Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Life-Cycle Saving, Limits on Contributions to Dc Pension Plans, and Lifetime Tax Benefits

This paper addresses three questions related to limits on DC contributions. The first is whether statutory limits on tax-deductible contributions to defined contribution (DC) plans are likely to be binding, focusing on households in various economic situations. The second is how large is the tax benefit from participating in defined contribution plans. The third is how does the defined contribution tax benefit depend on the level of lifetime income. We find that the statutory limits bind those older middle-income households who started their pension savings programs late in life, those who plan to retire early, single-earner households, those who are not borrowing constrained, and those with rapid rates of real wage growth. Most households with high levels of earnings, regardless of age or situation, are also constrained by the contribution limits. Lower or middle-income two-eamer households that can look forward to modest real earnings growth are likely to be borrowing constrained for most of their pre-retirement years because of the costs of paying a mortgage and sending children to college. These households are not in a position to save the 25 percent of earnings allowed as a contribution to DC plans. Some of these middle-income households, however, are constrained by the $10,500 limit on elective employee contributions to 401(k) plans if the households have access to only these plans and their employers make no pension contributions for them. The borrowing constraints faced by many lower- and middle-income Americans means that contributions to DC plans must come at the price of lower consumption when young and the benefit of higher consumption when old. Indeed, for a stylized household earning $50,000, consistently contributing 10 percent of salary to a DC plans that earns a 4 percent real return means consuming almost two times more when old than when young. Measured as a share of lifetime consumption, the tax benefit from participating in a DC plan can be significant. Assuming annual contribution rates at the average of the maximum levels allowed by employers in 401 (k) plans and assuming a 4 percent real return on DC and non-DC assets, the benefit is 2 percent for two-earner households earning $25,000 per year, 3.4 percent for those earning $100,000 per year, and 9.8 percent for those earning $300,000 per year.
Identifying tourists' preferences for Aboriginal tourism product features: implications for a northern First Nation in British Columbia

Recent research on the Aboriginal tourism market has revolved predominantly around establishing a profile of the traveller interested in Aboriginal tourism (hereafter referred to as the Aboriginal tourism traveller). Currently, the Aboriginal tourism traveller is generally described as a mature individual who is interested in having authentic experiences of different cultures. However, there is a need for a better understanding of what specific products this particular traveller is interested in, and in what style, format or nature of delivery. The study presented in this article attempts to provide insight into this topic. In a collaborative research effort between Tl'azt'en Nation and the University of Northern British Columbia, a questionnaire containing four potential Aboriginal tourism product descriptions and 31 individual features of Aboriginal tourism products was administered to 337 visitors of northern British Columbia during the summer of 2007. Despite a primary interest in nature experiences by the majority of visitors, one-third of our sample demonstrated considerable interest in experiences of Aboriginal culture. Results suggest the need for marketing diverse Aboriginal tourism attractions to attract repeat visitors and for offering an introductory experience to Aboriginal culture for first-time visitors.
Second cancers after testicular cancer diagnosed after 1980 in Sweden.

BACKGROUND Testicular cancer treatment has become standardized in the 1980s involving radiotherapy preferentially for seminoma and chemotherapy for nonseminoma. The late effects of these therapeutic practices have not been properly evaluated because of the relatively short time since their application. PATIENTS AND METHODS We conducted a study among 5533 survivors of testicular cancer on the basis of Swedish Family-Cancer Database for which the cancer data were retrieved from the nationwide Cancer Registry. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of second cancer were calculated by comparing with the rates of the first cancers. The follow-up was started in 1980 and carried on through 2006. RESULTS A total of 370 second cancers (6.7% of all patients) were recorded, more in seminoma than in nonseminoma patients. Second testicular cancer showed an SIR of 29 after seminoma and an SIR of 13 after nonseminoma. A total of 10 discordant sites were increased after seminoma compared with seven sites after nonseminoma. Gastrointestinal tract cancers occurred mainly after seminoma and bladder cancers (SIR 8.6 when diagnosis before age 30) occurred after nonseminoma. CONCLUSIONS Of the selective affected second tumors, it will be important to confirm the association of bladder cancer with nonseminoma treatment.
TRANSITION RATES BETWEEN SPECIALIZATION AND GENERALIZATION IN PHYTOPHAGOUS INSECTS

