Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Erratum to “Hierarchizing graph-based image segmentation algorithms relying on region dissimilarity: the case of the Felzenszwalb-Huttenlocher method”

Abstract The original version of the article was published in Mathematical Morphology - Theory and Applications 2 (2017) 55–75. Unfortunately, the original version contains a mistake: in the definition of Dif (C1, C2) in Section 3.6, max should be replaced by min. In this erratum we correct the formula defining Dif (C1, C2).
Questioning the Aloe Vera Plant and Apple Memristors

Abstract Non-linear electrical properties of a (biological) tissue can be revealed by non-linear electrical measurements, which means that the applied stimulus itself affects the measurement. If resulting voltage–current plots exhibit pinched hysteresis loops, the underlying tissue may be classified as a memristor, a state dependent resistor. The aloe vera plant and apples have been found to be memristors. However, polarization processes on the electrodes are also non-linear and may affect the measurement. Apples and aloe vera conduct electrical current very well and it is likely that the recordings are actually dominated by the polarization impedance of the electrodes. Here, we study the non-linear properties of aloe vera and apples with two different measurement electrode types. Furthermore, we measured also on the extracted liquids from one aloe vera leaf and one apple, leading to similar results. We concluded, unlike previous studies on these subjects, that the memristive properties originate from electrochemical reactions on the electrodes rather than the apples or aloe vera themselves.
Comparative Effects of Salt and Alkali Stress on Antioxidant System in Cotton (Gossypium Hirsutum L.) Leaves

Abstract This pot experiment was to evaluate how salts (NaCl, Na2SO4) and alkali (Na2CO3+NaHCO3) affect the physiological and biochemical characteristics during the seedling stage of two cotton cultivars (salt-tolerant, L24; salt-sensitive, X45). Salt and alkali stress reduced seedling emergence rate, relative biomass, and chlorophyll content, however, the REC and MDA content increased. Salt and alkali stress increased markedly superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Peroxidase (POD) activity increased first and then decreased as the increase of salt and alkali stress. Catalase (CAT) activity initially increased and then decreased as NaCl stress increased. In addition, the SOD activity, REC, and MDA content was markedly higher in salt stress than that in alkali stress. The proline content of L24 was higher than that of X45 under salt and alkali stress. However, glycine betaine and soluble sugar content of L24 was lower than that of X45 under alkali stress. The REC and MDA content of L24 were lower than those of X45, however, the relative biomass, chlorophyll content, SOD, POD, CAT, and Pro were higher than those of X45. In conclusion, salt tolerant cotton cultivars may possess a superior protection effect by increasing antioxidant enzymes activity under salt and alkali stress.
Ways of Seeing, Sightseeing and Mimesis. Visual Research Methodology in Tourism Studies

Abstract In ethno-tourism, both hosts and guests are engaged in the process of producing visible, viewable “tourist reality”. Instead of focusing either on the framing that structures the image production, or on the tourist images themselves, I shall propose a methodological approach that puts these two strands together. A touring experience in Yupik-Chukchi hamlet New Chaplino, Russia is analysed on the basis of Michael Yampolski’s concept of mimetic seeing (Yampolski, 2001); it corresponds to the key aspects of ethno-tourism – ethno-topian desire and cultural appropriation. In contrast, non-mimetic seeing parallels post-tourism. The study proposes a third category – doubling that reflects cultural interaction between the hosts and guests, in which Other is fully recognized. It is maintained that photographs do not serve just as traces of perception of other culture but also as ways of representation, which are acceptable in the local culture.
Stimuli Responsive Hydrogels: NIPAM/AAm/Carboxylic Acid Polymers

