Feedback Items Research Articles

FastFeedback Questions: A new teaching method.

In Australian Universities, based on a study from 1992 to 2014, the Feedback item has been consistently poorly rated by students. In addition, Biochemistry is a complex STEM subject which many students find difficult and was considered the hardest subject according to a recent study by Antigua medical school in the United States. In this work, a new and interactive teaching method, FastFeedback Questions (FFQs), has been devised. FFQs are a rapid formative feedback method that involves embedding carefully crafted focus questions alongside PowerPoint slides (outside the slide field). The PPT is then projected as usual, but not in slide show mode, so the areas outside the main slide window are visible to the students. Prior to the lecture students receive a version without the answers. During the face-to-face lecture, the lecturer goes through the answers in an interactive way by requesting that students answer the FFQs, which can be verified immediately from the PPT slide. The focus questions not only increase students' understanding of the slides, they also model good answers. FFQs were delivered to the students of third year clinical biochemistry at Curtin University. Number of students in this study, n = 311. The final exam marks support the use of FFQs as there is an overall improvement of the student average grade by ≈10% from ≈63% in 2010-2014 (no FFQs) to ≈72.6% in 2015-2017 (FFQs). FFQs have also gained the accolade of the students as their feedback was on average ≈97% compared to ≈80.5% for the Faculty and University. © 2017 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 46(2):121-129, 2018.

Digital-Control-Based Approximation of Optimal Wave Disturbances Attenuation for Nonlinear Offshore Platforms

The irregular wave disturbance attenuation problem for jacket-type offshore platforms involving the nonlinear characteristics is studied. The main contribution is that a digital-control-based approximation of optimal wave disturbances attenuation controller (AOWDAC) is proposed based on iteration control theory, which consists of a feedback item of offshore state, a feedforward item of wave force and a nonlinear compensated component with iterative sequences. More specifically, by discussing the discrete model of nonlinear offshore platform subject to wave forces generated from the Joint North Sea Wave Project (JONSWAP) wave spectrum and linearized wave theory, the original wave disturbances attenuation problem is formulated as the nonlinear two-point-boundary-value (TPBV) problem. By introducing two vector sequences of system states and nonlinear compensated item, the solution of introduced nonlinear TPBV problem is obtained. Then, a numerical algorithm is designed to realize the feasibility of AOWDAC based on the deviation of performance index between the adjacent iteration processes. Finally, applied the proposed AOWDAC to a jacket-type offshore platform in Bohai Bay, the vibration amplitudes of the displacement and the velocity, and the required energy consumption can be reduced significantly.

Are We on the Same Page? A Multi-Institutional Evaluation of Faculty and Resident Training Needs

BACKGROUND: Resident and faculty needs are important in guiding the educational agenda; studies demonstrate that these groups do not always agree on needs. A previously piloted 50-item needs assessment evaluating content areas of feedback, the 15 Ob-Gyn milestone procedures, and simulation was used to assess and compare faculty and resident needs. METHODS: The needs assessment was administered electronically to two academic Ob-Gyn residency programs (located in South Carolina and Texas) in June 2016; all items were ranked on a 5-point agreement scale. Equivalent versions were written to capture resident and faculty perceptions of the training program; results were anonymous and participation was voluntary. RESULTS: Forty-two surgical faculty (52.5%) and 47 residents (62.5%) completed the needs assessment; t tests compared resident/faculty group differences. Both groups agreed on the adequacy of surgical content, however, faculty consistently self-reported delivering feedback at a significantly higher level than residents' perceived receiving it (P<.05) for 8/16 feedback items. Overall, both groups were least satisfied with training in breech vaginal delivery, 3rd/4th-degree laceration repair and operative vaginal delivery; residents were most satisfied with training in cesarean delivery while faculty were most satisfied with laparoscopy. Both groups agreed simulation can improve procedure performance; no significant differences existed. These findings were consistent between institutions, although each institution's levels of agreement differed for individual items. DISCUSSION: Although residents and faculty agree on areas of strengths and weaknesses, significant differences exist in perception of feedback delivery and reception.

