Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of Corporate R&D Investment in Emerging Markets: Evidence from Manufacturing Industry in China and South Korea

The issue concerning the increasing research and development (R&D) investment in emerging markets is especially attractive for many researchers and practitioners. This paper measures and compares the characteristics of Chinese and South Korean R&D expenditures of manufacturing companies from 2012 to 2016. It also examines the impact of R&D investment on firm performance. The results show that debt maturity and cash reserves are positive determinants of R&D investment in China and South Korea. Firm size, internal financing, and debt ratio are restrictive factors of R&D intensity in Chinese manufacturing companies, while debt ratio is the only negative determinant of R&D investment in their South Korean counterparts. The results also show that R&D intensity exhibits a strong positive impact on the performance of manufacturing companies in both countries. Moreover, this impact is stronger in South Korea than in China. In addition, R&D investment has a positive time-lag effect only on the performance of Chinese manufacturing companies. Our study presents some new evidence for the relationship between R&D intensity and firm performance in emerging markets.
Family‐based association analysis with ordered categorical phenotypes, covariates and interactions

Genetic association analyses of family‐based studies with ordered categorical phenotypes are often conducted using methods either for quantitative or for binary traits, which can lead to suboptimal analyses. Here we present an alternative likelihood‐based method of analysis for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes and ordered categorical phenotypes in nuclear families of any size. Our approach, which extends our previous work for binary phenotypes, permits straightforward inclusion of covariate, gene‐gene and gene‐covariate interaction terms in the likelihood, incorporates a simple model for ascertainment and allows for family‐specific effects in the hypothesis test. Additionally, our method produces interpretable parameter estimates and valid confidence intervals. We assess the proposed method using simulated data, and apply it to a polymorphism in the c‐reactive protein (CRP) gene typed in families collected to investigate human systemic lupus erythematosus. By including sex interactions in the analysis, we show that the polymorphism is associated with anti‐nuclear autoantibody (ANA) production in females, while there appears to be no effect in males. Genet. Epidemiol. 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Young Adult Sibling Relations: The Effects of Perceived Parental Favoritism and Narcissism

ABSTRACT The present study examined predictors of siblings’ relations in 202 young adults (aged 21–32 years), who completed the Adult Sibling Relationship Questionnaire and the Narcissistic Personality Inventory. Results indicate that warmth between siblings is explained by gender (with women feeling closer), perceived paternal favoritism, low levels of narcissism, and an interaction suggesting that paternal favoritism moderates the link between narcissism and sibling warmth. Conflict between siblings was explained by gender (sisters), age, parental favoritism, high levels of narcissism, extreme levels of similarity or dissimilarity between siblings, and interactions indicating that older age is a predictor of conflict between siblings among women but not among men. The impact of parental favoritism and narcissism on sibling relationships in young adulthood was discussed.
Increased astrocytic ATP release results in enhanced excitability of the hippocampus

Astrocytes, a major subtype of glia, interact with neurons as a supportive partner supplying energy sources and growth factors. Astrocytes regulate the activity of neighboring neurons by releasing chemical transmitters (gliotransmitters). However, the precise role of gilotransmitters in regulating neuronal activity is still under debate. Here, we report that a subtle enhancement in the release of one gliotransmitter, ATP, affects synaptic potentiation from an analysis of mice containing an astrocyte‐selective (GFAP) mutation. We found that, relative to normal mice, weaker stimulation induced long‐term potentiation (LTP) in mutant mice, indicating that the threshold to induce LTP was lowered in the mutant. While excitatory transmission was normal in the mutant, inhibitory GABAergic transmission was suppressed. We found that a low concentration of adenosine selectively attenuated inhibitory neuronal activity and lowered the threshold to induce LTP in wild type mice. In comparison, adenosine A1 receptor antagonism reversed the lowered LTP threshold back to normal in the mutant mouse. We verified that adenosine levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of mutant mice were slightly elevated compared to wild type mice. This was apparently caused by an increase in ATP release from mutant astrocytes that could provide a source of augmented adenosine levels in the mutant. ATP is thought to suppress the excitability of neuronal circuits; however, a small increase in ATP release can result in a suppressed inhibitory tone and enhanced excitability of neuronal circuitry. These findings demonstrate that ATP released from astrocytes acts in a bidirectional fashion to regulate neuronal excitability depending on concentration. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Use of Placebo Interventions in Primary Care in Poland

