Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Automated Labeling of Log Features in CT Imagery of Multiple Hardwood Species

Before noninvasive scanning, e.g., computed tomography (CT), becomes feasible in industrial sawmill operations, we need a procedure that can automatically interpret scan information in order to provide the saw operator with information necessary to make proper sawing decisions. To this end, we have worked to develop an approach for automatic analysis of CT images of hardwood logs. Our current approach classifies each pixel individually using a feed-forward artifical neural network (ANN) and feature vectors that include a small, local neighborhood of pixels and the distance of the target pixel to the center of the log. Initially, this ANN was able to classify clear wood, bark, decay, knots, and voids in CT images of two species of oak with 95% pixel-wise accuracy. Recently we have investigated other ANN classifiers, comparing 2-D versus 3-D neighborhoods and species-dependent (single species) versus species-independent (multiple species) classifiers using oak ( Quercus rubra L. and Q. nigra L.), yellow-poplar ( Liriodendron tulipifera L.), and black cherry ( Prumus serotina Ehrh.) CT images. When considered individually, the resulting species-dependent classifiers yield similar levels of accuracy (96-98%). 3-D neighborhoods work better for multiple-species classifiers, and 2-D is better for the single-species case. Classifiers combining yellow-poplar and cherry data misclassify many pixels belonging to splits as clear wood, resulting in lower classification rates. If yellow-poplar was not paired with cherry, however, we found no statistical difference in accuracy between the single-and multiple-species classifiers.
Monetary Incentives for Corporate Inventors: Intrinsic motivation, project selection and inventive performance

Using novel panel data on Japanese inventors, we investigate how monetary incentives affect corporate inventors' behavior and performance, as well as how they interact with the strength of intrinsic motivation. In order to identify the effects, we exploit inventors' responses to a policy change in Japan in the early 2000s that forced firms to strengthen monetary incentives for inventors. Our major findings are as follows: (1) while introducing or increasing revenue-based payments is associated with a small improvement in patent quality, such schemes significantly decrease the use of science in research and development (RD (2) the above positive effect of revenue-based payment on patent quality is smaller and the negative effect on scientific intensity is greater in research areas where risk heterogeneity among potential projects is greater; (3) the strength of intrinsic motivation is significantly associated with the inventor's patent productivity; and (4) strong intrinsic motivation weakens the marginal effect of monetary incentive on inventive productivity, and reinforces the negative effect of monetary incentive on scientific intensity in research areas where risk heterogeneity among potential projects is sufficiently large. The results are consistent with our model predictions and imply that strengthening monetary incentives changes project selection toward less risky and less exploratory ones.
What can Captive Whales tell us About their Wild Counterparts? Identification, Usage, and Ontogeny of Contact Calls in Belugas ( Delphinapterus leucas )

Contact calls are ubiquitous in social birds and ma mmals. Belugas are among the most vocal of cetaceans, but the function of their calls is poorl y understood. In a previous study we hypothesized that a broad band pulsed call type labeled “Type A, ” serves as a contact call between mothers and their calves. Here we examined context-specific use of call types recorded from a captive beluga social group at the Vancouver Aquarium, and found that the Type A call comprised 24% to 97% of the vocalizations during isolation, births, death o f a calf, presence of external stressors, and re-un ion of animals after separation. In contrast it compris ed 4.4% of the vocalizations produced during regular sessions. We grouped 2835 Type A calls into five variants, A1 to A5. A discriminant function analysis classified 87% of calls in the same groupi ngs that we assigned them to by ear and visual examination of spectrograms. The variants do not re present individual signatures. One variant, A1, was used by three related individuals: an adult fem ale, her male calf and his juvenile half-sister. Ou r previous research documented the gradual development of the A1 variant by the male calf, until at 20 months he was producing stereotyped renditions of h is mother and sister’s A1. We used our findings to generate testable predictions about the usage of these signals by wild belugas. We verified the existence of signals with the same distinctive feat ures as the contact calls found in captivity in the repertoire of St. Lawrence Estuary herds, and documented their usage by two wild individuals from different populations. In the St. Lawrence, these w ere emitted by a female calling after a dead-calf. In Hudson Bay, by a temporarily restrained juvenile. We propose that these calls function in nature, as in captivity, to maintain group cohesion, and that the variants shared by related animals are used for mother-calf recognition.
Evaluation of the contralateral ear in patients with chronic otitis media

