Modelling state dependence and feedback effects between poverty, employment and parental home emancipation among European youth

Youth is one of the phases in the life-cycle when some of the most decisivelife transitions take place. Entering the labour market or leaving parentalhome are events with important consequences for the economic well-beingof young adults. In this paper, the interrelationship between employment,residential emancipation and poverty dynamics is studied for eight Europeancountries by means of an econometric model with feedback effects. Resultsshow that youth poverty genuine state dependence is positive and highly significant.Evidence proves there is a strong causal effect between poverty andleaving home in Scandinavian countries, however, time in economic hardshipdoes not last long. In Southern Europe, instead, youth tend to leave theirparental home much later in order to avoid falling into a poverty state that ismore persistent. Past poverty has negative consequences on the likelihood ofemployment.

Parental altruism under imperfect information: Theory and evidence

Can we reconcile the predictions of the altruism model of the family withthe evidence on parental monetary transfers in the US? This paper providesa new assessment of this question. I expand the altruism model by introducingeffort of the child and by relaxing the assumption of perfect informationof the parent about the labor market opportunities of the child. First,I solve and simulate a model of altruism and labor supply under imperfectinformation. Second, I use cross-sectional data to test the following prediction of the model: Are parental transfers especially responsive tothe income variations of children who are very attached to the labor market? The results of the analysis suggest that imperfect informationaccounts for many of the patterns of intergenerational transfers in theUS.

Involvement of Dab1 in APP processing and [beta]-amyloid deposition in sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob patients.

Alzheimer"s disease and prion pathologies (e.g., Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease) display profound neural lesions associated with aberrant protein processing and extracellular amyloid deposits. For APP processing, emerging data suggest that the adaptor protein Dab1 plays a relevant role in regulating its intracellular trafficking and secretase-mediated proteolysis. Although some data have been presented, a putative relationship between human prion diseases and Dab1/APP interactions is lacking. Therefore, we have studied the putative relation between Dab1, APP processing and Aβ deposition, targets in sCJD cases. Our biochemical results categorized two groups of sCJD cases, which also correlated with PrPsc types 1 and 2 respectively. One group, with PrPsc type 1 showed increased Dab1 phosphorylation, and lower βCTF production with an absence of Aβ deposition. The second sCJD group, which carried PrPsc type 2, showed lower levels of Dab1 phosphorylation and βCTF production, similar to control cases. Relevant Aβ deposition in the second sCJD group was measured. Thus, a direct correlation between Dab1 phosphorylation, Aβ deposition and PrPsc type in human sCJD is presented for the first time.

PDMP blocks brefeldin a-induced retrograde membrane transport from Golgi to ER: evidence for involvement of calcium homeostasis and dissociation from sphingolipid metabolism

In this study, we show that an inhibitor of sphingolipid biosynthesis, d,l-threo-1-phenyl-2- decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (PDMP), inhibits brefeldin A (BFA)-induced retrograde membrane transport from Golgi to endoplasmic reticulum (ER). If BFA treatment was combined with or preceded by PDMP administration to cells, disappearance of discrete Golgi structures did not occur. However, when BFA was allowed to exert its effect before PDMP addition, PDMP could not ¿rescue¿ the Golgi compartment. Evidence is presented showing that this action of PDMP is indirect, which means that the direct target is not sphingolipid metabolism at the Golgi apparatus. A fluorescent analogue of PDMP, 6-(N-[7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl]amino)hexanoyl-PDMP (C6-NBD-PDMP), did not localize in the Golgi apparatus. Moreover, the effect of PDMP on membrane flow did not correlate with impaired C6-NBD-sphingomyelin biosynthesis and was not mimicked by exogenous C6-ceramide addition or counteracted by exogenous C6-glucosylceramide addition. On the other hand, the PDMP effect was mimicked by the multidrug resistance protein inhibitor MK571. The effect of PDMP on membrane transport correlated with modulation of calcium homeostasis, which occurred in a similar concentration range. PDMP released calcium from at least two independent calcium stores and blocked calcium influx induced by either extracellular ATP or thapsigargin. Thus, the biological effects of PDMP revealed a relation between three important physiological processes of multidrug resistance, calcium homeostasis, and membrane flow in the ER/ Golgi system.