Rolling bearing fault diagnosis based on time-delayed feedback monostable stochastic resonance and adaptive minimum entropy deconvolution

Rolling bearings are the key components in the modern machinery, and tough operation environments often make them prone to failure. However, due to the influence of the transmission path and background noise, the useful feature information relevant to the bearing fault contained in the vibration signals is weak, which makes it difficult to identify the fault symptom of rolling bearings in time. Therefore, the paper proposes a novel weak signal detection method based on time-delayed feedback monostable stochastic resonance (TFMSR) system and adaptive minimum entropy deconvolution (MED) to realize the fault diagnosis of rolling bearings. The MED method is employed to preprocess the vibration signals, which can deconvolve the effect of transmission path and clarify the defect-induced impulses. And a modified power spectrum kurtosis (MPSK) index is constructed to realize the adaptive selection of filter length in the MED algorithm. By introducing the time-delayed feedback item in to an over-damped monostable system, the TFMSR method can effectively utilize the historical information of input signal to enhance the periodicity of SR output, which is beneficial to the detection of periodic signal. Furthermore, the influence of time delay and feedback intensity on the SR phenomenon is analyzed, and by selecting appropriate time delay, feedback intensity and re-scaling ratio with genetic algorithm, the SR can be produced to realize the resonance detection of weak signal. The combination of the adaptive MED (AMED) method and TFMSR method is conducive to extracting the feature information from strong background noise and realizing the fault diagnosis of rolling bearings. Finally, some experiments and engineering application are performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed AMED-TFMSR method in comparison with a traditional bistable SR method.

Enhancing feedback and feed–forward via integrated virtual learning environment based evaluation and support

Over the last 15 years, the subject of feedback on assessment has come under considerable scrutiny in the literature, with a particular focus on the utility of feedback for subsequent assessment (i.e. feed–forward). Organisations such as the Higher Education Academy (HEA) have synthesised research on this topic into guidance for tutors through the Student Enhanced Learning through Effective Feedback (SENLEF) project (Juwah et al., 2004). However, the provision of advice on good practice in feedback for tutors faces a parallel challenge to the provision of feedback to students: ‘it’s only useful if it’s used’. Creativeuse of technology has the potential to reconcile the requirements of high value feedback for students with university resource constraints. This paper outlines the use of the Grademark functionality within the Turnitin© software package to createa series of standardised feedback items, informed by principles of good practice advocated by SENLEF, that facilitate the process of feed-forward by web-linked integration into a custom on-line repository of constructively aligned skills based material.

Dynamical complexity and stochastic resonance in an asymmetry bistable system with time delay

The dynamical complexity and stochastic resonance (SR) of a time-delayed asymmetric bistable system are studied. Firstly, The effective potential function and steady-state probability density function are deduced based on Born-Oppenheimer approximation theory, and we find that the asymmetric item and time-delayed feedback item can both affect the curve of these two functions, especially the asymmetric item can induce phase displacement. Secondly, the mean first-passage time (MFPT) which plays an important role in research on particles escape rate is derived and we obtain an approximate asymmetric item r which can maintain a steady MFPT. Finally, the influences of different parameters on SR are researched by signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The analytic expression of SNR is derived and three dimensional graphs and contour maps of SNR with different parameters are obtained. The results indicate that time delay τ and time delay strength e can enhance the SNR and the asymmetric item r has a non-monotone effect on SNR. Notably, adjusting time delay strength e is more sensitive than that of the time delay τ in controlling SR.

Adaptation and Implementation of an Intervention to Reduce HIV-Related Stigma Among Healthcare Workers in the United States: Piloting of the FRESH Workshop.

