Set Of Tools Research Articles

THE RESILIENCE OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND VITAL FUNCTIONS AND SERVICES: THE FORMALIZATION OF THE TASKS AND CONTENT OF STAKEHOLDER’S ACTIONS

In the article, the author analyzes the content and tasks of activity to implement the concept of resilience. The article begins with a short overview of the theoretical background of the resilience concept and examines legislation on national resilience recently approved in several countries. The author then demonstrates the relevance of the research regarding the resilience of life-supporting vital functions and services and of critical infrastructure under Ukrainian law. The main tasks and challenges of stakeholders in a certain domain of regulation are outlined, along with an approach to rationalize the content of activities. Next, examples of typical response measures by stages of the crisis response cycle to ensure resilience of certain areas of regulation are given. Ukraine’s response to power supply disruptions due to the destruction of the energy infrastructure by Russia in autumn-winter of 2022–2023 are summarized. The author provides a conceptual model for the formalization of objectives, goal setting and development of regulatory tools to ensure the resilience of vital functions and services and functioning of critical infrastructure. This model is extended with a description of the approach for designing the target parameters of response measures and for determining the necessary and possible levels of performance of critical infrastructure or/and vital services within the goals of the area of regulation in focus. This includes an example of the usage of the model developed to justify measures for ensuring continuity of power supply to communities. The author then proposes principles to determine the actors responsible for resilience planning at different levels of governance. He demonstrates the differences in the remit and authorities of various participants and the need to develop a separate formal tool, which prescribes the activities of all participants involved in ensuring community resilience. Finally, the author outlines a proposed structure and content of community resilience plans.

Directed self-assembly software for single cell deposition.

Laser direct-write (LDW) bioprinting methods offer a diverse set of tools to design experiments, fabricate tissue constructs and to cellular microenvironments all in a CAD/CAM manner. To date, we have just scratched the surface of the system’s potential and for LDW to be utilized to its fullest, there are many distinct hardware and software components that must be integrated and communicate seamlessly. In this perspective article, we detail the development of novel graphical user interface (GUI) software to improve LDW capability and functionality. The main modules in the control software correspond to cell transfer, microbead fabrication, and micromachining. The modules make the control of each of these features, and the management of printing programs that utilize one or more features, to be facile. The software also addresses problems related to construct scale-up, print speed, experimental conditions, and management of sensor data. The control software and possibilities for integrated sensor data are presented.

Process evaluation of comprehensive sexuality education programme in Zambia: a focus on contextual factors, mechanisms of impact, quality of development and implementation process

BackgroundComprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is critical in addressing negative sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes among adolescents. Yet in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) including Zambia, little is known about the impact, realities of CSE implementation, the quality of teaching and the comprehensiveness of the content covered.MethodsOur approach was informed by a process evaluation incorporating recommendations by the European Expert Group guidance on evaluating sexuality education programmes and the Medical Research Council (MRC) guidelines on process evaluation. The development process and quality of CSE implementation were assessed using eight and six quality criteria respectively. In-depth interviews (IDIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), document analysis and classroom observation were employed to assess contextual factors, implementation process and mechanisms of impact of CSE. In-depth interviews (50) and focus group discussions (2) with seven pupils in each group were conducted among 64 purposefully selected participants. The sample comprised pupils (35), parents (4) and teachers (17) from nine secondary schools (four peri-urban, four urban and one rural), policymakers (4), and religious leaders (4). We employed deductive content analysis to analyse the data.ResultsContextual factors that influenced the implementation of CSE included: (1) piecemeal funding for the CSE programme; (2) lack of monitoring programmes in schools; (3) lack of community engagement; (4) religious and socio-cultural barriers; (5) lack of skills and competency to teach CSE; and (6) insufficient time allocation for CSE. The assessment of the quality of the development of CSE revealed: (1) a lack of sexual diversity; (2) no meaningful participation of pupils in programme implementation; (3) a lack of stakeholder engagement during programme implementation; (4) lack of gender sensitivity; and (5) lack of human rights approach. Assessment of the quality of the implementation of CSE revealed: (1) no evidence of skill-based CSE teaching; (2) no linkage between CSE and SRH services in the communities; and (3) a lack of incorporation of multiple delivery methods during CSE teaching. The mechanisms of impact of CSE were related to the acceptability and positive changes in pupils’ SRH practices.ConclusionThe complex influences of contextual factors during CSE implementation highlight the need for contextual analysis during the interventional design. Co-creation of the CSE programme through stakeholder participation could reduce social opposition and enable a culturally sensitive CSE. Comprehensive teacher training, a guiding curriculum as well as setting of appropriate monitoring tools and indicators are likely to enhance the quality of CSE implementation.

