Measurement Properties Research Articles

Oiling out and solubility measurement, molecular simulation and thermodynamic properties of d-tagatose in four aqueous binary solvent systems at 283.15 to 323.15 K

Oiling out and solubility measurement, molecular simulation and thermodynamic properties of d-tagatose in four aqueous binary solvent systems at 283.15 to 323.15 K

Effects of grain size and stacking fault energy on twinning stresses of single-phase CrxMn20Fe20Co20Ni40-x high-entropy alloys

Deformation twinning was investigated in single-phase face-centered-cubic (FCC) high-entropy alloys of the CrxMn20Fe20Co20Ni40-x system (14 ≤ x ≤ 26 at.%). The intrinsic stacking fault energies (γisf) of these alloys varied systematically across this composition range, but other physical properties that have the potential of affecting deformation twinning remained constant allowing us to isolate the effects of γisf on twinning. Tensile tests were performed at 293 and 77 K, and the tests interrupted at several different strains to evaluate deformation-induced changes in microstructure by transmission electron microscopy. The critical stress above which deformation twinning occurs was thus determined. We also evaluated how grain size (19 ≤ d ≤ 237 µm) affects the yield stress (σy) and the uniaxial critical twinning stress (σtw), which allowed us to subtract the corresponding Hall-Petch contributions and compare our polycrystalline results with experimental and theoretical data reported for single crystals. Taking into account the critical resolved shear stresses for deformation twinning in our alloys (τtw) along with those of FCC pure metals and binary alloys reported in the literature, we derived the following relationship that rationalizes most of the experimental data: τtw = 10-3G + γisf/(3·bp), where G is the shear modulus and bp is the magnitude of the Burgers vector of a Shockley partial dislocation. This expression, involving only measurable material properties, can serve as a basis for the design and optimization of new HEAs with tunable twinning stresses and, in turn, exceptional strength-ductility combinations.

Psychometric validation of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale Revised (CRBS-R) for hybrid delivery

ObjectiveTo test the measurement properties of the revised version of the English Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale (CRBS-R), suitable for hybrid delivery, structural validity, internal reliability, as well as face, cross-cultural,...

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Thai Version of the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Patellofemoral Pain and Osteoarthritis (KOOS-PF).

The Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for patellofemoral pain and osteoarthritis (KOOS-PF) is a condition-specific patient-reported outcome measure that is used to evaluate patients with patellofemoral pain. To translate the KOOS-PF into the Thai language, to make necessary adaptations to a Thai cultural context, and to assess the measurement properties of the Thai version of the KOOS-PF (TH-KOOS-PF) using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist. Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. This study was conducted between December 2021 and May 2023. Language translation of the KOOS-PF was performed according to guidelines for the cross-cultural adaptation of self-report measures. Eligible participants aged 18 to 50 years were asked to complete various patient-reported outcome measures including the TH-KOOS-PF at 3 time points: baseline, 2 weeks after baseline for test-retest reliability analysis, and 2 months after baseline for responsiveness assessment. The KOOS-PF was successfully translated and culturally adapted to create the TH-KOOS-PF. A total of 86 participants (mean age, 37.0 ± 8.1 years; 59.3% female) with patellofemoral pain participated in the validation process. Construct validity of the TH-KOOS-PF was demonstrated by confirmation of all a priori hypotheses. The standardized Cronbach alpha coefficient was 0.88 (95% CI, 0.83-0.91), which indicated good internal consistency. Test-retest reliability was high, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.87 (95% CI, 0.77-0.92). The TH-KOOS-PF demonstrated good responsiveness, as evidenced by all predefined hypotheses' being confirmed, and there were no floor or ceiling effects. Using an anchor-based approach, the minimal clinically important difference was 11.6 points. The results of this study revealed the TH-KOOS-PF to be a valid, reliable, and responsive tool for assessing Thai patients with patellofemoral pain. The TH-KOOS-PF will be useful in both clinical and research settings.

