Real-time Interpretation Research Articles

In Vivo Surface Electrocardiography for Adult Zebrafish.

The electrocardiogram waveforms of adult zebrafish and those of humans are remarkably similar. These electrocardiogram similarities enhance the value of zebrafish not only as a research model for human cardiac electrophysiology and myopathies but also as a surrogate model in high throughput pharmaceutical screening for potential cardiotoxicities to humans, such as QT prolongation. As such, in vivo electrocardiography for adult zebrafish is an electrical phenotyping tool that is necessary, if not indispensable, for cross-sectional or longitudinal in vivo electrophysiological characterizations. However, too often, the lack of a reliable, practical, and cost-effective recording method remains a major challenge preventing this in vivo diagnostic tool from becoming more readily accessible. Here, we describe a practical, straightforward approach to in vivo electrocardiography for adult zebrafish using a low-maintenance, cost-effective, and comprehensive system that yields consistent, reliable recordings. We illustrate our protocol using healthy adult male zebrafish of 12-18 months of age. We also introduce a rapid real-time interpretation strategy for quality validation to ensure data accuracy and robustness early in the electrocardiogram recording process.

In Vivo Surface Electrocardiography for Adult Zebrafish

The electrocardiogram waveforms of adult zebrafish and those of humans are remarkably similar. These electrocardiogram similarities enhance the value of zebrafish not only as a research model for human cardiac electrophysiology and myopathies but also as a surrogate model in high throughput pharmaceutical screening for potential cardiotoxicities to humans, such as QT prolongation. As such, in vivo electrocardiography for adult zebrafish is an electrical phenotyping tool that is necessary, if not indispensable, for cross-sectional or longitudinal in vivo electrophysiological characterizations. However, too often, the lack of a reliable, practical, and cost-effective recording method remains a major challenge preventing this in vivo diagnostic tool from becoming more readily accessible. Here, we describe a practical, straightforward approach to in vivo electrocardiography for adult zebrafish using a low-maintenance, cost-effective, and comprehensive system that yields consistent, reliable recordings. We illustrate our protocol using healthy adult male zebrafish of 12-18 months of age. We also introduce a rapid real-time interpretation strategy for quality validation to ensure data accuracy and robustness early in the electrocardiogram recording process.

Periodic focal epileptiform discharges

ObjectiveTo report intraoperative periodic focal epileptiform discharges (PFEDs) during awake craniotomy using high-density electrocorticography (HD-ECoG). MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 81 patients undergoing awake craniotomy between 9/29/2016 and 7/5/2018. Intraoperative HD-ECoG was performed with direct electrocortical stimulation (DECS) for functional brain mapping. Real-time interpretation was performed and compared to scalp EEG when performed. Perioperative seizures, surgical complications, and characteristics of PFEDs were assessed. Results69/81 patients (mean age 48.5 years) underwent awake surgery; 55 operated for brain tumor, 11 for epilepsy and 3 for cavernomas. A focal abnormality on brain MRI was present in 63/69 (91.3%) patients. 43/69 (62.3%) patients had seizures preoperatively, 4/69 (5.7%) had seizures during DECS. PFEDs were identified in 11 patients (15.9%); 2 on depth recording and 9 during intraoperative HD-ECoG. 32 patients (46.3%) had preoperative EEG. HD-ECoG detected more epileptiform discharges (EDs) than standard EEG (32/43; 74.4% vs 9/32; 28.1%) (p = <0.001). Of 9/43 patients with PFEDs on HD-ECoG, 7 patients also had scalp EEG but only one case had EDs (p = 0.02), and 0/32 had periodic EDs. ConclusionsIntraoperative PFEDs are novel, highly focal EDs approximating a single gyrus. In patients with brain tumors, PFEDs did not demonstrate a relationship to pre-operative seizures though has similarities to other common waveforms in patients with epilepsy. SignificancePFEDs expand our understanding of the interictal-ictal continuum and highlight improved temporo-spatial information obtained from increasing sensor density during intracranial EEG recording.

