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Validation and reference values of the EORTC QLQ-CML24 questionnaire to assess health-related quality of life in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia

Efficace F, Iurlo A, Patriarca A, Stagno F, Bee PC, Ector G, et al.

Leuk Lymphoma, 2021 03;62(3):669-678.
PMID: 33153355 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2020.1838509

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) assessment is important to facilitate decisions in the current treatment landscape of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Therefore, the availability of a validated HRQOL questionnaire, specifically developed for CML patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), may enhance quality of research in this area. We performed an international study including 782 CML patients to assess the validity of the EORTC QLQ-CML 24 questionnaire, and to generate HRQOL reference values to facilitate interpretation of results in future studies. Internal consistency, assessed with Cronbach's alpha coefficients, ranged from 0.66 to 0.83. In the confirmatory factor analysis, all standardized factor loadings exceeded the threshold of 0.40 (range 0.49-0.97), confirming the hypothesized scale structure. Reference values stratified by age and sex were also generated. Our findings support the use of the EORTC QLQ-CML 24, in conjunction with the EORTC QLQ-C30, as a valuable measure to assess HRQOL in CML patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Reproducibility of Results
Fulltext An Automated High-Accuracy Detection Scheme for Myocardial Ischemia Based on Multi-Lead Long-Interval ECG and Choi-Williams Time-Frequency Analysis Incorporating a Multi-Class SVM Classifier

Hussein AF, Hashim SJ, Rokhani FZ, Wan Adnan WA

Sensors (Basel), 2021 Mar 26;21(7).
PMID: 33810211 DOI: 10.3390/s21072311

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is a primary cause of heart problems such as angina and myocardial ischemia. The detection of the stage of CVD is vital for the prevention of medical complications related to the heart, as they can lead to heart muscle death (known as myocardial infarction). The electrocardiogram (ECG) reflects these cardiac condition changes as electrical signals. However, an accurate interpretation of these waveforms still calls for the expertise of an experienced cardiologist. Several algorithms have been developed to overcome issues in this area. In this study, a new scheme for myocardial ischemia detection with multi-lead long-interval ECG is proposed. This scheme involves an observation of the changes in ischemic-related ECG components (ST segment and PR segment) by way of the Choi-Williams time-frequency distribution to extract ST and PR features. These extracted features are mapped to a multi-class SVM classifier for training in the detection of unknown conditions to determine if they are normal or ischemic. The use of multi-lead ECG for classification and 1 min intervals instead of beats or frames contributes to improved detection performance. The classification process uses the data of 92 normal and 266 patients from four different databases. The proposed scheme delivered an overall result with 99.09% accuracy, 99.49% sensitivity, and 98.44% specificity. The high degree of classification accuracy for the different and unknown data sources used in this study reflects the flexibility, validity, and reliability of this proposed scheme. Additionally, this scheme can assist cardiologists in detecting signal abnormality with robustness and precision, and can even be used for home screening systems to provide rapid evaluation in emergency cases.

Matched MeSH terms: Reproducibility of Results
Fulltext Cultural Adaptation of Sniffin' Sticks Smell Identification Test: The Malaysian Version

Sai-Guan L, Husain S, Zahedi FD, Ahmad N, Gendeh BS

Iran J Otorhinolaryngol, 2020 Jul;32(111):213-222.
PMID: 32850509 DOI: 10.22038/ijorl.2019.34346.2138

Introduction: Sniffin' Sticks smell identification test is a tool used for evaluation of olfactory function but the results are culture-dependent. It relies on the subject's familiarity to the odorant and descriptors. This study aims to develop the Malaysian version of Sniffin' Sticks smell identification test suitable for local population usage.
Materials and Methods: The odorant descriptors and distractors of the original version of Sniffin' Sticks were translated into Malay language. It was then tested for familiarity and identifiability in 30 normosmic subjects. The descriptors were replaced until the familiarity of all descriptors and identification rates of odorants achieved ≥ 70%. The validity of the new cultural-adapted version was tested in 60 hypo-anosmic subjects and 60 normosmic subjects with Student t-test. The test-retest reliability was evaluated after two weeks with interclass correlation.
Results: Two odorant descriptors and nine distractors achieved familiarity <70% (13.3% - 66.7%) and were replaced. Another three culturally inappropriate distractors were also replaced. The mean score among the healthy subjects was significantly higher than the subject with smell dysfunction [13.7 (1.12) and 7.3 (3.42); t = 7.24 (df = 34.23), P<0.001]. The coefficient of correlation (r) between test and retest scores was 0.93 (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The cultural adapted Malaysian version of Sniffin' Sticks smell identification test is valid and has high test-retest reliability. This is the first smell identification test validated in Malaysia. It is effective for evaluation of olfactory function in local population.

