Dependent Measurements Research Articles

Development and validation of a scale for measuring organizational behavior: A comprehensive approach

Organizational behavior has long been a focus for researchers and academicians, and it is crucial for individual, team, and organizational achievements. There are debates about how to accurately measure organizational behavior, and existing scales have limitations. This paper offers a detailed view of developing scales in organizational behavior studies. This includes creating items, assessing content validity, pilot testing, refining items, validating the scale, and collecting data. The scale's validity and reliability are confirmed using statistical methods like exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. The analysis results show the scale's legitimacy through factor loadings and reliability. The final scale is described, detailing the number of items and their specific dimensions. The discussion highlights the scale's benefits and limitations, its practical uses in organizational behavior research, and future research suggestions. This article is a thorough guide for researchers on creating effective and dependable measurement tools in organizational behavior.

Magnetoelectric CoV2O6—Role of Fe inter-play in Co-based Ising spin chain interactions

CoV2O6, a Brannerite-type material, exists in both monoclinic (α) and triclinic (γ) forms. α- CoV2O6 exhibits quasi-1D ferromagnetic chains of octahedrally-coordinated Co2+ions in the higher spin state. Fe2+ doped α-CoV2O6 (3 mol%) single crystals were synthesized using high temperature melt method. The motivation is to investigate whether disruption of 1D Co2+ ferromagnetic chains by small Fe3+ substitution alters the antiferromagnetic ground state and lead to stronger spin-frustration. In this paper, we report the magnetic and magnetodielectric properties of Fe doped α-CoV2O6 in detail. The strongly anisotropic nature of magnetic and magnetodielectric characteristics were captured well in the data through orientation dependent measurements with H being parallel to a and c axes of the crystal. Relative dielectric permittivity (εr) exhibited sharp peaks coinciding with the plateau edges Hc1 ∼2.2 T and Hc2 ∼4.4 T in the magnetization curves (M-H) for applied H parallel to a-axis. For dielectric measurements under applied H parallel to c-axis, relative dielectric permittivity exhibited sharp peak around Hc2 ∼3.1 T, again coinciding with the M-H behavior. Such closely related magnetic field induced dielectric transitions reflected in both M(H) and εr(H) measurements is a rare phenomenon and representative of strong spin-lattice coupling in this phase.

On the sensitivity of stationary solutions of Markov regenerative processes

Markov regenerative process (MRGP) is favored for modeling and evaluating system dependability due to its high power and flexibility. However, its analysis presents challenges because of its inherent renewal nature. The embedded Markov chain (EMC) method offers a stationary solution to the MRGP, while the phase expansion approach delivers both stationary and transient solutions. From these solutions, one can derive performance or dependability measures as outputs from the MRGP model. It is crucial to conduct a sensitivity analysis on MRGP to understand the influence of input factor changes on model outputs, aiding efficient system optimization. Yet, a clear analytical method for sensitivity analysis of MRGP models is currently lacking. Filling this gap, this paper introduces an analytical approach to assess parametric sensitivity for steady-state MRGP, utilizing the EMC method for obtaining the stationary solution. Specifically, since system availability closely correlates with the average system available duration, this paper also shifts its focus from mere model parameters to representative values, like the average available time of a system.

From local to global gene co-expression estimation using single-cell RNA-seq data.

In genomics studies, the investigation of gene relationships often brings important biological insights. Currently, the large heterogeneous datasets impose new challenges for statisticians because gene relationships are often local. They change from one sample point to another, may only exist in a subset of the sample, and can be nonlinear or even nonmonotone. Most previous dependence measures do not specifically target local dependence relationships, and the ones that do are computationally costly. In this paper, we explore a state-of-the-art network estimation technique that characterizes gene relationships at the single cell level, under the name of cell-specific gene networks. We first show that averaging the cell-specific gene relationship over a population gives a novel univariate dependence measure, the averaged Local Density Gap (aLDG), that accumulates local dependence and can detect any nonlinear, nonmonotone relationship. Together with a consistent nonparametric estimator, we establish its robustness on both the population and empirical levels. Then, we show that averaging the cell-specific gene relationship over mini-batches determined by some external structure information (eg, spatial or temporal factor) better highlights meaningful local structure change points. We explore the application of aLDG and its minibatch variant in many scenarios, including pairwise gene relationship estimation, bifurcating point detection in cell trajectory, and spatial transcriptomics structure visualization. Both simulations and real data analysis show that aLDG outperforms existing ones.