Diagnostic utility of tele-cystoscopy for bladder cancer surveillance.

e18335 Background: Urology workforce shortage in rural areas limits access to surveillance cystoscopy for bladder cancer. Tele-cystoscopy is a novel solution whereby an advanced practice provider (APP) performs cystoscopy at a satellite location with real-time interpretation and guidance by an off-site urologist via transmitted video. We hypothesized that tele-cystoscopy videos would be comparable to traditional cystoscopy videos in diagnostic utility. Methods: Our IRB approved tele-cystoscopy protocol utilizes a dual-cystoscopy model. Two sequential cystoscopies are performed first by an APP with off-site urologist guidance (tele-cystoscopy) then by a urologist onsite (traditional cystoscopy) without removal of the cystoscope from the urethra. Both cystoscopies are video-captured. Twelve de-identified videos were reviewed via electronic survey (Qualtrics) by board-certified urologists who were blinded as to whom performed the cystoscopy. Survey questions centered on completeness of exam and diagnostic level of suspicion. A random effects logistic regression model was used to account for multiple reviews of the same video. Results: Diagnostic utility, defined as visibility sufficient for diagnosis, was 83% for both tele-cystoscopy and traditional cystoscopy. There were no statistically significant differences in completeness of exam between the two techniques (tele 83.3%, traditional 91.7%, p = 0.308). When asked about action taken based on cystoscopic findings, reviewers recommended action other than planned surveillance (i.e., biopsy, operative resection, etc.) for 58.3% of tele-cystoscopy videos vs. 66.7% for traditional cystoscopy videos (p = 0.300). Conclusions: Tele-cystoscopy provides high quality bladder surveillance with diagnostic capacity comparable to that of traditional cystoscopy. These results support continued expansion of the tele-cystoscopy platform as a means to amplify the care provided by a single urologist. [Table: see text]

Studying the Real-Time Interpretation of Novel Noun and Verb Meanings in Young Children.

Decades of research show that children rely on the linguistic context in which novel words occur to infer their meanings. However, because learning in these studies was assessed after children had heard numerous occurrences of a novel word in informative linguistic contexts, it is impossible to determine how much exposure would be needed for a child to learn from such information. This study investigated the speed with which French 20-month-olds and 3-to-4-year-olds exploit function words to determine the syntactic category of novel words and therefore infer their meanings. In a real-time preferential looking task, participants saw two videos side-by-side on a TV-screen: one showing a person performing a novel action, and the other a person passively holding a novel object. At the same time, participants heard only three occurrences of a novel word preceded either by a determiner (e.g., “Regarde! Une dase! – “Look! A dase!”) or a pronoun (e.g., “Regarde! Elle dase!” – “Look! She’s dasing!”). 3-to-4-year-olds exploited function words to categorize novel words and infer their meanings: they looked more to the novel action in the verb condition, while participants in the noun condition looked more to the novel object. 20-month-olds, however, did not show this difference. We discuss possible reasons for why 20-month-olds may have found it difficult to infer novel word meanings in our task. Given that 20-month-olds can use function words to learn word meanings in experiments providing many repetitions, we suspect that more repetitions might be needed to observe positive effects of learning in this age range in our task. Our study establishes nevertheless that before age 4, young children become able to exploit function words to infer the meanings of unknown words as soon as they occur. This ability to interpret speech in real-time and build interpretations about novel word meanings might be extremely useful for young children to map words to their possible referents and to boost their acquisition of word meanings.

Design and Experiment of a Variable Spray System for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Based on PID and PWM Control

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) variable-rate spraying technology, as the development direction of aviation for plant protection in the future, has been developed rapidly in recent years. In the actual agricultural production, the severity of plant diseases and insect pests varies in different locations. In order to reduce the waste of pesticides, pesticides should be applied according to the severity of pests, insects and weeds. On the basis of explaining the plant diseases and insect pests map in the target area, a pulse width modulation variable spray system is designed. Moreover, the STMicroelectronics-32 (STM32) chip is invoked as the core of the control system. The system combines with sensor technology to get the prescription value through real-time interpretation of prescription diagram in operation. Then, a pulse square wave with variable duty cycles is generated to adjust the flow rate. A closed-loop Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) control algorithm is used to shorten the time of system reaching steady state. The results indicate that the deviation between volume and target traffic is stable, which is within 2.16%. When the duty cycle of the square wave is within the range of 40% to 100%, the flow range of the single nozzle varies from 0.16 L/min to 0.54 L/min. Variable spray operation under different spray requirements is achieved. The outdoor tests of variable spray system show that the variable spray system can adjust the flow rapidly according to the prescription value set in the prescription map. The proportion of actual droplet deposition and deposition density in the operation unit is consistent with the prescription value, which proves the effectiveness of the designed variable spray system.

