Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Negative Advertising and Voter Choice

The topic of negative advertising in political campaigns has been especially timely in recent years, given the increased presence of negative ads with each successive U.S. election cycle. Using data sets containing detailed information from both voter surveys and automated ad monitoring, we model choices made by voters and campaigns in House, Senate, and Presidential elections in 2000. Our model framework contains both a voter turnout and choice (demand) model and a political candidate campaign advertising (supply) model. From our estimation results, we find negative ads run by a given candidate increase voter turnout, and attract more votes for the candidate. In addition to this “main” effect, we also show that voter sensitivity to negative ad amounts is in turn dependent on various election-specific factors (incumbency status, balance of character-focused negative ads) and individual-specific factors (voter demographics, goodwill, interest, media exposure, and partisanship). We also model the campaign’s choice of ad orientation (negative or positive) for each individual ad, and how it is related to competition, demographics, timing, and vote responsiveness to various ad types.
Financial Strain and Impaired Fasting Glucose: The Moderating Role of Physical Activity in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study

Objectives Physical activity and financial strain are independent, and opposite, predictors of disease. This study examines whether physical activity modifies the concurrent and prospective relation between financial strain and impaired fasting glucose. Methods Participants were part of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study, a prospective study examining the development of disease. Participants were recruited in 1985 to 1986 and followed up for 20 years. The outcome measures were fasting glucose (FG) levels at Years 7 and 20. FG was available at Years 7 and 20 from 3991 and 3500 participants, respectively. Results The effects of financial strain on elevated glucose levels differed by physical activity levels as indicated by the significant interaction terms for the analyses of covariance at Year 7 (p = .02) and Year 20 (p = .04). Planned contrast comparisons demonstrated that FG levels in financially strained participants who were physically inactive were significantly different from financially strained participants who were active, and all participants with low financial strain. Specifically, in less active participants, the adjusted mean FG levels were higher in financially strained participants (2.27 mg/dL at Year 7 and 5.86 mg/dL at Year 20). In active participants, these differences were −1.78 mg/dL at Year 7 and negligible at Year 20. Conclusions In adults burdened by financial strain, physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of developing impaired FG up to 13 years later. This adds to a growing literature showing the potential of physical activity to moderate stress-related disease processes.
Valuation Scepticism, Liquidity Benefits and Closed‐End Fund Premiums/Discounts: Evidence from Fair Value Disclosures

type="main" xml:id="acfi12023-abs-0001"> Closed-end fund investors may view assets valued using level 2 and 3 inputs more sceptically because of the subjectivity of these inputs (valuation scepticism), or these assets could be viewed favourably because they allow small investors to access illiquid securities (liquidity benefit). We find that funds holding level 3 assets have higher value when funds trade at a premium, but lower value when funds trade at a discount. Both of these effects are magnified for funds with higher levels of unrealized appreciation. Our results suggest that liquidity benefit (valuation scepticism) is more important when funds trade at a premium (discount).
Entrepreneurship and the Growth of Firms: An Exploratory Study of the Dyestuffs Industry in Ahmedabad

The paper attempts to understand the entrepreneur's role in the growth of firms by comparircg the performance of high and low growth (small-scale) firms in the dyestuffs industry in Ahmedabad. The paper observes that the factors usually associated with the making of entrepreneurial personality in India, such as family occupation, economic background and educational experience may facilitate the entrepreneur's entry into business; they do not ensure growth. It is the General Enterprise Tendency which matters. The author finds a close association between the managerial capabilities of the entrepreneur and growth of firms, and argues that until the enterprise expands beyond a level, the owner-manager has to combine both entrepreneurial and managerial roles.
The Antiangiogenic Activity in Xenograft Models of Brivanib, a Dual Inhibitor of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 and Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor-1 Kinases

