Collaborative Assessment Research Articles

Understanding farmer options, context and preferences leads to the co-design of locally relevant agroecological practices for soil, water and integrated pest management: a case from Kiambu and Makueni agroecology living landscapes, Kenya

Agroecology, as a holistic approach to sustainable food systems, is gaining momentum globally as a key approach to addressing current challenges in agricultural and food production. In sub-Saharan Africa, despite numerous efforts to address declining soil productivity, water scarcity, and increasing pest pressure through agroecological soil, water, and integrated pest management (IPM) practices, the adoption of such practices remains low. As part of the CGIAR Agroecology Initiative, we conducted a collaborative rapid innovation assessment of existing soil, water, and pest management practices in two Agroecological Living Landscapes (ALLs) in Makueni and Kiambu counties, Kenya. The assessment also included an evaluation of the performance of these practices and identified farmer preferences. Using a multi-stage approach, we applied stratified random sampling to identify 80 farmers for farm assessments and in-depth interviews. A total of 31 practices were identified, of which 26 were further evaluated. The evaluation revealed a heterogeneous set of socio-economic and biophysical contextual factors influencing practice performance. Respondents identified 19 strengths, and 13 challenges associated with the practices, highlighting opportunities for innovation to improve or adapt performance. Farmers also expressed preferences for future adoption of 31 practices, 77% of which were listed in one of the three focus areas, namely soil management, water management, or IPM. The other 33% were associated with multiple functions and were listed under two or three of the focus areas. The results of the collaborative assessment informed a broader co-design cycle that included participatory prioritization and selection of innovative practices, experimental design, and monitoring protocols. This collaborative and systematic approach was taken because innovative practices often fail to be adopted due to a lack of co-design and inclusion of local perspectives in innovation design, and a disconnect between science and practice. Our study highlights the importance of integrating stakeholder input and transdisciplinary technical expertise in the co-design and implementation of agroecological innovations. It also emphasizes the importance of using a structured methodology to understand farmers’ options, context, and preferences while co-designing locally relevant agroecological practices, which promotes holistic and inclusive adoption, successful implementation and long-term sustainability of agroecological practices.

The Suicide Status Form-4 (SSF-IV) as a potentially therapeutic suicide risk assessment tool.

Empirically supported suicide risk assessment and conceptualization is a central aim of the Zero Suicide model. The Suicide Status Form (SSF) is the essential document and scaffolding of the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality-Brief Intervention (CAMS-BI) and is hypothesized as an example of a psychological assessment as therapeutic intervention (PATI). However, this hypothesis has never been directly tested. N = 57 patients deemed at risk for outpatient suicidal behavior and treated as part of an inpatient psychiatric consultation and liaison service were recruited to participate in CAMS-BI at a Level 1 trauma center in the southeastern United States. During the CAMS-BI process, patients were asked to rate their subjective units of distress (SUDS) at five time points throughout the intervention (k = 285). The omnibus random intercept multilevel model revealed a significant difference in pre- to post-session ratings of SUDS across patients. Post hoc pairwise comparisons revealed no significant differences between SSF sections (e.g., Section A, Section B, and Section C) and relative reductions in SUDS; however, there was an observable trend toward a favorable effect of Section A of the SSF. The SSF may represent an example of PATI pending replication and extension of the current results.

Atypical language organization in a Spanish-speaking adolescent with drug-resistant epilepsy: a multicultural case report

Objective: Epilepsy disproportionally affects children from Hispanic/Latino backgrounds, particularly among those born outside the U.S. Longstanding health-related disparities associated with ethnicity (e.g. language use) further contribute to gaps in care. Neuropsychologists are beginning to outline best practices when working with non-English speakers; however, the lack of appropriately normed/validated measures for pre-surgical language evaluation is a limiting factor. This report informs practices among neuropsychologists by discussing atypical language organization in a non-English speaker using a multicultural framework and collaborative therapeutic assessment process. Method: The current study presents a 16-year-old, right-handed, monolingual Spanish-speaking, Latina designated female with drug-resistant focal seizures with impaired awareness. Comprehensive presurgical epilepsy workup included: CBC, video EEG, brain MRI, functional MRI, PET, MEG, baseline neuropsychological evaluation by bilingual Spanish-English providers, and Wada testing. Results: Neuropsychological testing revealed the most pronounced deficits in language, working memory, and processing speed domains. Functional MRI showed bilateral language activation, which Wada testing confirmed along with bilateral memory representation. Conclusion: Diagnosis, treatment, surgical intervention, and post-operative status are discussed. The clinical course is examined through a multicultural lens, highlighting limitations in international health services, barriers accessing health care in the U.S., and patient-specific factors that were considered as a part of the clinical decision-making process. Targeted recommendations related to culturally-informed care are offered.

