Evaluation Items Research Articles

A survey of the Nutrition Care Process in Japanese acute care hospitals using a nationwide web-based questionnaire.

Study aim was to determine the levels and barriers of the Nutrition Care Process (NCP), a practical method of individualized nutrition support. Delegate of registered dietitians (RDs) from acute-care hospitals answered our nationwide web-based questionnaire (April-June, 2023) to determine the implementation status of screening, assessment, intervention (including planning), and monitoring (components of the NCP). Of 5,378 institutions contacted, 905 (16.8%) responded. For Screening, 80.0% screened all inpatients: primary personnel in charge were RDs (57.6%); the most used screening tool was Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) (49.2%). For Assessment, 66.1% assessed all inpatients: food intake (93.3%) was most evaluated whereas muscle mass and strength (13.0%, 8.8%) were least evaluated. For Intervention, 43.9% did so within 48h of hospital admission: oral nutritional supplement (92.9%) was the most common RDs intervention and parenteral nutrition (29.9%) was used less. For Monitoring, 18.5% of institutions had monitoring frequency of ≥ 3 times/week whilst 23.0% had monitoring less than once a week for severely malnourished patients. Energy and protein intake (93.7%, 84.3%) were most monitored and lipid intake (30.1%) was less monitored. Barriers of NCP included inefficient staffing systems and unsuitable tools in Screening, inaccurate patient targeting and lack of important evaluation items in Assessment, delayed timing and incomplete contents in Intervention, and inadequate fre-quency and lack of important evaluation items in Monitoring. An increase in RDs staffing in acute-care general wards, widespread NCP instruction manuals, and education about the tools and evaluation items utilized in nutritional management are possible solutions.

Association Between Wound Healing and the Japanese Below-the-Knee Chronic Total Occlusion Score in Patients With Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia After Endovascular Therapy.

In the current study, we hypothesized that the Japanese below-the-knee chronic total occlusion score could be used to stratify the lesion difficulty of endovascular therapy for below-the-knee chronic total occlusion through angiographic evaluation. We thus aimed to evaluate the prognostic impact of the Japanese below-the-knee chronic total occlusion score in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia after successful endovascular therapy for below-the-knee chronic total occlusion. This was a retrospective, single-center observational study. We enrolled 139 consecutive patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (149 limbs), who underwent successful endovascular therapy for chronic total occlusion between February 2008 and December 2017. The Japanese below-the-knee chronic total occlusion score was assessed based on the definition of the target arterial path. The evaluation items were the rate of amputation-free survival and wound healing at 1 year, and the association between wound healing at 1 year and the Japanese below-the-knee chronic total occlusion score. The rates of amputation-free survival and wound healing at 1 year were 88.0 and 56.4%, respectively. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis identified direct flow to the wound (hazard ratio: 2.34, 95% confidence interval: 1.28-4.66; p<0.01); Wound, Ischemia, and foot Infection stages 1-3 (hazard ratio: 2.81, 95% confidence interval: 1.63-5.18; p<0.01); and a Japanese below-the-knee chronic total occlusion score ≤1 (hazard ratio: 1.70, 95% confidence interval: 1.02-2.98; p=0.04) to be predictors of wound healing. A Japanese below-the-knee chronic total occlusion score ≤1, direct flow to the wound, and Wound, Ischemia, and foot Infection stages 1-3 were found to be associated with wound healing after successful endovascular therapy for below-the-knee chronic total occlusion in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia. This study was conducted to evaluate the prognostic impact of the Japanese below-the-knee chronic total occlusion (J-BTK CTO) score in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) after successful endovascular treatment (EVT). The results showed that the J-BTK CTO score not only evaluates the difficulty of EVT but also can predict limb prognosis. Using the J-BTK CTO score, it seems possible to predict the limb prognosis and make it useful in clinical practice.

