Established Practice Research Articles

Analysis of the Existing Forms and Practices of Interaction between Russian and Chinese Educational Organizations at Different Levels in the Framework of Promoting Education in Russian (the Example of the Siberian Federal District)

Introduction. The research problem is caused by the need to study the features of Russian-Chinese educational cooperation in order to more effectively scale the best practices for the promotion of the Russian language and Russian education in China. The purpose of the article is to analyze the established forms and practices of interaction between Russian and Chinese educational organizations at different levels in the field of teaching Russian as a foreign language and promoting Russian education on the example of the Siberian Federal District. Methodology. A summary review of research on forms of international cooperation in the field of education on the example of certain regions of the Russian Federation and the Peopleʼs Republic of China, an analysis of the official websites of educational organizations in Russia in terms of their participation in the processes of internationalization of education. Results. The authors have compiled a database of Siberian and Chinese partner universities, which has enabled a clear demonstration of the degree of presence of Siberian Federal District universities in the educational space of the Peopleʼs Republic of China. Additionally, the article analyses the formats of cooperation between the two countries: educational network programs, academic mobility, preparation of students for admission to Russian universities, summer and winter schools, centers for open education in Russian and Russian language teaching, scientific and technical relations and joint research projects. Conclusions. The analysis has revealed that, despite the existence of a large number of bilateral agreements between educational organizations, interaction is uneven (both in terms of territorial distribution and from a substantive point of view). Furthermore, it would appear that not all Russian universities in the Siberian Federal District are as active as they could be in carrying out international cooperation with Chinese educational organizations.

Antepartum vs postpartum amoxicillin oral challenge in pregnant patients with a reported penicillin allergy: A two-center prospective cohort study.

While 10% of pregnant individuals report a penicillin allergy, there is no established best practice for penicillin allergy delabeling in pregnancy. To better understand options for penicillin delabeling, we aimed to evaluate two penicillin allergy delabeling protocols in pregnancy regarding efficacy, adverse events, and patient satisfaction. From July 2019 to December 2022, we completed a two-center prospective cohort study, where each site recruited pregnant patients over 24 weeks gestational age with a reported penicillin allergy. One center offered antepartum amoxicillin oral challenges, either directly or after negative skin testing (i.e., antepartum oral challenge site). Our other centers completed a two-step approach with antepartum penicillin skin testing only and deferred oral challenges to the postpartum period (i.e., postpartum oral challenge site). Our primary outcome was the rate of penicillin allergy delabeling, defined as tolerating an antibiotic challenge with penicillin or amoxicillin. Univariate analyses were completed using chi-squared, Fisher's exact, and Wilcoxon rank tests. During the study period, 276 pregnant patients were assessed, with 207 in the antepartum oral challenge site and 69 in the postpartum oral challenge site. Among the 204 patients who completed antepartum oral challenges, 201 (98%) passed without reactions. Deferring oral challenges to the postpartum period led to a loss of follow-up for 37/53 (70%) of eligible individuals. Overall, 97% (201/207) of patients at the antepartum oral challenge site were delabeled from their penicillin allergy-compared to 38% (26/69) of patients referred to the postpartum oral challenge site (p < 0.0001). Three antepartum oral challenge reactions were noted, including two mild cutaneous reactions and a case of transient abdominal discomfort. Antepartum amoxicillin oral challenge is a more effective method to delabel pregnant patients from their penicillin allergy. Deferral of oral challenges to the postpartum period introduces a significant barrier for penicillin allergy delabeling.

Constraint-based methodological innovations: Tales of doctoral and early career researchers in a pandemic-ridden world

This special issue aims to share the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic with the broader research community. The pandemic exposed deep societal inequalities, particularly affecting junior researchers. Through 12 articles from doctoral and early career researchers in their own words, the collection highlights the paradox of constraints driving innovation. The special issue underscores the importance of flexibility, ethical sensitivity and the critical questioning of established practices in research. Ultimately, it demonstrates that constraints can catalyse new possibilities and that mutual support is essential in navigating turbulent times.

