Multiple Surveys Research Articles

Duration of Symptoms Does Not Significantly Influence Short-term Outcomes for Patients Undergoing Periacetabular Osteotomy.

Factors influencing the clinical outcomes after periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) have not been well explored. This study evaluated the influence of symptom duration in developmental dysplasia of the hip on short-term patient-reported outcomes after PAO. A retrospective review of prospectively collected data identified PAOs performed on 139 patients. Sixty-five patients were then stratified into two groups based on preoperative symptom duration: 2 years or less (n=22) vs more than 2 years (n=43). We compared the results of hip-specific patient-reported outcome surveys collected preoperatively and postoperatively. When comparing the two groups, we found no significant differences in clinical outcome scores except for the UCLA Activity Scale. The shorter duration group achieved improvement 6 months postoperatively on the visual analog scale average pain score (from 4.5 to 2.167; P=.0017), International Hip Outcome Tool-12 (from 42.95 to 59.19; P=.0176), and Harris Hip Score (from 53.88 to 69.88; P=.049). The longer duration group also achieved postoperative improvement across multiple surveys. Nevertheless, a multivariate analysis controlling for age, sex, and body mass index and found that symptom duration did not independently affect the change in clinical outcomes. Although PAO leads to improvements in functional status and pain, preoperative symptom duration does not significantly affect these clinical outcomes. [Orthopedics. 2023;46(6):365-372.].

MP48-06 PATIENT-REPORTED TREATMENT BURDEN OF INTRAVESICAL THERAPY FOR BLADDER CANCER

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023MP48-06 PATIENT-REPORTED TREATMENT BURDEN OF INTRAVESICAL THERAPY FOR BLADDER CANCER Amanda Myers, Benjamin Ristau, Matthew Mossanen, Deborah Kaye, Mark Tyson, Stephanie Chisolm, Frank Sloan, Colleen Ball, Angela Smith, and Timothy Lyon Amanda MyersAmanda Myers More articles by this author , Benjamin RistauBenjamin Ristau More articles by this author , Matthew MossanenMatthew Mossanen More articles by this author , Deborah KayeDeborah Kaye More articles by this author , Mark TysonMark Tyson More articles by this author , Stephanie ChisolmStephanie Chisolm More articles by this author , Frank SloanFrank Sloan More articles by this author , Colleen BallColleen Ball More articles by this author , Angela SmithAngela Smith More articles by this author , and Timothy LyonTimothy Lyon More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003294.06AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Intravesical therapy is the mainstay of treatment for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). However, patients with NMIBC can face time, travel, and financial barriers to access intravesical therapy which may impact patient adherence to treatment. Therefore, we sought to quantify patient-reported treatment burden while receiving intravesical therapy for bladder cancer. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of bladder cancer patients in the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) Patient Survey Network to investigate patient-reported burden of intravesical therapy. Multiple choice survey questions were developed by investigators, then iteratively revised and improved by review from clinician and patient advocate stakeholders during the 2021 BCAN annual meeting. Eligible participants received at least one dose of intravesical therapy, including BCG and/or chemotherapy, delivered in an ambulatory setting. Survey was administered in November 2021 and was available for 1 month to respondents. RESULTS: A total of 233 patients responded to the survey (18% response rate), with a median age of 70 years (range 33-88). Respondents were 36% female and 97% white. A travel time >30 minutes to an intravesical treatment facility was reported by 55% (126/231) of patients, and 33% (77/231) reported personal out-of-pocket costs greater than $25 associated with each trip. Fifty-six percent (129/232) brought caregivers to their appointments. More than half of patients (56%, 129/232) reported spending more than 2 hours on each intravesical instillation, with 18% (42/232) spending more than 4 hours. Missing work for intravesical installations was reported by 36% (82/230) of patients, and of those who did, the majority (70%, 57/81) missed at least half a day of work (4 or more hours). Sixty-one respondents (26%) felt the process of receiving bladder instillations adversely affected their ability to perform regular daily activities. BCG shortages increased travel or wait time for intravesical therapy for 9% (20/229) of respondents. CONCLUSIONS: Bladder cancer patients reported considerable travel distances, time requirements, out-of-pocket costs, and need for caregiver support in the process of receiving intravesical therapy. Innovative intravesical care delivery processes are needed to reduce the burden of care for our bladder cancer patients. Source of Funding: n/a © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e657 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Amanda Myers More articles by this author Benjamin Ristau More articles by this author Matthew Mossanen More articles by this author Deborah Kaye More articles by this author Mark Tyson More articles by this author Stephanie Chisolm More articles by this author Frank Sloan More articles by this author Colleen Ball More articles by this author Angela Smith More articles by this author Timothy Lyon More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Exploring self-regulation theory as a mechanism of the effects of psychological contract fulfillment: The role of emotional intelligence.

