Microcredit, Technology Adoption and Economic Development of Rural Household

The main objective of this study is to investigate either Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) microcredit has led to the technology adoption and increase of rural household economy, particularly in household monthly income among its participants. This study was conducted in Melaka based on a sample of 200 participants. The findings of the study show that the AIM microcredit had a significant impact on technology adoption and increased the participant household monthly income in Melaka. The findings suggest that AIM microcredit is still relevant and plays an important role in increasing rural household monthly income, inculcate entrepreneurship among women and reduced poverty. Therefore, the Malaysian government should enact the relevant policies and give supports to enhance the effectiveness and outreach of microcredit

Photon and dilepton emission rates from high density quark matter

We compute the rates of real and virtual photon (dilepton) emission from dense QCD matter in the color-flavor locked (CFL) phase, focusing on results at moderate densities (3-5 times the nuclear saturation density) and temperatures $T\simeq80$ MeV. We pursue two approaches to evaluate the electromagnetic (e.m.) response of the CFL ground state: (i) a direct evaluation of the photon self energy using quark particle/-hole degrees of freedom, and (ii) a Hidden Local Symmetry (HLS) framework based on generalized mesonic excitations where the $\rho$ meson is introduced as a gauge boson of a local SU(3) color-flavor group. The $\rho$ coupling to generalized two-pion states induces a finite width and allows to address the issue of vector meson dominance (VMD) in the CFL phase. We compare the calculated emissivities (dilepton rates) to those arising from standard hadronic approaches including in-medium effects. For rather large superconducting gaps (several tens of MeV at moderate densities), as suggested by both perturbative and nonperturbative estimates, the dilepton rates from CFL quark matter turn out to be very similar to those obtained in hadronic many-body calculations, especially for invariant masses above $M\simeq0.3$ GeV. A similar observation holds for (real) photon production.Comment: 18 pages, 12 figure

Effect of cooling regime on the residual performance of high-volume palm oil fuel ash concrete exposed to high temperatures

This paper presents the experimental findings of a study on the effect of cooling method on the residual performance of concrete containing a high volume of palm oil fuel ash (POFA) exposed to high temperatures. In this study, concrete samples were made in which the ordinary Portland cement was replaced by 50%, 60% and 70% POFA. The test specimens were then thermally treated to elevated temperatures of 200, 400, 600 and 800 �C in an electric furnace for a period of 1 h. The specimens were cured by air cooling or water cooling and examined for ultrasonic pulse velocity and changes in weight and residual compressive strength. At higher temperatures, the reduction in the ultrasonic pulse velocity of concrete was higher for all of the mixes. Along with the loss of weight, the residual compressive strength of concrete was also reduced. Of the two regimes, the air-cooling system exhibited better performance in recovering the structural properties of concrete containing a high volume of POFA

Cryptanalysis of an image encryption scheme based on the Hill cipher

This paper studies the security of an image encryption scheme based on the Hill cipher and reports its following problems: 1) there is a simple necessary and sufficient condition that makes a number of secret keys invalid; 2) it is insensitive to the change of the secret key; 3) it is insensitive to the change of the plain-image; 4) it can be broken with only one known/chosen-plaintext; 5) it has some other minor defects.Comment: 10 pages, three figure

Administrative Coding in Electronic Health Care Record-Based Research of NAFLD: An Expert Panel Consensus Statement

cited By 0Background and Aims Electronic health record (EHR)-based research allows the capture of large amounts of data, which is necessary in NAFLD, where the risk of clinical liver outcomes is generally low. The lack of consensus on which International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes should be used as exposures and outcomes limits comparability and generalizability of results across studies. We aimed to establish consensus among a panel of experts on ICD codes that could become the reference standard and provide guidance around common methodological issues. Approach and Results Researchers with an interest in EHR-based NAFLD research were invited to collectively define which administrative codes are most appropriate for documenting exposures and outcomes. We used a modified Delphi approach to reach consensus on several commonly encountered methodological challenges in the field. After two rounds of revision, a high level of agreement (>67%) was reached on all items considered. Full consensus was achieved on a comprehensive list of administrative codes to be considered for inclusion and exclusion criteria in defining exposures and outcomes in EHR-based NAFLD research. We also provide suggestions on how to approach commonly encountered methodological issues and identify areas for future research. Conclusions This expert panel consensus statement can help harmonize and improve generalizability of EHR-based NAFLD research.Peer reviewe

Genome-wide association analysis reveals new insights into the genetic architecture of defensive, agro-morphological and quality-related traits in cassava

OpenAccess Article; Published online: 30 Jul 2020Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is one of the most important starchy root crops in the tropics due to its adaptation to marginal environments. Genetic progress in this clonally propagated crop can be accelerated through the discovery of markers and candidate genes that could be used in cassava breeding programs. We carried out a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using a panel of 5,310 clones developed at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture - Nigeria. The population was genotyped at more than 100,000 SNP markers via genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS). Genomic regions underlying genetic variation for 14 traits classified broadly into four categories: biotic stress (cassava mosaic disease and cassava green mite severity); quality (dry matter content and carotenoid content) and plant agronomy (harvest index and plant type). We also included several agro-morphological traits related to leaves, stems and roots with high heritability. In total, 41 significant associations were uncovered. While some of the identified loci matched with those previously reported, we present additional association signals for the traits. We provide a catalogue of favourable alleles at the most significant SNP for each trait-locus combination and candidate genes occurring within the GWAS hits. These resources provide a foundation for the development of markers that could be used in cassava breeding programs and candidate genes for functional validation

The future of International Classification of Diseases coding in steatotic liver disease: An expert panel Delphi consensus statement

Background: Following the adoption of new nomenclature for steatotic liver disease, we aimed to build consensus on the use of International Classification of Diseases codes and recommendations for future research and advocacy. Methods: Through a two-stage Delphi process, a core group (n = 20) reviewed draft statements and recommendations (n = 6), indicating levels of agreement. Following revisions, this process was repeated with a large expert panel (n = 243) from 73 countries. Results: Consensus ranged from 88.8% to 96.9% (mean = 92.3%). Conclusions: This global consensus statement provides guidance on harmonizing the International Classification of Diseases coding for steatotic liver disease and future directions to advance the field