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Direct behavior rating (DBR) may be a viable assessment for documenting current areas of impaired functioning and progress monitoring students’ response to a behavioral intervention. Challenging behaviors are often addressed in general education settings using interventions such as the daily report card (DRC). To best implement and monitor such interventions, effective progress monitoring tools are needed. The present study reports on the results of a multiple-baseline design across three elementary school children who had a DRC implemented to address academic engagement and social behaviors. The DRC and systematic direct observation (SDO) were compared with teacher-completed DBR to investigate the correspondence between these two measures of progress monitoring. Relative to SDO, results indicated that DBR was generally an effective means of monitoring progress for most cases and most target behaviors. The results of the present study support using DBR to monitor progress following the use of a behavioral intervention such as the DRC.

In this present work, a single item production–inventory model is considered. The rate of production is considered as variable. Here the production of defective items also considered. Since some defective items are being produced, corresponding to that a damage rate is applied. It is assumed that there is a demand for both defective and non-defective items. Thus, two types of demand have been considered here. It is considered that the production rate is a monotonically decreasing function. An efficiency cost has also been applied to fulfill the customers’ demand. Under these circumstances, a profit function is constructed for the manufacturer. Finally, the proposed model is discussed considering some numerical data.

Preventive maintenance (PM) scheduling of units is addressed as a crucial issue that effects on both economy and reliability of power systems. In this paper, we describe an application of statistical analysis for determining the best PM strategy in the case of parallel, series, and single-item replacement systems. A key aspect of industrial maintenance is the trade-off between cost and time of performing PM operations. The goals of this study is to determine the best time for performing PM operations in each system and also finding the number of spare parts and facilities in single-item replacement and parallel systems respectively so that the average cost per unit time is minimized. In this proposed maintenance strategy, PM operations are regularly performed on the production unit in equal time intervals. Finally, three examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed models.

Background Irritability and emotion regulation are both important transdiagnostic factors that contribute to the development of internalizing symptoms during adolescence. The current study examined whether emotion regulation mediates the relationship between irritability and internalizing symptoms. Methods To examine this relationship we analysed the indirect effect of irritability (measured using a single item from the Goldberg Mania Questionnaire) on internalizing symptoms (anxiety and depression) via the mediator, emotion regulation (Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale) in 112 adolescent females. Results Mediation analysis, using bootstrapping, showed a significant indirect effect and suggests that the relationship between irritability and internalizing symptoms is mediated by emotion dysregulation. Limitations These include measuring irritability using a single item and employing a cross sectional design. Conclusions These novel findings add to our understanding of the processes and mechanisms by which irritability contributes to the development of internalizing symptoms.

This study analyzes the mediating role of the appraisal of environmental stressors in the relationship between physical characteristics in the offices and health symptoms. It also studies the moderating role of positive emotions in the relationship between physical characteristics and the appraisal of environmental stressors using a diary study on 59 office workers ( n = 432 time points) and sensor data. The results show that the appraisal of environmental stressors mediates the relationship between physical office characteristics and health symptoms, emphasizing the important link of stress appraisal in the stressors–strain relationship. The results also show that positive emotions moderate the relationship between the sound level and the appraisal of noise, supporting the fact that emotions can have an impact on people’s appraisals. The contributions of this study are the objective measurement of physical stressors in offices, along with their appraisals by the office users, using the diary study design.

Body image concerns are prevalent among adolescents; however, a single item assessing what influences their body image does not exist. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop a survey item on the factors influencing adolescent body image for inclusion in a nationally representative health behaviour survey. This article describes the methodology used to develop a survey item and the results obtained through its inclusion in the survey. The research design included a literature review, consultation work with young people and data analyses of the new survey item included in the survey. Results from the current study revealed that a variety of factors influence adolescent body image, some of which have been overlooked in the traditional body image literature to date. This study demonstrates consultation with young people can contribute to the development of quantitative measures.

Direct Behavior Rating–Single Item Scales (DBR-SIS) have been advanced as a promising, systematic, behavioral, progress-monitoring method that is flexible, efficient, and defensible. This study aimed to extend existing literature on the use of DBR-SIS in elementary and secondary settings, and to examine methods of monitoring student progress in response to intervention. To this end, two concurrent multiple baseline design studies were conducted in a diverse magnet school district located in the northeastern United States. One study was conducted with four students in kindergarten and first grade, whereas the second study was conducted with three students in 10th and 11th grade. Response to a Daily Report Card (DRC) intervention was monitored using two different approaches: DBR-SIS and systematic direct observation (SDO) probes. Across all participants, modest improvements in behavior were observed using both visual and quantitative analyses of DBR-SIS data; however, decisions regarding student response to the intervention varied as a function of the dependent variable analyzed. Implications for practice and future directions for research are discussed.

This paper benchmarks B-RISK’s capability to predict item ignition in multiple object compartment fire simulations. A series of fire experiments have been conducted which measured single item ignition times under the furniture calorimeter and in the ISO 9705 room. These experiments used mock-up armchair, TV and cabinetry furniture items created from three common materials found in most households in New Zealand exposed to a 100 kW gas burner flame. B-RISK uses the flux-time product (FTP) method as the criterion to predict ignition of items, based on radiation received using the point source model (PSM). This paper presents an analysis of the B-RISK predictions compared to the experimental measurements. Due to the mathematical formulation of the PSM and FTP method, it is found that the predicted ignition time is sensitive to the distance between the radiative source and the item. Predicted ignition times of armchairs constructed of polyurethane foam were within 14% of the ISO 9705 room experimental results. However, for the furniture calorimeter experiments it is found that to get reasonable predictions of the ignition times for the mock-up armchair and TV items there is a need to account for the burner flame movement by adjusting the radial distance by 10–30 mm. Direct flame contact was required to ignite the mock-up cabinetry items and B-RISK was unable to successfully predict this ignition time.

This paper provides a brief overview of the Arboricultural Journal from its inception in 1965 until 2015, with comments on some of the main topics, and thoughts on the development of arboriculture over this time, together with the role of the journal, both now and in the future. There were 163 issues of the journal over this period, and it has not been possible to mention every single item or topic, so the comments which follow are inevitably selective, and there may be some bias towards the subjects that have been of greatest interest to the reviewer or which appear to be of particular importance.

