Test Situation Research Articles

Everyday memory in patients with depression: An explorative pilot study using an ecological assessment paradigm

Background People with major depressive disorder (MDD) often experience significant memory problems in their daily lives, which, however, frequently do not correspond to standardized memory test (SMT) results. The present pilot study aimed to examine the everyday memory performance of people with MDD by means of an ecological assessment paradigm (EAP). Methods Participants were unexpectedly called one week after their neuropsychological test assessment and asked about their memories of specific details of the former test situation. Associations of this EAP with SMT, subjective everyday memory problems, and symptom coping were exploratively analyzed. Results The study involved 22 MDD inpatients (M = 42.5 years, 64% female) and 22 comparable healthy control persons. MDD patients showed a significantly reduced performance in the EAP as well as in the SMT and they reported more memory problems in their daily lives. However, the EAP was not related to SMT results assessed a week before. Moreover, only the EAP was significantly associated with subjective daily memory problems and (distraction) coping style in the MDD group. Conclusions The EAP appears to better reflect the everyday memory problems of persons with depression than standardized test procedures. However, the findings need to be validated by further research with larger samples.

Optimization of biofuel dehydration performance of PES/PEI/MXene membrane by response surface method

In this study, the dehydration of the ethanol/water mixture through pervaporation was assessed using a PES/PEI/MXene membrane. The structure of MAX and MXene nanoparticles was investigated by FTIR spectrum and FE-SEM analysis. The experimental design employed response surface methodology (RSM) with a central composite design (CCD) to specify optimal test situations. The obtained results suggested a quadratic model for permeate flux and selectivity, which shows the variance of R2 = 0.95 and 0.91, respectively. The models appeared a critical impact on three operational parameters on the selectivity and permeate flux with some significant interaction between these parameters. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) displayed a significant regression model. Statistical analysis revealed that the concentration and temperature of the feed had a statistically significant effect on the flux (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, a powerful interaction between temperature and concentration was watched for selectivity in the ethanol-water system. However, the interplay effect of flow rate with temperature or concentration was found to be less noteworthy. The results displayed that to obtain the most optimal permeate flux and selectivity, the temperature, flow rate, and feed concentration were 60 °C, 419 ml/min, and 90.5 wt%, respectively. In optimal conditions, the permeate flux and selectivity were 84.6 g/m2.h and 112.7, respectively.

Test anxiety and academic performance: A correlational study among nursing college students

Background: Test anxiety is defined as an individual’s response to stimuli associated with their experiences in testing or evaluative situations. Objective: This study aims to investigate the relationship between test anxiety and the academic performance of nursing college students. Methods: We conducted a descriptive correlational study, selecting a sample of 98 nursing students through convenient sampling at a selected nursing college in Kerala, India. Data were collected using various tools, including a background variable proforma, a proforma for evaluating the academic achievement of nursing students, and the Westside Test Anxiety Scale. Results: Our findings revealed a statistically significant negative correlation (r=-0.4) between test anxiety and academic performance (p&lt;0.05). This suggests that reducing test anxiety can lead to an improvement in academic performance. Conclusions: There is a need to plan psychological interventions aimed at reducing test anxiety and enhancing the academic performance of students. These interventions should be integrated at the policy level of academic performance management.

Exploring the potential of a standardized test in physiotherapy: making emotion, embodiment, and therapeutic alliance count for women with chronic pelvic pain.

