Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Progressive Ambition among United States Senators: 1972-1988

A rational-choice model is used to account for the decisions of United States Senators to run for president. The model predicts that senators will be more likely to run for president if their relative costs of running are low, if they have no political liabilities that might reduce their chances of winning, and if they have a propensity to take risks, which we measure by their past willingness to take risks in running for the Senate. The model works well in accounting for the decisions of Democrats to seek the presidency in 1972, 1976, and 1984, and can explain why few Republican senators ran in 1980. The model is used to predict which senators in the 99th Congress are relatively likely to run for president in 1988. The model works better in accounting for the past behavior of Democrats than Republicans, and also generates more plausible predictions about future Democratic presidential candidates. This partisan difference results largely from the different opportunity structures of the two parties. Finally, we discuss the changing dynamics of the nomination process and the implications of this change both for our model and for American electoral politics.
Democracy, Dictatorship and Protection of Property Rights

Abstract This article investigates how political regimes influence property rights. The article reviews arguments for and against the hypothesis that democracy enhances property rights protection, and then conducts empirical tests. Democracy is likely endogenous to property rights protection. The analysis takes this into account by utilising an innovative instrument for democracy. The results, based on data from 1984 to 2004 for over 120 countries, show that democracy enhances property rights protection, even when controlling for endogeneity and country-specific characteristics.
Recent Asian Forest Transitions in Relation to Forest-Transition Theory

SUMMARY China, India and Viet Nam have recently experienced forest transitions from net deforestation to net reforestation as many European countries and US states underwent in the past. An embryonic forest-transition theory seeks to explain the phenomenon. Three recent Asian cases indicate that long established trends, usually perceived as representing environmental degradation, can be halted and reversed in the global South. Similarities and differences among the cases confirm that existing forest-transition theory needs refinement, in part by acknowledging the significant role played by government.
Cigarette tax, economic welfare and social class patterns of smoking

The divergence in social class patterns of smoking in the last two decades means that now only half as many professional men (social class 1) smoke as do unskilled working men (social class 5) and mortality from smoking related disease is becoming predominantly a lower social class problem. The changes in smoking patterns have been attributed to the greater influence of antismoking publicity in the higher social classes while the influence on social class smoking of other factors such as taxation or advertising has been largely unknown. This study presents a method for assessing the impact of cigarette tax on members of different social classes. Responses to tax changes over 17 years are analysed and a method developed for estimating the effects of price changes on tax paid, expenditure on cigarettes and economic welfare. The results suggest that smokers of lower social class may be more responsive to tax changes and that cigarette tax increases may not be regressive. Cigarette prices in the UK are still some 25 % below the 1948 real price leveL The downward drift in prices may have effectively increased the smoking levels of lower socioeconomic groups relative to social classes 1 and 2 and may have been a major factor in the divergence in social class smoking. I. SMOKING PROFILES The United Kingdom stin experiences high smoking levels. About 3.4% of all consumer expenditure is spent on tobacco (Central Statistical Office, 1982) and this represents the highest per capita consumption in the European Economic Community (Commission of the European Communities, 1982). It is by no means evenly spread throughout the population, but is mostly concentrated in the lower social class groups (OPCS, 1982). Before the anti-smoking health publicity of the early 19605, there was very little difference between the smoking habits of different social classes in the UK. Around 60 % of men and 45 % of women in each class smoked cigarettes (Fig. 1). Since that time the pattern of smoking has been characterized by a widening divergence in smoking between members of different social classes, an overall increase in the number of cigarettes smoked by the average smoker and a narrowing of the difference in women and men's smoking habits. By 198549 0/, of unskilled working men (SC5) smoked cigarettes, while only
Insulin Delivery Into the Peripheral Circulation: A Key Contributor to Hypoglycemia in Type 1 Diabetes

