Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The intracellular signaling pathway mediating the role of Nogo-A in regulating functional plasticity in the adult mouse hippocampus

In the developing and adult brain synaptic connections between neurons are plastic, allowing the acquisition of new information and their integration within existing memory traces, but at the same time they have to be stable to a certain extent in order to maintain old stored memories. It is now clear that specific molecular mechanisms come into play in order to regulate the tight balance between stability and plasticity processes, raising the question of how stability is achieved to limit plasticity events in the adult brain. In this context, Nogo-A has been described as a negative regulator of synaptic plasticity in the adult mouse hippocampus, a structure remaining plastic throughout the entire life. In particular, Nogo-A restricts long-term potentiation (LTP) at the Schaffer collateral-CA1 pathway via two extracellular domains, Nogo-A-∆20 and Nogo-66. Although it has been shown that Nogo-66 signals via the Nogo Receptor 1 (NgR1) to regulate synaptic function, whether the NgR1 co-receptors, Lingo1 and p75NTR, are involved in the signalling in this context is still not known. Moreover, the intracellular cascade mediating the activity of Nogo-66 and Nogo-A-∆20 domains in restricting LTP is unexplored. Here I combined electrophysiological and biochemical approaches in acute hippocampal slices to address these questions. First, I demonstrated that a loss-of-function approach for the NgR1 co-receptor Lingo1 results in a significant increase in LTP levels at the Schaffer collateral-CA1 pathway, and that Lingo1 is the NgR1 co-receptor mediating the role of Nogo-66 in restricting LTP. Moreover, these data show that while p75NTR is not involved in mediating the Nogo-66 effect, it is required to mediate the role of NgR1 in attenuating LTD independently on Nogo-66. Finally, these results indicate that Nogo-66 signalling limits the magnitude of LTP by activating the intracellular ROCK2-Cofilin pathway to control the dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton, and these data suggest that also the Nogo-A-∆20 domain-dependent signalling converge on the same intracellular cascade activated by Nogo-66 domain. Functional and structural changes at synapses are correlated and together mediate long-lasting synaptic plasticity. In addition to the role of Nogo-A in restricting LTP, it has been shown to be involved in negatively regulating the morphological changes at dendritic spines. However, it remains an open question if Nogo-A controls these modifications at the presynaptic compartment. Here, I showed that Nogo-A modulates the structural remodelling of the presynaptic mossy fiber synapses. Indeed, while the acute neutralization of Nogo-A does not affect their motility, its chronic neutralization leads to a reduction of the size of the main terminal and of the length of the filopodial extensions. Taken together, these data contribute to the understanding of how Nogo-A stabilizes neural circuits to limit plasticity events in the mature hippocampus.
Civil Conflicts and Regional Economic Integration Outcomes in Africa

Civil conflicts are a major challenge to the economic development of a country and its neighbors. The present article analyzes the consequences of conflicts on regional economic integration outcomes among African nations. Our findings document that civil conflicts affect the economic fate of regional economic communities through their negative substantial impact on business cycle synchronicity. Yet, contrary to the findings of previous studies on the effects of conflict on bilateral trade flows, we show that experiencing conflict increases regional trade intensities. This only holds in the short run and is explained by a decrease in the conflict country’s total trade and output, as well as by an increase in its intra-regional trade flows. By assessing the effect of conflict on regional economic integration processes, this paper highlights that intrastate political events are also a major regional constraint. We therefore find an additional reason to recommend that prevention and resolution of civil conflicts might be put on the top of the political agenda of African Regional Economic Communities.
Determinants of savings in the SADC region : the role of foreign capital and financial development