A 7-item Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia in people with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome: evaluation of structural validity, hypothesis testing, internal consistency and minimally important change

BackgroundThe 17-item Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) is a commonly used patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) to assess kinesiophobia, but the measurement properties of the TSK in people with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) are unknown. Objectives1) Revise the existing TSK by removing items, as needed, with inadequate functioning to optimise the TSK for people with FAIS, and 2) evaluate construct validity (both structural validity and hypothesis testing), internal consistency, and minimal important change. MethodsCross-sectional cohort study including 153 young adults with FAIS. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to evaluate structural validity and the TSK was revised to remove items with poor function, improving CFA model fit. Hypothesis testing, internal consistency (Cronbach's α) and minimal important change (distribution-based method) were also evaluated. ResultsA 7-item version of the TSK provided the best CFA model fit with 10-items functioning poorly and needing to be removed. The 7-item TSK was uni-dimensional (single factor in EFA) and had adequate structural validity (Standardised Root Measure Square = 0.0771). The 7-item TSK had insufficient hypothesis testing with moderate correlations to 8/14 PROMs measuring different constructs. The 7-item TSK had adequate internal consistency (α = 0.783). The minimal important change of the 7-item TSK was 6.00 points (0–100 point scale). ConclusionWe found that the ‘7-item TSK for FAIS’, had superior structural validity to the original 17-item scale, suggesting that it may be more appropriate for use in this population. Further studies should evaluate other measurement properties of the 7-item scale.

Development and Validation of a Climate Change Version of the Man-Made Disaster-Related Distress Scale (CC-MMDS)

IntroductionClimate change, considered as a pressing man-made disaster, poses a fundamental threat to global health, with significant psychological consequences. However, measurement instruments assessing these consequences of climate change remain limited. This study aimed to address this gap by developing and validating an adapted version of the Man-Made Disaster-Related Distress Scale (MMDS), specifically designed for the assessment of indirect climate change-related psychological consequences. Materials and MethodsThe items of the MMDS were adapted to climate change. The resulting “Climate Change – Man-Made Disaster-Related Distress Scale” (CC-MMDS), comprising 16 items, was validated in an online-based survey in Germany. Initially, 1070 participants were engaged in the survey. ResultsThe data of n = 715 participants was used for analysis. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed a two-factor structure, encompassing “psychological distress” and “change of existing belief systems”, with acceptable to good model fit. The CC-MMDS demonstrated excellent reliability and good validity, with measurement invariance across gender, age, and educational level. DiscussionThis study validated the CC-MMDS, confirming a two-factor structure. The scale demonstrated strong measurement properties, making it a promising standardized instrument for assessing climate change-related distress. ConclusionWith its strong psychometric properties and efficient administration, the CC-MMDS offers valuable insights for research and can aid mental health providers in identifying and supporting individuals impacted by climate change.

A comparison of measurement properties between EORTC QLU-C10D and FACT-8D in patients with hematological malignances

ObjectiveTo perform a comparison of the measurement properties of two cancer-specific Multi-Attribute Utility Instruments (MAUIs), EORTC QLU-C10D and FACT-8D, in Chinese patients with hematologic malignancies (HM).MethodsWe conducted a longitudinal study on patients with HM in China, using QLU-C10D and FACT-8D at baseline and follow-up (3–4 months from baseline). We assessed: (i) convergent validity using Spearman’s rank correlation test (r) with EQ-5D-5L; (ii) clinical-groups validity by differentiating cancer stages, overall health assessment (OHA), Eastern Cancer Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, and mental health status. We also examined clinical validity with effect size (ES) and relative efficiency (RE); (iii) responsiveness to changes in patient self-perception using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves and area under the curves (AUC); and (iv) agreement using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and visualized with Bland-Altman plot.ResultsAmong the 308 patients with HM at baseline, 131 completed the follow-up survey. Agreement between the two measures was high (ICC = 0.76). Both measures were highly correlated with EQ-5D-5 L and significantly differentiated (p < 0.001) among groups categorized by cancer stage, OHA performance status, and mental health. ESs for QLU-C10D were numerically higher for cancer stage, OHA, and performance status (ES = 0.53–1.49), whereas ES was higher for FACT-8D and mental health status (ES = 1.35). Responsiveness was higher for QLU-C10D (AUC = 0.84) compared to FACT-8D (AUC = 0.78).ConclusionBoth QLU-C10D and FACT-8D are valid cancer-specific MAUIs for evaluating patients with HM. However, scholars should consider their slight differences in focus when choosing between the two measures.