Boraginaceae plant fragment as a foreign body in the lacrimal duct: Multidisciplinary diagnosis.

Foreign bodies in the lacrimal drainage system pose a substantial challenge in clinical practice due to their potential morbidity and diverse origins. Many foreign bodies are inorganic; however, organic foreign bodies, although uncommon, present diagnostic challenges. We present the case of a 57-year-old woman who had epiphora in her right eye. Patient's physical examination suggested an obstruction in the nasolacrimal duct. An external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) was scheduled. The surgery uncovered a polyp-like intrasaccal structure, which was subsequently identified as an organic foreign body through a comprehensive histopathological examination. This case underscores the significance of precise histopathological evaluation, multidisciplinary collaboration, and meticulous assessment in the identification of uncommon intraorbital organic foreign bodies.

WP3.15 - National Emergency Laparotomy (NELA) deaths within 90 days: A cohort study

Abstract Aims NELA is committed to enhancing quality of care of patients undergoing emergency laparotomy. NELA care pathways include: initial clinical assessment, resuscitation, prompt diagnosis, early surgery, peri-operative care. NELA emphasizes the importance of identifying high risk patients, who are associated with significant morbidity & mortality. Aim of study is to review the NELA 90-day deaths. Methods Cohort study of NELA deaths within 90 days, from Jan'2014 to Jan'2024 at single centre. Descriptive demography, outcomes were evaluated. NELA survivors beyond 90 days were controls. Results 90 Day (n = 113) Others (n = 751) Mann Whitney U (p value) Age(yrs) 74.3 66.6 < 0.0001 Sex(M:F) 58 : 55 334 : 417 NS ASA 3 2 < 0.0001 BMI(kg/m2) 25.1 25.7 NS Lap(n) 16 218 Ns Open(n) 97 533 < 0.01 Op time(mins) 120.2 119.1 NS LOS(days) 17 12 NS ITU/HDU 70 318 < 0.001 ITU stay(day) 3 2 < 0.05 Lactate(mmol/L) 3.0 1.9 0.0002 WCC(x109/L) 13.2 12.3 NS CRP(mg/L) 93.6 68.8 < 0.0001 Physiological score 28.2 21.6 < 0.0001 Operative severity score 20.0 16.4 < 0.0001 Pre possum score 29.4 11.9 < 0.0001 PP mortality score 23.4 6.1 < 0.0001 PP morbidity score 82.9 63.5 < 0.0001 Survival Rate (%) 1styear 81.4 5thyear 63.0 10thyear 50.7 Conclusion 90-day NELA mortality rate is 13.1 %. NELA deaths occurred in older, frail, multi-comorbid & higher ASA status Patient survival appears to plateau out beyond 90-days (natural deaths). NELA risk scores were greater amongst the 90-day deaths. NELA risk scores can identify high risk patients, where early collaborative senior assessment by consultant surgeons, anaesthetist and intensivists may identify and allocate appropriate surgical & critical care intervention.

Innovations in Project-Based Learning (PBL) Strategies for Elementary School Students

This research aims to explore the utilization of Project-Based Learning (PBL) in a more innovative manner for implementation in elementary schools. This approach is designed to enhance students' understanding of key PBL concepts and improve their critical thinking skills. The research methodology employed includes literature analysis and case studies from several elementary schools that implement PBL innovatively. Through literature analysis, fundamental PBL concepts are studied and identified. Subsequently, case studies are conducted in several elementary schools that have implemented PBL with innovative approaches. Data are collected through literature review and document analysis. The research findings indicate that innovative PBL, incorporating technology, collaboration, and authentic assessment, can create a more interactive and engaging learning environment for students. However, challenges faced by teachers in implementing this strategy include a lack of resources, curriculum planning, and adequate training. Therefore, recommendations are proposed to provide greater support for teachers, including additional training and better access to supportive technology. Thus, innovation in project-based learning strategies can enhance the effectiveness of student learning in elementary schools.

