Skilled Hands Research Articles

PARAGA GAME AS TRADITIONAL SPORTS FOR BUGIS MAKASSAR TRIBAL COMMUNITIES IN SOUTH SULAWESI, INDONESIA

The current study aims to identify 1) the developmental history of Paraga game in South Sulawesi, 2) the way how to play Paraga game by the communities, 3) the movement skill aspects, and 4) the physical ability aspects. The research was conducted in center cultural exhibition that foster and preserve the game located in South Sulawesi. The current study used qualitative descriptive method using the research subject of Paraga game as the traditional sport of Bugis Makassar Tribal Communities in South Sulawesi. It contains movement skill and physical ability aspects in playing Sepak Raga attractions. The data were collected by using several techniques such as observation, documentative recording and interview. The results of Paraga game as a traditional sport of Bugis Makassar tribal communities in South Sulawesi Indonesia can be concluded as follows: 1) The history of Paraga game of Bugis Makassar tribal communities in South Sulawesi since past until today has shifted its functions, even among communities in South Sulawesi who had already considered it as traditional sports and cultural heritage which should be well preserved. Based on the history of Lontara , this game was performed as an entertaining media, event for the inauguration of the king ( somba ) of Gowa kingdom to entertain the royal guests. The first Bola Raga was played when the game was being discovered and performed by To manurung a sport derived from heaven, and made of gold ( raga bulaeng ). Along with the development of this game in the communities, a village named Paraga was found in Dusun Kaemba that is Ujung Bulo that had been visited by a king ( karaeng ) of Gowa kingdom. He spread Islam and introduced traditional musical instruments, especially drum ( ganrang ) and gong which made a Paraga appearance was no longer displayed with common movements, but it has been now accompanied by traditional musical instruments. It was certainly used as a medium to distribute Islam in Kaemba since then. Once upon a time, there were only certain people of Gowa from aristocratic family who could play the game, but it had been popular and played by the communities as time goes by. Also, it had been often performed in marriage events, and cultural festivals at provincial level and at the international level considered as traditional sports. 2) The procedure of the implementation of paraga game consists of several step and preparation. The preparations are physical preparation and psychological preparation. Other than that, the paraga players should also prepare the requirement tools such as traditional uniform, traditional music instrument which will be used to accompany the show of paraga game, and bola raga that is used to do the show of paraga game. 3) Some aspects of skill movement that must be mastered by the players is Movement skills in juggling the bola raga when standing up, sitting down, and when the player does a stack formation, Movement skills when playing the bola raga on the foot or with the hand and Movement skills when doing the last formation which is forming three stack formation, and the top most player juggle the bola raga from foot to the head with a perfect execution, that is when the bola raga sit motionlessly on top of the head of the player without falling to the ground. 4) The Physical ability aspect contained in the paraga game, there are aspect of physical ability which is the skill from the player when playing the bola raga. The forms of physical ability that exists in the game are speed, skills, accuracy, and coordination. Article visualizations:

Salvage resection of recurrent polyp after polypectomy on the colorectal anastomosis using endoscopic submucosal dissection

