Practical Scale Research Articles

On possibility of using pain questionnaires and scales in clinical practice (a literature review)

Pain is one of the main, and sometimes the only, reason for visiting a doctor, therefore, in order to establish a diagnosis and provide effective treatment, it is important to correctly and objectively assess this condition of the patient, but the perception of pain is a very subjective phenomenon, so it is necessary to develop ways of qualitative and quantitative assessment of pain sensations. The World Health Organization has defined pain as «an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage». Pain sensations have both physical and psychological aspects that need to be considered when assessing and treating pain. Objectification of pain is a challenging yet important task for the clinician. Pain perception is a versatile field of study at present, as each person evaluates pain sensations completely differently. Currently, various methods of assessing pain sensation have been described, among which a separate place is allocated to scales and questionnaires. The disadvantages of all scales and questionnaires are their limitations; only one scale cannot be used to obtain a detailed picture of the patient's condition, and the use of only one type of questionnaire does not cover all aspects of the pain syndrome and does not take into account the individual characteristics of the patient. There are modern technical methods of pain intensity assessment, but their high cost and insufficient distribution in clinical practice limit their use. After a detailed study of the problem of pain syndrome assessment, we can conclude that this topic is in demand in modern medicine and still remains open for innovations.

A hierarchical solution framework for dynamic and conflict-free AGV scheduling in an automated container terminal

Container terminals worldwide are experiencing their transitions into automated and intelligent terminals in the face of the ever increasing container handling demand and cost pressure. A key to cost-effective operations in automated container terminals is the efficient AGV scheduling algorithm that enables on-time fulfillment of container loading and discharging tasks. In this paper, we study an integrated task assignment and path planning problem for AGV scheduling in an automated container terminal. We propose a hierarchical solution framework to empower dynamic AGV scheduling, where the higher level employs a reinforcement learning algorithm for dynamic task assignment and the lower level makes use of a tailored path generation algorithm to generate low-cost and conflict-free paths for AGVs to serve the tasks. Additionally, we propose a container matching heuristic and a two-layer grid map to enhance the learning ability of the reinforcement learning algorithm. We compare the performance of the hierarchical solution framework against various benchmark methods on problem instances of practical scales. The results show that our approach is effective in reducing task delays and mitigating path conflicts, making the task assignment and path planning decisions more applicable for AGV scheduling in an automated container terminal.

Development and Psychometric Testing of Scales of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Self-Care for Patients With Arteriovenous Fistula.

Background and Purpose: To validate the scales of knowledge, attitude, and practice of self-care for arteriovenous fistulas in renal patients on hemodialysis. Methods: A methodological study verified the evidence of validity based on the content, response processes, and internal structure of the scales. The content was evaluated by six judges, and the response processes were verified with six patients. In the evaluation of the internal structure, the scales were applied to 220 patients for exploratory factor analysis with evaluation of McDonald's omega adjustment and calculation indexes. Results: The scales explained variance and McDonald's omega values of 40.4%/0.896, 60.7%/0.843, and 36.9%/0.702 for the knowledge (19 items), attitude (4 items), and practice (8 items), respectively. Conclusions: The scale of attitude was valid after the analysis of the content evidence, response processes, and internal structure. The arteriovenous fistula self-care knowledge and practice scales explained less than 50% of the constructs. Therefore, it is recommended that new studies be conducted to validate scales of knowledge and practice of fistula self-care.

Clinical and epidemiological analysis of intestinal infections in a children's infectious diseases hospital, experience in using the PEWS scale