HIV-related stigma has been shown to have profound effects on people living with HIV (PLWH). When stigma is experienced in a healthcare setting, negative health outcomes are exacerbated. We sought to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a healthcare setting stigma-reduction intervention, the Finding Respect and Ending Stigma around HIV (FRESH) Workshop, in the United States. This intervention, adapted from a similar strategy implemented in Africa, brought together healthcare workers (HW) and PLWH to address HIV-related stigma. Two pilot workshops were conducted in Alabama and included 17 HW and 19 PLWH. Participants completed questionnaire measures pre- and post-workshop, including open-ended feedback items. Analytical methods included assessment of measures reliability, pre-post-test comparisons using paired t-tests, and qualitative content analysis. Overall satisfaction with the workshop experience was high, with 87% PLWH and 89% HW rating the workshop "excellent" and the majority agreeing that others like themselves would be interested in participating. Content analysis of open-ended items revealed that participants considered the workshop informative, interactive, well-organized, understandable, fun, and inclusive, while addressing real and prevalent issues. Most pre- and post-test measures had good-excellent internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alphas ranging from 0.70 to 0.96) and, although sample sizes were small, positive trends were observed, reaching statistical significance for increased awareness of stigma in the health facility among HW (p = 0.047) and decreased uncertainty about HIV treatment among PLWH (p = 0.017). The FRESH intervention appears to be feasible and highly acceptable to HW and PLWH participants and shows great promise as a healthcare setting stigma-reduction intervention for US contexts.

Fuzzy robust sliding mode control of a class of uncertain systems

Aiming at a class of systems under parameter perturbations and unknown external disturbances, a method of fuzzy robust sliding mode control was proposed. Firstly, an integral sliding mode surface containing state feedback item was designed based on robust H∞ control theory. The robust state feedback control was utilized to substitute for the equivalent control of the traditional sliding mode control. Thus the robustness of systems sliding mode motion was improved even the initial states were unknown. Furthermore, when the upper bound of disturbance was unknown, the switching control logic was difficult to design, and the drawbacks of chattering in sliding mode control should also be considered simultaneously. To solve the above-mentioned problems, the fuzzy nonlinear method was applied to approximate the switching control term. Based on the Lyapunov stability theory, the parameter adaptive law which could guarantee the system stability was devised. The proposed control strategy could reduce the system chattering effectively. And the control input would not switch sharply, which improved the practicality of the sliding mode controller. Finally, simulation was conducted on system with parameter perturbations and unknown external disturbances. The result shows that the proposed method could enhance the approaching motion performance effectively. The chattering phenomenon is weakened, and the system possesses stronger robustness against parameter perturbations and external disturbances.

Innovation and Digital Marketing in Guadalajara, Mexico

Purpose: The Innovation (INNOV) process is considered as a driver to increase the competitiveness in the Digital Marketing (DM) sector; however, many firms ignore how their own DM resources and capabilities affect the INNOV process. So, through a DM-INNOV proposed conceptual model, the aim of this study is to determine which are the main factors of INNOV are affected from DM, in Guadalajara, Mexico.Design/methodology/approach: The design is based on INNOV process model, construct published previously by Mejia-Trejo et al. (2014) and complemented with the DM model construct proposed here, with variables which are tested for validity and reliability through a pilot survey in order to get the final model. The study subjects were the most important customers of Monster Online (a mexican company, specialized in DM) and analysed by inferential statistics determining the Cronbach’s Alpha reliability in a pilot test and multiple linear regression (MLR) based on Stepwise Method using SPSS 20 program. The methodology is proposed as a descriptive, exploratory, correlational and a transversal study, based on documentary research to obtain a final questionnaire using the Likert scale applied to the total population: 900 Monster’s Online relevant CEO clients. So, we proposed:1. For DM: Web integration (WBI); Web Experience (WBE); Web Strategy (WBS) and Technological Resources (TRS)2. For INNOV process by Mejia-Trejo’s et al. (2014) conceptual model with: Innovation Value Added (IVADD); Innovation Income Items (IIIT); Innovation Process (INPROC); Innovation Performance (IPERF); Innovation Feedback Items (IFEED); Innovation Outcome Items or Results of Innovation (IOIT).The approach is based on the importance to relate the DM on INNOV process to determine their main factors that are affected and generate more innovation in the DM sector.Originality/Value: This article is aimed to determine the main factors that drive the DM on INNOV process to get more, about this, by mean of original theoretical models as a product of the principal related theories about DM and INNOV process. The Value of the study, is to obtain a first settlement for a generalized model able to be applied in other sectors in Mexico.Practical implications: The results obtained, will allow us measuring the level of correlation amongst the variables in study, and discover how the main factors of INNOV process are influenced for DM components.

