Actual Skills Research Articles

Interdisciplinary project-based learning as a means of developing employability skills in undergraduate science degree programs

Project-based learning units are often used for large scale work integrated learning (WIL) experiences in Liberal Studies Degrees as they offer scalability and sustainability of delivery to large cohorts. This systematic search and review evaluates the effectiveness of interdisciplinary project-based learning in Science Degree programs for developing discipline knowledge and employability skills. Education literature databases were searched for peer-reviewed journal articles that discussed undergraduate science-based degree programs with project-based learning units involving students from multiple disciplines. Data were analysed for evidence of a skill gain in 6 areas (Discipline knowledge, Communication, Teamwork, Interdisciplinary effectiveness, Critical thinking and problem solving, and Self-management). Projects were assigned to categories based on interdisciplinary breadth and depth. Data was analysed by cross-tabulations, Fisher’s Exact test and by calculating odds ratios (OR), which indicate the effect size. Perception of a skill gain was significantly more likely to be reported than an objectively measured skill gain (p<0.001). Real discipline skill gains were 6.6 times more likely in projects narrow in discipline mix (OR 6.6), however perceived discipline skill gains were high irrespective of project type. Projects with wide interdisciplinarity were significantly associated with perceived gains in interdisciplinary effectiveness (OR 32, p<0.05) and more likely to have perceived gains in communication (OR 2.5) and teamwork (OR 3.4) skills. When projects have greater interdisciplinary breadth or depth, perceived student employability skill gains increase, perceived discipline skill gains are unaffected, however actual discipline skill gains are less reported. Further research and evidence that project-based learning is meeting the desired WIL learning objectives of the curriculum is needed.

Surgical skill levels: Classification and analysis using deep neural network model and motion signals

Background and ObjectivesCurrently, the assessment of surgical skills relies primarily on the observations of expert surgeons. This may be time-consuming, non-scalable, inconsistent and subjective. Therefore, an automated system that can objectively identify the actual skills level of a junior trainee is highly desirable. This study aims to design an automated surgical skills evaluation system. MethodsWe propose to use a deep neural network model that can analyze raw surgical motion data with minimal preprocessing. A platform with inertial measurement unit sensors was developed and participants with different levels of surgical experience were recruited to perform core open surgical skills tasks. JIGSAWS a publicly available robot based surgical training dataset was used to evaluate the generalization of our deep network model. 15 participants (4 experts, 4 intermediates and 7 novices) were recruited into the study. ResultsThe proposed deep model achieved an accuracy of 98.2%. With comparison to JIGSAWS; our method outperformed some existing approaches with an accuracy of 98.4%, 98.4% and 94.7% for suturing, needle-passing, and knot-tying, respectively. The experimental results demonstrated the applicability of this method in both open surgery and robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery. ConclusionsThis study demonstrated the potential ability of the proposed deep network model to learn the discriminative features between different surgical skills levels.

Understanding Employers’ Perception of Employability Skills and Career Development in Morocco

Research into employability issues is currently receiving considerable attention. In Morocco, a significant number of employers are satisfied with the skills of their newly hired employees. However, other employers express their dissatisfaction with the newly hired workers and believe that they lack some of the most basic skills needed for successful employment. The present paper proceeds by providing a systematic review of employability skills from the perspective of employers. It aims to research the gap between employers’ requirements of graduates and their actual skills with particular focus on employers’ perception. The participants in this study are 20 employers from three sectors, primary education, banking and tourism in the region of Marrakesh-Safi, Morocco. The instrument used for data collection is an on-line questionnaire. More specifically, the study reported that a majority of respondents perceive innovation and creativity as fundamental employability skills. In light of the results, the study recommends that universities should make great efforts to ensure that they are equipping their graduates with employability skills as identified in the industry.