A Bibliometric Analysis of The Production-Oriented Approach in College English in China from 2015 to 2024

This paper studies the temporal distribution, author collaboration, research hotspots, theme clustering, and research changes and trends based on 516 CNKI literature in the field of Production-Oriented Approach (POA) for college English in China from 2015 to 2024. It reveals that research on the Production-Oriented Approach for College English in China from 2015 to 2024 can be divided into the Initial Fast Exploration Stage (2015–2017), Fast Development Stage (2018–2021), and Sustainable Development Stage (2022–2024). High-frequency keywords such as college English teaching, college English writing, blended teaching, teaching assessment, etc. are hotspots for current scholars' attention. The themes of research on the POA of college English in China mainly include teaching practice and application of the Production-Oriented Approach, exploration of the Production-Oriented Approach teaching model and design, and teaching assessment of the POA. “Teaching Reform,” “Blended Teaching," and “Teacher-Student Collaborative Assessment” are the current research frontier issues in the development of a Production-Oriented Approach for college English in China. Overall, the POA represents a significant advancement in China's college English teaching field. Its emphasis on integrating language learning with practical application and whole-person education addresses many of the shortcomings of traditional college English language teaching. To improve teaching development in the reform of POA for college English and to better prepare Chinese students for international communication, future research should prioritize themes such as investigating how digital tools and online platforms in education can enhance the implementation of POA and innovative approaches to teacher education that align with POA principles.

Between fear of death and just a warning sign: Seizure severity scales neglect the subjective quality of periictal perceptions

The burden of epilepsy is not only related to seizure frequency; the severity of epileptic seizures considerably affects patient’s lives. A number of seizure severity scales have thus been developed for a systematic assessment. Items considered relevant in these scales mainly pertain to objective features, such as seizure duration, loss of consciousness, and seizure-related injuries. In contrast, subjective experiences of seizures are considered only in their functionality as “warnings”, whereas the quality of subjective perceptions and feelings are disregarded phenomena. This leads to a gap between the often-distressing subjective experiences which people with epilepsy remember from their seizures and the perception of physicians which may negatively impact physician-patient communication and interaction and question their valid use as treatment outcomes. We advocate here to develop new seizure severity assessments in collaboration with patient organizations which integrate also the subjective quality of seizures.

The Importance of Stakeholder Involvement in Promoting the Cherchell Aqueducts as Tourist Attractions: Current Situation and Prospects

The Roman aqueducts in Cherchell, built in the second century AD, are a remarkable engineering achievement that spans over 130 kilometers and has historical significance. Today, the aqueducts have five easily accessible bridges. However, there is a lack of coordination among stakeholders involved in managing the cultural heritage in Cherchell. The 2014 strategic plan aimed to safeguard and enhance archaeological monuments and historic buildings by promoting and advertising the Cherchell aqueducts. The Protection and Enhancement Plan for Archaeological Sites with their protected zones (PPMVSAZP) focuses on tackling tourism through various measures and attributes. Two methodological techniques were used for this case study: Researching accounting values through design (RtD) and the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach. Consulting examples of Gallo-Roman aqueducts in France allowed for a critical comparison of strategies required for managing development projects with all stakeholders. The main focus of this paper is to establish a critical analysis of the current situation by situating dysfunctions in the collaborative relationships between different stakeholders. The paper aims to emphasize how stakeholders, community organizations, and professionals can work together to designate, enhance, and manage the case study, proposing an efficient collaborative assessment as a potential opportunity for the future.

