bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blood–Brain Barrier Permeability of Green Tea Catechin Metabolites and their Neuritogenic Activity in Human Neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y Cells
Authors: Unno Keiko , Pervin Monira , Nakagawa Aimi , Iguchi Kazuaki , Hara Aya , Takagaki Akiko , Nanjo Fumio , Minami Akira , Nakamura Yoriyuki
Published: September 2017

Scope

To understand the mechanism by which green tea lowers the risk of dementia, focus was placed on the metabolites of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the most abundant catechin in green tea. Much of orally ingested EGCG is hydrolyzed to epigallocatechin (EGC) and gallic acid. In rats, EGC is then metabolized mainly to 5‐(3′,5′‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐γ‐valerolactone (EGC‐M5) and its conjugated forms, which are distributed to various tissues. Therefore, we examined the permeability of these metabolites into the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and nerve cell proliferation/differentiation in vitro.

Methods and Results

The permeability of EGC‐M5, glucuronide, and the sulfate of EGC‐M5, pyrogallol, as well as its glucuronide into the BBB were examined using a BBB model kit. Each brain‐ and blood‐side sample was subjected to liquid chromatography tandem‐mass spectrometry analysis. BBB permeability (%, in 0.5 h) was 1.9–3.7%. In human neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cells, neurite length was significantly prolonged by EGC‐M5, and the number of neurites was increased significantly by all metabolites examined.

Conclusion

The permeability of EGC‐M5 and its conjugated forms into the BBB suggests that they reached the brain parenchyma. In addition, the ability of EGC‐M5 to affect nerve cell proliferation and neuritogenesis suggests that EGC‐M5 may promote neurogenesis in the brain.
Psychosocial outcomes in adults with type 1 diabetes following a novel ‘short course’ structured flexible MDI therapy self‐management programme
Authors: Knight Brigid A , Hickman Ingrid J , Gibbons Kristen , Taylor Janet , McIntyre Harold D
Published: September 2017

Our objectives were to evaluate the psychosocial impact of a novel education programme, comprising an abbreviated curriculum based on the ‘core elements’ of insulin self‐management education, with a view to identifying education options for those unable to attend a five‐day Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating (DAFNE) programme.

The novel programme was developed by DAFNE course facilitators and trialled using participants naive to flexible multiple daily injection (MDI) education. Post‐course treatment satisfaction, wellbeing and diabetes distress were compared to baseline.

Twenty‐one adults attended the programme and 16 participants returned three months post‐course. Significant improvements were seen in W‐BQ12 total score, PAID score and DTSQ, equivalent to those observed following participation in the five‐day programme.

It was concluded that short course flexible MDI education is well tolerated by adults with type 1 diabetes, with improvements in treatment satisfaction and psychosocial outcome that are consistent with the five‐day DAFNE programme. Further investigation of the longer‐term impact on psychosocial and glycaemic outcomes of this novel curriculum is warranted. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons.
Advance to Derby: it's not about the journey, it's about the destination
Authors: King Paru
Published: September 2017

The 2017 Mary MacKinnon lecture described how we worked across organisational boundaries to improve diabetes care in Derby, putting the user at the centre of their care. These are principles that were important to Mary McKinnon. The Derby Model of integrated diabetes care resulted in improvements in all six domains of quality improvement, and saved £800 000 a year. Using preconception care and the PROCEED project as an example, the application of the Derby principles to a subspecialist area was considered. PROCEED also improved outcomes and saved £68 000 in its first year. Despite a challenging journey with the changes in commissioning, we are now spreading our integrated diabetes model to the whole of Southern Derbyshire. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons.
Fault estimation and prediction for nonlinear stochastic system with intermittent observations
Authors: Ding Bo , Fang Huajing
Published: September 2017

This paper is concerned with the fault estimation and prediction problems for a class of nonlinear stochastic systems with intermittent observations. Based on the extended Kalman filter and Kalman filter, the fault and state are simultaneously estimated, and then, it is extended to the case of intermittent observations. Meanwhile, the boundedness of the estimation error is also discussed. Once the fault is detected, the parameters of each fault are identified by the linear regression method. Then, the future fault signal can be predicted by the parameters of the fault. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is verified by the simulation of the 3‐tank system.
Model‐Based Optimization of Short Stroke Control in Roughing Mills
Authors: Werner Stefan , Kurz Matthias , Stingl Michael , Döll Rüdiger
Published: September 2017

Automatic width control is one key issue in hot strip rolling and the main actuator for width control is the vertical draft (edging) applied to slabs in the roughing sequence. In order to compensate for the occurring strip necking, a variable edger gap is applied in the edging process. This paper introduces a comprehensive mathematical optimization approach for the fully automatic generation of the associated edger roll trajectories, which is based on a nonlinear dynamic simulation model for the material flow in the roughing mill. Due to the complexity of this simulation model, gradient‐based methods are applied to solve the resulting optimization problem in reasonable time. Hence, derivatives of cost functional and constraints must be provided, which entails computing sensitivity information from the underlying simulation model. Finally, numerical results for real‐world examples are discussed to illustrate the capability of the presented approach. In particular, this paper examines the influence of characteristic parameters such as the slab width or the maximum edger screw in velocity onto the optimization results.
Oncological Safety and Technical Feasibility of Nipple‐Sparing Mastectomy for Breast Cancer: The Hong Kong Experience
Authors: Chan Yolanda Ho‐Yan , Yau Wai‐Ming , Cheung Polly Suk‐Yee
Published: September 2017