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) enables secure R0 resection irrespective of size or location of the lesion. However, severe fibrosis is still a condition in which ESD is technically challenging. Here we report a case for which we performed salvage ESD for a recurrent polyp after polypectomy on the colorectal anastomosis. A 77-year-old woman who had undergone polypectomy for a polyp on the anastomosis of a previous laparoscopic sigmoidectomy was referred to our endoscopy unit for removal of its recurrence. Colonoscopy revealed a sessile polyp 15 mm in diameter on the anastomosis (Fig. 1A). We decided to perform ESD as a salvage treatment (Video 1, available online at www.VideoGIE.org). We started with a circumferential mucosal incision using dry cut mode effect 2, 30 W, from the anal side, using a Dual Knife (KD-655Q; Olympus, Tokyo, Japan), followed by submucosal dissection using swift coagulation mode effect 3, 30 W. A surgical staple remained on the incision line (Fig. 1B) and it was retrieved by biopsy forceps (Radial Jaw 4; Boston Scientific, Natick, Mass) (Figs. 1C and D). As expected, there was severe fibrosis in the submucosal layer (Fig. 1E), so we carefully dissected it using an ST hood (DH15-GR; Fujifilm, Tokyo, Japan) and Hook knife (KD-620QR; Olympus). During submucosal dissection, we encountered many staples, which we retrieved. Finally, we resected a lesion, although a tiny residue remained on the margin of the lesion, which was resected by a snare (Figs. 1F and G). The pathologic diagnosis was low-grade tubular adenoma (Fig. 1H). Follow-up colonoscopy 6 months later revealed that the post-ESD ulcer had become completely scarred without residual lesion (Fig. 1I). ESD is still technically difficult for lesions with severe fibrosis. In this case, use of ESD managed to avoid the need for repetitive surgery by highly skillful hands and multiple devices. When perforation occurs during ESD, we attempt to close the perforation site using endoscopic clipping; if that fails, conversion to surgery is necessary. When endoscopic clipping succeeds, localized peritonitis is managed with conservative care, including fasting and intravenous antibiotic administration, but if generalized peritonitis occurs, again, conversion to surgery may be needed. In any case, consultation with a surgeon is necessary, so it is important to maintain good relationships with surgeons. All authors disclosed no financial relationships relevant to this publication. eyJraWQiOiI4ZjUxYWNhY2IzYjhiNjNlNzFlYmIzYWFmYTU5NmZmYyIsImFsZyI6IlJTMjU2In0.eyJzdWIiOiJmNGUyMzA3MTk4Y2I3MDI5Y2MzZWYwM2VkOGZmZWY5OSIsImtpZCI6IjhmNTFhY2FjYjNiOGI2M2U3MWViYjNhYWZhNTk2ZmZjIiwiZXhwIjoxNjc5MzM5ODc3fQ.LOBgqiPZKxi6M5tf8LJ7CemdeNGwLKSF5WbpgAriEm5B8jR7raH2F6ZagtnXwPU1rzU_pGWJCr5pBA4e0kwhFA5If84TTVSwOqNQp7j9oelcmY4pvFSUEsy04jx3r7nozoNPgr3UNQN9OkldLFyhBcB5bJscHnGaUVkWrG8ujMPUDVgx25ws4WYP6goKMz_Tono-f28fj3w5YRVsffynuQuHfuIlMcxks48GOwyWFPD_byBpnOgM-PNXf3hi0ftiHDhaFso8wMFrvTT1QuCaMXUyautrRknGbTQLiLBKIqvvsplinv5fRcztjY2RZzyXD6FMqdODuN_q8_xzuil0LQ Download .mp4 (47.66 MB) Help with .mp4 files Video 1Salvage endoscopic submucosal dissection for recurrent polyp after polypectomy on the colorectal anastomosis. Download .docx (.01 MB) Help with docx files Video Script

Velocity-based robotic assistance for refining motor skill training in a complex target-hitting task using a bio-mimetic trajectory generation model: A pilot study

Several methods have been proposed for robotic assistance in motor learning/training. However, a few major concerns such as the design of the natural motion of the hand of a trainee/patient by a robotic device considering the motor ability of the trainee/patient and a safe and effective method for teaching a trainee/patient, especially in a complex task requiring motor timing, still need to be addressed. This paper proposes velocity-based robotic assistance (VRA) using a bio-mimetic trajectory generation model for motor skill training in a target-hitting task considering the concerns mentioned above. In the designed motor task, a trainee has to contact an approaching ball with a racket at the desired time to hit the target on the wall while predicting the behavior of the ball before and after the contact. A set of the racket angle and hand velocity at the contact time is defined as a task-related motor skill. In the motor training with VRA, the time scale of a primitive reference velocity profile is automatically adapted to individual levels of task-related motor skills recorded in the past trials with no robotic assistance. The robotic device then teaches the trainee the customized reference velocity profile to facilitate motor skill training. The effect of VRA on motor skill training in a target-hitting task was investigated with sixteen healthy volunteers (male university students aged 22–24 years) to verify the concept in this pilot study. The skilled hand movement for the designed motor task was first determined using a set of results measured from four skilled subjects, and the primitive reference velocity profile with multiple peaks was successfully regenerated in a minimum-jerk model by utilizing the task-related constraints. Next, a set of training experiments with and without VRA was conducted with twelve subjects who have no experience in the target task. The results for the healthy subjects of this pilot study demonstrated that the proposed VRA was efficacious in facilitating the acquisition of task-related motor skills (with almost half trials) and in reducing temporal errors of the desired velocity (by approximately 40%).