Translation, Cultural Adaptation of the Portuguese Provider Attitudes toward Cardiac Rehabilitation and Referral (PACRR-P) Scale and Assessment of Its’ Measurement Properties

Background/Objectives: Access to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is contingent upon physician referrals, yet these are often inadequate, particularly in low-resource settings. This multi-method study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the Portuguese version of the Provider Attitudes toward CR and Referral (PACRR-P) scale, as well as to identify key factors influencing CR referral in a Latin American context for the first time. Methods: The PACRR was translated into Brazilian Portuguese through a rigorous process involving independent translation, back-translation, and expert panel review to ensure face, content, and cross-cultural validity. A total of 44 Brazilian physicians completed the questionnaire, allowing for an assessment of internal consistency, criterion validity, and convergent validity. Results: The findings confirmed the face, content, and cultural validity of the 20 translated items, with a mean item clarity rating of 4.8/5. The final version included 17 of the original 19 PACRR-P items, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.73. Referral rates were significantly associated with over one-third of the PACRR-P items, preliminarily supporting the scale’s criterion validity, while correlations with the ReCaRe scores further supported its convergent validity. The most prominent barriers to referral were a lack of familiarity with CR site locations, absence of a standard referral form, and lack of automatic referral processes. Conclusions: The PACRR’s validity and reliability among Portuguese-speaking providers are preliminarily supported.

Modified Oral Health Assessment Tool (M-OHAT) for Residential Aged Care: A Co-Design Protocol

Background: Older adults in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) experience disproportionate levels of poor oral health relative to other groups in the general population, affecting their physical and mental wellbeing. The Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) is a validated and widely used dental assessment tool; however, recent systematic reviews have identified shortcomings with respect to its measurement properties. Objective: The objective of this protocol is to provide a detailed overview of a multidisciplinary qualitative study that aims to (a) co-design and develop a modified OHAT for RACFs and (b) inform the development of an OHAT training package and implementation strategies. Methods: This study will utilize a co-design methodology with aged care residents, caregivers, staff members, and health professionals. The co-design workshops will: (1) investigate the barriers to and enablers of optimal oral healthcare in RACFs; and (2) co-design a modified version of the Oral Health Assessment Tool and a referral to treatment pathway that is appropriate for use in RACFs. The co-design workshops will facilitate group discussion and involve interactive activities using, for example, mind mapping and Sticky Notes. Qualitative data (transcripts and artefacts from co-design activities) will be analyzed in NVivo using an inductive codebook thematic analysis, specifically a template analysis. Conclusion: The findings of this study will inform a modified OHAT (M-OHAT), as well as future study phases regarding training and implementation strategies. It is expected that the M-OHAT will have enhanced usability and relevance to RACFs, facilitating the identification of poor oral health and timely referral to dental treatment.

A Systematic Review of Questionnaire Measuring eHealth Literacy

Purpose: This review aims to summarize the characteristics of currently used questionnaires measuring eHealth literacy and assess the quality of their psychometric properties in self-reported assessments within community settings. Methods: The systematic analysis was conducted using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments checklist to evaluate the methodological quality of studies on measurement properties. Results: A total of 21 studies, including 19 questionnaires, were reviewed. The findings indicated that the quality of psychometric assessments for eHealth literacy was generally rated as 'good,' with most studies addressing multiple aspects of reliability and validity. Internal reliability, content validity, hypothesis testing, and responsiveness were particularly well-supported, each receiving over 10 sufficient ratings. However, there was limited evidence regarding measurement errors, test-retest reliability, criterion validity, and analyses of floor and ceiling effects. Conclusion: This study contributes to the enhancement of eHealth literacy measurement tool selection and improves the reporting of their validity and reliability, thereby increasing the credibility of future research.