A Survey: Digital Image Watermarking-Robustness and Imperceptibility

With the Internet expanding, multimedia security has become a significant problem. As digital image manipulation is getting simpler, the certification of authenticity has become more difficult. Digital watermarking outperforms conventional security methods for protecting photos from attacks. The need for reliable image authentication methods in the contemporary digital era has always been a hot topic among academics and researchers. When transmitting sensitive information today through a regular correspondence route, many hacks are possible. Everyone, therefore, requires their digital data to be non-tampered. Many solutions are available like stenography, cryptography, and watermarking. Watermarking gives promising results when it comes to the authenticity of the images. The robustness and imperceptibility of several existing watermarking techniques are demonstrated in this study and critical analysis is performed. Additionally, the author provides a thorough introduction to key ideas like the transform domain and the spatial domain. This study also offers a thorough analysis of contemporary methods for watermarking digital images while showcasing established practices in various domains. Hence, this research study could potentially serve as a viable resource for researchers seeking to develop effective watermarking techniques for practical applications.

Prerequisites and barriers to telerehabilitation in patients with neurological conditions: A narrative review.

A field of study that uses telerehabilitation (TR) is neurorehabilitation; however, standards for medical and technological applications, medicolegal and ethical regulations, and other aspects of neuro-TR are still being developed. To address the prerequisites and barriers for implementing TR in neurorehabilitation in the light of present findings. A narrative review was conducted based on specific questions about the prerequisites for neuro-TR and barriers to its implication. According to a foreground search strategy in the context of neurorehabilitation using TR in neurological patient population, PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched and reviewed. Barriers and prerequisites for neuro-TR were mostly grouped under the categories of administrative/organizational, human (beneficiaries/providers), technical, and ethical. Apart from the technical framework, knowledge and the presence of an administrative leader responsible for overseeing TR are crucial prerequisites. The internet and technological constraints rank highest among the barriers. Since neuro-TR is relatively new with minimal guidelines and regulations, highly technologic, and lack of established practices, it is imperative to determine and fully comprehend the criteria for its uses. After the prerequisites are established, it is imperative to recognize and address implementation constraints, which may differ depending on the community's infrastructure and neurologic condition.

ГИБРИДНАЯ МОДЕЛЬ РАБОТЫ: PRO ET CONTRA

The article is devoted to the study of the prospects and problems of developing a hybrid work model, which has already become an inevitable solution for many organizations. The main options for implementing the hybrid model are presented, as well as other advantages compared to traditional office work and completely remote work. Typical problems arising in a hybrid environment and their manifestations in such areas as communications and cooperation, professional development, corporate culture, staff well-being, productivity and motivation, technological safety are highlighted). It is shown that the features of hybrid work often conflict with established management practices. Based on a generalization of experience in implementing a hybrid work model, national and global studies, recommendations are substantiated to overcome difficulties and find the optimal balance between the advantages and disadvantages of working in a hybrid environment.

A Comparison of Treatment Practices for Newborn Seizure Management Across Level II and III Neonatal Intensive Care Units in the United States

BackgroundNeonatal seizures (NS) represent an important clinical manifestation among critically ill infants and are often the first sign of underlying brain injury. Early recognition and treatment are essential to reduce morbidity and mortality. The present study investigated the NS management and treatment approaches employed by level II/III neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) across the United States to identify areas of consensus and variability. MethodsPersonnel associated with level II/III NICUs were directly surveyed with an electronic questionnaire. Access to neurology specialists, on-site electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring, and use of antiseizure medications was directly queried. A total of 51 NICUs participated in this survey. ResultsTwenty-five percent of the surveyed NICUs reported having an established clinical practice pathway available for treating NS. Twenty-four percent endorsed having written guidelines that provided a formal definition for the concept of “neonatal seizures.” Although the majority of NICUs reported having phenobarbital available for rapid seizure management, most NICUs lacked access to additional antiseizure medications for treatment escalation. Twenty-four percent of the surveyed NICUs had no access to EEG monitoring available to them on-site. Daytime and overnight access to neurology consultants was limited and variable. ConclusionsFindings were consistent with a lack of equitable access for NS treatment. Areas of potential improvement include development and implementation of a protocol for rapidly treating NS that emphasizes enhanced access to EEG and rapid neurology consultation, acknowledging and improving upon resource limitations. These developments may eventually provide earlier detection, evaluation, and treatment of seizures in newborns, contributing to improved long-term outcomes.

Husk Separation (Kubessa Method) Impacts the Aging Chemistry of Beer.

