Investigating the use of semantic technologies in spatial mapping applications

Semantic Web Technologies are ideally suited to build context-aware information retrieval applications. However, the geospatial aspect of context awareness presents unique challenges such as the semantic modelling of geographical references for efficient handling of spatial queries, the reconciliation of the heterogeneity at the semantic and geo-representation levels, maintaining the quality of service and scalability of communicating, and the efficient rendering of the spatial queries' results. In this paper, we describe the modelling decisions taken to solve these challenges by analysing our implementation of an intelligent planning and recommendation tool that provides location-aware advice for a specific application domain. This paper contributes to the methodology of integrating heterogeneous geo-referenced data into semantic knowledgebases, and also proposes mechanisms for efficient spatial interrogation of the semantic knowledgebase and optimising the rendering of the dynamically retrieved context-relevant information on a web frontend

Using IEG's to uncover pathways for spatial learning in the rat

This thesis concentrates on the induction of the immediate early genes zif268 and c-fos in a functional and dysfunctional brain network. Initial studies focused on the creation of a task to allow the study of immediate early gene activation after working memory. Previous studies using such a paradigm have compared the animals performing the experimental task with poorly matched control groups. Experiments in this thesis attempted to rectify this. A group of experiments using the water maze found decreases in Zif268 activation in the experimental group as compared to control groups, mainly in the hippocampus and some parahippocampal areas. This was believed to have arisen because of a streamlining of the brain network in the Working Memory group. An increase in c-Fos immunoreactivity was seen in the Working Memory group as compared to controls in prefrontal regions. Structural equation modelling analysis was performed, which allows immediate early gene counts to be used to analyse networks of brain regions. In the Working Memory group connections were seen between the parahippocampal regions and the subiculum that progressed via the hippocampus, indicating that the hippocampus was still engaged by the task. In the control group analysed no such hippocampal pathway was found. This water maze task was then used to study zif268-EGFP activation in a novel transgenic rodent model, where the Zif268 promoter drives the expression of a fluorescent protein EGFP. Activation of both EGFP and Zif268 immunoreactivity was seen in the CA1 region of the animals performing the control task. No EGFP activation was seen in this region in the Working Memory group even though EGFP expression was seen in other regions. The GFP protein was also able to be seen under direct visualisation in the CA1 and dentate gyrus region of control animals. Concerning the dysfunctional brain, gene expression was analysed in the retrosplenial cortex after NMDA lesions of the anterior thalamic nuclei. Previous research has shown that lesions produce a dramatic hypoactivity in the protein products of the immediate early genes c-fos and zif268. Microarray analysis of retrosplenial tissue revealed that as well as decreases in expression of genes related to repair and cell adhesion/neurogenesis, an increase in c-fos mRNA was seen in the lesion hemisphere of the brain. This pattern of expression is opposite to that of the protein. Possible reasons for this are discussed.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Using IEG's to uncover pathways for spatial learning in the rat.

This thesis concentrates on the induction of the immediate early genes zif268 and c-fos in a functional and dysfunctional brain network. Initial studies focused on the creation of a task to allow the study of immediate early gene activation after working memory. Previous studies using such a paradigm have compared the animals performing the experimental task with poorly matched control groups. Experiments in this thesis attempted to rectify this. A group of experiments using the water maze found decreases in Zif268 activation in the experimental group as compared to control groups, mainly in the hippocampus and some parahippocampal areas. This was believed to have arisen because of a streamlining of the brain network in the Working Memory group. An increase in c-Fos immunoreactivity was seen in the Working Memory group as compared to controls in prefrontal regions. Structural equation modelling analysis was performed, which allows immediate early gene counts to be used to analyse networks of brain regions. In the Working Memory group connections were seen between the parahippocampal regions and the subiculum that progressed via the hippocampus, indicating that the hippocampus was still engaged by the task. In the control group analysed no such hippocampal pathway was found. This water maze task was then used to study zif268-EGFP activation in a novel transgenic rodent model, where the Zif268 promoter drives the expression of a fluorescent protein EGFP. Activation of both EGFP and Zif268 immunoreactivity was seen in the CA1 region of the animals performing the control task. No EGFP activation was seen in this region in the Working Memory group even though EGFP expression was seen in other regions. The GFP protein was also able to be seen under direct visualisation in the CA1 and dentate gyrus region of control animals. Concerning the dysfunctional brain, gene expression was analysed in the retrosplenial cortex after NMDA lesions of the anterior thalamic nuclei. Previous research has shown that lesions produce a dramatic hypoactivity in the protein products of the immediate early genes c-fos and zif268. Microarray analysis of retrosplenial tissue revealed that as well as decreases in expression of genes related to repair and cell adhesion/neurogenesis, an increase in c-fos mRNA was seen in the lesion hemisphere of the brain. This pattern of expression is opposite to that of the protein. Possible reasons for this are discussed

