External Consistency Research Articles

How much different are thermochemical properties of enantiomers and their racemates? Thermochemical properties of enantiopure and racemate of methyl- and butyl lactates.

This work is a contribution to the molecular understanding of the thermodynamic properties of the chiral compounds. A comprehensive thermochemical study of the liquid enantiopure and racemate pairs of optically active alkyl lactates has been performed. Vapor pressures of DL-(±)-, L-(-)-methyl-, and DL-(±)-, L-(-)-n-butyl esters of lactic acid were measured by the transpiration method. The liquid phase standard molar enthalpies of formation of these esters were measured by using the high-precision combustion calorimetry. The standard molar enthalpies of vaporization of alkyl lactates at 298.15 K were derived from vapor pressure temperature dependencies. Thermochemical data of these compounds were collected, evaluated, and tested for internal and external consistency. The high-level G4 quantum-chemical method was used for mutual validation of the experimental and theoretical gas phase enthalpies of formation of alkyl lactates. A critical review of the available thermochemical data for the liquid and crystalline enantiopure and racemate pairs of optically active compounds has been performed. Useful general trends in energetics of sublimation, vaporization, and formation of optically active compounds have been revealed. This knowledge is required for evaluation of new and already available experimental data for the chiral compounds, and it can be helpful to assess volatility or feasibility of processes to separate enantiomers.

Interacting Hidden Markov Models for Video Understanding

People, cars and other moving objects in videos generate time series data that can be labeled in many ways. For example, classifiers can label motion tracks according to the object type, the action being performed, or the trajectory of the motion. These labels can be generated for every frame as long as the object stays in view, so object tracks can be modeled as Markov processes with multiple noisy observation streams. A challenge in video recognition is to recover the true state of the track (i.e. its class, action and trajectory) using Markov models without (a) counter-factually assuming that the streams are independent or (b) creating a fully coupled Hidden Markov Model (FCHMM) with an infeasibly large state space. This paper introduces a new method for labeling sequences of hidden states. The method exploits external consistency constraints among streams without modeling complex joint distributions between them. For example, common sense semantics suggest that trees cannot walk. This is an example of an external constraint between an object label (“tree”) and an action label (“walk”). The key to exploiting external constraints is a new variation of the Viterbi algorithm which we call the Viterbi–Segre (VS) algorithm. VS restricts the solution spaces of factorized HMMs to marginal distributions that are compatible with joint distributions satisfying sets of external constraints. Experiments on synthetic data show that VS does a better job of estimating true states with the given observations than the traditional Viterbi algorithm applied to (a) factorized HMMs, (b) FCHMMs, or (c) partially-coupled HMMs that model pairwise dependencies. We then show that VS outperforms factorized and pairwise HMMs on real video data sets for which FCHMMs cannot feasibly be trained.

The internal and external consistency of a speech reception threshold test for isiZulu speakers with normal hearing sensitivity.

Background and objectivesThis study investigated reliability, particularly the internal and external consistency, of a new isiZulu speech reception threshold (SRT) test.MethodsTo examine internal consistency, 21 adult isiZulu speakers with normal hearing sensitivity completed the SRT test using the first and second halves of the SRT wordlist in the same test session. To examine external consistency, a separate 23 adult isiZulu speakers with normal hearing sensitivity completed the SRT test, using the whole word list on two occasions 4 weeks apart. Consistency of SRT test scores in these test conditions was measured using intraclass correlation coefficient analyses (a measure of the consistency or reproducibility of different observations of the same quantity) and Bland and Altman analyses of agreement (a comparison of measurement error with the expected variation amongst subjects).ResultsIntraclass correlation coefficient values ranged from 0.69 to 0.79, showing the isiZulu test scores were highly consistent between the test and retest conditions used in this study. Bland and Altman analyses showed that isiZulu speakers with normal hearing sensitivity can be expected to return isiZulu SRT test scores that differ by no more than 7.5 dB HL – 8.7 dB HL between original and repeat assessments.ConclusionThe isiZulu SRT test was reliable, showing high internal and external consistency, when used to assess first-language speakers of isiZulu with normal hearing sensitivity. These findings warrant continued development of the isiZulu SRT test for eventual clinical use. This development should include validating this test on first-language speakers of isiZulu with and without hearing loss.