Background

Nipple‐sparing mastectomy (NSM) has gained widespread popularity in recent years. Nonetheless, patient selection, technical consideration and oncological safety of its extension to breast cancer treatment remain uncertain. Few publications have reviewed the application of NSM in Asian populations.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 91 women with malignant breast tumours, who underwent 97 NSM in Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital from 2009 to 2015. Breast cancer patients who required mastectomy and opted for immediate reconstruction were considered for NSM if they showed no obvious nipple involvement clinically. All breast specimens were subjected to intraoperative pathological examination of the retroareolar tissue to exclude occult tumour infiltration before the final decision of nipple–areola complex (NAC) preservation. Clinical parameters, tumour characteristics and oncological outcomes were analyzed.

Results

Carcinoma of the breast accounts for 99.0% of our indications for therapeutic NSM. Almost all NSM were accompanied with immediate reconstruction. Abnormal pathology was shown in retroareolar tissue of ten patients (10.3%), and seven of these NAC were excised due to tumour involvement detected by intraoperative frozen section. Six (6.2%) NSM were complicated with superficial epidermolysis. Yet, there was no delayed NAC excision because of nipple necrosis. Overall NAC preservation rate reached 92.8%. Local and/or distant recurrences occurred in four patients (4.1%) after a mean follow‐up of 20.6 months. One NAC recurrence was documented.

Conclusion

Our series support the oncological safety of NSM after exclusion of neoplastic NAC involvement preliminarily by intraoperative frozen section and definitively by final pathology. Its technical feasibility is well proven by the low nipple necrosis rate.
Survival in idursulfase‐treated and untreated patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type II: data from the Hunter Outcome Survey (HOS)
Authors: Burton Barbara K. , Jego Virginie , Mikl Jaromir , Jones Simon A.
Published: September 2017

Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II; Hunter syndrome; OMIM 309900) is a life‐limiting, multisystemic disease with varying presentation and severity. Enzyme replacement therapy with intravenous idursulfase (EC 3.1.6.13) has been available since 2006. Data from the Hunter Outcome Survey (July 2016) were used to compare survival in idursulfase‐treated (n = 800) and untreated (n = 95) male patients followed prospectively in this multinational, observational registry. Median age at symptom onset was similar for the treated and untreated groups (1.6 and 1.5 years, respectively), as was median age at diagnosis (3.3 and 3.2 years) and the proportion of patients with cognitive impairment (58.0%; 57.9%). The proportion of idursulfase‐treated patients differed according to geographical region. Overall, 124/800 (15.5%) treated and 28/95 (29.5%) untreated patients had died. Respiratory failure was the most common cause of death (treated, 43/124 [34.7%]; untreated, 10/28 [35.7%]). Median survival (95% confidence interval [CI]) was 33.0 (30.4, 38.4) years in treated patients and 21.2 (16.1, 31.5) years in untreated patients; median follow‐up time from birth to death or last visit was 13.0 and 15.1 years, respectively. A Cox model adjusted for treatment status, cognitive impairment, region and age at diagnosis indicated a 54% lower risk of death in treated compared with untreated patients: hazard ratio (HR), 0.46 (95% CI: 0.29, 0.72). Patients with cognitive impairment had nearly a fivefold higher risk of death than those without (HR, 4.84 [3.13, 7.47]). This analysis in a large population of patients with MPS II indicates for the first time that idursulfase treatment is associated with increased survival.
Revision Total Shoulder Arthroplasty is Associated with Increased Thirty-Day Postoperative Complications and Wound Infections Relative to Primary Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
Authors: Boddapati Venkat , Fu Michael C. , Schairer William W. , Gulotta Lawrence V. , Dines David M. , Dines Joshua S.
Published: September 2017

Background

With an increasing volume of primary total shoulder arthroplasties (TSA), the number of revision TSA cases is expected to increase as well. However, the postoperative medical morbidity of revision TSA has not been clearly described.

Questions/Purposes

The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of postoperative complications following revision TSA, relative to primary TSA. In addition, we sought to identify independent predictors of complications, as well as to compare operative time and postoperative length of stay between primary and revision TSA.

Methods

Patients who underwent primary/revision TSA between 2005 and 2015 were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Differences in complications, readmission rates, operative time, length of stay, and predictors of complications were evaluated using bivariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

A total of 10, 371 primary TSA (95.4%) and 496 revision TSA cases (4.6%) were identified. The overall complication rate was 6.5% in primary and 10.7% in revision TSA patients ( p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified an increased risk of any complication (odds ratio 1.73, p < 0.001), major complication (2.08, p = 0.001), and wound infection (3.45, p = 0.001) in revision TSA patients, relative to primary cases. Operative time was increased in revision cases (mean ± standard deviation, 125 ± 62.5), relative to primary (115 ± 47.7, p < 0.001). Age > 75, female sex, history of diabetes or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and American Society of Anesthesiologists classification ≥ 3 were associated with increased risk of any complication. Smoking history was the only significant predictor of wound infection.