Interpretation errors in focused cardiac ultrasound by novice pediatric emergency medicine fellow sonologists

BackgroundFocused cardiac ultrasound (FOCUS) is a core competency for pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) fellows. The objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate test characteristics of PEM-fellow-performed FOCUS for pericardial effusion and diminished cardiac function and (2) to assess image interpretation independent of image acquisition.MethodsPEM fellows performed and interpreted FOCUS on patients who also received cardiology service echocardiograms, the reference standard. Subsequently, eight different PEM fellows remotely interpreted a subset of the PEM-acquired and cardiology-acquired echocardiograms.ResultsEight PEM fellows performed 54 FOCUS exams, of which two had pericardial effusion and four had diminished function. PEM fellow FOCUS had a sensitivity of 50.0% (95% CI 9.19–90.8) and specificity of 100.0% (95% CI 91.1–100.0) for detecting diminished function, and sensitivity of 50.0% (95% CI 2.67–97.33) and specificity of 98.1% (95% CI 88.42–99.9) for detecting pericardial effusions. When PEM fellows remotely interpreted 15 echocardiograms, the sensitivity was 81.3% (95% CI 70.7–88.8) and specificity 75% (95% CI 67.0–81.0) for detecting diminished function, and sensitivity of 76.3% (95% CI 65.0–85.0) and specificity 94.4% (95% CI 89.0–97.0) for detecting pericardial effusion. There were no differences in sensitivity and specificity of PEM fellows’ interpretation of FOCUS studies compared to their interpretation of cardiology echocardiograms. Interrater reliability for interpretation of remote images (kappa) was 0.66 (95% CI 0.59–0.73) for effusion and 0.31 (95% CI 0.24–0.38) for function among the fellows.ConclusionNovice PEM fellow sonologists (a physician who performs and interprets ultrasound) in the majority of instances were able to acquire and remotely interpret FOCUS images with limited training. However, they made real-time interpretation errors and likely need further training to incorporate real-time image acquisition and interpretation into their practice.

Rapid forward modeling of logging-while-drilling neutron-gamma density measurements

Neutron-activated gamma-ray (neutron-gamma) logging-while-drilling (LWD) measurements deliver bulk density estimates without using a chemical source. The assessment of bulk density is based on neutron-induced non-capture gamma rays, corrected for neutron transport by combining particle counts acquired at two gamma-ray detectors and two fast neutron detectors. Particle counts from all four detectors are necessary to deliver one density measurement whose accuracy compares well to that of the gamma-gamma density instruments. Thereafter, borehole environmental effects are mitigated with empirical corrections based on Monte Carlo (MC) modeling. Such corrections should be avoided for standoff values greater than 0.63 cm (0.25 in) because they are no longer independent of formation properties. Neutron-gamma density measurements are also influenced by bed-boundary and layer-thickness effects. Thinly bedded formations, invasion, high-angle/horizontal (HA/HZ) wells, and enlarged boreholes can all mask true formation bulk density when implementing conventional petrophysical interpretation. Although MC methods accurately simulate 3D environmental and geometrical effects, they are computationally expensive and are thus impractical for real-time interpretation. Layer-by-layer bulk density can, however, be estimated using rapid numerical simulations coupled with inversion procedures. We have developed a rapid modeling algorithm to accurately simulate LWD neutron-gamma density measurements. Simulations are based on a theoretical, albeit realistic, LWD neutron-gamma density tool operating with a 14.1 MeV pulsed neutron source. The algorithm uses flux sensitivity functions and first-order Taylor series approximations to simulate particle counts at each detector before they are processed with a density estimation algorithm. Rigorous benchmarks against the Monte Carlo N-particle code in vertical and HA/HZ wells, across diverse solid and fluid rock compositions, thin beds, and in the presence of invasion, yield average density errors of less than 1% ([Formula: see text]) in approximately [Formula: see text] the time required of MC modeling.

