Dans l’industrie laitière, la présence de bactériophages dans du lait destiné à la fabrication de fromage peut retarder ou arrêter le processus de fermentation par les bactéries lactiques. La bactérie Lactococcus lactis, largement utilisée comme levain de départ, est la proie de plusieurs de ces virus, dont le phage p2, du groupe sk1-like de la famille des Siphoviridae. À ce jour, le mécanisme d’infection des bactériophages reste incompris. La prise de contrôle de la machinerie cellulaire par les phages est assurée par les gènes précoces et médians de ces derniers. La structure du phage p2 est connue, mais ses gènes précoces et médians codent pour des protéines qui ne possèdent pas d’homologues de structure ou de fonction connue. Ces gènes ont été clonés dans des systèmes d’expression bactériens afin de les exprimer, purifier, et en déterminer la structure par cristallographie aux rayons X. Parallèlement, la protéine codée par le gène orf47 a été synthétisée commercialement pour déterminer sa structure par résonance magnétique nucléaire. Nous espérons que l'obtention de la structure de ces protéines aidera à leur suggérer un rôle par recherche d’homologie structurale avec des protéines de rôle connu. Des cristaux ont été obtenus pour les protéines ORF-24, SaV (exprimée du gène orf26) et ORF-37, mais plus de travaux sont nécessaire afin de pouvoir obtenir leur structure. La structure d’ORF-47 a été déterminée par résonance magnétique nucléaire et démontre une homologie structurale avec les domaines B, C et E de la protéine staphylococcale SpA, domaines liant les immunoglobulines G de l’homme. La liaison de protéines similaires chez L. lactispar ORF-47 reste à être vérifié expérimentalement. / Cheese fermentation is a process in which milk is fermented by the Gram-positive bacteria Lactococcus lactis. However, the fermentation can be slowed or even stopped if specifi lactococcal bacteriophages are present in the medium. To this day, the infection mechanism of bacteriophages is still not fully known. The hijacking of the cell’s molecular machinery is carried out by proteins expressed by the phages’ early- and mid-expressed genes. The phage studied in this thesis is phage p2, of the Caudovirales order, Siphoviridae family and sk1-like group. The structure of phage p2 is known, but most early-and mid-expressed proteins do not have homologues of known structure or function in the public databases. These genes were cloned in a bacterial expression system in order to be expressed and the proteins purified and crystallized to determine their structure by X-ray crystallography. The protein encoded by the gene orf47 was commercially synthesized to be studied by nuclear magnetic resonance. Our overall goal is to suggest roles for these proteins by obtaining their structure and performing a structural homology query. Crystals were obtained for the proteins ORF-24, SaV (expressed from the gene orf26) and ORF-37 but more work is required in order to determine their structure. The structure of ORF-47 was obtained by nuclear magnetic resonance and has been found to have a fold highly similar to domains B, C and E of staphylococcal protein SpA. These domains bind human immunoglobulin G. The binding of similar proteins in L. lactis by ORF-47 has yet to be experimentally confirmed.

