Simulated Situations Research Articles

Consistency in Subjective Judgments of Service Vehicle Type Based On Vehicle and Flashing Light Colors

The present study focused on the consistency in perceiving the intended function of a simulated service vehicle when its color, the color of its flashing lights, and its flashing light pattern varied. Tests were conducted during the day and at night. Participants driving along a test track were presented with a red or yellow vehicle equipped with either red or yellow flashing lights. Although driving speed differed only between ambient lighting conditions (daytime and nighttime), consistency in the participants’ perceptions of the simulated situation (emergency or nonemergency) was higher when the color of the vehicle was the same as the flashing lights. Ambient lighting conditions also significantly influenced participants’ judgments of each situation because the color of the vehicle was more apparent during the day than during the night with only headlight illumination on the vehicle. The flash pattern (faster or slower) had a negligible impact on participants’ perception of the simulated situation. These results reinforce previous findings that coordinating the colors of the flashing lights and the vehicle better informs drivers about the situations they encounter along the road, improving the safety of emergency responders and other service workers.

Issues and recent research on VHF sound exposure with consideration for young people's hearing perception

We define VHF sound as airborne sound that may be audible to humans above 16 kHz. It has been reported in recent studies that VHF sounds can be annoying when audible. We have therefore carried out various research studies to ensure the safe use of VHF sounds. One of the aim of this study is to obtain basic data for developing guidelines for VHF sound exposure, if necessary.These include measurements of hearing thresholds in the VHF range, ABR measurements, HRTF measurements and acoustic measurements for simulation and current situation of exposure regarding the effect of hair. This paper reports on recent trends in VHF sound exposure in Japan and several studies on the perceptions of young people's hearing of VHF sounds.

Preparation of printing and dyeing sludge biochar/macromolecule polymer microsphere as a non-sacrificial persulfate activator with excellent reusability and reduced heavy metals leaching

Biochar-based environmental functional materials offer a promising approach for the resourceful utilization of printing and dyeing sludge (PADS). However, pollutant desorption and heavy metal leaching pose potential environmental risks. In this study, we developed a novel PADS biochar (PADSBC) macromolecule polymer microsphere with outstanding reusability and stability. This microsphere effectively activated peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for the degradation of sulfadiazine (SDZ) while significantly reducing heavy metal leaching compared with PADSBC. The SDZ removal efficiency was not influenced by the type of macromolecule polymers (calcium alginate (CA), cellulose nanofibers (CNF), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)) incorporated into PADSBC. In the CA-PADSBC800 microsphere/PMS system, 97 % of SDZ was removed within 40 min, primarily through 1O2-induced oxidative degradation (62 %) and adsorption by CA-PADSBC800 (29 %). Additionally, CA-PADSBC800 prevented SDZ desorption for over five consecutive cycles, while PADSBC800 exhibited 25 % desorption. The presence of HCO3- and humic acids slightly delayed SDZ removal, while Cl- slightly accelerated it. Doping CA, CNF, and CA + CNF into PADSBC800 reduced the leaching of Cu and Cr by over 90 %, and Ni by over 80 %, under both experimental conditions and simulated surface water and landfill leachate situations. The excellent performance of the PADSBC-macromolecule polymer microspheres was attributed to the presence of carboxyl, hydroxyl, and C = O functional groups.

Extension of paperboard modelling with Föppl–von Karman terms for improved stress state under suction pressure

A practical method for solving the bending stiffness of a thin orthotropic plate based on measured deflection and known loading was studied. The target application was paperboard manufacturing and related process control. Here, finite element (FE) method was used to create virtual paperboard and its deflection data. The accuracy of the linear Kirchhoff plate model used in the practical method was tested against the FE model with known load and material properties. It was found that in the case of significant deflections, the linear Kirchoff model was not accurate. The non-linear Föppl--von Kàrmàn model takes into account the occurring membrane stresses and extends on the Kirchhoff model, allowing for larger deflection. The non-linear Föppl--von Kàrmàn model was found to successfully describe the simulated situation and could be used to better solve for the paperboard's bending stiffness values over two axes.