Effect of Facial Acupuncture Stimulation: Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Masseter Muscle Volume Analysis and Questionnaire Evaluation

Abstract Background Cosmetic acupuncture may improve wrinkles, swelling, sagging, and facial asymmetry and may lift facial contours. Objectives To investigate the impact of cosmetic acupuncture on masseter muscle volume and its implications for facial aesthetics Methods We included 10 apparently healthy adult women (average age, 50.3 ± 6.45 years) and performed acupuncture once a week for 8 weeks. Magnetic resonance imaging was conducted before acupuncture stimulation and 3 days after the treatment. The collected image data were analyzed using ZioCube software (ZioSoft Co., Ltd., Tokyo). Before and after the intervention, two evaluators measured the masseter muscle volume thrice each and calculated the average value. Results The average total volume of the left and right masseter muscles decreased from 40.73 ± 8.2 cm3 to 37.81 ± 8.57 cm3 after cosmetic acupuncture, a significant reduction of 2.92 ± 2.48 cm3 (7.37%, p &amp;lt; 0.05). All 10 subjective evaluation items showed significant decreases, particularly in facial sagging, contour, and asymmetry, confirming aesthetic improvements and psychological satisfaction among participants. Cosmetic acupuncture reduced masseter muscle volume, leading to noticeable aesthetic benefits. Conclusions Acupuncture stimulation at acupoints around the masseter muscle can reduce the muscle volume due to muscle relaxation. The improvement in subjective evaluation and changes and decreases in masseter muscle shape enable the attainment of facial contour aesthetics, contributing to the evidence in support of cosmetic acupuncture.

Development of Qualified Items for Nursing Education Assessment: The Progress Testing Experience

Aimto analyze the psychometric characteristics of items in the nursing inter-institutional progress testing for the years 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023. BackgroundProgress testing is a validated method for evaluating professional undergraduate education, aimed at identifying knowledge gain in a continuous and progressive manner, with potential benefits for nursing education. However, for its results to be useful, the evaluation items used in the test must have good psychometric performance. Designa cross-sectional study. Methodsa sample of 377 items (multiple-choice questions) was applied to 4,678 students in four years of progress testing. The difficulty and discrimination indexes were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA and simple linear regression. ResultsThe average difficulty index of the test items ranged between 0.39 and 0.46. The areas of child and adolescent health, women's health and adult health had the most difficult items, while the areas of management, mental health and public health had the least difficult items. Discrimination index ranged from 0.35 to 0.43. There was a difference between discrimination index between the years of application (p<0.001), with a significant increase in the discrimination index (p<0.001) in the trend analysis. Students in the final years showed lower levels of difficulty and discrimination when compared with students in the initial years, demonstrating that the test is easier and there is less dispersion of performance among students in the final years. ConclusionsThe items are not difficult and have good discrimination. A gradual annual increase in the discrimination index of the items was observed. This study provides useful information for the psychometric analysis and quality assurance of knowledge assessment items, both for the implementation of similar PT experiences and in the use of multiple-choice questions for other knowledge assessment purposes.

Prioritization of Evaluation Items for Industrial Accident Prevention Factors Using the Fuzzy TOPSIS Technique

With the rapid progress of industrialization, serious accidents have frequently occurred at industrial sites. Despite the existence of several laws and regulations for preventing industrial accidents, including the Occupational Safety and Health Act, social criticism has been raised regarding their inefficiency. To address this issue, the Serious Accident Punishment Act was implemented. The Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Korea Safety and Health Agency have prepared and implemented various industrial accident prevention measures and programs; however, the number of industrial accidents has not decreased. Therefore, new evaluation criteria must be introduced when establishing policies or systems to prevent industrial accidents. This study introduces evaluation items used in Europe and the United States as industrial accident prevention items for assessing industrial accident prevention projects and proposes a plan to select priorities for these items by applying the fuzzy TOPSIS technique. Prioritization was determined by calculating four evaluation criteria and ten industrial accident prevention items using a 7-point linguistic scale. Our results allow for the simultaneous consideration of several industrial accident prevention items. Thus, various aspects of industrial accident prevention activities can be comprehensively evaluated, enhancing the effectiveness and execution of safety and health management, thereby helping to reduce industrial accidents.

