Effects of Varied Surgical Simulation Training Schedules on Motor-Skill Acquisition.

There have been many studies to evaluate the effect of training schedules on retention; however, these usually compare only 2 drastically different schedules, massed and distributed, and they have tended to look at declarative knowledge tasks. This study examined learning on a laparoscopic surgery simulator using a set of procedural or perceptual-motor tasks with some declarative elements. The study used distributed, massed, and 2 hybrid-training schedules that are neither distributed nor massed. To evaluate the training schedules, 23 participants with no previous laparoscopic experience were recruited and randomly assigned to 1 of the 4 training schedules. They performed 3 laparoscopic training tasks in eight 30-minute learning sessions. We compared how task time decreased with each schedule in a between-participants design. We found participants in all groups demonstrated a decrease in task completion time as the number of training sessions increased; however, there were no statistically significant differences in participants' improvement on task completion time between the 4 different training schedule groups, which suggested that time on task is more important for learning these tasks than the training schedule.

A Computer-Based Tutor to Teach Nursing Trauma Care That Works as an Adjunct to High-Fidelity Simulation.

Educators are challenged to prepare nurses to care for low-frequency, high-stakes problems such as trauma. Computer-based tutors provide a cost-effective teaching strategy without risking patient safety. Evidence for the efficacy of this type of instruction is limited; thus, we tested the learning outcomes of a tutor on trauma care knowledge with senior nursing students. Participants were randomly assigned to either the tutor or a control condition (textbook learning). Instructional design elements incorporated into the tutor included use of multimedia content, emphasis of key points, frequent quizzing with instant feedback, and unfolding case studies to summarize key concepts. Use of the tutor led to a larger increase in trauma nursing knowledge than use of a textbook. In addition, the knowledge was retained as well as book-based learning. The effect size of the tutor, 1.15, was relatively high as well-the average for computer tutors is 0.79. Qualitative focus groups revealed that participants expressed favorable views of the tutor in comparison to textbook learning. They found it more engaging and more enjoyable and reported that it effectively organized the content. The results of this study support the efficacy of a well-designed computer-based tutor for learning key concepts of trauma nursing.

IGT-Open: An open-source, computerized version of the Iowa Gambling Task.

The Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) is commonly used to understand the processes involved in decision-making. Though the task was originally run without a computer, using a computerized version of the task has become typical. These computerized versions of the IGT are useful, because they can make the task more standardized across studies and allow for the task to be used in environments where a physical version of the task may be difficult or impossible to use (e.g., while collecting brain imaging data). Though these computerized versions of the IGT have been useful for experimentation, having multiple software implementations of the task could present reliability issues. We present an open-source software version of the Iowa Gambling Task (called IGT-Open) that allows for millisecond visual presentation accuracy and is freely available to be used and modified. This software has been used to collect data from human subjects and also has been used to run model-based simulations with computational process models developed to run in the ACT-R architecture.

Evaluating a range of learning schedules: hybrid training schedules may be as good as or better than distributed practice for some tasks.

We investigated theoretically and empirically a range of training schedules on tasks with three knowledge types: declarative, procedural, and perceptual-motor. We predicted performance for 6435 potential eight-block training schedules with ACT-R's declarative memory equations. Hybrid training schedules (schedules consisting of distributed and massed practice) were predicted to produce better performance than purely distributed or massed training schedules. The results of an empirical study (N = 40) testing four exemplar schedules indicated a more complex picture. There were no statistical differences among the groups in the declarative and procedural tasks. We also found that participants in the hybrid practice groups produced reliably better performance than ones in the distributed practice group for the perceptual-motor task--the results indicate training schedules with some spacing and some intensiveness may lead to better performance, particularly for perceptual-motor tasks, and that tasks with mixed types of knowledge might be better taught with a hybrid schedule. PRACTITIONER SUMMARY: We explored distributed and massed training schedules as well as hybrids between them with respect to three knowledge types based on theories and an empirical study. The results suggest that industrial and operator training in complex tasks need not and probably should not be done on a distributed training schedule.

Editor's Review and Introduction: Cognition-Inspired Artificial Intelligence.

