Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fatalities in frontal crashes despite seat belts and air bags: September 2009 review of all CDS cases: model and calendar years 2000-2007: 122 fatalities

Why are people still dying in frontal crashes despite seat belt use, air bags, and the crashworthy structures of late-model vehicles? Statistical analyses show the combination of seat belt use and air bags is highly effective, reducing fatality risk by 61 percent compared to an unbelted occupant of a vehicle not equipped with air bags - but 61 percent is not 100 percent. To address the question, an interdisciplinary NHTSA team reviewed every case of a frontal fatality to a belted driver or right-front passenger in a model year 2000 or newer vehicle in the Crashworthiness Data System (CDS) of the National Automotive Sampling System through calendar year 2007. Aside from a substantial proportion of these 122 crashes that are just exceedingly severe, the main reason people are still dying is because so many crashes involve poor structural engagement between the vehicle and its collision partner: corner impacts, oblique crashes, impacts with narrow objects, and underrides. By contrast, few if any of these 122 fatal crashes were full-frontal or offset-frontal impacts with good structural engagement, unless the crashes were of extreme severity or the occupants exceptionally vulnerable.
Strategy to Develop and Evaluate a Multiplex RT-ddPCR in Response to SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Evolution

The worldwide emergence and spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) since 2019 has highlighted the importance of rapid and reliable diagnostic testing to prevent and control the viral transmission. However, inaccurate results may occur due to false negatives (FN) caused by polymorphisms or point mutations related to the virus evolution and compromise the accuracy of the diagnostic tests. Therefore, PCR-based SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics should be evaluated and evolve together with the rapidly increasing number of new variants appearing around the world. However, even by using a large collection of samples, laboratories are not able to test a representative collection of samples that deals with the same level of diversity that is continuously evolving worldwide. In the present study, we proposed a methodology based on an in silico and in vitro analysis. First, we used all information offered by available whole-genome sequencing data for SARS-CoV-2 for the selection of the two PCR assays targeting two different regions in the genome, and to monitor the possible impact of virus evolution on the specificity of the primers and probes of the PCR assays during and after the development of the assays. Besides this first essential in silico evaluation, a minimal set of testing was proposed to generate experimental evidence on the method performance, such as specificity, sensitivity and applicability. Therefore, a duplex reverse-transcription droplet digital PCR (RT-ddPCR) method was evaluated in silico by using 154 489 whole-genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 strains that were representative for the circulating strains around the world. The RT-ddPCR platform was selected as it presented several advantages to detect and quantify SARS-CoV-2 RNA in clinical samples and wastewater. Next, the assays were successfully experimentally evaluated for their sensitivity and specificity. A preliminary evaluation of the applicability of the developed method was performed using both clinical and wastewater samples.
Impact of underlying steady-state fundamental diagram on moving bottleneck passing rates using a second-order traffic model

Abstract A significant number of research efforts have been attempted to study and analyze the case in which a vehicle is moving slower than the traffic stream (also known as a moving bottleneck) and its impact on the traffic stream behaviour upstream, downstream and abreast the slow-moving vehicle. This research is mainly interested in the study of the phenomenon abreast the moving obstruction by looking at the impact of the underlying base case fundamental diagram on the flow passing the moving bottleneck. The study develops a general model that estimates the passing rate that was developed using simulated data generated by the INTEGRATION software. It is demonstrated that the moving bottleneck passing rate varies in a quadratic convex fashion as a function of the bottleneck speed. Besides validating the INTEGRATION model with regard to the study of moving bottlenecks, this study develops an analytical method for estimating the moving bottleneck passing rate that allows for the studying of the phenomenon.
Pitch and Heave Control of Robotic Samara Micro Air Vehicles

Micro/nano unmanned aerial systems are an emerging class of vehicles uniquely suited to performing covert missions. A linear model for the heave dynamics of a robotic samara (winged seed) in hovering flight was identified from data collected external to the vehicle by a visual tracking system. Insight gleaned from the implementation of feedback control includes a characteristically overdamped system in climb, which differs from the underdamped descent characteristic observed. Identification and error estimation efforts used a frequency response-based system identification. The two robotic samara vehicles of differing scale compared in this study represent the first demonstration of controlled flight of a vehicle of this kind.
“It’s the Attraction of Winning That Draws You in”—A Qualitative Investigation of Reasons and Facilitators for Videogame Loot Box Engagement in UK Gamers

Excessive engagement with (increasingly prevalent) loot boxes within games has consistently been linked with disordered gambling and/or gaming. The importance of recognising and managing potential risks associated with loot box involvement means understanding contributing factors is a pressing research priority. Given that motivations for gaming and gambling have been informative in understanding risky engagement with those behaviours, this qualitative study investigated motivations for buying loot boxes, through in-depth interviews with 28 gamers from across the UK. A reflexive thematic analysis categorised reasons for buying into seven “themes”; opening experience; value of box contents; game-related elements; social influences; emotive/impulsive influences; fear of missing out; triggers/facilitators. These themes are described in detail and discussed in relation to the existing literature and motivation theories. This study contributes to understanding ways in which digital items within loot boxes can be highly valued by purchasers, informing the debate around parallels with gambling. Findings that certain motivations were disproportionately endorsed by participants with symptoms of problematic gambling has potential implications for policy and warrants further study.
How good are variational autoencoders at transfer learning?