Conclusion

Revision TSA, in comparison to primary, poses an increased risk of postoperative complications, particularly wound infections. A history of smoking was an independent predictor of wound infections.
Polypeptide Profile, Amino Acid Composition and Some Functional Properties of Calabash Nutmeg (Monodora myristica) Flour and Protein Products
Authors: Akinyede Adedamola I. , Malomo Sunday A. , Fagbemi Tayo N. , Osundahunsi Oluwatooyin F. , Aluko Rotimi E.
Published: September 2017

The aim of this work was to compare the physicochemical and functional properties of calabash nutmeg (Monodora myristica) seed protein flour with those of protein‐enriched products (albumin, globulin, and protein isolate). Defatted M. myristica seed flour (MMF) was used to prepare various protein products. A NaCl extract of MMF was dialyzed against water to obtain the soluble albumin fraction (MMA) and a precipitated globulin fraction (MMG). MMF was also extracted with NaOH, the extract adjusted to pH 4.0 and the precipitated proteins collected as the isolate (MMI). Non‐reducing gel electrophoresis showed that the MMF, MMG and MMI had similar composition that was dominated by 55 and 110 kDa polypeptides while MMA consisted mainly of smaller (<35 kDa) polypeptides. However, under reducing conditions, the 110 kDa polypeptide was not observed. Amino acid composition revealed an Arg/Lys ratio that increased in the extracts (1.92, 2.28 and 2.11 for MMA, MMG and MMI, respectively) relative to that in MMF (1.85). MMA had 67.5–86.5% protein solubility in the pH 4.0–6.0 range while those of MMF, MMG, and MMI were 37.7–63.8, 2.7–69.4 and 3.8–55.1%, respectively. MMA, MMG and MMI were found to be better emulsifiers based on their smaller oil droplet sizes (8–14 μm) compared with the 14–33 μm for MMF emulsion. Maximum foaming capacity was highest for MMI (205%) when compared with MMA or MMG (150%) and MMF (89%). We conclude that protein enrichment led to significantly enhanced emulsion and foam‐forming properties but high solubility may have contributed to reduced emulsion stability.
The Growth, Scope, and Spatial Distribution of People With Felony Records in the United States, 1948–2010
Authors: Shannon Sarah K. S. , Uggen Christopher , Schnittker Jason , Thompson Melissa , Wakefield Sara , Massoglia Michael
Published: September 2017

The steep rise in U.S. criminal punishment in recent decades has spurred scholarship on the collateral consequences of imprisonment for individuals, families, and communities. Several excellent studies have estimated the number of people who have been incarcerated and the collateral consequences they face, but far less is known about the size and scope of the total U.S. population with felony convictions beyond prison walls, including those who serve their sentences on probation or in jail. This article develops state-level estimates based on demographic life tables and extends previous national estimates of the number of people with felony convictions to 2010. We estimate that 3 % of the total U.S. adult population and 15 % of the African American adult male population has ever been to prison; people with felony convictions account for 8 % of all adults and 33 % of the African American adult male population. We discuss the far-reaching consequences of the spatial concentration and immense growth of these groups since 1980.
Developing a novel risk prediction model for severe malarial anemia
Authors: Brickley E. B. , Kabyemela E. , Kurtis J. D. , Fried M. , Wood A. M. , Duffy P. E.
Published: September 2017

As a pilot study to investigate whether personalized medicine approaches could have value for the reduction of malaria-related mortality in young children, we evaluated questionnaire and biomarker data collected from the Mother Offspring Malaria Study Project birth cohort (Muheza, Tanzania, 2002–2006) at the time of delivery as potential prognostic markers for pediatric severe malarial anemia. Severe malarial anemia, defined here as aPlasmodium falciparuminfection accompanied by hemoglobin levels below 50 g/L, is a key manifestation of life-threatening malaria in high transmission regions. For this study sample, a prediction model incorporating cord blood levels of interleukin-1β provided the strongest discrimination of severe malarial anemia risk with a C-index of 0.77 (95% CI 0.70–0.84), whereas a pragmatic model based on sex, gravidity, transmission season at delivery, and bed net possession yielded a more modest C-index of 0.63 (95% CI 0.54–0.71). Although additional studies, ideally incorporating larger sample sizes and higher event per predictor ratios, are needed to externally validate these prediction models, the findings provide proof of concept that risk score-based screening programs could be developed to avert severe malaria cases in early childhood.
Taking Religion Seriously? Habermas on Religious Translation and Cooperative Learning in Post-secular Society
Authors: ARESHIDZE GIORGI
Published: September 2017

This article evaluates Jürgen Habermas's attempt to reopen political liberalism to religion. In trying to “take religion seriously,” Habermas goes further than John Rawls and other liberal theorists by affirming that religious traditions articulate truths on which democratic societies continue to depend for their civic and moral health. “Post-secular” societies, in his view, should learn from religion by translating its “moral intuitions” into universal secular language. Although Habermas in this way appears friendlier to religion than Rawls, unlike Rawls he also calls for the “modernization of religious consciousness.” This theological transformation not only reveals the foundationalist presuppositions of liberalism, but also points to a highly attenuated conception of learning from religion. Taking religion seriously will require us to be open to its insights not only when they agree with, but especially when they challenge, our secular presuppositions. This dimension of religion is at risk of getting “lost in translation” in the Habermasian paradigm.
Reevaluating the Middle-Class Protest Paradigm: A Case-Control Study of Democratic Protest Coalitions in Russia
Authors: ROSENFELD BRYN
Published: September 2017

