One of the outstanding, unsolved problems in human motor control is whether the motor system uses intermittent control. The intermittent control or serial ballistic hypothesis was proposed more than 60 years ago. While the question has attracted considerable interest, evidence for and against the hypothesis has remained circumstantial, complicated by the fact that intermittent control easily masquerades as continuous control. An underlying problem has been the lack of a rigorous methodology discriminating intermittent from continuous control in sustained control of movement. I can report recent developments providing new evidence in relation to this question. Intermittent control relates to processes of response selection, variability in movement, voluntary control, motor learning, motor re-learning and disorders related to those processes. The basal ganglia and related disorders are implicated as is dysfunction emerging at the level of the complete system. Understanding of the intermittent control paradigm suggests principled approaches to maximise restoration of function.
Time:i) 1 - 2pm; ii) 2 - 2.30pm
Location:E221 John Dalton Building, Oxford Road
Chris will provide an overview of his current research work related to reconstructive and dental science and indicate areas where collaboration with other healthcare scientists, engineers and computer vision experts could prove fruitful.
Time:1 - 2 pm
Location:E221 John Dalton Building, Oxford Road
Time:1 - 2 pm
Location:E221 John Dalton Building, Oxford Road
The talk will focus on the biology and mathematical models of neurons and other oscillating cells. Working with colleagues in cell biology, computing and engineering we will be attempting to build the world's first assay for neuronal degradation using a MicroElectrode Array (MEA) for in-vitro applications. Human neurons will be used to construct logic gates that act as simple Arithmetic Logic Units (ALUs). Some of these neurons will then be infected with Alzheimer's disease and logic functionality will be tested with different drugs. We will also be discussing Josephson junctions which can act like biological neurons, however, they are much faster at switching than CMOS and use far less power. This work is the subject of UK, international and Taiwanese patents.
Time:1 - 2 pm
Location:E221 John Dalton Building, Oxford Road
In this talk, an algorithm based on Active Shape Model for the extraction of Optic Disc boundary is proposed. The determination of Optic Disc boundary is fundamental to the automation of retinal eye disease diagnosis because the Optic Disc Center is typically used as a reference point to locate other retinal structures, and any structural change in Optic Disc, whether textural or geometrical, can be used to determine the occurrence of retinal diseases such as Glaucoma. The algorithm is based on determining a model for the Optic Disc boundary by learning patterns of variability from a training set of annotated Optic Discs. The model can be deformed so as to reflect the boundary of Optic Disc in any feasible shape. The algorithm provides some initial steps towards automation of the diagnostic process for retinal eye disease in order that more patients can be screened with consistent diagnoses.
Time:1 - 2 pm
Location:E221 John Dalton Building, Oxford Road
Time:1 - 2pm
Location:Room E221 John Dalton Building, Oxford Road
Peter will be presenting the work he has completed over the last seven months, during his visit to Manchester.
Time:1 - 2pm
Location:E223 John Dalton Building, Oxford Road
Time:1 - 2pm
Location:E223 John Dalton Building, Oxford Road
Time:1 - 2pm
Location:Room E221 John Dalton Building, Oxford Road
Jonathan will be presenting work which forms part of his RD1 submission, while Agnes is presenting work resulting from her exchange visit to MMU
Time:1 - 2 pm
Location:E221 John Dalton Building, Oxford Road, Manchester