Receptores purinérgicos e canais de cálcio voltagem-dependentes estão envolvidos em diversos processos biológicos como na gastrulação, durante o desenvolvimento embrionário, e na diferenciação neural. Quando ativados, canais de cálcio voltagem-dependentes e receptores purinérgicos do tipo P2, ativados por nucleotídeos, desencadeiam transientes de cálcio intracelulares controlando diversos processos biológicos. Neste trabalho, nós estudamos a participação de canais de cálcio voltagem-dependentes e receptores do tipo P2 na geração de transientes de cálcio espontâneos e sua regulação na expressão de fatores de transcrição relacionados com a neurogênese utilizando como modelo células tronco (CTE) induzidas à diferenciação em células tronco neurais (NSC) com ácido retinóico. Descrevemos que CTE indiferenciadas podem ter a proliferação acelerada pela ativação de receptores P2X7, enquanto que a expressão e a atividade desse receptor precisam ser inibidas para o progresso da diferenciação em neuroblasto. Além disso, ao longo da diferenciação neural, por análise em tempo real dos níveis de cálcio intracelular livre identificamos 3 padrões de oscilações espontâneas de cálcio (onda, pico e unique), e mostramos que ondas e picos tiveram a frequência e amplitude aumentadas conforme o andamento da diferenciação. Células tratadas com o inibidor do receptor de inositol 1,4,5-trifosfato (IP3R), Xestospongin C, apresentaram picos mas não ondas, indicando que ondas dependem exclusivamente de cálcio oriundo do retículo endoplasmático pela ativação de IP3R. NSC de telencéfalo de embrião de camundongos transgênicos ou pré-diferenciadas de CTE tratadas com Bz-ATP, o agonista do receptor P2X7, e com 2SUTP, agonista de P2Y2 e P2Y4, aumentaram a frequência e a amplitude das oscilações espontâneas de cálcio do tipo pico. Dados, obtidos por microscopia de luminescência, da expressão em tempo real de gene repórter luciferase fusionado à Mash1 e Ngn2 revelou que a ativação dos receptores P2Y2/P2Y4 aumentou a expressão estável de Mash1 enquanto que ativação do receptor P2X7 levou ao aumento de Ngn2. Além disso, células na presença do quelante de cálcio extracelular (EGTA) ou do depletor dos estoques intracelulares de cálcio do retículo endoplasmático (thapsigargin) apresentaram redução na expressão de Mash1 e Ngn2, indicando que ambos são regulados pela sinalização de cálcio. A investigação dos canais de cálcio voltagem-dependentes demonstrou que o influxo de cálcio gerado por despolarização da membrana de NSC diferenciadas de CTE é decorrente da ativação de canais de cálcio voltagem-dependentes do tipo L. Além disso, esse influxo pode controlar o destino celular por estabilizar expressão de Mash1 e induzir a diferenciação neuronal por fosforilação e translocação do fator de transcrição CREB. Esses dados sugerem que os receptores P2X7, P2Y2, P2Y4 e canais de cálcio voltagem-dependentes do tipo L podem modular as oscilações espontâneas de cálcio durante a diferenciação neural