Assessment Strategies Research Articles

Impact of Displaying Grades Vs. Not Displaying Grades on Academic Performance and Emotional Outcomes While Delivering Feedback Comments: A Longitudinal Study

ABSTRACT This study investigates the impact of displaying grades versus not displaying grades on student performance and emotions in secondary education, while keeping feedback comments constant. Using a longitudinal design, we examined intra-individual changes in performance and emotional responses among 99 students across four classroom groups as they experienced phases of grade display and non-display. Contrary to the notion of grades solely as detrimental, our findings reveal a complex relationship. Initially, grade display decreased performance and evoked negative emotions, but these effects dissipated over time, suggesting student adaptation. Our study highlights the significant impact of feedback comments, suggesting their importance independent of grades. These results call for a sophisticated understanding of grading practices, emphasizing longitudinal research to capture the evolving effects of grades and feedback. Practical implications for educators include maintaining stable grading practices and providing preparatory guidance to mitigate initial negative impacts, contributing to optimizing educational assessment strategies.

Determining the alignment of assessment items with curriculum goals through document analysis by addressing identified item flaws

BackgroundAssessment shapes educational activities and curriculum mapping, influences learning outcomes, and motivates students. In medical education, aligning assessment items with curricular goals ensures that learning outcomes are accurately measured. Our study aimed to evaluate the alignment of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with curriculum objectives, identify any flaws in these items, and propose enhancements to improve assessment quality.MethodologyA quantitative descriptive study was conducted at Islamic International Medical College, Riphah University, in 2023. Pre-hoc reports from mid-stake assessments across five academic years were analyzed, covering both preclinical and clinical years. A total of 2,400 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) were reviewed for the mid-stake exams against the institutional checklist in which flaws were categorized into three types: test wiseness, irrelevant difficulty, and miscellaneous flaws.ResultsThe analysis revealed a significant misalignment between assessment items and curriculum objectives. Of the 2,400 MCQs reviewed across all five years, 561 flaws were identified: 125 test wiseness flaws, 198 irrelevant difficulty flaws, and and 238 miscellaneous flaws. The latter category was recognized as “alignment flaws” which was not previously documented.The documentation and rectification of these flaws, which included issues such as misaligned learning objectives, incorrect assessment strategies, and disconnects between scenarios and lead-ins, led to their inclusion in the institutional checklist, facilitating ongoing improvements in assessment quality.ConclusionsOur study revealed significant gaps in the alignment of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with curriculum objectives, emphasizing the need for a systematic approach to address these flaws. Document analysis identified misalignments between content objectives, cognitive processes, and assessment strategies, which compromise the quality of evaluations and can hinder the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. To address these issues, we propose integrating identified flaws into institutional guidelines and implementing an updated checklist for pre-hoc evaluation of assessment items, with a focus on curriculum alignment and cognitive levels.

A study on multimodal assessment and intervention strategies of the impact of college volleyball teaching on students’ physical and mental health

A study on multimodal assessment and intervention strategies of the impact of college volleyball teaching on students’ physical and mental health

Anticancer Chemotherapy-Induced Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Comprehensive Review

The introduction of anticancer agents has transformed oncology, significantly improving survival rates. However, these therapies have introduced unintended cardiovascular risks, with atherosclerovascular disease (ASCVD) emerging as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among cancer survivors. The development of ASCVD in this population involves multifactorial mechanisms, including endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, and disrupted lipid metabolism. This review examines the various mechanisms through which anticancer chemotherapy contributes to ASCVD and highlights strategies for risk assessment and management. Each class of anticancer agents presents distinct cardiovascular challenges: anthracyclines induce oxidative stress and endothelial damage, promoting foam cell formation and plaque progression; taxanes and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors impair lipid metabolism and vascular stability; anti-metabolites exacerbate endothelial injury through reactive oxygen species; and mTOR inhibitors, hormonal therapies, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and immune checkpoint inhibitors disrupt lipid profiles and inflammatory pathways, increasing the risk of plaque rupture and thrombosis. Mitigating chemotherapy-induced ASCVD necessitates a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach. Detailed pre-treatment cardiovascular risk assessments must address traditional and cancer-specific risk factors, including demographics, pre-existing conditions, and modifiable behaviors such as smoking and inactivity. Pharmacological interventions like statins and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, paired with lifestyle modifications, are essential to reducing ASCVD risk. In resource-limited settings, cost-effective strategies should be prioritized to enhance accessibility. Establishing cardio-oncology units facilitates care coordination, while long-term surveillance enables timely detection and intervention. These strategies collectively improve cardiovascular outcomes and survivorship in diverse patient populations.

