The role of CT in decision for acute appendicitis treatment

PURPOSEAcute appendicitis is the most common cause of the acute abdomen requiring surgery. Although standard treatment has been surgery, it has been seen in recent years that treatment is possible with antibiotics and non-operative observation. In this study, our aim is to determine whether the CT findings in patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis can be used for directing treatment. METHODSA retrospective analysis was conducted on 138 patients with acute appendicitis who underwent CT between 2015 - 2019. In this study, medical treatment group (n = 60) versus surgical treatment group (n = 78) and successful antibiotic treatment group (n = 23) versus unsuccessful antibiotic treatment group (n = 14) were compared. Appendiceal wall thickness, appendiceal diameter, the severity of mural enhancement, intra-abdominal free fluid, the severity of periappendiceal fat stranding, size of pericecal lymph node, appendicolith, adjacent organ findings and the CT appendicitis score of groups were compared with Pearson Chi-square and Mann Whitney U tests. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of surgical treatment, expressed as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals. Diagnostic efficacies of appendiceal diameter, the CT appendicitis score and developed model were quantified by ROC curves.RESULTSAppendiceal diameter (P < .001), adjacent organ findings (P = .041), the CT appendicitis score (P < .001), the severity of periappendiceal fat stranding (P = .002), appendicolith (P = .001) and intra-abdominal free fluid (P <0.001) showed statistically significant differences between the medical and surgical treatment groups. According to the logistic regression test, if the patients with appendiceal diameter ≥13mm (OR = 5.1, 95%CI 1.58 - 16.50), appendicolith (OR = 4, 95%CI 1.17 - 13.63) and intra-abdominal free fluid (OR = 3.04, 95%CI 1.28 - 7.20), surgeons should prefer surgical treatment. The AUCs for the CT appendicitis score, the appendiceal diameter and the model were 0.742 (95% CI 0,659 - 0,824), 0.699 (95% CI 0.613 - 0.786) and 0.745 (95% CI 0.671 - 0.819), respectively. As the successful and unsuccessful medical treatment groups were compared, the only significant parameter was the severity of mural enhancement (P = .005). CONCLUSIONCT findings may be helpful in patients with uncomplicated acute appendicitis whose treatment surgeons are indecisive about. We can recommend surgical treatment in cases with appendix diameter ≥13mm, intraabdominal free fluid, appendicolith, high CT appendicitis score and severe mural enhancement

State of the knowledge on European marine habitat mapping and degraded habitats

During the last decades, several EU Directives and other international legislations have generated a large number of national initiatives (e.g. marine atlases) and EU programmes on habitat mapping. Nevertheless, the outcomes of these initiatives are fragmented and, to our best knowledge, to date there is no systematic assessment regarding the nature, quality and availability of information across the European seas. One of the main goals of the MERCES project (www.merces-project.eu) is to produce a census of available maps of European key marine habitats, along with their degradation status and restoration potential in the European Seas, providing a potential basis for future discussion on restoration activities. MERCES is producing a census of European marine key habitat maps, degraded habitat maps and investigating key habitat restoration potential. To do this MERCES has i. reviewed known existing habitat maps of European regional seas and provided source citations for all of the information ii. reviewed degraded habitat map resources by regional sea and habitat type (e.g. seagrass, macroalgae, coral gardens, sponge aggregations, seamounts, vents), associated habitat deterioration (e.g. extent of decline), the most common human activities and pressures reported, and the recovery and restoration potential of these habitats iii. reviewed 6 key habitats (including kelp and macroalgal forests, seagrass meadows, coralligenous assemblages, coral gardens and deep-sea bottom communities) and linked 6 major habitat features, such as dynamics, connectivity, structural complexity and vulnerability, to consequences for restoration and the likelihood of restoration succes