There has been an increased use of standardized measurements in health care meant to provide objective information to enhance the quality and effectivity of care. Patient performance tests are based on standardized predefined criteria with a limited focus. When facing multifaceted health conditions, information expanding the predefined criteria in a standardized test may be required to understand the patient's complex symptoms. Relying on test information based on measurements according to functional biology, one risks missing information communicated by the sensitive and expressive body of the individual patient. The aim of this article is to investigate how body, self and illness perception is constituted as a co-construction between a physiotherapist and a patient with complex symptoms, expanding the use of a standard physiotherapy test. This qualitative study is based on video-recordings and in-depth interviews of seven women with the complex health condition chronic pelvic pain. The video recordings consist of the patients performing the Standard Mensendieck test pre- and post-treatment with Norwegian psychomotor physiotherapy. The interviews are based on the patients` and the physiotherapists` conversations while watching and elaborating on these video recordings. Empirical data is analyzed within the theoretical perspectives of phenomenology and enactive theory, especially focusing on the concepts of embodiment and intersubjectivity. Taking an embodied approach, considering the body as expressive, communicative, and vulnerable to the environment and context, the results show that through bodily expressions the patients experienced the test situation as demanding, thus providing information beyond what the test was intended to measure. Additionally, when administering a standardized test, the interaction between the therapist and the patient had an impact on the results. Sensitive attention towards the patients bodily expressive emotions as a vital part of the interaction, reinforced therapeutic alliance by ensuring the integrity and autonomy of the patient. Mutual communication, gave new insights regarding the patients' complex symptoms and reinforced their belief in themselves and their recovery processes. Applying the patient's expertise on herself and her life together with the professional expertise may make health care an interdependent practice where sensemaking is a co-construction of meaning between the patient and the health personnel.

Influence of Sex of Stranger on Responses of Shelter Dogs during Canine Behavioral Evaluations.

In many situations, domestic dogs display greater uneasiness with unfamiliar men than unfamiliar women. However, little is known about whether the sex of an unfamiliar person is a risk factor for stranger-directed aggression, especially with respect to behaviors less intense than biting. We analyzed data collected by behavioral staff over a 27-month period (n = 283 dogs) at a New York shelter to determine whether the sex of an unfamiliar person influenced behaviors assessed during the Stranger test of the canine behavioral evaluation. Scores ranged from 1 (calm and friendly) to 5 (will not approach stranger or unsafe to allow an approach). No concerning behaviors (scores 1-3) were assessed for 19.2% of 26 undersocialized dogs from one home and 89.9% of the remaining 257 dogs. Within the group of 257, those tested with a male stranger had significantly higher scores than those tested with a female stranger; the effect size was small to moderate. Thus, we found that dogs responded differently to male and female strangers during this testing situation, but from a practical standpoint, our findings do not warrant adjustments in how shelters conduct or interpret tests for stranger-directed aggression. Our findings also highlight the importance of early exposure to different people and situations for dogs.

Wireless patient monitoring and Efficacy Safety Score in postoperative treatment at the ward: evaluation of time consumption and usability

To evaluate objective time consumption and how nurses perceived introducing wireless patient monitoring (WPM) and a validated score on patient quality and safety, the Efficacy Safety Score (ESS), at a mixed surgery ward. After fulfilling a randomised controlled trial combining the ESS and WPM, we addressed time consumption and conducted a questionnaire survey among nurses who participated in the study. The questionnaire appraised the nurses’ evaluation of introducing these tools for postoperative management. Of 28 invited nurses, 24 responded to the questionnaire, and 92% reported the ESS and WPM-systems to increase patient safety and quality of care. 67% felt the intervention took extra time, but objective workload measurements revealed reduced time to 1/3 using ESS and WPM compared to standard manual assessment. Improved confidence when using the systems was reported by 83% and improved working situation by 75%. In a test situation to measure time consumption, the ESS and pre-attached WPM-systems require less time than the conventional standard of care, and may allow for more frequent clinical monitoring at the post-surgical ward. The combination of the ESS and the WPM systems was perceived as positive by participating nurses and further clinical development and research is warranted.

Progress in research of strategies of expanding HIV testing in men who have sex with men

In recent years, HIV infection prevalence in MSM has been in increase in China. HIV testing is the only way to identify HIV-infection, effectively curb the spread of HIV and reduce AIDS-related death risks. At present, the situation of HIV testing in MSM is not satisfactory, and expanding HIV testing is the one of the key measures for AIDS prevention and control in this population. This paper summarizes the role and strategies of expanding HIV testing in MSM in order to provide a reference for the improvement of HIV testing in this population.