Assembly procedure and tooling development plan for in-situ winding of ITER in-vessel vertical stability coils

The ITER in-vessel Vertical Stabilization (VS) coils, composed by the upper and lower VS coils, are designed to provide fast vertical stabilization of the plasma through a fast-current noise profile to compensate small plasma oscillations and to recover vertical displacement events.The VS coils are made by 4 continuous turns of Mineral Insulated Conductor (MIC) joined by Inconel ® 625 welded brackets, installed on rails on the inner wall of ITER Vacuum Vessel (VV). Thus, the coil turns winding/forming and the entire coils assembly have to be performed inside ITER VV, forcing the assembly procedure and tooling design to cope with the very limited space and strict constraints of ITER VV environment. The proposed procedure foresees that MIC conductor is un-spooled in the Neutral Beam (NB) port area and inserted into the ITER VV through a NB equatorial port, then a set of tooling is installed on a reinforced staging platform to wind, form and seal the conductor turns and finally to weld brackets under pre-compression. For this purpose, the tooling design including the reinforcement staging has been developed to meet the required tooling function, configuration optimization, assembly procedure and environmental constraints. The dedicated tools to be used for the assembly procedure of the VS coils are categorized into ex-vessel tools for unspooling and cleaning, in-vessel tools for winding and bump forming, bracket assembly tools for pre-compression and welding, termination and sealing tools, ancillary lifting tools and reinforcement staging platforms. This paper provides the overall assembly procedure and tooling development for the in-situ winding of VS coils.

Expanding the Drosophila toolkit for dual control of gene expression.

The ability to independently control gene expression in two different tissues in the same animal is emerging as a major need, especially in the context of inter-organ communication studies. This type of study is made possible by technologies combining the GAL4/UAS and a second binary expression system such as the LexA system or QF system. Here, we describe a resource of reagents that facilitate combined use of the GAL4/UAS and a second binary system in various Drosophila tissues. Focusing on genes with well-characterized GAL4 expression patterns, we generated a set of more than 40 LexA-GAD and QF2 insertions by CRISPR knock-in and verified their tissue specificity in larvae. We also built constructs that encode QF2 and LexA-GAD transcription factors in a single vector. Following successful integration of this construct into the fly genome, FLP/FRT recombination is used to isolate fly lines that express only QF2 or LexA-GAD. Finally, using new compatible shRNA vectors, we evaluated both LexA and QF systems for in vivo gene knockdown and are generating a library of such RNAi fly lines as a community resource. Together, these LexA and QF system vectors and fly lines will provide a new set of tools for researchers who need to activate or repress two different genes in an orthogonal manner in the same animal.

Normalized Variational Auto-Encoder With the Adaptive Activation Function for Tool Setting in Ultraprecision Turning

Normalized Variational Auto-Encoder With the Adaptive Activation Function for Tool Setting in Ultraprecision Turning

Invisible, Unreadable, and Inaudible Cookie Notices: An Evaluation of Cookie Notices for Users with Visual Impairments

This article investigates the accessibility of cookie notices on websites for users with visual impairments (VI) via a set of system studies on top UK websites ( n =46) and a user study ( n =100). We use a set of methods and tools—including accessibility testing tools, text-only browsers, and screen readers—to perform our system studies. Our results demonstrate that the majority of cookie notices on these websites have some form of accessibility issue, including contrast issues, not having headings, and not being read aloud immediately when the page is loaded. We discuss how such practices impact the user experience and privacy and provide a set of recommendations for multiple stakeholders for more accessible websites and better privacy practices for users with VIs. To complement our technical contribution, we conduct a user study, finding that people with VIs generally have a negative view of cookie notices and believe our recommendations could help their online experience.

