Types Of Items Research Articles

Diet composition of the lizard Lacerta viridis (Laurenti, 1768) (Reptilia: Lacertidae) in Bulgaria confirm its generalistic feeding behaviour

The eastern green lizard (Lacerta viridis) is a mostly insectivorous species, based on multiple studies from across its range. However, for Bulgaria the published data of such kind are limited to five publications. We investigated faecal samples from a total of 60 individuals of free-ranging L. viridis obtained from two localities in western Bulgaria. Our aim was to clarify the diet regarding its taxonomic composition, as well as some physical characteristics of the prey like hardness and evasiveness. For one of the study sites we compared the realised trophic niche (prey items from the faecal pellets) with the fundamental niche (invertebrates collected via pit-fall traps exposure). In our results, two invertebrate taxa had the largest share (both in frequency and abundance) in the food spectrum of L. viridis: Araneae and Coleoptera), respectively 21.2% and 17.6%. Regarding specific prey selectivity, analysis showed that Lepidoptera are most preferred (E* = 0.68), and Formicidae - most avoided prey items (E* = -0.79). We registered several cases of saurophagy (in four samples) and keratophagy (in two samples), two types of dietary items, which have not been reported for L. viridis so far.

Designing A Disaster Preparedness Bag by Considering Ergonomics Aspect

Disasters may make people having to evacuate. When evacuating, evacuee may bring items required in evacuation place. The items must be ready previously in a bag, called a disaster preparedness bag. In case a disaster occurs, evacuee just grabs it and go for evacuation. Many bags used are not dedicated for disaster situation. Many types of items stored together and mixed causing of difficulty in retrieval. In addition, use of inappropriate bag will interfere with evacuee movement and slow down the evacuee while the evacuation time is too short. This research aims to design ergonomics disaster preparedness bag that can accommodate needs for 3x24 hours. Design process was started with planning phase to find out disaster preparedness bag development opportunity. The second phase is concept development. People who have evacuation experience are asked report their complaints regarding the bag used during previous evacuation and their needs for a disaster preparedness bag. Based on the needs, target specification is determined then concept alternatives are generated and selected. Then, main parts of the bag are identified. Continued with detailed design process, the dimensions of the proposed bag are determined using anthropometric data and dimension of required item in the first 72 hours of evacuation time. The design of proposed bag is such a backpack with multi compartments adjusted to item stored. The shoulder straps are designed like a vest then the load is not focused only on the shoulder but distributed to other part of body such as abdominal and chest muscle.

Leveraging Inventory Management for Enhanced Performance in Elementary School Cooperatives: Case Study from Majalengka Regency

Cooperatives play a significant role in promoting economic growth by not only increasing community income but also providing employment opportunities in the small business sector. For cooperatives to effectively support the economic development of villages, it is crucial for them to function as healthy business entities. One way to enhance their efficiency is by ensuring consistency in their managerial activities, ranging from planning to control, including inventory management. SD "X" Cooperative, located in Majalengka, engages in retail trading activities through a mini market. The cooperative deals with 19 specific types of items, which require strict inventory control. The governance process starts with determining the optimal quantity of economic orders to avoid shortages or excessive inventory of goods, thus ensuring satisfactory customer service. However, the cooperative currently faces challenges in terms of working capital shortage, hindering its ability to place orders according to the predetermined optimal quantity. Therefore, it becomes imperative to redefine the optimal order placement process by considering the available working capital. Such re-optimization will have an impact on increasing inventory costs, as the optimal order quantity decreases and the frequency of orders becomes more frequent. Despite the decrease in the optimal number of orders, the cooperative strives to fulfill customer demands while managing its limited working capital effectively

Accounting Information Systems for Strategic Management: The Role of Intellectual Capital in Mediating the Relationship between Customer, Company, and Performance

