Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Carrots and sticks: Experimental evidence of vote-buying and voter intimidation in Guatemala

How do parties target intimidation and vote-buying during elections? Parties prefer the use of carrots over sticks because they are in the business of getting voters to like them and expect higher legitimacy costs if observers expose intimidation. However, their brokers sometimes choose intimidation because it is cheaper and possibly more effective than vote-buying. Specifically, we contend that brokers use intimidation when the cost of buying votes is prohibitively high; in interactions with voters among whom the commitment problem inherent to clientelistic transactions is difficult to overcome; and in contexts where the risk of being denounced for violence is lower. We probe our hypotheses about the different profile of voters targeted with vote-buying and intimidation using two list experiments included in an original survey conducted during the 2011 Guatemalan general elections. The list experiments were designed to overcome the social desirability bias associated with direct questions about illegal or stigmatized behaviors. Our quantitative analysis is supplemented by interviews with politicians from various parties. The analysis largely confirms our expectations about the diametrically opposed logics of vote-buying and intimidation targeting, and illuminates how both are key components of politics in a country with weak parties and high levels of violence.
Longitudinal Changes in Thyroid Hormones During Conception Cycles and Early Pregnancy

Objective: The aim of this study was to characterize changes in free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) during the follicular and luteal phase and during subsequent early pregnancy in individual women. Method: TPOAb negative women with a viable pregnancy (n=49) had fT3, fT4 and TSH measured longitudinally in serum samples at baseline/non-pregnant (gestation week 0), ovulation (gestation week 2), mid-luteal phase (gestation week 3) and twice weekly from gestation weeks 4 to 6.5. Patient groups received in their conception cycle either no medication (n=13), low ovarian stimulation, (n=17) or controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for IVF treatment (n=19). Results: Women receiving COH had a transient drop in TSH at the time of ovulation followed by a peak at midluteal (p=0.024). Levels of fT3 and fT4 at each gestation week were not significantly different between the treatment groups, whereas TSH levels were significantly higher at all gestation weeks (p=0.036) in the COH group compared to the natural and low stimulation groups. There were significant changes in thyroid function once pregnancy was established (gestation week 4) through to gestation week 6.5, with a gradual decrease in serum fT3 (r=-0.104, p=0.030) and TSH (r=-0.123 p=0.031), whilst fT4 levels remained constant. 3 women (6.1%) had TSH levels >4.0 mU/L during their pregnancy although these were isolated measurements. Conclusion: Thyroid hormones in individual women did not remain constant but showed discrete changes. TSH was significantly lower at time of ovulation in women who received high doses of ovarian stimulation medication for IVF, and was higher throughout pregnancy than for the other groups. Serum fT3 and TSH decreased significantly during early pregnancy irrespective of medication given in the conception cycle.
The role of an option-implied distribution in improving an asset allocation model

The objective of this paper is to extend the information embedded in option-implied distribution to asset allocation model. This paper examines whether a parameter estimated from an option-implied distribution can improve a minimum-variance portfolio which consists of many risky assets. The option-implied distribution under a risk-neutral assumption is called risk-neutral density (RND) whereas a risk-world density (RWD) is calculated by incorporating a risk-premium. The computation of option-implied distributions is based on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) index options and its constituents. The data covers the period from January 2009 until December 2015. Portfolio performance is evaluated based on portfolio volatility and Sharpe ratio. The performance of a portfolio based on an option-implied distribution is compared to a naive diversification portfolio. The empirical evidence shows that for a portfolio based on an option-implied distribution, the volatility of the portfolio is reduced and the Sharpe ratio is increased.
DISPARITIES IN STAGE-APPROPRIATE THERAPY FOR RESECTABLE NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER IN KENTUCKY

