Assessment Project Research Articles

Placement of social bonds through crowdfunding: Global trends and prospects for implementation in domestic practice

The article considers the possibility of using additional sources of financing in the construction and operation of social infrastructure facilities. We are talking about the use of social bonds. The idea belongs to the International Capital Markets Association (ICMA), where the issue of social bonds is designed to solve specific problems of society, ensuring the saving of public fundsThe issue and circulation of social bonds must comply with a number of principles: the mandatory use of funds from the placement of these bonds for the development of the company, special criteria for the selection of projects of social impact and assessment of social effect, requirements for disclosure of information and its transparency. At the same time, it is necessary that investment projects are aimed at achieving positive social results that can be quantified. An attempt was made to develop measures to combine the instrument of social bonds and the principles of investment crowdfunding for the accumulation of funds by municipalities. The theoretical and methodological basis of the study was the work of domestic and foreign scientists in the field of analyzing government debt obligations to expand investment in infrastructure facilities at the regional and local levels, as well as research on the use of crowdfunding in the implementation of non-capital-intensive investment projects. The information base of the study was compiled by analytical reviews of the National Center for Public-Private Partnership, data from domestic statistics, analytical reviews of the Bank of Russia.

Assessing Soil Vulnerability Index classification with respect to rainfall characteristics

The Soil Vulnerability Index (SVI) uses widely available inputs from the SSURGO database to classify cropland into four levels of vulnerability to sediment and nutrient losses: Low, Moderate, Moderately High, and High. Previous work has identified inconsistencies in SVI assessments across the United States, possibly because neither precipitation amount nor intensity were included in the development of SVI. This study aimed to determine if rainfall characteristics influence the SVI classification and which ones are most critical. The objectives were to (1) evaluate the impact of precipitation characteristics on land vulnerability to sediment loss, and (2) evaluate if rainfall characteristics alter the degree of agreement between the simulated sediment yield and SVI classification. The study focused on four Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) watersheds in Ohio, Missouri, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania for which sediment yields were simulated using previously calibrated models. The models were run with input precipitation data from these four watersheds. In addition, in order to examine a wider range of precipitation characteristics, model runs were made for the same four watersheds utilizing precipitation data from two CEAP areas in Georgia and Maryland. Sediment yields for all the cropland units in four of the watersheds were simulated using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool or the Annualized Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution Model using 1985 to 2014 precipitation data from all six areas as inputs. Similarities and differences between precipitation characteristics such as precipitation amount, intensity, and rainfall erosivity R-factors were compared with the similarities and differences in simulated sediment loss. Results confirmed that SVI is a useful tool for relative ranking of cropland at risk of erosion within a region, as SVI and the model-based vulnerability classifications agreed for 55% to 100% of the watersheds’ subunits. However, model-based classification of field vulnerability could shift due to changes in precipitation characteristics. Thus, the range of soil loss for each vulnerability class can shift from one region to another. The results suggest that precipitation intensity or annual R-factor may help improve the correspondence between vulnerability and the range of expected soil loss.

Greek Adaptation and Validation of the Bad Sobernheim Stress Questionnaire-Brace and the Bad Sobernheim Stress Questionnaire-Deformity.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a progressive condition responsible for spinal deformity in all three planes. Spinal deformity and how the rib hump affects the aesthetics, and the functionality of the trunk can be a cause of psychological distress as well. Bracing as a treatment can have a negative impact on QoL, cause pain, affect participation levels in physical activities, and cause isolation and depression. Brace-induced stress may affect the patient's compliance with the treatment which may lead to scoliosis progression. The purpose of this study was to adapt and validate in the Greek language two instruments that can evaluate stress levels induced by bracing treatment and by deformity. The process of cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Bad Sobernheim Stress Questionnaire-Brace (ΒSSQ-Brace) and the Bad Sobernheim Stress Questionnaire-Deformity (BSSQ-Deformity) followed the International Quality of Life Assessment Project (IQOLA) guidelines. Forty-seven AIS patients with a mean age of 14.4±1.51years, mean Cobb angle of 30.08±9.25, and mean duration of the bracing treatment at 20.5±12.2months participated. The mean score for GR-BSSQ Brace was 14.04±6.42, which is interpreted as medium stress, whereas the mean score for GR-BSSQ Deformity was 20.34±3.78, which is interpreted as low stress. GR-BSSQ Brace demonstrated good internal consistency with Cronbach's α=0.87. GR-BSSQ Deformity demonstrated acceptable internal consistency with Cronbach's α=0.73. Both GR-BSSQ Brace and GR-BSSQ Deformity exhibited excellent test-retest reliability with ICC values of 0.94 (95% CI 0.89-0.97) and 0.92 (95% CI 0.86-0.95), respectively. BSSQ Brace and BSSQ Deformity questionnaires have been cross-culturally adapted into the Greek language and have been proven to be valid and reliable instruments measuring brace and deformity-induced stress. Both questionnaires can be used for clinical and research purposes in Greek-speaking population.

