Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Demotivating incentives and motivation crowding out in charitable giving

Significance Many nonprofits solicit contributions by offering thank-you gifts, such as mugs, in exchange for donations. However, these gifts may have counterproductive effects by drawing a prospective donor’s attention away from altruistic motives and leading him or her to use a more cost–benefit mindset. This study tests for the effect of thank-you gifts during a nonprofit’s direct-mail fundraising campaign and finds that gifts reduced donation rates in this campaign. A complementary online experiment confirms that thank-you gifts can reduce donation rates but only when the gift is visually salient and thus more likely to occupy the donor’s attention. Nonprofits should consider their donor’s psychological incentives carefully before implementing these types of extrinsic incentives. Research has shown that extrinsic incentives can crowd out intrinsic motivation in many contexts. Despite this, many nonprofits offer conditional thank-you gifts, such as mugs or tote bags, in exchange for donations. In collaboration with a nonprofit, this study implements a direct mail field experiment and demonstrates that thank-you gifts reduced donation rates in a fundraising campaign. Attention-based multiattribute choice models suggest that this is because prospective donors shift attention to the salient gift offer, causing them to underweight less salient intrinsic motives. Attention to the gift may also cause individuals to adopt a more cost–benefit mindset, further de-emphasizing intrinsic motives. Consistent with these hypotheses, crowding out was driven by those who donated higher amounts in the previous year (i.e., those who likely had higher intrinsic motivation). In a complementary online experiment, thank-you gifts also reduced donation rates but only when the gift was visually salient. This corroborates the mediating role of attention in crowding out. Taken together, the laboratory and field results demonstrate that this fundraising technique can be demotivating in some contexts and that this may occur through an attention-based mechanism.
MiR-30a-5p Inhibits Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Upregulates Expression of Tight Junction Protein Claudin-5 in Human Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma Cells

The involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in cancer development and their potential as prognostic biomarkers are becoming increasingly known. However, the signature of miRNAs and their regulatory roles in tumorigenesis of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) remain to be elucidated. This study aimed to profile the miRNA expression pattern in UTUC tumor tissues and identify candidate miRNAs with prognostic and/or therapeutic functions. Methods and Results: We collected 22 UTUC tissue and adjacent normal tissues samples from patients who underwent nephroureterectomy. The miRNAs signatures of three selected UTUC samples using next-generation sequencing showed that miR-30a-5p was significantly downregulated in UTUC tumors compared to adjacent normal tissues. The differentially-expressed miRNAs were specifically validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. In addition, the miRNA expression signatures were analyzed with the transcriptome profile characterized by microarray. Further in vitro studies indicated that overexpression of miR-30a-5p significantly suppressed proliferation, migration, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cultured BFTC-909 UTUC cells. As a potential target gene of miR-30a-5p in the tight junction pathway suggested by the pathway enrichment analysis, the reduced expression of tight junction protein claudin-5 in UTUC cells was demonstrated to be upregulated by miR-30a-5p genetic delivery. Conclusions: Taken together, our findings demonstrated that miR-30a-5p inhibits proliferation, metastasis, and EMT, and upregulates the expression of tight junction claudin-5 in UTUC cells. Thus, miR-30a-5p may provide a promising therapeutic strategy for UTUC treatment.
A machine-learning approach to the prediction of oxidative stress in chronic inflammatory disease

Abstract Oxidative stress is implicated in the development of a wide range of chronic human diseases, ranging from cardiovascular to neurodegenerative and inflammatory disorders. As oxidative stress results from a complex cascade of biochemical reactions, its quantitative prediction remains incomplete. Here, we describe a machine-learning approach to the prediction of levels of oxidative stress in human subjects. From a database of biochemical analyses of oxidative stress biomarkers in blood, plasma and urine, non-linear models have been designed, with a statistical methodology that includes variable selection, model training and model selection. Our data demonstrate that, despite a large inter- and intra-individual variability, levels of biomarkers of oxidative damage in biological fluids can be predicted quantitatively from measured concentrations of a limited number of exogenous and endogenous antioxidants.
Nucleic Acid-Based Assay for the Diagnosis of Viral Pathogens

A knowledge of the genetic structure and evolution of plant virus populations is crucial to predict the possible emergence of resistance-breaking pathotypes, as recently demonstrated with Tomato spotted wilt virus. The advent of analytical techniques for the fast identification of changes in nucleotide sequences, and the need to analyze the benefits and risks of new control strategies, such as those offered by virus-resistant transgenic plants, has led to an increasing interest in techniques exploiting the fine analysis of the virus genome. The choice of an analytical technique should depend on the goal of the analysis, as well as on the sensitivity and cost of the technique. Some techniques provide only qualitative data that can be used to identify variants, whereas others can be used to assess how different the identified variants are. Such estimates can be given by the amino acid composition of the viral proteins, or by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. DNA microarray technology is another promising tool which meets both the diagnostic and the detection needs of modern plant virology.
BRAF inhibitors: resistance and the promise of combination treatments for melanoma

