Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Explaining (non) participation in overseas voting: the case of overseas Filipino voters in Japan in the 2016 elections

ABSTRACT This study explains the low Overseas Voting (OV) participation among Filipino migrants, by examining OV in Japan in the 2016 elections. Feddersen and Sandroni’s ([2006]. “A Theory of Participation in Elections.” American Economic Review 96 (4): 1271–1282. doi:10.1257/aer.96. 4.1271) rational model of electoral participation is adopted to produce evidence-based claims on why OV among Filipino migrants in Japan is low. By examining the perceived benefits, costs, and sense of citizen duty of the overseas Filipinos vis-à-vis their physical absence from their (imagined) homeland, this study shows that voting costs overwhelm the benefits of voting and migrants tend to exercise their citizenship through other means. The low electoral participation of overseas Filipinos is not a manifestation of the loss of allegiance to the homeland nor political disinterest. Rather, voting is not seen as an urgent need nor a responsibility as an overseas national, albeit acknowledged as a civic duty. These have important implications for improving OV participation among Filipinos and other diaspora communities that chronically have low electoral participation.
Assessment of rational medicines prescribing in healthcare facilities in four regions of Tanzania

Objective: The purpose of the study was to measure rational medicines prescribing in healthcare facilities from selected regions in Tanzania with focus on WHO/INRUD core medicines use indicators. Methods: The study is across-sectional and a total 2067 prescriptions were collated and studied from 67 health care facilities in four regions of Tanzania. WHO/INRUD core medicines use indicators were employed and these are; proportions of encounters with an injection prescription, % of prescriptions with an antibiotic, polypharmacy, use of generic name and medicines prescribed from National Essential Medicines List was determined. Collected data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0, SPSS, Inc; Chicago, USA. Index of Rational Drug Prescribing (IRDP) was used to rank facilities to their level of rational medicines prescribing. Results: The proportion of prescriptions with injections was found to be 18.1% while that containing antibiotics was 67.7% and the average number of medicines per prescription was 2.3. The proportion of medicines prescribed by generic was 95.7%while one that contained medicines in line with the National Essential Medicines List was 96.7%. The overall IRDP for the current study was 3.81with optimal level of 5. Kilimanjaro region scored highest IRDP (3.35) while Mbeya region scored the least (IRDP of 3.11). Rural healthcare facilities scored low IRDP (3.25) while for urban facilities IRDP was higher (3.42). IRDP for public healthcare facilities was higher (3.65) than for private facilities (3.02). Conclusion: Rational drug prescribing in Tanzania is not yet optimal leading to over-prescribing of antibiotics and injections. Key words: Rational Prescribing, Essential Medicines, Inappropriate Use, Healthcare Facilities, Tanzania.
Development of CXCR4 Inhibitors for Topical Treatment of Psoriasis

Development of CXCR4 Inhibitors for Topical Treatment of Psoriasis Suthida Boonsith, Ph.D. University of Nebraska Medical Center, 2017 Supervisor: David Oupický, Ph.D. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is often associated with systemic comorbidities and impaired skin barrier function. There are several treatment options including topical treatment with immunosuppressants, phototherapy, and systemic therapies using small molecules and biological agents. However, none of them can be regarded as a perfect solution due to their toxicity during chronic use. Recently, the CXCR4/SDF-1 axis was found to play an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. AMD3100, a small molecule CXCR4 antagonist can selectively bind to CXCR4 and inhibit skin inflammation, reduce angiogenesis and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Unfortunately, AMD3100 can only be administered systemically. In this study, we aimed to develop CXCR4 inhibitor that can be applied topically in psoriasis as a way of reducing overall systemic toxicity of CXCR4 inhibition. We developed PAMD, a polycation based on AMD3100, as a topical drug to treat psoriasis. PAMD offers a great platform for chemical modification, drug combination, and the ability to form nanocarriers. Psoriasis is a skin disease therefore, it is desirable to deliver PAMD via a topical route to target the disease locally and improve safety and patient compliance. Stratum corneum (SC) is the foremost layer of skin, which acts as the main barrier to protect internal organs and limit the delivery of most drug molecules. Various attempts have been reported to increase skin penetration, including both passive and active
Personality and Organizational Career Growth: The Moderating Roles of Innovation Climate and Innovation Climate Strength

