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With the widespread development of automated driving systems (ADS), it is imperative that standardized testing methodologies be developed to assure safety and functionality. Scenario testing evaluates the behavior of an ADS-equipped subject vehicle (SV) in predefined driving scenarios. This paper compares four modes of performing such tests: closed-course testing with real actors, closed-course testing with surrogate actors, simulation testing, and closed-course testing with mixed reality. In a collaboration between the Waterloo Intelligent Systems Engineering (WISE) Lab and AAA, six automated driving scenario tests were executed on a closed course, in simulation, and in mixed reality. These tests involved the University of Waterloo’s automated vehicle, dubbed the “UW Moose”, as the SV, as well as pedestrians, other vehicles, and road debris. Drawing on both data and the experience gained from executing these test scenarios, the paper reports on the advantages and disadvantages of the four scenario testing modes, and compares them using eight criteria. It also identifies several possible implementations of mixed-reality scenario testing, including different strategies for data mixing. The paper closes with twelve recommendations for choosing among the four modes.

We present a new approach to automated scenario-based testing of the safety of autonomous vehicles, especially those using advanced artificial intelligence-based components, spanning both simulation-based evaluation as well as testing in the real world. Our approach is based on formal methods, combining formal specification of scenarios and safety properties, algorithmic test case generation using formal simulation, test case selection for track testing, executing test cases on the track, and analyzing the resulting data. Experiments with a real autonomous vehicle at an industrial testing facility support our hypotheses that (i) formal simulation can be effective at identifying test cases to run on the track, and (ii) the gap between simulated and real worlds can be systematically evaluated and bridged.

Malaria is a major public health concern, causing significant morbidity and mortality globally. Monitoring the local population density and diversity of the vectors transmitting malaria is critical to implementing targeted control strategies. However, the current manual identification of mosquitoes is a time-consuming and intensive task, posing challenges in low-resource areas like sub-Saharan Africa; in addition, existing automated identification methods lack scalability, mobile deployability, and field-test validity. To address these bottlenecks, a mosquito image database with fresh wild-caught specimens using basic smartphones is introduced, and we present a novel CNN-based architecture, VectorBrain, designed for identifying the species, sex, and abdomen status of a mosquito concurrently while being efficient and lightweight in computation and size. Overall, our proposed approach achieves 94.44±2% accuracy with a macro-averaged F1 score of 94.10±2% for the species classification, 97.66±1% accuracy with a macro-averaged F1 score of 96.17±1% for the sex classification, and 82.20±3.1% accuracy with a macro-averaged F1 score of 81.17±3% for the abdominal status classification. VectorBrain running on local mobile devices, paired with a low-cost handheld imaging tool, is promising in transforming the mosquito vector surveillance programs by reducing the burden of expertise required and facilitating timely response based on accurate monitoring.

For hard-to-cut materials and composites abrasive water jet machine (AWJM) has been identified as a lucrative and competent material removal technique, in which a high-speed jet of abrasive and water strikes the workpiece surface to erode the desired material. In this paper, the influence of key input parameters (water pressure, standoff distance, traverse rate and abrasive mass flow rate) on responses such as surface roughness (R a ), kerf taper (K t ), and maximum delamination length (Max. DLL) of machined specimen during AWJM of glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite is examined through experimental investigations. Response surface methodology (RSM) based central composite design (CCD) approach and Taguchi design based L 16 orthogonal array is used for experimentation. Moreover, a hybrid approach of RSM-Desirability and Taguchi Methodology-Grey Relational Analysis (TM-GRA) are used for Multi-response optimization (MRO) and their results are compared for evaluation of process parameters of AWJM on GFRP. Confirmation tests are carried out to validate the experimental results, and they showed that using the RSM-Desirability approach, at the optimum level of parameters, the percentage errors for R a , K t , and Max. DLL have been less than 6.312%, 7.229%, and 6.78%, respectively. As per the results R a , K t and Max. DLL improves by 12.6%, 14.4% and 73.6% respectively by using RSM-Desirability approach as compared to TM-GRA. The microscopic features of optimally machined surfaces are investigated using the scanning electron microscope (SEM).

This work presents a performance analysis of III-V Tunnel FETs (TFETs) for low voltage and low power analog circuit design. Resistive load differential amplifier, OTA, and Telescopic OTA parameters are compared in the subthreshold region of operation for the same device dimensions and current. Analog performance parameters are better in III-V TFETs compared to FinFETs. Specifically, a better gain and bandwidth range can be achieved in heterojunction TFETs in the supply voltage range (V DD ) of 450 mV - 850 mV. In addition, the homojunction TFET exhibits good performance for V DD  < 400 mV. We observe that FinFETs outperform for V DD  > 850 mV. The gain for homojunction III-V TFETs OTA is ten times and for heterojunction, it is four times as of FinFETs for 250 mV. The gain for homojunction III-V TFETs OTA is approximately the same and for heterojunction, it is two times higher as of FinFETs for 450 mV. The gain for homojunction III-V TFETs OTA is lower than as of FinFETs and for heterojunction, it is 1.2 times higher than that of FinFETs for 850 mV. The current mirror circuits using III-V TFETs provide accuracy in mirroring, high output resistance, and low power performance compared to FinFETs. Similarly, the track and hold circuit using III-V TFETs shows a better Signal to Noise Ratio, Effective Numbers of Bits, spurious-free Dynamic Range, Total Harmonic Distortion etc., than FinFETs for low voltages.