Abstract. Self-assessed health (SAH) is the personal assessment of one’s own health ( Idler & Benyamini, 1997 ; Jylhä, 2009 ). It is often measured using a single item asking whether adults rate their health as excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor. When measured at a single point in time, SAH relates to a variety of short-term and long-term health outcomes and behaviors, including morbidity, healthcare utilization, and mortality ( Benyamini, 2008 ; Mossey & Shapiro, 1982 ; Westerhof & Wurm, 2015 ). Recently, attention has shifted away from examining SAH at a single point in time toward understanding whether SAH trajectories can better predict health outcomes ( Ayyagari et al., 2012 ; Schmitz et al., 2013 ). Therefore, it is critical to understand the factors contributing to the SAH process. This article provides a multidisciplinary overview of SAH and SAH change while illustrating the benefits of adopting a lifespan approach in future research. The current SAH literature, including cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, is used to examine what is known about the SAH process into late adulthood. From the literature, it is clear SAH is a multidimensional construct, susceptible to age-related change and sociohistorical contexts. Understanding the developmental mechanisms and multiple influences underlying change, however, may help further the use of SAH as a life-long health-promotion tool. Lifespan concepts are applied to expand discussion and recommendations are made concerning the application of alternative variables and methodologies. Future studies of SAH should consider these personal perceptions of health not only as predictors of health outcomes in later life, but also as tools for effective health promotion in everyday life.

This contribution explores whether the hosting of two non-mega sport events affected the happiness of residents (non-attendees) in the host community, and if these feelings differed according to the type of event. The events under investigation were two multi-sport events held in the same community during the summer of 2014: the Ontario Summer Games and the 55+ Summer Games. Residents were intercepted in public spaces to complete a survey, including levels of happiness, event, and socio-demographic variables. Happiness was measured in a holistic way, including overall happiness, satisfaction, positive and reversed negative affect dimensions of subjective well-being. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed: (1) higher levels of happiness for aware, non-attendee residents when measured with a single item of overall happiness, but not for other measures of happiness in the holistic approach (causality cannot be confirmed); (2) aware, non-attendee residents did not need to have the intention to atte...

Background Compared with PBO, addition of APA to ADT significantly improved radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS [HR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.39-0.60; p Methods mCSPC pts (N = 1052) were randomized 1:1 to APA (240 mg QD; n = 525) or PBO (n = 527). All pts received ADT. Pts were stratified by Gleason score at diagnosis (≤ 7 vs > 7), region (North America vs European Union vs other countries), and prior docetaxel use (yes vs no). PROs were assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI-SF), Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate (FACT-P), and Euro QoL Group EQ-5D-5L. BPI and BFI were completed for 7 consecutive days (D) (D -6 plus D1 of each cycle [C] visit), then at Months 4, 8, and 12 in follow-up. FACT-P and EQ-5D-5L were completed C1 through C7, then every other C through end of treatment (tmt), and at Months 4, 8, and 12 in follow-up. Analyses included descriptive statistics and mean change from baseline using mixed model of repeated measures. Results Pts were relatively asymptomatic at baseline: on 0-10 severity scales, median pain scores were 1.14 (APA) and 1.00 (PBO), and median fatigue scores were 1.29 (APA) and 1.43 (PBO). Pt experience of pain and fatigue (both intensity and interference) was similar between groups for the duration of tmt. For the majority of pts in both arms, pain and fatigue remained stable or improved during tmt, with greater improvements observed in pts with higher baseline severity scores. FACT-P total score and EQ-5D-5L data showed similar maintenance of overall HRQoL in both arms. Similar tolerability was experienced between groups based on the FACT-P single item side effects bother question. Conclusions The addition of APA to ADT maintained overall HRQoL while significantly improving OS and rPFS in mCSPC pts. Clinical trial identification NCT02489318. Editorial acknowledgement Chris R. Prostko, PhD, of Parexel. Legal entity responsible for the study Janssen Research & Development. Funding Janssen Research & Development. Disclosure N. Agarwal: Advisory / Consultancy: Argos Therapeutics; AstraZeneca; Bayer; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Clovis Oncology; Eisai; EMD Serono; Exelixis; Foundation One Inc; Genentech/Roche; Lilly; Medivation/Astellas; Merck; Nektar; Novartis; Pfizer; Research grant / Funding (institution): Active Biotech; Amgen; AstraZeneca; Bavarian Nordic; Bayer; BN ImmunoTherapeutics; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Calithera Biosciences; Celldex; Eisai; Exelixis; Genentech; GlaxoSmithKline; Immunomedics; Janssen; Medivation; Merck; Newlink Genetics. K. McQuarrie: Full / Part-time employment: Janssen; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Johnson & Johnson. A. Bjartell: Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Glactone Pharma AB. S. Chowdhury: Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Clovis Oncology; Honoraria (self): Novartis; Advisory / Consultancy: Astellas Pharma; Advisory / Consultancy: Bayer; Advisory / Consultancy: Janssen-Cilag; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Pfizer; Research grant / Funding (institution): Sanofi/Aventis. B.H. Chung: Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Astellas (Korea); Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Ipsen (Korea); Honoraria (self): JW Pharma (Korea); Honoraria (self): Takeda (Korea); Advisory / Consultancy: Janssen (Korea); Advisory / Consultancy: Handok (Korea); Research grant / Funding (self): Janssen (USA); Research grant / Funding (self): Bayer (Germany); Research grant / Funding (self): Pfizer (USA); Research grant / Funding (self): AstraZeneca (UK). Juarez Soto: Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self): Janssen; Advisory / Consultancy: Astellas; Advisory / Consultancy: Pfizer; Advisory / Consultancy: Coloplast; Research grant / Funding (self): Bayer. A. Merseburger: Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Janssen-Cilag; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Astellas. H. Uemura: Honoraria (self), Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Janssen; Honoraria (self): Astellas; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Takeda; Honoraria (self), Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Sanofi; Honoraria (self), Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Bayer; Advisory / Consultancy: AstraZeneca. R. Given: Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Multiple companies as individual stock and within mutual funds; Honoraria (self): HealthTronics; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (self): Janssen; Research grant / Funding (self): Ferring; Research grant / Funding (self): Veru; Research grant / Funding (self): Medivation; Research grant / Funding (self): Clovis. B. Miladinovic: Full / Part-time employment: Janssen Research & Development; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Johnson & Johnson. L. Dearden: Full / Part-time employment: Janssen Research & Development; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Johnson & Johnson. K. Deprince: Full / Part-time employment: Janssen Research & Development; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Johnson & Johnson. V. Naini: Full / Part-time employment: Janssen Research & Development; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Johnson & Johnson. A. Lopez-Gitlitz: Full / Part-time employment: Janssen Research & Development; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Johnson & Johnson. K.N. Chi: Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Astellas Pharma; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Bayer; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Sanofi; Advisory / Consultancy: Amgen; Advisory / Consultancy: ESSA; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Janssen; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Lilly/ImClone; Research grant / Funding (institution): Bristol-Myers Squibb; Research grant / Funding (institution): Merck; Research grant / Funding (institution): Roche; Research grant / Funding (institution): Tokai Pharmaceuticals. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Screening and brief intervention (SBI) for unhealthy alcohol use is recommended as a routine clinical procedure for adults in primary care settings. However, implementation of SBI remains suboptimal, in part reflecting time constraints in clinical settings. Single Item Screening Questions (SISQ) have increasingly been studied as a means of minimizing assessment burden. Although the ability of SISQ to accurately detect unhealthy alcohol use (i.e., at-risk drinking or alcohol use disorder) has been studied in various clinical and population settings, results have not been summarized in aggregate. This descriptive summarizes SISQ performance metrics across various clinical settings and populations. Based on results from 40 identified studies, there is consistent support that SISQ have good sensitivity as screeners for unhealthy drinking, with performance generally being comparable to longer validated instruments. Collectively, these results justify further efforts to evaluate SISQ as a means of maximizing SBI uptake and efficiency in various clinical settings.

