Relevant Assessment Research Articles

Developing Behavior-Based Assessment Scales To Promote Fairness In Performance Assessment

Performance appraisal is a critical process in human resource management that influences employee motivation, development, and recognition. However, challenges in performance appraisal are often associated with subjectivity and a lack of fairness in the assessment. Therefore, this research aims to develop a behavior-based assessment scale that can promote fairness in performance appraisal. The method of developing this assessment scale involves several key steps. First, identify relevant and objectively measurable assessment criteria, such as technical skills, teamwork, initiative, and integrity. Next, establish a clear and measurable assessment scale for each criterion, whether numerical scales or specific behavioral descriptions. Validation of the scale is conducted through testing and factor analysis to ensure its reliability and validity in accurately measuring behavior. Training for evaluators and relevant employees is also a crucial part of implementing this assessment scale to ensure consistent and objective evaluations based on established criteria. The results of developing this behavior-based assessment scale are expected to enhance transparency, objectivity, and fairness in the performance appraisal process. With a measurable and relevant assessment scale in place, it is hoped to motivate employees, identify areas for development, and provide fair recognition based on the actual contributions of each individual within the organization. This research makes a significant contribution in the context of human resource management towards achieving organizational goals effectively and efficiently.

Construction of a model for evaluating the efficiency of technology transfer process based on a fuzzy logic approach

The object of research is technology transfer, which covers the mechanism of transfer of technological knowledge and innovations from developers to end users or manufacturers. The problem to be solved is to provide a relevant assessment of the effectiveness of technology transfer by applying modern economic and mathematical models (based on the method of fuzzy logic) to assess the effectiveness of technology transfer under conditions of uncertainty. The main results obtained: a fuzzy-logical model for evaluating the level of the technology transfer efficiency indicator was built; it is performed according to the following algorithm: 1) the involvement of three components of technology transfer – technological, financial, and marketing as input variables of the model, which are calculated on the basis of statistical and financial reporting data, expert surveys; 2) selection of parameters and type of membership function for three input variables and one output variable (integral indicator) and construction of a system of 27 logical rules; 3) determining the efficiency of technology transfer using Mamdani's fuzzy derivation and checking the adequacy of the model. A visualization of the "input-output" surface was performed, which determines the maximum value of the TTPE (TechnologyTransferProjectsEfficiency) indicator, which serves as a summary indicator for the success of technology transfer projects and is observed at high levels of model input variables. The indicator T (technical component of technology transfer efficiency), F (financial component of technology transfer efficiency), and M (marketing component of technology transfer efficiency) was introduced. The scientific results could be applied to determine the optimal ways of technology transfer to industry, to plan strategies for introducing new technological products to the market, taking into account the effectiveness of licensing, partnership, and cooperation processes

Long-term pituitary function and functional and patient-reported outcomes in severe acquired brain injury.

Assessment of posttraumatic hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunctions is expected to be the most relevant assessment to offer patients with severe intracranial affection. In this study, we aim to investigate the prevalence of hypopituitarism in patients with severe acquired traumatic brain injury (TBI) compared with nontraumatic brain injury (NTBI) and to relate pituitary insufficiency to functional and patient-reported outcomes. This is a prospective study. We included patients admitted for inpatient neurorehabilitation after severe TBI (N = 42) and NTBI (N = 18). The patients underwent a pituitary function assessment at a mean of 2.4 years after the injury. Functional outcome was assessed by using Functional Independence Measure and Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (both 1 year after discharge from neurorehabilitation) and patient-reported outcome was assessed by using Multiple Fatigue Inventory-20 and EQ-5D-3L. Hypopituitarism was reported in 10/42 (24%) patients with TBI and 7/18 (39%) patients with NTBI (P = .23). Insufficiencies affected 1 axis in 14/17 (82%) patients (13 hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and 1 growth hormone [GH] deficiency) and 2 axes in 3/17 (18%) patients (1 hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and GH deficiency, and 2 hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and arginin vasopressin deficiency). None had central hypoadrenalism or central hypothyroidism. In patients with both TBI and NTBI, pituitary status was unrelated to functioning and ability scores at 1 year and to patient-reported outcome scores at a mean of 2.4 years after the injury. Patients with severe acquired brain injury may develop long-term hypothalamus-pituitary insufficiency, with an equal occurrence in patients with TBI and NTBI. In both types of patients, mainly isolated deficiencies, most commonly affecting the gonadal axis, were seen. Insufficiencies were unrelated to functional outcomes and patient-reported outcomes, probably reflecting the complexity and heterogeneous manifestations in both patient groups.