Purpose The aim of this study is to describe and compare the baseline demographic, ocular, and imaging characteristics of a cohort of patients with optic disc pit (ODP) or optic disc coloboma (ODC) maculopathy. Methods This retrospective study included patients diagnosed with ODP or ODC on clinical examination between June 2017 and December 2022. These patients’ baseline demographics, ocular characteristics, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging characteristics were analyzed. Results Fundus examination revealed 11 eyes of 11 patients with ODP and 14 eyes of 9 patients with ODC, respectively. On OCT, maculopathy was observed more frequently in ODP (n = 10) than in ODC (n = 4) [p = 0.004] cases. Eyes with ODP were more likely to exhibit retinoschisis and/or serous macular detachment [SMD] (n = 7, 70%), communication of the retinoschisis with the optic disc (p = 0.015), whereas the SMD did not communicate with the optic disc (p = 0.005), and significant outer retinal layer thinning (p = 0.015). In contrast, eyes with ODC exhibited only SMD (p = 0.005) and no retinoschisis on the non-colobomatous retina. SMD in ODC communicated with the margin of the optic disc. In both clinical entities, hyperreflective foci were observed in the SMD. Conclusion In summary, baseline maculopathy characteristics on OCT, including its type, location, and relationship to the optic disc, are among the most distinguishing characteristics between an ODP and an ODC. Trial Registration Number Not applicable.

Purpose To describe the development and outcome of mid-phase pinpoint hyperfluorescent spots (MPHS) on fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) in acute (< 7-day symptom onset) central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) patients. Methods This retrospective study included acute CRAO patients who underwent multimodal imaging utilizing optical coherence tomography (OCT) and FFA between June 2017 and January 2023. The correlation of FFA images with the OCT images in various stages and severity of CRAO were studied. Results Twenty-three FFA studies on 23 patients with acute CRAO were included. In 11 (48%) cases, an important finding noted on FFA was the presence of single or multiple MPHS with adjacent minimal late vascular leakage. Of these 11 cases, eight (73%) were males and median age was 41 years (inter quartile range: 33–55 years). Visual acuity ranged from ‘light perception’ to 6/18, and these patients presented anytime on the same day to seven days after symptom onset. On OCT, three eyes had severe CRAO, seven eyes had moderate CRAO, and one eye had mild CRAO. MPHS were primarily observed at the posterior pole and more frequently observed in moderate CRAO severity. During follow-up, the MPHS and retinal vessel staining on FFA disappeared as the CRAO showed signs of resolution. Conclusion MPHS at the posterior pole on FFA in acute CRAO patients could indicate a more severe occlusion and poor visual outcomes, even after treatment. This finding is most likely caused by red blood cell aggregation or rouleaux formation. Trial registration number Not applicable.

Accidental awareness under general anesthesia (AAGA) is a well-known phenomenon. However, little literature exists in its relation to the psychiatric field, particularly within the electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) setting. This report explores the case of a 52-year-old woman that describes her own experience of AAGA during ECT. Relevant anesthetic details are also provided along with its possible implications in AAGA. The aim of this case report is to increase awareness among clinicians in regard to AAGA and its occurrence during ECT.

Introduction There is a need to assess and strengthen reproductive rights-based family planning and abortion services in Indian medical schools that play a key role in medical education and service delivery. This study presents the findings of baseline assessment across nine schools in two states and one union territory with objective to assess, identify the gaps and improve the status of reproductive rights and evidence-based family planning and abortion services in Indian medical schools. Methods A convergent parallel mixed methods study was conducted in nine medical schools in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Chandigarh a Union territory in India from October 2018 to June 2019. In-depth interviews with 33 faculty from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology were conducted. The COM-B (Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation) model of behaviours was used to qualitatively identify barriers and facilitators of reproductive rights-based family planning and abortion services. Reproductive health services provided to 104 women for family planning and abortion were observed quantitatively using a pre-tested checklist. Findings Providers’ preference bias in recommending contraceptive methods to specific clients (wherein sterilisation was offered to women with two or more children and IUCD to women with one child) was observed as barrier to reproductive rights. The facilitators of rights based reproductive services included well-informed faculty regarding providing dignified and respectful care. Barriers included infrastructure gaps, high workload, insufficient human resources affecting privacy, and lower awareness and decision-making power of clients. Family planning counselling using the cafeteria approach was offered in 69.4% of cases, 31.6% of women seeking abortion services were offered counselling on both family planning and abortion. Sterilisation or IUD insertion was a pre-condition in 36.8% of women requesting an abortion. Conclusions Right-based reproductive services around family planning counselling and abortion services were delivered partially despite the medical schools’ trained faculty, mainly due to provider bias, high workload, and less autonomy and lower awareness of reproductive rights among women.

The study was performed to identify the important bacterial pathogens responsible for wound infections secondary to snakebite and to determine their antimicrobial susceptibility. All cases of wound infection secondary to snakebite were included in this retrospective study. Infected tissues were surgically debrided and inoculated on blood agar and MacConkey agar for aerobic bacterial culture, followed by antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the isolates by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Staphylococcus aureus (32%) was the most common isolate followed by Escherichia coli (15%); monomicrobial infections were more frequent than polymicrobial infections. The majority of the isolates were antibiotic sensitive. Ciprofloxacin, an oral drug covering both Gram-positive and Gram-negative isolates, was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic. The patients responded well to the treatment. The results of this study will be helpful in deciding the empirical antibiotic therapy in cases of wound infection secondary to snakebite in regions of Southeast Asia.