Operational Skills Research Articles

Perspectives of Surgical Research Residents on Improving Their Reentry Into Clinical Training

Concerns exist about clinical and operative skill decay in surgery residents when they dedicate time away from clinical training to pursue research. However, it remains undetermined how to best prevent these negative impacts. Our study evaluated the perspectives of surgical research residents on interventions to improve their reentry into clinical training. An anonymous web-based survey was distributed between 5/01/2023 and 6/01/2023 to 102 current and former (within the previous 3 years) general surgery research residents from 4 academic medical centers in Boston, MA. Survey response rate was 35.3% (36/102 residents). About 22 of 36 residents (61.1%) felt that their clinical aptitude decreased during the research years, whereas 33 of 36 (91.7%) reported reduced surgical skills. When reflecting on their re-entry to residency, former research residents reported feeling anxious and less confident (3.84/5 on a 1-5 Likert scale) as well as being below the expected level of clinical performance (3.42/5). Most of them (12 of 17; 70.6%) reported that it took up to 6 months, whereas 5 of them (29.4%) up to 12 months to feel at the expected level. When compared to nonmoonlighting residents, those who moonlighted often and operated during moonlighting, denied a decrease in clinical and surgical skills, and reported less anxiety, higher confidence, and a quicker return to the expected level of performance. Interventions proposed for improving their clinical re-entry included individualized development plans for 3 months before returning to clinical training, established curriculum for clinical work throughout the research years, clinical preceptorships throughout the research years, and simulation curriculum throughout the research years. General surgery residents feel that their clinical and surgical skills decreased during the research years, leading to anxiety and lack of confidence when returning to residency. Therefore, comprehensive interventions are needed to improve the reentry of the research residents into clinical training.

Research and innovation of the “ship navigation radar” course based on the four‐in‐one approach in engineering education accreditation

AbstractTo achieve the strategic goal of marine and transportation power, it is imperative to cultivate highly skilled navigation professionals with a strong theoretical foundation and practical expertize. Seizing the opportunity by the “Double Thousand Plan” first‐class undergraduate courses initiated by the Ministry of Education, a four‐in‐one experimental teaching model is developed for ship navigation radar courses that integrate virtual reality technology under the context of engineering certification. The model encompasses land laboratory real training, maritime radar simulator training platform, comprehensive real‐ship training at sea, and virtual laboratory teaching and training. Through this innovative approach, students can acquire essential knowledge of ship navigation radar required for practical activities in navigation practice while honing their operational skills in positioning, navigation, and collision avoidance using radars. Furthermore, an analysis of course attainment and future development trends is conducted to provide insights into enhancing maritime education and fostering internationally competitive shipping talents.

Driving Under Cognitive Control: The Impact of Executive Functions in Driving

This review will explore the role of executive functions and the impact they have in facilitating the skills of vehicle operation. Executive functions are critical for the decision-making process, problem-solving, and multitasking. They are considered the primary factors in driving cases that demand drivers to react quickly and adapt to certain situations. Based on the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, this study aims to investigate, analyze, and categorize higher mental skills and their qualities directly related to driving. The literature review was performed in the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar, using the article collections’ snowball search technique. The results suggest that key executive functions like working memory and inhibitory control are closely related to risky behavior and driving errors that lead to accidents. This review adds valuable insight by highlighting the significance of their contribution to future research, driver educational programs, and technology for improving driver safety. Consequently, collecting recent data will contribute to understanding new parameters that influence driving behavior, creating the possibility for appropriate proposals for future research.

Development of the Joint Expeditionary Medical Officer.

