Practical Evaluation Research Articles

Geometrical method for a fast practical static stability region evaluation of a smart microgrid

This paper introduces an innovative approach to the offline Static Security Assessment (SSA) of smart MicroGrids (MG). By defining a specific region in the operating hyperspace, the stability of a MG is evaluated in a practical way, through the study of violations of voltage limits settled by protection relays. This method determines whether operating points, generated by Economic Dispatch algorithms, are feasible or not. Unlike traditional methods, it doesn't require continuous training on large datasets if the system topology doesn’t change. The method proactively explores the operating region offline, enabling quick assessment of operational security. By analyzing the feasibility region in the hyperspace from a geometrical perspective, it provides rapid insights of the system security status. This eliminates the need for computationally expensive trajectory studies involving complex equations and online iterative procedures, as applied in energy function approaches and conventional methods like the continuation load flow. The methodology is tested by simulation on a case study reproducing a subset of the experimental MG installed at the PrInCE Laboratory of the Polytechnic University of Bari.

Advancing cross-subject olfactory EEG recognition: A novel framework for collaborative multimodal learning between human-machine

Odor sensory evaluation is broadly applied in food, clothing, cosmetics, and other fields. Traditional artificial sensory evaluation has poor repeatability, and the machine olfaction represented by the electronic nose (E-nose) is difficult to reflect human feelings. Olfactory electroencephalogram (EEG) contains features associated with human olfactory preference, which has unique advantages in odor sensory evaluation. However, the difficulty of cross-subject olfactory EEG recognition dramatically limits its application. In this paper, a human–machine collaborative multimodal learning method is proposed for cross-subject olfactory preference recognition. Firstly, the olfactory EEG and E-nose multimodal data acquisition and preprocessing paradigms are established. Secondly, a complementary multimodal data mining strategy is proposed to effectively mine the individual and common features representing subjects' olfactory preferences from multimodal data. Finally, the cross-subject olfactory preference recognition is achieved in 24 subjects by fusing the extracted common and individual features, and the recognition effect is superior to the state-of-the-art recognition methods. Furthermore, the advantages of the proposed method in cross-subject olfactory preference recognition indicate its potential for practical odor evaluation applications.

A systematic review of interventions to improve the diet of children

Abstract Aim The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate robust interventions across seven eating practice outcomes and to consider potential modifiers, including parental involvement, intervention setting, and quality of food practice evaluation. Methods The search procedure reflected Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Web of Science, PsychInfo, PubMed, and Elton B. Stephens Company (EBSCO) (2004–2019) were searched for studies that aimed to change children’s (2 to 12 years old) diet (one or more eating practice components: fruit, vegetables, whole grains, lower saturated fat, lower sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), intake of dairy, diet quality). Of 2316 papers, 22 met inclusion criteria. Results Fruits (n = 12) and vegetables (n = 15) were the most frequent outcomes. Half of fruit-targeted, two-thirds of vegetable-targeted, half of fruit/vegetable-targeted, eight of nine SSB-targeted, and one of two whole grain-targeted outcomes showed significant improvements. The actual food intake change was modest in most cases. Eighteen interventions included parents, although the four that did not also reported significant outcomes. Most studies were conducted in schools, early childcare, or after-school programs (n = 13) with significant improvements in most settings. Only about half of the studies involving children < 10 years used proxy reporting/direct observation. Eight studies included no reliability, validity, or citation for the method of dietary measurement. Conclusion Robust studies continue to focus on one or two foods, parental involvement may be beneficial depending on the intervention, and more research is needed to establish best practices across all settings.

