Multiple Evaluation Tools Research Articles

The rules of trust between individuals: An ethnography of transactions on Leboncoin.fr

Online C to C platforms rely on multiple evaluation tools (ratings, calculated reputation, and online reviews) to generate the trust that is essential for transactions. What are the sources of trust when these tools are absent (or not used)? From an ethnography of private transactions via leboncoin.fr, this contribution reveals the mechanisms of trust in this context. The Goffmanian approach adopted enables us to highlight the rules of trust and their role in maintaining and repairing trust situations (commitment, normality, proximity, readability, and unveiling). This research contributes to the marketing literature by supplementing the work on the evaluative and calculated character of trust and by proposing a cross-channel analysis incorporating online trust. It opens up alternative perspectives for framing C to C exchanges and studying cross-channel consumer behavior.

An integrative approach to detect protein–energy wasting among chronic kidney disease maintenance hemodialysis patients

<br><b>Background:</b> Malnutrition is a major predictor of overall outcome in patients on hemodialysis. Regular and frequent evaluation of the nutritional status of these patients is advisable. <b>Aims and Objectives:</b> This study aimed to look at nutritional status of a hemodialysis cohort and to evaluate whether multiple assessment tools improve the detection of malnutrition in this cohort. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> A prospective study in two outpatient hemodialysis centers was conducted over 6 months. Stable patients without any irreversible organ damage and preserved cognitive function were included in the study. Data collected included demographics, comorbid conditions, and baseline laboratory investigations. The nutritional assessment tools included body mass index (BMI), 7-point Subjective Global Assessment, Global Leadership In Malnutrition (GLIM), handgrip strength, and body composition analysis. <b>Results:</b> A total of 121 subjects (77 males, 44 females) participated in the study. Based on BMI, only 14% were underweight. 7-point SGA detected 77 malnourished subjects, whereas according to GLIM criteria, all patients had some degree of malnutrition. Body composition analysis showed depleted total body protein mass in majority of patients. There was a correlation between total body protein mass and handgrip strength. The assessment tools showed some degree of correlation in patients who were malnourished. <b>Conclusions:</b> Use of a single assessment tool often underdiagnoses malnutrition in hemodialysis patients. An integrative approach using multiple evaluation tools may be beneficial in these groups of patients.<br>

Central Nervous System Therapeutic Targets in Friedreich Ataxia.

Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive inherited multisystem disease, characterized by marked differences in the vulnerability of neuronal systems. In general, the proprioceptive system appears to be affected early, while later in the disease, the dentate nucleus of the cerebellum and, to some degree, the corticospinal tracts degenerate. In the current era of expanding therapeutic discovery in FRDA, including progress toward novel gene therapies, a deeper and more specific consideration of potential treatment targets in the nervous system is necessary. In this work, we have re-examined the neuropathology of FRDA, recognizing new issues superimposed on classical findings, and dissected the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and central nervous system (CNS) aspects of the disease and the affected cell types. Understanding the temporal course of neuropathological changes is needed to identify areas of modifiable disease progression and the CNS and PNS locations that can be targeted at different time points. As most major targets of long-term therapy are in the CNS, this review uses multiple tools for evaluation of the importance of specific CNS locations as targets. In addition to clinical observations, the conceptualizations in this study include physiological, pathological, and imaging approaches, and animal models. We believe that this review, through analysis of a more complete set of data derived from multiple techniques, provides a comprehensive summary of therapeutic targets in FRDA.

