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Hybrid Deep Transfer Learning for Enhanced Brain Tumor Detection through the Integration of MobileNetV2 and InceptionV3
Get PDFBrain Tumors (BT) are one of the most hazardous diseases in the world, primarily because of the speed at which they spread and high mortality rates. Hence, diagnosing BT at an early stage with higher accuracy is necessary. Recent breakthroughs in deep transfer learning have achieved great performances in identifying common types of BT, such as glioma, meningioma, and pituitary tumors. In this paper, we will propose a novel hybrid deep transfer learning architecture by combining the strengths of two state-of-the-art pre-trained deep convolutional neural networks: MobileNetV2 and InceptionV3. We implement a parallel feature extraction process, reduce dimensionality in the extracted features using dropout techniques, and pass the refined data through fully connected layers for accurate classification. In this context, our two-step methodology of sub-image classification and final image categorisation with the help of majority voting and maximum probability principles shows much-improved results. Validated on a comprehensive BT dataset, our approach achieves 98.68% accuracy, 97% precision, 97.25% recall, and 97% F-measure with 0.9975 AUC and average precision of 99.50%. The outcomes surpass the performance of existing models on precision, sensitivity, and generalization, thus revealing the value that this technique may hold in whole-slide MRI image classification and clinical practice
A novel triplet loss architecture with visual explanation for detecting the unwanted rotation of bolts in safety-critical environments
Get PDFIn the commonly used method of bolting to secure parts of equipment and structure, the bolts must be tightened to an adequate preload force. Failure to do so could affect the integrity of the structure, as well as the efficient running of the site and, crucially, employees’ safety. In this project, we consider the use of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to analyse maintenance videos and identify the unwanted loosening of bolts over time in order that they might be used as additional tools in a continuous maintenance plan. We found that accuracy levels of up to 97% could be achieved in identifying bolt rotation with our proposed machine learning-based triplet loss architecture. The use of gradient-weighted class activation mapping (Grad-CAM) visualisations to identify areas of the image where change had occurred enabled us to test how robust our model was to noise in the data. This explanation may assist users in safety-critical environments guiding them to the problem, and helping mitigate the black-box nature of machine learning algorithms. Whilst the accuracy of the models varies depending on the rotational angle of the bolt, we clearly demonstrate that triplet loss is a good basis for performing change detection in industrial settings. Furthermore, Grad-CAM has shown to be a useful technique to help a user understand the decisions made by the network and allow them to see where unwanted rotation has occurred
The cost-effectiveness of specialist hospital discharge and intermediate care services for patients who are homeless
Get PDFBackground: Recognising the diverse healthcare needs of the population, there is a growing emphasis on tailoring hospital discharge processes to address the unique challenges faced by individuals who are homeless, aiming to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of post-hospitalisation care for this vulnerable demographic. This study aimed to evaluate the costs and consequences of specialist hospital discharge and intermediate care (support after discharge) services for people who are homeless in England. Methods: We estimated the comparative costs and consequences of different types of specialist care provided by 17 homeless hospital discharge and intermediate care services. We compared ‘clinically-led’ (multidisciplinary) services with those that were ‘housing-led’ (uniprofessional). A retrospective observational study was conducted to estimate effectiveness and costs for two'intervention groups'(clinically-led and housing-led) and a previously published RCT for'standard care'. Use of resources data for specialist care was sourced through linkage with Hospital Episode Statistics. The measure of effectiveness was the number of bed days avoided (in terms of hospital stays for all readmissions in the follow-up period) per homeless user. Additional secondary analysis of three services looked at quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and service delivery costs. The perspective adopted was NHS in England. Results: Data from the comparative analysis showed that specialist homeless hospital discharge (HHD) care is likely to be cost-effective compared with standard care. Patients accessing specialist care use fewer bed days per year (including both planned and unplanned readmissions). Patients using specialist care have more planned readmissions to hospital and, overall, use more NHS resources than those who use standard care. We interpret this as a positive outcome indicating that specialist care is likely to work more effectively than standard care to improve access to healthcare for this marginalised group. Specialist care remained cost-effective over a range of sensitivity analyses. Secondary analyses of three specific schemes found better QALY outcomes, but results are not generalisable to all 17 schemes. Conclusion: Specialist HHD services are likely to be cost-effective for the NHS compared with standard care, although further research is needed to access patient level data for both costs and outcomes to conduct a rigorous statistical analysis between groups and address possible underlying biases due to data coming from non-randomised study design