Drawing on trait activation theory, the present study answered the question about who achieves better career development in innovative organizations in the Chinese context. We examined the relationships of Big Five personality traits on organizational career growth while considering the cross-level moderating effects of innovation climate and innovation climate strength. More specifically, we argued that conscientiousness and openness to experience would be more strongly related to organizational career growth at the higher level of innovation climate, and the linkages between all Big Five personality traits and career growth are stronger when innovation climate strength is weaker. Data from 2,415 employees randomly selected from 280 institutions in China support most of the hypotheses. We discussed the theoretical and practical implications as well as the limitations and suggestions for future studies.
Qualitative Insights into Family Physicians' Perceptions of Academic Detailing for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Purpose: The message of a paradigm shift in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to early, aggressive and sustained use of Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs and treating to target remission, has not yet reached all Family Physicians (FPs) in Canada. A promising technique to optimize FP practice is Academic Detailing (AD) which involves visits by trained health care professionals to physicians in their offices, providing evidence-based information on a selected topic. The objective of our study was to understand FPs’ perceptions about the feasibility, acceptability, and utility of AD to provide information about RA management. Methods: We conducted one-on-one semi-structured telephone interviews with twelve consecutive FPs who participated in an AD intervention for RA and who agreed to be interviewed. Interview transcripts were analyzed using a qualitative descriptive approach with inductive content analysis. Results: FPs reported appreciating AD for its educational value, convenience, one-on-one interaction, short duration; subject expert input in content, and practical, evidence-based and focused content. Some FPs identified disadvantages, such as difficulty incorporating AD during work days, lack of dedicated CME time, insufficient time for detailed discussions, lack of time to consult information left behind and standardization of the message delivered. AD was acceptable to most FPs, who reported perceived benefits of the visits, including improved confidence in managing RA, anticipating clinical practice changes and willingness to receive AD in the future. Conclusion: Participating FPs perceived AD as a feasible, acceptable and useful CME technique to receive information about RA management aimed at optimizing care.
Assessment of depression among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients at rural tertiary care centre of Northern India

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD is a more complex systemic disease that has significant extra pulmonary effects along with pulmonary involvement. Complexity and mortality of COPD is increased by its co-morbidities and exacerbations. Depression is One of the commonest co-morbidity that occurs in patient with COPD and is associated with poor quality of life therefore we planned to assess depression among COPD patients. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study done in the respiratory medicine department of tertiary care centre, during the period from January 2015 to June 2016. A total of 200 patients of COPD of either sex having age more than 40 years included in the study. Patients who were critically ill and uncooperative excluded from the study. Patients who did not give consent and having previous history of any psychiatric illness also excluded from the study. The diagnosis of COPD was made on the basis of the clinical history, examination, X-ray chest and spirometry. Further, depression was evaluated with the validated Hindi version of nine items PHQ-9 (a subset of patient health questionnaire). Results: The data of all 200 COPD patients were analysed and it was observed thatprevalence of depression in COPD was found to be 49%. Prevalence was higher in male patients 147 (73.5%) as compared to female 53 (26.5%) patients in the present study. Minimal depression was found in 14.28 % COPD patients and mild depression in 25.51 % moderate depression in 39.79 % cases and severe depression in 20.40% cases. Conclusions: Symptoms of depression are common in patients with COPD and its presence may have significant impact on the quality of life of such patients and may be associated with a higher mortality rate.
Impact of Visual Feedback on Exercise Intensity and Motivation: 892 Board #71 May 31 3

51 Pages Technological advances like smartphones and computers have led to an increase in screen time and decrease in physical activity. These technologies have been found to be negatively associated with physical activity, however they may also be used to promote activity. Mobile applications and physical activity devices may be used to provide visual biofeedback to individuals to promote increased physical activity, adherence to exercise programs, and exercising at higher intensity levels. PURPOSE: The objective is to determine if visual heart rate monitor biofeedback motivates college-aged students to maintain a higher overall exercise intensity during a stationary cycling class. The study is also interested in determining which type of visual biofeedback participants prefer. METHODS: A within-subject design was used to determine how visual biofeedback impacts exercise intensity. Thirty participants volunteered for the study and completed three cycling sessions. During each cycling session, the class was randomly assigned to either a No Feedback, Individual Feedback, or a Group Feedback condition. Each participant was assigned a heart rate monitor sensor, heart rate monitor strap, and an identification number in order to record their exercise intensity. At the beginning of the first class, the participants completed the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety surveys (STAI). For the second and third cycling sessions, the participants only completed the Spielberger State Anxiety survey. At the end of each exercise session, the participants completed a survey indicating if they enjoyed the visual feedback and using the heart rate monitors. On the final day of data collection, they also indicated which visual biofeedback condition they preferred the most. RESULTS: The Group Feedback condition spent a higher percentage of time above 80% of their age-predicted heart rate max compared to the other conditions. This condition spent 17.5% of their time in the 80-90% heart rate zone and 2.8% in the 90-100% heart rate zone. In addition, the 1-way repeated measures ANOVA found significant difference between the time spent in the 60-70% heart rate zone between the three conditions. The results showed that the Group Feedback condition had the highest average caloric expenditure (293.5 kcal), average heart rate (138.1 bpm), and maximal heart rate (174.4 bpm). The results indicated 21 (70%) participants preferred the Group Feedback condition, 4 participants (13.3%) favored the Individual Feedback, 1 participant (3.3%) preferred No Feedback, and 4 participants (13.3%) had No Preference for either condition. There was also a significant positive correlation between the Group Feedback's RPE …
Is China able to export its developmental model? Upstream–downstream integration in Sino–African petroleum engagement