Midwifery students’ satisfaction with simulation-based education and associated factors among governmental universities in Amhara region, Ethiopia 2022

BackgroundSimulation is a method of learning in which the learner experiences a simulated situation instead of being physically present in the clinical area. Exposing students to simulation-based education improves learners’ clinical competence and ability to make decisions, which are crucial for today’s health workforce. When given the proper circumstances, such as receiving feedback on their performance, having the chance for repeated practice, and having simulation as a core component of the curriculum, simulated instruction greatly aids in learning. Although previous studies have been conducted in this area, there are gaps in determining the factors related to their learning environment and design characteristics.MethodAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 413 midwifery students in Amhara region universities from August 1–30, 2022. Study participants were selected via a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected from third and fourth-year undergraduate midwifery students through a self-administered questionnaire. Epi Data version 4.6 and Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26 were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed; a P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant in the study.ResultThis study revealed that 84.7% (95% CI: 81.1–88.3) of midwifery students in Amhara region universities were satisfied with simulation-based education. Year of study [AOR: 2.936; 95% CI (1.531–5.631)], adequate support [AOR: 2.903; 95% CI (1.217–6.922)], availability of instructors [AOR = 2.861, 95% CI (1.078–7.591)], and provision of checklists [AOR: 2.326; 95% CI (1.143–4.734)] were found to be statistically significant variables.ConclusionThis study revealed undergraduate midwifery students were more satisfied with simulation-based education compared with previous studies conducted in Ethiopia. Predictor variables such as year of study, support, instructor availability, and provision of checklists were significantly associated with student satisfaction. Hence, midwifery departments should strengthen the support given by staff, encourage their instructors to be available during simulations, improve the utilization and provision of checklists to students as much as possible.

The impact of educational programmes on building safety culture in modern society

Safety culture is an important element in the development of human thinking before making decisions in emergency situations. The aim of the study is to determine the specifics of the impact of educational programmes on building safety culture in modern society. The authors achieved the aim of the study by employing of the method of analysis, the Likert scale, the impact ratio calculations, the criterion of psychological training, the response coefficient, the J. Phillips’ correlation coefficient. The study determined that it is necessary to take into account the development of psychological stability, the impact of possible risks for building a safety culture. It is also necessary to ensure consideration of simulated situations for identifying response mechanisms. The study established that the influence of educational programmes on building safety culture is related to the development of logical thinking. The practical significance of the work consists in determining the mechanisms that have the greatest impact on the possibility of forming a safety culture in the educational process. The research prospects will be related to the comparison of the effectiveness of the proposed mechanisms during the management of emergency situations in the context of martial law and the influence of adverse weather conditions.

Mathematical model and analysis for within-host dynamics of the malaria parasite infection with optimal control strategies

This study develops and analyzes the within-host dynamics of malaria parasite infection with optimal control strategies. We considered both the blood and liver stages of the malaria infection, taking into account the immunological response against the infection. The basic reproduction number, which indicates the potential spread of the parasite is evaluated. The parasite-free equilibrium point is locally and globally asymptotically stable when the basic reproduction is less than a unit. Sensitivity analysis reveals that the invention rate of red blood cells and the average number of merozoites per rupture infected red blood cell are the most influential parameters of the model. Furthermore, to investigate the most effective measurement of malaria parasite infection, we performed the optimal control strategies. The pre-erythrocytic vaccine, blood-stage vaccine, primary tissue schizontocides, blood schizontocides, and gametocytocidal drugs are incorporated as control measures. The controls are implemented to minimize the infected hepatocytes, infected red blood cells, gametocytes, and merozoites in the human host, as well as the associated costs. Pontryagin’s Minimum Principle is applied to establish optimal control strategies against infected red blood cells, infected hepatocytes, and malaria parasites. Several simulation situations are conducted to assess the analytical results and determine the effective control intervention measures. The results indicate that administering all four controls simultaneously would eradicate the prevalence of malaria infection in the human host.

