Growth Mindset Moderates the Effect of the Neonatal Resuscitation Program on Performance in a Computer-Based Game Training Simulation

This study examines for the first time the moderating role of growth mindset on the association between the time elapsed since participants' last refresher neonatal resuscitation program (NRP) course and their performance on neonatal resuscitation tasks in the RETAIN computer game training simulation. Participants were n = 50 health-care providers affiliated with a large university hospital. Results revealed that growth mindset moderated the relation between participants' task performance in the game and the time since their latest refresher NRP course. Specifically, participants who completed the course more recently (i.e., between 8 and 9 months before the current study) made significantly more mistakes in the game than the rest of the participants but only when they endorsed lower levels of growth mindset. Implications of this research include growth mindset interventions and increased screen time in simulation sessions that have the potential to help health-care providers achieve better performance on neonatal resuscitation clinical tasks

RETAIN: A Board Game That Improves Neonatal Resuscitation Knowledge Retention

Background: The current resuscitation guidelines recommend frequent simulation based medical education (SBME). However, the current SBME approach is expensive, time-intensive, and requires a specialized lab and trained instructors. Hence, it is not offered routinely at all hospitals. We designed the board game “RETAIN” to train healthcare providers (HCPs) in neonatal resuscitation in a cost-friendly and accessible way.Objectives: To examine if a board game-based training simulator improves knowledge retention in HCPs.Methods: “RETAIN” consists of a board using an image of a baby, visual objects, adjustable timer, monitors, and action cards. Neonatal HCPs at the Royal Alexandra Hospital were invited to participate. Participants completed a written pre-test (resuscitation of a 24-week infant), then played the board game (starting with a tutorial followed by free playing of three evidence-based neonatal resuscitation scenarios). Afterwards, a post-test with the same resuscitation scenario and an opinion survey was completed. The answers from the pre- and post-test were compared to assess HCPs' knowledge retention.Results: Thirty HCPs (four doctors, 12 nurses, and 14 respiratory therapist) participated in the study. Overall, we observed a 10% increase in knowledge retention between the pre- and post-test (49–59%, respectively). Temperature management showed the most knowledge gain between the pre- and post-test (14–46%, respectively). Placement of a hat (10–43%), plastic wrap (27–67%), and temperature probe (7–30%) improved between the pre- and post-test.Conclusion: Knowledge retention increased by 12% between pre- and post-test (49–61%, respectively). The improvement in performance and knowledge supports the use of board game simulations for clinical training

An Architecture for Game Behavior AI: Behavior Multi-Queues

We describe an AI behavior architecture that supports responsive collaborative interruptible and resumable behaviors using behavior queues. This architecture wraps sets of behaviors into roles, which provide a simple efficient mechanism for encapsulating behaviors into components that can change dynamically, based on environmental criteria. To illustrate the viability of this architecture in a commercial setting, we implemented this architecture in BioWare Corp.’s Neverwinter Nights game. To demonstrate the usability of this architecture by game designers, we implemented a simple interface in ScriptEase, so that the architecture can be utilized with no coding skills

A Demonstration of Agent Learning with Action-Dependent Learning Rates in Computer Role-Playing Games

We demonstrate combat scenarios between two NPCs in the Neverwinter Nights (NWN) game in which an NPC uses a new learning algorithm ALeRT (Action-dependent Learning Rates with Trends) and the other NPC uses a static strategy (NWN default and optimal) or a dynamic strategy (dynamic scripting). We implemented the ALeRT algorithm in NWScript, a scripting language used by NWN, with the goal to improve the behaviours of game agents. We show how our agent learns and adapts to changes in the environment

Multiple Code Inheritance in Java

single copies of this thesis and to lend or sell such copies for private, scholarly or scientific research purposes only. The author reserves all other publication and other rights in association with the copyright in the thesis, and except as herein before provided, neither the thesis nor any substantial portion thereof may be printed or otherwise reproduced in any material form whatever without the author’s prior written permission. Date

The Effects of a Digital Game Simulator versus a Traditional Intervention on Paramedics’ Neonatal Resuscitation Performance

Neonatal resuscitation is a skill set that comprises procedures, assessment, decision-making, communication, and teamwork. It is used in an emergency situation in the delivery room with the aim of supporting newborn infants who are not able to begin breathing on their own. Thus, healthcare providers need to refresh their neonatal resuscitation skills periodically, according to the Neonatal Resuscitation Program, to ensure that they can react quickly and effectively in emergency situations. The RETAIN digital game simulator was designed to enable healthcare providers to practice their neonatal resuscitation skills. To evaluate the effectiveness of this game in a laboratory setting, a randomized control trial sampled 42 paramedics who completed a pre-test, were randomly assigned to watch a traditional lecture video on the neonatal resuscitation procedure or to play a novel digital game simulation on the same topic, and then completed a following test. A two-way mixed ANOVA revealed a statistically significant improvement in paramedics’ neonatal resuscitation performance over time, which did not differ between conditions. Thus, digital games can provide an enjoyable alternative to traditional practices in refreshing neonatal resuscitation knowledge

Multiple Code Inheritance in Java

Java has multiple-inheritance of interfaces, but only singleinheritance of code. This situation results in duplicated code in Java library classes and application code. This paper describes a generalization to the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) to support multiple-inheritance of code. Our approach places code in interfaces. This extension can be implemented by adding a small amount of code to a few locations in a JVM. Furthermore, a set of simple scripts allows a programmer to use multiple code inheritance with existing javac compilers. Word Count = 9,273

MCI-Java: A modified Java virtual machine approach to multiple code inheritance

Java has multiple inheritance of interfaces, but only single inheritance of code via classes. This situation results in duplicated code in Java library classes and application code. We describe a generalization to the Java language syntax and the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) to support multiple inheritance of code, called MCI-Java. Our approach places multiply-inherited code in a new language construct called an implementation, which lies between an interface and a class in the inheritance hierarchy. This extension is implemented by making minimal changes to the Java syntax, small changes to a compiler (IBM Jikes), and modest localized changes to a JVM (SUN JDK 1.2.2).