Search

While the literature is abundant on hand therapy assessment and treatment of nonsurgical thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) osteoarthritis (OA), clarity and uniformity are meager, making it a desirable diagnosis to establish expert consensus. This study aimed to ascertain if consensus exists for the assessment and treatment of nonsurgical management of thumb CMC OA in the hand therapy clinical setting. This was a consensus paper via the modified Delphi approach. A modified Delphi method was used to determine consensus among an expert panel, including hand therapists and hand surgeons, via two online surveys. A consensus paper steering committee (from the American Society of Hand Therapist's research division) designed the surveys and analyzed responses. Consensus was established as 75% agreement among the expert panel. Demographic information was collected from the expert panel. The expert panel included 34 hand therapists and seven hand surgeons. The survey response rates were 93.6% for the first survey and 90.2% for the second survey. Consensus recommendations were classified according to the World Health Organization categorization. These included evaluating the body structures for clinical signs/clinical testing and body functions for pain, range of motion for palmar abduction, radial abduction, opposition, and thumb metacarpal phalangeal flexion/extension, and grip and tripod pinch strength. Further consensus recommendations were for the assessment of function using a region-specific, upper extremity patient-reported outcome measure (activity and participation), environmental factors, outcome expectation, and illness perception within the patient's unique environmental and social contexts. Treatment recommendations included the use of an orthosis during painful activities, a dynamic stability program (stable C posture, release of tight adductors, and strengthening of stabilizers), patient education, joint protection techniques, adaptive equipment, and functional-based intervention. The findings describe the consensus of a group of experts and provide a clinical reference tool on the hand therapy assessment and treatment of nonsurgical thumb CMC joint OA. • A consensus paper using a modified Delphi process to determine consensus on non-surgical assessment and treatment of thumb CMC OA. • Assessment recommendations: evaluate clinical signs/testing, pain, thumb range of motion grip and tripod pinch, a region-specific PROM, environmental factors, outcome expectation, and illness perception. • Treatment: orthosis during painful activities as needed, a dynamic stability program, patient education, joint protection techniques, adaptive equipment, and functional based intervention. • Findings provide a clinical reference tool on hand therapy assessment and treatment of non-surgical CMC joint OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Concept map has positive effects in student's critical thinking and understanding. • Quantitative analysis of concept map and open-ended exam papers in nursing education. • Concept map has comparable results with traditional assessments. This study's aim is to investigate the necessity and advantages of the use of concept map as an assessment tool in nursing education. Concept maps have been used extensively aiming mainly at effective understanding, linking together concepts and evaluating new knowledge. A class of second-year nursing degree undergraduate students (N = 32) in Greece participated in this pilot study. Concept map and open-ended exam papers were used. Quantitative statistical analysis of the concept map and open-ended exam grades was conducted. Statistical tests were used to compare all pairs of both types of papers. For the concept map papers, two different grading methods were employed to evaluate their effectiveness. The obtained results indicated that the concept map exam type provided similar scores when compared to the open-ended exam, while the grading efficiency is higher. Moreover, for the concept map exam paper, both grading methods can be applied interchangeably to provide similar scores for the students. The concept map can be a trusted assessment tool for identifying the nursing students' gaps in knowledge and comprehension, in comparison to the open-ended exam type. Nursing educators are encouraged to note the tools strengths and use it according to courses' requirements. Not applicable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lower-limb strength measures can enhance falls risk assessment but due to the lack of clinically applicable methods, such measures are not included in current screening. The enhanced paper grip test (EPGT) is a simple-to-use and cost-effective test that could fill this gap. However, its outcome measure (EPGT force) has not yet been directly linked to the risk of falling. Is the EPGT a good candidate for falls risk screening in older people in the community? Seventy-one older people living independently in the community were recruited for this prospective observational study (median age 69 y, range 65y-79y). Lower-limb and whole-body strength were assessed at baseline using the EPGT and a standardised hand-grip method respectively. Incident falls were recorded monthly for a year through follow-up telephone conversations. The capacity of individual strength measures to predict falls and to enhance an established falls risk assessment tool (FRAT) commonly used by UK's national health service (NHS) was assessed using binomial logistic regression. The analysis was repeated for the subset of participants without history of falling at baseline (prediction of first-ever falls). Increased EPGT force and increased symmetry in strength between limbs were significantly associated with reduced risk of falling. Compared to the NHS-FRAT, the EPGT correctly classified more people (73% vs 69%), it achieved higher sensitivity (56% vs 26%) and higher negative predictive value (76% vs 68%). Complementing the NHS-FRAT with the EPGT produced a more comprehensive model that correctly classified 91% of participants and achieved 98% specificity, 81% sensitivity, 89% negative and 96% positive predictive value. Replacing the EPGT with hand-grip strength consistently undermined prediction accuracy. The EPGT remained highly accurate when focused on the prediction of first-ever falls. The EPGT can substantially enhance falls screening in the community. These results can also inform effective personalised strength exercise interventions. • The enhanced paper grip test (EPGT) accurately predicted the risk of falling. • The EPGT can enhance community screening for falls (recurrent and first-ever). • Higher EPGT force is significantly associated with reduced risk of falling. • Higher strength asymmetry between limbs also decreases the risk of falling. • These results can guide effective personalised strength exercise interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer affecting women worldwide and its risk increases with age. Compared with other breast cancer subtypes, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) behaves more aggressively, with earlier relapses and poorer survival outcomes. Although the incidence of TNBC decreases with age, it still affects about 10% of older women with breast cancer. The management of TNBC in older patients is particularly challenging as chemotherapy is the main treatment choice in both early and advanced diseases and older patients are often prone to increased treatment-related toxicities. This review highlights the specific considerations in this vulnerable group of patients and summarizes the current evidence for TNBC management in older adults from early to late stage of disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Cancer-related cognitive decline (CRCD) may have particularly significant consequences for older adults, impacting their functional and physical abilities, level of independence, ability to make decisions, treatment adherence, overall quality of life, and ultimately survival. In honor of Dr. Hurria's work we explore and examine multiple types of screening, assessment and non-pharmacologic treatments for CRCD. We then suggest future research and clinical practice questions to holistically appreciate the complexity of older adults with cancer's experiences and fully integrate the team-based approach to best serve this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: It is generally recognized that firms face both internal and external pressures to improve their environmental performance. However, few empirical studies have attempted to delineate the importance of those various sources of pressure as managers themselves perceive them. In this study, we show that managers in the Canadian pulp and paper industry perceive the government and the public, but not financial and consumer markets, as the most important sources of pressure. We also show that involvement of the firm''s higher level management and environmental education of employees are important determinants of environmental performance. While the paper provides a better understanding of the key determinants of environmental performance, it reasserts the crucial role of strong government regulatory intervention. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A systematic review of 34 articles published within the last 20 years, that explored the implications of increased use of computer-based summative assessments revealed six key themes. Specifically: shifts in assessment design; impact on teachers; variation in computer familiarity; student experience; logistics and infrastructure; and hardware and software issues. Findings relating to comparability of results between the assessment modes are also discussed. This review evaluates the computer-based assessment (CBA) literature to identify the advantages and challenges for introducing CBA within educational institutions. The findings of this review will be of particular interest to those affected by a steady trend towards the introduction of CBA affecting both teachers and students. The review also provides a coherent summary of the existing literature in this rapidly changing field for researchers. • CBA promotes student learning, engagement and motivation. • Students prefer CBA and request to complete assessments digitally. • Multiple benefits to teachers of CBA, including automated marking and record keeping. • Using assessments with digital tools better assess a student's performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Patients with advanced-stage cancer often have a high symptom burden and reduced functional status, implying that the patients themselves should be involved in development and testing of interactive assessment tools. This paper reports on an assessment of use of a pain tool, which led to changes in both medium and program in order to adapt to the patients’ needs and abilities. Our study shows how a change in medium for pain assessment from paper via laptop to iPad affects the interaction with the tool on important aspects of use. We also show how changes of medium affect the readability of the output for health care workers. We achieved better results with an iPad-based pain assessment tool developed through user-centered design compared to both a paper-based and conventional laptop-based tool. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We compared the effects of two media (paper vs. computer) on reading comprehension and memorization among students in their third or fourth year of secondary school. To assess comprehension, we constructed and validated a text with a carefully controlled hierarchical structure, accompanied by a questionnaire containing three types of questions (surface, semantic, inference). Memory of the text was assessed with a test based on the Remember-Know (R/K) paradigm. The results of the comprehension and R/K tests indicated that there was no difference between the two media. Regardless of medium, surface comprehension was better than either semantic or inference comprehension. The R/K test indicated that memorization was better for the surface elements of the text (more R than K responses). In conclusion, overall results show that if we fulfil all the conditions of paper-based versus computerized presentation (text structure, presentation on a single page, screen size, several types of questions measuring comprehension and memory performances), reading performances are not significantly different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) mainly affects older people: the median age at diagnosis is>70 years. Elderly patients with CLL are heterogeneous with regard both to the biology of their disease and aging. Following the diagnosis of CLL in an elderly individual, careful risk assessment is essential when treatment options are evaluated. This includes not only clinical staging and evaluation of disease-specific prognostic biomarkers such as 17p deletion and TP53 mutation, but also of comorbidities, physical capacity, nutritional status, cognitive capacity, ability to perform activities of daily living and social support. Comorbidity scoring and geriatric assessment tools are helpful in achieving such multidimensional evaluation in a systematic manner. The introduction of new drugs including novel monoclonal antibodies and kinase inhibitors offers enhanced opportunities for the treatment of elderly patients with CLL. This position paper of a Task Force of the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) reviews currently available evidence relevant to such patients. All types of elderly patient (i.e. chronological age>65-70 years) are considered, from robust (fit) to vulnerable (unfit) to the terminally ill. Among the topics covered are the following: (i) the relationship between chronological age, prognosis and survival, (ii) assessment of biological aging, (iii) biological age as a determinant of treatment feasibility and tolerance and (iv) tailoring of both first and further-line treatment to the circumstances of the individual patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examining gains in undergraduate writing abilities, Haswell (2000) applied a multi-dimension construct of writing to impromptu writing exams composed at the first- and third years. This project replicates Haswell's original study to impromptu writing exams composed at the same points, and extends that methodology to course papers written for common undergraduate curricular contexts—first-year composition, general education requirements, and advanced undergraduate writing in the disciplines requirements—to consider the use of such assessment scores as plausible and appropriate evidence for outcomes assessment purposes within a validational framework (articulated by Kane, 2006, 2013). This study considers the feasibility of reporting such localized assessment information as an alternative to represent progress for undergraduate writing ability, and reports preliminary evidence suggesting positive effects of distributed writing requirements across undergraduate curriculums on student writing performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An Electronic Portable Information Collection audio device (EPIC-Vox) has been developed to deliver questionnaires in spoken word format via headphones. Patients respond by pressing buttons on the device. The aims of this study were to determine limits of agreement between, and test-retest reliability of audio (A) and paper (P) versions of the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI). Two hundred sixty outpatients (204 male, mean age 55.7 years) attending a sleep disorders clinic were allocated to four groups using block randomization. All completed the BFI twice, separated by a one-minute distracter task. Half the patients completed paper and audio versions, then an evaluation questionnaire. The remainder completed either paper or audio versions to compare test-retest reliability. BFI global scores were analyzed using Bland-Altman methodology. Agreement between categorical fatigue severity scores was determined using Cohen''s kappa. The mean (SD) difference between paper and audio scores was −0.04 (0.48). The limits of agreement (mean difference±2SD) were −0.93 to +1.00. Test-retest reliability of the paper BFI showed a mean (SD) difference of 0.17 (0.32) between first and second presentations (limits −0.46 to +0.81). For audio, the mean (SD) difference was 0.17 (0.48) (limits −0.79 to +1.14). For agreement between categorical scores, Cohen''s kappa=0.73 for P and A, 0.67 (P at test and retest) and 0.87 (A at test and retest). Evaluation preferences (n =128): 36.7% audio; 18.0% paper; and 45.3% no preference. A total of 99.2% found EPIC-Vox “easy to use.” These data demonstrate that the English audio version of the BFI provides an acceptable alternative to the paper questionnaire. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The objective of this study is to compare the results of the Symptom Check List (SCL)-90-R and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)-28 administered on paper with the results of administration via Internet. Forty university students were asked to respond to the two questionnaires, first in one format (Internet or paper), and 1 week later in the other format. For the GHQ-28, no statistically significant differences were found between the two forms of presentation, Internet or paper, except in the social dysfunction subscale. In the case of the SCL-90-R, there were differences in the Positive Symptoms Distress Index (PSDI) and in the somatization and obsession–compulsion subscales. The effect of using the two formats in combination was also analyzed. Internal consistency of the instruments is high for both types of presentation (α=0.91 in GHQ-28; α=0.97 in SCL-90-R). Correlation between the two formats is also high, with values ranging between 0.76 and 0.92, p<0.001, except in the social dysfunction subscale. Finally, correlation between the GHQ-28 and SCL-90-R is also high, for both the paper and Internet results (r=0.88, p<0.01 on paper and r=0.83, p<0.01 via Internet). The differences found should be verified in future research with other types of sample. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The present study examined the equivalency and test–retest reliability of two administration methods (paper-and-pencil and computerized) of the Aggression Questionnaire (AQ), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11), and SF-36 Health Survey (SF-36) in a sample of 97 veterans. The two-week test–retest reliability for the conventional paper-and-pencil administrations of the AQ, BIS-11, and the SF-36 in the veteran population were generally reliable and comparable to the test–retest reliability of these measures noted in the research for other populations. Equivalence of the computer vs. paper-and-pencil administrations were examined and results indicated that for the AQ, ICCs for all four subscales and total score were substantially lower for the PC administration. For the BIS-11, ICCs were comparable with the exception of the Motor subscale, which was lower in the PC condition. For the SF-36, two of the domains were higher in the PC condition, with four more being comparable. Overall, the computerized administration of the BIS-11 and SF-36 was found to be equivalent to the “gold standard” paper-and-pencil administration of these measures and can be utilized successfully among veterans. The computerized administration of the AQ, however, was not found to be equivalent to the paper-and-pencil administration of the measure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the impact of a word-processor on an ESL writing assessment, covering comparison of inter-rater reliability, the quality of written products, the writing process across different testing occasions using different writing media, and students’ perception of a computer-delivered test. Writing samples of 42 international students taking two tests, a paper-and-pencil based ESL placement writing test and a computer-based one, were analyzed. The results showed that while there was no significant mean difference in the holistic ratings across test occasions, all the analytic components of the computer-generated essays were marked significantly higher than those of the paper-based essays. In a holistic measurement, rater’ reliability was significantly higher in word-processed essays than in paper-written essays. A student survey revealed that habitual computer writers preferred a computer-delivered writing mode to a traditional testing mode. Suggestions and implications for further study for implementing computer-based ESL writing tests are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Computer-based assessment (CBA) is yet to have a significant impact on high-stakes educational assessment, but the equivalence between CBA and paper-and-pencil (P&P) test scores will become a central concern in education as CBA increases. It is argued that as CBA and P&P tests provide test takers with qualitatively different experiences, the impact of individual differences on the testing experience, and so statistical equivalence of scores, needs to be considered. As studies of score equivalence have largely ignored individual differences such as computer experience, computer anxiety and computer attitudes, the purpose of this paper is to highlight the potential effects of these. It is concluded that each of these areas is of significance to the study of equivalence and that the often inconsistent findings result from the rapid changes in exposure to technology. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability, equivalence and respondent preference of a computerized version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R), Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOSSSS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Utrecht Coping List (UCL) in comparison with the original version in a general adult population. Internal consistency, equivalence and preference between both administration modes was assessed in a group of participants (n =130) who first completed the computerized questionnaire, followed by the traditional questionnaire and a post-assessment evaluation measure. Test–retest reliability was measured in a second group of participants (n =115), who completed the computerized questionnaire twice. In both groups, the interval between first and second administration was set at one week. Reliability of the PC versions was acceptable to excellent; internal consistency ranged from α =0.52–0.98, ICC’s for test–retest reliability ranged from 0.58–0.92. Equivalence was fair to excellent with ICC’s ranging from 0.54–0.91. Interestingly, more subjects preferred the computerized instead of the traditional questionnaires (computerized: 39.2%, traditional: 21.6%, no preference: 39.2%). These results support the use of computerized assessment for these five instruments in a general population of adults. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

General physicians misclassify depression in more than half of the cases. Researchers have explored the feasibility of leveraging passively collected data points, also called digital biomarkers, to provide more granular understanding of depression phenotypes as well as a more objective assessment of disease. This paper provides a systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines (Page et al., 2021) to understand which digital biomarkers might be relevant for passive screening of depression. Pubmed and PsycInfo were systematically searched for studies published from 2019 to early 2024, resulting in 161 records assessed for eligibility. Excluded were intervention studies, studies focusing on a different disease or those with a lack of passive data collection. 74 studies remained for a quality assessment, after which 27 studies were included. The review shows that depressed participants' real-life behavior such as reduced communication with others can be tracked by passive data. Machine learning models for the classification of depression have shown accuracies up to 0.98, surpassing the quality of many standardized assessment methods. Inconsistency of outcome reporting of current studies does not allow for drawing statistical conclusions regarding effectiveness of individual included features. The Covid-19 pandemic might have impacted the ongoing studies between 2020 and 2022. While digital biomarkers allow real-life tracking of participant's behavior and symptoms, further work is required to align the feature engineering of digital biomarkers. With shown high accuracies of assessments, connecting digital biomarkers with clinical practice can be a promising method of detecting symptoms of depression automatically. • This paper provides a PRISMA-guided systematic review of studies (2019-2024), showing model accuracy ranges of 0.52-0.98. • The review summarises constructs related to mood, location, smartphone use, communication, sleep quality and heart rate. • To be integrated into clinical practice, captured data needs to be reduced to the most relevant features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of the very early emotional experiences in a child's life are recognized today as foundational in the mental health of becoming an adult. Unsurprisingly, clinicians and health authorities agree on the importance of early detection and treatment of any mental health issues experienced by the preschool child. This is even more important and challenging as young children do not yet have the language skills necessary to express their distress. But do the caregivers in charge of these populations have the best tools at their disposal to carry out that important mission in an efficient and scientifically robust manner reflecting the latest research findings and scientific literature? This is the question we try to answer in this paper. We revisited the theoretical underpinnings behind the concept of mentalization as playing a key role in the ability to understand the other's inner reality. We then carried out an extensive review of scientific papers written over the past 30 years on the subject. We examined mental representations of the adult on the child and analyzed those mentalizations as key inputs. We focused on extracting cross analyses of the mentalizations of one child by several adults with different functions in the life of the child. In this process, we used the PRISMA methodology applied to large international medical databases. We found that the qualitative approach, usually associated with a lengthy process, has been overwhelmingly used in trying to assess patients' mental states and to analyze the mentalizations on the patient, adult or child. Furthermore, cross analyses of mentalizations from more than one adult on a given child were almost nonexistent, despite having high epistemic and clinical potential. There is a dearth of reliable quantitative tools, able to capture and analyze the mentalizations on a patient, that are scientifically robust, transposable, and easy to implement in a clinical setting. The absence of such tools for medical professionals in charge of assessing preschool children contributes, in our view, the low detection and poor treatment of mental disorders in that particularly vulnerable population. We believe there is here an urgent unmet need and that such tools should be designed, validated, and deployed into the target populations as early as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The UK Health and Safety Executive’s Hazardous Installations Directorate (HID) has