Matched MeSH terms: Reproducibility of Results
Fulltext The correlation between intrinsic motivation and history subjects achievement

M. Kaviza

Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2019;4(8):1-10.
MyJurnal

This survey study aims to identify whether there is a correlation between intrinsic motivation and history subject achievement, as well as to determine whether the predictor variables of interest, competence, effort, pressure, choice, usefulness and relevance contribute significantly to the history subject’s achievement. A total of 521 Form Four students were involved in this study through simple random sampling techniques. This research instrument is the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory questionnaire and the history subject achievement test which has been verified by the expert and has good reliability value, difficulty and good discrimination index. Quantitative data in this study was analyzed using Pearson correlation and multiple regression tests through IBM SPSS software. The findings showed that there is a significant negative linear correlation between intrinsic motivation and the history subject achievement. In addition, the interests, preferences and usefulness constructs have reported a high moderate negative linear relationship with the history subject achievement, while competency, effort, pressure and relevance have a low negative linear relationship with the history subject achievement. Furthermore, interest, choice, effort and usefulness are the predictor variables that contribute significantly, while competence, pressure, and relevance are the predictor variables that contribute non-significantly to the history subject’s achievement in this study. The implications of this study are suggested to all departments to develop intrinsic motivation among students as it is strongly related to increase and decrease the history subject’s achievement

Matched MeSH terms: Reproducibility of Results
Fulltext A Heuristic Approach for Optical Transceiver Placement to Optimize SNR and Illuminance Uniformities of an Optical Body Area Network

Masroor K, Jeoti V, Drieberg M, Cheab S, Rajbhandari S

Sensors (Basel), 2021 Apr 22;21(9).
PMID: 33922288 DOI: 10.3390/s21092943

The bi-directional information transfer in optical body area networks (OBANs) is crucial at all the three tiers of communication, i.e., intra-, inter-, and beyond-BAN communication, which correspond to tier-I, tier-II, and tier-III, respectively. However, the provision of uninterrupted uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) connections at tier II (inter-BAN) are extremely critical, since these links serve as a bridge between tier-I (intra-BAN) and tier-III (beyond-BAN) communication. Any negligence at this level could be life-threatening; therefore, enabling quality-of-service (QoS) remains a fundamental design issue at tier-II. Consequently, to provide QoS, a key parameter is to ensure link reliability and communication quality by maintaining a nearly uniform signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) within the coverage area. Several studies have reported the effects of transceiver related parameters on OBAN link performance, nevertheless the implications of changing transmitter locations on the SNR uniformity and communication quality have not been addressed. In this work, we undertake a DL scenario and analyze how the placement of light-emitting diode (LED) lamps can improve the SNR uniformity, regardless of the receiver position. Subsequently, we show that using the principle of reciprocity (POR) and with transmitter-receiver positions switched, the analysis is also applicable to UL, provided that the optical channel remains linear. Moreover, we propose a generalized optimal placement scheme along with a heuristic design formula to achieve uniform SNR and illuminance for DL using a fixed number of transmitters and compare it with an existing technique. The study reveals that the proposed placement technique reduces the fluctuations in SNR by 54% and improves the illuminance uniformity up to 102% as compared to the traditional approach. Finally, we show that, for very low luminous intensity, the SNR values remain sufficient to maintain a minimum bit error rate (BER) of 10-9 with on-off keying non-return-to-zero (OOK-NRZ) modulation format.

