Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Precommitments for Financial Self-Control:Evidence from Credit Card Borrowing

We analyze a new data set on installment borrowing decisions of a sample of customers of a credit card company. In an attempt to increase its market share, the company more or less randomly offers its customers free installments, i.e. opportunities to finance credit card purchases via installment loans at a zero percent interest rate for durations up to twelve months. We exploit these offers as a quasi-random field experiment to better understand consumer demand for credit. Although there is considerable customer-level heterogeneity in installment usage, we show that the average take-up rate of free installment offers is low: customers choose them only 20% of time they are offered. Further, we provide evidence of pervasive precommitment behavior by individuals who do decide to take free installment offers. For example, we estimate that of the subset of 10 month free installment offers that are taken, only 18% are taken for the full 10 month term allowed under the offer. In the other 82% of these offers, customers precommit at the time of purchase to pay the balance in fewer than 10 installments. Thus, only 3.6% (18% A— 20%) of all 10 month free installment offers are taken for the full 10 month duration. It is challenging to explain this behavior using standard expected utility models since there are no pre-payment penalties and the transactions costs involved in choosing these loans are small: rational customers should take every installment offer for the maximum allowed term when the interest rate is 0%. One explanation for this behavior is that consumers have financial self-control problems and resist the temptation to take interest-free loan offers. If they absolutely must borrow, most consumers choose repayment terms that are shorter than the maximum allowed term to avoid becoming excessively indebted.
Effect of constant-release implants of melatonin on seasonal cycles in reproduction, prolactin secretion and moulting in rams.

Seasonal cycles in the size of the testes, blood plasma concentration of testosterone, FSH and prolactin, intensity of the sexual skin flush, timing of rutting behaviour and moulting of the body coat were recorded in Soay rams after s.c. implantation of melatonin contained in a Silastic envelope which increased the circulating blood levels of melatonin to 200-600 pg/ml for many months. Two groups of 8 adult rams were held under alternating periods of short days (8L:16D) and long days (16L:8D) to drive the seasonal cycles and the treatments with melatonin were initiated during the long or short days, and one group of 8 ram lambs was kept out of doors and given implants during the long days of summer (4 melatonin-implanted and 4 control (empty implants) rams per group). The treatments demonstrated that melatonin implants during exposure to long days resulted in a rapid 'switch on' of reproductive redevelopment similar to that produced by exposure to short days melatonin implants prevented the rams from showing the normal responses to changes in the prevailing photoperiod rendering them nonphotoperiodic; and long-term cyclic changes in testicular activity, prolactin secretion and other characteristics occurred in the melatonin-implanted rams; the pattern was similar to that previously observed in rams exposed to prolonged periods of short days. The overall results are consistent with the view that melatonin is the physiological hormone that relays the effects of changing photoperiod on reproduction and other seasonal features, and that continuous exogenous melatonin from an implant interferes with the normal 'signal' and produces an over-riding short-day response.
Gaussian multiterminal source coding

We consider the problem of separate coding for two correlated memoryless Gaussian source. We determine the rate-distortion region in a special case that one source plays a role of partial side information to reproduce sequences emitted from the other source with a prescribed average distortion level. We also derive an explicit outer bound of the rate-distortion region, demonstrating that the inner bound obtained by Berger (1978) partially coincides with the rate-distortion region.
Seed Cell Wall Storage Polysaccharides: Models to Understand Cell Wall Biosynthesis and Degradation1