Too stressed to think? A scoping review of the literature for healthcare educators utilising high acuity clinical scenarios

BackgroundThe practise of paramedicine can be highly stressful particularly where urgent lifesaving decisions need to be made. Traditionally, educators have adopted the approach of placing students in simulated stressful situations as a way of learning to cope with these challenges. It is unclear from the literature whether traditional stress inoculation enhances or hinders learning. This scoping review aims to identify and examine both the peer-reviewed and grey literature reporting physiological stress responses to high-acuity scenarios in paramedicine and cognate healthcare disciplines.MethodsAdhering strictly to JBI Evidence Synthesis Manual for conducting a scoping review, medical subject headings and areas, keywords and all other possible index terms were searched across EBSCOhost (Medline, CINAHL and APA PsycInfo), Scopus and, PubMed. English language articles both published (peer-reviewed academic papers, reports and conference proceedings) and unpublished (grey literature, Google Scholar reports) were included, and publications citing retrieved articles were also checked.ResultsSearches performed across five electronic databases identified 52 articles where abstracts indicated potential inclusion. From this, 22 articles which reported physiological or psychophysiological responses to stressful scenario-based education were included.ConclusionThis review identified that an acceptable level of stress during simulation can be beneficial, however a point can be exceeded where stress becomes a hinderance to learning resulting in underperformance. By identifying strategies to moderate the impact of acute stress, educators of paramedic and other healthcare students can utilise high-acuity clinical scenarios to their andragogical armamentarium which has the potential to improve real-world clinical outcomes.

Variance Estimation under Some Transformation for Both Symmetric and Asymmetric Data

This article suggests an improved class of efficient estimators that use various transformations to estimate the finite population variance of the study variable. These estimators are particularly helpful in situations where we know about the minimum and maximum values of the auxiliary variable, and the ranks of the auxiliary variable are associated with the study variable. Consequently, these rankings can be applied as an effective tool to improve the accuracy of the estimator. A first-order approximation is used to investigate the properties of the proposed class of estimators, such as bias and mean squared error (MSE) under simple random sampling. A simulation study carried out in order to measure the performance and verify the theoretical results. The suggested class of estimators has a greater percent relative efficiency (PRE) than the other existing estimators in all of the simulated situations, according to the results. Three symmetric and asymmetric datasets are examined in the application section in order to show the superior performance of the proposed class of estimators over the existing estimators.

Analysis of heart rate variability during emergency flight simulator missions in fighter pilots

IntroductionManaging emergency situations in different simulated flight segments can entail a workload that could affect the performance of military pilots. The aim was to analyse the modifications in neurovegetative balance...

MIDASim: a fast and simple simulator for realistic microbiome data

BackgroundAdvances in sequencing technology has led to the discovery of associations between the human microbiota and many diseases, conditions, and traits. With the increasing availability of microbiome data, many statistical methods have been developed for studying these associations. The growing number of newly developed methods highlights the need for simple, rapid, and reliable methods to simulate realistic microbiome data, which is essential for validating and evaluating the performance of these methods. However, generating realistic microbiome data is challenging due to the complex nature of microbiome data, which feature correlation between taxa, sparsity, overdispersion, and compositionality. Current methods for simulating microbiome data are deficient in their ability to capture these important features of microbiome data, or can require exorbitant computational time.MethodsWe develop MIDASim (MIcrobiome DAta Simulator), a fast and simple approach for simulating realistic microbiome data that reproduces the distributional and correlation structure of a template microbiome dataset. MIDASim is a two-step approach. The first step generates correlated binary indicators that represent the presence-absence status of all taxa, and the second step generates relative abundances and counts for the taxa that are considered to be present in step 1, utilizing a Gaussian copula to account for the taxon-taxon correlations. In the second step, MIDASim can operate in both a nonparametric and parametric mode. In the nonparametric mode, the Gaussian copula uses the empirical distribution of relative abundances for the marginal distributions. In the parametric mode, a generalized gamma distribution is used in place of the empirical distribution.ResultsWe demonstrate improved performance of MIDASim relative to other existing methods using gut and vaginal data. MIDASim showed superior performance by PERMANOVA and in terms of alpha diversity and beta dispersion in either parametric or nonparametric mode. We also show how MIDASim in parametric mode can be used to assess the performance of methods for finding differentially abundant taxa in a compositional model.ConclusionsMIDASim is easy to implement, flexible and suitable for most microbiome data simulation situations. MIDASim has three major advantages. First, MIDASim performs better in reproducing the distributional features of real data compared to other methods, at both the presence-absence level and the relative-abundance level. MIDASim-simulated data are more similar to the template data than competing methods, as quantified using a variety of measures. Second, MIDASim makes few distributional assumptions for the relative abundances, and thus can easily accommodate complex distributional features in real data. Third, MIDASim is computationally efficient and can be used to simulate large microbiome datasets.55nwZAUMVt5VGoVjkFQM1tVideo

