Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mobilizing African-American Voters Using Direct Mail and Commercial Phone Banks: A Field Experiment

This essay summarizes the results of a large-scale randomized experiment conducted during the 2000 election campaign by the NAACP National Voter Fund, which sought to mobilize African-American voters. Focusing solely on the direct mail and phone banking components of the NAACP-NVF campaign, this study examines the voting behavior of 980,208 participants residing in single-voter households, 1.7 percent of whom were randomly assigned to a control group. The experiment permits us to estimate (1) the extent to which the National Voter Fund’s phone calls and direct mail increased voter turnout and (2) the approximate cost per vote. Within this sample, the NVF’s two pieces of GOTV mail, three live phone calls, and two recorded phone calls had modest effects, generating approximately 7,100 additional votes at $158 per vote. The upper bound of a 90 percent confidence interval puts these figures at 16,214 additional votes at $69 per vote.
Validation of deuterium-labeled fatty acids for the measurement of dietary fat oxidation during physical activity Published, JLR Papers in Press, September 1, 2004. DOI 10.1194/jlr.M400289-JLR200

Measurement of 13C-labeled fatty acid oxidation is hindered by the need for acetate correction, measurement of the rate of CO2 production in a controlled environment, and frequent collection of breath samples. The use of deuterium-labeled fatty acids may overcome these limitations. Herein, d31-palmitate was validated against [1-13C]palmitate during exercise. Thirteen subjects with body mass index of 22.9 ± 3 kg/m2 and body fat of 19.6 ± 11% were subjected to 2 or 4 h of exercise at 25% maximum volume oxygen consumption (VO2max). The d31-palmitate and [1-13C] palmitate were given orally in a liquid meal at breakfast. The d3-acetate and [1-13C]acetate were given during another visit for acetate sequestration correction. Recovery of d31-palmitate in urine at 9 h after dose was compared with [1-13C] palmitate recovery in breath. Cumulative recovery of d31-palmitate was 10.6 ± 3% and that of [1-13C]palmitate was 5.6 ± 2%. The d3-acetate and [1-13C]acetate recoveries were 85 ± 4% and 54 ± 4%, respectively. When [1-13C]acetate recovery was used to correct 13C data, the average recovery differences were 0.4 ± 3%. Uncorrected d31-palmitate and acetate-corrected [1-13C]palmitate were well correlated (y = 0.96x + 0; P < 0.0001) when used to measure fatty acid oxidation during exercise. Thus, d31-palmitate can be used in outpatient settings as it eliminates the need for acetate correction and frequent sampling.
Automating mobile application development: UML-based code generation for Android and Windows Phone

This paper proposes a MDD approach for mobile application development, which includes modeling and code generation strategies for An- droid and Windows Phone. UML class and sequence diagrams are employed for modeling mobile applications and code is generated from this model. To support the automatic code generation, GenCode was re-structured and ex- tended to meet the particularities of these two platforms. As result, GenCode’s current version is able to automatically generate Java-Android and C# codes, according to the specified application model and target platform. Finally, case studies are used to demonstrate the proposed approach, as well as to validate the code generation tool.
Understanding farmer intentions to connect to a modernised delivery system in an Australian irrigation district: a reasoned action approach

Australian governments have sought to invest in irrigation infrastructure to improve the efficiency of water delivery to rural properties and improve water supply and on-farm efficiency. A programme of rationalising irrigation infrastructure has attracted criticism and doubts about its likely success. Attitude theory in the form of the Reasoned Action Model was applied to understand the intentions of landowners to connect to a ‘modernised’ irrigation system. Attitudes towards connecting to the system, social norms and perceptions of control over the behaviour provided an explanation of intentions to connect. Actual financial capability and other variables were important in discriminating a group of landowners who had already connected to the modernised system from farmers who had not.
Efficacy and Tolerability of Antidepressants in the Treatment of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia, A Literature Review of Evidence

The objective of this review is to summarize the current data on the use of antidepressants in the treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and to determine whether these medications can be recommended for routine clinical use. A literature search of six major databases (PubMed, Medline, PsychINFO, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane collaboration) trials, 8 using a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) compound and 3 using trazodone showed benefit in the treatment of BPSD. The antidepressant drug was well tolerated in at least 14 of the 19 trials with information about tolerability in one trial not provided in the study (paroxetine or placebo for FTD). This review indicates that antidepressants can be an effective in the treatment of BPSD and are generally well tolerated in elderly demented patients.
The Quiet Period Goes out with a Bang