Smart technologies: perspectives of usage in higher education

Purpose The system of higher education is ineffective – it has to change the concept of educational process, which is peculiar for increase of the volume of education of labor resources. According to this, there is a necessity to pass to the system of higher education with elements of smart technologies. The purpose of this paper is to determine the role of smart technologies as an innovational and intellectual tool in development of the system of higher education and formation of actual skills with students. Design/methodology/approach The aspects of classical education in universities with elements of remote forms of implementation of smart technologies on IT platforms are studied; peculiarities of smart technology as intellectual tools of higher education are analyzed; perspectives of usage of smart technologies as innovational tools for development of higher education are determined. The research methods include analysis, synthesis, abstraction, comparison and logical method. Findings Information technologies become an inseparable part of life of society and human. A new network generation of people that cannot imagine life without new technological devices is growing. However, despite this, modern education does not sufficiently influence the development of human capital in the conditions of digital environment. Originality/value Scientific novelty consists in conducting the research in the sphere of significance and perspectives of implementing smart technologies into the systems of higher education of the Russian Federation. This paper could be interesting for public officers who form the program of development of higher education and academic staff of higher educational establishments.

Cybersecurity Awareness and Skills of Senior Citizens: A Motivation Perspective

ABSTRACT Senior citizens are one of the most vulnerable groups of Internet users who are prone to cyberattacks. Thus, assessing senior citizens’ motivation to acquire cybersecurity skills is critical to help them understand the risks of cyber-attacks. This study investigated a set of constructs that contribute to senior citizens’ motivation to acquire cybersecurity skills and assessed the actual cybersecurity skill level of these individuals. Utilizing a Web-based survey and a hands-on scenario-based app called MyCyberSkills™, this research study measured the constructs of interest before and after cybersecurity awareness training. Study participants were 254 senior citizens with a mean age of approximately 70 years. The results indicated that the cybersecurity awareness training was effective in increasing the cybersecurity skill level of the senior citizens and empowered them with small but significant improvements in the requisite skills to take mitigating actions against cyberattacks. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Objectively Assessing Intraoperative Arthroscopic Skills Performance and the Transfer of Simulation Training in Knee Arthroscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

To objectively investigate the transfer validity of simulation training using wireless elbow-worn motion sensors intraoperatively to assess whether surgical simulation leads to improvements in intraoperative arthroscopic performance. In this randomized controlled trial, postgraduate year 2 to 3 trainees in nationally approved orthopaedic surgery posts were randomized to standard junior residency training (control group) or standard training plus additional weekly simulation training (intervention group). Both groups performed a supervised real-life diagnostic knee arthroscopy in the operating room at 13weeks. Performance was measured using wireless elbow-worn motion sensors recording objective surgical performance metrics: number of hand movements, smoothness, and time taken. A participant-supervisor performance ratio was used to adjust for variation in case mix and difficulty. The study took place in a surgical simulation suite and the orthopaedic operating rooms of a university teaching hospital. The intervention group objectively outperformed the control group in all outcome metrics. Procedures performed by the intervention group required fewer hand movements (544 [interquartile range (IQR), 465-593] vs 893 [IQR, 747-1,242]; P < .001), had smoother movements (25,842ms-3 [IQR, 20,867-27,468ms-3] vs 36,846ms-3 [IQR, 29,840-53,949ms-3]; P < .001), and took less time (320seconds [IQR, 294-392seconds] vs 573seconds [IQR, 477-860seconds]; P < .001) than those performed by the control group. The cases were comparable between the groups. Standardized to the supervisor's performance, the intervention group required fewer hand movements (1.9 [IQR, 1.5-2.1] vs 3.3 [IQR, 2.2-4.8]; P=.0091), required less time (1.2 [IQR, 1.1-1.7] vs 2.6 [IQR, 1.6-3.0]; P= .0037), and were smoother (2.1 [IQR, 1.8-2.8] vs 4.3 [IQR, 2.8-5.4]; P= .0037) than the control group, but they did not perform as well as their supervisors. This study uses intraoperative motion-analysis technology to objectively show that surgical simulation training improves actual intraoperative technical skills performance. The described wireless objective assessment method complements the subjective observational performance assessments commonly used. Further studies are required to assess how these measures of intraoperative performance correlate to patient outcomes. Intraoperative motion analysis is translatable across surgical specialties, offering potential for objective assessment of progression through competency-based training, revalidation, and talent selection for specialist training.

