Visual attention in naturalistic scenes across the lifespan.

Visual attentional skills continue to develop through childhood and do not reach maturity until adolescence. On the other end of the spectrum, older adults’ visual attentional skills are declining with age. The development and decline of these skills can lead to difficulties in day to day activities such as throwing or catching a ball, cycling, crossing a road, or even maintaining stability when walking. Alongside this, children and older adults are among the most vulnerable groups in road crossing situations, with older adults accounting for almost 50% of road crossing fatalities in the EU. A link has been suggested between visual attentional control skills and the vulnerability of older adults and children to pedestrian accidents but little has been done to investigate this link. In this PhD, I set out to investigate in fine- grained detail the involvement of attentional control skills in road crossing decisions in children, younger, and older adults. To this aim four experiments were run. The first experiment tested younger adults and children from five to 15 years old in a road crossing situation where participants had to watch videos of road traffic and decide when they could safely cross the road. The participants’ eye movements were recorded. I found that younger children made riskier crossing decisions compared to older children and young adults. Younger children were also less able to inhibit attentional capture by distractors and were less able to disengage overt attention from moving targets when the visual load was high. In the second experiment, I used a similar paradigm with young and older adults. My findings revealed that older adults were less able to inhibit attentional capture by distractors compared to younger adults. Despite this attentional bias, older adults made safe crossing decisions. This experiment involved only one direction of traffic and more complex situations (several traffic directions, different speeds, large field of view) might be more taxing for older people and impact their abilities to make safe crossing decisions. As such, in the third experiment I used a virtual reality set-up in order to test scenarios of varying complexity. I also tracked the participants’ eye movements across a wide field of view (180°). My results showed that older adults were able in simple situations to make safe crossing decisions and they chose larger gaps between vehicles than younger adults. In more complex situations such as when cars travel faster, older adults made more risky crossing decisions. In experiments one and two, participants looked predominantly at the point where cars appeared on the road and did not overtly follow the cars down the road. This finding suggested a dissociation between overt and covert attention in the context of road-crossing. In order to explore this dissociation and its potential deficit in children and older people, I developed a technique using in conjunction eye-tracking and steady state visually evoked potential (SSVEP). In this paradigm, participants overtly tracked a moving object and covertly monitored the appearance of a new object at the appearance point. I found a drop in the SSVEP power signal prior to the appearance of the second moving object while the participants’ eyes were still overtly tracking the first object. This result suggests during smooth pursuit a decrease in attentional resources allocated to the foveated object when there is a shift of covert attention towards a second object. In future studies, I aim to use this paradigm to explore more precisely the dynamic of overt and covert attention in more realistic scenario and with children and older participants. This research used novel approaches to address the socially relevant and timely question of pedestrian safety. To this aim, I used a variety of methods ranging from eye-tracking to image processing, EEG and VR, and I developed new techniques tailored to the questions at hand. For the first time, I directly investigated the relationships between visual exploration, road crossing decisions and changes in attentional control through the lifespan. My findings show that children below the age of 10 are less able to inhibit attentional capture by distractors, which increased the risk of unsafe crossing decisions. In similar, simple situations, older adults also show an attentional bias towards distractors, but they maintain the ability to make safe crossing decisions. VR experiments with systematic manipulations of the complexity of the road crossing scene revealed that older adults make riskier crossing decisions in specific situations such as when cars travel quickly, or from different directions. This research furthers our understanding of attentional control through the lifespan as well as providing insights for pedestrian safety. As such, it provides avenues for the development of training and safety guidelines for pedestrians

Parameters of prediction: Multidimensional characterization of top-down influence in visual perception

Despite the recent popularity of predictive processing models of brain function, the term prediction is often instantiated very differently across studies. These differences in definition can substantially change the type of cognitive or neural operation hypothesised and thus have critical implications for the corresponding behavioural and neural correlates during visual perception. Here, we propose a five-dimensional scheme to characterise different parameters of prediction. Namely, flow of information, mnemonic origin, specificity, complexity, and temporal precision. We describe these dimensions and provide examples of their application to previous work. Such a characterisation not only facilitates the integration of findings across studies, but also helps stimulate new research questions.[Grant number 211200/Z/18/Z to AC] and by the Junta de Andalucía - Consejería de Universidad,Investigación e Innovación - with a research grant to JO (P21_00148

