Assessment Criteria Research Articles

Pemanfaatan Artificial Intelligence (AI) Pada Penyusunan Aksi Nyata Paltform Merdeka Mengajar di SDN 02 Medalkrisna

This training program is designed to enhance the competency of elementary school teachers in developing practical actions on the Merdeka Mengajar Platform (PMM) by utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. Through the use of Turnitin for plagiarism checks and Gamma for document preparation, the program aims to ensure that the work produced is original and well-structured. The training involves teachers in intensive sessions that include the introduction and use of Turnitin to detect plagiarism, as well as Gamma to assist in preparing practical action documents that meet Kemendikbud's validation standards. The results of the training show a significant improvement in teachers' ability to produce creative, innovative, and compliant practical actions according to the assessment criteria. Teachers participating in this program can produce more professional and plagiarism-free documents, thanks to the constructive feedback from AI. Furthermore, the resulting practical action documents have a clear and attractive structure, facilitating the validation process. This program also encourages the formation of a learning community among teachers, where they share best practices and support continuous improvement. Thus, this training program not only enhances teachers' digital competence but also contributes to the overall improvement of education quality. The use of AI in education becomes an important step in preparing teachers to face challenges in the digital era.

Prognostic value of CT scan-based radiomics in intracerebral hemorrhage patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectivesWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of current publications on the potential role of non-contrast-enhanced computed tomography (NCCT) radiomics as a prognostic indicator in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). MethodsWe systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Web of Science from inception until January 8, 2024. Studies with NCCT-based radiomics features for predicting the prognostic outcomes of ICH patients were included. We calculated the pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and area under curve (AUC) values. The radiomics quality score (RQS), METhodological RadiomICs Score (METRICS), and the quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies (QUADAS-2) were used for quality assessment. ResultsTwenty-two studies were included. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, DOR, and AUC of radiomics models were 0.73, 0.78, 10.03, and 0.83, respectively, while on the combined radiomics models with other non-radiomics features were 0.80, 0.80, 16.28, and 0.86. Subgroup analysis showed that studies with the following covariates have a higher accuracy: single center, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) criteria for the ICH outcomes assessment, following patients for evaluation of ICH outcomes for more than a month, automatic segmentation, capturing the radiomics feature from the only intra-hematomal region, using PyRadiomic tool for features extraction, and using non-logistic regression for modeling. The quality of literature using QUADAS-2 and METRICS tools was good and was under-average using the RQS tool. No publication bias was detected. ConclusionsRadiomics features showed moderate to high accuracy for predicting ICH prognostic outcomes. Although the QUADAS-2 and METRICS assessments indicated good quality, the radiomics pipeline quality was under-average. Clinical RelevanceNCCT-based radiomics features can provide information about the prognostic outcomes of ICH patients after patient admission. This study exploits the value of current evidence on NCCT-based radiomics methodology in the prediction of ICH prognosis.

Parenting Stress Following a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Hospitalization: A Longitudinal Study of Mothers and Fathers.

A neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization can add significant stress to the postpartum period. Parents experience isolation and uncertainty, which can affect their capacity to bond with their new baby. Understanding how stress is shaped by and changes following a NICU experience will help in developing supports for these families. We examined patterns of parenting stress over the first year of life following a NICU stay to better understand changes in stress, differences in maternal and paternal stress, and how medical and developmental variables impact parent stress. Parents of infants (n = 51) who had experienced a NICU hospitalization and met criteria for California's High-Risk Infant Follow-Up program completed assessments at 6, 9, and 12 months. A comparison group (n = 38) from a historic dataset included parents of infants born full term without medical complications. NICU parents reported higher levels of parenting stress at 6 months, but not 12 months, with mothers and fathers reporting similar stress levels. Parenting-related stress was found to be relatively stable and consistent over this period. Among NICU parents, lower developmental level at 12 months was associated with more distress in interacting with their child. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring parenting stress following discharge from the NICU and developing interventions for supporting parents of NICU graduates showing developmental delays.

The Polish Society of Gynecological Oncology Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cervical Cancer (v2024.0).

