Reliability Test Research Articles

Assessing the educational impact of extended reality applications: Development and validation of a holistic evaluation tool

Abstract This study aims to create and validate an evaluation tool that assesses the learning effectiveness of extended reality applications (e.g., augmented reality, virtual reality, mixed reality, and the metaverse). Six research questions were formulated to guide this study. The Extended Reality in Education (XREd) questionnaire consists of 50-items derived from 25 existing and validated questionnaires and surveys. The tool uses a 1–5 Likert scale and its items correspond to 15 factors, which are categorized into 5 dimensions. Both the factors and dimensions are supported by related theoretical aspects and background, and are grouped as follows: (1) System usability: Ease of use and Instructional clarity, (2) Learner’s basic psychological needs: Enjoyment, Autonomy, Self-efficacy, and Social interaction, (3) Learner’s learning state: Flow, Presence, and Immersion, (4) Learner’s learning performance: Learning outcomes, Learning motivation, and Learning engagement, (5) Learner’s learning perceptions: Perceived usefulness, Learning preferences alignment, and Behavioral intention. To validate the tool, descriptive statistics and reliability tests, validity tests, and factor analyses, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) were used. An extended reality application was developed and applied in higher education settings over the course of a semester. The experiment data was used to validate the created evaluation tool, which was then used to evaluate the effectiveness of the developed XR application and to answer the 6 research questions set to be explored. The results confirmed the validity of the XREd questionnaire and its effectiveness in evaluating extended reality applications. Additionally, its potential to be modularly integrated to evaluate non-extended reality learning applications was highlighted. Finally, the developed application was positively assessed by students, who regarded it as an effective learning tool that can support and enrich their learning experience and improve learning outcomes.

Role of shearing wave elastography in detecting early diabetic nephropathy.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the systemic diseases affecting the kidneys that eventually develop end-stage kidney disease. Shear wave elastography (SWE) is a reliable and non-invasive ultrasonography test used to determine tissue elasticity. The aim of this study is to detect early diabetic nephropathy by measuring renal stiffness using shear wave elastography (SWE), renal resistivity indices, and laboratory findings in DN patients. Shear wave elastography and color duplex sonography assessments were performed in 60 diabetic nephropathy patients (divided according to eGFR into 3 stages: stage I-II-III diabetic nephropathy with equal groups of 20 patients in each stage) and 20 healthy age-matched control subjects. The SWE-derived mean value of the tissue stiffness, given in kilopascals (kPa), was correlated to patients' clinico-laboratory data (serum creatinine and eGFR) and resistive index. There is a statistically significant increase in SWE and RI in the diabetic group than control group and a statistically significant increase in SWE (mean) in CKD stage II and III when compared with CKD stage I, SWE can be used to discriminate between diabetic groups and control group at a cutoff level of > 10.5 (kPa), and also, SWE (mean) can be used to discriminate between CKD stage II and III patients at a cutoff level of > 41 (kPa), with 66.7% sensitivity and 64.9% specificity. Shear wave elastography is a sensitive, non-invasive, and specific diagnostic tool for the detection of diabetic nephropathy and differentiation between different stages of DN.

Mastering Dynamic Web Element Handling and Locator Strategies in Selenium

Web automation testing is essential for ensuring software quality and delivering seamless user experiences. Selenium, a leading automation tool, empowers testers to create robust scripts for handling diverse and dynamic web applications. However, challenges such as identifying dynamic web elements and crafting effective locator strategies require advanced techniques. This article explores key solutions, including the use of relative locators, dynamic XPath expressions, and custom attributes for stable element identification. It also highlights the importance of employing the Page Object Model (POM) framework to enhance script maintainability and scalability while addressing dynamic element challenges. Strategies like explicit waits, retry mechanisms, and modular frameworks are discussed to improve test reliability and minimize failures. By adopting these approaches, testers can overcome the complexities of modern web applications, streamline test automation processes, and ensure the accuracy and resilience of their scripts. This enables faster testing cycles and contributes to delivering high-quality software in dynamic environments. Keywords: Web Automation Testing, Selenium, Dynamic Web Elements, Locator Strategies, Relative Locators, Dynamic XPath, Page Object Model (POM), Custom Attributes, Test Automation Framework, Script Maintainability.

