Cell Assembly-based Task Analysis (CAbTA)

Based on an Artificial Neural Network model, Cell Assembly-based Task Analysis is a new method that outputs a task performance model composed of integrated mind-brain Cell Assemblies, which are currently believed to be the most plausible, general organisation of the brain and how it supports mental operations. A simplified model of Cell Assemblies and their cognitive architecture is described and then used in the method. A brief sub-task is analysed. The method’s utility to research in Artificial Intelligence, neuroscience and cognitive psychology is discussed and the possibility of a General Theory suggested

Assessing Integrated Water Management Options for Urban Developments - Canberra case study

Urban water services in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) are currently provided through conventional centralised systems, involving large scale water distribution, wastewater collection, water and wastewater treatment. A study was conducted to assist Environment ACT in setting broad policies for future water services in Canberra. This paper presents the outcomes of a study examining the effects of various water servicing options on water resources and the environment, for two townships in Canberra, one existing and one greenfield site. Three modelling tools were used to predict the effects of various alternative water servicing scenarios, including demand management options, rainwater tanks, greywater use, on-site detention tanks, gross pollutant traps, swales and ponds. The results show that potable water reductions are best achieved by demand management tools or a combination of greywater and rainwater use for existing suburbs, while 3rd pipe systems are preferred for greenfield sites. For this specific climatic region and end use demands, modelling predicted increased water savings from raintanks compared to greywater systems alone, with raintanks providing the additional benefit of reduced peak stormwater flows at the allotment scale. Rainwater and stormwater reuse from stormwater ponds within the catchments was found to provide the highest reduction in nutrient discharge from the case study areas. Environment ACT amended planning controls to facilitate installation of raintanks and greywater systems, and commenced a Government funded rebate scheme for raintanks as a result of this study

Transoesophageal Doppler Monitoring For Fluid And Hemodynamic Treatment During Lung Surgery

Introduction: Patients undergoing lung resection are vulnerable to fluid overhydration. Recently, goal-directed fluid therapy using transoesophageal Doppler monitoring (TDM) has been shown to improve postoperative clinical outcome. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of TDM during open-chest procedures for guiding fluid and hemodynamic treatment. Methods: We performed an observational prospective study including 127 high-risk patients undergoing lung cancer resection. A restrictive fluid strategy was targeted to achieve a stroke volume index (SVI) ≥ 30ml/min/m2. Besides standard hemodynamic measurements, stroke volume index (SVI), corrected flow time (FTc), maximal acceleration (MA) and velocity (PV) were recorded during two-lung ventilation (TLV) and one-lung ventilation (OLV). Results: Doppler flow tracings could not be obtained in 4 patients during TLV (3.1%) and in 6 patients during OLV (4.9%). Preoperatively, 96 pts had SVI ≥ 30ml/min/m2 (N-SVI group) whereas 21 patients had SVI < 30ml/min/m2 (L-SVI group) associated with lower FTc values. After OLV, SVI transiently decreased (−17 ± 9%; P<0.05) in the N-SVI group whereas in the L-SVI group, SVI increased steadily until the end of surgery (+40 ± 12%). Other flow-related parameters as well as heart rate and mean arterial pressure remained unchanged. Surgical and medical characteristics did not differ between the two groups, except that larger volumes of colloids were administered intraoperatively in the L-SVI group (+2.2 ± 0.6ml/min/h compared with N-SVI group, P < 0.05). Conclusion: In thoracic surgical patients, TDM can be used to detect and correct low flow conditions and to guide hemodynamic support during the intraoperative perio

Representing older people: towards meaningful images of the user in design scenarios

