Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cleavage Politics in Old and New Democracies

Stein Rokkan's comparative historical account of party system formation in Western Europe has proved enormously influential due to the appeal of tying individual political behaviour to large-scale historical transformations. This article reviews the literature that has studied the genesis of cleavage-based party systems, as well as theoretical and empirical assessments of the degree to which they have remained stable or "frozen". If it is adapted to allow for a more dynamic perspective, the cleavage approach also helps us to make sense of recent transformations of Western European party systems by pointing to new "critical junctures" that are likely to have a lasting impact on party competition and on individual political behaviour. In the second part of this review, I discuss applications of the approach outside Western Europe, focusing above all on Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe. If it is modified according to the specific historical trajectories of these countries, the cleavage concept helps us understand both how party systems become institutionalized in new democracies, as well as the type of conflicts they are likely to reflect. Furthermore, criticisms of social structural determinism have resulted in a new generation of scholarship that insists on paying more attention to the interplay of structure and agency in forging long-term bonds between parties and voters.
The prevalence of severe growth hormone deficiency in adults who received growth hormone replacement in childhood

OBJECTIVE The few previous studies in which reassessment of GH status has been carried out in young adults treated with GH therapy for childhood GH deficiency concentrated on determining the incidence of ‘transient GH deficiency’. As the benefits of GH replacement therapy in adults become increasingly appreciated, it is likely that GH therapy started in childhood for GH deficiency will be continued into adult life in many of those with severe GH deficiency. The aim of this study is to determine how many patients who received GH replacement therapy in childhood until completion of growth have GH deficiency severe enough to be considered for GH replacement therapy in adult life.
CALML5 is a ZNF750- and TINCR-induced protein that binds stratifin to regulate epidermal differentiation

In this study, Sun et al. generate genomic and proteomic data sets to discover an essential new role for calmodulin family member CALML5 in epidermal differentiation. The upstream regulators of CALML5—a ZNF750 transcription factor and a lncRNA—were identified in addition to a 14-3-3 protein, SFN, required for CALML5 function, thus providing insight into a new ZNF750–TINCR–CALML5–SFN network needed for epidermal differentiation.
NMR Conformational Studies of Micelle-Bound Orexin-B: A Neuropeptide Involved in the Sleep/Awake Cycle and Feeding Regulation

Abstract The preferred conformation of orexin-B, an orphan G-protein coupled receptor agonist (the human sequence is RSGPPGLQGRLQRLLQASGNHAAGILTM-NH2) has been determined by 1H and 13C 2D NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling. Orexin-B has been implicated in sleep-wakefulness and feeding regulation. The membrane mimetic, sodium dodecylsulphate-d25 (SDS), was used to mimic a physiological environment for the peptide. The secondary structure of orexin-B in SDS consists of two helical sections; helix I spans Leu7 to Ser18 and helix II spans Ala22 to Leu26. Helices I and II are believed to be involved in membrane binding, as is supported by the results of the spin label studies with 5-doxylstearic acid. Lee et al. (Eur. J. Biochem. 266, 831–839 (1999)) determined the [Phe1]-orex- in-B conformation in water solution by NMR and showed that helix II extends from Ala23 to Met28. The C-terminal dipeptide, Thr27-Met28, is unstructured is SDS, whereas in water it forms the end of helix II. The lack of apparent structure for Thr27-Met28 in SDS allows the dipeptide to have conformational freedom to interact with the receptor. The conformation of orexin-B can now be used to explain the Ala substitution mutagenesis experiments and the D-amino acid substitution experiments (S. Asahi et al, Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 13, 111–113, 2003). Asahi et al. have shown that Ala substitution from Gly24 to Met28 or D- amino acid substitution from Ala23 to Met28 causes a significant reduction in the potency of orexin-B for both OX1R and OX2R receptors. We postulate that helix II is involved in membrane recognition, and its binding to the membrane is essential for Thr27-Met28 to adopt the correct receptor-binding conformation.
IRANIAN NATIONAL HEALTH SURVEY: A BRIEF REPORT