Abstract Stimuli-responsive hydrogels (SRH) were prepared by using monomers (i.e. N-isopropyl acrylamide; NIPAM and acrylamide; AAm), co-monomers (i.e. methacrylic acid; MPA or mesaconic acid; MFA) and a crosslinker (N, N’-methylene bisacrylamide; N-Bis). SRH have been prepared by thermal free radical polymerization reaction in aqueous solution. Spectroscopic and thermal analyses such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry analysis were performed for SRH characterization. The equilibrium swelling studies by gravimetrically were carried out in different solvents, at the solutions, temperature, pH, and ionic strengths to determine their effect on swelling characteristic of the hydrogels. In addition, cycles equilibrium swelling studies were made with the solutions at different temperatures and at different pH. NIPAM/AAm hydrogel exhibits a lover critical solution temperature (LCST) at 28 oC, whereas NIPAM/AAm-MPA and NIPAM/AAm-MFA hydrogels exhibit a LCST at 31 C and 35 oC, respectively, and the LCST of NIPAM/AAm-MFA hydrogel is close to the body temperature.
Synthesis of high surface area mesoporous silica SBA-15 by adjusting hydrothermal treatment time and the amount of polyvinyl alcohol

Abstract The high surface area of mesoporous silica SBA-15 has been synthesized successfully by hydrothermal treatment with direct addition of PVA, triblock copolymer (P123) as a direct structure agent and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as a precursor. The mesoporous silica SBA-15 have been characterized with nitrogen physisorption, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction. Measurement of nitrogen sorption indicated that with the addition of PVA, the surface area is increased but the pore volume and pore diameter is not significantly. The short time of hydrothermal treatment (20 h) and using x-ray diffraction, showed that the morphological structure of silica SBA-15 can be changed to a orthorhombic crystal system. The result of the FTIR and SEM-EDX characteristic indicated the functional groups and morphology of the SBA-15 with a narrow pore size distribution. The BET method has exhibited the largest surface area 1726 m2/g, pore volume 1.4 cm3/g, and pore diameter 3.2 nm. It can be suggested that the silica mesoporous SBA-15 will have potential application prospect in catalysis, storage, and adsorbent.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus in Community Settings: Spread of Drug Resistance and Uncontrollable Infections

Abstract Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogen. The evolution of MRSA is dynamic posing an ongoing threat to humans. The evolution of MRSA includes horizontal gene transfer, which is mediated by mobile genetic elements, plasmids, and bacteriophages, and also mutations. In this review, we clarify the recent trends in MRSA from the perspectives of drug-resistance transfer and uncontrollable infections, particularly those occurring in community settings. We first address the role of MRSA as a disseminator of multidrug resistance. We have studied the cell-to-cell transfer of drug resistance, in which transfer frequencies range from 10-3 to 10-8. The mechanisms of drug-resistance transfers include the self-transmission of large plasmids, the mobilization of small nonconjugative plasmids, the generalized transduction of phages, and the transfer of transposons with circular intermediates. We then discuss uncontrollable infections. Although several anti-MRSA agents have been developed, uncontrollable cases of MRSA infections are still reported. Examples include a case of uncontrollable sepsis arising from a community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) with the ST8/SCCmecIVl genotype, and a relapsing severe invasive infection of ST30/SCCmecIVc CA-MRSA in a student athlete. Some of these cases may be attributable to unique adhesins, superantigens, or cytolytic activities. The delayed diagnosis of highly adhesive and toxic infections in community settings may result in CA-MRSA diseases that are difficult to treat. Repeated relapse, persistent bacteremia, and infections of small-colony variants may occur. To treat MRSA infections in community settings, these unique features of MRSA must be considered to ensure that diagnostic delay is avoided.
Bauska’s Chairmen: Party Leadership and Twitter Engagement in Estonian and Latvian Populist Far-Right Parties