Hypoglycemia limits optimal glycemic control in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), making novel strategies to mitigate it desirable. We hypothesized that portal (Po) vein insulin delivery would lessen hypoglycemia. In the conscious dog, insulin was infused into the hepatic Po vein or a peripheral (Pe) vein at a rate four times of basal. In protocol 1, a full counterregulatory response was allowed, whereas in protocol 2, glucagon was fixed at basal, mimicking the diminished α-cell response to hypoglycemia seen in T1DM. In protocol 1, glucose fell faster with Pe insulin than with Po insulin, reaching 56 ± 3 vs. 70 ± 6 mg/dL (P = 0.04) at 60 min. The change in area under the curve (ΔAUC) for glucagon was similar between Pe and Po, but the peak occurred earlier in Pe. The ΔAUC for epinephrine was greater with Pe than with Po (67 ± 17 vs. 36 ± 14 ng/mL/180 min). In protocol 2, glucose also fell more rapidly than in protocol 1 and fell faster in Pe than in Po, reaching 41 ± 3 vs. 67 ± 2 mg/dL (P < 0.01) by 60 min. Without a rise in glucagon, the epinephrine responses were much larger (ΔAUC of 204 ± 22 for Pe vs. 96 ± 29 ng/mL/180 min for Po). In summary, Pe insulin delivery exacerbates hypoglycemia, particularly in the presence of a diminished glucagon response. Po vein insulin delivery, or strategies that mimic it (i.e., liver-preferential insulin analogs), should therefore lessen hypoglycemia.
Credit Spreads and State-Dependent Volatility: Theory and Empirical Evidence

We generalize the asset dynamics assumptions of Leland (1994b) and Leland and Toft (1996) to a state dependent variance with constant elasticity process (CEV) and obtain analytical solutions for corporate debt and equity value. We use the GMM technique to extract the parameters by fitting the empirical data in the equity and credit default swap markets simultaneously. We find that the elasticity parameter is significantly different from zero for most of the firms and that the CEV model performs much better than the model with constant volatility in both in-sample fittings and out-of-sample predictions of CDS spreads.
Psychopathology, childhood sexual abuse and other childhood adversities: relative links to subsequent suicidal behaviour in the US

Background. Research shows that psychopathology, child sexual abuse and other childhood adversities are risk factors for suicide. However, few have investigated their joint and independent roles in the pursuit of a reliable, predictive model of suicidal behaviour. Methods. Data are from the National Comorbidity Survey (N = 5877), a nationally representative study of prevalence, risk factors, and social consequences of psychiatric disorders in the US. Discrete time survival analysis and population attributable risk methodologies were utilized. Results. Among those sexually abused as children, odds of suicide attempts were 2–4 times higher among women and 4–11 times higher among men, compared with those not abused, controlling for other adversities. Odds ratios were reduced but most remained statistically significant after adjusting for lifetime psychiatric illnesses preceding suicide attempts. In the same predictive equation, 79% of serious suicide attempts among women could be attributed to psychiatric disorders while 12% was attributable to rape and 7% to molestation. The highest probability of a first attempt was during early adolescence for those who were sexually abused and had a lifetime disorder, but it was 8–12 years older for those sexually abused without any disorders. Conclusions. In the US, a strong association exists between child sexual abuse and suicidal behaviour, mediated by psychopathology. There is a substantial proportion of suicide risk attributable to child sexual abuse beyond the presence of psychopathology and other adversities. From a clinical standpoint, abuse survivors represent a high-risk population for suicidal behaviour. Further research into this preventable antecedent of suicide attempts is necessary.
Volume‐related Heteroskedasticity and Liquidity Premium in Hedonic Pricing Model

