Functional characterization of human pluripotent stem cell-derived cortical networks differentiated on laminin-521 substrate : comparison to rat cortical cultures

Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived neurons provide exciting opportunities for in vitro modeling of neurological diseases and for advancing drug development and neurotoxicological studies. However, generating electrophysiologically mature neuronal networks from hPSCs has been challenging. Here, we report the differentiation of functionally active hPSC-derived cortical networks on defined laminin-521 substrate. We apply microelectrode array (MEA) measurements to assess network events and compare the activity development of hPSC-derived networks to that of widely used rat embryonic cortical cultures. In both of these networks, activity developed through a similar sequence of stages and time frames; however, the hPSC-derived networks showed unique patterns of bursting activity. The hPSC-derived networks developed synchronous activity, which involved glutamatergic and GABAergic inputs, recapitulating the classical cortical activity also observed in rodent counterparts. Principal component analysis (PCA) based on spike rates, network synchronization and burst features revealed the segregation of hPSC-derived and rat network recordings into different clusters, reflecting the species-specific and maturation state differences between the two networks. Overall, hPSC-derived neural cultures produced with a defined protocol generate cortical type network activity, which validates their applicability as a human-specific model for pharmacological studies and modeling network dysfunctions.Peer reviewe

Surveillance Technology in Dementia Care: Implicit Assumptions and Unresolved Tensions

This paper examines the concept of “Surveillance Technology [ST]” as it is used in ageing and dementia research but which suffers from poor definition. We attempt to clarify this imprecision by contextualizing a brief history of the development of ST and provide a summary of the research in this area. We contrast this with the responses provided by a public and patient involvement group of people living with a dementia diagnosis, or experience of supporting people with dementia. ST operates in multiple interacting ways, all of which need to be taken into account in research, public and policy debate. As a technology it is often seen as a way of assisting individuals and therefore classified as an Assistive Technology [AT]. However, the meaning of ST used in dementia care has pragmatic implications beyond the meeting of the needs for “safety and independence”; ideas which is often used to justify its use. We argue that there is need to interrogate the terms “Surveillance” and “Technology” more carefully if ST is to be considered as empowering for people with dementia. This tension is brought out in the accounts present in a group discussion on ST and its use. This paper argues that there needs to be an acknowledgement that the purposes of such technologies need to be regularly reviewed in order for society to keep up with the rapidly changing pace of technology and the changing needs of users

Innovation, low energy buildings and intermediaries in Europe: systematic case study review

As buildings throughout their lifecycle account for circa 40% of total energy use in Europe, reducing energy use of the building stock is a key task. This task is, however, complicated by a range of factors, including slow renewal and renovation rates of buildings, multiple non- coordinated actors, conservative building practices, and limited competence to innovate. Drawing from academic literature published during 2005-2015, this article carries out a systematic review of case studies on low energy innovations in the European residential building sector, analysing their drivers. Specific attention is paid to intermediary actors in facilitating innovation processes and creating new opportunities. The study finds that qualitative case study literature on low energy building innovation has been limited, particularly regarding the existing building stock. Environmental concerns, EU, national and local policies have been the key drivers; financial, knowledge and social sustainability and equity drivers have been of modest importance; while design, health and comfort, and market drivers have played a minor role. Intermediary organisations and individuals have been important through five processes: (1) facilitating individual building projects, (2) creating niche markets, (3) implementing new practices in social housing stock, (4) supporting new business model creation, and (5) facilitating building use post construction. The intermediaries have included both public and private actors, while local authority agents have acted as intermediaries in several cases

Supporting collaborative development:cognitive challenges and solutions of developing embedded systems