Cognitive science has much to contribute to the general scientific body of knowledge, but it is also a field rife with possibilities for providing background research that can be leveraged by artificial intelligence (AI) developers. In this introduction, we briefly explore the history of AI. We particularly focus on the relationship between AI and cognitive science and introduce this special issue that promotes the method of inspiring AI development with the results of cognitive science research.

Counting Pandemic Statistics Remotely Using Webcams.

OBJECTIVE: Lack of mask use during large public events might spread COVID-19. It is now possible to measure this and similar public health information using publicly available webcams. We demonstrate a rapid assessment approach for measuring mask usage at a public event. METHOD: We monitored crowds at public areas in Sturgis, SD using a live, high-definition, town-sponsored video stream to analyze the prevalence of mask wearing. We developed a rapid coding procedure for mask wearing and analyzed brief (5 to 25 min) video segments to assess mask-wearing compliance in outdoor public areas. We calculated compliance estimates and compared reliability among the human coders. RESULTS: We were able to observe and quantify public behavior on the public streets. This approach rapidly estimated public health information (e.g., 512 people observed over 25 minutes with 2.3% mask usage) available on the same day. Coders produced reliable estimates across a sample of videos for counting masked users and mask-wearing proportion. Our video data is stored in Databrary.org. CONCLUSIONS: This approach has implications for disaster responses and public health. The approach is easy to use, can provide same day results, and can provide public health stakeholders with key information on public behavior.

Feasibility of inpatient cardiac rehabilitation after percutaneous mitral valve reconstruction using clipping procedures: a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: To date, no studies on the feasibility or outcomes of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) after percutaneous mitral valve reconstruction using clipping procedures have been published. The aim of this study was to report on our first experiences with this special target group. METHODS: Monocentric retrospective analysis of 27 patients (72 ± 12 years old, 52% female) who underwent multimodal inpatient CR in the first 2 month after MitraClip™ implantation. A six-minute-walking-test, a handgrip-strength-test and the Berg-Balance-Scale was conducted at the beginning and end of CR. Echocardiography was performed to rule out device-related complications. RESULTS: Adapted inpatient CR started 16 ± 13 days after clipping intervention and lasted 22 ± 4 days. In 4 patients (15%) CR had to be interrupted or aborted prematurely due to cardiac decompensations. All other patients (85%) completed CR period without complications. Six-minute-walking-distance improved from 272 ± 97 to 304 ± 111 m (p < .05) and dependence on rollator walker or walking aids was significantly reduced (p < .05). Results of handgrip-strength-test and Berg-Balance-Scale increased (p < .05). Overall, social-medical and psychological consultations were well received by the patients and no device-related complications occurred during rehabilitation treatments. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that an adapted inpatient CR in selected patients after MitraClip™ implantation is feasible. Patients benefited from treatments both at functional and social-medical level and no device-related complications occurred. Larger controlled studies are needed.

Modeling surgical skill learning with cognitive simulation.

We used a cognitive architecture (ACT-R) to explore the procedural learning of surgical tasks and then to understand the process of perceptual motor learning and skill decay in surgical skill performance. The ACT-R cognitive model simulates declarative memory processes during motor learning. In this ongoing study, four surgical tasks (bimanual carrying, peg transfer, needle passing, and suture tying) were performed using the da Vinci© surgical system. Preliminary results revealed that an ACT-R model produced similar learning effects. Cognitive simulation can be used to demonstrate and optimize the perceptual motor learning and skill decay in surgical skill training.

More in, better out? Successful valve-in-valve procedure of an iatrogenic ventricular septal defect following transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a case report.