Matched MeSH terms: Reproducibility of Results
Fulltext Association of Physicochemical Characteristics, Aggregate Indices, Major Ions, and Trace Elements in Developing Groundwater Quality Index (GWQI) in Agricultural Area

Harun HH, Kasim MRM, Nurhidayu S, Ash'aari ZH, Kusin FM, Karim MKA

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021 04 25;18(9).
PMID: 33923119 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094562

The aim of this study was to propose a groundwater quality index (GWQI) that presents water quality data as a single number and represents the water quality level. The development of the GWQI in agricultural areas is vital as the groundwater considered as an alternative water source for domestic purposes. The insufficiency of the groundwater quality standard in Malaysia revealed the importance of the GWQI development in determining the quality of groundwater. Groundwater samples were collected from thirteen groundwater wells in the Northern Kuala Langat and the Southern Kuala Langat regions from February 2018 to January 2019. Thirty-four parameters that embodied physicochemical characteristics, aggregate indicator, major ions, and trace elements were considered in the development of the GWQI. Multivariate analysis has been used to finalize the important parameters by using principal component analysis (PCA). Notably, seven parameters-electrical conductivity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), magnesium, calcium, potassium, sodium, and chloride were chosen to evaluate the quality of groundwater. The GWQI was then verified by comparing the groundwater quality in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. A sensitivity analysis was performed on this index to verify its reliability. The sensitivity GWQI has been analyzed and showed high sensitivity to any changes of the pollutant parameters. The development of GWQI should be beneficial to the public, practitioners, and industries. From another angle, this index can help to detect any form of pollution which ultimately could be minimized by controlling the sources of pollutants.

Matched MeSH terms: Reproducibility of Results
PRILE 2021 guidelines for reporting laboratory studies in Endodontology: A consensus-based development

Nagendrababu V, Murray PE, Ordinola-Zapata R, Peters OA, Rôças IN, Siqueira JF, et al.

Int Endod J, 2021 Sep;54(9):1482-1490.
PMID: 33938010 DOI: 10.1111/iej.13542

Reproducible, skilfully conducted and unbiased laboratory studies provide new knowledge, which can inform clinical research and eventually translate into better patient care. To help researchers improve the quality and reproducibility of their research prior to a publication peer-review, this paper describes the process that was followed during the development of the Preferred Reporting Items for Laboratory studies in Endodontology (PRILE) 2021 guidelines and which used a well-documented consensus-based methodology. A steering committee was created with eight individuals (PM, RO, OP, IR, JS, EP, JJ and SP), plus the project leaders (PD, VN). The steering committee prepared an initial checklist by combining and adapting items from the modified Consolidated Statement of Reporting Trials checklist for reporting in vitro studies of dental materials and the Clinical and Laboratory Images in Publications principles as well as adding several new items. The steering committee then formed a PRILE Delphi Group (PDG) and PRILE Online Meeting Group (POMG) to provide expert advice and feedback on the initial draft checklist and flowchart. The members of the PDG participated in an online Delphi process to achieve consensus on the items within the PRILE 2021 checklist and the accompanying flowchart for clarity and suitability. The PRILE checklist and flowchart developed by the online Delphi process were discussed further by the POMG. This online meeting was conducted on 12 February 2021 via the Zoom platform. Following this meeting, the steering committee developed a final version of the PRILE 2021 guidelines and flowchart, which was piloted by several authors when writing up a laboratory study for publication. Authors are encouraged to use the PRILE 2021 guidelines and flowchart to improve the clarity, completeness and quality of reports describing laboratory studies in Endodontology. The PRILE 2021 checklist and flowchart are freely available and downloadable from the Preferred Reporting Items for study Designs in Endodontology website (http://pride-endodonticguidelines.org/prile/).

Matched MeSH terms: Reproducibility of Results
Functionalization of remote sensing and on-site data for simulating surface water dissolved oxygen: Development of hybrid tree-based artificial intelligence models

Tiyasha T, Tung TM, Bhagat SK, Tan ML, Jawad AH, Mohtar WHMW, et al.