This research aims to investigate the role of Intellectual Capital (IC), Managing Accounting Information Structures (MAIS), Internal Task Productivity (ITP), and Customer Performance (CP) in moderating the link between strategies and Financial Productivity (FP). The population for this study consisted of medium and enormous manufacturing enterprise business units located in Java. In this study, the enterprise unit is the specific part of the firm accountable for producing and marketing a product or group of items. It is organized based on the type of item that it deals with and operates independently from other companies or divisions within the parent organization. The company unit has a distinct set of competitors, separate from those of different units. It is overseen by an executive liable for establishing and carrying out strategies to meet the specified profit goal. An approach to invention, including product invention, task creativity, and technology, significantly influences firm performance if there is a robust ITP, dependable market analysis, intelligence systems, and effective competitive positioning. The ITP enhances the alignment between the approach and the FP by including operational management activities, customer management chores, Invention Tasks (IT), and regulatory and social tasks. This research found no impact of IC on CP and ITP; similarly, MAIS did not influence FP. Information systems affect financial performance by ITP infrastructure and corporate processes. The contributions of this study include the novel application of the continuous invention approach, integrating product invention and task and information technological devices, which past studies have not explored; the utilization of IC, MAISs, ITP, and CP as mediating factors; the adoption of a holistic method by incorporating aspects of IC, MAIS, and non-FP as contextual factors, about contingency methods, which have not been investigated in the previous study; the development of novel ideas in conjunction with the balanced scoring framework; and the examination of both single and numerous mediating effects on the impact of sustainable approaches to the invention on FP.

Different tools with the same functionality at Măgura-Buduiasca Neolithic settlement (Teleorman County, southern Romania)

At the Neolithic settlements from the northern Danube, three types of artefacts are constantly present in archaeological contexts: spatulas made from cattle ribs, flattened sheep/goats astragali and Unio sp. shells with traces of use. These are very different types of items, in terms of raw material and in degree of their processing. Thus, while spatulas were obtained by major transformations of ribs, the astragali suffered only moderate changes thus allowing the identification of bone type and species. The shells had no technological changes to their natural morphology. The main purpose of our analysis was to reconstruct the way in which these tools were technologically created and how they were used. For this purpose, an experimental program has been developed that allows the recording of all details: raw materials, operational sequence and processed materials. The experimental pieces were used and the use-wear evolution pattern was systematically analyzed. Comparing the use-wear marks present on the archaeological pieces with those on the experimental pieces, we conclude that such tools were used during different stages of pottery manufacturing. The archaeological assemblage from the Măgura-Buduiasca settlement was used as a case study to prove the relevance of the results.

Use of Multiple-Choice Items in Summative Examinations: Questionnaire Survey Among German Undergraduate Dental Training Programs.

Multiple-choice examinations are frequently used in German dental schools. However, details regarding the used item types and applied scoring methods are lacking. This study aims to gain insight into the current use of multiple-choice items (ie, questions) in summative examinations in German undergraduate dental training programs. A paper-based 10-item questionnaire regarding the used assessment methods, multiple-choice item types, and applied scoring methods was designed. The pilot-tested questionnaire was mailed to the deans of studies and to the heads of the Department of Operative/Restorative Dentistry at all 30 dental schools in Germany in February 2023. Statistical analysis was performed using the Fisher exact test (P<.05). The response rate amounted to 90% (27/30 dental schools). All respondent dental schools used multiple-choice examinations for summative assessments. Examinations were delivered electronically by 70% (19/27) of the dental schools. Almost all dental schools used single-choice Type A items (24/27, 89%), which accounted for the largest number of items in approximately half of the dental schools (13/27, 48%). Further item types (eg, conventional multiple-select items, Multiple-True-False, and Pick-N) were only used by fewer dental schools (≤67%, up to 18 out of 27 dental schools). For the multiple-select item types, the applied scoring methods varied considerably (ie, awarding [intermediate] partial credit and requirements for partial credit). Dental schools with the possibility of electronic examinations used multiple-select items slightly more often (14/19, 74% vs 4/8, 50%). However, this difference was statistically not significant (P=.38). Dental schools used items either individually or as key feature problems consisting of a clinical case scenario followed by a number of items focusing on critical treatment steps (15/27, 56%). Not a single school used alternative testing methods (eg, answer-until-correct). A formal item review process was established at about half of the dental schools (15/27, 56%). Summative assessment methods among German dental schools vary widely. Especially, a large variability regarding the use and scoring of multiple-select multiple-choice items was found.

