Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combining Generative and Discriminative Representation Learning for Lung CT Analysis With Convolutional Restricted Boltzmann Machines

The choice of features greatly influences the performance of a tissue classification system. Despite this, many systems are built with standard, predefined filter banks that are not optimized for that particular application. Representation learning methods such as restricted Boltzmann machines may outperform these standard filter banks because they learn a feature description directly from the training data. Like many other representation learning methods, restricted Boltzmann machines are unsupervised and are trained with a generative learning objective; this allows them to learn representations from unlabeled data, but does not necessarily produce features that are optimal for classification. In this paper we propose the convolutional classification restricted Boltzmann machine, which combines a generative and a discriminative learning objective. This allows it to learn filters that are good both for describing the training data and for classification. We present experiments with feature learning for lung texture classification and airway detection in CT images. In both applications, a combination of learning objectives outperformed purely discriminative or generative learning, increasing, for instance, the lung tissue classification accuracy by 1 to 8 percentage points. This shows that discriminative learning can help an otherwise unsupervised feature learner to learn filters that are optimized for classification.
Fixed investment and economic growth: new results on causality

This study re-examines the issue of causality between investment shares and economic growth. A methodology is applied based on Arellano and Bond (1991), and Holtz-Eakin, Newey and Rosen (1988) to quinquennial panel data on growth and investment shares for the post war period and shows that, contrary to previous results in the literature, causality between fixed investment and growth runs in both directions. Investment shares Granger-cause growth rates and growth rates Granger-cause investment shares. Granger causality from investment shares to growth rates is found to be negative. The result is in contrast with a capital fundamentalist view which sees fixed investment as the key to long run growth, but is fully consistent with the predictions of Solow-type growth models.
Forecasting Doctoral-Level Content in Agricultural Education: Viewpoints of Engaged Scholars in the United States.

In this study, the researchers used a classical Delphi method to re-examine the conceptual framework, definition, and knowledge base of the field. Seventeen engaged scholars, each representing the expert agricultural education community, reached consensus on defining the field of study, 10 knowledge domains, and 67 knowledge objects. The Delphi panel agreed, “Agricultural education–2010, as a field of study, integrates social and behavioral sciences with the natural and applied science of agriculture, renewable natural resources, and environment. The knowledge base for agricultural education–2010 includes planning and needs assessment; curriculum development; learning theory; instructional design; delivery strategies; evaluation; research methods and tools; scholarship and writing; history, philosophy, and ethics; and contextual applications, culture, and diversity—all effecting continual improvement. Agricultural education empowers people to think more critically, to perform more skillfully, to communicate more clearly, to plan and affect change more efficiently, to solve problems more creatively, and to act based on principles—all of which involves vital choices and consequences in a global society. ” The Delphi panel concurred on 10 knowledge domains composed of 67 core knowledge objects consisting of fundamental and powerful concepts, knowledge, paradigms, skills, and/or theories that are essential for building professional practice in agricultural education.
Community-Dwelling Elders' Knowledge of Drug-to-Drug Interactions

The purpose of this quasi-experimental research study was to determine the effectiveness of an education session on community-dwelling elders' knowledge of drug-to-drug interactions. A total of 82 subjects were divided into experimental and control groups. The pretest/posttest questionnaire was used to measure the difference in their knowledge. Descriptive statistics were used to organize and summarize the data collected, and independent t- test was utilized in the data analysis. The results indicated a significant difference (p = .001) between the mean posttest of both groups. The education session provided to the experimental group was effective in increasing their knowledge level.
Prevalence of Rickettsia and Bartonella Species in Spanish Cats and Their Fleas

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Bartonella henselae, Rickettsia felis, and Rickettsia typhi in fleas and companion cats (serum and claws) and to assess their presence as a function of host, host habitat, and level of parasitism. Eighty-nine serum and claw samples and 90 flea pools were collected. Cat sera were assayed by IFA for Bartonella henselae and Rickettssia species IgG antibodies. Conventional PCRs were performed on DNA extracted from nails and fleas collected from cats. A large portion (55.8%) of the feline population sampled was exposed to at least one of the three tested vector-borne pathogens. Seroreactivity to B. henselae was found in 50% of the feline studied population, and to R. felis in 16.3%. R. typhi antibodies were not found in any cat. No Bartonella sp. DNA was amplified from the claws. Flea samples from 41 cats (46%) showed molecular evidence for at least one pathogen; our study demonstrated a prevalence rate of 43.3 % of Rickettsia sp and 4.4% of Bartonella sp. in the studied flea population. None of the risk factors studied (cat's features, host habitat, and level of parasitation) was associated with either the serology or the PCR results for Bartonella sp. and Rickettsia sp. Flea-associated infectious agents are common in cats and fleas and support the recommendation that stringent flea control should be maintained on cats.
Assessment of the biological condition and nutritional status of adult patients with cystic fibrosis

