Inconsistent Measurements Research Articles

The promise and process of adaptive teacher empathy to support equity in diverse classrooms

Multiple empirical studies suggest teacher empathy supports improved educational outcomes for all students, particularly in diverse settings; however, recent research shows such results to be inconsistent. These mixed findings have been explained as the result of inconsistent measurement practices as well as overly generalized conceptualizations of teacher empathy. Moreover, some educational researchers have cautioned against misapplications of empathy that may harm historically minoritized students. In this manuscript, we offer the conceptual framework of adaptive teacher empathy in response to these concerns. Adaptive teacher empathy is situated in the classroom context and centers the students’ perspective. We identify its three core phases: prioritizing cognitive empathic processes, cultivating beliefs and emotions that support teacher motivation to empathize, and implementing behaviors that support improved educational outcomes for students. Additionally, we articulate our understanding of equitable teaching practices and illustrate how adaptive teacher empathy can support equitable instruction, particularly in diverse classrooms. Further, adaptive teacher empathy is compared to similar classroom constructs and examples of each phase are applied to promote equitable teaching. We close with implications for research and teaching.

Association of risk factors on mortality in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients with diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

Abstract Introduction Despite advancements in medical therapy and revascularization strategies for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), diabetes mellitus (DM) remains independently associated with enhanced morbidity and mortality in STEMI. The causes for this are still unknown. Therefore, we aimed to summarise and quantify existing evidence in a systematic review and meta-analysis on the association between risk factors and mortality in STEMI patients with DM from prospective and retrospective cohort studies. Methods The systematic literature search was performed on the database of PubMed, Scopus and the Cochrane library up to July 2022. Relevant data were extracted and the risk of bias (RoB) of each study was assessed by using the Quality In Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) tool. All steps were conducted by two researchers independently. Summarised relative risks (SRR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated using a random effects model. I² was calculated as a measure of inconsistency. Results Out of 7601 studies, 18 were included after full-text screening, meeting our inclusion criteria. The RoB was moderate for 6 and high for 12 studies. Results of 7 studies reported on in-hospital mortality, 7 on all-cause-mortality up to 72 months, 3 on both outcomes, and 1 on cardiac death followed-up for 3.5 years. We found an increased risk of mortality for female compared to male sex (SRR [95% CI]: 1.56 [1.20; 2.01], n = 3 studies), age per 5 year increase (SRR [95% CI]: 1.26 [1.23; 1.30], n = 10 studies), admission blood glucose ≥ 7,8 mmol/l (SRR [95% CI]: 2.54 [1.60; 4.04], n = 3 studies), insulin treatment (SRR [95% CI]: 1.72 [1.33; 2.21], n = 2 studies), and dedicated Killip classification III-IV (SRR [95% CI]: 2.97 [2.58; 3.41], n = 3 studies) in STEMI patients with DM. Similar findings were observed for pre-existing comorbidities: prior myocardial infarction (SRR [95% CI]: 1.25 [1.06; 1.47], n = 3 studies), and heart failure (SRR [95% CI]: 2.68 [1.83; 3.93], n = 2 studies). Current smoking (SRR [95% CI]: 0.68 [0.52; 0.88], n = 3 studies) and hypercholesterinemia (SRR [95% CI]: 0.67 [0.57; 0.79], n = 2 studies) showed a reduced risk for mortality, while no association was found for multivessel disease (SRR [95% CI]: 1.03 [0.55; 1.92], n = 3 studies). Conclusion We identified specific risk factors of diabetes for mortality after STEMI. Our results confirm higher risk of mortality among STEMI patients with DM, particularly in women, older individuals, those with high admission blood glucose or insulin-dependent diabetes, and cardiac comorbidities. The role of smoking and hypercholesterinemia as a predictor for mortality might be explained by reverse causality and warrants further investigation.

