Dissimilar Constructs Research Articles

Identification of phoslactomycin biosynthetic gene clusters from Streptomyces platensis SAM-0654 and characterization of PnR1 and PnR2 as positive transcriptional regulators

Phoslactomycins (PLMs) are inhibitors of protein serine/threonine phosphatase 2A showing diverse and important antifungal, antibacterial and antitumor activity. PLMs are polyketide natural products and produced by several Streptomyces species. The PLMs biosynthetic gene clusters were identified from Streptomyces platensis SAM-0654 and localized in two separate genomic regions, consisting of 27 open reading frames that encode polyketide synthases (PKSs), enzymes for cyclohexanecarboxyl-CoA (CHC-CoA) and ethylmalonyl-CoA (Em-CoA) synthesis, enzymes for post-PKS modifications, proposed regulators, and putative resistance transporters. Bioinformatic analysis and inactivation experiment of regulatory genes suggest that PnR1 and PnR2 are two positive regulators of PLMs biosynthesis. Gene transcription analysis by reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) of the PLMs gene cluster demonstrated that PnR1 and PnR2 activate the transcription of the structural biosynthetic genes while PnR2 specially governs the transcription of pnR1 in a higher level.

Psychometric performance of the brazilian version of the Mini-cuestionario de calidad de vida en la hipertensión arterial (MINICHAL)

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, ceiling and floor effects, reliability, and convergent construct validity of the Brazilian version of the Mini Cuestionario de Calidad de Vida en la Hipertensión Arterial (MINICHAL). The study included 200 hypertensive outpatients in a university hospital and a primary healthcare unit. The MINICHAL was applied in 3.0 (± 1.0) minutes with 100% of the items answered. A "ceiling effect" was observed in both dimensions and in the total score, as well as evidence of measurement stability (ICC=0.74). The convergent validity was confirmed by significant positive correlations between similar dimensions of the MINICHAL and the SF-36, and significant negative correlations with the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire - MLHFQ, however, correlations between dissimilar constructs were also observed. It was concluded that the Brazilian version of the MINICHAL presents evidence of reliability and validity when applied to hypertensive outpatients.

The disposition to apologize

Relative to forgiveness, individual differences in apology willingness have received limited empirical attention. We correlated responses of >900 undergraduate students to a newly devised Proclivity to Apologize Measure (PAM) with responses to related and dissimilar constructs. In Study 1a, PAM scores correlated positively with well-being, acceptance, and viewing oneself as amenable to change, and negatively with self-monitoring. In Study 1b, PAM scores correlated positively with seeking forgiveness, self-esteem, neuroticism, and agreeableness, and negatively with narcissism and entitlement. In Study 2a, PAM scores correlated positively with care as a moral foundation, and with compassion and other positive emotions. In Study 2b, PAM scores correlated positively with autonomy and competence. We discuss a framework of research concerning apology which mirrors the more established domain of forgiveness.

Reliability, Validity, and Psychometric Development of the Hypersexual Behavior Inventory in an Outpatient Sample of Men

Psychometric properties of the Hypersexual Behavior Inventory (HBI) are reported using treatment-seeking samples of hypersexual men. Study 1 details item reduction and exploratory factor analysis of the HBI. Study 2 provides results of a confirmatory factor analysis yielding a 3-factor model measuring Control, Consequences, and Coping associated with sexual thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Concurrent and discriminant validity was established with measures of theoretically related and dissimilar constructs. The psychometric properties of the HBI suggest it reflects the proposed DSM-V classification criteria for hypersexual disorder and has both the clinical and research utility to advance a more comprehensive understanding of hypersexuality.

UCSD SORT Test (U-SORT): Examination of a newly developed organizational skills assessment tool for severely mentally ill adults.

The present investigation examined the validity of a new cognitive test intended to assess organizational skills. Participants were 180 middle-aged or older participants with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Participants' organizational skills were measured using our newly developed University of California, San Diego Sorting Test (U-SORT), a performance-based test of organizational ability in which subjects sort objects (e.g., battery, pens) from a "junk drawer" into "keep" versus "trash" piles. Significant correlations between U-SORT scores and theoretically similar constructs (i.e. functional capacity, cognitive functioning, and clinical symptoms) were acceptable (mean r = 0.34), and weak correlations were found between U-SORT scores and theoretically dissimilar constructs (e.g., health symptoms, social support, gender; mean r = 0.06 ). The correlation between assessment scores provides preliminary support for the U-SORT test as a brief, easily transportable, reliable, and valid measure of functioning for this population.

