Interchangeable Use Research Articles

Interchangeable Use of GNSS and Seismic Data for Rapid Earthquake Characterization: 2021 Chignik, Alaska, Earthquake

AbstractEarthquake magnitude estimation using peak ground velocities (PGVs) derived from Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) data has shown promise for rapid characterization of damaging earthquakes. Here, we examine the feasibility of using GNSS-derived velocity waveforms as interchangeable data for rapid magnitude and ground motion estimation that typically rely on strong-motion seismic records. Our study compares PGVs derived from high-rate GNSS to those computed from high-rate seismic records (strong-motion and velocity) at collocated and closely located stations. The recent 2021 Mw 8.2 Chignik earthquake in Alaska that was recorded on collocated GNSS and strong-motion sensors provides the perfect opportunity to compare the two data streams and their application in rapid response. The Chignik velocity records appear almost identical at collocated GNSS and strong-motion stations when observed at frequencies <0.25 Hz. GNSS and strong-motion derived velocity data are further employed to generate rapid estimates of PGV-derived moment magnitudes for the earthquake. The moment magnitude estimates from GNSS and joint GNSS and joint (GNSS and seismic) data are within ∼±0.4 magnitude units (Fang et al., 2020) of the final magnitude (Mw 8.2). ShakeMaps generated for the 2021 Chignik earthquake using GNSS and seismic PGVs show notable agreement between them, and show negligible shifts in PGV contours when collocated and closely located GNSS and seismic stations are substituted for one another. Therefore, we posit that GNSS is a powerful alternative or addition to seismic data and vice versa.

Deeper than Wordplay: A Systematic Review of Critical Quantitative Approaches in Education Research (2007–2021)

Although the critical research cannon is often associated with qualitative scholars, there is a growing number of critical scholars who are refusing positivist-informed quantitative analyses. However, as a growing number of education scholars engaged in critical approaches to quantitative inquiry, instances of conflation began to surface. We understood this conflation as the interchangeable use of the terms quantitative criticalism, QuantCrit, and critical quantitative throughout the literature and even within the same chapter or article. The purpose of our systematic literature review is twofold: (a) to understand how critical approaches to quantitative inquiry emerged as a new paradigm within quantitative methods and (b) whether there is any distinction between quantitative criticalism, QuantCrit, and critical quantitative inquiries or simply interchangeable wordplay. We share how critical quantitative approaches are definite shifts within the quantitative research paradigm, highlight relevant assumptions, and share strategies and future directions for applied practice in this emergent field.

What’s in a name? Unpacking ‘Community Blank’ terminology in reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health: a scoping review

IntroductionEngaging the community as actors within reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH) programmes (referred to as ‘community blank’) has seen increased implementation in recent years. While evidence suggests these...

Quality management, quality assurance, and quality control in medical physics.

The historic and ongoing evolution of the practice, technology, terminology, and implementation of programs related to quality in the medical radiological professions has given rise to the interchangeable use of the terms Quality Management (QM), Quality Assurance (QA), and Quality Control (QC) in the vernacular. This White Paper aims to provide clarification of QM, QA, and QC in medical physics context and guidance on how to use these terms appropriately in American College of Radiology (ACR) Practice Parameters and Technical Standards, generalizable to other guidance initiatives. The clarification of these nuanced terms in the radiology, radiation oncology, and nuclear medicine environments will not only boost the comprehensibility and usability of the Medical Physics Technical Standards and Practice Parameters, but also provide clarity and a foundation for ACR's clinical, physician-led Practice Parameters, which also use these important terms for monitoring equipment performance for safety and quality. Further, this will support the ongoing development of the professional practice of clinical medical physics by providing a common framework that distinguishes the various types of responsibilities borne by medical physicists and others in the medical radiological environment. Examples are provided of how QM, QA, and QC may be applied in the context of ACR Practice Parameters and Technical Standards.

Large-gap peripheral nerve repair using xenogeneic transplants in rhesus macaques.