OF THESIS DISPARITIES IN STAGE-APPROPRIATE THERAPY FOR RESECTABLE NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER IN KENTUCKY Lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer related mortality. Lung cancer screening aims to detect treatable cancers, however survival advantage will only be seen with early and appropriate stage-directed therapy. This study aims to understand recent rates of therapy for early-stage lung cancer in Kentucky, and to explore potential sources of disparities in treatment and outcomes. A Kentucky Cancer Registry query was performed of all NSCLC cases treated in the state from 2005-2014. Of 39,763 lung cancer patients, 10,622 were clinically operable. Of these, overall 40% did not receive surgery, while 16% did not receive any stage-appropriate local therapy. Wide variation was noted in rates of surgery and local therapy at the county level. Increased age, nonprivate insurance status, non-white race, male gender, and non-married status were less likely to receive surgery. Median survival in patients who underwent surgery was 59.1 months vs 16 months (p<0.001). Appropriate stage-directed local therapy is a very important factor in survival of patients with early stage NSCLC. County-level variation in rates of therapy need further study. Demographic factors continue to drive disparities in therapy and outcomes in Kentucky and should inform health policy and ongoing research and education efforts.
Utilization of maternal health services in Turkey.

The 1993 Turkish Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) collected data on subjects like the level of fertility and the change in fertility in ever-married women younger than age 50 years infant and child mortality family planning and maternal and child health. This paper presents findings on the use of maternal health care services in Turkey. According to the 1993 TDHS 62% of women receive at least some prenatal care by health personnel and 60% deliver their babies in a health facility. However among those births occurring outside of a health facility almost half are delivered without the assistance of a trained health professional. For more than half of the births antenatal care (ANC) visits begin before the 5th month of pregnancy. 37% of women received no ANC while 36% had 4 or more visits. Among those who received ANC the median number of visits was 4.7 with median time at first visit being 3.1 months. Among the births in the 5 years preceding the survey 16% had one dose of tetanus toxoid vaccine and 26% had two or more doses. The TDHS data were reevaluated to define and relate ANC and delivery services to place of residence region mothers age mothers education birth order and type of health insurance. Furthermore the trends in reproductive health over the 5 years preceding the survey are evaluated.
The political constraints for civil service reform in Georgia: history, current affairs, prospects and challenges

ABSTRACT This study provides an examination (and an evaluation) of the reforms of the civil service of Georgia since its independence. These are divided into five distinct periods. The first one encompasses the time immediately after independence until the adoption of the Law on Civil Service in 1997. The second lasts until the end of the President Shevardnadze’s government as a result of the Rose Revolution in November 2003. The third period – until 2007 – marks important reforms that the new United National Movement (UNM) government was able to implement capitalizing on overwhelming public support it enjoyed. From the second half of 2007 to 2012, the fourth period, the UNM government’s pace of reforms significantly decreased, and even stalled in some areas. The last, fifth period, starts from the end of 2012 and continues to this day. That is when the Georgian Dream Coalition (GD) won the Parliamentary Elections. In the fifth and last period the government showed a clear preference for an independent, Weberian civil service as opposed to New Public Management (NPM) principles preferred by the UNM in their most decisive reforms. Success of reforms irrespective of the type of civil service preferred seems to be highly dependent upon political will and favourable political context.
Ischemia modified albumin levels and its association with clinical follow-up in acute renal failure

Aim: In cases with acute ischemia, albumin’s binding capacity for transition metals decreases and the resulting albumin is defined as ischemia modified albumin (IMA). In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between IMA and clinical follow-up in patients with acute renal failure (ARF). Material and Methods: Levels of IMA were measured in 51(23 male, 28 female) patients with ARF. Venous blood samples were drawn from patients for biochemical tests and put in plain tubes containing the gel. Results: Mean age of male and female patients was 65.39±15.28 and 70.11±15.25, respectively. The IMA levels in 25.5% of the patients were within the normal range (<400 ABSU), while the IMA levels were higher (>400 ABSU) in 75.5% of the patients. The survival rates of patients in IMA <400 ABSU group for 12 and 24 months were 66.7% and for 30 and 32 months it was 33.3%; while the survival rates of patients in IMA ≥400 ABSU group for 12 months were 85.8%, for 24 months were 61.3%, and for 30 and 32 months were 30.6%. No significant difference was determined among survival rates of IMA groups (p=0.719). Conclusion: The comparison between the groups having normal or higher IMA values did not show any significant differences in terms of survival. However, in our study the proportion of patients who needed dialysis during treatment were significantly higher in higher IMA group(IMA≥400 ABSU). Therefore, we believe that higher IMA levels may indicate a necessity for dialysis in patients with ARF.
A Case Report on the Effect of a Short-Term Intensive Obesity Treatment on an Obese Patient

