Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A framework for assessing standards for safety critical computer-based systems

This paper presents a framework for assessing different standards for computer-based safety-critical systems. Key attributes of standards forming a basis for comparison are described. Three examples of standards are described using this framework: MIL-STD 882C; RTCA Standard DO178B for avionics software; and the Australian Defence Standard Def (Aust) 5679.
Real-Time Simulation as a New Tool in Future Advanced Aerospace Project Design and Manufacturing Processes

Conceptualisation and subsequent validation are essential for future aerospace vehicle design. In this process, theoretical analysis is often constrained imposed by numerical and physical experimentation limitations. This is where the incorporation of flight and other simulation packages as new tools of real-time investigation, for determining design drivers, estimating flight performance, likely operational scenarios and manufacturing strategies can become so useful. For the past few years, we have been exploring the effectiveness of this new tool at the University of New South Wales. The results appear to be highly promising. In this paper, we outline the various stages of the methodology and demonstrate through a test case how the simulation activity can be implemented in the overall design process. It appears that the incorporation of simulation into the design process has the prospect of ushering in a new era for future advanced project aerospace design that will find application far beyond aerospace industries.
Probabilistic seismic demand analysis using advanced ground motion intensity measures

One of the objectives in performance‐based earthquake engineering is to quantify the seismic reliability of a structure at a site. For that purpose, probabilistic seismic demand analysis (PSDA) is used as a tool to estimate the mean annual frequency of exceeding a specified value of a structural demand parameter (e.g. interstorey drift). This paper compares and contrasts the use, in PSDA, of certain advanced scalar versus vector and conventional scalar ground motion intensity measures (IMs). One of the benefits of using a well‐chosen IM is that more accurate evaluations of seismic performance are achieved without the need to perform detailed ground motion record selection for the nonlinear dynamic structural analyses involved in PSDA (e.g. record selection with respect to seismic parameters such as earthquake magnitude, source‐to‐site distance, and ground motion epsilon). For structural demands that are dominated by a first mode of vibration, using inelastic spectral displacement (Sdi) can be advantageous relative to the conventionally used elastic spectral acceleration (Sa) and the vector IM consisting of Sa and epsilon (ε). This paper demonstrates that this is true for ordinary and for near‐source pulse‐like earthquake records. The latter ground motions cannot be adequately characterized by either Sa alone or the vector of Sa and ε. For structural demands with significant higher‐mode contributions (under either of the two types of ground motions), even Sdi (alone) is not sufficient, so an advanced scalar IM that additionally incorporates higher modes is used. Published in 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Discipline-Based Education Research: Understanding and Improving Learning in Undergraduate Science and Engineering.

Engineering education research (EER) has been on the fast track since 2004 with an exponential rise in the number of Ph.D.s awarded and the establishment of new programs, even entire EER departments. The National Research Council’s Discipline-Based Education Research (DBER) report (National Research Council, 2012) captures the state-of-the-art advances in our understanding of engineering and science student learning and highlights commonalities with other science-based education research programs. The DBER report is the consensus analysis of experts in undergraduate education research in physics, chemistry, biology, geosciences, astronomy, and engineering. The study committee, chaired by Susan Singer, also included higher education researchers, learning scientists, and cognitive psychologists. A central aspect of the DBER report is the focus on and application of research in the education, learning, and social-behavioral sciences to science and engineering curricula design and teaching methods. Froyd, Wankat, and Smith (2012) identified five major shifts in engineering education in the past 100 years: 1. A shift from hands-on and practical emphasis to engineering science and analytical emphasis 2. A shift to outcomes-based education and accreditation 3. A shift to emphasizing engineering design 4. A shift to applying education, learning, and social-behavioral sciences research 5. A shift to integrating information, computational, and communications technology in education
Experiences of implementing ISO 9000 in Swedish industry

In recent years, work to implement the ISO 9000 standard has been intensified in Swedish industry. A rapidly growing number of companies in various industries and lines of business have already been certified or are working towards certification. This situation is very interesting from the point of view of research, as it provides the opportunity to make observations in companies where the work towards change has been going on for a couple of years, at the same time as this work can be studied within new lines of business from the start. Recently, extensive research has been carried out regarding experiences of implementing of ISO 9000 in Swedish industry. Reports the results of this research. In an explorative phase, generates different research questions. Descriptive studies were then made based on these results. In addition, longitudinal in‐depth studies focusing on the management of change and based on case studies were carried out in this phase. In all, more than 50 per cent of the Swedish ISO 9000 companies certified in 1993 were investigated. Shows the most common reasons for certification, the positive and negative effects and the companies’ experiences of certification. On the basis of these results, and on earlier known models of change work, draws normative conclusions with implications for more efficient management of change.
Aerotaxis and aerokinesis of Dictyostelium discoideum under hypoxic microenvironments