Passive cooling and thermal comfort performance of Passive Downdraught Evaporative Cooling (PDEC) towers in a Saudi library: An on-site study

In the hot arid climate of Saudi Arabia, where air conditioning, primarily fueled by fossil fuels, accounts for a significant portion of energy consumption, the implementation of Passive Downdraught Evaporative Cooling (PDEC) towers presents a sustainable solution. This study conducts an extensive evaluation of PDEC towers in a public library, focusing on their effectiveness in reducing reliance on conventional cooling and enhancing thermal comfort. Through detailed field measurements, the study examines the influence of wind speed on the towers' cooling performance, correlating it with internal environmental conditions. The research extends to a comparative analysis of two prominent thermal comfort models: the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and the Adaptive Thermal Comfort (ATC) model. Findings indicate a notable interaction between wind speed and indoor air temperature, where increased wind speeds correspond to higher indoor temperatures. Despite this, the PDEC towers demonstrate a significant reduction in temperature, maintaining cooling effectiveness between 70 % and 75 %. The comparative study of thermal comfort models reveals that the ATC model provides a more relevant assessment of comfort levels in naturally ventilated spaces, with 71 % of the recorded temperatures falling within the comfortable range during the monitoring period. The research highlights the PDEC tower's potential in delivering effective passive cooling, adaptable to wind speed changes, and contributing to a sustainable and energy-efficient building environment in hot arid climates.

Promising practices for culturally relevant assessment: A systematic review

ABSTRACT Culturally relevant assessment (CRA) accounts for socio-cultural identities, experiences, and values that mediate the ways students know, think, and respond to test items. As CRA is unignorable for increasingly culturally diverse classrooms, this study investigates common practices and the impact of CRA on culturally diverse learners’ assessment outcomes. Based on a synthesis of 20 empirical studies, findings show positive evidence of CRA on diverse learners’ performance on test items and seven promising practices that can inform assessment development processes and content. These seven practices were classified along two categorical features of CRA including transparency of the assessment design process and cultural validity of the assessment. This article offers an in-depth description of the twelve practices with examples from the studies. Although studies that implement CRA in small-scale assessments were predominant, findings are discussed in view of their relationships with and significance for assessment across levels and areas of need for future studies.

Post-COVID-19 respiratory sequelae two years after hospitalization: an ambidirectional study

COVID-19 lung sequelae can impact the course of patient lives. We investigated the evolution of pulmonary abnormalities in post-COVID-19 patients 18-24 months after hospital discharge. A cohort of COVID-19 patients admitted to the Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP in São Paulo, Brazil, between March and August of 2020, were followed-up 6-12 months after hospital discharge. A subset of patients with pulmonary involvement and chest computed tomography (CT) scans were eligible to participate in this second follow-up (18-24 months). Data was analyzed in an ambidirectional manner, including retrospective data from the hospitalization, and from the first follow-up (6-12 months after discharge), and compared with the prospective data collected in this new follow-up. From 348 patients eligible, 237 (68%) participated in this follow-up. Among participants, 139 (58%) patients presented ground-glass opacities and reticulations, and 80 (33%) presented fibrotic-like lesions (traction bronchiectasis and architectural distortion). Five (2%) patients improved compared to the 6-12-month assessment, but 20 (25%) of 80 presented worsening of lung abnormalities. For those with relevant assessments on both occasions, comparing the CT findings between this follow-up with the previous assessment, there was an increase in patients with architectural distortion (43 [21%] of 204 vs 57 [28%] of 204, p=0.0093), as well as in traction bronchiectasis (55 [27%] of 204 vs 69 [34%] of 204, p=0.0043). Patients presented a persistent functional impairment with demonstrated restrictive pattern in both follow-ups (87 [42%] of 207 vs 91 [44%] of 207, p=0.76), as well as for the reduced diffusion capacity (88 [42%] of 208 vs 87 [42%] of 208, p=1.0). Length of hospitalization (OR 1.04 [1.01-1.07], p=0.0040), invasive mechanical ventilation (OR 3.11 [1.3-7.5] p=0.011), patient's age (OR 1.03 [1.01-1.06] p=0.0074 were consistent predictors for development of fibrotic-like lung lesions in post-COVID-19 patients. Post-COVID-19 lung sequelae can persist and progress after hospital discharge, suggesting airways involvement and formation of new fibrotic-like lesions, mainly in patients who were in intensive care unit (ICU). São Paulo Research Foundation (22/01769-5) and Instituto Todos pela Saúde (C1721).

