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Design of a self-learning multi-agent framework for the adaptation of modular production systems
Get PDFYesThis paper presents the design of a multi-agent framework that aids engineers in the adaptation of modular production systems. The framework includes general implementations of agents and other software components for self-learning and adaptation, sensor data analysis, system modelling and simulation, as well as human-computer interaction. During an adaptation process, operators make changes to the production system, in order to increase capacity or manufacture a product variant. These changes are automatically captured and evaluated by the framework, building an experience base of adjustments that is then used to infer adaptation knowledge. The architecture of the framework consists of agents divided in two layers: the agents in the lower layer are associated with individual production modules, whereas the agents in the higher layer are associated with the entire production line. Modelling, learning, and adaptations can be performed at both levels, using a semantic model to specify the structure and capabilities of the production system. An evaluation of a prototype implementation has been conducted on an industrial assembly system. The results indicate that the use of the framework in a typical adaptation process provides a significant reduction in time and resources required.European Commission [grant agreement n. 314762]
Comparing the supine and erect pelvis radiographic examinations: an evaluation of anatomy, image quality and radiation dose
Get PDFYesObjectives: Pelvis radiographs are usually acquired supine despite standing imaging reflecting functional anatomy. We compared supine and erect radiographic examinations for anatomical features, radiation dose and image quality.
Methods: 60 patients underwent pelvis radiography in both supine and erect positions at the same examination appointment. Measures of body mass index and sagittal diameter were obtained. Images were evaluated using visual grading analysis and pelvic tilt was compared. Dose–area product values were recorded and inputted into the CalDose_X software to estimate effective dose (ED). The CalDose_X software allowed comparisons using data from the erect and supine sex-specific phantoms (MAX06 & FAX06).
Results: Patient sagittal diameter was greater on standing with an average 20.6% increase at the iliac crest (median 30.0, interquartile range [26.0 to 34.0] cm), in comparison to the supine position [24.0 (22.3 to 28.0) cm; p < 0.001]. 57 (95%) patients had posterior pelvic tilt on weight-bearing. Erect image quality was significantly decreased with median image quality scores of 78% (69 to 85) compared to 87% for the supine position [81 to 91] (p < 0.001). In the erect position, the ED was 47% higher [0.17 (0.13 to 0.33) mSv vs 0.12 (0.08 to 0.18) mSv (p < 0.001)], influenced by the increased sagittal diameter. 42 (70%) patients preferred the standing examination.
Conclusion: Patient diameter and pelvic tilt were altered on weightbearing. Erect images demonstrated an overall decrease in image quality with a higher radiation dose. Optimal acquisition parameters are required for erect pelvis radiography as the supine technique is not directly transferable.College of Radiographers Industry Partnership Scheme grant
Renal stone detection using a low kilo-voltage paediatric CT protocol - A porcine phantom study
Get PDFYesReducing tube voltage is an effective dose saving method in
computed tomography (CT) assuming tube current is not concurrently
increased. Recent innovations in scanner technology now enable CT tube
voltage reduction to 70 kV thereby increasing opportunities for dose reduction
in paediatric patients, but it is unclear if the increased image noise associated
with 70 kV impacts on ability to visualise renal stones accurately. The purpose
was to assess detectability of nephrolithiasis using a bespoke paediatric
phantom and low kV, non-contrast CT and to assess inter-observer agreement.
Methods: Forty-two renal stones of different size and chemical composition
were inserted into porcine kidneys and positioned in a bespoke, water-filled
phantom mimicking a 9-year-old child weighing approximately 33kg. The
phantom was scanned using 120 and 70 kV CT protocols, and the detectability
of the stones was assessed by three radiologists. Absolute agreement and Fleiss’
kappa regarding detectability were assessed. Results: The mean diameter of
renal stones as measured physically was 4.24 mm ranging from 1 to 11 mm.