As self-regulation theory has increasingly been used as a theoretical lens to explain the effects of psychological contract evaluations and employee outcomes, we test whether emotional intelligence (an ability for self-regulation) is a potential moderator of these relationships. More concretely, using a multiple times survey design in an education-based organization with 247 participants, we examined whether emotional intelligence moderates the mediation effect of emotional exhaustion on the relationship between psychological contract fulfillment and turnover intentions. Using a structural equations model (SEM) framework, our results support our hypotheses that individuals with low emotional intelligence do not experience the benefits of having fulfilled psychological contracts. Psychological contract fulfillment significantly reduces the likelihood of emotional exhaustion but only for individuals with high emotional intelligence. Consequently, turnover intentions are lower for emotionally intelligent individuals who experience the fulfillment of psychological contracts. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. We conclude our study by suggesting that emotional intelligence should be considered as a relevant individual difference in future psychological contract research.

Archived DNA reveals marine heatwave‐associated shifts in fish assemblages

AbstractMarine heatwaves can drive large‐scale shifts in marine ecosystems, but studying their impacts on whole species assemblages is difficult. Analysis combining microscopic observations with environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding of the ethanol preservative of an ichthyoplankton biorepository spanning a 23 years time series captures major and sometimes unexpected changes to fish assemblages in the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem during and after the 2014–2016 Pacific Marine Heatwave. Joint modeling efforts reveal patterns of tropicalization with increases in southern, mesopelagic species and associated declines in commercially important temperate fish species (e.g., North Pacific Hake [Merluccius productus] and Pacific Sardine [Sardinops sagax]). Data show shifts in fisheries assemblages (e.g., Northern Anchovy, Engraulis mordax) even after the return to average water temperatures, corroborating ecosystem impacts found through multiple traditional surveys of this study area. Our innovative approach of metabarcoding preservative eDNA coupled with quantitative modeling leverages the taxonomic breadth and resolution of DNA sequences combined with microscopy‐derived ichthyoplankton identification to yield higher‐resolution, species‐specific quantitative abundance estimates. This work opens the door to economically reconstruct the historical dynamics of assemblages from modern and archived samples worldwide.

Uncovering caregiver concerns: 5 key issues that still remain unresolved in administration of oral medicines for children in India

IntroductionAdministration devices play a very crucial role in achieving a drug’s therapeutic effect. Children are often dosed with oral liquids, but dosing devices don’t have the accuracy needed, putting them at risk of inaccurate and suboptimal dosing. The availability and use of administration devices may vary throughout the world. Multiple surveys in UK, Europe and Japan have shown diverging practices by parents/caregivers. The aim of the present investigation was to conduct a larger Pan-India study through a series of workshops to understand the use and challenges of traditional devices and assess the need of innovative administration devices for liquid orals in India. MethodsThe methodology used for the workshop was contextual inquiry and survey questionnaire were used to record the responses. Parents for the workshop were recruited by advertising the survey on various social media platforms. Informed consent was taken from the parents or caregivers for their participation in the survey. Workshops were conducted pan India and both middle class and urban worker families in the occupational category were included in the study. During the workshop, the parents were briefed about the background and purpose of the study. Certain global innovative devices such as oral syringes, syringes with pacifiers were shown to the parents. Their views and opinions were taken through survey questionnaire and via interactive sessions. The questions were themed for the interactive session on 1) challenges faced, 2) willingness to use innovative devices and 3) the factors influencing their decision on the use of innovative devices. ResultsAcross the four regions (4 metro cities) involved in the study, 271 caregivers agreed to participate in the workshops. 17.7 % administered solid dosage forms, 81.2 % administered liquid dosage form and the remaining 1.1 % opted for others. Traditional devicesCaregivers reported the use of measuring cups (41.4 %) followed by household spoons (25.8 %), droppers (15.3 %), measuring spoons (2.6 %), and other dosing devices (5.5 %) for measuring oral liquids. 8.0 % did not use any of the dosing devices as they were administrating tablets and/or capsules. The ease-of-use score was the highest for the dropper (2.67 ± 0.68) and the lowest for the measuring spoon (2.00 ± 1.00). The reported challenges were categorised into five categories which also influences the preference of using administration devices. This includes device design, user experience and usability, sociocultural factors, such as beliefs, knowledge and education, regulatory, and market/distribution. Innovative devicesThe majority of the caregivers (86.7 %) were not aware of any of the innovative devices shown to them. 58.7 % were willing to use it if was recommended by the doctor, 1.5 % of caregivers would use it on pharmacists’ recommendation and 37.6 % parents would use it if came along with the medicine. The criteria considered by the parents for use of the innovative devices in the descending order were Doctor’s recommendation > Quality > Cost > Packed in medicine > Ease of use > Availability/accessibility. There were no differences observed among the low and high socioeconomic status of caregviers regarding the use of traditional devices, challenges faced and awareness about innovative devices. Overall, the study revealed heterogeneity in the SES for the use of administration devices in the four zones. The association of SES and opinion on the use of administration devices was demonstrated with no statistically significant interaction between caregiver SES and the use of administration devices. ConclusionThe workshop revealed the prevalence of traditional dosing devices like measuring cups, household spoons among the caregivers. It highlighted key issues with the use of appropriate administration devices for correct and accurate dosing in children that remain unresolved and prevalent in India. This study reflects on the needs of the target community; thus hope will help facilitate the development of locally sustainable solutions to improve the administration of medicines in children in India.