Background: Recent publications underscore the need for updated recommendations addressing less radical surgery for <2 cm tumors, induction chemotherapy, or immunotherapy for locally advanced stages of cervical cancer, as well as for the systemic therapy for recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer. Aim: To summarize the current evidence for the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of cervical cancer and provide evidence-based clinical practice recommendations. Methods: Developed according to AGREE II standards, the guidelines classify scientific evidence based on the Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariff System criteria. Recommendations are graded by evidence strength and consensus level from the development group. Key Results: (1) Early-Stage Cancer: Stromal invasion and lymphovascular space involvement (LVSI) from pretreatment biopsy identify candidates for surgery, particularly for simple hysterectomy. (2) Surgical Approach: Minimally invasive surgery is not recommended, except for T1A, LVSI-negative tumors, due to a reduction in life expectancy. (3) Locally Advanced Cancer: concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT) followed by brachytherapy (BRT) is the cornerstone treatment. Low-risk patients (fewer than two metastatic nodes or FIGO IB2-II) may consider induction chemotherapy (ICT) followed by CCRT and BRT after 7 days. High-risk patients (two or more metastatic nodes or FIGO IIIA, IIIB, and IVA) benefit from pembrolizumab with CCRT and maintenance therapy. (4) Metastatic, Persistent, and Recurrent Cancer: A PD-L1 status from pretreatment biopsy identifies candidates for Pembrolizumab with available systemic treatment, while triplet therapy (Atezolizumab/Bevacizumab/chemotherapy) becomes a PD-L1-independent option. Conclusions: These evidence-based guidelines aim to improve clinical outcomes through precise treatment strategies based on individual risk factors, predictors, and disease stages.

Association between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and stroke risk in Chinese normal-weight adults: a population-based study

BackgroundIdentifying high-risk populations and promoting stroke prevention measures can be achieved through studies on stroke and its risk factors. As a new alternative indicator of insulin resistance (IR), the triglyceride glucose (TyG) index may potentially increase stroke risk. However, the evidence confirming this association is inadequate and inconsistent, possibly due to variations in stroke assessment criteria or characteristics of the study populations. This study aims to evaluate the association between the TyG index and stroke risk level among individuals with normal-weight.MethodsA total of 30,895 participants aged ≥ 40 years with normal-weight were enrolled in this study. The TyG index was calculated as Ln [fasting triglycerides (mg/dL) × fasting glucose (mg/dL)/2]. Normal-weight was described as a body mass index (BMI) of 18.5-<24.0 kg/m2. Stroke risk was assessed by the Stroke Risk Assessment Scale, developed by the China National Stroke Screening and Prevention Project. To evaluate the associations between the TyG index and stroke risk level, multivariate logistic regression models were employed.ResultsResults showed that when the TyG index was considered as a continuous variable, each one unit increase in the TyG index was associated with a significantly higher risk of stroke [Moderate-risk (OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 2.03–2.28; P<0.001); High-risk (OR, 3.83; 95% CI, 3.57–4.10; P<0.001)]. Compared with Q1 of the TyG index, Q4 was significantly associated with moderate stroke risk (OR, 2.73; 95% CI, 2.50–2.99; P<0.001) and high stroke risk (OR, 5.39; 95% CI, 4.83–6.01; P<0.001). The continuous TyG index was an important risk factor for high stroke risk in the metabolically obese, normal-weight (MONW) individuals (OR, 3.44;95% CI, 2.92–4.06; P < 0.001). In the MONW individuals, when Q1 was used as a reference, participants in Q4 (OR, 5.33; 95% CI, 4.19–6.78; P < 0.001) was significantly associated with high stroke risk. Subgroup analysis showed significant interaction in the age and sex subgroups in the overall population (Pinteraction <0.001).ConclusionThe risk of stroke is increased with the TyG index among Chinese adults of normal weight; hence, the index may be an important indicator for identifying high-risk stroke populations among individuals with normal body weight.