Collaborative database to track Mass Mortality Events in the Mediterranean Sea

Anthropogenic climate change, and global warming in particular, has strong and increasing impacts on marine ecosystems (Poloczanska et al., 2013; Halpern et al., 2015; Smale et al., 2019). The Mediterranean Sea is considered a marine biodiversity hotspot contributing to more than 7% of world\u2019s marine biodiversity including a high percentage of endemic species (Coll et al., 2010). The Mediterranean region is a climate change hotspot, where the respective impacts of warming are very pronounced and relatively well documented (Cramer et al., 2018). One of the major impacts of sea surface temperature rise in the marine coastal ecosystems is the occurrence of mass mortality events (MMEs). The first evidences of this phenomenon dated from the first half of \u201980 years affecting the Western Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea (Harmelin, 1984; Bavestrello and Boero, 1986; Gaino and Pronzato, 1989; Voultsiadou et al., 2011). The most impressive phenomenon happened in 1999 when an unprecedented large scale MME impacted populations of more than 30 species from different phyla along the French and Italian coasts (Cerrano et al., 2000; Perez et al., 2000). Following this event, several other large scale MMEs have been reported, along with numerous other minor ones, which are usually more restricted in geographic extend and/or number of affected species (Garrabou et al., 2009; Rivetti et al., 2014; Marb\ue0 et al., 2015; Rubio-Portillo et al., 2016, authors\u2019 personal observations). These events have generally been associated with strong and recurrent marine heat waves (Crisci et al., 2011; Kersting et al., 2013; Turicchia et al., 2018; Bensoussan et al., 2019) which are becoming more frequent globally (Smale et al., 2019). Both field observations and future projections using Regional Coupled Models (Adloff et al., 2015; Darmaraki et al., 2019) show the increase in Mediterranean sea surface temperature, with more frequent occurrence of extreme ocean warming events. As a result, new MMEs are expected during the coming years. To date, despite the efforts, neither updated nor comprehensive information can support scientific analysis of mortality events at a Mediterranean regional scale. Such information is vital to guide management and conservation strategies that can then inform adaptive management schemes that aim to face the impacts of climate change

Collaborative Database to Track Mass Mortality Events in the Mediterranean Sea

Anthropogenic climate change, and global warming in particular, has strong and increasing impacts on marine ecosystems (Poloczanska et al., 2013; Halpern et al., 2015; Smale et al., 2019). The Mediterranean Sea is considered a marine biodiversity hot-spot contributing to more than 7% of world's marine biodiversity including a high percentage of endemic species (Coll et al., 2010). The Mediterranean region is a climate change hotspot, where the respective impacts of warming are very pronounced and relatively well documented (Cramer et al., 2018). One of the major impacts of sea surface temperature rise in the marine coastal ecosystems is the occurrence of mass mortality events (MMEs). The first evidences of this phenomenon dated from the first half of'80 years affecting the Western Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea (Harmelin, 1984; Bavestrello and Boero, 1986; Gaino and Pronzato, 1989; Voultsiadou et al., 2011). The most impressive phenomenon happened in 1999 when an unprecedented large scale MME impacted populations of more than 30 species from different phyla along the French and Italian coasts (Cerrano et al., 2000; Perez et al., 2000). Following this event, several other large scale MMEs have been reported, along with numerous other minor ones, which are usually more restricted in geographic extend and/or number of affected species (Garrabou et al., 2009; Rivetti et al., 2014; Marbà et al., 2015; Rubio-Portillo et al., 2016, authors' personal observations). These events have generally been associated with strong and recurrent marine heat waves (Crisci et al., 2011; Kersting et al., 2013; Turicchia et al., 2018; Bensoussan et al., 2019) which are becoming more frequent globally (Smale et al., 2019). Both field observations and future projections using Regional Coupled Models (Adloff et al., 2015; Darmaraki et al., 2019) show the increase in Mediterranean sea surface temperature, with more frequent occurrence of extreme ocean warming events. As a result, new MMEs are expected during the coming years. To date, despite the efforts, neither updated nor comprehensive information can support scientific analysis of mortality events at a Mediterranean regional scale. Such information is vital to guide management and conservation strategies that can then inform adaptive management schemes that aim to face the impacts of climate change.MV-L was supported by a postdoctoral contract Juan de la Cierva-Incorporación (IJCI-2016-29329) of Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades. AI was supported by a Technical staff contract (PTA2015-10829-I) Ayudas Personal Técnico de Apoyo of Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (2015). Interreg Med Programme (grant number Project MPA-Adapt 1MED15_3.2_M2_337) 85% cofunded by the European Regional Development Fund, the MIMOSA project funded by the Foundation Prince Albert II Monaco and the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no 689518 (MERCES). DG-G was supported by an FPU grant (FPU15/05457) from the Spanish Ministry of Education. J-BL was partially supported by the Strategic Funding UID/Multi/04423/2013 through national funds provided by FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), in the framework of the programme PT2020

MOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION OF PUFFER FISH LAGOCEPHALUS SCELERATUS (GMELIN, 1789) AND LAGOCEPHALUS SPADICEUS (RICHARDSON, 1845) FROM EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN, TURKEY

WOS: 000378967600015The Mediterranean Sea is home to numerous invasive marine species. The Suez Canal is considered as the major route of migrating Indo-Pacific species known as Lessepsian species, from the Red Sea into the Mediterranean. One of those species Lagocephalus sceleratus and Lagocephalus spadiceus has serious impact on the ecosystem, fisheries and human health within a decade. DNA based methods are frequently preferred and reliable techniques in species identification studies. The 16S rRNA genes and cytochrome b genes are relatively conserved mitochondrial genes, used for this purpose. 16S rRNA gene primers and cytochrome b gene specific pirmers were used to identify Turkish L. sceleratus and L. spadiceus specimens from Gokova Bay via PCR analysis. Obtained gene sequence deposited in GenBank databse. Consequently, it was obtained that cytochrome b gene sequence is more useful than 16S rRNA gene region for identification of L. spadiceus samples while both gene region give reasonable results for L. sceleratus species.United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under Small Grants Programme (SGP) [TUR/SGP/OP5/STAR/BD/13/02]This work was supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under Small Grants Programme (SGP) number TUR/SGP/OP5/STAR/BD/13/0

Development and evaluation of a spoken dialog system-mediated paired oral task for measuring second language oral communication ability in English

Paired/group oral tasks have been shown to be effective in assessing aspects of second language (L2) oral communication ability (OCA) (e.g., Bonk & Ockey, 2003; Taylor, 2011), especially interactional competence (IC) (e.g., Galaczi, 2014; May, Nakatsuhara, Lam, & Galaczi, 2020). However, the use of these tasks in large-scale assessments is limited because of the impracticality of task administration and the potential impact of interlocutor characteristics on oral performance (e.g., Ockey, 2009; O’Sullivan, 2002). Thus, there is a need for a practical and standard way to administer such tasks. One possible way to address this need is by designing Spoken Dialog Systems (SDSs) to deliver versions of paired/group oral tasks in which computers act as conversation partners and engage in discussions with test takers. Given the lack of research on this potential solution, the current dissertation study aimed to (1) develop a prototype SDS-mediated paired oral task (SDS-POT) and (2) evaluate the appropriateness of the task for assessing L2 oral communication. The study was guided by two methodological frameworks: design-based research (McKenney & Reeves, 2012; Wang & Hanafin, 2005) and argument-based validity (Chapelle, 2021; Kane, 2006, 2013). Based on research on SDS design and L2 oral assessment task design, the prototype SDS-POT was developed in five steps: (1) designing a paired oral task, (2) building an SDS architecture, (3) creating and analyzing a seed corpus for algorithm development, (4) developing task-specific algorithms, and (5) testing and refining the algorithms. A 4-point holistic rating scale was also devised using information obtained from two sources: a literature review on the construct of L2 OCA and a preliminary test taker discourse analysis. Following the principles of design-based research (McKenney & Reeves, 2012; Wang & Hanafin, 2005), the entire task and rating scale development process were documented to provide guidance for other test developers and researchers on building SDSs for paired oral tasks. Utilizing the conceptual tools provided by the argument-based validity framework (Chapelle, 2021; Kane, 2006, 2013), an interpretation use argument for the SDS-POT was constructed to specify the evidence needed to support the interpretations and uses of the task scores. Through the development and evaluation of the task, various types of validity evidence were sought to justify four inferences: construct/domain definition, evaluation, generalization, and explanation. Backing for the construct/domain definition and generalization inferences came mainly from the task and rating scale development documentation. Backing for the evaluation and explanation inferences was obtained through an empirical evaluation study. Using a mixed methods convergent design, qualitative and quantitative data were collected from 30 test takers (English as a Second Language students at a Midwestern university in the U.S.) and three experienced raters. The qualitative data consisted of test taker oral task responses, stimulated recalls, and semi-structured interviews. It also included rater semi-structured interviews. The quantitative data was limited to test taker task scores. The evaluation and explanation inferences were generally well supported by the evidence obtained from the qualitative and quantitative analyses of the data. The evaluation inference was backed by findings showing that (a) most test takers found the design of the SDS-POT appropriate for L2 oral communication assessment, (b) the raters viewed the rating scale and rater training as appropriate for scoring performance on the task, and (c) the raters could reliably rate task responses using the rating scale given (intra-class correlation coefficient = .93). The explanation inference was supported by results indicating that: (a) most IC features were consistently observable in the task responses; (b) the frequency of the use of observable IC features generally varied with score levels as expected; (c) discourse-analytic measures of fluency, pronunciation, and grammar/vocabulary exhibited differences across score levels in keeping with expectations; (d) a wide range of construct-relevant strategies were used to complete the task; and (e) the use of these strategies generally varied with score levels as expected. This study makes an original contribution to the field of language assessment by investigating the development and evaluation of an SDS-mediated paired oral task for L2 oral communication assessment. The finding that even under development, an SDS-mediated paired oral task can measure five aspects of L2 OCA (i.e., IC, fluency, pronunciation, grammar/vocabulary, and strategic competence) is encouraging. The study has important implications for the design and validation of SDSs for paired oral tasks.</p