The aim of the study was to assess the biological condition and nutritional status of adult cystic fibrosis patients. The study included 55 indivi- duals aged from 18 to 31 years. Their biological condition and nutritional sta- tus were determined by somatometric parameters and their pulmonary function by spirometry and a microbiological test. The results show considerable physi- cal retardation and poor nutritional status of the studied adult cystic fibrosis patients. It was also shown that the type of mutation affects body mass and height, as well as thigh and calf circumference values, while the severity of the respiratory system disorder modifies only the body mass value (Kruskal-Wallis test: H (3,55)= 8.505, p < 0.04). The authors have demonstrated a statistically significant relationship between the type of mutation and severity of clinical respiratory symptoms, and nutritional status (respectively: H (2,55) = 9.589, p < 0.01; H (3,55) = 13.320, p < 0.005).
A six‐country study of first‐, second‐, and third‐generation family businesses

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to compare first‐, second‐, and third‐generation family business managerial characteristics and practices in a combined sample from six countries (Croatia, Egypt, France, India, Kuwait, and the USA) with significant differences in cultures, economies, levels of entrepreneurial activity, and family business demographics.Design/methodology/approach – The design was survey research with a sample of 593 businesses from six countries. To compare differences between the three generations, analysis of covariance was run for the 11 dependent variables, followed by post hoc Tukey honestly significant difference multiple comparisons tests to determine which of the three generations were significantly different.Findings – As family businesses move from first to second to third generation, some managerial characteristics and practices remain the same while others change. Furthermore, only minor generational differences between the various countries were found, thus supporting co.
Journal of Agricultural & Food Industrial Organization Risk and Transactions Cost in Contracting : Results from a Choice-Based Experiment

Contracting is a contentious issue in agriculture. Competing theories assert that risk or transactions cost drive contracting decisions, with some argument that autonomy also plays a role. We examine preferences for different contract attributes using a choice-based conjoint experiment. Results of a study of agricultural producers show that both risk and transactions cost play a role in contracting decisions. Autonomy also plays a role, especially to the extent that producers wish to avoid total loss of autonomy. These results suggest that the effects of risk and transactions cost are relative and should both be considered when analyzing contracting decisions.
Modeling and Forecasting Realized Range Volatility

In this paper, we estimate, model and forecast Realized Range Volatility, a new realized measure and estimator of the quadratic variation of financial prices. This estimator was early introduced in the literature and it is based on the high-low range observed at high frequency during the day. We consider the impact of the microstructure noise in high frequency data and correct our estimations, following a known procedure. Then, we model the Realized Range accounting for the well-known stylized effects present in financial data. We consider an HAR model with asymmetric effects with respect to the volatility and the return, and GARCH and GJR-GARCH specifications for the variance equation. Moreover, we also consider a non Gaussian distribution for the innovations. The analysis of the forecast performance during the different periods suggests that including the HAR components in the model improve the point forecasting accuracy while the introduction of asymmetric effects only leads to minor improvements.
Effectiveness of Knowledge Management Systems in Social Services: Food Assistance Project as an Example

This article reports on a performance evaluation on the knowledge management system (KMS) developed for a short-term food assistance program in Hong Kong the authors have conducted. DeLone and McLean's (1992) widely accepted model on information system success is adopted as the evaluative framework. Instead of just another revalidation of the model on KMS evaluation in social services, this study attempts to discuss the effectiveness of the system across different hierarchal levels in the organizations involved. This has remained an unexplored aspect in previous related studies, and the article suggests that the results have implications for further KMS development in human and social services.
A Dynamic Theory of Conjectural Variations

This paper explores the relationship between dynamic oligopolistic competition and static conjectural variations equilibria. Using an infinite horizon adjustment cost model, the author demonstrates that any steady state closed-loop (subgame-perfect) equilibrium coincides with a conjectural variations equilibrium. In the case of linear demand and quadratic costs, the dynamic conjectures consistent with closed-loop steady state equilibria are negative, constant, symmetric, and vary continuously with the discount rate (and the adjustment cost parameter) in an interval between the static consistent conjectures and zero (Cournot). Copyright 1992 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Multislice Computed Tomography in Staging Lung Cancer: The Role of Multiplanar Image Reconstruction