Reading by extracting invariant line junctions in typical and atypical young readers

We aimed at investigating whether typical and atypical young readers extract vertices (viewpoint-invariant line junctions) in reading, as has been shown for fluent adult readers. In an identification task, we presented partly deleted printed letters, words, and pseudowords, preserving either the vertices or the midsegments of the letters. This allowed assessing the occurrence of a vertex effect, that is, more errors when vertices are partly removed, keeping the midsegments intact, than in the reverse situation. In Experiment 1, the vertex effect was observed on words and pseudowords in three groups of typical readers: 48 adults, 56 beginning readers (Grades 2 and 3), and 42 more advanced readers (Grades 4 and 5). Yet, the effect was smaller in the beginning readers, in relation to their irregular word reading skills. In Experiment 2, we compared 40 children with dyslexia with children selected from Experiment 1 to match them on either chronological age (30 CA controls) or reading level (42 RL controls). Although all groups displayed a vertex effect on words and pseudowords, dyslexic children presented a smaller effect than CA controls without differing from RL controls. The whole result pattern suggests that vertices play an important role in the recognition of written strings not only in skilled adult readers but also in young readers, in relation to their actual reading skills rather than to a specific reading deficit.

A novel dissemination effort for prolonged exposure: Practice and dissemination curriculum.

This study examines the effectiveness of a novel dissemination and implementation curriculum for prolonged exposure (PE). Predoctoral clinical psychology interns completed a sequential, four-part curriculum that culminated in a community-based practicum during which interns conducted a PE workshop. We hypothesized that workshop participants would report more favorable attitudes regarding PE after completing the intern-led workshop than endorsed at the outset of the workshop. A total of 53 workshop participants attended and completed questionnaires. The majority of workshop participants had a master's-level degree or educational specialist degree (n = 28; 57.1%) and were currently a counselor or psychosocial rehabilitation worker (n = 21; 42.9%). We examined changes between pre- and posttraining time points for five self-report items related to negative attitudes toward PE and three self-report items related to intent to use PE. There was a significant effect of workshop training on four out of five items related to negative attitudes toward PE. The nonsignificant result of the fifth item may be due to a ceiling effect given that baseline scores for this item were very positive. There was a significant effect of workshop training on all three items related to intent to use PE. Results suggested that this sequential four-part curriculum may be an effective way of combining education, training, and dissemination efforts. Future research should examine if similar results can be achieved with a controlled research design and whether outcomes would generalize to actual PE delivery skills in routine clinical care. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

WHY ARE WRITTEN COMMUNICATION SKILLS IMPORTANT FOR BUSINESS STUDENTS?

Notwithstanding the availability of business writing instruction in academia, employers continue to voice their concerns about the significant gap between their expectations for employees’ writing skills and the actual skills employees possess (Lentz, 2013). Organizations are reporting lower levels than “meet expectations” related to employees’ written communication skills at the time an employee is hired (Suvedi, M., Ghimire, R.P., & Millenbach, K.F., 2016). Consequently, employers spend a considerable amount on remedial training to address the poor writing skills among their employees (White, A.V., 2015). Employers expect that written communication skills are taught in college. Data demonstrates, however, that this is not occurring or at least not to the level of competence that employers are seeking (Carnes, L., Awang, F., & Smith, H., 2015). Colleges and universities need to evaluate their curriculum and outcomes; integrating new initiatives into the curricula and programs to improve the written communication skills of their students.

