The significance of trust in the political system and motivation for pupils' learning progress in politics lessons

Very little research has been conducted on the contribution of political education to learning progress in Germany. Hence, there is a need for intervention studies measuring performance against the theoretical background of a political competence model. This model comprises three constructs: subject knowledge, motivation and attitudes. According to this model, politics lessons should not only convey knowledge but also arouse subject interest, promote political attitudes and develop problem-solving skills. This study investigates how knowledge acquisition is influenced by intervention using theory-oriented teaching materials on the European Union, intervention using conventional textbooks on the European Union and politics lessons without any reference to the European Union. It further asks how the performance-related self-concept and subject interest in political issues impact political knowledge and whether civic virtue and trust in the system are related to it. The sample comprises 1071 pupils. Theory-oriented politics classes lead to greater growth of pupils’ knowledge than in the control group. As anticipated, this study proves that a positive subject-specific self-concept impacts knowledge. The examination of political attitudes reveals a positive correlation between civic virtue and knowledge. There is no connection between trust in the political system and knowledge

Differential effects of cytokines and corticosteroids on Toll-like receptor 2 expression and activity in human airway epithelia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The recognition of microbial molecular patterns via Toll-like receptors (TLRs) is critical for mucosal defenses.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using well-differentiated primary cultures of human airway epithelia, we investigated the effects of exposure of the cells to cytokines (TNF-α and IFN-γ) and dexamethasone (dex) on responsiveness to the TLR2/TLR1 ligand Pam3CSK4. Production of IL-8, CCL20, and airway surface liquid antimicrobial activity were used as endpoints.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Microarray expression profiling in human airway epithelia revealed that first response cytokines markedly induced TLR2 expression. Real-time PCR confirmed that cytokines (TNF-α and IFN-γ), dexamethasone (dex), or cytokines + dex increased TLR2 mRNA abundance. A synergistic increase was seen with cytokines + dex. To assess TLR2 function, epithelia pre-treated with cytokines ± dex were exposed to the TLR2/TLR1 ligand Pam3CSK4 for 24 hours. While cells pre-treated with cytokines alone exhibited significantly enhanced IL-8 and CCL20 secretion following Pam3CSK4, mean IL-8 and CCL20 release decreased in Pam3CSK4 stimulated cells following cytokines + dex pre-treatment. This marked increase in inflammatory gene expression seen after treatment with cytokines followed by the TLR2 ligand did not correlate well with NF-κB, Stat1, or p38 MAP kinase pathway activation. Cytokines also enhanced TLR2 agonist-induced beta-defensin 2 mRNA expression and increased the antimicrobial activity of airway surface liquid. Dex blocked these effects.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>While dex treatment enhanced TLR2 expression, co-administration of dex with cytokines inhibited airway epithelial cell responsiveness to TLR2/TLR1 ligand over cytokines alone. Enhanced functional TLR2 expression following exposure to TNF-α and IFN-γ may serve as a dynamic means to amplify epithelial innate immune responses during infectious or inflammatory pulmonary diseases.</p

Inhibition of IFN-γ-dependent antiviral airway epithelial defense by cigarette smoke

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although individuals exposed to cigarette smoke are more susceptible to respiratory infection, the effects of cigarette smoke on lung defense are incompletely understood. Because airway epithelial cell responses to type II interferon (IFN) are critical in regulation of defense against many respiratory viral infections, we hypothesized that cigarette smoke has inhibitory effects on IFN-γ-dependent antiviral mechanisms in epithelial cells in the airway.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Primary human tracheobronchial epithelial cells were first treated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE) followed by exposure to both CSE and IFN-γ. Epithelial cell cytotoxicity and IFN-γ-induced signaling, gene expression, and antiviral effects against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were tested without and with CSE exposure.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>CSE inhibited IFN-γ-dependent gene expression in airway epithelial cells, and these effects were not due to cell loss or cytotoxicity. CSE markedly inhibited IFN-γ-induced Stat1 phosphorylation, indicating that CSE altered type II interferon signal transduction and providing a mechanism for CSE effects. A period of CSE exposure combined with an interval of epithelial cell exposure to both CSE and IFN-γ was required to inhibit IFN-γ-induced cell signaling. CSE also decreased the inhibitory effect of IFN-γ on RSV mRNA and protein expression, confirming effects on viral infection. CSE effects on IFN-γ-induced Stat1 activation, antiviral protein expression, and inhibition of RSV infection were decreased by glutathione augmentation of epithelial cells using N-acetylcysteine or glutathione monoethyl ester, providing one strategy to alter cigarette smoke effects.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The results indicate that CSE inhibits the antiviral effects of IFN-γ, thereby presenting one explanation for increased susceptibility to respiratory viral infection in individuals exposed to cigarette smoke.</p

Grossflaechige Zweiseitenabscheidung von texturierten TlBaCaCuO-Schichten fuer Mikrowellenanwendungen Schlussbericht