This paper proposes an integrated model for multi-machines dynamic lot sizing aiming to produce a single item, considering the energy consumption during the production horizon. The objective is to ...

The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of burnout among medical residents in and assess the influence of certain demographic factors. The residents were asked to classify their level of burnout (according to one out of five levels of burnout) using their own definition of burnout. This survey was undertaken away from any examination time and confidentially ascertained. The frequency of burnout and itself level were calculated and compared between genders and year of training using the Chi-square. Eighty-two residents responded to the survey (100% of attendees and 91.1% of all residents in the department); 74.2% were male and 25.8% of female, 38.7% were in their 1st year of training, 24.2% in their 2nd year, 29.0% in their 3rd year, and 8.1% in their 4th year. The overall burnout frequency was 41.9% (29% with moderate burnout, and 12.9% with severe burnout). Overall twice as many female residents had burnout than males (P = 0.017). The prevalence of "moderate burnout" among males and females was 19.8% and 56.3%, respectively. However, no difference between males and females was seen in the "severe burnout" category (13% and 12.5%, respectively). The overall burnout rate was the lowest in the 1st year of training (33.3%) and the highest in the last (60%) but with no statistical significance (P = 0.4). Whereas 2/3rd of the male residents had no burnout, only 1/3rd one their female counterparts had no burnout (P = 0.017). Conversely, the prevalence of "moderate burnout" among males and females was 19.8% and 56.3%, respectively (P = 0.002). However, no difference between males and females was seen in the "severe burnout" category (13% and 12.5%, respectively. In conclusion, 50% of the residents had burnout which was significantly more prevalent in females. The rate of burnout is the highest in the last year of training and the lowest in the 1st year.

Usual walking speed (WS) is a relatively easy and reproducible tool for detecting mobility impairment. For some reasons, however, geriatric patients might not be able to perform walking tests. Therefore, a subjective assessment could be an alternative method to screen for mobility impairment. In the present paper, we explore the use of the mobility item from the Mini Nutritional Assessment-short form (MNA-sf) to assess mobility and its congruence with walking speed in hospitalized and ambulatory patients. We analyzed retrospective data from 357 patients and found a highly significant correlation between WS and the MNA-sf mobility item. After dichotomization of the MNA-sf mobility score (mobility impairment ≤1 and no impairment >1), AUC for ROC curves showed that the mobility item derived from the MNA-sf reflects fairly well the mobility of geriatric hospitalized patients (AUC = 0.773), while it performs better in ambulatory patients (AUC = 0.838)., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Self-Determination Theory (SDT) is amongst motivational frameworks the most popular and contemporary approach to human motivation, being applied in the last decades in several domains, including sport, exercise and physical education (PE). Additionally, Achievement Goal Theory (AGT) has presented evidence of how contextual factors may influence student’s behavior in this particular context. The main purpose of this study was to analyze the motivational climate created by the teacher in the classroom, students’ satisfaction of Basic Psychological Needs (BPN), and how their behavioral regulation could explain PE grades and intention to practice sports in the future. Method: A total of 618 students (290 female; 328 male) from the 6th to the 9th school level, aged between 10 and 18 years (M = 13.3; SD = 1.7) participated in this study. The following surveys were used for the proposed variables: Learning and Performance Orientations in Physical Education Classes Questionnaire (LAPOPECQ); the Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Scale (BPNESp); and the Perceived Locus of Causality (PLOCp). Intentions to practice sport/physical activity in the future were assessed through a single item. Students’ PE grade was obtained through his/her teacher final assessment. Structural Equation Analysis was performed via AMOS 23.0. Results: After analyzing modification indices and model adjustment, the final model emerged: learning climate > BPN > autonomous motivation > intentions/PE grade. Results interpretation seems to indicate that i) the satisfaction of BPN are influenced by motivational climate (i.e., learning climate), ii) the individuals’ motivation is influenced by the satisfaction of three basic psychological needs (i.e., particularly competence), and iii) the motivational regulations have direct and significant effects with intention to practice sports outside school in the future and PE grades. Discussion & Conclusion: The main results showed that a climate oriented for learning has a positive impact on basic psychological needs satisfaction of students. However, only competence satisfaction had a significant positive relationship with students’ autonomous motivation, which in turn had a significant positive relation with PE grade, as well as for intentions for leisure-time sport/physical activity practice.

