bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aim2 Couples With Ube2i for Sumoylation‐Mediated Repression of Interferon Signatures in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Lu Ailing , Wu Shuxian , Niu Junling , Cui Mengmeng , Chen Mengdan , Clapp William L. , Barnes Betsy J. , Meng Guangxun
Published: February 2021

Objective

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) involves kidney damage, and the inflammasome‐caspase‐1 axis has been demonstrated to promote renal pathogenesis. The present study was designed to explore the function of the Absent in Melanoma 2 (Aim2) protein in SLE.

Methods

Female wild‐type Aim2−/−, Aim2−/−Ifnar1−/−, Aim2−/−Rag1−/−, and Asc−/− mice ages 8–10 weeks received 1 intraperitoneal injection of 500 μl pristane or saline, and survival of mice was monitored twice a week for 6 months.

Results

The absence of Aim2, but not Asc, led to enhanced SLE in mice that received pristane treatment. Increased immune cell infiltration and type I interferon (IFN) signatures in the kidneys of Aim2−/− mice coincided with severity of lupus, which was alleviated by blockade of Ifnar1‐mediated signal. Adaptive immune cells were also involved in the glomerular lesions of Aim2−/− mice after pristane challenge. Importantly, even in the absence of pristane, plasmacytoid dendritic cells in the kidneys of Aim2−/− mice were significantly increased compared to control animals. Accordingly, transcriptome analysis revealed that Aim2 deficiency led to enhanced expression of type I IFN–induced genes in the kidneys even at an early developmental stage. Mechanistically, Aim2 bound ubiquitin‐conjugating enzyme 2i (Ube2i), which mediates sumoylation‐based suppression of type I IFN expression deficiency of Aim2 decreased cellular sumoylation, resulting in an augmented type I IFN signature and kidney pathogenesis.

Conclusion

The present study demonstrates a critical role for Aim2 in an optimal Ube2i‐mediated sumoylation‐based suppression of type I IFN generation and development of SLE. As such, the Aim2–Ube2i axis can thus be a novel target for intervention in SLE.
Effects of glutelin and lipid oxidation on the physicochemical properties of rice starch
Authors: Shi Jiayi , Zhang Tai , Wang Tingting , Wu Meidan
Published: February 2021

Background and objectives

Starch properties are closely related to the rice quality as starch interacts with other components during rice storage. However, several studies have neglected that the changes in proteins and lipids influence the properties of starch in rice. Herein, we used an artificial climate chest to characterize the effect of glutelin and lipid oxidation on the physicochemical properties of starch during rice storage.

Findings

Oxidation occurs in glutelin and lipids during the rice storage stage (p < .01). The oxidation indexes of glutelin and lipids showed the same significant negative correlation in peak viscosity (PV), breakdown (BD), and setback (SB). In contrast, concerning amylose content, final viscosity (FV), and SB, the oxidation of glutelin rather than lipids was more closely related to the changes observed in starch properties (p < .01). Lipid oxidation significantly correlated with trough viscosity (TV) and amylopectin content than glutelin oxidation (p < .01).

Conclusions

All the oxidation indicators of glutelin and lipids were inversely correlated with BD and SB (p < .01). Carbonyl compound content and fatty acid oxidation were significantly correlated with the physicochemical properties of rice starch.

Significance and novelty

The physicochemical changes in starch are closely related to the oxidation of glutelin and lipids, which can be used as indicators for assessing rice quality.
Model‐Informed Drug Development for Anti‐Infectives: State of the Art and Future
Authors: Rayner Craig R. , Smith Patrick F. , Andes David , Andrews Kayla , Derendorf Hartmut , Friberg Lena E. , Hanna Debra , Lepak Alex , Mills Edward , Polasek Thomas M. , Roberts Jason A. , Schuck Virna , Shelton Mark J. , Wesche David , Rowland‐Yeo Karen
Published: February 2021

Model‐informed drug development (MIDD) has a long and rich history in infectious diseases. This review describes foundational principles of translational anti‐infective pharmacology, including choice of appropriate measures of exposure and pharmacodynamic (PD) measures, patient subpopulations, and drug‐drug interactions. Examples are presented for state‐of‐the‐art, empiric, mechanistic, interdisciplinary, and real‐world evidence MIDD applications in the development of antibacterials (review of minimum inhibitory concentration‐based models, mechanism‐based pharmacokinetic/PD (PK/PD) models, PK/PD models of resistance, and immune response), antifungals, antivirals, drugs for the treatment of global health infectious diseases, and medical countermeasures. The degree of adoption of MIDD practices across the infectious diseases field is also summarized. The future application of MIDD in infectious diseases will progress along two planes; “depth” and “breadth” of MIDD methods. “MIDD depth” refers to deeper incorporation of the specific pathogen biology and intrinsic and acquired‐resistance mechanisms; host factors, such as immunologic response and infection site, to enable deeper interrogation of pharmacological impact on pathogen clearance; clinical outcome and emergence of resistance from a pathogen; and patient and population perspective. In particular, improved early assessment of the emergence of resistance potential will become a greater focus in MIDD, as this is poorly mitigated by current development approaches. “MIDD breadth” refers to greater adoption of model‐centered approaches to anti‐infective development. Specifically, this means how various MIDD approaches and translational tools can be integrated or connected in a systematic way that supports decision making by key stakeholders (sponsors, regulators, and payers) across the entire development pathway.
Bird's‐eye view of analog and mixed‐signal chips for the 21st century
Authors: Martins Rui P. , Mak Pui‐In , Chan Chi‐Hang , Yin Jun , Zhu Yan , Chen Yong , Lu Yan , Law Man‐Kay , Sin Sai‐Weng
Published: February 2021