Мозг. Мысль. Слово

&lt;p&gt;The real test of long-term value for any scientific theory is when that theory encounters phenomena that did not exist at the time it was created. Such a test situation for cultural-historical psychology is happening today, in the era of the digital revolution. This article attempts to show the results of this test with a very important caveat: both the digital revolution itself and the studies of its consequences are currently in the process of rapid development, and a general overview can only be preliminary.&lt;/p&gt;

Stress reappraisal improves the autonomic nervous system response of test anxious individuals: Evidence from heart rate variability

BackgroundStress belief plays an important role in stress response. This study investigated whether individuals with high test anxiety/low test anxiety (HTA/LTA) held different stress belief, and tested the effect of stress reappraisal on reducing test anxiety related autonomic nervous system (ANS) response. Methods51 HTA students and 49 LTA students were recruited using the Test Anxiety Scale (TAS). They completed a 10-min intelligence test (including preparation, test, and recovery phases), then were randomly assigned to reappraisal group and control group to complete the test again. Heart rate variability (HRV) was recorded throughout the protocol. Beliefs about Stress Scale was obtained before and after the experiment. Stress belief were manipulated using a 2-min film clip that orienting participant to the enhancing nature of stress. Emotional changes were assessed. ResultsHTA individuals held more negative stress beliefs and showed greater emotional arousal during the test than the LTA individuals. Their negative stress belief was associated with higher TAS score and worse HRV response. (2) When facing an exam, LTA individuals exhibited increased low-frequency HRV and stable high-frequency HRV, while HTA individuals showed stable low-frequency HRV and decreased high-frequency HRV. (3) HTA individuals who underwent reappraisal showed a reduction in test anxiety and in low-frequency/high-frequency HRV ratio. ConclusionsThe ANS activity of HTA individuals is imbalanced in the test situations. Stress belief is a meaningful variable in anxiety related ANS activity. Stress reappraisal can effectively reduce test anxiety and improve the balance of ANS activity of HTA individuals.

Testing and Not Testing for Coronavirus on Twitter: Surfacing Testing Situations Across Scales With Interpretative Methods

How was testing—and not testing—for coronavirus articulated as a testing situation on social media in the Spring of 2020? Our study examines everyday situations of Covid-19 testing by analyzing a large corpus of Twitter data collected during the first 2 months of the pandemic. Adopting a sociological definition of testing situations, as moments in which it is no longer possible to go on in the usual way, we show how social media analysis can be used to surface a range of such situations across scales, from the individual to the societal. Practicing a form of large-scale data exploration we call “interpretative querying” within the framework of situational analysis, we delineated two types of coronavirus testing situations: those involving locations of testing and those involving relations. Using lexicon analysis and composite image analysis, we then determined what composes the two types of testing situations on Twitter during the relevant period. Our analysis shows that contrary to the focus on individual responsibility in UK government discourse on Covid-19 testing, English-language Twitter reporting on coronavirus testing at the time thematized collective relations. By a variety of means, including in-memoriam portraits and infographics, this discourse rendered explicit challenges to societal relations and arrangements arising from situations of testing and not testing for Covid-19 and highlighted the multifaceted ways in which situations of corona testing amplified asymmetrical distributions of harms and benefits between different social groupings, and between citizens and state, during the first months of the pandemic.

Türkiye ve Almanya Matematik Öğretim Programlarının Cebir Öğrenme Alanı Bağlamında Karşılaştırılması

