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During the Long Night of Research, visitors of the Ars Electronica Center's Deep Space 8K were invited watch a live broadcast of a brain surgery that was carried out ere invitied to take a look into the Ars Electronica Futurelab and chat with the senior director of the Futurelab, Horst Hörtner.
Credit: Ars Electronica / Martin Hieslmair
About three weeks ago, my Dad got diagnosed with a really big brain tumor. I started documenting the process of the whole thing, the relationships between him and the family, and this is one of my favorites by far. This is the morning after he was admitted into the hospital and he would be having brain surgery in a few short days, but surrounded by family and friends he holds tight to his brave face. He now is recovering from the surgery well and is back at home. Tomorrow we face the oncologist to hear the options that he has to fight the rest of the cancer.
M4H 52 Weeks: Black and White
I chose to edit all my photos in this project in black and white because I feel that it properly conveys the drama brings emphasis to the emotion that characterizes this situation.
used here
after lunch, she's more of a lumberjack / gardener / kid chauffeur.
i don't get how she can be cranking out space-age brain surgery components in solidworks on her laptop one minute, and then manually sawing down trees and ripping out blackberry bushes the next.
copyright © 2008 sean dreilinger
view mad scientist engineer designs a brain surgery device before lunch - DSC01544 on a black background.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a CNN medical correspondent and practicing neurosurgeon, examines an injured Haitian girl in the medical facility aboard the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Jan. 18, 2010, off the coast of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Gupta was brought to the ship to assist in performing brain surgery on a 12-year-old Hatian girl. Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing 17 are conducting humanitarian and disaster relief operations as part of Operation Unified Relief after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti Jan. 12, 2010. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Erin Oberholtzer/Released)
Neuroscience is undoubtedly the hottest topic in advertising research at the moment. It generates high hopes for understanding consumer behaviour from a completely new perspective. From reading the brain’s activity, can you find out what really drives choices and consumer preferences beyond what people are able and willing to tell you on a questionnaire and in focus groups? Can brain imaging even reveal hidden desires and covert mechanisms that consumer themselves are not aware of? In sum, can neuroscience give us access to what people really think and feel?
As I said, the hopes for neuromarketing are high and thus no wonder recent years have seen a huge boom not only in academic studies but also in commercial companies popping up all around the world offering neuro-studies to the advertising and marketing world. To get a better understanding of this rapidly evolving area DDB hosted last week the first of its Brainsurgery workshops for clients and staff titled “Neuromarketing – Neuroscience or Neurononsense?” Two renowned neuroscientists from Goldsmiths, University of London, DDB’s academic partner, attacked this question from two complementary perspectives.
Dr Lauren Stewart kicked off the evening with a ‘bluffer’s guide to neuroscience’, briefly explaining the general principles by which the brain works, i.e. how information is transmitted and processed in the brain and what the relevant brain structures are that you often find in colourful images on the science pages of the popular press. Dr Stewart’s own expertise is in structural (MRI) and functional brain imaging (fMRI) and she gave a brief but nevertheless very thorough account of how these state-of-the-art neuro-imaging techniques work and what they can tell us about consumers’ minds. This distinction between brain and mind was quite an interesting point she made which subsequently triggered a few questions from the audience. “The mind is what the brain does”, is the quote that I wrote down by which she was hinting at the fact that, yes, with modern neuroscience we can observe biological activity but we still need to know what this activity means in psychological terms. A red blob on an fMRI image in a particular brain area can indicate that the pleasure centre of the brain is active while seeing a TV ad. But it is no less plausible that the emotional reaction related to this red blob is actually disgust or maybe it just means the brain is ‘on’? Observing brain activity is only part of the message, the other half is finding out what this activity stands for. This is precisely why academic neuroscientists are always very careful to control their results with behavioural data, rigorous statistical analyses, and appropriate experimental control conditions – scientific practice that commercial studies need to adopt as well if they want to be credible.
