Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patch‐clamp analysis of glycine‐induced currents in chick ciliary ganglion neurons.

1. The whole‐cell configuration of the patch‐clamp technique was used to analyse currents induced by glycine in chick ciliary ganglion neurons freshly dissociated from 14‐ to 15‐day‐old embryos. 2. Application of glycine to cells voltage‐clamped at ‐60 mV induced inward currents in all neurons tested. Dose‐response curves yielded an EC50 of about 50 microM. Similar responses were elicited by beta‐alanine and taurine though higher concentrations were required. 3. Strychnine reversibly inhibited the glycine‐induced responses. The effect was dose dependent with a half‐maximal effect being obtained with 20 nM strychnine. 4. Glycine‐induced currents were inhibited by 100 microM Zn2+. The inhibition had slow rates of onset and recovery, in contrast to Zn2+ inhibition of GABA responses. Both bicuculline and d‐tubocurarine inhibited glycine responses in a dose‐dependent manner. 5. The steady‐state I‐V curve for glycine‐induced currents was linear over the range ‐60 to +60 mV, but showed an outward rectification at very hyperpolarized membrane potentials. The reversal potential of glycine‐induced currents shifted with changes in intracellular chloride concentration in a manner expected for chloride‐selective channels. 6. Expression of functional glycine receptors during development was examined at embryonic day 8 (E8), 11, 14, and 18. The mean peak current was about 60‐fold larger at E14 than at E8 and vastly exceeded changes in cell size. During the same period, responses to GABA increased only 2‐fold in amplitude and correlated with changes in cell size. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Perceptions of stakeholders regarding National Federation Sport Policy: The case of the French Rugby Union.

: The purpose of this article is to develop a framework of how a national association sport policy is operationally formalised in relation with the various perceptions of its internal stakeholders. Considering such a sport policy as a management tool, a case study of the French Rugby Union (FFR) was built using archival material and interviews. We demonstrate that this management tool is the consequence of a conceptual framework, consisting of: a formal substrate, a managing philosophy and a simplified representation of the actors’ role (Hatchuel & Weil, 1992). As part of an intervention-research within the FFR, 45 semi-structured interviews were conducted with both federal and regional actors with various statutes. The analysis of these interviews shows both agreements and controversies, categorized through our conceptual framework. In conclusion, the case study emphasises on issues that this conception reveals for the national federation.
Divergent Optimum Levels of Lycopene, β‐Carotene and Lutein Protecting Against UVB Irradiation in Human Fibroblasts ¶

Exposure of living organisms to UV light leads to photooxidative reactions. Peroxyl radicals are involved in the propagation of lipid peroxidation. Carotenoids are dietary antioxidants and show photoprotective effects in human skin, efficiently scavenging peroxyl radicals and inhibiting lipid peroxidation. Cultured human skin fibroblasts were used to examine the protective effects of the carotenoids, lycopene, β‐carotene and lutein on UVB‐induced lipid peroxidation. The carotenoids were delivered to the cells using liposomes as the vehicle. The cells were exposed to UVB light for 20 min. Lycopene, β‐carotene and lutein were capable of decreasing UV‐induced formation of thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances at 1 h to levels 40–50% of controls free of carotenoids. The amounts of carotenoid needed for optimal protection were divergent at 0.05, 0.40 and 0.30 nmol/mg protein for lycopene, β‐carotene and lutein, respectively. Beyond the optimum levels, further increases of carotenoid levels in cells led to prooxidant effects.
Distinctions Without a Difference? Preschool Curricula and Children’s Development

Abstract Public preschool programs require the use of a research-based, whole-child curriculum, yet limited research examines whether curricula influence classroom experiences and children’s development. We use five samples of preschool children to examine differences in classroom processes and children’s school readiness by classroom curricular status (curriculum/no curriculum), and across classrooms using different curricular packages. When a teacher reports using a curriculum, their classroom processes are indistinguishable from classrooms where teachers report using no curriculum. Some differences in classroom activities emerged across classrooms using different curricula; however, substantial variability exists across classrooms using the same curriculum. Head Start program fixed effects models and meta-analytic regressions reveal few associations between curricula and children's skills. Findings question whether preschool curricular policy benefit child development.
Characterization of pH-Sensitive Molecular Switches That Trigger the Structural Transition of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Glycoprotein from the Postfusion State toward the Prefusion State