1 Ömer Bayır1, Ahmet Uluat2, Meltem Tulğar3, Mehmet Eser Sancaktar4, Ali Özdek1, Güleser Saylam1, Emel Çadallı Tatar1, Mehmet Hakan Korkmaz1-5 1Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ministry of Health, Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, 2Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Dumlupınar University, Evliya Çelebi Training and Research Hospital, Kütahya, 3Department of Audiology, Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Ankara, 4Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ministry of Health, Samsun Training and Research Hospital, Samsun, 5Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Yildirim Beyazit University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey Contralateral Ear Evaluation of the Contralateral Ear in Patients with Chronic Otitis Media
Entrepreneurial Risk Perception and Entrepreneurial Decision: the Moderating Effect of Entrepreneurial Self-efficacy

Entrepreneurial self-efficacy plays a significant role in entrepreneurial behavior process, which attracts more and more academic attention but keep its influence mechanism to be further discovered. The influence of entrepreneurial selfefficacy on entrepreneurial risk decision is discussed based on entrepreneurial decision and entrepreneurial self-efficacy related theories. This empirical study demonstrates that: i) entrepreneurial self-efficacy has positive effect on entrepreneurial decision; and ii) entrepreneurial self-efficacy has moderating effect on entrepreneurial risk propensity and entrepreneurial decision. Keywords—entrepreneurial risk perception; entrepreneurial self-efficacy; entrepreneurial decision making
Philippines: Private Sector Development Challenges and Possible Ways to Go

In the last decade, employment gains from economic growth in the Philippines have been limited, largely due to the underperformance of the private sector. Success of the services sector in general, and that of the business process outsourcing industry in particular, shows that reforms fostering private sector development can be effective. This working paper’s objective is to inform preparation of the Asian Development Bank’s country partnership strategy for the Philippines, 2011–2016. It suggests two specific measures to foster private sector development for inclusive growth: improving government processes and creating an adequate business environment. Special attention is paid to infrastructure improvement by advancing a framework for public–private partnerships. The paper also suggests an approach to foster innovation and knowledge development by the private sector to contribute to productivity-based growth. It ends with suggestions on directions, modalities, and approaches that can be used by the country partnership strategy to support private sector development.
The Strategic Nature of Compliance: An Empirical Evaluation of Law Implementation in the Central Monitoring System of the European Union

This compliance study models correct and timely implementation of policies in a multilevel system as a strategic game between a central monitoring agency and multiple implementers and evaluates statistically the empirical implications of this model. We test whether compliance is determined by the anticipated enforcement decision of the monitoring agency and whether this agency is responsive to the probability of enforcement success and the potential sanctioning costs produced by noncomplying implementers. Compared to other monitoring systems, the centralized monitoring system of the European Union (EU) is praised for exemplary effectiveness, but our findings reveal that the monitoring agency refrains from enforcing compliance when the probability of success is low, and the sanctioning costs are high. This results in a compliance deficit, even though the selective enforcement activities of the monitoring agency are almost always successful before court.
Particle Cycle Times in Draft Tube Conical Spouted Beds

A hydrodynamic study of conical spouted beds equipped with draft tube has been carried out for glass beads. Runs have been carried out in conical spouted beds of different geometry according to a factorial design of experiments. The purpose of this design has been to study the effect on particle cycle times and solid circulation rate of the following: the insertion of a draft tube, draft tube configuration, and the different factors of the contactor and particle system. Particle cycle times (average, maximum, and minimum) have been measured in draft tube conical spouted beds for different geometric factors of the contactor (angle and gas inlet diameter), draft tubes (diameter, height of the entrainment zone, and width of the faces) and under different operating conditions. It can be concluded that the hydrodynamics of conical spouted beds with draft tube is influenced by the geometric factors of the draft tube, contactor and operating conditions.
Differentiation by Molecular Typing of Bacillus Cereus Isolates from Food in Morocco: PFGE-Eric PCR