The value of AI-based analysis of fractional flow reserve of volume computed tomographically detected coronary artery stenosis with regard to their hemodynamic relevance.

The aim of our work was to demonstrate the importance of artificial intelligence-based analysis of fractional flow reserves of computed tomographically detected coronary artery stenosis with regard to their hemodynamic relevance in patients with unclear chest pain and suspected stable coronary heart disease with a low to medium pre-test probability.The collective of our retrospective analysis includes 63 patients in whom coronary artery stenosis was detected by volume computed tomographic examination in "one beat, whole heart" mode in the period from March to October 2022. In these patients, the fractional flow reserve was also determined by computed tomography, which was modulated by the use of artificial intelligence.The calculated values of the fractional flow reserve and the degrees of stenosis determined by computed tomography showed a moderate and significant negative correlation for all three coronary vascular territories (LAD/CX/RCA) (correlation coefficient rho = 0.54/0.54/0.6; p < 0.01 respectively). In just over a third (37.6 %) of all stenoses classified as high-grade by computed tomography, the assessment of hemodynamic relevance by calculating the fractional flow reserve deviated from the severity of the stenosis diagnosed by computed tomography, while the results in the peripheral areas "no stenosis/vascular occlusion" were 100 % consistent in each case.The present results of this work illustrate that the calculation of the fractional flow reserve based on artificial intelligence as a supplement to volume computed tomography of the heart can make a decisive contribution to further therapy planning by increasing the specificity of the purely morphological method by the physiological aspect. · Calculation of fractional flow reserve is a useful addition to computed tomography of the heart.. · It provides possibility to dispense with unnecessary further diagnostics by increasing specificity.. · The combination of both procedures leads to therapy optimization for patients.. · Noblé H, Mühlbauer N, Ehling J et al. The value of AI-based analysis of fractional flow reserve of volume computed tomographically detected coronary artery stenosis with regard to their hemodynamic relevance. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2024; DOI: 10.1055/a-2271-0887.

Artificial Weathering Test Methods of Waterborne Acrylic Coatings for Steel Structure Corrosion Protection.

Corrosion protection technologies based on waterborne paints have become increasingly popular as steel structure protection, which implies the need to determine relevant assessment methods considering the conditions of use and product-specific characteristics. This study attempts to evaluate the fitness of standard corrosion protection weathering methods and an original cyclic test for verifying the resistance of waterborne acrylic coatings to environmental conditions. Changes to the properties of artificially weathered coatings were analysed with reference to those observed during exposure in natural conditions. The degree of coating degradation after exposure to neutral salt spray and condensation humidity was determined to significantly exceed the changes observed in natural conditions. An original cyclic test caused changes in the appearance, microstructure, FT-IR spectrum and utility properties of the coatings, such as thickness, colour, hardness, adhesion and impedance, similar to those observed in the natural environment. The results confirm that the programming direction of waterborne coatings artificial weathering tests is adequate and promising.

