Reliable Measurement Research Articles

The value of error-correcting responses for cognitive assessment in games

Traditional conflict-based cognitive assessment tools are highly behaviorally restrictive, which prevents them from capturing the dynamic nature of human cognition, such as the tendency to make error-correcting responses. The cognitive game Tunnel Runner measures interference control, response inhibition, and response-rule switching in a less restrictive manner than traditional cognitive assessment tools by giving players movement control after an initial response and encouraging error-correcting responses. Nevertheless, error-correcting responses remain unused due to a limited understanding of what they measure and how to use them. To facilitate the use of error-correcting responses to measure and understand human cognition, we developed theoretically-grounded measures of error-correcting responses in Tunnel Runner and assessed whether they reflected the same cognitive functions measured via initial responses. Furthermore, we evaluated the measurement potential of error-correcting responses. We found that initial and error-correcting responses similarly reflected players’ response inhibition and interference control, but not their response-rule switching. Furthermore, combining the two response types increased the reliability of interference control and response inhibition measurements. Lastly, error-correcting responses showed the potential to measure response inhibition on their own. Our results pave the way toward understanding and using post-decision change of mind data for cognitive measurement and other research and application contexts.

Developing a reference method for indirect measurement of pasture evapotranspiration at sub-meter spatial resolution

To establish an indirect method for estimating and partitioning pasture evapotranspiration, it is vital to develop a direct reference method that aligns with the required temporal and spatial resolution. An evapotranspiration chamber offers an effective solution as it is easy to deploy and operates at an appropriate measurement scale. In this study, we prepared and tested a closed hemispherical chamber for on-site measurements of evaporation and/or transpiration. Advanced data monitoring and logging techniques were integrated to enhance the precision and reliability of direct in-field evapotranspiration measurements. During laboratory testing, vapor accumulation within the chamber was monitored to identify the best representative segment of the vapor accumulation curve. Results indicated that the instrument stabilizes its readings within 5 to 10 s post-deployment in laboratory settings. The subsequent 15 s produce stable readings that best represent actual vapor accumulation. The optimal fan speed, producing an air speed of 5.36 ms−1 at the vicinity of the fan within the chamber, paired with a wire mesh above the vapor-producing surface, yielded the best results. The study established a calibration factor (C) of 1.02 based on the actual water loss and vapor accumulation readings from the sensors at this fan speed. Advanced data analytics were applied to derive the calibration factor and to calculate the values of evapotranspiration from the changing microclimate within the chamber. Direction towards complete automation and the limitations of the chamber in field measurement are provided. The chamber was also tested under field conditions, and the paper examines its practical application and necessary adjustments for field measurements.

Psychometric properties of computerized adaptive testing for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patient-reported outcome measurement

BackgroundComputerized adaptive testing (CAT) is an effective way to reduce time, repetitious redundancy, and respond burden, and has been used to measure outcomes in many diseases. This study aimed to develop and validate a comprehensive disease-specific CAT for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patient-reported outcome measurement.MethodsThe discrimination and difficulty of the items from the modified patient-reported outcome scale for COPD (mCOPD-PRO) were analyzed using item response theory. Then the initial item, item selection method, ability estimation method, and stopping criteria were further set based on Concerto platform to form the CAT. Finally, the reliability and validity were validated.ResultsThe item discrimination ranged from 1.05 to 2.71, and the item difficulty ranged from − 3.08 to 3.65. The measurement reliability of the CAT ranged from 0.910 to 0.922 using random method, while that ranged from 0.910 to 0.924 using maximum Fisher information (MFI) method. The content validity was good. The correlation coefficient between theta of the CAT and COPD assessment test and modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale scores using random method was 0.628 and 0.540 (P < 0.001; P < 0.001) respectively, while that using MFI method was 0.347 and 0.328 (P = 0.007; P = 0.010) respectively. About 11 items (reducing by 59.3%) on average were tested using random method, while about seven items (reducing by 74.1%) on average using MFI method. The correlation coefficient between theta of the CAT and mCOPD-PRO total scores using random method was 0.919 (P < 0.001), while that using MFI method was 0.760 (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe comprehensive disease-specific CAT for COPD patient-reported outcome measurement is well developed with good psychometric properties, which can provide an efficient, accurate, and user-friendly measurement for patient-reported outcome of COPD.

