Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Candidate Strategies and Electoral Competition in the Russian Federation: Democracy without Foundation

In the early 1990s, competitive elections in the Russian Federation signaled the end of the authoritarian political system dominated by a single political party. More than ten years and many elections later, a single party led by Russian President Vladimir Putin threatens to end Russia's democratic experiment. Russia's experience with new elections is not unique but it does challenge existing theories of democratic consolidation by showing that competitive elections cannot guarantee successful democratic consolidation. This book explores the conditions under which electoral competition contributes to democratic development by examining impact of elections on democratic consolidation. The theoretic framework focuses on the construction of infrastructure that transforms competitive elections into mechanisms of democratic development and shows how candidates for national parliamentary office systematically chose electoral strategies that undermined Russia's democratic foundation and created the conditions for a new single party autocracy to emerge.
Aqueous outflow facility after phacoemulsification with or without goniosynechialysis in primary angle closure: a randomised controlled study

Background Goniosynechialysis (GSL) to remove peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS) alongside standard cataract surgery has potential theoretical advantages, Published randomised trials, however, have not shown conclusive functional benefits and aqueous outflow changes following GSL are unknown. This study aimed to compare electronic Shiøtz tonographic aqueous outflow facility (TOF) following phacoemulsification with or without GSL in patients with primary angle closure (PAC) and PAC glaucoma. Secondary outcomes were changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) and use of glaucoma medications. Methods Prospective randomised pilot study of 26 patients on glaucoma medication, with ≥90° PAS and significant lens opacity. Patients were randomised 1:1 to receive phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation only (phaco) or phacoemulsification with IOL plus GSL (phaco-GSL). Results Fourteen patients were randomised to phaco-GSL and 12 to phaco alone. TOF increased with phaco-GSL from 0.099±0.07 μL/min/mm Hg to 0.194±0.07, μL/min/mm Hg, p=0.0006, while the phaco group showed no significant change. IOP reduced in both groups, but reduced significantly more following phaco-GSL (46.0%) compared with phaco alone (27.6%, p=0.04). Medication use and extent of PAS only reduced with phaco-GSL, from 0.923±0.86 to 0.384±0.18 medications, p=0.0279, and from 249.2±83.4 to 110.8±53.9° PAS, 6 months postoperatively. No serious adverse events occurred in either group. Conclusions Eyes randomised to both surgical groups had similar and good outcomes at 6 months in this pilot study. However, only eyes undergoing GSL combined with standard phacoemulsification had significantly increased TOF, reduced glaucoma medication dependence and PAS postoperatively. GSL should therefore be considered in such patients. Trial registration number: NCT00719290, Results.
Amyloid Aβ1−40 preconditions non‐apoptotic signals in vivo and protects fetal rat brain from intrauterine ischemic stress

The dualistic activities of the amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide as a pro‐oxidant and ubiquitous constituent of amyloid deposits in Alzheimer's disease plaques and as an antioxidant of purported physiological function has been suggested but the mechanisms are far from being understood. In this report we measure several oxidative stress parameters and signaling cascades in brains of fetal rats subjected to global ischemia in order to evaluate the putative bifunctional properties of the Aβ1−40 peptide. Intraperitoneal injection of 6 µg Aβ1−40 into 18‐days‐old rat fetuses (approximately 3 g body weight) resulted after 24 h in the appearance of the peptide in various fetal organs including brain where it enhanced the levels of glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and stimulated the levels of pro‐survival signaling activities such as Akt serine/threonine kinase, extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) and protein kinase C enzymes. Moreover, pretreatment with Aβ1−40 reversed the consequences of a transient hypovolemic/hypotensive oxidative stress by restoring GSH levels via its recycling enzymes and by lowering the production of lipid peroxides presumably by activating the aforementioned pro‐survival signaling cascades. It also caused a reduction in the number of DAPI‐enhanced reactive cells and a decrease in p38 kinase phosphorylation and caspase‐9 and ‐3 activity. These data suggest that pre‐exposure to Aβ1−40 stimulates fetal tolerance to ischemia via regulation of GSH metabolism and as such may be considered as neuroprotective.
Sharing a common resource with concave benefits

A group of agents enjoy concave and single-peak benefit functions from consuming a shared resource. They also value money (transfers). The resource is scarce in the sense that not everybody can consume its peak. The paper characterizes the unique (resource and money) allocation that is efficient, incentive compatible and equal-sharing individual rational. It can be implemented (i) by selling the resource or taxing extraction and redistributing the money collected equally, or (ii) by assigning property rights on equal shares in a competitive market. Next, the paper posits an allocation that is incentive compatible, individual rational and assigns to every agent no more than its peak benefit.
A randomized study of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery versus surgery for localized squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus

Background. Despite well‐established surgical approaches, the prognosis for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus remains dismal. To assess the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CRT), a randomized trial with and without sequential preoperative CRT was undertaken; CRT combined 20 Gy and two courses of 5‐FU and cisplatin.
Determining the Probability of Default and Risk-Rating Class for Loans in the Seventh Farm Credit District Portfolio

Credit risk is the primary risk facing financial institutions. With the proposed guidelines under the New Basel Accord, financial institutions will benefit from better assessing their risks. The probability of default (PD) and risk-rating class is studied for 157,853 loans in the Seventh Farm Credit District Portfolio. Repayment capacity, owner equity, and working capital origination loans are important determinants of the PD. Standard & Poor's (S&P) reported probabilities of default were used to classify each of the loans into a risk-rating class. The average predicted PD is 1.61%, which would fall into the BB— S&P class. Copyright 2006, Oxford University Press.
Internationalisation of born global firms: Evidence from Malaysia

The purpose of this study is to identify the key factors that lead to early internationalisation of young small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in a developing country context and to examine the internationalisation path of born global firms in terms of initial and subsequent mode-of-entry decisions. This study analyses 10 born global SMEs using a multiple-case-study method. Multiple sources of data are used, including semi-structured in-depth interviews, a questionnaire and secondary data. It is found that factors that influence born global internationalisation are made up of the interplay of three major factors, namely the individual founder/manager specific characteristics, firm-specific resources and the external environment. The most important factor that emerged was the entrepreneurial orientation of founders/managers. This study also found that born global firms do not follow a stepwise-entry strategy. Due to the largely qualitative nature of the study, the findings cannot be statistically generalised to other similar contexts. Nonetheless, theoretical generalisation is possible. An integrated framework of the factors that drive born global internationalisation is presented, together with an overview of born-global-entry strategies.
Testing for bubbles: an application of tests for change in persistence

This study investigates changes in the persistence of the S&P Composite dividend-price ratio. Recently developed tests are employed that allow for breaks between periods in which the data are integrated of order zero, I(0), and integrated of order one, I(1). One of the tests finds a break from I(0) to I(1) in the mid-1970s and two of the tests find a break from I(0) to I(1) in the early, to mid-1950s. The results are discussed in light of the rational bubble hypothesis.
Comparison of Long-Term Outcomes between Spousal Transplants and Other Living Unrelated Donor Transplants: Single-Center Experience

Background/Aims: The greater use of living unrelated donors (LUDs) as kidney donors is a worldwide trend in the current era of organ shortage, and spouses are an important source of LUDs. This study was to compare the long-term outcomes of spousal donor grafts with other LUD grafts. Methods: Among 445 LUD grafts, 77 were spouses and 368 were other LUDs. The clinical characteristics and long-term survival rates for spousal transplants were compared with those for other LUD transplants, and risk factors affecting graft survival were assessed. Results: Spousal donors had a significantly higher average number of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatches (4.2 vs. 3.4, p < 0.001) and were older (41 vs. 33 years, p < 0.001) than LUDs. The 10-year survival rates for spousal donor grafts were 60.6%, similar to those for LUD grafts (58.5%, p = 0.61). The 10-year biopsy-proven acute rejection-free survival rates (85.5 vs. 89.6%, p = 0.45) and patient survival rates were also similar (84.3 vs. 79.6%, p = 0.35). The degree of HLA mismatching, the spousal donor type or donor age did not affect the graft survival. Conclusion: Renal transplants from spousal donors show similar long-term outcomes to those from better HLA-matched and younger LUDs.
Impact of Job Burnout on Satisfaction and Turnover Intention

This study examines possible moderating effects of generational differences (Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials) on the relationship between job burnout (emotional exhaustion, cynicism, reduced professional efficacy) and employee satisfaction and turnover intention, as well as its moderating effects on the relationship between employee satisfaction and turnover intention using data collected from employees of a midscale chain hotel. Findings indicate that generational differences between Baby Boomers and Millennials have significant moderating effects on the relationship between emotional exhaustion and job satisfaction and turnover intention, and on the relationship between job satisfaction and turnover intention.
The Benefits of Bureaucracy: Public Managers' Perceptions of Political Support, Goal Ambiguity, and Organizational Effectiveness

Public organizations rely extensively on sources of support - political and otherwise - external to themselves to ensure continued success in meeting policy goals. The resource-dependent nature of political-administrative relations can create performance problems for organizations, especially when perceptions of political support decline. Previous literature demonstrates how low levels of political support may amplify goal ambiguity for organizations in the public sphere. We argue that these organizations benefit from hierarchical authority, which can diffuse environmental uncertainties (such as those associated with increased goal ambiguity) to maintain performance. We develop a test of this claim using data collected in Phase II of the National Administrative Studies Project. Findings confirm a contingent model of performance in which low political support and increased goal ambiguity are counteracted by varying degrees of internal hierarchical authority.
Differences between easy- and difficult-to-mill chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes. Part I: broad chemical composition.