Objective: The role of multiplanar image reconstruction (MPR) in staging lung cancer was investigated using multislice helical computed tomography (CT), which allows high-quality volumetric imaging. Methods: Forty-one consecutive patients with lung cancer (mean age = 71 years) underwent multislice CT of the thorax. The scans were acquired using contiguous 4-mm × 2.5-mm slices from the lung apex to the diaphragm in a single breath hold after injection of 100 mL intravenous contrast media. Contiguous axial, coronal, and sagittal images (5-mm slice thickness) were reconstructed in the lung and mediastinal windows. The axial images with and without multiplanar reformatted images were reviewed on a workstation on 2 separate occasions (a minimum of 6 weeks apart) by 2 experienced chest radiologists. The films were assessed for features relating to the primary lesion (size; location; and invasion of the chest wall, mediastinum, diaphragm, and/or fissures) and secondary features (mediastinal lymphadenopathy and lung metastases). The diagnostic confidence of each feature was expressed on a 4-point scale. Results: A significant increase in confidence was seen on the part of both observers when diagnosing features relating to the primary lesion. The mean confidence score increased from 1.68 to 2.08 (P = 0.038) for observer A and from 1.50 to 1.80 (P = 0.020) for observer B. Confidence in assessing invasion of fissures was increased from 1.70 to 2.30 (P = 0.022) for observer A and from 1.67 to 2.27 (P = 0.006) for observer B. Improvement in interobserver agreement (κ-value from 0.61 to 0.75) was observed with multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) in the assessment of tumor location. No statistical difference was demonstrated in the diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy or lung secondaries. Conclusion: Multiplanar imaging of the thorax is a useful supplementary tool in the staging of lung cancer, particularly in delineating the relation of the primary lesion to fissures and the diaphragm.
Between Socialism & Neo-Liberalism: Mafia Island, Tanzania, 1965-2004

This article considers local perceptions of changes which have taken place on Mafia Island, Coast Region, Tanzania over a period of 40 years during which the state has moved from a policy of socialism to one of neo-liberalism. It begins by examining the apparent paradox that, while Tanzania has won plaudits from multilateral agencies for its economic policies, many ordinary people on Mafia consider that their well-being has actually worsened. The paper examines people's perceptions of equality, inequality and poverty, with particular emphasis on the comparisons made between previous eras and the present, and between themselves and various others, as well as their views of their entitlements both as citizens and human beings.
Death receptor‐3 mediates apoptosis in human osteoblasts under narrowly regulated conditions

We previously reported that a soluble form of the TNF‐family receptor death receptor‐3 (DR3) is expressed in osteoblasts. DR3 regulates death or differentiation in other tissues, and DR3 ligands occur in bone, but the function of DR3 in the osteoblast was unknown. We studied the expression of DR3 and the effects crosslinking antibodies to DR3 or of natural DR3 ligands in human osteoblasts. Western analysis showed that nontransformed osteoblasts and the MG63 osteosarcoma cell line produce both soluble decoy receptor and transmembrane isoforms of DR3. Cell surface labeling showed that low and high DR3‐expressing osteoblast populations occur. Verification of by cloning showed a point mutation in DR3 from MG63 cells. Activation of DR3 by antibody crosslinking or with DR3 ligands caused apoptosis in osteoblasts and in MG63 cells, but only in low‐density cell cultures. In dense cultures apoptosis did not occur, but nuclear factor‐κB nuclear translocation was observed under some conditions. Crosslinking of DR3 in high‐density MG63 cultures blocked expression of bone matrix elements. DR3 activation in high‐density nontransformed osteoblasts had only minor effects on cell maturation. We conclude that DR3 activation can mediate apoptosis in osteoblasts. Its activity is, however, highly restricted by its soluble ligand‐binding isoform and possibly also by alternate survival signals. In the presence of survival signals, DR3 may affect cell maturation although effects on differentiation were clearly seen only in the MG63 transformed cell line. J. Cell. Physiol. 209: 1021–1028, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Microwave Method for the Step-Like Reconstruction of Layered Dielectric Media

An improved iterative approach to reconstruct inhomogeneous dielectric half-space using the reflection coefficient data collected over some frequency band is described. The reconstruction at each iteration is performed by solving a linear integral equation for two different sets of expanding functions. The first solution yields positions of reflecting boundaries between layers; the second one provides step-like correction term to the initial profile. The method is fast, works well with essentially bandlimited information (frequency band of 1 to 4 GHz has been used) and demonstrates very good robustness (at least 15% of a random noise in the input data is acceptable without bad deterioration of the solution). Some numerical and experimental examples are presented.
Routines in management accounting research: further exploration