ABSTRACT Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV; the prototype rhabdovirus) fusion is triggered at low pH and mediated by glycoprotein G, which undergoes a low-pH-induced structural transition. A unique feature of rhabdovirus G is that its conformational change is reversible. This allows G to recover its native prefusion state at the viral surface after its transport through the acidic Golgi compartments. The crystal structures of G pre- and postfusion states have been elucidated, leading to the identification of several acidic amino acid residues, clustered in the postfusion trimer, as potential pH-sensitive switches controlling the transition back toward the prefusion state. We mutated these residues and produced a panel of single and double mutants whose fusion properties, conformational change characteristics, and ability to pseudotype a virus lacking the glycoprotein gene were assayed. Some of these mutations were also introduced in the genome of recombinant viruses which were further characterized. We show that D268, located in the segment consisting of residues 264 to 273, which refolds into postfusion helix F during G structural transition, is the major pH sensor while D274, D395, and D393 have additional contributions. Furthermore, a single passage of recombinant virus bearing the mutation D268L (which was demonstrated to stabilize the G postfusion state) resulted in a pseudorevertant with a compensatory second mutation, L271P. This revealed that the propensity of the segment of residues 264 to 273 to refold into helix F has to be finely tuned since either an increase (mutation D268L alone) or a decrease (mutation L271P alone) of this propensity is detrimental to the virus. IMPORTANCE Vesicular stomatitis virus enters cells via endocytosis. Endosome acidification induces a structural transition of its unique glycoprotein (G), which mediates fusion between viral and endosomal membranes. G conformational change is reversible upon increases in pH. This allows G to recover its native prefusion state at the viral surface after its transport through the acidic Golgi compartments. We mutated five acidic residues, proposed to be pH-sensitive switches controlling the structural transition back toward the prefusion state. Our results indicate that residue D268 is the major pH sensor, while other acidic residues have additional contributions, and reveal that the propensity of the segment consisting of residues 264 to 273 to adopt a helical conformation is finely regulated. This segment might be a good target for antiviral compounds.
Better health for women and families: The World Bank’s Reproductive Health Action Plan 2010–2015.

Reproductive health is a key facet of human development. Improved reproductive health outcomes -- lower fertility rates better pregnancy outcomes and fewer sexually transmitted infections -- have broader individual family and societal benefits. The benefits include a healthier and more productive work force greater financial and other resources for each child in smaller families and enabling young women to delay childbearing until they have achieved educational and other goals. Womens full and equal participation in the development process is contingent on accessing essential reproductive health services including the ability to make voluntary and informed decisions about fertility. Reproductive health issues have only recently begun to be a priority in the development agenda. Even though Official Development Assistance (ODA) for reproductive health has increased the share of health ODA going to reproductive health declined in the past decade. This document presents a detailed operationalization of the reproductive health component of the Banks 2007 Health Nutrition and Population (HNP) strategy.
Determinants and their causal relationships affecting the adoption of cloud computing in science and technology institutions

Cloud computing is a technology and service innovation that has attracted tremendous interest across almost all areas of computational use. With low construction costs and high system scalability, cloud computing provides an alternative to the traditional high-performance computing employed for decades in science and technology (S&T) institutions. Despite the tremendous benefits of cloud computing, achieving its successful diffusion is no easy task. The goal of this research was to construct a decision framework by identifying a series of key consideration factors and their causal relationships that affect the adoption of cloud computing in S&T institutions. To reach the research goal, we conducted an empirical study by surveying a group of people who are implementers and/or users of cloud computing in S&T institutions. Based on the classic innovation diffusion theories, this research extends the theoretical understanding of the determinants and their cause-and-effect relationships that influence the diffusion of technological innovation in the context of S&T. Practically, this research offers practitioners a strategic path to the successful adoption of cloud computing.
Phytosterols have an unfavourable effect on bacterial activity and no evident protective effect on colon carcinogenesis

The effects of physiological dietary phytosterol supplements on intestinal microflora activity and faecal sterols and their capacity to protect rats fed a normal or high saturated fatty‐acid diet against tumour development were studied. A group of 80 female Wistar rats were fed an 8% lipid diet for 4 weeks (adaptation period) and then randomly assigned in a factorial experimental design study to diets containing 8% or 24% hydrogenated coconut oil, with or without a 24‐mg/day/rat phytosterol supplement. They were instilled intrarectally with saline or methyl‐nitroso‐urea (MNU). Faecal sterol output was analysed for one week each month. Pathological analysis was done at the end of the 30‐week experiment. Animals treated with MNU and given phytosterol supplements had tumour frequencies (8/20) similar to those not fed phytosterols (11/20). The fat‐supplemented diet had no significant influence. Colonic glands were found in area of lymphoid follicles in all the groups, but were more frequent in rats on high‐fat diets (P < 0.01). The coprostanol and the cholesterol excretion of the phytosterol‐supplemented rats was significantly enhanced. Therefore phytosterols have an unfavourable effect on bacterial activity. These data confirm the capacity of phytosterols to decrease cholesterol absorption, but indicate that a large excess of phytosterol must be avoided until further research on its effects on carcinogenesis has been done.
ERK1 as a Therapeutic Target for Dendritic Cell Vaccination against High-Grade Gliomas

