Design Interactive (United States)

Learning laparoscopic surgery in LMICs is hindered by the dearth of technically skilled surgeons. A self-directed, low-cost simulation-based training could bridge this gap. To evaluate the effectiveness of such a program, we assessed the differences in knowledge, laparoscopic skills, and self-ratings between simulation-trained and simulation-naive residents. This study involved Cameroonian surgery residents from a program with 3years of laparoscopic simulation training on the ALL-SAFE platform (Group A) and residents from another training program without simulation exposure (Group B). All participants completed cognitive and psychomotor portions of a novel case-based laparoscopic cholecystectomy module. We used Kruskal-Wallis tests to compare the groups' pre- and post-training test scores, confidence and competence, time to task, and psychomotor skill via checklist and global assessments of submitted videos. Twenty-six participants, including 14 in Group A and 12 in Group B, completed the module. Both groups reported similar pre-course confidence (p≥0.63) and competence (p≥0.21). They also had similar pretest scores, but Group A's posttest scores were improved (M=89.29 and p=0.005) over B's (M=77.50 and p=0.28). Group B checklist scores trended slightly lower (p=0.22) and significantly lower on global assessment (p<0.001). Group A's mean task completion time was 28.46 (12.00) minutes whereas group B's was 51.83 (16.36); p<0.001, and d=1.41. Group B self-ratings were higher than peers' ratings, whereas Group A self-ratings were similar or lower; p=0.02, and r=0.35. Long-term simulation-based training improved cognitive and psychomotor skills, suggesting that a self-directed, low-cost simulation-based training may help learners develop proficiency in laparoscopy.

Il lavoro si concentra su un’esperienza didattica realizzata durante l’anno scolastico 2023/2024. L’attività didattica, rivolta a studenti della scuola secondaria di I grado, è nata con l’obiettivo di educare a un uso consapevole e civico della lingua e alla valorizzazione del plurilinguismo. Partendo dall’analisi linguistica e contenutistica di alcuni articoli scritti durante il fascismo e proseguendo con quella di alcuni testi giornalistici contemporanei, le studentesse e gli studenti hanno potuto comprendere che cosa siano la libertà di espressione e di stampa. L’attività è terminata con la scrittura da parte delle allieve e degli allievi di un giornalino di classe. Così, attraverso la manipolazione della lingua hanno potuto mettere in pratica ciò che hanno appreso.

This research discussed an idea for a defensive system using a GAN-based model to protect against cyber-attacks on virtual network systems. The plan was to train the GAN-based model using simulated attacks created by the attacker generator portion of the model, so when it is exposed to a new real cyber-attack, it will be able to recognize and block it. Both portions of the model (the attacker and defender) were designed to learn from each other during the training process. As demonstrated via simulation within MATLAB, the overall accuracy of the model increased as training progressed and it began to identify increasingly complex attacks. Additionally, it was found that the model trained at a faster pace than previously experienced and produced fewer errors than before training. Ultimately, this research demonstrated that <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$A I$</tex> is capable of adapting into a defensive thinking mode and not simply passively detecting attacks. It is somewhat similar to developing a “smart wall” where after each successful cyber-attack, the wall becomes stronger due to continuous learning.

High aspirations for the future function as powerful motivators for Black students to pursue and persist in undergraduate engineering programs. Students gain mental strength by maintaining high hopes and beliefs for the future. These aspirations can be intrinsic, originating as internal motivators, or extrinsic, coming from various social circles, such as family and friends. Researchers can benefit from investigating the aspirations of Black students to develop more effective ways for faculty and administrators to support students' dreams and goals.

To evaluate neck muscle coactivation across different levels of mental workload during simulated flight tasks. Neck pain (NP) is highly prevalent among military aviators. Given the complex nature within the flight environment, mental workload may be a risk factor for NP. This may induce higher levels of neck muscle coactivity, which over time may accelerate fatigue, increase neck discomfort, and affect flight task performance. Three counterbalanced mental workload conditions represented by simulated flight tasks modulated by interstimulus frequency and complexity were investigated using the Modifiable Multitasking Environment (ModME). The primary measure was a neck coactivation index to describe the neuromuscular effort of the neck muscles as a system. Additional measures included perceived workload (NASA TLX), subjective discomfort, and task performance. Participants (n = 60; 30M, 30F) performed three test conditions over 1hr each while seated in a simulated seating environment. Neck coactivation indices (CoA) and subjective neck discomfort corresponded with increasing level of mental workload. Average CoAs for low, medium, and high workloads were: .0278(SD = .0232), .0286(SD = .0231), and .0295(SD = .0228), respectively. NASA TLX mental, temporal, effort, and overall scores also increased with the level of mental workload assigned. For ModME task performance, the overall performance score, monitoring accuracy, and resource management accuracy decreased while reaction times increased with the increasing level of mental workload. Communication accuracy was lowest with the low mental workload but had higher reaction times relative to increasing workload. Mental workload affects neck muscle coactivation during combinations of simulated flight tasks within a simulated helicopter seating environment. The results of this study provide insights into the physical response to mental workload. With increasing multisensory modalities within the work environment, these insights may assist the consideration of physical effects from cognitive factors.

With the rise of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, technology has and will exponentially transform in a way that will change how humans live, function, and work. This notion is profoundly noticeable in the realm of military human-agent teaming (HAT), where intelligent systems are used in critical missions to collaborate with Soldiers on a mission. With any new phenomenon in the natural world, a theoretical model is required to understand and predict behavior. In this paper, we present a literature review to explore a proposed model of simulated military human-agent teaming that centers around task performance.