RESUMEN

The EC (European Council) Directive on radiation protection of patients requires that criteria for acceptability of equipment in diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine and radiotherapy be established throughout the member states. This study reviews the background to this requirement and to its implementation in practice. It notes and considers parallel requirements in the EC medical devices directive and International Electrotechnical Commission standards that it is also important to consider and that both sets of requirements should ideally be harmonised due to the global nature of the equipment industry. The study further reviews the types of criteria that can be well applied for the above purposes, and defines qualitative criteria and suspension levels suitable for application. Both are defined and relationships with other acceptance processes are considered (including acceptance testing at the time of purchase, commissioning and the issue of second-hand equipment). Suspension levels are divided into four types, A, B, C and D, depending on the quality of evidence and consensus they are based on. Exceptional situations involving, for example, new or rapidly evolving technology are also considered. The publication and paper focuses on the role of the holder of the equipment and related staff, particularly the medical physics expert and the practitioner. Advice on how the criteria should be created and implemented is provided for these groups and how this might be coordinated with the supplier. Additional advice on the role of the regulator is provided.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The article proposes a multi-level approach for evaluating communication skills training (CST) as an important element of crew resource management (CRM) training. Within this methodological framework, the present work examined the effectiveness of CST in matching or mismatching team compositions with regard to hierarchical status and competence. There is little experimental research that evaluated the effectiveness of CRM training at multiple levels (i.e. reaction, learning, behaviour) and in teams composed of members of different status and competence. An experiment with a two (CST: with vs. without) by two (competence/hierarchical status: congruent vs. incongruent) design was carried out. A total of 64 participants were trained for 2.5 h on a simulated process control environment, with the experimental group being given 45 min of training on receptiveness and influencing skills. Prior to the 1-h experimental session, participants were assigned to two-person teams. The results showed overall support for the use of such a multi-level approach of training evaluation. Stronger positive effects of CST were found for subjective measures than for objective performance measures. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: This work provides some guidance for the use of a multi-level evaluation of CRM training. It also emphasises the need to collect objective performance data for training evaluation in addition to subjective measures with a view to gain a more accurate picture of the benefits of such training approaches.

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

A formal theory is proposed that accounts for the motivational architecture underlying the spontaneous smiling response in its most salient varieties (i.e., smiling due to security, relief, embarrassment, fear, amazement, submission, and triumph). The theory is based on a single assumption according to which the smiling response, in all instances named, is due to a reduction of "autonomy claim" as defined within the framework of the Zurich Model of Social Motivation. The theory's consistency is evinced by way of computer simulation, its phenomenological plausibility can be demonstrated by animation based on Ekman's Facial Action Coding System.

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

An experiment using a simulated spaceflight scenario was applied to 32 adolescent subjects of both sexes in order to investigate human security and arousal regulation. In adolescence, these motivational systems play a key role in achieving two reorientations: the detachment from primary caregivers and the upcoming interest in strangers, which eventually establishes a new and mature form of attachment. Based on a control model proposed in an earlier article of this series, a parameter estimation was performed which allowed for a satisfactory simulation of the actual flight behavior of most subjects. A psychologically plausible interpretation of the parameters was possible. In particular, the results obtained indicate a gender specific differentiation in the development of both motivational systems during adolescence.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Four normal subjects underwent ocular counterrolling testing in a tiltable chair. Measurements were taken in 62 different body positions in steps of 30 degrees varied rolls and pitches. In each body position the eyes were recorded on video and their roll angle was determined automatically by computer analysis. The ocular counterrolling profile showed a periodic characteristic with maximal amplitude at roll tilts of 60 degrees. In this study we can clearly show that the eyes' rolling response is not systematically affected when lateral body tilts are combined with any tilts in the pitch direction. This undoubtedly implies that the ocular counterrolling was mainly stimulated by the subject's roll angle. As an empirical contribution, this study provides new data specially to be used in modelling and simulating the function of otolith organs.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Proceeding from J. Bowlby's attachment theory and W.A. Mason's arousal theory, a control model is developed that is capable of accounting for basic processes of mammalian social behavior. In particular, the model simulates the transition from a state of attachment to familiar conspecifics and fear of strangers to a stage of detachment from the familiar and exploration of the stranger. Some of the model's predictions were tested in animal experiments and proved to be in satisfactory correspondence with the behavior actually observed.

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)