Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Party competition over time: How voters and intra-party structure constrain party policy shifts

This work is an analysis of party policy change over time. So far, the predominant models of party competition are static. They study each election in isolation thereby assuming, in effect, that parties choose policy platforms from scratch. I argue that integrating the time dimension in theories of party competition allows for a more realistic perspective on party behavior. The dissertation identifies factors that account for the differences in the constraints parties face when shifting their policy positions, namely voters’ perception of party policy changes and the parties’ internal structures. I adapt Zaller’s (1992) Receive-Accept-Sample (RAS) model to party position shifts arguing that the perception of party policy shifts is a two-stage process in which voters first receive information on the parties’ claims and then decide whether the claims are credible (i.e. whether they accept them). Voters only perceive a party’s position shift if they both receive and accept the party’s shift message. Whereas the first step is a cognitive process, the latter is a function of the party’s credibility. Using micro-level data of several panel election studies in the United Kingdom, the analysis of voter perceptions of party policy shifts reveals that there are differences across voters (and parties) which can by explained by covariates that affect the likelihood of receiving and accepting information on party position shifts. Using the two-stage model how voters perceive party position shifts, I draw conclusions which parties face higher constraints when shifting their policy platforms. Studying party policy shifts in ten West European countries from 1945 until 2005, the empirical results support most of the postulated effects. The findings show that voters constrain party policy shifts. Because systematic differences exist in the voters’ evaluation of party policy shifts, some parties are more constrained in shifting their party platforms than others. Beyond voters and their perceptions of party position shifts, parties are also constrained by their respective intra-party structures. I therefore study the consequences of the members’ role within political parties and how the intra-party distribution of power affects party position shifts. I find that the relevance of party members as workforce and intra-party decision-making rules determine whether parties are able to move away from the status quo. Although I find no empirical evidence that sources of party income affect the parties’ policy behavior, I conclude that a party’s internal structure affects its ability to shift policy positions. The findings presented in this dissertation have important implications for our understanding of party policy behavior, models of party competition, party organizations, and voting behavior.
A practical approach for electromagnetic analysis with the effect of the residual strain due to manufacturing processes

Toward reliable and advanced machine designs, a practical modeling method of degraded steel sheets due to manufacturing processes is proposed. The advantage of the proposed method is the fact that the required material data can be measured with the standard single sheet testing without special measurement equipment so that machine manufactures will be able to take into account of the degradation effects according to their manufacturing processes. In the proposed approach, an approximation function which represents spatial variation of the degradation for each BH and loss property is identified using measurement data of steel sheet strips which have different widths. The identified approximation functions provide the material properties for Finite Element Analysis. It is shown that FEA calculations using the proposed method reproduce well the measurement results of cut steel sheets.
Vitamin D, tuberculin skin test conversion, and latent tuberculosis in Mongolian school-age children: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled feasibility trial.

BACKGROUND By modulating immune function, vitamin D might increase innate immunity and inhibit the growth of initial bacterial invasion and protect against tuberculosis infection. OBJECTIVE We examined the effect of vitamin D supplementation on tuberculin skin test (TST) conversion. DESIGN A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 120 Mongol schoolchildren. We estimated the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection at baseline and examined the effect of vitamin D (800 IU/d) on serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and TST conversion. RESULTS At baseline, the mean (±SD) 25(OH)D concentration was 7 ± 4 ng/mL, and all concentrations were <20 ng/mL. Vitamin D supplementation increased serum 25(OH)D by a mean of 12.7 ng/mL compared with placebo (P < 0.0001). At baseline, 16 children in the vitamin D group and 18 in the placebo group were TST positive (P = 0.7). Over 6 mo, TSTs converted to positive in 5 (11%) children receiving vitamin D compared with 11 (27%) receiving placebo (RR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.16, 1.09; P = 0.06). Only one TST conversion occurred among those whose serum 25(OH)D concentration increased to >20 ng/mL, whereas 8 TST conversions occurred in those whose final 25(OH)D concentration remained <10 ng/mL (P = 0.05). The mean increase in stature was 2.9 ± 1.6 cm in the vitamin D group and 2.0 ± 1.7 cm in the placebo group (95% CI: 2.16, 2.81; P < 0.003). CONCLUSIONS Vitamin D supplementation for 6 mo had significant favorable effects on serum 25(OH)D concentrations and on growth in stature. A trend was seen toward fewer TST conversions in the vitamin D group. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01244204.
Activation of NADPH oxidase‐related proton and electron currents in human eosinophils by arachidonic acid

