Structured proficiency based progression phacoemulsification training curriculum using virtual reality simulator technology

The current method of surgical training is based on the Halstedian model where novice surgeons learn by observing and performing surgery under supervision. Cataract extraction by phacoemulsification is a type of minimally invasive surgery where direct observation is inadequate in revealing how things are done. Operating under the microscope takes away the direct hand-eye coordination. During the operation, a novice surgeon has to pay disproportionate amount of attention to psychomotor performance, depth and spatial judgment, operative judgment and decision-making, comprehending instruction, and gaining additional knowledge. The attentional capacity quickly becomes saturated, leaving very little to spot dangers ahead or to get out of difficulty situation. Consequently, patients are at higher risk when novice surgeons perform the operation. The solution to improve novice surgeon\u27s attentional capacity is to pre-trained pertinent operative skills in a controlled setting using simulator technology. EYESi phacoemulsification simulator offers high fidelity rendition of intra-ocular microsurgical environment. Novice surgeons can practice on the simulator until proficiency level is achieved. The aim of this project is to design and validate didactic and skill training curriculum for cataract surgery. The didactic curriculum employs 3-dimentional animations in order to explain complex surgical procedures. The proficiency level for skill training is set based on the simulator performance of ten expert cataract surgeons. A structured proficiency based simulator curriculum is designed and validated with randomized control trialin this study

Diseño y validación mediante la Teoría de Respuesta al Ítem del Instrumento para Evaluar Capital Psicológico en las Organizaciones IPSICAP

16 p.El constructo “capital psicológico”, creado por Fred Luthans, se define como un estado de desarrollo psicológico positivo del ser humano, que lo caracteriza por (a) tener confianza (autoeficacia) para realizar los esfuerzos que sean necesarios con el fin de alcanzar el éxito en tareas retadoras; (b) hacer atribuciones de causalidad positivas (optimismo) acerca de los sucesos presentes y futuros; (c) perseverar en el logro de los objetivos y, cuando sea necesario, redireccionar los caminos para alcanzarlos (esperanza) de manera exitosa; y (d) al ser blanco de los problemas y la adversidad, mantenerse en pie, volver a comenzar e ir más allá (resiliencia) para lograr el éxito (Luthans, Youssef & Avolio, 2007a, 2007b). Este constructo ha surgido a partir de investigación empírica dentro del comportamiento organizacional positivo, y se ha identificado como un factor nuclear (core factor) de segundo orden (Avey, Patera & West, 2006). Específicamente, las bases teóricas de sus cuatro componentes tienen origen en la psicología clínica, y la aplicación al contexto laboral ha sido realizada principalmente por Fred Luthans, Carolyn Youssef y Bruce Avolio (Luthans & Avolio, 2003; Luthans, Avolio, Walumbwa & Li, 2005); aunque también ha sido trabajado por el grupo de investigación WoNT-Work and Organizational Network, dirigido por Marisa Salanova, en España.Introducción Método Resultados Discusión Referencia

SDSS spectroscopic survey of stars

In addition to optical photometry of unprecedented quality, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) is also producing a massive spectroscopic database. They discuss determination of stellar parameters, such as effective temperature, gravity and metallicity from SDSS spectra, describe correlations between kinematics and metallicity, and study their variation as a function of the position in the Galaxy. They show that stellar parameter estimates by Beers et al. show a good correlation with the position of a star in the g-r vs. u-g color-color diagram, thereby demonstrating their robustness as well as a potential for photometric parameter estimation methods. Using Beers et al. parameters, they find that the metallicity distribution of the Milky Way stars at a few kpc from the galactic plane is bimodal with a local minimum at [Z/Z{sub {circle_dot}}] {approx} -1.3. The median metallicity for the low-metallicity [Z/Z{sub {circle_dot}}] < =1.3 subsample is nearly independent of Galactic cylindrical coordinates R and z, while it decreases with z for the high-metallicity [Z/Z{sub {circle_dot}}] > -1.3 sample. they also find that the low-metallicity sample has {approx} 2.5 times larger velocity dispersion and that it does not rotate (at the {approx} 10 km/s level), while the rotational velocity of the high-metallicity sample decreases smoothly with the height above the galactic plane

A Development Consensus reconciling the Beijing Model and Washington Consensus: Views and Agenda

Reconciling the two dominant development models of the Washington Consensus (WC) and Beijing Model (BM) remains a critical challenge in the literature. The challenge is even more demanding when emerging development paradigms like the Liberal Institutional Pluralism (LIP) and New Structural Economics (NSE) schools have to be integrated. While the latter has recognized both State and market failures but failed to provide a unified theory, the former has left the challenging concern of how institutional diversity matter in the development process. We synthesize perspectives from over 150 recently published papers on development and Sino-African relations in order to present the relevance of both the WC and BM in the long-term and short-run respectively. While the paper provides a unified theory by reconciling the WC and the BM to complement the NSE, it at the same time presents a case for economic rights and political rights as short-run and long-run development priorities respectively. By reconciling the WC with the BM, the study contributes at the same to macroeconomic NSE literature of unifying a development theory and to the LIP literature on institutional preferences with stages of development. Hence, the proposed reconciliation takes into account the structural and institutional realities of nations at difference stages of the process of development

Utilising the Alexis Retractor for lateral orbital access, a case series

Lateral orbital surgery is challenging and typically involves the use of multiple traction sutures and retractors. This case series describes a novel technique utilising the Alexis retractor to provide access for lateral orbital surgery. Thirteen cases were included and the surgical technique has been described and illustrated. There were no post-operative infections or complications and the Alexis retractor provided excellent exposure whilst reducing the need for further surgical retractors