A Platform for Indoor Localisation, Mapping, and Data Collection using an Autonomous Vehicle

Everyone who has worked with research knows how rewarding experimenting and developing new algorithms can be. However in some cases, the hard part is not the invention of these algorithms, but their evaluation. To try and make that evaluation easier, this thesis focuses on the collection of data that can be used as positional ground truths using an autonomous measurement platform. This should assist Combain Mobile AB in the evaluation and improvement of their Wi-Fi based indoor positioning service. How and which parts of the open-source community’s work in the Robot Operating System (ROS) project to utilise is not obvious. This thesis therefore sets out to build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) which is capable of supporting two different use cases: measure and explore inside an unknown environment, and measure inside a known environment given a map. This effectively leaves Combain with a viable product, and indirectly helps the community by aiding it in comparing and recommending the best tools and software libraries for the task. The result of this thesis ends up recommending the following for measuring inside an unknown environment: the Simultaneous Localisation And Mapping (SLAM) algorithm Google Cartographer for navigation, and the exploration algorithm Hector Exploration for planning the exploration. To measure inside a known environment the following is recommended: the Adaptive Monte Carlo Localisation (AMCL) positioning algorithm and the Spanning Tree Covering algorithm.Data har många användningsområden inom både forskning och industri. I detta examensarbete skapades en platform som självgående kan användas för att samla in stora mängder data från omgivningen

Temporal profiling of<i>Salmonella</i>transcriptional dynamics during macrophage infection using a comprehensive reporter library

AbstractThe transcriptome ofSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium (S. Tm) dynamically responds to the rapid environmental shifts intrinsic toS.Tm lifestyle, exemplified by entry into theSalmonella-containing vacuole (SCV) within macrophages. IntracellularS. Tm must respond to the acidity of the SCV, accumulation of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, and fluctuations in nutrient availability. Despite thorough RNA-seq-based investigations, the precise transcriptional timing of the expression of many secretion systems, metabolic pathways, and virulence effectors involved in infection has yet to be elucidated. Here, we construct a comprehensive library of GFP-reporter strains representing ∼3,000 computationally identifiedS.Tm promoter regions to study the dynamics of transcriptional regulation. We quantified promoter activity duringin vitrogrowth in defined and complex media and throughout the timeline of intracellular infection of RAW 246.7 macrophages. Using bulk measurements and single-cell imaging, we uncovered condition-specific transcriptional regulation and population-level heterogeneity in the activity of virulence-related promoters, including SPI2 genes such asssaRandssaG. We discovered previously unidentified transcriptional activity from 234 genes, including ones with novel activity during infection that are associated with pathogenecity islands and are involved in metabolism and metal homeostasis. Our library and data sets should provide powerful resources for systems-level interrogation ofSalmonellatranscriptional dynamics.</jats:p

Training for managing impacted fetal head at caesarean birth: multimethod evaluation of a pilot

Background Implementation of national multiprofessional training for managing the obstetric emergency of impacted fetal head (IFH) at caesarean birth has potential to improve quality and safety in maternity care, but is currently lacking in the UK. Objectives To evaluate a training package for managing IFH at caesarean birth with multiprofessional maternity teams. Methods The training included an evidence-based lecture supported by an animated video showing management of IFH, followed by hands-on workshops and real-time simulations with use of a birth simulation trainer, augmented reality and management algorithms. Guided by the Kirkpatrick framework, we conducted a multimethod evaluation of the training with multiprofessional maternity teams. Participants rated post-training statements about relevance and helpfulness of the training and pre-training and post-training confidence in their knowledge and skills relating to IFH (7-point Likert scales, strongly disagree to strongly agree). An ethnographer recorded sociotechnical observations during the training. Participants provided feedback in post-training focus groups. Results Participants (N=57) included 21 midwives, 25 obstetricians, 7 anaesthetists and 4 other professionals from five maternity units. Over 95% of participants agreed that the training was relevant and helpful for their clinical practice and improving outcomes following IFH. Confidence in technical and non-technical skills relating to managing IFH was variable before the training (5%–92% agreement with the pre-training statements), but improved in nearly all participants after the training (71%–100% agreement with the post-training statements). Participants and ethnographers reported that the training helped to: (i) better understand the complexity of IFH, (ii) recognise the need for multiprofessional training and management and (iii) optimise communication with those in labour and their birth partners. Conclusions The evaluated training package can improve self-reported knowledge, skills and confidence of multiprofessional teams involved in management of IFH at caesarean birth. A larger-scale evaluation is required to validate these findings and establish how best to scale and implement the training

COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study

Background: The ISARIC prospective multinational observational study is the largest cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We present relationships of age, sex, and nationality to presenting symptoms. Methods: International, prospective observational study of 60 109 hospitalized symptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 recruited from 43 countries between 30 January and 3 August 2020. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships of age and sex to published COVID-19 case definitions and the most commonly reported symptoms. Results: ‘Typical’ symptoms of fever (69%), cough (68%) and shortness of breath (66%) were the most commonly reported. 92% of patients experienced at least one of these. Prevalence of typical symptoms was greatest in 30- to 60-year-olds (respectively 80, 79, 69%; at least one 95%). They were reported less frequently in children (≤ 18 years: 69, 48, 23; 85%), older adults (≥ 70 years: 61, 62, 65; 90%), and women (66, 66, 64; 90%; vs. men 71, 70, 67; 93%, each P &lt; 0.001). The most common atypical presentations under 60 years of age were nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, and over 60 years was confusion. Regression models showed significant differences in symptoms with sex, age and country. Interpretation: This international collaboration has allowed us to report reliable symptom data from the largest cohort of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Adults over 60 and children admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to present with typical symptoms. Nausea and vomiting are common atypical presentations under 30 years. Confusion is a frequent atypical presentation of COVID-19 in adults over 60 years. Women are less likely to experience typical symptoms than men

A novel conceptual framework investigating the relationship between roadside advertising and road safety: The driver behaviour and roadside advertising conceptual framework

This paper proposes a conceptual framework to understand the relationship between roadside advertising signs, driver behaviour, and road safety outcomes. Roadside advertising signs are external distractions that may take a driver's attention away from safety-critical driving tasks, potentially increasing crash risk through driver distraction and inattention. Although studies report safety concerns, as a whole, the body of research in the field is inconclusive with inconsistent quality, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions. Definitive links between roadside advertising and road trauma are not yet evident, which has major consequences for road regulators' capacity to develop evidence-based policy to safely administer public roads. However, a lack of consistent evidence does not indicate an absence of risk but underscores its complexity. To address this problem, the Driver Behaviour and Roadside Advertising Conceptual Framework (DBRA framework) was developed to strategically investigate and conceptualise the phenomena of roadside advertising. A new term – “extended engagement” – has also been proposed to account for situations of prolonged attentional engagement with a roadside advertising sign. Further, it is posited that important variations in driving performance may be associated with a driver's extended engagement with a roadside advertising sign. Built on extant theories of driver behaviour and empirical research, the DBRA framework is designed to be a robust tool that encourages a common agenda for future roadside advertising research.</p

The impact of road advertising signs on driver behaviour and implications for road safety: A critical systematic review

Driver inattention and distraction are recognised as two of the most critical factors for road safety worldwide. While roadside advertising is often identified as a potential source of distraction, it has received less attention compared to other types of distractions such as texting or calling while driving. Therefore, this study focused on the impact of roadside advertising signs on driver behaviour and road safety. To examine this, a theory-driven systematic literature review was undertaken. In total, 90 unique documents were identified and reviewed using the Task-Capability Interface (TCI) Model to explain the potential safety impact of roadside advertising. The findings confirmed that the TCI model is a useful tool for describing the relationship between roadside advertising and driver behaviour. From this perspective, roadside advertising signs can be considered environmental clutter, which adds additional demands to the driving task. In particular, roadside advertising signs impaired eye movement patterns of drivers. Additionally, it was demonstrated that the impact of roadside advertising on driving behaviour is greatly moderated by individual differences among drivers. Of great importance was that young drivers invest more attentional resources in interacting with roadside advertising, which suggests a lower capacity to discriminate between relevant and irrelevant driving information. Based on the available evidence, however, it is not possible to definitively conclude that there is a direct relationship between the driving behaviour changes attributed to roadside advertising and road crashes. Nonetheless, while most studies remain inconclusive, there is an emerging trend in the literature suggesting that roadside advertising can increase crash risk, particularly for those signs that have the capacity to frequently change (often referred to as digital billboards). Lastly, it is important to mention that most of the empirical studies undertaken to date feature strong methodological limitations. Consequently, there is an urgent need for more research in this area, given that roadside technology and the transport system are changing rapidly

NOMA Roundtable Panel

Presented on October 16, 2013 from 6:00 pm-7:45 pm in the Reinsch-Pierce Family Auditorium on the Georgia Tech campus.Runtime: 109.58 minutesNOMA Atlanta second event in celebration of 50 Years of Diversity in the Atlanta AEC Community: Celebrating our Trailblazers of Change which honors The 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom 50 years ago . This "Trailblazers of Change" roundtable will present a candid discussion on how Atlanta has changed over the past 50 years and where it must go to solidify its place in America as a great city. Panelists will reflect upon the contributions of diverse stakeholders, show more in the building of Atlanta and discuss the importance of diversity in its continued growth over the next 50 years. The panel includes prominent voices of Atlanta with business owners, government officials and community advocates who have a deep and intimate historic knowledge of our city and a forward-facing vision for its future. The roundtable discussion will be moderated by Stefan Chase, CBS Atlanta News personality, to promote a lively discussion and audience engagement

Training for managing impacted fetal head at caesarean birth: multimethod evaluation of a pilot.

BACKGROUND: Implementation of national multiprofessional training for managing the obstetric emergency of impacted fetal head (IFH) at caesarean birth has potential to improve quality and safety in maternity care, but is currently lacking in the UK. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a training package for managing IFH at caesarean birth with multiprofessional maternity teams. METHODS: The training included an evidence-based lecture supported by an animated video showing management of IFH, followed by hands-on workshops and real-time simulations with use of a birth simulation trainer, augmented reality and management algorithms. Guided by the Kirkpatrick framework, we conducted a multimethod evaluation of the training with multiprofessional maternity teams. Participants rated post-training statements about relevance and helpfulness of the training and pre-training and post-training confidence in their knowledge and skills relating to IFH (7-point Likert scales, strongly disagree to strongly agree). An ethnographer recorded sociotechnical observations during the training. Participants provided feedback in post-training focus groups. RESULTS: Participants (N=57) included 21 midwives, 25 obstetricians, 7 anaesthetists and 4 other professionals from five maternity units. Over 95% of participants agreed that the training was relevant and helpful for their clinical practice and improving outcomes following IFH. Confidence in technical and non-technical skills relating to managing IFH was variable before the training (5%-92% agreement with the pre-training statements), but improved in nearly all participants after the training (71%-100% agreement with the post-training statements). Participants and ethnographers reported that the training helped to: (i) better understand the complexity of IFH, (ii) recognise the need for multiprofessional training and management and (iii) optimise communication with those in labour and their birth partners. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluated training package can improve self-reported knowledge, skills and confidence of multiprofessional teams involved in management of IFH at caesarean birth. A larger-scale evaluation is required to validate these findings and establish how best to scale and implement the training