Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Algorithm for Severity Estimation of Plant Leaf Diseases by the Use of Colour Threshold Image Segmentation and Fuzzy Logic Inference: A Proposed Algorithm to Update a “Leaf Doctor” Application

This paper explains a proposed algorithm for severity estimation of plant leaf diseases by using maize leaf diseased samples. In the literature, a number of researchers have addressed the problem of plant leaf disease severity estimation, but a few, such as Sannakki et al., have used fuzzy logic to determine the severity estimations of the plant leaf diseases. The present paper aims to update the current algorithm used in the “Leaf Doctor” application that is used to estimate the severities of the plant leaf diseases by introducing the benefits of fuzzy logic decision making rules. This method will contribute to precision agriculture technology as it introduces an algorithm that may be embedded in smartphone devices and used in applications, such as a “Leaf Doctor” application. The applications designed based on the algorithm proposed in this study will help users who are inexperienced and not plant pathologists understand the level of the estimated disease severity. The use of fuzzy logic inference rules along with image segmentation determines the novelty of this approach in comparison with the available methods in the literature.
Complete regression of locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma induced by sorafenib allowing curative resection

We report two cases of locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumour thrombosis (PVTT) who complete regression by sorafenib treatment allowed curative resection. Two male adult (59 and 57 years) cirrhotic patients with HCC associated with PVTT including one with lymph node involvement had elevated α‐fetoprotein level (AFP) (867 and 17 000) and were treated with standard sorafenib treatment during 10 and 12 months respectively. Size decrease of the main tumour, disappearance of PVTT and normalization of AFP allowed curative surgical resection. No viable tumour cells were found in the specimen and the two patients are currently alive without recurrence 12 and 16 months after surgery. These first two cases of complete tumour necrosis after sorafenib treatment allow us to reconsider surgical treatment in patients with unresectable HCC responding to this medical treatment.
Low toxicity regimens in renal transplantation: a country subset analysis of the Symphony study

Regional transplant practices may affect clinical outcomes within multinational studies. This study evaluated whether the overall results from the Symphony study can be generalized to the participating countries. De novo adult renal transplant recipients (n = 1645) were randomized to receive standard‐dose cyclosporine, or daclizumab induction plus low‐dose cyclosporine, low‐dose tacrolimus, or low‐dose sirolimus, all in addition to mycophenolate mofetil and steroids. Data for the highest patient‐recruiting countries, Spain (n = 275), Germany (n = 316) and Turkey (n = 258), were compared. Patient transplant characteristics were different among the country subsets; only deceased donors in Spain, more expanded criteria donors in Germany, and mainly living donors in Turkey. Efficacy results for the three countries were consistent with that of the overall study – renal function and biopsy‐proven acute rejection (BPAR) rates were superior with low‐dose tacrolimus. Turkey had higher mean calculated glomerular filtration rate across all treatment groups (60.6–72.2 ml/min) compared with that of Spain (51.1–57.5 ml/min) and Germany (51.3–62.9 ml/min). Spain and Turkey had lower BPAR rates across the four treatment groups compared with the overall study; Germany had much higher rates (21.0–54.2%). These findings confirm the general applicability of the Symphony study results and highlight the importance of inclusion of patients from different geographic origins in randomized clinical trials.
Medical Insurance Effects on Household Durable Goods Consumption: Evidence from China

Abstract In this article, we employ the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) data to investigate the effect of medical insurance on household durable goods consumption, which is closely related to China’s future rapid economic growth. We apply a logit regression model and find that medical insurance significantly promotes household durable goods consumption. Moreover, urban and rural households have different consumption choices when they are covered by medical insurance. To be more specific, urban households with medical insurance augment their consumption of refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners; rural households with medical insurance increase their purchases of color TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, and computers.
Rethinking Marriage

This study investigates the relationship between individuals' expectations for marriage and their beliefs about the social world. Drawing on the neoinstitutionalist perspective and employing a repeated cross-section design, this study analyzes survey data on young adults from 1967 and 1994 to examine the relationship between attitudes about social relationships and marriage expectations, stability and change over time in marital expectations, and changes in institutionalized notions of marriage. We find evidence of both stability and change in marriage expectations and that cultural notions of marriage differ for men and women. Overall, this study provides support for the contention that marriage expectations are formed within an institutional context that is influential in shaping individual strategies of action.
The Role of Tourism in the Development of Regions

