Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A New Front in the Culture War?

This article examines the effect of cultural values on voting behavior in elections belowthe presidential level. Using data from the American National Election Studies, the article examines the effect of moral traditionalism on individual-level vote choice in U.S. House elections. Findings indicate that a newfront has been opened in the culturewar, with moral traditionalism exerting an indirect effect on vote choice through party identification and, most importantly, a direct effect since the mid-to-late 1990s, one thatwas hitherto not evident. This suggests that a greater emphasis placed on cultural issues by candidates and other political elites, or possibly changes in the images held by the electorate of both parties, has resulted in a moral traditionalism cleavage being driven down to voting behavior at the congressional level. Overall, these findings suggest a widening and deepening of a cultural values-based realignment of the American electorate.
Multiple Behavior Descriptions Affect the Acquisitions of STI and STT

Four studies pursued the idea that spontaneous trait inferences (STIs) involve the formation of both inferential knowledge and associative knowledge while spontaneous trait transferences (STTs) involve only the formation of associative knowledge. These studies varied the type and amount of behavioral information from which perceivers could extract trait information. Experiments 1a and 1b used a modified savings-in-relearning paradigm and demonstrated that repeated presentations of an individual and a behavior description increased the strength of association between the target and implied trait, and this effect did not depend on whether the repeated presentations involved redundant information or new information. In comparison, Experiments 2a and 2b used a trait ratings dependent variable and demonstrated that the effects of repetition were stronger for STI, but not STT, when the added information differed from information that was previously encountered, but not when it was redundant with the previously encountered information.
The perceived impact of tourism development by Cretan residents

This paper presents the results of a study of 194 Cretan households that had the aim of exploring the perceived impacts of tourism on four urban communities and associated resident attitudes toward tourism development. In particular, the study assessed the influence of seven variables (city of residence, length of residence, reliance on tourism, age, gender, education, and income) on residents' attitudes and attempted to identify the underlying factors explaining their perceptions. It was found that the two most important discriminators of residents' attitudes were education and reliance on tourism employment and that the most important dimensions to the urban residents of Crete were economic benefits, cultural and infrastructural benefits, and environmental impacts. Based on the findings, this paper discusses the implications of the research and indicates future research priorities.
A Quantitative Comparison of Social and Commercial Entrepreneurship: Toward a More Nuanced Understanding of Social Entrepreneurship Organizations in Context

Abstract This study empirically addresses the differences between social and commercial entrepreneurship by using the largest available quantitative data source, namely the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2009 survey on social entrepreneurship in Belgium and The Netherlands. We use a combination of exploratory statistical analyses and qualitative techniques to generate propositions on the organizations and initiatives that social entrepreneurs are involved in and contrast them with our understanding of commercial entrepreneurs. This study contributes to answer the call for more quantitative research and simultaneously argues that, despite the potential contribution of large-scale data, the validity and reliability of measurement instruments cannot be seen independently from their particular context. With this important observation in mind, our findings indicate a predominance of younger social organizations or initiatives that rely to a great extent on government funding, whereas earned income is limited. Furthermore, social entrepreneurs show less ambition in terms of employment growth and progression to more mature stages of the entrepreneurial process compared with commercial entrepreneurs.
Mutations in the RAS‐MAPK, PI(3)K (phosphatidylinositol‐3‐OH kinase) signaling network correlate with poor survival in a population‐based series of colon cancers

The RAS‐MAPK, PI (3)K signaling pathways form a network that play a central role in tumorigenesis. The BRAF, KRAS and PI3KCA genes code 3 partners of this network and have been found to be activated by mutation in colorectal cancer; these mutations lead to unrestricted cell growth. We evaluated the clinicopathological features and the prognosis of patients with activated‐network colon cancers in a population‐based study. A total of 586 colon adenocarcinomas were evaluated using sequencing for mutations of KRAS and PI3KCA, and allelic discrimination for mutation of BRAF. Clinicopathological characteristics were correlated to the risk of bearing a mutation of the network using logistic regression. Three‐year survival rates were compared with the Log rank test. A multivariate survival analysis using the Cox model was performed. After adjustment for age and microsatellite instability, activation of the network by mutation of at least 1 of the 3 genes was significantly associated with female sex (p = 0.02) and proximal location (p < 0.001). Lower levels of 3‐year survival were associated with activation of the network by mutation of at least 1 of the 3 genes (59.4 and 69.4%, respectively; p = 0.009). These results remained significant in a multivariate analysis adjusted for sex, age, location, stage and microsatellite instability (HR = 1.48; CI CI95% = [1.07–2.04]). Our study is the first report to underline the potential role of RAS‐MAPK, PI (3)K network mutations on survival in colon cancers. Because of the role of this signaling network on anticancer agents, the evaluation of its mutations could have clinical implications. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Retinal fundus imaging with a plenoptic sensor