Scoring Difficulty in Summary Writing Assessment: Toward the Reconstruction of Analytic Rubric

This study aims to examine whether differences exist in the factors influencing the difficulty of scoring English summaries and determining scores based on the raters&amp;rsquo; attributes, and to collect candid opinions, considerations, and tentative suggestions for future improvements to the analytic rubric of summary writing for English learners. In this study, seven trained raters with diverse attribute backgrounds evaluated two kinds of English summaries written by Japanese university students using the analytic rubric with three evaluation items. A questionnaire was used to determine which of the three items were difficult to assess and why the raters perceived such difficulty, as well as what backgrounds and factors influenced their scoring decision-making. Moreover, through the raters&amp;rsquo; most recent experience, candid comments were collected for developing future rubrics. The results showed that whether the evaluators&amp;rsquo; attributes affected the difficulty of the evaluation was not clear. However, depending on the raters&amp;rsquo; experience in teaching English/assessing summary writing, requests for improvements in the descriptors of the evaluation items and in the rubric emerged. This study proposes a tentative analytic rubric for summary writing, providing a foundation for constructing a rubric that can be used more easily by future raters. It also highlights the opinions of expert and novice teachers conducting summary evaluations in education.

Developing a set of core items for assessing preparedness in Italy: a Delphi approach

Abstract Background Effective pandemic management relies on preparedness and several tools are available for evaluation. However, due to differences in regional healthcare organization and structures, these may not accurately evaluate Italy’s capacities. This study, part of a project funded by the Italian Ministry of Health, report on the development of an assessment tool capable of evaluating the preparedness to confront pandemics at the regional level based on the actions outlined by the Italian influenza pandemic plan. Methods A desk research was carried out for preparedness evaluation tools, consulting Public Health Agencies, and Google Scholar and Search. Tools evaluation items were extracted, associated with the Italian plan, and screened for relevance and data availability. Selected items were then subjected to a two-round Delphi procedure involving 18 stakeholders from academia, local health services, and national agencies. The agreement was assessed using a 10-point Likert scale, and defined as a mean score ≥8, and consensus as a score standard deviation (SD) ≤1.5. Items with mean score ≥ 8 and SD &amp;gt; 1.5 after the first round were sent to the second round. Results A total of 6 tools were included in the study, from which 303 evaluation items matched the actions of the plan. After the screening phase, 122 indicators were deemed relevant and potentially available and sent to the Delphi procedure. Eighteen (14.8%) items reached both agreement and consensus in the first round, while another fifteen (12.3%) after the second. The 33 items covered all the domains of the national plan, especially Research and Development (21.1%) and Clinical Governance (15.2%). Conclusions The development of a set of core items that are agile, relevant, and readily available was facilitated by the involvement of stakeholders from different sectors. Moreover, adherence to the Italian pandemic plan should ensure that these items are deeply integrated into the unique context of the Italian regions. Key messages • The Delphi process identified a narrow number of evaluation items with great consensus. • Consensus was searched involving stakeholders from central authorities, local units, and academia.

Spatiotemporal gait characteristics post-total hip arthroplasty and its impact on locomotive syndrome: a before-after comparative study in hip osteoarthritis patients.

