Mathieu Bergeron

DIAGAL: An Agent Communication Language Based on Dialogue Games and Sustained by Social Commitments

In recent years, social commitment based approaches have been proposed to solve problems issuing from previous mentalistic based semantics for agent communication languages. This paper follows the same line of thought since it presents the latest version of our dialogue game based agent communication language – DIAlogue-Game based Agent Language (DIAGAL) – which allows agents to manipulate the public layer of social commitments through dialogue, by creating, canceling and updating their social commitments. To make apparent such commitments, we consider here Agent Communication Language (ACL) from the dialectic point of view, where agents “play a game” based on commitments. Such games based on commitments are incorporated in the DIAGAL language, which has been developed having in mind the following questions: (a) What kind of structure does the game have? How are rules specified within the game? (b) What kind of games compositions are allowed? (c) How do participants in conversations reach agreement on the current game? How are games opened or closed? Using such games we show how we can study the commitments dynamic to model agent dialogue and we present metrics that can be used to evaluate the quality of a dialogue between agents. Next, we use an example (summer festival organization) to show how DIAGAL can be used in analyzing and modeling automated conversations in offices. Finally, we present the results and analysis of the summer festival simulations that we realized through our dialogue game simulator (DGS).

Extensive bilateral arteriovenous malformations of the mandible successfully controlled by combined endovascular and transcutaneous angio-embolization: case report and review of the literature.

We report a unique case of extensive bilateral arteriovenous malformation (AVMs) in a childs mandible, discuss treatment options and review literature. A healthy 8 year-old girl presented with bright blood of unknown source found on her pillow. Three large AVMs involving the symphyseal region and bilateral mandibular bodies were found on angiography. Due to the extent of surgical resection required, the patient underwent a series of endovascular and transcutaneous angio-embolization. In cases of extensive intraosseous AVMs, serial embolization procedures can be successful in controlling episodes of hemorrhage and allow for bone remineralization. A multidisciplinary approach by otolaryngologists and neurointerventional radiologists can optimize the results.

Primary Larynx Cryptococcus neoformans Infection: A Distinctive Clinical Entity

Cryptococcus neoformans can directly infect the vocal cords. Endoscopic findings were undistinctive from most infiltrative diseases. Tissue biopsy was essential for the diagnosis. Inhaled corticosteroids can predispose to the infection, and fluconazole 400 mg daily for at least 6 weeks appeared to be minimal to achieve a permanent cure.

DIAGAL: a generic ACL for open systems

In this paper, we present the latest version of our dialogue games based agent communication language (DIAGAL) which allows the agents to manipulate the public layer of social commitments through dialogue. We show that DIAGAL is complete according to the sequential creation, cancellation, update and discharge of social commitments. We also extend and refine notions of success and satisfaction previously associated with speech-acts to this new dialogical setting. Finally, we explain why DIAGAL is a good candidate for open and heterogeneous MAS development.

Is image guidance accurate in children sinus surgery

OBJECTIVES To compare the precision of the calibration of a 3D navigation system for endoscopic sinus surgery in children and adults. To compare the complication and calibration failure rates of the system in both populations. METHODS The precision of the calibration of the Stryker navigation system (Stryker Neuronavigation ENT 2.0 Software) was found in the charts of children and adults operated on for various nasosinusal procedures between May 2008 and February 2013 in a tertiary care center. Demographic characteristics and complication rates were also noted. RESULTS Thirty-eight adults and 21 children were included in the study. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups with an identical mean precision of 0.7mm (p=0.90). The rate of precision unreliability and calibration failures was not statistically different between the two groups (14% children vs 5% adults). No major complications occurred in both groups (p=1.00). No demographic characteristic predicted a failed calibration (height, weight, BMI, age). CONCLUSION The Stryker image-guided system can provide a precision level that is equivalent in both children and adults. This study also demonstrated an absent/low complication rate respectively for children and adults post endoscopic surgery.

Synchronous airway lesions in children: An analysis of characteristics and comorbidities

OBJECTIVES To analyze the characteristics and the associated medical co-morbidities in children with synchronous airway lesions (SALs) found during rigid bronchoscopy. METHODS Retrospective case series and chart review of patients who were found to have more than one airway lesion after undergoing airway evaluation via rigid endoscopy at a tertiary care pediatric hospital between 2001 and 2011. Patient demographics, presence of associated non-airway pathologies, and the number and types of airway lesions were collected. For analysis, airway lesions were classified based on the anatomical subsites involved (supraglottic, glottic, subglottic, tracheal and bronchial). RESULTS Out of 592 rigid bronchoscopies performed, there were 73 cases with SALs (12.3%). Of these, only 20% of patients were term infants without associated congenital anomalies. Over 70% of patients with SALs have combinations of lesions involving the trachea, subglottis and supraglottis. Neurological anomalies and GERD were both independently associated with a three-time increase in the odds of having synchronous involvement of these three anatomical subsites (OR 3.15, 95% CI 1.06-9.41; OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.05-8.50, respectively). Glottic lesions were present in 28.7% of patients. Prematurity and cardiac anomalies were both associated with tendency of doubling the odds of glottic lesions (OR 2.34, 95% CI 0.84-6.52; OR 2.0, 95% CI 0.76-5.60, respectively). Overall, almost 10% of newly diagnosed lesions in context of SALs required an additional intervention. CONCLUSIONS The majority of patients with SALs are either born prematurely or have associated congenital anomalies. In SAL patients with associated neurological anomalies or GERD, the lesions are more likely to be localized to the supraglottis, subglottis and trachea whereas prematurity and cardiac anomalies could both be increasing the odds of a glottic lesion. High suspicious index should be kept in mind when rigid bronchoscopy is performed to not miss an associated lesion.

Bilateral stapes agenesis: What can we find?

Abstract We describe the youngest case of bilateral stapes agenesis and systematically reviewed the literature. Among those cases, 8/12 (66.7%) showed a bilateral agenesis. There is a male predominance 8/12 (66.7%). The most common associated anomaly reported being either a dehiscent or displaced facial nerve (7/12–58%). Furthermore, 5/12 patients (42%) had a narrow or an absent oval window. In our case, a 5-year-old male patient was referred for bilateral conductive hearing loss (air-bone gap 65 dB, bilateral). Operating findings on the left side included an inferiorly displaced facial nerve over the promontory, a narrow ossified oval window and an absent stapes. A stapedotomy with insertion of a modified stapes prosthesis allowed us to close the conductive gap. Even with possible good outcomes, surgical management should not be taken lightly, considering amplification is almost always a safe and effective option.

One hundred twelve patients above 75 years old with tracheotomy: discharge delayed by 13 days: Our experience.

Dear Editor, Healthcare systems are facing two synergistic realities: constantly increasing expenditures and a population with longer life expectancy. Canadians currently spendmore than

Substantial Delay in Discharge of Elderly with Tracheotomies: Our 10-Year Experience

49 billion (CAD) for hospital services, whereas the United States spend more than

Use of Virtual Reality Tools for Vestibular Disorders Rehabilitation: A Comprehensive Analysis.

300 billion (USD) for such services. Most of these costs are incurred by adults aged 65–84, averaging a mean cost per hospital stay of