Surgical intervention is required to successfully treat severe, large-gap (≥4cm) peripheral nerve injuries. However, all existing treatments have shortcomings and an alternative to the use of autologous nerves is needed. Human and porcine nerves are physiologically similar, with comparable dimensions and architecture, presence and distribution of Schwann cells, and conserved features of the extracellular matrix (ECM). We report the repair of fully transected radial nerves in 10 Rhesus Macaques using viable, whole sciatic nerve from genetically engineered (GalT-KO), designated pathogen free (DPF) porcine donors. This resulted in the regeneration of the transected nerve, and importantly, recovery of wrist extension function, distal muscle reinnervation, and recovery of nerve conduction velocities and compound muscle action potentials similar to autologous controls. We also demonstrate the absence of immune rejection, systemic porcine cell migration, and detectable residual porcine material. Our preliminary findings support the safety and efficacy of viable porcine nerve transplants, suggest the interchangeable therapeutic use of cross-species cells, and highlight the broader clinical potential of xenotransplantation.

Properties and Cementation Mechanism of Geopolymer Backfill Paste Incorporating Diverse Industrial Solid Wastes.

Industrialization has resulted in a large number of industrial waste slags being produced, which severely pollute the environment. This urgently needs resourceful treatment. The objective of this paper is to investigate the preparation, performance, and cementation mechanism of a novel geopolymer backfill paste for goaf. We reused diverse industrial waste slags based on low-calcium silica-alumina precursors (two fly ashes FAI, FAII, and red mud RM), high-calcium-based slags (carbide slag CS, soda residue SR, briquette residue slag BRS, and granulated blast furnace slag GBFS), and two additives (gypsum powder GP and lime powder LP). The hardening of backfill pastes was investigated by analyzing the effects of FAI, GBFS, RM, and LP on physical and chemical performance. The cementation mechanism of the prepared backfill paste was revealed through morphology, mineralogy, and chemical products through the use of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results show that the prepared backfill paste incorporating various solid wastes (FAI, FAII, RM, CS, SR, GBFS, RBS, etc.) yields a 28-d compressive strength of 2.1 MPa (higher than the required value of 0.6 MPa) and a fluidity of 201 mm. Geopolymer gels (N,C)-A-S-H, calcium silicate hydrated C-S-H, and calcium aluminosilicate hydrated C-A-S-H gels serve as chemical cementers, whereas unreacted particles serve as physical filler skeletons. These findings provide an experimental and theoretical basis for the interchangeable use of various identical component solid wastes in backfill engineering materials.

Skinfold calipers: which instrument to use?

The considerable amount of original and generic types of skinfold calipers available is a source of systematic measurement error. This study is a brief report that critically examines the original and illustrated structural configuration of the three main types of skinfold calipers. For more than half a century, the Harpenden®, Lange® and Slim Guide® skinfolds calipers have been widely used in clinical and research settings. It is well established that the physical, mechanical and functional specificity of each type of skinfold caliper makes its interchangeable use impossible. Our report suggests that commercially available technical specifications are insufficient to judiciously choose a skinfold caliper. The area of the jaws, the coefficient of spring and the static and dynamic downward pressure of each type of skinfold caliper must be determined in the metrological laboratory and added to the technical user manual. Choosing a type of skinfold caliper for regular use, without conflict of commercial interest, requires a critical understanding of the physical, mechanical and functional characteristics that configure it. Therefore, a new downward static calibration test and the first eligibility flowchart for a skinfold caliper have been proposed. Finally, the information gathered in this report may be useful for manufacturers of anthropometric instruments and health professionals who use the skinfold technique as a tool for diagnosis and nutritional control.

ОЦЕНКА СОБСТВЕННОЙ МАТЕРИАЛЬНО-ТЕХНИЧЕСКОЙ ОСНАЩЕННОСТИ И АВТОНОМНОСТИ ПРОМЫШЛЕННОГО ПРЕДПРИЯТИЯ МЕТОДОМ ФАКТОРНОГО АНАЛИЗА

Negative global phenomena, as well as regional and global tensions that have been intensifying in recent years, have created numerous new challenges for economic entities of various levels. Finding solutions to these problems becomes a critically important element of crisis management for any company seeking to navigate economic turbulence and maintain competitiveness. Consequently, there is an inevitable need to reform the methodology of analyzing the financial and economic activities of enterprises or, at the very least, adapt it to the new challenges faced by economic agents. This article examines a three-factor multiplicative analytical model based on key economic indicators of a company’s performance: the value of fixed assets, the cost of materials, the wages of production workers, and the company’s output expressed in monetary units. The model incorporates a previously unused factor, explores its economic significance, demonstrates its applicability using three real Russian companies from different sectors, explores a complementary variation of the factor, and establishes their interchangeable use for analyzing changes in their dynamics. Factor analysis using the proposed factor can be beneficial for assessing a company’s level of material and technical capabilities, production autonomy, independence from raw material suppliers and subcontractors, evaluating the impact of these factors on product output in monetary and absolute terms, and analyzing the changing dynamics of these production characteristics across reporting periods.

