Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Defining a research agenda in Value Driven Design: Questions that need to be asked

Value driven design is an innovative design process that utilizes the optimization of a system level value function to determine the best possible design. This contrasts with more traditional systems engineering techniques, which rely on satisfying requirements to determine the design solution. While ? design for value? is intuitively acceptable, the transformation of value driven design concepts into practical tools and methods for its application is challenging. This, coupled with the growing popularity of value-centric design philosophies, has led to a proposed research agenda in value driven design. This research agenda asks fundamental questions about the design philosophy and attempts to identify areas of significant challenge. The research agenda is meant to stimulate discussion in the field, as well as prompt research that will lead to the development of tools and methodologies that will facilitate the application of value driven design and further the state of the art.
R&D and deployment valuation of intelligent transportation systems : a case example of the intersection collision avoidance systems

Compared with investments in the conventional infrastructure, those in Intelligent Transportation Technology (ITS) include various uncertainties. Because deployment of ITS requires close public-private partnership, projects concerning RD one depends on user acceptance of in-vehicle ITS technology employed, and the other one does not require user acceptance of this ITS technology. To evaluate the value of two concepts, this thesis identifies various uncertainties associated with the project and quantifies them by utilizing various quantitative techniques including the product diffusion model to formulate project risks and market risks. This thesis finally compares the financial value in two concepts and demonstrates that the concept without in-vehicle ITS technology is a more promising system for crash prevention at an intersection than that with this technology and recognizes the value of real option in case of the unfavorable outcome of the R&D stage. The results imply that developing attractive the new product and obtaining user acceptance of ITS technology are the most crucial factors to influence the project value and future success of the countermeasures. Thesis Co-Supervisor: Joseph Sussman Title: JR East Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Engineering Systems Thesis Co-Supervisor: Richard de Neufville Title: Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Engineering Systems
Vitreoscilla Haemoglobin: A Tool to Reduce Overflow Metabolism

Overflow metabolism is a phenomenon extended in nature, ranging from microbial to cancer cells. Accumulation of overflow metabolites pose a challenge for large-scale bioprocesses. Yet, the causes of overflow metabolism are not fully clarified. In this work, the underlying mechanisms, reasons and consequences of overflow metabolism in different organisms have been summarized. The reported effect of aerobic expression of Vitreoscilla haemoglobin (VHb) in different organisms are revised. The use of VHb to reduce overflow metabolism is proposed and studied through flux balance analysis in E. coli at a fixed maximum substrate and oxygen uptake rates. Simulations showed that the presence of VHb increases the growth rate, while decreasing acetate production, in line with the experimental measurements. Therefore, aerobic VHb expression is considered a potential tool to reduce overflow metabolism in cells.
Measuring Implicit Gender Stereotypes Using the Preschool Auditory Stroop

ABSTRACT Numerous studies suggest that by elementary school, children have implicit and explicit gender stereotypes about the toys, activities, roles, and abilities associated with boys vs. girls. Furthermore, these stereotypes have been shown to affect children’s goals and behaviors, leading them to pursue activities that are associated with their own gender and avoid those that are not. The majority of previous research examining the development of children’s implicit gender stereotypes has used the Implicit Association Test, which measures two associations simultaneously. Thus, it is often unclear which association is driving children’s gender stereotypes, which hampers the ability to effectively target harmful associations for bias change. The current research uses the Preschool Auditory Stroop, an adaptation of the Auditory Stroop, to measure distinct implicit gender stereotypes in three to seven-year-old children. Across two studies, the first using human voices and the second using computer-generated voices, children were faster to respond when female-stereotypical words were paired with female voices and male-stereotypical words were paired with male voices. These results indicate that children have implicit gender stereotypes as early as age three. Furthermore, results suggested that the magnitude of these implicit gender stereotypes was comparable across our age range. This study indicates that implicit gender stereotypes are present in children as young as three, and results suggest that this methodology can be used in future research to chart the trajectory of distinct implicit gender stereotypes across development.
Re-examination of pole splitting of a generic single stage amplifier

Pole splitting on the frequency response of a generic single stage amplifier due to the insertion of a compensation capacitor is re-examined. The Miller's Theorem is discussed in detail and it is shown that the initial dominant pole of an uncompensated amplifier remains dominant after compensation. Input and output impedances are computed to reveal the root loci and bandwidth of these quantities. Simulation results are presented in confirming the analysis.
Uncovering and Correcting Shortcut Learning in Machine Learning Models for Skin Cancer Diagnosis

