Applying Space Technology to Enhance Control of an Artificial Arm

At the present time, myoelectric prostheses perform only one function of the hand: open and close with the thumb, index and middle finger coming together to grasp various shaped objects. To better understand the limitations of the current single-function prostheses and the needs of the individuals who use them, The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR), sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (August 1992 - November 1994), surveyed approximately 2500 individuals with upper limb loss. When asked to identify specific features of their current electric prosthesis that needed improvement, the survey respondents overwhelmingly identified the lack of wrist and finger movement as well as poor control capability. Simply building a mechanism with individual finger and wrist motion is not enough. Individuals with upper limb loss tend to reject prostheses that require continuous visual monitoring and concentration to control. Robotics researchers at NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) and Rice University have made substantial progress in myoelectric teleoperation. A myoelectric teleoperation system translates signals generated by an able-bodied robot operator's muscles during hand motions into commands that drive a robot's hand through identical motions. Farry's early work in myoelectric teleoperation used variations over time in the myoelectric spectrum as inputs to neural networks to discriminate grasp types and thumb motions. The resulting schemes yielded up to 93% correct classification on thumb motions. More recently, Fernandez achieved 100% correct non-realtime classification of thumb abduction, extension, and flexion on the same myoelectric data. Fernandez used genetic programming to develop functions that discriminate between thumb motions using myoelectric signal parameters. Genetic programming (GP) is an evolutionary programming method where the computer can modify the discriminating functions' form to improve its performance, not just adjust numerical coefficients or weights. Although the function development may require much computational time and many training cases, the resulting discrimination functions can run in realtime on modest computers. These results suggest that myoelectric signals might be a feasible teleoperation medium, allowing an operator to use his or her own hand and arm as a master to intuitively control an anthropomorphic robot in a remote location such as outer space

Preparing potential teachers for the transition from employment to teacher training: an evaluative case study of a Maths Enhancement Course

In response to a UK government drive to improve maths teaching in schools, the South West London Maths Enhancement Course (MEC) has been set up though collaboration between three Higher Education institutions (HEIs) to provide an efficient route for non maths graduates in employment to upgrade their subject knowledge and give a smooth transition into teacher training (PGCE). An evaluation of the scheme, measured against Teacher Development Agency (TDA) objectives and success criteria agreed by university staff, involved thematic analysis of focus group discussions and interviews with students and staff during both the MEC and PGCE courses. This has revealed a high level of satisfaction and success related to a number of underlying issues, particularly around student recruitment, curriculum design, peer support and staff collaboration. The model offers an example of practice transferable to a range of programmes aimed at supporting students in the transition between levels and institutions

A qualitative interview study applying the COM-B model to explore how hospital-based trainers implement antimicrobial stewardship education and training in UK hospital-based care

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health threat caused by the inappropriate use of antimicrobials in healthcare and other settings. Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is a broad multi-component health services intervention that promotes and monitors the judicious use of antimicrobials to preserve their future effectiveness. A main component of AMS is education and training (E&T). However, there are often discrepancies in how such interventions are implemented and delivered in hospital-based care. The aim of this study was to explore the factors influencing the implementation of AMS E&T in UK hospitals. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were carried out with AMS E&T trainers in UK hospitals. The interview schedule was developed using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation = Behaviour (COM-B) model. Participants were identified via professional networks and social media. Interviews were analysed using inductive thematic analysis, followed by deductive analysis using the COM-B model as a framework. RESULTS: A total of 34 participants (26 antimicrobial pharmacists, 3 nurses, 1 advanced clinical practitioner, 2 infectious disease consultants, 1 microbiologist and 1 clinical scientist). responsible for designing, implementing and evaluating AMS E&T in UK hospitals (five from Northern Ireland, four from Wales, two from Scotland and 23 from England) took part in virtual interviews. Key themes were: (1) The organisational context, including system-level barriers to AMS included competing organisational targets (Reflective motivation and physical opportunity) and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on activity (Physical opportunity); (2) Healthcare professionals' roles and the wider multi-disciplinary team, such that AMS roles were defined and addressed poorly in E&T (Social opportunity); and (3) The individual perception of the need for AMS E&T in hospital-based care, manifest in a perceived lack of conviction of the wider threat of AMR and the resulting need for AMS E&T (Reflective motivation). CONCLUSION: This study has identified factors influencing implementation of AMS E&T in UK hospitals and further identified where implemented, AMS E&T did not address real-world challenges. Current AMS E&T needs to be optimised to elicit practice change, with recommendations including training and engaging the wider work-force and drawing upon theoretically-informed intervention development frameworks to inform AMS E&T to better target AMS behaviour change