A large literature expects rising middle classes to promote democracy. However, few studies provide direct evidence on this group in nondemocratic settings. This article focuses on politically important differentiation within the middle classes, arguing that middle-class growth in state-dependent sectors weakens potential coalitions in support of democratization. I test this argument using surveys conducted at mass demonstrations in Russia and detailed population data. I also present a new approach to studying protest based on case-control methods from epidemiology. The results reveal that state-sector professionals were significantly less likely to mobilize against electoral fraud, even after controlling for ideology. If this group had participated at the same rate as middle-class professionals from the private sector, I estimate that another 90,000 protesters would have taken to the streets. I trace these patterns of participation to the interaction of individual resources and selective incentives. These findings have implications for authoritarian stability and democratic transitions.
Ideology, Grandstanding, and Strategic Party Disloyalty in the British Parliament
Authors: SLAPIN JONATHAN B. , KIRKLAND JUSTIN H. , LAZZARO JOSEPH A. , LESLIE PATRICK A. , O’GRADY TOM
Published: September 2017

Strong party discipline is a core feature of Westminster parliamentary systems. Parties typically compel members of Parliament (MPs) to support the party regardless of MPs’ individual preferences. Rebellion, however, does occur. Using an original dataset of MP votes and speeches in the British House of Commons from 1992 to 2015, coupled with new estimations of MPs’ ideological positions within their party, we find evidence that MPs use rebellion strategically to differentiate themselves from their party. The strategy that MPs employ is contingent upon an interaction of ideological extremity with party control of government. Extremists are loyal when their party is in the opposition, but these same extremists become more likely to rebel when their party controls government. Additionally, they emphasize their rebellion through speeches. Existing models of rebellion and party discipline do not account for government agenda control and do not explain these patterns.
The Great Leveler: Violence and the History of Inequality from the Stone Age to the Twenty-First Century
Authors: Wilson Sarah
Published: September 2017

This text, looking to identify and problematize the “challenge of inequality” for society today through undertaking a global history of inequality from the Stone Age to the present, is very much one of our time, and arguably one for our time. It can be aligned persuasively with how an intensifying concern about social and actually human dimensions of key societal institutions—especially economic and political ones—has followed the “first crisis of globalisation” (Gordon Brown, Beyond the Crash: Overcoming the First Crisis of Globalisation [2010]) and new discursive spaces have emerged to support analyses that stand apart from traditional economics or primarily economics-oriented approaches.
Defective Actions and Tyrannical Souls: Korsgaard on Evil
Authors: ROSE-BARRY PETER BRIAN
Published: September 2017

Christine Korsgaard’sSelf-Constitution: Agency, Identity, and Integrityis an impressive endeavour to synthesize the ethics of Plato and Kant in a comprehensive account of action and agency that locates the key to understanding both in self-constitution. A purportedly comprehensive account of action and agency will fail on its own terms if it cannot adequately account for some morally salient phenomenon. Korsgaard’s account fails to adequately account for the possibility of evil actions and evil people. If self-constitution is key to action and agency, then we must abandon the Platonic and Kantian elements that Korsgaard endorses.
‘It really saves us’versus‘it doesn't cover everything’: the benefits and limitations of a non-contributory pension in the Bolivian Altiplano
Authors: GODFREY-WOOD RACHEL , MAMANI-VARGAS GRACIELA
Published: September 2017

Non-contributory pensions have become extremely popular in the last decade, with 78 developing countries currently distributing money in this way, and their acclaimed impacts are increasingly celebrated. Studies have found them to contribute not only to ‘obvious’ needs such as increased consumption and income security but also to investments in productivity, social relationships, health, increased access to credit and savings, while it has become common to claim that they contribute to intangible goals such as dignity and citizenship. The danger of some of these claims is that they assume that wellbeing is heavily responsive to monetary wealth, rather than other areas. To study this, an ethnographic methodology, based on participant observation and semi-structured interviews, was employed in two rural communities located in the La Paz department in the highland Altiplano region of Bolivia close to Lake Titicaca. Our analysis shows that while the Renta Dignidad increases older persons’ livelihood security, its contributions to other areas where non-contributory pensions are claimed to have major impacts, such as productive investment, health care and relational wellbeing, are actually relatively limited. The policy implication of this is that a more integral approach needs to be adopted to older persons' wellbeing, going beyond cash transfers to greater efforts to bring health-care services to older people in remote rural areas.
Art as the Road to Perfection: The Blackfoot Painted Tipi
Authors: Zedeño María Nieves
Published: September 2017