Machine learning models have been successfully applied for analysis of skin images. However, due to the black box nature of such deep learning models, it is difficult to understand their underlying reasoning. This prevents a human from validating whether the model is right for the right reasons. Spurious correlations and other biases in data can cause a model to base its predictions on such artefacts rather than on the true relevant information. These learned shortcuts can in turn cause incorrect performance estimates and can result in unexpected outcomes when the model is applied in clinical practice. This study presents a method to detect and quantify this shortcut learning in trained classifiers for skin cancer diagnosis, since it is known that dermoscopy images can contain artefacts. Specifically, we train a standard VGG16-based skin cancer classifier on the public ISIC dataset, for which colour calibration charts (elliptical, coloured patches) occur only in benign images and not in malignant ones. Our methodology artificially inserts those patches and uses inpainting to automatically remove patches from images to assess the changes in predictions. We find that our standard classifier partly bases its predictions of benign images on the presence of such a coloured patch. More importantly, by artificially inserting coloured patches into malignant images, we show that shortcut learning results in a significant increase in misdiagnoses, making the classifier unreliable when used in clinical practice. With our results, we, therefore, want to increase awareness of the risks of using black box machine learning models trained on potentially biased datasets. Finally, we present a model-agnostic method to neutralise shortcut learning by removing the bias in the training dataset by exchanging coloured patches with benign skin tissue using image inpainting and re-training the classifier on this de-biased dataset.
A Replication-Competent HIV Clone Carrying GFP-Env Reveals Rapid Env Recycling at the HIV-1 T Cell Virological Synapse

HIV-1 infection is enhanced by cell–cell adhesions between infected and uninfected T cells called virological synapses (VS). VS are initiated by the interactions of cell-surface HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) and CD4 on target cells and act as sites of viral assembly and viral transfer between cells. To study the process that recruits and retains HIV-1 Env at the VS, a replication-competent HIV-1 clone carrying an Env-sfGFP fusion protein was designed to enable live tracking of Env within infected cells. Combined use of surface pulse-labeling of Env and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) studies, enabled the visualization of the targeted accumulation and sustained recycling of Env between endocytic compartments (EC) and the VS. We observed dynamic exchange of Env at the VS, while the viral structural protein, Gag, was largely immobile at the VS. The disparate exchange rates of Gag and Env at the synapse support that the trafficking and/or retention of a majority of Env towards the VS is not maintained by entrapment by a Gag lattice or immobilization by binding to CD4 on the target cell. A FRAP study of an Env endocytosis mutant showed that recycling is not required for accumulation at the VS, but is required for the rapid exchange of Env at the VS. We conclude that the mechanism of Env accumulation at the VS and incorporation into nascent particles involves continuous internalization and targeted secretion rather than irreversible interactions with the budding virus, but that this recycling is largely dispensable for VS formation and viral transfer across the VS.
Metabolomic Profiles of Mouse Tissues Reveal an Interplay between Aging and Energy Metabolism

Energy metabolism, including alterations in energy intake and expenditure, is closely related to aging and longevity. Metabolomics studies have recently unraveled changes in metabolite composition in plasma and tissues during aging and have provided critical information to elucidate the molecular basis of the aging process. However, the metabolic changes in tissues responsible for food intake and lipid storage have remained unexplored. In this study, we aimed to investigate aging-related metabolic alterations in these tissues. To fill this gap, we employed NMR-based metabolomics in several tissues, including different parts of the intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum) and brown/white adipose tissues (BAT, WAT), of young (9–10 weeks) and old (96–104 weeks) wild-type (mixed genetic background of 129/J and C57BL/6) mice. We, further, included plasma and skeletal muscle of the same mice to verify previous results. Strikingly, we found that duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and WAT do not metabolically age. In contrast, plasma, skeletal muscle, and BAT show a strong metabolic aging phenotype. Overall, we provide first insights into the metabolic changes of tissues essential for nutrient uptake and lipid storage and have identified biomarkers for metabolites that could be further explored, to study the molecular mechanisms of aging.
Can Public Health Interventions Change Immediate and Long-Term Dietary Behaviours? Encouraging Evidence from a Pilot Study of the U.K. Change4Life Sugar Swaps Campaign

The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the U.K. Change4Life Sugar Swaps campaign for improving nutritional intake in a small sample of families prior to the 2015 nationwide launch. A total of 49 participants from 14 families received information and materials during a two-week intervention period in November 2014 encouraging them to swap high sugar foods and drinks for low sugar alternatives. Daily dietary intake was reported with online food diaries over four stages, each two weeks in length: (i) baseline (no information provided), (ii) intervention when Sugar Swaps materials were accessible, (iii) immediate follow-up, and (iv) one year on from baseline. Data were analysed for sugar, glucose, fructose, sucrose, lactose, fat, saturated fat, carbohydrate, protein, salt, fibre, vitamin C, and energy. During the intervention, significant daily reductions of 32 g sugar, 11 g fat, and 236 kcal for each family member were observed, among others, and 61% of benefits achieved during the intervention period were maintained at immediate follow-up. Encouragingly, for children, reductions in sugar, sucrose, fat, saturated fat, carbohydrate, and energy were observed one year on. The Sugar Swaps Campaign is potentially an effective public health intervention for improving short- and long-term dietary behaviour for the whole family.
Influence of the Storage in Bottle on the Antioxidant Activities and Related Chemical Characteristics of Wine Spirits Aged with Chestnut Staves and Micro-Oxygenation