Purpose of the work: to conduct a clinical-epidemiological analysis of intestinal infections in a pediatric infectious diseases hospital and the effectiveness of the PEWS scale.Materials and methods: a retrospective study was conducted at the Moscow City Clinical Hospital «Communarka» and City Clinical Hospital No. 1 in the pediatric infectious disease departments from June 1, 2023, to August 31, 2023. Laboratory, clinical, and anamnestic data were obtained from the medical information system «EMIAS» and the laboratory information system (LIS) «ALISA». The study analyzed 838 medical records of children with acute respiratory infections.Results: when conducting a statistical analysis of indicators in two groups (group 1 — PEWS ≥ 3 points, recorded at least once during the entire period of hospitalization, group 2 — PEWS from 1 to 2 points, recorded at least once during hospitalization period) no significant differences were observed in terms of etiology, age, day of illness, blood test results, and length of hospital stay. All patients had a moderate form of acute respiratory infection, however, patients with PEWS ≥ 3 points required increased attention from medical staff and had a higher risk of deterioration without additional medical intervention, with the most significant risk in predicting deterioration being related to changes in the cardiovascular system. All children were discharged home in satisfactory condition with PEWS = 0.Conclusion: In our conducted research, for the first time in the Russian Federation, the experience of using the PEWS scale in pediatric practice for patients with gastrointestinal infections was applied with the aim of early detection of the risk of clinical deterioration. It can be assumed that the most significant risk in predicting deterioration in the condition of a child with acute gastrointestinal infection, as well as with acute respiratory infection, is predominantly due to disturbances in the cardiovascular system.

A Review of Developmental Scales in Pediatric Practice: Recent Guidelines.

Imitation, fine motor abilities, eye-to-hand coordination, perception, gross motor abilities, mental abilities, and verbal cognitive abilities are assessed on the developmental scale. The behavioral scale also assesses social interaction, emotional expression, activity, curiosity, sensory reactivity, and language. The current developmental scales in pediatrics are discussed in this paper. These scales have evolved. International scales for Indian children are difficult to administer due to cultural differences in self-care and gender roles. If parental awareness and demand are raised, postnatal growth interventions for psychosocial development will benefit infants in developing nations. Routine screening involves identifying an appropriate opportunity, acquisition, tool selection, administration, interpreting data, scoring, counseling, and training.

Validation of the Korean version of the Sleep Hygiene Practice Scale in a Non-Clinical Population

ABSTRACT Objectives This study aimed to validate the Korean version of the sleep hygiene practice scale (SHPS-K) and determine its effectiveness in screening poor sleepers with insomnia. Methods Online survey was conducted using translated SHPS in Korean, the Korean versions of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI-K), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI-K), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (KESS) in a non-clinical population. The internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the SHPS-K were assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), respectively. Construct validity was evaluated using correlation analyses with other questionnaires and confirmatory factor analysis. We determined the cutoff values that could identify poor sleepers with insomnia symptoms (PSQI-K > 5 and ISI-K ≥ 15) using receiver operating characteristic analysis. Results A total of 484 participants (242 women, mean age of 43.8 years) were enrolled. The average SHPS-K score was 71.2, with no significant sex differences. Women had poorer sleep scheduling and timing behaviors, and men had poorer eating and drinking behaviors. Good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.88) and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.80) were observed. The SHPS-K was positively correlated with the PSQI-K (r = 0.55), ISI-K (r = 0.54), and KESS (r = 0.42). A cutoff value of 73 identified poor sleepers with insomnia (area under the curve = 0.828). Conclusions The SHPS-K is a reliable instrument for evaluating sleep hygiene in non-clinical Korean populations.

Developing a sustainable semiconductor hetero-system with Gd-Ho-Dy tri-doping in ZrO2 for enhanced performance and efficiency in advanced energy systems

This work discusses the designing and applications of the novel rare earth tri-doped zirconia i.e. [Gd-Ho-Dy]:ZrO2 semiconductor. [Gd-Ho-Dy]:ZrO2 as a spacer layer improved the efficiency of the perovskite solar cell reaching up to 14.06% at the ambient conditions. This material is stable for an extended duration without alterations in the electrochemical output achieving a higher specific capacitance of 237.5 F g−1. The O2 and H2 production potential of this material is evaluated for electro-catalysis of water. [Gd-Ho-Dy]:ZrO2 semiconductor is an effective electro-catalyst for oxygen and hydrogen production with the comparatively lower Tafel slope values of 271.3 and 125.9 mV dec−1, respectively. The lower Tafel slope value for hydrogen generation shows the effectiveness of the prepared electro-catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The augmented electrochemical performance and stability of the developed semiconductor shows its practical scale employment in different energy related applications.