Mathematical optimisation in the honeycomb cardboard industry: A model for the two-dimensional variable-sized cutting stock problem

This paper presents a mixed-integer linear programming model for a two-dimensional variable-sized cutting stock problem with guillotine cuts that arises in the honeycomb cardboard sector. This research is developed in collaboration with a company based in Spain. The aim is not only to define the cutting patterns but also to establish the dimensions (width and length) of the panels to be produced, in such a way that the amount of material used is minimised. This particular problem belongs to the family of Cutting Stock Problems involving a Variable-Sized Stock, where the size of the panels in stock is not known in advance and is determined by the model itself. Cutting Stock Problems with Variable Sized Stock have recently been introduced in two papers, one of them in the textile sector and the other in the cardboard sector. This paper proposes a model for the latter sector that allows cutting patterns with more than one type of item, a feature that has not been considered beforehand. This, therefore, provides considerable flexibility to the model and broadens its range of applications. Moreover, the model has been validated on real data with high variability in its characteristics. The results indicate that the material used can be drastically reduced compared to the company’s current operation.

Paleolithic portable art in the collections of the Irkutsk Regional Art Museum (Buret’ site)

The collection of Buret’ site is one of the most important archaeological complexes of the Upper Paleolithic of Siberia. The decorative elements on the mobile art found at the site marks the “classical stage” of the Upper Paleolithic. Field research was carried out in 1936-1940, under the general leadership of A.P. Okladnikov. In the 2000s, due to new research methods and data obtained on the stratigraphy and archeology of cultural remains, the comprehension of the object changed. This article examines the issues of morphology, manufacturing technology and decoration of ivory sculptures in the collection of the V.P. Sukachev Irkutsk Regional Art Museum, excavated in 1940. During the research it was established that in the materials of Buret’, as in the “classic” Mal’ta’s Paleolithic collection, there were various technological methods for making anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figures, using a stable set of tools and technological standards. The technology for producing portable art objects on the territory of the Buret’ site is in many ways similar to that used at the Mal’ta site. The research revealed the main patterns of production for each of the identified morphological types of items at both sites. For each of the types of mobile art objects studied, the basic technology of their production was adapted and acquired characteristic features, manifested in the specifics of using the main tools. Systematization of the data obtained during the analysis of the material made it possible to exclude the version of a random, chaotic selection of the tools used. It should be noted that among the relatively low-quality production of most objects of Buret’s portable art, one example of ornithomorphic sculpture stands out, distinguished by the skill and care of its production, based on the use of more advanced technology and careful processing of ivory tusk. We assume that the production of portable art at the Buret’ site was serial in nature and did not have the features of individual craftsman creativity. The use of universal tools of production indicates the priority of mass production over individual motives.

