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AbstractDue to the current shortage of accountants and the various pipeline initiatives taking place, our research aims to address the instructor’s role in the accounting classroom. We survey students on their perceptions regarding teaching and assessment methods used in university accounting courses. Results for both in person and online courses suggest students prefer instruction that involves instructor demonstration of exercises and real-world examples, while relying on the instructor’s personal experiences with accounting. We offer valuable perspectives to educators aiming to improve both the caliber of accounting education and the student learning experience to help combat the drastic shortage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the current shortage of accountants and the various pipeline initiatives taking place, our research aims to address the instructor's role in the accounting classroom. We survey students on their perceptions regarding teaching and assessment methods used in university accounting courses. Results for both in person and online courses suggest students prefer instruction that involves instructor demonstration of exercises and real-world examples, while relying on the instructor's personal experiences with accounting. We offer valuable perspectives to educators aiming to improve both the caliber of accounting education and the student learning experience to help combat the drastic shortage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While taste and smell perception have been thoroughly investigated, our understanding of oral somatosensory perception remains limited. Further, assessing and measuring individual differences in oral somatosensory perception pose notable challenges. This review aimed to evaluate the existing methods to assess oral somatosensory perception by examining and comparing the strengths and limitations of each method. The review highlighted the lack of standardized assessment methods and the various procedures within each method. Tactile sensitivity can be assessed using several methods, but each method measures different tactile dimensions. Further investigations are needed to confirm its correlation with texture sensitivity. In addition, measuring a single textural attribute may not provide an overall representation of texture sensitivity. Thermal sensitivity can be evaluated using thermal‐change detection or temperature discrimination tests. The chemesthetic sensitivity tests involve either localized or whole‐mouth stimulation tests. The choice of an appropriate method for assessing oral somatosensory sensitivity depends on several factors, including the specific research objectives and the target population. Each method has its unique intended purpose, strengths, and limitations, so no universally superior approach exists. To overcome some of the limitations associated with certain methods, the review offers alternative or complementary approaches that could be considered. Researchers can enhance the comprehensive assessment of oral somatosensory sensitivity by carefully selecting and potentially combining methods. In addition, a standardized protocol remains necessary for each method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessments of ecosystem functioning are a fundamental ecological challenge and an essential foundation for ecosystem‐based management. Species trophic position (TP) is essential to characterize food web architecture. However, despite the intuitive nature of the concept, empirically estimating TP is a challenging task due to the complexity of trophic interaction networks. Various methods are proposed to assess TPs, including using different sources of organic matter at the base of the food web (the 'baseline'). However, it is often not clear which methodological approach and which baseline choices are the most reliable. Using an ecosystem‐wide assessment of a tropical reef (Marquesas Islands, with available data for 70 coral reef invertebrate and fish species), we tested whether different commonly used TP estimation methods yield similar results and, if not, whether it is possible to identify the most reliable method. We found significant differences in TP estimates of up to 1.7 TPs for the same species, depending on the method and the baseline used. When using bulk stable isotope data, the choice of the baseline significantly impacted TP values. Indeed, while nitrogen stable isotope (δ15N) values of macroalgae led to consistent TP estimates, those using phytoplankton generated unrealistically low TP estimates. The use of a conventional enrichment factor (i.e. 3.4‰) or a 'variable' enrichment factor (i.e. according to feeding guilds) also produced clear discrepancies between TP estimates. TPs obtained with δ15N values of source amino acids (compound‐specific isotope analysis) were close to those assessed with macroalgae. An opposite seasonal pattern was found, with significantly lower TPs in winter than in summer for most species, with particularly pronounced differences for lower TP species. We use the observed differences to discuss possible drivers of the diverging TP estimates and the potential ecological implications. Based on a case study from a remote coral reef ecosystem in the Pacific Ocean, this work analyses how several potential sources of organic matter (i.e. 'baselines') and calculation methods strongly affect assessments of trophic positions. We also demonstrated that seasonal temporality and feeding guild are important parameters to be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative study aims to examine foundation year Master of Social Work (MSW) students' experiences with the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) using a holistic framework. Study participants included 64 MSW students who completed a 15-minute virtual OSCE with standardized patients and expert observers followed by a five minute debrief. In-depth student narratives about the experience were transcribed and analyzed thematically. Key themes emerged highlighting the value of practicing clinical skills, receiving immediate constructive feedback and honing skills in managing nervousness and developing confidence. Study implications include the critical need for MSW students as developing clinicians to rehearse clinical skills and receive feedback and the benefits of using the OSCE to expand field- and classroom-based learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about students' engagement in school writing tasks and the methods that should be used by the researchers to assess this engagement. This exploratory study examines the relationship between the engagement reported by elementary school students (N = 136) in a handwriting and keyboarding activity (Likert scale questionnaire) and their actual behaviors in such situations. An observational checklist was created to capture engagement behaviors in these writing contexts. Correlational analyses showed that, overall, self-reported engagement scores were positively correlated with the frequency of the behaviors observed in both contexts. The discussion focuses on the relevance of observational checklists and questionnaires for capturing students' engagement in writing tasks, and opens to the conceptual links between engagement and motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The variety of robotic surgery systems, training modalities, and assessment tools within robotic surgery training is extensive. This systematic review aimed to comprehensively overview different training modalities and assessment methods for teaching and assessing surgical skills in robotic surgery, with a specific focus on comparing objective and subjective assessment methods. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. The electronic databases Pubmed, EMBASE, and Cochrane were searched from inception until February 1, 2022. Included studies consisted of robotic-assisted surgery training (e.g., box training, virtual reality training, cadaver training and animal tissue training) with an assessment method (objective or subjective), such as assessment forms, virtual reality scores, peer-to-peer feedback or time recording. Results: The search identified 1591 studies. After abstract screening and full-texts examination, 209 studies were identified that focused on robotic surgery training and included an assessment tool. The majority of the studies utilized the da Vinci Surgical System, with dry lab training being the most common approach, followed by the da Vinci Surgical Skills Simulator. The most frequently used assessment methods included simulator scoring system (e.g., dVSS score), and assessment forms (e.g., GEARS and OSATS). Conclusion: This systematic review provides an overview of training modalities and assessment methods in robotic-assisted surgery. Dry lab training on the da Vinci Surgical System and training on the da Vinci Skills Simulator are the predominant approaches. However, focused training on tissue handling, manipulation, and force interaction is lacking, despite the absence of haptic feedback. Future research should focus on developing universal objective assessment and feedback methods to address these limitations as the field continues to evolve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of