1 Effects of arachidonic acid (AA) on proton and electron currents in human eosinophils were studied using the permeabilized‐patch voltage‐clamp technique, using an applied NH4+ gradient to control pHi. 2 Superoxide anion (O2−) release was assessed by cytochrome c reduction in human eosinophils. Significant O2− release was stimulated by 5‐10 μm AA. 3 AA activated diphenylene iodinium (DPI)‐inhibitable inward current reflecting electron efflux through NADPH oxidase. These electron currents (Ie) were elicited in human eosinophils at AA concentrations (3‐10 μm) similar to those that induced O2− release. 4 The voltage‐gated proton conductance (gH) in eosinophils stimulated with AA was profoundly enhanced: H+ current amplitude (IH) increased 4.6 times, activation was 4 times faster, and the H+ conductance‐voltage (gH‐V) relationship was shifted to substantially more negative voltages. The electrophysiological effects of AA resembled those reported for PMA, except that AA did not consistently slow τtail (deactivation of H+ currents). 5 The stimulation of both proton and electron currents by AA was reversible upon washout. Repeated exposure elicited repeated responses. The activation of H+ currents by AA was dissociable from its activation of NADPH oxidase; H+ currents were enhanced at low concentrations of AA that did not elicit detectable Ie or when NADPH oxidase was inhibited by DPI. 6 Most of the effects of AA on H+ currents qualitatively resemble those reported in whole‐cell studies, reflecting a more direct action than PMA. The results are compatible with AA being an immediate activator of both NADPH oxidase and proton channels in human eosinophils.
Aphasia, Depression, and Non-Verbal Cognitive Impairment in Ischaemic Stroke

Aphasia, depression, and cognitive dysfunction are common consequences of stroke, but knowledge of their interrelationship is limited. This 1-year prospective study was designed to evaluate prevalence and course of post-stroke aphasia and to study its psychiatric, neurological, and cognitive correlates. We studied a series of 106 consecutive patients (46 women and 60 men, mean age 65.8 years) with first-ever ischaemic brain infarction. The patients were clinically examined, and presence and type of aphasia were evaluated during the 1st week after stroke and 3 and 12 months later. Psychiatric and neuropsychological evaluations were performed 3 and 12 months after stroke. Aphasia was diagnosed in 34% of the patients during the acute phase, and two thirds of them remained so 12 months later. Seventy percent of the aphasic patients fulfilled the DSM-III-R criteria of depression 3 months and 62% 12 months after stroke. The prevalence of major depression increased from 11 to 33% during the 12-month follow-up period. The non-verbal neuropsychological test performance in the aphasic patients was significantly inferior to that of the patients with dominant hemisphere lesion without aphasia. One third of the patients with ischaemic stroke suffer from communicative disorders which seem to increase the risk of depression and non-verbal cognitive deficits. Although the prevalence of depression in aphasic patients decreases in the long term, the proportion of patients suffering from major depression seems to increase. We emphasize the importance of the multidimensional evaluation of aphasic stroke patients.
Difference Between Received and Expected Knowledge of Patients Undergoing Knee or Hip Replacement in Seven European Countries

The purpose of the study was to examine received and expected knowledge of patients with knee/hip arthroplasty in seven European countries. The goal was to obtain information for developing empowering patient education. The data were collected (during 2009-2012) from patients (n = 943) with hip/knee arthroplasty prior to scheduled preoperative education and before discharge with the Received Knowledge of hospital patient scale (RKhp) and Expected Knowledge of hospital patient scale (EKhp). Patients’ knowledge expectations were high but the level of received knowledge did not correspond to expectations. The difference between received and expected knowledge was higher in Greece and Sweden compared with Finland (p < .0001, p < .0001), Spain (p < .0001, p = .001), and Lithuania (p = .005, p = .003), respectively. Patients’ knowledge expectations are important in tailoring patient education. To achieve high standards in the future, scientific research collaboration on empowering patient education is needed between European countries.
Leukocyte migration from a fish eye's view

Summary In the last five years, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has rapidly gained popularity as a model system for studying leukocyte migration and trafficking in vivo. The optical clarity of zebrafish embryos, as well as the potential for genetic manipulation and the development of tools for live imaging, have provided new insight into how leukocytes migrate in response to directional cues in live animals. This Commentary discusses recent progress in our understanding of how leukocytes migrate in vivo, including the role of intracellular signaling through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) in both random and directed migration. The importance of leukocyte reverse migration in the resolution of inflammation will also be discussed. Finally, we will highlight how zebrafish models have helped to provide new insight into leukocyte migration and the way in which migration is altered in disease.
Empty follicle syndrome: Successful pregnancy following dual trigger

