Graphical Test Research Articles

Comparative study of GQ and QG indices as potentially favorable molecular descriptors

AbstractIn chemical graph theory, several degree‐based topological indices are introduced and put forward in the development of quantitative structure‐property relationships (QSPR)/quantitative structure‐activity relationships (QSAR) studies. However, only a few of them are considered employable in the prediction of physical and chemical properties and biological activities of molecular compounds. Here, we focus our attention on some foremost characteristics of newly defined Geometric–Quadratic and Quadratic–Geometric indices such as prediction power, degeneracy and structure sensitivity. Based on these attributes, we discuss their comparison with other well‐established degree‐based topological indices with the help of statistical analysis and computational techniques on the data sets of octane, nonane and decane isomers. Some of the graphical approaches, statistical outcomes and computational tests exhibit the dominating nature of the and indices over other topological indices.

Modeling hydrogen solubility in water: Comparison of adaptive boosting support vector regression, gene expression programming, and cubic equations of state

Predicting the solubility of hydrogen (H2) in aqueous solutions is crucial for studying reactions of hydrogen in the formation, which also affects the security and optimal design of hydrogen storage. In this research, five robust machine learning (ML) algorithms, namely adaptive boosting decision tree (AdaBoost-DT), adaptive boosting support vector regression (AdaBoost-SVR), gradient boosting decision tree (GB-DT), gradient boosting support vector regression (GB-SVR), and k-nearest neighbors (KNN) and three powerful white-box techniques, namely gene expression programming (GEP), genetic programming (GP), and group method of data handling (GMDH) were developed to accurately predict H2 solubility in pure and saline water systems. To this aim, a widespread databank containing 427 experimental data points was collected, and temperature, pressure, and salt concentration (mSalt) were considered as input variables. The validity and precision of the developed models were assessed utilizing several statistical and graphical tests. Results demonstrate that the AdaBoost-SVR smart model could obtain a superior performance and provides precise predictions with root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.000115 and determination coefficient (R2) of 0.9973. Among the white-box models, the GEP provided the best results with an RMSE of 0.000362 and an R2 of 0.9542. Although the accuracy of GEP is slightly lower than that of AdaBoost-SVR, it offers explicit and simple mathematical formula for calculating H2 solubility, which is the main advantage of white box models. The results also demonstrated that AdaBoost-SVR outperforms cubic equations of state (EOSs) such as Peng-Robinson (PR), Redlich-Kwong (RK), Soave-Redlich-Kwong (SRK), and Zudkevitch-Joffe (ZJ). Besides, trend analysis showed that AdaBoost-SVR model could match actual trends of H2 solubility change versus temperature and pressure. Finally, outlier detection analysis using the Leverage technique indicated that the majority of data points used for modeling (nearly 94 %) are reliable and placed in the valid zone.

THE COMPARISON SOME MODELS (GAMMA, SLASHED QUASI-GAMMA, THREE PARAMETERS QUASI GAMMA, TWO PARAMETER GAMMA-EXPONENTIAL, AND MODIFIED LOG-LOGISTIC DISTRIBUTIONS) FOR DAILY TEMPERATURE DATA

With the increase in hot temperature events in recent years, there is growing interest in measuring the frequency of recurring temperature events. One of the basis for assessing the frequency of recurrence of temperature events is the probability distribution of temperature events, therefore temperature data is needed to produce statistical modeling, especially in determining the best probability distribution. The study intended to estimate the best-fitted probability model for the daily temperature at the Pekanbaru station in Indonesia from 2010 to 2020 using several statistical analyses. Five continuous probability distributions such as Gamma (GM), Slashed Quasi-Gamma (SQG), Three Parameters Quasi Gamma (TPQG), Two Parameter Gamma-Exponential (TPGE), and Modified Log-Logistic (MLL) distributions were fitted for these tasks using the maximum likelihood technique. To determine the model’s fit to the temperature data, several goodness-of-fit tests were applied, including the graphical methos test (density plot) and Numerical criteria method test (AIC, BIC, and -Log Likelihood). The GM and MLL distribution are found to be the best-fitted probability distribution based on goodness-of-fit tests for the daily temperature data at the Pekanbaru station

Peningkatan Kemampuan Asertif melalui Terapi Perilaku Kognitif: Menyelami Dampak Positif dalam Pengembangan Komunikasi Personal