The idea of situational leadership in political parties

The results from the Polish parliamentary elections in 2015 showed a significant change in the behaviour of the electorate. Two completely new political groups have entered the Sejm. For the very first time in the history of the Third Polish Republic, a new balance of power emerged, which excluded the left-wing parties from political discourse without assigning them a parliamentary mandate [Dudek 2016: 687]. In the face of this turn of events, it is difficult to maintain the thesis concerning the freezing of the circulation of political elites in the current political system. The Modern political party was established on 31 May 2015 [Kim jesteśmy?] while the Kukiz'15 political movement formed only three months before the parliamentary elections [O stowarzyszeniu – wladze krajowe i okregowe]. These two political organisations were able to overcome the electoral threshold and achieve unexpected success in such a short period of time and without an extensive party structure or significant financial base. The mobilisation of the electorate took place outside the parliamentary structures. In view of this, is the phenomenon of 'over-parlamentisation' [Żukiewicz 2011: 343] involved in the creation of political leaders still valid? Is it to be believed, that in the face of ever more frequent grassroots social initiatives, the real political struggle still only takes place within the parties and political leaders who are not traditional participants of political party games but who appear as activists associated with other areas of public life? On the other hand, the changes that take place in the electorate do not directly translate into the reorganisation of party structures. The tendency to block political advancement by the already established political elite still persists. Traditional political parties are afraid of this new situation, which can significantly harm their interests. Impeding these changes may seem to be an obvious reaction, inscribed in the rules of political struggle [Żukiewicz 2011: 345]. However, the constant increase in tension between the demands and expectations of the electorate and the offer of these parties may indicate that the current balance of power will not last for long. Upcoming transformations cannot be avoided however attempts should be made to control them. For this reason, leaders of traditional political parties should decide on utilising such a mechanism for selecting leaders as it would not exclude them from the political space while at the same time be a guarantor of power. Being part of the 21st century, we have all witnessed and participated in the intensification of globalisation processes as well as the generational change and the popularisation of ideas related to the information society. The significant increase in the importance of the phenomenon of mediatisation of politics causes a reversal of the hierarchy of attributes and predispositions which are desired by society [Schulz 2004: 87-101]. The image of political leaders on social media begins to outweigh their actual leadership skills. There is a danger that the new mechanism responsible for creating party structures will indeed facilitate the circulation of the elite, but unfortunately at the expense of the quality of potential leaders. That is why it is so important that the transformation process of the political power system proceeds as designed, and not in a chaotic manner, succumbing to bottom-up trends. In addition, external factors of an international nature make it difficult to conduct research on the latest political phenomena. The changes currently occurring in society require new research perspectives and approaches. Traditional theories concerning the political system and the understanding of party structure may turn out to be insufficient.

Criterion assessment system of the actual level of expertise of dental professionals practicing implant dentistry

The aim of the study was to develop criterion assessment system of the actual level of expertise of dental professionals practicing Implant dentistry. The study comprised fifteen dental experts aged from 35 to 47 years with the average 15 years clinical experience. For evaluation of the clinical portfolio of the dentists we developed 10 reference points and to ensure unification of the assessment approach we organised consensus methodical conference for our expert group. Scores were applied by parity of reasoning with point-rating system applied in continuing education programs of Medical University. Assessment of 43 clinical portfolios with short term and long term results of implant supported restorations was performed. Treatment was provided with the use of Nobel Biocare implants and prosthodontic rehabilitation was achieved with the use of CAD/CAM 'Procera' technology. The study showed that dentists who practice implant dentistry from 1 to 7 years have good manual skills and clinical expertise sufficient for achieving positive treatment outcome. At the same time in general their actual diagnostic skills are not sufficient, they misapply additional diagnostic methods, do not perform risk analysis of potential clinical complications that leads to shifting responsibilities on the patients in case of complications emergence. Methods of Computer Assisted Design are widely popular during all stages of rehabilitation (diagnostic, surgical stent, final prosthesis framework). Actual level of expertise of dental professionals doesn't depend on sex distribution. Males and females who practice implant dentistry have similar levels of clinical expertise.

واقع المهارات التدریسیة لدى معلمی الریاضیات لذوی الإحتیاجات الخاصة سمعیاً وبصریاً فی ضوء ثقافة الجودة بمدارس محافظة المنیا