Tumor angiogenesis is a complex and tightly regulated network mediated by various proangiogenic factors. The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family of growth factors, and associated tyrosine kinase receptors have a major influence in tumor growth and dissemination and may work synergistically to promote angiogenesis. Brivanib alaninate is the orally active prodrug of brivanib, a selective dual inhibitor of FGF and VEGF signaling. Here, we show that brivanib demonstrates antitumor activity in a broad range of xenograft models over multiple dose levels and that brivanib alaninate shows dose-dependent efficacy equivalent to brivanib in L2987 human tumor xenografts. Brivanib alaninate (107 mg/kg) reduced tumor cell proliferation as determined by a 76% reduction in Ki-67 staining and reduced tumor vascular density as determined by a 76% reduction in anti-CD34 endothelial cell staining. Furthermore, Matrigel plug assays in athymic mice showed that brivanib alaninate inhibited angiogenesis driven by VEGF or basic FGF alone, or combined. Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, used to assess the effects of brivanib alaninate on tumor microcirculation, showed a marked decrease in gadopentetate dimeglumine contrast agent uptake at 107 mg/kg dose, with a reduction in area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time 0 to 60 minutes at 24 and 48 hours of 54% and 64%, respectively. These results show that brivanib alaninate is an effective antitumor agent in preclinical models across a range of doses, and that efficacy is accompanied by changes in cellular and vascular activities. Mol Cancer Ther; 9(2); 369–78
Polymorphisms of drug‐metabolizing enzymes and risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The involvement of phase I and II enzymes is well documented in the metabolism of a wide range of drugs and xenobiotics. Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of these enzymes are also known to alter their protein expression and function. Moreover, genetic susceptibility and environmental exposure have been proposed to be an etiology of cancer. We hypothesized that polymorphisms of these enzymes might affect the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). CYP 1A1, CYP 3A4*1B, CYP 3A5*3, CYP 3A5*6, GSTM1, and GSTT1 polymorphisms were genotyped by using PCR‐RFLP in 107 children with ALL and 320 healthy controls. Allele and genotype frequencies of each of the SNPs were compared between two groups. It was found that the allele frequencies of CYP 1A1*1, *2A, *2B, and *4 were not different between cases and controls. CYP 3A4*1B allele frequency was only 0.8% and 0.9% in ALL and controls, respectively. CYP 3A5*1/*1, *1/*3, and *3/*3 genotype frequencies showed no statistically significant difference between patients and controls. CYP 3A5*6 was not detected in our population. The GSTM1 null genotype was significantly increased in children with ALL (OR 1.7; 95% CI, 1.0, 2.7). In contrast, the GSTT1 null genotype did not show this effect. Our data thus demonstrate that the GSTM1 null genotype might increase the risk of childhood ALL in a Thai population. Am. J. Hematol. 79:202–205, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Effect of Isoflurane on Neutrophil Selectin and &bgr;2-Integrin Activation In Vitro

Isoflurane is reported to reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury. Lower expression of CD11b may be responsible for attenuated postischemic neutrophil adhesion to vascular endothelium. However, neutrophil adhesion to vascular endothelium is a multistep process involving several selectins and &bgr;2-integrins. Therefore, we assessed whether isoflurane affects the activation of the selectins P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) and L-selectin and the &bgr;2-integrins CD11a and CD11b. Whole blood was incubated for 60 min with 0.5 or 1 minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration (MAC) isoflurane. After incubation, neutrophils were activated with N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) or phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA). Activation of adhesion molecules was evaluated via flow cytometry, and 1 MAC isoflurane reduced the expression of CD11a in the unstimulated samples. After stimulation with FMLP and PMA, shedding of L-selectin was lower in the presence of isoflurane. Furthermore, 1 MAC isoflurane reduced FMLP-induced activation of CD11a and CD11b compared with unexposed blood samples. These results demonstrate that isoflurane affects the activation of three adhesion molecules involved in the multistep process of neutrophil recruitment. First, isoflurane inhibits the activation of L-selectin, which mediates the neutrophil tethering and rolling on the vascular endothelium. Second, isoflurane attenuates the activation of both &bgr;2-integrins—CD11a and CD11b—which mediate firm adhesion and transendothelial migration.
The Legitimacy of Political Institutions

