EVALUATION OF A CUMULATIVE EXIT-FROM-DEGREE OBJECTIVE STRUCTURED CLINICAL EXAMINATION (OSCE) IN A GULF CONTEXT

This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the 2nd iteration of an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) for graduating pharmacy students in Qatar. A secondary objective of this study was to identify quality improvement opportunities for design, implementation, and evaluation of the OSCE. The psychometric analyses occurred as follows: Cut score determination using borderline regression method; predictive validity using regression and correlation of select course grades and assessments with OSCE scores, concurrent validity using correlation between other cumulative assessments and OSCE scores, risk of bias using correlation between assessors’ analytical and global scoring, content validity using student-feedback forms, and interrater reliability using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs), and internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha. Pearson and Spearman correlation statistics were conducted at α level < 0.05. A series of two focus groups and subsequent qualitative content analysis were conducted with key stakeholders to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges regarding OSCE implementation. Total cut score for the exam was 55.3%. Overall pass rate was 79.2%. OSCE scores correlated moderate-strongly with course grades of Professional Skills and Integrated Case-based Learning, and formative OSCE assessments. Course grades for medicinal chemistry were not correlated with OSCE scores. OSCE scores were moderately predicted by Professional skills course grades (52.3%) and its formative OSCE assessment (61.2%). Average correlation between analytical and global grades for all assessors was 0.52. A total of 90% of the stations were deemed to reflect practice, according to student perceptions. The average intraclass correlation coefficient for analytical checklists scores, global scores, and total scores were 0.88 (0.71 – 0.95), 0.61 (0.19 – 0.82), and 0.75 (0.45 – 0.88) respectively. Cronbach’s alpha of students’ performance in global scores across stations was 0.87, and 0.93 in terms of total scores. Focus groups confirmed content validity as a weakness yet spoke to training and assessment techniques as both strengths and areas for improvement. In sum, the 2nd iteration of a cumulative OSCE for graduating pharmacy students in Qatar was deemed valid and reliable, however refinements can be implemented in future iterations to further improve the exam as a high stakes assessment

Design and Implementation of Metallic Waste Collection Robot

The accumulation of waste has become a problem in urban city dumps. There are different kinds of waste that affect our environment, for example metallic and plastic waste. Developing metallic waste collection robotic system is a big challenge. There is limited research available about robotic systems that specialize in the collection and processing of waste. In this paper we propose robotic system that can be used for metallic waste collection and processing. This robot is equipped with a metal detector, ultrasonic sensor, control and power unit, and actuators. This autonomous robot can perform tasks such as obstacle avoidance and metal detection

Nature-inspired Algorithms as a Part of the Biomimetic Architecture: A Brief Discussion

Biomimetic architecture is mainly derived from biological phenomena. It is a significant method to solve architectural design and engineering problems. Biomimicry aims to mimic biological concepts and behaviors and apply them in buildings. Biomimetic architecture methods are presently classified into three levels: the organism level, the organism behavior, and the ecosystem level. This paper contributes to conceptualizing a novel approach that leverages the capabilities of biomimetic architecture. The proposed architectural method is composed of two main modules: direct and indirect mimication. This novel method is elaborated through the thematic analysis method by a brief discussion. This research's main finding is the novel biomimetic architecture method

Visual Discomfort Analysis as a Tool to Support Façade Shading Design: A Case Study in the Architectural Design Studio.

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.While daylight admittance in educational buildings is of high importance, the associated visual discomfort issues can negatively impact student productivity and well-being. This paper reports the outcomes of a case study of the architectural studios at Al-Azhar University, Cairo, where visual discomfort due to daylight intrusion was reported by 49% of the students, leading to difficulties while performing multiple vertical and horizontal tasks. To address this issue, visual discomfort simulation analyses were conducted for 78 view positions with respect to façade shading systems (fixed shading and dynamic electrochromic glazing). To predict the level of visual discomfort for multiple view targets, three indicators, horizontal illuminance, vertical-eye illuminance, and daylight glare probability, were used. A simulation workflow of daylight and glare was developed to shade each dynamic window individually whenever the defined criteria are met. The results showed evident reductions in the hours of visual discomfort based on the three indicators from 83%, 84%, and 37% to 8%, 19%, and 3%, respectively (southwest), and from 57%, 71%, and 13% to 2%, 10%, and 1%, respectively (northeast). The proposed simulation workflow can be used in future practices to improve façade-shading performance to protect against visual discomfort under similar climatic contexts

COVID-19 related complete blood count changes among asymptomatic pregnant women

Objective: To evaluate complete blood count (CBC) changes that suggest coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) among asymptomatic pregnant women attending routine antenatal care Methods: A cross-sectional study included 187 healthy pregnant women who were attending the antenatal care clinic of a tertiary University hospital between March and June 2020. After a thorough history and examinations, a venous blood sample was taken from each participant for complete and differential blood counts. Those who showed CBC findings suggestive of COVID-19 were further scheduled for a nasopharyngeal swab for detection of SARS-CoV-2 specific antigens through polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: We found 5.3% (n=10) of the study population showed CBC changes that are suggestive of COVID-19. When they were scheduled for nasopharyngeal swab for a PCR confirmatory test, 30% (n=3) of them were PCR positive (which represented 1.6% of the entire study population). The most frequently encountered COVID-19-suggestive change in peripheral blood leukocyte differential counts was leucopenia (100%), followed by decreased eosinophil count (50%), then neutropenia and lymphocytopenia (30%). Conclusions: Certain differential leucocyte count changes (leucopenia, neutropenia, lymphocytopenia and decreased eosinophil count) among asymptomatic pregnant women might be related to COVID-19 infection and may indicate a need for further testing

