Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Computer vision for automated surface evaluation of concrete bridge decks

OF THE THESIS Computer Vision for Automated Surface Evaluation of Concrete Bridge Decks by Prateek Prasanna Thesis Director: Dr. Kristin J. Dana Structural health monitoring of concrete bridges requires accurate and efficient surface crack detection. Early detection of cracks helps prevent further damage. Safety inspection tests are conducted at regular intervals to assess deterioration. Traditional methods involve detection of cracks by human visual inspection. These methods are costly, inefficient and labor intensive, especially for long-span bridges. This thesis presents the use of computer vision and pattern recognition techniques in assessment of cracks on a concrete bridge surface. Bridge deck images are first collected using highresolution cameras mounted on a robot. Statistical inference algorithms are then implemented to build an automated crack detection system. The proposed machine learning method reduces manual effort and enables automatic labeling over large bridge deck areas to quantify size and location for future reference or comparisons. A panoramic camera is used for the purpose of context localization. Additionally, we demonstrate image-stitching to obtain a coherent spatial mosaic of the bridge deck.
A Method for Assessing Maintainability of Software Architectural Styles in Self-healing Systems by Measuring Coupling and Cohesion

In this article, our aim is to quantify the impact of three reference architectural styles, i.e. Aspect-peer-to-peer, Aggregator-escalator-peer, and Chain-of-configurators on the maintainability attribute in self-healing systems. To do so, we used metrics of coupling and cohesion. To show the effectiveness of our method, we applied it to the Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) as a case study. Our findings showed the Chain-of-configurators architectural style, in comparison with two other styles, had the least (best) coupling and the most (best) cohesion. In fact, it was the best style from the maintainability point of view.
A Novel Integrated Attestation Graph Analysis Scheme for Enhancing Result Quality and Higher Attacker Pinpointing Accuracy

Software-as-a-service (SaaS) cloud systems enable application service providers to deliver their applications via massive cloud computing infrastructures. However, due to their sharing nature, SaaS clouds are vulnerable to malicious attacks. In this paper, we present IntTest, a scalable and effective service integrity attestation framework for SaaS clouds. IntTest provides a novel integrated attestation graph analysis scheme that can provide stronger attacker pinpointing power than previous schemes. Moreover, IntTest can automatically enhance result quality by replacing bad results produced by malicious attackers with good results produced by benign service providers. We have implemented a prototype of the IntTest system and tested it on a production cloud computing infrastructure using IBM System S stream processing applications. Our experimental results show that IntTest can achieve higher attacker pinpointing accuracy than existing approaches. IntTest does not require any special hardware or secure kernel support and imposes little performance impact to the application, which makes it practical for large-scale cloud systems. KWYWORDS: Web services architecture (WSA); National Institute of Standards and Terminology (NIST); Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS); Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS); and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS); Trusted Platform Module (TPM)
On the Use of Hybrid Compact Polarimetric SAR for Ship Detection

Maritime surveillance is an issue of particular interest and importance for countries bordering on the sea. Monitoring and controlling maritime activities are essential for these countries to assert their sovereignty over their waters. Ship detection is one of the most vital elements of maritime control. Traditional surveillance methods suffer from narrow coverage and high cost to achieve comprehensive surveillance. However, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) with its ability to provide images covering wide geographic areas and acquired with a variety of imaging modes, polarization configurations, incidence angles and resolutions may be con­ sidered as a promising alternative/complement for existing methods. Quad-polarimetric SAR data has been used successfully for ship detection. However, narrow swath of quadpolarimetric SAR promotes the urgent need to explore ship detectors for dual-polarimetric systems. Compact polarimetric (CP) SAR has high potential of providing more information than linear dual-polarimetric SAR. Even wider swaths will be provided in many of the CP imaging modes of the upcoming Canadian Radarsat Constellation Mission (RCM) SAR to be launched in 2018. In this thesis, the use of CP SAR for ship detection is explored. To fulfill this purpose, two novel contributions are introduced. The first is an investigation study of the possibility and benefits of using pseudo-quad data for improved ship detection. This is achieved by comparing the ship detection performance of dual-polarized CP and pseudo-quad data to linear and circular dual-polarized SAR. The pseudo-quad data is generated by a reconstruc­ tion algorithm that aims to reconstruct some elements of the quad-pol covariance matrix from CP data specifically for maritime applications. This study is applied on Radarsat-2 scenes with fine resolution and simulated medium and low resolution RCM data . The effect of spatial resolution, ship orientation and incidence angle on the detection performance has been explored.
Fatty Acid Profile, Conjugated Linoleic Acid Content, and Lipid Quality Indices in Selected Yogurts Available on the Polish Market