Variational autoencoders (VAEs) are used for transfer learning across various research domains such as music generation or medical image analysis. However, there is no principled way to assess before transfer which components to retrain or whether transfer learning is likely to help on a target task. We propose to explore this question through the lens of representational similarity. Specifically, using Centred Kernel Alignment (CKA) to evaluate the similarity of VAEs trained on different datasets, we show that encoders' representations are generic but decoders' specific. Based on these insights, we discuss the implications for selecting which components of a VAE to retrain and propose a method to visually assess whether transfer learning is likely to help on classification tasks.
The strategic dimensions of information systems capability: Case studies in a developing country context.

This research addresses the issue of how organisations can build capabilities to acquire, deploy, exploit and sustain computer-based information systems. With the application of information technology dramatically altering the strategies, structure, and processes of organisations, capabilities in acquiring and deploying computer-based information systems are considered critical to organisational success. It is often presumed that firms have similar capabilities to derive maximum value from deploying computer- based information systems. However, they have been shown to exhibit disparate capacities to successfully implement and exploit such systems. The concept information systems capability is introduced and refers to an organisation's capacity to effectively orchestrate the processes of acquiring, deploying, exploiting and sustaining computer-based information systems to support its strategic and functional objectives. Emphasising evolutionary and resource-based perspectives of the firm the research stresses the firm-specific, cumulative, and path-dependent nature of organisational IS capability. Three strategic dimensions of IS capability are identified. These are routines, resources, and contexts. Routines refer to the IS-related processes and practices of the organisation. Resources are its endowments. Contexts reflect the environmental factors influencing IS investment opportunities and decisions. Capabilities develop through a prescient understanding of the contexts, the strategic acquisition and deployment of IS resources and the establishment and enaction of effective organisational routines. Researchers are concerned about the persistence of ineffective information technology transfer and diffusion in developing countries. This research seeks to explicate the concept of information systems capability by drawing on examples from a developing country context. Through case studies and surveys done in Zimbabwe it explores organisational efforts to develop IS capability. The findings of the case studies confirm the significant impact of macro-contextual and organisational factors on capability building. A framework for IS capability building is proposed.
A prospective study to evaluate influence of maternal, obstetric and fetal risk factors on the outcome of asphyxiated neonates born intramurally and extramurally

Background: The present study was planned to determine the influence of maternal, obstetric and fetal risk factors on the outcome of intramurally (born at a tertiary care centre) and extramurally (born at a peripheral centre, home or a private facility) born asphyxiated neonates.Methods: It was an observational clinical research with a prospective design and was conducted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Paediatric Neurology Clinic attached to Department of Paediatrics and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr S N Medical College Jodhpur, Rajasthan. A total of 160 asphyxiated neonates (80 intramural and 80 extramural) were included in the study. A detailed antenatal and perinatal history with obstetrical interventions were recorded. The progress or deterioration in the clinical status of child was noted in hours. Outcome was evaluated in terms of survival, severest Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy (HIE) stage, time taken to reach non encephalopathic state, requirement of vasopressors and anticonvulsants, ventilator support, hemodynamic stability, time period to attain full enteral feeding, neurological examination at time of discharge and time taken for discharge.Results: Significant difference was observed in the antenatal and perinatal profile, perinatal management and resuscitation, postnatal management, morbidity, mortality and neurodevelopment outcome of extramurally delivered neonates in a peripheral health centre or at home as compared to intramurally delivered neonates in a tertiary institute.Conclusions: It is of paramount importance to have an early referral of asphyxiated neonates to a well equipped NICU using an appropriate well equipped transport unit/ chain so as to improve their outcome.
Principles of CAD/CAM/CAE Systems

