Advanced Training Research Articles

ParaVerse: co-design of a parachute rehearsal and training virtual-reality enhanced simulator for the Australian Defence Force: combining a generative co-design framework and an agile approach to development

While co-design methods are crucial for developing digital educational interventions that are user-centred, contextually relevant, inclusive, and effective in meeting the diverse needs of learners and educators, little attention has been paid to the potential value of co-design processes for digital application development in the Defence context. This research gauged the efficacy of combining a generative co-design framework making use of agile and iterative co-design principles in an applied research and development project. The project produced an immersive virtual reality based digital solution in collaboration with the Australian Defence Force Special Operations Command (SOCOMD) Army. Specifically, the ParaVerse project sought to develop a solution considering the advanced Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) relevant to special operations soldiers for advanced parachute training. A Defence advisory group consisting of a series of subject matter experts was formulated to consult with the research and development team over the course of the co-design process. End-user testing with 35 SOCOMD personnel demonstrated the value of the ParaVerse application for SOCOMD personnel, speaking to the success of the leveraged generative co-design model. End-users rated ParaVerse as having greater capacity to influence education and training practices for SOCOMD and Defence generally in comparison to a pre-existing virtual parachute simulator. ParaVerse was also rated higher for satisfaction and useability and was associated with fewer instances of motion sickness. The Generative Co-Design Framework leveraged for this research provides one roadmap on how to integrate end-users in innovation design, particularly for projects working across the nexus of Defence and academia.

The role of single case experimental designs in evidence creation in rehabilitation.

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are considered the gold standard of evidence guiding intervention selection in rehabilitation. However, conduct of sufficiently powered RCTs in rehabilitation can be expensive, pose ethical and attrition concerns when participants are assigned to ineffective treatment as usual conditions, and are infeasible with low-incidence populations. Single-case experimental designs (SCEDs), including N-of-1 RCTs are causal inference studies for small numbers of participants and not necessarily one participant as the name implies. These designs are increasingly used to evaluate the effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions in diverse clinical settings and employ design features including but not limited to randomization and each participant serving as their own control. These and other internal validity enhancements can increase the confidence in study results coming from these designs. This manuscript discusses the expanded application of SCEDs in rehabilitation contexts to answer everyday clinical rehabilitation research questions with emphasis on strategies to use: 1) to maximize internal validity of this family of designs; 2) improve utility, effectiveness, and acceptability of these designs for rehabilitation end-users (clinicians, policymakers, and participants); 3) build evidence bases in areas of rehabilitation where RCTs are uncommonly used. Primary considerations for situating SCEDs within the continuum of experimental designs include increasing internal validity within designs, improving transparency in conduct and reporting of these studies, and increasing access to advanced research methods training for rehabilitation professionals.

Personalized translator training in the era of digital intelligence: Opportunities, challenges, and prospects

This study investigates the transformative effects of digital intelligence on translator education through a theoretical and exploratory approach, employing both bibliometric and content analysis to derive its findings. It systematically examines the evolution of translator training methodologies through the integration of AI, ChatGPT, large language models (LLMs), and 5G, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding these changes. Key findings reveal that personalized learning, supported by digital tools, significantly enhances student engagement and skill acquisition. However, challenges such as ensuring data quality, mitigating excessive dependence on technology, and maintaining ethical standards persist. The study underscores the critical necessity of developing advanced training platforms and strategies that foster effective teacher-student interactions and uphold academic integrity. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of continuous innovation in educational practices to equip future translators for the demands of a digital and highly connected world. These insights offer valuable guidance for educators and policymakers in crafting curricula that are both forward-thinking and resilient.

Disaster management training for environmental health: A narrative literature review.

The review suggests that with proper basic training for disaster responders, more lives can be saved during and after disasters. It highlights the insufficiency of current training programmes and emphasises the need for advanced role-specific training for environmental health practitioners. The review emphasises the need for advanced role-specific training, community assessment skills and focused disaster response strategies to enhance environmental health practitioners' ability to respond to disasters and improve public health resilience. Enhanced training, capacity building and collaboration are necessary to improve the competencies, skills and knowledge of environmental health practitioners in disaster risk management and public health emergencies.