Spared bottom-up but impaired top-down interactive effects during naturalistic language processing in schizophrenia: evidence from the visual-world paradigm.

People with schizophrenia process language in unusual ways, but the causes of these abnormalities are unclear. In particular, it has proven difficult to empirically disentangle explanations based on impairments in the top-down processing of higher level information from those based on the bottom-up processing of lower level information. To distinguish these accounts, we used visual-world eye tracking, a paradigm that measures spoken language processing during real-world interactions. Participants listened to and then acted out syntactically ambiguous spoken instructions (e.g. 'tickle the frog with the feather', which could either specify how to tickle a frog, or which frog to tickle). We contrasted how 24 people with schizophrenia and 24 demographically matched controls used two types of lower level information (prosody and lexical representations) and two types of higher level information (pragmatic and discourse-level representations) to resolve the ambiguous meanings of these instructions. Eye tracking allowed us to assess how participants arrived at their interpretation in real time, while recordings of participants' actions measured how they ultimately interpreted the instructions. We found a striking dissociation in participants' eye movements: the two groups were similarly adept at using lower level information to immediately constrain their interpretations of the instructions, but only controls showed evidence of fast top-down use of higher level information. People with schizophrenia, nonetheless, did eventually reach the same interpretations as controls. These data suggest that language abnormalities in schizophrenia partially result from a failure to use higher level information in a top-down fashion, to constrain the interpretation of language as it unfolds in real time.

Automated quantification of low amplitude rhythmic contractions (LARC) during real-world urodynamics identifies a potential detrusor overactivity subgroup.

ObjectivesDetrusor overactivity (DO) is characterized by non-voiding detrusor smooth muscle contractions during the bladder filling phase and often contributes to overactive bladder. In some patients DO is observed as isolated or sporadic contractions, while in others DO is manifested as low amplitude rhythmic contractions (LARC). The aim of this study was to develop an objective method to quantify LARC frequencies and amplitudes in urodynamic studies (UDS) and identify a subgroup DO of patients with LARC.MethodsAn automated Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm was developed to analyze a 205-second region of interest of retrospectively collected “real-world” UDS ending 30 seconds before voiding. The algorithm was designed to identify the three largest rhythmic amplitude peaks in vesical pressure (Pves) in the 1.75–6 cycle/minute frequency range. These peak Pves amplitudes were analyzed to determine whether they were 1) significant (above baseline Pves activity) and 2) independent (distinct from any in abdominal pressure (Pabd) rhythm).Results95 UDS met criteria for inclusion and were analyzed with the FFT algorithm. During a blinded visual analysis, a neurourologist/urodynamicist identified 52/95 (55%) patients as having DO. The FFT algorithm identified significant and independent (S&I) LARC in 14/52 (27%) patients with DO and 0/43 patients (0%) without DO, resulting in 100% specificity and a significant association (Fischer’s exact test, p<0.0001). The average slowest S&I LARC frequency in this DO subgroup was 3.20±0.34 cycles/min with an amplitude of 8.40±1.30 cm-H2O. This algorithm can analyze individual UDS in under 5 seconds, allowing real-time interpretation.ConclusionsAn FFT algorithm can be applied to “real-world” UDS to automatically characterize the frequency and amplitude of underlying LARC. This algorithm identified a potential subgroup of DO patients with LARC.

First Application of Logging-While-Drilling Deep-Azimuthal Resistivity Tool and Advanced Data-Interpretation Software for Reservoir Navigation at West Salym Field in Russia

