Specific Technical Skills Research Articles

Employers’ Expectations of University Graduates as They Transition into the Workplace

Abstract Research on work readiness indicates employers are increasingly pointing out that soft skills are as important as discipline specific knowledge and technical skills when hiring recent university graduates. However, many university students think excellent grades are the main reason they get the jobs. The disconnect between what employers expect and what students imagine is significant to the extent that many recent university graduates are unable to be employed in the jobs they want, and many employers have challenges dealing with recent university graduates who are not work ready. In 2018, a soft skills pilot study was conducted with internship supervisors who work with the Human Development and Family Studies Program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. An online survey was sent to 65 internship supervisors, and three focus group sessions were conducted as a follow-up of the survey. In 2019, Phase 2 of this study polled 76 employers who participated in a university career fair on what soft skills they expect university graduates to have at the time of hiring. This paper reports on findings to two questions: 1) What employers think of undergraduate university students who have completed an internship with them, and 2) What soft skills employers expect of recent university graduates who are transitioning into the workplace. Findings indicate that in addition to soft skills, employers also regard personal attributes and qualities as equally important at the time of hire.

Are We Talking about Green Skills or Sustainability Competences? A Scoping Review Using Scientometric Analysis of Two Apparently Similar Topics in the Field of Sustainability

The labor market is facing accelerating changes due to ecological challenges and the related increasing efforts towards sustainable development. Preparing learners for the world of work now requires an understanding of what skills workers will need to adequately address these changes. To deal with this issue, the research community has started to define “sustainability competences” and “green skills” to support educationalists and decision-makers to better manage the impact of sustainability on future jobs. However, in the current literature, the difference between “sustainability competences” and “green skills” is not clear. The aim of this article is to highlight the differences between the two concepts in order to support the dialogue between the various disciplines that address these topics. This paper is a scoping review that provides an outline of the scientometric analyses of publications in the field of sustainability, from the earliest in 1998 up to July 2023. Although the terms are interrelated, using the R package for analysis shows that “green skills” tends to refer more to specific environmental technical skills, while “sustainability competences” are primarily defined as key competences to promote the different dimensions of sustainability, i.e., competences useful for holistic human development

Study on the Career Development of Young Teachers in Vocational Colleges

The quality of the teaching staff is crucial to the development of vocational education. Skilled and knowledgeable teachers can provide students with specialized technical knowledge and practical skills. In addition to teaching, teachers also act as mentors in providing guidance and support in all areas to students. However, the development of young teachers faces many problems, such as unclear career plans and a lack of attention to operational skills. This paper analyzes the research findings of past scholars and uses a questionnaire to analyze the problems faced by young teachers in their career development. Based on this, this paper puts forward some targeted suggestions, which can provide guidelines for the career development of young teachers.

Neonatal venoarterial and venovenous ECMO

ECMO remains an important support tool in the treatment of neonates with reversible congenital cardiopulmonary diseases. There are specific circumstances that call for either venoarterial (VA) or venovenous (VV) ECMO in neonates. While limited by the infant's the size and gestational age, ECMO can confer exceptional survival rates to a number of neonates who can often develop without devastating complications. However, it remains a labor and time intensive endeavor, which may be impractical or unattainable in resource-limited environments. While adult and pediatric ECMO indications and equipment options have expanded in recent years, neonatal ECMO continues to be a niche subspecialty requiring specific expertise and technical skill, especially considering the ever-changing neonatal physiology in the setting of cardiopulmonary support.It is critical to recognize the unique approaches to cannulation options, imaging, vessel management, anticoagulation, and monitoring protocols to achieve optimal outcomes. Thus, it becomes nearly impossible to separate the role of pediatric surgeons from the continuous involvement with and management of neonatal ECMO patients. This necessitates that pediatric surgeons in ECMO centers continue to hone their expertise and remain heavily involved in neonatal ECMO. This section reviews the most critical current approaches and unresolved controversies in neonatal ECMO with special attention to the practical aspects and decisions a surgeon faces in initiation and termination of neonatal ECMO.

