Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Two Distinct Modes of Exocytotic Fusion Pore Expansion in Large Astrocytic Vesicles*

Background: Astrocytes release glutamate and d-serine by fusion of large vesicles. Results: Fusion occurs at a ring shape of the docked membrane, and the movement of fusion-produced membrane fragment expands the fusion pore. Conclusion: Two modes of fusion pore expansion are associated with full and partial collapses of large vesicles. Significance: Two fusion modes provide a novel mechanism for full and partial collapses of large vesicles. Formation of the fusion pore is a central question for regulated exocytosis by which secretory cells release neurotransmitters or hormones. Here, by dynamically monitoring exocytosis of large vesicles (2–7 μm) in astrocytes with two-photon microscopy imaging, we found that the exocytotic fusion pore was generated from the SNARE-dependent fusion at a ring shape of the docked plasma-vesicular membrane and the movement of a fusion-produced membrane fragment. We observed two modes of fragment movements, 1) a shift fragment that shifted to expand the fusion pore and 2) a fall-in fragment that fell into the collapsed vesicle to expand the fusion pore. Shift and fall-in modes are associated with full and partial collapses of large vesicles, respectively. The astrocytic marker, sulforhodamine 101, stained the fusion-produced membrane fragment more brightly than FM 1-43. Sulforhodamine 101 imaging showed that double fusion pores could simultaneously occur in a single vesicle (16% of large vesicles) to accelerate discharge of vesicular contents. Electron microscopy of large astrocytic vesicles showed shift and fall-in membrane fragments. Two modes of fusion pore formation demonstrate a novel mechanism underlying fusion pore expansion and provide a new explanation for full and partial collapses of large secretory vesicles.
A Gaussian Markov alternative to fractional Brownian motion for pricing financial derivatives

Replacing Black-Scholes' driving process, Brownian motion, with fractional Brownian motion allows for incorporation of a past dependency of stock prices but faces a few major downfalls, including the occurrence of arbitrage when implemented in the financial market. We present the development, testing, and implementation of a simplified alternative to using fractional Brownian motion for pricing derivatives. By relaxing the assumption of past independence of Brownian motion but retaining the Markovian property, we are developing a competing model that retains the mathematical simplicity of the standard Black-Scholes model but also has the improved accuracy of allowing for past dependence. This is achieved by replacing Black-Scholes' underlying process, Brownian motion, with a particular Gaussian Markov process, proposed by Vladimir Dobri\'{c} and Francisco Ojeda.
Chief financial officer (CFO) characteristics and ERP system adoption: An upper-echelons perspective

Purpose This paper aims to examine the relationship between characteristics of chief financial officers (CFOs) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) system adoption. Following upper echelons theory, the authors theorize that CFO age, education, tenure and recruitment influence ERP system adoption, and that this relationship is moderated by the CFO being responsible for firm-wide information technology (IT) functions. Design/methodology/approach The empirical analysis is based on a survey of 296 large and medium-sized Austrian firms. Logistic regression analyses were used to test the association between CFO characteristics and ERP system adoption. Findings The authors find that firms with externally recruited CFOs have adopted ERP systems significantly more often than firms with internally promoted CFOs. Surprisingly, the results indicate that firms with less educated CFOs more often adopted an ERP system, and that the relationship between CFO characteristics and ERP system adoption is not moderated by the CFO being responsible for IT. Research limitations/implications This paper adds to the literature by corroborating case-based evidence that CFOs and their characteristics influence ERP system adoption. Extending previous research which indicates that CFO characteristics influence accounting practices, the authors show that CFO characteristics also influence technological innovation such as the adoption of ERP systems. Future research on technological innovation may therefore pay closer attention to the influence of CFOs. Originality/value This paper is the first to quantitatively test the influence of CFO characteristics on ERP system adoption.
Addiction and Dose Response: The Psychomotor Stimulant Theory of Addiction Reveals That Hormetic Dose Responses Are Dominant

In 1987 Wise and Bozarth proposed a psychomotor stimulant theory of addiction whose most consistent feature was enhanced forward (horizontal) locomotion. While controversial, the theory of Wise and Bozarth has had substantial impact on addiction behavior theory over the past two decades, being cited over 1,400 times. The present assessment places the theoretical formulation of within a dose-response framework. This analysis demonstrates that the psychomotor stimulant effects of addictive drugs routinely display biphasic dose-response relationships that are consistent with the quantitative features of the hormetic dose-response model. This is the case, regardless of addictive agent, animal model, and experimental protocol employed. Not only do these findings suggest an important role for the hormetic dose response model in the assessment of addictive behaviors, they also further extend the generalizability of the hormesis dose-response model concept within the biomedical sciences.
A comparative study on the disinfection potentials of bioactive glass S53P4 and calcium hydroxide in contra-lateral human premolars ex vivo.