Four stones were missed by at least one observer. One observer had a
sensitivity of 93 and 95% at 70 and 120 kV, respectively, while the sensitivity
for observers 2 and 3 was 98% at both kV levels. Specificity was 100% across
readers and kV levels. Absolute agreement between the readers at 70 kV was
92% (kappa = 0.86) and 98% (kappa = 0.96) at 120 kV indicating a strong
agreement at both kV levels. Conclusions: The results suggest that lowering the
kV does not affect the detection rate of renal stones and may be a useful dose
reduction strategy for assessment of nephrolithiasis in children
Retail atmospherics effect on store performance and personalised shopper behaviour: A cognitive computing approach
Get PDFYesAbstract Purpose: The best possible way for brick-and-mortar retailers to maximise engagement with personalised shoppers is capitalising on intelligent insights. The retailer operates differently with diversified items and services, but influencing retail atmospheric on personalised shoppers, the perception remains the same across industries. Retail atmospherics stimuli such as design, smell and others create behavioural modifications. The purpose of this study is to explore the atmospheric effects on brick-and- mortar store performance and personalised shopper’s behaviour using cognitive computing based in-store analytics in the context of emerging market. Design/methodology/approach: The data are collected from 35 shoppers of a brick-and-mortar retailer through questionnaire survey and analysed using quantitative method. Findings: The result of the analysis reveals month-on-month growth in footfall count (46%), conversation rate (21%), units per transaction (27%), average order value (23%), dwell time (11%), purchase intention (29%), emotional experience (40%) and a month-on-month decline in remorse (20%). The retailers need to focus on three control gates of shopper behaviour: entry, browsing and exit. Attention should be paid to the cognitive computing solution to judge the influence of retail atmospherics on store performance and behaviour of personalised shoppers. Retail atmospherics create the right experience for individual shoppers and forceful use of it has an adverse impact. Originality/value: The paper focuses on strategic decisions of retailers, the tactical value of personalised shoppers and empirically identifies the retail atmospherics effect on brick-and-mortar store performance and personalised shopper behaviour
Imagining the impossible? Fears of deportation and the barriers in obtaining EU Settled Status in the UK
Get PDFYesIn early 2021, over 5 million European Union (EU) citizens had applied for settled status to secure their right to continue to live, work and study in the United Kingdom (UK) after the country’s withdrawal from the EU (Brexit). In 2018, the Home Office launched a Statement of Intent to implement an application process for EU citizens through its EU Settlement Scheme. In the period leading to Brexit, the UK government assured EU migrants that their existing rights under EU law will remain essentially unchanged, and that applying for the settled status will be smooth, transparent and simple. However, the application process has resulted in some long-term residents failing to obtain settled status, despite providing the required information. Based on qualitative in-depth interviews with 20 EU migrants living in 2 major metropolitan areas in North East England, this article discusses the significant barriers which EU citizens face with the application process. This situation affects especially the most vulnerable EU migrants with limited English language skills and/or low literacy levels as well as those who are digitally excluded. This study contributes to the growing body of research on the consequences of Brexit to vulnerable EU migrants in the UK, focusing specifically on Central and Eastern European migrants
Recovering dense 3D point clouds from single endoscopic image
Get PDFYesRecovering high-quality 3D point clouds from monocular endoscopic images is a challenging task. This paper proposes a novel deep learning-based computational framework for 3D point cloud reconstruction from single monocular endoscopic images.
An unsupervised mono-depth learning network is used to generate depth information from monocular images. Given a single mono endoscopic image, the network is capable of depicting a depth map. The depth map is then used to recover a dense 3D point cloud. A generative Endo-AE network based on an auto-encoder is trained to repair defects of the dense point cloud by generating the best representation from the incomplete data. The performance of the proposed framework is evaluated against state-of-the-art learning-based methods. The results are also compared with non-learning based stereo 3D reconstruction algorithms.