Glioma regression requires the recruitment of potent antitumor immune cells into the tumor microenvironment. Dendritic cells (DC) play a role in immune responses to these tumors. The fact that DC vaccines do not effectively combat high-grade gliomas, however, suggests that DCs need to be genetically modified specifically to promote their migration to tumor relevant sites. Previously, we identified extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK1) as a regulator of DC immunogenicity and brain autoimmunity. In the current study, we made use of modern magnetic resonance methods to study the role of ERK1 in regulating DC migration and tumor progression in a model of high-grade glioma. We found that ERK1-deficient mice are more resistant to the development of gliomas, and tumor growth in these mice is accompanied by a higher infiltration of leukocytes. ERK1-deficient DCs exhibit an increase in migration that is associated with sustained Cdc42 activation and increased expression of actin-associated cytoskeleton-organizing proteins. We also demonstrated that ERK1 deletion potentiates DC vaccination and provides a survival advantage in high-grade gliomas. Considering the therapeutic significance of these results, we propose ERK1-deleted DC vaccines as an additional means of eradicating resilient tumor cells and preventing tumor recurrence. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(8); 1975–87. ©2016 AACR.
CREB, AP‐1, ternary complex factors and MAP kinases connect transient receptor potential melastatin‐3 (TRPM3) channel stimulation with increased c‐Fos expression

The rise in intracellular Ca2+ stimulates the expression of the transcription factor c‐Fos. Depending on the mode of entry of Ca2+ into the cytosol, distinct signal transducers and transcription factors are required. Here, we have analysed the signalling pathway connecting a Ca2+ influx via activation of transient receptor potential melastatin‐3 (TRPM3) channels with enhanced c‐Fos expression.
Essays in Finance: Pre-borrowing: Co-existence of Cash and Debt; Predators, Prey and Volatility on Wall Street

In three essays I explore the effects of financial frictions on agents optimal decisions. In the first two essays I look jointly at liquidity and leverage decisions. First, in the theoretical framework I establish the pre-borrowing motive: the incentives for firms to issue debt earlier save proceeds in cash and then use internal liquid funds to finance investments. That strategy is a hedge against the volatility in the terms of borrowing. I explore implications of this motive in the setting of multi-period dynamic model of the firm, generating persistence in leverage and cash ratios that matches the observed data patters. Also the model predicts that most risky firms would use revolving short term debt, which is also consistent with data. The safer firms with moderate liquidity needs are expected to rely on Long-term debt, while firms with a lot of liquidity needs and moderate risk profile will issue both short and long term debt. I test model implications on a sample of US publicly traded firms, and find that indeed, firms with more volatile market to book ratio are more likely to have positive debt and cash balances, as is predicted by the model. That finding is consistent with pre-borrowing motive, but cant be reconciled within other frameworks of precautionary demand for cash holdings. The third essay (co-authored with Richard Green) is looking at the difference in ability of traders in financial markets and demonstrates how it can translate into exaggerated fluctuations in employment on Wall Street. We show that even a very small shock to the fundamental profits can generate massive exit of traders from the market, essentially collapsing the market; while large positive shock would be required to bring market back to the large employment steady state, contributing to the growing literature studying the sources of excess volatility in financial markets.
Developing and Retaining Expert Learners: The Student Success Program

The goal of the Student Success Program is to retain bright and capable nursing students by supporting them to become expert learners through enhancing their study, test taking, time and stress management, written and oral communication, and critical thinking skills. Students for whom English is a second language also receive instruction in accent reduction. Retention rates increased following implementation of the program. Recommendations for those considering implementing a retention program are addressed.
A non-operative salvage of surgically-resistant pseudarthroses and non-unions by pulsing electromagnetic fields. A preliminary report.