Assessing Hybridization-Dependent Off-Target Risk for Therapeutic Oligonucleotides: Updated Industry Recommendations.

Hybridization-dependent off-target (OffT) effects, occurring when oligonucleotides bind via Watson-Crick-Franklin hybridization to unintended RNA transcripts, remain a critical safety concern for oligonucleotide therapeutics (ONTs). Despite the importance of OffT assessment of clinical trial ONT candidates, formal guidelines are lacking, with only brief mentions in Japanese regulatory documents (2020) and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommendations for hepatitis B virus treatments (2022). This article presents updated industry recommendations for assessing OffTs of ONTs, building upon the 2012 Oligonucleotide Safety Working Group (OSWG) recommendations and accounting for recent technological advancements. A new OSWG subcommittee, comprising industry experts in RNase H-dependent and steric blocking antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNAs, has developed a comprehensive framework for OffT assessment. The proposed workflow encompasses five key steps: (1) OffT identification through in silico complementarity prediction and transcriptomics analysis, (2) focus on cell types with relevant ONT activity, (3) in vitro verification and margin assessment, (4) risk assessment based on the OffT biological role, and (5) management of unavoidable OffTs. The authors provide detailed considerations for various ONT classes, emphasizing the importance of ONT-specific factors such as chemistry, delivery systems, and tissue distribution in OffT evaluation. The article also explores the potential of machine learning models to enhance OffT prediction and discusses strategies for experimental verification and risk assessment. These updated recommendations aim to improve the safety profile of ONTs entering clinical trials and to manage unavoidable OffTs. The authors hope that these recommendations will serve as a valuable resource for ONT development and for the forthcoming finalization of the FDA draft guidance and the International Council for Harmonization S13 guidance on Nonclinical Safety Assessment of Oligonucleotide-Based Therapeutics.

Evidence Based Recommendations in Sinonasal Tumors Involving Orbit: Preservation or Exenteration? An IHNSG Guidelines.

Sinonasal tumors with orbital involvement present significant management challenges due to the complex anatomy of the orbital and sinonasal complex and the potential for severe tumor- and treatment-related morbidities. This comprehensive review examines evidence-based decision-making guidelines in the context of treating sinonasal malignancies involving the orbit. We evaluate pre-treatment assessment strategies, discuss the indications for orbital preservation versus its exenteration, explore the role of neo-adjuvant therapies, and analyze reconstruction techniques with ensuing rehabilitation approaches and quality of life. Our review underscores the need for a patient-centered multidisciplinary approach that optimizes treatment outcomes and quality of life for patients suffering from such advanced sinonasal malignancies with orbital involvement.

Assessment on Qualitative Research in Language Education: Perspectives from Thesis Supervisors

This study aims to examine assessment strategies employed by thesis supervisors in assessing their students qualitative research, and to explore the thesis supervisors’ perceptions of their assessment strategies. Conducted in an Indonesian university, this study adopted an explanatory sequential design of mixed-research by using a purposive sampling technique to recruit ten thesis supervisors as the research participants. The findings showed that the supervisors made a total of 1,002 feedback comments on the 20 thesis drafts. The feedback comments focused on five different aspects of students’ theses including research components (58.98%), coherent and cohesion (22.32%), grammatical accuracy (10.27%), vocabulary used (4.49%), and reference and citations (3.89%). Meanwhile, data gained from interview sessions revealed four dominant themes in supervisors’ perceptions of their assessment strategies including instructional scaffolding, time efficiency, students’ engagement, and researcher independence. Despite some limitation such as limited number of participants and inadequate research instruments, this study provides pedagogical implication including the necessity to facilitate students with relevant trainings to help improve their thesis writing skills. Suggestions for future research are also presented.

Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Development: Reducing Food Waste, Building Resilient Organisations, and Enhancing Public Financial Administration

<span id="docs-internal-guid-b53b44f5-7fff-fc2a-362b-39927553c58d"><span>This paper explores the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across three critical areas: food waste reduction, organisational resilience, and public financial administration. By utilising AI technologies like machine learning, predictive analytics, and real-time monitoring, the study highlights how AI can address inefficiencies, enhance systemic resilience, and support global sustainability goals, including the United Nations SDGs. In food waste reduction, AI improves demand forecasting, inventory management, and supply chain optimisation, reducing surplus and spoilage. Examples like bakery demand forecasting and blockchain transparency demonstrate economic and environmental benefits. For organisational resilience, AI enables risk assessment and adaptive strategies, strengthening supply chains and helping organisations transition from reactive to proactive approaches during crises such as COVID-19. In public financial administration, AI streamlines processes, detects fraud, and enhances public trust through innovative platforms and predictive fiscal modelling, as shown in case studies from Finland, Australia, and China. Despite its potential, AI adoption faces challenges, including costs, data integration, ethical concerns, and unequal access. Overcoming these requires robust policies, collaboration, and capacity building. This research emphasises AI’s role as a catalyst for systemic change, advocating for ethical and inclusive adoption to advance sustainability, resilience, and equity in a complex world.</span></span>