e consequentemente alteram o padrão de expressão de Mash1 e Ngn2 favorecendo a decisão do destino celular neuronal. / Purinergic receptors and voltage gated Ca2+ channels have been attributed with developmental functions including gastrulation and neural differentiation. Upon activation, nucleotide-activated P2 purinergic receptor and voltage-gated Ca2+ channel subtypes trigger intracellular calcium transients controlling cellular processes. Here, we studied the participation of voltage-gated calcium channels and P2 receptor activity in spontaneous calcium transients and consequent regulation expression of transcription factors related to retinoic acid-induced neurogenesis of mouse neural stem and embryonic stem cells (ESC). In embryonic pluripotent stem cells, proliferation is accelerated by P2X7 receptor activation, while receptor expression / activity needs to be down-regulated for the progress of neuroblast differentiation. Moreover, along neural differentiation time lapse imaging with means of a cytosolic calcium-sensitive fluorescent probe provided different patterns of spontaneous calcium transients (waves and spikes) showing that both, frequency and amplitude increased along differentiation. Cells treated with the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) inhibitor Xestospongin C showed spikes but not waves, indicating that waves exclusively depended on calcium release from endoplasmic reticulum by IP3R activation. Cells treated with the P2X7 receptor subtype agonist Bz-ATP and the P2Y2 and P2Y4 receptor 2-S-UTP increased frequency and amplitudes of calcium transients, mainly spikes, in embryonic telencephalon neural stem cells (NSC) and NSC pre-differentiated from ESC. Data obtained by luminescence time lapse imaging of stable transfected cells with Mash1 or Ngn2 promoter-protein fusion to luciferase reporter construct revealed increased Mash1 expression due to activation of P2Y2/P2Y4 receptor subtypes, while increased expression of Ngn2 was observed following P2X7 receptor activation. In addition, cells imaged in presence of the extracellular calcium chelator EGTA or following endoplasmic reticulum calcium store depletion by thapsigargin showed a decrease in Mash1 and Ngn2 expression, indicating that both are regulated by calcium signaling. Investigation of the roles of voltage gated Ca2+ channels in neural differentiation showed that Ca2+ influx in NSC pre-differentiated from ESC is due to membrane depolarization and L-type voltage gated Ca2+ channel activation, thereby controlling cell fate decision, by stabilizing the expression of MASH1 and inducing differentiation, by phosphorylation of the transcription factor CREB. Altogether these data suggest that P2X7, P2Y2, P2Y4 receptors and L-type voltage gated Ca2+ channels can modulate spontaneous calcium oscillations during neural differentiation and consequently change the Mash1 and Ngn2 expression patterns, thus favoring the cell fate decision to the neuronal phenotype.