Volume of transaction plays two roles in a market, first, it is related to liquidity of assets; second, it affects information cost in the price discovery process. The former results in a liquidity premium on price, which is a first moment effect of hedonic price; the latter produces price dispersion, which causes heteroskedasticity of error terms (the second moment) of hedonic price. This study tests empirically on these volume‐related liquidity premium and heteroskedasticity in a panel sample of housing. The sample consists of more than 1600 transactions in 1999 of various housing developments in a small area in Hong Kong is studied. The results agree with our postulations that (1) relative liquidity imposes a positive premium on housing price; and (2) the magnitude of error terms in the hedonic pricing analysis is negatively related with the transaction volume in the previous 30‐day in the same estate. The hedonic pricing model is re‐estimated by an iterative generalized least squares (GLS) approach with volume‐effect weighting. The efficiency of the estimation is greatly improved and a homoskedastic estimation is obtained.
Trisomy 21 causes persistent congenital hypothyroidism presumably of thyroidal origin.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN Lowered neonatal plasma thyroxine (T(4)) and mildly elevated thyrotropin concentrations together with developmental benefits from neonatally started T(4) treatment in a randomized clinical trial demonstrated Down syndrome (DS) neonates to be mildly hypothyroid, at least during their first weeks of life. To prove that this hypothyroid state persists beyond this period in all, and to elucidate its etiology, we evaluated the course of the thyroid function determinants in all DS infants participating in this 24-month trial. MAIN OUTCOME Mean plasma thyrotropin concentrations and thyrotropin frequency distributions of 97 placebo-treated infants were persistently shifted to substantially higher concentrations, while free T(4) frequency distributions were in the lower two thirds of the reference interval. Mean thyroglobulin concentrations were normal. To normalize plasma thyrotropin, T(4)-treated DS infants (N = 99) needed rather high free T(4) concentrations, like T(4)- treated non-DS children with thyroidal congenital hypothyroidism. At ages 12 and 24 months, thyroid peroxidase antibodies were detected in 1.1% and 5.4% of all DS infants. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that as a group DS infants have a novel type of persistent mild congenital hypothyroidism, presumably of thyroidal origin. The group character suggests a direct relation with the trisomic state of chromosome 21, hypothetically through genomic dosage imbalance of dosage-sensitive genes interfering with thyroid hormone production.
Women's Self-Perceived Leadership Skills in a Collegiate Agricultural Education Course.

Leadership is evolving from its partiarchal roots to the emerging paradigm of a network of shared leadership. This new model which values the traits and abilities of communication, inclusion and nurturance has paved the way for greater participation of women in the leadership equation . However, preparation of young women leaders in agriculture may require changes in our educationalmethodologies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of leadership education methodologies for female students . Students enrolled in a collegiate agricultural leadership development course constituted the sample of the study . No relationship was discovered between women 's previous leadership experiences and their perceived ability to work with groups, make decisions, communicate or understand self. However, women in an all-female section had a strongerperception of their ability to lead, work with groups, make decisions, communicate and understand themselves than women in a coeducational section . Based on these findings it was recommended that an all-female class be made available for women in collegiate agricultural leadership development courses.
Critical selection criteria for appropriate procurement strategy for project delivery in Nigeria

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the existence and importance of specific factors that are thought to Infrastructural Projects are critical to economic development and their acquisition often take suitable procedures - procurement strategy/method - which are key processes and conditions clients create for the successful achievement of project specific objectives. However, selecting the most appropriate procurement strategy seem undefined, and a daunting task leading to project failure, increased risk etc. This paper therefore identified, evaluated and analyzed critical selection criteria for appropriate procurement strategy using extensive literature review, structured questionnaire survey and elicited opinions of construction professionals (in consulting, contracting and client organizations) in Ondo and Ekiti States Nigeria. Using descriptive and inferential statistics, the critical selection criteria and their significance among compared groups were analyzed. The study revealed slight disparity in the mean of ranked criteria while the t-Statistics indicated that there is no significant difference in the criteria used by clients and consultants. The study is not only instructive to procuring entities' decision makers and construction professionals but advance by contributing to procurement management practices, hence concluded by recommending a robust analysis of criteria in terms of project finance, available resources, risk associated and technicality amongst all parties hence reducing the risks in project execution and spur greater innovation on the part of project clients.
Maintenance of Pluripotency in Human Embryonic Stem Cells Is STAT3 Independent

