Providing assistance during decision-making problems solving in an educational modelling environment

In this paper we present the model-checking module of decision-making models in the frame of ModelsCreator, an educational modelling environment. The model-checking module aims to assist young students to construct qualitative models for decision-making problems solving. We specify the decision-making models that may be built and we explain the model checking mechanism. The model-checking mechanism compares the student model with the reference model constructed by the teacher and provides immediate advice to the student to help him create a valid model. So, the model-checking module of a decision-making model aims to facilitate student to structure convincing decisions in the proper situations. © 2009 International Federation for Information Processing

Confirmation of microevolutionary increase in spina bifida occulta among Swiss birth cohorts

Previous studies on the prevalence of spina bifida occulta have indicated a microevolutionary increase in its frequency and possible population differences in the prevalence of the condition. We studied the frequencies of closed and open sacral canals at each sacral level among two birth cohorts in Switzerland. Transverse CT scans and multiplanar reconstruction images of sacra of 95 males and 96 females born in 1940–1950 and 99 males and 94 females born in 1970–1980 in Switzerland were reviewed. We found that individuals born later have significantly more open sacral arches at all sacral levels compared to those born 30–40 years earlier. When results were related to previously published data on Australian cohorts, the trend was the same, but Swiss in both cohorts were less likely to have an open section than Australians at all locations apart from S2. This study confirmed a microevolutionary trend in the opening of sacral canal among two different generations in Switzerland and demonstrated a population difference in the prevalence of spina bifida occulta