The second talk of the evening by Prof Joydeep Bhattacharya, head of the EEG lab at Goldsmiths, then went straight into the current battlefield of neuromarketing. Prof Bhattacharya used the metaphor of ‘forced marriage’ to investigate how well modern neuroscience and marketing go together in reality. Both disciplines are interested in understanding and explaining human behaviour and both are very keen to learn about its implicit and underlying mechanisms. Quite a few recent academic studies have aimed at ‘mind reading’, that is analysing brain signals with advanced statistical and machine learning techniques to predict the future behaviour of a consumer. Admittedly, most of these studies were lab studies in a controlled environment but their results are nonetheless impressive; well, you can judge for yourself:
a)From an EEG signal it is possible to predict which of two very similar human faces a participant would like better; and this is before the participant actually makes the explicit decision. (Lindsen et al., 2010, NeuroImage)
b)Testing Coca-Cola vs. a no-name cola brand, the fMRI signal of participants in a brain scanner tells us that the brain’s reward system is involved when products are judged by their attractive packaging and that packaging seems to be more important than price and familiarity with the brand (Reiman et al., 2010, Journal of Consumer Psychology)
c)The medial orbitofrontal cortex is a structure that is associated with the willingness to pay (is the brain’s mythical button that marketers are so desperate to find?). It is the same structure that is active when we experience social reward, when we are looking at beautiful faces or when we anticipate a pleasant taste (Plassmann et al., 2007, Journal of Neuroscience).
No doubt, this all seems to be very relevant to marketing and advertising but Prof Bhattacharya also pointed to a few issues that made him speak of a forced marriage between neuroscience and marketing. The problems seem to start when neuroscientific results - that usually take a long time and require a lot of money - need to be produced under the financial and time pressures of the commercial world. Typically, there is very little time to test sufficient numbers of people and perform the rigorous statistical analyses that are a firm requirement for publishing in top academic journals. And then studies run in the commercial realm are hardly ever published (which, from an academic perspective, is at complete odds with the huge claims that some neuro-companies make). That means no-one can replicate those results, no peer-community can help to detect ambiguities and flaws in the experimental design or analysis, and worst of all, no-one can learn from the many commercial neuromarketing studies that are run around the globe. The danger of this practice is that neuromarketing as a discipline, unlike biomedical applications of neuroimaging techniques, doesn’t advance as much as it could, despite the huge interest and the huge sums of money that are currently invested in it. Of course, you can understand why big brands don’t want to give away the results of expensive neuromarekting studies that are intended to provide them with a market advantage over their competitors. But unless the bulk of commercial neuromarketing studies are published and made fully transparent, at least at some point in time, it is difficult to say what the potential of neuromarketing as a discipline really is; and that is not only an unfortunate situation from an academic perspective but it directly relates to how much you can trust the results of the next neuromarketing study that your own company is about to pay for.
#9/365 Jaymi
Well, we finally got to come home on Thursday. Believe it or not, 10 days after entering the hospital and 8 days after brain surgery, Jaymi was walking with some support, off pain meds, and well enough to come home.
She was really starting to be upset about being in the hospital, especially at night. She just wanted to come home and see her friends.
She looks so skinny to me here...she lost 5 pounds in the last 2 weeks! 5 pounds doesn't seem like much, but when you were only 48 pounds to begin with, it's noticeable! She was all upset this morning because her pants literally won't stay up - they're too loose now.
So now, she has some balance and co-ordination issues to work through, a bit of blurriness in her vision, and 2 weeks of waiting until being allowed to swim or get banged on the head. ;)
She is improving so much every day - it's amazing!
View It Ain’t Television…. It’s Brain Surgery at http://mediastorm.org/0008.htm
It Ain’t Television…. It’s Brain Surgery is a courageous and humorous first-person account of Emmy award-winning producer Ray Farkas’ life-changing brain surgery procedure intended to reduce the symptoms of his Parkinson’s disease.
8/365 Jaymi
This was her expression through much of the hospital stay. She was just so sad all the time, and didn't feel like doing anything.
*I have decided to start another 365 of Jaymi, beginning on the first day of her 'new life' with a healthier brain. She is so lucky to be alive, and this 365 will be a celebration of the wonderful little girl that is Jaymi.*
#7/365 Jaymi
Today was a much better day for Jaymi, in her recovery. Although last night, she broke down twice, sobbing that she didn't want to be here anymore, the daytime today brought lots of good news.
The pathology report came in - benign and low-grade (which means the part of the tumor left in her head is slow-growing, if it ever does grow again).
She is in a better mood today, for sure.
Her IV came out as well as her EVD ('brain drain'), and she is no longer on any medicine.
She had some physiotherapy today and is excited to be walking (with some support) and sitting and standing more.
There are a few small things to work through, but all in all, it's good news today, for sure.
I also learned today, that out of all of the brain tumors that do occur to people, the one she has occurs in only 6% of those people. It's very rare!
All my images are © Maurice V. Woodworth, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. They may not be used with out my written permission.
The Rhinospider is a patented invention that optimizes navigation in the area of the head for complex surgery. In a close cooperation between the Art University Linz, the Medical University Innsbruck, the Las Gafas film team, the Ars Electronica Center Linz and the Anton Bruckner Private University, this patent is presented in a film. Scientific insights are coupled with a collaborative, artistic process. The result is an experimental dance performance film, which illustrates this invention in an unusual way. Foto showing the dancers Neža Hribar, Martyna Lorenc (right).