ORIENTATE: automated machine learning classifiers for oral health prediction and research

BackgroundThe application of data-driven methods is expected to play an increasingly important role in healthcare. However, a lack of personnel with the necessary skills to develop these models and interpret its output is preventing a wider adoption of these methods. To address this gap, we introduce and describe ORIENTATE, a software for automated application of machine learning classification algorithms by clinical practitioners lacking specific technical skills. ORIENTATE allows the selection of features and the target variable, then automatically generates a number of classification models and cross-validates them, finding the best model and evaluating it. It also implements a custom feature selection algorithm for systematic searches of the best combination of predictors for a given target variable. Finally, it outputs a comprehensive report with graphs that facilitates the explanation of the classification model results, using global interpretation methods, and an interface for the prediction of new input samples. Feature relevance and interaction plots provided by ORIENTATE allow to use it for statistical inference, which can replace and/or complement classical statistical studies.ResultsIts application to a dataset with healthy and special health care needs (SHCN) children, treated under deep sedation, was discussed as case study. On the example dataset, despite its small size, the feature selection algorithm found a set of features able to predict the need for a second sedation with a f1 score of 0.83 and a ROC (AUC) of 0.92. Eight predictive factors for both populations were found and ordered by the relevance assigned to them by the model. A discussion of how to derive inferences from the relevance and interaction plots and a comparison with a classical study is also provided.ConclusionsORIENTATE automatically finds suitable features and generates accurate classifiers which can be used in preventive tasks. In addition, researchers without specific skills on data methods can use it for the application of machine learning classification and as a complement to classical studies for inferential analysis of features. In the case study, a high prediction accuracy for a second sedation in SHCN children was achieved. The analysis of the relevance of the features showed that the number of teeth with pulpar treatments at the first sedation is a predictive factor for a second sedation.

A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review of Group Reflective Practice in Medical Students.

Used primarily as a pedagogical evaluation tool for didactic teaching and skill development, reflective practice (RP) for its own merits is poorly understood. This study aimed to systematically review the literature regarding the role of group RP in fostering empathy, wellbeing, and professionalism in medical students. Electronic searches of empirical studies published between 1 January 2010 and 22 March 2022 from Medline, Embase, and PsychINFO databases were conducted. Empirical studies of any design (qualitative or quantitative) which included RP (1) involving medical students; (2) with a focus on fostering empathy, or professionalism, or personal wellbeing; and (3) provided in a group setting were included. Duplicates, non-English articles, grey literature and articles using RP to examine pedagogy and specific technical skills were excluded. Both authors screened articles independently to derive a final list of included studies, with any discrepancies resolved by discussion, until consensus reached. Articles were rated for methodological quality using the Attree and Milton checklist for qualitative studies; the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine criteria, and the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research Standard Quality Assessment Criteria for quantitative studies. Of 314 articles identified, 18 were included: 9 qualitative; 4 quantitative and 5 mixed methodology. Settings included United States (6), United Kingdom (3), Australia (3), France (2), Taiwan (2), Germany (1), and Ireland (1). Themes were (i) professionalism: bridging theoretical paradigms and practice; (ii) halting empathy decline; (iii) wellbeing: shared experience. Additional themes regarding the "successful" delivery of RP groups in facilitating these outcomes also emerged. This first systematic review of group RP in medical students shows that RP may bring theory to life in clinical dilemmas, while fostering collegiality and mitigating against isolation amongst students, despite the absence of studies directly examining wellbeing. These findings support the value of RP integration focusing on emotive and humanitarian processes into contemporary medical education for medical students. PROSPERO CRD42022322496.