Tourism is one of the industries that make a lot of profit though it is an investment intensive sector. Many countries put much more investment in country’s infrastructure or give the opportunity for the private sector to invest in this sector. At the same time, with the help of the profits earned from tourism the countries may cover the budget deficit in their economies. Notwithstanding this, not all countries can compete with other countries in tourism. Some countries or regions have the touristic potential but the wrong economic policies or natural disasters may destroy these potentials and as the consequence the image of the country may be damaged. Hence inside the country some regions may come forward because of their touristic potentials and infrastructure. And that is why these regions become more developed and organized. The socio-economic development of such regions start to improve. Because of tourism industry the unemployment level goes down, the people’s welfare of that region improves, at the same time the neighbor regions benefit from tourism developed regions. That is why the countries are interested in the development of such regions and invest in their marketing activities. In this article, the role of tourism in country’s economy is stated, at the same time the importance of tourism sector for the development of regions is noted. For this purpose together with the Tourism Barometer of 2012 by World Tourism Organization, statistical information of Azerbaijan and other countries’ have been used. At last, in the conclusion some important issues concerning the touristic development of regions have been explained.
The “third arrow” or friendly fire? The LDP government’s reform plan for the Japan agricultural cooperatives

ABSTRACT Upon its triumphant return to power in 2012, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), under the leadership of Prime Minister Shinzō Abe, introduced a set of new economic policies popularly called “Abenomics. ” One of the main components of the new policy was a drastic reform plan for the Japan Agricultural Cooperatives (JA), the party’s longtime loyal supporter. The announcement of the reform plan invited fierce opposition from the JA, which threatened to end its support of LDP in future elections. Why did Abe introduce the JA reform plan, even though it could lead to loss of electoral support for his party? Is he serious about carrying out the proposed reform plan, or is it just for show? This article analyzes the context of the JA reform plan from the standpoint of constructivist institutionalism focusing on policymakers’ ideas regarding party management. It claims that the LDP’s shift away from clientelism is not simply a product of electoral reform; its cause is deeply rooted in the history of the ruling party.
A Nonlinear Three-Phase Phase-Locked Loop Based on Linear Active Disturbance Rejection Controller

Three-phase phase-locked loops (PLLs) are the most widely used synchronization components in power systems. For common PLL algorithms, there is a tradeoff between the filtering capability and dynamic response. In this paper, a nonlinear PLL (NLADRC-PLL) based on a linear active disturbance rejection controller (LADRC) is proposed to largely improve this tradeoff, thus simultaneously enhancing the filtering capability and dynamic response. With LADRC adopted in PLL structures (LADRC-PLL), good dynamic response and disturbance rejection capability can be achieved. To pursue further improvements in both filtering capability and dynamic response, the NLADRC-PLL derived from the LADRC-PLL is proposed, which adjusts the controller gains adaptively according to the disturbance. It is commonly known that there are stability problems for PLLs with adaptive controller gains, which are highly nonlinear systems. Thanks to the great robustness of LADRC structures, the stability of the proposed NLADRC-PLL is certified by the second method of Lyapunov in the nonlinear model. By comparing its PLL performance with the existing PLL algorithms, the superiority of the NLADRC-PLL in both filtering capability and dynamic response is verified through experimental results.
Evaluating Human Judgments And Decision Aids

One goal of applied decision research in accounting is to improve decision making (Libby and Lewis [1982]). The typical approach is to identify situations in which human judgments diverge from the output of a formal (normative) model and then recommend a decision aid to eliminate or reduce the divergence. The mere fact that human judgments diverge, however, does not mean that decision aids are always appropriate; and even if they were, the type of aid which might be employed is not obvious from such an observation. First, the opportunity cost of divergence from formal models must be sufficient to justify the cost of developing and implementing decision aids. Second, the reasons for divergence must be understood before the appropriate aids can be identified. The accounting literature is weak in both of these areas. With respect to opportunity costs, most researchers have ignored the problem of trying to estimate the benefits to be obtained from decision aids. Regarding causes of divergence, few accounting researchers have attempted to analyze the components of decision processes. This holds both for lens model studies and those involving the study of heuristics and biases. Each can be characterized as an input-output method in which causes of divergence are inferred from the relationships between the information provided to the decision maker (the inputs) and the judgments or responses of the decision maker (the outputs).
Child rights as perceived by the community members in India

Attitudes, knowledge, and perceptions of an individual influence their behavior as well as culture of a society. The objective of the study was to understand the attitudes and knowledge of 584 Indian community members regarding child rights and their perceptions about whether selected child rights were secured in reality. Overall attitudes of vast majority (96 – 98%) of the participants towards child rights were found to be positive i.e., children should have rights in various respects except issue like right to meet others (Article 15 of CRC). Knowledge of majority of the participants about child rights related legislations was moderate and varied across the cities while participants were unanimous about poor lived experiences of child rights in reality. So far as attitude and perception are concerned about child rights, there was a significant difference in the distribution between cities (p<0.01). Overall, the Rights of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 had the highest awareness (91.3%, n=533), followed by the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 (89.7%, n=523) and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (89.6%, n=523). Findings of the present study speak in favor of community awareness about child rights and penalties for violation of child rights.
Effectiveness and Efficiency of Controlling Campylobacter on Broiler Chicken Meat