he health status of a country depends mainly on its socioeconomic and educational level as well as on the budget determined for its health services. Knowledge about the standards of health of a community enables the government to take the necessary measures for overcoming its health problems, defining health priorities and providing the budget needed to improve health through a well-organized plan. After the Islamic Revolution in 1978, Iran aimed to improve its public health status and to reduce the infant mortality rate through a vaccination program for children. The health status of the general population of Iran was evaluated, for the first time, by a health survey in 1991 with the help of epidemiologists, including Dr H. Malekafzali, Dr M.R. Zali, Dr K. Mohammad and Dr M.R. Masjedi. The second survey, conducted in 1999, took place under the supervision of Dr A.A. Nourbala and Dr K. Mohammad and was performed by most of the team members from the first survey. Both surveys were conducted under the supervision and with the financial support of the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education. The second survey studied the same provinces and had the same population sample as the first survey. The protocol and the structure of the questionnaires used were also similar. The results were published in 1993 and later in 2001 in a book compiled by the Scientific Committee of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education. The aims of these surveys were to increase the level of knowledge of health authorities about the
Willingness to pay and willingness to accept: some evidence of an endowment effect

The source of the disparity between willingness to pay (WTP) and willingness to accept (WTA) measures of value has been the subject of recent debate in the literature. This paper presents the results of a pilot experiment designed to test whether, contrary to the findings of Shogren et al. (1994), the endowment effect might be a significant source of the WTP/WTA divergence. The results are a direct contradiction of what the substitutability argument would predict and, thus, indicate that the endowment effect cannot yet be dismissed as a possible driving force behind the disparity.
Legitimacy and Institutional Replacement: The Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons and the Emergence of the Mine Ban Treaty

Abstract When and under what conditions is an existing international institution most likely to be replaced by a new one? Conventional international relations theories offer only partial insights into this question and seldom address it directly. But replacement occurs in a variety of important international contexts. For example, the United Nations replaced the League of Nations, the WTO replaced the GATT, and most recently, the Ottawa Convention banning landmines replaced Protocol II of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW). I argue that the concept of legitimacy, commonly defined as “the belief that an institution ought to be obeyed,” and careful attention to the development of the existing institution are necessary to understand replacement. After developing a theoretical framework to conceptualize the relationship between legitimacy and replacement, this article traces the origins and development of the largely overlooked institutional predecessor to the Ottawa Convention: the CCW. It then shows how ideational change, driven by transnational efforts to delegitimate the CCW, paved the way for a shift in discourse from control to disarmament that made the creation of a new institution possible. The article concludes by seeking to generalize from the CCW experience through a preliminary discussion of other ways and cases in which legitimacy might affect institutional replacement and persistence.
Income Distribution and the Aggregate Consumption Function

Household consumption propensities are related to income above subsistence levels. Aggregation over households makes the total propensity depend on income level, concentration, and asymmetry; distributional effects interact with income per capita. Estimates using both nominal and real incomes and distributional data from 101 surveys in over 30 countries show no significant effect of inequality on consumption. Reasonable estimates are obtained for subsistence income ($300 real) and the asymptotic consumption propensity (0.70-0.75) using only income level. Either distributional effects are weak or the available data are inappropriate; a correct specification would require data on income per head within households.
Contemporary Challenges of Human Resource Planning in Tourism and Hospitality Organizations: A Conceptual Model

Human Resource (HR) planning is crucial to the success of tourism and hospitality organizations yet is not widely applied. Such limited use of HR planning is due to the suspension of its results. Upon review, it was found that there was a gap in research regarding reasons for the unreliable results of HR planning, and this topic is still not entirely explored. To fill this gap, this article presents reasons, proposes a conceptual model that identifies contemporary challenges facing HR planning in tourism and hospitality organizations, and discusses the influence of the challenges and their interrelations to the planning process.
Evidence on agglomeration in quality space--revisited