The Internet of Everything (IoE), clearly a 21st century's technology, brilliantly plays with digital data obtained from analog sources, bringing together two different realities, the analog (physical/real), and the digital (cyber/virtual) worlds. Then, with the boundaries of IoE still analog in nature, the required functions at the interface involve sensing, measuring, filtering, converting, processing, and connecting, which imply that the analog layer governs the entire system in terms of accuracy and precision. Furthermore, such interface integrates several analog and mixed‐signal subsystems that comprise mainly signal transmission and reception, frequency generation, energy harvesting, data, and power conversion. This paper sets forth a state‐of‐the‐art design perspective of some of the most critical building blocks used in the analog/digital interface, covering wireless cellular transceivers, millimeter‐wave frequency generators, energy harvesting interfaces, plus, data and power converters, that exhibit high quality performance achieved through low‐power consumption, high energy‐efficiency, and high speed.
Development and psychometric evaluation of the Social Connectedness Index in nursing home residents with Alzheimer's disease and dementia using the Minimum Data Set 3.0
Authors: Bova Carol A. , Jesdale Bill M. , Mbrah Attah , Botelho Lynn , Lapane Kate L.
Published: February 2021

Objectives

To develop a reliable and valid measure of social connectedness among nursing home residents with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) using items available in the Minimum Dataset 3.0 (MDS).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective scale development study using the 2016 MDS with two populations of nursing home residents with ADRD: (1) new admissions (not post‐acute care) (n = 146,694); (2) residents with comprehensive annual assessments (n = 294,704). Twenty‐nine items were included for consideration. Psychometric evaluation included content validity, item analysis, internal consistency reliability, criterion‐related validity, and exploratory factor analysis. Analyses were stratified by self‐ or staff‐assessed pain.

Results

The resulting five item Social Connectedness Index (SCI) has good content (Fleiss Kappa = 0.67), criterion‐related and construct validity and adequate internal consistency reliability (Kuder Richardson‐20: 0.63–0.74) in persons with ADRD. As anticipated, younger residents, men, and those with severe cognitive impairment, anxiety, and depression were more likely to be categorized in the low social connectedness group.

Conclusion

The SCI is a promising measure for estimating the amount of social connectedness present for nursing home residents with ADRD. Further work needs to be done to evaluate the usefulness of the SCI for evaluating health and well‐being among this population over time.
Child labor and psychosocial wellbeing: Findings from India
Authors: Feeny Simon , Posso Alberto , Skali Ahmed , Jyotishi Amalendu , Nath Shyam , Viswanathan P. K.
Published: February 2021

Mental health is a neglected health issue in developing countries. We test if mental health issues are particularly likely to occur among some of the most vulnerable children in developing countries: those that work. Despite falling in recent decades, child labor still engages 168 million children across the world. While the negative impacts of child labor on physical health are well documented, the effect of child labor on a child's psychosocial wellbeing has been neglected. We investigate this issue with a new dataset of 947 children aged 12–18 years from 750 households in 20 villages across five districts of Tamil Nadu, India. Our purpose‐built survey allows for a holistic approach to the analysis of child wellbeing by accounting for levels of happiness, hope, emotional wellbeing, self‐efficacy, fear and stress. We use a variety of econometric approaches, some of which utilize household‐level fixed effects and account for differences between working and nonworking siblings. We document a robust, large and negative association between child labor and most measures of psychosocial wellbeing. The results are robust to a battery of exercises, including tests for selection on unobservables, randomization inference, instrumental variable techniques, and falsification exercises.
Identification of flavonoid‐3‐O‐glycosides from leaves of Casearia arborea (Salicaceae) by UHPLC‐DAD‐ESI‐HRMS/MS combined with molecular networking and NMR
Authors: Santos Augusto L. , Soares Marisi G. , de Medeiros Lívia S. , Ferreira Marcelo J.P. , Sartorelli Patricia
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Casearia is an essential source of cytotoxic highly oxidised clerodane diterpenes, in addition to phenolics, flavonoids, and glycoside derivatives. Here we identify flavonoid‐3‐O‐glycoside derivatives in the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction of the methanolic extract from leaves C. arborea leaves.

Objective

To characterise the EtOAc phase from the methanolic extract of C. arborea leaves using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography diode array detector high‐resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐DAD‐HRMS/MS) and molecular networking‐based dereplication.

Methodology

We identified compounds not annotated in the GNPS platform by co‐injection of standards in HPLC‐DAD or by isolation and characterisation of the metabolites using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. A workflow on the GNPS platform aided the organisation of spectral data and dereplication by annotations. We subjected the EtOAc phase to HPLC‐DAD analysis using standard compound co‐injection to corroborate the GNPS annotations. We isolated unidentified compounds with semi‐preparative HPLC‐DAD for structural identification using NMR.

Results

We annotated a molecular family of flavonoid‐3‐O‐glycosides in the molecular networking created using the GNPS platform. These included avicularin, cacticin, isoquercitrin, quercitrin, rutin, and a quercetin‐3‐O‐pentoside cluster. We confirmed the annotations with standard compounds using HPLC‐DAD co‐injection analysis, besides identifying quercetin‐3‐O‐robinobioside and kaempferol. We isolated three flavonoid‐3‐O‐pentosides and characterised them using one‐ and two‐dimensional NMR; we identified them as reynoutrin, guaijaverin, and avicularin.