Mar Pollut Bull, 2021 Sep;170:112639.
PMID: 34273614 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112639

Dissolved oxygen (DO) is an important indicator of river health for environmental engineers and ecological scientists to understand the state of river health. This study aims to evaluate the reliability of four feature selector algorithms i.e., Boruta, genetic algorithm (GA), multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) to select the best suited predictor of the applied water quality (WQ) parameters; and compare four tree-based predictive models, namely, random forest (RF), conditional random forests (cForest), RANdom forest GEneRator (Ranger), and XGBoost to predict the changes of dissolved oxygen (DO) in the Klang River, Malaysia. The total features including 15 WQ parameters from monitoring site data and 7 hydrological components from remote sensing data. All predictive models performed well as per the features selected by the algorithms XGBoost and MARS in terms applied statistical evaluators. Besides, the best performance noted in case of XGBoost predictive model among all applied predictive models when the feature selected by MARS and XGBoost algorithms, with the coefficient of determination (R2) values of 0.84 and 0.85, respectively, nonetheless the marginal performance came up by Boruta-XGBoost model on in this scenario.

Matched MeSH terms: Reproducibility of Results
A review on segmentation of knee articular cartilage: from conventional methods towards deep learning

Ebrahimkhani S, Jaward MH, Cicuttini FM, Dharmaratne A, Wang Y, de Herrera AGS

Artif Intell Med, 2020 06;106:101851.
PMID: 32593389 DOI: 10.1016/j.artmed.2020.101851

In this paper, we review the state-of-the-art approaches for knee articular cartilage segmentation from conventional techniques to deep learning (DL) based techniques. Knee articular cartilage segmentation on magnetic resonance (MR) images is of great importance in early diagnosis of osteoarthritis (OA). Besides, segmentation allows estimating the articular cartilage loss rate which is utilised in clinical practice for assessing the disease progression and morphological changes. It has been traditionally applied in quantifying longitudinal knee OA progression pattern to detect and assess the articular cartilage thickness and volume. Topics covered include various image processing algorithms and major features of different segmentation techniques, feature computations and the performance evaluation metrics. This paper is intended to provide researchers with a broad overview of the currently existing methods in the field, as well as to highlight the shortcomings and potential considerations in the application at clinical practice. The survey showed that state-of-the-art techniques based on DL outperform the other segmentation methods. The analysis of the existing methods reveals that integration of DL-based algorithms with other traditional model-based approaches has achieved the best results (mean Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) between 85.8% and 90%).

Matched MeSH terms: Reproducibility of Results
Fulltext An Improved Vulnerability Exploitation Prediction Model with Novel Cost Function and Custom Trained Word Vector Embedding

Hoque MS, Jamil N, Amin N, Lam KY

Sensors (Basel), 2021 Jun 20;21(12).
PMID: 34202977 DOI: 10.3390/s21124220

Successful cyber-attacks are caused by the exploitation of some vulnerabilities in the software and/or hardware that exist in systems deployed in premises or the cloud. Although hundreds of vulnerabilities are discovered every year, only a small fraction of them actually become exploited, thereby there exists a severe class imbalance between the number of exploited and non-exploited vulnerabilities. The open source national vulnerability database, the largest repository to index and maintain all known vulnerabilities, assigns a unique identifier to each vulnerability. Each registered vulnerability also gets a severity score based on the impact it might inflict upon if compromised. Recent research works showed that the cvss score is not the only factor to select a vulnerability for exploitation, and other attributes in the national vulnerability database can be effectively utilized as predictive feature to predict the most exploitable vulnerabilities. Since cybersecurity management is highly resource savvy, organizations such as cloud systems will benefit when the most likely exploitable vulnerabilities that exist in their system software or hardware can be predicted with as much accuracy and reliability as possible, to best utilize the available resources to fix those first. Various existing research works have developed vulnerability exploitation prediction models by addressing the existing class imbalance based on algorithmic and artificial data resampling techniques but still suffer greatly from the overfitting problem to the major class rendering them practically unreliable. In this research, we have designed a novel cost function feature to address the existing class imbalance. We also have utilized the available large text corpus in the extracted dataset to develop a custom-trained word vector that can better capture the context of the local text data for utilization as an embedded layer in neural networks. Our developed vulnerability exploitation prediction models powered by a novel cost function and custom-trained word vector have achieved very high overall performance metrics for accuracy, precision, recall, F1-Score and AUC score with values of 0.92, 0.89, 0.98, 0.94 and 0.97, respectively, thereby outperforming any existing models while successfully overcoming the existing overfitting problem for class imbalance.

