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Peer reviewed: True, INTRODUCTION: Rapid evaluations can offer evidence on innovations in health and social care that can be used to inform fast-moving policy and practise, and support their scale-up according to previous research. However, there are few comprehensive accounts of how to plan and conduct large-scale rapid evaluations, ensure scientific rigour, and achieve stakeholder engagement within compressed timeframes. METHODS: Using a case study of a national mixed-methods rapid evaluation of COVID-19 remote home monitoring services in England, conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, this manuscript examines the process of conducting a large-scale rapid evaluation from design to dissemination and impact, and reflects on the key lessons for conducting future large-scale rapid evaluations. In this manuscript, we describe each stage of the rapid evaluation: convening the team (study team and external collaborators), design and planning (scoping, designing protocols, study set up), data collection and analysis, and dissemination. RESULTS: We reflect on why certain decisions were made and highlight facilitators and challenges. The manuscript concludes with 12 key lessons for conducting large-scale mixed-methods rapid evaluations of healthcare services. We propose that rapid study teams need to: (1) find ways of quickly building trust with external stakeholders, including evidence-users; (2) consider the needs of the rapid evaluation and resources needed; (3) use scoping to ensure the study is highly focused; (4) carefully consider what cannot be completed within a designated timeframe; (5) use structured processes to ensure consistency and rigour; (6) be flexible and responsive to changing needs and circumstances; (7) consider the risks associated with new data collection approaches of quantitative data (and their usability); (8) consider whether it is possible to use aggregated quantitative data, and what that would mean when presenting results, (9) consider using structured processes & layered analysis approaches to rapidly synthesise qualitative findings, (10) consider the balance between speed and the size and skills of the team, (11) ensure all team members know roles and responsibilities and can communicate quickly and clearly; and (12) consider how best to share findings, in discussion with evidence-users, for rapid understanding and use. CONCLUSION: These 12 lessons can be used to inform the development and conduct of future rapid evaluations in a range of contexts and settings.

Scoping review of rapid evaluations in health and social care interventions

We have measured the changes in the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by the oral pathogen Porphyromonasgingivalis, when treated in vitro with the antibiotic amoxicillin. We have also measured the VOC production of P.gingivalis grown in the presence and absence of supplemental hemin. Planktonic bacterial cultures were treated with different amounts of amoxicillin in the lag phase of the bacterial growth. Planktonic bacteria were also cultured with and without supplemental hemin in the culture medium. Concentrations of VOCs were measured with proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PTR-ToF–MS) and further molecular identification was done with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) using solid phase microextraction (SPME) for sampling. The cell growth of P.gingivalis in the cultures was estimated with optical density measurements at the wavelength of 600 nm (OD600). We found that the production of methanethiol, hydrogen sulfide and several short- to medium-chain fatty acids was decreased with antibiotic treatment using amoxicillin. Compounds found to increase with the antibiotic treatment were butyric acid and indole. In cultures without supplemental hemin, indole and short- to medium-chain fatty acid production was significantly reduced. Acetic acid production was found to increase when supplemental hemin was not available. Our results suggest that the metabolic effects of both antibiotic treatment and supplemental hemin availability are reflected in the VOCs produced by P.gingivalis and could be used as markers for bacterial cell growth and response to threat. Analysis of these volatiles from human samples, such as the exhaled breath, could be used in the future to rapidly monitor response to antibacterial treatment.

As a vitamin C–rich fruit, choosing the eating time for kiwifruit with the best quality during the shelf period is still a problem for consumers. This paper mainly focuses on the correlation between cold storage time, quality indexes, volatile flavor compounds of postharvest kiwifruit and RGB value readouts from photos taken by mobile phone. Results indicated that the R to B ratio values (Central R/B) and B to G ratio values (Central B/G) of the central site of kiwifruit were strongly associated with storage time and all quality indicators. The central R/B was negatively correlated with titratable acidity, vitamin C and 2,6-Nonadienal contents and firmness and positively correlated with storage time, weight loss, soluble solids content, total soluble sugars, total plate counts and 1,3-Cyclooctadiene. We provide a novel and smart strategy to predict the shelf life and quality parameters of kiwifruit by capturing and calculating RGB values using a smartphone.

