This study investigates the nature, causes, and behavioral effects of agricultural credit limits among rural households in Kyrgyzstan using nationally representative data from the 2019 Life in Kyrgyzstan (LiK) Survey. Despite recent growth in the domestic financial sector, formal credit remains difficult to obtain, especially for smallholder farmers. The analysis employs a direct elicitation methodology that categorizes families into four groups: unconstrained, quantity-rationed, price-rationed, and risk-rationed, to better capture both supply-side and demand-side restrictions. To identify the key variables associated with each type of constraint, a multinomial logit model is utilized. The findings reveal that risk rationing is the most prevalent form of credit exclusion, affecting approximately one-third of rural households. This indicates that borrowing decisions are more influenced by households' perceptions of risks, such as concerns about repayment, the threat of losing collateral, and limited trust in financial institutions, rather than merely the availability of credit. Additionally, the location of households significantly impacts the likelihood of quantity rationing. Exposure to adverse shocks notably increases the probability of credit limits among rural households, highlighting the importance of external factors in credit access issues.

Effectiveness of direct and indirect time preference elicitation methods across domains in predicting health behaviors: Evidence from Rural China

Willingness to pay for a quality adjusted life year across different time horizons: direct elicitation in Quebec.

Patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) preferred fixed-duration treatments with less frequent administrations in the era of novel bispecific antibodies (BsAbs)

Introduction & BackgroundIt has been estimated that over 9 million people in the UK feel lonely either often or all the time. Loneliness is difficult to measure due to its latent nature and associated stigma. This work demonstrates the application of transformer-based natural language processing (NLP) to model themes of loneliness and identify potential proxy terms for loneliness within digital footprint data on Kooth, a digital mental health platform (DMHP). Kooth provides access to an online community of peers, a team of experienced counsellors, and a group of emotional well-being practitioners. The study aims to derive insight into themes related to the elicitation of loneliness by Kooth service users (SUs). Objectives & ApproachThis research aims to demonstrate how transformer-based topic modelling can be combined with digital footprint data from DMHPs to identify direct and indirect elicitations of loneliness. While previous research has evaluated the automated inference of loneliness, this work has typically been limited to social media platform analysis, and such studies rarely translate to improvements in mental health practice. By focusing on loneliness elicitation within a digital mental health forum, this study provides a nuanced understanding of how SUs express loneliness concerns, and these findings can directly inform and enhance service delivery, advancing beyond traditional social media-based loneliness analysis. Relevance to Digital FootprintsThe data comprised forum posts (n=140,027) from Kooth SUs (n=22,631). On the Kooth platform, SUs are labelled with ‘presenting issues’ - discrete categories of mental health concerns elicited either through one-on-one text-based therapeutic sessions or via forum posts. ResultsBased on the ’loneliness’ presenting issue, the dataset was divided into ‘lonely’ (n=19,720) and ‘non-lonely’ (n=120,307) posts. Initial proxy terms for loneliness were developed through consultations with practitioners identifying key concepts such as ‘feeling unheard,’ ‘feeling withdrawn,’ and ‘friendship.’ These terms informed the subsequent transformer-based topic modelling analysis, which identified additional themes that were characteristic of posts from users with loneliness as a presenting issue. Conclusions & ImplicationsThis analysis of digital mental health footprint data extends previous forum data research approaches while deepening our understanding of loneliness-associated language patterns. The transformer-based modelling approach enables the evaluation of a considerable volume of data faster than manual review processes while crucially creating a meaningful bridge between research and practice, delivering actionable insights that can directly inform therapeutic interventions.

Exploring biocontrol strategies for Phytopathogens using plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria-derived enzymes: A review of current advances and future directions.