Validity and Responsiveness of the Care and Needs Scale for Assessing Support Needs After Traumatic Brain Injury

So C, Tate RL, Aird V, Allaous J, Browne S, Carr B, Coulston C, Diffley L, Gurka J, Hummell J. Validity and responsiveness of the Care and Needs Scale for assessing support needs after traumatic brain injury. Objective To investigate the validity and responsiveness of the Care and Needs Scale (CANS), which was designed to assess support needs of people with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Design Two samples of community clients (n=38, n=30) were recruited to examine concurrent, convergent/divergent, and discriminant validity. The ability of the CANS to detect change over a 6-month period from the time of inpatient rehabilitation discharge (predictive validity and responsiveness) was investigated in a third sample of 40 rehabilitation inpatients. Setting Two Brain Injury Rehabilitation Units in Sydney, Australia. Participants People (N=108) aged between 16 and 70 years admitted for rehabilitation after TBI. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures The CANS, Supervision Rating Scale, FIM, Sydney Psychosocial Reintegration Scale, and Disability Rating Scale. Results Evidence for concurrent validity was shown with fair to moderate correlation coefficients between the CANS and measures of supervision, functional independence, and psychosocial functioning (absolute value, r s=.43–.68; P<.01). Support for convergent and divergent validity was provided by correlation coefficients that were higher for measures tapping similar constructs (absolute value, r s=46; P<.01) but lower for measures of dissimilar constructs (absolute value, r s=.07–.26; not significant). In addition, the CANS discriminated between levels of injury severity, functional independence, and overall functioning ( P<.01). In terms of predictive validity and responsiveness, CANS scores at inpatient rehabilitation discharge predicted the participant's functioning 6 months later. Conclusions These results show the CANS is a valid and responsive tool and, together with its previously shown reliability, is suitable for routine application in clinical and research practice.

Reliability study of complex physical systems using SysML

The development of safety critical systems becomes even harder since the complexity of these systems grows continuously. Moreover, this kind of process involves the use of powerful design methods and precise reliability techniques that utilize dissimilar models and construction policy. In this article we propose a method to unify and enhance this process by linking functional design phase using SysML with commonly used reliability techniques such as FMEA and dysfunctional models construction in AltaRica Data Flow. We present how SysML models can be analyzed automatically in order to produce an FMEA and expose a parallel between SysML models and AltaRica Data Flow ones. The given approach is structured around a database of dysfunctional behaviors that supports the studies and is updated by the obtained results. We exemplify the approach to analyze a system of level controlling of a tank.

Measuring apathy after traumatic brain injury: Psychometric properties of the Apathy Evaluation Scale and the Frontal Systems Behavior Scale

Objectives: To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES) and Apathy sub-scale of the Frontal Systems Behavior Scale (FrSBe-A) for people with traumatic brain injury (TBI). To identify an optimal cut-off score indicating presence of apathy according to the AES.Methods and procedures: A sample of 34 participants with severe TBI currently residing in the community underwent neuropsychological and psychosocial assessment to evaluate reliability, discriminant, convergent and divergent validity. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was undertaken to identify an optimal cut-off score on the AES.Results: AES and FrSBe-A correlated moderately with each other (r = 0.71). Both AES and FrSBe-A have good internal consistency and discriminant validity with measures of depression and fatigue. Support for hypothesized correlations with similar and dissimilar constructs was not shown. ROC analysis identified a cut-off score of 37 or higher on AES indicated presence of apathy.Conclusions: AES and FrSBe-A are reliable and valid measures of apathy following TBI. It is suggested that the two scales measure slightly differing aspects of the apathy construct, with AES addressing emotional-affective aspects of apathy more than FrSBe-A, which focuses more heavily on cognitive and behavioral elements of goal-directed behavior.

