Table Top Research Articles

New Age Mages: An Interactive Way to Explore and Subvert Gender Biases

From a young age, children are exposed to societal standards of gender and gender roles and, by extension, inherent sex-based biases, which can become inculcated into their worldview. These biases affect their daily lives negatively in ways that can seem almost natural unless specifically pointed out. Table Top Role Playing Games (TTRPGs) are pen-and-paper games that revolve around collaborative storytelling in a shared, collectively imagined and built world, usually involving 2 to 5 players. TTRPGs provide a safe, controlled environment to mimic social interactions in a way that video games and other forms of media cannot. This paper introduces a new TTRPG, New Age Mages, aimed at a younger audience, with the goal of introducing the concept of biases and helping them to see things from a different perspective. In New Age Mages, players interact with a world where magic is commonplace as students that have recently unlocked their magic, while a Game Master (GM) narrates the world as determined by the players’ choices. The game’s magic system allows it to mimic the influence and/or impact of modern-day gender roles and biases without referring to them directly while remaining simple and easy to learn for a new player. The game also aims to subtly incentivise the Players to make decisions that would be different from what they might usually make, and promote trying to understand the others’ points of view. We believe this game will be useful for those seeking to help children gain a better understanding of gender roles and their subversion. We use a questionnaire based on the Gender Role Attitudes Scale (GRAS) to measure the impact gameplay has on players’ ideas of gender roles. We also test the game with some initial gameplay experiments among a smaller audience that is more familiar with TTRPGs and present the results. Our work explores not only the ability of TTRPGs to influence perspectives and opinions, but also doing so specifically in the space of understanding gender roles among a younger audience.

PERANCANGAN NAKAS MULTIFUNGSI HIDDEN DRAWER DENGAN MIX MATERIAL

In the development of minimalist and modern interior design, space limitations are a major problem, especially in creating a multifunctional bedroom design. The bedroom is not only used as a place to rest, but is used as a place for storage, work, and other activities, so it requires several functional and efficient design solutions. One of the products developed is a multifunctional nightstand that has been equipped with more storage, hidden drawers, and a table top that can be directed to the bed. This product is designed using a combination of teak wood, plywood, and veneer with natural finishing, giving a natural and aesthetic impression. Research on this product uses quantitative method research through filling out questionnaires to respondents. The process of designing this product follows by using the design thinking method which involves five stages, namely the empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test stages. The final result is a prototype of a multifunctional nightstand that has been equipped with woven rattan to add an aesthetic impression. The data shows that this product obtained score of 91.05%, which shows that this product is very attractive and meets the needs as a creative solution to the problem of limited space.

Pelatihan Manajemen Bencana Dengan Table Top Disaster Simulation: Perintisan Desa Siaga Bencana di Kabupaten Musi Rawas Sumatera Selatan

Minimizing the impact that occurs due to disasters, and preparing for the possibility of a disaster occurring is the most important thing that must be done, including preparing human resources to be ready to face the disaster itself. One form of preparing society to be able to respond well to disasters is by providing good education and training on how to respond to disasters. Table Top Disaster Simulation is an effective education and training method for preparing human resources. This activity aims to increase community knowledge about disaster management as part of the Disaster Preparedness Village pilot in Air Satan Village, Musi Rawas Regency, South Sumatra. This activity is community service using education and training methods with a total of 33 participants. Participants' disaster management knowledge was measured before and after attending education and training using a questionnaire. The evaluation results showed that there was an increase in knowledge before being given the training with the average knowledge score of participants being 44.71, while after being given the training the average knowledge score was 78.32. After conducting education and training using tabletop disaster simulation, public knowledge about disaster management increased. It is hoped that after this pioneering disaster preparedness village activity, education and training will continue to be carried out on other factors in responding to disasters such as training on handling injuries for lay people, training on handling drowning victims for lay people, and so on.