Reliability of the Mental Health Nurse Competency Assessment Tool (ECOEnfSM): A pilot study

AimTo evaluate the reliability of the ECOEnfSM scale as a tool to assess the professional competencies of Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (MHNP) in their clinical practice. MethodA pilot study, observational, descriptive and cross-sectional, focuses on MHNP who have completed their Specialized Health Training Program (SHTP) in Spain. The data were collected by general and collaborators mentors of the Multiprofessional Teaching Units (MTUs). The Mental Health Nursing Competency Assessment Tool (ECOEnfSM) was used, which consists of three subscales and eight Competence Units (CU). A reliability and validity analysis were conducted (Cronbach's alpha and Spearman's correlation coefficient). ResultsThe Rotation Assessment subscales showed excellent reliability (r > 0.90) with high and very high correlations (r > 0.6) in all UCs with high levels of significance (P < .01). The Annual Assessment subscale showed good reliability (r > 0.80) with a medium and very high correlation (r > 0.4) with high levels of significance (P < .01). All UCs showed a good to excellent consistency (r > 0.80). The “Home Visits” assessment criterion showed heterogeneity of data due to there are few MTUs that fully develop it. ConclusionThe ECOEnfSM scale showed very high reliability in MHNP during their training program in Spain. The ECOEnfSM is considered the only objective tool in Spain to assess the professional competencies in this population.

A comprehensive survey on exploring and analyzing COVID-19 mobile apps: Meta and exploratory analysis

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, many digital solutions around the world have been proposed to cope with the deadly virus but the role of mobile-based applications is dominant one. In Pakistan, during the current COVID-19 pandemic, an array of mobile health applications (apps) and platforms have been launched to grapple with the impacts of the COVID-19 situation. In this survey, our major focus is to explore and analyze the starring role of mobile apps based on the features and functionalities to tackle the COVID-19 disease, particularly in Pakistan. In this study, over fifty (50) mobile apps have been scrapped from the well-known three different sources i.e. Google Play Store, iOS Play Store, and web source. We developed our own data set after searching through the different play stores. We have designed two criteria such that the first criteria are known as eligibility criteria, while the second one is known as assessment criteria. The features and functions of each mobile app are pinpointed and discussed against the parameters of the assessment criteria. The major parameters of assessment criteria are: (i) Home monitoring; (ii) COVID-19 awareness; (iii) contact tracing; (iv) telemedicine; (v) health education; (vi) COVID-19 surveillance; (vii) self-assessment; (viii) security; and (ix) accessibility. This study conducted exploratory analysis and quantitative meta-data analysis by adopting PRISMA guidelines. This survey article is not only discussing the function and features of each COVID-19-centered app in Pakistan, but it also sheds light on the limitations of every mobile app as well. The results of this survey might be helpful for the mobile developers to review the current app products and enhance the existing mobile platforms targeted towards the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the first attempt of its kind to present a state-of-the-art survey of the COVID-19-centered mobile health apps in Pakistan.

The impact of twisted wind on pedestrian comfort around two non-identical-height buildings in tandem arrangement: a wind tunnel study

Due to the impact of urbanization, an increasing number of buildings are being constructed near hilly terrains because of the limited availability of land resources. The influence of twisted wind profile (TWP) on pedestrian-level wind comfort surrounding two tandem non-identical-height buildings, with a height ratio H1/H2 ranging from 3:1 to 1:0.33, was investigated by wind tunnel experiment with two twist angles (13 ° and 25 °), and compared with the conventional wind profile (CWP). The assessment of thermal comfort was based on Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) using wind velocity measured from the wind tunnel and observation results. Both the mean and gust wind velocities were investigated and compared with wind assessment criteria. The results reveal a significant disparity in the mean and gust wind fields for various H1/H2 under both CWP and TWPs, with the influence of twist being more pronounced for step-up building configuration (H1<H2). The influence of TWPs on the low wind velocity region demonstrated contrasting patterns for buildings with step-up and step-down configurations. The pedestrian level wind environment varies significantly with H1/H2 under CWP and TWPs in the passage between the two tandem buildings, categorized as “Sitting long” for identical-height buildings and modified to “Strolling” and “Walking fast” for step-up building configuration. The twisted wind shifts the “Sitting short” area toward the direction of the approaching twisted wind flow and amplifies the “Strolling” area on the other side. The twisted wind can diminish the thermal comfort surrounding the two tandem structures during summer while enhancing the thermal environment in winter.

