Training Requirements Research Articles

Business Performance and Governance Visual Presentation B03: Critical supply chains and Australian maritime training requirements

Business Performance and Governance Visual Presentation B03: Critical supply chains and Australian maritime training requirements

Smart contract assisted secure aggregation scheme for model update in federated learning

Federated learning (FL) is a cutting-edge machine learning architecture that effectively meets the data and model training requirements of numerous businesses, while ensuring privacy protection, data security, and adherence to legal constraints. However, recent studies have demonstrated that attackers can deduce users’ personal data from their shared model parameters, thus underscoring a substantial security risk for federated learning. Despite considerable efforts by academics to address this issue, current approaches suffer from drawbacks such as high communication and processing costs, insufficient robustness, and heavy reliance on trusted third parties. In this paper, we present the smart contract assisted secure aggregation scheme (SCSA) to overcome the aforementioned problems. First, we creatively offer a three-layer secure aggregation architecture that is particularly suitable for scenarios involving multiple sensors used in model training. Secondly, to ensure the credibility of the identities between participating entities in the model parameters aggregation process of FL, a novel certificateless authentication mechanism relying on certificateless encryption is provided. Moreover, for the sake of enhancing the security of the aggregation process in FL, we employ a combination of smart contracts and secret sharing techniques to distribute security masks to users in a decentralized and highly secure manner. It also combines with secure communication to create a double fault tolerance mechanism that significantly boosts the whole system’s robustness. The effectiveness of our approach in achieving secure aggregation is substantiated through theoretical analysis and simulated trials, while simultaneously ensuring strong security and robustness.

Research on the generation and annotation method of thin section images of tight oil reservoir based on deep learning

The cast thin sections of tight oil reservoirs contain important parameters such as rock mineral composition and content, porosity, permeability and stratigraphic characteristics, which are of great significance for reservoir evaluation. The use of deep learning technology for intelligent identification of thin section images is a development trend of mineral identification. However, the difficulty of making cast thin sections, the complexity of the making process and the high cost of thin section annotation have led to a lack of cast thin section images, which cannot meet the training requirements of deep learning image recognition models. In order to increase the sample size and improve the training effect of deep learning model, we proposed a generation and annotation method of thin section images of tight oil reservoir based on deep learning, by taking Fuyu reservoir in Sanzhao Sag as the target area. Firstly, the Augmentor strategy space was used to preliminarily augment the original images while preserving the original image features to meet the requirements of the model. Secondly, the category attention mechanism was added to the original StyleGAN network to avoid the influence of the uneven number of components in thin sections on the quality of the generated images. Then, the SALM annotation module was designed to achieve semi-automatic annotation of the generated images. Finally, experiments on image sharpness, distortion, standard accuracy and annotation efficiency were designed to verify the advantages of the method in image quality and annotation efficiency.

Exploring Trends and Challenges in Professional Development of Adult Educators across European Member States: Insights and Recommendations for Improvements

This article provides an overview of professional development trends in European Member States, encompassing training and qualification requirements, as well as the supply and demand for adult teaching staff, including specialized training in andragogical studies. The study investigates actions and policies related to professional development in selected European Member States through thematic analysis of a supportive document for National Coordinators of Adult Learning, who participated in an online Peer Learning Activity (PLA) in May 2021. Additionally, relevant information from Eurydice, European policy documents, scholarly articles, and research papers is incorporated. This overview sets the stage for a discussion on prevailing trends in the professional development of adult educators across European Member States and explores how these trends impact professional development. Overall, the discussion underscores the need for a more systematic and sustained approach to professional development and professionalization in the field of adult education. This includes addressing the diverse needs of adult educators and advocating for greater recognition and regulation of the profession across European countries.

Dialysis nurse demand in Europe: an estimated prediction based on modelling.

