Assessing expertise using eye tracking in a Virtual Reality flight simulation

Objective: The aim of this work was to examine the fidelity and validity of an aviation simulation using eye tracking. Background: Commercial head-mounted virtual reality (VR) systems offer a convenient and cost-effective alternative to existing aviation simulation (e.g., for refresher exercises). We performed pre-implementation testing of a novel aviation simulation, designed for head-mounted VR, to determine its fidelity and validity as a training device. Method: Eighteen airline pilots, with varying levels of flight experience, completed a sequence of training ‘flows’. Self-reported measures of presence and workload and users’ perceptions of fidelity were taken. Pilots’ eye movements and performance were recorded to determine whether more experienced pilots showed distinct performance and eye gaze profiles in the simulation, as they would in the real-world. Results: Real-world expertise correlated with eye gaze patterns characterised by fewer, but longer, fixations and a scan path that was more structured and less random. Multidimensional scaling analyses also indicated differential clustering of strategies in more versus less experienced pilots. Subjective ratings of performance, however, showed little relationship with real-world expertise or eye movements. Conclusion: We adopted an evidence-based approach to assessing the fidelity and validity of a VR flight training tool. Pilot reports indicated the simulation was realistic and potentially useful for training, while direct measurement of eye movements was useful for establishing construct validity and psychological fidelity of the simulation.

Validation of a novel virtual reality simulation system with the focus on training for surgical dissection during laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy

Background Mastery of technical skills is one of the fundamental goals of surgical training for novices. Meanwhile, performing laparoscopic procedures requires exceptional surgical skills compared to open surgery. However, it is often difficult for trainees to learn through observation and practice only. Virtual reality (VR)-based surgical simulation is expanding and rapidly advancing. A major obstacle for laparoscopic trainees is the difficulty of well-performed dissection. Therefore, we developed a new VR simulation system, Lap-PASS LP-100, which focuses on training to create proper tension on the tissue in laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy dissection. This study aimed to validate this new VR simulation system. Methods A total of 50 participants were asked to perform medial dissection of the meso-sigmoid colon on the VR simulator. Forty-four surgeons and six non-medical professionals working in the National Cancer Center Hospital East, Japan, were enrolled in this study. The surgeons were: laparoscopic surgery experts with > 100 laparoscopic surgeries (LS), 21 were novices with experience < 100 LS, and five without previous experience in LS. The participants’ surgical performance was evaluated by three blinded raters using Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills (GOALS). Results There were significant differences (P-values < 0.044) in all GOALS items between the non-medical professionals and surgeons. The experts were significantly superior to the novices in one item of GOALS: efficiency ([4(4–5) vs. 4(3–4)], with a 95% confidence interval, p = 0.042). However, both bimanual dexterity and total score in the experts were not statistically different but tended to be higher than in the novices. Conclusions Our study demonstrated a full validation of our new system. This could detect the surgeons' ability to perform surgical dissection and suggest that this VR simulator could be an effective training tool. This surgical VR simulator might have tremendous potential to enhance training for surgeons.

The Diabetes Simulation Challenge: Enhancing Patient Perspective-Taking for Medical Students

The Diabetes Simulation Challenge is a unique training tool to foster empathy, a key facet of patient-centered care, for medical students. Thirty-two medical students participated in a 24-hour perspective-taking activity as part of their curriculum, during which they simulated some common experiences of living with a chronic health condition, specifically type 1 diabetes. Students’ written reflections were analyzed using a phenomenological qualitative approach to provide a composite description of the experience. An exhaustive, iterative method of thematic analysis that included manual coding was used to determine whether this activity led to expressions of empathy or thoughts and beliefs consistent with patient-centered health care. Nine unique themes emerged, six of which indicated that students adopted the perspective of an individual with a chronic illness. Most of the students’ reflections illustrated an understanding of the behavioral, social, and emotional challenges related to living with type 1 diabetes, as well as increased empathy toward individuals with the disease. Medical students who aim to provide patient-centered care benefited from this perspective-taking exercise, and training programs should consider using such methods to extend learning beyond traditional didactic education.

Job Shadowing as a Training Tool for Lecturers in Higher Education Bilingual Teaching

The current context of higher education institutions is guided by targets of internationalization and globalization which adopt different forms, one of them based on the essential role of language learning as an operational instrument that contributes to international activity. Different approaches have been devised to promote language learning—content and language integrated learning (CLIL) or English-medium instruction (EMI)—characterized by the use of a foreign language as a teaching device. In tertiary education, the implementation of bilingual programs demands the use of professional and academic language, communicative skills, and training in methodological abilities. The challenge for lecturers is considerable and they have reported the demanding overload of work, effort, and time, but training in dual-focused teaching is essential to achieve goals successfully. Job shadowing is suggested as a training tool focused on developing bilingual professional skills, knowledge, and competences through observation, action, and reflection while accompanying a professional.

Virtual Training for Scuba Divers

Virtual reality (VR) is a technology that is becoming more common for applications in the field of education and training. VR can be used to create simulated two- and three-dimensional scenarios, promoting interactions between the user and the environment, which allows experiencing virtual training situations very close to real actions. The aim of this text is to describe the development of a teaching and training tool using VR technology for scuba divers' operations within the aquatic context for enhancing critical thinking. To this end, a survey of requirements based on real procedures was carried out in order to transpose them into a synthetic environment. After the construction of the artefact, it was tested and evaluated by qualified users, and the results are promising.

Simple Bayesian Gene Network Learning in Populus Drought Transcriptome Data

Constructing a sensibly functional gene interaction network is highly appealing for better understanding system-level biological processes governing various Populus traits. Bayesian Network (BN) learning provides an elegant and compact statistical approach for modeling causal gene-gene relationships in microarray data. Therefore, it could come with the illumination of functional molecular playing in Biology Systems. In the present study, different forms of gene Bayesian networks were detected on Populus cellular transcriptome data. Markov blankets would likely be emerging at every possible gene regulatory Bayesian network level. Results showed that PtpAffx.1257.4.S1_a_at,1.0 hypothetical protein is the most important in its possible regulatory program. This paper illustrates that the gene network regulatory inference is possible to encapsulate within a single BN model. Therefore, such a BN model can serve as a promising training tool for Populus gene expression data for better future experimental scenarios. Bangladesh J. Bot. 50(4): 1077-1086, 2021 (December)

Development of Electronic Soccer Goalkeeper Reaction Speed Training Equipment 2020

This study aims to determine the feasibility of the 2020 Electronic Football Goalkeeper Reaction Speed Training Tool. This research method is a type of Research and Development (R&D). The subjects of this research were taken from SSB Perstas, SSB Kwarta, and SSB Cakra. Development of the Electronic-Based Soccer Goalkeeper Reaction Training Tool for 2020 has been made and validated by 4 experts, namely Equipment, Electronics, Coach, and Sports. The results of the small group test involving 9 goalkeepers from SSB Perstas, SSB Patmi 50, and SSB Cakra, show that the goalkeeper reaction speed training tool meets the criteria to be continued in large group trials with a percentage of 84 - 100%. The results of the large group test involving 15 goalkeepers from SSB Perstas, SSB Patmi 50, SSB Cakra SSB Kwarta and SSB Gumarang, showed that the goalkeeper reaction speed training tool met the criteria to be continued into mass production with a percentage of 82-100%. It can be concluded that the development of a football goalkeeper reaction speed tool can be categorized as "very good" with the meaning "feasible” and usable.