Problem-based learning and the integration of sustainable development goals

PurposeThis study explores how problem-based learning (PBL) programs can address Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) via the higher education (HE) curriculum, teaching materials and relevant assessments, supporting learning at scale for HE institutions.Design/methodology/approachEmploying SDGs and their indicators as the coding framework, our two-phase study evaluates the curriculum and teaching materials of seven PBL programs at a leading higher education institution (HEI). The first phase involved a content analysis to assess the degree of sustainability integration in 156 relevant courses. The second phase applied a semi-automated mapping protocol to analyze learning and teaching materials in 120 relevant courses.FindingsThe school aligns with 17 SDGs (100%), covering 94 indicators (55.62%). On average, each program within the school addresses over ten of these goals and incorporates more than 24 associated indicators. However, the study reveals an imbalance in the incorporation of SDGs, with some goals not yet deeply and comprehensively embedded in the curriculum. While there is a substantial focus on sustainability theories, the practical implications of SDGs in emerging countries, particularly through case studies and assessments, require significant enhancement.Practical implicationsMapping SDGs allows HEIs to identify strengths and gaps in SDG integration, thereby improving the PBL approach to enhance student work readiness in sustainability-focused careers.Originality/valueThrough the lens of transformative learning theory, this study provides evidence of SDG integration into PBL curricula. It highlights a mapping methodology that enables HEIs to evaluate their sustainability readiness in curriculum, teaching materials and relevant assessments.

Assessment of management reasoning: Design considerations drawn from analysis of simulated outpatient encounters

Purpose Management reasoning is a distinct subset of clinical reasoning. We sought to explore features to be considered when designing assessments of management reasoning. Methods This is a hybrid empirical research study, narrative review, and expert perspective. In 2021, we reviewed and discussed 10 videos of simulated (staged) physician-patient encounters, actively seeking actions that offered insights into assessment of management reasoning. We analyzed our own observations in conjunction with literature on clinical reasoning assessment, using a constant comparative qualitative approach. Results Distinguishing features of management reasoning that will influence its assessment include management scripts, shared decision-making, process knowledge, illness-specific knowledge, and tailoring of the encounter and management plan. Performance domains that merit special consideration include communication, integration of patient preferences, adherence to the management script, and prognostication. Additional facets of encounter variation include the clinical problem, clinical and nonclinical patient characteristics (including preferences, values, and resources), team/system characteristics, and encounter features. We cataloged several relevant assessment approaches including written/computer-based, simulation-based, and workplace-based modalities, and a variety of novel response formats. Conclusions Assessment of management reasoning could be improved with attention to the performance domains, facets of variation, and variety of approaches herein identified.

Assessment of relevance and actual implementation of person-centeredness in healthcare and social support services for women with unintended pregnancy in Germany (CarePreg): results of expert workshops

IntroductionPerson-centeredness is a key principle in the German healthcare system. However, access to high-quality care for women with unintended pregnancy is limited due to social stigma and legal restrictions. There is little research on the adoption of person-centeredness in care for women with unintended pregnancy. The aim of this study was to analyze relevance and actual implementation of dimensions of person-centeredness in psycho-social and medical abortion care from the view of abortion care providers.MethodsCounselors and gynecologist working in psycho-social or medical abortion care participated in one of two digital workshops. Discussions were semi-structured based on the 16 dimensions of an integrative model of person-centeredness, audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. During qualitative content analysis, deductive categories based on the integrative model of person-centeredness were applied and inductive categories were developed. Additionally, participants rated relevance and actual implementation of the dimensions in an online survey.ResultsThe 18 workshop participants most intensively discussed the dimensions “access to care”, “person-centered characteristics of healthcare providers” and “personally tailored information”. Four additional categories on a macro level (“stigmatization of women with unintended pregnancy”, “stigmatization of healthcare providers”, “political and legal aspects” and “corona pandemic”) were identified. Most dimensions were rated as highly relevant but implementation status was described as rather low.ConclusionsIn Germany, high quality person-centered care for women with unintended pregnancy is insufficiently implemented through limited access to information, a lack of abortion care providers, and stigmatization. There is a need for changes in health care structures to enable nationwide person-centered care for women with unintended pregnancy. Those changes include a more easy access to evidence-based information and person-centered abortion care, more education on abortion care for healthcare providers, integration of topics of abortion care in medical schools and promotion of de-stigmatizing actions to enable abortions as part of the general healthcare.

Analysis of the impacts of financial development on economic growth in East Africa: How do the institutional qualities matter?

