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Abstract: This paper investigates how to estimate the likelihood of a customer accepting a loan offer as a function of the offer parameters and how to choose the optimal set of parameters for the offer to the applicant in real time. There is no publicly available data set on whether customers accept the offer of a financial product, whose features are changing from offer to offer. Thus, we develop our own data set using a fantasy student current account. In this paper, we suggest three approaches to determine the probability that an applicant with characteristics will accept offer characteristics using the fantasy student current account data. Firstly, a logistic regression model is applied to obtain the acceptance probability. Secondly, linear programming is adapted to obtain the acceptance probability model in the case where there is a dominant offer characteristic, whose attractiveness increases (or decreases) monotonically as the characteristic''s value increases. Finally, an accelerated life model is applied to obtain the probability of acceptance in the case where there is a dominant offer characteristic. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

d,l-Methylphenidate (Ritalin®) is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. The therapeutic effect is predominantly due to the d enantiomer. Dexmethylphenidate (d-MPH; Focalin®) was therefore developed for its better therapeutic index. The present study determined and compared the acute behavioral toxicity of d,l-MPH, d-MPH and l-MPH in rats after oral dosing. Comprehensive functional observational battery (FOB) evaluations and rota-rod tests were performed 30, 60 and 120 min after dosing. Ten rats/sex/dose were administered a single dose of vehicle, 2, 20, 100 mg/kg d,l-MPH and 1, 10, 50 mg/kg d-MPH or 1, 100, 500 mg/kg l-MPH. There was no mortality. Certain FOB evaluations were statistically significant from vehicle control at any of the time points with most occurring at 60 and 120 min in the high d,l-MPH dose. These included increases in rearing, difficulty in removal from box, arousal, click, tail-pinch and decreases in hind-limb splay distance, hind-limb grip strength and handling reactivity. Behavioral responses were also present at the mid-dose d,l-MPH and high dose d- and l-MPH. Responses in female were significantly different from males in d,l- and l-MPH groups suggesting a sex difference in sensitivity. In the rota-rod test, mean latency to remain on the rod was significantly less for males compared to control given high dose d-MPH and d,l-MPH. In females, latency times were significantly less for high doses of all three compounds. In summary, fewer significant FOBs were seen with d- and l-MPH compared to equimolar doses of d,l-MPH. l-MPH was the least potent in producing FOBs. These results were supported by rota-rod studies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

d-Methylphenidate is an enantiomer of d,l-methylphenidate and was developed as an improved treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. The current study was performed to assess the potential perinatal and postnatal toxicity of both compounds in rats. About 125 presumed pregnant rats were assigned to five dose groups of 25 each. They were dosed with 2, 6, and 20 mg/kg/day d-methylphenidate and 40 mg/kg/day d,l-methylphenidate from gestation Day 7 to lactation Day 20. F1 generation rats were rebred to produce F2 fetuses. Various perinatal and postnatal measurements were made for the F0 and F1 rats. Among the significant findings were a reduction in maternal body weight gain for 20 mg/kg/day d-methylphenidate and d,l-methylphenidate and increased incidences of dilated pupil and vocalization for d,l-methylphenidate during the gestation period. Neither compound produced any other significant adverse findings in F0 and F1 generation rats at doses that were at least 25 times the maximum daily human therapeutic dose. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Leprosy is a chronic infection of the skin and nerves caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is a reactive state in lepromatous leprosy. Thalidomide has been used to treat ENL since the 1960s. One of its mechanisms of action is anti-inflammatory through selective inhibition of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α produced by monocytes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]