Modeling approach to multi-agent system of human and machine agents: Application in design of early experiments for novel aeronautics systems

Design of future systems for flight-deck automation will reflect a trend of changing the paradigm of human-computer interaction from the master (human)- slave (machine) mode to more equilibrated cooperation. In many cases such cooperation considers several humans and computer systems, for which multi-agent dynamic cooperative systems are appropriate models. Development of such systems requires very profound analysis of mutual interactions and conflicts that may arise in such systems. Additional testing is exhaustive and expensive for such systems. In the scope of the D3CoS project these problems are addressed from the modelling point of view with ambition to create tools that will simplify the development phase and replace parts of the testing phase. In this paper we investigate common flight procedures, for which computer assistance could be developed. We show how formal modelling of procedures allows us to inspect procedural inconsistencies and workload peaks before the development starts. We show how a computer cognitive architecture (a virtual pilot) can simulate human pilot behaviour in the cockpit to address questions typical for the early phase of the development. Analysis of these questions allows us to reduce the number of candidates for the final implementation without the need of expensive experiments with human pilots. This modelling approach is demonstrated on experiments undertaken both with human pilots and a virtual pilot. The quality of the outcome from both experimental settings remains conserved as shown by physiological assessment of pilot workload, which in turn justifies the use of the modelling approach for this type of problems

Installing oncofertility programs for common cancers in optimum resource settings (Repro-Can-OPEN Study Part II): a committee opinion

The main objective of Repro-Can-OPEN Study Part 2 is to learn more about oncofertility practices in optimum resource settings to provide a roadmap to establish oncofertility best practice models. As an extrapolation for oncofertility best practice models in optimum resource settings, we surveyed 25 leading and well-resourced oncofertility centers and institutions from the USA, Europe, Australia, and Japan. The survey included questions on the availability and degree of utilization of fertility preservation options in case of childhood cancer, breast cancer, and blood cancer. All surveyed centers responded to all questions. Responses and their calculated oncofertility scores showed three major characteristics of oncofertility practice in optimum resource settings: (1) strong utilization of sperm freezing, egg freezing, embryo freezing, ovarian tissue freezing, gonadal shielding, and fractionation of chemo- and radiotherapy; (2) promising utilization of GnRH analogs, oophoropexy, testicular tissue freezing, and oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM); and (3) rare utilization of neoadjuvant cytoprotective pharmacotherapy, artificial ovary, in vitro spermatogenesis, and stem cell reproductive technology as they are still in preclinical or early clinical research settings. Proper technical and ethical concerns should be considered when offering advanced and experimental oncofertility options to patients. Our Repro-Can-OPEN Study Part 2 proposed installing specific oncofertility programs for common cancers in optimum resource settings as an extrapolation for best practice models. This will provide efficient oncofertility edification and modeling to oncofertility teams and related healthcare providers around the globe and help them offer the best care possible to their patients

Video_1_Renal cell carcinoma with intracardiac tumor thrombus extension: Radical surgery yields 2 years of postoperative survival in a single-center study over a period of 30 years.wmv

BackgroundRenal cell carcinoma (RCC) with tumor thrombus extension into the right atrium (level IV) is a rare life-threatening clinical condition that can only be managed by means of a combined urological and cardiac surgical approach. The early and late outcomes of this radical treatment were analyzed in a large single-institution series over a period of 30 years.MethodsIn 37 patients with RCC and intracardiac tumor thrombus extension, nephrectomy was performed followed by the extraction of the intracaval and intracardiac tumor thrombus under direct visual control during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA). Recently, in 13 patients, selective aortic arch perfusion (SAAP) was instituted during DHCA.ResultsIn all patients, precise removal of the tumor thrombus was accomplished in a bloodless field. The mean duration of isolated DHCA was 15 ± 6 min, and 31.5 ± 10.2 min in the case of DHCA + SAAP, at a mean hypothermia of 22.7 ± 4°C. In-hospital mortality was 7.9% (3 patients). In Kaplan–Meier analysis, the estimated median survival was 26.4 months whereas the 5-year cancer-related survival rate was 51%.ConclusionsDespite its complexity, this extensive procedure can be performed safely with a generally uneventful postoperative course. The use of cardiopulmonary bypass with DHCA, with the advantage of SAAP, allows for a safe, precise, and complete extirpation of intracaval and intracardiac tumor mass. Late outcomes after radical surgical treatment in patients with RCC and tumor thrombus reaching up in the right atrium in our series justify this extensive procedure.</p

Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of Human Spinal Cord Injury: The Effect on Individual Values of pNF-H, GFAP, S100 Proteins and Selected Growth Factors, Cytokines and Chemokines

At present, there is no effective way to treat the consequences of spinal cord injury (SCI). SCI leads to the death of neural and glial cells and widespread neuroinflammation with persisting for several weeks after the injury. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy is one of the most promising approaches in the treatment of this injury. The aim of this study was to characterize the expression profile of multiple cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and so-called neuromarkers in the serum of an SCI patient treated with autologous bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs). SCI resulted in a significant increase in the levels of neuromarkers and proteins involved in the inflammatory process. BM-MSCs administration resulted in significant changes in the levels of neuromarkers (S100, GFAP, and pNF-H) as well as changes in the expression of proteins and growth factors involved in the inflammatory response following SCI in the serum of a patient with traumatic SCI. Our preliminary results encouraged that BM-MSCs with their neuroprotective and immunomodulatory effects could affect the repair process after injury