Armenian Higher Education Perspectives On Internationalisation

As truly mentions Knight (1999), given the rising interest in and understanding of “…international dimension of higher education…”, the usage of the term “internationalisation” is becoming more frequent. She underscores (Knight, 1999) two possible reasons for the aforesaid phenomenon: first, internationalization is becoming more crucial for higher education providers, yet second, she posits that this can be accounted for by the fact that the term internationalization is perceived differently by different people, thus giving rise to this plethora of interpretations. Even two decades following what Knight termed as “crucial” for higher education, we can still trace “globalization” and “internationalization” as being increasingly popular terms when studying contemporary writings on higher education (Tight, 2019). Judging from a wide range of up-to-date research and literature on internationalization of higher education, it can be inferred that the confusion and interchangeable use of the terms is still a reality all over the world, and Armenia is no exception. Given the ongoing debates on the terms and the scope each of them encompasses, the paper draws on international and Armenian literature and official documents to critically assess whether the term “internationalization” is perceived the same way across Armenian HEIs, and whether RA institutions have a set model for internationalization to compare their operations against. The research outcome will be principally important as it will provide insights into the generic picture of internationalization in general and the way it is seen by Armenian HEIs, and will provide fertile ground for building up further studies on the issue.

Intra-individual comparison of two-dimensional shear wave elastography techniques using plane wave imaging and the multi-beam technique: are they interchangeable in measuring liver fibrosis?

This study compared two different two-dimensional shear wave elastography techniques-plane wave imaging (PWI) and multi-beam (MB) imaging-from the same vendor to evaluate liver fibrosis. In this prospective study, 42 patients with chronic liver disease who had recently undergone magnetic resonance elastography (<3 months) were enrolled, and their liver stiffness (LS) values were measured using PWI or MB. The LS values (kPa) were compared using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Inter-technique reproducibility and intra-observer repeatability were assessed using Bland-Altman analysis with 95% limits of agreement (LOA) and coefficients of variation (CVs). The cutoff values for predicting severe fibrosis (≥F3) were estimated using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, with magnetic resonance elastography as the reference standard. PWI exhibited technical failure in four patients. Therefore, 38 patients underwent both examinations. The LS values showed moderate agreement between PWI and MB (CV, 22.5%) and 95% LOA of -3.71 to 7.44 kPa. The MB technique showed good intra-observer agreement (CV, 8.1%), while PWI showed moderate agreement (CV, 11.0%). The cutoff values of PWI and MB for diagnosing ≥F3 were 12.3 kPa and 13.8 kPa, respectively, with areas under the ROC curve of 0.89 and 0.95 (sensitivity, 100% and 100%; specificity, 65.6% and 85.7%). The LS values significantly differed between PWI and MB, hindering their interchangeable use in longitudinal follow-up. Considering its low technical failure rate and better repeatability, the MB technique may be preferable for evaluating liver fibrosis in chronic liver disease patients.

Anterior‐segment swept‐source ocular coherence tomography and scheimpflug imaging agreement for keratometry and pupil measurements in healthy eyes

AbstractPurpose: This study examines agreement between the devices Anterion® and Pentacam HR® used for corneal and pupil measurements in healthy eyes.Methods: The parameters compared between the two devices were: anterior Km (D), anterior K2 (D), anterior K1 (D), anterior K1 axis (°), anterior astigmatism (D), anterior K max (D), posterior Km (D), posterior K2 (D), posterior K1 (D), posterior K1 axis (°), posterior astigmatism (D), CCT (μm), thinnest point thickness (μm), thinnest point X‐coordinate (mm), thinnest point Y‐coordinate (mm), pupil diameter (mm), pupil center‐corneal vertex distance (mm) (angle kappa), pupil centroid angle (°), pupil centroid X‐coordinate (mm), and pupil centroid Y‐coordinate (mm).Results: The Student's t test for independent samples identified significant differences (p &lt; 0.05) between devices for the measurements anterior and posterior flat K axis, posterior flat K, steep K, and mean K. For these last three measurements, although significant, none of the differences were clinically relevant. Corneal power and thickness measurements except Kf axis showed excellent agreement between Anterion and Pentacam. Pupil diameter differed significantly between both groups (p &lt; 0.05).Conclusions: In a clinical setting we would not recommend the interchangeable use of Pentacam and Anterion for measurement of pupil parameters.