Abstract Although most species of animals exhibit specialized patterns of resource use, it is unclear whether specialization evolves at a faster rate than generalization. To test this hypothesis, transition rates toward specialization and toward generalization were estimated using phylogenies from 15 groups of phytophagous insects. Among the groups studied, maximum-likelihood analyses showed that the forward transition rate from generalization to specialization was significantly higher than the reverse transition rate from specialization to generalization (mean ratio of forward to reverse transition rate = 1.47 using uniform branch lengths and 1.76 using Grafen branch lengths). Although phylogenetic conservatism of host-plant use is common, the results suggest that the evolution of specialization is a highly dynamic process. For example, higher transitions rates both toward and away from specialization as well as equal transition rates were inferred. Collectively, the results reveal a tendency for directional evolution toward increased specialization but also indicate that specialization does not always represent an evolutionary dead-end that strongly limits further evolution.
Market Orientation as a Strategy for the Rural Tourism Sector Its Effect on Tourist Behavior and the Performance of Enterprises

The aim of the present work is to ascertain the importance of market orientation as a business strategy within the rural tourism sector. To this end, we took a business-to-customer (B2C) perspective. First, the adoption of market orientation was measured from the firm’s point of view. Second, tourist perceptions were analyzed using two variables, perceived value and behavioral intentions. The sample consisted of 100 rural tourism enterprises and 572 of their customers. The findings reveal that the market orientation undertaken by the firm has a direct effect on its outcomes (its financial results, the improvements to the rural destination, and the more personal, intangible impact on the owner-manager) and on perceived value; and that perceived value has a direct effect on consumers’ behavioral intentions toward the firm.
Approaches to Salivary Cortisol Collection and Analysis in Infants

Salivary cortisol is becoming more commonly utilized as a biologic marker of stress in observational studies and intervention research. However, its use with infants (12 months of age or younger) is less widespread and poses some special challenges to researchers. In order to decide on the most suitable collection procedure for salivary cortisol in infants, a number of criteria should be considered. This article will aid investigators interested in integrating salivary cortisol measurement into their research studies by presenting (1) an overview of the patterns of cortisol secretion in infancy including the development of diurnal rhythm and response to stress; (2) a comparison of the most commonly used approaches for collecting salivary cortisol samples in infants including cotton rope, syringe aspiration technique, filter paper, hydrocellulose microsponge, and the Salimetrics children’s swab; (3) a discussion of the factors contributing to heightened cortisol variability in infancy and how these can be limited; (4) analytical issues associated with cortisol measurement; and (5) examples of criteria to consider when choosing a saliva sampling method and lab for conducting assays.
Research Note: State Attributes and Destination Choice by Freshwater Anglers — An Analysis of Southeast USA

This paper examines the influence of state attributes on the destination choice of anglers who travel either within their own state of residence or to other states for recreational fishing. The values that anglers place on states' social, infrastructural and environmental characteristics are estimated using revealed preference data on US anglers who participated in freshwater fishing in 12 southeast states in 2006. Estimated mixed logit models suggest that anglers do not prefer freshwater fishing in states where toxic releases to surface water and air, crime rates and the extent of urbanization are high. Conversely, anglers prefer states with more sunshine and greater recreational and forest acreages. Male, urbanite and higher-income anglers place higher values on state attributes.
Market Experimentation and Pricing

We present a continuous-time model of Bayesian learning in a duopolistic market. Initially the value of one product offered is unknown to the market. The market participants learn more about the true value of the product as experimentation occurs over time. Firms set prices to induce experimentation with their product. The aggregate outcomes are public information. As agents learn from the experiments of others, informational externalities arise. Surprisingly, the informational externality leads to too much learning. Buyers do not consider the impact of their experimentation on other buyers while the sellers internalize the gains from experiments conducted by the buyers. The firms free ride on the market as the social costs of experiments are not appropriately reflected in the equilibrium prices. The value functions of the sellers display preference for information in contrast to the buyers who are information averse. We determine Markov Perfect Equilibrium prices and allocations in this two-sided learning model. The analysis is presented for a finite number of buyers as well as for a continuum of buyers. The severity of the inefficiency is shown to be monotonically increasing in the number of buyers.
Monitoring of snow cover properties during the spring melting period in forested areas

As space-borne C-band SAR observations are used for monitoring the snow cover during the spring melt period, temporal changes m backscatter from forest cover disturb the mapping of snow cover. This paper presents an analysis of snow backscattering properties in eight test areas situated around weather stations. Test areas represent open and forested landscapes in Northern Finland. Analyses are carried out using an extensive multitemporal ERS-2 C-band SAR data set from the snow melt period. We validate the 1) forest backscattering model for forest compensation, 2) TKK fractional snow-covered area (SCA) method with m situ observations and 3) inversion of a combined forest/snow/ground backscattering model in an application to yield estimates of the relative changes of snow wetness during full snow cover conditions. The results show that the semi-empirical TKK backscattering model describes the average C-band backscattering properties of all test regions well as a function of forest stem volume. Comparison of SCA estimation results with available ground truth data also shows a good performance. The retrieved relative snow wetness values agree well with temperature observations.
[Treatment of severe botulism with 3,4-diaminopyridine]].

