Issues of the Risk-Based Approach

The purpose of the article was to analyze the problems currently standing in the way of more effective application of the risk-based approach methodology in the field of technogenic safety management. Methods — theoretical, inductive method, analysis of own experience, adopted normative legal acts, other publications. The main results of the work include the following: • despite the broadest use of the concept of “risk” in the field of technogenic safety management, there is no generally accepted interpretation of it to date; • often the evaluative concept of “risk” is mistakenly used instead of objectively existing risk factors; • quantifiably technogenic risk should be characterized by indicators of numerical nature, having vector objects, since two components should be indicated for the complete assignment of the indicator: the probability and the amount of damage; • experience shows that the methods of assessing the probabilistic component of risk indicators recommended by regulatory documents on the analysis and quantification of technogenic risk are accompanied by a very large uncertainty, therefore, instead of the traditional point statement, a more adequate method of assessment is the use of an interval approach that takes into account and allows quantifying this uncertainty; • the analysis showed that the so-called frequency approach, which is most often used to assess the probabilistic component of technogenic risk indicators, is used improperly, has no basis, since, as a rule, the phenomenon of statistical stability is not observed in the object area of the technosphere, there are no general aggregates; • in society and even among specialists, by now there is no understanding of the need to express all three components of damage from an accident (explosion/fire) in monetary terms, without which it is impossible to estimate and express the amount of total damage: — in conclusion, four key problems that hinder the more effective use of the risk-based approach methodology in the field of technogenic safety management are listed; — imperfection of the existing methodological base for the analysis and quantitative assessment of technogenic risk; — the problem of staffing in the field of technogenic risk management; — lack of national criteria for acceptable risk; — complete disregard of the problem of uncertainty of the results of the COR, the lack of methodological support for the procedure of analysis and quantification of this uncertainty. Conclusion — the efforts of the entire community of specialists-researchers, legislators, practitioners engaged in various aspects of the problem of technosphere safety management are necessary to solve the tasks specified in the article.

OSCE rater cognition – an international multi-centre qualitative study

Introduction This study aimed to explore the decision-making processes of raters during objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), in particular to explore the tacit assumptions and beliefs of raters as well as rater idiosyncrasies. Methods Thinking aloud protocol interviews were used to gather data on the thoughts of examiners during their decision-making, while watching trigger OSCE videos and rating candidates. A purposeful recruiting strategy was taken, with a view to interviewing both examiners with many years of experience (greater than six years) and those with less experience examining at final medical examination level. Results Thirty-one interviews were conducted in three centres in three different countries. Three themes were identified during data analysis, entitled ‘OSCEs are inauthentic’, ‘looking for glimpses of truth’ and ‘evolution with experience’. Conclusion Raters perceive that the shortcomings of OSCEs can have unwanted effects on student behaviour. Some examiners, more likely the more experienced group, may deviate from an organisations directions due to perceived shortcomings of the assessment. No method of assessment is without flaw, and it is important to be aware of the limitations and shortcomings of assessment methods on student performance and examiner perception. Further study of assessor and student perception of OSCE performance would be helpful.

Students’ Perception on E-Portfolio for Assessing Translation Skill

Translation is actually the skill which involve students’ active contribution in the assessing process. Meanwhile, e-portfolio regards as one of the method to achieve students’ active contribution in assessing their own translation works since it not only functions to collect the works electronically but can also function to show the sequence of works improvement. The aim of this study is to investigate students’ perception on e-portfolio for assessing their translation skill. It was also intended to discover application preference to apply the e-portfolio method of assessment. The participants of the study are 49 English Department students enrolled in the third year. The data was collected by using questionnaire in the form of closed and open questionnaires. The results indicate that the participants generally prefer to be evaluated by the e-portfolio assessment. Most of them believed that e-portfolio assessment improved their translation quality and enhanced their motivation and the application they chose to apply the e-portfolio is the free application which can be accessed anywhere.

