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Biomedical subjects

J A Starkweather

Publications and source records attributed to J A Starkweather.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1986

The computer as a tool for learning.

Experimenters from the beginning recognized the advantages computers might offer in medical education. Several medical schools have gained experience in such programs in automated instruction. Television images and graphic display combined with computer control and user interaction are effective for teaching problem solving. The National Board of Medical Examiners has developed patient-case simulation for examining clinical skills, and the National Library of Medicine has experimented with combining media. Advances from the field of artificial intelligence and the availability of increasingly powerful microcomputers at lower cost will aid further development. Computers will likely affect existing educational methods, adding new capabilities to laboratory exercises, to self-assessment and to continuing education.

Computer-Assisted Instruction↗
PubMed1978

Behavioral effects of trace and subanesthetic halothane and nitrous oxide in man.

Using tests of complex reaction time and of immediate recall (digit span), the authors could not demonstrate that trace concentrations of halothane (to 0.02 per cent, or 200 parts per million) or halothane plus nitrous oxide (0.002 per cent plus 0.05 per cent, respectively) or nitrous oxide alone (0.4 per cent) affected mental function of male volunteers. However, subanesthetic concentrations of both nitrous oxide (20 to 30 per cent) and halothane (0.2 per cent) did impair mental function.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of subanesthetic concentration of enflurane and halothane on human behavior.

Ten male volunteers performed 3 tasks before, during, and following administration of 3 levels of alveolar halothane (0.05, 0.1, and 0.2%) for one-half hour each and (on a separate occasion) enflurane (0.15, 0.3, and 0.4%) for one-half hour each. The concentrations of halothane tested representing 7, 13, and 27% of MAC values, respectively; those of enflurane were 9, 18, and 24% of MAC. The tasks were a choice-reaction time test, a digit span test, and a Purdue Pegboard Assembly test. Volunteers also were tested for amnesia with word pairs and a picture. No effects or only slight effects on mental function could be detected at the lowest concentrations of either agent. At higher concentrations both agents impaired function, as indicated by an increase in reaction time, decreased ability to remember numbers, and decreased ability to assemble a simple structural array. Amnesia for word pairs but not pictures occurred at 27% of MAC for halothane and 18% of MAC for enflurane. All test scores reverted to control levels within one-half hour after discontinuing the anesthetic. Our results indicate that subanesthetic but not trace levels of enflurane or halothane can impair mental performance and manual dexterity and produce amnesia. The levels of anesthetic required far exceed those experienced by operating room personnel. However, such levels might be found for several hours in patients following prolonged anesthesia.

Adult↗