Five-point Rating System Research Articles

Impact of contextual factors on the evaluation outcomes of national virtual simulation experimental teaching projects in biology and medicine

The number of applications for National Virtual Simulation Experimental Teaching Projects (NVSETPs) in China has seen a significant increase. Consequently, the influence of contextual factors and their potential personal connections on the evaluation results, whether for national or non-national NVSETPs, has become a prominent concern. In this study, we employed a modified back-chaining method using logistic regression to examine whether contextual factors in NVSETP applications could explain the evaluation outcomes. Our analysis was based on data available on the open platform of China's Ministry of Education (MOE). We identified several significant influencing factors, including the score on a five-point rating system, the number of clicks on the application page, school quality, school region, and the gender, title, and position of the applicants. Our results shed light on the impact of contextual factors on the evaluation results of NVSETPs in the fields of biology and medicine, using a modified back-chaining method. We conclude that enhancing the transparency of the assessment process and implementing standardized, detailed scoring guidelines for NVSETPs would mitigate the negative influence of contextual factors.

Influence of a Teaching Module on Adolescent Girls' Understanding and Perception of Early Menarche

The commencement of menarche, which signifies the first occurrence of menstrual bleeding, holds considerable importance in the lives of young girls going through adolescence. This research aimed to evaluate the influence of a Teaching module on the understanding and outlook pertaining to early menarche in adolescent girls. Employing a quantitative research design, a sample of 300 participants was chosen using uncomplicated random selection methods. The investigation employed a structured knowledge questionnaire and a five-point rating system to assess participants' comprehension and perception. The experimental group initially perceived early menarche moderately (68 %). Results from their first assessment indicated 45,3 % lacked sufficient knowledge, 42,7 % had moderately acceptable knowledge, and 12 % demonstrated satisfactory knowledge. Impressively, the subsequent evaluation showed a substantial improvement, with 97,3 % now possessing adequate knowledge, and only 2,7 % retaining moderately acceptable knowledge. Conversely, the control group's initial review displayed 83,3 % inadequate knowledge and 16,7 % moderately acceptable knowledge. Following the intervention, the control group had 72,7 % maintaining insufficient knowledge and 26,7 % displaying moderate perception. 32 % have a favorable perception. Post-module, 92 % showed a good perception, 8 % remained moderate. The module effectively enhanced knowledge and perception on early menarche. This study underscores the pivotal role of targeted educational interventions in amplifying knowledge and perception concerning early menarche. The outcomes highlight the potential benefits of such interventions in equipping adolescent girls with essential information and awareness to navigate this transformative phase in their lives effectively

Nutrition-associated health levels in persons with cancer: item response modelling based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.

The nutritional status of individuals with cancer is a crucial determinant of their health and well-being, and addressing nutrition-related functioning conditions is essential for maintaining physical activity levels and participating in daily activities. This study aims to identify an evidence-based International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) scale using item response theory for nutrition conditions in patients with cancer, which can differentiate and assess nutrition-related functioning conditions of cancer survivors. Cross-sectional study. Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University. One hundred cancer patients were enrolled. Via convenience sampling, the study administered a questionnaire consisting of 89 ICF items to participants. The original five-point rating system was binarized (1 = no problem, 0 = problem). Through data shaping, non-parametric IRT analysis and parametric IRT analysis, psychometric properties of nutritional ICF scale were calculated using R software. The study extracted a unidimensional scale with 32 items and constructed 2-parameter logistic model with good fitness, whose root mean square error approximation (RMSEA) = 0.0759, Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) = 0.9655, and Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.9677. The model demonstrated high reliability, as indicated by a Cronbach's α of 0.95, Guttman λ<inf>2</inf> of 0.95, Molenaar Sijtsma statistic of 0.96 and a latent class reliability coefficient (LCRC) of 0.98. Besides, there was a strong correlation between the total score of 32 ICF items and the score of Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA, P<0.001, r=-0.77) and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA, P<0.001, r=0.76), suggesting the 32-item scale had high validity. The study constructed an evidence-based ICF scale for nutrition conditions in patients with cancer with 32-item and 2PLM for evaluating nutrition-associated health level in persons with cancer, including high validity and reliability. The IRT model based on ICF provided a promising assessment tool to discriminate nutrition-associated health level of persons with cancer, and offered an auxiliary method for selecting rehabilitation intervention targets. This has the potential to lead to improved outcomes in cancer treatment and increased quality of life for cancer survivors.

