Composite Reliability Index Research Articles

Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium: Italian cultural validation and preliminary testing.

Paediatric delirium is associated with a longer duration of hospitalization in paediatric intensive care units, the emergence of post-traumatic symptoms and possible neurocognitive dysfunction after discharge. In preschool children, the diagnosis of delirium appears rather challenging: their pre-verbal status and the presence of cognitive skills still in development make accurate diagnosis difficult. Recently, a pediatric delirium screening tool suitable for critical preschool children has also been developed and identified in international literature, with excellent results also in critical infants under 2 years of age: the Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium (CAPD). The CAPD, using a Likert scale, bases the assessment of paediatric delirium within the context of child development. This scale follows the development of the infant by comparing the detection of specific items on the scale as the anchor points that characterize the development of infants by age groups. Culturally and linguistically validation in Italian language and prior testing of the Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium. Translation and Cultural Validation of the Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium (CAPD) for the Evaluation/Diagnosis of Pediatric Delirium within Pediatric Intensive Care. The translation and adaptation of this instrument followed the phases of the model proposed by the World Health Organization. Prior testings, such as item descriptive analysis, item-total correlation and Cronbach's alpha, were conducted. All phases of the cultural-linguistic validation process were carried out in a satisfactory manner. For the prior testing, the scale was administered to a sample of 42 children, with age ranged 0-5 years old (66.6%), with a higher prevalence of the male gender. All items were normally distributed and there was no excessive Skeweness and Kurtosis. Each item contributed to the scale fairly well and all coefficients of item total correlation (rjx) were higher than the recommended level of 0.30. The composite reliability index was 0.94 and Cronbach's alpha was 0.96. The process has meticulously followed the recommendations in international literature. The final version was approved by the authors of the original instrument.

Impact of social media on brand commitment: testing the mediation role of perceived value and brand image

Today, distinguishing brands by traditional methods has been difficult for firms, because branding is not only a company's share in the market, but it also contributes its share in customer's mind and memory and this is the main pivot of experimental marketing. Given that media encourages members to deep levels of engagement in the society, this leads to creation of trust and commitment of the members and it is beneficial for brand community. Therefore, according to media importance in brand commitment, the goal of this research is to evaluate the impact of social media on brand commitment by emphasising the mediation role of perceived value and brand image. Target sample of this research is the customers of LG Company. For evaluation of reliability and validity of this research, Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability indices used which have been obtained greater than 0.8 and 0.5, respectively for all variables which show that they are in acceptable level. Study results confirmed that the proposed model's fitness for evaluation of media social impact on brand commitment according to mediation role of perceived value and brand image. In addition, results indicated that brand commitment is significantly influenced by perceived value and brand image.

Composite Reliability Index of Practical Distribution Network with PVDG Integration

The benefits of the photovoltaic distributed generation (pvdg) installation in the distribution network include the total system loss reduction, voltage profile improvement and the reliability enhancement of the distribution network by minimizing the interruption and duration time to customers due to the loss of utility or due to the faults in transmission lines/equipments. in this research, the optimal size of pvdg is connected at the optimal location of practical distribution network (town pyone feeder). The multi-state model is used to calculate the probabilities of the solar irradiance data and the output power of pvdg. These probabilities of solar irradiance are applied to assess the reliability of the practical distribution network with pvdg integration. The reliability within the island operation mode of the distribution system with pvdg is presented. Analytical approach is described to assess the impact of pvdg on the system reliability due to the stochastic behavior of pv output power. a composite index organizing the impact of pvdg on the overall reliability of distribution network including interruption frequency, interruption duration and expected energy not supplied is presented. The results show that the integration of pvdg placement in the practical distribution network can improve the reliability and the applying proposed methodology can enable determining pvdg configuration concerning the overall system reliability improvement.

