We analyze task reallocation where individually rational ([R) agents (re)contract tasks among themselves based on marginal costs A task allocation graph is introduced as a tool for analyzing contract types Traditional single task contracts always have a short path (sequence of contracts) to the optimal task allocation but an IR path may not exist, or it may not be short We analyze an algorithm for finding the shortest IR path Next we introduce cluster contracts, swaps, and multiagent contracts Each of the four contract types avoids some local optima that the others do not Even if the protocol is equipped with all four types, local optima exist To attack this problem, we introduce OCSMcontracts which combine the ideas behind the four earlier types into an atomic contract type If the protocol is equipped with OCSM-contracts, any sequence of IR contracts leads to the optimal task allocation in a finite number of steps: an oracle--or speculation--is not needed for choosing the path (no subset of OCSMcontracts suffices even with an oracle) This means that the multiagent search does not need to backtrack This is a powerful result for small problem instances For large ones, the anytime feature of our multicontract-type algorithm--with provably monotonic improvement of each agent’s solution--is more important 1

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Contract Types for Satisficing Task Allocation:I Theoretical Results

Introduction: The cesarean rates are low but increasing in most Nordic countries. Using the Robson classification, we analyzed which obstetric groups have contributed to the changes in the cesarean rates. Material and methods: Retrospective population-based registry study including all deliveries (3 398 586) between 2000 and 2011 in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The Robson group distribution, cesarean rate and contribution of each Robson group were analyzed nationally for four 3-year time periods. For each country, we analyzed which groups contributed to the change in the total cesarean rate. Results: Between the first and the last time period studied, the total cesarean rates increased in Denmark (16.4 to 20.7%), Norway (14.4 to 16.5%) and Sweden (15.5 to 17.1%), but towards the end of our study, the cesarean rates stabilized or even decreased. The increase was explained mainly by increases in the absolute contribution from R5 (women with previous cesarean) and R2a (induced labor on nulliparous). In Finland, the cesarean rate decreased slightly (16.5 to 16.2%) mainly due to decrease among R5 and R6-R7 (breech presentation, nulliparous/multiparous). In Iceland, the cesarean rate decreased in all parturient groups (17.6 to 15.3%), most essentially among nulliparous women despite the increased induction rates. Conclusions: The increased total cesarean rates in the Nordic countries are explained by increased cesarean rates among nulliparous women, and by an increased percentage of women with previous cesarean. Meanwhile, induction rates on nulliparous increased significantly, but the impact on the total cesarean rate was unclear. The Robson classification facilitates benchmarking and targeting efforts for lowering the cesarean rates. (Less)

Cesarean section trends in the Nordic Countries – a comparative analysis with the Robson classification

Using simulation to determine the need for ICU beds for surgery patients

A review is presented of results from research and commercial production of two alternative keeping systems – furnished cages and aviary systems. These systems have gradually evolved through critic...

Furnished cages and aviaries: production and health

A simplified technique for laparoscopic gastropexy (group 1) was compared to belt-loop gastropexy (group 2) in eight adult male dogs randomly divided into two groups of four dogs each. Our hypothesis was that a satisfactory laparoscopic gastropexy would approximate the strength and operative time required for belt-loop gastropexy. Operative time, surgical complications, postoperative morbidity, gross and histological appearance, radiographic microvascularization, and maximal tensile strength were measured and compared between the two groups. All dogs recovered from surgery. No morbidity was associated with either procedure. The mean (+/- SD) duration of surgery was 69.75 +/- 7.23 minutes for group 1 and 58.75 +/- 7.63 minutes for group 2. Fifty days after surgery, the microvascular appearance of the gastropexy site was similar for both groups. Blood vessels were observed within each seromuscular flap but vascular ingrowth to the abdominal musculature was observed in only two dogs, one from each group. The maximum tensile strength at 50 days was 76.55 +/- 22.78 for group 1 and 109.21 +/- 22.29 N for group 2. Differences between surgical duration and maximum tensile strength were not statistically significant (P > .05). Histologically, all gastropexies consisted of an adhesion composed of dense fibrous connective tissue. The results of this study indicate that laparoscopic gastropexy provides a minimally invasive alternative to open abdominal prophylactic gastropexy in dogs.

A Comparison of Laparoscopic and Belt‐Loop Gastropexy in Dogs

A random sample of therapists (N=161) working in the field of trauma were surveyed to study levels of stress. Therapists were assessed on measures of general life stress, burnout, and traumatic stress. Twenty-four percent were experiencing high levels of general life stress, 16% reported high levels of emotional exhaustion, 26% felt ineffective in terms of personal accomplishment at work and 14% were experiencing high levels of traumatic stress similar to clients with post traumatic stress disorder. Relationships between measures and demographic variables were reported, a profile of traumatised therapists was identified, and implications of these findings of therapists were presented.

Penny Brabin

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Poster Session Abstracts