The ‘Cruciform Test’: A diagnostic tool to detect pectoralis major rupture

Introduction Pectoralis major (PM) rupture is a severe injury that untreated can lead to a profound functional deficit. Early surgical repair can greatly improve outcomes and give a more predictable timetable for recovery, making this the goal of current treatment. Surgical intervention is also essential to return professional athletes to their previous level of competition. However, there is no single, reliable and easily reproducible test that can be used to establish the diagnosis. We describe ‘The Cruciform Test’; a method of identifying PM rupture that can be used for initial diagnosis either in clinic or a pitch-side environment, or to assess restoration of normal anatomy and function post-operatively. Methods We studied a series of 14 patients who underwent open PM repair in order to evaluate this method of assessment. Results All patients had a positive test pre-operatively. 5 were formally tested at post-operative follow-up and all had a negative result. Discussion The Cruciform Test is a simple and reproducible diagnostic tool that has potential as a clinical indicator of both PM rupture and successful repair. It can therefore contribute to earlier diagnosis, prompt surgical intervention and facilitate return to play at the earliest opportunity.

The results of approbation of a comprehensive expert assessment of the quality of CT images of the chest obtained on low-dose scanning protocols using iterative reconstruction methods

Introduction. Сomputed tomography (CT) is associated with high individual patient doses. Hence, the process of optimization in CT examinations by developing low-dose scan protocols is important.Purpose of the study. Clinical approbation of low-dose protocols developed by the authors earlier, selection of the most promising protocol, assessment of the applicability of the developed algorithm for expert assessment of the quality of CT images.Materials and methods. The study was based on the data from 96 patients who underwent cardiac surgery with suspected infection in the lungs or sternal wound infection. CT examinations were performed using standard, low-dose and ultra-low-dose protocols (effective dose 3,5±0,9, 1,7±0,1 and 0,8±0,1 mSv, respectively) using two iterative reconstruction algorithms (IMR and iDose). The quality of the obtained data was assessed by 5 radiologists with more than 5-year experience in chest radiology.Results. In terms of the number of misinterpretations, no significant differences were estimated between the standard and lowdose protocols for all reconstruction methods. The ultra-low-dose protocol was characterized by a significantly higher number of missing lesions compared to other protocols.Conclusion. The developed method of assessment of the CT image quality has proven to be informative and reproducible and can be used to assess new scanning protocols.

Students’ competencies discovery and assessment using learning analytics and semantic web

Traditional content-based assessment systems, which depend on the score as a key criterion for students’ evaluation, have proven to have many drawbacks, especially with the development of learning methods in recent years. Based on these developments, there is a need to adopt new assessment methods to assess the actual skills of students in the digital age. Therefore, the competency-based assessment approach is adopted in this paper to address the subject of students’ competency modelling and discovery in technology-enhanced learning systems. This method of assessment is perfectly suited to modern teaching trends. The authors proposed an approach of assessment semantic analytics to be used for discovering and assessing students’ competencies. This study notes that, all knowledge about students and their competencies has been modelled by semantic representations. Student’s models have been subjected to a set of learning analytics approaches to analyse data generated by students’ activities in order to discover their explicit and latent competencies hidden behind their activities. This experimental study indicates that the competency-based assessment approach is efficient and expected to show significant advantages in evaluating students’ competencies. Implications for practice or policy: Students become able to organise their gains, then integrate and employ them in solving life's problems. Educators get to know more about the extent to which the objectives of their educational process are achieved by evaluating the intellectual, cultural, knowledge, and skilful assets that the learners obtain. Educational policymakers can have a pedagogical and technical vision to move from the culture of content-based evaluations to a competency-based assessment.

Nonword Repetition in Bilingual Assessment: A Guide to Clinical Application

Purpose: Nonword repetition (NWR) is a useful tool in the identification of language impairment in bilingual children. As a method of alternative assessment, the task is less biased than many traditional forms of assessment. Despite its potential utility, the use of NWR in language assessment is limited. The goal of this tutorial is to provide speech-language pathologists with the information needed to use NWR as a diagnostic tool in bilingual assessment by describing research into its diagnostic accuracy and considerations for clinical application. Conclusions: NWR is a useful diagnostic tool in bilingual language assessment when used as part of an assessment battery. Although its diagnostic accuracy limits its ability to be used in the absence of other tools, it can provide valuable information that can be used to strengthen clinical impressions. When using NWR measures, clinicians should take several important aspects in account, including the language and age for which it was intended, the type of stimuli included, and the scoring procedures. Clinicians who work with bilingual children should consider including NWR in their diagnostic toolkits, as a less biased method of assessment.