Smartphone-Based Assessment of Mobility and Manual Dexterity in Adult People with Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

More responsive, reliable, and clinically valid endpoints of disability are essential to reduce size, duration, and burden of clinical trials in adult persons with spinal muscular atrophy (aPwSMA). The aim is to investigate the feasibility of smartphone-based assessments in aPwSMA and provide evidence on the reliability and construct validity of sensor-derived measures (SDMs) of mobility and manual dexterity collected remotely in aPwSMA. Data were collected from 59 aPwSMA (23 walkers, 20 sitters and 16 non-sitters) and 30 age-matched healthy controls (HC). SDMs were extracted from five smartphone-based tests capturing mobility and manual dexterity, which were administered in-clinic and remotely in daily life for four weeks. Reliability (Intraclass Correlation Coefficients, ICC) and construct validity (ability to discriminate between HC and aPwSMA and correlations with Revised Upper Limb Module, RULM and Hammersmith Functional Scale - Expanded HFMSE) were quantified for all SDMs. The smartphone-based assessments proved feasible, with 92.1% average adherence in aPwSMA. The SDMs allowed to reliably assess both mobility and dexterity (ICC > 0.75 for 14/22 SDMs). Twenty-one out of 22 SDMs significantly discriminated between HC and aPwSMA. The highest correlations with the RULM were observed for SDMs from the manual dexterity tests in both non-sitters (Typing, ρ= 0.78) and sitters (Pinching, ρ= 0.75). In walkers, the highest correlation was between mobility tests and HFMSE (5 U-Turns, ρ= 0.79). This exploratory study provides preliminary evidence for the usability of smartphone-based assessments of mobility and manual dexterity in aPwSMA when deployed remotely in participants' daily life. Reliability and construct validity of SDMs remotely collected in real-life was demonstrated, which is a pre-requisite for their use in longitudinal trials. Additionally, three novel smartphone-based performance outcome assessments were successfully established for aPwSMA. Upon further validation of responsiveness to interventions, this technology holds potential to increase the efficiency of clinical trials in aPwSMA.

Study on the Ensuring of Reliability and Repeatability of Research in the Area of Marine Ecology through Calibration of Underwater Acoustics Devices

This paper emphasizes the crucial needs and reasons to ensure the reliability and repeatability of underwater acoustic measurements. As an exemplification of the aforementioned acoustic measurements challenges, the development of metrological infrastructure in the area of underwater acoustics in GUM (Central Office of Measures, Poland) is presented. An analysis of presented solutions was carried out mainly in the low frequency range, in comparison with other solutions recently developed worldwide. Moreover, factors influencing the sensitivity of hydroacoustic measuring devices are discussed. The summary of this discussion outlines the further works aimed at ensuring the reliability and repeatability of underwater acoustic measurements. The conclusions present the current state of the calibration infrastructure of underwater acoustic devices, with particular emphasis on marine ecology and fisheries sciences.

Validity and Reliability of Movesense HR+ ECG Measurements for High-Intensity Running and Cycling.

Low-cost, portable devices capable of accurate physiological measurements are attractive tools for coaches, athletes, and practitioners. The purpose of this study was primarily to establish the validity and reliability of Movesense HR+ ECG measurements compared to the criterion three-lead ECG, and secondarily, to test the industry leader Garmin HRM. Twenty-one healthy adults participated in running and cycling incremental test protocols to exhaustion, both with rest before and after. Movesense HR+ demonstrated consistent and accurate R-peak detection, with an overall sensitivity of 99.7% and precision of 99.6% compared to the criterion; Garmin HRM sensitivity and precision were 84.7% and 87.7%, respectively. Bland-Altman analysis compared to the criterion indicated mean differences (SD) in RR' intervals of 0.23 (22.3) ms for Movesense HR+ at rest and 0.38 (18.7) ms during the incremental test. The mean difference for Garmin HRM-Pro at rest was -8.5 (111.5) ms and 27.7 (128.7) ms for the incremental test. The incremental test correlation was very strong (r = 0.98) between Movesense HR+ and criterion, and moderate (r = 0.66) for Garmin HRM-Pro. This study developed a robust peak detection algorithm and data collection protocol for Movesense HR+ and established its validity and reliability for ECG measurement.