Improvement in community wound management: why simple changes in clinical practice matter

Background/Aims Wounds continue to be an increasing burden to society, healthcare systems and patients. Wound care is an urgent challenge that requires new management strategies to help facilitate wound healing. This study aimed to evaluate an early intervention wound project facilitated by the COMPASS programme in a Swedish community setting in terms of treatment outcomes and health economic benefits. Methods An evaluation of wound care practice was completed using data collected on all wounds treated in 1 week in March 2021 (n=97). Single-use negative pressure wound therapy (sNPWT) was then introduced, alongside specialist education for all nurses. A post-intervention evaluation was carried out the following year with data on all wounds treated in 1 week in October 2022 (n=36). The samples were compared in terms of proportion of static and deteriorating wounds, wound characteristics, average number of dressing changes per wound and proportion of wounds requiring the patient to be admitted to hospital or referred to a specialist. Costs of care were calculated and compared for the two samples. Results Wounds in the post-intervention dataset were in a better overall condition (size and depth), with a lower proportion being classified as static or deteriorating (58.8% vs 44.4%). There was a non-significant difference in the average number of dressing changes required per week, with post-intervention wounds requiring fewer changes. A significantly lower proportion of patients required a referral to a specialist in the post-intervention sample compared to the pre-intervention sample (43.3% vs 16.7%; P<0.01). Conclusions Implementing a sNPWT pathway, alongside nurse education and increased involvement of nurses with specialist knowledge, can help to improve wound care outcomes and reduce the burden of wounds on nursing time and healthcare resources.

Large Language Models for Rapid Simplification of Quality Assurance Data Input: Field Trial with Real Data in the Context of Tumour Documentation in Urology

Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT have rapidly brought the application of artificial intelligence into widespread use. Among many different use cases for text generation and processing, one application is the extraction of data from existing documents and conversations for simplified and automated form-filling. In the field of quality assurance and documentation of cancer diseases, there is currently a significant workload involved in transferring data under various aspects into slightly varying formats and applying interpretations such as the TNM classification of tumours. However, there is a lack of trials with real data to assess the applicability of LLM-supported processes in this area, which would enable an evaluation of efficiency and practicality. This study aims to implement and assess such a trial. A trial was conducted with N=153 privacy-compliant and ethics committee-cleared medical reports from 25 patients. Using the publicly available version of ChatGPT 4.0, an automated script was used to extract the date of initial diagnosis and common tumor classifications. The results were then individually checked for accuracy. Based on this, the utility of a simple system for guided support in tasks related to tumour documentation was assessed. Additionally, the approach was evaluated in terms of operational costs for the model and its applicability. In summary, the study concludes that the use of generative AI in this field is promising and suitable as a tool even in an untrained state. In a simplified calculation, costs of 35 cents are offset by a value creation of 61,54 euros. However, it also becomes clear that AI can only act in a supportive role, and the correct integration with pre-made specific prompts and tools into the workflow is crucial for a relevant performance. The use of generative AI in the context of search, transfer, and interpretation tasks in the creation of tumor documentation is a promising approach. However, its implementation in practical applications must be closely monitored, and the optimal interaction between man and machine should continue to be evaluated and must be accompanied by tools and task-specific prompts.

Recycling composted human feces as biofertilizer for crop production: Assessment of soil and lettuce plant tissue contamination by Escherichia coli and human adenovirus

Using waste from sewage systems, particularly human excreta, could save resources and increase soil fertility, contributing to nutrient management. However, because of the pathogenic content in human feces, this resource can pose health risks to farmers and consumers. Therefore, this work analyzed the behavior of the microorganisms: Escherichia coli ATCC13706 and human adenovirus (HAdV-2) in the soil and the internal part of the plant tissue during the vegetative stage after applying spiked composted human feces as biofertilizer. In a greenhouse, we simulated the application of the biofertilizer in lettuce cultivation by spiking three concentrations of E. coli (6.58, 7.31, and 8.01 log10 CFU.g−1) and HAdV-2 (3.81, 3.97, and 5.92 log10 PFU.g−1). As a result, we achieved faster decay in soil at higher concentrations of E. coli. We estimated linear decay rates of −0.07279, −0.09092, and −0.115 days, corresponding to T90s of 13.7, 11.0, and 8.6 days from higher to smaller concentrations of E. coli, respectively. The estimated periods for the inactivation of 4 logarithmic units of E. coli bacteria in soil are longer than the cultivation period of lettuce for all concentrations studied. Concerning the bacterial contamination in plants, we found E. coli in the internal part of the leaves at the highest concentration tested during the first three weeks of the experiment. Furthermore, HAdV-2 was found in roots at a stable concentration of 2–2.3 log10 PFU.g−1 in five of the six samples analyzed. Therefore, bacterial infection could pose a risk, even if fresh greens are washed before consumption, especially for short-term cultures. Regarding viral infection, a positive result in the roots after disinfection may pose a risk to root and tubercule vegetables. These discoveries highlight the importance of conducting comprehensive evaluations of hygiene practices in incorporating organic amendments in crops, explicitly aiming to minimize the risk of post-contamination.

