Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Limited ecological connectivity of an arboreal marsupial across a forest/plantation landscape despite apparent resilience to fragmentation

Demographic and genetic replenishment of populations through the exchange of individuals is essential for their persistence. Habitat loss and fragmentation can reduce the permeability of landscapes, hinder dispersal and compromise the genetic integrity of populations over time. We examined ecological connectivity in an arboreal marsupial, the common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) in fragmented forests of southeastern Australia. This species is potentially robust to fragmentation based on its presence in degraded landscapes and known use of plantations for foraging and nesting. Using 312 individuals screened at 15 microsatellites, we measured dispersal and gene flow across seven native Eucalyptus forest remnants surrounded by exotic Pinus radiata plantations and three sites within a large continuous forest. The permeability of the pine matrix to dispersing possums was significantly lower than that of the native forest. Small, isolated patches exhibited signatures of genetic drift, having lower heterozygosity and allelic richness than possums in large patches. Most (87%) possums were born in their sampled patch or dispersed only short distances into neighbouring remnants. The continuous forest was identified as an important source of immigrants only for proximate patches (within 2.5 km), thus emphasizing for the common ringtail possum and more specialized arboreal mammals the need to conserve large, proximate forest remnants. Our findings highlight the importance of using genetic tools to understand the long‐term biological consequences of fragmentation for effective management.
Lecithin:Retinol Acyltransferase Is Responsible for Amidation of Retinylamine, a Potent Inhibitor of the Retinoid Cycle*

Lecithin:retinol acyltransferase (LRAT) catalyzes the transfer of an acyl group from the sn-1 position of phosphatidylcholine to all-trans-retinol (vitamin A) and plays an essential role in the regeneration of visual chromophore as well as in the metabolism of vitamin A. Here we demonstrate that retinylamine (Ret-NH2), a potent and selective inhibitor of 11-cis-retinal biosynthesis (Golczak, M., Kuksa, V., Maeda, T., Moise, A. R., and Palczewski, K. (2005) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 102, 8162-8167), is a substrate for LRAT. LRAT catalyzes the transfer of the acyl group onto Ret-NH2 leading to the formation of N-retinylpalmitamide, N-retinylstearamide, and N-retinylmyristamide with a ratio of 15:6:2, respectively. The presence of N-retinylamides was detected in vivo in mice supplemented with Ret-NH2. N-Retinylamides are thus the main metabolites of Ret-NH2 in the liver and the eye and can be mobilized by hydrolysis/deamidation back to Ret-NH2. Using two-photon microscopy and the intrinsic fluorescence of N-retinylamides, we showed that newly formed amides colocalize with the retinyl ester storage particles (retinosomes) in the retinal pigment epithelium. These observations provide new information concerning the substrate specificity of LRAT and explain the prolonged effect of Ret-NH2 on the rate of 11-cis-retinal recovery in vivo.
Permeation and block of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartic acid receptor channels by divalent cations in mouse cultured central neurones.