Our proposed methods outperform both the state-of-the-art learning-based and non-learning based methods for 3D point cloud reconstruction. The Endo-AE model for point cloud completion can generate high-quality, dense 3D endoscopic point clouds from incomplete point clouds with holes. Our framework is able to recover complete 3D point clouds with the missing rate of information up to 60%. Five large medical in-vivo databases of 3D point clouds of real endoscopic scenes have been generated and two synthetic 3D medical datasets are created. We have made these datasets publicly available for researchers free of charge.
The proposed computational framework can produce high-quality and dense 3D point clouds from single mono-endoscopy images for augmented reality, virtual reality and other computer-mediated medical applications
A systematic review of perinatal social support interventions for asylum-seeking and refugee women residing in Europe
Get PDFYesAsylum-seeking and refugee women currently residing in Europe face unique challenges in the perinatal period. A range of social support interventions have been developed to address these challenges. However, little is known about which women value and why. A critical interpretive synthesis was undertaken using peer reviewed and grey literature to explore the nature, context and impact of these perinatal social support interventions on the wellbeing of asylum-seeking and refugee women. Four types of interventions were identified which had varying impacts on women’s experiences. The impacts of the interventions were synthesised into five themes: Alleviation of being alone, Safety and trust, Practical knowledge and learning, being cared for and emotional support, and increased confidence in and beyond the intervention. The interventions which were most valued by women were those using a community-based befriending/peer support approach as these provided the most holistic approach to addressing women’s needs
Moving and handling children after death: an inductive thematic analysis of the factors that influence decision-making by children's hospice staff
No full textNoHospices for children and adolescents in the United Kingdom provide care to the
bodies of deceased children, in specially-designed chilled bedrooms called ‘cool
rooms’. In an effort to develop resources to support hospice practitioners to provide
this specialist area of care, the study aimed to identify the factors that influence
decision-making when moving and handling children’s bodies after death in a hospice
cool bedroom. An internet-based survey was sent to all practitioners employed by one
children’s hospice. A total of 94.9% of eligible staff responded (n=56). An inductive
approach to thematic analysis was undertaken, using a six-phase methodological
framework. Three core themes were identified that inform practitioners’ perception of
appropriateness of moving and handling decisions: care of the body, stages of care,
and method of handling. The complexity of decision-making and variation in practice
was identified. Practitioners relied on both analytical and initiative decision-making,
with more experienced practitioners using an intuitive approach. Evidence-based
policy and training influence the perception of appropriateness, and the decisions and
behaviour of practitioners. The development of a policy and education framework
would support practitioners in caring for children’s bodies after death, standardising
expectations and measures of competence in relation to moving and handling tasks
Living well with dementia: what is possible and how to promote it
Get PDFYesKey points:
The focus on living well with dementia encourages a more positive and empowering
approach.
The right support can improve the experience of living with dementia.
An holistic approach to assessing the needs of people with dementia and identifying the factors that impact on their well-being is essential.
Enabling people to live better requires a broad approach that encompasses both health and social systems and the wider community.The IDEAL study was funded jointly by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) through grant ES/L001853/2. The IDEAL2 study’ is funded by Alzheimer’s Society, grant number 348, AS-PR2-16-001. The support of ESRC, NIHR and Alzheimer’s Society is gratefully acknowledged. LC acknowledges support from the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration South-West Peninsula.Research Development Fund Publication Prize Award winner, Sep 202
Big data analytics capability and market performance: The roles of disruptive business models and competitive intensity
Get PDFYesResearch shows that big data analytics capability (BDAC) is a major determinant of firm performance. However, scant research has theoretically articulated and empirically tested the mechanisms and conditions under which BDAC influences performance. This study advances existing knowledge on the BDAC–performance relationship by drawing on the knowledge-based view and contingency theory to argue that how and when BDAC influences market performance is dependent on the intervening role of disruptive business models and the contingency role of competitive intensity. We empirically test this argument on primary data from 360 firms in the United Kingdom. The results show that disruptive business models partially mediate the positive effect of BDAC on market performance, and this indirect positive effect is strengthened when competitive intensity increases. These findings provide new perspectives on the business model processes and competitive conditions under which firms maximize marketplace value from investments in BDACs