Креативные установки в контексте жизненных и профессиональных ценностей студенческой молодежи: гендерное измерение

The problem studied in the article is caused by the need to develop creative sectors of the Russian economy and generate innovative processes in all spheres of life, which require creating conditions for creative self-realization for both women and men equally. The article is devoted to the identification of the connection between students' attitudes to creative activity and their life and professional values, special attention is paid to the search for gender differences in creative attitudes of students. The empirical base of the study is the data from a survey conducted in 2024 among Russian university students (n=750). The results of the study identified the priority of essential terminal motivation of creative activity due to the high importance of selfactualization values in the structure of life and professional values of students. The following gender features of attitudes toward creative activity among students were identified: women are more involved in the development of creative projects and advanced training at courses and trainings, men – in programming, mastering and improving technologies; women are more often involved in the manifestation of creativity in creative hobbies, education, social and civic activism, men – in scientific research, politics and management. It is concluded that the institutional conditions existing in Russian society and gender role stereotypes rooted in the public consciousness influence the nature of women’s creative attitudes and their choice of areas for realizing their creative potential. Gender asymmetry in areas of employment and the “closedness” of women’s access to areas such as management and politics do not contribute to women’s desire to show their potential in them.

일반계 고등학교에서 체육계열 전문교과 운영 경험에 대한 현상학적 연구

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to recognize the current situation, analyze the difficulties, and propose improvement measures for the effective operation of specialized subjects in physical education in general high schools. Methods: This study utilized Colaizzi's phenomenological analysis method to draw conclusions from five physical education teachers who had experience of operating specialized subjects in physical education in a general high school. Results: First, the specialty departments recognized the need for specialized practical subjects and in-depth training for career advancement. Secondly, the cases of poor teaching due to cumbersome course organization, insufficient budgetary support, harsh teaching environment due to complex teaching conditions, arbitrary application of teaching, and lack of teaching materials were identified as difficulties in the operation of specialized subjects in physical education. Third, it was concluded that teachers' willingness to personalize education and learner-centered elective courses are necessary for the continued operation of specialized subjects in physical education. Conclusion: In conclusion, in the upcoming 2022 revised curriculum, physical education specialty courses will be more accessible to students as general education electives, so it is necessary to find more effective ways to operate them through the experience of operating specialized subjects in physical education.

EXPERIENCE-ORIENTED TRAINING CONTENT FOR ADVANCING THE QUALIFICATIONS OF UNIVERSITY LECTURERS

The article touches upon the eliminating contradictions between the potential of professional knowledge of young people, practical experiences of production specialists working in higher educational institutions and the empirical idea of professional and pedagogical competencies that contribute to the development of cognitive and personal skills and competencies of students in the educational process. In order to form and develop the above-mentioned personal qualities the authors have developed a level based professional development program for young and experienced university lecturers, the content of educational courses and the methodology of modern training. The level based educational program has been developed for three years. The content of the educational material of the second training module is aimed at developing innovative teaching methods and the final module allows them to study the methodology and monitoring of conducting pedagogical research. The practice of using active exercises as methodological methods at the beginning of classes allowed increasing motivation for educational and cognitive activity and improving the psychological state of students. Upon completion of the level training courses, students will be given the opportunity to perform project work on training modules and test themselves in readiness for transformative activities. The results of the work on the development of the content of the course program and the methods of teaching students at the courses can be useful for teachers, managers of advanced training courses at the university

Компетенции специалистов, работающих с детьми с расстройствами аутистического спектра, в системе непрерывного образования

This paper identifies the competencies of specialists working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) using a modular competence approach in the continuing education system. The study provided additional training to specialists in Tatarstan and conducted an online survey of 104 participants who had completed advanced training. The survey identified an uneven formation of competencies among specialists, with teachers and educators less prepared to interact with children with ASD than speech therapists and psychologists. Inadequacies were found in all groups, especially in diagnosis and technology applications. A model of additional education was developed for specialists in the integrated support system for children with ASD that needs to be expanded to include teachers and educators involved in inclusive education.

Typology of Leadership Styles Depending on the Nature of Decision-Making and Business/Person Orientation

The purpose of the study is to develop a classification of leadership styles based on a combination of two indicators: the degree of employees’ involvement in the decision-making process and the prevailing orientation at the enterprise either towards achieving organizational results or towards ensuring employees’ satisfaction. The scientific novelty of the work is in the approach to solving the stated problem, namely, the creation of the authors’ typology of management styles (individual authoritarian, paternalistic, collective, communal), based on a combination of the degree of staff participation in making management decisions and target orientation towards business/relationships. The results obtained show that this methodology helps to reveal most efficiently the features of management at modern Russian enterprises. This methodology was used as a basis for the analyses of the aspects determining the nature of the leadership. There was revealed its relationship with various socio-economic factors. Long-term longitudinal studies conducted at Naberezhnye Chelny enterprises provided the authors of the article with empirical material, on the basis of which it was concluded that authoritarianism and paternalism were the most characteristic of the modern domestic managers’ style. The practical significance of the study is in the possibility of applying its results at enterprises in various sectors of the economy. The proposed classification of management styles can be used as a methodological toolkit in studying the effectiveness of management work at different organizations, as well as in the process of training, retraining and advanced training of personnel.