Quantitative assessment of rotator cuff injuries using synthetic MRI and IDEAL-IQ imaging techniques

PurposeTo evaluate synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (SyMRI) and iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and least squares estimation (IDEAL-IQ) imaging for a comprehensive evaluation of rotator cuff injuries (RCI). MethodsNinety-seven patients with RCI were classified into four groups based on the arthroscopic results: (grade II), partial tear (grade III), complete tear (grade IV), and controls (grade I). T1 (Transverse Relaxation Time 1), T2 (Transverse Relaxation Time 2), proton density (PD), and fat fraction (FF) were evaluated using SyMRI and IDEAL-IQ. Measurement reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). The diagnostic potential for grading RCI was evaluated using ordinal regression and ROC analyses. ResultsA high measurement reliability (ICC > 0.7) was observed across subregions. T1 and T2 significantly varied across grades, particularly T2 in the lateral subregion between grades III and IV (P < 0.001) and the central subregion between grades II and III (P < 0.001). ROC analyses yielded valuable diagnostic accuracy, including T2 in the lateral subregion with an AUC of 0.891, distinguishing grade I from grade IV. Positive correlations were found between T2 values in specific shoulder subregions and injury grade (r = 0.615 for lateral, r = 0.542 for medial, both P < 0.001). In grade IV, FF was notably increased in the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and subscapularis muscles compared with grades I-III. There were no significant FF variations in the teres minor muscle among grades. ConclusionsQuantitative MRI parameters from SyMRI and IDEAL-IQ, especially T2 and FF, may classify and assess RCI severity. The results could help improve the accuracy of diagnosing different grades of RCI, offering clinicians additional tools for improving patient outcomes through personalized medicine.

Characterization of strongly coupled quartz tuning fork sensors for precision force measurement in atomic force microscopy

Miniaturized quartz tuning forks (QTFs) have been adopted as force sensors for non-contact atomic force microscopy (AFM). However, the coupled oscillation behaviors of the QTF prongs are not well understood, preventing quantitative measurement of the nanoscale tip-sample interaction forces. This article presents a lumped model that accurately delineates the coupled mechanical oscillations of QTF prongs, establishing rigorous relationships between experimental observables and tip-sample interaction forces. The first-order resonance spectra of a commercial QTF were fully characterized by correlating its piezoelectric response with the actual mechanical oscillation measured with a Fabry-Pérot interferometer. In order to uniquely determine the modeling parameters (i.e., the effective masses, spring constants, and damping constants), the experimental results were compared with the lumped model predictions while masses were added to one prong. The results reveal that the QTF’s center of mass is highly damped, preventing the observation of a symmetric resonance mode. In addition, the mass loading experiment demonstrates that the mechanical oscillations of the QTF prongs are strongly coupled, accounting for 59% (84%) of the effective stiffness at the in-plane (out-of-plane), antisymmetric resonance mode. We believe that the obtained QTF characterization results will pave the way for quantitative measurements of non-contact interaction forces in QTF-based AFM platforms, significantly improving the precision and reliability of nanoscale force measurements.

P084 BLOOD PRESSURES MEASUREMENT WITH SITTING ON THE FLOOR POSITION FOR THE HOME BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING FOR ASIAN LIFESTYLE

Objectives: The current standard method for home blood pressure (BP) measurement involves taking measurements while sitting in a chair. In cultures where floor sitting is common as like in Asian countries, the protocol only using sitting on the chair position can not be applied because of a lack of research for interchangeability. Methods &amp; Materials: Among the participants who visited for evaluation of central blood pressure or pulse wave velocity, a total of 116 participants who agreed to participate in the study were randomly selected. All subjects rested for 5 minutes, and BP measurements were taken at 1-minute intervals according to a randomly assigned order of standard method (chair-sitting) and BP in a seated on the floor (floor-sitting). Results: Of the 116 participants, the median age was 67.5 (with an interquartile range of 59.0 to 75.0), and 82% were male. There were no significant differences in systolic BP (SBP, 127.0 [115.0, 142.2] mmHg in chair-sitting and 129.0 [115.5, 142.2] mmHg in floor-sitting, P = 0.228) and diastolic BP (DBP, 73.5 [66.0, 83.0] mmHg in chair-sitting and 72.0 [66.8, 81.3] mmHg in floor-sitting, P = 0.839) between the two positions. Conclusions: These findings provide important insights into securing the reliability of home BP measurements through the commonly practiced floor-sitting posture in cultures where floor sitting is common. Furthermore, this could serve as substantial evidence for providing specific home BP measurement guidelines to patients who adhere to a floor-sitting lifestyle.