Capturing MRSA Diversity by Integrating Genomic and Epidemiological Data of Patients and their Spaces

Background: Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is known to cause frequent and severe infections in community living centers, potentially resulting in significant mortality for elderly patients. More research is needed to understand how to utilize genomic and epidemiological data to understand characteristics that may lead to increased transmission. We hypothesized that combining genomic and epidemiological information to sample patients and their environments during long-term stays, we will be able to capture a diverse set of MRSA strains. Method: This work included genome sequencing of patient and environmental samples from 11 patients within the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System from May 4, 2021- November 16, 2022. All 11 patients tested positive for MRSA during their stay (mean days = 31). Patient and environmental samples were taken throughout their stays, screened for MRSA, and whole-genome sequenced. Single nucleotide variants (SNVs) were identified by mapping reads and calling variants against strain-specific reference genomes. We used ape v5.6-2 in R v4.2.2 to analyze and infer evolution, acquisition, and transmission events based on pairwise SNV distances. Genomic clusters were determined using stats v3.6.2, with a SNV distance threshold of 20. Result: Samples that were collected from patient bodily sites were able to reveal 20 distinct genomic clusters of MRSA (patient hands: n = 10, nares: n = 7, groin: n = 3). Environmental samples from patient environments also revealed distinct genomic MRSA clusters (tv remote: n = 9, toilet seat and bed rail: n = 6, table top, bed control, and call button: n = 5, bed curtain: n = 4, pulse ox = 2, cell phone, tray, pulse ox, mat, body hoist wrap, and bed: n = 1). Conclusion: The identification of various genomic clusters from patients and their environmental reservoirs suggests intrahost variation that can only be captured by using a more holistic approach of integrating epidemiology and genomic sequencing. Developing studies that incorporate genomic data, various environmental sources, and multiple isolates over time within community living centers can increase our understanding of strains that are more likely to transmit, survive on living and non-living surfaces and therefore lead to improved recommendation for infection prevention interventions and drivers of endemicity.Disclosure: Lona Mody: NIH, VA, CDC, Kahn Foundation; Honoraria: UpToDate; Contracted Research: Nano-Vibronix

Interchanging Reusable and Disposable Nebulizers Used with Home-Based Compressors May Result in Inconsistent Dosing: A Laboratory Investigation with Device Combinations Supplied to the US Healthcare Environment.

Reusable nebulizer-compressor combinations deliver inhaled medications for patients with chronic lung diseases. On hospital discharge, the patient may take home the disposable nebulizer that was packagedand combine it with their home compressor. Though this practice may reduce waste, it can increase variability in medication delivery. Our study compared several reusable and disposable nebulizers packaged with compressor kits used in the US. We included a common disposable hospital nebulizer that may not be supplied with popular home kits but may be brought home after a hospitalization or emergency department visit. We focused on fine droplet mass < 4.7 μm aerodynamic diameter (FDM<4.7 μm), associated with medication delivery to the airways of the lungs. We evaluated the following nebulizer-compressor combinations (n = 5 replicates): 1. OMBRA® Table Top Compressor with MC 300® reusable and Airlife™ MistyMax™ 10® disposable nebulizer, 2. Sami-the-Seal® compressor with SideStream® reusable and disposable nebulizers and Airlife™ MistyMax 10™ disposable nebulizer, 3. VIOS® compressor with LC Sprint® reusable, and VixOne® and Airlife™ MistyMax™ disposable nebulizers, 4. Innospire® Elegance® compressor with SideStream® reusable and disposable nebulizers and Airlife™ MistyMax 10™ disposable nebulizer, 5. Willis-the-Whale® compressor with SideStream® reusable and disposable nebulizers and Airlife™ MistyMax 10™ disposable nebulizer, 6. Pari PRONEB® Max compressor with LC Sprint® reusable and Airlife™ MistyMax 10™ disposable nebulizer. We placed a 3-ml albuterol solution (0.833 mg/ml) in each nebulizer. A bacterial/viral filter was attached to the nebulizer mouthpiece to capture emitted medication, with the filter exit coupled to a simulator of a tidal breathing adult (rate = 10 cycles/min; Vt = 600 ml; I/E ratio = 1:2). The filter was replaced at 1-min intervals until onset of sputter. Droplet size distributions (n = 5 replicates/system) were determined in parallel by laser diffractometry. Cumulative FDM<4.7 μm varied from 381 ± 33 μg for the best performing combination (Proneb/LC-Sprint) to 150 ± 21 μg for the system with the lowest output (VIOS®/MistyMax 10™). Substituting one nebulizer for another can result in large differences in medication delivery to the lungs.

