Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Every Drop Counts: A Water Conservation Experiment with Hotel Guests

We implement a field experiment with hotel guests to measure the effects of nonprice interventions on water conservation and customer satisfaction. In hotels, guests have no direct pecuniary incentive to conserve water, as consumers do at home, where they pay their own water bills. Because hotels earn greater profits when they manage to convince guests to conserve, guests may be suspicious of a hotel's stated social goal of water conservation. By implementing behavioral interventions that address these challenges, we find that our nudges can induce guests to reduce their water consumption, even when no direct monetary incentive is provided. Using post‐stay customer surveys, we detected no adverse effects on customer satisfaction due to these nudges. (JEL D12, I31, Q41, Q50)
Helicobacter pylori VacA Enhances Prostaglandin E2 Production through Induction of Cyclooxygenase 2 Expression via a p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase/Activating Transcription Factor 2 Cascade in AZ-521 Cells

ABSTRACT Treatment of AZ-521 cells with Helicobacter pylori VacA increased cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) mRNA in a time- and dose-dependent manner. A p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor, SB203580, blocked elevation of COX-2 mRNA levels, whereas PD98059, which blocks the Erk1/2 cascade, partially suppressed the increase. Consistent with involvement of p38 MAPK, VacA-induced accumulation of COX-2 mRNA was reduced in AZ-521 cells overexpressing a dominant-negative p38 MAPK (DN-p38). Phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C, which inhibits VacA-induced p38 MAPK activation, blocked VacA-induced COX-2 expression. In parallel with COX-2 expression, VacA increased prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production, which was inhibited by SB203580 and NS-398, a COX-2 inhibitor. VacA-induced PGE2 production was markedly attenuated in AZ-521 cells stably expressing DN-p38. VacA increased transcription of a COX-2 promoter reporter gene and activated a COX-2 promoter containing mutated NF-κB or NF-interleukin-6 sites but not a mutated cis-acting replication element (CRE) site, suggesting direct involvement of the activating transcription factor 2 (ATF-2)/CREB-binding region in VacA-induced COX-2 promoter activation. The reduction of ATF-2 expression in AZ-521 cells transformed with ATF-2-small interfering RNA duplexes resulted in suppression of COX-2 expression. Thus, VacA enhances PGE2 production by AZ-521 cells through induction of COX-2 expression via the p38 MAPK/ATF-2 cascade, leading to activation of the CRE site in the COX-2 promoter.
Cerebral Blood Flow Measurement by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy During Carotid Endarterectomy

Background: It is crucial to evaluate cerebral blood flow (CBF) during carotid endarterectomy (CEA). However, it is difficult to measure CBF in the operating room. The recent development of high-accuracy near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has enabled the measurement of regional CBF following injection of indocyanine green (ICG). We aimed to measure changes in regional CBF by clamping the carotid artery during CEA and to analyze factors affecting the blood flow index (BFI) in CEA. Methods: Patients undergoing elective CEA were enrolled in this study after it was approved by the institutional ethical board. All patients underwent CEA under general anesthesia. Intraoperative blood pressure was controlled about 30% higher than the precarotid cross-clamping during carotid cross-clamping. ICG (0.5 mg/kg) was injected before, during, and after carotid cross-clamping. The kinetics of an intravenous bolus of ICG were monitored by a NIRS oximeter (NIRO200NX) and the BFI was calculated using the slope of the ICG concentration. The impact of carotid cross-clamping on the BFI was evaluated, along with factors influencing changes in the BFI. Results: A total of 50 patients were enrolled. The BFI significantly decreased during carotid cross-clamping compared with baseline values (from 0.077±0.019 to 0.0054±0.0019 &mgr;mol/L/s) (P<0.01). After unclamping the common carotid artery, the BFI recovered to the preclamping level (0.0073±0.0023 &mgr;mol/L/s) (P<0.01). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that abnormalities of the circle of Willis correlated significantly with reduced BFI (odds ratio=12.07, P=0.036). Conclusions: The BFI was significantly reduced by carotid artery clamping during CEA. Abnormalities of the circle of Willis were a significant factor contributing to reduced BFI.
Comparison of Stress‐induced Changes in Noradrenergic and Serotonergic Neurons in the Rat Hippocampus Using Microdialysis

The effects of stress on the serotonergic and noradrenergic projection to the hippocampus were compared in freely moving rats using microdialysis. Stress‐induced changes in 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT), noradrenaline and their metabolites 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐HIAA) and 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) were measured in the presence of their respective uptake blockers. Local infusion of tetrodotoxin and replacement of Ca2+ with Cd2+ were used to test dependence on impulse traffic. A 5 min tail pinch or 10 min restraint stress increased 5‐HT, 5‐HIAA, noradrenaline and DOPAC levels. A subcutaneous saline injection produced an increase in 5‐HT and DOPAC but not noradrenaline or 5‐HIAA. Although α2 adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists produced changes in the baseline values of noradrenaline and DOPAC, they had little or no effect on stress‐induced changes. Both the abolition of impulse traffic and its enhancement by stress had a greater effect on transmitter than on metabolite levels. Although the responses to stress of the noradrenergic and serotonergic pathway showed many similarities, there was evidence for their activation by separate pathways.
Perceived pollution and inbound tourism for Shanghai: a panel VAR approach