Conclusion

This work describes the isolation of kaempferol and nine known flavonoid‐3‐O‐glycosides from the polar fraction of the methanolic extract (EtOAc) from C. arborea leaves using molecular networking to guide the chromatographic procedures. We identified eight compounds for the first time in Casearia that amplify and reinforce the genus' chemotaxonomy with the presence of glycosylated flavonoids.
Chemical in‐depth analysis of (Ca/Sr)F2 core–shell like nanoparticles by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy with tunable excitation energy
Authors: Müller Anja , Krahl Thoralf , Radnik Jörg , Wagner Andreas , Kreyenschulte Carsten , Werner Wolfgang S.M. , Ritter Benjamin , Kemnitz Erhard , Unger Wolfgang E.S.
Published: February 2021

The fluorolytic sol–gel synthesis is applied with the intention to obtain two different types of core–shell nanoparticles, namely, SrF2–CaF2 and CaF2–SrF2. In two separate fluorination steps for core and shell formation, the corresponding metal lactates are reacted with anhydrous HF in ethylene glycol. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) confirm the formation of particles with mean dimensions between 6.4 and 11.5 nm. The overall chemical composition of the particles during the different reaction steps is monitored by quantitative Al Kα excitation X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Here, the formation of stoichiometric metal fluorides (MF2) is confirmed, both for the core and the final core–shell particles. Furthermore, an in‐depth analysis by synchrotron radiation XPS (SR‐XPS) with tunable excitation energy is performed to confirm the core–shell character of the nanoparticles. Additionally, Ca2p/Sr3d XPS intensity ratio in‐depth profiles are simulated using the software Simulation of Electron Spectra for Surface Analysis (SESSA). In principle, core–shell like particle morphologies are formed but without a sharp interface between calcium and strontium containing phases. Surprisingly, the in‐depth chemical distribution of the two types of nanoparticles is equal within the error of the experiment. Both comprise a SrF2‐rich core domain and CaF2‐rich shell domain with an intermixing zone between them. Consequently, the internal morphology of the final nanoparticles seems to be independent from the synthesis chronology.
Roma at School: A Look at the Past and the Present. The Case of Portugal
Authors: Nicolau Lurdes
Published: February 2021

The schooling process has become more widespread among the Portuguese Roma population since 1974, with the end of the Estado Novo dictatorship and the establishment of democracy. Nevertheless, the Roma nomadism or semi-nomadism, financial shortcomings and the absence of social/cultural/family stimuli are some of the reasons that explain their low school attendance rates. Only in the last decades has such attendance increased, as a result of the implementation of several public policies, particularly of the Social Integration Income. This social policy, implemented in 1996, introduced important changes in this population, especially in areas such as schooling, personal hygiene, housing, health, or sedentism.

Recent research has shown an increase in the educational level of the Roma population, but school dropouts and failure remain high. This tendency was also studied in the northeast of Portugal, in a PhD thesis about the relationships between the Roma and school. In the present research work, a qualitative methodology was adopted, using direct and participant observation, as well as interviews to some Roma parents and non-Roma teachers. Both groups emphasize the main difficulties of Roma children at school.

The conclusions show that several factors affect these students’ schooling nowadays, especially poor housing conditions, parents’ illiteracy or low schooling, lack of daily study monitoring at home, absence of models in their environment, non-attendance of pre-school, and discrimination against them.
Educational Situation of Portuguese Ciganos: Social Changes versus Social Continuities
Authors: Mendes Maria Manuela , Magano Olga
Published: February 2021

The purpose of this chapter is to present and discuss the main impacts of Portuguese public policies in the area of education in Portugal, since 25 April 1974. To this end, diversified information was collected, processed and analysed involving legal and other documents about these national policies, especially those of greater impact on Ciganos, in addition to thorough mapping of ongoing projects of local and social support in the Lisbon and Porto metropolitan areas, where the empirical research is being carried out. At a later stage, interviews were held with technical staff, project coordinators and local institutions, as well as Ciganos and their families. The purpose of using various data collection techniques is to capture the reality experienced by Cigano individuals and families, namely patterns of continuity and social change, particularly in the area of education, through triangulation between the discourses of informants and scientific knowledge already consolidated in these matters. We present a critical and reflexive interpretation of the policy orientations and achieved social rights, focusing on narratives of Ciganos, stakeholders and school representatives centred on what has changed in the school trajectories of Ciganos, in terms of continuity, success and permanence in public education.
Segregated Schools, “Slow Minds” and “Must Be Done Jobs”: Experiences About Formal Education and Labour Market in a Roma Community in Romania
Authors: Plainer Zsuzsa
Published: February 2021

Based on a long-term ethnographic fieldwork, this study applies the cultural-ecological theory to understand reasons for making and maintaining a segregated school in a Romanian town, and those community forces which track and maintain Roma children there. As findings indicate, creating and sustaining such an institution reflects the flipsides of Romanian national policies, which due to the financing strategies and centralized curricula—involuntarily—block the chances to provide quality education to marginal groups. Tracking and staying of Roma children into such schools is a result of their parents’ ambivalent experiences with formal economic activities and formal education. Experiences with work and schooling shared by this urban group of Roma reveal that parents have clear expectations towards school: transmission of practical knowledge, good treatment and isolation of the school problems from family life, which not always can be fulfilled by the educational units.
Education of Roma and Educational Resilience in Hungary
Authors: Attila Papp Z. , Neumann Eszter
Published: February 2021

Originally, the concept of resilience refers to one’s capacity to cope with unexpected shocks and unpredictable situations. Originating from ecological theories, the approach has gained ground in social sciences. In the context of education, the concept has been applied to explain how disadvantaged students can overcome structural constraints and become educationally successful and socially mobile (Werner, E. E., Vulnerable but invincible: a longitudinal study of resilient children and youth. McGraw-Hill, New York, 1982; Masten A. S., American Psychologist 56: 227–238, 2001; Reid, R., Botterrill L. C., Australian Journal of Public Administration 72:31–40, 2013; Máté, D., Erdélyi Társadalom 13:43–55, 2015).

