Discrimination Test Research Articles

Physicochemical and Sensory Evaluation Data to Drive the Development of a Green Chili Pepper Hot Sauce from Unexploited Raw Materials.

The present study shows the set of analyses conducted during the development of a hot chili pepper sauce to valorize green peppers usually discarded in the Espelette region (France). A traditional production process was used as the inspiration for product development, and two different fermentation processes were assessed and characterized by measuring pH, sugar content, instrumental color, volatile composition, and conducting sensory (discriminant test) and microbiological analyses (total plate count). Significant differences were observed among pepper mash samples with respect to their physicochemical characteristics, but the products were considered similar from a sensory standpoint. Both sensory and physicochemical tests suggested that the ingredients added to make the sauces were determinant and had a higher impact on the organoleptic profile of the final product than the fermentation process. Finally, a Napping® test was conducted to determine the attributes that could differentiate the product from the hot sauces found in the current market. The results of the present research allowed the optimization of the elaboration process of the new product, saving time and ingredient costs. The procedures shown in the study could be used as an example of a new product development process in which physicochemical and sensory data are collected and used for decision making.

Perception of Dutch vowels by Cypriot Greek listeners: To what extent can listeners’ patterns be predicted by acoustic and perceptual similarity?

There have been numerous studies investigating the perception of non-native sounds by listeners with different first language (L1) backgrounds. However, research needs to expand to under-researched languages and incorporate predictions conducted under the assumptions of new speech models. This study aimed to investigate the perception of Dutch vowels by Cypriot Greek adult listeners and test the predictions of cross-linguistic acoustic and perceptual similarity. The predictions of acoustic similarity were formed using a machine-learning algorithm. Listeners completed a classification test, which served as the baseline for developing the predictions of perceptual similarity by employing the framework of the Universal Perceptual Model (UPM), and an AXB discrimination test; the latter allowed the evaluation of both acoustic and perceptual predictions. The findings indicated that listeners classified each non-native vowel as one or more L1 vowels, while the discrimination accuracy over the non-native contrasts was moderate. In addition, cross-linguistic acoustic similarity predicted to a large extent the classification of non-native sounds in terms of L1 categories and both the acoustic and perceptual similarity predicted the discrimination accuracy of all contrasts. Being in line with prior findings, these findings demonstrate that acoustic and perceptual cues are reliable predictors of non-native contrast discrimination and that the UPM model can make accurate estimations for the discrimination patterns of non-native listeners.

Equivalence and non‐inferiority tests using replicated discrimination and preference data

AbstractUsing replications in discrimination tests is becoming more common in times of strict budgetary and time constraints. For the proof of differences, it is well‐known that the standard binomial test can be used. However, it is no longer applicable if the objective is to show equivalence or non‐inferiority, as potential differences among assessors (assessor heterogeneity/overdispersion) might invalidate the binomial test. We reapply ideas described earlier for the development of a confidence interval to derive a direct asymptotic test for equivalence or non‐inferiority using replicated discrimination and preference data, both for the cases of equal and unequal numbers of replications among assessors. The suggested test is largely model‐free, that is, does not require any assumptions that cannot be easily warranted by the test design and execution. At the same time, implementation is surprisingly easy by using the R code provided or any simple spreadsheet editor, or even manually.Practical ApplicationsShowing equivalence in perception between stimuli becomes increasingly important in applications, for example, in cost‐savings or product‐matching. The suggested approach is statistically valid without potentially doubtful model assumptions, yet at the same time simple and easy to use. Tables with critical values and R code for the evaluations further ease adoption, as illustrated by three small examples. The power assessments indicate that the loss in power is only moderate as long as the number of replications is not excessive, making replicate evaluations in discrimination tests a viable option for showing equivalence. The common approach of concluding for equivalence when a test for differences does not turn out to be statistically significant is heavily flawed; given that a valid yet simple approach to establish equivalence from replicated discrimination and preference data is provided here, such practice should be abandoned.

