Measuring group switching in the European Parliament: Methodology, data and trends (1979-2009)

Party group switching in the European Parliament (ep), where parliamentarians individually or collectively switch from one party group to the other, is a well-known contributor to the volatility of the ep party system. We present a new dataset that contains party group information on all meps from 1979 to 2009. As a first step to a more comprehensive analysis of the phenomenon of party group switching in the ep we describe characteristics of all switches that have occurred in these six legislatures, with a focus on the trends across time, variety between member states, party groups, and ideological party families

Bringing Back a Larger Pie from Brussels: The Adjustment of National Party Strategy through Party Switching in the European Parliament

This paper examines the political dynamics that explain the exceptionally high number of shifts in political group affiliation by members of the European Parliament during legislative mandates. The analysis is built on extensive interviewing with former MEPs and EP staff and on archival research on primary sources. The paper makes an argument on the strategic incentives that drive switching behavior in the EP and investigates its consequences for the evolution of party politics and democracy in the EU.Este trabalho examina os factores que influenciam o elevado número de mudanças de eurodeputados entre Grupos Políticos no Parlamento Europeu. A inconstância de filiação partidária que se detecta nesta instituição contrasta com a estabilidade dos grupos parlamentares nas assembleias nacionais da maioria dos Estados Membros. Através de entrevistas a eurodeputados e funcionários do PE e tendo por suporte a análise aprofundada de diversas fontes documentais, o paper investiga as condições institucionais e políticas que estão por detrás da mudança de identidade política no PE e as suas consequências para a influência partidária a nível supranacional, assim como para a evolução da qualidade da democracia na União Europeia

The state as a large-scale aggregator : statist neoliberalism and waste management in Portugal

This paper explores state-economy relations in an understudied European country, i.e. Portugal. Main research questions are: How does the country fit into the Varieties of Capitalism conceptual framework? Are there specific patterns that define the case as a distinct model of statist economy? The research is influenced by Becker´s open, historical institutionalist approach to capitalism (Becker, U. 2009. Open Varieties of Capitalism. Continuity, Change and Performances. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan). The paper offers a macro-account of major transformations in state ownership, in democratic Portugal, followed by analysis of stateeconomy relations at a sectorial level, namely in the waste management sector. Findings suggest that Portuguese capitalism has evolved from statist socialism into a formally liberalised economy but, in reality, it re-configured into a model of statedependency perpetuated by the allocation of vast external resources. From large-scale owner to large-scale privatizer, the state adjusted its role as a large-scale aggregator.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Rac-(2R*,3R*)- S -Ethyl-4-Chloro-3-Hydroxy-2-Phenylbuthanethioate and Rac-(2R*,3R*)- S -Ethyl-2-Phenyl-3-(tosyloxy)buthanethioate: Dichotomy of the Stereoselectivity of the Mukaiyama Reaction

The title compounds, rac-(2R*,3R*)-S-ethyl-4-chloro-3-hydroxy-2-phenylbuthanethioate (I) and rac-(2R*,3R*)-S-ethyl-2-phenyl-3-(tosyloxy)buthanethioate (III), are both composed of a S-ethyl 2-phenylbutanethioate moiety but have different geometries. Compound I is substituted in the 3 and 4 positions by a hydroxyl group and a chlorine atom, respectively. In compound III the hydroxyl group in the 3 position of rac-(2R*,3R*)-S-ethyl-3-hydroxy-2-phenylbuthanethioate (II), has been tosylated in order to obtain suitable crystals for X-ray analysis. In compound I the phenyl substituent and the hydroxyl group have a syn arrangement, whereas in the tosylate derivative of II, i.e., compound III, they have an anti arrangement. In the crystal structure of I centrosymmetric hydrogen bonded dimers are formed via O-H···O hydrogen bonds, involving the hydroxyl group and the carbonyl O-atom. In the crystal structure of III symmetry related molecules are connect via a weak C-H···O intermolecular interaction, involving a tosylate O-atom and a phenyl H-atom, so forming zigzag chains propagating in the c direction. The compounds were prepared by the Mukaiyama crossed aldol reaction between the silyl enol ether of S-ethyl 2-phenylethanethioate and simple aldehydes, like 2-chloroacetaldehyde (for I) and acetaldehyde (for II). The syn/anti stereo descriptors clearly indicate that the stereoselectivity of the Mukaiyama aldol reaction has switched from a syn selective process for the reaction using 2-chloroacetaldehyde to an anti selective process for the reaction with acetaldehyde. In both compounds the relative stereochemistry at the newly created chiral centers, positions 2 and 3, is R/R. Graphical Abstract: The compounds, rac-(2R*,3R*)-S-ethyl-4-chloro-3-hydroxy-2-phenylbuthanethioate (I) and rac-(2R*,3R*)-S-ethyl-3-hydroxy-2-phenylbuthanethioate (II), were prepared by the Mukaiyama crossed aldol reaction between the silyl enol ether of S-ethyl 2-phenylethanethioate and simple aldehydes, like 2-chloroacetaldehyde (for I) and acetaldehyde (for II). The stereoselectivity of the Mukaiyama aldol reaction was shown to have switched from a syn selective process for the reaction using 2-chloroacetaldehyde to an anti selective process for the reaction with acetaldehyd