Abstract This article examines the upstream–downstream integration model in the context of Sino–African petroleum engagement (in four countries in particular) as a means to evaluate China’s capacity to export its own experiences or development model to other developing countries. The discourse of so-called developmental resource nationalism provides the theoretical orientation. The article finds that China is able to share its development experiences to promote industrialisation and improve local socioeconomic conditions through concrete project building. However, the effect of such ‘exports’ is problematic and is dependent on several specific conditions. The article concludes that China is not in a position to export to other countries a fully-fledged or revolutionary developmental model, even in a narrowly defined industrial sector.
The early bird catches the worm: age-specific arrival time influences reproductive performance in the White Stork Ciconia ciconia

ABSTRACT Capsule Age, arrival date and egg laying date are essentially closely related and determine reproductive performance in the White Stork Ciconia ciconia. Aims To describe the impact of age, arrival date and egg laying date on breeding success in the White Stork. Methods Ringing data from a White Stork breeding colony of 212 nests at Dréan, Algeria, were used to model the relationship between age, arrival date, laying date and reproductive performance. Seventy breeders that were individually colour-ringed as nestlings were monitored. Results Birds breeding on the periphery of the colony had significantly smaller nests and showed a tendency towards later laying dates, but they did not differ from centrally nesting birds in age or arrival date. First year birds did not breed and second year birds were significantly more likely than older age groups to occupy nests but fail to lay eggs. Older birds arrived earlier at the breeding colony and had a higher probability of initiating laying than younger birds. They also had a higher probability of nesting successfully and fledging a larger number of young. Conclusion Age determined arrival and laying dates and influenced breeding performance in the White Stork.
Virological and Immunological Long-Term Outcome of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Infected Children Treated before One Year and after Two Years of Age in a Resource-Limited Setting of South Africa

Introduction: Benefits of early Highly Active AntiRetroviral Therapy (HAART) to reduce infant mortality and morbidity have been demonstrated in resource-limited and rich settings. However, immunovirological data collected in Sub-Saharan Africa are scarce. This study describes the long-term outcome of South African children who started HAART before one year of age (Early Starters Cohort or ESC) and compare their immunovirological outcomes to children who started their therapy after two years of age (Late Starters Cohort or LSC). Immunovirological results will be compared in order to evaluate the long-term non-inferiority of early treatment initiation. Methods: Fifty-five children were included in the ESC (mean follow-up period 7.9 years) and 96 children were included in the LSC (mean follow-up period 6.3 years). Children from the ESC and the LSC were subdivided into three subgroups according to CD4+% at HAART initiation ( 100 cp/ml) was comparable in both cohorts but persistent undetectable viral load (<50 cp/ml) after initial virological suppression was more frequent in the ESC (p=0.008). Finally, the proportion of children with detectable viral loads (50 to 1000 cp/ml) at least one time during the entire follow-up period was higher in the LSC (p=0.0022). Conclusion: HAART appeared highly effective in terms of immunovirological outcomes both in children treated before one and after two years of age. The results of this study demonstrate that early treated children more often achieved normal CD4+%, tended to have higher mean CD4+% and more sustained virological suppression. These results encourage the current international recommendations to initiate HAART as soon as possible in RLS.
Inflation and Growth: An Inverted-U Relationship