This paper extends the results of C. Hjorth-Andersen (1988) by examining agglomeration in quality space for 16,257 consumer products tested by Konsument and Test magazines. These magazines have tested and evaluated quality characteristics for a large number of brands of different consumer products, thereby indicating brand positions in quality space. The results indicate that markets for consumer products cluster around average and high quality. Manufacturers tend to provide consistent attribute qualities. The results remain consistent for different product classifications and different definitions of quality space. Copyright 1993 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
How Does Firm Size Moderate Firms' Ability to Benefit from Invention? Evidence from Patents and Scientific Publications

Using novel firm‐level panel data, this paper investigates how firms' ability to benefit from invention is moderated by firm size. We distinguish between output indicators of applied research using patents versus output indicators of basic research using scientific publications in “hard science” journals. Our results show that the relationship between performance and patents is stronger for small firms than for large firms. By contrast, the relationship between performance and scientific publications is stronger for large firms than for small firms. We also investigate several mechanisms that may be responsible for these firm size effects. Cost‐spreading, complementary assets and especially large firm's inertia all appear to exert a significant influence on the appropriability of patented research. Conversely, a key role of published research seems to be that of complementing large firms' marketing and sales efforts.
Selective expression of KrasG12D in granulosa cells of the mouse ovary causes defects in follicle development and ovulation

Activation of the RAS family of small G-proteins is essential for follicle stimulating hormone-induced signaling events and the regulation of target genes in cultured granulosa cells. To analyze the functions of RAS protein in granulosa cells during ovarian follicular development in vivo, we generated conditional knock-in mouse models in which the granulosa cells express a constitutively active KrasG12D. The KrasG12D mutant mice were subfertile and exhibited signs of premature ovarian failure. The mutant ovaries contained numerous abnormal follicle-like structures that were devoid of mitotic and apoptotic cells and cells expressing granulosa cell-specific marker genes. Follicles that proceeded to the antral stage failed to ovulate and expressed reduced levels of ovulation-related genes. The human chorionic gonadotropin-stimulated phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was markedly reduced in mutant cells. Reduced ERK1/2 phosphorylation was due, in part, to increased expression of MKP3, an ERK1/2-specific phosphatase. By contrast, elevated levels of phospho-AKT were evident in granulosa cells of immature KrasG12D mice, even in the absence of hormone treatments, and were associated with the progressive decline of FOXO1 in the abnormal follicle-like structures. Thus, inappropriate activation of KRAS in granulosa cells blocks the granulosa cell differentiation pathway, leading to the persistence of abnormal non-mitotic, non-apoptotic cells rather than tumorigenic cells. Moreover, those follicles that reach the antral stage exhibit impaired responses to hormones, leading to ovulation failure. Transient but not sustained activation of RAS in granulosa cells is therefore crucial for directing normal follicle development and initiating the ovulation process.
Human T-cell responses to secreted antigen fractions of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The T-cell response of human donors to secreted antigen fractions of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was investigated. The donors were divided into five groups: active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients with minimal and with advanced disease, Mycobacterium bovis BCG-vaccinated donors with and without contact with TB patients, and nonvaccinated individuals. We found that patients with active minimal TB responded powerfully to secreted antigens contained in a short-term culture filtrate. The response to secreted antigens was mediated by CD4+ Th-1-like lymphocytes, and the gamma interferon release by these cells was markedly higher in patients with active minimal TB than in healthy BCG-vaccinated donors. Patients with active advanced disease exhibited depressed responses to all preparations tested. The specificity of the response to secreted antigens was investigated by stimulating lymphocytes with narrow-molecular-mass fractions of short-term culture filtrate obtained by the multielution technique. Considerable heterogeneity was found within the donor groups. Patients with active minimal TB recognized multiple secreted targets, but interestingly, six of eight patients demonstrated a predominant recognition of a low-mass (< 10-kDa) protein fraction which induced high levels of gamma interferon release in vitro. Only a few of 12 previously characterized secreted antigens were recognized by T cells isolated from TB patients, suggesting the existence of a number of as yet undefined antigenic targets among secreted antigens.
A Distinctive Analysis of Case Study, Action Research and Design Science Research