The Uniformed Services University is known for its dual mission of preparing military medical officers for operational readiness and leadership roles. The Joint Expeditionary Medical Officer (JEMO) project is a novel internal program that was initiated in 2022 and aims to fortify and evaluate the essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) within the School of Medicine's Molecules to Military Medicine curriculum that are pivotal for the development of a deployment-ready military medical officer. The JEMO-KSA program identifies and deliberately develops a core set of mission-critical skills during the course of students' undergraduate medical education. This helps ensure that Uniformed Services University graduates attain a strong foundational level of operational readiness across various military medical domains. Currently, 371 distinct KSAs have been integrated into the curriculum, with over 86% being assessed at different time frames. Over time, our goal is to present individual students with a customized JEMO "report card" depicting their readiness level; a document that could be updated and expanded throughout their military medical career. The JEMO project represents a significant stride toward optimizing the readiness of military medical officers by systematically identifying, strengthening, and assessing vital operational skills and abilities. With an ongoing commitment to excellence, the project envisages creating an even more robustly structured curriculum that is continually refined to address current operational readiness, setting a new standard for military medical education. While challenges such as accurately measuring the impact of integrated KSAs and continuously updating them to meet evolving military needs remain, the forward momentum associated with the JEMO project will help facilitate the development of military medical officers who have the KSAs to actively support mission success while simultaneously enhancing the overall effectiveness of military health care.

Summary of Best Evidence for Perioperative Management Practices in Hair Transplantation Patients : Facial Skeleton.

To integrate and summarize the best evidence on perioperative management practices for hair transplantation patients, providing an evidence-based reference for clinical. An exhaustive literature search was conducted to identify the best evidence for managing patients undergoing hair transplantation during the perioperative period. The databases searched included Up To Date, BMJ Best Practice, UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, National Guideline Clearing House, Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, Guidelines International Network, Cochrane Library, JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, PubMed, Web of Science, European Dermatology Forum, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, Medlive Guideline Network, and Sinomed. The search spanned publications from February 2013 to February 2024, focusing on clinical decisions, evidence summaries, guidelines, and expert consensus. We finally identified 22 articles with high-quality results (consisting of 9 clinical decisions, 6 guidelines, 7 expert consensuses), providing 41 pieces of evidence across seven categories: assessment of transplantation conditions, transplant planning and preoperative preparation, anesthetic preparations, surgical methods and operation skills, postoperative wound management, medication-related guidance, optimization of nursing and treatment strategies. Special emphasis has been placed on the sections covering anesthesia preparation, surgical methods, and operational techniques, with detailed explanations provided. The summarized best evidence on perioperative management practices for hair transplantation patients can serve as evidence-based guidelines for clinical. It is recommended that clinical staff adopt evidence-based recommendations to improve and optimize patient outcomes and promote postoperative recovery. As these evidences came from different countries, factors such as the clinical environment should be evaluated before application. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

High-stakes Technical Performance Assessments Across the Continuum of Surgical Training.

The aim of this article to outline proposals for the use of high stakes technical performance assessments, defined as assessments of technical skill that take place outside of the operating theatre, across the continuum of surgical training. Technological advancements have allowed for the assessment of operative technical skill outside of the workplace environment, developed and evaluated in line with modern concepts of assessment validity. With the introduction of competency-based education principles across surgical training curricula, increasing scrutiny is being placed on the validity and reliability of assessments used to inform high-stakes training decisions regarding selection, progression through training, autonomy granting and end-of-training certification. The role of performance assessments, conducted outside of the workplace environment, is yet to be fully established. This article discusses the use of high-stakes performance assessments across the continuum of surgical training, with reference to relevant theories of surgical skill acquisition and assessment, along with contemporary evidence from the performance science literature. Assessments of increasing professional authenticity are required across the continuum of surgical training. In an attempt to capture inherent ability rather than skill at the time of trainee selection, assessments should be of deliberately low levels of professional authenticity. Assessment in early surgical training should focus on ensuring competence in core surgical skills, and then assessing for canonical competence across a series of commonly encountered procedures. Baseline competence in these procedures should ideally be assessed prior to the transition to (supervised) lead operator, with a view to ensuring patient safety and improving the efficiency of in-theatre training. Assessment later in training relies more heavily on the workplace, with simulation offering a complimentary role in ensuring a minimum competency standard in procedures less likely to be encountered in the workplace. High-stakes performance assessments can play an important role as part of a programmatic approach to surgical training and certification. They can and should be designed with an appropriate level of professional authenticity to ensure adequate and appropriate representation of the assessment construct.

