Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing Safety Performance of Transportation Systems using Microscopic Simulation

Transportation safety has been recognized as a public health issue worldwide, consequently, transportation researchers and practitioners have been attempting to provide adequate safety performance for the various transportation components and facilities to all road users given the usually scarce resources available. Safety engineers have been trying to make decisions affecting safety based on the knowledge extracted from different types of statistical models and/or observational before-after analysis. It is generally recognized that this type of factual knowledge is not easily obtained either statistically or empirically. Despite the intuitive link between road safety and observed crashes, a good understanding of the sequence of events prior to the crash can provide a more rational basis for the development of engineering countermeasures. The development of more comprehensive mechanistic models for safety assessment is heavily dependent on detailed vehicle tracking data that is not readily available. The potential of microscopic simulation in traffic safety and traffic conflict analysis has gained increasing interest mostly due to recent developments in human behaviour modelling and real-time vehicle data acquisition. In this thesis, we present a systematic investigation of the use of existing behavioural microscopic simulation models in short-term road safety studies. Initially, a microscopic framework is introduced to identify potentially unsafe vehicle interactions for different vehicle movements based on three types of traffic behaviour protocols: car-following, lane change and gap acceptance. This microscopic model for safety assessment applies a safety performance measure based on pairwise comparisons of spacing and speed differential between adjacent vehicles and individual braking power in real-time. A calibration/validation procedure using factorial analysis is presented to select best model input parameters for this safety performance measure by using high resolution vehicle tracking data. The ability of the proposed safety performance measure to reflect real-life observed high-risk vehicular interactions is explored in three intuitive tests using observed crash data. Finally, the usefulness of the model is illustrated through its application to investigate the safety implications of two different geometric and operational traffic strategies. The overall results indicate that, notwithstanding the fact that actual behavioural microscopic algorithms have not been developed strictly to model crashes, they are able to replicate several factors directly related to high risk situations that could lead to crashes with reasonable accuracy. With the existing upward trend in computing power, modelling techniques and increasing availability of detailed vehicle tracking data, it is likely that safety studies will be carried out using a more mechanistic and inclusive approach based on disruptive driving behaviour rather than ultimate unpredictable and heavily restrictive crash events.
Multi-objective optimum design of ANFIS for modelling and prediction of deformation of thin plates subjected to hydrodynamic impact loading

Drop hammer impact experiments have been carried out to assess the dynamic plastic response of fully clamped circular and rectangular plates made of aluminum and steel subjected to hydrodynamic impact loading at various energy levels. Also, the effective parameters in forming process are proposed in non-dimensional forms for modeling and prediction of the central deflection of plates using adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system in conjunction with genetic algorithm and singular value decomposition method. Genetic algorithm is used for optimal scheme of Gaussian membership function’s variables and multi-objective Pareto optimal design of adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system model. Also, the singular value decomposition method is applied to compute the linear parameters of the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system method. The important conflicting objectives of developed adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system, namely, training error and prediction error, are obtained by dividing date sets into two parts. Hence, various optimal choices of adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system model are provided which are non-dominated states from each other. Moreover, optimal Pareto front of such model leads to trade-off between the conflicting pair of considered objectives for two series of experiments. The results of this work indicate that multi-objective Pareto optimal design of adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system predicts central deflection of plates with a good accuracy. In addition, the comparison between the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system model and exiting one demonstrates superior performance of the present approach in simulating central deflection of plates.
Predictors of positive outcomes following resistive inspiratory muscle training in non-ambulatory persons with advanced multiple sclerosis

Background Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) using a threshold device improves inspiratory muscle strength. What factors influence the IMT outcome has not been examined. Objective To identify predictors of the positive outcome following IMT in persons with advanced multiple sclerosis (PwAMS). Methods Inclusion criteria were non-ambulatory PwAMS, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≥6.5, age >18 years, no acute medical conditions, current non-smokers, and ability to consent. Participants (n = 38) performed daily inspiratory exercises using a resistive threshold device for 10 weeks. Baseline measurements included age, sex, body mass index, year post multiple sclerosis diagnosis, comorbidities, EDSS, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale-5, and oral Symbol Digit Modality Test. The percentage of completed prescribed exercise trials (Trials%) during the 10-week intervention was calculated. Age- and sex-adjusted predicted values of maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP%pred) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP%pred) were obtained before and after the 10-week intervention. Backward multivariable regression analyses for the primary outcome (MIP%pred) were conducted. Results After controlling for the initial MIP%pred, perceived fatigue at the baseline and Trial% were significant and independent predictors of MIP%pred after IMT. Conclusion Less fatigue at the baseline and higher adherence to the prescribed exercise repetitions were positive predictors of the positive outcome following IMT in PwAMS.
On the nature of X(6900) and other structures in the LHCb di-j/ψ spectrum

