Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Signalling pathways involved in hypertonicity- and acidification-induced activation of Na+/H+ exchange in trout hepatocytes

SUMMARY In trout hepatocytes, hypertonicity and cytosolic acidification are known to stimulate Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) activity, which contributes to recovery of cell volume and intracellular pH (pHi), respectively. The present study investigated the signalling mechanisms underlying NHE activation under these conditions. Exposing trout hepatocytes to cariporide, a specific inhibitor of NHE-1, decreased baseline pHi, completely blocked the hypertonicity-induced increase of pHi and reduced the hypertonicity-induced proton secretion by 80%. Changing extracellular pH (pHe) above and below normal values, and allowing cells to adjust pHi accordingly, significantly delayed alkalinization during hypertonic exposure, whereas following an acid load an enhanced pHi recovery with increasing pHe was seen. Chelating Ca2+, and thereby preventing the hypertonicity-induced increase in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i), significantly diminished hypertonic elevation of pHi, indicating that Ca2+ signalling might be involved in NHE activation. A reduction in alkalinization and proton secretion was also observed in the presence of the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H-89 or the calmodulin (CaM) inhibitor calmidazolium. A complete inhibition of hypertonic- and acidification-induced changes of pHi concurrent with an increase in hypertonically induced proton efflux was seen with the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor chelerythrine. Recovery of pHi following sodium propionate addition was reduced by more than 60% in the presence of cariporide, was sensitive to PKA inhibition, and tended to be reduced by CaM inhibition. In conclusion, we showed that NHE-1 is the main acid secretion mechanism during hypertonicity and recovery following acid loading. In addition, Ca2+-, PKA- and CaM-dependent pathways are involved in NHE-1 activation for recovery of cell volume and pHi. On the other hand, PKC appeared to have an impact on NHE-independent pathways affecting intracellular acid-base homeostasis.
A state-space approach to adaptive RLS filtering

Adaptive filtering algorithms fall into four main groups: recursive least squares (RLS) algorithms and the corresponding fast versions; QR- and inverse QR-least squares algorithms; least squares lattice (LSL) and QR decomposition-based least squares lattice (QRD-LSL) algorithms; and gradient-based algorithms such as the least-mean square (LMS) algorithm. Our purpose in this article is to present yet another approach, for the sake of achieving two important goals. The first one is to show how several different variants of the recursive least-squares algorithm can be directly related to the widely studied Kalman filtering problem of estimation and control. Our second important goal is to present all the different versions of the RLS algorithm in computationally convenient square-root forms: a prearray of numbers has to be triangularized by a rotation, or a sequence of elementary rotations, in order to yield a postarray of numbers. The quantities needed to form the next prearray can then be read off from the entries of the postarray, and the procedure can be repeated; the explicit forms of the rotation matrices are not needed in most cases. <<ETX>>
Renormalizability of N=1/2 Wess-Zumino model in superspace

In this letter we use the spurion field approach adopted in [6] in order to show that by adding F and F2 terms to the original lagrangian, the = 1/2 Wess-Zumino model is renormalizable to all orders in perturbation theory. We reformulate in superspace language the proof given in the recent work [7] in terms of component fields.
outputs An empirical investigation of the emergent issues around OER adoption in Sub-Saharan Africa