Psychometric properties of measures for electronic cigarette dependence among former-smoking electronic cigarette users

BackgroundMeasures designed to assess electronic cigarette (ECIG) dependence are largely adapted from those developed for cigarette smoking, and have been evaluated mainly among dual ECIG-cigarette users. The present study evaluated the psychometric properties of four dependence measures among former-smoking ECIG users. MethodsRespondents (N = 187) were daily ECIG users who had formerly smoked cigarettes regularly. As part of an online survey, they completed four dependence measures: Penn State Electronic Cigarette Dependence Index (PSECDI); E-Cigarette Dependence Scale (EDS-4); Glover Nilsson Behavioral Questionnaire (GNBQ); and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5th Edition (DSM-5). ResultsConfirmatory factor analysis revealed a single factor structure for all four measures, and fit indices were adequate for all models. Most inter-item correlations (mean r’s = 0.21 to 0.45) and all item-total correlations (mean r’s = 0.53 to 0.80) were significant for all four measures. Internal consistency was highest for the GNBQ (α = 0.86) followed by the EDS-4 (α = 0.81), PSECDI (α = 0.76), and DSM-5 (α = 0.75). Age of ECIG initiation was correlated negatively with scores on the EDS-4 and DSM-5, while number of ECIG quit attempts was correlated positively with scores on all measures except the GNBQ. Convergent validity was highest for comparisons between the EDS-4 and PSECDI (r = 0.75) though all comparisons were significant (p’s < 0.001). ConclusionsAll four measures demonstrated acceptable reliability and validity in this sample of former-smoking ECIG users.

Psychometric Properties of the FTCD and Brief WISDM: Support for Validity in a Legal-System-Involved Sample.

The Fagerström test for cigarette dependence (FTCD) and Brief Wisconsin index of smoking dependence motives (WISDM) are widely used measures of smoking dependence. The FTCD was previously found to have 1-factor and 2-factor structures and Brief WISDM has been found to have an 11-factor and 11-factor hierarchical structure. As such, the current study sought to further investigate the psychometric properties of the FTCD and Brief WISDM with a novel criminal-legal system-involved sample using both a factor-analytic and an item response theory (IRT) approach. Data from 517 criminal-legal system-involved adults (ie, 18 years of age or older) who smoke from Alabama, USA were analyzed. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were conducted on 1-factor and 2-factor structures of the FTCD and 1-factor, 11-factor, and 11-factor hierarchical structures of the Brief WISDM. IRT analyses investigating item discrimination and threshold parameters were also conducted on the brief WISDM. The CFA showed poor fit for a single-factor structure and mixed results for two 2-factor results for the FTCD. CFA also showed poor fit for a single-factor and mixed results for the 11-factor model. Initial IRT investigations using the 11-factor model showed strong item discrimination, but non-ordered threshold parameters. Two-factor structures for the FTCD and the 11-factor model for the Brief WISDM were partially supported in a criminal-legal population, suggesting continued support for the multidimensional structure of the measures. Additionally, exploratory IRT analyses suggested good discrimination across the use spectrum for the Brief WISDM. The Fagerström Test of Cigarette Dependence (FTCD) and Brief Wisconsin index of smoking dependence motives (WISDM) are two widely used measures of nicotine dependence, though previous research has shown mixed results for their internal consistency and factor structure. The current study used a unique sample of criminal-legal-involved participants who generally have moderate to high levels of nicotine dependence. The current study found that the FTCD displayed poor internal consistency, a poor fit for a single-factor model, but mixed support for two two-factor models. The Brief-WISDM was found to have strong internal consistency, a poor fit for a single-factor model, but mixed fit for an 11-factor model and good item discrimination.