The study examines the determinants of savings in the SADC region, mainly focusing on the roles played by external financial flows and financial development in mobilising domestic savings utilising panel cointegration method and the Dynamic ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) approach from 1980 to 2009. Following the review of literature, the empirical model adopted established that there is a long-run relationship between the variables of interest. The results indicate that income, proxied with GDP, financial sector development and foreign capital have a positive relationship with savings. The results also suggest that financial sector development has played a very important role in influencing savings in the region. However on the other hand the results indicate that interest rate and dependency ratio have influenced savings negatively. The empirical results support the hypothesis that foreign savings bridges the gap between domestic demand and supply of finance in the SADC countries. There is need to attract more foreign capital given that it compliments domestic savings. At the same time policies aimed at financial deepening should still be pursued to further deepen the financial system in the SADC countries to further enhance savings.
Non-Strategic Punishment when Monitoring is Costly: Experimental Evidence on Differences between Second and Third Party Behavior

This paper studies monitoring and punishment behavior by second and third parties in a cooperation experiment with endogenous information structures: Players are uninformed whether the target player cooperated or defected at the cooperation stage, but can decide to resolve the information imperfection at non-negative cost at the punishment stage. We examine how monitoring and punishment respond to changes in monitoring costs, and exploit the evidence to gain new insights about commonalities and differences between second and third party behavior. We establish three effects of positive monitoring costs relative to the zero-cost baseline and ﬁnd that each one affects third parties differently than second parties: A «direct punishment cost effect» (the supply of non-strategic punishment decreases), a «blind punishment effect» (players punish without resolving the information imperfection) and a «diffusion effect» (defectors make up a smaller share of the punished and receive weaker punishment). The ﬁrst effect affects third parties less, the other two more. As a result, third party punishment leads to increasingly weaker incentives for cooperation relative to second party punishment as monitoring costs rise. In addition, the differences between second and third parties suggest the presence of a «pure role effect»: Taking into account elicited beliefs and risk preferences, third parties punish differently from second parties, not just more weakly.
Calibration of the New Horizons Long-Range Reconnaissance Imager

The LOng-Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) is a panchromatic imager for the New Horizons Pluto/Kuiper belt mission. New Horizons is being prepared for launch in January 2006 as the inaugural mission in NASA's New Frontiers program. This paper discusses the calibration and characterization of LORRI. LORRI consists of a Ritchey-Chretien telescope and CCD detector. It provides a narrow field of view (0.29°), high resolution (pixel FOV = 5 μrad) image at f/12.6 with a 20.8~cm diameter primary mirror. The image is acquired with a 1024 x 1024 pixel CCD detector (model CCD 47-20 from E2V). LORRI was calibrated in vacuum at three temperatures covering the extremes of its operating range (-100°C to +40°C for various parts of the system) and its predicted nominal temperature in-flight. A high pressure xenon arc lamp, selected for its solar-like spectrum, provided the light source for the calibration. The lamp was fiber-optically coupled into the vacuum chamber and monitored by a calibrated photodiode. Neutral density and bandpass filters controlled source intensity and provided measurements of the wavelength dependence of LORRI's performance. This paper will describe the calibration facility and design, as well as summarize the results on point spread function, flat field, radiometric response, detector noise, and focus stability over the operating temperature range. LORRI was designed and fabricated by a combined effort of The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) and SSG Precision Optronics. Calibration was conducted at the Diffraction Grating Evaluation Facility at NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center with additional characterization measurements at APL.
INVESTIGATION OF A MODERN & HYBRID TURBULENCE MODELLING APPROACH FOR TRANSIENT AUTOMOTIVE AERODYNAMICS SIMULATIONS

Abstract. In order to achieve accurate transient predictions of turbulent flow fields on industrial scale problems, it is necessary to use a turbulence model since Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) would be prohibitively expensive. Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes (URANS) is the most commonly used to fully model the turbulence as an additional eddy viscosity using the Boussinesq approximation. Large Eddy Simulation (LES) is another modelling approach, which can be more accurate than URANS as only the smallest scales of turbulence are modelled. However, LES mesh requirements are very demanding, and too constraining for simple use in industrial contexts. Therefore, a variety of hybrid models have been developed, attempting to use the provided mesh to its maximum potential by resolving as many turbulent scales as possible and only model those eddies for which the mesh is insufficiently fine. Detached Eddy Simulation (DES), is one example of hybrid model, where URANS is used in the attached boundary layer regions whilst LES is used in the largely separated flow regions where the larger scales are dominant. More recently, the PartiallyAveraged Navier Stokes (PANS) method introduced by Girimaji et. Al [3] provides an interesting framework allowing the modification of existing URANS models to resolve the larger scales of turbulence whilst modelling the smaller ones.
On-Line Monitoring When the Process Yields a Linear Profile