Wetlands are one of the world’s three major ecosystems. They not only maintain regional ecological balance but also provide an important guarantee for human survival. Wetland ecosystem health assessment serves as the foundation for wetland protection, management, and restoration. In this study, the method for wetland ecosystem health assessment proposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) was selected and improved to systematically evaluate the health status of the Cuihu wetlands’ ecosystem at three levels. The results revealed that the Cuihu wetlands’ landscape development intensity index was 1.55, the total landscape pattern value was 10 points, and the total score for rapid evaluation was 0.79. Levels I and II indicated that the Cuihu wetlands’ ecosystem was in a good near-natural state. Additionally, level III revealed that ecosystem health is higher in area B than in area A. The Cuihu wetlands were characterized by low species diversity and low distribution of benthic animals and aquatic plants. The comprehensive evaluation results revealed that the Cuihu wetlands’ ecosystem is in a good health. In the future, the health status of the wetland ecosystem should be monitored regularly, the cultivation and propagation of aquatic plants should be strengthened, and effective methods to improve water quality and reduce soil salinity should be used to achieve the best health status of the Cuihu wetlands.

In this study, seismic performance of one story hinged precast buildings, which represents the majority of existing lightweight industrial building stock of Turkey, was assessed. A lot of precast buildings, constructed in one of the important seismic zones of western Turkey, were investigated and building inventories were prepared. By this method, structural properties of inventory buildings and damaged precast buildings in recent earthquakes were compared. Damage estimations based on nonlinear analysis methods have shown that estimated damage levels of inventory buildings and observed damage levels in recent earthquakes are similar. Accuracy of damage estimation study and the simplicity of the one story precast building models implied that rapid seismic performance assessment method for these buildings can be developed. In this assessment method, capacity curves and vibration periods of precast buildings were calculated by using structural properties of precast buildings. The proposed assessment method was applied to inventory buildings by using two different seismic demand scenarios which reflect moderate and soft soil conditions. Comparison of detailed analysis and rapid assessment methods have indicated that reliable seismic performance estimations can be performed by using proposed method. It is also observed that distribution of damage estimations is compatible in both scenarios. © 2013 Techno-Press, Ltd.

Para a avaliacao objetiva da patencia nasal sao utilizados a rinometria acustica, rinomanometria e o peak flow nasal inspiratorio (PFNI). Estes exames, com excecao do PFNI, sao dispendiosos e complexos. Para utilizacao na Medicina do Trabalho e mesmo na pratica clinica diaria, faz-se necessario um metodo de mensuracao simples, rapido, de baixo custo e confiavel. Atualmente, os estudos tendem a correlacionar metodos que reunem estas caracteristicas, com aqueles metodos ja bem documentados. Objetivos: comparar os resultados do PFNI com achados da Escala Analogica Visual (EVA), antes e apos o uso de vasoconstritor nasal em individuos assintomaticos. Em um segundo momento, avaliar o PFNI entre individuos saudaveis e com queixas nasais obstrutivas. Forma de estudo: Artigo 1: Estudo de coorte em que a variavel em questao e a ralacao entre o PFNI e a EVA para obstrucao nasal antes e apos vasoconstricao nasal em individuos saudaveis; Artigo 2: Estudo transversal, em que a variavel estudada e o comportamento do PFNI em uma populacao de individuos sem e com queixas nasais obstrutivas. Metodos: Dissertacao realizada em formato alternativo composta de dois artigos. No primeiro foi feito uma correlacao entre o resultado do PFNI e EVA antes e apos vasoconstricao nasal de uma amostra de 60 sujeitos saudaveis. No segundo artigo foram avaliados 78 sujeitos com e sem sintomas nasais obstrutivos. Ambos estudos tiveram alocacao de sujeitos de forma nao randomizada. Resultados: No teste de regressao linear simples, o PFNI mostrou resultados significantes para obstrucao nasal, rinorreia, prurido, espirros e lacrimejamento (p