AIM To evaluate the effects of bioactive glass S53P4 versus calcium hydroxide when used as dressings in contra-lateral human premolars infected with Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212. METHODOLOGY Pairs of contra-lateral premolar teeth plus single control premolars were obtained from 23 individuals aged 10-26 years undergoing orthodontic treatment. Root canals of teeth with fully formed apices (nine contra-lateral pairs, seven controls) were instrumented using a size 60 FlexoFiles 2 mm short of canal length. Canals with open apices (six contra-lateral pairs, four controls) were circumferentially instrumented using a FlexoFile. Root canals were rinsed with 1% sodium hypochlorite and 10% citric acid. Teeth were then suspended in tryptic soy broth (TSB) and autoclaved. Positive controls and study teeth were infected with E. faecalis ATCC 29212 for 2 weeks in TSB, while negative controls were kept in sterile TSB. Subsequently, contra-lateral premolars were dressed with bioactive glass S53P4 (BAG) or calcium hydroxide suspensions for 10 days. Dentine samples were obtained from teeth with fully formed apices using ISO-size 70, 80 and 90 FlexoFiles to working length and cultured. Teeth with open apices were fixed, fractured and examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS Calcium hydroxide had a strong antibacterial effect and was significantly more effective than BAG in preventing residual bacterial growth (P < 0.01). SEM analysis revealed apparent substance-specific modes of action. CONCLUSIONS Calcium hydroxide was an effective disinfectant in human teeth.
Historical cohort study of shift work and blood pressure.

BACKGROUND It has been suggested that shift work (SW) is associated with changes in blood pressure (BP). However, studies have reported contradictory results. AIMS To prospectively examine the association between SW and BP among male workers. METHODS A historical cohort study, involving workers of Esfahan's Mobarakeh Steel Company, in Iran, was conducted over 14 years. The association between SW, systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) was investigated after adjusting for body mass index, age, work experience, marriage, smoking and education based on the Bayesian multilevel modelling approach. RESULTS The study sample included 5331 male workers. The mean age (standard deviation, SD) was 34.8 (6.6) years and mean work (SD) experience was 9.4 (6.1) years. Among these subjects, 2348 (44%), 340 (6%) and 2643 (50%) were day workers, weekly rotating shift workers and routinely rotating shift workers, respectively. The mean SBP (SD) and DBP (SD) of these workers were 118.7 (8.1) and 73.1 (6.7) mmHg, respectively. After controlling for several confounding variables, there was no significant relationship between SBP and DBP and SW. CONCLUSIONS No significant association between SW and BP was observed among these three groups (day workers, weekly rotating shift workers and routinely rotating shift workers). Prospective studies, which control for confounding factors, such as the healthy worker effect, occupational history, family history and psychological factors (e.g. occupational stress and job satisfaction), are required to evaluate this further.
A new proposal to improve the description of astronomical resources: The case of historical star catalogues

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show that some important astronomical information is still not taken into account in the documental description of historical star catalogues. Design/methodology/approach – A sample of 28 historical star catalogues (eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries) from the Royal Institute and Observatory of the Spanish Navy was selected in order to analyse their structure and to identify information patterns. Findings – The analysis shows that there are a number of technical parameters which are not present in the cataloguing standards and which should be taken into account in the bibliographic descriptions of these specialised documents since they are of great interest to astronomers and astrophysicists. On the other hand, star catalogues provide some cartographic information which can be described by these standards but whose corresponding fields are not widely used by cataloguers. Originality/value – A proposal of new technical parameters is given in order to tr.
The origin of mean arterial and jugular venous blood pressures in giraffes

SUMMARY Using a mechanical model of the giraffe neck and head circulation consisting of a rigid, ascending, `carotid' limb, a `cranial' circulation that could be rigid or collapsible, and a descending, `jugular' limb that also could be rigid or collapsible, we have analyzed the origin of the high arterial and venous pressures in giraffe, and whether blood flow is assisted by a siphon. When the tubes were rigid and the `jugular' limb exit was lower than the `carotid' limb entrance a siphon operated, `carotid' hydrostatic pressures became more negative, and flow was 3.3 l min–1 but ceased when the `cranial' and `jugular' limbs were collapsible or when the `jugular' limb was opened to the atmosphere. Pumping water through the model produced positive pressures in the `carotid' limb similar to those found in giraffe. Applying an external `tissue' pressure to the `jugular' tube during pump flow produced the typical pressures found in the jugular vein in giraffe. Constriction of the lowest, `jugular cuff', portion of the `jugular' limb showed that the cuff may augment the orthostatic reflex during head raising. Except when all tubes were rigid, pressures were unaffected by a siphon. We conclude that mean arterial blood pressure in giraffes is a consequence of the hydrostatic pressure generated by the column of blood in the neck, that tissue pressure around the collapsible jugular vein produces the known jugular pressures, and that a siphon does not assist flow through the cranial circulation.
Specific carotenoid intake is inversely associated with the risk of breast cancer among Chinese women