Adaptive Wavelet Domain Principal Component Analysis for Nonstationary Time Series

High-dimensional multivariate nonstationary time series, that is, data whose second order properties vary over time, are common in many scientific and industrial applications. In this article we propose a novel wavelet domain dimension reduction technique for nonstationary time series. By constructing a time-scale adaptive principal component analysis of the data, our proposed method is able to capture the salient dynamic features of the multivariate time series. We also introduce a new time and scale dependent cross-coherence measure to quantify the extent of association between a multivariate nonstationary time series and its proposed wavelet domain principal component representation. Theoretical results establish that our associated estimation scheme enjoys good bias and consistency properties when determining wavelet domain principal components of input data. The proposed method is illustrated using extensive simulations and we demonstrate its applicability on a real-world dataset arising in a neuroscience study. Supplementary materials, with proofs of theoretical results, additional simulations and code, are available online.

A Copula-Based Bivariate Composite Model for Modelling Claim Costs

This paper aims to develop a new family of bivariate distributions for modelling different types of claims and their associated costs jointly in a flexible manner. The proposed bivariate distributions can be viewed as a continuous copula distribution paired with two marginals based on composite distributions. For expository purposes, the details of one of the proposed bivarite composite distributions is provided. The dependence measures for the resulting bivariate copula-based composite distribution are studied, and its fitting is compared with other bivariate composite distributions and existing bivariate distributions. The parameters of the proposed bivariate composite model are estimated via the inference functions for margins (IFM) method. The suitability of the proposed bivariate distribution is examined using two real-world insurance datasets, namely the motor third-party liability (MTPL) insurance dataset and Danish fire insurance dataset.

Perceptions of organizational value and unethical/deviant behaviors among lecturers in Archeology and Religion and Cultural Studies: An intervention study.

Understanding an organization's ethical standards assists employees in abiding by stipulated rules and regulations and reduces the prevalent rate of inappropriate behaviors. Unfortunately, some workers do not know and as a result, they become dysfunctional, affecting their professional identities. Given this, scholars have called for psychoeducational strategies that coach workers to improve their perceptions. With this in mind, we investigated the impact of psychoeducational coaching on workplace ethical perceptions and deviant behaviors among lecturers in Archeology and Religion and Cultural Studies. A group randomized control design was adopted, and a sample of lecturers was assigned to intervention and control groups using a simple allocation sequence method. Three dependent measures were used to assess the participants' irrational beliefs, work values, and deviant behaviors before the intervention, after, and 2 months later as a follow-up test. Data collected were cued into SPSS version 28. A multivariate analysis was performed to test postulated hypotheses at .05 probability level. The results showed that rational-emotive behavior occupational coaching has a significant impact on reducing unethical work values and work-deviant behaviors among lecturers in Archeology and Religion and Cultural Studies. The finding of this study justified the effectiveness of rational-emotive behavior therapy (REBT) approaches in treating irrational beliefs that occasioned work-deviant behaviors among the employees. It is concluded in this study that rational-emotive behavior occupational coaching is beneficial and effective in decreasing unethical work values and work-deviant behaviors among lecturers in Archeology and Religion and Cultural Studies. Therefore, REBT practitioners should liaise with lecturers in Archeology and Religion and Cultural Studies to advance the practice of REBT in workplaces.

Individualized foveated rendering with eye-tracking head-mounted display

Foveated rendering (FR) technology is designed to improve the efficiency of graphical rendering processes. In rendering, individualized approaches can help to balance users’ experiences of visual quality and saving computational resource. However, previous studies have not rigorously examined it related with the FR techniques. To address this issue, we developed an individualized FR (IFR) method using different central vision sizes and peripheral vision resolutions across individuals in virtual reality. In three user studies with 88 participants who were divided into groups designated as “large central area (LCA)” and “small central area (SCA),” the effects of IFR were compared with those of using the full-resolution condition and the average FR condition. The results indicate that the LCA group experienced higher visual quality under the IFR and full-resolution conditions than under the average FR condition. In contrast, the SCA group exhibited comparable levels of dependent measures between the IFR and average FR conditions, but both were lower than those of the full-resolution condition. We also evaluated the computational benefits of the proposed IFR method, and the results demonstrated the effectiveness of our approach in saving resources across the two groups. Although lower-bound adjustments may be required for some users, our overall results suggest that IFR is a malleable technology for enhancing rendering efficiency in virtual reality.