A practical classification scale for the dermatology management of individuals with skin of color: the colorimetric scale for skin of color.

A simple and rapid method that is not based on race and ethnicity for classifying people with skin of color is of paramount importance in dermatology. The currently used Fitzpatrick classification of sun-reactive skin types is inadequate. Newer scales that have been used in immigration surveys and sociology studies are not applicable in the office setting. A new, non-racial and non-ethnic, colorimetric scale for skin of color has recently been proposed that is simple to perform. The scale has five colors: very light beige (skin color type 1), light brown (skin color type 2), medium brown (skin color type 3), dark brown (skin color type 4) and very dark brown (skin color type 5); an individual with white skin, such as in albinism, would have a skin color type 0 in this classification. In conclusion, the colorimetric scale enables the rapid classification of individuals with skin of color and allows for accurate assessment of skin cancer risk, more appropriate management of cosmetic dermatologic procedures and aesthetic devices, and enhanced ability for focused counseling regarding hair products, skin care interventions, and color-targeted makeup based on the person's skin tone.

Social support, health behavior self-efficacy, and anxiety on physical activity levels among lung cancer survivors: a structural equation modeling.

The study aims to investigate the relationship among social support, health behavior self-efficacy, anxiety, and the physical activity (PA) levels of lung cancer survivors, and to analyze whether health behavior self-efficacy and anxiety mediate the relationship between social support and PA levels. In a cross-sectional study of 1128 lung cancer survivors from 16 Chinese hospitals, we collected demographic data and administered the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), Self-Rated Abilities for Health Practices Scale (SRAHP), Anxiety Scale (AS), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). SPSS 25.0 was used for descriptive analyses, while the structural equation model in SPSS AMOS 24.0 was used to identify the direct, indirect, and total effects among variables. There were significant correlations among SSRS, SRAHP, AS, and PA (P < 0.01). Model outcomes revealed a positive association between social support and health behavior self-efficacy (β = 0.732, P < 0.001). Health behavior self-efficacy positively correlated with PA levels (β = 0.228, P < 0.001) and negatively with anxiety (β=-0.252, P = 0.001). Moreover, health behavior self-efficacy was found to partially mediate the relationship between social support and PA (β = 0.174, P < 0.001). This study revealed a positive correlation between social support and health behavior self-efficacy, and between health behavior self-efficacy and PA levels among lung cancer survivors. Additionally, health behavior self-efficacy mediated the relationship between social support and PA levels. In future clinical practice, medical and nursing staff should assess social support and health behavior self-efficacy in lung cancer survivors to inform personalized PA interventions.

Hand Washing Practices and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Palmar Bacterial Flora in a Tertiary Education Institution in Nigeria

Introduction: Hand hygiene is one of the most effective and inexpensive means of preventing the spread of communicable diseases. Rates of handwashing worldwide are low, and poor handwashing practices in universities remain a public health challenge. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the practice of handwashing, the microbial communities, and the susceptibility pattern of micro-organisms isolated from the palms of students of the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun, Nigeria. Methods: A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods was used to retrieve data. A self-administered questionnaire was utilised to gather socio-demographic characteristics and the practice scale of handwashing from the respondents. Isolation and identification were carried out by culture-based surveys and biochemical tests. Disk diffusion was used to determine susceptibility. Results: The majority of respondents were between ages 21–25 years, with 54.3% of them being female. About half of individuals never used an alcohol-based hand sanitiser, while only 4.9% of respondents admitted to always using soap to wash their hands. Presumptive identification of the organisms showed 38.1% of organisms as Staphylococcus epidermidis and 17.58% as Micrococcus spp. None of the antibiotics showed total efficacy. The resistance to chloramphenicol was low, and &lt;50% of the isolates showed resistance to tetracycline, novobiocin, and sulphonamide. Resistance to nalidixic acid was seen in 58.4% of organisms tested, and 77.75% were susceptible to tetracycline. Conclusion: Instances of improper hand hygiene were high, and this may increase the spread of micro-organisms through hand carriage. High resistance to the antibiotics tested was prevalent. Local trends of antimicrobial resistance must be robustly studied and proper interventions developed.