specialist inspectors who make up a team that support the assessment and inspection of major hazard chemical sites covered by the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations (COMAH). This paper describes preparatory groundwork for the development of a practical holistic model to help key stakeholders (inspectors, chemical companies) understand how human factors, safety management systems and wider organisational issues fit together. The process was to break down the three areas into simpler components (taxonomy) and to use these smaller components as building blocks in an integrated reconstruction. To guide the reconstruction for the major hazard context, the taxonomy was used to analyse a small sample of major chemical accidents. The results were used to look for logical patterns of associations which could form a basis from which to develop further guiding principles of integration. The idea is that, once identified, the patterns can be used in the applied contexts of inspection and auditing. If the patterns can be found in practice they can be used to identify weaknesses that could initiate major accidents. Similarly, the patterns can be used to understand accident causation during accident investigations. The paper describes the key concepts and the development process. The proposed model derived during this work has not yet been validated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this review article we will cover the management of both primary and secondary postpartum haemorrhage. Detailed national guidance on the management of primary PPH has been in place since 1998. Despite this, multiple MBRRACE-UK reports have consistently found significant scope for improvement in the care delivered to women. The recurrent nature of the themes highlighted in the reports is equally sobering, which suggests a failure to learn from these tragic cases. The first part of this paper will provide practical steps that can be taken to embed the learning from successive MBRRACE-UK reports into our day-to-day clinical practice. The second part of this paper will provide an overview of the literature on secondary postpartum haemorrhage. Secondary PPH is associated with significant maternal morbidity. Despite this, there is a lack of randomised controlled trials to inform the management of these women, and the long-term sequalae associated with both the condition and its management is unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Population-level monitoring of children's development informs research and policy. • Caregiver-reported household surveys, such as the ECDI2030, can play this role. • Results from two national samples support the use of the ECDI2030 for monitoring. • Findings also suggest more research is needed on social and emotional development. • Recommendations are made for ensuring the quality of data from caregiver surveys. Population-level monitoring of early childhood development (ECD) can inform research and guide national policy. One approach to population-level monitoring is through the design of surveys that (a) are feasible and cost-effective to implement at scale, (b) yield well-validated summaries of children's holistic development, and (c) can ideally support comparisons across national and cultural contexts. The Early Childhood Development Index 2030 (ECDI2030) is a caregiver-reported household survey designed to achieve these goals for children aged 24-59 months. This paper describes how the ECDI2030 was developed and provides initial results on its reliability, concurrent validity, and gender equity in nationally representative samples from Mexico (N = 1641) and Palestine (N = 1099). Overall, the results support the use of the ECDI2030 for population-level monitoring, but also suggest that the conceptualization of social-emotional development warrants further attention from researchers. Recommendations are made about statistical analyses that can be undertaken to ensure the quality of data collected from ECD assessments in international settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The principles of circular economy (CE) are widely recognized as a solution for the challenges arising through climate change and shortage of resources. Product-Service Systems (PSS) are expected to have a higher degree of circularity compared to standalone products. To exploit the potentials of PSS towards circularity, different CE strategies need to be considered. Those CE strategies, such as remanufacturing or reuse, can have large deviations in their resulting effects for PSS providers. To quantify the possible impacts of different circularity strategies for PSS, a novel assessment method based on system dynamics modelling is presented in this paper. With the proposed method, the effects of different CE strategies on material demands, unavoidable waste and PSS longevity can be quantified. Thereby, CE strategies for PSS become comparable and their benefits can be measured. The method is directed to scholars as well as PSS providers to assess the circularity of PSS and support decision making in PSS design and realization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alexithymia is a trait characterized by difficulties identifying feelings, difficulties describing feelings, and externally orientated thinking. It is widely regarded as an important transdiagnostic risk factor for a range of psychopathologies, including depressive and anxiety disorders. Whilst several well-validated psychometric measures of alexithymia exist, these are relatively lengthy, thus limiting their utility in time-pressured settings. In this paper, we address this gap by introducing and validating a brief 6-item version of the Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire, called the Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire-Short Form (PAQ-S). Across two studies with adult samples (Study 1 N = 508 United States community; Study 2 = 378 Australian college students), we examined the psychometric properties of the PAQ-S in terms of its factor structure, reliability, and concurrent/criterion validity. In exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, all PAQ-S items loaded well on a single general alexithymia factor. The PAQ-S total score had high reliability, and correlated as expected with the long-form of the PAQ, as well as other established markers of alexithymia, emotion regulation, and affective disorder symptoms. Our samples were general community or college student samples from two Western countries; future validation work in clinical samples and more diverse cultural groups is thus needed. The PAQ-S retains the psychometric strengths of the PAQ. As such, the PAQ-S can be used as a quick, robust measure of overall alexithymia levels. The introduction of the PAQ-S hence enables valid assessments of alexithymia in a more diverse range of settings and research designs. • There is a need for brief alexithymia measures for time-pressured settings. • In this paper, we introduce the PAQ-S as a 6-item measure of alexithymia. • The PAQ-S is designed to provide a total score as an overall marker of alexithymia. • Across two studies, we find the PAQ-S to have strong validity and reliability. • The PAQ-S should enable alexithymia assessments in a more diverse range of settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract When treating older adults, a main factor to consider is physical frailty. Because specific assessments in clinical trials are frequently lacking, critical appraisal of treatment evidence with respect to functional status is challenging. Our aim was to identify and categorize assessments for functional status given in clinical trials in older adults to allow for a retrospective characterization and indirect comparison of treatment evidence from these cohorts. We conducted 4 separate systematic reviews of randomized and nonrandomized controlled clinical trials in older people with hypertension, diabetes, depression, and dementia. All assessments identified that reflected functional status were analyzed. Assessments were categorized across 4 different functional status levels. These levels span from functionally not impaired, slightly impaired, significantly impaired, to severely impaired/disabled. If available from the literature, cut-offs for these 4 functioning levels were extracted. If not, or if the existing cut-offs did not match the predefined functional levels, cut-off points were defined by an expert group composed of geriatricians, pharmacists, pharmacologists, neurologists, psychiatrists, and epidemiologists using a patient-centered approach. We identified 51 instruments that included measures of functional status. Although some of the assessments had clearly defined cut-offs across our predefined categories, many others did not. In most cases, no cut-offs existed for slightly impaired or severely impaired older adults. Missing cut-offs or values to adjust were determined by the expert group and are presented as described. The functional status assessments that were identified and operationalized across 4 functional levels could now be used for a retrospective characterization of functional status in randomized controlled trials and