Decision science as a framework for combining geomorphological and ecological modeling for the management of coastal systems

The loss of ecosystem services due to climate change and coastal development is projected to have significant impacts on local economies and conservation of natural resources. Consequently, there has been an increase in coastal management activities such as living shorelines, oyster reef restoration, marsh restoration, beach and dune nourishment, and revegetation projects. Coastal management decisions are complex and include challenging trade-offs. Decision science offers a useful framework to address such complex problems. Here, we provide a synthesis about how decision science can help to integrate research from multiple disciplines (physical and life sciences) with management of coastal and marine systems. Specifically, we discuss the importance of considering concepts and techniques from ecology, coastal geology, geomorphology, climate science, oceanography, and decision analysis when developing conservation plans for coastal restoration. We illustrate the process with several coastal restoration studies. Our capstone example is based on a recent barrier island restoration assessment project at Dauphin Island, Alabama, which included the development of geomorphological and ecological models. We show how decision science can be used as a framework to combine geomorphological and ecological modeling to help inform management decisions while considering uncertainty about system changes and risk tolerance. We also build on our examples through a review of recently developed techniques for spatial conservation planning for land acquisition decisions and the application of adaptive management for sequential decisions.

Assessment of Tsunami Hazard Along British Columbia Coastlines from Coseismic Sources

Recent major tsunamis have demonstrated their potential for widespread destruction and associated danger to human populations. Tsunamis generated from local and distant sources in the Pacific Ocean have impacted the western coast of Canada over time, and destructive tsunamis are expected to affect west coast communities in the future. Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) has undertaken several collaborative tsunami hazard assessment projects along the west coast of Canada (Figure 1) with the goals of (1) identifying and assessing tsunami hazards and risks using tsunami modeling, mapping, community engagement, and Indigenous knowledge; and (2) raising public awareness by producing a documentary film, offering educational programs to K–12 students, and developing tsunami signage and online story maps. This article focuses on tsunami hazard identification through modeling and drawing upon Indigenous knowledge.

An Ecologic Study of the Association between 1,3-Dichloropropene and Pancreatic Cancer

1,3-Dichloropropene (1,3-D) is a soil fumigant that is used to protect fruit, vegetable, field, tree, and vine crops from nematode infestation and soil borne diseases. It is a commonly use pesticide, is applied by either direct injection into the soil or drip irrigation and is highlight volatile. Though currently classified as "Suggestive Evidence of Carcinogenic Potential", the literature in animal-based studies has inconsistent results and there is limited research among a human population with one study only among the California population. The purpose of the current analysis is to conduct a state-level analysis of the association between 1,3-D and pancreatic cancer mortality. Data for this ecological study were derived from death certificate data (for pancreatic mortality) from 1999 to 2020 and United States Geologic Survey National Water-Quality Assessment project for years 1992-2016 (1,3-D use). A negative binomial regression adjusted for selected lifestyle risk factors of pancreatic cancer (i.e., obesity, alcohol use, and smoking prevalence) estimated rate ratios (RRs) and associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs)for the association between 1,3-D quartiles and pancreatic cancer mortality rate. Models lagged in five-year increments to account for the induction period of pancreatic cancer. Overall, there was no association between 1,3-D quartile and pancreatic cancer mortality rate; however, limiting the analyses to states reporting 1,3-D use for at least 20 years, the highest quartile of 1,3-D use was associated with an 11% increase in the pancreatic cancer mortality rate in the five-year lagged model (RR 1.11, 95% CI 1.06-1.16). This association was consistent across the other lag periods. Accounting for lifestyle factors associated with pancreatic cancer risk, there is a significantly increase rate of pancreatic cancer mortality among states that have the highest quartile of 1,3-D use and have been using 1,3-D for a long-term period.