Populism is an enduring feature of Latin American electoral democracies. Within the past decade, scholars have witnessed the political ascendancy of populist politicians from both the left and right of the ideological spectrum. This naturally raises the question as to why populism has proven resilient in some Latin American democracies, whereas in others political forces have remained relatively moderate and institutionalized. This article argues that this phenomenon can be explained by varying levels of public trust in the traditional political institutions of liberal democracy across the region. Specifically, where public trust in political institutions is low, voters will be attracted to candidates who portray themselves as radical “outsiders,” crusading against the established political order. This hypothesis is tested on a new data set of 48 presidential elections, across 18 Latin American countries, between the years 1996 and 2008. The statistical results provide strong support for this argument.
Manipulation of Gene Expression by Oxygen: A Primer From Bedside to Bench

For nearly 100 y, pediatricians have regularly used oxygen to treat neonatal and childhood diseases. During this time, it has become clear that oxygen is toxic and that overzealous use can lead to significant morbidity. As we have learned more about the appropriate clinical indications for oxygen therapy, studies at the bench have begun to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which cells respond to hyperoxia. In this review, we discuss transcription factors whose activity is regulated by oxygen, including nuclear factor, erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), activator protein 1 (AP-1), p53, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), signal transducers and activators of transcription protein (STAT), and ccat/enhancer binding protein (CEBP). Special attention is paid to the mechanisms by which hyperoxia affects these transcription factors in the lung. Finally, we identify downstream targets of these transcription factors, with a focus on heme oxygenase-1. A better understanding of how oxygen affects various signaling pathways could lead to interventions aimed at preventing hyperoxic injury.
Inhibition of Hsp90 via 17-DMAG induces apoptosis in a p53-dependent manner to prevent medulloblastoma

Elevated expression of HSP90 is observed in many tumor types and is associated with a limited clinical response. Targeting HSP90 using inhibitors such as 17-DMAG (17-desmethoxy-17-N,N-dimethylaminoethylaminogeldanamycin) has shown limited therapeutic success. HSP90 regulates the function of several proteins implicated in tumorigenesis although the precise mechanism through which 17-DMAG regulates tumor cell survival remains unclear. We observed a requirement for p53 in mediating 17-DMAG-induced cell death. The sensitivity of primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts and tumor cells to 17-DMAG-induced apoptosis depended on the p53 status. Wild-type MEFs underwent 17-DMAG-induced caspase-dependent cell death, whilst those lacking p53 failed to do so. Interestingly p53-dependent cell death occurred independently of Atm or Arf. Primary tumor cells derived from two models of murine medulloblastoma (Ptch1+/−;Ink4c−/− and p53FL/FL;Nestin-Cre+; Ink4c−/−) that retain and lack p53 function, respectively, displayed a dependence on functional p53 to engage 17-DMAG-induced apoptosis. Strikingly, 17-DMAG treatment in an allograft model of Ptch1+/−;Ink4c−/− but not p53FL/FL;Nestin-Cre+; Ink4c−/− tumor cells prevented tumor growth in vivo. Our data suggest that p53 status is a likely predictor of the sensitivity of tumors to 17-DMAG.
Balloon expandable stent implantation for native and recurrent coarctation of the aorta—prospective computed tomography assessment of stent integrity, aneurysm formation and stenosis relief