Assessing the Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Job Satisfactionamong Private School Teachers of Hyderabad, India

The purpose of the study isto assess the level of emotional intelligence (EI) and Job Satisfaction (JS) among high school teachers of private schools in Hyderabad.The survey method was used to collect primary data from a sample of 221 teachers from selected private schools in Warasiguda, Musheerabad, Chilkalguda, Ambernagar and Ramnagar areas of Hyderabad. The standardized scales adopted for measuring the emotional intelligence (Sungouh, 2006) and job satisfaction (Pestonjee , 2002) comprise 20-item level of EI based on a five-point rating system of 1 to 5, and 80-item on-the job and off-the-job factors of JS respectively. The reliability and validity of both the scales are within the acceptable norms. The findings establish that school teachers had moderate levels of job satisfaction and emotional intelligence. Even though emotional intelligence has a significant impact on job-related aspects of job satisfaction, it has no impact on the management, personal adjustment and social relation aspects of job satisfaction. Nevertheless, the overall result shows thatthere is a significant correlation between emotional intelligence and job satisfaction among teachers in executing their jobs in the private high schools surveyed.

A sustainability performance assessment framework for palm oil mills

The palm oil industry has had to undergo rapid development in order to cope with the increasing demand from consumers year by year. The palm oil industry is receiving criticism from various parties on the issue of sustainability. This paper presents the development of a Palm Oil Mill Sustainability Index that enables millers to assess the sustainability performance of palm oil mills against benchmarks, and to differentiate between the performance of each mill. The assessment was performed via the adoption of a Proximity-to-Target approach that measures the current sustainability performance of the industry relative to policy targets. The industry's comparable performance was observed in terms of sustainability and indicators through a graphical method. The resulting Palm Oil Mill Sustainability Index scores were translated into a five-point rating system to describe the sustainability performance levels for different mills i.e. excellent, good, fair, poor, and very poor. Based on the Palm Oil Mill Sustainability Index scores and rating system, weak performance indicators were identified, for example, excessive use of water consumption due to inappropriate operation of hydrocyclones. By identifying the weak performance indicators, practical recommendations and measures for improvement can be proposed and the Palm Oil Mill Sustainability Index scores recalculated to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed sustainability performance strategy. Selected palm oil mills in Malaysia were used as a case study to demonstrate the applicability of the framework. The results provide empirical evidence to support a decision-support-system for enhancing palm oil mill sustainability performance, so as to achieve a balance between environmental, economic, and social aspects in the palm oil mill sector.

A series of literature evaluation skill development interventions progressing in complexity

ObjectivesThe aim of this work was to design and evaluate a series of interactive literature evaluation skill development interventions for pharmacy students that progress in complexity. Related goals for this initiative were to design methods for (1) self-assessment of student abilities and (2) conducting a student-led journal club discussion in a high enrollment course. Educational activitiesSeven literature evaluation skills were targeted. Pharmacy students participated in six in-class article reviews, a written article review, a student-led journal club, and a final written exam. Students rated their skills pre- and post-course using an End-of-Course Self-Assessment. A Journal Club Self-Assessment was conducted after the student-led journal club. Both assessments used a five-point rating system of Novice, Developing, Skilled, Facilitating/Leading, and Educating. AssessmentA total of 165 students responded to both the self-assessments. In the Journal Club Self-Assessment, 56% of respondents rated their ability in preparing discussion questions as Skilled, and 32% of respondents stated that formulating discussion questions were the hardest component of the exercise. In the End-of-Course Self-Assessment, 46% of respondents reported “describing study design” as their strongest skill, while 23% reported “identifying ways to improve study design” as their weakest skill. All seven literature evaluation skills had statistically significant improvements (p < 0.001) pre- to post-course. Critical analysisEven after eight carefully constructed exercises with progressing levels of difficulty, all students did not self-assess their ability at the desired level of “Skilled.”