Mangalam Organics Limited: making camphor grow innovatively

Learning outcomes The case study will provide an opportunity for students to identify the challenges a business-to-business (B2B) organization in a commodity product category faces in a growing environment. The students will learn to analyze and evaluate different strategies for growth and profitability. The students will be equipped to make decisions based on financial and nonfinancial data and the trade-offs therein. The case study will enable students to understand the application of the concept of operating leverage in different business conditions. Case overview/synopsis The leadership team at Mangalam Organics Limited (MOL) was worried about the company’s future in December 2021. The chief strategy officer (CSO), Akshay Dujodwala; the chairman, Kamal Dujodwala and the managing director, Pankaj Dujodwala had watched MOL go through many ups and downs. MOL manufactured camphor powder and supplied it to tableters [1], who would convert it into tablets, essentially used for Puja [2] purposes in India. Camphor was a white, waxy terpenoid with a strong aroma. It was mainly a commodity business with no pricing power when MOL supplied it in bulk to tableters. They had ventured into the business-to-customer (B2C) [3] space with their consumer brand “Mangalam” camphor tablets, positioned for religious uses in homes. However, this formed a very small percentage of their turnover. With thin margins and a low growth rate, it was difficult for MOL to sustain and grow, especially in the B2B [4] business. To make matters worse, their manufacturing unit caught fire in 2015, causing a major blow to their business. Under the leadership of their CSO, Akshay, they implemented strategies that helped the company bring down costs and wastage. Akshay helped MOL diversify further into the B2C market through their brands, “CamPure” for home care products and “Cam+” for health-care products. Huge expenditures on marketing and advertising were incurred to promote these brands. The COVID-19 pandemic watched the world go through a terrible phase with lockdown and rising health issues (both physical and mental). Camphor found an interesting place in immunity and religious purposes due to its aromatherapy properties and evoking feelings of relaxation. The newfound use helped MOL achieve an unexpectedly higher turnover. But Akshay knew that camphor, by itself, was fickle in providing profitability. To sustain growth post-COVID-19, MOL would urgently need to look for growth options. After giving it a lot of thought, he was faced with three options – he could either focus on CamPure as a B2C option, or concentrate completely on camphor powder and aroma as an existing B2B option or take the third option to go in for a first of its kind exclusive stores for all types of puja items called Pooja Sangam. While all these options had their own pros and cons, he had to now decide which was the best financially viable option for MOL as a way forward. Complexity academic level The case study is designed at the postgraduate level in an Master of Business Administration and executive education programs. Given the nature of the issues in the case study, it can be included in courses such as business strategy and strategic marketing. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 8: Marketing.

Better source memory for remembered to-be-forgotten items than for remembered to-be-remembered items.

When participants study items one-by-one and are directed to either remember or forget the respective item directly after its presentation, retention of to-be-forgotten items is regularly worse than of to-be-remembered items. We tested whether this directed forgetting effect which is regularly observed for item memory generalizes to source memory. In three experiments, participants studied items in two different source colors (N = 101) or at two different source locations (N = 64; N = 81). Sources were manipulated orthogonally to item type (remember vs. forget). At test, we asked participants to recognize all studied items and also to identify their source. We used a multinomial processing tree model to disentangle item memory, source memory, and guessing. In all three experiments, we replicated the directed forgetting effect in item memory. Source memory for to-be-forgotten items that were recognized despite the intention to forget, however, tended to be even better than source memory for to-be-remembered items that were recognized. These results suggest that the directed forgetting effect does not simply translate from item to source memory. Rather source memory seems to be disproportionally increased in to-be-forgotten items that are remembered. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Geriatric assessment-directed supportive care intervention (GAIN-S)-implementation via telehealth in a lower-resourced community.

1510 Background: Based on randomized controlled trials,ASCO guidelines recommend use of geriatric assessment (GA)-directed interventions for older adults with cancer. The translation of these models to lower resourced settings has been limited. We assessed the feasibility of implementing GA-directed supportive care (GAIN-S) via telehealth in a lower resourced community setting. Methods: A quality improvement study was conducted in a high poverty, limited access, and low resourced community oncology practice (City of Hope - Antelope Valley [COH-AV]). Eligible participants were 65+ years with a new diagnosis of a malignant neoplasm under evaluation for cancer therapy. Before starting therapy, patients completed: baseline GA, SupportScreen, and the Fulmer SPICES assessment. A geriatric nurse practitioner (GNP) reviewed GA results and implemented multidisciplinary supportive care interventions (GAIN-S) via telehealth between April 2020 and January 2023. Key evaluation measures included: number of patients who completed GAIN-S; number of referrals to multidisciplinary supportive care services and completion rate; advance directives (ADs); and patient satisfaction with telehealth visits. Participants’ demographics, including distance traveled for care, type of cancer, stage, treatment, and telehealth satisfaction items, were summarized using descriptive statistics. To analyze and visualize the implementation process, run charts were utilized. Results: 251 patients (mean age 74, 62% Non-Hispanic White, 22% live 60+ miles from COH-AV, 56% stage II or less, 30% received chemotherapy) completed baseline assessments. 242 had initial visits with GNP, 197 via televideo and 45 via telephone. GNP reviewed vulnerabilities with 209 patients and generated 460 referrals for supportive care services, with 85% of services implemented. Highest numbers of referrals were to pharmacy (177), social work (142), occupational therapy (76), and physical therapy (48). GNP discussed GA-guided care plans with all patients and 43 patients completed AD after discussion with GNP. Over 92% of patients were satisfied with telehealth-based GAIN-S in terms of both ease of visit and access to care with their provider and with telehealth. Conclusions: Telehealth-based GAIN-S has proven to be feasible in providing accessible healthcare to older patients with cancer in a lower resourced community setting. This approach, well-received by most patients, highlights the potential of telehealth in delivering GAIN-S effectively in such settings.