Different ageing technology of wine spirits (WSs) has been investigated, but little has been published on the chemical evolution of aged WS during storage in bottle. The purpose of this study was to examine how 12 months of storage in bottle affected the evolution of antioxidant activity (DPPH, FRAP and ABTS assays), total phenolic index (TPI) and low molecular weight (LMW) compounds content of the WSs aged through alternative technology using three micro-oxygenation levels (MOX) and nitrogen control (N). Results revealed the ability of phenolic compounds from aged WSs to scavenge free radicals during storage in bottle. Among the in vitro antioxidant-activity methods, FRAP assay was the more effective to differentiate WSs according to the ageing technology. Concerning the overall influence of storage in bottle on antioxidant activity, and TPI and LMW compounds content, the higher results were obtained for the MOX modalities (O15, O30 and O60), which showed a similar evolution. In summary, this study provides innovative information, demonstrating that the differences between the aged WSs imparted throughout the ageing process (resulting from different MOX levels) were mostly retained, and only slight modifications during storage in bottle were found.
Fertility desire and associated factors among HIV-positive women attending ART clinics in Afar region, Northeast Ethiopia

Introduction: Human immune deficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals experience significant implications in terms of having children due to transmission of human immune deficiency. However, fertility desire has given little attention, and the uptake of prevention of mother-to-child transmission services is low in Ethiopia, particularly in Afar region. Thus, this study aimed to assess fertility desire and associated factors among human immune virus-positive women attending ART clinics. Material and methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 402 HIV-positive women attending anti-retroviral therapy clinics in selected hospitals of Afar region. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with fertility desire. Statistical association was measured, with a p-value < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of fertility desire was 63.9% (95% CI: 59.1-68.8%). Young ages women, i.e., 15-24 years (AOR = 11.98; 95% CI: 4.04-35.5) and 25-34 years (AOR = 2.93, 95% CI: 1.46-5.86), who did not have living children (AOR = 5.1; 95% CI: 1.31-20.2) and women with 1 or 2 children alive (AOR = 2.7; 95% CI: 1.39-5.27), and disclosed sero-status (AOR = 5.89; 95% CI: 2.33-14.9) were associated with increased odds of fertility desire. However, contraceptives use was associated with decreased odds of fertility desire (AOR = 0.11; 95% CI: 0.05-0.22). Conclusions: In this study, six in ten study subjects had fertility desires. Young age, not having living child, having 1 or 2 children alive, disclosing sero-status to partner, and contraceptive use were predictors for fertility desire. HIV AIDS Rev 2021; 20, 4: 281-286 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/hivar.2021. 111395
Nonlinear thermomechanical design of microfabricated thin plate devices in the post-buckling regime

A design approach for thermomechanically stable sub-micron plates is developed utilizing the post-buckling regime via a nonlinear plate analysis. Based on the analysis results and experimental observations, local stresses are observed to have maxima in the near-post-bifurcation regime, but then to decrease significantly in the post-buckling regime. This effect is more significant with plates of larger sidelength and smaller thickness structures, enabling microfabrication of numerous plate and membrane structures that are typically considered susceptible to failure due to buckling. Using a stress-based failure criterion, rather than the typical buckling criterion, an expanded design space for thin plates beyond the traditional pre-buckling regime is revealed. A device class that benefits in both power and efficiency from thin, large-area freestanding plates is microfabricated fuel cells, particularly high-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (µSOFCs). As a demonstration of the expanded design space, µSOFCs of submicron (450 nm) layer thickness are designed, fabricated and operated in the far postbuckled regime, verifying thermomechanical stability (up to 625 °C) and functional operation. The design approach introduced here can be applied to a range of microfabricated devices such as purification membranes, electrolysis cells and biochemical sensors.
Ground fault distribution on overhead transmission lines

When a ground fault occurs on an overhead transmission line in a power network with grounded neutral, the fault current returns to the grounded neutral through the tower structures, ground return paths and ground wires. This paper presents an analytical method in order to evaluate the ground fault current distribution in an effectively grounded power network. The effect of soil resistivity, ground resistance of towers and power line configuration, on the magnitude of return currents, has been examined.
Factors Influencing College Choice of Nepalese Undergraduate Students