INTRODUCTION The specific treatments of botulism with serotherapy and with guanidine are of debatable efficacy. We report a case of nutritional toxin B botulism successfully treated with 3,4-diaminopyridine. OBSERVATION Following a meal, a 69 year-old woman consulted for digestive disorders followed by damage to several cranial pairs, autonomous nervous system and ventilation command, motivating mechanical ventilation on tracheal intubation. Administration of symptomatic treatment with 3,4-diaminopyridine led to progressive improvement, although the diagnosis of toxin B botulism was confirmed. COMMENTS Administration of 3,4-diaminopyridine, the efficacy of which had been suggested by the review of experimental literature, led to rapid and clear improvement, probably due to its potentiating effect on acetylcholine release in the neuromuscular junction.
Cloning, characterization, and sequencing of an accessory gene regulator (agr) in Staphylococcus aureus

We have previously identified a gene in Staphylococcus aureus, agr, whose activity is required for high-level post-exponential-phase expression of a series of secreted proteins. In this paper, we describe the cloning of this gene in Escherichia coli by using an inserted transposon (Tn551) as a cloning probe. The cloned gene, consisting of a 241-codon open reading frame containing the site of the transposon insertion, was recloned to an S. aureus vector, pSK265, and shown to be functional in S. aureus. Activity was evaluated by determinations of alpha-hemolysin, beta-hemolysin, and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 production in early-stationary-phase cultures. The cloned gene showed considerable variation with respect to different exoproteins and different host strains compared with the chromosomal agr determinant; this variation could not be attributed to the higher copy number of the cloned gene and probably reflects inapparent subtleties of the regulatory system.
A structural equation modelling approach to predicting adoption of a patient-handling intervention developed for EMS providers

Patient-handling tasks are integral to Emergency Medical Service (EMS) work as are the musculoskeletal injuries associated with these tasks. The aim of this study was to develop and test a structural equation model that describes the interactions between previously identified factors that contribute to the adoption of a specific ergonomics intervention designed for EMS work. EMS responders (n = 187), from six different organisations, participated in a 2-month longitudinal study following the introduction of a foldable patient transfer-board (slide-board) designed to assist with lateral patient transfers. Surveys administered at baseline, after 1 month and after 2 months sampled factors potentially influencing EMS responders' adoption decisions. Perceived ergonomics advantage, which was influenced by access and storage concerns and prior tool experience, contributed most strongly to intention to use at the end of the first month and to the emergence of champions, which contributed to the intention to use at the end of the second month. Practitioner Summary: Emergency Medical Service (EMS) responders' intention to use and actual use of a foldable transfer-board was strongly influenced by perceived ‘ergonomics advantage’. Perceived ergonomics advantage was influenced by access/storage issues and previous tool experience. Perceived ‘ergonomics advantage’ also affects the emergence of champions which, in turn, impacts the EMS responders' intention to use.
Doxorubicin Exerts Cytotoxic Effects through Cell Cycle Arrest and Fas-Mediated Cell Death

Doxorubicin (DOX) is involved in the induction of DNA damage, inhibition of cell proliferation, impairment of mitochondria, and cell death. To determine the biological effects of DOX in murine lymphocytes, we analyzed cell proliferation, cell cycle status, and apoptosis in Ba/F3 and EL4 lymphoid cells. DOX treatment resulted in significant cellular morphological alteration with increased intracellular granularity and cell size. DOX inhibited cell proliferation through cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase as well as by cell death. In addition, DOX treatment dramatically upregulated Fas expression and enhanced caspase activation to promote intracellular apoptotic signaling for cell death. Treatment with an agonistic antibody stimulated Fas and accelerated the cell death effects. In conclusion, we demonstrate that DOX induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by increased Fas expression and ultimately results in enhanced cell death.
Infliximab, azathioprine, or combination therapy for Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND The comparative efficacy and safety of infliximab and azathioprine therapy alone or in combination for Crohn's disease are unknown. METHODS In this randomized, double-blind trial, we evaluated the efficacy of infliximab monotherapy, azathioprine monotherapy, and the two drugs combined in 508 adults with moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease who had not undergone previous immunosuppressive or biologic therapy. Patients were randomly assigned to receive an intravenous infusion of 5 mg of infliximab per kilogram of body weight at weeks 0, 2, and 6 and then every 8 weeks plus daily oral placebo capsules; 2.5 mg of oral azathioprine per kilogram daily plus a placebo infusion on the standard schedule; or combination therapy with the two drugs. Patients received study medication through week 30 and could continue in a blinded study extension through week 50. RESULTS Of the 169 patients receiving combination therapy, 96 (56.8%) were in corticosteroid-free clinical remission at week 26 (the primary end point), as compared with 75 of 169 patients (44.4%) receiving infliximab alone (P=0.02) and 51 of 170 patients (30.0%) receiving azathioprine alone (P<0.001 for the comparison with combination therapy and P=0.006 for the comparison with infliximab). Similar numerical trends were found at week 50. At week 26, mucosal healing had occurred in 47 of 107 patients (43.9%) receiving combination therapy, as compared with 28 of 93 patients (30.1%) receiving infliximab (P=0.06) and 18 of 109 patients (16.5%) receiving azathioprine (P<0.001 for the comparison with combination therapy and P=0.02 for the comparison with infliximab). Serious infections developed in 3.9% of patients in the combination-therapy group, 4.9% of those in the infliximab group, and 5.6% of those in the azathioprine group. CONCLUSIONS Patients with moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease who were treated with infliximab plus azathioprine or infliximab monotherapy were more likely to have a corticosteroid-free clinical remission than those receiving azathioprine monotherapy. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00094458.)
Educational experiences as fields of influence in physics : an exploration of the critical incidents in student education