Perbedaan Tingkat Kemandirian Mahasiswa Ditinjau dari Pola Asuh Orang Tua Otoriter dan Demokratis

The objectives of the study were to determine how high the independence of students with authoritarian and democratic parenting styles was and to determine whether or not there was a difference in the level of student independence when reviewed from authoritarian and democratic parenting patterns. This study used a quantitative approach with a comparative research design. The data collection technique used a survey with a likert scale and obtained 95 students as respondents consisting of 45 students with authoritarian parenting patterns and 50 students with democratic parenting patterns. Furthermore, it was tested using validity and reliability tests. The results of the validity test obtained 38 valid items, the reliability test used the Alpha Cronbach calculation with a result of 0.984 which was included in the very reliable category. Furthermore, a difference test was carried out using the t-test (Independent Sample T-test). The results of the study are the level of independence of students with authoritarian parenting styles was 42% in the very high category, the level of independence of students with democratic parenting styles was 40% in the very high category, and there was no difference in the level of independence between students with authoritarian and democratic parenting patterns.

The Impact of AI-Personalized Recommendations on Clicking Intentions: Evidence from Chinese E-Commerce

AI-personalized recommendation technology offers more accurate and diverse choices to consumers and increases click-through rates and sales on e-commerce platforms. Yet, data on consumers’ experiences of AI-personalized recommendations and their impact path on clicking intention are scarce. This article addressed these issues through three studies. In study 1, we adopted the Grounded Theory approach to conduct in-depth interviews with 30 Chinese consumers and constructed a scale to measure the impact of consumer experience on click intention. In study 2, we adopted the empirical research method to conduct reliability and validity tests on 347 valid questionnaires to finalize the scale officially. In study 3, based on the SOR theory, we constructed a model and formulated hypotheses and then conducted empirical analysis using 1097 valid questionnaires. We found that the relevance, inspiration, and insightful experiences of AI-personalized recommendations can significantly promote consumers’ clicking intention. Moreover, immersive experience mediates between the former three factors and clicking intention, and technology acceptance mediates between relevance, inspiration, and clicking intention. When consumers perceive a high degree of information privacy infringement, the immersive experience’s positive impact on clicking intention will be weakened. Meanwhile, the promoting effect of technology acceptance on clicking intention will also be inhibited. When information quality improves, the positive impact of technology acceptance on clicking intention will be enhanced. This research fills the gap in the literature on consumers’ experiences of AI-personalized recommendations and clarifies how these experiences affect the clicking intention. It offers valuable insights for e-commerce platforms to continuously optimize personalized recommendation algorithms and boost the click conversion rate of online shopping.

The PASS method: Ecologically valid scaling for intergroup relations research

AbstractIntergroup relations research remains characterised by a lack of ecological validity, particularly when different groups are studied. In this paper, we present the PASS Method for ecologically valid scaling, illustrating its efficacy via a study on Arab‐Maltese relations in Malta (EU). The PASS Method proceeds as follows: (1) A relevant Project (e.g., intercultural integration) is identified; (2) Argumentation on the project, by relevant groups, is analysed; (3) Scaling is pursued via expert ranking of items generated from the groups' arguments on the project, resulting in a self‐positioning scale and an other‐positioning scale relative to the same project; and (4) A Survey is distributed among the groups, asking participants for their own views (self‐positioning) and for their views on what the other group thinks (other‐positioning) on the project. We illustrate the PASS method by presenting scales built on the basis of Maltese and Arab arguments on the project of integration. Following item generation and scale validity and reliability tests, comparisons of Maltese and Arab distributions for the respective scales and single items are presented. We conclude by making critical recommendations for intergroup relations research and the application of PASS in community settings.