Patient-reported outcome measures for lupus nephritis: content validity of LupusQoL and FACIT-Fatigue

BackgroundLupus nephritis (LN), a severe organ manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), significantly impacts health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue) and Lupus Quality of Life (LupusQoL) have been validated to measure HRQoL in SLE, but not specifically in LN. Patient-reported symptoms of LN are not well-reported. We assessed the content validity and relevance of these measures in evaluating patients with LN and their LN-related experiences.MethodsThis qualitative, interview-based study enrolled patients with LN from three US sites from a larger, retrospective survey study. The interview comprised an open-ended concept elicitation part and a more structured cognitive part. Concept elicitation was used to identify relevant themes describing the patients’ experiences. Patients were asked to describe their LN-related symptoms, the severity and impact of those symptoms and their satisfaction with treatment. A cognitive interview approach evaluated the appropriate understanding of the items, instructions, and response options and asked patients about their understanding of the FACIT-Fatigue or LupusQoL measures, their relevance to the condition, and any aspects of confusion or need for better clarity of the questionnaires. All interviews were recorded and transcribed. The concept elicitation data were coded, while the cognitive interview data were tabulated to present the participants’ responses next to the interview questions to support the evaluation of their understanding of the questionnaire items.ResultsOverall, 10 patients participated in FACIT-Fatigue and another 10 in LupusQoL interviews; 18 patients were female, 10 were Black (self-reported) and 17 were receiving maintenance treatment for LN with stable disease activity. When patients recalled their symptoms, 670 expressions of varying symptoms were reported. All patients described pain, discomfort, and energy-related symptoms. Urinary frequency and non-joint swelling were most frequently attributed to LN rather than SLE. Patients felt the questions asked in the FACIT-Fatigue and LupusQoL surveys were relevant to their LN experience.ConclusionsThe symptoms reported by patients with LN were consistent with symptoms reported by the overall SLE population. However, patients indicated that some symptoms of LN were more profound than symptoms of SLE alone, affecting a broad range of areas of daily life activity and resulting in a higher burden on their HRQoL. FACIT-Fatigue and LupusQoL demonstrated content relevance as meaningful tools for patients with LN. However, further quantitative data collection is needed to ensure that these patient-reported outcome tools demonstrate good measurement properties in an LN population.

Accelerated lithium-ion battery cycle lifetime testing by condition-based reference performance tests

Lifetime testing of lithium-ion batteries is time-consuming and costly. To reduce the time-to-market, application-specific accelerated lifetime tests are conducted. The test conditions must be carefully designed and controlled, both the test environment and load profile. During the lifetime test, measurable properties of the cell, most commonly the capacity and internal resistance, are tracked by a reference performance test (RPT). The frequency of RPTs is a variable of the number of test cycles or time. Setting the wrong frequency for the RPT results in either too many RPTs or, in the worst case, too few. To mitigate this issue, a test object capacity-driven approach has been developed. This new method is described and demonstrated in this article conducting the RPTs based on the cycling capacity of the cell. The method ensured the desired numbers of RPTs during the test period at the selected intervals corresponding to steps of 1% capacity loss. When compared to the most used traditional test method, using a fixed number of 200 cycles between RPTs, the method generated 44% more cycles over the initial 100 days.

Comparing EQ-5D-5L, PROPr, SF-6D and TTO utilities in patients with chronic skin diseases.