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to enhance the eminent work of Burns and Scapens (B&S) by introducing broader conceptualisations on organisational routines and rules into management accounting.Design/methodology/approach – The paper sets out with the B&S framework. The paper is primarily conceptual in nature and with the addition of some more recent literature on organisational routines serves to bolster the underpinnings of the B&S framework. Drawing especially on the work of Feldman and Pentland, the nature of management accounting routines in particular is explored in some detail. By association, rules are also explored.Findings – This paper proposes that an ostensive‐performative distinction of routines augments our conceptualisation of how management accounting routines can represent both a source of stability and of change (simultaneously). Also, by showing how routines can represent both structure and action simultaneously, some light is shed on the ongoing interrelationship between routines.
A specific RNA hairpin loop structure binds the RNA recognition motifs of the Drosophila SR protein B52

B52, also known as SRp55, is a member of the Drosophila melanogaster SR protein family, a group of nuclear proteins that are both essential splicing factors and specific splicing regulators. Like most SR proteins, B52 contains two RNA recognition motifs in the N terminus and a C-terminal domain rich in serine-arginine dipeptide repeats. Since B52 is an essential protein and is expected to play a role in splicing a subset of Drosophila pre-mRNAs, its function is likely to be mediated by specific interactions with RNA. To investigate the RNA-binding specificity of B52, we isolated B52-binding RNAs by selection and amplification from a pool of random RNA sequences by using full-length B52 protein as the target. These RNAs contained a conserved consensus motif that constitutes the core of a secondary structural element predicted by energy minimization. Deletion and substitution mutations defined the B52-binding site on these RNAs as a hairpin loop structure covering about 20 nucleotides, which was confirmed by structure-specific enzymatic probing. Finally, we demonstrated that both RNA recognition motifs of B52 are required for RNA binding, while the RS domain is not involved in this interaction.
Compatibility and Bundling of Complementary Goods in a Duopoly

This paper presents a simple model of compatibility and bundling in industries where consumers assemble several necessary components into a system that is close to their ideal. The authors show that, for a wide range of parameters, firms will choose to produce compatible components but will offer discounts to consumers who purchase all components from the same firm. However, firms would be better off if they could commit not to provide such discounts. Furthermore, the equilibrium tends to involve socially excessive bundling. Finally, mixed bundling strategies tend to increase the range of parameters over which socially excessive standardization occurs. Copyright 1992 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Climatic effects on sugarcane productivity in India: a stochastic production function application

The present study estimates the influence of climatic and non-climatic factors on mean yield and yield variability of sugarcane crop in different weather seasons (e.g., rainy, winter and summer) in India. Sugarcane mean-yield for fourteen major sugarcane growing states from different agro-ecological zones are delimitated in panel data during 1971-2009. Regression coefficient for mean yield and yield variability production function (i.e. risk increasing or decreasing inputs) has been estimated through log-linear regression model with the help of Just and Pope (stochastic) production function specification. Empirical results based on feasible generalise least square (FGLS) estimations shows a significant effect of rainfall, maximum and minimum temperatures on sugarcane mean yield and yield variability. Whereas, average maximum temperature in summer and average minimum temperature in rainy season have a negative and statistically significant impact on sugarcane mean yield. Sugarcane mean yield positively gets affected with average maximum temperature during rainy and winter season.
Required Disclosures in Financial Reports

his paper considers required disclosures (the portions of audited financial reports that are not recognized) from both a standard-setting perspective and a research perspective. My intent is to describe standard-setting issues (that is, the questions faced by standard setters in establishing disclosure requirements) and research issues (that is, the questions faced by researchers in providing analytical and empirical evidence about required disclosures). I By recognition, I mean depictions in numbers with captions on the face of the financial statements; by required disclosures, I mean display in the notes and supporting schedules that accompany financial statements.2 Some disclosed items in financial reports are not recognized-and likely never will be-because they cannot be expressed in numbers or, more narrowly, in currency units. Examples include the qualitative description of accounting policies, a summary of inputs to the calculation of a recognized number, and a sensitivity analysis. While I will touch on these types of items, particularly the latter two, my primary focus will be on items that are not recognized but could be. The amount of financial reporting information that is communicated by means of required disclosures is significant, and has been increasing over time, with no sign of abatement. Despite their abundance, required disclosures are not well understood: we lack a comprehensive theory of mandatory disclosures; many questions remain as to how preparers, auditors, and users of financial reports view disclosures, particularly as compared to recognized items; and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)'s conceptual framework does not provide either a conceptual purpose for disclosures or criteria to support