Harmonization & Conflict

There are many things that made us interested in this book where the book discusses a lot about the conflicts that exist on campus with the community, from this we can learn and also respond as students or the campus knows how to solve problems or solutions. which exists. The conflict incidents in this book can give us practice to prevent this from happening in the future and on other campuses. The theories provided in the studies can also be a source of reference for us as students. In the first chapter of this book, it discusses a university that has many agents of change, there are lecturers as educators or researchers, there are students who are always making changes in thinking and trying new methods and lifestyles, there are administrative and technical staff who have specific managerial and technical skills in supporting the teaching and learning process and managing the entire campus area. Small conflicts have continued to occur throughout the history of the development of this campus. The nuances of conflict between the Unimal campus community and the surrounding gampong community are actually an extension of the vertical and horizontal conflicts that have existed in Aceh for a long time, between the government (central and regional) and the Free Aceh Movement. It is the main discussion in this book. Like the conflict between the residents of the gampong around the campus and Unimal, it has been ongoing and intertwined with the wider conflict, the Aceh conflict which has been going on for quite a long time since 1953 which has put Aceh into a territory that is rebelling against the Central Government. This peace agreement became the initial capital for creating new socio-political conditions in post-conflict Aceh and as a prerequisite for carrying out rehabilitation and reconstruction activities for the area after being hit by the tsunami disaster on December 26, 2004. Several stages in the peace process were successfully passed with generally quite positive results. even unexpectedly; demobilizing GAM and decommissioning its weapons; non-organic redeployment of TNI/POLRI; amnesty for GAM political prisoners; reintegration of former GAM members; the enactment of Law Number 11 of 2006 concerning the Government of Aceh; and the election of the head of the Aceh administration and local elections at the district and city levels throughout Aceh.

A synthetic model simulator for intracranial aneurysm clipping: validation of the UpSurgeOn AneurysmBox.

In recent decades, the rise of endovascular management of aneurysms has led to a significant decline in operative training for surgical aneurysm clipping. Simulation has the potential to bridge this gap and benchtop synthetic simulators aim to combine the best of both anatomical realism and haptic feedback. The aim of this study was to validate a synthetic benchtop simulator for aneurysm clipping (AneurysmBox, UpSurgeOn). Expert and novice surgeons from multiple neurosurgical centres were asked to clip a terminal internal carotid artery aneurysm using the AneurysmBox. Face and content validity were evaluated using Likert scales by asking experts to complete a post-task questionnaire. Construct validity was evaluated by comparing expert and novice performance using the modified Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (mOSATS), developing a curriculum-derived assessment of Specific Technical Skills (STS), and measuring the forces exerted using a force-sensitive glove. Ten experts and eighteen novices completed the task. Most experts agreed that the brain looked realistic (8/10), but far fewer agreed that the brain felt realistic (2/10). Half the expert participants (5/10) agreed that the aneurysm clip application task was realistic. When compared to novices, experts had a significantly higher median mOSATS (27 vs. 14.5; p < 0.01) and STS score (18 vs. 9; p < 0.01); the STS score was strongly correlated with the previously validated mOSATS score (p < 0.01). Overall, there was a trend towards experts exerting a lower median force than novices, however, these differences were not statistically significant (3.8 N vs. 4.0 N; p = 0.77). Suggested improvements for the model included reduced stiffness and the addition of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and arachnoid mater. At present, the AneurysmBox has equivocal face and content validity, and future versions may benefit from materials that allow for improved haptic feedback. Nonetheless, it has good construct validity, suggesting it is a promising adjunct to training.