هدف البحث إلى قياس واقع المهارات التدريسية لدى معلمي الرياضيات لذوي الإحتياجات الخاصة (سمعيا - بصريا )في ضوء ثقافة الجودة بمدارس محافظة المنيا ، وقياس ما إذا کان هناک فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية بينهما من حيث المهارات ( التخطيط – التنفيذ – التقويم – إدارة الفصل ) ، أو فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية ترجع إلى الجنس أو الخبرة ، واتبع البحث المنهج الوصفي التحليلي ، ولتحقيق ذلک قامت الباحثة ببناء بطاقتي ملاحظة أداء معلمي الرياضيات لذوي الاحتياجات الخاصة (سمعيا – بصريا) تکونت کل أداة من أربعة مهارات تدريسية أساسية تضمنت (40 ) مهارة فرعية يمکن ملاحظتها في أداء المعلم داخل الفصل ، وقد تم حساب صدق البطاقتين باستخدام صدق المحکمين ، وحساب الثبات بطريقتين مختلفتين ، الأولى عن طريق برنامج SPSS بحساب معامل ألفا کرونباخ وکانت قيمته لبطاقة الملاحظة الأولى 0.802 ، وقيمته لبطاقة الملاحظة الثانية 0.942 ، والطريقة الثانية اتفاق الملاحظين باستخدام معادلة کوبر Cooper ، حيث بلغت نسبة الاتفاق بين الملاحظين للبطاقة الأولى 78.8 %، ونسبة الاتفاق بين الملاحظين للبطاقة الثانية 80.63% تم تطبيقها على عدد (16) معلم ومعلمة رياضيات لذوي الاحتياجات الخاصة سمعيا بمدارس الأمل( مدينة المنيا ، أبوقرقاص ، سمالوط ، بنى مزار) بمحافظة المنيا ، عدد (6) من معلمي ومعلمات الرياضيات لذوي الاحتياجات الخاصة بصريا بمدرسة النور بمدينة المنيا حيث أنها المدرسة الوحيدة على مستوى محافظة المنيا، وباستخدام البرنامج الإحصائي SPSS تم حساب المتوسطات الحسابية والأوزان النسبية لکل مهارة على حده ، وأظهرت النتائج عدم تحقق بعض المهارات التدريسية لدى معلمي الرياضيات لذوي الإحتياجات الخاصة سواء سمعيا أو بصريا ، وباستخدام اختبار مان – وتني Mann-Whitney واختبار کروسکال- واليز Kruskal-Wallisللبحث عن أي فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية بين عينتي البحث وجد فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية عند مستوى 0.001 في مهارة التخطيط لصالح معلمي الرياضيات لذوي الاحتياجات الخاصة بصريا ، ولا توجد فروق بينهما بالنسبة لباقي المهارات ، کما لا توجد فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية ترجع إلى الجنس أو الخبرة لکلتا العينتين . Abstract The Actual Teaching Skills of Mathematics Teachers Teaching Students with (Visual or Auditory) Disabilities in the Light of the Culture of Quality at Minia Governate Schools The present study aimed to measuring the actual teaching skills possessed by Mathematics teachers teaching students with visual or auditory disabilities in the light of the culture of quality at Minia Governate Schools. In addition, it attempted to measure whether there was a significant statistical difference between mean scores of those teachers who taught visual disability students or those who taught auditory disability students in the skills related to (Planning-Implementation -Evaluation- Classroom Management) or whether there was a statistical significant difference between each of them that could be indicated to sex or experience. The present study adopted the analytical-descriptive research design. The researcher prepared two observation sheets for mathematics teachers teaching students with visual or auditory disabilities. Each sheet consisted of four main skills including (40) sub-skills that could be observed through the teachers' performance inside classrooms. Validity of the observation sheet was established by distributing it to a panel of jury members to determine its content validity. The Reliability was established using two methods; firstly by using SPSS using Alpha Kronbach formula as it was (0.802) for the first observation sheet and it was (0.942) for the other one. The second method which was used to calculate the reliability of the observation sheet was by using Cooper formula. The Inter-rater reliability of the first observation sheet was 78.8% and it was 80.63 % for the other one. These observation sheets were used to assess (16) male and female teachers teaching students with auditory disability at Al-Amal School in ( Minia City- Abo-KorKas- Samalout and Bani Mazar ) at Minia Governate. in addition to (6) mathematics male and female teachers of visual disability students at Al-Nour school in Minia City as it is the only school in the whole Governate. By using the SPSS program, the researcher managed to calculate means of scores and the weight of each skill. Results revealed that some teaching skills were not possessed by mathematics teachers teaching students with visual or auditory disabilities. The researcher used Man-Whitney and Kruskal formula to find out any statistical difference between the two samples of the study. Results revealed that there was a significant statistical difference at (0.001) level between mean scores of the teachers teaching students with auditory disability and those teachers teaching students with visual disability in the planning skills favoring teachers teaching students with visual disability whereas there was no statistical difference between mean scores in the rest of the sub-skills. In addition, there was no statistical difference that could be indicated to sex or experience for both mathematics teachers teaching students with auditory disabilities or those teachers teaching students with visual disabilities.

