Imagine you are a fairly mainstream Republican voter and are considering Republican candidate Luis Vasquez. He says he wants to raise taxes on the wealthy and believes government should do more to prevent discrimination against racial minorities. Would you still vote for him?

What if you are a lifelong Democrat? Would you vote for Democratic candidate Hannah Phillips, who wants to lower taxes on everyone, including the wealthy? What if Phillips also espouses views that run counter to established democratic norms and rules, declaring, for instance, that “elected officials should not be bound by court decisions they regard as politicized.”

Hannah Phillips and Luis Vasquez are fictive candidates in an experiment conducted by Bright Line Watch, a group of political scientists, among them Gretchen Helmke, professor of political science at the University of Rochester, and Mitchell Sanders ’97 (PhD) of Meliora Research, who monitor US democratic practices and potential threats.

Bright Line Watch based its selection of policy questions for the experiment on a recent paper by Vanderbilt University’s Larry Bartels, who studies American voters and public opinion, and who found that questions about taxation policy and racial discrimination generate the biggest partisan divides among the US electorate.

The Bright Line Watch team sampled nearly 1,000 online participants, weighted to approximate a representative sample of the US population: 35 percent of respondents identified as Republicans or Republican-leaning, 43 percent as Democrats or Democratic-leaning, and 17 percent as independents who did not lean toward either party.

Their key findings:

• Partisanship outweighs all else for both Democrats and Republicans. Both groups are approximately 19 percentage points more likely to select a candidate from their own party than one from the other party—an effect that exceeds those observed for candidate policy positions and support or opposition to democratic principles.
• Democrats, Republicans, and independents all punish candidates who violate democratic principles related to political control over investigations, judicial independence, and cross-party compromise. These effects are consistently negative across all partisan groups and range from 4 to 13 percentage points.
• Americans diverge most dramatically along party lines on the democratic principle of equal voting rights and access. Democrats are less likely to back candidates who endorse legislation requiring voters to show ID at the polls, whereas support for these candidates increases by 8 percentage points among independents, and 17 percentage points among Republicans.

Bernard Avishai, a visiting professor of government at Dartmouth (and an adjunct professor of business at Hebrew University in Israel), wrote about the Bright Line Watch study in depth in a recent piece for The New Yorker.

As Avishai put it succinctly: “The good news for the Republic is that voters of all party affiliations care about judicial independence. The bad news is that Democrats and Republicans diverge dramatically on the question of access to the polls.”

“Our results on voter ID laws particularly underscore the partisan divide among voters,” confirms Rochester’s Helmke.

“The polarized response to these policies illustrates how partisans can become deeply split over which democratic priorities are worth protecting,” writes the team.

Read more here.

A growing number of nurse practitioners are providing primary care in low-income and rural areas where physician supply is low, according to findings from a study led by School of Nursing researchers.

“The growing NP supply in these areas is offsetting low physician supply and thus may increase primary care capacity in underserved communities,” says lead author Ying Xue, associate professor at the School of Nursing.

The study, released this month in the Journal of the American Medical Association, examined data trends in 50 states and Washington DC from 2010 to 2016.

Nurse practitioners (NPs) constitute the largest and fastest growing group of non-physician primary care providers. The number of NPs who provide primary care jumped to 123,316 in 2016, up from 59,442 six years earlier. Though primary care physicians outnumber NPs by nearly 2 to 1, studies have forecast a shortage of primary care physicians lasting through at least 2025. The shortfall of primary care physicians is seen as particularly severe in rural and other underserved communities.

While previous research has shown that primary care NPs have a higher propensity to practice in low-income and rural areas than primary care physicians, the study is the first to examine the breakdown and distribution of the supply of primary care clinicians in relation to income and population density.

“The demand for care is not exactly the same across areas. Some areas have high demand, and some have low demand,” Xue said. “Low-income and rural areas have higher demand and greater health disparities. Increasing the number of primary care clinicians in those areas would help to increase access and help reduce health disparities. That’s the ultimate goal: To have sufficient clinicians to provide care in those areas.”

Read more here.

Large companies in the US have been getting larger over the last three decades, at the same time that entrepreneurship has been on the decline. Those trends make it easy to assume that monster-sized companies have a way of squelching start-ups.

But research out of the Simon Business School concludes that it’s not that simple. Graduate student Zhao Jin studied entrepreneurial activity in the 20 finalist cities that were considered for Amazon HQ2, the second headquarters for the online retail giant. His paper, “How Do Large Companies Affect Entrepreneurial Entry: Evidence From Amazon HQ2,” details how start-up companies were about seven percent more likely to incorporate in one of the finalist cities.

“The mere possibility of a large company entering a market encourages entrepreneurs to find profitable ways to be useful to that company,” says Jin. “The main effects are concentrated in the larger cities, like Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Denver, and Los Angeles, where the sample size is larger.”

Over the past 30 years, while large companies have increased in size, there has been a steady decline in entrepreneurship. According to the US Census Bureau, the share of startup companies declined by nearly half—from 15 percent to 8 percent—from 1980 to 2015.