Research on Teaching Practice of Big Data Platform Deployment and Operation Course with Shipping Characteristics

In the era of big data, big data technology has been widely applied, and the operation and maintenance of big data platforms, as a crucial component supporting these applications, has gradually become an indispensable part of enterprise IT architecture. The demand for talents with big data platform operation and maintenance skills is increasing. For higher vocational education institutions, how to cultivate big data platform operation and maintenance talents that meet professional requirements has become an urgent problem to be solved. In order to satisfy the enterprise demand for big data platform operation and maintenance talents and enhance students' employment competitiveness, this paper discusses the teaching content and teaching organization practice of the "Big Data Platform Deployment and Operation" course. The course adopts a project-based teaching mode, integrating the project case of "Ship Shore Power Data Analysis System" into the theoretical knowledge and technical explanations at various stages of the course. At the same time, it deeply excavates the ideological and political elements of maritime power and green environmental protection contained in the project, constructs a teaching mode with obvious shipping characteristics, and improves the quality of talent cultivation.

Anatomage virtual dissection versus traditional human body dissection in anatomy pedagogy: insights from Ghanaian medical students

BackgroundAlthough traditional human body dissection has been the mainstay method for gross anatomy pedagogy, the popularity of virtual teaching methods has increased in recent years. The Anatomage table offers a life-size digital representation of the human body and allows visualization, manipulation, and virtual dissection. This study investigated the perception of medical students towards virtual dissection vis-à-vis traditional dissection in anatomy pedagogy.MethodsThe cross-sectional survey included medical students at the University of Ghana who completed an internet-based questionnaire administered using Google® Forms. The questionnaire comprised 20 close-ended questions that solicited information on demographics, experience with traditional human body dissection and virtual dissection, and perception of virtual dissection. Data was summarized as frequencies and percentages with 95% confidence intervals.ResultsOf the 297 participants, 295 [99.4% (95% CI = 97.3–99.9)] participated in human body dissection from which 93.2% had a positive and 6.8% had poor experiences. Whereas 223 [75.1% (95% CI = 69.7–79.8)] of the participants would participate in dissection again given the opportunity, 74 [24.9% (95% CI = 20.2–30.3)] were unwilling. Of 297 participants, 205 [69.0% (95% CI = 69.7–74.2)] had used Anatomage table, while 92 [31.0% (95% CI = 25.8–36.6)] had not. About 68% (95% CI = 60.8–74.0) of the 205 agreed with the relative ease of operation and use of the Anatomage table compared to traditional human body dissection while 9.4% disagreed. Inadequate operational skills [51% (95% CI = 48.9–53.4)] and limited accessibility [39% (95% CI = 35.2–42.3)] were limitations to Anatomage use. 66.8% (95% CI = 59.9–73.1) of participants agreed virtual dissection had a positive influence on learning anatomy while 6.6% disagreed. Of the 205, 87.9% (95% CI = 82.3–91.8) discouraged virtual anatomy dissection completely replacing traditional human body dissection.ConclusionVirtual dissection is an effective supplement to traditional body dissection but not a replacement. Its use alongside traditional methods improves anatomy learning. Integrating technology into anatomy education will enhance student engagement and learning.

Exploration of Ideological and Political Education in Veterinary Microbiology Experimental Technology

The veterinary microbiology experimental course plays a key role in education and practice, integrating “knowledge, skills, and qualities” into the talent cultivation program. The syllabus has been revised to emphasize the course’s ideological and political education objectives. The extraction of ideological and political elements focuses on developing a curriculum that includes ideological and political teaching materials and cases, ensuring coherence across classroom teaching, social practice, and online courses. By organically integrating ideological and political elements within stories, along with professional knowledge, operational skills, and social practice, the course aims to enhance the appeal and effectiveness of ideological and political education in the experimental course.

Analysis on the application of FMEA in 'instrument and equipment surface cleaning and disinfection' in hospitals based on standardization and cleaning and disinfection information system management.