Utrecht Work Engagement Scale in Dominican Teachers: Dimensionality, Reliability, and Validity

Work engagement is described by dedication, vigor, and absorption. The most widely used measure of engagement is the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), intended to measure engagement for any occupational group. This research aims to study psychometric properties of the UWES for its use in the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean Spanish-speaking countries. The Composite Reliability Index (CRI) as well as alphas were calculated, indicating good internal consistency. Confirmatory factor analyses were carried out to test its dimensionality. Both tested models showed extremely good fit to the data, which called for model comparison. The three-factor solution was retained as the one showing the best relative fit. However, the three dimensions of the scale were largely correlated, providing evidence for some overlapping. Regarding criterion-related validity, the three factors were correlated as expected with the three dimensions of burnout, working climate, and working conditions.

Validez factorial de una escala de generatividad en español: ¿otra escala con efectos de método?

Introducción: Erikson (1950) utilizó el término “generatividad” por primera vez y se refiere al estado de adultez en el ciclo de vida, lo que implica procreatividad, productividad y creatividad e impulsa el desarrollo de la propia identidad. Existen varias formas de medir la generatividad como las entrevistas, la observación directa, los estudios de caso o los cuestionarios de autoinforme. El método más utilizado es el autoinforme y, entre las escalas disponibles, una de las más destacadas es la Escala de Generatividad de Loyola (EGL). La EGL es una medida de autoinforme que consta de veinte ítems que miden un factor general de generatividad.Objetivo: este estudio examinó la validez factorial y la consistencia interna de la Escala de Generatividad de Loyola adaptada al español para su uso con profesores dominicanos.Método: se probaron dos modelos de factores competitivos con base en la literatura existente y se añadió un tercer modelo con efectos de método asociados a ítems negativos con el fin de encontrar la mejor solución de ajuste para esta muestra. Para examinar la validez factorial de los tres modelos, se realizaron tres Análisis Factoriales Confirmatorios(AFC) y también se calcularon los índices de consistencia interna y de fiabilidad compuesta.Resultados: en general, los tres modelos mostraron buenas propiedades psicométricas. Sin embargo, el tercer modelo que tuvo en cuenta un factor general de generatividad junto con un factor de efecto de método mostró el mejor ajuste para esta muestra.Conclusión: se discuten las implicaciones para una medición adecuada de la generatividad. Se necesitan más investigaciones para examinar si estas propiedades son estables en diferentes muestras de diferentes poblaciones.

Barriers to innovation in service SMEs: evidence from Mexico

PurposeSpecific research related to the study of innovation barriers in service SMEs in the Latin American region is limited. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects that external environmental, financial and human barriers have on innovation activities, particularly, within the context of Mexican service SMEs.Design/methodology/approachThree hypotheses were formulated and tested using structural equation modelling. Data were collected through an instrument that was developed based on relevant constructs adapted from the literature. The instrument was validated using confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach’s α test and the composite reliability index to ensure reliability of the theoretical model. The instrument was distributed among service SMEs in the Aguascalientes state of Mexico, from were 308 valid responses were obtained.FindingsIn general, the results indicate that all the three barriers investigated (i.e. external environmental, financial and human) hinder innovation in service SMEs, with the external environmental barrier being the most significant of the three.Practical implicationsThe findings of this research can inform managers of service SMEs and policy makers when formulating and implementing strategies to reduce innovation barriers.Originality/valueEvidence suggests that specific research related to the study of innovation barriers in service SMEs in the Latin American region is limited. This paper fills this research gap by expanding the limited body of knowledge in this field and providing further evidence on this phenomenon. The study also enables the distinctive characteristics of innovation barriers to be understood within a particular context, expanding in this way the body of knowledge on this field.

Psychometric evaluation of the Caregiver Preparedness Scale in caregivers of adults with heart failure.

Well-prepared informal caregivers play an important role in heart failure (HF) care, so an instrument to evaluate their preparedness to care is important. To date, HF caregiver preparedness has been rarely investigated quantitatively. The Caregiver Preparedness Scale (CPS) has been used in other chronic condition populations, but its psychometric characteristics have never been tested in HF caregivers. The purpose of this study was to test the validity and reliability of the 8-item CPS in HF caregivers. In a convenience sample of 317 HF caregivers (72.4% female, mean age 54), we tested the CPS' factorial structure with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and its concurrent validity with the Caregiver Contribution to Self-Care of HF Index (CC-SCHFI), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). We also tested CPS' reliability with composite reliability indicators, Cronbach's alpha, factor score determinacy coefficient, and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The CFA for a one-factor model resulted in supportive fit indices (e.g., comparative fit index .97). Significant correlations (p < .05) of the CPS with both the CC-SCHFI and the HADS supported concurrent validity. The composite reliability index, Cronbach's alpha, factor score determinacy coefficient, and ICC were .89, .91, .96, .91, respectively, supporting reliability. Our study provides evidence that the CPS is a valid and reliable instrument to measure HF caregiver preparedness, enabling clinicians, and researchers to target specific interventions to HF caregivers.