The protective effect of dietary carotenoid intake on the risk of breast cancer is inconclusive. Moreover, data on dietary carotenoids in relation to breast cancer in non-Western populations are scarce. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between dietary carotenoid intake and the risk of breast cancer among Chinese women. A total of 561 cases and 561 controls who were frequency matched by age (5-year interval) and residence were recruited in the present case–control study. Dietary intake information was collected by a face-to-face interview using a validated FFQ. The OR and 95 % CI were assessed by multivariate logistic regression after adjusting for various potential confounders. An inverse association was observed between the consumption of α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin and lutein/zeaxanthin and the risk of breast cancer. The multivariate-adjusted OR for the highest quartile of intake compared with the lowest quartile of intake were 0·61 (95 % CI 0·43, 0·88) for α-carotene, 0·54 (95 % CI 0·38, 0·78) for β-carotene, 0·38 (95 % CI 0·26, 0·52) for β-cryptoxanthin and 0·49 (95 % CI 0·34, 0·71) for lutein/zeaxanthin. Lycopene intake was not found to be associated with the risk of breast cancer, with the adjusted OR of 0·89 (95 % CI 0·61, 1·30). These inverse associations were more evident among pre-menopausal women and women who were exposed to second-hand smoke. The protective effect of specific carotenoid intake was observed for all subtypes of hormone receptor status of breast cancer. The present study indicated that a greater intake of specific carotenoids was associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer among Chinese women residing in Guangdong.
Internal devaluation in a wage-led economy: the case of Spain

The aim of this paper is to use the theoretical distinction between wage-led and profit-led economies to consider the impact of internal devaluation policy on GDP growth for the case of Spain. We assess to what extent wage devaluation in Spain has proven useful vis-a-vis triggering an exportled strategy, boosting aggregate demand and overcoming the crisis. For said purpose, we estimate a Bhaduri-Marglin model drawing on quarterly data from Eurostat, and we expand the traditional model to take into account the effect of private debt on consumption and investment. Our main conclusion is that the Spanish economy can be characterized as a wage-led economy, and that therefore a wage share decrease proves counterproductive to growth. According to our calculations, internal devaluation policy detracted an average of 0.3 percentage points of annual economic growth during the period 2010-2016.
Children and adolescents with complex regional pain syndrome: more psychologically distressed than other children in pain?

BACKGROUND Historically, in both adult and pediatric populations, a lack of knowledge regarding complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and absence of clear diagnostic criteria have contributed to the view that this is a primarily psychiatric condition. OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that children with CRPS are more functionally disabled, have more pain and are more psychologically distressed than children with other pain conditions. METHODS A total of 101 children evaluated in a tertiary care pediatric pain clinic who met the International Association for the Study of Pain consensus diagnostic criteria for CRPS participated in the present retrospective study. Comparison groups included 103 children with abdominal pain, 291 with headache and 119 with back pain. Children and parents completed self-report questionnaires assessing disability, somatization, pain coping, depression, anxiety and school attendance. RESULTS Children with CRPS reported higher pain intensity and more recent onset of pain at the initial tertiary pain clinic evaluation compared with children with other chronic pain conditions. They reported greater functional disability and more somatic symptoms than children with headaches or back pain. Scores on measures of depression and anxiety were within normal limits and similar to those of children in other pain diagnostic groups. CONCLUSIONS As a group, clinic-referred children with CRPS may be more functionally impaired and experience more somatic symptoms compared with children with other pain conditions. However, overall psychological functioning as assessed by self-report appears to be similar to that of children with other chronic pain diagnoses. Comprehensive assessment using a biopsychosocial framework is essential to understanding and appropriately treating children with symptoms of CRPS.
What We Have Learned About Long-Term Cementless Fixation From Autopsy Retrievals

