Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Opioid Enhancement of Calcium Oscillations and Burst Events Involving NMDA Receptors and L-Type Calcium Channels in Cultured Hippocampal Neurons

Opioid receptor agonists are known to alter the activity of membrane ionic conductances and receptor-activated channels in CNS neurons and, via these mechanisms, to modulate neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission. In neuronal-like cell lines opioids also have been reported to induce intracellular Ca2+ signals and to alter Ca2+signals evoked by membrane depolarization; these effects on intracellular Ca2+ may provide an additional mechanism through which opioids modulate neuronal activity. However, opioid effects on resting or stimulated intracellular Ca2+ levels have not been demonstrated in native CNS neurons. Thus, we investigated opioid effects on intracellular Ca2+ in cultured rat hippocampal neurons by using fura-2-based microscopic Ca2+ imaging. The opioid receptor agonistd-Ala2-N-Me-Phe4,Gly-ol5-enkephalin (DAMGO; 1 μm) dramatically increased the amplitude of spontaneous intracellular Ca2+ oscillations in the hippocampal neurons, with synchronization of the Ca2+ oscillations across neurons in a given field. The effects of DAMGO were blocked by the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone (1 μm) and were dependent on functional NMDA receptors and L-type Ca2+ channels. In parallel whole-cell recordings, DAMGO enhanced spontaneous, synaptically driven NMDA receptor-mediated burst events, depolarizing responses to exogenous NMDA and current-evoked Ca2+ spikes. These results show that the activation of opioid receptors can augment several components of neuronal Ca2+ signaling pathways significantly and, as a consequence, enhance intracellular Ca2+ signals. These results provide evidence of a novel neuronal mechanism of opioid action on CNS neuronal networks that may contribute to both short- and long-term effects of opioids.
Purification and Molecular Characterization of a Tripeptidase (PepT) from Lactobacillus helveticus

ABSTRACT A tripeptidase (PepT) from a thermophilic dairy starter strain ofLactobacillus helveticus was purified by four chromatographic steps. PepT appeared to be a trimeric metallopeptidase with a molecular mass of 150 kDa. PepT exhibited maximum activity against hydrophobic tripeptides, with the highest activity for Met-Gly-Gly (Km, 2.6 mM;Vmax, 80.2 μmol · min−1 · μg−1). Some of the hydrophobic dipeptides were slowly hydrolyzed, distinguishing theLactobacillus PepT from its counterpart in mesophilicLactococcus lactis. No activity against tetrapeptides or amino acid p-nitroanilide derivatives was observed. ThepepT gene and its flanking regions were isolated by PCR and sequenced by cyclic sequencing. The sequence analyses revealed open reading frames (ORFs) 816 bp (ORF1) and 1,239 bp (ORF2) long. ORF2 encoded a 47-kDa PepT protein which exhibited 53% identity with the PepT from L. lactis. The mRNA analyses indicated thatpepT conforms a novel operon structure with an ORF1 located upstream. Several putative −35/−10 regions preceded the operon, but only one transcription start site located downstream of the first putative −10 region was identified. An inverted repeat structure with ΔG of −64.8 kJ/mol was found downstream of the PepT-encoding region.
Trabalho e sociabilidade privada: a exclusão do outro um olhar a partir das células de produção

This article deals with a particular kind of work organization, the so-called "production cells" model, and discuss the macrosocial context where they have grown in the industry sector. It presents the results of a fieldwork carried out within two plants in clothing manufacturing branches in the surroundings of Sao Paulo City. Its main purpose is to reinterpret some judgments concerning multi-tasking, skills and flexibility due to the administrative and management rationale in contrast to the ones coming from the sewing workers themselves. The cherishing point of the model - the self regulation by the group - is at the same time the moment where the less productive member is expelled from the cell group. That contradictory crossing of opposite strains is highlighted by the paper so as to emphasize the problematic quest for solidarity in terms of social class's scheme. The erosion of classical institutions for collective action - especially the ones related to capital and labor conflict - is assumed to grow in the tracks of that new model of work organization, to which we have to add also other aspects, such as the payment system, training and qualification requirements. In the end, the article points out that the individualization mood issued from production cells is hardly compatible with the typical stressing on 'social question' raised by the modern times.
Failure Avoidance Motivation in a Goal-Setting Situation

This study examines the relationships among failure avoidance, performance, and related variables in a goal-setting situation. Failure avoidance has been relatively ignored in research investigating the impact of dispositional factors in goal-setting situations. As a precursor to important goal mechanisms, failure avoidance was considered in light of Locke's (1991) motivational sequence framework for motivational processes. College students (N = 171) responded to a survey assessing performance goals, self-efficacy, and other pertinent variables, and then completed an idea-generating task. The results show that failure avoidance was negatively correlated with self-efficacy, goal commitment, and task performance. The relationship between failure avoidance and performance was mediated by relationships with self-efficacy and personal goals. Goal commitment moderated the relationship between personal goals and performance. The results of this study are discussed in terms of Locke's motivational sequence, suggesting that failure avoidance motivation, although overlooked, has important consequences in goal-setting situations.
Spice-based Automated Software Network Analyzer