We examine the expiration of the IPO quiet period, which occurs after the 25th calendar day following the offering. For IPOs during 1996 to 2000, we find that analyst coverage is initiated immediately for 76 percent of these firms, almost always with a favorable rating. Initiated firms experience a five-day abnormal return of 4.1 percent versus 0.1 percent for firms with no coverage. The abnormal returns are concentrated in the days just before the quiet period expires. Abnormal returns are much larger when coverage is initiated by multiple analysts. It does not matter whether a recommendation comes from the lead underwriter or not.
Are All Ratings Created Equal? The Impact of Issuer Size on the Pricing of Mortgage-Backed Securities

Initial yields on both AAA-rated and non-AAA rated mortgage-backed security (MBS) tranches sold by large issuers are higher than yields on similar tranches sold by small issuers during the market boom years of 2004-2006. Moreover, the prices of MBS sold by large issuers drop more than those sold by small issuers, and the differences are concentrated among tranches issued during 2004-2006. These patterns suggest that investors priced the risk that large issuers received more inflated ratings than small issuers, especially during booming periods.
Cost Structure and Financial Sustainability of Microfinance Institutions: The Potential Effects of Interest Rate Cap in Bangladesh

This paper examines the cost structures of 215 MFIs reported by the Microcredit Regulatory Authority of Bangladesh with a view to identify the main determinants of sustainability. MFIs in Bangladesh are an important case to study, as it is the first country to introduce an interest rate cap. Using management accounting ideas and frameworks, principally contingency theory to identify components of MFI's cost structure, this study measures Operational Self Sufficiency (OSS) as the result of administrative costs, financial costs, interest rate spread and size/complexity. The results suggest that there are two key factors that are significantly related to MFI sustainability: interest rate spread and general administrative costs. We conclude that MFIs that have lower administrative costs and a large interest rate spread are more likely to achieve sustainability prior to the introduction of the interest cap.
Acute and chronic effects of exercise on baroreflexes in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

We studied the effects of acute and chronic exercise on the arterial baroreflex and chemosensitive cardiopulmonary baroreflex (CCB) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Arterial baroreflex and CCB were evaluated in normotensive rats (NR, n=11) and SHR (n=5) at rest and after 30 minutes of an acute bout of exercise (45 minutes at 50% of VO2max). In addition, these baroreflexes were evaluated in sedentary (n=5) and exercise-trained (n=9) SHR. Exercise training was performed on a motor treadmill, 5 days/week, during 60 minutes, at 50% of VO2max. Baroreflex bradycardia and tachycardia, analyzed by baroreflex sensitivity index (delta heart rate/delta mean arterial pressure), were significantly lower in SHR than in NR (0.7+/-0.1 versus 2.0+/-0.1 and 1.8+/-0.2 versus 3.4+/-0.1 beats per minute [bpm]/mm Hg, respectively). During the recovery period from acute exercise, baroreflex bradycardia was significantly higher than at rest only in SHR (1.7+/-0.1 versus 0.7+/-0.1 bpm/mm Hg). Hypotension and bradycardia induced by CCB stimulation (5-hydroxytryptamine, I.V.) were similar between SHR and NR, and an acute exercise bout did not change these responses. Exercise training markedly improved baroreflex bradycardia and tachycardia in SHR (1.9+/-0.1 versus 0.7+/-0.1 and 2.9+/-0.1 versus 1.8+/-0.2 bpm/mm Hg, respectively). Exercise-trained rats had greater bradycardiac (118+/-26 versus 14+/-2 and 209+/-30 versus 19+/-5 bpm to 1 and 2 microg/kg 5-HT, respectively) and hypotensive (30+/-6 versus 15+/-3 and 45+/-7 versus 17+/-2 mm Hg to 1 and 2 microg/kg 5-hydroxytryptamine, respectively) responses to CCB stimulation. In conclusion, an acute bout of exercise increases baroreflex bradycardia in SHR, and exercise training attenuates hypertension concomitant with improved arterial baroreflex and CCB sensitivity in SHR.
A reliable approach to charge-pumping measurements in MOS transistors

A new and accurate approach to charge-pumping measurements for the determination of the Si-SiO2interface state density directly on MOS transistors is presented. By a careful analysis of the different processes of emission of electrons towards the conduction band and of holes towards the valence band, depending on the charge state of the interface, all the previously ill-understood phenomena can be explained and the deviations from the simple charge-pumping theory can be accounted for. The presence of a geometric component in some transistor configurations is illustrated and the influence of trapping time constants is discussed. Furthermore, based on this insight, a new technique is developed for the determination of the energy distribution of interface states in small-area transistors, without requiring the knowledge of the surface potential dependence on gate voltage.
‘Small Worlds’ No More: Reconsidering Provincial Political Cultures in Canada