The removal of husks before the mashing process, also known as the Kubessa method, is an established brewing practice often positively associated with smoothness and better flavor-stability of beer. Empirical evidence on the effect of the Kubessa method on beer, however, has been lacking. Similarly, our study's comprehensive analysis of established brewing attributes revealed that traditional methods do not fully capture the impact of husk separation in beer brewing. Conclusive evidence of the Kubessa method's impact on beer aging chemistry was obtained through ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS), revealing intricate molecular details inaccessible to conventional analytical techniques. The compositional information on thousands of molecules in Kubessa beer was resolved and compared to whole malt mashing. Machine learning algorithms applied to aging experiments identified over 500 aging-related compounds inhibited by husk separation. Complementary Time of flight mass spectrometry (ToF-MS) coupled with chromatography further confirmed that the mashing of husks introduces sulfur-containing lipid compounds. These significant differences in the beer composition provide valuable insights for further investigation into the staling protective effect of husk-separation (Kubessa process) during beer production, as empirically demonstrated in this work.

A 10-year evaluation of management practices and nutrient losses from dairy farms in New Zealand – Trends and drivers

Good management practices (GMPs) on dairy farms have been shown to reduce contaminant losses and improve water quality. Few national long-term datasets exist globally on management practices on dairy farms over time and their effect on nutrient losses. Here, we examine 50 parameters across a 10-year period (from 2013 to 2022) thought to influence estimates of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) losses (kg ha−1 yr−1) to water from dairy-farmed land in New Zealand. The number of farms in our database increased from 137 in 2013 to a total of 378 in 2022. The years from 2013 to 2017 were classed as ‘period 1’ and from 2018 to 2022 as ‘period 2’, which aligned with more intensive extension of GMPs. Nationally, there was a small increase in median N and P loss rates (38 – 40 kg N ha−1 yr−1 and 1.1 – 1.2 P kg ha−1 yr−1), fertiliser applied 140 – 141 kg N ha−1 yr−1 and total milk solids produced by 11 % between periods. However, between 1 – 42 % of farms exhibited decreasing N loss trends regionally, which were related to (in order of decreasing importance): N fertiliser applied, irrigation type, and forage establishment (cultivation) practice. Similarly, 1 – 25 % of farms with decreasing P trends regionally, trends were related to soil order, P fertiliser applied, and effluent storage method. We also found that these farms showed increased adoption of effluent and forage establishment method GMPs between periods, for example, the use of low-rate effluent application, direct drill, and minimum tillage, and increased effluent storage practice. These data suggest good management practices shown to decrease N and P losses from dairy-farmed land to water in New Zealand are being adopted; however, continued uptake on all farms will be required to achieve further improvement.

Proportion and clinical characteristics of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease and associated liver fibrosis in an urban Chinese population.

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the predominant form of chronic liver disease worldwide. This study was designed to investigate the proportion and characteristics of MAFLD within the general Chinese population and to identify the contributory risk factors for liver fibrosis among MAFLD individuals. The participants were recruited from a cohort undergoing routine health evaluations at the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University between May 2019 and March 2023. The diagnosis of MAFLD was based on the established clinical practice guidelines. The fibrosis-4 index score (FIB-4) was employed to evaluate hepatic fibrosis, with a FIB-4 score of ≥1.3 indicating significant fibrosis. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to determine risk factors associated with significant hepatic fibrosis in MAFLD. A total of 22,970 participants who underwent comprehensive medical examinations were included in the analysis. The overall proportion of MAFLD was 28.77% (6608/22,970), with 16.87% (1115/6608) of these patients showing significant fibrosis as assessed using FIB-4. Independent risk factors for significant liver fibrosis in MAFLD patients were male (odds ratio [OR]=0.676, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.558-0.821), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity (OR=2.611, 95% CI: 1.557-4.379), body mass index ≥23.00kg/m2 (OR=0.632, 95% CI: 0.470-0.851), blood pressure ≥130/85mmHg (OR=1.885, 95% CI: 1.564-2.272), and plasma glucose ≥5.6mmol/L (OR=1.815, 95% CI: 1.507-2.186) (all P<0.001). The proportion of MAFLD in an urban Chinese population is 28.77%. About 16.87% of MAFLD patients presented with significant liver fibrosis.