Manual performance as predictor of literacy acquisition: A study from kindergarten to Grade 1

Many studies have shown phonological awareness to be a predictor of reading and spelling acquisition, but arguments that motor performance and manual laterality may also be predictors of literacy are much more controversial. We examined the links between manual performance, degree of laterality (absolute difference between the two hands) and literacy in a group of 73 pupils with typical development observed at the end of kindergarten and in the middle of Grade 1. Phonological awareness and hand skill were assessed in kindergarten. Reading comprehension, reading, spelling and graphomotor skills were assessed in Grade 1. Phonological awareness was confirmed to be a strong predictor for reading and spelling. Higher performance levels in reading and spelling were found to be associated with a weaker degree of laterality and with faster peg-moving by the non-dominant hand. These results support the hypothesis that manual motor skills have an impact on spelling and reading acquisition.

Total laparoscopic hysterectomy with the coagulation of the uterine arteries at their origin

Hysterectomy is one of the most frequently performed gynecological operations worldwide. Due to patient perceived advantages of technical development laparoscopic hysterectomy has become a widely used method. The attitude of patients, surgeons and service providers to laparoscopic procedures is not uniform, but total laparoscopic hysterectomy has prevailed due to its advantages from other types of laparoscopic hysterectomies. Coagulation of the uterine arteries at their origin during the standardized method of total laparoscopic hysterectomy provides further benefits for this procedure. Our aim was the presentation of our experience together with a review of the relevant literature. Operations were performed with the coagulation of the uterine arteries at their origin right at the beginning of the procedure. Inclusion criteria were the use of the standardized method, video documentation of the surgery, and pre- and postoperative haemostatus results. Our results confirm that the procedure involves an acceptable operating time that is comparable to that of open abdominal and vaginal hysterectomies, minimal blood loss that is far less than that in open procedures, a much shorter duration of hospitalization and a low complication rate. In skilled hands with proper knowledge of the anatomy the standardized method of total laparoscopic hysterectomy with the coagulation of the uterine arteries at their origin is a safe and reproducible technique which suitably utilizes the advantages of minimally invasive surgery. Orv. Hetil., 2017, 158(8), 298-303.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome mimics: the role of lung biopsy.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) mimics is a condition looking like ARDS but that does not fulfill every criterion according to the recent Berlin definition. The purpose of this review is to better delineate ARDS mimics, to discuss why the complete diagnosis of ARDS is important, and to make a brief overview on the role of open lung biopsy in this setting. Recent autopsy and lung biopsy data from ARDS patients compared lung histologic findings with the new Berlin definition of ARDS. Among them, there are some limited data about two niches, namely open lung biopsy and ARDS mimics suggesting that lung histology is important for making the diagnosis and offering the accurate management. This includes specific new treatments or stopping some medications toxic to the lung. Finally, ARDS with diffuse alveolar damage could be a specific subphenotype of ARDS with poor prognosis. An ARDS mimic enhances the need of making ARDS diagnosis as comprehensive as possible. In some limited cases, open lung biopsy in skilled hands may have implications for management.

Braiding a molecular knot

Braiding—the interlacing of three or more strands—seems fairly straightforward, but as any parent of a long-haired child will tell you, it takes skilled hands to master the technique. Braiding a molecule poses an even greater challenge because no hands are nimble enough to entwine structures on such a small scale. Using iron atoms to guide their molecular building blocks, chemists have now constructed the first braided knot (Science 2017, DOI: 10.1126/science.aal1619). This new knot, crafted by David A. Leigh and coworkers at the University of Manchester, is considerably more complex than previous examples of molecular knots, which were based on just two twisted strands. Leigh’s group made the 192-atom knot with eight different crossing points by first assembling a circular triple helicate. Helicates are helical complexes that contain metal ions. In this case, four iron ions were used to coordinate three bipyridine moieties on four identical ligand strands. The chemists

Evaluation of Student's Hand Washing Knowledge, Practices and Skills in a College Setting

Background: Hand washing is an effective way to prevent infections and diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the student’s social hand washing knowledge, practices, skills and related factors.