Empty follicle syndrome (EFS) is an uncommon, but the frustrating complication of assisted reproductive technology with failure to obtain oocytes after an adequate ovarian response to stimulation. Most of the reported cases of EFS are drug-related problems which are actually avoidable and do not represent any potential pathology and that the risk of genuine EFS (GEFS) is much smaller than was once thought. Our case is thefirst report of a pregnancy obtained after management of GEFS with dual trigger in a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist cycle. In this report, we present a patient who underwent two oocyte retrievals, in which no oocytes were obtained. In the third in-vitrofertilization cycle, a dual trigger with the combination of GnRH agonist and human chorionic gonadotropin yielded 11 oocytes, which led to the transfer of 2 blastocysts resulting in a live birth. Changing the treatment protocol with dual trigger brought about a successful outcome.
A Myeloid Progenitor Cell Line Capable of Supporting Human Cytomegalovirus Latency and Reactivation, Resulting in Infectious Progeny

ABSTRACT Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a herpesvirus that establishes a lifelong, latent infection within a host. At times when the immune system is compromised, the virus undergoes a lytic reactivation producing infectious progeny. The identification and understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying HCMV latency and reactivation are not completely defined. To this end, we have developed a tractable in vitro model system to investigate these phases of viral infection using a clonal population of myeloid progenitor cells (Kasumi-3 cells). Infection of these cells results in maintenance of the viral genome with restricted viral RNA expression that is reversed with the addition of the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA, also known as PMA). Additionally, a latent viral transcript (LUNA) is expressed at times where viral lytic transcription is suppressed. Infected Kasumi-3 cells initiate production of infectious virus following TPA treatment, which requires cell-to-cell contact for efficient transfer of virus to other cell types. Importantly, lytically infected fibroblast, endothelial, or epithelial cells can transfer virus to Kasumi-3 cells, which fail to initiate lytic replication until stimulated with TPA. Finally, inflammatory cytokines, in addition to the pharmacological agent TPA, are sufficient for transcription of immediate-early (IE) genes following latent infection. Taken together, our findings argue that the Kasumi-3 cell line is a tractable in vitro model system with which to study HCMV latency and reactivation.
Extracellular Superoxide Dismutase (EC-SOD) Binds to Type I Collagen and Protects Against Oxidative Fragmentation*

The antioxidant enzyme extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) is mainly found in the extracellular matrix of tissues. EC-SOD participates in the detoxification of reactive oxygen species by catalyzing the dismutation of superoxide radicals. The tissue distribution of the enzyme is particularly important because of the reactive nature of its substrate, and it is likely essential that EC-SOD is positioned at the site of superoxide production to prevent adventitious oxidation. EC-SOD contains a C-terminal heparin-binding region thought to be important for modulating its distribution in the extracellular matrix. This paper demonstrates that, in addition to binding heparin, EC-SOD specifically binds to type I collagen with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 200 nm. The heparin-binding region was found to mediate the interaction with collagen. Notably, the bound EC-SOD significantly protects type I collagen from oxidative fragmentation. This expands the known repertoire of EC-SOD binding partners and may play an important physiological role in preventing oxidative fragmentation of collagen during oxidative stress.
Surveillance, latency and the two levels of MCA‐induced tumor immunogenicity

Among 154 different, MCA‐induced mouse sarcomas, the immunogenicities of those tumors that had had the shortest original latencies in their autochthonous hosts were of an intermediate level with relatively little scatter. This fact is not predicted by the theory of immunological surveillance, but does fit the predictions of the immunological facilitation theory of oncogenesis. The frequency distribution of the tumor immunogenicities showed 2 peaks; the cluster of higher immunogenicity had a shorter latency than did the cluster of lower immunogenicity. The data for tumors initiated within in vivo diffusion chambers also showed 2 immunogenicity clusters, suggesting that the discrete clusters were not caused by host immunity. However, immunity apparently reduced the mean latency of the more immunogenic cluster and/or lengthened the mean latency of the less immunogenic, a result also inconsistent with the theory of immunological surveillance.
Evaluation of three different ways of assessing tremor in multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVES To examine the comparative reliability and validity of three simple ways of rating upper limb tremor in patients with multiple sclerosis. METHODS Three examiners independently rated severity of upper limb tremor in patients with multiple sclerosis on a 0–10 scale by studying videotape recordings of patients' examinations, spiral drawings, and handwriting samples. The correlations of the tremor severity scores with scores from arm dexterity tests and a tremor related disability scale were also assessed. RESULTS Rating tremor on posture had a good intrarater and interrater reliability. However, these reliabilities decreased when kinetic tremor was assessed, in part because dysmetria was a confounding factor. The intrarater reliabilities of rating tremor from spirals and handwriting were also good but the interrater reliabilities were only fair to moderate. Tremor severity scored by all three methods correlated highly with scores obtained from the nine hole peg test, finger tapping test, and a tremor related activities of daily living (ADL) questionnaire, indicating that all three methods were valid ways of assessing tremor in multiple sclerosis. CONCLUSION Multiple sclerosis tremors in posture can be scored using a clinical rating scale in a valid and reliable way, and from spirals and handwriting samples if the ratings are carried out by the same examiner. However, scoring kinetic tremor was less reliable. In addition, the nine hole peg and finger tapping tests provide useful objective assessments of upper limb function in tremulous patients with multiple sclerosis.
Quantitative Determination of Citalopram and its Metabolite Desmethycitalopram in Plasma by High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Citalopram has by far the highest selectivity for serotonin reuptake and is used for the treatment of depression. Therapeutic drug monitoring is clinically important for psychiatrists in terms of therapy success. In this work a simplified, rapid, sensitive, selective and validated high performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of racemic citalopram and its main metabolite desmethylcitalopram in human plasma using protriptyline as internal standard was developed. The compounds were extracted with solid phase extraction using C-18 extraction cartridges. Calibration curves were linear over a working range 10-150 ng ml-1 for citalopram and 5-75 ng ml-1 for desmethylcitalopram. High percentage recovery values were obtained from compounds. Precision data as well as accuracy were satisfactory. Therefore, the method can be used for therapeutic drug monitoring of desmethylcitalopram and citalopram in patients treated with citalopram.
Modelling effects of policy instruments for sustainable urban transport in Scandinavia

