Non-significant Correlation Research Articles

Grading reflective essays: the construct validity and reliability of a newly developed Tool- GRE-9

BackgroundThe main objective of this study is to assess the construct validity and reliability of the Grading Reflective Essays-9 (GRE-9).MethodsThis study took place in a major tertiary academic medical center in Beirut, Lebanon. 104 reflective essays written by years 1–3 residents in the department of Family Medicine at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) were graded by 2 trained raters who independently scored the essays using GRE-9. GRE-9 scores were then correlated with scores on communication skills OSCE stations and in-training examinations to investigate, respectively, convergent and divergent validity. One of the 2 raters scored the essays twice one month apart to assess the reliability of the GRE-9 using intra rater reliability and internal consistency.ResultsThere was a weak, non-significant correlation between GRE-9 score and In training examination (ITE) score (r = − .213, p = .395). There was a moderate, non-significant correlation between GRE-9 scores and the Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) communication station scores (r = − .412 p = .162). The correlation coefficient between trails 1 and 2 was significant (r = .832, p = .000). Intra class correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis demonstrated almost perfect intra-rater agreement (0.819; 95% CI: 0.741–0.875) of the test ratings over time.ConclusionsGRE-9, is a short, concise, easy-to-use reliable grading tool for reflective essays that has demonstrated moderate to substantial intra-rater reliability and evidence of divergent validity. The study found non-significant correlations between reflective writing scores OSCE communication scores demonstrating a lack of relationship between reflective writing and this measure of performance.

The Impact of Social Media on the Physical and Mental Well-Being of Medical Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

COVID-19 pandemic has increased social media engagement globally. This study examined the correlation between social media use and physical/mental health among university students, considering gender and academic year. Out of 146 responses, 119 were analyzed after excluding participants with pre-existing psychological conditions. Results showed a significant correlation between social media use and mental health for all participants (correlation coefficient = 0.30, p < 0.001), indicating a negative impact on mental health with increased use. Gender-specific analysis revealed a non-significant correlation among males (p = 0.21), while females exhibited a significant correlation (correlation coefficient = 0.32, p = 0.01), suggesting an adverse effect on their mental health. Regarding physical health, females displayed an even higher correlation (correlation coefficient = 0.40, p < 0.001), highlighting the negative influence of social media on their physical well-being. Conversely, no significant correlation was observed among males. Analyzing by academic year, both pre-clerkship and clerkship students showed a significant correlation between social media use and mental health (correlation coefficients of 0.26, p = 0.01, and 0.42, p = 0.03, respectively). Similarly, a significant correlation was found between social media use and physical health among pre-clerkship students (correlation coefficient = 0.34, p = 0.001), but not among clerkship students. In conclusion, this study provides evidence of the adverse impact of social media use on physical and mental health among university students, particularly among females and across different academic years. These findings underscore the importance of promoting healthy social media habits and raising awareness about the potential negative effects on well-being.

Skipping irrigation at pre- and post-anthesis stages influences grain yield and starch contents of bread wheat derived from synthetic or landraces

This study aims to evaluate the role of genetic diversity originated from three-way crosses of landraces and synthetic bread wheat derivatives attempted with elite cultivars to identify the genotypes having better grain yield as well as better starch contents under flowering stage drought stress. In total, 50 genotypes comprised of 47 derivatives of landraces and synthetics, and three standard varieties were grown in the fields of CIMMYT, Obregon following alpha lattice design with two replications. Drought stress was imposed by stopping the irrigation before anthesis and post-anthesis stages. Different traits related to physiological adaptations, earliness, grain yield and starch contents were decreased under drought stress except amylose which increased significantly. Canopy temperature depression was not significantly affected by drought stress. Further, we identified strong correlation of grain yield with plant height, normalized difference in vegetation index, plant maturity, spike length, grain number and thousand grain weight but negative with canopy temperature depression. Non-significant correlation of amylose and amylopectin was recorded with grain yield. Results revealed that genetic diversity derived from landraces and synthetic bread wheat can improve grain yield and starch contents but simultaneous improvement of both is elusive.