Investigation of HIFU beam propagation through acoustic holograms in water

We investigated variations in the HIFU beam of a clinical system as it traverses acoustic holograms—small artificial objects of different types—within a tank that was filled in with the degassed deionized water. The pressure distribution within the HIFU beam was assessed in multiple planes perpendicular to the beam axis. The ultrasound transducer with the focal length of 14 cm inside the Sonalleve table top (Profound Medical, Mississauga, ON, Canada) generated the focusing ultrasonic beam, which propagated through the water. Each hologram was positioned 3 cm below the focal plane, with precise adjustments of positions and angles for each measurement. Pressure measurements were conducted using the needle hydrophone HNA-0400 (ONDA Corp, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) mounted on a 3D positioning system. The motors of the positioning system were controlled, and pressure values were recorded using a GUI generated in LabVIEW. The displacement step created by the motors on each axis was 0.01 mm. The properties of the holograms were reconstructed, considering the experimental data obtained. Our findings demonstrated that the shape, size, elasticity, and placement of each acoustic hologram significantly influenced the observed field pattern. This work was supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (“MR-HIFU-Pancreas”, FKZ:13GW0364D).

The Effect of The Covid Simulator Table Top on The Knowledge and Attitude of School Children in Preventing Covid-19

The most dangerous infectious disease that is currently being debated around the world is the Corona virus disease. The problems and challenges currently faced by educational institutions require prevention strategies by providing motivation as well as guidance and enthusiasm in the learning activities of elementary school students. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of table top covid simulator on knowledge and attitude of elementary school students. Methods: Pre-experimental research using one group pre-test and post-test design. The population in the study was 120, and a sample of 38 elementary school students was obtained using a total sampling technique. The data collection technique uses a pre-post test which is carried out by assessing elementary school students regarding their attitudes and knowledge of preventing Covid-19 using a questionnaire guide. Data processing by editing, coding, scoring, and tabulating and analyzed by Paired T-Test. Results: This study shows that the statistical test results of the independent and dependent variables in this study are the significance value &lt;0.05, which is 0.000 with a correlation coefficient value of 0.82, which means that there is an effect of the table top simulator on the knowledge and attitudes of elementary school students about preventing covid-19. Conclusion: Table top covid simulator can improve attitudes and knowledge about prevention of covid-19 in elementary school students, it has a positive impact on students in complying with health protocols and preventing infection transmission.

Visualization of Human Hand Tendon Mechanical Anisotropy in 3D Using High-Frequency Dual-Direction Shear Wave Imaging.

High-resolution ultrasound shear wave elastography has been used to determine the mechanical properties of hand tendons. However, because of fiber orientation, tendons have anisotropic properties; this results in differences of shear wave velocity (SWV) between ultrasound scanning cross sections. Rotating transducers can be used to achieve full-angle scanning. However, this technique is inconvenient to implement in clinical settings. Therefore, in this study, high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) dual-direction shear wave imaging (DDSWI) based on two external vibrators was used to create both transverse and longitudinal shear waves in the human flexor carpi radialis tendon. SWV maps from two directions were obtained using 40-MHz ultrafast imaging at the same scanning cross section. The anisotropic map was calculated pixel by pixel, and 3D information was obtained using mechanical scanning. A standard phantom experiment was then conducted to verify the performance of the proposed HFUS DDSWI technique. Human studies were also conducted where volunteers assumed three hand postures: relaxed (Rel), full fist (FF), and tabletop (TT). The experimental results indicated that both the transverse and the longitudinal SWVs increased due to tendon flexion. The transverse SWV surpassed the longitudinal SWV in all cases. The average anisotropic ratios for the Rel, FF, and TT hand postures were 1.78, 2.01, and 2.21, respectively. Both the transverse and the longitudinal SWVs were higher at the central region of the tendon than at the surrounding region. In conclusion, the proposed HFUS DDSWI technique is a high-resolution imaging technique capable of characterizing the anisotropic properties of tendons in clinical applications.