Selection of Tooling for Extrusion of Polyamide Hoses Using Process Capability Analysis

Objective: This research is a case study carried out in a polyamide hose factory located in Brazil. The research seeks to identify the best set of tools to be used in a polymer extruder in the manufacture of polyamide 11 hoses. Search with the set of tools seeking the best production quality, without dimensional variations and in a more stable way from the beginning. Methods: By visualizing the dimensions of the product and the dimensions of the tools. To achieve this, Minitab® software is used to analyze the capacity of the production process with three different combinations of tools. The three productions were carried out with modifications to the original set of tools, one with changing the former and the last with changing the pin and extrusion die. Results and conclusion: Process capacity analysis showed that the last combination, with a former with a smaller gap in relation to the hose and with a pin and die with smaller gaps than the initial set, was more efficient, producing a hose with fewer dimensional variations. Research implications: Process capability analysis proves to be useful in assisting engineers in the development of tools to produce thermoplastic hoses, reducing dimensional variations and product defects, generating savings in material, hours worked and costs. Originality/Value: Hoses are produced not only by the oil and gas sector, but also for other purposes such as hospital use, retail and civil construction. This study will help the production of thermoplastic hoses in any segment.

Data-Driven Multi-Objective Optimization Approach to Loaded Meshing Transmission Performances for Aerospace Spiral Bevel Gears.

Loaded meshing transmission performance optimization has been an increasingly significant target for the design and manufacturing of aerospace spiral bevel gears with low noise and high strength. An innovative data-driven multi-objective optimization (MOO) method is proposed for the loaded meshing transmission performances of aerospace spiral bevel gears. Data-driven tooth surface modeling is first used to obtain a curvature analysis of loaded contact points. An innovative numerical loaded tooth contact analysis (NLTCA) is applied to develop the data-driven relationships of machine tool settings with respect to loaded meshing transmission performance evaluations. Moreover, the MOO function is solved by using an achievement function approach to accurate machine tool settings output, satisfying the prescribed requirements. Finally, numerical examples are given to verify the proposed methodology. The presented approach can serve as a powerful tool to optimize the loaded meshing transmission performances with higher computational accuracy and efficiency than the conventional methods.

Stirling engine multi-objective optimization using a genetic algorithm

With the growing demand of energy globally, the actual worrying state of the earth’s finite resources, namely fossil fuels, opens up the scope of energy researches to innovative and efficient solutions. Stirling engine has been an interesting subject of study since its invention, and many studies dealt with Stirling engine efficiency with attempts to optimize it in order to have a proper use of the engine in the real world, depending on the use cases. Stirling engine is an external combustion engine with a theoretical efficiency equivalent to that of Carnot. Alongside the global awareness to use efficient and less resource consuming solutions, there has been a spiking growth in the set of tools that are conceived to achieve that; specifically in the machine learning area. Among the various available algorithms, the one used in the hereby study is the non-sorted genetic algorithm II, which falls into the genetic algorithms category. This algorithm is well suited for multi-objective optimization problems; it consists of selecting the best design parameters that are contained in predefined upper and lower bounds, based on multiple objective functions.

Informing climate-smart agriculture in low resource settings for practitioners: A review and analysis of interactive tools

Background Agricultural producers in developing countries are uniquely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and have the least ability to adapt. While there is a growing consensus that more financing and resources are needed to address these impacts, information on how to direct funding and support adaptation is dispersed and difficult to find. Agricultural development stakeholders and investors can leverage increasingly available data from a range of online sources to inform their climate smart agriculture investments, but it is not always clear which data tools are easily accessible and which can support different aspects of their programs. Methods This analysis aims to inform stakeholders how different tools can inform their climate smart investments. Hundreds of interactive tools were reviewed from multiple sources and a set of criteria was developed to simplify and elucidate the landscape of resources available that support adaptation and GHG mitigation for agricultural producers in low-income countries. The search strategy included a literature review, discussions with key stakeholders, and a review of existing databases of tools (e.g., NDC Partnership Toolbox). Results Ultimately 29 tools were identified and compared in terms of how they address both climate risk, adaptation, and mitigation. The data sources behind the tools were also compared, and illustrative user groups were identified. Many valuable, easy-to-use tools exist offering non-climate experts’ opportunities to gain insights into the relationship between climate and small-scale farming systems. However, the tools available are insufficient and should not be relied upon exclusively for informing investments. Conclusions This review provides a valuable resource for those looking to inform investments and programming in small-scale agriculture. This set of tools can provide insights that can be leveraged in various ways for a wide range of users, but they also have considerable limitations. This review can help users understand how these tools can be useful and the types of additional context-specific and local information that should be sought.