This paper is based on the analysis of the Hungarian National Assessment of Basic Competences (NABC) database which has been conducted annually since 2001. We created a typology of school resilience based on the schools’ social and ethnic profile as well as their performance indicators. We defined those schools resilient which over perform others with similar social intake, and we also identified irresilient schools which underperform others with similar social intake. The school types were created by correlating the socio-economic status index (SES) and school performance.

Since the NABC database provides us with data on the estimated rate of Roma students in each school, it is possible to take into account the schools’ ethnic intake in the analysis of resilience. We conducted statistical analyses to compare the performance of resilient and irresilient schools in the light of the ratio of Roma students. Finally, we seek answers to the question whether ethnic segregation correlates with school achievement in Hungary. We could identify some crucial institutional factors contributing to resilience (or school success) in the case of schools with relatively high proportion of Roma students.
Sexual and Reproductive Health: Layers of (in)Access
Authors: Hunt Xanthe , Swartz Leslie , Braathen Stine Hellum , Rohleder Poul
Published: February 2021

In this chapter, we investigate some of the social (e.g. negative attitudes about sexuality and parenthood) and structural (e.g. inaccessible health care facilities) barriers that people with physical disabilities face when trying to lead a pleasurable, safe, and healthy sexual life. We do this by presenting an accessible review of the existing research literature, a summary of relevant survey evidence, and use of the personal stories of the participants.
Deep Energy Retrofit of Residential Buildings in the Mediterranean Area: The MedZEB Approach
Authors: Capogrosso Roberta , De Aloysio Giulia , Laghi Luca , Malvezzi Roberto , Menconi Eraldo , Padula Marco , Pecchia Francesca , Cruceira Ángel Ruìz , Salmeròn Lissén José Manuel , Scala Paolo Luigi
Published: February 2021

Mediterranean deep retrofit markets are characterized by common barriers and bottlenecks, which barely have been identified as shared challenges, and this has led to a lack of dedicated solutions and to a substantial delay in achieving the 2020 EU policy targets. This situation is addressed by the H2020 HAPPEN project by proposing a new MedZEB approach characterized by the following features:

Holistic, i.e., aimed at integrating the most relevant aspects of the retrofitting supply chain;

Transparent, i.e., aimed at putting on the market novel tools for enhancing investors’ trust;

Adaptive, i.e., aimed at enhancing “added values” of the retrofitting such as flexibility, well-being, etc.

Having arrived at its midpoint, HAPPEN has produced an advanced version of its main outputs, among which are:

the HAPPEN cost-optimal technical solutions, developed according to a step-by-step logic;

the HAPPEN financial solution, fully integrated with the step-by-step logic, and aimed at funding the retrofitting process by relying on the energy savings achieved;

the MedZEB protocol conceived as a guarantee scheme for the achievement of retrofit targets;

the HAPPEN platform, an assisted digital marketplace aimed at matching demand and offer according to a one-stop-shop logic, at defragmenting the retrofit value chain, and at supporting actors with dedicated tools.

These outputs have been developed also thanks to an extensive living laboratory and pilot-building program, carried out within ten pilot sites across seven EU Med countries; this has made it possible for a large engagement of potential users, which resulted in the ideation of the HAPPEN program, an overall framework aimed at integrating project outputs into an exploitable renovation procedure powered by the HAPPEN platform. This paper describes the first simulation of such a procedure in its entirety based on a real case study. After characterizing the building according to the HAPPEN reference buildings and climates lists, a step-by-step cost-optimal package of solutions was calculated, followed by the application of the HAPPEN financial solution, and by the draft issue of the MedZEB protocol. Results provide the first evidence of the effectiveness of the MedZEB approach in potentially unlocking the deep retrofit market in the Med area, with special attention to the possibility of funding the interventions by relying on the economies generated by the energy savings achieved. Further, the project activities will be aimed at co-creating, together with relevant stakeholders, a go-to-market strategy for the HAPPEN program.
Politik und Wirtschaft im Wandel
Authors: Keuschnigg Christian , Kogler Michael
Published: February 2021

Globalisierung, Innovation und Alterung der Gesellschaft treiben den wirtschaftlichen Wandel voran. Der Aufstieg Chinas pflügt die Weltwirtschaft um, die Digitalisierung verändert die Arbeitswelt. Welche neuen Herausforderungen ergeben sich für die Wirtschaftspolitik?
Seriengründer: Erfolg macht erfolgreich
Authors: Wester Korbinian
Published: February 2021