1. Spinal cord and hippocampal neurones in cell culture were voltage clamped using the tight‐seal, whole‐cell recording technique. The concentration of sodium and a series of divalent cations in the extracellular media was varied to study permeation through excitatory amino acid receptor channels activated by the selective agonists N‐methyl‐D‐aspartic acid (NMDA), kainic acid and quisqualic acid. 2. On raising the extracellular calcium concentration, with [Na+]o held constant at 105 mM, the reversal potential of responses to NMDA shifted in the depolarizing direction. This shift was adequately described by the extended constant‐field equation over the range 0.3‐50 mM‐calcium. Using ionic activity coefficients we calculate a value of PCa/PNa = 10.6. Under the same experimental conditions the reversal potential of responses to kainic and quisqualic acids was much less affected by raising the calcium concentration, such that PCa/PNa = 0.15. A depolarizing shift of the NMDA reversal potential was also recorded during application of 20 mM‐barium, strontium or manganese, suggesting permeation of these ions. The permeability sequence was Ca2+ greater than Ba2+ greater than Sr2+ much greater than Mn2+. No depolarizing shift of the NMDA reversal potential occurred during application of 20 mM‐cobalt, magnesium or nickel. 3. In experiments in which the extracellular Na+ concentration was varied the extended constant‐field equation was adequate in predicting shifts of the NMDA reversal potential recorded on varying [Na+]o over the range 50‐150 mM, but failed to accurately predict the reversal potential of responses to NMDA with 10 mM‐[Ca2+]o and only 10 or 20 mM‐[Na+]o. These results imply an apparent increase in PCa/PNa on lowering [Na+]o and may result from interaction of permeant ions within the channel. 4. Barium and to a lesser extent calcium, but not strontium (all 20 mM), reduced the slope conductance of responses to NMDA recorded within +/‐ 15 mV of the reversal potential; over this limited range of membrane potential the current‐voltage relationship remained linear in the presence of each of these ions. In contrast manganese produced a strong, voltage‐dependent block of responses to NMDA, similar to that produced by magnesium, such that even close to the reversal potential the NMDA current‐voltage relationship was highly non‐linear. Thus manganese both permeates and blocks the NMDA receptor channel. 5. Raising the extracellular calcium concentration, from 0.1 to 5 mM, had two effects on the conductance mechanism activated by NMDA. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Institutional environment, innovation capacity and firm performance in Russia

Purpose – Following the demise of the Soviet Union in 1992, Russia undertook major institutional and market‐oriented reforms to enhance the competitive advantage of domestic enterprises. Although Russia has experienced rapid growth over the last two decades, the extent to which institutions in Russia impact on firm innovation and performance remains poorly understood due to a lack of research on the subject. This paper seeks to contribute to the literature on the competitiveness of Russian firms by focussing specifically on the extent to which the state of the regulatory quality, rule of law, and corruption affect the innovation capacity and performance of firms in Russia.Design/methodology/approach – The study uses structural equation modelling and data from a large‐scale firm level survey (n=787) of firms in Russia undertaken by the World Bank in 2009. It investigates the direct and indirect perceptions of respondents of the effects the current institutional environment has on the innovation capacity an.
Acute Stimulation with Long Chain Acyl-CoA Enhances Exocytosis in Insulin-secreting Cells (HIT T-15 and NMRI β-Cells)*

Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is associated with, in addition to impaired insulin release, elevated levels of free fatty acids (FFA) in the blood. Insulin release is stimulated when β-cells are acutely exposed to FFA, whereas chronic exposure may inhibit glucose-induced insulin secretion. In the present study we investigated the direct effects of long chain acyl-CoA (LC-CoA), the active intracellular form of FFA, on insulin exocytosis. Palmitoyl-CoA stimulated both insulin release from streptolysin-O-permeabilized HIT cells and fusion of secretory granules to the plasma membrane of mouse pancreatic β-cells, as measured by cell capacitance. The LC-CoA effect was chain length-dependent, requiring chain lengths of at least 14 carbons. LC-CoA needed to be present to stimulate insulin release, and consequently there was no effect following its removal. The stimulatory effect was observed after inhibition of protein kinase activity and in the absence of ATP, even though both kinases and ATP, themselves, modulate exocytosis. The effect of LC-CoA was inhibited by cerulenin, which has been shown to block protein acylation. The data suggest that altered LC-CoA levels, resulting from FFA or glucose metabolism, may act directly on the exocytotic machinery to stimulate insulin release by a mechanism involving LC-CoA protein binding.
Causes of newspaper firm employee burnout in Korea and its impact on organizational commitment and turnover intention

This study assesses the degree of burnout among newspaper firm employees in Korea and investigates the causes and consequences of this phenomenon. A survey of reporters and non-reporting staff members from the 10 national daily newspaper firms in South Korea indicates that employees suffer from burnout. In particular, respondents claimed to have experienced a higher level of exhaustion than cynicism and a diminished sense of professional efficacy. Overload, a non-autonomous, non-supportive work environment, and dissatisfaction with the work itself, level of pay, co-workers, supervisors and promotion opportunities were also contributing factors. As a result of burnout, employees reported diminished commitment to the organization and increased turnover intention.
Analysts' Incentives and Street Earnings