Control charts monitor processes where performance is measured by one or multiple quality characteristics. Some processes, however, are characterized by a profile or a function. Here we focus on monitoring a process in semiconductor manufacturing that is characterized by a linear function. While the linear function is the simplest, it occurs frequently, for example in calibration studies. Two monitoring approaches are proposed: (1) monitor parameters, slope and intercept, with multivariate T2 and (2) monitor average residuals between sample and reference lines with EWMA and R charts. Simulation studies indicate that both methods work well. Both methods are extendable to complex functions.
World Leaders As Movie Characters? Perceptions of George W. Bush, Tony Blair, Osama bin Laden, and Saddam Hussein

Abstract This study tested the validity of a theoretical model to explain how viewers perceive real people shown frequently on T V. In particular, we wanted to test whether world leaders are perceived any differently than fictional characters. Participants evaluated media images of George W. Bush, Tony Blair, Osama bin Laden, and Saddam Hussein before and after the second Gulf War. The results demonstrated a good fit of the theoretical model to the data. World leaders were perceived equally realistic and less relevant than Hollywood's protagonists (e.g., Superman, Dracula). Viewers had a negative perception of world leaders. Bush was perceived as negatively as bin Laden and Hussein. With today's hybrid media, it is important to understand viewers’ perceptions of real as compared to fictional characters.
Quality In Relation To Models And Management Systems In The Automotive Sector. A Bibliographic Review

In the current business environment, quality is an important management practice for the proper development of economic activity and the proper functioning of companies. This paper presents the process of evolution of quality, concept and changes of focus, touching associated issues such as control and warranty. The objective of the article is to expose the relationship between the application of quality management systems and their effect on the performance of the company in the automotive sector. The type of research is qualitative, seeking to delve into the literature of some of the numerous published research articles and similar studies on the subject. The findings serve to demonstrate the importance of an organizational phenomenon such as quality and how companies apply ISO quality systems with a positive effect on the productivity of the same.
EFFECT OF HEAVY METALS ON MORPHOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF Salix alba L. SEEDLINGS

The investigation entitled “Effect of heavy metals on morphological and biochemical characteristics of Salix alba L. seedlings” was carried out at the Research Farm of Department of Environmental Science of College of Forestry, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh during 20142015. In order to study the effect of heavy metals viz. Cd and Hg on morphological and biochemical parameters and their uptake in Salix alba seedlings, pot experiment was conducted on one-year-old cuttings. Experiment was laid out by imposing 16 treatments composed of various combinations of graded levels of Cd and Hg at 0, 5, 10 and 20ppm. The treatments were replicated four times in Completely Randomized Design.The observations on morphological, biochemical parameters, buildup of Cd and Hg in soil and their uptake in Salix alba seedlings were recorded. The graded doses of Cd and Hg and their interaction exerted significant influence on the morphological parameters like number of leaves, branches, stem diameter, rootshoot ratio, root dry weight and total biomass. Number of branches reduced in the order of 20 ppm> 10 ppm> 5 ppm of Cd levels. The effect of Cd in reducing seedling height followed the order 20ppm (23.6%) > 10ppm(18.4%)> 5 ppm (6%). Stem diameter decreased with increase in heavy metal doses in the order 20 ppm> 10 ppm> 5ppm. There was an increase in root dry weight and total dry biomass uptill 10 ppm Cd dose but at higher levels of 20 ppm these parameters decreased slightly. Root-shoot ratio varied significantly between 0.29-0.70. Biochemical parameters like chlorophyll and total sugar content in leaves decreased with increasing level of Cd and Hg. Leaf phenol content was in the range of 12.91 to 16.78 mg g under Cd and 13.39 to 16.45 mg g under Hg and increased with increasing level of Cd and Hg. The soil microbial activity under the graded doses of Cd and Hg was in the range of 96.59 to 63.06 mg kg under Cd and 78.94 to 73.24 mg kg for Hg and followed a decreasing trend with increasing levels. The leaf Cd and Hg content range from 0.15 to 0.49 mg kg to 0.09 to 0.29 mg kg, respectively. The soil buildup of Cd and Hg was in the range of 0.65 to 7.62 mg kg and 0.87 to 12.75 mg kg respectively which was higher than the permissible limits. Cd and Hg in soil exhibited positive significant correlation with their concentration in leaves of Salix alba seedlings. Increase in Hg and Cd uptake was observed with increase in heavy metal concentration with values ranging between 0.019 – 0.054 mg/plant and 0.0100. 046 mg/plant for Cd and Hg respectively. Salix alba seedlings tended to survive uptil 20 ppm Cd and Hg concentration and had a good ability of accumulating these metals. Signature of Major Advisor Signature of student Countersigned Professor and Head Department of Environmental Science Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni-173 230, Solan (HP)
PHOTOMETRIC VARIABILITY IN A WARM, STRONGLY MAGNETIC DQ WHITE DWARF, SDSS J103655.39+652252.2