Understanding the gait pattern of patients eligible for total hip arthroplasty (THA) due to hip osteoarthritis (OA) offers valuable information for improving locomotive syndrome (LS). This study aims to measure the gait patterns of THA-eligible patients using an optical motion capture system and to analyze these patterns using principal component analysis (PCA). Additionally, this study examines the relationship between THA-induced gait patterns and LS. This before-after study included 237 patients who underwent unilateral primary THA due to hip OA. The primary outcome measures were spatiotemporal gait parameters. Secondary outcome measures included three LS risk tests: a stand-up test, a two-step test, a 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25), and total clinical decision limits stages. PCA was performed using 16 spatiotemporal gait parameters collected before and three months after THA. Principal components (PC) were selected to achieve a cumulative contribution rate of 90% (0.9) or higher. Each summarized PC was compared using a paired t-test before and three months after THA. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine how changes in each PC between before and three months after THA related to changes in the four LS evaluation items. PCA identified three principal components (PC1, PC2, PC3) that accounted for a cumulative contribution rate of 0.910 using 16 spatiotemporal gait parameters. When comparing before and three months after THA for all three PCs, significant differences were observed in each PC (p<0.001), with overall walking ability and stance phase being higher three months after THA than before THA, while the asymmetry of support time was lower three months after THA. The results of multiple regression analysis revealed that PC1, PC2, and PC3 were the most influential factors in total clinical decision limits stage. For each LS risk test, the factors related to the stand-up test were identified as PC1, PC2, and PC3, while the factors related to the two-step test were identified as PC1 and PC2. The factors related to the GLFS-25 were also identified as PC1 and PC2. The most important findings of this study indicate that the three PCs represent over 90% of the 16 spatiotemporal gait parameters, which are associated with total clinical decision limits stage and LS risk tests. The present results suggest that PC1 represents overall walking ability, PC2 represents the stance phase, and PC3 represents asymmetry of support time. Gait pattern characteristics, such as overall walking ability, stance phase, and asymmetry of support time, were clearly defined by these PCs. Regarding the relationship between PC and LS, all three PCs are related to total clinical decision limits stage. In addition, PC1 and PC2 related to all three LS risk tests, and PC3 related only to the stand-up test.

Policy Decision-Making for Population Decline Using AI to Estimate Population Density From Well-Being Indicators

This paper examines whether a model that infers habitable area population density from regional well-being indicators can serve as a guide for policy decision-making to address population decline. The study uses 51 subjective evaluation items from the regional well-being indicators and habitable area population density calculated from e-stat, a Japanese government database. The inference model was created through ensemble learning, generating six weak learners and combining them with a meta-model to form the final model. Using data from Shimonoseki City in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, we varied the value of a single subjective evaluation item to observe changes in the inferred population density. The results showed that subjective evaluations related to public transportation, crime prevention, dining options, and local government initiatives significantly impact habitable area population density. Prioritizing these factors could enhance resident satisfaction and potentially mitigate the issue of population decline.

델파이 기법을 활용한 강의평가 문항 개발 연구: K 대학의 강의평가 사례를 중심으로

Objectives The purpose of this research is to analyze references and previous researches related to lecture evaluation system, and to develop survey items for lecture evaluation system of K universities. Methods To achieve this purpose, the expert panel of professors among K university was formed, and conducted Delphi method from July 1 to December 29, 2023 to develop a measurement tool. Results Through two rounds of item validity verification by three experts, a total of 10 items were extracted. The research findings extracted four items in lecture planning and operation, including class planning, adherence to class time, interaction, and flexibility of the class; three items in lecture content and methods, including the delivery of lecture content, effectiveness of teaching methods, and appropriateness of learning materials; two items in evaluation, including the fairness of evaluation methods and post-evaluation guidance; and one item in lecture satisfaction. Conclusions The result of this research can provides verificated lecture evaluation tools, and suggests that universities should develop validated and reliable evaluation tools for various educational programs including lectures to offer customized curriculum to students.

Image reconstruction parameters and the standardized uptake value ratios in brain amyloid PET.

The present study investigated various image reconstruction protocols for amyloid PET using phantom test criteria published by the Japanese Society of Nuclear Medicine (JSNM) and compared them with the composite standardized uptake value ratio (cSUVR) in clinical imaging. Hoffman 3D phantoms and cylindrical phantoms were collected for 30 min according to the JSNM guidelines. Images were created under various reconstruction protocols by three physical evaluation items in the guidelines and were assessed: gray matter/white matter contrast (%contrast), uniformity (SDuROImean), and image noise [coefficient of variation (CV)]. We compared the cSUVR of images reconstructed under 15 protocols using 18F-flutemetamol and 18F-florbetapir in 15 cases each and the guidelines for physical evaluation of reconstruction parameters. No significant differences were observed in cSUVR between reconstruction protocols that satisfied the guidelines' criteria for %contrast and CV and those that did not; however, the visual impression of images differed. SDuROImean, which evaluated uniformity, met the criteria in all data. Reconstruction protocols should be selected appropriately using guidelines and other information, as cSUVR remains largely the same even if the visual impression of the images differs between different reconstruction protocols. When the relationship between %contrast and CV is expressed in terms of several reconstruction protocols, the graph shows a curved shape, and the optimal protocols for both %contrast and CV are near its center. Since cSUVR is similar to optimal parameters, even under parameters outside this range, multiple parameters need to be considered when selecting image reconstruction protocols for amyloid PET.