BACKGROUND: A rare, but serious, complication following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is the occurrence of an iatrogenic ventricular septal defect (VSD). CASE SUMMARY: We describe a case of an 80-year-old female who was referred with severe aortic stenosis for TAVR. Following thorough evaluation, the heart team consensus was to proceed with implantation via a transapical approach of an ACURATE neo M 25 mm valve (Boston Scientific, Natick, MA, USA). The valve was deployed harnessing transoesophageal echocardiographic (TOE) guidance under rapid pacing with post-dilation. Directly afterwards a very high VSD close to the aortic annulus was detected. As the patient was haemodynamically stable, the procedure was ended. The next day another TOE revealed a shunt volume (left-to-right ventricle) between 50% and 60%. Because the defect was partly located between the stent struts of the ACURATE valve decision was made to fix this leakage with implantation of a further valve and we chose an EVOLUT Pro 29 mm (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA). The valve-in-valve was implanted 2-3 mm below the lower edge of the first valve, more towards the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) with excellent result: VSD was reduced to a very small residual shunt without any hemodynamic relevance. Figure 3(A) Fluoroscopic image after transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement (ACURATE neo M); (B) transoesophageal echocardiography following transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement showing a severe ventricular septal defect; (C) angiography after valve-in-valve implantation. The implantation depth of the second valve (EVOLUT Pro 29 mm) was slightly deeper in the left ventricular outflow tract; and (D) transoesophageal echocardiography after the valve-in-valve procedure showing a small residual shunt. (1) Stentstruts, (2) tricuspid valve, and (3) leakage (ventricular septal defect). *Pulmonary artery catheter, #Pleural drain.Figure 4Left ventricular angiogram after valve-in-valve implantation showing a very small residual contrast shunt from the left-to-right ventricle (encircled). *Pulmonary artery catheter, # Pleural drain. DISCUSSION: We suggest that an iatrogenic VSD located near the annulus may be treated percutaneously in a bail-out situation with implantation of a second valve that should be implanted slightly more into the LVOT to cover the VSD.

Caffeine and stress alter salivary alpha-amylase activity in young men.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the effects of caffeine and a psychological stressor on salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) in healthy young males (age 18-30 years) who consumed caffeine on a daily basis. METHODS: Using a between-subjects, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, 45 participants received either 200 or 400 mg of caffeine (Vivarin) or placebo, rested for 20 min, and then performed 20 min of mental arithmetic. Saliva samples (assayed for sAA and caffeine), blood pressure, and heart rate were taken before (baseline) and 15 min after the math stressor (stress). RESULTS: Baseline sAA activity did not differ among the treatment groups; however, there was a statistically significant time by caffeine group interaction. Changes in sAA activity across the session were dependent on the amount of caffeine consumed. Following the challenge period, sAA activity among the placebo group was the lowest and sAA activity among the 400 mg treatment group was the highest. Separate repeated-measures ANOVAs conducted for each drug treatment group revealed that sAA activity increased in response to stress and caffeine (i.e., 200 and 400 mg groups) but not to stress alone (i.e., placebo group). CONCLUSIONS: Findings provide evidence for acute sAA changes in response to caffeine and stress in habitual caffeine users.

Cognitive Modeling of Automation Adaptation in a Time Critical Task.

This paper presents a cognitive model that simulates an adaptation process to automation in a time-critical task. The paper uses a simple tracking task (which represents vehicle operation) to reveal how the reliance on automation changes as the success probabilities of the automatic and manual mode vary. The model was developed by using a cognitive architecture, ACT-R (Adaptive Control of Thought-Rational). We also introduce two methods of reinforcement learning: the summation of rewards over time and a gating mechanism. The model performs this task through productions that manage perception and motor control. The utility values of these productions are updated based on rewards in every perception-action cycle. A run of this model simulated the overall trends of the behavioral data such as the performance (tracking accuracy), the auto use ratio, and the number of switches between the two modes, suggesting some validity of the assumptions made in our model. This work shows how combining different paradigms of cognitive modeling can lead to practical representations and solutions to automation and trust in automation.

Clobazam in the treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

PURPOSE: This randomized, double-blind, dose-ranging study evaluated safety and efficacy of clobazam (CLB) as adjunctive therapy for drop seizures in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). METHODS: Sixty-eight patients with LGS aged 2-26 years were administered CLB (low dose = target 0.25 mg/kg/day; high dose = target 1.0 mg/kg/day). The study consisted of 4-week baseline, 3-week titration, and 4-week maintenance periods, followed by a 3-week taper or continuation in an open-label study. Seizure frequency was recorded in a diary by the parent/caregiver throughout the study. RESULTS: Weekly drop seizure rates were significantly reduced from baseline in both the high-dose and low-dose groups; the reduction was significantly greater in the high-dose group. A significantly greater proportion of patients in the high-dose group experienced reductions in drop seizures of >or=25%, >or=50%, and >or=75% compared to the low-dose group; more patients in the high-dose group experienced a 100% reduction, but the difference was not significant. Nondrop seizures were also reduced in a dose-dependent manner. In both investigator and parent/caregiver global evaluations, patients in the high-dose group showed significantly greater improvements in overall symptoms compared to low-dose CLB. Adverse events were generally mild or moderate, and were similar between dose groups. Five serious adverse events were reported in four patients, but in no case was CLB discontinued. CONCLUSIONS: Clobazam was well tolerated and reduced drop seizure rates; high-dose CLB was more effective than low-dose CLB. Other seizure types were also reduced.