Adaptación psicosocial en niños adoptados internacionalmente: percepción personal y parental

Objetivo: Evaluar el nivel de adaptación psicosocial en la mediana infancia en ni nos adoptados internacionalmente en Espa na. Material y métodos: Ciento un menores adoptados internacionalmente (67% ni nas), de entre 8 y 12 a nos, y sus respectivos padres adoptivos (97 madres y 67 padres) completaron el Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC). Se realizaron análisis descriptivos y de comparación de medias (t de Student y Anova) para examinar el efecto de las variables sexo, edad de adopción, edad actual y área de origen en las escalas y dimensiones globales del BASC para cada informante, y se efectuaron análisis de regresión lineal múltiple para conocer su valor predictivo. El acuerdo entre madres y padres se calculó mediante el coeficiente de correlación intraclase (CCI). Los porcentajes de menores en el rango normal y con sintomatología en las dimensiones globales se contrastaron con los teóricos mediante la prueba de la chi al cuadrado. Resultados: Se constata que los ni nos están en general bien adaptados, independientemente del informante. Existen diferencias adaptativas dentro de la normalidad según el área de origen,sexo y edad actual del los ni nos. El CCI presenta un intervalo entre 0,46 (satisfactorio) y 0,84 (excelente). En comparación con el grupo normativo, un mayor porcentaje de ni nos presenta desajuste escolar (24,8%; informado por los ni nos), problemas externalizados (el 27,8 y el 28,3%, informados por las madres y los padres, respectivamente) y dificultades comportamentales y adaptativas (el 28,4 y el 29,9%, respectivamente; informadas por los padres). Conclusiones: Entorno a un 25% de menores adoptados internacionalmente presenta dificultades en áreas adaptativas básicas, identificadas con claridad mediante el uso del BASC, que deben ser atendidas desde un enfoque psicológico y paidológico.

The Social Politics of Fatherhood in Spain and France: a Comparative Analysis of Parental Leave and Shared Residence

The Social Politics of Fatherhood in Spain and France: A Comparative Analysis of Parental Leave and Shared Residence The article provides a comparative analysis of policy developments on leaves for fathers and joint custody in Spain and France in the last decade. These two types of measures have been selected because they are both widely recognised as main instruments to promote new fathering styles and consequently more gender equality in the European Union. While the rhetoric of choice has been developed in both countries in relation to maternal employment and childcare, with better results in France than in Spain, it remains to be seen to what extent choice will also be extended to fathers. Keywords: Fatherhood. Family. Comparative social policy. Parental leave. Joint custody.

Evolution and cellular function of monothiol glutaredoxins: involvement in iron-sulphur cluster assembly

A number of bacterial species, mostly proteobacteria, possess monothiol glutaredoxins homologous to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondrial protein Grx5, which is involved in iron–sulphur cluster synthesis. Phylogenetic profiling is used to predict that bacterial monothiol glutaredoxins also participate in the iron–sulphur cluster (ISC) assembly machinery, because their phylogenetic profiles are similar to the profiles of the bacterial homologues of yeast ISC proteins. High evolutionary cooccurrence is observed between the Grx5 homologues and the homologues of the Yah1 ferredoxin, the scaffold proteins Isa1 and Isa2, the frataxin protein Yfh1 and the Nfu1 protein. This suggests that a specific functional interaction exists between these ISC machinery proteins. Physical interaction analyses using low-definition protein docking predict the formation of strong and specific complexes between Grx5 and several components of the yeast ISC machinery. Two-hybrid analysis has confirmed the in vivo interaction between Grx5 and Isa1. Sequence comparison techniques and cladistics indicate that the other two monothiol glutaredoxins of S. cerevisiae, Grx3 and Grx4, have evolved from the fusion of a thioredoxin gene with a monothiol glutaredoxin gene early in the eukaryotic lineage, leading to differential functional specialization. While bacteria do not contain these chimaeric glutaredoxins, in many eukaryotic species Grx5 and Grx3/4-type monothiol glutaredoxins coexist in the cell.

Hepatocyte nuclear factor-4 alpha regulates the human apolipoprotein AV gene: Identification of a novel response element and involvement in the control by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1 alpha, AMP-activated protein kinase, and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway

The recently discovered apolipoprotein AV (apoAV) gene has been reported to be a key player in modulating plasma triglyceride levels. Here we identify the hepatocyte nuclear factor-4 (HNF-4 ) as a novel regulator of human apoAV gene. Inhibition of HNF-4 expression by small interfering RNA resulted in down-regulation of apoAV. Deletion, mutagenesis, and binding assays revealed that HNF-4 directly regulates human apoAV promoter through DR1 [a direct repeat separated by one nucleotide (nt)], and via a novel element for HNF-4 consisting of an inverted repeat separated by 8 nt (IR8). In addition, we show that the coactivator peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor- coactivator-1 was capable of stimulating the HNF-4 -dependent transactivation of apoAV promoter. Furthermore, analyses in human hepatic cells demonstrated that AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and the MAPK signaling pathway regulate human apoAV expression and suggested that this regulation may be mediated, at least in part, by changes in HNF-4 . Intriguingly, EMSAs and mice with a liver-specific disruption of the HNF-4 gene revealed a species-distinct regulation of apoAV by HNF-4 , which resembles that of a subset of HNF-4 target genes. Taken together, our data provide new insights into the binding properties and the modulation of HNF-4 and underscore the role of HNF-4 in regulating triglyceride metabolism.