Correction: Book Review of Innovative Assessment of Collaboration by Davier, Shu & Kyllonen

Correction: Book Review of Innovative Assessment of Collaboration by Davier, Shu & Kyllonen

Enhancing graduate nursing and social work students’ collaboration through screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment and simulated education

BackgroundNurses and social workers are frontline providers to at-risk patients of substance and alcohol abuse but have limited education. MethodsA one-semester program incorporated multimodal education and simulated patients teaching graduate nursing and social work students SBIRT and interprofessional skills. Students completed the Interprofessional Collaborative Competency Assessment Scale pre- and post-program measuring interprofessional competencies. ResultsOne hundred graduate students (58 social work, 42 nursing) participated across two cohorts. There was significant increase in total competency post-program, t(99) = 7.19, p < .001, and among all subscales. ConclusionMultimodal education with simulation increases graduate students’ interprofessional competency, preparing them for careers with at-risk patients.

Infant feeding for women with an eating disorder: An interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Mothers with eating disorders can face additional challenges with infant feeding, and there is evidence they are likely to cease breastfeeding earlier than intended. However, there is little research exploring this. The present study used interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore the lived experience of infant feeding for mothers suffering from or recovering from an eating disorder. Semistructured interviews were conducted with six women-five who had breastfed and one who formula-fed. The women experienced two incompatible worlds-motherhood and an eating disorder. Tensions were sometimes resolved by reducing eating disordered behaviour alongside immersion in motherhood. Two participants did not find infant feeding particularly important for their journey into motherhood. Four recounted a positive shift in their relationship to their body through breastfeeding and felt their embodied experience of mothering provided a route out of eating disordered behaviour. However, doubts about their mothering and infant feeding capabilities could be amplified by feeling mistrusted by others and by the relative silence around eating disorders within maternity care services. Respectful dialogue with health care professionals was particularly valued where this occurred. Although long-term outcomes for the participants are unknown, the study suggests women with a history of eating disorders can form successful breastfeeding relationships and may be motivated to engage in collaborative risk assessment. However, they need support in managing emotional challenges. Training around eating disorders for maternity care professionals is likely to be useful for enhancing confidence in engaging mothers proactively to share concerns about eating, weight and body shape.

A case report of postpartum idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a pathophysiological condition characterized by pulmonary vascular remodeling and elevated vascular resistance, which may ultimately result in cardiovascular failure and sudden cardiac death. In recent years, the occurrence of pregnancy complicated by PAH has witnessed a notable increase, whereas the incidence of postpartum PAH is comparatively rare. This study presents a case involving a 39-year-old female who exhibited severe PAH, finally diagnosed as idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension, within two days postpartum. The diagnosis was made following a thorough clinical examination. The occurrence or exacerbation of PAH can be attributed to pregnancy. This case report emphasizes the significance of promptly initiating targeted therapy as an initial step in effectively managing patients and the criticality of conducting a thorough assessment of multidisciplinary collaboration in postpartum management. Prompt identification of PAH warrants early implementation of targeted therapy to enhance prognosis.

Leadership's Role in Facilitating Faculty Professional Development for Technology Integration

This study explores the function of leadership in supporting faculty professional development for technology integration in educational institutions. Key themes about the role of leadership in fostering successful technology integration were identified through qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with 125 participants, including administrators and instructors from 10 educational institutions in Uganda. Establishing the vision and strategic direction, allocating resources and building infrastructure, professional development programs initiative and support mechanisms, recognizing and rewarding technology integration, fostering an innovative and collaborative culture, assessment, and ongoing improvement are some of these themes. The results draw attention to the various roles that leadership plays in fostering an atmosphere that supports technology-enhanced teaching and learning. In addition to providing useful advice for practitioners, policymakers, and educational leaders looking to foster innovation and quality in learning environments, this study advances our understanding of leadership in educational technology.