Matched MeSH terms: Reproducibility of Results
New real-time force monitoring device with enhanced accuracy for evaluation of applied force during the joint mobilization technique

Chia KP, Li OK, Yuong TS, Singh OP, Faudzi AABM, Sornambikai S, et al.

Technol Health Care, 2021;29(4):829-836.
PMID: 33492252 DOI: 10.3233/THC-202414

BACKGROUND: Force Monitoring Devices (FMDs) reported in the literature to monitor applied force during Joint Mobilization Technique (JMT) possess complex design/bulky which alters the execution of treatment, has poor accuracy and is unable to feel the resistance provided by soft tissues limits its usage in the clinical settings.
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to develop a highly accurate, portable FMD and to demonstrate real-time monitoring of force applied by health professionals during JMT without altering its execution.
METHODS: The FMD was constructed using the FlexiForce sensor, potential divider, ATmega 328 microcontroller, custom-written software, and liquid crystal display. The calibration, accuracy, and cyclic repeatability of the FMD were tested from 0 to 90 N applied load with a gold standard universal testing machine. For practical demonstration, the FMD was tested for monitoring applied force by a physiotherapist while performing Maitland's grade I to IV over the 6th cervical vertebra among 30 healthy subjects.
RESULTS: The obtained Bland-Altman plot limits agreement for accuracy, and cyclic repeatability was -1.57 N to 1.22 N, and -1.26 N to 1.26 N, respectively with standard deviation and standard error of the mean values of 3.77% and 0.73% and 2.15% and 0.23%, respectively. The test-retest reliability of the FMD tested by the same researcher at an interval of one week showed an excellent intra-class correlation coefficient of r= 1.00. The obtained force readings for grade I to IV among 30 subjects ranged from 10.33 N to 45.24 N.
CONCLUSIONS: Appreciable performance of the developed FMD suggested that it may be useful to monitor force applied by clinicians during JMT among neck pain subjects and is a useful educational tool for academicians to teach mobilization skills.

Matched MeSH terms: Reproducibility of Results
Fulltext Psychometric evaluation of Persian version of the balanced measure of psychological needs scale among university students

Sharif Nia H, Rahmatpour P, Khoshnavay Fomani F, Arslan G, Kaveh O, Pahlevan Sharif S, et al.

Nurs Open, 2021 09;8(5):2784-2793.
PMID: 33797864 DOI: 10.1002/nop2.854

AIM: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the reliability, validity and factor structure of the Persian version of the BMPN in Iranian university students.
DESIGN: Cross-sectional.
METHODS: Study was conducted among Iranian medical sciences students from April to May 2020. A total of 660 students participated in the online self-administrated questionnaire. Construct validity, convergent and divergent validity, and reliability of P-BMPN were evaluated.
RESULTS: The Exploratory factor analysis showed that the Persian version of the BMPN has 17 items with four factors: dissatisfaction, autonomy Satisfaction, relatedness satisfaction and competence satisfaction that explained 40.17% of the total variance. Based on confirmatory factor analysis, all goodness-of-fit indices confirmed the model fit.
CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the Persian version of the BMPN is a reliable and valid measure to assess satisfaction and dissatisfaction of the psychological needs in Iranian university students.

Matched MeSH terms: Reproducibility of Results
Data on the natural ventilation performance of windcatcher with anti-short-circuit device (ASCD)

Nejat P, Calautit JK, Majid MZ, Hughes BR, Jomehzadeh F

Data Brief, 2016 Dec;9:252-6.
PMID: 27660813 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2016.08.042

This article presents the datasets which were the results of the study explained in the research paper 'Anti-short-circuit device: a new solution for short-circuiting in windcatcher and improvement of natural ventilation performance' (P. Nejat, J.K. Calautit, M.Z. Abd. Majid, B.R. Hughes, F. Jomehzadeh, 2016) [1] which introduces a new technique to reduce or prevent short-circuiting in a two-sided windcatcher and also lowers the indoor CO2 concentration and improve the ventilation distribution. Here, we provide details of the numerical modeling set-up and data collection method to facilitate reproducibility. The datasets includes indoor airflow, ventilation rates and CO2 concentration data at several points in the flow field. The CAD geometry of the windcatcher models are also included.