Insulin resistance in patients suffering from severe AS

Abstract Background There are several cardiovascular risk factors known to promote the development of AS, one of them being type 2 diabetes (T2D). T2D is increasingly recognized as a heterogenous disease, leading to the latest concept of five diabetes clusters based on clinical parameters. Until now, the impact of the respective clusters, especially insulin resistance in prediabetes, on valvular cells and therefore the development of AS is not clear. Purpose We hypothesize that insulin resistance, which is frequently underrated, features a specific pattern of aortic valve calcification characterized by an elevated degree of calcification. Methods In order to analyze the impact of diabetes on AS we examined 200 patients with severe AS, scheduled for a transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). With the exemption of previously diagnosed diabetics, we performed an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), identifying patients with prediabetes and T2D. Additionally, blood was drawn from all included patients 2-5 days after TAVI, depicting their metabolic condition and thereby assigning them to a diabetes cluster. These findings were subsequently correlated with data from computertomography in all patients pertaining the severity of the stenosis, including the Agatston score, which illustrates the aortic valve calcium burden. Results Following the hypothesis that the extent of insulin resistance impacts the aortic valve calcification, we correlated the HOMA-IR with the Agatston score, resulting in a weak non-significant linear correlation (r=-0.129, p = 0.097, n = 166). Therefore, increased insulin resistance has not been shown to be associated with increased aortic valve calcification. Moreover, no differences in the extent of calcification between diabetic, prediabetic and non-diabetic patients could be demonstrated (F (2, 147) = 0.410, p = 0.665). However, it was clearly striking that the majority of the patients examined had already developed prediabetes or diabetes (Non-Diabetic = 7.1%, Prediabetic = 34.6%, Diabetic = 58.2%, n= 182). Conclusion Although we were able to observe an increased rate in prediabetic and diabetic patients in our AS cohort, there was no significantly elevated aortic valve calcification in patients with pronounced insulin resistance. This suggests that insulin resistance might not directly impact valvular calcification but upstream processes in valvular cells predisposing for AS since the majority of AS patients in our cohort is (pre)diabetic.

Population Dynamics of Mustard Aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach) on Cauliflower in Relation to Biotic and Abiotic Factors

The field experiment was conducted at Horticulture Farm, S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner during Rabi 2021/22 to know the population dynamics of mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach). The incidence of aphid started in the first week of December and second week of December remained active throughout the crop season during both years. The population of aphid gradually increased and reached to its peak in the second week of February and first week of February in Rabi, 2021/22, respectively. The correlation studies indicated that the aphid population had non-significant correlation with temperature, relative humidity and sunshine hours in both the years. Both the predators, ladybird beetle and syrphid fly had significant positive relationship with aphid population during both the years.

Population Dynamics of Defoliator Pests of (Arachis hypogea L.) in Different Staggered Sowings

The present study was conducted to assess the incidence of defoliator pests of groundnut in three different staggered sowings. The experiment was laid with three treatments and seven replications which was carried out at RARS (Regional Agricultural Research Station), Palem, Nagarkurnool district, Telangana state which is having hot and dry climate. The data has been correlated with various weather parameters, including Maximum temperature, Maximum temperature, RH-I and RH-II. The variety K-6 was grown in three staggered sowings (D1: 1st Oct; D2: 15th Oct; D3: 1st Nov). There was a less population of leaf miner during D1 the correlation studies revealed that tobacco caterpillar showed a non-significant negative correlation with the Tmax ºC (r= -0.233) and a significant positive correlation with Tmin ºC (r= 0.370) and RH-Ⅱ (r=0.640). whereas gram caterpillar showed a positive significant correlation to Tmax (r= 0.256) and Tmin (r= 0.097) and a negative significant correlation towards RH-Ⅰ (r= -0.186) and RH-Ⅱ (r= -0.501).