Utilize Augmented Reality Technology to Improve Listening Skills in Foreign Languages

Listening skills in a foreign language are an important component of an effective language learning process. Technological advances have opened up new opportunities to improve listening skills, one of which is through the use of Augmented Reality (AR) technology. This study aims to explain the potential use of AR in this context. The use of AR in foreign language learning provides an interactive and immersive experience for students. This technology allows users to combine the real world with digital elements, such as text or images, which can aid in the understanding and mastery of a foreign language. Various AR applications developed specifically for foreign language learning can create simulated situations where students can practice listening in real contexts. In addition, AR also allows personalization of learning. The AR system can be adapted to individual learners' ability levels, providing suitable exercises and challenges. This helps increase learning motivation and overall learning outcomes. This research also examines the challenges that may be faced in using AR, such as the accessibility of the technology and devices required, as well as the development of adequate content. However, as technology continues to develop, there are more and more opportunities to overcome these obstacles. In conclusion, the use of Augmented Reality technology can bring great benefits in improving listening skills in foreign languages. With the right approach and investment in the development of relevant technology and content, AR has the potential to become a valuable tool in foreign language education and can help students achieve higher levels of competency in foreign language listening. It is hoped that the results of this research can increase knowledge for pupils and students who utilize Augmented Reality Technology to Improve Listening Skills in Foreign Languages. The limitation of this research is that the researcher did not directly get involved in conducting this research, but instead distributed the questionnaire online.

Changes in the microbial community of semen exposed to different simulated forensic situations.

In this study, the microbiome changes of semen exposed to different environments were observed, and the exposed semen microbiome still has a good application potential in body fluid identification.

Implementation of Patient-Individualized 3D-Printed Models in Undergraduate Students' Education for Various Prosthetic Treatments: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study.

Due to rapid changes in dental practice, digital technologies have become prominent in undergraduate dental education at German universities in recent years. This shift has prompted a re-evaluation of content as well as teaching methods, particularly in courses where students are prepared for patient treatment. Traditional training on standardized models with resin teeth cannot cover the complexity of individual dental arch configuration encountered in patient situations. This study explores the use of 3D printing technology to create individualized models for prosthetic treatment simulations, aiming to evaluate students' feedback towards their experience with this training setting. First, the study describes the design and fabrication of individualized models with exchangeable teeth based on intraoral scans, mounted on connected plates with distance holders that can be fixed to standard phantom heads. Second, students provided feedback through a questionnaire, assessing various aspects such as the effectiveness of the 3D-printed models compared to traditional frasaco models for preparation exercises. The results indicated that the design of the realized models was feasible for preparation training (question no. 4: 93% positive rating) and showed positive perceptions of the 3D-printed models, with students finding them effective for preparation exercises and beneficial in bridging the gap between simulation and real patient situations (question no. 6: 69% positive rating). The study suggests that 3D printing technology offers a valuable tool in dental education, providing realistic and patient-specific scenarios for students to enhance their skills and readiness for clinical practice. Further improvements in material properties in hand with cost-effective approaches are essential for widespread implementation.

