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PubMed1991

Designing a neural network simulator--the MENS modelling environment for network systems: I.

During recent years, the field of neural network research has increasingly attracted the interest of workers from a large number of different disciplines. Current research topics include aspects as different as detailed simulations in brain physiology, predictions of protein structure in biochemistry, database organization in computer science, or various technical applications. The common scheme behind these different approaches is the use of distributed networks of simple computational elements that communicate with each other by means of weighted links. Computer simulations of neural networks require an appropriate software environment. Due to the computational similarities of many classes of such networks, simulation software can be structured into modular components that, to a large degree, are independent of specific applications. The aim of this and the following paper is to discuss some of the design considerations concerning software for neural network simulations. The aspects presented are interesting for both the development of new simulation software and the efficient use and modification of existing programs. Therefore, the general user as well as the software designer may hopefully benefit from this material. This paper briefly introduces some of the basic principles of neural networks. After a short discussion of different approaches to software design, two simple example applications are presented in order to demonstrate a conceptual framework common to many network simulations. The transfer of these considerations to the design of simulation software is then shown by example of the MENS network simulator developed in the Max-Planck-Institute for Brain Research. The paper gives a general introduction to the layout of data structures and different software components. Using the two introductory examples some aspects of network analysis are demonstrated. The following paper then considers further details of the design of a neural network simulator with respect to performance, implementation, and testing.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Altitude training experiences and perspectives: survey of 67 professional pilots.

INTRODUCTION: Pilots and crewmembers of flights exceeding 7620 m/mean sea level (msl) are required to complete ground training in high-altitude physiology, including hypoxia training. However, regulations do not require altitude chamber training (ACT). METHOD: An anonymous questionnaire concerning their experiences and perceptions of hypoxia training was filled out by 67 pilots attending an aviation safety conference. All pilots had logged professional business flight hours in the previous 6 mo. RESULTS: There were 62 pilots who reported receiving hypoxia training, and of these, 71% reported having initial ACT. Most of the pilots surveyed agreed that all pilots should receive introductory hypoxia training (92%), recurrent hypoxia training (86%), initial ACT (85%), and recurrent ACT (70%). Initial ACT received lower endorsements for private (32%) or recreational (10%) pilots than for commercial (74%) and air transport (90%) pilots. When asked if ACT should be based on the altitude capability of an aircraft, 59% responded affirmatively. Apparently, the perceived need for ACT was based on the likelihood of flying at higher altitudes and not simply the level of certification. When asked if the current regulations (i.e., not requiring ACT) addressing high-altitude flying (above 7620 m/msl) are sufficient, 52% of the current sample disagreed or strongly disagreed. DISCUSSION: Generally, these professional pilots perceived that pilot training should include introductory hypoxia training, recurrent hypoxia training, and ACT. Exceptions were initial ACT for recreational pilots and private pilots. Generalizability of these results may be affected by the specificity and size of the sample. Distributing the survey to a wider audience of pilots would provide additional information regarding perceptions of hypoxia training.

Adult↗

PubMed1978

[Preventive medical measures in the federal republic of germany. Present status and problems (author's transl)].

Following brief introductory remarks on the term "preventive medicine", an outline is presented of its evolvement during the last 20 years in the Health Services of the Federal Republic of Germany. Thereby, it becomes apparent that the development of single screening efforts, e.g. to detect unknown cases of diabetes and to make special model studies, especially in Baden-Württemberg, has led to comprehensive legal motherhood care, health care for young children, early detection of cancer, and detection of diabetes cases. Problems have arisen due to the generally very low utilization of preventive medical examinations and because of the question as to whether premorbid health conditions should be included in the preventive medical program additionally. Finally, indications are given for the necessity to examine possibilities of curtailing expenditures in the present preventive medical care program, or in some of its branches, without forfeiting the efficiency of the preventive measures. Thereby, it must be considered that these measures are benefiting only that part of the population which is socially insured. The claim to measures for health protection, however, should be available to the entire population as a basic human right.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Training families to provide care: effects on people with dementia.

