Step away from the zero lower bound: Small open economies in a world of secular stagnation

We study how small open economies can escape from deflation and unemployment in a situation where the world economy is permanently depressed. Building on the framework of Eggertsson et al. (2016), we show that the transition to full employment and at-target inflation requires real and nominal depreciation of the exchange rate. However, because of adverse income and valuation effects from real depreciation, the escape has a beggar- thy-self effect, that may end up lowering welfare while eliminating underemployment. We show that as long as the economy remains financially open, domestic asset supply policies or reducing the effective lower bound on policy rates may be ineffective or even counter- productive. However, closing domestic capital markets does not necessarily enhance the monetary authorities’ ability to rescue the economy from stagnation

Neural Markers of Opposite-Sex Bias in Face Processing

Some behavioral and neuroimaging studies suggest that adults prefer to view attractive faces of the opposite sex more than attractive faces of the same sex. However, unlike the other-race face effect (Caldara et al., 2004), little is known regarding the existence of an opposite-/same-sex bias in face processing. In this study, the faces of 130 attractive male and female adults were foveally presented to 40 heterosexual university students (20 men and 20 women) who were engaged in a secondary perceptual task (landscape detection). The automatic processing of face gender was investigated by recording ERPs from 128 scalp sites. Neural markers of opposite- vs. same-sex bias in face processing included larger and earlier centro–parietal N400s in response to faces of the opposite sex and a larger late positivity (LP) to same-sex faces. Analysis of intra-cortical neural generators (swLORETA) showed that facial processing-related (FG, BA37, BA20/21) and emotion-related brain areas (the right parahippocampal gyrus, BA35; uncus, BA36/38; and the cingulate gyrus, BA24) had higher activations in response to opposite- than same-sex faces. The results of this analysis, along with data obtained from ERP recordings, support the hypothesis that both genders process opposite-sex faces differently than same-sex faces. The data also suggest a hemispheric asymmetry in the processing of opposite-/same-sex faces, with the right hemisphere involved in processing same-sex faces and the left hemisphere involved in processing faces of the opposite sex. The data support previous literature suggesting a right lateralization for the representation of self-image and body awareness

Autoimmune hepatitis: clinical experience after liver transplantation and molecular study using surface plasmon resonance imaging-based strategy

De novo autoimmune hepatitis in patients with HCV recurrence (HCV-R) after liver transplantation (LT) is of challenging diagnosis and the impact of autoimmune therapy (AT) is still a matter of debate. In the first part of this work the aim was to evaluate clinical, serological, histological characteristics of these patients and the impact of AT. Patients have been evaluated in two European transplant centers .Liver biopsies were retrospectively by experts pathologists. Three parameters, plasma cells infiltrate, interface hepatitis and central vein necrosis, were evaluated applying a new semi-quantitative method. Final diagnosis was of prevalent viral lesions: HCV-R, or prevalent immunological lesions: AIH. Forty patients, transplanted between 1983-2009, were included, 16 (40%) patients were HCV-R and 24 (60%) AIH. High grade of interface hepatitis and confluent central vein necrosis were significantly more represented in AIH patients, moreover AST/ALT were significantly higher in AIH group (p=0.05 and p=0.003, respectively). No difference was found regarding baseline immunosuppression, autoantibodies and gammaglobulin levels. No relationship between HCV antiviral therapy and AIH was observed. Ten years survival was lower for AIH compared to HCVâR patients (65%, versus 93%, p=0.050). The AT improved the cytolysis but did not modify long-term survival (50% treated versus 87.5% non treated patients, p=ns), which was impaired by severe HCV disease progression. Anti-dsDNA autoantibodies (Abs) are highly diagnostic for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), however, they can be found in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) but it remains uncertain which antigen triggers the production of these antibodies. Moreover the characteristics of antigenâantibodies interaction are still a matter of concern. In the second part of this work the aim was to differentiate the binding characteristics of dsDNA and anti-dsDNA Abs obtained from AIH and SLE patient's sera using Surface Plasmon Resonance imaging (SPRi) strategy. Sera from AIH (n=14), SLE patients (n= 7) with anti-dsDNA Abs positive Farr test, as well as from healthy controls (n= 7) were collected. IgGs and IgMs were purified from sera. Ten different types of oligonucleotides (OG) were spotted over the chip surface of SPRi. Kinetic SPRi study was also performed. All sera from both patients and controls showed a reactivity signal on SPRi, nevertheless when monoclonal mouse anti-IgGs were injected after the sera injection, only for AIH patients the signal was still evident, being lower for SLE patients and controls. When purified IgGs from sera were injected an interaction signal with OG was observed only for AIH patients. Mean IgGs koff were comparable among patients, meaning they have the same dissociation kinetic. SPRi method identifies interactions between sera from AIH, SLE patients and controls and dsDNA of OG used. However using purified IgGs a binding signal is observed only for AIH. These results suggest that immunocomplex found in AIH and SLE patients are different, in SLE patients the complex might require a third partner, or probably, recognize a specific dsDNA conformation. Results from our work suggest that new promising methods can be applied both in clinical and laboratory field for the comprehension and monitoring of autoimmune hepatitis