In this study, Turkey and German state of North Rhine-Westphalia mathematics curriculum have been examined in the context of the algebra learning area. The learning outcomes have been investigated similarities and differences of the in terms of quantity and quality; classified in terms of knowledge and cognitive process dimensions of the revised Bloom's taxonomy. This study, in which the qualitative research approach was adopted, was carried out with the descriptive screening. Document analysis technique has been used in the data collection process. As a result of the analysis, it is determined that the learning outcomes are similar in terms of knowledge dimension; difference in terms of cognitive process dimension. While it is seen that the outcomes in the Turkey curriculum are in the analyze step as the highest cognitive level; Germany curriculum also includes outcomes fof higher level skills such as evaluate and create. Moreover, it is seen that the outcomes are mainly included in the procedural knowledge and apply step for both curriculums. Although it is seen that the outcomes in the Turkey curriculum are quantitatively higher than the outcomes in the Germany curriculum, it has been determined that the outcomes in terms of content are of a nature to cover each other. When the implementation suggestions were examined, it was seen that they were included in both curriculums in a detailed and rich way. On the other hand, when the distribution of the themes used in comparative education studies in the literature according to the countries was investigated, it was determined that the studies mostly focused on the elements of the curriculum (aim/goal, content, educational situations and testing situations). In the process of making sense of basic mathematical concepts and acquisition of high-level cognitive skills, teaching environments and programs can be designed by considering real life problems and process-based teaching models. On the other hand, since technology is a part of life, the education process can be integrated with digital games and/or stories, and programs and learning outcomes can be prepared in a way that includes teaching materials with digital content. In addition, different types of representation can be used in the mathematics teaching process and appropriate activities can be designed.

THE PROBLEM OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT OF STUDENTS OF PEDAGOGICAL SPECIALTIES IN THE PREPARATION AND PASSING OF A DEMONSTRATION EXAM ACCORDING TO WORLDSKILLS STANDARDS RUSSIA

Currently, a demonstration exam is being introduced into the educational standards of secondary vocational education as one of the forms of final state certification, taking into account the requirements of the competence approach. The demonstration exam has great potential in assessing the professional training of future primary school teachers. However, the organization and conduct of a demonstration exam affects the increase in exam stress and the growth of exam anxiety among students.&#x0D; Exam stress is a situation that leads to negative physiological and psychological manifestations; a test situation for a student that requires increased self-control, activation of communicative and intellectual and other resources. Exam anxiety can negatively affect students’ learning outcomes and lead to disappointment in the profession. Therefore, it is important to organize psychological support of students in preparation for the demonstration exam.&#x0D; This article describes a study in which the level of anxiety (Spielberger-Khanin Anxiety Scale) and psychological stress (Psychological Stress Scale) of students were diagnosed at all stages of the organization of psychological support. This work included three areas: psychological education, training work with a group of students with the highest rates of anxiety and stress, and individual psychological counseling. The scientific data obtained from the results of the questionnaire and psychological diagnostics (using methods of mathematical statistics) showed that the most effective direction of work is to conduct group training sessions.

Do depressed patients really over-report cognitive impairment?

BackgroundDepressed patients report more severe cognitive impairment than is detectable by neuropsychological tests because they may underestimate their cognitive performance. Alternatively, it is possible that cognitive impairment primarily occurs under everyday life conditions as referred to in most questionnaires. The aim of the present study is to investigate the validity of self-reports in patients with major depression in order to better understand the pronounced impairment in self-reports. MethodsWe investigated 58 patients with major depression and 28 heathy control participants. We administered the “Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry” (SCIP) to assess cognitive performance, the “Questionnaire for Cognitive Complaints” (FLei), and the newly developed scale for “Self-Perception of Cognitive Performance in everyday life and test settings” to ask for the self-assessed cognitive performance in everyday life and in a test situation more specifically. ResultsDepressed patients showed an inferior test performance and reported much more general everyday life related cognitive problems compared to healthy participants. When asked more specifically for their cognitive performance in the test-situation compared to others and compared to everyday life, they did not report more test-related and everyday life related impairment than healthy participants did. LimitationsResults might be influenced by comorbidity. ConclusionsThese results have implications for the assessment of subjective cognitive performance of depressed patients and shed light on the negative effects of general versus more specific recall of autobiographical information.

Using Interventions to Increase Test Access: An Alternative to Accommodations?

Students with disabilities are often given accommodations in testing situations (e.g., extended testing time). However, for many students with high-incidence disabilities, interventions can reduce the need for these accommodations or serve as a helpful supplement to accommodations. Applied behavior analysis provides a framework for understanding how accommodations alter testing settings, as well as for developing related interventions. We review research on evidence-based interventions that can reduce the need for five common testing accommodations: extended testing time, separate room administration, test breaks, read-aloud, and dictated response. We conclude with suggestions for changes to school-based practice as well as remaining research needs.

