Quality assessment of a new surgical simulator for neuroendoscopic training

2011 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. E17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Vaz Guimarães Filho ◽  
Giselle Coelho ◽  
Sergio Cavalheiro ◽  
Marcos Lyra ◽  
Samuel T. Zymberg
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Surgical Skills ◽  
Surgical Simulator ◽  
Training Models ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Face Validation

Object Ideal surgical training models should be entirely reliable, atoxic, easy to handle, and, if possible, low cost. All available models have their advantages and disadvantages. The choice of one or another will depend on the type of surgery to be performed. The authors created an anatomical model called the S.I.M.O.N.T. (Sinus Model Oto-Rhino Neuro Trainer) Neurosurgical Endotrainer, which can provide reliable neuroendoscopic training. The aim in the present study was to assess both the quality of the model and the development of surgical skills by trainees. Methods The S.I.M.O.N.T. is built of a synthetic thermoretractable, thermosensible rubber called Neoderma, which, combined with different polymers, produces more than 30 different formulas. Quality assessment of the model was based on qualitative and quantitative data obtained from training sessions with 9 experienced and 13 inexperienced neurosurgeons. The techniques used for evaluation were face validation, retest and interrater reliability, and construct validation. Results The experts considered the S.I.M.O.N.T. capable of reproducing surgical situations as if they were real and presenting great similarity with the human brain. Surgical results of serial training showed that the model could be considered precise. Finally, development and improvement in surgical skills by the trainees were observed and considered relevant to further training. It was also observed that the probability of any single error was dramatically decreased after each training session, with a mean reduction of 41.65% (range 38.7%–45.6%). Conclusions Neuroendoscopic training has some specific requirements. A unique set of instruments is required, as is a model that can resemble real-life situations. The S.I.M.O.N.T. is a new alternative model specially designed for this purpose. Validation techniques followed by precision assessments attested to the model's feasibility.

scholarly journals Quality Assessment of Single-Channel EEG for Wearable Devices

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fanny Grosselin ◽  
Xavier Navarro-Sune ◽  
Alessia Vozzi ◽  
Katerina Pandremmenou ◽  
Fabrizio De Vico Fallani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Single Channel ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Wearable Devices ◽  
Brain State ◽  
Eeg Signals ◽  
Many Sources ◽  
The Brain

The recent embedding of electroencephalographic (EEG) electrodes in wearable devices raises the problem of the quality of the data recorded in such uncontrolled environments. These recordings are often obtained with dry single-channel EEG devices, and may be contaminated by many sources of noise which can compromise the detection and characterization of the brain state studied. In this paper, we propose a classification-based approach to effectively quantify artefact contamination in EEG segments, and discriminate muscular artefacts. The performance of our method were assessed on different databases containing either artificially contaminated or real artefacts recorded with different type of sensors, including wet and dry EEG electrodes. Furthermore, the quality of unlabelled databases was evaluated. For all the studied databases, the proposed method is able to rapidly assess the quality of the EEG signals with an accuracy higher than 90%. The obtained performance suggests that our approach provide an efficient, fast and automated quality assessment of EEG signals from low-cost wearable devices typically composed of a dry single EEG channel.

scholarly journals Answering the Min-Cost Quality-Aware Query on Multi-Sources in Sensor-Cloud Systems

Sensors ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 4486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohan Li ◽  
Yanbin Sun ◽  
Yu Jiang ◽  
Zhihong Tian
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Parameter Setting ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
High Quality ◽  
High Quality Data ◽  
Real Life Data ◽  
Sensor Cloud

In sensor-based systems, the data of an object is often provided by multiple sources. Since the data quality of these sources might be different, when querying the observations, it is necessary to carefully select the sources to make sure that high quality data is accessed. A solution is to perform a quality evaluation in the cloud and select a set of high-quality, low-cost data sources (i.e., sensors or small sensor networks) that can answer queries. This paper studies the problem of min-cost quality-aware query which aims to find high quality results from multi-sources with the minimized cost. The measurement of the query results is provided, and two methods for answering min-cost quality-aware query are proposed. How to get a reasonable parameter setting is also discussed. Experiments on real-life data verify that the proposed techniques are efficient and effective.

scholarly journals Disposable and Low-Cost Colorimetric Sensors for Environmental Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (22) ◽  
pp. 8331
Author(s):  
Giancarla Alberti ◽  
Camilla Zanoni ◽  
Lisa Rita Magnaghi ◽  
Raffaela Biesuz
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Analysis ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Single Shot ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Naked Eye Detection ◽  
Colorimetric Sensors

Environmental contamination affects human health and reduces the quality of life. Therefore, the monitoring of water and air quality is important, ensuring that all areas are acquiescent with the current legislation. Colorimetric sensors deliver quick, naked-eye detection, low-cost, and adequate determination of environmental analytes. In particular, disposable sensors are cheap and easy-to-use devices for single-shot measurements. Due to increasing requests for in situ analysis or resource-limited zones, disposable sensors’ development has increased. This review provides a brief insight into low-cost and disposable colorimetric sensors currently used for environmental analysis. The advantages and disadvantages of different colorimetric devices for environmental analysis are discussed.