This research aims to explore the impact of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) on assertive behavior among Special Education Teachers (SETs). Due to the heavy workload and demands, teachers may experience cognitive disturbances. The study employs a quantitative experimental approach, focusing on a single participant, a 23-year-old SET named PAS, a new teacher in an Inclusive School for Special Needs in Kab Blitar, with low assertive behavior based on interview assessments, observations, graphic tests (BAUM, DAP & HTP), Wartegg, CFIT, and assertiveness scales. Sampling is done purposively. The Assertiveness Inventory serves as the research instrument, administered over eight sessions lasting 60 minutes each. Pre-test and post-test evaluations were conducted to assess changes. The findings indicate an improvement in assertive behavior for the participant, as evidenced by an increase in assertive behavior scores on the Assertiveness Inventory scale. Additionally, a reduction or elimination of negative thoughts and behaviors in the participant was observed. This research is vital for understanding how CBT can effectively enhance assertive behavior, particularly in the context of special education teachers facing significant work-related challenges. The results provide a foundation for developing interventions or programs that can be broadly applied to help educators enhance their assertive communication skills. Moreover, the study sheds light on the positive impacts anticipated from integrating cognitive behavior therapy in the development of assertive behavior.

The Influence of Mobile Devices and Social Networks on the Development of Perception of Primary School Pupils

Substitution of the traditional way of perception by interaction with virtual reality can disrupt the natural course of a child’s mental development. The purpose of the research is to use the theoretical analysis of the issue in order to reveal the indicators of the perception development at the primary school age, as well as to conduct an empirical diagnostics of the students’ perception, of the peculiarities of rationing the interaction time of the younger generation with virtual reality in the family, and of the nature of the digital information assimilated by children. Methodology. The research presents the analysis of the empirical data obtained as a result of a survey of first-graders’ parents. The survey was aimed at identifying the features of controlling by the older generation of the use of mobile devices, as well as the content of virtual pages viewed by children. Moreover, diagnostics of the level of visual, auditory, and spatial perception was carried out in groups of students by means of the techniques “Graphic Test”, “Reproduction of Rhythms According to an Auditory Sample”, “Visual Gnosis Study”. The reliability of the research results is provided by the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the empirical data. Conclusion. The research demonstrates that the longer the child is in virtual reality, the less parents can control the assimilated information that the child gets when using electronic devices; the less developed is children’s ability to assimilate the motor program, its automation, the ability to switch from one movement to another when performing educational assignments that involve reproduction of graphic samples; the lower is the activity rate; and the higher is the fatigue.

Instrumental variables methods reconcile intention-to-screen effects across pragmatic cancer screening trials

Pragmatic cancer screening trials mimic real-world scenarios in which patients and doctors are the ultimate arbiters of treatment. Intention-to-screen (ITS) analyses of such trials maintain randomization-based apples-to-apples comparisons, but differential adherence (the failure of subjects assigned to screening to get screened) makes ITS effects hard to compare across trials and sites. We show how instrumental variables (IV) methods address the nonadherence challenge in a comparison of estimates from 17 sites in five randomized trials measuring screening effects on colorectal cancer incidence. While adherence rates and ITS estimates vary widely across and within trials, IV estimates of per-protocol screening effects are remarkably consistent. An application of simple IV tools, including graphical analysis and formal statistical tests, shows how differential adherence explains variation in ITS impact. Screening compliers are also shown to have demographic characteristics similar to those of the full trial study sample. These findings argue for the clinical relevance of IV estimates of cancer screening effects.