Effectiveness of Sensory Integration and Conventional Therapy on Impaired Kinesthesia in Peripheral Neuropathy

Background: Peripheral neuropathy is a result of damage to the nerves located outside of the brain and spinal cord. Over all prevalence in India varies from 5 - 2400 per 10,000 populations. Diabetic neuropathy is the most common type. Kinesthesia is the ability to sense the motion of a joint or limb. It is primarily influenced by muscle spindles and secondarily influenced by skin receptors and joint receptors. Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of sensory integration on kinesthesia in peripheral neuropathy and to compare the effect of sensory integration with conventional therapy on kinesthesia in peripheral neuropathy. Materials And Methods: This was an experimental study conducted on 68 subjects in which Group A received conventional therapy (control) and another group received sensory integration along with conventional therapy (experimental). Simple Random Sampling technique was used. Pre intervention assessment was done and treatment was given for 6 weeks. Post intervention assessment was done with help of outcome measures. Statistical analysis was done using students t test. Results: Among the 68 subjects, Group B which received sensory integration along with conventional therapy showed extremely significant improvement in impaired kinesthesia. In the Weber two point discrimination test, the post intervention comparison (8.6 with group A and 5.98 with group B) showed that group was extremely significant in improving joint position sense. In joint position sense for plantar flexion and dorsiflexion, Group B showed extremely proximate results to range which was asked and the range which was performed by the subjects. Conclusion: Sensory integration therapy was found to be significantly effective on impaired kinesthesia in peripheral neuropathy.

Application of combined tetrad tests and multi‐sip Temporal Check‐All‐That‐Apply to enhance carbonated beverage flavor differentiation

AbstractSensory discrimination testing is conducted for many reasons, including—but not limited to—flavor matching initiatives. When conducting these tests on carbonated beverages, there is not an established protocol on the best way to differentiate these multifaceted products. This is in part due to the formulations exhibiting a spectrum of carbonation (CO2) levels, flavors and ingredients. This research conducted tetrad tests at four time points of CO2 dissipation (0, 5, 10, and 15 min) and at two temperatures (refrigerated and ambient) to determine the sample preparation scenarios for which the “high discrimination” and “low discrimination” sample differentiation occurred. Subsequently, a select beverage pair was assessed in the “high discrimination” and the “low discrimination” preparation scenarios using multi‐sip Temporal Check‐All‐That‐Apply (TCATA). The objective of this research was to assess if identifying optimal sample preparations that enhanced sample differentiation from a series of tetrad tests allowed for a more discriminatory TCATA assessment. Results indicated that sample preparation significantly affected the ability to differentiate beverages for select attributes, but the “high discrimination” scenario was not always the more differentiating condition. Future work will aim to increase the knowledge of these interactions with additional carbonated products to further validate and generalize these findings.Practical ApplicationsSensory professionals will gain knowledge on how to optimize sample preparation for discovery of scenarios in which carbonated product flavors might be better differentiated.

Hippocampal damage causes retrograde amnesia for objects' visual, but not odour, properties in male rats.

Damage to the hippocampus produces profound retrograde amnesia, but odour and object discrimination memories can be spared in the retrograde direction. Prior lesion studies testing retrograde amnesia for object/odour discriminations are problematic due to sparing of large parts of the hippocampus, which may support memory recall, and/or the presence of uncontrolled, distinctive odours that may support object discrimination. To address these issues, we used a simple object discrimination test to assess memory in male rats. Two visually distinct objects, paired with distinct odour cues, were presented. One object was associated with a reward. Following training, neurotoxic hippocampal lesions were made using N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA). The rats were then tested on the preoperatively learned object discrimination problem, with and without the availability of odour or visual cues during testing. The rats were also postoperatively trained on a new object discrimination problem. Lesion sizes ranged from 67% to 97% of the hippocampus (average of 87%). On the preoperatively learned discrimination problem, the rats with hippocampal lesions showed preserved object discrimination memory when tested in the dark (i.e., without visual cues) but not when the explicit odour cues were removed from the objects. Hippocampal lesions increased the number of trials required to reach criterion but did not prevent rats from solving the postoperatively learned discrimination problem. Our results support the idea that long-term memories for odours, unlike recall of visual properties of objects, do not depend on the hippocampus in rats, consistent with previous observations that hippocampal damage does not cause retrograde amnesia for odour memories.

