Evaluating the Impact of Flaky Simulators on Testing Autonomous Driving Systems

Simulators are widely used to test Autonomous Driving Systems (ADS), but their potential flakiness can lead to inconsistent test results. We investigate test flakiness in simulation-based testing of ADS by addressing two key questions: (1) How do flaky ADS simulations impact automated testing that relies on randomized algorithms? and (2) Can machine learning (ML) effectively identify flaky ADS tests while decreasing the required number of test reruns? Our empirical results, obtained from two widely-used open-source ADS simulators and five diverse ADS test setups, show that test flakiness in ADS is a common occurrence and can significantly impact the test results obtained by randomized algorithms. Further, our ML classifiers effectively identify flaky ADS tests using only a single test run, achieving F1-scores of $85$%, $82$% and $96$% for three different ADS test setups. Our classifiers significantly outperform our non-ML baseline, which requires executing tests at least twice, by $31$%, $21$%, and $13$% in F1-score performance, respectively. We conclude with a discussion on the scope, implications and limitations of our study. We provide our complete replication package in a Github repository.Comment: Accepted for publication by Empirical Software Engineering Journal (EMSE) (in November 2023

Comparison of the Efficacy of Oral Simvastatin and Topical Simvastatin Solution in Decreasing Post-Laparotomy Adhesions in Rats

Background: Intra-abdominal adhesions and their complications occur frequently after laparotomy. The aim of this study was to compare oral versus intraperitoneal administration of simvastatin in decreasing postlaparotomy adhesions in rat.Methods: Thirty male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups of ten. All the rats underwent laparotomy and induction of adhesions using the method of Meso-Stitch approximation of injured cecum and abdominal wall. One group received oral simvastatin (40 mg/kg) daily during two weeks before the laparotomy. In the two other groups, 2 ml of solution of simvastatin (40 mg/kg) or distilled water (as placebo) was spilled into abdomen before closing abdominal wall, respectively. After 14 days, all the rats were put under laparotomy again to be compared. Rates and grades of adhesions were assessed using Hoffman et al. and Lauder et al. Scale and histopathological reports.Results: In placebo group, the grade II and III adhesion was seen in 2 and 8 rats, respectively. In local simvastatin group, there was no adhesion in 5 rats, and grade I and II adhesion was seen in 3 and 2 rats, respectively. In oral simvastatin group, 6 rats were without adhesion, and 3 cases with grade I and 1 case with grade II adhesion. The frequency and grade of adhesion were statistically different in simvastatin groups compared to the placebo group (P < 0.001), but not with each other.Conclusions: Oral simvastatin for two weeks before the laparotomy can reduce post-laparotomy adhesion bands as well as local administration of simvastatin solution

Investigating the effect of role conflict and role ambiguity on employees' job stress :Articulating the role of work-family conflict

Psychologists and researchers of management sciences are of great interest in subject of stress and the major reason for this is its impact on psychological well-being and organizational consequences. They also recommend that preventing stress called destructive stress results from factors such as role ambiguity, role uncertainty, and organizational policies, and decreases both the individual and organizational performance. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of role conflict and role ambiguity on employees' job stress by explaining the role of work-family conflict. The statistical population of this study is comprised of 530 employees of Iran's central insurance. Using stratified random sampling and Cochran's formula, a sample of 118 employees was selected. We used a researcher-made questionnaire for data gathering. The Cronbach's alpha for this questionnaire was .88 and split-half reliability was .80, which represents for a reliable questionnaire. Furthermore, we used content validity and confirmatory factor analysis to confirm the validity of questionnaire. Data analysis was accomplished by structural equation modeling using the LISREL software v 8.7. Research results indicate that the effect of role ambiguity on work-family conflict is statistically significant (p-value = 62.40). Furthermore, the effect of role ambiguity on job stress was confirmed with significance of 1.83. On the other hand, the effect of role conflict on work-family conflict was not confirmed, because its significance value was negative. However, it was found that the job stress is influenced by role conflict (p-value = 2.35). And finally, the effect of work-family conflict on job stress was confirmed with the number of .93 for its significance value

Clinical Recommendation for Emergency Physicians to Approach to Signs and Symptoms Related to COVID-19; a Preliminary Study

Introduction: There is not enough and comprehensive evidence on signs and symptoms of COVID-19; therefore, it seems too early to provide an appropriate clinical decision-making rule for this newly emerged pandemic viral disease. Objective: We tried to categorize patients’ signs and symptoms from very highly suspected to non-suspected, regarding having COVID-19. Methods: Most recently published English-language articles on COVID-19, were reviewed by the researchers. We considered each complaint, separately, and gathered available data, such as percentage of involved patients and their crude number. Then we considered the pooled and collected results as the final percentage of the occurrence of every specific symptom. We categorized patients’ complaints into six types, based on the data obtained. All extracted complaints were categorized and scored. Results: Twenty-seven articles were reviewed, of which, 12 considered for analysis. The selected papers had reported various numbers of patients, ranging from 16 to 1,099 patients (mean=229 patients per study). In total, nineteen different complaints, with an average of nine complaints per article, had been reported (IQR= 8-11). In terms of overall prevalence, based on the total number of patients, fever and dry cough were reported in more than half of the referred patients. The complaints were categorized in six types with and scored. Conclusions: The patients with score ≥17 are very highly suspected to COVID-19; However, patients with score <5 could be considered as non-suspected to COVID-19

Living with Multiple Sclerosis: A Phenomenological Study of Worries, Concern and Psychological Problems in Iranian Patients with MS