ABSTRACT Although there exists sizeable literature studying the impact of tourists’ risk perceptions, less attention has been devoted to studying the difference between the impact of measured and perceived risks. We apply a panel vector autoregression (PVAR) to a dataset of inbound tourism in Shanghai, China to study the dynamic relationship between pollution and tourism. Particularly, we distinguish between measured pollution level and perceived pollution (measured by Google Trends search data) to test which one has the larger impact on tourists’ decisions. Our results show that pollution (measured or perceived) can be a powerful deterrent to potential international tourists.
Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of European Propolis

Abstract Three propolis samples from Austria, Germany and France were investigated by GC/MS, where eleven compounds were being new for propolis. The samples showed some similarities in their qualitative composition. Phenylethyl-trans-caffeate, benzyl ferulate and galangin were predominant in German propolis. Benzyl caffeate was predominant in French sample. Pinocembrin was predominant in French and Austrian propolis and trans-p-coumaric acid was predominant in all samples. The antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus; Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans was evaluated. German propolis showed the highest antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. While Austrian propolis has the highest activity against Candida albicans. French propolis was effective against all pathogens but less than German and Austrian propolis.
Effect of Earnings Volatility on Cost of Debt: The case of Swedish Limited Companies

The paper empirically tests the relationship between earnings volatility and cost ofdebt with a sample of more than 77,000 Swedish limited companies over the period 2006 to2013 observing more than 677,000 firm years. As called upon by many researchers recentlythat there is very limited evidence of the association between earnings volatility and cost ofdebt this paper contributes greatly to the existing literature of earnings quality and debtcontracts, especially on the consequence of earnings quality in the debt market. Earningsvolatility is a proxy used for earnings quality while cost of debt is a component of debtcontract.After controlling for firms’ profitability, liquidity, solvency, cashflow volatility,accruals volatility, sales volatility, business risk, financial risk and size this paper studies theeffect of earnings volatility measured by standard deviation of Earnings Before Interest,Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) on Cost of Debt.Overall finding suggests that lenders in Sweden does take earnings volatility intoconsideration while determining cost of debt for borrowers. But a deeper analysis of variousindustries suggest earnings volatility is not consistently used by lenders across all theindustries. Lenders in Sweden are rather more sensitive to borrowers’ financial risk across allthe industries. It may also be stated that larger borrowers tend to secure loans at a lowerinterest rate, the results are consistent with majority of the industries. Swedish debt marketappears to be well prepared for financial crises as the debt crisis seems to have no or littleadverse effect borrowers’ cost of capital.This study is the only empirical evidence to study the association between earningsvolatility and cost of debt. Prior indirect research suggests earnings volatility has a negativeeffect on cost debt (i.e. an increase in earnings volatility will increase firm’s cost of debt). Our direct evidence from the Swedish debt market is consistent for some industries includingmedia, real estate activities, transportation & warehousing, and other consumer services.
Involvement of MAPK activation in bacterial endotoxin-inducible tissue factor upregulation in human monocytic THP-1 cells.

BACKGROUND Monocytic tissue factor (mTF) hypercoagulation leading to thrombotic complications is commonly observed following sepsis. OBJECTIVE We herein study the intracellular mechanism of mTF upregulation in human model monocytic THP-1 cells in response to bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS; Escherichia coli O111:B04), determining if mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation is involved in the signaling. METHODS We assessed mTF upregulation by its cell surface expression, protein synthesis, and functional activity based on flow cytometry, Western blotting analysis, and a single-stage clotting assay, respectively. RESULTS A 3-h challenge with LPS (100 ng/ml) drastically induced mTF functional activity, accompanied by elevated surface mTF expression and synthesis. The suppression by genistein (G) of LPS-inducible mTF upregulation implied the involvement of protein tyrosine kinase activation in mTF upregulation. LPS activated MAPK, which was significantly depressed by G, SB 203580 (SB), and PD 98058 (PD). Interestingly, inclusion of SB and PD also markedly diminished LPS-inducible mTF upregulation. The parallelism between MAPK and mTF activities revealed the involvement of MAPK activation in such mTF upregulation. Based on the ability of SB and PD to respectively block LPS-inducible tyrosine phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and Erk1/2, it was evident that tyrosine phosphorylation of MAPKs is required for mediating LPS-inducible mTF synthesis and upregulation. Contrasting with the established prevention of mTF upregulation by these inhibitors, failure to offset the already LPS-induced mTF activity seemed to be consistent with the view that LPS readily activated MAPK responsible for mTF synthesis. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that the tyrosine phosphorylation of MAPKs (p38 and Erk1/2) leading to their activation could be a prerequisite for LPS induction of mTF synthesis contributing to the upregulation of mTF-initiated extrinsic coagulation.
The Dynamics of Finance-Growth-Inequality Nexus: Theory and Evidence for India

