Practical Instrument Research Articles

Trends in the Utilization of Quality of Life Assessment Instruments in Clinical Practice

Introduction: Quality of life (QoL) evaluations are now an important part of clinical practice because they give doctors important information about how well their patients are doing. With more and more focus on patient-centered care, it is important to look at how QoL measurement tools are being used in different professional situations. The point of this study is to look into how quality of life (QoL) tools are used in regular clinical practice and how they affect decisions about healthcare.Method: all peer-reviewed studies released in the last 20 years that looked at measuring quality of life in healthcare settings were found through a thorough literature review. We looked through databases like PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar for applicable papers. We focused on the types of tools used, how often they were used, and the patient groups that were evaluated. It was thought about to use both qualitative and quantitative study methods.Results: the study shows that QoL rating tools are being used more and more in many medical fields, especially in cancer, heart, and psychiatry. A lot of people have used instruments like the EQ-5D, SF-36, and WHOQOL-BREF. Integration with electronic health records (EHR) systems is also becoming more widespread. This lets data be collected and analysed in real time.Conclusion: Quality of life (QoL) measurement tools are very important for improving patient care because they help doctors decide how to treat patients and make sure they get better results. As healthcare moves towards a more patient-centered approach, these tools will likely be used more.

A Curious Observation of a Solar Eclipse in 1630

Abstract How and where did people observe a solar eclipse in Paris in 1630? This study will analyze the content of a letter describing in detail a collective observation of the eclipse that occurred on June 10, 1630. We will then take a closer look at how this celestial phenomenon was studied, both from a material and practical (instruments, techniques, general organization) point of view. Having identified the main observer as a Capuchin friar prognosticator, the study of the material culture of this event will allow us to delve into observational knowledge concerning the Capuchin religious order via a case study. This letter demonstrates well how focusing on places, instruments, and practices of observation can lead to a better understanding of the historical actors making observations, as well as their beliefs touching the objects observed.

Psychometric validation of the Danish BREAST-Q reconstruction module.

Patient-reported outcome measurement instruments are important tools in understanding a breast reconstruction's impact on the patients' quality of life. A psychometric validation is essential before applying a patient-reported outcome measurement instrument in clinical practice and research. The BREAST-Q is a specific, validated questionnaire for breast surgery outcomes that has been translated from English to Danish. It consists of 167 items in 7 pre-operative scales and 15 post-operative scales. This validation study aims to validate the Danish BREAST-Q reconstruction module. Eligible women were included from January 2019 to June 2020. Multiple-item scales with summated scores and more than 40 complete responses were eligible for psychometric validation, and psychometric analyses examined reliability and validity using Rasch Analyses and Classical Test Theory. Measurements included test for local response dependence, item fit, differential item functioning, and more. Clinical validity was assessed using known-groups hypotheses. We obtained 115 and 201 complete responses pre-and postoperatively, respectively. We validated 120 items in four preoperative and nine postoperative scales. The Rasch analyses disclosed evidence of local response dependence in eight scales. Chronbach's α ranged 0.81-0.95 after adjustment. Item fit was evaluated using item-restscore correlations and showed good fit in 98% of items. Differential Item Functioning was found in four items but had very little effect on the model. Clinical validity was supported by the know-group analyses. The Danish BREAST-Q reconstruction module has good acceptability, feasibility and validity, and adequate reliability. The results support the use in a Danish population.

Fluorescence lifetime imaging in drug delivery research.

Once an exotic add-on to fluorescence microscopy for life science research, fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIm) has become a powerful and increasingly utilised technique owing to its self-calibration nature, which affords superior quantification over conventional steady-state fluorescence imaging. This review focuses on the state-of-the-art implementation of FLIm related to the formulation, release, dosage, and mechanism of action of drugs aimed for innovative diagnostics and therapy. Quantitative measurements using FLIm have appeared instrumental for encapsulated drug delivery design, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, pathological investigations, early disease diagnosis, and evaluation of therapeutic efficacy. Attention is paid to the latest advances in lifetime-engineered nanomaterials and practical instrumentation, which begin to show preclinical and clinical translation potential beyond in vitro samples of cells and tissues. Finally, major challenges that need to be overcome in order to facilitate future perspectives are discussed.

Integrating Realistic Mathematics Education With Islamic Values: A Statistics Module for Grade X Students

The urgency of this research arises from the absence of a statistics module based on the RME approach that integrates Islamic values, designed to help students understand mathematics contextually while instilling character values. This research is development research using the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation) model which aims to produce a high school statistical module based on the RME approach integrated with Islamic values that meets valid and practical criteria. The subjects of this research were class X of SMAN 4 Semarang's students. The data collection technique used was a validation and practicality questionnaire. The validity instrument consists of a validation sheet for material expert, media, Islamic and practitioner modules, as well as a practical instrument, namely a student response questionnaire. Based on the results of validity and practicality tests, the statistical module based on the RME approach integrated with Islamic values that has been developed is valid and practical.