Reliability and validity of a measure of service providers' perceptions of child and parent engagement in pediatric rehabilitation therapy sessions.

There is growing interest in client engagement in pediatric rehabilitation. This article investigated the psychometric properties of a measure of service providers' perceptions of the affective, cognitive and behavioural engagement of both children with disabilities and their parents in pediatric rehabilitation therapy sessions. Test-retest reliability of the Pediatric Rehabilitation Intervention Measure of Engagement-Service Provider version (PRIME-SP) was examined using engagement ratings made by 60 service providers for 77 children and 73 parents. Construct validity was examined using the known-group validity technique, utilizing service providers' ratings of the engagement of parents and their children attending the same session with the service provider. We hypothesized that there would be significantly different, yet moderately correlated engagement ratings for children and their parents. There was evidence of moderate test-retest reliability for the child ratings, indicative of dynamicity across occasions, but also a degree of consistency, as aligned with our expectations. Service providers' ratings of parent and child engagement were not significantly correlated and paired t-tests indicated significantly higher engagement scores for parents than children. The study provides preliminary evidence to support the reliability and validity of the PRIME-SP as a tool for service providers to document, reflect on and monitor child and/or parent engagement.

Evaluating the accuracy of planar gated blood pool processing software using simulated patient studies

Planar gated blood pool (GBP-P) radionuclide imaging is a valuable non-invasive technique for assessing left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Serial cardiac imaging can be performed to monitor the potential decline in LVEF among patients undergoing cardiotoxic chemotherapy. Consequently, accurate LVEF determination becomes paramount. While commercial software programs have enhanced the LVEF values' reproducibility, concerns remain regarding their accuracy. This study aimed to generate a database of GBP-P studies with known LVEF values using Monte Carlo simulations and to assess LVEF values' accuracy using four commercial software programs.We utilised anthropomorphic 4D-XCAT models to generate 64 clinically realistic GBP-P studies with Monte Carlo simulations. Four commercial software programs (Alfanuclear, Siemens, General Electric Xeleris, and Mediso Tera-Tomo) were used to process these simulated studies. The accuracy and reproducibility of the LVEF values determined with these software programs and the intra- and inter-observer reproducibility of the LVEF values were assessed.Our study revealed a strong correlation between LVEF values calculated by the software programs and the true LVEF values derived from the 4D-XCAT models. However, all the software programs slightly underestimated LVEF at lower LVEF values. Intra- and inter-observer reliability for LVEF measurements was excellent.Accurate LVEF assessment is crucial for determining the patient's cardiac function before initiating and during chemotherapy treatment. The observed underestimation, particularly at lower LVEF values, emphasises the need for the accurate and reproducible determination of these values to avoid excluding suitable candidates for chemotherapy. The software programs' excellent intra- and inter-observer reliability highlights their potential to reduce subjectivity when using the semi-automatic processing option.This study confirms the accuracy and reliability of these commercial software programs in determining LVEF values from simulated GBP-P studies. Future research should investigate strategies to mitigate the underestimation biases and extend findings to diverse patient populations.Gated blood pool studies, left ventricular ejection fraction, Monte Carlo simulations, 4D-XCAT models.

Intra- and Inter-Rater Reliability of Linear and Nonlinear Measures of Short-Term Heart Rate Variability Following Combat-Related Traumatic Injury.

