Probabilistic risk assessment of the Space Shuttle. Phase 3: A study of the potential of losing the vehicle during nominal operation. Volume 5: Auxiliary shuttle risk analyses

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fragola, Joseph R.; Maggio, Gaspare; Frank, Michael V.; Gerez, Luis; Mcfadden, Richard H.; Collins, Erin P.; Ballesio, Jorge; Appignani, Peter L.; Karns, James J.

1995-01-01

Volume 5 is Appendix C, Auxiliary Shuttle Risk Analyses, and contains the following reports: Probabilistic Risk Assessment of Space Shuttle Phase 1 - Space Shuttle Catastrophic Failure Frequency Final Report; Risk Analysis Applied to the Space Shuttle Main Engine - Demonstration Project for the Main Combustion Chamber Risk Assessment; An Investigation of the Risk Implications of Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster Chamber Pressure Excursions; Safety of the Thermal Protection System of the Space Shuttle Orbiter - Quantitative Analysis and Organizational Factors; Space Shuttle Main Propulsion Pressurization System Probabilistic Risk Assessment, Final Report; and Space Shuttle Probabilistic Risk Assessment Proof-of-Concept Study - Auxiliary Power Unit and Hydraulic Power Unit Analysis Report.

Additional Technologies and Investigations for Provision of Future Aeronautical Communications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gilbert, Tricia; Jin, Jenny; Berger, Jason; Henriksen, Steve

2008-01-01

The following NASA Contractor Report documents the in-depth studies on select technologies that could support long-term aeronautical mobile communications operating concepts. This work was performed during the third and final phase of NASA s Technology Assessment for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)/EUROCONTROL Future Communications Study (FCS) under a multiyear NASA contract. It includes the associated findings of ITT Corporation and NASA Glenn Research Center to the FAA as of the end of May 2007. The activities documented in this report focus on three final technology candidates identified by the United States, and were completed before sufficient information about two additional technology candidates proposed by EUROCONTROL was made available. A separate report to be published by NASA/CR-2008-215144, entitled Final Report on Technology Investigations for Provision of Future Aeronautical Communications will include an assessment of all five final candidate technologies considered by the U.S. agencies (FAA and NASA) and EUROCONTROL. It will also provide an overview of the entire technology assessment process, including final recommendations. All three phases of this work were performed in compliance with the Terms of Reference for the Action Plan number 17 (AP-17) cooperative research agreement among EUROCONTROL, FAA, and NASA along with the general guidance of the FAA and EUROCONTROL available throughout this study.

Nerve damage assessment following implant placement in human cadaver jaws: an ex vivo comparative study.

PubMed

Murat, Sema; Kamburoğlu, Kıvanç; Kılıç, Cenk; Ozen, Tuncer; Gurbuz, Ayhan

2014-02-01

The present study compared the use of cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) images and intra-oral radiographs in the placement of final implant drills in terms of nerve damage to cadaver mandibles. Twelve cadaver hemimandibles obtained from 6 cadavers were used. Right hemimandibles were imaged using peri-apical radiography and left hemimandibles using CBCT, and the images obtained were used in treatment planning for the placement of implant drills (22 for each modality, for a total of 44 final drills). Specimens were dissected, and the distances between the apex of the final implant drill and the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle and incisive nerve were measured using a digital calliper. Nerves were assessed as damaged or not damaged, and the Chi-square test was used to compare nerve damage between modalities (P < 0.05). Nerve damage occurred with 7 final drills placed based on peri-apical radiography (31.8%) and 1 final drill placed using CBCT images (4.5%). The difference in nerve damage between imaging modalities was statistically significant (P = 0.023), with CBCT outperforming intraoral film in the placement of final implant drills ex vivo. In order to prevent nerve damage, CBCT is recommended as the principal imaging modality for pre-implant assessment.

Tomosynthesis in the Diagnostic Setting: Changing Rates of BI-RADS Final Assessment over Time.

PubMed

Raghu, Madhavi; Durand, Melissa A; Andrejeva, Liva; Goehler, Alexander; Michalski, Mark H; Geisel, Jaime L; Hooley, Regina J; Horvath, Laura J; Butler, Reni; Forman, Howard P; Philpotts, Liane E

2016-10-01

Purpose To evaluate the effect of tomosynthesis in diagnostic mammography on the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) final assessment categories over time. Materials and Methods This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board. The authors reviewed all diagnostic mammograms obtained during a 12-month interval before (two-dimensional [2D] mammography [June 2, 2010, to June 1, 2011]) and for 3 consecutive years after (tomosynthesis year 1 [2012], tomosynthesis year 2 [2013], and tomosynthesis year 3 [2014]) the implementation of tomosynthesis. The requirement to obtain informed consent was waived. The rates of BI-RADS final assessment categories 1-5 were compared between the 2D and tomosynthesis groups. The positive predictive values after biopsy (PPV3) for BI-RADS category 4 and 5 cases were compared. The mammographic features (masses, architectural distortions, calcifications, focal asymmetries) of lesions categorized as probably benign (BI-RADS category 3) and those for which biopsy was recommended (BI-RADS category 4 or 5) were reviewed. The χ(2) test was used to compare the rates of BI-RADS final assessment categories 1-5 between the two groups, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to compare all diagnostic studies categorized as BI-RADS 3-5. Results There was an increase in the percentage of cases reported as negative or benign (BI-RADS category 1 or 2) with tomosynthesis (58.7% with 2D mammography vs 75.8% with tomosynthesis at year 3, P < .0001). A reduction in the percentage of probably benign (BI-RADS category 3) final assessments also occurred (33.3% with 2D mammography vs 16.4% with tomosynthesis at year 3, P < .0001). Although the rates of BI-RADS 4 or 5 assessments did not change significantly with tomosynthesis (8.0% with 2D mammography vs 7.8% with tomosynthesis at year 3, P = .2), there was a significant increase in the PPV3 (29.6% vs 50%, respectively; P < .0001). These trends increased during the 3 years of tomosynthesis use. Conclusion Tomosynthesis in the diagnostic setting resulted in progressive shifts in the BI-RADS final assessment categories over time, with a significant increase in the proportion of studies classified as normal, a continued decrease in the rate of studies categorized as probably benign, and improved diagnostic confidence in biopsy recommendations. (©) RSNA, 2016.

Neuropsychiatric symptoms and quality of life in patients in the final phase of dementia.

PubMed

Koopmans, Raymond T C M; van der Molen, Marloes; Raats, Monique; Ettema, Teake P

2009-01-01

To assess neuropsychiatric symptoms and quality of life in a group of patients in the final phase of dementia. All patients with dementia (n = 216) residing on dementia special care units of two Dutch nursing homes were included in the study provided they met the criteria for the final phase of dementia. Neuropsychiatric symptoms were assessed with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Nursing Home version (NPI-NH) and the Cohen Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI). Quality of life was assessed with the QUALIDEM. Of the 216 dementia patients 39 met the criteria for the final phase of dementia. The patients showed a specific pattern of behaviours with a high prevalence of apathy, agitation and behaviours that were mainly observed during morning care such as making strange noises, grabbing, performing repetitious mannerism, spitting, hitting, screaming and pushing. Overall quality of life of these patients in the final phase of dementia was moderate. In this small sample, patients in the final phase of dementia show specific behavioural problems, that mainly should be addressed with psychosocial interventions. (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

CAPACITY BUILDING PROCESS IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR A THAI COMMUNITY.

PubMed

Chaithui, Suthat; Sithisarankul, Pornchai; Hengpraprom, Sarunya

2017-03-01

This research aimed at exploring the development of the capacitybuilding process in environmental and health impact assessment, including the consideration of subsequent, capacity-building achievements. Data were gathered through questionnaires, participatory observations, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and capacity building checklist forms. These data were analyzed using content analysis, descriptive statistics, and inferential statistics. Our study used the components of the final draft for capacity-building processes consisting of ten steps that were formulated by synthesis from each respective process. Additionally, the evaluation of capacity building levels was performed using 10-item evaluation criteria for nine communities. The results indicated that the communities performed well under these criteria. Finally, exploration of the factors influencing capacity building in environmental and health impact assessment indicated that the learning of community members by knowledge exchange via activities and study visits were the most influential factors of the capacity building processes in environmental and health impact assessment. The final revised version of capacitybuilding process in environmental and health impact assessment could serve as a basis for the consideration of interventions in similar areas, so that they increased capacity in environmental and health impact assessments.

Evaluation of the role of incentive structure on student participation and performance in active learning strategies: A comparison of case-based and team-based learning.

PubMed

Carrasco, Gonzalo A; Behling, Kathryn C; Lopez, Osvaldo J

2018-04-01

Student participation is important for the success of active learning strategies, but participation is often linked to the level of preparation. At our institution, we use two types of active learning activities, a modified case-based learning exercise called active learning groups (ALG) and team-based learning (TBL). These strategies have different assessment and incentive structures for participation. Non-cognitive skills are assessed in ALG using a subjective five-point Likert scale. In TBL, assessment of individual student preparation is based on a multiple choice quiz conducted at the beginning of each session. We studied first-year medical student participation and performance in ALG and TBL as well as performance on course final examinations. Student performance in TBL, but not in ALG, was strongly correlated with final examination scores. Additionally, in students who performed in the upper 33rd percentile on the final examination, there was a positive correlation between final examination performance and participation in TBL and ALG. This correlation was not seen in students who performed in the lower 33rd percentile on the final examinations. Our results suggest that assessments of medical knowledge during active learning exercises could supplement non-cognitive assessments and could be good predictors of performance on summative examinations.

Development of the Final Version of the Classification and Assessment of Occupational Dysfunction Scale

PubMed Central

Teraoka, Mutsumi; Kyougoku, Makoto

2015-01-01

Occupational therapy is involved in disability prevention and health enhancement through the prevention of occupational dysfunction. Although many occupational dysfunction scales exist, no standard method is available for the assessment and classification of occupational dysfunction, which may include occupational imbalance, occupational deprivation, occupational alienation, and occupational marginalization. The purpose of this study was to develop the final version of Classification and Assessment of Occupational Dysfunction (CAOD). Our study demonstrated the validity and reliability of CAOD in a group of undergraduate students. The CAOD scale includes 16 items and addresses the following 4 domains: occupational imbalance, occupational deprivation, occupational alienation, and occupational marginalization. PMID:26263375

Soft tissue balancing in total knee arthroplasty using sensor-guided assessment: is there a learning curve?

PubMed

Gharaibeh, Monther A; Chen, Darren B; MacDessi, Samuel J

2018-05-01

Sensor-guided assessment for soft tissue balance in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been reported to improve patient satisfaction and self-reported outcome scores. As more surgeons adopt this technology in TKA, we performed this study to identify if there is a learning curve with its use. Analysis of a total of 90 consecutive cases was performed in this study. Initial and final intercompartmental pressure differences were recorded before and after knee ligament balancing. The first 45 patients (group 1) were compared to the last 45 patients (group 2) in terms of operative time and the final state of knee balance. A balanced knee was defined as pressure difference between medial and lateral compartments of ≤15 pounds. Group 1 had 10 unbalanced knees in the final pressure difference assessment, while all cases in group 2 were balanced (P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in mean operative time between the two groups. A scatter plot of intercompartmental pressure difference identified that after 30 cases, the capacity to achieve knee ligament balance improved. This study suggests that there is a learning curve with the use of sensor-guided assessment in TKA in achieving knee balance; however, the differences noted between initial and final groups were small and may not be of clinical significance. © 2018 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Perceptual, durational and tongue displacement measures following articulation therapy for rhotic sound errors.

PubMed

Bressmann, Tim; Harper, Susan; Zhylich, Irina; Kulkarni, Gajanan V

2016-01-01

Outcomes of articulation therapy for rhotic errors are usually assessed perceptually. However, our understanding of associated changes of tongue movement is limited. This study described perceptual, durational and tongue displacement changes over 10 sessions of articulation therapy for /ɹ/ in six children. Four of the participants also received ultrasound biofeedback of their tongue shape. Speech and tongue movement were recorded pre-therapy, after 5 sessions, in the final session and at a one month follow-up. Perceptually, listeners perceived improvement and classified more productions as /ɹ/ in the final and follow-up assessments. The durations of VɹV syllables at the midway point of the therapy were longer. Cumulative tongue displacement increased in the final session. The average standard deviation was significantly higher in the middle and final assessments. The duration and tongue displacement measures illustrated how articulation therapy affected tongue movement and may be useful for outcomes research about articulation therapy.

KAPS (kinematic assessment of passive stretch): a tool to assess elbow flexor and extensor spasticity after stroke using a robotic exoskeleton.

PubMed

Centen, Andrew; Lowrey, Catherine R; Scott, Stephen H; Yeh, Ting-Ting; Mochizuki, George

2017-06-19

Spasticity is a common sequela of stroke. Traditional assessment methods include relatively coarse scales that may not capture all characteristics of elevated muscle tone. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop a tool to quantitatively assess post-stroke spasticity in the upper extremity. Ninety-six healthy individuals and 46 individuals with stroke participated in this study. The kinematic assessment of passive stretch (KAPS) protocol consisted of passive elbow stretch in flexion and extension across an 80° range in 5 movement durations. Seven parameters were identified and assessed to characterize spasticity (peak velocity, final angle, creep (or release), between-arm peak velocity difference, between-arm final angle, between-arm creep, and between-arm catch angle). The fastest movement duration (600 ms) was most effective at identifying impairment in each parameter associated with spasticity. A decrease in peak velocity during passive stretch between the affected and unaffected limb was most effective at identifying individuals as impaired. Spasticity was also associated with a decreased passive range (final angle) and a classic 'catch and release' as seen through between-arm catch and creep metrics. The KAPS protocol and robotic technology can provide a sensitive and quantitative assessment of post-stroke elbow spasticity not currently attainable through traditional measures.

Development of interactive hypermedia software for high school biology: A research and development study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alturki, Uthman T.

The goal of this research was to research, design, and develop a hypertext program for students who study biology. The Ecology Hypertext Program was developed using Research and Development (R&D) methodology. The purpose of this study was to place the final "product", a CD-ROM for learning biology concepts, in the hands of teachers and students to help them in learning and teaching process. The product was created through a cycle of literature review, needs assessment, development, and a cycle of field tests and revisions. I applied the ten steps of R&D process suggested by Borg and Gall (1989) which, consisted of: (1) Literature review, (2) Needs assessment, (3) Planning, (4) Develop preliminary product, (5) Preliminary field-testing, (6) Preliminary revision, (7) Main field-testing, (8) Main revision, (9) Final field-testing, and (10) Final product revision. The literature review and needs assessment provided a support and foundation for designing the preliminary product---the Ecology Hypertext Program. Participants in the needs assessment joined a focus group discussion. They were a group of graduate students in education who suggested the importance for designing this product. For the preliminary field test, the participants were a group of high school students studying biology. They were the potential user of the product. They reviewed the preliminary product and then filled out a questionnaire. Their feedback and suggestions were used to develop and improve the product in a step called preliminary revision. The second round of field tasting was the main field test in which the participants joined a focus group discussion. They were the same group who participated in needs assessment task. They reviewed the revised product and then provided ideas and suggestions to improve the product. Their feedback were categorized and implemented to develop the product as in the main revision task. Finally, a group of science teachers participated in this study by reviewing the product and then filling out the questionnaire. Their suggestions were used to conduct the final step in R&D methodology, the final product revision. The primary result of this study was the Ecology Hypertext Program. It considered a small attempt to give students an opportunity to learn through an interactive hypertext program. In addition, using the R&D methodology was an ideal procedure for designing and developing new educational products and material.

Impact of associated injuries in the Floating knee: A retrospective study

PubMed Central

Rethnam, Ulfin; Yesupalan, Rajam S; Nair, Rajagopalan

2009-01-01

Background Floating knee injuries are usually associated with other significant injuries. Do these injuries have implications on the management of the floating knee and the final outcome of patients? Our study aims to assess the implications of associated injuries in the management and final outcome of floating knee. Methods 29 patients with floating knees were assessed in our institution. A retrospective analysis of medical records and radiographs were done and all associated injuries were identified. The impact of associated injuries on delay in initial surgical management, delay in rehabilitation & final outcome of the floating knee were assessed. Results 38 associated injuries were noted. 7 were associated with ipsilateral knee injuries. Lower limb injuries were most commonly associated with the floating knee. Patients with some associated injuries had a delay in surgical management and others a delay in post-operative rehabilitation. Knee ligament and vascular injuries were associated with poor outcome. Conclusion The associated injuries were quite frequent with the floating knee. Some of the associated injuries caused a delay in surgical management and post-operative rehabilitation. In assessment of the final outcome, patients with associated knee and vascular injuries had a poor prognosis. Majority of the patients with associated injuries had a good or excellent outcome. PMID:19144197

Vocational & Social Outcomes with Mentally Handicapped Adults: A Longitudinal Study. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Keystone Area Education, Elkader, IA.

This final report concentrates on conclusions and recommendations from a three-year longitudinal study of 48 mentally retarded adults who were graduates or dropouts from senior high schools in six rural Iowa school districts during academic years 1976-1982. Using data from structured interviews, the study sought to assess social and vocational…

Assessing Understanding of Complex Learning Outcomes and Real-World Skills Using an Authentic Software Tool: A Study from Biomedical Sciences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dermo, John; Boyne, James

2014-01-01

We describe a study conducted during 2009-12 into innovative assessment practice, evaluating an assessed coursework task on a final year Medical Genetics module for Biomedical Science undergraduates. An authentic e-assessment coursework task was developed, integrating objectively marked online questions with an online DNA sequence analysis tool…

Future Aeronautical Communication Infrastructure Technology Investigation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gilbert, Tricia; Jin, Jenny; Bergerm Jason; Henriksen, Steven

2008-01-01

This National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Contractor Report summarizes and documents the work performed to investigate technologies that could support long-term aeronautical mobile communications operating concepts for air traffic management (ATM) in the timeframe of 2020 and beyond, and includes the associated findings and recommendations made by ITT Corporation and NASA Glenn Research Center to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The work was completed as the final phase of a multiyear NASA contract in support of the Future Communication Study (FCS), a cooperative research and development program of the United States FAA, NASA, and EUROCONTROL. This final report focuses on an assessment of final five candidate technologies, and also provides an overview of the entire technology assessment process, including final recommendations.

Evaluation of the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Study Reports

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Buckendahl, Chad W.; Davis, Susan L.; Plake, Barbara S.; Sireci, Stephen G.; Hambleton, Ronald K.; Zenisky, April L.; Wells, Craig S.

2009-01-01

The "Evaluation of the National Assessment of Educational Progress: Study Reports" describes the special studies that comprised the design of the evaluation. In the Final Report, the authors presented a practical discussion of the evaluation studies to its primary, intended audience, namely policymakers. On this accompanying CD, readers…

Communication Skills in Standardized-Patient Assessment of Final-Year Medical Students: A Psychometric Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Guiton, Gretchen; Hodgson, Carol S.; Delandshere, Ginett; Wilkerson, Luann

2004-01-01

The purpose of this study is to investigate the content-specificity of communication skills. It investigates the reliability and dimensionality of standardized patient (SP) ratings of communication skills in an Objective Structured Clinical Examination(OSCE) for final year medical students. An OSCE consisting of seven standardized patient(SP)…

Uncertainty Analysis for Peer Assessment: Oral Presentation Skills for Final Year Project

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kim, Ho Sung

2014-01-01

Peer assessment plays an important role in engineering education for an active involvement in the assessment process, developing autonomy, enhancing reflection, and understanding of how to achieve the learning outcomes. Peer assessment uncertainty for oral presentation skills as part of the FYP assessment is studied. Validity and reliability for…

A study of space shuttle structural integrity test and assessment. Part 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anderson, R. E.; Poe, R. G.

1972-01-01

The ultrasonics technique for assessing the structural integrity of the primary surface of the space shuttle vehicles is discussed and evaluated. Analysis was made of transducers, transducer coupling test structure fabrication, flaws, and ultrasonic testing. Graphs of microphone response curves from the initial noise tests, accelerometer response curves from the final noise tests, and microphone curves from the final noise tests are included along with a glossary, bibliography, and results.

7 CFR 1737.71 - Interest rate to be considered for the purpose of assessing feasibility for loans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

...-year Treasury rate will be used in all feasibility studies for loans with a final maturity of at least... rate used in feasibility studies for loans with final maturities of less than 30 years. (c) The... “date of determination” means the date of the feasibility study used in support of the loan...

LYNX community advocacy & service engagement (CASE) project final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-05-14

This report is a final assessment of the Community Advocacy & Service Engagement (CASE) project, a LYNX-FTA research project designed : to study transit education and public engagement methods in Central Florida. In the Orlando area, as in other part...

PERCEPTION OF FINAL YEAR MEDICAL STUDENTS ABOUT OBJECTIVE STRUCTURED CLINICAL EXAMINATION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SURGERY.

PubMed

Gelan, Engida Abebe; Essayas, Reiye; Gebressilase, Kibrom

2015-10-01

Background -Assessment of clinical skills of medical students has a central role in medical education yet the suit- able evaluation methods have persistently debated by educators and students. To assess perceptions of final year medical students about the Organized Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) METHODS AND MATERIALS: A cross sectional study was performed to assess views of final year medical students who had taken the OSCE in the Department of Surgery of Mekelle University College of Health Sciences, as well as other traditional exam formats in other departments in the medical school. Of the 154 students who took the final qualifying exam, 127 (82.5%) responded to the survey. Eighty-four (66%) of the respondents were males. The OSCE was considered as the best assessment method of practical exams by 70 (55.1%) of the respondents, with the conventional long exam next in preference, by 47 (37%) students. For questions addressing the advantages of the OSCE, the average favorability score was between 4.2 - 4.6 out of Likert's type 5-point scale rating. Coverage of common and relevant topics, uniform student assessment, and communication skill assessment were items receiving high favorability scores by a particularly high percentage of students, (96.9%, 95.3% and 70.9% of all students, respectively). Most of the students favored the OSCE compared to conventional exam styles. Though the study should be confirmed. and extended in other settings, we recommend OSCE to be the main exam type for clinical year surgery examinations.

50 CFR 11.17 - Payment of final assessment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... PLANTS CIVIL PROCEDURES Assessment Procedure § 11.17 Payment of final assessment. When a final... request the Attorney General to institute a civil action in the U.S. District Court to collect the penalty. ...

A Comparative Study of Current Theories and Practices in Assessing Students' Achievements at Primary and Secondary Level. Final Report. IBE Document Series, Number 4.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Macintosh, Henry G.

A study was conducted to examine and compare, in 10 selected countries, the interaction between current conceptions and theories of assessment and assessment practices. Of particular interest was the nature of changing practice and theory in assessing the learning achievements of students in elementary and secondary education, as well as the…

76 FR 41323 - Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Assessment for the Metropolitan Branch Trail

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-13

... Environmental Assessment for the Metropolitan Branch Trail AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration, District of.... ACTION: Notice of availability of the Final Environmental Assessment for the Metropolitan Branch Trail... availability of the Final Environmental Assessment (Ea) for the Metropolitan Branch Trail Project, pursuant to...

Voice outcomes after concurrent chemoradiotherapy for advanced nonlaryngeal head and neck cancer: a prospective study.

PubMed

Paleri, Vinidh; Carding, Paul; Chatterjee, Sanjoy; Kelly, Charles; Wilson, Janet Ann; Welch, Andrew; Drinnan, Michael

2012-12-01

The voice impact of treatment for nonlaryngeal head and neck primary sites remains unknown. We conducted a prospective study of a consecutive sample of patients undergoing chemoradiation for nonlaryngeal head and neck cancer. The Voice Symptom Scale (VoiSS) was completed, and voice recordings were made at 3 time-points. Of 42 recruited patients, 34 completed the measures before and in the early posttreatment phase (mean 16.5 weeks), while 21 patients were assessed at the final time-point (mean, 20.4 months). VoiSS scores showed statistically significant progressive deterioration in the total score (p = .02) and impairment subscale (p < .0001) through to the final assessment. Acoustic measures and perceptual ratings deteriorated significantly (p < .001) in the early posttreatment weeks and improved at the final assessment, but not to the baseline. Interrater agreement was excellent for expert measures. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first prospective study to show that chemoradiation therapy for nonlaryngeal head and neck cancer has a significant effect on the patients' self-reported voice quality, even in the long term. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A Quantitative Correlational Study of the Interaction between Assignment Response Times and Online Students' Final Grades and Satisfaction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Petrites, Taralynn Wells

2017-01-01

This quantitative correlational study included an investigation of potential factors effecting high attrition rates in postsecondary online courses. Online learner-instructor interaction was examined by assessing instructor response times (RTs), student satisfaction, and final course grades at an online two-year postsecondary institution. A sample…

Final June Revisions Rule Significant Contribution Assessment TSD

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This Technical Support Document (TSD) presents quantitative assessments of the relationship between the final February revisions to the Transport Rule, the final June revisions rule, and the original analysis conducted for the final Transport Rule.

The Effect of Assessment of Process after Receiving Teacher Feedback

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ruegg, Rachael

2016-01-01

This exploratory study investigated the effect of assessing both process and product compared to assessing written products alone. Two groups of students received teacher feedback over a one-year period. One group was assessed on their revisions in addition to the quality of final drafts, while a second group was assessed on the quality of final…

IRIS Toxicological Review of Ammonia Noncancer Inhalation (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA has finalized the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Assessment of Ammonia (Noncancer Inhalation). This assessment addresses the potential noncancer human health effects from long-term inhalation exposure to ammonia. Now final, this assessment will update the ...

Field Water Balance of Landfill Final Covers

EPA Science Inventory

Landfill covers are critical to waste containment, yet field performance of specific cover designs has not been well documented and seldom been compared in side-by-side testing. A study was conducted to assess the ability of landfill final covers to control percolation into unde...

C3I system modification and EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) methodology, volume 1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilson, J. L.; Jolly, M. B.

1984-01-01

A methodology (i.e., consistent set of procedures) for assessing the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of RF subsystem modifications on C3I aircraft was generated during this study (Volume 1). An IEMCAP (Intrasystem Electromagnetic Compatibility Analysis Program) database for the E-3A (AWACS) C3I aircraft RF subsystem was extracted to support the design of the EMC assessment methodology (Volume 2). Mock modifications were performed on the E-3A database to assess, using a preliminary form of the methodology, the resulting EMC impact. Application of the preliminary assessment methodology to modifications in the E-3A database served to fine tune the form of a final assessment methodology. The resulting final assessment methodology is documented in this report in conjunction with the overall study goals, procedures, and database. It is recommended that a similar EMC assessment methodology be developed for the power subsystem within C3I aircraft. It is further recommended that future EMC assessment methodologies be developed around expert systems (i.e., computer intelligent agents) to control both the excruciating detail and user requirement for transparency.

IRIS Toxicological Review of Benzo[a]pyrene (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA has finalized the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) assessment of benzo[a]pyrene. This assessment addresses the potential cancer and noncancer human health effects from long-term exposure to benzo[a]pyrene. Now final, this assessment will update the toxicological info...

IRIS Toxicological Review of Trimethylbenzenes (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA has finalized the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Assessment of Trimethylbenzenes (TMBs). This assessment addresses the potential non-cancer and cancer human health effects from long-term exposure to TMBs. Now final, this assessment will be the first IRIS a...

Environmental assessment of airport pavement design and construction alternatives : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-02-01

The objective of this study is to quantify energy and environmental sustainability of asphalt and concrete : runway pavements using Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA). The design alternatives include runway rehabilitation/reconstruction : designs considered...

Organizational change : an assessment of trust and cynicism : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2000-05-01

In the organizational science literature, organizational cynicism is generally considered to be conceptually distinct from organizational trust. This proposition, however, has not been adequately assessed. The present study attempts to distinguish th...

IRIS Toxicological Review of Trimethylbenzenes (Final Report ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

EPA has finalized the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Assessment of Trimethylbenzenes (TMBs). This assessment addresses the potential non-cancer and cancer human health effects from long-term exposure to TMBs. Now final, this assessment will be the first IRIS assessment for TMBs that may be used by EPA’s program and regional offices to inform decisions to protect human health. The IRIS Toxicological Review of Trimethylbenzenes was originally released for a 60-day public comment period on June 29, 2012. EPA revised the toxicological review in response to the public comments received and released the finalized TMB assessment.

FINAL WHITE PAPER: ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING LINKAGES WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES AMONG POTENTIAL RESEARCH SITES FOR THE NATIONAL CHILDREN'S STUDY

EPA Science Inventory

This paper was prepared to assist the planners of the National Childrens Study (NCS) as they assess possible study design options and consider the role of the community in this initiative. The consensus among the planners is to involve the community in the conduct of the< study. ...

Comparison of answer-until-correct and full-credit assessments in a team-based learning course.

PubMed

Farland, Michelle Z; Barlow, Patrick B; Levi Lancaster, T; Franks, Andrea S

2015-03-25

To assess the impact of awarding partial credit to team assessments on team performance and on quality of team interactions using an answer-until-correct method compared to traditional methods of grading (multiple-choice, full-credit). Subjects were students from 3 different offerings of an ambulatory care elective course, taught using team-based learning. The control group (full-credit) consisted of those enrolled in the course when traditional methods of assessment were used (2 course offerings). The intervention group consisted of those enrolled in the course when answer-until-correct method was used for team assessments (1 course offering). Study outcomes included student performance on individual and team readiness assurance tests (iRATs and tRATs), individual and team final examinations, and student assessment of quality of team interactions using the Team Performance Scale. Eighty-four students enrolled in the courses were included in the analysis (full-credit, n=54; answer-until-correct, n=30). Students who used traditional methods of assessment performed better on iRATs (full-credit mean 88.7 (5.9), answer-until-correct mean 82.8 (10.7), p<0.001). Students who used answer-until-correct method of assessment performed better on the team final examination (full-credit mean 45.8 (1.5), answer-until-correct 47.8 (1.4), p<0.001). There was no significant difference in performance on tRATs and the individual final examination. Students who used the answer-until-correct method had higher quality of team interaction ratings (full-credit 97.1 (9.1), answer-until-correct 103.0 (7.8), p=0.004). Answer-until-correct assessment method compared to traditional, full-credit methods resulted in significantly lower scores for iRATs, similar scores on tRATs and individual final examinations, improved scores on team final examinations, and improved perceptions of the quality of team interactions.

Students' Perceptions of Communications Provided by Faculty and Peer Leaders, Course Motivation, and Final Project Innovativeness in Capstone Courses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Evert, Amanda Faith

2011-01-01

Scope and Method of Study. The purpose of this study was to assess students' perceptions of communications provided by faculty and peer leaders in relationship to both students' perceptions of their course motivation as well as their perceptions of the innovativeness of their final project in single and multidisciplinary capstone courses. The…

How well do final year undergraduate medical students master practical clinical skills?

PubMed Central

Störmann, Sylvère; Stankiewicz, Melanie; Raes, Patricia; Berchtold, Christina; Kosanke, Yvonne; Illes, Gabrielle; Loose, Peter; Angstwurm, Matthias W.

2016-01-01

Introduction: The clinical examination and other practical clinical skills are fundamental to guide diagnosis and therapy. The teaching of such practical skills has gained significance through legislative changes and adjustments of the curricula of medical schools in Germany. We sought to find out how well final year undergraduate medical students master practical clinical skills. Methods: We conducted a formative 4-station objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) focused on practical clinical skills during the final year of undergraduate medical education. Participation was voluntary. Besides the examination of heart, lungs, abdomen, vascular system, lymphatic system as well as the neurological, endocrinological or orthopaedic examination we assessed other basic clinical skills (e.g. interpretation of an ECG, reading a chest X-ray). Participants filled-out a questionnaire prior to the exam, inter alia to give an estimate of their performance. Results: 214 final year students participated in our study and achieved a mean score of 72.8% of the total score obtainable. 9.3% of participants (n=20) scored insufficiently (<60%). We found no influence of sex, prior training in healthcare or place of study on performance. Only one third of the students correctly estimated their performance (35.3%), whereas 30.0% and 18.8% over-estimated their performance by 10% and 20% respectively. Discussion: Final year undergraduate medical students demonstrate considerable deficits performing practical clinical skills in the context of a formative assessment. Half of the students over-estimate their own performance. We recommend an institutionalised and frequent assessment of practical clinical skills during undergraduate medical education, especially in the final year. PMID:27579358

A Field Experimental Approach to the Study of Relevance Assessments in Relation to Document Searching. Final Report to the National Science Foundation. Volume I.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rees, Alan M; Schultz, Douglas G.

An empirical study of the nature and variability of the relevance judgment process was conducted from July 1, 1965 to September 30, 1967. Volume I of the final report presents a literature review and statement of the theoretical framework of the study, a discussion of the experimental design and a summary of data analyses. The study had two…

Assessment of the Assessment Tool: Analysis of Items in a Non-MCQ Mathematics Exam

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Khoshaim, Heba Bakr; Rashid, Saima

2016-01-01

Assessment is one of the vital steps in the teaching and learning process. The reported action research examines the effectiveness of an assessment process and inspects the validity of exam questions used for the assessment purpose. The instructors of a college-level mathematics course studied questions used in the final exams during the academic…

The Distribution of Federal Elementary-Secondary Education Grants among the States. Final Report on the Study Mandated by Congress in P.L. 100-297, Section 6207.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barro, Stephen M.

In the Hawkins-Stafford Elementary and Secondary School Improvement Amendments of 1988, Congress directed the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to conduct a study of methods used to allocate federal elementary and secondary education grants among the states. This document, the final report on that study, assesses grant distribution funding…

Parent-Child Center Short-Term Assessment Study. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hubbell, Ruth; Barrett, Barbara

A short-term descriptive assessment, this study provides summary data on the Parent-Child Center (PCC) comprehensive early childhood intervention programs initiated in 1967 and operated by the Administration for Children, Youth, and Families. PCCs provide low income families with children under three with social service, health, and educational…

Multimodal Representations in Senior Biology Assessments: A Case Study of NSW Australia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Van Rooy, Wilhelmina Sabina; Chan, Eveline

2017-01-01

This paper investigates the use of multimodal representations to assess biological understanding in the final senior secondary school public examination in New South Wales, Australia. The investigation emanates from a larger Australian study concerned with the impact of disciplinary and technological innovations on science pedagogy, particularly…

Final Revisions Rule Significant Contribution Assessment TSD

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This Technical Support Document (TSD) presents quantitative assessments of the relationship between final revisions to the Transport Rule and the original analysis conducted for the final Transport Rule.

Self-Assessment and Peer-Assessment in an EFL Context

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yamini, Morteza; Tahmasebi, Soheila

2012-01-01

Salient in an EFL teaching context is students' dissatisfaction with their final scores especially in oral courses. This study tried to bridge the gap between students' and teachers' rating system through alternatives to existing measurement methods. Task-based language assessment has stimulated language teachers to question the way through which…

Chinese Award-Winning Tutors' Perceptions and Practices of Classroom-Based Assessment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhou, Jiming; Deneen, Christopher Charles

2016-01-01

This study examines Chinese tertiary award-winning tutors' perceptions and reported practices of classroom-based assessment. Seventeen tutors in the final stage of a national university teaching contest were individually interviewed. An interview framework was developed using three process dimensions of assessment for learning (AfL). A sequential…

Exploring Assessment Demands and Task Supports in Early Childhood Phonological Awareness Assessments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cassano, Christina M.; Steiner, Lilly

2016-01-01

Phonological awareness is assessed in various ways in both research studies and early childhood classrooms. The measures used to assess phonological awareness are related closely, although they differ in the linguistic unit used (e.g., word, syllable, onset-rime, or phoneme), the position of the linguistic unit (e.g., initial, medial, final), the…

Inferring Causes of Biological Impairment in the Clear Fork Watershed, West Virginia (Final)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA announced the availability of the final report, Inferring Causes of Biological Impairment in the Clear Fork Watershed, West Virginia. This study illustrates a causal assessment in a watershed using the US EPA stressor identification process described on the www.epa....

Michigan Early Adolescent Survey: Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Keith, Joanne; And Others

This document contains the final report from the Michigan Early Adolescent Survey, a study undertaken to: (1) develop a profile of Michigan early adolescents that focused on out-of-school time and included biological, psychological, and sociological information; (2) develop a profile of families which included early adolescents; (3) assess the…

An Iterative Approach for Identifying the Causes of Reduced Benthic Macroinvertebrate Diversity in the Willimantic River, Connecticut (Final)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA announced the availability of the final report, An Iterative Approach for Identifying the Causes of Reduced Benthic Macroinvertebrate Diversity in the Willimantic River, Connecticut. This study demonstrates that a screening assessment can help to focus sampling for ...

Trainees' Perceptions of a Final Oral Competency Examination

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goldberg, Robert W.; Young, Kevin R.

2016-01-01

Objective(s): The focus on competency attainment by professional psychology trainees obligates training programs to assess these competencies prior to completion of an internship. However, little is known about how trainees may perceive such testing. This study examines relationships between performance on an Oral Final Competency Examination of a…

Identification of Most Probable Stressors to Aquatic Life in the Touchet River, Washington (Final)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA announced the availability of the final report, Identification of Most Probable Stressors to Aquatic Life in the Touchet River, Washington. This study includes the screening causal assessment of the Touchet River, a sub-watershed of the Walla Walla River in eastern ...

75 FR 38809 - Marquette Board of Light and Power; Notice of Availability of Final Environmental Assessment

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-06

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 2589-057--Michigan] Marquette Board of Light and Power; Notice of Availability of Final Environmental Assessment June 28, 2010... prepared a Final Environmental Assessment (FEA) regarding Marquette Board of Light and Power's plan to...

Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Sulfur Oxides – Health Criteria (Final Report, Sep 2008)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA announced the availability of the final report, Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Sulfur Oxides – Health Criteria final assessment. This report represents a concise synthesis and evaluation of the most policy-relevant science and will ultimately provide the scien...

Introduction to the special issue on the personality assessment inventory.

PubMed

Kurtz, John E; Blais, Mark A

2007-02-01

This special issue of the Journal of Personality Assessment brings together 13 new research studies on the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI; Morey, 1991) that should inform users and stimulate future empirical activity with this measure. In 4 articles, authors evaluate the validity scales and indexes of the PAI using both analog and criterion designs and samples from a variety of clinical and forensic settings. In a 5th article, the authors describe a novel approach to profile interpretation using two PAI negative distortion measures. The authors present applications of the PAI to new populations and problems including a German translation of the PAI and profile information for male batterers and victims of head injury. The authors of 2 studies extend research on the validity of the PAI for the assessment of borderline personality disorder. In the final 3 studies, the authors evaluate the validity of PAI measures of violence and aggression to predict subsequent aggressive behavior and institutional misconduct. Finally, the authors offer several suggestions for future research with the PAI.

[Evaluation of preliminary grades and credits in nurse training programs].

PubMed

Darmann-Finck, Ingrid; Duveneck, Nicole

2016-01-01

In the federal state of Bremen preliminary grades were included to the extent of 25 % in written, oral and practical final grades during the time period 2009-2014. The evaluation focuses on the effects of preliminary grades on the scale of final grades and the performance of learners as well as on the assessment of the appropriateness of final grades. A mixed-methods design was employed that consisted of a quasi-experimental study comprising of surveys of students and teachers of comparative and model courses as well as a qualitative study using group discussions. The results confirm that preliminary grades lead to a minimal improvement of the final grades of some exclusively low-achieving students. The assessment of appropriateness hardly changed. From both learners' and teachers' point of view there is still great dissatisfaction concerning the practical final grades. With regard to learning habits an increased willingness to learn new skills on the one hand and a partly increased performance pressure on the other hand were demonstrated. On the basis of these research results, the authors recommend the regular introduction of preliminary marks into the nursing training. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier GmbH.

Environmental Assessment: Proposed U.S. Air Force Military Family Housing Privatization Initiative Patrick Air Force Base, Florida

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-11-03

Australian pine Cormorants resting on pilings in Banana River ( near North Housing Area ). FINAL Environmental Assessment for Proposed Privatization...the North and Central Housing areas are privatized. FINAL Environmental Assessment for Proposed Privatization of Military Housing PAFB... areas , although numerous groundwater wells are located immediately adjacent to both sites (Figure 3-1). FINAL Environmental Assessment for Proposed

National Hydroelectric Power Resources Study:Regional Assessment: Volume XXIII: Alaska and Hawaii

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-09-01

amount of recoverable geothermal energy is still unknown, a test well (HGP-A) was drilled 6,450 feet into the eastern rift of Kilauea volcano on...US Army Corps of Engineers National Hydroelectric Power Resources Study Volume XXIII September 1 981 Regional Assessment: Alaska and Hawaii ...National Hydroelectric Power Resources Study: Final Regional Assessment; Alaska and Hawaii IS. PERFORMING ORG. REPORT NUMBER IWR 82-𔃻-23 7. AUTHOR(a) 8

A Study of the Relationship between Student Placement Test Scores and Final Grades in Physics 121 at Pima College.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Iadevaia, David G.

