Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The most-luminous heavily-obscured quasars have a high merger fraction: morphological study of WISE-selected hot dust-obscured galaxies

Previous studies have shown that WISE-selected hyperluminous, hot dust-obscured galaxies (Hot DOGs) are powered by highly dust-obscured, possibly Compton-thick AGNs. High obscuration provides us a good chance to study the host morphology of the most luminous AGNs directly. We analyze the host morphology of 18 Hot DOGs at $z\sim3$ using Hubble Space Telescope/WFC3 imaging. We find that Hot DOGs have a high merger fraction ($62\pm 14 \%$). By fitting the surface brightness profiles, we find that the distribution of Sersic indices in our Hot DOG sample peaks around 2, which suggests that most of Hot DOGs have transforming morphologies. We also derive the AGN bolometric luminosity ($\sim10^{14}L_\odot$) of our Hot DOG sample by using IR SEDs decomposition. The derived merger fraction and AGN bolometric luminosity relation is well consistent with the variability-based model prediction (Hickox et al. 2014). Both the high merger fraction in IR-luminous AGN sample and relatively low merger fraction in UV/optical-selected, unobscured AGN sample can be expected in the merger-driven evolutionary model. Finally, we conclude that Hot DOGs are merger-driven and may represent a transit phase during the evolution of massive galaxies, transforming from the dusty starburst dominated phase to the unobscured QSO phase.
Noncrossing partitions, fully commutative elements and bases of the Temperley-Lieb algebra

We introduce a new basis of the Temperley-Lieb algebra. It is defined using a bijection between noncrossing partitions and fully commutative elements together with a basis introduced by Zinno, which is obtained by mapping the simple elements of the Birman-Ko-Lee braid monoid to the Temperley-Lieb algebra. The combinatorics of the new basis involve the Bruhat order restricted to noncrossing partitions. As an application we can derive properties of the coefficients of the base change matrix between Zinno's basis and the well-known diagram or Kazhdan-Lusztig basis of the Temperley-Lieb algebra. In particular, we give closed formulas for some of the coefficients of the expansion of an element of the diagram basis in the Zinno basis.
Biodegradable Dissolved Organic Carbon (BDOC) Removal from Micro-Polluted Water Source Using Ultrafiltration: Comparison with Conventional Processes, Operation Conditions and Membrane Fouling Control

The biodegradable dissolved organic carbon (BDOC) in micro-polluted water sources affects the drinking water quality and safety in the urban water supply. The conventional technology of “coagulation-sedimentation-filtration” in a water plant located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River removed dissolved organic carbon (DOC) with a molecular weight (MW) > 30 kDa effectively, but the BDOC elimination only ranged 27.4–58.1%, due to their predominant smaller MW (<1 kDa), leading to a high residual BDOC of 0.22–0.33 mg/L. To ensure the biological stability of drinking water, i.e., the inability to support microbial growth (BDOC < 0.2 mg/L), a pilot-scale ultrafiltration process (UF, made of aromatic polyamide with MW cut-off of 1 kDa) was operated to remove BDOC as an advanced treatment after sand-filtration. Results showed the membrane flux decreased with the increase in the influent BDOC concentration and decrease in operating pressure. With an operating pressure of 0.25 MPa, the BDOC removal by UF reached 80.7%, leading to a biologically stable BDOC concentration of 0.08 mg/L. The fouling of the membrane was mainly caused by organic pollution. The H2O2–HCl immersion washing method effectively cleaned the membrane surface fouling, with a recovery of membrane flux of 98%.
AUTOMATIC COMPUTER AIDED DIAGNOSIS FRAMEWORK OF LIVER CANCER DETECTION USING CNN-LSTM

Liver cancer detection using the computer vision methods and machine learning already received significant attention of researchers for accurate diagnosis and on-time medical attentions. The Computer Aided Diagnosis (CAD) preferred for cancer detection all over the world which is based on image processing functions. Earlier CAD tools were designed using conventional machine learning methods using semi-automatic approach. The recent growth of deep learning for automatic detection and classification leads to significant improvement in accuracy. This paper proposed the automatic CAD framework for liver cancer detection using Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and Long Short Term Memory (LSTM). The input Computed Tomography (CT) scan images first pre-processed for quality enhancement. After that we applied the lightweight and accuracy Region of Interest (ROI) extraction technique using dynamic binary segmentation. From ROI images, we extracted automated CNN-based features and hand-craft features. The combination of both features formed unique feature set for classification purpose. The LSTM block is then perform the classification either into normal or diseased CT image. The CNN-LSTM model is designed in this paper to enhance the accuracy of liver cancer detection compared to other deep learning solutions. The experimental results of proposed model using CNN-based features and hybrid hand craft features outperformed the recent state-of-art methods.
Homological algebra related to surfaces with boundary