Campylobacter bacteria are an important cause of foodborne infections. We estimated the potential costs and benefits of a large number of possible interventions to decrease human exposure to Campylobacter by consumption of chicken meat, which accounts for 20–40% of all cases of human campylobacteriosis in the Netherlands. For this purpose, a farm‐to‐fork risk assessment model was combined with economic analysis and epidemiological data. Reduction of contamination at broiler farms could be efficient in theory. However, it is unclear which hygienic measures need to be taken and the costs can be very high. The experimental treatment of colonized broiler flocks with bacteriophages has proven to be effective and could also be cost efficient, if confirmed in practice. Since a major decrease of infections at the broiler farm is not expected in the short term, additional measures in the processing plant were also considered. At this moment, guaranteed Campylobacter‐free chicken meat at the retail level is not realistic. The most promising interventions in the processing plant are limiting fecal leakage during processing and separation of contaminated and noncontaminated flocks (scheduling), followed by decontamination of the contaminated flock. New (faster and more sensitive) test methods to detect Campylobacter colonization in broilers flocks are a prerequisite for successful scheduling scenarios. Other methods to decrease the contamination of meat of colonized flocks such as freezing and heat treatment are more expensive and/or less effective than chemical decontamination.
The board of directors and dividend policy: the effect of gender diversity

In this article, we aim to study the impact on dividends policy of gender diversity on the board of directors (hereinafter BD). We hypothesize that the proportion of women directors, the proportion of independent, institutional, and executive female directors, and the percentage of shares held by female directors on BD, have an impact on the dividends policy of Spanish companies. Our findings, analyzing the whole sample, show that the proportion of female directors and shares held by female directors are positively associated with dividend payout, while the percentage of institutional female directors has a negative impact. The percentage of independent and executive female directors has no effect on dividend payout. When companies with losses are removed from the sample, the findings report that the percentage of female directors on BD and the percentage of independent female directors impact positively on dividend policy, while the percentage of institutional and executive female directors has a negative effect. The proportion of shares held by female directors on BD does not have an effect on dividend payout when only companies with profits are examined. Thus, the results confirm that gender diversity has an influence on dividend payout, so the existing legislation should encourage more participation by women in governing bodies. Our evidence supports the Act for Effective Equality between Women and Men, which establishes that listing companies have to achieve a quota of 40% of women in decision-making bodies by 2015.
Juvenile Drug Use and Delinquency: Youths' Accounts of Their Trajectories

This study focuses mainly on youths' opinions about their delinquency and drug use trajectories. A qualitative approach was taken for this phenomenological research. The life account method was used to conduct a total of 62 interviews: 36 boys and 26 girls recruited in youth detention and addiction treatment centers, youth centers, high schools, and on the streets of three cities in Quebec between 1996 and 2002. Thematic analysis was used, and the deviant trajectories of the youths are broken down into five stages. Our study provides an incomplete view of these youths' more or less deviant trajectories. It would be interesting to do a follow-up study.
Inhibition of postsurgical adhesions by methylene blue-loaded nanofibers versus cast film matrices

Abstract In the quest for barrier membranes for the prevention of post-surgical tissue adhesions, polymer matrices may provide a platform of biomaterials with versatile properties. However, the relationship between the anti-adhesion effects of different polymer matrices and their physicochemical and structural properties is not yet adequately understood. In a preclinical study using a rat cecum model, we directly compared the anti-adhesion potential of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) electrospun nanofibrous versus cast film matrices loaded with methylene blue (MB) as antioxidant adhesion inhibitor. PHB retained MB presumably forming MB-bioactivated matrices. In the preclinical study, quantitative morphologic assessment in addition to histopathologic and SEM examinations 14 days post-surgery indicated that plain PHB NFs and MB-PHB NFs, moderately enhanced cecal wall healing and inhibited adhesion formation. In contrast, reshaping PHB as cast films, significantly enhanced healing, reduced adhesion bands and prevented inter-visceral adhesions. Cast films also inhibited tissue attachment to the matrix recovered 14 days post-surgery. Both PHB matrix types reduced tissue inflammation. Despite tissue anti-adhesion potential of individual matrix components, modulation of the micro-architectural properties generated polymer barriers with varying tissue anti-adhesion and healing potentials, the MB-loaded cast film achieving the best outcome.
The Turkana Camel Breed in North-Western Kenya: Lactation Characteristics