Nonresponder does not mean not better: Improvement in nonsymptom domains in complex depressed patients who are not symptomatic responders to intensive treatment

In treatment studies of depression, response is typically defined as a 50% or greater reduction in symptom severity. However, multiple surveys of depressed patients have found that patients prioritize improved functioning and quality of life objectives over symptom improvement as the most important goal of treatment. The goal of the present study is to widen the lens of assessing outcome by examining response in nonsymptom domains in patients who are, by convention, considered nonresponders to treatment. Eight hundred and forty-four patients with major depressive disorder completed the Remission from Depression Questionnaire (RDQ), a self-report measure that assesses multiple constructs considered by patients to be relevant to assessing treatment outcome. At discharge, the patients made a global rating of the effectiveness of treatment. The 517 patients who were nonresponders on the depression symptom subscale of the RDQ are the focus of this report. The patients showed significant levels of improvement from admission to discharge in all nonsymptom domains, with medium to large effect sizes. Approximately one-third of the patients were responders on at least 1 of the nonsymptom domains. The failure to meet the conventional definition of treatment response based on symptom severity does not preclude significant improvement in nonsymptom domains.

Artificial developed habitats can sustain plant communities similar to remnant ecosystems in the Tokyo megacity

Artificially developed habitats in urban ecosystems, known as novel ecosystems, have recently been underscored in terms of increasing urban green cover. However, patterns of changes in species diversity and composition in novel ecosystems over time remain poorly understood, making it unclear whether all novel ecosystems contribute to urban biodiversity. Here, we assessed how plant species diversity and composition in developed habitats changed over the years since the development of habitats (years since development) using a space-for-time substitution approach in the megacity, Tokyo, Japan. We established multiple survey transects at each study site to investigate the plant species diversity and composition. Using the ordination regression-based approach, we found that the plant species composition in developed habitats changed over the years since development and became similar to that in remnant habitats after approximately 130 years. We also found that the diversity of native plant species did not change whereas that of exotic species decreased with the years since development. Our results demonstrate the importance of developing new habitats for conserving urban biodiversity, while highlighting that exotic species can easily establish in newly developed habitats. Given that remnant ecosystems in urban areas are degraded by urbanization, the time required for novel ecosystems to become similar to remnant ecosystems is essential for predicting and conserving future urban ecosystems.

Noise reduction in single-shot images using an auto-encoder

ABSTRACT We present an application of auto-encoders to the problem of noise reduction in single-shot astronomical images and explore its suitability for upcoming large-scale surveys. Auto-encoders are a machine learning model that summarizes an input to identify its key features, and then from this knowledge predicts a representation of a different input. The broad aim of our auto-encoder model is to retain morphological information (e.g. non-parametric morphological information) from the survey data while simultaneously reducing the noise contained in the image. We implement an auto-encoder with convolutional and max pooling layers. We test our implementation on images from the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System that contain varying levels of noise and report how successful our auto-encoder is by considering mean squared error, structural similarity index, the second-order moment of the brightest 20 per cent of the galaxy’s flux M20, and the Gini coefficient, while noting how the results vary between original images, stacked images, and noise-reduced images. We show that we are able to reduce noise, over many different targets of observations, while retaining the galaxy’s morphology, with metric evaluation on a target-by-target analysis. We establish that this process manages to achieve a positive result in a matter of minutes, and by only using one single-shot image compared to multiple survey images found in other noise reduction techniques.