Demonstration of GaN HEMT with Cu-based Ti/TiN/Cu Ohmic metal and TiN/Cu gate metal: comparison with Au-based device

Abstract In this study, GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) on silicon substrate was utilized Cu-based metal for the ohmic contacts (Source and Drain terminals) and the Schottky contact (Gate terminal) as part of the metallization process. Furthermore, the same epi-wafer was used in this study to fabricate Au-based HEMTs, which served as control samples. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis comparing Ti/TiN/Cu ohmic contacts of Cu-based HEMT to Control sample. The Au-based Ohmic contact forms rough surfaces, discrete TiN islands, and defects in the AlGaN layer, potentially degrading device reliability. The Cu-based Ohmic contact features a smooth surface, minimal defects in the AlGaN layer, a stable Ti/TiN interface, and effective prevention of Cu diffusion, enhancing device reliability and scalability. The specific contact resistance (ρ c) of the Cu-based and Au-based ohmic contact metals produced in this study were 6.68 × 10−6 Ω-cm2 (2.04 Ω mm−1) and 9.64 × 10−6 Ω-cm2 (2.06 Ω mm−1), respectively. In addition, compared with the Cu-based and Au-based HEMT components in this study, the Cu-based HEMT, which used TiN/Cu Gate metal, exhibited excellent electrical characteristics (IDS: 1023 mA mm−1, Gm: 570 mS mm−1). Through reliability testing, it was confirmed that the Cu-based Gate metal does not cause Vth shift or affect IDS. The fT and fmax of the Cu-based HEMT were 33.0 GHz and 99.6 GHz, respectively, which were 12.6 GHz (61.8%) and 26.1 GHz (35.5%) higher than the fT and fmax of the control sample (Au-based HEMT). This increase demonstrated that the Cu-based HEMT achieved higher switching speeds, enhancing its suitability for high-frequency applications. The Cu-based HEMT components achieved the same characteristics as Au-based HEMT components under frequency measurements. In future development of low-cost systems, copper-based HEMT components will play an important economic role.

The Impact of Service Quality and Satisfaction on Customer Loyalty at AFZL Barber Shop

The rapidly growing barber shop industry has heightened competition, making understanding the factors influencing customer loyalty crucial. This study explored the impact of service quality and customer satisfaction on customer loyalty at AFZL Barber Shop in Sukarame, Bandar Lampung. Using a quantitative approach, the research surveyed 109 respondents and analyzed the data through descriptive analysis, validity and reliability tests, and multiple regression analysis. The results showed that service quality and customer satisfaction significantly positively affect customer loyalty. Higher service quality and customer satisfaction levels lead to stronger customer loyalty. The study concludes that businesses must improve service quality and customer satisfaction to maintain customer loyalty in a competitive market.

The Newcastle Laryngeal Hypersensitivity Questionnaire: Translation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation to the Arabic Language.

This study aims to validate and assess the reliability of the Arabic version of the Newcastle Laryngeal Hypersensitivity Questionnaire (LHQ) as a self-reported questionnaire for patients with laryngeal hypersensitivity syndrome (LHS). A prospective, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in the ear, nose and throat Department of Kafr Elsheikh University Hospitals. The preliminary Arabic version of the LHQ (LHQ-Ar) was created using a rigorous forward and backward translation method. Native Arabic-speaking patients visiting outpatient pulmonology, speech pathology, and ear, nose and throat clinics in this tertiary referral center were invited to participate. Participants were divided into two groups: group 1, comprising patients with LHS, and group 2, consisting of healthy controls. All participants completed the LHQ-Ar questionnaire twice, with a two-week interval, to assess test-retest reliability. Additionally, LHS patients completed the Arabic Voice Handicap Index-10 to examine correlations with LHQ-Ar scores. The LHQ-Ar underwent rigorous testing for internal consistency, reliability, validity, sensitivity, and specificity to establish it as a validated patient questionnaire. The KMO test (KMO=0.955) and Bartlett's test (P<0.001) confirmed the sample's adequacy. The analysis identified only one factor with an eigenvalue greater than one, which explained 63.4% of the total variance. Items 13 (0.372) and 14 (0.306), which had commonalities below 0.5, were excluded. The final model, consisting of 12 items, accounted for 68.7% of the variance. Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranged from 0.933 to 0.988 for individual items and 0.995 for the total score, indicating excellent internal consistency. The Arabic version of the Newcastle LHQ (LHQ-Ar) proves to be a reliable and valid tool for assessing LHS in Arabic-speaking populations. The LHQ-Ar shows strong internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and good sensitivity and specificity in predicting LHS, thus making it a valuable instrument for clinical use and research in Arabic-speaking patients.