Simple Summary Yogurts constitute the most popular fermented milk product. They are usually produced from cow’s milk through lactic acid fermentation using Streptococcus salivarius subs. thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbruecki subs. bulgaricus. Yoghurt’s nutrient composition is based on the composition of the milk used for its production. There are many factors, including genetic and individual mammalian differences, feed, stage of lactation, age, and environmental factors such as season of the year, that have an impact on the final product composition and quality. Not only milk processing (temperature, exposure to light, time of heating, or storage conditions), but also the process of lactic acid fermentation and the resultant changes in milk constituents can have an effect on the nutritional value of the yoghurt. Various additives added to the yogurt can significantly improve the sensory and health related properties of milk fermented products. Finally, yogurt nutritional composition and quality is subject to changes due to the source and type of milk solids added before fermentation, species and strains of bacteria used in the process, as well as other factors, such as fermentation time and temperature. The fatty acid profile of milk and dairy products is an important factor affecting their nutritional value. The aim of this study was to determine the fatty acid composition, the content of cis9trans11 C18:2 (CLA), and lipid quality indices in yogurts available to consumers in retail sale. Abstract The aim of the present study was to determine the fatty acid composition, the content of cis9trans11 C18:2 acid (CLA), and lipid quality indices in yogurts made of cow’s milk, available on the Polish market. The test material consisted of: natural yogurts, natural yogurts with additives (muesli, cereal grains), bio yogurts, bio yogurts with additives (millet groats, quinoa, chestnuts), probiotic yogurts, and eco yogurts. All the products were bought in the period from May to June 2021. The conducted research showed that the analyzed yoghurts were characterized by a varying content of fatty acid groups, different values of the calculated lipid quality indices, as well as a different content of conjugated linoleic acid cis9trans11 C18: 2 (CLA). Natural yogurts with additives had the highest content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and n-3 PUFAs. Natural and bio yogurts with additives had a higher content of n-6 PUF than the other analyzed yogurts. The n-6/n-3 ratio was lower in bio yogurts and eco yogurts. Natural yogurts with additives featured the lowest index of atherogenicity (AI) and index of thrombogenicity (TI) and the highest hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio (H/H). The fat extracted from the bio yogurts had the highest (0.90% of total fatty acids) mean content of cis9trans11 C18:2 (CLA). In fat of the other analyzed yogurts, mean CLA content in total content of fatty acids varied from 0.48% in natural yogurts with additives to 0.81% in bio yogurts with additives.
UNDERSTANDING SMART LOCKER USER BEHAVIOR THROUGH TWITTER

Understanding smart locker sentiment and use is an area of increasing interest for package delivery organizations. Applications of this data could result in cost savings through route optimization and increased placement of smart locker technology. However, there has been little effort applied to gathering information related to public sentiment on this topic. Therefore, we gather and analyze Twitter data related to smart lockers to determine if there is change in sentiment over time and if socialization is greater in certain regions or communities. This analysis is performed through multiple statistical analyses, linear regression, time series decomposition, and logistic regression. Some significant findings indicate that socialization of tweets related to smart lockers increased over time and socialization is greatest in the more densely population continent of Asia. Future studies are encouraged to continue analysis of data related to smart lockers based on population density, as this could provide marketing and delivery optimization improvements to decrease cost without decreasing customer sentiment or service.
The power of TQM: analysis of its effects on profitability, productivity and customer satisfaction

This article analyses the effects of total quality management (TQM) in an organisational context. In our analysis we study how the experience (or age or application time) of TQM and the depth (level of self-assessing scores of the business unit) of TQM affect the performance of the unit measured with customer satisfaction, profitability and productivity. Our unique research setting was based on longitudinal data from a global integrated process products company. The results of our analysis indicated that TQM does have an effect on all three types of performance measured. However, there was variation in whether the effects come from the experience of TQM or its implementation. As the results of this study are based on one Case Company, the utilisation of the results as such may be somewhat limited.
A New Colorimetric Method for Rapid Detection of Antibiotic Resistance in Escherichia coli Isolates