Matched MeSH terms: Reproducibility of Results
Fulltext Evaluation of orthodontic treatment outcome: a self-audit using the peer assessment rating (PAR) index

Loke, Shuet Toh

Malaysian Dental Journal, 2010;31(1):25-34.
MyJurnal

Introduction: The peer assessment rating (PAR) index was used to self-audit 4 years of completed pre-adjusted edgewise appliance cases treated by a single orthodontist in a government clinic. The objectives of this study were to evaluate orthodontic treatment standards and factors which may influence treatment outcomes and treatment time.

Methodology: Pre and post-treatment study models were scored using the PAR index by the author. 17 models were re-examined for intra-examiner reliability using intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). ICC was excellent for pretreatment (0.96), post-treatment (0.98) and reduction in PAR (0.96) scores.

Results: There were 173 cases (51 males; 122 females) with mean age 17.6 (SD 5.75) years. Mean treatment time was 18.6 (SD 6.47) months with range between 5-40 months. There was no statistically significant difference between one-arch and two-arch cases and between routine and compromised cases. Treatment time in extraction cases (mean 19.5, SD 6.17) was significantly different (p=0.000) compared with non-extraction cases (mean 11.6, SD 4.10) although this accounted for 15% of the variation only (r=0.388). 76.3% cases were ‘greatly improved’, 22.0% ‘improved’ and 1.7% ‘worst/ no different’. Mean pretreatment, post-treatment and reduction in PAR score was 34.1(SD 9.68), 6.4 (SD 6.84) and 27.9 (SD 9.69) respectively. Mean percentage PAR score reduction was 82.0% (SD 1.96). Pretreatment (p=0.000), post-treatment (p=0.000) and reduction (p=0.489) in PAR scores was significantly different between routine and compromised cases. There was significant difference (p=0.000) between category of improvement and pretreatment scores but not with treatment time.

Conclusion: Severe malocclusions had larger reduction in PAR scores and required longer treatment time. Extraction cases took longer to complete and routine cases had better outcomes than compromised cases with severe skeletal discrepancy.

Matched MeSH terms: Reproducibility of Results
Fulltext Reflective writing in case summary assignments

Chinniah, Kathiravan, Nalliah, Sivalingam

International e-Journal of Science, Medicine & Education, 2012;6(1):15-20.
MyJurnal

Outcome and competency-based undergraduate and graduate medical education is the desired standard embraced by many medical educationists worldwide. Reflective capacity is an integral component of that strategy and reflective writing has shown tremendous potential as a delivery tool. But there are various challenges in the implementation of the initiative. Efficacy as a delivery tool, achievement of pedagogical outcomes, reliability issues, challenges in assessment outcomes/tools, and whether it can be taught and learnt, need to be addressed. Many questions are still not satisfactorily answered, and this review attempts to offer some perspective on the issues.

Matched MeSH terms: Reproducibility of Results
Gaudio D, Olivieri L, De Angelis D, Poppa P, Galassi A, Cattaneo C. Reliability of craniofacial superimposition using three-dimension skull model. J Forensic Sci 2016; 61(1):5-11

Jayaprakash PT, Hadi H, Srinivasan A, Chellamuthu P, Abd Aziz Mohd Yusop R, Hashim N

J Forensic Sci, 2016 09;61(5):1390-3.
PMID: 27621069 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13187
Matched MeSH terms: Reproducibility of Results
Fulltext Assessing the reliability of subjective evaluation for comfortable driving postures

Darliana Mohamad, Dian Darina Indah Daruis, Baba Md Deros, Ahmad Rasdan Ismail

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2016;16(20):14-19.
MyJurnal

Drivers’ posture is one of the factors that can contribute to driving discomfort. Subjective evaluation is needed in determining the driving discomfort problem. The purpose of this study is to examine the reliability of different driving postures that may lead to drivers’ discomfort. A total of thirty-four healthy Malaysian drivers were involved in this study. Respondents were required to sit on the driver’s seat with the required adjustments of three different postures and fill-in the given subjective evaluation form. The same procedure was repeated for each respondent after three days for purpose of conducting test retest evaluation. The reliability statistical analysis result shows the study was reliable and valid with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient equal to 0.827. The comparison means that ANOVA analysis also shows significance difference between these three groups of postures for all measured parameters. In conclusion, the result from this study shows the subjective evaluation conducted is reliable and can be used for drivers’ posture discomfort study.