Minimum Reporting Items for Clear Evaluation of Accuracy Reports of Large Language Models in Healthcare (MI-CLEAR-LLM).

Minimum Reporting Items for Clear Evaluation of Accuracy Reports of Large Language Models in Healthcare (MI-CLEAR-LLM).

Upgrading of Quality Control for Herbal Medicine Use in South Korea by Introducing an Accreditation System: a brief report.

This study aimed to present a government-led accreditation system for upgrading the quality control of herbal medicine by introducing the process and evaluation standard of external herbal dispensaries (EHDs) of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) clinics in South Korea 2018 to refer to other countries where herbal medicine were used similarly in Korea. We organized an EHD accreditation committee for the establishment of an accreditation system. The committee consisted of 9 experts an official of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MoHW), a professor expert of TKM, a good manufacturing practice expert, a hazard analysis and critical control point expert, and an accreditation system expert. After 3 meetings, a draft of the evaluation standard and evaluation system was established in 2017. Based on the draft, a pilot test was conducted to determine the applicability of the evaluation standards in 2017. Two additional meeting was held to confirm the accreditation standards and was finalized in 2018. The evaluation standard for EHDs was developed. In the case of herbal medicine EHDs, the evaluation standard consisted of 9 evaluation categories, 25 evaluation parts, and 81 evaluation items were developed. The results of the evaluation of the pilot tests are as follows, and the results show that there is a deviation between the EHDs. As a world's first, Korea MoHW successfully launched the accreditation system for upgrading the quality control system of herbal medicine not approved by Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in 2018. Our report hope to provide a good reference to other countries where having similar herbal medicine system in South Korea hoping to make better quality control of herbal medicines.

포커스 그룹 인터뷰를 통한 교사용 교사-학생 관계 척도 개발의 방향성 탐색

Objectives This study seeks to explore the direction of developing a teacher-student relationship scale as perceived by teachers. Methods For this purpose, focus group interviews were conducted with six elementary and middle school teachers who are field education experts. FGI was conducted in four stages: planning, recruitment, progress, analysis, and reporting. In the planning stage, an interview questionnaire, which was a research tool, was constructed. At the research participant recruitment stage, six people were selected as research subjects according to the selection criteria. Interviews were conducted at the proceeding stage. In the analysis and reporting stage, the collected data were analyzed. Results The results derived through FGI are as follows. First, the teacher-student relationship is one of positive interaction based on trust. And it was said that among the many relationships a teacher has, the relationship with students is the most important. Second, components such as listening, intimacy, immediate feedback, accessibility, respect and acceptance, and trust were extracted. In addition, the teacher's professional and human areas were divided into evaluation items. Third, matters to be considered when developing a teacher-student relationship scale were presented in terms of content and method. It was also reported that it can be used as basic data for teachers' self-understanding and self-inspection. Conclusions The significance of this study is to explore the direction of developing a teacher-student relationship scale as perceived by teachers in the future based on an in-depth analysis of FGI.

Design, Implementation, and Adaptation of a Tutoring Program for the Competency Development of New Nurses in a Hospital Emergency Department.

The healthcare environment faced by nurses is complex, with high workloads and situations of high comorbidity. The integration of nurses into the work environment is a cause for concern, and improvements are sought for their incorporation into the workforce. The benefits of mentoring programs are described not only for nurses but also for patients with safer practices and benefits for the institution due to the increased commitment of its professionals. A methodological article that illustrates the complete process to design and implement a tutoring program for new nurses in an emergency department is presented. The competency profile required for the figure of tutor was developed, including the steps followed for the development of the program and the structure and phases of which it is composed, as well as the validation of the evaluation instruments of the process. A strength was the participation of experts during the in-depth analysis of the competency profile, as well as in the adaptation of the evaluation items, which endorses the pertinence, relevance, usefulness, and clarity of the content of this program. The transparency in this methodology makes it possible to follow the steps for its reproduction and applicability in other hospitals.