To estimate the projections of supply and demand for dialysis nurses (DNs) over 5years in four European countries (France, Italy, Spain and the UK). This study modelled the nursing labour workforce across each jurisdiction by estimating the current nursing labour force, number of nursing graduates and the attrition rate. France currently has the greatest demand for DNs (51325 patients on dialysis), followed by Italy, the UK and Spain with 40661, 30301 and 28007 patients on dialysis, respectively. The number of in-centre haemodialysis (HD) patients is expected to increase in the four countries, while the number of patients on home HD (HHD) or on peritoneal dialysis (PD) is expected to increase in the UK. Currently Italy has the greatest proportion of DNs (2.6%), followed by France (2.1%), Spain (1.7%) and the UK (1.5%). Estimation of the dialysis nursing staff growth rate over 5years showed that the UK has the greatest estimated growth rate (6%), followed by Italy (2%), France (2%) and Spain (1%). Dialysis demand will increase in the coming years, which may exacerbate the DN shortage. Additionally, competencies and training requirements of DNs should be precisely defined. Finally, implementing and facilitating PD and HHD strategies would be helpful for patients, healthcare professionals and healthcare systems and can even help ease the DN shortage.

OWIED System to Facilitate the Entrustment Decision in EPA Implementation.

Entrustable professional activities (EPAs) are gaining attention as an approach for adequate implementation of a competency-based evaluation framework in nursing education. This study sought to develop an Online Web-assessment Interface for Entrustment Decision (OWIED) to facilitate the entrustment decision in EPA implementation. A participatory qualitative action research design consisting of two phases was used for this study. The exploration phase was conducted in close collaboration with stakeholders. Following the exploration phase, the primary researcher and a team of subject-matter experts in academic and information technology developed the OWIED system according to the exploration phase results. The necessary features that met the expectations of the stakeholders were identified and assisted in developing the OWIED system. OWIED may provide a valid tool to track and validate nursing student acquisition of core competencies and assist in making entrustment decisions as students fulfill their training requirements in their academic program. [J Nurs Educ. 2024;63(6):356-365.].

Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitudes toward Pacemaker: A Cross-Sectional Study

Despite the critical role of pacemakers in managing symptomatic atrioventricular and ventricular conduction abnormalities, there remains a significant gap in the knowledge and attitudes of nurses towards these devices. This study assesses the understanding and perceptions of pacemakers among nurses in Al-Basrah Governorate hospitals, exploring associations with demographic factors such as age, gender, educational level, years of experience, and training. Employing a descriptive methodology, a non-probability sample of 200 nurses from five hospitals (Abi Al-Khasib General Hospital, Umm Qasr General Hospital, Al-Zubair General Hospital, Al-Shifaa Hospital, and Al-Mawani Teaching Hospital) was surveyed from October 15, 2022, to August 15, 2023. Content validity was ensured by engaging eleven professionals, while reliability was assessed using Cronbach's Alpha. Results indicate a concerning deficiency in pacemaker-related knowledge, with 79.5% of nurses demonstrating poor knowledge, 18% showing intermediate knowledge, and only 2.5% exhibiting high knowledge. Similarly, attitudes were predominantly negative, with 81.5% of nurses expressing low enthusiasm towards pacemakers, while 11% and 7.5% displayed intermediate and high attitudes, respectively. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational interventions aimed at enhancing nurses' competence and attitudes concerning pacemakers to improve postoperative care and management outcomes for patients with these devices. Highlights: Knowledge Gap: A significant 79.5% of nurses show insufficient knowledge of pacemakers, indicating a critical need for improved medical education. Attitudinal Barriers: Over 81% of nurses have negative attitudes towards pacemakers, which may affect patient care quality. Training Requirement: There's a clear need for specialized training programs for nurses on pacemakers to enhance their knowledge and attitudes, ultimately improving patient care. Keywords: Pacemaker Knowledge, Nursing Attitudes, Educational Interventions

'Sustainability in the NHS': a novel method for teaching sustainable dentistry and quality improvement to dental core trainees.