ACT-R: A cognitive architecture for modeling cognition.

ACT-R is a hybrid cognitive architecture. It is comprised of a set of programmable information processing mechanisms that can be used to predict and explain human behavior including cognition and interaction with the environment. We start by reviewing its history, which shapes its current form, contrasts and relates it to other architectures, and helps readers to anticipate where it is going. Based on this history, we then describe it as a theory of cognition that is realized as a computer program. After this, we briefly discuss tools for working with ACT-R, and also note several major accomplishments that have been gained by working with ACT-R in both basic and applied science, including summarizing some of the insights about human behavior. We conclude by discussing its future, which we believe will include adding emotions and physiology, increasing usability, and the use of nongenerative models. This article is categorized under: Computer Science > Artificial Intelligence Psychology > Reasoning and Decision Making Psychology > Theory and Methods.

Modeling how, when, and what is learned in a simple fault-finding task.

We have developed a process model that learns in multiple ways while finding faults in a simple control panel device. The model predicts human participants' learning through its own learning. The model's performance was systematically compared to human learning data, including the time course and specific sequence of learned behaviors. These comparisons show that the model accounts very well for measures such as problem-solving strategy, the relative difficulty of faults, and average fault-finding time. More important, because the model learns and transfers its learning across problems, it also accounts for the faster problem-solving times due to learning when examined across participants, across faults, and across the series of 20 trials on an individual participant basis. The model shows how learning while problem solving can lead to more recognition-based performance, and helps explain how the shape of the learning curve can arise through learning and be modified by differential transfer. Overall, the quality of the correspondence appears to have arisen from procedural, declarative, and episodic learning all taking place within individual problem-solving episodes.

Performance Trends During Sleep Deprivation on a Tilt-Based Control Task.

BACKGROUND: Understanding human behavior under the effects of sleep deprivation allows for the mitigation of risk due to reduced performance. To further this goal, this study investigated the effects of short-term sleep deprivation using a tilt-based control device and examined whether existing user models accurately predict targeting performance. METHODS: A task in which the user tilts a surface to roll a ball into a target was developed to examine motor performance. A model was built to predict human performance for this task under various levels of sleep deprivation. Every 2 h, 10 subjects completed the task until they reached 24 h of wakefulness. Performance measurements of this task, which were based on Fitts' law, included movement time, task throughput, and time intercept. RESULTS: The model predicted significant performance decrements over the 24-h period with an increase in movement time (R2 = 0.61), a decrease in throughput (R2 = 0.57), and an increase in time intercept (R2 = 0.60). However, it was found that in experimental trials there was no significant change in movement time (R2 = 0.11), throughput (R2 = 0.15), or time intercept (R2 = 0.27). DISCUSSION: The results found were unexpected as performance decrement is frequently reported during sleep deprivation. These findings suggest a reexamination of the initial thought of sleep loss leading to a decrement in all aspects of performance.Bolkovsky JB, Ritter FE, Chon KH, Qin M. Performance trends during sleep deprivation on a tilt-based control task. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2018; 89(7):626-633.

Clinical experience of intravenous lacosamide in infants and young children.