Objective – This paper aims at analyzing the difference between research methods that are typical in operations management (case study and action research) with design science research. Design/methodology/approach – The paper adopts a theoreticalconceptual methodological approach, based on an extensive literature review. The literature review focused on studies that discuss the use of Case Study, Action Research and Design Science/Design Science Research.
An alcohol acyl transferase from apple (cv. Royal Gala), MpAAT1, produces esters involved in apple fruit flavor

Apple flavor is characterized by combinations of ester compounds, which increase markedly during fruit ripening. The final step in ester biosynthesis is catalyzed by alcohol acyl transferases (AATs) that use coenzyme A (CoA) donors together with alcohol acceptors as substrates. The gene MpAAT1, which produces a predicted protein containing features of other plant acyl transferases, was isolated from Malus pumila (cv. Royal Gala). The MpAAT1 gene is expressed in leaves, flowers and fruit of apple. The recombinant enzyme can utilize a range of alcohol substrates from short to medium straight chain (C3–C10), branched chain, aromatic and terpene alcohols. The enzyme can also utilize a range of short to medium chain CoAs. The binding of the alcohol substrate is rate limiting compared with the binding of the CoA substrate. Among different alcohol substrates there is more variation in turnover compared with Km values. MpAAT1 is capable of producing many esters found in Royal Gala fruit, including hexyl esters, butyl acetate and 2‐methylbutyl acetate. Of these, MpAAT1 prefers to produce the hexyl esters of C3, C6 and C8 CoAs. For the acetate esters, however, MpAAT1 preference depends upon substrate concentration. At low concentrations of alcohol substrate the enzyme prefers utilizing the 2‐methylbutanol over hexanol and butanol, while at high concentrations of substrate hexanol can be used at a greater rate than 2‐methylbutanol and butanol. Such kinetic characteristics of AATs may therefore be another important factor in understanding how the distinct flavor profiles of different fruit are produced during ripening.
Explicit identification and implicit recognition of facial emotions: I. Age effects in males and females across 10 decades

A number of psychiatric and neurological disorders are characterized by impairments in facial emotion recognition. Recognition of individual emotions has implicated limbic, basal ganglionic, and frontal brain regions. Since these regions are also implicated in age-related decline and sex differences in emotion processing, an understanding of normative variation is important for assessing deficits in clinical groups. An internet-based test (“WebNeuro”) was administered to 1,000 healthy participants (6 to 91 years, 53% female) to assess explicit identification of basic expressions of emotion (happiness, sadness, fear, anger, disgust, neutral). A subsequent implicit recognition condition was based on a priming protocol, in which explicit identification provided the “study” phase. Responses were most accurate for happiness and slowest for fear in the explicit condition, but least accurate for happiness and fastest for fear in the implicit condition. The effects of age, by contrast, showed a similar pattern for both explicit and implicit conditions, following a nonlinear distribution in which performance improved from childhood through adolescence and early adulthood and declined in later adulthood. Females were better than males at explicit identification of fear in particular. These findings are consistent with the priority of threat-related signals, but indicate opposing biases depending on whether emotion processing is conscious or nonconscious. The lifespan trends in emotion processing over 10 decades point to an interaction of brain-based (maturation, stability, and then atrophy of cortical and subcortical systems) and experiential contributing factors. These findings provide a robust normative platform for assessing clinical groups.
Earnings management and board oversight: an international comparison