SummaryThe West Salym is a Salym Petroleum Development oil field in the Khanty-Mansi region, 120 km southwest of Surgut, Russia. The West Salym oil field was discovered in 1987 and was brought on stream in 2004. The reservoirs vary from fluvial/deltaic to shallow marine deposits. Primary development of the central area of West Salym Field is complete, but the field edges remain undeveloped and potentially attractive.The edges of the field are presented by a mouth bar and characterized by significant structural formation changes, including unknown formation dips and local carbonate concretions and stripes. The sand thickness of the target layer is 15 m, with a minimum oil height of 1 m, which is caused by structural dips and nearby oil/water contact (OWC). These conditions make it difficult to drain the area with geometrically placed wells within the hydrocarbon-saturated layer using well correlation and 3D seismic-interpretation results. Another challenge is the low resistivity contrast between the shale, oil-bearing, and water-bearing layers. This poor contrast complicates the evaluation of reservoir properties and the ability to distinguish different fluid saturations. Two horizontal wells (500 m each) were drilled for the first time in West Salym Field to evaluate capabilities of modern reservoir-navigation technology using deep-azimuthal resistivity technology and advanced data-interpretation software. Drilling of both horizontal wells was improved with a standard wireline logging suite (gamma ray, spontaneous potential, resistivity, density, and neutron) and pressure-testing results available from pilot holes.Logging-while-drilling (LWD) deep-azimuthal resistivity technology has been used in field development, contributing to proactive reservoir navigation. This technology provides input for interpreting an extensive set of multicomponent, multispacing, and multifrequency measurements. These data are usually sufficient to resolve the formation properties in the vicinity of several meters from the wellbore and to adjust the direction of the well trajectory. However, because of time restrictions, very simple resistivity models and only a subset of the data are often used for real-time interpretation. Moreover, the structure of the data subset is often predefined to provide the maximum depth of investigation, neglecting the resolution quality of the formation parameters. In some fields, it can lead to increased uncertainties during reservoir navigation.The data-interpretation software mentioned in this paper has excellent performance and enables real-time processing of the full set of downhole measurements derived from multilayered formation models. This case highlights the first use of this software application in the Russian Federation.The software is dependent on the method of the most-probable parameter combination, and it maintains an optimal balance between the information recovered from the measured data and all available a priori knowledge about the formation structure. The ability to accurately involve a priori information enhances the capability to resolve layers with low resistivity contrasts. Moreover, the inversion software is user-guided, enabling precise monitoring of lateral and vertical changes in the geology.The data-inversion software ensured successful reservoir navigation in the challenging conditions of the West Salym Field. All steering decisions were made according to a consistent and reliable multilayered formation resistivity model that was constructed in real time during drilling. A good net/gross ratio was achieved of approximately 75% for one well and 50% for the other. Post-drilling analysis showed that geometric drilling without reservoir-navigation technology would lower the net/gross ratio to less than 40%.

Diagnostic concordance between mobile interfaces and conventional workstations for emergency imaging assessment

IntroductionMobile devices and software are now available with sufficient computing power, speed and complexity to allow for real-time interpretation of radiology exams. In this paper, we perform a multivariable user study that investigates concordance of image-based diagnoses provided using mobile devices on the one hand and conventional workstations on the other hand. MethodsWe performed a between-subjects task-analysis using CT, MRI and radiography datasets. Moreover, we investigated the adequacy of the screen size, image quality, usability and the availability of the tools necessary for the analysis. Radiologists, members of several teams, participated in the experiment under real work conditions. A total of 64 studies with 93 main diagnoses were analyzed. ResultsOur results showed that 56 cases were classified with complete concordance (87.69%), 5 cases with almost complete concordance (7.69%) and 1 case (1.56%) with partial concordance. Only 2 studies presented discordance between the reports (3.07%). The main reason to explain the cause of those disagreements was the lack of multiplanar reconstruction tool in the mobile viewer. Screen size and image quality had no direct impact on the mobile diagnosis process. ConclusionWe concluded that for images from emergency modalities, a mobile interface provides accurate interpretation and swift response, which could benefit patients' healthcare.

CONTINUOUS ECG MONITORING: WHAT DO CLINICAL GUIDELINES SAY

In clinical practice, electrocardiogram (ECG) is interpreted after registration across at least 12 leads or after completion of a multi-hour ECG monitoring (which can also be performed in 12 leads), and in real time with a simple visual observation or by automatic analysis of the individual parameters. At the same time, in real time ECG the number of leads may be different, including 12, and it does not exclude the possibility of simultaneous recording for archiving and subsequent additional analysis. The apparent advantage of ECG interpretation in real time is the possibility of a rapid response to the identified disturbances (particularly, in the event of life-threatening arrhythmias and myocardial ischemia). Retrospective analysis of a long-term ECG recording does not offer such a possibility.