BackgroundAntipsychotic medications are considered the mainstay of treatment for schizophrenia. However, these medications are associated with a wide range of side effects, which may be tolerated differently by patients, and may impact initiation and continuation of treatment.PurposeThis study aimed to assess the tolerability of antipsychotic medication side effects for patients with schizophrenia and understand how side effects may impact decisions to initiate and remain in treatment.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted with 200 people living with schizophrenia and 100 caregiver proxies for those with severe disease presentation. The survey utilized the Maximum Difference Scaling (MaxDiff) approach to quantify preferences and a direct elicitation survey to rank specific side effects. Descriptive analysis and statistical analyses were conducted to address the study objectives.ResultsResults indicated that extrapyramidal side effects such as pseudoparkinsonism and tardive dyskinesia, as well as feeling detached and memory and cognitive issues were ranked as the least tolerable. In contrast, side effects such as reduced interest in/enjoyment of sex, feeling tired or drowsy, and dry mouth were perceived as more tolerable. Caregivers’ perspectives closely aligned with the care recipients’ rankings, with an additional particular concern for high blood sugar that may lead to diabetes. Side effects such as pseudoparkinsonism, memory and cognitive problems, and weight gain were associated with unwillingness to initiate or continue an effective antipsychotic medication.ConclusionThese findings highlight the importance of considering side effect profiles when selecting and discussing treatment options with patients. Side effects can potentially impact patients’ willingness to start or switch medications, therefore, prescribing decisions should take into consideration patients’ tolerance for potential adverse effects. Engaging patients and caregivers in treatment decisions can enhance shared decision-making and treatment satisfaction. Healthcare providers should consider these findings when prescribing antipsychotic medications to people living with schizophrenia.

This study explores the linguistic kinship between the Dayak Ngaju and Dayak Maanyan languages, two prominent indigenous languages spoken in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Utilizing a lexicostatistical approach based on the 200-item Swadesh list vocabularies, the research aims to quantify the level of relatedness between the two languages and identify sound changes that mark their historical divergence. Data were collected through direct elicitation from native speakers and supplemented with secondary sources. The analysis found that 64 out of 200 vocabulary items are cognates, resulting in a kinship value of 32%, which classifies the relationship at the stock level. This indicates that while both languages likely share a common ancestral language, they have diverged significantly over time due to phonological shifts, socio-cultural factors, and geographic separation. Further comparative analysis revealed systematic sound changes. These findings contribute to a broader understanding of the Austronesian language family and emphasize the importance of preserving linguistic diversity in the Borneo region.

EE517 Willingness to Pay for a Quality Adjusted Life Year Across Different Time Horizons: Direct Elicitation in Quebec

This study aims to identify cognates based on form and meaning among Javanese, Sundanese, Cirebon, and Indramayu vocabularies and analyze their dialectal relationships. Using a list of one hundred Swadesh vocabulary items sourced from dictionaries of the four languages, the data were phonetically transcribed and compared to identify shared lexemes. Dialectometric analysis was then applied to quantify lexical distances and classify dialectal relationships. The findings show that the four languages share 28 cognates and exhibit varying degrees of linguistic proximity: Javanese and Cirebon show the closest relationship, while other pairs are classified as distinct dialects. While the study integrates qualitative and quantitative approaches and contributes insights into less-studied dialects such as Cirebon and Indramayu, it is limited by its reliance on secondary data and lack of fieldwork. Future research should incorporate direct elicitation from native speakers, phonological correspondence analysis, the etymological distinction between cognates and loanwords, and sociolinguistic and geographical mapping to deepen the understanding of dialectal variation in Java

This research investigates the variation of numerals in the Gebe language, spoken in the Central Halmahera Regency, with a focus on its morphosyntactic structure. The study aims to describe how numeral forms vary and function within the grammatical framework of the language, particularly regarding noun phrases, classifiers, and verb agreement. Utilizing a descriptive qualitative method, data were collected through interviews, observation. and direct elicitation from native speakers across several Gebe-speaking communities. The analysis reveals that almost any type of noun, numeral, or described thing can exhibit this variety, although ordinal numerals offer fewer choices. These findings contribute to the documentation of the Gebe language and offer insights into the typological diversity of numeral systems in Eastern Indonesian languages. This study concludes that the numeral system of the Gebe language exhibits unique morphosyntactic characteristics, including variation in form, structure, and function, which not only differ based on semantic domains, such as human, non-human, and object counting, but also undergo specific morphological processes like affixation depending on the syntactic environment.

Direct Elicitation of Parametric Belief Distributions: An application to inflation expectations

Abstract: Reciprocity is well studied in spoken languages but significantly less so in sign languages. Despite that, sign language data can provide us with new and different ways to understand reciprocal semantics due to modality differences. The objective of this article is to describe strategies of encoding reciprocal semantics in Russian Sign Language (RSL) and to compare them to ones found in spoken languages and other sign languages. For that purpose, I used direct elicitation and RSL corpus data. The analysis revealed that in RSL, three semantic types of reciprocals are distinguished (prototypical, chaotic, and chaining) by different kinds of reduplication combined with change of movement and orientation and the use of classifier constructions. Iconicity and the use of space, which are important features in a language in the visual modality, affect the structure of lexical reciprocals, types of grammatical polysemy, derivation meaning in core signs and classifiers, use of metaphor, and reference in derived reciprocal verbs.