The Supplementation of Docosahexaenoic Acid-Concentrated Fish Oil Enhances Cognitive Function in Puppies.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has an important role in brain development and functionality. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of DHA-concentrated fish oil on the cognitive function of puppies. Twelve 3-month-old puppies were included, blocked by breed and randomly distributed into two groups: the Control Group (CG), without supplementation, and the Experimental Group (EG), supplemented with 40 mg DHA/kg BW/day. The object discrimination test was used, with a normal stage (NS) and a reverse stage (RS), and blood samples were collected to evaluate the serum polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) concentration and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) before (T0) and 30 (T1), 60 (T2) and 90 (T3) days after beginning the study. For the NS, there were effects of treatment (p = 0.0039) and time (p < 0.0001), in which the correct answer frequency in the EG was higher than the CG. The serum eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + HA concentrations at T1, T2 and T3 were higher than at T0 for the EG (p = 0.0159), in addition, EG showed higher serum EPA + DHA concentrations than CG at T2 (p = 0.0245). The TAC values were similar between the groups (p = 0.3211). It was concluded that the cognitive function of puppies can be enhanced with DHA-concentrated fish oil supplementation without increasing the serum lipid oxidation.

The Role of Entrainment and Aperiodicity in Vibrotactile Discrimination

The extent to which entrainment – the phenomenon in neuroscience where neurons synchronize their firing patterns to external stimuli with rhythmic or periodic features – occurs in response to aperiodic or irregular flutter stimuli remains debatable. It has been proposed by Mountcastle et al. that information is processed in a periodic manner; however, more recently, Romo et al. challenged Mountcastle’s theory and proposed that flutter stimulus was encoded based on the rapidly adapting fibers, not the periodicity.1-5 Therefore, if Mountcastle et al. is correct, the brain should be more adept at discriminating frequency between periodic stimuli than between aperiodic stimuli; conversely, if Romo et al. is correct, the brain should be equally good at discriminating frequencies between periodic and aperiodic stimuli. In this study, a two-point vibrotactile stimulation device (The Brain Gauge, Cortical Metrics, USA) was used to stimulate digits II and III of 43 participants’ preferred hand to determine their difference limen (DL) for both amplitude (AD) and frequency (FD) discrimination tests, given aperiodic or periodic stimuli. The tests were performed in the following order: periodic AD, aperiodic AD, periodic FD, and aperiodic FD. The results suggest that the periodicity of the stimuli affects frequency discrimination more than amplitude discrimination and the participants were significantly better at discriminating stimuli with periodic frequencies than aperiodic frequencies. A paired, one-tailed t-test indicated that the subject DLs resulting from periodic stimuli were significantly different (p&lt;0.05) from that resulting from aperiodic stimuli for frequency discrimination, while it was not statistically significant for amplitude discrimination. The results were in favor of Mountcastle’s theory; however, more trials with a more controlled experimental environment may be needed to definitively conclude.

Assessing Auditory and Cochlear Function in Alopecia Areata Patients: Exploring the Link to Cochlear Melanocyte Damage.

Introduction Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disorder causing hair loss, including eyebrows, eyelashes, and body hair, primarily due to melanocyte impact. Though the precise AA melanocyte hearing loss mechanisms are not fully clear, it's speculated that cochlear melanocyte inflammation could disrupt endolymph production, which is necessary for sound signal transmission. Cochlear melanocytes maintain crucial potassium ion levels, which are pivotal for hearing. The potential AA-melanocyte-hearing loss link underscores the need to monitor auditory and cochlear function and consider interventions for AA-related hearing challenges. The study aimed to assess auditory and cochlear function using OAE and audiometry measurements to correlate disease severity and duration with OAE outcomes. Materials and methods In this study, we included 32 patients diagnosed with AA; the control group consisted of 29 healthy volunteers. We collected data on the patient's age, gender, onset age, family history, and disease duration. Audiological and otological evaluations were conducted, including pure tone audiometry (PTA), speech discrimination test (SD), and otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) measurements at frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, 6000, 8000, and 10000 Hz. The patients were divided into two groups based on age: 18-25 and over 25 years old, and all parameters were compared. To examine differences between the right and left ears, gender, and age groups, we initially tested the variables for normal distribution using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests. An independent sample t-test was conducted to compare the means for normally distributed variables. Results There were statistical differences at the 5% significance level in the mean DPOAE values of the 1 KHz SNR and 6 KHz SNR variables. According to the Mann-Whitney U test results, a significant difference was found in the gender-based DPOAE value at 2 kHz SNR (p=0.041), which was lower in men than women. Although there were no significant differences in the audiological parameters based on age, significant differences were found in the otoacoustic emission values. Variables, including 4 kHz DP1 (p=0.049), 500 Hz SNR (p=0.045), and 1 kHz SNR (p=0.023), differed significantly between age groups, with these values being lower in patients over 25 years old. Conclusion Overall, our study contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting an association between AA and auditory dysfunction, emphasizing the need for comprehensive assessment and management of hearing-related issues in individuals with AA.