Multiple sclerosis (MS), as a progressive and degenerative illness, has an impact on different aspects of individual lives and may lead to difficulties, concerns, and worries in patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate concerns, worries and problems in patients with MS. We used a descriptive phenomenological qualitative approach. Participants were volunteers purposively selected based on their availability. We carried out deep interviews with 15 MS patients and analyzed the detailed information obtained from these interviews by using Colaizzi’s method. We extracted six essential themes and thirty-four sub-themes associated with MS from the content of the interviews. The main themes were labelled “Confronting existential concerns,” “Crisis of facing up with the illness,” “Suffering from the illness,” “Relationship,” “Confrontation with spirituality and religion,” “Searching for tranquility.” Results of the present study also reiterated the following: Patients with MS seem to lose meaning of life and this together with problems in dealing with existential concerns, may lead to the “disintegration of self,” hence resulting in considerable psychological disturbance and distress. It is concluded that the illness evokes psychological injury such as existential anxiety, relationship disturbance and hopelessness, and these psychological injuries can lead to relapsing of MS

Comparative –Analytical Study of Economic Productivity of Water between Smallholding and Rural Production Cooperative Utilization System

In recent years, farming section of South Khorasan Province faces different limitations such as increasing shortage of water resources and continuous reduction of weather showers. Considering consecutive droughts and water crisis in agricultural plain of the province, it is necessary to use water resources optimally and increase productivity of water shortage input. Comparison of water productivity among the available utilization systems in agricultural section of the province can cause recognition of suitable and efficient utilization system for optimal use of water shortage input and increase water productivity in production of crops. In the present research, different indices of water productivity for production of crops in two small holding utilization system and Rural Production Cooperative in Khosef County have been calculated and compared. The required data have been collected with a sample of 247 farmers and with two-staged cluster sampling and with questionnaire. To calculate and compare water productivity, Benefit Per Drop, Crop Per Drop and Net Benefit Per Drop indices have been used. Results showed that the said indices were different for similar products in two utilization systems and in most crops, the said indices in rural production cooperative system were higher than small holding system. Therefore, gathering of smallholder’s farmers as rural production cooperative can lead to more desirable utilization of water resources and reduction of drought effects and water crisis

The study of the principles and methods of architectural design in the protected context of Meymand Historic Village

In the present study, we have tried to introduce and study the architecture of Meymand historic rocky village in Iran, its relationship with the surrounding nature, and its design constraints. The research is fundamental, descriptive, and analytical. Data collection methods include the use of books and published articles, field visits to Meymand village, and interviews with the villagers. Since Meymand village has been registered on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list, this paper seeks to study the rules and regulations set for this cultural heritage, the methods and constraints of construction in the region, as well as its core zone and triple zones, and the three different lifestyles of the dwellers. According to the previous studies, the application of the regulations prescribed by the Cultural Heritage Organization in Meymand has led to the creation of a preservative precinct in the village so that anything that would cause destruction or damage to the core zone (including damages to the visual features) is prohibited. The construction of new buildings and pathways in the core zone is prohibited, and permissible interventions are limited to restoration, revitalization, repair, change of use, change of interior spaces, and the removal of newlyestablished and non-native buildings (to maintain the native look of the village). Everything must be done in such a way that it does not undermine the natural environment of the zone. It is imperative to preserve the historic monuments and cultural landscape within the core zone. The construction of new buildings is forbidden in zones 1 and 2, but infrastructure, welfare, and tourism services can be established, aiming to preserve the cultural, historical, and natural values of the region. Saraghol area in zone 3 is the only area where the construction of new buildings is allowed. In any case, any new construction should be in harmony with the surrounding environment. Therefore, the design should be indigenous and limited to the surface of the earth, and the height must not disturb the skyline of the area. Besides, to preserve the cultural landscape, the indigenous construction methods have priority over the modern ones

Prioritized Criteria for Casualty Distribution following Trauma-related Mass Incidents; a Modified Delphi Study

Introduction: In the aftermath of mass casualty incidents (MCIs), many decisions need to be made in a fast and influential manner in a high pressure environment to distribute the limited resources among the numerous demands. This study was planned to rank the criteria influencing distribution of casualties following trauma-related MCI. Methods: This study utilized a modified Delphi methodology, concentrating on extracted criteria attained from preceding systematic literature reviews. The 114 extracted criteria were classified into eight sections including space, staff, equipment, system and structures, triage, treatment, transport, and uncategorized criteria and were imported into an online survey tool. In the first round, experts were asked to rank each criterion on a five-point Likert scale. The second round incorporated feedbacks from the first round, stating percent and median scores from the panel as a whole. Experts were then called upon to reassess their initial opinions regarding uncertain remarks from the first round, and once again prioritize the presented criteria. Results: Fifty-seven criteria were regarded as relevant to the following sections: space: 70% (7/10); staff: 44% (4/9); system / structure: 80% (4/5); equipment: 39.1% (9/23); treatment; 66.7% (6/9); triage: 73.7% (14/19); transport: 38.7% (12/31) and other sections: 12.5% (1/8). The first round achieved nearly 98% (n=48) response rate. Of the 114 criteria given to the experts, 68 (almost 60%) were approved. The highest percentage of approval belonged to the system and structures sections (4/5=80%). The response rate for the second round was about 86% (n=42). A consensus could be reached about nearly 84% (57) of the 68 criteria presented to experts. Conclusion: "Casualty Level of Triage on the Scene" and "Number of Available Ambulances" were the two criteria that obtained the highest level of consensus. On the other hand, "gender of casualty", "Number of Non-Medical staff in each Hospital" and "Desire to transport family members together" got lowest level of consensus. This sorted list could be used as a catalogue for developing a decision support system or tool for distribution of victims following mass casualty incidents. KEYWORDS:Mass casualty incidents; decision making; supply and distribution; wounds and injurie