Identification of mutations in the gene encoding the serine/threonine-protein kinase, BRAF, and constitutive activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in around 50% of malignant melanomas have led to the development and regulatory approval of targeted pathway inhibitor drugs. A proportion of patients are intrinsically resistant to BRAF inhibitors, and most patients who initially respond, acquire resistance within months. In this review, we discuss pathway inhibitors and their mechanisms of resistance, and we focus on numerous efforts to improve clinical benefits through combining agents with disparate modes of action, including combinations with checkpoint inhibitor antibodies. We discuss the merits of combination strategies based on enhancing immune responses or overcoming tumor-associated immune escape mechanisms. Emerging insights into mechanisms of action, resistance pathways and their impact on host-tumor relationships will inform the design of optimal combinations therapies to improve outcomes for patients who currently do not benefit from recent treatment breakthroughs.
The diagnostic value of adenosine deaminase activity in sputum in pulmonary tuberculosis.

UNLABELLED This study was carried out in Atatürk Chest Diseases and Surgery Center. It's aim to determine and compare sputum adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity in pulmonary tuberculosis (tb), lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in order to assess its diagnostic value. PATIENTS AND METHOD Eighty-four patients (25 tb, 30 lung cancer and 29 COPD) were included in the study. ADA activity in sputum and serum was measured. Sputum ADA activities of tb patients were significantly higher than the other two groups (P < 0.05). Sputum/serum ADA ratios were similar in all groups. Sputum ADA activities between 150 and 200 U/L were the measurements with the best test performance according to the ROC curve. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 44.0, 86.4, 57.8, 78.4% for 150 U/L and 32.0, 96.6, 80.0, 77.0% for 200 U/L, respectively. Area under the curve was 0.663. Because of low sensitivity, routine determination of ADA activity in sputum for the diagnosis of pulmonary tb is not recommended. However, it can be helpful in the diagnosis of smear-negative cases who are strongly suspected of tb.
Pediatric Elbow Fractures in a Major Trauma Center in Iran

Background Elbow fractures are one of the most common traumatic fractures in the pediatric population. Since severe complications may occur, appropriate diagnosis and treatment are imperative when dealing with this type of fracture. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology of elbow fracture in children admitted in Alzahra hospital, Isfahan, IR Iran over a one year period. Patients and Methods During a one year period, a prospective study was conducted on 300 patients under the age of 16 who had sustained elbow fractures. Data included age, gender, mechanism of trauma, type of elbow fractures, complications, and outcomes. Results The mean age of the patients was 8.1 ± 2.31 years old. Boys were injured 2.6 times more often than the girls. Falling was the major cause of pediatric elbow fractures (86%). Supra condylar were the most common type of fracture. There was a significant association between gender and type of injury (P < 0.01). Conclusions Supracondylar fracture is the most common fracture type resulting from 4 - 8 year old boys’ falls. Our findings indicate the critical nature of appropriate treatment in order to prevent severe complications.
SENTINEL1: An Observational Study of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Hospitalizations among U.S. Infants Born at 29 to 35 Weeks' Gestational Age Not Receiving Immunoprophylaxis

Abstract Objective SENTINEL1 characterized U.S. preterm infants 29 to 35 weeks' gestational age (wGA) < 12 months old hospitalized for laboratory-confirmed respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease and not receiving RSV immunoprophylaxis during the 2014 to 2015 RSV season. Study Design This is a noninterventional, observational, cohort study. Results A total of 702 infants were hospitalized with community-acquired RSV disease, of whom an estimated 42% were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and 20% required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Earlier gestational age and younger chronologic age were associated with an increased frequency of RSV-confirmed hospitalization (RSVH), ICU admission, and IMV. Among infants 29 to 32 wGA and < 3 months of age, 68% required ICU admission and 44% required IMV. One death occurred of an infant 29 wGA. Among the 212 infants enrolled for in-depth analysis of health care resource utilization, mean and median RSVH charges were $55,551 and $27,461, respectively, which varied by intensity of care required. Outpatient visits were common, with 63% and 62% of infants requiring visits before and within 1 month following the RSVH, respectively. Conclusion Preterm infants 29 to 35 wGA are at high risk for severe RSV disease, which imposes a substantial health burden, particularly in the first months of life.
Replicating Ricardian Equivalence Tests with Simulated Series