Abstract Political parties in the Baltic states remain largely understudied, especially when it comes to the populist radical right (PRR). Currently, two of the three Baltic countries have PRR parties represented in their national parliaments, Nacionā lā apvienī ba (the National Alliance, henceforth the NA) in Latvia and Eesti Konservatiivne Rahvaerakond (the Conservative People’s Party of Estonia, henceforth EKRE) in Estonia. Both parties have charismatic leaders and are led in a top-down manner, keeping in line with the literature on this party family. Many political actors in numerous countries make ample use of Twitter and other social media, and the PRR in particular has proved very successful at using social media to their advantage. My article provides a comparison between the leadership of the two aforementioned parties, using a paired comparison method, highlighting the position of the party leader; how each leader is selected; the political activity of party leaders; the electoral activity of each leader; and, finally, an analysis of how each party leader uses the social media microblogging site, Twitter. The NA and EKRE are similar in that they are both parties which can be categorized in the PRR party family and are nationalist parties in countries which experienced Soviet occupation as well as the policy of Russification. Further, until quite recently1, both have directed nativist policies around language issues and the Russian-speaking population (Auers and Kasekamp 2013, Wierenga 2017). Therefore, the NA and EKRE make for an ideal comparison.2
Mandatory audit rotation and audit market concentration—evidence from Poland

Abstract The new audit regulation came into force in Poland in 2017 and imposed mandatory audit rotation. The new regulation aims to strengthen the auditor’s independence but it might also affect concentration on the audit market. The aim of this paper was to analyse whether mandatory audit rotation has a potential to reduce the audit market concentration in Poland. The sample included 198 capital groups with the parent company listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. The own compilation was prepared based on the audit opinions which included information about appointed audit firms in the period 2011-2017 (1,386 observations in total). The paper includes the analysis of audit tenures, their length, frequency of changing the audit firm and direction of the changes (to Big-4 or to Non-Big-4). The results showed that the biggest capital groups tend to appoint Big-4 audit firms and if they change auditor—they choose another firm from the Big-4. Additionally, the high number of short-term tenures (up to five years) suggests that Big-4 firms have strong bargaining power and they benefit more from the rotation of the clients rather than from their retention. The findings significantly contribute to the hypothesis that mandatory audit rotation will not reduce the concentration on the audit market in Poland. The findings might be valuable for the regulators and supervisory authorities responsible for the monitoring of the concentration level on the audit market.
Assessing the causal impact of the 3-point per victory scoring system in the competitive balance of LaLiga

Abstract Competitive balance is a key concept in sport because it creates an uncertainty on the outcome that leads to increased interest and demand for these events. The Spanish Professional Football League (LaLiga) has been one of the top European leagues in the last decade, and it has given rise to a particular research interest regarding its characteristics and structure. Since season 1995/96, LaLiga changed the number of points given to the winning teams, by awarding three points per victory instead of two. In this paper, we assess the impact of such a change on the competitive balance of LaLiga. Our analysis focuses on teams with varying levels of performance and follows a three-step approach. First, we cluster the teams according to their historical performance using an adjusted measure based on their credible intervals of winning ratios. Second, we calculate Kendall’s tau coefficient (according to our adjusted measure) in order to obtain the overall ranking turnover of teams between consecutive seasons. Third, we assess the causal impact of the adoption of the new scoring system, based on Kendall’s tau coefficients, for each cluster of teams. Our results show that the overall competitive balance decreased after the adoption of the new scoring system. However, the impact was not the same for all teams, being more significant for top teams and less significant for bottom teams. Moreover, our predictions using adjusted ARIMA models indicate that this difference in the competitive balance will persist for future seasons.
Formale Methoden für rekonfigurierbare cyber-physische Systeme in der Produktion