Optimization of human capital in the agrarian sphere: goals, principles and methods

Sufficient provision of agricultural enterprises with labor resources, their territorial and structural balance, rational use, high level of labor productivity are the key directions of effective functioning of agro-industrial complex, growth of production volumes and increase of its efficiency. Purpose - to analyze the criteria of human capital optimization in the agrarian sphere, to identify existing problems and to determine promising directions. Methods - the study used quantitative and qualitative analysis methods, including the collection and processing of statistical data, questionnaire survey of employees of the agrarian sector, as well as interviews with farm managers. Using the correlation and regression method, the influence of the studied factors on the optimization of labor activity was substantiated. Results - the article identifies the main issues of agricultural staffing, which consist in the decline in the professional qualification level of specialists, low staffing levels, outflow of able-bodied population from rural areas, loss of prestige of agricultural professions. Conclusions - this study emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to the management of labor potential in agro-industrial production of the republic. The introduction of advanced training programs, improvement of working conditions and social infrastructure is the basis for sustainable development of the industry. It is also recommended to strengthen state support and stimulate the attraction of capital of domestic and foreign private investors and investment funds in rural regions to ensure stable activity of agricultural enterprises. It shows further prospects for increasing human resources to ensure the competitiveness of domestic agricultural producers and as the main driving element in the establishment of innovation economy and the expansion of globalization processes.

Role of Laparoscopy in Reproductive Age Group Women with Gynecological Problems in a Tertiary Medical College

Background Laparoscopy has been a revolution in gynecological surgery as it is safe and minimally invasive. It can be used as a diagnostic as well as treatment modality for different gynecological problems like Chronic pelvic pain, adnexal cyst, ectopic pregnancy, Pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.MethodsThis study was carried out at College of Medical Sciences-Teaching Hospital from April 2022 to March 2023 in 105 women. All the women undergoing laparoscopic surgeries were analyzed for indications, intraoperative findings and interventions.ResultsThe mean±SD of age of women was 30.34±7.73 years, most were in age group 26-35 years. The most common indications for Laparoscopy were for Adnexal cyst (74.28%), Chronic Pelvic Pain (14.28%) and Infertility (11.42%). The most common findings according to site were Ovarian pathology (48.60 %) followed by peritoneal pathology (22.9 %), Tubal pathology (17.14%) and normal findings (10.50%). In ovarian - Dermoid cyst (31.37 %), in tubal - ectopic pregnancy (55.56%), in peritoneal-Adhesions (45.83%) were the most common finding. In laparoscopic interventions, 26.70% had cystectomy, 14.3 % had salpingectomy and 13.3 % had Sterilization. Conclusions Laparoscopy as a modality for diagnosis and treatment of gynecological problems has been well established in recent times. It’s been a choice of surgery because of its reduce postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery and minimal scar. However, adequate advanced training and equipment are needed to perform skillful laparoscopic surgeries.

Evolving Adversarial Training (EAT) for AI-Powered Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)

Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) are crucial components of network security, yet traditional IDS models often fail to cope with rapidly evolving adversarial attacks that exploit their static nature. This study proposes a novel approach, Evolving Adversarial Training (EAT), to enhance the adaptability and robustness of AI-powered IDS against dynamic threats. The EAT framework integrates continuous model evolution with advanced adversarial training techniques, enabling the IDS to dynamically adjust to new attack patterns. Experimental results demonstrate that the EAT framework significantly enhances IDS performance, leading to increased detection accuracy and reduced false positive rates compared to conventional methods. These findings emphasize the potential of EAT in fortifying network defenses against evolving cyber threats, offering a promising avenue for future research in scalable and adaptive IDS solutions that can effectively combat the complexities of modern cyber adversaries. The research explores three key objectives: dynamic adaptation and adversarial training, continuous learning and enhanced threat detection, and robustness and generalization. By focusing on these objectives, the study aims to develop AI-powered IDS that can effectively navigate the ever-changing cyber threat landscape. The research methodology includes data collection, model architecture design, training and evaluation, continuous learning, simulation, and real-world testing, all aimed at enhancing the resilience of AI-powered IDS against adversarial attacks. By systematically following this framework, the study intends to enhance the security system of IDS through the effective implementation of EAT.

Ankle sprains in male Israeli infantry soldiers during training: prevalence and risk factors

BackgroundGiven the high incidence and heavy burden of ankle sprains in recruits, large-scale, multifactorial investigations into potential risk factors are warranted. This study aimed to identify the incidence of ankle...