Fingertip traumatic amputations in children. Treatment with semiocclusive foil dressings-preliminary results

Introduction: Traumatic fingertip amputations in childhood constitute 2% of all hand injuries in individuals under the age of 14. These injuries have a significant impact on the psychological and emotional well-being of both the children and their parents. The treatment is multifactorial, dependent on the severity and location of the injury, and can involve both conservative and surgical approaches.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: The study involved 6 patients between the ages of 8 and 15 with fingertip amputations of the hand. The average duration of treatment with semi-occlusive dressings was between 3-4 weeks. The dressing was changed once a week, and after the final dressing, the border between the wound surface and healthy skin was treated with epithelializing ointments.&#x0D; Results: The average duration of treatment was 20-30 days. On average, dressings were changed 3-5 times throughout the treatment period. After the completion of treatment, the pulp had a normal shape, and the cosmetic outcome was excellent. No contractures were observed in the adjacent joints, and the two-point discrimination test had an average value of 2.5 mm.&#x0D; Discussion: Fingertip amputations present challenging injuries with multiple available treatment strategies. The presented technique is relatively simple to apply, reduces pain and discomfort, and allows direct visualization of the wound surface without the need for frequent dressing changes. Treatment with semi-occlusive dressings is a minimally invasive method, particularly suitable for the pediatric age group.&#x0D; Conclusion: Treatment of fingertip amputations with semi-occlusive foil dressings offers several advantages in childhood. Regular patient follow-up and cooperation from both the child and the parents are essential prerequisites for successful treatment.

Creating equality through differentiation in doping control

Awareness of human rights and related principles, such as equality and non-discrimination, is growing in sports. While debates on doping regulation typically target the contours of the prohibition and the sanctioning regime, much less attention has been given to how anti-doping detection impacts the level playing field, i.e. whether equality is realised in the manner in which the substances and methods are detected in athletes’ samples, or whether athletes are all equal when it comes to the analytical cut-offs that the regulations set. This article seeks to fill this gap and explores the implications of differentiation—or non-differentiation—in anti-doping detection for principles of equality and non-discrimination. After discussing notions related to equality in anti-doping detection, the article presents case studies from current anti-doping analytics, to make differentiation in that context tangible. Based on case law of the European Court of Human Rights, the Swiss Supreme Court and the Court of Arbitration for Sport, we submit that anti-doping authorities should resort to an operational ‘discrimination test’ when drafting technical regulation for anti-doping, in order to incorporate these principles ‘by design’ into the detection system. The article also demonstrates that—apparently—technical rules are not value-neutral, but that scientific data and policy choices are entwined in a way that warrants debate on the political scene, and creates duties of transparency and justification on part of the decision-makers.

Tactile acuity improves during acute experimental pain of the limb.