Vitreoretinal surgery is moving towards 3D visualization of the surgical field. This require acquisition system capable of recording such 3D information. We propose a proof of concept imaging system based on a light-field camera where an array of micro-lenses is placed in front of a conventional sensor. With a single snapshot, a stack of images focused at different depth are produced on the fly, which provides enhanced depth perception for the surgeon. Difficulty in depth localization of features and frequent focus-change during surgery are making current vitreoretinal heads-up surgical imaging systems cumbersome to use. To improve the depth perception and eliminate the need to manually refocus on the instruments during the surgery, we designed and implemented a proof-of-concept ophthalmoscope equipped with a commercial light-field camera. The sensor of our camera is composed of an array of micro-lenses which are projecting an array of overlapped micro-images. We show that with a single light-field snapshot we can digitally refocus between the retina and a tool located in front of the retina or display an extended depth-of-field image where everything is in focus. The design and system performances of the plenoptic fundus camera are detailed. We will conclude by showing in vivo data recorded with our device.
Family Ownership, Board Independence, and R&D Investment

Family influence is central in Asian countries; however, little research exists regarding the effects of family ownership and corporate governance on corporate investment decisions. This article examines the relationships among family ownership, board independence, and R&D investment using a sampling of Taiwanese firms. The finding of the negative family ownership—R&D investment relationship suggests that family ownership may discourage risky long-term R&D investment. Such a finding may also suggest that firms with high family ownership may use R&D investment more efficiently and thus need less R&D in relation to firms with low family ownership. In addition, the interaction of family ownership and CEO duality/independent director ratio is negatively/positively related to R&D investment, suggesting that firms with high family ownership may increase R&D investment when the CEO—chair roles are separated or when more independent outsiders are included in the board.
The chemistry of OH and HO 2 radicals in the boundary layer over the tropical Atlantic Ocean

Abstract. Fluorescence Assay by Gas Expansion (FAGE) has been used to detect ambient levels of OH and HO2 radicals at the Cape Verde Atmospheric Observatory, located in the tropical Atlantic marine boundary layer, during May and June 2007. Midday radical concentrations were high, with maximum concentrations of 9 ×106 molecule cm−3 and 6×108 molecule cm−3 observed for OH and HO2, respectively. A box model incorporating the detailed Master Chemical Mechanism, extended to include halogen chemistry, heterogeneous loss processes and constrained by all available measurements including halogen and nitrogen oxides, has been used to assess the chemical and physical parameters controlling the radical chemistry. The model was able to reproduce the daytime radical concentrations to within the 1 σ measurement uncertainty of 20% during the latter half of the measurement period but significantly under-predicted [HO2] by 39% during the first half of the project. Sensitivity analyses demonstrate that elevated [HCHO] (~2 ppbv) on specific days during the early part of the project, which were much greater than the mean [HCHO] (328 pptv) used to constrain the model, could account for a large portion of the discrepancy between modelled and measured [HO2] at this time. IO and BrO, although present only at a few pptv, constituted ~19% of the instantaneous sinks for HO2, whilst aerosol uptake and surface deposition to the ocean accounted for a further 23% of the HO2 loss at noon. Photolysis of HOI and HOBr accounted for ~13% of the instantaneous OH formation. Taking into account that halogen oxides increase the oxidation of NOx (NO → NO2), and in turn reduce the rate of formation of OH from the reaction of HO2 with NO, OH concentrations were estimated to be 9% higher overall due to the presence of halogens. The increase in modelled OH from halogen chemistry gives an estimated 9% shorter lifetime for methane in this region, and the inclusion of halogen chemistry is necessary to model the observed daily cycle of O3 destruction that is observed at the surface. Due to surface losses, we hypothesise that HO2 concentrations increase with height and therefore contribute a larger fraction of the O3 destruction than at the surface.
The Role of Service Quality, Perceived Value, and Relationship Quality in Enhancing Customer Loyalty in the Travel Agency Sector

ABSTRACT Relationship quality is crucial to enhancing a tourist’s loyalty. Little empirical research has been conducted to link service quality, perceived value, and relationship quality to customer loyalty in the travel agency sector. This study attempts to investigate the role of service quality, perceived value, and relationship quality on customer loyalty among tourists. Relationship quality consists of three components: customer satisfaction, customer trust, and customer commitment. Structural equation modeling is used to test the linkages between the six variables that have been identified. Findings reveal that service quality and perceived value of a travel package are antecedent factors to the relationship quality with a travel agency; three components of relationship quality significantly influence a customer’s loyalty to a travel agency.
Convergence of National Innovation Policy Mixes in Europe – Has it Gone Too Far? An Analysis of Research and Innovation Policy Measures in the Period 2004–12