BACKGROUND Ease of milling is an important quality trait for chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.) and involves two separate processes: removal of the seed coat and splitting of cotyledons. Four chickpea genotypes (two desi types, one kabuli type and one interspecific hybrid with 'wild' C. echinospermum parentage) of differing ease of milling were examined to identify associated seed composition differences in the seed coat, cotyledons and their junctions (abaxial and adaxial). RESULTS Several components in different fractions were associated with ease of milling chickpea seeds: primarily soluble and insoluble non-starch polysaccharides (including pectins) and protein at the seed coat and cotyledon junctions, and the lignin content of the seed coat. CONCLUSION This study shows that the chemical composition of chickpea does vary with seed type (desi and kabuli) and within desi genotypes in ways that are consistent with physical explanations of how seed structure and properties relate to milling behaviour.
Political Uncertainty and Cross-Border Acquisitions

Using national elections as sources of exogenous variation in uncertainty, we show that political uncertainty affects the volume and outcome of cross-border acquisitions. When a country is about to hold a national election, this deters foreign firms’ inbound acquisitions, especially when the host country poses greater expropriation risk. An upcoming home country election encourages firms to conduct outbound cross-border acquisitions, especially to target countries with free-trade agreements, military allies, or countries with better governance. At transaction level, we show that announcement returns to cross-border deals incorporate political uncertainty considerations. Overall, these results shed light on the effects of political uncertainty through the cross-border acquisition channel.
Quadriplegia After Lumbar Disc Surgery: A Case Report

Study Design Case report. Objective To report a case of quadriplegia after surgery in the prone position for a herniated lumbar disc. Summary of Background Data Ischemia in the vascular territories of the vertebral arteries after back surgery in the prone position is rare. Degenerative changes of the cervical spine or decreased blood flow to the head with mechanical vessel obstruction during extreme neck movements, systemic hypotension, and thromboembolism have mostly been implicated in the pathogenesis. Methods The case of a 33‐year‐old man undergoing surgery for an unilateral single level disc herniation at L4‐L5 is presented. Within a few hours after surgery he developed quadriplegia and signs of occipital lobe dysfunction. He underwent magnetic resonance imaging investigation. Therapy included arterial blood pressure control, low molecular dextran, dexamethasone, bladder catheterization, and physiotherapy. Results Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated intramedullary ischemic changes in the cervical spinal cord and at the borderline between anterior and posterior circulation. Outcome after 2 years is fair regarding the severe initial deficit‐the patient walks alone with a cane and bladder function is under control. He is employed in a sedentary job. Conclusions The authors believe that a temporary mechanical occlusion of a vertebral artery led to stasis, formation of thrombi, and subsequent embolism in the vertebrobasilar vascular territory. Extreme head rotation and neck extension is to be avoided in the prone position.
Structural basis of empathy and the domain general region in the anterior insular cortex

Empathy is key for healthy social functioning and individual differences in empathy have strong implications for manifold domains of social behavior. Empathy comprises of emotional and cognitive components and may also be closely linked to sensorimotor processes, which go along with the motivation and behavior to respond compassionately to another person's feelings. There is growing evidence for local plastic change in the structure of the healthy adult human brain in response to environmental demands or intrinsic factors. Here we have investigated changes in brain structure resulting from or predisposing to empathy. Structural MRI data of 101 healthy adult females was analyzed. Empathy in fictitious as well as real-life situations was assessed using a validated self-evaluation measure. Furthermore, empathy-related structural effects were also put into the context of a functional map of the anterior insular cortex (AIC) determined by activation likelihood estimate (ALE) meta-analysis of previous functional imaging studies. We found that gray matter (GM) density in the left dorsal AIC correlates with empathy and that this area overlaps with the domain general region (DGR) of the anterior insula that is situated in-between functional systems involved in emotion–cognition, pain, and motor tasks as determined by our meta-analysis. Thus, we propose that this insular region where we find structural differences depending on individual empathy may play a crucial role in modulating the efficiency of neural integration underlying emotional, cognitive, and sensorimotor information which is essential for global empathy.
Public Investment, Congestion, and Private Capital Accumulation

This paper analyzes the impact of public investment on the dynamics of private capital formation in an intertemporal optimizing market-clearing framework. The key feature characterizing the analysis is that the public good is treated as a durable capital good subject to congestion. The authors show how, in the presence of congestion, the effect of government investment on private capital formation involves a trade-off between the degree of substitution between private and public capital in production and the degree of congestion. Both lump-sum and distortionary tax financing are considered, with this trade-off being tightened in the latter case.
Patterns of mycoplasma shedding in the milk of dairy cows with intramammary mycoplasma infection.