Approximate optimal tracking control for near-surface AUVs with wave disturbances

This paper considers the optimal trajectory tracking control problem for near-surface autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) in the presence of wave disturbances. An approximate optimal tracking control (AOTC) approach is proposed. Firstly, a six-degrees-of-freedom (six-DOF) AUV model with its body-fixed coordinate system is decoupled and simplified and then a nonlinear control model of AUVs in the vertical plane is given. Also, an exosystem model of wave disturbances is constructed based on Hirom approximation formula. Secondly, the time-parameterized desired trajectory which is tracked by the AUV’s system is represented by the exosystem. Then, the coupled two-point boundary value (TPBV) problem of optimal tracking control for AUVs is derived from the theory of quadratic optimal control. By using a recently developed successive approximation approach to construct sequences, the coupled TPBV problem is transformed into a problem of solving two decoupled linear differential sequences of state vectors and adjoint vectors. By iteratively solving the two equation sequences, the AOTC law is obtained, which consists of a nonlinear optimal feedback item, an expected output tracking item, a feedforward disturbances rejection item, and a nonlinear compensatory term. Furthermore, a wave disturbances observer model is designed in order to solve the physically realizable problem. Simulation is carried out by using the Remote Environmental Unit (REMUS) AUV model to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

A tool for assessing case history and feedback skills in audiology students working with simulated patients

Objective: To develop a tool for assessing audiology students taking a case history and giving feedback with simulated patients (SP). Design: Single observation, single group design. Study sample: Twenty-four first-year audiology students, five simulated patients, two clinical educators, and three evaluators. Results: The Audiology Simulated Patient Interview Rating Scale (ASPIRS) was developed consisting of six items assessing specific clinical skills, non-verbal communication, verbal communication, interpersonal skills, interviewing skills, and professional practice skills. These items are applied once for taking a case history and again for giving feedback. The ASPIRS showed very high internal consistency (α = 0.91–0.97; mean inter-item r = 0.64–0.85) and fair-to-moderate agreement between evaluators (29.2–54.2% exact and 79.2–100% near agreement; κweighted up to 0.60). It also showed fair-to-moderate absolute agreement amongst evaluators for single evaluator scores (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] r = 0.35–0.59) and substantial consistency of agreement amongst evaluators for three-evaluator averaged scores (ICC r = 0.62–0.81). Factor analysis showed the ASPIRS’ 12 items fell into two components, one containing all feedback items and one containing all case history items. Conclusion: The ASPIRS shows promise as the first published tool for assessing audiology students taking a case history and giving feedback with an SP.

Fault diagnosis of gearbox using multi-time-delayed feedback stochastic resonance

Gearbox vibration signals with defects often show some important characteristic information. However, the feature information is difficult to extract since it is often flooded in the noise. To solve this problem, we present a novel detection approach for weak signals based on the multi-time-delayed feedback stochastic resonance model (MTFSR). Because the shape of the bistable potential well can be changed by the number of time-delayed terms, the MTFSR method can use historical information which is formed by the superposition of multiple time-delayed feedback items to enhance signal periodicity and obtain better output waveform and higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Moreover, the presented method is also insensitive to the noise, and can detect the weak signals with different noise levels. Additionally, by selecting the proper calculation step, the approach has the ability to detect weak signals with different driving frequencies. With these properties, the proposed MTFSR is considered to be very suitable for gearbox fault diagnosis. Both simulation study and practical application confirm that the proposed strategy is feasible and superior in comparison with some traditional methods.