Receptores purinérgicos e canais de cálcio voltagem-dependentes estão envolvidos em diversos processos biológicos como na gastrulação, durante o desenvolvimento embrionário, e na diferenciação neural. Quando ativados, canais de cálcio voltagem-dependentes e receptores purinérgicos do tipo P2, ativados por nucleotídeos, desencadeiam transientes de cálcio intracelulares controlando diversos processos biológicos. Neste trabalho, nós estudamos a participação de canais de cálcio voltagem-dependentes e receptores do tipo P2 na geração de transientes de cálcio espontâneos e sua regulação na expressão de fatores de transcrição relacionados com a neurogênese utilizando como modelo células tronco (CTE) induzidas à diferenciação em células tronco neurais (NSC) com ácido retinóico. Descrevemos que CTE indiferenciadas podem ter a proliferação acelerada pela ativação de receptores P2X7, enquanto que a expressão e a atividade desse receptor precisam ser inibidas para o progresso da diferenciação em neuroblasto. Além disso, ao longo da diferenciação neural, por análise em tempo real dos níveis de cálcio intracelular livre identificamos 3 padrões de oscilações espontâneas de cálcio (onda, pico e unique), e mostramos que ondas e picos tiveram a frequência e amplitude aumentadas conforme o andamento da diferenciação. Células tratadas com o inibidor do receptor de inositol 1,4,5-trifosfato (IP3R), Xestospongin C, apresentaram picos mas não ondas, indicando que ondas dependem exclusivamente de cálcio oriundo do retículo endoplasmático pela ativação de IP3R. NSC de telencéfalo de embrião de camundongos transgênicos ou pré-diferenciadas de CTE tratadas com Bz-ATP, o agonista do receptor P2X7, e com 2SUTP, agonista de P2Y2 e P2Y4, aumentaram a frequência e a amplitude das oscilações espontâneas de cálcio do tipo pico. Dados, obtidos por microscopia de luminescência, da expressão em tempo real de gene repórter luciferase fusionado à Mash1 e Ngn2 revelou que a ativação dos receptores P2Y2/P2Y4 aumentou a expressão estável de Mash1 enquanto que ativação do receptor P2X7 levou ao aumento de Ngn2. Além disso, células na presença do quelante de cálcio extracelular (EGTA) ou do depletor dos estoques intracelulares de cálcio do retículo endoplasmático (thapsigargin) apresentaram redução na expressão de Mash1 e Ngn2, indicando que ambos são regulados pela sinalização de cálcio. A investigação dos canais de cálcio voltagem-dependentes demonstrou que o influxo de cálcio gerado por despolarização da membrana de NSC diferenciadas de CTE é decorrente da ativação de canais de cálcio voltagem-dependentes do tipo L. Além disso, esse influxo pode controlar o destino celular por estabilizar expressão de Mash1 e induzir a diferenciação neuronal por fosforilação e translocação do fator de transcrição CREB. Esses dados sugerem que os receptores P2X7, P2Y2, P2Y4 e canais de cálcio voltagem-dependentes do tipo L podem modular as oscilações espontâneas de cálcio durante a diferenciação neural e consequentemente alteram o padrão de expressão de Mash1 e Ngn2 favorecendo a decisão do destino celular neuronal. / Purinergic receptors and voltage gated Ca2+ channels have been attributed with developmental functions including gastrulation and neural differentiation. Upon activation, nucleotide-activated P2 purinergic receptor and voltage-gated Ca2+ channel subtypes trigger intracellular calcium transients controlling cellular processes. Here, we studied the participation of voltage-gated calcium channels and P2 receptor activity in spontaneous calcium transients and consequent regulation expression of transcription factors related to retinoic acid-induced neurogenesis of mouse neural stem and embryonic stem cells (ESC). In embryonic pluripotent stem cells, proliferation is accelerated by P2X7 receptor activation, while receptor expression / activity needs to be down-regulated for the progress of neuroblast differentiation. Moreover, along neural differentiation time lapse imaging with means of a cytosolic calcium-sensitive fluorescent probe provided different patterns of spontaneous calcium transients (waves and spikes) showing that both, frequency and amplitude increased along differentiation. Cells treated with the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) inhibitor Xestospongin C showed spikes but not waves, indicating that waves exclusively depended on calcium release from endoplasmic reticulum by IP3R activation. Cells treated with the P2X7 receptor subtype agonist Bz-ATP and the P2Y2 and P2Y4 receptor 2-S-UTP increased frequency and amplitudes of calcium transients, mainly spikes, in embryonic telencephalon neural stem cells (NSC) and NSC pre-differentiated from ESC. Data obtained by luminescence time lapse imaging of stable transfected cells with Mash1 or Ngn2 promoter-protein fusion to luciferase reporter construct revealed increased Mash1 expression due to activation of P2Y2/P2Y4 receptor subtypes, while increased expression of Ngn2 was observed following P2X7 receptor activation. In addition, cells imaged in presence of the extracellular calcium chelator EGTA or following endoplasmic reticulum calcium store depletion by thapsigargin showed a decrease in Mash1 and Ngn2 expression, indicating that both are regulated by calcium signaling. Investigation of the roles of voltage gated Ca2+ channels in neural differentiation showed that Ca2+ influx in NSC pre-differentiated from ESC is due to membrane depolarization and L-type voltage gated Ca2+ channel activation, thereby controlling cell fate decision, by stabilizing the expression of MASH1 and inducing differentiation, by phosphorylation of the transcription factor CREB. Altogether these data suggest that P2X7, P2Y2, P2Y4 receptors and L-type voltage gated Ca2+ channels can modulate spontaneous calcium oscillations during neural differentiation and consequently change the Mash1 and Ngn2 expression patterns, thus favoring the cell fate decision to the neuronal phenotype.