We study how to maximize the broker's (expected) profit in a two-sided market, where she buys items from a set of sellers and resells them to a set of buyers. Each seller has a single item to sell and holds a private value on her item, and each buyer has a valuation function over the bundles of the sellers' items. We consider the Bayesian setting where the agents' values are independently drawn from prior distributions, and aim at designing dominant-strategy incentive-compatible (DSIC) mechanisms that are approximately optimal. Production-cost markets, where each item has a publicly-known cost to be produced, provide a platform for us to study two-sided markets. Briefly, we show how to covert a mechanism for production-cost markets into a mechanism for the broker, whenever the former satisfies cost-monotonicity. This reduction holds even when buyers have general combinatorial valuation functions. When the buyers' valuations are additive, we generalize an existing mechanism to production-cost markets in an approximation-preserving way. We then show that the resulting mechanism is cost-monotone and thus can be converted into an 8-approximation mechanism for two-sided markets., Appeared in IJCAI 19

The ability to track number has long been considered more difficult than tracking continuous quantities. Evidence for this claim comes from work revealing that continuous properties (specifically cumulative area) influence numerical judgments, such that adults perform worse on numerical tasks when cumulative area is incongruent with number. If true, then continuous extent tracking abilities should be unimpeded by number. The aim of the present study was to determine the precision with which adults track cumulative area and to uncover the process by which they do so. Across two experiments, we presented adults with arrays of dots and asked them to judge the relative cumulative area of the displays. Participants performed worse and were slower on incongruent trials, in which the more numerous array had the smaller cumulative area. These findings suggest that number interferes with continuous quantity judgments, and that number is at least as salient as continuous variables, undermining claims in the literature that continuous properties are easier to represent, and more salient to adults. Our primary research question, however, pertained to how cumulative area representations were impacted by set size. Results revealed that the area of a single item was tracked much faster and with greater precision than the area of multiple items. However, for sets with more than one item, results revealed less accurate, yet faster responses, as set size increased, suggesting a speed-accuracy trade-off in judgments of cumulative area. Results are discussed in the context of two distinct theories regarding the process of tracking cumulative area.

BACKGROUND: Working memory (WM) deficits are considered to be a core deficit in schizophrenia, implicated in the broad cognitive impairment seen in the illness. To date, the evidence supporting this view is based on correlations between measures of WM capacity or precision with other cognitive measures. Here we take an experimental approach and directly examine the impact of successful WM maintenance of a single, familiar item on the operation of other cognitive systems. METHODS: We studied 37 healthy controls (HCS) and 43 clinically stable people with schizophrenia (PSZ). Each trial consisted of a sequence of two potential target stimuli, T1 and T2. T1 was an X or a Y, presented for 100 ms. After delays varying from 100–800 ms, T2 was presented. T2 was a 1 or a 2 and required an immediate speeded discrimination response (one button for 1, another for 2). In one block of trials, subjects were instructed to ignore T1 but respond to T2 (attend-T2 trials). In another block, they were required to report T2 at the end of the trial, after making their speeded response to T1 (the attend-T1T2 condition). Thus, the attend-T1T2 condition required subjects to make a speeded response to T2 while holding T1 in WM. 240 trials were tested for each condition. We used median reaction times (RT) as our key dependent measure. The RT difference between attend-T1T2 and attend-T2 trials represents the cost of holding an item in WM. RESULTS: The main finding was that PSZ were dramatically slowed at responding to T2 when T1 was being held in WM (the attend-T1T2 condition). A repeated measures anova yielded main effects of group (PSZ slower), lag (RT longer at shortest T1-T2 intervals, and condition (attend-T1T2 slower than attend-T2; all ps

The single-item predictive validity of the Short-Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability (START) has not been thoroughly investigated, although this has great clinical relevance for the selection of treatment targets. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether the characteristic START additions of scoring strengths next to vulnerabilities and selecting key items, add incremental predictive validity. Finally, predictive validity has primarily been studied in inpatient settings and included mainly patients with a psychotic disorder. We analysed data from a mixed diagnostic sample of 195 forensic psychiatric outpatients with a 3-month and 170 patients with a 6-month follow-up period, using logistic regression analysis. The occurrence of violent or criminal behaviour was established based on the case manager's recordings in the patient's file. Only 5 of the 20 START items were found to have predictive validity: Impulse Control, Attitudes, Material Resources, Rule Adherence and Conduct. The last three were the only items for which incremental predictive validity was found with respect to scoring it as a strength and a vulnerability. Selection of key items did not add to the predictive validity. While possibly having therapeutic significance, the scoring of strength next to vulnerability and the selection of key items, may not be beneficial for risk assessment.

Non previsto

Background & Aim: An endoscopic classification of Diverticular Disease (DD), called DICA (Diverticular Inflammation and Complication Assessment) is currently available. It scores severity of the disease as DICA 1, DICA 2 and DICA 3. Our aim was to assess the agreement levels for this classification among an endoscopist community setting.Methods: A total of 66 endoscopists independently scored a set of DD endoscopic videos. The percentages of overall agreement on the DICA score and a free-marginal multirater kappa (κ) coefficient were reported as statistical measures of the inter-rater agreement.Results: The overall agreement levels were: 70.2% for DICA 1, 70.5% for DICA 2, 81.3% for DICA 3. The free marginal κ was: 0.553 for DICA 1, 0.558 for DICA 2, 0.719 for DICA 3. The agreement levels among the expert group were: 78.8% for DICA 1, 80.2% for DICA 2, 88.5% for DICA 3. The free marginal κ among the expert group were: 0.682 for DICA 1, 0.712 for DICA 2, 0.828 for DICA 3. The agreement of expert raters on the single item of the DICA classification was superior to the agreement of the overall group.Conclusions: The overall inter-rater agreement for DICA score in this study ranges from moderate to good, with a significant improvement in the expert subgroup of raters. Diverticular Inflammation and Complication Assessment is a simple and reproducible endoscopic scoring system.

An increased interest in sequential recommendation has been observed in recent years. Many models have been proposed to leverage the sequential user-item interaction data, which includes those based on Markov Chain or recurrent neural networks. Most of these models are designed for the scenario where each historical record composed of single item. However, the records could be a subset of items (or session) such as music playlists and baskets in e-commerce applications. How to leverage the session structure to improve the effectiveness of the recommendation system is a challenge. To this end, we propose a MEmory-augmented Attention Network for Sequential recommendation (MEANS), to effectively recommend next items given the sequential session data. The most recent sessions are stored into external memory after a max-pooling operation. The long-term user preference are learned through an attention network which is stacked on the memory layer. Finally, the mixture of long-term and short-term preference is feeded into the prediction layer to make recommendations. Extensive experiments on four real datasets show that MEANS outperforms various state-of-the-art sequential recommendation models.