observational studies. Allocated categories only serve as approximations and should be validated head-to-head in future studies. Moreover, as general standard, upcoming studies involving older adults should include and explicitly report functional impairment as a baseline characteristic of all participants enrolled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This article explores Fink's Taxonomy of significant learning and its potential application in nursing education, highlighting the need for a more holistic approach to student learning beyond cognitive skills. • The paper contributes to the existing knowledge by providing a practical example of how Fink's taxonomy can be effectively integrated into an undergraduate nursing course, enhancing the design of educational experiences and fostering deeper learning. • The information in this manuscript offers valuable insights for nursing educators, demonstrating how Fink's taxonomy can be mapped to the competencies outlined in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials, facilitating the development of more engaging and impactful nursing curricula aligned with the demands of clinical practice. This article explores the integration of the six dimensions of Fink's taxonomy of significant learning into a nursing course and how course learning outcomes can be effectively mapped to these dimensions as well as the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials. By aligning instructional strategies and assessments with these dimensions, educators can create a more engaging and effective learning experience for students. The article provides a practical example of how Fink's taxonomy was incorporated, highlighting the benefits of using this framework to foster deeper learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reflects on the experience of one Scottish University in conducting a face-to-face Objective Structured Examination (OSCE) for large cohorts of student nurses. It outlines the challenges experienced and learning gained. Borton's model of reflection frames this work due to its simplicity, ease of application and cyclical nature. The theoretical framework for the OSCE is critical thinking, enabling students to apply those skills authentically. OSCE's are designed to transfer classroom knowledge to clinical practice and offer an authentic work-based assessment. Validity and robustness are key considerations in any assessment and in OSCE, the number of stations that students encounter is important and debated. We used a case-study based OSCE approach initially over four stations and following reflection, changed to one long station with four phases. In OSCE examinations, interrater reliability is a necessity, and students expect equity of approach. We identified that despite clear marking criteria, marks were polarised, with students achieving high or low marks with little middle ground. Review of examination papers highlighted that although students' overall performance was good, some had failed in at least one station, suggesting a four-station approach may skew results. On reflection we hypothesised that using a one station case study-based, phased approach enabled the examiner to build up a more holistic picture of student knowledge and skills. It also provided the student opportunity to develop a rapport with the examiner and standardised patient, thereby putting them more at ease. We argue that this approach is holistic, authentic and student centred. Our experience highlights that a single station, four phase OSCE is preferrable, enabling students to integrate all aspects of the assessment and provides a holistic view of clinical skills and knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emotional intelligence (EI) has been a subject of academic investigation for thirty years. There has been much debate on how to measure these forms of EI and the reliability of their assessment, but the actual context in which emotional intelligence is developed and used has interestingly received scarce interest. More specifically, a critical gap exists in considering the rise and impact of digital interactions on emotional intelligence. Indeed, with the rise of social media and the increase in digital interactions, emotions are inextricably related to our behavior online. It is thus fundamental to adapt the assessment of EI in digital contexts. This paper aims to address this gap by suggesting assessment methods that account for the specificities of the interactions in the digital world. We start by acknowledging the variety of digital interactions and provide a categorization of them using the theories of media richness and media synchronicity. We then illustrate the potential for renewed assessments in self reports and performance tests at different levels, from item contextualization to digital assessment of EI. By integrating the digital dimension in emotional intelligence assessment, this paper aims to bring a novel perspective on measuring EI in digital interactions. • EI assessment should consider the digital context and its variety. • Several methods are suggested to account for the digital context. • Methods such as item contextualization, integration of digital cues, and digital assessment are presented. • Illustrations of potential renewed assessments are provided. • Challenges of EI assessment in a digital context are pointed out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present article reviews the Spanish history of the art therapy profession and research. In addition, a contemporary view of current art therapy research is described through a bibliometric analysis of 160 art therapy articles published in the Spanish Journal of Art Therapy. Papers on Art Therapy and art Education for Social Inclusion from 2011 to 2021. The following research indicators were analyzed: authorship, participants, population, artistic discipline, theoretical models of art therapy intervention, nature of the studies, and assessments. Outcomes revealed that Spanish art therapy researchers are mostly women who usually publish on their own. Additionally, many ages, populations and topics are treated. Visual art is the discipline most used in the analyzed research. Gestalt, community-based art programs, and the eclectic approach are the most selected theoretical models. Most of the studies are qualitative and theory building with no assessment. However, when assessment is included, the type most used is the tools made by the researcher. Implications, limitations, and further lines of research are discussed. • Art therapy research in Spain is a young discipline conducted in the last ten years. • The profile of Spanish researchers on art-therapy corresponds to dedicated females. • The use of art therapy in Spain has extended to vulnerable and minority groups. • There is a shift from psychoanalysis to other theoretical models for intervention. • Most of the studies published in Spain are qualitative or theory building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although a few studies consider the sustainability of animal farming systems along the three classical main pillars (economy, environment and society), most studies on pig farming systems address only one of these pillars. The present paper is the introduction to a series of companion papers presenting the results of a study undertaken within the EU-supported project Q-PorkChains, aiming at building a comprehensive tool for the evaluation of pig farming systems, which is robust to accommodate the large variability of systems existing in Europe. The tool is mostly based on questions to farmers and comprises a total of 37 dimensions distributed along eight themes: Animal Welfare, Animal Health, Breeding Programmes, Environmental Sustainability, Meat Safety, Market Conformity, Economy and Working Conditions. The paper describes the procedure that was used for building the tool, using it on 15 contrasted pig farming systems and analysing the results. The evaluated systems are briefly described and a short overview of the dimensions is provided. Detailed descriptions of the theme-wise tools and results, as well as the results of an integrated evaluation, are available in the companion papers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Autism spectrum disorder is one of a group of conditions considered to be a neurodevelopmental disorder. These conditions, including ADHD, language disorders and intellectual disability frequently co-occur. Diagnostic pathways often focus on assessment of a named condition (e.g. autism spectrum disorder) in isolation, resulting in inefficiencies in service delivery; other services look holistically at the child's strengths and needs, and provide a neurodevelopmental diagnostic formulation. However, there is growing support for a change to this neurodevelopmental approach that informs recommendations for ongoing multiagency support and intervention for the child and their family. Whilst there may be different ways to deliver a successful neurodevelopmental pathway, the move to integrated commissioning offers an opportunity to redesign services to bring together teams; for example, CAMHS and child development services could deliver an