Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Relationship between Divisive Primaries and General Election Outcomes

This research examines the effect of divisive primaries on general election outcomes. Small group research is used to establish a theoretical framework for understanding the behavior implicit in the divisive primary hypothesis. We contend that the opposing sides in a primary battle develop in-group loyalties and out-group hostilities similar to those documented by social psychologists studying small group behavior. In order to empirically test this hypothesis, we develop a new measure of primary divisiveness. Previous research has failed to consider the divisiveness of one party's primary relative to the other party's primary when assessing the impact of divisiveness on general election outcomes. Using ordinary least-squares regression, we find that divisive presidential primaries do indeed have a deleterious effect on the general election results. Specifically, when one party has a divisive primary season while the other party's nominee is essentially uncontested, then the divided party will be adversely affected in November.
Culture and international trade: evidence from Canada

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of culture on international trade.Design/methodology/approach – A measure of the cultural distance is incorporated into the Gravity model to test the marginal effects of cultural variables on bilateral trade between Canada and 53 other countries. In addition to the cultural distance and economic factors, other control variables such as religion and language commonalities are included.Findings – After controlling for the size of GDP and linguistic commonality, the effects of culture on international trade are found to be insignificant. The empirical analysis shows that while the linguistic commonality has positive implications for international trade, the cultural distance and religion commonality do not seem important.Research limitations/implications – What is true for the Canadian international trade may not be true for other countries, especially for developing nations. Moreover, this study is limited to the Schwartz's cultural dimension.
Acoustic screening for vocal pathology with a boltzmann machine

The measurement of pitch perturbation has been used in acoustic screening for the detection of vocal disorders. As an alternative to applying conventional statistical techniques to the pitch perturbation parameters used for Separation of control and pathological speakers, a parallel distributed processing model approach has been implemented using a Boltzmann Machine (BM). After training, the machine is able to separate the two groups and to classify the vocal disorders present in the pathological group of speakers. The connections developed by the Boltzmann Machine have also given some insights into the usefulness of each of the perturbation parameters employed.
Over qualified and under experienced: Turning graduates into hospitality managers

Purpose – This paper sets out to report on research that investigated hospitality managers' expectations of graduate skills and compared those expectations with student perceptions of what hospitality managers value.Design/methodology/approach – The research adopted a generic skills framework and data were collected through a sample survey of 850 Australian hospitality managers and 211 undergraduate hospitality management students.Findings – Managers rated skills associated with interpersonal, problem solving, and self‐management skill domains as most important while students appeared to have realistic perceptions of the skills that managers value when recruiting hospitality graduates. The most substantial areas of disagreement came in those skills associated with the conceptual and analytical domain. Industry managers tended to discount the skills in this domain relative to students.Research limitations/implications – The sample of managers used in this study were predominantly of Australian nationality .
Comparison of polymerase chain reaction systems for detection of different cdt genes in Escherichia coli strains

Aims: Cytolethal distending toxins (CDT) are tripartite toxins encoded by three adjacent or overlapping genes (cdtA, cdtB, cdtC) and found in multiple pathogens. The present knowledge regarding heterogeneity of cdt genes and our previous study revealed that the available polymerase chain reaction (PCR) systems lack adequate specificity. The detection of various cdt genes present in Escherichia coli strains, from different geographical regions demands further assays for wide‐range coverage. On the basis of these observations, we were prompted to undertake the present study; hence the specificity of existing PCR systems was addressed using E. coli prototype strains with known cdt gene sequences.
Lobbying on Accounting Standards: Evidence from IFRS 2 on Share-Based Payments

Lobbying is an essential part of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) standard-setting process. There is still much to learn, however, about key aspects of the roles played and arguments employed by various constituents when lobbying practices do occur. This paper focuses on the regulation of share-based payments. As these transactions were under-regulated before International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 2, we expect that the strong debate that occurred during the 1990s resulted in conflicting opinions when this standard was under discussion. To analyse lobbying behaviour and assess its influence on the IASB's decision-making, we conducted a content analysis of 539 letters addressing the documents issued by the G4+1 and the IASB preceding IFRS 2. Consistent with the rational-choice model, our analysis of lobbying activity shows that preparers constituted the most active group, particularly when the IASB started the project, whereas participation of standard-setters increased at the end, which is more consistent with institutional theory. A common strategy was to provide arguments merely on points of disagreement. Preparers and consultants constituted the only groups using economic-consequences arguments to disagree, but later enlisted conceptual arguments as well. The IASB considered only conceptual arguments, and no interested party had a dominant influence.
How trade affects international interactions