Patients with limited communication in end-of-life situations: Initial psychometric properties of a discomfort observation scale.

This work presents an observational scale which takes into account different observable indicators of discomfort of patients in end-of-life situations with difficulties in communicating due to cognitive impairment, fatigue or sedation and provides details of its validation. In all, 71 adults participated. Model fit was adequate (χ2(27) = 43.28, p = .024, comparative fit index = .975, root mean square error of approximation = .092 and confidence interval 90% (.033-.140)). Alpha coefficient was .70 and composite reliability index was .90. Our study provides data regarding the properties of a discomfort assessment scale. Such a scale is needed and could be very useful for the evaluation of such patients and thus to attend to their needs.

Spanish Validation of the Flourishing Scale in the General Population

Well-being research and its measurement have grown in the last two decades. The objective of this study was to adapt and validate the Flourishing Scale in a sample of Spanish adults. This was a cross-sectional study using a non-probabilistic sample of 999 Spanish general adult population participants. The psychometric properties of the scale were analysed from an exploratory and confirmatory perspective. Exploratory factor analysis showed a one-factor solution explaining 42.3% of the variance; an internal consistency of .846; temporal reliability correlation of .749; convergent validity with the Satisfaction with Life Scale of .521 and criterion validity with positive and negative affect (PANAS), pessimism and optimism (LOT-R) ranging from .270 to .488. Confirmatory factor analysis testing the one-factor solution showed a χ2 of 65.57 df = 20; CFI of .982, RMSEA of .06, average variance extracted index of .518 and composite reliability index of .841. Results showed that the Spanish version of the FS is a reliable and valid method for measuring high levels of well-being.

Is Age Just a Number? Cognitive Reserve as a Predictor of Divergent Thinking in Late Adulthood

The purpose of the study was to test a model of causal relationships among cognitive reserve (CR), personality variables such as Neuroticism and Openness to experience, and divergent thinking (DT), independently evaluating performance in different domains (verbal and graphic). It was hypothesized that CR, Openness, and Neuroticism would each directly influence verbal and graphic DT. A total of 135 subjects between 55 and 84 years old participated in the study and were interviewed in individual sessions. For a correct fit Neuroticism was eliminated from the measurement model. The goodness-of-fit indexes of the measurement model, the adequate composite reliability index and the discriminant validity supported the viability of the structural equation model (SEM). The goodness-of-fit indexes confirmed the existence of a significant effect of CR and Openness to experience in predicting both verbal and graphic DT. The three CR indicators had high loadings in their theoretical factor, with the observed variables study-work and WAIS vocabulary showing the highest loads. In summary, subjects with CR and Openness to experience were more flexible and original when solving verbal problems, and to a lesser degree, graphic problems.

Knowledge management as intellectual property

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between knowledge management and creation of intellectual property within the context of small and medium size manufacturing enterprises.Design/methodology/approachA hypothesis was formulated and tested using structural equation modelling. Data were collected through an instrument that was developed based on key constructs adapted from the literature and that was first validated using Confirmatory Factor Analysis. A Cronbach’s alpha test was also conducted and the Composite Reliability Index was calculated to ensure reliability of the theoretical model. The instrument was distributed among manufacturing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Aguascalientes region of Mexico, from were 125 valid responses were obtained.FindingsIn general, the results indicate that knowledge management has positive effects on the creation of intellectual property in manufacturing SMEs. This suggests that SMEs can create more intellectual property if they dedicate more efforts to the management of knowledge.Practical implicationsThe implication of this research and its findings may inform the strategies formulated by policy makers, and the managerial practices that manufacturing SMEs can adopt to protect their knowledge.Originality/valueEvidence suggests that studies focused on investigating the relationship between knowledge and intellectual property are limited. This paper provides a refined understanding of the relationship between knowledge management and intellectual property creation.