ALRN-RCS: Advanced Approach to Network Intrusion Detection Using Attention Long-Term Recurrent Networks and Chaotic Optimization

Detecting intrusions within a network is essential for protecting digital environments; it encompasses the observation and analysis of network traffic to recognize and counteract unauthorized or malicious activities. Conventional methods in network intrusion detection face several challenges such as polymorphic and evasive attacks, scalability issues, and anomaly-based complexity. To address these complexities, this paper proposed a novel method named Attention Long-term Recurrent Network-based Random Chaotic Sine (ALRN-RCS) algorithm for network intrusion detection. In this study, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) is utilized to capture complex patterns in network traffic and identify anomalous activities. Also, the attention-based Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) is employed to focus on relevant features within network traffic and enable precise intrusion detection. In this paper, we have incorporated the Chaotic Chimp Sine Cosine optimization algorithm, employing a random update strategy, to optimize hyperparameters and improve the overall efficacy of the proposed approach and the study conducted experiments on the datasets namely the UNSW NB-15, Network Intrusion Detection dataset, and the Segmented Image-based Network Intrusion Detection (SIDD) dataset. Diverse assessment criteria, including accuracy, F1-score, recall, AUC-ROC, and precision, are employed to assess the effectiveness of the ALRN-RCS method and to draw comparisons with established methodologies. The experimental results depict the effectiveness of the ALRN-RCS method for addressing the dynamic and sophisticated nature of modern cyber threats.

Balloonless spinning spindle head shape optimisation

Abstract The article presents a procedure for assessing and selecting the shape of the ring spinner spindle head that is optimum for yarn manufacturing using the balloonless system, considering multiple criteria. This procedure consists of two stages: the Pareto-optimal method and the distance function method. Twelve spindle head variants were designed and manufactured of 100Cr6 bearing steel composed of C (0.93–1.05%), Si (0.15–0.35%), Mn (0.25–0.45%) along with aluminium alloys EN AW-6060 (AlSi1MgMn) containing Si (0.70–1.3%), Mg (0.6–1.2%), Mn (0.4–1.0%) and EN AW-6060 (AlMgSi) containing Si (0.30–0.60%) and Mg (0.35–0.60%). The shapes of the heads were developed on the basis of the design solutions used previously by the leading ring-spinning machine and spinning spindle manufacturers. Four design variants of spindle heads, made of AlMgSi wrought aluminium alloy, have a unique shape that enables shaping their teeth (notches) by extrusion on a hydraulic press. The assessment criteria were production cost per unit, head weight, maximum surface hardness HV0.1, and four yarn technological quality criteria: maximum yarn tension values during the formation of the base, body and head of the package, and the tension amplitude. The assessment values for the criteria obtained through calculations and measurements were normalized. Then, a set of Pareto-optimal solutions was determined using seven criteria. Due to the fact that this set consisted of six variants, the distance function was used to select the best one. The best design variant of the head is the one corresponding to the lowest distance function value. In our case, the variant is a unique shape, made of AlMgSi alloy, with teeth thickened on the outer diameter of the head, ensuring the lowest yarn tension value at the height during the formation of the package.

Practices and Perspectives in Using Vlogs as Speaking Performance Assessment: A Proposed Assessment Tool

In the twenty-first century, the use of technology in the teaching process has become increasingly crucial. A rising trend in language assessment comes in the form of vlogs. Its proliferation in language assessment can serve many advantages and benefits. However, a misguided assessment strategy can undermine the teaching-learning process. Also, learners often feel that vlogging assessments need to be revised because the focus is on the vlogging skills and media quality. Hence, the study aimed to identify the practices and perspectives of language teachers, academic heads, and language learners in using vlogs as a speaking performance assessment. A qualitative design was employed to collect a rich and detailed understanding of the focus of the study. The informants were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through essay questionnaires, focus-group discussions, and semi-structured interviews. The findings revealed that using vlogs in language assessment offers a versatile and practical approach for formative and summative purposes. Administering vlogging tasks requires weighing the advantages and challenges associated with each approach. Vlog types, such as personal vlogs, opinion vlogs, and interview vlogs, are ideal for enhancing learners' speaking skills. Furthermore, the pedagogical considerations of language teachers in utilizing vlogs include alignment, sufficient time and support, access to necessary technological resources, learner flexibility, support to struggling learners, clear and comprehensible instructions, and equity for all learners. There is a consensus on the significance of content, creativity, presentation, proficiency, fluency, and technical quality as criteria in vlog assessment.

