Observations about Lithuanian state-level maturity examination in mathematics

The article presents several observations about the examination papers of the state-level Maturity Examinations in Mathematics in the years 2014–2021 in Lithuania. Some inaccuracies were observed in the appendix of the paper titled ``Mathematical formulas'', in the wordings of the problems. Also the issue of proof problems in the examination is discussed. The purpose of these observations is to draw attention to areas for improvement in the examination system. The article presents the subjective opinion of the authors.

Comparing human and model-based forecasts of COVID-19 in Germany and Poland

1AbstractForecasts based on epidemiological modelling have played an important role in shaping public policy throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This modelling combines knowledge about infectious disease dynamics with the subjective opinion of the researcher who develops and refines the model and often also adjusts model outputs. Developing a forecast model is difficult, resource- and time-consuming. It is therefore worth asking what modelling is able to add beyond the subjective opinion of the researcher alone. To investigate this, we analysed different real-time forecasts of cases of and deaths from COVID-19 in Germany and Poland over a 1-4 week horizon submitted to the German and Polish Forecast Hub. We compared crowd forecasts elicited from researchers and volunteers, against a) forecasts from two semi-mechanistic models based on common epidemiological assumptions and b) the ensemble of all other models submitted to the Forecast Hub. We found crowd forecasts, despite being overconfident, to outperform all other methods across all forecast horizons when forecasting cases (weighted interval score relative to the Hub ensemble 2 weeks ahead: 0.89). Forecasts based on computational models performed comparably better when predicting deaths (rel. WIS 1.26), suggesting that epidemiological modelling and human judgement can complement each other in important ways.

The specifics of the embodiment of a smile, laughter, mocker in creativity B. Kanapyanova

The article analyzes the specifics of the embodiment of laughter, smiles, mocker in the works of the modern Russian-speaking Kazakh poet and writer B. Kanapyanov. The study uses a complex approach to analysis of a work of art. Smile, laughter and mocker in describing the appearance, actions of the heroes of the works is due not only to the subjective opinion of the author, but also to the whole concept of images, which are based on aesthetic, spiritual and moral ideals that have developed for millennia in the steppe culture of Kazakhs. The results showed that the derivatives of the comic (laughter, smile, mockery), firstly, play a key role in the poetics of Kazakh author’s works, being a catalyst for the most important motives (friendship, sympathy, joy, love, anger, hatred). Secondly, they are means of transmitting emotions, markers of the behavior of the lyrical hero, allowing us to understand what his real experiences are, i.e. perform a characterological function.

Concordance in mSEGA Tool to Frailty Diagnosis between Medical Doctors and Nurses

Introduction: It is currently considered that screening for frailty in elderly subjects is a major public health issue. Methods: a cross-sectional pilot study involving elderly subjects (over 75 years of age) admitted at the emergency department of the hospital of Troyes, France in the period from August 24th to August 30th, 2017 was conducted. The patients were screened for frailty using the modified SEGA (Short Emergency Geriatric Assessment) (part A) grid (mSEGA), correlated with the subjective opinion of the triage nurse and the senior physician. Results: 100 patients were included during the pilot study period, the mean age was 84.34 years (range: 75–97), 56 patients (56%) were female, and the average CHARLSON score was 4.28 (range: 0–11). The patients’ previous medical histories were remarkable for cardiovascular diseases. The main reason for hospital admission was fall (26 subjects, 26%). Hospitalization was required for 52 subjects (52%). The average mSEGA score was 6.3 +/−3.59. The completion time for the SEGAm (part A) score was about 5 minutes. According to Cohen’s kappa, the concordance between the subjective opinion of the triage nurse and the mSEGA grid was average, while the concordance between the subjective opinions of the senior physicians was good. Conclusion: The mSEGA score appears to be well-suited and useful in the emergency department. It is easy to use, allows an overall evaluation of the patient, and is not time-consuming.

