Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improving the Accuracy of an R-CNN-Based Crack Identification System Using Different Preprocessing Algorithms

The accurate intelligent identification and detection of road cracks is a key issue in road maintenance, and it has become popular to perform this task through the field of computer vision. In this paper, we proposed a deep learning-based crack detection method that initially uses the idea of image sparse representation and compressed sensing to preprocess the datasets. Only the pixels that represent the crack features remain, while most pixels of non-crack features are relatively sparse, which can significantly improve the accuracy and efficiency of crack identification. The proposed method achieved good results based on the limited datasets of crack images. Various algorithms were tested, namely, linear smooth, median filtering, Gaussian smooth, and grayscale threshold, where the optimal parameters of the various algorithms were analyzed and trained with faster regions with convolutional neural network features (faster R-CNN). The results of the experiments showed that the proposed method has good robustness, with higher detection efficiency in the presence of, for example, road markings, shallow cracks, multiple cracks, and blurring. The result shows that the improvement of mean average precision (mAP) can reach 5% compared with the original method.
Perturbed conformal field theories with boundary

This thesis is concerned with renormalisation group flows in two-dimensional conformal field theories with boundary. In two dimensions, the local conformal symmetry algebra, consisting of local transformations which preserve angles, is infinite dimensional. This implies strong constraints on a conformally covariant field theory, which in consequence becomes very tractable. The investigation of conformal field theories in two dimensions has led to many interesting theoretical results, revealing a large amount of structure in a fruitful interplay with different areas of mathematics. Such theories are however interesting for more than purely academic reasons, since inspite of their high symmetry which at first glance might seem to prevent them from having applications in “real” situations, conformally covariant field theories actually show up in many different areas of physics. One explanation for this is that a conformal field theory, being in particular invariant under dilatations, is a fixed point under renormalisation, which is a crucial concept for the understanding of field theories in general. Being a fixed point in particular means that the conformal field theory governs the critical behaviour of more general theories, which are related to the conformal fixed point through renormalisation group flow. An understanding of conformal field theory hence yields an explanation for many aspects of these theories at and around criticality. The text is organised in three chapters. The first chapter intends to provide the reader who is not familiar with conformal field theory with a brief introduction into some aspects of the subject. In the second chapter we consider renormalisation in the context of perturbed conformal field theories, and derive the beta functions in presence of a boundary. In the third chapter we consider a specific example for a coupled bulk and boundary renormalisation group flow, where the conformal theory is given by a so-called minimal model. Together with some insights into the computation of higher order terms in the coupled bulk and boundary beta functions which permit the study of bulk-induced boundary perturbations, the third chapter contains the results of this thesis.
Finding words with unexpected frequencies in deoxyribonucleic acid sequences

Considering a Markov chain model for deoxyribonucleic acid sequences, this paper proposes two asymptotically normal statistics to test whether the frequency of a given word is concordant with the first-order Markov chain model or not. The problem is to choose estimates μ(W) of the expectation of the frequency M W of a word W in the observed sequence such that the asymptotic variance of M W −μ(W) is easily computable. The first estimator is derived from the frequency of W [−1] , which is W with its last letter deleted. The second, following an idea of Cowan, is the conditional expectation M W given the observed frequencies of all two-letter words. Two examples on phage lambda and phage T7 are shown
Sustainable Extraction, Chemical Profile, Cytotoxic and Antileishmanial Activities In-Vitro of Some Citrus Species Leaves Essential Oils