Pooled prevalence and its determinants of stunting among children during their critical period in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Stunting is a major public health concern, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Globally, nearly 149 million under-five children are suffering from stunting. Despite it can occur in all age groups, the impact is more severe among children age less than 24 months as this period is critical time of very rapid growth and development. Therefore, this review aimed to determine the pooled prevalence and determinants of stunting among children during this critical period in Ethiopia. The literature search was conducted using international electronic data bases (pumed, Google scholar, CINHAL, Hinari, open Google) and the hand search of reference lists of eligible articles. The presence of heterogeneity between studies was evaluated using Cochrane Q-test and I2 test statistics and sensitivity analysis was also checked. Small study effect was checked through graphical and statistical test. Sub-group analysis was performed to handle heterogeneity. This study included 14 studies with a total sample size of 8,056 children. The overall pooled estimate of stunting was 35.01(95% CI: 24.73-45.28, I2 = 98.98%) in the country with the highest prevalence in Amhara region. Increased Child's age (OR = 3.83; 95% CI: 2.47-5.18, I2 = 97.76%), no maternal education (OR = 2.90; 95%CI: 1.59-4.20, I2 = 89.73%), no maternal postnatal follow up (OR = 1.81; 95% CI:1.51-2.10) less than four food diversity of the child (OR = 2.24;95%CI; 1.94-2.55,I2 = 21.55%), low maternal body mass index, failure to colostrum and exclusive breast feeding, two and more under five children in the household and poor wealth index of the family were significant factors of stunting. The pooled prevalence of stunting among children during their critical time is high. Increased Child's age, no maternal education and no maternal postnatal follow up, less than four food diversity of the child, low maternal body mass index, failure to colostrum and exclusive breast feeding, two and more under five children in the household and poor wealth index of the family were determinants of stunting. Therefore, providing continuous maternal postnatal follow up, increase awareness of mothers on importance of colostrum and exclusive breast feeding, feeding of children the recommended variety of foods and at large to improve the wealth status of the households are crucial interventions to meet national and international targets of zero stunting in children less than 2 years.

Global prevalence of COVID-19-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundAcute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is potentially a fatal form of respiratory failure among COVID-19 patients. Globally, there are inconsistent findings regarding ARDS among COVID-19 patients. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of COVID-19-induced ARDS among COVID-19 patients worldwide.MethodsTo retrieve relevant studies, the authors searched Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Google, and Google Scholar using a combination of search terms. The search was conducted for articles published from December 2019 to September 2022. Articles were searched and screened by title (ti), abstract (ab), and full-text (ft) by two reviewers independently. The quality of each included article was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Assessment Scale. Data were entered into Microsoft Word and exported to Stata version 14 for analysis. Heterogeneity was detected using the Cochrane Q statistics and I-square (I2). Then the sources of variations were identified by subgroup and meta-regression analysis. A random effect meta-analysis model was used. The publication bias was detected using the graphic asymmetry test of the funnel plot and/or Egger’s test (p value < 0.05). To treat the potential publication bias, trim and fill analysis were computed. The protocol has been registered in an international database, the Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) with reference number: CRD42023438277.ResultsA total of 794 studies worldwide were screened for their eligibility. Of these 11 studies with 2845 participants were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of COVID-19-induced ARDS in the world was found to be 32.2% (95%CI = 27.70–41.73%), I2 = 97.3%, and p value < 0.001).ConclusionThe pooled prevalence of COVID-19-induced ARDS was found to be high. The virus remains a global burden because its genetic causes are constantly changing or it mutated throughout the pandemic to emerge a new strain of infection. Therefore, interventions such as massive vaccination, early case detection, screening, isolation, and treatment of the cases need to be implemented to tackle its severity.

Studi Kasus: Pengaruh Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) pada Klien dengan Diagnosa Gangguan Afektif Bipolar

This study aims to explore how the cognitive behavioural therapy affected a client with bipolar affective disorder. Participant was a 25-years-old woman (SM) who is diagnosed with bipolar disorder specify current or most recent episode: manic, depressed (F31.6). Before beginning the therapy session, the participant completed a series of assessment, including interview (autoanamnesa and alloanamnesa), observation, graphic tests (BAUM, DAP, HTP Wartegg) and Sack’s Sentence Completion Test (SSCT) to evaluate the participant’s personality, and Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM) to assess cognitive ability. Therapy was conducted in 5 sessions (1 session each week) with additional daily task to track the thoughts and behaviors pattern. The result shows a decrease in depression scores (BDI-II) and also SUDS (Subjective Unit Disturbance Scale). Qualitatively, CBT helps the participant to select her own automatic negative thoughts and form more adaptive thinking pattern by her own. Participant also shows an increasing score in GAF (Global Assesment Functioning) after completing the whole therapy sessions

Nonlinear 2D C1 Quadratic Spline Quasi-Interpolants on Triangulations for the Approximation of Piecewise Smooth Functions

The aim of this paper is to present and study nonlinear bivariate C1 quadratic spline quasi-interpolants on uniform criss-cross triangulations for the approximation of piecewise smooth functions. Indeed, by using classical spline quasi-interpolants, the Gibbs phenomenon appears when approximating near discontinuities. Here, we use weighted essentially non-oscillatory techniques to modify classical quasi-interpolants in order to avoid oscillations near discontinuities and maintain high-order accuracy in smooth regions. We study the convergence properties of the proposed quasi-interpolants and we provide some numerical and graphical tests confirming the theoretical results.