In this article we describe an algebraic framework which can be used in three related but different contexts: string topology, symplectic field theory, and Lagrangian Floer theory of higher genus. It turns out that the relevant algebraic structure for all three contexts is a homotopy version of involutive bi-Lie algebras, which we call IBL$_\infty$-algebras.
Consumer acceptability of fried chips made from South African sweet potato cultivars

In South Africa, the processing of sweet potatoes has a high potential for economic gain, therefore, chips were prepared from six sweet potato cultivars with varying flesh colours for consumer preference evaluation. Scoring was based on colour, crispness, taste and overall ranking by four groups of a total of 159 people at distinct locations. Instrumental assessment included colour measurement of chips, and dry mass and total carotenoid content of fresh roots. Analysis of variance, principal component analysis and Pearson correlation analysis were performed. Significant differences were found in taste/flavour, crispness and overall consumer ranking as well as for all instrumental measurements among chips made from the different cultivars. Orange-fleshed cultivars Bophelo, W-119 and Beauregard had values of 108.27, 112.37 and 113.33 µg/g for total carotenoids, respectively. The six cultivars were grouped into three clusters based on overall consumer rating, crispness, carotenoid content, colour a*, taste/flavour, oxidation and dry mass, colour L* and appearance. The results indicate that cultivars Beauregard and Bophelo can be recommended for making fried chips for South African consumers.
The heterogenous relationship between migration and innovation: Evidence from Italy

ABSTRACT This paper offers a novel take on the relationship between migration and regional innovation by analysing the impact of both international and internal migration flows across Italian provinces, by skill level, and on three types of intellectual property rights (IPRs), namely patents, trademarks and design rights. Allowing us to capture innovation beyond technology and high-tech manufacturing, our results shed light on the relationship between different types of migrant human capital and this array of innovative outcomes. Focusing on Italian provinces in the period 2003–2012, our empirical analysis reveals that internal migration is more significantly related to innovation than international migration. Moreover, medium- and high-skilled migrants are positively associated with all three types of IPRs, while low-skilled migration has a negative association. There are also significant differences across provinces, with a clear distinction between the more economically developed Northern provinces and the rest of Italy.
An Affine Index Polynomial Invariant of Virtual Knots

This paper describes a polynomial invariant of virtual knots that is defined in terms of an integer labeling of the virtual knot diagram. This labeling is seen to derive from an essentially unique structure of affine flat biquandle for flat virtual diagrams. The invariant is discussed in detail with many examples,including its relation to previous invariants of this type and we show how to construct Vassiliev invariants from the same data.
On the index-conjecture on the length four minimal zero-sum sequences

Let $G$ be a finite cyclic group. Every sequence $S$ over $G$ can be written in the form $S=(n_1g)\cdot. \cdot(n_lg)$ where $g\in G$ and $n_1,\cdots,n_l\in[1,{\hbox{\rm ord}}(g)]$, and the index $\ind(S)$ of $S$ is defined to be the minimum of $(n_1+\cdots+n_l)/\hbox{\rm ord}(g)$ over all possible $g\in G$ such that $\langle g\rangle=G$. A conjecture says that if $G$ is finite such that $\gcd(|G|,6)=1$, then $\ind(S)=1$ for every minimal zero-sum sequence $S$. In this paper, we prove that the conjecture holds if $S$ is reduced and at least one $n_i$ coprime to $|G|$.
The Sagittarius stream and halo triaxiality

We present a mass model for the Milky Way, which is t to observations of the Sagittarius stream together with constraints derived from a wide range of photometric and kinematic data. The model comprises a S ersic bulge, an exponential disk, and an Einasto halo. Our Bayesian analysis is accomplished using an ane-invariant Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm. We nd that the best-t dark matter halo is triaxial with axis ratios of 3:3 0:7 and 2:7 0:4 and with the short axis approximately aligned with the Sun-Galactic centre line. Our results are consistent with those presented in Law and Majewski (2010). Such a strongly aspherical halo is disfavoured by the standard cold dark matter scenario for structure formation.
Exchange Relation in sl3 WZNW model in Semiclassical Limit