The financial sector plays a vital role in fostering economic growth, regardless of a nation's development stage. However, East Africa, compared to other regions, faces unique challenges in advancing its financial landscape. While the existing body of research acknowledges the significance of financial development in promoting economic growth, some studies need more regional specificity, focusing on broader frameworks that may neglect specific factors like the quality of institutions within East Africa. This research addresses this gap by investigating the relationship between financial development and economic growth in 18 East African countries from 1995 to 2021. Employing dynamic panel estimation (GMM) to address potential Endogeneity and reverse causality concerns, the study delves into the moderating effect of institutional quality on this relationship. Factors like government stability, rule of law, presence of the military in politics, and corruption control measure institutional quality.Additionally, the study controls for other relevant factors influencing economic growth. Data sourced from reputable international organizations such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and relevant risk assessment institutions serves as the basis for analysis. The findings reveal that the impact of financial development on economic growth in East Africa is multifaceted. While financial development itself demonstrates a positive influence on growth, this effect is significantly amplified in countries with stronger institutional frameworks. This suggests that robust institutions act as a catalyst, maximizing the positive impact of financial development on economic growth.

Recommendations for asthma monitoring in children: A PeARL document endorsed by APAPARI, EAACI, INTERASMA, REG, and WAO.

Monitoring is a major component of asthma management in children. Regular monitoring allows for diagnosis confirmation, treatment optimization, and natural history review. Numerous factors that may affect disease activity and patient well-being need to be monitored: response and adherence to treatment, disease control, disease progression, comorbidities, quality of life, medication side-effects, allergen and irritant exposures, diet and more. However, the prioritization of such factors and the selection of relevant assessment tools is an unmet need. Furthermore, rapidly developing technologies promise new opportunities for closer, or even "real-time," monitoring between visits. Following an approach that included needs assessment, evidence appraisal, and Delphi consensus, the PeARL Think Tank, in collaboration with major international professional and patient organizations, has developed a set of 24 recommendations on pediatric asthma monitoring, to support healthcare professionals in decision-making and care pathway design.

The Impact of Carbon Emission Trading System on ESG of Agricultural Enterprises: Evidence from 24 Listed Agricultural Companies in China

With China’s dual carbon goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, the carbon emission trading system will play a crucial role. In addition, agriculture, which is closely linked to carbon emissions, is a foundational industry in China. It is worth paying attention to how it responds to carbon emission trading policies. This study uses data from agricultural listed enterprises from 2009 to 2022, and employs the Difference-in-Differences (DID) method and the intermediary effect model. The evidence suggests that the the carbon emission trading system will significantly improve the the ESG evaluation of agricultural enterprises. Furthermore, green management innovation, green total factor productivity, and CSR information disclosure quality of enterprises will act as intermediaries. The study calls for the government to accelerate the establishment of a national carbon trading market, improve reward and penalty systems, and evaluation frameworks for green innovation in agricultural enterprises. It also emphasizes the need to strengthen pre-subsidies for small-scale enterprises, encourage environmental literacy training for management personnel in agricultural enterprises, intensify green innovation efforts, and establish relevant department assessments of corporate social responsibility.

Target identification and validation in research

Target identification is a critical step in biomedical research because it lays the groundwork for the development of new therapies and drugs. Genetic research, including genome-wide association studies (GWAS), genomic sequencing, functional genomics, and data integration, is crucial for understanding disease genetics and potential treatment targets. Transcriptomics and proteomics give data on gene and protein expression, making it easier to identify targets in dysregulated diseases. Target identification is essential for drug discovery, precision medicine, lowering medication attrition, increasing therapeutic efficacy, and, eventually, transforming patient care and drug development. Target validation is a critical stage in drug development because it verifies that revealed molecular targets play a substantial role in disease progression and are therefore suitable for treatment. It employs a range of approaches, including genetic validation, pharmacological validation, and animal model validation. Target validation assures that discovered targets are physiologically relevant, druggable, and have a direct impact on disease processes, thereby reducing pharmaceutical attrition, promoting precision medicine, and hastening therapeutic development. Historically, target identification relied on limited knowledge, typically through candidate-based techniques based on assumptions or prior observations. Target validation experiments looked into how gene knockdown or RNA interference affected illness symptoms. Genomics, proteomics, and functional genomics have all made advances in recent years, as have high-throughput screening and data integration. CRISPR-based technologies and high-throughput sequencing have assisted in the validation of targets. Single-cell validation, machine learning and artificial intelligence, advanced in vitro models like organoids, and patient-derived models will all help to make future assessments of target relevance and treatment responses more precise and individualized. These developments have the potential to dramatically revolutionize research target identification and validation.

