Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Automatic image cracks detection and removal on mobile devices

Some of old photographs are damaged due to improper archiving (e.g. affected by direct sunlight, humidity, insects, etc.) or have a physical damage resulting on appearance of cracks, scratches on photographs, non-necessary signs, spots, dust, and so on. This paper focuses on detection and removal of cracks from digital images. The proposed method consists of the following steps: pre-processing, crack detection and image reconstruction. A pre-processing step is used to suppress a noise and small defects in images. For a crack identification we use modified local binary patterns to form a feature vectors, and a non-linear SVM for a crack recognition. The combined inpainting method using structure and texture restoration is applied at the image reconstruction step. Image inpainting is the process of restoring the lost or damaged regions or modifying the image contents imperceptibly. This technique detects and removes the horizontal, vertical, diagonal cracks and other defects on complex scenes of image. We implemented proposed method on some mobile platforms for automatic image enhancement. Presented examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm in cracks detection and removal.
The Variation of Soil Phosphorus Fractions and Microbial Community Composition under Consecutive Cucumber Cropping in a Greenhouse

The distribution of phosphorus (P) fractions in soil plays a decisive role in soil P bioavailability; however, the characteristics of soil P fractions under consecutive cropping in a solar greenhouse remain unclear. To evaluate the effects of the long-term successive vegetable cropping on soil P fractions and the microbial community composition in greenhouse soil, a continuous long-term cropping experiment was conducted using cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in a solar greenhouse starting from 2006 to 2018. Soil P fractions and the microbial community composition were determined using the Hedley continuous extraction method and the phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) method, respectively, in the 1st, 9th, 13th, and 21st rounds of cultivation. The soil total phosphorus (TP) content increased from 0.90 g·kg−1 in the 1st round to 3.07 g·kg−1 in the 21st round of cucumber cultivation. With an increase in continuous cropping rounds, soil available phosphorus (AP) increased and the phosphorus activation coefficient (PAC) decreased, with no significant difference between the 13th and 21st rounds. After 21 rounds of continuous cropping, the soil organic matter (SOM) content was 16.34 g·kg−1, 1.42 times that of the 1st round. The abundance of soil bacteria, actinomycetes, Gram-negative bacteria (G−), Gram-positive bacteria (G+), and total PLFAs initially increased with continuous cropping rounds, but then decreased significantly, and the ratios of fungi:bacteria (F/B) and G+/G− bacteria also increased significantly with continuous cropping rounds. The contents of soil labile P, moderately labile P, and non-labile P increased significantly over 21 continuous cropping rounds. Together, these results demonstrate that long-term continuous cropping can directly lead to the accumulation of P fractions, but it can also affect the abundance of actinomycetes through SOM enrichment, which indirectly leads to the accumulation of non-labile P. This study provides a theoretical basis for future soil P fertilizer management and vegetable production sustainability.
IP-telephony technology and solution families covering one box startup to carrier grade service

In recent years, IP telephony services using VoIP (Voice over IP) technology has been attracting a great deal of attention all over the world as a means of telecommunication cost reduction. This paper describes the IP telephony market trend and various important technologies for not only IP telephony for public service and enterprise use but also IP Centrex services, a new solution for voice communications aimed at the needs of business customers, just launched last autumn in Japan. It covers packetization, voice codecs, echo cancellation and call processing protocols. Also, it is suggested that the possibility of convergence of information and network technologies will bring a new work style of business.
Factors Affecting the Patient Journey in Scheduling a Specialist Appointment in a Public Healthcare System

A questionnaire was developed to evaluate the journey experienced by patients from identifying a need to see a community specialist in Israel's public healthcare system, through scheduling an appointment and attending. A telephone survey was conducted with a nationally representative group of 3751 adults, in 2019 to 2020. Fifty-seven percent needed to see a specialist in the last 6 months; among those, 82%, visited a specialist. Among the 3% who did not make an appointment, in 41 of 52 (79%) cases this was due to long waiting time. Younger and more educated patients were more likely to try to get an earlier appointment. Timeliness (55%) and wanting a specific physician (43%) were major considerations in scheduling. Reported need was greater in females, Jewish versus Arab respondents, more educated and those with chronic illness. Those who did not make an appointment sought private care, emergency treatment, or went untreated. Although a large percentage of respondents did eventually get an appointment, vulnerable patients may have more difficulty navigating the system. Following the patient journey can provide insights to help design services better suited to patients’ needs.
Can land prices be used to curb urban industrial land expansion? An explanation from the perspective of substitutability of land in production

