Talking heads: disentangling the shape changes of the large extant hippopotamus during its ontogenetic development.

Using a 3D geometric morphometrics approach, we shed light on the major changes during the ontogenetic development of Hippopotamus amphibius. The main shift in the shape variability of cranial elements in juveniles can probably be related to the interruption of suckling. A less stressed shift in the cranial variability can probably be related to the attainment of sexual maturity.

Relationship between an inconsistent degree of financial literacy and inconsistent decision-making in intertemporal choices.

Intertemporal choice refers to the decision-making process involving trade-offs between rewards available at different points in time (such as choosing between smaller immediate rewards versus larger rewards later on). Empirical evidence often deviates from the exponential preferences predicted by the normative model. A hyperbolic discount function better mirrors individual behavior, explaining temporal inconsistency - whereby preferences vary over time by applying a higher discount in the present.

Intracardiac echocardiography evaluation in secundum atrial septal defect transcatheter closure.

Purpose: This study was designed to assess the balloon sizing maneuvers and deployment of an Amplatzer Septal Occluder (ASO). In addition, intraprocedural balloon sizing was compared with off-line intracardiac echocardiographic measurements.

Methods: The intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) measurements were: maximum transverse and longitudinal atrial septal defect (ASD) diameters in the aortic valve and four-chamber planes; area of the ASD and its equivalent circle diameter.