A viable peace is one that comes about naturally and persists without the need for outside intervention. At least since Baron de Montesquieu’s statement that “peace is the natural effect of trade. Two nations who traffic with each other become reciprocally dependent; for if one has the interest in buying, the other has the interest in selling and thus their union is founded on the mutual necessities (1748) a number of economists and political scientists maintained that trade among nations leads to peace. That logic is as follows: if a target country that is the recipient of conflict retaliates by cutting its trade ties with the conflict instigator, then a portion of the costs of conflict born by the instigator results from its lost gains from trade. Conflict is more costly the higher these gains from trade losses. This article summarizes some of the empirical work testing this proposition.
Cardiovascular Thromboembolic Adverse Effects Associated with Cyclooxygenase-2 Selective Inhibitors and Nonselective Antiinflammatory Drugs

BACKGROUND:Concerns of increased cardiovascular (CV) thromboembolic adverse effects from nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, both nonselective [NS]-NSAIDs and cyclooxygenase [COX]-2 selective inhibitors) have prevented their use despite numerous benefits. METHODS:In this descriptive review, we critically examine the randomized, active- and placebo-controlled studies, observational trials, and meta-analyses evaluating the CV adverse effects associated with long-term and short-term use of COX-2 selective inhibitors and NS-NSAIDs. The potential mechanisms for these CV effects are also presented. RESULTS:Although the studies evaluating the CV risks have limitations, there appears to be an increased CV risk with both COX-2 selective inhibitors and NS-NSAIDs, particularly in high-risk patients. Therefore, the United States Food and Drug Administration has given a similar “boxed” warning highlighting the potential for increased risk of CV events associated with their use. Nevertheless, there are differences in the CV risks between COX-2 selective inhibitors (e.g., higher CV risk with rofecoxib than celecoxib) as well as differences in the CV risks between individual NS-NSAIDs (e.g., higher CV risks with diclofenac than naproxen). CONCLUSIONS:Until long-term, prospective, randomized, adequately powered, clinical studies in relevant patient populations have been completed, the CV risks associated with the use of NSAIDs, especially in high-risk patients, will likely continue to be controversial. Nevertheless, the benefits of their short-term (e.g., perioperative) use in patients without CV risks probably outweigh their potential CV adverse effects. Finally, careful risk/benefit assessment should be undertaken and both COX-2 selective inhibitors and NS-NSAIDs should be used with caution in patients with CV risk factors.
Functional assembly of the lambda S holin requires periplasmic localization of its N-terminus.

Bacteriophage-lambda-induced host-cell lysis requires two phage-encoded proteins, the S holin and the R transglycosylase. At a specific time during infection, the holin forms a lesion in the cytoplasmic membrane that permits access of the R protein to its substrate, the peptidoglycan. The lambda S gene represents the prototype of holin genes with a dual-start motif; they encode two proteins, a lysis effector and a lysis inhibitor. Although the two S proteins differ only by two amino acids (Met-1 and Lys-2) at the N-terminus, the longer product (S107) acts as an inhibitor of the lysis effector (S105). The functional difference between the proteins has been previously ascribed to the Lys-2 residue in S107. It was therefore of interest to determine the subcellular localization of the N-terminus of either S protein. To study the membrane topology of the S proteins, we used the topology probe TEM beta-lactamase and an N-terminal tag derived from the Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage Pf3 coat protein. We show that both S proteins have a type III (Nout/Cin) topology. The results provide insight into the regulatory mechanism imposed by the dual-start motif and will be discussed in terms of a model for temporal regulation of the S-dependent "hole" in the membrane.http://link.springer-ny. com/link/service/journals/00203/bibs/172n1p31.html
What Is Consumer's Surplus Per Day of Use, When Is It a Constant Independent of the Number of Days of Use, and What Does It Tell Us about Consumers Surplus?

Abstract An individual′s consumer′s surplus per day of use for a change in the price of recreational site is the price change, so it is a constant, independent of the number of days of use. Consumer′s surplus per day of use for a change in a site′s characteristics is not, in general, a constant. When a constant compensating variation per day of use exists, it multiplied by the number of days at the site in the original state (proposed state) bounds the compensating variation, CV, from below (above). The average of these two approximations is an almost second-order approximation to the CV. Simulations indicate the approximation biases can be large.
The molecular basis for understanding neurotrophins and their relevance to neurologic disease.