From the Publisher: An Introduction to CAD/CAM/CAE is a timely text with coverage of many modern topics, including: rapid prototyping, virtual engineering, NT-based solid modeling systems, and Web-related issues. This book provides balanced coverage of CAD/CAM (with slightly more emphasis on CAD topics) and bonus coverage of computer-aided engineering (CAE). This book's emphasis on the integration of three related disciplines-CAD, CAM, and CAE-makes it a great theoretical introduction to all subjects from geometric representation to the most sophisticated CAE subjects. Many illustrations and references ground the theory in practical examples. The book also features a unique illustration of the whole product development process through a practical case study that gives readers a clear idea how CAD, CAM, and CAE systems are integrated to accelerate the product development process. This book is carefully targeted toward today's students; topics are introduced in a concise, efficient manner, with mathematical terminology that is kept to a minimum. A background in programming, calculus, and matrix and vector algebra is helpful when using this text.
Introduction to the Special Issue on Diversity

should be recognized as important to our readers and to the practice. The recognition that issues of historical discrimination and the consequent need to address issues of diversifying the workforce emerged as a central theme from this discussion. It was determined that a special issue of the Journal would be appropriate as a venue to present a comprehensive overview of the types of discrimination that have been, and to a great extent still are, pervasive in the workforce, and in particular in the white-male-dominated practice of engineering. Special issues of ASCE journals are typically edited by an outstanding member of the engineering community designated as a “special editor. ” We were most fortunate in having Dr. James Jim H. Johnson Jr., Dean of the College of Engineering, Architecture, and Computer Science at Howard University, consent to take on this important role. Jim has worked tirelessly with other outstanding leaders to put together this special issue to address diversity in a number of significant areas. I sincerely hope that our readers will find these articles enlightening and helpful in clarifying possible confusion and/or perhaps misunderstanding regarding the need for diversity in our engineering community. We cannot thank Jim and the contributing authors enough for taking their valuable time to contribute to this special issue.
Epidemiology of Pediatric Open Globe Injuries in a University Hospital in Thailand

Objective: To describe the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and clinical outcomes of pediatric traumatic open globe injuries and to determine the risk factors for poor visual outcome. Methods: The medical records of patients aged younger than 15 years of age who were diagnosed with open globe injuries from January 2005 to December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients’ demographic data were collected, including age, sex, injury date, place of injury, mechanism of injury, cause of injury, and the activity related to the injury. Clinical data were recorded, including initial visual acuity (VA), wound size, wound location, associated ocular findings at presentation, and complications. The prognostic factors for a poor visual outcome were assessed. Results: In total, 46 pediatric patients were included in this study. The mean age was 6.8 years old. Most patients were male (65.2%). The most common type of injury was penetrating injury (60.9%) and mostly occurred during playing (60.9%). Household appliances/furniture and scissors/knives were common causes of injuries (17.4%, 15.2%, respectively). Poor final VA worse than 6/60 was found in 17 patients (37%). Wound location and retinal detachment (RD) at the time of presentation were significant prognostic factors for a poor visual outcome according to the univariate analysis (p = 0.008, <0.001). Only wound location at zone II and III was found to be significantly correlated with poor final VA in the multivariate analysis (adjusted risk ratio (RR) = 2.87, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.26-6.55, p = 0.012). Traumatic cataract was the most common associated injury (45.7%). Conclusions: One-third of pediatric patients with open globe injuries had a poor visual outcome. Wound location at zone II and III significantly correlated with a poor visual outcome in pediatric open globe injuries. The parents and caregivers should be made aware of the seriousness of open globe injuries in order to prevent children from possible injuries.
A Synthesis of Express Analytic Hierarchy Process (EAHP) and Partial Least Squares-Structural Equations Modeling (PLS-SEM) for Sustainable Construction and Demolition Waste Management Assessment: The Case of Malaysia

Construction and demolition waste (CDW), as the main consequence of construction and demolition (C&D) activities, has severely affected our sustainability needs. However, construction and demolition waste management (CDWM) lacks the integration of sustainability concepts. Thus, there is a great need to include sustainability dimensions in CDWM to reach sustainable construction and demolition waste management (SCDWM). This study aims at empirically investigating SCDWM by analyzing the impacts of factors that contribute to sustainability aspects of CDWM on waste management hierarchy (WMH), including reduce, reuse, recycle, and disposal strategies. According to the literature, 26 factors were initially identified and grouped under four categories, namely environmental, economic, social, and administrative, that contribute to sustainability aspects of CDWM. Subsequently, a pilot test was performed to assess the significance and applicability of these factors in the Malaysian construction industry by implementing the express analytic hierarchy process (EAHP). Then, a questionnaire survey was performed to collect data from 132 construction companies involved in CDWM. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the hypothetical relationships by applying SmartPLS software. Results demonstrated that the economic aspect of CDWM (main category) and “public environment contamination due to illegal waste dumping” (sub-category) were the most influential factor in SCDWM in Malaysia.
Emotional stress and driving performance: The effect of divorce.