Towards Practical Transciphering for FHE with Setup Independent of the Plaintext Space

Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) is a powerful tool to achieve non-interactive privacy preserving protocols with optimal computation/communication complexity. However, the main disadvantage is that the actual communication cost (bandwidth) is high due to the large size of FHE ciphertexts. As a solution, a technique called transciphering (also known as Hybrid Homomorphic Encryption) was introduced to achieve almost optimal bandwidth for such protocols. However, all existing works require clients to fix a precision for the messages or a mathematical structure for the message space beforehand. It results in unwanted constraints on the plaintext size or underlying structure of FHE based applications. In this article, we introduce a new approach for transciphering which does not require fixed message precision decided by the client, for the first time. In more detail, a client uses any kind of FHE-friendly symmetric cipher for { 0 , 1 } to send its input data encrypted bit-by-bit, then the server can choose a precision p depending on the application and homomorphically transforms the encrypted bits into FHE ciphertexts encrypting integers in ℤ p . To illustrate our new technique, we evaluate a transciphering using FiLIP cipher and adapt the most practical homomorphic evaluation technique [CCS'22] to keep the practical latency. As a result, our proof-of-concept implementation for p from 2 2 to 2 8 takes only from 13 ms to 137 ms.

The Guidelines for Developing Competitiveness of Thai Agricultural Products: A Case Study of Durian Production in 14 Southern Provinces, Thailand

This study explores ways to make Thai durian production more competitive, concentrating on sustainable practices and difficulties experienced by durian growers. Multiple techniques were used. A thorough grasp of the market dynamics was gathered through in-depth interviews with 30 industry stakeholders, including durian producers, exporters, distributors, government officials, and industry professionals. 200 responders from 14 southern regions of Thailand, where durian production is crucial because of traditional farming practices and a favourable climate. Examining quality control practises, distribution effectiveness and sustainable farming methods revealed areas that might be improved to increase industry competitiveness. The study also revealed difficulties, including losses from post-harvest handling, barriers to entry into the market, regulatory limits, and inconsistent quality. The study also examined consumer preferences for sustainable products and their willingness to pay more. The findings reveal a sustainably produced durian goods market since they show an increasing consumer trend towards eco-friendly alternatives. Future recommendations call for incorporating technology into the supply chain, doing in-depth customer preference research, conducting a comparative analysis, and conducting long-term evaluations of sustainable practices. Policymakers, businesspeople, and researchers working to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of the Thai durian industry will find this study helpful.

Evaluation of knowledge and practice of pediatricians about Early Childhood Caries in Tehran, Iran

background: Despite efforts for improvement of oral health in the world during recent years, dental caries remained one of the most common chronic diseases in the childhood. One of the most important factors that can play a significant role in the success of oral health promotion programs is the adherence and collaboration of non dental staff of pediatric health providers such as pediatricians.
 Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate pediatricians' knowledge and practice regarding oral health and its related factors.
 Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study conducted in 2020, 90 pediatricians that were working in Tehran city participated. A newly designed valid and reliable questionnaire comprised of three sections of demographics (8 questions), knowledge (30 questions) and practice (8 questions) was provided to the participants. The knowledge questions consisted of five domains about primary teeth (8 questions), dental visits (3 questions), dental caries determinants (8 questions), eating habits (7 questions), and fluoride (4 questions). Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 22. The significance level was considered to be less than 0.05 (p < 0.05).
 Results: The participants (n=90) had an average age of 45.96 ± 9.75 years (ranged 30-76 years) and 60 percent of them were women. The mean of their knowledge score was 20.10 ±4.45 (out of a maximum 30) and for the practice, it was 15.51 ± 3.49 (out of a maximum 24). Receiving oral health training courses during education period was significantly associated with the higher knowledge of the physicians (r = 0.20, p = 0.04). Furthermore, interest in learning (r = 0.20, p = 0.04) and presence of dentists among their relatives and friends (r = 0.21, p = 0.03) were significantly related to better oral health practice of the studied pediatricians. There was no difference in pediatricians’ knowledge and practice according to age and gender.
 Conclusion: In general, the knowledge and practice of pediatricians about oral health and prevention of dental caries for their patients was not satisfactory. The associations between higher knowledge and practice with recieving the oral health training courses during education period, interest in learning and other motivations such as presence of a dentist among relatives, casts light on the importance of training such professional health staff to promote oral health in the childhood.