Copyright and Moral Rights for the articles on this site are retained by the individual authors and/or other copyright owners. For more information on Open Research Online's data policy on reuse of materials please consult the policies page. Within the past few years, Africa has joined the rest of the world as an active participant in the Open Educational Resources (OER) movement with a number of home-grown and externally driven initiatives. These have the potential to make an immense contribution to teaching and learning in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA). However, certain barriers prevent full participation. This paper reports on qualitative research that sought to investigate SSA's readiness to adopt OER. The study involves three case studies based in higher education institutions involved in OER projects and located in Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa. Findings indicate contrary to popular belief that low technology levels in Africa do not necessarily impede adoption of such educational technologies; the real challenges facing readiness to adopt OER appear to be related to socioeconomic , cultural, institutional and national issues. This paper argues for a complete mind shift in how people perceive OER. It also proposes raising awareness of OER at all levels, involving institutions and government, versioning OER for the African context and conducting more research on OER adoption. Introduction When the concept of Open Educational Resources (OER) was conceived, supporters perceived it as a way of making knowledge accessible to all, especially those in most need (Smith & Casserly, 2006). This view is also shared by the 2002 Unesco Forum 1 on the impact of open courseware for developing countries. In their declaration, the forum participants expressed " their wish to develop together a universal educational resource available for the whole of humanity " (UNESCO, 2002 p. 6). Since then, great strides have been made to make the OER dream a reality all over the world. Ground breaking initiatives such as OpenLearn 2 , MIT OpenCourseWare 3 , UCT OpenContent 4 and MERLOT 5 now exist, making quality 2 educational content freely and openly available to anyone willing and able to use it. However, the fact that this notion of OER is foreign and was conceived and framed in the main within technologically-enabled contexts raises some fundamental issues that influence their effective adoption in developing countries. This paper reports findings from a qualitative investigation that explores Sub Saharan Africa (SSA)'s readiness to adopt OER …
Intercomparing hillslope hydrological dynamics: Spatio‐temporal variability and vegetation cover effects

Generalizable process knowledge on hillslope hydrological dynamics is still very poor, yet indispensable for numerous theoretical and practical applications. To gain insight into the organization of hillslope hydrological dynamics we intercompared 90 observations of shallow water table dynamics at three neighboring large‐scale (33 × 75 m) hillslopes with similar slope, aspect, curvature, geologic, and pedologic properties but differences in vegetation cover (grassland, coniferous forest, and mixed forest) over a time period of 9 months. High‐resolution measurements of water table fluctuations, rainfall, and discharge in the creek at the foot of all hillslopes allowed a good system characterization. The aim of this study was to explore the spatio‐temporal variability of water table fluctuations within and between hillslopes, the effect of event and antecedent characteristics on the observed dynamics, and how the hillslope subsurface flow (SSF) response is reflected in the runoff response. To intercompare the SSF behavior we conducted an event‐based analysis of the percentage of well activation, several metrics characterizing the shape and timing of the water table response curves, rainfall characteristics, antecedent wetness conditions, and several runoff response metrics. The analysis reveals that there are distinct differences in SSF response between the grassland hillslope and the forested hillslopes, with a lower frequency of well activation and absolute water table rise at the grassland hillslope. Second, spatial patterns of water table dynamics differ between wet fall/winter/spring (predominantly saturation of the lower part of the hillslope, weaker water table response, and slower response times) and dry summer conditions (whole‐hillslope activation but higher spatial variability, generally stronger water table dynamics, and quicker response times). The observed seasonally changing water table dynamics suggest the development of a preferential flow network during high‐intensity rainstorms under dry summer conditions. Third, catchment runoff is strongly driven by hillslope dynamics, yet contrasting hydrographs during events with similar hillslope dynamics indicate the influence of additional processes. Overall, the observed high spatio‐temporal variability of seemingly homogeneous hillslopes calls for rethinking of current monitoring strategies and developing and testing new conceptual models of hillslope hydrologic processes.
Financial Innovation, Collateral and Investment

We show that financial innovations that change the collateral capacity of assets in the economy can affect investment even in the absence of any shift in utilities, productivity, or asset payoffs. First we show that the ability to leverage an asset by selling non-contingent promises can generate over-investment compared to the Arrow-Debreu level. Second, we show that the introduction of naked CDS can generate under-investment with respect to the Arrow-Debreu level. Finally, we show that the introduction of naked CDS can robustly destroy competitive equilibrium.
Comparative Federalism: A Systematic Inquiry