Fotocredit: Michael Wirthig
A best of Ars Electronica photos can be found here.
Ars Electronica Center
4040 Linz
Austria
© All rights reserved.
July 31, 2010. I've managed to keep the weight off by walking and bicycling. I am retired now and continue to be busy with friends. My hair went almost completely white and has now grown to between my shoulder blades. I have driven my car maybe 5 or 6 times in the past 3 years and only a few times by myself just a couple miles up the road. Otherwise, I have a friend drive my car to take me to appointments, grocery shopping, etc.
Life is good because it could be worse!
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December 31, 2007 ~ I've now lost 76 pounds since surgery. Have had to buy new clothes.
August 14, 2007 ~ I've now lost close to 55 pounds since surgery.
From my March 2007 archives ~ .
I have pretty much always had long hair. I decided to to shave it off before my brain surgery. They found an aneurysm on the nerve of my right eye which was causing the "temporary blinding sessions". Evidence was also found of leakage.
This is a self-portrait taken the night before brain surgery. I spent the night down the street from the hospital in a care hospice room. My friend drove me to San Francisco, spent a couple of nights, drove home, then back and forth every day for several days ~ a 100+ mile one-way trip.
The cut began at the center of my forehead and followed the hair line to the top front of my right ear.
The lighting was poor and I was quite nervous (okay ~ frightened,) .. hence the motion. Actually, the camera was hand held.
I have lost about 35 pounds since the surgery. I've had to buy new clothes. I forget to eat sometimes and often I don't have much of an appetite. Glad I have friends that are helping me!
Now you know what I truly look like...yes, I inherited my grandfather's German nose (maternal side).
All my images are © Maurice V. Woodworth, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. They may not be used with out my written permission.
© All Rights Reserved.
The fates have set before me a journey I've never been on. It seems surreal occasionally, a dream scape from which I try to awaken. But the reality is true. And the journey has yet to be completed. So here I go ~ the next step.
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September 2007 ... (Where did August go?!) I truly don't remember much about August ~ or much about this year as it is! I do know that I went for a bicycle ride one day with my friend, came home, and upon entering the side of the house to put the bicycles up, I saw a FED-EX package tucked between my trash and recycle bin. There were multiple checks inside: 1 for Holidays/Vacations/Personal Days accrued but not yet taken, 2 from my Credit Union, and another one (in the six figure range) from my 401K that they closed out on me.
LEFT THEM BY THE GARBAGE CAN!!!
Danngg ..... So I told my Union Rep about it in order to warn the other Union members to keep their heads up for future reference! None of my colleagues could believe it! Of course the delivery man was required to get a signature but didn't! And I ragged to FED-EX about that, too! Dannggg .... what a year!!
BTW ... When was I "terminated/fired/let go" from the company? I don't remember! 16 years with them / 20 in the industry. I'm stunned!! . Oh ... my friend just told me it was August 8, 2007. (I had to ask!) See what I mean?
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It is now July and I have been through a real trial. It is hard to fathom the time that has gone by. And the news of events happening even with my own family members! (Mom and Dad finally realize all that land is too much, so they move to a "retirement" apartment. Which I'm sure is a real adjustment for them in itself after living in the country for sooo long!) My youngest sister moved .. and goodness knows what else! Although Mae West would say, "Goodness has nothing to do with it." sheesh
So now I'm on long term disability. One day at a time. Although I am feeling healthier, and I know that the road is not paved with marshmallows, it is a struggle.
Thanks to all that have leant your support in the way that you could. It is truly appreciated!
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19 Mar 2007 This is my last entry for some time. Was just notified I have to be in San Francisco Wed 21Mar07 @ 8:30am. Have to leave 1 day earlier than expected. Will be gone for a week or so but may not be online for at least 2 weeks. flickr you later! [Going to get my head shaved :~D ....]
'BYE EVERYBODY!! Until we flickr again ...
javame
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17 March 2007. This is a continuance from the Star Flower image.
I went to UCSF (University of California in San Francisco) Medical Hospital for a consulation on 15Mar reference my brain aneurysm.
SURGICAL DATE is now set for Friday, 23March2007.
I have to go to the "city" a couple days early for more: pre-op on Wednesday, 21Mar, and an angiogram on Thursday, 22Mar. Will attempt to "flickr" on Tues the 20th but no guarantees. Wishing everyone well while I'm away. Recuperation will be a lengthy process so it may be 2 to 4 weeks before I can do much of anything. Be surprised if I upload some images I've been saving during that time. Some images from my recent trip are in the Neurologist Wanted set and a new one titled San Francisco.