Mapping QTLs for cold tolerance at germination and the early seedling stage in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Cold tolerance is an important breeding target in rice production. We studied quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling cold tolerance at germination (CTG) and early seedling (CTS) stages, using recombinant inbred lines derived from a japonica × indica cross. CTG was evaluated based on the percentage rate of germination at 15 °C for 12 days after pre-incubation of imbibed seeds at 20 °C for 2 days. For CTS, seven-day-old seedlings grown at 25 °C were subjected to two consecutive periods of three-day cold stress at 4 °C with an intervening eight-day recovery at 25 °C. CTS evaluation was according to an arbitrary five-point rating system at the fifth day of recovery after each stress period. No correlations were found between CTG and CTS, while a weak correlation was detected between CTS after the first and second stress. By the composite interval mapping, five QTLs for CTG explaining 5.7%–9.3% of the total phenotypic variance (PVE) and nine for CTS with PVE of 5.8%–35.6% were detected. Only one of these QTLs was common, indicating growth-stage specificity of cold tolerance. Four of the five QTLs after the second cold stress were different from the ones after the first cold stress. Analysis of variance test showed significant interactions between alleles at the QTL sites and the two stress conditions with respect to the mean CTS scores. A possible involvement of cold acclimation and usefulness of japonica germplasms in breeding for cold tolerance in indica rice was discussed.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation, Validation, and Cutoff Values of the Brazilian Version of the Voice Symptom Scale—VoiSS

The present study sought to determine the validity, reliability, and responsiveness of the Brazilian Portuguese Voice Symptom Scale (VoiSS) and also identify characteristics of efficacy and cutoff values that discriminate dysphonic from vocally healthy individuals. Cross-sectional, nonrandomized, prospective study with controls. Thirty hundred subjects (160 with dysphonia and 140 without dysphonia) completed the Brazilian version of the VoiSS as well as a vocal self-assessment scale using a five-point rating system (excellent, very good, good, fair, and poor). The Brazilian version of VoiSS, referred to as the Escala de Sintomas Vocais (ESV), was valid, reliable, and responsive. A score of 16 was determined to be highly sensitive (100%) and specific (100%) for individuals with dysphonia. The Brazilian version of VoiSS or ESV demonstrated a high degree of validity, reliability, and responsiveness with regard to differentiating aberrant vocal function and was valuable as an instrument to quantify the response to treatment in patients with dysphonia. The cutoff value that discriminates individuals with dysphonia from vocally healthy subjects was16.

Measuring the effects of toys on the problem-solving, creative and social behaviours of preschool children

Although previous research has explored the effects of various environmental influences on young children's play, the influence of toys has rarely been examined. This paucity of toy studies is due to a lack of a scientifically constructed observation system to evaluate the impact of play materials across developmental domains. The purpose of this study was to develop and test the reliability and validity of such an instrument. An eight-item, five-point rating system was constructed, based on previous toy research. To establish inter-rater reliability, two researchers independently used the instrument to rate the effects of 23 toys on the spontaneous play of 16 preschool children. There was a high level of agreement between observers (r = .81–.88, across items). A factor analysis was conducted to identify clusters of items that measure like dimensions of play effects; three distinct factors were identified: thinking/learning, creativity/imagination and social interaction. To establish validity, the instrument was used to rate five common toys that could be predicted, based on earlier work, to have distinct influences on play. The instrument was found to discriminate among these toys in ways that are consistent with previous research and that make theoretical sense. The uses of this instrument in both future research and classroom practice are discussed.

Effects of Pianism Retraining on Three Pianists with Focal Dystonia

Focal dystonia is a debilitating movement disorder that occurs from many repetitions of a specific task. It typically manifests in involuntary muscle contractions and, in pianists, causes an incoordination between fingers, making it impossible to play at concert level. Prognosis is poor, and most sufferers are forced to abandon their careers. The aim of this research was to ascertain whether pianism retraining would enable pianists affected by focal hand dystonia to play again. Three pianists with focal hand dystonia participated in a retraining programme based on a biomechanically sound way of playing with minimal tension. Quality of scales and repertoire were assessed before and after pianism retraining by several rating systems, which included assessment by a listener blinded as to which hand was dystonic and whether the playing was pre- or post-retraining. Scale quality improved with retraining (p &lt; 0.0001) in all three pianists, with improvement in both hands but greater improvement in the dystonic hand. Although there was no change in the blinded listener's ability to identify the nondystonic hand from pre-retraining to post-retraining, they could correctly identify the dystonic hand 79% of the time pre-retraining, but this decreased to 28% post-retraining. The test repertoire evaluation and the visual evaluation rating were shown to improve significantly by 1.0 and 1.3 points, respectively (on a five-point rating system), from pre-retraining to post-retraining (p &lt; 0.0001). Our data show that pianism retraining can improve the symptoms of focal dystonia in pianists.