Short-Term Forecasting of Ozone Concentration in Metropolitan Lima Using Hybrid Combinations of Time Series Models

In the modern era, air pollution is one of the most harmful environmental issues on the local, regional, and global stages. Its negative impacts go far beyond ecosystems and the economy, harming human health and environmental sustainability. Given these facts, efficient and accurate modeling and forecasting for the concentration of ozone are vital. Thus, this study explores an in-depth analysis of forecasting the concentration of ozone by comparing many hybrid combinations of time series models. To this end, in the first phase, the hourly ozone time series is decomposed into three new sub-series, including the long-term trend, the seasonal trend, and the stochastic series, by applying the seasonal trend decomposition method. In the second phase, we forecast every sub-series with three popular time series models and all their combinations In the final phase, the results of each sub-series forecast are combined to achieve the results of the final forecast. The proposed hybrid time series forecasting models were applied to four Metropolitan Lima monitoring stations—ATE, Campo de Marte, San Borja, and Santa Anita—for the years 2017, 2018, and 2019 in the winter season. Thus, the combinations of the considered time series models generated 27 combinations for each sampling station. They demonstrated significant forecasts of the sample based on highly accurate and efficient descriptive, statistical, and graphic analysis tests, as a lower mean error occurred in the optimized forecast models compared to baseline models. The most effective hybrid models for the ATE, Campo de Marte, San Borja, and Santa Anita stations were identified based on their superior out-of-sample forecast results, as measured by RMSE (4.611, 3.637, 1.495, and 1.969), RMSPE (4.464, 11.846, 1.864, and 15.924), MAE (1.711, 2.356, 1.078, and 1.462), and MAPE (14.862, 20.441, 7.668, and 76.261) errors. These models significantly outperformed other models due to their lower error values. In addition, the best models are statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05) and superior to the rest of the combination models. Furthermore, the final proposed models show significant performance with the least mean error, which is comparatively better than the considered baseline models. Finally, the authors also recommend using the proposed hybrid time series combination forecasting models to predict ozone concentrations in other districts of Lima and other parts of Peru.

Copula-Based Joint Flood Frequency Analysis: The Case of Guder River, Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia

The univariate analysis of hydrological extremes is a well-established practice in developing countries such as Ethiopia. However, for the design of hydrological and hydraulic systems, it is essential to have a thorough understanding of flood event characteristics, including volumes, peaks, time of occurrence, and duration. This study utilizes copula functions for bivariate modeling of flood peak and volume characteristics, examining the performance of four Archimedean copulas in the Guder basin located in Ethiopia from 1987 to 2017. Flood peak and volume were extracted using the theory of runs for analysis of their joint characteristics with the truncation level chosen as equal to the lowest annual maximum event. Univariate distributions with the best fitness on both variables were determined, and results showed that gamma and GEV-fitted flood peaks and lognormal-fitted flood volumes are the most suitable. Four Archimedean copulas were evaluated, and the Gumbel-Hougaard copula was found to be the best fit for the data based on graphical and measurable tests. Bivariate probability and return period were computed in “AND” and “OR” states. The joint return period for flood peak (97.49 m3/s) and volume (77.35 m3/s) was found to be 15 years in the “AND” state and approximately 4 years in the “OR” state. The study also evaluates univariate and conditional return periods, comparing them with the primary one. The copula method was an effective method for distributing marginal variables, highlighting its potential as a valuable tool in flood management.

Water Gymnastics as a Therapeutic Method to Improve Motor Planning in Children with Intellectual Disability

Study purpose. This paper is devoted to an experimental study aimed to identify the effects of water gymnastics as a therapeutic method for improving motor planning in children with intellectual disability studying in general and special education institutions. Materials and methods. Twenty-three children (13 boys and 10 girls) aged from 6 to 11 years (x̅ = 8.61) participated in the study. Three neuropsychological tests were used to study motor function: Sequential alternation of fist-palm-side, Graphic test “Fence”, and Fist-palm. Data were collected before and after participation in an 11-month therapy course conducted in a water environment. Descriptive analysis and One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were applied to process the empirical material. Cohen's η was used to interpret the effect size attributed to the therapeutic intervention. Results. Programming, regulation, and control, as the main components of motor planning, showed improvement after the children participated in the organized sessions, as evidenced by the large or larger than typical effect size η=[0.37:0.45+] recorded and the nonsignificant differences between groups differentiated by level of intellectual disability, age, and gender at the control measurement stage (p &gt; 0.05). Conclusions. The results lead to the generalization that at the final stage of the study, all three factors (level of intellectual disability, age and gender) had no significant influence on the development of motor planning, confirming the effects of water gymnastics as a technology for its improvement.

