Transition to manual: Comparing simulator with on-road control transitions.

BACKGROUND: Whilst previous research has explored how driver behaviour in simulators may transfer to the open road, there has been relatively little research showing the same transfer within the field of driving automation. As a consequence, most research into human-automation interaction has primarily been carried out in a research laboratory or on closed-circuit test tracks. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess whether research into non-critical control transactions in highly automated vehicles performed in driving simulators correlate with road driving conditions. METHOD: Twenty six drivers drove a highway scenario using an automated driving mode in the simulator and twelve drivers drove on a public motorway in a Tesla Model S with the Autopilot activated. Drivers were asked to relinquish, or resume control from the automation when prompted by the vehicle interface in both the simulator and on road condition. RESULTS: Drivers were generally faster to resume control in the on-road driving condition. However, strong positive correlations were found between the simulator and on road driving conditions for drivers transferring control to and from automation. No significant differences were found with regard to workload, perceived usefulness and satisfaction between the simulator and on-road drives. CONCLUSION: The results indicate high levels of relative validity of driving simulators as a research tool for automated driving research.

Synoptic monitoring as an approach to discriminating between point and diffuse source contributions to zinc loads in mining impacted catchments.

One of the global legacies of industrialisation is the environmental impacts of historic mineral exploitation. Recent national initiatives to manage the impacts on ground and surface waters have driven the need to develop better techniques for assessing understanding of the catchment-scale distribution and characterisation of the relative contribution of point and diffuse contaminant sources. The benefits of a detailed, multidisciplinary investigation are highlighted through a case study focused on the Rookhope Burn, a tributary of the River Wear, which falls within a significantly mine impacted area of the North Pennines Orefield, UK. Zinc (Zn) has been identified as the contaminant of concern within this catchment, which is judged by the Environment Agency to be at risk of failing to achieve good water quality status in the context of the Water Framework Directive. The results of synoptic flow monitoring and sampling for chemical determinations of major and trace elements have been used to calculate mass balances of instream and inflow chemical loads in the Rookhope Burn. Despite a dominant impact on the water quality from a mine outburst (especially Zn [1.45 to 2.42 mg/l], Fe [2.18 to 3.97 mg/l], Mn [3.69 to 6.77 mg/l], F [3.99 to 4.80 mg/l] and SO(4) [178 to 299 mg/l]), mass balance calculations combined with geological mapping have facilitated the identification of significant, previously unknown, subsurface contributions of Zn contaminated groundwater (with Zn concentrations in excess of 0.4 to 0.9 mg/l and 0.18 to 0.36 mg/l) to the Burn. The subsurface contributions exhibit spatial correspondence to mine workings with associated mineral veins and adits, or to points of suspected karst groundwater resurgence. These findings reiterate the challenges posed in decision making with respect to remediation, in this case in the context of the management of significant subsurface contributions.

Refinement of the Region for Split Hand/Foot Malformation 5 on 2q31.1.

Background: Deletions that encompass 2q31.1 have been proposed as a microdeletion syndrome with common clinical features, including intellectual disability/developmental delay, microcephaly, cleft palate, growth delay, and hand/foot anomalies. In addition, several genes within this region have been proposed as candidates for split hand-foot malformation 5 (SHFM5). Methods: To delineate the genotype-phenotype correlation between deletions of this region, we identified 14 individuals with deletions at 2q31.1 detected by microarray analysis for physical and developmental disabilities. Results: All subjects for whom detailed clinical records were available had neurological deficits of varying degree. Seven subjects with deletions encompassing the HOXD cluster had hand/foot anomalies of varying severity, including syndactyly, brachydactyly, and ectrodactyly. Of 7 subjects with deletions proximal to the HOXD cluster, 5 of which encompassed DLX1/DLX2, none had clinically significant hand/foot anomalies. In contrast to previous reports, the individuals in our study did not display a characteristic gestalt of dysmorphic facial features. Conclusion: The absence of hand/foot anomalies in any of the individuals with deletions of DLX1/DLX2 but not the HOXD cluster supports the hypothesis that haploinsufficiency of the HOXD cluster, rather than DLX1/DLX2, accounts for the skeletal abnormalities in subjects with 2q31.1 microdeletions.

Isolation, characterization, and chondrogenic potential of human bone marrow-derived multipotential stromal cells.