Anti-leishmanial drugs extracted from natural sources have not been sufficiently explored in the literature. Until now, leishmaniasis treatments have been limited to synthetic and expensive drugs. This study investigated, for the first time, the anti-leishmanial efficacy of essential oils (EOs) from the leaves of Citrus species (C. sinensis, C. limon, and C. clementina). Essential oils were extracted from three species by solvent free microwave extraction (SFME); in addition, lemon oil was also isolated by hydro-distillation (HD). These were investigated using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and evaluated against Leishmania species, namely Leishmania major and Leishmania infantum, using a mitochondrial tetrazolium test (MTT) assay. The chemical compositions of Citrus limon EOs obtained by HD and SFME showed some differences. The identified peaks of C. limon (SFME) represented 93.96%, where linalool was the major peak (44.21%), followed by sabinene (14.22%) and ocimene (6.09%). While the hydro-distilled oil of C. limon contained geranial (30.08%), limonene (27.09%), and neral (22.87%) in the identified peaks (96.67%). The identified components of C. clementina leaves oil (68.54%) showed twenty-six compounds, where the predominant compound was geranial (42.40%), followed by neral (26.79%) and limonene (14.48%). However, 89.82% C. sinensis oil was identified, where the major peaks were for neral (27.52%), linalool (25.83%), and geranial (23.44%). HD oil of lemon showed the highest activity against L. major, with moderate toxicity on murine macrophage (RAW 264.7) cells, and possessed the best selectivity index on both Leishmanial species (SI: 3.68; 6.38), followed by C. clementina oil and C. limon using SFME (0.9 ± 0.29, 1.03 ± 0.27, and 1.13 ± 0.3), respectively. C. clementina oil induced the greatest activity on Leishmania infantum, followed by HD lemon and SFME lemon oils (0.32 ± 0.18, 0.52 ± 0.15, and 0.57 ± 0.09, respectively) when compared to Amphotericin B (0.80 ± 0.18 and 0.23 ± 0.13) as a positive control, on both species, respectively. Our study suggests a potent anti-leishmanial activity of lemon oil (HD) on L. major, followed by C. clementina. With the same potency on L. infantum shown by C. clementina oil, followed by HD lemon oil. This effect could be attributed to the major compounds of limonene, citral, and neral, as well as the synergistic effect of other different compounds. These observations could be a starting point for the building of new anti-leishmanial drugs from natural origins, and which combine different EOs containing Citrus cultivars.
First-Principle Calculations to Investigate Structural, Electronic, Elastic, Mechanical, and Optical Properties of K2CuX (X=As, Sb) Ternary Compounds

Efficient materials with good optoelectronic properties are required for the good performance of photovoltaic devices. In this work, we present findings of a theoretical investigation of the structural, electronic, elastic, mechanical, and optical properties of K2CuX (X = As, Sb) ternary compounds. The computations were carried out by using the density functional theory (DFT) formalism as implemented in the quantum espresso (QE) software package. The calculated lattice constants of 19.1414 a.u (K2CuAs) and 20.0041 a.u (K2CuSb) are in agreement with the experimental results from the literature. The materials under study were found to have bandgaps of 1.050 eV (K2CuAs) and 1.129 eV (K2CuSb). The valence band was majorly formed by Cu-3d, As-2p, and Cu-4s states while the conduction band was majorly dominated by Cu-5p in K2CuAs, whereas in K2CuSb, the valence band was mainly formed by Cu-3d, Cu-4s, and Sb-3p states while the conduction band was majorly formed by Sb-3p and Cu-5p states. The investigated materials were found to be mechanically stable at zero pressure, ductile, and ionic. The optical absorption coefficient curves were found to cover the ultraviolet to visible (UV-Vis) regions, thus making K2CuAs and K2CuSb good UV-Vis absorbers hence their suitability for photovoltaic applications.
Graph Neural Network for Protein–Protein Interaction Prediction: A Comparative Study

Proteins are the fundamental biological macromolecules which underline practically all biological activities. Protein–protein interactions (PPIs), as they are known, are how proteins interact with other proteins in their environment to perform biological functions. Understanding PPIs reveals how cells behave and operate, such as the antigen recognition and signal transduction in the immune system. In the past decades, many computational methods have been developed to predict PPIs automatically, requiring less time and resources than experimental techniques. In this paper, we present a comparative study of various graph neural networks for protein–protein interaction prediction. Five network models are analyzed and compared, including neural networks (NN), graph convolutional neural networks (GCN), graph attention networks (GAT), hyperbolic neural networks (HNN), and hyperbolic graph convolutions (HGCN). By utilizing the protein sequence information, all of these models can predict the interaction between proteins. Fourteen PPI datasets are extracted and utilized to compare the prediction performance of all these methods. The experimental results show that hyperbolic graph neural networks tend to have a better performance than the other methods on the protein-related datasets.
First Detection of 13CH+ (J = 1-0)