Cell wall storage polysaccharides (CWSPs) are found as the principal storage compounds in seeds of many taxonomically important groups of plants. These groups developed extremely efficient biochemical mechanisms to disassemble cell walls and use the products of hydrolysis for growth. To accumulate these storage polymers, developing seeds also contain relatively high activities of noncellulosic polysaccharide synthases and thus are interesting models to seek the discovery of genes and enzymes related to polysaccharide biosynthesis. CWSP systems offer opportunities to understand phenomena ranging from polysaccharide deposition during seed maturation to the control of source-sink relationship in developing seedlings. By studying polysaccharide biosynthesis and degradation and the consequences for cell and physiological behavior, we can use these models to develop future biotechnological applications.
Cross-sectional anatomy and comparative ultrasonography of the equine medial femorotibial joint and its related structures.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY Injuries of the equine stifle are frequent causes of hindlimb lameness. Ultrasonography is useful for the diagnosis of many soft tissue lesions but, until recently, its application to the equine stifle has been limited to a description of normal and abnormal structures. A comparative study using gross anatomical sections to identify all structures visible on ultrasonographic images of the equine stifle has not previously been reported. OBJECTIVES To provide a comprehensive comparative cross-sectional atlas of the normal equine medial femorotibial (MFT) joint and its related structures using ultrasonography. METHODS The stifle joints of 15 cadaver limbs were examined ultrasonographically using a systematic approach. Ten different scanning planes were defined. The lateral and medial femorotibial and the femoropatellar joints were injected with pigments of different colours. Each leg was frozen (10 in extension and 5 in flexion) and cut into slices corresponding to the different scanning planes. According to the different ultrasonographic reference images, 10 representative anatomical images were selected and digitised. RESULTS All bony and soft tissue structures were identified on the anatomical sections and subsequently located on the corresponding ultrasonographic images, except the caudal meniscotibial ligaments. Visualisation of the cruciate ligaments was a challenge due to their position and oblique orientation. CONCLUSIONS Ultrasonography is a very useful technique for imaging both soft tissue and bony structures of the MFT joint and its related structures, although a protocol is required to perform a systematic and standardised ultrasonographic examination. Good anatomical knowledge is mandatory for identification of the different structures. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE This study should contribute to 1) knowledge of the ultrasonographic anatomy of the equine MFT joint and its related structures, 2) use of a protocol for a standardised ultrasonographic examination and 3) the ability to recognise abnormal structures.
Factors associated with prolonged delirium: a systematic review

ABSTRACT Background: Delirium frequently accompanies acute illness. With treatment of the illness, some individuals recover from delirium while for others the symptoms persist. It is not understood why some individuals improve but others do not. The purpose of this paper is to review systematically what is known about the factors associated with the persistence of delirium. Methods: A medical literature search was conducted using several bibliographic databases, supplemented by manual searches of the references. English or French studies were included if they compared two groups of delirious individuals in delirium duration or persistence up to six months after the onset of delirium, diagnosed prospectively with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) criteria (or a scale derived and validated against the DSM). Information was collected on the association between possible non-therapeutic prognostic variables and delirium persistence. Results: Twenty-one observational studies were included, in various settings (e.g. mixed medical-surgical, medical or geriatric, surgical, psychiatric, cancer or palliative care units). Variables assessed included patient characteristics (e.g. age, dementia, medical comorbidity, functional status), delirium characteristics (e.g. presence of hypoactive symptoms, delirium severity) and illness characteristics (e.g. severity of illness, and underlying acute illness). Overall, studies suggested that delirium is often persistent at discharge or beyond. Persistence was associated with dementia, increasing numbers of medical conditions, increasing severity of delirium, hypoactive symptoms and hypoxic illnesses. Conclusions: Preliminary findings suggest that some factors may identify those at risk for persistent delirium; however, more research is needed.
Neurogenic oedema and vasodilatation: effect of a selective neuronal NO inhibitor

THE effects of a neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) inhibitor, 1-(2-trifluoromethylphenyl)imidazole (TRIM) on rat sensory saphenous nerve-induced neurogenic inflammation were investigated. TRIM (50 mg kg−1, i.p.), but not 2-trifluoromethylphenol (TRIMPOH) which lacks nNOS inhibitory activity, inhibited neurogenic oedema by 55.8 ± 6.5% (n = 6, p < 0.05). The effect of TRIM was partially reversed by L -arginine (100 mg kg−1, i.v., p < 0.01). TRIM also caused a reduction (p < 0.05) in neurogenic vasodilatation but had no effect on neuropeptide responses induced by substance P + CGRP. Topically applied TRIM (100 μl of 150−250 mg ml−1) inhibited neurogenic oedema (p < 0.01). Thus, use of this recently decribed nNOS inhibitor has provided new evidence to further the hypothesis that nNOS plays a role in modulating sensory nerve-mediated neurogenic inflammation.
Epidemiology and genetic variability of two species of nematodes (Heligmosomoides polygyrus and Syphacia stroma) of Apodemus spp.