Investigation of Fatigue Performance for In-Service Asphalt Pavement Mixtures Using Push-Pull Fatigue Test

With the increasing service life of asphalt pavements, fatigue cracking has become a typical distress that significantly affects the structural lifespan of in-service asphalt pavements. To address the issues of high variability in laboratory fatigue tests and the poor correlation between test results and actual pavement cracking conditions, this study collected field core samples from in-service highways with varying degrees of cracking. The study employed push-pull fatigue tests on asphalt mixtures and linear amplitude sweep tests on extracted and recovered asphalt to evaluate fatigue performance. Quantitative relationships between transverse crack spacing and fatigue indices were established. With the inclusion of laboratory-compacted asphalt mixtures, the relationship between transverse crack spacing and the average pseudo-stiffness degradation rates was well described by a logarithmic function (R2 = 0.928), while the apparent damage capacity achieved a stronger correlation (R2 = 0.945). The findings demonstrate that the push-pull fatigue test, based on a viscoelastic continuum damage model, shows high stability and repeatability, with the coefficients of variation for the indices consistently below 11%. Compared to the average pseudo-stiffness degradation rates, the apparent damage capacity demonstrates better discriminative capability as an evaluation index for the intermediate-temperature fatigue performance of asphalt mixtures. The fatigue life from linear amplitude sweep tests on extracted and recovered asphalt from core samples shows a high degree of consistency with the patterns observed in various parameters of push-pull fatigue tests. The findings confirm the reliability of the push-pull fatigue test for evaluating intermediate-temperature fatigue performance of asphalt mixtures and provide the necessary theoretical support for establishing a fatigue performance evaluation system for in-service asphalt pavements.

ANALISIS KUALITAS WEBSITE PORTAL MEDIA ONLINE MILENIANEWS.COM MENGGUNAKAN STANDAR ISO 9126

Software quality can be assessed based on two main criteria, namely conformance to specifications and the ability to meet user needs. One of the international standards used to assess software quality is ISO 9126, which includes six main aspects: functionality, reliability, usability, efficiency, maintainability, and portability. In this journal, four aspects are taken to examine the quality of an online media portal website milenianews.com. The research methods include black-box testing for functionality, stress testing for reliability, Likert Scale-based questionnaire for usability, and GTMetrix for efficiency. The results showed that the functionality aspect scored 100%, indicating that all functions run according to specifications. The reliability aspect shows a 100% success rate on sessions, pages, and hits, indicating excellent performance under high usage conditions. Usability scored 79%, which falls into the good category, reflecting an interface that is easy to use and understand by users. The efficiency aspect obtained grade B with a performance score of 75% and structure 91%, indicating quite good performance, although there is room for improvement, especially in the load time of 2.5 seconds and total blocking time of 192 ms. Overall, the milenianews.com online media portal has met ISO 9126 quality standards and is declared suitable for use. These results show the importance of implementing international standards-based quality testing to ensure an optimal user experience.

