Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microbiological Safety Concern of Filled Bakery Products in Lahore

The primary intention of present study was to determine the incidence of microbial load & some pathogens in filled bakery products available in bakeries & supermarkets. A total number of 122 samples (65 chicken sandwiched burger and 57 butter cream pastries) were microbiologically analyzed. By using the standard microbiological techniques like spread plate method, pour plate method & streak plate method to examined the microbial count in these products. Further isolation & identificatio n of microbes was performed by using selective microbiological media & bacterial biochemical identi fication kits. A mong the chicken sandwiched burgers 75.38% of the samples had reasonable and satisfactory microbiological quality with appropriate aerobic plate count and absence of tested pathogenic microorganisms. But 4 samples were found to be potentially hazardous due to the presence of Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus in three & one samples respectively. Whereas 64.91% sample of the buttered cream pastries were of good microbiological quality. 12.28% butter cream pastry samples were classed as unsatisfactory due to high aerobic plate count, high coliform count and presence of the fungal contaminants. Over all 62.29% of the sampled filled baked products were of satisfactory quality wh ile only 3.27% samples had poor microbiological quality including those which were potentially hazardous to the health of the consumer. To save consumer health & spoilage of the products good hygienic practices & HACCP system should be implemented during production of filled bakery products.
Safety and Antibody Response to BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Vaccines in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Background and objectives: Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). Therefore, they are considered among the priority group for vaccination. This study presents safety data and antibody response to BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccines in KTRs. Design, setting, participants, and measurements: 230 KTRs received either of the vaccines and were surveyed about adverse reactions, including timing and duration. 195 KTRs were tested for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibodies. Data on COVID-19 breakthrough infections were also collected. Results: Out of the 230 KTRs, 150 (65.2%) were males, mean age was 46.5 (± 14.2) years and 21 had prior COVID-19 infection. Maintenance immune-suppression included prednisone (95.7%), tacrolimus (99.6%), and mycophenolate mofetil (96.1%). 173 (75.2%) received BNT162b2 (45 one dose, 128 two doses), and 57 (24.8%) received ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (52 one dose, 3 two doses) vaccines. Vaccines were well tolerated with pain at the site of injection, fatigue, and headache reported most in 63.9, 38.3, and 30.4%, respectively. No change in baseline creatinine or biopsy proven rejection. 23.6% developed anti-spike antibodies after one dose and 35.8% after two doses. Prior COVID-19 infection and receiving two doses of vaccine increases the likelihood of seroconversion. 20 patients had COVID-19 breakthrough infection, 17 were seronegative. Hospitalization was required in 11 patients (4 in ICU), and one patient died. Conclusion: BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccines were well tolerated without major adverse events. However, the antibody response was markedly attenuated. More effective vaccination strategies using a third vaccine dose or heterologous vaccination would be warranted.
Dynamic User Clustering and Optimal Power Allocation in UAV-Assisted Full-Duplex Hybrid NOMA System

This paper investigates unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)-assisted full-duplex (FD) non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) system based cellular network, aiming to improve overall sum-rate throughput of the system through dynamic user clustering, optimal UAV placement and power allocation. Since each UAV operates in FD mode, self-interference (SI), co-channel interference (CCI), inter-UAV interference (IUI) and intra-node interference (INI) dominate the system’s performance. Consequently, we propose an unconventional two-stage dynamic user clustering for user nodes (UNs) to reduce the cross-interference in multi-UAV aided FD-NOMA system. Particularly, all UNs are initially clustered into $K$ clusters using k-means clustering in the first stage where each cluster is served by an UAV. Furthermore, each cluster is further divided into sub-clusters and each sub-clusters are operated in FD-NOMA scheme. Finally, to control interferences, a sum-rate throughput maximization problem is formulated for each UAV to jointly optimize uplink and downlink power allocation and UAV placement. The joint optimization problem is non-convex and difficult to solve directly, for which we decoupled the original problem by addressing UAV placement and power allocation separately. We first fix the UAV position and then solve the problem iteratively using successive convex approximation (SCA) method. By utilizing brute-force search algorithm, an optimal UAV placement is later performed which corresponds to maximum possible sum-rate throughput. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed solution for the considered FD-NOMA system outperforms the conventional schemes.
An efficient two-dimensional graded mesh finite-difference time-domain algorithm for shielded or open waveguide structures

A finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) algorithm for the efficient full-wave analysis of a comprehensive class of millimeter-wave and optical waveguide structures is described. The algorithm is based on a two-dimensional graded mesh combined with adequately formulated absorbing boundary conditions. This allows the inclusion of nearly arbitrarily shaped, fully or partially lateral open or shielded guiding structures with or without layers of finite metallization thickness. Moreover, lossy dielectrics and/or lossy conductors are included in the theory. The algorithm leads to a significant reduction in CPU time and storage requirements as compared with the conventional three-dimensional eigenvalue FDTD mesh formulation. Dispersion characteristic examples are calculated for structures suitable for usual integrated circuits, such as insulated image guides, ridge guides, dielectric waveguides, trapped image guides, coplanar-lines and microstrip lines. The theory is verified by comparison with results obtained by other methods. >
Assessment and rehabilitation of existing culverts

This synthesis report will be of interest to department of transportation, county, and municipal engineers, as well as to other transportation professionals who are concerned with the condition and maintenance of buried culverts and storm sewers. Its objective is to determine the state of the practice of pipe assessment, the selection of appropriate repair or rehabilitation methods, and the management aspects of a pipe program. This report provides information on plastic, concrete, and metal pipes and their appurtenances, including inlets, manholes, joints, and headwalls. It also provides information on how transportation agencies have incorporated pipe assessment and corrective work (repair or rehabilitation) into a pipe management system and eventually into the larger transportation management system. Rehabilitation specifications and methods of field report are presented as well. The study presents what management systems and methods are being used by transportation agencies to predict the service life of pipes. This report of the Transportation Research Board contains information derived from survey responses from 39 state transportation agencies (including Guam and Puerto Rico), 21 federal agencies, and 15 localities, including county road commissions, public works departments, and county engineering departments. In addition, a literature search was conducted to determine the current state of the practice.
Quantitative analysis of policies for governance of emergent dynamics in complex construction projects

The complexity trend of construction projects is increasing, not only technologically but on several other fronts, such as the institutional diversity of the actors and the coupling of their interactions. As a result of this increase in complexity, projects frequently face the dynamics attributed to emerging actors, coalitions, contextual properties, or synergies. Reflecting this trend within the project governance framework provides a better understanding of the emergent risks that arise in the form of conflicts, project renegotiations, extreme modifications, or write-offs from projects. The aim of this study is to propose interactional analysis (IA) as a quantitative risk assessment (QRA) methodology to analyse and govern the emergent risks associated with the interactions in a system of systems (SoS), such as complex construction projects. Therefore, interactions are framed as the coupling of actors, and their associated emergent dynamics are quantified based on the equilibria of the interaction. Risk mitigation policies are then developed and analysed based on the associated interactional elements and mathematical functions. Policymakers can apply the methodology to develop policies and gauge their effectiveness in governance of the emergent dynamics within interactional contexts to overcome the challenges associated with infrastructure development.
Reduction of bending vibration in railway vehicle carbodies using carbody–bogie dynamic interaction

This paper presents a theory to utilise the longitudinal vibration in bogies as a dynamic vibration absorber (DVA) to reduce the vertical bending vibration of railway vehicle carbodies in a simple and easy way. This study focuses upon the interaction between carbody vertical bending and bogie longitudinal motion, and the condition for tuning the natural frequency of the bogie motion to the target carbody vibration is derived theoretically using a very simple formula. Numerical and experimental studies are then outlined to validate the theory and formula, and the DVA effects are observed from both of them. The effectiveness of the method is also confirmed from a running test with a Shinkansen train on a commercial line.
Progress of the Research of Nitrogenous Disinfection By-Products Haloacetonitriles (HANs) in Drinking Water

The presence of Haloacetonitriles (HANs) in drinking water is of concern due to its high genotoxi-city and cytotoxicity compared with regulated DBPs. Moreover, a shift from chlorination to chlora-mination increased the products of HANs. This paper provides a critical review of the property, the toxicity and the removal method of HANs. Exploring effective method to remove HANs and its precursors is one of the developing direction.
Fuzzy logic in a geotechnical knowledge-based system: CONE