Innovative Unternehmensgründungen erneuern die Wirtschaft. Aber vielen Gründern mangelt es an Kapital, an unternehmerischem Knowhow und an Erfahrung. Das Risiko ist gross, nicht alle Start-ups haben das gleiche Potenzial, und nicht jede Gründung lohnt für die Gesellschaft. Um die neuen Start-ups mit den besten Aussichten herauszufiltern und auf Erfolg zu trimmen, braucht es leistungsfähige Wagniskapitalgeber. Sie geben Kapital erst nach sorgfältiger Auswahl und leisten Beratung und Überwachung. Aber das Neue ist auf dem Markt noch nicht getestet. Das Potenzial der Start-ups ist schwer einzuschätzen. Da zählt die Erfahrung in der Vergangenheit. Einem Seriengründer, der bereits einmal Erfolg hatte und Erfahrung sammeln konnte, dem vertraut man eher. Auch ein Wagnisfinanzier, der auf einen erfolgreichen Leistungsausweis zurückblicken kann, geniesst bei den Gründern und ihren Kunden, Zulieferern und Banken mehr Vertrauen. Erfolg macht erfolgreich.

Gompers, Paul, Anna Kovner, Josh Lerner und David Scharfstein (2010), Performance Persistence in Entrepreneurship, Journal of Financial Economics 96, 18–32.
Kann Demokratie das Wachstum fördern?
Authors: Folger Till Nikolaus
Published: February 2021

Der Staat sind wir. Mit Demokratie lenken wir die Politik zu unserem Vorteil. Breiter Zugang zu Bildung steigert nicht nur die Produktivität, sondern fördert auch die demokratische Teilhabe und Kontrolle. Wirtschaftliche Reformen werden wahrscheinlicher, die den Nutzen für eine große Mehrheit anstatt des Vorteiles einer privilegierten Minderheit fördern. Doch die Demokratie ist nicht perfekt. Weltanschauliche Differenzen können den Konsens erschweren und wichtige Entscheidungen verhindern. Braucht es den aufgeklärten Autokraten, um nachhaltigen Wohlstand zu schaffen? Oder ist die Demokratie der verlässlichere Weg zu inklusivem Wachstum?

Acemoglu Acemoglu, Daron, Suresh Naidu, Pascual Restrepo, James A. Robinson (2019), Democracy Does Cause Growth, Journal of Political Economy 127, 47–100.
Wie wirksam ist Regionalförderung?
Authors: Diebold Céline
Published: February 2021

Das Ziel der Regionalpolitik ist die Förderung strukturschwacher Gebiete, damit sie zum nationalen Durchschnitt aufschliessen. Doch die Steuermittel sind knapp und haben viele gute Verwendungen. Auch die Regionalförderung muss sich mit ihrem Nutzen rechtfertigen. Ist sie tatsächlich wirksam, die Entwicklung benachteiligter Gebiete mit zusätzlichen Investitionen anzustossen? Oder erschöpft sie sich in reinen Mitnahmeeffekten, indem sie Investitionen fördert, welche die Unternehmen ohnehin getätigt hätten? Führt sie zu einer Verlagerung von Investitionen und Beschäftigung von nicht geförderten zu geförderten Gebieten, ohne dass die Gesamtwirtschaft profitiert? Kann die Regionalförderung eine nachhaltige, selbsttragende Entwicklung anstossen, die auch dann noch bestehen bleibt, wenn die Förderung wieder ausläuft? Oder bleibt der neu geschaffene Wohlstand dauerhaft von Subventionen abhängig?

Criscuolo Chiara, Ralf Martin, Henry G. Overman und John Van Reenen (2019), Some Causal Effects of an Industrial Policy, American Economic Review 109, 48–85.
Macht die Pensionierung gesund oder krank?
Authors: Stadelmann Sabrina
Published: February 2021

Viele Länder Europas reformieren ihre Rentensysteme. Eines der Hauptziele ist die Erhöhung des Rentenalters, um die finanzielle Stabilität der Rentensysteme angesichts steigender Lebenserwartung zu sichern. So wollen z. B. Deutschland, Dänemark, Frankreich, Italien und die Niederlande das Rentenalter schrittweise von 65 auf 67 Jahre anheben. Was sind die zu erwartenden Folgen einer Pensionierung für die Gesundheit? Wenn die Pensionierung tatsächlich Auswirkungen auf den Gesundheitszustand hat, sind weitere Folgen für die Kosten im Gesundheitswesen zu erwarten.

Norma B. Coe und Gema Zamarro (2011), Retirement effects on health in Europe, Journal of Health Economics 30, 77–86.
Wie Banken den Strukturwandel finanzieren
Authors: Maier Christina
Published: February 2021

Wenn die Produktivität hoch sein soll, müssen Arbeit und Kapital dorthin wandern, wo die Erträge hoch und die Zukunftsperspektiven gut sind, und dürfen nicht dort verharren, wo Beschäftigung und Einkommen unsicher sind. Innovatives Wachstum löst einen andauernden Strukturwandel kreativer Zerstörung aus. Dieses Wachstum kann sich erst entfalten, wenn der Strukturwandel gelingt. Schwache Unternehmen dürfen nicht länger Marktanteile besetzen und damit das Wachstum der produktiven Unternehmen bremsen. Banken dürfen faule Kredite an wenig wettbewerbsfähige Unternehmen nicht weiter verlängern, sondern müssen sie fällig stellen und teilweise abschreiben, damit sie die Kreditvergabe auf die Wachstumsunternehmen lenken können. Schwache Banken mit wenig Eigenkapital können den Strukturwandel nicht finanzieren, weil die dabei auftretenden Verluste ihre Mindestkapitalausstattung gefährden. Nicht nur die Finanzstabilität, sondern auch das Produktivitätswachstum setzt einen starken Bankensektor mit robuster Kapitalausstattung voraus.

