Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regulation of the Ca2+-inhibitable Adenylyl Cyclase Type VI by Capacitative Ca2+ Entry Requires Localization in Cholesterol-rich Domains*

The endogenous Ca2+-inhibitable adenylyl cyclase type VI of C6-2B glioma cells is regulated only by capacitative Ca2+ entry and not by a substantial elevation of [Ca2+] i from either intracellular stores or via ionophore-mediated Ca2+ entry (Chiono, M., Mahey, R., Tate, G., and Cooper, D. M. F. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 1149–1155; Fagan, K. A. , Mons, N. , and Cooper, D. M. F. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 9297–9305). The present studies explored the role of cholesterol-rich domains in maintaining this functional association. The cholesterol-binding agent, filipin, profoundly inhibited adenylyl cyclase activity. Depletion of plasma membrane cholesterol with methyl-β-cyclodextrin did not affect forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity and did not affect capacitative Ca2+entry. However, cholesterol depletion completely ablated the regulation of adenylyl cyclase by capacitative Ca2+ entry. Repletion of cholesterol restored the sensitivity of adenylyl cyclase to capacitative Ca2+ entry. Adenylyl cyclase catalytic activity and immunoreactivity were extracted into buoyant caveolar fractions with Triton X-100. The presence of adenylyl cyclase in such structures was eliminated by depletion of plasma membrane cholesterol. Altogether, these data lead us to conclude that adenylyl cyclase must occur in cholesterol-rich domains to be susceptible to regulation by capacitative Ca2+ entry. These findings are the first indication of regulatory significance for the localization of adenylyl cyclase in caveolae.
Introduced herbivores and the Allee effect in animal- pollinated plants

Interspecific interactions can be modulated by the community context in which they occur. In this paper I focus on plantnpollinator interactions and their modulation by introduced herbivores through changes in plant population density. I first develop a mathematical model that relates the population density of an animal-pollinated plant species with pollinator visitation frequency, pollination, reproduction and per capita growth rate. This model allows me to investigate how several pollination-related parametersoincluding relative abundance of the focal plant species, pollinator specialization, pollination quantity and quality and pollen limitation of reproductionoinfluence the relationship between per capita growth rate and population density. I then use this theoretical framework to discuss two case studies that have addressed the density- mediated effects of introduced herbivores on plant reproduction. This exercise allows me to point out several limitations of previous studies and to suggest avenues for future research. (Keywords: abundance, Allee effect, density dependence, introduced herbivores, mutualism, plant reproduction, pollination, pollinator specialization and generalization, population dynamics) RESUMEN. HerbIvoros introducidos y el efecto Allee en plantas polinizadas por animales: Las interacciones interespecIficas pueden ser moduladas por el contexto comunitario en el que ocurren. Este artIculo estudia las interacciones planta-polinizador y su modulaciUn por herbIvoros introducidos mediante cambios en la densidad poblacional de las plantas. En primer lugar desarrollo un modelo matemAEtico que relaciona la densidad poblacional de una planta polinizada por animales con la frecuencia de visitas por polinizadores, la polinizaciUn, la reproducciUn y la tasa per capita de crecimiento poblacional. Este modelo me permite investigar la influencia de varios parAEmetros relacionados con la polinizaciUno incluyendo la abundancia relativa de la especie focal, la especializaciUn de los polinizadores, la cantidad y la calidad de la polinizaciUn y la limitaciUn por polen de la reproducciUnosobre la relaciUn entre la tasa per capita de crecimiento y la densidad poblacional. Luego utilizo este marco teUrico para discutir dos estudios de caso que han evaluado los efectos mediados por la densidad de los herbIvoros introducidos sobre la reproducciUn de las plantas. Este ejercicio me permite seaealar algunas limitaciones de los estudios previos y sugerir direcciones para investigaciones futuras. (Palabras clave: abundancia, efecto Allee, densodependencia, herbIviros introducidos, mutualismo, reproducciUn de plantas, polinizaciUn, especializaciUn y generalizaciUn de polinizadores, dinAEmica poblacional) SecciUn especial
An Analysis of the Theories and Explanations Offered for the Mispricing of Accruals and Accrual Components