Confirmatory factor analysis of the Teacher Efficacy for Inclusive Practices scale: A study of teachers in Bosnia and Herzegovina

AbstractThe Teacher Efficacy for Inclusive Practices (TEIP) scale is a widely used instrument for assessing teachers' effectiveness in implementing inclusive practices. The TEIP has not been validated in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH). The goal of the present study was to conduct a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the TEIP in a sample of teachers in BIH. The sample consisted of 239 elementary school teachers (204 females, 35 males; mean age‐ 43.5 years, SD‐ 8.3 years). The results of the CFA found that the original TEIP structure was not a good fit for our data. However, through some modifications on the item level, we created a satisfactory model that retained the same structure as the original TEIC. The composite reliability and construct maximal reliability were well above the recommended cut point of 0.70 for all factors. Our findings suggest that the modified version of the TEIP has the potential to be an effective and useful instrument for assessing teachers' efficacy in inclusive practices in BIH. This study represents an important step towards the cultural adaptation and validation of the TEIP in BIH, highlighting areas for future research and application in diverse educational contexts.

Effect of river discharge on spawning grounds around the Yellow River Estuary

The Yellow River discharge is unevenly distributed on a time scale, and the river discharge into the sea reached its peak in the past 20 years in 2021. River discharge has a great impact on the temperature and salinity distribution and fish spawning grounds around the Yellow River estuary and Laizhou Bay. This paper analyzes the variation trend of the Yellow River discharge in the past 20 years, and simulates the temperature and salinity distribution around the Yellow River estuary from 2020 to 2022 through a numerical model. The effects of river discharge on the distribution of ocean temperature, salinity and spawning grounds were studied. According to the temperature and salinity of the sampling location, the temperature of main spawning grounds is about 16 ℃, and the salinity range is 30 to 30.5 psu (practical salinity scale). Key spawning grounds are more distributed in the peripheral areas where the Yellow River water is mixed and has less impact. Meanwhile, the key spawning grounds are far away from the main axis of the freshwater diffusion. The key spawning grounds will change with the Yellow River discharge diffusion structure, and moved westward in 2022.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Persian Version of Spiritual Self-Care Practice Scale in Iranian Patients with Cancer.

Spiritual self-care is defined as a set of patient-centered or family-centered spiritual activities aimed at promoting health and well-being. In chronic diseases such as cancer, the responsibility for care typically falls on the patient or their family, necessitating an accurate assessment of the patient's self-care practices to achieve this goal. The objective of this study was to translate, culturally adapt, and examine the psychometrics of the Persian version of the spiritual self-care practice scale (SSCPS) in cancer patients. This scale is designed to be administered directly to patients to assess their spiritual self-care practices. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the oncology ward in Afzalipoor Hospital, Javad Al-Aemeh Clinic, and Physicians Clinics affiliated with Kerman University of Medical Sciences in Kerman, southeast Iran. The study included qualitative and quantitative assessments of face validity, content validity, item analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (construct validity), and reliability. Data collection took place between March 20, 2023, and December 30, 2023. The scale's content validity index was calculated to be 0.948, with mostly minor revision comments for most items. The item-content validity indices ranged from 0.7 to 1. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a five-factor solution with 23 items, explaining 61.251% of the total variance. The identified factors were labeled as 'personal and interpersonal spiritual practices,' 'shaping and strengthening relationship practices,' 'religious practices,' 'physical spiritual practices,' and 'reshaping relationship practices.' Most of the confirmatory factor analysis indices were satisfactory (χ2/df = 1.665, CFI = 0.934, IFI = 0.935, RMSEA = 0.058). The Cronbach's α coefficient for the total scale was 0.89, while it ranged from 0.596 to 0.882 for the subscales. The Persian version of SSCPS with 23 items demonstrates reliability and effectiveness in assessing the spiritual practice performance of Iranian cancer patients. Compared to the original version, the Persian adaptation of SSCPS is concise, making it a suitable instrument for future research and practice on spiritual self-care among Iranian cancer patients.