Multipotential bone marrow stromal cells have the ability to differentiate along multiple connective tissue lineages including cartilage. In this study, we developed an efficient and reproducible procedure for the isolation of stromal cells from bone marrow aspirates of normal human donors based on the expression of endoglin, a type III receptor of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) receptor family. We demonstrate that these cells have the ability of multiple lineage differentiation. Stromal cells represented 2-3% of the total mononuclear cells of the marrow. The cells displayed a fibroblastic colony formation in monolayer culture and maintained similar morphology with passage. Expression of cell surface molecules by flow cytometry displayed a stable phenotype with culture expansion. When cocultured with hematopoietic CD34(+) progenitor cells, stromal cells were able to maintain their ability to support hematopoiesis in vitro. Culture expanded stromal cells were placed in a 3-dimensional matrix of alginate beads and cultured in serum-free media in the presence of TGFbeta-3 for chondrogenic lineage progression. Increased expression of type II collagen messenger RNA was observed in the TGFbeta3 treated cultures. Immunohistochemistry performed on sections of alginate beads detected the presence of type II collagen protein. This isolation procedure for stromal cells and the establishment of the alginate culture system for chondrogenic progression will contribute to the understanding of chondrogenesis and cartilage repair.

Comparing hydrocolloid dressings in management of exuding wounds.

Hydrocolloid dressings have been widely used since the late 1970s. This article compares two hydrocolloid dressings--3M Tegasorb dressing and ConvaTec's Granuflex (E)--and highlights their similarities and differences when used in the clinical situation. Both hydrocolloids were reported to perform favourably by users in most situations. 3M Tegasorb dressing becomes transparent in use and this function was rated highly by users compared to the opaque Granuflex (E). In addition, 3M Tegasorb showed better adherence. One limitation of the study was the small number of patients studied. Weekly assessments yielded 90 data sets in total.

Costs of dressings in the community.

This study compares the costs of dressings used in the treatment of patients with a variety of wound aetiologies. The two dressings investigated were a hydrocolloid dressing and a hydrocellular dressing. Secondary objectives included a comparison of dressing durability, time to complete healing, ease of wound cleansing and dressing removal. The study was an open prospective single-centre randomised parallel group trial involving 100 patients, treated in the community, who were randomised to the two dressing groups. For all aetiologies except pressure sores, the costs of the hydrocolloid dressing were less than the costs of the hydrocellular dressings. Similar healing rates were observed in the leg ulcer and 'other wound' groups. There were, however, significant differences in the number of healed wounds observed in patients with pressure sores treated with the hydrocellular dressing.

A comparison of two amorphous hydrogels in the debridement of pressure sores.

This study compared the efficacy of two hydrogel dressings in the debridement of necrotic pressure sores. This randomised, controlled, assessor-blind, clinical trial involved 50 patients whose wounds were assessed weekly using computerised wound analysis for four weeks or until debrided. Debridement was identified when there was 80% red granulation tissue present and no sign of necrosis. There were no statistically significant differences in comfort, wound odour, surrounding skin condition or time to debridement between the two groups.

A comparison of two dressings in the management of chronic wounds.

A hydropolymer dressing (Tielle) and a hydrocolloid dressing (Granuflex) were compared in a randomised controlled clinical study involving 100 patients with leg ulcers and 99 patients with pressure sores in the community. Statistically significant differences in favour of the hydropolymer dressing were detected for dressing leakage and odour production, but no statistically significant differences were recorded in the number of patients with either leg ulcers or pressure sores who healed in each treatment group.

A study to compare two film dressings used as secondary dressings.

Dressings manufactured from adhesive polymeric films have been used extensively in wound management for about 20 years. This report describes the results of a trial designed to compare the performance of two such dressings, used as secondary dressings, in a multi-centre randomised controlled community study involving 100 patients. Independent analysis of the study data revealed that, after adjusting for other effects, no genuine difference was demonstrated between the dressings in terms of their ability to resist wrinkling or prevent maceration (the primary outcome variable).

Evaluation of a new polyurethane foam dressing.

The treatment of moderately to heavily exuding wounds requires a dressing that will remove excess exudate while ensuring optimum conditions at the wound site and preventing maceration of the surrounding skin tissue. This prospective, stratified, randomised clinical trial was designed to assess the performance and safety of a new polyurethane foam dressing compared with a hydrocellular dressing. Both dressings are currently available to community nurses for the treatment of these wound types. Sixty-one patients recruited to the trial. They were grouped according to wound type: 20 leg ulcers, 20 Grade 2 or Grade 3 pressure sores and 21 other wounds that included traumatic, acute and chronic wounds and burns. Patients were randomized to treatment and dressing changes and assessments were undertaken as required. Condition of the wound and surrounding skin, comfort, ease of use and leakage from the dressing were monitored at each assessment. Treatment continued for six weeks or until the wound was lightly exuding (defined as absence of leakage with the dressing remaining in place for more than four days on two consecutive occasions). Photographs and tracings of the wounds were taken weekly. The results showed that the two dressings were similar in performance in that they could remain in place for approximately 2.5 days, irrespective of wound type. There were no statistically significant differences in surrounding skin condition, reduction in wound size, patient comfort or ease of application and removal.