Leadership Approach in a Complex Disease Outbreak Management: The Case of the Tenth Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Introduction:The world's second largest Ebola virus disease outbreak in DRC (August 2018-June 2020) caused 3,481 cases in 29 health zones, 2,299 deaths and about 250,000 contacts traced. It occurred in densely populated vast areas, with insecurity, ongoing humanitarian crisis and community reluctancy. Four hubs, sixteen sub-coordinations were set up with hundreds of experts to support local inexperienced health workers. Five health coordinators were deployed to lead more than 600 people at national and field level coordinations. This work aimed at reviewing coordinators’ leadership styles using leadership theories. Recommendations were made for future complex health operations.Method:The leadership styles of the five coordinators were reviewed retrospectively using different leadership theories. Three groups of theories: (1) Leader’s traits, characteristics, and skills; (2) Leader’s behaviors: behavioral, transformational, and situational; (3) Authentic and servant leadership.Results:Analysis with the three groups of leadership theory highlighted that leaders had mixed leadership approaches.1) Self-confident, calm, determined, extravert (one a bit shy), conscientious, motivators; Sociable and empathic while dealing with staffs affected by incidents; Few strong characters affecting interpersonal relations; Strong negotiation skills while dealing with local stakeholders; Experienced and knowledgeable in analyzing, making judgment and decisions.2) A participative approach when supporting nationals and partners; Using transformational leadership when coaching national counterparts and mobilizing partners, Directive when teams were to comply with rules or act quickly.3) Compassion; building trust, confidence and capacity; empowering and coaching.Conclusion:The complex disease outbreak imposed a mixed leadership style. Leaders had specific traits and technical skills. Servant leadership style was often used to trigger participation and build capacity in support of national and international experts. Directive approaches were used to trigger urgent actions. Findings could help in selecting and training leaders for public health emergencies. It may require further empirical and operational research in emergency contexts.

Taking modern psychiatry into the metaverse: Integrating augmented, virtual, and mixed reality technologies into psychiatric care.

The landscape of psychiatry is ever evolving and has recently begun to be influenced more heavily by new technologies. One novel technology which may have particular application to psychiatry is the metaverse, a three-dimensional digital social platform accessed via augmented, virtual, and mixed reality (AR/VR/MR). The metaverse allows the interaction of users in a virtual world which can be measured and manipulated, posing at once exciting new possibilities and significant potential challenges and risks. While the final form of the nascent metaverse is not yet clear, the immersive simulation and holographic mixed reality-based worlds made possible by the metaverse have the potential to redefine neuropsychiatric care for both patients and their providers. While a number of applications for this technology can be envisioned, this article will focus on leveraging the metaverse in three specific domains: medical education, brain stimulation, and biofeedback. Within medical education, the metaverse could allow for more precise feedback to students performing patient interviews as well as the ability to more easily disseminate highly specialized technical skills, such as those used in advanced neurostimulation paradigms. Examples of potential applications in brain stimulation and biofeedback range from using AR to improve precision targeting of non-invasive neuromodulation modalities to more innovative practices, such as using physiological and behavioral measures derived from interactions in VR environments to directly inform and personalize treatment parameters for patients. Along with promising future applications, we also discuss ethical implications and data security concerns that arise when considering the introduction of the metaverse and related AR/VR technologies to psychiatric research and care.

A Competency Framework for Participatory Modeling

Participatory modeling (PM) is a craft that is often learned by training ‘on the job’ and mastered through years of practice. There is little explicit knowledge available on identifying and documenting the skills needed to perform PM. In the modeling literature, existing attempts to identify relevant competencies have focused on the specific technical skills required for specific technical model development. The other skills required to organize and conduct the stakeholder process seem to be more vaguely and poorly defined in this context. The situation is complicated by PM being an essentially transdisciplinary craft, with no single discipline or skill set to borrow ideas and recommendations from. In this paper, we aim to set the foundation for both the practice and capacity-building efforts for PM by identifying the relevant core competencies. Our inquiry into this topic starts with reviewing and compiling literature on competencies in problem-solving research areas related to PM (e.g., systems thinking, facilitated model building, operations research, and so forth). We augment our inquiry with results from a PM practitioners’ survey to learn how they perceive the importance of different competencies and how the scope of these competencies may vary across the various roles that participatory modellers play. As a result, we identified five core competency areas essential for PM: systems thinking, modeling, group facilitation, project management and leadership, and, more recently, designing and running virtual workshops and events.