This paper addresses four questions concerning family training in dementia care: (1) What do we know about what works? (2) How do we know it? (3) What do we now need to know? (4) How should we go about trying to find this out? In addition, it provides some introductory information on the nature of family caregivers in dementia and the phenomenology of caregiver burden and behavioral problems in dementia, often the focus of family training. Training families to provide care to dementia patients has a long clinical history. In recent years, the amount and popularity of this kind of information has grown exponentially, as is evident in the proliferation of books, training materials and informational handouts. Even video and world wide web technology is now used to educate caregivers. Over a decade ago, reports showed that caregivers were able to learn specific behavioral techniques and successfully reduce problematic behaviors. More recently, controlled trials have suggested the effectiveness of caregiver training programs in reducing behavioral problems or delaying institutionalization in patients with dementia. There is much still unknown concerning family training in dementia care. Additional controlled clinical trials are needed, as are additional studies to understand the broader factors known to influence effective care, such as patient and caregiver physical health or family and social supports.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Differences between students' estimated and attained grades in a first-year introductory psychology course as a function of identity development.

Two hundred sixty-eight first-year university students were surveyed about the state of their identity development and their perceptions regarding chances for academic success in an introductory psychology course. In general, it was found that students who had an adult identity had a more accurate assessment of their chances for success in the course and also used more efficient study strategies. Students who had not completely formed an adult identity, however, were more inaccurate in estimates of their final grades and also seemed to use less productive study strategies. It was concluded that those who have formulated an adult identity might have also developed a more complete understanding of both themselves and their situation. Implications of the findings for further research regarding the effects of identity development on university life, as well as the implications for academic intervention programs, are discussed.

Achievement↗

PubMed1989

The New Zealand Glomerulonephritis Study: introductory report.

All patients 14 years and older seen between July 1972 and June 1983 in four of the five nephrological centers in New Zealand with biopsy-proven primary glomerulonephritis (GN), were enrolled in a central register. This study included 803 patients from 84% of the total New Zealand population in this age group. Polynesians (predominantly Maoris) were found to have a higher overall incidence of GN than New Zealanders of European descent, a higher incidence of postinfectious GN, mesangio-capillary GN and focal glomerulosclerosis and a reduced incidence of IgA nephropathy. The racial difference in the incidence of GN may account in part for the known higher rate of end-stage renal failure in Polynesians. Overall the incidence of GN in men was more than twice that in women, and this was particularly so for postinfectious GN, IgA nephropathy, antiglomerular basement membrane initiated GN and membranous nephropathy. An adverse outcome (entry into a dialysis-transplant program, death from renal failure, non-renal death), was more frequent for Polynesians than Europeans. Follow-up is continuing to define the long-term survival of patients with each histological category of GN and any potential prognostic factors.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1978

[Training and use of dental manpower resources in Mexico].

The introductory section describes the general situation of dental care in Mexico, analyzes the prevailing service model (including the kind of work done by the dental professional and the technology he employs), and briefly reviews the evolution of dentistry in the country. There follows an account of a series of new approaches to service and manpower training in experimental implementation since 1972 in the stomatology curriculum at the Xochimilco campus of the Metropolitan Autonomous University, at the National School of Professional Studies at Zaragoza, in the School of Dentistry of Nuevo León Autonomous University, Monterrey, and in the Dental Services at Ciudad Netzahualcóyotl. In each case, the background, characteristics, and objectives of the programs, and their evolution and prospects are described.

Dental Assistants↗

PubMed1992

SCORPIO: a system of medical teaching.

Reform in medical education is gaining momentum through the efforts of organizations such as the World Federation for Medical Education. Through the advocacy of such bodies, educational priorities have been redefined to widen the range of educational settings, upgrade evaluation systems and promote the training of teachers as educators. A system of medical teaching has been developed which addresses these issues. It is known by the acronym SCORPIO. The key elements of the system are that it is Structured, Clinical, Objective Referenced, Problem-based, Integrated and Organized. SCORPIO involves delivering a syllabus through a series of lecture-demonstrations at which students, teachers and patients gather at a defined area. Following a short introductory lecture, students rotate in small groups, through a series of teaching stations. These stations are structured to provide students with a problem-based, integrated learning experience. Assessment stations may be included before, during or after the teaching circuit. The teaching system has been formally evaluated over a period of time and now has an established place in the curriculum of this medical school.

Australia↗

PubMed1991

Introductory training in occupational health service. Report on the development and evaluation of nine preliminary courses, 1988-1989.

This compulsory course is open to all newly employed, including administrative personnel, at occupational health units. The goal of the course is to create a joint view of the aims and direction of occupational health service. All nine preliminary courses have given the participants distinct and homogeneous answers to questions such as: What is the aim of the occupational health services? Who is the client? How shall we work together?