Increasing Fluroquinolone Susceptibility and Genetic Diversity of ESBL-Producing E. coli from the Lower Respiratory Tract during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, among which Escherichia coli (E. coli) pneumonia is considered a rare phenomenon. Treatment options for LRTIs have become limited, especially for extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing E. coli (ESBL-EC), which are usually resistant to other groups of antimicrobials as well. The aim of our study was to compare the phenotypic resistance profiles and genotypes of ESBL-EC isolates associated with LRTIs before (pre-COVID-19) and during (COVID-19) the COVID-19 pandemic. All isolates were screened for antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence-associated genes (VAGs) and assigned to phylogenetic groups, sequence types and clonal groups by PCR. During the pandemic, a significantly lower proportion of ciprofloxacin-, levofloxacin- and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-resistant ESBL-EC isolates was retrieved from lower respiratory tract (LRT) samples. PCR-based genotypization revealed greater clonal diversity and a significantly lower proportion of isolates with blaTEM, aac(6')-Ib-cr and qacEΔ1 genes. In addition, a higher proportion of isolates with the integrase gene int1 and virulence genes sat and tsh was confirmed. The lower prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance and greater genetic diversity of ESBL-EC isolated during the COVID-19 period may have been due to the introduction of new bacterial strains into the hospital environment, along with changes in clinical establishment guidelines and practices.

Established practices and future insights into patellar instability surgery: A review.

Established practices and future insights into patellar instability surgery: A review.

Study on The Adoption of Historical Record and Chain of Custody By Brazilian Judicial Experts From the Collection to the Disposal of Evidence: A Survey Questionnaire

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze the practices and protocols of the chain of custody adopted by forensic experts in Brazil, with the intent of evaluating the effectiveness and compliance of these procedures in the evidence production process. Theoretical Framework: This research is based on theories of forensic computing and the importance of evidence preservation. It highlights concepts of quality control and standardized practices in the chain of custody, providing a foundation for understanding best practices and relevant protocols. Method: The methodology employed involves administering a specific questionnaire to a group of forensic experts across Brazil. Data was collected to gather information on chain of custody procedures, including collection, acquisition, examination, analysis, transfer, and disposal of evidence. The study aims to measure the adoption and application of standardized practices by these professionals. Results and Discussion: Results revealed significant variations in the adoption of chain of custody practices among forensic experts. The discussion contextualizes these variations in relation to established theories and practices, identifying gaps and weaknesses in protocols and suggesting areas for improvement. Implications of the Research: The implications of this research include potential improvements in evidence preservation practices and the need for greater adherence to standardized protocols, impacting the reliability and credibility of evidence in judicial processes. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by identifying deficiencies in current practices and suggesting directions for enhancement. The relevance is underscored by the need to improve evidence quality and ensure the integrity of judicial processes.

Yesterday's solution: Do national economic and technological development zones promote industrial development in typical developing regions of China?

With the proliferation of special economic zones (SEZs) among emerging economies, their mixed performance has sparked discussions on contextual heterogeneity and underlying driving mechanisms. Characterized by an outward-oriented economy and industry-city interaction, the cross-stage establishment practice of China's national economic and technological development zones (ETDZs) is conducive to expanding existing research focused on cross-country analyses of SEZs. This study constructs difference-in-differences models to analyze the influence of national ETDZs on regional industrial development in the Yellow River basin, a typical developing region in China, from 2003 to 2019, evaluating their performance under a regional balanced development strategy and a within a lagging economic backdrop. The results indicate that (1) national ETDZs do not contribute to industrial growth and even exert a negative effect; (2) while they fail to perform better over time, their spatial spillover effect slightly benefits neighboring cities; (3) an optimal economic environment and proactive policy promotion can respectively mitigate and exacerbate their negative effects; (4) the inability to attract external enterprises and achieve industrial restructuring is the primary cause of the negative effect, highlighting a mismatch and discord between the economic and policy attributes of national ETDZs and evolving contexts. Based on these findings, recommendations are proposed to cultivate SEZs as suitable policy platforms and effective economic spaces.

Outcome analysis of autologous stem cell transplantation in refractory and relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma: Insights from a North African single-institution study.