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a marker of autonomic function. However, the reliability of short-term HRV measurement in individuals with combat-related traumatic injury (CRTI) remains undetermined. An intra- and inter-rater reliability study was conducted using a subsample (n = 35) of British servicemen with CRTI enrolled in the ongoing ADVANCE study. A five-minute epoch of single-lead electrocardiogram data collected during spontaneous breathing was used to measure HRV. HRV analyses were independently performed by two examiners using Kubios. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), minimum detectable change (MDC), and coefficient of variance were calculated for linear [root mean square of successive difference (RMSSD), standard deviation of NN interval, low-frequency, high-frequency, total power] and nonlinear (SD1-2, acceleration and deceleration capacities, sample entropy) measures. Bland-Altman %plots were used to assess bias in intra- and inter-rater HRV data. The mean age of participants was 39.3 ± 6.3 years. An excellent ICC score of 0.9998 (95% CI 0.9997, 0.9999) was observed for intra-rater analyses of RMSSD, and similar excellent ICC scores were seen for all other HRV measures. The inter-rater reliability analyses produced an excellent ICC score (range 0.97-1.00). Comparatively, frequency-domain measures produced higher MDC% and SEM% scores than time-domain and nonlinear measures in both inter- and intra-rater analyses. The Bland-Altman plots revealed relatively higher bias for frequency-domain and nonlinear measures than time-domain measures. ECG-related short-term HRV measures were reliable in injured servicemen under spontaneous breathing. However, the reliability appeared better with the time-domain measure than frequency-domain and nonlinear measures in this sample.

Combined Lactate Glucose Ratio (CLGR) as a novel marker for rapid diagnosis of CSF bacterial infection in neurosurgical patients: diagnostic accuracy study and benchtop analyzer correlation

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of a novel marker, the combined lactate-to-glucose ratio (CLGR), in identifying cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) bacterial infection (CBI) in neurosurgical patients. Additionally, it seeks to establish cut-off values for CLGR and evaluate the reliability of measurement using blood gas analyzer (BGA). MethodsCSF samples were collected from two neurosurgical centers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, between January 2022 and October 2023. Conventional markers and CLGR were quantified using standard laboratory methods, with BGA utilized for measurement when feasible. Samples were categorized into confirmed CBI-positive (CBI+) and CBI-negative (CBI-) groups. Marker performance was compared, and receiver operating characteristic analysis conducted. Pearson's correlation assessed the agreement between BGA and laboratory measurements. ResultsAmong the 130 CSF samples, 11 were CBI+. Both cLac and CLGR were significantly elevated in the CBI+ group (p<0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) for cLac and CLGR was 0.990 and 0.994, respectively. Using a cut-off of 6.0mmol/L, cLac demonstrated sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 93.3%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 57.9%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 100%, and diagnostic accuracy of 93.9%. CLGR ≥20.0 showed even higher accuracy: 100.0% sensitivity, 98.6% specificity, 84.6% PPV, 100% NPV, and overall accuracy of 98.5%. Both markers maintained excellent performance in blood-stained CSF. BGA measurements correlated well with laboratory results (r=0.980 & 0.999, respectively, p<0.001). ConclusionsCLac levels ≥6.0mmol/L and CLGR ≥20.0 accurately identified CBI in neurosurgical patients, with CLGR exhibiting superior efficacy. The potential for instant BGA measurement suggests promise for point-of-care testing.

Hybrid Virtual Flow Metering on Arbitrary Well Patterns for Transient Multiphase Prediction Driven by Mechanistic and Data Model

Virtual Flow Meters (VFMs) have garnered considerable attention due to their substantial benefits in curtailing the expenses associated with multiphase flow measurement. To overcome the constraints of current technologies, we introduce the Distributed Hybrid Virtual Flow Meter (HVFM-Fleet) method. This innovative approach leverages a data-driven model that integrates multi-scale features, significantly enhancing the accuracy of flow characteristic identification. Moreover, a mechanical model is crafted to translate arbitrary well networks into a virtual layout, thereby amplifying the system's adaptability to a variety of scenarios. The HVFM-Fleet capitalizes on distributed computing to reduce computational costs in large-scale simulations, establishing a database that surpasses a thousand multi-well cases—the most extensive in the transient multiphase flow simulation sector. Case studies integrate simulation data with actual measurement data from oil fields in the North Sea of the UK, with a detailed analysis of key elements such as individual wells, multiple wells, and flow allocation. The HVFM-Fleet has notably reduced the mean absolute percentage error and achieved a remarkable 140% improvement in performance compared to existing models. Furthermore, this research pioneers new metrics for assessing the volatility of predictions, setting a new standard in the evaluation of flow measurement reliability.