integrated neurodevelopmental pathway, instead of separate single condition pathways. This paper presents the research and reasoning, as well as potential pitfalls, for services to deliver a neurodevelopmental approach, and what this means for clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accurate assessment of cracked reinforced concrete structures is becoming increasingly more important as the world's infrastructure ages and resources for retrofit and replacement remain limited. While existing approaches can be used to predict crack information for comparisons with on-site observations, there remains a need to establish methods that use crack measurements as a direct input to assess residual structural capacity. Critical wide cracks have been observed in lightly reinforced deep beams leading to questions about the safety of concrete bridges. To assess such deep members, this paper answers three important questions: 1) which critical crack displacements should be measured?; 2) where should the critical crack displacements be measured?; and 3) what is the residual shear capacity of the member, given the measured critical crack displacements? To answer these questions, detailed data from large-scale experiments is examined and interpreted with the two-parameter kinematic theory (2PKT). The results illustrate the importance of vertical crack displacements for conducting assessments of lightly reinforced deep beams. The paper shows that when the measured crack shape is incorporated into the 2PKT, the residual capacity of deep beams can be determined from measured critical crack displacements. • Which critical crack displacements should be measured? • Where should the critical crack displacements be measured along the cracks? • How to assess the residual shear capacity of the member, given the measured critical crack displacements? • A crack-based framework is used to assess the residual capacity of large-scale deep beams • The unique feature is the use of measured crack geometry as input in the assessment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the global population ages, so does the number of older people being diagnosed, treated and surviving cancer. Challenges to providing appropriate healthcare management stem from the heterogeneity common in this population. Although malnutrition is highly prevalent in older people with cancer, ranging between 30 % and 80 % according to some analyses, is associated with frailty, and has been shown to be a major risk factor for poor treatment response and worse overall survival, addressing nutrition status is not always a priority among oncology healthcare providers. Evaluation of nutritional status is a two-step process: screening identifies risk factors for reduced nutritional intake and deficits that require more in-depth assessment. Screening activities can be as simple as taking weight and BMI measurements or using short nutritional questionnaires and asking the patient about unintentional weight loss to identify potential nutritional risk. Using geriatric assessment, deficits in the nutritional domain as well as in others reveal potentially reversible geriatric and medical problems to guide specific therapeutic interventions. The authors of this paper are experts in the fields of geriatric medicine, oncology, and nutrition science and believe that there is not only substantial evidence to support regularly performing screening and assessment of nutritional status in older patients with cancer, but that these measures lead to the planning and implementation of patient-centered approaches to nutrition management and thus enhanced geriatric-oncology care. This paper presents rationale for systematic nutrition screening and assessment in older adults with cancer. • Age-related factors can adversely affect adequate nutritional intake. • Malnutrition is prevalent in older people with cancer. • Nutritional screening and assessment enable enhanced geriatric oncology care. • Screening and assessment tools should aim to produce homogenous data for analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• In response to the reviewer's valid concerns, we have introduced a clear and comprehensive note in the paper, elucidating our deliberate departure from the conventional theoretical approach traditionally embraced by the industry, which predominantly centres around the lightning current sharing rule (50:50). • This advanced modelling approach stands out for its capability to meticulously scrutinise a multitude of parameters and explore diverse what-if scenarios. By doing so, we not only elevate the precision and depth of our analysis but also broaden the scope of our investigation to encompass a more comprehensive range of potential factors and conditions. • The focus of our paper is primarily on emphasising the approach to mitigate the risk of voltage stress across insulation flanges, particularly examining the influence of connecting lead lengths. It's crucial to interpret the absolute values in the results with care, as they are indicative of an extreme scenario involving high impulse current (200 kA) and steepness (20 kA/μs). While these values represent an extreme case, the main takeaway from our calculations remains valid. There is a quantifiable reduction in the range of 34 % when implementing the proposed mitigation measures, signifying a substantial contribution to risk mitigation. • We have incorporated a dedicated section into the paper, labelled as 4.1 sensitivity analysis. Insulating flanges serve as crucial components, strategically positioned between two segments of a pipeline to ensure effective electrical isolation. These elements play a vital role in facilitating the optimal performance of the cathodic protection system of buried pipeline networks. Moreover, an isolating spark gap is commonly integrated between adjacent pipeline sections to mitigate the stress voltage induced on the insulating flange during lightning strike events.. Despite this protective measure, certain scenarios may arise where the voltage drop across the isolating spark gap's connecting cables surpasses the insulating flange's dielectric strength, leading to undesirable failures. The magnitude of this voltage drop is contingent upon various factors, including the parameters of the incoming surge as well as the length of the connecting cables. In this paper, we present both straightforward theoretical calculations and intricate modelling techniques that can be employed to assess the lightning risk associated with the insulating flanges of pipelines that incorporate isolating spark gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It has been argued in the literature that pharmacy is a unique integration of art and science. This paper addresses the art aspect of this and draws on the existence of multiple philosophies, theories and belief systems and describes the methodological process of use fine art (paintings) as a lens through which to view thematic data about a 'scientific' concept; a method which appears to be unique in the literature.Objectives: To explore pharmacy students' assessment practices and any influence on their learning practices. To explore how feedback influences pharmacy students' learning practices. To determine whether the affective dimension impacts on pharmacy students' learning. To evaluate whether fine can art be used as a lens to make sense of thematic data.Methods: Data collection took the form of individual semi-structured interviews and was underpinned by an interpretivist qualitative approach. Analysis of data involved exploring the themes relating to assessment. Initially, thematic analysis of the data was carried out using an inductive approach and mind-mapping then Pierre Bonnard's art was used as a 'lens' through which to view the themes.Results: Eighteen pharmacy students in one UK School of Pharmacy were interviewed. Themes relating to assessment practices which are discussed in this paper and compared to Pierre Bonnard's paintings are: conceptions of assessment (compared with Coffee), the impact of the nature of assessment on learning practices (compared with Dining Room in the Country), feedback (compared with Nude in a Mirror), strategies used in assessment practices (compared with The French Window), the affective dimension of assessment (compared with Red Roos at Le Cannet) and assessment constrains free-thinking (compared with The White Interior).Conclusions: Using Bonnard's art in analysis has provided an additional way of extending the analysis of participant's assessment practices. Aligning with Bonnard's technique of foregrounding the unexpected or diverting attention away from the obvious has allowed illumination of these practices and previously un-noticed aspects of pharmacy students' learning practices. There were a number of new insights gained from using this approach as well limitations. By attending to a different perspective that art brings, we have been able to see how assessment practices link to learning as pharmacy students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Multidisciplinary collaboration is essential for the development of virtual training. • Virtual reality has the potential to improve