The influence of flexibility on maximum strength performance in the overhead squat movement in crossfit™ practitioners

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of ankle, hip and shoulder flexibility on relative maximum strength performance, through the one repetition maximum (1RM) test, in the overhead squat movement (OHS) in CrossFit ™ practitioners. 52 individuals of both sexes who practiced CrossFit ™ were investigated in two boxes based in the cities of Canoas and Gravataí, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The results showed that general flexibility presents a positive, weak and non-significant correlation with the relative strength of OHS (ρ=0.0152; p=0.9159). Stratifying by joint and sex, for women, a weak, positive and non-significant correlation was found between relative OHS strength for the ankle joint (ρ=0.1556; p=0.4477) and weak, negative and non-significant correlations for the hip and shoulder joints (ρ=-0.0256, -0.0369; p=0.9008, 0.8579) respectively. For men, weak, positive and non-significant correlations were found in the ankle, hip and shoulder joints (ρ=0.0395, 0.3012, 0.2523; p=0.8480; 0.1348; 0.2136), respectively. Despite showing slightly greater positive associations for male individuals, linearity cannot be asserted between the variables analyzed.

Correlation of Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 and Hand Wrist Radiographs as Skeletal Maturity Indicators: an Ex-Vivo Study

Introduction: Conventional Hand and Wrist radiographs, have certain drawbacks of exposing orthodontic patients to unnecessary radiation hazards and subjectivity to errors. Serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels have been reported to increase until the pubertal peak in literature. The present study aims to assess the relationship between serum IGF-1 and skeletal maturity indicators Materials and Methods: Lateral cephalograms of 60 patients were assigned SMI stage according to Fishman’s classification system. The serum IGF-1 levels of the patients were also evaluated. Correlation between the serum IGF-1 levels, age of the patient, and their SMI stage was analyzed. Results: Pearson's coefficient of correlation revealed a non-significant weak positive correlation (p=0.69; &gt;0.05) between age and IGF-1 levels, and a non-significant weak negative correlation (p =0.52; &gt;0.05) between SMI stages and IGF-1 levels. Results of the ANOVA test indicated that there was no significant difference between mean IGF-1 levels across the different age groups and eleven SMI groups. However, there was a significant difference noted in the mean IGF-1 levels and the restructured SMI categories and groups. Conclusion: The moderate correlation between age and serum IGF-1 fluctuations during puberty underscores the hormone's pivotal role in adolescent growth. This positions serum IGF-1 as a potentially specific and reliable marker for assessing mandibular growth modifications, offering a radiation-free alternative to conventional radiographic methods

Population Dynamics of Leafhopper (Empoasca flavescens) and Thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis) of Castor (Ricinus communis L.)

The experiment on population dynamics against leafhopper and thrips of castor,a field experiment was conducted during 2021 &amp; 2022 on castor (Ricinus communis) at Regional Agricultural Research Station Palem, PJTSAU. The studies on population dynamics of leafhopper (Empoasca flavescens) revealed thatthe activity of leafhoppers was moderate to heavy with maximum of 120.8 leafhoppers/3 leaves/plant was recorded during the second fortnight of December (52 SMW, 24th-31st Dec). Leafhopper population had non-significant and negative correlation with maximum temperature (r = -0.24 and r = -0.29, respectively), whereas it had significant assocation and negative correlation with minimum temperature, morning relative humidity, evening relative humidity as well as rainfall (r = - 0.64 - 0.50, r=-0.61 and - 0.52, respectively). Thrips infestationwas observed from October first fortnight (40 SMW 1st Oct -7th Oct) to December second fortnight (52 SMW, 24th-31st Dec) with peak infestation 31.1 thrips/spike.Thrips population had non-significant and negative correlation with maximum temperature ( r = -0.29), whereas it had significant assocation and negative correlation with minimum temperature, morning relative humidity, evening relative humidity as well as rainfall (r = - 0.68, r= -0.55, r=-0.63 and, r=- 0.49 respectively). Leafhopper and thrips has significant association and positive correlation with sunshine hours (r=0.55 &amp; r=0.51).