Motivation in physical education across the primary-secondary school transition

The purpose of this study was to examine the temporal patterns of approach-avoidance achievement goals, implicit theories of ability and perceived competence in physical education across the transition from primary to secondary school. We also evaluated the predictive utility of implicit theories and perceived competence with regard to achievement goal adoption, and determined the moderating influence of gender on temporal patterns and antecedent–goal relationships. One hundred and forty pupils (mean age at start of study = 11.37 years, SD =.28) completed measures of entity and incremental beliefs, perceived competence and goals on four occasions during a 12-month period. Mastery-approach, performance-approach and perform-ance-avoidance goals, as well as entity and incremental beliefs, exhibited a linear decline over time. Mastery-avoidance goals showed no significant change. Girls exhibited a linear decline in perceived competence, whereas for boys the trajectory was curvilinear. Competence perceptions predicted initial scores, but not rate of change, on mastery-approach and both types of performance goals. Incrementa

Bone health assessment in adults with fragility fracture risk factors between 2002-2014: a retrospective cohort study.

Background Lifetime risk of fragility fractures is 50% in post-menopausal women and 20% in men aged over 50 years. Identifying people at high risk facilitates early intervention and reduction of biopsychosocial morbidity associated with these fractures.Aim To explore if bone health assessment (BHA) rates differ between women and men aged 50 years and over with fragility fracture risk factors.Design & setting A primary care-based cohort studyMethod Patients were identified from the Consultations in Primary Care Archive (CiPCA) database between 2002 and 2014 with one or more fragility fracture risk factors (previous fractures, falls and prolonged steroid use). Evaluation of BHA within twelve months of presentation of the first risk factor was carried out by searching for codes for fracture risk assessment tools (FRAX/QFracture), bone density measurement, specialist service referral or if bone-protection medication was started.Results 15,581 patients with risk factors were identified; men represented 40% of the cohort. 1,172 (7.5%) had BHA performed within one year of presentation. 8.9% of females and 5.5% of males had BHAs, which was found with strong statistical evidence (X2=59.88, P=1 × 10-14). This relationship prevailed after adjusting for other covariates such as co-morbidity and number of consultations with an odds ratio of 1.25 (95% Confidence Interval 1.08–1.43).Conclusion This study shows that rates of BHA were generally low and even lower in men. Primary care clinicians should be alert to fragility fracture risk factors in both men and women to enable early assessment and intervention

The regulation of miRNAs by reconstituted high-density lipoproteins in diabetes-impaired angiogenesis

Diabetic vascular complications are associated with impaired ischaemia-driven angiogenesis. We recently found that reconstituted high-density lipoproteins (rHDL) rescue diabetes-impaired angiogenesis. microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate angiogenesis and are transported within HDL to sites of injury/repair. The role of miRNAs in the rescue of diabetes-impaired angiogenesis by rHDL is unknown. Using a miRNA array, we found that rHDL inhibits hsa-miR-181c-5p expression in vitro and using a hsa-miR-181c-5p mimic and antimiR identify a novel anti-angiogenic role for miR-181c-5p. miRNA expression was tracked over time post-hindlimb ischaemic induction in diabetic mice. Early post-ischaemia when angiogenesis is important, rHDL suppressed hindlimb mmu-miR-181c-5p. mmu-miR-181c-5p was not detected in the plasma or within HDL, suggesting rHDL specifically targets mmu-miR-181c-5p at the ischaemic site. Three known angiogenic miRNAs (mmu-miR-223-3p, mmu-miR-27b-3p, mmu-miR-92a-3p) were elevated in the HDL fraction of diabetic rHDL-infused mice early post-ischaemia. This was accompanied by a decrease in plasma levels. Only mmu-miR-223-3p levels were elevated in the hindlimb 3 days post-ischaemia, indicating that rHDL regulates mmu-miR-223-3p in a time-dependent and site-specific manner. The early regulation of miRNAs, particularly miR-181c-5p, may underpin the rescue of diabetes-impaired angiogenesis by rHDL and has implications for the treatment of diabetes-related vascular complications

Equipment management trial : final report

Executive Summary The Equipment Management (EM) trial was one of the practical initiatives conceived and implemented by members of The Application Home Initiative (TAHI) to demonstrate the feasibility of interoperability between white and brown goods, and other domestic equipment. The trial ran from October 2002 to June 2005, over which period it achieved its core objectives through the deployment in early 2005 of an integrated system in trials in 15 occupied homes. Prior to roll out into the field, the work was underpinned by soak testing, validation, laboratory experiments, case studies, user questionnaires, simulations and other research, conducted in a single demonstration home in Loughborough, as well as in Universities in the East Midlands and Scotland. Throughout its life, the trial faced significant membership changes, which had a far greater impact than the technical issues that were tackled. Two blue chip companies withdrew at the point of signing the collaborative agreement; another made a major change in strategic direction half way through and withdrew the major portion of its backing; another corporate left at this point, a second one later; one corporate was a late entrant; the technical leader made a boardroom decision not to do the engineering work that it had promised; one company went into liquidation; another went up for sale whilst others reorganised. The trial was conducted against this backdrop of continual commercial change. Despite this difficult operating environment, the trial met its objectives, although not entirely as envisaged initially – a tribute to the determination of the trial’s membership, the strength of its formal governance and management processes, and especially, the financial support of the dti. The equipment on trial featured a central heating/hot water boiler, washing machine, security system, gas alarm and utility meters, all connected to a home gateway, integrated functionally and presented to the users via a single interface. The trial met its principal objective to show that by connecting appliances to each other and to a support system, benefits in remote condition monitoring, maintenance, appliance & home controls optimisation and convenience to the customer & service supplier could be provided. This is one of two main reports that form the trial output (the other, the Multi Home Trial Report, is available to EM Trial members only as it contains commercially sensitive information). A supporting library of documents is also available and is held in the virtual office hosted by Loughborough University Centre for the Integrated Home Environment

Equipment management trial : TAHI summary

The Equipment Management (EM) trial was one of the practical initiatives conceived and implemented by members of The Application Home Initiative (TAHI) with strong support from the DTI, to demonstrate the feasibility of interoperability between white and brown goods, and other domestic equipment. The trial ran from October 2002 to June 2005, over which period it achieved its core objectives through the deployment in early 2005 of an integrated system in trials in 15 occupied homes. Prior to roll out into the field, the work was underpinned by soak testing, validation, laboratory experiments, case studies, user questionnaires, simulations and other research, conducted in a single demonstration home in Loughborough, as well as in Universities in the East Midlands and Scotland. The trial was conducted against a backdrop of continual commercial change. Despite this difficult operating environment, the trial met its objectives, although not entirely as envisaged initially – a tribute to the determination of the trial’s membership, the strength of its formal governance and management processes, and especially, the financial support of the dti. The equipment on trial featured a central heating/hot water boiler, washing machine, security system, gas alarm and utility meters, all connected to a home gateway, integrated functionally and presented to the users via a single interface. The trial met its principal objective to show that by connecting appliances to each other and to a support system, benefits in remote condition monitoring, maintenance, appliance & home controls optimisation and convenience to the customer & service supplier could be provided. The EM trial identified exciting opportunities for the UK’s domestic white and brown goods manufacturing sector. Despite the relative immaturity of some of the enabling technologies people seem interested in the use of smart home devices to improve their quality of life or just generally make things easier at home in their busy schedules. Whilst the enabling technology behind future smart homes is being developed at a rapid pace, it is the intelligent application and integration of this technology that will make the difference to the home consumer. Just because the technology provider can make a ‘useful’ device it does not necessarily mean that the consumer actually wants to buy the ‘new’ invention. The EM trial has successfully shown where certain technology can be deployed successfully and also identified areas where further work is required

If the shoe fits : Development of an on-line tool to aid practitioner/patient discussions about 'healthy footwear'

Background: A previous study highlighted the importance of footwear to individuals' sense of their identity, demonstrating that shoes must 'fit' someone socially, as well as functionally. However, unhealthy shoes can have a detrimental effect on both foot health and mobility. This project utilises qualitative social science methods to enable podiatrists to understand the broader contribution of footwear to patients' sense of themselves and from this an online toolkit was developed to aid footwear education. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six podiatrists/shoe-fitters and 13 people with foot pathologies, some of whom also completed shoe diaries. These were supplemented with some follow-up interviews and photographs of participants' own shoes were taken to allow in-depth discussions. Results: Four areas related to 'fit' were identified; practicalities, personal, purpose and pressures, all of which need to be considered when discussing changes in footwear. These were incorporated into an online toolkit which was further validated by service users and practitioners in a focus group. Conclusion: This toolkit can support podiatrists in partnership with patients to identify and address possible barriers to changing footwear towards a more suitable shoe. Enabling patients to make healthier shoe choices will help contribute to improvements in their foot health and mobility

Extensive Mammalian Ancestry of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Virus

We demonstrate that the novel pandemic influenza (H1N1) viruses have human virus–like receptor specificity and can no longer replicate in aquatic waterfowl, their historic natural reservoir. The biological properties of these viruses are consistent with those of their phylogenetic progenitors, indicating longstanding adaptation to mammals