We aim to compare the measurement properties of three indirect (EQ-5D-5L, PROPr, SF-6D) and one direct (time trade-off, TTO) utility assessment methods in patients with chronic skin diseases. 120 patients with physician-diagnosed chronic skin diseases (psoriasis 39%, atopic dermatitis 27%, acne 19%) completed a cross-sectional survey. Respondents completed the EQ-5D-5L, PROMIS-29+2 and SF-36v1 questionnaires and a 10-year TTO task for own current health. Utilities were computed using the US value sets. Ceiling, convergent and known-group validity were compared across the utilities derived with these four methods. Known-groups were defined based on general, physical and mental health. The agreement between utilities was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Mean utilities for the EQ-5D-5L, PROPr, SF-6D and TTO were 0.79, 0.47, 0.76 and 0.89. In corresponding order, the ceiling was 28%, 0%, 2% and 65%. The SF-6D showed excellent agreement with the EQ-5D-5L (ICC = 0.770). PROPr demonstrated poor agreement with the EQ-5D-5L (ICC = 0.381) and fair with SF-6D utilities (ICC = 0.445). TTO utilities showed poor agreement with indirectly assessed utilities (ICC = 0.058-0.242). The EQ-5D-5L better discriminated between known groups of general and physical health, while the SF-6D and PROPr outperformed the EQ-5D-5L for mental health problems. There is a great variability in utilities across the four methods in patients with chronic skin conditions. The EQ-5D-5L, despite its higher ceiling, appears to be the most efficient in discriminating between patient groups for physical health aspects. Our findings inform the choice of instrument for quality-adjusted life year calculations in cost-utility analyses.

Multi-party quantum key distribution protocol in quantum network

This study proposes a measurement property of graph states and applies it to design a mediated multiparty quantum key distribution (M-MQKD) protocol for a repeater-based quantum network in a restricted quantum environment. The protocol enables remote classical users, who cannot directly transmit qubits, to securely distribute a secret key with the assistance of potentially dishonest quantum repeaters. Classical users only require two quantum capabilities, while quantum repeaters handle entanglement transmission through single-photon measurements. The one-way transmission approach eliminates the need for additional defenses against quantum Trojan horse attacks, reducing maintenance costs compared to round-trip or circular transmission methods. As a result, the M-MQKD protocol is lightweight and easy to implement. The study also evaluates the security of the protocol and demonstrates its practicality through quantum network simulations.

Can the different versions of the Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure be used to measure burnout among healthcare professionals? A systematic review of psychometric properties

BackgroundThe prevalence of Occupational Burnout is high among healthcare professionals (HCP). Hence, it is crucial to have robust measures for ascertaining burnout in this population. The Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure is a prevalent tool used in the diagnosis of burnout, and in the delivery planning of mental health services. The 14-item Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure (SMBM) was developed after a methodological revision of the 22-item Shirom-Melamed Burnout Questionnaire (SMBQ). Studies on the psychometric properties of the SMBM and SMBQ exist, but there remains a need for thorough evaluation to assess the methodological quality of individual studies. To address this gap, this systematic review aimed to critically appraise the measurement properties of the different versions of the Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure/Questionnaire (SMBM/Q) used among healthcare professionals.MethodologyFour databases (PubMed, CINAHL, PsychINFO, and Scopus) were searched for studies on the psychometric properties of all versions of the SMBM/Q among HCP. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated using the COSMIN Risk of Bias checklist. Evidence supporting the measurement properties (EMP) of the SMBM was synthesized using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.ResultsOur final pool consisted of five research articles. One study on the 12-item SMBM was included to estimate content validity, two studies reported on the 14-item SMBM, while the other two employed the 22-item version. Interestingly, each study used the SMBM in a different language, namely English/Hebrew, Chinese, French, Serbian, and Swedish. Structural validity, internal consistency, and construct validity are the SMBM’s most assessed measurement properties. The Hebrew and French versions demonstrated high levels of structural validity and internal consistency, and the remaining reports on validity demonstrated low levels due to methodological flaws.ConclusionsPer COSMIN guidelines, the SMBM should not be utilized for clinical purposes due to insufficient content validity, but has promising potential with ongoing research. Engaging critical stakeholders for concept elicitation will ensure the relevance, comprehensiveness, and comprehensibility of the PRO items. Likewise, establishing an MIC will allow capturing change over time, which will benefit longitudinal experimental studies.Plain English summaryOccupational burnout is a significant problem among healthcare professionals, and it is crucial to have a reliable tool to measure it. The Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure (SMBM) is commonly used to diagnose burnout and plan mental health services. Studies on the psychometric properties of the SMBM exist, but there remains a need for thorough evaluation to assess the methodological quality of individual studies. To address this gap, this systematic review critically appraised the measurement properties of the different versions of the Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure (SMBM) used among healthcare professionals. Our findings indicate that only a few studies have examined the SMBM, and they have used the tool in different languages. Structural validity, internal consistency, and construct validity are the SMBM’s most assessed measurement properties. We recommend that more research is needed to assess the content validity of the SMBM. We also suggest that critical stakeholders should be involved in the development of the SMBM to ensure that it is relevant, comprehensive, and understandable.