Change in the collision avoidance performance of autonomous emergency braking systems

Objective This study quantifies the change in collision avoidance performance of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems for traffic accidents in Japan since 2015. Method This study used data on Japanese traffic accidents compiled by Japan’s National Police Agency. The data included only accidents involving loss of or injury to human life; accidents involving only property damage were excluded. We restricted our analysis to collisions between two 4-wheel vehicles and considered only collisions for which we could determine whether the primary party’s car was equipped with an AEB system. Both Poisson and negative binomial mixed-effects regression analyses were conducted using the data for 2021 and 2022 to measure the collision avoidance performance of first registered cars in 2015 to 2020 equipped with AEB systems compared with cars without AEB systems first registered in 2015. Collision avoidance performance was measured for 2 types of intervehicle collisions: rear-end collisions and right-turn collisions. Collision avoidance performance for rear-end collisions was also measured for each of the 3 car types—Standard, small, and light cars. Results The collision reduction rate for rear-end collisions increases with the year of first registration and for cars equipped with AEB systems first registered in 2020 compared with non-AEB-equipped cars first registered in 2015 is 69.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 67.0%–71.1%), indicating that the performance of AEB systems has dramatically improved in terms of preventing rear-end collisions. For right-turn collisions, the rate increased to 20.4% (95% CI 5.9%–32.6%) for cars equipped with AEB systems first registered in 2019. However, no clear trend is observed. Conclusions This study evaluated a time series of the collision reduction performance of AEB systems using an original methodology. Japan’s New Car Assessment Program (JNCAP) has included AEB’s effectiveness in reducing damage from traffic collisions as an evaluation item since FY2014. The results could demonstrate the effectiveness of JNCAP.

A small step toward precision dosing of caffeine in preterm infants: An external evaluation of published population pharmacokinetic models

BackgroundSeveral population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) models of caffeine in preterm infants have been published, but the extrapolation of these models to facilitate model-informed precision dosing (MIPD) in clinical practice is uncertain. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate their predictive performance using an external, independent dataset. MethodsData used for external evaluation were based on an independent cohort of preterm infants. Currently available PopPK models for caffeine in preterm infants were identified and re-established. Prediction- and simulation-based diagnostics were used to assess model predictability. The influence of prior information was assessed using Bayesian forecasting. Results120 plasma samples from 76 preterm infants were included in the evaluation dataset. Twelve PopPK models of caffeine in preterm infants were re-established based on our previously published study. Although two models showed superior predictive performance, none of the 12 PopPK models met all the clinical acceptance criteria of these external evaluation items. Besides, the external predictive performances of most models were unsatisfactory in prediction- and simulation-based diagnostics. Nevertheless, the application of Bayesian forecasting significantly improved the predictive performance, even with only one prior observation. ConclusionsTwo models that included the most covariates had the best predictive performance across all external assessments. Inclusion of different covariates, heterogeneity of preterm infant characteristics, and different study designs influenced predictive performance. Thorough evaluation is needed before these PopPK models can be implemented in clinical practice. The implementation of MIPD for caffeine in preterm infants could benefit from the combination of PopPK models and Bayesian forecasting as a helpful tool.

An improved evaluation method of industrial noise based on level of noise pollution and kurtosis-weighted cumulative noise exposure