The Effect of the Drill Like Game Situation Training Program on Forehand and Backhand Shots in Pickleball Sports

One of the increasingly popular sports is Pickleball, which offers a combination of tennis, badminton and table tennis. Pickleball emphasizes control, accuracy, and good reflexes, while still being easy to learn and play for beginners to experienced players. Mastery of basic techniques, including forehand and backhand shots, is essential in playing Pickleball effectively. The drill method, with simulated game situations similar to actual matches, is an effective approach to improve players' skills in this sport. This study aims to determine the effect of the Drill Like Game Situation Training program on Forehand and Backhand shots in Pickleball. The motede of this research is an experiment with a quantitative approach. The population of this study were members of the JPOK pickleball club. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling and obtained a sample of 18 people. The results showed that the Drill Like Game Training Program has a significant effect on forehand and backhand shots in the Pickleball game because this program provides structured and repetitive training, which allows players to improve technique and reliability in performing both shots. The Drill Like Game Training Program also not only improves the technical skills of forehand and backhand shots, but also helps players hone their mental and tactical abilities in the game of Pickleball.

Bias due to coarsening of time intervals in the inference for the effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening.

Observational studies are frequently used to estimate the comparative effectiveness of different colorectal cancer (CRC) screening methods due to the practical limitations and time needed to conduct large clinical trials. However, time-varying confounders, e.g. polyp detection in the last screening, can bias statistical results. Recently, generalized methods, or G-methods, have been used for the analysis of observational studies of CRC screening, given their ability to account for such time-varying confounders. Discretization, or the process of converting continuous functions into discrete counterparts, is required for G-methods when the treatment and outcomes are assessed at a continuous scale. This paper evaluates the interplay between time-varying confounding and discretization, which can induce bias in assessing screening effectiveness. We investigate this bias in evaluating the effect of different CRC screening methods that differ from each other in typical screening frequency. First, using theory, we establish the direction of the bias. Then, we use simulations of hypothetical settings to study the bias magnitude for varying levels of discretization, frequency of screening and length of the study period. We develop a method to assess possible bias due to coarsening in simulated situations. The proposed method can inform future studies of screening effectiveness, especially for CRC, by determining the choice of interval lengths where data are discretized to minimize bias due to coarsening while balancing computational costs.

Music as an Evolved Tool for Socio-Affective Fiction.

The question of why music evolved has been contemplated and debated for centuries across multiple disciplines. While many theories have been posited, they still do not fully answer the question of why humans began making music. Adding to the effort to solve this mystery, we propose the socio-affective fiction (SAF) hypothesis. Humans have a unique biological need for emotion regulation strengthening. Simulated emotional situations, like dreams, can help address that need. Immersion is key for such simulations to successfully exercise people's emotions. Therefore, we propose that music evolved as a signal for SAF to increase the immersive potential of storytelling and thereby better exercise people's emotions. In this review, we outline the SAF hypothesis and present cross-disciplinary evidence.

Evaluation of a training program using the SBAR communication tool for caregivers managing acute respiratory distress in lung cancer patients: A pilot randomized controlled trial protocol