Although spatiotemporal changes of oxygen in a microenvironment are known to affect the cellular dynamics of various eukaryotes, the details are not fully understood. Here, we describe the aerotaxis and aerokinesis of Dictyostelium discoideum (Dd), which has long been employed as a model organism for eukaryotic cells. We developed a microfluidic device capable of time-lapse observation of cultured cells while controlling oxygen concentrations in microchannels. Migratory behaviors of Dd were observed and quantitatively evaluated under an oxygen concentration gradient from 0% to 21% O2, as well as in various uniform oxygen conditions. In a hypoxic region within the oxygen concentration gradient, Dd migrated toward regions of higher oxygen concentration at increased velocity, which was independent of cell density. Observed under uniform oxygen concentrations of 1%, 2%, 3%, and 21%, the migration velocity of Dd increased significantly in hypoxic environments of 2% O2 or less. Thus, Dd shows aerotaxis, directed by the oxygen concentration gradient, and simultaneously shows aerokinesis, changing the migration velocity according to the oxygen concentration itself.
Lineage-tracing and translatomic analysis of damage-inducible mitotic cochlear progenitors identifies candidate genes regulating regeneration

Cochlear supporting cells (SCs) are glia-like cells critical for hearing function. In the neonatal cochlea, the greater epithelial ridge (GER) is a mitotically quiescent and transient organ, which has been shown to nonmitotically regenerate SCs. Here, we ablated Lgr5+ SCs using Lgr5-DTR mice and found mitotic regeneration of SCs by GER cells in vivo. With lineage tracing, we show that the GER houses progenitor cells that robustly divide and migrate into the organ of Corti to replenish ablated SCs. Regenerated SCs display coordinated calcium transients, markers of the SC subtype inner phalangeal cells, and survive in the mature cochlea. Via RiboTag, RNA-sequencing, and gene clustering algorithms, we reveal 11 distinct gene clusters comprising markers of the quiescent and damaged GER, and damage-responsive genes driving cell migration and mitotic regeneration. Together, our study characterizes GER cells as mitotic progenitors with regenerative potential and unveils their quiescent and damaged translatomes.
The Adoption of E-Auction in Indonesia: The Extended Technology Acceptance Model Study

In Indonesia, e-commerce generally associated with online shop. However, e-commerce’s scope is bigger than just online shops; there are various other business/transaction forms that existed. Electronic auction or e-auction is one of the major online transaction forms (Huang & Dai, 2006). Nevertheless, some e-auction companies that entered Indonesia is struggling to penetrate Indonesia market (Cosseboom, 2014). This present study focused on the impact of extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) constructs (trust, enjoyment, perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness) (Davis, 1989; Pavlou, 2003; Childers et al., 2001) and the antecedent constructs (security, time consumption, economic gain, and playfulness) in shaping Indonesian Consumers’ attitude in the adoption of e-auction. To collect the data, simple random sampling method was employed. An online survey spread to the e-mail subscribers in an e-auction website, a total of 228 usable responses were obtained. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) used to assess the measurement model, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) used to test the hypotheses. Result indicated that Security, Economic Gain, and Playfulness have significant positive impact to extended TAM constructs, while time Consumption has negative, but insignificant impact to extended TAM constructs. In addition, all extended TAM constructs have significant positive impact toward attitude in using e-auction. Keywords: E-Auction; Attitude; Confirmatory Factor Analysis; Structural Equation Modeling; and Technology Acceptance Model
Variation in vertebrae shape across small‐bodied newts reveals functional and developmental constraints acting upon the trunk region

The salamander vertebral column is largely undifferentiated with a series of more or less uniform rib‐bearing presacral vertebrae traditionally designated as the trunk region. We explored regionalization of the salamander trunk in seven species and two subspecies of the salamander genus Lissotriton by the combination of microcomputed tomography scanning and geometric morphometrics. The detailed information on trunk vertebral shape was subjected to a multidimensional cluster analysis and a phenotypic trajectory analysis. With these complementary approaches, we observed a clear morphological regionalization. Clustering analysis showed that the anterior trunk vertebrae (T1 and T2) have distinct morphologies that are shared by all taxa, whereas the subsequent, more posterior vertebrae show significant disparity between species. The phenotypic trajectory analysis revealed that all taxa share a common pattern and amount of shape change along the trunk region. Altogether, our results support the hypothesis of a conserved anterior‐posterior developmental patterning which can be associated with different functional demands, reflecting (sub)species’ and, possibly, regional ecological divergences within species.
Alternative splicing modulation mediated by G-quadruplex structures in MALAT1 lncRNA

