Using Variable Natural Environment Brain-Computer Interface Stimuli for Real-time Humanoid Robot Navigation

This paper addresses the challenge of humanoid robot teleoperation in a natural indoor environment via a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI). We leverage deep Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) based image and signal understanding to facilitate both real-time bject detection and dry-Electroencephalography (EEG) based human cortical brain bio-signals decoding. We employ recent advances in dry-EEG technology to stream and collect the cortical waveforms from subjects while they fixate on variable Steady State Visual Evoked Potential (SSVEP) stimuli generated directly from the environment the robot is navigating. To these ends, we propose the use of novel variable BCI stimuli by utilising the real-time video streamed via the on-board robot camera as visual input for SSVEP, where the CNN detected natural scene objects are altered and flickered with differing frequencies (10Hz, 12Hz and 15Hz). These stimuli are not akin to traditional stimuli - as both the dimensions of the flicker regions and their on-screen position changes depending on the scene objects detected. On-screen object selection via such a dry-EEG enabled SSVEP methodology, facilitates the on-line decoding of human cortical brain signals, via a specialised secondary CNN, directly into teleoperation robot commands (approach object, move in a specific direction: right, left or back). This SSVEP decoding model is trained via a priori offline experimental data in which very similar visual input is present for all subjects. The resulting classification demonstrates high performance with mean accuracy of 85% for the real-time robot navigation experiment across multiple test subjects.Comment: Accepted as a full paper at the 2019 International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA

Development of a unified design buckling curve for fibre reinforced polymer plates subjected to in-plane uniaxial and uniform compression

Presented are 24 non-dimensional buckling curves to estimate the strengths of Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) square plates having four simply supported edges and subjected to in-plane uniaxial and uniform in-plane compression. The curves are constructed by the authors from a parametric numerical analysis using ABAQUS® software with changing variables for: material properties; initial geometrical imperfections; laminate lay-ups; and plate thicknesses. These strength curves express relationships for the buckling reduction factor with plate slenderness, and account for post-buckling strength. We observe that regardless of the laminate lay-up (except for purely unidirectional), the choice of FRP material and the magnitude of the initial geometrical imperfection the predicted buckling reduction factors display a meaningful correlation with plate slenderness. Presented is a proposed unified buckling design curve, defined as the lower bound to 18 of the 24 ABAQUS®-generated buckling curves. This new curve is benchmarked by the authors against experimental test results extracted from the literature and it is found that there is a reasonable agreement. The authors recommend that the proposed buckling design curve has the potential to be introduced into structural design standards as a procedure to design the buckling strengths of FRP plates

Sequencing the ‘Dairy Mind’ Using Mind Genomics to Create an “MRI of Consumer Decisions”

We present the research methodology that generates an integrated database of the mind of a dairy consumer, regarding nine different dairy products. The set of studies deals with a variety of end products, presenting alternative messages about each product. Respondents rate combinations of messages, that is, vignettes, which are created using an advanced form of conjoint analysis. OLS (ordinary least-squares) regression is used to deconstruct the ratings at the level of the individual respondents, producing a coefficient value for each message that was tested. Cluster analyses revealed three distinct mind-sets around dairy products: a strong focus on flavor, a strong focus on health, and a strong focus on price. This chapter demonstrates how the science of Mind Genomics is further applied through a typing tool, known as PVI (personal viewpoint identifier). The PVI is able to identify the mind-set of any individual that provides a binary response to six short questions. The chapter concludes with a vision for the future of the Mind Genomics research methodology in the fields of science and business

Acute Myocardial Infarction in Autoimmune Rheumatologic Disease : A Nationwide Analysis of Clinical outcomes and Predictors of Management Strategy

Funding M.O.M is funded by an unrestricted educational PhD studentship from Medtronic Ltd. Medtronic Ltd was not involved in the conceptualization or design of the present study. C.M. is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Applied Research (West Midlands), the NIHR School for Primary Care Research and an NIHR Research Professorship in General Practice (NIHR-RP-2014-04-026). The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR, our funding bodies or the Department of Health and Social Care.Peer reviewedPostprin

A thermoresponsive and magnetic colloid for 3D cell expansion and reconfiguration

A dual thermoresponsive and magnetic colloidal gel matrix is described for enhanced stem-cell culture. The combined properties of the material allow enzyme-free passaging and expansion of mesenchymal stem cells, as well as isolation of cells postculture by the simple process of lowering the temperature and applying an external magnetic field. The colloidal gel can be reconfigured with thermal and magnetic stimuli to allow patterning of cells in discrete zones and to control movement of cells within the porous matrix during culture

Do partial glenohumeral degenerative changes in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair influence clinical outcomes?

Background The prognostic factors for patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears (RCTs) include tear size, muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration. However, the influence of early coexisting degenerative changes on RCT outcomes is unappreciated. The purpose of this study was to calculate the impact that pre-existing partial glenohumeral cartilaginous changes have on patients undergoing arthroscopic RCT repair. Methods A study of 54 patients undergoing arthroscopic RCT repair was undertaken. The presence of co-existing patches of glenohumeral degenerative cartilaginous changes and RCT size was recorded at surgery. Pre- and postoperative outcomes were assessed using traditional (Oxford Shoulder Score [OSS], 5-level EuroQol-5D [EQ-5D-5L] questionnaire and EuroQol visual analog scale [EQ-VAS]) and patient-centric re-formatted prisms. Outcomes were assessed as an entire dataset, and sub-group analysis was performed according to the grade of co-existing arthritis and tear size. Results Significant improvements (p<0.05) in clinical outcomes were recognized when assessed using either the traditional or reformatted prisms (average % improvements in OSS, EQ-5D-5L and EQ-VAS were 47%, 33% and 43%, respectively; average improvements in pain, function, and psychological well-being were 48%, 33% and, 29%, respectively). Positive gain was noted in all sub-groups of arthritic grading and tear size. Conclusions Good clinical outcomes can be achieved following RCT repair even in the presence of local partial degenerative cartilage changes and advancing tear size. These benefits are patient-centered but require RCT repairability

Boronate ester cross-linked PVA hydrogels for the capture and H2O2-mediated release of active fluorophores

A new set of PVA hydrogels were formed using the boronate ester fluorescent probe, PF1 and the novel boronate fluorescent probe PT1 as the covalent crosslinkers. Treatment with aqueous H2O2 allowed triggered release of the fluorescent dye accompanied by complete dissolution of the hydroge