T he field of neurotrophin biology has made great advances in recent years to include a greater understanding of signaling pathways and broader understanding of the diverse biological roles of these molecules. This review will focus primarily on the nerve growth factor family of neurotrophins and how recent descriptions of the molecular function of both the ligands and the receptors have helped us to understand the basis for many neurologic processes. Ultimately, the goals of such studies are to give us further insight into potential diagnostic and therapeutic uses for these factors or signaling intermediates that may activate given pathways in neurotrophin signaling to achieve a particular objective based upon the underlying disease.
UV-B light induces an adaptive response to UV-C exposure via photoreactivation activity in Euglena gracilis

Phytoplankton such as Euglena are constantly exposed to solar light which is used for photosynthesis. Although the solar ultraviolet (UV) induces DNA damage such as cyclobutane-pyrimidine dimers (CPDs), many kinds of living organisms can repair CPDs by photoreactivation (PR) utilizing the near-UV/blue light component in sunlight. Euglena cells are known to possess such PR activity. In the present paper, the formation of CPDs induced by UV-C exposure and the photoreactivation PR repair of these CPDs by UV-A are demonstrated. To clarify the adaptive responses prior UV-B irradiation on PR activity, cells were cultured in the dark or under UV-B light. When the cells were cultured in the dark for 3 d prior to UV-C exposure, PR activity decreased. When the cells were cultured under UV-B light, however, PR activity increased. These results suggest that exposing the cells to UV-B prior to exposure to UV-C induced an adaptive response towards DNA damage caused by UV-C exposure, and this UV-C induced damage was repaired through PR activity.
Toward a Strategic Revolution in Judicial Politics: A Look Back, A Look Ahead

As papers presented at recent disciplinary conferences and articles published in major political science journals reveal, the field of judicial politics is undergoing a sea change. Variants of the social-psychological paradigm, which have long dominated thinking about law and courts, are giving way to approaches grounded in assumptions in rationality. More to the point, ever-growing numbers of scholars are now invoking the strategic account to understand judicial politics. In what follows, we investigate this “strategic revolution. ” We begin by providing an intellectual history of the field, with special emphasis on why judicial specialists resisted strategic analysis for so long and why they are now (re)turning to it in ever-increasing numbers. Next, we consider the ways that analysts have begun to put the strategic account to work. This is an important task, for debates are already emerging over the “best” way to invoke the account to study judicial politics. We take the position that there is no one “right” way but rather four different approaches-all of which have the potential to provide us with important insights into law and courts.
Late Outgrowth Endothelial Cells Resemble Mature Endothelial Cells and Are Not Derived from Bone Marrow

A decade of research has sought to identify circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) in order to harness their potential for cardiovascular regeneration. Endothelial outgrowth cells (EOC) most closely fulfil the criteria for an EPC, but their origin remains obscure. Our aim was to identify the source and precursor of EOC and to assess their regenerative potential compared to mature endothelial cells. EOC are readily isolated from umbilical cord blood (6/6 donors) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (4/6 donors) but not from bone marrow (0/6) or peripheral blood following mobilization with granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor (0/6 donors). Enrichment and depletion of blood mononuclear cells demonstrated that EOC are confined to the CD34+CD133−CD146+ cell fraction. EOC derived from blood mononuclear cells are indistinguishable from mature human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) by morphology, surface antigen expression, immunohistochemistry, real‐time polymerase chain reaction, proliferation, and functional assessments. In a subcutaneous sponge model of angiogenesis, both EOC and HUVEC contribute to de novo blood vessel formation giving rise to a similar number of vessels (7.0 ± 2.7 vs. 6.6 ± 3.7 vessels, respectively, n = 9). Bone marrow‐derived outgrowth cells isolated under the same conditions expressed mesenchymal markers rather than endothelial cell markers and did not contribute to blood vessels in vivo. In this article, we confirm that EOC arise from CD34+CD133−CD146+ mononuclear cells and are similar, if not identical, to mature endothelial cells. Our findings suggest that EOC do not arise from bone marrow and challenge the concept of a bone marrow‐derived circulating precursor for endothelial cells. STEM CELLS2013;31:338–348
Conflict resolution through dialogue in the Niger Delta: Lessons from J.P. Clark's the wives' revolt

Conflicts and conflicts resolutions are part and parcel of man's existential nature. But the Niger Delta question seems to defy all known solutions. Either the parties are not sincere at getting the issues resolved because certain people are benefiting or the government lacks the will power to confront the problem politically. The establishment of the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) and the current efforts at convening a national conference on the issue should help in proffering solutions to bring the crisis to an end. Drawing inferences from J. P. Clark's The Wives' Revolt, this study attempts to draw attention to the issue of lingering crises and the importance of dialogue at resolving the conflict permanently.
Regime change in the Yugoslav successor states: divergent paths toward a new Europe