Accurate vertical nanoelectromechanical measurements

Piezoresponse Force Microscopy (PFM) is capable of detecting strains in piezoelectric materials down to the picometer range. Driven by diverse application areas, numerous weaker electromechanical materials have emerged. The smaller signals associated with them have uncovered ubiquitous crosstalk challenges that limit the accuracy of measurements and that can even mask them entirely. Previously, using an interferometric displacement sensor (IDS), we demonstrated the existence of a special spot position immediately above the tip of the cantilever, where the signal due to body-electrostatic (BES) forces is nullified. Placing the IDS detection spot at this location allows sensitive and BES artifact-free electromechanical measurements. We denote this position as xIDS/L=1, where xIDS is the spot position along the cantilever and L is the distance between the base and tip. Recently, a similar approach has been proposed for BES nullification for the more commonly used optical beam deflection (OBD) technique, with a different null position at xOBD/L≈0.6. In the present study, a large number of automated, sub-resonance spot position dependent measurements were conducted on periodically poled lithium niobate. In this work, both IDS and OBD responses were measured simultaneously, allowing direct comparisons of the two approaches. In these extensive measurements, for the IDS, we routinely observed xIDS/L≈1. In contrast, the OBD null position ranged over a significant fraction of the cantilever length. Worryingly, the magnitudes of the amplitudes measured at the respective null positions were typically different, often by as much as 100%. Theoretically, we explain these results by invoking the presence of both BES and in-plane forces electromechanical forces acting on the tip using an Euler–Bernoulli cantilever beam model. Notably, the IDS measurements support the electromechanical response of lithium niobate predicted with a rigorous electro-elastic model of a sharp PFM tip in the strong indentation contact limit [deff≈12pm/V, Kalinin et al., Phys. Rev. B 70, 184101 (2004)].

Robust valley quantum coherence in synthetic 3R-phase MoS2: A material for future valley based devices

Two-dimensional layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) offer the ideal platform to optically initialize the qubits utilizing the superposition of valley polarized photons. However, in the commonly available 2H phase TMDCs, thickness sensitive crystal inversion symmetry demands the precise control over the number of layers, which makes the study of valley physics challenging. On the other hand, 3R-polymorphic phase TMDCs are non-centrosymmetric irrespective of the number of layers and therefore retain valley degree of freedom for all the thicknesses. Here, using polarization resolved photoluminescence measurements under linearly polarized excitations, we demonstrate the coherent superposition of the valley photons (known as valley coherence) in synthetic 3R-phase MoS2 with different numbers of layers ranging from 3 layers to 11 layers. With near-resonant excitation (633 nm for AX0), the degree of linear polarization (a measure of the valley coherence) is observed up to 70% at 80 K measurement temperatures and is found to be layer thickness independent. Robust valley coherence is attributed to the high optical quality and the 3R crystal symmetry of the MoS2. Using angle resolved polarization dependent measurements, it is established that the net dipolar emission aligns with the polarization orientations of the incident laser, which signifies the valley coherence to be independent of the crystal orientation. This study paves the way toward using 3R-phase MoS2 as a key material for the development of future quantum technologies utilizing valley polarized photons.

The significance and limited influence of cerebrovascular reactivity on age and sex effects in task- and resting-state brain activity.

Functional MRI measures the blood-oxygen-level dependent signals, which provide an indirect measure of neural activity mediated by neurovascular responses. Cerebrovascular reactivity affects both task-induced and resting-state blood-oxygen-level dependent activity and may confound inter-individual effects, such as those related to aging and biological sex. We examined a large dataset containing breath-holding, checkerboard, and resting-state tasks. We used the breath-holding task to measure cerebrovascular reactivity, used the checkerboard task to obtain task-based activations, and quantified resting-state activity with amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations and regional homogeneity. We hypothesized that cerebrovascular reactivity would be correlated with blood-oxygen-level dependent measures and that accounting for these correlations would result in better estimates of age and sex effects. We found that cerebrovascular reactivity was correlated with checkerboard task activations in the visual cortex and with amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations and regional homogeneity in widespread fronto-parietal regions, as well as regions with large vessels. We also found significant age and sex effects in cerebrovascular reactivity, some of which overlapped with those observed in amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations and regional homogeneity. However, correcting for the effects of cerebrovascular reactivity had very limited influence on the estimates of age and sex. Our results highlight the limitations of accounting for cerebrovascular reactivity with the current breath-holding task.