The practice of dentistry contributes to 3% of the carbon footprint of the NHS. As awareness and concern about climate change increases, all dental care professionals must play their part in reducing the environmental impact of the care they provide. This paper aims to describe a novel method of teaching, both the theory and practical application of sustainable dentistry, by integrating sustainable quality improvement methods into the existing management and leadership requirements of dental core training.

Design and Driving Performance Study of Soft Actuators for Hand Rehabilitation Training.

To address the application requirements of soft actuators in rehabilitation training gloves, and in combination with ergonomic requirements, we designed a segmented soft actuator with bending and elongation modules. This actuator can achieve independent or coupled movements of the finger joints. A finite element model of the joint actuator was established to compare the driving performance of actuators with different structural forms. Numerical calculations were used to analyze the effects of structural size parameters on the bending characteristics and end output force of the actuator. The design was then refined based on these analyses. The joint actuator designed in this study demonstrated a 71% increase in bending angle compared to the standard fast pneumatic network structure. Key factors affecting the driving performance include the thickness of the constraint layer, the inner wall thickness of the chamber, chamber height, chamber width, chamber spacing, chamber length, and the number of chambers. After improvements, the bending angle of the joint actuator increased by 60.6%, and the output force increased by 145.9%, indicating significant improvement. This study designed and improved a soft actuator for hand rehabilitation training, achieving independent and coupled joint movements. The bending angle, bending shape, and joint driving force of the soft actuator meet the requirements for finger rehabilitation training.

Study on the Adaptability of Specialty Construction of Chongqing Higher Education Institutions to the Development of "33618" Modern Manufacturing Cluster System

This paper takes the industrial development of 33618 modern manufacturing clusters in Chongqing Municipality as the actual background as the basis. The purpose of this paper is to study the adaptability of the construction of higher education institutions and the development of "33618" modern manufacturing cluster system, analyze the degree of match between the current higher education institutions' professional settings and the development needs of the manufacturing industry, and put forward corresponding optimization proposals. Through this research, we can more deeply understand the development status and future trends of the city's manufacturing industry, to further promote the high-quality development of the manufacturing industry to provide strong support. The study firstly elaborates the development overview of modern manufacturing industry in Chongqing, combines the development of 33618 modern manufacturing cluster system, and constructs the development model of professional construction applicable to the current economic background. Secondly, through questionnaire survey, interviews and policy text analysis, multi-source data including teachers, students, enterprises and relevant government document statements were collected to ensure the comprehensiveness and accuracy of the research results. The study found that: educational institutions with high technology acceptance are more capable of attracting and cultivating students with innovative spirit and practical ability; effective allocation of resources directly affects the quality of teaching and the enhancement of students' ability; the implementation of teaching reforms can significantly enhance the responsiveness of education and the level of market orientation; and the in-depth promotion of the integration of industry and education is conducive to the accumulation of students' practical experience and the enhancement of their employment competition. In summary, the construction of e-commerce in colleges and universities should comply with the general trend of digital transformation, innovative educational concepts and teaching models, and strengthen cooperation with the industry in order to better adapt to and lead the needs of future e-commerce development. The research results of this paper expand the theoretical vision of 33168 modern manufacturing cluster system development research, and provide experience exploration and practical guidance for the construction of modern manufacturing industry in Chongqing and even the whole country, the new requirements for university professional construction and talent training, collaborate with industry information technology, education, science and technology, human resources and other relevant departments to promote the innovation of manufacturing high-quality development of talent training system, and promote the integration of "industry chain, innovation chain, talent chain, capital chain" depth.

Stigma and the use of umbrellas, hiking poles and walking sticks to aid walking in Hong Kong.

