Advanced services for critical infrastructures protection

In this paper an overview of the first results of FP7 CIPRNet project is presented. Particularly, we demonstrate CIPRNet services for critical infrastructure protection (CIP) stakeholders. The role of the proposed services is to support decisions in the CIP domain. Moreover, those services are expected to serve as the underpinnings for the European Infrastructures Simulation and Analysis Centre (EISAC) which, similarly to the US NISAC, should provide operational services on CIP, for the benefits of CI operators, stakeholders and the Public Authorities committed to CIP

Go-around manoeuver: a simulation study

Events during which a safe go-around was not achieved have been brought to the attention of the BEA (Bureau Enquête Analyse pour la Sécurité de l'Aviation civile – French Safety Board) due to their noticeable increase since the 2000s. Considering the greater risk associated with the go-around manoeuvre, currently defined as a normal phase of flight, the BEA has decided to undertake a study named ASAGA (Aircraft State Awareness during Go Around). The study aimed at identifying the weaknesses of the system during go-around manoeuvres regardless of the type of aircraft and the airline operational procedures. In this context, the analysis relied mainly on three components: (1) Safety events (incidents / accidents); (2) Large scale survey; and (3) Flight simulations. Experiments were conducted using two long-range full flight simulators with operational pilots. This paper presents the method used to conduct the experiment and some of the resulting data, as well as some initial conclusions. The data included: video camera recordings for task analysis; recordings of the ocular activity of the two pilots; and debriefings. The eye trackers were used to analyze the pilot’s scanning patterns and the distribution of their attention during this particular flight phase. The debriefings consisted of interviews, based on the self-confrontation technique, which enable the pilots to self-assess their actions and situational awareness. Eleven crews from three French airlines participated to the simulations. The scope was not explained to them to prevent any anticipation. Each crew performed the same scenario from take off to landing that included three go-around manoeuvres. The first results indicate some concerns related to the cooperation between controllers and aircrews in such demanding occurrences, some lack of understanding of cockpit automatisms and failures in crew resource management. Results are discussed in terms of potential improvements of the Human Machine Interface, pilots-controllers interactions and task sharing within the aircrew

The tetanic depression in fast motor units of mammalian skeletal muscle can be evoked by lengthening of one initial interpulse interval

A lower than expected tetanic force (the tetanic depression) is regularly observed in fast motor units (MUs) when a higher stimulation frequency immediately follows a lower one. The aim of the present study was to determine whether prolongation of only the first interpulse interval (IPI) resulted in tetanic depression. The experiments were carried out on fast MUs of the medial gastrocnemius muscle in cats and rats. The tetanic depression was measured in each case as the force decrease of a tetanus with one IPI prolonged in relation to the tetanic force at the respective constant stimulation frequency. Force depression was observed in all cases studied and was considerably greater in cats. For cats, the mean values of force depression amounted to 28.64% for FR and 10.86% for FF MUs whereas for rats 9.30 and 7.21% for FR and FF motor units, respectively. Since the phenomenon of tetanic depression in mammalian muscle is commonly observed even after a change in only the initial interpulse interval within a stimulation pattern, it can effectively influence processes of force regulation during voluntary activity of a muscle, when motoneurones progressively increase the firing rate

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Advanced services for critical infrastructures protection

In this paper an overview of the first results of FP7 CIPRNet project is presented. Particularly, we demonstrate CIPRNet services for critical infrastructure protection (CIP) stakeholders. The role of the proposed services is to support decisions in the CIP domain. Moreover, those services are expected to serve as the underpinnings for the European Infrastructures Simulation and Analysis Centre (EISAC) which, similarly to the US NISAC, should provide operational services on CIP, for the benefits of CI operators, stakeholders and the Public Authorities committed to CIP.JRC.G.5-Security technology assessmen