We present the discovery of photometric variability in the DQ white dwarf SDSS J103655.39+652252.2 (SDSS J1036+6522). Time-series photometry reveals a coherent monoperiodic modulation at a period of 1115.64751(67) s with an amplitude 0.442% ± 0.024%; no other periodic modulations are observed with amplitudes ≳ 0.13%. The period, amplitude, and phase of this modulation are constant within errors over 16 months. The spectrum of SDSS J1036+6522 shows magnetic splitting of carbon lines, and we use Paschen–Back formalism to develop a grid of model atmospheres for mixed carbon and helium atmospheres. Our models, while reliant on several simplistic assumptions, nevertheless match the major spectral and photometric properties of the star with a self-consistent set of parameters: Teff ≈ 15, 500 K, log g ≈ 9, log (C/He) = −1.0, and a mean magnetic field strength of 3.0 ± 0.2 MG. The temperature and abundances strongly suggest that SDSS J1036+6522 is a transition object between the hot, carbon-dominated DQs and the cool, helium-dominated DQs. The variability of SDSS J1036+6522 has characteristics similar to those of the variable hot carbon-atmosphere white dwarfs (DQVs), however, its temperature is significantly cooler. The pulse profile of SDSS J1036+6522 is nearly sinusoidal, in contrast with the significantly asymmetric pulse shapes of the known magnetic DQVs. If the variability in SDSS J1036+6522 is due to the same mechanism as other DQVs, then the pulse shape is not a definitive diagnostic on the absence of a strong magnetic field in DQVs. It remains unclear whether the root cause of the variability in SDSS J1036+6522 and the other hot DQVs is the same.
HAEMATOLOGICAL AND HISTOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF CLARIAS GARIEPINUS AND HETEROBRANCHUS BIDORSALIS TO SOME BACTERIAL DISEASES IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Bacteriological evaluation of various diseases of Clarias gariepinus and Heterobranchu.s hidorsalis showed higher bacterial colonisation of the diseased than t h e a p p p a r e n t l y hea l thy fish. Ident i f icat ion showed t h e isolat ion of , Aer-onaonas hydrophila, Pseudonzonas sp. , Salnzonella sp. , Vihrio sp. , Bncteriocles sp. , Clostridiuln sp. , Canl,pylobacterjejuni. Yersina er1terocolitica, Brrci1lu.s sp. , Aero11loraas sp. and gram positive anaerobic cocci from apparently healthy fish-while Pseudotnortas fluorescencs, Flauobactel-iunz sp. , Flexihactc:rsp. and Aerontonas sp. were isolated in addition to the above genera from diseasecl fish samples. Haematological evaluation of diseased and apparently healthy C. gariepipinus and H. bidorsalis indicated a significant difference (pe0.5) in the PCV, WBC, ESR and Hb of diseased and apparently healthy fish. Characteristic differences were observed in the histology of affected t issues of diseased fish. These results are indicative of these bacteria in disease aetiology.
Keynesian Government Spending Multipliers and Spillovers in the Euro Area

