title: Anesthesia-induced state transitions in neuronal populations

authors: Sleigh, James W.

subjects: General anesthesia

abstract: It is a simple observation that the function of the central nervous system changes abruptly at certain critical brain concentrations of the anesthetic drug. This can be viewed as analogous to “state transitions” in systems of interacting particles, which have been extensively studied in the physical sciences. Theoretical models of the electroencephalogram (EEG) are in semi-quantitative agreement with experimental data and show some features suggestive of anesthetic-induced state transitions (critical slowing, the biphasic effect, increase in spatial correlations, and entropy changes). However, the EEG is only an indirect marker of the (unknown) networks of cortical connectivity that are required for the formation of consciousness. It is plausible that anesthetic-induced alteration in cortical and corticothalamic network topology prevents the formation of a giant component in the neuronal population network, and hence induces unconsciousness.

text: Anesthesia-induced state transitions in neuronal populations It is a simple observation that the function of the central nervous system changes abruptly at certain critical brain concentrations of the anesthetic drug. This can be viewed as analogous to “state transitions” in systems of interacting particles, which have been extensively studied in the physical sciences. Theoretical models of the electroencephalogram (EEG) are in semi-quantitative agreement with experimental data and show some features suggestive of anesthetic-induced state transitions (critical slowing, the biphasic effect, increase in spatial correlations, and entropy changes). However, the EEG is only an indirect marker of the (unknown) networks of cortical connectivity that are required for the formation of consciousness. It is plausible that anesthetic-induced alteration in cortical and corticothalamic network topology prevents the formation of a giant component in the neuronal population network, and hence induces unconsciousness.

year: 2010

title: Safety in numbers 3: Authenticity, building knowledge & skills and competency development & assessment: The ABC of safe medication dosage calculation problem-solving pedagogy

authors: Weeks, Keith W.

subjects: authentic assessment

abstract: When designing learning and assessment environments it is essential to articulate the underpinning education philosophy, theory, model and learning style support mechanisms that inform their structure and content. We elaborate on original PhD research that articulates the design rationale of authentic medication dosage calculation problem-solving (MDC-PS) learning and diagnostic assessment environments. These environments embody the principles of authenticity, building knowledge and skills and competency assessment and are designed to support development of competence and bridging of the theory-practice gap. Authentic learning and diagnostic assessment environments capture the features and expert practices that are located in real world practice cultures and recreate them in authentic virtual clinical environments. We explore how this provides students with a safe virtual authentic environment to actively experience, practice and undertake MDC-PS learning and assessment activities. We argue that this is integral to the construction and diagnostic assessment of schemata validity (mental constructions and frameworks that are an individual's internal representation of their world), bridging of the theory-practice gap and cognitive and functional competence development. We illustrate these principles through the underpinning pedagogical design of two online virtual authentic learning and diagnostic assessment environments (safeMedicate and eDose™).

text: Safety in numbers 3: Authenticity, building knowledge & skills and competency development & assessment: The ABC of safe medication dosage calculation problem-solving pedagogy When designing learning and assessment environments it is essential to articulate the underpinning education philosophy, theory, model and learning style support mechanisms that inform their structure and content. We elaborate on original PhD research that articulates the design rationale of authentic medication dosage calculation problem-solving (MDC-PS) learning and diagnostic assessment environments. These environments embody the principles of authenticity, building knowledge and skills and competency assessment and are designed to support development of competence and bridging of the theory-practice gap. Authentic learning and diagnostic assessment environments capture the features and expert practices that are located in real world practice cultures and recreate them in authentic virtual clinical environments. We explore how this provides students with a safe virtual authentic environment to actively experience, practice and undertake MDC-PS learning and assessment activities. We argue that this is integral to the construction and diagnostic assessment of schemata validity (mental constructions and frameworks that are an individual's internal representation of their world), bridging of the theory-practice gap and cognitive and functional competence development. We illustrate these principles through the underpinning pedagogical design of two online virtual authentic learning and diagnostic assessment environments (safeMedicate and eDose™).

year: 2013

title: William Grey Nicholls and Rihitoto Mataia

authors: Hart, Philip

abstract: The son of a Pakeha Maori, Nicholls had an illustrious ancestry on his mother’s side, and his wife Rihitoto Mataia also had a distinguished whakapapa. From the 1870s Nicholls farmed in Ohinemuri, and as a licensed interpreter played an important role in land transactions at the same time as he was becoming prominent in the Pakeha community. For over 30 years he invested in mining, starting at Te Aroha in 1880. He also invested in a variety of other enterprises, becoming prosperous through these investments, his farming, and in particular by acquiring and selling land. Over a 40-year period, Nicholls conducted many cases in the land court, and assisted Pakeha to acquire Maori land, and also acquired a considerable amount of land for himself and Rihitoto, who inherited many blocks from her father (but had to pay off his massive debts).
         Whereas Rihitoto was a prominent leader in the Maori community of Hauraki, Nicholls had the same role in Pakeha society. Active in a variety of initiatives to benefit the Ohinemuri community, he was a popular member and chairman of the Ohinemuri County Council, and late in life was elevated to the Legislative Council. Reputedly he assisted Maori in various ways, but clearly he identified rather more with his Pakeha ancestry. His career was a remarkably successful one, and his wife was also successful in maximizing the benefits that could be derived from her ancestry.

text: William Grey Nicholls and Rihitoto Mataia The son of a Pakeha Maori, Nicholls had an illustrious ancestry on his mother’s side, and his wife Rihitoto Mataia also had a distinguished whakapapa. From the 1870s Nicholls farmed in Ohinemuri, and as a licensed interpreter played an important role in land transactions at the same time as he was becoming prominent in the Pakeha community. For over 30 years he invested in mining, starting at Te Aroha in 1880. He also invested in a variety of other enterprises, becoming prosperous through these investments, his farming, and in particular by acquiring and selling land. Over a 40-year period, Nicholls conducted many cases in the land court, and assisted Pakeha to acquire Maori land, and also acquired a considerable amount of land for himself and Rihitoto, who inherited many blocks from her father (but had to pay off his massive debts).
         Whereas Rihitoto was a prominent leader in the Maori community of Hauraki, Nicholls had the same role in Pakeha society. Active in a variety of initiatives to benefit the Ohinemuri community, he was a popular member and chairman of the Ohinemuri County Council, and late in life was elevated to the Legislative Council. Reputedly he assisted Maori in various ways, but clearly he identified rather more with his Pakeha ancestry. His career was a remarkably successful one, and his wife was also successful in maximizing the benefits that could be derived from her ancestry.

year: 2016