Mapping the scientific literature on obstetric and perinatal health among sexual and gender minoritized (SGM) childbearing people and their infants: a scoping review

BackgroundEvidence suggests sexual and gender minoritized (SGM) childbearing individuals and their infants experience more adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes compared to their cisgender, heterosexual counterparts. This study aimed to comprehensively map obstetric and perinatal physical health literature among SGM populations and their infants and identify knowledge gaps.MethodsPubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science Core Collection were systematically searched to identify published studies reporting obstetric and perinatal outcomes in SGM individuals or their infants. Study characteristics, sample characteristics, and outcome findings were systematically extracted and analyzed.ResultsOur search yielded 8,740 records; 55 studies (1981–2023) were included. Sexual orientation was measured by self-identification (72%), behavior (55%), and attraction (9%). Only one study captured all three dimensions. Inconsistent measures of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) were common, and 68% conflated sex and gender. Most (85%) focused on sexual minorities, while 31% addressed gender minorities. Demographic measures employed varied widely and were inconsistent; 35% lacked race/ethnicity data, and 44% lacked socioeconomic data. Most studies (78%) examined outcomes among SGM individuals, primarily focusing on morbidity and pregnancy outcomes. Pregnancy termination was most frequently studied, while pregnancy and childbirth complications (e.g., gestational hypertension, postpartum hemorrhage) were rarely examined. Evidence of disparities were mixed. Infant outcomes were investigated in 60% of the studies, focusing on preterm birth and low birthweight. Disparities were noted among different sexual orientation and racial/ethnic groups. Qualitative insights highlighted how stigma and discriminatory care settings can lead to adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes.ConclusionsFrequent conflation of sex and gender and a lack of standardized SOGI measures hinder the comparison and synthesis of existing evidence. Nuanced sociodemographic data should be collected to understand the implications of intersecting identities. Findings on perinatal health disparities were mixed, highlighting the need for standardized SOGI measures and comprehensive sociodemographic data. The impact of stigma and discriminatory care on adverse outcomes underscores the need for inclusive healthcare environments. Future research should address these gaps; research on SGM perinatal outcomes remains urgently lacking.Trial registrationThe review protocol was developed a priori in February 2023, registered on Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/5DQV4) and published in BMJ Open (https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/11/e075443).

Causal Inconsistencies Are Normal in Windows Memory Dumps (Too)

Main memory contains valuable information for criminal investigations, e.g., process information or keys for disk encryption. Taking snapshots of memory is therefore common practice during a digital forensic examination. Inconsistencies in such memory dumps can, however, hamper their analysis. In this article, we perform a systematic assessment of causal inconsistencies in memory dumps taken on a Windows 10 machine using the kernel-level acquisition tool WinPmem. We use two approaches to measure the quantity of inconsistencies in Windows 10: (1) causal inconsistencies within self-injected memory data structures using a known methodology transferred from the Linux operating system, and (2) inconsistencies in the memory management data structures of the Windows kernel using a novel measurement technique based on properties of the virtual address descriptor (VAD) tree. Our evaluation is based on a dataset of more than 180 memory dumps. As a central result, both types of inconsistency measurement reveal that a high number of inconsistencies is the norm rather than the exception. We also correlate workload and execution time of the memory acquisition tool to the number of inconsistencies in the respective memory snapshot. By controlling these factors it is possible to (somewhat) control the level of inconsistencies in Windows memory dumps.

Resective epilepsy surgery and its impact on depression in adults: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and implications for future research

BackgroundHow epilepsy surgery influences the bidirectional relationship of epilepsy and depression remains poorly defined.MethodFor a better understanding of this question, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of risk ratio...

Inconsistent measurement calls into question progress on electrification in sub-Saharan Africa

Inconsistent measurement calls into question progress on electrification in sub-Saharan Africa

The causal effect of skin color bias in online dating

Despite the expansive literature on U.S. ethnoracial relations, issues such as reliance on observational data and inconsistent measures of skin color limit the research on skin color stratification and cross-ethnoracial relationships. These issues hinder researchers’ capacity to disentangle the causal effect of colorism in perpetuating discrepancies within intergroup relationships, specifically within the context of online dating, a popular form of modern dating. In May–June 2021, I fielded a survey experiment that features online dating profiles of Black daters in which skin tone is the treatment. While the multivariate analyses show no statistically significant differences between light- and medium-toned daters, profiles featuring dark-skinned daters consistently receive a penalty in comparison to profiles of light- and medium-skinned people. The results suggest that colorism can have a direct impact on how dark-skinned Black people navigate their romantic lives, independent of other influential factors (e.g., socioeconomic status, social networks, etc.).