FIP200 Claw Domain Binding to p62 Promotes Autophagosome Formation at Ubiquitin Condensates

The autophagy cargo receptor p62 facilitates the condensation of misfolded, ubiquitin-positive proteins and their degradation by autophagy, but the molecular mechanism of p62 signaling to the core autophagy machinery is unclear. Here, we show that disordered residues 326–380 of p62 directly interact with the C-terminal region (CTR) of FIP200. Crystal structure determination shows that the FIP200 CTR contains a dimeric globular domain that we designated the “Claw” for its shape. The interaction of p62 with FIP200 is mediated by a positively charged pocket in the Claw, enhanced by p62 phosphorylation, mutually exclusive with the binding of p62 to LC3B, and it promotes degradation of ubiquitinated cargo by autophagy. Furthermore, the recruitment of the FIP200 CTR slows the phase separation of ubiquitinated proteins by p62 in a reconstituted system. Our data provide the molecular basis for a crosstalk between cargo condensation and autophagosome formation

Depression and anxiety disorders in children and adolescents with velo-cardio-facial syndrome (VCFS)

Velo-cardio-facial syndrome (VCFS) is characterized by a high prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders in childhood and adolescence. These disorders are a source of great impairment in everyday functioning, as well as important risk factors for the emergence of later psychotic disorders. Impairment in daily and social functioning as well as loss of IQ throughout growth are also are well-established correlates of the VCFS. This study aimed to confirm the high prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders. The second objective was to ascertain the correlation between anxious and depressive symptoms and the decline in adaptive and cognitive functioning. A total of 73 children and adolescents with VCFS (mean age 11.9years) underwent psychiatric evaluation. Subjects were further divided into four age groups: ages 6-9, 9-12, 12-15 and 15-18years. Assessments measuring intelligence, anxious and depressive symptoms, and adaptation skills reported by parents were submitted to a subsample of 62 children (mean age 12.2years); 62.2% of the sample showed an anxiety disorder, specific phobia being the most represented at all ages. Lifetime depression concerned 27% of the sample, peaking at age 12-15years. Anxious and depressive symptoms and low IQ were significantly associated with low adaptive functioning. Anxiety and depression are common disorders in children and adolescents with VCFS and have a great impact on adaptive functioning. Clinicians should pay great attention to diagnosis and treatmen

Loneliness, social integration, and incident dementia over 6 years: prospective findings from the English longitudinal study of ageing