BackgroundFamily-based caregivers are increasingly important in the management of non-hospitalized lung cancer patients. However, lack of training can negatively impact care including diagnostic errors that can lead to delays in providing appropriate medical treatment. Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is common symptom of lung cancer and requires urgent intervention as well as adequate communication with healthcare professionals (HCPs) to enable appropriate decision-making and improve patient outcomes. Standardized tools such as the Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation (SBAR) tool and its French adaptation SAED, standing for Situation, Antécédent, Évaluation et Demande, are designed to facilitate communication among (HCPs).Additionally, digital interventions, such as serious games, are increasingly used to train HCPs though its use for caregivers has not been studied. This pilot study aims to assess an innovative serious game training using the SAED tool combined with standard instructions on self-efficacy for family-based caregivers of lung cancer patients when facing a simulated situation of ARF. The study also aims to examine caregivers' emotional state, quality of life, satisfaction and knowledge about the SBAR tool. MethodsA monocentric, randomized, controlled, open-label, superiority, parallel-arm trial will be conducted for 18 months with 3 mid-study assessments (NCT05839353). Family caregivers of lung cancer patients will be recruited at the University Hospital Center of Saint Pierre, Reunion Island, France. Participants will be randomized (1:1) into two groups: the experimental group receiving training using the SBAR/SAED tool and standard instructions for managing respiratory distress/dyspnea, and the control group, receiving standard instructions only. The primary outcome will be to determine perceived self-efficacy as measured by the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale. DiscussionThis study will present a preliminary assessment of training family caregivers in using the SBAR/SAED tool in simulated episodes of ARF in lung cancer patients. Our findings may provide valuable insights into effective training methods for caregivers in critical home care situations and could be widely used for lung cancer management.

Online training to improve BLS performance with dispatcher assistance? Results of a cluster-randomised controlled simulation trial

BackgroundThe prognosis for patients improves significantly with effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performed by bystanders. Current research indicates that individuals who receive CPR from trained bystanders have a greater likelihood of survival compared to those who receive dispatcher-assisted CPR from untrained laypersons. This cluster-randomised controlled trial assessed the impact of a 30-min online training session prior to a simulated cardiac arrest situation with dispatcher-assisted CPR (DA-CPR) on enhancing Basic Life Support (BLS) performance.MethodsThis study was performed in 2018 in Hamburg, Germany. The primary outcome was the practical BLS skills of high school students in simulated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest scenarios with dispatcher assistance. The intervention group participants underwent a 30-min online BLS training session, while the control group did not receive an intervention. It was hypothesized that the average practical BLS scores of the intervention group would be 1.5 points higher than those of the control group.ResultsBLS assessments of 286 students of 16 different classes were analysed. The estimated mean BLS score in the intervention group was 7.60 points (95% CI: 6.76 to 8.44) compared to 6.81 (95% CI: 5.97 to 7.65) in the control group adjusted for BLS training and class. Therefore, the estimated mean difference between the groups was 0.79 (95% CI: -0.40 to 1.97) and not significantly different (p-value: 0.176). Based on a logistic regression analysis the intervention had only a significant effect on the chance to pass the item “vertically above the chest” (OR = 4.99; 95% CI: 1.46 to 17.12) adjusted for BLS training and class.ConclusionPrior online training exhibits beneficial impacts on the BLS performance of bystanders during DA-CPR. To maximise the effect size, online training should be incorporated into a set of interventions that are mutually complementary and specifically designed for the target participants.Trial registrationDRKS00033531. "Kann online Training Laien darauf vorbereiten Reanimationsmaßnahmen unter Anleitung der Leitstelle adäquat durchzuführen? " Registered on January 29, 2024.

Deploying Wireless Sensor Networks in Multi-Story Buildings toward Internet of Things-Based Intelligent Environments: An Empirical Study.

With the growing integration of the Internet of Things in smart buildings, it is crucial to ensure the precise implementation and operation of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). This paper aims to study the implementation aspect of WSNs in a commercial multi-story building, specifically addressing the difficulty of dealing with the variable environmental conditions on each floor. This research addresses the disparity between simulated situations and actual deployments, offering valuable insights into the potential to significantly improve the efficiency and responsiveness of building management systems. We obtain real-time sensor data to analyze and evaluate the system's performance. Our investigation is grounded in the growing importance of incorporating WSNs into buildings to create intelligent environments. We provide an in-depth analysis for scrutinizing the disparities and commonalities between the datasets obtained from real-world deployments and simulation. The results obtained show the significance of accurate simulation models for reliable data representation, providing a roadmap for further developments in the integration of WSNs into intelligent building scenarios. This research's findings highlight the potential for optimizing living and working conditions based on the real-time monitoring of critical environmental parameters. This includes insights into temperature, humidity, and light intensity, offering opportunities for enhanced comfort and efficiency in intelligent environments.