Differences in potential and actual skill in a decadal prediction experiment

Decadal prediction results are analyzed for the predictability and skill of annual mean temperature. Forecast skill is assessed in terms of correlation, mean square error (MSE) and mean square skill score. The predictability of the forecast system is assessed by calculating the corresponding “potential” skill measures based on the behaviour of the forecast ensemble. The expectation is that potential skill, where the model predicts its own evolution, will be greater than the actual skill, where the model predicts the evolution of the real system, and that the difference is an indication of the potential for forecast improvement. This will depend, however, on the agreement of the second order climate statistics of the forecasts with those of the climate system. In this study the forecast variance differs from the variance of the verifying observations over non-trivial parts of the globe. Observation-based values of variance from different sources also differ non-trivially. This is an area of difficulty independent of the forecasting system and also affects the comparison of actual and potential mean square error. It is possible to scale the forecast variance estimate to match that of the verifying data so as to avoid this consequence but a variance mismatch, whatever its source, remains a difficulty when considering forecast system improvements. Maps of actual and potential correlation indicate that over most of the globe potential correlation is greater than actual correlation, as expected, with the difference suggesting, but not demonstrating, that it might be possible to improve skill. There are exceptions, mainly over some land areas in the Northern Hemisphere and at later forecast ranges, where actual correlation can exceed potential correlation, and this behaviour is ascribed to excessive noise variance in the forecasts, at least as compared to the verifying data. Sampling error can also play a role, but significance testing suggests it is not sufficient to explain the results. Similar results are obtained for MSE but only after scaling the forecasts to match the variance of the verifying observations. It is immediately clear that the forecast system is deficient, independent of other considerations, if the actual correlation is greater than the potential correlation and/or the actual MSE is less than the potential MSE and this gives some indication of the nature of the deficiency in the forecasts in these regions. The predictable and noise components of an ensemble of forecasts can be estimated but this is not the case for the actual system. The degree to which the difference between actual and potential skill indicates the potential for improvement of the forecasting can only be judged indirectly. At a minimum the variances of the forecasts and of the verifying data should be in reasonable accord. If the potential skill is greater than the actual skill for a forecasting system based on a well behaved model it suggests, as a working hypothesis, that forecast skill can be improved so as to more closely approach potential skill.

Can they do it? A comparison of teacher candidates' beliefs and preschoolers' actual skills with digital technology and media

As digital technologies and media (DTM) are integrated into every facet of our lives, the knowledge and skills children bring to school is changing. It is unclear whether teacher candidates' beliefs about children's skills have kept pace with this change. To explore this issue, 43 children, ages 3–5, and 180 teacher candidates at a medium-sized Midwest research university were recruited. Teacher candidates' beliefs about preschoolers' DTM skills were compared with preschoolers' observed skills following an assessment protocol using an iPad. Findings indicated most preschoolers could complete 9 of the 12 iPad tasks without assistance, whereas teacher candidates frequently assumed that children would need assistance. Teacher candidates mis-estimated preschoolers' skills on 50% of iPad tasks. Findings confirmed that preschoolers can complete multiple tasks using DTM, which could be harnessed by teachers when creating developmentally appropriate learning experiences. The mismatch between teacher candidates' beliefs and children's skills suggests an area for improvement in teacher preparation programs and could be an indication that negative reports in popular media are more influential in shaping teacher candidates' beliefs than knowledge of children's actual DTM skills.

ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICE OF FIRST AID, AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS, AMONG KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS

Abstract&#x0D; Background: Injuries are very common now a day and can occur at any point of time in a day to day life. Among them, injuries in school children rank a major part. The objective of this research to evaluate knowledge, attitude and practice towards first aid and factors associated among kindergarten teachers.&#x0D; Methods: Institutions based cross-sectional quantitative study design was employed. The study was conducted in Bahir dar town, Amhara region, Ethiopia from March to May 2017. A Pre-tested and structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Binary and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the separate and confounding effect for variables.&#x0D; Result: A total of 173 respondents were interviewed with a response rate of 93%. From the total respondents 97 (56.1%) scored above mean for knowledge question, In particular, subjects lacked knowledge regarding first aid for Human/animal bite (60.1%) was not answered correctly. Regarding practice out of all respondents, 128(74%) had faced the child in need of first aid. About attitude, all respondents (100%) felt good attitude towards giving and learning first aid. Service year (AOR=8.6, 95%CI0.035-0.399) and previous first aid training (AOR=2.5, 95%CI 1.138-5.570) were found to have a significant association with knowledge of first aid.&#x0D; Conclusion: The knowledge of kindergarten teachers towards first aid were found to be low while they have the good attitude towards giving first aid and receiving training on first aid. It remains necessary to increase their actual first aid knowledge and skills.&#x0D;

SOCIOCULTURAL FACTORS OF INTEGRATION OF RELUCTANT MIGRANTS IN UKRAINIAN SOCIETY

The article deals with socio-cultural factors affecting the degree of integration of reluctant migrants in Ukrainian society. Two indicators of integration were used: the existence of strong social ties with members of the host community and the participation and / or interest in the life of the host community. The results of a sociological survey are presented, the tasks of which were, first, the identification of actual skills and abilities that can (or do not suffice) for reluctant migrants from Donbass to integrate into host communities, and secondly, the level of integration of reluctant migrants on the basis of their self-identification. According to the results of the survey, only 41 % of reluctant migrants consider themselves integrated into the host community, 16 % do not consider themselves integrated at all; 31 % consider themselves only partially integrated, 3 % do not want to integrate, and 9 % found it difficult to answer. Among the skills and abilities that helped reluctant migrants to settle in a new place, the ability to resist stress (51 %) and the ability to create social ties (43 %) are leading. Knowledge of foreign languages (38 %), entrepreneurial skills (30 %) are among the skills that are lacking for reluctantmigrants. The results of the research show correlation between the level of integration of reluctant migrants in receiving communities and the ability to create and accumulate relevant social capital in the form of new horizontal links and cultural capital in the form of personal skills and competencies.

Filling the gap between the OR and virtual simulation: a European study on a basic neurosurgical procedure.

Currently available simulators are supposed to allow young neurosurgeons to hone their technical skills in a safe environment, without causing any unnecessary harm to their patients caused by their inexperience. For this training method to be largely accepted in neurosurgery, it is necessary to prove simulation efficacy by means of large-scale clinical validation studies. We correlated and analysed the performance at a simulator and the actual operative skills of different neurosurgeons (construct validity). We conducted a study involving 92 residents and attending neurosurgeons from different European Centres; each participant had to perform a virtual task, namely the placement of an external ventricular drain (EVD) at a neurosurgical simulator (ImmersiveTouch). The number of attempts needed to reach the ventricles and the accuracy in positioning the catheter were assessed. Data suggests a positive correlation between subjects who placed more EVDs in the previous year and those who get better scores at the simulator (p = .008) (fewer attempts and better surgical accuracy). The number of attempts to reach the ventricle was also analysed; senior residents needed fewer attempts (mean = 2.26; SD = 1.11) than junior residents (mean = 3.12; SD = 1.05) (p = .007) and staff neurosurgeons (mean = 2.89, SD = 1.23). Scoring results were compared by using the Fisher's test, for the analysis of the variances, and the Student's T test. Surprisingly, having a wider surgical experience overall does not correlate with the best performance at the simulator. The performance of an EVD placement on a simulator correlates with the density of the neurosurgical experience for that specific task performed in the OR, suggesting that simulators are able to differentiate neurosurgeons according to their surgical ability. Namely this suggests that the simulation performance reflects the surgeons' consistency in placing EVDs in the last year.