Background Stenting for aortic coarctation is known to be effective in the medium term. Aneurysm formation following stent implantation is a recognised complication. However, data regarding aortic wall injury and stent integrity following stent placement are sparse. Objectives We report comprehensive clinical, echocardiographic and prospective CT follow-up data following stenting for aortic coarctation from a single centre. Methods Full data analysis of all patients undergoing balloon expandable stent implantation and follow-up procedures in a single tertiary congenital cardiac unit. Results Between October 2002 and April 2008, we performed 102 coarctation stent procedures on 88 patients. Median age was 20.6 years (range 8.5–65) and median weight 65 kg (range 34–101). 94 stents (26 covered) were implanted. 12 procedures were re-dilatations. Stenting resulted in a reduction of the gradient across the site of coarctation, from a median of 20 mm Hg to 4 mm Hg. There were no procedure-related deaths. Four patients had immediate complications (one requiring emergency surgery). During median follow-up of 34.5 months (range 4.2–72.8), two patients had late complications requiring additional stent procedures. Follow-up CT data are available in 84 patients with MRI in one patient (96.5%). Only one patient developed a procedure-related aortic aneurysm. All stent fractures (n=7) occurred with a single stent design. Conclusions Stenting for aortic coarctation and re-coarctation is effective with low immediate complication rates. CT is useful in the longer term for assessment of stent integrity and post-procedural aneurysm formation. Overall incidence of post-procedural aneurysm is rare and stent fractures were not seen with newer generation stents.
QoS Prediction for Web Service Recommendation with Network Location-Aware Neighbor Selection

Web service recommendation is one of the key problems in service computing, especially in the case of a large number of service candidates. The QoS (quality of service) values are usually leveraged to recommend services that best satisfy a user’s demand. There are many existing methods using collaborative filtering (CF) to predict QoS missing values, but very limited works can leverage the network location information in the user side and service side. In real-world service invocation scenario, the network location of a user or a service makes great impact on QoS. In this paper, we propose a novel collaborative recommendation framework containing three novel prediction models, which are based on two techniques, i.e. matrix factorization (MF) and network location-aware neighbor selection. We first propose two individual models that have the capability of using the user and service information, respectively. Then we propose a unified model that combines the results of the two individual models. We conduct sufficient experiments on a real-world dataset. The experimental results demonstrate that our models achieve higher prediction accuracy than baseline models, and are not sensitive to the parameters.
Assessment of rowing efficiency.

Between one-fourth and one-third of the energy in rowing is lost to the flow of water around the blade which decreases efficiency, i.e., the ratio of effective energy to expended energy. Hitherto the assessment of this hydrodynamic rowing efficiency was difficult and could not be achieved as a function of rowing angle and time. By recording the path of the blade and the forces acting on the blade a method was found, which is practical to use and renders the hydrodynamic efficiency at each instant of the rowing action. The assessment is based on the measurement of boat velocity, angular velocity of the oar or scull, and moment exerted by the rower. These parameters are measured, digitized, and stored in the boat for later computation on shore.
Scenarios, their concept, elaboration and application

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to elucidate on specific risk mitigation approach which is known as “scenario approach”. Description of stepwise process of their elaboration, which is worth considering for managers, offers feasible tool not only for company risk management improvement but also for significant enhancement of the quality of company strategic planning. Authors also draw attention to advantages and disadvantages of investment and strategic scenario planning. Theoretical implications of using scenario approaches are exemplified both by the set of investment projects and company strategic planning process where method in question was applied. Design/methodology/approach – As for methods applied which fulfilled research strategies, it is worth mentioning following items: analysis which explores particular parts of methodology of scenario elaboration and application, the way of obtaining information, impact on strategy, working with risks and organizational support of outcomes in company e.
Judging the Goring Ox: Retribution Directed Toward Animals

Prior research on the psychology of retribution is complicated by the difficulty of separating retributive and general deterrence motives when studying human offenders (Study 1). We isolate retribution by investigating judgments about punishing animals, which allows us to remove general deterrence from consideration. Studies 2 and 3 document a "victim identity" effect, such that the greater the perceived loss from a violent animal attack, the greater the belief that the culprit deserves to be killed. Study 3 documents a "targeted punishment" effect, such that the responsive killing of the actual "guilty" culprit is seen as more deserved than the killing of an almost identical yet "innocent" animal from the same species. Studies 4 and 5 extend both effects to participants' acceptance of inflicting pain and suffering on the offending animal at the time of its death, and show that both effects are mediated by measures of retributive sentiment, and not by consequentialist concerns.
Essays in Monetary Policy