Ontological scenario model for learners with disabilities in a recommender framework based on assessment analytics

Technology Enhanced Learning Environments (TELE) have attracted many learners to acquire knowledge and skills at their own pace. But the majority of these environments are not accessible for all categories of learners including learners with disabilities. In fact, some environments may provide content during the learning process that does not meet the profiles of every type of disability. Much research has been developed in the area of personalizing e-learning for people with disabilities. The use of assessment analytics, on the other hand, remains largely unexploited despite its great informative potential, which is elated to assessment data generated by online learning environment. Our proposal focuses on the design of a scenario model for Assessment Analytics to develop a recommendation framework for learners with disabilities. This framework is conceived to retrieve and select relevant learning and assessment resources to learners with disabilities based on their preferences, accessibility needs, and assessment trace data in the context of online learning.

An assessment of the clinical relevance of coracoid graft osteolysis following the Latarjet procedure: a clinical and radiological review

The Latarjet procedure was developed for the treatment of anterior shoulder instability in young, high-demand patients with attritional glenoid bone loss, whose risk of redislocation following primary dislocation may exceed 90%. Coracoid graft osteolysis and prominent screws are commonly observed in late computed tomography (CT) scans of patients who re-present following the procedure, but the clinical relevance of osteolysis in the overall Latarjet cohort is undetermined. We aimed to evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes in patients who underwent the Latarjet procedure, and to determine if severe coracoid graft osteolysis compromised clinical outcomes. This was a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent the open Latarjet procedure. Patients were invited via an e-questionnaire that contained a Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI), and queried about redislocation and reoperation since index surgery. Preoperative glenoid bone loss was calculated on CT using the best-fit circle method. Osteolysis was graded (0, screw head buried in graft; 1, screw head exposed; 2, threads exposed; 3, complete resorption/severe osteolysis) at the level of the proximal and distal screws respectively, on axial CT scans performed ≥ 12 months postoperatively. Between 2011 and 2022, a single surgeon performed 442 Latarjet procedures. One hundred fifty eight patients responded to the questionnaire at median (interquartile range [IQR]) 44 (27-70) months postoperatively, among whom the median (IQR) WOSI score was 352 (142-666) points (0=best, 2100=worst). Recurrent anterior instability occurred in 3/158 (2%) patients. One patient required reoperation for this indication. Among patients who had CT scans ≥ 12 months postoperatively (median [IQR] 40 [29-69] months), 1 patient developed severe osteolysis around both screws (WOSI=90), 17/62 (27%) patients developed severe osteolysis around 1 screw, all of which were proximal (median [IQR] WOSI=235 [135-644]), and 44/62 (71%) patients did not develop severe osteolysis around either screw (median [IQR] WOSI=487 [177-815]). There were no statistically significant differences in WOSI scores between groups based on the presence of severe osteolysis. The Latarjet is reliable procedure that has a low rate of redislocation and reoperation. Severe coracoid graft osteolysis occurs with time, and always affects the proximal graft first. The presence of severe osteolysis did not compromise clinical outcomes.

Pluripotent stem cells for target organ developmental toxicity testing.