Zusammenfassung Durch zunehmende Agilität im Entwicklungsprozess, kürzere Lebenszyklen und sich ändernde Kunden- und Gesetzgeberanforderungen müssen Produktionssysteme wandlungsfähig sein. Aber jede Veränderung des Systemverhaltens muss anschließend auch erneut abgesichert werden. Zur Absicherung sicherheitskritischer Funktionen eignen sich formale Verifikationsmethoden. Allerdings ist hierzu ein hoher Modellierungsaufwand notwendig, was den Einsatz formaler Verifikationsmethoden in der Praxis hemmt. Zudem empfiehlt sich eine Überprüfung der zur formalen Verifikation eingesetzten Modelle. Zur Bewältigung der Herausforderungen für die Absicherung, die eine Rekonfiguration während des Betriebs nach sich zieht, werden in diesem Beitrag zwei vielversprechende und sich gegenseitig ergänzende Ansätze für die lebenszyklusübergreifende Absicherung von Produktionssystemen vorgestellt.
Warrior and peacekeeper role identities: associations with self-esteem, organizational commitment and organizational citizenship behavior

Abstract This article focuses on military role identity by assessing the relations between demographic variables and warrior and peacekeeper role identities and by examining the potential influence of these role identities on self-esteem, organizational commitment and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) in a cross-national sample. A questionnaire was distributed to military members in four participating countries: Belgium, Estonia, Canada and the Netherlands (n = 831). The findings show that demographic variables (i.e., age, gender, marital status and unit) are related to military role identity, and that military role identity predicts self-esteem, organizational commitment and OCB. In particular, multiple regression analyses demonstrate that peacekeeper role identity predicts self-esteem, organizational commitment and OCB, whereas warrior role identity only predicts organizational commitment and OCB, and further, that peacekeeper role identity is a stronger predictor of the outcome variables measured. The theoretical and practical implications, including providing commanders with information to assess their units’ mindsets, and mechanisms to improve self-esteem, commitment, OCB, are discussed. Finally, the limitations of this study and its potential for future research are described.
Integrated defence workforces: Challenges and enablers of military–civilian personnel collaboration

Abstract Defence organisations are unique in that they comprise integrated military and civilian personnel working in partnership with each other (e.g., in headquarters, on bases, on missions, in academic settings). Many defence civilians are supervised by military supervisors and managers, while others are themselves responsible for managing military personnel. At the same time, despite often high levels of partnership and integration, military and civilian personnel are governed by very different personnel management systems, and have distinct cultures. These factors can affect the nature and quality of the collaboration and influence personnel outcomes and organisational effectiveness. Indeed, defence organisations are increasingly recognizing the importance of optimizing integration between their military and civilian workforces, with many adopting organisational terms implying that the military and civilian workforces form a cohesive whole: the Defence Team (Canada), the Whole Force Concept (United Kingdom), One Defence Team (Sweden), and Total Defence Workforce (New Zealand). This paper presents results from the Military–Civilian Personnel Survey (MCPS), which was administered in 11 nations as part of a NATO Research Task Group on the topic of military-civilian personnel collaboration and integration (NATO STO HFM RTG-226). This survey was the first systematic examination of large samples of military and civilian respondents, and the first to examine military–civilian relations from the perspective of both military and civilian personnel. The results presented here are based on three open-ended questions included in the survey, which asked respondents to identify 1) the most important factors for establishing and maintaining positive military-civilian personnel work culture and relations, 2) the challenges of working in a military-civilian environment, and 3) the main advantages of working in a military-civilian environment. Results of 5 nations, including Canada, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United Kingdom (n =1,513 military respondents and n = 2,099 defence civilians) are presented. Results indicate that mixed military-civilian work environments present both unique challenges and advantages, and identified the factors considered to be important for enhancing integration and collaboration between military and civilian personnel. Given that many cross-national patterns emerged, these findings provide useful insights for enhancing military and civilian personnel integration and collaboration across nations. *Adapted from the material first reported in Goldenberg, I. & Febbraro, A.R. (2018; in publication). Civilian and Military Personnel Integration and Collaboration in Defence Organizations. NATO Science and Technology Organization Technical Report - STO-TR-HFM-226. DOI 10.14339/STO-TR-HFM-226. ISBN: ISBN 978-92-837-2092-8.
Nursing students’ experiences of caring for dying patients and their families: a systematic review and meta-synthesis

