Airspace Systems Program - NextGen Concepts and Technology Development (CTD) Project NextGen Systems Analysis, Integration, and Evaluation (SAIE) Project

Overview presentation of the Airspace Systems Program two NextGen projects

Shear-invariant Sliding Contact Perception with a Soft Tactile Sensor

Manipulation tasks often require robots to be continuously in contact with an object. Therefore tactile perception systems need to handle continuous contact data. Shear deformation causes the tactile sensor to output path-dependent readings in contrast to discrete contact readings. As such, in some continuous-contact tasks, sliding can be regarded as a disturbance over the sensor signal. Here we present a shear-invariant perception method based on principal component analysis (PCA) which outputs the required information about the environment despite sliding motion. A compliant tactile sensor (the TacTip) is used to investigate continuous tactile contact. First, we evaluate the method offline using test data collected whilst the sensor slides over an edge. Then, the method is used within a contour-following task applied to 6 objects with varying curvatures; all contours are successfully traced. The method demonstrates generalisation capabilities and could underlie a more sophisticated controller for challenging manipulation or exploration tasks in unstructured environments. A video showing the work described in the paper can be found at https://youtu.be/wrTM61-pieUComment: Accepted in ICRA 201

Evaluation of two street canyon air quality models using data from European cities

This paper presents a sensitivity analysis of the Operational Street Pollution Model (OSPM) and an evaluation of OSPM and the Assessing the Environment Of Locations In Urban Streets (AEOLTUS) model. Both models calculate airborne concentrations of exhaust gases emitted by motor vehicles within street canyons. They perform best when the street canyon aspect ratio is 1.0. OSPM and AEOLIUS have been evaluated using data collected over a two-year period (1 994- 95) in Jagtvej, Copenhagen, Denmark. Further evaluation of the models was carried out using data collected in Giittinger Strasse, Hannover (1994) and Schildhom Strasse, Berlin (1995), both in Germany. In all cases, model runs were carried out for carbon monoxide (CO). In the case of OSPM, two sets of newly proposed emission factors were used for the street canyons in Germany. In the calculation of these factors, the urban driving patterns and variations in the composition of the vehicle fleet according to the engine capacity were assumed as the most appropriate for the cases considered. Furthermore, parameters such as engine operating temperature and the use of catalytic converter were taken into account. Scatter plots of modelled against measured CO concentration yielded an average regression coefficient of 0.90 for the street canyons considered. With the newly proposed emission factors for Germany a lower regression coefficient was obtained. From similar scatter plots, the AEOLIUS model gave a regression coefficient of 0.86 for Jagtvej in 1994 and 0.78 for 1995. For Gottinger and Schildhorn Strasse, the regression coefficient obtained was 0.8 1.peer-reviewe

Intraventricular haemorrhage and posthaemorrhagic ventricular dilatation: moving beyond CSF diversion

Advances in medical care have led to more premature babies surviving the neonatal period. In these babies, germinal matrix haemorrhage (GMH), intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) and posthaemorrhagic ventricular dilatation (PHVD) are the most important determinants of long-term cognitive and developmental outcomes. In this review, we discuss current neurosurgical management of IVH and PHVD, including the importance of early diagnosis of PHVD, thresholds for intervention, options for early management through the use of temporising measures and subsequent definitive CSF diversion. We also discuss treatment options for the evolving paradigm to manage intraventricular blood and its breakdown products. We review the evidence for techniques such as drainage, irrigation, fibrinolytic therapy (DRIFT) and neuroendoscopic lavage in the context of optimising cognitive, neurodevelopmental and quality of life outcomes in these premature infants

Physicochemical aspects of the higher order structure of gelatin in dilute aqueous solution

The conversion of collagen to gelatin results in a heterogeneous product with a broad molecular weight profile (MWP). Addition of a non-solvent, such as ethanol, to gelatin solutions gradually causes the Florey-Huggins solvent-protein interaction parameter to exceed the critical value for the different molecular weight fractions, causing desolvation of the polymer. When sufficient solvent molecules are removed, the gelatin molecules begin to aggregate, resulting in phase separation, and forming a coacervate. Modification of the net charge of the protein, by adjusting the solution pH to values ranging about the iso-electric point (IEP), influences the degree of interaction between the different molecular weight fractions, and hence the response of the protein to non-solvent.peer-reviewe

Elite athletes and university education in Europe: a review of policy and practice in higher education in the European Union Member States

This article provides an analysis of the ways in which European Union Member States have sought to address the educational needs of elite young sportspersons. Drawing on fieldwork by 25 research teams led by the authors and undertaken on behalf of the European Commission, it reflects the European Union's increasing concern with protection of the rights of young athletes. Our focus in this paper is on higher education and its adaptation to accommodate the delivery of education to elite athletes. The review of policy descriptions undertaken highlighted three principal categories of policy initiative within the university sector namely the development of academic services, elite sporting provision, and post-athletic career preparation. The findings of the study underlined the variability of response in national systems to the demands placed on elite young sportspersons. This has been more broadly linked to the relationship between general welfare ideologies in nation states, and the positions adopted in relation to education of their young athletes. We characterise these positions in a four-fold typology: (i) a state-centric provision backed by legislation, (ii) the state as a facilitator fostering formal agreements between educational and sporting bodies, (iii) National Federations / Sports Institutes as facilitator / mediator engaging directly in negotiation with educational bodies on behalf of the individual athlete, and (iv) a 'laisser faire' approach where there are no formal structures in place. Crucial to an evaluation of the systems summarised in the typology is an understanding of what these policy systems are seeking to achieve. This may be expressed in terms of a balance between the roles, rights and responsibilities of the main stakeholders including the athlete, the university, the Member State and the European Union

Pembelajaran Pengenalan Bahasa Inggris pada Anak Kelompok A di Taman Kanak-kanak Kristen Immanuel II

This study aimed to describe the introduction of English language learning. This research uses descriptive method kualitif. Collecting data using observation, interviews, documentation. Data collector interview guides, observation guidelines, field notes, documents. Subject study A group of English teachers and children A group of 25 people. The results showed: (1) in lesson planning the introduction of English have a theme, indicators, main activity, things to do, supporting visuals, notes. (2) teachers have been implementing learning English language recognition in accordance with RPPH, (3) factors supporting the introduction of English language learning is the availability of instructional media introduction of the English language provided by the institution and the teacher. (4) factors inhibiting the introduction of learning English because English is not the primary language used by children (5) Teachers observe and assess the learning process as a child job evaluation

Fibre tract segmentation for intraoperative diffusion MRI in neurosurgical patients using tract-specific orientation atlas and tumour deformation modelling

Purpose:: Intraoperative diffusion MRI could provide a means of visualising brain fibre tracts near a neurosurgical target after preoperative images have been invalidated by brain shift. We propose an atlas-based intraoperative tract segmentation method, as the standard preoperative method, streamline tractography, is unsuitable for intraoperative implementation. Methods:: A tract-specific voxel-wise fibre orientation atlas is constructed from healthy training data. After registration with a target image, a radial tumour deformation model is applied to the orientation atlas to account for displacement caused by lesions. The final tract map is obtained from the inner product of the atlas and target image fibre orientation data derived from intraoperative diffusion MRI. Results:: The simple tumour model takes only seconds to effectively deform the atlas into alignment with the target image. With minimal processing time and operator effort, maps of surgically relevant tracts can be achieved that are visually and qualitatively comparable with results obtained from streamline tractography. Conclusion:: Preliminary results demonstrate feasibility of intraoperative streamline-free tract segmentation in challenging neurosurgical cases. Demonstrated results in a small number of representative sample subjects are realistic despite the simplicity of the tumour deformation model employed. Following this proof of concept, future studies will focus on achieving robustness in a wide range of tumour types and clinical scenarios, as well as quantitative validation of segmentations

A systematic review of ongoing clinical trials in optic pathway gliomas

INTRODUCTION: Optic pathway gliomas (OPGs), also known as Visual Pathway Gliomas, are insidious, debilitating tumours. They are most commonly WHO grade 1 pilocytic astrocytomas and frequently occur in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1. The location of OPGs within the optic pathway typically precludes complete resection or optimal radiation dosing, hence outcomes remain poor compared to many other low-grade gliomas. The aim of this systematic review was to formulate a comprehensive list of all current ongoing clinical trials that are specifically looking at clinical care of OPGs in order to identify trends in current research and provide an overview to guide future research efforts. METHODS: This systematic review was conducted in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials (CENTRAL) and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied and final results were reviewed. RESULTS: 501 clinical trials were identified with the search strategy. All were screened and eligible studies extracted and reviewed. This yielded 36 ongoing clinical trials, 27 of which were pharmacological agents in phase I-III. The remaining trials were a mixture of biological agents, radiation optimisation, diagnostic imaging, surgical intervention, and a social function analysis. CONCLUSION: OPG is a complex multifaceted disease, and advances in care require ongoing research efforts across a spectrum of different research fields. This review provides an update on the current state of research in OPG and summarises ongoing trials

The effect of sodium chloride on ethanolic fractionation of dilute gelatin solutions

Gelatin is the denaturation product of the protein collagen, the main constituent of animal skin, bone, and connective tissue. The conversion of collagen to gelatin results in a heterogeneous product with a broad molecular weight profile (MWP), which is important in determining the behaviour of the protein in solution. Addition of successive increments of a non-solvent, such as ethanol, to gelatin solutions causes the Florey- Huggins solvent-protein interaction parameter, χ, of the system to successively exceed the critical value for the different molecular weight fractions, causing progressive desolvation of the polymer. When sufficient solvent molecules are removed, the gelatin molecules begin to aggregate, resulting in phase separation, and forming a coacervate or, if sufficient desolvation occurs, a precipitate. Modification of the net charge of the protein molecules, by adjusting the solution pH to values ranging about the iso-electric point (IEP), influences the degree of interaction between the different molecular weight fractions, and hence the response of the protein to non-solvent.1 It can be hypothesised that alteration of the molecular charge intensity by changes in the ionic strength of the solution would affect the overall response of the protein. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of dilute NaCl concentrations on the response of B225 and B75 gelatins to the non-solvent ethanol at different pH’s.peer-reviewe