Long- and short-term effectiveness of traditional Chinese exercises in improving the overall physical capacity of patients with knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The increasing global popularity of traditional Chinese exercise (TCE) provides substantial evidence of its significant efficacy in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA). To assess the impact of different types of TCE and varying exercise durations on KOA patients, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on this topic. Two investigators extensively searched four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science) from their inception until December 16, 2023, to identify all relevant RCTs on the use of TCE for KOA treatment. The included studies were assessed for risk of bias using the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool (CCRBT), and data analysis was performed using Stata 15.0. A total of 20 RCTs, involving 1367 patients with KOA, met the inclusion criteria. Compared to the control group, TCE demonstrated significant improvement in three subscale scores of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) [Pain (SMD = -0.44; P = .0001); Stiffness (SMD = -0.35; P = .001); Physical function (SMD = -0.52; P = .0001)] and two subscale scores of the 36-item Short-Form (SF-36) [Physical score (WMD = 2.76; P = .001); Mental score (WMD = 2.49; P = .0001)] in KOA patients. Subgroup analysis showed that both long-term habitual exercise (over 12 weeks) and short-term exercise (within 12 weeks) were more effective than the control group in improving pain, joint stiffness, and physical function in KOA patients. Tai Chi, among the four TCE modalities analyzed, demonstrated improvements in all indicators. Based on the results of our meta-analysis, it can be concluded that both long-term and short-term TCE interventions are effective in alleviating the main symptoms of KOA and improving patients' physical function. However, due to limited methodological quality and inconsistent outcome measures in the included RCTs, further high-quality RCTs with larger sample sizes and longer-term interventions are necessary to validate our findings before TCE can be recommended as a treatment for KOA.

Automatic Tumor Cellularity Measurement: AI-Based Pipeline for Multi-Organ Pathology Imaging.

Tumor Cellularity (TC) is an important metric for assessing organ tumor burden. However, manual cell counting is not feasible due to large volumes of pathology images and inconsistent measurements between pathologists. The PAIP 2023 Challenge aimed to solve this problem using AI. The challenge presented two main obstacles: the need to evaluate pancreas-trained data for effective use in the colon, and the common miscounting of clustered cells in segmentation results. To address these, we proposed a novel pipeline. It included channel normalization, which standardizes RGB values to ensure consistent model performance across different organs. By introducing CacoX, a specialized model for accurate cell segmentation, we used Coordinate Attention Gates for accurate cell localization and non-local learning. Finally, the implementation of a watershed algorithm allowed the automatic separation of clustered cells. This approach secured 3rd place in the PAIP 2023 Challenge with an impressive ICC score of 95.69%.

Social and environmental risk factors for canine leptospirosis: A scoping review.

Canine leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of global importance. The identification of social and environmental risk factors remains limited and is needed for planning interventions. Our objectives were to summarise the global trends in social and environmental risk factors for canine leptospirosis and to identify knowledge gaps. We searched peer-reviewed and grey literature for observational studies on canine leptospirosis written in English. Variables assessed via formal statistical tests were recorded and categorised into thematic risk factor groups. The risk factors were summarised by the number of unique studies and their direction of association. Of the 3184 articles identified, 66 met the inclusion criteria. Eight environmental and three social risk factor groups were identified. Exposure to animals and water was commonly studied, but social risk factors were infrequently examined. Most studies were conducted on populations in higher-income countries and countries in the Americas. Several limitations were encountered, including inconsistent study designs and measurement and control of variables as well as disproportionate representation of studies from the Americas and higher-income countries. The weight and quality of evidence for social and environmental risk factors were highly variable. Additional research following standard reporting guidelines to improve transparency and increase generalisability to different contexts is needed.