The epidemiology and genetic variability of 2 parasitic nematodes Heligmosomoides polygyrus and Syphacia stroma of Apodemus spp. were investigated. Both are parasites of the same host, exhibit a direct life-cycle and are dioecious. However, H. polygyrus has a diploid and S. stroma a haplodiploid mode of reproduction. Haplodiploidy may lead to a more female biased sex ratio and reduced genetic variability. Levels of genetic diversity were analysed using both isoenzyme electrophoresis and RAPDs (random amplified polymorphic DNA). Both parasites showed a female biased sex ratio with a stronger bias for the haplodiploid parasite. Results showed significantly fewer genetic polymorphisms as measured by RAPDs for the haplodiploid parasite S. stroma in comparison with H. polygyrus. Despite the observed female biased sex ratio this could not be explained by a significant amount of inbreeding. Heterozygote deficiency for individual allozyme loci – which could indicate inbreeding – was not found in either parasite species. Other features of the particular life-history of these species are likely to have an impact on the sex ratio and genetic variability too.
Spin Torques in Point Contacts to Exchange-Biased Ferromagnetic Films

Hysteretic magneto-resistance of point contacts formed between non-magnetic tips and single ferromagnetic films exchange-pinned by antiferromagnetic films is investigated. The analysis of the measured current driven and field driven hysteresis agrees with the recently proposed model of the surface spin-valve, where the spin orientation at the interface can be different from that in the bulk of the film. The switching in magneto-resistance at low fields is observed to depend significantly on the direction of the exchange pinning, which allows identifying this transition as a reversal of interior spins of the pinned ferromagnetic films. The switching at higher fields is thus due to a spin reversal in the point contact core, at the top surface of the ferromagnet, and does not exhibit any clear field offset when the exchange-pinning direction or the magnetic field direction is varied. This magnitude of the switching field of the surface spins varies substantially from contact to contact and sometimes from sweep to sweep, which suggests that the surface coercivity can change under very high current densities and/or due to the particular microstructure of the point contact. In contrast, no changes in the effect of the exchange biasing on the interior spins are observed at high currents, possibly due to the rapid drop in the current density away from nanometer sized point contact cores.
Needle electromyography predicts outcome after lumbar epidural steroid injection

Introduction: Needle electromyography (NEE) would be more valuable if it could predict outcomes after lumbar epidural steroid injections (LESIs) in lumbosacral radiculopathy (LSR). Methods: We investigated the predictive value of NEE for outcome after LESI compared with other known predictive variables in 89 subjects with clinical LSR. Seventy patients completed the study, which included diagnostic lower extremity NEE and LESI. Outcome measures included changes in pain, physical function, and psychosocial function [assessed using the Pain Disability Questionnaire (PDQ)]. Results: NEE was an independent predictor of long‐term pain improvement after LESI and was not predictive of PDQ functional improvement. A regression model, with NEE as one of several independent variables, showed strong outcome‐predictive ability. Conclusions: NEE is an independent predictor of long‐term pain relief after LESI for LSR. Abnormal NEE is predictive of better outcome than normal NEE. A regression equation including NEE and other independent predictors was predictive of pain and functional outcomes. Muscle Nerve, 2012
Yeast RLM1 encodes a serum response factor-like protein that may function downstream of the Mpk1 (Slt2) mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway

The MPK1 (SLT2) gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes a mitogen-activated protein kinase that is regulated by a kinase cascade whose known elements are Pkc1 (a homolog of protein kinase C), Bck1 (Slk1) (a homolog of MEK kinase), and the functionally redundant Mpk1 activators Mkk1 and Mkk2 (homologs of MEK). An activated mutation of MKK1, MKK1P386, inhibits growth when overexpressed. This growth-inhibitory effect was suppressed by the mpk1 delta mutation, suggesting that hyperactivation of the Mpk1 pathway is toxic to cells. To search for genes that interact with the Mpk1 pathway, we isolated both chromosomal mutations and dosage suppressor genes that ameliorate the growth-inhibitory effect of overexpressed Mkk1P386. One of the genes identified by the analysis of chromosomal mutations is RLM1 (resistance to lethality of MKK1P386 overexpression), which encodes a protein homologous to a conserved domain of the MADS (Mcm1, Agamous, Deficiens, and serum response factor) box family of transcription factors. Although rlm1 delta cells grow normally at any temperature, they display a caffeine-sensitive phenotype similar to that observed in mutants defective in BCK1, MKK1/MKK2, or MPK1. A gene fusion that provides Rlm1 with a transcriptional activation domain of Gal4 suppresses bck1 delta and mpk1 delta. A screening for dosage suppressors yielded the MSG5 genes, which encode a dual-specificity protein phosphatase. Our results suggest that Rlm1 functions as a transcription factor downstream of Mpk1 that is subject to activation by the Mpk1 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.
An Empirical Research on Influential Factors in Poverty of Peasant Households in Minority Regions in China

Based on the data of survey in peasant households in poverty-stricken minority counties in Sichuan Province bythe authors, this article is going to employ the Probit Regression Model and make an empirical analysis ininfluential factors in poverty of peasant households in minority regions from the three aspects of peasanthousehold environmental characteristics, family characteristics and policy system. It is indicated by the resultthat, the factors of human capital and national policy system have significant influences upon poverty of peasanthouseholds, such as, educational level of family members, healthy condition and outside labor service, etc.;natural disaster and adverse topographic conditions are the important influential factors in poverty of peasanthouseholds.
Cell-type specific regulation of the human 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 promoter

Abstract The intracellular enzyme 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1) converts cortisone into the more active metabolite cortisol. Overexpression of 11beta-HSD1 was associated with features of the metabolic syndrome such as obesity or impaired glucose tolerance. Despite this considerable impact of 11beta-HSD1, the human 11beta-HSD1 promoter has not been described in detail yet. We therefore cloned eight different promoter fragments of the 5′-upstream region of the known transcription/translation-start up to −3034 bp into the luciferase-reporter vector pGL3. A low-cost in-house assay was developed and validated to detect firefly and renilla luciferase activity. Promoter fragments were analysed in human HepG2 and undifferentiated and differentiated murine 3T3-L1 cells. A differential regulation of the human 11beta-HSD1 promoter depending upon the cell type was observed. Specifically, a strong repressor of the basal promoter activity was found between −85 and −172 bp in HepG2 cells only, while an additional repressor appeared to be active between −342 and −823 bp in both, the hepatic and the adipose cell line. The presented data suggest a cell-type specific regulation of the 11beta-HSD1 promoter, which is in agreement with existing expression data from animal and human studies. The described promoter constructs will allow subsequent studies about the role of specific hormonal, metabolic and transcription factors to finally characterise the regulation of the human 11beta-HSD1-promoter in more detail.
Uncoupling gastrulation and mesoderm differentiation in the Drosophila embryo.

In Drosophila, ventral furrow formation and mesoderm differentiation are initiated by two regulatory genes, twist (twi) and snail (sna). Both genes are evolutionarily conserved and have also been implicated in vertebrate gastrulation. Evidence is presented that sna is sufficient to initiate the invagination of the ventral‐most embryonic cells in the absence of twi+ gene activity. The invaginated cells fail to express mesoderm regulatory genes, suggesting that ventral furrow formation can be uncoupled from mesoderm differentiation. Despite the previous demonstration that sna functions as a sequence‐specific transcriptional repressor, low levels of sna that fail to repress neuroectoderm determinants in the presumptive mesoderm are nonetheless able to promote invagination. Cells that possess an ambiguous developmental identity can initiate the invagination process, providing further evidence that ventral furrow formation need not be linked to mesoderm differentiation.
Stapedotomy for Tympanosclerotic Stapes Fixation: Is It Safe and Efficient? A Review of 68 Cases

