Quynh Nguyen

This study aimed to assess the impact of material recovery facility (MRF) in dealing with problems of solid waste management systems, reducing solid waste generation, and raising awareness among residents in Cu Lao Cham island (CLC). Additionally, perception of islanders toward operation and development of MRF was also assessed. Literature review was conducted to have general understanding on status of MRF operation. Waste flow analysis was performed to illustrate waste flow of MRF by scenarios. In-depth interviews, observation, and questionnaire survey were applied to gain deep social insights into operation and potential for expansion of MRF. The results denoted that MRF recovered 51.41 kg of solid waste per day, accounting for 1.75% of the total MSW generated from households in CLC. Products from MRF, environmental effectiveness, the effectiveness of education and information publicity, and social cooperation had statistically significant effects on the participation of habitants in the operation and development of MRF. The MRFs will reduce 5.5% and 16% of the total domestic waste to Eo Gio in 2025 and 2028. The MRF was expected to attain financial independence from around 2025. Results from this study were scientific bases for managers, planners, policy-makers and other stakeholders for management and development of MRF not only in CLC but also other islands in developing countries.

Background: Mixed reality (MR) simulation training is emerging in paramedical education as a way to practice responding to stress-intensive scenarios like mass casualty incidents in a safe and controlled environment. Current training platforms, however, lack real-time stress and human performance monitoring tools. Objective: The study aims to enhance MR training for medical first responders through real-time evaluation of performance and stress levels, leveraging biosignal monitoring and advanced analytics to allow instructors to tailor feedback and maintain optimal challenge and safety levels. Methods: The study includes a structured, multiphase approach including initial requirement gathering (structured interviews and cocreation workshops), an online design survey, iterative prototype development, and a field trial (including training observations and interviews). Data were collected from 5 end user consortium members across Europe. Quantitative data from checklists were analyzed using frequencies and percentages to understand feature usage and event occurrences. Qualitative data from semistructured interviews and cocreation workshops were transcribed, coded, and subjected to thematic analysis to identify patterns and insights into the usability and effectiveness of the enhanced features in the MR training. Results: The study identified a number of requirements that medical first responders have for an MR training system, including requirements not included in currently available solutions. A total of 80 performance metrics were initially identified and refined to a set of 54 metrics, which were categorized into key performance indicator groups such as scene safety, triage performance, and communication. Requirements for smart wearables to monitor stress levels are provided and highlight the importance of a user-centered design process to provide users with effective tools that fit their needs. Stress visualization preferences are described in the form of a dashboard as well as in virtual environments surrounding the avatar. Using an iterative design process and user feedback, a training system was developed, integrating real-time performance tracking and stress monitoring. The field trial provided insights into the practical use of these features during a real training exercise, showed interaction preferences between trainer and trainees, and highlighted further improvement opportunities. Conclusions: This research enhances MR training for paramedics by integrating real-time performance metrics and stress indicators based on a human-centered design approach that aligns with end user needs, thereby laying the foundation for developing more effective and immersive training solutions for high-stress professions.

Although there is a substantial body of literature exploring Making and Maker communities, a definition of Making and a characterization of Makers are still under consideration. In this study, we conducted 15 semi-structured interviews covering encompassing a diverse range of Making activities, including textile work, robotics, and electronics. We engaged with a broad spectrum of Makers across different ages, genders, and geographical locations. From these interviews, we offer a broad and narrow definition of Making and describe dimensions that describe Makers highlighting their diversity. Additionally, we explore the Maker experience from the initial conception of ideas to the creation of tangible artifacts. This research provides a theoretical frame for understanding Making, essential for designing methodologies and tools in this field.

Participatory Design (PD) has become a versatile, often-used design practice. However, its legitimacy is often criticised due to a lack of empirically backed benefits or impact. This impedes PD’s ability to convey its benefits to its stakeholders, other disciplines, and society at large, making progress in the field more difficult. One way to address these criticisms is using systematic evaluations in PD. While evaluation frameworks for PD exist, they are rarely used or built upon, and results from evaluations are seldom disseminated. Thus, this paper presents a systematic evaluation of the first year of a participatory project for developing a Virtual Reality training system as a case study. We discuss the impacts of systematic, explicit evaluations on PD practitioners, the PD community, and beyond. The work, therefore, contributes to establishing and developing evaluation as a practice in PD to enhance knowledge-building and accountability.