Practical Implementation and Performance Evaluation of a Voice-Controlled Wheelchair System

Practical Implementation and Performance Evaluation of a Voice-Controlled Wheelchair System

Assessment of the psychometric properties of the italian version of the midwifery student evaluation of practice (MIDSTEP-IT): A validity and reliability study

BackgroundClinical learning is a crucial component of the midwifery education program, necessary to support the acquisition of professional abilities through the integration of theoretical and practical learning experiences. Evaluating Bachelor of Midwifery students’ perception of their clinical learning experiences is important to improve midwifery educational programs. Aimthe objective of this study was the translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of the Midwifery Student Evaluation of Practice (MidSTEP) in a group of Italian midwives’ students. Methods“Translation and Cultural Adaptation of Patient Reported Outcomes Measures - Principles of Good Practice” guidelines were adopted to achieve the MidSTEP Italian version. Exploratory Factor Analysis was performed. Internal consistency for reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient (α) and Omega coefficient (ω), while Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) were used to determine if the tool was stable over time. FindingsThe Italian version of MidSTEP (MidSTEP-IT) has good internal consistency: considering the Clinical Learning Environment Scale, Cronbach's α was 0.839 (for the “Skill Development” subscale α was equal to 0.739 and for the “Philosophy of Midwifery Practice” subscale α was equal to 0.825) while considering the Midwifery Preceptor Scale, Cronbach's α was 0.920. Factor analysis does not fully reflect the factorial analysis of the original version. ConclusionThe MidSTEP-IT had been proven to be a valid and reliable tool, easy and fast to administer, that could be effectively helpful for investigating and measuring the Italian midwifery students’ perception of their clinical learning experiences, according to the setting and impact of mentors on their professional growth. It is an innovative tool, valuable in both clinical practice and research to highlight the importance of encouraging a supportive clinical learning environment and an efficient preceptorship.

Database Privacy: Design of User Privacy Preserving Central Bank Digital Currency: A Case of Tanzania

Objectives: This work aims to contribute towards Tanzanian Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) users’ privacy preservation. It proposes the design of a privacy preserving CBDC which might be issued by Tanzania's Central Bank (CB), the Bank of Tanzania (BoT), which is currently in CBDC research phase. The work also aims to contribute to literature, the CBDC research being done by BoT, other CBs and CBDC stakeholders around the world. Methods: By using the Design Science Research (DSR) methodology, a privacy preserving CBDC design suitable for Tanzania was proposed, demonstrated and evaluated. This is the result of existing literature showing that different countries have different CBDC designs due to their differences in contexts and purposes for CBDC issuance. This consequently emphasized the fact that a CBDC design should not be treated as a one-size fits all solution. Findings: As opposed to the existing general and other country specific CBDC designs, we proposed a privacy preserving CBDC design suitable for Tanzania by consulting literature and taking into consideration the Tanzanian context. The design appears to be promising Tanzanian CBDC users’ privacy preservation though further work needs to be done. The work should not only be on practical evaluation of the proposed design but also on other factors impacting the success of CBDC projects. This will consequently further increase the success probability of CBDC projects, hence the potential for practical realization of CBDC project benefits. Novelty: Existing literature has shown that, considering the countries’ differences in context and CBDC issuance purposes, CBDC design should not be treated as a generic solution thereby obliging the need for country-specific CBDC designs. Consequently, the privacy preserving CBDC design suitable specifically for Tanzania consists of and provides an outline of privacy preserving interactions among the identified key Tanzanian CBDC participants or actors. The actors are the BoT, the intermediaries (i.e., other banks and payment service providers), Tanzania’s National Identification Authority (NIDA), financial transactions violation detection engine, and the expected CBDC users. Keywords: Digital currency, database privacy, central bank digital currency, privacy