Copyright in the context of development of generative artificial intelligence tools

The article addresses fundamental legal issues in the field of intellectual property arising from the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence. It explores the challenges posed to copyright law by the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence technologies. In particular, the study examines the legal regime of objects created with the assistance of artificial intelligence, the legality of using copyright-protected works for training AI models, and specific issues related to the legal personality of AI. Based on an analysis of international judicial practice and contemporary regulatory instruments, including the recently adopted European Union Artificial Intelligence Regulation, the study examines ambiguous approaches to determining copyright for AI-generated objects. Practical cases from various jurisdictions, including court decisions from the United States and China, are analyzed to illustrate the variability in legal assessments regarding the interaction of intellectual property law and AI. The article offers an analysis of promising mechanisms for regulating legal relations in the field of study. These include the introduction of a collective rights management system (similar to extended or mandatory collective management), the establishment of mechanisms for fair compensation to rights holders, and the development of technical tools for identifying the origin of content. The study underscores the necessity of balancing the interests of AI technology developers, authors, and society’s technological advancement needs. The article traces trends in legislative changes in the field of intellectual property and the regulation of artificial intelligence. In particular, it examines the provisions of the Artificial Intelligence Act, which imposes obligations on AI model developers to comply with copyright laws, including the requirement to disclose detailed reports on the content used for training AI models. The article emphasizes the importance of creating a legal environment that simultaneously fosters technological progress and robustly protects the rights and interests of authors. Effective regulation should be grounded in fundamental principles of fairness, transparency, and comprehensive consideration of the interests of all participants in intellectual property legal relations.

DEVELOPMENT OF PICTURE STORYBOOK MEDIA (BCB) TO IMPROVE THE BEGINNING READING SKILLS OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

Abstract This study aims to develop learning media in the form of Drawing Story Books (BCB) that effectively improve the reading skills of the third-grade students of SD Negeri 1 Kuning, Southeast Aceh. The research method used is research and development with the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation) model. The study subjects were students of SD Negeri 1 Kuning, Southeast Aceh, consisting of 20 students. Instruments used in this study were validity instruments, practical instruments, and efectivity instruments. The developed media was validated by experts and tested on students for a validation score indicating that the media was feasible. The study's results showed students' enthusiasm for the BCB media, which improved their reading skills. Student evaluation resulted in a response score indicating that this media is appropriate and interesting. This study also revealed that using bright colors, attractive illustrations, and Canva-based designs effectively attracted students' attention and increased reading motivation. The media developed meets Indonesian language learning standards and can be used as a learning aid inside and outside the classroom.

The Stress and Adversity Inventory for Adults (Adult STRAIN) in Korean: Initial Validation and Associations with Psychiatric Disorders.

Stressors occurring across the life course are considered to have a cumulative impact on health, but there is no instrument for assessing lifetime stressor exposure in Korea. Therefore, we validated the Stress and Adversity Inventory (Adult STRAIN) in Korean. We translated the Adult STRAIN into Korean and examined its concurrent, predictive, and comparative predictive validity in 218 Korean adults (79 men, 139 women; Mage = 29.5; 19-50 years old) recruited from a psychiatric setting. We assessed concurrent validity using Pearson's correlations, predictive validity using multiple regression models, and comparative predictive validity using multivariate logistic regression to identify participants with lifetime psychiatric diagnoses. The Korean STRAIN exhibited sufficient usability and acceptability; good concurrent validity with other measures of early adversity, life events, and perceived stress (rs = 0.48-0.61); and strong predictive validity in relation to anxiety and depressive symptoms (β = 0.08-0.47; ΔR2 = 0.11-0.21). Each domain of Korean-style stress, based on the timing, type, life domain, and sociopsychological characteristics of stress exposure, showed a different distribution of lifetime psychiatric diagnosis probabilities (odds ratios = 1.20-4.85). Finally, the test-retest reliability for total lifetime stressor count and severity over four weeks was high. The Korean STRAIN is a practical, valid, and reliable instrument for researchers and clinicians to efficiently assess lifetime stressor exposure.