Innovative strategies for pollution assessment in Northern Bangladesh: Mapping pollution areas and tracing metal(loid)s sources in various soil types.

This study assessed the risks of soil pollution by heavy metals in Chilmari Upazila, northern Bangladesh, using the static environmental resilience (Pi) model of soil. Geostatistical modeling and self-organizing maps (SOM) identified pollution areas and spatial patterns, while a positive matrix factorization (PMF) model revealed pollution sources. The results showed that the average concentrations of Cr, Pb and As were well above background levels. Agricultural and industrial soils were mainly contaminated with Cr, Pb and As according to the Nemerow Pollution Index (NPI), Ecological Risk (ER) and Pi Index. Over 70% of the sites were contaminated with Pb and Cr, while co-contamination was particularly high. A one-way ANOVA showed significant correlations between Pb, Cu and Zn levels and human activities. The PMF analysis revealed that industrial effluents, agrochemicals and lithogenic sources were the main contributors to soil contamination with 16%, 41% and 43%, respectively. The SOM analysis revealed three distinct spatial patterns (Pb-Zn, Cr-Cu-Ni and Co-Mn-As), which are consistent with the PMF results. These results emphasize the need for stringent measures to reduce industrial emissions and remediate soil contamination in order to improve soil quality and food security.

Patient Education During Hospitalization From the Perspective of Nurse Managers: A Qualitative Study.

The aim of this study was to explore patient education in surgical and medical wards from the perspective of nurse managers. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted with 28 nurse managers from 34 wards in two hospitals, using content analysis. Three themes were identified. The first "Characteristics of patient education" highlights the definitions, goals, and interdisciplinary nature of patient education, emphasizing its role in promoting autonomy and safe discharge. The second "Delivering patient education" focuses on the content, methods, and timing of education. While some managers supported routine care integration, others preferred dedicated sessions, highlighting a need for flexibility in approaches. The third "Evaluating and Improving Patient Education" examines assessment strategies, outcome tracking, and quality maintenance. Effective patient education was linked to reduced readmissions and fewer support calls. Documentation was seen as both essential and burdensome. The study underscores the complexity and benefits of patient education while addressing challenges like time constraints and workload. Recommended strategies include staff training, developing educational tools, structured but flexible approaches, enhanced documentation, and fostering interprofessional collaboration.

Flue Gas Recirculation in Steam Boilers: A Comprehensive Assessment Strategy for Energy Optimization and Efficiency Enhancement

In modern steam boilers, flue gas recirculation (FGR) is generally adopted as a temperature control method for reheated steam. Some research suggests that FGR does not affect the thermal performance of steam boilers, while other studies report enhanced thermal performance. This investigation aims to enhance energy efficiency by using an iterative calculation approach to provide a thorough energy evaluation of a steam boiler with an integrated FGR system. The research applies thermodynamic and heat transfer principles to model combustion characteristics, radiative heat transfer in the furnace waterwall, and convective and inter-tube radiative heat transfer in the economizer, superheaters, and reheater. The model is validated using specifications from an existing power plant boiler and a parametric analysis to examine the effects of varying FGR rates on heat distribution and thermal performance at full and partial loads. The results show that radiative heat accounts for an average of 45% of the total heat supplied, with up to 10% in the heat recovery section. As the FGR rate increases, radiative heat in the heat recovery section decreases by 50%, while the convective heat transfer increases then drops. The model shows that the ideal FGR is bounded between 0.3 at 50% boiler load and 0.4 at full load. An analysis of the impact of FGR on the various parts of the boiler reveals that the economizer experiences the most significant net change in heat gain, followed by the reheater. The effect of gas recirculation on the economizer can be nearly twice as great as on the reheater, indicating that FGR has substantial influence on components beyond the reheater. The findings indicate that reducing excessive heat in the economizer and reheater can be accomplished under different load conditions by regulating the fuel consumption rate according to the analysis of the effects of FGR on radiative and convective heat transfer across various components.