OBJECTIVE: To review our clinical experience with intravenous (iv) lacosamide (LCM) in children less than 12 years old. BACKGROUND: Use of LCM to treat children with epilepsy has been supported by multiple studies with limited information on iv use in children. DESIGNS/METHODS: All children given iv LCM were identified from 2009 to 2015. Records were audited for demographics, seizure classification, etiology, EEG, imaging, indication. Baseline seizure frequency was based on parental reporting, continuous video EEG and direct observation. RESULTS: 47 patients were identified with median age 6.5 years, 18 less than 3 years old, including 8 younger than 12 months. LCM was an adjunctive therapy of ≥2 antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). LCM was administered intravenously to treat epilepsia partialis continua (n = 3, dose range 5-10 mg/kg), status epilepticus (n = 11, median dose 7.2 mg/kg, range 4-11 mg/kg), and acute exacerbation of seizure frequency (n = 18, median dose 4.5 mg/kg, range 1-11 mg/kg). Parenteral form was substituted for oral form for 10 children treated with maintenance LCM unable to ingest/tolerate enteral medication and 5 who were given iv LCM to initiate maintenance treatment (median dose 4 mg/kg, range: 2-10 mg/kg). The infusion was effective for 24 out of 37 children (65%) naive to LCM. Sedation (one with ataxia) was noted in 5/36 children (14%), without any other identified adverse events. CONCLUSION: This is the first published retrospective study of very young critically ill children receiving iv LCM. The acute tolerability at this dosing range represents a positive trend and need confirmation from larger studies.

Adaptive Virtual Reality Training to Optimize Military Medical Skills Acquisition and Retention.

The Department of Defense has pursued the integration of virtual reality simulation into medical training and applications to fulfill the need to train 100,000 military health care personnel annually. Medical personnel transitions, both when entering an operational area and returning to the civilian theater, are characterized by the need to rapidly reacquire skills that are essential but have decayed through disuse or infrequent use. Improved efficiency in reacquiring such skills is critical to avoid the likelihood of mistakes that may result in mortality and morbidity. We focus here on a study testing a theory of how the skills required for minimally invasive surgery for military surgeons are learned and retained. Our adaptive virtual reality surgical training system will incorporate an intelligent mechanism for tracking performance that will recognize skill deficiencies and generate an optimal adaptive training schedule. Our design is modeling skill acquisition based on a skill retention theory. The complexity of appropriate training tasks is adjusted according to the level of retention and/or surgical experience. Based on preliminary work, our system will improve the capability to interactively assess the level of skills learning and decay, optimizes skill relearning across levels of surgical experience, and positively impact skill maintenance. Our system could eventually reduce mortality and morbidity by providing trainees with the reexperience they need to help make a transition between operating theaters. This article reports some data that will support adaptive tutoring of minimally invasive surgery and similar surgical skills.

Simultaneous transfemoral transcatheter mitral and tricuspid valve edge-to-edge repair (using MitraClip system) completed by atrial septal defect occlusion in a surgically inoperable patient. First-in-human report.

Transcatheter transfemoral mitral valve repair using the MitraClip system (Abbott Vascular, USA) is used in high-risk or inoperable patients with severe mitral regurgitation. We report the first-in-human simultaneous transfemoral clipping of the mitral and tricuspid valve completed by occlusion of an atrial septal defect (ASD). The procedure was performed in an 84-year-old patient in October 2015. After effective reduction of mitral and tricuspid regurgitations using the MitraClip system a PFO Occluder (St. Jude Medical, USA) was implanted. Transfemoral simultaneous mitral and tricuspid valve repair using the MitraClip system with ASD occlusion seems to be an effective therapy for high-risk or inoperable patients.

Diverse seizure presentation of acute Mycoplasma pneumoniae encephalitis resolving with immunotherapy.

We report 3 previously normal children that presented for evaluation of new onset seizures. Case 1, a 7-year-old female, presented with refractory left frontal lobe seizures associated with right arm simple motor seizures refractory to 6 antiepileptic medications at sufficient doses and levels. Case 2, a 15-year-old female, presented with left frontotemporal lobe seizures and nonconvulsive seizures, associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms refractory to 5 antiepileptic medications. Both patients received intravenous steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin. Case 3, an 11-year-old male, presented with a generalized tonic clonic seizure and worsening hallucinations responding to intravenous corticosteroids and 1 antiepileptic medication. All 3 patients had extensive infectious and metabolic evaluation and were found to be serum immunoglobulin M positive for mycoplasma pneumoniae. Despite their prolonged severe symptoms, all patients had virtually complete recovery with excellent seizure control after aggressive seizure management with immunotherapy and antiepileptic medication.