CBPR: AN EFFECTIVE APPROACH TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN MINORITY OLDER REFUGEE ADULTS IN COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH

Abstract Community based participatory research (CBPR) builds mutually beneficial partnerships between diverse communities and researchers, yielding improved communication among stakeholders, more interest in research participation among community older adults, and improved insights on health disparities. CBPR approaches have great utility for culturally appropriate research design, data collection and analyses, and dissemination with minority underserved communities. We describe outreach, research methods, and community capacity-building from three projects with refugee communities in Greensboro, NC: the Montagnard Hypertension Research Project; The Refugee Older Adults Needs Assessment Project; and the Elder Abuse and Neglect exploratory study. These projects were initiated by community leaders, with technical partnership provided by university researchers and students. We used community-centric methods, and collected a range of data including interviews, photographs, oral histories, surveys, and biological specimens. These efforts have advanced social justice and health equity agendas for both academic and community partners, working to advance health of older adults.

Dermatology Quality of Life Index scores in Bangladeshi patients with atopic eczema and their families in East London.

Atopic eczema (AE) is a chronic relapsing, pruritic disease that greatly affects the child and family's quality of life (QoL). It is usually common and severe among children of Bangladeshi ethnicity. This is a cross-sectional quantitative study in patients with AE of Bangladeshi origin, which aims to analyse different components of the family, children and adult quality-of-life indices and their relationship to patient age, sex, eczema severity and distribution, other allergic associations, parental education and socioeconomic level. Children and young adults of Bangladeshi origin aged 0-30 years, clinically diagnosed with AE were recruited as part of the Tower Hamlets Eczema Assessment project, a clinical phenotyping study of AE in the Bangladeshi population living in East London. Questionnaires completed by children/parents included the Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI), Infant's Dermatology Quality of Life (IDQOL) and the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI). Young adults completed the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). The disease severity was assessed objectively using the Eczema Area Severity Index (EASI). Patients and parents who did not read or speak English were aided by Bengali/Sylheti-speaking research assistants. Overall, 460 Bangladeshi children and 98 adults with AE were recruited. Burden of care, extra housework and emotional distress were the highest affected domains in parental QoL, while itching and sleep were the highest for children. Significant factors influencing FDLQI score were EASI [marginal effect (ME) 1.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00-1.03; P = 0.004], age (ME 0.98, 95% CI 0.97-0.99; P = 0.004), extensor eczema distribution (ME 1.25, 95% CI 1.03-1.52; P = 0.023), parental English fluency (ME 1.29, 95% CI 1.10-1.52; P = 0.002) and atopic comorbidities (ME 1.10, 95% CI 1.04-1.17; P = 0.001). Parental socioeconomic class was a nonsignificant factor. IDQOL/CDLQI was influenced significantly by the child's age (ME 0.99, 95% CI 0.97-1.00, P = 0.023), 'nonclear' eczema distribution clusters especially the 'severe extensive' cluster (ME 1.46, 95% CI 1.15-1.84; P = 0.002) and nonsignificantly by EASI and parental English literacy and socioeconomic levels. DLQI was affected significantly by nonclear eczema distribution groups especially 'severe extensive' (ME 2.49, 95% 1.76-3.53; P < 0.001) and nonsignificantly by patient age, and female sex. AE is a chronic disease where many external factors other than disease severity affect QoL of patients and their families, -especially in under-represented minority groups who face different linguistic and cultural barriers.