57 Validation of a List Learning Task for Monolingual Spanish Speaking Older Adults

Objective:The prevalence of dementia is higher among minoritized Hispanic/Latino populations in the U.S. Development of linguistically relevant and validated cognitive assessments are urgently needed to adequately address the care needs of this at-risk group. List learning tasks are widely used to evaluate verbal episodic memory and are consistently shown to be sensitive to memory deficits across variousneurologic etiologies. The aim of this study was to validate a Spanish list learning task developed as a linguistically appropriate measure of memory in a diverse sample of Spanish speaking Bay Area older adults who identify as Hispanic/Latino.Participants and Methods:Cognitive scores were assessed in 72 Spanish-speaking older adults living in the Bay Area, California, originally from different countries across South and Central America [(n=29 with CDR scores of 0; n=31 with CDRs of 0.5; and n=12 with CDR of 1), aged 54-96, 30% male)], who completed the Spanish list learning task and a brief neuropsychological battery. The list learning task contains 9 words, 3 words from 3 different semantic categories. Category exemplars were excluded. Administration includes three immediate recall trials, a 30-second delay free recall, 10-minute delay free and cued recall, and yes/no recognition. In this initial validation study, we selected the 10-minute delay recall trial as our primary variable and looked at several indices of construct validity. We hypothesized delayed free recall would: 1) correlate highly with other episodic memory tasks, and minimally with non-memory tests (controlling for CDR sum of boxes), and 2) show step-wise declines as total CDR increased from 0 to 1 (controlling for age, sex, and education).Results:Delayed recall scores of 30-seconds and 10-minutes showed step-wise declines as CDR scores increased (CDR 0 vs. 1, p&lt;0.001 and CDR 0.5 vs. 1, p=0.001). There were no differences in delayed recall between CDR 0 vs. CDR 0.5 (p&gt;0.05). 10-minute delay showed medium-to-large correlations with UDS Craft Story Delayed Recall (partial r =0.45, p&lt;0.001) and Benson Complex Figure Recall (partial r=0.63, p&lt;0.001). Nonsignificant, weaker associations were observed with measures of executive (F Word Verbal Fluency partial r=0.10, Digit Span Forward partial r=0.12), and language (Animal Fluency partial r=0.18) function.Conclusions:Although there is heterogeneity within Hispanic/Latino populations in the U.S., findings begin to support ecological and construct validity of the Spanish list learning task as a measure of verbal memory in older Spanish-speaking adults in the Bay Area. Supporting ecological validity, delayed recall scores significantly differentiated functionally impaired (CDR=1) from functionally mild or unimpaired older adults (CDR=0 or 0.5), though evidenced less sensitivity differentiating unimpaired from mild stages of illness. The Spanish list learning task evidenced strong construct validity as a measure of episodic memory, including strong correlations with other validated memory tasks, and non-significant correlations with non-memory tasks. Larger studies should account for diversity of Spanish speakers in the U.S to see how region of origin, education, and differences between first- and second-generation Spanish speakers influences performance on the task. Future work incorporating imaging markers of brain structure may help further validate the Spanish list learning task as an appropriate measure of memory.

32 Associations between Childhood Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Learning Disabilities and Cognition in Late Adulthood.