A study was conducted at Pima Community College to determine the relationship between the final grade received by students in an introductory, algebra-based physics course (PHY 121) and their scores on the reading, writing, and mathematics portions of the college's nonmandatory assessment test. Between 1983 and 1988, 639 students obtained a final…

Advanced Transportation System Studies Technical Area 2 (TA-2) Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle Development Contract. Volume 2; Technical Results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1995-01-01

The purpose of the Advanced Transportation System Studies (ATSS) Technical Area 2 (TA-2) Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle Development contract was to provide advanced launch vehicle concept definition and analysis to assist NASA in the identification of future launch vehicle requirements. Contracted analysis activities included vehicle sizing and performance analysis, subsystem concept definition, propulsion subsystem definition (foreign and domestic), ground operations and facilities analysis, and life cycle cost estimation. This document is Volume 2 of the final report for the contract. It provides documentation of selected technical results from various TA-2 analysis activities, including a detailed narrative description of the SSTO concept assessment results, a user's guide for the associated SSTO sizing tools, an SSTO turnaround assessment report, an executive summary of the ground operations assessments performed during the first year of the contract, a configuration-independent vehicle health management system requirements report, a copy of all major TA-2 contract presentations, a copy of the FLO launch vehicle final report, and references to Pratt & Whitney's TA-2 sponsored final reports regarding the identification of Russian main propulsion technologies.

Data book: Space station/base food system study. Book 3: Study selection rationale sheets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1970-01-01

The supporting rationale sheets are presented which were utilized in the selection and support of the concepts considered in the final phase of the study. Each concept, conceived to fulfill a specific function of the food system, was assessed in terms of the eight critical factors depicted on the rationale sheet. When weighted and totaled, the resulting selection factor was used as a guide in making the final decision.

Cumulative versus end-of-course assessment: effects on self-study time and test performance.

PubMed

Kerdijk, Wouter; Cohen-Schotanus, Janke; Mulder, B Florentine; Muntinghe, Friso L H; Tio, René A

2015-07-01

Students tend to postpone preparation for a test until the test is imminent, which raises various risks associated with 'cramming' behaviours, including that for suboptimal learning. Cumulative assessment utilises spaced testing to stimulate students to study more frequently and to prevent procrastination. This randomised controlled study investigated how cumulative assessment affects time spent on self-study and test performance compared with end-of-course assessment. A total of 78 undergraduate medical students in a Year 2 pre-clinical course were randomly assigned to either of two conditions. Students in the cumulative assessment condition were assessed in weeks 4, 8 and 10. Students in the end-of-course assessment condition were assessed in week 10 only. Each week, students reported the number of hours they spent on self-study. Students in the cumulative assessment condition (n = 25) spent significantly more time on self-study than students in the end-of-course assessment condition (n = 37) in all weeks of the course except weeks 5, 9 and 10. Overall, the cumulative assessment group spent 69 hours more on self-study during the course than did the control group, although the control group spent 7 hours more in studying during the final week of the course than did the cumulative assessment group. Students in the cumulative assessment condition scored slightly higher on questions concerning the content of the last part of the course. Cumulative assessment encourages students to distribute their learning activities over a course, which leaves them more opportunity to study the content of the last part of the course prior to the final examination. There was no evidence for a short-term effect of cumulative assessment on overall knowledge gain. We hypothesise that larger positive effects might be found if retention were to be measured in the long term. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Phase IV of Early Restoration | NOAA Gulf Spill Restoration

Science.gov Websites

Trustees published the Final Phase IV Early Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessments. The plan habitats. Useful Links: Final Phase IV Early Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessments (pdf, 4.8 MB ) Final Phase IV Early Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessments Executive Summary (pdf, 729 KB

Assessing the Status of Professional Learning Opportunities in EARCOS Member Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hardeman, Mark Brandon

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study was to assess the extent to which professional development programs within EARCOS member schools are consistent with research-based principles of effective practice. In addition, this study sought to identify the professional development opportunities that are being provided to EARCOS teachers. Finally, this study…

Assessment of Role Induction and Role Involvement in Creative Drama. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lazier, Gilbert N.; Sutton-Smith, Brian

This pilot study attempted to develop systematic scientific procedures for the study of improvisational drama with children, especially ways of assessing what the typical creative drama teacher does with children, what children do when they are acting, and what effects this might have on the rest of their educational development. Specific…

Learning-oriented assessment increases performance and written skills in a second year metabolic biochemistry course.

PubMed

Vanderlelie, Jessica J; Alexander, Heather G

2016-07-08

Assessment plays a critical role in learning and teaching and its power to enhance engagement and student outcomes is still underestimated in tertiary education. The current project considers the impact of a staged redesign of an assessment strategy that emphasized relevance of learning, formative assessment, student engagement, and feedback on student performance, failure rates and overall engagement in the course. Significant improvements in final grades (p < 0.0001) and written performance (p < 0.0001) in the final examination were noted that coincided with increased lecture attendance and overall engagement in the course. This study reinforces the importance of an integrated approach to assessment that includes well developed formative tasks and a continuous summative assessment strategy. © 2016 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 44(4):412-420, 2016. © 2016 The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

National Assessment of Educational Progress Grade 12 Preparedness Research College Course Content Analysis Study: Final Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Educational Policy Improvement Center, 2014

2014-01-01

The National Assessment Governing Board is an independent, bipartisan organization that sets policy for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The Governing Board established the NAEP Program of 12th Grade Preparedness Research to assess what NAEP can report on the academic preparedness of 12th grade students entering college and…

Analysis of safety impacts of access management alternatives using the surrogate safety assessment model : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-06-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate if the Surrogate Safety Assessment Model (SSAM) could be used to assess the safety of a highway segment or an intersection in terms of the number and type of conflicts and to compare the safety effects of mul...

Construction of Multi-Mode Affective Learning System: Taking Affective Design as an Example

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lin, Hao-Chiang Koong; Su, Sheng-Hsiung; Chao, Ching-Ju; Hsieh, Cheng-Yen; Tsai, Shang-Chin

2016-01-01

This study aims to design a non-simultaneous distance instruction system with affective computing, which integrates interactive agent technology with the curricular instruction of affective design. The research subjects were 78 students, and prototype assessment and final assessment were adopted to assess the interface and usability of the system.…

In-Class Incentives that Encourage Students to Take Concept Assessments Seriously

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Michelle; Thomas, Katie; Dunham, Maitreya

2012-01-01

Pre/post concept assessment testing is becoming increasingly common in college courses. Instructors use different approaches to give assessments, but few studies have examined how administration differences affect results. Here, we ask if administering a posttest on the final exam differs from administering it on the last day of class with extra…

The Effects of Portfolio Assessment on Writing of EFL Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nezakatgoo, Behzad

2011-01-01

The primary focus of this study was to determine the effect of portfolio assessment on final examination scores of EFL students' writing skill. To determine the impact of portfolio-based writing assessment 40 university students who enrolled in composition course were initially selected and divided randomly into two experimental and control…

Mentor judgements and decision-making in the assessment of student nurse competence in practice: A mixed-methods study.

PubMed

Burden, Sarah; Topping, Anne Elizabeth; O'Halloran, Catherine

2018-05-01

To investigate how mentors form judgements and reach summative assessment decisions regarding student competence in practice. Competence assessment is a significant component of pre-registration nursing programmes in the United Kingdom. Concerns exist that assessments are subjective, lack consistency and that mentors fail to judge student performance as unsatisfactory. A two-stage sequential embedded mixed-methods design. Data collected 2012-2013. This study involved a whole student cohort completing a UK undergraduate adult nursing programme (N = 41). Stage 1: quantitative data on mentor conduct of assessment interviews and the final decision recorded (N = 330 from 270 mentors) were extracted from student Practice Assessment Documents (PADs). Stage 2: mentor feedback in student PADs was used in Stimulated Recall interviews with a purposive sample of final placement mentors (N = 17). These were thematically analysed. Findings were integrated to develop a theoretically driven model of mentor decision-making. Course assessment strategies and documentation had limited effect in framing mentor judgements and decisions. Rather, mentors amassed impressions, moderated by expectations of an "idealized student" by practice area and programme stage that influenced their management and outcome of the assessment process. These impressions were accumulated and combined into judgements that informed the final decision. This process can best be understood and conceptualized through the Brunswik's lens model of social judgement. Mentor decisions were reasoned and there was a shared understanding of judgement criteria and their importance. This impression-based nature of mentor decision-making questions the reliability and validity of competency-based assessments used in nursing pre-registration programmes. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Railroad classification yard technology : assessment of car speed control systems

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1980-12-01

The scope of this study has encompassed an evaluation of fourteen yard speed : control devices, an identification of four generic speed control systems, a : qualitative assessment of the four systems, and finally a quantitative analysis : of three hy...

Exemplary Programs for the Handicapped. Volume I. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Freedman, Ruth; And Others

Presented is the final report of a study which assessed the effectiveness of 50 Bureau of Education for the Handicapped programs and selected 17 of the programs as providing exemplary services for handicapped people in the areas of career education, early childhood education, and manpower development. Considered separately are the three phases of…

Evaluation of Final Examination Papers in Engineering: A Case Study Using Bloom's Taxonomy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Swart, A. J.

2010-01-01

Questions are used to obtain information, stimulate thinking, and redirect reasoning. Academics in higher education use questions on a daily basis to stimulate thinking and reasoning in students. Final examination papers are used by academics to assess the retention and application skills of students. The assumption, however, exists that questions…

Teacher-Generated Final Exams in High School Science: Content, Rigor, and Assessment Literacy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lach, Michael

This study investigates a large collection of teacher-generated end-of-semester final exams from Chicago Public School high school science classrooms in order to explore the depth and breadth of content that students learn in science classrooms. Teachers focus on a specific set of scientific content that is driven by district guidelines and popular textbooks but not particularly aligned to standards. To most teachers, rigor means coverage instead of intellectual press. The assessments, while unsophisticated, seem to be delivering what is expected of them---a way to mimic the most basic format of the ACT exam quickly. There was little variation among high poverty and low poverty schools, matching national data and indicating issues that are more due to a particular culture of science teaching and learning than driven by particular contexts. The study identifies implications for the observed homogeneity of final exam rigor and content, identifies gaps between how the routine of final exams are design and implemented in schools, and discusses similar methodological efforts that could enhance the ability of schools and districts to access useful information about the technical core of instruction.

Essential competencies in prescribing: A first european cross-sectional study among 895 final-year medical students.

PubMed

Brinkman, D J; Tichelaar, J; Schutte, T; Benemei, S; Böttiger, Y; Chamontin, B; Christiaens, T; Likic, R; Maˇiulaitis, R; Marandi, T; Monteiro, E C; Papaioannidou, P; Pers, Y M; Pontes, C; Raskovic, A; Regenthal, R; Sanz, E J; Tamba, B I; Wilson, K; Vries, Tp de; Richir, M C; Agtmael, Ma van

2017-02-01

European medical students should have acquired adequate prescribing competencies before graduation, but it is not known whether this is the case. In this international multicenter study, we evaluated the essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes in clinical pharmacology and therapeutics (CPT) of final-year medical students across Europe. In a cross-sectional design, 26 medical schools from 17 European countries were asked to administer a standardized assessment and questionnaire to 50 final-year students. Although there were differences between schools, our results show an overall lack of essential prescribing competencies among final-year students in Europe. Students had a poor knowledge of drug interactions and contraindications, and chose inappropriate therapies for common diseases or made prescribing errors. Our results suggest that undergraduate teaching in CPT is inadequate in many European schools, leading to incompetent prescribers and potentially unsafe patient care. A European core curriculum with clear learning outcomes and assessments should be urgently developed. © 2016 The Authors. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

Minimally invasive reconstruction of acute type IV and Type V acromioclavicular separations.

PubMed

Katsenis, Dimitris L; Stamoulis, Dimitris; Begkas, Dimitris; Tsamados, Stamatis

2015-04-01

The goal of this study was to evaluate the midterm radiologic, clinical, and functional results of the early reconstruction of the severe acromioclavicular joint dislocation using the flipptack fixation button technique. Between December 2006 and December 2009, one hundred thirty-five consecutive patients with acromioclavicular joint separations were admitted to the authors' institution. Fifty patients were included in the study. According to Rockwood classification, 29 (58%) dislocations were type IV and 21 (42%) were type V. Surgery was performed at an average of 4.2 days (range, 0-12 days) after dislocation. All dislocations were treated with the flipptack fixation button technique. All patients were evaluated at a final postoperative follow-up of 42 months (range, 36-49 months). The clinical outcome was assessed using the Constant score. The functional limitation was assessed using the bother index of the short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment. Radiographs taken immediately postoperatively and at the final follow-up assessed acromioclavicular joint reduction, coracoclavicular distance, and joint arthrosis. At the final follow-up, mean Constant score was 93.04 (range, 84-100). The average (±SD) short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment bother index was 20.88±8.95 (range, 2.0-49). No statistically significant difference was found between the acromioclavicular joint dislocation type and the clinical result (P=.227; chi-square, 6.910, Kruskal Wallis test). The regression of the coracoclavicular distance at final follow-up was not statistically significant (P=.276; chi-square, 6.319, Kruskal Wallis test). The flipptack fixation button technique is an effective alternative for the treatment of severe acromioclavicular joint dislocation. Because all objectives of the treatment were obtained, the results do not deteriorate over time. Copyright 2015, SLACK Incorporated.

Final Environmental Assessment: Solar Panel Systems at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst New Jersey

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-01

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Solar Panel Systems at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey MARCH 2012...Final Environmental Assessment : Solar Panel Systems at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst New Jersey 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM...unclassified Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8-98) Prescribed by ANSI Std Z39-18 Purpose Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) Environmental Assessment (EA

BASINs and WEPP Climate Assessment Tools (CAT): Case ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

EPA announced the release of the final report, BASINs and WEPP Climate Assessment Tools (CAT): Case Study Guide to Potential Applications. This report supports application of two recently developed water modeling tools, the Better Assessment Science Integrating point & Non-point Sources (BASINS) and the Water Erosion Prediction Project Climate Assessment Tool (WEPPCAT). The report presents a series of short case studies designed to illustrate the capabilities of these tools for conducting scenario based assessments of the potential effects of climate change on streamflow and water quality. This report presents a series of short, illustrative case studies using the BASINS and WEPP climate assessment tools.

Comparison of ergonomic risk assessment outputs from rapid entire body assessment and quick exposure check in an engine oil company.

PubMed

Motamedzade, Majid; Ashuri, Mohammad Reza; Golmohammadi, Rostam; Mahjub, Hossein

2011-06-13

During the last decades, to assess the risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), enormous observational methods have been developed. Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) and Quick Exposure Check (QEC) are two general methods in this field. This study aimed to compare ergonomic risk assessment outputs from QEC and REBA in terms of agreement in distribution of postural loading scores based on analysis of working postures. This cross-sectional study was conducted in an engine oil company in which 40 jobs were studied. All jobs were observed by a trained occupational health practitioner. Job information was collected to ensure the completion of ergonomic risk assessment tools, including QEC, and REBA. The result revealed that there was a significant correlation between final scores (r=0.731) and the action levels (r =0.893) of two applied methods. Comparison between the action levels and final scores of two methods showed that there was no significant difference among working departments. Most of studied postures acquired low and moderate risk level in QEC assessment (low risk=20%, moderate risk=50% and High risk=30%) and in REBA assessment (low risk=15%, moderate risk=60% and high risk=25%). There is a significant correlation between two methods. They have a strong correlation in identifying risky jobs, and determining the potential risk for incidence of WMSDs. Therefore, there is possibility for researchers to apply interchangeably both methods, for postural risk assessment in appropriate working environments.

Sensitivity and specificity of mammographic screening as practised in Vermont and Norway

PubMed Central

Hofvind, S; Geller, B M; Skelly, J; Vacek, P M

2012-01-01

Objective The aim of this study was to examine the sensitivity and specificity of screening mammography as performed in Vermont, USA, and Norway. Methods Incident screening data from 1997 to 2003 for female patients aged 50–69 years from the Vermont Breast Cancer Surveillance System (116 996 subsequent screening examinations) and the Norwegian Breast Cancer Screening Program (360 872 subsequent screening examinations) were compared. Sensitivity and specificity estimates for the initial (based on screening mammogram only) and final (screening mammogram plus any further diagnostic imaging) interpretations were directly adjusted for age using 5-year age intervals for the combined Vermont and Norway population, and computed for 1 and 2 years of follow-up, which ended at the time of the next screening mammogram. Results For the 1-year follow-up, sensitivities for initial assessments were 82.0%, 88.2% and 92.5% for 1-, 2- and >2-year screening intervals, respectively, in Vermont (p=0.022). For final assessments, the values were 73.6%, 83.3% and 81.2% (p=0.047), respectively. For Norway, sensitivities for initial assessments were 91.0% and 91.3% (p=0.529) for 2- and >2-year intervals, and 90.7% and 91.3%, respectively, for final assessments (p=0.630). Specificity was lower in Vermont than in Norway for each screening interval and for all screening intervals combined, for both initial (90.6% vs 97.8% for all intervals; p<0.001) and final (98.8% vs 99.5% for all intervals; p<0.001) assessments. Conclusion Our study showed higher sensitivity and specificity in a biennial screening programme with an independent double reading than in a predominantly annual screening program with a single reading. Advances in knowledge This study demonstrates that higher recall rates and lower specificity are not always associated with higher sensitivity of screening mammography. Differences in the screening processes in Norway and Vermont suggest potential areas for improvement in the latter. PMID:22993383

Final Environmental Assessment, Horse Creek Bridge Replacement

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-10-01

Final Environmental Assessment Horse Creek Bridge Replacement 78th Civil Engineer Group...Final Environmental Assessment Horse Creek Bridge Replacement 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) 5d...Form 298 (Rev. 8-98) Prescribed by ANSI Std Z39-18 FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (FONSI)/ FINDING OF NO PRACTICABLE ALTERNATIVE (FONP A) HORSE

Environmental Assessment for the Advanced Extremely High Frequency Satellite Beddown and Deployment Program

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-07-01

Final Environmental Assessment 22 Several invasive exotic plant species are also found on the station , particularly in disturbed areas such as...Department of Transportation EA Environmental Assessment Ec Debris Casualty Area EELV Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle EIS Environmental Impact...Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) in Florida (FL). This Environmental Assessment (EA) documents the results of a study of the potential

Increasing URM Undergraduate Student Success through Assessment-Driven Interventions: A Multiyear Study Using Freshman-Level General Biology as a Model System

PubMed Central

Carmichael, Mary C.; St. Clair, Candace; Edwards, Andrea M.; Barrett, Peter; McFerrin, Harris; Davenport, Ian; Awad, Mohamed; Kundu, Anup; Ireland, Shubha Kale

2016-01-01

Xavier University of Louisiana leads the nation in awarding BS degrees in the biological sciences to African-American students. In this multiyear study with ∼5500 participants, data-driven interventions were adopted to improve student academic performance in a freshman-level general biology course. The three hour-long exams were common and administered concurrently to all students. New exam questions were developed using Bloom’s taxonomy, and exam results were analyzed statistically with validated assessment tools. All but the comprehensive final exam were returned to students for self-evaluation and remediation. Among other approaches, course rigor was monitored by using an identical set of 60 questions on the final exam across 10 semesters. Analysis of the identical sets of 60 final exam questions revealed that overall averages increased from 72.9% (2010) to 83.5% (2015). Regression analysis demonstrated a statistically significant correlation between high-risk students and their averages on the 60 questions. Additional analysis demonstrated statistically significant improvements for at least one letter grade from midterm to final and a 20% increase in the course pass rates over time, also for the high-risk population. These results support the hypothesis that our data-driven interventions and assessment techniques are successful in improving student retention, particularly for our academically at-risk students. PMID:27543637

The Introduction and Refinement of the Assessment of Digitally Recorded Audio Presentations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sinclair, Stefanie

2016-01-01

This case study critically evaluates benefits and challenges of a form of assessment included in a final year undergraduate Religious Studies Open University module, which combines a written essay task with a digital audio recording of a short oral presentation. Based on the analysis of student and tutor feedback and sample assignments, this study…

Low-cost silicon solar array project environmental hail model for assessing risk to solar collectors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gonzalez, C.

1977-01-01

The probability of solar arrays being struck by hailstones of various sizes as a function of geographic location and service life was assessed. The study complements parallel studies of solar array sensitivity to hail damage, the final objective being an estimate of the most cost effective level for solar array hail protection.

A Study on Critical Thinking Assessment System of College English Writing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dong, Tian; Yue, Lu

2015-01-01

This research attempts to discuss the validity of introducing the evaluation of students' critical thinking skills (CTS) into the assessment system of college English writing through an empirical study. In this paper, 30 College English Test Band 4 (CET-4) writing samples were collected and analyzed. Students' CTS and the final scores of collected…

Effect of Continuous Assessment on Learning Outcomes on Two Chemical Engineering Courses: Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tuunila, R.; Pulkkinen, M.

2015-01-01

In this paper, the effect of continuous assessment on the learning outcomes of two chemical engineering courses is studied over a several-year period. Average grades and passing percentages of courses after the final examination are reported and also student feedback on the courses is collected. The results indicate significantly better learning…

Evaluation of a model of violence risk assessment among forensic psychiatric patients.

PubMed

Douglas, Kevin S; Ogloff, James R P; Hart, Stephen D

2003-10-01

This study tested the interrater reliability and criterion-related validity of structured violence risk judgments made by using one application of the structured professional judgment model of violence risk assessment, the HCR-20 violence risk assessment scheme, which assesses 20 key risk factors in three domains: historical, clinical, and risk management. The HCR-20 was completed for a sample of 100 forensic psychiatric patients who had been found not guilty by reason of a mental disorder and were subsequently released to the community. Violence in the community was determined from multiple file-based sources. Interrater reliability of structured final risk judgments of low, moderate, or high violence risk made on the basis of the structured professional judgment model was acceptable (weighted kappa=.61). Structured final risk judgments were significantly predictive of postrelease community violence, yielding moderate to large effect sizes. Event history analyses showed that final risk judgments made with the structured professional judgment model added incremental validity to the HCR-20 used in an actuarial (numerical) sense. The findings support the structured professional judgment model of risk assessment as well as the HCR-20 specifically and suggest that clinical judgment, if made within a structured context, can contribute in meaningful ways to the assessment of violence risk.

Students' Perceptions on Self- and Peer-Assessment in Enhancing Learning Experience

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Siow, Lee-Fong

2015-01-01

This study reports the effectiveness of self- and peer-assessment in improving students' learning experience. Students in a group of four were required to submit two self-assessments, one after the first submission and the other during the final submission of the assignment. An anonymous assignment was then given to each group for a peer-based…

Podcasts and Mobile Assessment Enhance Student Learning Experience and Academic Performance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Morris, Neil P.

2010-01-01

The aim of this study was to combine podcasts of lectures with mobile assessments (completed via SMS on mobile telephones) to assess the effect on examination performance. Students (n = 100) on a final year, research-led, module were randomly divided into equal sized control and trial groups. The trial group were given access to podcasts/mobile…

The Impact of Higher Secondary Assessment Systems on the Tertiary-Level Academic Performance: An Empirical Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mir, Monir; Fan, Hai Wei; Daly, Anne; Boland, Greg

2014-01-01

In Australia there is no centrally administered nationwide assessment system for students who complete their final year (Year 12) of high school. Each state and territory uses its own Year 12 assessment system. Apart from Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory, all states and territories use externally set competitive examinations. The…

Determination of Evaluative Devices for Adequate Assessment of Levels of Competence in Certain Physical Education Activities. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wilson, Ruth M.

This investigation sought to study separately evaluative devices for assessing levels of performance and knowledge competency in basketball, swimming, and gymnastics. Subjects were women students at the University of Washington, 1968-69. For assessment of basketball competence, indications are that: (1) evaluation, by one individual, of films of…

Piezoelectric Composite Micromachined Multifrequency Transducers for High-Resolution, High-Contrast Ultrasound Imaging for Improved Prostate Cancer Assessment

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-08-01

prostate cancer. In the preliminary in-vitro study , imaging resolution, contrast to tissue ratio, and lesion detectability will be assessed relative to...a Siemens EV- 8C4 transrectal ultrasound probe. In the in-vivo study , molecular imaging and microvascular mapping will both be performed to assess...single element tests, years 2 and 3 have included progress towards the design of the final a dual frequency linear array. These studies included the

Evaluation of the Inhalation Carcinogenicity of Ethylene Oxide (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA has finalized its Evaluation of the Inhalation Carcinogenicity of Ethylene Oxide. This assessment addresses the potential carcinogenicity from long-term inhalation exposure to ethylene oxide. Now final, this assessment updates the carcinogenicity information in EPA’s 1985 Hea...

Verbal Final Exam in Introductory Biology Yields Gains in Student Content Knowledge and Longitudinal Performance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Luckie, Douglas B.; Rivkin, Aaron M.; Aubry, Jacob R.; Marengo, Benjamin J.; Creech, Leah R.; Sweeder, Ryan D.

2013-01-01

We studied gains in student learning over eight semesters in which an introductory biology course curriculum was changed to include optional verbal final exams (VFs). Students could opt to demonstrate their mastery of course material via structured oral exams with the professor. In a quantitative assessment of cell biology content knowledge,…

SUPERFUND TREATABILITY CLEARINGHOUSE: FINAL REPORT, PHASE I - IMMEDIATE ASSESSMENT, ACME SOLVENTS SITE

EPA Science Inventory

This is a site assessment and feasibility study of incineration alternatives at the ACME Solvents Site at Rockford, Illinois. The document contains laboratory results that are reported to simulate incineration conditions but no details on test methods were provided. The d...

Student nurses' experiences of using a learning contract as a method of assessment.

PubMed

Bailey, Maria E; Tuohy, Dympna

2009-10-01

The purpose of this study was to describe final year undergraduate nurses' experiences of assessment through the use of a learning contract. Using a qualitative descriptive design, data was collected from a purposive sample of final (fourth) year undergraduate student nurses. Two approaches were taken for data collection, anonymous evaluative questionnaires and interviews. The study was approved by the local university research and ethics committee. Data was thematically analysed. This article presents and discusses the findings from the interviews. Findings suggest that students' approach to the assessment strategy influenced engagement with the learning contract. Three themes were identified: skills, perceptions, and actions. Within these themes three types of learner were identified: happy, pragmatic and fearful. Factors found to influence successful completion of the learning contract were: support, relevant skills, prior experiential learning and required theoretical knowledge. Recommendations include the need for educators to consider module assessments that recognise the learning needs and preferences of the student within a supportive environment.

The use of drawing as an alternative assessment tool in biology teaching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nugraha, I.

2018-05-01

Science required the recording of data to build knowledge. The act of drawing an illustration is one of the oldest methods to record the data in science. Illustration in science provides information that the written word cannot, hence the old adage “A picture is worth a thousand words” is very important for studying science. Drawings an illustration is not only valuable for artists but also for scientists because some aspects of science process skills can also be developed through drawing. In terms of science teaching, applying the act of drawing can also be used as an assessment tool. In this study, we assessed drawing of human internal organs of 38 student teachers who enrolled human physiology course and its correlation to their final exam achievement. Guidance of biological drawing was employed to assess the quality, labelling, and annotations of the drawing. The finding of this study showed that there was a positive correlation between the quality of drawing and final exam achievement. It is suggested that using the method of drawing in combination with written responses assessment would provide a more complete information about student’s understanding of human internal organs.

Biomechanical Assessment of the Canadian Integrated Load Carriage System using Objective Assessment Measures

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-05-01

UNCLASSIFIED Defense Technical Information Center Compilation Part Notice ADPO 11004 TITLE: Biomechanical Assessment of the Canadian Integrated Load...ADP010987 thru ADPO11009 UNCLASSIFIED 21-1 Biomechanical Assessment of the Canadian Integrated Load Carriage System using Objective Assessment Measures Joan...CANADA, B3J 2X4 Summary The purpose of this study was to provide an overview of contributions by biomechanical testing to the design of the final

Emotional intelligence and academic performance in first and final year medical students: a cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Chew, Boon How; Zain, Azhar Md; Hassan, Faezah

2013-03-27

Research on emotional intelligence (EI) suggests that it is associated with more pro-social behavior, better academic performance and improved empathy towards patients. In medical education and clinical practice, EI has been related to higher academic achievement and improved doctor-patient relationships. This study examined the effect of EI on academic performance in first- and final-year medical students in Malaysia. This was a cross-sectional study using an objectively-scored measure of EI, the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT). Academic performance of medical school students was measured using continuous assessment (CA) and final examination (FE) results. The first- and final-year students were invited to participate during their second semester. Students answered a paper-based demographic questionnaire and completed the online MSCEIT on their own. Relationships between the total MSCEIT score to academic performance were examined using multivariate analyses. A total of 163 (84 year one and 79 year five) medical students participated (response rate of 66.0%). The gender and ethnic distribution were representative of the student population. The total EI score was a predictor of good overall CA (OR 1.01), a negative predictor of poor result in overall CA (OR 0.97), a predictor of the good overall FE result (OR 1.07) and was significantly related to the final-year FE marks (adjusted R(2) = 0.43). Medical students who were more emotionally intelligent performed better in both the continuous assessments and the final professional examination. Therefore, it is possible that emotional skill development may enhance medical students' academic performance.

Pharmaceutical trials in general practice: the first 100 protocols. An audit by the clinical research ethics committee of the Royal College of General Practitioners.

PubMed Central

Wise, P.; Drury, M.

1996-01-01

OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcome of 100 general practice based, multicentre research projects submitted to the ethics committee of the Royal College of General Practitioners by pharmaceutical companies or their agents between 1984 and 1989. DESIGN: Analysis of consecutive submitted protocols for stated objectives, study design, and outcomes; detailed review of committee minutes and correspondence in relation to amendment and approval; assessment of final reports submitted at conclusion of studies. SUBJECTS: 82 finally approved protocols, embracing 34,523 proposed trial subjects and 1195 proposed general practice investigators. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Success at enrolling subjects and investigators; commencement and completion data; validity of final report's assessment of efficacy, safety, tolerability, and acceptability; and method of use and dissemination of findings. RESULTS: 18 studies were not approved and 45 had to be amended. Randomised controlled trials comprised 46 of the original submissions. Remuneration considerations, inadequate information or consent sheets, pregnancy safety, the need to discontinue existing therapy, and suboptimal scientific content were major reasons for rejecting studies or asking for amendments. Of the 82 approved studies 8 were not started. Shortfalls of investigators (of 39%) and trial subjects (of 37%) and an overall 23% withdrawal rate were responsible for a significant incidence of inconclusive results. Within the six year follow up interval, only 19 of the studies had been formally published. CONCLUSIONS: This audit identified substantial ethical concerns in the process of approving multicentre general practice pharmaceutical research. PMID:8939118

Towards development and validation of an intraoperative assessment tool for robot-assisted radical prostatectomy training: results of a Delphi study.

PubMed

Morris, Christopher; Hoogenes, Jen; Shayegan, Bobby; Matsumoto, Edward D

2017-01-01

As urology training shifts toward competency-based frameworks, the need for tools for high stakes assessment of trainees is crucial. Validated assessment metrics are lacking for many robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). As it is quickly becoming the gold standard for treatment of localized prostate cancer, the development and validation of a RARP assessment tool for training is timely. We recruited 13 expert RARP surgeons from the United States and Canada to serve as our Delphi panel. Using an initial inventory developed via a modified Delphi process with urology residents, fellows, and staff at our institution, panelists iteratively rated each step and sub-step on a 5-point Likert scale of agreement for inclusion in the final assessment tool. Qualitative feedback was elicited for each item to determine proper step placement, wording, and suggestions. Panelist's responses were compiled and the inventory was edited through three iterations, after which 100% consensus was achieved. The initial inventory steps were decreased by 13% and a skip pattern was incorporated. The final RARP stepwise inventory was comprised of 13 critical steps with 52 sub-steps. There was no attrition throughout the Delphi process. Our Delphi study resulted in a comprehensive inventory of intraoperative RARP steps with excellent consensus. This final inventory will be used to develop a valid and psychometrically sound intraoperative assessment tool for use during RARP training and evaluation, with the aim of increasing competency of all trainees. Copyright® by the International Brazilian Journal of Urology.

Towards development and validation of an intraoperative assessment tool for robot-assisted radical prostatectomy training: results of a Delphi study

PubMed Central

Morris, Christopher; Hoogenes, Jen; Shayegan, Bobby; Matsumoto, Edward D.

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Introduction As urology training shifts toward competency-based frameworks, the need for tools for high stakes assessment of trainees is crucial. Validated assessment metrics are lacking for many robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). As it is quickly becoming the gold standard for treatment of localized prostate cancer, the development and validation of a RARP assessment tool for training is timely. Materials and methods We recruited 13 expert RARP surgeons from the United States and Canada to serve as our Delphi panel. Using an initial inventory developed via a modified Delphi process with urology residents, fellows, and staff at our institution, panelists iteratively rated each step and sub-step on a 5-point Likert scale of agreement for inclusion in the final assessment tool. Qualitative feedback was elicited for each item to determine proper step placement, wording, and suggestions. Results Panelist’s responses were compiled and the inventory was edited through three iterations, after which 100% consensus was achieved. The initial inventory steps were decreased by 13% and a skip pattern was incorporated. The final RARP stepwise inventory was comprised of 13 critical steps with 52 sub-steps. There was no attrition throughout the Delphi process. Conclusions Our Delphi study resulted in a comprehensive inventory of intraoperative RARP steps with excellent consensus. This final inventory will be used to develop a valid and psychometrically sound intraoperative assessment tool for use during RARP training and evaluation, with the aim of increasing competency of all trainees. PMID:28379668

Final Report of a Study To Assess the Validity and Reliability of the Standards of Eight Allied Health Professions.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lyons, Kevin J.; Greening, Shirley; Robeson, Mary

2000-01-01

A modified Delphi procedure assessed the content validity of accreditation standards for cardiovascular technologists, cytotechnologists, medical sonographers, electroneurodiagnostic technologists, medical assistants, perfusionists, physician assistants, and surgical technologists. Although validity and reliability were extremely high, some…

Assessing clinical practice of student nurses: Views of teachers, mentors and students.

PubMed

Helminen, Kristiina; Tossavainen, Kerttu; Turunen, Hannele

2014-08-01

Assessment received by students affects the way that they conduct their studies and shapes their interests in clinical placements. It is therefore important that mentors and teachers have high quality assessment strategies to ensure the competence of nursing students. The objective of this study is to describe the views and experiences of nursing students, nursing teachers, and mentors on the final assessment of nursing students in clinical practice. The study also investigates respondents' views on using a standardized national or European scheme for clinical assessment in the future. Descriptive survey design with a questionnaire. Implemented in five Finnish universities of applied sciences and in five partner hospitals. Nursing students (n=276), nursing teachers (n=108) and mentors (n=225). A questionnaire was used to collect data. Survey data were analyzed by using SPSS version 19. Descriptive statistics and cross tabulations were used to characterize the data. Nursing students felt that they had spent enough time with their mentors during their clinical practice period to ensure that the mentors could assess their behavior. Mentors also evaluated that they had spent enough time with the students. Students and mentors both indicated occasional difficulties with the language used in the competence assessment document. Most of the nursing students and mentors shared the view that it is always necessary for a teacher to be involved in the final assessment discussion. The study highlights the importance of assessment skills of mentors and the important role of the teachers. Findings from this study indicate that nursing students' clinical practice assessment already includes many good practices, but we still have some difficulties in ensuring effective measures of competence. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

The Miller Assessment for Preschoolers: A Longitudinal and Predictive Study. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Foundation for Knowledge in Development, Littleton, CO.

The study reported here sought to establish the predictive validity of the Miller Assessment for Preschoolers (MAP), an instrument designed to identify preschool children at risk for school-related problems in the primary years. Children (N=338) in 11 states who were originally tested in 1980 as part of the MAP standardization project were given a…

Nutrition Education and Training Needs Assessment Project for Federal Fiscal Year 1993: Texas Nutrition Education & Training. Final Annual Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Martin, Ruth E.; Hoover, Linda C.

This report, organized into two parts, presents the needs assessment study conducted for the state of Texas. The first section describes Phase One of the study which identified the goals and criteria pertaining to each of the NET target populations, namely: children, parents, educators, food service personnel, and administrators. The second part…

Assessing the Integration of Audience Response System Technology in Teaching of Anatomical Sciences

PubMed Central

Alexander, Cara J.; Crescini, Weronika M.; Juskewitch, Justin E.; Lachman, Nirusha; Pawlina, Wojciech

2009-01-01

The goals of our study were to determine the predictive value and usability of an audience response system (ARS) as a knowledge assessment tool in an undergraduate medical curriculum. Over a three year period (2006–2008), data were collected from first year didactic blocks in Genetics/Histology and Anatomy/Radiology (n=42–50 per class). During each block, students answered clinically oriented multiple choice questions using the ARS. Students’ performances were recorded and cumulative ARS scores were compared with final examination performances. Correlation coefficients between these variables were calculated to assess the existence and direction of an association between ARS and final examination score. If associations existed, univariate models were then constructed using ARS as a predictor of final examination score. Student and faculty perception of ARS difficulty, usefulness, effect on performance, and preferred use were evaluated using a questionnaire. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between ARS and final examination scores in all didactic blocks and predictive univariate models were constructed for each relationship (all P < 0.0001). Students and faculty agreed that ARS was easy to use and are liable tool for providing real-time feedback that improved their performance and participation. In conclusion, we found ARS to be an effective assessment tool benefiting the faculty and the students in a curriculum focused on interaction and self-directed learning. PMID:19670428

Assessing the integration of audience response system technology in teaching of anatomical sciences.

PubMed

Alexander, Cara J; Crescini, Weronika M; Juskewitch, Justin E; Lachman, Nirusha; Pawlina, Wojciech

2009-01-01

The goals of our study were to determine the predictive value and usability of an audience response system (ARS) as a knowledge assessment tool in an undergraduate medical curriculum. Over a three year period (2006-2008), data were collected from first year didactic blocks in Genetics/Histology and Anatomy/Radiology (n = 42-50 per class). During each block, students answered clinically oriented multiple choice questions using the ARS. Students' performances were recorded and cumulative ARS scores were compared with final examination performances. Correlation coefficients between these variables were calculated to assess the existence and direction of an association between ARS and final examination score. If associations existed, univariate models were then constructed using ARS as a predictor of final examination score. Student and faculty perception of ARS difficulty, usefulness, effect on performance, and preferred use were evaluated using a questionnaire. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between ARS and final examination scores in all didactic blocks and predictive univariate models were constructed for each relationship (all P < 0.0001). Students and faculty agreed that ARS was easy to use and a reliable tool for providing real-time feedback that improved their performance and participation. In conclusion, we found ARS to be an effective assessment tool benefiting the faculty and the students in a curriculum focused on interaction and self-directed learning. 2009 American Association of Anatomists

EXPOsOMICS: final policy workshop and stakeholder consultation.

PubMed

Turner, Michelle C; Vineis, Paolo; Seleiro, Eduardo; Dijmarescu, Michaela; Balshaw, David; Bertollini, Roberto; Chadeau-Hyam, Marc; Gant, Timothy; Gulliver, John; Jeong, Ayoung; Kyrtopoulos, Soterios; Martuzzi, Marco; Miller, Gary W; Nawrot, Timothy; Nieuwenhuijsen, Mark; Phillips, David H; Probst-Hensch, Nicole; Samet, Jonathan; Vermeulen, Roel; Vlaanderen, Jelle; Vrijheid, Martine; Wild, Christopher; Kogevinas, Manolis

2018-02-15

The final meeting of the EXPOsOMICS project "Final Policy Workshop and Stakeholder Consultation" took place 28-29 March 2017 to present the main results of the project and discuss their implications both for future research and for regulatory and policy activities. This paper summarizes presentations and discussions at the meeting related with the main results and advances in exposome research achieved through the EXPOsOMICS project; on other parallel research initiatives on the study of the exposome in Europe and in the United States and their complementarity to EXPOsOMICS; lessons learned from these early studies on the exposome and how they may shape the future of research on environmental exposure assessment; and finally the broader implications of exposome research for risk assessment and policy development on environmental exposures. The main results of EXPOsOMICS in relation to studies of the external exposome and internal exposome in relation to both air pollution and water contaminants were presented as well as new technologies for environmental health research (adductomics) and advances in statistical methods. Although exposome research strengthens the scientific basis for policy development, there is a need in terms of showing added value for public health to: improve communication of research results to non-scientific audiences; target research to the broader landscape of societal challenges; and draw applicable conclusions. Priorities for future work include the development and standardization of methodologies and technologies for assessing the external and internal exposome, improved data sharing and integration, and the demonstration of the added value of exposome science over conventional approaches in answering priority policy questions.

