333 research outputs found
Visual-inertial self-calibration on informative motion segments
Environmental conditions and external effects, such as shocks, have a
significant impact on the calibration parameters of visual-inertial sensor
systems. Thus long-term operation of these systems cannot fully rely on factory
calibration. Since the observability of certain parameters is highly dependent
on the motion of the device, using short data segments at device initialization
may yield poor results. When such systems are additionally subject to energy
constraints, it is also infeasible to use full-batch approaches on a big
dataset and careful selection of the data is of high importance. In this paper,
we present a novel approach for resource efficient self-calibration of
visual-inertial sensor systems. This is achieved by casting the calibration as
a segment-based optimization problem that can be run on a small subset of
informative segments. Consequently, the computational burden is limited as only
a predefined number of segments is used. We also propose an efficient
information-theoretic selection to identify such informative motion segments.
In evaluations on a challenging dataset, we show our approach to significantly
outperform state-of-the-art in terms of computational burden while maintaining
a comparable accuracy
An Evaluation Schema for the Ethical Use of Autonomous Robotic Systems in Security Applications
We propose a multi-step evaluation schema designed to help procurement agencies and others to examine the ethical dimensions of autonomous systems to be applied in the security sector, including autonomous weapons systems
Legal and Ethical Dimensions of Robotics in the Security Sector
This is an expert report addressing the latest developments in robotics in the security sector, including disaster relief and armed conflict, from an ethical and legal perspective. The focus is on autonomous robots. The report is written in German, but a 4 page executive summary explains in detail the seven recommendations the report makes in the light of recent developments. These recommendations inter alia bear on the role of ethics given the stalemate in international humanitarian law on autonomous weapons systems, the adaptation of the Article 36 weapons review due to the dynamic evolution in robotics, and the way the debate about robotics should be led.
Note: Downloadable document is in German.
Keywords: Ethics, robotics, robots, disaster relief, armed conflict, international humanitarian law, human rights, laws of war, autonomous robots, autonomous weapons systems, CC
Human control redressed: comparing AI and human predictability in a real-effort task
Predictability is a prerequisite for effective human control of artificial intelligence (AI). The inability to predict malfunctioning of AI, for example, impedes timely human intervention. In this paper, we empirically investigate how AI’s predictability compares to the predictability of humans in a real-effort task. We show that humans are worse at predicting AI performance than at predicting human performance. Importantly, participants are not aware of the differences in relative predictability of AI and overestimate their prediction skills. These results raise doubts about the human ability to effectively exercise control of AI — at least in certain contexts
Chest physiotherapy using passive expiratory techniques does not reduce bronchiolitis severity: a randomised controlled trial
Chest physiotherapy (CP) using passive expiratory manoeuvres is widely used in Western Europe for the treatment of bronchiolitis, despite lacking evidence for its efficacy. We undertook an open randomised trial to evaluate the effectiveness of CP in infants hospitalised for bronchiolitis by comparing the time to clinical stability, the daily improvement of a severity score and the occurrence of complications between patients with and without CP. Children <1year admitted for bronchiolitis in a tertiary hospital during two consecutive respiratory syncytial virus seasons were randomised to group 1 with CP (prolonged slow expiratory technique, slow accelerated expiratory flow, rarely induced cough) or group 2 without CP. All children received standard care (rhinopharyngeal suctioning, minimal handling, oxygen for saturation ≥92%, fractionated meals). Ninety-nine eligible children (mean age, 3.9months), 50 in group 1 and 49 in group 2, with similar baseline variables and clinical severity at admission. Time to clinical stability, assessed as primary outcome, was similar for both groups (2.9 ± 2.1 vs. 3.2 ± 2.8days, P = 0.45). The rate of improvement of a clinical and respiratory score, defined as secondary outcome, only showed a slightly faster improvement of the respiratory score in the intervention group when including stethoacoustic properties (P = 0.044). Complications were rare but occurred more frequently, although not significantly (P = 0.21), in the control arm. In conclusion, this study shows the absence of effectiveness of CP using passive expiratory techniques in infants hospitalised for bronchiolitis. It seems justified to recommend against the routine use of CP in these patient
Patient satisfaction with divided anesthesia care.
BACKGROUND
Up to now, no prospective cohort study using a validated questionnaire has assessed patients' expectation and perception of divided anesthesia care and its influence on patient satisfaction.
OBJECTIVE
We assessed patient satisfaction with divided anesthesia care in a district general hospital in Switzerland. We hypothesized that patient expectations, combined with their perceptions of the (un)importance of continuous anesthesia care would influence patient satisfaction.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A total of 484 eligible in-patients receiving anesthesia from October 2019 to February 2020 were included and received preoperative information about divided care via a brochure and face-to-face. The primary outcome was the assessment of patient satisfaction with divided anesthesia care using a validated questionnaire. In group 1 continuity of care was considered important but not performed. In group 2 continuity was ensured. In group 3 continuity was regarded as not important and was not performed. In group 4 patients could not remember or did not answer. A psychometrically developed validated questionnaire was sent to patients at home after discharge.
RESULTS
A total of 484 completed questionnaires (response rate 81%) were analyzed. In group 1 (n = 110) the mean total dissatisfaction score was 25% (95% confidence interval [CI] 21.8-28.1), in group 2 (n = 61) 6.8% (95% CI 4.8-8.7), in group 3 (n = 223) 12.1% (95% CI 10.7-13.4), and in group 4 (n = 90) 15% (95% CI 11-18); ANOVA: p < 0.001, η = 0.43. Of the patients 286 (59%) considered continuity of care by the same anesthetist relatively unimportant (34%) or not important at all (25%). The other 40% considered it important (22%) or very important (18%).
CONCLUSION
Despite receiving comprehensive preoperative information about divided anesthesia care, 40% of patients still considered continuity of care by the same anesthetist important. We recommend further research evaluating whether and how patient expectations can be modified towards the common practice of divided care and patient satisfaction can be increased
Erratum to: Chest physiotherapy using passive expiratory techniques does not reduce bronchiolitis severity: a randomised controlled trial
Chest physiotherapy (CP) using passive expiratory manoeuvres is widely used in Western Europe for the treatment of bronchiolitis, despite lacking evidence for its efficacy. We undertook an open randomised trial to evaluate the effectiveness of CP in infants hospitalised for bronchiolitis by comparing the time to clinical stability, the daily improvement of a severity score and the occurrence of complications between patients with and without CP. Children <1year admitted for bronchiolitis in a tertiary hospital during two consecutive respiratory syncytial virus seasons were randomised to group 1 with CP (prolonged slow expiratory technique, slow accelerated expiratory flow, rarely induced cough) or group 2 without CP. All children received standard care (rhinopharyngeal suctioning, minimal handling, oxygen for saturation ≥92%, fractionated meals). Ninety-nine eligible children (mean age, 3.9months), 50 in group 1 and 49 in group 2, with similar baseline variables and clinical severity at admission. Time to clinical stability, assessed as primary outcome, was similar for both groups (2.9 ± 2.1 vs. 3.2 ± 2.8days, P = 0.45). The rate of improvement of a clinical and respiratory score, defined as secondary outcome, only showed a slightly faster improvement of the respiratory score in the intervention group when including stethoacoustic properties (P = 0.044). Complications were rare but occurred more frequently, although not significantly (P = 0.21), in the control arm. In conclusion, this study shows the absence of effectiveness of CP using passive expiratory techniques in infants hospitalised for bronchiolitis. It seems justified to recommend against the routine use of CP in these patient
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