Securing the exception through securitization: Turkish modular emergency in the making

ABSTRACT This study argues that the Schmittian exceptionalist view drawing on the norm/exception dichotomy is ill-equipped to grasp the nature and operation of current modular emergency regimes where normalcy and emergency coexist as different, yet intertwined modes of governance. These regimes are modular as they enable the interchangeable and simultaneous use of ordinary and extraordinary powers and legislation by executives. In modular emergencies, securitization plays a key role to create a “strategic ambiguity” where the distinction between the “normal” and the “exceptional” becomes untenable and invisible. In securitized political environments, it becomes increasingly difficult for societies to gauge if expanded executive powers and exceptionalist practices are justifiable, reasonable and proportional. Turkey was ruled under a nationwide state of emergency (SoE) for two years declared on 20 July 2016 soon after a failed coup attempt against the Turkish government. Even though the SoE was formally lifted in July 2018, the emergency powers and exceptionalist practices have become entrenched and institutionalized under the guise of the “presidential system of government” designed as a rule of modular emergency.

Added Value of Next Generation over Sanger Sequencing in Kenyan Youth with Extensive HIV-1 Drug Resistance.

HIV-1 drug resistance testing in children and adolescents in low-resource settings is both important and challenging. New (more sensitive) drug resistance testing technologies may improve clinical care, but evaluation of their added value is limited. We assessed the potential added value of using next-generation sequencing (NGS) over Sanger sequencing for detecting nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) and nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) drug resistance mutations (DRMs). Participants included 132 treatment-experienced Kenyan children and adolescents with diverse HIV-1 subtypes and with already high levels of drug resistance detected by Sanger sequencing. We examined overall and DRM-specific resistance and its predicted impact on antiretroviral therapy and evaluated the discrepancy between Sanger sequencing and six NGS thresholds (1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%). Depending on the NGS threshold, agreement between the two technologies was 62% to 88% for any DRM, 83% to 92% for NRTI DRMs, and 73% to 94% for NNRTI DRMs, with more DRMs detected at low NGS thresholds. NGS identified 96% to 100% of DRMs detected by Sanger sequencing, while Sanger identified 83% to 99% of DRMs detected by NGS. Higher discrepancy between technologies was associated with higher DRM prevalence. Even in this resistance-saturated cohort, 12% of participants had higher, potentially clinically relevant predicted resistance detected only by NGS. These findings, in a young, vulnerable Kenyan population with diverse HIV-1 subtypes and already high resistance levels, suggest potential benefits of more sensitive NGS over existing technology. Good agreement between technologies at high NGS thresholds supports their interchangeable use; however, the significance of DRMs identified at lower thresholds to patient care should be explored further. IMPORTANCE HIV-1 drug resistance in children and adolescents remains a significant problem in countries facing the highest burden of the HIV epidemic. Surveillance of HIV-1 drug resistance in children and adolescents is an important public health strategy, particularly in resource-limited settings, and yet, it is limited due mostly to cost and infrastructure constraints. Whether newer and more sensitive next-generation sequencing (NGS) adds substantial value beyond traditional Sanger sequencing in detecting HIV-1 drug resistance in real life settings remains an open and debatable question. In this paper, we attempt to address this issue by performing a comprehensive comparison of drug resistance identified by Sanger sequencing and six NGS thresholds. We conducted this study in a well-characterized, vulnerable cohort of children and adolescents living with diverse HIV-1 subtypes in Kenya and, importantly, failing antiretroviral therapy (ART) with already extensive drug resistance. Our findings suggest a potential added value of NGS over Sanger even in this unique cohort.

Hydrologic Performance of Low Impact Developments in a Cold Climate

The application of the low impact development (LID) in a cold climate such as northeastern China is constrained by two unresolved research questions with regards to its infiltration potential through the winter and its varied runoff regimes between winters and summers. This study picked a typical residential district under construction in Changchun, China, and modeled the storm drainage system with and without LID facilities based on the Storm Water Management Model. The hydrological performance of LID was evaluated through various design storms and historic rain events in dry, average, and wet years. The influence of the Horton and the Green–Ampt infiltration methods on the seasonal water budgets was particularly compared since the former is universally adopted in China while the latter is more widely used in the U.S. and other countries. The results indicate that the Horton method tended to generate a higher infiltration volume than the Green–Ampt method. Consequently, when driven by the 100-year design storm, the Horton method led to a 17.4% higher outflow than the Green–Ampt method; when driven by the measured 3-year precipitation in the study area, the yearly runoff coefficients, with regards to the Horton method, were at least 1.3 times higher than those modeled by the Green–Ampt method. This finding challenged the interchangeable use of the Horton and Green–Ampt methods without tests. Furthermore, the formation of snow covers in winter also reduced the permeability of LID and its capacity of managing runoff compared to summer. However, LID still exhibited a decent potential of regulating the winter runoff in the cold region compared to the baseline, possibly owing to the presence of frequent freezing-thawing cycles.