DEVELOPMENT OF A PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT CHECKLIST FOR ATHLETES WHO SUSTAINED A LOWER EXTREMITY INJURY IN PREPARATION FOR RETURN TO SPORT: A DELPHI STUDY

PubMed Central

Haines, Sara; Baker, Tricia

2013-01-01

Purpose/Background: To develop a consensus on the critical constructs necessary to be included in a physical performance assessment checklist (PPAC) to assess an athlete's ability for return to sport following a lower extremity injury. Methods: The study used a 3‐round Delphi method to finalize the PPAI originally developed by a panel of experts. Fourteen Delphi representative sample participants were randomly derived from the authors of peer‐reviewed publications of lower extremity injuries. Nine participants completed all 3 rounds. Results: Throughout the 3 rounds, the 10 initial constructs were modified and revised to produce the finalized PPAC consisting of 12 constructs necessary to consider for an athlete's return to sport after a lower extremity injury. Conclusions: This instrument can be used as a checklist to advocate for prospective batteries of physical performance tests to incorporate the elements identified by this study. Level of Evidence: 5 PMID:23439809

Evaluating Multi-Institutional Partnership Sustainability: A Case Study of Collaborative Workforce Development in Renewable Energy Assessment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Diaz, John M.; Stallings, Kevin D.; KC, Birendra; Seekamp, Erin

2015-01-01

Partnership evaluation typically occurs during the final stages either to assess why a collaborative effort did not work or to identify the indicators of success. Partnerships are rarely evaluated at their incipient stage, which is a critical time to assess their potential for long-term sustainability. In this paper, we present an early-stage…

Developing an ICT-Literacy Task-Based Assessment Instrument: The Findings on the Final Testing Phase

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mat-jizat, Jessnor Elmy

2013-01-01

This paper reports the findings of a study which seeks to identify the information and communications technology (ICT) literacy levels of trainee teachers, by investigating their ICT proficiency using a task-bask assessment instrument. The Delphi technique was used as a primary validation method for the new assessment tool and the ICT literacy…

75 FR 7029 - Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Assessment for Solar Roof Project

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-16

... Assessment for Solar Roof Project AGENCY: United States Geological Survey. ACTION: Notice of availability... Final Environmental Assessment for the Solar Roof Project and by this notice is announcing its... Individuals wishing to receive copies of the Environmental Assessment for the Solar Roof Project should...

77 FR 37432 - Final Springfield Plateau Regional Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment and Finding of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-21

...-FF03E00000] Final Springfield Plateau Regional Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment and Finding of... Springfield Plateau Regional Restoration Plan (Plan) and Environmental Assessment and Finding of No... Springfield Plateau Regional Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment (77 FR 1717). The public comment...

76 FR 77019 - Final Adjusted Assessment of Annual Needs for the List I Chemicals: Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-09

... Assessment of Annual Needs for the List I Chemicals: Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine, and Phenylpropanolamine for...: This notice establishes the Final Adjusted 2011 assessment of annual needs for the List I chemicals... assessment of annual needs represents those quantities of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine...

77 FR 55503 - Final Adjusted Assessment of Annual Needs for the List I Chemicals Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-10

... Assessment of Annual Needs for the List I Chemicals Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine, and Phenylpropanolamine for...: This notice establishes the Final Adjusted 2012 Assessment of Annual Needs for the list I chemicals...: The 2012 Assessment of Annual Needs represents those quantities of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and...

Clinical examiners, simulated patients, and student self-assessed empathy in medical students during a psychiatry objective structured clinical examination.

PubMed

O'Connor, Karen; King, Romaine; Malone, Kevin M; Guerandel, Allys

2014-08-01

This study aims to assess and compare objective and subjective scores of empathy in final-year medical students by using firstly a validated student self-assessment just prior to the psychiatry objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), and then comparing this to clinical examiner's and simulated patient's (SP's) assessments of empathy of students using a Global Rating of Empathy scale (GRE) during a psychiatry OSCE. In 2011, all final-year medical students in the University College Dublin were invited to complete a subjective, self-assessed empathy questionnaire (The Jefferson scale of physician empathy-student version (JSPE-S)). They were also assessed for empathy in four OSCEs by the clinical examiner and the SP acting in that OSCE scenario. Included in the analysis were 163 of 184 final-year students JSPE-S (88.6%) questionnaires. The female students scores on the JSPE-S were significantly higher than those of their male peers (t=3.34, p=0.001). Concurrent validity was greater between the SPs' assessments of empathy in the OSCE and the JSPE-S score than between the clinical examiners assessments of empathy and the JSPE-S score (r=0.23, p<0.005; r=0.14, p<0.08). Inter-rater reliability of SP's and clinical examiner's using the GRE was found to be high (F=0.868 (df=171, 171), p value<0.001). SPs may be valid assessors of empathy in medical students during an OSCE.

Levels of Possession of Science Process Skills by Final Year Students of Colleges of Education in South-Eastern States of Nigeria

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Akani, Omiko

2015-01-01

This study investigated the levels of possession of science process skills by final year Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) Students in colleges of Education in South-Eastern States of Nigeria. The skills that were assessed were observation, experimentation, measurement, communication, and inference. The research was guided by five research…

Exploring Cramming: Student Behaviors, Beliefs, and Learning Retention in the Principles of Marketing Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McIntyre, Shelby H.; Munson, J. Michael

2008-01-01

Cramming for finals is common on college campuses, and many students seem to cram for their final in the Principles of Marketing course. This article addresses the question of defining and measuring a "cramming study strategy." Scales are developed to assess (a) cramming for courses in general and (b) cramming specifically in the Principles of…

The Use of the Semantic Differential Method in Assessing Attitudes and Predicting Final Grades in a Gross Anatomy Course.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Mickey M.; And Others

Whether a change in dental students' attitudes toward three preselected concepts would occur as a result of a traditionally difficult dental education course as measured by the semantic differential method is determined. This study attempted to determine the predictive value of a student's attitudes in determining his/her final grade. The sample…

Master's Thesis Supervision: Relations between Perceptions of the Supervisor-Student Relationship, Final Grade, Perceived Supervisor Contribution to Learning and Student Satisfaction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

de Kleijn, Renske A. M.; Mainhard, M. Tim; Meijer, Paulien C.; Pilot, Albert; Brekelmans, Mieke

2012-01-01

Master's thesis supervision is a complex task given the two-fold goal of the thesis (learning and assessment). An important aspect of supervision is the supervisor-student relationship. This quantitative study (N = 401) investigates how perceptions of the supervisor-student relationship are related to three dependent variables: final grade,…

Bristol Bay Assessment - Final Report (2014)

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This is the final Bristol Bay assessment developed and peer reviewed by the Office of Research and Development in EPA. The purpose of this assessment is to provide a characterization of the biological and mineral resources of the Bristol Bay watershed.

Development and validation of a professionalism assessment scale for medical students

PubMed Central

Klemenc-Ketis, Zalika; Vrecko, Helena

2014-01-01

Objectives To develop and validate a scale for the assess-ment of professionalism in medical students based on students' perceptions of and attitudes towards professional-ism in medicine. Methods This was a mixed methods study with under-graduate medical students. Two focus groups were carried out with 12 students, followed by a transcript analysis (grounded theory method with open coding). Then, a 3-round Delphi with 20 family medicine experts was carried out. A psychometric assessment of the scale was performed with a group of 449 students. The items of the Professional-ism Assessment Scale could be answered on a five-point Likert scale. Results After the focus groups, the first version of the PAS consisted of 56 items and after the Delphi study, 30 items remained. The final sample for quantitative study consisted of 122 students (27.2% response rate). There were 95 (77.9%) female students in the sample. The mean age of the sample was 22.1 ± 2.1 years. After the principal component analysis, we removed 8 items and produced the final version of the PAS (22 items). The Cronbach's alpha of the scale was 0.88. Factor analysis revealed three factors: empathy and humanism, professional relationships and development and responsibility. Conclusions The new Professionalism Assessment Scale proved to be valid and reliable. It can be used for the assessment of professionalism in undergraduate medical students. PMID:25382090

Assessment of cataract surgical outcomes in settings where follow-up is poor: PRECOG, a multicentre observational study.

PubMed

Congdon, Nathan; Yan, Xixi; Lansingh, Van; Sisay, Alemayehu; Müller, Andreas; Chan, Ving; Jin, Ling; Meltzer, Mirjam E; Karumanchi, Sasipriya M; Guan, Chunhong; Vuong, Quy; Rivera, Nelson; McCleod-Omawale, Joan; He, Mingguang

2013-07-01

Poor follow-up after cataract surgery in developing countries makes assessment of operative quality uncertain. We aimed to assess two strategies to measure visual outcome: recording the visual acuity of all patients 3 or fewer days postoperatively (early postoperative assessment), and recording that of only those patients who returned for the final follow-up examination after 40 or more days without additional prompting. Each of 40 centres in ten countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America recruited 40-120 consecutive surgical cataract patients. Operative-eye best-corrected visual acuity and uncorrected visual acuity were recorded before surgery, 3 or fewer days postoperatively, and 40 or more days postoperatively. Clinics logged whether each patient had returned for the final follow-up examination without additional prompting, had to be actively encouraged to return, or had to be examined at home. Visual outcome for each centre was defined as the proportion of patients with uncorrected visual acuity of 6/18 or better minus the proportion with uncorrected visual acuity of 6/60 or worse, and was calculated for each participating hospital with results from the early assessment of all patients and the late assessment of only those returning unprompted, with results from the final follow-up assessment for all patients used as the standard. Of 3708 participants, 3441 (93%) had final follow-up vision data recorded 40 or more days after surgery, 1831 of whom (51% of the 3581 total participants for whom mode of follow-up was recorded) had returned to the clinic without additional prompting. Visual outcome by hospital from early postoperative and final follow-up assessment for all patients were highly correlated (Spearman's rs=0·74, p<0·0001). Visual outcome from final follow-up assessment for all patients and for only those who returned without additional prompting were also highly correlated (rs=0·86, p<0·0001), even for the 17 hospitals with unprompted return rates of less than 50% (rs=0·71, p=0·002). When we divided hospitals into top 25%, middle 50%, and bottom 25% by visual outcome, classification based on final follow-up assessment for all patients was the same as that based on early postoperative assessment for 27 (68%) of 40 centres, and the same as that based on data from patients who returned without additional prompting in 31 (84%) of 37 centres. Use of glasses to optimise vision at the time of the early and late examinations did not further improve the correlations. Early vision assessment for all patients and follow-up assessment only for patients who return to the clinic without prompting are valid measures of operative quality in settings where follow-up is poor. ORBIS International, Fred Hollows Foundation, Helen Keller International, International Association for the Prevention of Blindness Latin American Office, Aravind Eye Care System. Copyright © 2013 Congdon et al. Open Access article distributed under the terms of CC BY. Published by .. All rights reserved.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors among College Students: Knowledge, Perception, and Risk Assessment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tran, Dieu-My T.; Zimmerman, Lani M.; Kupzyk, Kevin A.; Shurmur, Scott W.; Pullen, Carol H.; Yates, Bernice C.

2017-01-01

Objective: To assess college students' knowledge and perception of cardiovascular risk factors and to screen for their cardiovascular risks. Participants: The final sample that responded to recruitment consisted of 158 college students from a midwestern university. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was performed using convenience…

Sun Valley Elementary School Reading and Writing Assessment Project: Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zakaluk, Beverley L.

A study investigated the effectiveness of integrating computer technology (multimedia learning resources in a "virtual" classroom) with content area and reading and writing curriculum. All students in grades 2 through 5 at Sun Valley Elementary School, Canada, had their reading and writing assessed. In addition, the writing performance…

78 FR 21919 - Finding of No Significant Impact and Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Army 2020...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-12

... Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Army 2020 Force Structure Realignment AGENCY: Department of the Army... of the Finding of No Significant Impact (FNSI) for implementation of force structure realignment to... Structure Realignment (PEA), supporting studies, and comments received during the public review period, the...

CAUSAL ANALYSIS OF BIOLOGICAL IMPAIRMENT IN LONG CREEK, A SANDY-BOTTOMED STREAM IN COASTAL SOUTHERN MAINE (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

This assessment presents results from a complex causal assessment of a biologically impaired, urbanized coastal watershed located primarily in South Portland, Maine, USA—the Long Creek watershed. This case study serves as an example implementation of U.S. Environmental Protectio...

Accuracy of Endometrial Sampling in Endometrial Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PubMed

Visser, Nicole C M; Reijnen, Casper; Massuger, Leon F A G; Nagtegaal, Iris D; Bulten, Johan; Pijnenborg, Johanna M A

2017-10-01

To assess the agreement between preoperative endometrial sampling and final diagnosis for tumor grade and subtype in patients with endometrial carcinoma. MEDLINE, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the Cochrane library were searched from inception to January 1, 2017, for studies that compared tumor grade and histologic subtype in preoperative endometrial samples and hysterectomy specimens. In eligible studies, the index test included office endometrial biopsy, hysteroscopic biopsy, or dilatation and curettage; the reference standard was hysterectomy. Outcome measures included tumor grade, histologic subtype, or both. Two independent reviewers assessed the eligibility of the studies. Risk of bias was assessed (Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies). A total of 45 studies (12,459 patients) met the inclusion criteria. The pooled agreement rate on tumor grade was 0.67 (95% CI 0.60-0.75) and Cohen's κ was 0.45 (95% CI 0.34-0.55). Agreement between hysteroscopic biopsy and final diagnosis was higher (0.89, 95% CI 0.80-0.98) than for dilatation and curettage (0.70, 95% CI 0.60-0.79; P=.02); however, it was not significantly higher than for office endometrial biopsy (0.73, 95% CI 0.60-0.86; P=.08). The lowest agreement rate was found for grade 2 carcinomas (0.61, 95% CI 0.53-0.69). Downgrading was found in 25% and upgrading was found in 21% of the endometrial samples. Agreement on histologic subtypes was 0.95 (95% CI 0.94-0.97) and 0.81 (95% CI 0.69-0.92) for preoperative endometrioid and nonendometrioid carcinomas, respectively. Overall there is only moderate agreement on tumor grade between preoperative endometrial sampling and final diagnosis with the lowest agreement for grade 2 carcinomas.

78 FR 52909 - Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Notice of Availability of Final Environmental Assessment...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-27

...: [email protected] . Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Michael Davis, Project Manager, Consumer Financial... application of best management practices (BMP) to minimize short term air quality and noise impact during... of Final Environmental Assessment (FINAL EA) and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for...

Approaches for the Application of Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Models and Supporting Data in Risk Assessment (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA released the final report, Approaches for the Application of Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Models and Supporting Data in Risk Assessment as announced in a September 22 2006 Federal Register Notice.This final report addresses the application and evaluati...

An Exposure Assessment of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (Pbde) (Final)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA announced the availability of the final report, An Exposure Assessment of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers. This report provides a comprehensive assessment of the exposure of Americans to this class of persistent organic pollutants. Individual chapters in this document ...

75 FR 79412 - Final Revised Assessment of Annual Needs for the List I Chemicals Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine, and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-20

... Assessment of Annual Needs for the List I Chemicals Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine, and Phenylpropanolamine for... Annual Needs for 2010. SUMMARY: This notice establishes the Final Revised 2010 Assessment of Annual Needs...). The 2010 Assessment of Annual Needs represents those quantities of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and...

Assessment of Proposed Cab Glass Coating for FAA Control Towers

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-11-16

report would be prepared after the initial coating and evaluation (with sprayed water) and then a final report after the 6 month study period to assess...Distribution A: Approved for public release. AFRL-RH-WP-TR-2015-0074 Assessment of Proposed Cab Glass Coating for FAA Control...REPORT TYPE Interim 3. DATES COVERED (From - To) 30 Jun 2014 – 1 Nov 2015 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Assessment of Proposed Cab Glass Coating

IRIS Toxicological Review of Benzo[a]pyrene (Final Report) ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

EPA has finalized the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) assessment of benzo[a]pyrene. This assessment addresses the potential cancer and noncancer human health effects from long-term exposure to benzo[a]pyrene. Now final, this assessment will update the toxicological information on benzo[a]pyrene posted in 1987. EPA’s program and regional offices may use this assessment to inform decisions to protect human health. EPA is undertaking an update of the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) health assessment for benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). The outcome of this project is an updated Toxicological Review and IRIS Summary for BaP that will be entered into the IRIS database.

Phthalates and Cumulative Risk Assessment (NAS Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

On December 18, 2008, the National Academy of Sciences' National Research Council released a final report, requested and sponsored by the EPA, entitled Phthalates and Cumulative Risk Assessment: The Task Ahead.

Risk assessment has become a dominant public policy ...

The role of assessment packages for diagnostic consultations: A conversation analytic perspective.

PubMed

Rossen, Camilla B; Buus, Niels; Stenager, Egon; Stenager, Elsebeth

2015-05-01

This article reports a conversation analysis of assessment package consultations. Healthcare delivery packages belong to a highly structured mode of healthcare delivery, in which specific courses of healthcare interventions related to assessment and treatment are predefined, both as to timing and content. Assessment packages are widely used in an increasing number of medical specialities; however, there is a lack of knowledge about how packaged assessment influences the interaction between doctor and patient. In this study, we investigate the final consultation in assessment packages, which is when the final clarification of the patient's symptoms takes place. The primary data of the study were eight audio recordings of consultations, and the secondary data were ethnographic field descriptions. In most consultations, packaged assessment was a resource as it provided fast and efficient clarification. In most cases, clarification was treated as good news since it either confirmed the absence of a serious disease or resulted in a diagnosis leading to relevant treatment offers. However, in some cases, clarification was not perceived as good news. This was the case in consultations with patients whose goal was to leave the consultation with clarification in the form of a definite diagnosis, but who were not offered such clarification. These patients negotiated the outcome of the consultation by applying implicit and explicit pressure, which induced the doctors to disregard the boundaries of the package and offer the patient more tests. The study highlights some of the problems related to introducing narrow, specialized package assessment. © The Author(s) 2014.

Accuracy of frozen section in the diagnosis of ovarian tumours.

PubMed

Toneva, F; Wright, H; Razvi, K

2012-07-01

The purpose of our retrospective study was to assess the accuracy of intraoperative frozen section diagnosis compared to final paraffin diagnosis in ovarian tumours at a gynaecological oncology centre in the UK. We analysed 66 cases and observed that frozen section consultation agreed with final paraffin diagnosis in 59 cases, which provided an accuracy of 89.4%. The overall sensitivity and specificity for all tumours were 85.4% and 100%, respectively. The positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 100% and 89.4%, respectively. Of the seven cases with discordant results, the majority were large, mucinous tumours, which is in line with previous studies. Our study demonstrated that despite its limitations, intraoperative frozen section has a high accuracy and sensitivity for assessing ovarian tumours; however, care needs to be taken with large, mucinous tumours.

A scale for measuring hygiene behavior: development, reliability and validity.

PubMed

Stevenson, Richard J; Case, Trevor I; Hodgson, Deborah; Porzig-Drummond, Renata; Barouei, Javad; Oaten, Megan J

2009-09-01

There is currently no general self-report measure for assessing hygiene behavior. This article details the development and testing of such a measure. In studies 1 to 4, a total of 855 participants were used for scale and subscale development and for reliability and validity testing. The latter involved establishing the relationships between self-reported hygiene behavior and existing measures, hand hygiene behavior, illness rates, and a physiological marker of immune function. In study 5, a total of 507 participants were used to assess the psychometric properties of the final revised version of the scale. The final 23-item scale comprised 5 subscales: general, household, food-related, handwashing technique, and personal hygiene. Studies 1 to 4 confirmed the scale's reliability and validity, and study 5 confirmed the scale's 5-factor structure. The scale is potentially suitable for multiple uses, in various settings, and for experimental and correlational approaches.

Emotional intelligence and academic performance in first and final year medical students: a cross-sectional study

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Research on emotional intelligence (EI) suggests that it is associated with more pro-social behavior, better academic performance and improved empathy towards patients. In medical education and clinical practice, EI has been related to higher academic achievement and improved doctor-patient relationships. This study examined the effect of EI on academic performance in first- and final-year medical students in Malaysia. Methods This was a cross-sectional study using an objectively-scored measure of EI, the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT). Academic performance of medical school students was measured using continuous assessment (CA) and final examination (FE) results. The first- and final-year students were invited to participate during their second semester. Students answered a paper-based demographic questionnaire and completed the online MSCEIT on their own. Relationships between the total MSCEIT score to academic performance were examined using multivariate analyses. Results A total of 163 (84 year one and 79 year five) medical students participated (response rate of 66.0%). The gender and ethnic distribution were representative of the student population. The total EI score was a predictor of good overall CA (OR 1.01), a negative predictor of poor result in overall CA (OR 0.97), a predictor of the good overall FE result (OR 1.07) and was significantly related to the final-year FE marks (adjusted R2 = 0.43). Conclusions Medical students who were more emotionally intelligent performed better in both the continuous assessments and the final professional examination. Therefore, it is possible that emotional skill development may enhance medical students’ academic performance. PMID:23537129

Use of international foundations of medicine clinical sciences examination to evaluate students' performance in the local examination at the University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

PubMed

Dash, Nihar Ranjan; Abdalla, Mohamed Elhassan; Hussein, Amal

2017-01-01

Several medical schools around the world are moving away from isolated, locally developed in-house assessments to the introduction of external examinations into their curriculum. Although the objective varies, it is typically done to evaluate, audit, and compare students' performance to international standards. Similarly, the International Foundations of Medicine-Clinical Sciences Examination (IFOM-CSE) was introduced in the College of Medicine at the University of Sharjah as an external assessment criterion in addition to the existing in-house assessments. The aim of this study was to compare the student performance in this newly introduced IFOM-CSE examination and the existing in-house final examination in the college. The scores of three consecutive final-year undergraduate medical student batches (2013-2015) who took both the IFOM-CSE and the existing in-house final examination were analyzed. Pearson correlation and one-way analysis of variance test were conducted using SPSS 22. The students' scores in the IFOM-CSE and in the final examination prepared locally were highly correlated with Pearson correlation coefficients of 0.787 for batch 2013, 0.827 for batch 2014, and 0.830 for batch 2015 (P < 0.0005). Interestingly, while the mean scores of the IFOM-CSE among the three batches in the years 2013, 2014, and 2015 (475, 492, and 513, respectively) showed improvement with borderline significance (F[2226] = 2.73, P = 0.067), local examination scores showed a significant improvement during the study period (F[2277] = 52.87, P < 0.0005). The findings of this study showed that students' scores in the local examination were consistently correlated with their scores in the IFOM-CSE over all the three batches. Thus, introduction of external examination can be an important evaluation tool to a comprehensive internal assessment system providing evidence of external validity.

78 FR 11632 - Notice of Availability for the Draft Finding of No Significant Impact and Final Programmatic...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-19

... Significant Impact and Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Army 2020 Force Structure Realignment... Significant Impact (FNSI) and final Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) for Army 2020 force structure realignments that may occur from Fiscal Years (FYs) 2013-2020. The Army published the Notice of Availability of...

Training presence: the importance of virtual reality experience on the "sense of being there".

PubMed

Gamito, Pedro; Oliveira, Jorge; Morais, Diogo; Baptista, André; Santos, Nuno; Soares, Fábio; Saraiva, Tomaz; Rosa, Pedro

2010-01-01

Nature and origin of presence are still unclear. Although it can be characterized, under a neurophysiological perspective, as a process resulting from a synchrony between cognitive and perceptive systems, the multitude of associated processes reduces the chances of brain mapping presence. In this way, our study was designed in order to understand the possible role of VR experience on presence in a virtual environment. For our study, 16 participants (M=28.39 years; SD=13.44) of both genders without computer experience were selected. The study design consisted of two assessments (initial and final), where the participants were evaluated with BFI, PQ, ITQ, QC, MCSDS-SF, STAI, visual attention and behavioral measures after playing an first person shooter (FPS) game. In order to manipulate the level of VR experience the participants were trained on, a different FPS was used during the 12 weekly sessions of 30 minutes. Results revealed significant differences between the first and final assessment for presence (F(1,15)=11.583; MSE=775.538; p<01) and immersion scores (F(1,15)=6.234; MSE=204.962; p<05), indicating higher levels of presence and immersion in the final assessment. No statistical significant results were obtained for cybersickness or the behavioral measures. In summary, our results showed that training and the subsequent higher computer experience levels can increase immersion and presence.

An Approach to Using Toxicogenomic Data in US EPA Human ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

EPA announced the availability of the final report, An Approach to Using Toxicogenomic Data in U.S. EPA Human Health Risk Assessments: A Dibutyl Phthalate Case Study. This report outlines an approach to evaluate genomic data for use in risk assessment and a case study to illustrate the approach. The dibutyl phthalate (DBP) case study example focuses on male reproductive developmental effects and the qualitative application of genomic data because of the available data on DBP. The case study presented in this report is a separate activity from any of the ongoing IRIS human health assessments for the phthalates. The National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) prepared this document for the purpose of describing and illustrating an approach for using toxicogenomic data in risk assessment.

Technology Assessment Software Package: Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hutinger, Patricia L.

This final report describes the Technology Assessment Software Package (TASP) Project, which produced developmentally appropriate technology assessment software for children from 18 months through 8 years of age who have moderate to severe disabilities that interfere with their interaction with people, objects, tasks, and events in their…

Determination of the Biologically Relevant Sampling Depth for Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecological Risk Assessments (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

The Ecological Risk Assessment Support Center (ERASC) announced the release of the final report, Determination of the Biologically Relevant Sampling Depth for Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecological Risk Assessments. This technical paper provides defensible approximations fo...

Central florida phosphate industry. Volume II. background and alternatives assessment. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1978-11-01

The Central Florida Phosphate District encompasses an area of approximately 2000 square miles in Polk, Hillsborough, Manatee, Hardee, and DeSoto Counties, Florida. There are currently 17 potential new source mines in the district. This EIS assessed areawide and cumulative effects on the entire area and provides the basis for development of site specific EISs. The final EIS establishes a scenario of phosphate development which was determined to be as compatible as practicable with other desired and intended land uses in Central Florida. Volume II describes the Central Florida Phosphate Industry and the Natural and man-made environments of the study area.more » Several scenarios are presented as decision alternatives and primary and secondary effects are assessed and compared.« less

Causal Assessment of Biological Impairment in the Bogue Homo River, Mississippi Using the U.S. EPA’s Stressor Identification Methodology (Final)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA announced the availability of the final report, Causal Assessment of Biological Impairment in the Bogue Homo River, Mississippi Using the U.S. EPA’s Stressor Identification Methodology. This assessment is taken from more than 700 court ordered assessments of the cau...

Positional Quality Assessment of Orthophotos Obtained from Sensors Onboard Multi-Rotor UAV Platforms

PubMed Central

Mesas-Carrascosa, Francisco Javier; Rumbao, Inmaculada Clavero; Berrocal, Juan Alberto Barrera; Porras, Alfonso García-Ferrer

2014-01-01

In this study we explored the positional quality of orthophotos obtained by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). A multi-rotor UAV was used to obtain images using a vertically mounted digital camera. The flight was processed taking into account the photogrammetry workflow: perform the aerial triangulation, generate a digital surface model, orthorectify individual images and finally obtain a mosaic image or final orthophoto. The UAV orthophotos were assessed with various spatial quality tests used by national mapping agencies (NMAs). Results showed that the orthophotos satisfactorily passed the spatial quality tests and are therefore a useful tool for NMAs in their production flowchart. PMID:25587877

Positional quality assessment of orthophotos obtained from sensors onboard multi-rotor UAV platforms.

PubMed

Mesas-Carrascosa, Francisco Javier; Rumbao, Inmaculada Clavero; Berrocal, Juan Alberto Barrera; Porras, Alfonso García-Ferrer

2014-11-26

In this study we explored the positional quality of orthophotos obtained by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). A multi-rotor UAV was used to obtain images using a vertically mounted digital camera. The flight was processed taking into account the photogrammetry workflow: perform the aerial triangulation, generate a digital surface model, orthorectify individual images and finally obtain a mosaic image or final orthophoto. The UAV orthophotos were assessed with various spatial quality tests used by national mapping agencies (NMAs). Results showed that the orthophotos satisfactorily passed the spatial quality tests and are therefore a useful tool for NMAs in their production flowchart.

An Exploratory Analysis of Personality, Attitudes, and Study Skills on the Learning Curve within a Team-based Learning Environment

PubMed Central

Henry, Teague; Campbell, Ashley

2015-01-01

Objective. To examine factors that determine the interindividual variability of learning within a team-based learning environment. Methods. Students in a pharmacokinetics course were given 4 interim, low-stakes cumulative assessments throughout the semester and a cumulative final examination. Students’ Myers-Briggs personality type was assessed, as well as their study skills, motivations, and attitudes towards team-learning. A latent curve model (LCM) was applied and various covariates were assessed to improve the regression model. Results. A quadratic LCM was applied for the first 4 assessments to predict final examination performance. None of the covariates examined significantly impacted the regression model fit except metacognitive self-regulation, which explained some of the variability in the rate of learning. There were some correlations between personality type and attitudes towards team learning, with introverts having a lower opinion of team-learning than extroverts. Conclusion. The LCM could readily describe the learning curve. Extroverted and introverted personality types had the same learning performance even though preference for team-learning was lower in introverts. Other personality traits, study skills, or practice did not significantly contribute to the learning variability in this course. PMID:25861101

An exploratory analysis of personality, attitudes, and study skills on the learning curve within a team-based learning environment.

PubMed

Persky, Adam M; Henry, Teague; Campbell, Ashley

2015-03-25

To examine factors that determine the interindividual variability of learning within a team-based learning environment. Students in a pharmacokinetics course were given 4 interim, low-stakes cumulative assessments throughout the semester and a cumulative final examination. Students' Myers-Briggs personality type was assessed, as well as their study skills, motivations, and attitudes towards team-learning. A latent curve model (LCM) was applied and various covariates were assessed to improve the regression model. A quadratic LCM was applied for the first 4 assessments to predict final examination performance. None of the covariates examined significantly impacted the regression model fit except metacognitive self-regulation, which explained some of the variability in the rate of learning. There were some correlations between personality type and attitudes towards team learning, with introverts having a lower opinion of team-learning than extroverts. The LCM could readily describe the learning curve. Extroverted and introverted personality types had the same learning performance even though preference for team-learning was lower in introverts. Other personality traits, study skills, or practice did not significantly contribute to the learning variability in this course.

Approaches for the Application of Physiologically Based ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

EPA released the final report, Approaches for the Application of Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Models and Supporting Data in Risk Assessment as announced in a September 22 2006 Federal Register Notice.This final report addresses the application and evaluation of PBPK models for risk assessment purposes. These models represent an important class of dosimetry models that are useful for predicting internal dose at target organs for risk assessment applications. EPA is releasing a final report describing the evaluation and applications of physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models in health risk assessment. This was announced in the September 22 2006 Federal Register Notice.

CHAT: development and validation of a computer-delivered, self-report, substance use assessment for adolescents.

PubMed

Lord, Sarah E; Trudeau, Kimberlee J; Black, Ryan A; Lorin, Lucy; Cooney, Elizabeth; Villapiano, Albert; Butler, Stephen F

2011-01-01

The current study was conducted to construct and validate a computer-delivered, multimedia, substance use self-assessment for adolescents. Reliability and validity of six problem dimensions were evaluated in two studies, conducted from 2003 to 2008. Study 1 included 192 adolescents from five treatment settings throughout the United States (N = 142) and two high schools from Greater Boston, Massachusetts (N = 50). Study 2 included 356 adolescents (treatment: N = 260; school: N = 94). The final version of Comprehensive Health Assessment for Teens (CHAT) demonstrated relatively strong psychometric properties. The limitations and implications of this study are noted. This study was supported by an SBIR grant.

Development and evaluation of a tool for retrospective exposure assessment of selected endocrine disrupting chemicals and EMF in the car manufacturing industry.

PubMed

Mester, Birte; Schmeisser, Nils; Lünzmann, Hauke; Pohlabeln, Hermann; Langner, Ingo; Behrens, Thomas; Ahrens, Wolfgang

2011-08-01

A system for retrospective occupational exposure assessment combining the efficiency of a job exposure matrix (JEM) and the precision of a subsequent individual expert exposure assessment (IEEA) was developed. All steps of the exposure assessment were performed by an interdisciplinary expert panel in the context of a case-control study on male germ cell cancer nested in the car manufacturing industries. An industry-specific JEM was developed and automatic exposure estimation was performed based on this JEM. A subsample of exposure ratings was done by IEEA to identify determinants of disagreement between the JEM and the individual review. Possible determinants were analyzed by calculating odds ratios (ORs) of disagreement between ratings with regard to different dimensions (e.g. high versus low intensity of exposure). Disagreement in ≥20% of the sampled exposure ratings with a statistically significant OR was chosen as a threshold for inclusion of the exposure ratings into a final IEEA. The most important determinants of disagreement between JEM and individual review were working outside of the production line (disagreement 80%), low probability of exposure (disagreement 25%), and exposure depending on specific activities like usage of specific lacquers (disagreement 32%) for jobs within the production line. These determinants were the selection criteria of exposure ratings for the subsequent final IEEA. Combining a JEM and a subsequent final IEEA for a selected subset of exposure ratings is a feasible and labor-saving approach for exposure assessment in large occupational epidemiological studies.

Why Go Modular? A Review of Modular A-Level Mathematics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Taverner, Sally; Wright, Martin

1997-01-01

Attitudes, academic intentions, and attainment of students gaining a grade in A-level (Advanced level) mathematics were compared for those who followed a modular course and those assessed at the end of two years of study. Overall, the final grades of those assessed modularly were half a grade higher. (JOW)

Distorted Perceptions of Competence and Incompetence Are More than Regression Effects

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Albanese, M.; Dottl, S.; Mejicano, G.; Zakowski, L.; Seibert, C.; Van Eyck, S.; Prucha, C.

2006-01-01

Students inaccurately assess their own skills, especially high- or low-performers on exams. This study assessed whether regression effects account for this observation. After completing the Infection and Immunity course final exam (IIF), second year medical students (N = 143) estimated their performance on the IIF in terms of percent correct and…

The Effectiveness of Active and Traditional Teaching Techniques in the Orthopedic Assessment Laboratory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nottingham, Sara; Verscheure, Susan

2010-01-01

Active learning is a teaching methodology with a focus on student-centered learning that engages students in the educational process. This study implemented active learning techniques in an orthopedic assessment laboratory, and the effects of these teaching techniques. Mean scores from written exams, practical exams, and final course evaluations…

Language of Evaluation: How PLA Evaluators Write about Student Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Travers, Nan L.; Smith, Bernard; Ellis, Leslie; Brady, Tom; Feldman, Liza; Hakim, Kameyla; Onta, Bhuwan; Panayotou, Maria; Seamans, Laurie; Treadwell, Amanda

2011-01-01

Very few studies (e.g., Arnold, 1998; Joosten-ten Brinke, et al., 2009) have examined the ways in which evaluators assess students' prior learning. This investigation explored the ways that evaluators described students' prior learning in final assessment reports at a single, multiple-location institution. Results found four themes; audience,…

Development of an Experimental Literacy Assessment Battery. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sticht, Thomas G.; Beck, Lawrence J.

This report describes the development of a Literacy Assessment Battery (LAB) for determining the relative efficiency with which adults can comprehend language by reading or listening. Development of the LAB included: the tryout with adults of two listening and reading tests designed for children; experimental studies of a decoding task involving…

Development and Initial Validation of the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms-34

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Locke, Benjamin D.; McAleavey, Andrew A.; Zhao, Yu; Lei, Pui-Wa; Hayes, Jeffrey A.; Castonguay, Louis G.; Li, Hongli; Tate, Robin; Lin, Yu-Chu

2012-01-01

A short version of the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms-62 (CCAPS-62) was created via three studies. The final short version (CCAPS-34), which contains 34 items and 7 subscales, demonstrated good discrimination power, support for the proposed factor structure, strong initial convergent validity, and adequate test-retest…

Introduction to Toxicity and Risk Assessment for Project Chemists

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-27

Toxicity of Hexavalent Chromium  External review complete  EPA will wait until studies underway on carcinogenic mode of action are complete to...finalize the assessment  NJ and Cal values for hex chrome 16 Risk-Based Screening Levels Resident Soil (mg/kg) Resident Water Use (µg/L) DRAFT 0.04

Project on Application of Modern Communication Technologies to Educational Networking. Final Technical Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Morgan, Robert P.; Eastwood, Lester F., Jr.

Research on this National Science Foundation grant to study the application of modern communications technology to educational networking was divided into three parts: assessment of the role of technology in non-traditional post-secondary education; assessment of communications technologies and educational services of current or potential future…

Cross-cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Patella Questionnaire for French-Speaking Patients With Patellar Tendinopathy.

PubMed

Kaux, Jean-François; Delvaux, François; Oppong-Kyei, Julian; Beaudart, Charlotte; Buckinx, Fanny; Croisier, Jean-Louis; Forthomme, Bénédicte; Crielaard, Jean-Michel; Bruyère, Olivier

2016-05-01

Study Design Clinical measurement study. Background The Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Patella (VISA-P), originally developed in English, assesses the severity of patellar tendinopathy symptoms. To date, no French version of the questionnaire exists. Objectives The aim of our study was to translate the VISA-P into French and verify its psychometric properties. Methods The translation and cultural adaptation were performed according to international recommendations in 6 steps: initial translation, translation merging, back translation to the original language, use of an expert committee to reach a prefinal version, test of the prefinal version, and expert committee appraisal of a final version. Afterward, the psychometric properties of the final French version (VISA-PF) were assessed in 92 subjects, divided into 3 groups: pathological subjects (n = 28), asymptomatic subjects (n = 22), and sports-risk subjects (n = 42). Results All members of the expert committee agreed with the final version. On a scale ranging from 0 to 100, with 100 representing an asymptomatic subject, the average ± SD scores on the VISA-PF were 53 ± 17 for the pathological group, 99 ± 2 for the healthy group, and 86 ± 14 for the sports-risk group. The test-retest reliability of the VISA-PF was excellent, with good internal consistency. Correlations between the VISA-PF and divergent validity of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) were low, and the correlation coefficient values measured between the VISA-PF scores and converged items of the SF-36 were higher. Conclusion The VISA-PF is understandable, valid, and suitable for French-speaking patients with patellar tendinopathy. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016;46(5):384-390. Epub 21 Mar 2016. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.5937.

Nursing students' perceptions of using the Clinical Education Assessment tool AssCE and their overall perceptions of the clinical learning environment - A cross-sectional correlational study.

PubMed

Engström, Maria; Löfmark, Anna; Vae, Karen Johanne Ugland; Mårtensson, Gunilla

2017-04-01

Clinical education is a vital part of nursing students' learning; the importance of assessment tools and feedback in stimulating student learning has been stressed, but this needs to be studied in more detail. To examine relationships between nursing students' perceptions of using an Assessment tool in Clinical Education (AssCE) during their mid-course discussion and final assessment, the content discussed during these meetings between the student, preceptor and nurse teacher and the students' overall perception of the clinical learning environment. A cross-sectional, correlational design was used. A convenience sample of 110 nursing students from one Norwegian university college with two campuses. Data were collected with self-developed questionnaires and analysed using logistic regression with SPSS and the PROCESS macro for mediation analysis. There was a positive relationship between nursing students' perceptions of using the assessment tool AssCE and their overall perception of the clinical learning environment. This relationship was, in turn, mediated by the content discussed during the formative mid-course discussion and summative final assessment. Our conclusion is that the assessment tool AssCE supported students' clinical learning and that this relationship, in turn, was mediated by the degree to which the conversation during the assessment meeting focused on the student's knowledge, skills and professional judgement. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Institutional Impediments To Metro Traffic Management Coordination, Task 5 - Final Report

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1993-09-13

THIS STUDY FOCUSES ON THE FRAGMENTATION ISSUE AND THE IDENTIFICATION OF INSTITUTIONAL BARRIERS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. THE STUDY ASSESSES THE EXTENT TO WHICH FRAGMENTATION OF TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS OCCURS -- AND WHETHER THIS FRAGMENTATION I...

Aggregate Resource Inventory and Needs Forecast Study : Final Report

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2002-09-01

This study identified and inventoried ODOT-owned and leased aggregate sites throughout the state, assessing the : quality and estimated quantity of material. In addition, an aggregate needs forecast was prepared, projecting that : 60,801,320 Mg of ag...

The influences of implementing state-mandated science assessment on teacher practice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Katzmann, Jason Matthew

Four high school Biology teachers, two novice and two experienced, participated in a year and a half case study. By utilizing a naturalistic paradigm, the four individuals were studied in their natural environment, their classrooms. Data sources included: three semi-structured interviews, classroom observation field notes, and classroom artifacts. Through cross-case analysis and a constant comparative methodology, coding nodes where combined and refined resulting in the final themes for discussion. The following research question was investigated: what is the impact of high-stakes testing on high school Biology teacher's instructional planning, instructional practices and classroom assessments? Seven final themes were realized: Assessment, CSAP, Planning, Pressure, Standards, Teaching and Time. Each theme was developed and discussed utilizing each participant's voice. Trustworthiness of this study was established via five avenues: triangulation of data sources, credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability. A model of the influences of high-stakes testing on teacher practice was developed to describe the seven themes (Figure 5). This model serves as an illustration of the complex nature of teacher practice and the influences upon it. The four participants in this study were influenced by high-stakes assessment. It influenced their instructional decisions, assessment practices, use of time, planning decisions and decreased the amount of inquiry that occurred in the classroom. Implications of this research and future research directions are described.

Evaluating the short-term effects of a communication skills program for preclinical medical students.