Sacrospinous Ligament Fixation – A Malaysian’s Tertiary Centre Experience

During the study period from January 2008 to December 2012, 177 women had transvaginal sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSF) for vault suspension at General Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Of the 177 women, 133 (75.1%) had severe uterovaginal prolapse while 44 (24.9%) had post-hysterectomy vault prolapse. All patients with severe uterovaginal prolapse and rectocele undergone vaginal hysterectomy and posterior colporrhaphy respectively. A hundred and seventy-four patients (98.3%) had anterior repair whilst 48 (27.1%) received midurethral sling as concomitant procedure to vault suspension (SSF). The mean duration of surgery was 92.1±30.2 minutes and the mean estimated blood loss was 319±199.3mls. There was no surgical mortality. Two patients (1.1%) had rectal injuries. No patient had bladder injury or de novo urinary symptoms. The commonest immediate postoperative complications was fever (98; 55.4%) followed by buttock pain in 18 (10.2%) patients. Both complications were resolved with conservative measures. Seven patients (3.9%) had sutures erosion as late complications. Of the 177 women, 158 (89.3%) and 141 (79.7%) came for the 6 and 12 months follow-up, respectively. The success rate for all three compartments ranged from 92.4% to 98.1% at 6 months and reduced to range from 85.7% to 94.4% at 12 months. The highest success rate was observed in the posterior compartment followed by apical and anterior compartment. Equally, the recurrence rate was lowest in the posterior compartment (1.9%), followed by the central (3.8%) and anterior compartment (7.5%) at 6 months’ review. This increased to 5.7% for rectocele, 7.8% for vault prolapse and 14.2% for cystocele at 12 months’ follow-up. None had repeated surgery for prolapse recurrence during the study period. In conclusion, SSF remains a high priority in our therapeutic regime for the treatment of severe uterovaginal and vault prolapse as it has a reasonably good success rate with lower serious complications in the skillful hands.

The Sound of Things to Come

Although Panorama offers no answers, its dignity and artistry fulfill an implicit contract—that the heightening and condensation which accompany masterful narrative transformation can be part of a process that, somehow, redeems. By participating as readers, the author at least grants us observer status, in this finally quite-focused collage, on a great unfolding shift underway in the security and movement of a large swath of humanity. What we do with this knowledge is up to us. Andrew Singer Trafika Europe Kate Howard. The Ornatrix. New York. Overlook Press. 2016. 300 pages. Despite being ever-evolving, the culture of beauty is one that looks similar across the ages. The details change from century to century, yet throughout time women have plucked, painted, and preened themselves to reach an ever-shifting idea of physical perfection. In so doing women have also engaged in highly risky behavior that leaves their bodies and faces permanently damaged, feeding a cycle of abuse in the name of pleasing the gaze of others. This juxtaposition of ugly consequences in the hunt for beauty has long been a dark mark on cultures, a largely open secret that women have sought to overcome or ignore for generations. In her debut historical novel set in Italy, author Kate Howard explores the dangerous business of beauty and the consequences of women pitting themselves against one another to achieve a romanticized ideal image. Flavia is the daughter of a dyer, living in rural isolation with her family and chafing against the restrictions such a life has put on her. Born with a disfiguring scar on her cheek in the shape of a bird, Flavia’s mother keeps her hidden away, and the young woman is certain she will never enjoy a normal life. This rage manifests on her sister’s wedding day, when Flavia uses deeply shaded dye to paint her birthmark onto every piece of cloth her sister owns— including her wedding dress. In response, her family sends her to live in a convent, a punishment that Flavia resents but which offers her a window to the outside world. While there she meets Ghostanza, the widow of a wealthy patriarch from a nearby city and a woman known for her beauty. Ghostanza quickly takes Flavia under her wing, calling her an ornatrix, or an assistant who helps women apply their makeup. Ghostanza’s process is complex but rests on a foundation of Venetian cerussa, a white face paint that poisons the skin. In her new role as right-hand woman to Ghostanza, Flavia begins venturing into the city to replenish her jars of makeup and soon becomes interested in using the stuff herself. To do so, and to break free of the constraints her family has put her under, Flavia hatches a plan that makes her a threat to Ghostanza and thrusts her into the high-stakes world of aristocratic beauty, where Flavia’s steady and skilled hands make her a pawn in the games of those trying to outwit each other while altering their faces. The dangers posed by centuries-old makeup and beauty practices are well documented and known—from the damage caused by applying poisonous pastes to the skin to long-lasting threats like the loss of teeth. Howard brings those threats to life in a way that history books often struggle to do, making clear the cost women were willing to pay to make themselves stark white and carefully painted. There is a desperation to her female characters—and a willing ignorance in the men—that feeds tension throughout the story, creating a sense of building danger and consequence that chases Flavia from the very early pages of the book. Where the book shines, however, is in its subtle examination of the way women compete with one another. Flavia, Ghostanza, and the other women engaged in the high art of beauty see each other as rivals or necessary tools to be used in their own search for flawless makeup. The effect is chilling, like snakes crawling over each other trying to escape a pit. That only two of the men in the novel—one of them a dealer in makeup and the other a doctor— are...