Schivardi, Fabiano, Enrico Sette und Guido Tabellini (2017), Credit Misallocation During the European Financial Crisis, CEPR DP 11901.
Therapie der sepsisinduzierten Koagulopathie
Authors: Schmoch Thomas , Brenner Thorsten , Becker-Pennrich Andrea , Hinske Ludwig Christian , Weigand Markus A. , Briegel Josef , Möhnle Patrick ,   SepNet Study Group
Published: February 2021

Hintergrund

Im Rahmen von Sepsis und septischem Schock kommt es aufgrund der engen Verflechtung von Gerinnung und Entzündung häufig zu einer Koagulopathie. Die sepsisinduzierte Koagulopathie (SIC) stellt hierbei die schwerste, potenziell fatale Form dar. Aufgrund fehlender Evidenz beschränken sich die aktuellen Sepsis-Leitlinien auf Empfehlungen zur medikamentösen Prophylaxe einer venösen Thromboembolie (VTE), während die Behandlung einer SIC nicht thematisiert wird.

Methoden

Um den Status quo der VTE-Prophylaxe sowie der SIC-Behandlung auf deutschen Intensivstationen zu erheben, wurde von Oktober 2019 bis Mai 2020 eine deutschlandweite Onlineumfrage unter ärztlichen Leitern von Intensivstationen durchgeführt. Diese wurde ab April 2020 durch einen zusätzlichen Fragenblock ergänzt, der sich mit der VTE-Prophylaxe sowie der SIC-Behandlung bei Coronaviruskrankheit(COVID)-19-Patienten befasste.

Ergebnisse

Die Umfrageergebnisse zeigen eine ausgeprägte Heterogenität in der klinischen Praxis bezüglich Prophylaxe von VTE und Therapie der SIC. Ein systematisches Screening auf SIC findet in den meisten Intensivstationen nicht statt. Bei COVID-19-Patienten fällt v. a. auf, dass bei drei Viertel der teilnehmenden Intensivstationen die gelebte Praxis der medikamentösen VTE-Prophylaxe nicht von Non-COVID-19-Patienten abweicht.

Schlussfolgerung

Die Heterogenität der in der Umfrage gesammelten Antworten legt nahe, dass es einer systematischen Aufarbeitung dieses Themenfeldes bedarf, um zukünftig über klinische Interventionsstudien die individualisierte Patientenversorgung mit der gebotenen Evidenz zu unterlegen.
The consequences of hypoglycaemia
Authors: Amiel Stephanie A.
Published: February 2021

Hypoglycaemia (blood glucose concentration below the normal range) has
been recognised as a complication of insulin treatment from the very first days of
the discovery of insulin, and remains a major concern for people with diabetes,
their families and healthcare professionals today. Acute hypoglycaemia stimulates a
stress response that acts to restore circulating glucose, but plasma glucose
concentrations can still fall too low to sustain normal brain function and cardiac
rhythm. There are long-term consequences of recurrent hypoglycaemia, which are still
not fully understood. This paper reviews our current understanding of the acute and
cumulative consequences of hypoglycaemia in insulin-treated diabetes.

Graphical abstract
Nanoparticle-induced inflammation and fibrosis in ex vivo murine precision-cut liver slices and effects of nanoparticle exposure conditions
Authors: Bartucci Roberta , van der Meer Alex Z. , Boersma Ykelien L. , Olinga Peter , Salvati Anna
Published: February 2021

Chronic exposure and accumulation of persistent nanomaterials by cells have led to safety concerns on potential long-term effects induced by nanoparticles, including chronic inflammation and fibrosis. With this in mind, we used murine precision-cut liver tissue slices to test potential induction of inflammation and onset of fibrosis upon 72 h exposure to different nanomaterials (0–200 µg/ml). Tissue slices were chosen as an advanced ex vivo 3D model to better resemble the complexity of the in vivo tissue environment, with a focus on the liver where most nanomaterials accumulate. Effects on the onset of fibrosis and inflammation were investigated, with particular care in optimizing nanoparticle exposure conditions to tissue. Thus, we compared the effects induced on slices exposed to nanoparticles in the presence of excess free proteins (in situ), or after corona isolation. Slices exposed to daily-refreshed nanoparticle dispersions were used to test additional effects due to ageing of the dispersions. Exposure to amino-modified polystyrene nanoparticles in serum-free conditions led to strong inflammation, with stronger effects with daily-refreshed dispersions. Instead, no inflammation was observed when slices were exposed to the same nanoparticles in medium supplemented with serum to allow corona formation. Similarly, no clear signs of inflammation nor of onset of fibrosis were detected after exposure to silica, titania or carboxylated polystyrene in all conditions tested. Overall, these results show that liver slices can be used to test nanoparticle-induced inflammation in real tissue, and that the exposure conditions and ageing of the dispersions can strongly affect tissue responses to nanoparticles.
Functional observation after morphine withdrawal: effects of SJP-005
Authors: Verster Joris C. , Scholey Andrew , Dahl Thomas A. , Iversen Jacqueline M.
Published: February 2021

Rationale and objective

SJP-005 (ketotifen and ibuprofen) is being developed as a potential new treatment for opioid withdrawal. Three studies were conducted to evaluate the early phase (acute, day 1) and late phase (days 2–12) effects of SJP-005 on discontinuation-induced morphine withdrawal.