Enhancing Disaster Resilience: Evaluating the Implementation of an Early Warning System through Table Top Exercises

This research investigates the periodic implementation of an Early Warning System (EWS) using the Table Top Exercise (TTX) method to assess its effectiveness in enhancing community preparedness for disasters. Specifically, it analyzes the utilization of the Early Warning System as a disaster communication medium through the Table Top Exercise method and identifies challenges faced within the Disaster Risk Reduction Forum in Gung Pinto Village, Kec. Namanteran District, Karo. The study focuses on the People-Centered Early Warning System and the incorporation of Local Wisdom in the Early Warning System. The research employs the Knowledge Construction Theory as its theoretical framework. Data is gathered through interviews, observations, and document analysis, with qualitative analysis methods applied. The study concludes that the implementation of an Early Warning System (EWS) can significantly mitigate risks and safeguard communities against disaster impacts. Additionally, it highlights challenges such as limited information accessibility, resource constraints, and time limitations in the process.

Use of simulation models when developing and testing hospital evacuation plans: a tool for improving emergency preparedness

BackgroundIn recent decades, analyses of hospitals evacuations have generated valuable knowledge. Unfortunately, these evacuation case studies often lack crucial details and policies that would be helpful in evacuation preparedness. The aim of this study was to use a simulation model to illustrate how it can aid emergency planners in the development, testing, and revising of hospitals evacuation plans. This study includes evacuation exercises at two emergency hospitals in Region Stockholm, Sweden.MethodsA scientifically validated simulation system for “table top” exercises was used for interactive training of hospital medical staff, prehospital staff and collaborating agencies. All participants acted in their usual professionals’ roles. The exercises were run in real-time and mirrored actual hospital resources with the aid of moveable magnetic symbols illustrating patients, staff and transport, presented on whiteboards. During the exercises, observers and independent instructors documented actions taken and post-exercise surveys were conducted to obtain reactions and compare results.ResultsThe simulation system allowed the emergency planner to test the whole evacuation process, making it possible to train and evaluate the important functions of management, coordination, and communication. Post-exercise surveys explored participants perception of the exercises. Analysis of open-ended questions included areas for improvement and resulted in five main categories: (1) management and liaison; (2) communication; (3) logistics; (4) medical care and patient prioritisation; and (5) resource utilisation.ConclusionsThis study has shown that “table top” exercises using a validated simulation system can serve to guide emergency planners when developing evacuation plans, procedures, and protocols as well in training of all medical staff. The system also served to train adaptive thinking, leadership, communication, and clarification of critical functions.

Table Top Salt Triage In Improving Pre Hospital Triage Capacity And Disaster Victim Handling Preparedness