The purpose of this paper is to review the modelling used for the planning of infrastructure and design of policy instruments for transport in cities in Scandinavia, and to survey elasticities of transport demand with respect to policy instruments and important background variables. There are a number important objectives governing policy, maximizing welfare, reducing CO2 and other emissions, curbing congestion on roads and crowding in public transport in cities and improving the conditions for walking and cycling. The current transport demand models in Sweden and Norway were originally built to serve the purpose of forecasting for national infrastructure planning, primarily outside cities. They were not designed to represent the adaption of car use, congestion on roads or crowding in public transport or the effects of improving of conditions for walking and cycling. Therefore, recent discussions on the needs to develop planning for cities has raised these issues. The central results from the survey of effects are that, car use is shown to be more price sensitive in urban than in rural areas, and larger the larger the city. Although the benefits of a given congestion charging system are considerably and non-linearly dependent on initial congestion levels, traffic effects and adaptation costs are surprisingly stable across transport system modifications. The demand for car travel is largely insensitive to supply of public transport and on baseline congestion, and therefore on the total benefit of the charges. For public transport both population size and population density appear to independently influence public transport use. The estimated elasticities being 0,48 and 0,17 respectively. What is not obvious is when supply could improve net welfare. Both an increase in the population and the following crowding can motivate an increase in frequency by the increased net welfare. Large dense cities with more public transport are found to have less car use. The form of the city and its long time use of strategies to facilitate public transport use also decreases the market share of car travel and increases the share of public transport. In large cities density is also found to be correlated with less car and energy use in many cross-sectional studies. The idea that density could induce less car use and CO2-emissions is however challenged by a smaller number of longitudinal studies showing smaller effects from density to car use and CO2-emissions. It has been suggested that some of the effects found in cross sectional studies may not remain in before and after studies. Even though land use policies can be beneficial, their effects are generally less well known than policies addressing transport congestion externalities. As these are better known and likely to be welfare improving the effects of policy instruments associated with congestion pricing, parking pricing, improvements of the supply of public transport are likely to be preferable.
The emergence and properties of mutual synchronization in in vitro coupled cortical networks

We have studied the emergence of mutual synchronization and activity propagation in coupled neural networks from rat cortical cells grown on a micro‐electrode array for parallel activity recording of dozens of neurons. The activity of each sub‐network by itself is marked by the formation of synchronized bursting events (SBE) – short time windows of rapid neuronal firing. The joint activity of two coupled networks is characterized by the formation of mutual synchronization, i.e. the formation of SBE whose activity starts at one sub‐network and then propagates to the other. The sub‐networks switch roles in initiating the mutual SBE. However, spontaneous propagation (initiation) asymmetry emerges – one of the sub‐networks takes on the role of initiating substantially more mutual SBE than the other, despite the fact that the two are engineered to be similar in size and cell density. Analysis of the interneuron correlations in the SBE also reveals the emergence of activity (function) asymmetry – one sub‐network develops a more organized structure of correlations. We also show activity propagation and mutual synchronization in four coupled networks. Using computer simulations, we propose that the function asymmetry reflects asymmetry between the internal connectivity of the two networks, whereas the propagation asymmetry reflects asymmetry in the connectivity between the sub‐networks. These results agree with the experimental findings that the initiation and function asymmetry can be separately regulated, which implies that information transfer (activity propagation) and information processing (function) can be regulated separately in coupled neural networks.