On value and using of TAWS/FMS alert data in examination of air accidents, the case of Warsaw-Smolensk flight on 10 April 2010

ABSTRACTThrough an analysis of TAWS/FMS data collected and registered during the last minute of TU-154M aircraft flight from Warsaw to Smolensk, we show the value and existence of space for undertaking research works on enhancing standard functionality of TAWS/FMS systems to enable their effective use in examination of the course and causes of air accidents. The flight ended up in the total destruction of the aircraft and the death of all passengers and crew on board. The TAWS/FMS flight altitudes and spatio-temporal data, i.e. geographical location and speed of the aircraft motion, were inspected for their internal and external consistency with the data from the ATM QAR service recorder. Using the data from ATM QAR, records from the cockpit voice recorder (CVR), jointly with data from the TAWS/FMS systems, it was possible to reconstruct the most probable horizontal and vertical trajectory of the TU-154M aircraft during the last minute of flight before its complete destruction, as well as the likely scenario of accompanying events. The data available from recorders enabled the authors to gain information on the preliminary stage of the course of accident, and the first phase of the aircraft's destruction, resulting in serious damage of the left wing of the aircraft. Enhanced standard functionality of TAWS/FMS systems, incorporating use of their data in the post-accident situations examination, would have improved results and simplified the present analysis considerably.

Outcome of Patients Treated Within and Outside a Randomized Clinical Trial on Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy Plus Surgery for Esophageal Cancer: Extrapolation of a Randomized Clinical Trial (CROSS)

BackgroundRandomized clinical trials (RCTs) can provide a high level of evidence for medical decision making, but it is unclear if the results apply to patients treated outside such trials.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to retrospectively compare outcomes of patients with esophageal cancer treated within and outside an RCT.MethodsAll patients receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) plus surgery for esophageal cancer between 2002 and 2008 (ChemoRadiotherapy for Esophageal cancer followed by Surgery Study [CROSS] cohort) who participated in multicenter, phase II–III trials were compared with patients who underwent the same treatment outside the trial between 2008 and 2013 (post-CROSS cohort). The differences between these cohorts were analyzed using t tests, while logistic regression models were used to evaluate adverse events. Overall and disease-free survival were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression analyses.ResultsA total of 208 CROSS patients and 173 post-CROSS patients were included in this study. Patients from the post-CROSS cohort were older, had more co morbidities, and had poorer performance status. Clinical N stage, but not cT stage, was worse in the post-CROSS cohort. There were no statistically significant differences in adverse events (pulmonary, cardiac, or anastomotic complications) or survival between the comparison cohorts.ConclusionThe outcomes of patients treated with nCRT plus esophagectomy for cancer have a high external consistency and can be extrapolated to the daily practice of physicians involved in the treatment and care of esophageal cancer patients.

Validity and reliability of the Greek translation of the Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS)

BackgroundJob satisfaction is fundamental to employee well-being and successful operation of an organization. The use of effective tools for assessing it is imperative for management research. Our main purpose was to translate and adapt the Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS) questionnaire to the Greek language and to test its psychometric properties.MethodsThe tool was translated into Greek and then back into English by different bilingual translators. The Greek JSS was tested with a sample of 239 employees of various specialties in drug addiction treatment. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) for validity testing as well as internal consistency analysis for reliability testing was conducted.ResultsThe results confirmed that: (a) the translated version is an accurate translation of the original, (b) CFA results indicated that the nine-factor structure model was a great choice; the factor loads were high and ranged from 0.61 to 0.90, and (c) the reliability coefficients were satisfactory (Cronbach’s alpha for eight of the nine dimensions of the Greek JSS scale ranged from 0.62 to 0.87 except for the dimension “Operating procedures” which was 0.48, while Cronbach’s alpha for the total scale was 0.87 and the Gutman Split-Half Coefficient was 0.88).ConclusionsThe findings suggested that the Greek Version of JSS is a valid and reliable tool for measuring job satisfaction in Greece. Further research for assessing its psychometric values in various samples and further analysis for studying its validity and testing its internal and external consistency and coherence might be conducted in the future.