Sexual conflict is a term that describes the situation where traits can experience opposing selection pressures in the two sexes. Theory suggests this conflict exists in all organisms with separate sexes, and specific chromosome clusters which are possibly sexually antagonistic have been identified in the species Drosophila melanogaster. One of all identified genes is CG3598, which have proved yielding higher fitness for males carrying allele A2 on this gene compared to A1. In this study, factors which contribute to the difference in fitness between these two alleles, with regards to sperm competition and mating success were observed. A double mating design was used, in which males and females were placed in test tubes together in order to examine the number of copulations and the defensive (P1) and offensive (P2) ability of sperm. The relative fitness of males carrying A1 did not differ from males carrying A2, which rejects previous studies, however, A2 had a higher defensive capability compared to A1. On the other hand, A1 instead had better offensive capability and higher amount of rematings. This indicates that the defensive capability of A2 is very strong and opposes the offensive capability of A1, but also the increased rate of rematings in A1. To get a more precise understanding of the fitness relation between A1 and A2 on the gene CG3598, further experiments would need to be performed on the subject. / Sexuell konflikt är ett begrepp som beskriver förhållandet där egenskaper upplever olika selektionstryck beroende på kön. Teorier finns om att den här konflikten existerar i alla organismer med olika kön, och i arten Drosophila melanogaster har det identifierats specifika kromosomkluster som har möjlighet att bidra till sexuell konflikt. En utav alla identifierade gener är CG3598 som har påvisats ge en högre fitness för hanar bärande allel A2 på denna gen jämfört med allel A1. I den här studien undersöks bakomliggande faktorer till skillnaden i fitness mellan dessa två alleler, med avseende på spermiekonkurrens och parningsframgång. Genom en dubbel parningsdesign, där hanar och honor placerades tillsammans i rör undersöktes den defensiva spermieförmågan (P1), den offensiva förmågan (P2) och antal parningar. Den relativa fitnessen hos hanar med A1 skiljde sig inte från A2, vilket motsäger tidigare studier. Däremot var den defensiva förmågan högre för A2 och A1 hade istället högre offensiv förmåga samt en högre andel omparningar. Detta indikerar att A2 har en stark defensiv förmåga som motsätter den offensiva förmågan i A1 men också möjligheten till fler omparningar. För att få en mer precis uppfattning skulle ytterligare experiment behöva utföras då det i denna studie var en väldigt låg andel hanar som parade sig jämfört med vad som förväntas.

Lau, Ka Hoi. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 139-151). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / DECLARATION --- p.i / ACKNOWLEDGEMENT --- p.ii / ABBREVIATIONS --- p.iii / ABSTRACT IN ENGLISH --- p.iv / ABSTRACT IN CHINESE --- p.vii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.x / Chapter CHAPTER I - --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1.1 --- Regulation of human airway surface liquid --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Cysteinyl leukotrienes in asthma --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- Cysteinyl leukotriene receptor in epithelial cells --- p.5 / Chapter 1.4 --- Particular interest on CysLT1 receptor --- p.7 / Chapter 1.5 --- Cysteinyl leukotrienes receptor antagonists --- p.10 / Chapter 1.6 --- Purinergic receptors in epithelial cells --- p.11 / Chapter 1.7 --- P2Y receptors in epithelial cells --- p.13 / Chapter 1.8 --- Signalling pathways of P2Y receptors by nucleotide stimulation --- p.15 / Chapter 1.9 --- The importance of P2Y6 receptor on inflammation --- p.17 / Chapter 1.10 --- Relation between CysLT1 receptor and P2Y receptor --- p.18 / Chapter 1.11 --- The properties of 16HBE14o- cell line --- p.21 / Chapter 1.12 --- Objectives of the present project --- p.22 / Chapter CHAPTER II - --- MATERIALS AND METHODS / Chapter 2.1 --- Solutions and chemicals --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2 --- Cell culture --- p.25 / Chapter 2.3 --- Measurement of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+ ]i) with fluorescent imaging / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Preparation of 16HBE14o- cells for fluorescent imaging --- p.26 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Measurement of [Ca2+]j with fluorescent imaging --- p.28 / Chapter 2.4 --- Measurement of short-circuit current (Isc) and transepithelial resistance with Ussing chamber / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Preparation of 16HBE14o- cells for Isc and transepithelial resistance measurement --- p.31 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Measurement of Isc and transepithelial resistance with Ussing chamber --- p.33 / Chapter 2.5 --- Immunoblot analysis for CysLT1 and P2Y6 receptors --- p.35 / Chapter 2.6 --- Measurement of protein kinase A activity --- p.36 / Chapter 2.7 --- Data analysis --- p.37 / Chapter CHAPTER III - --- RESULTS / Chapter 3.1 --- Expressions of CysLTi and P2Y6 receptor in 