Preliminary validation of the Yale Food Addiction Scale

Previous research has found similarities between addiction to psychoactive substances and excessive food consumption. Further exploration is needed to evaluate the concept of “food addiction,” as there is currently a lack of psychometrically validated measurement tools in this area. The current study represents a preliminary exploration of the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS), designed to identify those exhibiting signs of addiction towards certain types of foods (e.g., high fat and high sugar). Survey data were collected from 353 respondents from a stratified random sample of young adults. In addition to the YFAS, the survey assessed eating pathology, alcohol consumption and other health behaviors. The YFAS exhibited adequate internal reliability, and showed good convergent validity with measures of similar constructs and good discriminant validity relative to related but dissimilar constructs. Additionally, the YFAS predicted binge-eating behavior above and beyond existing measures of eating pathology, demonstrating incremental validity. The YFAS is a sound tool for identifying eating patterns that are similar to behaviors seen in classic areas of addiction. Further evaluation of the scale is needed, especially due to a low response rate of 24.5% and a non-clinical sample, but confirmation of the reliability and validity of the scale has the potential to facilitate empirical research on the concept of “food addiction”.

Validation of a Persian-version of Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) in Iranians with knee injuries

To adapt culturally and validate Persian-version of the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) in a sample of Iranians with knee injuries. Cultural adaptation included providing of forward and backward translations, quality rating and pilot testing. A sample of 147 patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), meniscus and combined (ACL and meniscus) injuries was asked to complete two questionnaires including the KOOS and Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). The KOOS was readministered to 54 patients 6-8 days after the first visit. Test-retest reliability and internal consistency were assessed, using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach's alpha, respectively. Dimensionality was assessed, using item-scale correlation after correction for overlap and construct validity, using a priori hypothesized correlations with the SF-36. All patients found the Persian-version of the KOOS to be clear and unambiguous in pilot testing. Minimum ICC level of 0.70 was exceeded by all subscales with the exception of Sport and Recreation (Sport/Rec) subscale. Minimum Cronbach's alpha level of 0.70 was exceeded by all subscales with the exception of Symptoms and Knee-related Quality of Life (QoL). Minimum Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.40 for each item-scale was exceeded by 34 items. All priori hypotheses were supported by the presence of higher correlations between similar constructs than between dissimilar constructs of the KOOS and SF-36. The Persian-version of the KOOS is a culturally-adapted, reliable and valid outcome measure to be used in Iranian patients with knee injuries, with its psychometric properties in agreement with the original versions.

THE EFFECTS OF STACKING SEQUENCE ON THE IMPACT DAMAGE SHAPE IN DISSIMILAR LAMINATED PLATES

A systematic investigation has been performed regarding the mechanisms that lead to damage of dissimilar laminated construction, with a different stacking sequence. Also, such construction of materials involving glass/polymer is used in blast-proof safety screens or bullet-proof windows or windshields in automobiles, architectural glazing, aerospace and aeronautical fields. In many cases, the laminated plate can be effectively used if it has properties such as high-performance and a low specific weight. In this work, the impact induced damages in glass/PMMA and PMMA/glass, and laminated circular plates with an upside-down stacking sequence are investigated by using an instrumental long bar impact tester in a biaxial bending state. In order to improve the damage tolerance of other types of laminated circular plates, various geometric (ratio of inner to outer layer thickness) and stacking sequence parameters were considered in determining their effect in absorbing an impact. The measured impact force profiles and the impulse of the force explained the impact damage behavior that is induced in dissimilar laminated circular plates. We have shown that a stacking sequence could have an effect on the initiation of radial cracks and in the impact damage area of laminated plates, in inner and outer layers. Also, the greater the inner layer thickness, the less damage the areas sustain. A design guideline of a stacking sequence is proposed for effective dissimilar laminated plate construction.

