The Mission System: An Electronic Health Record for Medical Treatment in Guatemala

Abstract Problem: The introduction of an electronic health record (EHR) system has become an essential component in monitoring and tracking patient information in most developed countries but are difficult to implement in underdeveloped countries. Guatemala is a country with poor health care and limited resources for patient tracking and monitoring. An organization in Guatemala, Nursing Heart Inc. (NHI), provides care to over 40 underserved rural communities but lacks the ability to monitor and track patient information. In order for NHI to properly monitor and evaluate their programs and track patients’ continuity of care, the introduction of an EHR system is necessary. Methods: A system development framework was used to help identify the elements necessary for successful EHR workflow development for NHI. Focused interviews were conducted using structured interview guides with questions targeted towards EHR system design from first-hand observation from volunteers and staff members. Results: All the participants agreed that an EHR system would benefit NHI and will provide the ability to monitor patient trends over time, but will need to be simple, and have the ability to use in areas with no Wi-Fi. Implications for Practice: Using the information obtained from the structured interview guides, first-hand observation, aggregate data from NHI, and IT considerations, a set of elements and data were identified, and a series of recommendations established for a more streamlined method of collecting patient data for NHI

Plan Acquisition Through Intentional Learning in BDI Multi-Agent Systems

Multi-Agent Systems (MAS), a technique emanating from Distributed Artificial Intelligence, is a suitable technique to study complex systems. They make it possible to represent and simulate both elements and interrelations of systems in a variety of domains. The most commonly used approach to develop the individual components (agents) within MAS is reactive agency. However, other architectures, like cognitive agents, enable richer behaviours and interactions to be captured and modelled. The well-known Belief-Desire-Intentions architecture (BDI) is a robust approach to develop cognitive agents and it can emulate aspects of autonomous behaviour and is thus a promising tool to simulate social systems. Machine Learning has been applied to improve the behaviour of agents both individually or collectively. However, the original BDI model of agency, is lacking learning as part of its core functionalities. To cope with learning, the BDI agency has been extended by Intentional Learning (IL) operating at three levels: belief adjustment, plan selection, and plan acquisition. The latter makes it possible to increase the agent’s catalogue of skills by generating new procedural knowledge to be used onwards. The main contributions of this thesis are: a) the development of IL in a fully-fledged BDI framework at the plan acquisition level, b) extending IL from the single-agent case to the collective perspective; and c) a novel framework that melts reactive and BDI agents through integrating both MAS and Agent-Based Modelling approaches, it allows the configuration of diverse domains and environments. Learning is demonstrated in a test-bed environment to acquire a set of plans that drive the agent to exhibit behaviours such as target-searching and left-handed wall-following. Learning in both decision strata, single and collective, is tested in a more challenging and socially relevant environment: the Disaster-Rescue problem

Lilium: Exploring Collaborative Artificial Intelligence

Lilium is an Interactive Media and Game Development Major Qualifying Project created to test the bounds of cooperative play with teammates controlled by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The AI interfaces with an experimental, real-time planning application called Disco4Games. Lilium is a single-player, 3D action role playing game built in Unity featuring unique levels, characters, and sound created in a highly detailed, futuristic style. This project was an experience in bringing together the interdisciplinary aspects of game development

Aeronautical engineering: A continuing bibliography with indexes (supplement 323)

This bibliography lists 518 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system in November 1995. Subject coverage includes: design, construction and testing of aircraft and aircraft engines; aircraft components, equipment, and systems; ground support systems; and theoretical and applied aspects of aerodynamics and general fluid dynamics

Contemporary Topics in Graduate Medical Education

Graduate medical education (GME) is a continually evolving, highly dynamic area within the complex fabric of the modern health-care environment. Given the rapidly changing regulatory, financial, scientific and technical aspects of GME, many institutions and programs face daily challenges of "keeping up" with the most recent developments within this ever-more-sophisticated operational environment. Organizational excellence is a requirement for the seamless functioning of GME programs, especially when one consider the multiple disciplines and stakeholders involved. The goal of the current book cycle, titled Contemporary Topics in Graduate Medical Education, beginning with this inaugural tome, is to provide GME professionals with a practical and readily applicable set of reference materials. More than 20 distinguished authors from some of the top teaching institutions in the US, touch upon some of the most relevant, contemporary, and at times controversial topics, including provider burnout, gender equality issues, trainee wellness, scholarly activities and requirements, and many other theoretical and practical considerations. We hope that the reader will find this book to be a valuable and high quality resource of a broad range of GME-related topics. It is the Editors' goal to create a multi-tome platform that will become the definitive go-to reference for professionals navigating the complex landscape of modern graduate medical education

Aeronautical engineering: A continuing bibliography with indexes (supplement 322)

This bibliography lists 719 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system in Oct. 1995. Subject coverage includes: design, construction and testing of aircraft and aircraft engines; aircraft components, equipment, and systems; ground support systems; and theoretical and applied aspects of aerodynamics and general fluid dynamics