Objectives: Social relationships are important for the maintenance of cognitive function at older ages, with both objective features of social networks and perceived social connections (loneliness) being relevant. There is limited evidence about how different aspects of social experience predict diagnosed dementia. Methods: The sample comprised 6,677 dementia-free individuals at baseline (2004) from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Baseline information on loneliness, number of close relationships, marital status, and social isolation (contact with family and friends and participation in organizations) was analyzed in relation to incident dementia over an average 6.25 years using Cox regression, controlling for potential confounding factors. Results: Two hundred twenty participants developed dementia during follow-up. In multivariable analyses, dementia risk was positively related to greater loneliness (hazard ratio 1.40, 95% confidence interval 1.09-1.80, p = .008), and inversely associated with number of close relationships (p < .001) and being married (p = .018). Sensitivity analyses testing for reverse causality and different criteria for diagnosing dementia confirmed the robustness of these findings. There was no association with social isolation. Discussion: Dementia risk is associated with loneliness and having fewer close relationships in later life. The underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated, but efforts to enhance older peoples' relationship quality may be relevant to dementia risk

Exciton Footprint of Self-assembled AlGaAs Quantum Dots in Core-Shell Nanowires

Quantum-dot-in-nanowire systems constitute building blocks for advanced photonics and sensing applications. The electronic symmetry of the emitters impacts their function capabilities. Here, we study the fine structure of gallium-rich quantum dots nested in the shell of GaAs-AlGaAs core-shell nanowires. We used optical spectroscopy to resolve the splitting resulting from the exchange terms and extract the main parameters of the emitters. Our results indicate that the quantum dots can host neutral as well as charges excitonic complexes and that the excitons exhibit a slightly elongated footprint, with the main axis tilted with respect to the growth axis. GaAs-AlGaAs emitters in a nanowire are particularly promising for overcoming the limitations set by strain in other systems, with the benefit of being integrated in a versatile photonic structure

Fingolimod Modulates Dendritic Architecture in a BDNF-Dependent Manner

The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays crucial roles in both the developing and mature brain. Moreover, alterations in BDNF levels are correlated with the cognitive impairment observed in several neurological diseases. Among the different therapeutic strategies developed to improve endogenous BDNF levels is the administration of the BDNF-inducing drug Fingolimod, an agonist of the sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor. Fingolimod treatment was shown to rescue diverse symptoms associated with several neurological conditions (i.e., Alzheimer disease, Rett syndrome). However, the cellular mechanisms through which Fingolimod mediates its BDNF-dependent therapeutic effects remain unclear. We show that Fingolimod regulates the dendritic architecture, dendritic spine density and morphology of healthy mature primary hippocampal neurons. Moreover, the application of Fingolimod upregulates the expression of activity-related proteins c-Fos and pERK1/2 in these cells. Importantly, we show that BDNF release is required for these actions of Fingolimod. As alterations in neuronal structure underlie cognitive impairment, we tested whether Fingolimod application might prevent the abnormalities in neuronal structure typical of two neurodevelopmental disorders, namely Rett syndrome and Cdk5 deficiency disorder. We found a significant rescue in the neurite architecture of developing cortical neurons from Mecp2 and Cdkl5 mutant mice. Our study provides insights into understanding the BDNF-dependent therapeutic actions of Fingolimod

Building resilient cities: climate change and health interlinkages in the planning of public spaces

Greenhouse gases emissions resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels are worsening air quality and affecting the climate system. While climate change impacts on meteorological variables affects air quality by altering the concentration and distribution of pollutants, air pollution significantly influences the climate, leading to negative impacts on human health. Due to the combination of high temperatures, air pollution, and high population density, cities are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts. The planning and design of public spaces aimed at climate change mitigation and adaptation can result in multiple co-benefits for human health, while reducing social inequalities. To address the major research gaps in the communication between health and planning experts, and the lack of capacity among public sectors and policy makers, it is necessary to promote capacity building and knowledge sharing between the planning and health sectors. The purpose of this article is to develop preliminary recommendations for a process that allows a comprehensive assessment of the interlinkages between climate and health, social, environmental, and economic vulnerabilities, and the quality of the urban spaces, to support local governments, policymakers, and education institutions in making informed decisions for public spaces. The methods applied were a literature review and interviews with experts.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version