Methods

Sprague-Dawley rats received subcutaneous morphine twice daily for 18 days and ceased on day 19. Twice daily, oral dosages of placebo or SJP-005 (1 mg/kg ketotifen and 15 mg/kg ibuprofen) were administered starting 4 days before (study 1), 2 days before (study 2), or immediately after (study 3) morphine cessation. Functional observations were made up to 12 h after treatment cessation on day 19 (early phase), and immediately after treatment on days 20–30 (late phase). Treatment effects (mean overall score, and individual symptoms) were compared with placebo using ANOVA, and Tukey’s tests in case of multiple comparisons.

Results

Across the studies, the number of withdrawal signs on day 19 (early phase) and days 20–30 (late phase) was lower with SJP-005 compared with placebo. The effects of SJP-005 when treatment was initiated 2 days before morphine cessation by discontinuation were most pronounced and statistically significant in the late phase (F(1,18) = 14.10, p = 0.001). In particular, a significant reduction was observed in hypersensitivity to touch (F(1,18) = 13.65, p = 0.002). A 50% reduction in withdrawal symptoms was observed 9.0 days after placebo versus 4.5 days after SJP-005. After 9.0 days, all withdrawal symptoms were absent in the SJP-005 group, while symptoms in the placebo group were still evident on day 18.

Conclusion

Compared to placebo, SJP-005 significantly reduced the incidence and duration of discontinuation-induced morphine withdrawal symptoms when treatment was initiated 2 days before morphine cessation.
Balance, gait, and navigation performance are related to physical exercise in blind and visually impaired children and adolescents
Authors: Rogge Ann-Kathrin , Hamacher Daniel , Cappagli Giulia , Kuhne Laura , Hötting Kirsten , Zech Astrid , Gori Monica , Röder Brigitte
Published: February 2021

Self-motion perception used for locomotion and navigation requires the integration of visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive input. In the absence of vision, postural stability and locomotor tasks become more difficult. Previous research has suggested that in visually deprived children, postural stability and levels of physical activity are overall lower than in sighted controls. Here we hypothesized that visually impaired and blind children and adolescents differ from sighted controls in postural stability and gait parameters, and that physically active individuals outperform sedentary peers in postural stability and gait parameters as well as in navigation performance. Fourteen blind and visually impaired children and adolescents (8–18 years of age) and 14 matched sighted individuals took part. Assessments included postural sway, single-leg stance time, parameters of gait variability and stability, self-reported physical activity, and navigation performance. Postural sway was larger and single-leg stance time was lower in blind and visually impaired participants than in blindfolded sighted individuals. Physical activity was higher in the sighted group. No differences between the group of blind and visually impaired and blindfolded sighted participants were observed for gait parameters and navigation performance. Higher levels of physical activity were related to lower postural sway, longer single-leg stance time, higher gait stability, and superior navigation performance in blind and visually impaired participants. The present data suggest that physical activity may enhance postural stability and gait parameters, and thereby promote navigation performance in blind and visually impaired children and adolescents.
How does curvature affect the free-energy barrier of stalk formation? Small vesicles vs apposing, planar membranes
Authors: Smirnova Y. G. , Müller M.
Published: February 2021

Using molecular simulations of POPC lipids in conjunction with the calculation of the Minimum Free-Energy Path (MFEP), we study the effect of strong membrane curvature on the formation of the first fusion intermediate—the stalk between a vesicle and its periodic image. We find that the thermodynamic stability of this hourglass-shaped, hydrophobic connection between two vesicles is largely increased by the strong curvature of small vesicles, whereas the intrinsic barrier to form a stalk, i.e., associated with dimple formation and lipid tails protrusions, is similar to the case of two, apposing, planar membranes. A significant reduction of the barrier of stalk formation, however, stems from the lower dehydration free energy that is required to bring highly curved vesicle into a distance, at which stalk formation may occur, compared to the case of apposing, planar membranes.
Artgames vs. Game Art – Diskurse und Strategien der Computerspielkunst zwischen spielbarer Rhetorik und unspielbarer Ästhetik
Authors: Möring Sebastian
Published: February 2021

Computerspiele sind vielfältig. Freizeitvergnügen, professioneller Sport, kulturbildend und kulturkritisch. Sie inspirieren die Kunst und mit ihnen wird Kunst gemacht. Dieser Beitrag betrachtet die Diskurse und Strategien der Computerspielkunst. Im Rückgriff auf die Game Studies und die medienwissenschaftliche Computerspielforschung beleuchtet er die Unterscheidung zwischen Artgames und Game Art (insbesondere Modifikationen) und versucht zu zeigen, dass beide Genres unterschiedlichen Diskursen entstammen, die mit verschiedenen Begriffen und künstlerischen Strategien operieren: Artgames setzen auf Spielbarkeit und Rhetorik und Game Art setzt auf Unspielbarkeit und Ästhetik. Sie grenzen sich so auf unterschiedliche Weise von den Sorgestrukturen kommerzieller Computerspiele ab.
Optimally growing initial errors of El Niño events in the CESM
Authors: Xu Hui , Chen Lei , Duan Wansuo
Published: February 2021