Chronic pain is associated with poor tactile acuity, commonly measured with the 2-point discrimination (TPD) test. Although poor tactile acuity across chronic pain conditions is well established, less is known in acute pain. Recent conflicting findings in experimentally induced neck and back pain led us to conduct a TPD investigation in experimentally induced limb pain. We hypothesised altered TPD during experimental upper limb pain, but we did not speculate on the direction of the change. Thirty healthy subjects immersed their dominant hand in a circulating cold-water bath at 7°C (cold pressor test [CPT]). Two-point discrimination was measured at baseline (pre-CPT), during pain (during-CPT), and after withdrawal from the water (post-CPT) in 3 different sites: (1) the dominant forearm, (2) dominant arm and (3) contralateral forearm. Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed a significant main effect of time (F(2,56) = 4.45, P = 0.02, = 0.14) on TPD; in all 3 sites, TPD values decreased (ie, tactile acuity improved) during pain. Interestingly, the contralateral forearm followed a similar pattern to the dominant (ie, painful) forearm, and furthermore was the only site that exhibited any correlation with pain, albeit in an intriguing direction (r = 0.57, P = 0.001), ie, the greater the pain the worse the tactile acuity. The improvements in tactile acuity during experimentally induced limb pain may reflect a protective response. The changes in the corresponding site in the contralateral limb may reflect a protective spinal cross talk. Such a response, together with the interesting relationship between tactile acuity and pain, warrant further inquiry.

Recent CJEU case law on ‘reasonable accommodation’ at work: towards the recognition of a new discrimination form

Recent developments of Tartu Vangla and Komisia CJEU decisions (2021) are scrutinised in relation to the direct discrimination test, occupational requirement justification and related limitations on automatic employment bars. Incapability to fulfil the original position is debated in the light of the reasonable accommodation duty. As a contrast, in the latest HR Rail judgment (2022) the existence of incapability is not disputed, but the first independent CJEU test on denial of reasonable accommodation led to a cautious paradigm shift. In addition, the compulsory reassignment of incapable workers with a disability poses a challenge for national labour laws and reasonable accommodation regulations.

Comparison of Dorsoulnar Artery Perforator, Superficial Palmar Branch of the Radial Artery, and Superficial Circumflex Iliac Artery Perforator Flaps in Volar Finger Defects.

Volar finger defects can sometimes be challenging for plastic surgeons. There are many reconstruction options from local flaps to free flaps. Therefore, the aim of this study was to present a functional and cosmetic comparison of the results of using dorsoulnar artery perforator (DUAP), superficial palmar branch of the radial artery (SPBRA), and superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) flaps for repairing volar finger defects. Thirty-two patients were included in the study. The age and sex of the patients, cause of injury, defect location, defect size, and presence or absence of nerve damage were noted. The patients' defects were reconstructed with DUAP, SCIP, or SPBRA flaps. The flap size, flap elevation time, vessels, and early postoperative complications were noted. During the postoperative follow-up period, the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire scale was used to evaluate hand function, and the modified Vancouver Scar Scale was used to assess aesthetic appearance. Two-point discrimination tests and cold intolerance tests were performed to measure sensory outcomes. Donor site improvements were also noted. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of age, defect size, flap size, follow-up time, and 2-point discrimination. It was observed that the elevation time was significantly shorter in the SCIP flap group, and the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire score was significantly lower in the DUAP flap group compared with the other 2 groups (P < 0.01). In addition, the modified Vancouver Scar Scale score was significantly higher in the DUAP flap group (P < 0.01). The findings of this study show that the use of SPBRA flaps has more advantages than the use of DUAP and SCIP flaps in many respects.