Objective:There has been relatively little research on the effect of childhood attention difficulties/weaknesses and learning disabilities/differences on cognitive aging. This study examined associations between self-reported symptoms and diagnoses/concerns of childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and reading or math learning disabilities (LD) and cognitive abilities in older adulthood. We hypothesized that cognitive weaknesses in childhood would be associated with cognitive abilities later in life.Participants and Methods:The 25 individuals with healthy cognition or MCI were recruited from the greater Philadelphia area (Mage= 74.4; SD= 5.34; 40% men; 84%white) and completed a self-report questionnaire of childhood ADHD and LD. Specifically, participants rated their experience of ADHD symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity and indicated whether they had a past diagnosis of (or concerns regarding past) ADHD, math LD or language/reading LD Participants also completed tests of language, attention, episodic memory, executive function, and processing speed. Pearson or point-biserial correlation coefficients (r-values) indicating a medium effect size (.30 or greater) were interpreted as meaningful.Results:On average, participants reported 3.48 symptoms of inattention and 2.56 symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity (i.e., at least six symptoms from either category are consistent with diagnostic criteria for ADHD). 16% of the sample reported childhood ADHD/attention difficulties, 48% reported childhood math LD/math difficulties, and 32% reported childhood language LD/difficulties. On cognitive tests, the sample performed in the average range, with considerable variability (i.e., norm-based, demographically adjusted T-scores ranged from 20-74). The relation between cognitive scores and report of childhood ADHD symptoms was weak and non-significant correlation (r&lt;.18). By contrast, report of childhood ADHD/attention difficulties was associated with lower scores attention tests (r=.33). Report of childhood language LD/difficulties was associated with a worse overall cognitive composite (r=-.35) and executive function ability (r=-.35). Childhood math LD/difficulties was not meaningfully associated with lower scores on any of the cognitive tests administered. Unexpectedly, report of childhood cognitive difficulties also were associated with higher scores on cognitive tests, such that childhood ADHD/attention difficulties was associated with better performance on tests of episodic memory (r=.39), and childhood math LD/difficulties were associated with better performance on tests of language (r=-.37).Conclusions:Current cognitive abilities in older adults may be influenced by lifelong cognitive weakness and academic difficulties. A history of ADHD and LD/difficulties should be considered in clinical neuropsychological assessment and future research on cognitive aging should consider ADHD/LD from a lifespan, developmental framework.

6 Graph Analysis of Resting State Functional Brain Networks and Associations with Cognitive Outcomes in Survivors on Pediatric Brain Tumor

Objective:Adolescent and young adult survivors of pediatric brain tumors often live with long-term neuropsychological deficits, which have been found to be related to functional and structural brain changes related to the presence of the tumor itself as well as treatments such as radiation therapy. The importance of brain networks has become a central focus of research over recent decades across neurological populations. Graph theory is one way of analyzing network properties that can describe the integration, segregation, and other aspects of network organization. The existing literature using graph theory with survivors of brain tumor is small and inconsistent; therefore, more work is needed, particularly in survivors of pediatric brain tumors. The present study used graph theory to determine whether functional network properties in this population differ from healthy controls; whether graph metrics relate to core cognitive skills: attention, working memory, and processing speed; and whether they relate to a cumulative measure of neurological risk.Participants and Methods:31 survivors and 31 matched controls completed neuropsychological testing including measures of attention, working memory, and processing speed. They also underwent resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Resting state data were preprocessed and spatially constrained independent component analysis was completed to construct connectivity matrices. Finally, graph metrics were calculated utilizing an area under the curve method, including global efficiency, clustering coefficient, betweenness centrality, and small-worldness. Group differences and associations between graph metrics, cognitive outcomes, and neurological risk were analyzed using SPSS version 28.0.Results:Results revealed a significant difference such that brain tumor survivors exhibited less small-world properties in their functional brain networks. This was found to be related to working memory, such that less smallworldness in the network was related to poorer performance. There were no significant relationships with neurological risk, but there were nonsignificant correlations of small-moderate effect size such that lower global efficiency and clustering coefficient were associated with greater neurological risk. Comparisons to structural network analysis from a similar sample and additional post-hoc analyses are also discussed.Conclusions:These findings reveal that survivors of pediatric brain tumor indeed display significant differences in functional brain networks that are quantifiable by graph theory. It is also possible that, with further work, we might better understand how metrics such as smallworldness can be used to predict long-term cognitive outcomes and functional independence in adulthood.