Gender differences in cycling patterns and attitudes towards cycling in a sample of European regular cyclists

Previous research has shown that men cycle more than women and women tent to report less favourable perceptions and attitudes towards cycling than men. Gender differences in perceptions and attitudes towards cycling may be influenced by such difference in bicycle use. Attitudinal differences concerning cycling between male and female may be the consequence and not only the cause of gender imbalance in bicycle use. To our knowledge, no previous research has focused on gender differences in perceptions and attitudes towards cycling involving a sample with gender balance in bicycle use (e.g. regular cyclists). In our study, we investigated gender differences in attitudes towards cycling and towards cycling infrastructure, purpose of cycling, risk perception, and exposure to severe crashes in a large sample of regular cyclists. Following a cross-sectional design, we collected data from 2417 participants from Hungary, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Netherlands, and United Kingdom. A survey was administered to an online panel of respondents. Gender differences in attitudes towards cycling were small in terms of effect size or non-significant, with women having more positive attitudes in personal benefits rather than mobility benefits. Women reported gender-stereotyped reasons for cycling more than men, except for social activities. Also, women showed higher discomfort than men cycling in mixed traffic and higher risk perception than men. Furthermore, men reported higher exposure to severe crashes than women. We contend that bicycle use and gender role (i.e. society's shared beliefs concerning a range of attitudes, norms, and behaviours that are generally considered appropriate or desirable for individuals based on their actual or perceived sex) can affect differences between male and female cyclists in perceptions, attitudes towards cycling, and cycling behaviours

An exploration of mammographers’ attitudes towards the use of social media for providing breast screening information to clients

Background: Increasingly patients and clients of health services are using social media to locate information about medical procedures and outcomes. There is increasing pressure for health professionals to engage in on-line spaces to provide clear and accurate information to their patient community. Research suggests there are some anxieties on the part of practitioners to do this. This study aimed to explore the attitudes of the NHS breast screening programme workforce towards engaging in online discussions with clients about breast screening. Method: 78 practitioners, representing a range of professional roles within the NHS Breast Screening Programme, attended one of 4 workshops. We used a Nominal Group Technique to identify and rank responses to the question: “What are the challenges that practitioners face in using SoME as part of their role?” Responses were categorised into themes. Participants were also asked to identify solutions to these challenges. Results: Challenges: We identified two overarching themes: (1) Working within boundaries: which was further categorised into (a) Professional/legal accountability; (b) Information accuracy and (c)Time as a boundary, and (2) Support: further categorised into (a) Employer and (b) Manager . Solutions: These included: training in technical and interactional aspects of on-line communication and a responsibility to better understand employer and professional body SoMe policies

Experimental characterization of anti-icing system and accretion of re-emitted droplets on turbojet engine blades

In the framework of STORM, a European project dedicated to icing physics in aircraft engines, a cascade rig representative of an anti-iced engine inlet was tested in icing conditions. This mock-up integrates two rows of vanes, the upstream one being anti-iced using an Electro-Thermal Ice Protection System (ET-IPS). Experimental tests were performed to reproduce the following phenomena: runback water and droplet re-emission from anti-iced vanes, and accretion of re-emitted droplets on downstream vanes. A complete experimental database was generated, including the characterization of ice accretion shapes, and the characterization of electro-thermal anti-icing system (power limit for apparition of the runback water or ice accretion). In the current study, these data are compared to droplet trajectory simulation and ice accretion simulation results, for validating icing tools in engine environment. Influence of one-step and multi-step approaches have been investigated