The State of Intubated ICU Patients: Development of a Two-Dimensional Sedation Rating Scale for Critically Ill Adults

To develop and evaluate an observer-rated instrument, the Minnesota Sedation Assessment Tool (MSAT), which is a measure of arousability, spontaneous muscle activity, and global sedation quality of mechanically ventilated adults.Paired raters assessment for reliability testing and observational design for validation testing.Medical and surgical ICUs at a university-based hospital.Ninety-four intubated patients in ICUs and 93 ICU staff nurses.None.The MSAT had very good overall reliability between raters, with the arousal scale (kappa = 0.85) having slightly better agreement than the motor activity scale (kappa = 0.72). The instrument had good coverage, very few missing values, and very good correlation with visual analog scales. The MSAT arousal scale had moderate correlation (rho = 0.68) with the analogous scale of a previously validated sedation instrument, the Vancouver Interaction and Calmness Scale. The correlation was weaker (rho = -0.41) between the MSAT motor activity scale and the calmness subscale, probably because of their dissimilar constructs. Both MSAT scales demonstrated convergent validity, whereas predictive validity was demonstrated in both a hypothetical scenario and in actual clinical practice for the MSAT arousal scale only. A patient's spontaneous motor activity was not associated with future sedative administration, with the possible exception of a more-sedated patient subgroup.The MSAT combines the efficiency of a single-item response format while permitting the separate reliable measurement of distinct observable characteristics of intubated patients. The level of consciousness of intubated patients influences the future administration of sedative medications. Spontaneous motor activity is less important in determining subsequent sedative use but may be useful as a comparative measure of patients' kinesiologic state during critical illness.

Prioritization of patients on waiting lists for hip and knee replacement: Validation of a priority criteria tool

This study tested the reliability and validity of the Western Canada Waiting List Project priority criteria score (PCS) for prioritizing patients waiting for hip and knee arthroplasty. Sixteen orthopedic surgeons assessed 233 consecutive patients at consultation for hip or knee arthroplasty. Measures included the PCS, a visual analogue scale of urgency (VAS urgency), and maximum acceptable waiting time (MAWT). Patients completed a VAS urgency, an MAWT, the Western Ontario McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the EQ-5D. Using correlational analysis, convergent and discriminant validity was assessed between similar constructs in the priority criteria and WOMAC. Median MAWTs were determined for five levels of urgency based on PCS percentiles. Internal consistency reliability was assessed with Cronbach's alpha. The sample of 233 patients (62 percent female) ranged in age from 18 to 89 years (mean, 66.3 years). A total of 45 percent were booked for hip and 55 percent for knee arthroplasty. Correlations were strong between the PCS and surgeon VAS urgency (r = .79) and weaker between patient and surgeon measures of VAS urgency (r = .24) and MAWT (r = .44). Correlation coefficients between similar constructs in the priority criteria and WOMAC ranged from 0.24 to 0.32 and were higher than those measuring dissimilar constructs. For decreasing levels of urgency, the median MAWT ranged from 10 to 12 weeks for surgeons and 4 to 12 weeks for patients. Cronbach's alpha was 0.79. Results support the validity of the PCS as a measure of surgeon-rated urgency. Patients might be ranked differently with different prioritization measures.

Additional modeling details for the suspension of a moving-coil loudspeaker

The suspension of a typical moving-coil loudspeaker incorporates both a surround and a spider of dissimilar construction. Nevertheless, classical lumped-element models simplify this composite system by representing it with a single mechanical compliance and a single mechanical resistance. This paper presents a more detailed lumped-element model of the suspension to account for individual contributions of the surround and spider, their effective masses, and their primary resonances. It subsequently proposes an expanded equivalent circuit for a loudspeaker and discusses experimental methods to characterize new circuit elements.

Confirmatory factor analysis of the cognitive failures questionnaire: evidence for dimensionality and construct validity

The Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) is a measure of everyday task failures that individuals are normally capable of completing. Prior studies have attempted to gauge the dimensionality of the measure using exploratory techniques, but not a confirmatory approach. Over two studies, the dimensionality of the CFQ was examined using structural equation modeling by comparing all previously reported factor models. Additionally, construct validity was obtained in study 2 by beginning to delineate a nomological network. It was found that a four factor solution consistently provided better fit and was more theoretically related to original conceptualization of the construct. Results of the nomological network also provided support for the four factors of the CFQ by demonstrating convergence with similar constructs (e.g., neuroticism) and divergence with dissimilar constructs (e.g., attention). Implications, limitations, and future research ideas are discussed.