Relative Abundance of Insect Pests on French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Relation to Abiotic Factors

The present investigation was carried out during Rabi 2021-22. The incidence of insect pests like aphid, whitefly, Jassid, leaf miner, pod borer was initiated 25 days after sowing till harvesting. The highest incidence of Jassid was observed on French bean crop at 9th SMW (7.20 per cage) and lowest 1st SMW (0.30 per cage), Aphid 8thSMW (45.20 aphids per 10cm terminal shoot) and 52thSMW (2.60 aphids per 10cm terminal shoot). The highest incidence of whitefly observed in 8th SMW (20.70 per cage) and lowest 2nd SMW (0.60 per cage). The highest incidence of Leaf miner was recorded in 11th SMW (40.50% leaf damage) and lowest in 51th SMW (1.50% leaf damage). The highest incidence of pod borer was noticed in 9th SMW (8.70 larvae per plant) and lowest in 1st SMW (0.30 larvae per plant). The Jassid population showed highly significant positive correlation with sunshine and positive significant correlation with maximum temperature and positive correlation with minimum temperature whereas, significant negative correlation with rainfall and negative non-significant correlation with relative humidity. The aphid population showed highly significant positive correlation with sunshine and positive non-significant correlation with minimum and maximum temperature. The whitefly population showed highly significant positive correlation with sunshine and positive non-significant correlation with minimum and maximum temperature. The leaf miner population showed positive highly significant correlation with minimum and maximum temperature and significant positive correlation with relative humidity. The pod borer population showed highly significant correlation with maximum temperature and sunshine. The information generated in the present research can be successfully utilized to formulated effective insect pest management strategies in French bean.

Endo-sinus bone gain following sinus membrane elevation without graft compared with sinus floor augmentation and a composite graft: a one-year single-blind randomized controlled trial

The objective of this study was to assess endo-sinus bone gain (ESBG) and bone density (BD) following maxillary sinus membrane elevation without graft (test) compared with maxillary sinus floor augmentation and 1:1 ratio of autogenous bone from the buccal antrostomy and deproteinized porcine bone mineral (control) using two- and three-dimensional radiographic methods. Forty healthy patients were randomly allocated to the test and control groups. Cone beam computed tomography scans were obtained at enrolment (T0), immediately after surgery (T1), at delivery of the prosthetic rehabilitation (T2), and 1 year after functional implant loading (T3). Mean differences were expressed with the 95% confidence interval. Significance was set at ≤ 0.05. ESBG and BD were significantly higher in the control group than test group at T1, T2, and T3 (P < 0.001). A significant decrease in ESBG and increase in BD was observed from T1 to T3 with both treatments (P < 0.001). There was a non-significant positive correlation of ESBG with implant protrusion length and non-significant negative correlation with residual bone height. In conclusion, test was associated with significantly lower ESBG and BD compared with control. However, the lower ESBG and BD did not appear to negatively affect the implant stability quotient or implant treatment outcome after 1 year of functional implant loading.

Psychometric Properties of the Dutch Version of the Eating Competence Satter Inventory (ecSI 2.0TM) in Community Adolescents

Eating competence can help adolescents navigate their food choices and attitudes toward eating in a healthy and balanced way. In the present study, we investigated the psychometric properties of the Dutch translation of the Eating Competence Satter Inventory 2.0TM (ecSI 2.0TM), which was developed to assess eating attitudes and behaviors. A sample of 900 Flemish adolescents completed the ecSI 2.0TM DUTCH and two self-report measures on eating disorder symptoms and identity functioning (i.e., confusion and synthesis). Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the four-factor structure of the ecSI 2.0TM DUTCH, and the resulting four subscales (i.e., Eating Attitudes, Food Acceptance, Internal Regulation, and Contextual Skills) showed acceptable-to-excellent reliability (αs ranging from 0.69 to 0.91). The ecSI 2.0TM DUTCH also demonstrated scalar invariance across sex and age (&lt;17 years, ≥17 years). Males reported significantly higher ecSI 2.0TM DUTCH scores than females on the four subscales and the total scale. The two age groups did not significantly differ on the ecSI 2.0TM DUTCH scales. Finally, scores on the ecSI 2.0TM DUTCH subscales showed non-significant or small negative correlations with adolescents’ Body Mass Index (BMI), large negative correlations with eating disorder symptoms and identity confusion, and large positive associations with identity synthesis. The Dutch translation of the ecSI 2.0TM is a valid and reliable instrument to assess eating competence skills in male and female adolescents.