PubMed

Lee, Young-Mee; Lee, Young Hee

2014-09-01

Regardless of the growing importance of communication skills as a core clinical competence, few studies have determined the effects of communication skills courses in undergraduate medical curricula in Asian medical schools. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a communication skills program for preclinical medical students. A communication skills course was provided to 111 second-year medical students in a medical college in Korea. Students' self-assessed competency of communication skills was evaluated by a questionnaire survey. To examine the improvement in observed communication skills, the students' encounters with standardized patients (SPs) were assessed at the first session and at the final course assessment. A structured checklist, consisting of 25 communication skills items, was used for the assessment. Students' self-assessed competency of communication skills increased significantly after completion of the course (p<0.001). The observed communication skills scores also improved significantly at the end of the course; the mean scores of the first SPs encounters was 49.6 (standard deviation [SD], 11.1), and those of cases A and B at the final assessment were 61.5 (SD, 8.4) and 69.6 (SD, 7.8), respectively (F₆₁=269.54, p<0.001). Even a short period of medical communication skills course was beneficial in developing and improving communication skills competency in preclinical medical students. Further studies should be followed to examine whether the acquisition of communication skills during preclinical studies can be sustained into clerkship and actual practice.

78 FR 28873 - Availability of Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-16

... DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard [Docket No. USCG-2012-1091] Availability of Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Proposed Modification of the Bayonne... view Final EA and FONSI go to http://www.regulations.gov , insert ``USCG-2012-1091'' in the Search box...

50 CFR Table 2b to Part 660... - 2012, and beyond, Allocations by Species or Species Group (final 2012 allocations for assessed...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... or Species Group (final 2012 allocations for assessed flatfish are contingent upon potential changes to flatfish status determination criteria and the harvest control rule, and, for overfished species... Part 660, Subpart C—2012, and beyond, Allocations by Species or Species Group (final 2012 allocations...

Love Canal Emergency Declaration Area habitability study. Volume 2. Air assessment: indicator chemicals. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

Environmental studies were conducted to provide data that could be used by the Commissioner of Health for the State of New York in determining whether the Emergency Declaration Area (EDA) surrounding the Love Canal hazardous-waste site is habitable. An air assessment was conducted for Love Canal Indicator Chemicals. Homes throughout the EDA were sampled using the Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer Model 6000E.

Biological monitoring of Upper Three Runs Creek, Savannah River Plant, Aiken County, South Carolina. Final report on macroinvertebrate stream assessments for F/H area ETF effluent discharge, July 1987--February 1990

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Specht, W.L.

1991-10-01

In anticipation of the fall 1988 start up of effluent discharges into Upper Three Creek by the F/H Area Effluent Treatment Facility of the Savannah River Site, Aiken, SC, a two and one half year biological study was initiated in June 1987. Upper Three Runs Creek is an intensively studied fourth order stream known for its high species richness. Designed to assess the potential impact of F?H area effluent on the creek, the study includes qualitative and quantitative macroinvertebrate stream surveys at five sites, chronic toxicity testing of the effluent, water chemistry and bioaccumulation analysis. This final report presents themore » results of both pre-operational and post-operational qualitative and quantitative (artificial substrate) macroinvertebrate studies. Six quantitative and three qualitative studies were conducted prior to the initial release of the F/H ETF effluent and five quantitative and two qualitative studies were conducted post-operationally.« less

Formative Peer Assessment in Primary School: The Effects of Involving Pupils in Setting Assessment Criteria on Their Appraisal and Feedback Style

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Leenknecht, Martijn J. M.; Prins, Frans J.

2018-01-01

This experimental study is aimed at examining the effect of involving pupils in primary education in setting assessment criteria and standards on their appraisal of a peer's work and their peer feedback style. It is expected that our intervention will lead to (1) a criteria-referenced appraisal and (2) more final vocabulary, which is associated…

A Proposal for Program Assessment at Kean College of New Jersey. Final Report of the Presidential Task Force on Student Learning and Development.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kean Coll. of New Jersey, Union.

In response to a request from its president, an institutional task force at Kean College of New Jersey studied approaches to program assessment used at other colleges, identified the measurement approaches being used at Kean College, and made policy recommendations for implementing an assessment program at the college. A major finding was that no…

Assessment of Methods for Estimating Risk to Birds from Ingestion of Contaminated Grit Particles (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

The U.S. EPA Ecological Risk Assessment Support Center (ERASC) announced the release of the final report entitled, Assessment of Methods for Estimating Risk to Birds from Ingestion of Contaminated Grit Particles. This report evaluates approaches for estimating the probabi...

Treatment of large posttraumatic tibial bone defects using the Ilizarov method: a subjective outcome assessment.

PubMed

Krappinger, Dietmar; Irenberger, Alexander; Zegg, Michael; Huber, Burkhart

2013-06-01

The treatment of large posttraumatic tibial bone defects using the Ilizarov method was shown to be successful in several studies. These studies, however, typically focus on the radiological and functional outcome using objective parameters only. The aim of the present study was therefore to assess the objective and subjective outcome of a consecutive series of patients with large posttraumatic tibial bone defects using the Ilizarov method. Additionally, it was our goal to assess the physical and mental stress for the patients and their relatives during the long treatment period and the general health status at final follow-up. A consecutive series of 15 patients with posttraumatic tibial bone defects of >30 mm after sustaining open tibial fractures and failure of internal fixation was included. The objective outcome was assessed at final follow-up using Paley's criteria. For the assessment of the subjective outcome, all patients were asked to evaluate their satisfaction with the function of the lower leg, the cosmetic appearance and overall outcome as well. The physical and mental stress of the treatment for the patients and the nearest relative of patients were assessed at the time of frame removal using a custom-made questionnaire. The SF-36 was used to evaluate the general health status at final follow-up. Solid bone union with stable soft tissue coverage and eradication of infection was achieved in all patients despite a high complication rate. The functional outcome at final follow-up was excellent or good in all patients. The patients' satisfaction with the overall outcome and the function of the lower extremity was high as well. The fear of amputation and complications was the major subjective burden for both the patients and their relatives. The long external fixation time is another relevant issue. The Ilizarov method is a safe option for the treatment of large posttraumatic tibial bone defects after failure of internal fixation despite the high complication rate. It is essential to comment this to the patients and their relatives prior to the application of the frame increase their compliance with the long and emotionally draining treatment. The Ilizarov method is worth the effort only in patients, who will presumably comply with this treatment option and all of its drawbacks.

Human health exposure assessment for Rocky Mountain Arsenal study area evaluations. Volume 6-E. Central study area exposure assessment. Version 4. 1(volume 6-E). Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

The objectives of the Human Health Exposure Assessment include: (1) estimate the type and magnitude of exposures to contaminants; (2) Identify contaminants of concern; (3) Identify sites for remedial action; (4) Recommend sites for the no action remedial alternative; and (5) Provide a basis for detailed characterization of the risk associated with all sites. This document consists of the following: An executive summary. Vol I - Land use and exposed population evaluations. Vol. II III - Toxicity assessment (includes army and shell toxicity profiles). Vol. IV - PPLV Methodology. Vol. V - PPLV Calculations. Vol. VI - Study area exposuremore » analysis A introduction, B Western study ares, C Southern study area, D northern Central study area, E Central study area, F Eastern study area, G South plants study area, and H North plants study area. Vol. VII - Summary exposure assessment.« less

Human health exposure assessment for Rocky Mountain Arsenal study area evaluations. Volume 6-F. Eastern study area exposure assessment. Version 4. 1(volume 6-F). Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

The objectives of the Human Health Exposure Assessment include: (1) estimate the type and magnitude of exposures to contaminants; (2) Identify contaminants of concern; (3) Identify sites for remedial action; (4) Recommend sites for the no action remedial alternative; and (5) Provide a basis for detailed characterization of the risk associated with all sites. This document consists of the following: An executive summary. Vol I - Land use and exposed population evaluations. Vol. II III - Toxicity assessment (includes army and shell toxicity profiles). Vol. IV - PPLV Methodology. Vol. V - PPLV Calculations. Vol. VI - Study area exposuremore » analysis A introduction, B Western study ares, C Southern study area, D northern Central study area, E Central study area, F Eastern study area, G South plants study area, and H North plants study area. Vol. VII - Summary exposure assessment.« less

Human health exposure assessment for Rocky Mountain Arsenal study area evaluations. Volume 6-C. Southern study area exposure assessment version 4. 1. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

The objectives of the Human Health Exposure Assessment include: (1) estimate the type and magnitude of exposures to contaminants; (2) Identify contaminants of concern; (3) Identify sites for remedial action; (4) Recommend sites for the no action remedial alternative; and (5) Provide a basis for detailed characterization of the risk associated with all sites. This document consists of the following: An executive summary. Vol I - Land use and exposed population evaluations. Vol. II III - Toxicity assessment (includes army and shell toxicity profiles). Vol. IV - PPLV Methodology. Vol. V - PPLV Calculations. Vol. VI - Study area exposuremore » analysis A introduction, B Western study ares, C Southern study area, D northern Central study area, E Central study area, F Eastern study area, G South plants study area, and H North plants study area. Vol. VII - Summary exposure assessment.« less

Nevada low-temperaure geothermal resource assessment: 1994. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Garside, L.J.

Data compilation for the low-temperature program is being done by State Teams in two western states. Final products of the study include: a geothermal database, in hardcopy and as digital data (diskette) listing information on all known low- and moderate- temperature springs and wells in Nevada; a 1:1,000,000-scale map displaying these geothermal localities, and a bibliography of references on Nevada geothermal resources.

Economic impact study of completing the Appalachian development highway system : final report

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-06-01

This study assesses the travel performance, trade, and economic development impacts directly related to completing the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS). The ADHS is the first highway system authorized by Congress for the purpose of stimu...

IRIS Toxicological Review of Urea (Final Report) | Science ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

EPA has finalized the Toxicological Review of Urea: in support of the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Now final, this assessment may be used by EPA’s program and regional offices to inform decisions to protect human health. The draft Toxicological Review of Urea provides scientific support and rationale for the hazard and dose-response assessment pertaining to chronic exposure to Urea.

Rapid on-site evaluation of fine needle aspiration specimens by cytology scientists: a review of 3032 specimens.

PubMed

Shield, P W; Cosier, J; Ellerby, G; Gartrell, M; Papadimos, D

2014-10-01

To determine: (1) the accuracy of cytology scientists at assessing specimen adequacy by rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) at fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology collections; and (2) whether thyroid FNA with ROSE has lower inadequacy rates than non-attended FNAs. The ROSE of adequacy for 3032 specimens from 17 anatomical sites collected over a 20-month period was compared with the final report assessment of adequacy. ROSE was performed by 19 cytology scientists. The report profile for 1545 thyroid nodules with ROSE was compared with that for 1536 consecutive non-ROSE thyroid FNAs reported by the same cytopathologists during the study period. ROSE was adequate in 75% (2276/3032), inadequate in 12% (366/3032) and in 13% (390/3032) no opinion was rendered. Of the 2276 cases assessed as adequate by ROSE, 2268 (99.6%) were finally reported as adequate for assessment; eight specimens had adequacy downgraded on the final report. Fifty eight per cent of cases with a ROSE assessment of inadequate were reported as adequate (212/366), whereas 93% (363/390) with no opinion rendered were reported as adequate. The overall final report adequacy rate for the 3032 specimens was 94% (2843/3032). Confirmation of a ROSE of adequacy at reporting was uniformly high amongst the 19 scientists, ranging from 98% to 100%. The inadequacy rate for thyroid FNAs with ROSE (6%) was significantly (P < 0.0001) lower than for non-ROSE thyroid FNAs (17%). A significantly (P = 0.02) higher proportion of adequate ROSE thyroid specimens was reported with abnormalities, compared with non-ROSE thyroid collections. Cytology scientists are highly accurate at determining specimen adequacy at ROSE for a wide range of body sites. ROSE of thyroid FNAs can significantly reduce inadequate reports. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Relating Health Technology Assessment recommendations and reimbursement decisions in Poland in years 2012-2014, a retrospective analysis.

PubMed

Kawalec, Paweł; Malinowski, Krzysztof Piotr

2016-11-01

The aim of the study was to assess the influence of public advisory bodies (the Transparency Council and the President of AOTMiT, the Polish Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariff System) involved in the process on final reimbursement decisions performed by the Ministry of Health. We have analysed all statements of the Transparency Council as well as the President of the AOTMiT recommendations and final reimbursement decisions in Poland for the period of three years: 2012 till 2014. For each recommendation we collected data on decisions as well as potential additional requirements regarding the reimbursement; data was presented for the whole analysed period and separately for each year, to assess the general tendencies in the reimbursement decision-making in Poland. We collected all data accessible at February 2015. The kappa measurement of agreement was used to assess the compliance between statements, recommendations and reimbursement decisions. We collected data on 238 drugs evaluated by the Agency. The compliance between the Transparency Council and the President of the AOTMiT was 95% and remained constant in the analysed period. The agreement between the President of the AOTMiT recommendations and final reimbursement decisions was only fairly represented by a kappa coefficient of 0.23 and decreased in the subsequent years. We observed an increasing proportion of positive-conditional recommendations, with the introduction of a risk sharing scheme being the most common condition of a reimbursement recommendation. We observed that final reimbursement decisions did not reflect statements and recommendations issued by the advisory boards. Positive recommendations issued by the AOTMiT did not guarantee positive reimbursement status, and negative recommendations in some cases did not result in the lack of reimbursement. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

A validation study of an alternate state science assessment: Alignment of the Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA) science assessment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heh, Peter

The current study examined the validation and alignment of the PASA-Science by determining whether the alternate science assessment anchors linked to the regular education science anchors; whether the PASA-Science assessment items are science; whether the PASA-Science assessment items linked to the alternate science eligible content, and what PASA-Science assessment content was considered important by parents and teachers. Special education and science education university faculty determined all but one alternate science assessment anchor linked to the regular science assessment anchors. Special education and science education teachers determined that the PASA-Science assessment items are indeed science and linked to the alternate science eligible content. Finally, parents and teachers indicated the most important science content assessed in the PASA-Science involved safety and independence.

Pacific Educational Computer Network Study. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hawaii Univ., Honolulu. ALOHA System.

The Pacific Educational Computer Network Feasibility Study examined technical and non-technical aspects of the formation of an international Pacific Area computer network for higher education. The technical study covered the assessment of the feasibility of a packet-switched satellite and radio ground distribution network for data transmission…

32 CFR 206.5 - Final proposal process.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... be evaluated in two basic categories: (1) Proposals that address study abroad infrastructure and (2... foreign cultural competency? In the case of study abroad programs, how will the success and impact of study abroad experiences be assessed. Proposals should not defer the consideration of these issues to a...

32 CFR 206.5 - Final proposal process.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... be evaluated in two basic categories: (1) Proposals that address study abroad infrastructure and (2... foreign cultural competency? In the case of study abroad programs, how will the success and impact of study abroad experiences be assessed. Proposals should not defer the consideration of these issues to a...

32 CFR 206.5 - Final proposal process.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... be evaluated in two basic categories: (1) Proposals that address study abroad infrastructure and (2... foreign cultural competency? In the case of study abroad programs, how will the success and impact of study abroad experiences be assessed. Proposals should not defer the consideration of these issues to a...

32 CFR 206.5 - Final proposal process.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... be evaluated in two basic categories: (1) Proposals that address study abroad infrastructure and (2... foreign cultural competency? In the case of study abroad programs, how will the success and impact of study abroad experiences be assessed. Proposals should not defer the consideration of these issues to a...

32 CFR 206.5 - Final proposal process.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... be evaluated in two basic categories: (1) Proposals that address study abroad infrastructure and (2... foreign cultural competency? In the case of study abroad programs, how will the success and impact of study abroad experiences be assessed. Proposals should not defer the consideration of these issues to a...

Building Assessment Survey and Evaluation Study: Quality Assurance Project Plan

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This supplement describes QA/QC aspects of the implementation of the Office of Radiation and Indoor Air's BASE protocol including: recruitment of study buildings, execution of field studies in each building, and the processing and coordination of each building's ata for final submittal to EPA.

Computerized Assessment of Competence-Related Abilities in Living Liver Donors: The Adult-to-Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation Cohort Study (A2ALL)

PubMed Central

Freeman, Jason; Emond, Jean; Gillespie, Brenda W.; Appelbaum, Paul S.; Weinrieb, Robert; Hill-Callahan, Peg; Gordon, Elisa J.; Terrault, Norah; Trotter, James; Ashworth, April; Dew, Mary Amanda; Pruett, Timothy

2014-01-01

Background Despite its importance, determination of competence to consent to organ donation varies widely based on local standards. We piloted a new tool to aid transplant centers in donor assessment. Methods We assessed competence-related abilities among potential living liver donors (LDs) in the 9-center A2ALL study. Prospective LDs viewed an educational video, and were queried to assess Understanding, Appreciation, Reasoning, and ability to express a Final Choice using the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Clinical Research, adapted for computerized administration in LDs (“MacLiver”). Videotaped responses were scored by a clinical neuropsychologist (JF). Results Ninety-three LDs were assessed. Mean (standard deviation; domain maximum) scores were: Understanding: 18.1 (2.6; max=22), Appreciation: 5.1 (1.0; max=6), Reasoning: 3.1 (0.8; max=4), and Final Choice: 3.8 (0.5; max=4). Scores did not differ by demographics, relationship to the recipient, eligibility to donate, or eventual donation (p>0.4). Higher education was associated with greater Understanding (p=0.004) and Reasoning (p=0.03). Conclusion Standardized, computerized education with independent ratings of responses may (1) alert the clinical staff to potential donors who may not be competent to donate, and (2) highlight areas needing further assessment and education, leading to better informed decision-making. PMID:23859354

Classroom-Based Assessment and the Issue of Continuity between Primary and Secondary School Languages Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hill, Kathryn

2010-01-01

This article presents selected findings from an ethnographic study of classroom-based assessment practices in languages classrooms (Indonesian) in the final year of primary (Year 6) and the first year of secondary (Year 7), respectively. In particular, the paper focuses on differences between the respective year levels in how learning was assessed…

Linkage between Graduate Medical Education Training Practice Profiles in Psychiatry, Obstetrics/Gynecology, and Family Practice. Deliverable No. 5. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moynihan, Christy; And Others

This study examined the relationship between graduate medical education (GME) and practice profiles in three specialties: family practice, psychiatry, and obstetrics/gynecology. Two analyses were performed, the first assessing the relationship between GME and current practice patterns and the second assessing the relationship between GME and…

Automated Pilot Performance Assessment in the T-37: A Feasibility Study. Final Report (May 1968-April 1971).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Knoop, Patricia A.; Welde, William L.

Air Force investigators conducted a three year program to develop a capability for automated quantification and assessment of in-flight pilot performance. Such a capability enhances pilot training by making ratings more objective, valid, reliable and sensitive, and by freeing instructors from rating responsibilities, allowing them to concentrate…

Trajectories of Social Anxiety during Adolescence and Relations with Cognition, Social Competence, and Temperament

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miers, A. C.; Blote, A. W.; de Rooij, M.; Bokhorst, C. L.; Westenberg, P. M.

2013-01-01

This cohort-sequential study examined developmental trajectories of social anxiety in a nonclinical sample (N = 331, 161 girls) aged 9 to 17 years at initial and 12 to 21 years at final assessment. We tested whether variables assessing cognition, social competence, and temperament discriminated between the trajectories. Variables were collected…

Embedding Research in a Field-Based Module through Peer Review and Assessment for Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nicholson, Dawn T.

2011-01-01

A case study is presented of embedding research in a final year undergraduate, field-based, physical geography module. The approach is holistic, whereby research-based learning activities simulate the full life cycle of research from inception through to peer review and publication. The learning, teaching and assessment strategy emphasizes the…

Critical Thinking Skills: Levels of Preservice Elementary, Secondary, and Special Education Students.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Melancon, Burton; Shaughnessy, Michael; Acheson-Brown, Dan; Gaedke, Bill; Moore, Jack

This paper presents the preliminary results of a longitudinal study to assess the development of critical thinking as preservice teachers progress through their educational program. Students will be assessed during their final year in the program to help give an overview of the growth of their critical thinking skills. The Cornell Critical…

Influences on Personal Understanding: Intentions, Approaches to Learning, Perceptions of Assessment, and a "Meeting of Minds"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Karagiannopoulou, Evangelia; Entwistle, Noel

2013-01-01

Using a case-study approach, interviews with four final-year psychology students showed different approaches to learning and varying experiences of teaching in courses assessed through open-book exams. Analysis of their experiences, supported by previous research findings, provided insights into the reasons for the contrasting approaches being…

Human health exposure assessment for Rocky Mountain Arsenal. Volume 7. Summary exposure assessment version 4. 1. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

The objectives of the Human Health Exposure Assessment include: (1) estimate the type and magnitude of exposures to contaminants; (2) Identify contaminants of concern; (3) Identify sites for remedial action; (4) Recommend sites for the no action remedial alternative; and (5) Provide a basis for detailed characterization of the risk associated with all sites. This document consists of the following: An executive summary. Vol I - Land use and exposed population evaluations. Vol. II III - Toxicity assessment (includes army and shell toxicity profiles). Vol. IV - PPLV Methodology. Vol. V - PPLV Calculations. Vol. VI - Study area exposuremore » analysis A introduction, B Western study ares, C Southern study area, D northern Central study area, E Central study area, F Eastern study area, G South plants study area, and H North plants study area. Vol. VII - Summary exposure assessment.« less

Human health exposure assessment for Rocky Mountain Arsenal. Volume 8. Response to comments on the draft exposure assessment version 4. 1. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

The objectives of the Human Health Exposure Assessment include: (1) estimate the type and magnitude of exposures to contaminants; (2) Identify contaminants of concern; (3) Identify sites for remedial action; (4) Recommend sites for the no action remedial alternative; and (5) Provide a basis for detailed characterization of the risk associated with all sites. This document consists of the following: An executive summary. Vol I - Land use and exposed population evaluations. Vol. II III - Toxicity assessment (includes army and shell toxicity profiles). Vol. IV - PPLV Methodology. Vol. V - PPLV Calculations. Vol. VI - Study area exposuremore » analysis A introduction, B Western study ares, C Southern study area, D northern Central study area, E Central study area, F Eastern study area, G South plants study area, and H North plants study area. Vol. VII - Summary exposure assessment.« less

Human health exposure assessment for Rocky Mountain Arsenal. Volume 2-A. Toxicity assessment. Version 4. 1. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

The objectives of the Human Health Exposure Assessment include: (1) estimate the type and magnitude of exposures to contaminants; (2) Identify contaminants of concern; (3) Identify sites for remedial action; (4) Recommend sites for the no action remedial alternative; and (5) Provide a basis for detailed characterization of the risk associated with all sites. This document consists of the following: An executive summary. Vol I - Land use and exposed population evaluations. Vol. II III - Toxicity assessment (includes army and shell toxicity profiles). Vol. IV - PPLV Methodology. Vol. V - PPLV Calculations. Vol. VI - Study area exposuremore » analysis a introduction, B Western study ares, C Southern study area, D northern Central study area, E Central study area, F Eastern study area, G South plants study area, and H North plants study area. Vol. VII - Summary exposure assessment.« less

Human health exposure assessment for Rocky Mountain Arsenal. Volume 3. Toxicity assessment version 4. 1. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

The objectives of the Human Health Exposure Assessment include: (1) estimate the type and magnitude of exposures to contaminants; (2) Identify contaminants of concern; (3) Identify sites for remedial action; (4) Recommend sites for the no action remedial alternative; and (5) Provide a basis for detailed characterization of the risk associated with all sites. This document consists of the following: An executive summary. Vol I - Land use and exposed population evaluations. Vol. II III - Toxicity assessment (includes army and shell toxicity profiles). Vol. IV - PPLV Methodology. Vol. V - PPLV Calculations. Vol. VI - Study area exposuremore » analysis A introduction, B Western study ares, C Southern study area, D northern Central study area, E Central study area, F Eastern study area, G South plants study area, and H North plants study area. Vol. VII - Summary exposure assessment.« less

[Evaluation of referral process of the hypertensive patient in Spain: DERIVA study].

PubMed

Martell-Claros, Nieves; Abad-Cardiel, María; Álvarez-Álvarez, Beatriz; García-Donaire, Jose Antonio; Galgo-Nafría, Alberto

2015-12-01

An adequate communication between levels of medical attention is the key point for optimal treatment and outcomes of the hypertensive population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adequacy of the hypertensive patients' derivation from Primary Care to Specialized Care. As secondary objectives, the information registered on the derivation report was assessed and concordance between derivation reason and final diagnosis was analysed. This is an observational, descriptive, multicentre study. SITE: Study conducted at the national level. Specialty Care Physicians receiving hypertensive patients referred from primary care. On the baseline visit, the specialist physicians assessed the quality of the derivation records and attended the patient. After the study, final diagnosis and treatment is suggested on the final visit. 1769 subjects were included, mean aged 62,4 (13,6) years, 45% female. Time of diagnosis of hypertension was 8,0 (7,7) years. More than the half of the derivation records contained very good information (5,4%; CI4,3-6,5) or sufficient (50,7%; CI48,4-53,0). In 7,1% (IC5,9-8,3) derivation cause was not specified. 74,7% of the derivations were considered as appropriate, though 30% were late. Concordance between derivation reasons and final diagnosis was low (kappa index 0,208). A quarter of the hypertensive population is unnecessary derived to Secondary Care and 30% of the appropriately derived was late. We should improve the interrelation of attention in the hypertension and cardiovascular area between the both attention levels. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

A feasibility study for Arizona's roadway safety management process using the Highway Safety Manual and SafetyAnalyst : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-07-01

To enable implementation of the American Association of State Highway Transportation (AASHTO) Highway Safety Manual using : SaftetyAnalyst (an AASHTOWare software product), the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) studied the data assessment :...

Cardiac fluid dynamics meets deformation imaging.

PubMed

Dal Ferro, Matteo; Stolfo, Davide; De Paris, Valerio; Lesizza, Pierluigi; Korcova, Renata; Collia, Dario; Tonti, Giovanni; Sinagra, Gianfranco; Pedrizzetti, Gianni

2018-02-20

Cardiac function is about creating and sustaining blood in motion. This is achieved through a proper sequence of myocardial deformation whose final goal is that of creating flow. Deformation imaging provided valuable contributions to understanding cardiac mechanics; more recently, several studies evidenced the existence of an intimate relationship between cardiac function and intra-ventricular fluid dynamics. This paper summarizes the recent advances in cardiac flow evaluations, highlighting its relationship with heart wall mechanics assessed through the newest techniques of deformation imaging and finally providing an opinion of the most promising clinical perspectives of this emerging field. It will be shown how fluid dynamics can integrate volumetric and deformation assessments to provide a further level of knowledge of cardiac mechanics.

The transition from medical student to doctor: perceptions of final year students and preregistration house officers related to expected learning outcomes.

PubMed

Lempp, H; Seabrook, M; Cochrane, M; Rees, J

2005-03-01

In this prospective qualitative study over 12 months, we evaluated the educational and clinical effectiveness of a new final year undergraduate programme in a London medical school (Guy's, King's and St Thomas'). A stratified sample of 17/360 final year students were interviewed four times, and the content was assessed against 32 amalgamated learning outcomes identified in 1997 in The New Doctor. At the beginning of the preregistration year, eight of the learning outcomes were already met, 10 partly, eight remained to be attained and for six, insufficient evidence existed. Preregistration house officers who have been through the final year student house officer programme expressed competence in many of the outcomes of the General Medical Council's New Doctor. The study identified areas such as prescribing where further developments are needed and will help in planning the new foundation programme.

Osiris and SOMBRERO inertial confinement fusion power plant designs. Volume 2, Designs, assessments, and comparisons, Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Meier, W.R.; Bieri, R.L.; Monsler, M.J.

1992-03-01

The primary objective of the of the IFE Reactor Design Studies was to provide the Office of Fusion Energy with an evaluation of the potential of inertial fusion for electric power production. The term reactor studies is somewhat of a misnomer since these studies included the conceptual design and analysis of all aspects of the IFE power plants: the chambers, heat transport and power conversion systems, other balance of plant facilities, target systems (including the target production, injection, and tracking systems), and the two drivers. The scope of the IFE Reactor Design Studies was quite ambitious. The majority of ourmore » effort was spent on the conceptual design of two IFE electric power plants, one using an induction linac heavy ion beam (HIB) driver and the other using a Krypton Fluoride (KrF) laser driver. After the two point designs were developed, they were assessed in terms of their (1) environmental and safety aspects; (2) reliability, availability, and maintainability; (3) technical issues and technology development requirements; and (4) economics. Finally, we compared the design features and the results of the assessments for the two designs.« less

Study of recidivism rates among drivers administratively sanctioned by the New Jersey motor vehicle commission : final report, December 2009.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-12-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the current state of practice related to driver improvement countermeasures : used in the United States and to assess the effectiveness of New Jerseys negligent driver interventions. As part of the : study,...

Development of PCK for Novice and Experienced University Physics Instructors: A Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jang, Syh-Jong; Tsai, Meng-Fang; Chen, Ho-Yuan

2013-01-01

The current study assessed and compared university students' perceptions' of a novice and an experienced physics instructor's Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK). Two college physics instructors and 116 students voluntarily participated in this study. The research model comprised three workshops, mid-term and final evaluations and instructor…

Final Plan to Study the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources (02-24-2012)

EPA Science Inventory

The overall purpose of this study is to elucidate the relationship, if any, between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water resources. More specifically, the study has been designed to assess the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources and to identif...

Final Plan to Study the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources

EPA Science Inventory

The overall purpose of this study is to elucidate the relationship, if any, between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water resources. More specifically, the study has been designed to assess the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources and to identif...

An exploration of the perceptions, developmental reasoning levels, differences in learning processes, and academic achievement levels of students in introductory college microbiology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poole, Barbara Ann Matherly

1997-11-01

This study explored the relationship between the grades students earned in introductory college microbiology and American College Testing scores, sex, race, age, GED or high school diploma, full-time or part-time student status, developmental reasoning levels, memory tactics, and expected achievement. The study also explored student perceptions at the beginning and the end of the microbiology courses for science preparation, expected achievement, relevancy of microbiology, and expectations for the course. Archival records for 121 freshman level and 119 sophomore level microbiology students were accessed to obtain final grades, ACT scores, sex, race, age, GED or high school diploma and full-time or part-time status. The same information was obtained for the 113 freshman level and the 85 sophomore level students who participated in the study. The study groups were given the Group Assessment of Logical Thinking to assess their level of formal reasoning ability, the Inventory of Learning Processes-Revised to assess three memory techniques, an initial perception survey, and an exit perception survey. Academic achievement in microbiology could not be predicted using composites of the predictor variables. There were significant relationships between the GALT scores and the predicted grades with both the freshman and the sophomore final grades. The Self-Efficacy Fact Retention scores and the Literal Memorization scores had significant relationships to the final grades of the freshmen but not the sophomores. There was not a significant relationship between the Deep Semantic scores and the final grades in either group. Students indicated that high school science had given them only a medium to low level of preparation for college microbiology. The sophomores felt that previous college science classes had given them a much better preparation for microbiology than did the freshmen students. Both groups expressed the importance of the laboratory experience to the understanding of science and also the relevancy of microbiology both to their chosen professions and to their own personal lives.

Market-Based Adult Lifelong Learning Performance Measures for Public Libraries Serving Lower Income and Majority-Minority Markets. Final Performance Report. September 1, 1996-August 31, 1999.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Koontz, Christine; Jue, Dean K.; Lance, Keith Curry

This document is the final performance report for a Field Initiated Studies (FIS) project that addressed the need for a better assessment of public library services for adult lifelong learning in majority-minority and lower income library market areas. After stating the major educational problem addressed by the FIS project, the report lists the…

Final Definite Project Report and Final Environmental Assessment, Keystone Harbor Channel Deepening, Admiralty Inlet, Washington

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-10-01

of the Chief of Engineers, such work is advisable. The study was requested by the Washington State Department of Transportation, Marine Division... Marine Division (Washington State Ferries) 31 b. National Marine Fisheries Service 31 c. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 32 d. U.S. Environmental Protection...accomplished by the local sponsor through a WDOT, Marine Division, 1991-92 biennium budget request for deepening Keystone Harbor. Assuming WDOT

Using Online Assessment to Replace Invigilated Assessment in Times of Natural Disaster: Are Some Online Assessment Conditions Better than Others?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Agnew, Steve; Hickson, Stephen

2012-01-01

As a result of the Canterbury earthquake on 4 September 2010, and associated aftershocks on 22 February 2011 and 13 June 2011, final examinations in the two first-year Economics papers at Canterbury University were cancelled at short notice in Semester 1, 2011. The final examination weightings were spread over the remaining assessments to obtain a…

Recommendations of the Commission on Government Procurement: A Final Assessment

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-05-31

Assessment TECHNICAi; LIBRARY Important structural changes are now in place on procurement reforms first proposed in 1972, but the program is far...COMPTROLLER GENERAL’S REPORT TO THE CONGRESS RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMISSION ON GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT: A FINAL ASSESSMENT DIGEST As Federal...legislation and —the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) to lead in making needed changes. OVERALL ASSESSMENT Success of the reform program is still

78 FR 69077 - Notice of 30-Day Public Review Period and Availability of Final Environmental Assessment and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-18

... FONSI, would not have a significant impact on the human environment and an Environmental Impact... Availability of Final Environmental Assessment and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact: Former Naval Air... Assessment (EA) and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Department of Navy's (DoN...

49 CFR 1515.11 - Review by administrative law judge and TSA Final Decision Maker.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... PROCEDURAL RULES APPEAL AND WAIVER PROCEDURES FOR SECURITY THREAT ASSESSMENTS FOR INDIVIDUALS § 1515.11... Threat Assessment on the grounds that he or she poses a security threat after an appeal as described in... been issued a Final Determination of Threat Assessment after an appeal as described in 49 CFR 1515.9...

Analyzing course objectives: assessing critical thinking in the pharmacy curriculum.

PubMed

Vuchetich, Phillip J; Hamilton, William R; Ahmad, S Omar; Makoid, Michael C

2006-01-01

Assessment of critical thinking objectives in a pharmacy program curriculum is an important part of program assessment. This study measures the proportion of cognitive learning objectives at various levels of Bloom's taxonomy throughout the required curriculum using the stated objectives in course syllabi (the explicit curriculum). In one entry level doctor of pharmacy program, 54.90% of cognitive objectives identified critical thinking outcomes using the rubric of Bloom's level 3 or higher as an indicator of critical thinking. In this program, there was a similar percent of critical thinking objectives in each of the first three years, but the final year of the curriculum had a higher percent of critical thinking objectives than each of the first three years (p = 0.0018, Kruskal-Wallis test). The increase in critical thinking in the final year suggests that the explicit expectations in the syllabi are weighted toward a higher percent of critical thinking objectives during clinical rotations. The methods described in the study may serve as tools for a curriculum committee or program assessment team to compare critical thinking in the curriculum at different points in time, and may assist in curricular mapping efforts. These methods may complement studies measuring the implicit curriculum (that which the faculty actually teach, which may not be stated in the explicit curriculum.).

The Orthopaedic Training Study. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, George E.; And Others

A four year study was initiated to systematically improve the certification procedures of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. Consequently, the immediate research aim was the development of more valid and reliable techniques in assessing professional competence in orthopedics. A definition of professional competence was reached through…

Evaluative studies in nuclear medicine research: positron computed tomography assessment. Final report, January 1, 1982-December 31, 1982

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Potchen, E.J.; Harris, G.I.; Gift, D.A. Reinhard, D.K.

Results are reported of the final phase of the study effort generally titled Evaluative Studies in Nuclear Medicine Research. The previous work is reviewed and extended to an assessment providing perspectives on medical applications of positron emission tomographic (PET) systems, their technological context, and the related economic and marketing environment. Methodologies developed and used in earlier phases of the study were continued, but specifically extended to include solicitation of opinion from commercial organizations deemed to be potential developers, manufacturers and marketers of PET systems. Several factors which influence the demand for clinical uses of PET are evaluated and discussed. Themore » recent Federal funding of applied research with PET systems is found to be a necessary and encouraging event toward a determination that PET either is a powerful research tool limited to research, or whether it also presents major clinical utility. A comprehensive, updated bibliography of current literature related to the development, applications and economic considerations of PET technology is appended.« less

[DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT STRATEGY IN FOLLICULAR TUMOR OF THYROID GLAND].

PubMed

Mikhaĭlova, M V; Zubarovskiĭ, I N; Osipenko, S K

2015-01-01

The article is based on the treatment results of 44 patients with follicular tunor of thyroid gland. A staged morphological assessment of thyroid nodes was performed for all patients: in case of preoperative fine-needle biopsy, urgent intraoperative study and according to results of final histological research. The urgent histological study of surgical material was conducted for 44 patients with diagnosis "follicular tumor" according to fine-needle biopsy. The data of final histological study were matched with findings of intraoperative research. A micro-follicular adenoma was detected in 22 patients (50%) and 6 (13,6%) patients had this diagnosis combined with autoimmune thyroiditis. The general part of patients didn't changed in final study, but the rate of diagnosis "micro-follicular adenoma against the background of autoimmune thyroiditis" increased. Papillary carcinoma was revealed in 5 (11,4%) patients and follicular cancer had 4 (9,1%) patients detected in intraoperative study and 3 (6,8%) more patients according to data of final research. The histopathologic feature of colloid goiter was observed in 7 (15,9%) cases and a part of such patients reduced to 6,8% during final study. One of the patients (2,3%) had final diagnosis "oncocytoma". In case of thyroid nodules detection the needle biopsy should be carried out regardless to the size of nodule. The authors recommended performing the surgery with the urgent histological study in case of undetermined histological report. The following surgical strategy was specified by the results of the urgent histological report.

Optimization of Candidate Selection Using Naive Bayes: Case Study in Company X

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kadar, JA; Agustono, D.; Napitupulu, D.

2018-01-01

This research was conducted as a decision-making system, and an alternative solution to complete the candidate assessment for a particular position. The human resources (HR) section on company X is responsible and initiative in selecting candidates in accordance with the assessment of their superiors. Selection by using the method of filling out the manager’s assessment questionnaire on the candidate’s subordinate. Three (3) managers have been determined to assess the 11 candidates for subordinates. By using questionnaire of quality classification of human resources and formula naive bayes it will get result which finally grouped using criteria scale as final grouping. The HR department has also determined that what is received is that which meets criteria 5. The result is three (3) candidates who can be proposed as candidates for certain positions in company X, and have met all required calculations. Furthermore the candidate will be given to management as an alternative input data in the selection of candidates.

Nonprofit hospitals' approach to community health needs assessment.

PubMed

Pennel, Cara L; McLeroy, Kenneth R; Burdine, James N; Matarrita-Cascante, David

2015-03-01

We sought a better understanding of how nonprofit hospitals are fulfilling the community health needs assessment (CHNA) provision of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to conduct CHNAs and develop CHNA and implementation strategies reports. Through an Internet search of an estimated 179 nonprofit hospitals in Texas conducted between December 1, 2013, and January 5, 2014, we identified and reviewed 95 CHNA and implementation strategies reports. We evaluated and scored reports with specific criteria. We analyzed hospital-related and other report characteristics to understand relationships with report quality. There was wide-ranging diversity in CHNA approaches and report quality. Consultant-led CHNA processes and collaboration with local health departments were associated with higher-quality reports. At the time of this study, the Internal Revenue Service had not yet issued the final regulations for the CHNA requirement. This provides an opportunity to strengthen the CHNA guidance for the final regulations, clarify the purpose of the assessment and planning process and reports, and better align assessment and planning activities through a public health framework.

Mandatory coursework assignments can be, and should be, eliminated!

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haugan, John; Lysebo, Marius; Lauvas, Per

2017-11-01

Formative assessment can serve as a catalyst for increased student effort and student learning. Yet, many engineering degree programmes are dominated by summative assessment and make limited use of formative assessment. The present case study serves as an example on how formative assessment can be used strategically to increase student effort and improve student learning. Within five courses of an engineering bachelor degree programme in Norway, the mandatory coursework assignments were removed and replaced by formative-only assessment. To facilitate the formative assessment, weekly student peer-assessment sessions were introduced. The main findings include an increase in student study hours and improved student performance on the examinations. Finally, interviews were conducted by an external consultant in an effort to identify key factors that attributed to the positive outcome.

Development and validation of Iranian children’s participation assessment scale

PubMed Central

Amini, Malek; Hassani Mehraban, Afsoon; Haghni, Hamid; Asgharnezhad, Ali Asghar; Khayatzadeh Mahani, Mohammad

2016-01-01

Background: Participation is mostly cultural and familial based, and there is not any assessment scales for evaluating kids’ participation in Iranian context, therefore the purpose of this study was developing children’s participation assessment scale for Iranian children. Methods: Development of this scale occurred in two phases; phase I: planning: following reviewing the literature and adopting and compiling some items of available evaluation tools in the area (such as CAPE, CPQ, CLASS, Life-H) and receiving advice from two expert panels, the preliminary94- item questionnaire was prepared. Phase II: construct: the survey study was carried out on40 children and 21 of their parents to assess the popularity of the activity in Iran; thus, the items of the questionnaire reduced to 92 and after face and content validity, the final version prepared with 71 items. Results: The final 71-item questionnaire was developed in two parent-report and child-report versions. The 71 items based on the literature and expert panels’ advice were categorized in 8 areas of occupation according to Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (ADL, IADL, Play, leisure, social participation, education, work, and sleep/rest). Conclusion: Iranian children’s participation assessment is a useful and culturally relevant tool to measure participation of Iranian children. It can be used in rigorous clinical and population-based research. PMID:27390703

Comparison between Radiographic (2-dimensional and 3-dimensional) and Histologic Findings of Periapical Lesions Treated with Apical Surgery.