The paper critically inquires the â€˜finance-growth-inequalityâ€™ nexus based on an econometric analysis of the IHDS Survey data for two rounds â€“ 2005-06 and 2011-12. The study attempts to assess the co-evolution of finance-growth-inequality in an intertemporal framework. At the household level asset is still the most important determinant of bank loans inspite of several policy measures aimed at financial inclusion. However, the probability of receiving a bank loan increases if any member of the household is active participant of the local level government or caste association. The most important finding of the paper pertains to the econometric result that the household asset grows at the same rate independent of the source of loans - banks or informal moneylenders though the level effect (intercept) is higher if the loan is obtained from banks or lower if the household lives below poverty line. The same observation is also confirmed for per capita income of the households. The phenomenon is explained in a theoretical model of intertemporal choice of entrepreneur-investor to show that if there are both formal and informal sources of borrowing with a constraint on the formal sector borrowing and no constraint on the latter, then growth rates of asset and income are determined by the informal sector interest rate. This result can be generalised for any number of sources of borrowing. This questions the conventional wisdom regarding the policy aimed at financial inclusion. Inequality of income increases independent of the source of borrowing, though the households living below poverty line are worse off in general. If the major source of borrowing is bank for the business and industry then inequality increases more for the above poverty line households than if the major source is moneylenders or the households belong to the below poverty line category. Moneylenders as the source of borrowing is not as regressive as is believed. So the whole issue of financial inclusion needs a review in the light of the findings of the paper.
Levator Ani Muscle Defects in Patients With Surgical Failure

Introduction The objective of the study was to use a well-described system of measuring levator ani (LA) muscle defects from magnetic resonance images to evaluate whether major defects are correlated to an increased risk of surgical failure. Methods A retrospective cohort study performed on patients who underwent laparoscopic uterosacral ligament suspension from 2010 to 2012. Surgical failure was defined as a composite score of anatomic bulge beyond the hymen with sensation of bulge or repeat treatment of prolapse via pessary or surgery by 1-year follow-up. Levator ani muscle defects were graded by a score of 0 (no defect), 1 (<50% muscle bulk missing), 2 (>50% muscle bulk missing), or 3 (complete loss of muscle). Total score is the sum from both graded sides, with 0 classified as having no defect, 1 to 3 classified as having minor defects, and 4 to 6 classified as having major defects. Dichotomous values of LA major defects were compared against dichotomous values of surgical outcomes via a contingency table. Fisher exact test was then performed to correlate major defects to surgical success/failure. P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Sixty-six women met the inclusion criteria. Thirteen (19.6%) patients met the criteria for surgical failure at 1 year. Of the 13, 54% (7) had a major defect, and 46% (6) had a minor or no defect (odds ratio, 1.31; 95% confidence interval, 0.39–4.41; P = 0.762). Conclusions We did not find a statistical correlation to surgical failure after a laparoscopic uterosacral ligament suspension with LA muscle defects on preoperative magnetic resonance images within this specific patient population.
Financial Leverage and Firms’ Performance: Empirical Investigation of KSE-100 Index

Capital generation to fund everyday operations and long-term expansions is a constant concerning element in the corporate world. This study aims to investigate the optimal level of capital structure that firms can adopt to improve their financial performance given the industry dynamics and economic circumstances of the country. Using Hausman’s specification test, annual data for the period 2005 – 2014 of Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) 100 index listed securities has been collected to analyze the impact of financial leverage on the firms’ performance. Return on assets, return on Equity, and TOBIN’s Q are the proxies of financial performance analyzed against financial leverage for the KSE 100 index listed firms. The finding of the paper indicates that capital structure, leverage, interest cover and sales growth as most significant variables impacting firms’ profitability. DOI: 10.15408/etk.v17i1. 6102
Effect of determinants on financial leverage in Indian steel industry: A study on capital structure