Zadowolenie rodziców dzieci z zaburzeniami ze spektrum autyzmu ze specjalistycznego wsparcia dziecka i rodziny

Introduction: There is a significant increase in the number of children and adolescents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The principle of collaboration with parents is one of the basic elements of comprehensive support provided to both children with ASD and their families. Research Aim: The aim of the research was a multi-faceted approach to the level of satisfaction of parents of children with ASD with the professional support and a search for personal traits and dispositions related to the level and various aspects of parents’ satisfaction with collaboration with specialists supporting their children and families. Method: The research was carried out in a group of 204 parents of children with ASD. The following measures were used: Family-Professional Partnership Scale (FPPS), Enabling Practices Scale (EPS), Ten Item Personality Inventory (TIPI) – TIPI-PL; Psychological Entitlement Scale (PES), and Gratitude Questionnaire (GQ-6). Results: The obtained results show an above-average satisfaction of parents with the support they receive. Significant predictors of the satisfaction of surveyed parents with the specialist support were the following personal characteristics and dispositions: gratitude, agreeableness, conscientiousness and openness. Conclusions: The results enable an initial assessment of satisfaction with formal support among parents of children with ASD. They also indicate selected personal dispositions related to a high level of satisfaction with the support received.

Evaluating the measurement invariance of the parenting practices scale in the Caribbean

The purpose of this study was to assess the factor structure and measurement invariance of the three-factor (nurturance, monitoring, discipline) 29-item Parenting Practices Scale across four Caribbean islands—Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, The Bahamas, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines—with data from 1948 adolescent Caribbean grade 10 students. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted, and the findings supported the original three-factor model, and factor loading invariance was found across the four Caribbean islands. These findings suggest that this parenting measure may be used to compare perceptions of parental behaviors among adolescents in the English-speaking Caribbean with some limitations that are discussed.

Learning evidence-based practice by writing the bachelor's thesis – A prospective cohort study in undergraduate nursing education

BackgroundEvidence-based practice has been the desirable healthcare standard for decades. To ensure evidence-based healthcare in the future, nursing education curricula must include strategies for teaching evidence-based practice to nursing students. Learning outcomes about evidence-based practice might be incorporated into courses like the bachelor's thesis. AimThis study investigates whether writing a bachelor's thesis influences nursing students' practice, skills, and attitudes towards evidence-based practice, and explores whether there are differences between students writing the thesis as a literature study and students conducting empirical studies. DesignThis Nationwide Prospective Cohort Study collects data on students' practice, skills, and attitudes towards evidence-based practice through the Student Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire and two questions from the Norwegian version of the Evidence-Based Practice profile questionnaire. ParticipantsThe sample consists of 314 nursing students writing their bachelor's thesis in the last term of their nursing education. The responding students represent all institutions of higher education in Norway. MethodsPaired t-tests were used to examine changes in the subscales practice, retrieving/reviewing, sharing/applying, attitudes and total scale for the Student Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire from before they started to submission of the bachelor's thesis. Linear multiple regression analyses were conducted to explore differences between students writing a literature study and students conducting empirical studies. ResultsThe analysis showed that the nursing students significantly increased in the three subscales practice, retrieving/reviewing, and sharing/applying, in addition to the total scale for the questionnaire, while writing the bachelor's thesis. Further, the analysis showed no difference on the scales between the groups of students writing a literature study or conducting an empirical study. ConclusionsThe results indicate that writing the bachelor's thesis leads to increased learning about evidence-based practice and does not depend on the kind of thesis the students write.

Psychometric properties and cultural adaptation of the Polish Version of the Gay Affirmative Practice Scale.