Telemedicine in Acute Trauma Care: A Review of Quantitative Evaluations on the Impact of Remote Consultation.

There is extensive literature describing the application of telemedicine techniques to trauma care. However, there is a paucity of articles showing quantitative assessment of its safety and efficacy. This structured review examines articles with quantitative assessment of telemedicine's impact in acute trauma care. Medline and CINAHL databases were searched for peer-reviewed articles that quantitatively assess the impact of telemedicine on diagnostic accuracy, clinical decision-making, emergency department length of stay, transfer rates, and mortality in initial trauma management. Only 9 of the 408 screened articles met the criteria for quantitative assessment. Telemedicine appears to be preferentially used for more severely injured patients. Limited quality evidence supports procedural interventions at remote sites. Telemedicine may help abbreviate pre-transfer length of stay. However, its impact on diagnosis and mortality remains unclear. Telemedicine's potential to enhance the quality and efficiency of trauma care, especially for resource-scarce areas, warrants continued quantitative research.

Noted, but not decisive. A cross-disciplinary analysis of metrics usage in Polish evaluative cultures

Abstract Metrics-based reasoning patterns diffuse from core to periphery as peripheral and semi-peripheral countries adopt Western evaluation standards as formal categories or cultural scripts. While these scripts are applied across disciplines, each field maintains its own traditional criteria for scientific assessment. Consequently, scholars navigate between internalized and externally imposed evaluative frameworks when writing reviews. This study examines how metrics-based reasoning diffuses differently across disciplines through evaluative practices, with metrics being transformed and interpreted within the context of each field's unique evaluative culture. To compare diffusion patterns, this article analyzes 174 negative habilitation reviews across four Polish disciplines: art history, mathematics, materials engineering, and sociology. Despite uniform policy incentives, reviewers employed diverse criteria when assessing publication records. Materials engineering exhibited the most extensive use and emphasis on metrics, while art history relied minimally on indicators. Crucially, metrics were never the sole basis for negative conclusions but were consistently accompanied by additional forms of reasoning.

High prevalence of xerophthalmia linked to socio-demographic and nutritional factors among vitamin A-deficient rural primary schoolchildren in Malaysia

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) remains a major health issue in developing nations, contributing to preventable childhood blindness. However, there is lack of recent data on xerophthalmia, especially among school-aged children in Malaysia. We hypothesized that xerophthalmia persists among rural schoolchildren in Malaysia and potentially associated with socio-demographic status and malnutrition. We conducted a cross-sectional study on 596 schoolchildren (8-12 years) from ten rural primary schools located in five states across Malaysia. Children meeting the criteria for xerophthalmia assessment included those diagnosed with vitamin A deficiency (VAD) (plasma retinol < 0.70 µmol/L) and marginal VAD (plasma retinol 0.70 to < 1.05 µmol/L). The overall prevalence of xerophthalmia was 48.8%, with the most common ocular sign being conjunctival xerosis (38.9%). The occurrence of xerophthalmia was negatively associated with retinol-binding protein 4 (RPB4) (P=0.003), alpha-carotene (P=0.04), hemoglobin (P=0.004), weight (P=0.02), body mass index (BMI) (P=0.04) and WAZ (weight-for-age z-score) (P=0.04) status. Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis, a higher risk of xerophthalmia was observed in boys (Adjusted odd ratio [AOR]: 1.7, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2-2.5) and Orang Asli (OA, indigenous) schoolchildren (AOR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.3-3.0), while schoolchildren with overweight/obesity status (AOR: 0.5, 95% CI: 0.3-0.8) were associated with a reduced risk of xerophthalmia. The present study unveils a high prevalence of xerophthalmia among vitamin A-deficient primary schoolchildren in rural areas of Malaysia, especially among the indigenous community. The identified socio-demographic and nutritional factors associated to xerophthalmia would facilitate the implementation of more targeted interventions in addressing these issues.

Where do field-specific notions of research quality come from?

Abstract Researchers’ notions of research quality depend on their field of research. Previous studies have shown that field-specific assessment criteria exist but could explain neither why these specific criteria and not others exist, nor how criteria are used in specific assessment situations. To give initial answers to these questions, formal assessment situations (reviews of publications) and informal assessment situations (seminar and conference discussions) in two specialties (plant biology and medieval history) were analysed through observations and qualitative content analysis. The empirical findings reveal a large variety of quality criteria used by researchers, which cannot be subsumed under conventional notions of originality, reliability, or validity. The identified field-specific quality criteria can be explained by differences between the two fields’ research practices and between the epistemic properties of the two fields.