Peer mentoring in nursing education: A concept analysis.

This peer-mentoring concept analysis aimed to explore and define the concept of peer mentoring in nursing education and the impact it may have on nursing education. A lack of literature exists explicitly defining peer mentoring in nursing education. The interchangeable use of processes, terms, and applications may contribute to the lack of consistency and obscurity of nursing education scholarship on peer mentoring. Since peer mentoring can be used to enhance student success, there is a need to clarify the concept of peer mentoring in nursing education for accuracy in future nursing education research. Using Walker and Avant's framework, the authors identified defining attributes, antecedents, and consequences of peer mentoring. The literature search involved a combination of terms in the MEDLINE with Full Text, Academic Search Complete, Humanities International, ERIC, CINAHL, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, and Consumer Health Complete-EBSCOhost databases. This concept analysis revealed a consistent definition of peer mentoring for use in nursing education. The definition of peer mentoring in nursing education is a formal learning partnership between two individuals (mentor and mentee) with differing levels of nursing school experience. The peer mentor promotes a positive academic and emotionally supportive environment, decreasing stress and increasing the mentee's confidence and competency. A shared definition and understanding of peer mentoring within nursing education can contribute to the consistent use of the concept in research and advance the scholarship of nursing education.

Anticoagulant Activity of Heparins from Different Animal Sources are Driven by a Synergistic Combination of Physical-chemical Factors.

Heparin has already been found in a variety of animal tissues but only few of them became effective sources for production of pharmaceutical preparations. Here, we correlate physical-chemical features and anticoagulant activities of structurally similar heparins employed in the past (from bovine lung, HBL), in the present (from porcine intestine, HPI) and in development for future use (from ovine intestine, HOI). Although they indeed have similar composition, our physical-chemical analyses with different chromatography and spectrometric techniques show that both HOI and HBL have molecular size notably lower than HPI and that the proportions of some of their minor saccharide components can vary substantially. Measurements of anticoagulant activities with anti-FIIa and anti-FXa assays confirmed that HPI and HOI have potency similar each other but significantly higher than HBL. Such a lower activity of HBL has been attributed to its reduced molecular size. Considering that HOI also has reduced molecular size, we find that its increased anticoagulant potency might result from an improved affinity to antithrombin (three times higher than HBL) promoted by the high content of N ,3,6-trisulfated glucosamine units, which in turn are directly involved in the heparin-antithrombin binding. Therefore, the anticoagulant activity of different heparins is driven by a balance between different physical-chemical components, especially molecular size and fine-tuning composition. Although such minor but relevant chemical differences reinforce the concept that heparins from different animal sources should indeed be considered as distinct drugs, HOI could be approved for interchangeable use with the gold standard HPI and as a suitable start material for producing new LMWHs.

Unpacking all-inclusive superordinate categories: Comparing correlates and consequences of global citizenship and human identities.

Previous research suggests that all-inclusive superordinate categories, such as “citizens of the world” and “humans,” may represent different socio-psychological realities. Yet it remains unclear whether the use of different categories may account for different psychological processes and attitudinal or behavioral outcomes. Two studies extended previous research by comparing how these categories are cognitively represented, and their impact on intergroup helping from host communities toward migrants. In a correlational study, 168 nationals from 25 countries perceived the group of migrants as more prototypical of the superordinate category “citizens of the world” than their national group (relative outgroup prototypicality), whereas no differences in prototypicality occurred for the category “humans.” Identification with “citizens of the world” was positively associated with a disposition to oppose helping migrants and to offer dependency-oriented help. However, identification with “humans” was positively associated with helping in general, and with offering dependency- and autonomy-oriented help; and negatively associated with opposition to helping. The experimental study manipulated the salience of “citizens of the world” vs. “humans” vs. control category, among 224 nationals from 36 countries. Results showed that the salience of “humans” (vs. “citizens of the world”) triggered higher entitativity and essentialist perceptions, and dual-identity representations. No differences due to salience were found for representations of relative ingroup prototypicality or helping responses. Overall, these findings suggest that the interchangeable use of different labels is problematic, considering these might activate different representations, and thus, are likely to lead, in some circumstances, to different attitudinal or behavioral outcomes.

