Managing healthcare workflows in a multi-agent system environment

Whilst Multi-Agent System (MAS) architectures appear to offer a more flexible model for designers and developers of complex, collaborative information systems, implementing real-world business processes that can be delegated to autonomous agents is still a relatively difficult task. Although a range of agent tools and toolkits exist, there still remains the need to move the creation of models nearer to code generation, in order that the development path be more rigorous and repeatable. In particular, it is essential that complex organisational process workflows are captured and expressed in a way that MAS can successfully interpret. Using a complex social care system as an exemplar, we describe a technique whereby a business process is captured, expressed, verified and specified in a suitable format for a healthcare MAS.</p

Assessment and learning outcomes: the evaluation of deep learning in an on-line course

Using an online learning environment, students from European countries collaborated and communicated to carry out problem based learning in occupational therapy. The effectiveness of this approach was evaluated by means of the final assessments and published learning outcomes. In particular, transcripts from peer-to-peer sessions of synchronous communication were analysed. The SOLO taxonomy was used and the development of deep learning was studied week by week. This allowed the quality of the course to be appraised and showed, to a certain extent, the impact of this online international course on the learning strategies of the students. Results indicate that deep learning can be supported by synchronous communication and online meetings between course participants.</p

Structure and function of natural sulphide-oxidizing microbial mats under dynamic input of light and chemical energy

We studied the interaction between phototrophic and chemolithoautotrophic sulphide-oxidizing microorganisms in natural microbial mats forming in sulphidic streams. The structure of these mats varied between two end-members: one characterized by a layer dominated by large sulphur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB; mostly Beggiatoa-like) on top of a cyanobacterial layer (B/C mats) and the other with an inverted structure (C/B mats). C/B mats formed where the availability of oxygen from the water column was limited (<5 mu M). Aerobic chemolithotrophic activity of the SOB depended entirely on oxygen produced locally by cyanobacteria during high light conditions. In contrast, B/C mats formed at locations where oxygen in the water column was comparatively abundant (445 mu M) and continuously present. Here SOB were independent of the photosynthetic activity of cyanobacteria and outcompeted the cyanobacteria in the uppermost layer of the mat where energy sources for both functional groups were concentrated. Outcompetition of photosynthetic microbes in the presence of light was facilitated by the decoupling of aerobic chemolithotrophy and oxygenic phototrophy. Remarkably, the B/C mats conserved much less energy than the C/B mats, although similar amounts of light and chemical energy were available. Thus ecosystems do not necessarily develop towards optimal energy usage. Our data suggest that, when two independent sources of energy are available, the structure and activity of microbial communities is primarily determined by the continuous rather than the intermittent energy source, even if the time-integrated energy flux of the intermittent energy source is greater

Interview with Ronald Beer, Class of 1958

Oral history interview with Illinois State Normal University alumnus Ronald Beer, Class of 1958. The interview was conducted on October 29, 1983, by Barbara Pedersen, a member of the Student Alumni Council. Beer has very positive memories of university president Robert Bone. As a university administrator himself, he believes that the essential college experience changed little between the 1950s and 1980s, though because of technological advances students in 1983 “are confronted with a lot more information.”https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/aoh/1013/thumbnail.jp

Indigenous access to mainstream public and community housing

Access by Indigenous people to mainstream public housing has increased by around 75 per cent between June 2000 and June 2004 (up from 6339 to 11 087 households respectively). There is a need to further boost the stock of larger dwellings to reduce overcrowding for Indigenous households in mainstream public housing, and to continue to improve the sustainability of tenancies.Paul Flatau, Lesley Cooper, Natalie McGrath, Donna Edwards, Amanda Hart, Mary Morris, Carol Lacroix, Marc Adam, Dora Marinova, Andrew Beer, Selina Tually and Catherine Trae

Technical report on chemical sensors performance

The report will present an overview of sensors that are useful for the study of seeps, and present a detailed comparison of commercial and prototype CO2 and pH sensors. CO2 sensors: 1) Severinghaus CO2 sensors (Microelectrodes ltd), 2) the HydroC-­‐CO2 logger sensor (CONTROS GmbH), 3) the “GasPro-­‐pCO2” (developed by the team coordinated by Prof. S. Lombardi; Sapienza -­‐ University of Rome-­‐CERI), 4) the MuFo (Multifiber Optode logger, developed in this project in a collaboration between Prof. I. Klimant University Graz and the MPI-­‐MM). pH sensors: 1) glass electrodes Microelectrodes ltd), 2) optodes (developed in this project in a collaboration between Prof. I. Klimant University Graz and the MPI-­‐MM), 3) SeaFET (ion-­‐selective field-­‐effect transistor, Satlantic)

Improving induction of labour for women through the development of a new pathway

Background: Although induction of labour is a safe procedure for the pregnant woman at term, the process is not without risk. In recognition of these challenges associated with induction, an audit of local service provision was undertaken. Aim: To identify problems with the existing induction service. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of women’s notes from May to December 2016. All patient records of pregnant women who had received induction during this time (n=870) were examined, as well as complaints and feedback received by the service. Findings: The audit identified several issues that would need to be addressed if the service was to be improved. These concerns were divided into two groups: the pregnant woman’s perspective and service provision issues. Conclusion: A new induction of labour pathway was created that aimed to address some of the concerns identified by the audit, and improve the care that women received. A further audit was conducted to assess the improvement in care as a result

Using stories to assist storytelling in a pastoral setting: Four female pastors in dialogue with Mary Magdalene

Sometimes we need a source of encouragement for restoring our own lives, to help us re-create ourselves. Using text as narrative texts opens up a multitude of possibilities in the work with clients in therapy. The story of Mary Magdalene told in John 20:11–18 is considered to be a healing story. This article aims to retell the story of her encounter with the resurrected Jesus, using the Gospel of Mary as an enlightening intertext. Because the story of Mary Magdalene’s encounter with Jesus is used as a healing story, the basic principles of transformative narrative theory are considered tobe useful in the analysis of this text. Mary Magdalene’s story is then discussed with three female pastors of the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa. The research opened up a discussion about spirituality. This article would be incomplete without reflecting on the spirituality stories of the group of co-researchers