A Day in the Life of MRI: The Variety and Appropriateness of Exams Being Performed in Canada

PurposeThis study aimed to determine the volumes and types of magnetic resonance imaging exams being performed across Canada, common indications for the exams, and exam appropriateness using multiple evaluation tools. MethodsThirteen academic medical institutions across Canada participated. Data were obtained relating to a single common day, October 1, 2014. Patient demographics, type by anatomic region and indication for imaging were analysed. Each exam was assessed for appropriateness via the Canadian Association of Radiologists Referral Guidelines and the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria. The Alberta and Saskatchewan spine screening forms and the Alberta knee screening form were also used where applicable. The proportion of exams that were unscorable, appropriate, and inappropriate was determined. Exam-level results were compared between the 2 main evaluation tools. ResultsData were obtained for 1087 relevant exams. There were 591 women and 460 men. 36 requisitions did not indicate the patient's sex. Brain exams were the most common, comprising 32.5% of the sample. Cancer was the most common indication. Overall, 87.0%–87.4% of the MR exams performed were appropriate; 6.6%–12.6% were inappropriate, based on the 2 main evaluation tools. Results differed by anatomic region; spine exams had the highest proportion, with nearly one-third of exams deemed inappropriate. ConclusionVariations by anatomic region indicate that focused exam request evaluation or screening methods could substantially reduce inappropriate imaging.

Simulation and Its Role in Training

Despite its short history, surgical simulation has been successfully introduced into surgical residency programs in an effort to augment training. A wide range of simulator types and levels of complexity have proven an effective teaching method for surgical trainees. They have been used for training in areas such as general surgery, urology, gynecology, and ophthalmology among others. Coincident with the introduction of simulators is the need for objective evaluation of skills learned on them, which has led to the development and validation of multiple evaluation tools. This article evaluates the drivers for simulation, types of simulators, training, and evaluation of them especially as it pertains to laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

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Spondylarthropathies juvéniles : quels outils d’évaluation ? Quand débuter un traitement anti-TNF-α ?

Multiple evaluation tools (clinical, biological and radiological) are well defined and validated in ankylosing spondylitis and oligo/polyarthritis juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The specificity of juvenile spondyloarthropathy (JSpa) with peripheral joint involvement at onset and axial involvement occurrence during follow-up with some years of delay makes these tools imperfect to use in JSpa. Indeed BASDAI and BASFI only evaluate axial involvement and pediatric scores (ACRPedi, JADI, CHAQ) only peripheral joints. It is necessary to obtain a pediatric version of BASDAI and BASFI for further studies. In severe JSpa, refractory to NSAIDs (at least two different drugs), TNF-α antagonist therapy appears as an attractive option, also prospective studies are not yet available in this specific group of JIA. However, indication of TNF-α antagonists could be based on: persistent activity of more than three months despite NSAIDs (at least two); active joints more than two and ESR or CRP level above normal value.

Evaluation of Variables in Illicit Drug Use: Does a Controlled Substance Abuse Screening Tool Identify Illicit Drug Use?

A retrospective, case-controlled study. To identify variables in patients with or without illicit drug use. Studies documenting a high incidence of controlled substance abuse in chronic pain continue to increase. Over the years, multiple evaluation tools have been proposed. The need to identify predictors of aberrant drug related behavior and addiction in patients being treated with controlled substances for pain has been emphasized. A total of 150 patients were included in the study. One hundred consecutive urine tests without the presence of illicit drugs and 50 consecutive urine tests with the presence of illicit drugs of patients receiving controlled substances, were selected for evaluation of multiple variables of illicit drug use. They were divided into four groups with Group I with no controlled substance abuse and no illicit drug abuse with 70 patients; Group II with no controlled substance abuse, however, with positive illicit drug use with 33 patients; Group III with positive controlled abuse, however, with no illicit drug use with 30 patients; and Group IV with controlled substance abuse and illicit drug use with 17 patients. Results of this study showed that of the eight variables described in a previous study in identifying controlled substance abuse, four variables were crucial. The four significant items identified in this evaluation were excessive opiate needs, deception or lying to obtain controlled substances, current or prior intentional doctor shopping, and current or prior use of illicit drugs and denial. These four variables were accurate in identifying controlled substance abuse. However, they failed to identify illicit drug use. The presently available and validated screening tool for controlled substance abuse failed to identify illicit drug use in patients receiving controlled substances.