REDCapDM: An R package with a set of data management tools for a REDCap project

BackgroundResearch Electronic Data CAPture (REDCap) is a web application for creating and managing online surveys and databases. Clinical data management is an essential process before performing any statistical analysis to ensure the quality and reliability of study information. Processing REDCap data in R can be complex and often benefits from automation. While there are several R packages available for specific tasks, none offer an expansive approach to data management.ResultsThe REDCapDM is an R package for accessing and managing REDCap data. It imports data from REDCap to R using either an API connection or the files in R format exported directly from REDCap. It has several functions for data processing and transformation, and it helps to generate and manage queries to clarify or resolve discrepancies found in the data.ConclusionThe REDCapDM package is a valuable tool for data scientists and clinical data managers who use REDCap and R. It assists in tasks such as importing, processing, and quality-checking data from their research studies.

TEACHING LINEAR SCHEDULING THROUGH GAMIFIED ACTIVE EXPLORATION

Previous research convincingly demonstrates that incorporating active and collaborative instructional methods, along with effective strategies to foster student engagement, consistently yields improved learning outcomes. However, conventional educational programs in construction engineering and management are often inflexible, providing limited opportunities for students to actively participate in experiential learning that could contribute to firsthand experience and guide them in finding solutions. This study addresses this gap by developing and empirically evaluating an innovative gamified pedagogical approach aimed at teaching linear scheduling through guided active exploration within a digital gaming environment. The proposed approach and its associated game are grounded in constructivist learning theory. A scenario-based interactive game named Zebel was created using the Unity game engine. Employing a set of pre-and post-assessment tools, the proposed method was implemented and assessed in a graduate-level course on construction planning and scheduling to gather empirical data. The results indicate that the proposed pedagogy effectively guided students, even those without prior knowledge of linear scheduling, in discovering fundamental concepts and systematic solutions for the presented problems.

Semi-automated approaches for interrogating spatial heterogeneity of tissue samples

Tissues are spatially orchestrated ecosystems composed of heterogeneous cell populations and non-cellular elements. Tissue components’ interactions shape the biological processes that govern homeostasis and disease, thus comprehensive insights into tissues’ composition are crucial for understanding their biology. Recently, advancements in the spatial biology field enabled the in-depth analyses of tissue architecture at single-cell resolution, while preserving the structural context. The increasing number of biomarkers analyzed, together with whole tissue imaging, generate datasets approaching several hundreds of gigabytes in size, which are rich sources of valuable knowledge but require investments in infrastructure and resources for extracting quantitative information. The analysis of multiplex whole-tissue images requires extensive training and experience in data analysis. Here, we showcase how a set of open-source tools can allow semi-automated image data extraction to study the spatial composition of tissues with a focus on tumor microenvironment (TME). With the use of Lunaphore COMET platform, we interrogated lung cancer specimens where we examined the expression of 20 biomarkers. Subsequently, the tissue composition was interrogated using an in-house optimized nuclei detection algorithm followed by a newly developed image artifact exclusion approach. Thereafter, the data was processed using several publicly available tools, highlighting the compatibility of COMET-derived data with currently available image analysis frameworks. In summary, we showcased an innovative semi-automated workflow that highlights the ease of adoption of multiplex imaging to explore TME composition at single-cell resolution using a simple slide in, data out approach. Our workflow is easily transferrable to various cohorts of specimens to provide a toolset for spatial cellular dissection of the tissue composition.