Comprehensive assessment of lumpy skin disease prevalence across Asia and African countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) stands out as one of the economically significant ailments affecting both small-scale farmers and the broader livestock industry. To gauge its prevalence across Asia and Africa, this study employs a rigorous methodology combining systematic review, and meta-analysis, accounting for heterogeneity. Adhering to the guidelines set forth by the cochrane collaboration’s preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis, present initial search sifted through approximately 6,000 articles spanning from 1990 to 2022, using carefully crafted combinations of keywords; Boolean operators, asterisks, and quotation marks. After meticulous assessment for quality bias, employing inclusion and exclusion criteria, 52 publications were included in present study for analysis. The methodology involved in current study utilizing scientometric tools to determine LSD prevalence, with a median sample size of 293 across various studies, predominantly focusing on cattle and buffaloes. Meta-analysis outcomes were dissected based on parameters such as study period, sample size, tests employed, continents, and species, with samples stratified into two to three categories based on medians for heterogeneity assessment. Meta-analysis unveiled a pooled prevalence rate of 14% in Asia and Africa. The subgroup analysis found an 11% prevalence in Asia and Africa constituted 21%. Clinical observation showed a 19% prevalence followed by other tests and PCR with 12 and 13%, respectively. The results underscore the necessity for effective strategies to control and prevent LSD spread, mitigating its economic impact on the livestock industry. This collaborative and comprehensive assessment is crucial in combating the widespread dissemination of LSD and offers valuable insights for policymakers, veterinarians, and stakeholders in the livestock sector.

Engagement of early career researchers in collaborative assessments of IPCC reports: achievements and insights

The participation of a diverse –in terms of geography, discipline and gender– group of Early Career Researchers (ECRs) in the peer review process can help alleviate the workload of senior researchers and counteract the perceptual biases that the latter tend to show. Moreover, ECRs can benefit from developing skills that are often not included in educational programs. From 2018 to 2021, the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists, in collaboration with other associations, organized six group reviews of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports by a total of more than 600 ECRs from over 70 different countries. This study aims to evaluate this group review in terms of its contribution to the production of scientific knowledge, and as a career development opportunity for ECRs. The data analyzed consists of application forms, review comments, and feedback surveys that were collected during each review process. The results of this study show that, overall, the group reviews were a success in terms of the experience of ECRs and their contribution to the peer review of the IPCC reports. Most survey respondents considered the general organization of the group reviews satisfactory and expressed interest in participating in future group reviews. However, most participants did not engage in discussions with their peers, which constitutes a missed opportunity to engage in active learning and the shared production of knowledge. ECRs made a significant contribution to the review of the IPCC reports by producing an average of 2,422 ± 532 comments per group review, 36% of which were substantive. PhD students were shown to be as proficient reviewers as postdoctoral researchers and faculty reviewers. More importantly, the diversity of reviewers in terms of geography and discipline, together with the fact that they are ECRs, can help produce more balanced scientific reports since they bring new perspectives, thus counteracting the biases that senior researchers have. These group reviews could be improved by providing more comprehensive training and facilitating communication among reviewers so that they can engage in meaningful exchanges. We conclude that the IPCC should formalize the inclusion of ECRs in future reviews of the IPCC reports.

Environmental and economic assessment of industrial excess heat recovery collaborations through 4th generation district heating systems

The external use of excess heat from industrial processes is an important factor in the energy transition and 4th generation district heating is an enabling technology. This paper presents a calculation tool for assessing the economic feasibility and the environmental impact of collaborations between potential industrial sources and users. The tool supports the sizing of district heating pipe diameters, pumps, heat pumps, and heat storage systems. A distinctive feature of the model is the possibility of calculating carbon and blue water footprints, alongside economic indicators, for both existing stand-alone systems and potential collaborative configurations. Excess heat recovery from water-cooled condensers of refrigeration systems is evaluated for two case studies involving the space heating of offices in a food logistics hub and the heating of a greenhouse from a frozen pizza factory, respectively. Only the second collaboration is profitable with the baseline price of natural gas (0.04 €/kWh) and electricity (0.12 €/kWh), provided that the distance between the source and the user is less than 2 km. For higher gas prices, distances of approximately 8 km would be viable. However, for source-user distances above 5 km, the water footprint of the collaboration would be higher than that of stand-alone systems.

Maturity Assessment of District Health Information System Version 2 Implementation in Ethiopia: Current Status and Improvement Pathways.