An obese patient was treated with Korean medicine for a short-term period of seven days while under admission care. In this case report, we report the efficacy of a complex treatment comprising various Korean medicine methods by evaluating the differences in obesity-linked factors. The patient lost weight loss and showed decreases in fat mass and various indexes of obesity. Korean medicine could therefore represent a prompt and effective treatment for obese patients.
Respuesta de áfidos depredadores a compuestos volátiles sintéticos en un huerto de manzana

Los compuestos de defensa indirectos, denominados compuestos volátiles de plantas inducidos por herbívoros (HIPV por su sigla en inglés), al atraer fauna benéfica, son una de las herramientas de control biológico efectivas para la agregación de enemigos naturales de plagas claves. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la atracción de formulaciones sintéticas de cuatro HIPV principales: [salicilato de metilo (MeSa), benzaldehído (B), linalool (L) y farneseno (F)], solos y en combinaciones binarias (MeSa + B; MeSa + F; MeSa + L; F + B; B + L; F + L) a tres depredadores de áfidos de las familias Chrysopidae, Coccinellidae y Syrphidae en una plantación de manzanas de la provincia Bursa, en Turquía. Este estudio representa la primera evidencia de la atracción que ejercen combinaciones únicas y binarias de HIPV sintéticas a depredadores de áfidos en un manzanar. Relativamente, un mayor número de coccinélidos fue capturado por los tratamientos individuales de B y F en comparación con otras combinaciones de HIPV. Los individuos de crisópidos fueron más atraídos significativamente a las trampas cebadas con estos HIPV sólos. Además, la combinación binaria de MeSa + L atrajo significativamente más sírfidos que sus tratamientos únicos y trampas de control. Por lo tanto, se encontró que algunos de los HIPV evaluados tenían un valor potencial en la atracción de depredadores de áfidos en los manzanos.
Three Phases of Cancer in the Process of Mental Trauma: Diagnosis, Treatment, Survival

46 Psikiyatri Hemşireliği Dergisi Journal of Psychiatric Nursing uation. Thirty-three reviews met the inclusion criteria (Table 1 and Table 2). The number of studies considered in each review is shown in parenthesis as “n”. Results and Discussion Common Psychiatric Disorders in Cancer As a first step, the prevalence of certain psychiatric disorders associated with cancer is presented. The most common disorders include depression and anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Table 1). Depression and Anxiety According to the findings of 211 studies,[2] the rate of depression ranged between 8-24%, varying upon the type of cancer, the duration of treatment period, and the measurement tool employed. One year after diagnosis was made, the rate of depression was 9-21%, depending on the assessment method (i.e. diagnostic interview or self-report). The highest rates were observed during treatment, where according to interviews, the rate was 14% and according to self-reports it was 27%. More specifically, the rates of depression were 3% for lung cancer (interview), 28% for brain cancer (self-report), 7% for skin cancer (interview), and 31% for gastrointestinal system cancer (self-report). In 18 studies conducted on newly diagnosed ovary cancer patients,[3] this rate was between 21-25% (n=12). The prevalence of depression decreased three months after the completion of treatment. However, at this point, with the shift in condition, anxiety was shown to affect 47% of patients (n=1). In cancer patients experiencing pain at any stage of the disease, the prevalence of depression (n=4) was close to the general average of populations with cancer (36.5%). [4] The Table 1. Common psychiatric disorders in cancer Author/s and date Number of primary studies Sample Outcome measures Results Krebber AMH, Buffart LM, Kleijn G, et al. 2014 Arden-Close E, Gidron Y, MossMorris R. 2008. Laird BJA, Boyd AC, Colvin LA, Fallon MT. 2009. Tang P, Wang H, Chou FA. 2015. Tau LT, Chan SW. 2011. Abbey G, Thompson S, Hickish T, Heathcote DA. 2015. Shand LK, Cowlishaw S, Brooker JE, et al. 2015. PTSD: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; PTG: Post-traumatic growth. 211 studies
Climate Shocks, Political Institutions, and Nomadic Invasions in Early Modern East Asia