ASSESSING LOWER-SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS' CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS IN PHOTOSYNTHESIS: A RASCH MODEL APPROACH

The current study uses the Rasch Model to measure lower-secondary school students' critical thinking skills on photosynthesis topics. Critical thinking skills are considered essential in science education, but few valid and practical measurement instruments remain. The current study fills the gap by adapting the instrument from the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal. A quantitative approach with a survey design was used in the study, involving 467 lower-secondary school students in Klaten, Central Java, Indonesia. Data were analyzed using the Rasch Model to evaluate each item's reliability, validity, level of difficulty, and discrimination ability. The results suggest that the instrument has good validity and reliability, with the inference subscale being the most difficult, while evaluation is the easiest for students to master. The findings provide insights for educators in designing more effective teaching strategies to develop critical thinking skills. The study implies that a valid measurement instrument is obtained and offers new insights into the profile of students' critical thinking skills in science learning to support more effective science teaching in secondary schools, especially on photosynthesis. Keywords: critical thinking, educational evaluation, photosynthesis topic, Rasch model, science education

Rage, revenge, reward, and recreation: Validating short-form measures of adolescents’ aggression across offline and online contexts

The quadripartite violence typology categorizes aggression into rage, revenge, reward, and recreational aggression. Furthermore, the general aggression model highlights the interaction between personal and contextual factors in shaping aggressive behavior. Whereas the four types of aggression are considered as personal factors, a contextual distinction can be made between offline and online contexts. To date, only the Cyber-Aggression Typology Questionnaire (CATQ) and its offline counterpart, the Face-to-Face Aggression Typology Questionnaire (FATQ), operationalize each aggression type specifically for offline and online settings. However, this questionnaire set presents limitations in its applicability due to its item count and exclusive validation in university students. In this two-study article, we developed and validated short versions (CATQ-S/FATQ-S) utilizing Graf et al.’s original dataset ( N = 587 university students, Study 1) and revalidated them in a new sample of secondary school students ( N = 1,064, Study 2). In Study 1, structural validity of the CATQ-S/FATQ-S could be confirmed. All scales of the CATQ-S showed acceptable to good reliabilities. Whereas the revenge and recreational aggression scales of the FATQ-S showed acceptable to good reliabilities, the reliabilities of its rage and reward scales were slightly below the threshold of .70. All short scales showed substantial correlations with their corresponding full scales. Similar correlational patterns for the short and full scales with external criteria could be found. In Study 2, structural validity of the CATQ-S/FATQ-S could be confirmed. All scales of the CATQ-S/FATQ-S showed acceptable to good reliabilities and criterion validity was largely observed. This research supports the four-factor model of aggression in both offline and online contexts and provides a practical instrument designed for the efficient measurement of four-factor aggression in secondary schools.

Knowledge and Practice of Urinary Incontinence Management Among Nursing Professionals in Serbian Nursing Homes: A Multicentre Study.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a prevalent condition among older adults, particularly in nursing home residents. Furthermore, it is associated with significant physical, emotional, and financial burdens. Effective management of UI depends on the knowledge and practices of nursing professionals, who are responsible for fundamental care. However, their knowledge and practice gaps remain challenging. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of nursing professional regarding urinary incontinence, to explore whether there are differences in knowledge and practice concerning their sociodemographic characteristics and to determine if there is a correlation between knowledge and practice regarding UI. A multicentre descriptive, cross-sectional study design following STROBE guidelines was conducted. The sample comprised 171 participants, and as research instruments, the Urinary Incontinence Quiz (UIQ) and the Urinary Knowledge and Practice Instrument (UKPI) were used. The overall knowledge of nursing professionals about UI in older people was suboptimal, but most were familiar with the causes of UI, and that toilet training can improve incontinence. Nursing professionals with continuing education or interest in learning more about UI demonstrated significantly higher knowledge levels. Practice scores revealed that continence care interventions were often implemented, but documentation and support practices such as comprehensive toileting plans were less frequently performed. A weak but significant positive correlation was found between knowledge and practice. The study highlights substantial knowledge and practice gaps in UI management among nursing professionals in Serbia. The findings underscore the need for targeted educational interventions to improve UI care.

Pengembangan Instrumen Asesmen Kompetensi Minimum Numerasi pada Domain Data dan Ketidakpastian untuk Siswa SMP

This study aims to produce valid and practical minimum competency assessment instrument. This study uses the research and development (R&D) of the ADDIE model. The subjects of this study consisted of 32 students in grades VIII SMP Negeri 1 Anyar. The instruments used consisted of expert validation sheets, student response questionnaires, and minimum competency assessment instrument. The data analysis techniques in this study are quantitative analysis and qualitative analysis. Based on the results of research and development of the minimum numeracy competency assessment instrument in the uncertainty and data domain for junior high schools, it was concluded that two questions were very valid, five questions were valid, and one question was invalid. Based on the power of differentiation, invalid questions can be revised or do not need to be used. Meanwhile, the results of the student response questionnaire were obtained by 84%, meaning that it included very practical criteria with 83% for the content aspect, 80% for the construction aspect, and 90% for the language aspect. Thus, this minimum competency assessment instrument can be used in mathematics learning.