Disasters have broad and complex impacts, both on humans and the surrounding environment. One of the challenges often faced in health management efforts in disaster areas is the lack of skills of nurses and other health workers in disaster victim preparedness and the ability to carry out pre hospital triage which will ultimately hamper health services. The knowledge and skills of nurses in handling disaster victims including conducting triage on victims are still in the sufficient category at 60%. In pre hospital situations, the correctness of officers in making triage decisions in handling victims has a very important role. The research objective was to determine the effect of the SALT triage table top in improving pre hospital triage capabilities and disaster victim handling preparedness. The research design used was a quasi experiment with a pre-post test with a control group. Sampling using purposive sampling technique. The number of respondents obtained was 78 people. The results of the Wilcoxon test showed a value of p = 0.000, which means that there is an influence of the SALT triage table top in increasing the ability of pre hospital triage and preparedness for handling disaster victims. Keywords: disaster; preparedness; pre hospital; table tops; triageTable Top Salt Triage Dalam Meningkatkan Kemampuan Triage Pre Hospital Dan Kesiapsiagaan Penanganan Korban BencanaABSTRAK Bencana memiliki dampak yang luas dan kompleks, baik terhadap manusia maupun lingkungan sekitarnya. Salah satu tantangan yang sering dihadapi dalam upaya penanggulangan kesehatan di daerah bencana adalah kekurangan ketrampilan perawat dan tenaga kesehatan lainnya dalam kesiapsiagaan penanganan korban bencana maupun kemampuan melakukan triage pre hospital yang akhirnya akan menghambat pelayanan kesehatan. Pengetahuan dan ketrampilan perawat dalam penanganan korban bencana termasuk melakukan triage terhadap korban masih berada pada kategori cukup sebesar 60%. Pada situasi pre hospital, kebenaran petugas dalam membuat keputusan triage dalam penanganan korban memiliki peran yang sangat penting. Tujuan penelitian untuk mengetahui pengaruh table top SALT triage dalam meningkatkan kemampuan triage pre hospital dan kesiapsiagaan penanganan korban bencana. Desain penelitian yang digunakan adalah quasi eksperiment dengan pre-post test with control group. Pengambilan sampel dengan menggunakan tehnik purposive sampling. Responden yang didapatkan berjumlah 78 orang. Hasil uji Wilcoxon menunjukkan nilai p = 0,000 yang artinya ada pengaruh table top SALT triage dalam meningkatkan kemampuan triage pre hospital dan kesiapsiagaan penanganan korban bencana. Kata Kunci : bencana; kesiapsiagaan; pre hospital; table top; triage

Pre and Post Earthquake Slope Stability Analysis Using Equivalent Linear Method – a Case Study of Jure Landslide

Slope stability analysis is one of the most important tools to determine the stability of both natural as well as man-made slopes. The main objective of this study is to compare safety factor of the Jure landslide before and after an earthquake occurrence using Geostudio QUAKE/W module. Three different positions of water table (top, middle and bottom of debris) were considered for the study. The safety factors of both deterministic and probabilistic case are determined. The Gorkha Earthquake's time history data were taken into consideration. Both the bedrock and debris are modeled using the equivalent linear approach for dynamic analysis. The findings indicate that the slope was on the verge of failing prior to the earthquake and is predicted to fail following the earthquake event that was taken into account.

Fracture load and failure mode of semi-direct resin composite occlusal veneers: Influence of design and mechanical cycling

AimsTo evaluate the influence of the type of preparation and mechanical cycling on the fracture load and failure mode of semi-direct posterior resin composite restorations. MethodsIn total, 70 healthy third molars were used; 10 belonging to the control group (C - unprepared teeth) and 60 teeth prepared and restored with nanoparticle resin composite, divided into 3 groups (n = 20): O - exclusively occlusal preparation (Table Top); OV - occlusal preparation with buccal extension (Veneerlay); OVP - Occlusal preparation with chamfer on the proximal and buccal-lingual/palatal surfaces (Overlay). The preparations were performed with diamond burs with a thickness of 1 mm. The restorations were made with nanoparticulate resin composite (Filtek Z350 XT) and subsequently received additional polymerization (thermoprocessing). Cementation was performed with the use of universal adhesive system (Single Bond Universal) on dental substrate and dual resin cement (RelyX ARC). Half of the teeth in each group (n = 10) were submitted to mechanical cycling, simulating 6 months of clinical service (5 × 105 fatigue cycles), under dynamic loading of 130 N, at a frequency of 2Hz. Fracture load tests were performed in a universal testing machine with a 200 kgf load cell. Failure mode was classified using scores. Generalized linear models and Fisher Exact tests were applied to the data (significance level of 5%). ResultsThere were no significant differences between the types of preparation (p = 0.9435), or relative to cycling (p = 0.3764). The Fisher Exact Test showed a significant association between the groups and the type of failure (p = 0.0006), with preparations O (with cycling) and OVP (with and without cycling) exhibiting most failures with restoration fractures without involvement of the dental remnant. ConclusionsSemi-direct restorations showed resistance to fracture load similar to that of healthy teeth and were capable of withstanding functional masticatory loads. The type of preparation influenced the failure mode of teeth. The Table Top and Overlay types of preparations were those had fewer catastrophic failures, suggesting that since they are more conservative preparations, they made it possible for the tooth to receive a new restorative procedure in the future in cases of failures.