Experimental and theoretical thermodynamic properties of RS-(±)- and S-(+)-mandelic acids

The enthalpies of formation of RS-(±)- and S-(+)-mandelic acids were measured using high-precision combustion calorimetry. Vapor pressures of the acids were measured using the transpiration method. The enthalpies of sublimation of these compounds at 298.15 K were derived from vapor pressure temperature dependencies. Molar enthalpies of the solid state phase transitions were measured by the DSC. Thermodynamic data on mandelic acids available from the published sources were collected and combined with our experimental results. Thermochemical properties of studied compounds were evaluated and tested for internal and external consistency with different approaches. The methods of quantum chemistry and statistical physics were used to calculate thermodynamic functions of compounds in the ideal gas state in temperature range 298.15 K–1500 K.

Selectivity in Corporate Tax Matters After World Duty Free: A Tale of Two Consistencies Revisited

In World Duty Free Group, the CJEU has reaffirmed that de jure-selectivity requires a derogation from the reference system of taxation giving rise to a different treatment of undertakings that are in a legally and factually comparable situation in light of the objective of the reference system. In corporate tax matters, the reference system is generally the corporate tax system itself. It is thus not necessary to identify a certain group of undertakings as the only ones that can benefit from a tax measure. The CJEU’s emphasis on discrimination in the second step of the selectivity test will not effectively restrict the concept of selectivity. By contrast, the CJEU did not address the internal justification where problems persist which respect to permissible grounds of justification, to the relationship between derogation and justification and finally to proportionality. In World Duty Free Group, the CJEU has also confirmed the existence of a second dimension of selectivity, namely de facto-selectivity. While de jureselectivity amounts to an obligation to design Member States’ tax systems in an internally consistent manner, de facto-selectivity can be understood as an example of the obligation also to adhere to certain external consistency standards.

Tongue Image Database Construction Based on the Expert Opinions: Assessment for Individual Agreement and Methods for Expert Selection.

This study aims at introducing a method for individual agreement evaluation to identify the discordant raters from the experts' group. We exclude those experts and decide the best experts selection method, so as to improve the reliability of the constructed tongue image database based on experts' opinions. Fifty experienced experts from the TCM diagnostic field all over China were invited to give ratings for 300 randomly selected tongue images. Gwet's AC1 (first-order agreement coefficient) was used to calculate the interrater and intrarater agreement. The optimization of the interrater agreement and the disagreement score were put forward to evaluate the external consistency for individual expert. The proposed method could successfully optimize the interrater agreement. By comparing three experts' selection methods, the interrater agreement was, respectively, increased from 0.53 [0.32-0.75] for original one to 0.64 [0.39-0.80] using method A (inclusion of experts whose intrarater agreement>0.6), 0.69 [0.63-0.81] using method B (inclusion of experts whose disagreement score=“0”), and 0.76 [0.67-0.83] using method C (inclusion of experts whose intrarater agreement>0.6& disagreement score=“0”). In this study, we provide an estimate of external consistency for individual expert, and the comprehensive consideration of both the internal consistency and the external consistency for each expert would be superior to either one in the tongue image construction based on expert opinions.

Validation of a Food Frequency Questionnaire for the indigenous Épera-Siapidara people in Ecuador.

A Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) must be designed and validated in the local environment to ensure that the method is adapted to the objectives of the study and the population. The aim of this study was to validate an FFQ to evaluate the food consumption pattern of the Épera-Siapidara population of Ecuador. One hundred and fourindividuals (54% men and 46% women), aged between 2 and 84, took part in the study. The validity of this tool was assessed by comparing the relationship between the average daily nutrient intake estimated by the FFQ and the intake estimated in the three non-consecutive 24 h dietary recalls (24hR). The existing correlations were evaluated by Pearson's or Spearman's correlation, the inter-class correlation coefficient, Lin's concordance correlation coefficient and a Bland-Altman plot. The values estimated by the FFQ were significantly higher for minerals and vitamins. The relative correlation coefficients ranged from 0.71 to 0.23 for Na and Ca, respectively, while the inter-class correlation coefficient ranged from 0.84 to 0.33 for Na and cholesterol, respectively. Lin's concordance correlation coefficient was higher for macronutrients, with values ranging from between 0.35 for lipids to 0.51 for energy. Only 6% of the participants were wrongly classified. The Bland-Altman plots showed an overestimation of macronutrient and calcium intake by the FFQ compared with the 24hR, and an underestimation of fiber intake. The FFQ demonstrated a good external consistency, which makes it a suitable instrument for correctly identifying the food and nutrient intake of the Épera-Siapidara population.

A critical review of developmental exposure to particulate matter, autism spectrum disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

ABSTRACTAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorder (ADD/ADHD) are key focuses of current health research due to their increasing prevalence. The objective of this systematic literature search and critical review was to evaluate whether the human epidemiologic data indicate a pattern of association between ASD or ADD/ADHD and developmental exposure to particulate matter (PM), with a focus on exposures encountered before the age of three. A MEDLINE and EMBASE search was conducted; following preliminary and full-text screening, 14 relevant articles were identified for review. Three of the 14 studies were prospective cohort studies evaluating exposure to PM10; 11 studies had a case–control design. There was no consistent association between developmental PM exposure and ASD across the three of the cohort studies. Seven of the case–control studies examined the relationship between PM2.5 and/or PM10 and ASD; four examined the relationship between developmental diesel PM exposure and ASD. Overall, there was low external consistency in results among studies of PM2.5/PM10 and ASD, with some reporting high internal consistency without significant associations, others showing associations with high internal consistency for specific exposure windows only (e.g., third trimester), and still others showing high consistency for moderate to strong associations between PM and ASD. The majority of studies reporting significant results had low effect sizes in conjunction with small sample sizes. The four studies of diesel PM and ASD also had low external consistency of results. Only one study evaluated associations with ADD/ADHD, and it found no significant associations with PM10. The inconsistent findings across studies of developmental exposure to PM and ASD may be attributed to differences in the study populations, exposure assessments, outcome assessments, or chance. Further research is needed to understand the underlying biological mechanisms that lead to ASD and ADD/ADHD and how PM might be involved in those mechanisms, if at all. High-quality epidemiologic studies are also needed to conclusively determine whether developmental PM exposure is a causal factor for ASD or ADD/ADHD, with focus on a well-developed exposure assessment.

Microfoundations, behaviour, and evolution: Evidence from experiments

The article discusses whether and to what extent experiments can contribute to a research paradigm based on the study of human behaviour in complex evolving environments and on the problem of asymmetric adjustment among different components of economic system along certain trajectories, focusing on the possibility that experimental evidence may represent an external consistency check on this type of heterodox modelling.It considers the evidence on rationality of human agents, and the possibility to identify a microfoundation alternative to homo oeconomicus, discussing the evidence on humans as strong reciprocators, as trusting individuals and as embedded in social norms.

153 - Comprehensive Complication Classification for Adult Spinal Deformity: Impact on Patient Outcomes

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Complications are currently classified as either major or minor, but this has very little external consistency, or granularity, and limits its usefulness in predicting outcome metrics and impact of complications. Grading complications by treatment severity may provide more granular and impactful information.