Multi-Sensor As-Built Models of Complex Industrial Architectures

In the context of increased maintenance operations and generational renewal work, a nuclear owner and operator, like Electricité de France (EDF), is invested in the scaling-up of tools and methods of “as-built virtual reality” for whole buildings and large audiences. In this paper, we first present the state of the art of scanning tools and methods used to represent a very complex architecture. Then, we propose a methodology and assess it in a large experiment carried out on the most complex building of a 1300-megawatt power plant, an 11-floor reactor building. We also present several developments that made possible the acquisition, processing and georeferencing of multiple data sources (1000+ 3D laser scans and RGB panoramic, total-station surveying, 2D floor plans and the 3D reconstruction of CAD as-built models). In addition, we introduce new concepts for user interaction with complex architecture, elaborated during the development of an application that allows a painless exploration of the whole dataset by professionals, unfamiliar with such data types. Finally, we discuss the main feedback items from this large experiment, the remaining issues for the generalization of such large-scale surveys and the future technical and scientific challenges in the field of industrial “virtual reality”.

Approximate Design of Optimal Disturbance Rejection for Discrete-Time Systems with Multiple Delayed Inputs: Application to a Jacket-Type Offshore Structure

The study is concerned with problem of optimal disturbance rejection for a class of discrete-time systems with multiple delayed inputs. In order to avoid the two-point boundary value (TPBV) problem with items of time-delay and time-advance caused by multiple delayed inputs, the discrete-time system with multiple delayed inputs is transformed into a delay-free system by introducing a variable transformation, and the original performance index is reformulated as a corresponding form without the explicit appearance of time-delay items. Then, the approximate optimal disturbance rejection controller (AODRC) is derived from Riccati equation and Stein equation based on the reduced system and reformulated performance index, which is combined with feedback item of system state, feedforward item of disturbances, and items of delayed inputs. Also, the existence and uniqueness of AODRC are proved, and the stability of the closed-loop system is analysed. Finally, numerical examples of disturbance rejection for jacket-type offshore structure and pure mathematical model are illustrated to validate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Feedback control and synchronization of Mandelbrot sets

The movement of a particle could be depicted by the Mandelbrot set from the fractal viewpoint. According to the requirement, the movement of the particle needs to show different behaviors. In this paper, the feedback control method is taken on the classical Mandelbrot set. By amending the feedback item in the controller, the control method is applied to the generalized Mandelbrot set and by taking the reference item to be the trajectory of another system, the synchronization of Mandelbrot sets is achieved.

The Ottawa Surgical Competency Operating Room Evaluation (O-SCORE)

Most assessment of surgical trainees is based on measures of knowledge, with limited evaluation of their competence to actually perform various surgical procedures. In this study, the authors evaluated a tool they designed to assess a trainee's competence to perform an entire surgical procedure independently, regardless of procedure type or postgraduate year (PGY). In phase 1, the Ottawa Surgical Competency Operating Room Evaluation (O-SCORE) was piloted in the University of Ottawa's Division of Orthopaedic Surgery. In phase 2, the refined 11-item tool (8 items rated on a 5-point competency scale, 1 item assessing procedural competence, 2 feedback items) was used in the Divisions of Orthopaedic Surgery and General Surgery to assess residents' performance on 11 common procedures. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted. In phase 2, 34 orthopaedic and general surgeons assessed the performance of 37 residents in 163 procedures. ANOVA demonstrated an effect of PGY. Post hoc analysis found that total procedure scores for PGYs 1 and 2 were lower than those for PGY 3 (P<.001), and PGY 3 scores were lower than those for PGYs 4 and 5 (P<.02). Analysis of qualitative data indicated that the rating scale was practical and useful for surgeons and residents. This novel evaluation tool successfully discriminated between junior and senior residents and identified surgical competency across various PGY levels regardless of procedure type. Multiple sources of evidence support the O-SCORE as a valid tool for the assessment of trainee operative competency.

일개 대학병원의 상향.하향 인사평가결과 비교분석

This study purports to investigate the difference between upward and downward feedback and to find out the strategy to enhance the validity and reliability of the multi-source feedback system. Data were collected from 88 middle-level managers working at divisions of nursing, administration, and clinical technology at a university hospital located in north-eastern part of South Korea. Data about multi-source feedback of the year 2008 and 2009 were obtained from the department of personnel management under the permission of hospital top management. The collected data were analyzed using t-test, and correlation analysis. The major findings of the study were as follows: First, the scores of downward feedback were always higher than those of the upward feedback. Second, the scores of downward feedback were always higher than those of the upward feedback in both nursing and administrative staff, while no significant difference was found in technological staff. Third, the upward and downward feedback scores were significantly different in terms of the evaluation factors. Fourth, there were significant correlations between total scores of downward and upward feedback, and evaluation factor scores. In conclusion, the composition and weight of measurement items of multi-source feedback needs to be designed differently in terms of each job characteristics.

