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Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / There is a lack of existing research that investigates the feasibility of using consumers to evaluate the fidelity of evidence-based practices, including supported employment which is an intervention that helps people with severe mental illnesses to obtain competitive employment. Fidelity refers to the extent that the SE program adheres to the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model of supported employment. The present study was a concordance study that investigated whether or not consumers’ self reports of IPS fidelity information agreed with administrative charts and employment specialists. Additionally, it was hypothesized that consumers’ program satisfaction ratings would be positively correlated with their self reported IPS fidelity scores. An additional purpose of this study was to examine what types of supported employment fidelity items consumers were able to report on. Participants included a volunteer sample of 30 consumers and 5 employment specialists from one IPS program in Indiana. Consumers in the IPS program were interviewed by telephone using a survey that included questions related to their program’s fidelity as well as their satisfaction with the program. Questions were based off of items from the IPS Fidelity Scale and were categorized into the following subscales: work incentives counseling, job search, engagement, organization, staffing, and job support. Similar questions were asked in an employment specialist survey and a chart review. All three sources (consumers, charts, and employment specialists) indicated high IPS fidelity responses on the researcher developed surveys. However, there was a low level of agreement between the sources at both the subscale level and item level. Although there was an overall low level of agreement between sources, there were several items that had a moderate or higher degree of agreement. Additionally, the present study did find a positive correlation between the consumer fidelity score percentage and consumer IPS program satisfaction ratings, supporting the researcher’s hypothesis. Among the items that consumers had difficulty answering were several tapping program level policies such as zero exclusion. Reasons for the discrepancy in agreement between sources as well as clinical implications of the findings are discussed.

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Simulation for surgical education and training is increasingly perceived as a valuable contribution to traditional teaching methods providing a structured learning experience. Surgical simulations allow surgeons to practice tactics, techniques and procedures numerous times without the cost, limitations and ethical problems of using cadaver-based models. The goal of this research is to advance the use of modeling and simulation in support of emergency medical training. This research explores questions identified through a case study of two different modeling and simulation techniques – virtual reality and mannequins - in the support of combat emergency medical education and training. To reduce the scope to a manageable dissertation, the research focuses on CricSim as representative form of virtual reality simulation and HapMed as a form of mannequin simulation both with hapticenabled capabilities. To further narrow the scope, the research focuses on training of a medical technique common to both simulation systems, which for this research was the cricothyroidotomy airway management technique. The U.S. Army expressed interest in training of combat medics in the cricothyroidotomy airway management technique and offered to support experimentation with both facilities and trained combat medics as the sample population. An experiment supporting this research took place at Fort Indiantown Gap, a National Guard Training Center located in Annville, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania and is the iv home of the Medical Battalion Training Site. An advanced airway management course is augmented with combat medics receiving training and evaluation on performing the cricothyroidotomy procedure using CricSim and HapMed with system experts provided by each respective developer. The NASA Task Load survey is used to collect participants’ assessment of workload in terms of Mental Demand, Physical Demand, Temporal Demand, Level of Effort, Performance and Level of Frustration based on four primary tasks of the cricothyroidotomy. Additionally, the Technology Acceptance Model survey is used to provide insight into participant’s assessment of usability. Professional trainers also provide their assessment of the virtual simulators suitability in support of the combat medics in performing their tasks based on their standards. The results of the participants’ assessment of each virtual simulator take the form of a comparison study. To improve the advancement of medical simulation in the training of cricothyroidotomy procedure, a summary of findings, generalized conclusions, lessons learned and recommendations for future research are illuminated. The dissertation team is comprised of medical experts within the U.S. Air Force Education and Training Command, U.S. Army Research and Medical Command, and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences as well as simulation subject matter experts from the University of Central Florida.

<p>  </p> <p>Knot tying boards are low fidelity surgical simulators used to practice tying suture, but devices on the market currently provide no feedback and no way of changing out bands. A simple-to-use knot tying board with interchangeable bands capable of measuring force was designed. This board is comparable in cost to products currently available on the market. The knot tying board was then prototyped and tested. Four MD students completed trials of one-handed and two-handed knot tying with three throws per trail. In testing, the knot tying board was capable of measuring force data, such as peak force during knot tying and the final force the knot exerts on the bands. The device used in conjunction with experienced surgical skills coaches could prove a powerful tool for providing feedback to trainees, and a similar approach could be used with other low fidelity surgical simulators to improve feedback.</p>

Based on the targets outlined by the EU Horizon 2020 (H2020) framework, it is expected that heterogeneous networking will play a crucial role in delivering seamless end-to-end ubiquitous Internet access for users. In due course, the current GSM-Railway (GSM-R) will be deemed unsustainable, as the demand for packet-oriented services continues to increase. Therefore, the opportunity to identify a plausible replacement system conducted in this research study is timely and appropriate. In this research study, a hybrid satellite and terrestrial network for enabling ubiquitous Internet access in a high-speed train environment is investigated. The study focuses on the mobility management aspect of the system, primarily related to the handover management. A proposed handover strategy, employing the RACE II MONET and ITU-T Q.65 design methodology, will be addressed. This includes identifying the functional model (FM) which is then mapped to the functional architecture (FUA), based on the Q.1711 IMT-2000 FM. In addition, the signalling protocols, information flows and message format based on the adopted design methodology will also be specified. The approach is then simulated in OPNET and the findings are then presented and discussed. The opportunity of exploring the prospect of employing neural networks (NN) for handover is also undertaken. This study focuses specifically on the use of pattern classification neural networks to aid in the handover process, which is then simulated in MATLAB. The simulation outcomes demonstrated the effectiveness and appropriateness of the NN algorithm and the competence of the algorithm in facilitating the handover process.

<p dir="ltr">Learning-based systems (LBS) have become essential in various domains, necessitating the development of testing and evaluation (T&E) procedures specifically tailored to address the unique characteristics and challenges of LBS. However, existing frameworks designed for traditional systems do not adequately capture the intricacies of LBS, including their evolving nature, complexity, and susceptibility to adversarial actions. This study advocates for a paradigm shift in T&E, proposing its integration throughout the entire life cycle of LBS, starting from the early stages of development and extending to operations and sustainment. The research objectives focus on exploring innovative approaches for designing LBS-specific T&E strategies, creating an experimental testbed with multi-fidelity modeling capabilities, investigating the optimal degree of test and evaluation required for LBS, and examining the impact of system knowledge access and the delicate balance between T&E activities and data/model rights. These objectives aim to overcome the challenges associated with LBS and contribute to the development of effective testing approaches that assess their capabilities and limitations throughout the life cycle. The proposed experimental testbed will provide a versatile environment for comprehensive testing and evaluation, enabling researchers and practitioners to assess LBS performance across varying levels of complexity. The findings from this study will contribute the development of efficient testing strategies and practical approaches that strike a balance between thorough evaluation and data/model rights. Ultimately, the integration of continuous T&E insights throughout the life cycle of LBS aims to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of capability delivery by enabling adjustments and improvements at each stage.</p>