Psychometric Evaluation of the E-Learning Acceptance Scale among Virtual Education Students of the Universities of Medical Sciences in Tehran Province, Iran

Background and Objective: E-learning has become an increasingly popular learning approach in higher educational institutions due to the rapid growth of technologies. We need valid and reliable tools to assess the acceptance of this type of training. This study aimed to validate the e-learning acceptance scale. Materials and Methods: This psychometric study was conducted on 223 samples of virtual education students from the Medical Universities in Tehran. Initial instrument was 49 questions from previous studies that were translated into Persian after obtaining permission from the original author. Instrument validation procedures included impact item method, content validity index (CVI) and content validity ratio (CVR) of the judgment of 10 experts and exploratory factor analysis and internal reliability of the scale was determined by Cronbach's alpha and with the test-retest method the external consistency of a test was assessed. Results: Of the original 49 items, all of them based on the impact item index, CVR, and CVI were considered as valid; based on exploratory factors analysis, 41 items were retained. And considering a minimum Eigen value of 1 for each factor, the five factors were extracted. This instrument was able to predict 52% of the properties as an acceptance e-learning variance. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated the strength of the factor structure and reliability of an instrument for measuring student acceptance e-learning scale.

Translation and cultural adaptation into Brazilian culture of type 1 diabetes distress scale

BackgroundDiabetes related distress is common in type 1 diabetes patients (T1D). High levels of diabetes distress are related to poor metabolic control. An instrument to evaluate diabetes distress in T1D patients is “type 1 diabetes scale-T1DDS”. The aim of this study was to translate and culturally adapt the T1DDS into Brazilian culture.MethodsT1DDS scale was translated into Portuguese. Back translation was performed and evaluated by a specialists committee. Pre-test was performed with 40 T1D outpatients at State University of Campinas hospital. Internal consistency, external consistency and re-test were performed.Results72% women, mean age: 32, 1 ± 9, 7 years, mean diabetes duration: 15, 8 ± 9, 1 years, mean scholarity: 11, 5 ± 3, 6, glycosylated hemoglobin mean: 9 ± 2%. Internal consistency: Cronbach alpha of T1DDS Brazilian version was 0.93. External consistency: Spearman’s coefficient between T1DDS and PAID, Brazilian version, was 0.7781; (p < 0.0001).ConclusionsThe T1DDS Brazilian version is a reliable tool to evaluate diabetes distress in T1D patients in the Brazilian Population. This tool can be useful in clinical care and to identify patiens at risk and in need for psychosocial intervention.

Validation of the Expression and Emotion Scale for Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder into Brazilian Portuguese.

To validate the parent-rated Expression and Emotion Scale for Children (EESC) for patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The EESC was applied to parents of children with and without ADHD. The children were divided into age groups: Group A, between six and eight years old; Group B, between nine and 11 years old; and Group C, between 12 and 15 years old. The validation was carried out according to the steps proposed by Guillemin et al. For the statistical calculation, Cronbach's α, Pearson's correlation, the ICC and ROC curve were used. The statistical tests showed satisfactory coefficients: Cronbach's α = 0.76; Pearson's correlation r = 0.91 with CI 95%; replicability ICC = 0.66; sensitivity 0.75; specificity 0.67; accuracy 71%. According to psychometric data on internal and external consistency (reliability, reproducibility), sensitivity, and specificity, the parent-rated EESC for ADHD is useful in assessing emotional expression.

The development of a health-related quality-of-life instrument for young people with narcolepsy: NARQoL-21