SP3.1.17 Assessment of the utility of CT to predict the requirement for resection at laparotomy in patients presenting with acute mesenteric arterial insufficiency

Introduction Mesenteric ischaemia as a consequence of arterial atherosclerosis is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Practice has been influenced by the rise in cross-sectional imaging. In Glasgow a policy of laparotomy for patients presenting with acute mesenteric ischaemia at the time of mesenteric revascularisation has been adopted. We have sought to define whether CT can predict visceral necrosis and a requirement for tissue resection at the primary revascularisation. Methods This was a retrospective review of interventions performed for mesenteric ischaemia. Radiological variables described in the context of mesenteric ischaemia were defined. The primary CT report was reviewed to define whether these features were recorded and whether a diagnosis of mesenteric ischaemia was suggested. Imaging was then retrospectively reviewed with reference to the dataset by a radiologist. The radiologist was asked to offer a subjective opinion as to whether there was mesenteric infarction. These data were compared with laparotomy findings. Results There were 129 interventions performed for mesenteric ischaemia over the study period and 147 laparotomies. There was no specific radiological variable that was consistently reported in the primary or secondary CT review. However when bowel wall thinning, hypoattenuation or portal venous gas reported (independently) they seemed to be specific as in each case there was mesenteric infarction at laparotomy. Conclusion Even with retrospective radiological assessment there is no reliable feature that will predict mesenteric infarction and a requirement for tissue resection. As such a policy of laparotomy in patients who considered physiologically well enough would appear to be justified.

PRACTICE SKILLS METHODS. BASIC DIFFICULTIES, STUDENTS OPINION

The literature review of methods used for mastering objective investigation skills of the propedeutics of internal diseases course has been done, as well as questionnaire of second-year students of FSAEI HE N.I. Pirogov RNRMU MOH Russia from 19 to 20 years old. Provided form consisted of the basic part, prescribed to investigate the respondents subjective opinion about the level of mastering the basic skills, and 4 more specialized precising ones. The questionnaire has detected problems in studying the objective methods of observation related for more than half students. The heart-vascular system was acknowledged as the hardest part of the propedeutics of internal diseases course. Auscultation happened to be the most difficult skill. And practice on health volunteers and individual work with tutor were recognized as the effective ones.

Heralds at the Bells: Messages of Hope from West Balkan Bards During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Between March and May of 2020, a number of guslars (bards) and other traditional singers from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, and Serbia flooded YouTube with songs about the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the musicians chose divergent vantage points from which to approach the topic of the pandemic, all settled on a similar goal. They sought to deliver a message of solidarity and hope to those struggling with the realities of life under lockdown measures and to allay the fears and uncertainties that spread with the virus. This article provides a critical overview of the guslars’ songs to explore their shared and divergent tropes, themes, and tones, and to highlight the goals of their singers in disseminating their messages in traditional form. Here I comment on what the high degree of convergence in the songs’ final messages reveals about vernacular responses to the pandemic and folk views on the measures taken to halt the virus’s spread. Finally, the article places these songs into a wider historical context of contemporary singing to the gusle, remarking on the vagaries of navigating authority when one sings subjective opinion in the name of a collective.

European Society of Cardiology guidelines for ablation of atrial fibrillation – a subjective opinion

European Society of Cardiology guidelines for ablation of atrial fibrillation – a subjective opinion

Does the U.S. Navy’s reliance on objective standards prevent discrimination in promotions and retentions?

To prevent discrimination, the U.S. Navy enlisted-personnel promotion process relies primarily on objective measures. However, it also uses the subjective opinion of a sailor’s superior. The Navy’s promotion and retention process involves two successive decisions: The Navy decides whether to promote an individual, and conditional on that decision, the sailor decides whether to stay. Using estimates of these correlated decision-making processes, we find that during 1997–2008, Blacks and Hispanics were less likely to be promoted than Whites, especially during wartime. The Navy’s decision-making affects Blacks’ differential promotion rates by twice as much as differences in the groups’ characteristics. However, Nonwhite retention probabilities, even when not promoted, are higher than for Whites, in part because they have fewer opportunities in the civilian market. Females have lower promotion rates than males and slightly lower retention rates during wartime.

The “Great Debate” at Immunotherapy Bridge 2020, December 3rd, 2020

As part of the 2020 Immunotherapy Bridge virtual congress (December 2nd–3rd, Italy), the Great Debate session featured counterpoint views from leading experts on three clinical questions in immunotherapy today. The first of these was whether antitumoral vaccination is still a treatment option. The second topic debated whether anti-programmed death (PD)-1/PD-ligand (L)1 blockade should be the backbone for immunotherapy combination. Finally, the use of innovative study designs and surrogate endpoints was considered from both an academic and industry perspective. For each topic, two experts presented the argument and counter-argument in support of two different points of view. As with previous Bridge congresses, the debates were assigned by meeting Chairs and positions taken by experts during the debates may not have necessarily reflected their respective personal view. The views summarised in this article are based on available evidence but may reflect personal interpretation of these data, clinical experience and subjective opinion of the speaker.