The use of walking aids is widely acknowledged as one of the most relied-on forms of assistive technology. Using stick-shaped devices, such as a cane, is often the entrance for many people to the world of assistive technologies, often accompanied by the negative stigma associated with ageing and disability. This study investigated the perception of disability and needs of the Hong Kong population using walking aids, aiming to inform device design and service provision. We observed 391 individuals using cane-like devices in their natural environment and conducted semi-structured interviews with 28 participants to understand stigma, barriers to acquisition, training, and design requirements. Half of the interviewees (50%, n = 14) did not feel disabled when using a walking stick, while 39% felt slightly disabled. 56% of the observed sample used non-medical-looking aids like hiking poles or umbrellas. Most interviewees (79%) purchased off-the-shelf devices, but less than half received seller support in choosing appropriate aids. The feelings associated with using walking sticks and similar devices are mostly positive. There is a preference in Hong Kong for using devices without a medical appearance to aid walking, such as umbrellas and hiking poles. There is a need to raise awareness of the risks of using umbrellas to aid walking and empower the user to make informed decisions when purchasing walking aid devices. In addition, there is a need to support the supply chain of walking aids, including umbrellas and hiking poles, to provide more information on device use, misuse, training, and maintenance.

Biological attributes required for epidermal regeneration: Evaluation of the next-generation autologous cell harvesting device.

Early wound intervention and closure is critical for reducing infection and improving aesthetic and functional outcomes for patients with acute burn wounds and nonthermal full-thickness skin defects. Treatment of partial-thickness burns or full-thickness injuries with autologous skin cell suspension (ASCS) achieves robust wound closure while limiting the amount of donor skin compared with standard autografting. A Next Generation Autologous Cell Harvesting Device (NG-ACHD) was developed to standardize the preparation process for ASCS to ensure biological attributes are obtained known to correlate with well-established safety and performance data. This study compared ASCS prepared using the NG-ACHD and ACHD following the manufacturer's guidance, evaluating cellular yields, viability, apoptotic activity, aggregates, phenotypes and functional capacity. Non-inferiority was established for all biological attributes tested and comparable healing trajectories were demonstrated using an in vitro skin regeneration model. In addition to standardization, the NG-ACHD also provides workflow efficiencies with the potential to decrease training requirements and increase the ease of incorporation and utilization of ASCS in clinical practice.

Challenges of E-Teaching During the Covid-19 Pandemic in Uganda Universities

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a quick transition to online learning, which has presented teachers with many difficulties when delivering instruction from a distance. In the context of e-teaching, this study investigated the difficulties faced by academic staff members during the COVID-19 pandemic. Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted as part of a qualitative research strategy with faculty members with e-teaching experience during the pandemic. The research identified several challenges related to technology, pedagogical adaptation, student engagement, assessment and feedback, workload management, and the effect on faculty members' emotions and psychological health. These difficulties highlighted the requirement for technological competence, pedagogical training, support structures, and resources to improve the experience of e-teaching. Comprehensive faculty development programs, inclusive instructional design, a variety of evaluation techniques, assistance with workload management, and attempts to enhance faculty well-being are among the recommendations. By addressing these issues, educational institutions can manage the difficulties of e-teaching in emergencies and ensure that students receive high-quality instruction in virtual classrooms.

Overview of 2024 FDA Advisory Panel Meeting on the TriClip transcatheter tricuspid valve repair system

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is common and associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Because the effectiveness and safety of medical and surgical treatments are limited, there is a significant unmet need for the treatment of this disease. Therefore, there is a growing market for percutaneous devices that offer safer, less invasive, and more effective treatment options in this patient population. On February 13, 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) convened a meeting of the Circulatory System Devices Panel to discuss the safety and effectiveness of the TriClip Transcatheter Valve Repair System (Abbott, Santa Clara, CA, USA). Several important points were discussed, including newly published data from the TRILUMINATE Pivotal study, the use of patient-oriented outcomes for device approval, and a discussion about training requirements and rollout plans when approving a breakthrough device. In this manuscript, we summarize the data presented by the sponsor and FDA and describe the deliberations and discussions during the meeting.