Dementia Training for Nurses in Acute Care Settings: Impacts and Barriers.

The provision of consistent, high-quality dementia care training for healthcare professionals in acute care hospital settings has been largely overlooked until recent years. This study was designed to investigate the effect of current healthcare professional dementia care training courses on related knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy in hospital nurses and to understand their training-related experiences, willingness, and perceived barriers. Using a cross-sectional design, 201 nurses were recruited from a teaching medical center in Taiwan. A questionnaire was developed by the researchers to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy related to caring for people with dementia and to elucidate participant experiences and preferences regarding dementia care training courses. Five academic and clinical dementia care experts held three content validity evaluation rounds for the developed questionnaire. Inferential statistics were used to compare the knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy related to caring for people with dementia between participants who had and had not attended a dementia care training course. Nearly all (96.5%) of the participants had prior experience caring for people with dementia, but only 25.9% and 7.0% respectively reported haven taken basic and advanced healthcare professional dementia care training courses. Those who had taken either the basic or advanced course earned higher mean knowledge scores than those who had taken neither (p = .009 and p = .027, respectively). Time constraints and scheduling conflicts were identified as the major barriers to attending dementia care training (n = 164, 81.6%). The participants who had attended either the basic or advanced healthcare professional dementia care training course were found to have better dementia care knowledge than those who had not. Stakeholders should work to further reduce the barriers faced by nurses to attending essential dementia care training.

Digital technology implementation in prosthodontics postgraduate programs in Saudi Arabia: a multi-institutional survey of program directors

ObjectiveTo assess the current status of digital technology (DT) implementation in prosthodontics post-graduate (PG) programs in Saudi Arabian dental institutions.MethodologyA 19-item survey was created using Google forms and the link was emailed to the 29 prosthodontics PG program directors (advanced clinical training and joint program) in Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire contained five Sect. 1) didactic training and DT usage in PG preclinical, clinical and laboratory training, 2) incorporation of DT in PG program, 3) utilization of DT and the types of cases treated by PG students during their course, 4) information on the faculties involved in prosthodontics PG education, and 5) potential challenges encountered and program directors’ satisfaction of the PG program. Descriptive statistics was used to present the frequencies and proportions, and Chi square inferential test was used to compare the participants’ response based on the type of PG programs (α = 0.05).ResultsOnly 28 program directors responded to the survey, yielding a 95.5% response rate. Among the program directors, 24 (85.7%) and 4 (14.3%) directors supervised the advanced clinical training and joint programs, respectively. Among the DT, CAD/CAM was the most used technology (50–80%), followed by intra-oral scanning (28–96%). Digital technology implementation was largely limited by lack of resources or equipment (67%), cost (53%) and scarcity of PG teaching staff (46%). A significant difference was observed between the programs regarding the mandatory use of DT for their cases (p = 0.03).ConclusionsThis multi-institutional survey of program directors revealed that DT is continuously implemented in the last few years. Saudi dental institutions must prioritize implementing and utilizing DT in PG training to graduate competent prosthodontists in this fast-paced digital era. While DT is pivotal in dental education, its implementation is limited in many institutions due to resources or equipment, cost, and lack of trained faculty.

Barriers to initiating and implementing palliative and end-of-life care for children with life-limiting conditions: a mixed-methods study in a UK children’s hospital

BackgroundTo ensure that children with life-limiting conditions (LLC) and their families have access to a palliative care pathway from diagnosis to death and bereavement, a better understanding of the challenges...

Feasibility Study of Technology Footwork Ability Test on National Disability Badminton Athletes

Technological advances in sports testing and measurement are expanding, but there is a notable gap in research focused on physical conditioning tests for athletes with disabilities. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of footwork ability test technology for para badminton athletes. A quantitative descriptive design was employed, involving trials with both the footwork ability test technology and conventional methods. The subjects were National Para Badminton Athletes of Malaysia, selected through purposive sampling for their relevance to the research objectives. The study utilized a footwork ability test device, whose validity and reliability were assessed in comparison to conventional tests. Data were analyzed using percentage calculation techniques to determine effectiveness and error rates. Results indicate that the footwork ability test technology achieved an effectiveness rate of 97.1%, demonstrating superior performance with a lower error rate than conventional tests. This indicates the technology's suitability for athletes with disabilities, including those categorized as lower standing, upper standing, and short stature. The findings suggest significant potential for broader application in various sports disciplines. Future research should explore the technology's adaptability to different sports and environmental conditions, contributing to more inclusive and advanced training methodologies for athletes with disabilities.