The Blackfoot bison hunters of the North American Plains are widely known for their artfully painted lodges commonly known as ‘tipis’. Traditionally, tipi designs were not for everyone; rather, they were received individually from the spirit world or ceremonially transferred from one person to another under strict covenants. Painted tipis advertised the spiritual and social stature of their owners and were intricately woven in the ontological fabric of the group. This article explores the role of the painted tipi in individual and social life among the Blackfoot to highlight how art can be used to construct social places, to accumulate material and ritual wealth and, ultimately, to make society.
Co-movements in stock market returns, Ireland and London 1869–1929
Authors: Stuart Rebecca
Published: September 2017

This article studies the relationship between the Irish and London stock markets over the period 1869 to 1929, using monthly data on capital gains. A bivariate GARCH model shows that there were significant volatility spillovers from the London to the Irish market, but not vice versa. This suggests that shocks originating in London were transmitted to Ireland, but that the reverse did not occur. Furthermore, the time-varying correlation indicates that the co-movement between London and Ireland declined during the Irish independence struggle and the establishment of the Irish Free State. The correlation appears to stabilise in the late 1920s.
Multidisciplinary family-centred psychosocial care for patients with CHD: consensus recommendations from the AEPC Psychosocial Working Group
Authors: Utens Elisabeth M.W.J. , Callus Edward , Levert Eveline M. , Groote Katya De , Casey Frank
Published: September 2017

Because of the enormous advances in the medical treatment of CHD, the long-term survival of patients suffering from this disease has increased significantly. Currently, about 90% of patients reach adulthood, which entails many new challenges both for patients and their families and for healthcare professionals. The main objective of family-centred psychosocial care is to strengthen the emotional resilience of chronically ill patients and their families by adopting a holistic approach. During the biannual meeting of the psychosocial working group in 2012, participants expressed the need for general European guidelines. The present recommendations were written to support medical staff and psychosocial healthcare professionals to provide the best care for children and adolescents with CHD as well as for their families. This article describes in detail how the integrated family-centred psychological care modules work, involving different healthcare specialists, including a paediatric/congenital cardiologist or a general paediatrician. The different clinical implications and specific needs have been taken into account and recommendations have been provided on the following: structured follow-up screening; identification of stressful periods related to cardiac surgery or invasive medical procedures; evidence-based, disease-specific, and family-oriented psychosocial interventions; and interactive media links to medical and psychosocial information.
Differences in clinical outcomes and cost between complex and simple arterial switches
Authors: Griffiths Eric R. , Pinto Nelangi M. , Eckhauser Aaron W. , Al-Dulaimi Ragheed , Presson Angela P. , Bailly David K. , Burch Phillip T.
Published: September 2017

Background

This study evaluates the morbidity, mortality, and cost differences between patients who underwent either a simple or a complex arterial switch operation.

Methods

A retrospective study of patients undergoing an arterial switch operation at a single institution was performed. Simple cases were defined as patients with d-transposition of the great arteries with usual coronary anatomy or circumflex artery originating from the right with either intact ventricular septum or ventricular septal defect. Complex cases included all other forms of coronary anatomy, aortic coarctation or arch hypoplasia, and Taussig–Bing anomalies. Costs were acquired using an institutional activity-based accounting system.

Results

A total of 98 patients were identified, 68 patients in the simple group and 30 in the complex group. The mortality rate was 2% for the simple and 7% for the complex group, p=0.23. Major morbidities including cardiac arrest, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, a major coronary event, surgical or catheter-based re-intervention, stroke, or permanent pacemaker placement, non-cardiac surgical procedures, mediastinitis, and sepsis did not differ between the simple and complex groups (16 versus 27%, p=0.16). The complex group had increased bleeding requiring re-exploration (0 versus 10%, p=0.04). Hospital and ICU length of stay did not differ. Complex patients had higher overall hospital costs (simple $80,749 versus complex $97,387, p=0.01) and higher postoperative costs (simple $60,192 versus complex $70,132, p=0.02). The operating room and supplies accounted for the majority of the cost difference.

Conclusion

Complex arterial switches can be safely performed with low rates of morbidity and mortality but at an increased cost.
The Irrelevance of Political Party Differences for Public Finances – Evidence from Public Deficit and Debt in Portugal (1974–2012)
Authors: D’almeida André Corrêa , Mourao Paulo Reis
Published: September 2017

This paper attempts to empirically test whether inter-party political differences impact public finances in Portugal differently. Focused on public debt and on government budget deficit, and using data since 1974 for several variables, this paper applies econometric modelling to show that inter-party differences have had, until now, no significant impacts on the public finances’ performance in Portugal. In this context, this paper aims at dispelling some myths regarding the ‘value’ of a policy process based on political intrigue, enmity and a discourse of confrontation around differentiated political parties’ merits in modern democracies.
Clingo goes linear constraints over reals and integers
Authors: JANHUNEN TOMI , KAMINSKI ROLAND , OSTROWSKI MAX , SCHELLHORN SEBASTIAN , WANKO PHILIPP , SCHAUB TORSTEN
Published: September 2017

The recent series 5 of the Answer Set Programming (ASP) systemclingoprovides generic means to enhance basic ASP with theory reasoning capabilities. We instantiate this framework with different forms of linear constraints and elaborate upon its formal properties. Given this, we discuss the respective implementations, and present techniques for using these constraints in a reactive context. More precisely, we introduce extensions toclingowith difference and linear constraints over integers and reals, respectively, and realize them in complementary ways. Finally, we empirically evaluate the resultingclingoderivativesclingo[dl] andclingo[lp] on common language fragments and contrast them to related ASP systems.
Politicians Appear More Competent When Using Numerical Rhetoric
Authors: Pedersen Rasmus T.
Published: September 2017