Purpose – This paper attempts to investigate the relationships between the board of directors' characteristics and earnings management being a proxy of earnings quality in two separate countries, France and Canada. Specifically, it aims to investigate how certain contextual features affect differently earnings management behavior, and to reveal which factors are the most prominent incentives of management discretion in both cases.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses a performance matched discretionary accruals (PMDA) measure as a proxy for earnings management. Three separate panel‐regressions are then performed on a full sample, comprising a French sub‐sample and a Canadian sub‐sample, to detect board characteristics and institutional features' impacts on the PMDA. Regressions are based on a panel of 180 French and Canadian listed firms' data over the period 2006‐2008.Findings – Evidence shows that CEO stock ownership, independent monitoring and institutional investor's property are strong earning.
Selective nerve root blocks for the treatment of sciatica: evaluation of injection site and effectiveness--a study with patients and cadavers.

PURPOSE To relate different types of radiographic contrast material distributions to anatomic compartments by using cadaveric specimens and to relate the injection site to treatment-induced discomfort and therapeutic effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS The contrast material distributions of selective nerve root blocks (SNRBs) in 36 patients (13 women, 23 men; mean age, 52 years; age range, 22-88 years) were graded by two radiologists in conference as type 1 (tubular appearance), type 2 (nerve root visible as filling defect), or type 3 (nerve root not visible). These patterns were correlated with pain reduction after 15 minutes and 2 weeks (with a visual analogue scale of 100-mm length). In addition, 30 nerve roots were injected with iodine-containing contrast material and blue dye in three cadaveric specimens. Radiographs were compared with anatomic sections. RESULTS After 15 minutes and 2 weeks, 75% and 86% of the patients, respectively, reported pain relief. Mean pain relief length after 15 minutes for type 1 distribution was 60 mm; for type 2, 44 mm; and for type 3, 22 mm; and after 2 weeks, it was 34 mm for type 1, 31 mm for type 2, and 57 mm for type 3. There was no correlation between early and late response. Pain during intervention was less pronounced in type 2 injection, compared with type 1 (P = .002). On the basis of anatomic sections, type 1 injection was intraepineural; type 2, extraepineural; and type 3, paraneural. CONCLUSION Therapeutic SNRB is effective in sciatica, but early response does not predict the effect after 2 weeks. Type 1 injections are more painful than type 2 injections.
Management of Chinese patients on warfarin therapy in two models of anticoagulation service - a prospective randomized trial.

AIM To compare the treatment outcomes of a clinical pharmacist-managed anticoagulation service with physician-managed service in Chinese patients. METHODS A prospective, randomized clinical trial was conducted at the anticoagulation clinic of a teaching hospital in Hong Kong. Patients aged > or = 18 years who would required warfarin therapy for at least 3 months were recruited. Patients were randomized to the pharmacist-managed or physician-managed group. Primary clinical outcome was assessed by the percentage of patient time spent within the target international normalized ratio (INR) range. The incidence of major thromboembolic events (TEs) and major bleeding was assessed as secondary clinical outcomes. The cost per patient per month (cPPPM) was calculated and patient satisfaction was assessed by patient satisfaction questionnaire (PSQ)-18. RESULTS One hundred and forty-one patients were recruited at the anticoagulation clinic and 137 patients completed the study. Patients in the pharmacist-managed group (n = 68) were in the target INR 64% of patient time vs. 59% in the physician-managed group (n = 69) (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in incidence of major TEs or bleeding. The cPPPM in the pharmacist-managed group (76 +/- 95 US dollar) (43 +/- 53 British pound) was lower than in the physician-managed group (98 +/- 158 US dollar) (55 +/- 89 British pound) (P < 0.001). The PSQ-18 score of the pharmacist-managed group (3.8 +/- 0.2) was higher than that of the physician-managed group (3.6 +/- 0.3) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION The pharmacist-managed anticoagulation service was more effective and less costly than the physician-managed service in achieving target anticoagulation control for Chinese patients on warfarin therapy.