Analysis of national and subnational prevalence of adolescent pregnancy and changes in the associated sexual behaviours and sociodemographic determinants across three decades in Ghana, 1988–2019

ObjectiveUnderstanding the determinants of adolescent pregnancy and how they have changed over time is essential for measuring progress and developing strategies to improve adolescent reproductive health. This study examined changes...

50% Improvement: Should Treatment Response Go Beyond Symptom Improvement When Evaluating the Treatment of Depression?

IntroductionThe emphasis on symptom resolution in depression treatment research is at variance with the recommendations of official treatment guidelines and the results of surveys of depressed patients’ views of the most important treatment goals.ObjectivesIn the present study, we examined the interrelationship between response rates on various outcome domains and whether response on each domain was associated with patients’ global rating of improvement (PGI) reported upon treatment completion. We also examined whether the PGI was associated with the number of domains on which the patients had achieved responder status and which domains were independent predictors of PGI response.MethodsEight hundred and forty-four patients with major depressive disorder completed the Remission from Depression Questionnaire (RDQ), a self-report measure that assesses 6 constructs considered by patients to be relevant to assessing treatment outcome. The patients completed the RDQ at admission and discharge from the treatment program. For each domain, response was defined as a 50% or greater reduction in scores. At discharge, the patients rated the PGI.ResultsThe patients significantly improved from admission to discharge on each of the 6 domains assessed on the RDQ. The responders on each domain reported significantly greater improvement on the global rating of improvement at discharge. Responder status in one domain mostly co-occurred with responder status in another domain. In a logistic regression analysis, responses on all domains, except nondepressive symptoms, were independently associated with PGI response.ConclusionsThe results of the present study are consistent with multiple surveys which have suggested that focusing on symptom reduction is too narrow of an approach when measuring outcome in the treatment of depression. Expanding the assessment of outcome beyond symptoms and viewing nonsymptomatic outcome domains as critical composites of primary endpoints would be more consistent with a patient-centered approach towards the treatment of depression.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Gender representation in surgery: progress and challenges in recent years.

Gender representation in surgery: progress and challenges in recent years.

Longitudinal standing waves, mechanical waves, and diagnostics

The Standing Wave Diagnostic Test is a 22-item multiple choice survey designed to assess student understanding of longitudinal standing waves in air. I created it to measure my students’ difficulties with the subject. I also created the Longitudinal Standing Wave Tutorial to address these difficulties. The tutorial uses marked springs, tuning forks, pipes, and plenty of discussion to develop students’ understanding. Both the diagnostic and tutorial are based in physics education research and developed using survey and interview data from college physics classes. I often use the tutorial as a laboratory exercise in my Physics of Music class, which generates some interesting differences from the college physics classes. Some are a result of students’ prior knowledge about sound, while others are influenced by the course material covered prior to the tutorial. I will discuss some of my own results with these materials and put them in context with other physics education research based mechanical wave surveys.

Enhanced Foldable Logarithmic Cycle Antenna

Field communication and data transformation are critical in multiple geological surveys worldwide. However, antennas sold on the markets are mainly focused on their weight. These antennas may be destroyed by extreme weather like sandstorms. An enhanced foldable antenna based on SARRUS Linkage and Origami waterbomb pattern is designed to overcome external impacts. This research studies the basic unit of the SURRAS linkage to find the nobility of the structure. The comparison of the Origami technique waterbomb (WB), and split fold waterbomb pattern (SFWB) will discuss after the SARRUS linkage part. The basic unit of the SARRUS linkage has one degree of freedom. Subsequently, the kinematic model will demonstrate the deployment performance. Meanwhile, diagrams of the Origami waterbomb patterns illustrate the influence caused by the increasing number of folding angles, which is larger than the impact of the sector angle. This newly designed antenna has excellent protection and can effectively increase the workable area in which the antennas need to be deployed.