PubMed

Bornstein, Michael M; Bingisser, Andreas C; Reichart, Peter A; Sendi, Pedram; Bosshardt, Dieter D; von Arx, Thomas

2015-06-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the concordance of 2- and 3-dimensional radiography and histopathology in the diagnosis of periapical lesions. Patients were consecutively enrolled in this study provided that preoperative periapical radiography (PR) and cone-beam computed tomographic imaging of the tooth to be treated with apical surgery were performed. The periapical lesional tissue was histologically analyzed by 2 blinded examiners. The final histologic diagnosis was compared with the radiographic assessments of 4 blinded observers. The initial study material included 62 teeth in the same number of patients. Four lesions had to be excluded during processing, resulting in a final number of 58 evaluated cases (31 women and 27 men, mean age = 55 years). The final histologic diagnosis of the periapical lesions included 55 granulomas (94.8%) and 3 cysts (5.2%). Histologic analysis of the tissue samples from the apical lesions exhibited an almost perfect agreement between the 2 experienced investigators with an overall agreement of 94.83% (kappa = 0.8011). Radiographic assessment overestimated cysts by 28.4% (cone-beam computed tomographic imaging) and 20.7% (periapical radiography), respectively. Comparing the correlation of the radiographic diagnosis of 4 observers with the final histologic diagnosis, 2-dimensional (kappa = 0.104) and 3-dimensional imaging (kappa = 0.111) provided only minimum agreement. To establish a final diagnosis of an apical radiolucency, the tissue specimen should be evaluated histologically and specified as a granuloma (with/without epithelium) or a cyst. Analysis of 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional radiographic images alike results only in a tentative diagnosis that should be confirmed with biopsy. Copyright © 2015 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Development and analysis of an instrument to assess student understanding of GOB chemistry knowledge relevant to clinical nursing practice.

PubMed

Brown, Corina E; Hyslop, Richard M; Barbera, Jack

2015-01-01

The General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry Knowledge Assessment (GOB-CKA) is a multiple-choice instrument designed to assess students' understanding of the chemistry topics deemed important to clinical nursing practice. This manuscript describes the development process of the individual items along with a psychometric evaluation of the final version of the items and instrument. In developing items for the GOB-CKA, essential topics were identified through a series of expert interviews (with practicing nurses, nurse educators, and GOB chemistry instructors) and confirmed through a national survey. Individual items were tested in qualitative studies with students from the target population for clarity and wording. Data from pilot and beta studies were used to evaluate each item and narrow the total item count to 45. A psychometric analysis performed on data from the 45-item final version was used to provide evidence of validity and reliability. The final version of the instrument has a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.76. Feedback from an expert panel provided evidence of face and content validity. Convergent validity was estimated by comparing the results from the GOB-CKA with the General-Organic-Biochemistry Exam (Form 2007) of the American Chemical Society. Instructors who wish to use the GOB-CKA for teaching and research may contact the corresponding author for a copy of the instrument. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Self-perceived assessment skill of prospective physics teachers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Efendi, R.; Rustaman, N. Y.; Kaniawati, I.

2018-05-01

Assessment skills are an important component of assessment practice, without adequate assessment skills it is unlikely that teacher assessment practices will produce desired student learning outcomes. This study was conducted to reveal self-perceived assessment skills of prospective physics teachers by using quantitative descriptive analysis, and involving 92 prospective physics teachers who were experiencing teaching practice in junior high school and final project related to assessment. Data was collected by using Self-Perceived Assessment Science Skills Questionnaire consisted of 29 items related seven assessment competencies was developed and used in the study. Internal consistency reliability coefficient for the total scale scores was 0.87 as measured by Cronbach’s alpha. Determination of self-perceived assessment science skills detected from prospective physics teachers was carried out in descriptive statistics, in the form of respondent average values. Research findings show that self-perceived assessment skills of prospective physics teachers was categorized as transition.

Solar applications of thermal energy storage. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee, C.; Taylor, L.; DeVries, J.

A technology assessment is presented on solar energy systems which use thermal energy storage. The study includes characterization of the current state-of-the-art of thermal energy storage, an assessment of the energy storage needs of solar energy systems, and the synthesis of this information into preliminary design criteria which would form the basis for detailed designs of thermal energy storage. (MHR)

Handicapped and Disadvantaged Students: Access to Quality Vocational Education. National Assessment of Vocational Education Final Report. Volume V.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hayward, Becky J.; Wirt, John G.

The National Assessment of Vocational Education (NAVE) examined how the federal law was implemented and federal funds were distributed under the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act of 1984. This part of the study described the access of handicapped and academically disadvantaged high school students to vocational education and analyzed the…

Assessing the Feasibility of Large-Scale Countercyclical Public Job-Creation. Final Report, Volume III. Selected Implications of Public Job-Creation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Urban Inst., Washington, DC.

This last of a three-volume report of a study done to assess the feasibility of large-scale, countercyclical public job creation covers the findings regarding the priorities among projects, indirect employment effects, skill imbalances, and administrative issues; and summarizes the overall findings, conclusions, and recommendations. (Volume 1,…

Methods for Predicting and Assessing the Impact of Technology on Human Resource Parameters: Report of the Literature. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Potter, Norman R.; Dieterly, Duncan L.

The literature review was undertaken to establish the current status of the methodology for forecasting and assessing technology and for quantizing human resource parameters with respect to the impact of incoming technologies. The review of 140 selected documents applicable to the study was undertaken with emphasis on the identification of methods…

When a ''Sloppy Copy'' Is Good Enough: Results of a State Writing Assessment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Crawford, Lindy; Smolkowski, Keith

2008-01-01

Students in grades 5 and 8 completed a state writing assessment, and their first and final drafts on the extended writing portion of the test were copied and scored using the state writing rubric. The rubric consisted of three primary traits: Content and Organization, Style and Fluency, and Language Use. Scorers were blind to the study purpose and…

Classroom Assessment for Student Learning: Impact on Elementary School Mathematics in the Central Region. Final Report. NCEE 2011-4005

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Randel, Bruce; Beesley, Andrea D.; Apthorp, Helen; Clark, Tedra F.; Wang, Xin; Cicchinelli, Louis F.; Williams, Jean M.

2011-01-01

This study was conducted by the Central Region Educational Laboratory (REL Central) administered by Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning to provide educators and policymakers with rigorous evidence about the potential of Classroom Assessment for Student Learning (CASL) to improve student achievement. CASL is a widely used professional…

Repetition as an Oral Language Assessment Technique. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Natalicio, Diana S.; Williams, Frederick

The aim of this study is to assess the degree to which sentence imitations of Negro and Mexican-American children (grades K-2) could be used as a basis for language evaluation. Tapes of 10 Negro and 10 Mexican-American children who had responded to a set of commercially available test materials were evaluated by panels of experts. Evaluations for…

Assessment of Non-English Speaking Students in Rhode Island. Final Summary Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rhode Island Univ., Kingston. Curriculum Research and Development Center.

In 1979, Rhode Island legislators mandated an assessment of the number of non English speaking children in the State. The resulting study was comprised of two main phases. The first, a census of non English speaking students, included (1) a teacher survey, in which every teacher listed his/her students and indicated an observed primary language…

NCDOT assessment of automated sign retroreflectivity measurement : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-06-27

The Institute for Transportation Research and Education at North Carolina State University conducted a follow-up study to : a previous North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) project, comparing mobile inventory data collection : vehicles ...

Science and Decisions: Advancing Risk Assessment (NAS Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

In August 2009, the Committee on Improving Risk Analysis Approaches Used by the U.S. EPA, National Research Council released a final report, requested and sponsored by the EPA, entitled Science and Decisions: Advancing Risk Assessment 2009.

Clicker Score Trajectories and Concept Inventory Scores as Predictors for Early Warning Systems for Large STEM Classes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Un Jung; Sbeglia, Gena C.; Ha, Minsu; Finch, Stephen J.; Nehm, Ross H.

2015-12-01

Increasing the retention of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) majors has recently emerged as a national priority in undergraduate education. Since poor performance in large introductory science and math courses is one significant factor in STEM dropout, early detection of struggling students is needed. Technology-supported "early warning systems" (EWSs) are being developed to meet these needs. Our study explores the utility of two commonly collected data sources—pre-course concept inventory scores and longitudinal clicker scores—for use in EWS, specifically, in determining the time points at which robust predictions of student success can first be established. The pre-course diagnostic assessments, administered to 287 students, included two concept inventories and one attitude assessment. Clicker question scores were also obtained for each of the 37 class sessions. Additionally, student characteristics (sex, ethnicity, and English facility) were gathered in a survey. Our analyses revealed that all variables were predictive of final grades. The correlation of the first 3 weeks of clicker scores with final grades was 0.53, suggesting that this set of variables could be used in an EWS starting at the third week. We also used group-based trajectory models to assess whether trajectory patterns were homogeneous in the class. The trajectory analysis identified three distinct clicker performance patterns that were also significant predictors of final grade. Trajectory analyses of clicker scores, student characteristics, and pre-course diagnostic assessment appear to be valuable data sources for EWS, although further studies in a diversity of instructional contexts are warranted.

Development and psychometric evaluation of the Premarital Sexual Behavior Assessment Scale for Young Women (PSAS-YW): an exploratory mixed method study.

PubMed

Rahmani, Azam; Merghati-Khoei, Effat; Moghadam-Banaem, Lida; Hajizadeh, Ebrahim; Hamdieh, Mostafa; Montazeri, Ali

2014-06-13

Premarital sexual behaviors are important issue for women's health. The present study was designed to develop and examine the psychometric properties of a scale in order to identify young women who are at greater risk of premarital sexual behavior. This was an exploratory mixed method investigation. Indeed, the study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, qualitative methods (focus group discussion and individual interview) were applied to generate items and develop the questionnaire. In the second phase, psychometric properties (validity and reliability) of the questionnaire were assessed. In the first phase an item pool containing 53 statements related to premarital sexual behavior was generated. In the second phase item reduction was applied and the final version of the questionnaire containing 26 items was developed. The psychometric properties of this final version were assessed and the results showed that the instrument has a good structure, and reliability. The results from exploratory factory analysis indicated a 5-factor solution for the instrument that jointly accounted for the 57.4% of variance observed. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the instrument was found to be 0.87. This study provided a valid and reliable scale to identify premarital sexual behavior in young women. Assessment of premarital sexual behavior might help to improve women's sexual abstinence.

Development and psychometric evaluation of the Premarital Sexual Behavior Assessment Scale for Young Women (PSAS-YW): an exploratory mixed method study

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Premarital sexual behaviors are important issue for women’s health. The present study was designed to develop and examine the psychometric properties of a scale in order to identify young women who are at greater risk of premarital sexual behavior. Method This was an exploratory mixed method investigation. Indeed, the study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, qualitative methods (focus group discussion and individual interview) were applied to generate items and develop the questionnaire. In the second phase, psychometric properties (validity and reliability) of the questionnaire were assessed. Results In the first phase an item pool containing 53 statements related to premarital sexual behavior was generated. In the second phase item reduction was applied and the final version of the questionnaire containing 26 items was developed. The psychometric properties of this final version were assessed and the results showed that the instrument has a good structure, and reliability. The results from exploratory factory analysis indicated a 5-factor solution for the instrument that jointly accounted for the 57.4% of variance observed. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the instrument was found to be 0.87. Conclusion This study provided a valid and reliable scale to identify premarital sexual behavior in young women. Assessment of premarital sexual behavior might help to improve women’s sexual abstinence. PMID:24924696

The educational impact of assessment: A comparison of DOPS and MCQs

PubMed Central

Cobb, Kate A.; Brown, George; Jaarsma, Debbie A. D. C.; Hammond, Richard A.

2013-01-01

Aim To evaluate the impact of two different assessment formats on the approaches to learning of final year veterinary students. The relationship between approach to learning and examination performance was also investigated. Method An 18-item version of the Study Process Questionnaire (SPQ) was sent to 87 final year students. Each student responded to the questionnaire with regards to DOPS (Direct Observation of Procedural Skills) and a Multiple Choice Examination (MCQ). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 of the respondents to gain a deeper insight into the students’ perception of assessment. Results Students’ adopted a deeper approach to learning for DOPS and a more surface approach with MCQs. There was a positive correlation between an achieving approach to learning and examination performance. Analysis of the qualitative data revealed that deep, surface and achieving approaches were reported by the students and seven major influences on their approaches to learning were identified: motivation, purpose, consequence, acceptability, feedback, time pressure and the individual difference of the students. Conclusions The format of DOPS has a positive influence on approaches to learning. There is a conflict for students between preparing for final examinations and preparing for clinical practice. PMID:23808609

Study area evaluations. Volume 6-H. North plants study area exposure assessment version 4. 1. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

The objectives of the Human Health Exposure Assessment include: (1) estimate the type and magnitude of exposures to contaminants; (2) Identify contaminants of concern; (3) Identify sites for remedial action; (4) Recommend sites for the no action remedial alternative; and (5) Provide a basis for detailed characterization of the risk associated with all sites. This document consists of the following: An executive summary. Vol I - Land use and exposed population evaluations. Vol. II III - Toxicity assessment (includes army and shell toxicity profiles). Vol. IV - PPLV Methodology. Vol. V - PPLV Calculations. Vol. VI - Study area exposuremore » analysis A introduction, B Western study ares, C Southern study area, D northern Central study area, E Central study area, F Eastern study area, G South plants study area, and H North plants study area. Vol. VII - Summary exposure assessment.« less

Student Group Differences in Examination Results and Utilization for Policy and School Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schildkamp, Kim; Rekers-Mombarg, Lyset T. M.; Harms, Truus J.

2012-01-01

At the end of secondary education in The Netherlands, students have to pass a final examination, consisting of an internal school-based assessment and an external national assessment. According to the Dutch inspectorate, to ensure the quality of final examinations, the discrepancy between both assessments must be less than 0.5 points (on a scale…

Tri-level study of the causes of traffic accidents. Volume 1, Causal factor tabulations and assessments

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1977-03-31

This is the Final Report of the "Tri-Level Study of the Causes of Traffic Accidents," performed by the Indiana University Institute for Research in Public Safety (IRPS), under contract to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (Contract N...

Study of the effects of plea bargaining motor vehicle offenses : final report, December 2009.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-12-01

The objectives of this study were to examine the impact of plea bargaining point-carrying moving violations to zero-point : offenses on roadway safety in New Jersey and to assess the impact of plea bargaining on New Jersey Motor Vehicle : Commission ...

Pilot Study of Agricultural Literacy. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Birkenholz, Robert H.; And Others

A study assessed the knowledge and perceptions of U.S. citizens regarding agriculture, food, and natural resources. Data were collected from 2,005 respondents representing the following groups: purposely selected primarily white Indiana high school students and primarily black Michigan high school students, randomly selected rural Missouri adults…

10 CFR 50.34 - Contents of applications; technical information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

..., and a program to ensure that the results of these studies are factored into the final design of the... assessment study to determine the optimum automatic depressurization system (ADS) design modifications that... capability for containment purging/venting designed to minimize the purging time consistent with ALARA...

10 CFR 50.34 - Contents of applications; technical information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

..., and a program to ensure that the results of these studies are factored into the final design of the... assessment study to determine the optimum automatic depressurization system (ADS) design modifications that... capability for containment purging/venting designed to minimize the purging time consistent with ALARA...

BCQ+: a body constitution questionnaire to assess Yang-Xu. Part I: establishment of a first final version through a Delphi process.

PubMed

Su, Yi-Chang; Chen, Li-Li; Lin, Jun-Dai; Lin, Jui-Shan; Huang, Yi-Chia; Lai, Jim-Shoung

2008-12-01

Assessing an individual's level of Yang deficiency (Yang-Xu) by its manifestations is a frequent issue in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinical trials. To this end, an objective, reliable and rigorous diagnostic tool is required. This study aimed to develop a first final version of the Yang-Xu Constitution Questionnaire. We conducted 3 steps to develop such an objective measurement tool: 1) the research team was formed and a panel of 26 experts was selected for the Delphi process; 2) items for the questionnaire were generated by literature review and a Delphi process; items were reworded into colloquial questions; face and content validity of the items were evaluated through a Delphi process again; 3) the difficulty of the questionnaire was evaluated in a pilot study with 81 subjects aged 20-60 years. The literature review retrieved 35 relevant items which matched the definition of 'constitution' and 'Yang-Xu'. After a first Delphi process, 22 items were retained and translated into colloquial questions. According to the second part of the Delphi process, the content validity index of each of the 22 questions ranged between 0.85-1. These 22 questions were evaluated by 81 subjects, 2 questions that were hard to tell the difference were combined; 3 questions were modified after the research team had discussed the participants' feedback. Finally, the questionnaire was established with 21 questions. This first final version of a questionnaire to assess Yang-Xu constitution with considerable face and content validity may serve as a basis to develop an advanced Yang-Xu questionnaire. 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Increasing URM Undergraduate Student Success through Assessment-Driven Interventions: A Multiyear Study Using Freshman-Level General Biology as a Model System.

PubMed

Carmichael, Mary C; St Clair, Candace; Edwards, Andrea M; Barrett, Peter; McFerrin, Harris; Davenport, Ian; Awad, Mohamed; Kundu, Anup; Ireland, Shubha Kale

2016-01-01

Xavier University of Louisiana leads the nation in awarding BS degrees in the biological sciences to African-American students. In this multiyear study with ∼5500 participants, data-driven interventions were adopted to improve student academic performance in a freshman-level general biology course. The three hour-long exams were common and administered concurrently to all students. New exam questions were developed using Bloom's taxonomy, and exam results were analyzed statistically with validated assessment tools. All but the comprehensive final exam were returned to students for self-evaluation and remediation. Among other approaches, course rigor was monitored by using an identical set of 60 questions on the final exam across 10 semesters. Analysis of the identical sets of 60 final exam questions revealed that overall averages increased from 72.9% (2010) to 83.5% (2015). Regression analysis demonstrated a statistically significant correlation between high-risk students and their averages on the 60 questions. Additional analysis demonstrated statistically significant improvements for at least one letter grade from midterm to final and a 20% increase in the course pass rates over time, also for the high-risk population. These results support the hypothesis that our data-driven interventions and assessment techniques are successful in improving student retention, particularly for our academically at-risk students. © 2016 M. C. Carmichael et al. CBE—Life Sciences Education © 2016 The American Society for Cell Biology. This article is distributed by The American Society for Cell Biology under license from the author(s). It is available to the public under an Attribution–Noncommercial–Share Alike 3.0 Unported Creative Commons License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0).

Final Independent External Peer Review Report for the Intake Diversion Dam Modification Lower Yellowstone Project, Montana Draft Supplement to the 26 April 2010 Environmental Assessment and Appendices

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-02-08

Fish and Wildlife Service WRDA Water Resources Development Act Intake Project IEPR Final IEPR Report February 8, 2013 x... Wildlife Service (USFWS), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Montana Department of Environmental Quality, The Nature Conservancy...30% design features and channel entrance and exit pre-appraisal study to provide fish passage around Intake Dam, Montana. U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Preliminary Assessment of Relative Toxicity and Mutagenic Potential of 1 Nitroso-3,5-Dinitro-1,3,5-Triazacyclohexane (Mononitroso-RDX)

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-09-01

Inhalation Toxicology, Mehlman, Crammer , and Shapiro, editors, 302-344, Pathotox Publishers, Inc., Park Forest South, Illinois (1977). 8. Shimkin, M. and G...Laboratory Studies. (3) Final Rule , Pesticide Programs; Good Laboratory Practice Standards; 48 Federal Register (FR) 53963-53969, 29 November 1983. (4...Final Rule , Toxic Substances Control; Good Laboratory Practice Standards; 48 Federal Register (FR) 53922-53944, 29 November 1983. b. Facilities were

Industrial Education Ventilation Study. Volume 1: Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stanley Associates, Edmonton (Alberta).

A study assessed aspects of ventilation in industrial education facilities in selected junior and senior highs schools in Alberta (Canada). This report describes the purpose of the study and the four test methods used to acquire school specific information. Also discussed are (1) the results of the instructors' perception survey, the ventilation…

An Empirical Study of Earth Covered Schools in Oklahoma. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zaccor, James V.

A study of earth-covered schools in Oklahoma was conducted for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assess the viability of these structures as learning and teaching environments, as cost beneficial investments, and as potential shelters from natural and man-made disasters. The study was aimed at identifying what information is…

Tools used to assess medical students competence in procedural skills at the end of a primary medical degree: a systematic review.

PubMed

Morris, Marie C; Gallagher, Tom K; Ridgway, Paul F

2012-01-01

The objective was to systematically review the literature to identify and grade tools used for the end point assessment of procedural skills (e.g., phlebotomy, IV cannulation, suturing) competence in medical students prior to certification. The authors searched eight bibliographic databases electronically - ERIC, Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, Psychinfo, PsychLIT, EBM Reviews and the Cochrane databases. Two reviewers independently reviewed the literature to identify procedural assessment tools used specifically for assessing medical students within the PRISMA framework, the inclusion/exclusion criteria and search period. Papers on OSATS and DOPS were excluded as they focused on post-registration assessment and clinical rather than simulated competence. Of 659 abstracted articles 56 identified procedural assessment tools. Only 11 specifically assessed medical students. The final 11 studies consisted of 1 randomised controlled trial, 4 comparative and 6 descriptive studies yielding 12 heterogeneous procedural assessment tools for analysis. Seven tools addressed four discrete pre-certification skills, basic suture (3), airway management (2), nasogastric tube insertion (1) and intravenous cannulation (1). One tool used a generic assessment of procedural skills. Two tools focused on postgraduate laparoscopic skills and one on osteopathic students and thus were not included in this review. The levels of evidence are low with regard to reliability - κ = 0.65-0.71 and minimum validity is achieved - face and content. In conclusion, there are no tools designed specifically to assess competence of procedural skills in a final certification examination. There is a need to develop standardised tools with proven reliability and validity for assessment of procedural skills competence at the end of medical training. Medicine graduates must have comparable levels of procedural skills acquisition entering the clinical workforce irrespective of the country of training.

Do End-of-Rotation and End-of-Shift Assessments Inform Clinical Competency Committees’ (CCC) Decisions?

PubMed Central

Regan, Linda; Cope, Leslie; Omron, Rodney; Bright, Leah; Bayram, Jamil D.

2018-01-01

Introduction Clinical Competency Committees (CCC) require reliable, objective data to inform decisions regarding assignment of milestone proficiency levels, which must be reported to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. After the development of two new assessment methods, the end-of-shift (EOS) assessment and the end-of-rotation (EOR) assessment, we sought to evaluate their performance. We report data on the concordance between these assessments, as well as how each informs the final proficiency level determined in biannual CCC meetings. We hypothesized that there would be a high concordance level between the two assessment methods, including concordance of both the EOS and EOR with the final proficiency level designation by the CCC. Methods The residency program is an urban academic four-year emergency medicine residency with 48 residents. After their shifts in the emergency department (ED), residents handed out EOS assessment forms asking about individual milestones from 15 subcompetencies to supervising physicians, as well as triggered electronic EOR-doctor (EORd) assessments to supervising doctors and EOR-nurse (EORn) to nurses they had worked with after each two-week ED block. EORd assessments contained the full proficiency level scale from 16 subcompetencies, while EORn assessments contained four subcompetencies. Data reports were generated after each six-month assessment period and data was aggregated. We calculated Spearman’s rank order correlations for correlations between assessment types and between assessments and final CCC proficiency levels. Results Over 24 months, 5,234 assessments were completed. The strongest correlations with CCC proficiency levels were the EORd for the immediate six-month assessment period prior (rs 0.71–0.84), and the CCC proficiency levels from the previous six-months (rs 0.83–0.92). EOS assessments had weaker correlations (rs 0.49 to 0.62), as did EORn (rs 0.4 to 0.73). Conclusion End-of-rotation assessments completed by supervising doctors are most highly correlated with final CCC proficiency level designations, while end-of-shift assessments and end-of-rotation assessments by nurses did not correlate strongly with final CCC proficiency levels, both with overestimation of levels noted. Every level of proficiency the CCC assigned appears to be highly correlated with the designated level in the immediate six-month period, perhaps implying CCC members are biased by previous level assignments. PMID:29383066

Do End-of-Rotation and End-of-Shift Assessments Inform Clinical Competency Committees' (CCC) Decisions?

PubMed

Regan, Linda; Cope, Leslie; Omron, Rodney; Bright, Leah; Bayram, Jamil D

2018-01-01

Clinical Competency Committees (CCC) require reliable, objective data to inform decisions regarding assignment of milestone proficiency levels, which must be reported to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. After the development of two new assessment methods, the end-of-shift (EOS) assessment and the end-of-rotation (EOR) assessment, we sought to evaluate their performance. We report data on the concordance between these assessments, as well as how each informs the final proficiency level determined in biannual CCC meetings. We hypothesized that there would be a high concordance level between the two assessment methods, including concordance of both the EOS and EOR with the final proficiency level designation by the CCC. The residency program is an urban academic four-year emergency medicine residency with 48 residents. After their shifts in the emergency department (ED), residents handed out EOS assessment forms asking about individual milestones from 15 subcompetencies to supervising physicians, as well as triggered electronic EOR-doctor (EORd) assessments to supervising doctors and EOR-nurse (EORn) to nurses they had worked with after each two-week ED block. EORd assessments contained the full proficiency level scale from 16 subcompetencies, while EORn assessments contained four subcompetencies. Data reports were generated after each six-month assessment period and data was aggregated. We calculated Spearman's rank order correlations for correlations between assessment types and between assessments and final CCC proficiency levels. Over 24 months, 5,234 assessments were completed. The strongest correlations with CCC proficiency levels were the EORd for the immediate six-month assessment period prior (r s 0.71-0.84), and the CCC proficiency levels from the previous six-months (r s 0.83-0.92). EOS assessments had weaker correlations (r s 0.49 to 0.62), as did EORn (r s 0.4 to 0.73). End-of-rotation assessments completed by supervising doctors are most highly correlated with final CCC proficiency level designations, while end-of-shift assessments and end-of-rotation assessments by nurses did not correlate strongly with final CCC proficiency levels, both with overestimation of levels noted. Every level of proficiency the CCC assigned appears to be highly correlated with the designated level in the immediate six-month period, perhaps implying CCC members are biased by previous level assignments.

Human health exposure assessment for Rocky Mountain Arsenal. Volume 1. Land use and exposed population evaluations version 4. 1. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

The objectives of the Human Health Exposure Assessment include: (1) estimate the type and magnitude of exposures to contaminants; (2) Identify contaminants of concern; (3) Identify sites for remedial action; (4) Recommend sites for the no action remedial alternative; and (5) Provide a basis for detailed characterization of the risk associated with all sites. This document consists of the following: An executive summary. Vol I - Land use and exposed population evaluations. Vol. II III - Toxicity assessment (includes army and shell toxicity profiles). Vol. IV - PPLV Methodology. Vol. V - PPLV Calculations. Vol. VI - Study area exposuremore » analysis A introduction, B Western study ares, C Southern study area, D northern Central study area, E Central study area, F Eastern study area, G South plants study area, and H North plants study area. Vol. VII - Summary exposure assessment.« less

Simplified Aircraft-Based Paired Approach: Concept Definition and Initial Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Sally C.; Lohr, Gary W.; McKissick, Burnell T.; Abbott, Terence S.; Geurreiro, Nelson M.; Volk, Paul

2013-01-01

Simplified Aircraft-based Parallel Approach (SAPA) is an advanced concept proposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to support dependent parallel approach operations to runways with lateral spacing closer than 2500 ft. At the request of the FAA, NASA performed an initial assessment of the potential performance and feasibility of the SAPA concept, including developing and assessing an operational implementation of the concept and conducting a Monte Carlo wake simulation study to examine the longitudinal spacing requirements. The SAPA concept was shown to have significant operational advantages in supporting the pairing of aircraft with dissimilar final approach speeds. The wake simulation study showed that support for dissimilar final approach speeds could be significantly enhanced through the use of a two-phased altitudebased longitudinal positioning requirement, with larger longitudinal positioning allowed for higher altitudes out of ground effect and tighter longitudinal positioning defined for altitudes near and in ground effect. While this assessment is preliminary and there are a number of operational issues still to be examined, it has shown the basic SAPA concept to be technically and operationally feasible.

Reference H Cycle 3 Stability, Control, and Flying Qualities Batch Assessments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Henderson, Dennis K.

1999-01-01

This work is an update of the assessment completed in February of 1996, when a preliminary assessment report was issued for the Cycle 2B simulation model. The primary purpose of the final assessment was to re-evaluate each assessment against the flight control system (FCS) requirements document using the updated model. Only a limited number of final assessments were completed due to the close proximity of the release of the Langley model and the assessment deliverable date. The assessment used the nonlinear Cycle 3 simulation model because it combines nonlinear aeroelastic (quasi-static) aerodynamic with hinge moment and rate limited control surface deflections. Both Configuration Aerodynamics (Task 32) and Flight Controls (Task 36) were funded in 1996 to conduct the final stability and control assessments of the unaugmented Reference H configuration in FY96. Because the two tasks had similar output requirements, the work was divided such that Flight Controls would be responsible for the implementation and checkout of the simulation model and Configuration Aerodynamics for writing Madab "script' files, conducting the batch assessments and writing the assessment report. Additionally, Flight Controls was to investigate control surface allocations schemes different from the baseline Reference H in an effort to fulfill flying qualities criteria.

A Framework for Assessing Health Risk of Environmental Exposures to Children (Final)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA released the final report entitled, A Framework for Assessing Health Risk of Environmental Exposures to Children, which examines the impact of potential exposures during developmental lifestages and subsequent lifestages, while emphasizing the iterative nature of the a...

Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Lead (Final Report, Jul 2013)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA announced the availability of the final report, Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Lead (Pb). This document represents a concise synthesis and evaluation of the most policy-relevant science and will ultimately provide the scientific bases for EPA’s decision regard...

20 CFR 726.306 - Finality of administrative assessment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 20 Employees' Benefits 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Finality of administrative assessment. 726.306 Section 726.306 Employees' Benefits EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR FEDERAL COAL MINE HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT OF 1969, AS AMENDED BLACK LUNG BENEFITS; REQUIREMENTS FOR COAL...

Aquatic Ecosystems, Water Quality, and Global Change: Challenges of Conducting Multi-Stressor Vulnerability Assessments (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA announced the availability of the final report, Aquatic Ecosystems and Global Change: The Challenges of conducting Multi-Stressor Global Change Vulnerability Assessments. This report investigates the issues and challenges associated with identifying, calculating, and ...

Skills Conversion Project, Chapter 8, Pollution Control. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Society of Professional Engineers, Washington, DC.

The Skills Conversion Project conducted by the National Society of Professional Engineers sought to study the transition mechanisms required to transfer available technical manpower from aerospace and defense industries into other areas of employment in private industry and public service. Fourteen study teams assessed the likelihood of future…

Market Assessment For Traveler Services, A Choice Modeling Study Phase Iii, Fast-Trac Deliverable, #16B: Final Choice Modeling Report

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1999-02-12

FAST-TRAC : THIS REPORT DESCRIBES THE CHOICE MODEL STUDY OF THE FAST-TRAC (FASTER AND SAFER TRAVEL THROUGH TRAFFIC ROUTING AND ADVANCED CONTROLS) OPERATIONAL TEST IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN. CHOICE MODELING IS A STATED-PREFERENCE APPROACH IN WHICH RESP...

76 FR 9047 - Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Clark County, WA; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-16

... to guide stream and tidally influenced wetland restorations. We would conduct feasibility studies for... assessments to guide stream and tidally influenced wetland restorations. We will conduct feasibility studies.... Wetlands would be managed to increase productivity and reduce water pumping costs. Invasive species and...

Effects of Formative Feedback on Intrinsic Motivation: Examining Ethnic Differences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

El, Ron Pat; Tillema, Harm; van Koppen, Sabine W. M.

2012-01-01

In this study we investigate the influence of ethnic differences on student motivation when learning from formative feedback. Interpersonal teacher behavior and student motivational needs are used to explain the effects of assessment for learning on intrinsic motivation by comparing students from different ethnic backgrounds. The final study's…

Assessing High School Vocational Students' Attitudes Toward Travel Away from Their Home Schools. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tadlock, Larry

To assess the attitude of high school students toward travel away from their home school for vocational training, a two-part study was conducted. The objective of the first part was to determine the number of students in the State of Washington who actually traveled away from their home schools for vocational training and of the second part to…

Elicited Imitation: A Vehicle for Assessing the Language Functioning Level of Echolalic Autistic Children. Final Report 53.8.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fritsch, Gudrun

The booklet discusses and reports on a study of elicited imitation as a vehicle for assessing the language-functioning level of echolalic autistic children. An historical overview is presented of the diagnosis of early infantile autism. The question of whether or not early infantile autism is a distinct syndrome is addressed. The theoretical and…

Uncertainty and sensitivity assessment of flood risk assessments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Moel, H.; Aerts, J. C.

2009-12-01

Floods are one of the most frequent and costly natural disasters. In order to protect human lifes and valuable assets from the effect of floods many defensive structures have been build. Despite these efforts economic losses due to catastrophic flood events have, however, risen substantially during the past couple of decades because of continuing economic developments in flood prone areas. On top of that, climate change is expected to affect the magnitude and frequency of flood events. Because these ongoing trends are expected to continue, a transition can be observed in various countries to move from a protective flood management approach to a more risk based flood management approach. In a risk based approach, flood risk assessments play an important role in supporting decision making. Most flood risk assessments assess flood risks in monetary terms (damage estimated for specific situations or expected annual damage) in order to feed cost-benefit analysis of management measures. Such flood risk assessments contain, however, considerable uncertainties. This is the result from uncertainties in the many different input parameters propagating through the risk assessment and accumulating in the final estimate. Whilst common in some other disciplines, as with integrated assessment models, full uncertainty and sensitivity analyses of flood risk assessments are not so common. Various studies have addressed uncertainties regarding flood risk assessments, but have mainly focussed on the hydrological conditions. However, uncertainties in other components of the risk assessment, like the relation between water depth and monetary damage, can be substantial as well. This research therefore tries to assess the uncertainties of all components of monetary flood risk assessments, using a Monte Carlo based approach. Furthermore, the total uncertainty will also be attributed to the different input parameters using a variance based sensitivity analysis. Assessing and visualizing the uncertainties of the final risk estimate will be helpful to decision makers to make better informed decisions and attributing this uncertainty to the input parameters helps to identify which parameters are most important when it comes to uncertainty in the final estimate and should therefore deserve additional attention in further research.

The Return to Final Paper Examining in English National Curriculum Assessment and School Examinations: Issues of Validity, Accountability and Politics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Torrance, Harry

2018-01-01

There are sound educational and examining reasons for the use of coursework assessment and practical assessment of student work by teachers in schools for purposes of reporting examination grades. Coursework and practical work test a range of different curriculum goals to final papers and increase the validity and reliability of the result.…

Neuropsychological Assessment and Training of Cognitive Processing Strategies for Reading Recognition and Comprehension: A Computer Assisted Program for Learning Disabled Students. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Teeter, Phyllis Anne; Smith, Philip L.

The final report of the 2-year project describes the development and validation of microcomputer software to help assess reading disabled elementary grade children and to provide basic reading instruction. Accomplishments of the first year included: design of the STAR Neuro-Cognitive Assessment Program which includes a reproduction of…

Assessing Complex Emergency Management with Clinical Case-Vignettes: A Validation Study

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Objective To evaluate whether responses to dynamic case-vignettes accurately reflect actual practices in complex emergency situations. We hypothesized that when obstetricians were faced with vignette of emergency situation identical to one they previously managed, they would report the management strategy they actually used. On the other hand, there is no reason to suppose that their response to a vignette based on a source case managed by another obstetrician would be the same as the actual management. Methods A multicenter vignette-based study was used in 7 French maternity units. We chose the example of severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) to study the use of case-vignettes for assessing the management of complex situations. We developed dynamic case-vignettes describing incidents of PPH in several steps, using documentation in patient files. Vignettes described the postpartum course and included multiple-choice questions detailing proposed clinical care. Each participating obstetrician was asked to evaluate 4 case-vignettes: 2 directly derived from cases they previously managed and 2 derived from other obstetricians’ cases. We compared the final treatment decision in vignette responses to those documented in the source-case by the overall agreement and the Kappa coefficient, both for the cases the obstetricians previously managed and the cases of others. Results Thirty obstetricians participated. Overall agreement between final treatment decisions in case-vignettes and documented care for cases obstetricians previously managed was 82% (Kappa coefficient: 0.75, 95% CI [0.62–0.88]). Overall agreement between final treatment decisions in case-vignettes and documented care in vignettes derived from other obstetricians’ cases was only 48% (Kappa coefficient: 0.30, 95% CI [0.12–0.48]). Final agreement with documented care was significantly better for cases based on their own previous cases than for others (p<0.001). Conclusions Dynamic case-vignettes accurately reflect actual practices in complex emergency situations. Therefore, they can be used to assess the quality of management in these situations. PMID:26383261

Reciprocal benefit to senior and junior peers: An outcome of a pilot research workshop at medical university.

PubMed

Ahsin, Sadia; Abbas, Seyyeda; Zaidi, Noshin; Azad, Nadia; Kaleem, Fatima

2015-08-01

A study was planned to explore and evaluate the role of senior peers in the learning process of their juniors during a Research Methodology workshop, and to assess educational advantages for seniors in leading roles. Twenty medical students participated with 15 juniors (1st to 3rd year) and 5 seniors (final/fourth year) divided into 5 groups with one senior student each at Foundation University Medical College, Islamabad, Pakistan. The seniors supervised and engaged the groups to develop research questions, formulate objectives, review literature, outline study designs, develop study tools/questionnaire and finally shape their projects in synopsis. Overall advantages to both juniors and seniors through this peer-assisted learning model were assessed by feedback proformas with open and closed-ended questions. Senior peers' facilitation was effective in the learning process of junior peers. Senior peers also gained academic benefit by exercising their leadership qualities through teaching and maintaining group dynamics.

Frailty Markers and Treatment Decisions in Patients Seen in Oncogeriatric Clinics: Results from the ASRO Pilot Study.

PubMed

Farcet, Anaïs; de Decker, Laure; Pauly, Vanessa; Rousseau, Frédérique; Bergman, Howard; Molines, Catherine; Retornaz, Frédérique

2016-01-01

Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) is the gold standard to help oncologists select the best cancer treatment for their older patients. Some authors have suggested that the concept of frailty could be a more useful approach in this population. We investigated whether frailty markers are associated with treatment recommendations in an oncogeriatric clinic. This prospective study included 70 years and older patients with solid tumors and referred for an oncogeriatric assessment. The CGA included nine domains: autonomy, comorbidities, medication, cognition, nutrition, mood, neurosensory deficits, falls, and social status. Five frailty markers were assessed (nutrition, physical activity, energy, mobility, and strength). Patients were categorized as Frail (three or more frailty markers), pre-frail (one or two frailty markers), or not-frail (no frailty marker). Treatment recommendations were classified into two categories: standard treatment with and without any changes and supportive/palliative care. Multiple logistic regression models were used to analyze factors associated with treatment recommendations. 217 patients, mean age 83 years (± Standard deviation (SD) 5.3), were included. In the univariate analysis, number of frailty markers, grip strength, physical activity, mobility, nutrition, energy, autonomy, depression, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Scale of Performance Status (ECOG-PS), and falls were significantly associated with final treatment recommendations. In the multivariate analysis, the number of frailty markers and basic Activities of Daily Living (ADL) were significantly associated with final treatment recommendations (p<0.001 and p = 0.010, respectively). Frailty markers are associated with final treatment recommendations in older cancer patients. Longitudinal studies are warranted to better determine their use in a geriatric oncology setting.

Mid-term Results of Total Knee Arthroplasty Using PFC Sigma RP-F.

PubMed

Kim, Jun-Young; Cheon, Sang-Ho; Kyung, Hee-Soo

2012-12-01

We compared the mid-term results after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using PFC Sigma RP-F mobile model with PFC Sigma PS fixed model. We analyzed 45 knees that underwent TKA with PFC Sigma RP-Fn (study group) and 45 knees with PFC Sigma PS (control group). The mean follow-up period was 65 months (range, 60-69 months). The evaluation system of the American knee society was used for clinical and radiological assessment. Also, the maximal knee flexion angle was assessed. The mean maximum flexion angle in the study group (135°) was greater than that in the control group (125°) at the early post-operation & final follow-up period (p=0.033). The range of motion (ROM) in the study group was recovered earlier at the postoperative 6 months, and ROM gain was improved to a greater extent at the final follow-up period (p=0.039). The knee score and function score and radiographic evaluation were no difference between the two groups (p>0.05) at the final follow-up. The two cases of radiolucency in posterior condyle and medial tibial plateau and one case of patellar elongation were seen in the study group. The PFC Sigma RP-F mobile system appears to facilitate greater maximum flexion angle and ROM gain with two cases of radiolucent line.

Dropout in looking time studies: The role of infants' temperament and cognitive developmental status.