Curriculum↗

PubMed1992

The problem of creating habits: establishing health-protective dental behaviors.

We describe three experiments testing treatments to promote the performance of health-protective dental behaviors. Subjects included 55 women from an introductory psychology course (Experiment 1), 45 men and women (Experiment 2), and 81 older-than-average students identified as at risk for gum disease (Experiment 3). The interventions, derived from social cognitive theory, included health education, skills training, and self-monitoring. In each study, we examined the contribution of additional treatment components, including social support (Experiment 1), intensive contact (Experiment 2), and flexible goal setting (Experiment 3). Across experiments, the behavioral results were remarkably similar: Subjects exhibited excellent adherence while in the study but, at follow-up, reported behavior that differed little from baseline. We discuss parallels between attempts to promote health-protective dental behaviors and other health-promotion programs, and we describe different perspectives from which to address the problem of creating healthy habits.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

[Analysis of education processes in areas of public health and occupational medicine. Introductory premises and hypotheses].

In the first section of the work the premise encouraging the analysis of educational systems in the areas of public health and occupational medicine is presented. There is an urgent need for the education of highly personnel in these two fields, and the adhering of educational systems to the current needs requires an in-depth historical and sociological analyses as well as the evaluation and comparative studies. The model analysis and the research hypothesis are subject of the two other sections.

Curriculum↗

PubMed1994

A manual for managed care physicians: why needed, how developed, and how used.

This article describes the development of and rationale for a "Physician Manual" in a managed care setting. The article begins with introductory information on the use of similar documents in industry generally and then provides background information on the author's organization. The contents of the manual are given in outline form, with additional details provided as necessary. The need to regard the manual as a "living" document is emphasized, and probable reasons for change are noted, along with recommendations for intervals at which review and change are appropriate.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Plans↗

PubMed1979

Introduction to the theme--state intervention and the social wage: the politics of social services expansion.

State intervention in the consumption process has become increasingly critical to economic growth on the one hand and to real family income on the other. The social wage thus tends to become a conflictual political issue. As a result, the articulation of state intervention with the changing requirements of economic growth is subject to continuous political challenge. This special issue examines the problematic relationship between state intervention in social services and the organization of the capitalist economy. Some contributors study the ways in which state inter ventions are structured so as to be consonant with the requirements of economic growth and profitability, as well as the difficulties such structures pose. Feshbach's analysis of the Hill-Burton Hospital Construction Program and Mollenkopf's study of San Francisco's public transit system both reflect this concern. Other contributors study the ways in which the organization of the economy constrains the development of democratically responsive social services. Sbragia's study of the capital market and public housing in Italy and Taylor's study of free medical clinics in the U.S. both reflect this concern. Finally, contributors study macroscopic transformations in the relationship between state intervention and the organization of the capitalist economy. Esping-Andersen's study of the political logic of increasing state intervention in production and Hirschhorn's analysis of the defunctionalization of social services attendent upon the disaccumulative tendencies in capitalism both reflect this concern. This introductory paper reviews four theories which attempt to explain how state intervention is insulated from democratic controls. For each theory, the mechanisms specified to perform this function are subject to weaknesses. An attempt is made to position the contributions to this volume with respect to these theoretical traditions.

