Analysis of Protein Turnover by Quantitative SNAP-Based Pulse-Chase Imaging

Assessment of protein dynamics in living cells is crucial for understanding their biological properties and functions. The SNAP-tag, a self labeling suicide enzyme, presents a tool with unique features that can be adopted for determining protein dynamics in living cells. Here we present detailed protocols for the use of SNAP in fluorescent pulse-chase and quench-chase-pulse experiments. These time-slicing methods provide powerful tools to assay and quantify the fate and turnover rate of proteins of different ages. We cover advantages and pitfalls of SNAP-tagging in fixed- and live-cell studies and evaluate the recently developed fast-acting SNAPf variant. In addition, to facilitate the analysis of protein turnover datasets, we present an automated algorithm for spot recognition and quantification.

Failure or Voluntary Exit? Reassessing the Female Underperformance Hypothesis

We reevaluate the female underperformance hypothesis by challenging the assumption that female-owned ventures are more likely to fail. Instead of equating exit with failure, we draw on exit literature and feminist theories to argue that female entrepreneurs are actually more likely than males to exit voluntarily. We argue for further gender differences by using an even more fine-grained conceptualization of entrepreneurial exit (failure, exit for personal reasons, and exit for other professional/financial opportunities). Post-hoc analyses also point to withingender heterogeneity depending on family status. A sample probe of 219 Spanish entrepreneurs who had exited their business supports our overall reasoning.

Étude longitudinale de l’impact de la satisfaction envers les avantages sociaux novateurs sur l’intention de rester chez les travailleurs du secteur des technologies de l’information et des communications

The objective of this thesis is to understand the impact of satisfaction with innovative benefits on the intention to stay of the information and communications technology industry (ICT) workers. In order to investigate this question, a general research hypothesis was presented based on a literature review and on Blau’s social exchange theory (1964) and Maslow’s theory of needs (1943). The general research hypothesis states that satisfaction with innovative benefits increases intention to stay through time. The data used in this thesis were collected as part of a larger research on the relationships between compensation, training and skills development and attracting and retaining key employees. The longitudinal data come from an office located in Montreal of a major international company from the ICT sector. The study population consists of workers newly hired between April 1st, 2009 and September 30th, 2010. The results confirm the research hypothesis showing that satisfaction with innovative benefits increase intention to stay through time. Among the various innovative benefits studied, the results indicate that it is the satisfaction with the gym at work that best predicts intention to stay of workers. Other innovative benefits significantly related to intention to stay are the games library, the lounge, the medical clinic and the library in the workplace. Also, longitudinal analyses reveal that it is mainly the differences between the individual characteristics of the employees who best explain intention to stay than the differences across time of the same worker. This thesis concludes by discussing the best way for industrial relations managers to use the results in order to retain their employees. Then, the limits of the study and some directions for further research are also presented.

Political Sophistication and Vote Intention Switching

This article investigates the link between political sophistication and electoral volatility. Showing that there is disagreement in the literature on whether switching party preferences is related to low or high levels of political sophistication, it is then argued that the effect of sophistication on vote switching might differ depending on when switching is measured. The effect of timing on volatility is investigated by means of the Short-term panel of the 2009 German Longitudinal Election Study. Results indicate that timing indeed matters, while sophistication increases the probability of switching parties before the campaign, the effect of political sophistication becomes more negative as Election Day draws near.