A Survey of Herbig Ae/Be Multiplicity

Although the majority of Herbig Ae/Be (HAEBE) stars are likely multiple systems, relatively few multiples have been identified. We aim to create a statistically significant survey of HAEBE multiplicity as a function of stellar mass, to shed light on mixed-mass star formation. Two independent adaptive optics IR imaging surveys were conducted, between 1993 and 2007. A total of 143 stars were observed, including 126 HAEBE stars. These surveys are significantly more sensitive than previous imaging work and, combined with accurate distance and proper-motion data from GAIA Data Release 3, provide a broad survey of intermediate-mass multiplicity. We perform a statistical probability analysis to identify the likely physical companions, and analyze multiepoch observations for common proper motions. We find 250 stellar detections around 88 sample stars. Of these, 70 systems are likely multiple systems, and 42 companions around 29 systems are reported here for the first time. Correcting for completeness, we find a multiplicity fraction of 54%. Multiples are found randomly across all spectral types, but high-order multiples are more common among the hottest stars. Statistically likely companions are found at distances of up to several thousand astronomical units and ΔK magnitudes ranging from <0.1 to ∼9, although companions with ΔK < 1.5 are rare. Companions around Herbig Ae stars tend to be closer than those around Herbig Be stars. We confirm 24 proper-motion companions in 21 systems, including roughly half of the statistically very likely companions; however, many proper-motion results are inconclusive.

Hunting or gathering? A comparison of reptile survey techniques suggests the survey aims should direct the monitoring method

ABSTRACT The choice of methods used for biodiversity assessments and monitoring are an important consideration for an effective inventory of species. There is little published data comparing trapping and active searching for reptile surveys. In this study we used data collected from 509 sites between 2000 and 2012 in Queensland's tropical savannas to examine the relative success of trapping versus searching for surveying reptiles. Sampling comprised pitfall and funnel trapping, and diurnal and nocturnal active searching within a 1-ha quadrat over a five-day period. We used summary data, mixed model regression and Chi-squared tests to examine variation in abundance, richness, and frequency in captures. A total of 167 species representing nine families were recorded from 9986 captures or observations (3127 records from pitfall traps, 1813 from funnel traps and 5046 from active searching). Our results indicated that different methods were more appropriate depending on taxa (i.e., pitfall trapping for terrestrial skinks, funnel traps for Elapids), its habit (i.e., pitfalls or active searching for fossorial species, active searching for arboreal species) or rarity (i.e., Typhlopidae). We conclude that multiple survey methods are required for a full inventory of species; however, using the most appropriate method that address specific management questions in relation to target species or taxa, the reptile's habit and different habitats being surveyed, should be a component in planning and approach to any research or monitoring.

A Methodology for Integrating Population Health Surveys Using Spatial Statistics and Visualizations for Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Large-scale population surveys are beneficial in gathering information on the performance indicators of public well-being, including health and socio-economic standing. However, conducting national population surveys for low and middle-income countries (LMIC) with high population density comes at a high economic cost. To conduct surveys at low-cost and efficiently, multiple surveys with different, but focused, goals are implemented through various organizations in a decentralized manner. Some of the surveys tend to overlap in outcomes with spatial, temporal or both scopes. Mining data jointly from surveys with significant overlap gives new insights while preserving their autonomy. We propose a three-step workflow for integrating surveys using spatial analytic workflow supported by visualizations. We implement the workflow on a case study using two recent population health surveys in India to study malnutrition in children under-five. Our case study focuses on finding hotspots and coldspots for malnutrition, specifically undernutrition, by integrating the outcomes of both surveys. Malnutrition in children under-five is a pertinent global public health problem that is widely prevalent in India. Our work shows that such an integrated analysis is beneficial alongside independent analyses of such existing national surveys to find new insights into national health indicators.

Out of One, Many: Using Language Models to Simulate Human Samples

AbstractWe propose and explore the possibility that language models can be studied as effective proxies for specific human subpopulations in social science research. Practical and research applications of artificial intelligence tools have sometimes been limited by problematic biases (such as racism or sexism), which are often treated as uniform properties of the models. We show that the “algorithmic bias” within one such tool—the GPT-3 language model—is instead both fine-grained and demographically correlated, meaning that proper conditioning will cause it to accurately emulate response distributions from a wide variety of human subgroups. We term this propertyalgorithmic fidelityand explore its extent in GPT-3. We create “silicon samples” by conditioning the model on thousands of sociodemographic backstories from real human participants in multiple large surveys conducted in the United States. We then compare the silicon and human samples to demonstrate that the information contained in GPT-3 goes far beyond surface similarity. It is nuanced, multifaceted, and reflects the complex interplay between ideas, attitudes, and sociocultural context that characterize human attitudes. We suggest that language models with sufficient algorithmic fidelity thus constitute a novel and powerful tool to advance understanding of humans and society across a variety of disciplines.

