Images in Neuroscience. Cerebellar vermis hyperdensity on CT scan.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to P Wolski.
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OBJECTIVES: The analysis of energetic ventricular variable changes during artificial ventilation, obtained by numerical simulation was done. Twenty-one sets of hemodynamic parameters for eight cardiosurgical patients were used to estimate left and right stroke work. The data were collected for three methods of ventilation: conventional, lung-protective (with minute ventilation diminished by half) and high frequency ventilation (with frequency 5, 10, or 15 Hz). METHODS: The computer simulator (CARDIOSIM) of the cardiovascular system, was used as a tool to calculate values of energetic ventricular variables for conditions that corresponded to these during in vivo measurements. Different methods of ventilation caused differences of intrathoracic pressure, haemodynamic and finally energetic ventricular variables. The trends of these variable changes were the same in in vivo and simulation studies, in the whole range of intrathoracic pressure changes (Pt = 1.5-3.5 mmHg). RESULTS: As values of main hemodynamic variables like cardiac output or arterial, systemic and pulmonary pressures were very close in both studies. Cardiac index and left ventricular stroke work also differed less than 10% for all examined patients and computer simulation. In a case of right ventricular stroke work the difference between in vivo data and simulation was a bit greater than 10% for two of eight patients under study. CONCLUSIONS: Our comparative analysis proved that numerical simulation is a very useful tool to predict changes of main hemodynamic and energy-related ventricular variables caused by different levels of positive Pt. It means that it can help an anesthesiologist to choose an appropriate method of artificial ventilation for cardiosurgical patients.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the value of shade in protecting humans from solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation. DESIGN AND SETTING: Measurement with photometers of protection factors for ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) and for total solar radiation for different types of trees and other structures during the summer months (1995-1997) in south-east Queensland. (The protection ratio is the ratio of the intensity of UVB or total solar radiation in direct sunlight to that in shade.) RESULTS: For summer sun at midday, the mean (SD) UV protection ratio for the shade of trees (n = 65) was 4.21 (1.36) on a horizontal surface and 1.33 (0.30) on a vertical surface. In contrast, the mean (SD) protection ratio for total solar energy (primarily infrared) was much higher (12.1 [1.4]). Trees common in recreational areas in Australia (eucalypts: UV protection ratio, 3.52 [0.79]; Norfolk Island pines: UV protection ratio, 3.72 [0.98]) offered reduced protection compared with trees with more dense foliage (UV protection ratio, 5.48 [1.44]). Over a whole day, measurement of shade by trees and other structures showed that the UV protection ratio was lower in the morning and afternoon. Shade from awnings, buildings and hats gave similar results to those for trees. Both at midday and over a whole day satisfactory protection (UV protection ratio > 15) was obtained only in shade which eliminated exposure to the sky as well as to direct sunlight; for example, in thickly wooded areas and under low, widely overhanging structures. CONCLUSIONS: Most forms of shade, while useful, offer people insufficient protection from solar UV. A fair-skinned person sheltering under a tree could suffer sunburn after less than one hour. There is a need for appropriate design of structural shade, use of other solar protection measures in conjunction with shade, and research on behavioural responses to shade.
A reaction time study with normal human subjects was conducted to obtain support for one or the other model of interhemispheric relations--referred to as the "one-system" and the "two-systems" hypotheses. 12 subjects were extensively trained in a complex reaction time task consisting of a "priming sub-task" which introduced interhemispheric interference and two different "test sub-tasks" measuring the generalization of interference. The interference priming produced visible slowing of RT's on subsequent trials. Interestingly, the deterioration of the two test sub-tasks was alike, despite the marked difference in the amount of the interhemispheric communication they required. This result is more in line with the one-system hypothesis, as the two-systems hypothesis predicts deterioration proportional to the amount of the required interhemispheric communication.