Background: College choice decision remains one of the major issues for the students and parents especially during the time of admission. Objective: Understanding this problem, this research, taking colleges of Tribhuvan University and Kathmandu University as the samples, assesses which of the characteristics― institutional, marketing, and social are more dominant in this decision. Method: The study, based on the primary survey; uses the questionnaire to collect data among the management students of bachelor’s level in Lalitpur and Kathmandu district, shows that academic program, quality of education, and social factors are the key factors that impact college choice decision. The study employs convenient sampling techniques. The tendency of students to make college choice decisions depends on the colleges’ academic programs that they have concentrated. Result: The results suggest that college should focus their eyes to apply different types of academic programs, adopt quality education in terms of appointing highly qualified faculties and even contribute certain margin to social support, employability of the students over the market and position of enrolment of the students in higher education. These characteristics enable the colleges to run and sustain in the long run. Conclusion: To mitigate the moderating impact on college choice, the variable gender is used, however, its impact on the relationship of college fees and college choice is not supported by the study.
Genome Analysis of an Alphabaculovirus Isolated from the Larch Looper, Erannis ankeraria

The larch looper, Erannis ankeraria Staudinger (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), is one of the major insect pests of larch forests, widely distributed from southeastern Europe to East Asia. A naturally occurring baculovirus, Erannis ankeraria nucleopolyhedrovirus (EranNPV), was isolated from E. ankeraria larvae. This virus was characterized by electron microscopy and by sequencing the whole viral genome. The occlusion bodies (OBs) of EranNPV exhibited irregular polyhedral shapes containing multiple enveloped rod-shaped virions with a single nucleocapsid per virion. The EranNPV genome was 125,247 bp in length with a nucleotide distribution of 34.9% G+C. A total of 131 hypothetical open reading frames (ORFs) were identified, including the 38 baculovirus core genes and five multi-copy genes. Five homologous regions (hrs) were found in the EranNPV genome. Phylogeny and pairwise kimura 2-parameter analysis indicated that EranNPV was a novel group II alphabaculovirus and was most closely related to Apocheima cinerarium NPV (ApciNPV). Field trials showed that EranNPV was effective in controlling E. ankeraria in larch forests. The above results will be relevant to the functional research on EranNPV and promote the use of this virus as a biocontrol agent.
Exact method of analysis of shear lag in framed tube structures

Framed tube structures are particularly suitable for tall buildings. Owing to flexural and shear flexibilities of the frame members, the overall bending of the frame is complicated by the occurance of shear lag. The shear lag phenomenon in framed-tube structures under lateral loads is explained in the literature, but explanation of its origin and comprehensive studies of it is lacking. In this paper an analogy between the shear lag behaviour of a cantilever box representing a uniform framed-tube building is used for exact analysis of stress and displacement components of perimeter columns. The coefficients of the power series used for the governing equilibrium and compatibility equations are functions of the height and width of the frame panels. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed method. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prediction Power of Logistic Regression (LR) and Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) Models in Exploring Driving Forces of Urban Expansion to Be Sustainable in Estonia

Estonia mainly experienced urban expansion after regaining independence in 1991. Employing the CORINE Land Cover dataset to analyze the dynamic changes in land use/land cover (LULC) in Estonia over 28 years revealed that urban land increased by 33.96% in Harju County and by 19.50% in Tartu County. Therefore, after three decades of LULC changes, the large number of shifts from agricultural and forest land to urban ones in an unplanned manner have become of great concern. To this end, understanding how LULC change contributes to urban expansion will provide helpful information for policy-making in LULC and help make better decisions for future transitions in urban expansion orientation and plan for more sustainable cities. Many different factors govern urban expansion; however, physical and proximity factors play a significant role in explaining the spatial complexity of this phenomenon in Estonia. In this research, it was claimed that urban expansion was affected by the 12 proximity driving forces. In this regard, we applied LR and MLP neural network models to investigate the prediction power of these models and find the influential factors driving urban expansion in two Estonian counties. Using LR determined that the independent variables “distance from main roads (X7)”, “distance from the core of main cities of Tallinn and Tartu land (X2)”, and “distance from water land (X11)” had a higher negative correlation with urban expansion in both counties. Indeed, this investigation requires thinking towards constructing a balance between urban expansion and its driving forces in the long term in the way of sustainability. Using the MLP model determined that the “distance from existing residential areas (X10)” in Harju County and the “distance from the core of Tartu (X2)” in Tartu County were the most influential driving forces. The LR model showed the prediction power of these variables to be 37% for Harju County and 45% for Tartu County. In comparison, the MLP model predicted nearly 80% of variability by independent variables for Harju County and approximately 50% for Tartu County, expressing the greater power of independent variables. Therefore, applying these two models helped us better understand the causative nature of urban expansion in Harju County and Tartu County in Estonia, which requires more spatial planning regulation to ensure sustainability.