Clustering user preferences for personalized teleoperation control schemes via trajectory similarity analysis

Successful operation of a teleoperated robot depends on a well-designed control scheme to translate human motion into robot motion; however, a single control scheme may not be suitable for all users. On the other hand, individual personalization of control schemes may be infeasible for designers to produce. In this paper, we present a method by which users may be classified into groups with mutually compatible control scheme preferences. Users are asked to demonstrate freehand motions to control a simulated robot in a virtual reality environment. Hand pose data is captured and compared with other users using SLAM trajectory similarity analysis techniques. The resulting pairwise trajectory error metrics are used to cluster participants based on their control motions, without foreknowledge of the number or types of control scheme preferences that may exist. The clusters identified for two different robots shows that a small number of clusters form stably for each case, each with its own control scheme paradigm. Survey data from participants validates that the clusters identified through this method correspond to the participants' control scheme rationales, and also identify nuances in participant control scheme descriptions that may not be obvious to designers relying only on participant explanations of their preferences.

Hierarchically assembled helicates as reaction platform - from stoichiometric Diels-Alder reactions to enamine catalysis

The stereoselectivity of a Diels-Alder reaction within the periphery of hierarchically assembled titanium(IV) helicates formed from mixtures of achiral, reactive and chiral, unreactive ligands was investigated in detail. Following the pathway of the chiral induction, the chiral ligands, solvents as well as substituents at the dienophile were carefully varied. Based on the results of the stoichiometric reaction, a secondary amine-catalyzed nitro-Michael reaction is performed as well which afforded reasonable diastereoselectivities.

Nitric Oxide Release Device for Remote-Controlled Cancer Therapy by Wireless Charging

Traditional phototherapies face the issue that the insufficient penetration of light means it is difficult to reach deep lesions, which greatly reduces the feasibility of cancer therapy. Here, an implantable nitric oxide (NO)-release device is developed to achieve long-term, long-distance, remote-controllable gas therapy for cancer. The device consists of a wirelessly powered light-emitting diode (wLED) and S-nitrosoglutathione encapsulated with poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), obtaining the NO-release wLED (NO-wLED). It is found that NO release from the NO-wLED can be triggered by wireless charging and the concentration of produced NO reaches 0.43 × 10^-6 m min^-1 , which can achieve a killing effect on cancer cells. In vivo anticancer experiments exhibit obvious inhibitory effect on the growth of orthotopic cancer when the implanted NO-wLED is irradiated by wireless charging. In addition, recurrence of cancer can be prevented by NO produced from the NO-wLED after surgery. By illumination in the body, this strategy overcomes the poor penetration and long-wavelength dependence of traditional phototherapies, which also provides a promising approach for in vivo gas therapy remote-controlled by wireless charging.

Asymmetric Aldol/Vinylogous Aldol/Cyclization Reaction Using Phosphine Oxide Catalysts

Chiral phosphine oxide sequentially activates silicon tetrachloride and trichlorosilyl enol ethers to facilitate asymmetric aldol/vinylogous aldol reaction of 4-methoxy-3-penten-2-one and conjugated aldehydes in a highly enantioselective fashion, and the subsequent cyclization produced optically active 2,6-disubstituted 2,3-dihydro-4-pyranones bearing stereogenic centers at a remote position in a single operation.

Self-Assembled Hierarchical Superstructures from the Benzene-1,3,5-Tricarboxamide Supramolecules for the Fabrication of Remote-Controllable Actuating and Rewritable Films

The well-defined hierarchical superstructures constructed by the self-assembly of programmed supramolecules can be organized for the fabrication of remote-controllable actuating and rewritable films. To realize this concept, we newly designed and synthesized a benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA) derivative (abbreviated as BTA-3AZO) containing photoresponsive azobenzene (AZO) mesogens on the periphery of the BTA core. BTA-3AZO was first self-assembled to nanocolumns mainly driven by the intermolecular hydrogen-bonds between BTA cores, and these self-assembled nanocolumns were further self-organized laterally to form the low-ordered hexagonal columnar liquid crystal (LC) phase below the isotropization temperature. Upon cooling, a lamello-columnar crystal phase emerged at room temperature via a highly ordered lamello-columnar LC phase. The three-dimensional (3D) organogel networks consisted of fibrous and lamellar superstructures were fabricated in the BTA-3AZO cyclohexane-methanol solutions. By tuning the wavelength of light, the shape and color of the 3D networked thin films were remote-controlled by the conformational changes of azobenzene moieties in the BTA-3AZO. The demonstrations of remote-controllable 3D actuating and rewritable films with the self-assembled hierarchical BTA-3AZO thin films can be stepping stones for the advanced flexible optoelectronic devices.

Transfusion management using a remote-controlled, automated blood storage

BACKGROUND

Generally, the safety of transfusion terapies for patients depends in part on the distribution of the blood products. The prevention of adverse events can be aided by technological means, which, besides improving the traceability of the process, make errors less likely. In this context, the latest frontier in automation and computerisation is the remote-controlled, automated refrigerator for blood storage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Computer cross-matching is an efficient and safe method for assigning blood components, based on Information Technology applied to typing and screening. This method can be extended to the management of an automated blood refrigerator, the programme of which is interfaced with the Transfusion Service's information system. The connection we made in our Service between EmoNet and Hemosafe enables real-time, remote-controlled management of the following aspects of blood component distribution: a) release of autologous and allogeneic units already allocated to a patient, b) release of available units, which can be allocated by remote-control to known patients, in the presence of a valid computer cross-match, c) release of O-negative units of blood for emergencies.

RESULTS

Our system combines an information database, which enables computer cross-matching, with an automated refrigerator for blood storage with controlled access managed remotely by the Transfusion Service. The effectiveness and safety of the system were validated during the 4 months of its routine use in the Transfusion Service's outpatient department.

CONCLUSIONS

The safety and efficiency of the distribution of blood products can and must be increased by the use of technological innovations. With the EmoNet/Hemosafe system, the responsibility for the remote-controlled distribution of red blood cell concentrates remains with the chief of the Transfusion Services, through the use of automated computer procedures and supported by continuous training of technicians and nursing staff.