Abstract Industrial land expansion has become a matter of increasing concern to policy-makers, especially in developing and emerging manufacturing countries. Price mechanisms are regarded as an important way to control the expansion of industrial land. For industrial land, the effectiveness of a price mechanism in controlling land expansion relies substantially on the substitutability of land in production, which remains unclear in the literature. This paper provides empirical evidence on the substitutability of industrial land by examining the impact of increases in land prices on the elasticity of substitution between land input and other production factors based on China’s city-level industrial production in 2007–2015. We find that land price increases significantly induce the industrial sector to reduce land demand by substituting capital for land. However, our estimated elasticity of substitution of capital for land in production is only 0.03, which indicates that industrial land is substitutable but the degree of substitutability is very low in production. The findings of our study suggest that the benefits of relying on price mechanisms to curb industrial land expansion may be very limited; hence, traditional planning instruments should also be suitably designed to jointly curb industrial land expansion.
Genetic diversity of Caryocar brasiliense Cambess. (Caryocaraceae: Malpighiales) among genotypes producing fruits with and without thorns in the endocarp

The aim of this research was to evaluate genetic diversity among genotypes of “pequi”, Caryocar brasiliense, producing fruits with and without thorns in the endocarp, which is one the biometric characteristics of the fruits. The variance components associated with the effects of the model and estimates of the proportions of the total phenotypic variation were estimated due to the difference between groups, the difference between genotypes within each group, the difference between fruits within genotypes and within of groups. The genetic diversity within each group was verified, mainly in the group of plants producing fruit without thorns. In this study, H2 varied from 0.0 to 88.40% in the group of fruits with thorns and from 0.0 to 96.32% in the group of fruits without thorns. Biometric evaluations demonstrate that the genotypes studied presented statistically significant differences; which shows that the population has a high genetic potential for germplasm conservation and breeding.
Peer and Self-Assessment of Teamwork Skills in High School: Using a Multi-Rater Evaluation Method for Cooperative Learning Groups

Employers agree that high school graduates lack teamwork skills needed for workplace productivity. The lag in student readiness to meet employer expectations urges school reforms that implicate group interaction, empirical assessment, and reporting of teamwork competencies. The Teamwork Skills Inventory (TSI) evaluated how well individual students performed in cooperative learning teams as observed by peers and self with anonymous feedback. Field-testing involved 303 high school students in the United States from middle class and racially diverse families. Psychometric indicators of reliability, validity, exploratory factor analysis, and group analytics were determined. Qualitative responses by participants to TSI methodology were highly favorable.
Effects of classic psychedelic drugs on turbulent signatures in brain dynamics

Abstract Psychedelic drugs show promise as safe and effective treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders, yet their mechanisms of action are not fully understood. A fundamental hypothesis is that psychedelics work by dose-dependently changing the functional hierarchy of brain dynamics, but it is unclear whether different psychedelics act similarly. Here, we investigated the changes in the brain’s functional hierarchy associated with two different psychedelics (LSD and psilocybin). Using a novel turbulence framework, we were able to determine the vorticity, that is, the local level of synchronization, that allowed us to extend the standard global time-based measure of metastability to become a local-based measure of both space and time. This framework produced detailed signatures of turbulence-based hierarchical change for each psychedelic drug, revealing consistent and discriminate effects on a higher level network, that is, the default mode network. Overall, our findings directly support a prior hypothesis that psychedelics modulate (i.e., “compress”) the functional hierarchy and provide a quantification of these changes for two different psychedelics. Implications for therapeutic applications of psychedelics are discussed.
Artificial Compressibility with Riemann Solvers: Convergence of Limiters on Unstructured Meshes

Free-surface flows and other variable density incompressible flows have numerous important applications in engineering.One way such flows can be modelled is to extend established numerical methods for compressible flows to incompressible flows using the method of artificial compressibility. Artificial compressibility introduces a pseudo-time derivative for pressure and, in each real-time step, the solution advances in pseudo-time until convergence to an incompressible limit - a fundamentally different approach than SIMPLE, PISO, and PIMPLE, the standard methods used in OpenFOAM. Although the artificial compressibility method is widespread in the literature, its application to free-surface flows is not. In this paper, we apply the method to variable density flows on 3D unstructured meshes for the first time, implementing a Godunov-type scheme with MUSCL reconstruction and Riemann solvers, where the free surface gets captured automatically by the contact wave in the Riemann solver. The critical problem in this implementation lies in the slope limiters used in the MUSCL reconstruction step. It is well-known that slope limiters can inhibit convergence to steady state on unstructured meshes; the problem is exacerbated here as convergence in pseudo-time is required not just once, but at every real-time step. We compare the limited gradient schemes included in OpenFOAM with an improved limiter from the literature, testing the solver against dam-break and hydrostatic pressure benchmarks. This work opens OpenFOAM up to the method of artificial compressibility, breaking the mould of PIMPLE and harnessing high-resolution shock-capturing schemes that are easier to parallelise.
Mechanistic Insights into the Effect of Sulfur on the Selectivity of Cobalt-Catalyzed Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis: A DFT Study