Reliability and sensitivity analysis of composite power systems considering voltage and reactive power constraints

This study investigates the effects of voltage and reactive power constraints on composite system reliability indices. Four indices have been used to assess the sensitivity of load curtailments to voltage and reactive power constraints. Furthermore, expressions to evaluate the sensitivity of the severity indices with respect to the voltage and reactive power constraints have been developed. Extensive simulations on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) reliability test system based on the AC power flow model were carried out to correlate the violations of these limits and the loading level of the system. A non-linear, AC power flow-based model has been used to accurately represent system redispatch. A state space reduction technique has been utilised to reduce the computation time. A comparison between redispatch models using AC and DC power flow has been provided to illustrate the benefits of the more accurate AC flow model and to investigate the effects of the voltage and reactive power constraints on reliability indices.

Assessing neighborhood disorder: Validation of a three-factor observational scale

This study presents data on the development and preliminary validation of an observational scale assessing neighborhood disorder. Independent observations by trained raters of neighborhood disorder were conducted in 552 census block groups in the city of Valencia (Spain). Intraclass correlation coefficients assessing inter-rater reliability indicated fair to substantial levels of agreement among raters. Confirmatory factor analyses supported a final three-factor model scale measuring physical disorder, social disorder, and physical decay. Results for the internal consistency showed large composite reliability indices indicating good reliability for all neighborhood disorder factors. Evidence of criterion-related validity was found by exploring associations between neighborhood disorder factors and three neighborhood characteristics: neighborhood socioeconomic status, immigrant concentration, and residential instability. Also for criterion-related validity, Moran's I test results for spatial correlation showed that the three types of neighborhood disorder tend to cluster in space and are not randomly distributed across the city. In general, this paper provides evidence of a reliable and valid observational measure to assess neighborhood disorder.

Psychometric properties of the Caregiver Preparedness Scale in caregivers of stroke survivors

ObjectiveTo evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the Caregiver Preparedness Scale (CPS) in caregivers of stroke survivors. BackgroundCaregiver preparedness can have an important impact on both the caregiver and the stroke survivor. The validity and reliability of the CPS has not been tested for the stroke-caregiver population. MethodsWe used a cross-sectional design to study a sample of 156 caregivers of stroke survivors. Construct validity of the CPS was evaluated by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were also evaluated. ResultsCaregivers were, on average, 54 year old (SD = 13.2) and most were women (64.7%). CFA supported the unidimensionality of the scale (comparative fit index = 0.98). Reliability was also supported: item-reliability index and item–total correlations above 0.30; composite reliability index = 0.93; Cronbach's alpha = 0.94; factor score determinacy = 0.97; and test-retest reliability = 0.92. ConclusionThe CPS is valid and reliable in caregivers of stroke survivors. Scores on this scale may assist health-care providers in identifying caregivers with less preparedness to provide specific interventions.

Reliability-constrained Based Optimal Placement and Sizing of Multiple Distributed Generators in Power Distribution Network Using Cat Swarm Optimization

This article presents optimal placement and sizing of multiple distributed generators to achieve higher overall system reliability in large-scale primary distribution networks using a novel random search algorithm known as cat swarm optimization. A composite reliability index is used as the objective function in the optimization process. Furthermore, the effect of multiple distributed generator units on power transfer capacity and power loss reduction has been observed. Extensive simulations are carried out based on three practical distribution systems to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Further, qualitative comparisons are made with adaptive weight particle swarm optimization, particle swarm optimization with constriction factor, and binary-coded genetic algorithm to show the efficacy of the proposed method for optimal placement and sizing of distributed generators in power distribution networks.