16HBE14o- cell monolayers --- p.38 / Chapter 3.2 --- "Differential inhibitory effects of montelukast, pranlukast and zafirlukast to UDP on Isc and [Ca2+]i in 16HBE14o- cells" / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Effect of apical or basolateral application of UDP on Isc and [Ca2+]i --- p.41 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Effect of montelukast to the application of UDP on Isc and [Ca2+]i --- p.48 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Effect of pranlukast to the application of UDP on Isc and [Ca2+ ]i --- p.57 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Effect of zafirlukast to the application of UDP on Isc and [Ca2+]j --- p.63 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- "Summary of the effects of montelukast, pranlukast, zafirlukast to UDP application on Isc and [Ca2+]i" --- p.69 / Chapter 3.3 --- Cellular mechanism(s) underlying the effect of montelukast to apical UDP application on 16HBE14o-cells / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Effect of various blockers inhibiting Ca2 226}Bؤdependent pathway on UDP-induced [Ca2+]i in the presence or absence of montelukast --- p.70 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- "Effects of montelukast, pranlukast and zafirlukast to PKA or Epac on Isc induced by apical UDP" --- p.86 / Chapter 3.4 --- "Effects of montelukast, pranlukast and zafirlukast on other P2Y receptor agonists on 16HBE14o- cells" / Chapter 3.4.1 --- "Effects of montelukast, pranlukast and zafirlukast on 2-methio-ADP-induced Isc and [Ca2+]i responses on 16HBE14o- cellsl" --- p.14 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- "Effects of montelukast, pranlukast and zafirlukast on UTP-induced Isc and [Ca2+]i responses on 16HBE14o- cells" --- p.116 / Chapter CHAPTER IV - --- DISCUSSION / Chapter 4.1 --- Differential effects of CysLT1 antagonists to P2Y6 agonist on Isc and [Ca2+]i in 16HBE14o-cells --- p.120 / Chapter 4.2 --- Possible cellular mechanism(s) underlying the effects of CysLT1 antagonists on UDP-induced [Ca2+]j increase in 16HBE14o- cells --- p.125 / Chapter 4.3 --- Possible cellular mechanism(s) underlying the effects of CysLT1 antagonists on UDP-induced Isc in 16HBE14o- cells --- p.129 / Chapter 4.4 --- Effects of CysLT1antagonists on other P2Y receptor subtypes in 16HBE14o- cells --- p.132 / Chapter 4.5 --- Summary: Possible interaction between CysLT1 antagonists and P2Y6 receptor --- p.135 / Chapter 4.6 --- Clinical implications and perspectives --- p.138 / Chapter CHAPTER V - --- REFERENCES --- p.139

Certain membrane lipids are involved in intracellular signalling processes, among them phosphoinositides and diacylglycerol (DAG). They mediate a variety of functions, including the effects of nutrients and neurohormonal stimuli on insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells. To ensure specificity of the signal, their concentrations are maintained under tight spatial and temporal control. Here, live-cell imaging techniques were employed to investigate spatio-temporal aspects of lipid signalling in the plasma membrane of insulin-secreting β-cells. The concentration of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate [PtdIns(4)P] increased after stimulation with glucose or Gq protein-coupled receptor agonists. The glucose effect was Ca2+-dependent, whereas the receptor response was mediated by isoforms of novel protein kinase C (PKC). The increases in PtdIns(4)P were paralleled by lowerings of the phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P2] concentration. This relationship was not caused by conversion of PtdIns(4,5)P2 to PtdIns(4)P but rather reflected independent regulation of the two lipids. Stimulation of β-cells with glucose or a high K+ concentration induced pronounced, repetitive increases in plasma-membrane DAG concentration, which were locally restricted and lasted only for a few seconds. This pattern was caused by exocytotic release of ATP, which feedback-activates purinergic P2Y1-receptors and stimulates local phospholipase C-mediated DAG generation. Despite their short durations the DAG spikes triggered local activation of PKC. Novel PKCs were recruited to the plasma membrane both after glucose and muscarinic receptor stimulation. While the glucose-induced translocation was synchronized with DAG spiking, muscarinic stimulation induced sustained elevation of the DAG concentration and stable membrane association of the kinase. Also conventional PKCs translocated to the membrane after glucose and receptor stimulation. The glucose-induced response was complex with sustained membrane association mirroring the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration, and superimposed brief recurring translocations caused by DAG. Interruption of the purinergic feedback loop underlying DAG spiking suppressed insulin secretion. Since the DAG spikes reflected exocytosis events, a single-cell secretion assay was established, which allowed continuous recording of secretion dynamics from many cells in parallel over extended periods of time. With this approach it was possible to demonstrate that insulin exerts negative feedback on its own release via a phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate-dependent mechanism.