Sulfur is a common poison for cobalt-catalyzed Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis (FTS). Although its effects on catalytic activity are well documented, its effects on selectivity are controversial. Here, we investigated the effects of sulfur-covered cobalt surfaces on the selectivity of FTS using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Our results indicated that sulfur on the surface of Co(111) resulted in a significant decrease in the adsorption energies of CO, HCO and acetylene, while the binding of H and CH species were not significantly affected. These findings indicate that sulfur increased the surface H/CO coverage ratio while inhibiting the adsorption of carbon chains. The elementary reactions of H-assisted CO dissociation, carbon and oxygen hydrogenation and CH coupling were also investigated on both clean and sulfur-covered Co(111). The results indicated that sulfur decreased the activation barriers for carbon and oxygen hydrogenation, while increasing the barriers for CO dissociation and CH coupling. Combining the results on elementary reactions with the modification of adsorption energies, we concluded that the intrinsic effect of sulfur on the selectivity of cobalt-catalyzed FTS is to increase the selectivity to methane and saturated short-chain hydrocarbons, while decreasing the selectivity to olefins and long-chain hydrocarbons.
Implanting intracranial electrodes does not affect spikes or network connectivity in nearby or connected brain regions

Abstract To determine the effect of implanting electrodes on electrographic features of nearby and connected brain regions in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, we analyzed intracranial EEG recordings from 10 patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who underwent implant revision (placement of additional electrodes) during their hospitalization. We performed automated spike detection and measured EEG functional networks. We analyzed the original electrodes that remained in place throughout the full EEG recording, and we measured the change in spike rates and network connectivity in these original electrodes in response to implanting new electrodes. There was no change in overall spike rate pre- to post-implant revision (t(9) = 0.1, p = 0.95). The peri-revision change in the distribution of spike rate and connectivity across electrodes was no greater than chance (Monte Carlo method, spikes: p = 0.40, connectivity: p = 0.42). Electrodes closer to or more functionally connected to the revision site had no greater change in spike rate or connectivity than more distant or less connected electrodes. Changes in electrographic features surrounding electrode implantation are no greater than baseline fluctuations occurring throughout the intracranial recording. These findings argue against an implant effect on spikes or network connectivity in nearby or connected brain regions.
Prophylactic Use of Antibiotics for Postsurgical Infection in c-TACE and DEB-TACE High-Risk Patients: A Case-Control Study

Objectives According to recent reports, prophylactic use of antibiotics is not always required in conventional transarterial chemoembolization (c-TACE). However, clinical evidence of prophylactic antibiotics in drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) to prevent postsurgical infection is limited. This study is aimed to evaluate the correlation between the preoperative prophylactic application of antibiotics and postoperative infection in c-TACE or DEB-TACE, especially in a population with a high risk for postsurgical infection. Methods In this retrospective study, TACE patients diagnosed with hepatic carcinoma (between January 2019 and May 2021) were examined. The case group was given 1.5 g cefuroxime sodium 0.5–1 hour before TACE, while there was no intervention in the control group. The outcomes analyzed were leukocyte count >9.5 × 109/L on the second day after the operation and the diagnosis of infection within one month after the operation. We applied univariate, multivariate logistic regression, trend analysis, and subgroup analysis to find potential risk factors and the necessity of prophylactic antibiotics. Results Among 142 eligible cases, 72 received antibiotics while 70 were kept as control, 113 cases were treated with c-TACE, and 29 were treated with DEB-TACE. Multivariate analysis showed that the increase in white blood cell count after the operation was related to diabetes (OR 5.112, 95% CI 1.229–21.264, p = 0.025). The occurrence of postoperative infection was negatively correlated with preoperative albumin value (＜25 g/L) (OR 153.118, 95% CI 1.631–14372.331, p = 0.030). Trend analysis showed that the risk of postoperative infection increased with a decrease in serum albumin level (P < 0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that there were no significant differences in the incidence of increased leukocyte count and postoperative infection between the prophylactic and nonprophylactic treatment groups, in the case of diabetes, preoperative albumin levels, and operation mode (P > 0.1). Conclusions Prophylactic antibiotic treatment before the c-TACE or DEB-TACE had no significant correlation with postoperative leukocyte increase and postoperative infection. Diabetes history and serum albumin levels were the prominent risk factors associated with an increase in postoperative leukocyte count and postoperative infection. Future large-scale studies and randomized-controlled trials are required to confirm and validate this association.
The effect of different preservation methods on the colour and active substance content of Summer Savory (Satureja hortensis L.) leafy shoots

Summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) is a well known annual, herbaceous spice plant belonging to the Lamiaceae plant family with significant importance in culinary and herbal medicine. Flowering leafy shoots (S. hortensis herb) are the most important parts of the plant where essential oil containing glands are present along with many other active substances. This study aims to find the best preservation methods in order to conserve the organoleptic properties and the most important active substances present in summer savory plant.
Millimeter Wave Reflection Pattern Codebook Design for RIS-Assisted V2V Communications

We consider a reflection pattern (RP) designfor reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS)-assisted vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication systems. Fast-moving-vehicle environments necessitate developing more intuitive RP alignment technique that aligns a predefined codeword to the dominant channel directions. To support a fast RP alignment in RIS-assisted V2V systems, we provide a design guideline of the RP codebook by considering passive reflecting elements at the RIS. We analyze distributions of the incident and reflection channels by taking the street geometry in V2V networks into consideration. By using the statistical information on the difference in spatial frequencies between the incident and reflection channels, we define a set of ideal RPs that are likely to maximize a reflection beamforming gain. The RP codebook is constructed by designing a set of reflecting codewords that can generate actual RPs close to predefined ideal RPs. Numerical results verify that the proposed RP codebook provides a higher link gain than previously reported codebooks.
Definiteness in second language acquisition: Preliminary results regarding Indo-European and Afroasiatic languages

This article describes and compares the way in which definiteness is expressed in Romance (Catalan and Spanish) and some Slavic and Afro-Asian languages. We present some difficulties concerning definite nominal expressions that speakers of Ukrainian, Egyptian Arabic and Amazigh as L1 face when learning Catalan or Spanish as a second language and we show that the acquisition of definite determiners is, in general, problematic regardless of the typological nature of the L1. We also indicate that these difficulties can be related to the emergence of different determiner layers in the higher functional field in the nominal domain during the acquisition process.
Leveraging Technology to Bridge the Gap between Independent Artists and Reaching the Right Consumer

Abstract The South African independent artists have struggled to reach the right consumer and optimally utilise digital distribution through social media. This is in large due to the segmented nature of the South African consumer. A case study analysis of Rymklets Republiek was performed. They are a niche market digital distributor with a key focus on Afrikaans hip hop and independent artists. The relationship between the digital distributor, independent artist and website visitors is analysed, because it is believed that a digital distributor with a niche market focus offers greater benefit to the independent artist. This study aims to improve the understanding of the benefits that niche market digital distributors can provide independent artists with from their activities and in turn provide growth for the artists brand and popularity by being associated with it. Segmentation between cultural and the target market’s income bracket will provide the independent artist clear insight into understanding how to reach the right consumer and use this information to create a sustainable revenue source through sale of their music. It is argued that for South African independent artists, the concept of ‘going viral’ is detrimental to their earning potential. It is recommended that through the establishment of enterprise models (brands) designed to attract the right consumer leveraging existing technologies, their earning potential would increase.
Employee perception on the environmental protection programmes: A case study of a luxury hotel in Macau

This paper examined the luxury resort hotel employees’ perspectives on the environmental protection programmes initiated by the hotels in Macau, China. The concern for environmental protection is increasing globally in the hospitality industry, especially for big hotels, as they rank highest among the energy consumers compared to the various sectors of the industry. Macao SAR, whose economy is highly dependent upon casinos that reside within numerous hotels, is being developed as a world tourism and leisure centre. This, in turn, further reinforces the need for the examination of environmental protection programmes. Data for this qualitative study was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with fifteen participants which were later analysed using the content analysis method. The result shows that the employees of the luxury resort hotel in Macau perceive variously of the performance of the green practices initiated by the hotel, albeit there was a consensus that additional effort on the part of the hotel was needed to further strengthen environmental protection programmes. The implications of this study and the direction for future research have been explained as well.