Analyzing switched-mode power supply's control characteristics is challenging due to the high nonlinearity, and various new topologies are introduced. The mathematical complexity is a burden and is prone to error and oversimplification. Tradition approach includes finding the DC operating point and applying the small-signal linearization process. In this paper, a test bench method is developed to extract frequency response using "as is" circuit via time domain simulation. Advanced features in SPICE are used to automate over 80% of the process for finding frequency response in transient domain in the proposed simulation platform, similar to how the network analyzer is actually used. Besides constructing the circuit diagram, only some simulation setup is required. Although a long simulation time is needed, we can see several benefits including: 1) the method will work with any circuit topology, 2) it allows theoretical evaluation before any hardware become available, and 3) since the frequency response is found in transient mode, we can incorporate all circuit parameters and avoid simplified modeling assumptions. Fundamental frequency components are extracted out of the converter time-domain responses that are usually simulated in a variable time-step mode. The Fourier series are calculated inside SPICE via continuous-time behavioral models. Simulation platform is applied to study the "input voltage regulation (IVR)" of the maximum power point tracking control when the input voltage regulation is active with modeling of peak-current mode converter. Further an advanced programming language is used to extract data from output data file
DC link and dynamic performance features of PWM IGBT current source converter induction machine drives with respect to industrial requirements

When rating the IGBT PWM current source induction machine drive in relation to industrial requirements, there are some important performance features to be studied. These are especially the dynamic control performance and the size and influence of the inductance in the DC link. These subjects and their interference are evaluated here, giving a basis for rating. With a high pulse frequency of the converters, with respect to the current ripple, only a low inductivity in the DC link is necessary, leading to low weight and volume and improving the ideal basic dynamic performance, too. A high dynamic performance, comparable to PWM voltage source induction machine drives, is reached when, beneath a DC link inductance with suitable low inductivity, selected control methods as field oriented control and, as chosen here, optimal state control, are applied. The basic performance is analysed and the the results are partially verified by measurements at a 7.5 kW test drive.
Products of phospholipid metabolism in Bacillus stearothermophilus

The products of phospholipid turnover in Bacillus stearothermophilus were determined in cultures labeled to equilibrium and with short pulses of [32P]phosphate and [2-3H]glycerol. Label lost from the cellular lipid pool was recovered in three fractions: low-molecular-weight extracellular products, extracellular lipid, and lipoteichoic acid (LTA). The low-molecular-weight turnover products were released from the cells during the first 10 to 20 min of a 60-min chase period and appeared to be derived primarily from phosphatidylglycerol turnover. Phosphatidylethanolamine, which appeared to be synthesized in part from the phosphatidyl group of phosphatidylglycerol, was released from the cell but was not degraded. The major product of phospholipid turnover was LTA. Essentially all of the label lost from the lipid pool during the final 40 min of the chase period was recovered as extracellular LTA. The LTA appeared to be derived primarily from the turnover of cardiolipin and the phosphatidyl group of phosphatidylglycerol. Three types of LTA were isolated; an extracellular LTA was recovered from the culture medium, and two types of LTA were extracted from membrane preparations or whole-cell lysates by the hot phenol-water procedure. Cells contained 1.5 to 2.5 mg of cellular LTA per g of cells (dry weight), over 50% of which remained associated with the membrane when cells were fractionated. Over 75% of the 3H label incorporated into the cellular LTA pool during a 90-min labeling period was released from the cells during the first cell doubling after the chase. Label lost from the lipid pool was incorporated into cellular LTA which was then modified and released into the culture medium.
Spinal cord injury community survey: a national, comprehensive study to portray the lives of canadians with spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND To better understand service-related needs and the current situation of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) living in the community, a more comprehensive approach for studying their interrelationships (needs vs community living outcomes) is greatly needed. OBJECTIVE To describe the development, design, and findings of a Canadian survey portraying the life situation of people with SCI. METHOD The SCI Community Survey covers demographics, health, SCI-specific needs, community participation, employment, quality of life, health care utilization, and overall health rating. A total of 1,549 persons with SCI completed the survey (Web or phone) between May 2011 and August 2012. RESULTS Some major expressed needs for services to support community living are met to a great extent for a substantial proportion of people with SCI. Complications remain highly prevalent for some health issues, including pain, sexual dysfunction, and musculoskeletal disorders. The extent of community participation based on values and preferences varies tremendously among daily activities and social roles. Some dimensions of quality of life are rated positively (eg, family life) while others are greatly disrupted (eg, sex life and physical health). Most of these findings vary significantly between people with traumatic and nontraumatic lesions. CONCLUSION This survey is the first in Canada and among the first worldwide to draw a comprehensive picture of major aspects of the lives of people with SCI including service needs. The results will help to determine the links between various aspects of community living and guide service providers and policy makers in focusing on major issues to enhance quality of life after SCI.
Verotoxin-Producing Escherichia coli in Spain: Prevalence, Serotypes, and Virulence Genes of O157:H7 and Non-O157 VTEC in Ruminants, Raw Beef Products, and Humans