Understanding the experience of assistance dog providers supporting people with disability: an exploratory study

Purpose Assistance dogs can provide many health and wellbeing benefits to people with disability, however challenges remain. Assistance dog providers provide crucial support to assistance dog handlers, however limited literature exists exploring their experience working with people with disability. This study aimed to understand the experiences of assistance dog providers working in Australia. Materials and Methods Twelve assistance dog providers participated in semi-structured interviews. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse the transcripts. Results Five themes emerged describing the participant experience. Theme one discussed instances of discrimination experienced by assistance dog handlers, stemming from the lack of public awareness. Theme two captured the inconsistencies regarding the training of assistance dog providers with a specific focus on the gaps in the disability specific knowledge. Theme three emphasised the lack of clarity regarding legislation outlining the training requirements of assistance dog providers and the public access rights of the handlers. Theme four emphasised funding barriers, and theme five discussed barriers to interprofessional collaboration between assistance dog providers and allied health professionals. Conclusion These findings contribute to understanding the current barriers experienced by assistance dog providers and assistance dog handlers, as well as the legislative changes required to better support people with disability.

PROBLEMS OF PROFESSIONAL TRAINING OF FUTURE EDUCATORS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CREATIVE POTENTIAL OF CHILDREN IN THE CONDITIONS OF AN INCLUSIVE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

The article raises the issue of professional training of future educators for the development of children's creative potential in the conditions of an inclusive educational environment. The key object of the educational process in the modern educational paradigm is the personality of the child, who is able to critically perceive reality, analyse, propose ideas for solving tasks, realize his/her own uniqueness, the need for the development of individual abilities. The development of creative potential of a preschool child is aimed at forming the foundation for revealing the potential of each child in accordance with his needs, abilities, etc. The problem of the development of children's creative potential is intensified by the integration of inclusive education into the educational space of regular preschool education institutions, which puts forward new requirements for the professional training of educators who ensure the comprehensive development of all children in a single inclusive educational environment, adaptation and socialization of children with special educational needs in interaction with peers. Based on the analysis of scientific, pedagogical and methodological literature, the author highlights contemporary problems related to the research topic: the integration of inclusive education in Ukraine continues and has both positive developments and unresolved problems at the state and regional levels that slow down the achievement of the goal; the involvement of children with special educational needs in regular preschool education institutions requires in-depth improvement in order to expand opportunities for all children; lack of a model for the development of children's creative potential under the conditions of an inclusive educational environment; insufficient number of necessary specialists to work in the conditions of an inclusive educational environment; the need to modernize the variable component of professional training of future educators. The author comes to the conclusion that solving the above-mentioned problems requires targeted, thorough and long-term practical research in order to improve the quality of education, the productive development of the creative potential of each child in the conditions of an inclusive educational environment.

Local spatiotemporal dynamics of particulate matter and oak pollen measured by machine learning aided optical particle counters

Conventional techniques for monitoring pollen currently have significant limitations in terms of labour, cost and the spatiotemporal resolution that can be achieved. Pollen monitoring networks across the world are generally sparse and are not able to fully represent the detailed characteristics of airborne pollen. There are few studies that observe concentrations on a local scale, and even fewer that do so in ecologically rich rural areas and close to emitting sources. Better understanding of these would be relevant to occupational risk assessments for public health, as well as ecology, biodiversity, and climate.We present a study using low-cost optical particle counters (OPCs) and the application of machine learning models to monitor particulate matter and pollen within a mature oak forest in the UK. We characterise the observed oak pollen concentrations, first during an OPC colocation period (6 days) for calibration purposes, then for a period (36 days) when the OPCs were distributed on an observational tower at different heights through the canopy. We assess the efficacy and usefulness of this method and discuss directions for future development, including the requirements for training data.The results show promise, with the derived pollen concentrations following the expected diurnal trends and interactions with meteorological variables. Quercus pollen concentrations appeared greatest when measured at the canopy height of the forest (20–30 m). Quercus pollen concentrations were lowest at the greatest measurement height that is above the canopy (40 m), which is congruent with previous studies of background pollen in urban environments. The attenuation of pollen concentrations as sources are depleted is also observed across the season and at different heights, with some evidence that the pollen concentrations persist later at the lowest level beneath the canopy (10 m) where catkins mature latest in the season compared to higher catkins.