Abstract MALAT1, an abundant lncRNA specifically localized to nuclear speckles, regulates alternative-splicing (AS). The molecular basis of its role in AS remains poorly understood. Here, we report three conserved, thermodynamically stable, parallel RNA-G-quadruplexes (rG4s) present in the 3′ region of MALAT1 which regulates this function. Using rG4 domain-specific RNA-pull-down followed by mass-spectrometry, RNA-immuno-precipitation, and imaging, we demonstrate the rG4 dependent localization of Nucleolin (NCL) and Nucleophosmin (NPM) to nuclear speckles. Specific G-to-A mutations that abolish rG4 structures, result in the localization loss of both the proteins from speckles. Functionally, disruption of rG4 in MALAT1 phenocopies NCL knockdown resulting in altered pre-mRNA splicing of endogenous genes. These results reveal a central role of rG4s within the 3′ region of MALAT1 orchestrating AS.
Streamlined Whole-Genome Sequencing of Mumps Virus for High-Resolution Outbreak Analysis

Since 2015, the United States has experienced a resurgence in the number of mumps cases and outbreaks in fully vaccinated populations. These outbreaks have occurred predominantly in close-quarter settings, such as camps, colleges, and detention centers. ABSTRACT Since 2015, the United States has experienced a resurgence in the number of mumps cases and outbreaks in fully vaccinated populations. These outbreaks have occurred predominantly in close-quarter settings, such as camps, colleges, and detention centers. Phylogenetic analysis of 758 mumps-positive samples from outbreaks across the United States identified 743 (98%) as genotype G based on sequence analysis of the mumps small hydrophobic (SH) gene. Additionally, SH sequences in the genotype G samples showed almost no sequence diversity, with 675 (91%) of them having identical sequences or only one nucleotide difference. This uniformity of circulating genotype and strain created complications for epidemiologic investigations and necessitated the development of a system for rapidly generating mumps whole-genome sequences for more detailed analysis. In this study, we report a novel and streamlined assay for whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of mumps virus genotype G. The WGS procedure successfully generated 318 high-quality WGS sequences on nucleic acid from genotype G-positive respiratory samples collected during several mumps outbreaks in the United States between 2016 and 2019. Sequencing was performed by a rapid and highly sensitive custom Ion AmpliSeq mumps genotype G panel, with sample preparation performed on an Ion Chef and sequencing on an Ion S5. The WGS data generated by the AmpliSeq panel provided enhanced genomic resolution for epidemiological outbreak investigations. Translation and protein sequence analysis also identified several potentially important epitope changes in the circulating mumps genotype G strains compared to the Jeryl-Lynn strain (JL5) used in vaccines in the United States, which could explain the current level of vaccine escapes.
Oral Sylvatic Plague Vaccine Does Not Adequately Protect Prairie Dogs (Cynomys spp.) for Endangered Black-Footed Ferret (Mustela nigripes) Conservation

The plague bacterium Yersinia pestis is lethal to endangered black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes, BFF) and the prairie dogs (Cynomys spp., PD) on which they depend for habitat and prey. We assessed the effectiveness of an oral sylvatic plague vaccine delivered in baits to black-tailed PD (Cynomys ludovicianus, BTPD) from 2013 to 2017 on the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge (CMR) in northcentral Montana. We permanently marked BTPD on four paired vaccine (N = 1,349 individuals) and placebo plots (N = 926; 7,027 total captures). We analyzed capture–recapture data under a Cormack–Jolly–Seber model to estimate annual apparent survival. Overall, survival averaged 0.05 lower on vaccine plots than on paired placebo plots. Immediately before noticeable die-offs and detecting plague on pairs CMR1 and CMR2, 89% of BTPD sampled on vaccine plots had consumed at least one bait and the immune systems of 40% were likely boosted by consuming baits over multiple years. Survival to the following year was 0.16 and 0.05 on the vaccine plots and 0.19 and 0.06 on the placebo plots for pairs CMR1 and CMR2, respectively. These rates were markedly lower than 0.63, the overall average estimate on those same plots during the previous 3 years. PD populations subjected to such large die-offs would not be expected to sustain a BFF population. An overriding limitation to achieving sufficient protection rests with vaccine delivery constraints. Late summer/fall bait distribution results in the highest bait uptake rates. However, the PD birth pulse each spring can double the size of populations in most years, greatly reducing the proportion of vaccinates in populations and diminishing potential herd immunity benefits. In addition to nonvaccinated juveniles and PD that do not consume bait, incomplete vaccine protection and time required for immunity to develop leaves a large majority of PD populations vulnerable to plague for 6–7 months or more each year.
eIF4E‐homologous protein (4EHP): a multifarious cap‐binding protein