The preservation of “stemness” in mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells is maintained through a signal transduction pathway that requires the gp130 receptor, the interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) family of cytokines, and the Janus Kinase‐signal transducer and activator (JAK/STAT) pathway. The factors and signaling pathways that regulate “stemness” in human embryonic stem (hES) cells remain to be elucidated. Here we report that STAT3 activation is not sufficient to block hES cell differentiation when the cells are grown on mouse feeder cells or when they are treated with conditioned media from feedercells. Human ES cells differentiate in the presence of members of the IL‐6 family of cytokines including leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and IL‐6 or in the presence of the designer cytokine hyper‐IL‐6, which is a complex of soluble interleukin‐6 receptor (IL‐6R) and IL‐6 with greatly enhanced bio‐activity. Human ES cells express LIF, IL‐6, and gp130 receptors, as well as the downstream signaling molecules. Stimulation of human and mouse ES cells with gp130 cytokines resulted in a robust phosphorylation of downstream ERK1, ERK2, and Akt kinases, as well as the STAT3 transcription factor. Loss of the pluripotency markers Nanog, Oct‐4, and TRA‐1‐60 was observed in hES cells during gp130‐dependent signaling, indicating that signaling through this pathway is insufficient to prevent the onset of differentiation. These data underscore a fundamental difference in requirements of murine versus hES cells. Furthermore, the data demonstrate the existence of an as‐yet‐unidentified factor in the conditioned media of mouse feeder layer cells that acts to maintain hES cell renewal in a STAT3‐independent manner.
EFFECT OF ENDOTOXIN‐ENHANCED HEPATIC REPERFUSION INJURY ON ENDOTHELIUM‐DEPENDENT RELAXATION IN RAT AORTA

ABSTRACT We have investigated endothelial function in a two-hit model of multiple organ failure. Male Fischer rats were subjected to 20 min of partial hepatic ischemia followed by reperfusion and administration of . 5 mg/kg Salmonella enteritidis endotoxin at 30 min of reperfusion. After either 4 or 24 h of reperfusion, rings of aorta were prepared and suspended in bioassay baths, contracted with phenylephrine, and examined for endothelium-dependent relaxation in response to acetylcholine and endothelium-independent relaxation using nitroglycerin. Endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine was impaired in rings from animals exposed to endotoxin-enhanced reperfusion injury at both 4 h and 24 h. At 24 h of reperfusion the EC50 for acetylcholine relaxation was significantly increased from 45 ± 8 nM to 258 ±105 nM. Endothelium-independent relaxation to nitroglycerin was not affected. The 21-aminosteroid Tirilazad mesylate (U-74006F) prevented endothelial dysfunction; at 24 h of reperfusion the EC50 for acetylcholine relaxation in U-74006F-treated animals was 55 ± 8 nM. Thus, endothelial function is impaired in this model of multiple organ failure and this impairment is prevented by Tirilazad mesylate.
Effectiveness of Intensive Interactive Classes and Hands on Practice to Increase Awareness about Sharps Injuries and Splashes among Health Care Workers.