Design and Synthesis of CNS-targeted Flavones and Analogues with Neuroprotective Potential Against H2O2- and Aβ1-42-Induced Toxicity in SH-SY5Y Human Neuroblastoma Cells

With the lack of available drugs able to prevent the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the discovery of new neuroprotective treatments able to rescue neurons from cell injury is presently a matter of extreme importance and urgency. Here, we were inspired by the widely reported potential of natural flavonoids to build a library of novel flavones, chromen-4-ones and their C-glucosyl derivatives, and to explore their ability as neuroprotective agents with suitable pharmacokinetic profiles. All compounds were firstly evaluated in a parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA) to assess their effective permeability across biological membranes, namely the blood-brain barrier (BBB). With this test, we aimed not only at assessing if our candidates would be well-distributed, but also at rationalizing the influence of the sugar moiety on the physicochemical properties. To complement our analysis, logD7.4 was determined. From all screened compounds, the p-morpholinyl flavones stood out for their ability to fully rescue SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells against both H2O2- and Aβ1-42-induced cell death. Cholinesterase inhibition was also evaluated, and modest inhibitory activities were found. This work highlights the potential of C-glucosylflavones as neuroprotective agents, and presents the p-morpholinyl C-glucosylflavone 37, which did not show any cytotoxicity towards HepG2 and Caco-2 cells at 100 μM, as a new lead structure for further development against AD.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia-UID/Multi/0612/2019Unión Europea-D3i4AD), FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IAPP, GA 61234

A behavioral analysis of investor diversification

This paper studies the link between individual investors’ portfolio diversification levels and various personal traits that proxy informational advantages and overconfidence. The analysis is based on objective data from the largest Turkish brokerage house tracking 59,951 individual investors’ accounts with a total of 3,248,654 million transactions over the period 2008–2010. Wealthier, highly educated, older investors working in the finance sector and those trading relatively often show higher diversification levels possibly because they are better equipped to obtain and process information. Finance professionals, married investors, and those placing high-volume orders through investment centers show poorer diversification possibly as a reflection of overconfidence. Our analysis reveals important nonlinear effects, implying that the marginal impact of overconfidence on diversification is not uniform across investors but varies according to the investor's information gathering and processing abilities

Vancouver simplified grading system with computed tomographic angiography for blunt aortic injury

