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Algorithms and Arguments: The Foundational Role of the ATAI-question
Get PDFArgumentation theory underwent a significant development in the Fifties and Sixties: its revival is usually connected to Perelman's criticism of formal logic and the development of informal logic. Interestingly enough it was during this period that Artificial Intelligence was developed, which defended the following thesis (from now on referred to as the AI-thesis): human reasoning can be emulated by machines. The paper suggests a reconstruction of the opposition between formal and informal logic as a move against a premise of an argument for the AI-thesis, and suggests making a distinction between a broad and a narrow notion of algorithm that might be used to reformulate the question as a foundational problem for argumentation theory
Trattamento endoscopico di pazienti con stenosi sintomatica del coledoco in corso di pancreatite cronica con l'utilizzo di protesi metallica parzialmente ricoperta : studio pilota
No full textBackground and study aims. While surgery remains the gold standard for the treatment of symptomatic common bile duct stenosis associated with chronic pancreatitis, plastic and self-expandable open mesh stents have been proposed as alternative treatments but are associated with dysfunction mainly due to stent occlusion by clogging or inflammatory tissue hyperplasia. The aim of this study was to evaluate safety and long-term results of partially covered metal stenting in this setting. Patients and methods. Fourteen patients (12 men, 50?3 years) underwent partially covered metal stent insertion for common bile duct stenosis secondary to chronic pancreatitis (12 alcohol-related, 2 idiopathic) previously treated with plastic prostheses. Results. A 40 mm (n=13) or 60 mm (n=1) partially covered metal stent was placed depending on the length of the common bile duct stenosis and the level of the cystic duct bifurcation. Partially covered metal stent placement was technically successful in all but one case. Cholangitis resolved and cholestasis improved in all. During follow-up (median 22 months, range 12-33) seven patients developed dysfunction of the stent and required re-treatment. At 12, 24, and 30 months, the stent patency rate was 100, 40, and 37.5%, respectively. Conclusions. While partially covered metal stenting is safe and effective for immediate treatment of chronic pancreatitis associated common bile duct stenosis and had promising short term results, long-term data show that dysfunction occurs in 50% of cases. In light of the continued interest in non-surgical treatment of this condition, further research is warranted investigating new stent designs for improved long-term patency
Computer simulators: the present and near future of training in digestive endoscopy
No full textThe available data concerning recently marketed computer simulators for training in digestive endoscopy suggest that they could play a role in the pre-clinical phase of training, thus potentially leading to a shorter learning curve and better performance in the endoscopy room during the early phase of hands-on training. Technical improvements are still needed before such simulators can be used for the retraining of experienced endoscopists and for training in the use of newly developed devices dedicated to therapeutic endoscopy
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Get PDFThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Impact of referral for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease on the workload of an academic gastroenterology unit
No full textBACKGROUND: Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is known to be a frequent cause of patients' referral to hospital gastroenterologists. AIM: To increase knowledge on referral for reflux disease, in an Italian academic setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The impact of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease on 1 year's workload, comprising upper endoscopy, outpatients' consultations in the general clinic, oesophageal pH monitoring and oesophageal manometry was retrospectively assessed. Appropriateness of oesophageal pH monitoring and oesophageal manometry was also evaluated. RESULTS: Endoscopy: Out of 2269 upper endoscopies reflux symptoms comprised 16.9% (n=386) of referrals; 19.1% only of these 386 patients had erosive oesophagitis at endoscopy and none had oesophagogastric malignancies (68% of the patients were >45 years). Consultations: Thirty-three percent out of 553 patients were referred for reflux symptoms. Upper endoscopy had already been performed before consultation in 64% of them. pH monitoring and oesophageal manometry: Two hundred and sixteen oesophageal pH monitorings and 160 oesophageal manometries were performed and 29% and 28%, respectively, were inappropriate, being performed in the diagnostic work-up of patients with typical reflux symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: At an academic Gastroenterology Unit, (a) gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is a frequent referral for upper endoscopy and consultations, (b) prevalence of oesophagitis is low, (c) consultation is preceded by endoscopy in the majority of patients and (d) oesophageal pH monitoring and oesophageal manometry are often inappropriately used
Evaluation of hands-on training in colonoscopy : is a computer-based simulator useful?
No full textBACKGROUND AND AIMS:The advantages of using a computer-based simulator during colonoscopy training are debated. We aimed to explore its usefulness in objectively measuring trainees' competence in colonoscopy.
METHODS: Twelve colonoscopy trainees (fully trained in upper GI endoscopy) were evaluated using a computer-based simulator (GI-Mentor, Symbionix) before and during hands-on training (i.e. after 60 colonoscopies); the controls were 15 experts (>90% of caecal intubation). Both trainees and experts performed two "screening" simulations (easy and difficult) in a randomised order, and the time to reach the caecum and withdrawal time was assessed.
RESULTS: The percentage of caecal intubation progressively increased during hands-on training. All of the trainees intubated the caecum during the easy and difficult simulations, both before and during hands-on training. The median time (interquartile range) to reach the caecum upon easy simulation was the only variable influenced by hands-on training: 2.7min (2.1-3.2) before and 1.9min (1.6-2) during training (p<0.01). Withdrawal time was ≥6min in the case of five trainees before training, and three during hands-on training. Computer-based simulator performance did not correlate with hands-on training performance.
CONCLUSIONS: The computer-based simulator was not found to be useful in evaluating competence during hands-on training in colonoscopy
Variations on the Author
Get PDF“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
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