Analisis Strategi Promosi Dalam Meningkatkan Penjualan Produk Pada Resto Dan Pusat Oleh-Oleh Putra Nirwana Magetan Di Era Pandemi Covid

In this era of globalization, Indonesia faces strict industrial competition, especially in an increasingly open and independent culinary industry. The Son of Nirwana is the largest rest and by-by center that has the most complete facilities in the Magetan area. Strategic action needs to be taken by managers to always be innovative, understand market trends and adaptive in order to survive the Covid 19 pandemic era. The study aims to analyze the Promotional Strategies on Resto and the Nirwana Son Magetan Center during the Covid pandemic period in increasing product sales. The study used descriptive qualitative methods and triangulation data validity analysis. Data collection is done through observations, interviews, and documentation. The results of the analysis obtained in this study indicate that Resto and the Center for the Promotion of the Son of Nirwana Magetan implemented several promotional mixtures, namely: advertising, sales promotion through the provision of product samples, discounted prices and free shipping costs, public relations, individual sales and direct marketing, In addition, the promotion carried out by Resto &amp; the Center by the Son Of Nirvana Magetan through the use of promotional media such as the internet (social media) through instagram and the group of whatsapp tourists (table top) so that resto and center by the son of Niriwana can survive in the pandemic era.

From traditional to continental to inter-continental and back in search of the roots: A culinary journey of the typical Malayalee

Identity, culture, tradition, and heritage define our basic food habits. From tapioca and fish curry served on a leaf platter; cold rice and mango pickle served in an earthen pot; black coffee with jaggery served in a porcelain cup; fish wrapped in a banana leaf and barbequed in firewood; the Malayalee shifted his palate to the taste of the neighbouring state's idli, sambhar and vada; to the North Indian dishes, Mughalai dishes, continental, and inter-continental dishes served in steel plates to Chinese porcelain to western crockery. But after savouring dishes pan world, the typical Malayalee is back in search of his roots. This paper aims to delineate that search and identify the various traditional dishes now understood to be healthy, and tasty and anchoring the community to the roots of food culture. This study involves an in-depth observation and analysis of food culture, identity, heritage, cooking techniques and ingredients used. The change in the culinary aspects of a typical Malayalee's life is understood and his search back to his roots is portrayed through this article. Therefore, this study highlights the gastronomical journey of the Malayalee to the traditional roots of Kerala cuisine in the modern age of globalization. The Valorisation of established classic dishes from the margins to the table top of the finest restaurants is also analysed.

Evaluation of Entamoeba Histolytica on Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces among Students Residing in School Hostels at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Amoebiasis stands as a prominent contributor to parasitic-related fatalities on a global scale, an estimated 50 million instances of invasive Entamoeba histolytica disease manifest annually, potentially leading to up to 100,000 deaths. The study examines the presence of E. histolytica on food and non-food contact surfaces among students residing within the hostel of the Obafemi Awolowo University. During the study, 50 samples were randomly collected from different rooms of 7 halls of residence. The study was carried out to determine prevalence of amoebiasis infection among students residing in the halls of residence at the Obafemi Awolowo University. Samples were collected using sterile swab sticks from surfaces in both food contact and non-food contact. Sterile water was added to each of the swab sticks and centrifuged. The saline and iodine preparations from the sediment were examined under microscope using x10 and x 40 objective lens for cyst of the parasite. The result of this study shows a high prevalence of E. histolytica parasites of 22%. Of the hall of residence, the highest prevalence was observed at Fajuyi Hall (8%), followed by Moremi Hall (6%) and Akintola Hall (4%), while the lowest prevalence rate was observed at ETF Hall and PG Hall both at 2%. The prevalence of the E. histolytica parasite among surfaces directly in contact with food was 18%, while the overall prevalence of E. histolytica parasites of non-food contact stood at 4%. On food contact, Moremi hall has the highest prevalence of E. histolytica with 4% on plate, Fajuyi 2% on both pot and frying pan, while 2% were observed on spoon and grater in Akintola respectively. On non-food contact, 2% prevalence was observed on gas cooker and on table top in both Fajuyi and Moremi halls. The high prevalence of E. histolytica can be attributed to the poor hygiene of students and the contamination from the source of purchase of food items and water source. Therefore, it is recommended that the student populace be sensitized on personal hygiene, mode of transmission of the parasite and information on the preventive measures should be passing across to the student in order to prevent further transmission of the parasite.