This dissertation presents three chapters addressing issues pertaining to monetary policy, information, and central bank communication. The rst chapter studies optimal monetary policy in an environment where policy actions provide a signal of economic fundamentals to imperfectly informed agents. I derive the optimal discretionary policy in closed form and show that, in contrast to the perfect information case, the signaling channel leads the policymaker to be tougher on ination. The strength of the signaling e¤ect of policy depends on relative uncertainty levels. As the signaling e¤ect strengthens, the optimal policy under discretion approaches that under commitment to a forward-looking linear rule, thereby decreasing the stabilization bias. This contributes to the central bank nding it optimal to withhold its additional information from private agents. Under a general linear policy rule, ination and output forecasts can respond positively to a positive interest rate surprise when the signaling channel is strong. This positive response is the opposite of what standard perfect information New Keynesian models predict and it matches empirical patterns found by previous studies. Chapter 2 provides new empirical evidence supporting the predictions of the model presented in Chapter 1. More speci cally, I nd that the responses of ination forecasts to interest rate surprises is especially positive when there is greater uncertainty regarding the previous forecast. Finally, Chapter 3 examines whether communications by the Federal Open Market Committee might have the ability to inuence nancial market responses to macroeconomic news. In particular, I am able to relate labor-related word use in FOMC statements and meeting minutes to the amount by which interest rates response to labor-related news exceeds their response to other news.
What Do Voters Want From Their Local MP

This article summarises the findings from a study of what constituents want from their local Member of Parliament.1 We make use of a survey technique known as conjoint analysis, wherein we present a national sample of British voters with profiles of hypothetical MPs who vary randomly in their characteristics, activities and behaviour. We find that voters like MPs who are independent from the party line and who do not focus exclusively on national policy work. MPs' gender and experience matter far less to constituents. Overall, voters want a Parliament made up of strong-minded MPs who see their role as that of a constituency representative. This has important implications for parliamentary democracy in Britain.
Conotoxins as Tools to Understand the Physiological Function of Voltage-Gated Calcium (CaV) Channels

Voltage-gated calcium (CaV) channels are widely expressed and are essential for the completion of multiple physiological processes. Close regulation of their activity by specific inhibitors and agonists become fundamental to understand their role in cellular homeostasis as well as in human tissues and organs. CaV channels are divided into two groups depending on the membrane potential required to activate them: High-voltage activated (HVA, CaV1.1–1.4; CaV2.1–2.3) and Low-voltage activated (LVA, CaV3.1–3.3). HVA channels are highly expressed in brain (neurons), heart, and adrenal medulla (chromaffin cells), among others, and are also classified into subtypes which can be distinguished using pharmacological approaches. Cone snails are marine gastropods that capture their prey by injecting venom, “conopeptides”, which cause paralysis in a few seconds. A subset of conopeptides called conotoxins are relatively small polypeptides, rich in disulfide bonds, that target ion channels, transporters and receptors localized at the neuromuscular system of the animal target. In this review, we describe the structure and properties of conotoxins that selectively block HVA calcium channels. We compare their potency on several HVA channel subtypes, emphasizing neuronal calcium channels. Lastly, we analyze recent advances in the therapeutic use of conotoxins for medical treatments.
Conditional Cash Transfers, Shocks, and School Enrolment in Nicaragua

Abstract This work estimates the impacts of a Nicaraguan cash transfer programme that pays households conditional on school attendance and family visits to health clinics and seminars. A model explores the impact on school enrollment of cash transfers given differences in household wealth, labour market opportunities, and negative shocks. A difference-in-difference estimation for distinct wealth cohorts reveals that the programme led to a significant improvement in school enrollment outcomes among poor households in coffee-cultivating communities. The results cast doubt, however, on proposals that broadly link conditional cash transfers to negative shocks.