BackgroundIncreasingly exposed to emerging sanitary risks, extensive livestock farming systems are confronted with the imperative of incorporating biosecurity measures in their production models in order to limit the risk of introduction and diffusion of animal pathogens. Yet, ex-ante assessment methods of the likelihood of biosecurity measures implementation are poorly documented. Our study aimed at comparing alternative methods of elicitation of preferences to assess the attitude of extensive livestock farmers towards biosecurity measures. We used, as a case study, the Regional Porcine Sanitary Plan (RPSP) elaborated for the free-range pig sector of Corsica Island to meet the newly established national disease prevention requirements of France in the face of risk of African Swine Fever introduction.MethodsThe RPSP imposed (1) a fencing of the breeding pigs’ area, (2) the neutering of the pigs not used for breeding, and (3) a management process of dead pigs’ carcasses found on pastures. We evaluated four attributes of the sanitary plan, including (1) proportion of the implementation cost covered by state subsidies, (2) mandatory carcass management, (3) people allowed to neuter gilts, (4) the age limit for neutering. We performed interviews of a sample of free-range pig farmers using three methods in parallel, namely (1) direct qualitative elicitation, (2) attributed-based stated choices and (3) semi-quantitative ranking of attributes.ResultsFarmers’ preference for a high subsidization of the sanitary plan and for enforcing the neutering of pigs at an early age was consistent across all used methods. Participants expressed heterogeneous preferences for the two other attributes. Half of the respondents were reluctant to entrust veterinarians with neutering gilts while the other half deemed veterinarians’ intervention compulsory. Contradictory preferences were obtained on rendering carcass management mandatory depending on the elicitation method.ConclusionOur study demonstrates the added value of using choice-based methods, where respondents weigh the individual costs and benefits associated with different options, in combination with qualitative or semi-quantitative ranking methods in which farmers express their opinions and give more consideration to their community interest. It also reveals potential issues of heterogeneities among farmers’ preferences that need to be taken into consideration in similar surveys.

This study conducts a comparative analysis of the inclusive and exclusive distinctions among the Kirati languages, specifically Dungmali, Khaling, Koyee, and Wambule. Data were collected through direct elicitation from native speakers, revealing the presence of inclusive and exclusive distinctions in both non past intransitive and transitive verb paradigms. Among the languages examined, Wambule, Koyee, and Khaling exhibit a closer affinity in terms of the first person dual inclusive and exclusive distinctions. For first person plural inclusive and exclusive, Koyee, and Khaling share common markers, suggesting a linguistic proximity between them. In contrast, Wambule and Dungmali display similarities, particularly in their utilization of the nasal marker <-n> for first person plural inclusive, although Dungmali employs nasals more extensively than Wambule, particularly for first person plural exclusive marking. In the non past transitive paradigm, Khaling, Koyee, and Wambule demonstrate greater similarity, employing the first person dual-inclusive marker <tsi> and exclusive marker <-tsu> in pronoun form, albeit with nuanced variations in predicates. For first person plural inclusive and exclusive, Khaling and Koyee utilize the marker <-ki> and its reverse form <ik>, respectively. In contrast, Dungmali stands out by incorporating nasals alongside the marker <n~ŋa> to denote first person plural inclusive and exclusive, distinguishing it from the other languages under examination.

We study secure survey designs in organizational settings where fear of retaliation makes it hard to elicit truth. Theory predicts that (i) randomized-response techniques offer no improvement because they are strategically equivalent to direct elicitation, (ii) exogenously distorting survey responses (hard garbling) can improve information transmission, and (iii) the impact of survey design on reporting can be estimated in equilibrium. Laboratory experiments confirm that hard garbling outperforms direct elicitation but randomized response works better than expected. False accusations slightly but persistently bias treatment effect estimates. Additional experiments reveal that play converges to equilibrium if learning from others’ experience is possible. (JEL C83, C90, D83, D91)