Proposed association between the hexanucleotide repeat of C9orf72 and opposability index of the thumb

Objective: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal disease caused by motor neuron and sub-cerebral projection neuron degeneration. We sought to explore the particular susceptibility of humans to neurodegeneration and whether any characteristic human features might predispose to selective vulnerability of the critical motor circuitry in ALS. The pathophysiology of the C9orf72 repeat is not yet understood, despite its role as a common cause of ALS and frontotemporal dementia. Methods: We examined the development of the monosynaptic cortico-motoneuronal system, key to skilled hand movements, measured by the thumb opposability index, and its relationship to the C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion, a strong predisposing factor for neurodegeneration, using the genomic tool BLAST. Results: We found a statistically significant linear relationship between the C9orf72 hexanucleotide bit score, a measure of genomic conservation of the aligned region across different species, and the thumb opposability index (Pearson’s correlation coefficient of 0.78, p value 0.023). The C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat was only found in humans, chimpanzees and gorillas, species with higher opposability indices. Conclusions: This may support a role of the hexanucleotide repeat in the same developmental pathways in species with higher prehensility, which may be associated with the selective vulnerability of cortico-motoneuronal cells in humans, manifested most obviously as the ‘split hand’ syndrome in ALS.

Pituitary Adenoma Surgery: Retrospective Analysis of My Personal Experience

Pituitary tumors are one of the common brain tumors after gliomas, meningieomas and acoustic schwaanomas. It is commonly encountered in Nepal also as in other countries. Retrospective case series analytical study was done. The cases of pituitary adenoma from 2009 till 2015 were included. Types of pituitary adenoma, surgical technique, postoperative morbidities, mortalities and outcome were analyzed. Total 21 cases of pituitary adenoma were operated. All the cases were diagnosed by MRI, plain and contrast. In addition, thorough hormonal evaluation was done. All the cases were operated via transnasal transsphenoidal (TSS) approach. Microscope was used in all the cases whereas endoscope was used in selected cases. Preoperative lumbar puncture and CSF drain was not done in any case. Postoperative transient nasal CSF leak and diabetes insipidus were the most common surgery related morbidities in almost 50% cases which were totally cured with time. All the patients became asymptomatic and got better after surgery. Postoperative mortality and long term morbidity were nil. Recurrence was noted in one case after 3 years of surgery. Pituitary tumor surgery is safe and rewarding provided it is done carefully with skilled hands. TSS is a good approach with minimal postoperative complications. Better to have both microscope and endoscope for TSS.Nepal Journal of Neuroscience. Vol. 13, No. 2, 2016, Page:63-67

Assessing the manipulative potentials of monkeys, apes and humans from hand proportions: implications for hand evolution.