Assessment of readiness for sports activities in cheer sports of student athletes with experience in various sports

Cheer sport is rapidly gaining popularity including in student sports which determines the relevance of research on the problems of its development in student sports. The article is devoted to the study of the readiness of student-athletes engaged in various difficult-coordination sports to continue a sports career in cheer sports. The purpose of the study was to identify the initial level of development of leading physical qualities and special technical skills for cheerleaders in athletes of different specializations to determine readiness for sports improvement in the university student cheer sports team. The study was conducted using the method of control tests using tests to assess the leading physical qualities and special technical skills of cheerleaders. The results of the study showed that the level of readiness for sports improvement in student cheerleading teams of athletes who had sports experience in various sports is due to the specifics of their previous sports activities. At the same time, athletes who have previously engaged in sports with an acrobatic orientation have the skills to perform acrobatic tracks required in competitive activities in cheerleading. A good level of flexibility development in girls contributes to the implementation of complex static elements of competitive activity in cheerleading. A good level of development of strength abilities possessed by young men who have previously engaged in strength sports can serve as the basis for their successful performance of such elements of cheerleading as support and emissions. The significance of the conducted research lies in the establishment of the need to assess the initial level of readiness for sports improvement in the cheer sport of athletes who previously engaged in various sports. The information obtained will allow the coach to individualize the training process, focusing on the development of missing or underdeveloped qualities and skills of each athlete, which will allow him to determine the optimal competitive program of the team for the successful preparation of the team for the competition.

Project-based learning technology in classes for technical and it-orientating groups: Experience and results of implementation

In today’s world, where technology continues to transform and innovation is becoming an integral part of our lives, it is becoming increasingly important to give children the opportunity to learn practical skills that will be useful to them in their future careers. Introducing technical and IT specialisms early in their education allows children to develop an interest and ambition in this area. One of the effective approaches in teaching has become project-oriented learning with the use of modern technologies. This method allows students to actively and practically apply their knowledge and skills by working on real projects. Within this approach, students not only learn theory, but also apply their knowledge in practice, which allows them to remember and learn the material better. When project-oriented learning using technology was implemented in classes for technical and IT-oriented groups, the results of implementing this methodology were impressive. Students involved in projects showed more interest and motivation in learning, as they saw direct practical value in the material being learnt. In addition, this approach develops in students a range of skills that are essential in today’s world, such as communication, co-operation, problem solving, critical thinking, etc. Project-based learning also promotes creative thinking and innovation. The experience of implementing project-oriented learning using technology in classrooms for technical and IT-oriented groups confirms its effectiveness and significance. Such an approach improves learning outcomes, motivates students and develops not only specific technical skills but also general competences necessary for a successful career in the modern world. Therefore, the use of project-oriented learning and technologies in the education of technical and IT-oriented groups is a relevant and integral component of modern curricula.

IoT-Based Mixed Reality Laboratories in Applied Disciplines

E-learning and blended learning have become an integral part of modern academic and educational systems. It provides easy access to educational opportunities for a very wide range of individuals to pursue their educational and rehabilitation goals. These educational systems have the potential to improve the quality of the teaching and learning process and raise the level of its performance to higher levels. Advances in communication technologies have led to a new approach of connectivity, known as the Internet of Things (IoT), where every device is connected to the network, so all objects can communicate with each other. These technologies help in developing e-learning infrastructure, especially in applied disciplines where special requirements are needed, such as acquiring specific technical skills and practices through training. Embedding Internet of Things and Mixed Reality technologies is the solution for developing e-learning and blended learning systems in applied disciplines. Moreover, applying such technologies can reduce the cost of education and professional qualification at both the institutional and individual learner levels. This paper presents designs for remote laboratories using Internet of Things and Mixed Reality technologies with examples of experiments in control engineering and renewable energy engineering. Keywords: E-learning, blended learning, Remote labs, Internet of things, Mixed reality, Virtual reality.

