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In this paper, we analyze the subjective inclusion experiences of visually impaired (VI) adult tennis players from an ableism-critical perspective. The primary focus of this research is the inclusive potential of blind tennis from the perspective of VI individuals. Episodic interviews were conducted to capture subjective perspectives. A qualitative text analysis revealed that the interviewees were confronted with multiple ability assumptions by sighted people in their everyday lives. Deficit notions on the performance of VI people included sports, work, and general activities. Participation in blind tennis helped the interviewees build a "competent identity" and acquire various skills useful for their everyday lives as participation in blind tennis was a pathway for competence in sports. Further research is needed to identify exclusion experiences from the perspective of disabled people to recognize the potential of different sports in reducing barriers to participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Psychological difficulties can adversely affect rehabilitation outcomes and make return to sport more difficult . Identifying psychological difficulties is possible with valid and reliable measurement tools. The purpose of this study is to translate and culturally adapt the Reinjury Anxiety Inventory (RIAI), the Sport Injury Rehabilitation Adherence Scale (SIRAS), and the Athletic Injury Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (AISEQ) into Turkish and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Turkish versions. Design: Cross-sectional study . Methods.· The instruments were forward- and back-translated, culturally adapted, and validated on 248 athletes and 34 physical therapists. The physical therapists of the athletes completed the SIRAS to evaluate the athletes. Statistical analysis included reliability tests (Cronbach alpha and test-retest), exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and correlational analysis . Floor and ceiling effects (< 15%) were also assessed. Results : Confirmatory factor analyses revealed a satisfactory model fit for the RIAI and the AISEQ, and exploratory factor analysis revealed the 1 -factor structure for the SIRAS as in the original. All 3 instruments displayed adequate internal consistency (Cronbach alpha coefficients ranged from .84 to .88) and test-retest reliability (coefficients ranged from .81 to .93). Convergent validity of the instruments was supported by significant correlations between the AISEQ and both the RIAI and the SIRAS. Conclusions : Our results suggest that the Turkish versions of the instruments were valid, consistent, and reliable in athletes who have serious injuries. Scores on these instruments could be useful for evaluating the contributions of psychological factors to return to sport following serious injuries. Clinicians are encouraged to use RIAI-Turkish (RIAI-TR), SIRAS-Turkish (SIRAS- TR), and AISEQ-Turkish (AISEQ-TR) together to make decisions about the treatment and rehabilitation plans of injured athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humble leaders are traditionally thought to create a great deal of human and social capital, yet be overshadowed by self‐promoting rivals for promotions. We propose that through informal career mentoring, humble leaders can improve their organizational status and promotability. We tested our model among a multisource sample of 610 leaders across 18 industries and 21 job functions who participated in a leader development program. Leader humility was reported by the focal leaders' peers, leader mentoring behavior was reported by the focal leaders' direct reports, leader status was reported by the focal leaders' immediate bosses, and leader promotability was reported by the focal leaders' superiors. Results generally confirmed that leader humility predicted leader mentoring behavior, which in turn predicted leader status, and ultimately higher leader promotability ratings. We discuss how our findings extend and enrich the literatures on leader humility and mentoring, showing how humble leaders can ascend organizational hierarchies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary purpose of this study was to adapt selected accuracy and precision tests in table tennis to the specific skills of elite table tennis players with impairment. The study included a sample of 23 Para table tennis players with an average age of 31.8 ± 12.22 years (including 30.4% females) who belonged to the senior Polish Para table tennis team. A battery of six tests evaluating stroke accuracy and serve precision was assessed. The analysis of the reliability of these tests confirmed the legitimacy of using this battery of accuracy and precision tests to assess the skills of Para table tennis players in all three integrated sport classes: players in wheelchairs, in a standing position, and with intellectual impairment. Analysis of the data obtained from the tests could provide coaches with relevant information regarding elite Para table tennis players' level of performance and examine selected accuracy and precision elements of their individual technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a new work design model, SMART work design, that identifies five higher order categories of work characteristics, including stimulating work characteristics (task variety, skill variety, information processing requirements, and problem‐solving requirements), mastery work characteristics (job feedback, feedback from others, and role clarity), autonomous work characteristics (decision‐making autonomy, timing autonomy, and method autonomy), relational work characteristics (social support, task significance, and beneficiary contact), and tolerable work characteristics (low levels of: role overload, work–home conflict, and role conflict). Higher order confirmatory factor analysis of working participants provided initial evidence of this structure (Study 1, N = 1107), which was replicated in an additional dataset (Study 2, time 1, N = 709). To provide further evidence, we examined Study 2 data across three waves (N = 573) to show that each higher order factor at time 1 predicted time 3 job satisfaction either directly or via the theorized time 2 mediators (challenge appraisals, work meaningfulness, fulfillment of relatedness needs, and activated negative affect). In Study 3 (N = 108), employees' scores on specific higher order variables correlated with leader ratings of performance in the expected ways. The SMART work design model provides a unique integrating and multidimensional theory of work design that extends beyond existing models. The model can be used to facilitate the synthesis of research knowledge and guide scholars and practitioners to diagnose and address contemporary work design challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study sought to report the reliability (intrasession) values of initial maximum push-rim propulsion (IMPRP) and sprint performance in elite wheelchair basketball (WB) players and to assess the involvement of strength in sprint capacity. Methods: Fifteen Spanish international WB male players participated in this study. The maximum single wheelchair push from a stationary position (IMPRP) and the sprint performance (ie, 3, 5, and 12 m) of WB players were measured in this study. Results: IMPRP mechanical outputs V, Vmax, P, Rel. P, F, and Rel. F variables presented high reliability values (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] ≥.92; coefficient of variation [CV] ≤ 8.04 ± 7.37; standard error of measurement [SEM] ≤ 29.92), but the maximum strength variables Pmax, Rel. Pmax, Fmax, and Rel. Fmax (ICC ≥.63; CV ≤ 13.19 ± 16.63; SEM ≤ 203.76) showed lower ICC values and by contrast higher CV and SEM values. The most substantial correlations were identified between maximum IMPRP values (ie, V, Vmax, P, Rel. P, F, and Rel. F) and sprint performance in 3 m (r ± confidence limits ≥ −0.74 ± 0.22, very large; R2 ≥.55), 5 m (r ± confidence limits ≥ −0.72 ± 0.24, very large; R2 ≥.51), and 12 m (r ± confidence limits ≥ −0.67 ± 0.27, large; R2 ≥.44). Conclusions: The IMPRP test and sprint tests (3, 5, and 12 m) are practical and reliable for measuring strength and speed in WB players. In addition, there were large to very large associations among strength variables (ie, P, Rel. P, F, and Rel. F) and all sprint variables. This could indicate a need to implement specific strength exercises in WB players to improve sprint capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The utility of baseline vestibular and ocular motor screening (VOMS) in high school and collegiate athletes is demonstrated throughout the literature; however, baseline VOMS data at the youth level are limited. In addition, with the recent adoption of the change scoring method, there is a need to document baseline VOMS total and change scores in a pediatric population. Objective: To document baseline VOMS total and change scores and to document the internal consistency of the VOMS in pediatric soccer athletes. We hypothesized that the VOMS would demonstrate strong internal consistency in pediatric soccer athletes. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Pediatric soccer athletes (N = 110; range = 5–12 y) completed the VOMS at baseline. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic information, VOMS total scores, and VOMS change scores. Cronbach α assessed internal consistency for VOMS total scores and change scores. Results: Twenty-one (19.1%) participants had at least one total score above clinical cutoffs (≥2 on any VOMS component and ≥5 cm on average near point convergence). Forty (36.4%) participants had at least one change score above clinical cutoffs (≥1 on any VOMS component and ≥3 cm on average near point convergence). The internal consistency was strong for total scores with all VOMS components included (Cronbach α =.80) and change scores (Cronbach α =.89). Conclusions: Although results suggest VOMS items measure distinct components of the vestibular and ocular motor systems, caution should be taken when interpreting VOMS total and change scores in pediatric athletes, as overreporting symptoms is common, thereby impacting the false-positive rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Examine the reliability of field-based fitness assessments in school-aged children with emotional or behavioral difficulties (EBD). Understanding the impact of fitness on physical activity participation for children with EBD is limited by our ability to reliably measure it. Methods: Fifteen children aged 7–12 years with EBD completed 7 assessments—standing broad jump, overhead throw, grip strength, isometric plank hold, isometric wall squat, unilateral heel raise, and modified 6-minute walk test—in a random order on 2 separate occasions. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were computed to evaluate reliability. Results: ICCs ranged from.65 to.99 representing moderate to excellent reliability for all assessments. Shorter assessments requiring less attention and behavior regulation tended to demonstrate higher ICC values while assessments with greater attention or behavioral regulation demands tended to have lower ICC values. Conclusion: Results demonstrate varied reliability for fitness tests in children with EBD. Practitioners can use grip strength and standing broad jump assessments with confidence. Other assessments have good reliability but greater variability indicating they may be a challenge for some children with EBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Current lower-extremity return to sport testing primarily considers the physical status of an athlete; however, sport participation requires continuous cognitive dual-task engagement. Therefore, the purpose was to develop and evaluate the reliability of a visual-cognitive reactive (VCR) triple hop test that simulates the typical sport demand of combined online visual-cognitive processing and neuromuscular control to improve return to sport testing after lower-extremity injury. Design: Test–retest reliability. Methods: Twenty-one healthy college students (11 females, 23.5 [3.7] y, 1.73 [0.12] m, 73.0 [16.8] kg, Tegner Activity Scale 5.5 [1.1] points) participated. Participants performed a single-leg triple hop with and without a VCR dual task. The VCR task incorporated the FitLight system to challenge peripheral response inhibition and central working memory. Maximum hop distance, reaction time, cognitive errors, and physical errors were measured. Two identical testing visits were separated by 12 to 17 days (14 [1] d). Results: Traditional triple hop (intraclass correlation coefficients: ICC(3,1) =.96 [.91–.99]; standard error of the measurement = 16.99 cm) and the VCR triple hop (intraclass correlation coefficients(3,1) =.92 [.82–.97]; standard error of the measurement = 24.10 cm) both demonstrated excellent reliability for the maximum hop distance, and moderate reliability for the VCR triple hop reaction time (intraclass correlation coefficients(3,1) =.62 [.09–.84]; standard error of the measurement = 0.09 s). On average, the VCR triple hop resulted in a hop distance deficit of 8.17% (36.4 [5.1] cm; P <.05, d = 0.55) relative to the traditional triple hop. Conclusions: Hop distance on the VCR triple hop had excellent test–retest reliability and induced a significant physical performance deficit when compared with the traditional triple hop assessment. The VCR triple hop reaction time also demonstrated moderate reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The international sports community is becoming more proactive in clinical mental health practice and research. An athlete-specific psychological distress screening tool can identify potential mental health illness. Design: The Athlete Psychological Strain Questionnaire (APSQ) is a simple screening tool for detecting early signs of athlete-specific strain and related mental health concerns. Methods: We evaluated the internal consistency and reliability of the translated and culturally adjusted Arabic version of the APSQ (APSQ-Ar) with Arabic-speaking elite athletes. The final translation underwent standard forward and backward translation, an inspection by a team of experts, and then preliminary testing. The APSQ-Ar was cross-culturally validated and then assessed for internal consistency and reliability among (n = 98) Arabic-speaking athletes. Results: There were no problems with the patients' understanding or interpretation of the items on the APSQ-Ar translation. The intraclass correlation value was.93 (95% confidence interval,.89–.95), and the mean difference was 2.4 with a minimal detectable change of 5.12, demonstrating strong test–retest reliability. Moreover, Cronbach alpha showed excellent internal consistency (.76). Conclusions: The APSQ-Ar was demonstrated to be good, reliable, and internally consistent. With APSQ-Ar, sports medicine professionals in Arabic-speaking countries will be able to identify psychological distress and symptoms in athletes and, as a result, provide them with mental health support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Chronic pain (CP) acceptance is a major factor in determining the well-being of patients with chronic pain. The chronic pain acceptance questionnaire (CPAQ) was translated and validated into Arabic (CPAQ-Ar). Methods: 244 patients with CP completed the CPAQ-Ar, the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), the short form health survey (SF-36), the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21). 110 patients completed the CPAQ-Ar twice separated by two weeks to investigate test-retest reliability. Results: Cronbach's α was 0.902 while the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.917. The standard error measurement (SEM) was seven points while the minimal detectable change with 95% confidence interval (MDC95) was seventeen points. The CPAQ-Ar showed moderate to high correlations with the PCS, the BDI-II, the SF-36, the MFIS, the PSQI, and the DASS-21 indicating a good concurrent validity. Exploratory factor analysis confirmed that the CPAQ-Ar consists of two subscales. Better pain acceptance associated with male gender, older people, employed participants, low pain intensity, and single pain site. Conclusions: The CPAQ-Ar is a valid and reliable tool for the measurement of pain acceptance in Arabic speaking patients with CP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Halitosis appears to have significant impacts on quality of life, necessitating reliable assessment tools. The Halitosis Associated Life-Quality Test (HALT) has been validated in various populations, but not among Thai people. While HALT provides a valuable foundation, there is a need for a culturally adapted and expanded instrument for the Thai context. Consequently, this study aimed to develop and validate a comprehensive questionnaire for assessing halitosis-related quality of life in Thai populations, incorporating a Thai version of HALT (T-HALT) as a core component. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study involved 200 dental patients at Mahidol University. The original HALT was translated into Thai using forward-backward translation. Cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of T-HALT were evaluated through multiple approaches. Content validity was ensured through expert reviews, while face validity was assessed by patient feedback. Reliability was examined via test-retest and internal consistency measures. Criterion and discriminant validity was evaluated by correlating T-HALT scores with self-perceived halitosis and volatile sulfur compound (VSC) measurements, respectively. VSCs were quantified using the OralChroma™ device, which analyzes breath samples collected directly from patients' mouths. Construct validity was assessed through exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), providing insights into the questionnaire's underlying structure. Results: T-HALT demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alphas = 0.940–0.943) and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.886). Criterion validity was supported by a significant correlation between T-HALT scores and self-perceived halitosis (r = 0.503, P < 0.001). Discriminant validity was confirmed by the absence of a significant correlation between T-HALT scores and VSC levels (r = 0.071, P = 0.32). EFA revealed a four-factor structure, which was subsequently confirmed by CFA. However, Items 1 and 7 were excluded due to poor standardized factor loadings. Conclusion: T-HALT demonstrates good reliability and validity for assessing halitosis-related quality of life in Thai populations. It performs well as a unidimensional measure, but its multidimensional application requires modifications. Future research should validate a modified version excluding Items 1 and 7 across diverse Thai populations, potentially enhancing its cultural specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During the development of disease-modifying intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) drugs, the rat model of IDD is frequently used for disease progression assessment. The aim of this study was to describe a magnetic resonance (MRI) scoring system for the assessment of different disc conditions in puncture-induced IDD, allowing standardization and comparison of results obtained by different investigators. Methods: A total of 36 Sprague-Dawley rats were utilized in the present study. The animals were divided into two groups: a sham group and an IDD group caused by puncture. The rats in the IDD group were subsequently divided into six categories based on time frames, with five rats in each category. The sham group was divided into two sub-groups (n = 3) for 28 and 56 days, respectively. T2-weighted images of rats consecutively studied with MRI of the coccygeal discs were classified according to the time course using the corresponding histological data. Additional scoring of the micro-CT was employed to identify the progression of bone destruction of the rat model of IDD. Results: A comparison of the MRI results between the sham group and the IDD group revealed a significant reduction in NP height, area, T2WI value, and DHI in the latter group (P < 0.05). The micro-CT results demonstrated that following acupuncture, there was a notable decline in the BV, Tb.N, and height of the coccygeal vertebra, while the BS/BV and Tb.Sp exhibited a significant increase (P < 0.05). The histological results were analogous to the MRI results, indicating a progressive exacerbation of IDD and a corresponding increase in NP score (P < 0.05). The results of the MRI were found to be consistent with those of the micro-CT and histological analyses (P < 0.05). The results of the study demonstrate a robust correlation between MRI analysis and histological findings. Live animals are employed for MRI analysis to improve experiment comparability. The reliability of the MRI scoring system ensures assessment of disease progression in live animals, while promoting cost savings and animal welfare by avoiding the sacrifice of animals at different times. Conclusions: The described scoring paradigm has quantitatively been found to differentiate IDD disease progression in an in vivo rat model. Hence, we suggest employing it to evaluate the rat IDD model and assess the effects of treatments in this model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flexion relaxation ratio (FRR) of the lumbar extensor muscles is often assessed in experimental and clinical studies. This study evaluated within- and between-session test–retest reliability and measurement error for different FRR formulations. Participants completed two identical data collection sessions 1-week apart. Spine flexion and erector spinae electromyographic data were recorded during two blocks of full forward spine flexion. Participants who numerically self-reported low back pain (≥3/10) during either session were excluded from analysis. Two FRR formulations and their reciprocals were calculated. Generalizability coefficients (GC) was calculated to assess reliability. Standard error of measurement was also determined. Fifty participants were recruited, with six excluded from the analysis. Within-session reliability was moderate-to-good (GC = 0.519–0.791). Between-session reliability was poor-to-moderate (GC = 0.376–0.538). Within-session and between-session measurement errors, respectively, were 38% and 49% of the grand mean FRR. These data suggest limited FRR utility in longitudinal studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Measures that assess muscle strength and its development, either voluntarily or involuntarily, are important in the clinical and research context. The main aim of this study was to verify the interday reliability and the minimum detectable change (MDC) of the knee extensors muscles torque using evoked contractions and explosive voluntary contractions (EVC), across six different joint angles. Methods: 20 participants, 16 men and 4 women (26.5 ± 6.6 years; 174.5 ± 11.1 cm; 73.7 ± 11.3 kg), participated in this study. Evoked twitch contractions and voluntary explosive contractions of the knee extensors were performed in 2 days (test-retest) at 20, 40, 70, 90, 105 and 115 degrees. Results: The most reliable twitch parameters were peak torque (PT), contraction time (CT), half relaxation-time (½ time), total impulse and peak rate of torque development (RTDPeak), with coefficient of variation (CV) ranging from ~ 8% at 20° to 5% at 115° angle. It was verified that CT and ½ time become more reliable as the knee angle changed from 20 to 115 degrees, from shorter to longer muscle lengths (7.3 to 2.7% and 8.8% to 4.0%, respectively). The more reliable parameters for voluntary contraction were PT, RTD250 ms, RTDPeak and impulse250 ms (CV from around ~ 8% at 20°/115° and 5% at 70°/90°). For voluntary contractions, all measures performed at 70° angle were more reliable compared to the other angles. Conclusion: It was concluded that for the knee extensor muscles, evoked twitch contractions presented greater reliability across knee angles, with lower CV values when compared to the voluntary measures for the same time windows. Specifically, for the evoked twitch contractions, angles from 70 to 115 degree proved to be highly reliable. On the other hand, for the voluntary contractions, the central angles (70 and 90 degree) were the most reliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How are Asian and Black men and women stereotyped? Research from the gendered race and stereotype content perspectives has produced mixed empirical findings. Using BERT models pre‐trained on English language books, news articles, Wikipedia, Reddit and Twitter, with a new method for measuring propositions in natural language (the Fill‐Mask Association Test, FMAT), we explored the gender (masculinity–femininity), physical strength, warmth and competence contents of stereotypes about Asian and Black men and women. We find that Asian men (but not women) are stereotyped as less masculine and less moral/trustworthy than Black men. Compared to Black men and Black women, respectively, both Asian men and Asian women are stereotyped as less muscular/athletic and less assertive/dominant, but more sociable/friendly and more capable/intelligent. These findings suggest that Asian and Black stereotypes in natural language have multifaceted contents and gender nuances, requiring a balanced view integrating the gender schema theory and the stereotype content model. Exploring their semantic representations as propositions in large language models, this research reveals how intersectional race–gender stereotypes are naturally expressed in real life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL) has an extensive history of use that often relies on inductions of reliability from precedent literature. We completed a systematic of the literature and extracted sample-specific reliability estimates for ProQOL subscale scores. Random effects meta-analytic modeling was implemented to identify mean estimates of reliability. Secondary analyses were completed to depict generalization across samples and possible scores in future studies. Our analyses detected mean internal consistency estimates for the Compassion Satisfaction (.875), Secondary Traumatic Stress (.808), and Burnout (.754) similar to those reported in the ProQOL manual. However, secondary analyses revealed statistical variations associated with the professional identity and proportions of ethnicity represented within samples. ProQOL score reliability has remained fairly stable over time with scores for Compassion Satisfaction and Secondary Traumatic Stress supporting use in basic research, but not clinical decision making, the Burnout scale was associated with more questionable precision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to evaluate sources of validity and reliability of the University Student Engagement Inventory among Indian Students. Method: The data of this study was collected from 518 Indian university students in the design of a cross-sectional study from May to June 2022. Then the validity and reliability of the inventory were assessed. Results: The results showed that all three factor models indicated good evidence of construct validity (TLI = 0.960, CFI = 0.967), NFI = 0.960, and SRMR = 0.043), and reliability. The internal consistency of all three factors was >0.7. Conclusions: According to the findings of the present study, it was found that the concept of university student engagement in Indian students is a concept with three sub-concepts and 15 items. For more learning, academic progress, and development, as well as obtaining better educational results, student participation is important. Significance Statement: Considering the importance of students' engagement in improving their performance and learning, it is necessary to evaluate it. Since, in other countries, the psychoanalysis of the USEI tool has also been discussed; in this study, the researchers investigated the validity and reliability of student engagement tools in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Strength and power represent two crucial physical qualities for the attainment of a high level of performance considering the frequency and the importance of explosive actions occurring during elite soccer match-play. Evaluation of strength and power is a multifaceted concept involving a vast array of tests and outcome variables. Nevertheless, a comprehensive and systematic search of strength and power assessment procedures in elite soccer has yet to be undertaken. Objectives: The aims of this systematic review were to: (1) identify the tests and outcome variables used to assess strength and power of elite male soccer players; (2) provide normative values for the most common tests of strength and power across different playing levels; and (3) report the reliability values of these strength and power tests. Methods: A systematic review of the academic databases MEDLINE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science and OVID for studies published until August 2023 was conducted, following the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they: (1) were original research studies, published in a peer-reviewed journal, and written in English language; (2) had the primary aim to assess strength and/or power; (3) players were male and older than 17 years of age (i.e., mean age of the group); and (4) their playing level was defined as "professional", "international" or "elite". Results: Regarding strength testing, 115 studies and 29 different tests were identified. The three most frequent strength tests were the knee extensor isokinetic strength test (58 studies), the knee flexor isokinetic strength test (55 studies) and the Nordic hamstring strength test (13 studies). In terms of power testing, 127 studies with 31 different tests were included. The three most frequent power tests were the countermovement jump with hands fixed on hips (99 studies), the squat jump (48 studies) and the vertical jump with arm swing (29 studies). Conclusions: The wide range of different tests and outcome variables identified in this systematic review highlights the large diversity in the employed testing procedures. The establishment of a hybrid testing approach, combining standardised and widely accepted tests for establishing normative standards and enabling comparisons across different contexts, with flexible context-specific testing batteries, has the potential to maximise the impact of testing information for practitioners. In addition, the limited reporting of reliability data across studies highlights the need for practitioners to establish their own reliability measure within their specific contexts, informing the selection of certain tests and outcome variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To cross‐culturally adapt and validate the Thai