PENGARUH PERCEPTION OF ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT TERHADAP KOMITMEN AFEKTIF PEGAWAI DIMEDIASI OLEH INTENTION TO STAY PADA PONDOK PESANTREN JABAL NUR KANDIS SIAK

This research aims to determine the relationship between Perception of organizational support and employee Affective Commitment through Intention to Stay at the Jabal Nur Kandis Siak Islamic Boarding School. The research method used is quantitative research. The population in this study were all employees and teachers who worked at the Jabal Nur Kandis Siak Islamic Boarding School. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling, so that a sample of 89 respondents was obtained. The data collection technique used was using a structured questionnaire. The instrument testing technique in this research is validity and reliability testing using PLS (Partial Least Square) as the measurement. The results of this research show that Perception of Organization and Intention to Stay have a direct and significant effect on the Affective Commitment of Employees and Teachers who work at the Jabal Nur Kandis Siak Islamic Boarding School. Likewise, Perception of organizational support has a significant direct effect on Intention to Stay and Intention to Stay has been proven to be able to mediate the relationship between Perception of organizational support and Affective Commitment of Employees and Teachers who work at the Jabal Nur Kandis Siak Islamic Boarding School.

Comparative Study of the Tensile Properties of a Zircaloy-4 Alloy Characterized by Mesoscale and Standard Specimens

The accuracy and reliability of small-scale mechanical tests remain doubtful due to significant dependence of the obtained mechanical properties on specimen size. Mesoscale tensile tests with specimen sizes ranging from 10 μm to 1 mm are capable of obtaining bulk-like properties but are rarely applied to hexagonal close-packed metals. In this study, well-designed comparative tensile tests were carried out on a Zircaloy-4 alloy with a grain size of 4 μm using femtosecond laser-machined mesoscale specimens with a thickness of about 60 μm, sub-sized specimens with a thickness of about 1.3 mm, and standard specimens with a thickness of 4 mm. The quantitative results revealed that irrespective of the small specimen dimensions, the yield strength, tensile strength, and tensile ductility are only approximately 10.4%, 5.2%, and 13% lower than those of the standard specimens, respectively. This clearly demonstrates that the mechanical properties can be assessed with satisfactory accuracy by mesoscale tensile tests. The comparatively greater deviation of the yield strength at the mesoscale arises from the disappearance of yield point behavior, while the reduced tensile ductility is associated with the larger volume fraction of surface grains. The surface grains are characterized by more surface dislocation sources and deform with weaker constraints from neighboring grains, leading to smooth plastic yielding and slightly reduced strain hardening at the mesoscale.

Moderating Effect of Trust on Determinants of Customer Satisfaction Factors

In connection with customer satisfaction of mobile banking users, there are several problems, including being vulnerable to “smishing” fraud, one of which involves rogue mobile applications. This study aims to determine the role of trust in moderating the effect of security level, and service features on customer satisfaction of mobile banking users of Bank Sumsel Babel Syariah UIN Raden Fatah Palembang Branch Office. This type of research is quantitative using statistical techniques to test the hypothesis. The data used is primary data with data collection techniques using questionnaires distributed directly to 100 respondents as samples with accidental sampling techniques while secondary data uses literature studies. The data analysis technique in this study uses SmartPLS with outer model testing including convergent validity, average variance extracted (AVE) and composite reliability and inner model testing including R square and hypothesis testing. The results showed that based on testing convergent validity, average variance extracted (AVE) and composite reliability, it is known that all variables including their indicators are declared valid and reliable, then the R-square value is 0.579 which means that customer satisfaction can be explained by 57.9% by the variables of security level, service features and trust, while the remaining 42.1% is explained by other variables outside the study. Then the results of hypothesis testing show that the variables of security level, service features and trust directly have a positive and significant effect on customer satisfaction. Then the trust variable is unable to moderate the effect of the level of security and service features on customer satisfaction.