The optimally growing initial errors (OGEs) of El Niño events are found in the Community Earth System Model (CESM) by the conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation (CNOP) method. Based on the characteristics of low-dimensional attractors for ENSO (El Niño Southern Oscillation) systems, we apply singular vector decomposition (SVD) to reduce the dimensions of optimization problems and calculate the CNOP in a truncated phase space by the differential evolution (DE) algorithm. In the CESM, we obtain three types of OGEs of El Niño events with different intensities and diversities and call them type-1, type-2 and type-3 initial errors. Among them, the type-1 initial error is characterized by negative SSTA errors in the equatorial Pacific accompanied by a negative west–east slope of subsurface temperature from the subsurface to the surface in the equatorial central-eastern Pacific. The type-2 initial error is similar to the type-1 initial error but with the opposite sign. The type-3 initial error behaves as a basin-wide dipolar pattern of tropical sea temperature errors from the sea surface to the subsurface, with positive errors in the upper layers of the equatorial eastern Pacific and negative errors in the lower layers of the equatorial western Pacific. For the type-1 (type-2) initial error, the negative (positive) temperature errors in the eastern equatorial Pacific develop locally into a mature La Niña (El Niño)-like mode. For the type-3 initial error, the negative errors in the lower layers of the western equatorial Pacific propagate eastward with Kelvin waves and are intensified in the eastern equatorial Pacific. Although the type-1 and type-3 initial errors have different spatial patterns and dynamic growing mechanisms, both cause El Niño events to be underpredicted as neutral states or La Niña events. However, the type-2 initial error makes a moderate El Niño event to be predicted as an extremely strong event.
Imaging assay to probe the role of telomere length shortening on telomere-gene interactions in single cells
Authors: Zhang Ning , Li Yanhui , Lai Tsung-Po , Shay Jerry W. , Danuser Gaudenz
Published: February 2021

Telomeres are repetitive non-coding nucleotide sequences (TTAGGGn) capping the ends of chromosomes. Progressive telomere shortening with increasing age has been associated with shifts in gene expression through models such as the telomere position effect (TPE), which suggests reduced interference of the telomere with transcriptional activity of increasingly more distant genes. A modification of the TPE model, referred to as Telomere Position Effects over Long Distance (TPE-OLD), explains why some genes 1–10 MB from a telomere are still affected by TPE, but genes closer to the telomere are not. Here, we describe an imaging approach to systematically examine the occurrence of TPE-OLD at the single cell level. Compared to existing methods, the pipeline allows rapid analysis of hundreds to thousands of cells, which is necessary to establish TPE-OLD as an acceptable mechanism of gene expression regulation. We examined two human genes, ISG15 and TERT, for which TPE-OLD has been described before. For both genes, we found less interaction with the telomere on the same chromosome in old cells compared to young cells; and experimentally elongated telomeres in old cells rescued the level of telomere interaction for both genes. However, the dependency of the interactions on the age progression from young to old cells varied. One model for the differences between ISG15 and TERT may relate to the markedly distinct interstitial telomeric sequence arrangement in the two genes. Overall, this provides a strong rationale for the role of telomere length shortening in the regulation of gene expression.
Intronic variant in POU1F1 associated with canine pituitary dwarfism
Authors: Kyöstilä Kaisa , Niskanen Julia E. , Arumilli Meharji , Donner Jonas , Hytönen Marjo K. , Lohi Hannes
Published: February 2021

The anterior pituitary gland secretes several endocrine hormones, essential for growth, reproduction and other basic physiological functions. Abnormal development or function of the pituitary gland leads to isolated or combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD). At least 30 genes have been associated with human CPHD, including many transcription factors, such as POU1F1. CPHD occurs spontaneously also in mice and dogs. Two affected breeds have been reported in dogs: German Shepherds with a splice defect in the LHX3 gene and Karelian Bear Dogs (KBD) with an unknown genetic cause. We obtained samples from five KBDs presenting dwarfism and abnormal coats. A combined analysis of genome-wide association and next-generation sequencing mapped the disease to a region in chromosome 31 and identified a homozygous intronic variant in the fourth exon of the POU1F1 gene in the affected dogs. The identified variant, c.605-3C>A, resided in the splice region and was predicted to affect splicing. The variant's screening in three new prospective cases, related breeds, and ~ 8000 dogs from 207 breeds indicated complete segregation in KBDs with a carrier frequency of 8%, and high breed-specificity as carriers were found at a low frequency only in Lapponian Herders, a related breed. Our study establishes a novel canine model for CPHD with a candidate POU1F1 defect.
Adaptive numerical integration of exponential finite elements for a phase field fracture model
Authors: Olesch Darius , Kuhn Charlotte , Schlüter Alexander , Müller Ralf
Published: February 2021

Phase field models for fracture are energy-based and employ a continuous field variable, the phase field, to indicate cracks. The width of the transition zone of this field variable between damaged and intact regions is controlled by a regularization parameter. Narrow transition zones are required for a good approximation of the fracture energy which involves steep gradients of the phase field. This demands a high mesh density in finite element simulations if 4-node elements with standard bilinear shape functions are used. In order to improve the quality of the results with coarser meshes, exponential shape functions derived from the analytic solution of the 1D model are introduced for the discretization of the phase field variable. Compared to the bilinear shape functions these special shape functions allow for a better approximation of the fracture field. Unfortunately, lower-order Gauss-Legendre quadrature schemes, which are sufficiently accurate for the integration of bilinear shape functions, are not sufficient for an accurate integration of the exponential shape functions. Therefore in this work, the numerical accuracy of higher-order Gauss-Legendre formulas and a double exponential formula for numerical integration is analyzed.