This report documents, for the first time, to the authors' knowledge, the therapeutic use in humans of low energy, electromagnetic fields pulsing in the extremely low frequency (E.L.F.) range. These fields, established outside the body, were used to treat congenital and acquired pseudarthroses and non-unions. Energy of this type appears to affect biological processes, not through heat production, but through electrically-induced changes in the environment of cells within the organism. Of the 29 patients included in the study, 17 had experienced at least one failure of surgical repair and, in each of these, amputation had been recommended. The overall success rate, including those patients treated with inadequate pulse characteristics and those who failed to follow the protocol, was in excess of 70 per cent. Improvements in the specificity of pulse characteristics hold promise for increasing the rate of success. The simple, clinical methodology, which is conducted on an out-patient basis, appears to be both safe and effective. It can be applied with or without surgery. This approach requires additional controlled investigations before it is ready for general use in the orthopaedic community. The indications for amputation of surgically-resistant pseudarthroses, however, should be reassessed. The principles and technology, which have been established during this endeavor, may have physiologic and practical significance for processes other than pseudarthrosis and non-union.
Investigation of Geometric Variations for Multicell Cavities Using Perturbative Methods

The design of multicell accelerator cavities is a challenging task, since it implies the manipulation of various shape parameters regarding different (partially contradicting) optimization goals. Simulating the electromagnetic characteristics of the full structure depending on various geometric parameters typically involves an enormous computational effort. In most cases, this limits the observed frequency range and the number of optimization passes. For the same reason, the effects of unintended shape deviations are usually excluded from the optimization processes, even though they may be of particular importance for the final design. Perturbative methods offer an efficient approach to tackle this issue. They allow the computation of the eigenmodes and the derived cavity performance parameters for a vast number of cavity designs based on one initial design. In this paper, we investigate the applicability of perturbative methods for performance optimization and simultaneous consideration of the shape variations of a multicell structure.
An Exportin-1–dependent microRNA biogenesis pathway during human cell quiescence

Significance Quiescence is a growth-arrested cellular state; genes involved in this process are finely regulated by several factors, including miRNAs. During miRNA biogenesis, Exportin-5 transports miRNA precursors from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. In this study, we demonstrated the existence of an alternative miRNA biogenesis pathway in quiescent primary human cells. This pathway involves the repression of Exportin-5 expression by autophagy and miRNAs and the 2,2,7-trimethylguanosine-cap modification of specific primary miRNAs (pri-miRNAs), which signal their export to the cytoplasm by Exportin-1. We further showed that these pri-miRNAs are processed rapidly in the cytoplasm by a small isoform of Drosha. Collectively, these results reveal an alternative mechanism of miRNA biogenesis that will expand our understanding of miRNA regulation in normal or disease-related cells. The reversible state of proliferative arrest known as “cellular quiescence” plays an important role in tissue homeostasis and stem cell biology. By analyzing the expression of miRNAs and miRNA-processing factors during quiescence in primary human fibroblasts, we identified a group of miRNAs that are induced during quiescence despite markedly reduced expression of Exportin-5, a protein required for canonical miRNA biogenesis. The biogenesis of these quiescence-induced miRNAs is independent of Exportin-5 and depends instead on Exportin-1. Moreover, these quiescence-induced primary miRNAs (pri-miRNAs) are modified with a 2,2,7-trimethylguanosine (TMG)-cap, which is known to bind Exportin-1, and knockdown of Exportin-1 or trimethylguanosine synthase 1, responsible for (TMG)-capping, inhibits their biogenesis. Surprisingly, in quiescent cells Exportin-1–dependent pri-miR-34a is present in the cytoplasm together with a small isoform of Drosha, implying the existence of a different miRNA processing pathway in these cells. Our findings suggest that during quiescence the canonical miRNA biogenesis pathway is down-regulated and specific miRNAs are generated by an alternative pathway to regulate genes involved in cellular growth arrest.
Reducing Routing Overhead in a Growing DDN

The Defense Data Network (DDN), based on ARPANET technology, is expanding rapidly. One segment of the DDN, the MILNET, will include 250 packet switching nodes by the end of 1987 and as many as 700 by 1991. One obstacle that must be overcome to allow this growth is the overhead associated with the current ARPANET dynamic routing mechanism. Both link utilization due to routing updates and routing computational load are roughly proportional to network size. This paper presents three approaches to reducing routing overhead and includes both modifications to the existing routing scheme and a design for a hierarchical extension.
Psychosocial Predictors of Depression among Central American Immigrants 1

The present study investigated the relationship between stress and depression associated with acculturation among Central American immigrants (64 women, 14 men) and identified the best predictors of depression among Central American immigrants. Elevated acculturative stress was significantly associated with higher depression. Family dysfunction, ineffective social support, lack of hopefulness toward the future, and low socioeconomic status were also significantly associated with high depression. The overall findings suggest that Central American immigrants who report high acculturative stress may be “at risk” for experiencing depression and that effective family and social support, hopefulness toward the future, and socioeconomic status may serve to protect against depression during acculturation.