We report the probable detection of the 13CH+ (1-0) line in absorption against the dust continuum emission of a bright star-forming region, G10.6-0.4. If the 13CH+ line velocity centroid is that of the H I gas seen in absorption, the rest frequency we determine is 830.132(3) GHz. This is to be compared to the value of 830.131 GHz derived from new direct spectroscopy laboratory measurements of 12CH+ (1-0) and scaling from 12CH+ (1-0) to 13CH+ (1-0). However, if the 13CH+ line originated in either the star-forming region or in the intervening molecular gas as traced by 12CO (1-0) emission, then the inferred rest frequency would be 830.107(1) or 830.193(4) GHz, respectively, both clearly out of the predicted range. We thus conclude that the 13CH+ line arises in a gas phase not traced by the 12CO (1-0) line but one containing a large column density of cold H I and rich enough in H2 to form CH+. Such properties are those of the cold neutral medium. The inferred column density is N(13CH+) = × 1012 cm-2, corresponding to N(CH+) = × 1013 cm-2 for an isotopic abundance ratio [12CH+]/[13CH+] = 40. With some assumptions concerning the H2 content of the atomic gas, we estimate the total hydrogen column density in this velocity range and find a CH+ abundance relative to H about twice that in the solar neighborhood, as derived from optical absorption lines.
An Introduction to Complex Function Theory

This book provides an introduction to the theory of analytic functions of a single complex variable. While presupposing in its readership a degree of mathematical maturity, it insists on no formal prerequisites beyond a sound knowledge of calculus. Starting from basic definitions, the text develops the ideas of complex analysis to the point where such landmarks of the subject as Cauchy's theorem of Mittag-Leffler can be treated without side-stepping any issues of rigor. The emphasis throughout is a geometric one, most pronounced in the extensive chapter dealing with conformal mapping, which amounts essentially to a "short course" in that important area of complex function theory. Each chapter concludes with a selection of exercises, ranging from straightforward computations to problems of a more conceptual and thought-provoking nature.
Stigma, coping strategies, and their impact on treatment and health outcomes among young men living with HIV in Vietnam: A qualitative study

Background Stigma affects persons living with HIV in myriad ways, including mental health, adherence to antiretroviral therapy, and retention in care, and may manifest at inter- and intra-personal levels. Youth are particularly vulnerable; those in vulnerable groups may experience multiple stigmas. In Vietnam, new HIV infections are rising among men in young age groups. To better understand the facets of stigma experienced by young men living with HIV in Vietnam, we conducted a qualitative study with youth and clinicians. Methods We conducted in-depth interviews with ten youth and two clinicians in Hanoi, querying experiences of inter- and intra-personal stigma, coping strategies, and disclosure. As a framework for further research, we developed a conceptual model based on our findings and the published evidence base which portrays interactions among HIV-related stigma, coping strategies, and ART adherence, care engagement, and health outcomes. Results Common themes that emerged from interviews with youth included extensive internalized/self-stigma and perceived stigma, yet limited experienced interpersonal stigma due to non-disclosure and avoidant coping strategies. Within different types of relationships or contexts, youth used different strategies. Non-disclosure with family, friends, and workplaces/school, and avoidance of romantic relationships and health care were common. Mental health and social support appeared to be mediating factors between coping strategies and health outcomes. Conclusions Validation of this model of mechanisms of the impact of stigma for youth will require further research with larger samples. In the meantime, public campaigns to increase public awareness related to HIV should be implemented in Vietnam. Critical support for youth and their mental health should involve approaches tailored to the individual, taking into account context and personal capacity, including adequate time to prepare psychologically for disclosure. Some strategies for safe and effective disclosure are suggested.
Is it justified to assess the resectability of pancreatic cancer combined with biological and conditional factors?