Pengaruh Literasi Keuangan, Inklusi Keuangan dan Financial Technology Terhadap Prilaku Keuangan pada Mahasiswa Universitas Bina Darma Palembang

This research aims to analyze the influence of Financial Literacy, Financial Inclusion, and Financial Technology on the Financial Behavior of postgraduate students at Bina Darma University. The main problem identified is how these three variables influence students' financial management and how much they contribute to their financial behavior. The method used was a quantitative approach with data analysis using SmartPLS, involving 227 respondents. The research results show that Financial Technology has the most significant influence on Financial Behavior, with a Path Coefficient of 0.337. Financial Literacy also makes a positive contribution with a Path Coefficient of 0.258, while Financial Inclusion has a positive effect but with a smaller contribution, namely a Path Coefficient of 0.157. The R-Square value for Financial Behavior is 0.411, which indicates that the independent variables explain 41% of the variation in student Financial Behavior. The validity and reliability test of the model shows that all variables have good validity and reliability, without multicollinearity problems. This research concludes that Financial Technology and Financial Literacy play a key role in influencing Financial Behavior, while Financial Inclusion has a smaller but still significant impact. Keywords: Financial Literacy, Inclusion, Fintech, Financial Behavior

Development, Construct Validity, and Reliability Testing of a Revised Version of the Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire for People With Spinal Cord Injury

Objectives: To evaluate the content validity, construct validity, and test-retest reliability of a revised version of the Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire for People with Spinal Cord Injury [LTPAQ-SCI(R)] that measures all four components of the spinal cord injury (SCI) exercise guidelines (i.e., exercise frequency, intensity, duration, and type). Methods: Ten adults with SCI (6M/4F) were interviewed to develop the LTPAQ-SCI(R) and assess its content validity. Twenty-three adults with SCI (50 ± 14 years; 18M/5F) completed the LTPAQ-SCI(R), other self-report measures of aerobic leisure time physical activity (LTPA), moderate-to-vigorous LTPA (MVPA), and strength-training activities as well as cardiorespiratory fitness (i.e., peak oxygen consumption [V̇O2peak]) and muscular strength tests. Results: User interviews provided information to refine the questionnaire and support content validity. LTPAQ-SCI(R) measures of minutes per week of aerobic and strength-training LTPA shared large correlations with other self-report measures of aerobic LTPA, aerobic MVPA, and strength-training LTPA (r = 0.542 to 0.687, Ps &amp;lt; .01). LTPAQ-SCI(R) measures of minutes per week of aerobic LTPA and all LTPA (i.e., combined aerobic and strength-training LTPA) shared significant medium-sized positive correlations with relative V̇O2peak (r = 0.393 and 0.406, respectively, Ps &amp;lt; .05). All variables measured by the LTPAQ-SCI(R) demonstrated good-to-excellent test-retest reliability (intraclass correlations = 0.854 to 1.000, Ps &amp;lt; .001). Conclusion: This study provides preliminary evidence of the validity and reliability of the LTPAQ-SCI(R) as a measure of minutes per week of aerobic and strength-training LTPA in individuals with SCI. The LTPAQ-SCI(R) is recommended for use in community- and rehabilitation-based settings to collect epidemiological data on LTPA participation among individuals living with SCI.

Methodological Stimulus Considerations for Auditory Emotion Recognition Test Design.

Many studies have investigated test design influences (e.g., number of stimuli, open- vs. closed-set tasks) on word recognition ability, but the impact that stimuli selection has on auditory emotion recognition has not been explored. This study assessed the impact of some stimulus parameters and test design methodologies on emotion recognition performance to optimize stimuli to use for auditory emotion recognition testing. Twenty-five young adult participants with normal or near-normal hearing completed four tasks evaluating methodological parameters that may affect emotion recognition performance. The four conditions assessed (a) word stimuli versus sentence stimuli, (b) the total number of stimuli and number of stimuli per emotion category, (c) the number of talkers, and (d) the number of emotion categories. Sentence stimuli yielded higher emotion recognition performance and increased performance variability compared to word stimuli. Recognition performance was independent of the number of stimuli per category, the number of talkers, and the number of emotion categories. Task duration expectedly increased with the total number of stimuli. A test of auditory emotion recognition that combined these design methodologies yielded high performance with low variability for listeners with normal hearing. Stimulus selection influences performance and test reliability for auditory emotion recognition. Researchers should consider these influences when designing future tests of auditory emotion recognition to ensure tests are able to accomplish the study's aims. https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.28270943.