OBJECTIVE To determine patterns of mycoplasma shedding in the milk of dairy cows with intramammary mycoplasma infection. DESIGN Prospective clinical trial. ANIMALS 10 Holstein cows with intramammary mycoplasma infection. PROCEDURE Milk samples were collected from each cow daily for 28 days and plated on mycoplasma agar to evaluate shedding patterns. To determine whether enrichment improved recovery of organisms, some samples were also inoculated in mycoplasma enrichment medium and incubated for 4 days prior to plating. Somatic cell count (SCC) was determined in samples collected weekly. RESULTS Mycoplasma organisms were not isolated from 81 of 280 (29%) composite milk samples, but > 10(6) colonies/mL were obtained from 151 (54%). Similarly, mycoplasma organisms were not isolated from 433 of 1,008 (43%) quarter milk samples, but > 10(6) colonies/mL were obtained from 392 (39%). For 71 of 104 (68%) samples, mycoplasma organisms were isolated both following direct plating and following enrichment; for 24 of 104 (23%), mycoplasma organisms were isolated only following enrichment; and for 9 of 104 (9%), mycoplasma organisms were isolated only after direct plating. There was a linear correlation between logarithm of the SCC and logarithm of the number of colony-forming units of mycoplasma per milliliter of milk for composite and quarter milk samples. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Shedding of organisms was inconsistent in dairy cows with intramammary mycoplasma infection, increasing the risk of misdiagnosis if multiple milk samples are not tested.
Do Health Claims and Prior Awareness Influence Consumers’ Preferences for Unhealthy Foods? The Case of Functional Children’s Snacks

This study investigates if and how the translation of different types of functionality into measurable ‘‘amounts’’ of healthiness influences parents’ preference for a priori unhealthy (but tasty) food product (i.e., sweet or salty children’s snacks). Moreover, it aims to explore whether perceptions about healthiness related to functionality types differ among consumers according to their level of prior awareness of functionality and its health benefits. The application of the discrete choice experimental technique on a sample of 140 parents with at least one 5- to 14-year-old child was selected as the most suitable methodological approach. The sample purposively comprised two subsamples of 70 parents each, based on their real awareness of the term ‘‘functional’’ and of the health benefits of specific functionality types. Parents generally perceived functionality as a product attribute that contributes positively to the image enhancement of the (unhealthy) target product and affirmed that they are willing to pay reasonable premiums for it. However, the level of consumers’ prior awareness of functionality played a decisive role in their preference for functional products. The type of food that ‘‘carries’’ functionality was also more important when consumers had no knowledge of functionality. Overall, prior and accurate awareness was found to increase the variety of functionality types and preferred carriers, the strength of preference per functionality type, and the price premiums willingly paid.
Financial Structure and the Interest Rate Channel of ECB Monetary Policy

This paper analyses persistence differences in financial structure across countries of the euro area and whether they can lead to asymmetries in the transmission of the ECB policy. First, the paper examines the pass-through of money market rates to various bank retail rates and measures how this has evolved over the past two interest rate cycles. An analysis of panel data suggests that current 'country asymmetries' in the response of bank rates to monetary policy should decrease over time by virtue of the implementation of the single monetary policy, money market integration and the growth of debt securities markets and competition among banks. Second, analysis of the balance sheet structure of households and firms shows that the income effects of monetary policy are fairly homogenous in the four largest countries of the euro area, while wealth effects could be stronger in Italy. JEL Classification: E43, E52, G21
Strategic Commitment and Timing of Internationalization from Emerging Markets: Evidence from China, India, Mexico, and South Africa

In a study of 257 new ventures from China, India, Mexico, and South Africa, we find support for the mediating effect of strategic early internationalization on international sales intensity. We argued that when new ventures from emerging markets internationalize early and with commitment, the legitimacy they acquire helps them overcome liabilities of newness and foreignness. We develop a typology of international new ventures that, based on strategic intent and timing of internationalization, distinguishes strategic early internationalizers from persistent, serendipitous, and long‐term internationalizers. We show that strategic early internationalization accounts for over half of the explained variance in international sales intensity and either fully or partially mediates the effects of managerial knowledge and market orientation on international sales intensity.