The purpose of this thesis is to explore the field of influences on the occupational trajectories of physics graduates in the United Kingdom. My research examines the assumptions by government and policy makers that school education holds the key to providing more physicists available for employment in physics-related occupations. The research analyses qualitative data from current and recently graduated students to explore the field of influences on their decisions to take physics, and how these experiences influence their identity as a scientist. My hypothesis tests these assumptions by examining the significant events, or critical incidents, during the educational experience on a physics degree. The research design is a case study of the physics departments of two UK institutions. A series of interviews provides insight into the educational journeys of current and recently graduated physics students and the consequent analysis identifies emergent themes. These themes include how the influences of school education and social and individual expectations engage people into enrolling on a physics degree. Further analysis explores how events occurring on the degree courses may influence occupational trajectories. My findings identify attitudes to laboratory work and institutional feedback as significant influences to this sample of individuals during their degree experience. This work has implications for highlighting the significance of laboratory work in future science education policies, as well as contributing to the extant research on STEM education.
A Systematic Review on the Use of Fibrin Glue for Peripheral Nerve Repair

Background: Although Tisseel (Baxter, Deerfield, Ill.) was introduced over 30 years ago, the literature remains scant regarding its use and efficacy in peripheral nerve repairs. The goal of this systematic review was to summarize current literature on this topic and discuss differences in clinical outcome between the use of fibrin glue and conventional suturing methods for the repair of peripheral nerves. Methods: A comprehensive electronic literature search was run in the following databases: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and EMBASE. Articles were classified into three categories: animal, human, and cadaveric studies. Results: Sixteen articles were included in the final analysis (kappa = 0.78). The most consistent outcome measure of the studies assessed was histopathology, which was evaluated in nine of 16 studies. This was followed closely by biomechanics, which were evaluated in eight of 16 studies. Histopathological studies demonstrated less significant granulomatous inflammation in the fibrin groups as well as better overall axonal regeneration, fiber alignment, and recovery of nerve conduction velocities. Animal and cadaveric studies demonstrated no significant differences in stiffness and peak load at failure between microsuture and fibrin groups. Conclusions: Although the majority of the reviewed studies employed animal models, most indicated that the performance of fibrin glue was equal, if not superior, to that of microsuturing when repairing peripheral nerves. Overall, many authors reported that fibrin glue was a quicker and easier modality to use than microsuture repair. There is, however, not a single well-controlled human trial assessing the efficacy of fibrin glue in relation to that of suturing techniques.
Experience from a phased mixed-methods approach to impact evaluation of Danida support to rural transport infrastructure in Nicaragua

This study exemplifies and discusses how mixed methods can be used to overcome data shortages in an evaluation of the socio-economic effects of improved transport infrastructure in Nicaragua. Relying on a combination of existing data and a targeted collection of additional qualitative and quantitative information, the approach establishes a counterfactual and analyses the processes of change over a relevant range of impacts, whilst investigating heterogeneity of effects. The approach enabled a small donor agency with scarce evaluation resources to conduct an impact evaluation within data, time and budget constraints, thereby contributing to the foundation for better practice.
Corporate Insiders and the Death of the Firm: Evidence on the Incidence of Insider Trading in Corporate Dissolutions

To date, little attention has been devoted to the relationship between the transactions of corporate insiders in the periods preceding corporate dissolutions and the form of dissolution taken. This study examines the transactions of corporate insiders preceding two forms of dissolution: bankruptcy and voluntary liquidation. The evidence suggests that prior to voluntary liquidations corporate insiders have been heavy net purchasers of their firms' shares. In contrast, heavy selling by corporate insiders was observed for a sample of firms that filed for bankruptcy. Copyright 1991 by MIT Press.