Novel display technique for reference images for visibility of temporal change on radiographs- color digital summation radiography-

The present study investigated color digital summation radiography (CDSR) as a novel display technique for reference images for the visibility of temporal change on radiographs. In CDSR, only the parts with temporal differences are displayed in color. Moreover, all other parts are displayed in gray scale. CDSR was defined as "radiographs combined by the additive color mixture method". The visibility of simulated nodules located in the lung fields and mediastinum was evaluated by 12 radiologists (mean experience, 9.8 years; range, 1-26 years) for 24 conventional radiographs and CDSR for 6 color patterns. A five-point rating system (5, very good; 4, good; 3, adequate; 2, poor; 1, very poor) was used. The mean scores (average +/- standard deviation) for the visibility of simulated nodules were as follows: magenta, 3.88 +/- 0.90; blue, 3.08 +/- 0.72; green, 3.04 +/- 0.86; red, 3.00 +/- 0.98; cyan, 2.71 +/- 0.86; and yellow, 2.50 +/- 0.72. Compared to conventional radiography in gray scale, at 1.21 +/- 0.41, all six color patterns for CDSR displayed significantly improved scores (p<0.001). CDSR might represent a useful technique for reference images from chest digital radiography.

Imaging of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) by two new non-invasive techniques

MR cholangiography (MRC) is a new technique which has already gained a role in PSC. Aim: to evaluate the ability of both MRC and CT eholangiography (CTC) to detect bile duct changes in PSC. Methods: MRC and CTC (with IV infusion of meglamine iotroxate) were performed in 12 PSC pts (8 M, 4 F, mean age 32 yrs). Diagnosis of PSC was previously obtained by ERCP and the mean duration of the disease was 36 months (range 24-60). The CTC data set was transferred to a Workstation Magic View (Siemens Medical Systems) to obtain 3D reconstructions (multiplanar reformatting, maximum intensity projection, and volume rendering technique). The MRC and CTC images were independently blinded analysed by 2 radiologists to assess the PSC involvement in the 1 ~t, 2 ~d, 3 ~d, and 4 ~' order intrahepatic bile ducts, in the extrahepatic bile ducts, and in the gallbladder. The quality of imaging was evaluated by the following grading system: excellent for complete delineation, good for delineation of at least 75%, fair for at least 50%, and non depiction. Localisation of the disease was recorded with the use of a five-point rating system. Results: the biliary tree was visualised in all patients with MRC and in 11/12 with CTC; the depiction of the biliary tree is reported in the table:

Recurrence of head and neck cancer after surgery or irradiation: prospective comparison of 2-deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-D-glucose PET and MR imaging diagnoses.

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of positron emission tomography (PET) with administration of 2-deoxy-2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) relative to that of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and/or computed tomography (CT) in recurrent head and neck cancers. Twelve adult patients (mean age, 63 years) with previously treated head and neck cancers and clinical suspicion of recurrence underwent FDG PET and MR imaging and/or CT. All images were blindly and independently interpreted without histopathologic findings (obtained within 1 week of imaging). The level of confidence in image interpretation was graded by using a five-point rating system (0 = definitely no recurrence to 4 = definite recurrence). Recurrence was confirmed in eight patients. With a rating of 4 as a positive finding, FDG PET yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 88% (seven of eight) and 100% (four of four), respectively; MR imaging and/or CT, 25% (two of eight) and 75% (three of four), respectively. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis showed significantly better diagnostic accuracy with FDG PET than with MR imaging and/or CT (area under curve = 0.96 vs 0.55, P < .03). These data indicate that PET metabolic imaging, as compared with anatomic methods, has improved diagnostic accuracy for recurrent head and neck cancer.

Development and field-testing of a procedure for coached clients to assess rapport during trainees' counselling interviews

Abstract Procedures for using coached clients to assess the degree of rapport between client and counsellor, as experienced by the client during counselling interviews, were developed. Twenty-three interviews conducted by counsellor trainees were assessed at one-minute intervals by two coached clients using a five-point rating system. In addition, the Working Alliance Inventory was used to assess rapport at the end of the interview. Data indicated that the in vivo rating procedure of client-experienced rapport possessed good reliability and validity.

A clinically useful polling technique for assessing susceptibility to motion sickness.

Susceptibility to motion sickness is a powerful index of individual differences and can be assessed in large populations without a test of performance. Although all questionnaire techniques introduce some error, we have demonstrated that a simple set of questions can lead to a five-point rating system with adequate validity and reliability. Our observations may be useful to any investigator interested in individual differences and have been extremely effective in sorting out behavioral trends in large samples of patients.