A systematic neglect to disclose critical visual properties in clinical, developmental, and social psychology

To promote research transparency and reproducibility, current journal guidelines focus primarily on the availability of data, code, and research materials. How materials were actually used or presented in a given study has been skimmed over. Across major disciplines of psychology—clinical, developmental, and social/personality psychology—we have identified a systematic neglect to disclose critical properties of visual display and stimuli in current practice. This failure of disclosures presents a roadblock to reproducible science, as direct replications are necessarily made difficult if not impossible. It also introduces heterogeneity that can increase measurement errors and potentially reduce statistical power. This finding has immediate implications for journal policy—there is a pressing need to explicitly emphasize transparent reporting of how materials were used in the research. To help achieve this goal, reporting templates and accessible definitions of technical terms are provided.

An approach for improving the quality of country-level TB modelling

Mathematical modelling is increasingly used to inform budgeting and strategic decision-making by national TB programmes. Despite the importance of these decisions, there is currently no mechanism to review and confirm the appropriateness of modelling analyses. We have developed a benchmarking, reporting, and review (BRR) approach and accompanying tools to allow constructive review of country-level TB modelling applications. This approach has been piloted in five modelling applications and the results of this study have been used to revise and finalise the approach. The BRR approach consists of 1) quantitative benchmarks against which model assumptions and results can be compared, 2) standardised reporting templates and review criteria, and 3) a multi-stage review process providing feedback to modellers during the application, as well as a summary evaluation after completion. During the pilot, use of the tools prompted important changes in the approaches taken to modelling. The pilot also identified issues beyond the scope of a review mechanism, such as a lack of empirical evidence and capacity constraints. This approach provides independent evaluation of the appropriateness of modelling decisions during the course of an application, allowing meaningful changes to be made before results are used to inform decision-making. The use of these tools can improve the quality and transparency of country-level TB modelling applications.

Structured Reporting of Acute Ischemic Stroke – Consensus-Based Reporting Templates for Non-Contrast Cranial Computed Tomography, CT Angiography, and CT Perfusion

Purpose Structured reporting is an essential step in establishing standardized quality standards in diagnostic radiology. The German Society of Radiology and the German Society of Neuroradiology aim to provide templates for the structured reporting of different radiological examinations. Method The Information Technology working group of the German Society of Radiology developed structured templates for the radiological reporting of different indications in consensus with specialist support by experts. Results We present a template for the structured reporting of examinations of patients with acute ischemic stroke by non-contrast computed tomography, CT angiography, and CT perfusion. This template is provided on the website www.befundung.drg.de for free use. Conclusion Implementation of the structured template may increase quality and provide a minimum standard for radiological reports in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Key Points: Citation Format

A practical approach to imaging characteristics and standardized reporting of COVID-19: a radiologic review

Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), also known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a pathogen that has caused a rapidly spreading pandemic all over the world. The primary mean of transmission is inhalation with a predilection for respiratory system involvement, especially in the distal airways. The disease that arises from this novel coronavirus is named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 may have a rapid and devastating course in some cases leading to severe complications and death. Radiological imaging methods have an invaluable role in diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment. In this review, radiological imaging findings of COVID-19 have been systematically reviewed based on the published literature so far. Radiologic reporting templates are also emphasized from a different point of view, considering specific distinctive patterns of involvement.

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF’s) Statistics Department (STA) provided technical assistance (TA) on financial soundness indicators (FSI) to the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) during June 15-July 10, 2020. The TA mission took place in response to a request from the authorities, with the support of the IMF’s African Department (AFR). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions, the mission was conducted remotely via video conferences. The mission worked with the staff of the NBE on the development of FSIs that are in line with the IMF’s 2019 FSI Guide.1 The main objectives of the mission were to: (i) review the source data, institutional coverage, and accounting and regulatory frameworks supporting the compilation of FSIs; (ii) provide guidance for mapping source data for the banking sector to the FSI reporting templates FS2 and FSD as well as preparing the metadata; and (iii) agree with the authorities on the timeline to begin regular reporting of the FSIs for deposit-takers to STA. The mission also provided technical assistance to the NBE on the compilation of net open positions in foreign currencies.

A Novel Method Enables General Pathologists to Create Web Dynamic Forms for Synoptic Tumor Reporting

Context.— Tumor reporting constitutes a significant daily task of pathologists. An efficient tumor-reporting methodology is thus vitally important. The Web dynamic form (WbDF) method offers a multitude of advantages over the prevailing transcription-mediated reporting method based on static-text checklists. However, its adaptation has been severely hampered for 2 decades by its costly needs to maintain a complex back-end system and to change the system for frequent updates of reporting content. Objective.— To overcome these 2 obstacles with a serverless Web platform that enables users to create, customize, use and download WbDFs as synoptic templates for structured tumor reporting. Design.— Deploy ReactJS as a Web platform. Create form components in JavaScript Object Notation files. Use JavaScript Object Notation files to make WbDFs on the Web platform. Use the WbDFs to generate final pathology reports. Results.— Ordinary users (pathologists) can create/customize reporting templates as WbDFs on the Web platform. The WbDF can be used to make a pathology report and stored/shared like ordinary document files. There is no back-end system to change, nor a requirement for computer programming skills. Conclusions.— This strategy eliminates the need for a complex back-end system and the associated cost when updating tumor-reporting standards, making it possible to adopt the WbDF method without the technological drawbacks associated with content updates. It also opens a new field of how the tumor-reporting system should be organized, updated, and implemented.