PubMed

Klein-Radukic, Sarah; Zmyj, Norbert

2015-11-01

Dropout of infants in looking time studies sometimes occurs at high rates, raising concerns that the representativeness of the final sample might be reduced in comparison to the originally obtained sample. The current study investigated which infant characteristics play a role in dropout. Infants were presented with a preferential looking task at 6 and 9 months of age. At 9 months of age, an additional habituation task and a subsequent novelty preference task were conducted. In addition, temperament was assessed via the Infant Behavior Questionnaire - Revised (IBQ-R, Gartstein & Rothbart, 2003), and cognitive developmental status was assessed via the Cognitive Scale of the Bayley Scale of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID-III, Bayley, 2006). Dropout was positively related to the IBQ-R temperament scales Distress to Limitations and Approach, and negatively related to the scales Falling Reactivity and Cuddliness. The representativeness of the final sample regarding situation-specific temperament dimensions is affected by dropout. Dropout was not related to cognitive developmental status as measured via the BSID-III, habituation speed and novelty preference. Dropout at 6 months of age was associated with dropout at 9 months of age. We concluded that in looking time studies, the representativeness of the final sample regarding performance-relevant temperament dimensions or cognitive developmental status is not affected by dropout. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Assessing the outcome of Strengthening Laboratory Management Towards Accreditation (SLMTA) on laboratory quality management system in city government of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

PubMed Central

Sisay, Abay; Mindaye, Tedla; Tesfaye, Abrham; Abera, Eyob; Desale, Adino

2015-01-01

Introduction Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) is a competency-based management training programme designed to bring about immediate and measurable laboratory improvement. The aim of this study is to assess the outcome of SLMTA on laboratory quality management system in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods The study used an Institutional based cross sectional study design that employed a secondary and primary data collection approach on the participated institution of medical laboratory in SLMTA. The study was conducted in Addis Ababa city government and the data was collected from February ‘April 2014 and data was entered in to EPI-data version 3.1 and was analyzed by SPSS version 20. Results The assessment finding indicate that there was a significant improvement in average scores (141.4; range of 65-196, 95%CI =86.275-115.5, p = 0.000) at final with 3 laboratories become 3 star, 6 laboratories were at 2 star, 11 were 1 star. Laboratory facilities respondents which thought getting adequate and timely manner mentorship were found 2.5 times more likely to get good success in the final score(AOR= 2.501, 95% CI= 1.109-4.602) than which did not get it. Conclusion At the end of SLMTA implementation,3 laboratories score 3 star, 6 laboratories were at 2 star, 11 were at 1 star. The most important contributing factor for not scoring star in the final outcome of SLMTA were not conducting their customer satisfaction survey, poor staff motivation, and lack of regular equipment service maintenance. Mentorship, onsite and offsite coaching and training activities had shown a great improvement on laboratory quality management system in most laboratories. PMID:26175805

Assessing the outcome of Strengthening Laboratory Management Towards Accreditation (SLMTA) on laboratory quality management system in city government of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

PubMed

Sisay, Abay; Mindaye, Tedla; Tesfaye, Abrham; Abera, Eyob; Desale, Adino

2015-01-01

Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) is a competency-based management training programme designed to bring about immediate and measurable laboratory improvement. The aim of this study is to assess the outcome of SLMTA on laboratory quality management system in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The study used an Institutional based cross sectional study design that employed a secondary and primary data collection approach on the participated institution of medical laboratory in SLMTA. The study was conducted in Addis Ababa city government and the data was collected from February 'April 2014 and data was entered in to EPI-data version 3.1 and was analyzed by SPSS version 20. The assessment finding indicate that there was a significant improvement in average scores (141.4; range of 65-196, 95%CI=86.275-115.5, p=0.000) at final with 3 laboratories become 3 star, 6 laboratories were at 2 star, 11 were 1 star. Laboratory facilities respondents which thought getting adequate and timely manner mentorship were found 2.5 times more likely to get good success in the final score(AOR=2.501, 95% CI=1.109-4.602) than which did not get it. At the end of SLMTA implementation,3 laboratories score 3 star, 6 laboratories were at 2 star, 11 were at 1 star. The most important contributing factor for not scoring star in the final outcome of SLMTA were not conducting their customer satisfaction survey, poor staff motivation, and lack of regular equipment service maintenance. Mentorship, onsite and offsite coaching and training activities had shown a great improvement on laboratory quality management system in most laboratories.

22 CFR 103.11 - Payment of final assessment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Payment of final assessment. 103.11 Section 103.11 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE ECONOMIC AND OTHER FUNCTIONS REGULATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION AND THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION IMPLEMENTATION ACT OF 1998 ON...

AGING AND TOXIC RESPONSE: ISSUES RELEVANT TO RISK ASSESSMENT (FINAL)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA has released a final report entitled, Aging and Toxic Response: Issues Relevant to Risk Assessment. This document contributes to the Agency's efforts to better understand the physiology of aging in order to protect the health of older persons, and identifies several d...

Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Carbon Monoxide (Final Report, Jan 2010)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA announced the availability of the final report, Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Carbon Monoxide (CO). This report is EPA’s latest evaluation of the scientific literature on the potential human health and welfare effects associated with ambient exposures to CO...

Lymphohematopoietic Cancers Induced by Chemicals and Other Agents: Overview and Implications for Risk Assessment (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA announced the release of the final report, Lymphohematopoietic Cancers Induced by Chemicals and Other Agents: Overview and Implications for Risk Assessment . This report provides an overview of the types of mechanisms underlying the lymphohematopoietic cancers induc...

75 FR 70234 - City of Spearfish, SD; Notice of Availability of Final Environmental Assessment

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-17

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 12775-001] City of Spearfish, SD; Notice of Availability of Final Environmental Assessment November 8, 2010. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's...

Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) of Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants (Final Report, Feb 2013)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA announced the availability of the final report, Integrated Science Assessment of Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants. This document represents a concise synthesis and evaluation of the most policy-relevant science and will ultimately provide the scientific bases f...

15 CFR 719.21 - Payment of final assessment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 15 Commerce and Foreign Trade 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Payment of final assessment. 719.21 Section 719.21 Commerce and Foreign Trade Regulations Relating to Commerce and Foreign Trade (Continued) BUREAU OF INDUSTRY AND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION REGULATIONS...

15 CFR 719.21 - Payment of final assessment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 15 Commerce and Foreign Trade 2 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Payment of final assessment. 719.21 Section 719.21 Commerce and Foreign Trade Regulations Relating to Commerce and Foreign Trade (Continued) BUREAU OF INDUSTRY AND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION REGULATIONS...

Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Particulate Matter (Final Report, Dec 2009)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA announced the availability of the final report, Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Particulate Matter (PM). This report is EPA’s latest evaluation of the scientific literature on the potential human health and welfare effects associated with ambient exposures to p...

Internally sealed concrete for bridge deck protection : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1983-01-01

This study investigated the characteristics of internally sealed concrete through tests on specimens fabricated in the laboratory to determine its properties and an installation in a bridge deck to assess the controls needed during construction and i...

Fish passage through retrofitted culverts : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2004-11-01

Long term and short term studies of fish movement were conducted at several retrofitted culverts within Oregon. This was done to assess the effectiveness of retrofitting culverts with baffles to improve fish passage. The long term results showed that...

Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Sulfur Oxides – Health Criteria (Final)

EPA Science Inventory

The SOx ISA reviews information on atmospheric science, exposure, dosimetry, mode of action, and health effects related to sulfur oxides and sulfur dioxide (SO2), including evidence from controlled human exposure, epidemiologic, and toxicological studies.

Written formative assessment and silence in the classroom

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee Hang, Desmond Mene; Bell, Beverley

2015-09-01

In this commentary, we build on Xinying Yin and Gayle Buck's discussion by exploring the cultural practices which are integral to formative assessment, when it is viewed as a sociocultural practice. First we discuss the role of assessment and in particular oral and written formative assessments in both western and Samoan cultures, building on the account of assessment practices in the Chinese culture given by Yin and Buck. Secondly, we document the cultural practice of silence in Samoan classroom's which has lead to the use of written formative assessment as in the Yin and Buck article. We also discuss the use of written formative assessment as a scaffold for teacher development for formative assessment. Finally, we briefly discuss both studies on formative assessment as a sociocultural practice.

Psychological stress and burnout in medical students: a five-year prospective longitudinal study.

PubMed

Guthrie, E; Black, D; Bagalkote, H; Shaw, C; Campbell, M; Creed, F

1998-05-01

The aim of this study was to assess psychological morbidity and symptoms of burnout in medical students during their undergraduate training, and to identify baseline factors that predict psychological morbidity in students in the final year of the course. It was a 5-year prospective longitudinal cohort study. Students were assessed in years 1, 4 and 5 of their medical undergraduate training by means of the GHQ-12 and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. 172 (84.3%), 157 (77.0%) and 155 (75.9%) students out of an original group of 204 completed assessments in years 1, 4 and 5, respectively. 18 students were above threshold on the GHQ-12 on all three occasions, 25 on two occasions and 43 on one occasion; 69 students were never a 'case'. Students who were cases on two or more occasions were more likely to find the medical course stressful during the first year, but not subsequent years. There was no significant difference between the percentages of men and women who scored as cases on the GHQ-12 in any of the years. The best predictor of psychological morbidity in the final year of the course was the GHQ-12 score in year 1. This study suggests that a small group of students repeatedly experience psychological distress during their medical training.

44 CFR 9.12 - Final public notice.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... public with a statement of its final decision and shall explain the relevant factors considered by the... provided the final notice. (b) For actions for which an environmental impact statement is being prepared... environmental assessment was prepared, the Notice of No Significant Impact is adequate to constitute final...

44 CFR 9.12 - Final public notice.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... public with a statement of its final decision and shall explain the relevant factors considered by the... provided the final notice. (b) For actions for which an environmental impact statement is being prepared... environmental assessment was prepared, the Notice of No Significant Impact is adequate to constitute final...

An Analysis of Sales Training Effectiveness within the Housing Market

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ronbinson, John Cheney, IV

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study was to assess the performance outcomes of a sales training program. This study is unique in a number of ways. First, it focuses on an under-studied area (sales training effectiveness). Second, it is directed at the evaluation of sales training programs completed by Realtors within the housing industry. Finally, it…

National Job Corps Study: Findings Using Administrative Earnings Records Data. Final Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schochet; Peter Z.; McConnell, Sheena; Burghardt, John

2003-01-01

The National Job Corps Study has been conducted since 1993 to provide Congress and program managers with the information they need to assess how well Job Corps attains its goal of helping students become more responsible, employable, and productive citizens. The cornerstone of the study was the random assignment of all youths found eligible for…

Today's Urban University Students: Part 2. A Case Study of Hunter College. Final Report on the Urban University Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Davila, Evelyn M.

Characteristics and needs of Hunter College students were studied during 1981-1983. The college's use of institutional research to accommodate an increasingly nontraditional student body was also assessed. Attention was directed to: the student population's ethnicity, income, and employment; students' academic experiences; times of day most…

AFC-Enabled Vertical Tail System Integration Study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mooney, Helen P.; Brandt, John B.; Lacy, Douglas S.; Whalen, Edward A.

2014-01-01

This document serves as the final report for the SMAAART AFC-Enabled Vertical Tail System Integration Study. Included are the ground rule assumptions which have gone into the study, layouts of the baseline and AFC-enabled configurations, critical sizing information, system requirements and architectures, and assumed system properties that result in an NPV assessment of the two candidate AFC technologies.

Feasibility Study for an Automated Library System. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Beaumont and Associates, Inc.

This study was initiated by the Newfoundland Public Library Services (NPLS) to assess the feasibility of automation for the library services and to determine the viability of an integrated automated library system for the NPLS. The study addresses the needs of NPLS in terms of library automation; benefits to be achieved through the introduction of…

Environmental Assessment for Developing Renewable Energy Enhanced Use Lease Facilities at Robins Air Force Base

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-12-15

Blufftown is underlain by igneous and metamorphic rocks which are equivalent to those of the Georgia Piedmont. Potable and process waters are produced...Final Environmental Assessment for Developing Renewable Energy Enhanced Use Lease Facilities at Robins Air Force Base...TITLE AND SUBTITLE Final Environmental Assessment for Developing Renewable Energy Enhanced Use Lease Facilities at Robins Air Force Base 5a. CONTRACT

75 FR 29336 - Penobscot River Restoration Trust; Notice of Availability of Final Environmental Assessment

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-25

... Projects has prepared an Final Environmental Assessment (FEA) for an application filed by the Penobscot... Comprehensive Settlement Agreement. The FEA evaluates the environmental impacts that would result from approving the licensee's proposed surrenders. The FEA finds that approval of the application would not...

Next Generation Risk Assessment: Incorporation of Recent Advances in Molecular, Computational, and Systems Biology (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA announced the release of the final report, Next Generation Risk Assessment: Incorporation of Recent Advances in Molecular, Computational, and Systems Biology. This report describes new approaches that are faster, less resource intensive, and more robust that can help ...

Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulfur - Ecological Criteria (Final Report, Dec 2008)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA announced the availability of the final report, Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulfur - Ecological Criteria. This document represents a concise synthesis and evaluation of the most policy-relevant science and will ultimately provide the ...

77 FR 40893 - U.S. Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Final Stakeholder Assessment and Multi...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-11

... DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR [Docket No. ONRR-2012-0003] U.S. Extractive Industries Transparency..., Interior. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of the Interior (Interior) has retained an..., 2012, Interior received CBI's final assessment regarding options for forming a U.S. multi-stakeholder...

78 FR 17392 - Idaho Power Company; Notice of Availability of Final Environmental Assessment

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-21

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project Nos. 1975-102; 2061-086] Idaho Power Company; Notice of Availability of Final Environmental Assessment In accordance with the National... Counties, Idaho. Both projects occupy lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The Lower Salmon...

Evaluating Ecological Risk to Invertebrate Receptors from PAHs in Sediments at Hazardous Waste Sites (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA's Ecological Risk Assessment Support Center (ERASC) announced the release of the final report, Evaluating Ecological Risk to Invertebrate Receptors from PAHs in Sediments at Hazardous Waste Sites. The report provides an overview of an approach for assessing risk to ...

Considerations for Developing a Dosimetry-Based Cumulative Risk Assessment Approach for Mixtures of Environmental Contaminants (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA announced the availability of the final report, Considerations for Developing a Dosimetry-Based Cumulative Risk Assessment Approach for Mixtures of Environmental Contaminants. This report describes a process that can be used to determine the potential value of develop...

Advanced transportation system studies. Technical area 2: Heavy lift launch vehicle development. Volume 2; Technical Results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1995-01-01

Sections 10 to 13 of the Advanced Transportation System Studies final report are included in this volume. Section 10 contains a copy of an executive summary that was prepared by Lockheed Space Operations Company (LSOC) to document their support to the TA-2 contract during the first-year period of performance of the contract, May 1992 through May 1993. LSOC participated on the TA-2 contract as part of the concurrent engineering launch system definition team, and provided outstanding heavy lift launch vehicle (HLLV) ground operations requirements and concept assessments for Lockheed Missiles and Space Company (LMSC) through an intercompany work transfer as well as providing specific HLLV ground operations assessments at the direction of NASA KSC through KSC funding that was routed to the TA-2 contract. Section 11 contains a copy of a vehicle-independent, launch system health management requirements assessment. The purpose of the assessment was to define both health management requirements and the associated interfaces between a generic advanced transportation system launch vehicle and all related elements of the entire transportation system, including the ground segment. Section 12 presents the major TA-2 presentations provided to summarize the significant results and conclusions that were developed over the course of the contract. Finally, Section 13 presents the design and assessment report on the first lunar outpost heavy lift launch vehicle.

Dissemination--Task 5. [And] Social Studies Educators Rate the NAEP Social Studies Exercises--Task 6. Final Reports.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fair, Jean; Chapin, June

Tasks 5 and 6 describe the dissemination activities and a rating of the National Assessment for Educational Progress social studies exercises by members of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS). The dissemination activities, described in a one page report, include a special issue of the NCSS journal "Social Education," May…

Associations of Maternal Weight Gain in Pregnancy With Offspring Cognition in Childhood and Adolescence: Findings From the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children

PubMed Central

Gage, Suzanne H.; Lawlor, Debbie A.; Tilling, Kate; Fraser, Abigail

2013-01-01

An association of gestational weight gain (GWG) with offspring cognition has been postulated. We used data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, a United Kingdom prospective cohort (1990 through the present) with a median of 10 maternal weight measurements in pregnancy. These were used to allocate participants to 2009 Institute of Medicine weight-gain categories and in random effect linear spline models. Outcomes were School Entry Assessment score (age, 4 years; n = 5,832), standardized intelligence quotient assessed by Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (age, 8 years; n = 5,191), and school final-examination results (age, 16 years; n = 7,339). Offspring of women who gained less weight than recommended had a 0.075 standard deviation lower mean School Entry Assessment score (95% confidence interval: −0.127, −0.023) and were less likely to achieve adequate final-examination results (odds ratio = 0.88, 95% confidence interval: 0.78, 0.99) compared with offspring of women who gained as recommended. GWG in early pregnancy (defined as 0–18 weeks on the basis of a knot point at 18 weeks) and midpregnancy (defined as 18–28 weeks on the basis of knot points at 18 and 28 weeks) was positively associated with School Entry Assessment score and intelligence quotient. GWG in late pregnancy (defined as 28 weeks onward on the basis of a knot point at 28 weeks) was positively associated with offspring intelligence quotient and with increased odds of offspring achieving adequate final-examination results in mothers who were overweight prepregnancy. Findings support small positive associations between GWG and offspring cognitive development, which may have lasting effects on educational attainment up to age 16 years. PMID:23388581

Associations of maternal weight gain in pregnancy with offspring cognition in childhood and adolescence: findings from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children.

PubMed

Gage, Suzanne H; Lawlor, Debbie A; Tilling, Kate; Fraser, Abigail

2013-03-01

An association of gestational weight gain (GWG) with offspring cognition has been postulated. We used data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, a United Kingdom prospective cohort (1990 through the present) with a median of 10 maternal weight measurements in pregnancy. These were used to allocate participants to 2009 Institute of Medicine weight-gain categories and in random effect linear spline models. Outcomes were School Entry Assessment score (age, 4 years; n = 5,832), standardized intelligence quotient assessed by Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (age, 8 years; n = 5,191), and school final-examination results (age, 16 years; n = 7,339). Offspring of women who gained less weight than recommended had a 0.075 standard deviation lower mean School Entry Assessment score (95% confidence interval: -0.127, -0.023) and were less likely to achieve adequate final-examination results (odds ratio = 0.88, 95% confidence interval: 0.78, 0.99) compared with offspring of women who gained as recommended. GWG in early pregnancy (defined as 0-18 weeks on the basis of a knot point at 18 weeks) and midpregnancy (defined as 18-28 weeks on the basis of knot points at 18 and 28 weeks) was positively associated with School Entry Assessment score and intelligence quotient. GWG in late pregnancy (defined as 28 weeks onward on the basis of a knot point at 28 weeks) was positively associated with offspring intelligence quotient and with increased odds of offspring achieving adequate final-examination results in mothers who were overweight prepregnancy. Findings support small positive associations between GWG and offspring cognitive development, which may have lasting effects on educational attainment up to age 16 years.

Development and Validation of a Social Capital Questionnaire for Adolescent Students (SCQ-AS)

PubMed Central

Paiva, Paula Cristina Pelli; de Paiva, Haroldo Neves; de Oliveira Filho, Paulo Messias; Lamounier, Joel Alves; Ferreira, Efigênia Ferreira e; Ferreira, Raquel Conceição; Kawachi, Ichiro; Zarzar, Patrícia Maria

2014-01-01

Objectives Social capital has been studied due to its contextual influence on health. However, no specific assessment tool has been developed and validated for the measurement of social capital among 12-year-old adolescent students. The aim of the present study was to develop and validate a quick, simple assessment tool to measure social capital among adolescent students. Methods A questionnaire was developed based on a review of relevant literature. For such, searches were made of the Scientific Electronic Library Online, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences, The Cochrane Library, ISI Web of Knowledge, International Database for Medical Literature and PubMed Central bibliographical databases from September 2011 to January 2014 for papers addressing assessment tools for the evaluation of social capital. Focus groups were also formed by adolescent students as well as health, educational and social professionals. The final assessment tool was administered to a convenience sample from two public schools (79 students) and one private school (22 students), comprising a final sample of 101 students. Reliability and internal consistency were evaluated using the Kappa coefficient and Cronbach's alpha coefficient, respectively. Content validity was determined by expert consensus as well as exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Results The final version of the questionnaire was made up of 12 items. The total scale demonstrated very good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha: 0.71). Reproducibility was also very good, as the Kappa coefficient was higher than 0.72 for the majority of items (range: 0.63 to 0.97). Factor analysis grouped the 12 items into four subscales: School Social Cohesion, School Friendships, Neighborhood Social Cohesion and Trust (school and neighborhood). Conclusions The present findings indicate the validity and reliability of the Social Capital Questionnaire for Adolescent Students. PMID:25093409

The diagnostic value of troponin T testing in the community setting.

PubMed

Planer, David; Leibowitz, David; Paltiel, Ora; Boukhobza, Rina; Lotan, Chaim; Weiss, Teddy A

2006-03-08

Many patients presenting with chest pain to their family physician are referred to the emergency room, in part, due to lack of accurate objective diagnostic tools. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic value of bedside troponin T kit testing in patients presenting with chest pain to their family physician. Prospective, multi-center study. Consecutive subjects with chest pain were recruited from 44 community clinics in Jerusalem. Following clinical assessment by the family physician, qualitative troponin kit testing was performed. Patients with a negative clinical assessment and negative troponin kit were sent home and all others were referred to the emergency room. The final diagnosis at the time of hospital discharge was recorded and telephone follow up was performed after 60 days. Positive predictive value, negative predictive value, sensitivity and specificity of troponin kit for myocardial infarction diagnosis and of family physician for hospitalization, were assessed. Of 392 patients enrolled, 349 (89%) were included in the final analysis. The prevalence of myocardial infarction was 1.7%. The positive and negative predictive values of the troponin kit for myocardial infarction diagnosis were 100% and 99.7%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values of the family physician's assessment to predict hospitalization were 41.4% and 94.1%, respectively. Troponin kit testing is an important tool to assist the family physician in the assessment of patients with chest pain in the community setting. Troponin kit testing may identify otherwise undiagnosed cases of myocardial infarctions, and reduce unnecessary referrals to the emergency room.

Evaluation of latex polymers to resist stripping in asphalt pavements in Oregon : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2005-03-01

This study assessed the effectiveness of latex polymer anti-stripping treatment by inspecting and evaluating the : condition of pavements constructed in Oregon from 1997-2001. Ten hot mix asphalt concrete paving projects : were identified throughout ...

Determination of tire quality from nondestructive inspection : final report

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1979-11-01

The principal objective of the study was to assess the capability of an ultrasonic nondestructive inspection system to identify tire groups with a high propensity to failure among the groups selected for the Compliance Test under MVSS 109. A secondar...

Shear capacity assessment of corrosion-damaged reinforced concrete beams : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2003-12-01

This study investigated how the shear capacity of reinforced concrete bridge beams is affected by corrosion damage to the shear stirrups. It described the changes that occur in shear capacity and concrete cracking as shear stirrup corrosion progresse...

Fate of ethylene glycol in the environment : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1990-01-01

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development uses ethylene glycol (EG) as a deicing agent on bridges. This study was undertaken to assess the impact of EG on workers and the environment after spraying. The objectives of the project were...

Final report : mobile surveillance and wireless communication systems field operational test. Volume 1, Executive summary

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1999-03-01

This study focused on assessing the application of traffic monitoring and management systems which use transportable surveillance and ramp meter trailers, video image processors, and wireless communications. The mobile surveillance and wireless commu...

Hydroacoustic pile driving noise study - comprehensive report : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-12-28

Alaska DOT&PF and JASCO Applied Sciences partnered to characterize underwater noise from pile driving activities to inform the assessment of the potential impact of such noise on marine mammals. JASCO measured underwater sounds at the Kake, Auke Bay,...

Assessing Leaders’ Character. Character and Leadership: A Theoretical Integration of Two Emerging Concepts. Implications for Research and Teaching

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-11-01

Walumbwa, F. O., Avolio, B. J., Gardner, W. L., Wernsing, T. S., & Peterson, S. J. (2008). Authentic leadership : Development and validation of a theory ...AFRL-AFOSR-UK-TR-2011-0053 Assessing Leader’s Character Character and Leadership : A Theoretical Integration... Leadership and Communication Studies Casern Birmensdorf, Switzerland 8903 EOARD GRANT 10-3099 November 2011 Final Report for 14 September

Nutrition Education and Training Needs in Texas. Nutrition Education and Training Needs Assessment for Federal Fiscal Year 1995. Final Annual Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Martin, Ruth E.; Ahmad, Mahassen

A 3-year needs assessment study examined nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and food practices. Subjects were 135 preschool children ages 3-5 years, 610 parents, 118 day care teachers and providers, 35 food service personnel, and 76 administrators throughout Texas. Registered family day care homes, group day care homes, and day care centers from 11…

Cooperative Education at LaGuardia Community College: An Assessment and Description of the Initiation of an Innovative Curriculum. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Soper Associates, Berne, NY.

La Guardia College (New York) is the only community college in the United States requiring its entire student body to participate in a work-experience program regardless of curriculum choice. This study, conducted by a team of selected consultants, is an assessment of the program based on onsite visits, interviews, and an array of reports and…

Standardization of Course Plan and Design of Objective Structured Field Examination (OSFE) for the Assessment of Pharm.D. Student’s Community Pharmacy Clerkship Skills

PubMed Central

Monajjemzadeh, Farnaz; Shokri, Javad; Mohajel Nayebi, Ali Reza; Nemati, Mahboob; Azarmi, Yadollah; Charkhpour, Mohammad; Najafi, Moslem

2014-01-01

Purpose: This study was aimed to design Objective Structured Field Examination (OSFE) and also standardize the course plan of community pharmacy clerkship at Pharmacy Faculty of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (Iran). Methods: The study was composed of several stages including; evaluation of the old program, standardization and implementation of the new course plan, design and implementation of OSFE, and finally results evaluation. Results: Lack of a fair final assessment protocol and proper organized educating system in various fields of community pharmacy clerkship skills were assigned as the main weaknesses of the old program. Educational priorities were determined and student’s feedback was assessed to design the new curriculum consisting of sessions to fulfill a 60-hour training course. More than 70% of the students were satisfied and successfulness and efficiency of the new clerkship program was significantly greater than the old program (P<0.05). In addition, they believed that OSFE was a suitable testing method. Conclusion: The defined course plan was successfully improved different skills of the students and OSFE was concluded as a proper performance based assessment method. This is easily adoptable by pharmacy faculties to improve the educational outcomes of the clerkship course. PMID:24511477

Indicators to assess the functionality of clubfoot clinics in low-resource settings: a Delphi consensus approach and pilot study.

PubMed

Smythe, Tracey; Mudariki, Debra; Foster, Allen; Lavy, Christopher

2018-05-19

This study aims to determine the indicators for assessing the functionality of clubfoot clinics in a low-resource setting. The Delphi method was employed with experienced clubfoot practitioners in Africa to rate the importance of indicators of a good clubfoot clinic. The consistency among the participants was determined with the intraclass correlation coefficient. Indicators that achieved strong agreement (mean≥9 [SD <1.5]) were included in the final consensus definition. Based on the final consensus definition, a set of questions was developed to form the Functionality Assessment Clubfoot Clinic Tool (FACT). The FACT was used between February and July 2017 to assess the functionality of clinics in the Zimbabwe clubfoot programme. A set of 10 indicators that includes components of five of the six building blocks of a health system-leadership, human resources, essential medical equipment, health information systems and service delivery-was produced. The most common needs identified in Zimbabwe clubfoot clinics were a standard treatment protocol, a process for surgical referrals and a process to monitor dropout of patients. Practitioners had good consistency in rating indicators. The consensus definition includes components of the World Health Organization building blocks of health systems. Useful information was obtained on how to improve the services in the Zimbabwe clubfoot programme.

Assessment of the usability of a digital learning technology prototype for monitoring intracranial pressure 1

PubMed Central

de Carvalho, Lilian Regina; Évora, Yolanda Dora Martinez; Zem-Mascarenhas, Silvia Helena

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Objective: to assess the usability of a digital learning technology prototype as a new method for minimally invasive monitoring of intracranial pressure. Method: descriptive study using a quantitative approach on assessing the usability of a prototype based on Nielsen's ten heuristics. Four experts in the area of Human-Computer interaction participated in the study. Results: the evaluation delivered eight violated heuristics and 31 usability problems in the 32 screens of the prototype. Conclusion: the suggestions of the evaluators were critical for developing an intuitive, user-friendly interface and will be included in the final version of the digital learning technology. PMID:27579932

Nonprofit Hospitals’ Approach to Community Health Needs Assessment

PubMed Central

McLeroy, Kenneth R.; Burdine, James N.; Matarrita-Cascante, David

2015-01-01

Objectives. We sought a better understanding of how nonprofit hospitals are fulfilling the community health needs assessment (CHNA) provision of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to conduct CHNAs and develop CHNA and implementation strategies reports. Methods. Through an Internet search of an estimated 179 nonprofit hospitals in Texas conducted between December 1, 2013, and January 5, 2014, we identified and reviewed 95 CHNA and implementation strategies reports. We evaluated and scored reports with specific criteria. We analyzed hospital-related and other report characteristics to understand relationships with report quality. Results. There was wide-ranging diversity in CHNA approaches and report quality. Consultant-led CHNA processes and collaboration with local health departments were associated with higher-quality reports. Conclusions. At the time of this study, the Internal Revenue Service had not yet issued the final regulations for the CHNA requirement. This provides an opportunity to strengthen the CHNA guidance for the final regulations, clarify the purpose of the assessment and planning process and reports, and better align assessment and planning activities through a public health framework. PMID:25602862

Long-term benthic monitoring studies in the freshwater portion of the Potomac River. Final report. Research report, 1983-1991

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shaughnessy, A.T.; Ranasinghe, J.A.; Wilson, H.

1992-11-01

The goal of the long-term benthic study in the Potomac River was to define power plants effects in the context of overall ecological conditions in the river, so that the ecological impacts associated with power plant operations could be assessed.

Information Literacy in Oman's Higher Education: A Descriptive-Inferential Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Aufi, Ali; Al-Azri, Hamed

2013-01-01

This study aims to identify the current status of information literacy among the students at Sultan Qaboos University in their final year through using the Big6 model for solving information problems. The study utilizes self-assessment survey approach, with the questionnaire as a tool for data collection. It surveyed undergraduate students of…

Increasing Paramedic Students' Resiliency to Stress: Assessing Correlates and the Impact of Intervention

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Porter, Shirley; Johnson, Andrew

2008-01-01

This pilot study focused on paramedic students in the final year of their college program. Using a randomised controlled pre-test/post-test design, this study sought to determine whether perceived peer support, negative attitude towards emotional expression, and specific coping processes, would be significantly predictive of levels of…

Intelligent transportation system (ITS) study for the Buffalo and Niagara Falls metropolitan area, Erie and Niagara Counties, New York : final report, executive summary

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1997-06-18

The primary goals of the Buffalo/Niagara Falls Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) study are to evaluate the transportation needs of the region, assess the ability of ITS to meet those needs and develop a Strategic Plan for ITS implementation.

The performance assessment of undergraduate students in physics laboratory by using guided inquiry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mubarok, H.; Lutfiyah, A.; Kholiq, A.; Suprapto, N.; Putri, N. P.

2018-03-01

The performance assessment of basic physics experiment among undergraduate physics students which includes three stages: pre-laboratory, conducting experiment and final report was explored in this study. The research used a descriptive quantitative approach by utilizing guidebook of basic physics experiment. The findings showed that (1) the performance of pre-laboratory rate among undergraduate physics students in good category (average score = 77.55), which includes the ability of undergraduate physics students’ theory before they were doing the experiment. (2) The performance of conducting experiment was in good category (average score = 78.33). (3) While the performance of final report was in moderate category (average score = 73.73), with the biggest weakness at how to analyse and to discuss the data and writing the abstract.

TOPEX Radar Altimeter Engineering Assessment Report Final Update-Side B Turn-On to End-of-Mission on October 9, 2005

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lockwood, Dennis W.; Hancock, David W., III; Hayne, George S.; Brooks, Ronald L.

2006-01-01

This is the thirteenth and final report in a series of TOPEX Radar Altimeter Engineering Assessment Reports. The initial TOPEX Radar Altimeter Engineering Assessment Report, in February 1994, presented performance results for the NASA Radar Altimeter on the TOPEX/POSEIDON spacecraft, from its launch in August 1992 to February 1994. Since the time of that initial report and prior to this report, there have been eleven interim supplemental Engineering Assessment Reports, issued in March 1995, May 1996, March 1997, June 1998, August 1999, September 2000, June 2001, March 2002, May 2003, April 2004 and September 2005. The sixth supplement in September 2000 was the first assessment report that addressed Side B performance, and presented the altimeter performance from Side B turn-on until the end of calendar year 1999. This report extends the performance assessment of Side B to the final collection of data on October 9, 2005, and includes the performance assessment of Jason-1, the TOPEX follow-on mission, launched on December 7, 2001. This report provides some comparisons of Side A and Side B performance.

Improvement of Diurnal Blood Pressure Variation by Azilsartan.

PubMed

Okamura, Keisuke; Shirai, Kazuyuki; Okuda, Tetsu; Urata, Hidenori

2018-01-01

Azilsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker with a potent antihypertensive effect. In a multicenter, prospective, open-label study, 265 patients with poor blood pressure control despite treatment with other angiotensin II receptor blockers were switched to 20 mg/day of azilsartan (patients on standard dosages) or 40 mg/day of azilsartan (patients on high dosages). Blood pressure was 149/83 mm Hg before switching and was significantly reduced from 1 month after switching until final assessment (132/76 mm Hg, P < 0.001). The pulse rate was 72/min before switching and increased significantly from 3 months after switching until final assessment (74/min, P < 0.005). A significant decrease of home morning systolic and diastolic pressure was observed from 1 and 3 months, respectively. Home morning blood pressure was 143/82 mm Hg before switching and 130/76 mm Hg at final assessment (P < 0.01). The morning-evening difference of systolic blood pressure decreased from 14.6 to 6.6 mm Hg after switching (P = 0.09). The estimated glomerular filtration rate was significantly decreased at 3, 6, and 12 months after switching, and serum uric acid was significantly increased at 12 months. No serious adverse events occurred. Azilsartan significantly reduced the blood pressure and decreased diurnal variation in patients responding poorly to other angiotensin II receptor blockers.

Examining the Predictive Validity of a Dynamic Assessment of Decoding to Forecast Response Tier 2 to Intervention

PubMed Central

Cho, Eunsoo; Compton, Donald L.; Fuchs, Doug; Fuchs, Lynn S.; Bouton, Bobette

2013-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of a dynamic assessment (DA) of decoding in predicting responsiveness to Tier 2 small group tutoring in a response-to-intervention model. First-grade students (n=134) who did not show adequate progress in Tier 1 based on 6 weeks of progress monitoring received Tier 2 small-group tutoring in reading for 14 weeks. Student responsiveness to Tier 2 was assessed weekly with word identification fluency (WIF). A series of conditional individual growth curve analyses were completed that modeled the correlates of WIF growth (final level of performance and growth). Its purpose was to examine the predictive validity of DA in the presence of 3 sets of variables: static decoding measures, Tier 1 responsiveness indicators, and pre-reading variables (phonemic awareness, rapid letter naming, oral vocabulary, and IQ). DA was a significant predictor of final level and growth, uniquely explaining 3% – 13% of the variance in Tier 2 responsiveness depending on the competing predictors in the model and WIF outcome (final level of performance or growth). Although the additional variances explained uniquely by DA were relatively small, results indicate the potential of DA in identifying Tier 2 nonresponders. PMID:23213050

Examining the predictive validity of a dynamic assessment of decoding to forecast response to tier 2 intervention.

PubMed

Cho, Eunsoo; Compton, Donald L; Fuchs, Douglas; Fuchs, Lynn S; Bouton, Bobette

2014-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of a dynamic assessment (DA) of decoding in predicting responsiveness to Tier 2 small-group tutoring in a response-to-intervention model. First grade students (n = 134) who did not show adequate progress in Tier 1 based on 6 weeks of progress monitoring received Tier 2 small-group tutoring in reading for 14 weeks. Student responsiveness to Tier 2 was assessed weekly with word identification fluency (WIF). A series of conditional individual growth curve analyses were completed that modeled the correlates of WIF growth (final level of performance and growth). Its purpose was to examine the predictive validity of DA in the presence of three sets of variables: static decoding measures, Tier 1 responsiveness indicators, and prereading variables (phonemic awareness, rapid letter naming, oral vocabulary, and IQ). DA was a significant predictor of final level and growth, uniquely explaining 3% to 13% of the variance in Tier 2 responsiveness depending on the competing predictors in the model and WIF outcome (final level of performance or growth). Although the additional variances explained uniquely by DA were relatively small, results indicate the potential of DA in identifying Tier 2 nonresponders. © Hammill Institute on Disabilities 2012.

Selecting the Best and Brightest: A Structured Approach to Orthopedic Resident Selection.

PubMed

Schenker, Mara L; Baldwin, Keith D; Israelite, Craig L; Levin, L Scott; Mehta, Samir; Ahn, Jaimo

2016-01-01

Resident selection is integral to the graduate medical educational process and the future of our profession. There is no consensus among residency directors as to how to systematically and consistently screen and select applicants who would perform well as residents. The purpose of this study was to introduce and assess a high volume application screening tool and semistructured interview process. This study took place in an academic orthopedic surgery department over 2 years (2013-2014). Overall, 1382 applications were screened in 7 categories, with a maximum score of 100. A total of 14 faculty reviewed applications; 218 interviews were offered; 165 applicants accepted the interview. Overall, 4 interview domains (cognitive, affective, activities, and theme), and an impression score were ranked from 1 (Exceptional) to 6 (Concern). Each room had an assigned "theme" (ethics, affective, cognitive, research, and "fit") with standardized questions. A summary score was generated of all scores to determine the preliminary rank list; the final rank list was determined after group discussion. Correlation between preliminary rank, final rank, and screening scores were assessed. The average screening score was 62.5 (range: 0-100, median = 64). The average interview score was 69.5 (range: 32.24-95.0). Final rank lists correlated most highly with initial rank (0.912, p < 0.001), impression (0.847, p < 0.001), and affective domain (0.834, p < 0.001). Cognitive domain (0.628, p < 0.001) and screening scores (0.264, p < 0.001) less highly correlated with final rank position. A systematic approach was used to screen and evaluate a large number of orthopedic surgery applicants. Our system demonstrated excellent feasibility, reliability, and predictability for the final rank list. Copyright © 2016 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Final Environmental Assessment: For Construction of a Security Forces Complex on Eglin Air Force Base, FL

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-05-01

form of weapons cleaning products and wastes. State of Florida and Air Force regulations have been implemented 05/31/05 Final Environmental Assessment...Forces Complex will generate hazardous materials in the form of weapons cleaning products and wastes. Break-Free CLP Liquid is a cleaner, lubricant

76 FR 42121 - Final Notice of a Finding of No Significant Impact for a Programmatic Environmental Assessment...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-18

... for a Programmatic Environmental Assessment Implementing a Wind Energy Program at Marine Forces... Wind Energy Program at Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES) Facilities Located Across the United States... final notice that the FONSI for the PEA implementing the MARFORRES Wind Energy Program will not have a...

An Assessment of Decision-Making Processes: Evaluation of Where Land Protection Planning Can Incorporate Climate Change Information (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA announced the availability of the final report, An Assessment of Decision-Making Processes: Evaluation of Where Land Protection Planning Can Incorporate Climate Change Information. This report is a review of decision-making processes of selected land protection prog...

Assessment of advanced technologies for transit and rideshare applications : final report

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

This report presents the results of a study to examine advanced technologies and systems that can be applied to high occupancy vehicles, ridesharing and transit needs. Advanced technologies can be used to encourage the use of transit and rideshare fa...

Stray Current Corrosion in Electrified Rail Systems - Final Report

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1995-05-01

The objectives of this study were (1)to assess the scope of stray-current corrosion on electrified rail systems based upon information in the literature and from interviews with selected transit system operators, and (2)to determine whether new or ad...

Lighting levels for isolated intersections : leading to safety improvements : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-01-01

A number of studies have linked the benefits of roadway lighting to a reduction in crash rates at night for a variety : of roadway types including rural intersections. Assessing the effectiveness of intersection lighting has primarily : relied upon c...

Assessment of the Crashworthiness of Existing Urban Rail Vehicles. Volume 3. Train-Collision Model Users Manual.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1975-11-01

The crashworthiness of existing urban rail vehicles (passenger cars) and the feasibility of improvements in this area were investigated. Both rail-car structural configurations and impact absorption devices were studied. This final report issued unde...

IRIS Toxicological Review of Hexachloroethane (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA has finalized the Toxicological Review of Hexachloroethane: in support of the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Now final, this assessment may be used by EPA’s program and regional offices to inform decisions to protect human health.

IRIS Toxicological Review of Urea (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA has finalized the Toxicological Review of Urea: in support of the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Now final, this assessment may be used by EPA’s program and regional offices to inform decisions to protect human health.

IRIS Toxicological Review of Pentachlorophenol (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA has finalized the Toxicological Review of Pentachlorophenol: in support of the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Now final, this assessment may be used by EPA’s program and regional offices to inform decisions to protect human health.

IRIS Toxicological Review of Biphenyl (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

EEPA has finalized the Toxicological Review of Biphenyl: in support of the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Now final, this assessment may be used by EPA’s program and regional offices to inform decisions to protect human health.

49 CFR 1503.417 - Final Notice of Proposed Civil Penalty and Order.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... INVESTIGATIVE AND ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES Assessment of Civil Penalties by TSA § 1503.417 Final Notice of Proposed Civil Penalty and Order. (a) Issuance. TSA may issue a Final Notice of Proposed Civil Penalty and...

Innovations for Federal Service: A Study of Innovative Technologies for Federal Government Services to Older Americans and Consumers. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harris, John; And Others

This document focuses on technologies that can be used to improve federal government services. Reference Point, a foundation based in New Jersey, was chosen by the Office of Technology Assessment of the U.S. Congress to study the application of advanced information. The applications selected for the study were: Electronic Information…

A Model for Implementing the Project Physics Course for Independent Study. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bolin, Calvin

Included are results of a study conducted to assess the possibilities and effectiveness of learning physics at high school level via independent study. The sample was drawn from a regular high school physics class. During the experiment, no instruction was carried out by any teacher. An auto-instructional system was developed and provided for use…

Learned Helplessness in Children with Visual Handicaps: A Pilot Study of Expectations, Persistence, and Attributions. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Head, Dan; And Others

This report describes the outcomes of a one-year federally funded pilot study of 14 students with low vision or blindness (grades 3-6) and 13 teachers. The study was designed to generate practical classroom assessment procedures for measuring "learned helplessness" and recommendations for a conceptual intervention model for use in the classroom.…

Relationships between developmental profiles and ambulatory ability in A follow-up study of preschool children with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy.

PubMed

Chen, Chia-Ling; Chen, Chung-Yao; Lin, Keh-Chung; Chen, Kai-Hua; Wu, Ching-Yi; Lin, Chu-Hsu; Liu, Wen-Yu; Hsu, Hung-Chih

2010-01-01

To investigate the follow-up course of developmental profiles in preschool children with spastic quadriplegic (SQ) cerebral palsy (CP) who had varying ambulatory abilities. Forty-eight children with SQ CP between 1 and 5 years old were classified into 2 groups, the ambulatory and non-ambulatory groups, based on Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels during the initial assessment. The developmental profiles, consisting of development quotients (DQs) of 8 domains, were evaluated during the initial assessment and the final assessment one year later. The DQ change index (%) was calculated as 100% X (final DQ-initial DQ)/initial DQ. The DQs of all developmental domains in the non-ambulatory group were lower than those in the ambulatory group on both initial and final assessments (p<0.01). As indicated by the DQ change indices, most DQs in the ambulatory group decreased slightly, whereas those in the non-ambulatory group decreased considerably (p<0.05). Furthermore, fine motor function increased proportionally with age in the ambulatory group, but not in the non-ambulatory group. The DQs of the developmental profiles varied in preschool CP children with different ambulatory abilities. The course of developmental profiles in preschool children with SQ CP evolves with age and relates to the degree of ambulatory function. Knowledge of these developmental profiles may be helpful in understanding, predicting, and managing the developmental problems of these children.

Health status measurement in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

PubMed Central

Jones, P

2001-01-01

Health status measurement is a common feature of studies in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This review assesses recent evidence for the validity of these measurements and their role as measures of the overall impact of the disease on the patient's daily life and wellbeing. It reviews the mostly widely used COPD specific questionnaires and examines the contribution that they make to an assessment of the overall effect of treatment. Finally, it addresses the question of how symptomatic benefit may be assessed in individual patients in routine practice.

 PMID:11641515

The Application of LiDAR to Assessment of Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Deployment Potential in a Municipal District Unit

PubMed Central

Nguyen, Ha T.; Pearce, Joshua M.; Harrap, Rob; Barber, Gerald

2012-01-01

A methodology is provided for the application of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) to automated solar photovoltaic (PV) deployment analysis on the regional scale. Challenges in urban information extraction and management for solar PV deployment assessment are determined and quantitative solutions are offered. This paper provides the following contributions: (i) a methodology that is consistent with recommendations from existing literature advocating the integration of cross-disciplinary competences in remote sensing (RS), GIS, computer vision and urban environmental studies; (ii) a robust methodology that can work with low-resolution, incomprehensive data and reconstruct vegetation and building separately, but concurrently; (iii) recommendations for future generation of software. A case study is presented as an example of the methodology. Experience from the case study such as the trade-off between time consumption and data quality are discussed to highlight a need for connectivity between demographic information, electrical engineering schemes and GIS and a typical factor of solar useful roofs extracted per method. Finally, conclusions are developed to provide a final methodology to extract the most useful information from the lowest resolution and least comprehensive data to provide solar electric assessments over large areas, which can be adapted anywhere in the world. PMID:22666044

Development and Validation of the Foundational Healthcare Leadership Self-assessment.

PubMed

Van Hala, Sonja; Cochella, Susan; Jaggi, Rachel; Frost, Caren J; Kiraly, Bernadette; Pohl, Susan; Gren, Lisa

2018-04-01

We sought to develop and validate a self-assessment of foundational leadership skills for early-career physicians. We developed a leadership self-assessment from a compilation of materials on health care leadership skills. A sequential exploratory study was conducted using qualitative and quantitative analysis for face, content, and construct validity of the self-assessment. First, two focus groups were conducted with leaders in medicine and family medicine residents, to refine the pilot self-assessment. The self-assessment pilot was then tested with family medicine residents across the country, and the results were quantitatively evaluated with principal component analysis. This data was used to reduce and group the statements into leadership domains for the final self-assessment. Twenty-two invited family medicine residency programs agreed to distribute the survey. A total of 163 family medicine residents completed the survey, representing 16 to 20 residency programs from 12 states (response rate 28.9% to 34.8%). Analysis showed important differences by residency year, with more advanced residents scoring higher. The analysis reduced the number of items from 33 on the pilot assessment to 21 on the final assessment, which the authors titled the Foundational Healthcare Leadership Self-assessment (FHLS). The 21 items were grouped into five leadership domains: accountability, collaboration, communication, team management, and self-management. The FHLS is a validated 21-item self-assessment of foundational leadership skills for early career physicians. It takes less than 5 minutes to complete, and quantifies skill within five domains of foundational leadership. The FHLS is a first step in developing educational and evaluative assessments for training medical residents as clinician leaders.

Examiner perceptions of a portfolio assessment process.

PubMed

Davis, Margery H; Ponnamperuma, Gominda G

2010-01-01

The portfolio assessment process is important for assessing learner achievement. To study examiner perceptions of Dundee Medical School's portfolio assessment process, in years 4 and 5 of the 5-year curriculum, in relation to: outcomes as a framework for the portfolio assessment process; portfolio content; portfolio assessment process; end points of the portfolio assessment process; appropriateness of the two part final exam format and examiner training. A questionnaire containing statements and open questions was used to obtain examiner feedback. Responses to each statement were compared over 3 years: 1999, 2000 and 2003. Response rates were 100%, 88% and 61% in 1999, 2002 and 2003, respectively. Examiners were positive about the ability of institutionally set learning outcomes (Dundee 12 exit learning outcomes) to provide a framework for the portfolio assessment process. They found difficulties, however, with the volume of portfolio content and the time allocated to assess it. Agreeing a grade for each learning outcome for the candidate with their co-examiner did not present difficulties. The comprehensive, holistic picture of the candidate provided by the portfolio assessment process was perceived to be one of its strengths. Examiners were supportive of the final examination format, and were satisfied with their briefing about the process. The 12 exit learning outcomes of Dundee curriculum provide an appropriate framework for the portfolio assessment process, but the content of the portfolio requires fine-tuning particularly with regard to quantity. Time allocated to examiners for the portfolio assessment process needs to be balanced against practicability. The holistic picture of the candidate provided by the process was one of its strengths.

Final Environmental Assessment: Addressing Construction of a New Civil Engineering Workshop at Bellows Air Force Station, O’ahu, Hawaii

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-03-01

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ADDRESSING CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKSHOP AT BELLOWS AIR FORCE STATION , O‘AHU, HAWAI‘I...Minimize impacts on other Bellows AFS functions and environmental resources This alternative would be located in an area located near Building 546 and...Preparation of An Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Construction of New Civil Engineering Workshop at Bellows Air !Force Station Thank you

Hardiness commitment, gender, and age differentiate university academic performance.

PubMed

Sheard, Michael

2009-03-01

The increasing diversity of students, particularly in age, attending university has seen a concomitant interest in factors predicting academic success. This 2-year correlational study examined whether age, gender (demographic variables), and hardiness (cognitive/emotional variable) differentiate and predict university final degree grade point average (GPA) and final-year dissertation mark. Data are reported from a total of 134 university undergraduate students. Participants provided baseline data in questionnaires administered during the first week of their second year of undergraduate study and gave consent for their academic progress to be tracked. Final degree GPA and dissertation mark were the academic performance criteria. Mature-age students achieved higher final degree GPA compared to young undergraduates. Female students significantly outperformed their male counterparts in each measured academic assessment criteria. Female students also reported a significantly higher mean score on hardiness commitment compared to male students. commitment was the most significant positive correlate of academic achievement. Final degree GPA and dissertation mark were significantly predicted by commitment, and commitment and gender, respectively. The findings have implications for universities targeting academic support services to maximize student scholastic potential. Future research should incorporate hardiness, gender, and age with other variables known to predict academic success.

A Predictive Validity Study of an Assessment Center for Research and Development Supervisors.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-09-01

Implementation, to All AFSC Organi- zation Commanders, 24 July 1974. Szilagyi , Andrew D., Jr., and Marc J. Wallace , Jr. Organ- izational Behavior and...vali- dation of’ projective personality tests. These tests attempt to assess a person through his or her fantasies and inter- pretations ( Szilagyi ...leniency, strictness, and halo errors ( Szilagyi and W’allace, 1980). Finally, a variant to supervisory ratings are jeer ratings. Peer ratings are

Assessment and Treatment of Deviant Behavior in Children - Section Six: Single Subject Experiments Generated by Application of the Treatment Model in the Experimental Class Setting. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walker, Hill M.; Buckley, Nancy K.

The studies in section six (of a six part report on the assessment and treatment of deviant behavior in children)investigated questions generated by the application of the treatment model in the experimental class setting (EC 032 210). The first experiment, on attending behavior, was designed to measure the conditionability of attending behavior…

Uncertainty and Variability in Physiologically-Based ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

EPA announced the availability of the final report, Uncertainty and Variability in Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Models: Key Issues and Case Studies. This report summarizes some of the recent progress in characterizing uncertainty and variability in physiologically-based pharmacokinetic models and their predictions for use in risk assessment. This report summarizes some of the recent progress in characterizing uncertainty and variability in physiologically-based pharmacokinetic models and their predictions for use in risk assessment.

Air-to-Ground Gunnery: A-77, A-78, A-79, and B-7 Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-07-01

tungsten from bullets made of tungsten-nylon and tungsten-tin were studied by ORNL. Concentrations of tungsten in leachate from experiments using sand...Assessment Eglin Air Force Base, Florida Phytoremediation serves as an ecologically sound remediation tool for explosives-contaminated soil and... Phytoremediation has been shown to be less costly than the more common processes, such as excavation or thermal treatment. Optimal conditions for

European Portuguese adaptation and validation of dilemmas used to assess moral decision-making.

PubMed

Fernandes, Carina; Gonçalves, Ana Ribeiro; Pasion, Rita; Ferreira-Santos, Fernando; Paiva, Tiago Oliveira; Melo E Castro, Joana; Barbosa, Fernando; Martins, Isabel Pavão; Marques-Teixeira, João

2018-03-01

Objective To adapt and validate a widely used set of moral dilemmas to European Portuguese, which can be applied to assess decision-making. Moreover, the classical formulation of the dilemmas was compared with a more focused moral probe. Finally, a shorter version of the moral scenarios was tested. Methods The Portuguese version of the set of moral dilemmas was tested in 53 individuals from several regions of Portugal. In a second study, an alternative way of questioning on moral dilemmas was tested in 41 participants. Finally, the shorter version of the moral dilemmas was tested in 137 individuals. Results Results evidenced no significant differences between English and Portuguese versions. Also, asking whether actions are "morally acceptable" elicited less utilitarian responses than the original question, although without reaching statistical significance. Finally, all tested versions of moral dilemmas exhibited the same pattern of responses, suggesting that the fundamental elements to the moral decision-making were preserved. Conclusions We found evidence of cross-cultural validity for moral dilemmas. However, the moral focus might affect utilitarian/deontological judgments.

Student Perceptions of Online Lectures and WebCT in an Introductory Drug Information Course

PubMed Central

Freeman, Maisha Kelly; Schrimsher, Robert H.; Kendrach, Michael G.

2006-01-01

Objectives To determine student perceptions regarding online lectures and quizzes during an introductory drug information course for first-year professional doctor of pharmacy students. Design Formal and online lectures, online quizzes, written semester projects, a practice-based examination, a careers in pharmacy exercise, and a final examination were used to deliver the course content and assess performance. A multiple-choice survey instrument was used to evaluate student perceptions of WebCT and online lectures. Assessment More than 47% of students reported that online lectures helped them learn the material better, 77% reported that lectures would be used to study for the final examination, and 59% reported that they would use WebCT lectures for future classes. Approximately 40% of students agreed that online lectures should be used in future courses. Conclusion Students reported that WebCT was easy to use; however, the majority of students preferred in-class lectures compared to online lectures. A positive correlation was observed for those students who performed well on the online quizzes and those who performed well on the final examination. PMID:17332852

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire: Spanish for Puerto Rico Version

PubMed Central

Mulero-Portela, Ana L.; Colón-Santaella, Carmen L.; Cruz-Gomez, Cynthia

2010-01-01

The purpose of this study was to perform a cross-cultural adaptation of the Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire to Spanish for Puerto Rico. Five steps were followed for the cross-cultural adaptation: forward translations into Spanish for Puerto Rico, synthesis of the translations, back translations into English, revision by an expert committee, and field test of the prefinal version. Psychometric characteristics of reliability and construct validity were evaluated for the final version. Internal consistency of the final version was high (Cronbach's α = 0.97) and item-to-total correlations were moderate (range from 0.44 to 0.85). Construct validity was evaluated by correlating the DASH with the scales of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Breast. Fair to moderate correlations found in this study between the DASH and most scales of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Breast support the construct validity of the Puerto Rico-Spanish DASH. The final version of the questionnaire was revised and approved by the Institute for Work and Health of Canada. Revisions to the original DASH English version are recommended. This version of the DASH is valid and reliable, and it can be used to evaluate outcomes in both clinical and research settings. PMID:19901616

On the Reciprocal Association Between Loneliness and Subjective Well-being

PubMed Central

VanderWeele, Tyler J.; Hawkley, Louise C.; Cacioppo, John T.

2012-01-01

Loneliness has been shown to longitudinally predict subjective well-being. The authors used data from a longitudinal population-based study (2002–2006) of non-Hispanic white, African-American, and nonblack Latino-American persons born between 1935 and 1952 and living in Cook County, Illinois. They applied marginal structural models for time-varying exposures to examine the magnitude and persistence of the effects of loneliness on subjective well-being and of subjective well-being on loneliness. Their results indicate that, if interventions on loneliness were made 1 and 2 years prior to assessing final subjective well-being, then only the intervention 1 year prior would have an effect (standardized effect = −0.29). In contrast, increases in subjective well-being 1 year prior (standardized effect = −0.26) and 2 years prior (standardized effect = −0.13) to assessing final loneliness would both have an effect on an individual's final loneliness. These effects persist even after control is made for depressive symptoms, social support, and psychiatric conditions and medications as time-varying confounders. Results from this study indicate an asymmetrical and persistent feedback of fairly substantial magnitude between loneliness and subjective well-being. Mechanisms responsible for the asymmetry are discussed. Developing interventions for loneliness and subjective well-being could have substantial psychological and health benefits. PMID:23077285

Diagnosis of students' ability in a statistical course based on Rasch probabilistic outcome

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahmud, Zamalia; Ramli, Wan Syahira Wan; Sapri, Shamsiah; Ahmad, Sanizah

2017-06-01

Measuring students' ability and performance are important in assessing how well students have learned and mastered the statistical courses. Any improvement in learning will depend on the student's approaches to learning, which are relevant to some factors of learning, namely assessment methods carrying out tasks consisting of quizzes, tests, assignment and final examination. This study has attempted an alternative approach to measure students' ability in an undergraduate statistical course based on the Rasch probabilistic model. Firstly, this study aims to explore the learning outcome patterns of students in a statistics course (Applied Probability and Statistics) based on an Entrance-Exit survey. This is followed by investigating students' perceived learning ability based on four Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) and students' actual learning ability based on their final examination scores. Rasch analysis revealed that students perceived themselves as lacking the ability to understand about 95% of the statistics concepts at the beginning of the class but eventually they had a good understanding at the end of the 14 weeks class. In terms of students' performance in their final examination, their ability in understanding the topics varies at different probability values given the ability of the students and difficulty of the questions. Majority found the probability and counting rules topic to be the most difficult to learn.

A Hot-Deck Multiple Imputation Procedure for Gaps in Longitudinal Recurrent Event Histories

PubMed Central

Wang, Chia-Ning; Little, Roderick; Nan, Bin; Harlow, Siobán D.

2012-01-01

Summary We propose a regression-based hot deck multiple imputation method for gaps of missing data in longitudinal studies, where subjects experience a recurrent event process and a terminal event. Examples are repeated asthma episodes and death, or menstrual periods and the menopause, as in our motivating application. Research interest concerns the onset time of a marker event, defined by the recurrent-event process, or the duration from this marker event to the final event. Gaps in the recorded event history make it difficult to determine the onset time of the marker event, and hence, the duration from onset to the final event. Simple approaches such as jumping gap times or dropping cases with gaps have obvious limitations. We propose a procedure for imputing information in the gaps by substituting information in the gap from a matched individual with a completely recorded history in the corresponding interval. Predictive Mean Matching is used to incorporate information on longitudinal characteristics of the repeated process and the final event time. Multiple imputation is used to propagate imputation uncertainty. The procedure is applied to an important data set for assessing the timing and duration of the menopausal transition. The performance of the proposed method is assessed by a simulation study. PMID:21361886

IRIS Toxicological Review of Carbon Tetrachloride (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA has finalized the Toxicological Review of Carbon Tetrachloride: in support of the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Now final, this assessment may be used by EPA’s program and regional offices to inform decisions to protect human health.

Use of Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Models ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

EPA announced the availability of the final report, Use of Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Models to Quantify the Impact of Human Age and Interindividual Differences in Physiology and Biochemistry Pertinent to Risk Final Report for Cooperative Agreement. This report describes and demonstrates techniques necessary to extrapolate and incorporate in vitro derived metabolic rate constants in PBPK models. It also includes two case study examples designed to demonstrate the applicability of such data for health risk assessment and addresses the quantification, extrapolation and interpretation of advanced biochemical information on human interindividual variability of chemical metabolism for risk assessment application. It comprises five chapters; topics and results covered in the first four chapters have been published in the peer reviewed scientific literature. Topics covered include: Data Quality ObjectivesExperimental FrameworkRequired DataTwo example case studies that develop and incorporate in vitro metabolic rate constants in PBPK models designed to quantify human interindividual variability to better direct the choice of uncertainty factors for health risk assessment. This report is intended to serve as a reference document for risk assors to use when quantifying, extrapolating, and interpretating advanced biochemical information about human interindividual variability of chemical metabolism.

Does Working Memory Impact Functional Outcomes in Individuals With ADHD: A Qualitative and Comprehensive Literature Review.

PubMed

Fried, Ronna; Abrams, Jessica; Hall, Anna; Feinberg, Leah; Pope, Amanda; Biederman, Joseph

2017-09-01

Working Memory (WM) is a domain of executive functioning often impaired in individuals with ADHD. Although assumed to cause difficulties across functioning, the scope of impairments from WM deficits in ADHD has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to examine outcomes associated with WM deficits in ADHD. We conducted a search of the scientific literature on WM deficits, and Freedom From Distractibility (FFD), in ADHD using PubMed and PsycInfo databases. The final sample included 11 controlled studies of WM/FFD deficits in ADHD with operationalized assessment of outcomes in academic, social, and emotional areas. WM assessment was divided into auditory-verbal memory (AVM) and spatial-visual memory (SWM). Seven studies examined WM deficits in academic functioning, eight studies assessed WM deficits in social functioning, and three assessed WM deficits in psychopathology. The majority of the literature suggests that WM deficits affect primarily academic functioning.

Coosa River Storage Annex, Talladega, Alabama Environmental Investigation, Final Management and Resources Utilization Plan

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-02-01

to adequately assess the health and environmental risks associated with the closure and transfer of the Annex forI other use; and 3) identification of...1990); Draft Final Technical Plan, Draft Final Sampling Design Plan and Draft Final Health and Safety Plan, USATHAMA, June 1990. 2.1.2 Draft Final...Final Technical Plan, Sampling Design Plan and Health and Safety Plan) supplied by USATHAMA. The estimate may be revised, with USATHAMA approval, as

Consonant acquisition in the Malay language: a cross-sectional study of preschool aged Malay children.

PubMed

Phoon, Hooi San; Abdullah, Anna Christina; Lee, Lay Wah; Murugaiah, Puvaneswary

2014-05-01

To date, there has been little research done on phonological acquisition in the Malay language of typically developing Malay-speaking children. This study serves to fill this gap by providing a systematic description of Malay consonant acquisition in a large cohort of preschool-aged children between 4- and 6-years-old. In the study, 326 Malay-dominant speaking children were assessed using a picture naming task that elicited 53 single words containing all the primary consonants in Malay. Two main analyses were conducted to study their consonant acquisition: (1) age of customary and mastery production of consonants; and (2) consonant accuracy. Results revealed that Malay children acquired all the syllable-initial and syllable-final consonants before 4;06-years-old, with the exception of syllable-final /s/, /h/ and /l/ which were acquired after 5;06-years-old. The development of Malay consonants increased gradually from 4- to 6 years old, with female children performing better than male children. The accuracy of consonants based on manner of articulation showed that glides, affricates, nasals, and stops were higher than fricatives and liquids. In general, syllable-initial consonants were more accurate than syllable-final consonants while consonants in monosyllabic and disyllabic words were more accurate than polysyllabic words. These findings will provide significant information for speech-language pathologists for assessing Malay-speaking children and designing treatment objectives that reflect the course of phonological development in Malay.

Radioactive Wastes.

PubMed

Choudri, B S; Charabi, Yassine; Baawain, Mahad; Ahmed, Mushtaque

2017-10-01

Papers reviewed herein present a general overview of radioactive waste related activities around the world in 2016. The current reveiw include studies related to safety assessments, decommission and decontamination of nuclear facilities, fusion facilities, transportation. Further, the review highlights on management solutions for the final disposal of low and high level radioactive wastes (LLW and HLW), interim storage and final disposal options for spent fuel (SF), and tritiated wastes, with a focus on environmental impacts due to the mobility of radionuclides in ecosystem, water and soil alongwith other progress made in the management of radioactive wastes.

Does health intervention research have real world policy and practice impacts: testing a new impact assessment tool.

PubMed

Cohen, Gillian; Schroeder, Jacqueline; Newson, Robyn; King, Lesley; Rychetnik, Lucie; Milat, Andrew J; Bauman, Adrian E; Redman, Sally; Chapman, Simon

2015-01-01

There is a growing emphasis on the importance of research having demonstrable public benefit. Measurements of the impacts of research are therefore needed. We applied a modified impact assessment process that builds on best practice to 5 years (2003-2007) of intervention research funded by Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council to determine if these studies had post-research real-world policy and practice impacts. We used a mixed method sequential methodology whereby chief investigators of eligible intervention studies who completed two surveys and an interview were included in our final sample (n = 50), on which we conducted post-research impact assessments. Data from the surveys and interviews were triangulated with additional information obtained from documentary analysis to develop comprehensive case studies. These case studies were then summarized and the reported impacts were scored by an expert panel using criteria for four impact dimensions: corroboration; attribution, reach, and importance. Nineteen (38%) of the cases in our final sample were found to have had policy and practice impacts, with an even distribution of high, medium, and low impact scores. While the tool facilitated a rigorous and explicit criterion-based assessment of post-research impacts, it was not always possible to obtain evidence using documentary analysis to corroborate the impacts reported in chief investigator interviews. While policy and practice is ideally informed by reviews of evidence, some intervention research can and does have real world impacts that can be attributed to single studies. We recommend impact assessments apply explicit criteria to consider the corroboration, attribution, reach, and importance of reported impacts on policy and practice. Impact assessments should also allow sufficient time between impact data collection and completion of the original research and include mechanisms to obtain end-user input to corroborate claims and reduce biases that result from seeking information from researchers only.

76 FR 2365 - Green Island Power Authority; Notice of Availability of Final Environmental Assessment

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-13

..., in Albany County, New York, and has prepared a Final Environmental Assessment (FEA). In the FEA... major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. A copy of the FEA is on file with the Commission and is available for public inspection. The FEA may also be viewed on the...

Student Acceptance and Application of Peer Assessment in a Final Year Genetics Undergraduate Oral Presentation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Verkade, Heather; Bryson-Richardson, Robert J.

2013-01-01

Undergraduate students benefit from observation of each other's oral presentations through both exposure to content and observation of presentation style. In order to increase the engagement and reflection of final year students in an oral presentation task, a peer assessment component was introduced using a rubric that emphasised scientific…

Concepts, Methods, and Data Sources for Cumulative Health Risk Assessment of Multiple Chemicals, Exposures and Effects: A Resource Document (Final Report, 2008)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA announced the availability of the final report, Concepts, Methods, and Data Sources for Cumulative Health Risk Assessment of Multiple Chemicals, Exposures and Effects: A Resource Document. This report provides the concepts, methods and data sources needed to assist in...

Utah Pilot Writing Assessment for Grades 3 and 8. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Duke, Charles R.; Strong, William J.

This final report presents findings of a project designed to develop a model for state-wide assessment of student writing/language skills in conjunction with Utah's Core Curriculum in English/Language Arts (UCCLA). The project tested procedures for collecting baseline data on writing/language skills at grades 3 and 8. The report consists of the…

Operational and safety characteristics of lane widths : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-01-15

The primary goal of this study was to investigate and assess the effect of lane widths on the safety and : operation of highways in South Carolina. Because of the many site conditions that affect safety and : operations on roadways, this type of rese...

Assessment of continuous deflection measurement devices in Louisiana - rolling wheel deflectometer : final report 581.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-09-01

The use of the Rolling Wheel Deflectometer (RWD), which measures deflections at highway speeds, offers the potential to characterize the structural capacity of pavements without delays and in a cost-effective way. The objective of this study was twof...

Assessing IRI vs. PI as a measurement of pavement smoothness : final report, June 2006.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2006-06-07

A Pavement smoothness specification that allows either the International Roughness Index (IRI) or Profile Index (PI) to measure pavement smoothness would be advantageous to both industry and MoDOT. This brief study provides for MoDOT an understanding...

Demonstration of TRAF-NETSIM for traffic operations management : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1991-08-01

The utility of the simulation package TRAF-NETSIM to the traffic engineer is assessed and demonstrated by means of a case study. The methodology employed in performing the analysis is presented in a way that will aid future users of TRAF-NETSIM. The ...

Training driving ability in a traumatic brain-injured individual using a driving simulator: a case report.

PubMed

Imhoff, Sarah; Lavallière, Martin; Germain-Robitaille, Mathieu; Teasdale, Normand; Fait, Philippe

2017-01-01

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes functional deficits that may significantly interfere with numerous activities of daily living such as driving. We report the case of a 20-year-old woman having lost her driver's license after sustaining a moderate TBI. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an in-simulator training program with automated feedback on driving performance in a TBI individual. The participant underwent an initial and a final in-simulator driving assessment and 11 in-simulator training sessions with driving-specific automated feedbacks. Driving performance (simulation duration, speed regulation and lateral positioning) was measured in the driving simulator. Speeding duration decreased during training sessions from 1.50 ± 0.80 min (4.16 ± 2.22%) to 0.45 ± 0.15 min (0.44 ± 0.42%) but returned to initial duration after removal of feedbacks for the final assessment. Proper lateral positioning improved with training and was maintained at the final assessment. Time spent in an incorrect lateral position decreased from 18.85 min (53.61%) in the initial assessment to 1.51 min (4.64%) on the final assessment. Driving simulators represent an interesting therapeutic avenue. Considerable research efforts are needed to confirm the effectiveness of this method for driving rehabilitation of individuals who have sustained a TBI.

Final Report of the Vocational Rehabilitation Project (SREG 116), November 1980-June 1981. Part I.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Klein, Myra; Sobkowski, Shawn

A study examined the reliability and predictive validity of a number of measures designed for the vocational assessment of schizophrenic persons. Also examined in the longitudinal study were the relationships of these measures to each other and to employment status. Eighty-nine of the subjects who had participated in an earlier vocational…

Identifying Novice Student Programming Misconceptions and Errors from Summative Assessments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Veerasamy, Ashok Kumar; D'Souza, Daryl; Laakso, Mikko-Jussi

2016-01-01

This article presents a study aimed at examining the novice student answers in an introductory programming final e-exam to identify misconceptions and types of errors. Our study used the Delphi concept inventory to identify student misconceptions and skill, rule, and knowledge-based errors approach to identify the types of errors made by novices…

Senior Secondary School Children's Understanding of Plant Nutrition

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mosothwane, Modise

2011-01-01

The purpose of this study was to assess children's understanding of plant nutrition. The research was done on a sample of secondary school pupils in the age range of 16 to 19 years in two senior secondary schools in Botswana. The sample contained 137 senior secondary pupils all in their final year of study. These children were above average…

An Assessment of Workplace Skills Acquired by Students of Vocational and Technical Education Institutions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bakar, Ab Rahim; Mohamed, Shamsiah; Hamzah, Ramlah

2013-01-01

This study was performed to identify the employability skills of technical students from the Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) and Indigenous People's Trust Council (MARA) Skills Training Institutes (IKM) in Malaysia. The study sample consisted of 850 final year trainees of IKM and ITI. The sample was chosen by a random sampling procedure from…

The Relationship between Self-Regulated Learning Strategies and Student Academic Performance in Flipped Instructional Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Long, Janna B.

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between self-regulated learning (SRL) strategies and student academic performance. Academic performance was measured by final grade (out of 100 points) in courses that were part of the study, and self-regulated learning strategies were assessed by the Motivated Strategies for Learning…

Feasibility Study of the Development of a Specialized Computer System of Organic Chemical Signatures of Spectral Data.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Scholtz, R. G.; And Others

This final report of a feasibility study describes the research performed in assessing the requirements for a chemical signature file and search scheme for organic compound identification and information retrieval. The research performed to determined feasibility of identifying an unknown compound involved screening the compound against a file of…

User and System-Based Quality Criteria for Evaluating Information Resources and Services Available from Federal Websites: Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wyman, Steven K.; And Others

This exploratory study establishes analytical tools (based on both technical criteria and user feedback) by which federal Web site administrators may assess the quality of their websites. The study combined qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques to achieve the following objectives: (1) identify and define key issues regarding…

What Do Final Year Medical Students Understand by the Concept of Recovery? A Descriptive Qualitative Study.

PubMed

Newton-Howes, Giles; Beverley, Georgia; Ellis, Pete M; Gordon, Sarah; Levack, William

2018-06-01

Traditional teaching in psychiatry does little to address recovery concepts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incorporation of a recovery-focused teaching program for medical students in psychiatry. Recovery, as understood by medical students who had participated in a recovery-focused teaching program, was assessed by thematic analysis of recovery-focused assessment reflections. Six major themes emerged from the recovery reflections from final year medical students are as follows: (1) recovery as a person-centered approach, (2) the need for social integration, (3) non-diagnostic framing of mental illness, (4) tensions between the medical model and personal recovery, (5) a patient's willingness to engage with mental health services, and (6) the development of a positive sense of self. A recovery teaching program was associated with students expressing knowledge of recovery principles and positive attitudes towards people with experience of mental illness. Psychiatric placements for medical students may benefit from a recovery focus.

Management of augmentation of restless legs syndrome with rotigotine: a 1-year observational study.

PubMed

Trenkwalder, Claudia; Canelo, Monica; Lang, Michael; Schroeder, Hanna; Kelling, Daniela; Berkels, Reinhard; Schollmayer, Erwin; Heidbrede, Tanja; Benes, Heike

2017-02-01

The aim of this study is to assess the effect of switching to rotigotine transdermal patch on severity of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in patients who experienced acute augmentation with previous oral dopaminergics. In this 13-month observational study, adults with moderate-to-severe RLS and augmentation were switched to rotigotine per the physician's independent decision. Assessments included Clinical Global Impression severity score (CGI-1); (primary), treatment regimen for switching (secondary), RLS-6, International RLS Study Group Rating Scale (IRLS), and augmentation severity rating scale (ASRS). A total of 99 patients received rotigotine, of whom 46 completed observational period, and 43 were assessed for effectiveness. A total of 5 patients switched to rotigotine after a >1-day drug holiday, 23 switched overnight, 9 had an overlapping switch, and 6 received ongoing oral dopaminergics with rotigotine for ≥28 days. Of the 99 patients, 57 took concomitant RLS medications (excluding switching medications) on at least 1 day. At the final visit, median change in CGI-1 (Hodges-Lehman estimate [95% CI]) was -2.0 (-2.5, -1.50); 37 of the 43 patients improved by ≥1 CGI-1 category, and 16 of 43 were responders (≥50% improvement). RLS-6 and IRLS scores also improved. Patients had median ASRS of 0 at the final visit indicating "no worsening/occurrence of augmentation." ASRS item 1 showed a shift in mean time of symptom onset (24-h clock) from 12:38 (baseline) to 18:25 (final visit). Most common reasons for withdrawal of rotigotine were adverse events (26 patients) and lack of efficacy (14 patients). Switching from oral therapies to rotigotine was effective in improving RLS symptoms in 37 of the 43 patients (from the original population of 99 patients) who remained in the study over 13 months. ClinicalTrials.govNCT01386944. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Final-impression techniques and materials for making complete and removable partial dentures.

PubMed

Jayaraman, Srinivasan; Singh, Balendra P; Ramanathan, Balasubramanian; Pazhaniappan Pillai, Murukan; MacDonald, Laura; Kirubakaran, Richard

2018-04-04

Edentulism is relatively common and is often treated with the provision of complete or partial removable dentures. Clinicians make final impressions of complete dentures (CD) and removable partial dentures (RPD) using different techniques and materials. Applying the correct impression technique and material, based on an individual's oral condition, improves the quality of the prosthesis, which may improve quality of life. To assess the effects of different final-impression techniques and materials used to make complete dentures, for retention, stability, comfort, and quality of life in completely edentulous people.To assess the effects of different final-impression techniques and materials used to make removable partial dentures, for stability, comfort, overextension, and quality of life in partially edentulous people. Cochrane Oral Health's Information Specialist searched the following databases: Cochrane Oral Health's Trials Register (to 22 November 2017), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (Cochrane Register of Studies, to 22 November 2017), MEDLINE Ovid (1946 to 22 November 2017), and Embase Ovid (21 December 2015 to 22 November 2017). The US National Institutes of Health Trials Registry (ClinicalTrials.gov) and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform were searched for ongoing trials. No restrictions were placed on language or publication status when searching the electronic databases, however the search of Embase was restricted by date due to the Cochrane Centralised Search Project to identify all clinical trials and add them to CENTRAL. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing different final-impression techniques and materials for treating people with complete dentures (CD) and removable partial dentures (RPD). For CD, we included trials that compared different materials or different techniques or both. In RPD for tooth-supported conditions, we included trials comparing the same material and different techniques, or different materials and the same technique. In tooth- and tissue-supported RPD, we included trials comparing the same material and different dual-impression techniques, and different materials with different dual-impression techniques. Two review authors independently, and in duplicate, screened studies for eligibility, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias for each included trial. We expressed results as risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous outcomes, and as mean differences (MD) or standardised mean differences (SMD) for continuous outcomes, with 95% confidence intervals (CI), using the random-effects model. We constructed 'Summary of findings' tables for the main comparisons and outcomes (participant-reported oral health-related quality of life, quality of the denture, and denture border adjustments). We included nine studies in this review. Eight studies involved 485 participants with CD. We assessed six of the studies to be at high risk of bias, and two to be at low risk of bias. We judged one study on RPD with 72 randomised participants to be at high risk of bias.Overall, the quality of the evidence for each comparison and outcome was either low or very low, therefore, results should be interpreted with caution, as future research is likely to change the findings.Complete denturesTwo studies compared the same material and different techniques (one study contributed data to a secondary outcome only); two studies compared the same technique and different materials; and four studies compared different materials and techniques.One study (10 participants) evaluated two stage-two step, Biofunctional Prosthetic system (BPS) using additional silicone elastomer compared to conventional methods, and found no evidence of a clear difference for oral health-related quality of life, or quality of the dentures (denture satisfaction). The study reported that BPS required fewer adjustments. We assessed the quality of the evidence as very low.One study (27 participants) compared selective pressure final-impression technique using wax versus polysulfide elastomeric (rubber) material. The study did not measure quality of life or dentures, and found no evidence of a clear difference between interventions in the need for adjustments (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.38 to 1.70). We assessed the quality of the evidence as very low.One study compared two stage-two step final impression with alginate versus silicone elastomer. Oral health-related quality of life measured by the OHIP-EDENT seemed to be better with silicone (MD 7.20, 95% CI 2.71 to 11.69; 144 participants). The study found no clear differences in participant-reported quality of the denture (comfort) after a two-week 'confirmation' period, but reported that silicone was better for stability and chewing efficiency. We assessed the quality of the evidence as low.Three studies compared single-stage impressions with alginate versus two stage-two step with elastomer (silicone, polysulfide, or polyether) impressions. There was no evidence of a clear difference in the OHIP-EDENT at one month (MD 0.05, 95% CI -2.37 to 2.47; two studies, 98 participants). There was no evidence of a clear difference in participant-rated general satisfaction with dentures at six months (MD 0.00, 95% CI -8.23 to 8.23; one study, 105 participants). We assessed the quality of the evidence as very low.One study compared single-stage alginate versus two stage-two step using zinc-oxide eugenol, and found no evidence of a clear difference in OHIP-EDENT (MD 0.50, 95% CI -2.67 to 3.67; 39 participants), or general satisfaction (RR 3.15, 95% CI 0.14 to 72.88; 39 participants) at six months. We assessed the quality of the evidence as very low.Removable partial denturesOne study randomised 72 participants and compared altered-cast technique versus one-piece cast technique. The study did not measure quality of life, but reported that most participants were satisfied with the dentures and there was no evidence of any clear difference between groups for general satisfaction at one-year follow-up (low-quality evidence). There was no evidence of a clear difference in number of intaglio adjustments at one year (RR 1.43, 95% CI 0.61 to 3.34) (very low-quality evidence). We conclude that there is no clear evidence that one technique or material has a substantial advantage over another for making complete dentures and removable partial dentures. Available evidence for the relative benefits of different denture fabrication techniques and final-impression materials is limited and is of low or very low quality. More high-quality RCTs are required.

Psychological stress and burnout in medical students: a five-year prospective longitudinal study.

PubMed Central

Guthrie, E; Black, D; Bagalkote, H; Shaw, C; Campbell, M; Creed, F

1998-01-01

The aim of this study was to assess psychological morbidity and symptoms of burnout in medical students during their undergraduate training, and to identify baseline factors that predict psychological morbidity in students in the final year of the course. It was a 5-year prospective longitudinal cohort study. Students were assessed in years 1, 4 and 5 of their medical undergraduate training by means of the GHQ-12 and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. 172 (84.3%), 157 (77.0%) and 155 (75.9%) students out of an original group of 204 completed assessments in years 1, 4 and 5, respectively. 18 students were above threshold on the GHQ-12 on all three occasions, 25 on two occasions and 43 on one occasion; 69 students were never a 'case'. Students who were cases on two or more occasions were more likely to find the medical course stressful during the first year, but not subsequent years. There was no significant difference between the percentages of men and women who scored as cases on the GHQ-12 in any of the years. The best predictor of psychological morbidity in the final year of the course was the GHQ-12 score in year 1. This study suggests that a small group of students repeatedly experience psychological distress during their medical training. PMID:9764076

Nanomaterial Case Study: Nanoscale Silver in Disinfectant ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

EPA announced the release of the final report, Nanomaterial Case Study: Nanoscale Silver in Disinfectant Spray. This report represents a case study of engineered nanoscale silver (nano-Ag), focusing on the specific example of nano-Ag as possibly used in disinfectant sprays. This case study is organized around the comprehensive environmental assessment (CEA) framework, which structures available information pertaining to the product life cycle, environmental transport and fate, exposure-dose in receptors (i.e., humans, ecological populations, and the environment), and potential impacts in these receptors. The document does not draw conclusions about potential risks. Instead, it is intended to be used as part of a process to identify what is known and unknown about nano-Ag in a selected application. In turn, the external review draft of the document provided a starting point to identify and prioritize possible research directions to support future assessments of nanomaterials. The information presented in the case study and the questions raised in this document are a foundation for a process to determine priorities among various research topics and directions. After that process has been completed, a final chapter will be added to this document to summarize highlights from preceding chapters and the major research issues that have emerged.