The breastfeeding experience of women with multiple pregnancies: a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies

BackgroundThe experiences and challenges associated with breastfeeding multiple births can be considerably more complex than those of singletons. Multiple births refer to the delivery of more than one offspring in a single birth event. Emphasizing the needs and experiences of mothers with multiple births during breastfeeding can enable healthcare providers to design targeted interventions that enhance breastfeeding rates. However, existing breastfeeding and health education resources and practices do not fully meet the needs of women who breastfeed multiples. This review aimed to review and synthesize qualitative studies on the breastfeeding experiences of women with multiple births.MethodsA systematic search was conducted in 10 electronic databases for papers published from the inception of the database to March 2024. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research was utilized to evaluate the methodological quality of the studies included. The thematic synthesis method of Thomas and Harden was employed to integrate and analyze the included literature to derive new categories and conclusions.FindingsEight studies met the inclusion criteria and quality assessment criteria for this study. Through the integration of their results, four themes were identified: the choice and willingness to breastfeed multiple births; the challenges of breastfeeding multiple births; stage management and individualised adaptation of breastfeeding; and the experience of support.ConclusionThroughout the feeding process from pregnancy to the postpartum period, mothers with multiple births often have predominantly negative experiences with breastfeeding. Consequently, hospitals should create a multidisciplinary follow-up team comprising obstetrics, neonatology, psychology, and community services to offer specialized and personalized support to these women at various stages.Systematic review registration[https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/], identifier [PROSPERO 2024 CRD42024520348].

Clear in advance to whom? Exploring ‘transparency’ of assessment practices in UK higher education institution assessment policy

ABSTRACT This study examines transparency in assessment practices within UK higher education institutions (HEIs), addressing a gap in how transparency is framed within policy documents. Employing content analysis on policy documents from 151 HEIs, we explore the multifaceted nature of transparency through techno-rational approaches, socio-cultural practices, and socio-material enactments to offer a nuanced understanding of transparency conceptualization and its intended audience. Findings indicate a predominant focus on techno-rational approaches – emphasizing clear documentation and information dissemination – while often overlooking the socio-cultural and socio-material dimensions crucial for thorough understanding and stakeholder engagement. We propose a nuanced framework integrating these three approaches, urging a shift beyond mere information disclosure to active stakeholder engagement with assessment criteria through dialogue and interaction. This research contributes to the discourse on transparency in assessment by offering theoretical and practical insights. Theoretically, it advances our understanding of transparency as a dynamic and contextually situated practice, challenging static conceptualizations. Practically, it provides a robust basis for refining assessment policies and practices, emphasizing clarity, comprehensibility, and inclusivity. By recognizing the diverse needs of stakeholders – students, educators, and assessors – the study advocates for policy enhancements that promote a deeper, actionable understanding of assessment practices. The findings lay the groundwork for future research on the conceptualization and impact of transparency in higher education, guiding more effective policy development and implementation. This study underscores the importance of comprehensive, well-articulated policies in fostering a shared understanding of transparent assessment practices within HEIs.

What does good green and blue infrastructure policy look like: A comparative assessment of UK national planning guidance

This paper evaluates the potential of a Green Infrastructure Policy Assessment Tool (GIPAT) by assessing national planning guidance across all four devolved UK nations. National planning guidance is a key material consideration to the formulation and implementation of green infrastructure (GI) policies in statutory development plans and decision-making. Hitherto, there has been a lack of holistic assessments of GI policy in spatial planning with most attention on specific developments. GIPAT was informed by three GI initiatives; - Building with Nature, Central Scotland Green Network and Mainstreaming GI, supported by a global academic literature to address key multifunctional and mainstreaming components within 26 assessment criteria. The tool assessed, with justification, how well national guidance met the assessment criteria, together with the strength of policy wording. The results reveal a significant weakness in policy wording across all countries highlighting GI vulnerability. In terms of coverage, biodiversity and ecological networks generally score well but there are deficiencies in stewardship, blue infrastructure and mainstreaming demanding greater policy attention. There are important implications for development plan policy(ies) highlighting the need for greater integration of grey, blue and GI and improved mainstreaming as illuminated through exemplar policies. We recommend the use of Green Blue Infrastructure (GBI) to address the blue deficiency. The paper concludes with a discussion about GIPAT’s wider transferability and the need for greater research into how policies are translated into development plans and decision-making.