High-Frequency Three-Dimensional Lumen Volume Ultrasound Is a Sensitive Method to Detect Early Aneurysmal Change in Elastase-Induced Murine Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the reproducibility of anterior–posterior diameter (APdmax) and three-dimensional lumen volume (3DLV) measurements of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) in a classical murine AAA model. We also compared the magnitude of change in the aortic size detected with each method of assessment. Methods Periadventitial application of porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE AAA) or sham surgery was performed in two cohorts of mice. Cohort 1 was used to assess for observer variability with the APdmax and 3DLV measurements. Cohort 2 highlighted the relationship between APdmax and 3DLV and changes in AAA detected. Results There was no significant observer variability detected with APdmax measurement. Similarly, no significant intraobserver variability was evident with 3DLV; however, a small but significant interobserver difference was present. APdmax and 3DLV measurements of PPE AAA significantly correlated. However, changes in the AAA morphology were detected earlier with 3DLV. Conclusion APdmax and 3DLV are both reliable methods for measuring an AAA. Both these methods correlate with each other. However, changes in AAA morphology were detected earlier with 3DLV, which is important to detect subtle but important changes to aortic geometry in a laboratory setting. 3DLV measurement of AAA is a simple, reproducible, and comprehensive method for assessing changes in disease morphology.

Express method of assessment of compliance of the object of supervision with fire safety requirements

Introduction. The paper considers the new requirements for the activities of the state fire supervision bodies. The ways of solving the problems arising during the implementation of these innovations are given. One of such solutions is the developed by the authors algorithm of the express method for assessing the compliance of the object of supervision with fire safety requirements. The article analyzes the work of inspectors of the state fire supervision during inspections of low-rise retail facilities of small area, taking into account the time spent on them, and the work of the inspector using a new express method of conducting inspections. Problem Statement. The purpose of the study is to increase the efficiency of managerial decision-making in ensuring fire safety based on the criterion of "fire risk", taking into account the minimum fire safety requirements determined by the calculation. Conclusions. The developed algorithm for supporting managerial decision-making on the compliance of the protection of commercial facilities with fire safety requirements will allow inspectors of the state fire supervision during inspections to assess the existence of a threat to human life and health and decide on further actions depending on the presence or absence of this threat.

The processing of staphylococcal biofilm images from Fluorescence and Confocal Microscopy to assess in vitro efficacy of antiseptic molecules

The in vitro efficacy of locally applied antiseptic molecules against staphylococcal biofilm is frequently assessed by a set of standard quantitative and semi-quantitative methods. The development of software for parametric image processing allowed to obtain parametric data also from microscopic images of biofilm dyed with a variety of dyes, especially with propidium iodine and SYTO-9, differentiating dead from live cells. In this work, using confocal/epifluorescent microscopy, we analyzed such major properties of staphylococcal biofilm in vitro as its thickness, cellular density and share of Live/Dead cells within its individual parts. We also scrutinized the impact of sample preparation and antiseptic introduction on the outcome obtained. As a result of our analyses we developed a revelatory method of assessment of the impact of antiseptic agents on staphylococcal biofilm in vitro, in which the microscopic images are processed with the use of ABE formula (Antiseptics Biofilm Eradication) which implements all the data and phenomena detected and revealed within the course of this study. We tested ABE with regard to polyhexanide, povidone-iodine and hypochlorous antiseptics and found a high correlation between this parameter and the results obtained by means of traditional techniques. Taking into account the fact that in vitro results of the efficacy of antiseptic agents against staphylococcal biofilm are frequently applied to back up their use in hospitals and ambulatory units, our work should be considered an important tool providing reliable, parametric data with this regard.