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Abstract Considering the great significance of residential sector for deep decarbonisation in the medium and long term, this study analyses the effectiveness of an emissions visualisation approach and economic incentives in promoting household low-carbon practices. The data was gathered by a questionnaire survey from 406 households in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, which received eco-home diagnosis in the past three years. The result confirms that around 40% of the samples installed home energy management system (HEMS) as the visualisation tool, and many households received low-carbon subsidies; however, few of them have utilised the low-interest loan from the government of Hyogo. Household lifestyle efforts are less associated with the policy measures and some differ due to family characteristics, i.e., the age of head of the household. Replacing household equipment with low-carbon items is largely determined by the visualisation approach and availability of economic incentives. As an example, the installation of HEMS would increase the probability of replacement with an electric heat pump water heater by 25.6% and the introduction of solar PV system by 55.9%. This study assists in understanding household low-carbon practices and their relationship with the related policy measures. Highlights • This paper is a survey study of Japan's household low carbon practices. • A total of 406 valid respondents were gathered for the analysis. • The possession of main low carbon equipment in households was clarified. • The visualisation tool and economic incentives are effective for low carbon replacement. • The payback times for low carbon investment and cost level for loan application were measured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study estimates the effect of carbon pricing for CO 2 mitigation in China’s cement industry. The statistics and prediction show that cement production initially experienced accelerated growth and is now expected to plateau out over the next few years. The energy saving and carbon mitigation technologies considered in this estimation are at different adoption stages. Full technology diffusion is expected within 10–20 years, and the remaining technology mitigation potential stands at about 8.8% by 2025 and 10.2% by 2030. Nevertheless, attaching a price to carbon would have a limited effect. Reductions of 9.9 and 12.9 Mt-CO 2 might have been realised in 2015 under respective prices of 60 and 100 Yuan/t-CO 2 , compared to a non-pricing scenario. The reduction attributed to carbon pricing would be around 4.9 Mt-CO 2 in 2020 at both price levels, and around 70% of the mitigation may be at a marginal cost of 50 Yuan/t-CO 2 by 2020. The marginal cost for nearly 90% of the policy mitigation would be below 100 Yuan/t-CO 2 by 2030. This paper confirms the effectiveness of a command-and-control approach so far for energy saving in China’s cement industry and advises early introduction of a carbon pricing regime with consideration of policy interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study estimates how carbon price affects diffusion of low carbon technologies using data collected from 60 iron & steel companies in China. The analysis indicates that the industry is familiar with related key energy saving and low carbon technologies and has made much progress in energy saving, but efforts in carbon management need improving. An average payback time threshold of 4.1 years was found as regards decision in invest in technology. The three target technologies were adopted by companies to different extents. Carbon emissions pricing was found to be ineffective in promoting the scale-up or further adoption of economically advantageous technologies such as dry top pressure recovery turbine (Dry TRT) and energy management centre (EMC) technology. A moderate carbon price for sintering waste heat recovery power generation (Sintering WHR), which has adoption potential in China's iron & steel industry, may generate comparatively significant effects for diffusion. This research sheds light on how diffusion of low carbon technologies would be affected and the consequences thereof on climate policy development for the target sector in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study estimates the effect of using carbon pricing to promote the diffusion of low carbon technologies based on data collected from 78 cement companies in China. The analysis confirms that they are familiar with major energy saving and low carbon technologies in the sector and have made efforts in energy saving, but are lagging in terms of carbon management. An average payback time of 3.3 years is confirmed as the threshold for cement companies to determine technology investment. The adoptions of target technologies in this survey are at different stages; WHR (waste heat recovery power generation) systems have been largely diffused and the effect of carbon pricing is highly marginal for further adoption. On the other hand, levying a moderate carbon price, i.e., 60 Yuan/t-CO 2 , may accelerate the diffusion of EMOS (energy management and optimisation systems), recently introduced in China's cement industry. This research goes some way to clarifying the diffusion of low carbon technologies and provides implications for climate countermeasures for the target sector in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper summarizes an analysis of choice preferences of Chinese companies