Political Dichotomy and Disciplinary Processes of Employees in Local Government Administration, A Case of Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality, in Mopani District of Limpopo Province in South Africa

Political dichotomy in the disciplinary processes of local government employees has significant implications for governance and service delivery. This study focuses on the Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality in the Mopani District of Limpopo Province, South Africa, to explore how political affiliations and influences shape disciplinary outcomes. Using qualitative research methods, including interviews and document analysis, the study uncovers the extent to which political considerations override procedural fairness, leading to inconsistent disciplinary measures. The findings emphasize the need for depoliticized disciplinary frameworks to enhance administrative efficiency and integrity in local governance. Political patronage and interference have been shown to affect employee morale and organizational culture negatively. In the Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality, specific cases of political favouritism and bias have resulted in either undue leniency or harsh disciplinary actions. This study contributes to the understanding of the intricate relationship between politics and administration, highlighting the detrimental effects of political influence on the principles of accountability and transparency in local government. This research is unique in its detailed case study approach, providing a micro-level analysis that offers insights into broader national and regional trends in local government administration. It also proposes practical recommendations to mitigate political interference in disciplinary processes. By ensuring fair and consistent application of disciplinary procedures, local municipalities can improve service delivery and foster a more positive work environment.

On measuring inconsistency in graph databases with regular path constraints

Real-world data are often inconsistent. Although a substantial amount of research has been done on measuring inconsistency, this research concentrated on knowledge bases formalized in propositional logic. Recently, inconsistency measures have been introduced for relational databases. However, nowadays, real-world information is always more frequently represented by graph-based structures which offer a more intuitive conceptualization than relational ones. In this paper, we explore inconsistency measures for graph databases with regular path constraints, a class of integrity constraints based on a well-known navigational language for graph data. In this context, we define several inconsistency measures dealing with specific elements contributing to inconsistency in graph databases. We also define some rationality postulates that are desirable properties for an inconsistency measure for graph databases. We analyze the compliance of each measure with each postulate and find various degrees of satisfaction; in fact, one of the measures satisfies all the postulates. Finally, we investigate the data and combined complexity of the calculation of all the measures as well as the complexity of deciding whether a measure is lower than, equal to, or greater than a given threshold. It turns out that for a majority of the measures these problems are tractable, while for the other different levels of intractability are exhibited.

Assessing bias in the causal role of HPV in oral cancer: Asystematic review and meta-analysis.

High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV) are an established cause of oropharyngeal cancer. Their relationship with oral cancer remains unclear with detection ranging from 0% to 100%. HPV DNA detection or evidence of exposure alone is insufficient to conclude causality. This systematic review assesses the extent of bias in studies of HPV detection in cancers of the oral cavity. PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycInfo databases were searched for observational studies reporting the effect of HPV in oral cavity specific cancers. All 15 included studies presented HPV DNA detection or serum HPV-antibodies, none included mRNA E6/E7 analysis. Cases with oral cancer had 5.36 times (95% CI 3.29-8.72) higher odds of having HPV detected compared to controls. The odds of HPV detection were higher in cell-based (OR 6.93; 95% CI 0.82-58.55) and tissue samples (OR 5.28; 95% CI 3.41-8.18) than blood-based samples (OR 3.36; 95% CI 1.53-7.40). When cancer site is clearly differentiated between oropharynx and oral cavity, 12 studies showed strong association between HPV and oral cancer, but the available estimates lack internal validity due to inconsistent measurements, high confounding, and lack of gold standard testing. There is not high-quality evidence to conclude a causal relationship of HPV with oral cancer.