Advanced method for Image detection using OpenCV

Abstract: In computer vision, object detection is an essential job with many real-world applications, such as robots, autonomous cars, and surveillance. Because of its great accuracy and speed, the YOLO (You Only Look Once) method is a well-liked realtime object recognition technique that has attracted a lot of attention. This technique is perfect for time-sensitive applications since it examines the full image at once and predicts bounding boxes and class probabilities for recognized items. YOLO has undergone many iterations, with YOLO v5 being the most recent and sophisticated version. It utilizes anchor boxes and a feature pyramid network (FPN) to increase the accuracy of object recognition. Our goal in this research is to apply YOLO v5 to realtime picture and object identification applications stage. The model will be trained using an appropriate dataset, and its performance will be assessed against a range of benchmarks and advanced object detection methods. The project's output will offer a reliable and effective real-time object detection system that will facilitate prompt decision-making in the identification of item types and their corresponding placements. It has useful uses in robotics, autonomous driving, and surveillance.

Inventory and management of E-waste: a case study of Kerala, India.

The recent surge in electronic device usage has led to a notable rise in electronic waste (E-waste) generation, presenting significant environmental challenges. This study aims to quantify Kerala's E-waste inventory and formulate a comprehensive management plan. Utilizing sales data from 2017 to 2020 and estimating E-waste generation based on "average" or "end-of-life" durations of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) items, the analysis forecasts substantial E-waste quantities. Key assumptions include correlating sales data with E-waste generation and utilizing guidelines for estimating E-waste quantities based on EEE item types and sales figures. The highest E-waste generation is predicted for the years 2028-2029, estimated at 97,541 tonnes, which iscrucial for the state's management strategy. To address this challenge, the study proposes a comprehensive environmental management plan that integrates the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle (3R) into its core strategies. The plan includes establishing 78 collection units across the state, strategically allocated based on theTaluk (a sub-division of a district) population, to ensure efficient E-waste collection and recovery of reusable items. Additionally, the study outlines the need for 273 recycling units statewide, with Malappuram district requiring the most units due to its high population density. The plan emphasizes efficient E-waste collection, segregation, and recycling, promoting responsible consumption and resource conservation. The study furnishes a "cradle-to-grave" framework for the management of E-waste at local, regional, and national levels, serving as a valuable resource for pollution control boards, regulatory bodies, statutory bodies, and research organizations alike.

Exploring the current meaning of plaster face casts in museums: the case of Lidio Cipriani’s facial masks at the Anthropological Collections of the University of Bologna (Italy)

ABSTRACT Among the different types of anthropological items that have been amassed over time for research and didactic purposes (e.g. identified human osteological series and anthropometric instruments), plaster face cast collections still enclose a sensitive nature when exposed in museums, being midway between objects and human remains, between scientific items and cultural heritage. The present work focuses on the plaster face casts stored at the Anthropological Collections of the Museum System of the University of Bologna (Bologna, Italy). The main subject is a series of copies of the human facial masks realised by Lidio Cipriani (1892–1962), an anthropologist of the University of Florence, during his scientific missions in African and Asian regions during the European colonial expansion. Starting from this collection, we want to emphasise our recent experience as the Self Steering Committee of the University of Bologna for the pillar Cultural Heritage of the alliance Una Europa, aimed at critically reflecting on the value of those plaster face casts, unveiling their dissonance. Then, we will present our results in the frame of the renewed principles of the discipline, reflecting on the scientific, cultural and social implications that this kind of anthropological asset may have today.

Nonparametric CD-CAT for multiple-choice items: Item selection method and Q-optimality.