Valuation of the EORTC Quality of Life Utility Core 10 Dimensions (QLU-C10D) in a Multi-ethnic Asian Setting: How Does Having Cancer Matter?

The aim of the study was to develop and compare utility value sets for the EORTC QLU-C10D, a cancer-specific utility instrument based on the EORTC QLQ-C30, using the preferences of the general public and cancer patients in Singapore, and to assess their measurement properties. A total of 600 individuals from the general public were recruited using a multi-stage random sampling, along with 626 cancer patients with clinically confirmed diagnoses from outpatient clinics of the largest tertiary cancer hospital. Each participant valued 16 pairs of EORTC QLU-C10D health states using a discrete choice experiment (DCE). Conditional logit models were used to analyze the DCE responses of the general public and cancer patients separately. Utility values were assessed for known-group validity and responsiveness in the cancer patients by comparing mean values across subgroups of patients and calculating standardized response means using longitudinal EORTC QLQ-C30 data, respectively. Physical functioning and pain had the most impact on utility for both cancer patients and general public groups. Worst health state utility values were -0.821 and -0.463 for the general public and cancer patients, respectively. Cancer patients' values were lower for mild-to-moderate health states but higher for moderately-to-highly impaired states compared with the general public's values. Both value sets discriminated between patients with differing characteristics and responded equally well to improved health status, but the cancer patients' value set was slightly more responsive to deteriorated health. EORTC QLU-C10D value sets based on the preferences of the Singaporean general public and cancer patients exhibited differences in values but similar psychometric properties.

Values Scale for Positive Youth Development in Sport.

Adolescence is a period of special significance for the development of personal and social values. Positive adolescent development (PYD) can be an ideal perspective from which to promote values in young people through their sports practice. The aim of the study was to adapt and analyse the measurement properties of the Values Scale for Positive Youth Development for use in the context of sport in young athletes. A total of 599 adolescents, competitors of different sports modalities, participated in the study. Confirmatory factor analysis and reliability and invariance analyses were performed. The results confirmed a good model fit, with adjustment indexes (CFI, GFI and AGFI) above 0.90 and error (RMSEA and SRMR) below 0.08. The factor loadings above 0.50 were obtained for all items. Adequate reliability of the scales was also confirmed, between 0.72 and 0.89, and gender, age and sport invariance were confirmed. In conclusion, the analysed scale is a valid and reliable instrument with adequate psychometric properties, which makes it an appropriate assessment tool to be used in sports contexts, based on the positive adolescent development approach.

Validation of the Generic Version of China Health Related Outcomes Measures (CHROME-G) among individuals with type 2 diabetes in China.

The Generic Version of China Health Related Outcomes Measures (CHROME-G) was a new preference-based health-related quality of life (HRQoL) instrument designed specifically for the Chinese population. This study aimed to validate and compare measurement properties of CHROME-G with EuroQol-5 Dimensions-5 Levels (EQ-5D-5L), Short Form-6 Dimensions version 2 (SF-6Dv2), and Diabetes-Specific Quality of Life (DSQL) scales among the elderly Chinese population with type 2 diabetes. A representative sample population was recruited across the country. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Hypotheses testing including convergent validity and known-groups validity were evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation and effect sizes, respectively. Sensitivity was examined using relative efficiency and receiver operating characteristic curve. A total of 131 individuals with type 2 diabetes (54.20% male; mean age 69.03 years) were enrolled. Cronbach's alpha was 0.94 for DSQL, 0.93 for CHROME-G, 0.87 for EQ-5D-5L, and 0.88 for SF-6Dv2. For the convergent validity of CHROME-G, 24/29 (82.76%) correlations met the predefined hypotheses, with Spearman's rank correlation coefficients ranging from 0.51 to 0.96. Among the different health subgroups, the effect sizes for CHROME-G, DSQL, EQ-5D-5L, and SF-6Dv2 were 0.19-1.26, 0.36-1.62, 0.22-1.06, and 0.49-0.87, respectively. CHROME-G, DSQL, and SF-6Dv2 had higher efficiency compared with EQ-5D-5L in detecting differences in self-reported health status, with relative efficiency of 3.18 and 1.76, 4.38 and 6.52, and 1.56 and 2.09, respectively. CHROME-G demonstrates relatively good measurement properties compared with EQ-5D-5L and SF-6Dv2 for measuring the HRQoL among the elderly Chinese population with type 2 diabetes. The sensitivity of DSQL appears to be better than that of the three generic instruments.