Thanks to all in advance ...
javame
Matt Hafley / Post-Gazette
Pam Wirfel of Edensburg, watches as her seven-year-old son Marc Farabaugh colors a picture of a hospital while they were at the sixth annual WDVE Rocks for Children’s Radiothon at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. Farabaugh had brain surgery in April for seizures he was having, and was at the hospital for an MRI and doctor's appointment on September 12, 2013.
scar showing where my synthetic bone plate and VP shunt were installed. quite a large area. This was from an accident I was in. I wish I would have worn a helmet that day.
you can see just how large of an area of skull I lost. the swelling was due to medical packing under the skin absorbing CSF. Turns out that once I got a plate put in, the CSF was no longer being absorbed normally, resulting in a bad case of hydrocephalus. i have since received a VP cerebral shunt to correct the problem.
...since I had two brain tumors removed by some really talented and dedicated healthcare providers at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee! Thank you...Thank you.
And thank you to the 9 marvelous flickr photographers whose photos of candles are included in my favorites and in this mosaic:
1. Licht - candle light, 2. Wasted blue, 3. light, 4. Heart of fire, 5. candle in the wind, 6. Shame, 7. A candlegleam..., 8. The Candle, 9. Heart Candle
Please visit their photostreams for a treat!
Created with fd's Flickr Toys.
Anatomical drawings of brain from 16th century medical book, on how to prepare skull for section. Brain unexposed.
6/365 Jaymi
Gareth is a best friend who took a day off school with his uncle and flew here to Vancouver to visit her and cheer her up. (He was plugging his nose at first because he didn't like the smell of the medicine they just gave her.)
The visit helped so much - it really cheered her up and motivated her to try to stand and walk.
*I have decided to start another 365 of Jaymi, beginning on the first day of her 'new life' with a healthier brain. She is so lucky to be alive, and this 365 will be a celebration of the wonderful little girl that is Jaymi.*
2/365 Jaymi
*I have decided to start another 365 of Jaymi, beginning on the first day of her 'new life' with a healthier brain. She is so lucky to be alive, and this 365 will be a celebration of the wonderful little girl that is Jaymi.*
Jonathan Zavala, one day old. Head circum. 52 cm. Born with aqudectal stenosis, agenesis of the Corpus Collasum, Holoprocencephaly, Schizencephaly, Microcephaly.
They 're actually green, and there's three more - one behind each ear and one on top of his head.
dylan had to walk around for about 24 hours like this! They served as guides for some surgery he had.
Dylan, after being told he has only weeks left to live and being given three different ways to die, is now at MD Anderson Cancer Center, fighting cancer (brain tumors) for the fourth time.
He is undergoing intense radiation (full brain and spine) and chemotherapy so wicked that it requires him to be inpatient for a week at a time and he has more medicine bottles on his shelf than I can count..He must live for several weeks in Houston - approximately 450 miles from his girlfriend and family (although myself or his father are always there too).
All of this - and more - and he never complains, never feels sorry for himself, and never, ever gives up. He is my hero!
Dylan says hi to all of those who keep up with his story and offer encouragement, prayers, strength and/or hugs to him! Please check his set if you would like to know more!
I look forward to the day I can spend time on flickr again! I am sorry that I don't have time to comment or fav now, but it's on the agenda!
reprint of earlier version.
It is a 3D creation, 3d here:
www.flickr.com/photos/freetrader57/8709127959/in/photostr...
On display in the Deutschorden's Castle Bad Mergentheim.
Schädel aus der Jungsteinzeit mit seitlicher Operationsöffnung. Ausgestellt im Deutschordensschloss Bad Mergentheim.
1. Here I am!, 2. Stuck in the middle again!, 3. Joker's to the right, 4. Joker's to the left of me
Apologies for them not being in "order" - But it wasn't working right for me ... I wanted it to state: "Joker's to the left of me, Joker's to the right, Here I am! Stuck in the middle again!" Ah well!
Created with fd's Flickr Toys.
Went to the hairstylists and had my hair cut to 1 inch. The surgeon will cut on the top of the head, peel the scalp back, drill into the brain - tweak a vessel or 2 or 3 or 4 ... then glue the skull back, place the scalp back into place with staples or thread. Since wet shampooing will not be allowed for some time, I decided to make room for ease of the surgeons work area, my comfort on keeping a clean head, and for easier viewing by those that have to check to ensure there will be no infection on the surgical region. Now I'll be able to use a wash cloth to wipe my head and "feel clean" without a nasty mess with longer hair. A small price to pay.