EnglishAuchenipterichthys punctatus is a very abundant species of fish during the period of low waters in the Cuiuni River. This study investigated the feeding of A. punctatus in Cuiuni River lakes. The stomach content, degree of repletion, food index (IAi), preferential items and trophic niche amplitude (BA) of 130 individuals were analyzed. The results show that 26.9% of the individuals present stomachs with low degree of filling, 23.0% moderate, 13.0% half and 10.7% completely full. It was possible to identify three categories of stomach content considering its origin: animal, plant and unidentified material. The most consumed and diverse items are within the animal category, represented by different orders of autochthonous and allochthon insects. According to the diet data, the food composition of A. punctatus during the drought period in the Cuiuni River lakes shows the carnivorous habit with an insectivorous tendency. Trophic niche amplitude values were considered low in all lakes. The food activity showed that during the drought period there was a restriction due to the high consumption of a single item. We emphasize the need for further studies on the species A. punctatus, and other auchenipterids, involving trophic ecology during all phases of the flood pulse in black water lakes in the Amazon to fill in the existing gaps in the ecology of these fishes. portuguesAuchenipterichthys punctatus e uma especie de peixe muito abundante durante o periodo de aguas baixas no rio Cuiuni, sendo objetivo deste estudo investigar a alimentacao de A. punctatus em lagos desse rio. O conteudo estomacal, o grau de replecao, indice alimentar (IAi), itens preferenciais e amplitude de nicho trofico (BA) de 130 individuos foram analisados. Os resultados demonstram que 26,9% dos individuos apresentam estomagos com grau de enchimento baixo, 23,0% moderado, 13,0% semicheio e 10,7% completamente cheio. Foi possivel identificar tres categorias de conteudo quanto a origem: animal, vegetal e material nao identificado. Os itens de maior consumo e diversidade estao dentro da categoria animal, representados por diferentes ordens de insetos de origem autoctone e aloctone. De acordo com os dados da dieta, a composicao alimentar de A. punctatus durante o periodo da seca nos lagos do rio Cuiuni evidencia o habito carnivoro com tendencia a insetivoria. Os valores de amplitude de nicho trofico foram considerados baixos em todos os lagos. A atividade alimentar evidenciou que durante o periodo da seca houve restricao devido ao alto consumo de um unico item. Ressaltamos a necessidade de mais estudos sobre a especie, alem de outros auchenipterideos, envolvendo a ecologia trofica durante todas as fases do pulso de inundacao em lagos de agua preta na Amazonia para completar as lacunas existentes sobre sua ecologia.

We focus on a canonical Bayesian mechanism design setting: a seller wants to sell a single item to n bidders, whose values are drawn i.i.d. from a monotone-hazard-rate distribution. In the literature, three mechanisms receive particular attention: the revenue-optimal mechanism Myerson Auction (OPT), the welfare-optimal mechanism Second-Price Auction (SPA), and the most widely-used mechanism Anonymous Pricing (AP). In terms of revenue, we investigate how well the later two mechanisms can approximate Myerson Auction.

The Onlife Manifesto rightfully points to the emergence of new forms of subjectivity in the digital age and how ICT calls for the re-distribution of tasks and responsibilities between humans and their technologies. However, attention is still conceived in the Manifesto in modernist terms, as a problem of distraction. Within the terminology of attention economy, the Manifesto is critical about the abuse of traditional forms of attention, but does not make the next step to develop an alternative. In this chapter, I elaborate on the notion of attention and think of its new form in the digital age. A genealogy of the notion shows how attention reflects the dominant technologies of a period. In the age of the printed book, attention meant focusing on one activity at a time, and the background had to be silent and unnoticeable. In the age of radio and television, when stations and channels were switched with a single button, attention was still focused on a single item but for shorter periods of time. Today, in the age of multi-processor computers and cell phones, attention is distributed among tasks. In its distributed form, attention can provide a subversive answer to the attention economy that requires our undivided attention.

espanolEl objetivo del presente estudio fue obtener evidencias de validez y confiabilidad del Item Unico de Agotamiento Emocional Academico (IUAEA). Fue evaluada una muestra total de 227 estudiantes universitarios (155 mujeres) e ntre 17 y 56 anos (M=23.52, DE= 5.972), y una submuestra de 116 sujetos (79 mujeres) para el estudio de estabilidad te mporal. Ademas del IUAEA, fue utilizada la Escala de Cansancio Emocional (ECE) como criterio externo. Las evidencias de validez fueron analizadas con ecuaciones estructurales a traves del modelamiento conjunto del IUAEA con los items del ECE; correlaciones entre el IUAEA y el ECE; y un analisis comparativo de su relacion con aspectos sociodemograficos (sexo, actividad laboral). El analisis de confiabilidad realizado muestra resultados satisfactorios en cuanto a la consistencia interna y estabilidad temporal del IUAEA. Los resultados son consistentes con otros estudios acerca de la validez de la medida de item unico. Se discuten los resultados y sus implicancias. EnglishThe aim of this study was to obtain evidence of validity and reliability of the Single Item Academic Emotional Exhaustion (IUAEA). Was assessed a total sample of 227 college students (155 wome n) between 17 and 56 years (M=23.52, SD= 5.972), and a subsample of 116 subj ects (79 women) for the temporal stability study. In addition to the IUAEA, it was used the Escala de Cansancio Emocional (ECE) as external criterion. Evidence of validity were analyzed with structural equation modeling through the whole modeling of IUAEA with items of ECE; correlations between IUAEA and ECE; and a comparative analysis of their relationship with sociodemographic aspects (sex, work activity). Reliability analysis performed shows satisfactory results in terms of internal consistency and tempo ral stability of IUAEA. The results are consistent with other studies on the validity of the measure single item. The results and their implications are discussed.

International audience; Renewable energy sources play an important role to decrease the dependency to the traditional energy sources which are responsible for the high carbon emission levels in the world. The main challenge in the use of the renewable energy sources in the industrial sector, which has the highest energy consumption share among the others, is to plan the production considering the risk of discontinuity in the supply of the renewable energy sources due to their stochastic nature. In this paper, a single item lot sizing problem under uncertain renewable energy availability is addressed. The aim is to determine the optimal production plan and energy contract option which minimizes the total production and energy costs by guaranteeing to satisfy the external demand with a given service level. To do so, two types of chance constraints are introduced to cope with the stochastic availability of the renewable energy sources. The developed model is explained in detail and illustrative examples are presented and the findings are discussed briefly.