To analyze the application of 'instrument and equipment surface cleaning and disinfection' in hospitals based on standardization and the management of cleaning and disinfection information systems. Employees and all cleaning and disinfected instruments and equipment from 56 inpatient departments in our hospital were selected as the subjects of observation. The period before the intervention (January 2023) was designated as the control group, while the period after the intervention (July 2023) was designated as the study group. In the control group, the instruments and equipment under routine management were disinfected. The research team applied the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) method to clean and disinfect the surfaces of instruments and equipment on the basis of standardization and cleaning and disinfection information system management. Employees' theoretical knowledge points and operational skill scores before and after the intervention were compared and evaluated. The changes in the risk priority coefficient (RPN) values of high-risk factors were analyzed. Fifty-six clinical medical staff from 56 inpatient departments in the hospital were selected to evaluate the clinical satisfaction of the cleaning and disinfection management of instruments and equipment before and after the intervention, and the clinical satisfaction of the two groups was compared. The scores of theoretical knowledge and operational skills of the staff in the research group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The passing rates of theoretical knowledge and operational skills in the control group and the research group were 44.64 and 94.64% respectively, and 55.36 and 96.43%, respectively. The qualified rate of theoretical knowledge and operational skills of staff in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p < 0.05). The RPN scores of medical personnel, environment, system and system guarantee factors in the control group were 80, 80, 80, and 100, respectively. The RPN scores of medical personnel factors, environmental factors, system factors and system guarantee factors in the research group were 6, 24, 24, and 36, respectively. Through standardization and cleaning and disinfection information system management, the theoretical knowledge and technical operation capabilities of cleaning can be effectively improved.

MATHEMAGIC SQUARE PUZZLE: AN INTERVENTION IN IMPROVING BASIC OPERATION SKILLS ON INTEGERS

Basic operation skills on integers are crucial for building a strong mathematical foundation. However, many students in early schooling show poor performance in these fundamental skills. To address this issue, this study aims to assess the effectiveness of using the MatheMagic Square Puzzle as an intervention to enhance integer operation skills among Grade 7 students at Kapalong National High School. The study had a total of 114 students, and it employed quantitative research with a one-group pre-test post-test design and purposive sampling. Results revealed that the overall mean score level of basic operation skills on integers of the experimental group in the pre-test is very low, which is interpreted as it did not meet the expectation. While results in the post-test revealed from the overall mean is average, which is interpreted as satisfactory. Results indicate significant difference between the pre-test and post-test of the experimental group shows that there is a significant difference in the performance levels of the experimental group before and after the intervention. The study revealed a significant improvement in students' ability to solve basic operations on integers. This improvement proved the effectiveness of the MatheMagic Square Puzzle intervention and proved it to be a valuable tool in mathematics education, specifically for teaching integers. The researchers suggest implementing MatheMagic Square Puzzle widely for teaching basic integer operations in Grade 7 due to its effectiveness in improving student performance. They also suggest studying its effectiveness across various grades and mathematical concepts to expand its impact. KEYWORDS: MatheMagic Square Puzzle, Basic Operation on Integers, Intervention, Grade 7 students, Philippines

Application of AI-empowered scenario-based simulation teaching mode in cardiovascular disease education

BackgroundCardiovascular diseases present a significant challenge in clinical practice due to their sudden onset and rapid progression. The management of these conditions necessitates cardiologists to possess strong clinical reasoning and individual competencies. The internship phase is crucial for medical students to transition from theory to practical application, with an emphasis on developing clinical thinking and skills. Despite the critical need for education on cardiovascular diseases, there is a noticeable gap in research regarding the utilization of artificial intelligence in clinical simulation teaching.ObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate the effect and influence of AI-empowered scenario-based simulation teaching mode in the teaching of cardiovascular diseases.MethodsThe study utilized a quasi-experimental research design and mixed-methods. The control group comprised 32 students using traditional teaching mode, while the experimental group included 34 students who were instructed on cardiovascular diseases using the AI-empowered scenario-based simulation teaching mode. Data collection included post-class tests, “Mini-CEX” assessments, Clinical critical thinking scale from both groups, and satisfaction surveys from experimental group. Qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured interviews.ResultsResearch shows that compared with traditional teaching models, AI-empowered scenario-based simulation teaching mode significantly improve students’ performance in many aspects. The theoretical knowledge scores(P < 0.001), clinical operation skills(P = 0.0416) and clinical critical thinking abilities of students(P < 0.001) in the experimental group were significantly improved. The satisfaction survey showed that students in the experimental group were more satisfied with the teaching scene(P = 0.008), Individual participation(P = 0.006) and teaching content(P = 0.009). There is no significant difference in course discussion, group cooperation and teaching style of teachers(P > 0.05). Additionally, the qualitative data from the interviews highlighted three themes: (1) Positive new learning experience, (2) Improved clinical critical thinking skills, and (3) Valuable suggestions and concerns for further improvement.ConclusionThe AI-empowered scenario simulation teaching Mode plays an important role in the improvement of clinical thinking and skills of medical undergraduates. This study believes that the AI-empowered scenario simulation teaching mode is an effective and feasible teaching model, which is worthy of promotion in other courses.