In Spain, as in many other countries, verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) strains have been frequently isolated from cattle, sheep, and foods. VTEC strains have caused seven outbreaks in Spain (six caused by E. coli O157:H7 and one by E. coli O111:H– [nonmotile]) in recent years. An analysis of the serotypes indicated serological diversity. Among the strains isolated from humans, serotypes O26:H11, O111:H–, and O157:H7 were found to be more prevalent. The most frequently detected serotypes in cattle were O20:H19, O22:H8, O26:H11, O77:H41, O105:H18, O113:H21, O157:H7, O171:H2, and OUT (O untypeable):H19. Different VTEC serotypes (e.g., O5:H–, O6:H10, O91:H–, O117:H–, O128:H–, O128:H2, O146:H8, O146:H21, O156:H–, and OUT:H21) were found more frequently in sheep. These observations suggest a host serotype specificity for some VTEC. Numerous bovine and ovine VTEC serotypes detected in Spain were associated with human illnesses, confirming that ruminants are important reservoirs of pathogenic VTEC. VTEC can produce one or two toxins (VT1 and VT2) that cause human illnesses. These toxins are different proteins encoded by different genes. Another virulence factor expressed by VTEC is the protein intimin that is responsible for intimate attachment of VTEC and effacing lesions in the intestinal mucosa. This virulence factor is encoded by the chromosomal gene eae. The eae gene was found at a much less frequency in bovine (17%) and ovine (5%) than in human (45%) non-O157 VTEC strains. This may support the evidence that the eae gene contributes significantly to the virulence of human VTEC strains and that many animal non-O157 VTEC strains are less pathogenic to humans.
D/h measurements

Primordial evaluations of the deuterium abundance should provide one of the best tests of Big Bang nucleosynthesis models. Space as well as ground based observations seem however to result in different values. This asks for more observations in different astrophysical sites in order to link present day interstellar medium D/H evaluations to primordial ones. New investigations, made with FUSE (the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer launched in June 1999), are presented and in the case of the white dwarf G191-B2B line of sight a low D/H evaluation of 1.16 (+/-0.24) x 10^-5 (2 sigma) is confirmed. This seems to indicate that D/H variations are probably present in the nearby interstellar medium. The FUSE observations should help us reach in a near future a better global view of the evolution of that key element.
A TES-based model for compressed "Star Wars" video

This paper presents a stochastic model for the variable bit rate (VBR) video of the entire "Star Wars" movie under a JPEG-like compression. The goal of this work is to develop a methodology for constructing a suite of high-fidelity source models of full-motion video as a traffic benchmark suitable for driving realistic Monte Carlo simulations of broadband telecommunications networks (ATM based B-ISDN). To this end, a transform-expand-sample) TES-based modeling methodology was employed, subject to fidelity criteria requiring the simultaneous capture of both first-order and second-order statistics. The entire movie was modeled as a Markov renewal modulated TES (MRMT) process with class-dependent holding times. The modeling results support the efficacy of the modeling methodology and suggest that high-fidelity compact source models of full-motion video can be developed by applying this methodology to other types of movies under a variety of coding schemes.
Strategy and Structure in Multinational Corporations: An Information- Processing Approach

This research was made possible in part by a grant from the Strategy Research Center, Columbia University, Graduate School of Business. The author would like to thank Professors William H. Newman, William K. Brandt, James M. Hulbert, and Michael L. Tushman for their valuable comments and assistance during the study. This study attempts to extend current understanding of the relationship between an organization's structure and its strategy. The study uses an information-processing approach to develop a model for evaluating the goodness of fit between strategy and structure in multinational corporations. Hypotheses drawn from the model are tested with data from 34 U.S. and European multinationals. The hypotheses are generally confirmed, thus supporting both the importance of fit between strategy and structure in organizations and the value of the information-processing model as a means for better understanding the critical relationships between strategy and structure.
Beyond individualisation: neo-evangelical lessons for religious socialisation