French Abstract: Une preuve scientifique peut-elle suffire a fonder une condamnation penale, en l’absence de tout autre element au dossier? Les avancees technologiques constantes et l’elargissement des bases de donnees de profils d’ADN et d’empreintes digitales peuvent creer l’illusion qu’une trace peut etre liee a un prevenu en dehors de tout contexte concret, et avec un degre de probabilite tres eleve. En realite, il n’en est rien. Dans la presente contribution, nous confronterons les principes juridiques de la libre appreciation des preuves et de l’intime conviction avec les connaissances actuelles en matiere d’analyse forensique de l’ADN et de dactyloscopie. Nous mettrons en lumiere les decalages inevitables qui existent entre l’information que peut fournir un expert scientifique dans l’etablissement des faits et la question qui interesse le magistrat charge de determiner si le prevenu a commis l’infraction. Nous verrons que les dispositions legales actuelles ne rendent que partiellement compte de la complexite du processus de raisonnement et de prise de decision tenu par le magistrat dans ce type de cas et illustrerons notre propos au moyen d’elements de la theorie de la decision. – Zusammenfassung: Kann ein wissenschaftlicher Beweis ausreichen, um eine strafrechtliche Verurteilung zu begrunden, wenn keine weiteren Elemente vorliegen? Der standige technologische Fortschritt und die Erweiterung der Datenbanken mit DNA-Profilen und Fingerabdrucken konnen die Illusion hervorrufen, dass eine Spur mit hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit einem Angeklagten zugeordnet werden kann, ohne Berucksichtigung der jeweiligen Fallumstande. Das ist jedoch wirklichkeitsfern. In diesem Beitrag stellen wir die Grundsatze der freien Beweiswurdigung und der richterlichen Uberzeugung den aktuellen Kenntnissen der forensischen DNA-Analyse und der Daktyloskopie gegenuber. Wir erlautern die unvermeidlichen Diskrepanzen zwischen den Informationen, die ein Sachverstandiger zur Tatsachenfeststellung liefern kann, und der Frage, die fur den Richter von Interesse ist, der festzustellen hat, ob der Angeklagte die Straftat begangen hat. Wir zeigen auf, inwiefern die gegenwartigen gesetzlichen Bestimmungen die Komplexitat des Denk- und Entscheidungsprozesses des Richters in solchen Fallen nur teilweise Rechnung tragen, und veranschaulichen unseren Standpunkt anhand entscheidungstheoretischer Uberlegungen. English Abstract: Can scientific evidence be sufficient to convict, in the absence of any other element in the case? Constant technological advances and the expansion of DNA profile and fingerprint databases can create the illusion that a trace can be associated with an accused person outside any case context, and with a high degree of probability. In reality, this is not the case. In this contribution, we highlight the inevitable discrepancies that exist between the information that a scientific expert can provide in establishing the facts and the question of primary interest to the legal decision makers in charge of determining whether the accused has committed the offense. We shall argue that the current legal provisions only partially account for the complexity of the reasoning and decision-making process followed by legal decision makers in cases based only on only a single item of scientific evidence. We illustrate our point with elements of decision theory.

In the context of voice shopping, fifteen experiments demonstrate that information presented by voice can be more difficult to process than the same information presented in writing. Consequently, auditory consumers who shop by voice are less able to differentiate between choice options, leading them to choose recommended items more often, but also defer choice at higher rates compared to when the options are presented visually. This auditory choice difficulty stems from greater difficulty comparing auditory options and is related to an increased burden on working memory. Because the difficulty is related to making comparisons, a joint-evaluation—where an option is considered in the context of others—is more likely to be impacted by voice presentation than a separate-evaluation, and joint versus separate preference reversals are less likely by voice. However, voice presentation can negatively affect the evaluation of even a single item when a consumer compares it against a remembered item, a common scenario in the actual marketplace for tasks such as re-orders. Describing choice options in a way that reduces the burden on memory for auditory consumers can reduce processing difficulty and its downstream consequences.

Construct: We compared a single-item performance score with the Ottawa Surgical Competency Operating Room Evaluation (O-SCORE) for their ability in assessing surgical competency.Surgical programs are adopting competency-based frameworks. The adoption of these frameworks for assessment requires tools that produce accurate and valid assessments of knowledge and technical performance. An assessment tool that is quick to complete could improve feasibility, reduce delays, and result in a higher volume of assessments of learners. Previous work demonstrated that the 9-item O-SCORE can produce valid results; the goal of this study was to determine if a single-item performance rating (Is candidate competent to independently complete procedure: yes or no) completed at a separate viewing would correlate to the O-SCORE, thus increasing feasibility of procedural competence assessment.Nineteen residents and 2 staff orthopedic surgeons from the University of Ottawa volunteered for a 2-part OSCE-style station including a written questionnaire and videotaped simulated open reduction and internal fixation midshaft radius fracture. Each performance was rated independently by 3 orthopedic surgeons using a single-item performance score (Time 1). The performances were assessed again 6 weeks later by the 3 raters using the O-SCORE (Time 2). Correlation between the single-item performance score and the O-SCORE were evaluated.Three orthopedic surgeons completed 21 ratings each resulting in 63 orthopedic ratings. There was a high level of correlation and agreement between the single-item performance score at Time 1 and Time 2 (κ correlation =0.72-1.00; p .001; percentage agreement =90%-100%). The reliability of the O-SCORE at Time 2 with three raters was 0.83 and the internal consistency was 0.89. There was a tendency for each rater to assign more yes responses to the more senior trainees.A single-item performance score correlated highly with the O-SCORE in an orthopedic setting. A single-item score could be used to supplement a multi-item score with similar results in orthopedics. There is still benefit in completing multi-item scores such as the O-SCORE evaluations to guide specific areas of improvement and direct feedback.

Currently, in terms of electric load, single item prediction method is mainly applied based on traditional research methods or artificial neural networks technology. This paper proposes a new method of electric load prediction based on BP neural networks and ARIMA combination model, which first extracts time series data sample in terms of the variation trend of the electric load of Shiqu County, GanZi State, China, and then applies BP neural networks to make correction to the prediction errors, and finally adds the corrected value with ARIMA predicted value. The results show that the mean relative error of the combined prediction method is 0.042, which is of better prediction precision compared to single BP neural networks & ARIMA model prediction method. Thus, to use combination model in the electric load prediction is feasible.