3D printed enucleated eye holder for research and surgical training

AbstractPurpose: The aim of this study is to provide an affordable eye holder to secure enucleated eyes for the purposes of ophthalmology surgical training or research. Whilst mannequin heads are an excellent tool for surgical training, a surgical microscope is pre‐requisite to accommodate this. Table top microscopes are widely available and commonly used for both research and surgical training, however, there are a limited number of available products to secure the eye reliably in this setting. We present a 3D‐printed enucleated eye cup holder that can be mass produced as a low‐cost training tool.Methods: Using Solidworks, we designed a 3D printable modular device that consists of three pieces forming an eye cup holder. The main cup has 8 symmetric round holes to secure the eye in the horizontal and vertical planes either on recti muscles, their insertions, conjunctiva or episclera using sutures. This provides a customizable level of stability to allow precise surgery that can be made more repeatable for research purposes and surgical training. Two support pillars mount the main cup on an optical board which is placed under the microscope. The main cup can be reprinted for replacement conveniently and can be customised to adapt to different microscope dimensions and different cadaveric eyes.Results: This system has been tested on cadaveric porcine and human eyes in both training and research environments. During the operation, the main cup is placed on the base of the microscope and mounted on the optical board underneath by support pillars. The whole system is fixed on optical board to achieve better stability as well as adaptability to different microscopes. Other equipment can be added on the optical board for further tests. The eyes are sutured securely on the holder and the position is adjustable. Ophthalmologists and trainees were able to practice appropriately on the system. This system was affordable at a cost of approximately €24 to print.Conclusions: Herein, we present a 3D‐printed enucleated eye cup holder that can be secured to the base of a microscope using an optical board. The adjustable positioning of the eye via suturing provides a convenient surgical training and research experience. The holder is released as an open‐source computer‐aided design file with customizable dimensions for interested trainees and researchers.image

King Lear “After” Auschwitz: Shakespeare, Appropriation and Theatres of Catastrophe in Post-War British Drama. By Richard Ashby

Richard Ashby’s King Lear “After” Auschwitz takes flight from Adorno’s famous dictum that “to write a poem after Auschwitz is barbaric.”1 Adorno’s call for an aesthetics founded on contradiction rather than harmonization speaks directly to the dissonances of King Lear, and Adorno’s turn to Beckett in search of a dramaturgy tuned to catastrophe dovetails with the Lear-Beckett rapprochement that defines so much postwar theater. Ashby uses Adorno’s aesthetic and cultural writings to organize a project enriched by many other thinkers who were interred or displaced by the Holocaust, including Primo Levi, Hannah Arendt, Elias Canetti, and Walter Benjamin, and the cover of the book displays a sketch of Poor Tom in his hovel by the Austrian artist Oskar Kokoschka, who was deemed a degenerate by the Nazis. Nonetheless, this is not an inquiry into the meanings of King Lear for Jewish thinkers or other victims, survivors, and direct witnesses of the camps. Instead, Ashby, like Adorno, uses the phrase “after Auschwitz” to diagnose postwar consumerism, the automatism of mass culture, and the rise of the administrative and biopolitical state. This metonymizing of Auschwitz allows Ashby to take up a subject rather different from Shakespeare and the Holocaust per se: namely, appropriations of King Lear by postwar British playwrights, who addressed historical and existential traumas that unfolded after the camps had been emptied, such as the pain of exile and social alienation (David Rudkin’s 1984 Will’s Way), the genocide in Bosnia (Sarah Kane’s 1995 Blasted), and the devastations of industrialism and climate change (Forced Entertainment’s 2016 Table Top Shakespeare, Dennis Kelly’s 2010 The Gods Weep). The result is a powerful study of Shakespearean appropriation that deftly maneuvers among critical, textual, philosophical, and performance materials in order to craft definitive readings of major works of modern British drama and establish the unique thematic and formal affordances of King Lear as equipment for confronting catastrophe.