to the design options of carbon tax policy. The data were collected from 201 companies, with around half of them based in the western Shanxi Province and the other half from the eastern Jiangsu Province. Modeling analysis of the discrete choice dataset confirms the statistically significant relationships between the company's preferences to carbon tax policy with the policy attributes, including tax rate, tax relief measures and the revenue utilization. From the viewpoint of Chinese businesses, the option of carbon tax policy with tax rate at 10–30 Yuan/t-CO 2 , allowing tax relief to energy-intensive sectors, using the revenues specific for climate change and starting as early as the 13th five-year plan period (2016–2020) would be preferable and realistic. The results of this research may be referred for the discussions and development of carbon tax policy in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper estimates the affordability of energy cost increases for energy-intensive companies due to the introduction of market-based climate policies in Korea. Data were collected from 62 respondents from iron & steel, cement and petrochemical industries, over 90% of which are under control of the ‘Target Management Scheme’, an ongoing mandatory system limiting the greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions of large energy-consuming entities. The affordable energy cost increase was estimated using the multiple-bounded discrete choice (MBDC) format, results of which show that a mean energy cost increase of 2.6% is acceptable for all the entities sampled. Companies from the three sectors had similar affordability, with an average acceptable energy cost increase of 2.5–2.8%. The affordable policy-induced energy cost increases equate to carbon prices of 2500–4000 KRW/t-CO2 (about 2.3–3.5 USD/t-CO2) for the companies surveyed. Econometric analysis confirmed a strong correlation between energy price level and company ownership with cost affordability. With a view to developing carbon tax policy and a domestic GHG emissions trading scheme in Korea, this research provides a basis, from an industrial perspective, for carbon pricing. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper seeks to measure industrial energy saving activities (ESAs) and identify their determinant factors via an empirical study of companies in Hyogo, Japan. The surveyed companies exhibit high participation ratios in the pre-listed ESAs, especially those related to managerial measures. The classified factors are partly confirmed by econometric analysis. Whereas external pressures do not appear to alter the level of involvement of a company in ESAs, internal factors show a significant and positive influence. These findings point to the need for higher levels of support for industry as a whole from policy makers and industrial associations, to enhance energy saving practices within industry. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study measures industrial energy saving activities (ESAs) in the Republic of Korea and identifies their determinant factors by a questionnaire survey to the energy-intensive companies. More than 90% of the samples have practiced the institutional and managerial ESAs, requiring relatively lower costs and efforts. Although the companies have felt strong pressures from the governmental regulations and recognized the importance of industrial associations, the externally coercive, normative and mimetic factors still indicate no significant influence on their ESAs at present. As internal factors, the willingness for energy saving, support from top management and internal training specific for energy saving determine a company''s practice level of ESAs. Economic incentives, like financial subsidies, are useful for encouraging the company''s involvement in ESAs. Korean government shall also provide more technical support to the companies, particularly the small and medium-sized ones, for enhancing their capacities in promptly reacting to the newly initiated mandatory regulations on industrial energy efficiency. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper estimates the affordability of increased energy costs for Chinese companies due to the possible introduction of carbon pricing policies. The data were collected from 121 valid respondents in Taicang, China, using a multiple-bounded discrete choice (MBDC) format. Estimations indicate that a mean of 8.5% in energy cost increase would be acceptable for the surveyed companies on the whole. Companies from chemical and dyeing industries expressed a slightly higher affordability, with the mean of acceptable energy cost increase being 9.8% and 9.4% respectively. Econometric analysis identified two determinants of affordability for companies. One is the current energy price level, having a significant but negative relationship with affordability. The other is the energy management strategies of companies, significantly and positively associated with affordability. Calculations indicate that the mean of affordable energy cost increases for companies roughly equals a carbon price of 60 CNY/t-CO2 (about 9 USD/t-CO2). This result may be used as a referendum during the development of carbon tax policy and the establishment of a domestic carbon emissions trading scheme in China from the perspective of individual companies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper measures the company''s awareness and acceptability of market-based instruments (MBIs) for energy saving, and identifies