The cap‐binding protein 4EHP/eIF4E2 has been a recent object of interest in the field of post‐transcriptional gene regulation and translational control. From ribosome‐associated quality control, to RNA decay and microRNA‐mediated gene silencing, this member of the eIF4E protein family regulates gene expression through numerous pathways. Low in abundance but ubiquitously expressed, 4EHP interacts with different binding partners to form multiple protein complexes that regulate translation in a variety of biological contexts. Documented functions of 4EHP primarily relate to its role as a translational repressor, but recent findings indicate that it might also participate in the activation of translation in specific settings. In this review, we discuss the known functions, properties and mechanisms that involve 4EHP in the control of gene expression. We also discuss our current understanding of how 4EHP processes are regulated in eukaryotic cells, and the diseases implicated with dysregulation of 4EHP‐mediated translational control.
Prediction of Reliability of an Arbitrary System from a Finite Population

ABSTRACT When analyzing single-use nonrepairable systems that degrade over time, summaries of reliability as a function of age often are naturally formulated for individual systems to answer the question “For a given system of a particular age, what is its reliability with its associated uncertainty? ” However, in other cases, the natural summary of interest is to predict the probability that an arbitrary system randomly selected from the population works. This second question is a function of both the probability of individual systems working at their given ages as well as the demographics of the population of interest. In this article we discuss the relevance of both these questions for two applications, describe a method for predicting population reliability, and illustrate how the second summary can be efficiently obtained from individual reliability estimates for analyses based on the Probit and Weibull models.
Individualization of exosuit assistance based on measured muscle dynamics during versatile walking

Description An ankle exosuit tuned to the measured muscle dynamics of the user during multiple walking tasks improves energy economy. Variability in human walking depends on individual physiology, environment, and walking task. Consequently, in the field of wearable robotics, there is a clear need for customizing assistance to the user and task. Here, we developed a muscle-based assistance (MBA) strategy wherein exosuit assistance was derived from direct measurements of individuals’ muscle dynamics during specific tasks. We recorded individuals’ soleus muscle dynamics using ultrasonographic imaging during multiple walking speeds and inclines. From these prerecorded images, we estimated the force produced by the soleus through inefficient concentric contraction and designed the exosuit assistance profile to be proportional to that estimated force. We evaluated this approach with a bilateral ankle exosuit at each measured walking task. Compared with not wearing a device, the MBA ankle exosuit significantly reduced metabolic demand by an average of 15.9, 9.7, and 8.9% for level walking at 1.25, 1.5, and 1.75 meters second−1, respectively, and 7.8% at 1.25 meters second−1 at 5.71° incline while applying lower assistance levels than in existing literature. In an additional study (n = 2), we showed for multiple walking tasks that the MBA profile outperforms other bioinspired strategies and the average profile from a previous optimization study. Last, we show the feasibility of online assistance generation in a mobile version for overground outdoor walking. This muscle-based approach enables relatively rapid (~10 seconds) generation of individualized low-force assistance profiles that provide metabolic benefit. This approach may help support the adoption of wearable robotics in real-world, dynamic locomotor tasks by enabling comfortable, tailored, and adaptive assistance.
The Study on Electric Power Equipment Reliability Analysis Using Statistical Method

This paper gives an overview of selected statistical methods and models commonly used in reliability engineering. The purpose of this paper is to discuss several concepts commonly applied in the analysis of equipment performance and, in particular, in predicting the remaining life of power equipment. Parametric methods are well suited for the prediction of the end of life of electric power equipment. However, care must be taken in selecting appropriate model since vastly different results can be obtained with different models fitted into the same data. Nonparametric methods are useful only when no suitable probability distribution can be fitted into the data set.
Don’t Be Too Political: Depoliticization, Sexual Orientation, and Undergraduate STEM Major Persistence

ABSTRACT Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) students persist in STEM majors at a lower rate than their heterosexual peers. This study posits that heteronormativity, as an instance of depoliticization in STEM affecting LGBQ students, could be a primary contributing factor. Using national, longitudinal data from the Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) at UCLA, this study tested LGBQ-related college experiences to determine if they help explain the retention gap between LGBQ STEM students and their heterosexual peers. Through multilevel regression modeling, we found that LGBQ status is not a significant predictor of retention in STEM after controlling for LGBQ-related experiences. The results suggest that LGBQ-related and other politicized experiences predict lower retention in STEM for heterosexual students, meaning a culture of depoliticization in STEM may be detrimental to more students than those in minoritized social identity groups.