The LHCb di-J/ψ spectrum is studied within the framework of effective field theory with four coupled channels {J/ψJ/ψ, J/ψψ(2S), J/ψψ(3770), ψ(2S)ψ(2S)}, in order to unveil possible underlying fully-charmed tetraquark states. The partial-wave analysis is performed properly, and the unitarity of the scattering amplitudes is restored via Bethe-Salpeter equation under on-shell approximation. Four states are found in the energy region [6.2 GeV, 7.6 GeV]. For the partial wave with quantum numbers 0 ++, a bound state X(6200) and a narrow resonance X(7200) can be dynamically generated, while for the 2 ++ partial wave, two different resonant states, one named X(6900) with a narrow width and the other X(6680) with a broad width, can be found. Our results of the mass and width of X(6900) agree well with the experimental ones given by the LHCb collaboration. Furthermore, our findings shed first light on the determination of the J P C quantum numbers of these states
Impact of Social Media Marketing on Consumer-Based Brand Equity

This research paper explains the impact of social media marketing on the dimensions of Consumer-Based Brand Equity (CBBE) in fast-food restaurants. This relationship is tested between dimensions of social media marketing and brand loyalty, moreover, the relationship is also tested through the mediating effects of brand awareness and brand image. The study consisted of 312 social media users as survey respondents. Most of the respondents were from the age bracket of 21-30 since people of this age are most active on social media platforms. The study provides empirical evidence and proof regarding the impact of social media marketing on brand loyalty with brand awareness and brand image as mediating variables. It has been identified that investing efficiently in these variables would help the firms to increase customer loyalty. Each variable was found to have a positive impact on brand loyalty; however, the User-Generated Content (UGC) and Firm-Generated Content (FGC) were found to have an insignificant impact on brand loyalty directly. The findings of this research indicated that exploiting these variables effectively might provide fruitful and productive marketing results for the firms. A brand needs to be active on social media or should hire an agency on its behalf to manage its social media network in order to create awareness among the customers about its presence. Firms should take into account the social media communication of the brand as part of their marketing plan as it has become essential in today’s era.
Divided by the range: evidence for geographic isolation of the highly mobile Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

ABSTRACT Conserving evolutionary processes is becoming increasingly important in conservation management as environmental changes continue to threaten wild populations. Characterising genetically distinct populations and assessing connectivity across the landscape enables wildlife managers to prioritise conservation efforts with limited resources. In the NSW North Coast bioregion of Australia, one of the last remaining coastal populations of the Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) has been state-listed as an Endangered Population, owing to its geographic isolation and small census size. Using mitochondrial and nuclear genetic markers, we examined the spatial genetic structure and diversity of Emus across south-eastern Australia. For the NSW North Coast population, we estimated the effective population size ( ) and carried out simulations to predict future levels of genetic variation. We show significant genetic divergence between the NSW North Coast Emu and other localities based on thousands of highly resolving nuclear markers. Among NSW North Coast Emus, we found less genetic diversity and a critically low-effective population size ( = 14.84 and 22.49 based on independent methods). Our simulations predict that the of the NSW North Coast Emu population is insufficient to maintain genetic diversity and the population may be at risk of inbreeding depression. Incorporating genetic data into the design of captive-release and translocation projects would refine management plans for this locally important population and monitor risks to its long-term survival.
Introducing a Precise System for Determining Volume Percentages Independent of Scale Thickness and Type of Flow Regime

When fluids flow into the pipes, the materials in them cause deposits to form inside the pipes over time, which is a threat to the efficiency of the equipment and their depreciation. In the present study, a method for detecting the volume percentage of two-phase flow by considering the presence of scale inside the test pipe is presented using artificial intelligence networks. The method is non-invasive and works in such a way that the detector located on one side of the pipe absorbs the photons that have passed through the other side of the pipe. These photons are emitted to the pipe by a dual source of the isotopes barium-133 and cesium-137. The Monte Carlo N Particle Code (MCNP) simulates the structure, and wavelet features are extracted from the data recorded by the detector. These features are considered Group methods of data handling (GMDH) inputs. A neural network is trained to determine the volume percentage with high accuracy independent of the thickness of the scale in the pipe. In this research, to implement a precise system for working in operating conditions, different conditions, including different flow regimes and different scale thickness values as well as different volume percentages, are simulated. The proposed system is able to determine the volume percentages with high accuracy, regardless of the type of flow regime and the amount of scale inside the pipe. The use of feature extraction techniques in the implementation of the proposed detection system not only reduces the number of detectors, reduces costs, and simplifies the system but also increases the accuracy to a good extent.
Microbial Diversity and Quality-Related Physicochemical Properties of Spicy Cabbage in Northeastern China and Their Correlation Analysis