The ability of sub-state polities to generate distinct political cultures is an important phenomenon in contemporary politics. For the last forty years, Canadian scholarship has been particularly engaged in discussions of sub-state political culture. This article presents new and original quantitative survey data to argue that, while there are subtle interprovincial variations in political culture that exist even after controlling for socio-demographic differences, region is a more important determinant of political culture in Canada than is province. Further, the findings contradict previous research on provincial political culture in Canada concerning the conservatism of Ontario, the left-wing nature of Quebec, disaffection in Atlantic Canada, and the differences between Alberta and the other two Prairie provinces.
A DLQR applied to boost converters with switched loads: Design and analysis

In this paper, the design and the experimental validation of a discrete linear quadratic regulator applied to boost converters with switched loads are investigated. The closed-loop system stability under arbitrary switching is ensured by means of the existence of a switched Lyapunov function, obtained by means of linear matrix inequalities, which is the main contribution of this work. The control law is implemented using a digital signal processor. Experimental results reveal the good transient and steady state performances as well as demonstrate a strong correspondence with the simulation, proving the practical viability of the proposed procedure.
Machine Learning Approach to Task Ranking

There are variety of methods and algorithms that can be used to overcome the ranking problem. Task ranking is one of the problems that can be solved by using a machine learning algorithm ranking problem. This work focuses on finding the right approach and corresponding algorithms in the process of ranking to be able to help people in determining which jobs have a higher priority than others. Our approach is to compare several algorithms performed in the process of ranking that are Bipartite Ranking, k-partite Ranking, and Ranking by pairwise comparison. We're used questionnaires and deployment of prototype of Intelligent Personal Assistant Agent to apply the appropriate algorithm in intelligence agent in arranging task priority in daily activity that must be done by the users. After training dataset and evaluate the validation dataset using NDCG, it is found that the collaborative ranking used have a more accurate value / lower variance test evaluation because it uses a large dataset and smaller training dataset. We found that labeling for more than 2 values it is not recommended to use a bipartite ranking if there are many repetitive data, both k-partite ranking and rank by pairwise comparison are able to be used for multi-dimensional data labeling.
The Big Family: Informal Financing of Small and Medium Sized Businesses by Guanxi

Guanxi facilitates interaction between companies and people in Confucian societies. Does this type of social construct still play the key role, when the entrepreneurs live in Western societies? The objective of this article is to verify the impact of Guanxi on the capacity of small and medium-sized businesses accessing financial resources informally. To this end, data collected from small Chinese entrepreneurs active in the principal business center of Brazil were used. From nonparametric tests, the results suggest that: (1) different levels of Guanxi allow small and medium-sized businesses to access informal financial resources; (2) different types of informal financing are mostly used, or judged to be more significant, depending on the level of Guanxi of the entrepreneur in terms of parental and nonfamily ties; and (3) unlike the Western literature on the financial cycles of start-ups, this type of informal financing can extend beyond the initial stage of the business.
Exploring the Link between Dominant Logic and Company Performance

To revitalize the discussion on dominant logic our paper aims to establish the forgotten link between dominant logic and firm performance. To do so, the concept is enhanced conceptually and operationalized by developing a framework including firms' conceptualization of the business (external environment) and of themselves (internal environment) and performance. The framework is applied to a longitudinal study of two consumer electronics firms. The empirical evidence shows that differences in dominant logic lead to different strategic reactions to developments in the industry, and thus result in performance differences.
Pricing Strategy and Financial Policy

Recent empirical evidence indicates that capital structure changes affect pricing strategies. In most cases, prices increase following the implementation of a leveraged buyout of a major firm in an industry, with the more levered firm charging higher prices on average. Notable exceptions exist when rival firms are relatively unlevered. The first observation is consistent with a relatively simple model where firms compete for market share on the basis of price. To explain the second observations (i.e. the exceptions) the model must be extended to allow for reputation effects related to product quality. The extended model illustrates how product market imperfections in combination with high leverage can make firms vulnerable to predatory pricing.
Indocyanine green‐assisted sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma using the “FOVIS“ system

