ABSTRACT
We introduce a remote interface to control and optimize the experimental production of Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) and find improved solutions using two distinct implementations. First, a team of theoreticians used a remote version of their dressed chopped random basis optimization algorithm (RedCRAB), and second, a gamified interface allowed 600 citizen scientists from around the world to participate in real-time optimization. Quantitative studies of player search behavior demonstrated that they collectively engage in a combination of local and global searches. This form of multiagent adaptive search prevents premature convergence by the explorative behavior of low-performing players while high-performing players locally refine their solutions. In addition, many successful citizen science games have relied on a problem representation that directly engaged the visual or experiential intuition of the players. Here we demonstrate that citizen scientists can also be successful in an entirely abstract problem visualization. This is encouraging because a much wider range of challenges could potentially be opened to gamification in the future.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study the outcomes of patients with basal meningiomas treated by one primary surgeon with a philosophy of aggressive surgical management to establish an index of satisfaction and patient-evaluated outcome. METHODS: We collected prospective data for patients with basal meningiomas who were operated on by one primary surgeon (LNS) during a 7-year period from 1993 to 2000. The outcomes in 269 patients were ascertained through follow-up visits, mailed follow-up questionnaires, and telephone interviews by two other surgeons (RA and MN). The mean patient age was 50 +/- 13.6 years. The mean estimated tumor diameter was 3.07 +/- 1.24 cm. There were 62 males and 207 females. Mean follow-up was 49 +/- 26 months. Twenty-seven percent of patients were Levine-Sekhar (LS) Grade 0, 43% were LS Grade I, 24% were LS Grade II, and 6% were LS Grade III. Gross total resection was achieved in 66% of patients. Extent of resection correlated (P < 0.05) with LS grade. Thirty-seven patients received adjuvant treatments, and six patients required reoperations. Perioperative mortality was 1.1%. Eighty percent of patients were discharged home, 17% were discharged to rehabilitation facilities, and 1.5% were discharged to nursing homes. Postoperative complications were observed in 30% of patients. RESULTS: During the follow-up study, of a total of 269 patients, 30 patients could not be contacted, and 11 patients had died of unrelated causes. The mean follow-up Karnofsky Performance Scale score of the patients was 83 +/- 10. Ninety-seven percent of patients were very satisfied/satisfied with their treatments (P < 0.001). Forty-three percent of patients were employed, and 83% of patients were employable. Their expectations of treatment were met in 90% of patients (P < 0.001), 95% thought surgery had been a good treatment choice (P < 0.001), and 95% would recommend the same treatment for a family member (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that patient satisfaction can remain high and satisfactory outcome can be achieved with surgical management in patients with these complex lesions.