While industry development has improved people's lives, industrial noise has also caused negative impacts. Industrial noise cannot be avoided in industrial environments. It is essential to accurately evaluate industrial noise. Most existing industrial noise evaluation methods consider the factors of industrial noise but ignore the factors of human perception and cannot accurately reflect the subjective auditory perception of humans. The paper proposes an industrial noise evaluation method, LCINE, based on level of noise pollution (LNP) and kurtosis-weighted cumulative noise exposure. First, statistical regression is used to determine the LNP constant based on improved Robinson's method. The consideration of both industrial noise and individual worker in improved method makes the constant suitable for evaluating industrial noise. Second, the improved LNP is combined with kurtosis to determine the intensity evaluation item. Kurtosis is used to capture the extremity of outliers and amplitude variations effectively in statistics, so kurtosis accurately reflects sound peaks and intensity here. Then, the exposure time evaluation item is determined by combining kurtosis with exposure time. Finally, the normalization method is used to allocate theweights of the intensity evaluation item and the exposure time evaluation item, which can unify the measurement units and reduce the adverse effects caused by extreme data. The superiority of LCINE is verified through methods including correlation test, paired-samples t test, partial regression sum of squares test, and subjective evaluation. The results indicate that the method LCINE can more accurately evaluate industrial noise and is more consistent with the subjective auditory perception of humans.

A systematic review of the predictive value of radiomics for nasopharyngeal carcinoma prognosis.

Radiomics has been widely used in the study of tumours, which has predictive and prognostic value in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Therefore, we collected relevant literature to explore the role of current radiomics in predicting the prognosis of NPC. We performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis in accordance with the preferred reporting items in the systematic evaluation and meta-analysis guidelines. We included papers on radiomics published before May 5, 2024, to evaluate the predictive ability of radiomics for the prognosis of NPC. The methodological quality of the included articles was evaluated using the radiomics quality score. The area under the curve (AUC), combined sensitivity and combined specificity were used to evaluate the ability of radiomics models to predict the prognosis of NPC. A total of 20 studies met the inclusion criteria for the current systematic review, and 13 papers were included in the meta-analysis. The radiomics quality score ranged from 7 to 20 (maximum score: 36). The diagnostic test forest plots showed that the diagnostic OR of radiology was 11.04 (95% CI: 5.11-23.87), while the ORs for sensitivity and 1-specificity were 0.75 (95% CI: 0.73-0.78) and 0.74 (95% CI: 0.72-0.76), respectively. It cannot be determined whether the combined model was superior to the radiomics model for predicting the prognosis of NPC. It is unclear whether the fact that the radiomics model was composed of features extracted from MRI is due to CT. The AUC of PFS was larger than that of disease-free survival (P < .05). The overall AUC value is 0.8265. This study summarized all the studies that examined the predictive value of radiomics for NPC prognosis. Based on the summarized AUC values, as well as sensitivity and 1-specificity, it can be concluded that radiomics has good performance in predicting the prognosis of NPC. Radiomics models have certain advantages in predicting the effectiveness of PFS compared to predicting disease-free survival. It cannot be determined whether the combination model is superior to the radiomics model in predicting NPC prognosis, nor can it be determined whether imaging methods have differences in predictive ability. The findings confirmed and provided further evidence supporting the effectiveness of radiomics for the prediction of cancer prognosis.

Analysis of higher order thinking skills and lower thinking skill items in summative evaluation of Akidah-Akhlak learning

This research explores the implementation of summative evaluation in Islamic Religious Education (Akidah Akhlak) subjects at SMP Muhammadiyah 4 Yogyakarta, with a focus on implementing Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS). Summative evaluation is considered very important in measuring the achievement of the Islamic Religious Education program. High-level critical and creative thinking skills (HOTS) are considered important in solving everyday problems, especially in the era of globalization. This research uses a qualitative descriptive method with document content analysis, especially the final semester assessment questions for Aqidah Akhlak class VII made by the Regional Leadership of Muhammadiyah (PWM) DIY. The findings show that of the 12 final semester assessment questions, 6 questions (15%) meet the HOTS criteria, while 28 questions (70%) fall into the low-level thinking ability (LOTS) category. In addition, 6 items (15%) did not have a correct answer among the available options. These findings underscore the need to increase the integration of HOTS in designing summative evaluation questions for Islamic Religious Education (PAI). This research aims to describe and collect information about the implementation of summative evaluations and assess the results at SMP Muhammadiyah 4 Yogyakarta. Effective summative evaluation is expected to make a significant contribution to improving the quality of Islamic education at the secondary level.