BACKGROUND: The primary objective of this study was to assess the test-retest reliability of the Arabic language version of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPA Q-A). Additionally, the study assessed criterion validity of the instrument.METHODS: Emirati university students (N.=93) were asked to complete the GPA Q-A on two occasions (7 days apart). A subset of 48 participants wore an accelerometer for 7 days after which they completed the GPA Q-A.RESULTS: Test-retest reliability of the GPAQ-A was acceptable for moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (rho=0.78; 95% CI: 0.69 to 0.86), moderate physical activity (MPA) (rho=0.73; 95% CI: 0.61 to 0.82) and vigorous physical activity (VPA) (rho=0.62; 95% CI: 0.44 to 0.76). Test-retest reliability of the single item sedentary behavior (SB) measure was less promising (rho=0.44; 95% CI: 0.22 to 0.64). Criterion validity of the MVPA measure was fair (rho=0.23; 95% CI: -0.13 to 0.57).CONCLUSIONS: Test-retest reliability for the GPA Q-A was acceptable to assess physical activity (PA) but less promising for SB. Criterion validity of the PA measures was fair. Additional work is needed to develop robust measures of PA and SB in this population.

The aim of this study was to examine correlates of attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help among Turkish college students. A convenience sample of 1066 students from a large Turkish public university completed the measures of the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale-Short Form, Self-Stigma of Seeking Help Scale, Disclosure Expectations Scale, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Single Item Self-Rated Health Scale, and Sociodemographic Information Form. Data were analyzed using Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. The results of this study suggested that being female, being older, having previous help-seeking experience, as well as lower levels of anticipated risks, self-stigma, self-esteem, and self-rated health and higher levels of anticipated benefits were associated with positive help-seeking attitudes among Turkish college students. The results of the present study may contribute to determining cross-cultural correlates of help-seeking attitudes among college students.

Persediaan bahan baku yang baik dapat membuat perusahaan tidak kekurangan bahan baku dan biaya yang dikeluarkan juga optimal. Adapun UKM Pempek DODO yang memiliki bahan baku yang lebih dari satu jenis. Selama ini pemesanan bahan baku selalu dilakukan setiap 2 kali sekali dalam satu minggu sehingga dalam satu tahun sekitar melakukan pemesanan selama 96 kali. Oleh karena itu ada baiknya pemesann bisa diminimumkan agar biaya dapat lebih dioptimalkan Salah satu metode yang dapat digunakan adalah EOQ (Economic Order Quantity). Karena ada bahan baku yang satu jenis dan memiliki satu supplier maka menggunakan metode EOQ single item single supplier. Sedangkan bahan baku yang memiliki kesamaan supplier menggunakan metode EOQ multi item single supplier. Dengan metode ini diharapkan dapat mengetahui jumlah pemesanan dan frekuensi optimal pada setiap bahan baku dengan asumsi tanggal kadarluarsa diabaikan. Maka hasil dengan metode EOQ total biayanya sebesar Rp 327.756.675,5 yang berarti menghemat biaya sebesar Rp 3.755.300.

This paper analyses a multi-period single-item repairable inventory system with stochastic new and warranty demands. We assume that newly-procured items are indistinguishable from items repaired from repairable warranty returns and new demand has higher priority than warranty demand within a period. Our model also captures the “repair loss” in repairing returns in each period. We formulate the problem by a dynamic programme, and prove that the optimal policy is completely defined by three period-dependent thresholds: the purchase-up-to level, the repair-up-to level, and the scrap-down-to level. Numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the optimal policy and show that our optimal strategy outperforms the repair-all strategy and no-repair strategy. Managerial insights are also generated.

Single-item measures have recently become more en vogue due to studies arguing in favor of their psychometric properties vis-a-vis multi-item scales. However, their effective use requires (1) expert raters to designate the focal construct as being doubly concrete and (2) researchers to find a good single item to represent the construct. This study examines whether expert raters identify the doubly concrete nature of constructs that prior research presents as exemplary in this respect. Furthermore, the study compares the efficacy of a broad range of selection mechanisms based on expert judgment and statistical criteria for identifying the best item in a scale. The results show that expert raters do not share the commonly held belief that researchers can validly measure constructs such as attitude toward the ad, or brand, with single items. Further analyses show that neither rater assessments nor statistical criteria prove valuable regarding identifying an appropriate single item from a set of candidate items.

The purpose of the study was to examine the relations among a single item school readiness screener, social/emotional ratings, and academic performance. A prior study found that single item kindergarten readiness ratings completed in the fall predicted end-of-year academic and behavior outcomes even after controlling for baseline scores. Here, we attempted to extend these findings by using a single overall readiness item, an expanded rating scale for the item, and a comparison with other social and emotional ratings provided by teachers. Fifty-five teachers in 18 elementary school sites completed the overall readiness item on 893 kindergarten students. Teachers also completed Likert-type social emotional items and assessments of emergent literacy skills on all students. Results suggested that teachers use basic social behavior expectations in their judgments of readiness rather than extreme disruptive behaviors. In addition, the single item identified students who were below benchmark and not prepared to start school with higher accuracy than a 14-item social rating scale. Discussion focuses on the promise and limitations of the single item measure and future directions for its study and use.

Many large-scale cross-national studies rely on a single-item measurement when comparing prevalence rates of traditional bullying, traditional victimization, cyberbullying, and cyber-victimization between countries. However, the reliability and validity of single-item measurement approaches are highly problematic and might be biased. Data from three countries were used as an example case to compare the singleand multiple-item approaches from a substantial and a statistical point of view. The sample comprised 671 Austrian (46.3% girls), 691 Cypriot (45.9% girls), and 604 Romanian (46.7% girls) 12 year old students. Data were collected via self-assessments with single and multiple-items. Because scalar measurement invariance could be established for the multiple-item measurement approaches, latent means between the three countries were compared. Substantial results of the singleand multiple-item approach did not differ for traditional bullying and traditional victimization, but differed for cyberbullying and cyber-victimization. As a consequence, we suggest using carefully validated multiple-item scales for cross-national comparisons.