their relationships with pre-classified determinants. The data were collected from 121 respondents in Taicang, China, with almost all of them being small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The surveyed companies indicate moderate awareness of MBIs at present. Market competition is confirmed to function as a driver for the companies to collect strategic information and thus enhance their policy awareness. The samples with higher education level of employees indicate higher awareness of MBIs. In contrast to the regulative polices, MBIs and voluntary approaches are more appreciated by the companies. The companies in the survey area prefer to make internal efforts in response to energy cost increases due to the implementation of carbon pricing policies and are reluctant to simply transfer the policy burden to their customers. Empirical evidences on the conditions for policy success from this study are meaningful for supporting further progress of industrial energy saving policies in China. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper seeks to measure industrial energy saving activities (ESAs) and identify their major determinant factors by an empirical study of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Taicang city, China. The surveyed SMEs indicate high participation ratios of pre-classified ESAs even with weak regulation and limited support from industrial associations at present. The classified factors are partly confirmed by the econometric analysis. The energy management level of competitors and internal training on energy saving have significant and positive influences on a company’s involvement level of ESAs. The findings suggest that Chinese policy makers should gradually expand the regulative requirements currently focusing on the large energy-consuming companies to SMEs. Providing economic incentives and technical support are important for assisting the SMEs in better practice of ESAs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper develops an analytical framework based on the reasoned action theory and discusses the environmental activism (EA) of residents living close to the polluting companies. The data was collected by a questionnaire survey conducted in August of 2009 in Suzhou city of Jiangsu Province, China, which successfully obtained a total of 343 valid responses. The survey suggests that the residents are reluctant to act against their neighboring polluters. Nearly 10% respondents have never taken any action against the polluters, and the occasional EA participators account for 66.2% of the total. The items of EA, which require the residents to directly communicate with the governments or polluters, achieve very low ratios of participations (with a range of 5–25%). The path analysis confirms that there are large influences of certain attitudinal components on EA involvement. Understanding of corporate environmental information significantly determines the resident’s intention of EA practices. The residents have an obvious tendency to act collectively against the polluters. An essential message of this study is that the strategy of corporate environmental information disclosure may effectively increase the resident’s readiness of EA participation. The government shall responsively support the residents’ EA efforts since successful environmental protests will greatly convince them to jointly act against their neighboring polluters. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper analyzes the functions of a government-oriented disclosure program in China, which rates company environmental performance into five colors and discloses the results to the public. The rating results and their annual changes during 2005–2007 are statistically summarized by using the detailed database provided by municipal environmental protection bureau of the study area: Changshu city in Jiangsu province. The reflexive, deterrent and enhancement mechanisms, preliminarily identified for the disclosure program, are qualitatively evaluated by using the information collected by onsite interviews to 32 program participating firms. In overall, the firms'' environmental performances have been improved. The companies with worse rating records would be more likely to improve their environmental performances in the following years. The disclosure program encourages the firms to be more reflexive to their internal environmental problems. The deterrent and enhancement functions of the program are weak due to the marginal pressure from the classified stakeholders such as investors, business partners and creditors. The influence of the public, such as neighboring communities and environmental NGOs, is weak too. Encouraging serious reactions of firm''s stakeholders to the disclosed rating results should be addressed in order to enhance the effectiveness of the disclosure strategy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In order to help understand the environmental disclosure mechanism from the corporate perspective, this paper identifies the determinant factors affecting the disclosure level of corporate environmental information on the basis of stakeholder theory, and gives an empirical observation on Chinese listed companies. The corporate environmental information disclosure (EID) level appears to be marginal in current Chinese context. Nearly 40% of the sampled companies opened no substantial environmental data to the public as could be seen from the content analysis of disclosed information. The present condition is