THE DRIVING RECORDS OF 410 PERSONS INVOLVED IN DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS (FEMALE AND MALE PLAINTIFFS AND DEFENDANTS) WERE ANALYZED FOR THE PURPOSE OF DESCRIBING DRIVING PERFORMANCE UNDER EMOTIONAL STRESS. THE SEVEN YEAR DRIVING RECORD OF EACH OF THE GROUPS WAS STATISTICALLY HIGHER THAN AVERAGE. DURING THE YEAR OF STRESS - SIX MONTHS BEFORE AND SIX MONTHS AFTER FILING OF DIVORCE PETITION - SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN AVERAGE ACCIDENT AND VIOLATION RATES WERE FOUND IN ALL CASES EXCEPT ACCIDENTS OF MALE PLAINTIFFS AND VIOLATIONS OF FEMALE DEFENDANTS. THE FIRST THREE MONTHS AFTER FILING PROVED TO BE THE TIME OF GREATEST ACCIDENT AND VIOLATION ACTIVITY FOR ALL GROUPS. ALL GROUPS EXCEPT MALE PLAINTIFFS HAD A HIGHER RATIO OF ACCIDENTS TO VIOLATIONS THAT YEAR THAN THEY HAD FOR THE TOTAL SEVEN YEARS. THOSE PERSONS WHO HAD ACCIDENTS THAT YEAR, HOWEVER, HAD HIGHER THAN AVERAGE VIOLATION RATES. THE TYPES OF VIOLATIONS THAT ARE MORE COMMON THAN AVERAGE DURING STRESS ARE SPEEDING, FAILURE TO YIELD, AND OTHER VIOLATIONS SUCH AS PROHIBITED TURN AND FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY. THERE WAS A SMALLER THAN AVERAGE PROPORTION OF MANDATORY LICENSE SUSPENSION VIOLATIONS DURING THE YEAR OF STRESS. /AUTHOR/
HRWS SAR Narrowband Interference Mitigation Using Low-Rank Recovery and Image-Domain Sparse Regularization

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR), as a wideband radar system, may be subject to strong interferences with a variety of signals. The narrowband interference (NBI) exemplifies the most typical of its kind, such as the form of radio frequency interference (RFI). With the development of SAR imaging technology, the high-resolution wide-swath (HRWS) imagery technology now reaches its maturity to finally take shape in current SAR systems. To obtain HRWS images, the multichannel SAR (MC-SAR) system has been employed to tackle the contradictory requirements for both high resolution and low pulse repetition frequency (PRF). Previous interference methods focused on single-channel SAR systems and few research works for MC-SAR systems. In this article, we first derive a new interference-mitigation model for HRWS SAR systems and conclude that the low-rank property of the NBI is suitable for MC-SAR systems. Then we employ an image-domain sparse regularization to protect the real echoes of the SAR system and mitigate the NBIs by solving the low-rank recovery problems of NBIs. Also, the MC-SAR system errors are further taken into account as a measure for our method’s practical applicability. Finally, the real SAR data is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Shear Strength Prediction for Concrete Members

This study presents alternative shear strength prediction equations for steel-reinforced concrete members without web reinforcements. It uses the techniques of dimensional analysis, interpolation function, and multiple regression analysis. More than 350 data were obtained from existing sources of reinforced concrete beam shear test results covering a wide range of beam properties and test methods. This analysis was done for both normal-strength concrete and high-strength concrete members with compressive strength up to 104 MPa (15,100 psi). The derivation of accurate cracking and ultimate shear strength prediction equations incorporated the original use of an interpolation function that takes into account the difference in behavior between the arch action of short beams and the beam action of long beams. The use of the interpolation function was instrumental in producing accurate cracking and ultimate shear strength equations as evidenced by the excellent correlation between experimental and theoretical values.
Physiological Factors Linking Insecure Attachment to Psychopathology: A Systematic Review

Although many studies have documented associations between insecure attachment and psychopathology, attachment may not confer risk for psychopathology independently, but rather through its interaction with emotional, social, and biological factors. Understanding the variables through which attachment may lead to psychopathology is therefore important. Within this domain of research, the role of physiological factors is poorly investigated. What are the relevant domains and why, when, or for whom do they influence mental disorders relating to attachment? The current systematic review aims to answer these questions. Results reveal that physiological indices of emotional regulation play a role in explaining and/or determining the relationship between attachment and psychopathology. Specifically: (1) combined with insecure attachment, higher skin conductance level (SCL), lower cardiac slowing, and respiratory sinus arrhythmia modulation (RSA) contribute to different psychopathological indicators and behavioral/psychological dysfunctions, although the latter predicts a contradictory pattern of findings; (2) insecure-avoidant attachment is more consistently linked with stress and emotional dysregulation when combined with RSA, while anxious attachment confers risk of depressive symptoms when combined with SCL. We concluded our discussion of the results of seven studies by outlining a plan to move the field forward. We discuss the quality of the assessment, methodological limitations, and future directions, highlighting the need to extend the research to clinical samples.