We consider the exchange relations of screened vertex operators in the sl3 Wess-Zumino-Novikov-Witten(WZNW) model in the semiclassical limit (where level k tends to infinity). We demonstrate that the coefficients of the exchange relations of the screened vertex operators coincide with the ones of the spider diagrams. The spider diagrams are composed of 3-point vertices, and differ from ordinary string diagrams.
Bilinguals produce language-specific voice onset time in two true-voicing languages

It is well established that early bilinguals who speak languages that differ in the phonetic implementation of the voicing contrast have language-specific voicing systems. This study investigates voicing separation in bilinguals who speak two true-voicing languages, Basque and Spanish. We also describe the voicing system in Gipuzkoan Spanish and Gipuzkoan Basque, which is the closest dialect to Standard Basque and it has not yet been investigated experimentally. Twenty Basque-Spanish early bilingual speakers of Gipuzkoan dialects participated in two picture naming tasks. We described their voicing system by measuring voice onset time (VOT) in both Gipuzkoan Basque and Spanish, and used linear mixed-effects models to investigate between-language production differences. Our results show for the first time that adult early bilinguals who speak two true-voicing languages produce language-specific VOT in ‘voiced’ plosives. This finding demonstrates that bilinguals’ phonetic systems during production are more fine-grained than previously assumed, and contributes to a deeper understanding of granularity in early bilingual phonetic systems.
Wellness tourism service preferences and their linkages to motivational factors: a multiple case study

ABSTRACT Responding to the research gap in cross-cultural studies in wellness tourism this study aims to increase the understanding about the differences in wellness tourists’ service preferences in different source markets by investigating how service preferences are associated with motivational factors. Based on 1,562 online survey responses from wellness tourists residing in Finland, Russia (St. Petersburg area), and Lithuania, an exploratory factor analysis and seemingly unrelated regression analysis were performed to analyse the cross-cultural differences. The results revealed that swimming pools, saunas, massages and body care are dominant services for all nationality groups, while services related to Eastern traditions are the least important. However, there are significant differences regarding the importance of services such as beauty treatment, services related to medical wellness, spa and wellness packages among others. An analysis of the associations between service preferences and motivational factors and significant differences in the strength and direction of those associations revealed that wellness tourists from different source markets may be driven by different motivations for choosing the same services.
THE EFFECT OF PERCEPTIONS OF USE, PERCEPTIONS OF EASE OF USE, AND SECURITY ON THE INTENTION OF MILLENNIAL CUSTOMERS TO USE BNI MOBILE BANKING THROUGH CUSTOMER TRUST AS INTERVENING VARIABLES

The rapid development of science and technology in the digital era, affects people's lifestyles when accessing a lot of information in various service functions through electronic means. Banks utilize information technology in mobile banking. The purpose of this study was to determine and analyze the effect of perceived benefits, perceived ease of use, and security on Millennial Generation customers' interest in using BNI Mobile Banking through customer trust as an intervening variable. The research method uses primary data obtained from distributing questionnaires to 100 millennial generations who have used BNI Mobile Banking in Jabodetabek. The analytical tools used are validity test, reliability test, R-square test, path coefficient test, indirect effect (path analysis), predictive relevance, and model suitability test. The results showed that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and security had an effect on intention to use through customer trust in BNI Mobile Banking users. Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, and Security affect the Intention to Use BNI Mobile Banking Users. Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, and Security have direct and indirect effects on intention to use through Customer Trust in BNI Mobile Banking users.
On the existence of $W^{2}_{p}$ solutions for fully nonlinear elliptic equations under either relaxed or no convexity assumptions

We establish the existence of solutions of fully nonlinear elliptic second-order equations like $H(v,Dv,D^{2}v,x)=0$ in smooth domains without requiring $H$ to be convex or concave with respect to the second-order derivatives. Apart from ellipticity nothing is required of $H$ at points at which $|D^{2}v|\leq K$, where $K$ is any given constant. For large $|D^{2}v|$ some kind of relaxed convexity assumption with respect to $D^{2}v$ mixed with a VMO condition with respect to $x$ are still imposed. The solutions are sought in Sobolev classes. We also establish the solvability without almost any conditions on $H$, apart from ellipticity, but of a "cut-off" version of the equation $H(v,Dv,D^{2}v,x)=0$.
Depression is associated with frailty and lower quality of life in haemodialysis recipients, but not with mortality or hospitalization