that the EID strategy of Chinese listed companies is oriented to fill up the government''s environmental concerns. The corporate EID effort is significantly relative to its environmental sensitivity (a proxy of the pressure from the government) and its size. The role of other stakeholders, like shareholders and creditors tested in this study in effecting the EID, is found to be still weak. Another interesting finding is that the sampled companies are selectively opening their environmental information. Companies operating in eastern coastal regions, where the economy has been relatively developed, are more likely to disclose emission-related data. The better the company''s economic performance, the more information on environmental investment and pollution control cost is disclosed. More concerns of the firm''s stakeholders on environmental issues shall be promoted in order to encourage Chinese enterprises to disclose more environmental information and accordingly become more proactive for improving their environmental performance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents an economic evaluation of three typical recycling processes for the five main types of waste electronic home appliances (EHA) (TV set, refrigerator, washing machine, air conditioner and personal computer) in Beijing, the capital of China. The main purpose is to identify the formal management framework with economic feasibility for the waste EHA generated in large municipalities of China. It is found that the advanced technologies, which have mechanical processing units, should be introduced to recover more valuable materials from the waste appliances. Net revenues with a range of 90–240RMB (Chinese currency unit, 1.0USD≈8.0RMB) per unit, depend on the type of appliance, could be expected in case of using the most complicated procedures which can separate both metals and plastics from the shredded mixtures. However, the recycling of waste refrigerator and waste washing machine will, respectively, spend about 100 and 6RMB per unit if solely by simple manual dismantling. Revenues from recycling of the other three types of appliances are positive but quite low in this case. Although positive revenues could be achieved from the isolated evaluation of recycling, the entire management system, which also covers the phases of collection and transportation, is economically infeasible if the waste appliances are bought from the households still at current prices. Based on a survey of the householder''s attitude to the cost for waste EHA management, which was conducted earlier, the practical way to construct a formal management system for waste EHA in Beijing is to reduce the citizen''s traditional expectation to the values of waste appliances and encourage their transfer to the formal collection system at lower prices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper develops a comprehensive interpolation scheme for non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) curves, which does not only simultaneously meet the requirements of both constant feedrate and chord accuracy, but also real-time integrates machining dynamics in the interpolation stage. Although the existing work in this regard has realized the importance to simultaneously consider chord error and machining dynamics, none has really incorporated these in one complete interpolation scheme. In this paper, machining dynamics is considered for three aspects: sharp corners or feedrate sensitive corners on the curves, components with high frequencies or frequencies matching machine natural ones and high jerks. A look-ahead module was developed for detecting and adaptively adjusting the feedrate at the sharp corners. By Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis with a moving window in the interpolation stage identified were some special frequency components such as those containing high frequencies or with frequencies matching machine natural ones. Then, the notch filtering or time spacing method was used to eliminate these components. To more completely reduce feedrate and acceleration fluctuations, the jerk-limited algorithm was also developed. Finally, the interpolated feedrate was further smoothened with B-spline fitting method and the NURBS curves were re-interpolated with the smoothened feedrate. During the interpolation, the chord error was repeatedly checked and confined in the prescribed tolerance. Two NURBS curves were used as examples to test the feasibility of the developed interpolation scheme. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper investigates the damage, mainly surface and subsurface cracks, in ground n-Al2O3/13TiO2 and n-WC/12Co coatings. Surface cracks are formed under some special conditions. The presence and formation of the surface cracks are studied.Subsurface damage, especially cracks, of the ground components greatly influences their performance and life in service. The effects of the grinding conditions such as material removal rate, wheel grit size and bond materials on the subsurface damage, especially subsurface cracks, are investigated. The difference of material properties of these two coatings also influences the subsurface cracks. Different from bulk samples, large quantities of defects inherited from the thermal spray process play a significant role in the initiation and development of the cracks, present the crack configurations more complex than the typically reported system of median and lateral cracks observed in ground bulk ceramics. This complexity