The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people often face unique medical disparities, including obstacles to accessing adequate and respectful care. The purpose of this study was to test the psychometric properties(internal consistency, reliability, and factor structure) of the Polish-language version of the Gay Affirmative Practice Scale (GAP-PL). The study was conducted over a 6-month period in 2023, from February to June, involving 329 medical students and professionals who evaluated the GAP-PL. Before testing the psychometric properties of the original Gay Affirmative Practice Scale (GAP), it was translated and adapted from the original English language version into the Polish language. Authors then tested the psychometric properties of the tool on a sample of 329 participants. The internal coherence of the questionnaire was tested with the analysis of verifying factors (Confirmatory Factor Analysis). Cronbach alpha and the discriminatory power index were used as internal consistency measures. There were more female than male participants (55.32%). More than 53% of the participants were heterosexual, and the average age of the respondents was ~30 years. The internal consistency of the Polish-language version and its domains was strong with the overall Cronbach's alpha ranges for each subscale domains ranging between 0.936 and 0.949. The McDonald's omega coefficient was 0.963. The GAP-PL has excellent properties of factorial validity and can be used in research and clinical practice in Polish-speaking populations.

Social sustainability of communities: A systematic literature review

Social sustainability, a critical pillar of sustainability, has gained increasing recognition in recent years. It focuses on achieving human well-being and enhancing life quality. Communities, as the fundamental physical and social units within cities, present a practical scale for examining social sustainability in the built environment. This paper presents a Systematic Literature Review of articles from two of the largest academic online databases, Web of Science (WoS) core collection and Scopus, aiming to augment understanding of social sustainability in community contexts. The review identifies four conceptual frameworks, eight foundational indicators, and four strategies for improvement. The results highlight the integration of physical and social attributes, alongside community experiences of residents, as essential to social sustainability. Improvement efforts necessitate collaboration among local authorities, the private sector, and various stakeholders. This study contributes to a deeper comprehension of community-based social sustainability, laying the groundwork for future scholarly research and guiding local authorities and private sector initiatives in effective infrastructure and service delivery.

Convex Representation of Metabolic Networks with Michaelis–Menten Kinetics

Polyhedral models of metabolic networks are computationally tractable and can predict some cellular functions. A longstanding challenge is incorporating metabolites without losing tractability. In this paper, we do so using a new second-order cone representation of the Michaelis–Menten kinetics. The resulting model consists of linear stoichiometric constraints alongside second-order cone constraints that couple the reaction fluxes to metabolite concentrations. We formulate several new problems around this model: conic flux balance analysis, which augments flux balance analysis with metabolite concentrations; dynamic conic flux balance analysis; and finding minimal cut sets of networks with both reactions and metabolites. Solving these problems yields information about both fluxes and metabolite concentrations. They are second-order cone or mixed-integer second-order cone programs, which, while not as tractable as their linear counterparts, can nonetheless be solved at practical scales using existing software.

Early detection of deep-seated smouldering fires in wood waste storage using ERT

Incidents of waste and biofuel fires are common at all stages of the waste recycling chain and have grave implications for business, employees, firefighters, society, and environment. An early detection of waste and biofuel fires in the smouldering stage could save precious lives, resources, and our environment. Existing fire detection methodologies e.g. handheld temperature sensors, IR cameras, gas sensors, and video and satellite-based monitoring techniques have inherent limitations to efficiently detect smouldering fires. An attempt was made to explore the potential of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) as an alternate tool to address the problem. In the experiments an externally powered resistive wire was employed to initiate the smouldering fire inside the test material (wood pellets, wood shavings, wood fines). Time series of ERT that followed the initiation and development of smouldering were recorded using an automated monitoring instrument setup. The actual geometry of the experimental sample container and electrode setup was integrated in the 3D finite element method (FEM) model grid to perform inverse numerical modelling (inversion) and to develop resistivity tomographic images. The study shows a sharp increase in ratio of resistivity (R/Ro ≥ 50 %) in the test material in the region of smouldering hotspot and demonstrates the potential use of ERT technique for the detection of smouldering hotspots in silos and pile storage of organic material such as wood-based fuels, wood waste, coal, municipal solid waste (MSW), recyclables etc. More research is however required for enabling the use of this technique at the practical scale for different storage conditions.