Associations between youth suicide rates and state school personnel suicide prevention training requirements

ObjectiveAs youth spend the majority of their time in school, school personnel suicide prevention training has gained support as an approach to mitigate rising youth suicide rates. This study examined associations between state school personnel suicide prevention training requirements (i.e., mandatory/non-mandatory and annual/not annual), year of legislation enactment (2013 or earlier/2014 or later), and changes in youth suicide rates by state from 2007-09 to 2016–18. MethodsSchool personnel suicide prevention training requirement data were collected through state-specific Department of Education websites while state-specific youth suicide rates were collected from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2020 National Vital Statistics Report. Data were analyzed using a mixed effects linear regression model. ResultsTraining is mandated in 40/50 (80 %) states; 19/50 (38 %) require annual training. All states demonstrated increases in youth suicide rates from 2007-09 to 2016–18 (mean increase 3.9/100,000 [sd = 1.8]), but the change did not differ significantly by state requirements for mandatory (p = 0.44) or annual (p = 0.70) training, nor for year of enactment of legislation (p = 0.45). ConclusionsSchool personnel suicide prevention training requirements were not associated with changes in the youth suicide rate, though study results are limited in that data was not available on how successfully schools implemented the required trainings.

E-learning in transfusion medicine: An exploratory qualitative assessment.

E-learning programmes are increasingly offered in transfusion medicine (TM) education. The aim of this study was to explore facilitators and barriers to TM e-learning programmes, including assessment of learning outcomes and measures of effectiveness. Participants selected from a prior survey and representing a diverse number of international e-learning programmes were invited to participate. A mixed methodology was employed, combining a survey and individual semi-structured one-on-one interviews. Interview data were analysed inductively to explore programme development, evaluation, and facilitators and barriers to implementation. Fourteen participants representing 13 institutions participated in the survey and 10 were interviewed. The e-learning programmes have been in use for a variable duration between 5 and 16 years. Funding sources varied, including government and institutional support. Learner assessment methods varied and encompassed multiple-choice-questions (n = 12), direct observation (n = 4) and competency assessment (n = 4). Most regional and national blood collection agencies rely on user feedback and short-term learning assessments to evaluate their programmes. Only one respondent indicated an attempt to correlate e-learning with clinical practices. Factors that facilitated programme implementation included support from management and external audits to ensure compliance with regulatory educational and training requirements. Barriers to programme implementation included the allocation of staff time for in-house development, enforcing compliance, keeping educational content up-to-date and gaining access to outcome data for educational providers. There is evidence of considerable diversity in the evaluation of e-learning programmes. Further work is needed to understand the ultimate impact of TM e-learning on transfusion practices and patient outcomes.

Shared Decision-Making Training in Family Medicine Residency: A Scoping Review

Shared decisions, in which physicians and patients share their agendas and make clinical decisions together, are optimal for patient-centered care. Shared decision-making (SDM) training in family medicine residency is always provided, but the best training approach for improving clinical practice is unclear. This review aims to identify the scope of the literature on SDM training in family medicine residency to better understand the opportunities for training in this area. Four databases (Embase, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched from their inception to November 2022. The search was limited to English language and text words for the following four components: (1) family medicine, (2) residency, (3) SDM, and (4) training. Of the 522 unique articles, six studies were included for data extraction and synthesis. Four studies referenced three training programs that included SDM and disease- or condition-specific issues. These programs showed positive effects on family medicine residents’ knowledge, skills, and willingness to engage in SDM. Two studies outlined the requirements for SDM training in postgraduate medical education at the national level, and detailed the educational needs of family medicine residents. Purposeful SDM training during family medicine residency improves residents’ knowledge, skills, and willingness to engage in SDM. Future studies should explore the effects of SDM training on clinical practice and patient care.