Autonomous driving in the face of unconventional odds

Autonomous driving (AD) will play a vital role in saving human lives and substantial property damage, with approximately 90% of accidents occuring due to human errors. AD promises greater mobility, energy saving, and less air pollution. Despite the recent advances to achieve such promising vision, enabling autonomous vehicles in complex environments remains a challenge. The solution to improve road infrastructure should start by deploying Road Asset Management Systems (RAMS) to structurally plan and implement maintenance. In low-income countries, RAMS data collection process should be more frequent due to the low-cost material used, and so it is more costly

Application of a systematic approach to evaluating psychometric properties of a cumulative exit-from-degree objective structured clinical examination (OSCE)

Background and purpose Objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) are considered gold standard performance-based assessments yet comprehensive evaluation data is currently lacking. The objective of this study was to critically evaluate the psychometric properties of a cumulative OSCE for graduating pharmacy students in Qatar for which policies and procedures were adapted from a Canadian context. Educational activity and setting A 10-station OSCE was conducted for graduating students in Qatar. Evaluation included assessment of pass rates, predictive validity, concurrent validity, internal validity, content validity, interrater reliability, and internal consistency. Findings Twenty-six students completed the OSCE. Three stations achieved pass rates < 80%. Scores from professional skills and case-based learning courses, formative OSCEs, and cumulative grade point averages correlated with OSCE scores (p < 0.05). Average correlation between assessors’ analytical and global scoring was moderate (r = 0.52). Average interrater reliability was excellent for analytical scoring (ICC = 0.88) and moderate for global scoring (ICC = 0.61). Excellent internal consistency was demonstrated for overall performance (α = 0.927). Students generally agreed stations represented real practice scenarios (range per station, 30–100%). Discussion and summary The evaluation model identified strengths and weaknesses in assessment and curricular considerations. The OSCE demonstrated acceptable validity and reliability as an adapted assessment.Scopu

Global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on subarachnoid haemorrhage hospitalisations, aneurysm treatment and in-hospital mortality: 1-year follow-up

Background: Prior studies indicated a decrease in the incidences of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated differences in the incidence, severity of aSAH presentation, and ruptured aneurysm treatment modality during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the preceding year. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study including 49 countries and 187 centres. We recorded volumes for COVID-19 hospitalisations, aSAH hospitalisations, Hunt-Hess grade, coiling, clipping and aSAH in-hospital mortality. Diagnoses were identified by International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, codes or stroke databases from January 2019 to May 2021. Results: Over the study period, there were 16 247 aSAH admissions, 344 491 COVID-19 admissions, 8300 ruptured aneurysm coiling and 4240 ruptured aneurysm clipping procedures. Declines were observed in aSAH admissions (-6.4% (95% CI -7.0% to -5.8%), p=0.0001) during the first year of the pandemic compared with the prior year, most pronounced in high-volume SAH and high-volume COVID-19 hospitals. There was a trend towards a decline in mild and moderate presentations of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) (mild: -5% (95% CI -5.9% to -4.3%), p=0.06; moderate: -8.3% (95% CI -10.2% to -6.7%), p=0.06) but no difference in higher SAH severity. The ruptured aneurysm clipping rate remained unchanged (30.7% vs 31.2%, p=0.58), whereas ruptured aneurysm coiling increased (53.97% vs 56.5%, p=0.009). There was no difference in aSAH in-hospital mortality rate (19.1% vs 20.1%, p=0.12). Conclusion: During the first year of the pandemic, there was a decrease in aSAH admissions volume, driven by a decrease in mild to moderate presentation of aSAH. There was an increase in the ruptured aneurysm coiling rate but neither change in the ruptured aneurysm clipping rate nor change in aSAH in-hospital mortality

Global Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Stroke Volumes and Cerebrovascular Events: One-Year Follow-up.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Declines in stroke admission, intravenous thrombolysis, and mechanical thrombectomy volumes were reported during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a paucity of data on the longer-term effect of the pandemic on stroke volumes over the course of a year and through the second wave of the pandemic. We sought to measure the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the volumes of stroke admissions, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), intravenous thrombolysis (IVT), and mechanical thrombectomy over a one-year period at the onset of the pandemic (March 1, 2020, to February 28, 2021) compared with the immediately preceding year (March 1, 2019, to February 29, 2020). METHODS We conducted a longitudinal retrospective study across 6 continents, 56 countries, and 275 stroke centers. We collected volume data for COVID-19 admissions and 4 stroke metrics: ischemic stroke admissions, ICH admissions, intravenous thrombolysis treatments, and mechanical thrombectomy procedures. Diagnoses were identified by their ICD-10 codes or classifications in stroke databases. RESULTS There were 148,895 stroke admissions in the one-year immediately before compared to 138,453 admissions during the one-year pandemic, representing a 7% decline (95% confidence interval [95% CI 7.1, 6.9]; p<0.0001). ICH volumes declined from 29,585 to 28,156 (4.8%, [5.1, 4.6]; p<0.0001) and IVT volume from 24,584 to 23,077 (6.1%, [6.4, 5.8]; p<0.0001). Larger declines were observed at high volume compared to low volume centers (all p<0.0001). There was no significant change in mechanical thrombectomy volumes (0.7%, [0.6,0.9]; p=0.49). Stroke was diagnosed in 1.3% [1.31,1.38] of 406,792 COVID-19 hospitalizations. SARS-CoV-2 infection was present in 2.9% ([2.82,2.97], 5,656/195,539) of all stroke hospitalizations. DISCUSSION There was a global decline and shift to lower volume centers of stroke admission volumes, ICH volumes, and IVT volumes during the 1st year of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the prior year. Mechanical thrombectomy volumes were preserved. These results suggest preservation in the stroke care of higher severity of disease through the first pandemic year. TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION This study is registered under NCT04934020