Telehealth treatment of patients with major depressive disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic: Comparative safety, patient satisfaction, and effectiveness to prepandemic in-person treatment

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic impelled a transition from in-person to telehealth psychiatric treatment. There are no studies of partial hospital telehealth treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). In the present report from the Rhode Island Methods to Improve Diagnostic Assessment and Services (MIDAS) project, we compared the effectiveness of partial hospital care of patients with MDD treated virtually versus in-person. MethodsOutcome was compared in 294 patients who were treated virtually from May 2020 to December 2021 to 542 patients who were treated in the in-person partial program in the 2 years prior to the pandemic. Patients completed self-administered measures of patient satisfaction, symptoms, coping ability, functioning, and general well-being. ResultsIn both the in-person and telehealth groups, patients with MDD were highly satisfied with treatment and reported a significant reduction in symptoms from admission to discharge. Both groups also reported a significant improvement in positive mental health, general well-being, coping ability, and functioning. A large effect size of treatment was found in both treatment groups. Contrary to our hypothesis, the small differences in outcome favored the telehealth-treated patients. The length of stay and the likelihood of staying in treatment until completion were significantly greater in the virtually treated patients. LimitationsThe treatment groups were ascertained sequentially, and telehealth treatment was initiated after the COVID-19 pandemic began. Outcome assessment was limited to a self-administered questionnaire. ConclusionsIn an intensive acute care setting, delivering treatment to patients with MDD using a virtual, telehealth platform was as effective as treating patients in-person.

The assessment of earthquake hazard in Italy: a review

We present a review of the assessment of earthquake hazard in Italy, with special reference to the relationships between hazard models and building codes. After early attempts at hazard assessment in the 19th century, the 28 December 1908, Messina Straits earthquake prompted the inception of the first national seismic legislation, passed in early 1909. Nevertheless, the official building code started to be based on a truly scientific background only after 1980, when the catastrophic Irpinia (southern Italy) earthquake forced the qualified authority to accept a science-based assessment (statistics on the earthquake catalogue data) to support the implementation of the new national seismic zonation. Later on, between 1985 and 2000, the two basic components of seismic hazard assessment, namely the earthquake record and the distribution of earthquake sources, were greatly developed through investigations carried out by the Gruppo Nazionale Difesa dai Terremoti and by the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica. Along with the improvement of basic data, the Italian seismological community started developing a new hazard model (PS4), based on the concept of seismotectonic probabilism, aimed at supplying the Italian Government with a solid reference frame for updating the seismic zonation and building code. Nevertheless, this goal was achieved only two decades later: on 31 October 2002 a moderate-size earthquake caused the death of 27 children and a teacher in a collapsed school of southern Italy, forcing the qualified authority to take a major step of modernization for the second time in 22 years. The entire Italian territory, including areas of rare and sparse seismicity, was subdivided into four seismic zones, mainly on the basis of PS4 results. In 2004, the Italian seismological community developed MPS04, a fully updated hazard model that was initially conceived only in view of updating the seismic zonation. In 2007, MPS04 was extended to provide design spectra for a new building code, which was finally adopted in 2009, following the disastrous L’Aquila (central Italy) earthquake. The experience of the European project for seismic hazard assessment named SHARE, completed in 2013, represented a step forward and put the basis for a new project, termed MPS19, designed specifically to provide a sound basis for updating the Italian building code.

Spatial repellents: The current roadmap to global recommendation of spatial repellents for public health use

Spatial repellent (SR) products are envisioned to complement existing vector control methods through the continual release of volatile active ingredients (AI) providing: (i) protection against day-time and early-evening biting; (ii) protection in enclosed/semi-enclosed and peri-domestic spaces; (iii) various formulations to fit context-specific applications; and (iv) increased coverage over traditional control methods. SR product AIs also have demonstrated effect against insecticide-resistant vectors linked to malaria and Aedes-borne virus (ABV) transmission. Over the past two decades, key stakeholders, including World Health Organization (WHO) representatives, have met to discuss the role of SRs in reducing arthropod-borne diseases based on existing evidence. A key focus has been to establish a critical development path for SRs, including scientific, regulatory and social parameters that would constitute an outline for a SR target product profile, i.e. optimum product characteristics. The principal gap is the lack of epidemiological data demonstrating SR public health impact across a range of different ecological and epidemiological settings, to inform a WHO policy recommendation. Here we describe in brief trials that are designed to fulfill evidence needs for WHO assessment and initial projections of SR cost-effectiveness against malaria and dengue.