We examine whether analysts' incentives influence street earnings. Because Jegadeesh et al. (2004) argue and demonstrate that analysts' incentives to promote stocks increase in the extent to which the stock exhibits glamour characteristics, we predict that analysts more likely make income-increasing adjustments for potentially transitory (i.e., nonrecurring) items in determining street earnings for glamour stocks than for value stocks. We find that analysts more likely exclude expense items from street earnings for glamour stocks than for value stocks and that excluded expense items help predict future earnings for glamour stocks but not for value stocks. We also report that analysts' adjustments cause street earnings of glamour stocks to meet or beat analysts' earnings forecasts more so than street earnings of value stocks. Results suggest that analysts' self-interest influences street earnings and this self-interest leads to street earnings that are less useful in predicting future earnings for glamour stocks.
Effect of Carrier Frequency Offset on Channel Estimation for SISO/MIMO-OFDM Systems

Few works have addressed the effect of CFO (carrier frequency offset) on channel estimation performance. In this paper, compact analytical expressions on the mean square error of channel estimation in the presence of CFO are derived for OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) systems employing single and multiple antennas. Concise upper bounds are also derived for SISO-OFDM systems. It is revealed that channel estimation MSE (mean square error) increases at the rate of approximately the square of the CFO and increasing the number of pilots does not contribute to better suppression of the MSE caused by CFO. In addition, it is observed that LMMSE (linear minimum mean square error) channel estimation is more resistant to CFO compared to LS (least square) in terms of channel estimation MSE. Furthermore, from the results derived herein, a clue for the pilot design of OFDM systems with CFO can be obtained
Effects of levodopa on motor sequence learning in Parkinson’s disease

Background: Dopaminergic therapy with levodopa improves motor function in PD patients, but the effects of levodopa on cognition in PD remain uncertain. Objective: To use H215O and PET to assess the effect of levodopa infusion on motor sequence learning in PD. Methods: Seven right-handed PD patients were scanned “on” and “off” levodopa while performing a sequence learning task. The changes in learning performance and regional brain activation that occurred during this intervention were assessed. Results: During PET imaging, levodopa infusion reduced learning performance as measured by subject report (p < 0.05). This behavioral change was accompanied by enhanced activation during treatment in the right premotor cortex and a decline in the ipsilateral occipital association area (p < 0.01). Levodopa-induced changes in learning-related activation responses in the occipital association cortex correlated with changes in learning indexes (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Levodopa treatment appears to have subtle detrimental effects on cognitive function in nondemented PD patients. These effects may be mediated through an impairment in brain activation in occipital association cortex.
Industrial Decline and Unemployment in the Inner City Areas of Great Britain: a Review of the Evidence

This article examines empirical studies which have investigated problems of decentralisation, employment decline and the high levels of unemployment which prevail in the inner city areas of Britain. An attempt is made to synthesise these studies and to expose gaps in the current body of knowledge. The article concludes by interpreting the findings in relation to present policies towards inner city employment.
The current status of environmental reporting by Indian companies

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore the state of environmental reporting by Indian companies on their web sites and also in their annual reports. Design/methodology/approach - The web sites of the companies in the sample were visited to examine the accessibility and extent of environmental information disclosure on their web sites. The annual reports for 2003-2004, as available on the companies' web sites were selected to investigate the extent of environmental information disclosure in these annual reports. Findings - The paper finds that, although there are no regulations enforcing the disclosure of environmental information, most of the Indian companies have disclosed environmental information. These companies provided more environmental information on their web sites compared to the information provided in their annual reports. Originality/value - This study contributes to the existing body of environmental reporting literature by focusing on the status of environmental reporting by companies of an emerging economy and also contributes to the existing body of environmental reporting literature by focusing on the accessibility of environmental information on web sites of respective companies.
Prognostic factors, treatment goals and clinical endpoints in pediatric pulmonary arterial hypertension