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the behavior, beliefs and attitudes of Polish primary care physicians concerning the use of placebo interventions. Subjects and Methods: A total of 220 Polish primary care physicians (internists, specialists in family medicine and pediatricians) were asked to participate in a questionnaire survey and 171 agreed to do so. The questionnaire was a self-report of the behavior, beliefs and attitudes of physicians concerning the use of placebo interventions in clinical practice. The percentages are based on the actual number of respondents to each question. Results: Of 169 respondents, 135 (80%) declared that they used or prescribed placebo interventions, with 20/169 (12%) doing so almost every day, 51/169 (30%) once a week and 44/169 (26%) once a month. The most common placebos used were vitamins (86/135, 66%) and homeopathy (73/135, 56%). Among the participants, 114/129 (84%) reported that the placebos were effective, with only 10/129 (8%) considering them rarely effective; 75/139 (54%) of the physicians considered placebo interventions to be effective only in patients with subjective symptoms, 116/139 (73%) indicated that individual traits of patients were decisive factors in the effectiveness of placebo interventions, and 103/159 (65%) thought that the expectations of patients were of importance. A total of 128/170 (75%) respondents thought that the mechanism of placebo effects was purely psychological. Conclusion: The use and prescription of placebo interventions seemed to be very common among Polish primary care physicians studied and they generally had positive attitudes towards their use and effectiveness.
Essays on monetary policy and financial markets

ii Acknowledgments . iv List of Tables . vii List of Figures . viii Chapter 1. The Effects of the Fed’s Quantitative Easing Announcements on the U.S. Mortgage Market: An Event-Study Analysis. 1
Retinoic acid induced repression of AP‐1 activity is mediated by protein phosphatase 2A in ovarian carcinoma cells

In previous studies we have shown that all‐trans retinoic acid (atRA)‐treatment of the atRA‐sensitive ovarian carcinoma cell line CA‐OV3 repressed AP‐1 activity by about 50%, while a similar effect was not observed in the atRA‐resistant ovarian carcinoma cell line, SK‐OV3. These results suggested that the repression of AP‐1 activity may be one of the mechanisms by which atRA inhibits the growth of atRA‐sensitive CA‐OV3 cells. In the present studies, we investigated further the molecular mechanism by which AP‐1 activity is repressed by atRA. We show that the repression of AP‐1 activity correlates with an increase in JunB protein expression and a decrease in N‐terminal phosphorylation of c‐Jun. The decrease in N‐terminal phosphorylation of c‐Jun does not appear to be modulated by JNK or ERK, since their protein expression patterns and kinase activity do not correlate with the repression of AP‐1 activity following treatment with atRA. However, the activity of the protein phosphatase PP2A was found to increase 24 h following atRA treatment in CA‐OV3 cells. Moreover, the catalytic subunit of PP2A was found to associate with c‐Jun in vivo following atRA treatment. Since the inhibition of AP‐1 activity following atRA treatment of CA‐OV3 cells was abolished in the presence of specific PP2A inhibitors, it is likely that PP2A plays an important role in the atRA‐induced repression of AP‐1. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mobile banking behavior and flow experience: An integration of utilitarian features, hedonic features and trust

Purpose Mobile banking or m-banking enables consumers to carry out their banking affairs with the help of mobile devices. Mobile-user banking interactions in the context of technology services create opportunities for positive experiences that can nurture trust, foster brand equity and eventually lead to long term relationship building. This study aimed to examine the concepts of m-banking customer experiences and flow and their role in affecting customer intention in the continued use of m-banking. Design/methodology/approach To achieve this main objective, a research model was developed by taking theoretical backgrounds and specific characteristics of m-banking into consideration for testing. The study to test this model was carried out in Iran, a developing country in the Middle East. Findings Results of the PLS-SEM analysis of 927 bank customers showed that the flow experience is positively influenced by both hedonic and utilitarian features. While, flow experiences influence trust and brand equity, i.
Do no-excuses disciplinary practices promote success?

ABSTRACT The urban education reform landscape is being transformed by the rapid spread of charter schools. Leading the way is a group of high-performing, no-excuses charter schools, represented by networks like Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP), Achievement First, and Uncommon Schools. Although critics have raised concerns over these schools’ highly structured disciplinary practices, these schools have justified these practices on the basis that they increase student achievement. In this article, we provide the first review of literature on the impact of no-excuses disciplinary practices on various measures of student and organizational success. We find little evidence to support the connection between no-excuses disciplinary methods and students’ academic performance on standardized tests—and some evidence that these methods may undermine nonacademic outcomes, such as students’ social and behavioral skills.
Pig kidney: anatomical relationships between the intrarenal arteries and the kidney collecting system. Applied study for urological research and surgical training.

