TECHNICIAN
tuesday april
23 2013
Raleigh, North Carolina
technicianonline.com
University researchers work toward less-invasive surgery Alden Early Staff Writer
Researchers from two rival Triangle schools have teamed up off the court to develop a resource that may lead to more accurate surgeries and cut down on recovery time for patients. N.C. State University and UNCChapel Hill are partnering to improve the technology available to doctors who specialize in minimally invasive surgeries. And according to a report by the Triangle Business Journal, there is a potentially lucrative market for this kind of technology. The popularity of minimally invasive surgeries has been increasing because surgeons desire to make as few incisions as possible to reduce risks and speed up recovery times for patients. “One goal of the research is to minimize the number of X-ray images taken,” said Edgar Lobaton, lead author of a paper about the research. Lobaton, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, said improving the accuracy of the technology will limit a patient’s exposure to radiation. Radiation has been classified as a carcinogen, or cancer-causing substance, by the U.S. government and the World Health Organization’s In-
ternational Agency for Research on Cancer. The research team has developed an algorithm that will act as a computer program, Lobaton said. An algorithm is an effective, step-by-step method used to reach a final calculation. The program’s goal is to help surgeons become more efficient, from decreasing X-ray images to optimizing the angle from which images are taken. From this data, the resource will ultimately give surgeons a blueprint for where their incisions should be made. “It is very hard to know where the device is going during the surgery,” Lobaton said. Before this invention, surgeons lacked certainty in their incisions as they pushed the boundaries of medical technology. “Some of the devices deform a lot,” Lobaton said. Lobaton said he thinks the program will be a useful resource for a surgeon who desires to know how precise he or she must be for a specific procedure. Minimally invasive surgeries tend to emphasize smaller, strategic cuts rather than single, large openings.
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Scott Saul, an associate professor of English at UC Berkeley speaks on his upcoming biography of Richard Pryor, titled “Becoming Richard Pryor” April 22, 2013 in Tompkins Hall. Saul spoke on Pryor’s past and how it influenced his comedy style.
Archiving the past, online Brittany Bynum Staff Writer
Scott Saul, professor of English at University of California Berkeley, introduced his “digital humanities” project at Tompkins Hall Monday. Digital humanities is the study of human interactions through digital media archives and websites. Saul’s project focuses on one famous person: Richard Pryor. Saul has spent the last decade of
his life archiving the life and career of the comedian, who he said both interests and fascinates him. Saul said he hopes to continue addaing onto a website titled “Richard Pryor’s Peoria” that will go live in a year. Pryor is originally from Peoria, Ill., a city often referred as the “city of sin” within the state because of its open involvements with prostitution, gambling and drinking, according to Saul. The project’s reference point in the
Manic episode turns into outreach Taylor O’Quinn Staff Writer
When Alex McKeithen went to Paris to study abroad, he never thought he’d end up in the middle of the Arc de Triomphe — naked. “Bzzzz! The apocalypse is here! Today!” McKeithen remembers screaming the day of psychological snap. Compiling the events leading up to this moment and his recovery after, McKeithen has found redemption and solace in a memoir about the experience, The Seventh Angel. McKeithen is a graduate from Davidson College, and during his junior year he decided to study abroad in Europe. McKeithen wrote his first novel The Seventh Angel about his experience having a manic episode overseas. He publicized his book during a seminar at the Psychology Department Monday. “With U2’s album Joshua Tree on repeat, I became hypnotized by the music and my surroundings,” McKeithen said. McKeithen said he became overwhelmed with feeling as if he had a special purpose. Every time he would close his eyes to pray, he’d open them to see the f light of a nearby dove. “The sun was on me all the time pushing me higher and higher,” McKeithen said. “I eventually had a naturally high feeling.” After traveling around Europe, McKeithen made his way to Paris — alone, all the while still listening to U2. Everywhere he went he read the Book of Revelation, from the beginning to the end, until he
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was convinced he was the “seventh angel.” “Bzzzz went my alarm, three times to the sound of six — three sixes, the sign of the devil,” McKeithen said. McKeithen said he was convinced that the world was going to end that day and that he was meant to deliver
the message. After tearing up all of his money and waking his roommates, McKeithen embarked on his mission to save the world. He ran to every church nearby, warning all the pastors and passersby, all the while giving his belongings to homeless people he saw
Gamers stream for the win See page 6.
along the way. McKeithen began undressing on his journey from church to church until he was eventually down to his T-shirt and undies — both white, for purity. “For the first time in my life I was hoping God wasn’t asking for more,” McKeithen said. “I didn’t want to be naked.” McKeithen said since he was wearing a white T-shirt and white underpants, he wouldn’t have to undress to his bear skin, but in that manic moment, he said he wasn’t about to ignore the word of God. “I begged God not to make me get naked,” McKeithen said. “But I realized that humans should no longer be ashamed of their bodies.” Off came his shirt, and then his undies, and before shame set in, he was completely naked in the middle of Paris. McKeithen said he began running up a hill towards the Arc de Triomphe — a military monument located in the world’s largest roundabout with 10 lanes of fastpaced traffic. “People began gawking and laughing at me,” McKeithen said. “It was cold … and yes, I did have some shrinkage.” McKeithen ran straight into traffic in the roundabout, but he had a purpose to deliver the message of the end of the world. The Parisian police caught him by the time he got to the second lane, McKeithen said. “There’s really no place for a naked guy to go in the broad daylight
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digital humanities field came from a web designer, two students from UC Berkeley, another student from Stanford University and inspiration. He did not research other examples of digital humanities as he started, and found it beneficial because he noticed that other archives were too complex and made more for scholars.
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Screenwriters unite, scripts in hand Kevin Schaefer Staff Writer
Four students gathered at Mitch’s Tavern in 1993 to read and critique each other’s work. Since then, members have come and gone, locations have changed, but the group remains in tact. The group, Screenline, still meets monthly, and although its members aren’t comprised of students anymore, screenwriters of all skill-levels and ages are encouraged to contribute to the discussion, according to Mike Everette, supervisor for Screenline. “Screenline invites all persons with an interest in screenwriting,” Everette said. “Regardless of whether you are merely curious, have never written a screenplay but would like to learn about it, or have completed multiple scripts and maybe even had one produced, you’re absolutely welcome.” Everette teaches creative writing courses at Wake Technical Community College. He encourages members of this group to learn as much as they can about their craft.
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Spring football game photo story See page 8.
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