Development of Learning Material using Gamification for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The basic need for students with an autism spectrum disorder in lectures is repetition in their learning activities. The development of gamification for learning material can accommodate these needs. Information System Department, Universitas Komputer Indonesia, has developed multimedia-based learning material with the concept of gamification for them in two courses as prototypes. Data for the needs for developing learning material was carried out through forum group discussions with experts in the education field for students with special needs. When data is collected from stakeholders, then analyzed with the Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat model to get a description of the internal and external environment in their learning process. After that, the design, development, and testing (using the black box method and user acceptance testing) of the multimedia application are presented. The result is an application as a prototype which is packaged in a gamification concept to provide interactive audiovisual through the provision of theoretical and practical material video and evaluation by the completion of a mission in a game. The goal is to efficiently deliver material in the learning process for them. The impact of the prototype can be able to improve the quality of the learning experience of students with an autism spectrum disorder.

Feasibility and practicability of routine pactice data collection and evaluations (AbD) – Experiences, analyses and suggestions for further development

With the instrument of Routine Practice Data Collection and Evaluations (German: AbD) introduced in 2019, the legislator has created the possibility of collecting comparative data in routine care. The AbD serves to generate evidence and the purpose of benefit assessment in accordance with the AMNOG (German Act on the Reform of the Market for Medicinal Products) as the basis for new reimbursement negotiations. A central point for the feasibility of an AbD are the current requirements for the proof of a quantifiable additional benefit. In a simulation study, the rigid effect thresholds currently stipulated in IQWiG‘s methods paper, but also modified requirements, were analysed. All completed orphan drug procedures since the introduction of the early benefit assessment in 2011 were included. The study shows that the procedure currently proposed by IQWiG for the AbD requires relatively large numbers of patients, which are often difficult to achieve, especially for orphan drugs. Based on the simulated, modified criteria, an alternative procedure is proposed that could do justice to the special situation of an AbD as an adjusted but non-randomised comparison.

Exploring international collaborative writing groups’ potential for community-based academic development around public SoTL

ABSTRACT This paper reports on a new version of the ISSOTL (International Society of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning)-based International Collaborative Writing Groups (ICWGs), which has a specific focus on public scholarship. In this study, we focus on the community-based elements of the ICWGs-Public, and in particular on community-based academic development, including cross-institutional and international collaboration aspects of ICWGs-Public. In this qualitative study, we use Wenger and Wenger-Trayner’s communities of practice evaluation framework, which outlines seven levels of value, to explore the potential outcomes and benefits of ICWGs-Public, based on a series of semi-structured interviews with participants. ICWGs-Public show potential as a model for cross-institutional community-based academic development, particularly if the community of practice has a strong central focus, in this case public SoTL. Community-based academic development may therefore have an important role to play in extending SoTL beyond the academic realm.

Management of primary childhood glaucoma: Evaluation of practice, practice gaps, and needs in a low-resource country