cannabis use in the United Kingdom might be underestimated using the Crime Survey of England and Wales. The current study examined whether responding to questions about their cannabis use as part of a crime survey would be less likely to report that they use cannabis compared to those responding to the same questions that are part of a survey about health. Methods: Participants were randomized to be told that the items about cannabis use came from a crime survey versus from a health survey. In addition, the sample was recruited using a representative online sampling method and compared to published rates of self-reported cannabis use collected as part of the Crime Survey for England and Wales. Results: There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the proportion endorsing cannabis use between those told the items came from a crime survey versus a health survey. However, self-reported rates of cannabis use collected as part of the online panel (51.3% ever use; 11.9% past year; age range 18–64 years) appeared higher than those reported based on results from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (37.2% ever and 5.8% past year; age range 18–59 years). Conclusion: The current study did not find evidence that manipulating whether participants were told that the items asking about cannabis use came from a survey asking about criminal activity versus one about health had an impact on self-reported cannabis use. However, as prevalence estimates generated by the Crime Survey of England and Wales do appear to be an underestimate of actual levels of cannabis use in the United Kingdom, further research is merited on this topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The level of difficulty of mathematical test items is a critical aspect for evaluating test quality and educational outcomes. Accurately predicting item difficulty during test creation is thus significantly important for producing effective test papers. This study used more than ten years of content and score data from China's Henan Provincial College Entrance Examination in Mathematics as an evaluation criterion for test difficulty, and all data were obtained from the Henan Provincial Department of Education. Based on the framework established by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for test item assessment methodology, this paper proposes a new framework containing eight features considering the uniqueness of mathematics. Next, this paper proposes an XGBoost-based SHAP model for analyzing the difficulty of mathematics tests. By coupling the XGBoost method with the SHAP method, the model not only evaluates the difficulty of mathematics tests but also analyzes the contribution of specific features to item difficulty, thereby increasing transparency and mitigating the "black box" nature of machine learning models. The model has a high prediction accuracy of 0.99 for the training set and 0.806 for the test set. With the model, we found that parameter-level features and reasoning-level features are significant factors influencing the difficulty of subjective items in the exam. In addition, we divided senior secondary mathematics knowledge into nine units based on Chinese curriculum standards and found significant differences in the distribution of the eight features across these different knowledge units, which can help teachers place different emphasis on different units during the teaching process. In summary, our proposed approach significantly improves the accuracy of item difficulty prediction, which is crucial for intelligent educational applications such as knowledge tracking, automatic test item generation, and intelligent paper generation. These results provide tools that are better aligned with and responsive to students' learning needs, thus effectively informing educational practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its widespread availability and inexpensive cost of energy conversion, solar power has become a popular option among renewable energy sources. Among the most complete methods of utilizing copious solar energy is the use of photovoltaic (PV) systems. However, one major obstacle to obtaining the optimal performance of PV technology is the need to maintain ideal operating temperature. Maintaining constant surface temperatures is critical to PV systems' efficacy. This review looks at the latest developments in PV cooling technologies, including passive, active, and combined cooling methods, and methods for their assessment. As advances in research and innovation progress within this domain, it will be crucial to tackle hurdles like affordability, maintenance demands, and performance in extreme conditions, to enhance the efficiency and widespread use of PV cooling methods. In essence, PV cooling stands as a vital element in the ongoing shift towards sustainable and renewable energy sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the 1990s, an international consensus has been emerging with respect to the methods used to identify and assess geosites. These conventional methodologies generally differentiate between the intrinsic or scientific-natural dimension and the social dimension in the potential value of the geological elements. The aim of this article is to analyse the possible existence of other concepts that may underlie these criteria and that could be operating as evaluation parameters even though they are not explicitly and formally described as such in the published studies. An exhaustive analysis of articles on geosite inventories published in Science Citation Index journals in the last 15 years revealed a systematic reference to conceptions of magnitude (in the sense of degree of development and physical prominence) in geosite descriptions around the world, and in particular with respect to sites of geomorphological interest. To contrast this indication, we subjected the geosites inventory of Lanzarote (Canary Islands, Spain) to a Magnitude Rule hypothesis. This inventory is part of the Spanish Geosites Inventory (IELIG, for its initials in Spanish), which was carried out using conventional assessment procedures. Applying this rule, according to which each geosite is the most prominent example of its typology within the reference geological domain, we obtained an almost complete match. That is, geomorphological sites that were selected, a priori, according to intrinsic and social dimension were also (or one could even say 'actually') selected, implicitly, on the predominant basis of magnitude. This paper discusses why and how the magnitude parameter may be playing a key role as a subliminal non-explicit driver in the evaluation of geosite relevance, and how this finding may open new perspectives and bring methodological advantages in the inventory of geological heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is a well-known issue that the 2050 target of carbon emissions neutrality will be reached only with the co-operation of all the interested sectors, and the construction sector could be one of the main contributors to this change. With the built environment globally responsible for about 40% of annual global energy-related CO2 emissions, the construction sector offers an important opportunity to drive transformative change and presents the most challenging mitigation potential among all industrial sectors, which also brings opportunities for adopting sustainability practices and increasing resilience. This paper presents a systematic literature review of those two pivotal concepts to reach the decarbonization goal: sustainability and resilience. Starting from an extensive literature review (2536 scientific documents) based on the PRISMA statement, the definitions and assessment methodologies of those concepts for the construction sector have been studied. The methodological approach followed for their analysis has been conducted on a first selection of 42 documents, further reduced to 12 by using clear inclusion criteria to identify the integrated assessment procedures. The main goal of this study is to clarify the correlation between sustainability and resilience concepts for constructions and their integrated assessment, in line with the latest regulations and market needs. The results show that, currently, sustainability and resilience are mainly evaluated in a distinct way to obtain building energy performance certificates, as well as to quantify the building market value and its complementary contribution to the 'energy efficiency first' principle and energy-saving targets towards the emergent issue of climate change. Few works focus on the integrated assessment of both concepts considering the construction industries' point of view about materials and/or systems for buildings. The novelty of this study is the critical review of the current sustainability and resilience integrated assessment methods used for the construction value chain, declined for four main target groups. Researchers, policymakers, industries, and professionals could gain dedicated insights and practical suggestions to put in practice the elements of circular economy, ecological innovation, and cleaner production, which are essential in order to drive the decarbonization of the built environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-mining