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The German Public and its Trust in the ECB: The Role of Knowledge and Information Search
No full textIn this paper, we analyse the effects of objective and subjective knowledge about mone-tary policy, as well as the information search patterns, of German citizens on trust in the ECB. We rely on a unique representative public opinion survey of German households conducted in 2011. We find that subjective and factual knowledge, as well as the desire to be informed, about the ECB foster citizens’ trust. Specific knowledge about the ECB is more influential than general monetary policy knowledge. Objective knowledge is more important than subjective knowledge. However, an increasing intensity of media usage, especially newspaper reading, has a significantly negative influence on trust. We con-clude that the only viable way for the ECB to generate more trust in itself is to spread monetary policy knowledge
The human splenic microcirculation is entirely open as shown by 3D models in virtual reality
No full textThe human spleen is equipped with an organ-specific microcirculation. The initial part of the venous circulation is formed by spleen-specific large microvessels, the sinuses. Sinuses eventually fuse to form venules and veins. For more than 170 years there have been debates, whether splenic red pulp capillaries join sinuses, i.e., whether the microcirculation is closed or open—or even simultaneously closed and open. We have now solved this question by three-dimensional reconstruction of a limited number of immunostained serial sections of red and white pulp areas, which were visualized in virtual reality. Splenic capillaries have special end structures exhibiting multiple small diverging endothelial cell processes, which always keep a certain distance to the walls of sinuses. Only very few capillary ends were difficult to diagnose. Positive identification of these end structures permits to conclude that the human splenic microcirculation is entirely open. This is also true for the perifollicular capillary network and for capillaries close to red pulp venules. Follicles are supplied by a relatively dense open perifollicular capillary net, which is primarily, but not exclusively, fed by sheathed and few non-sheathed capillaries from the surrounding red pulp network.Gefördert durch den Open-Access-Publikationsfonds der UB Marburg
Proteolytische Aktivierung von Klasse I Membranfusionsproteinen von Zaire-Ebolavirus und SARS-CoV-2 durch verschiedene Wirtszellproteasen
No full textThe proteolytic processing of viral fusion proteins by host cell proteases is a prerequisite for the replication and infectivity of enveloped viruses. The identification of relevant proteases involved in virus activation is therefore an important step towards the development of host protease inhibitors as antiviral strategies.
In this study the proteolytic activation mechanisms of the class I fusion proteins of Zaire ebolavirus (ZEBOV) and the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus (CoV) 2, which both possess two cleavage sites, were investigated. The fusion protein S of SARS-CoV-2 contains two distinct cleavage sites, with a multibasic motif at the S1/S2 site and a monobasic motif at the S2' site. Co-expression in 293F cells and infection studies in Calu-3 cells in the presence and absence of protease inhibitors revealed proteolytic activation by furin and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2). Both proteases have been shown to be essential for efficient replication of SARS-CoV-2, as they were not able to compensate for each other. In contrast, in vitro experiments revealed a highly complex processing mechanism for the ZEBOV GP beyond the described classical proteolytic activation by furin and endosomal cathepsin B and L. The "non-cleavable" ZEBOV GP_AGTAA furin cleavage mutant was shown to be processed into the 20 kDa fusion competent GP2 by TMPRSS2 and cathepsin L at so far unknown positions. Moreover, pseudovirus rVSV∆G ZEBOV GP growth kinetics and transcription and replication-competent virus-like particle (trVLP) entry studies in Huh-7, VeroE6 and Vero-TMPRSS2 cells in the presence and absence of protease inhibitors demonstrated, that protease-dependency of ZEBOV GP is determined by the protease repertoire of the respective cell line. Endosomal cathepsins were essential for the entry of ZEBOV GP into Huh-7 cells and combined treatment with inhibitors of furin (MI-1148), cathepsins (E64d) or TMPRSS2 (BAPA or MI-432) was able to completely abolish rVSV∆G ZEBOV GP replication. In contrast, this was not the case for VeroE6 and Vero-TMPRSS2 cells, indicating that ZEBOV GP is able to use other so far unknown protease(s) for the proteolytic processing in Vero cells. Host cell protease cleavage seems to be an essential mechanism for ZEBOV GP replication, as the generation of highly truncated GP variants resulted in either still cleavable or functionally inactive GP.
Additionally the subcellular localization of the host cell protease TMPRSS2, involved in the processing of fusion proteins of many respiratory viruses, including influenza virus HA and SARS-CoV-2 S, was analyzed in Huh-7 cells. TMPRSS2 has been found to accumulate as previously described in the TGN but was furthermore found in the ERGIC and to a certain extent in the recycling and late endosome of TMPRSS2-overexpressing Huh-7 cells.Die proteolytische Prozessierung viraler Fusionsproteine durch Wirtszellproteasen ist eine Voraussetzung für die Replikation und Infektiosität umhüllter Viren. Die Identifizierung der Proteasen, die an der Aktivierung beteiligt sind, ist daher ein wichtiger Schritt zur Entwicklung von Wirtszellproteaseinhibitoren als antivirale Strategien.