Exploring the Holiday Effect on Elevated Traffic-Related Air Pollution with Hyperlocal Measurements in Chengdu, China

Traffic-related air pollutants (TRAPs) pose significant health risks in megacities, yet fixed monitoring sites often fail to capture their complexity. To characterize the TRAP concentrations which fixed sites cannot address, we employed a mobile platform to effectively capture real-time hyperlocal-scale TRAP variations in Chengdu, China. A 17-day sampling campaign was conducted covering the National Holiday of China and collected ~1.2 × 105 1 Hz paired data. We measured particle number concentration (PNC), black carbon (BC), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) across urban and rural freeway environments to assess the impact of reduced heavy-duty diesel vehicles (HDDVs) during the holiday (i.e., holiday effect). No clear impact of wind direction on TRAP concentrations was found in this study. However, substantial differences (two times) were observed when comparing non-holiday to holiday campaigns. Spearman correlations (0.21–0.56) between TRAPs persistently exceeded Pearson correlations (0.14–0.41), indicating non-linear relationships and suggesting the necessity for data transformations (e.g., logarithms) in TRAP analysis. The comparison of the background subtracted TRAPs concentrations between non-holiday and holidays, revealing approximately a 50% reduction in TRAPs across microenvironments. Among the TRAPs, NOx emerged as a reliable indicator of HDDV emissions. The study provides insights into vehicle fleet composition impacts, paving the way for enhanced exposure assessment strategies.

Machine learning-based processes with active learning strategies for the automatic rapid assessment of seismic resistance of steel frames

Machine learning-based processes with active learning strategies for the automatic rapid assessment of seismic resistance of steel frames

Fostering Advocacy in Student Pharmacists: Strategies for Curricular Integration and Assessment.

This study aimed to discuss teaching and assessment of advocacy skills in student pharmacists as called for in the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy 2022 Curriculum Outcomes and Entrustable Professional Activities. The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy 2022 Curriculum Outcomes and Entrustable Professional Activities categorize advocacy as a skill that should be developed to advance patient care and the profession. This is a change from the 2013 Center for Advancement of Pharmacy Education outcomes, in which the focus was on advocating for patients. Several thought papers have been released calling for an increase in advocacy training, but there has been limited published work on how advocacy is taught and assessed. In this review of published literature, examples of how pharmacy programs have incorporated and assessed advocacy are provided. Historically, teaching advocacy and its principles has been placed in the core curriculum content, elective courses, and/or cocurriculum, with limited assessment of skills related to advocacy. To support the greater focus on developing advocacy skills within the profession and among patient populations, it is recommended to incorporate the teaching of advocacy-related models of change into education curricula. Examples of 3 existing models are detailed. Advocacy is a core skill set for advancing patient care and shaping the direction of the profession. There are currently limited external validation tools to test if students understand what advocacy is and how to perform advocacy. Further development of teaching and evaluation tools should be explored to help provide a common foundation of this skill set in all student pharmacists.

Global regulatory considerations and practices for tumorigenicity evaluation of cell-based therapy.

Cell-based therapy, as a "living drug", possesses inherent complexity and heterogeneity. Tumorigenicity evaluation is a crucial aspect of safety assessment for cell-based therapies. Stem cell-based therapies such as hESCs and hiPSCs, may contain residual undifferentiated cells in final product, which have a high potential for proliferation and differentiation, posing a risk of tumor formation in vivo. Additionally, the source, phenotype, differentiation status, proliferative capacity, ex vivo culture conditions, ex vivo processing methods, injection site, and route of administration also influence the tumorigenicity risk of the cells. Tumorigenicity evaluation needs to consider the complexity of design and multifactorial influences. Through the analysis and summary of partial existing marketed and under-development products, combined with practical experience, it is found that there are many differences in requirements and practices related to cell tumorigenicity globally. Regulatory requirements also vary, and guidance and support for applicants' declaration requirements in different regions need to be considered in conjunction with product characteristics and regulatory considerations. This article comprehensively summarizes the requirements of tumorigenicity from main regulatory agencies. Currently, there is no unified global regulatory consensus on technical implementation guide, measures for quantitation or standardization have not been established for evaluation systems. However, based on regulatory requirements and industry practice summaries, through literature research and analysis of tumorigenicity strategy of representative marketed products, the basic focus, and evaluation strategies for tumorigenicity assessment have been preliminarily clarified, providing a reference for the tumorigenicity design of variety of cell-based therapy products.

Game-theoretic approach to cybersecurity risk assessment and protective strategy optimization in process industry production systems

Game-theoretic approach to cybersecurity risk assessment and protective strategy optimization in process industry production systems

Comprehensive Assessment, Intelligent Prediction, and Precise Mitigation Strategies for Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Full-Scale Wastewater Treatment Plants.