Leveraging machine learning for sustainable integration of renewable energy generation

Long-term economic benefits and sustainability are provided by the integration of renewable energy sources (RESs) into electrical networks. However, because of their intermittent nature and reliance on environmental factors, RESs pose issues in production and consumption balance. Because renewable energy sources like wind and solar are unpredictable, forecasting their output is essential for planning purposes and maintaining grid stability. This thesis focuses on developing effective instruments and algorithms to improve renewable energy generation estimates and handle abnormalities in consumption. These tools and algorithms include maximum power point tracking and machine learning models like random forest (RF), adaptive boosting (AdaBoost), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost). The methods' effectiveness is confirmed by accuracies higher than 80%, which provides speedier and more user-friendly solutions in comparison to the traditional ways. In the end, our effort seeks to offer practical instruments for anticipatory modelling and mitigating intermittentness in renewable energy sources, enabling their assimilation into current power structures to adequately supply energy requirements in a sustainable manner.

Examining the self-regulated learning scale using the Rasch model approach

Self-regulated learning is a crucial aspect of the learning process for students. This ability is often overlooked due to the challenges of inaccurate measurement. This study aims to evaluate the quality of a self-regulated learning scale developed through an analysis of respondent responses. The research employed a descriptive quantitative approach using the Rasch Model as the analytical method. The instrument used consisted of 30 statement items. The study sample included 59 mathematics education students selected through cluster random sampling from two universities in different districts. The analysis results indicated that, after three calibration processes, the self-regulated learning scale was refined to 28 items with excellent quality. Furthermore, the responses of 58 students demonstrated a high level of consistency. Thus, self-regulated learning scale has good validity and reliability, making it a dependable tool for measuring self-regulated learning abilities. The implications of this study include the provision of a practical and reliable instrument for researchers and educators to support further studies and serve as an evaluation tool in learning development.

Development of Ethno-STEM Integrated Digital Teaching Material of Heat Concept to Promote Students’ Learning and Innovation Skills

Twenty-first century learning requires students to have student’ learning and innovation skills. However, in fact, students' learning and innovation skills are still low. The solution to this problem is the development of ethno-STEM integrated digital teaching material of heat concept to promote students' learning and innovation skills. The aims of this study were to determine the needs analysis, validity, and practicality of the use of ethno-STEM integrated digital teaching materials. The type of research is research and development (R&D) using the Hannafin and Peck model. The research instruments used include needs analysis, validity, and practicality instruments. Data analysis techniques using descriptive statistical analysis. Based on the data analysis, there were three research results. First, the needs analysis showed that students' critical and creative thinking skills were categorized as less with values of 54.36 and 52.92, respectively. Second, the product validity test obtained a value of 91.44 in the excellent category. Third, the product practicality test obtained a value of 82.29 in the excellent category. These results indicate that students' learning and innovation skills can be improved through digital teaching materials. Therefore, the ethno-STEM integrated digital teaching materials are valid and practical for use in learning.

Întrebări și interpelări parlamentare. Confuzii, clarificări, propuneri

Parliamentary questions and interpellations have rarely attracted the interest of the jurisprudence, despite their intensive use as a means of control by the parliamentary opposition. The lack of studies was accompanied by a poor understanding of the instruments in parliamentary practice, these have been used interchangeably in almost all cases. For its part, the Constitutional Court did not make a firm distinction between the two, limiting itself to constantly listing them as means of parliamentary control over the government. The introduction into the parliamentary regulations of some similar procedures, such as the Government’s Hour, reinforced the pre-existing confusions. We therefore aim, through this study, to clarify the distinctions regarding the purpose, use and effects of questions and interpellations, respectively, hoping to correct future parliamentary practice.