This paper replicates standard consumption function tests of Ricardian equivalence using series generated from a model which nests Ricardian equivalence within a non-Ricardian alternative (due to finite horizons and/or distortionary taxation). The author shows that the estimates of the effects of taxation on consumption are not robust and that standard tests may have weaknesses which can lead to conflicting results, whether Ricardian equivalence holds or not. The simulations also show that no clear conclusions about Ricardian equivalence can be drawn from observing a low correlation between the current account and government budget deficits. Copyright 1997 by American Economic Association.
Shift work with and without night work as a risk factor for fatigue and changes in sleep length: A cohort study with linkage to records on daily working hours

We examined shift work with or without night work as a risk factor for fatigue and short or long sleep. In a prospective cohort study with 4‐ and 6‐year follow‐ups (the Finnish Public Sector study), we linked survey responses of 3,679 full‐time hospital employees on sleep duration and fatigue to records on daily working hours in 2008 (baseline), 2012 and 2014. We used logistic regression to estimate risk ratios and their confidence intervals to examine whether continuous exposure to shift work or changes between shift work and day work were associated with short (≤6.5 hr) or long (≥9.0 hr) sleep over 24 hr and fatigue at work and during free days. Compared with continuous day work and adjusting for age, gender, education and fatigue/sleep duration at baseline, continuous shift work with night shifts was associated with increased fatigue during free days (risk ratio = 1.38, 95% confidence interval 1.17–1.63) and long sleep (risk ratio = 8.04, 95% confidence interval 2.88–22.5, without adjustment for education) after 6‐year follow‐up. Exposure to shift work without night shifts increased only long sleep after 6 years (risk ratio = 5.87, 95% confidence interval 1.94–17.8). A change from day work to shift work with or without night shifts was associated with an increased risk for long sleep, and a change from shift work to day work with a decreased risk for long sleep and fatigue. This study suggests that irregular shift work is a modifiable risk factor for long sleep and increased fatigue, probably reflecting a higher need for recovery.
An international element in the vote

The paper tests the ‘folk’hypothesis that the vote at elections in different countries is affected by international opinion swings which are sometimes to the right and sometimes to the left. An hypothesis that, if it had been true, would have allowed us to predict the election outcome in one country by considering the outcome in recent elections in other countries. In order to test this hypothesis all (governmental) elections between 1948 and 1985 in 17 main democracies are considered. A set of series S(i, t), where i is a country and t time, showing the left/right-swing at the election is constructed. We next delete the i-index and reach the S(t)-swing series. The hypothesis is then operationalized as saying that S(t) contains positive autocorrelation. The S(t)-series is shown to behave as perfect white noise, so the hypothesis is rejected.
Bank capitalization, regulation, and the credit crunch: a critical review of the research findings

Over the past few years, much research has attempted to determine why bank lending weakened so sharply just prior to the 1990-91 recession and remained anemic for several years thereafter. In particular, this research has tried to assess whether there was a "credit crunch" caused by increased capital requirements, or more stringent regulatory practices, or the widespread deterioration in bank balance sheets. At the disaggregated level, a robust link is found between loan growth and both loan performance and bank profitability, though the interpretation of such findings remains ambiguous. Also, with the exception of some work focusing on regulatory disciplinary actions in New England, the research to date fails to convincingly tie the drop in aggregate lending to changes in capital standards or regulatory behavior.
Effect of tranexamic acid incorporated in fibrin sealant clots on the cell behavior of neuronal and nonneuronal cells

Fibrin sealants are commonly used for hemostasis following surgery on various types of tissues. Aprotinin, an effective fibrinolysis inhibitor, is one of the components in some fibrin sealant products currently available. Tranexamic acid (tAMCHA) is another fibrinolysis inhibitor and is used as an alternative to aprotinin. Recent studies on fibrin sealant products containing tAMCHA indicate that it may be responsible for various adverse reactions when used in neurological applications. To determine a possible mechanism for such adverse reactions, we examined the effect of tAMCHA on the behavior of neuronal and nonneuronal cells using in vitro assays. The data indicate that different concentrations of tAMCHA incorporated in fibrin clots had no effect on the initial cell adhesion of either proliferative cells (glial cells and fibroblasts) or nonproliferative cells (neuronal cells) to the fibrin clots. Moreover, a high concentration of tAMCHA (300–450 mM) incorporated in the fibrin clots increased glial and fibroblast proliferation on fibrin clots. However, because tAMCHA is known to leach out of the fibrin clots, we have also examined the effect of solubilized tAMCHA in a growth medium on cells seeded on matrix‐coated surfaces. A high concentration (300–450 mM) of tAMCHA detached all cell types from matrix‐coated dishes. Our model suggests that tAMCHA in fibrin clots has no adverse effect on cells bound to the fibrin clots; however, tAMCHA leaching out from the fibrin clots reduces adhesion of adjacent cells bound to their natural extracellular matrix. Thus, a high concentration of tAMCHA should not be used as a fibrinolysis inhibitor in fibrin sealant products, especially in neurosurgery. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nonlinearities in the US corn-ethanol-oil price system