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to present an application of fuzzy logic as an organizational framework for a knowledge-based interpretation system in the domain of geotechnical engineering. Knowledge-based systems (KBS) are emerging as a powerful means of dealing with the ill-structured problems encountered in many engineering and medical applications1. (It has been stated2 that expert systems are problem-solving programs that solve substantial problems generally conceded as being difficult and requiring expertise. They are called knowledge-based because their performance depends critically on the use of facts and heuristics (or rules of thumb) used by experts). In a KBS, the knowledge or rules of judgement pertaining to the domain are encoded in the system in an explicit manner; these rules can be examined and modified, if necessary. This is in contrast to the way traditional algorithmic programs are structured. The motivation for this project was two-fold: generally, to demonstrate that knowledge.
Reliability Analysis of Minimum Pedestrian Green Interval for Traffic Signals

AbstractThe current method of computing the minimum pedestrian green interval for intersection signal timing assumes that the component variables are deterministic. This paper presents a probabilistic method in which the pedestrian start-up time and walking speed are random variables. To establish pedestrian characteristics, data were collected at 14 intersections in downtown, suburban, and tourist areas. The method is based on a safety margin that is defined as the difference between the supplied and demanded green intervals, where the demanded green interval is a random variable. Relationships for the mean and standard deviation of the safety margin of the demanded green interval are developed on the basis of the first-order second-moment analysis. A closed-form solution for the minimum supplied green interval is then derived as a function of the relevant variables, including the vehicular intergreen interval and its component variables. A procedure for establishing the walk and the flashing “don’t walk.
Towards a Robust Deep Neural Network Against Adversarial Texts: A Survey

Deep neural networks (DNNs) have achieved remarkable success in various tasks (e.g., image classification, speech recognition, and natural language processing (NLP)). However, researchers have demonstrated that DNN-based models are vulnerable to adversarial examples, which cause erroneous predictions by adding imperceptible perturbations into legitimate inputs. Recently, studies have revealed adversarial examples in the text domain, which could effectively evade various DNN-based text analyzers and further bring the threats of the proliferation of disinformation. In this paper, we give a comprehensive survey on the existing studies of adversarial techniques for generating adversarial texts written by both English and Chinese characters and the corresponding defense methods. More importantly, we hope that our work could inspire future studies to develop more robust DNN-based text analyzers against known and unknown adversarial techniques. We classify the existing adversarial techniques for crafting adversarial texts based on the perturbation units, helping to better understand the generation of adversarial texts and build robust models for defense. In presenting the taxonomy of adversarial attacks and defenses in the text domain, we introduce the adversarial techniques from the perspective of different NLP tasks. Finally, we discuss the existing challenges of adversarial attacks and defenses in texts and present the future research directions in this emerging and challenging field.
Correlation between cyberloafing and media consumption: Results of teenagers’ self-reports

The study of the correlation between cyberloafing behaviour and the features of teenage media use became the goal of this research. A total of 121 teenagers (13–15 years old) participated in the survey. There were 61 boys and 60 girls. The results of the study showed that the phenomenon of cyberloafing is not widespread among schoolchildren in Russia. Most often, during lessons, teenagers search the network for the information they need or to communicate. The most popular sources of information for adolescents are the Internet, books and television. The results of the study show that the formation of cyberloafing behaviours is associated with quantitative and qualitative features of adolescent media consumption. The level of cyberloafing depends on media competence, as well as on the characteristics of the perception and processing of media information. The limitations of the presented study are discussed in the final part of this article. Keywords: Cyberloafing, media use, generational psychology, adolescents, teenagers.
Emerging Project Procurement Trends in Canadian Construction Industry

Construction procurement is recognized as a complex business process. Traditional procurement methodologies have received wide criticism although it remains popular with owners/clients, regardless of the published disadvantages and criticisms. This study assesses the future of traditional procurement, and also evaluates the current popularity of traditional procurement against alternative approaches to construction procurement. To achieve research objectives, a questionnaire survey was conducted within British Columbia, Canada to gauge the perspective of construction industry stakeholders. Respondents were asked to gauge 50 statements on a 5-point Likert scale. A web based survey service was employed to ensure anonymity while providing a single point of contact for gathering results. As a majority of the interviewees were professionally positioned at management level or higher, a certain level of accuracy in the data collected was assured. Research findings revealed that the traditional procurement methods do not meet the need of the Canadian construction industry. Traditional procurement alone cannot support the unique needs of each and every project in Canada, thus the Canadian construction industry. The paper identifies alternative methods that offer similar value while maintaining competitive practices that permit contractors to compete equitably for work. Recommendations for further research include conducting case studies into traditional, partnering and management specimens of procurement methods. Additionally, national level surveys of industry stakeholders would further benefit this research, thus providing an indication of the procurement status quo, as wells as a better understanding of what the future may hold. The study is valuable for all the professionals involved with construction industry in general.
Collapse Fragility of Steel Structures Subjected to Earthquake Mainshock-Aftershock Sequences