Comparison of Race Performance Characteristics for the 50 m and 100 m Freestyle among Regional-Level Male Swimmers

Race analysis performed by faster and slower swimmers enables the definition of effective strategies for carrying out the competition. Until now, measurements of this type were mainly conducted among top-level athletes. The aim of the study was to determine the differences in swimming technique in sprint races between faster (FS) and slower (SS) regional-level swimmers. The performance of 33 swimmers (mean FINA points = 449) competing in 50 m and 100 m freestyle races was analysed. To determine the velocity (v), stroke rate (SR), stroke length (SL), and stroke index (SI), races were recorded with the use of cameras. Using the Student’s t-test and Mann–Whitney U test, the results were compared for two groups: FS (mean FINA points = 557) and SS (mean FINA points = 379). In the 100 m competition, differences between groups were noticed in v (1.70 and 1.51 m/s), SL (2.06 and 1.85 m), and SI (3.52 and 2.80 m2/s), while in the 50 m competition, they were noticed in v (1.95 and 1.73 m/s), SR (59.46 and 55.01 cycle/min), and SI (3.44 and 3.04 m2/s, respectively for the FS and SS groups). Adapting the technique to a shorter distance should be performed by increasing the frequency of movements. At the same time, the decrease in SL should be controlled. The indicator enabling the assessment of technical effectiveness, regardless of the distance, is the SI. The 50 and 100 m freestyle races require specific technical skills to be mastered. Therefore, the development of technique in swimmers should include its various variants.

Current Endoscopy Training in Korea and Future Aspects

The training of trainees to perform endoscopies is challenging. There is no standardized training program in Korea. Trainees usually learn to perform endoscopies under the supervision of an educator, an expert endoscopist. However, most of educators have never received formal training. For high quality and effecting training, formal training program for educators is needed. Also, specific assessment tools measuring performance and improving training are required. The use of simulators for acquiring, maintaining, and assessing skills in endoscopy has grown over the past decade. Many data suggest that simulation training may accelerate the acquisition of specific technical skills in endoscopy early in training. If we include education using simulators in basic endoscopy education, it will be of great help to shorten the endoscopy training time and improve the endoscopy training environment. A significant portion of medical lawsuits against gastroenterologists in Korea are related to complications related to sedation. Therefore, endoscopy education should include contents related to sedation education. Also, systematic and thorough education program along with assessment tool measuring true competence of sedation in endoscopy is needed. Changes should be made at all levels to improve our endoscopy training system.

SARS-CoV-2 Variants Identification; A Fast and Affordable Strategy Based on Partial S-Gene Targeted PCR Sequencing.

A considerable number of new SARS-CoV-2 lineages have emerged since the first COVID-19 cases were reported in Wuhan. As a few variants showed higher COVID-19 disease transmissibility and the ability to escape from immune responses, surveillance became relevant at that time. Single-nucleotide mutation PCR-based protocols were not always specific, and consequently, determination of a high number of informative sites was needed for accurate lineage identification. A detailed in silico analysis of SARS-CoV-2 sequences retrieved from GISAID database revealed the S gene 921 bp-fragment, positions 22784-23705 of SARS-CoV-2 reference genome, as the most informative fragment (30 variable sites) to determine relevant SARS-CoV-2 variants. Consequently, a method consisting of the PCR-amplification of this fragment, followed by Sanger's sequencing and a "single-click" informatic program based on a reference database, was developed and validated. PCR-fragments obtained from clinical SARS-CoV-2 samples were compared with homologous variant-sequences and the resulting phylogenetic tree allowed the identification of Alpha, Delta, Omicron, Beta, Gamma, and other variants. The data analysis procedure was automatized and simplified to the point that it did not require specific technical skills. The method is faster and cheaper than current whole-genome sequencing methods; it is available worldwide, and it may help to enhance efficient surveillance in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Maturation Selection Biases and Relative Age Effect in Italian Soccer Players of Different Levels.