Continuous improvement of the two step technology for preparation of Tl_2Ba_2Ca_2Cu_3O_x-films makes it possible to deposite large areas on LaAlO_3-substrates on both sides. The superconducting films were optimized with regard to low microwave losses and high power handling. Up to now the surface resistance at 77 K of our Tl-2223 films (R_S=6.5 m#OMEGA# at 87 GHz) is lower than the R_S-values of all measured HTS-films including the best YBCO-films. Furthermore we observed for the first time a decrease of the surface resistance below a temperature of 30 K for Tl-HTS films (R_S(87 GHz, 4.2 K)=1 m#OMEGA#). Such behaviour was only reported for high quality YBCO-films before. In cooperation with the industrial partners (R. Bosch GmbH and F.I.T. mbH) we have built up superconducting filters using Tl-HTS films, which will be later applied in IMUX-devices. This aim was pursued in two concepts for the C-band: (1) 3-, 5-and 7-pole microsrip filters with 2% and 10% bandwidth (2) dielectric TE_0_1_1-and TE_1_1_1-LaAlO_3-resonators with high unloaded quality factors (Q_o&gt;5000). The F.I.T. mbH will use these resonators for the development of dielectric filters. At present not all problems with regard to the reproducibility of the resonator quality factors, the design accuracy and the mechanisms for the tuning of the filter characteristics are solved. Furthermore we have developed dielectric sapphire resonators with Q_o&gt;2x10&quot;6 at 5.6 GHz and 77 K using 2'' Tl-HTS films, which can act as high Q_o-resonators in the cryoradar systems. (orig.)Die Zweistufen-Technologie zur Herstellung der Tl_2Ba_2Ca_2Cu_3O_x-Schichten wurde so ausgebaut, dass eine grossflaechige und beidseitige Beschichtung auf hochfrequenztauglichen Substraten moeglich ist. Die Supraleiterschichten wurden hinsichtlich ihrer Mikrowellenverluste und Leistungsfestigkeit optimiert. An den Tl-2223 Schichten aus dem IPHT wurde der niedrigste Oberflaechenwiderstand [R_S (87 GHz, 77 K)=6,5 m#OMEGA#] aller bislang hergestelltn HTSL-Schichten gemessen. Erstmals wurde an diesen Tl-HTSL Schichten auch der bisher nur an sehr hochwertigen YBCO-Filmen gefundene R_S-Abfall zu tiefen Temperaturen hin beobachtet (R_S(87 GHz, 4.2 K)=1 m#OMEGA#). In Zusammenarbeit mit den Industriepartnern (R. Bosch GmbH und F.I.T. mbH) wurden supraleitende Filter auf der Basis von Tl-HTSL Schichten aufgebaut, die in IMUX-Demonstratoren eingesetzt werden sollen. Diese Aufgabe wurde in zwei Konzepten parallel fuer das C-Band verfolgt: (1) 3 bis 7-polige Mikrostreifenfilter mit 2 bzw. 10% Bandbreite (2) dielektrische TE_0_1_1- und TE_1_1_1-LaAlO_3-Resonatoren mit hohen Guetefaktoren (Q_o&gt;5000). Mit diesen Resonatoren sollen dielektrische Kanalfilter bei der F.I.T./Bad Salzdetfurth entwickelt werden. Probleme gibt es noch bei der Reproduzierbarkeit der Resonatorgueten, der Designgenauigkeit und den Mechanismen fuer einen geeigneten Abgleich der Filtercharakteristiken. Ferner wurden dielektrische Saphir-Resonatoren mit Q_o&gt;2x10&quot;6 bei 5,6 GHz und 77 K auf der Basis von 2'' Tl-HTSL-Schichten aufgebaut, die als Hochguete-Resonatoren in der Kryo-Radartechnik eingesetzt werden koennen. (orig.)SIGLEAvailable from TIB Hannover: F96B1146+a / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekBundesministerium fuer Bildung, Wissenschaft, Forschung und Technologie, Bonn (Germany)DEGerman

High salt drives Th17 responses in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis without impacting myeloid dendritic cells

Recently, we have shown that high dietary salt intake aggravates T helper cell (Th) 17 responses and neuroinflammation. Here, we employed in vitro assays for myeloid dendritic cell (mDC) maturation, DC cytokine production, T cell activation and ex vivo analyses in murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) to investigate whether the salt effect on Th17 cells is further mediated through DCs in vivo. In cell culture, an excess of 40mM sodium chloride did neither affect the generation, maturation nor the function of DCs, but, in different assays, significantly increased Th17 differentiation. During the initiation phase of MOG35-55 EAE, we did not observe altered DC frequencies or co-stimulatory capacities in lymphoid organs, while IL-17A production and Th17 cells in the spleen were significantly increased. Complementary ex vivo analyses of the spinal cord during the effector phase of EAE showed increased frequencies of Th17 cells, but did not reveal differences in phenotypes of CNS invading DCs. Finally, adaption of transgenic mice harboring a MOG specific T cell receptor to a high-salt diet led to aggravated clinical disease only after active immunization. Wild-type mice adapted to a high-salt diet in the effector phase of EAE, bypassing the priming phase of T cells, only displayed mildly aggravated disease. In summary, our data argue for a direct effect of NaCl on Th17 cells in neuroinflammation rather than an effect primarily exerted via DCs. These data may further fuel our understanding on the dietary impact on different immune cell subsets in autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis