Multi-modal distraction: insights from children's limited attention.

How does the multi-sensory nature of stimuli influence information processing? Cognitive systems with limited selective attention can elucidate these processes. Six-year-olds, 11-year-olds and 20-year-olds engaged in a visual search task that required them to detect a pre-defined coloured shape under conditions of low or high visual perceptual load. On each trial, a peripheral distractor that could be either compatible or incompatible with the current target colour was presented either visually, auditorily or audiovisually. Unlike unimodal distractors, audiovisual distractors elicited reliable compatibility effects across the two levels of load in adults and in the older children, but high visual load significantly reduced distraction for all children, especially the youngest participants. This study provides the first demonstration that multi-sensory distraction has powerful effects on selective attention: Adults and older children alike allocate attention to potentially relevant information across multiple senses. However, poorer attentional resources can, paradoxically, shield the youngest children from the deleterious effects of multi-sensory distraction. Furthermore, we highlight how developmental research can enrich the understanding of distinct mechanisms controlling adult selective attention in multi-sensory environments.

A hierarchical approach to model parameter optimization for developmental systems.

In the context of Systems Biology, computer simulations of gene regulatory networks provide a powerful tool to validate hypotheses and to explore possible system behaviors. Nevertheless, modeling a system poses some challenges of its own: especially the step of model calibration is often difficult due to insufficient data. For example when considering developmental systems, mostly qualitative data describing the developmental trajectory is available while common calibration techniques rely on high-resolution quantitative data. Focusing on the calibration of differential equation models for developmental systems, this study investigates different approaches to utilize the available data to overcome these difficulties. More specifically, the fact that developmental processes are hierarchically organized is exploited to increase convergence rates of the calibration process as well as to save computation time. Using a gene regulatory network model for stem cell homeostasis in Arabidopsis thaliana the performance of the different investigated approaches is evaluated, documenting considerable gains provided by the proposed hierarchical approach.

Evaluation de la sarcopénie de la personne agée par la bio-impédance spectroscopique [Multispectral bioimpedance and sarcopenia in the elderly].

The definition of sarcopenia includes both a loss of muscle strength and a decline in functional quality in addition to the loss of muscle protein mass. Multispectral bioimpendance allows bedside assessment of muscle mass. Using this new tool, we performed a pilot study to look for a possible correlation between muscle mass and various tests of muscle strength (grip strength, key-pitch, tip-pinch) and with functional tests (walk speed on 10 meters and Tinetti test). Our study demonstrates a good correlation between muscle mass determined by spectroscopic bioimpendance and muscle strength assessment, but no correlation with functional tests.

Multi-scale label interaction to improve object detection and segmentation

The project aims at advancing the state of the art in the use of context information for classification of image and video data. The use of context in the classification of images has been showed of great importance to improve the performance of actual object recognition systems. In our project we proposed the concept of Multi-scale Feature Labels as a general and compact method to exploit the local and global context. The feature extraction from the discriminative probability or classification confidence label field is of great novelty. Moreover the use of a multi-scale representation of the feature labels lead to a compact and efficient description of the context. The goal of the project has been also to provide a general-purpose method and prove its suitability in different image/video analysis problem. The two-year project generated 5 journal publications (plus 2 under submission), 10 conference publications (plus 2 under submission) and one patent (plus 1 pending). Of these publications, a relevant number make use of the main result of this project to improve the results in detection and/or segmentation of objects.

Probabilistically analysable real-time systems (PROARTIS)

Critical real-time ebedded (CRTE) Systems require safe and tight worst-case execution time (WCET) estimations to provide required safety levels and keep costs low. However, CRTE Systems require increasing performance to satisfy performance needs of existing and new features. Such performance can be only achieved by means of more agressive hardware architectures, which are much harder to analyze from a WCET perspective. The main features considered include cache memòries and multi-core processors.Thus, althoug such features provide higher performance, corrent WCET analysis methods are unable to provide tight WCET estimations. In fact, WCET estimations become worse than for simple rand less powerful hardware. The main reason is the fact that hardware behavior is deterministic but unknown and, therefore, the worst-case behavior must be assumed most of the time, leading to large WCET estimations. The purpose of this project is developing new hardware designs together with WCET analysis tools able to provide tight and safe WCET estimations. In order to do so, those pieces of hardware whose behavior is not easily analyzable due to lack of accurate information during WCET analysis will be enhanced to produce a probabilistically analyzable behavior. Thus, even if the worst-case behavior cannot be removed, its probabilty can be bounded, and hence, a safe and tight WCET can be provided for a particular safety level in line with the safety levels of the remaining components of the system. During the first year the project we have developed molt of the evaluation infraestructure as well as the techniques hardware techniques to analyze cache memories. During the second year those techniques have been evaluated, and new purely-softwar techniques have been developed.

De-hyping transmit diversity in modern MIMO cellular systems

A contemporary perspective on the tradeoff between transmit antenna diversity and spatial multi-plexing is provided. It is argued that, in the context of modern cellular systems and for the operating points of interest, transmission techniques that utilize all available spatial degrees of freedom for multiplexingoutperform techniques that explicitly sacrifice spatialmultiplexing for diversity. Reaching this conclusion, however, requires that the channel and some key system features be adequately modeled; failure to do so may bring about starkly different conclusions. As a specific example, this contrast is illustrated using the 3GPP Long-Term Evolution system design.

Controlled nerve growth factor release from multi-ply alginate/chitosan-based nerve conduits.

The delivery kinetics of growth factors has been suggested to play an important role in the regeneration of peripheral nerves following axotomy. In this context, we designed a nerve conduit (NC) with adjustable release kinetics of nerve growth factor (NGF). A multi-ply system was designed where NC consisting of a polyelectrolyte alginate/chitosan complex was coated with layers of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) to control the release of embedded NGF. Prior to assessing the in vitro NGF release from NC, various release test media, with and without stabilizers for NGF, were evaluated to ensure adequate quantification of NGF by ELISA. Citrate (pH 5.0) and acetate (pH 5.5) buffered saline solutions containing 0.05% Tween 20 yielded the most reliable results for ELISA active NGF. The in vitro release experiments revealed that the best results in terms of reproducibility and release control were achieved when the NGF was embedded between two PLGA layers and the ends of the NC tightly sealed by the PLGA coatings. The release kinetics could be efficiently adjusted by accommodating NGF at different radial locations within the NC. A sustained release of bioactive NGF in the low nanogram per day range was obtained for at least 15days. In conclusion, the developed multi-ply NGF loaded NC is considered a suitable candidate for future implantation studies to gain insight into the relationship between local growth factor availability and nerve regeneration.

A singular function and its relation with the number systems involved in its definition

Minkowski's ?(x) function can be seen as the confrontation of two number systems: regular continued fractions and the alternated dyadic system. This way of looking at it permits us to prove that its derivative, as it also happens for many other non-decreasing singular functions from [0,1] to [0,1], when it exists can only attain two values: zero and infinity. It is also proved that if the average of the partial quotients in the continued fraction expansion of x is greater than k* =5.31972, and ?'(x) exists then ?'(x)=0. In the same way, if the same average is less than k**=2 log2(F), where F is the golden ratio, then ?'(x)=infinity. Finally some results are presented concerning metric properties of continued fraction and alternated dyadic expansions.

A bio-inspired agent-based programming environment for pervasive platforms

Abstract in English : Ubiquitous Computing is the emerging trend in computing systems. Based on this observation this thesis proposes an analysis of the hardware and environmental constraints that rule pervasive platforms. These constraints have a strong impact on the programming of such platforms. Therefore solutions are proposed to facilitate this programming both at the platform and node levels. The first contribution presented in this document proposes a combination of agentoriented programming with the principles of bio-inspiration (Phylogenesys, Ontogenesys and Epigenesys) to program pervasive platforms such as the PERvasive computing framework for modeling comPLEX virtually Unbounded Systems platform. The second contribution proposes a method to program efficiently parallelizable applications on each computing node of this platform. Résumé en Français : Basée sur le constat que les calculs ubiquitaires vont devenir le paradigme de programmation dans les années à venir, cette thèse propose une analyse des contraintes matérielles et environnementale auxquelles sont soumises les plateformes pervasives. Ces contraintes ayant un impact fort sur la programmation des plateformes. Des solutions sont donc proposées pour faciliter cette programmation tant au niveau de l'ensemble des noeuds qu'au niveau de chacun des noeuds de la plateforme. La première contribution présentée dans ce document propose d'utiliser une alliance de programmation orientée agent avec les grands principes de la bio-inspiration (Phylogénèse, Ontogénèse et Épigénèse). Ceci pour répondres aux contraintes de programmation de plateformes pervasives comme la plateforme PERvasive computing framework for modeling comPLEX virtually Unbounded Systems . La seconde contribution propose quant à elle une méthode permettant de programmer efficacement des applications parallélisable sur chaque noeud de calcul de la plateforme

Maximizing the Use of Roadway Weather Information Systems: Final Report, TR-404, 1998

This project was proposed as Phase I of a 2-phase program to evaluate the present use of weather information by Iowa Department of Transportation (IaDOT) personnel, recommend revised procedures, and then implement the resulting recommendations. Midway through Phase I (evaluation phase) the FORETELL project was funded. This project is a multi-state venture that engages the National Weather Service (NWS) and the Forecast Systems Laboratory of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and proposes to supplant the current weather information-generation and distribution system with an advanced system based on state-of-the-art technologies. The focus of the present project was therefore refined to consider use of weather data by IaDOT personnel, and the training programs needed to more effectively use these data. Results of the survey revealed that two major areas - training of personnel on use of data from whatever source and more precise information of frost formation - are not addressed in the FORETELL project. These aspects have been the focus of the present project.

Multi-Purpose ESS/ITS Data Collection Sites, SPR72-00-0003-042, 2014

This document presents the results of a state-of-practice survey of transportation agencies that are installing intelligent transportation sensors (ITS) and other devices along with their environmental sensing stations (ESS) also referred to as roadway weather information system (RWIS) assets.

A novel approach to reducing number of sensing units for wearable gait analysis systems.

Gait analysis methods to estimate spatiotemporal measures, based on two, three or four gyroscopes attached on lower limbs have been discussed in the literature. The most common approach to reduce the number of sensing units is to simplify the underlying biomechanical gait model. In this study, we propose a novel method based on prediction of movements of thighs from movements of shanks. Datasets from three previous studies were used. Data from the first study (ten healthy subjects and ten with Parkinson's disease) were used to develop and calibrate a system with only two gyroscopes attached on shanks. Data from two other studies (36 subjects with hip replacement, seven subjects with coxarthrosis, and eight control subjects) were used for comparison with the other methods and for assessment of error compared to a motion capture system. Results show that the error of estimation of stride length compared to motion capture with the system with four gyroscopes and our new method based on two gyroscopes was close ( -0.8 ±6.6 versus 3.8 ±6.6 cm). An alternative with three sensing units did not show better results (error: -0.2 ±8.4 cm). Finally, a fourth that also used two units but with a simpler gait model had the highest bias compared to the reference (error: -25.6 ±7.6 cm). We concluded that it is feasible to estimate movements of thighs from movements of shanks to reduce number of needed sensing units from 4 to 2 in context of ambulatory gait analysis.

Remote collaborative multi-user informal learning experiences: design and evaluation

This paper presents a customizable system used to develop a collaborative multi-user problem solving game. It addresses the increasing demand for appealing informal learning experiences in museum-like settings. The system facilitates remote collaboration by allowing groups of learners tocommunicate through a videoconferencing system and by allowing them to simultaneously interact through a shared multi-touch interactive surface. A user study with 20 user groups indicates that the game facilitates collaboration between local and remote groups of learners. The videoconference and multitouch surface acted as communication channels, attracted students’ interest, facilitated engagement, and promoted inter- and intra-group collaboration—favoring intra-group collaboration. Our findings suggest that augmentingvideoconferencing systems with a shared multitouch space offers newpossibilities and scenarios for remote collaborative environments and collaborative learning.

Statistical mechanics of multi-edge networks

Statistical properties of binary complex networks are well understood and recently many attempts have been made to extend this knowledge to weighted ones. There are, however, subtle yet important considerations to be made regarding the nature of the weights used in this generalization. Weights can be either continuous or discrete magnitudes, and in the latter case, they can additionally have undistinguishable or distinguishable nature. This fact has not been addressed in the literature insofar and has deep implications on the network statistics. In this work we face this problem introducing multiedge networks as graphs where multiple (distinguishable) connections between nodes are considered. We develop a statistical mechanics framework where it is possible to get information about the most relevant observables given a large spectrum of linear and nonlinear constraints including those depending both on the number of multiedges per link and their binary projection. The latter case is particularly interesting as we show that binary projections can be understood from multiedge processes. The implications of these results are important as many real-agent-based problems mapped onto graphs require this treatment for a proper characterization of their collective behavior.

Multi-site -sertifikaatin vaatimukset ympäristöjohtamisjärjestelmän rakentamisessa

Diplomityö muodostuu kahdesta kokonaisuudesta. Työn teoriaosa kertoo mitä ympäristöjohtaminen on, millaisia ovat multi-site -organisaatio ja multi-site -johtamisjärjestelmä sekä mitä vaatimuksia nämä asettavat yritykselle. Työssä esitetään malli, jota käyttämällä kansainvälisten johtamisjärjestelmästandardien mukaan rakennetut laatu-, ympäristö-, terveys- ja turvallisuusjärjestelmät voidaan yhdistää yhdeksi kokonaisuudeksi, multi-site - johtamisjärjestelmäksi. Malli rakentuu kolmesta tasosta, joita ovat paikallinen, maakohtainen ja konsernitaso. Esimerkkien avulla kerrotaan miteneri lähtökohdista voidaan näiden tasojen kautta edetä kohti yhtä johtamiskokonaisuutta. Esille tuodaan myös multi-site -johtamisjärjestelmän käyttöönottoa puoltavat ja vastustavat näkökohdat. Työn konkreettinen osa on johtamisjärjestelmämallin paikallisen tason toteuttaminen. Ympäristöjohtamisjärjestelmän rakentaminen standardin EN ISO 14001:2004 vaatimusten mukaiseksi Kvaerner Power Oy:n Suomen toimipaikoille sekä tämän järjestelmän yhdistäminen sertifioituun EN ISO 9001 -standardin mukaiseen laatujärjestelmään. Työssä kerrotaan miten ympäristöjohtamisjärjestelmä on rakennettu ja miten laatu- ja ympäristöjärjestelmät on liitetty yhdeksi kokonaisuudeksi. Työn tuloksena syntyi malli johtamisjärjestelmien yhdistämisestä sekä sertifioitu ympäristöjohtamisjärjestelmä, jonka yhdistäminen laatujärjestelmään toteutettiin tavoitteiden mukaisesti.