ETHICAL BUT AMORAL: Moral considerations for researching Cambodian host-children

Research ethics is critical because imprudent adherence to procedural ethics may result in the exclusion of vulnerable people, thereby perpetuating the inferior status of vulnerable research participants. Underpinned by Bauman's theory of adiaphorization, this paper argues that the interchangeable use of morals and ethics in procedural ethics encourages researchers to adhere to procedural ethics, which may result in ethical but amoral research decisions. In this paper, we distinguish morals from ethics and discuss the moral considerations that researchers may need to contemplate. Through the first author's reflexivity on experiences researching host-children in Cambodia, a conceptual framework is proposed to visualise the interplay between researchers' positionality and the philosophical beliefs that shape moral considerations.

Turkish version of the patient-based Constant-Murley Score: Its cross-cultural adaptation, validity, reliability and comparison with the clinician-based version.

The aim of this study was to translate, cross-culturally adapt the patient-based Constant-Murley Score (p-CMS), assess its validity, reliability, and compare it with the clinician-based CMS (c-CMS). This cross-sectional study included a total of 51 shoulders of 46 patients (22 males, 24 females; mean age: 49±10 years; range, 29 to 70 years) with shoulder pain between December 2015 and July 2016. After translation of p-CMS, each participant was asked to complete the final Turkish version of the p-CMS. The c-CMS was assessed by a physiatrist who was blinded to the p-CMS. Retest of the p-CMS was performed in patients (n=15) who did not receive any treatment between two visits (Days 3 to 5). A total of 51 shoulders (n=5 bilateral shoulder pain) were tested. Strength, subjective, objective, and total scores were significantly different between the p-CMS and c-CMS (p<0.001). Pain scores of the c-CMS and p-CMS revealed similar results with 95% limits of agreement of -3.81 and 4.81. Weighted kappa statistics demonstrated that the levels of agreement ranged between 0.343 and 0.698 in subjective and between 0.379 and 0.515 in objective components. For test-retest reliability of the p-CMS, intraclass correlation coefficient values ranged between 0.838 and 0.995. The Turkish version of the p-CMS has internal consistency and test-retest reliability to evaluate shoulder function in Turkish patients with shoulder pathologies. Considering the differences in test protocols and scoring methods of c-CMS and p-CMS, their interchangeable use is not supported.

Driver’s Perceived Satisfaction at Urban Roundabouts—A Structural Equation-Modeling Approach

In recent years, the use of roundabouts in road networks has reflected a sustainable and modern solution for traffic intersections. Their implementation, integrated design, and proper evaluation are a necessity to achieve their beneficial results. According to the latest edition of the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) and the Highway Capacity and Quality Service (HCQS), a comprehensive evaluation of a roundabout is based on the interchangeable use of the LOS (level of service) and QOS (quality of service). Both manuals describe the LOS criteria, which are the same as those currently used for unsignalized at-grade intersections, while the QOS methodological description and criteria are not specifically defined. The quality of service, which corresponds to road users’ perceived satisfaction, is determined by identifying and evaluating certain factors that have an impact on users. While the previous work on evaluating the quality of roundabouts is limited, this work aimed to present and evaluate the concept of QOS for urban roundabouts in Greece and to assess the factors that affect drivers’ perceived feeling of comfort. The methodology used for the research, included data collection via an on-line questionnaire addressed to the users of the Greek road network and a statistical analysis based on the performance of six latent variables named quality components (exploratory factor analysis). A structural equation model (SEM) was used to determine the causal relationship between primary factors and quality components. It was noted that the SEM cannot predict the travel behavior but it has ability to express relationships between unobserved and observed variables. The results of the revealed model are of great value for the development of: (a) a comprehensive conceptual framework of the QOS and (b) a critical analysis of the parameters that should be considered for the assessment of the QOS of a roundabout. Identifying the factors that influence road users’ perception in terms of safety and comfort (quality of service) leads to a better knowledge and understanding of the road network characteristics that are important to road users and that influence their behavior and level of satisfaction.