The hand structure possesses a greater potential for performing manipulative skills than is typically observed, whether in humans or non-human anthropoids. However, a precise assessment of the potential manipulative skills of hands has been challenging, which hampers our understanding of the evolution of manipulative abilities in anthropoid hands. Here, we establish a functional model to quantitatively infer the manipulative potentials of anthropoid hands based on hand proportions. Our results reveal a large disparity of manipulative potentials among anthropoid hands. From the aspect of hand proportions, the human hand has the best manipulative potential among anthropoids. However, the species with a manipulative potential closer to that of humans are not our nearest relatives, chimpanzees, but rather, are certain monkey species. In combination with the phylogenetically informed morphometric analyses, our results suggest that the morphological changes of non-human anthropoid hands did not coevolve with the brain to facilitate the manipulative ability during the evolutionary process, although the manipulative ability is a survival skill. The changes in non-human anthropoid hands may have more likely evolved under selective pressure for locomotion than manipulation.

Effect of demographic features to middle school students’ attitude towards FeTeMM (STEM)

In this research, which is done in order to determine the demographical features on middle school students’ 6th, 7th and 8th grades towards FeTeMM (STEM), scanning design is used. It is performed with 581 middle school students, and data are collected through Middle School Students’ point of view to Stem (S-Stem) scale. The research is implemented during 2015-2016 spring period. For statistical evaluation of gathered data, independent t-test and one direction variance analysis (anova), one direction variance analysis Kruskal-Wallis are used. Also, data are evaluated on 0.05 level relevance and its percentage, frequency, average and standard deviation levels are calculated. According to findings gathered from the study, it is seen that opinion of students to FeTeMM (STEM), the mother education level and father education level have a great effect but gender and class level haven’t. On the other hand, applied sciences, like maths, engineering and 21st century skills, the effects of students’ gender, mom and father education level and grade level are expressed.

Hemispheric speech lateralisation in the developing brain is related to motor praxis ability

Commonly displayed functional asymmetries such as hand dominance and hemispheric speech lateralisation are well researched in adults. However there is debate about when such functions become lateralised in the typically developing brain. This study examined whether patterns of speech laterality and hand dominance were related and whether they varied with age in typically developing children. 148 children aged 3–10 years performed an electronic pegboard task to determine hand dominance; a subset of 38 of these children also underwent functional Transcranial Doppler (fTCD) imaging to derive a lateralisation index (LI) for hemispheric activation during speech production using an animation description paradigm. There was no main effect of age in the speech laterality scores, however, younger children showed a greater difference in performance between their hands on the motor task. Furthermore, this between-hand performance difference significantly interacted with direction of speech laterality, with a smaller between-hand difference relating to increased left hemisphere activation. This data shows that both handedness and speech lateralisation appear relatively determined by age 3, but that atypical cerebral lateralisation is linked to greater performance differences in hand skill, irrespective of age. Results are discussed in terms of the common neural systems underpinning handedness and speech lateralisation.

Voxel-wise grey matter asymmetry analysis in left- and right-handers

Handedness is thought to originate in the brain, but identifying its structural correlates in the cortex has yielded surprisingly incoherent results. One idea proclaimed by several authors is that structural grey matter asymmetries might underlie handedness. While some authors have found significant associations with handedness in different brain areas (e.g. in the central sulcus and precentral sulcus), others have failed to identify such associations. One method used by many researchers to determine structural grey matter asymmetries is voxel based morphometry (VBM). However, it has recently been suggested that the standard VBM protocol might not be ideal to assess structural grey matter asymmetries, as it establishes accurate voxel-wise correspondence across individuals but not across both hemispheres. This could potentially lead to biased and incoherent results. Recently, a new toolbox specifically geared at assessing structural asymmetries and involving accurate voxel-wise correspondence across hemispheres has been published [F. Kurth, C. Gaser, E. Luders. A 12-step user guide for analyzing voxel-wise gray matter asymmetries in statistical parametric mapping (SPM), Nat Protoc 10 (2015), 293–304]. Here, we used this new toolbox to re-assess grey matter asymmetry differences in left- vs. right-handers and linked them to quantitative measures of hand preference and hand skill. While we identified several significant left-right asymmetries in the overall sample, no difference between left- and right-handers reached significance after correction for multiple comparisons. These findings indicate that the structural brain correlates of handedness are unlikely to be rooted in macroscopic grey matter area differences that can be assessed with VBM. Future studies should focus on other potential structural correlates of handedness, e.g. structural white matter asymmetries.