landscapes undergo thorough structural changes. Hereby, striking transitions take place concerning open spaces in particular. For the Rhineland Mining Area, the project DAZWISCHEN, with five thematic fields of action, in its first phase intends to capture the status quo of the region. Spatial talents and spatial barriers are identified as a result. Considering open space, we present a multi-method approach integrating basic land use data, ecosystem services, and combined indices. We disclose a bipartition of the region with two relatively homogenous areas regarding the assessment of the landscape or open spaces and their functionality. However, we also detect highly functional patches in 'weaker' surroundings, making their preservation and protection particularly important. Our results hail from a wide array of analyses using the available data as effectively as possible. Thus, we can provide information for politicians, practitioners, and scientists doing research in similar settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: A comprehensive discussion of the recent advances in zinc–bromine rechargeable batteries with flow or non-flow electrolytes is presented. The fundamental electrochemical aspects including the key challenges and promising solutions in both zinc and bromine half-cells are reviewed. The key performance metrics of ZBRBs and assessment methods using various ex situ and in situ/operando techniques are also discussed. Zinc–bromine rechargeable batteries (ZBRBs) are one of the most powerful candidates for next-generation energy storage due to their potentially lower material cost, deep discharge capability, non-flammable electrolytes, relatively long lifetime and good reversibility. However, many opportunities remain to improve the efficiency and stability of these batteries for long-life operation. Here, we discuss the device configurations, working mechanisms and performance evaluation of ZBRBs. Both non-flow (static) and flow-type cells are highlighted in detail in this review. The fundamental electrochemical aspects, including the key challenges and promising solutions, are discussed, with particular attention paid to zinc and bromine half-cells, as their performance plays a critical role in determining the electrochemical performance of the battery system. The following sections examine the key performance metrics of ZBRBs and assessment methods using various ex situ and in situ/operando techniques. The review concludes with insights into future developments and prospects for high-performance ZBRBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates instructors' experiences at Agusan del Sur College concerning Flexible Learning in the New Normal. The study adopts a mixed-method approach integrating quantitative and qualitative components. Participants are 30 fulltime instructors across nine departments. The findings reveal that instructors need more training and technical competencies to conduct online courses, affecting the effectiveness of hybrid classes. Technical problems, including slow internet connections and unannounced power interruptions, despite these challenges, instructors value the flexibility inherent in Flexible Learning, spanning modalities, assessment methods, and instructional delivery, promoting greater student responsibility and time management, ultimately enhancing engagement and attentiveness. Moreover, smartphones and mobile applications serve as prevalent educational tools and eLearning resources, and there remains a preference for face-to-face classes over online learning. The study also underscores the positive impact of Flexible Learning, encompassing synchronous and asynchronous platforms, in enhancing digital and technological competencies, with 45.4% of students and 48.8% of instructors reporting its benefits. Additionally, instructors with 0-5 years of teaching experience exhibit excellent proficiency in Flexible Learning modalities and assessment methods. In conclusion, this research suggests that Flexible Learning could constitute a sustainable mode of delivery in higher education institutions, contingent on instructors receiving adequate training and support to navigate the challenges the New Normal poses effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relevance of the issue presented in the paper stems from the trends in current economic development. They pose multiple challenges to researchers when it comes to methods for assessing and analyzing competitiveness of business organizations. The aim of this paper is to present an approach to researching business organization's competitiveness based on highly versatile and adaptive competitiveness evaluation technology. Part of the methods on which the said approach is based are analysis, summary, logical approach, and includes quantitative assessment of indicators used to make comparisons with competitors. The results of the implementation of this approach by researches are associated with a more precise diagnosis of the causes leading to one level of business organizations' competitiveness or another. A conclusion can be drawn that the accuracy and effectiveness of any research depends on the preparation of a proper set of methods. When researching business organizations' competitiveness, it is crucial to take account of the extreme dynamics of the developing business environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to examine whether a preference for specific assessment methods in higher education is associated with personality and character strengths. Two-hundred and seventy Portuguese students completed a survey of character strengths, a Big Five personality test and their preference for each of six higher education assessment methods. Participants most favoured continuous assessment and multiple choice over viva voce and dissertations. Regression analysis showed that demographic factors, character strengths and personality accounted for 3–7% of the variance in the preferred examination method. Findings partially replicate previous investigations. Limitations and further research options are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the common physical materials in Chinese archaeological excavations, ancient bronzes are an essential basis for studying the development of Chinese bronze culture, which is of great significance for exploring the development law of ancient human civilization and reconstructing ancient human society. As China's infrastructure advances, the number of bronzes unearthed by archaeological excavations continues to increase. However, environmental damage to artefacts is very complex, whether the buried environment of the artefacts or the above-ground environment when the artefacts are unearthed, leading to different health problems for the excavated bronzes. A scientific assessment of these bronzes needs to be carried out prior to extraction to inform staff how they should be extracted, moved, and transported and how they should be restored afterwards. In response to the above problems, this paper takes excavated bronzes from archaeological sites as the research object and, by analysing and studying the relevant industry standards and the disease characteristics of bronzes, establishes a three-tier indicator framework for assessing the health of bronzes in a layer-by-layer refinement and proposes quantitative indicators with typical correlations. Through extensive research and testing, we screened out efficient, non-destructive, convenient and reliable assessment and testing methods and assessment models that combine subjective and objective aspects suitable for archaeological sites. On this basis, the paper achieves a scientific and practical assessment of the health status of bronzes excavated from archaeological sites. After repeated experiments, a set of comprehensive methods for quickly and conveniently assessing the health status of excavated bronzes was proposed for the first time and successfully applied to the archaeological excavation site of Sanxingdui site in Guanghan City, Sichuan Province, China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the safety of oil and gas pipelines has become a primary concern for the pipeline industry. This paper presents a comprehensive study of the vulnerability concepts that may be used to measure the safety status of pipeline systems. The origins of the vulnerability concepts are identified, the development and evolution of the vulnerability concepts are described, and the main connotations of the four levels of vulnerability concepts applied in different fields at this stage are summarized. Qualitative and quantitative methods of vulnerability assessment are comprehensively investigated, and the advantages and disadvantages, scope of application and key issues faced are compared and summarized. The research and analysis show that the vulnerability assessment of oil and gas pipelines is at a preliminary stage, and there is an urgent demand to establish a unified vulnerability concept and assessment system for oil and gas pipeline systems. The current qualitative or semi-quantitative assessment of pipeline vulnerability research lacks reasonable and scientific standards and bases for the classification of indicators and the determination of indicator scores, and it needs to focus on the establishment