Chinese spicy cabbage (CSC) is a popular special fermented food in Northeast China. The bacterial community and quality of CSC from different regions of northeastern China (Group_J: Jilin province, Group_L: Liaoning province, Group_H: Heilongjiang province) at retail (Group_P) and home-made (Group_C) were investigated in this study. The determination of the microbial community was achieved using high-throughput sequencing and the quality-related physicochemical characteristics included pH, salinity, total acid (TA), amino acid nitrogen (AAN), reducing sugar (RS), nitrite, and biogenic amines (BAs). Based on OPLS-DA analysis, there was a difference between the quality of Group_C and Group_P. No significant difference was observed in province grouping. Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were the dominant phyla, and the dominant genera were Lactobacillus, Pantoea, Weissella, and Pseudomonas. All groups had significant differences in community structure (p < 0.05). Compared with Group_C, the relative abundance of opportunistic pathogens (Pseudomonas and Serratia) in Group_P was lower. Pseudomonas and Serratia were the biomarkers in Group_H. At the genus level, Lactobacilluss and Weissella had a positive correlation with pH, Cadaverrine, and salinity (p < 0.05), however, they were negatively related to tryptamine. Pseudomonas was negatively correlated with salinity (p < 0.05). Bacterial community and physicochemical parameters of CSC, as well as the correlation between them, were discussed in this study, providing a reference for future studies on CSC inoculation and fermentation.
Effect of brand prominence on fashion advertising images on Instagram: a computational analysis

Abstract The main purpose of this research is to explore fashion images posted on Instagram and how users respond to those images. Guided by the persuasion knowledge model, a computational analysis of 29,557 fashion photos posted by 10 top-ranked global fashion brands in four major fashion categories (i.e. luxury, SPA, sports, and casual) is conducted to identify specific patterns of brand prominence and promotional intention and to investigate how those patterns are associated with customer engagement. Findings showed that brand information (i.e. size of the brand logo and brand name) tended to lead to lower engagement levels in general, although luxury brands showed the opposite pattern. More interestingly, while providing luxury brand information in the image invited positive responses, there seemed to be backfire effects when such information (i.e. brand name) was highly prominent. In addition, sharing promotional information was likely to prompt a lower level of interaction. Discussion of the findings and issues related to advertising research using computation analysis is provided.
Experimental investigation of steel-concrete composite push-out tests with embedded corrugated web

The application of steel trapezoidal corrugated web in steel-concrete composite girders has been widespread in building structures and has also appeared in bridges for a few decades, due to their advantageous mechanical properties. Embedding the trapezoidal web in the concrete slab leads to additional advantages such as omitting the welds of the top flange, a greater extent of the accordion effect and extra resistance in the load transfer between the two materials. Despite these advantages and their increasing use, there are not many experimental studies to analyse the behaviour of the embedded trapezoidal web and its involvement in shear connection resistance. In order to expand the experimental studies, laboratory tests are executed between 2017–18 at the Department of Structural Engineering of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics on large-scale test specimens, with a total number of 43 embedded specimens. The current paper introduces the executed test program, the analysed specimens, their specialties regarding the geometrical layout and the obtained results. The paper gives a quantitative comparison of the 43 specimens and evaluates the analysed shear connectors regarding their static performance.
The effect of flight efficiency on gap‐crossing ability in Amazonian forest birds

The ability to move across the landscape is a fundamental property of species that can determine their chances of persistence in fragmented landscapes and in rapidly changing environments. Despite its importance, empirical evidence showing the effect of movement capacity on patterns of movement across fragmented landscapes is limited. In this study, we examine the role of flight efficiency on the likelihood of crossing a man‐made habitat gap. We used data from the Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Projects on recaptures of banded birds in an Amazonian forest bisected by a road. For a total of 45 species, we estimated flight efficiency using the hand‐wing index (a proxy for the wing's aspect ratio) and used it as a predictor of the probability of road crossing in phylogenetic binomial regression models. We found that flight efficiency was a strong predictor of road‐crossing probability: species with high hand‐wing indices crossed the road more frequently than those with low hand‐wing indices. In contrast, other characteristics such as body mass, diet, flocking behavior, and foraging stratum did not show significant associations with road‐crossing probability. Our results suggest that proxies of flight efficiency such as the hand‐wing index can be powerful tools for predicting the vulnerability of bird species to forest fragmentation.
Large momentum transfer optics: A means to probe the interplay between gravity and quantum mechanics