Level of self-efficacy among skill-based allied health students in the University of Santo Tomas-Enriched Virtual Mode of learning: A cross-sectional study.

Self-efficacy expresses a learner's perception of how well they can do in the online academic setting. Although students' academic successes can be measured by online learning self-efficacy, there is a scarcity of evidence targeted toward allied health students. The primary aim of this study is to determine the level of online self-efficacy among students from skill-based allied health programs. The secondary aim is to correlate online self-efficacy with age, sex, year level, and program of the students. This cross-sectional analytic study utilized the Online Learning Self-Efficacy Scale (OLSE) to determine students' level of self-efficacy via a survey conducted with students who underwent the Enriched Virtual Mode of learning. Descriptive statistics was used to characterize the study participants, describe the level of self-efficacy, and compare the subscales of OLSE. Inferential statistics using Spearman's rho was performed to determine the correlation. A total of 117 respondents with a mean age ± SD of 20.59 ± 0.11 years old, predominantly female (71%) were included in the study. The students from allied health programs had an online self-efficacy overall mean score of 3.83 (; range 2.64-5.00) with the use of technology subscales weighted the highest mean score (4.24). Females have a higher average OLSE score (, ) compared to males. Significant correlation was found between OLSE scores to sex (, ) and year level (, ) while nonsignificant correlation was found between OLSE scores to the program (, ) and age (, ). Students of allied health programs generally have a very good level of online self-efficacy. This study assists educators in developing proactive strategies and approaches to promote students' self-confidence across all domains and encourage them to adopt a dynamic remote learning-based approach. Educational institutions should use this opportunity to assess how well they have implemented remote learning to ensure educational continuity, especially in times of crisis.

Psychometric Properties of the Spinal Cord Injury-Quality of Life (SCI-QOL) Resilience Short Form in a Sample With Spinal Cord Injury

ObjectiveTo explore the psychometric properties (eg, data distribution characteristics, convergent or discriminant validity, internal consistency reliability) of the Spinal Cord Injury-Quality of Life measurement system (SCI-QOL) Resilience 8-item short form (SF) in comparison to the criterion standard resilience measure, Connor Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) in a sample of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). DesignDescriptive statistics were calculated to examine variable data distribution characteristics. Correlation analyses were conducted for convergent and discriminant validity. Reliability statistics were calculated for resilience and other validity measures. SettingGeneral community. ParticipantsIndividuals with SCI (N=202; 51.5% male, 48% female). InterventionsNot applicable. Main Outcome MeasuresPatient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System measures (depression, anxiety, ability to participate in social roles and activities, pain intensity, fatigue, sleep disturbance), SCI-QOL short forms (SF) (resilience, positive affect and well-being, mobility), CD-RISC, National Institutes of Health Toolbox for Assessment of Neurological and Behavioral Function - perceived stress (NIH Toolbox-perceived stress), and the Satisfaction with Life Scale were administered. ResultsThe mean and SD for the SCI-QOL Resilience SF (mean=48.60; SD=8.20) approximated the normative mean (mean=50, SD=10). The SCI-QOL Resilience SF scores were essentially normally distributed though somewhat kurtotic, with skew=-0.17 and excess kurtosis=1.4; internal consistency reliability was good (Cronbach's alpha=0.89). Convergent validity was supported by significant moderate correlations in expected directions between the SCI-QOL Resilience SF and measures of CD-RISC resilience, depressive symptoms, anxiety, social participation, positive affect and well-being, stress, and satisfaction with life. Discriminant validity was supported by small non-significant correlations between the SCI-QOL Resilience SF and age, sex, injury level, time since injury, pain intensity, mobility, sleep disturbance, and fatigue. ConclusionThe SCI-QOL Resilience SF demonstrated good convergent and discriminant validity. Our study showed that the SCI-QOL Resilience SF is a psychometrically valid tool that can reliably estimate levels of resilience in the SCI population.