This paper examines the impact of financial sector foreign direct investment (FSFDI) on economic growth by estimating a panel data model for 11 Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs) between 1996 and 2003 in a cross-country growth accounting framework. The analysis concentrates on the efficiency channel linking FSFDI to economic growth. The results clearly indicate that there can be a relationship between FSFDI and economic growth. Approaching a medium degree of financial M&A is rewarded by higher economic growth after two periods. Beyond it, FSFDI seems to spur economic growth depending on a higher human capital stock. FSFDI-induced knowledge-spillovers to domestic banks can be an explanation for this phenomenon. Above a certain threshold, the crowding-out of local physical capital caused by the entry of a foreign bank seems to hamper economic growth. The value of the paper lies in (1) providing novel data on FSFDI in CEECs, (2) analyzing the impact of FDI on a sectoral level and (3) in modeling the hitherto only qualitatively discussed relationship between foreign banks and economic development into a structural, econometric model that combines two streams of economic research: the FDI-growth-literature and the finance-growth-literature. (author's abstract) / Series: EI Working Papers / Europainstitut

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The overall purpose of this thesis is to question the value of the use of models regarding decision-making as it effectively operates within the environment of US armaments procurements. For example, conceptual framework models such as bureaucratic politics, organisational outputs, incrementalism, and others are far too simplistic in their application to this subject - they only tend to distort reality. The thesis argues that the process is far too complex with decisional centres shifting throughout the life of any one given system, thus necessitating a more realistic conceptual approach. Evidence of this is provided throughout the discussion of the organisational processes and the roles of those involved in the procurement process. Moreover, it becomes apparent that those in the highest positions of decision-making (for example, Presidents, Secretaries of Defense, etc.) are at times least likely to be involved in decisions, dependent on the stage of development of the weapon system. Further, other groups (for example, Congress, Joint Chiefs, etc.) commonly perceived as the decisional centres have little, if any involvement during the earlier stages in the life of a weapon system. The possibility of their involvement increases as the system enters what the author refers to as the hardware phase, when monies must be appropriated. In other words, the system becomes politicised and the expertise of those in higher positions becomes salient, because they are chosen for their political and managerial skills - not their expertise in detailed defence matters. Even the weight of their decisions during the hardware phase is questionable due to the fact that lower level "experts", referred to as DoD Components, with longer periods of tenure, are consistently directing upwards their appraisals of new systems requirements, threats, etc., thus setting the parameters for the higher positioned decision maker. Following the description of the organisational processes and the roles of those involved, the discussion turns to the case study of the F-16 to validate these points. The purpose is not to research a case study and then attempt to extrapolate from it axioms of weapons procurement. The exercise is intended to yield credence to the points referred to above.