PURPOSE We present a systematic study of the anatomical relationships between intrarenal arteries and the kidney collecting system in pigs. MATERIALS AND METHODS The intrarenal anatomy (collecting system and arteries) was studied in 91, 3-dimensional endocasts of the kidney collecting system together with the intrarenal arteries. RESULTS Some anatomical details that have importance to help research and surgical training in urology when using the pig as an animal model were observed and described. It was found that there was only 1 artery per kidney. This artery divided into cranial and caudal branches in 85 cases (93.4%). In 6 cases (6.6%) the primary division of the renal artery was in a dorsal and in a ventral branch. In all cases 2 arteries (1 ventral and 1 dorsal) involved the cranial caliceal group. In the dorsal mid zone a dorsal artery originated from the cranial division of the renal artery, which was obliquely positioned in 47.25% of cases. The arterial supply related to the ventral mid zone of the kidney consisted of branches that coursed horizontally in the ventral surface of the renal pelvis in 81.32% of cases. The caudal division of the renal artery supplied the ventral and dorsal surfaces of the caudal caliceal group in 84.62% of cases, while in 15.38% a dorsal artery supplied its dorsal surface. CONCLUSIONS Although the results of renal and intrarenal anatomy in pigs could not be completely transposed to humans, many similarities in the pig and human intrarenal arteries support its use as the best animal model for urological procedures.
Immunohistochemical Labeling of the Inhibin/Activin βC Subunit in Normal Human Placental Tissue and Chorionic Carcinoma Cell Lines

Inhibins and activins are important regulators of the female reproductive system. A novel inhibin subunit, named βC, has been identified and demonstrated to be expressed in several human tissues. We demonstrate here that inhibin βC is expressed in human placenta. Expression of the inhibin βC subunit was demonstrated at the protein level by means of immunohistochemical evaluation and at the transcriptional level by an inhibin βC-specific RT-PCR analysis. Expression of inhibin βC was detected in the human chorionic carcinoma cell lines JEG and BeWo. Although the precise role of this novel inhibin subunit in human placenta development and homeostasis is unclear, analogies with other inhibin sub-units and the strong expression of βC in normal human trophoblast cells and chorionic carcinoma cells suggest that βC may be involved in autocrine/paracrine signaling pathways, angiogenesis, decidualization, and tissue remodeling under normal and malignant conditions. Additionally, JEG and BeWo express βC and, therefore, can be used as a cell culture model for further functional analysis of this subunit in the human placenta.
Auditory-evoked cortical activity: contribution of brain noise, phase locking, and spectral power

Abstract Background: The N1-P2 is an obligatory cortical response that can reflect the representation of spectral and temporal characteristics of an auditory stimulus. Traditionally, mean amplitudes and latencies of the prominent peaks in the averaged response are compared across experimental conditions. Analyses of the peaks in the averaged response only reflect a subset of the data contained within the electroencephalogram (EEG) signal. We used single-trial analyses techniques to identify the contribution of brain noise, neural synchrony, and spectral power to the generation of P2 amplitude and how these variables may change across age group. This information is important for appropriate interpretation of event-related potentials (ERPs) results and in understanding of age-related neural pathologies. Methods: EEG was measured from 25 younger and 25 older normal hearing adults. Age-related and individual differences in P2 response amplitudes, and variability in brain noise, phase locking value (PLV), and spectral power (4–8 Hz) were assessed from electrode FCz. Model testing and linear regression were used to determine the extent to which brain noise, PLV, and spectral power uniquely predicted P2 amplitudes and varied by age group. Results: Younger adults had significantly larger P2 amplitudes, PLV, and power compared to older adults. Brain noise did not differ between age groups. The results of regression testing revealed that brain noise and PLV, but not spectral power were unique predictors of P2 amplitudes. Model fit was significantly better in younger than in older adults. Conclusions: ERP analyses are intended to provide a better understanding of the underlying neural mechanisms that contribute to individual and group differences in behavior. The current results support that age-related declines in neural synchrony contribute to smaller P2 amplitudes in older normal hearing adults. Based on our results, we discuss potential models in which differences in neural synchrony and brain noise can account for associations with P2 amplitudes and behavior and potentially provide a better explanation of the neural mechanisms that underlie declines in auditory processing and training benefits.
Ancient associations of aquatic beetles and tank bromeliads in the Neotropical forest canopy

Water reservoirs formed by the leaf axils of bromeliads are a highly derived system for nutrient and water capture that also house a diverse fauna of invertebrate specialists. Here we investigate the origin and specificity of bromeliad-associated insects using Copelatinae diving beetles (Dytiscidae). This group is widely distributed in small water bodies throughout tropical forests, but a subset of species encountered in bromeliad tanks is strictly specialized to this habitat. An extensive molecular phylogenetic analysis of Neotropical Copelatinae places these bromeliadicolous species in at least three clades nested within other Copelatus. One lineage is morphologically distinct, and its origin was estimated to reach back to 12–23 million years ago, comparable to the age of the tank habitat itself. Species of this clade in the Atlantic rainforest of southern Brazil and mountain ranges of northern Venezuela and Trinidad show marked phylogeographical structure with up to 8% mtDNA divergence, possibly indicating allopatric speciation. The other two invasions of bromeliad water tanks are more recent, and haplotype distributions within species are best explained by recent expansion into newly formed habitat. Hence, bromeliad tanks create a second stratum of aquatic freshwater habitat independent of that on the ground but affected by parallel processes of species and population diversification at various temporal scales, possibly reflecting the paleoclimatic history of neotropical forests.
Exploring practice of Isfahan University of Medical Science students regarding using ecstasy based on health belief model in 2011

