Feature analysis of functional MRI data for mapping epileptic networks

Issued as final reportUniversity of Pennsylvani

State-of-the-art in integrated vehicle health management

Integrated vehicle health management (IVHM) is a collection of data relevant to the present and future performance of a vehicle system and its transformation into information can be used to support operational decisions. This design and operation concept embraces an integration of sensors, communication technologies, and artificial intelligence to provide vehicle-wide abilities to diagnose problems and recommend solutions. This article aims to report the state-of-the-art of IVHM research by presenting a systematic review of the literature. The literature from different sources is collated and analysed, and the major emerging themes are presented. On this basis, the article describes the IVHM concept and its evolution, discusses configurations and existing applications along with main drivers, potential benefits and barriers to adoption, summarizes design guidelines and available methods, and identifies future research challenges

Non-Image-Forming Light Driven Functions Are Preserved in a Mouse Model of Autosomal Dominant Optic Atrophy

Autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA) is a slowly progressive optic neuropathy that has been associated with mutations of the OPA1 gene. In patients, the disease primarily affects the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and causes optic nerve atrophy and visual loss. A subset of RGCs are intrinsically photosensitive, express the photopigment melanopsin and drive non-image-forming (NIF) visual functions including light driven circadian and sleep behaviours and the pupil light reflex. Given the RGC pathology in ADOA, disruption of NIF functions might be predicted. Interestingly in ADOA patients the pupil light reflex was preserved, although NIF behavioural outputs were not examined. The B6; C3-Opa1Q285STOP mouse model of ADOA displays optic nerve abnormalities, RGC dendropathy and functional visual disruption. We performed a comprehensive assessment of light driven NIF functions in this mouse model using wheel running activity monitoring, videotracking and pupillometry. Opa1 mutant mice entrained their activity rhythm to the external light/dark cycle, suppressed their activity in response to acute light exposure at night, generated circadian phase shift responses to 480 nm and 525 nm pulses, demonstrated immobility-defined sleep induction following exposure to a brief light pulse at night and exhibited an intensity dependent pupil light reflex. There were no significant differences in any parameter tested relative to wildtype littermate controls. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the number of melanopsin-expressing RGCs, cell morphology or melanopsin transcript levels between genotypes. Taken together, these findings suggest the preservation of NIF functions in Opa1 mutants. The results provide support to growing evidence that the melanopsin-expressing RGCs are protected in mitochondrial optic neuropathies

Generic transition management for reconfigurable hybrid control systems

Complex control systems often contain numerous controllers (or control laws) for a given plant, where the controller having authority at any given time depends on the current operating condition of the plant. For example, a plant operating in the nominal condition generally uses one controller, while a plant with a fault uses a different controller. Even in nominal operation, there may be several controllers that are designed for different steady-state operating points (for example, a helicopter may have one controller for hover and a different one for take-off). These types of systems can be modeled as hybrid systems, that is, systems that have both continuous and discrete states. In this case, the plant and the controllers can be modeled using differential or difference equations, which have continuously-varying states. The higher-level logic that determines which controller to use can be modeled using discrete states that evolve according to a finite state automaton. The implementation of hybrid controllers can be facilitated by using component-based software architectures [1], [2], which reduce software development and validation costs. Component-based architectures encourage code reuse across applications. For example, there are many algorithmic methods that are applicable to many different systems – neural networks

Technical report: investigation of Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) to reduce down time in the U.S. Air Force Satellite Control Network

Issued as final reportThis item was temporarily removed from SMARTech at the request of the Georgia Tech Research Institute on May 8, 2009

Fusion of Visible and X-Ray Sensing Modalities for the Enhancement of Bone Detection in Poultry Products

©2000 SPIE - Society of Photo Optical Instrumentation Engineers. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic electronic or print reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper are prohibited.Presented at Biological Quality and Precision Agriculture II, November 05, 2000, Boston, MA.http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.411744The U.S. demand for deboned chicken has risen greatly in the past 5 years, with the expectations that this demand will oniy continue at an accelerated level. The standard inspection process for bones in meat is for workers to manually feel for bones. It is clear that this time-consuming manual inspection method is insufficient to meet the increasing demand for deboned meat products. Georgia Tech Electrical Engineering faculty and Research Scientists in conjunction with a leading x-ray equipment manufacturer are working together on the development of a system to fuse information from visible images and x-ray images to enhance the accuracy of detection. Currently there are some bones that x-ray systems have difficulty detecting. These are usually relatively thin and are located near the surface of the meat. A primary example is a fanbone (so called because of its shape). We will describe and present results from work geared towards the development of an integrated system that would fuse visible and x-ray information. Significant benefits to the poultry industry are anticipated in terms of reduced processing costs, improved inspection performance and increased throughput through the use of the integrated system to be described. Additionally, generic aspects of the proposed technologies may be applicable to other food processing industries

Resistance to antivascular endothelial growth factor treatment in age-related macular degeneration

Paris Tranos,1 Athanasios Vacalis,1 Solon Asteriadis,1 Stavrenia Koukoula,1 Athanasios Vachtsevanos,1 Georgia Perganta,1 Ilias Georgalas21Retina Centre, Thessaloniki, Greece; 2Department of Ophthalmology, "G Gennimatas" Hospital of Athens, University of Athens, Athens, GreeceAbstract: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the main cause of visual impairment and blindness in people aged over 65 years in developed countries. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a positive regulator of angiogenesis and its proven role in the pathological neovascularization in wet AMD has provided evidence for the use of anti-VEGF agents as potential therapies. In this study, we review the literature for the possible causes of failure after treatment with anti-VEGF agents and attempt to propose an algorithm of suggestive actions to increase the chances of successful management of such difficult cases.Keywords: antiVEGF, age related macular degeneration, treatmen