“The paper addresses a fundamental question about the influence of large tech firms on startups and innovations,” says assistant professor Michael Gofman, who supervised Jin’s research. “As Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Alphabet, Microsoft, and other tech giants increase their investment in internal R&D and attract the best talent, some have argued that it discourages startups. Zhao shows that big tech firms actually foster the establishment of startups.”

There are complex reasons why that’s the case. While some entrepreneurs look to make the larger firms important customers or clients, Gofman notes that others often hope to be bought up. “Entrepreneurs seem to see acquisition by a large tech company as a successful exit strategy,” he says.

But many companies won’t be acquired. And many of those that formed in finalist cities are likely to stick around, Jin says.

“I certainly don’t expect all of them to move or close up,” says Jin. “They knew the risks when they founded their companies and are likely to continue operations.”

And if a startup is acquired by Amazon, Jin says there are still economic benefits for the region, despite a decrease in the actual number of companies. “If, for example, the startup company uses a proprietary technology, Amazon would want to keep the employees who are actually familiar with that technology,” says Jin. “And that part of the operation would grow as it becomes integrated into Amazon.”

While Jin specifically looked at Amazon, he believes other large companies would encourage entrepreneurial activity as well. “The dynamics and business principles germane to Amazon apply to other dominant firms.”

This semester’s Jesse L. Rosenberger Works-in-Progress seminars explore the Humanities Center’s current theme of expertise and evidence, starting with Randall Curren, professor and chair of philosophy, presenting “Children of the Broken Heartlands: Rural Isolation and the Geography of Opportunity” on January 24.

The seminars are held from noon to 2 p.m. in the Humanities Center Conference Room D at Rush Rhees LIbrary. Lunch is provided. RSVP by clicking here.

Other presenters this semester are:

• 2/6/19 Christopher Haufe, Humanities Center fellow – title TBA
• 2/28/19 Christopher Rovee, Humanities Center fellow – title TBA
• 3/6/19 Anna Rosensweig, assistant professor of French – title TBA
• 3/21/19 William Miller, assistant professor of English – title TBA
• 4/3/19 Jennifer Kyker, associate professor of music – title TBA
• 4/17/19 Anaar Desai-Stephens, assistant professor of ethnomusicology – title TBA
• 5/2/19 Tracy Stuber and Anastasia Nikolis, Public Humanities graduate fellows – titles TBA

University Research Awards (URA) provide “seed” grants for promising, high-risk projects, says Robert Clark, provost and senior vice president for research.  The fund has been increased from $500,000 annually to $1 million with half of the funding coming from the President’s Fund, and the rest being matched by the various schools whose faculty members are recipients.

Applications are sought from faculty across the University, and funding is awarded to recipients who demonstrate their projects favor new research with a high probability of being leveraged by future external funding.

A review committee of faculty from across the University provides peer review of the applications. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on February 4, 2019. Late submissions and or revisions will not be accepted.

Selected applicants may be asked to present their research project to the Executive Research Committee prior to the final award decisions, which will be announced mid-May. Recipients of this award are required to peer review future University Research Award proposals.

Completed applications should be directed to Adele Coelho, faculty outreach coordinator in the Office of the Provost and Senior Vice President for Research, at adele.coelho@rochester.edu

Kevin Fiscella, team science function leader for the University’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute (UR CTSI) and co-director of the Greater Rochester Practice-Based Research Network, will introduce team science — what it is, how it’s done, and why it’s important for research — from 1-2 p.m. January 22 in Helen Wood Hall Auditorium 1W-304.

He will outline some of the steps you can take towards operationalizing team science in your work and will discuss key institutional resources and funding sources that can support you in conducting high-impact interdisciplinary research.

Learn more at URMC Events.

Researchers from across UNYTE Translational Research Network member institutions will discuss and develop new, innovative, and effective ideas for genomics and proteomics translational research at an “un-meeting” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 13 at Helen Wood Hall 1-304. Click here for registration and agenda.

An un-meeting is an event without the rules and structure of a classical conference. There will be “lightning-style” presentations on innovative translational research methods, but participants also will have opportunities to drive the agenda in real time.

Today: Center for Integrated Research Computing (CIRC) Symposium. Scott Grimm from the Department of Linguistics will provide an overview of current work and data science methods for investigating word meaning and language structure. Rohith Palli from the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics will explore executable models for pathway analysis, including a new algorithm (BONITA). 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wegmans 1400.

Jan. 22: Team Science — what it is, how it’s done, and why it’s important for research, presented by Kevin Fiscella, team science function leader for the University’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute (UR CTSI). 1-2 p.m. Helen Wood Halll Auditorium 1W-304. Learn more at URMC Events.

Jan. 24: Phelps Colloquium Series: Donald Hall, the Robert L. and Mary L. Sproull Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Sciences & Engineering, “Looking Beyond Our Horizons: Interdisciplinary Education and Civic Responsibility.” Pablo Sierra Silva, assistant professor of history, “Pirates, Captives, and the Digital Archive: Researching Afro-Mexican History in the 21st Century.” 4-5:30 p.m. Feldman Ballroom, Douglass Commons. Register here. Questions? Contact Adele Coelho or call 273-2571.