Numerous accounting studies claim that investors fail to rationally price accrual-related information and that investors are functionally fixated. This study documents the importance of performing robustness tests when testing economic or behavioral explanations for apparent accounting-related security mispricing. We find that performing robustness tests that exclude a small number of firm-year observations (approximately 200 firm-year observations or about 1% of the entire sample) reveals an inverted U-shaped relation between buy-and-hold abnormal returns and total accruals. An inverted U-shaped relation is inconsistent with the functional fixation (earnings fixation) hypothesis. We conduct similar robustness tests for the abnormal accrual anomaly and the net operating assets anomaly proposed by other investigators, and also find an inverted U-shaped relation between buy-and-hold abnormal returns and abnormal accruals and net operating assets. These findings are inconsistent with the explanations put forth by those investigators. Such evidence leads us to conclude that the accrual-related anomalies are unlikely to be due to investors' inability to process accounting information, as suggested by the functional fixation hypotheses tested. Copyright University of Chicago on behalf of the Institute of Professional Accounting, 2006.
Wage differentials between East and West Germany: are they related to the location or to the people?

Despite rapid economic integration and massive help from the Federal Government, large wage differences between East and West Germany still persist. We ask whether those differences are related to disadvantageous locational conditions in East Germany or could be found in the characteristics of the people living there. This article analyses income adjustment of East–West migrants based on the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP), 1990–2008. Because migrants earned their income in both East and West Germany, the effect of the location can be identified. The results indicate that the wage differences cannot be attributed to the people.
How to Measure the Economic Impact of Vector‐Borne Diseases at Country Level

Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) are widespread in less developed countries and reemerging in developed ones. Available economic studies agree that VBDs have significant effects on countries' economic outcomes, and affirm that a systematic evaluation of such effects is crucial for the efficient allocation of resources to health-related priorities. This paper provides a comparative assessment of available methodologies for measuring the economic impact of VBDs at national level. We review both macroeconometric and micro-based approaches, and examine advantages and disadvantages of current methods. We conclude by suggesting possible areas for future research.
An Ecological Approach to Behavioral Development: Insights From Comparative Psychology

In this article, I review recent work from comparative psychology, highlighting several conceptual and methodological insights drawn from comparative research and exploring their value to an ecological approach to behavioral development. In particular, I consider examples of a major focus of comparative psychology, the search for developmental mechanisms and processes underlying the expression of species-typical behavior. This focus has provided several insights regarding behavioral development that have supported an ecological approach and provided a richness and depth of perspective on behavior complementary to that found in ecological psychology. Specifically, I review the related notions of probabilism, equifinality, nonlinearity, and distributed control and discuss their applicability to and support of ecological theory.
Transparency, Liquidity, and Valuation: International Evidence on When Transparency Matters Most

We examine the relation between firm-level transparency, stock market liquidity, and valuation across a variety of international settings. We document lower transaction costs and greater liquidity (as measured by lower bid-ask spreads and fewer zero-return days) for firms with greater transparency (as measured by less evidence of earnings management, better accounting standards, higher quality auditors, more analyst following and more accurate analyst forecasts). The relation between transparency and liquidity is more pronounced in periods of high volatility, when investor protection, disclosure requirements, and media penetration are poor, and when ownership is more concentrated, suggesting that firm-level transparency matters more when overall investor uncertainty is greater. Increased liquidity is associated with lower implied cost of capital and with higher valuation as measured by Tobin’s Q. Finally, a mediation analysis suggests that liquidity is a significant channel through which transparency affects firm valuation and equity cost of capital.
Determinants of Signaling by Banks Through Loan Loss Provisions

This study investigates whether bank managers use their discretion in estimating loan loss provisions to convey information about their banks' future prospects. Bank managers' propensities to signal their private information vary cross-sectionally because they face different conditions and have different incentives. This study hypothesizes that the propensity to signal varies negatively with bank size and positively with earnings variability, future investment opportunities, and degree of income smoothing. The empirical evidence supports these predictions. This evidence suggests that the propensity to signal is positively related to the degree of information asymmetry. It also suggests that bank managers attenuate perceived undervaluation of their banks by communicating their private information about their banks' favorable future prospects.
Bank competition, lending relationships and firm default risk: An investigation of Italian SMEs

Building on the literature relating to bank market structure and on the research analysing costs and benefits of concentrated credit relationships, this article aims to empirically assess whether, and to what extent, local credit market concentration impacts on SME default riskiness – making this impact conditional on the closeness of lending relationships. Controlling for inertia, unobserved heterogeneity and endogeneity, we find that bank market concentration positively and significantly affects SME default riskiness when these firms borrow heavily from their main bank and have few credit relationships with other intermediaries. Furthermore, according to our evidence, the influence of credit market concentration on firm default probability is greater as the duration of (close) credit relationships lengthens.
On the Consequences of Patenting University Research: Lessons from a Survey of French Academic Inventors

This paper focuses on the consequences of patenting university research. It presents the results of a survey on 280 French academic inventors, that is, French university professors who are also designated as inventors in at least one European patent. This survey provides new insights into the effect of university patenting on the commercialization of university inventions, the transfer of scientific research, the incentives to do basic research and the access to upstream knowledge. In particular, the study suggests that patenting university research can, on the one hand, facilitate the transfer of technology from university to industry, especially in the fields of life sciences and pharmaceuticals. On the other hand, it almost systematically delays the publication of research findings, thus hindering the dissemination of scientific knowledge.
Migrant Networks and the Spread of Information

Diaspora networks provide information to future migrants, which affects their success in the host country. While the existing literature explains the effect of networks on the outcomes of migrants through the size of the migrant community, we show that the quality of the network is an equally important determinant. We argue that networks that are more integrated in the society of the host country can provide more accurate information to future migrants about job prospects. In a decision model with imperfect signalling, we show that migrants with access to a better network are more likely to make the right decision, that is, they migrate only if they gain. We test these predictions empirically using data on recent Mexican migrants to the United States. To instrument for the quality of networks, we exploit the settlement of immigrants who came during the Bracero program in the 1950s. The results are consistent with the model predictions, providing evidence that connections to a better integrated network lead to better outcomes after migration.
The effects of midazolam or propofol followed by suxamethonium on the QT interval in humans.

Prolongation of the QT interval may produce potentially hazardous arrhythmias. The effects of midazolam or propofol, followed by suxamethonium on the QT interval have been investigated. Thirty patients, ASA I or II, without cardiovascular disease, electrolyte abnormalities or receiving any medication were studied. All patients were premedicated with midazolam 0.08 mg kg-1 i.m. , 30-60 min prior to surgery. Anaesthesia was induced with either midazolam 0.4 mg kg-1 i.v. , (15 patients) or propofol 1 mg kg-1 i.v. bolus, followed by a continuous infusion (15 patients). ECG, heart rate and arterial pressure were measured before induction of anaesthesia and at 1 and 3 min after the bolus of midazolam or propofol. Further recordings were obtained at 1 and 3 min after a bolus of suxamethonium 1.5 mg kg-1 i.v. and also immediately after tracheal intubation and 1 min later. Neither midazolam nor propofol had any significant effect on QTc interval. Prolongation of QTc was observed in both groups after suxamethonium and this was further prolonged following intubation. Heart rate and arterial pressure were also increased significantly in both groups following intubation.
The state and innovation policy in Africa

This paper examines the role of African states in the process of industrialisation. It sets out to examine the nexus of state capacity, innovation policy and the dynamics of development. The methodology is largely qualitative through which a historical narrative of governmental investments in large industries most of which failed is related. While we attribute much of industrial failure to a ‘weak’ state, we recognise the difficulty involved in of the process of technological learning to industrialise in an environment of underdevelopment. The paper recognises state capacity building as a complex multi-level undertaking that must put collaborative learning as a central plank of development. The country encountered a process of industrialisation that is complex because states need to provide coordination among very many disparate actors using a bureaucratic outfit that was short on the fundamentals of science technology and industrialisation processes. We recommend a regime of sustained state capacity building whereby the Nigerian state and by extension other countries, continuously learn from its past shortcomings while learning to coordinate all the critical actors to take advantage of the prospective growth surge across African countries.
Operational practices and performances of green supply chain management in Indian firms

The paper aims to examine the practices and performances of the green supply chain management of Indian firms. In addition, we compare Indian firms' practices and performances with Japanese and Chinese firms that were obtained from the previous studies. A self-administrative questionnaire survey method was employed to obtain responses from the supply chain managers across different industries. Descriptive statistics shows that the Indian firms have high active participation in customer cooperation with environmental considerations and eco-design compared to Japanese and Chinese firms. We also found that the practices are similar among Indian, Japanese and Chinese firms, whereas, performances differ. Further, we discuss the results and findings in detail and suggest implications to managers in order to improve the firm performance.
Estimation of Water Demand in Developing Countries

A better understanding of household water use in developing countries is necessary to manage and expand water systems more effectively. Several meta-analyzes have examined the determinants of household water demand in industrialized countries, but little effort has been made to synthesize the growing body of literature evaluating household water demand in developing countries. This article reviews what is known and what is missing from that literature thus far. Analysis of demand for water in developing countries is complicated by abundant evidence that, contrary to what is observed in most developed countries, households in developing countries have access to, and may use more than one of several types of, water sources. The authors describe the different modeling strategies that researchers have adopted to estimate water demand in developing countries and discuss issues related to data collection. The findings from the literature on the main determinants of water demand in these countries suggest that, .
The Impact of Intramural Grants on Educators’ Careers and on Medical Education Innovation

Purpose The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Haile T. Debas Academy of Medical Educators Innovations Funding program awards competitive grants to create novel curricula and faculty development programs, compare pedagogical approaches, and design learner assessment methods. The authors examined the principal investigators’ (PIs’) perceptions of the impact of these intramural grants on their careers and on medical education innovation. Method At 12 months (project completion) and 24 months (follow-up), PIs submit a progress report describing the impact of their grant on their careers, work with collaborators, subsequent funding, project dissemination, and the UCSF curriculum. The authors analyzed these reports using qualitative thematic analysis and achieved consensus in coding and interpretation through discussion. Results From 2001 to 2012, the program funded 77 PIs to lead 103 projects, awarding over $2.2 million. The authors analyzed reports from 88 grants (85.4%) awarded to 68 PIs (88.3%). PIs noted that the funding led to accelerated promotion, expanded networking opportunities, enhanced knowledge and skills, more scholarly publications and presentations, extramural funding, and local and national recognition. They also reported that the funding improved their status in their departments, enhanced their careers as medical educators, laid the foundation for subsequent projects, and engaged an array of stakeholders, including trainees and junior faculty. Conclusions These modest intramural education grants not only created innovative, enduring programs but also promoted educators’ professional identity formation, fostered collaborations, supported junior faculty in finding their desired career paths, provided advancement opportunities, and raised the local and national profiles of recipients.
Cell proliferation in human arteriovenous fistulas used for hemodialysis.

The long-term patency of arteriovenous (AV) fistulas created for hemodialysis of renal-failure patients is usually measured in months, particularly when polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material is interposed between the artery and vein. This is due to the rapid development of intimal hyperplastic lesions in the anastomosis region of the PTFE graft material with the vein. We studied the proliferative patterns in seven human AV fistulas removed at the time of fistula revision. Cell proliferation was determined by using an antibody to the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and specific cell types were identified by immunochemical reagents for smooth muscle cells, monocytes/macrophages, monocytes, lymphocytes, and endothelial cells. All venous segments exhibited a markedly hyperplastic intima. Vascularization of the intima and media by capillary-sized vessels was found. The main intimal cellular component was smooth muscle. Macrophages were usually seen around microvessels, and many also populated the perigraft region of the adventitia. In contrast to human atherosclerotic lesions, high rates of cell proliferation were observed in these fistulas. PCNA indices (percentage of cells that were PCNA positive [mean +/- SD]) were as follows: intima 17.7 +/- 11.3%, media 24 +/- 11.2%, and adventitia 20 +/- 11.6%. However, the distribution of PCNA-positive cells was not uniform. Instead, the PCNA index in microvessel-containing intimal fields was five to six times that of avascular fields (28.9 +/- 10.6% versus 4.9 +/- 4.5%, respectively, p < 0.001). Double immunolabeling revealed a large proportion of PCNA-positive microvascular endothelial cells and surrounding pericyte-like smooth muscle cells, as well as smooth muscle cells without visual connection to either microvessels or the lumen. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Investigating the relationship between service providers’ personality and customers’ perceptions of service quality across gender

The main objective of this paper is to examine the relationship between the personality of the service providers and the service quality performance they provide. The Five-Factor model of personality and the SERVQUAL model of service quality were used to substantiate the hypothesized relationship. Empirical data from 143 pairs of employees and customers indicate that employees with different personality traits perform differently on customers' perception of service quality. The results indicated that openness correlated with assurance, conscientiousness was a valid predictor of reliability, extraversion was positively related to responsiveness, and agreeableness significantly correlated with both empathy and assurance. Moreover, the relationship between personality and service quality was moderated by customers' gender. Overall, the outcome of this study can be applied to personnel allocation in accordance with the service quality strategy of a company.
Human resource management and ADR practices in Ireland

This paper reviews the emergence of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in Ireland and examines the incidence in firms of ADR practices addressing individual and group grievances and disputes. The paper reveals the limited diffusion to date of ADR practices and shows that the uptake of ADR is associated with the degree to which firms have adopted high-commitment HRM practices. Organizations that place importance on developing people-centred HRM policies are more likely to be disposed to adopting state-of-the-art conflict management practices designed to solve workplace problems quickly and fairly.