clarify a technical ambiguity in the construction of the co-production model that connects the domain of individual subjective values with the domain of institutions and social order. Third, in light of first two points, the discussion reconsiders the issue of polycentricity, the capstone of the Ostromian system. The chapter advances a fresh elaboration of the notion of polycentrism, seem as a solution both to the co-production problem and to the problems of social choice in conditions of deep heterogeneity, emphasizing several critical features that pertain to its positive-analytical dimension.

Inclusive innovation and sustainable development in affordable habitat

English abstract: In the last thirty years, Latin America has seen a significant growth in a set of approaches, schools of thought and social movements, which posit that is impossible to effect a transformation in the region without processes focused on inclusion and democracy. Recent analyses on some of these trends reveal the existence of linear and deterministic assumptions in the various models used to address the issue. From the analytical dimension to the regulatory, this work puts forward an inclusive and participatory development model. Unlike technological systems based on income maximization, private appropriation and benefit restriction, Social Technological Systems represent a systemic strategic vision: new development paths, new ways of thinking about problems and socio-technical solutions, and new ways of exercising democracy.Spanish abstract:En los últimos treinta años, América Latina ha visto crecer significativamente un conjunto de enfoques, corrientes y movimientos sociales que sostienen la imposibilidad de transformar la región si no es a través de procesos que valoricen la inclusión y la democracia. Recientes análisis sobre algunas de estas corrientes ponen en evidencia la continuidad de supuestos lineales y deterministas. De la dimensión analítica a la regulatoria, este trabajo propone un modelo de desarrollo inclusivo y participativo. Frente a los sistemas tecnológicos basados en la maximización de la renta, la apropiación privada y la restricción de los beneficios, los Sistemas Tecnológicos Sociales responden a una visión estratégica sistémica: nuevos senderos de desarrollo, nuevas formas de concebir problemas y soluciones socio-técnicas, nuevas formas de ejercer la democracia.French abstract:Durant les trente dernières années, l’Amérique latine a connu la croissance significative d’un ensemble d’approches, d’écoles de pensée et de mouvements sociaux qui revendiquent l’impossibilité d’une transformation dans la région sans processus inclusifs et démocratiques. Des analyses récentes de certaines de ces tendances révèlent l’existence de suppositions linéaires et déterministes dans les modèles utilisés. Partant d’une dimension analytique vers une perspective règlementaire, ce travail revendique un modèle de développement inclusif et participatif. A la différence des systèmes technologiques fondés sur la maximisation des revenus, l’appropriation privée et la restriction des bénéfices, les Systèmes Sociaux Technologiques représentent une vision systémique stratégique : des voies et des manières nouvelles pour penser les problèmes et les solutions sociotechniques et des formes novatrices d’exercice démocratique.

Coverage in Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA): A New Fuzzy Proposition for Describing Empirical Relevance

The parameter of fits in fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), which includes consistency and coverage, evaluate the strength of the empirical support for theoretical arguments describing set relations. Social scientist Charles Ragin proposed a formula for coverage intended to calculate how much of the variation in an outcome can be explained by causal conditions. However, this formula fails to determine empirical relevance from the analysis of sufficiency because it does not consider the set-theoretic information contained in each fuzzy value. The inaccuracies are primarily due to the inability of the coverage formula to fully grasp the quantifiable and qualitative dimensions of the concept of coverage. In this article, the author proposes a new calculation of coverage able to aggregate the quantifiable and qualitative analytical dimension of coverage in fuzzy terms.

Notas teórico-metodológicas sobre a pesquisa etnográfica na área de educação ambiental

Neste artigo, pretendemos fazer uma aproximação entre pesquisa etnográfica e Educação Ambiental (EA). Tratamos de apresentar a etnografia enquanto método vinculado à reflexão antropológica, ao mesmo tempo em que possibilita contribuições analíticas para a pesquisa em Educação Ambiental e, em especial, para os estudos sobre conflitos ambientais. Dito em outras palavras, trataremos de propor alguns pressupostos teórico-metodológicos e reflexões da antropologia que poderiam ser aplicados em pesquisas na educação ambiental, sobretudo no que se refere à dimensão analítica dos conflitos ambientais enquanto lugar de interface entre áreas. In this article, we intend to make an approximation between ethnographic research and Environmental Education. We present the ethnographic as a method linked to anthropological reflection, at the same time as we seek to think their contributions to research in environmental education and in particular for studies on environmental conflicts. Put in other words, we will try to propose some theoretical and methodological assumptions and initial reflections of anthropology that could be apply at research in environmental education, particularly with regard to the analytical dimension of environmental conflicts as an interface instead of between areas. En este articulo, pretendemos aproximar la pesquisa etnografica y la Educación Ambiental (EA). Tratamos de presentar a la etnografía enguanto método vinculado al pensamiento antropológico, al paso en que posibilita contribuciones analíticas para la pesquisa en Educación Ambiental y, en especial, para los estudios sobre conflictos ambientales. Dicho en otras palabras, trataremos de proponer algunos presupuestos teórico-metodológicos y reflexiones de la antropología que ponderan ser aplicados en pesquisas en educación ambiental, sobretodo no que se refiere a la dimensión analítica de los conflictos ambientales como espacio de interfaces entre áreas.