BACKGROUND Occupational exposure to sharps and splashes pose a major hazard among health care workers (HCWs); so knowledge and awareness regarding sharps/splashes by blood and potentially infectious body fluids (BBF) is a must. Hence, the study was done to assess the extent of knowledge of the staff and using awareness classes and hands on practice as a model to increase awareness as well as prevention. MATERIALS AND METHODS This prospective interventional cohort study, using before - after trial, was conducted in a Level I trauma care centre. All cadres of HCWs were enrolled randomly into 5 different groups of 15 each. This study was conducted in 2 phases - interactive classes and hands on practice (Phase I) and questionnaire assessment and work area observation (phase II). This was repeated twice and the final outcome was analysed. A systematic level of grading was used to assess the improvement. RESULTS It was observed that Group 1 (doctors) and group 2 (nurses) had the maximum knowledge about such exposures and its prevention compared to the other groups (groups 3, 4 and 5) during the initial assessment (Phase I). The remaining groups showed a major improvement after the 2(nd) assessment, though their knowledge was poor in the beginning. Groups 1and 2 showed 32% and remaining groups showed a 25% improvement in voluntary reporting after the second assessment (Phase II). CONCLUSION Awareness classes and hands on practice are indeed useful in generating knowledge about sharps/ splashes. Certain incentives given at right time can improve it further.
The Expectation Hypothesis of the Term Structure of Very Short-Term Rates: Statistical Tests and Economic Value

This paper re-examines the validity of the Expectation Hypothesis (EH) of the term structure of US repo rates ranging in maturity from overnight to three months. We extend the work of Longstaff (2000a) in two directions: (i) we implement statistical tests designed to increase test power in this context; (ii) more importantly, we assess the economic value of departures from the EH based on criteria of profitability and economic significance in the context of a simple trading strategy. The EH is rejected throughout the term structure examined on the basis of the statistical tests. However, the results of our economic analysis are favorable to the EH, suggesting that the statistical rejections of the EH in the repo market are economically insignificant.
Neutrophilic inflammation in asthma: mechanisms and therapeutic considerations

ABSTRACT Introduction: Neutrophilic airway inflammation represents a pathologically distinct form of asthma and frequently appears in symptomatic adulthood asthmatics. However, clinical impacts and mechanisms of the neutrophilic inflammation have not been thoroughly evaluated up to date. Areas covered: Currently, distinct clinical manifestations, triggers, and molecular mechanisms of the neutrophilic inflammation (namely Toll-like receptor, Th1, Th17, inflammasome) are under investigation in asthma. Furthermore, possible role of the neutrophilic inflammation is being investigated in respect to the airway remodeling. We searched the related literatures published during the past 10 years on the website of Pub Med under the title of asthma and neutrophilic inflammation in human. Expert commentary: Epidemiologic and experimental studies have revealed that the neutrophilic airway inflammation is induced by a wide variety of stimuli including ozone, particulate matters, cigarette smoke, occupational irritants, endotoxins, microbial infection and colonization, and aeroallergens. These triggers provoke diverse immune and inflammatory responses leading to progressive and sometimes irreversible airway obstruction. Clinically, neutrophilic airway inflammation is frequently associated with severe asthma and poor response to glucocorticoid therapy, indicating the need for other treatment strategies. Accordingly, therapeutics will be targeted against the main mediators behind the underlying molecular mechanisms of the neutrophilic inflammation.
Sequential dynamic susceptibility contrast MR experiments in human brain: Residual contrast agent effect, steady state, and hemodynamic perturbation

The stability and reproducibility of the dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) MRI method for sequential relative cerebral blood volume (relCBV) measurements was evaluated to validate the method for use in quantitative studies of cerebral hemodynamics in humans. A spin echo echo planar imaging protocol was used in conjunction with multiple bolus injections of the susceptibility contrast agent gadoteridol (GD). The effects of variation in interbolus interval (10 min to 4 h), the number of injections (two to four), and the effect of the cerebral vasodilating agent acetazolamide (ACZ) were evaluated in 44 experiments performed with 22 normal subjects. Two fundamental observations were made. First, with multiple injections of GD, the change in MR signal over time was not consistent from first to subsequent boluses. A second bolus administered 10 min to 2 h after an initial bolus resulted in signal change of greater amplitude and duration, resulting in artifactually elevated estimates of relCBV, consistent with a residual effect of GD. Second, a relative steady state could be reached with serial injections of GD, such that the profile of subsequent boluses closely paralleled those of previous ones. This facilitates the reliable measurement of relCBV during activation, as demonstrated by use of ACZ.