An Approach for Identifying Dynamic Parameters in Robotic Systems with Inconsistent Joint Measurements

Abstract Achieving accurate robot control and realistic robot simulation relies on the precise modeling of robotic dynamics. Although the identification method for obtaining dynamic parameters has been developed for several years, joint inconsistency has largely been disregarded in prior studies. The inconsistency of joint actuators results in varying confidence levels of their measurement results, leading to the departure of the final identification parameters from valid values, thereby impacting the control performance. This paper presents a novel identification method that effectively addresses the issue of joint inconsistency by assigning distinct weights to each joint. The presented approach extends the least square (LS) method and incorporates the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm to calculate the weights of each individual joint. This approach is referred to as PWLS (PSO-based weighted least square). Simulation experiments demonstrated the superior identification accuracy of the PWLS method compared to the LS method in a robot system characterized by joint inconsistency. Moreover, the experiments were performed on a 3-degree-of-freedom (DoFs) robotic limb, which exhibited improved identification performance in both the excitation and verification trajectories. These findings have promising implications for enhancing the control and simulation of robotic systems.

Measuring trust in maps: development and evaluation of the MAPTRUST scale

The emergence of deepfake geographies and the growing role that maps play in shaping public opinion on key issues has prompted cartographers to interrogate the concept of map trust. However, this growing area of research is hampered by inconsistent and untested measures of map trust. This study addresses this critical gap by developing and validating a numerical rating scale that exclusively measures map trust. A model of map trust consisting of specific indicators is derived from an exploratory factor analysis. This model is then evaluated using a confirmatory factor analysis. The results indicate that map trust can be explained from a single factor related to veracity and reliability. Two factors pertaining to bias and appearance did not explain enough variance in the model. Findings also suggest that map trust can be measured by having participants evaluate maps according to twelve empirically-derived indicators: accurate, correct, error-free, honest, trustworthy, credible, fair, reliable, reputable, objective, authentic, and balanced. Measurement validity and reliability assessments of this new scale are not only based on theory but are also empirically validated. This scale can be a useful tool for researchers and practitioners alike to measure an individual’s trust in maps.

A novel method to enhance the accuracy of parameter identification in elasto-geometrical calibration for industrial robots

Elasto-geometrical calibration is crucial for enhancing the absolute accuracy of robots in machining operations through the identification and compensation of parameter errors. However, the presence of inconsistent measurement units and improper selection of measuring poses can result in the ill-conditioned identification matrix (ICIM) issue, consequently impacting the accuracy of parameter identification. This paper introduces a novel method to tackle this challenge. Initially, an elasto-geometrical error model is developed based on the orientation-independent measurements (OIM), efficiently reducing the impact of mismatched positions and orientations on the ICIM problem. Subsequently, a PSO-SFFS algorithm is proposed to optimize the measurement configurations and minimize the influence of measurement noise. Furthermore, the incorporation of screw theory and the consideration of parallelogram mechanisms enhance the precision and comprehensiveness of the error model. Subsequent to the development of the error model, calibration comparison experiments are conducted on an industrial robot. Both simulation and experimental results validate the effectiveness of the proposed method in improving parameter identification accuracy.

A review of evidence on mechanical properties of running specific prostheses and their relationship with running performance.

Although mechanical properties of running specific prostheses (RSPs) can affect running performance, manufacturers do not consistently report them. This study aimed to review existing literature on RSP mechanical and structural properties and their relationship with running performance. A comprehensive search was conducted using keywords related to mechanical properties of RSPs and running performance. Search terms included stiffness and hysteresis, as well as performance outcomes including metabolic cost and running speed. Non-peer-reviewed and non-English publications were excluded. Twenty articles were included in the review. Sixteen studies used a material testing machine to measure RSP material properties, and four articles used other techniques including 2D/3D video capture and force platforms. Both measurement techniques and reporting of outcomes were inconsistent, which limits the ability to draw broad conclusions. Additionally, several studies did not report the numerical data for material properties despite measuring them. Relatively few articles measured both material properties and running performance and assessed correlations. Several articles connected prosthesis properties to running performance. However, inconsistent measurement and reporting of mechanical properties, along with the multifactorial nature of the athlete-prosthesis system, limit the ability to draw broad conclusions regarding the relationship between material and structural properties and athlete performance. Current evidence may be useful for clinicians seeking ways to optimize RSP stiffness in a case-by-case basis; however, clinicians would benefit from more consistent and systematic comparisons of the attributes of different RSPs and their role in performance.

