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Background Against the backdrop of the cognitive-motivational process model proposed by Vollmeyer and Rheinberg (1998) , this study investigates how the personality trait need for cognition in combination with a specific situation (short and long version of a live-action simulation game), current motivation, and immersion and flow (mediators) predict the learning outcome in the simulation game EVERYDAY LIFE IN THE CLASSROOM ( Starker & Imhof, 2014 ). Methods N = 138 teacher students played the short 2-hour version of the simulation game, and N = 77 played the long 2-day version. Need for cognition, current motivation, immersion, flow, and learning outcome were measured by self-report questionnaires. Results A hierarchical regression analysis was used to determine the impact of the predictor variables (need for cognition, current motivation, immersion, and flow) on the self-evaluated learning outcome. For the 2-hour group, the predictor variables interest, challenge, and immersion (subscale: engagement) impacted self-reported learning outcome significantly positive. For the 2-day group, significant predictors were need for cognition, interest, and immersion (subscale: engrossment). In comparison of the two game versions, students playing the 2-day version reported significantly higher levels of engagement, engrossment, and learning outcome. Conclusion The cognitive-motivational process model of learning was partly supported: interest and immersion predict learning outcome in the live-action simulation game. The extended 2-day version of the game leads to higher levels of immersion and higher learning outcome, indicating that a longer timeframe secures the desired effects on learning outcome from simulation games. Further research needs to shed light on the interaction of personality traits and immersion.

The cognitive-motivational process model of learning describes how personality traits in a specific situation influence current learner motivation and through certain mediators, the learning outcome. This study investigates the influence of personality traits and current motivation on these mediators. For 86 high school students playing a simulation game, the Big Five, the need for cognition, current motivations, immersion, and joy of learning were measured. A hierarchical regression analysis showed that need for cognition, interest, and challenge significantly and positively impacts the experienced immersion. Also, the joy of learning correlates positively with immersion. The adapted model was partly supported: Results of this study can explain to some extent the interaction of personality traits and current motivation as well as their combined impact on immersion in live-action social science simulation games.

Following the acute phase of an inflammatory reaction, a strictly controlled resolution of inflammation is necessary. A dysregulation of this process leads to hyperinflammation, chronic inflammatory disease, or immune paralysis. Different mechanisms participate in the coordinated termination of the inflammatory process, e.g. the expression of antiinflammatory molecules and different forms of tolerance. To better understand the processes which mediate resolution of TNF-dependent inflammation and induce tolerance, it is necessary to characterize the signal transduction quality during TNF long-term (pre)incubation. Within a time frame from 12 to 48h, designated as phase III of the TNF response, we measured an ongoing, constitutive activation of TNFR1/NF-κB-dependent pathways in monocytic cells. Phase III signalling which was also named "constitutive signaling in TNF tolerant cells" induces the expression of low- and high-sensitive target genes including A20 which is differentially regulated by transcriptional and proteolytic events. A20 strictly controls TNF long-term constitutive signalling in an IκB kinase complex- and partially RIP-dependent manner supported by adjuvant ABIN1. In addition, CYLD proteins participate in the regulation of this late-phase signal transduction, whereas downstream molecules such as Bcl3 and p50 are not involved. A20 and CYLD are expressed with different mRNA kinetics resulting in a strong or only a modest increase in protein levels, respectively. The identification of mechanisms which contribute to the termination of inflammation will provide additional diagnostic and therapeutic aspects to specifically diagnose certain aspects of inflammation and specifically modulate them.

To better understand the inflammation-associated mechanisms modulating and terminating tumor necrosis factor (TNF-)induced signal transduction and the development of TNF tolerance, we analyzed both the proteome and the phosphoproteome in TNF long term-incubated (i.e., 48 h) primary human monocytes using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Our analyses revealed the presence of a defined set of proteins characterized by reproducible changes in expression and phosphorylation patterns in long term TNF-treated samples. In total, 148 proteins and 569 phosphopeptides were significantly regulated (103 proteins increased, 45 proteins decreased, 377 peptides with increased and 192 peptides with decreased phosphorylation). A variety of these proteins are associated with the non-canonical nuclear factor &kappa, B (NF-&kappa, B) pathway (nuclear factor &kappa, B (NFKB) 2, v-rel reticuloendotheliosis viral oncogene homolog (REL) B, indolamin-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), kynureninase (KYNU)) or involved in the negative regulation of the canonical NF-&kappa, B system. Within the phosphopeptides, binding motifs for specific kinases were identified. Glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) 3 proved to be a promising candidate, since it targets NF-&kappa, B inhibiting factors, such as CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) &beta, Our experiments demonstrate that both proteome and phosphoproteome analysis can be effectively applied to study protein/phosphorylation patterns of primary monocytes. These results provide new regulatory candidates and evidence for a complex network of specific but synergistically acting/cooperating mechanisms enabling the affected cells to resist sustained TNF exposure and resulting in the resolution of inflammation.