Acknowledgements 1. The Relevance of Federalism in a Changing World The Case for Federalism Emerging Federalism in the European Union Federalism and Globalization Old Nation-states and New Federalism Federalism and Multinational Conflict Management The Federal Experience 2. Federal Principles, Federal Organization What is Federalism? Group Identity Divided Powers Constitutional Guarantees Negotiating Compromise Social Solidarity Summary 3. Federal Systems Analytic Criteria Models and Variations Contextual Variables Summary 4. Three Traditions of Federal Thought Consociational Federalism in Early Modern Europe Republican Federalism in the Eighteenth Century Socio-economic Federalism in the Nineteenth Century and Beyond Summary 5. The Formation of Federal States The Federal Compromise: Explanatory Perspectives Emergence of the Basic Models Imitations and Variations Devolutionary Federalism Summary 6. Dividing Powers Approaches The American Experiment Canada: Centralist Intentions Germany: The Administrative Model Imitations and Variations Summary 7. Federalism as a System of Dual Representation Design Options The American Senate Model Canada: A Case of Pseudo-Bicameralism Germany: The Federal Solution The European Union: A Case of Second Chamber Governance Imitations and Variations Summary 8. Intergovernmental Relations Patterns of Cooperation "Federal-Provincial Diplomacy" in Canada Intergovernmentalism and Council Governance in Australia "Cooperative" Federalism in the United States A Different Approach: Integrated Federalism Summary 9. Constitutional Amendment Amendment Procedures Constitutional Permanence in the United States Canada: Patriation Games Constitutional Flexibility in Germany The EU: Maintaining Confederal Consent Variations: Back to the People Quebec and Canada: Secession as Constitutional Amendment Summary 10. Judicial Review The Courts and the Constitution The United States: Invention and Limits of Judicial Review Canada: Imperial Versus Home-Grown Judicial Review Germany: Pragmatic Legalism The EU: Judicial Creation of Supranationality Variations and Exceptions Summary 11. Federal Governance How Should Federations Manage Policy Responsibilities? The Power to Tax The Power to Spend Sharing the Wealth How Do Federations Manage Policy Responsibilities? Summary Conclusion Bibliography Index
Trafficking of cell surface beta-amyloid precursor protein: retrograde and transcytotic transport in cultured neurons

Amyloid beta-protein (A beta), the principal constituent of senile plaques seen in Alzheimer's disease (AD), is derived by proteolysis from the beta-amyloid precursor protein (beta PP). The mechanism of A beta production in neurons, which are hypothesized to be a rich source of A beta in brain, remains to be defined. In this study, we describe a detailed localization of cell surface beta PP and its subsequent trafficking in primary cultured neurons. Full-length cell surface beta PP was present primarily on perikarya and axons, the latter with a characteristic discontinuous pattern. At growth cones, cell surface beta PP was inconsistently detected. By visualizing the distribution of beta PP monoclonal antibodies added to intact cultures, beta PP was shown to be internalized from distal axons or terminals and retrogradely transported back to perikarya in organelles which colocalized with fluid-phase endocytic markers. Retrograde transport of beta PP was shown in both hippocampal and peripheral sympathetic neurons, the latter using a compartment culture system that isolated cell bodies from distal axons and terminals. In addition, we demonstrated that beta PP from distal axons was transcytotically transported to the surface of perikarya from distal axons in sympathetic neurons. Indirect evidence of this transcytotic pathway was obtained in hippocampal neurons using antisense oligonucleotide to the kinesin heavy chain to inhibit anterograde beta PP transport. Taken together, these results demonstrate novel aspects of beta PP trafficking in neurons, including retrograde axonal transport and transcytosis. Moreover, the axonal predominance of cell surface beta PP is unexpected in view of the recent report of polarized sorting of beta PP to the basolateral domain of MDCK cells.
The Impact of Sovereign Rating News on European Banks