Floristic composition and zonation of seaweeds on Zabargad Reef (Red Sea, Egypt)

Composition, dominance, distribution and zonation of seaweeds were investigated, using line-transect technique,in three sites of varied water activity on Zabargad reef during November 1994. Fifty-four taxa included 16 green,13 brown and 25 red macroalgae were identified, adding four new records for the Red Sea. The flora appearsrich and diverse, composed of filamentous, turf-forming, fleshy sac, foliose, erect shoot, and coralline forms. Itshowed a geographic distribution pattern similar to that of the Indo-Pacific.The seaweed vegetation appears heterogeneous, having a dissimilar construction at each side of thereef. It showed a conspicuous zonation, revealing six zones related in general to reef topography, watermovement and in a lesser extent to grazing and nutrient enrichment. The intertidal zone had a marked reducedflora due to exposure to air during low tide, and mobility of coral sand. Reef flat was the richest in speciescomposition and dominance, as it lies in a shallow, well-illuminated, and less fluctuated subtidal region. Peculiarwas the presence of high species dominance in strong surf on the windward reef crest. The reason for this is thatthe crest is extensively eroded, rich in crevices and fissures within which the algae hideaway from wave action.Moreover, strong rhizoids, dwarfing of thalli, crustose morphologies, growing in adherent to substrata weresome modifications allowing algae to persist in strong surf.

WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index: Reliability, validity, and responsiveness in patients with arthroscopically assessed osteoarthritis

Objective: To validate the WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index for use in Sweden. Methods: Test-retest reliability, internal consistency, validity, and responsiveness was determined in 52 patients (mean age 48 (20-69)) with arthroscopically assessed cartilage damage of the tibio-femoral knee joint. Results: All WOMAC scales were internally consistent with Cronbach's alpha coefficients of 0.83, 0.87, and 0.96 pre-operatively. Test-retest reliability was satisfactory with intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.74, 0.58, and 0.92. As hypothesized worse post-operative but not pre-operative outcomes were associated with radiographic OA. In comparison with the SF-36 the expected correlations were found when comparing items measuring similar and dissimilar constructs, supporting the concepts of convergent and divergent construct validity. Three months after arthroscopy significant mean improvement was seen in all WOMAC scales (p<0.0004). Conclusion: The Swedish version of WOMAC is a reliable, valid, and responsive instrument with metric properties in agreement with the original widely used version.

A modest proposal

We describe an alternative syntactic binding for C++. This new binding includes a completely redesigned declaration/definition syntax for types, functions and objects, a simplified template syntax, and changes to several problematic operators and control structures. The resulting syntax is LALR(1) parsable and provides better consistency in the specification of similar constructs, better syntactic differentiation of dissimilar constructs, and greater overall readability of code.

Rorschach hostility content and its relation to anxiety, neuroticism and p-e-n measures

Assessed the relationships between Rorschach hostility scores and anxiety, neuroticism, overt/covert hostility, intelligence, and Eysenck's Personality Questionnaire. The sample consisted of 200 (100 male, 100 female) Indian undergraduates aged 15 to 20 years. There were some indications that high hostility scores on the Rorschach tended to be worldly wise, covertly hostile, independent, stubborn, and poor fakers. A factor analysis of the intercorrelations showed six interpretable factors: Anxiety, Neuroticism, Body measures. Hostility, Psychoticism and Tender-minded, respectively. Further, it was concluded that Eysenck's Psychoticism is factorially a complex measure and that projective and direct verbal measures of hostility seem to be measuring dissimilar constructs. A few hypotheses for independent verification were proposed.

Relationships among Projective and Direct Verbal Measures of Achievement Motivation

The present study was undertaken to explore ways projective arid nonprojective verbal measures of achievement motivation elicit comparable and dissimilar responses in a "Third World" sample of entrepreneurs as a test of McClelland's theory of economic growth. Results were generally consistent with the theory of achievement motivation, and suggested that high scores on n Ach were associated with high rates of industrial and agricultural output; low scores were associated with static or declining business. TAT measurement was the best predictor in that it correlated 0.68 and 0.48 with agricultural and industrial production. Results further lend support to past findings: namely, that Various achievement measures appear to be measuring dissimilar constructs.