Introduction: Ecstasy consumption has increased 70% worldwide, and its use is currently outweighed heroin and cocaine. Conducted survey found that students more than other groups used ecstasy pills. Ecstasy usage has recently augmented in students. Therefore, this study aims to determine practice of Isfahan University of Medical Science students about using ecstasy based on health belief model in 2011. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 267 students of Isfahan University of Medical Science. Data were collected by a validated and reliable questionnaire in 3 parts (demographic information, H.B.M constructs, and practice). To analyze, SPSS software (ver.18) and statistical test including T-Test and Kruskal-Wallis were used. Results: The mean score of age was 20.95 ± 1.61 years, and 39.3% of men and 90.6% of women were single. 2.2% of students have used ecstasy pills. The mean score of H.B. M constructs was perceived susceptibility (72.75 ± 19.68), perceived severity (84.58 ± 16.98), and perceived benefits (80.43 ± 23.49). The finding presented that there was significant differences between the using ecstasy and perceived severity and perceived benefits (P ≤ 0.001), but there was no significant statistical relationship between the using ecstasy and perceived susceptibility and perceived barriers (P = 0.076, P = 0.554). In terms of cues to action, students suggested that radio and TV are most significance cues. Conclusion: According to results, to prevent ecstasy usage among Isfahan University of Medical Science students based on health belief model, we should improve perceived susceptibility. Besides, radio and TV rules as the most important cues should not also be denied. Moreover, newly identified susceptibility indicates the need for quantitative research and behavioral trials.
Detection of serum reverse transcriptase activity in patients with ALS and unaffected blood relatives

Background: Retroviral involvement in the etiology of sporadic ALS has been suspected for several years since the recognition that both murine and human retroviruses can cause motor neuron disease–like syndromes. In a pilot study, an increased prevalence of a retroviral marker (reverse transcriptase [RT] activity) was demonstrated in the serum of British patients with ALS. The current investigation was designed to confirm and extend these findings in a geographically distinct patient cohort under blinded testing conditions. Methods: A highly sensitive product-enhanced RT assay was employed to test coded sera obtained from 30 American patients with sporadic ALS and from 14 of their blood relatives, 16 of their spouses, and 28 nonrelated, nonspousal control subjects. Results: Serum RT activity was detected in a higher proportion of ALS patients (47%) than in non-blood-related controls (18%; p = 0.008). The prevalence of RT activity in the serum of spousal controls (13%) was similar to that in other non-blood-related controls. Unexpectedly, the prevalence of serum RT activity in blood relatives of ALS patients (43%) approached that in the ALS patients themselves. Conclusions: These results confirm that patients with ALS have a significantly higher prevalence of serum reverse transcriptase (RT) activity than that seen in unrelated control subjects. The finding of a similarly increased prevalence in blood relatives of ALS patients raises the possibility that the observed RT activity might be due to an inherited endogenous retrovirus.
Yield Curve Flattening a Symptom of Ineffective Policy Tightening

Executive summary: • A flattening yield curve highlights Federal Reserve rate hikes’ inability to tighten financial conditions, as low long-term interest rates continued to induce institutional investors to “reach for yield” by moving up the risk ladder • Central banks initiating “short volatility positions” via QE have dampened long-term sovereign bond yields, which crowded out private capital and induced investors to “find something else to do” by buying more esoteric assets • A flat yield curve alone would only pave the way, rather than directly trigger events that result in recession, as persistently low long-term bond yields increase the probability and magnify the impacts of balance sheet crises • Prolonged easy financial conditions as a result of ineffective tightening is not costless, for uneven wage growth and rapid asset price appreciation have exacerbated inequality to heighten financial, social and political instability
Disagreement Without Deterrence: The Importance of the Setting for the Study of Political Disagreement and Participation of Youth

In today’s polarized and often uncivil political environment, how does political disagreement influence the political participation of youth? In this article, we compare the relationship between political disagreement and the political behavior of youth in online and face-to-face settings. Using a unique sample of U.S. youth age 15 to 25 (N = 1,112), we find that exposure to disagreement, especially online, has a positive relationship with traditional and online forms of political participation. In addition, we find that engaging in disagreement online predicts higher levels of online participation. These findings suggest that engaging with political disagreement in the online setting may provide a way for youth to grapple with complex issues in a manner that leads to higher levels of political engagement overall.