The lasting impacts of The Walt Disney Company within and beyond the classroom: A case study
No full textThis brief and reflective commentary piece discusses a series of outreach workshops entitled ‘Deconstructing Disney: Society, Culture, and Creativity’, which took place at Media City (University of Salford) in March 2023. The workshops were delivered to groups of school-age learners aged 14 to 16, and they focused on the social, cultural and political impact of The Walt Disney Company. Through the workshops, students were able to hone key critical thinking skills and build confidence by sharing viewpoints in a supportive and thought-provoking space. The workshops provided a stimulating and interactive platform in which students could explore the impact of Disney in society and culture, particularly through the lens of Disney films. The activities – which included analysis and discussion of the film clips and playing a game based on opinions about Disney – were both enjoyable and educational for students. By the end, students understood that Disney both implicitly and explicitly shapes our experiences and world-views, and that common stereotypes in Disney films ultimately influence how we perceive ourselves and others
Expanding Interactivity in Film: Emergent Narratives through VR and Spatialized Cinematic Experiences
Get PDFCommon application of the term ‘interactive’ within film and cinema tends to require the creation of hyper-narratives. However, this can have implications for the viewer’s emotional connection to and experience of the film. This article argues that film cannot be reduced to the plot, as the communication of story in film relies on visuals and sound that constitute the film’s simulation of reality: the world of the story. Furthermore, virtual reality (VR) blurs the line between immersive and interactive experiences, in the way it spatializes the audio-visual simulation of the film world. Indeed, the immersion of the viewer within the film world can create a feeling of interactivity via physical space, similar to immersive theatre such as Burnt City (2022), making the viewing experience participatory – even though the temporal flow of the narrative is not essentially altered. Therefore, interactivity in film does not have to mean audience or personal control over the plot but can instead be expanded to include the world of the story and the ways in which this world can be immersive, especially through the application of emerging technologies, such as VR and Internet of Things (IoT). This can give rise to viewer interaction through the embodied, spatial relationship to the fictional world and the narrative, rather than through making choices about the plot. Through this kind of spatialization of the cinematic experience, the structure of the narrative is contingent on the viewer’s embodied choices within the space, which gives rise to a sense of emergent narrative. This article explores the above argument, rooting it in a theoretical framework based in narratology, semiotics, and phenomenology, especially the writings of Sobchack and Merleau-Ponty, and then considers its practical application in the recent multi-media installation and ongoing practice-as-research entitled Nested Cinema. The aim of this research is to test the potential for emergent narrative through spatializing the cinematic form into an immersive experience, while orchestrating smart technology and devices across multiple nested layers of experience: the installation space and IoT flexible lighting, synchronized multi-screen projection, multi-channel audio, and VR. In this way, the installation offers a unique participatory experience, in which the installation participant makes embodied choices toward the narrative by repeatedly transitioning between the nested layers of the experience – in the process complicating the boundary between their sense of primary reality and the experience of the simulated world of the story. Apart from employing practice-as-research methodologies, the research engages qualitative methods to account for the participant experience via in-depth interviews. This article presents the practical outcomes and findings of the research and considers the wider potential and application of this work to future interactive modes of immersive home cinema technology
Design, Modeling, and Optimization of Hydraulically Powered Double-Joint Soft Robotic Fish
Get PDFThis article explores a hydraulically powered double-joint soft robotic fish called HyperTuna and a set of locomotion optimization methods. HyperTuna has an innovative, highly efficient actuation structure that includes a four-cylinder piston pump and a double-joint soft actuator with self-sensing. We conducted deformation analysis on the actuator and established a finite element model to predict its performance. A closed-loop strategy combining a central pattern generator controller and a proportional–integral–derivative controller was developed to control the swimming posture accurately. Next, a dynamic model for the robotic fish was established considering the soft actuator, and the model parameters were identified via data-driven methods. Then, a particle swarm optimization algorithm was adopted to optimize the control parameters and improve the locomotion performance. Experimental results showed that the maximum speed increased by 3.6% and the cost of transport (COT) decreased by up to 13.9% at 0.4 m/s after optimization. The proposed robotic fish achieved a maximum speed of 1.12 BL/s and a minimum COT of 12.1 J/(kg·m), which are outstanding relative to those of similar soft robotic fish. Finally, HyperTuna completed turning and diving–floating movements and long-distance continuous swimming in open water, which confirmed its potential for practical application