Confused Constitutionalism in Hungary—New Assessment Criteria for Recognising a Populist Constitutional Court

The starting point of the paper is that the early constitutional changes after the populist transformation of Hungarian majority state politics (from 2010) and the application of the new Fundamental Law (since 2012) have created difficulty in achieving constitutional justice by judicial means. The fundamental populist constitutional transformation and, within this, the transformation of the regulation of the Constitutional Court have created great challenges for constitutional adjudication. Scholarship on the transformation of the Hungarian Constitutional Court regards the change of jurisprudence as a consequence of the constitutional environment, which ended up in institutional state capture. Basing my arguments on the classic competence-related issues of constitutional justice, activism and deference, I argue here that for constitutional courts, there is always a limited room for manoeuvre by interpretation except for in a ‘hard’ dictatorship. Populist Hungarian jurisprudence is, therefore, not only a consequence of constitutional change but a contribution per se—a cause of the construction of a populist constitution. This job has been done by constitutional interpretation in an activist or deferent manner with regard to specific politically sensitive issues. EU- and emergency-related constitutional conflicts are used here as examples to explain the proposed assessment criteria. The conclusion is that either the Court is activist or deferent, it contributes actively to the populist construction by constitutional interpretation.

European society of clinical microbiology and infectious diseases guidelines for antimicrobial stewardship in emergency departments (endorsed by European association of hospital pharmacists)

ScopeThis European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases guideline provides evidence-based recommendations to support a selection of appropriate antibiotic use practices for patients seen in the emergency department (ED) and guidance for their implementation. The topics addressed in this guideline are (a) Do biomarkers or rapid pathogen tests improve antibiotic prescribing and/or clinical outcomes? (b) Does taking blood cultures in common infectious syndromes improve antibiotic prescribing and/or clinical outcomes? (c) Does watchful waiting without antibacterial therapy or with delayed antibiotic prescribing reduce antibiotic prescribing without worsening clinical outcomes in patients with specific infectious syndromes? (d) Do structured culture follow-up programs in patients discharged from the ED with cultures pending improve antibiotic prescribing? MethodsAn expert panel was convened by European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases and the guideline chair. The panel selected in consensus the four most relevant antimicrobial stewardship topics according to pre-defined relevance criteria. For each main question for the four topics, a systematic review was performed, including randomized controlled trials and observational studies. Both clinical outcomes and stewardship process outcomes related to antibiotic use were deemed relevant. The literature searches were conducted between May 2021 and March 2022. In April 2022, the panel members were formally asked to suggest additional studies that were not identified in the initial searches. Data were summarized in a meta-analysis if possible or otherwise summarized narratively. The certainty of the evidence was classified according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation criteria. The guideline panel reviewed the evidence per topic critically appraising the evidence and formulated recommendations through a consensus-based process. The strength of the recommendations was classified as strong or weak. To substantiate the implementation process, implementation trials or observational studies describing facilitators/barriers for implementation were identified from the same searches and were summarized narratively. RecommendationsThe recommendations on the use of biomarkers and rapid pathogen diagnostic tests focus on the initiation of antibiotics in patients admitted through the ED. Their effect on the discontinuation or de-escalation of antibiotics during hospital stay was not reported, neither was their effect on hospital infection prevention and control practices. The recommendations on watchful waiting (i.e. withholding antibiotics with some form of follow-up) focus on specific infectious syndromes for which the primary care literature was also included. The recommendations on blood cultures focus on the indication in three common infectious syndromes in the ED explicitly excluding patients with sepsis or septic shock. Most recommendations are based on very low and low certainty of evidence, leading to weak recommendations or, when no evidence was available, to best practice statements. Implementation of these recommendations needs to be adapted to the specific settings and circumstances of the ED. The scarcity of high-quality studies in the area of antimicrobial stewardship in the ED highlights the need for future research in this field.