Prospective studies and intervention evaluations that examine change over time assume that measurement tools measure the same construct at each occasion. In the area of parent-child feeding practices, longitudinal measurement properties of the questionnaires used are rarely verified. To ascertain that measured change in feeding practices reflects true change rather than change in the assessment, structure, or conceptualisation of the constructs over time, this study examined longitudinal measurement invariance of the Feeding Practices and Structure Questionnaire (FPSQ) subscales (9 constructs; 40 items) across 3 time points. Mothers participating in the NOURISH trial reported their feeding practices when children were aged 2, 3.7, and 5 years (N = 404). Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) within a structural equation modelling framework was used. Comparisons of initial cross-sectional models followed by longitudinal modelling of subscales, resulted in the removal of 12 items, including two redundant or poorly performing subscales. The resulting 28-item FPSQ-28 comprised 7 multi-item subscales: Reward for Behaviour, Reward for Eating, Persuasive Feeding, Overt Restriction, Covert Restriction, Structured Meal Setting and Structured Meal Timing. All subscales showed good fit over 3 time points and each displayed at least partial scalar (thresholds equal) longitudinal measurement invariance. We recommend the use of a separate single item indicator to assess the family meal setting. This is the first study to examine longitudinal measurement invariance in a feeding practices questionnaire. Invariance was established, indicating that the subscales of the shortened FPSQ-28 can be used with mothers to validly assess change in 7 feeding constructs in samples of children aged 2-5 years of age.

Drawing on a large sample of American adults ( N = 2153) we replicate and extend the Single-Item Narcissism Scale (SINS) recently developed by Konrath, Meier, and Bushman (2014). Consistent with their initial study, we find that the SINS correlates positively with the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) and has good discriminant validity from common measures of self-esteem. Additionally, we provide new evidence that the SINS may not primarily tap into grandiose narcissism. We also find that in comparison to other common personality measures of narcissism, the SINS correlated somewhat less consistently with our behavioral measure and has a higher threshold for detecting narcissistic traits. Overall, we conclude that when inclusion of established measures is not feasible, the SINS may be a viable alternative.

Although considered relevant, little is known about satisfaction with treatment and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among lichen planus (LP) patients. There are only two studies that evaluated LP patients’ satisfaction with treatment and both used global, single item measures [1, 2]. Studies on the HRQoL of patients with oral LP showed that the impact of LP is comparable to other mouth diseases [3, 4] and that topical therapies improved HRQoL [5, 6]. In the present cross-sectional study [...]

Carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) are widely used in all scales from single items to mass products mainly due to their lightweight properties. However, manufacturing of CFRP single items and small batches is highly resource extensive. Mould making is one of the main cost factors. Multipoint tooling replaces the commonly used solid mould with an array of individually adjustable pins to create a desired shape. This shape is then smoothened by an elastic sheet to create a viable tooling surface. This technology has been adapted to various applications from metal stretch forming to thermoforming. In this paper the principal design parameters for multipoint tools are identified and therefrom a concept for CFRP prototype manufacturing is derived. This vacuum assisted multipoint moulding concept modifies the multipoint tooling concept to meet the specific demands of the composite manufacturing process. The general idea behind the technology is to introduce a vacuum to pull the elastic sheet onto the pin array. By evacuating the space underneath the interpolation layer it is pushed on the pin array and therefore enables the creation of convex and concave surfaces in an open mould configuration. To validate the concept, a prototype is built and first moulding tests are conducted. The influence of the interpolation layer in surface quality is evaluated qualitatively. It is found that its thickness has great influence and over a threshold value defect free surfaces can be created. The technology shows the potential to create numerous shapes and enable cost efficient manufacturing of CFRP panels.

Lot-sizing is a very important problem in production and inventory planning under variable demand. In this work, a general model is proposed for a single-item lot-sizing problem with multiple suppliers, quantity discounts, and backordering of shortages. Mixed integer programming (MIP) is used to formulate the problem and obtain the optimum solution for small problems. Due to the large number of variables and constraints in practical problems, the model is too difficult for an optimal solution. Therefore, an effective heuristic method is developed by modifying the well-known silver-meal heuristic. This heuristic method is shown to be effective for this problem, producing near-optimal solutions much faster than MIP.

In personality research, trait–outcome associations are often studied by correlating scale sum scores with an outcome. For example, an association between the NEO Impulsiveness scale and body mass index (BMI) is often interpreted to pertain to underlying trait Impulsiveness. We propose that this expectation can be corroborated by testing for Spearman's theorem of indifference of indicator. Namely, an underlying trait–outcome association should not depend on the specific items (i.e. indicators) used to measure the trait. To test this theorem, we outline an indicator exclusion procedure and demonstrate its viability using a simulation design. We then apply this procedure to test personality–BMI associations for indifference of indicator in a large population–based sample of adult Estonians (N = 2581) using self–ratings and informant ratings obtained with the NEO Personality Inventory–3. Our results show that the N5: Impulsiveness–BMI association mostly depends on two eating–related items, suggesting that the trait associated with BMI may be narrower than the trait the N5: Impulsiveness scale is supposed to measure. Associations between BMI, E3: Assertiveness and C2: Order seem to pertain to the trait. In sum, testing for indifference of indicator provides a potentially useful method to clarify trait–outcome relationships. R scripts are provided that implement the indicator exclusion procedure. Copyright © 2015 European Association of Personality Psychology

Objective A valid measure of resident operative performance ability requires direct observation and accurate rating of multiple resident performances under the normal range of operating conditions. The challenge is to create an operative performance rating (OPR) system that: is easy to use, encourages completion of many ratings immediately after performances and minimally disrupts supervising surgeons’ work days. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a score based on a single-item overall OPR provides a valid and stable appraisal of resident operative performances. Design A retrospective comparison of a single-item OPR with a gold-standard rating based on multiple procedure-specific and general OPR items. Setting Data were collected in the general surgery residency program at Southern Illinois University from 2001 through 2012. Participants Assessments of 1033 operative performances (3 common procedures, 2 laparoscopic, and 1 open) by general surgery residents were collected. OPRs based on single-item overall performance scale scores were compared with gold-standard ratings for the same performances. Results Differences in performance scores using the 2 scales averaged 0.02 points (5-point scale). Correlations of the single-item and gold-standard scale scores averaged 0.95. Based on generalizability analyses of laparoscopic cholecystectomy ratings, each instrument required 5 observations to achieve reliabilities of 0.80 and 11 observations to achieve reliabilities of 0.90. Only 4.4% of single-item ratings misclassified the performance when compared with the gold-standard rating and all misclassifications were near misses. For 80% of misclassified ratings, single-item ratings were lower. Conclusions Single-item operative performance measures produced ratings that were virtually identical to gold-standard scale ratings. Misclassifications occurred infrequently and were minor in magnitude. Ratings using the single-item scale: take less time to complete, should increase the sample of procedures rated, and encourage attending surgeons to complete ratings immediately after observing performances. Face-to-face and written comments and suggestions should continue to be used to provide the granular feedback residents need to improve subsequent performances.