A Comparison Of The Effects Of Yoga And Pilates For Pain Physical Function And Quality Of Life In Adults Over 50 Years
Get PDFThis research compares the effects of yoga and Pilates for adults over 50 years,focusing on the outcomes of pain, physical function, and quality of life, exploring theseactivities in the relation to contraindications, physical activity guidelines, and participanthistory and experience in order to inform best practices in intervention design and delivery.A narrative review was conducted to establish an understanding of the olderpopulation and the importance of their physical and psychosocial health, as well as to definemat-based yoga and Pilates as movement practices, and to locate their role in public healthpolicy. Due to increases in life expectancy and rises in the age of pension eligibility, theUnited Kingdom’s population aged between 50 and state pension age is growing. Olderpeople are more prone to musculoskeletal conditions, but pain and inactivity can be offsetby appropriate physical exercise, which is important for individual well-being and keepingpeople in work. Yoga is recommended for strength in U.K. government physical activityguidelines and both yoga and Pilates are recommended for back pain by the National HealthService. Yoga and Pilates are the top group exercise choices in the United Kingdom andparticularly popular among women, who are more prone to experience chronicmusculoskeletal conditions. The two practices are customarily classified together anddenoted as “mind-body” classes in exercise venues, yet there is a paucity of researchcomparing the two. The present research defines and differentiates yoga and Pilates in acontemporary context, establishing best practices for adults over 50 years, including but notlimited to those with chronic musculoskeletal conditions, and comparing their respectivebenefits using a mixed-methods approach.Two systematic reviews by the researcher found that both yoga and Pilates are safe,adaptable interventions for chronic musculoskeletal conditions in a >70% female samplewith a mean age over 50. Yoga was effective for osteoarthritis and neck pain, improvingphysical function for osteoarthritis and sarcopenia. Pilates was effective for back, neck,osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis pain. Back pain and osteoporosis patients showedstatistically significant functional and quality of life effects. The Pilates studies capturedbenefits over a broader range of outcomes including physical function and quality of lifethan did yoga, without specific modifications, and neither was found superior to otherexercise comparators. This finding suggested that preferences are not always linked toorthopaedic health outcomes and informed the use of a mixed-methods approach for abetter understanding of what participants experience, and what is important to them, whenexercising.A survey of yoga and Pilates participation in adults over 50 years (N=35) was thenconducted, exploring exercise habits, motivators, barriers, and perceived benefits asexperienced in real-world settings, where participants attend based on preference ratherthan assignment, and interventions are not necessarily customised for this age group as theyare when in a trial setting. Participants of both tended to be long-term practitioners,indicating the appeal and sustainability of these practices in later life. However, the surveyrevealed that while yoga was a more popular and widely available choice than Pilates, it wasless suitable for those with existing injuries, and had a higher rate of injury in participation.Back, knee, and shoulder were identified as the most prevalent injury sites. This findingfurther suggested that motivations to practice physical yoga may be rooted in non-physicaloutcomes such as mental well-being, and this supported the implementation of qualitativemethods to understand this phenomenon.The systematic reviews and survey data were then used to design a separate yogaand Pilates intervention for delivery to adults over 50 years in a comparative trial. Theeffective studies located in the systematic reviews, as well as existing literature on yogainjury, were used to inform exercise choice and progression, intervention frequency andduration, and outcome measures. The qualitative survey data coupled with existing yogaparticipation literature and studies of the use of Pilates in physiotherapy informed theapproach to teaching, which emphasised a positive participant experience thought tosupport adherence and outcomes. The interventions were tested in an eight-weekcomparative feasibility trial (N=24) measuring back, knee, and shoulder pain on a NumericalRating Scale (NRS), and physical function and quality of life on the SF-36. Thematic analysisof a post-trial survey was used to add depth to the finding, and in-depth interviews wereused to assess the role of personal history and preference in participant experience.Results show that Pilates significantly reduced back pain (P=0.024, effect size 0.65),and there were non-statistically significant reductions to pain overall. The research supportsthe recommendation of Pilates for back pain in general and the use of the trial’s novelintervention specifically, a positive finding for the population of interest, as back pain is aleading cause of early retirement. The