is analyzed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Surface grinding of thermally sprayed nanostructured WC/12Co and Al2O3/13TiO2 (n-WC/12Co and n-Al2O3/13TiO2) coatings has been undertaken with diamond wheels and under various grinding conditions. This paper investigates the effects of the grinding parameters such as depth of cut, feedrate, wheel grit size and bond materials on grinding forces, surface finish and surface topography. Different from their consolidated counterparts, the coatings have large quantities of defects inherited from thermal spray process, which greatly influence the grinding process and ground coatings. The competing phenomenon between the effects on surface finish from both the thermal spray process and the grinding process is studied. Different surface topographies are observed and their relationship with grinding conditions and material properties is investigated. Furthermore, the material removal mechanisms in grinding are explored. The effects of grinding parameters, material properties and the defects from thermal spray process on material removal mechanisms are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Households may imperfectly implement energy saving measures. This study identifies two factors resulting in imperfect use of energy-saving technology by households. Households often continue to use old technologies alongside new ones, and the energy-saving technologies have shorter actual lifetimes than their designed lifetimes. These two factors are considered when computing marginal energy conservation cost and marginal CO 2 abatement cost using data collected from a survey of rural households in three provinces in China. The results show that there are cost reduction for most space heating technologies, and their marginal abatement cost under full implementation ranges from −60 to 15 USD/t-CO 2 , while the marginal abatement cost of cooking technologies ranges from 12 to 85 USD/t-CO 2 . The marginal abatement costs of the majority of technologies increased after accounting for the two implementation factors. The marginal abatement cost in the imperfect implementation scenario is higher, with a range of −1 to 15 USD/t-CO 2 for space heating, and 18 to 165 USD/t-CO 2 for cooking. Assuming implementation factors are constant until 2035, annually achievable CO 2 abatement by 2035 is estimated to be 57, 11, and 10 Mt-CO 2 /y in Hebei, Guizhou, and Guangxi Provinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Using China’s environmental statistical data set for the period 2001–2006, this paper presents an extensive empirical analysis of the relationships among citizens’ environmental complaints, pollution intensities, and socio-economic characteristics. We found that exposure to harmful pollutants significantly influence people’s complaint behaviors because higher densities of chemical oxygen demand and SO2 emissions are correlated with a higher incidence of citizen’s complaints of water pollution and air pollution, respectively. In terms of demographical variables, household income has significantly positive impacts on the likelihood of citizens lodging environmental complaints regarding air, water, and solid waste pollution. Citizens in municipality and coastal regions tend to complain more than those in interior regions. Our results support the view that environmental complaints can provide valuable information for regulators to efficiently allocate inspection resources; however, the information may be noisy since complaints are more likely to arise from wealthier and more-educated regions. In order to mitigate this problem, we argue that it may be helpful to strengthen basic education in poorer regions and to encourage environmental information disclosure for attracting more people’s attention to pollution problems. In addition, regular inspection capabilities in poor and seriously polluted regions must be enhanced for investigating regulatory violation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Based on Z-map method, in this paper the development of a geometric model for the linear motor equipped EDM die-sinking process is described. Firstly discussed are the advantages and benefits of the introduction of the linear motor into EDM die-sinker. The current model has been employed to calculate the minimum gap distance for sparks to occur and to analyze the possibility of spark generation between the workpiece and electrode surfaces. Also calculated is the crater formed by a single spark. The final machined surface topography is predicted. The influence of peak current and discharge duration on the average surface roughness is simulated. The experiment has been conducted to study the effects of machining conditions as well as to verify the effectiveness of the developed geometric model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A Toxoplasma gondii infection during pregnancy can result in spontaneous abortion, preterm labor, or congenital fetal defects. The decidual immune system plays a critical role in regulating the immune micro-environment and in the induction of immune tolerance. To better understand the factors that mediate the decidual immune response associated with the T. gondii infection, a large-scale study employing TMT proteomics was conducted to characterize the differential decidual immune proteomes from infected and uninfected human decidual immune cells samples. The decidual immune cells from 105 human voluntary abortion tissues were purified, and of the 5510 unique proteins identified, 181 proteins were found to be differentially abundant (>1.2-fold cutoff, p <  0.05) in the T. gondii -infected decidual immune cells. 