Novel Methods for Elucidating Modality Importance in Multimodal Electrophysiology Classifiers

Multimodal classification is increasingly common in biomedical informatics studies. Many such studies use deep learning classifiers with raw data, which makes explainability difficult. As such, only a few studies have applied explainability methods, and new methods are needed. In this study, we propose sleep stage classification as a testbed for method development and train a convolutional neural network with electroencephalogram (EEG), electrooculogram, and electromyogram data. We then present a global approach that is uniquely adapted for electrophysiology analysis. We further present two local approaches that can identify subject-level differences in explanations that would be obscured by global methods and that can provide insight into the effects of clinical and demographic variables upon the patterns learned by the classifier. We find that EEG is globally the most important modality for all sleep stages, except non-rapid eye movement stage 1 and that local subject-level differences in importance arise. We further show that sex, followed by medication and age had significant effects upon the patterns learned by the classifier. Our novel methods enhance explainability for the growing field of multimodal classification, provide avenues for the advancement of personalized medicine, and yield novel insights into the effects of demographic and clinical variables upon classifiers.

Fabrication of Tailor-Made Metallic Structures for Lightweight Applications and Mechanical Behaviour

Tailor-made metallic structures are fabricated by welding, adhesive bonding, and mechanical joining methods. Here the aim is not only to fabricate lightweight structures, but also to develop novel methods of joining. Lightweight structures are advantageous in several ways including reduction of fuel consumption and vehicle emissions. Developing novel methods of joining is advantageous due to the possibility of joining of dissimilar materials, improved mechanical performance, and microstructures. In the chapter, initially, tailor-welded blanks (TWB) are introduced, and after that, fabrication of TWBs by laser welding, friction stir welding, and friction stir additive manufacturing are elaborately discussed. Some critical issues in modeling the deformation during fabrication of TWBs is also discussed. A brief account of mechanical behavior of adhesive bonded sheets and mechanical joining are presented in the later part.