Haptic Water; Haptics on an Animated Surface

Haptic rendering is becoming an important element of multimodal interaction. Often a real-time coupling between haptics and visualization is required, based upon an underlying physical model. In this paper, we study haptic rendering and visualization of the generation of waves in shallow water. For applications, it is usually more important to come up with a believable simulation, rather than a physically accurate simulation. Therefore our focus was on obtaining suitable simplifications of the Kas-Miller model, and incorporation into a multimodal environment, aiming at haptic rendering and real-time visualization of waves. The result has been implemented and tested using a Haptic Master device, produced by FCS Control Systems

Lessons learnt and lessons missed from flight simulation

This article reviews progress in the development of technologies used in flight simulation and in the training of dentists, drawing out the similarities in training objectives and the limitations of the training devices. It summarises the advances in pilot training with recognised international standards for the construction and acceptance of training devices, noting the impact of flight simulation as a major contributor to the improvements in flight safety. Attention is drawn to the positive transfer of training from synthetic training to airborne operations. The evolution of training methods in dentistry is described covering virtual reality and haptic simulation. The distinction is drawn that tactile feel and visualisation, which is very different from other forms of simulation, is critical to the introduction of synthetic training in dentistry. In particular, progress in methods to provide haptic technologies is reviewed and the importance of novel methods of visualisation, specific to dentistry, are reviewed. This article concludes by outlining progress in flight simulation that is relevant to synthetic training in dentistry but also stresses the differences between the two disciplines. The progress and limitations of flight simulation and the current status and future of synthetic training in dentistry are described, highlighting the potential benefits of lower-cost haptic devices and the lack of standardisation

Experimental Treatments for Spinal Cord Injury: What you Should Know

Experiencing a spinal cord injury (SCI) is extremely distressing, both physically and psychologically, and throws people into a complex, unfamiliar world of medical procedures, terminology, and decision making. You may have already had surgery to stabilize the spinal column and reduce the possibility of further damage. You are understandably distressed about the functions you may have lost below the level of spinal injury. You wish to recover any lost abilities as soon as possible. You, your family, or friends may have searched the Internet for treatments and cures

Swordfish bill injury involving abdomen and vertebral column: case report and review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Penetrating injuries of the abdomen and spinal canal that involve organic material of animal origin are extremely rare and derive from domestic and wild animal attacks or fish attacks.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>In this case report we present the unique, as far as the literature is concerned, unprovoked woman's injury to the abdomen by a swordfish. There are only four cases of swordfish attacks on humans in the literature - one resulted to thoracic trauma, two to head trauma and one to knee trauma, one of which was fatal - none of which were unprovoked. Three victims were professional or amateur fishermen whereas in the last reported case the victim was a bather as in our case. Our case is the only case where organic debris of animal's origin remained in the spinal canal after penetrating trauma.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Although much has been written about the management of penetrating abdominal and spinal cord trauma, controversy remains about the optimal management. Moreover, there is little experience in the management of patients with such spinal injuries, due to the fact that such cases are extremely rare. In this report we focus on the patient's treatment with regard to abdominal and spinal trauma and present a review of the literature.</p

Translational considerations in injectable cell-based therapeutics for neurological applications: concepts, progress and challenges

Significant progress has been made during the past decade towards the clinical adoption of cell-based therapeutics. However, existing cell-delivery approaches have shown limited success, with numerous studies showing fewer than 5% of injected cells persisting at the site of injection within days of transplantation. Although consideration is being increasingly given to clinical trial design, little emphasis has been given to tools and protocols used to administer cells. The different behaviours of various cell types, dosing accuracy, precise delivery, and cell retention and viability post-injection are some of the obstacles facing clinical translation. For efficient injectable cell transplantation, accurate characterisation of cellular health post-injection and the development of standardised administration protocols are required. This review provides an overview of the challenges facing effective delivery of cell therapies, examines key studies that have been carried out to investigate injectable cell delivery, and outlines opportunities for translating these findings into more effective cell-therapy interventions