IRIS Toxicological Review of Libby Amphibole Asbestos (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA has finalized the, Toxicological Review of Libby Amphibole Asbestos: in support of the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Now final, this assessment may be used by EPA’s program and regional offices to inform decisions to protect human health.

IRIS Toxicological Review of Thallium and Compounds (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA has finalized the Toxicological Review of Thallium and Compounds: in support of the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Now final, this assessment may be used by EPA’s program and regional offices to inform decisions to protect human health.

IRIS Toxicological Review of Trichloroacetic Acid (Tca) (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA has finalized the Toxicological Review of Trichloroacetic Acid: in support of the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Now final, this assessment may be used by EPA’s program and regional offices to inform decisions to protect human health.

50 CFR 11.16 - Final administrative decision.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 50 Wildlife and Fisheries 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Final administrative decision. 11.16... TAKING, POSSESSION, TRANSPORTATION, SALE, PURCHASE, BARTER, EXPORTATION, AND IMPORTATION OF WILDLIFE AND PLANTS CIVIL PROCEDURES Assessment Procedure § 11.16 Final administrative decision. (a) Where no request...

Interactive sections of an Internet-based intervention increase empowerment of chronic back pain patients: randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Riva, Silvia; Camerini, Anne-Linda; Allam, Ahmed; Schulz, Peter J

2014-08-13

Chronic back pain (CBP) represents a significant public health problem. As one of the most common causes of disability and sick leave, there is a need to develop cost-effective ways, such as Internet-based interventions, to help empower patients to manage their disease. Research has provided evidence for the effectiveness of Internet-based interventions in many fields, but it has paid little attention to the reasons why they are effective. This study aims to assess the impact of interactive sections of an Internet-based self-management intervention on patient empowerment, their management of the disease, and, ultimately, health outcomes. A total of 51 patients were recruited through their health care providers and randomly assigned to either an experimental group with full access to the Internet-based intervention or a control group that was denied access to the interactive sections and knew nothing thereof. The intervention took 8 weeks. A baseline, a mid-term after 4 weeks, and a final assessment after 8 weeks measured patient empowerment, physical exercise, medication misuse, and pain burden. All patients completed the study. Overall, the intervention had a moderate effect (F1.52=2.83, P=.03, η(2)=0.30, d=0.55). Compared to the control group, the availability of interactive sections significantly increased patient empowerment (midterm assessment: mean difference=+1.2, P=.03, d=0.63; final assessment: mean difference=+0.8, P=.09, d=0.44) and reduced medication misuse (midterm assessment: mean difference=-1.5, P=.04, d=0.28; final assessment: mean difference=-1.6, P=.03, d=-0.55) in the intervention group. Both the frequency of physical exercise and pain burden decreased, but to equal measures in both groups. Results suggest that interactive sections as part of Internet-based interventions can positively alter patients' feelings of empowerment and help prevent medication misuse. Detrimental effects were not observed. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02114788; http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02114788 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6ROXYVoPR).

Development of a clinical feeding assessment scale for very young infants in South Africa

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Background There is a need for validated neonatal feeding assessment instruments in South Africa. A locally developed instrument may contribute to standardised evaluation procedures of high-risk neonates and address needs in resource constrained developing settings. Objective The aim of the study was to develop and validate the content of a clinical feeding assessment scale to diagnose oropharyngeal dysphagia (OPD) in neonates. Method The Neonatal Feeding Assessment Scale (NFAS) was developed using the Delphi method. Five international and South African speech-language therapists (SLTs) formed the expert panel, participating in two rounds of electronic questionnaires to develop and validate the content of the NFAS. Results All participants agreed on the need for the development of a valid clinical feeding assessment instrument to use with the neonatal population. The initial NFAS consisted of 240 items across 8 sections, and after the Delphi process was implemented, the final format was reduced to 211 items across 6 sections. The final format of the NFAS is scored using a binary scoring system guiding the clinician to diagnose the presence or absence of OPD. All members agreed on the format, the scoring system and the feeding constructs addressed in the revised final format of the NFAS. Conclusion The Delphi method and the diverse clinical and research experience of participants could be integrated to develop the NFAS which may be used in clinical practice in South Africa or similar developing contexts. Because of demographically different work settings marked by developed versus developing contexts, participants did not have the same expectations of a clinical dysphagia assessment. The international participants contributed to evidence-based content development. Local participants considered the contextual challenges of South African SLTs entering the field with basic competencies in neonatal dysphagia management, thereby justifying a comprehensive clinical instrument. The NFAS is aimed at clinicians working in Neonatal Intensive Care Units where they manage large caseloads of high-risk neonates. Further validation of the NFAS is recommended to determine its criterion validity in comparison with a widely accepted standard such as the modified barium swallow study. PMID:27796101

A single dose of alcohol does not meaningfully alter circadian phase advances and phase delays to light in humans

PubMed Central

Rizvydeen, Muneer; Fogg, Louis F.; Keshavarzian, Ali

2016-01-01

Central circadian timing influences mental and physical health. Research in nocturnal rodents has demonstrated that when alcohol is consumed, it reaches the central hypothalamic circadian pacemaker (suprachiasmatic nuclei) and can directly alter circadian phase shifts to light. In two separate studies, we examined, for the first time, the effects of a single dose of alcohol on circadian phase advances and phase delays to light in humans. Two 23-day within-subjects placebo-controlled counterbalanced design studies were conducted. Both studies consisted of 6 days of fixed baseline sleep to stabilize circadian timing, a 2-day laboratory session, a 6-day break, and a repeat of 6 days of fixed sleep and a 2-day laboratory session. In the phase advance study (n = 10 light drinkers, 24–45 yr), the laboratory sessions consisted of a baseline dim light phase assessment, sleep episode, alcohol (0.6 g/kg) or placebo, 2-h morning bright light pulse, and final phase assessment. In the phase-delay study (n = 14 light drinkers, 22–44 yr), the laboratory sessions consisted of a baseline phase assessment, alcohol (0.8 g/kg) or placebo, 2-h late night bright light pulse, sleep episode, and final phase assessment. In both studies, alcohol either increased or decreased the observed phase shifts to light (interaction P ≥ 0.46), but the effect of alcohol vs. placebo on phase shifts to light was always on average smaller than 30 min. Thus, no meaningful effects of a single dose of alcohol vs. placebo on circadian phase shifts to light in humans were observed. PMID:26936778

A single dose of alcohol does not meaningfully alter circadian phase advances and phase delays to light in humans.

PubMed

Burgess, Helen J; Rizvydeen, Muneer; Fogg, Louis F; Keshavarzian, Ali

2016-04-15

Central circadian timing influences mental and physical health. Research in nocturnal rodents has demonstrated that when alcohol is consumed, it reaches the central hypothalamic circadian pacemaker (suprachiasmatic nuclei) and can directly alter circadian phase shifts to light. In two separate studies, we examined, for the first time, the effects of a single dose of alcohol on circadian phase advances and phase delays to light in humans. Two 23-day within-subjects placebo-controlled counterbalanced design studies were conducted. Both studies consisted of 6 days of fixed baseline sleep to stabilize circadian timing, a 2-day laboratory session, a 6-day break, and a repeat of 6 days of fixed sleep and a 2-day laboratory session. In the phase advance study (n= 10 light drinkers, 24-45 yr), the laboratory sessions consisted of a baseline dim light phase assessment, sleep episode, alcohol (0.6 g/kg) or placebo, 2-h morning bright light pulse, and final phase assessment. In the phase-delay study (n= 14 light drinkers, 22-44 yr), the laboratory sessions consisted of a baseline phase assessment, alcohol (0.8 g/kg) or placebo, 2-h late night bright light pulse, sleep episode, and final phase assessment. In both studies, alcohol either increased or decreased the observed phase shifts to light (interaction P≥ 0.46), but the effect of alcohol vs. placebo on phase shifts to light was always on average smaller than 30 min. Thus, no meaningful effects of a single dose of alcohol vs. placebo on circadian phase shifts to light in humans were observed. Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.

Final Environmental Assessment for Proposed Additional Development, Testing Use, and Associated Training at the Technical Evaluation Assessment Monitor Site (TEAMS) at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-02-01

supply, sanitary sewage/wastewater, storm water handling, and communications systems. Solid waste TEAMS Final Environmental Assessment Kirtland...appropriately sanitized prior to being placed back into service. This will ensure safety of the water system. Sanitary Sewer/Wastewater System. Kirtland...AFB does not have its own sewage treatment plant. Instead, the sanitary sewer system of Kirtland AFB transports wastewater to the city of

Introduction to “Global tsunami science: Past and future, Volume I”

USGS Publications Warehouse

Geist, Eric L.; Fritz, Hermann; Rabinovich, Alexander B.; Tanioka, Yuichiro

2016-01-01

Twenty-five papers on the study of tsunamis are included in Volume I of the PAGEOPH topical issue “Global Tsunami Science: Past and Future”. Six papers examine various aspects of tsunami probability and uncertainty analysis related to hazard assessment. Three papers relate to deterministic hazard and risk assessment. Five more papers present new methods for tsunami warning and detection. Six papers describe new methods for modeling tsunami hydrodynamics. Two papers investigate tsunamis generated by non-seismic sources: landslides and meteorological disturbances. The final three papers describe important case studies of recent and historical events. Collectively, this volume highlights contemporary trends in global tsunami research, both fundamental and applied toward hazard assessment and mitigation.

Automation is an Effective Way to Improve Quality of Verification (Calibration) of Measuring Instruments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Golobokov, M.; Danilevich, S.

2018-04-01

In order to assess calibration reliability and automate such assessment, procedures for data collection and simulation study of thermal imager calibration procedure have been elaborated. The existing calibration techniques do not always provide high reliability. A new method for analyzing the existing calibration techniques and developing new efficient ones has been suggested and tested. A type of software has been studied that allows generating instrument calibration reports automatically, monitoring their proper configuration, processing measurement results and assessing instrument validity. The use of such software allows reducing man-hours spent on finalization of calibration data 2 to 5 times and eliminating a whole set of typical operator errors.

Introduction to "Global Tsunami Science: Past and Future, Volume I"

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geist, Eric L.; Fritz, Hermann M.; Rabinovich, Alexander B.; Tanioka, Yuichiro

2016-12-01

Twenty-five papers on the study of tsunamis are included in Volume I of the PAGEOPH topical issue "Global Tsunami Science: Past and Future". Six papers examine various aspects of tsunami probability and uncertainty analysis related to hazard assessment. Three papers relate to deterministic hazard and risk assessment. Five more papers present new methods for tsunami warning and detection. Six papers describe new methods for modeling tsunami hydrodynamics. Two papers investigate tsunamis generated by non-seismic sources: landslides and meteorological disturbances. The final three papers describe important case studies of recent and historical events. Collectively, this volume highlights contemporary trends in global tsunami research, both fundamental and applied toward hazard assessment and mitigation.

A Feasibility Study to Assess Alternative Energy Program Development Potential at the Community College Level, October 1, 1983-June 30, 1984. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Blair, Brittain A.

In 1983-84, a feasibility study was conducted to determine the viability of establishing a comprehensive alternative energy technology program at Southeastern Illinois College (SIC). The study involved an examination of a number of exemplary associate degree programs in alternative energy, through on-site visits and telephone surveys; a survey of…

Academic Delay of Gratification and Children's Study Time Allocation as a Function of Proximity to Consequential Academic Goals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhang, Lili; Karabenick, Stuart A.; Maruno, Shun'ichi; Lauermann, Fani

2011-01-01

Students (N=302) in Chinese elementary schools were assessed regarding their academic delay of gratification (ADOG) and reported the time they devoted to non-school study and playtime during an extended interval prior to taking a high-stakes final exam. Students high compared those low in ADOG were more likely to spend time studying and less time…

IRIS Toxicological Review of Dichloromethane (Methylene Chloride) (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA has finalized the Toxicological Review of Dichloromethane (Methylene Chloride): In support of the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Now final, this assessment may be used by EPA’s program and regional offices to inform decisions to protect human health. This ...

Chesapeake Bay Low Freshwater Inflow Study.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-09-01

Flooding Study. The Chesapeake Bay The initial phase of the overall program Study Summary Report includes a de- involved the inventory and assessment... inventory of Chesapeake Bay’s water out put is expected to steadily increase, priority, and related land resources and an iden- There is authorized to be...daily, tation Studies. The final stages of the known, there is sufficient knowledge of seasonal, and yearly variations in salin- planning process

Patient assessment within the context of healthcare delivery packages: A comparative analysis.

PubMed

Rossen, Camilla Blach; Buus, Niels; Stenager, Egon; Stenager, Elsebeth

2016-01-01

Due to an increased focus on productivity and cost-effectiveness, many countries across the world have implemented a variety of tools for standardizing diagnostics and treatment. In Denmark, healthcare delivery packages are increasingly used for assessment of patients. A package is a tool for creating coordination, continuity and efficient pathways; each step is pre-booked, and the package has a well-defined content within a predefined category of diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate how assessment processes took place within the context of healthcare delivery packages. The study used a constructivist Grounded Theory approach. Ethnographic fieldwork was carried out in three specialized units: a mental health unit and two multiple sclerosis clinics in Southern Denmark, which all used assessment packages. Several types of data were sampled through theoretical sampling. Participant observation was conducted for a total of 126h. Formal and informal interviews were conducted with 12 healthcare professionals and 13 patients. Furthermore, audio recordings were made of 9 final consultations between physicians and patients; 193min of recorded consultations all in all. Lastly, the medical records of 13 patients and written information about packages were collected. The comparative, abductive analysis focused on the process of assessment and the work made by all the actors involved. In this paper, we emphasized the work of healthcare professionals. We constructed five interrelated categories: 1. "Standardized assessing", 2. "Flexibility", which has two sub-categories, 2.1. "Diagnostic options" and 2.2. "Time and organization", and, finally, 3. "Resisting the frames". The process of assessment required all participants to perform the predefined work in the specified way at the specified time. Multidisciplinary teamwork was essential for the success of the process. The local organization of the packages influenced the assessment process, most notably the pre-defined scope of relevant diseases targeted by the package. The inflexible frames of the assessment package could cause resistance among clinicians. Moreover, expert knowledge was an important factor for the efficiency of the process. Some types of organizational work processes resulted in many patients being assessed, but without being diagnosed with at package-relevant disease. Limiting the grounds for using specialist knowledge in structured health care delivery may affect specialists' sense of professional autonomy and can result in professionals employing strategies to resist the frames of the packages. Finally, when organizing healthcare delivery packages, it seems important to consider how to make the optimal use of specialist knowledge. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Research product transfer for local calibration factors of the Highway Safety Manual (HSM) and integrated surrogate safety assessment framework : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-12-01

This technology transfer workshop presented transportation planners in the public and private sectors with two successful and closely related studies, conducted respectively by Morgan State University and the University of Virginia. The first module ...

Standardized metrics for accessibility : establishing a federal policy-relevant knowledge base : USDOT Region V Regional University Transportation Center final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-12-01

This report seeks opportunities for standardization of these data and explains findings on three principal tasks. First, it assesses the current state of standardized transportation data. By studying documentation of other programs of standardized da...

Development of safety performance functions and other decision support tools to assess pedestrian and bicycle safety : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-09-30

field study was performed at 40 uncontrolled midblock crosswalks and 26 signalized intersections on low-speed roadways selected from the areas surrounding three major urban college campuses across lower Michigan. An array of existing traffic control ...

Effects of bromacil, diuron, glyphosate, and sulfometuron-methyl on periphyton assemblages and rainbow trout : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2003-01-01

This study documents the testing of several common herbicides used by the Oregon Department of Transportation in vegetation management. The project assessed the short- and long-term effects of Roundup, Krovar and Oust on periphyton and rainbow trout....

Study of the potential impacts of highway construction on selected birds with emphasis on the golden-cheeked warbler : final report 2008-2011.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-07-01

This report summarizes the 20082011 field seasons for the Highway 71 impact assessment of : highway construction noise and activity on golden-cheeked warblers (Setophaga chrysoparia). Researchers : examined if construction activity and noise alter...

Measuring the impact of complete streets projects : preliminary field testing : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-12-01

This report describes a field study that sought to assess the impact of Complete Streets (CS) projects in Buffalo, NY. Multiple data collection tools were deployed to capture a diversity of impacts on 8 street corridors where CS projects have been im...

Evaluating the potential safety benefits of electronic hours-of-service recorders final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-04-01

The purpose of the current study was to assess the benefits of installed electronic hours-of-service recorders : (EHSRs) on safety and hours-of-service (HOS) violations related to Class 7 and 8 trucks as they operated during : normal revenue service....

Provisional Assessment of Recent Studies on Particulate Matter (2006)

EPA Science Inventory

A review of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM) is currently underway. The Criteria Document was completed in October 2004, and a proposed decision to revise the PM NAAQS was published in January 2006. The final decision is to be signe...

A preliminary assessment of the fifth-year chiropractic students' knowledge of anatomy.

PubMed

Strkalj, Goran; Schroder, Tania; Pather, Nalini; Solyali, Veli

2011-01-01

Anatomy has been at the foundation of medical students' training. In recent decades, medical programs in many countries have undergone major reform in both pedagogy and content. These reforms generated intense debates, focusing mainly on the way the new programs affected medical graduates' knowledge of anatomy and their clinical capabilities. Anatomy, however, is not only core to medicine, but also to a number of allied and complementary health disciplines. While the evaluation of anatomy teaching and learning in the medical programs has been heavily scrutinized, anatomy education in the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) professions, including those, such as chiropractic, in which anatomy has traditionally been one of the main preclinical subjects, has been less frequently evaluated. The study aimed to make a preliminary assessment of the final year chiropractic students' knowledge of anatomy using the "carpal bone test." The testing was conducted on the final-year chiropractic students at Macquarie University in 2009. In this test, the students were given 5 minutes to label an illustration of the bony skeleton of the carpal region. The results of this assessment were then compared to results of previously published surveys using the "carpal bone test." A total of 84 students participated in the study. Thirty-eight percent (38%) of students identified all eight bones, while 60% of students identified five or more carpal bones. The most frequent correctly identified bone was the pisiform, followed by the scaphoid bone (82% and 74% of students, respectively). The trapezium and trapezoid bones were least frequently identified: both by 52% of students each. These results were generally better than those of the previously tested final-year medical students. The importance of anatomy in chiropractors' education has been generally acknowledged. This study suggests that the comparatively high number of hours devoted to anatomy in Macquarie University chiropractic curriculum and underpinning of clinical skills to anatomy knowledge in the senior year have increased retention of anatomy knowledge. The study, preliminary in nature, has also recognized the need for more detailed assessment of teaching and learning of the basic medical sciences in chiropractic and other CAM disciplines.

Watershed Modeling to Assess the Sensitivity of Streamflow, Nutrient, and Sediment Loads to Potential Climate Change and Urban Development in 20 U.S. Watersheds (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

In September 2013, EPA announced the release of the final report, Watershed Modeling to Assess the Sensitivity of Streamflow, Nutrient, and Sediment Loads to Potential Climate Change and Urban Development in 20 U.S. Watersheds.

Watershed modeling was conducted in ...

A Self-Assessment of the Propensity to Obtain Future Employment: A Case of Final-Year Engineering Students at the University of Botswana

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ssegawa, Joseph K.; Kasule, Daniel

2017-01-01

The article provides a self-assessment by final-year engineering students at the University of Botswana regarding the propensity to get employment. Students rated which employability attributes are important, the level of attainment and the sources that have facilitated the development of the attributes. Results indicated that students identified…

Concurrent Multidisciplinary Preliminary Assessment of Space Systems (COMPASS) Final Report: Advanced Long-Life Lander Investigating the Venus Environment (ALIVE)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oleson, Steven R.

2018-01-01

The COncurrent Multidisciplinary Preliminary Assessment of Space Systems (COMPASS) Team partnered with the Applied Research Laboratory to perform a NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program study to evaluate chemical based power systems for keeping a Venus lander alive (power and cooling) and functional for a period of days. The mission class targeted was either a Discovery ($500M) or New Frontiers ($750M to $780M) class mission.

Development, Construction, and Content Validation of a Questionnaire to Test Mobile Shower Commode Usability

PubMed Central

Theodoros, Deborah G.; Russell, Trevor G.

2015-01-01

Background: Usability is an emerging domain of outcomes measurement in assistive technology provision. Currently, no questionnaires exist to test the usability of mobile shower commodes (MSCs) used by adults with spinal cord injury (SCI). Objective: To describe the development, construction, and initial content validation of an electronic questionnaire to test mobile shower commode usability for this population. Methods: The questionnaire was constructed using a mixed-methods approach in 5 phases: determining user preferences for the questionnaire’s format, developing an item bank of usability indicators from the literature and judgement of experts, constructing a preliminary questionnaire, assessing content validity with a panel of experts, and constructing the final questionnaire. Results: The electronic Mobile Shower Commode Assessment Tool Version 1.0 (eMAST 1.0) questionnaire tests MSC features and performance during activities identified using a mixed-methods approach and in consultation with users. It confirms that usability is complex and multidimensional. The final questionnaire contains 25 questions in 3 sections. The eMAST 1.0 demonstrates excellent content validity as determined by a small sample of expert clinicians. Conclusion: The eMAST 1.0 tests usability of MSCs from the perspective of adults with SCI and may be used to solicit feedback during MSC design, assessment, prescription, and ongoing use. Further studies assessing the eMAST’s psychometric properties, including studies with users of MSCs, are needed. PMID:25762862

Final Report from the External Peer Review of the IRIS ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This document is the final report for the 2004 external peer review for the EPA IRIS Reassessment of the Inhalation Carcinogenicity of Naphthalene, prepared by the Office of Research and Development's National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA), for the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Database. A panel of external peer reviewers met to discuss the IRIS report and their responses to the charge questions on July 30, 2004. This document contains the final written comments of the external peer reviewers. This document is the final report for the 2004 external peer review for the IRIS Reassessment of the Inhalation Carcinogenicity of Naphthalene, prepared by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA), for the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). A panel of external peer reviewers met to discuss their responses to the charge questions on July 30, 2004. This document contains the final written comments of the external peer reviewers.

Model Assessment of the Impact on Ozone of Subsonic and Supersonic Aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ko, Malcolm; Weisenstein, Debra; Danilin, Michael; Scott, Courtney; Shia, Run-Lie

2000-01-01

This is the final report for work performed between June 1999 through May 2000. The work represents continuation of the previous contract which encompasses five areas: (1) continued refinements and applications of the 2-D chemistry-transport model (CTM) to assess the ozone effects from aircraft operation in the stratosphere; (2) studying the mechanisms that determine the evolution of the sulfur species in the aircraft plume and how such mechanisms affect the way aircraft sulfur emissions should be introduced into global models; (3) the development of diagnostics in the AER 3-wave interactive model to assess the importance of the dynamics feedback and zonal asymmetry in model prediction of ozone response to aircraft operation; (4) the development of a chemistry parameterization scheme in support of the global modeling initiative (GMI); and (5) providing assessment results for preparation of national and international reports which include the "Aviation and the Global Atmosphere" prepared by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, "Assessment of the effects of high-speed aircraft in the stratosphere: 1998" by NASA, and the "Model and Measurements Intercomparison II" by NASA. Part of the work was reported in the final report. We participated in the SAGE III Ozone Loss and Validation Experiment (SOLVE) campaign and we continue with our analyses of the data.

Improvement of Diurnal Blood Pressure Variation by Azilsartan

PubMed Central

Okamura, Keisuke; Shirai, Kazuyuki; Okuda, Tetsu; Urata, Hidenori

2018-01-01

Background Azilsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker with a potent antihypertensive effect. Methods In a multicenter, prospective, open-label study, 265 patients with poor blood pressure control despite treatment with other angiotensin II receptor blockers were switched to 20 mg/day of azilsartan (patients on standard dosages) or 40 mg/day of azilsartan (patients on high dosages). Results Blood pressure was 149/83 mm Hg before switching and was significantly reduced from 1 month after switching until final assessment (132/76 mm Hg, P < 0.001). The pulse rate was 72/min before switching and increased significantly from 3 months after switching until final assessment (74/min, P < 0.005). A significant decrease of home morning systolic and diastolic pressure was observed from 1 and 3 months, respectively. Home morning blood pressure was 143/82 mm Hg before switching and 130/76 mm Hg at final assessment (P < 0.01). The morning-evening difference of systolic blood pressure decreased from 14.6 to 6.6 mm Hg after switching (P = 0.09). The estimated glomerular filtration rate was significantly decreased at 3, 6, and 12 months after switching, and serum uric acid was significantly increased at 12 months. No serious adverse events occurred. Conclusion Azilsartan significantly reduced the blood pressure and decreased diurnal variation in patients responding poorly to other angiotensin II receptor blockers. PMID:29238433

IRIS Toxicological Review of Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA has finalized the Toxicological Review of Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts: in support of the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Now final, this assessment may be used by EPA’s program and regional offices to inform decisions to protect human health.

IRIS Toxicological Review of 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA has finalized the Toxicological Review of 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane: in support of the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Now final, this assessment may be used by EPA’s program and regional offices to inform decisions to protect human health.

IRIS Toxicological Review of Cis-& Trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene (Final Report)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA has finalized the Toxicological Review of cis- & trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene: in support of the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Now final, this assessment may be used by EPA’s program and regional offices to inform decisions to protect human health.

Future healthcare professionals’ knowledge about the Argentinean abortion law

PubMed Central

Oizerovich, Silvia; Stray-Pedersen, Babill

2016-01-01

Objectives We assessed healthcare students’ knowledge and opinions on Argentinian abortion law and identified differences between first- and final-year healthcare students. Methods In this cross-sectional study, self-administered anonymous questionnaires were administered to 760 first- and 695 final-year students from different fields of study (medicine, midwifery, nursing, radiology, nutrition, speech therapy, and physiotherapy) of the School of Medicine at the University of Buenos Aires, in 2011-2013. Results Compared to first-year students, a higher percentage of final-year students knew that abortion is legally restricted in Argentina (p < 0.001). A significantly higher percentage of final-year students could correctly identify the circumstances in which abortion is legal: woman´s life risk (87.4% last vs. 79.1% first year), rape of a woman with developmental disability (66.2% first vs. 85.4% last-year; p < 0.001). More final-year students chose severe foetal malformations (37.3% first year vs. 57.3% final year) despite its being illegal. Conclusions Although most final-year students knew that abortion is legally restricted in Argentina, misconceptions regarding circumstances of legal abortion were observed; this may be due to the fact that abortion is inadequately covered in the medical curricula. Medical schools should ensure that sexual and reproductive health topics are an integral part of their curricula. Healthcare providers who are aware of the legality of abortion are more likely to provide the public with sound information and ensure abortions are appropriately performed. PMID:27018552

Hybrid life-cycle assessment of natural gas based fuel chains for transportation.

PubMed

Strømman, Anders Hammer; Solli, Christian; Hertwich, Edgar G

2006-04-15

This research compares the use of natural gas, methanol, and hydrogen as transportation fuels. These three fuel chains start with the extraction and processing of natural gas in the Norwegian North Sea and end with final use in Central Europe. The end use is passenger transportation with a sub-compact car that has an internal combustion engine for the natural gas case and a fuel cell for the methanol and hydrogen cases. The life cycle assessment is performed by combining a process based life-cycle inventory with economic input-output data. The analysis shows that the potential climate impacts are lowest for the hydrogen fuel scenario with CO2 deposition. The hydrogen fuel chain scenario has no significant environmental disadvantage compared to the other fuel chains. Detailed analysis shows that the construction of the car contributes significantly to most impact categories. Finally, it is shown how the application of a hybrid inventory model ensures a more complete inventory description compared to standard process-based life-cycle assessment. This is particularly significant for car construction which would have been significantly underestimated in this study using standard process life-cycle assessment alone.

Assessing the Primary Schools--A Multi-Dimensional Approach: A School Level Analysis Based on Indian Data

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sengupta, Atanu; Pal, Naibedya Prasun

2012-01-01

Primary education is essential for the economic development in any country. Most studies give more emphasis to the final output (such as literacy, enrolment etc.) rather than the delivery of the entire primary education system. In this paper, we study the school level data from an Indian district, collected under the official DISE statistics. We…

Effectiveness of a Metacognitive Reading Strategies Program for Improving Low Achieving EFL Readers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ismail, Nasrah Mahmoud; Tawalbeh, Tha'er Issa

2015-01-01

As the training of language learners was a main concern of EFL teachers, this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of metacognitive reading strategies instruction (MRSI) on Taif University EFL students who achieved low results in reading. The final sample of this study was (21) female university students. The sample was divided into two groups;…

Performance of Hispanic Educable Mentally Retarded, Learning Disabled, and Nonclassified Students on the WISC-RM, SOMPA, and S-KABC: Short-Term Study One. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rueda, Robert; And Others

The study examined performance of limited-English proficient Hispanic students on a battery of psychometric instruments designed to appropriately assess linguistic minority students. Subjects consisted of three groups: 44 nonhandicapped, 45 learning-disabled, and 39 mildly mentally retarded elementary-level students. Instruments included the…

Children's Food Security and Intakes from School Meals. Final Report. Contractor and Cooperator Report No. 61

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Potamites, Elizabeth; Gordon, Anne

2010-01-01

Using 2005 data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Third School Nutrition Dietary Assessment survey, this study examines the contribution of school meals to the food and nutrient intake of children in food-secure, marginally secure, and food-insecure households. The study finds that children from food-insecure and marginally secure…

BIOGEOCHEMISTRY OF MERCURY IN VERMONT AND NEW HAMPSHIRE LAKES: AN ASSESSMENT OF MERCURY IN WATER, SEDIMENT, AND BIOTA OF VERMONT AND NEW HAMPSHIRE LAKES - COMPREHENSIVE FINAL PROJECT REPORT

EPA Science Inventory

This report summarizes findings of a three-year field study of mercury in freshwater lakes of Vermont and New Hampshire. The study was undertaken jointly by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, and Syracuse Univ...

Learning Styles, Learning Abilities and Learning Problems in College: An Exploration of Learning Disabilities in College Students. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goldberg, Renee L.; Zern, David S.

The study examined differences between 57 learning disabled (LD) and 24 non-LD college students on measures of psychoeducational assessment. In addition, differences between LD students with good and poor academic performance were studied, and coping strategies were identified for both sub-groups. A variety of standardized tests were administered…

A Study of Ontogenetic and Generational Change in Adolescent Personality by Means of Multivariate Longitudinal Sequences: Phase II. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nesselroade, John R.; Baltes, Paul B.

Assessment of the relationship between ontogenetic (individual) and generational (historical) change in adolescent personality development was the focus of this study. The total sample included 1000 male and female adolescents (ages 13-18) randomly drawn from 32 public school systems in West Virginia following a design using longitudinal sequences…

Clinical Observed Performance Evaluation: A Prospective Study in Final Year Students of Surgery

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Markey, G. C.; Browne, K.; Hunter, K.; Hill, A. D.

2011-01-01

We report a prospective study of clinical observed performance evaluation (COPE) for 197 medical students in the pre-qualification year of clinical education. Psychometric quality was the main endpoint. Students were assessed in groups of 5 in 40-min patient encounters, with each student the focus of evaluation for 8 min. Each student had a series…

Estuarine and Riverine Areas Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-06-25

sources in the study area include WWTP spray field runoff, urban and agricultural runoff, septic tank leachate , landfill leachate , silviculture...overland sheet flow. Urban and agricultural runoff are sources of fecal and total coliform and fecal streptococcus bacteria. Septic tank leachate and...in leachate from experiments using sand showed the greatest mobility of tungsten. Outdoor exposures and accelerated aging tests studied the

Assessing dependency using self-report and indirect measures: examining the significance of discrepancies.

PubMed

Cogswell, Alex; Alloy, Lauren B; Karpinski, Andrew; Grant, David A

2010-07-01

The present study addressed convergence between self-report and indirect approaches to assessing dependency. We were moderately successful in validating an implicit measure, which was found to be reliable, orthogonal to 2 self-report instruments, and predictive of external criteria. This study also examined discrepancies between scores on self-report and implicit measures, and has implications for their significance. The possibility that discrepancies themselves are pathological was not supported, although discrepancies were associated with particular personality profiles. Finally, this study offered additional evidence for the relation between dependency and depressive symptomatology and identified implicit dependency as contributing unique variance in predicting past major depression.

Assessment of injuries to killer whales in Prince William Sound. Marine mammal study number 2. Exxon Valdez oil spill state/federal natural resource damage assessment final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dahlheim, M.E.; Matkin, C.O.

1993-12-01

Photo-identification studies of individual killer whales inhabiting Prince William Sound were collected from 1989-91 to determine the impact of the spill on whale abundance and distribution. Concurrent photo-identification studies were also conducted in Southeast Alaska to determine if PWS killer whales were displaced to other areas. Despite increased effort, the number of encounters with PWS killer whales appears to be decreasing. The authors assume, that the whales are dead from natural causes, a result of interactions with fisheries, from the spill, or a combination of these causes.

In-Space Transportation for GEO Space Solar Power Satellites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Martin, James A.; Donnahue, Benjamin B.; Henley, Mark W.

1999-01-01

This report summarizes results of study tasks to evaluate design options for in-space transportation of geostationary Space Solar Power Satellites. Referring to the end-to-end architecture studies performed in 1988, this current activity focuses on transportation of Sun Tower satellite segments from an initial low Earth orbit altitude to a final position in geostationary orbit (GEO; i.e., 35,786 km altitude, circular, equatorial orbit). This report encompasses study activity for In-Space Transportation of GEO Space Solar Power (SSP) Satellites including: 1) assessment of requirements, 2) design of system concepts, 3) comparison of alternative system options, and 4) assessment of potential derivatives.

Interventions to tackle malnutrition and its risk factors in children living in slums: a scoping review.

PubMed

Goudet, Sophie; Griffiths, Paula; Bogin, Barry; Madise, Nyovani

2017-02-01

Children living in slums are at high risk of being malnourished. There are no published reviews on existing interventions promoting better nutrition for children living in slums and the risk factors for children's malnutrition. Improved understanding of the risk factors for malnutrition in slums communities and the impact of interventions on children's health can provide guidance to practitioners and decision-makers. The present review is designed to provide this information. The search included 30 electronic bibliographic databases and relevant eligible studies published up to December 2013. The search located 1512 citations. Full text relevance screening was conducted on 226 studies and on abstracts for 16 studies. The final 58 unique studies included 22 on interventions and 38 on risk. All of the interventions were nutrition-specific, with nutritional intervention being the most dominant type. Seventy-three per cent of the interventions were assessed effective. The findings stressed the gaps in knowledge in terms of quality assessment and programmatic recommendations to identify children who are the most at risk of malnutrition to appropriately target interventions. Finally, the review helped to inform a systematic review (Cochrane Systematic review protocol 2015) that will examine the impact of interventions on outcome measures.

Development of decision support tools to assess pedestrian and bicycle safety : development of safety performance functions : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-11-15

While a number of studies have developed Safety Performance Functions (SPFs) for : motorized traffic, there has been a very limited focus on developing SPFs for non-motorized : traffic. Lack of exposure measures for pedestrians and bicyclists has bee...

Learning Groups: The Effects of Group Diversity on The Quality of Group Reflection

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Adelopo, Ismail; Asante, Joseph; Dart, Eleanor; Rufai, Ibrahim

2017-01-01

This study explores the quality of reflection, and how group diversity affects group reflection by final-year accounting and finance undergraduates using Mezirow's [(1991). "Transformative dimensions of adult learning." San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass] reflection model. Group work and reflective writing are now common assessment features…

Investigating Relationships among Quality Dimensions in Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ardi, Romadhani; Hidayatno, Akhmad; Zagloel, Teuku Yuri M.

2012-01-01

Purpose: This study aims to assess the relationships among quality dimensions in higher education (HE) and to determine the effect of each quality dimension on students' satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach: A questionnaire was developed and distributed to 270 final year students of an engineering faculty in an Indonesian state university.…

Hybrid FRP-concrete bridge deck system final report II : long term performance of hybrid FRP-concrete bridge deck system.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-06-01

This report describes the investigation of the long term structural performance of a : hybrid FRP-concrete (HFRPC) bridge deck on steel girders. The study aimed at : assessing three long term aspects pertaining to the HFRPC bridge deck: (1) creep : c...

Leisure Service Career Programs Model. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Twining, Marilyn

This report identifies leisure career occupations, determines the occupational outlook, and develops primary core competencies as well as specialized, optional competencies for entry level employment. The main method of inquiry is described as a needs assessment based on an audit at Moraine Valley Community College, two previous studies by the…

Roadmap to Measuring Distance Education Instructional Design Competencies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dooley, Kim E.; Lindner, James R.; Telg, Ricky W.; Irani, Tracy; Moore, Lori; Lundy, Lisa

2007-01-01

This study was designed to measure instructional design competencies as a result of participation in a 9-month Web-based training program called "Roadmap to Effective Distance Education Instructional Design." The researchers used a self-assessment pre- and posttest to determine participant initial and final competence in 12 areas: adult…

Impact of Future Cable Television Technology. Final Summary Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst., Troy, NY. Telecommunications Research Center.

Technological alternatives in the evolution of present cable television systems into broadband communication networks (BCN) were assessed. Cost estimates were made for alternatives, and the impact of alternatives on BCN development was investigated. An historical study of cable television technology was made which related it to other…

ASSESSMENT OF CHILDREN&RSQUO;S PESTICIDE EXPOSURE: CRITICAL SAMPLING AND ANALYTICAL ISSUES FOR FUTURE STUDIES. (R828609)

EPA Science Inventory

The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Concl...

CETA: Manpower Programs under Local Control.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mirengoff, William; Rindler, Lester

This document presents the final report of a study conducted by the Committee on Evaluation and Training Programs to assess the impact of CETA (Comprehensive Employment and Training Act) on manpower programs. The report examines the differences between CETA Title I programs and their predecessors and compares legislative goals with results. It…

Courseware Authoring and Delivering System for Chinese Language Instruction. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mao, Tang

A study investigated technical methods for simplifying and improving the creation of software for teaching uncommonly taught languages such as Chinese. Research consisted of assessment of existing authoring systems, domestic and overseas, available hardware, peripherals, and software packages that could be integrated into this project. Then some…

Elevating the Importance of Teaching. National Project III. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Owens, Richard E.

An in-depth study was conducted of instructional improvement activities at Kansas State University, including a student evaluation instrument of teacher performance, called Instructional Development and Effectiveness Assessment (IDEA). Faculty reactions to the total evaluation system, the use of results for multiple purposes, and the current…

Chinese Parenting Reconsideration: Parenting Practices in Taiwan.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Fu-mei; Luster, Tom

This study examined authoritative and authoritarian parenting and specific parenting practices among Chinese mothers with preschoolers. The final sample consisted of 463 mothers with their 3 to 7 year-olds from 11 preschools, in Taiwan. Mothers completed a Chinese translation of the Parenting Behavior Questionnaire that assessed their parenting…

Multilevel Evaluation Systems Project. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Herman, Joan L.

Several studies were conducted in 1987 by the Multilevel Evaluation Systems Project, which focuses on developing a model for a multi-purpose, multi-user evaluation system to facilitate educational decision making and evaluation. The project model emphasizes on-going integrated assessment of individuals, classes, and programs using a variety of…

Analysis of Truck Drivers' Opinions on Safety and Traffic Control on Highway Work Zones - Volume I - Summary of Findings - Final Report

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1995-12-01

This study was conducted to determine the truck drivers' travel characteristics, concerns about work zone traffic control devices, assessment of work zone features, as well as to determine the location of accidents and bad driving situations based on...

Analysis of Truck Drivers' Opinions on Safety and Traffic Control on Highway Work Zones - Volume II - Final Report

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1995-12-01

This study was conducted to determine the truck drivers' travel characteristics, concerns about work zone traffic control devices, assessment of work zone features, as well as to determine the location of accidents and bad driving situations based on...

Modification of Children's Racial Attitudes. Final Progress Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Katz, Phyllis

This study investigated some of the attitudinal and behavioral components of racial prejudice in elementary school children. It also assessed the effectiveness of various modification procedures upon children's racial attitudes and inter-group behavior at different age levels. A four-stage research design was used. The pre-test stage involved…

Summary geochemical maps for samples of rock, stream sediment, and nonmagnetic heavy-mineral concentrate, Pyramid Roadless Area, El Dorado County, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chaffee, M.A.

1986-01-01

Geochemical sampling was conducted during 1982. This report summarizes the results of that investigation and provides details of the geochemical evaluation used in producing the final mineral resource assessment of the study area (Armstrong and others, 1983).

Reexamination of color vision standards, part II. a computational method to assess the effect of color deficiencies in using ATC displays : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2006-03-01

The previous study showed that many colors were used in air traffic control displays. We also found that colors were used mainly for three purposes: capturing controllers immediate attention, identifying targets, and segmenting information. This r...

Human factors associated with the certification of airplane passenger seats : seat belt adjustment and release : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2002-06-01

Two separate studies were accomplished to investigate human factors issues related to the use of lap belts. Human performance trials were conducted under two protocols to measure and assess: (1) seat belt tension adjustment during normal flight and e...