Genetic origin of the relationship between parental negativity and behavior problems from early childhood to adolescence: A longitudinal genetically sensitive study.

Little is known about how genetic and environmental factors contribute to the association between parental negativity and behavior problems from early childhood to adolescence. The current study fitted a cross-lagged model in a sample consisting of 4,075 twin pairs to explore (a) the role of genetic and environmental factors in the relationship between parental negativity and behavior problems from age 4 to age 12, (b) whether parent-driven and child-driven processes independently explain the association, and (c) whether there are sex differences in this relationship. Both phenotypes showed substantial genetic influence at both ages. The concurrent overlap between them was mainly accounted for by genetic factors. Causal pathways representing stability of the phenotypes and parent-driven and child-driven effects significantly and independently account for the association. Significant but slight differences were found between males and females for parent-driven effects. These results were highly similar when general cognitive ability was added as a covariate. In summary, the longitudinal association between parental negativity and behavior problems seems to be bidirectional and mainly accounted for by genetic factors. Furthermore, child-driven effects were mainly genetically mediated, and parent-driven effects were a function of both genetic and shared-environmental factors.

The determinants of contractual choice for private involvement in infrastructure projects in the United States

Reliance on private partners to help provide infrastructure investment and service delivery is increasing in the United States. Numerous studies have examined the determinants of the degree of private participation in infrastructure projects as governed by contract type. We depart from this simple public/private dichotomy by examining a rich set of contractual arrangements. We utilize both municipal and state-level data on 472 projects of various types completed between 1985 and 2008. Our estimates indicate that infrastructure characteristics, particularly those that reflect stand alone versus network characteristics, are key factors influencing the extent of private participation. Fiscal variables, such as a jurisdiction’s relative debt level, and basic controls, such as population and locality of government, increase the degree of private participation, while a greater tax burden reduces private participation.

Acción educativa para la prevención y el tratamiento de la neglicencia parental en el barrio de Can Rull del municipio de Sabadell

Este trabajo se inscribe en el ámbito de la prevención de la negligencia parental. Basado en un proceso teórico-práctico, el programa de intervención está sujeto a la línea de los programas de formación de padres, por lo que sigue una dinámica psico-educativa y comunitaria. Para la realización del trabajo se ha partido de la idea que la familia es la base del desarrollo personal de los humanos y que el buen desarrollo de los menores dependerá en gran parte de las relaciones intrafamiliares. Se establece como objetivo principal ofrecer un servicio específico, estable y continuo, vinculado a los servicios de atención a la infancia y a la familia, que trabaje con el fin de conseguir un cambio conductual en aquellas familias en las que se presente una dinámica parental negligente. La metodología utilizada ha combinado diferentes técnicas de investigación. Para el trabajo de documentación se ha realizado una búsqueda bibliográfica alrededor del concepto de negligencia parental, se han analizado las acciones que se llevan a cabo a nivel institucional y se ha establecido el marco conceptual en el que se incluye tanto los aspectos legal de las diferentes áreas de la administración como aquellos conceptos que forman la estructura de una intervención en el ámbito de la infancia y la familia. También se ha tenido en cuenta la comunicación directa con algunos profesionales del ámbito social, sanitario y educativo como parte importante y determinante del proceso de ejecución del programa. El diseño del programa sigue la metodología del planeamiento estratégico e incluye un diagnóstico preliminar, un plan de acción detallado de las diferentes fases de implementación de la propuesta de intervención, la previsión de mecanismos de evaluación y un presupuesto detallado. En la primera parte del trabajo se refleja la gravedad y el impacto que tiene la negligencia parental en nuestra sociedad, observando la evolución histórica del concepto y la visualización de la problemática a la que va asociado. También se expone la necesidad de crear programas destinados a trabajar esta problemática y una revisión del marco legal que regula la atención a la infancia por parte de las administraciones públicas. En una segunda parte, se propone un programa específico destinado a trabajar la negligencia parental desde una perspectiva de reeducación y cambio conductual. Este proyecto de intervención se ubica en el barrio de Can Rull en Sabadell, del cual se detallan sus especificidades socioeconómicas y su realidad institucional.

Developmental and tissue-specific involvement of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha in the control of mouse uncoupling protein-3 gene expression.

Uncoupling protein-3 (UCP3) is a member of the mitochondrial carrier family expressed preferentially in skeletal muscle and heart. It appears to be involved in metabolic handling of fatty acids in a way that minimizes excessive production of reactive oxygen species. Fatty acids are powerful regulators of UCP3 gene transcription. We have found that the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) on the control of UCP3 gene expression depends on the tissue and developmental stage. In adults, UCP3 mRNA expression is unaltered in skeletal muscle from PPARα-null mice both in basal conditions and under the stimulus of starvation. In contrast, UCP3 mRNA is down-regulated in adult heart both in fed and fasted PPARα-null mice. This occurs despite the increased levels of free fatty acids caused by fasting in PPARα-null mice. In neonates, PPARα-null mice show impaired UCP3 mRNA expression in skeletal muscle in response to milk intake, and this is not a result of reduced free fatty acid levels. The murine UCP3 promoter is activated by fatty acids through either PPARα or PPARδ but not by PPARγ or retinoid X receptor alone. PPARδ-dependent activation could be a potential compensatory mechanism to ensure appropriate expression of UCP3 gene in adult skeletal muscle in the absence of PPARα. However, among transcripts from other PPARα and PPARδ target genes, only those acutely induced by milk intake in wild-type neonates were altered in muscle or heart from PPARα-null neonates. Thus, PPARα-dependent regulation is required for appropriate gene regulation of UCP3 as part of the subset of fatty-acid-responsive genes in neonatal muscle and heart.

Aeromonas hydrophila flagella glycosylation: involvement of a lipid carrier.

Polar flagellin proteins from Aeromonas hydrophila strain AH-3 (serotype O34) were found to be O-glycosylated with a heterogeneous glycan. Mutants unable to produce WecP or Gne enzymes showed altered motility, and the study of their polar flagellin glycosylation showed that the patterns of glycosylation differed from that observed with wild type polar flagellin. This suggested the involvement of a lipid carrier in glycosylation. A gene coding for an enzyme linking sugar to a lipid carrier was identified in strain AH-3 (WecX) and subsequent mutation abolished completely motility, flagella production by EM, and flagellin glycosylation. This is the first report of a lipid carrier involved in flagella O-glycosylation. A molecular model has been proposed. The results obtained suggested that the N-acetylhexosamines are N-acetylgalactosamines and that the heptasaccharide is completely independent of the O34-antigen lipopolysaccharide. Furthermore, by comparing the mutants with differing degrees of polar flagellin glycosylation, we established their importance in A. hydrophila flagella formation and motility.

Parental body condition does not correlate with offspring sex-ratio in Cory's shearwater

We analyzed offspring sex ratio variation in Mediterranean Cory's Shearwater (Calonectris d. diomedea) during two consecutive breeding seasons in two colonies. We test for differential breeding conditions between years and colonies looking at several breeding parameters and parental condition. We then explored the relationship between offspring sex ratio and parental condition and breeding parameters. This species is sexually dimorphic with males larger and heavier than females; consequently we expected differential parental cost in rearing sexes, or a greater sensitivity of male chicks to adverse conditions, which may lead to biased sex ratios. Chicks were sexed molecularly by the amplification of the CHD genes. Offspring sex ratio did not differ from parity, either at hatching or fledging, regardless of the colony or year. However, parental body condition and breeding parameters such as egg size and breeding success were different between years and colonies. Nevertheless, neither nestling mortality nor body condition at fledging varied between years or colonies, suggesting that male and female chicks were probably not differentially affected by variability in breeding conditions.

The Social Politics of Fatherhood in Spain and France: a Comparative Analysis of Parental Leave and Shared Residence

The Social Politics of Fatherhood in Spain and France: A Comparative Analysis of Parental Leave and Shared Residence The article provides a comparative analysis of policy developments on leaves for fathers and joint custody in Spain and France in the last decade. These two types of measures have been selected because they are both widely recognised as main instruments to promote new fathering styles and consequently more gender equality in the European Union. While the rhetoric of choice has been developed in both countries in relation to maternal employment and childcare, with better results in France than in Spain, it remains to be seen to what extent choice will also be extended to fathers. Keywords: Fatherhood. Family. Comparative social policy. Parental leave. Joint custody.