Development and expert validation of a ‘Data-to-Action Continuum’ to measure and advance the data-use capabilities of national tuberculosis programs

Background The Data-to-Action Continuum (D2AC) Toolkit is intended to advance the data use capabilities associated with people, processes, technology, and institutions of national tuberculosis programs (NTPs). It empowers NTPs and stakeholders to measure current capabilities, identify areas amenable to interventions to build future capacities, and helps align the TB information system to better achieve the NTP’s goals. This paper describes the development process of the D2AC Toolkit, whose aim is to enable NTPs and stakeholders—especially the policymakers, program managers, and laboratory and facility managers—to precisely gauge the barriers limiting the use of data for action and devise appropriate interventions to address them. Methods Building on a scientific and grey literature foundation, the D2AC Toolkit was collaboratively developed by a core group of the TB data, Impact Assessment and Communications Hub (TB DIAH) project. The Toolkit was validated by a group of international and country-level experts following an iterative and user-centered process employing mixed methods. Results The expert-validated D2AC Toolkit measures appropriate capabilities required to transform data to action in the context of an NTP at the national, regional, district, and facility levels across five domains and 17 subdomains using a five-point Likert scale: nascent, defined, established, institutionalized, and optimized. Conclusions The continuum describes the status of various domains and corresponding subdomains and enables the identification of future goals for each subdomain. The future capabilities are meant to guide the development of an improvement path toward the desired level of advancement and monitor progress toward the desired goals. By integrating an iterative and user-centered process and using mixed methods, the D2AC Toolkit enables policymakers, program managers, and service providers to gauge current capabilities, identify future priorities, and develop an implementation plan to improve the organizational ability to transform data to action for achieving tuberculosis program goals.

Assessing the consistency of satellite-derived upper tropospheric humidity measurements

Abstract. Four upper tropospheric humidity (UTH) datasets derived from satellite sounders are evaluated to assess their consistency as part of the activities for the Global Energy and Water Exchanges (GEWEX) water vapor assessment project. The datasets include UTH computed from brightness temperature measurements of the 183.31±1 GHz channel of the Special Sensor Microwave – Humidity (SSM/T-2), Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-B (AMSU-B), and Microwave Humidity Sounder (MHS) and from channel 12 of the High-resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS). The four datasets are generally consistent in the interannual temporal and spatial variability of the tropics. Large positive anomalies peaked over the central equatorial Pacific region during El Niño events in the same phase with the increase of sea surface temperature (SST). Conversely, large negative anomalies were obtained during El Niño events when the tropical-domain average is taken. The weakened ascending branch of the Pacific Walker circulation in the western Pacific and the enhanced descending branches of the local Hadley circulation along the Pacific subtropics largely contributed to widespread drying areas and thus negative anomalies in the upper troposphere during El Niño events as shown in all four datasets. During a major El Niño event, UTH had higher correlations with the coincident precipitation (0.60 to 0.75) and with 200 hPa velocity potential (−0.42 to −0.64) than with SST (0.37 to 0.49). Due to differences in retrieval definitions and gridding procedures, there can be a difference of 3 %–5 % UTH between datasets on average, and larger magnitudes of anomaly values are usually observed in spatial maps of microwave UTH data. Nevertheless, the tropical-domain averaged anomalies of the datasets are close to each other with their differences being mostly less than 0.5 %, and more importantly the phases of the time series are generally consistent for variability studies.