Scaling social impact. A framework for collaboration between social enterprises and for-profit enterprises

Purpose The purpose of this study is to contribute to a better understanding of innovative forms of collaboration between different types of enterprises – aimed at scaling social impact – and address the challenges and complexities inherent to these specific types of partnerships. The particular focus is on strategic collaboration between work-integration social enterprises (WISEs) and mainstream, or for-profit enterprises (FPEs) with the shared objective to create more and better employment opportunities for disadvantaged individuals in the labour market. Design/methodology/approach This study used a qualitative research design. The total sample consisted of 16 small- and medium-sized enterprises (both WISEs and FPEs), which were selected for their proven, business-to-business revenue model and their explicit ambition to create more inclusive jobs for disadvantaged individuals. Data collection and analysis took place between 2021 and 2023 and consisted of: semi-structured interviews with representatives of the participating enterprises to get a better understanding of the way in which current partnerships operate; and co-creative research methods to facilitate change processes – within and outside these partnerships – aimed at creating more social impact. Findings Most collaborations between WISEs and FPEs start purely transactional, with the exchange of products or services, but once they become more familiarised with each other, the realisation of (joint) social impact becomes more significant. The ambition to further coordinate and integrate operations is prominent, but the partnership process is not without challenges and requires time, commitment and trust. So far, only few collaborations can be considered truly transformational. Originality/value This study contributes to the discussion on strategic alliances and cross-sector collaborations by providing a conceptual framework and a practical instrument to shape strategic collaboration between social enterprises and FPEs that aim to create more social impact.

Self-perceived cultural competence skills among graduating dental students in Saudi Arabia

ObjectivesGraduating culturally competent dentists is crucial for providing a high standard of care for patient outcomes and satisfaction. The objectives of this study were to assess the self-perceived cultural competence (CC) among graduating dental students and to explore factors that may influence the development of these competencies. MethodsA cross-sectional survey design was employed, utilizing a self-administered electronic questionnaire. The survey was distributed to graduating dentists at the end of their internship year. The survey included demographic data, academic information, and self-rating of CC skills adapted from the Knowledge, Efficacy, and Practices Instrument rated on a 4-point Likert scale. ResultsOf 660 respondents, the majority (57.3%) were female, and most participants (87.7%) were raised in urban cities. Self-perceived CC was highest for treating patients of the same gender and lowest for patients with special needs. Bilingualism, gender, and school type were significant predictors of CC scores, with female dental providers, graduates of private or international high schools, and bilingual individuals performaing better in treating patients from diverse backgrounds. Clinical rotations in varied settings were reported by 93.2% of students to improve their CC skills. ConclusionsThe findings suggest that experiential exposure to service learning and diverse patient populations has a positive impact on dental students’ CC skills. Mastering a second language emerged as a key factor in CC development, with treating patients with special needs identified as an area for further curricular improvement.

Development of Operational Level Practical Test Instrument by Using Competency-Based Assessment Model

The lack relevance of practical ability assessment with industry needs causes nautical technology graduates to not be fully prepared to work in the field. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a practical test instrument that is in accordance with Graduate Learning Outcomes. The purpose of this study is to produce an operational level practical test instrument with a valid, reliable, and effective competency-based assessment model. This type of research is development research by using the Wilson Model and the Oriondo and Antonio Model. Validity test was content validity. Reliability test was test-retest and inter-rater reliability. Effectiveness test used the N-Gain percentage. The results of the study prove that the developed instrument is valid with a validity value 3.8 and criterion A. The instrument is reliable because the t-count value is smaller than the t-table value, meaning that there is no difference between the average values ​​of the three raters. The instrument is effective because the N-Gain percentage = 74.6%. The limitations of this study lie in the limited testing, only focusing on the operational level, and the variation of raters who only come from within the institution. The recommendation from this study is that the developed instrument should be tested in other maritime educational institutions. Then, it is necessary to develop similar instruments for the management level in the maritime sector.

A population-based study using nomograms to predict overall and cancer-specific survival in HPV-associated CSCC.

Constructing and validating two nomograms to predict the overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) correlated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection was the main goal of this study. We constructed predictive models for OS and CSS incidence in HPV infection-associated CSCC using information from 2238 patients in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database and screened the variables by LASSO regression, Cox univariate regression, and Cox multifactorial regression models, which were calibrated and validated by internal and external cohorts. Finally, all patients were categorized into intermediate-risk, low-risk, and high-risk groups based on the optimal threshold calculated from the total score. Multivariate analysis showed that HPV infection status, marital status, tumor metastatic stage, surgical status, radiotherapy status, lymph node biopsy, local lymph node dissection, primary tumor status, and bone metastasis were risk factors for OS and CSS. The C index, the time-dependent area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve, and the column-line diagrams of the calibration plot were among the excellent-performance metrics that were effectively displayed. Moreover, the decision curve analysis of the two nomograms consistently revealed their favorable net benefits spanning 1, 2, and 3 years. In addition, the survival curves indicate that each of the two risk classification systems clearly differentiates high, medium, and low risk groups. These meticulously crafted nomograms stand poised to serve as indispensable instruments in clinical practice, empowering clinicians to adeptly communicate with patients regarding their prognostic outlook over the forthcoming 1, 2, and 3 years.