CONTINUOUS ECG MONITORING: WHAT DO CLINICAL GUIDELINES SAY

In clinical practice, electrocardiogram (ECG) is interpreted after registration across at least 12 leads or after completion of a multi-hour ECG monitoring (which can also be performed in 12 leads), and in real time with a simple visual observation or by automatic analysis of the individual parameters. At the same time, in real time ECG the number of leads may be different, including 12, and it does not exclude the possibility of simultaneous recording for archiving and subsequent additional analysis. The apparent advantage of ECG interpretation in real time is the possibility of a rapid response to the identified disturbances (particularly, in the event of life-threatening arrhythmias and myocardial ischemia). Retrospective analysis of a long-term ECG recording does not offer such a possibility.

Fast, Robust Evaluation of the Equation of State of Suspensions of Charge-Stabilized Colloidal Spheres.

Increasing demand is appearing for the fast, robust prediction of the equation of state of colloidal suspensions, notably with a view to using it as input data to calculate transport coefficients in complex flow solvers. This is also of interest in rheological studies, industrial screening tests of new formulations, and the real-time interpretation of osmotic compression experiments, for example. For charge-stabilized spherical particles, the osmotic pressure can be computed with standard liquid theories. However, this calculation can sometimes be lengthy and/or unstable under some physicochemical conditions, a drawback that precludes its use in multiscale flow simulators. As a simple, fast, and robust replacement, the literature reports estimations of the osmotic pressure that have been built by adding the Carnahan-Starling and the cell model pressures (CSCM model). The first contribution is intended to account for colloid-colloid contacts, and the second, for electrostatic effects. This approximation has not yet been thoroughly tested. In this work, the CSCM is evaluated by comparison with data from experiments on silica particles, Monte Carlo simulations, and solutions of the accurate Rogers-Young integral equation scheme with a hard-sphere Yukawa potential obtained from the extrapolated point-charge renormalization method for a wide range of volume fractions, surface charge densities, and interaction ranges. We find that the CSCM is indeed perfectly adequate in the electrostatically concentrated regime, where it can be used from vanishingly small to high surface charge because there is error cancellation between the Carnahan-Starling and cell model contributions at intermediate charge. The CSCM is thus a nice extension of the cell model to liquid-like dense suspensions, which should find application in the domains mentioned above. However, it fails for dilute suspensions with strong electrostatics. In this case, we show that, and explain why, perturbation methods and the rescaled mean spherical approximation are good alternatives in terms of precision, ease of implementation, computational cost, and robustness.

Imaging Performance of a Handheld Ultrasound System With Real-Time Computer-Aided Detection of Lumbar Spine Anatomy: A Feasibility Study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the imaging performance of a handheld ultrasound system and the accuracy of an automated lumbar spine computer-aided detection (CAD) algorithm in the spines of human subjects. This study was approved by the institutional review board of the University of Virginia. The authors designed a handheld ultrasound system with enhanced bone image quality and fully automated CAD of lumbar spine anatomy. The imaging performance was evaluated by imaging the lumbar spines of 68 volunteers with body mass index between 18.5 and 48 kg/m. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the lumbar spine CAD algorithm were assessed by comparing the algorithm's results to ground-truth segmentations of neuraxial anatomy provided by radiologists. The lumbar spine CAD algorithm detected the epidural space with a sensitivity of 94.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 85.1%-98.1%) and a specificity of 85.5% (95% CI, 81.7%-88.6%) and measured its depth with an error of approximately ±0.5 cm compared with measurements obtained manually from the 2-dimensional ultrasound images. The spine midline was detected with a sensitivity of 93.9% (95% CI, 85.8%-97.7%) and specificity of 91.3% (95% CI, 83.6%-96.9%), and its lateral position within the ultrasound image was measured with an error of approximately ±0.3 cm. The bone enhancement imaging mode produced images with 5.1- to 10-fold enhanced bone contrast when compared with a comparable handheld ultrasound imaging system. The results of this study demonstrate the feasibility of CAD for assisting with real-time interpretation of ultrasound images of the lumbar spine at the bedside.

When You're Happy and I Know It: Four-Year-Olds' Emotional Perspective Taking During Online Language Comprehension.