A soft pneumatic glove with multiple rehabilitation postures and assisted grasping modes

This article proposes a novel soft pneumatic glove with multiple rehabilitation postures and assisted grasping modes, which is composed of five segmented pneumatic networks (PneuNets) bidirectional bending actuators with a variable height structure. The metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint chambers and the distal phalangeal (DIP) joint chambers are designed with a trapezoidal side profile, which enhances the reverse bending ability and can effectively expand the range of hand rehabilitation activities. In order to avoid hindering the forward bending, the chambers of the reverse bending module are designed as a triangular prism chamber. Experimental tests were performed and the results show that the soft actuator can produce a bending angle of 261° under an air pressure of 100 kPa, and can produce a fingertip force of 1.59 N under an air pressure of 130 kPa. In the rehabilitation mode, the designed soft rehabilitation gloves can help the hand to form four kinds of rehabilitation postures, namely full fist, straight fist, hook fist and table top. By ventilating different finger joints, and it can also help the fingers to stretch. Under the initial air pressure of 60 kPa, the design of the reverse bending module can increase the fingertip force of reverse bending by 40 %. In the assisted grasping mode, by adjusting the input air pressure, it can help the hand to grasp objects with cylindrical and large plane contour, which is very useful for the rehabilitation of patients with partial loss of hand function. • A novel soft pneumatic glove with multiple rehabilitation postures and assisted grasping modes is proposed. • The soft glove is composed of five PneuNets bidirectional bending actuators with a variable height structure. • The soft actuator can produce a angle of 261° under pressure of 100 kPa, and a force of 1.59 N under pressure of 130 kPa.

Arthroscopic lateral collateral ligament imbrication of the elbow: short-term clinical results.

Chronic posterolateral rotatory instability (PLRI) of the elbow results from an insufficient lateral collateral ligament (LCL) complex. Arthroscopic LCL imbrication may prove a minimally invasive alternative to open lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL) reconstruction with a quicker rehabilitation. The purpose of this study is to analyze the validity of a modified arthroscopic imbrication technique. We hypothesized that arthroscopic LUCL imbrication would yield stable elbows in patients with grade 1 or 2 chronic PLRI at a minimum of 2 year of follow-up. We retrospectively assessed data of all PLRI patients who underwent arthroscopic LUCL imbrication from 2010 to 2013 (n=20). Stage 3 PLRIs (frank ulnohumeral dislocations) were excluded from this treatment. After confirmation of PLRI during standard elbow arthroscopy, a doubled absorbable suture is shuttled through as much LCL tissue as possible (from the lateral ulnar border to the area proximal to the lateral epicondyle) and the sutures are tied. This results in a plication of the entire LCL complex. Objective elbow stability was assessed using a combination of the pivot shift, table top, and posterior drawer tests. Of 20 included patients, 18 were stable subjectively and objectively at a minimum of 2 year of follow-up. Mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score improved from 48 preoperatively to 88.9 at final follow-up (P<.001). Mean Quick-Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score improved from 53 preoperatively to 10.3 at final follow-up (P<.001). One patient developed elbow stiffness. Two patients reported tenderness of the subcutaneous PDS knots. As a less invasive alternative to open LCL reconstruction using a graft, arthroscopic LCL imbrication has demonstrated acceptable rates of perceived elbow stability among patients with stage 1 or 2 PLRI.