and improvement of quantitative assessment models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social work educators are compelled to use reliable and valid methods to assess student learning outcomes. This study adapted a clinical simulation by integrating traditional role-play of case scenarios and elements of the Objective Structured Clinical Examination, which is often used to assess students' practice skills. Master of Social Work (MSW) students' engagement skills were assessed at the end of the first semester of their foundation year using the clinical simulation. Participants were first-year MSW students from two theory and practice courses. The study demonstrated the value of using a clinical simulation in practice courses to assess engagement skills. Correlations of self, peer, and instructor performance scores were compared and interrater reliability was assessed. Peers rated their classmates' performance the highest, and some peer ratings were negatively correlated with instructor ratings. There was higher correspondence in self- and instructor ratings in some skills and poor correspondence in others. Peers tended to rate their classmates' performance as showing intermediate proficiency, while self- and instructor ratings of engagement skills indicated basic proficiency. Overall, there was poor interrater reliability. Challenges relating to the implementation of a clinical simulation and its implications for social work education are examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last 50 years, many researchers have contributed significantly towards understanding the Masing/non‐Masing behavior of materials. However, there has been no review article or scientific report published to date that highlights the progress made in this domain. This article presents a state‐of‐the‐art comprehensive review and analysis of the Masing/non‐Masing behavior of materials under low cycle fatigue loading. Understanding of Masing/non‐Masing behavior is important for the development of fatigue‐resistant materials, prediction of fatigue life, and constitutive modeling and simulation. The influence of various factors such as stacking fault energy, temperature, strain amplitude, and loading conditions on Masing/non‐Masing behavior has been summarized in this article. The literature pertaining to the internal microstructural changes observed in different materials by various researchers has been collected and compiled. The different methods of analyzing Masing/non‐Masing behavior reported in the open literature are assessed and presented. The importance/significance of Masing/non‐Masing behavior in constitutive modeling and fatigue life prediction has also been highlighted. Finally, conclusions based on the review and the potential problems required to be resolved in the future are also pointed out. Highlights: A comprehensive review of Masing/non‐Masing behavior of materials is presented.Various factors that influence the Masing/non‐Masing behavior have been summarized.Different assessment methods of Masing/non‐Masing behavior are discussed in detail.Masing/non‐Masing is important for new material development and constitutive modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, cities are responsible for most of the world's energy consumption and most of the carbon dioxide emissions. Therefore, the efficient transformation of urban energy systems is becoming a crucial step towards carbon neutrality and more effective climate protection. The Positive Energy District (PED) concept has been pointed out as one of the key principles of this path. The Positive Energy District concept leads towards an integrated and sustainable urban development with an emphasis on the use of renewable energy sources and attention shifting from energy performance at the level of individual buildings to the level of the entire district. However, PEDs represent a relatively new and still not sufficiently explored area in the field of sustainable development. The aim of this paper is to describe the technical part of the new holistic assessment and innovative process of stakeholder engagement to identify Positive Energy Districts in the early development phase that arises within the PED-ID project. The early development phase is crucial since the structure of the urban area is being decided along with its sustainability and climate protection levels. The assessment methodology is based on the creation and optimization of energy balance scenarios. Case studies of existing urban areas have been developed in order to verify the methodology. It is concluded that this innovative methodology devised for PED evaluation, together with strengthening of knowledge-based and decision-making framework, will help to accelerate the process of transforming the current urban energy systems into more efficient and renewable systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Pharmacology is one of the fundamental components of the undergraduate pharmacy curriculum, providing core knowledge on the mechanisms of drug action and toxicity, consequently laying the foundational concepts in rational pharmacotherapeutic decisions. The Covid-19 pandemic has urgently forced educational institutions to transition to online remote learning. This unprecedented move has not only affected teaching and learning, but also assessments, a known factor in driving student learning. This study served to determine students' preference and perceptions of the assessments utilised for pharmacology courses in the undergraduate pharmacy programme, during the online and distance learning period. Methods: An online survey questionnaire was developed and distributed to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm) programme at the Faculty of Pharmacy, UiTM Selangor Puncak Alam Campus. Three hundred and fourteen students participated in the study. Collected data was then analysed using SPSS version 26. Results: Findings revealed that the majority of students preferred multiple choice questions (MCQs) test the most. Problem-based learning (PBL) was also among the most favoured especially among 3rd year students. In term of perceptions, this study disclosed that students acknowledged all assessments conducted for pharmacology courses contributed to their understanding towards course material, knowledge strength, analytical and critical thinking skills, problem analysis and learning feedback. Conclusion: Although the findings were mostly positive, a more thorough investigation is needed to identify how these assessments can be improved. Regular review on how curriculums are delivered and assessed are imperative in order to implement necessary measures for improving learning outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Canalis sinuosus (CS) is a neurovascular canal that corresponds to a small branch of the infraorbital canal. This study aimed at assessing the knowledge and detection performance of CS amongst dentists and dental students. Materials and Methods: Four‐hundred and five dentists and dental students answered a questionnaire with three parts: 1. Socio‐demographical; 2. Clinical cases with cone‐ beam computed tomography (CBCT) sections showing CS and 3. Previous knowledge about CS. The chi‐squared test and Spearman's correlation test were used to compare results as appropriate. p‐values below.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Most participants did not identify CS in any CBCT. There was an association between the number of correct answers and dental specialties. Most individuals had not learned about CS previously. There was an association between past knowledge of CS and gender, highest academic degree, working environment, dental specialty and number of correct answers but not with age or experience in Dentistry. Conclusion: This study suggests that most dentists are not aware about CS and do not know how to diagnose it. Previous knowledge about CS positively influenced its identification in CBCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The feasibility and reliability of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) battery for predicting injury risk have been widely studied in athletic, military, public service and healthy populations. However, scant research has been carried out in people with disabilities. This study aimed at identifying the feasibility and reliability of the FMS battery when administered to adults with intellectual disability (ID). Methods: Adults from a residential and day care centre over 18 years of age, diagnosed with ID and able to follow simple instructions, were included in the study. All participants with behavioural or health problems that prevented the completion of the FMS battery were excluded. All exercises were video recorded to assure proper scoring. Three assessors (one trained and two novices) scored each of the FMS subtests performed separately from the videos. Feasibility was based on completion rates. Reliability of the composite test scores was analysed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Results: A total of 30 people with ID (mean age: 35.5 ± 7.12 years; 33.3% women) completed all assessments. The battery showed to be feasible, although difficulties when performing two of the subtests were observed among those with moderate and severe ID. Mean