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are major contributors to global anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with China ranks among the leading emitters. In the context of China's "dual-carbon" journey, precision quantification and predictive forecasting of GHG fluxes, particularly methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O)-are crucial for developing advanced mitigation strategies of WWTPs. To accurately assess GHG emissions, this study firstly introduced customized emission factors (EFs) to precisely evaluate the GHG emissions of a full - scale A2O - based WWTP in Beijing. This approach addressed the overestimation of emissions when using the IPCC's standard EFs. Additionally, the study proposed machine learning (ML) techniques to predict GHG fluxes based on routine wastewater quality parameters. Specifically, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Random Forest (RF) models showed the strong performance in predicting CH4 and N2O emissions, respectively. Moreover, our findings revealed distinct spatiotemporal patterns of GHG emission: CH4 emissions peak during the summer solstice, while N2O emissions rise during the winter months. For the first time, this study identified the nitrification biofilter in the advanced treatment unit as a significant direct source of N2O emissions. Eventhough, indirect CO2 emissions account for a dominant 57%-90% of the total GHG emissions. Scenario analyses revealed a strategic mitigation approach. Energy conservation emerged as the most effective measure, capable of reducing emissions by 23.41%, followed by heat recovery, which could cut emissions by 10.15%. In practical applications, improving energy efficiency is of utmost importance in real - world mitigation strategies. This highlights the significance of integrated approaches for achieving the sustainable development of WWTPs in the "dual - carbon" background.

Risk Assessment and Mitigation Strategies for Rainstorm-Induced Disaster Chains in Northwest China

Risk Assessment and Mitigation Strategies for Rainstorm-Induced Disaster Chains in Northwest China

Novel flame retardants (NFRs) in e-waste: Environmental burdens, health implications, and recommendations for safety assessment and sustainable management.

Novel flame retardants (NFRs) have emerged as chemicals of environmental health concern due to their widespread use as an alternative to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) in electrical and electronic devices. Humans and ecosystems are under threat because of e-waste recycling procedures that may emit NFRs and other anthropogenic chemicals into the e-waste workplace and the surrounding environment. The individual toxicity of NFRs including novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs), their combined effects and the underlying mechanisms of toxicity have remained poorly understood. Exposure assessment as well as chemical safety testing should focus on prioritizing N(B)FRs for regulation and management. Here, the occurrence of N(B)FRs in the vicinity and surroundings of e-waste recycling sites are presented. Important knowledge gaps and prospects for a more integrated, harmonized, and mechanistically positioned risk assessment strategy for N(B)FRs as well as possible economically feasible and environmentally sustainable approaches for removing them from complex matrices are highlighted. Overall, data in the ng to µg-ranges of N(B)FR in soil, dust, sediment, water and fish were found. Dust and soil sample concentrations ranged from the low ng to low µg/g range while water concentrations were always in the low ng/L range (∼0.5 to ∼4 ng/L). Concentration in fish was usually in the range of 3- ∼300 ng/g with two substances in the low to medium-high µg/g range (DBDPE, BTBPE). From the 20 N(B)FR analysed in sediment samples only 10 were above detection limit. Most chemicals were found in a low ng/g range.

Rapid, point-of-care bone marrow aspirate adequacy assessment via deep ultraviolet microscopy.

Bone marrow aspirations are pivotal for diagnosing and monitoring various hematological conditions, including cancers. However, a significant portion (10-50%) of aspirations yield suboptimal or inadequate diagnostic material. The difficulty and scarcity of bedside adequacy assessment strategies further exacerbate the challenges in this procedure, which can consequently lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment, among other complications. To address this unmet clinical need, we apply deep ultraviolet (UV) microscopy, a real-time, low-cost, label-free molecular imaging technology that recapitulates the appearance of Giemsa stains. We present results from a prospective clinical study comprising 51 pediatric oncology patients, where the deep UV images of unstained bone marrow aspirate smears are evaluated and compared to the clinical standard-of-care (a hematopathologist inspection of the same slides after Giemsa-staining). Results show that both real-time UV visual inspection and an automated classification algorithm applied to the unstained deep UV images achieve accurate adequacy assessment, with accuracies of 94.1% and 95.7%, respectively. Additionally, we demonstrate whole slide imaging of bone marrow aspirate smears using a compact and low-cost deep UV microscope that is well-suited for point-of-care use. Together, this work has significant implications for improving bone marrow aspirations and the clinical management of many hematological patients.