ABSTRACT Background Frailty and depression are highly prevalent in haemodialysis recipients, exhibit a reciprocal relationship, and are associated with increased mortality and hospitalization, and lower quality of life. Despite this, there has been little exploration of the relationship between depression and frailty upon patient outcomes. We aimed to explore the relationship between depression and frailty, and their associations with mortality, hospitalization and quality of life. Methods We performed a prospective cohort study of prevalent haemodialysis recipients linked to national datasets for outcomes including mortality and hospitalization. Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), frailty using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) and quality of life using the EuroQol 5-Dimension (EQ-5D) Summary Index. Results A total of 485 prevalent haemodialysis recipients were recruited, with 111 deaths and 1241 hospitalizations during follow-up. CFS was independently associated with mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 1.31; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08, 1.59; P = . 006], hospitalization [incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.13; 95% CI 1.03, 1.25; P = . 010] and lower quality of life (Coef. −0.401; 95% CI −0.511, −0.292; P < .001). PHQ-9 score was independently associated with lower quality of life (Coef. −0.042; 95% CI −0.063, −0.021; P < .001), but not mortality (HR 1.00; 95% CI 0.96, 1.04; P = .901) or hospitalization (IRR 0.99; 95% CI 0.97, 1.01; P = .351). In an adjusted model including CFS, moderate depression was associated with reduced hospitalization (IRR 0.72; 95% CI 0.56, 0.93; P = .013). Conclusions With the addition of frailty, depression was associated with lower hospital admissions, but poorer quality of life. The relationship between frailty and depression, and their influence on outcomes is complex, requiring further study.
Comparing algebraic and non-algebraic foundations of n-category theory

Many definitions of weak n-category have been proposed. It has been widely observed that each of these definitions is of one of two types: algebraic definitions, in which composites and coherence cells are explicitly specified, and non-algebraic definitions, in which a coherent choice of composites and constraint cells is merely required to exist. Relatively few comparisons have been made between definitions, and most of those that have concern the relationship between definitions of just one type. The aim of this thesis is to establish more comparisons, including a comparison between an algebraic definition and a non-algebraic definition. The thesis is divided into two parts. Part 1 concerns the relationships between three algebraic definitions of weak n-category: those of Penon and Batanin, and Leinster's variant of Batanin's definition. A correspondence between the structures used to define composition and coherence in the definitions of Batanin and Leinster has long been suspected, and we make this precise for the first time. We use this correspondence to prove several coherence theorems that apply to all three definitions, and also to take the first steps towards describing the relationship between the weak n-categories of Batanin and Leinster. In Part 2 we take the first step towards a comparison between Penon's definition of weak n-category and a non-algebraic definition, Simpson's variant of Tamsamani's definition, in the form of a nerve construction. As a prototype for this nerve construction, we recall a nerve construction for bicategories proposed by Leinster, and prove that the nerve of a bicategory given by this construction is a Tamsamani--Simpson weak 2-category. We then define our nerve functor for Penon weak n-categories. We prove that the nerve of a Penon weak 2-category is a Tamsamani--Simpson weak 2-category, and conjecture that this result holds for higher n.
Confronting the Hubble diagram of gamma-ray bursts with Cardassian cosmology

We construct the Hubble diagram of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) with redshifts reaching up to z∼6, by using five luminosity versus luminosity indicator relations calibrated with the Cardassian cosmology. This model has a major interesting feature: despite being matter dominated and flat, it can explain the present accelerated expansion of the universe. This is the first study of this class of models using high redshift GRBs. We have performed a χ squared statistical analysis of the GRBs calibrated with the Cardassian model, and also combined them with both the current cosmic microwave background and baryonic acoustic oscillation data. Our results show consistency between the current observational data and the model predictions; in particular, the best fit parameters obtained from that χ2 analysis are in agreement with those obtained from previous investigations. The influence of these best fit parameters on the redshift at which the universe would start to follow the Cardassian expansion, i.e., zcard, and on both the redshift at which the universe supposedly had started to accelerate, i.e., zacc, and the age–redshift relation, H0t0, are also discussed. Our results also show that the universe, from the point of view of GRBs, had undergone a transition to acceleration at a redshift z≈0.2–0.7, which agrees with the type Ia supernovae results. One important point that we notice is that despite the statistical analysis being performed with a model that does not need any vacuum energy, we found that the results attained using this cosmological model are compatible with those obtained with the concordance cosmology (Λ-CDM; CDM: cold dark matter), as far as GRBs are concerned. Hence, after confronting the Cardassian scenario with the GRB Hubble diagram, our main conclusion is that GRBs should indeed be considered a tool complementary to several other observational studies for doing precision cosmology.