Development and evaluation of a spoken dialog system-mediated paired oral task for measuring second language oral communication ability in English

Paired/group oral tasks have been shown to be effective in assessing aspects of second language (L2) oral communication ability (OCA) (e.g., Bonk & Ockey, 2003; Taylor, 2011), especially interactional competence (IC) (e.g., Galaczi, 2014; May, Nakatsuhara, Lam, & Galaczi, 2020). However, the use of these tasks in large-scale assessments is limited because of the impracticality of task administration and the potential impact of interlocutor characteristics on oral performance (e.g., Ockey, 2009; O’Sullivan, 2002). Thus, there is a need for a practical and standard way to administer such tasks. One possible way to address this need is by designing Spoken Dialog Systems (SDSs) to deliver versions of paired/group oral tasks in which computers act as conversation partners and engage in discussions with test takers. Given the lack of research on this potential solution, the current dissertation study aimed to (1) develop a prototype SDS-mediated paired oral task (SDS-POT) and (2) evaluate the appropriateness of the task for assessing L2 oral communication. The study was guided by two methodological frameworks: design-based research (McKenney & Reeves, 2012; Wang & Hanafin, 2005) and argument-based validity (Chapelle, 2021; Kane, 2006, 2013). Based on research on SDS design and L2 oral assessment task design, the prototype SDS-POT was developed in five steps: (1) designing a paired oral task, (2) building an SDS architecture, (3) creating and analyzing a seed corpus for algorithm development, (4) developing task-specific algorithms, and (5) testing and refining the algorithms. A 4-point holistic rating scale was also devised using information obtained from two sources: a literature review on the construct of L2 OCA and a preliminary test taker discourse analysis. Following the principles of design-based research (McKenney & Reeves, 2012; Wang & Hanafin, 2005), the entire task and rating scale development process were documented to provide guidance for other test developers and researchers on building SDSs for paired oral tasks. Utilizing the conceptual tools provided by the argument-based validity framework (Chapelle, 2021; Kane, 2006, 2013), an interpretation use argument for the SDS-POT was constructed to specify the evidence needed to support the interpretations and uses of the task scores. Through the development and evaluation of the task, various types of validity evidence were sought to justify four inferences: construct/domain definition, evaluation, generalization, and explanation. Backing for the construct/domain definition and generalization inferences came mainly from the task and rating scale development documentation. Backing for the evaluation and explanation inferences was obtained through an empirical evaluation study. Using a mixed methods convergent design, qualitative and quantitative data were collected from 30 test takers (English as a Second Language students at a Midwestern university in the U.S.) and three experienced raters. The qualitative data consisted of test taker oral task responses, stimulated recalls, and semi-structured interviews. It also included rater semi-structured interviews. The quantitative data was limited to test taker task scores. The evaluation and explanation inferences were generally well supported by the evidence obtained from the qualitative and quantitative analyses of the data. The evaluation inference was backed by findings showing that (a) most test takers found the design of the SDS-POT appropriate for L2 oral communication assessment, (b) the raters viewed the rating scale and rater training as appropriate for scoring performance on the task, and (c) the raters could reliably rate task responses using the rating scale given (intra-class correlation coefficient = .93). The explanation inference was supported by results indicating that: (a) most IC features were consistently observable in the task responses; (b) the frequency of the use of observable IC features generally varied with score levels as expected; (c) discourse-analytic measures of fluency, pronunciation, and grammar/vocabulary exhibited differences across score levels in keeping with expectations; (d) a wide range of construct-relevant strategies were used to complete the task; and (e) the use of these strategies generally varied with score levels as expected. This study makes an original contribution to the field of language assessment by investigating the development and evaluation of an SDS-mediated paired oral task for L2 oral communication assessment. The finding that even under development, an SDS-mediated paired oral task can measure five aspects of L2 OCA (i.e., IC, fluency, pronunciation, grammar/vocabulary, and strategic competence) is encouraging. The study has important implications for the design and validation of SDSs for paired oral tasks