total scores from the three assessors ranged from 7.83 to 8.90. An inverse trend was observed indicating that the higher the ID level, the lower the total FMS score. Test–retest reliability was good for the trained assessor (ICC = 0.89) and mostly moderate for both novice assessors (ICC range: 0.60 to 0.76). Moderate to good inter‐rater reliability was observed (ICC range: 0.65 to 0.80). Conclusion: The FMS battery is a reliable tool that can be performed by people with ID, albeit with certain difficulties, especially in those with moderate to severe impairment. The battery does not seem to be useful for identifying people with ID at risk of suffering a sport injury. Adequately powered, well‐designed studies are required to determine if the FMS battery is appropriate for identifying changes in functional performance in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the fatigue performance of SBS/terminal blend crumb rubber (TB) composite modified asphalt binder to extend the service life of asphalt pavements. Six modified asphalt binders were prepared and subjected to Time Sweep (TS) and Linear Amplitude Sweep (LAS) tests to analyze fatigue damage and life. Utilizing the Taylor diagram and Threat Score (T S) method, we aimed to optimize fatigue damage evaluation models and indicators suitable for SBS/TB composite modified asphalt binder. The results demonstrate a significant improvement in the fatigue resistance of asphalt binders at low and high strain levels with the SBS/TB composite modifier. Analysis of the Taylor diagram and T S results revealed that the 20% DER deviation criterion and viscoelastic continuum damage (VECD) models yield similar simulation effects on DSR-C calculated fatigue life results. These models exhibit better standard deviation and root mean square error (RMSE), albeit with a slightly lower correlation coefficient. Conversely, the 50% G* criterion model demonstrates an excellent fitting effect on the correlation coefficient (Sample Correlation Coefficient, R=0.9289), albeit with significant standard deviation and RMSE. The S×N peak criterion model shows a better fit for the correlation coefficient while displaying a weaker fit with the standard deviation. Ultimately, we propose the DSR-C model, 20% DER deviation criterion, and VECD model as more suitable fatigue damage evaluation models for SBS/TB composite modified asphalt binder. • SBS/TB improved fatigue resistance of asphalt binder at low and high strain levels. • The DSR-C model can more accurately reflects SBS/TB asphalt binder cracking. • DSR-C, VECD, 20%DER are suitable for fatigue evaluation of SBS/TB asphalt binder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem: Due to the number of children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), increased risk of these children having comorbidities and/or an adverse childhood experience and insufficient documentation of the Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM‐5) criteria for an ADHD diagnosis, an ADHD evaluation program was developed for a child presenting for an initial ADHD evaluation. Methods: A quantitative design method evaluated provider's documentation by the percentage of DSM‐5 criteria met before and after the implementation of the ADHD program. Descriptive statistics evaluated the system change by the percentage of providers who utilized the ADHD template and the use of the unspecified ADHD International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th edition (ICD‐10) code, F90.9 by the percentage of code use before and after implementation of the ADHD program. Findings: The two‐tailed Mann–Whitney U test was significantly based on p < 0.001. Providers met 100% of the DSM‐5 criteria after implementation of the ADHD program in the electronic health record, compared to 50% before implementation. Conclusions: The ADHD program increased the provider's documentation and consistency to the DSM‐5 criteria, decreasing the use of the unspecified ADHD ICD‐10 code, allowing the provider to develop a more successful plan of care for children between the ages of 5 and 18. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, although many studies had focused on the impact of environmental factors on sleep, how to choose the proper assessment method for objective sleep quality was often ignored, especially for healthy subjects in bedroom environment. In order to provide methodological guidance for future research, this paper reviewed the assessments of objective sleep quality applied in environmental researches, compared them from the perspective of accuracy and interference, and statistically analyzed the impact of experimental type and subjects' information on method selection. The review results showed that, in contrast to polysomnography (PSG), the accuracy of actigraphy (ACT), respiratory monitoring‐oxygen saturation monitoring (RM‐OSM), and electrocardiograph (ECG) could reach up to 97%, 80.38%, and 79.95%, respectively. In terms of sleep staging, PSG and ECG performed the best, ACT the second, and RM‐OSM the worst; as compared to single methods, mix methods were more accurate and better at sleep staging. PSG interfered with sleep a great deal, while ECG and ACT could be non‐contact, and thus, the least interference with sleep was present. The type of experiment significantly influenced the choice of assessment method (p < 0.001), 85.3% of researchers chose PSG in laboratory study while 82.5% ACT in field study; moreover, PSG was often used in a relatively small number of young subjects, while ACT had a wide applicable population. In general, researchers need to pay more attention at selection of assessments in future studies, and this review can be used as a reliable reference for experimental design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the quality of care during natural childbirth in hospital setting through the Bologna Index. Method: This is an observational and cross-sectional study, with a quantitative design, performed in a reference service in obstetric care, located in the Northeast region/Brazil. A form based on the quality indicators of the Bologna Index and guidelines for natural childbirth and puerperal care was used. Data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. When analyzing the Bologna Index, 1 point was assigned to each variable met; and, after assessing each item, care was classified based on the following sum: "0" for lower quality, "1 to 4" for intermediate quality and "5" for higher quality of care. Results: It was found an average of 3.44 in the Bologna Index, corresponding to intermediate quality care. Among the five variables that make up the Bologna Index, the highest percentages were related to the use of partograph (85.4%), presence of a caregiver at the time of childbirth (94.5%) and skin-to-skin contact between mother and child in the first hour of life (98.1%). Nevertheless, there was a reduced percentage regarding the use of non-supine positions (9.1%) and absence of stimuli in the first clinical period of childbirth (56.3%). Conclusion: there has been progress in the quality of childbirth care in hospital setting, but it is necessary to provide information for the empowerment of women, greater adherence of professionals to good obstetric practices and insertion of nurses in the usual-risk obstetric care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil health assessment tools are needed to quantify effectiveness of various agricultural practices toward meeting sustainable development goals. Although several soil health tools have been developed and tested through global soil management research, ease of use and site-specific accuracy for farmers and agronomists needs to be optimized. This comprehensive review examines the theories, compares approaches, and examines applications of five soil health assessment methods, and then compares their advantages, disadvantages, application limitations, and feasibility before suggesting potential improvements at various scales. The two predominant soil health assessment tools [Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF) and Cornell's Comprehensive Assessment of Soil Health (CASH)] were coupled with six classical mathematical models [Principal Component Analysis, Analytic Hierarchy Process, Iterative Algorithm, Entropy weight method, Euclidean distance and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS)] to create 11 approaches that were compared using field-based soil health indicator measurements. The data were collected from field experiments with cover crops and soil amendments in Mississippi, USA. The Standard Scoring Functions (SSF) associated with the SMAF and the CASH tools were evaluated. Our results, reflecting different data normalization and weighting, created 14 different soil health scores that showed significant differences based on method. Among the three data normalization methods (CASH, SSF, and entropy weighting), soil health scores using SSF were relatively high, while those using entropy weighting were much lower. The latter method, TOPSIS, had the advantage of being able to maximize differences among treatments and thus can help select an optimal management solution. Scores obtained through SSF, SSF + PCA and SSF + AHP had some of the best correlations) with corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (Merr.) L.] yields, indicating the SSF parameters selected for our study were applicable. CASH provided similar results with a more simplistic approach. Other methods generated soil health scores with poorer fits when compared to the yield data. Overall, we conclude all 11 methods and 14 soil health scores can be useful for soil health evaluation in the study area. The results re-emphasized that soil health assessment is useful for soil researchers, farmers, and any other stakeholder group wanting to determine if specific agricultural practices contribute to sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: Hemiplegic cerebral palsy (hCP) typically impacts sensorimotor control of the hand, but comprehensive assessments of the hands of children with hCP are relatively rare. This scoping review summarizes the development of hand function for children with hCP. METHODS: This scoping review focused on the development of hand function in children with hCP. Electronic databases (PubMed, PEDro, Web of Science, CINAHL, and SpringerLink) were searched to identify studies assessing hand function in children with hCP. The search was performed using keywords (e.g., "hemiplegia"). An iterative approach verified by two authors was used to select the studies. Articles which reported quantitative data for children with hCP on any items of a specified set of hand evaluations were included. Measures were sorted into three categories: quantitative neuromechanics, clinical assessments, and clinical functional evaluations. RESULTS: Initial searches returned 1536 articles, 131 of which were included in the final review. Trends between assessment scores and age were examined for both hands. CONCLUSION: While several studies have evaluated hand function in children with hCP, the majority relied on clinical scales, assessments, or qualitative descriptions. Further assessments of kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activation patterns are needed to identify the underlying impairment mechanisms that should be targeted for treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: With the growth of entrepreneurship education adoption in higher education institutions (HEIs), the importance of assessments as a tool to gauge and enhance learning is of utmost importance. The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence and appropriateness of current assessment methods for engineering and technology students in Nigerian and British HEIs. Design/methodology/approach: The study employs a qualitative research method with a case study approach to investigate the impact and suitability of assessment methods currently used within entrepreneurship education in Nigeria and England. Findings: The results reveal that lecturers across both countries believed that assessment methods currently in use were appropriate, but were not uniform in its influence on learning. However, students were unanimous in that most assessment methods currently used were not effective at enhancing their learning, not very appropriate, and were not a good judge of their work and effort. The results were used in building a framework to understand the importance of assessment methods in entrepreneurship education. Originality/value: In light of the inadequate literature, this paper covers an acute gap in the field. This will allow policymakers and different interested parties to reassess the development of suitable assessment methods to involve students as key stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of the academic discipline is a major factor in the assessment design and implementation in higher education. Unfortunately, a clear understanding of how teachers from different disciplines approach assessment is still missing; this information can lead to teacher training programmes that are better designed and more focussed. The present study compared assessment design and implementation in three programmes (sport science, mathematics, and medicine) each representing a discipline from 4 Spanish universities. Using a mixed-methods approach, data from syllabi (N = 385) and semi-structured interviews with teachers (N = 19) were analysed. The results showed different approaches to assessment design and implementation in each programme in two main axes: summative or formative purposes of assessment, and content-based or authentic assessment. Implications for further research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detection of fracture healing (FH), which depends on assessment methods, is a crucial factor affecting treatment. The study aimed to examine orthopedic surgeons in terms of practical methods of fracture healing (FHA) assessment (physical, imaging, measurement, and laboratory) and to check whether surgeons participating in clinical and laboratory experiments or only clinical practitioners prefer different FHA methods. An International Survey on Fracture Healing Assessment Methods was developed and distributed through the Web-based survey portal. Ninety-three orthopedic surgeons, on average age 41.46 years, from 24 countries participated in the study. Thirty-one respondents (33.3%) reported dealing with fractures both in the clinic and in experimental studies, six (6.5%) reported dealing with fractures only in laboratory research work, and fifty-six (60.2%) indicated that they dealt with fractures only clinically. The survey's internal consistency was significantly high (Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranged from 0.84 to 0.96). The majority of respondents (80.83%) use specific clinical criteria to define a fracture union. The FHA was mainly based on the physical examination and plain radiograms. Laboratory findings, patient-oriented outcomes scores, and quantitative methods are rarely used. Orthopaedic surgeons dealing with fractures both in the clinic and in laboratory fracture research studies are more likely to use more quantitative FHA methods. Future research is needed to improve the international standard of the FHA methods for use in research, clinical trials, and clinical practice. Using a quantitative, reliable, and standardized approach, including online support, can be valuable for increasing compliance in the orthopedic surgeon population, effectively improving the adherence of fracture healing assessment in clinical conditions, and improving early detection of fracture healing disorders, improving fracture efficiency treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer‐related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a common complaint in breast cancer patients, especially related to chemotherapy. It is characterized as cognitive disorders in areas of memory, attention and executive function, which can negatively affect patients' quality of life and their ability to work. While various assessment methods of CRCI cause highly diverse results in CRCI‐related studies. Currently, it is not clear how cerebral structure and function change in breast cancer patients and underlying mechanisms of developing CRCI are still undefined. Intervention research is limited. This article reviews the results of CRCI‐related studies and research progress and discusses the advantages and limits of various methods. Besides, the mechanisms and intervention strategies are reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the teacher educators' and prospective teachers' perceptions regarding classroom assessment literacy and practices. It specifically aims to respond to questions: 'what teacher educators and student teachers perceive with regard to classroom assessment, purposes, approaches, literacy and practices? How many perceptual differences exist between teacher educators and student teachers on classroom assessment practices? Through sequential triangulation, mixed-method research design data were collected over interview protocols and a Likert design questionnaire. Further, qualitative data were analyzed through a thematic approach while quantitative data were analyzed through mean scores and t-test. The results indicated significant differences in the understanding of classroom assessment practices of teacher educators and student teachers. Furthermore, student teachers feel tense due to prevalent assessment mechanisms. The results also revealed that prevalent assessment approaches fall short of developing requisite skills among student teachers. Thus, alternative assessment practices with more students centered and real-life approaches were recommended for prospective teachers in classroom situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There is a dearth of evidence evaluating postlicensure high-stakes physician competency assessment programs. Our purpose was to contribute to this evidence by evaluating a high-stakes assessment for assessor inter-rater reliability and the relationship between performance on individual assessment components and overall performance. We did so to determine if the assessment tools identify specific competency needs of the assessed physicians and contribute to our understanding of physician dyscompetence more broadly. Method: Four assessors independently reviewed 102 video-recorded assessments and scored physicians on seven assessment components and overall performance. Inter-rater reliability was measured using intraclass correlation coefficients using a multiple rater, consistency, two-way random effect model. Analysis of variance with least-significant difference post-hoc analyses examined if the mean component scores differed significantly by quartile ranges of overall performance. Linear regression analysis determined the extent to which each component score was associated with overall performance. Results: Intraclass correlation coefficients ranged between 0.756 and 0.876 for all components scored and was highest for overall performance. Regression indicated that individual component scores were positively associated with overall performance. Levels of variation in component scores were significantly different across quartile ranges with higher variability in poorer performers. Discussion: High-stake assessments can be conducted reliably and identify performance gaps of potentially dyscompetent physicians. Physicians who performed well tended to do so in all aspects evaluated, whereas those who performed poorly demonstrated areas of strength and weakness. Understanding that dyscompetence rarely means a complete or catastrophic lapse competence is vital to understanding how educational needs change through a physician's career. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the teacher educators' and prospective teachers' perceptions regarding classroom assessment literacy and practices. It specifically aims to respond to questions: 'what teacher educators and student teachers perceive with regard to classroom assessment, purposes, approaches, literacy and practices? How many perceptual differences exist between teacher educators and student teachers on classroom assessment practices? Through sequential triangulation, mixed-method research design data were collected over interview protocols and a Likert design questionnaire. Further, qualitative data were analyzed through a thematic approach while quantitative data were analyzed through mean scores and t-test. The results indicated significant differences in the understanding of classroom assessment practices of teacher educators and student teachers. Furthermore, student teachers feel tense due to prevalent assessment mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the performance evaluation is to measure the degree in which an employee of an organization adjusts or complies with the desired profile. The results of this measurement allow generating recommendations to improve the performance of the functions by the employee. Moreover, the results favor the human talent management, related to professional growth, bonuses, compensations, and candidate selection. In this paper, an analysis, comparing, and characterization process of the performance evaluation methods are presented. This process was realized to take advantage of the benefices of performance evaluation and identify which methods of performance evaluation are most used in software development teams. This analysis allows us to characterize these methods and identify the factors that determine their usage, as well as the criteria that allow them to specify and differentiate their application in the software industry. A methodology is integrated into three phases to carry out the purpose of this work. Through this methodology, it was possible to conduct the characterization of performance evaluation methods for software development teams. We identified 11 conventional performance evaluation methods and 10 approaches to performance evaluation for software development teams. We included conventional methods because the particular proposals for software development teams use some of them. From this set of studies, the analysis of characterization and comparison factors was established. This characterization shows that the evaluation of technical competences takes precedence, over generic, psychological, or experience competences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Medical professionalism enhances doctor-patient relationships and advances patient-centric care. However, despite its pivotal role, the concept of medical professionalism remains diversely understood, taught and thus poorly assessed with Singapore lacking a linguistically sensitive, context specific and culturally appropriate assessment tool. A scoping review of assessments of professionalism in medicine was thus carried out to better guide its understanding. Methods: Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) approach to scoping reviews was used to identify appropriate publications featured in four databases published between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 2018. Seven members of the research team employed thematic analysis to evaluate the selected articles. Results: 3799 abstracts were identified, 138 full-text articles reviewed and 74 studies included. The two themes identified were the context-specific nature of assessments and competency-based stages in medical professionalism. Conclusions: Prevailing assessments of professionalism in medicine must contend with differences in setting, context and levels of professional development as these explicate variances found in existing assessment criteria and approaches. However, acknowledging the significance of context-specific competency-based stages in medical professionalism will allow the forwarding of guiding principles to aid the design of a culturally-sensitive and practical approach to assessing professionalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managing coastal fisheries is challenging as the status of many fish stocks caught in these fisheries remains unknown. In the South African linefishery, regular comprehensive assessments of the status of most linefish stocks are unattainable owing to a scarcity of reliable long-term data. Length-based analysis remains the only option to determine stock status in the form of spawning potential ratio (SPR), as life-history information and representative length samples are available for many linefish species. Although per-recruit models are susceptible to bias due to violation of the steady-state assumption, the SPR has been shown to be robust for long-lived species under reasonably consistent fishing mortality. In this study we used observer-collected length-frequency data from two time-periods 20 years apart (1988–1990 and 2008–2010), before and after management regulations were implemented, in combination with life-history information, to estimate the SPRs for 17 linefish species. We then correlated the recent stock-status estimates to species-specific life-history traits to identify length-based indicators of susceptibility to exploitation. Most species showed improvements in SPR between the periods, caused mainly by decreases in fishing mortality (F) and also increases in length-at-first-capture (Lc). The ratio between Lc and asymptotic length (Lc/L∞), and the ratio between Lc and optimum length (Lc/Lopt), had significant relationships with SPR. We suggest that length-based indicators could be used to classify risk to overfishing in data-poor fisheries for medium- to long-lived species when time-series data are not attainable, but where representative size samples and adequate life-history information exist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to introducing innovations in the company - one of the most important ways of transforming the production process in the company's activities. The purpose of the article is to substantiate scientific and practical provisions for a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of introducing innovations and developing recommendations for increasing the innovative potential of a company, based on the use of a situational analysis of dynamic indicators of innovative changes. Literature processing shows that not enough attention is paid to problematic aspects of situational analysis and methods of assessing domestic companies' implementation to build up their innovative potential. The article's relevance lies in need to use the economic and mathematical apparatus of calculation to justify the feasibility of introducing innovations in a company to strengthen competitive positions in the market. Methods for assessing the implementation of innovations in a company are analyzed based on the classification properties. Methods for assessing the implementation of innovations for their application in the company's innovative development are analyzed. The existing methods for assessing the effectiveness of the company's innovative activities are systematized. Methods of situational analysis are considered in the example of energy saving. Typical scenarios for the implementation of the efficiency of energy-saving measures in the company are presented. The calculation of the innovation project's absolute effect was carried out (the profit from the introduction of new equipment and the growth of profit from the replacement of existing equipment were determined). The calculation of the efficiency of replacing existing equipment (basic version) with new equipment for an innovative project (new version) has been performed. The organizational and economic support of the assessment of innovative activities in the company is investigated. Methodological approaches have been developed for the previous and final situational analysis of innovative