This paper examines the spillover effect of Eurozone sovereign rating changes announced by Standard and Poor's, Moody's, and Fitch on domestic bank share prices in the period 2002–2012. This spillover effect appears negative in the case of downgrades, but insignificant for upgrades. Surprisingly, announcement of sovereign negative credit watches results in increased bank stock returns. Bank share price losses following sovereign downgrades increase as bank leverage, efficiency, and equity performance increase, and they decrease as bank systematic risk and payout ratio increase. On the contrary, bank share prices rise following sovereign negative credit watches, as leverage and bank size decrease and as bank systematic risk increases.
From Competition to Constitution: Races to Bottoms and the Rise of “Shadow” Social Europe. CES Working Paper, no. 137, 2006

In this paper, I examine how the specific nature of economic integration in the European Union has affected member states’ redistribution policies over the last two decades. More precisely, I attempt to detail the effect of social-tax competition between member states within social models, processes that I label “races to bottoms. ” In this framework, I identify the emergence of an informal set of rules effectively constraining national redistribution policies in different ways, given the diversity of tax-social compacts in the EU. Because these rules are implicit and their effect generally underestimated, I gather them under the notion of “shadow” social Europe. Having empirically assessed the impact of this dynamic on the “continental,” the “Nordic,” the “eastern” and the “liberal” social-tax compact, I finally try to present a normative perspective and some policy options on this matter.
Can the Politicization of European Integration Be Reversed?*

Following the failure of the Constitutional Treaty, executives of European Union (EU) Member States and the European Commission tried to take European integration as a political issue as much off the agenda as possible and limit involvement of citizens in EU decision‐making. This article assesses the viability of this attempt to combat politicization of European integration and comes to the conclusion that it is unlikely to succeed in the long run. Politicization, it is argued, is a direct consequence of the increasing authority of the EU. The executive response to reverse this trend, however, does not address its cause, but rather the intermediating factors in the form of political opportunity structure. Since the cause of politicization remains intact and intermediating factors are unlikely to be controlled by executives, this attempt to reverse politicization is not viable.
Italy’s Modern Economic Growth, 1861–2011

By making the most of a newly-available large set of historical statistics, the paper outlines the main features of Italy’s modern economic growth from unification (1861) until the present day (2011). Alongside national GDP estimates, regional inequality, living standards and inequality of personal income distribution are also discussed. Over the long run, Italy successfully caught up with the most advanced economies, and did so in a virtuous manner: while the regional imbalance persisted, at the national level economic growth was accompanied by a secular decline in income inequality. This pattern has come to a halt: during the last two decades, stagnation in GDP per capita has been mirrored by an unprecedented decline in productivity; southern regions have further lagged behind the rest of the country, and income inequality is on the rise. Italy has entered a phase of rapid relative economic decline.
Is It Time to Phase Out the Austin Moore Hemiarthroplasty? A Propensity Score Matched Case Control Comparison versus Cemented Hemiarthroplasty

We compared the Austin Moore hemiarthroplasty versus cemented hemiarthroplasties using a propensity score matched cased control study. For a consecutive cohort of 450 patients with displaced intracapsular neck of femur fractures, 128 matched cases in each group were selected based on age, gender, walking status, nursing home residency, delays in surgery, ASA score, and the Charlson comorbidity score. At a mean follow-up of 16.3 months, we evaluated their outcomes. Significantly more patients with AMA experienced thigh pain (RR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.67–7.33, p = 0.000), overall complications (RR = 4.47, 95% CI: 1.77–11.3, p = 0.000), and implant loosening (RR = 8.42, 95% CI: 2.63–26.95, p = 0.000). There were no definite cement related deaths in this series. There was no significant difference in mortality, walking status, and the number of revisions between the groups. We support the routine use of cemented hemiarthroplasty instead of the Austin Moore for treating elderlies with displaced intracapsular neck of femur fractures.
Deep Sequencing of Viroid-Derived Small RNAs from Grapevine Provides New Insights on the Role of RNA Silencing in Plant-Viroid Interaction