Matched MeSH terms: Reproducibility of Results
Fulltext Stability of the LA-i in measuring learning approaches among medical students

Muhamad Saiful Bahri Yusoff

Education in Medicine Journal, 2013;5(1):21-26.
MyJurnal

Introduction: The LA-i was found to be valid, reliable, simple and easy to be administered and consumed minimal time. However, to author knowledge, none of articles reported its stability across multiple observations. Realising its potential, continued research is required to optimize its role, usefulness and applicability as a tool to help educators to understand their students’ learning approaches. Objective: To determine stability of the LA-i to measure characteristics of students’ learning approaches at different time and occasions in a sample of medical students.Method: A prospective cohort study was done on 177 first year medical students. It was administered to a cohort of medical students at four different intervals. The Cronbach’s alpha and intra-class correlation analysis were applied to measure internal consistency and agreement level across the
intervals. The analysis was done using SPSS 18. Result: A total of 157 (88.7%) first year medical students responded completely to the inventory. The overall Cronbach’s alpha value of the LA-i at different intervals ranged between 0.79 and 0.92, The Cronbach’s alpha values for surface learning
approach subscale ranged between 0.65 and 0.80. The Cronbach’s alpha value for strategic learning approach subscale ranged between 0.76 and 0.84. The Cronbach’s alpha value for deep learning approach subscale ranged between 0.83 and 0.95. ICC values for the three learning approach subscales ranged between 0.46 and 0.50. Conclusion: This study reflected that the LA-i had high level of internal stability to measure students’ learning approaches at different time and occasions. Continued research is required to optimize its role, usefulness and applicability at various educational settings.

Matched MeSH terms: Reproducibility of Results
Fulltext The effect of MCQ vetting on students' examination performance

Majed Mohammed Wadi, Ahmad Fuad Abdul Rahim, Muhamad Saiful Bahri Yusoff, Kamarul Aryffin Baharuddin

Education in Medicine Journal, 2014;6(2):16-26.
MyJurnal

Context: Question vetting is important to ensure validity, reliability, and other quality indicators of assessment tools, including the MCQ. Faculty members invest a substantial amount of time and effort into the MCQ vetting process. However, there is shortage of scientific evidence showing its effectiveness and at which level it needs to be focused on. This study aimed to provide scientific evidence regarding the effects of question vetting process on students’ examination performance by looking at their scores and pass-fail outcomes.

Method: A parallel randomized control trial was conducted on third year medical students in a medical school. They were randomly assigned into two equal groups (i.e. control and experimental). Two mock examinations were conducted (i.e. time I and time II). At time I, non-vetted MCQs were administered to both groups as a baseline measurement. At time II, vetted MCQs were administered to the experimental group, while the same non-vetted MCQs were administered to the control group.

Results: Out of 203 students, 129 (63.5%) participated in both mock examinations. 65 students were in the control group and 64 students were in the experimental group. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in mean examination scores and pass-fail outcomes between or within the control and experimental groups.

Conclusion: This study indicated that the MCQ vetting process did not influence examination performance. Despite these findings, the MCQ vetting process should still be considered an important activity to ensure that test items are developed at the highest quality and standards. However, it can be suggested that such activity can be done at the departmental level rather than at the central level.

Matched MeSH terms: Reproducibility of Results
Fulltext Spectrophotometric determination of trace arsenic (III) ion based on complex formation with gallocyanine

Nor Azah Yusof, Zainab Omar

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2009;17(1):-.
MyJurnal

In this study, a simple, selective and sensitive method, for spectrophotometric determination of As(III) with gallocyanine as the sensitive reagent was developed. The wavelength of an analytical measurement, for the determination of As (III), using gallocyanine was at 630 nm with an optimum response at pH 2. The RSD for the reproducibility of 100 ppm As (III) was 2.3%. The LOD was 0.04 ppm with linear dynamic range in As(III) concentration of 0.2 - 1.5 ppm. The developed method has been validated against Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The interference study of several metal ions was carried out and it revealed that that Mn (II) ion was interfered the most.

Matched MeSH terms: Reproducibility of Results

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