In dieser Studie sollten die proteolytischen Aktivierungsmechanismen der Klasse I Fusionsproteine des Zaire-Ebolavirus (ZEBOV) und des neuartigen schweren akuten respiratorischen Syndrom (SARS) Coronavirus (CoV) 2 untersucht werden. Beide Viren werden durch die proteolytische Spaltung an zwei Stellen innerhalb des Fusionsproteins aktiviert. Das Fusionsprotein S des neuen SARS-CoV-2 besitzt zwei unterschiedliche Spaltstellen, mit einem multibasischen Motiv an der S1/S2 Stelle und einem monobasischen Motiv an der S2' Stelle. Co-Expression in 293F Zellen sowie Infektionsstudien in Calu-3 Zellen in An- und Abwesenheit von Proteaseinhibitoren zeigten die proteolytische Aktivierung durch Furin und die transmembrane Serinprotease 2 (TMPRSS2). Beide Proteasen erwiesen sich als essenziell für eine effiziente Replikation von SARS-CoV-2, da sie sich nicht gegenseitig kompensieren konnten. Im Gegensatz dazu zeigten In-vitro-Experimente einen hochkomplexen Prozessierungsmechanismus für das ZEBOV GP jenseits der beschriebenen klassischen proteolytischen Aktivierung durch Furin und endosomales Cathepsin B und L. Es wurde gezeigt, dass die zuvor als „nicht spaltbar“ bezeichnete ZEBOV GP_AGTAA Furin-Spaltstellenmutante durch TMPRSS2 und Cathepsin L an bisher unbekannten Positionen in das 20 kDa fusionskompetente GP2 gespalten werden konnte. Darüber hinaus zeigten rVSV∆G ZEBOV GP Pseudovirus-Wachstumskinetiken und Eintrittsstudien mit transkriptions- und replikatioskompetenten Virus-ähnlichen Partikeln (trVLPs) in Huh-7-, VeroE6- und Vero-TMPRSS2-Zellen in An- und Abwesenheit von Proteaseinhibitoren, dass die Proteaseabhängigkeit von ZEBOV GP je nach Proteaserepertoire der jeweiligen Zelllinie variieren kann. Endosomale Cathepsine waren hierbei essenziell für den Eintritt von ZEBOV GP in Huh-7 Zellen und eine kombinierte Behandlung mit Inhibitoren gegen Furin (MI-1148), endosomale Cathepsine (E64d) oder TMPRSS2 (BAPA oder MI-432) war in der Lage, die rVSV∆G ZEBOV GP Replikation vollständig zu inhibieren. Dies war im Gegensatz dazu bei VeroE6- und Vero-TMPRSS2 Zellen nicht der Fall, was darauf hindeutet, dass ZEBOV GP in der Lage ist, andere bisher unbekannte Protease(n) für die proteolytische Prozessierung zu verwenden. Die Spaltung durch Wirtszellproteasen scheint ein wesentlicher Mechanismus für die ZEBOV GP Replikation zu sein, da die Erzeugung stark verkürzter GP-Varianten entweder zu noch spaltbarem oder funktionell inaktivem GP führte.
Zusätzlich wurde die subzelluläre Lokalisierung der Wirtszellprotease TMPRSS2, die an der Prozessierung der Fusionsproteine vieler respiratorischer Viren, darunter Influenzavirus HA und SARS-CoV-2 S, beteiligt ist, in Huh-7-Zellen analysiert. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass TMPRSS2 wie zuvor beschrieben im TGN akkumuliert, darüber hinaus aber auch im ERGIC und zu einem gewissen Grad im Recycling- und spätem Endosomen von TMPRSS2-überexprimierenden Huh-7 Zellen lokalisiert ist
Efficient Energy Transfer and Singlet Fission in Co-Deposited Thin Films of Pentacene and Anthradithiophene
No full textCo-deposited molecular heterostructures with statistical intermixing of theconstituents are attractive candidates to tune the optical and the transportproperties, as well as the ability to promote photophysical processes likesinglet fission. In order to comprehend and control the singlet fissionmechanism in these systems, it is of utmost interest to study the underlyingexcited state dynamics. In this work, thin films of anthradithiophene blendedwith the efficient singlet fission material pentacene are investigated by meansof time-resolved and temperature-dependent photoluminescencespectroscopy with a time resolution of a few picoseconds. The analysis of thephotoluminescence dynamics points toward efficient funneling of excitonsfrom anthradithiophene via isolated pentacene molecules to agglomerates ofpentacene, where eventually singlet fission occurs. The efficient and largelytemperature-independent quenching of the luminescence inanthradithiophene is attributed to a favorable cascade-like alignment of theenergy levels, and it is hypothesized that Förster resonance energy transfer isthe main driving mechanism for exciton transport to pentacene agglomerates.The system investigated here can serve as a blueprint for the design of othermolecular heterostructures with spatially separated light harvesting andsinglet fission regions.Gefördert durch den Open-Access-Publikationsfonds der UB Marburg
Determinants of local public expenditures on education: Empirical evidence for Indonesian districts between 2005 and 2012
No full textWe provide an empirical analysis of the factors that drive expenditures on primary and secondary education in Indonesian districts. We use a panel-data set covering 398 districts between 2005 and 2012. We account for the impact of socio-economic, political and geographical factors on expenditures per pupil and on the share of the overall budget spent on education. Our results are in line studies from other countries showing that educational expenditures are rising in the municipalities’ fiscal capacity. Landlocked districts are found to spend less on education than non-landlocked ones. We find some support for the notion that the share of educational expenditures in total expenditures increases in the demand for education, though our indicators for demand are not associated with higher expenditures per pupil. Somewhat surprisingly, the characteristics of the local municipal council do not influence educational expenditures
Ukraine Invasion and Votes in favour of Russia in the UN General Assembly