Background This study aimed to investigate the biological and conditional resectability criteria for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), as proposed by the International Association of Pancreatology (IAP), as well as to identify the role of biological and conditional factors in assessing the resectability of PDAC. Methods The clinical data of PDAC patients who underwent upfront open/laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD/LPD) or distal pancreatectomy (DP/LDP) at our hospital between January 2013 to June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients who were diagnosed with anatomically resectable PDAC, as defined by National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guideline of PDAC guideline Version 1.2020, were enrolled. Based on IAP-criteria, these patients were divided into two groups, including IAP-resectable (IAP-R) and IAP Borderline Resectable (IAP-BR). Clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared between the two groups. In order to identify independent biological and conditional predictors of recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) of enrolled patients, an analysis was performed through the use of a Cox proportional-hazard model. Results Overall, 97 patients were included in this study. Among them, 38 patients were IAP-R and 59 patients were IAP-BR. Compared to the IAP-R group, the IAP-BR group had a higher early recurrence rate (62.7% vs. 42.1%; P=0.047), and the median RFS (9.2 vs. 18.3 months, P<0.01) and OS (19.1 vs. 30.6 months, P<0.05) were also significantly worse. Preoperative CA19-9 serum levels that exceeded 500 U/mL and/or an imaging diagnosis of regional lymph nodes metastasis were independently associated with OS and RFS of anatomically resectable PDAC. Conclusions The prognosis of patients with PDAC that undergo resection can be predicted more accurately by assessing the resectability of pancreatic cancer combined with anatomical and biological factors according to IAP criteria. Whether conditional factors should be included in the resectability criteria needs to be validated by prospective and large cohorts.
Multiplicity and Symmetry Breaking in (Conjectured) Densest Packings of Congruent Circles on a Sphere

The densest known packing of 15 congruent circles on a sphere occurs in two equally dense varieties. Previously, this was the only known example of a conjecturally optimal packing of n circles on a sphere with multiplicity greater than one. We present three new examples: n=62, 76 and 117. We discuss these and related examples as manifestations of symmetry breaking involving structures we call “rotational toggle hexagons”. Additionally, we present a rigorous construction for n=15, and observe that both the hexagonal packing of the plane and the icosahedral packing of 12 circles on a sphere arise as limiting cases from toggle hexagons.
Enhancement and statistical optimization (Plackett-Burman and response surface methodology) of biosurfactant production by marine bacteria Bacillus tequilensis KM15 using Fish processing wastes

Biosurfactant (BS) production by Bacillus tequilensis KM15 is investigated using fish processing wastes as medium components. Bocha (B) and Rohu (RR) fish scales are selected as cost-effective substrates for BS production and optimized together with pH, the incubation period (IP), and inoculum size (IS) using the response surface method (RSM). RSM model has demonstrated the following optimum conditions for BS production: Bocha (B) and Rohu (RR) fish scales 4% each, and inoculum size 2%, at pH 8.0, 37 ̊C temperature in 48 h. A 2.8-fold increase in biosurfactant production was obtained (from 340 mg L-1 in basal medium to 944 mg L-1) using the response surface methodology. The major portion of the production cost can be reduced by using the currently studied substrates.
TTC7B Is a Novel Prognostic-Related Biomarker in Glioma Correlating with Immune Infiltrates and Response to Oxidative Stress by Temozolomide

Background Gliomas are one of the most prevalent malignant brain tumors. Hence, identifying biological markers for glioma is imperative. TTC7B (Tetratricopeptide Repeat Domain 7B) is a gene whose role in cancer in currently identified. To this end, we examined the TTC7B expression as well as its prognostic significance, biological roles, and immune system impacts in patients with glioma. Methods We evaluated the function of TTC7B in GBM and LGG through the published CGGA (Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas) and TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) databases. CIBERSORT and TIMER were used to analyze the link between TTC7B and immune cells, while R was used for statistical analysis. In addition, Transwell analysis, including migration and invasion assays, was performed to identify the relationship between TTC7B and temozolomide. Results Low expression of TTC7B was observed in GBM and LGG. 1p/19q codeletion, IDH mutation, chemotherapy, and grade were found to have a significant correlation with TTC7B. Besides, low TTC7B expression was linked with low overall survival (OS) in both GBM and LGG. In the Cox analysis, TTC7B was found to independently function as a risk element for OS of patients with glioma. Furthermore, CIBERSORT analysis demonstrated a positive link between TTC7B and multiple immune cells, especially activated NK cells. Transwell analysis, including migration and invasion assays, revealed that temozolomide reduced the migration and invasion capacity of glioma cells and increased the expression of TTC7B. Conclusion In all, TTC7B could serve as a promising prognostic indicator of LGG and GBM, and is closely associated with immune infiltration and response to oxidative stress by temozolomide.
Adequacy of Disease Control by Supraomohyoid Neck Dissection in cT1/T2 Tongue Cancer