Although Ethiopia has made remarkable progress in the uptake of the District Health Information System version 2 (DHIS2) for national aggregate data reporting, there has been no comprehensive assessment of the maturity level of the system. This study aims to assess the maturity level of DHIS2 implementation in Ethiopia and propose a road map that could guide the progress toward a higher level of maturity. We also aim to assess the current maturity status, implementation gaps, and future directions of DHIS2 implementation in Ethiopia. The assessment focused on digital health system governance, skilled human resources, information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, interoperability, and data quality and use. A collaborative assessment was conducted with the engagement of key stakeholders through consultative workshops using the Stages of Continuous Improvement tool to measure maturity levels in 5 core domains, 13 components, and 39 subcomponents. A 5-point scale (1=emerging, 2=repeatable, 3=defined, 4=managed, and 5=optimized) was used to measure the DHIS2 implementation maturity level. The national DHIS2 implementation's maturity level is currently at the defined stage (score=2.81) and planned to move to the manageable stage (score=4.09) by 2025. The domain-wise maturity score indicated that except for ICT infrastructure, which is at the repeatable stage (score=2.14), the remaining 4 domains are at the defined stage (score=3). The development of a standardized and basic DHIS2 process at the national level, the development of a 10-year strategic plan to guide the implementation of digital health systems including DHIS2, and the presence of the required competencies at the facility level to accomplish specific DHIS2-related tasks are the major strength of the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia so far. The lack of workforce competency guidelines to support the implementation of DHIS2; the unavailability of core competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities) required to accomplish DHIS2 tasks at all levels of the health system; and ICT infrastructures such as communication network and internet connectivity at the district, zonal, and regional levels are the major hindrances to effective DHIS2 implementation in the country. On the basis of the Stages of Continuous Improvement maturity model toolkit, the implementation status of DHIS2 in Ethiopia is at the defined stage, with the ICT infrastructure domain being at the lowest stage as compared to the other 4 domains. By 2025, the maturity status is planned to move from the defined stage to the managed stage by improving the identified gaps. Various action points are suggested to address the identified gaps and reach the stated maturity level. The responsible body, necessary resources, and methods of verification required to reach the specified maturity level are also listed.

HTA model for laboratory medicine technologies: overview of approaches adopted in some international agencies.

The Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Working Group of the Emerging Technology Division of International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) aims to develop a methodological approach for producing structured HTA information for laboratory medicine technologies. This approach seeks to support decision-making processes at the country, regional, and/or hospital levels regarding the introduction of specific technologies. The focus of this model will primarily be ondefining assessment elements within the domains of 'organizational aspects' and 'costs and economic evaluations', potentially differentiated by the type of diagnostic technology (e.g., genetic tests, molecular tests). To achieve this project's goal, a literature review and examination ofwebsites of international HTA agencies have been conducted. The research aims to identify multidisciplinary methodological approaches used to assess laboratory diagnostic technologies and to pinpoint the domains and assessment elements utilized. Wefound 7 methodological articles describing methodological approaches adopted toassess laboratory diagnostic technologies. Among the HTA organizations considered, 23 reports were found, of which 7 were produced by the European Network of HTA (EUnetHTA), 4 by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Diagnostic Assessment Program (NICE DAP), and 12 by other HTA agencies. The EUnetHTA reports wererapid collaborative assessments covering various domains, while the NICE DAP reports focused on diagnostic guidances, including descriptions of technologies, clinical need and practice, diagnostic tests, accuracy, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness. Finally, a survey targeting laboratory professionals will be conducted to introduce assessment elements, differentiated by the type of diagnostic technology, primarily for organizational and economic domains.

Conceptualizing “Assessment Being Learning”: A Systematic Review of Teacher-Student Collaborative Assessment in China

The interconnection between assessment and learning has long been established and remained evolving. To find a localized approach in EFL contexts, this systematic review investigates the existing research on teacher-student collaborative assessment (TSCA) in China, which proposes the integration of assessment, teaching and learning. 55 CNKI-indexed papers from 2016 to 2023 that were relevant to the topic were selected for the review process. This review study summarized the classifications of TSCA application in secondary, high school and tertiary education as well as propositions of teaching models and detected the key elements concerning teachers’ roles, students’ roles and the contextual factors that influence both assessment and learning. By elucidating these diverse components, this review study conceptualized “assessment being learning” aiming to improve the theoretical and practical understanding of TSCA.