Background Viroids are circular, highly structured, non-protein-coding RNAs that, usurping cellular enzymes and escaping host defense mechanisms, are able to replicate and move through infected plants. Similarly to viruses, viroid infections are associated with the accumulation of viroid-derived 21–24 nt small RNAs (vd-sRNAs) with the typical features of the small interfering RNAs characteristic of RNA silencing, a sequence-specific mechanism involved in defense against invading nucleic acids and in regulation of gene expression in most eukaryotic organisms. Methodology/Principal Findings To gain further insights on the genesis and possible role of vd-sRNAs in plant-viroid interaction, sRNAs isolated from Vitis vinifera infected by Hop stunt viroid (HSVd) and Grapevine yellow speckle viroid 1 (GYSVd1) were sequenced by the high-throughput platform Solexa-Illumina, and the vd-sRNAs were analyzed. The large majority of HSVd- and GYSVd1-sRNAs derived from a few specific regions (hotspots) of the genomic (+) and (−) viroid RNAs, with a prevalence of those from the (−) strands of both viroids. When grouped according to their sizes, vd-sRNAs always assumed a distribution with prominent 21-, 22- and 24-nt peaks, which, interestingly, mapped at the same hotspots. Conclusions/Significance These findings show that different Dicer-like enzymes (DCLs) target viroid RNAs, preferentially accessing to the same viroid domains. Interestingly, our results also suggest that viroid RNAs may interact with host enzymes involved in the RNA-directed DNA methylation pathway, indicating more complex scenarios than previously thought for both vd-sRNAs genesis and possible interference with host gene expression.
A model-independent maximum range for the liquidity correction of TIPS yields

We derive a model-independent maximum range for the admissible liquidity risk premium in real Treasury bonds? also known as Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS). The range is constructed using additional information in the inflation swap market and a set of simple theoretical assumptions. As an application, we construct a lower bound to estimates of the inflation risk premium the Treasury receives from TIPS by deducting their maximum liquidity premium. This conservative measure of the benefit to the Treasury of issuing TIPS is positive on average at the ten-year maturity for our sample period.
Visual and linguistic predictors for the definiteness of referring expressions

This study explores the impact of visual context on the conceptual salience of a discourse entity, using descriptions of how to find specific targets in cartoon scenes. Significant positive correlation is observed between larger and more salient objects and definite expressions, whereas more cluttered images are positively related to indefinite expressions. Incorporating these findings with other linguistic factors, we build a mixed-effects logistic regression model for predicting referring forms. The model reaches 62% accuracy. This study helps us to understand better how physical context, like an image, determines the linguistic properties of a discourse.
Mortgage Interest Rate Dispersion in the Euro Area

Despite the remarkable economic and financial convergence over the last ten years in the euro area, mortgage interest rates still differ across countries. This note presents some stylised facts on the heterogeneity of mortgage interest rates across euro area countries on the basis of the Eurosystem’s harmonised MFI interest rate statistics. We also attempt to provide some insights into the reasons behind these cross-country differences using the methodology recently proposed by Affinito and Farabullini (2006). We differ from Affinito and Farabullini (2006) in that we focus on one particular banking market: the market for mortgage loans. This allows us to identify more clearly the role of specific structural features characterising that market in explaining mortgage rate dispersion. More specifically, we investigate the extent to which various mortgage loan demand and supply determinants help explaining the observed dispersion. It turns out that some of the heterogeneity can be explained by these factors, in particular those that relate to the supply side. However, a substantial part of the dispersion remains unexplained suggesting that much of the heterogeneity also reflects country-specific institutional differences that are likely to be caused by differences in the regulatory and fiscal framework of the mortgage markets. In order to test this, we extend our analysis to also include institutional factors and indeed find that crosscountry differences in enforcement procedures, tax subsidies and loan-to-value ratios influence the level of mortgage rates. JEL Classification: C23, E4, F36, G21, N24