Pulmonale hypertensie (PH),verhoogde bloeddruk in de longslagaders, is een ernstige levensbedreigende ziekte. De longslagaders worden steeds nauwer en stijver, waardoor het hart krachtiger moet samenknijpen om het bloed door de longen te pompen. Uiteindelijk houdt het hart dit niet vol, waardoor de patient overlijdt. Voor kinderen is geen goede behandeling beschikbaar, terwijl de sterfte veel hoger is vergeleken met volwassenen. Bij ernstige ziektes zijn metingen nodig om vast te stellen hoe ver de ziekte gevorderd is, hoe de prognose is en of de behandeling aanslaat. Doordat deze metingen nog niet beschikbaar zijn voor kinderen met PH, is het moeilijk inschatten hoe intensief de behandeling moet zijn en hoe snel aan longtransplantatie moet worden gedacht. Bovendien zijn zulke metingen een voorwaarde voor geneesmiddelenonderzoek. Dit proefschrift heeft meerdere metingen opgeleverd voor het volgen van kinderen met PH, en vormt daarmee een belangrijke stap in het verbeteren van de behandeling. Door de mate van inspanningsbeperking in het dagelijks leven te scoren, met een hartecho de knijpkracht van de rechter harthelft te beoordelen en in het bloed de overbelasting van het hartweefsel te meten, kan nu goed worden bepaald welke kinderen intensiever behandeld of vroegtijdig getransplanteerd moeten worden. Ook de stijfheid van de longslagaders en de mate waarin de kinderen achterlopen in hun groei blijken goede indicatoren van de ziekte-ernst en prognose. De beschikbaarheid van deze metingen maakt het mogelijk om richtlijnen op te stellen over wanneer de behandeling moet worden geintensiveerd of wanneer longtransplantatie overwogen moet worden. Daarnaast is nu de weg vrij om de effectiviteit van bestaande en nieuwe geneesmiddelen op een betrouwbare manier te testen in kinderen met PH.
Real interest rate parity in the ASEAN-5 countries: a nonlinear perspective

This article aims at testing real interest parity (RIP) by using nonlinear unit root tests. The results from Kapetanios et al. (2003) demonstrated that the adjustment of ASEAN-5 real interest rates towards real interest rates in Japan and the US follows a nonlinear (stationary) process. Overall, the evidence is in favour of RIP.
Performance management in fire and rescue services

This article contributes to the strategic review of the 46 fire and rescue services in England and Wales. It examines the previous performance management regime and presents the authors' proposals for a new, more efficient and effective regime. Although targeted at England and Wales, the article will have relevance to other services and to fire services internationally.
Employee commitment in MNCs: Impacts of organizational culture, HRM and top management orientations

This article tests a model of organizational commitment in multinational corporations (MNCs). According to the model, organizational culture and human resource management (HRM) affect employee commitment directly as well as indirectly through top management team orientations. Szpecifically, we examined the effect of top management team global orientation and geocentric orientation, which are seen as contributing uniquely to employee commitment in MNCs. The model was tested on a sample of 1664 core employees working in 39 affiliates of 10 MNCs. We found strong overall support for the model. In particular, organizational culture characterized by high adaptability and a HRM system characterized by high performance work practices were found to have a significant and direct effect on employee commitment. In addition, we found that the effect of these traditional elements of the human organization is partially mediated through top management orientations, specific to international firms. The validity and generalizability of these results are reinforced by the control of a set of demographic variables as well as nationality of parent company.
Costs and efficiency of integrating HIV/AIDS services with other health services: a systematic review of evidence and experience