Background: The quick diagnosis and early initiation of antibiotic therapy in bacteria-induced infections is of paramount importance. Accordingly, the rapid identification of the causative agent, the short-term results of antibiotic sensitivity, the selection and use of right antibiotics for treatment further highlights the significance of this issue. Objectives: This study aimed to develop a new susceptibility testing method to provide rapid results in Escherichia coli clinical isolates and report the antibiotic susceptibility test results to clinicians in a short period. Methods: In the study, one hundred and ten E. coli clinical isolates were tested. In this regard, antibiotics recommended by the "Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)" for testing the sensitivity of E. coli isolates, including amoxicillin-clavulanate, cefixime, ceftriaxone, ertapenem, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and nitrofurantoin were tested. For quality control, E. coli ATCC25922, E. coli ATCC35218, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC29213, and E. coli 13846NTCC strains were used. The broth microdilution method recommended by CLSI was used as the reference method. Minimum inhibitory concentration values were determined, and antimicrobial susceptibilities were then determined according to the “European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST)” criteria. In the next phase, the results of the resazurin microplate method (RMM) were compared. Results: The comparison of the RMM developed in the present study with the reference method revealed that the calculated essential agreement ratios for eight antibiotics varied from 82.72 to 100%, and the categorical agreement values ranged from 95.45 to100%. Conclusions: According to the findings, the RMM results were highly in agreement with the results of the reference method. RMM allows the detection of antibiotic susceptibility quickly (e.g., within 5 hours) as such it is preferred, especially for laboratories with limited facilities. However, further multi-center studies are recommended to use this method in routine laboratories.
Hyperparameter tuning for multi-label classification of feedbacks in online courses

In this work, we propose the extension of a methodology for the multi-label classification of feedback according to the Hattie and Timperley feedback model, incorporating a hyperparameter tuning stage. It is analyzed whether the incorporation of the hyperparameter tuning stage prior to the execution of the algorithms support vector machines, random forest and multi-label k-nearest neighbors, improves the performance metrics of multi-label classifiers that automatically locate the feedback generated by a teacher to the activities sent by students in online courses on the Blackboard platform at the task, process, regulation, praise and other levels proposed in the feedback model by Hattie and Timperley. The grid search strategy is used to refine the hyperparameters of each algorithm. The results show that the adjustment of the hyperparameters improves the performance metrics for the data set used.
Self-Aligned E-Mode GaN p-Channel FinFET With ION > 100 mA/mm and ION/IOFF > 10⁷

This letter demonstrates self-aligned <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${p}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-channel FinFETs based on a GaN-on-Si wafer. While the self-aligned gate process helps to achieve shortest possible source-to-drain distance to compensate for low hole mobility in GaN (~20 cm <sup>2</sup>/<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{V}\cdot \text{s}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>), the FinFET-architecture provides strong electrostatic control over the channel. Our fabricated transistors with 40 nm fin width, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$L_{SD}=120$ </tex-math></inline-formula> nm and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$L_{G}=90$ </tex-math></inline-formula> nm exhibits an <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{I}_{\text{ON}} \approx 140$ </tex-math></inline-formula> mA/mm, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{I}_{\text{ON}}/\text{I}_{\text{OFF}}>10^{7}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{TH}=1$ </tex-math></inline-formula> V, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$SS=150$ </tex-math></inline-formula> mV/dec, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$g_{m,max}=14$ </tex-math></inline-formula> mS/mm and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$R_{\text{ON}}=61\,\,\Omega \cdot $ </tex-math></inline-formula>mm. By precisely controlling the recess depth, enhancement-mode (E-mode) operation was also achieved. Our best E-mode device shows an <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{I}_{\text{ON}} \approx 125$ </tex-math></inline-formula> mA/mm, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{I}_{\text{ON}}/\text{I}_{\text{OFF}}>10^{7}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{TH}=-0.3$ </tex-math></inline-formula> V, and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$R_{\text{ON}}=69\,\,\Omega \cdot $ </tex-math></inline-formula>mm. In addition, record low subthreshold swing of 80 mV/dec for devices with fin width of 40 nm and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$L_{SD}=240$ </tex-math></inline-formula> nm attests to the strong gate control over the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${p}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-channel achieved by the FinFET-architecture.
Trade on the North Eastern Bank of the Lagos Lagoon: A Focus on Ejinrin Lagoon Market, 1851–1939