The Indian Geriatrics Quality of Life Inventory Scale (IGQOLI): Development and Validation of a Scale to Evaluate the Quality of Life among Geriatric Population of India.

Quality of life (QOL) refers to an individual's perception of their overall life and well-being. As people age, their QOL often deteriorates. Although various outcome measures exist to assess QOL, most are limited in scope and not specific to the Indian ethnicity of geriatrics. Therefore, a new outcome measure was developed and validated to more accurately evaluate the QOL for the geriatric population in India. The outcome measure was developed in three stages, followed by validation. Data was collected using multistage cluster sampling from 13 subdivisions of Jaipur district. A total of 423 participants were interviewed face-to-face. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS version 20, and the reliability and validity of the outcome measure were assessed. The Indian Geriatrics Quality of Life Inventory (IGQOL) scale demonstrated excellent reliability, with a Cronbach's alpha (α) of 0.95 and an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.93. The measure also exhibited excellent face and content validity, with a K value of 1. Correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship with other outcome measures, with a Pearson correlation coefficient value of > 7 and a p-value of < 0.05. The study concludes that the IGQOLI scale is a reliable and valid outcome measure for evaluating the QOL in the geriatric population in India.

Secondary fastener (tape) placement on a blood pressure cuff causes interindividual Doppler blood pressure measurement variability in healthy large-breed dogs.

The objective of this study was to compare Doppler blood pressure (DBP) measurements between blood pressure cuffs (BPCs) with and without a secondary fastener (tape) in healthy nonanesthetized large-breed dogs. 28 healthy dogs. Superficial palmar venous arch DBP measurements with and without tape on the BPC were performed in lateral recumbency with Doppler ultrasound. Each method was performed 6 consecutive times, with the final 5 values averaged. Bland-Altman plots were made and limits of agreement calculated. The limits of agreement were -40.8 (95% CI, -55.6 to -26.0) to 45.6 (95% CI, 30.8 to 60.4), indicating that the DBP measured with tape would be expected to be between 40.8 mm Hg below and 45.6 mm Hg above that measured without tape 95% of the time. The mean bias estimate was 2.4 mm Hg (SD, 22.0; 95% CI, -6.1 to 11.0; P = .724), indicating that DBP measurements with tape averaged 2.4 mm Hg higher than without tape. Doppler blood pressure measurements obtained with secondary fasteners on the BPCs differed by > 10 mm Hg compared to the BPCs' standard hook-and-loop fasteners 54% (30 of 56) of the time. Blood pressure cuffs with dysfunctional hook-and-loop fasteners should be replaced due to poor clinical reliability of DBP measurements. However, it is unclear whether Doppler sphygmomanometry is more accurate with the use of traditional Velcro BPC fasteners or with tape BPC fasteners.

Assessment of the Film-Free Water Decal Method for Speckle Pattern Application in Digital Image Correlation.

Digital Image Correlation (DIC) often encounters challenges with variability and consistency in traditional speckle pattern application techniques, such as spray-painting, affecting measurement accuracy and reliability. This study evaluates a film-free water decal method as an alternative for applying speckle patterns in DIC. SS275 structural steel specimens were prepared with speckle patterns using both the film-free water decal method and traditional spray-painting. The quality of the speckle patterns was assessed, and their effectiveness for DIC was evaluated through tensile testing and a comparison with strain gauge measurements. The film-free water decal method provided enhanced control over speckle pattern application, resulting in high-quality, consistent patterns. Strain measurements obtained using this method closely matched those from traditional methods, confirming its reliability. The film-free water decal method offers a practical and reliable alternative to spray-painting, improving the consistency and accuracy of DIC experiments, with potential applications in various engineering and scientific fields.