BackgroundNarcolepsy is a lifelong sleep disorder with a prevalence of between 0.03% and 0.06% and onset at around puberty. It is associated with psychiatric comorbidities and cognitive difficulties. No valid and reliable condition-specific health-related quality-of-life (HrQoL) instrument has been developed for this population.MethodsA questionnaire based on four mixed-gender age-defined focus group discussions and a patient panel analysis was administered to young people with narcolepsy and a control group. External reliability was measured by a test-retest procedure and internal reliability was measured using Cronbach’s alpha. Convergent validity with the KIDSCREEN-10 index was assessed using with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Factor analysis techniques were used to identify suitable items and confirm the factor structure. Baseline values were assessed for convergent validity, ceiling effects, agreement and sensitivity. Comparison with KIDSCREEN-10 was made on the basis of area under the curve (AUC).ResultsOne hundred young people with narcolepsy and 95 control subjects returned questionnaires. The factor structure revealed two main factors with five domains and 21 questions, which was confirmed with confirmatory factor analysis. The domains of the NARQoL-21 showed good independence while the floor and ceiling effects were acceptable. The external reliability (0.928), convergent validity (rs = 0.769) and internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.886) were excellent. A Bland–Altman plot revealed some proportional bias. Good discriminant validity was detected for control/patient (Cohen’s d = 2.114). ROC analysis showed significantly better AUC for NARQoL-21 (0.939) than KIDSCREEN (0.877). A cut-off score equivalent to KIDSCREEN-10 for suboptimal HrQoL which maximized sensitivity (84%) and specificity (92%) was found at NARQoL-21 score below 42.ConclusionsEstablishing the validity of a disease-specific HrQoL instrument in a population of people with a rare condition poses significant challenges. The mixed-methods approach adopted here has resulted in a questionnaire of 21 items with good discrimination and convergent validity, and excellent internal and external reliability, allowing precise and stable measurements. The cut-off score can be useful to identify patients with very poor HrQoL and thus improve the design of treatment options. Further testing in a longitudinal cohort is recommended in order to establish responsiveness.

Scenario modelling with morphological analysis

Scenarios can serve as points of reference in the future for decisions that we have to make today. Morphological analysis provides a structured method for ensuring consistency and relevance in scenario development. This paper outlines a method for characterizing the entire solution space of future outcomes in a given subject field, and suggests a process for classification of an all-encompassing and mutually exclusive set of scenario classes. The method is illustrated with an example case, taken from Norwegian defense planning, of establishing a scenario set that encompasses all external security challenges to Norway as a security actor. Four parameters are defined – Actor, Goal, Method and Means. Each parameter is defined in terms of an exhaustive set of possible states or values. A Cross Consistency Assessment is conducted to exclude solutions deemed to be impossible on either purely logical grounds (internal consistency) or based on real world assessments (external consistency). Six scenario classes are defined: Strategic Attack, Limited Attack, Coercive Diplomacy, Terrorist Attack, Criminality and Military Peace-time Operations.

MISS questionnaire in French version: a good tool for children and parents to assess methotrexate intolerance.

The aim of this study was to assess the relevance for children and parents to use the French-validated version of the methotrexate intolerance severity score (MISS), a measure of methotrexate intolerance for children suffering from juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The French-version MISS was developed following the "Guidelines for the process of cross-cultural adaptation of self-report measures." The new version was tested in families of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis who completed the questionnaire twice at a 2-week interval. Item correlations, Cronbach's alpha, and kappa coefficients were computed to evaluate acceptability, internal consistency, and reproducibility. A culturally acceptable version to French was obtained. A total of 71 individuals were included from May 2015 to November 2015. The results show very good acceptability: good response rate (80%), few missing data (<1%) and good understanding of parents and children. The inter-item, dimension-item, and inter-dimension correlations were satisfactory (except for "vomiting" items-other items correlation). Cronbach's alpha coefficient was well higher than the usually recommended value of 0.6. The results of validity of internal and external consistencies were satisfactory. We also found good agreement between the test-retest for every family. The empirical discriminative cut-off point of 3 showed a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 83%. The MISS questionnaire is quick to complete, easy to use. It can be completed by children or their parents with no significant difference. This validated French-version MISS can help study prevalence and risk factors of methotrexate intolerance, better detect this intolerance, and provide better support for patients on long-term treatment.

Analysis of MCDM methods output coherence in oil and gas portfolio prioritization

This research paper aims at developing a triplex multi-criteria decision model to achieve an optimum allocation of resources to a portfolio of oilfields based on a number of criteria that pertain to the oilfields’ technical and contextual characteristics. It also offers an approach for validating the prioritization results generated by the methods used through a two-dimensional test that compares the internal and external prioritization stability of three multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methods against a conventional Intuitive approach. The MCDM methods used include Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Preference Ranking Organization METHod for Enriched Evaluation (PROMETHEE), and Technique of Order Preference Similarity to the Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The internal and external consistency testing results are outlined in nine possible scenarios through which a conclusion is derived confirming the competitive advantage of MCDM methods.