The global financial crisis has lead to a renewed interest in discretionary fiscal stimulus. Advocates of discretionary measures emphasize that government spending can stimulate additional private spending --- the so-called Keynesian multiplier effect. Thus, we investigate whether the discretionary spending announced by Euro area governments for 2009 and 2010 is likely to boost euro area GDP by more than one for one. Because of modeling uncertainty, it is essential that such policy evaluations be robust to alternative modeling assumptions and different parameterizations. Therefore, we use five different empirical macroeconomic models with Keynesian features such as price and wage rigidities to evaluate the impact of fiscal stimulus. Four of them suggest that the planned increase in government spending will reduce private spending for consumption and investment purposes significantly. If announced government expenditures are implemented with delay the initial effect on euro area GDP, when stimulus is most needed, may even be negative. Traditional Keynesian multiplier effects only arise in a model that ignores the forward-looking behavioral response of consumers and firms. Using a multi-country model, we find that spillovers between euro area countries are negligible or even negative, because direct demand effects are offset by the indirect effect of euro appreciation.
Search for dark photons from neutral meson decays in $p$$+$$p$ and $d$$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}$=200 GeV

The standard model (SM) of particle physics is spectacularly successful, yet the measured value of the muon anomalous magnetic moment $(g-2)_\mu$ deviates from SM calculations by 3.6$\sigma$. Several theoretical models attribute this to the existence of a "dark photon," an additional U(1) gauge boson, which is weakly coupled to ordinary photons. The PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider has searched for a dark photon, $U$, in $\pi^0,\eta \rightarrow \gamma e^+e^-$ decays and obtained upper limits of $\mathcal{O}(2\times10^{-6})$ on $U$-$\gamma$ mixing at 90% CL for the mass range $30<m_U<90$ MeV/$c^2$. Combined with other experimental limits, the remaining region in the $U$-$\gamma$ mixing parameter space that can explain the $(g-2)_\mu$ deviation from its SM value is nearly completely excluded at the 90% confidence level, with only a small region of $29<m_U<32$ MeV/$c^2$ remaining.
study the effect of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) on the enhancement of social, affective and health adjustment of prisoners

Introduction: Since low adjustment is one of the main problems of prisoners and is considered to be one of the reasons for their tendency toward dangerous behaviors, this study aimed to investigate the effect of desensitization by eye movements and reprocessing on the enhancement of social, emotional and health adjustment in prisoners. Material & Method: This study was designed based on experimental method and by pretest and posttest model with control group. A sample of 40 individuals was selected (based on the type of their crimes) from prisoners in Ardebil's central jail with jail sentences as long as 4 months using a stratified random sampling method. Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Bel adjustment questionnaire were used to collect data which was completed by experimental and control groups in both pretest and posttest steps. Treatment of desensitization with eye movements and reprocessing was conducted during four sessions on experimental group and during which control group was not involved. Data was analyzed using covariance
Database Green: Software, Environmentalism and Data Flows in China

Abstract Significant efforts towards environmental transparency have been made by the Chinese government since 2008. This paper focuses on the technical decisions shaping a database of official pollution information built and operated by a Chinese NGO known as the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs (IPE). Issues of standardization, power distribution and institutional fragmentation are discussed. The paper illustrates a case of NGOs integrating enforcement capabilities as data centres amidst the growing reliance on processes of informational governance of environmental issues. 摘要 自 2008 年始, 中国政府为使环境信息透明做出了巨大的努力。 这篇论文主要研究一个官方污染信息数据库的技术发展, 以及其信息公开渠道。 这个数据库由一个名为“公众环境研究中心”的中国民间组织建立和管理。 此文讨论了标准化、权力分配和机构分割问题。 这篇文章论证了民间组织弥补环境制度化执行的可行性; 以及在对环境问题“信息管理”重要性增加过程中非政府组织如何作为数据中心获得新的能动力量。