Dyspnea and Palliative Care in Advanced Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Rapid Review.

Dyspnea is the most common and activity-limiting symptom for those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Treatment is complex, palliative care (PC) dyspnea relief interventions are poorly understood, and PC remains underutilized in COPD despite national guidelines and recommendations. The purpose of this rapid review was to explore the concept of dyspnea and role of PC through the lens of providers, caregivers, and patients with COPD. A systematic approach for synthesis was used to identify 13 articles published between January 2018 and October 2023. Team members compared data via visualization and theme clustering to identify key conclusions describing operationalization of dyspnea, management, and PC implications. Dyspnea operationalization was challenging, with inconsistent measurement and terminology. Dyspnea was a significant burden in COPD and contributed to complexity of treatment. Opioids were used most often to treat dyspnea, but provider perspectives and biases can influence treatment decisions and perceptions of opioid therapy by the patient and caregiver. Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines and policies are needed to clarify the use of opioid therapy for dyspnea management to reduce stigmatization and barriers to treatment. Provider education should emphasize a multipronged approach to treatment of dyspnea in COPD with integration of PC early in the care continuum.

Evaluation of multi-source satellite rainfall products in tekeze basin, Ethiopia

Accurate and reliable rainfall information is crucial for regional water resource management, particularly in developing countries like Ethiopia. Unfortunately, Ethiopia faces challenges with sparse and inconsistent rainfall measurements, as well as a lack of updated data. As a result, the spatio-temporal characteristics of rainfall are poorly understood. In recent years, satellite-derived rainfall products have emerged as an alternative source of rainfall data to overcome these limitations. This study focuses on validating the performance of three satellite rainfall products, namely PERSIANN_CDR, CHIRPS, and TMPA3B42, over the Tekeze basin in Ethiopia. The evaluation involves assessing the prediction accuracy of these products using various statistical measures and spatial comparisons. The study period extends from 2007 to 2017. The results demonstrate that PERSIANN_CDR exhibits a very low percent bias (PBIAS), while CHIRPS and TMPA3B42 significantly overestimate observed rainfall. Moreover, PERSIANN_CDR performs well in capturing rainfall during the kiremt, belg, and bega seasons, with the lowest root mean square error (RMSE) values of 2.9, 1.4, and 0.8 mm/day, respectively. On the other hand, TMPA3B42 performs poorly during these seasons, showing the largest RMSE values of 3.1, 1.9, and 1.1 mm/day, respectively. In terms of detecting observed rainfall, both PERSIANN_CDR and TMPA3B42 exhibit good skills, while CHIRPS has the lowest detection skill across all seasons. Overall, the findings of this validation study highlight the potential of the PERSIANN_CDR product for various operational applications in the Tekeze basin. It can be utilized for studying rainfall patterns and variability in the East African region.

A Population-Based Long-Term Follow-Up of Soft Tissue Angiosarcomas: Characteristics, Treatment Outcomes, and Prognostic Factors

Angiosarcoma is a rare aggressive and understudied soft tissue sarcoma with pending evidence-based treatment guidelines due to varying study cohorts and inconsistent outcome measures. Surgery with wide resection is currently considered to be the cornerstone in management. In a population-based cohort identified from Danish National Health Registers between 2000 and 2017, this study aimed to define prognostic factors in patients with newly diagnosed soft tissue angiosarcoma. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis demonstrated 5-year overall survival of 28%. Competing risk analysis demonstrated cumulative incidence of local recurrence of 30% and metastasis of 43%. Multivariable Cox models among 154 included patients demonstrated age above 60 years and metastasis to be independently associated with worse overall survival. Cutaneous tumors, surgery, and negative resection margin were independently associated with improved overall survival. Adjuvant oncological treatment did not improve overall survival, risk of metastasis, or recurrence. Negative margin was not associated with lower risk of recurrence and metastasis. We conclude that, despite demonstrated improved survival after surgery with wide resection, overall survival remains poor.