The Influence of Individual Characteristics and Non-Physical Work Environment on Employee Performance

This study aims to determine the effect of individual characteristics and non-physical work environment on the performance of employees at the Praya Tengah Sub-District Office. The population in this study consists of all employees at the Praya Tengah Sub-District Office, with the sampling technique using purposive sampling. This type of research is associative quantitative research. Data processing in this study used SPSS 26.0, where validity tests, reliability tests, classical assumption tests, multiple linear regression analysis, significance tests (t-test), and determination coefficient tests (R Square) were conducted. The results of this study show that the non-physical work environment has a greater influence on employee performance at the Praya Tengah Sub-District Office. Based on the t-test results, it was found that t count &gt; t table (1.993 &gt; 1.697) or the significance value (0.026 &lt; 0.05), indicating that the non-physical work environment has a positive and significant effect on the performance of employees at the Praya Tengah Sub-District Office.

Appraisal of CRISPR Technology as an Innovative Screening to Therapeutic Toolkit for Genetic Disorders.

The high frequency of genetic diseases compels the development of refined diagnostic and therapeutic systems. CRISPR is a precise genome editing tool that offers detection of genetic mutation with high sensitivity, specificity and flexibility for point-of-care testing in low resource environment. Advancements in CRISPR ushered new hope for the detection of genetic diseases. This review aims to explore the recent advances in CRISPR for the detection and treatment of genetic disorders. It delves into the advances like next-generation CRISPR diagnostics like nano-biosensors, digitalized CRISPR, and omics-integrated CRISPR technologies to enhance the detection limits and to facilitate the "lab-on-chip" technologies. Additionally, therapeutic potential of CRISPR technologies is reviewed to evaluate the implementation potential of CRISPR technologies for the treatment of hematological diseases, (sickle cell anemia and β-thalassemia), HIV, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders, etc. Emerging CRISPR therapeutic approaches such as base/epigenetic editing and stem cells for the development of foreseen CRIPSR drugs are explored for the development of point-of-care testing. A combination of predictive models of artificial intelligence and machine learning with growing knowledge of genetic disorders has also been discussed to understand their role in acceleration of genetic detection. Ethical consideration are briefly discussed towards to end of review. This review provides the comprehensive insights into advances in the CRISPR diagnostics/therapeutics which are believed to pave the way for reliable, effective, and low-cost genetic testing.

Semi-Parametric Item Response Theory With O'Sullivan Splines for Item Responses and Response Time.

Response time (RT) has been an essential resource for supplementing the estimation accuracy of latent traits and item parameters in educational testing. Most item response theory (IRT) approaches are based on parametric RT models. However, since test takers may alter their behaviors during a test due to motivation or strategy shifts, fatigue, or other causes, parametric IRT models are unlikely to capture such subtle and nonlinear information. In this work, we propose a novel semi-parametric IRT model with O'Sullivan splines to accommodate the flexible mean RT shapes and explore the underlying nonlinear relationships between latent traits and RT. A simulation study was conducted to demonstrate the substantial improvement in parameter estimation achieved by the new model, as well as the detriment of using parametric models in terms of biases and measurement errors. Using this model, a dataset of mathematics test scores and RT from the Programme for International Student Assessment was analyzed to demonstrate the evident nonlinearity and to compare the proposed model with existing models in terms of model fitting. The findings presented in this study indicate the promising nature of the new approach, suggesting its potential as an additional psychometric tool to enhance test reliability and reduce measurement errors.