Objective Performing stapedotomy in cases of tympanosclerotic stapes fixation is controversial. The procedure is traditionally considered to carry a high risk of postoperative sensorineural hearing loss. The aim of this study was to report the hearing results in surgically treated cases of stapes fixation. Study Design A retrospective review of tympanosclerosis of the oval window with stapes fixation. Setting The study was performed at the Jean Causse Ear Clinic in Clombiers, France. Patients Sixty-five patients who underwent surgery for tympanosclerotic stapes fixation between January 1992 and October 1999. Intervention Stapedotomy with vein graft interposition and reconstruction with a Teflon piston, or a total prosthesis in cases of incudal erosion. Main Outcome Measures Preoperative and postoperative audiometric evaluation using conventional audiometry. Air-bone gap, bone conduction threshold, air conduction threshold, and Glasgow Benefit Plot were measured. Results Postoperative air-bone gap closure to within 10 dB was achieved in 39% of cases. An air-bone gap less than 20 dB was obtained in 70% of cases. Significant postoperative improvement of air conduction thresholds, more than 20 dB, was found in 46% of cases. The postoperative bone conduction thresholds were unchanged in 92% of cases. No significant sensorineural hearing loss was seen in this series. Conclusion This series demonstrates that safe and successful stapedotomy is possible if certain rules are respected.
Deafness and Text-Based Literacy

Due to social, political, and economic forces, much of the information associated with learned institutions such as courts, businesses, governments, and schools in the United States has been preserved or recorded in printed or written texts in standard English. A common assumption—one that recently is being challenged (e.g., see discussions in Olson, 1989; Wagner, 1986)—is that the predominant use of print and written language is the hallmark of an advanced civilization, one that possesses scientific and technological prowess. Theoretically, it is possible, albeit not economically or ecologically efficient, to preserve the same amount and diversity of learned, complex information in nontext-based forms, for example, audio-visual media. Nevertheless, proficiency in the use of print and written information, that is, in English text-based literacy skills, is a prerequisite for functioning adequately in a technological, information intensive society such as the United States, and for gaining access to higher education, scientific and industrial occupations, and the learned professions (Adams, 1990; Anderson, Hiebert, Scott, & Wilkinson, 1985). Within the guidelines presented in the introductory article of this journal, "Framework for Literacy: 1993 and Beyond" (Craig & Craig), the purpose of this article is threefold, that is, to discuss English text-based literacy and its ramifications for deaf people, according to three interrelated perspectives:1. The relationship of text-based knowledge to the larger domain of literate thought (similar to "literate knowledge" or "literate know-how")2. The significance of English literacy, particularly text-based literacy, for deaf people in a competitive, technological, information intensive workplace3. The development of English text-based literacy skills in deaf people relative to theory, research, assessment, and instruction
Los sistemas regionales de innovación en América Latina

Este documento resume los principales resultados y las conclusiones de la investigacion realizada por la Division de Ciencia y Tecnologia (SCT) del Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo. El trabajo respondio al doble objetivo de analizar el grado de importancia de la innovacion en la region y estudiar con mayor profundidad la dinamica que presentan los sistemas regionales de innovacion (SRI) en algunas regiones de America Latina, asi como su impacto en la innovacion del sector privado. Esta compuesto por cuatro capitulos. En el primero se realiza una revision conceptual de los SRI. En el segundo capitulo, se explora la existencia de diferencias regionales en lo que respecta a los componentes clave de los SRI. En el tercer capitulo, se presenta una revision panoramica de los avances implementados en el diseno y en los procesos de construccion y consolidacion de los SRI identificados en las ocho regiones analizadas. Por ultimo, se exponen las conclusiones y recomendaciones de politica.