The current authors summarize insights gained from their experience studying uncemented porous-coated femoral and acetabular hip replacement components retrieved at autopsy. For femoral components, autopsy studies showed that osseointegration occurs over an average 35% of the porous surface with the most predictable ingrowth occurring near the termination of the porous coating. The bone ingrowth pattern causes a predictable bone remodeling pattern: an overall decrease in bone mineral content (mean, 23% loss) occurring on a gradient with the most loss proximally and the least distally. This pattern occurs regardless of the implant’s level of coating, mirrors the gradient of strain reduction, and because it is recognized easily, can be used by orthopaedists to distinguish between components with and without bone ingrowth on standard radiographs. Studies also have shown that femoral bone loss is more related to the characteristics of the implanted femur than any other variable. On the acetabular side, bone ingrowth is more unpredictable and occurs randomly. Although the amount of acetabular bone ingrowth averaged 32%, it ranged from 3% to 84%. Unfortunately, a consistent pelvic remodeling pattern has not been associated with an implanted porous-coated uncemented cup. Consequently, orthopaedists cannot determine radiographically whether an acetabular component truly is bone ingrown. Overall, autopsy studies have contributed to a basic understanding of the histologic and radiographic appearance of osteointegrated porous-coated implants and have confirmed the durability of this three-dimensional fixation even in the presence of osteolysis.
Teachers, school choice and competition: Lock-in effects within and between sectors

Neoliberal forces since the latter part of the 20th century have ushered in greater devolution in state schooling systems, producing uneven effects on the working conditions of teachers, commonly the largest segment of the public sector workforce. Within this context, this paper examines secondary teachers’ working conditions as they relate to the restructuring of the professional landscape that school choice reforms bring. Drawing illustrations from a qualitative study of teachers’ working experiences in the lowest socio-economic status schools, through the ‘middle band’, to the most prestigious and affluent in a metropolitan city in Australia, this paper finds that teachers develop skill-sets that are context specific, creating possible ‘lock-in effects’ within but also between sectors. Moreover, various work arrangement issues seem to reinforce the lock-in effects by making changes between sectors risky and unattractive. We postulate that inter- and intra-sectoral differences, which are exacerbated through school choice processes, have the potential to reinforce and deepen the lock-in effects on teachers, with possible consequences for their future career mobility.
Optimal Scheduling of Energy Storage for Energy Shifting and Ancillary Services to the Grid

The increase in renewable energy penetration into Ontario’s electricity market has altered the overall behaviour of the energy market, with negative electricity prices even starting to appear. Negative prices represent a greater supply than the market demands, mostly appearing at night and during off-peak periods. Energy storage can be deployed in Ontario for peak shaving and energy shifting from off-peak to peak periods to address the above-mentioned issues. This is also the concern of many other system operators across the world. This thesis is mainly focused on developing optimization-based models for scheduling of energy storage units. At first, a real-time optimal scheduling algorithm is developed seeking to maximize the storage revenue by exploiting arbitrage opportunities available due to the inter-temporal variation of electricity prices. The electricity price modulation is proposed as an approach to competitively offer incentive by the utility regulator to storage to fill the gap between current and a stable rate of return. Subsequently, the application of large-scale storage for congestion relief in transmission systems as an ancillary service to the grid is investigated. An algorithm is proposed for the following objectives: (i) to generate revenue primarily by exploiting electricity price arbitrage opportunities and (ii) to optimally prepare the storage to maximize its contribution to transmission congestion relief. In addition, an algorithm is proposed to enable independently operated, locally controlled storage to accept dispatch instructions issued by Independent System Operators (ISOs). Storage in this case is referred to as dispatchable storage. While the operation of locally controlled storage is optimally scheduled at the owner’s end, using the proposed algorithm, storage is fully dispatchable at the ISO’s end. Finally, a model is proposed and analyzed to aggregate storage benefits for a largescale load. The complete model for optimal operation of storage-based electrical loads considering both the capital and operating expenditures of storage is developed. The applications of the proposed algorithms and models are examined using real-world market data adopted from Ontario’s electricity market and actual load information from a large-scale institutional electricity consumer in Ontario.
Doing Good in Another Neighborhood: Attributions of CSR Motives Depend on Corporate Nationality and Cultural Orientation

In the past few decades, consumers around the world have placed increasing value on corporate social responsibility (CSR). As a response, companies entering new markets have boosted spending in areas like cause-related marketing to improve their reputation and create goodwill among consumers in the host country. However, these efforts may not be effective for all consumers or in all countries. Drawing upon research on intergroup bias and attribution theory, the present work explores how consumers from individualistic (the United States and Canada) and collectivistic (South Korea and India) cultures form attributions and attitudes about the CSR activities of foreign and domestic firms. Across three studies, we find that collectivistic (but not individualistic) consumers make more altruistic (but not egoistic) attributions about the CSR motives of domestic (vs. foreign) companies, and that altruistic attribution leads to more positive attitudes toward the firm. We also showed that collectivists’ bias against foreign firms is attenuated when level of commitment to the cause (as conveyed by CSR duration) is high.