Validation of the ACL-RSI Scale in Pediatric and Adolescent Patients

Background: The Anterior Cruciate Ligament–Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) scale is a 12-item questionnaire assessing psychological readiness to return to sport after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. It has been validated for use in adults in multiple languages and in an abbreviated 6-question short form. Additionally, literature has been published using this scale in pediatric and adolescent populations, however it has not yet been validated for use with them. Purpose: To validate the ACL-RSI scale for use with pediatric and adolescent patients. Study Design: Cohort study (Diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Scores of 6- and 12-item ACL-RSI scales for patients undergoing return-to-sport readiness testing 6 to 8 months after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction were analyzed. Convergent validity testing was performed against the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC)/Pediatric IKDC score, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) score, and peak torque asymmetry of knee flexion and extension using Spearman correlations. Discriminant validity testing was performed against age (Spearman correlation), body mass index (Spearman correlation), and sex (Mann-Whitney U test). Reliability testing was performed by calculating Cronbach’s alpha. Floor and ceiling effects were assessed by calculating the number of minimum and maximum scores in the cohort. Results: A total of 51 patients were included in the final analysis. The mean age at surgery was 15.2 ± 2.2 years, and 51.0% were female. The 6- and 12-item ACL-RSI scales demonstrated a strong significant positive correlation with IKDC/Pediatric IKDC scores (R = 0.723 and 0.717, respectively; P < .001) and moderate significant positive correlation with Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation scores (R = 0.516 and 0.502, respectively; P < .001) Age at surgery, body mass index, and sex were not correlated with either ACL-RSI scale. Cronbach’s alpha values of the 12- and 6-item ACL-RSI scales in this population were 0.959 and 0.897, respectively. For both the 12- and the 6-item ACL-RSI scales, no floor or ceiling effects were found as the minimum score (0) was not observed in either version, and the maximum score (100) was only observed twice (3.9%) in both versions. Conclusion: The ACL-RSI scale is valid to use with pediatric and adolescent patients. The 6-item scale may be a better choice because it has fewer redundancies and minimizes the risk of questionnaire fatigue.

PENGEMBANGAN INSTRUMEN LITERASI NUMERASI KONTEKS SOSIAL BUDAYA DI SMK PLUS PAKUHAJI

This study aims to produce a Vocational Mathematics numeracy literacy instrument that has been tested for validity and reliability, as well as through a systematic analysis of the instrument using a test of discrimination and index of difficulty. This type of research is development research with the Wilson model and the Oriondo and Antonio models. Methods of data collection using interviews, expert validation sheets, questionnaires and numeracy literacy tests. Data were analyzed descriptively and quantitatively. The research results obtained were: 1) the expert's assessment stated that this numeracy literacy instrument was an appropriate instrument to use; 2) the readability test shows that this numeracy literacy instrument is in the "good" category, 3) the validity test shows that this instrument is valid; 4) this numeracy literacy instrument is a reliable instrument with a reliability value of ????????&gt;????????????????????????; 5) has a good interpretation of discriminating power with conclusions that can be used without revision; 6) Average item difficulty index. So that the resulting instrument is a feasible instrument used to measure students' numeracy literacy

Trust Mediates the Effect of Perceived Benefits and Perceived Convenience on the Interest in Reusing Electronic Money

The purpose of this research is to investigate the influence that perceived utility and perceived simplicity of use have on a person's desire to reuse electronic money, with trust serving as a moderating variable. This research is a quantitative study that was carried out utilizing a sample of individuals who reside in the city of Surabaya, have used electronic money during the last six months, and are at least 18 years old. PLS analysis, also known as partial least squares analysis, was used in conjunction with validity tests, discriminant tests, reliability tests, inner model tests, and hypothesis testing in the process of data analysis. According to the findings of this research, the perceived usefulness variable is able to encourage interest in reusing electronic money, the perceived ease of use variable is able to encourage interest in reusing electronic money, the trust variable is unable to mediate the relationship between perceived usefulness and interest in reusing electronic money, and the trust variable is able to mediate the relationship between perceived ease of use and interest in reusing electronic money; however, the perceived usefulness variable is unable to mediate the relationship.

Patients’ expectancy scale of acupuncture: Development and clinical performance test