This study investigated the lactation characteristics of the Turkana camel breed over a period of 60 weeks. First-parity dams yielded more milk than second- or multi-parity ones. Comparisons of milking regimes showed greater yields from (in descending order) early morning, early evening and late evening regimes. Late morning and late evening milking regimes showed no differences over lactation periods. Dams milked without calves yielded less milk than those milked with calves. Forage conditions and seasons were highly correlated with mean daily milk yields. The study provides a baseline for understanding the genetic potential of the Turkana camel breed.
[Is Growth Exogenous? Taking Mankiw, Romer, and Weil Seriously]: Comment

Paraphrasing MRW, Bernanke and Gtirkaynak have titled their paper "Is Growth Exogenous? Taking Mankiw, Romer, and Weil Seriously. " I can't resist the temptation to summarize my reactions to their paper by adding my own variation to the paraphrasing theme and title my discussion "Is Growth Exogenous? Taking Mankiw, Romer, and Weil a Bit Too Seriously. " As I understand it, the paper attempts to provide two contributions. The first contribution is methodological, and consists in developing a framework to use cross-country macroeconomic data to test any growth model that admits a balanced growth path. In my comment I will applaud the elegance of the idea, but will argue that, by taking the balancedgrowth property too seriously, it makes it virtually inevitable that any growth model will be rejected empirically. The second contribution isto assess the empirical validity of the Solow model, using in part, but not exclusively, the methodology I just mentioned. The results are interesting, but I will argue that the authors take the Solow model a bit too seriously as a potential complete description of the data-generating process. The first wo parts of my discussion develop these two points. In the final section I add some idiosyncratic notes on the status of growth empirics.
Does the Male-Female Partition Still Apply to Household Labor Supply?

** Abstract Most studies of household labor supply treat each spouse's decision as independent of the other spouse, and report separate elasticity estimates for men and women. The decision to treat men and women separately is typically explained (if at all) by differing economic characteristics of the two genders. Using U.S. Census data from 1980-2000, we examine this rationale and suggest using the economic characteristics themselves to examine household labor supply elasticity.
Predicting E-Learning Application in Agricultural Higher Education Using Technology Acceptance Model.

E-learning is significant breakthrough in teaching and learning. Internet or web technologies are important because they facilitate and enhance communications among instructors and learners and provide tools to encourage creativity and initiative. If internet-based learning environments are to benefit students, then it is important from the student‘s perspective that they are not seen as overly complex and hard to use. The introduction of e-learning may hinder the learning process if the technology is perceived as being complex and not useful to enhanced performance, and thus a distraction to learning. In line with acceptance studies, this research proposed and tested students‘ acceptance behavior of agricultural higher education for application of e-learning using technology acceptance model. Results demonstrated that there was positive relationship between students‘ intention to use e-learning and its perceived usefulness, internet experience, computer self-efficacy and affect. Instead computer anxiety and age had negative relationship with students‘ intention to use e-learning.
An Examination of the Agency Theory Problem of Earnings Management: Is it an Anglo-Saxon Cultural Phenomenon?

The arrangement in which a manager, that is, an agent, works for the benefit of a property owner has been around since the beginning of human history. An early example is found in the parable of the “shrewd manager,” told by Jesus of Nazareth. This study presents empirical evidence that will be used to determine whether Agency Theory is primarily applicable in Anglo-Saxon countries. Two competing perspectives are evaluated: (1) national cultural variable individualism/collectivism influences agency problems versus (2) agency problems are a unique Anglo-Saxon problem. Using a sample of firms from thirty counties over a five year window, controlling for location in Anglo-Saxon countries, the national cultural variable is insignificant. Thus, the analysis indicates that the agency problem of earnings management appears to be a unique Anglo-Saxon problem rather than a function of the individualism/collectivism dimension of national culture.
Innovations in weather services as a crucial building block for climate change adaptation in road transport

The road transport sector is facing rising uncertainties in planning and operations due to climate change induced changes in weather variability and extreme events. However, because of the high level of uncertainty related to the future climate, adaptation measures should be robust so as to retain the option value of the portfolio of measures. As an example of such a measure, this paper evaluates how foreseen innovations in weather services could reduce weather sensitivity and, consequently reduce the negative effects of climate change in the sector. The study is based on a theoretical framework on climate change adaptation and valuation of weather and climate services using the Weather Service Chain Analysis. We apply these frameworks to the road transport sector with a special emphasis on drivers’ decision making before and during a trip. We show that improved weather information, including more accurate weather forecasts, new applications and information dissemination channels can decrease the vulnerability of the mode to projected shifts in extreme weather patterns due to climate change.