Orientador: Patricia Maria de Paula / Banca: Luciane Helena Gargaglioni Batalhão / Banca: Lisandra Brandino de Oliveira / Resumo: Estudos recentes demonstram que os receptores purinérgicos estão presentes no núcleo parabraquial lateral (NPBL), uma estrutura pontina envolvida no controle da ingestão de sódio. No presente estudo, investigamos os efeitos das injeções do, -methyleneadenosine 5 -triphosphate (, -metileno ATP, agonista dos receptores P2X) sozinho ou combinado com o ácido piridoxalfosfato-6-azofenil-2',4'-disulfônico (PPADS, antagonista dos receptores P2X) ou suramin (antagonista não seletivo dos receptores P2) no NPBL sobre a ingestão de NaCl 1,8% induzida por depleção de sódio. Também investigamos os efeitos da injeção de, -metileno ATP sozinho ou combinado com o PPADS no NPBL sobre a pressão arterial média (PAM) e freqüência cardíaca (FC) em ratos saciados e depletados de sódio. Foram utilizados ratos Holtzman com implante de cânulas implantadas bilateralmente em direção ao NPBL. A depleção de sódio foi induzida pelo tratamento com o diurético furosemida (20 mg/kg do peso corporal) acompanhado de uma dieta deficiente em sódio por 24 horas. As injeções bilaterais de, -metileno ATP (2,0 e 4,0 nmol/0,2 μL) no NPBL aumentaram a ingestão de NaCl 1,8% induzida por depleção de sódio (25,3 ± 0,8 e 26,5 ± 0,9 mL/2 h, respectivamente, vs. salina: 15,2 ± 1,3 mL/2 h). O pré-tratamento com o suramin (2,0 nmol/0,2 μL) ou com o PPADS (4,0 nmol/0,2 μL) no NPBL aboliu os efeitos do, -metileno-ATP na ingestão de NaCl 1,8% (15,2 ± 1,2 e 16,9 ± 0,9 mL/2 h, respectivamente). As injeções de PPADS sozinho no NPBL não alteraram a ingestão de NaCl 1,8% (14,6 ± 0,8 mL/2 h vs. salina: 18,3 ± 1,8 mL/2 h). No entanto, as injeções de suramin sozinho no NPBL quase aboliram a ingestão de NaCl 1,8% (5,7 ± 1,9 mL/120 min, vs. salina: 15,5 ± 1,1 mL/120 min) e aumentaram a ingestão de sacarose 2% somente no tempo de 90 minutos (7,1 ± 1,3 vs. salina: 5,3 ± 0,8 mL/90 min) sem alterar...(Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Recent studies have shown that purinergic receptors are present in the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN), a pontine structure involved in the control of sodium intake. In the present study, we investigated the effects of, -methyleneadenosine 5 -triphosphate (, - methylene ATP, selective P2X purinergic agonist) alone or combined with pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonic acid (PPADS, P2X purinergic antagonist) or suramin (non-selective P2 purinergic antagonist) injected into the LPBN on sodium depletion-induced by 1.8% NaCl intake. We also investigated the effects of, -methylene ATP alone or combined with PPADS injected into the LPBN on mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) on replete and sodium depleted rats. Male Holtzman rats with stainless steel cannulas implanted into the LPBN were used. Sodium depletion was induced by treating rats with the diuretic furosemide (20 mg/kg of body weight) followed by 24 h of sodium-deficient diet. Bilateral injections of, -methylene ATP (2.0 and 4.0 nmol/0.2 μL) into the LPBN increased sodium depletion-induced 1.8% NaCl intake (25.3 ± 0.8 and 26.5 ± 0.9 mL/2 h, respectively, vs. saline: 15.2 ± 1.3 mL/2 h). Pre-treatment with suramin (2.0 nmol/0.2 μL) or PPADS (4 nmol/0.2 μL) into the LPBN abolished the effects of, - methylene-ATP on 1.8% NaCl intake (15.2 ± 1.2 and 16.9 ± 0.9 mL/2 h, respectively). Injections of PPADS alone into the LPBN did not change 1.8% NaCl intake (14.6 ± 0.8 ml/2 h vs. saline: 18.3 ± 1.8 mL/2 h). However, injections of suramin alone into the LPBN strongly reduced 1.8% NaCl intake (5.7 ± 1.9 mL/120 min, vs. saline: 15.5 ± 1.1 mL/2 h) and increased the 2% sucrose intake only at 90 min (7.1 ± 1.3 vs. saline: 5.3 ± 0.8 mL/90 min), without changing 24h water deprivation-induced water intake (16.7 ± 1.8 mL/2 h vs. saline: 15.0 ± 2.1 mL/2 h)... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre