Political efficacy and interest as mediators of expected political participation among Belgian adolescents

Abstract

Citizenship education intends to prepare students to become politically active citizens. However, studies investigating the relationship between citizenship education and political participation have largely neglected the mediating role of political attitudes. This study examines whether political efficacy and political interest are mediators of expected political participation, using the data of the Belgian (Flemish) sample of the ICCS 2016 study. The results indicate that three educational strategies (i.e., classroom discussions, civic learning opportunities, and student participation at school) are positively associated with expected political participation (i.e., institutionalized and noninstitutionalized participation) in a distinct way. A substantial part of this relationship is mediated by political interest and political efficacy. Future research should take this underlying mechanism into account when studying the development of civic engagement amongst adolescents in a school context. The findings of this study call for a broad approach to citizenship education for the development of political attitudes, as well as behavior.     

An improved Tn7-based system for the single-copy insertion of cloned genes into chromosomes of gram-negative bacteria.

A system is described for the single-copy, stable insertion of cloned DNA sequences into the chromosomes of Gram- bacteria. Two narrow-host-range plasmids form the basis of this system: the 'carrier' plasmid contains the mini Tn7-Km transposon, into which foreign DNA can be cloned; the 'helper' plasmid provides the Tn7 transposition functions in trans. Both plasmids are readily transferred into Gram- bacteria by conjugation. The functionality of this system has been demonstrated in Rhodospirillum rubrum.     

Redundant and non-redundant roles of the trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatases in leaf growth,root hair specification and energy-responses in Arabidopsis

The Arabidopsis trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase (TPP) gene family arose mainly from whole genome duplication events and consists of 10 genes (TPPA-J). All the members encode active TPP enzymes, possibly regulating the levels of trehalose-6-phosphate, an established signaling metabolite in plants. GUS activity studies revealed tissue-, cell- and stage-specific expression patterns for the different members of the TPP gene family. Here we list additional examples of the remarkable features of the TPP gene family. TPPA-J expression levels seem, in most of the cases, differently regulated in response to light, darkness and externally supplied sucrose. Disruption of the TPPB gene leads to Arabidopsis plants with larger leaves, which is the result of an increased cell number in the leaves. Arabidopsis TPPA and TPPG are preferentially expressed in atrichoblast cells. TPPA and TPPG might fulfill redundant roles during the differentiation process of root epidermal cells, since the tppa tppg double mutant displays a hairy root phenotype, while the respective single knockouts have a distribution of trichoblast and atrichoblast cells similar to the wild type. These new data portray redundant and non-redundant functions of the TPP proteins in regulatory pathways of Arabidopsis.     

Angelman's syndrome and 15q11-q13 deletion

We discuss the results of cytogenetic reinvestigation in 10 patients with Angelman's syndrome reexamined during the last year. A deletion with 15q11-13 could be demonstrated in 6 of them, confirming that with the available cytogenetic techniques a 15q11-13 deletion is visible and detectable in at least half of the patients with this MCA/MR syndrome. On the other hand, the deletion could not be seen in two affected siblings. This indicates that de novo visible 15q11-13 deletions with low recurrence risk and autosomal recessively inherited cases combine to give an overall sib recurrence risk of less than 25%.     

Nucleotide sequence of gene cryIIID encoding a novel coleopteran-active crystal protein from strain BTI109P of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki.

The nucleotide sequence of a novel insecticidal crystal protein(Cry)-encoding gene from a Bacillus thuringiensis serotype kurstaki isolate is described. The gene is related to the known coleopteran-active cryIII genes and encodes a CryIIID that is much more active against Colorado potato beetle than other CryIII.     

Famotidine, the new antiulcero-genic agent, a potent ligand for metal ions.

Potentiometric, polarographic, and spectroscopic results obtained for Cu2+ and Ni(2+)-famotidine systems clearly indicated that this anti-ulcerogenic drug is a very potent chelating agent able to coordinate cupric ion that was at pH below 2. This drug exhibits excellent histamine H2 receptor blocking effects and its effective coordination to metal ions may have significant biological implications. Famotidine is found to be a very effective ligand for Ni2+ ions also.