ThP7.8 - What is the gap in operative trauma surgical skills needed for humanitarian and military deployment? A systematic narrative review of surgeons in high-income countries

Abstract Aims The incidence of armed conflict, terrorist attacks and environmental disaster is increasing and death from traumatic injury remains a leading cause of mortality globally, posing complex challenges in surgical care. Despite advancements in trauma systems development, practice in high-income countries (HICs) is characterised by low trauma volumes, evolving non-operative strategies and increasing sub-specialisation, raising concerns about surgical preparedness for managing diverse injuries. This systematic review aims to assess the operative trauma skills of surgeons in HICs mapped against core military and humanitarian procedures. Examination of the breadth of skills acquired and identification of areas where further experience is required will inform the development of more comprehensive and adaptable surgical training programs. Methods A systematic literature review was conducted under the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines using MEDLINE and EMBASE. Inclusion criteria targeted general and trauma surgery consultants or trainees in HICs, analysing quantitative and qualitative data on operative workload and skills acquisition. Results Twelve studies from the USA, UK, Netherlands, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand were included. Trainees demonstrated experience in general surgical trauma but lack exposure to critical skills in orthopaedic, vascular and obstetric and gynaecological surgery. Conclusion This review highlights a gap in the operative trauma surgical skills of surgeons in HICs and the need for re-evaluation of surgical training curricula to address the dynamic challenges posed by contemporary trauma care. Emphasising a versatile skillset and exploring avenues for enhanced exposure through didactic courses and global surgery partnerships might prove crucial for better preparing surgeons for the diverse and demanding scenarios in the field of trauma care

Characteristics of and Factors Associated With Partner Service Uptake Cascade Among People With Newly Reported HIV/AIDS Diagnoses in Southeastern China in 2022: Cross-Sectional Survey.

HIV notification and testing integrated into partner service (PS) practices among HIV-positive individuals have been proven to be an efficient approach for case finding, although it remains a weak link in China. Although nonmarital sexual activities accounted for a large proportion of newly diagnosed HIV-positive cases in China, little is known about PS uptake and associated factors within nonmarital partnerships. This study aimed to describe HIV PS utilization and its associated factors among HIV-positive individuals with nonmarital sexual partners. We recruited newly diagnosed HIV-positive individuals who had nonmarital sexual partners in 2022 in Zhejiang Province and offered them PS. We described the PS uptake cascade within sexual partner categories and analyzed the associated factors with 3 primary outcomes from the participants' perspective: nonmarital partner enumeration, HIV testing, and HIV positivity. In this study, 3509 HIV-positive individuals were recruited as participants, and they enumerated 2507 nonmarital sex partners (2507/14,556, 17.2% of all nonmarital sex partners) with contact information. Among these, 43.1% (1090/2507) underwent an HIV test, with an HIV-positive rate of 28.3% (309/1090). Heterosexual commercial partners were the least likely of being enumerated (441/4292, 10.3%) and had the highest HIV-positive rate (40/107, 37.4%). At the participant level, 48.1% (1688/3509) of the participants enumerated at least one nonmarital sex partner with contact information, 52.7% (890/1688) had a sex partner tested for HIV, and 31% (276/890) had at least one nonmarital sex partner who tested positive. Multivariate analysis indicated that gender and transmission route were associated with both nonmarital sex partner enumeration and HIV testing. Age and occupation were associated with nonmarital sex partner enumeration and HIV positivity. Compared with participants who had no regular nonmarital sex partner, those who had a regular nonmarital sex partner were more likely to enumerate nonmarital sex partners (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.017, 95% CI 2.560-3.554), have them get tested for HIV (aOR 1.725, 95% CI 1.403-2.122), and have an HIV-positive nonmarital sex partner (aOR 1.962, 95% CI 1.454-2.647). The percentage of partner enumeration was low, and HIV testing rate was moderate among nonmarital partnerships of HIV-positive individuals. More efforts should be made to improve PS practices among HIV-positive individuals and address the gap in partner enumeration, especially for heterosexual commercial nonmarital partnerships. Additionally, enhancing PS operational skills among health care personnel could increase the overall efficiency of PS uptake in China.