Prenatal developmental toxicity research focuses on understanding the potential adverse effects of environmental agents, drugs, and chemicals on the development of embryos and fetuses. Traditional methods involve animal testing, but ethical concerns and the need for human-relevant models have prompted the exploration of alternatives. Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are versatile cells with the unique ability to differentiate into any cell type, serving as a foundational tool for studying human development. Two-dimensional (2D) PSC models are often chosen for their ease of use and reproducibility for high-throughput screening. However, they lack the complexity of an in vivo environment. Alternatively, three-dimensional (3D) PSC models, such as organoids, offer tissue architecture and intercellular communication more reminiscent of in vivo conditions. However, they are complicated to produce and analyze, usually requiring advanced and expensive techniques. This review discusses recent advances in the use of human PSCs differentiated into brain and heart lineages and emerging tools and methods that can be combined with PSCs to help address important scientific questions in the area of developmental toxicology. These advancements and new approach methods align with the push for more relevant and predictive developmental toxicity assessment, combining innovative techniques with organoid models to advance regulatory decision-making.

Tools to measure the burden on informal caregivers of cancer patients: A literature review.

(1) To describe existing tools to assess the burden of informal caregivers of people with cancer, (2) to describe how these tools have been validated and (3) to describe the areas of interest of existing assessment tool entries. The caregiver burden of informal caregivers of people with cancer greatly affects their lives. There is a wide variety of relevant assessment tools available, but there are no studies to help researchers to select tools. A search was conducted using the keywords 'cancer', 'caregiver', 'burden' and 'scale' in Medline (PubMed), CINAHL and EMBASE to include articles that developed or applied tools to assess the burden on informal caregivers of cancer patients. Once eligible tools were identified, we searched their 'primary reference' studies. If the original scale was assessed in a population other than informal caregivers of cancer patients, we again searched for psychometric measures in the population of caregivers of cancer patients. This study retrieved 938 articles on developing or applying the informal caregiver burden instrument for cancer patients, including 42 scales. Internal consistency of the original scales ranged from 0.53 to 0.96. Nineteen scales initially developed to assess caregiver burden for patients with dementia, stroke and other disorders were later used for caregivers of cancer patients, eight of which have not yet been validated. Reclassifying all scale domains of concern revealed that scale assessments focused more on caregivers' physical health, emotional state and caregiving tasks. This review identifies many scales for assessing informal caregiver burden in cancer patients and gives scales recommended. However, a portion still needs to be validated. The development of a new scale proposes to be based on a theoretical framework and to consider dimensions for assessing support resources. What problem did the study address?: This paper collates assessment tools on the burden of informal carers of people with cancer. It also provides information on the applicable population, reliability and validity. What were the main findings?: 41 scales could be considered for use, eight of which have not been validated. The scales focus more on assessing caregivers' physical health, emotional state and caregiving tasks, and less on the dimension of support resources. Where and on whom will the research have an impact?: There are implications for informal carers of cancer patients in hospitals or in the community, as well as for relevant researchers. Retrieved with reference to systematic evaluation. No patient or public contribution.

A Perspective-Changing Teaching Experience in Araimiri

The study underscores the remarkable human capacity for resilience and determination when confronted with challenging life situations. Specifically, this research delves into a teacher's interactions with a group of high school students who, due to their unique circumstances, embarked on a transformative journey, overcoming obstacles in the realm of education. The research focused on a private school in Araimiri in the Gulf Province of Papua New Guinea. Employing a qualitative methodology, the study specifically adopts an autoethnographic approach. This autoethnography unfolds against the backdrop of a unique and immersive experience, exposing the researcher to the intricate social dynamics, behaviors, and practices of a group of students. Through keen observations, profound conversations, shared experiences, and the examination of artifacts, the study offers an in-depth and distinctive perspective on the educational landscape during the specified period. The study sought to determine the circumstances that made the experiences of students and teachers significant, to identify key elements of the initial education-related situations of students, to determine the initiatives made to help students improve academically, and to reveal significant findings that manifested through the analyses of the experience. These are the conclusions of the study. First, teachers’ awareness of students' struggles and unique conditions helps them strengthen their teaching approaches. Second, students’ commitment to their lead role in the education process is imperative. Third, teachers’ depth in the understanding of topics and their commitment to teaching help in the ability to simplify complex concepts. Fourth, students’ prerequisite capabilities when introducing new lessons reinforce learning. Fifth, the implemented curriculum should match with relevant assessments that are often provided by the government or industry. These conclusions imply that educational processes are multifaceted and interconnected with components that have to be harmonized to ensure effectiveness.