operator training in chemical industry. • Game-based learning elements could sustain engagement and motivation in VR training. • Learning analytics can utilise activity data to foster expertise development. • A method for assessing user's competencies in VR training was proposed. Operator training in the chemical industry is important because of the potentially hazardous nature of procedures and the way operators' mistakes can have serious consequences on process operation and safety. Currently, operator training is facing some challenges, such as high costs, safety limitations and time constraints. Also, there have been some indications of a lack of engagement of employees during mandatory training. Immersive technologies can provide solutions to these challenges. Specifically, virtual reality (VR) has the potential to improve the way chemical operators experience training sessions, increasing motivation, virtually exposing operators to unsafe situations, and reducing classroom training time. In this paper, we present research being conducted to develop a virtual reality training solution as part of the EU Horizon 2020 CHARMING Project, a project focusing on the education of current and future chemical industry stakeholders. This paper includes the design principles for a virtual reality training environment including the features that enhance the effectiveness of virtual reality training such as game-based learning elements, learning analytics, and assessment methods. This work can assist those interested in exploring the potential of virtual reality training environments in the chemical industry from a multidisciplinary perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Written examinations are the primary method of competency assessment for CRNAs. • OSCEs assess higher tiers of Miller's Pyramid of competency. • OSCEs can supplement written examinations for high-stakes assessments of learners. Certified registered nurse anesthesiologists (CRNAs) undergoing high stakes assessment must demonstrate competency. Written competency is the current method of high-stakes assessment, and this paper uses Miller's Pyramid of competency to explore use of the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) for high-stakes assessment. The modified Delphi method was used with 10 experts to design and execute an anaphylaxis OSCE simulation scenario of 3 proficiency levels. OSCE performance assessment tools included a checklist and global rating scale (O-GRS). A system usability survey was used to assess OSCE utility. The overall system usability survey score was below our goal of 75. Assessment tool results did not demonstrate high correlation among panelists, although mean scores for each performance showed statistically significant differences in scores (p <.001). Our paper showed the process of OSCE design, execution, and utility. Although results did not allow us to strongly recommend use of OSCEs for high-stakes assessment of CRNAs, we are encouraged that our results will provide direction for future papers related to this topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the correlation between first-year students' prior knowledge of programming and their academic achievements. Many students who enroll in the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology at Riga Technical University drop out during their first year. Therefore, it is crucial to support first-year students in acquiring programming knowledge successfully. The Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology provides an additional course called "Algorithmization Practice" for students without prior programming experience. The authors of this paper conducted research to investigate whether this course helps bridge the gap between students with and without prior programming knowledge and whether it improves the academic performance of students without prior knowledge in their first year. The collected data was summarized using descriptive statistics, and the final scores of students from different groups were compared to identify any differences between those who attended the "Algorithmization Practice" course and those who did not. Based on a sample of 1744 introductory programming course students, our analysis indicates that students who attended the additional course demonstrated better academic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

- Proprioceptive accuracy is an important aspect in the evaluation of sensorimotor functioning. - No standard, widely accepted assessment exists. - In this review, we found that different aspects of proprioception (i.e., the perception of joint position, movement and movement extent, trajectory, velocity and the sense of force, muscle tension, weight, and size) can be measured with different paradigms. - As different tests do not necessarily measure the same construct, the appropriate aspect should be measured. Proprioceptive accuracy refers to the individual's ability to perceive proprioceptive information, that is, the information referring to the actual state of the locomotor system, which originates from mechanoreceptors located in various parts of the locomotor system and from tactile receptors located in the skin. Proprioceptive accuracy appears to be an important aspect in the evaluation of sensorimotor functioning; however, no widely accepted standard assessment exists. In this systematic review, our goal was to identify and categorize different methods that are used to assess different aspects of proprioceptive accuracy. A literature search was conducted in 5 different databases (PubMed, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, and SpringerLink). Overall, 1139 scientific papers reporting 1346 methods were included in this review. The methods assess 8 different aspects of proprioception: (a) the perception of joint position, (b) movement and movement extent, (c) trajectory, (d) velocity, and the sense of (e) force, (f) muscle tension, (g) weight, and (h) size. They apply various paradigms of psychophysics (i.e., the method of adjustment, constant stimuli, and limits). As the outcomes of different tasks with respect to various body parts show no associations (i.e., proprioceptive accuracy is characterized by site-specificity and method-specificity), the appropriate measurement method for the task needs to be chosen based on theoretical considerations and/or ecological validity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In spite of the decreasing differences between rural and urban areas (e.g. in their economic structures) there are still several limitations that the rural world has to deal with. In a constantly changing world, rural development policies are a crucial issue to respond to current and potential future challenges of rural areas. They must therefore be flexible to reinforce or discard objectives as new challenges arise, enabling the necessary adaptations in the territories. All this justifies the call for a set of indicators that allow an accurate evaluation of these policies and programmes. This paper presents a set of demographic, economic, environmental and social welfare indicators that must be taken into account to assess rural development and related policies. Using the qualitative Delphi methodology, a group of experts analysed 88 proposed indicators, after which a set of 25 was selected based on their importance and on the consensus of the panel. The panel also estimated the weight of each of the four dimensions considered (population, social welfare, economy and environment) within an index to measure rural development. It has therefore been found that, in addition to the economy, social welfare is one of the areas that contributes most to the development of rural areas, thus contradicting "traditional" indices based solely on economic and demographic indicators. All this points to the need to evolve towards an index based on the results of this paper. • Rural areas still face problems that need diverse, adapted and adaptable RD policies. • RD policies must be measurable to determine whether objectives are being achieved. • Delphi method was used to design a set of indicators representing the different RD dimensions. • Indicators were selected by a panel of experts with diverse roles on RD and based on consensus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2016, the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) piloted VaxTrac, an electronic immunization registry (EIR), in an urban district to improve management of vaccination records and tracking of children who missed scheduled doses. We aimed to document lessons learned to inform decision-making on VaxTrac and similar EIRs' future use. Ten out of 50 urban health facilities that implemented VaxTrac were purposively selected for inclusion in a rapid mixed-method assessment from November to December 2017. For a one-month period, records of six scheduled vaccine doses among children < 2 years old in VaxTrac were abstracted and compared to three paper-based records (register of under-two children, daily tally sheet, and monthly summary form). We used the under-two register as the reference gold standard for comparison purposes. We interviewed and observed 10 