GIFTED STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE ON ALGORITHMIC, CONCEPTUAL, AND GRAPHICAL QUESTIONS

Several studies compared three different types of questions (conceptual, algorithmic, and graphical) across various topics, however, few focused specifically on gifted students. This study addressed this gap. The aim of the study, hence, was to determine whether there were notable differences in gifted students’ performance in the three types of tests. The study involved 115 gifted students aged between 17 and 18 years old. They responded to the three different tests including 10 test items in each with the same content. Significant differences were observed in their performances between the conceptual versus algorithmic in favour of the conceptual test, the conceptual versus graphical in favour of the conceptual test, and the algorithmic versus graphical in favour of the algorithmic test. Moreover, the statistical analysis results revealed that the students performed markedly poorer performance on the graphical test in comparison to both the algorithmic and conceptual tests. These results suggest the need to enhance students' graphical skills to facilitate a better understanding of physics concepts. Proper steps should be taken to improve their proficiency in interpreting and analysing graphical representations. Keywords: algorithmic understanding, conceptual understanding, graphical understanding, gifted students, physics education

PENGARUH KEMANDIRIAN BELAJAR TERHADAP HASIL BELAJAR MATA PELAJARAN EKONOMI DALAM PEMBELAJARAN LURING

Success in the learning process is measured by student independence, student learning outcomes, and subject-matter knowledge. When a learner has a high level of subject matter mastery and learning independence, he or she will produce learning outcomes that are of a high caliber. This study attempts to determine how learning independence variables affect the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor outcomes of economics learning in high school students. Utilizing an associative research design, the research approach is quantitative. Purposive sampling was utilized for the sample. Validity and realisability tests are used to evaluate instruments. The Residuals vs. Graphics test applied to a straightforward linear test. It can be concluded that a basic linear regression test has a linear and homogeneous group variance data distribution if the predicted generated charts are randomly scattered and unaltered. The test-t resulted in thitung 23.243 &gt; t-table 1.625 at a = 0,05, indicating that learning outcomes (cognitive, emotional, and psychomotor) for economics topics had a substantial impact on attracting learning in High School students.

"SELF-PORTRAIT" GRAPHIC TEST IN PSYCHOLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS

The article is devoted to the study of picture (graphic) tests in clinical psychology. The use of the "Self-portrait" technique in the diagnosis of children and adolescents with developmental disorders (mental, somatic) is of great importance. The relationship between the onset and type of mental or somatic illness and the quality of drawing in children and adolescents is being investigated. Purpose - to evaluate the diagnostic parameters of the technique "Self-portrait" in children with mental and somatic disorders. Participants: 127 patients aged 11-16 years with mental and somatic disorders. Methodology: Test "Draw yourself" ("Self-portrait"). Evaluation parameters: size, type, quality of the picture, deviations of the picture from the vertical. Results: a comparison of mental patients with different diagnoses and somatic patients showed a difference in the nature of the picture: the best results were obtained in somatic patients, the worst - in mental disorders with an early onset (before 10 years). The same was obtained as a drawing. Studies show that the drawings of children and adolescents with early onset mental illness have the worst quality and type of drawings. In patients with a later onset of a mental disorder, the quality and type of drawings are similar to somatic patients. Self-portrait or self-drawing appears to be a good technique for assessing children and adolescents with various types of developmental disabilities.

Retrospective Study on the Incidence of Tuberculosis Cases in Pakistan

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infection or disease that directly affects the lungs. Pakistan stands 5th ranks amongst the high burden countries in the world. This study addresses the relationships between different tuberculosis cases in the province of Pakistan. The study is used to find which province reported high tuberculosis cases like (bacteriologically confirmed, clinically diagnosed, extra pulmonary and retreated tuberculosis). The main objective of this study is to know which tuberculosis case has significant effect among the provinces. For this purpose, we find the mean difference among the province of Pakistan with concern to tuberculosis cases in this study. The secondary data is used in this study. Further we find the correlation between tuberculosis cases and then used factor analysis. The dataset is taken by the website of the national TB data and Pakistan bureau of statistics. The dataset includes four different cases of tuberculosis (bacteriologically confirmed, clinically diagnosed, extra pulmonary and retreated tuberculosis) in provinces of Pakistan during the period of 2019. For achieving the objectives of the study, different techniques are used such as graphical representation, descriptive statistics, two-way ANOVA, LSD Test, correlation matrix, and factor analysis. The study shows highly significant results and concluded that the highest numbers of cases and deaths are reported in Punjab. Correlation matrix shows strong positive correlation between the four cases of tuberculosis. From factor analysis, there is only one factor is extracted that explains 82.872% of the total variation and all the cases have strong correlation with the factor.