A national innovation policy mix comprises the measures that address the innovation policy challenges of the country in question. The data series of the Erawatch and INNO Policy TrendChart initiatives of the European Commission provide a unique opportunity to explore the profiles of the national innovation policy mixes and their evolution during the past decade. In this article, the innovation policy mix per country and changes in these mixes over time are identified. The analysis covers five main policy mix profiles of the EU Member States. An unexpected similarity and stability is found in the national innovation policy mixes of the Member States even though these countries face different innovation challenges. This reflects extensive transnational policy learning, which is a welcome development, but such a similarity among heterogeneous countries might indicate that innovation policies are not being tailored effectively to the real needs and situations in each Member State.
How reputation creates loyalty in the restaurant sector

Purpose – This study attempts to investigate the causal relationships between perceived trust, perceived value, customer satisfaction, and corporate reputation to understand how customer perceptions evolve into customer loyalty in the restaurant sector.Design/methodology/approach – This study develops a research model and empirically examines the model by collecting data from two different chain restaurants. Based on the aggregated responses (n=529) from surveys conducted in the two selected chain restaurants, structural equation modeling was used to examine the hypothesized relationships between the variables.Findings – The results reveal that corporate reputation creates loyalty through trust and value, two factors that act as important mediating variables in the model. Another key finding, based on a comparison of the total effects, is that perceived trust affects customer loyalty through customer satisfaction and that it has a stronger effect than perceived value.Practical implications – Along with th.
Modification of mandibular ridge splitting technique for horizontal augmentation of atrophic ridges

Purpose: A two stage approach of ridge splitting and lateral expansion in the mandible to achieve enough bone width for the purpose of dental implants is presented. Materials and Methods: A total of 13 consecutive patients with 16 long‐span edentulous areas of the mandibular ridge were included in this study and 42 dental implants were inserted. Corticotomy of a rectangular buccal segment was carried out followed by 3 weeks of recovery; the mandibular ridge was stretched laterally, leaving the buccal periosteum attached to the lateralized segment. In this modification, there was no need for the use of grafted foreign materials to fill the defect and neither the use of barrier membranes, since it was treated practically as a fresh extraction site. To prevent the undesirable movement of the lateral plate, a small chip (2‐3 mm in diameter) of bone spacer was properly fixed. The dental implants were placed 3‐5 months later on. Results: Approximately, 86% of the expanded areas were successful in providing an adequate width to accommodate an implant. The average gain in width was 3.22 ± 0.97 mm. All intended implants were inserted. Prosthetic loading with fixed prosthesis was successfully implemented in all cases. Conclusion: This modified technique is a simple and short procedure with satisfactory results and minimal morbidity. Of note, this approach is devoid of foreign materials usage and has a low rate cost, therefore, should be employed more often.
Measures of Technical Change and Structural Change in Services in the USA: Was There a Resurgence of Productivity Growth in Services?

Traditional measures of productivity growth show very low gains made by most service industries since 1980s in the USA. However, other indices of 'technological activity', such as computerization, education, and occupational change, show that service industries were more technologically active than goods producers over this period. I first distinguish among three types of services: standardized like communications, customized like recreation, and hybrid like retailing. Using output, employment, and capital stock data for 43 industries over 1960-2000, I find that in terms of productivity standardized services behave like goods producers, customized services have had virtually zero productivity growth, and hybrid services fall in between. These results show up in historical data as well as in econometric analysis. Copyright © 2007 The Author; Journal compilation © 2007 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Understanding Consumer Responses to Travel Websites from Online Shopping Value and Flow Experience Perspectives

As online travel shopping rapidly increases, consumer responses to travel websites need to be better understood. The authors integrate the perspectives of flow experience and perceived shopping value to explain those consumer responses and incorporate website design characteristics into their model. Data were collected from consumers with browsing or purchasing experiences on Taiwan's travel websites. The results show that website attractiveness and interactivity have a positive influence on flow experience. Website reliability positively affects utilitarian value, whereas ease of use has no significant effect. Flow experience is positively associated with utilitarian value and consumer attitude towards the website; conversely, purchase intention from the website is not affected by flow experience. Furthermore, the findings reveal that perceived utilitarian value positively and significantly influences consumer attitude towards the website and purchase intention. These findings have both theoretical and practical implications.
Stock Market Fluctuations and Consumption Behaviour: Some Recent Evidence

