A real-time hybrid neuron network for highly parallel cognitive systems

For comprehensive understanding of how neurons communicate with each other, new tools need to be developed that can accurately mimic the behaviour of such neurons and neuron networks under 'real-time' constraints. In this paper, we propose an easily customisable, highly pipelined, neuron network design, which executes optimally scheduled floating-point operations for maximal amount of biophysically plausible neurons per FPGA family type. To reduce the required amount of resources without adverse effect on the calculation latency, a single exponent instance is used for multiple neuron calculation operations. Experimental results indicate that the proposed network design allows the simulation of up to 1188 neurons on Virtex7 (XC7VX550T) device in brain real-time yielding a speed-up of x12.4 compared to the state-of-the art

Evaluating body tracking interaction in floor projection displays with an elderly population

The recent development of affordable full body tracking sensors has made this technology accessible to millions of users and gives the opportunity to develop new natural user interfaces. In this paper we focused on developing 2 natural user interfaces that could easily be used by an elderly population for interaction with a floor projection display. One interface uses feet positions to control a cursor and feet distance to activate interaction. In the second interface, the cursor is controlled by ray casting the forearm into the projection and interaction is activated by hand pose. The interfaces were tested by 19 elderly participants in a point-and-click and a drag-and-drop task using a between-subjects experimental design. The usability and perceived workload for each interface was assessed as well as performance indicators. Results show a clear preference by the participants for the feet controlled interface and also marginal better performance for this method.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A telerehabilitation system based on wireless motion capture sensors

The constant growth of the elderly population in the world creates new challenges and opportunities in health care systems. New technological solutions have to be found in order to meet the needs and demands of our aging society. The welfare and quality of life of the elderly population must be a priority. Continuous physical activity will play an important role, due to the increase of the retirement age. However, physiotherapy can be expensive, even when the desire movements are autonomous and simple, also requires people to move to rehabilitation centres. Within this context, this paper describes the development and preliminary tests of a wireless sensor network, based on wearable inertial and magnetic sensors, applied to the capture of human motion. This will enable a personalized home-based rehabilitation system for the elderly or people in remote physical locations.Project “AAL4ALL”, co-financed by the European Community Fund FEDER through COMPETE – Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade (POFC).FCT – Foundation for Science and Technology – Lisbon, Portugal, through project PEst-C/CTM/LA0025/2013

Empirical evaluation of the potential of low-cost and open source “on-the-person” ECG for cardiopathy pre-screening

Electrocardiographic (ECG) data analysis can reveal crucial information about the cardiovascular physiologi- cal phenomenon, which is modulated by the Autonomic Nervous System. Hereupon, beyond cardiovascular diagnosis, ECG markers can also reflect workload levels, or even physical and mental performance, through Heart Rate Variability (HRV) analysis. Building upon previous work found within the state-of-the-art, this pilot research explores the potential of using a low-cost device for cardiopathy pre-screening, through ECG signal analysis. With the aim of performing the rhythmical analysis, we performed empirical tests from a population of 21 control subjects in a resting position, and an additional 2 subjects, one of them in dynamic condition, in the scope of an exploratory research, using ECG wave segments analysis and HRV features extraction for nu- merical analysis. Results have demonstrated that the signal quality allows reliable ECG acquisition for further rhythmical and HRV analysis, in stationary and dynamic monitoring, for the bipolar leads applied. There was also evidence to suggest a benefit from including ECG morphological analysis with this hardware and software setup for prevention and diagnosis of cardiovascular disorders, although requiring further investigation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Topological quantum phase transition in the BEC-BCS crossover phenomena

A crossover between the Bose Einstein condensation (BEC) and BCS superconducting state is described topologically in the chiral symmetric fermion system with attractive interaction. Using a local Z_2 Berry phase, we found a quantum phase transition between the BEC and BCS phases without accompanying the bulk gap closing.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

VIF: Virtual Interactive Fiction (with a twist)

Nowadays computer science can create digital worlds that deeply immerse users; it can also process in real time brain activity to infer their inner states. What marvels can we achieve with such technologies? Go back to displaying text. And unfold a story that follows and molds users as never before.Comment: Pervasive Play - CHI '16 Workshop, May 2016, San Jose, United State

The Anomaly-Flux-Index Identity and its Euclidean Extension

The identity of the U(1) anomaly A, the magnetic flux Φ, and the Atiyah-Singer index I (A = Φ = I) for 2n-dimensional compact manifolds is recalled and established in a simple manner by identifying each of them with the central quantity Q = m^2 tr γ(D^2 + m^2)^(-1), where γ is the 2n-dimensional analogue of γ_5, and it is shown that for Euclidean manifolds the identity holds if the index I = (n_+ - n_-) is replaced by the quantity Ĩ = (n_+ - n_-) + (1/π)(η_+(0) - η_-(0)) where η_±(0) are sums over zero-energy phase-shifts