The Ply Stacking Optimization for Composite Laminated Structure: Application of Tabu Search Algorithm

In this paper, tabu search algorithm, the laminated overlay has been optimized. The total thickness of the laminated structure under certain circumstances, to composite laminates maximum system reliability indices as the objective function, the composite fiber orientation angle and relative thickness of the optimized design. It is through the local neighborhood search mechanism and the corresponding tabus to avoid circuitous search criteria and standards to cut through the broken tabu excellent release from the state, thereby ensuring a variety of effective exploration in order to ultimately achieve global optimization. This article is laminated overlay design provide a new and efficient framework, the framework of the algorithm relative to the previously used method has obvious advantages: After a limited number of cycles that can converge to satisfactory results, the optimization process shows good robustness of the algorithm, and the method to solve the structural optimization of composite materials and other combinatorial optimization problems provide a new way of thinking. This paper describes the basic idea of tabu search algorithm, composition, processes, principles, and so on.

Probabilistic Worth Assessment of Distributed Static Series Compensators

The deployment of flexible ac transmission system (FACTS) devices, despite miscellaneous benefits and applications, has been restricted mainly due to their large investment costs. Accordingly, the notion of distributed FACTS (D-FACTS) was recently proposed. Distributed static series compensators (DSSCs), as a new member of D-FACTS, are directly clamped to conductors of transmission lines. The possibility of controlling the compensation rate of DSSCs from the control center affords the active control of network power flow. This paper presents a comprehensive reliability model for the DSSC. The model is then reduced and a state-space representation is extracted for a transmission line with a number of DSSCs. To illustrate the worth of DSSC utilization, the increment in the expected interruption cost is computed by using a composite reliability assessment. In the contingency analysis procedure, incorporating the active control of power flow provided by DSSCs makes the optimal load curtailment subproblem nonlinear. In order to linearize the subproblem, a novel set of inequalities is extracted. Numerical analysis on the IEEE Reliability Test System (RTS) is conducted to examine the effect of DSSC on composite reliability indices. The results reveal the effectiveness of proposed models and illustrate that DSSCs enhance the system reliability.

The composite fuzzy reliability index of power systems

This paper describes a method for fuzzy calculation of power system reliability. It introduces a composite fuzzy security and fuzzy adequacy indices encompassing the power system segments of generation, transmission, and the segment of load nodes. The fuzzy security index is determined by the security membership grades of the power system components which are found to be the worst in their segments. The fuzzy adequacy index is based on the adequacy indices of generation, transmission, and transmission integration segments. The composite fuzzy reliability index enables the system operator to have a continuous insight into the distance between the power system's actual state and the closest unreliable state by tracking the system's components with the lowest security and adequacy membership grades of the respective segments. The algorithm has been tested on the models of the IEEE Three Area RTS-96 and Bosnia–Herzegovina power systems.

Peripheral administration of LPS exacerbates spontaneous relapse in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

To evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the Caregiver Preparedness Scale (CPS) in caregivers of stroke survivors.Caregiver preparedness can have an important impact on both the caregiver and the stroke survivor. The validity and reliability of the CPS has not been tested for the stroke-caregiver population.We used a cross-sectional design to study a sample of 156 caregivers of stroke survivors. Construct validity of the CPS was evaluated by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were also evaluated.Caregivers were, on average, 54 year old (SD = 13.2) and most were women (64.7%). CFA supported the unidimensionality of the scale (comparative fit index = 0.98). Reliability was also supported: item-reliability index and item–total correlations above 0.30; composite reliability index = 0.93; Cronbach's alpha = 0.94; factor score determinacy = 0.97; and test-retest reliability = 0.92.The CPS is valid and reliable in caregivers of stroke survivors. Scores on this scale may assist health-care providers in identifying caregivers with less preparedness to provide specific interventions.

Reliability-Constrained Optimum Placement of Reclosers and Distributed Generators in Distribution Networks Using an Ant Colony System Algorithm

Optimal placement of protection devices and distributed generators (DGs) in radial feeders is important to ensure power system reliability. Distributed generation is being adopted in distribution networks with one of the objectives being enhancement of system reliability. In this paper, an ant colony system algorithm is used to derive the optimal recloser and DG placement scheme for radial distribution networks. A composite reliability index is used as the objective function in the optimization procedure. Simulations are carried out based on two practical distribution systems to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Furthermore, comparative studies in relation to genetic algorithm are also conducted.