Differential Item Functioning and Clinical Utility of the Subjective Memory Complaints Questionnaire in a Multi-Ethnic Cohort

Introduction: This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Subjective Memory Complaints Questionnaire (SMCQ) in a non-Hispanic White (NHW) and Mexican American (MA) sample from Texas in the USA. Methods: Data were obtained from the Health and Aging Brain Study – Health Disparities (HABS-HD; N = 1,691, age = 66.5 ± 8.7, education = 12.4 ± 4.8, 60.6% female, 33.2% MA Spanish speaking). Unidimensionality of the SMCQ was evaluated with confirmatory factor analysis. Differential item functioning (DIF) of the SMCQ was assessed across age, sex, education, and ethnicity/language using item response theory/logistic ordinal regression. Associations of the SMCQ in relation to cognitive status, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) blood-based biomarkers, and psychological distress were examined. Results: The SMCQ showed excellent fit in a single-factor model (CFI = 0.97, TLI = 0.97, RMSEA [95% CI] = 0.05 [0.04, 0.05], SRMR = 0.07). Significant item-level DIF was detected by education level and ethnicity/language, but not by age or sex; when detected, DIF was not salient (i.e., adverse). The SMCQ was associated with greater psychological distress, worse Clinical Dementia Rating scores, and greater disease burden as measured by total tau and neurofilament light. Conclusions: Practically negligible item-level bias was identified across education and ethnicity/language. Detected DIF can be described as benign, indicating that some items manifested differently between groups but had minimal impact on measurement properties. These results demonstrate that the SMCQ performs appropriately across demographic variables. Our findings also provide support for the associations of SMCQ scores with self-reported mood, cognitive status, and AD blood-based biomarkers.

Validating the ChatGPT Usage Scale: psychometric properties and factor structures among postgraduate students

BackgroundThe rapid adoption of ChatGPT in academic settings has raised concerns about its impact on learning, research, and academic integrity. This study aimed to develop and validate a comprehensive ChatGPT Usage Scale specifically tailored to postgraduate students, addressing the need for a psychometrically sound instrument to assess the multidimensional nature of ChatGPT usage in higher education.MethodsA cross-sectional survey design was employed, involving 443 postgraduate students from two Egyptian universities. The initial 39-item scale underwent Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) using principal component analysis with Varimax rotation. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was conducted to assess the model fit and psychometric properties of the final 15-item measure. Internal consistency reliability was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega.ResultsEFA revealed a three-factor structure explaining 49.186% of the total variance: Academic Writing Aid (20.438%), Academic Task Support (14.410%), and Reliance and Trust (14.338%). CFA confirmed the three-factor structure with acceptable fit indices (χ2(87) = 223.604, p < .001; CMIN/DF = 2.570; CFI = 0.917; TLI = 0.900; RMSEA = 0.060). All standardized factor loadings were statistically significant (p < .001), ranging from 0.434 to 0.728. The scale demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.848, McDonald’s ω = 0.849) and composite reliability (CR = 0.855). The average variance extracted (AVE) was 0.664, supporting convergent validity.ConclusionsThe validated ChatGPT Usage Scale provides a reliable and valid instrument for assessing postgraduate students’ engagement with ChatGPT across multiple dimensions. This tool offers valuable insights into AI-assisted academic practices, enabling more nuanced investigations into the effects of ChatGPT on postgraduate education.