172 Background: The standard therapy for primary refractory or relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) involves the administration of high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (HDC/ASCT). Nevertheless, several risk factors may influence survival outcomes. We assessed outcomes of patients in this setting who underwent HDC/ASCT by performing survival analysis and studying prognostic factors affecting survival. Methods: We conducted a single-institution retrospective analysis of patients with relapsed/refractory HL who received HDC/ASCT between January 2018 and December 2022. Patients’ status evaluation before ASCT was performed by Fluorodeoxyglucose-Positron Emission Tomography (FDG-PET) Scan and Computed Tomography (CT) Scan. The used conditioning regimen was BEAM (Carmustine, Etoposide, Cytarabine, and Melphalan). The primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and survival differences between groups were assessed using the Log-Rank test. Results: Thirty-five patients diagnosed with relapsed/refractory HL were included in the study. Among them, 26 patients (74%) had refractory disease, while 9 patients (26%) relapsed following completion of first-line chemotherapy. All patients were treated with HDC/ASCT. Prior to ASCT, 30 patients underwent assessment using FDG-PET Scan, while CT Scan was employed for evaluation in 5 patients. Twenty-three patients (66%) were in complete remission, 8 patients (23%) were in partial remission, and 4 patients (11%) had progressive disease. With a median follow-up of 24.36 months after transplantation, 28 patients (80%) were in remission, 6 patients (17%) had disease progression, and one patients died of septic shock. The 2-year PFS and OS rates for the total population were 85.4% and 97.1%, respectively. Response to first-line chemotherapy did not have a substantial impact on prognosis, as evidenced by a 2-year PFS rate of 76.2% vs. 88.9% (p=0.88) and a 2-year OS rate of 100% vs. 96.2% (p=0.56) for patients with relapsed and refractory disease, respectively. The 2-year PFS and OS rates for patients receiving autograft during complete remission, partial response, and tumor progression were 93.8% vs. 87.5% vs. 50% (p=0.005), respectively; and 95.7% vs. 100% vs. 100%, respectively (p=0.77). Patients who had negative pre-transplant PET-Scans demonstrated a 2-year PFS rate of 92.9% vs. 64.8% for those with positive PET-scans (p=0.004). Conclusions: The findings of our study affirm the established practice of HDC/ASCT for individuals facing relapsed/refractory HL. The disease status at transplant and the pre-transplant PET-Scan status prove to be crucial factors in predicting patients’ outcomes, while response to first-line chemotherapy did not influence prognosis.

Using expansive learning to design and implement video-annotated peer feedback in an undergraduate general education module

AbstractExisting studies have measured the effect of video-based feedback on student performance or satisfaction. Other issues are underacknowledged or merit further investigation. These include sociocultural aspects which may shape the design and implementation of video-based feedback, the ways students use technology to engage in feedback, and the processes through technology may transform learning. This study investigates the design and implementation of a video-annotated peer feedback activity to develop students’ presentation skills and knowledge of climate science. It explores how their use of a video annotation tool re-mediated established feedback practices and how the systematic analysis of contradictions in emerging practices informed the subsequent redesign and reimplementation of the approach. Employing a formative intervention design, the researchers intervened in the activity system of a first-year undergraduate education module to facilitate two cycles of expansive learning with an instructor and two groups of Hong Kong Chinese students (n = 97, n = 94) across two semesters. Instructor interviews, student surveys, and video annotation and system data were analysed using Activity Theory-derived criteria to highlight contradictions in each system and suggest how these could be overcome. The findings highlight the critical importance of active instructor facilitation; building student motivation by embedding social-affective support and positioning peer feedback as an integrated, formative process; and supporting students’ use of appropriate cognitive scaffolding to encourage their interactive, efficient use of the annotation tool. Conclusions: In a field dominated by experimental and quasi-experimental studies, this study reveals how an Activity Theory-derived research design and framework can be used to systemically analyse cycles of design and implementation of video-annotated peer feedback. It also suggests how the new activity system might be consolidated and generalised.

Features of court decisions made based on the results of the consideration of separate proceedings

The article examines the features of court decisions made based on the results of the consideration of separate proceedings. It is emphasized that bankruptcy should be understood not only as a mechanism for the liquidation of a legal entity or relief from the debts of individuals, but also as a mechanism for restoring solvency. In the process of bankruptcy, it is sometimes necessary to consider property disputes in which the debtor is a party. Thus, there is a special type of proceeding in the bankruptcy procedure – a separate proceeding aimed at restoring the solvency of individuals or legal entities and meeting the demands of creditors. The fulfilment of the purpose of economic litigation depends on what decision will be made in these proceedings – the effective protection of violated, unrecognized or contested rights and legitimate interests of individuals and legal entities, the state. The principles on the basis of which the decision is made are analysed, namely the principles of the rule of law, legality and reasonableness. The interrelationship between the decisions adopted in the procedure of consideration of the bankruptcy case and the separate proceedings was studied. Court decisions adopted in separate proceedings are based on the principles developed by established European judicial practice. Their peculiarity is that they, like decisions in bankruptcy cases, are aimed at protecting the rights of the debtor and correspond to the task of economic justice defined in the legislation of Ukraine. The signs of implementation of the principles in the adoption of a court decision are singled out: compliance of the laws, on the basis of which the stated demands are subject to consideration and decision, to the Constitution of Ukraine; correct assessment of the evidence collected in the manner established by law in the case; establishment of the factual circumstances of the case, based on the ratio of the activity of the court and the competitiveness of the parties established by the procedural law; exact establishment of the norms of material and procedural law that are subject to application; application of substantive law norms aimed at restoring violated subjective rights and interests protected by law, taking into account the actual circumstances of the case. It is noted that decision-making in the economic court is aimed at resolving disputes, ensuring justice, protecting rights, creating legal precedents and maintaining order in the economic sphere. Court decisions act as the basis of the legal system, contributing to the efficient and fair administration of justice.