On distance dependent entropy measures of poly propylene imine and zinc porphyrin dendrimers

AbstractA key paradigm in contemporary research is the use of graphs to represent physical systems, molecular structures, or particularly metal frameworks. Graphs are increasingly widely used in a variety of fields, including the study of quantum and molecular systems, macromolecules and their interactions, socioeconomic and ecological systems, and technical and infra‐structural systems. Understanding how these systems function, are robust, and are stable begins with structural characterization. The use of entropies and entropy‐like measurements of graphs/structures of molecules/networks is crucial from both a mathematical and physical standpoint. Several entropy measures of graphs have been defined and studied extensively during the last few decades. The current paper is devoted to investigation of distance dependent entropy measures of Poly Propylene Imine (PPI) dendrimers and Zinc Porphyrin dendrimers. The analytical formulae of distance dependent entropy measures have been developed and their patterns have been presented through graphical tools.

Three-dimensional electronic structure of the superconductor Sn4Sb3 by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy

The layered material Sn4Sb3 exhibits superconductivity with 1.47 K and is proposed to be a topological superconductor candidate. In this study, we investigate the electronic structure of Sn4Sb3 using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Despite its layered structure, the band structure of Sn4Sb3 shows strong kz dependence, leading to the formation of a three-dimensional Fermi surface. The electronic bands exhibit three-fold symmetry at most kz planes and six-fold symmetry at the Γ and Z planes. These observations are consistent with DFT calculations, except for the presence of additional flat-like bands located 500 meV below the Fermi level. The photon energy dependence measurement show noticeable kz dispersion in one of the splitted branches, suggesting a bulk origin of the feature, and negligible kz dispersion in another branch, implying the surface origin of the state.

Epitaxial thin films of binary Eu-compounds close to a valence transition

Intermetallic binary compounds of europium reveal a variety of interesting phenomena due to the interconnection between two different magnetic and 4f electronic (valence) states, which are particularly close in energy. The valence states, or magnetic properties are thus particularly sensitive to strain tuning in these materials. Consequently, we grew epitaxial EuPd2 (Eu2+, high magnetic moment) and EuPd3 (Eu3+, vanishing magnetic moment) thin films on MgO(001) substrates using molecular beam epitaxy. Ambient X-ray diffraction confirms an epitaxial relationship of cubic Laves-type (C15) EuPd2 with an [111]-out-of-plane orientation, whereby eight distinct in-plane crystallographic domains develop. For simple cubic EuPd3 two different out-of-plane orientations can be obtained by changing the substrate annealing temperature under ultra-high vacuum conditions from 873K to 1273K for one hour. A small resistance minimum evolves for EuPd3 thin films grown with low temperature substrate annealing, which was previously found even in single crystals of EuPd3 and might be attributed to a Kondo or weak localization effect. Absence of influence of applied magnetic fields and magnetotransport measurements suggest a purely trivalent Eu valence for EuPd3 thin films, as found in EuPd3 single crystals. For EuPd2 magnetic ordering below ∼72K is observed, quite similar to single crystal behavior. Field dependent measurements of the magnetoresistance and the Hall effect show hysteresis effects below ∼0.4T and an anomalous Hall effect below ∼70K, which saturates around 1.4T, thus proving a ferromagnetic ground state of the divalent Eu.