Soccer is a sport practiced all over the world, in which players are expected to show specific physical and technical skills. Soccer academies look for young talented individuals to develop promising players. Although several parameters could affect the players' performance, the relative age effect (RAE) and the maturity status appeared debated. Therefore, this study compared the differences in RAE and biological maturity among the players of two Italian soccer teams of different levels and to understand their interaction effects with the competition level on youth players' physical characteristics and abilities. One hundred and sixty-two young soccer players from the U12 to U15 age categories of the elite (n = 98) and non-elite (n = 64) teams were recruited. The prevalence of maturity status and RAE was observed. Many anthropometric parameters, BIA vectors, and motor tests (CMJ, Sprint, RSA) were carried out. The maturity status had a greater effect on several anthropometric characteristics and on 15 m sprint, while it affected the CMJ only in U12 (F = 6.187, p ≤ 0.01). Differently, the RAE seemed to priorly affect the U13 and U15 categories in body composition, whereas its effect appeared on the 15-m sprint (F(3, 45) = 4.147, p ≤ 0.01) and the RSA (F(3, 45) = 3.179, p ≤ 0.05) in the U14 category. In addition, early matured players or those who were born in the first six months presented cellular characteristics similar to adult elite players. Soccer professionals should be encouraged to monitor the maturity status to better interpret changes in the physical performance of young soccer players to guide adequate training plans.

Semi-Quantitative Discrimination of Honey Adulterated with Cane Sugar Solution by an ETongue.

This study successfully applied a potentiometric E-tongue with 20 cross-selectivity lipidic polymeric membranes in the discrimination of three semi-quantitative groups, that represented the following intervals of honey adulteration percentage with cane sugar: 0 %; [0, 10]%; [10, 20]% of adulteration. We analysed five different types of Portuguese honey; five brands of cane sugar were added to the adulterated samples; a comparative analysis was then performed. Linear discriminant analysis coupled with a tabu search algorithm for feature selection was applied to the ETongue's analytical data to select the best model. A discriminant model with 12 sensors was obtained. This model classified correctly all samples in both in internal (train data, 15 samples) and external validation (test data,10 samples). Also, multiple linear regression with tabu search was applied to verify if ETongue's data would allow quantifying the honey's adulteration level. The results showed that it was possible to obtain a quantitative model but with unsatisfactory predictive performance in the test data group (external validation), giving, in general, values below the expected concentrations. E-tongue is a real-time green, flexible and low-cost analytical tool that requires minimum sample preparation and no special technical skills, being a promising tool for everyday application.

High-Fidelity Simulation to Assess Task Load Index and Performance: A Prospective Observational Study.

Objective:The NASA Task Load Index is a questionnaire widely used in aviation. This index might help for attesting the quality of a scenario in high-fidelity simulation in healthcare. The main purpose of this study was to observe whether NASA Task Load Index for critical care-simulated scenarios, designed for residents, was consistent with the literature. The second purpose was to describe relationships between NASA Task Load Index, performance and generated stress during high-fidelity simulation.Methods:All residents in anaesthesia and intensive care undergoing high-fidelity simulation were included. The primary endpoint was the task load generated by each scenario assessed by NASA Task Load Index. Based on the literature, the NASA Task Load Index scores between 39 and 61 were considered an acceptable level. Stress level (Visual Analogue Scale) and specific technical and non-technical skills performances (Team Emergency Assessment Measure) were also assessed.Results:Totally 53 residents actively participated in 1 of 10 different scenarios, between June and December 2017. The median NASA Task Load Index score of scenarios was 61 [48-65]. Five scenarios generated acceptable task load levels. There was no association between the NASA Task Load Index score and technical or non-technical skills performance scores, but an association between NASA Task Load Index and the stress level (rho = 4.7, P = .001) was observed.Conclusion:Simulation scenarios generate different task loads for residents; the task load was deemed acceptable for half of the scenarios. The NASA Task Load Index could be considered as a tool to assess the pedagogic adequacy of scenarios. Scenario and generated stress level, but not task load, can modify residents’ performance during simulation. This should be considered when planning normative simulation.