Patient safety features are more present in larger primary care practices

This study aimed to explore whether specific characteristics of a general practice organization were associated with aspects of patient safety management. Secondary analysis of data from 271 primary care practices, collected in 10 European countries. These data were collected by a practice visitor and physician questionnaires. For this study we constructed 10 measures of patient safety, covering 45 items as outcomes, and 6 measures of practice characteristics as possible predictors for patient safety. Eight of the 10 patient safety measures yielded higher scores in larger practices (practices with more than 2 general practitioners). Medication safety (B 0.64), practice building safety (B 0.49) and incident reporting items (B 0.47) showed the strongest associations with practice size. Also measures on hygiene (B 0.37), medical record keeping (B 0.30), quality improvement (B 0.28), professional competence (B 0.24) and organized patient feedback items (B 0.24) had higher scores in larger practices. Larger general practice practices may have better safety management, although through our measurements no causal relationship could be established in this study.

A three-day anatomy revision course taught by senior peers effectively prepares junior students for their national anatomy exam

this study examines whether peer-teaching, in the setting of a three-day revision course in anatomy, is effective in preparing medical students for their national anatomy exam. the anatomy course was designed for candidates taking the first part of the German national medical exam. Increase of knowledge during the course was assessed by tests before and after the course (group A). To test equivalence, two control groups participated in the pre-test (group B) or in the course and in the post-test (group C). Participants anonymously rated 14 feedback items on a five-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (full agreement) to 5 (full disagreement). group A students' performance improved significantly during the course with a mean increase of 7.15 points (11.9% improvement; p<0.001). Equivalence testing showed that performance of group A students in the pre-/post-tests was equal to those of group B pre-tests and group C post-tests, respectively. Agreement on the 14 feedback items was highly significant (p<0.001 for all items), with a global median of 1. this study shows that a three-day anatomy revision course is effective and highly appreciated by medical students in their preparation for the national exam. Moreover, peer-teaching is reliable at this stage of the medical curriculum.

Evaluation of a novel assessment form for observing medical residents: a randomised, controlled trial

Teaching faculty cannot reliably distinguish between satisfactory and unsatisfactory resident performances and give non-specific feedback. This study aimed to test whether a novel rating form can improve faculty accuracy in detecting unsatisfactory performances, generate more rater observations and improve feedback quality. Participants included two groups of 40 internal medicine residency faculty staff. Both groups received 1-hour training on how to rate trainees in the mini-clinical evaluation exercise (mini-CEX) format. The intervention group was given a new rating form structured with prompts, space for free-text comments, behavioural anchors and fewer scoring levels, whereas the control group used the current American Board of Internal Medicine Mini-CEX form. Participants watched and scored six scripted videotapes of resident performances 2-3 weeks after the training session. Intervention group participants were more accurate in discriminating satisfactory from unsatisfactory performances (85% versus 73% correct; odds ratio [OR] 2.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16-3.14, P = 0.02) and yielded more correctly identified unsatisfactory performances (96% versus 52% correct; OR 25.35, 95% CI 9.12-70.46), but were less accurate in identifying satisfactory performances (73% versus 95% correct; OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.05-0.39). Intervention group participants averaged one fewer declared intended feedback item (4.7 versus 5.7) and showed no difference in the amount of feedback that was above minimal in quality. Intervention group participants generated more written evaluative observations (10.8 versus 5.7). Inter-rater agreement improved with the new form (Fleiss' kappa, 0.52 versus 0.30). Modifying the currently used direct observations process may produce more recorded observations, increase inter-rater agreement and improve overall rater accuracy, but it may also increase severity error.