The Grizzly, April 10, 1981

Sigma Pi Sigma Chapter Comes to the Campus • Men Draw for Rooms Thursday • College Choir to Present The Creation April 11 • Gulf Oil Aids Students • Lindback Nominations Requested by Dean • Saturday Night Live de Espanol • Cub and Key Selected • Co-ed Housing: Is it Possible at Ursinus? • Counseling Services in Collegeville • Ursinus Astronomy Forum • Departmental Focus: Psychology; German • Music News • Transplanted Texan • Raykes Deserve More Attention • Paradise Theatre Reopens in Philly • Portrait Schedule Announced • Platforms for Class Office Candidates • Sports Profile: Rob Randelman • Women\u27s Lacrosse • Track Runs Away With Another Perfect Week • Baseball Looking Good • Men\u27s Lacrosse Wins in Overtimehttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1058/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, October 9, 1981

False Alarms Plague Campus • Task Force Attempts to Answer Concerns in the Evening School • Breaking of Tradition, Speeding Up of Progress • Sadat is Dead: What Happens Now? • Letters to the Editor • Books Sought by Ursinus Friends • Pi Nu Epsilon Banquet • Sid Quinn, Barbara Blatt • Transplanted Texan: A Funny Thing Happened to Me at the Forum • Making Love is Fact of Life • Kinky Culture at the Spectrum • LeKites Elected Class of \u2785 President • Second Semi-annual Photo Exhibit Presented Tomorrow • Oktoberfest Comes to Ritter • Business Law Dropped from Day School Curriculum By Request of the Econ Department • 20 hrs. Limitation Causes Uproar • USGA Notes • Cross Country Leaves \u27Em Talking • Hockey Suffers First Loss of Season • Dickinson Latest Victim to Ursinus Defense • Soccer Shuts Out Hopkinshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1063/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, November 6, 1981

Changing Role of Women • Spanish Professor Speaks At Literature Conference • Ursinus Grad Anticipates Changes • Whatley Invited to Testing of Nuclear Sub • USGA Notes • Canterbury Tales: Bawdy Production Rates 10 • Fashion Forum • Myrin Hosts Alumna\u27s Art • Study Abroad Series: Continental Culture • Bear Pack Travels to MACs • Bears Fall to Swarthmore 27-10 • Questionable End to Hockey Seasonhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1066/thumbnail.jp

1994-95 Advisory Council On Social Security Technical Panel on Trends and Issues in Retirement Saving Final Report

The charge of the Technical Panel on Trends and Issues in Retirement Savings (TIRS) was to assist the 1994-95 [Social Security] Advisory Council with respect to its charge to analyze the relative roles of the public and private sectors in the provision of retirement income, particularly how underlying policies of public and private programs, including relevant tax laws, affect retirement decisions and the economic status of the elderly

The Lantern Vol. 47, No. 2, May 1981

• Festival • Ode to Old Tom • Living Room • Writing a Poem • Mission Impossible • The Hinge is Oiled • The Potter\u27s Field at Malvern • Points of Time • Attempted Autonomy • My Love • Love, not War • Death Comes Quickly • You Can\u27t Always Get What You Don\u27t Really Want • You See (Johnny\u27s Tale): An Elegy • Sanguine Hopeshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/lantern/1118/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, February 20, 1981

SAC Approves Spring Term 1981 Allocations • SPC to Propose Journalism Seminar • USGA Announces New Officers • Grizzly Planning Satire Issue • Professional Credentials Committee Explored • Departmental Focus: Biology Department • USGA Notes • Astronomy Club Planning Open House • Music News Defends JDB • Lorelei Outcast • Alumni Office Sponsors Homecoming II • Sorority Pledging With Frats • Graterford Visit Provides New Insights • Classics Club Planning Another Trip • Special Olympics Slated for March • Athletic Department Announces Play-off Plans • Sports Profile: Greg Gifford • Basketball Team Clinches MAC Southern Division • Textile Downs Lady Hoopsters • Grapplers: 10-5-1https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1053/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, October 30, 1981

Founders Day 100th Year of Coeducation • Board of Directors Approve Tuition Increase • Stevens Talks on Hazing to Packed House • Comment: What Eileen Stevens Didn\u27t Say • Drexel-Ursinus Offer Evening Courses at Limerick and UC • Old Men\u27s Undergoes Heating Renovations • ZX Business Society Grows • Lee Savary: Contrasting Natural and Man-made • Study Abroad Series: Seize the Day • Law of the Sea, Law of the Nations • Gridders to Enter New League in 1983 • Bears Lose Homecoming Heartbreaker • X-Country: 38 Straight W\u27s • Field Hockey Trips West Chester 3-0https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1065/thumbnail.jp