Testing Heinz Kohut’s thoughts on narcissism and narcissistic rage: narcissistic injury paves the way for radicalization and subclinical paranoid states – an experimental study

According to psychoanalytic self-psychological theory, narcissistic injuries may induce radical intentions, and subclinical paranoid states via self-psychological mechanisms. The testing took place in a narcissistic-injuring situation in Germany, where a reform of psychotherapy-training was implemented with only brief period of transition for those aiming to become psychotherapists after graduating. Within a randomized controlled-experimental design, 100 psychology-students were to read information about short transition-periods for them (affectedness-by-the-reform-condition) vs. for education-students (no-affectedness-by-the-reform-condition). After reading a radicalization-prompt, discussing in a 30-minute-group-discussion, participants in both conditions completed dependent measures of separatist identification, negative affects, overconfidence, radical intentions and subclinical paranoid states. Compared to the control condition (n = 49), psychologists in the experimental-condition (n = 51) stronger experienced narcissistic injury (d between 0.79 and 1.01; manipulation-check). They experienced a stronger alloyance with an archaic-omnipotent object (d = 0.52), exhibited more negative affects (d = 0.46), claimed overconfidence (d = 0.50), more radical intentions (d = 0.52), and subclinical paranoid states (d = 0.43). Our study supports Kohut’s idea that antisocial as well as paranoid states are responses to narcissistic injuries mediated by the alloyance with an archaic-omnipotent object, negative affects and overconfidence.

Ориентационное упрочнение эпоксидной смолы в процессе полимеризации

Experimental studies of the influence of mechanical deformation during the polymerisation process of ED-20 epoxy resin on the mechanical properties of cured specimens. Measurements of mechanical stress-strain dependence and ultimate strength were carried out in automatic mode using the Devotrans BP D NU testing machine. Experimental measurements of the mechanical stress-strain dependence for the samples subjected to stretching during polymerisation allow us to conclude that the ultimate strength of the cured samples increases by 1.5 to 2.5 times depending on the degree of stretching and the stage of polymerisation at which the stretching was carried out. At the same time, the Young’s modulus of the cured specimens changes insignificantly. This effect can be exploited in the manufacture of epoxy resin products, including composites based on epoxy binders.

Development and validation of dependence and craving measures specific to athletes who use anabolic-androgenic steroids.

Anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) dependence affects approximately 30% of people who use AAS. Presently, measures to assess and diagnose AAS dependence are adapted from scales specific to other forms of drug misuse (e.g., alcohol), containing issues with internal consistency and breadth of construct capture. Additionally, there are no measures available to assess AAS craving, which represents a potentially important coeval factor to AAS dependence. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and provide evidence of validity for measures of AAS dependence and AAS craving. Data were collected from male and female strength athletes who use AAS across two samples (n sample 1 = 206; n sample 2 = 224). Sample 1 completed the new measures alongside instruments assessing theoretically related constructs (Doping Moral Disengagement, Doping Self-Regulatory Efficacy Scale, craving items from the Wisconsin Smoking Withdrawal Scale, AAS adapted Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorder 4th Edition), whereas Sample 2 completed the new instruments. Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) with Sample 1 data were used to finalize the item sets for both measures and determine the factorial structures of the AAS Dependence Scale (AASDS) and AAS Craving Scale (AASCS). The AASDS consists of 15-items across five first-order factors that are represented by one second-order factor. The AASCS consists of 16-items across four first-order factors that are represented by one second-order factor. Evidence supporting the concurrent, convergent and discriminant validity of scores obtained with both scales was provided through their associations with the theoretically related variables. CFA with the data from Sample 2 confirmed the factor structures for both scales. The AASDS and AASCS represent valid and reliable measures of AAS dependence and AAS craving for use in research with strength athletes who use AAS.

Beam energy and system size dependence of heavy flavor production at STAR

We report the measurements of quarkonia (J/ψ and ψ(2S)) in heavyion collisions via the e+e− decay channel at midrapidity (|y| &lt; 1) by the STAR experiment. The centrality and transverse momentum dependence of the yield ratio of ψ(2S) to J/ψ is measured for the first time in heavy-ion collisions at RHIC. These results, together with the new measurement of collision energy dependence of inclusive J/ψ suppression in Au+Au collisions, allow for a systematic study of the quarkonium production in the medium. In addition, we present the first measurement of J/ψ polarization in heavy-ion collisions at RHIC in both the Helicity and the Collins-Soper frames, which provides a new insight for studying the properties of the Quark-Gluon Plasma created in heavy-ion collisions.