Validity and reliability of a finger training tool for assessing metacarpal phalangeal joint ranges of motion in asymptomatic participants

This pilot study aims to evaluate concurrent validity using the goniometer as a reference tool and test–retest reliability of flexion of metacarpal phalangeal joint (MCP) measurements taken from a finger training device (air-guitar system) in healthy participants. There were ten self -reported asymptomatic participants recruited to test the devices. The measurements of all metacarpophangeal joints of the dominant hands were conducted using a finger goniometer and the air-guitar system. Two measuring sessions were conducted on the same day. The concurrent validity of the air-guitar indicated by strong concordance correlation coefficient (0.62–0.90) with the goniometer and mean difference (approximately 1°) between the two instruments are well below the limit of 5°. The test–retest reliability of MCP measurements from the air-guitar glove (0.82–0.99) was acceptable as a clinically meaningful measurement tool as the intraclass correlation coefficients were higher than 0.7. The standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change of the air-guitar are similar to those of the goniometer. The air-guitar tracking features, when used as a home-based therapy tool, may assist in monitoring change of MCP flexion over a time course with good reliability and strongly associated with the measurements from the goniometer.

Evaluating the Reliability and Model Fit of the 13-Item and 10-Item Big Five Inventory (Malay Version) among Malaysian Firefighters.

Lengthy instruments for assessing personality traits may not be applicable in certain research settings. In situations where time is scarce, a briefer measurement is preferable. However, the reliability of a briefer measurement of the Big Five Inventory (BFI) among firefighters in Malaysia has not been reported. This study aimed to investigate the reliability and model fit of the Malay version of the BFI with 13 items (BFI-13) and 10 items (BFI-10) among Malaysian firefighters. A cross-sectional study using cluster sampling was conducted in a state in Malaysia. Each respondent completed BFI-10 and BFI-13 using an online survey with a 1-month interval between each response. Reliability testing was evaluated using internal consistency and a 2-week interval test-retest. The model fit of these two BFI questionnaires was evaluated via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). A total of 124 firefighters participated in the study, with a zero-dropout rate. The Malay version of BFI-13 exhibited higher reliability by displaying good internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha of 0.919, 0.838, 0.871 and 0.896 for the domains conscientiousness, neuroticism, agreeableness and extraversion, respectively, and acceptable test-retest reliability with moderate to good intraclass correlation (0.588-0.806). The CFA model also indicated that BFI-13 has a better model fit (comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.993; Tucker-Lewis index [TLI] = 0.991; standardised root mean squared residual [SRMR] = 0.029; root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.035). The Malay version of BFI-13 is reliable and applicable enough to be supplementarily used in surveys among Malaysian firefighters. By using a brief personality assessment, it will reduce the cognitive and emotional burden on respondents.

Correction of thermal airflow distortion in warpage measurements of microelectronic packaging structures via deep learning-based digital image correlation

The projected speckle-based three-dimensional digital image correlation method (3D-DIC) is being increasingly used in the reliability measurement of microelectronic packaging structures because of its noninvasive nature, high precision, and low cost. However, during the measurement of the thermal reliability of packaging structures, the thermal airflow generated by heating introduces distortions in the images captured by the DIC measurement system, impacting the accuracy and reliability of noncontact measurements. To address this challenge, a thermal airflow distortion correction model based on the transformer attention mechanism is proposed specifically for the measurement of thermal warpage in microelectronic packaging structures. This model avoids the oversmoothing issue associated with convolutional neural networks and the lack of physical constraints in generative adversarial networks, ensuring the precision of grayscale gradient changes in speckle patterns and minimizing adverse effects on DIC calculation accuracy. By inputting the distorted images captured by the DIC measurement system into the network, corrected images are obtained for 3D-DIC calculations, thus allowing the thermal warpage measurement results of the sample to be acquired. Through experiments measuring topography with customized step block specimens, the effectiveness of the proposed method in improving warpage measurement accuracy is confirmed; this is particularly true when captured images are affected by thermal airflow at 140 °C and 160 °C, temperatures commonly encountered in thermal reliability testing of packaging structures. The method successfully reduces the standard deviation from 9.829 to 5.943 µm and from 12.318 to 6.418 µm, respectively. The results demonstrate the substantial practical value of this method for measuring thermal warpage in microelectronic packaging structures.