OP13 EUnetHTA Relative Effectiveness Assessments Of Pharmaceutical And Other Technologies: Procedural Changes Implemented During Joint Action 3

IntroductionThe European Network for Health Technology Assessment (EUnetHTA) Joint Action 3 (JA3) aimed to develop a sustainable European model for scientific and technical collaboration on HTA. It succeeded EUnetHTA JA2, which focused on strengthening practical applications of approaches and tools in the European HTA collaboration. Compared to JA2, several changes in procedures and processes were undertaken throughout JA3 in order to improve the different steps in joint HTA production.MethodsFindings and identified challenges regarding the assessment production processes from JA2 were considered as a basis. In JA3, vast majority of structured and informal feedback was gathered from the assessment teams and project managers via feedback surveys and meetings. Only limited informal feedback from stakeholders (such as patients, health care professionals, and health technology developers) that were involved in EUnetHTA assessments was collected. To this end, experiences were documented and recommendations for a future production process were developed.ResultsDuring the course of JA3, the joint production resulted in 16 pharmaceutical assessments and 27 assessments of other technologies. The latter included medical devices, diagnostics, interventions, and screening. Due to the different context of pharmaceuticals and other technologies, some technology-specific changes needed to be made in their production process. However, the majority of implemented changes were made for both types of technologies to ensure maximum possible alignment in processes. The implemented changes affected several steps in the production process as well as the involvement of stakeholders in EUnetHTA assessments. The production and related project management of assessments was fine-tuned and resulted in clearer, standardized, and comprehensible processes that facilitated transparency and inclusiveness.ConclusionsThe procedural changes led to further standardization and elaboration of assessment production processes in preparation for a future European HTA system under the EU HTA Regulation. However, some methodological challenges remained to be tackled further in the currently ongoing EUnetHTA 21 service contract.

Validation of hierarchical taxonomy in a clinical sample.

Quantitatively derived dimensional models of psychopathology enjoy overwhelming empirical support, and a large and active community of psychopathology researchers has been establishing an empirically based dimensional hierarchical taxonomy of psychopathology (or HiTOP) as a strong candidate replacement for the current categorical classification system. The hierarchical nature of this taxonomy implies that different levels of resolution are likely to be optimal for different purposes. Our aim was to identify which level of detail is likely to provide optimal validity and explanatory power with regard to relevant clinical variables. In the present report from the Rhode Island Methods to Improve Diagnostic Assessment and Services project, we used data from a sample of 2900 psychiatric outpatients to compare different levels from a bass-ackwards model of psychopathology in relation to psychosocial impairment across different domains (global functioning, inability to work, social functioning, suicidal ideation, history of suicide attempts, history of psychiatric hospitalization). All functioning indices were significantly associated with general psychopathology, but more complex levels provided significant incremental validity. The optimal level of complexity varied across functioning indices, suggesting that there is no single 'best' level for understanding relations between psychopathology and functioning. Results support the hierarchical organization of psychopathology dimensions with regard to validity considerations and downstream implications for applied assessment. It would be fruitful to develop and implement measurement of these dimensions at the appropriate level for the purpose at hand. These findings can be used to guide HiTOP-consistent assessment in other research and clinical settings.

Correction and calibration of atmospheric impact observations in GOES GLM data.

The Earth's atmosphere is impacted daily by both meteoroids and artificial objects. Calibrated observations of the emitted light at sufficiently high sampling rates can enable or improve the estimation of impactor attributes such as size, cohesion, trajectory, and composition, but are difficult to obtain owing to the unpredictability, brevity, and high dynamic (brightness) range of impacts. Ground-based camera systems have successfully monitored small regions of the atmosphere at video frame rates and with limited radiometric capabilities, but most impacts occur over the 70% of the Earth's surface covered by water and are therefore missed by these networks. The Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) instruments aboard Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites 16 and 17 provide near-hemispherical coverage at 500 frames per second. These data have been shown to contain the signatures of many independently confirmed impacts, often from both viewing angles simultaneously, and constitute an observational resource that is currently unparalleled in the public domain. NASA's Asteroid Threat Assessment Project has implemented an automated impact detection pipeline that processes data from GLM daily. Given a detected impact, the GLM data contain a wealth of information for use in quantitative follow-up analyses. However, impact events differ from lightning in ways that violate key assumptions built into GLM's design. The result is that GLM's onboard processing introduces errors into pixel observations of impact events and the calibrated energies near the periphery of the detector may be substantially overestimated. We present methods for mitigating these and other issues to produce a data product more suitable for impact analyses than the existing GLM lightning product.