This paper examines the likely influence of recent stock market fluctuations on major OECD economies, focusing on wealth effects and consumption. After reviewing the relevant theoretical framework and available empirical evidence, consumption functions are estimated for the US including the influence of financial wealth. The resulting estimates of the marginal propensity to consume out of financial wealth are extrapolated to other G7 countries, allowing for differences in stock market capitalisation, and compared with ones obtained more directly from consumption functions that include stock market prices as an explanatory variable. Simulations are then carried out to assess the potential world impact of a major fall in stock market prices in the G7 countries using a version of the OECD INTERLINK model which embodies the latter equations. The overall effects are found to be significant, particularly when relevant international linkage mechanisms are taken into account . Ce papier analyse les effets richesses potentiels generes par les fluctuations recentes des marche d’actifs financiers des principals economies de l’OCDE. Apres une presentation rapide des fondements theoriques et des resultats empiriques recents, des fonctions de consommation incluant une variable de richesse financiere sont estimees pour les Etats-Unis, permettant de calculer des propensions marginales a consommer les gains de richesse financiere. Celles-ci sont alors extrapolees pour les autres pays du G7, en tenant compte des differences de ratio de capitalisation boursiere. Elles sont ensuite comparees a des propensions estimees a partir de fonctions de consommation incluant le prix des actifs boursiers. Ces dernieres sont integrees au modele INTERLINK de l’OCDE, ce qui permet de simuler l’impact potentiel sur l’activite reel d’un crash financier dans les pays du G7. Les effets sur l’economie globale sont significatifs, particulierement lorsque sont pris en compte les .
Ethyl pyruvate can alleviate alcoholic liver disease through inhibiting Nrf2 signaling pathway

The effects of ethyl pyruvate (EP) on alcoholic liver disease and its related mechanism were investigated. Thirty male C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided to three groups: Control (n=10), alcoholic liver disease (ALD, n=10) and ethyl pyruvate group (EP, n=10). EP group was treated with gavage using EP (100 mg/kg) for 15 consecutive days. Control and ALD group were treated with the same volume of normal saline. After the last gavage, EP and ALD group were treated with the intraperitoneal injection of 50% alcoholic solution (10 ml/kg). After that, ALD and EP group received the gavage using alcohol for 4 weeks, while Control group received the same volume of normal saline, and blood and liver tissues were taken for detection. Results showed that in this experimental study that EP could effectively alleviate the alcoholic liver disease. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (AST), triglycerides (TG), free fatty acid (FFA) and FBG in EP group were significantly lower than those in ALD group, but the number of platelets was reversed, and the differences were statistically significant; the levels of anti-inflammatory factors (TGF-β/IL-10) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in EP were significantly higher than those in ALP group, but the levels of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-6/TNF-α) and MDA were significantly lower than those in ALP group. EP upregulated CYP2E1, downregulated PPAR-α, nuclear factor 2 (Nrf2) and very-low density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR), positively regulated the CYP2E1-PPAR-α-ROS signaling pathway and negatively regulated the ROS-Nrf2-VLDLR signaling pathway. EP can increase anti-inflammatory factors and decrease pro-inflammatory factors, enhance the activity of SOD and reduce FFA and TG. Moreover, it can upregulate the PPAR-α expression by negative regulation of CYP2E1-PPAR-α signaling pathway and downregulate the Nrf2 expression by negative regulation of Nrf2-VLDLR signaling pathway, thus alleviating the alcoholic liver disease.
On the contribution of defense innovation to China’s economic growth

As the most knowledge-intensive industrial sectors, China’s defense industries are developing very fast. The present paper will explore the contribution of China’s defense innovation to its economic growth. Cobb–Douglas production function, integrating defense and non-defense stock in knowledge, is applied during the course. In addition, an input–output analysis of defense equipment procurement was done. Positive effect of China’s defense innovation on economic growth has been revealed by comparing the results from the two methods. And some suggestions are made to strengthen the effect.
Discovery and Development: An Empirical Exploration of New Products

The authors use disaggregated export data to explore the relationship between economic discovery and economic development. They find that discoveries, or episodes, when countries begin exporting a new product are not limited to so-called"dynamic"industries. Rather, they also occur in traditional sectors such as agriculture. In addition, the data suggest discovery is a component of the stages of productive diversification that occur with development, following a consistent pattern-discovery activity peaks at the lower-middle income level and then declines. Based on this pattern, the authors show that discovery in the 1990s occurred with a higher than expected frequency in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and lower than expected frequency in Sub-Saharan Africa. Discovery is not found to be a product of structural transformation based on changing factor endowments across income levels. Beyond export growth, population, and development, there are no significant and positive relationships between the expected drivers of entrepreneurship and the frequency of discovery. Combined with the finding that higher absorptive capacity and lower barriers to entry are associated with a reduction in discovery, this suggests that market failures arising from imitation and free-riding may be inhibiting the emergence of new export products in developing countries.