Abstract Objective Nurses play important roles in caring for dying patients and their families. Difficulties students confronted when facing dying patients challenge the quality of nursing education. A better understanding of students’ experiences would enhance teachers’ ability in helping students. This study aims to describe available evidence about nursing students’ experiences when caring for dying patients and their families. Methods A review of qualitative studies published between 2005 and 2017 was undertaken using the following databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, ProQuest Central, ScienceDirect, and CNKI. The keywords included were nursing students, experience, care, end-of-life, and dying. Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument was used to assess the quality of the studies by two independent reviewers. The data from the studies were analyzed by meta-synthesis. Results Eighteen English and two Chinese studies were selected in this review. Four themes were emerged: (1) Students with dying patients: students did not have enough ability in symptoms control, comfort supply, and therapeutic communication for dying patients. (2) Students with the patients’ families: students advocated more caring for patients’ families. (3) Students with the surroundings: professional medical staffs, especially the nursing preceptors, were key roles in constructing a supporting system for students. (4) Students with themselves: nursing students underwent various negative feelings and adopted both negative and positive strategies to cope with such feelings; students experienced professional and personal development during the caring for dying patients. Conclusions Nursing students’ abilities in terminal symptom control, comfort supply, and therapeutic communication should be improved by more theoretic learning and simulation practice. The nursing preceptors were key roles in constructing a supporting system for students and helping them to control the negative emotions when facing dying patients.
Sources of Financing of Household Debt in Poland

Abstract Research background: This paper analyses the inter-relationships between the sources of financing households’ and the debt burden of indebted households. Purpose: The aim of the paper is to find out inter-relationships between the sources of financing debt and its burden among indebted households. Research Methodology: The research is divided into two parts. The first represents household debt in Poland in comparison to Euro area countries on the basis of the Households Finance and Consumption Survey. The second analyses are the data collected by the questionnaire at the beginning of 2018 in the Lubelskie voivodeship using the Tau b Kendall coefficient. Results: The analysis shows that households in the Lubelskie voivodeship focus their debt on financing their housing and consumption needs, whereby the main source of obtaining credit is commercial banks. However, there is a real risk observed in the concentration of loans in parabanks in general and in the need to use low private loans. Novelty: The findings show that the picture of household debt requires a thorough analysis in different contexts, as from an initial examination the situation looks relatively good, but when analysing more deeply and dividing households into separate groups with similar characteristics, we find considerable varied problems influencing households’ financial situations and raising the risk following their indebtedness.
Patient and injury characteristics associated with road traffic mortality in general hospitals in southern Thailand

Abstract Background Road traffic injuries are a major public health burden in developing countries. Thailand has the highest fatality rate from road traffic injuries in southeast Asia so that prevention of unintentional injuries is important. Objective To identify patient and injury characteristics associated with road traffic mortality in the southern provinces of Thailand. Methods Data on a total of 78,862 road traffic injuries recorded by the general hospitals in 5 southern provinces of Thailand, during 2008–2013, were obtained from the Office of Disease Prevention and Control. Chi-squared test was used to determine the association between patient/injury characteristics and road traffic mortality, and logistic regression was used to identify the strength of associations. Results In this study, road traffic mortality was found to be 1.8% of all injuries. Most of the deaths occurred in males (61.7%), who were aged 25–44 years (35.8%), being drivers (68.6%), using motorcycle (78.4%), and not wearing a helmet (61.0%). Road traffic mortality was higher among males, older age people, those who were not wearing a helmet or not fastening a seat belt, pedestrians and when people crashed with or by motor car, with wound being penetrating or blunt with penetrating, and when they were having head or neck, chest, or abdominal or pelvic cavity injuries. Conclusion Policies and measures for reducing road traffic mortality should focus on males and older aged persons, use of safety devices, and occurrence of multiple injuries.