AbstractThis paper investigates the collapse probability of mainshock-damaged steel buildings in aftershocks, as an essential part of developing a framework to integrate aftershock seismic hazard into performance-based engineering (PBE). Analytical studies were conducted utilizing structural degradation models derived from existing publicly available NEEShub data. During earthquake events, aftershocks have the potential to cause severe damage to buildings and threaten life safety even when only minor damage is present from the mainshock. While aftershocks are normally somewhat smaller in magnitude, their ground motion intensity is not always smaller. Aftershocks may have a higher peak ground acceleration than the mainshock, even longer duration, and significantly different energy content as a result of the change in their location relative to the site. To date, the description of seismic hazard in PBE has not included the probability of aftershocks. In this study, the structural degradation model of a fou.
Full-Coverage Discrete Hole Wall Cooling: Discharge Coefficients

Factors influencing the design of full coverage drilled plate wall cooling systems for gas turbine combustors are studied. It is shown that the large number of small diameter holes required result in a low Reynolds number operating regime. The physical features giving rise to the hole pressure loss are examined, and it is shown that under hot conditions heat transfer within the hole can appreciably alter the hole mass flow for a fixed pressure loss. It is shown that this effect may be used to estimate the hole outlet temperature and the results show that the heat transfer within the combustor wall may be very significant. The rise in coolant temperature within the wall appreciably alters the blowing rate and hence influences the hot gas side convective heat transfer to the plate. The influence of an impingement plate on hole discharge coefficients is also investigated and shown to be small.
PASTE EXTRUDABLE EXPLOSIVES: THEIR HISTORY AND THEIR CURRENT STATUS

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has a continuing effort in the development of Paste Extrudable Explosives (PEX) for use in high performance munitions. Upon request, the paste could be injected into place just prior to warhead launch, giving enhanced safety during transport, storage, and deployment. The desire for high energy (greater than Comp B) required the development of an energetic plasticizer which would not freeze in the range of {minus}54 to +74C, and yet be compatible with the desired crystalline explosive. These materials are highly viscous and extremely pseudoplastic in nature. Extensive rheological testing has been done, using a capillary rheometer, and the behavior has been fit to power law (Ostwald-deWaele) and Buckingham-Reiner models. This report will also cover the safety testing conducted on these materials, as well as the processing techniques required for their manufacture. 9 refs., 6 figs., 5 tabs.
Theoretical and experimental mass-sensitivity analysis of polymer-coated SAW and STW resonators for gas sensing applications

Polymer-coated surface transverse waves (STW) resonators have recently been successfully studied for organic gas sensing applications. The first results indicate increased absolute and even relative sensitivity as compared to similar resonators with surface acoustic waves (SAW). However, the gain in sensitivity is accompanied by the adverse effect of an increased attenuation and the advantage frame is difficult to establish quantitatively. In this paper, a new set of experimental samples with Parylene C-coated quartz substrates are studied. The samples are matched in frequency and wavelength. The results are compared and the obtained features explained using available theoretical algorithms for analyzing layered SAW and Love configurations, and a recently developed STW algorithm. The approximate limits of advantageous applicability of the STW resonator gas sensors are discussed.
The Intention Of Indonesian Middle-Class Millennial Consumer To Purchase Through E-Commerce

The rise of the e-commerce industry in Indonesia started 10 years ago and Indonesia is predicted as the market leader in Southeast Asia by 2025. The growth of this industry is driven by an increasing number of middle-class millennial consumers who are technology savvy and have higher purchasing power. Despite the importance of this consumer segment, there are limited studies about the intention of middle-class millennial consumers to purchase through e-commerce, particularly in developing countries, such as Indonesia. This study intends to examine the factors leading to consumer intention to shop online by including perceived security and perceived privacy to extend the theory of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Data were collected from 187 respondents and analyzed using PLS-SEM. The findings showed that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived security, and perceived privacy influences consumers’ intention to shop in e-commerce, which was mediated by their attitude toward e-commerce. Among these influencing factors, perceived usefulness had a greater role in shaping consumer attitudes toward e-commerce than perceived ease of use, perceived security, and perceived privacy.