Relationships Among Perceived and Actual Motor Skill Competence and Physical Activity in Indonesian Preschoolers

This study examined the feasibility of recruiting and collecting data of Indonesian preschooler’s fundamental motor skill (FMS) competence, perceived motor competence, and physical activity in school. A secondary purpose was to explore the relationship among perceived motor competence, FMS competence, school day physical activity behaviors, playground physical activity behaviors, and sex of Indonesian preschoolers from urban and rural environments. Preschoolers (N = 66;n = 35 rural,n = 31 urban) were evaluated on the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Movement Skill Competence (PMSC), Perceived Physical Competence subscale (PPC). FMS competence was evaluated using the Test of Gross Motor Development-3. Three-day accelerometry at school yielded percent of school day and percent of playground time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behaviors. Children spent 80% of the school day in sedentary behavior and 7% in MVPA. There were sex differences (p &lt; .05) in ball skills favoring boys, and location differences on sedentary playground behaviors (p &lt; .05) with rural children being more sedentary. Children felt “pretty good” about their motor skills (3.29–3.46) on the PPC and PMSC. Regression analyses revealed that location and locomotor skills predicted 13.8% of playground sedentary behaviors; PPC and locomotor skills explained 13.3% of MVPA on the playground; and ball skills predicted 7.7% of PPC. These findings emphasize the need for early motor skill and physical activity interventions and highlight the importance of perceived motor competence.

Behaviour Change Communication in Health Promotion: Appropriate Practices and Promising Approaches

Behavior Change Communication may take different forms to appeal to individuals or groups to change behavior towards a specific health problem. The study focuses on how communication can be used as a potent tool for promoting positive health behavior among populations to prevent and control the spread of diseases and illnesses. The study also identifies models of communication that can be used to guide the development of strategies that foster protection, reduces risky behaviors, and encourage adoption and maintenance of positive behaviors. There are a wide variety of different communication channels ranging from basic face-to-face conversation, telecommunication channels like the telephone or e-mail, computational channels like the medical record and mass media channels like TV, radio, posters, brochures etc. It is important to know which channels can most effectively reach particular target populations. Campaigns attempt to influence adoption of recommended behaviors by influencing what people know and believe about their behavior, or influence actual or perceived social norms, or by changing actual skills and confidence in skills assumed to influence behavior. The study concludes that the effort to bring about positive behavior change in the society should involve all stakeholders.

Longitudinal Evaluation of University GPA and Real Performance of Mathematics Graduates

Background and Objective: Saudi Arabian university graduates are required to qualify a national examination test related to their field in order to ratify their degrees. The results of mathematics graduate in this exam were not appreciable. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the reasons of low success rate of the students besides having higher Grade Point Averages (GPAs). This research constituted a longitudinal performance analysis of mathematics students who graduated during 2010-2014 from the Department of Mathematics, College of Sciences and Humanities, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: The study population comprised of 97 graduates who belonged to either government schools or private schools at secondary level and admitted to the University for Bachelor degree, which they qualified. The mathematics skills of these graduates were tested at four levels; firstly, skills before entering to the university; secondly, at the entry levels in the university; thirdly, after graduation from the University and fourthly; during their employment in the various organizations level. A longitudinal, correlative and case study research methods were employed to obtain descriptive statistics such as correlations and multiple regressions analysis. Results: There appeared a significant positive and weak relationship between the high school grades averages and the university GPA. The students who secured good grades in school also secured good grades in university and vice versa. The students who graduated from the government schools performed better in mathematics skills as compared to the students who came out from private schools. There was inflating tendency of grades to the students in university as compared to their actual mathematical skills because the students who obtained 3.0 GPA in the university successively failed even in their seventh attempt to pass compulsory national aptitude test in order to ratify their degrees. Conclusion: It was recommend that the university authorities must devise strategies to linking grades to actual skills of students and tendency to inflate grade must be restricted and a comprehensive study be undertaken at whole of the university level as well as at all universities level to generalize these results.