Task shifting for musculoskeletal disorders in Norwegian primary care: a qualitative interview study of general practitioners and specialist musculoskeletal physiotherapists

Objective To explore the views of general practitioners and physiotherapists on the current model of care for patients with musculoskeletal disorders in Norwegian primary care, and if the English First Contact Practitioner model, where patients have access to multiple professional groups with musculoskeletal health expertise, could inform service development. Design, setting, and subjects We analysed interviews with five GPs and 11 physiotherapists and used Lipsky’s theories about street-level bureaucracy and Foucault’s theories of mechanisms of power and institutional structures to explore task shifting and cooperation between different professions. Results and interpretation The empirical material reflected a multi-faceted discourse about skill-mix in primary care, where financial factors, perceptions about competence, and task preferences moderated attitudes to task shifting. Competition and cooperation coexist between the professions, and the seemingly gradual blurring between historical hegemony and new models of care creates both alliances and rivalries. Examples of deviations from the Choosing Wisely principles and evidence-based practice indicate that both general practitioners and physiotherapists balance the roles of patient advocate, gatekeeper, and homo economicus, in a context where task shifting is challenged by established practice. It appears that the management of patients with musculoskeletal disorders is fragmented and to some extent reflects a supply-driven system.

AutoRefl: active learning in neutron reflectometry for fast data acquisition

Neutron reflectometry (NR) is a powerful technique for interrogating the structure of thin films at interfaces. Because NR measurements are slow and instrument availability is limited, measurement efficiency is paramount. One approach to improving measurement efficiency is active learning (AL), in which the next measurement configurations are selected on the basis of information gained from the partial data collected so far. AutoRefl, a model-based AL algorithm for neutron reflectometry measurements, is presented in this manuscript. AutoRefl uses the existing measurements of a function to choose both the position and the duration of the next measurement. AutoRefl maximizes the information acquisition rate in specific model parameters of interest and uses the well defined signal-to-noise ratio in counting measurements to choose appropriate measurement times. Since continuous measurement is desirable for practical implementation, AutoRefl features forecasting, in which the optimal positions of multiple future measurements are predicted from existing measurements. The performance of AutoRefl is compared with that of well established best practice measurements for supported lipid bilayer samples using realistic digital twins of monochromatic and polychromatic reflectometers. AutoRefl is shown to improve NR measurement speeds in all cases significantly.

Through Different Lenses: A Retrospective Analysis of the Agreement Between Laparoscopic and Histopathological Evaluations of the Appendix.

Appendicectomy is the most frequently performed emergency general surgical procedure. Previous research has highlighted discrepancies between initial intraoperative laparoscopic diagnoses and subsequent histopathology reports following appendicectomy. In the United Kingdom (UK), routine histopathological examination is the established practice, ensuring precise diagnosis of appendiceal specimens. This retrospective analysis aims to compare intraoperative laparoscopic assessments of the appendix with corresponding histopathology findings. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 418 consecutive emergency laparoscopic appendectomies at Peterborough City Hospital in the UK between April 2018 and June 2019 for suspected appendicitis. Intraoperative findings were compared with histopathological examination outcomes using kappa statistics. Of the 418 appendectomies analysed, we found a substantial agreement between surgeons and pathologists (kappa = 0.71, P < 0.001) in detecting overall abnormalities of appendices. This agreement was also high for detecting inflamed appendices (kappa = 0.72, P< 0.001). However, of the six neoplastic lesions confirmed in the pathologists' final report, only two were suspected during laparoscopy. While laparoscopic assessments of the appendix demonstrate a statistically significant and improved agreement with histopathological findings in detecting abnormal and inflamed appendices, the ability of surgeons to identify neoplasia appears suboptimal based on our small sample of neoplasia cases. The data strongly support the continued practice of routine histopathological examination following appendicectomy due to its crucial role in avoiding missed diagnoses and ensuring better patient outcomes.