The future of patient safety: Surgical trainees accept virtual reality as a new training tool

BACKGROUND: The use of virtual reality (VR) has gained increasing interest to acquire laparoscopic skills outside the operating theatre and thus increasing patients' safety. The aim of this study was to evaluate trainees' acceptance of VR for assessment and training during a skills course and at their institution. METHODS: All 735 surgical trainees of the International Gastrointestinal Surgery Workshop 2006-2008, held in Davos, Switzerland, were given a minimum of 45 minutes for VR training during the course. Participants' opinion on VR was analyzed with a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: Fivehundred-twenty-seven participants (72%) from 28 countries attended the VR sessions and answered the questionnaires. The possibility of using VR at the course was estimated as excellent or good in 68%, useful in 21%, reasonable in 9% and unsuitable or useless in 2%. If such VR simulators were available at their institution, most course participants would train at least one hour per week (46%), two or more hours (42%) and only 12% wouldn't use VR. Similarly, 63% of the participants would accept to operate on patients only after VR training and 55% to have VR as part of their assessment. CONCLUSION: Residents accept and appreciate VR simulation for surgical assessment and training. The majority of the trainees are motivated to regularly spend time for VR training if accessible

A Bronze Age Round Barrow Cemetery, Pit Alignments, Iron Age Burials, Iron Age Copper Working, and Later Activity at Four Crosses, Llandysilio, Powys.

Excavation undertaken at the Upper Severn valley round barrow cemetery at Four Crosses, Llandysilio between 2004 and 2006 has increased the known barrows and ring-ditches to some 26 monuments, and revealed additional burials. Based on limited dating evidence, and the data from earlier excavations, the majority of the barrows are thought to be constructed in the Bronze Age. The barrows are part of a larger linear cemetery and the landscape setting and wider significance of this linear barrow cemetery are explored within this report. Dating suggests two barrows were later, Iron Age additions. The excavation also investigated Iron Age and undated pit alignments, Middle Iron Age copper working and a small Romano-British inhumation cemetery and field systems. Much of this evidence reflects the continuing importance of the site for ritual and funerary activity

Toward a Comprehensive Approach to the Collection and Analysis of Pica Substances, with Emphasis on Geophagic Materials

Pica, the craving and subsequent consumption of non-food substances such as earth, charcoal, and raw starch, has been an enigma for more than 2000 years. Currently, there are little available data for testing major hypotheses about pica because of methodological limitations and lack of attention to the problem.In this paper we critically review procedures and guidelines for interviews and sample collection that are appropriate for a wide variety of pica substances. In addition, we outline methodologies for the physical, mineralogical, and chemical characterization of these substances, with particular focus on geophagic soils and clays. Many of these methods are standard procedures in anthropological, soil, or nutritional sciences, but have rarely or never been applied to the study of pica.Physical properties of geophagic materials including color, particle size distribution, consistency and dispersion/flocculation (coagulation) should be assessed by appropriate methods. Quantitative mineralogical analyses by X-ray diffraction should be made on bulk material as well as on separated clay fractions, and the various clay minerals should be characterized by a variety of supplementary tests. Concentrations of minerals should be determined using X-ray fluorescence for non-food substances and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy for food-like substances. pH, salt content, cation exchange capacity, organic carbon content and labile forms of iron oxide should also be determined. Finally, analyses relating to biological interactions are recommended, including determination of the bioavailability of nutrients and other bioactive components from pica substances, as well as their detoxification capacities and parasitological profiles.This is the first review of appropriate methodologies for the study of human pica. The comprehensive and multi-disciplinary approach to the collection and analysis of pica substances detailed here is a necessary preliminary step to understanding the nutritional enigma of non-food consumption

THE PSIMAR

A Backfire!A SecretAcknowledgement to Mrs. M.V. SweeneyAdventures of Johnny MechanicsAlumni Re-unionAlumnus Egbert Develops Training SchoolAnd Now!Approaching Exams Sounding Reveille For Senior StudentsArch School NewsArchitects Plan Dinner; Last of M.I. AssociationArchitectural Design Applied Art Class of '30Art School Alumni DinnerAssociation CardsBackbiters! !Believe It or NotBevier Exhibition Features Mr. Roth's Work, of New YorkCaptain Henry LombClass of 1905 25thComparison of the Student Activities Fund AppropriationCouncil Endeavoring to Sponsor National Wrestling TournamentDancing ClassDeceasedDecoration Class Inspect Homes and City PlantsDo You Know That --Domestic ArtDomestic ScienceDressmakingDuties of Faculty AdvisorE.S.A. Banquet; Elect Officers; Mr. Lee SpeakerErnest Egbert Develops SchoolFaculty Athletic CommitteeFarewellFarewell, Seniors!Financial Statement; The Psimar for Year 1929-1930; Plan '31Fraternity and Sorority NewsFreshmen News; Class Rivalry; Daylight SavingsFrom His Mechanics SweetheartGeneral Electric Host to Seniors; Electrical ClassGirl Athletes Receive Awards April 8, 1930Glee Club Members Awarded Merit PinsGreat HonorHe, She, We Did, Why?How to Be a JuniorIndustrial ChemistryInstitute Grapplers Capture First Place; A.A.U. ChampionshipIroquois Art AssociationJuniors Make Trip to American Laundry CompanyLimericksManual TrainingMechanical ArtsMechanical DrawingMechanics Institute Month by MonthMr. Frank P. Graves to Address Graduates Commencement DayMr. Lomb Greets New Pledges for Coveted SocietyMr. Meers Addresses Students; Organize Baseball TeamMr. S. Brodie Presented Awards to M.I. AthletesMy Thanks ToNermeyer Elected Captain for 1930-1931; Eisenhart High ScorerPresident of M.I.; Glimmerings of His Early LifePresident's LetterPsimarPsimar AccomplishmentsPsimar Editorial StaffPsimar Financing PlanPsimar ReviewRamikin to Be Out Soon, Editor-In-Chief StatesRegretsSecretary's Say-SoSeneca Ballroom to Be Scene of GayetySeneca Ballroom to Be Scene of Senior GayetySenior BallSororities Start Spring PledgingStanding of the Mechanics Baseball LeagueSupervisor of Art School Exhibits Work at Art CenterSurvey Club Plan Week-end PartyThe Standard RingTournament May Be Held in RochesterTune in on WHECWhat Would Happen If..