ANALISIS VALIDITAS PENGEMBANGAN MODUL PEMBELAJARAN PENGELASAN SMAW BERBASIS PROYEK (PROJECT BASED LEARNING)

A teaching module is a set of tools, media, methods, instructions and learning guidelines that are prepared and planned to suit the student's development phase. The following research aims to examine the feasibility of a product from developing a project-based SMAW Welding Module (PjBl) for Mechanical Engineering Vocational Education students, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa University. This research was carried out using a quantitative approach. The following research is part of research and development using the Borg and Gall method, namely Develop Preliminary Form of Product Testing using the Expert Judgment validity test. The research results were analyzed descriptively quantitatively. The research results showed that the feasibility of the module content reached 87% in the very good and very feasible category, the feasibility of the learning presentation reached 92% in the very good and very appropriate category, the appropriateness of the language reached 89% and was in the very good and very feasible category and finally based on feasibility. Graphics reached 93% so it is included in the very good and very worthy category. Overall, the conclusion is drawn that the validity of the Project-based SMAW Welding Module (PjBl) is in the very good and very feasible category and can be continued to the Preliminary Field Testing stage.

Electromechanical enhancement of live jellyfish for ocean exploration.

The vast majority of the ocean's volume remains unexplored, in part because of limitations on the vertical range and measurement duration of existing robotic platforms. In light of the accelerating rate of climate change impacts on the physics and biogeochemistry of the ocean, the need for new tools that can measure more of the ocean on faster timescales is becoming pressing. Robotic platforms inspired or enabled by aquatic organisms have the potential to augment conventional technologies for ocean exploration. Recent work demonstrated the feasibility of directly stimulating the muscle tissue of live jellyfish via implanted microelectronics. We present a biohybrid robotic jellyfish that leverages this external electrical swimming control, while also using a 3D printed passive mechanical attachment to streamline the jellyfish shape, increase swimming performance, and significantly enhance payload capacity. A six-meter-tall, 13 600 l saltwater facility was constructed to enable testing of the vertical swimming capabilities of the biohybrid robotic jellyfish over distances exceeding 35 body diameters. We found that the combination of external swimming control and the addition of the mechanical forebody resulted in an increase in swimming speeds to 4.5 times natural jellyfish locomotion. Moreover, the biohybrid jellyfish were capable of carrying a payload volume up to 105% of the jellyfish body volume. The added payload decreased the intracycle acceleration of the biohybrid robots relative to natural jellyfish, which could also facilitate more precise measurements by onboard sensors that depend on consistent platform motion. While many robotic exploration tools are limited by cost, energy expenditure, and varying oceanic environmental conditions, this platform is inexpensive, highly efficient, and benefits from the widespread natural habitats of jellyfish. The demonstrated performance of these biohybrid robots suggests an opportunity to expand the set of robotic tools for comprehensive monitoring of the changing ocean.

Limited generalizability of multivariate brain-based dimensions of child psychiatric symptoms

Multivariate machine learning techniques are a promising set of tools for identifying complex brain-behavior associations. However, failure to replicate results from these methods across samples has hampered their clinical relevance. Here we aimed to delineate dimensions of brain functional connectivity that are associated with child psychiatric symptoms in two large and independent cohorts: the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study and the Generation R Study (total n = 6935). Using sparse canonical correlations analysis, we identified two brain-behavior dimensions in ABCD: attention problems and aggression/rule-breaking behaviors. Importantly, out-of-sample generalizability of these dimensions was consistently observed in ABCD, suggesting robust multivariate brain-behavior associations. Despite this, out-of-study generalizability in Generation R was limited. These results highlight that the degrees of generalizability can vary depending on the external validation methods employed as well as the datasets used, emphasizing that biomarkers will remain elusive until models generalize better in true external settings.