Unstructured Direct Elicitation (UDE) offers a flexible method to capture consumer preferences and decision rules in an unstructured format such as writing an email. However, it relies on subjective human coding and indicative consideration set sizes to make accurate predictions on consideration decisions. This research leverages large language models (LLMs) to replace human judges and make predictions without the need for additional information like indicative consideration set sizes. Empirical analyses show that fine-tuned LLMs effectively interpret decision rules and handle sophisticated considerations in a complex product scenario (automotive study), outperforming the best UDE models by capturing over 25% more information, while their performance in a moderate-scale study on mobile phones is comparable to the best UDE models. The use of LLMs enhances scalability, cost efficiency, and consistency in comprehending unstructured text data and making predictions, offering a promising alternative to human judges and enabling large-scale, real-time implementation of UDE in marketing research and practice. Together with their ability to interact with users, LLMs fine-tuned with representative datasets may serve as a valuable knowledgebase to summarize consumer preferences and decision rules and supply insights for the creation and simulation of marketing strategies.

Abstract The ease and consistency with which speakers of many languages provide direct judgments about syllable structure has been taken by scholars as evidence that these judgments are accurate and sufficient argumentation for an analysis of syllable structure in descriptive works. This paper questions whether the results of direct elicitation tasks reliably indicate a prosodic domain that is meaningful in the language’s phonology and provides alternative forms of evidence for syllable structure from intonation. This is done through a case study of Budai Rukai, a Formosan language whose contact relationship with Sinitic languages affects how speakers respond to syllable judgment tasks.

This paper delves into the spatial deixis (deictic) embedded in the Kirati languages namely Bantawa, Bayung, Chamling, Dumi, Dungmali, Koyee, Khaling, Kulung, Limbu, Lohorung, Nachhiring, Puma, Sampang, Thulung, Wambule and Yamphu within the comparative and cross-linguistic context. The data drawn in this paper were collected from the direct elicitation from the speakers of more than a dozen Kirati languages. The findings of this study reveal that the Kirati languages share the spatial deictic features almost in the same pattern. The Kirati languages exhibit the locative suffixes for 'above, up', 'below, down' and 'across' indicating by various deictic suffixes. Vertical deictic like 'up here', 'down here' and 'over here' are realized in different ways in terms of the deictic suffixes. It is interesting that all the Kirati languages are not treated in the same way in both of the vertical deixis, i.e. Bantawa, Dungmali and Wambule have the same lexicon to denote 'above' and 'over'. But the other languages discussed in this article are treated in both of the paradigms. The deictic roots are also nominalized with suffixes in the Kirati languages. Typologically, Dungmali, Bantawa, Thulung, and Puma might be grouped into one whereas the languages like Yamphu, Koyee, Khaling, Dumi and Lohorung may be grouped into another category. There are some other Tibeto-Burman languages like Gurung, Tamang and Manangba that may be grouped into third category the way they are treated with the locational suffixes. The rest of the languages share the individual locational markers.

Rayya Afan Oromo is a scarcely studied variety of Oromo spoken in Northern Ethiopia. The objective of this study is describing valency-adjusting constructions that refer to either valency increasing or valency decreasing construction in the variety. To achieve this objective, causative construction and middle construction were selected purposively by convenient sampling technique. The study employed a descriptive qualitative research approach. Data for the study were obtained through field linguistics method which covered recording of communicative events and direct elicitation. The work discovered that morphologically derived causative verbs could come from a verb or a (verbalized-) noun and/or an adjective stem. Markers, -s- and -s(i) is- are used in interansitive verb roots/stems, whereas -s (i) is- is used in transitive verb roots/stems. In case of nouns and adjectives roots/stems, -s- is used. Additionaly, verbalized-noun roots/stems can be causativized by -siis-, whereas adjective roots/stems can be causativized by -e(e)ʃʃ-. Thus, the causativization results in increasing arguments by one or two to the basic structure and transform the arguments. In this case, the basic subject moves to the object position and the applied argument, that is, the causer argument becomes the subject of the derived causal structure. Concerning middle markers of the variety, -(a)at- is marking the middle in verb, noun and adjective roots/stems. However, -(a)aw- is also marking the middle in adjective roots/stems. And middle construction reduces the valency in the variety. In general, the Rayya Afan Oromo variety has markers of causative and middle constructions respectively for increase and decrease valencies in a nutshell. Keywords: causative, middle, inchoative, auto benefactive and valency