Bacillus cereus is widespread pathogen. It is widely d istributed in several environ ments such as soil and plants and is commonly isolated fro m food and additives. In this study we analyzed 18 foodborne B. cereus strains isolated in Morocco fro m food samples (milk and dairy products, rice salade and spices), in order to investigate the genetic diversity (assessed by PFGE and ERIC-PCR). The food samples were co llected fro m hotels (n=38), restaurants (n=32) and private companies (n=26) in several cit ies in Morocco. The results obtained in this study confirmed the diversity of B. cereus strains. The results showed that PFGE analysis has good discriminatory power but it is long to implement, which pro motes the use of ERIC-PCR as a co mplementary tool for molecu lar typing. However, addit ional studies involving cytotoxicity tests would be useful to better evaluate this potential and could provide a more accurate indication of the risk.
THE PREDICTION OF POSITION AND ORIENTATION PARAMETERS OF UAV FOR VIDEO IMAGING

Abstract. The paper presents the results of the prediction for the parameters of the position and orientation of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with compact digital camera. Issue focus in this paper is to achieve optimal accuracy and reliability of the geo-referenced video frames on the basis of data from the navigation sensors mounted on UAV. In experiments two mathematical models were used for the process of the prediction: the polynomial model and the trigonometric model. The forecast values of position and orientation of UAV were compared with readings low cost GPS and INS sensors mounted on the unmanned Trimble UX-5 platform. Research experiment was conducted on the preview of navigation data from 23 measuring epochs. The forecast coordinate values and angles of the turnover and the actual readings of the sensor Trimble UX-5 were compared in this paper. Based on the results of the comparison it was determined that: the best results of co-ordinate comparison of an unmanned aerial vehicle received for the storage with, whereas worst for the coordinate Y on the base of both prediction models, obtained value of standard deviation for the coordinate XYZ from both prediction models does not cross over a admissible criterion 10 m for the term of the exactitudes of the position of a unmanned aircraft. The best results of the comparison of the angles of the turn of a unmanned aircraft received for the angle Pitch, whereas worst for the angles Heading and Roll on the base of both prediction models. Obtained value of standard deviation for the angles of turn HPR from both prediction models does not exceed a admissible exactitude 5° only for the angle Pitch, however crosses over this value for the angles Heading and Roll.
The ongoing debate over export performance : an investigation of New Zealand small industrial firms

The purpose of this study is to examine differences between low vs. high-performance exporters. For this purpose, the effects of selected firm-related and export strategy-related variables on three selected measures of export performance (i.e., annual export sales, export growth, percentage of total sales from export) are tested. The results of discriminant analysis demonstrate significant differences between low vs. high-performance exporters. David Dean is a Senior Lecturer in International Business, Commerce Division, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand. Bulent Menguc is a Lecturer in Marketing, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand. Christopher Paul Myers who was a graduate student at Lincoln University at the time this study was conducted, is currently affiliated with the Marketing Department, Air New Zealand. Please address correspondence to the first author.
The cultural language of pain: a South African study

Background: Culture is the framework that directs human behaviour in a given situation. Accordingly, culture also influences the meaning and expression of pain. However, the influence of culture on the communication of pain is not always understood and considered by healthcare practitioners. It is often erroneously anticipated that all children (irrespective of cultural origin) will express pain either through quiet endurance or loud verbal complaints. This view could contribute to the inadequate management of pain that is so often described in pain literature. Pain assessment and measurement are integral components of pain management, but are often negatively affected by the healthcare professional’s pre-conceived ideas, as well as by his or her inability to understand the cultural meaning of pain, the non-verbal and verbal language of pain, and the patient’s ability to cope with pain. Method: The aim of this study was to identify the unique meaning of pain in reference to both general and paediatric pain. In addition, the study aimed at gaining insight into the origin and management of pain. This was achieved by means of qualitative methodology. The study group included people from the South African Nguni and Sotho cultures. A total of 42 participants, who were on average 42 years old, were interviewed. Results: The study indeed indicated variances between the experience and expression of pain and the generally accepted idea that pain is not culture based. Conclusion: Health care providers need to be increasingly aware of and sensitive to the cultural expression of pain and how differences in the communication of pain could possibly influence their care plan.
War Violence, Victimhood and Reconciliation: in Stories of Bosnian War Survivors