This article discusses trade and market activities on the north eastern bank of the Lagos Lagoon. Our particular focus is on the Ijebu lagoon market of Ejinrin. During the period covered by this study, Ejinrin was a meeting point for traders from Lagos and those from southeastern Yoruba hinterland. Traders reportedly attended the market not only from Ijebuland but also from places such as Gbongan, Ile-Ife, Ilesha, Oyo, Ilorin, Okitipupa, Owo, Epe, Orimedu, Atijere and other towns in Yorubaland. Colonial records show that attendance at Ejinrin reached between 20,000 and 26,000 on a market day by the end of the nineteenth century and by 1908, the market was rated as the largest market in the whole of the western provinces of Nigeria. Such was the strategic importance of this market that it supplied Lagos with the bulk of the palm oil shipped overseas during the pre-colonial and colonial periods. Thus, the lagoon market occupied a very important place in the local economy of the Ijebu and that of Lagos. This article is an attempt to understand this aspect of the indigenous economy of Nigeria. It is an attempt to analyze and document the history of commercial activities in this geographical zone of the Lagos (Ijebu) Lagoon. The study relied largely on documentary evidence got from the National Archives, Ibadan and extensive oral evidence collected from those who, at one time or the other, had attended the market.
3D - Learning Representations From Audio Using Autoencoders

Deep learning methods permit us to tackle signal processing challenges from a dissimilar perspective, which is currently overlooked in the composition of music in cinema industry. Audio is inherently added time-sensitive than movie. Audios are encoded using other past methods, resulting in data loss or temporal anomalies. This problem is alleviated by using an auto correlogram with a 3-dimensional view, including time, power, and frequency, to improve accuracy. First, acoustic data should be competently encoded into a compressed format using RNN autoencoder by interrelating with the information. As a result of the compressed format, audio waves should be accurately represented. After that, audio waves are rebuilt into an audio structure with little data loss. The accuracy is improved by 10% by using the RNN encoder and decoder.
A novel switched capacitor bandgap reference with a correlated double sampling structure

A switched capacitor bandgap voltage reference with correlated double sampling structure embedded in a temperature sensor is implemented in a standard 0.35 μm CMOS process. Due to the smaller change of the op-amp's output voltage, this topology is very suitable for low power applications. In addition, errors caused by the finite op-amp gain, input offset voltage, and 1/f noise are eliminated with the correlated double sampling technique. Additionally, two-level process calibration techniques are designed to minimize the process spread. Finally, a method of getting a full period valid reference voltage output is discussed and experimental results are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed structure.
Risk Analysis in Geotechnical and Earthquake Engineering: State-Of-The-Art and Practice for Embankment Dams

The nature of risk analysis as applied to earthfill dams for the purpose of safety assessment is examined with particular reference to the matter of demonstrating the scientific validity of risk constructs used to inform important dam safety decisions. The qualities and attributes of what would be considered to be transparent, credible and defensible risk analyses for dam safety decision-making are outlined. A conceptual approach to addressing the problem of quantifying internal erosion risk that combines critical state soil mechanics theory and dynamic event tree analysis is proposed. Finally, an experiment aimed at assessing contemporary capability to detect the “changes of state” is described.
The Optimization of Thermal Pre-Treatment Time for Extracellular Polymeric Substances Extraction from Sewage Sludge

This study aims to find out the optimum extraction time varied from 5 min to 60 min for extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from sewage sludge pretreated at 80 °C. The change of the contents of EPS and its components under different time limit were recorded and compared. The results showed: the contents of soluble protein, TOC, soluble sugar and DNA was increased by 579.17 mg/l, 514.25 mg/l, 132.79 mg/l, and 34.69 mg/l, respectively, with the increase of thermal pre-treatment time during the process, and the DNA content increased the least, which indicating that the effect of thermal pre-treatment at 80 °C on cell lysis of sewage sludge was small. The EPS content, as a whole, was increased with the increase of thermal pre-treatment time. By analyzing the experimental data with the Analytic Hierarchy Process Model, which was used to identify the optimum thermal pre-treatment time of extracting EPS, the results showed that the effectiveness of EPS extraction from sludges was 30 min>60 min>50 min>20 min>40 min>10 min>5 min. Therefore, the 30 min was choosed as the optimum thermal pre-treatment time.
Mulberry silk fabric treatment with natural colorants

Silk is the important versatile textile material being used for various delicate and formal enriched utilities. Traditionally for long period silk has been selected and colored with natural sources which would add values to the materials with respect to their original properties. Most of the natural sources have their inherent property add additional values to the silk materials. In this work the mulberry silk fabric is treated with recovered protein from sericin together with natural finishing sources like aloevera, amla and nochi in different combinations followed by coloring with few selected natural sources. The silk fabrics after these applications weresubjected for testing K/S value, fastness properties, absorbency, objective assessmentand SEM study. The results from these tests are impressive and positive suitable for the respective applications in the textile and garment utilities.