Objective Despite participating in scenario training, many medical first responders (MFRs) perceive themselves as inadequately prepared to respond to mass casualty incidents (MCIs). The objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive examination of traditional MCI scenario training methods, focusing on their inherent strengths and limitations. An investigation into the perceptions of MFRs who had participated in MCI scenario training was carried out to identify potential areas for improvement and provide recommendations for refining MCI training protocols. Design Qualitative inductive approach using semistructured interviews that took place between October 2021 and February 2022. Data were analysed with qualitative content analysis. Setting MCI scenario training involving four organisations (three emergency medical services and one search-and-rescue organisation) tasked with responding to MCIs, collectively representing four European Union countries. Participants 27 MFRs (17 emergency medical services personnel and 10 search-and-rescue volunteers) were recruited to participate in the study. Results Two categories and seven associated subcategories (shown in parentheses) were identified as influencing the learning outcomes for MFRs: Training in a context mirroring real-world incidents (conducting incident scene risk assessment, realistic representation in casualties, incorporating scenario variety into the curriculum, interagency collaboration, role alignment when training incident site management) and use of a pedagogical framework (allowing for mistakes, the importance of post-training evaluation). Conclusions This study reaffirms the value of traditional MCI scenario training and identifies areas for enhancement, advocating for realistic scenarios, interagency collaboration, improved incident site management skills and thorough post-training evaluation. It suggests a shift in MCI training conceptualisation and delivery. The potential of virtual reality technologies as a valuable addition to training methods is explored, with a note on the need for further research to ascertain the long-term effectiveness of these technologies. However, the selection of a training method should consider programme goals, target population and resources.

Participatory Design (PD) aims to create technological solutions that improve users’ lives and to foster users’ empowerment. While PD has received extensive attention regarding its processes and methods, less research exists on the effects of PD. With the increasing inclusion of Extended Reality (XR) into PD, this gap necessitates a critical analysis of how and to which end XR can be best used in PD activities to achieve the desired effects. Through the analysis of 16 XR prototyping workshops, we explore the impact of immersive and non-immersive XR prototyping on PD effects. Furthermore, we delineate differences between the immersive and non-immersive approaches. Our work contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the effects of XR prototyping for PD, rooted in theoretical and empirical insights. It further illustrates what each approach offers and presents design considerations to assist practitioners in successfully integrating XR prototyping into their design practice.

Creating Virtual Reality (VR) systems with high scenario fidelity is crucial, especially for scenario-based VR training. However, participatory VR design processes often require participants to have design knowledge, technical skills, or access to high-fidelity prototyping tools. Here, we present the development and evaluation of the co-design method CoLEBricks which uses building blocks for the co-creation of VR training scenarios for first responders. From the exploratory findings, we conclude that CoLEBricks supports end users in sharing needs and wishes regarding complex VR training scenarios, thereby ensuring the integration of relevant and realistic scenarios.

BACKGROUND Mixed Reality (MR) simulation training is emerging in paramedical education for practicing stress-intensive scenarios like mass casualty incidents in a safe and controlled environment. Current training platforms, however, lack real-time stress and human performance monitoring tools. OBJECTIVE The study aims to enhance mixed reality training for medical first responders through real-time evaluation of performance and stress levels, leveraging bio-signal monitoring and advanced analytics to allow instructors to tailor feedback and maintain optimal challenge and safety levels. METHODS The study includes a structured, multi-phase approach including initial requirement gathering (structured interviews and co-creation workshops), an online design survey, iterative prototype development and a field trial (including training observations and interviews). Data was collected from five end-user consortium members across Europe. Quantitative data from checklists were analyzed using frequencies and percentages to understand feature usage and event occurrences. Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews and co-creation workshops were transcribed, coded and subjected to thematic analysis to identify patterns and insights into the usability and effectiveness of the enhanced features on the MR training. RESULTS The study identified a wide range of requirements Medical First Responders (MFRs) have towards a MR training system that go beyond currently available solutions. A total of 80 performance metrics were initially identified and refined to a set of 54, which were categorized into KPI groups such as scene safety, triage performance and communication. Requirements for smart wearables to monitor stress levels are provided and highlight the importance of a user-centered design process to provide users with effective tools that fit their needs. Stress visualization preferences are described in form of a dashboard as well as in virtual environments surrounding the avatar. Using an iterative design process and user feedback, a training system was developed, integrating real-time performance tracking and stress monitoring. The field trial provided insights into practical use of these features during a real training exercise, showed interaction preferences between trainer and trainees and highlighted further improvement opportunities. CONCLUSIONS This research enhances MR training for paramedics by integrating real-time performance metrics and stress indicators, based on a human-centered design approach that aligns with end-user needs, thereby setting a foundation for developing more effective and immersive training solutions for high-stress professions. CLINICALTRIAL