Vacuum metal deposition enhancement of friction ridge detail on ballistic materials.

The efficacy of Gold/Zinc and Silver/Zinc vacuum metal deposition (VMD) protocols were assessed as stand-alone methods of fingermark enhancement on ballistic brass materials. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of VMD enhancement on a large pool of donors (n = 20), with potentially identifiable marks recovered for the majority of donors, including samples aged up to two months. Of the 20 donors a subset of six donors were selected to assess the capability of VMD enhancement on brass fired cartridge cases, from which some friction ridge detail (FRD) was recovered.

To bed or not to bed: the sleep question?

Background: Sleep deprivation and fatigue from long-shift work impacts doctors' personal safety, inhibits cognitive performance and risks clinical error. The aim of this study was to assess the sleep quality of surgical trainees participating in European Working Time Directive-compliant training rotations within a UK deanery.

Methods: A trainee cohort numbering 38 (21 core, 17 higher surgical trainees, 29 men and 9 women, median age 31 (25-44 years)) completed a sleep diary over 30 days using the Sleep Time (Azumio) smartphone application and triangulated with on-call rosters to identify shift patterns.

Influence of Trainer Role, Subspecialty and Hospital Status on Consultant Workplace-based Assessment Completion.

Objective: Performance assessment is challenging to administer and validate, yet remains central to patient safety and quality of care. The aim of this study was to evaluate Consultant Surgeon trainer performance with respect to Workplace Based Assessment (WBA) completion.

Design: All WBAs for 60 Core Surgical Trainees (n = 2932) recorded in one academic year were analyzed using the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Progamme.

Surgical academic reach: the higher degree effect quantified.

Introduction: Proof of professional specific academic attainment is embedded within the Joint Committee on Surgical Training 2013 general surgery curriculum, mandating that all higher general surgical trainees (HST) obtain three peer-reviewed publications to qualify for Certification of Completion of Training. Yet, Modernising Medical Careers (MMC) has been associated with a trend away from the gold standard postgraduate credentials of higher degrees by research. This study aimed to evaluate the academic achievements of a post-MMC UK Deanery HST cohort to determine what additional benefits higher degree study might confer.

FRCS first pass variance: deanery and specialty contrariety.

Background: FRCS exit examination success may be interpreted as a surrogate marker for UK Deanery-related training quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate relative FRCS examination pass rates related to Deanery and Surgical Specialty.

Methods: Joint Committee on Surgical Training-published examination first attempt pass rates were scrutinised for type I higher surgical trainees and outcomes compared related to Deanery and Surgical Specialty.

Rural Rotations at Core: Rarefied Exposure or Real Experience?

Objective: Surgical rotations involving rural General Hospitals (rGH) are frequently associated with recruitment challenges, partly because of adverse perceptions regarding distances from social support networks and training opportunities. The aim of this study was to determine the outcomes of core surgical training rotations involving rGHs when compared with urban hospitals in a single UK Deanery.

Design: Online Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme portfolios from 163 core surgical trainees (CST) were examined related to postlocation, operative experience, workplace-based assessments, and academic achievement.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors: have they a place, have they a future?

The legacy of the hepatotoxic effect and the "cheese reaction" of monoamine oxidase inhibitors still overshadows these useful drugs, despite near-resolution of many of the problems. This short article reviews the indications, adverse effects and progress and future of these agents in psychopharmacology.

Surgical technic for the resection of internal carotid aneurysms using an internal shunt.

A technic for reconstruction of the internal carotid artery after resection of carotid aneurysms is presented. Reconstruction is performed over an internal shunt using a vein or Dacron patch. Total interruption of cerebral circulation is usually less than three minutes.