Connecting students with ‘industry’: A pilot implementation of authentic assessment tasks in business education

Universities are continuing to encourage academics to implement more authentic assessment strategies into their teaching and learning activities to ensure that students are work-ready on graduation. Connecting students with the expectations of industry through these assessments encourages students to identify key competencies which need to be strengthened in order to ensure they are employable upon graduation. Since COVID-19 struck in early 2020, we have all had to consider how technology can assist in connecting people to continue to be able to work. This is no truer than with students and teaching staff as well as connecting students with industry. This paper reports on the implementation of a new authentic assessment project for business students where students worked both face-to-face and online to complete a major work-based project.

Indigenous experiences of impact assessment and development projects: lessons from the Aashukan exchange

ABSTRACT How can Indigenous peoples and practitioners engage Impact Assessment as a collaborative learning process that enables communities to affect and influence the design of development projects and their management systems? How to create conversations between Indigenous peoples in order to craft a message/voice in relation to developers? This article summarizes lessons learned from ‘Aashukan’ an Indigenous exchange organized on James Bay Cree lands, Northern Québec, Canada in conjunction with the IAIA Conference in 2017. It presents the context, objectives, processes, and outcomes of this workshop in relation to the Impact Assessment community and discusses future directions.

Reverse Thinking for Forward Learning: The Online Reverse Video Challenge as a Conceptual Alternative to Simulated Work-integrated Learning

The novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-10) which was declared a pandemic in March 2020 has disrupted learning programmes that rely extensively on work-integrated learning (WIL). This article reflects on the use of the 2016 online reverse video challenge as a remote learning alternative to WIL in the technical theatre stream of the Diploma in Performing Arts at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). A reversed intention practice-based assessment (or reverse video assessment) project was designed for the students to approximate the skills required for theatre technicians. This article is a conceptual exploration of the reverse video assessment design that involved exploring trends in reverse footage on online platforms and the professional practice of renowned South African artist and theatre maker, William Kentridge. The needs of contemporary South African students to be “tech-savvy” while faced with limited resources, was aligned with the requirements of the embedded simulated WIL curriculum. The reverse video assessment adopted a design research approach through the lens of play theory to conceptualise the edutainment approach to learning to relieve student anxiety during the pandemic. The assessment focused on three stages of development, namely, abstract thinking, three-dimensional object manipulation, and sequential organisation, which collectively result in a pragmatic creative process. The article will contribute to the remote learning body of knowledge which has come under greater focus during the pandemic. The ongoing pandemic necessitates a remote learning alternative to WIL to ensure continued learning without risking the health of students. The flexible nature of the reverse video assessment allows for the application thereof to different fields and levels of study

Classification of rework root causes in the design stage of projects for contract assessment

Rework is one of the leading causes of cost and time overruns that primarily affect project performance. The performance of construction projects can be elevated with the implementation of rework moderation strategies. Identifying rework root causes is the first step of rework management followed by a mitigation approach, reducing or preventing strategy. As the contract is the core connection between clients and contractors, using a rework management approach in the contracting process allows participants to be aware of rework impacts before the project’s commencement. Selecting the best approach for rework mitigation depends on rework causes and their classified roots. Thus, the paper classifies rework root causes in the design stage of projects to provide a platform for contract documents assessment. The method used to classify the identified rework causes into five categories was designed on the literature. Results from collecting secondary data indicated all categories in the design stage, consisting of technical, human resources, process, material/equipment, and other general factors. The next step of the study is to assess contract documents through a questionnaire based on these classified factors in search of a connection between rework, contractual claims, and clauses of the contract. The paper recommends that assessing contract documents can be used as a new approach for rework management.