Metastatic involvement of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) represents a key prognostic factor in melanoma. The combined use of a radiocolloid (technetium‐99m) and blue dye is the gold standard in sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). In this context, near‐infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging with indocyanine green (ICG) has been suggested as an alternative. The objective of the present study was to examine the potential advantages of fluorescence‐guided SLNB – compared to the conventional method – with respect to the visualization of lymphatic drainage pathways and the SLN. Particular focus was on the impact of the ICG dose used and the body mass index (BMI).
Purdah: On the Rationale for Central Bank Silence Around Policy Meetings

Many central banks share the practice of "purdah", a guideline of abstaining from communication around policy meetings. Although seemingly contradicting the virtue of transparency by withholding information precisely when it is sought after intensely, it has been justified on grounds that such communication may create excessive market volatility. This paper assesses the purdah for the Federal Reserve and confirms that financial markets are substantially more sensitive to central bank communication around policy meetings. Short-term interest rates react three to four times more strongly in the purdah before Federal Open Market Committee meetings than otherwise, and volatility increases (compared to a reduction otherwise). Copyright (c) 2009 The Ohio State University.
The Contradictions of Agrotourism Development in Greece: Evidence from Three Case Studies

Agrotourism is considered to be and is promoted as an important ‘tool’ for rural development in Europe. In Greece, it was ‘officially’ introduced through EU subsidies to Greek farmers or women's cooperatives in the 1980s and since then has grown significantly. This paper examines the nature of Greek agrotourism, whether it can be considered ‘real’ agrotourism, and its effects on farmers and farms. Evidence from three case studies (Lesvos, Magnesia and Lefkada) reveals the contradictory character of agrotourism development in Greece. Specifically, it highlights the divergence between official objectives and basic characteristics of the sector's development trajectory in Greece.
The contribution of discretionary salt to total salt intake

The aim of this research was to investigate sodium consumption in a group of people, compare this consumption with dietary reference values and to identify sources of sodium in the diet. Participants were given weighed salt pots which were used for 8 weeks and a fully weighed dietary survey was conducted by each subject. The average daily sodium consumption of each subject was calculated and compared with the reference nutrient intake (RNI). Daily sodium intake was found to vary considerably, ranging from 1213 mg (53 mmol) (76% of the RNI) to 10 569 mg (460 mmol) (661% of the RNI). Average daily sodium consumption was found to be 5175 mg (225 mmol), well above the RNI of 1600 mg (70 mmol). The average contribution from discretionary salt was 15.0%, from processed foods 76.5% and from naturally occurring sodium 8.4%. Males were found to consume more sodium than females and a moderate correlation between age and daily sodium intake was found.
Estimated change in tundra ecosystem function near Barrow, Alaska between 1972 and 2010

How the greening of Arctic landscapes manifests as a change in ecosystem structure and function remains largely unknown. This study investigates the likely implications of plant community change on ecosystem function in tundra near Barrow, Alaska. We use structural data from marked plots, established in 1972 and resampled in 1999, 2008 and 2010 to assess plant community change. Ecosystem functional studies were made close to peak growing season in 2008 and 2010 on destructive plots adjacent to marked plots and included measurement of land–atmosphere CH4 and CO2 exchange, hyperspectral reflectance, albedo, water table height, soil moisture, and plant species cover and abundance. Species cover and abundance data from marked and destructive plots were analyzed together using non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (NMS) ordination. NMS axis scores from destructive plots were used to krig ecosystem function variables in ordination space and produce surface plots from which time series of functional attributes for resampled plots were derived. Generally, the greatest functional change was found in aquatic and wet plant communities, where productivity varied and soil moisture increased, increasing methane efflux. Functional change was minimal in moist and dry communities, which experienced a general decrease in soil moisture availability and appeared overall to be functionally more stable through time. Findings suggest that the Barrow landscape could have become less productive and less responsive to change and disturbance over the past few decades. This study is a contribution to the International Polar Year-Back to the Future Project (512).
Digging deeper: participation and non-participation in post-disaster community recovery

Stakeholder participation is widely acknowledged as being critical to post-disaster recovery, but little is known about the dynamics and decision processes that lead to this participation or to non-participation. More in-depth knowledge of these dynamics can lead to more targeted and timely intervention by development practitioners managing the process. This paper presents key conclusions of a study which analyzed stakeholder participation using qualitative data inquiry methods in the recovery of three coastal villages of Nagapattinam (India) after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The first key conclusion is that participation and non-participation are a complex function of stakeholder presence and stakeholder impact. Secondly, stakeholder power, legitimacy, trust, and urgency for action affect the forms and continuation of participation and non-participation. And lastly, time constraints and rapidly changing recovery conditions change stakeholder legitimacy, power, trust, and urgency over time, thus reaffirming some imbalances while also creating new opportunities to redress others.