Jan. 24: Jesse L. Rosenberger Works-in-Progress seminar. Randy Curren, professor of philosophy and director of the department, presents “Children of the Broken Heartlands: Rural Isolation and the Geography of Opportunity.” Noon to 2 p.m. Humanities Center Conference Room D at Rush Rhees LIbrary. Lunch provided. RSVP by clicking here.

Jan. 25: Applications due for funding to support research collaboration activities with counterparts from any institution in the Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) program. Learn more and access the application from the UR CTSI Stories blog. Questions? Contact Ivelisse Rivera, UR-RCMI exchange coordinator.

Jan. 30: Entry forms due for the America’s Got Regulatory Science Talent student competition. Teams propose a solution to align with the FDA Regulatory Science priority areas. Visit the UR CTSI website to learn more.

Feb. 1: Initial proposal abstracts due for Department of Public Health Sciences funding for research pilot projects that have a substantial component of or impact on public health sciences, practices, or policies. See submission criteria and other details.

Feb. 4: Applications due for University Research Awards, which provide “seed funding” for promising, high-risk research projects. Completed applications should be directed to Adele Coelho, faculty outreach coordinator in the Office of the Provost and Senior Vice President for Research, at adele.coelho@rochester.edu

Feb. 4: Applications due for AS&E PumpPrimer II awards, which help researchers develop proof of concept and/or pilot data that can then be used to apply for external funding for high-risk proposals. Click here for more information.

Feb. 6: Jesse L. Rosenberger Works-in-Progress seminar. Christopher Haufe, Humanities Center Fellow, presents on the theme of expertise and evidence. Noon to 2 p.m. Humanities Center Conference Room D at Rush Rhees LIbrary. Lunch provided. RSVP by clicking here.

Feb. 15: Applications due for Wilmot Cancer Research postdoctoral fellowship providing mentored research training for physicians with MD or MD/PhD degrees who have completed their residency training and intend to pursue an academic career in clinical, translational, or basic cancer research. View application details. For questions, email Pamela Iadarola or call 585-275-1537.

Feb. 27: Phelps Colloquium Series: Elizabeth West Marvin, professor of music theory and of brain and cognitive sciences, Experiencing Absolute Pitch: Insights from AP Possessors in the US and Asia, and Gilbert “Rip” Collins, professor of mechanical engineering and of physics and astronomy, Extreme Matters: A Laboratory Exploration of Planets, Stars, and Quantum Materials. 4-5:30 p.m. Max at Eastman. Register here. Questions? Contact Adele Coelho or call 273-2571.

Feb. 28: Jesse L. Rosenberger Works-in-Progress seminar. Christopher Rovee, Humanities Center Fellow, presents on the theme of expertise and evidence. Noon to 2 p.m. Humanities Center Conference Room D at Rush Rhees LIbrary. Lunch provided. RSVP by clicking here.

March 6: Jesse L. Rosenberger Works-in-Progress seminar. Anna Rosensweig, assistant professor of French, presents on the theme of expertise and evidence. Noon to 2 p.m. Humanities Center Conference Room D at Rush Rhees LIbrary. Lunch provided. RSVP by clicking here.

March 13: Translational genomics and proteomics un-meeting. Researchers from across UNYTE Translational Research Network member institutions will discuss and develop new, innovative, and effective ideas for genomics and proteomics translational research. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Helen Wood Hall 1-304. Click here for registration and agenda.

March 21: Jesse L. Rosenberger Works-in-Progress seminar. William Miller, assistant professor of English, presents on the theme of expertise and evidence. Noon to 2 p.m. Humanities Center Conference Room D at Rush Rhees LIbrary. Lunch provided. RSVP by clicking here.

March 27: Phelps Colloquium Series: Huaxia Rui, associate professor, Simon Business School, Open Voice or Private Message? The Hidden Tug-of-War on Social Media Customer Service, and Maria Marconi, assistant professor of clinical nursing, and specialty director of Health Care Organization and Management Master’s Program and of the master’s program in nursing, Leveraging Generational Diversity in Our Classrooms. 4-5:30 p.m. Location TBD. Register here. Questions? Contact Adele Coelho or call 273-2571.

April 3: Jesse L. Rosenberger Works-in-Progress seminar. Jennifer Kyker, associate professor of music, presents on the theme of expertise and evidence. Noon to 2 p.m. Humanities Center Conference Room D at Rush Rhees LIbrary. Lunch provided. RSVP by clicking here.

April 17: Jesse L. Rosenberger Works-in-Progress seminar. Anaar Desai-Stephens, assistant professor of ethnomusicology, presents on the theme of expertise and evidence. Noon to 2 p.m. Humanities Center Conference Room D at Rush Rhees LIbrary. Lunch provided. RSVP by clicking here.

May 2: Jesse L. Rosenberger Works-in-Progress seminar. Tracy Stuber and Anastasia Nikolis, Public Humanities graduate fellows, present on the theme of expertise and evidence. Noon to 2 p.m. Humanities Center Conference Room D at Rush Rhees LIbrary. Lunch provided. RSVP by clicking here.