Politically relevant numbers often have very limited effects on the policy attitudes of ordinary citizens, which make the widespread use of numbers by politicians somewhat puzzling. This paper argues that politicians’ numerical rhetoric may function as a voter heuristic and that the use of numbers by politicians therefore has a positive impact on voters’ perceptions of these politicians. A survey experiment confirms that even when numbers do little to move voters’ policy positions, numbers do have the effect of making politicians appear more competent. As a consequence, numerical rhetoric can in some cases increase electoral support for a politician.
Can Motive-Related Imagery Make School Tasks More Appealing?
Authors: Puca Rosa Maria , Scheidemann Bettina
Published: September 2017

Abstract. According to recent research ( Eccles, 1999 ; GEOlino-UNICEF-Kinderwertemonitor, 2014), young people are particularly interested in issues related to affiliation, achievement, or power. We suggest that tasks that raise these issues should be more motivating than tasks that do not raise these topics. To test this hypothesis, we enriched the tasks of common mathematics and German textbooks with affiliation, achievement, or power issues. In four experiments, fifth-graders rated how much they would like to work on the tasks (n = 31 for essay tasks, n = 76 for math tasks) and how confident they were about solving them (n = 56 for essay tasks, n = 60 for math tasks). Motive-related issues were within-subject variables. Participants were more attracted to tasks that included motive imagery than to neutral tasks, and they were more confident that they could solve the former than the latter. These effects were true particularly for tasks containing affiliation motive imagery.
The Effects of Teachers' Reference Norm Orientations on Students' Implicit Theories and Academic Self-Concepts
Authors: Dickhäuser Oliver , Janke Stefan , Praetorius Anna-Katharina , Dresel Markus
Published: September 2017

Abstract. Teachers differ in their tendency to prefer temporal comparisons (temporal reference norm orientation, TO) and social comparisons (social reference norm orientation, SO) when judging students' achievements. A TO was postulated to enhance students' motivational beliefs. We used a longitudinal sample of 1641 students (69 mathematics classes) from comprehensive secondary schools (Gymnasium) across grades 5 and 6 to test this hypothesis. Students' mathematical self-concepts and their implicit theory of math ability as incremental were assessed at each point of measurement. Their math teachers' TO and SO were assessed using aggregated students' ratings. Growth curve modeling showed a decline in students' self-concepts and their implicit theory. Between-class differences in the amount of decline were associated with teachers' reference norm orientations: TO was associated with a decelerated decline in students' self-concepts and implicit theory, SO with an accelerated decline. The SO effects on students' self-concept were more pronounced given lower students' achievement.
Tanztherapie in der Krebsbehandlung
Authors: Bräuninger Iris
Published: September 2017

Zusammenfassung. Dieser Artikel bietet eine Übersicht zum Forschungsstand zu Tanztherapie bei Krebs. Der erste Teil widmet sich der theoretischen Fundierung der Tanztherapie im onkologischen Setting. Der zweite Teil fasst wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse aus Tanztherapie Studien in der onkologischen Behandlung zusammen. Abschließend werden Einsatzmöglichkeiten während verschiedener Phasen der Behandlung mit entsprechenden tanztherapeutischen Behandlungszielen aus den Studienergebnissen abgeleitet. Die Literaturrecherche ergab, dass Tanztherapie in allen Phasen der Krebsbehandlung eingesetzt wird mit dem Ziel, den emotionalen, sozialen, physischen und spirituellen Zustand der Patientinnen und Patienten zu verbessern. Zukünftige randomisierte kontrollierte Trials könnten die Wirksamkeit spezifischer tanztherapeutischer Interventionen während unterschiedlicher Behandlungsphasen auf Symptome und bei Männern und Kindern untersuchen.
Scaling behavior of nanoimprint and nanoprinting lithography for producing nanostructures of molybdenum disulfide
Authors: Chen Mikai , Rokni Hossein , Lu Wei , Liang Xiaogan
Published: September 2017

Top-down lithography techniques are needed for manufacturing uniform device structures based on emerging 2D-layered materials. Mechanical exfoliation approaches based on nanoimprint and nanoprint principles are capable of producing ordered arrays of multilayer transition metal dichalcogenide microstructures with a high uniformity of feature dimensions. In this study, we present a study on the applicability of nanoimprint-assisted shear exfoliation for generating ultrathin monolayer and few-layer MoS2 structures as well as the critical limits of feature dimensions produced via such nanoimprint and nanoprint-based processes. In particular, this work shows that give a lateral feature size of MoS2 structures that are pre-patterned on a bulk stamp, there exists a critical thickness or aspect ratio value, below which the exfoliated layered structures exhibit major defects. To exfoliate a high-quality, uniform monolayer or few-layer structures, the characteristic lateral feature sizes of such structures need to be in the sub-100 nm regimes. In addition, the exfoliated MoS2 flakes of critical thicknesses exhibit prominent interlayer twisting features on their cleaved surfaces. Field-effect transistors made from these MoS2 flakes exhibit multiple (or quasi-analog-tunable) charge memory states. This work advances the knowledge regarding the limitations and application scope of nanoimprint and nanoprint processes in manufacturing nano/microstructures based on layered materials and provides a method for producing multi-bit charge memory devices.
Metabolites of flavonoid compounds preserve indices of endothelial cell nitric oxide bioavailability under glucotoxic conditions
Authors: Qian Y , Babu P V A , Symons J D , Jalili T
Published: September 2017