Computerized adaptive testing for cognitive diagnosis (CD-CAT) achieves remarkable estimation efficiency and accuracy by adaptively selecting and then administering items tailored to each examinee. The process of item selection stands as a pivotal component of a CD-CAT algorithm, with various methods having been developed for binary responses. However, multiple-choice (MC) items, an important item type that allows for the extraction of richer diagnostic information from incorrect answers, have been underemphasized. Currently, the Jensen-Shannon divergence (JSD) index introduced by Yigit etal. (Applied Psychological Measurement, 2019, 43, 388) is the only item selection method exclusively designed for MC items. However, the JSD index requires a large sample to calibrate item parameters, which may be infeasible when there is only a small or no calibration sample. To bridge this gap, the study first proposes a nonparametric item selection method for MC items (MC-NPS) by implementing novel discrimination power that measures an item's ability to effectively distinguish among different attribute profiles. A Q-optimal procedure for MC items is also developed to improve the classification during the initial phase of a CD-CAT algorithm. The effectiveness and efficiency of the two proposed algorithms were confirmed by simulation studies.

Self-supervised Bipartite Graph Representation Learning: A Dirichlet Max-margin Matrix Factorization Approach

Bipartite graph representation learning aims to obtain node embeddings by compressing sparse vectorized representations of interactions between two types of nodes, e.g., users and items. Incorporating structural attributes among homogeneous nodes, such as user communities, improves the identification of similar interaction preferences, namely, user/item embeddings, for downstream tasks. However, existing methods often fail to proactively discover and fully utilize these latent structural attributes. Moreover, the manual collection and labeling of structural attributes is always costly. In this article, we propose a novel approach called Dirichlet Max-margin Matrix Factorization (DM3F), which adopts a self-supervised strategy to discover latent structural attributes and model discriminative node representations. Specifically, in self-supervised learning, our approach generates pseudo group labels (i.e., structural attributes) as a supervised signal using the Dirichlet process without relying on manual collection and labeling, and employs them in a max-margin classification. Additionally, we introduce a Variational Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm (Variational MCMC) to effectively update the parameters. The experimental results on six real datasets demonstrate that, in the majority of cases, the proposed method outperforms existing approaches based on matrix factorization and neural networks. Furthermore, the modularity analysis confirms the effectiveness of our model in capturing structural attributes to produce high-quality user embeddings.

Mediation in the Relation of Orthographic Processing on the Lexical and Sublexical Level with Reading and Spelling Skills. A Large Cross-Sectional Study in Elementary School Children in Germany

ABSTRACT Purpose Two types of orthographic knowledge were examined: i) knowledge of permissible letter combinations (general orthographic knowledge) and ii) knowledge of whole words (word-specific orthographic knowledge), to gain further insights into the relationship of general and word-specific orthographic knowledge with literacy skills. Method Mediation models were estimated using a sample of 2,636 3rd and 4th grade children (50.6% female, ethnic backgrounds were not surveyed) to examine whether general orthographic knowledge predicts reading fluency and spelling performance and whether this path is mediated by word-specific orthographic knowledge. Using confirmatory factor analyses (CFA), we examined whether the responses to correctly spelled words/legal letter patterns and pseudohomophones/illegal letter patterns in word-specific and general orthographic knowledge tasks were generated by separate latent constructs. Results Our results confirm that word-specific orthographic knowledge is a facilitatory mediator in the relationship between general orthographic knowledge and literacy skills. The relationship of general and word-specific orthographic knowledge with literacy skills varies by item type, with a tendency toward higher correlations between literacy skills with pseudohomophones (vs words) and illegal (vs legal) pseudowords, which is in line with the two-factor solution of the CFA. Conclusion From a theoretical perspective, we conclude that general orthographic knowledge facilitates orthographic learning of words. From a methodological perspective, we encourage future researchers to distinguish between targets and foils in orthographic decision tasks.

The role of exposure condition, awareness and item type in developing implicit and explicit knowledge of collocational rules.