Measurement and Comparison of Force Effort During Friction Stir Welding in a Parallel Kinematic 5-Axis Milling Machine

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arun Prasath Manogaran ◽  
Guillaume Racineux ◽  
Jean-Yves Hascoet
Keyword(s):  
Friction Stir Welding ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Milling Machine ◽  
Friction Stir ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Measuring Devices ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Dynamic Measuring ◽  
And Control

Friction stir welding (FSW) is so quite promising that leads it to one of the preferred joining process for a wide range of applications especially for Aluminum. FSW machines are very expensive. The objective is to develop a simple and low cost technique to measure and control the force during FSW in a milling machine. Measurement of forces during welding is a difficult task. Many dynamic measuring devices such as dynamometers are available but each have their own advantages and disadvantages. A new approach to measure force while performing weld is discussed. First, incorporation of FSW in PKM 5-axes milling machine is done. The head of the machine is modified to support higher force levels that are generated during FSW. With the help of the NC-Controller, the force values are retrieved from the axes of the machine while performing weld through actuators. Forces were also measured from load cell and compared to estimate the quality of measurement.

scholarly journals An Effective, Low Cost, Do-it-Yourself Suture and Knot Tying Training Kit for the Novice Learner

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Surgical Skills ◽  
Instructional Video ◽  
Knot Tying ◽  
Confidence Levels ◽  
Novice Learner ◽  
Do It Yourself ◽  
The University

Introduction Too Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System is a seminal report that highlights how improved training and objective assessment are key to reducing medical errors. The purpose of this study is to design a low cost, do-it-yourself (DIY) suture and knot tying training kit that enhances the novice learner’s basic surgical skills and to evaluate the efficacy of this training kit. Materials and Methods: Pre-medical and medical students from the University of Hawaii were administered a pretest to evaluate their two-handed knot tying and simple interrupted suturing with instrument tie using an objective scoring system. Then, subjects were shown an instructional video and allowed to practice using a low-cost, DIY training kit. A posttest was administered in the same format as the pretest. The primary outcome was subject confidence level, and secondary outcomes were time and quality of suturing and knot tying. Results: 20 subjects were recruited. After using the training kit, mean confidence levels increased for two-handed knot tying (1.55 vs. 7.15, p<0.0001), suturing (1.75 vs. 6.95, p<0.0001), and instrument tie (1.50 vs. 6.95, p<0.0001). Mean time to complete two-handed knot tying (116.03 vs. 52.85 seconds, p<0.0001) and simple interrupted suturing with instrument tie (300.00 vs. 181.05 seconds, p<0.0001) both decreased. Mean quality of both knot tying (0 vs. 4.25, p<0.0001) and simple interrupted suturing with instrument tie (0 vs. 13.1, p<0.0001) increased. Conclusions: This low-cost, DIY suture and knot tying training kit increased the confidence and basic surgical skills of the novice learner.

scholarly journals WEB SERVICE FOR POSITIONAL QUALITY ASSESSMENT: THE WPS TIER

2015 ◽  
Vol II-3/W5 ◽  
pp. 257-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. M. A. Xavier ◽  
F. J. Ariza-López ◽  
M. A. Ureña-Cámara
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Spatial Data ◽  
Positional Accuracy ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Spatial Data Quality ◽  
Data Quality Assessment ◽  
Specific Assessment ◽  
Accuracy Assessments ◽  
Assessment Procedures

In the field of spatial data every day we have more and more information available, but we still have little or very little information about the quality of spatial data. We consider that the automation of the spatial data quality assessment is a true need for the geomatic sector, and that automation is possible by means of web processing services (WPS), and the application of specific assessment procedures. In this paper we propose and develop a WPS tier centered on the automation of the positional quality assessment. An experiment using the NSSDA positional accuracy method is presented. The experiment involves the uploading by the client of two datasets (reference and evaluation data). The processing is to determine homologous pairs of points (by distance) and calculate the value of positional accuracy under the NSSDA standard. The process generates a small report that is sent to the client. From our experiment, we reached some conclusions on the advantages and disadvantages of WPSs when applied to the automation of spatial data accuracy assessments.