Abstract The development of embedded systems is becoming increasingly challenging; it is intellectually demanding knowledge work that requires collaboration among a wide range of skills. Software development is a largely cognitive activity, based on the worker’s internal mental processes rather than on physical labour. Developers face several individual and team cognition-related challenges in their work, including complex decision-making and problem-solving processes. Therefore, it is suggested that the software development process should be modelled as a set of problem-solving activities. This thesis proposes that supporting the cognitive work of collaborative development requires addressing the entire system’s life cycle with practical solutions. In this work, the above-mentioned challenges are addressed in terms of communication and collaboration practices, knowledge management and coordination, and transparent tools and processes. Moreover, these solutions are integrated into a workflow that structures and supports the development process. Finally, a development process is outlined that addresses the decision-oriented nature of software development in such a manner that the necessary data is provided for decision points that guide and coordinate the development efforts. A qualitative research approach has been chosen, and the work is based on interviewing industrial experts. Several cases were set up to define the state of the practice in industrial organisations developing embedded systems for different domains. Current challenges were identified and solutions were developed and validated in case companies. The main result of the dissertation is a set of solutions integrated into the organisational workflow to support collaborative development. The main principles are that the necessary information must be provided and work and its objectives must be justified and put into the correct context. The industrial cases indicate that utilising the suggested solutions can improve collaboration among organisations and teams by helping disseminate and use the required information. Mitigating the cognitive burden speeds up the development work and reduces the effort required from developers and decision makers. In this manner, organisations may achieve better results, primarily because the produced data and results will fulfil their purposes better and provide less waste.Tiivistelmä Ohjelmistotuotanto nykymaailmassa muuttuu koko ajan haastavammaksi, kehitysprojektit ovat monimutkaisia ja hajautettuja sekä vaativat monialaista osaamista. Tiukat aikataulupaineet puolestaan tuovat mukaan oman problematiikkansa. Ohjelmistokehitys on suurelta osin kognitiivista työtä, jossa tarvitaan erilaisia taitoja ja eri alojen asiantuntijoita. Kognitiivinen työ tarkoittaa abstraktin tiedon käsittelyä ennemmin kuin fyysistä työtä. Ohjelmistojen kehittäjät törmäävät useisiin henkilökohtaiseen sekä ryhmätyöhön liittyviin haasteisiin, näistä esimerkkeinä monitahoinen tiedon käsittely, päätöksenteko ja ongelmanratkaisu. Onkin ehdotettu, että ohjelmistonkehitysprosessit ymmärrettäisiin ongelmanratkaisu- ja päätöspainotteisina prosesseina. Tässä työssä ehdotetaan, että tukeakseen ohjelmistonkehitysprosessia koko tuotteen tekemisen elinkaari on otettava huomioon ja työntekijöiden roolit ja vastuut on linkitettävä kehitysprosesseihin sekä kehitysprosessin eri vaiheisiin. Havaittuihin kognitiivisiin ongelmiin ja tarpeisiin vastataan yhteistyö- ja kommunikaatiokäytännöin, tiedonhallinnan, läpinäkyvyyden, työnkulun, ja päätöspainotteisten prosessien kautta. Tulokset kerättiin käyttäen menetelmänä laadullista tapaustutkimusta, ja työ perustuu useiden teollisten asiantuntijoiden haastatteluihin. Tutkimus toteutettiin useassa eri teollisuuden organisaatiossa. Aluksi määritettiin lähtötilanne organisaatioissa sekä kirjallisuuden perusteella, kartoitettiin ongelmat, jonka jälkeen kehitettiin tärkeimmiksi havaittuihin ongelmiin ratkaisuja. Työn tuloksena esitetään joukko ratkaisuja, jotka yhdistetään organisaation työnkulkuun. Lisäksi esitellään päätöksentekoon painottuva kehitysprosessi, jonka lähtökohtana on havainto, että vaadittavien tehtävien sekä työn tulosten on vastattava oikeaan tarpeeseen – työlle ja halutuille työn tuloksille on annettava riittävät tiedot, perustelut, päämäärä sekä oikea konteksti. Tapaustutkimukset osoittavat, että työn tulokset parantavat organisaatioiden välistä yhteistyötä helpottamalla oikean tiedon keräämistä, saamista ja käyttöä. Lisäksi ylimääräisen kognitiivisen taakan vähentäminen nopeuttaa kehitystyötä ja keventää kehittäjien ja päätöksentekijöiden työkuormaa. Täten organisaatiot voivat saavuttaa parempia työn tuloksia lähinnä siksi, että tuotettu tieto ja tulokset vastaavat paremmin tarpeisiin

Accelerating research to business with Hilla Runway model

Abstract The key to win on global markets is not based only on excellence of products and services, but increasingly more on successful business models and value networks, where partnering, smart specialisation and joint solution deliveries are the key elements for sustainable success. There also has to be solid processes and tools for facilitating the transfer from research to business — the creation and evolution of business. Hilla Runway provides a model and a toolset that supports business development and commercialisation

Redefining KPIs with information flow visualisation:practitioners’ view

Abstract We investigate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in a large and multi-national telecommunication company and discover needs and requirements for understanding, analysing and using KPIs from practitioner’s perspective. Utilising an action research approach, we identified the existing challenges with KPIs in a large-scale software-intensive systems development in a global setting. Our study revealed several issues with organisations KPIs, e.g., measuring the wrong things or not basing the measurements on reliable data. Based on the identified issues, a visualisation and modelling approach was introduced to reform the KPI representation and formulation to improve understanding and communicating KPIs, as well as their use in decision-making. We suggest that KPI information flow visualisation with appropriate tool support allows redefining usable, valid and reliable KPIs. The problem is addressed with a simple solution that is easily adopted and taken into use at all levels of an organisation

Public and open Internet of Things for smart cities:the SME perspective

Abstract Internet of Things technologies and platforms can provide both novel applications and business strategies for the companies of different technological application areas. However, risks for intensive participation in utilizing novel and expensive technologies into their business and products, might be considered risky by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Thus, the role of the open source platforms and possibility to test them in the small-scale pilot studies, becomes crucial. In this work, we discuss four different SMEs participating in the open and research-driven IoT pilots in the context of the smart cities. We demonstrate the value of the open Internet of Things platforms can provide for small and medium-sized enterprises working in the area of smart cities, as well as challenges we met

Consent management architecture for secure data transactions

Abstract Digitalization of data intensive services presents several challenges, such as how to safely manage and use the multitude of personal data across various public, private and commercial service providers. Guaranteed privacy is especially critical in sensitive cases like health data management and processing. A key challenge and enabler for efficient data utilization is the need for an adequate consent management framework that meets the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). To facilitate sensitive secure data transactions where end-control always resides with the individual, a consent management architecture (CMA) is defined, utilizing the new MyData approach. The proposed CMA enables context-driven authorization of multi-sourced data for safe access by various health services. CMA proof-of-concept and experiences are described and discussed to concretize and evaluate the suggested architecture. Consent management and authorization topics are discussed as a service function of the MyData Operator. The technical APIs required for registering and authorizing data sources and data services via the Operator are demonstrated and analyzed to expedite development of this important area within the research and industrial communities