This study explores a novel channel for monetary policy to impact growth and welfare---a cash-in-advance constraint on R&D combined with R&D subsidies by seigniorage tax. In a scale-invariant Schumpeterian growth model, growth is an inverted-U function of the inflation rate. Friedman rule is suboptimal (optimal) when the elasticity of labor supply is low (high). By contrast, the inverted-U relation does not exist when R&D is subsidized by other taxes or in an AK model. Calibration confirms our prediction and finds that the growth and welfare effects of inflation are large. Using panel data for 154 countries during 1970--2014, both non-parametric cubic spline and parametric regressions show that growth is an inverted-U function of the inflation rate in samples with an annual inflation rate below 30%. The cutoff point for inflation to have a zero marginal effect on growth is around 5% in ordinary least squares estimation and 3% in instrumental variables (IV) estimation. We also find that the share of labor employed in R&D---rather than the physical capital investment rate---is an inverted-U function of inflation in IV estimation. Our empirical evidence provides support for our theory.
Model-based analysis of polymorphisms in an enhancer reveals cis-regulatory mechanisms

It is challenging to predict the impact of small genetic changes such as single nucleotide polymorphisms on gene expression, since mechanisms involved in gene regulation and their cis-regulatory encoding are not well-understood. Recent studies have attempted to predict the functional impact of non-coding variants based on available knowledge of cis-regulatory encoding, e.g., transcription factor (TF) motifs. In this work, we explore the relationship between regulatory variants and cis-regulatory encoding from the opposite angle, using the former to inform the latter. We employ sequence-to-expression modeling to resolve ambiguities regarding gene regulatory mechanisms using information about effects of single nucleotide variations in an enhancer. We demonstrate our methodology using a well-studied enhancer of the developmental gene intermediate neuroblasts defective (ind) in D. melanogaster. We first trained the thermodynamics-based model GEMSTAT to relate the neuroectodermal expression pattern of ind to its enhancer’s sequence, and constructed an ensemble of models that represent different parameter settings consistent with available data for this gene. We then predicted the effects of every possible single nucleotide variation within this enhancer, and compared these to SNP data recorded in the Drosophila Genome Reference Panel. We chose specific SNPs for which different models in the ensemble made conflicting predictions, and tested their effect in vivo. These experiments narrowed in on one mechanistic model as capable of explaining the observed effects. We further confirmed the generalizability of this model to orthologous enhancers and other related developmental enhancers. In conclusion, mechanistic models of cis-regulatory function not only help make specific predictions of variant impact, they may also be learned more accurately using data on variants. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE A central issue in analyzing variations in the non-coding genome is to interpret their functional impact, and their connections to phenotype differences and disease etiology. Machine learning methods based on statistical modeling have been developed to associate genetic variants to expression changes. However, associations predicted by these models may not be functionally relevant, despite being statisticaly significant. We describe how mathematical modeling of gene expression can be employed to systematically study the non-coding sequence and its relationship to gene expression. We demonstrate our method in a well studied developmental enhancer of the fruitfly. We establish the efficacy of mathematical models in combination with the polymorphism data to reveal new mechanistic insights.
Students' attitudes on the quality of university teaching

The quality of university education is in focus recent years. It becomes not only the subject of research in areas closely related to education, but also becomes the topic of taught, writing and research interdisciplinary around the globe. Ensuring the quality of university education becomes global trend and a priority of modern society. On track of these settings our research has grown. The aim was to explore students’ attitudes on quality of university teaching via its criteria, to look at elements that affect quality, and to observe differences in attitudes between students from different faculties. The results based on a sample of 173 students from five faculties show that for creating conditions to ensure and raise quality of university teaching the biggest importance have: that the faculty was student’s first choice, the way contents would be presented, regular student’s participation in courses, and the positive social and emotional climate.
Decision Making Model of Vietnamese Students Studying Higher Education in England

Universities in England are now paying more attention to the Vietnamese student market for purposes of campus diversity and recruitment. The primary purpose of this paper is to have a better understanding of Vietnamese students’ motives and drives to study abroad. More specifically, this study targets students studying in a public research university in England. To examine Vietnamese students’ decision-making processes for choosing a university, the research is conducted in two stages: focus groups and then structured interviews. Findings reveal that the primary reason why Vietnamese students want to study abroad is because of parents’ demands and English higher education qualifications. Secondly, it is because they want to achieve better qualifications to improve job prospects. Students do not fully trust agencies; however, they receive the most significant amount of information from agencies and subsequently verify their information with friends, alumni, and other independent authorities. Regarding choosing a university, the first and most influential factor is tuition fees and living costs, followed by course modules. In general, students are satisfied with course modules and services at the university. Although the findings are limited to the sample respondents that were Vietnamese students at this particular university, they are useful for university management and international recruitment offices to improve services provided to students during the recruitment process. This study provides a better understanding of factors influencing Vietnamese international students’ decision-making process.