Stress Performance Evaluation (SPE) Is a Novel Method of Measuring Physiological Responsiveness to Testing in Children with a Learning Disability

This study’s primary purpose was to determine a method of quantitating the impact of physiological responses to stress on testing performance. We developed the stress performance evaluation (SPE) to calculate the overall stress levels that occur during testing by using the correct answers divided by the percent change in heart rate per day. Here, we first measured whether the SPE equation could predict testing environment and parameters in children with a learning disability (LD). The participants were seventh-grade students, with testing consisting of 100 basic math calculation questions in sixty seconds. Quantitative data was also collected through questionnaires, heart rates, and math fluency probes. The test performance was measured in small and large classroom settings and with paper and pencil (P&amp;P) and online computer tests. Based on our SPE measurements, all LD students performed best in small-group computer testing for correctness and percent change in heart rate, which meant better overall performance. The use of SPE has promise for future testing parameters. The SPE evaluation method might be significant for determining the best testing situation for children with a disability and quantitatively measuring stress responses in advanced students, adults, and other testing scenarios.

Estimating the Psychometric Properties (Item Difficulty, Discrimination and Reliability Indices) of Test Items using Kuder-Richardson Approach (KR-20)

There is no need or point to testing of knowledge, attributes, traits, behaviours or abilities of an individual if information obtained from the test is inaccurate. However, by and large, it seems the estimation of psychometric properties of test items in classroomshas been completely ignored otherwise dying slowly in most testing environments. In the quest to obtain sound and efficient test results, it is imperative that assessorsrely on somepsychometric properties to make informed classrooms decisions. These psychometric properties can be estimated using Kuder-Richardson20 Formula. In this study, 30 multiple-choice items were administered and used for the study. The strength of each item was analysed by looking at their difficulty level and how theydiscriminated among the students. Reliability tests were also conducted in addition to the item analysis to observe the quality of the test as a whole. With lucid prose, KR-20 was used to estimate the psychometric properties of 30 set integrated science test items (which werescored dichotomously)to serve as a primer for assessorsin higher institutions.The procedure produced coefficient value of 0.6915which is approximately 0.7 implying that the reliability of the test was high.The procedure we used to arrive at the obtained coefficient is extensively outlined in the paper. We concluded thatthe suggested procedure (KR-20) for estimating psychometric properties may have a paradigm shift in classroom testing situations where it will communicate to teachers on the efficiency and process of teachermade tests. In essence, this could enhance the quest of obtaining the real knowledge, attributes, traits, behaviours or abilities of students by using test items that are reliable and dependable.

Effects of Test Mode and Medium on Elementary School Students’ Test Experience

Abstract: The use of digital media in education can bring great benefits and its use in schooling is steadily increasing. Administrating paper- versus computer-based as well as fixed-item versus adaptive tests could create differences in test experience, which can threaten the comparability of test results. This study investigated how the pen-and-paper, computer-based, and computer-adaptive test formats of a standardized reading comprehension test affect test anxiety and motivation among German fourth-grade students. A within-class randomized field trial with 387 fourth graders (aged: 9–10 years; 46.3% female) was conducted. Repeated-measures analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed no differences in state test anxiety between the test formats when controlling for trait test anxiety and pre-test state anxiety, but state reading motivation was initially higher when reading on a screen, controlling for trait reading motivation. However, this difference diminishes over the course of the test. Implications for using digital media in elementary school test situations are discussed.