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the current practice, equipment availability, and training needs for managing childhood glaucoma in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: An online questionnaire (Google Forms) was distributed through E-mails and social media platforms of pediatric ophthalmologists and glaucoma specialists who practice in Nigeria and manage glaucoma in children aged 0–16 years. Information concerning sociodemographic characteristics, type of practice, location of practice, years of practice, status, and preferred practices in the management of childhood glaucoma cataracts were obtained and analyzed with SPSS. Results: Thirty (23.3%) out of 129 eligible participants indicated they perform glaucoma surgeries in children. The majority (66.6%) had practiced as specialists for 10 years or less, and 70% were pediatric ophthalmologists. A third of the respondents practiced in the country’s southwest region, with none in the Northeast region. The most common surgery performed for primary congenital glaucoma was combined trabeculotomy trabeculectomy, while trabeculectomy was the most common surgery performed for juvenile open-angle glaucoma. Two respondents reported performing glaucoma drainage device surgery and seven reported possessions of skills for goniotomy. All centers had trabeculectomy instrument sets, while three centers had facilities for endolaser cyclophotocoagulation, and only two centers had knives for goniotomy. Antimetabolites were routinely used for childhood glaucoma surgeries by 26 (86.7%) respondents, and the most common antimetabolite used was mitomycin (21; 80.8%). Conclusion: There is a need for the development of in-country training programs and the exchange of skills through collaboration among those providing glaucoma services within Nigeria to improve the care of children with glaucoma.

Design and Architecture of Memory Objects

The purpose of the article is to assess the possibilities and prospects of restoring damaged historical objects and architectural monuments as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2024. The article focuses on the need to memorialize such destroyed or damaged objects and to find ways to implement it. The research methodology is based on a combination of historical analysis and practical evaluation using survey and analytical approaches. The scientific novelty of the study consists in the combination of the analysis of the practical experience of restoring historical objects using the latest technologies and approaches, as well as taking into account the specifics of damage to architectural objects caused by the Russian-Ukrainian war. The study examines the optimal ways of restoring the object in order to preserve its historical value and cultural significance for the community, and also substantiates the possibility of the updated object to correspond not only or not so much to the original appearance of the projects, but to the combination of functional space with the idea of memorialization. In our opinion, the memorialization of the cultural object would be important in the historical aspect and would contribute to the maintenance of the patriotic spirit and the preservation of national memory. Conclusions. The study determined that the restoration of historical objects damaged as a result of Russian aggression is of great importance both for the preservation of cultural heritage and for the restoration of the socio-cultural life of the community. The main principles that will influence the formation and reconstruction in the post-war period are outlined. In particular, sustainability and systematicity, ensuring transparency and participation of communities in decision-making, using the best technologies and practices of European standards proven by experience will have a significant impact on the development of reconstruction. But due to a significant number of damaged historical objects, the prospects for their restoration are closely related to the help of the international community.

Application of implementation science for improving the utilization of an international clinical practice guidance on familial hypercholesterolemia

The International Atherosclerosis Society (IAS) published an evidence-informed guidance for familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) that provides both clinical and implementation recommendations. We reference examples of strategies from the literature to explore how these implementation recommendations can be tailored into implementation strategies at the local-level for stakeholders guided by a framework proposed by Sarkies and Jones. Four authors of the IAS guidance selected two published exemplar implementation recommendations for detection, management, and general implementation. Each recommendation was described as an implementation strategy using Proctor's guidance for specifying and reporting implementation strategies. It recommends reporting the actor (who), action (what), action-target (who is impacted), temporality (how often), and dose (how much) for each implementation strategy. Detection: A centralized cascade testing model, mobilized nurses (actor) to relative's homes, after the diagnosis of the proband (temporality), once (dose) to consent, obtain a blood sample and health information (action) on relatives (action-target). A primary care initiative to improve FH management included an educational session (action) with clinicians (action-target), computer-based reminder message and message to patients to have their cholesterol screened once (dose) at a visit or outreach (temporality) by researchers (actor). General: A partnership between a statewide public pathology provider, local public hospital network, primary health network, government health ministry, and an academic university (actors) was established to implement a primary-tertiary shared care model (action) to improve the detection of FH (action-target). We demonstrate that implementation recommendations can be specified and reported for different local contexts with examples on monitoring, evaluation, and sustainability in practice.

Evaluation of Knowledge and Practice of Ahvaz Laboratory Workers Regarding Blastocystis Hominis During 2018-2019

Evaluation of Knowledge and Practice of Ahvaz Laboratory Workers Regarding Blastocystis Hominis During 2018-2019

43 Evaluation of invasive nodal staging practice in lung cancer

43 Evaluation of invasive nodal staging practice in lung cancer