thematic analysis of the post-trial survey and theinterviews identified themes of stress-reduction and self-confidence for yoga and Pilatesparticipants respectively, with the interviews revealing strong personal preferences. Thisfinding highlighted the relevance of qualitative research in assessing subjective interventionsand suggested that a high importance should be placed on personal histories andpreferences in exercise choice and referral. Pilates and yoga were both found to be suitablemovement practices for older adults, with a recommended emphasis on personalisation andaccessibility, awareness of contraindications, and evidence-based modifications for existingmusculoskeletal conditions. Yoga education for physiotherapists and a systematic approachfor both yoga and Pilates are recommended where the goal is specific physical or functionaloutcomes and the safe fulfilment of exercise guidelines.The research fills a gap in existing knowledge by comparing yoga and Pilates, anunder-explored area of study at the time of writing, using populations with chronicconditions as well as healthy older adults, to reflect real-world group exercise settings. Thecreation of a survey suitable for further testing and the creation and testing of originalevidence-based course protocols provide new insight into the views, motivators, andbarriers amongst over-50s regarding yoga or Pilates, with contextualisation and discussion ofcontraindications. The mixed-methods approach, underpinned by a rationale rooted in aconstructivist and interpretivist position, provides a philosophical reasoning and critique onstudy design for analysis of subjective intervention
Encoding of Digitised Documents
Get PDFThis work presents solutions to the multifaceted problem of document encoding in the context of digitisation processes. It addresses aspects related to structure and layout on page level as well as mechanisms for representing underlying textual information.The main contribution of this work is a format specification for page content, embedded in the PAGE (Page Analysis and Ground truth Elements) format framework. This page content format specification has seen wide uptake in the community and reached such popularity that it is now commonly referred to by the name of the whole framework – as PAGE or PAGE XML. The specification is described in detail from its inception through multiple iterations of improvements to the very mature state it has evolved into. A discussion of success factors documents the development of an entire infrastructure surrounding PAGE as well as its influence on other formats and the impact it has had on the research landscape. The second and smaller contribution that is presented here concerns the problem of encoding unstandardised characters that are practically unrecognisable by current off-the-shelf OCR (Optical Character Recognition) systems. A novel approach based on Adaptive Glyph Clustering is described with the specific characteristic that it can run without user intervention by estimating required parameters automatically from the input. The usefulness of the approach is demonstrated through practical applications related to training data generation/semi-automatic OCR and faithful reproduction using document specific alphabets and fonts
The Application of Online Education Resources in Sino-UK Partnership Art and Design Teaching Projects
Get PDFEXPLORING STRATEGIES IN A PRIMARY SCHOOL CONVERTER ACAD-EMY: A CASE STUDY ANALYSIS OF SUPPORT FOR MINORITY ETHNIC, ENLGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE, AND ECONPMOCALLY DISADVANTAGED LEARNERS
Get PDFThe English Academy school system, first introduced in the early 2000s, is one of the most comprehensive school reform initiatives to have been implemented in recent decades in Eng-land. Most academies are conversions of pre-existing state schools, and while extensive re-search has been conducted on secondary school academies, research on primary school acade-mies is yet limited. The present research has looked at the ethos, values, and teaching methods of a converter primary school academy in a low-income area of Greater Manchester. The study focused on the assistance provided to students from underrepresented ethnic groups who spoke English as an additional language and those who were economically disadvantaged through the eyes and first-hand knowledge of teachers and parents who assisted students in their daily learn-ing. A qualitative research design was used in conjunction with a single case study approach. A semi-structured interviewing process was used to interview the Headteacher, Associate Heads, teachers, teaching assistants, and parents. On the website of the academy school, content analy-sis was performed to examine Ofsted reports, the curriculum, the ethos and values, and signifi-cant initiatives put in place to support student learning. The data gathered provided convincing evidence that the academy did not entirely accommodate itself to the needs of minority ethnic, EAL and economically disadvantaged learners due to concerns about insufficient funding and high mobility rates within the academy. The school had perceived staffing issues, and there were conflicts between how the academy wanted to run itself and how much autonomy it needed to do so. Cultural capital was recognised as important at the academy and was discovered in a new and distinctive way. A large part of this was related to aspects of marketisation and competitive-ness through which the academy attempted to meet the standards and expectations of other or-ganisations such as Ofsted and the Department for Education
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