Research Progress and New Patents of Magnetic Grinding Machine

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-210
Author(s):  
Yuan Li ◽  
Ye Dai ◽  
Yunshan Qi ◽  
Yufei Gao
Keyword(s):  
Surface Quality ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Development Trend ◽  
Research Progress ◽  
Processing Efficiency ◽  
Magnetic Abrasive Finishing ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Abrasive Finishing ◽  
Grinding Machine

Background: Mechanical parts in processing and manufacturing process will produce burr, scratches and other surface quality problems, which have adverse effects on the precision, use, reprocessing location, operation safety and appearance quality of the parts, so it is necessary to grind the workpiece surface. Objective: Based on the recent development in the field of magnetic grinding and related patent research, it can provide reliable help to solve the problem of finishing the surface of parts with complex shapes and small volumes. Methods: This paper reviewed some patents and research advances related to magnetic abrasive finishing, and the advantages and disadvantages of the magnetic grinding machine in the finishing process were summarized. The outstanding grinding effect of the new vibration assisted magnetic grinder was introduced. Results: The working characteristics of various magnetic grinding machines were summarized, and the development trend of magnetic grinding and finishing was prospected. Conclusion: Magnetic abrasive finishing has good flexibility, strong self-sharpening, wide applicable scope, high processing efficiency, simple processing equipment and low cost. It can control the grinding efficiency and grinding precision. The machining efficiency and quality of magnetic grinding can be improved with the appropriate amplitude of vibration assist, and the surface quality can be improved significantly.

The Critical Incident Method, An Overlooked Way of Human Relations Training for Small Business

1983 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Duffy
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Critical Incident ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Human Relations ◽  
Course Of Action ◽  
Human Relations Training ◽  
Management Groups

The paper presents an outline of Pigor's critical incident method for human relations training. The method parallels a real life process of decision making consisting of searching for information, formulating the problem, and deciding upon a course of action based upon explicit reasoning. The method also provides for making generalizations that will be useful in dealing with or preventing future human relations situations. It is pointed out that the critical incident method has advantages for small firms beyond those it shares with large firms. These consist of the special appropriateness for small management groups, the low cost because training sessions can be handled by members of the small organization, the relevance of the cases discussed which come from members of the organization, the flexibility of the format of the method, and finally the number of human relations goals that can be simultaneously developed by those in the same training session.

scholarly journals How far do we agree on the quality of translation?

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Kunilovskaya
Keyword(s):  
Error Analysis ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Objective Data ◽  
Rater Reliability ◽  
Translation Quality ◽  
Statistical Reliability ◽  
Translator Training

The article aims to describe the inter-rater reliability of translation quality assessment (TQA) in translator training, calculated as a measure of raters’ agreement either on the number of points awarded to each translation under a holistic rating scale or the types and number of translation mistakes marked by raters in the same translations. We analyze three different samples of student translations assessed by several different panels of raters who used different methods of assessment and draw conclusions about statistical reliability of real-life TQA results in general and objective trends in this essentially subjective activity in particular. We also try to define the more objective data as regards error-analysis based TQA and suggest an approach to rank error-marked translations which can be used for subsequent relative grading in translator training.

scholarly journals Feasibility and Acceptability of Computerised Cognitive Training of Everyday Cognition in Parkinson’s Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
S. J. Smith ◽  
I. McMillan ◽  
I. Leroi ◽  
C. L. Champ ◽  
S. Barr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Training Period ◽  
Attention Task ◽  
Everyday Cognition

Objectives. We piloted a computerised cognitive training battery in a group of participants with Parkinson’s disease without dementia to investigate the relevance of the training to daily life and the feasibility and the acceptability of the tasks. Previous studies of CT have had limited success in the benefits of training, extending to improvements in everyday function. By taking a pragmatic approach and targeting training to the cognitive skills affected by Parkinson’s disease (planning, attention, and recollection), whilst using tasks that emulated real-life scenarios, we sought to understand whether participants perceived the training to be effective and to identify the elements of the training that elicited beneficial effects. Methods. Four participants completed a cognitive training session comprising three distinct tasks 5 days a week over two weeks. Participants completed baseline questionnaires examining health-related quality of life, everyday cognition, and apathy before the training period, after the last session, and two weeks after the last session. An interview was held after participants had completed the training. Results. The findings indicated that participants felt the training was acceptable, enhanced their awareness, and encouraged them to monitor their thinking abilities. The group interview indicated that the training was feasible; participants felt the tasks had potential to improve everyday performance, but more supporting information should be provided to facilitate this transfer. Responses to the questionnaires reflected these findings, indicating improvement for some participants’ cognition and quality of life. Objective measures supported the subjective reports; there were improvements in some but not all domains. Performance on the planning and recollection tasks improved over the training period, and the evidence for improvement on the attention task was mixed. Conclusion. This study has found that pragmatic computer-based training with real-life outcomes is both feasible and acceptable and should be evaluated more extensively using controlled methods.

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