Iron Deficiency Anemia among Alaska Natives May Be Due to Fecal Loss Rather than Inadequate Intake

To define more fully the nature of a persistently high prevalence of iron deficiency anemia observed among Alaska Native children, we examined dietary iron intake, hemoglobin concentrations, and storage iron (serum ferritin) based on multiple cross-sectional surveys of Alaska Natives between 1983 and 1989. Approximately 30 to 50% of the children studied <12 y of age had depleted iron stores. Anemia and depleted iron stores also were prevalent among adult men and women, about twice as prevalent as in the U.S. population based on the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES II). The higher rate of iron deficiency, occurring even when the dietary assessment found Alaska Native iron intake to be higher than the U.S. average with an ample intake of food high in bioavailable iron, suggests blood loss as a possible cause of the unusual pattern of iron deficiency observed. In a pilot study of stool blood loss in two villages, 65% of the samples had a significantly elevated stool heme concentration. Further investigation of iron deficiency due to gastrointestinal blood loss for the Alaska Native is warranted.

Constraints on S8 from a full-scale and full-shape analysis of redshift-space clustering and galaxy–galaxy lensing in BOSS

ABSTRACT We present a novel simulation-based cosmological analysis of galaxy–galaxy lensing and galaxy redshift-space clustering. Compared to analysis methods based on perturbation theory, our simulation-based approach allows us to probe a much wider range of scales, $0.4 \, h^{-1} \, \mathrm{Mpc}$ to $63 \, h^{-1} \, \mathrm{Mpc}$, including highly non-linear scales, and marginalizes over astrophysical effects such as assembly bias. We apply this framework to data from the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey LOWZ sample cross-correlated with state-of-the-art gravitational lensing catalogues from the Kilo Degree Survey and the Dark Energy Survey. We show that gravitational lensing and redshift-space clustering when analysed over a large range of scales place tight constraints on the growth-of-structure parameter $S_8 = \sigma _8 \sqrt{\Omega _{\rm m} / 0.3}$. Overall, we infer S8 = 0.792 ± 0.022 when analysing the combination of galaxy–galaxy lensing and projected galaxy clustering and S8 = 0.771 ± 0.027 for galaxy redshift-space clustering. These findings highlight the potential constraining power of full-scale studies over studies analysing only large scales and also showcase the benefits of analysing multiple large-scale structure surveys jointly. Our inferred values for S8 fall below the value inferred from the CMB, S8 = 0.834 ± 0.016. While this difference is not statistically significant by itself, our results mirror other findings in the literature whereby low-redshift large-scale structure probes infer lower values for S8 than the CMB, the so-called S8-tension.

Evaluation of Problem-Based Learning in College of Medicine: An Indicator of Quality Education in a Hybrid Curriculum

Background. A culture of quality is believed to drive institutes toward excellence through feedback. Multiple surveys at educational institute help to get a deeper insight into institutional performance and curricular execution. Since problem-based learning (PBL) is an important component of the hybrid curriculum, thus stakeholders’ opinion on PBL satisfaction is worth discussing. This study intended to determine the trends in students’ satisfaction with PBL over the years and to report on the importance of curricular changes that can be incorporated based on students’ needs. Methods. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study that was conducted at the College of Medicine (COM), King Saud Bin Abdul Aziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. All male and female medical students, using consecutive sampling technique, were included in the study. End-of-course evaluation reports for the academic years ranging from 2013 to 2019 on PBL satisfaction, with a response rate of ≥60%, were included in this study. Results. Overall, students at the COM, Jeddah were satisfied with PBL. A declining but satisfactory trend followed by a sharp rise in satisfaction was observed in this study. Pearson correlation reported a positive relationship between PBL problems, tutors, and PBL sessions (r = 0.82, p &lt; 0.001 ). Conclusions. Transition from three sessions to two sessions per PBL case can be considered as an effective and efficient way of curricular execution. We found that the tutor, the case, and session dynamics were positively correlated after the incorporation of the feedback. Thus, highlighting the facts that inculcating a culture of responding to feedback can lead to innovations in medical teaching and can help to improve the curricular execution and students’ satisfaction.