We hypothesized that metabolites of dietary flavonoids attenuate impairments in nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability evoked by glucotoxic conditions mimicking Type 1 or 2 diabetes. To test this, human aortic endothelial cells were treated with either vehicle control, quercetin-3-O-glucoronide, piceatannol or 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)propionoic acid for 24 h. These are metabolites of quercetin, resveratrol and proanthocyanidin, respectively. Next, cells were exposed to control (5 mM) or high (25 mM) glucose conditions for 48 h, followed by insulin treatment (100 nM, 10 min) to stimulate NO production. In control glucose conditions NO production, phosphorylated to total endothelial nitric oxide synthase (p-eNOSser1177: eNOS), and phosphorylated to total Akt (p-AktSer473: Akt) were all increased by insulin stimulation. This response was abolished during high glucose conditions. Pretreatment of cells with flavonoid metabolites prior to high glucose challenge preserved insulin stimulated increases in NO production, p-AktSer473: Akt and p-eNOSSer1177: eNOS. These effects may be secondary to oxidative stress as pretreatment with all flavonoid metabolites prevented elevations in reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in response to high glucose. These data support the hypothesis that beneficial effects of flavonoids on endothelial cell function in the context of glucotoxicity, at least in part, are secondary to their metabolites.
Selective degradation of PU.1 during autophagy represses the differentiation and antitumour activity of TH9 cells
Authors: Rivera Vargas Thaiz , Cai Zhijian , Shen Yingying , Dosset Magalie , Benoit-Lizon Isis , Martin Tiffany , Roussey Aurélie , Flavell Richard A. , Ghiringhelli François , Apetoh Lionel
Published: September 2017

Autophagy, a catabolic mechanism that involves degradation of cellular components, is essential for cell homeostasis. Although autophagy favours the lineage stability of regulatory T cells, the contribution of autophagy to the differentiation of effector CD4 T cells remains unclear. Here we show that autophagy selectively represses T helper 9 (TH9) cell differentiation. CD4 T cells lacking Atg3 or Atg5 have increased interleukin-9 (IL-9) expression upon differentiation into TH9 cells relative to Atg3- or Atg5-expressing control cells. In addition, the TH9 cell transcription factor, PU.1, undergoes K63 ubiquitination and degradation through p62-dependent selective autophagy. Finally, the blockade of autophagy enhances TH9 cell anticancer functions in vivo, and mice with T cell-specific deletion of Atg5 have reduced tumour outgrowth in an IL-9-dependent manner. Overall, our findings reveal an unexpected function of autophagy in the modulation of TH9 cell differentiation and antitumour activity, and prompt potential autophagy-dependent modulations of TH9 activity for cancer immunotherapy.
Envelope glycoprotein mobility on HIV-1 particles depends on the virus maturation state
Authors: Chojnacki Jakub , Waithe Dominic , Carravilla Pablo , Huarte Nerea , Galiani Silvia , Enderlein Jörg , Eggeling Christian
Published: September 2017

Human immunodeficiency virus t﻿ype 1 (H﻿IV-1) assembles as immature particles, which require the proteolytic cleavage of structural polyprotein Gag and the clustering of envelope glycoprotein Env for infectivity. The details of mechanisms underlying Env clustering remain unknown. Here, we determine molecular dynamics of Env on the surface of individual HIV-1 particles using scanning fluorescence correlation spectroscopy on a super-resolution STED microscope. We find that Env undergoes a maturation-induced increase in mobility, highlighting diffusion as one cause for Env clustering. This mobility increase is dependent on Gag-interacting Env tail but not on changes in viral envelope lipid order. Diffusion of Env and other envelope incorporated proteins in mature HIV-1 is two orders of magnitude slower than in the plasma membrane, indicating that HIV-1 envelope is intrinsically a low mobility environment, mainly due to its general high lipid order. Our results provide insights into dynamic properties of proteins on the surface of individual virus particles.
A V0 core neuronal circuit for inspiration
Authors: Wu Jinjin , Capelli Paolo , Bouvier Julien , Goulding Martyn , Arber Silvia , Fortin Gilles
Published: September 2017