Transfusion of blood components in pediatric age groups: an evidence-based clinical practice guideline adapted for the use in Egypt using ‘Adapted ADAPTE’

Pediatric transfusion is a complex area of medicine covering a wide age range, from neonates to young adults. Compared to adult practice, there is a relative lack of high-quality research to inform evidence-based guidelines. We aimed to adapt the pre-existing high-quality practice guidelines for the transfusion of blood components in different pediatric age groups to be available for national use by general practitioners, pediatricians, and other health care professionals. The guideline panel included 17 key leaders from different Egyptian institutions. The panel used the Adapted ADAPTE methodology. The panel prioritized the health questions and recommendations according to their importance for clinicians and patients. The procedure included searching for existing guidelines, quality appraisal, and adaptation of the recommendations to the target context of use. The guideline covered all important aspects of the indications, dosing, and administration of packed red cells, platelets, and fresh frozen plasma. It also included transfusion in special situations, e.g., chronic hemolytic anemia and aplastic anemia, management of massive blood loss, malignancies, surgery, recommendations for safe transfusion practices, and recommendations for modifications of cellular blood components. The final version of the adapted clinical practice guideline (CPG) has been made after a thorough review by an external review panel and was guided by their official recommendations and modifications. A set of implementation tools included algorithms, tables, and flow charts to aid decision-making in practice. This adapted guideline serves as a tool for safe transfusion practices in different pediatric age groups.

Modified DNA-based Cryptography System in the Cloud: Deep Maxout-based Fined Tuned Key Generation

Cloud security is a set of practices and tools created to address both internal and external security threats to businesses. Organizations must have cloud security as they implement their digital transformation schemes and include cloud-based tools and services in their infrastructure. Cryptography is a mechanism for preventing illegal access to data. In this paper, modified DNA-based cryptography (MDNAC), which is defined as data hiding with respect to DNA sequence is used. The steps involved in the proposed MDNAC is: encryption and decryption with optimal key generation. A way of converting plain text into cipher text is known as encryption. Two components make up the encryption process: a key and an encryption algorithm. For the encryption algorithm, we employed a modified DNA algorithm. In the decryption phase, the reverse operation is performed to get the plain text from the cipher text. Moreover, a deep learning model is used for generating the keys; the model used is deep maxout. To ensure the appropriate key generation process, the weights of the deep maxout are optimally tuned by the new feedback assisted Archimedes optimization (FAAO) algorithm. Based on the generated keys, the encryption process takes place. Finally, the performance of MDNAC is evaluated using conventional methods with respect to different measures. Additionally, the MDNAC obtained a correlation value of 0.20297 for the mean case scenario, despite the fact that the corresponding values are 0.02%, 0.17%, 0.2%, 0.7%, 0.12%,0.41%, 0.86%, and 0.46% as compared to the other models such as FAT, AOA, BMO, COOT, BOA, SSO, WOA, and LES respectively.

Современная реализация натурфилософской концепции познания на основе эмпирико-метафизической общей теории систем

The article examines the relationship between philosophy and science, as well as the possible role of general systems theory in the formation of the field of consolidated philosophical and scientific knowledge. It is argued that the existing arguments concerning the incompatibility of philosophy with the criteria of scientificity only point to the existence of differences between philosophical knowledge and knowledge within the framework of private sciences. At the same time, philosophy is the methodological and paradigmatic basis of all sciences. It is suggested that it is expedient to return to the natural-philosophical concept of cognition, according to which the core of science is philosophy, and private sciences act as tools of cognition of separate subject areas. The methodological basis for the realization of the natural-philosophical concept today can be the general theory of systems, supplemented by the ontological component. In the article the idea of a common field of knowledge formed by philosophy and all private sciences is put forward. This field of cognition is formed by areas of three types: metaphysical knowledge, private sciences, and areas of generalized or universal knowledge, the cogni-tion of which can be carried out only by means of the general theory of systems. An extended version of the general theory of systems is proposed – the empirical-metaphysical general theory of systems, which, in the author’s opinion, possesses the necessary capabilities for the realization of philosophical cognition. The pro-posed general theory of systems includes an epistemological component (metaphysics of material being) as well as an ontological component. А cognition of complex non-deterministic objects within the framework of empirical-metaphysical general theory of systems is realized by a wide set of tools: collections of patterns and primitives of systems, secondary laws and properties of objects, evolutionary way of cognition and laws of evo-lutionary growth of complexity of systems, as well as methodology of formation of reliable knowledge.