When Every Second Counts: Novel Device to Shorten Chest Tube Insertion Time in a Pre-hospital Setting

Tension pneumothorax is a life-threatening medical emergency mostly associated with chest trauma. It is considered a leading cause of death due to injury and represents a substantial portion of potentially preventable deaths in the battlefield. The accepted therapeutic approach is manual thoracostomy with chest tube insertion. This is a relatively simple procedure when performed by skilled hands and in optimal conditions. In the battlefield and in other pre-hospital settings or when performed by unprofessional personnel, it may become complicated and time-consuming. We describe a novel technique for the treatment of pneumothorax in the pre-hospital setting, utilizing a quick, one-handed, easy-to-apply approach.

A Study on Writing Preparedness Levels of First Grade Students

The aim of this study is to analyse the preparedness levels of first year primary students in writing regarding some variables. Mixed method has been used in the study. The quantitative part of the study involves the data regarding the students’ preparedness levels and their distribution according to gender, age and getting a pre school education. Whereas, the qualitative part includes the student interviews. The study has been carried out with 90 first year primary school students in the city center of Trabzon. Asdata collection tools, a personal information form prepared by the researchers, a semi-structured interview form and three assessment tools to determine the preparedness levels of the students have been used developed by Yangin (2007). Quantitative data regarding the study have been calculated the frequency, percentage and arithmetic mean. It has been analyzed by statistical methods (SPSS program) that students' level of writing preparedness differ whether according to the variables taken into consideration inthe research. The results obtained from this research indicate that about more than half of the students hold the pencil correctly while nearly half of them hold the pencil incorrectly. In the research, it is asserted that more than half of the students do not hold paper correctly and a part of them do not leave the right distance between paper and eye. Looking into the research results, it is seen that students are in “Average” level regarding the drawing lines properly and correctly; hand skills, on the other hand, are at a “satisfactory” level. It is stated in the research that students are aware of directional concepts except righ-left. While students’ levels of preparedness and sub-dimensions are influenced by gender; students’ levels of preparedness and sub-dimensions are not influenced by age. Findings of the research display that levels of writing preparedness changes according to whether the student has received a preschool education only in terms of hand skills. This research also reveals that students have positive opinions regarding writing.

The effects of worksite exercises on physical capabilities of workers in an industry of a developing country: A randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND: Worksite exercise to promote health is a relatively new concept in the industries of developing countries. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the first-time feasibilities and effects of worksite exercises on physical capabilities of workers in an industry with limited sport facilities. METHODS: A randomized controlled-study was conducted. Ninety-one female workers were randomly assigned to one of the three study groups: two exercise groups and a control group. The workers in the exercise groups participated in group exercises 3 times per week. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), the level of hand skill, and hand grip strengths of the workers were measured before and after the 8-week intervention. RESULTS: Approximately 75% of the workers (n = 68) completed the study. Adherence was higher in the exercise groups. Overall, no improvement was observed in the control group. VO2max increased in both exercise groups (p < 0.05) but no difference was recorded between the groups. The level of hand skill was the least affected in all groups. Strengthening exercises conducted with elastic bands were superior to the repetitive movements in terms of strength gains. CONCLUSION: Exercises capable of improving physical fitness and strength can be integrated into the usual workflow of an industrial workplace with minimal cost. Ensuring sport facilities and instruments during all working hours may improve adherence to worksite exercises.

Tooth-Brushing Ability After Left Stroke

Abstract Date Presented 4/8/2016 This study evaluated tooth-brushing ability in people after left stroke, using their ipsilateral, nondominant, left limb. Rehabilitation of the ipsilateral hand and specific skills such as tooth brushing warrants additional consideration. Primary Author and Speaker: Andy Wu Additional Authors and Speakers: Dua’a Alwawi, Bonnie Branson