Breathing in mammals relies on permanent rhythmic and bilaterally synchronized contractions of inspiratory pump muscles. These motor drives emerge from interactions between critical sets of brainstem neurons whose origins and synaptic ordered organization remain obscure. Here, we show, using a virus-based transsynaptic tracing strategy from the diaphragm muscle in the mouse, that the principal inspiratory premotor neurons share V0 identity with, and are connected by, neurons of the preBötzinger complex that paces inspiration. Deleting the commissural projections of V0s results in left-right desynchronized inspiratory motor commands in reduced brain preparations and breathing at birth. This work reveals the existence of a core inspiratory circuit in which V0 to V0 synapses enabling function of the rhythm generator also direct its output to secure bilaterally coordinated contractions of inspiratory effector muscles required for efficient breathing.
A general reaction mechanism for carbapenem hydrolysis by mononuclear and binuclear metallo-β-lactamases
Authors: Lisa María-Natalia , Palacios Antonela R. , Aitha Mahesh , González Mariano M. , Moreno Diego M. , Crowder Michael W. , Bonomo Robert A. , Spencer James , Tierney David L. , Llarrull Leticia I. , Vila Alejandro J.
Published: September 2017

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae threaten human health, since carbapenems are last resort drugs for infections by such organisms. Metallo-β-lactamases (MβLs) are the main mechanism of resistance against carbapenems. Clinically approved inhibitors of MBLs are currently unavailable as design has been limited by the incomplete knowledge of their mechanism. Here, we report a biochemical and biophysical study of carbapenem hydrolysis by the B1 enzymes NDM-1 and BcII in the bi-Zn(II) form, the mono-Zn(II) B2 Sfh-I and the mono-Zn(II) B3 GOB-18. These MβLs hydrolyse carbapenems via a similar mechanism, with accumulation of the same anionic intermediates. We characterize the Michaelis complex formed by mono-Zn(II) enzymes, and we identify all intermediate species, enabling us to propose a chemical mechanism for mono and binuclear MβLs. This common mechanism open avenues for rationally designed inhibitors of all MβLs, notwithstanding the profound differences between these enzymes’ active site structure, β-lactam specificity and metal content.
Checkpoint blockade immunotherapy reshapes the high-dimensional phenotypic heterogeneity of murine intratumoural neoantigen-specific CD8+ T cells
Authors: Fehlings M. , Simoni Y. , Penny H. L. , Becht E. , Loh C. Y. , Gubin M. M. , Ward J. P. , Wong S. C. , Schreiber R. D. , Newell E. W.
Published: September 2017

The analysis of neoantigen-specific CD8+ T cells in tumour-bearing individuals is challenging due to the small pool of tumour antigen-specific T cells. Here we show that mass cytometry with multiplex combinatorial tetramer staining can identify and characterize neoantigen-specific CD8+ T cells in mice bearing T3 methylcholanthrene-induced sarcomas that are susceptible to checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. Among 81 candidate antigens tested, we identify T cells restricted to two known neoantigens simultaneously in tumours, spleens and lymph nodes in tumour-bearing mice. High-dimensional phenotypic profiling reveals that antigen-specific, tumour-infiltrating T cells are highly heterogeneous. We further show that neoantigen-specific T cells display a different phenotypic profile in mice treated with anti-CTLA-4 or anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, whereas their peripheral counterparts are not affected by the treatments. Our results provide insights into the nature of neoantigen-specific T cells and the effects of checkpoint blockade immunotherapy.
P-body proteins regulate transcriptional rewiring to promote DNA replication stress resistance
Authors: Loll-Krippleber Raphael , Brown Grant W.
Published: September 2017

mRNA-processing (P-) bodies are cytoplasmic granules that form in eukaryotic cells in response to numerous stresses to serve as sites of degradation and storage of mRNAs. Functional P-bodies are critical for the DNA replication stress response in yeast, yet the repertoire of P-body targets and the mechanisms by which P-bodies promote replication stress resistance are unknown. In this study we identify the complete complement of mRNA targets of P-bodies during replication stress induced by hydroxyurea treatment. The key P-body protein Lsm1 controls the abundance of HHT1, ACF4, ARL3, TMA16, RRS1 and YOX1 mRNAs to prevent their toxic accumulation during replication stress. Accumulation of YOX1 mRNA causes aberrant downregulation of a network of genes critical for DNA replication stress resistance and leads to toxic acetaldehyde accumulation. Our data reveal the scope and the targets of regulation by P-body proteins during the DNA replication stress response.
Rapid and reversible epigenome editing by endogenous chromatin regulators
Authors: Braun Simon M. G. , Kirkland Jacob G. , Chory Emma J. , Husmann Dylan , Calarco Joseph P. , Crabtree Gerald R.
Published: September 2017

Understanding the causal link between epigenetic marks and gene regulation remains a central question in chromatin biology. To edit the epigenome we developed the FIRE-Cas9 system for rapid and reversible recruitment of endogenous chromatin regulators to specific genomic loci. We enhanced the dCas9–MS2 anchor for genome targeting with Fkbp/Frb dimerizing fusion proteins to allow chemical-induced proximity of a desired chromatin regulator. We find that mSWI/SNF (BAF) complex recruitment is sufficient to oppose Polycomb within minutes, leading to activation of bivalent gene transcription in mouse embryonic stem cells. Furthermore, Hp1/Suv39h1 heterochromatin complex recruitment to active promoters deposits H3K9me3 domains, resulting in gene silencing that can be reversed upon washout of the chemical dimerizer. This inducible recruitment strategy provides precise kinetic information to model epigenetic memory and plasticity. It is broadly applicable to mechanistic studies of chromatin in mammalian cells and is particularly suited to the analysis of endogenous multi-subunit chromatin regulator complexes.