Designing for older people requires the consideration of a range of difficult and sometimes highly personal design problems. Issues such as fear, loneliness, dependency, and physical decline may be difficult to observe or discuss in interviews. Pastiche scenarios and pastiche personae are techniques that employ characters to create a space for the discussion of new technological developments and as a means to explore user experience. This paper argues that the use of such characters can help to overcome restrictive notions of older people by disrupting designers' prior assumptions. In this paper, we reflect on our experiences using pastiche techniques in two separate technology design projects that sought to address the needs of older people. In the first case pastiche scenarios were developed by the designers of the system and used as discussion documents with users. In the second case, pastiche personae were used by groups of users themselves to generate scenarios which were scribed for later use by the design team. We explore how the use of fictional characters and settings can generate new ideas and undermine rhetorical devices within scenarios that attempt to fit characters to the technology, rather than vice versa. To assist in future development of pastiche techniques in designing for older people, we provide an array of fictional older characters drawn from literary and popular culture.</p

The effect of socio-economic status on severity of periocular basal cell carcinoma at presentation

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of socio-economic factors on size of periocular basal cell carcinoma at presentation. Methods: All periocular basal cell carcinoma cases receiving treatment from the oculoplastics team in South Glasgow Hospitals NHS Trust, Glasgow, between 1999 and 2009, were identified retrospectively. Information collected included demographic details of patients, side and site of lesions, type of lesions, and size of lesions. The size of lesion was defined as small for any dimension not exceeding 5 mm, medium for dimensions between 6 mm and 10 mm, and large for dimensions exceeding 11 mm. Home address was used to determine the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation rank. The demographics, size of lesion, and Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation rank were investigated using the general linear regression modelling. Results: Of the 67 cases, 24 were men and 43 were women. The mean age was 71.5 years. There were a total of 67 identified cases, of which 38 presented with small-size lesions, 24 with medium-size lesions, and 5 with large-size lesions. Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation is related to the presenting incidence of basal cell carcinoma, with the lower ranks presenting more frequently. Conclusions: Socio-economic deprivation is associated with larger and more frequent presentation of periocular basal cell carcinoma. This highlights the importance of raising awareness among populations of the more deprived areas of the significance of lumps and bumps within the periocular regions

Impact of intraoperative lung-protective interventions in patients undergoing lung cancer surgery

INTRODUCTION: In lung cancer surgery, large tidal volume and elevated inspiratory pressure are known risk factors of acute lung (ALI). Mechanical ventilation with low tidal volume has been shown to attenuate lung injuries in critically ill patients. In the current study, we assessed the impact of a protective lung ventilation (PLV) protocol in patients undergoing lung cancer resection. METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of an observational cohort. Demographic, surgical, clinical and outcome data were prospectively collected over a 10-year period. The PLV protocol consisted of small tidal volume, limiting maximal pressure ventilation and adding end-expiratory positive pressure along with recruitment maneuvers. Multivariate analysis with logistic regression was performed and data were compared before and after implementation of the PLV protocol: from 1998 to 2003 (historical group, n = 533) and from 2003 to 2008 (protocol group, n = 558). RESULTS: Baseline patient characteristics were similar in the two cohorts, except for a higher cardiovascular risk profile in the intervention group. During one-lung ventilation, protocol-managed patients had lower tidal volume (5.3 +/- 1.1 vs. 7.1 +/- 1.2 ml/kg in historical controls, P = 0.013) and higher dynamic compliance (45 +/- 8 vs. 32 +/- 7 ml/cmH2O, P = 0.011). After implementing PLV, there was a decreased incidence of acute lung injury (from 3.7% to 0.9%, P < 0.01) and atelectasis (from 8.8 to 5.0, P = 0.018), fewer admissions to the intensive care unit (from 9.4% vs. 2.5%, P < 0.001) and shorter hospital stay (from 14.5 +/- 3.3 vs. 11.8 +/- 4.1, P < 0.01). When adjusted for baseline characteristics, implementation of the open-lung protocol was associated with a reduced risk of acute lung injury (adjusted odds ratio of 0.34 with 95% confidence interval of 0.23 to 0.75; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Implementing an intraoperative PLV protocol in patients undergoing lung cancer resection was associated with improved postoperative respiratory outcomes as evidence by significantly reduced incidences of acute lung injury and atelectasis along with reduced utilization of intensive care unit resources