ObjectiveDelineation of blunt aortic injury by computed tomographic angiography guides management of this potentially fatal injury. Two existing grading systems are problematic to apply and not linked to outcomes. A simplified computed tomographic angiography–based grading system, linked to clinical outcomes, was developed, and feasibility and reliability were evaluated.MethodsRetrospective review was performed of all blunt aortic injury cases presenting to a single provincial quaternary referral center designated for blunt aortic injury management between 2001 and 2009. Management, associated injuries, hospital survival, and cause of death were determined. Initial computed tomographic angiography was reviewed, and injuries were graded according to the new Vancouver simplified grading system by 2 study authors. Three additional trauma radiologists then graded the aortic injuries with the 2 existing systems and the simplified system. Interrater reliability was determined.ResultsForty-eight patients were identified. Two had minimal aortic injury (grade I), 7 had an intimal flap larger than 1 cm (grade II), 32 had traumatic pseudoaneurysm (grade III), 6 had active contrast extravasation (grade IV), and 1 could not be rated. Survivals were 100%, 90%, and 33% for grades I and II, III, and IV, respectively. Of grade III injuries, 14% were medically managed, 68% repaired endovascularly, and 18% repaired with open surgery. Interrater correlation was best with the simplified score, with only 0.5% of cases unable to be classified.ConclusionsThe Vancouver simplified blunt aortic injury grading system is easy to use and correlates with clinical outcomes. Prospective external validation is required

rac-Methyl 4-azido-3-hydr­oxy-3-(2-nitro­phen­yl)butanoate

In the title compound, C11H12N4O5, the mean plane through the nitro substituent on the benzene ring is inclined to the benzene mean plane by 85.8 (2)°, which avoids steric inter­actions with the ortho substituents. The hydr­oxy group is involved in bifurcated hydrogen bonds. The first is an intra­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bond, involving the ester carbonyl O atom, which gives rise to the formation of a boat-like hydrogen-bonded chelate ring. The second is an inter­molecular O—H⋯N hydrogen bond involving the first N atom of the azide group of a symmetry-related mol­ecule. In the crystal structure this leads to the formation of a polmer chain extending in the c-axis direction

The role of gender, sexuality and context upon help-seeking for intimate partner violence:A synthesis of data across five studies

Programmes of research which combine related studies are commonplace, including in the field of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). Whereas the systematic synthesis of published qualitative data is now well established, the synthesis of qualitative data that make up a programme of work is rare. A Programme of Research on Violence in Diverse.Domestic Environments (PROVIDE) is a UK NIHR funded programme. The five studies associated with PROVIDE are sited in general practice, sexual health clinics, mental health services and 3rd sector IPV agencies. Synthesising the data from across-the studies offered an opportunity to highlight variations in help-seeking strategies according to gender and sexual orientation and identify variations in help-seeking across different contexts. The approach to the synthesis was meta-ethnography. The synthesis identified 23 2nd order constructs in relation to helpseeking. Findings show gender and sexuality influences how help-seeking in different contexts is viewed. Disclosure of IPV to mental health services was rare. Women favour help-seeking from primary care which is familiar and where they are known, whilst gay men favour help-seeking from GUM clinics where there is a taken for granted acknowledgement of sexual identity. These differences suggest an intersectional approach to providing support services for IPV is needed. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd

Chemical exposure : european citizens’ perspectives, trust, and concerns on human biomonitoring initiatives, information needs, and scientific results

Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).Over the last few decades, citizen awareness and perception of chemical products has been a topic of interest, particularly concerning national and international policy decision makers, expert/scientific platforms, and the European Union itself. To date, few qualitative studies on human biomonitoring have analysed communication materials, made recommendations in terms of biomonitoring surveillance, or asked for feedback in terms of specific biomonitoring methods. This paper provides in-depth insight on citizens’ perceptions of knowledge of biomonitoring, impact of chemical exposure on daily life, and claims on how results of research should be used. Four semi-structured focus groups were held in Austria, Portugal, Ireland, and the United Kingdom (UK). The cross-sectional observational qualitative design of this study allows for better understanding of public concern regarding chemicals, application, and use of human biomonitoring. The main findings of this study include citizens’ clear articulation on pathways of exposure, the demand on stakeholders for transparent decision-making, and sensitivity in communication of results to the public. Validated and trustful communication is perceived as key to empowering citizens to take action. The results can be used to facilitate decision-making and policy development, and feeds into the awareness needs of similar and future projects in human biomonitoring. Furthermore, it also brings to light ideas and concepts of citizens’ in shaping collaborative knowledge between citizens’, experts, scientists, and policy makers on equal terms.The HBM4EU project received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 73303info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio