Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Activity-Evoked Capacitative Ca2+ Entry: Implications in Synaptic Plasticity

The Ca2+ influx controlled by intracellular Ca2+ stores, called store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOC), occurs in various eukaryotic cells, but whether CNS neurons are endowed with SOC capability and how they may operate have been contentious issues. Using Ca2+ imaging, we present evidence for the presence of SOC in cultured hippocampal pyramidal neurons. Depletion of internal Ca2+ stores by thapsigargin caused intracellular Ca2+ elevation, which was prevented by SOC channel inhibitors 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB), SKF96365, and La3+. Interestingly, these inhibitors also accelerated the decay of NMDA-induced Ca2+ transients without affecting their peak amplitude. In addition, SOC channel inhibitors attenuated tetanus-induced dendritic Ca2+ accumulation and long-term potentiation at Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses in hippocampal slice preparations. These data suggest a novel link between ionotropic receptor-activated SOC and neuroplasticity.
Constructing a Labour Gospel: Labour and Religion in Early 20th-century Ontario

This paper considers the presence of Christianity in the labour movement in early 20th-century Ontario. During this period labour leaders were unquestionably disillusioned with the established churches and did not hesitate to criticize clergymen for their indifference and hostility to labour's cause. This disillusionment did not mean, however, that organized labour abandoned religion. Both moderate reformist and radical labour leaders articulated a non-sectarian, activist Christianity that helped them frame the issues they were concerned about. Alliances also developed between the churches and labour bodies at the national level and labour-friendly clergy and a small group of labour leaders in industrial centres in southern Ontario. Cet article prend en consideration la presence du christianisme dans le mouvement syndical au debut du vingtieme siecle en Ontario. Au cours de cette periode, les dirigeants syndicaux ont ete sans aucun doute desenchantes des Eglises etablies et n'ont pas hesite a critiquer les ecclesiastiques pour leur indifference et leur hostilite envers la cause de la main-d'œuvre. Ce desenchantement ne signifiait pas, cependant, que la main-d'œuvre a abandonne la religion. Tant les reformistes moderes que les dirigeants radicaux ont adopte un christianisme non-confessionnel militant qui leur a aide a encadrer les questions qui les preoccupaient. Des liens se sont aussi elabores entre les Eglises et les syndicats au niveau national ainsi qu'entre les ecclesiastiques sympathiques aux travailleurs et un petit groupe de dirigeants syndicaux dans les centres industriels au sud de l'Ontario.
Convergence in the domains of static spatial relations and events of putting and taking. Evidence from bilingual speakers of Romansh and German

In this article the way bilinguals handle differing semantic categories in their two languages will be investigated. Drawing on bilingual data from multilingual speakers of Romansh as well as from speakers of (Swiss) German, the tensions that emerge from ‘conflicting habits’ in the two languages are analyzed in the semantic domain of spatial relations. A particular focus will lie on spatial categories that differ across the two languages, e.g. the regular usage of several different verbs of putting in German vs. one general verb in Romansh. The analyses show differing degrees and different ways of reducing these tensions (convergence) in the bilingual subjects. Data from the domain of putting and taking events are analyzed, and multiple comparisons (cross-linguistic between speakers, cross-linguistic within speakers, variation in the responses to individual stimuli, etc.) are carried out. Measures of consensus vs. dissent are presented, allowing for comparisons of semantic categories, languages, and idiolects.
An Exact Solution for the Deflection of a Clamped Rectangular Plate under Uniform Load

Rectangular plates under uniform load, x = ±a, y = ±b, are considered. An exact solution is presented in which each term of the series is trigonometric and hyperbolic, and identically satisfies the boundary conditions on all four edges. The solution has three terms in which the first term corresponds to the case of a strip and the other two terms denote the effects of the edges. The method used to obtain the solution is simple and straightforward. In order to illustrate the method the numerical values of the deflections are calculated and compared with those of the previous papers. It is found that there is a reasonable agreement between the results of them and those of this paper. Mathematics Subject Classification: 74K20, 42A32, 35L20
Two studies of musical style sensitivity with children in early years

In this paper, we report on two studies carried out to further explore the level of listening and discriminatory abilities present in very young children through the development of an age appropriate methodology. Working with children aged between 3 and 4 years of age, our first study explored the level of performance achieved on a matching task using musical excerpts from the same piece of music within a number of commonly experienced musical styles. Our second study, further explored issues of stylistic discrimination and stylistic competence with similar age children but also explored associations between musical styles and types of people. Results of the study suggested that even three-year-old children were able to make accurate discriminations between musical styles through the use of a broad range of referential criteria and also, we observed that a number of ‘person type’ and gender associations already appeared to be present in the attitudes and experiences of participants. The two studies also raised some further questions about the interaction between the gender associations that young children appear to have not only with instruments but also with musical styles.
The GtaR protein negatively regulates transcription of the gtaRI operon and modulates gene transfer agent (RcGTA) expression in Rhodobacter capsulatus

The gtaI gene of Rhodobacter capsulatus encodes an N‐acyl‐homoserine lactone (acyl‐HSL) synthase. Immediately 5′ of the gtaI gene is ORF rcc00328 that encodes a potential acyl‐HSL receptor protein. A combination of genetic and biochemical approaches showed that rcc00328 (renamed gtaR) modulates the production of a genetic exchange element called the gene transfer agent (RcGTA), and regulates the transcription of gtaI. Although gtaI mutants exhibited decreased levels of RcGTA production, mutagenesis of gtaR did not, whereas a gtaR/gtaI double mutant produced wild‐type levels of RcGTA. Because mutagenesis of gtaR suppressed the effect of the gtaI mutation, we suggest that the GtaR protein is a negative transcriptional regulator of RcGTA gene expression. We discovered that the gtaR and gtaI genes are co‐transcribed, and also negatively regulated by the GtaR protein in the absence of acyl‐HSL. A His‐tagged GtaR protein was purified, and DNA‐binding experiments revealed a binding site in the promoter region of the gtaRI operon. This GtaR protein did not bind to the RcGTA promoter region, and therefore modulation of RcGTA production appears to require at least one additional factor. We found that RcGTA production was stimulated by spent media from other species, and identified exogenous acyl‐HSLs that induce RcGTA.
Features of primary care associated with variations in process and outcome of care of people with diabetes.

BACKGROUND There is now clear evidence that tight control of blood glucose and blood pressure significantly lowers the risk of complications in both type I and type II diabetes. Although there is evidence that primary care can be as effective as secondary care in delivering care for people with diabetes, standards in primary care are variable. Previous studies have shown that practice, patient or organisational factors may influence the level of care of patients with diabetes. However, these studies have been conducted in single geographical areas and involved only small numbers of practices. AIM To determine the standard of diabetes care in general practice and to determine which features of practices are associated with delivering good quality care. DESIGN OF STUDY A questionnaire survey and analysis of multi-practice audit data. SETTING Three health authorities in England, comprising 169 general practices. METHOD This study was conducted with a total population of 1,182,872 patients and 18,642 people with diabetes. Linkage analysis was carried out on data collected by a questionnaire, routinely collected health authority data, and multi-practice audit data collected by primary care audit groups. Practice annual compliance was measured with process and outcome measures of care, including the proportion of patients who had an examination of their fundi, feet, blood pressure, urine, glycated haemoglobin, and the proportion who had a normal glycated haemoglobin. RESULTS Median compliance with process and outcome measures of care varied widely between practices: fundi were checked for 64.6% of patients (interquartile range [IQR] = 45.3-77.8%), urine was checked for 71.4% (IQR = 49.7-84.3%), feet were checked for 70.4% (IQR = 51.0-84.4%), blood pressure for 83.6% (IQR = 66.7-91.5%), and glycated haemoglobin was checked for 83.0% of patients (IQR = 69.4-92.0%). The glycated haemoglobin was normal in 42.9% of patients (IQR = 33.0-51.2%). In multiple regression analysis, compliance with measures of process of care were significantly associated with smaller practices, fundholding practices, and practices with a recall system. Practices with more socioeconomically deprived patients were associated with lower compliance with most process measures. Practices with a greater proportion of patients attending hospital clinics had lower compliance with process and outcome measures. Being a training practice, having a diabetes mini-clinic, having more nurses, personal care, and general practitioner or nurse interest in diabetes were not associated with compliance of process or outcome of care. CONCLUSIONS Despite recent evidence that complications of diabetes may be delayed or prevented, this study has highlighted a number of deficiencies in the provision of diabetes care and variations in care between general practices. Provision of high quality diabetes care in the United Kingdom will present an organisational challenge to primary care groups and trusts, especially those in deprived areas.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and psychological distress following medical and surgical abortion

Objective: Abortion can be a difficult event to cope with and can lead to the development of psychological disturbance. The aim of this prospective and longitudinal study was to assess and to predict Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms following abortion. Moreover, this study aimed to assess whether the type of abortion had an impact on women’s experience. Method: Eighty-six women were approached a few hours after the abortion and then 6 weeks later. Several questionnaires were completed: the Impact of Event Scale Revised (IES-R), the Multidimensional Scale of Social Support (MSPSS), the Peritraumatic Dissociative Experience Questionnaire (PDEQ), the Peritraumatic Emotions List (PEL), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Perinatal Grief Scale (PGS) and the Texas Grief Inventory (TGI). Results: Six weeks after the abortion, 38% of women reported a potential PTSD and a significant decrease of the anxious symptomatology was also highlighted. Peritraumatic dissociation and peritraumatic emotions were the main predictors of the intensity of post-abortum PTSD symptoms. Compared to surgical abortion, medical abortion was associated with increasing the risk of developing a possible PTSD. Conclusion: By providing evidence on some of the main risk factors, this study highlights the need for psychological support for women and strategies of prevention to be developed.
Cross-Lagged Relationships among Adolescent Problem Drug Use, Delinquent Behavior, and Emotional Distress

This study examines the cross-lagged relationships among problem drug use, delinquent behavior, and emotional distress in a sample of 3,458 adolescents from California and Oregon. The analyses used data collected from participants in grades 10 and 12 (or equivalent). Structural equation modeling with latent variables showed strong cross-sectional correlations among these problems, strong stability effects for all three problems, and only one cross-lagged effect (greater frequency of delinquent behavior at grade 10 led to greater problem drug use at grade 12). Multisample analyses by ethnicity (Asian, Black, Latino, and White) showed that the cross-lagged effect was not statistically different in these four groups. The results suggest that curbing delinquent behavior might contribute to the prevention of problem drug use.
Twenty Nuclear DNA Polymorphisms in a Moroccan Population: A Comparison with Seven Other Human Populations

A south central Moroccan sample was analyzed for 20 nuclear DNA polymorphisms (restriction fragment length polymorphisms). The population was chosen on the basis of available information on its history, making it suitable for comparisons with data from other European populations. The markers analyzed have been studied previously in several human groups from different continents, and data on African and European samples have been compared to evaluate the genetic affinity of the studied sample with other populations, especially with two Spanish groups: Basques and Andalusians. Heterozygosity levels showed intermediate values between the African and European groups and higher than those found so far in an African group for the studied markers. Genetic distances closely matched geographical relationships through neighbor-joining tree and correspondence analysis, the Moroccans being closer to the European groups than the sub-Saharan Africans included in the analysis. Allele distributions revealed specific population associations with large weight of several alleles in the differentiation of some groups. Gene flow from sub-Saharan Africa appears to be relevant in understanding the differentiation of present Moroccan populations.
Hierarchical latent class models for cluster analysis

Latent class models are used for cluster analysis of categorical data. Underlying such a model is the assumption that the observed variables are mutually independent given the class variable. A serious problem with the use of latent class models, known as local dependence, is that this assumption is often untrue. In this paper we propose hierarchical latent class models as a framework where the local dependence problem can be addressed in a principled manner. We develop a search-based algorithm for learning hierarchical latent class models from data. The algorithm is evaluated using both synthetic and real-world data.
On Becoming Assessment Literate: An Initial Look at Preservice Teachers' Beliefs and Practices.

Abstract There has been considerable discussion recently about the level of assessment literacy among teachers. However, few studies have involved the collection of direct evidence from teachers. This study followed a group of elementary preservice teachers from just before their assessment course through the completion of student teaching. Data sources included a pre‐instruction assessment journal, a self‐reflection assessment journal kept during student teaching, copies of all assessments used while teaching, and an individualized semi‐structured interview at the completion of student teaching. The following areas of concern were noted: grading, particularly for report cards; dealing with difficult parents at conferences; dealing with the pressures of mandated standardized testing; and working with cooperating teachers whose assessment philosophies and practices differ from those of the student teachers. Variations of the assessment course are suggested through several possible arrangements: as part of .
Preliminary results of transplantation with kidneys donated after cardiocirculatory determination of death: a French single-centre experience.

BACKGROUND Donation after circulatory determination of death (DCDD), formerly non-heart-beating donation and donation after cardiac death, has been re-introduced into clinical practice in France since June 2006 as a potential solution to organ shortage, but this kidney transplantation programme is not popular yet, mainly because of logistical concerns and uncertainty about the long-term warm ischaemia impact on transplanted kidneys. METHODS Our institution started the DCDD programme in January 2007, following the national 'BioMedicine Agency' protocol. We only considered uncontrolled donors with an initial no-flow period (i.e. delay between collapse and external cardiac massage start) <30 min. A 5-min stand-off period was observed before declaring the death and performing in situ cold perfusion, and since January 2010, normothermic subdiaphragmatic extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. All kidneys were machine-perfused using the hypothermic pulsatile preservation system before transplantation. Morphologic assessment and perfusion indexes were used to assess the suitability for transplantation. RESULTS From January 2007 to December 2010, our team performed 58 kidney transplantations from uncontrolled Maastricht Category I and II donors. Mean recipient age was 47 ± 9 years. Male/female ratio was 45/13. Mean waiting time on transplantation registry was 30 months (4-180). Mean cold ischaemia time was 13 h 40 min (7-18) and pulsatile perfusion time 8 h (1-16). We had three cases (5%) of primary non-function (PNF) and 95% of delayed graft function. There was no increase in biopsy-proven acute rejection incidence (12.7%). Patient and graft survivals were 98 and 91.4%, respectively, at 1 year and 98 and 88%, respectively, at last follow-up. Estimated glomerular filtration rate ( Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula) was 48 ± 16 mL/min/1.73 m(2) at 1 year and 48 ± 15 mL/min/1.73 m(2) at the last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS DCDD kidneys are a valuable additional source of organs for transplantation. Our results show encouraging outcomes, which give rise to further interest in this donor pool. Respecting the national protocol is crucial to prevent PNF and deleterious warm ischaemia effect on transplanted kidney.
Optimal Release of Information by Firms 1093

This paper provides a positive theory of voluntary disclosure by firms. Previous theoretical work on disclosure of new information by firms has demonstrated that releasing public information will often make all shareholders worse off, due to an adverse risksharing effect. This paper uses a general equilibrium model with endogenous information collection to demonstrate that there exists a policy of disclosure of information which makes all shareholders better off than a policy of no disclosure. The welfare improvement occurs because of explicit information cost savings and improved risk sharing. This provides a positive theory of precommitment to disclosure, because it will be unanimously voted for by stockholders and will also represent the policy that will maximize value ex ante. In addition, it provides a "missing link" in financial signalling models. Apart from the effects on information production analyzed in this paper, most existing financial signalling models are inconsistent with a firm taking actions which facilitate future signalling because release of the signal makes all investors worse off. PUBLICLY TRADED FIRMS EXPEND resources to release information to outside security holders on an almost continual basis, even in the absence of regulatory requirements to do so. Firms enter into commitments to continue to release such information; e.g., such commitments are common in bond covenants. This paper develops an equilibrium model to explain such an expenditure by firms and shows that in many circumstances this public information makes all traders better off. The welfare improvement occurs in part because some traders would acquire costly information in the absence of the public announcement, while all abstain from information collection given the announcement. In addition, releasing public information is shown to improve risk sharing. There has been much analysis of mechanisms which act to signal or release information to traders. Dividend policy and capital structure policy have been analyzed as signals in, e.g., Bhattacharaya [3], Miller-Rock [20], and Ross [23]. No general explanation has been put forth which rationalizes an ex ante desire by traders for such information. ' Ross [23] demonstrates that a particular observable variable can release information, but the desirability of such information release is not studied. Miller-Rock [20] presents a model which implies * Graduate School of Business, University of Chicago. I am grateful to E. Cammack, G. Connor, P. Dybvig, M. Hellwig, B. Trueman, R. Verrecchia, an anonymous Associate Editor, and workshop participants at Chicago, Northwestern, and Wisconsin for helpful comments. Research support was provided by the University of Bonn and the Center for Research in Security Prices at the University of Chicago. 1 Harris-Raviv [15] shows that in a dynamic model where a firm's stockholders cannot diversify, signalling information may provide a welfare improvement. This is only for certain parameter values, however, and the paper does not claim to have provided a theory of the demand for the release of information.
Characterization of the orchid bee Euglossa viridissima (Apidae: Euglossini) and a novel cryptic sibling species, by morphological, chemical, and genetic characters

In orchid bees, males signal their availability as mates by fanning ‘perfumes’, i.e. blends of volatiles that are collected from environmental sources and stored in hind leg pouches. The chemical composition of such perfumes in males with either two or three mandibular teeth has previously led to the discovery of two sympatric, cryptic lineages within Euglossa viridissima Friese on the Yucatan peninsula, Mexico. Here, we combine chemical, morphological, and genetic data for an integrated characterization of the two lineages. The lectotype of E. viridissima Friese in the Museum of Natural History in Vienna has two mandibular teeth, and the species name viridissima must thus be assigned to the predominantly bidentate lineage, whereas the completely tridentate lineage is described as a novel species, Euglossa dilemma sp. nov. Bembe & Eltz. Chemical profiling and microsatellite genotyping revealed that E. viridissima males can occasionally (∼10% of individuals) express a third mandibular tooth, but this tooth is not positioned centrally on the mandible as in E. dilemma, but is displaced towards the tip. Thus, males of the two lineages can be unambiguously diagnosed by mandibular characters alone. Based on 889 bp of CO1 sequence data, we confirm that E. viridissima and E. dilemma constitute a monophyletic group within the genus Euglossa. However, CO1 alone failed to separate these two lineages due to the lack of parsimony-informative sites. Both species occur in broad sympatry across Central America, but the orchid bees recently introduced to Florida have three mandibular teeth in males, i.e. belong to E. dilemma. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 163, 1064–1076.