Young Christians may be less individualised than some widely shared reflections in the literature suggest. Even though their faith may no longer be exclusively or primarily nourished in the traditional institutional contexts of family, school and church, they often prefer their faith being lived and expressed in new forms of sociality such as festivals and virtual communities. The authors describe one particular current in contemporary Christianity in which such tribal forms of sociality are rampant, namely neo-evangelicalism. They argue that socialisation actually takes place in these seemingly individualised forms of sociality, yet less explicitly than in traditional forms. Furthermore, they explore the lessons that may be learned from the tribal forms of sociality that characterise neo-evangelicalism for religious socialisation in the contexts of church and school.
Progressive photon relaxation

We introduce a novel algorithm for progressively removing noise from view-independent photon maps while simultaneously minimizing residual bias. Our method refines a primal set of photons using data from multiple successive passes to estimate the incident flux local to each photon. We show how this information can be used to guide a relaxation step with the goal of enforcing a constant, per-photon flux. Using a reformulation of the radiance estimate, we demonstrate how the resulting blue noise photon distribution yields a radiance reconstruction in which error is significantly reduced. Our approach has an open-ended runtime of the same order as unbiased and asymptotically consistent rendering methods, converging over time to a stable result. We demonstrate its effectiveness at storing caustic illumination within a view-independent framework and at a fidelity visually comparable to reference images rendered using progressive photon mapping.
Parental perspectives of the role of school factors in school refusal

The aim of this study was to explore parents’ perspectives on the role of school factors in school refusal (SR). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 parents who had experienced SR with their own child. They identified several school factors related to SR. Some of these findings suggest that students who are prone to SR need more predictability and more teachers’ support than they sometimes get in school. Their need for predictability seems to occur particularly during less structured activities and during transitions in school. Findings also imply that disruptive behavior among classmates and harsh management from teachers affects perceived predictability and support for SR-prone students. All parents expressed concern about bullying, and roughly a third of them reported that their child had been a victim of bullying. Insufficient adaptation of schoolwork was also mentioned relatively frequently. Parents emphasized that adaptation of schoolwork needs to be done in close cooperation with the student and parents to avoid negative differentiation from classmates or stigma. Finally, several parents commented that teachers and schools need more knowledge about SR and felt that schools needed a more coordinated approach to supporting students who are at risk of SR.
Equalization in amplified WDM lightwave transmission systems

The authors introduce simple techniques to solve gain equalization problems in amplified wavelength-multiplexed lightwave transmission systems. By adjusting the channel powers at the terminals in a prescribed way, either the output powers or the output signal-to-noise ratios of all the channels can be equalized. All adjustments can be made using information provided by system telemetry. No new equipment, upgrades, or adjustments are required at intermediate amplifier sites. <<ETX>>
Enhancing Absorptive Capacity for Innovation and Change: The Role of Structural Determinants

Abstract In 1989, absorptive capacity was introduced as an important factor for organizational innovation and change. Since then, the concept has been enhanced through reconceptualizations and extended by various empirical studies. However, previous research paid sparse attention to determinants of absorptive capacity and especially the single dimensions of the knowledge absorption process. Consequently, it remains unclear why some firms are better able to absorb new external knowledge than others. This paper focuses on organizational structure as one important determinant of absorptive capacity. Using case studies of two German high-tech firms, the paper discusses four structural factors influencing the acquisition, integration and exploitation dimensions of absorptive capacity: division form, R&D centrality, gatekeeper positions and interface positions. The paper enhances our understanding of the knowledge absorption process and provides propositions for future research.
A Review of Spectroscopic and Biophysical‐Chemical Studies of the Complex of Cyclobutane Pyrimidine Dimer Photolyase and Cryptochrome DASH with Substrate DNA

Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) photolyase (PL) is a structure‐specific DNA repair enzyme that uses blue light to repair CPD on DNA. Cryptochrome (CRY) DASH enzymes use blue light for the repair of CPD lesions on single‐stranded (ss) DNA, although some may also repair these lesions on double‐stranded (ds) DNA. In addition, CRY DASH may be involved in blue light signaling, similar to cryptochromes. The focus of this review is on spectroscopic and biophysical‐chemical experiments of the enzyme–substrate complex that have contributed to a more detailed understanding of all the aspects of the CPD repair mechanism of CPD photolyase and CRY DASH. This will be performed in the backdrop of the available X‐ray crystal structures of these enzymes bound to a CPD‐like lesion. These structures helped to confirm conclusions that were drawn earlier from spectroscopic and biophysical‐chemical experiments, and they have a critical function as a framework to design new experiments and to interpret new experimental data. This review will show the important synergy between X‐ray crystallography and spectroscopic/biophysical‐chemical investigations that is essential to obtain a sufficiently detailed picture of the overall mechanism of CPD photolyases and CRY DASH proteins.