version of the Xerostomia Inventory (XI) and Summated Xerostomia Inventory (SXI) for subjective evaluation of oral dryness in Thai middle‐aged and older adults. Methods: The original English versions of the XI and SXI were cross‐culturally translated into Thai. Content validity was examined by the expert panel and 30 pilot subjects. The XI/SXI‐Thai were then administered to 200 Thai adults (aged 50 years or older) for further assessment of psychometric properties. The standard question, the Bother Index, and the Xerostomia Questionnaire were used as comparator instruments for the evaluation of criterion and construct validity, respectively. Internal consistency reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Results: The final XI/SXI‐Thai were found to have good content validity. Both scales were able to distinguish between xerostomia and non‐xerostomia groups. We observed moderate to strong correlation between the XI/SXI‐Thai and other comparator instruments, reflecting good criterion and construct validity. Cronbach's alpha values were 0.875 and 0.847 for the XI‐Thai and SXI‐Thai, respectively. Conclusions: The XI‐Thai and SXI‐Thai were found to be valid, reliable, and easily administrable instruments for xerostomia assessment in Thai middle‐aged and older individuals in both clinical and research settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Error related to incorrect use of rating scales is problematic in the assessment and treatment of dysarthria. The main purpose of this project was to determine scale fit for cardinal speech features of hypokinetic dysarthria. A secondary aim was to determine rater reliability for the two different scales explored. Method: Forty-three speakers with Parkinson's disease (PD) and 25 neurologically healthy control talkers were recorded reading sentences from the Speech Intelligibility Test. Twenty-two healthy female listeners used both an equal appearing interval (EAI) scale and a direct magnitude estimation (DME) scale to rate five perceptual speech features (i.e., overall speech severity, articulatory imprecision, reduced loudness, short rushes of speech, and monotony) from these recordings. Regression analyses were used to determine the linearity of the relationship between the means of the EAI and DME ratings. Inter- and intrarater reliability was calculated using intraclass correlation coefficients and Spearman's correlation coefficients, respectively, for both EAI and DME ratings. Results: There was a linear relationship between EAI and DME means for monotony, indicating it is a metathetic dimension. Curvilinear relationships were observed between the EAI and DME means for the other four features, indicating prothetic dimensions. Intra- and interrater reliability values were similar for EAI and DME ratings. Discussion: Overall, results of this work suggest that DME is the best fit for scaling several hypokinetic dysarthria features, and not the conventionally used EAI scale. Prothetic dimensions best scaled by DME include overall speech severity, articulatory imprecision, reduced loudness, and short rushes of speech. Monotony was the only feature found to be a metathetic dimension and would be best scaled using EAI or DME. Findings call for rethinking the widespread use of EAI scales for rating perceptual features as part of the assessment and treatment of motor speech disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is written to help therapists who are not clinical researchers assess the quality of experimental studies that are designed to compare the relative merits of different approaches to treating distressed couples. To illustrate some of the major difficulties encountered in conducting comparative research with couples (instrumentation, pretreatment assessment, internal validity, external validity, reliability of treatments, outcome evaluation, etc.) hypothetical examples are presented. Suggestions for addressing some of the salient methodological issues identified in the article and implications for determining best practices are offered for consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to assess the efficacy of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program in reducing depressive levels among mothers of children with Down syndrome. This study was an experimental study. The study was conducted between November 2021 and March 2022 at the Private Special Education and Rehabilitation Centers. It was found that there was a statistically significant difference in the Beck Depression Inventory-II total score averages between the experimental group and the control group in the in-group tests. The mothers of children with Down Syndrome who did not receive the intervention reported an increase in depressive symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess the psychometric properties of the Thai version of Caregiver Contribution to Self‐Care of Chronic Illness Inventory version 2 (CC‐SC‐CII‐v2) among primary caregivers of individuals with any single or multiple chronic illnesses. Background: The instrument encompasses three scales that evaluate Caregiver Contribution to Self‐Care (CC‐SC) Maintenance, Monitoring and Management. Methods: The English version CC‐SC‐CII‐v2 was translated and adapted for Thai context, and a cross‐sectional multicenter study involved 430 caregivers from 16 primary care centres in Thailand. Structural validity, internal consistency reliability and test–retest reliability were examined. Results: The original two‐factor CC‐SC Maintenance scale required a re‐specified model for good fit, while the CC‐SC Monitoring and CC‐SC Management scales fit well. The simultaneous model of three scales demonstrated satisfactory fit. The CC‐SC Maintenance and CC‐SC Management scales both had a composite reliability index of 0.85, with omega coefficients of 0.86 and 0.83, respectively. CC‐SC Monitoring had an alpha coefficient of 0.89. The intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.84 to 0.91, indicating good test–retest reliability. Conclusion: The Thai CC‐SC‐CII‐v2 is a valid and reliable instrument that can provide clinicians and investigators with an evaluation of the contributions of caregivers to the self‐care of patients with chronic illnesses. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? The Caregiver Contribution to Self‐Care of Chronic Illness Inventory (CC‐SC‐CII) is a theoretical‐based instrument initially created in the Western context.This inventory consists of three separate but interconnected scales for assessing caregiver involvement in patient self‐care maintenance, monitoring and management.Rigorous psychometric assessments conducted in Western contexts have affirmed the validity, reliability and effectiveness of the CC‐SC‐CII. What this paper adds? The introduction of the updated version, CC‐SC‐CII‐v2, likely presents challenges linked to cultural adaptation when applying it within the Thai context.This research constitutes a novel contribution to the field of caregiving studies in Thailand and the broader Asian region.The study offers new insights into the validity and reliability of the CC‐SC‐CII‐v2 within the context of Thai caregiving. The implications of this paper: The CC‐SC‐CII‐v2 proves to be a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating caregiver involvement in the self‐care of patients with chronic illnesses.Its applicability extends to various culture, including Thai context, and it may be considered suitable for application in other Asian backgrounds as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Stroke survivors may experience challenges in multiple domains (e.g., speech-language, dexterity, mobility) and pursue services from multiple professionals. Clinicians typically provide rehabilitation services in back-to-back sessions (multidisciplinary). Alternatively, two or more clinicians can co-treat a stroke survivor in one session (interdisciplinary). This pilot project examined task congruency in interdisciplinary stroke care. Method: A stroke survivor chronically challenged by non-fluent aphasia and right hemiparesis completed spoken-naming and upper-limb tasks simultaneously. The concurrent tasks were presented in two conditions: congruent (i.e., naming a pictured item while tracing the first letter of the name) and incongruent (i.e., naming a pictured item while tracing a non-symbolic shape). The sequence of the two conditions was: baseline probes, congruent practice (eight weeks), no practice (eight weeks), incongruent practice (eight weeks), and no practice (eight weeks). The entire treatment program was implemented as independent home practice utilizing a computer. Results: The participant made significant improvements in naming and clinically meaningful gains in arm movements during the congruent condition, but not during the incongruent condition. Conclusions: Data from this study suggest a potentially positive effect of simultaneous speech-language and upper-limb tasks. More research is warranted to further examine the role of task congruency in interdisciplinary stroke rehabilitation. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Stroke survivors may chronically experience challenges in multiple domains (e.g., speech-language, dexterity, and mobility). Clinicians from multiple disciplines can collaborate and co-treat a stroke survivor within an interdisciplinary framework. During a co-treatment session, a stroke survivor can achieve greater gains by completing congruent tasks (e.g., saying the name of a pictured item while writing the first letter of the name with the impaired hand), compared to incongruent tasks (e.g., saying the name of a pictured item while tracing a non-symbolic shape with the impaired hand). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature lacks a rigorous psychometric evaluation of the Arabic version of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. This study aims to evaluate reliability, determine the underlying factor structure of the Arabic version of HADS and assess its suitability as screening tool for depression and anxiety among Arabic HD patients. A sample of 370 HD patients were recruited from all health districts in Kuwait. Reliability for HADS (all items) and its subscales HADS-A (anxiety) and HADS-D (depression) were estimated using Cronbach's alpha and item analysis was conducted. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted to extract and test the factor structure for the Arabic version of HADS. Eight models were tested using CFA to determine goodness-of-fit. The Cronbach α for the Arabic HADS (all items), HADS-A and HADS-D were 0.884, 0.852 and 0.764, respectively. Pearson correlation coefficient between HADS-A and HADS-D subscales indicated significant correlation (r = +0.69, PV < 0.001). EFA indicated two factors with eigenvalues >1, which accounted for 48.5% of the total variance. CFA revealed the one-factor model had the poorest fit, the two-factor models with acceptable fit, and three-factor models showed good fit. The Arabic HADS has good reliability and internal consistency, which warrants its use in screening for anxiety and depression among Arabic HD patients. Furthermore, the three-factor structure has shown a better fit which warrants further exploration in HD patients with the advancement in theory of psychological models for anxiety and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The time period over which relevant symptoms shifts unfold is not uniform across individuals. This article proposes an adaptation of the Reliable Change Index (RCI) to detect symptom changes of varying durations in individual patients' time series: the Duration-Adjusted RCI (DARCI). The DARCI proportionally raises the RCI cut-off to account for its extension over additional time increments, resulting in different DARCI thresholds for different change durations. The method is illustrated with a simulation study of depressive symptom time series with varying degrees of discontinuity and overall mean change, and four empirical case examples from two clinical samples. The results suggest that the DARCI may be particularly useful for identifying symptom shifts that appear relatively abrupt, which can help indicate when a patient is showing significant improvement or deterioration. Its ease of use makes it suitable for application in clinical contexts and a promising method for exploring transitions in psychiatric populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible Summary: What is known on the subject: The Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) is a widely used clinical measure designed to rate and monitor the outcomes of service users accessing specialist mental healthcare.Since its development (in 1996), numerous research studies have confirmed the HoNOS captures the aspects of care that it purports to (validity), and that clinicians' ratings are consistent both over time, and between different raters (reliability). What the paper adds to existing knowledge: In 2018, the HoNOS was reviewed with updates made to some terminology and other revisions intended to remove ambiguity in the guidance for raters. However, although the new version (HoNOS 2018) was accompanied by a recommendation that its validity and reliability be re‐tested this was not undertaken.To our knowledge, this is the first study to re‐assess the updated tool's reliability by measuring the level of agreement between different raters. Our findings confirm that there is an acceptable level of consistency between student mental health nurses that have been trained to use the (new) HoNOS 2018. What are the implications for practice: The HoNOS is nationally mandated for use by all specialist mental healthcare providers in the UK.Our findings provide some assurance that, with appropriate update training and monitoring of organisational‐level data sets, the original HoNOS glossary can safely be replaced with the HoNOS 2018 to ensure more contemporary routine outcome measurement can occur. Introduction: The Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) is a well‐established clinician rated outcome measure for use in mental health services. Following an international review, an updated version (HoNOS 2018) was published with a recommendation that its psychometric properties be re‐tested prior to widespread implementation. To date, only one such study has been published. Aims: To test the inter‐rater agreement levels for HoNOS 2018. Method: Third‐year student mental health nurses received training to complete the HoNOS 2018. Following this timetabled session, they were each invited to independently rate two, randomly selected, videos of (simulated) patient interviews. The resulting data were then analysed to calculate the tool's internal consistency and inter‐rater agreement levels. Results: The 55 participants provided 106 ratings from four vignettes. Cronbach's alphas and McDonalds omegas confirmed the revised tool's internal consistency was acceptable. Average measure intraclass correlation coefficients for the four patient vignettes indicated excellent reliability. Implications for practice: This study provides initial assurance that the HoNOS 2018 is a reliable clinician rated outcome measure suitable for use in routine clinical practice by relatively inexperienced mental health practitioners with limited training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Moral injury occurs when one witnesses or perpetrates an act that transgresses strongly held moral beliefs and expectations. First documented among active military and veterans, moral injury is increasingly studied in healthcare personnel impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Measurement of moral injury among this population, particularly nurses, is still in its infancy. Objective: To develop the Moral Injury Symptom Scale – Clinician-Short Form and validate it among United States based acute care nurses. Methods: The Moral Injury Symptom Scale – Military Version was modified for a healthcare audience. 174 acute care nurses responded to a survey package including the scale and related instruments. Reliability and validity, including convergent and discriminant validities, were assessed, and a cutoff score was calculated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Results: Reliability (Cronbach α =.75) and validity were established and a cutoff score of 41, based on functional impairment caused by moral injury, demonstrated 86.4% sensitivity and 69.6% specificity. Nurses who screened positive for moral injury experienced higher depression, anxiety, work exhaustion, interpersonal disengagement, emotional exhaustion, and depersonalization. Conclusions: The Moral Injury Symptom Scale – Clinician Version – Short Form is a valid and reliable instrument with strong psychometric properties that can assess moral injury in acute care nurses, a population at risk due to the challenges of providing care during the pandemic. Appropriate measurement and establishing prevalence should prompt support and intervention from healthcare organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective After the COVID-19 pandemic, providing health care has changed and telehealth services have expanded rapidly. Telemedicine in most sciences, including speech therapy, has become more and more popular throughout the world. However, in Iran, many families still hesitate to use telepractice in speech. The purpose of this study was to design and psychometrically evaluate the satisfaction questionnaire of families of children with stuttering or speech sound disorders from telepractice in speech therapy services. Materials & Methods This study is a methodological tool-making study. The statistical population of the research consisted of 142 parents of children with stuttering and speech sound disorders who used telepractice in speech therapy services living in Tehran Province, Iran, in 2022. The samples were chosen by available sampling. The content validity of the questionnaire was assessed by 11 speech therapy professors and specialists, and the face validity was assessed by 10 families that used telepractice in speech therapy services. The structural validity and reliability (factor analysis) were evaluated based on a questionnaire completed by 142 parents of children with stuttering and speech sound disorders. Internal consistency and reproducibility were used to assess the reliability of the questionnaire. To check the reliability (reproducibility of the tool), 30 participants completed the questionnaire over a time interval of two weeks. Data analysis was done using SPSS software, version 24. Results The average content validity ratio (CVR) in accepted items was 0.903 and the average content validity index (CVI) in accepted items was 0.935. The result of the factor analysis showed 3 factors: Effectiveness, user-friendliness, responsibility and responsiveness of the therapist, which explained 57.1% of the total variance. The Cronbach a coefficient of the whole questionnaire was 0.94 and three factors exceeded 0.7. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) value for all three factors and the entire questionnaire was >0.9. Conclusion The findings of this research indicate that the questionnaire on families' satisfaction with telepractice in speech therapy services is an acceptable questionnaire with good validity (face, content and structure) and reliability (internal consistency and repeatability). Speech therapists can use this questionnaire to evaluate families' satisfaction with children with stuttering or speech sound disorders. Also, families can use it to assess remote sessions more accurately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of the Spanish-language version of the HIV-Symptom Index (HIV-SI) questionnaire in Spanish patients undergoing antiretroviral therapy. Methods: Between 2014 and 2016, an observational, multicenter, prospective cohort study was conducted in seventeen Spanish hospitals to validate HIV-SI questionnaire in terms of: construct validity (confirmatory factor analysis), internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), convergent validity (Pearson's correlation coefficient) and Known-group validity. In addition, a sensitivity to change analysis was also performed. Results: A total of 232 patients were included in the study. They had a mean age of 46.17 (SD9.82) and were 75% male. The median overall score for the HIV-SI was 10 (IQR 4– 19.5) and the most common symptoms reported were feelings of nervousness or anxiety, fatigue or energy loss, feeling sad or depressed, stomach pain or bloating, and difficulty sleeping. In the current study, the Spanish HIV-SI questionnaire