Comparing Non-Stress Test versus Umbilical Artery Doppler Velocimetry among Aample of High-risk Pregnant Women in Erbil City

Background: The mainstay of care for lowering maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity is antepartum foetal surveillance. Numerous techniques are used, including fetal movements, Vibroacoustic stimulation tests, contraction stress tests, biophysical profiles of the fetus, modified biophysical profiles, non-stress testing and Doppler Umbilical artery of the fetus's. The fetal heart reaction to internal and extrinsic stimuli is seen on electronic fetal monitoring devices. The benefit of high resolution dynamic ultrasonography and Doppler imaging is that it allows for the visualization of the fetus and its surroundings as well as the monitoring of fetal health by measuring utero-placental circulation. Patients and techniques: The cross-sectional investigation including 120 pregnant women who visited the Maternity Teaching Hospital between 26 June and 31 August 2022 and complained of decreased uterine contractions have been included. The questionnaire included sociodemographic data, obstetrical data, information on the fetal outcome and method of delivery. In accordance with the American Academy of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, cardiotopography was utilized to conduct a non-stress test, and the outcomes were categorized as reactive and non-reactive. Cardiotopography was used to perform a non-stress test, and the results were classified as reactive or non-reactive in accordance with the American Academy of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Also, during 32 weeks or more of gestation, the inferior vena cava was not compressed by the gravid uterus during ultrasonography of the umbilical arteries, which was performed in a semi-recumbent position with a slight lateral tilt. Result: Based on NST and Doppler velocimetry of the umbilical artery, all cases were classified into two groups. The outcomes of the two tests didn't significantly differ from one another. The rate of Cesarean section (CS) was 46.1% among women with non-reactive (abnormal) CTG, compared with 25% among women with normal CTG (p = 0.0316). Only one neonate (1.3%) died among women with normal CTG, while none of the neonates died among women with abnormal CTG. The rate of CS among women with abnormal ultrasonography was 80% compared to women (11%) with normal ultrasonography. Furthermore, one neonate (2.1%) in the group of abnormal doppler, compared with 0% in the normal group. Conclusion: NST and umbilical artery Doppler of are sensitive and specific tests with strong positive prognostic value to suggest a poor prognosis for the newborn. Doppler velocimetry of umbilical artery is more important than a non-stress test because it lowers the likelihood of a CS birth in non-reactive non-stress test situations without increasing the risk of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.22 (Special Issue) 2023 p.10-17

Effects of response format on achievement and aptitude assessment results: multi-level random effects meta-analyses.

Psychological achievement and aptitude tests are fundamental elements of the everyday school, academic and professional lives of students, instructors, job applicants, researchers and policymakers. In line with growing demands for fair psychological assessment tools, we aimed to identify psychometric features of tests, test situations and test-taker characteristics that may contribute to the emergence of test bias. Multi-level random effects meta-analyses were conducted to estimate mean effect sizes for differences and relations between scores from achievement or aptitude measures with open-ended (OE) versus closed-ended (CE) response formats. Results from 102 primary studies with 392 effect sizes revealed positive relations between CE and OE assessments (mean r = 0.67, 95% CI [0.57; 0.76]), with negative pooled effect sizes for the difference between the two response formats (mean d av = -0.65; 95% CI [-0.78; -0.53]). Significantly higher scores were obtained on CE exams. Stem-equivalency of items, low-stakes test situations, written short answer OE question types, studies conducted outside the United States and before the year 2000, and test-takers' achievement motivation and sex were at least partially associated with smaller differences and/or larger relations between scores from OE and CE formats. Limitations and the results' implications for practitioners in achievement and aptitude testing are discussed.

Optimal control design and management of complete DC- renewable energy microgrid system

This paper presents an optimal control design for a DC-renewable Microgrid (DC-MG) system optimized by applying the Arithmetic Optimization Algorithm(AOA). This approach is proposed in this study to get the optimal PI controller design parameters for the DC-MG when connecting and disconnecting from the grid. The suggested system comprises a solar photovoltaic system(PVS), an Energy Storage System (ESS), a DC-AC inverter, DC load, LC filter, variable AC load, and a single-phase induction motor. The ESS is used to store energy in hydrogen form and is made up of a fuel cell system (FCS), an electrolyser, and a hydrogen tank module. The results are compared with those obtained from control system design using Particle Swarm Optimization(PSO), Cuckoo Search(CS), and Gray Wolf Optimizer (GWO) methodologies for a variety of test situations. The simulated results using AOA are more accurate and have less settling time, rise time, and overshoot compared to other techniques.