Because India is neither a developed country nor its steel companies are financially self‐sufficient, they are bound to depend on the external capital, resulting the decision to be taken on the leverage ratio as even more crucial. India being the top exporter of iron ores has the potential to be counted as one of the top exporters of steel if the steel companies follow optimal capital structure. Thus, the leverage ratio needs thorough investigation in order to decide the optimal capital structure. Although there have been some attempts, they are not extensive. The objective of this study is to empirically investigate the present capital structure of Indian steel industry from years 2010 until 2017 and the determinants of capital structure and how these determinants correlate with financial leverage. The research objectives are (1) to identify the significant determinants that affect the capital structure and (2) to conduct an extensive and empirical research in order to estimate the correlations of the determinants with the financial leverage. Seven key determinants have been found: They are profitability, asset structure, size, growth opportunities, non‐debt tax shield, liquidity, and risk. The profitability is found to be highly correlated with the debt ratio as was expected and reported in previous studies. The correlations among the determinants such as asset structure, size, and non‐debt tax shield are statistically significant. Profitability and liquidity carry positive relationship with debt ratio, although there is a negative relationship between debt ratio and asset structure.
Converging evidence from microstimulation, architecture, and connections for multiple motor areas in the frontal and cingulate cortex of prosimian primates

In the present study, somatotopic organization, architectonic features, and patterns of connections were used to define motor areas in the frontal and cingulate cortex of the prosimian primate Galago garnetti. Sites throughout portions of the motor cortex were electrically stimulated with microelectrodes at the approximate depth of layer V. In some of the same animals, injections in primary motor cortex (M1), and in the spinal cord, revealed patterns of connections with physiologically identified motor areas. Results were related to cortical architecture in brain sections processed for Nissl, myelin, cytochrome oxidase, acetylcholinesterase, or neurofilaments. Evidence was obtained for a number of fields previously identified in simian primates, including M1, dorsal premotor field with caudal (PMDc) and rostral (PMDr) divisions, ventral premotor area (PMV), supplementary motor area (SMA), presupplementary motor area (pre‐SMA), frontal eye field (FEF), and cingulate motor areas, CMAr and CMAc located rostrally and caudally, respectively. In addition, we distinguished area 6Ds of Preuss and Goldman‐Rakic ( 1991a ) between PMV and PMDc, and a more posterior cingulate sensorimotor area (CSMA) with motor connections that may correspond to the supplementary sensory area of monkeys. Areas M1, SMA, PMDc, PMV, CMAr, CMAc, and CSMA projected to the spinal cord, while all of these areas and 6Ds projected to M1. Although area M1 had the lowest stimulation thresholds for evoked movements, movements were also evoked from the other motor areas, as well as from somatosensory areas 3a and 3b. These results indicate that prosimian galagos have a complex of motor areas that closely resembles that in monkeys and suggest that at least 10 motor fields emerged early in primate evolution. J. Comp. Neurol. 423:140–177, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exploring Twitter for CSR Disclosure: Influence of CEO and Firm Characteristics in Latin American Companies

Social networks, which are characterised by accessibility and interactivity, offer great potential for dialogue between companies and stakeholders, for example as platforms for publishing information on aspects of corporate social responsibility (CSR). In this paper, we use a synthetic index to analyse levels of CSR disclosure via Twitter, and identify explanatory variables of this disclosure by studying the demographic characteristics of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and of the company. This synthetic index was based on data for 93 companies located in the four countries of the Pacific Alliance (Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru), using categories based on the 2016 Global Reporting Initave (GRI) Standards. The tweets were compiled during a period of two months in 2017, immediately before and after the publication of each CSR report. The synthetic index was taken as the dependent variable and used as the basis for multivariate regression analysis to identify the relationship between the level of CSR disclosure on Twitter and the characteristics of the firm and its CEO. The results obtained show that firms operating in environmentally-sensitive industries present higher levels of CSR disclosure on Twitter than those in other sectors. By country of origin, the Colombian and Chilean companies offered higher levels of disclosure than those in Mexico and Peru. The regression analysis revealed a positive relationship between the firm operating in a sensitive industry and its level of CSR disclosure on Twitter, and an inverse relationship between the latter variable and the tenure of the CEO.
Gender differences in the effects of cardiovascular drugs

Although sex-specific differences in cardiovascular medicine are well known, the exact influences of sex on the effect of cardiovascular drugs remain unclear. Women and men differ in body composition and physiology (hormonal influences during the menstrual cycle, menopause, and pregnancy) and they present differences in drug pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) and pharmacodynamics, so that is not rare that they may respond differently to cardiovascular drugs. Furthermore, women are also less often treated with evidence-based drugs thereby preventing optimization of therapeutics for women of all ages, experience more relevant adverse drug reactions than men, and remain underrepresented in most clinical trials. Thus, current guidelines for prevention, diagnosis, and medical treatment for cardiovascular diseases are based on trials conducted predominantly in middle-aged men. A better understanding of these sex-related differences is fundamental to improve the safety and efficacy of cardiovascular drugs and for developing proper individualized cardiovascular therapeutic strategies both in men and women. This review briefly summarizes gender differences in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cardiovascular drugs and provides recommendations to close the gaps in our understanding of sex-specific differences in drug efficacy and safety.