showed a high internal consistency (α = 0.89) and adequate construct validity (CFI and TLI > 0.90). When contrasted with the MOS-HIV questionnaire, an inverse correlation was found. It showed a good association with the mental (r=-0.61; P < 0.0001) and physical score (r=-0.60; P < 0.0001). In a multivariate analysis, the age of the patient, female condition, hepatitis C coinfection, concomitant treatment and non-adherence resulted in a higher HIV-SI score. Conclusions: Our study has shown that the Spanish HIV-SI is a valid and reliable self-administered PROM for routine measurement of patient- reported symptoms among Spanish patients on antiretroviral treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Multiple-choice test questions are among the main measures of knowledge used by educators in the postlicensure environment; however, these tests are often constructed in the absence of guidelines or the means to evaluate examination quality after administration. Method: Previously, guidance was provided on constructing quality test items. Here we present instruction for professional development specialists to use postadministration test data for an item analysis, providing insight on test flaws and opportunities for iterative examination improvement. Results: The topics of item difficulty, index of discrimination, and distractor analysis are covered for independent analysis, and topics such as reliability are addressed for those who have access to a formal program. Conclusion: Three levels of strategies are described: using a learning management system for item analysis, using free open-source software, and using a minimal standards method of evaluating test items. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2024;55(10):487–492.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dental caries is a global burden for oral health. Pit and fissure sealants applied in childhood can help prevent caries; however, knowledge and awareness among parents regarding the prophylactic benefit of dental sealants are uncertain. This review was conducted with an aim to assess the awareness of parents toward pit and fissure sealants globally. A bibliographic search in the biomedical databases was conducted from inception till December 2022 with no restrictions on the language. The quality assessment of the studies was performed using the quality assessment checklist for analytical cross-sectional studies. The search found 12 eligible publications that were included in the review. Intraexaminer reliability Cohen's kappa (κ = 0.96) was assessed between two reviewers who independently screened, extracted data from included studies, and assessed risk of bias. Ten studies were found to have high risk while two had low risk of bias. The knowledge and awareness among parents regarding dental sealants ranged from 10.4 to 71%. The pooled data of 12 studies showed the overall knowledge of parents toward pit and fissure sealant to be 29%. Parents are found to be aware and supportive toward the usage of dental sealant as a caries preventive agent for their children. However, the level of awareness regarding pit and fissure sealant in this review varied from low to high which was not dependent on the parent's level of education, and overall awareness was found to be poor. Moreover, majority of the studies had high risk of bias. Future studies should strive for better methodological standards to avoid bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare and analyze professional (P chart) and simple (S chart) clinical image evaluation charts for evaluating panoramic radiograph image quality. Methods: Ten evaluators assessed 285 clinical panoramic radiograph images. The evaluators were divided into oral and maxillofacial radiologists (OMFR, n = 5) and general dentist (dentists not specializing in oral and maxillofacial radiology, G, n = 5) groups. For image evaluation, P and S charts provided by the Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology were used. Scores of items for each evaluation chart were used to compare the reliability, correlation, evaluation scores, evaluation time, and preference, and statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics. Results: The S chart showed similar levels of evaluation scores at shorter evaluation time, as compared to the P chart. In the results for each evaluation chart, all analyzed correlations were statistically significant. Total score, image density/contrast/sharpness, and overall image quality items showed a very high positive correlation in the P chart. While the overall range of correlation coefficients was relatively lower in the S chart than the P chart, the same items showed high correlation coefficients. In the preference evaluation, both the professional and generalist groups preferred the S chart. Conclusions: A comparative analysis with the P chart, revisions, and upgrades are needed for the S chart items that showed low correlations in this study, such as artifacts, coverage area, and patient movement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgrounds: Various physiological functions and reaction cascades, as well as disease progression in the living systems, are controlled by the activity of specific proteolytic enzymes. We conducted the study to evaluate protease activity by assessing peptide fragments from either conserved or labeled red blood cells (RBCs) with aminofluorescein (AF) in the reaction media. Methods: RBCs were incubated in media containing trypsin. Subsequently, the concentration of peptide fragments in the reaction media, resulted by the digestion with trypsin from conserved cells, was estimated by 3‐(4‐carboxybenzoyl)quinoline‐2‐carboxaldehyde (CBQCA) as an amine‐reactive fluorogenic reagent. In a second approach, we conjugated AF to the conserved RBCs and then exposed AF‐labeled RBCs to trypsin. This was followed by directly measuring the fluorescence intensity (FI) in the reaction media to estimate the concentration of AF‐labeled peptide fragments resulting from the enzyme's activity. Results: Show a concentration‐ and time‐dependent increase in FIs, reflecting the activity of trypsin as a proteolytic enzyme. The FIs increased significantly by 4 to 5 folds in samples treated with different enzyme concentrations, and by over 11 folds after 2 h incubation in media containing a 50 μL trypsin, as evidenced by CBQCA assays. Conclusion: These fast and affordable approaches could be applied with high reliability for the general estimation of protease activity in samples and customized for diagnostic purposes and prognostic evaluation in various diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), particularly large language models (LLMs), continuing to make inroads in healthcare, assessing LLMs with human evaluations is essential to assuring safety and effectiveness. This study reviews existing literature on human evaluation methodologies for LLMs in healthcare across various medical specialties and addresses factors such as evaluation dimensions, sample types and sizes, selection, and recruitment of evaluators, frameworks and metrics, evaluation process, and statistical analysis type. Our literature review of 142 studies shows gaps in reliability, generalizability, and applicability of current human evaluation practices. To overcome such significant obstacles to healthcare LLM developments and deployments, we propose QUEST, a comprehensive and practical framework for human evaluation of LLMs covering three phases of workflow: Planning, Implementation and Adjudication, and Scoring and Review. QUEST is designed with five proposed evaluation principles: Quality of Information, Understanding and Reasoning, Expression Style and Persona, Safety and Harm, and Trust and Confidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study highlights the need for precise and efficient methods to measure palatal mucosal thickness in the maxillary anterior teeth, particularly for soft tissue augmentation in the aesthetic zone. The research evaluates three digital imaging techniques, suggesting that Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) combined with intraoral scanners (IOS) is a promising approach for reliable clinical assessment. Methods: Ten volunteers with healthy periodontium were selected, and three methods were employed: CBCT-based indirect gingival imaging, modified soft tissue CBCT (ST-CBCT), and CBCT combined with IOS. Measurements of palatal mucosal thickness were taken at multiple points along the palatal gingival margin. Statistical analysis included Bland-Altman plots for method agreement and intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) analysis for reliability. All measurements were standardized, repeated for consistency, and accurate to 0.01 mm to ensure reliability. Results: The Bland-Altman plots showed that less than 5% of the points for palatal mucosal thickness differences measured by the gingival indirect radiographic method, modified ST-CBCT, and CBCT combined with IOS were located outside the 95% limits of agreement (LoA). The mean value of the differences was within 0.2 mm, indicating good clinical agreement among the three methods. The inter- and intra-study ICC values for palatal mucosal thickness measurements of the maxillary anterior teeth using the three CBCT methods were greater than 0.75 (P < 0.001), demonstrating reproducibility. Conclusions: Based on the evaluation of three digital imaging techniques, this study indicates that the combination of CBCT with IOS is a feasible method for measuring palatal mucosal thickness in the maxillary anterior teeth and demonstrates good reproducibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Cognitive decline is often considered an inevitable aspect of aging; however, recent research has identified a subset of older adults known as "superagers" who maintain cognitive abilities comparable to those of younger individuals. Investigating the neurobiological characteristics associated with superior cognitive function in superagers is essential for understanding "successful aging." Evidence suggests that the gut microbiome plays a key role in brain function, forming a bidirectional communication network known as the microbiome-gut-brain axis. Alterations in the gut microbiome have been linked to cognitive aging markers such as oxidative stress and inflammation. This study aims to investigate the unique patterns of the gut microbiome in superagers and to develop machine learning-based predictive models to differentiate superagers from typical agers. Methods: We recruited 161 cognitively unimpaired, community-dwelling volunteers aged 60 years or from dementia prevention centers in Seoul, South Korea. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 115 participants were included in the study. Following the removal of microbiome data outliers, 102 participants, comprising 57 superagers and 45 typical agers, were finally analyzed. Superagers were defined based on memory performance at or above average normative values of middle-aged adults. Gut microbiome data were collected from stool samples, and microbial DNA was extracted and sequenced. Relative abundances of bacterial genera were used as features for model development. We employed the LightGBM algorithm to build predictive models and utilized SHAP analysis for feature importance and interpretability. Results: The predictive model achieved an AUC of 0.832 and accuracy of 0.764 in the training dataset, and an AUC of 0.861 and accuracy of 0.762 in the test dataset. Significant microbiome features for distinguishing superagers included Alistipes, PAC001137_g, PAC001138_g, Leuconostoc, and PAC001115_g. SHAP analysis revealed that higher abundances of certain genera, such as PAC001138_g and PAC001115_g, positively influenced the likelihood of being classified as superagers. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate the machine learning-based predictive models using gut-microbiome features can differentiate superagers from typical agers with a reasonable performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Sexual Health Scale (QLQ-SH22) is the only cancer-specific measure of sexual health. It has never been translated into Arabic. In order to envisage effective healthcare strategies that improve sexual quality of life, the validation of the Moroccan version of this scale is a crucial step in exploring the influence of cancer and its treatment on patients in the Moroccan context. In this regard, this study aimed to validate a Moroccan Arabic version among patients with cancer. Method: A total of 280 Moroccan patients with cancer participated in this study from August 2022 to April 2023. The translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the QLQ-SH22 was performed following the EORTC guidelines. Psychometric validation was explored using the reliability of internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA). Results: The analysis revealed a greater internal consistency for both sexual satisfaction (α = 0.83) and sexual pain (α = 0.86). The intraclass correlation coefficient indicated an excellent level of test–retest reliability (from 0.925 to 0.993). The CFA demonstrated high-performing model fit indices (χ2/df = 1.17, SRMR = 0.05, RMSEA = 0.035, GFI = 0.94, CFI = 0.99, TLI = 0.99, IFI = 0.99, NFI = 0.94). The concurrent validity between the QLQ-C30 and QLQ-SH22 confirmed a strong correlation between the fatigue scales in both questionnaires (r = 0.69). This version showed good discrimination between known groups. Conclusions: The QLQ-SH22 Moroccan Arabic version has demonstrated a high level of reliability and validity, and therefore it is now ready for use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Suicidal behaviour, defined as acting with the intention of killing oneself and thinking about doing so, is a serious public health problem. Being able to list the risk factors in the process from suicidal ideation to suicidal behaviour is important in preventing suicide. Objectives: The study was conducted to examine the psychological variables that discriminate between individuals who attempt suicide and those who only have suicidal ideation. Methods: The sample of the study consisted of 108 individuals who attempted suicide and 197 individuals with suicidal ideation, aged 18–25 years. Data were collected using the Demographic Information Form, Anger/Impulsivity (A/I) and Hopelessness/Loneliness (H/L) subscales of the Suicide Probability Scale (SPS), Psychological Pain Scale (PPS), State and Trait Anxiety Scale (STAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ), Acquired Suicide Efficacy/Death Fearlessness Scale (ASE/DFS) and General Attitudes and Beliefs Scale Short Form (GABS-SF). Results: Results showed that anger/impulsivity (Wald = 4.827; p < 0.05), perceived burden on others (Wald = 8.613; p < 0.05), acquired suicide efficacy/death fearlessness (Wald = 13.377; p < 0.001), being female (Wald = 3.925; p < 0.05), presence of diagnosed psychiatric illness in the family (Wald = 5.705; p < 0.05), and receiving psychological support (Wald = 4.381. p < 0.05) variables are significant predictors of the transition from suicidal ideation to suicidal action. Conclusions: The identification of psychological factors between suicide attempters and suicide ideation groups may guide clinicians in the follow-up and treatment of individuals at risk of attempting suicide. In addition, the results may contribute to the development of new intervention, education and treatment programmes for suicide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Menstruation remains surrounded by taboo and symbolic violence for many adolescents and young women today, and it is urgent to identify existing stereotypes. The objective was to validate a Spanish-language instrument to assess perceptions, false beliefs, gender stereotypes, fears, and taboos surrounding menstruation in nursing women's studies. A cross-sectional study for psychometric validation of the METCON© scale (22 item version) was assessed in a cohort of 401 female nursing university students (2016–2019), assessing the psychometric properties in terms of internal consistency and structural validity. Furthermore, an invariance analysis was conducted to discern structural disparities before and after studying the subject of gender and health. The METCON© scale showed acceptable internal consistency scores measured by Cronbach's alpha. Exploratory factor analysis indicated a structure of six factors which explained 60.50% of the total variance with a total of 19 items. Reliability analysis indicated adequate internal consistency (α = 0.613). Confirmatory factor analysis showed adequate values, confirming this structure. The invariance analyses identified that the structure remained adequate when evaluated before and after studying the subject of gender and health. Once validated, this instrument could serve as a valid and reliable tool for comprehensively examining perceptions, beliefs, and myths surrounding menstruation, addressing not only biological but also social and cultural aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oral mucosa lesions are the third most prevalent oral pathology, following caries and periodontal diseases. Teledentistry offers an effective way to manage patients with these lesions. The accuracy of remote diagnoses and consultations relies heavily on the quality of the information and photos sent to remote specialists. This study aims to evaluate the usability and reliability of a teledentistry tool for the remote diagnosis of oral lesions. Methods: The cross-sectional study included both usability evaluation and reliability assessment. The teledentistry platform, "OralMedTeledent", facilitated synchronous and asynchronous interactions, allowing for patient consultations, remote follow-ups, and doctor-to-doctor consultations. Usability was evaluated by 5 experts using the Nielsen heuristic checklist. Reliability was assessed from August 2022 to September 2023 with 109 patients, using Cohen's kappa coefficient to measure agreement between examiners and the gold standard in diagnosing oral lesions. Results: The findings revealed 66 usability issues, most of which were related to helping users recognize, diagnose, and recover from errors, as well as issues with help and documentation. Among these, 11 issues were of minor severity. The reliability test, conducted with 109 participants (57.8% female, 42.2% male) showed that the web-based teleconsultation system performed significantly well. The system demonstrated significant substantial performance (0.81 ≤ κ < 1; P > 0.05). Conclusion: Overall, the web-based teleconsultation system has proven to be reliable for the remote diagnosis of oral lesions, making it a valuable alternative during emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. However, several usability issues have been identified and need to be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nursing interns often faced moral distress in clinical practice, similar to registered nurses, which can lead to compassion fatigue. The roles of moral resilience and professional identity in influencing the psychological well-being of nursing interns are recognized, but the interrelationships among moral distress, moral resilience, professional identity, and compassion fatigue in this group remain unclear. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impact of moral distress on compassion fatigue among nursing interns and to explore the mediating role of moral resilience and professional identity. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted with 467 nursing interns. Data were collected using Compassion Fatigue Short Scale, Moral Distress Scale-revised, Rushton Moral Resilience Scale, and Professional Identity Scale. Data analyses were performed using SPSS 22.0 and Amos 21.0, adhering to the STROBE statement. Results: The mean scores for compassion fatigue, moral distress, moral resilience, and professional identity were 35.876, 44.887, 2.578, and 37.610, respectively. Moral distress was positively correlated with compassion fatigue. Structural equation modeling showed that moral resilience and professional identity partially mediated the relationship between moral distress and compassion fatigue (β = 0.448, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The findings suggest that moral distress directly influences compassion fatigue among nursing interns and also exerts an indirect effect through moral resilience and professional identity. Interventions aimed at enhancing moral resilience and fostering a strong professional identity may help mitigate the adverse effects of moral distress on compassion fatigue among nursing interns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Over the past few decades, there has been growing concern about the concurrent trends of increasing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) prevalence and declining sperm quality. These trends represent significant public health challenges that warrant thorough investigation of their underlying causes and implications. Objectives: The primary objectives of this study are to analyze trends in ASD prevalence and sperm quality parameters from 2000 to 2024, assess the statistical significance and effect size of these trends, explore potential correlations between ASD prevalence and sperm quality parameters, and identify significant predictors among sperm quality parameters that influence ASD prevalence. Methods: This study employed a longitudinal approach using multiple regression, time series analysis, ANOVA, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), hierarchical clustering, logistic regression, and cross-correlation analysis. Data on ASD prevalence were sourced from the CDC Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, while sperm quality data were collected from various published studies. Results: The findings reveal significant negative associations between ASD prevalence and sperm quality parameters such as sperm concentration and motility, suggesting that better sperm quality is linked to lower ASD rates. Conversely, parameters like sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), volume of ejaculate, pH level, and semen viscosity show positive associations with ASD prevalence, indicating higher values in these parameters correlate with higher ASD rates. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of maintaining reproductive health to potentially mitigate ASD risk and calls for further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms driving these trends. These findings support the hypothesis that reproductive health factors play a crucial role in ASD etiology and suggest potential biological markers for assessing ASD risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review provides a synthesis of the state of the evidence relating to child and adolescent mental health interventions in Nepal, with particular emphasis on the use and impact of cultural adaptation of these interventions. The review follows the PRISMA and JBI review guidance. Nine papers met the inclusion criteria, studies were characterised by methodological weaknesses impacting on their reliability. Five of the nine studies reported statistically significant improvements, of these, all except one worked with the family and wider community alongside the child. The use of cultural adaptation was implemented in all studies, but varied in terms of the extent of the adaptation processes used. The findings from this review indicate that high quality studies are needed in this area, particularly those which consider the influence on the collectivist nature of Nepali culture on design of the intervention. Interventions need to consider cultural adaptation more closely, as well as the acceptability of the intervention to the wider community. Highlights: In a collectivist culture such as Nepal, successful interventions typically included the family and wider community alongside the child Cultural adaptation was implemented in all studies, but with marked variation in the extent of it. Some studies only adapted the outcome measurement tools The majority of the studies were of low to moderate quality, impacting on the reliability of the findings Future studies should look to report the implementation of cultural adaptation much more closely, alongside the acceptability of the intervention to the child's family, school and wider community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Hispanics are the largest growing ethnic minority group in the U.S. Despite significant progress in providing norms for this population, updated normative data are essential. OBJECTIVE: To present the methodology for a study generating normative neuropsychological test data for Spanish-speaking adults living in the U.S. using Bayesian inference as a novel approach. METHODS: The sample consisted of 253 healthy adults from eight U.S. regions, with individuals originating from a diverse array of Latin American countries. To participate, individuals must have met the following criteria: were between 18 and 80 years of age, had lived in the U.S. for at least 1 year, self-identified Spanish as their dominant language, had at least one year of formal education, were able to read and write in Spanish at the time of evaluation, scored≥23 on the Mini-Mental State Examination, <10 on the Patient Health Questionnaire– 9, and <10 on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale. Participants completed 12 neuropsychological tests. Reliability statistics and norms were calculated for all tests. CONCLUSION: This is the first normative study for Spanish-speaking adults in the U.S. that uses Bayesian linear or generalized linear regression models for generating norms in neuropsychology, implementing sociocultural measures as possible covariates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual consent is essential for preventing sexual assault. Research on sexual consent in Spain is hampered by the lack of an appropriate measure. The aim of this study was to translate and assess the psychometric properties of the Sexual Consent Scale–Revised using a sample of 557 Spanish individuals between 18 and 60 years old. An exploratory factor analysis followed by a confirmatory factor analysis supported the Spanish SCS-R factorial structure. Reliability analyses and invariance testing demonstrated its good psychometric properties and invariance with respect to age and gender. The Spanish SCS-R is a useful tool to evaluate sexual consent among young men and women as well as men and women older than 30 years of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale – Revised (CESD-R) is a popular self-report screening measure for depression. A 20-item questionnaire with scores ranging from 0 to 4 for each item, the CESD-R can produce total scores ranging from 0 to 80. However, the typical scoring protocol for the CESD-R restricts the range of possible scores to between 0 and 60 to retain the same range and clinical cutoff scores as the original CES-D. Despite the widespread adoption of this scoring approach, the psychometric impact has never been systematically examined. In an undergraduate and community adult sample (n = 869), item response theory analyses indicated that scoring the CESD-R with all 5 response options (CESD-R5opt) provided nearly twice as much information about a person's latent depression for individuals with high levels of depression than did scoring the CESD-R with 4 response options per item (CESD-R4opt). The CESD-R5opt retained the strong reliability and factor structure of the CESD-R4opt and was more sensitive to individual differences for participants at high levels of depression compared to the CESD-R4opt. Results provide preliminary evidence that researchers and clinicians should score the CESD-R using the full 0-to-80 scale and a clinical cutoff score of 29. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Stigma of Suicide Scale (SOSS) is a measure of public attitudes toward suicide decedents, which makes it unique from other scales that measure more general attitudes toward suicide. The aim of this study was to further replicate and extend the reliability and factor structure of the SOSS (both long- and short form) in a sample of individuals directly impacted by suicide. This study also sought to identify factors that impact suicide attitudes unique to this sample. The sample included 312 participants who had personal experience with suicide. Results provided support for the oblique three-factor structure of the SOSS (stigma, isolation/depression, and glorification/normalization), with a superior model fit for the 16-item short form version. Correlates of suicide attitudes among individuals exposed to suicide included perceived relationship closeness to a suicide decedent, experience with both loss and attempt, and the sex of the suicide decedent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is unclear whether the response in femoral cartilage to running at different intensities is different. To examine the acute patterns of deformation and recovery in femoral cartilage thickness during and after running at different speeds. Crossover study. Laboratory. A total of 17 healthy men (age = 23.9 ± 2.3 years, height = 173.1 ± 5.5 cm, mass = 73.9 ± 8.0 kg). Participants performed a 40-minute treadmill run at speeds of 7.5 and 8.5 km/h. Ultrasonographic images of femoral cartilage thickness (intercondylar, lateral condyle, and medial condyle) were obtained every 5 minutes during the experiment (40 minutes of running followed by a 60-minute recovery period) at each session. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance and Bonferroni- and Dunnett-adjusted post hoc t tests. To identify patterns of cartilage response, we extracted principal components (PCs) from the cartilage-thickness data using PC analysis, and PC scores were analyzed using t tests. Regardless of time, femoral cartilage thicknesses were greater for the 8.5-km/h run than the 7.5-km/h run (intercondylar: F1,656 = 24.73, P <.001, effect size, 0.15; lateral condyle: F1,649 = 16.60, P <.001, effect size, 0.16; medial condyle: F1,649 = 16.55, P <.001, effect size, 0.12). We observed a time effect in intercondylar thickness (F20,656 = 2.15, P =.003), but the Dunnett-adjusted post hoc t test revealed that none of the time point values differed from the baseline value (P >.38 for all comparisons). Although the PC1 and PC2 captured the magnitudes of cartilage thickness and time shift (eg, earlier versus later response), respectively, t tests showed that the PC scores were not different between 7.5 and 8.5 km/h (intercondylar: P ≥.32; lateral condyle: P ≥.78; medial condyle: P ≥.16). Although the 40-minute treadmill run with different speeds produced different levels of fatigue, morphologic differences (<3%) in the femoral cartilage at both speeds seemed to be negligible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]