Conflict, Psychological↗

PubMed2006

Part I: preparing first-year radiology residents and assessing their readiness for on-call responsibilities.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an Emergency Radiology (ER) Core Curriculum training module and a Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM)-based interactive examination system to prepare first-year (postgraduate year 2 [PGY-2]) radiology residents and assess their readiness for taking overnight radiology call. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board approval was obtained, and the study was compliant with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations. A dedicated month-long ER curriculum was designed to prepare new radiology residents for overnight radiology call that includes interpretation of off-hour urgent and emergent studies without immediate direct attending supervision. Lectures of the curriculum, provided by department staff, were based on the American Society of Emergency Radiology core curriculum. The lecture series was implemented after PGY-2 residents had completed formal introductory resident rotations during their first 6 months of training. A DICOM-based interactive computer-based testing module was developed and administered at the end of the lecture series. The module consisted of 19 actual emergency department cases with entire series of images, simulating an on-call setting. Tests were scored by two staff members blinded to resident identifying information. Upper-level residents also were tested, and comparison was made between first-year and upper-level resident test scores to determine the effectiveness of the test in determining first-year resident preparedness for call. Statistical analysis of results was performed by using t-test (P < .05). RESULTS: All residents in the residency program present during the month (nine PGY-2, six PGY-3, seven PGY-4, seven PGY-5 residents) attended the lecture series and finished the testing module at the end of the lecture series. Of 19 actual emergency cases on the testing module, five cases were neuroradiology, three cases were thoracic imaging, eight cases were body imaging, and three cases were musculoskeletal. PGY-2 residents scored an average of 73.0% (range, 63.2%-81.6%) of total points possible. PGY-3 residents scored an average of 76.8% (range, 68.4%-86.8%); PGY-4 residents scored an average of 77.4% (range, 65.8%-100%), and PGY-5 residents scored an average of 81.2% (range, 68.4%-94.7%). There was no statistically significant difference in scores according to level of training. CONCLUSION: First-year radiology residents who underwent 6 months of formal radiology training followed by an intensive ER lecture series before taking overnight call had scores similar to upper-level colleagues on an interactive computer-based ER simulation module.

Curriculum↗

PubMed2004

Overview of the Martian radiation environment experiment.

Space radiation presents a hazard to astronauts, particularly those journeying outside the protective influence of the geomagnetosphere. Crews on future missions to Mars will be exposed to the harsh radiation environment of deep space during the transit between Earth and Mars. Once on Mars, they will encounter radiation that is only slightly reduced, compared to free space, by the thin Martian atmosphere. NASA is obliged to minimize, where possible, the radiation exposures received by astronauts. Thus, as a precursor to eventual human exploration, it is necessary to measure the Martian radiation environment in detail. The MARIE experiment, aboard the 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft, is returning the first data that bear directly on this problem. Here we provide an overview of the experiment, including introductory material on space radiation and radiation dosimetry, a description of the detector, model predictions of the radiation environment at Mars, and preliminary dose-rate data obtained at Mars.

Astronauts↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Strategy to assess, develop, and evaluate critical thinking.

BACKGROUND: To care for patients with complex health problems, nurses need a strong knowledge base and critical thinking skills. Critical thinking enables the nurse to process and analyze information, solve clinical problems, and decide on actions to take. Teaching and evaluation, however, often focus on memorizing facts and details about clinical care rather than on critical thinking. METHOD: Context-dependent test items are designed to evaluate critical thinking and may be used in orientation, in competency testing, and by preceptors and others who work with beginning nurses for formative evaluation and discussions with them. A context-dependent item presents introductory material to analyze and determine a course of action. The introductory material may be a clinical scenario, an issue nurses might face in their practice, patient data, graphs or flow sheets, and other types of material for analysis. Carefully planned questions for assessing critical thinking are then asked. CONCLUSION: The article describes how to develop and use context-dependent items in nursing continuing education.

Clinical Competence↗

PubMed1999

Learning physiology through service.

A service-learning component has been successfully incorporated into an introductory physiology course at Wheaton College. In addition to regular course work, each of the 24 students spent 12 hours shadowing and assisting staff at Sturdy Memorial Hospital, Attleboro, MA, with 4 hours in the emergency room and 8 hours in two other departments. Every student kept a log of his or her observations, reactions, and learning in the field and wrote a paper on a pathophysiological condition encountered in the hospital. To compare and contrast the real hospital experience with a fictional one, the students also studied patients from the television show ER. Each week in lab, two students showed a short videotape of one particular patient and discussed the diagnosis, symptoms, treatments, and surgical procedures involved. Questionnaire evaluations indicated that this program is effective in helping students learn more physiology and exposing them to community service. Health workers and patients also agreed that providing social support to patients while shadowing and assisting hospital staff was a valuable service.

Educational Measurement↗

PubMedDate not supplied

From beginning to end: video-based introductory, instructional, and evaluation applications.

To assess the feasibility of incorporating video applications into distance education courses, faculty and student produced videos to aid in transferring knowledge from nursing courses to clinical practice. Student videos validated prerequisite physical assessment knowledge and skills, allowing identification of students who needed remedial work, therefore, facilitating progression into the advanced content. Faculty-generated video vignettes simulated family dynamics, thus making abstract content concrete. Vignettes were also used to evaluate students' attainment of counseling techniques through testing applications.

Education, Distance↗