11 proteins of 181 differentially expressed proteins associated with trophoblast invasion, placental development, intrauterine fetal growth, and immune tolerance were verified using a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. This systematic analysis for the proteomics of decidual immune cells identified a broad range of immune factors in human decidual immune cells, shedding a new insight into the decidual immune molecular mechanism for abnormal pregnancy outcomes associated with T. gondii infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous, obligate intracellular parasite capable of crossing the placental barrier and causing spontaneous abortion, preterm labor, or significant disease in the surviving neonate. To better understand molecular mechanisms underlying abnormal pregnancy outcomes caused by T. gondii , placental proteins extracted from T. gondii -infected and -uninfected mice were comparatively analyzed using label-free liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Significant difference was observed in the expression of 58 out of 792 proteins in infected placentas ( p < 0.05) compared with that in uninfected placentas. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining were used to validate the results of the proteomic analysis. Some placental proteins differentially expressed in infected and uninfected mice were found to be associated with several different biological processes of pregnancy, particularly with trophoblast invasion and placental development. The results provide possible novel insights into the molecular mechanisms for abnormal pregnancy outcomes associated with T. gondii infection. Significance In order to further explore the mechanisms of abnormal pregnant outcomes caused by T. gondii infection, we first applied label-free proteomic technology to analyze the differentially expressed host placental proteins with T. gondii infection. The results showed that some differential proteins are associated with trophoblast invasion and placenta development. The findings provide a systemic view of the altered placental proteins and help to declare the molecular mechanisms of abnormal pregnancy outcomes caused by T. gondii infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Objective To assess whether interferon gamma (IFN-γ) secreted by decidual natural killer (dNK) cells at the maternal–fetal interface is involved in the apoptosis of trophoblast cells (trophoblasts) following Toxoplasma gondii infection. Methods Human dNK cells were infected with T. gondii and then co-cultured with trophoblasts. The infected co-cultured cells were treated with or without IFN-γ neutralizing antibodies. Uninfected co-cultured cells were used as controls. The level of IFN-γ in the supernatant of co-culture was measured by ELISA and the apoptosis of trophoblasts was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of caspase 3 and caspase 8 of trophoblasts cells was determined by Western blotting and real-time RT-PCR. Results The levels of IFN-γ were increased at <24 h following T. gondii infection and were maintained thereafter. Caspase 3, caspase 8, and the apoptosis of trophoblasts co-cultured with dNK cells were increased compared with the control. Meanwhile, IFN-γ, caspase 3, caspase 8, and trophoblast apoptosis were up-regulated upon increased ratios of dNK cells to trophoblasts. Compared to the infected group, the levels of IFN-γ, caspase 3, caspase 8, and trophoblast apoptosis were significantly decreased upon treatment with the IFN-γ neutralizing antibody. IFN-γ levels were correlated positively with the apoptosis of trophoblasts ( r = 0.7163, p < 0.01). Conclusions The levels of IFN-γ secreted by dNK cells at the maternal–fetal interface were closely correlated with the apoptosis of trophoblasts upon T. gondii infection. The apoptosis of trophoblasts induced by the increase in IFN-γ depended on the caspase pathway, which may contribute to the abnormal pregnancy outcomes that occur with T. gondii infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the changes of human decidual natural killer (dNK) cells cocultured with Toxoplasma gondii in vitro and to infer implications on pregnancy. Design: Case-control study. Setting: College and hospital. Patient(s): Decidual tissue was obtained from 85 patients undergoing voluntary abortion during the first trimester of gestation (6–12 weeks). Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): The dNK cells were isolated and infected with YFP-Toxoplasma gondii. Cells were observed by fluorescence and confocal microscopy. The CD56brightCD16−/CD56dimCD16+ dNK ratio, expression of KIR2DL4, ILT-2, and NKG2D on dNK cells were analyzed by flow cytometry and the cytotoxic activity of infected dNK cells were evaluated. Result(s): The CD56dimCD16+/CD56brightCD16− dNK ratio was significantly elevated at 12, 24, and 48 hours after YFP-T. gondii infection. Expression of KIR2DL4, ILT-2, and NKG2D were increased after infection, but NKG2D were significantly higher than those of KIR2DL4 and ILT-2. Both the CD56dimCD16+/CD56brightCD16− dNK ratio and NKG2D expression were correlated with dNK cytotoxic activity. Conclusion(s): Enhanced dNK cytotoxicity due to increased CD16 and NKG2D expression may contribute to abnormal pregnancy outcomes observed with maternal infection with T. gondii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]