Influence of Teachers’ Professional Training and Development on Students’ Academic Performance in Public Secondary Schools in Ndhiwa Sub-County Homabay County, Kenya

Purpose: The persistent academic underperformance in public secondary schools in Kenyan rural areas has raised concerns among educators, policymakers, and local communities. The purpose of the study is to evaluate how teacher professional training and development influence academic performance. One of the key factors believed to have contributed to this challenge is the lack of sufficient and effective professional training and development programs for teachers. There is a growing need to examine how teachers' professional training and development influence students' academic outcomes. The problem this study seeks to address is the unclear and under-researched relationship between teachers' professional development and students' academic performance in Ndhiwa Sub-County. Methodology: The study used descriptive research design and 15 public secondary schools, 113 teachers and 522 students were involved in the study as study respondents. The study used document analysis and semi structured questionnaires to collect the quantitative data, which was analyzed through descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages). Findings: The study reveals that teachers' professional training and development have a significant impact on students' academic performance in public secondary schools in Ndhiwa Sub-County. The findings also indicated that teachers who undergo continuous professional development are better equipped with modern teaching strategies, content knowledge, and student engagement techniques, which in turn positively influence students' academic outcomes. Teachers with higher levels of training and access to ongoing professional development demonstrate improved classroom management, increased use of learner-centered methodologies, and more effective assessment technique. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: From the study findings, the study recommends that schools and educational authorities should develop more structured and regular Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programs that focus on subject-specific training, pedagogical skills, and updated teaching methodologies. This is because the study findings likely indicate that teachers who engage in regular training and development show better performance in student outcomes. The education policy makers should come up with the programs that forge partnerships between secondary schools and local universities or teacher training colleges to provide advanced training opportunities and access to educational research.

Use of a handheld system for interventional ultrasound with puncture and biopsy in an in vitro liver model.

Ultrasound-guided interventions (such as biopsies) of unclear lesions are indicated if microcirculatory changes indicate possible malignant lesions. These place high demands on the ultrasound device used. In order to potentially reduce the often associated high technical effort, the wireless ultrasound device Vscan AirTM was examined as a possible ultrasound device for the intervention biopsy. As part of an advanced training course on Computertomographie- and ultrasound-guided biopsy and ablation procedures, participants were asked about the image quality of the handheld device used by means of questionnaires. Various lesions were evaluated at a depth of 1.0 to 5.0 cm in an in vitro liver model. The image quality was evaluated independently before, during and after the intervention. The rating scale contained values from 0 (no assessment possible) to 5 (maximum high image quality). A high-end device was used as a reference. A total of 11 participants took part in the study (n = 4 male [36.4%], n = 7 female [63.6%]). A total of five tumor like lesions at different depths (1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, >4 cm) were assessed separately. In all cases, an adequate biopsy of the target lesion (1 cm in length, core filling 5 mm) was successful. From a depth of 3 cm, the image quality of the mobile device increasingly decreased, but the image quality of the high-end system was still not impaired. Compared to the high-end device, there was a highly significant difference in image quality from a depth of 3 cm (p < 0.01). Assessment by inexperienced examiners using a handheld device was adequately possible. Mobile interventional ultrasound represents a potential alternative for the biopsy of unclear tumorous lesions with microcirculatory disorders with limited depth localization.

IMRA/SRS Delphi consensus on international standards for common core components of robotic surgical training design

Robotic surgery has expanded internationally at pace. There are multiple local robotic training pathways but there is inconsistency in standardisation of core common components for curricula internationally. A framework is required to define key objectives that can be implemented across robotic training ecosystems. This Delphi consensus aimed to provide recommendations for core considerations in robotic training design across diverse training environments internationally. A literature search was performed and an international steering committee (AG, KL, JW, HM, TC) proposed key components for contemporary robotic training design and a modified Delphi approach was used to gather stakeholder opinion. The outcomes were then discussed at a face-to-face international expert consensus at the IMRA educational session at the Society of Robotic Surgery (SRS) meeting and final voting was conducted on outstanding items. Stakeholders included robotic surgeons, proctors, trainees and robotic surgical training providers. There was consensus achieved in 139 statements organised into 15 themes. There was 100% agreement that standardised themes in robotic curricula may improve patient safety. Key take-home messages include—training curricula should be multiplatform, non-technical skills are an important component of a robotic curriculum as well as console and bedside skills, clinically relevant performance metrics should be used for assessment where available, the reliance on cadaveric and live animal models should be reduced as high-fidelity synthetic models emerge, and stepwise component training is useful for advanced procedural training. These consensus recommendations are intended to guide design of fit for purpose contemporary robotic surgical curricula. Integration of these components into robotic training pathways internationally is recommended.