PurposeThis study aims to develop and validate a concise tool for evaluating acupuncture expectancy that is easy to understand and conforms to acupuncture characteristics. Materials and methodsA draft was created using the Delphi consensus method. Reliability, validity, discrimination, and feasibility tests were conducted at the item and scale levels. ResultsThe scale themes were defined as disease-related, treatment-related, process-related, and outcome-related. After two rounds of Delphi surveys with good experts' reliability (authority coefficients of experts were 0.86 and 0.87 in the two rounds) and agreement (Kendall's concordance coefficient of the participants were 0.33 and 0.15 in the two rounds, P < 0.05), 11 items (the mean score for item importance, full mark ratios, and coefficient of variation of items were ≥3.5, ≥25%, and ≤0.30, respectively) were included in the draft. A total of 145 individuals were recruited to test the draft. Reliability was assessed by Cronbach's α coefficient (0.90), split-half reliability coefficient (0.89), and test–retest reliability (Pearson's coefficient = 0.74, P < 0.05). Content validity was assessed by the content validity index (Item-CVI ≥ 0.78 and Scale-CVI/Ave = 0.92), and a confirmatory factor analysis was performed to assess the construct validity. The discrimination of scale items was evaluated by the critical ratio (CR > 3.00) and the homogeneity test (item-total correlations >0.40). Feasibility was assessed through the acceptance rate (recovery rate = 98.60%, response rate = 100%), completion rate (100%), and completion time (4.99 ± 6.80 min). ConclusionThe patients’ expectancy scale of acupuncture (PESA) consists of 11 items with four themes, disease-related, treatment-related, process-related, and outcome-related. It has great reliability, validity, discrimination, and feasibility and has the potential to evaluate acupuncture expectancy in clinical trials.

Interhemispheric Inhibition Between Primary Motor Cortices is Not Altered in Individuals With Chronic Lateral Epicondylalgia

Lateral epicondylalgia (LE), commonly referred to as tennis elbow, is a musculoskeletal condition characterized by pain and sensorimotor dysfunction. In some individuals with chronic unilateral LE, sensorimotor symptoms develop on the unaffected side despite no evidence of tissue damage. Altered interhemispheric inhibition (IHI) is one mechanism that could underpin this phenomenon. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine IHI between the primary motor cortices (M1) in individuals with chronic LE and healthy controls. In 20 individuals with chronic LE and 20 healthy participants, transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to assess 1) short and long-latency IHI from the affected (corresponding to the injured side) to the unaffected M1 and 2) corticomotor excitability of the affected and unaffected M1. Sensorimotor function was evaluated bilaterally at the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle using pressure pain threshold, grip strength, 2-point discrimination, and temporal summation tests. Short- and long-latency IHI from the affected to the unaffected M1 and corticomotor excitability of the affected and unaffected M1 were not altered in individuals with LE compared with healthy participants. No differences in sensorimotor function were observed for the affected or unaffected extensor carpi radialis brevis muscles when individuals with LE were compared with healthy participants. IHI is not altered in individuals with chronic LE. Further studies are required to determine the mechanisms that underpin the development of bilateral sensorimotor symptoms in unilateral LE. PerspectiveIHI is unaltered from the affected M1 (corresponding to the painful muscle) to unaffected M1 in individuals with LE compared to healthy controls. The absence of bilateral sensorimotor dysfunction and low pain severity in this cohort of individuals with LE may explain this finding.

Profiling Somatosensory Impairment after Stroke: Characterizing Common "Fingerprints" of Impairment Using Unsupervised Machine Learning-Based Cluster Analysis of Quantitative Measures of the Upper Limb.

Altered somatosensory function is common among stroke survivors, yet is often poorly characterized. Methods of profiling somatosensation that illustrate the variability in impairment within and across different modalities remain limited. We aimed to characterize post-stroke somatosensation profiles ("fingerprints") of the upper limb using an unsupervised machine learning cluster analysis to capture hidden relationships between measures of touch, proprioception, and haptic object recognition. Raw data were pooled from six studies where multiple quantitative measures of upper limb somatosensation were collected from stroke survivors (n = 207) using the Tactile Discrimination Test (TDT), Wrist Position Sense Test (WPST) and functional Tactile Object Recognition Test (fTORT) on the contralesional and ipsilesional upper limbs. The Growing Self Organizing Map (GSOM) unsupervised machine learning algorithm was used to generate a topology-preserving two-dimensional mapping of the pooled data and then separate it into clusters. Signature profiles of somatosensory impairment across two modalities (TDT and WPST; n = 203) and three modalities (TDT, WPST, and fTORT; n = 141) were characterized for both hands. Distinct impairment subgroups were identified. The influence of background and clinical variables was also modelled. The study provided evidence of the utility of unsupervised cluster analysis that can profile stroke survivor signatures of somatosensory impairment, which may inform improved diagnosis and characterization of impairment patterns.