Development and evaluation of a spoken dialog system-mediated paired oral task for measuring second language oral communication ability in English

Paired/group oral tasks have been shown to be effective in assessing aspects of second language (L2) oral communication ability (OCA) (e.g., Bonk & Ockey, 2003; Taylor, 2011), especially interactional competence (IC) (e.g., Galaczi, 2014; May, Nakatsuhara, Lam, & Galaczi, 2020). However, the use of these tasks in large-scale assessments is limited because of the impracticality of task administration and the potential impact of interlocutor characteristics on oral performance (e.g., Ockey, 2009; O’Sullivan, 2002). Thus, there is a need for a practical and standard way to administer such tasks. One possible way to address this need is by designing Spoken Dialog Systems (SDSs) to deliver versions of paired/group oral tasks in which computers act as conversation partners and engage in discussions with test takers. Given the lack of research on this potential solution, the current dissertation study aimed to (1) develop a prototype SDS-mediated paired oral task (SDS-POT) and (2) evaluate the appropriateness of the task for assessing L2 oral communication. The study was guided by two methodological frameworks: design-based research (McKenney & Reeves, 2012; Wang & Hanafin, 2005) and argument-based validity (Chapelle, 2021; Kane, 2006, 2013). Based on research on SDS design and L2 oral assessment task design, the prototype SDS-POT was developed in five steps: (1) designing a paired oral task, (2) building an SDS architecture, (3) creating and analyzing a seed corpus for algorithm development, (4) developing task-specific algorithms, and (5) testing and refining the algorithms. A 4-point holistic rating scale was also devised using information obtained from two sources: a literature review on the construct of L2 OCA and a preliminary test taker discourse analysis. Following the principles of design-based research (McKenney & Reeves, 2012; Wang & Hanafin, 2005), the entire task and rating scale development process were documented to provide guidance for other test developers and researchers on building SDSs for paired oral tasks. Utilizing the conceptual tools provided by the argument-based validity framework (Chapelle, 2021; Kane, 2006, 2013), an interpretation use argument for the SDS-POT was constructed to specify the evidence needed to support the interpretations and uses of the task scores. Through the development and evaluation of the task, various types of validity evidence were sought to justify four inferences: construct/domain definition, evaluation, generalization, and explanation. Backing for the construct/domain definition and generalization inferences came mainly from the task and rating scale development documentation. Backing for the evaluation and explanation inferences was obtained through an empirical evaluation study. Using a mixed methods convergent design, qualitative and quantitative data were collected from 30 test takers (English as a Second Language students at a Midwestern university in the U.S.) and three experienced raters. The qualitative data consisted of test taker oral task responses, stimulated recalls, and semi-structured interviews. It also included rater semi-structured interviews. The quantitative data was limited to test taker task scores. The evaluation and explanation inferences were generally well supported by the evidence obtained from the qualitative and quantitative analyses of the data. The evaluation inference was backed by findings showing that (a) most test takers found the design of the SDS-POT appropriate for L2 oral communication assessment, (b) the raters viewed the rating scale and rater training as appropriate for scoring performance on the task, and (c) the raters could reliably rate task responses using the rating scale given (intra-class correlation coefficient = .93). The explanation inference was supported by results indicating that: (a) most IC features were consistently observable in the task responses; (b) the frequency of the use of observable IC features generally varied with score levels as expected; (c) discourse-analytic measures of fluency, pronunciation, and grammar/vocabulary exhibited differences across score levels in keeping with expectations; (d) a wide range of construct-relevant strategies were used to complete the task; and (e) the use of these strategies generally varied with score levels as expected. This study makes an original contribution to the field of language assessment by investigating the development and evaluation of an SDS-mediated paired oral task for L2 oral communication assessment. The finding that even under development, an SDS-mediated paired oral task can measure five aspects of L2 OCA (i.e., IC, fluency, pronunciation, grammar/vocabulary, and strategic competence) is encouraging. The study has important implications for the design and validation of SDSs for paired oral tasks