projects and the company's innovative potential as a whole. The characteristics of the objective prerequisites for the growth of the company's innovative potential are given. Based on a review of the state of the company's innovative activities, a system of analytical indicators for assessing the feasibility of a project or choosing the best project is proposed. The study's applied significance lies in the fact that the proposed assessment methods and tools, when applied in practice, make it possible to intensify companies' innovative activities and increase their competitiveness in the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cultivation of grapevines originates in the Caspian Sea region and later in Mediterranean countries. Archaeological finds in Slovakia date back to Celtic times, and this was followed by wider development in our territory during the Roman legion era in the 2nd century anno Domini. Viticulture during history generated a landscape architecture with an aesthetically and visually specific type of cultural landscape and its landscape character. Today, the vineyard complex is a combination of natural values, with the visual exterior of a cultivated vineyard and human artefacts. This complex is perceived by the human senses and reflected in aesthetic experience. The main attributes of the visualaesthetic quality assessment are the potential for visual exposure of both the relief morphology and vineyard spatial structure. The phenomenon of aesthetic quality comprises criteria of subjective origin, such as uniqueness, harmony and seasonal variability. This paper finally presents a methodical approach to evaluating the visual quality of vineyard landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Traditional approaches to safety management in health care have focused primarily on counting errors and understanding how things go wrong. Resilient Health Care (RHC) provides an alternative complementary perspective of learning from incidents and understanding how, most of the time, work is safe. The aim of this review was to identify how RHC is conceptualised, described and interpreted in the published literature, to describe the methods used to study RHC, and to identify factors that develop RHC.Methods: Electronic searches of PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane databases were performed to identify relevant peer-reviewed studies, and a hand search undertaken for studies published in books that explained how RHC as a concept has been interpreted, what methods have been used to study it, and what factors have been important to its development. Studies were evaluated independently by two researchers. Data was synthesised using a thematic approach.Results: Thirty-six studies were included; they shared similar descriptions of RHC which was the ability to adjust its functioning prior to, during, or following events and thereby sustain required operations under both expected and unexpected conditions. Qualitative methods were mainly used to study RHC. Two types of data sources have been used: direct (e.g. focus groups and surveys) and indirect (e.g. observations and simulations) data sources. Most of the tools for studying RHC were developed based on predefined resilient constructs and have been categorised into three categories: performance variability and Work As Done, cornerstone capabilities for resilience, and integration with other safety management paradigms. Tools for studying RHC currently exist but have yet to be fully implemented. Effective team relationships, trade-offs and health care 'resilience' training of health care professionals were factors used to develop RHC.Conclusions: Although there was consistency in the conceptualisation of RHC, methods used to study and the factors used to develop it, several questions remain to be answered before a gold standard strategy for studying RHC can confidently be identified. These include operationalising RHC assessment methods in multi-level and diverse settings and developing, testing and evaluating interventions to address the wider safety implications of RHC amidst organisational and institutional change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the methodology for selecting the optimal variant of the road on a regional level. The suggested methodology is based on a combination of criteria value normalization method and the variant assessment method. Based on survey studies conducted using the Delphi method, a starting list of criteria was designed and the significance of the individual groups of main criteria and sub-criteria was determined. The final assessments of the analysed variants are calculated based on the aggregation of the marks obtained for the normalization and assessment methods. The methodology can be divided into six stages: determining the variants for analysis, selecting the variant assessment criteria, creating the assessment matrix, normalizing criteria value, using the variant assessment method, variant ranking. The methodology was tested on the examples of planning a bypass of Mazury and Księżyno towns as a part of Regional Road 678 in Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study focused on the effect of assessment methods on estimates of gender differences in interests across Holland's themes. College students (121 women, 76 men) rated their interests in Holland-based activities and occupations using Likert-type scales, and they also completed a card sorting assessment of Holland interests using occupation-based items. Gender differences were consistently observed for realistic and social interests with the magnitude of the observed gender differences varying by measure type. A Gender × Measure interaction accounted for 33% of the variance observed in interest scores: Occupation-based scales produced larger differences than activity-based scales, and the card sorting assessment produced larger gender differences than the Likert-type rating scales. Therefore, the choice of interest measure used in career counseling may influence the extent to which gender affects the career decision-making process, which may be particularly important when exploring nontraditional career choices for women and men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Medical professionalism enhances doctor-patient relationships and advances patient-centric care. However, despite its pivotal role, the concept of medical professionalism remains diversely understood, taught and thus poorly assessed with Singapore lacking a linguistically sensitive, context specific and culturally appropriate assessment tool. A scoping review of assessments of professionalism in medicine was thus carried out to better guide its understanding. Methods: Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) approach to scoping reviews was used to identify appropriate publications featured in four databases published between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 2018. Seven members of the research team employed thematic analysis to evaluate the selected articles. Results: 3799 abstracts were identified, 138 full-text articles reviewed and 74 studies included. The two themes identified were the context-specific nature of assessments and competency-based stages in medical professionalism. Conclusions: Prevailing assessments of professionalism in medicine must contend with differences in setting, context and levels of professional development as these explicate variances found in existing assessment criteria and approaches. However, acknowledging the significance of context-specific competency-based stages in medical professionalism will allow the forwarding of guiding principles to aid the design of a culturally-sensitive and practical approach to assessing professionalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is a commonplace that critical thinking is an important ability for stem (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education. Nevertheless, research has devoted more attention to critical thinking programs than to evaluating the effects of these programs, so that the empirical studies are the exception in this area. This study presents the pilot validation of two assessment tools on critical thinking skills using two natural groups of elementary and secondary students, who participate in a thinking-based learning program. The tools are designed to fit the skills developed in the program and the students' age, and combine some items drawn from already published critical thinking tests and some newly designed figurative items, which are independent of school's culture and knowledge. The results show a positive relationship between the assessment test scores and the external and independent validation criteria (students' school grades and thinking program marks). There is an extremely relevant correlation for one of the tools, acceptable reliability indices for the scales and better reliability and validity indices of the newly designed figurative items than the classical verbal items are the main contributions of the study. Finally, the future decision making to improve the tools, the development of research on free-culture customized tests, as initiated with this study, and the contributions of this pilot study are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]