While a large literature argues negative climate shocks can trigger conflicts, recent findings suggest moderate climatic conditions lead to war. This article proposes a conditional theory by incorporating political institution as a moderating variable. I argue that, under the impact of negative climate shocks, centralized societies can mobilize more resources for war, compared to decentralized societies. Thus, the former is more likely to resort to well-organized plundering to address the scarcity problem caused by detrimental climate shocks. Besides, centralized societies have little incentive to plunder when the climatic conditions are moderate, as they can collect taxes regularly through centralized institutions. A comparison between the more centralized Manchurian and the less centralized Mongols on their conflictual behavior serves as an empirical test. I find that temperature was negatively associated with the probability of Manchurian invasion after they embraced centralization but had a positive effect on the likelihood of Mongol invasion.
Development and implementation of technologies for physical telerehabilitation in Latin America: a systematic review of literature, programs and projects

Telerehabilitation has arised by the inclusion of emerging technologies for capturing, transmitting, analyzing and visualization of movement patterns associated to patients with musculoskeletal disorders. This therapeutic strategy allows to carry out diagnosis process and rehabilitation treatments, remotely. This paper presents a systematic review of the current development and implementation of telerehabilitation technologies in Latin American region. The main goal is to explore from reported scientific literature and divulgative sources whether rehabilitation technologies had achieved to be introduced in this region. Likewise, this work discloses current prototypes or systems that are to being used or that are still under development. A systematic search strategy was carried out by two different searches. The first one involves a rigorous literature search from the most relevant scientific digital repositories and second one includes telerehabilitation projects and programs retrieved by an advanced Google search. A total of 53 documents from six countries (Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Ecuador, Chile and Argentina) were found; most of them were focused on academic and research initiatives to develop in-home telerehabilitation technologies for both pediatric and older population, which were affected by motor and functional impairment, cerebral palsy, neurocognitive disorders and stroke. The analysis of reviewed findings revealed the need for a comprehensive, integrated health and social system approach to increase the current availability of telerehabilitation initiatives in Latin American region.
Voluntary Shared Leave: An Exploratory Analysis

Voluntary leave sharing programs allow an employee to donate accumulated leave to a coworker who is experiencing a hardship and has exhausted their leave balance. This study examines a voluntary leave sharing program at a state agency and concludes that the program is an effective strategy for reducing the agency’s unfunded liability posed by accumulated leave balances. Such programs may also be an appealing type of family-friendly benefit as female employees are also more likely to participate in the program and receive more generous donations of leave than their male colleagues.
COMPARISON OF ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS OF SECOND- AND THIRD-GENERATION ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES

Objective: Oral contraceptives are the second-most widely used contraceptives in Indonesia; however, a high percentage rate of withdrawal is seen owing to adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Only a small proportion of users have been provided information about other oral contraceptives such as newer generation progestin as an alternative option to minimize ADR. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of ADR between combined oral contraceptives containing levonorgestrel (LNG) (second generation) and desogestrel (DSG) (third generation), which was expected to have less side effects. Methods: The study has a cross-sectional comparative design with random sampling from users in six villages in Depok City, Indonesia. Data were collected through interviews. The sample includes 60 users of LNG and 40 users of DSG. Results: ADR complaints include intermenstrual bleeding (16.7% vs. 5%), headache (16.7% vs. 5%), nausea/vomiting (25% vs. 0%), breast tenderness (13.3% vs. 0%), impaired sexual intercourse (23.3% vs. 7.5%), weight gain (35% vs. 22.5%), acne (3.3% vs. 7.5%), and face spots/chloasma (28.3% vs. 5%). The LNG group showed significantly higher impaired sexual intercourse (odds ratio (OR): 3.75, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.003-14.050, p=0.039) and chloasma (OR 7.51, 95% CI: 1.629-34.647, p=0.004). Conclusion: Users’ low knowledge of ADR and how to treat it could be a reason for drug withdrawal. Pharmacies must make efforts to provide counseling in this regard.
Should We Revisit The Current Definition Of Anemia In Pregnancy

Copyright: © 2015 Nkwabong E, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. World Health Organization (WHO) defines anemia in pregnancy (AP) as Hb <11 g/dl during the first trimester [1,2]. Given that hemodilution occurs significantly during second trimester, WHO defines anemia in the second trimester as Hb <10.5 g/dl [2]. Defining anemia according to trimester, though reasonable, might carry some diagnostic difficulties. Indeed, hemodilution is mild in some women and very pronounced in some others. Moreover, hemodilution increases gradually from the 6th week gestation to its maximum around the 32nd week [3]. The definition of anemia changes brutally from first to second trimester, while hemodilution changes gradually. Consequently, some pregnant women might falsely be considered anemic, especially in the second trimester.
One‐Step Nanoextraction and Ultrafast Microanalysis Based on Nanodroplet Formation in an Evaporating Ternary Liquid Microfilm

Preconcentration is key for detection from an extremely low concentration solution, but requires separation steps from a large volume of samples using extracting solvents. Here, a simple approach is presented for ultrafast and sensitive microanalysis from a tiny volume of aqueous solutions. In this approach, liquid–liquid nanoextraction in an evaporating thin liquid film on a spinning substrate is coupled with quantitative analysis in one step. The approach is exemplified using a liquid mixture comprising a target compound to be analyzed in water, mixed with extractant oil and co‐solvent ethanol. With rapid evaporation of ethanol, nanodroplets of oil form spontaneously in the film. The compounds are highly concentrated by liquid evaporation and meanwhile extracted to nanodroplets. A detection limit of nanomolar to picomolar is demonstrated for fluorescent model compounds in only ≈5 µL of solution with the entire process taking ≈10 s. The combination of nanoextraction and infrared microscopy also enables simultaneous chemical identification. The dynamics of thin film evaporation are revealed using fast imaging. The principle behind this approach is general, providing a powerful technique for fast and sensitive chemical analysis of a vast library of compounds for environment monitoring, national security, early diagnosis, and many other applications.
Exogenous spermidine enhances salt-stressed rice photosynthetic performance by stabilizing structure and function of chloroplastand thylakoid membranes

Spermidine (Spd) is a ubiquitous low-molecular-mass aliphatic amine that acts in abiotic stress tolerance in plants. We investigated how the treatment with exogenous Spd contributed to the protection against salt stress in rice chloroplasts. Analysis of the chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence showed that there were many negative effects of salinity on different sites of the photosynthetic machinery; however, these were alleviated by adding Spd. Spd prevented the damage of structure and function of chloroplasts under salt stress; thylakoid membrane protein components and photosynthetic pigments were not severely affected by salinity in Spd-treated plants. Spd enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes and decreased contents of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde accumulation, suggesting that Spd may participate in the redox homeostasis in chloroplasts under salt stress. These results highlighted the positive effects of Spd on rice chloroplasts under salt stress through maintaining chloroplast structure stability.