Optimising Fraction Operation Skills with Shaded Level Board for Elementary School Students (Project Based Learning, Course Review Horay and Teams Games Tournament)

Optimising Fraction Operation Skills with Shaded Level Board for Elementary School Students (Project Based Learning, Course Review Horay and Teams Games Tournament)

A-Speak: Augmentative and alternative communication application for Thai individuals with complex communication needs

Background: Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is the approach that enhances communication competence in individuals with complex communication needs. With the advancement of technology, there are varieties of AAC applications with colored-graphic symbols and speech output, improving communication’s intelligibility compared to low-tech AAC systems. However, those AAC applications had some features that were not entirely suitable for Thai users, such as symbol appearance, speech intonation, etc. Objective: This study aimed to develop the first version of the Thai AAC application, A-Speak, based on Thai culture, lexicon, and intonation and remove other constraints that other AAC applications had, such as variation in voice-output age and gender. The proficiency of A-Speak regarding communication functions was also examined. Materials and methods: The participants comprised 15 individuals with cerebral palsy and complex communication needs. The participants were trained to use the A-Speak application, installed on a tablet, to communicate. The training procedures consisted of 3 phases: Phase 1: Train to select icons; Phase 2: Shift to different categories; and Phase 3: Use A-Speak to communicate. The researchers trained the participants to achieve adequate operational skills (i.e., Phases 1 and 2) before beginning Phase 3. In Phases 1 and 2, switches were employed to facilitate participants with limited mobility to operate A-Speak by finger. The researchers also taught the participants’ caregivers to continue training them at home. The researchers collected the participants’ communication abilities regarding communication functions in the recorded form. The data was reported into code numbers according to communication proficiency. Results: After receiving A-Speak training, all participants showed improvement in their communication abilities across a variety of communication functions. Participants showed significant progress in 10 out of 12 communication functions. The communication function in which participants exhibited the most improvement was explaining skills, whereas the communication function that showed the least development was storytelling skills. Conclusion: A-Speak AAC application reduced the constraints that possibly influenced communication intelligibility in the Thai language. Nevertheless, A-Speak still had a few drawbacks that required to be corrected to increase the productivity of this program. The findings indicated that participants gained communication skills through A-Speak as a means of communication. Keywords: A-Speak, augmentative and alternative communication, application, High-tech AAC

Observation of the Effect of Video Assessment Method on the Operation Skills of Individual Nurses

Objective: To explore the application effect of video assessment method in clinical nurses’ nursing operation skills. Method: To select 58 nurses who participated in the individual soldier standard in the children’s hospital in 2019 and 2020 as the research objects, among which the nurses who participated in the individual soldier standard in 2019 were the nurses who participated in the individual soldier standard in 2019 and 2020. A total of 29 people in the first batch were set as the control group, using traditional assessment methods. In 2020, the second batch of 29 nurses who participated in the individual soldier standard reached the experimental group. Using the video assessment method, there was no significant difference in general information between the two groups (P &gt; 0.05). After the assessment, the scores, coping with work pressure, and proactiveness of the two groups of research subjects were compared. Results: The experimental group’s nursing operation assessment scores, coping with work pressure, and proactiveness were significantly better than those of the control group, the difference was statistically significant (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: The application of the video assessment method improves the passing rate of nurses’ operational skills examination, enhances nurses’ initiative in learning, reduces examination pressure, and can be accurately, timely, and safely applied to clinical nursing work, which is worthy of study and promotion.