Using a novel emotional perspective-taking task, this study investigated 4-year-olds' (n=97) use of a speaker's emotional prosody to make inferences about the speaker's emotional state and, correspondingly, their communicative intent. Eye gaze measures indicated preschoolers used emotional perspective inferences to guide their real-time interpretation of ambiguous statements. However, these sensitivities were less apparent in overt responses, suggesting preschoolers' ability to integrate emotional perspective cues is at an emergent state. Perspective taking during online language processing was positively correlated with receptive vocabulary and an offline measure of emotional perspective taking, but not with cognitive perspective taking, conflict or delay inhibitory control, or working memory. Together, the results underscore how children's emerging communicative competence involves different kinds of perspective inferences with distinct cognitive underpinnings.

Automatic Assessment of Machine Tool Energy Efficiency and Productivity

This work presents an approach to determine relevant energy efficiency and productivity KPIs of machining processes based on a real-time interpretation of sensor data and machine control data. A comparison of the actual power consumption during machining with an energetic model of the load-free condition enables the calculation of energetic efficiency and primary processing time. The approach was tested on a CNC turning and milling center equipped with power meters and compressed air sensors. Sensor data as well as relevant machine control data are read, processed and recorded via SCADA software in order to automatically calculate certain KPIs.

Automated Urban Travel Interpretation: A Bottom-up Approach for Trajectory Segmentation.

Understanding travel behavior is critical for an effective urban planning as well as for enabling various context-aware service provisions to support mobility as a service (MaaS). Both applications rely on the sensor traces generated by travellers’ smartphones. These traces can be used to interpret travel modes, both for generating automated travel diaries as well as for real-time travel mode detection. Current approaches segment a trajectory by certain criteria, e.g., drop in speed. However, these criteria are heuristic, and, thus, existing approaches are subjective and involve significant vagueness and uncertainty in activity transitions in space and time. Also, segmentation approaches are not suited for real time interpretation of open-ended segments, and cannot cope with the frequent gaps in the location traces. In order to address all these challenges a novel, state based bottom-up approach is proposed. This approach assumes a fixed atomic segment of a homogeneous state, instead of an event-based segment, and a progressive iteration until a new state is found. The research investigates how an atomic state-based approach can be developed in such a way that can work in real time, near-real time and offline mode and in different environmental conditions with their varying quality of sensor traces. The results show the proposed bottom-up model outperforms the existing event-based segmentation models in terms of adaptivity, flexibility, accuracy and richness in information delivery pertinent to automated travel behavior interpretation.

Categorization in Mechanically Ventilated Pediatric Subjects: A Proposed Method to Improve Quality.

Thousands of children require mechanical ventilation each year. Although mechanical ventilation is lifesaving, it is also associated with adverse events if not properly managed. The systematic implementation of evidence-based practice through the use of guidelines and protocols has been shown to mitigate risk, yet variation in care remains prevalent. Advances in health-care technology provided the ability to stream data about mechanical ventilation and therapeutic response. Through these advances, a computer system was developed to enable the coupling of physiologic and ventilation data for real-time interpretation. Our aim was to assess the feasibility and utility of a newly developed patient categorization and scoring system to objectively measure compliance with standards of care. We retrospectively categorized the ventilation and oxygenation statuses of subjects within our pediatric ICU utilizing 15 rules-based algorithms. Targets were predetermined based on generally accepted practices. All patient categories were calculated and presented as a percent score (0-100%) of acceptable ventilation, acceptable oxygenation, barotrauma-free, and volutrauma-free states. Two hundred twenty-two subjects were identified and analyzed encompassing 1,578 d of mechanical ventilation. Median age was 3 y, median ideal body weight was 14.7 kg, and 63% were male. The median acceptable ventilation score was 84.6%, and the median acceptable oxygenation score was 70.1% (100% being maximally acceptable). Potential for ventilator-induced lung injury was broken into 2 components: barotrauma and volutrauma. There was very little potential for barotrauma, with a median barotrauma-free state of 100%. Median potential for a volutrauma-free state was 56.1%. We demonstrate the first patient categorization system utilizing a coordinated data-banking system and analytics to determine patient status and a surveillance of mechanical ventilation quality. Further research is needed to determine whether interventions such as visual display of variance from goal and patient categorization summaries can improve outcomes. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT02184208.).