heath workers, one from each selected facility, who were using VaxTrac. Overall, VaxTrac captured < 65% of the vaccine doses reported in the paper-based sources, but in the largest health facility VaxTrac captured the highest number of doses. Two additional notable patterns emerged: 1) the aggregated data sources reported higher doses administered compared to the under-two register and VaxTrac; 2) data sources that need real-time data capture during the vaccination session reported fewer doses administered compared to the monthly HF2 summary form. Health workers expressed that the EIR helped them to shorten the time to manage, summarize, and report vaccination records. Workflows for data entry in VaxTrac were inconsistent among facilities and rarely integrated into existing processes. Data sharing restrictions contributed to duplicate records. Although VaxTrac helped to shorten the time to manage, summarize, and report vaccination records, data sharing restrictions coupled with inconsistent and inefficient workflows were major implementation challenges. Readiness-to-introduce and sustainability should be carefully considered before implementing an EIR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This paper presents an assessment of new low-GWP refrigerants. • The assessment couples experimental measurements and theoretical analysis. • The theoretical analysis is based on the total temperature penalisation (TTP) criteria. • The TTP analysis was also used for process optimisation. This paper presents an assessment of new low-GWP refrigerants through coupling the experimental measurement of thermal and hydraulic performances to a theoretical evaluation based on the Total Temperature Penalisation (TTP) criterion for the specific case study of two-phase heat transfer inside a small-diameter smooth tube. The TTP analysis was also used for process optimisation. The TTP analysis identifies R32 and two hydrocarbon refrigerants R290 and R1270 as the most suitable low-GWP substitutes for R410A and R404A, respectively. R152a, R1234yf and R1234ze(E) are appropriate low-GWP alternatives for R134a, while R1234ze(Z) and R1233zd(E) emerge as appropriate low-GWP, near drop-in substitutes for R245fa. HydroFluoroCarbon (HFC) and HydroFluoroOlefin (HFO) refrigerants possess values of the optimum mass velocity in two-phase heat transfer inside small-diameter smooth tubes nearly double that of HydroCarbon (HC) refrigerants, and the optimum mass velocities for in-tube condensation are generally much higher than those in flow boiling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing awareness of the positive effects that Emotional Intelligence (EI) has on Project Management (PM). Project Managers (PMs) with high levels of EI have been shown to positively affect project performance, therefore, PMs with high EI should be sought to manage projects. Despite its importance, understanding, measuring, and managing emotional intelligence is an arduous task. Organizations struggle to harness and leverage the benefits that EI is lauded to bring. While previous studies have identified the need for more proactive management practices, there are few practical guidelines available to managers to help them improve their performance as it relates to EI. This exploratory paper addresses this deficit and contributes new knowledge on emotional intelligence for project managers. Through an in-depth analysis of the existing literature, we developed an instrument that allows decision-makers to measure emotional intelligence. This instrument is in the process of validation and thus far, our results show that it is an accurate, reliable, and valid mechanism to measure project managers' emotional intelligence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

• Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) can present in a variety of ways. • Treating NSSI is critical given its relation to increased odds of suicide. • Understanding the function of NSSI can inform treatment strategies. Given that non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is related to increased odds of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts, treating NSSI in veterans is a key treatment priority to help reduce suicide risk and increase quality of life. Treating NSSI can be difficult for clinicians and training in addressing NSSI can enhance therapist empathy and decrease negative attitudes. The current paper describes prevalence of and risk factors for NSSI in veterans and presents a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)-informed approach for arriving at a functional understanding of NSSI in order to inform assessment and treatment. This DBT-informed approach is demonstrated with two case examples of veteran clients. While in many circumstances treatment of NSSI may be most effective in the context of full model DBT (i.e., individual therapy, group skills training, phone coaching, and therapist consultation team), many aspects of the functional approach discussed herein are not specific to DBT and could therefore be integrated into behavioral analyses and case formulations conducted within non-DBT therapeutic approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CFQ-CI was previously developed and preliminarily validated in a study with a single online-recruited inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) sample. The current study presents a further validation of CFQ-CI in four different samples of patients with chronic health conditions: a sample of 82 women with breast cancer, an online-recruited mixed sample of 100 people with cancer, a sample of 69 people with IBD, and an online-recruited mixed chronic illness sample of 93 participants. Confirmatory Factor Analyses, multi-group, reliability, and differences analyses were conducted. Results indicated that the scale is a robust unidimensional 7-item measure of chronic illness-related cognitive-fusion, with excellent reliability and structural validity across the four studied samples and in both paper-pencil- and online-based collection methods. Measurement invariance was not established across the samples, suggesting that CFQ-CI does not appear tofunction equivalently across different illness diagnoses. This study confirms CFQ-CI as a robust, adequate, and simple measure of chronic illness-related cognitive fusion that can be used in different behavioural medicine research and clinical contexts. As the scale does not seem to present measurement invariance, comparing scores between different illness groups is not recommended. • CFQ-CI's psychometric properties were tested in four chronic illness samples. • The scale was confirmed to be a short and reliable measure of illness fusion. • It is suitable in both paper-pencil- and online-based collection methods. • Measurement invariance was not observed, precluding score comparison across groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessment drives learning. Written assessment of many universities lacks uniformity and validation. Subjectivity influences assessment. Blueprinting has been used as content validity tools. In this study, last 5-year's Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) second year MBBS papers in Microbiology were evaluated for its content validity. Desired weightage to all the topics in microbiology was given by the faculty of Department of the Microbiology. University papers were also evaluated for level of cognitive domain tested. Closed ended feedback from faculty was taken and was statistically evaluated. Study revealed both overrepresentation and underrepresentation of many topics across all the last 5-year university papers in subject of microbiology. The cognitive dimension tested in question papers as per revised Bloom's taxonomy was merely 8% from Bloom's level 1, 20% from level 2, and 8% from level 3, whereas 64% of the questions were ambiguous. Faculty feedback revealed significant impact (P < 0.05) from blueprinting in microbiology. Assessment should be aligned to learning objectives, and blueprinting improves content validity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the paper, the author takes stock of the conceptual reflection and empirical studies described in the current scientific literature on responsible innovation in the context of the emergence of the Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) concept. RRI has been promoted in the European Union as a part of the Europe 2020 strategy with the objective of making research and innovation more sustainable and inclusive. As more than half of the EU's firms declare they are conducting innovation activities, RRI problems are more relevant than ever. There remain many open questions, unresolved dilemmas and empirical white spots that call for more research in this field. This paper's focus is the problem of RRI acceptance as a global framework for responsible innovation and the scarcity of suitable instruments that may help industries understand and adopt this concept. The main contributions of this paper include critical analysis of the RRI concept and its implications for industry, proposing a concept of an RRI index for innovating enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]