Background: Patients affected by oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) underwent a supraomohyoid neck dissection (SOHND) or modified radical neck dissection (mRND) according to the clinical nodal status (cN0 vs. cN+). We investigate whether the type of neck dissection affects survival with the presence of extranodal extension (ENE) and multiple nodal metastases (MNM). Methods: We conducted a retrospective study enrolling surgically treated patients affected by cT1/T2 OTSCC and MNM or ENE. The outcomes assessed were: overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and neck-control- and metastases-free survival (NC-MFS). Survival curves were plotted by the Kaplan–Meier method and the log-rank test. Furthermore, we conducted a multivariable analysis with the Cox regression model. Results: We included a total of 565 patients (36% cT1, 64% cT2). Of these, 501 patients underwent a SOHND, and 64 underwent an mRND. A total of 184 patients presented rpN+, with 28.7% of these in the SOHND group and 62.5% of these in the mRND group. We identified no significant differences in OS, DFS, and NC-MFS in the whole pN+ cohort, in the MNM, and the ENE subgroups. In the multivariable analysis, the type of ND did not affect OS and DFS. Conclusions: Treating cT1-2 N0/+ tongue cancer with SOHND is oncologically safe. ENE and MNM patients do not benefit from an mRND.
Twisted Manolescu-Floer spectra for Seiberg-Witten monopoles

In this thesis, we extend Manolescus and Kronheimer-Manolescus construction of Floer homotopy type to general 3-manifolds. This Floer homotopy type is a candidate for an object whose suitable homology groups recover Floer homology. The main idea is to apply finite dimensional approximation technique and Conley index theory to Seiberg-Witten theory of 3-manifolds. Another part of the construction involves a concept of twisted parametrized spectra introduced by Douglas. We also provide explicit computation for the manifolds S 1 x S 2 and T 3 .
Assessment of Ricinus Communis Ml Crude Extracts Towards Urinary Tract Infection Strains with Their Associated Ailments

Cases of synergic Urinary Tract Infections with its associated ailments has become a menace. Due to its high costs of treatment, unavailability of relevant antibiotics, misdiagnosis and recurrence, most patients within Africa Sub-Sahara regions prefer ethnopharmacological ways of taking boiled and sieved liquid concoction made from mature leaves (ML) of ricinus communis to clear the urinary tract system from these microbes with their associated ailments. Crude extracts of methanol, chloroform, hexane, and Diethylether prepared from ricinus communis dried powered mature leaves were subjected to phytochemical screening, antibacterial, GC/MS and antioxidant assays. Crude methanolic and chloroform extracts prepared from a mixture of coarsely powdered dried twigs and mature leaves were evaluated for cytotoxic activity on cancer cell line (HCT-116 and K-562). Antibacterial assay of the crude extracts reveals recommendable range of values categorized as moderate and high sensitive with respect to the standard measure. Methanol extract exhibited antibacterial activities against all gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial species while diethylether extract showed its potency against the gram-positive staph only among escherichia, klebsiella and pseudomonas species. Chloroform, diethylether and hexane crude extracts proven to be inert against pseudomonas strain. Highest scavenging capacity range obtained is 60.38 ± 0.034 percent while the lowest cytotoxicity range is 20.18 ± 1.37 μg/ml-1revealing the medicinal value and safeness of the plant extract. Phytochemical analysis and GC/MS results revealed the presence of phytoconstituents and museum of bioactive agents with antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiarrheal, antimutagenic and anti-oxidant properties thus ascertaining its efficacy towards the infection with associated ailments.