Objectives To review the literature on the potential efficiency gains of integrating HIV services with other health services. Design Systematic literature review. Search of electronic databases, manual searching and snowball sampling. Studies that presented results on cost, efficiency or cost-effectiveness of integrated HIV services were included, focusing on low- and middle-income countries. Evidence was analysed and synthesised through a narrative approach and the quality of studies assessed. Results Of 666 citations retrieved, 46 were included (35 peer reviewed and 11 from grey literature). A range of integrated HIV services were found to be cost-effective compared with ‘do-nothing’ alternatives, including HIV services integrated into sexual and reproductive health services, integrated tuberculosis/HIV services and HIV services integrated into primary healthcare. The cost of integrated HIV counselling and testing is likely to be lower than that of stand-alone counselling and testing provision; however, evidence is limited on the comparative costs of other services, particularly HIV care and treatment. There is also little known about the most efficient model of integration, the efficiency gain from integration beyond the service level and any economic benefit to HIV service users. Conclusions In the context of increasing political commitment and previous reviews suggesting a strong public health argument for the integration of HIV services, the authors found the evidence on efficiency broadly supports further efforts to integrate HIV services. However, key evidence gaps remain, and there is an urgent need for further research in this area.
International Diversification Strategies

We estimate a model with country- and industry-specific shocks that extends the dummy variable model used in the portfolio diversification literature by relaxing the restriction that all stocks with exposure to a given shock have the same exposure to that shock. We find that: i) This restriction is strongly rejected by the data. ii) Many industry betas are negative, while almost all country betas are positive. This difference in within-group heterogeneity may explain why country shocks have historically outweighed industry shocks in explaining international return variation. iii) We use the betas to construct portfolios whose volatility is substantially below that of the world market, both in and out of sample.
Bortezomib: A valuable new antineoplastic strategy in multiple myeloma

Although the treatment of multiple myeloma has improved over the past decade, the disease remains incurable. Bortezomib, a first-in-class selective proteasome inhibitor, was approved in the United States in 2003 and the European Union in 2004 for the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma in patients who have received at least 2 prior therapies and demonstrated disease progression on the last therapy. In vitro, bortezomib induces apoptosis of multiple myeloma cells and inhibits cell adhesion within the bone marrow microenvironment. Preclinical and clinical data have shown that bortezomib enhances sensitivity and reverses resistance to standard therapeutic agents used in multiple myeloma. The efficacy and safety of bortezomib was established in patients with relapsed and/or refractory disease. In a large phase III trial in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma, median time to progression and overall survival were significantly improved with bortezomib compared with high-dose dexamethasone. Importantly, the preliminary results of several phase I and II studies are also showing high antimyeloma activity of bortezomib alone or in combination with dexamethasone or cytotoxic agents such as doxorubicin, mephalan, or thalidomide in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Ideally, the introduction of bortezomib will result in a significant improvement in the future management of multiple myeloma.
Dynamics of protein phosphorylation on Ser/Thr/Tyr in Bacillus subtilis

The Ser/Thr/Tyr phosphoproteome of Bacillus subtilis was analyzed by a 2‐D gel‐based approach combining Pro‐Q Diamond staining and [33P]‐labeling. In exponentially growing B. subtilis cells 27 proteins could be identified after staining with Pro‐Q Diamond and/or [33P]‐labeling and one additional protein was labeled solely by [33P] resulting in a total of 28 potentially phosphorylated proteins. These proteins are mainly involved in enzymatic reactions of basic carbon metabolism and the regulation of the alternative sigma factor σB. We also found significant changes of the phosphoproteome including increased phosphorylation and dephosphorylation rates of some proteins as well as the detection of four newly phosphorylated proteins in response to stress or starvation. For nine proteins, phosphorylation sites at serine or threonine residues were determined by MS. These include the known phosphorylation sites of Crh, PtsH, and RsbV. Additionally, we were able to identify novel phosphorylation sites of AroA, Pyk, and YbbT. Interestingly, the phosphorylation of RsbRA, B, C, and D, four proteins of a multicomponent protein complex involved in environmental stress signaling, was found during exponential growth. For RsbRA, B, and D, phosphorylation of one of the conserved threonine residues in their C‐termini were verified by MS (T171, T186, T181, respectively).