structure plays a major role in the political economies of the post-communist states which makes them dependent on past paths of development. Although the authors provide readers with a description of the five new ‘capitalisms’, they do not give any country example on three out of the five categories. Moreover, this new classification of the post-communist varieties of capitalism overlooks one of the main pillars present in the mainstream literature (Hall and Soskice 2001), coordination amongst the main economic actors, especially the employers’ and employees’ representatives. Therefore, this classification might appear as a less developed part of the authors’ argumentation. Overall, the work of Drahokoupil and Myant’s represents an exhaustive and excellent academic guide to the political economies of the post-communist world. Although some of the conclusions might be controversial (e.g. excessive reliance on free markets was mistaken), Transition Economies is relevant to the whole spectrum of the social sciences examining Eastern Europe, ranging from history through political science to micro-economics.
The risk of mortality in patients with psoriasis: results from a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE To determine the risk of mortality in patients with psoriasis. DESIGN Cohort study. SETTING General practitioners participating in the General Practice Research Database in the United Kingdom, 1987-2002. PATIENTS Mild psoriasis, defined as any patient with a diagnostic code of psoriasis but no history of systemic therapy; severe psoriasis, any patient with a diagnostic code of psoriasis and a history of systemic therapy consistent with severe psoriasis. The unexposed (control) population was composed of patients with no history of a psoriasis diagnostic code. Control patients were selected in a 5:1 ratio from the same practice and date in practice as the patients with psoriasis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Hazard ratio (HR) of time to death using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for age and sex. RESULTS There was no overall effect of mild psoriasis on mortality (HR, 1.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97-1.02), whereas patients with severe psoriasis demonstrated an increased overall mortality risk (HR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.3-1.7). The association of severe psoriasis with mortality persisted after adjustment for risk factors for mortality (HR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.3-1.6) and after exclusion of patients with inflammatory arthropathy (HR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.3-1.8). Male and female patients with severe psoriasis died 3.5 (95% CI, 1.2-5.8) and 4.4 (95% CI, 2.2-6.6) years younger, respectively, than patients without psoriasis (P < .001). CONCLUSION Severe but not mild psoriasis is associated with an increased risk of death.
Nonmarket Institutions for Credit and Risk Sharing in Low-Income Countries

The design credit and risk institutions in low-income countries provides one of the most exciting testing grounds for theories of contracting with imperfect information and limited enforcement. This paper reviews some of the recent literature, with a special focus on nonmarket institutions that cope with risk and provide credit. This literature attempts to bring together insights from economic theory, especially information economics, contract theory, and mechanism design theory. However, it is also applied, being motivated by the circumstance of the poor countries that their authors have visited and studied.
The estate surveyors and valuers and the magic number: A point estimate or a range of value?

Property value is imprecise because of the imperfection of the property market. But, estate surveyors and valuers in Nigeria traditionally have continued to express this value as a single amount. This paper, therefore, attempts to examine the rationale behind this approach and the attendant problems associated with it. Besides, the paper, amongst other things, recommended that estate surveyors and valuers should expand the scope of their services beyond the confines of point estimates so that clients be informed as to the amount of possible deviation and the magnitude of risk in the value estimate through the adoption of statistical techniques.
Deodorizing Effects of Tea Catechins on Amines and Ammonia

Deodorizing effects of tea catechins on amines were examined under alkaline conditions to eliminate the neutralization reaction. They showed deodorizing activity on ethylamine, but none on dimethylamine or trimethylamine. Deodorizing activity on ethylamine was found to be in the order of (−)-epigallocatechin gallate > gallic acid > (−)-epigallocatechin (EGC) > (−)-epicatechin gallate >ethyl gallate>> (+)-catechin=(−)-epicatechin. Further, reaction products of EGC with methylamine, ethylamine, and ammonia were detected by HPLC, indicating that a deodorizing reaction other than neutralization occurs. From structural analysis of the reaction product with the methylamine isolated as a peracetylated derivative, the product was presumed to be methylamine substituted EGC, in which the hydroxyl group of EGC at the 4´ position is replaced by the methylamino group. The same replacement reaction took place in the case of ethylamine and ammonia.
Prolactin-screening tumors and hypogonadism in 22 men.

We studied 22 men with prolactin-secreting pituitary tumors and hypogonadism. Twenty complained of impotence, nine had visual impairment, and three experienced galactorrhea. None of the 17 patients undergoing operation or radiotherapy, or both, were subsequently normoprolactinemic. In all 13 patients treated with bromocryptine major clinical improvement was associated with a decrease in serum prolactin levels and in nine with an increase in serum testosterone. Two patients receiving testosterone replacement therapy showed improved potency only after bromocryptine was administered. The results indicate that hyperprolactinemia frequently induces hypogonadism in men, that bromocryptine ameliorates symptoms of disease previously unchanged by operation or radiotherapy, and that the impotence observed may not be solely the result of hypogonadism.
Labor Force Dynamics of Older Married Couples

This article analyzes the dynamics of joint labor force behavior of older couples in the United States. Using the Retirement History Survey (RHS) I analyze the determinants of joint retirement and the effect of one spouse's labor force status on the labor force transitions of the other spouse. The results reveal strong associations between the labor force transition probabilities of one spouse and the labor force status of the other spouse. These result from structural differences in exit and entry behavior by the spouse's status. Several lagged endogenous variables have substantial effects on behavior even after controlling for unobserved heterogeneity.