In this analysis of the retold experiences of 27 survivors of the war in northwestern Bosnia, the aim is to describe the informants’ portrayal of “war violence”, “victimhood”, and “reconciliation” as a social phenomenon as well as analyzing the discursive patterns that contribute to constructing the category “victim” and “perpetrator”. The violence practice during the war is portrayed as organized and ritualized and this creates a picture that the violence practice became a norm in the society, rather than the exception. When, after the war, different categories claim a “victim” status, it sparks a competition for victimhood. All informants are eager to present themselves as victims while at the same time the other categories’ victim status are downplayed. The stories of reconciliation are connected to the past; the interactive consequences of war-time violence are intimately linked to the narrator’s war experiences. The interviewees distance themselves from some individuals or described situations. It is common that the portrayal of possible reconciliation is transformed into a depicted implacable attitude, thus the interviewees negotiate their stances: they articulate between reconciliation and implacability statements.
The Content of Heavy Metals in the Soil and Litterfall an a Beech-Pine-Spruce Stand in Northern Poland

Abstract The concentrations of Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn in the soil and litterfall, as well as influx of the elements to the soils with litterfall were studied in a mixed beech-pine-spruce stand in northern Poland during the years 2007–2009. Annual influx of litterfall to the soil amounted from 3.234 to 4.871 t/ha. Beech, pine and spruce litterfall contributed in total litterfall in 50.8−70.1%, 11.4−11.9% and 1.6−24.0% respectively. The following average annual concentrations of heavy metals in total litterfall during the 3-year study period were noticed: 2469.3–3469.2 mg Mn/kg, 153.6–160.8 mg/kg Zn, 8.0–14.3 mg Ni/kg and 5.0–6.8 mg Cu/kg. In general, the concentrations of Mn and Cu were higher in beech litterfall in comparison to pine and spruce. The contents of Zn and Ni in beech, pine and spruce litterfall were comparable. Annual influx of metals to the soil with litterfall was: 10341.6–14422.4 g/ha Mn, 460.3–748.1 g/ha Zn, 37.4–66.6 g/ha Ni and 20.2–31.8 g/ha Cu. The fluxes were higher for Mn, Zn and Ni, and comparable for Cu in relation to those observed in other beech, pine, spruce and mixed stands in northern Europe.
A NON-EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN GREECE: THE CASES OF NORTHERN AEGEAN AND CRETE

The basic aim of this paper is to investigate the impact that educational level of individuals and participation in training programmes apprenticeship, intra-firm training, continuing vocational training, popular training) have on their job prospects in the Greek regions of Northern Aegean and Crete, both highly attractive tourist destinations, during the implementation of the first Community Support Framework - CSF (1989-1993). We try to see whether the educational level itself and participation in training programmes increased the chances of finding a job. More specifically, we research what are the social and demographic characteristics that increase the chances of someone in the examined population finding a job, how those chances change (if they do) after the introduction of training courses and, also, whether University graduates, in contrast to most of the rest of the EU member states, face greater difficulties in finding a job than non-University graduates, as a series of studies or aggregate statistics for Greece conclude. We use individual anonymised records (micro-data) of the Labour Force Survey (LFS) for both employed and unemployed in both regions at NUTS 2 level.
Advantages and disadvantages of self-harm message boards from the viewpoint of adolescent self-harmers

Virtual communities for self-harmers are rising, as self-harm seems to be increasing among adolescents. The effect these virtual groups can have, is that self-harming behavior is normalized and therefore negatively influenced. Apart from this negative influence and other disadvantages, online support groups for self-harmers also have some advantages. However, self-harm message boards are only studied by method of content analyses and questionnaires and it is therefore not known what the actual advantages and disadvantages are. The present study therefore explored the advantages, disadvantages and reasons for visiting the community from the viewpoint of self-injurers themselves. A semi-structured interview was conducted with members (n=12), non-members (n=7) and past members (n=5) of self-harm discussion groups. The findings indicate that the majority of respondents viewed the message board as both having negative and positive effects at the same time. The most striking advantages and disadvantages that emerged from the interviews were: receiving acknowledgement and attention, dependency and a bad atmosphere. Respondents who did not engage in self-harm message boards had a more negative viewpoint towards self-harm message boards. This article demonstrates that the influence online support groups have on self-harmers is extensive and can influence self-harming behavior positively as well as negatively. Further research should focus on transforming the negative influence self-harm message boards have on adolescents into a more positive one