Utilization of Quality Organic Fertilizer at P4S Sari Sedana, Badung, Bali

This Community Partnership Program (CSP) conducted in Desa Selat, Kecamatan Abiansemal, Kabupaten Badung, has achieved significant advancements in organic agricultural development. The program focused on the implementation of both hard and soft technologies. Hard technologies included the development of high-quality organic fertilizers using local waste materials such as livestock manure, biochar, Trichoderma, NPK fertilizers, and dolomite, processed with simple equipment. These innovations addressed local waste management issues and enhanced agricultural productivity. Soft technologies involved comprehensive training on production management, business operations, and marketing strategies, which empowered the P4S Sari Sedana Group with essential skills for sustainable operation. The program demonstrated high relevance to local needs, effectively transforming waste into valuable resources and introducing environmentally friendly production methods. It also fostered active community participation and generated substantial environmental and economic benefits, including increased soil fertility and reduced reliance on chemical fertilizers. The project produced several key outputs: high-quality organic fertilizer, enhanced community skills, scientific publications, intellectual property registration, and online media coverage. Future sustainability will be supported through institutional capacity building, market expansion, product innovation, and ongoing monitoring and evaluation.

ICT skills, entrepreneurial self-perceived creativity, and digital entrepreneurship: Insights from the stimulus-organism-response model

This study, anchored in the Stimulus-Organism-Response theory, aims to explore how ICT skills-related stimuli (information skills, operational skills, and creative skills) stimulate cognitive organisms (entrepreneurial self-perceived creativity), which, in turn, increases behavioral responses (attitude towards digital entrepreneurship and digital entrepreneurial intention) as well as investigate the detrimental effects of technology anxiety. Employing a cross-sectional design, the study leverages data from a sample of 604 higher education students across six universities in Vietnam. Hypotheses are assessed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results reveal positive influences of operational, informational, and creative skills on entrepreneurial self-perceived creativity, which significantly affected attitudes toward digital entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial intention. While technology anxiety negatively impacts entrepreneurial self-perceived creativity and attitudes toward digital entrepreneurship, its significant influence on digital entrepreneurial intention is not observed. The study also unveils the mediating role of entrepreneurial self-perceived creativity in the relationship between ICT skills, technology anxiety, and attitudes toward digital entrepreneurship and digital entrepreneurial intention. The research contributes to the theoretical understanding of digital entrepreneurial ventures, shedding light on the intricate dynamics among ICT skills, entrepreneurial self-perceived creativity, technology anxiety, and entrepreneurial responses. It also explores the applicability of the SOR model in emerging economies, providing valuable insights into the digital entrepreneurial landscape.

Preference and Use Pattern of Electronic Books among Postgraduate Students in a Nigerian University

This study investigated the preferences and use patterns of e-books among postgraduate students at Prince Abubakar Audu University. Four (4) research objectives guided the conduct of this study. A descriptive survey method was used for the study and a questionnaire was used for data collection. Statistical tools used for this analysis were frequency counts, simple percentages, and mean scores. The study concludes that eBooks are highly valued by postgraduate students, due to their ability to enhance productivity and effective learning. The ease of use and clear graphical illustrations further contribute to the preference for eBooks, making them indispensable tools in the academic pursuits of postgraduate students. The study highlights that eBooks are extensively utilized for a variety of academic purposes, including coursework completion, research, exam preparation, assignments, and reference needs. Despite the evident benefits, the study reveals varying levels of satisfaction among students, with a significant portion using eBooks only to some extent. Several challenges impede the optimal use of eBooks, such as high costs, device-related inefficiencies, limited access to computers or the internet, readability issues, and the need for operational skills. The study recommended that university libraries should expand their eBook collections and seek partnerships with publishers to provide more affordable or even free access to essential academic texts and universities should consider initiatives to provide or subsidize devices optimized for reading eBooks, such as tablets or e-readers with suitable screen sizes.