Determinants of diabetic retinopathy in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the primary retinal vascular complication of diabetes mellitus and a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness. It affects the global diabetic population. In Ethiopia, about one-fifth of diabetic patients were affected by DR, but there were inconsistent finding across studies about the determinants factors of DR. Therefore, we aimed to identify the risk factors for DR among diabetic patients. We have accessed previous studies through an electronic web-based search strategy using PubMed, Google (Scholar), the Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library with a combination of search terms. The quality of each included article was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Assessment Scale. All statistical analyses were carried out using Stata version 14 software. The odds ratios of risk factors were pooled using a fixed-effect meta-analysis model. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochrane Q statistics and I-Square (I2). Furthermore, publication bias was detected based on the graphic asymmetry test of the funnel plot and/or Egger's test (p< 0.05). The search strategy retrieved 1285 articles. After the removal of duplicate articles, 249 articles remained. Following further screening, about 18 articles were assessed for eligibility, of which three articles were excluded because of reporting without the outcome of interest, poor quality, and not full text. Finally, fifteen studies were reviewed for the final analysis. Co-morbid hypertension (HTN) (AOR 2.04, 95%CI: 1.07, 3.89), poor glycemic control (AOR = 4.36, 95%CI: 1.47, 12.90), and duration of diabetes illness (AOR = 3.83, 95%CI: 1.17, 12.55) were found to be confirmed associated factors of diabetic retinopathy. In this study, co-morbid HTN, poor glycemic control, and longer duration of diabetes illness were found to be the determinant factors of DR. Aggressive treatment of co-morbid HTN and blood glucose, and regular eye screening should be implemented to reduce the occurrence of DR. The review protocol was registered in the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO) with registration number PROSPERO: CRD42023416724.

Effects of a graphic organizer-based two-tier test approach on students’ learning achievement and behaviors in spherical video-based virtual learning contexts

Effects of a graphic organizer-based two-tier test approach on students’ learning achievement and behaviors in spherical video-based virtual learning contexts

A smart tablet application to quantitatively assess the dominant hand dexterity

Background and objectiveThe Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT) is the most used test to assess hand dexterity in clinical practice and is considered the gold standard but only evaluates the time needed to complete the task. The aim of this work is to describe a graphic test on a smart tablet to assess in a quantitative as well qualitative way the dominant hand dexterity and to validate it in a cohort of neurological subjects and healthy controls. MethodsThe task consists in asking the subject to connect with a graphic line the start and the end point of a pre-defined path, with two different widths, in the most precise and fastest way possible. The path is constituted by a ‘meander’ and a ‘spiral’ part. The subjects perform the task on a smart tablet with a capacitive pen four times. The three parameters of interest considered at each trial are the execution time, length path, and number of interactions with the border. The app automatically computes these three parameters and stores the completed test files. The results of the digital graphic test are compared to the NHPT results. Healthy and pathological subjects are compared to each other, and performances obtained in different repetitions are compared to assess the learning effect in each population. Results53 subjects with a definitive diagnosis of neurodegenerative/genetic neurological disorders (34 men, mean age 59.1 ± 16.1) and 78 healthy controls (33 men, mean age 42.5 ± 16.3) were recruited. Among the pathological subjects, 31 also performed the NHPT. The graphic test clearly distinguish between the two populations for all parameters of interest. Moreover, compared to the gold standard NHPT, time has a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.57, p ≤ 0.001), whereas interactions and length have a strong positive correlation (r = 0.81, p ≤ 0.001) and (r = 0.69, p ≤ 0.001), respectively. ConclusionsThe proposed digital test can measure in an accurate, quantitative and qualitative way dominant hand disability and can result more informative with respect to the gold standard NHPT. In homogeneous cohort of subjects (for example affected by multiple sclerosis or Parkinson disease), the digital test can be used as an outcome measure in clinical trials as well as a tool for monitoring disease progression at the dominant hand level.