We use a smooth transition vector error correction model to assess price relationships within the US ethanol industry. Daily ethanol, corn and oil futures prices observed from mid-2005 to mid-2007 are used in the analysis. Results indicate the existence of an equilibrium relationship between ethanol, corn and oil prices. However, only ethanol prices adjust, in a non-linear fashion, to deviations from this long-run parity. Generalized impulse response functions indicate that a shock to both oil and corn prices causes a change in ethanol prices of the same sign. Ethanol responses usually reach a peak after about 10 days of the initial shock and fade away within 35 days.
Asylum Recognition Rates in Western Europe - Their Determinants, Variation and Lack of Convergence

Substantial variation in recognition rates for asylum claims from the same countries of origin and therefore prima facie equal merit subjects refugees to unfair and discriminatory treatment. This article demonstrates the extent of variation and lack of convergence over the period 1980 to 1999 across Western European destination countries. Refugee interest groups also suspect that political and economic conditions in destination countries as well as the number of past asylum claims unduly impact upon recognition rates. This article estimates the determinants of asylum recognition rates. Origin-specific recognition rates vary, as they should, with the extent of political oppression, human rights violations, inter-state armed conflict and events of genocide and politicide in countries of origin. Recognition rates for the full protection status only are lower in times of high unemployment in destination countries. Such rates are also lower if many asylum seekers from a country of origin have already applied for asylum in the past.
Readdressing the Fertilizer Problem

The production literature has shown that inputs such as fertilizer can be defined as risk-increasing. However, farmers also consistently overapply nitrogen. A model of optimal input use under uncertainty is used to address this paradox. Using experimental data, a stochastic production relationship between yield and soil nitrate is estimated. Numerical results show that input uncertainty may cause farmers to overapply nitrogen. Survey data suggest that farmers are risk averse, but prefer small chances of high yields compared to small chances of crop failures when expected yields are equivalent. Furthermore, yield risk and yield variability are not equivalent.
Screening for problem gambling within mental health services: a comparison of the classification accuracy of brief instruments

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Despite the over-representation of people with gambling problems in mental health populations, there is limited information available to guide the selection of brief screening instruments within mental health services. The primary aim was to compare the classification accuracy of nine brief problem gambling screening instruments (two to five items) with a reference standard among patients accessing mental health services. DESIGN The classification accuracy of nine brief screening instruments was compared with multiple cut-off scores on a reference standard. SETTING Eight mental health services in Victoria, Australia. PARTICIPANTS A total of 837 patients were recruited consecutively between June 2015 and January 2016. MEASUREMENTS The brief screening instruments were the Lie/Bet Questionnaire, Brief Problem Gambling Screen (BPGS) (two- to five-item versions), NODS-CLiP, NODS-CLiP2, Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen (BBGS) and NODS-PERC. The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) was the reference standard. FINDINGS The five-item BPGS was the only instrument displaying satisfactory classification accuracy in detecting any level of gambling problem (low-risk, moderate-risk or problem gambling) (sensitivity = 0.803, specificity = 0.982, diagnostic efficiency = 0.943). Several shorter instruments adequately detected both problem and moderate-risk, but not low-risk, gambling: two three-item instruments (NODS-CLiP, three-item BPGS) and two four-item instruments (NODS-PERC, four-item BPGS) (sensitivity = 0.854-0.966, specificity = 0.901-0.954, diagnostic efficiency = 0.908-0.941). The four-item instruments, however, did not provide any considerable advantage over the three-item instruments. Similarly, the very brief (two-item) instruments (Lie/Bet and two-item BPGS) adequately detected problem gambling (sensitivity = 0.811-0.868, specificity = 0.938-0.943, diagnostic efficiency = 0.933-0.934), but not moderate-risk or low-risk gambling. CONCLUSIONS The optimal brief screening instrument for mental health services wanting to screen for any level of gambling problem is the five-item Brief Problem Gambling Screen (BPGS). Services wanting to employ a shorter instrument or to screen only for more severe gambling problems (moderate-risk/problem gambling) can employ the NODS-CLiP or the three-item BPGS. Services that are only able to accommodate a very brief instrument can employ the Lie/Bet Questionnaire or the two-item BPGS.