This study expands on previous SLA research by focusing on learning collocational rules. The study also explores the interaction between exposure conditions, awareness, and item-related variables in the context of collocation learning. Chinese learners of English were exposed to sentences from large corpora, featuring four target node verbs (replaced with pseudowords) and their respective noun collocates. There are two pairs of novel verbs with different L1-L2 congruencies in the experimental material. Participants were divided into incidental and intentional groups. The learning effectiveness was assessed through a plausibility judgment test (PJT), which included trained, new, and swapped items. Awareness of the underlying rules was measured using source attributions, retrospective verbal reports, and posttest thinking aloud. The results revealed that participants acquired both explicit and implicit knowledge of collocational rules. Rule-searching led to greater explicit knowledge but did not improve overall learning outcomes. Additionally, an interaction was observed among awareness, rule type, and test type. As the difficulty level increased in terms of L1-L2 congruency or item type, the importance of awareness in meeting the learning demands also increased.

Quality-of-Life Instruments and Nutrition Screening Tools

Background Quality of life (QoL) is critical for healthy aging—both for older adults and for healthcare providers/health systems. Eating and nutritious food are essential for older adults to remain healthy/independent and maintain good nutrition status and also provide pleasure and enhance QoL. However, research on nutrition and QoL is limited, including for building understanding of the relationship between nutrition and QoL and of the instruments and tools used to help develop a research framework and evaluate the impact of United States community nutrition programs/services on QoL. Objectives The first objective is to review overlaps/gaps in previously identified/validated QoL instruments and nutrition screening tools used in research with community-living older adults and then, second, to use these findings to suggest opportunities for further research and implications for developing US health and nutrition policies/programs supporting healthy aging. Methods Twenty validated QoL instruments were reviewed to determine if they included nutrition-related items that corresponded to 8 QoL domains (physical health, emotional state, mental health, social connection, environment, personhood, autonomy, and spiritual feeling). Sixteen validated nutrition screening tools were reviewed to determine if any of their nutrition items corresponded with these same 8 QoL domains. Results Of the 20 QoL instruments reviewed, 75% included at least 1 nutrition-related item, most commonly fitting into the autonomy (n = 11), physical health (n = 7), social connection (n = 3), environment (n = 3), emotional state (n = 2), mental health (n = 2), and personhood (n = 1) domains, with none in the spiritual feeling domain. All 16 nutrition screening tools included at least 1 nutrition-related item corresponding to a QoL domain, most commonly the physical health (n = 16) domain. Other QoL domains represented by nutrition items in nutrition screening tools were autonomy (n = 9), emotional state (n = 5), social connection (n = 5), environment (n = 4), and mental health (n = 3). Commonalities existed between QoL instruments and nutrition screening tools in types of nutrition-related items included, but there were many inconsistencies/gaps. Conclusions Nutrition items corresponding to different QoL domains are found inconsistently among validated QoL instruments and nutrition screening tools. Nutrition can be potentially modified to benefit healthy aging and QoL outcomes; findings present opportunities for further research to help increase understanding of the relationship between QoL and nutrition and the effectiveness of nutrition interventions, as well as to help advance US policy development and programs supporting healthy aging.

Ten tips for effective use and quality assurance of multiple-choice questions in knowledge-based assessments.

Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) are the most popular type of items used in knowledge-based assessments in undergraduate and postgraduate healthcare education. MCQs allow assessment of candidates' knowledge on a broad range of knowledge-based learning outcomes in a single assessment. Single-best-answer (SBA) MCQs are the most versatile and commonly used format. Although writing MCQs may seem straight-forward, producing decent-quality MCQs is challenging and warrants a range of quality checks before an item is deemed suitable for inclusion in an assessment. Like all assessments, MCQ-based examinations must be aligned with the learning outcomes and learning opportunities provided to the students. This paper provides evidence-based guidance on the effective use of MCQs in student assessments, not only to make decisions regarding student progression but also to build an academic environment that promotes assessment as a driver for learning. Practical tips are provided to the readers to produce authentic MCQ items, along with appropriate pre- and post-assessment reviews, the use of standard setting and psychometric evaluation of assessments based on MCQs. Institutions need to develop an academic culture that fosters transparency, openness, equality and inclusivity. In line with contemporary educational principles, teamwork amongst teaching faculty, administrators and students is essential to establish effective learning and assessment practices.