No full textWhy did some countries vote not to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at the United National General Assembly’s first emergency session since 1997? Our study examines different economic, political, geographic and historical reasons behind the voting behaviour of several countries in favour of Russia. Probit regressions show that higher dependence on military exports from Russia, years ruled by leftists, access to Russian markets for exports, being a major recipient of Russian aid, being former members of Soviet Union and sharing borders with Russia are positively associated with the probability of voting in favour of Russia. Factors which reduce the probability of support for Russia over the Ukraine invasion are higher levels of civil and political freedom within a country and percentage of exports from Russia to partners in total Russia exports
Pre-movement event-related potentials and multivariate pattern of EEG encode action outcome prediction
No full textSelf-initiated movements are accompanied by an efference copy, a motor command sent from motor regions to the sensory cortices, containing a prediction of the movement's sensory outcome. Previous studies have proposed pre-motor event-related potentials (ERPs), including the readiness potential (RP) and its lateralized sub-component (LRP), as potential neural markers of action feedback prediction. However, it is not known how specific these neural markers are for voluntary (active) movements as compared to involuntary (passive) movements, which produce much of the same sensory feedback (tactile, proprioceptive) but are not accompanied by an efference copy. The goal of the current study was to investigate how active and passive movements are distinguishable from premotor electroencephalography (EEG), and to examine if this change of neural activity differs when participants engage in tasks that differ in their expectation of sensory outcomes. Participants made active (self-initiated) or passive (finger moved by device) finger movements that led to either visual or auditory stimuli (100 ms delay), or to no immediate contingency effects (control). We investigated the time window before the movement onset by measuring pre-movement ERPs time-locked to the button press. For RP, we observed an interaction between task and movement. This was driven by movement differences in the visual and auditory but not the control conditions. LRP conversely only showed a main effect of movement. We then used multivariate pattern analysis to decode movements (active vs. passive). The results revealed ramping decoding for all tasks from around −800 ms onwards up to an accuracy of approximately 85% at the movement. Importantly, similar to RP, we observed lower decoding accuracies for the control condition than the visual and auditory conditions, but only shortly (from −200 ms) before the button press. We also decoded visual vs. auditory conditions. Here, task is decodable for both active and passive conditions, but the active condition showed increased decoding shortly before the button press. Taken together, our results provide robust evidence that pre-movement EEG activity may represent action-feedback prediction in which information about the subsequent sensory outcome is encoded.Gefördert durch den Open-Access-Publikationsfonds der UB Marburg
Optimal Monetary and Macroprudential Policy in a Currency Union
No full textThe financial crisis proved strikingly that stabilizing the price level is a neces-
sary but not a sufficient condition to ensure macroeconomic stability. The obvious candidate for addressing systemic risk is macroprudential policy. In this paper we study the optimal monetary and macroprudential policy mix in a currency union in the case of different kinds of aggregate and idiosyncratic shocks. The monetary and macroprudential instruments are modelled as independent tools. With a union-wide macroprudential tool, full absorption on the aggregate level is possible, but welfare losses due to fluctuations in relative variables prevail. With country-specific macroprudential tools, full absorption of shocks is always possible. But it is only optimal as long as there is no ine¢ cient labor allocation. Comparing di¤erent policy regimes, we get the following ranking in terms of welfare: discretion outperforms strict inflation targeting which outperforms a (euro-area based) Taylor Rule
The Long-Term Relationship Between De Jure and De Facto Judicial Independence
No full textWe study the long-term and dynamic relationship between de jure and de facto judicial independence using a large panel dataset covering up to 87 countries and as many as 61 years. In line with the prevailing theoretical view in the literature, our analysis shows a positive relationship between these variables. However, the magnitude of the relationship is quite small. The positive relationship between the two variables is primarily driven by non-OECD countries
The Marginal Propensity to Consume During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from Thailand and Vietnam
No full textIn evaluating surveys conducted in Thailand and Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic, we find that the marginal propensity to consume is significantly larger for positive than for negative income shocks. This result contradicts a prediction from the lifecycle permanent income model with borrowing constraints as well as empirical evidence from industrialized countries. However, our finding is consistent with Kahneman and Tversky’s prospect theory, according to which the combination of income uncertainty and loss aversion can induce households to react more strongly to positive than to negative shocks