Relationships between water quality and mosquito presence and abundance: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) are emerging in response to climate and land use changes. As mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) habitat selection is often contingent on water availability for egg and larval development, studies have recognized water quality also influences larval habitats. However, underlying species-, genera-, and mosquito level preferences for water quality conditions are varied. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify, characterize, appraise, and synthesize available global data on the relationships between water quality and mosquito presence and abundance (MPA); with the goal to further our understanding of the geographic expansion of MBD risks. A systematic review was conducted to identify studies investigating the relationships between water quality properties and MPA. Where appropriate, random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to provide pooled estimates for the association between the most reported water quality properties and MPA. The most reported water quality parameters were pH (87%), nitrogen concentrations (56%), turbidity (56%), electrical conductivity (54%), dissolved oxygen (43%), phosphorus concentrations (30%), and alkalinity (10%). Overall, pH (P = 0.05), turbidity (P < 0.0001), electrical conductivity (P = 0.005), dissolved oxygen (P < 0.0001), nitrogen (P < 0.0001), and phosphorus (P < 0.0001) showed significantly positive pooled correlations with MPA, while alkalinity showed a nonsignificant null pooled correlation (P = 0.85). We observed high heterogeneity in most meta-analyses, and climate zonation was shown to influence the pooled estimates. Linkages between MPA and water quality properties will enhance our capacity to predict MBD risks under changing environmental and land use changes.

Correlation of Lateral Pinch Strength with Hand Span in Bead Embroiderers

Background: Lateral pinch strength is a commonly employed indices of strength used in hand evaluations. For all handicrafts professionals, grip and pinch strength is an important criterion to be successful in their profession. The bead embroiderers are one of the major handicrafts worker groups of Bangladesh. Objectives: The study was planned to compare and correlate hand span and lateral pinch strength of the hand in bead embroiderers to establish baseline data of our own for further studies. Materials and Methods: There was a cross-sectional and analytical study conducted on 150 bead embroiderers in group B and 50 sedentary workers in group A, carried out in the Department of Anatomy, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka between July 2016 and July 2017. The lateral pinch was measured by using a Pinch Gauge Dynamometer. The hand span was taken by using a ruler and unpaired student’s t-test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were done to compare and correlate.Results: Lateral pinch strength showed a significant positive correlation with hand span in group B (r = +0.234, P&lt;0.01) and non-significant positive correlation with hand span in group A (r = +0.275, P=0.053).Conclusion: The study findings may contribute significantly to current knowledge for designing machines and handheld devices.KYAMC Journal Vol. 14, No. 02, July 2023: 92-95.

Relationship between swimming speed, intra-cycle variation of horizontal speed, and Froude efficiency during consecutive stroke cycles in adolescent swimmers.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between swimming speed, intra-cycle variation of horizontal speed of displacement (dv), and Froude efficiency (ηF) in front-crawl during three consecutive stroke cycles. The sample consisted of 15 boys aged 16.07 ± 0.77 years and 15 girls aged 15.05 ± 1.07 years. Swimming speed, dv and ηF were measured during a 25 m front-crawl trial. Three consecutive stroke cycles were measured. Swimming speed showed a non-significant stroke-by-stroke effect (F = 2.55, p = 0.087, η2 = 0.08), but a significant sex effect (F = 90.46, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.76). The dv and ηF had the same trend as the swimming speed for the stroke-by-stroke effect, but a non-significant sex effect (p > 0.05). The Spearman correlation matrix between swimming speed and dv, and swimming speed and ηF showed non-significant correlations for the three stroke cycles in both sexes. However, the tendency of the former was not always inverse, and the latter was not always direct. Coaches and swimmers need to be aware that lower dvs are not always associated with faster swimming speeds and vice-versa, and that ηF is a predictor of swimming speed, not dv.