A consistent description of gravity in quantum mechanics and general relativity is becoming increasingly accessible to table-top experiments. In this essay, I introduce the experimental technique of large momentum transfer optics as a means to probe gravity at microscopic scales. I argue, with the help of recent experimental observations, that large momentum transfer optics is the best experimental technique to do so. I conclude with possible future directions using large momentum transfer optics.
Is there a link between immigration and incarceration rate?: Evidence from the Syrian refugee influx to Turkey

ABSTRACT In this study, we investigate the impact of an increase in the number of refugees on a host country’s incarceration rate, through the specific case of the inflow of Syrian refugees into Turkey. Using statistics from Turkish penal institutions for the period of 2010 to 2015, we applied the difference-in-difference, panel event study, synthetic control, and instrumental variable approaches to measure the changes in the incarceration rate during the time of peak Syrian refugee migration. Our results suggest that the refugee influx into sampled Turkish cities did not have a statistically significant impact on the incarceration rate when compared to control locations. All four of the methods yielded similar results in the robustness exercises designed to check the relationship between the number of refugees and the rate of incarceration.
Climate influence on plant–pollinator interactions in the keystone species Vaccinium myrtillus

Abstract Climate change is altering the world's ecosystems through direct effects of climate warming and precipitation changes but also indirectly through changes in biotic interactions. For instance, climate‐driven changes in plant and/or insect communities may alter plant–pollinator interactions, thereby influencing plant reproductive success and ultimately population dynamics of insect‐pollinated plants. To better understand how the importance of insect pollination for plant fruit set varies with climate, we experimentally excluded pollinators from the partly selfing keystone species Vaccinium myrtillus along elevational gradients in the forest‐tundra ecotone in central Norway. The study comprised three mountain areas, seven elevational gradients spanning from the climatically relatively benign birch forest to the colder alpine areas above the tree line, and 180 plots of 1 × 1 m, with experimental treatments allocated randomly to plots within sites. Within the experimental plots, we counted the number of flowers of V. myrtillus and counted and weighed all fruits, as well as seeds for a selection of fruits. Excluding pollinators resulted in lower fruit production, as well as reduced fruit and seed mass of V. myrtillus. In the alpine sites pollinator exclusion resulted in 84% fewer fruits, 50% lower fruit weight, and 50% lower seed weight compared to control conditions. Contrary to our expectations, the negative effect of pollinator exclusion was less pronounced in the forest compared to alpine sites, suggesting that the importance of insect pollination for seed production is lower at low elevations. Our findings indicate that the keystone species V. myrtillus is relatively robust to changes in the pollinator community in a warmer climate, thereby making it less vulnerable to climate‐driven changes in plant–pollinator interactions.
Pregnancy in Slaughtered Lambs and Sheep—A Cross-Sectional Study in Three Abattoirs in Switzerland

Simple Summary The slaughtering of pregnant livestock and its relevance to animal welfare has become an ethically controversial topic. In this study, the prevalence of sheep and lambs being slaughtered while pregnant in Switzerland was assessed as well as the stage of pregnancy and the life signs of the fetuses. Data collection was carried out over one year in three Swiss abattoirs. Overall, 7.6% of the female animals were pregnant at slaughter, and 25.5% of them were in the third trimester of pregnancy, where 81.1% of the fetuses showed signs of life, such as a heartbeat or umbilical artery pulsation. To assess the relevance of animal welfare, it is discussed whether fetuses feel pain and stress. Even though science disagrees as to whether fetuses are capable of feeling conscious pain, it cannot certainly be ruled out, which is why the slaughter of pregnant sheep and lambs should be minimized as much as possible. Abstract The slaughter of pregnant sheep and goats is not restricted in Switzerland. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of pregnant sheep and lambs being slaughtered in Switzerland and to determine the state of gestation and vital signs of the fetuses in order to assess the need to take measures and raise awareness of this issue. The data collection was carried out from March 2021 to February 2022, comprising 115 days in three abattoirs. A total of 18,702 sheep and lambs were included in this cross-sectional study, and 8770 were female (46.9%), 663 of which were pregnant at slaughter (7.6%). The pregnancy rate varied by age category: 404 lambs (6.1%) and 259 sheep (11.9%) were pregnant. The highest pregnancy rate was found in winter (25.7%). Among the 663 pregnancies, more than a quarter were multiple pregnancies (28.2%). A total of 169 animals were in the third trimester of pregnancy (25.5%), where living fetuses were mainly found (81.1%). As it cannot be definitively ruled out that fetuses feel conscious pain, the data from this study underline that, from an ethical point of view, there is a need for action and that measures must be taken to reduce the number of pregnant slaughtered animals.