Animal models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis： a comparison of model validity

Animal models are necessary to investigate the pathogenic features underlying motor neuron degeneration and for therapeutic development in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis（ALS）. Measures of model validity allow for a critical interpretation of results from each model and caution from over-interpretation of experimental models. Face and construct validity refer to the similarity in phenotype and the proposed causal factor to the human disease, respectively. More recently developed models are restricted by limited phenotype characterization, yet new models hold promise for novel disease insights, thus highlighting their importance. In this article, we evaluate the features of face and construct validity of our new zebrafish model of environmentally-induced motor neuron degeneration and discuss this in the context of current environmental and genetic ALS models, including C9 orf72, mutant Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase 1 and TAR DNA-binding protein 43 mouse and zebrafish models. In this mini-review, we discuss the pros and cons to validity criteria in each model. Our zebrafish model of environmentally-induced motor neuron degeneration displays convincing features of face validity with many hallmarks of ALS-like features, and weakness in construct validity. However, the value of this model may lie in its potential to be more representative of the pathogenic features underlying sporadic ALS cases, where environmental factors may be more likely to be involved in disease etiology than single dominant gene mutations. It may be necessary to compare findings between different strains and species modeling specific genes or environmental factors to confirm findings from ALS animal models and tease out arbitrary strain-and overexpression-specific effects.

Validity, Reliability, and Invariance of the Greek Version the Physical Activity Perceived Barriers Scale

The study aimed to examine the validity, reliability, and factorial invariance across gender of the PAPBS （Physical Activity Perceived Barriers Scale） in Greek children. 613 students （322 boys and 291 girls） from a city of Greece completed the above scale in 3 periods during a school year. Confirmatory factor analysis was applied. Strong evidence was found for the hypothesized second-order factor structure of the physical activity perceived barriers scale in the 3 measurements （comparative fit index = 0.951, 0.933, 0.922, and root mean square error of approximation = 0.061, 0.069, 0.074）. The scale＇s internal consistency was supported satisfactorily, whereas correlations coefficients between scale and several physical activity scores were significant moderate to high. Finally, results provided support of the invariance of the first- and second-order factor loadings and invariance structural residuals, but weak support of the invariance of the residual variance of observed variables of the examined scale across gender. The findings suggest that physical activity perceived barriers scale is appropriate for use with Greek children and it is considered as a useful tool for researches interested in studying the children＇s participation in physical activity.

Validation and adaptation of the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) in fitness group exercisers

Background:Recently,Mullen et al.(2011)presented an 8-item version of the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale(PACES)that provides a valid instrument for assessing enjoyment in physical activity.The present paper investigated the psychometric properties of a Portuguese adaptation of PACES.Methods:After a process of back-to-back translation into Portuguese,395 members of fitness centers who ranged in age from 18 to 66 years(31.11§8.90,mean§SD)completed the translated version of the PACES.On average,participants had 3.2 years of experience in fitness group classes and practiced for approximately 3.3 times per week.Results:An initial exploratory factor analysis(n=139)revealed a unidimensional structure with factor loadings ranging from 0.79 to 0.89.Results also showed acceptable internal consistency.A confirmatory factor analysis in an independent sample(n=256)provided additional support for the unidimensional structure of the questionnaire.In addition,moderate positive correlations between enjoyment and intrinsic and identified regulation,and moderate negative correlations between enjoyment and external and amotivation,demonstrate the convergent validity of the instrument.Finally,measurement invariance between 2 independent samples was also found.Conclusion:The 8-item Portuguese version of PACES is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring enjoyment of physical activity in Portuguese adult fitness exercisers,and it is therefore suitable to use as a measure of affect in exercise adherence interventions studies.

A factor analytic assessment of the English translation of the neuropsychological vertigo inventory(NVI)

Purpose:Vestibular impairments have been associated with a variety of cognitive deficits,most notably deficits in visuo-spatial memory.The Neuropsychological Vertigo Inventory(NVI)was developed to measure self-reported cognitive deficits in patients with dizziness and/or vertigo.The original French language version of the NVI includes 28 items and 7 subscales.The purpose of the present investigation was to determine whether the statistical assessment of an English language version supported the presence of the same cognitive constructs as the French version of the NVI.Method:The English language adaptation of the NVI(referred to here as the NVIe)was administered to an unselected sample of 280 patie nts that were being evaluated for dizziness and/or vertigo in a tertiary care dizziness clinic.The individual item scores from the NVIe were subjected to an exploratory factor analysis(EFA).Results:The results of the data analysis supported a 22-item NVIe consisting of 4 constructs:affective state,temporal memory,spatial memory,visual spatial cognition.Conclusions:The NVIe is a new tool for screening cognitive constructs that may be affected by vestibular impairments.Prior to clinical implementation of the NVIe,additional studies of reliability and convergent validity are needed.

Assessment criteria for nonverbal interaction contents in r-learning

r-learning,which is based on e-learning and u-learning,is defined as a learning support system that intelligent robots serve verbal and nonverbal interactions on ubiquitous computing environment.In order to guarantee the advantages of r-learning contents with no limits of timc and place and with nonverbal interaction which are not in e-learning contents,in recent years,assessment criteria for r-learning contents are urgently rcquired.Therefore,the reliable and valid assessment criteria were developed for nonverbal interaction contents in r-learning,and its detailed research content is as follows.First,assessment criteria for nonverbal interaction in r-learning contents will be specified into gesture,facial expression,semi-verbal message,distance,physical contact and time.Second,the validity of the developed assessment criteria will be proved by statistics.Consequently,the assessment criteria for nonverbal interaction contents will be helpful when choosing the better r-learning content and producing the better r-learning content,and the reliability of school education is improved ultimately.

Development and psychometric evaluation of the Ethical Behavior for Thai Nurses Scale

Background:Ethical problems in the nursing profession are mostly found in the undesirable ethical behavior(EBE)of nurses.If there is no concern about these problems,it may negatively affect the quality of nursing care,patients’safety,and trust in the nursing profession.In assessing nurses’EBE,it is important to develop an instrument that reflects the actual EBE of nurses.Objectives:To develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Ethical Behavior for Thai Nurses Scale(EBTNS).Methods:The construct definition,5 sub-constructs,43 items,and the hypothesized model were synthesized and generated from a comprehensive literature review and existing research instruments by using document analysis.The EBTNS was verified for content validity by 4 experts.Of the 43 items,37 items were retained for psychometric testing.The construct validity was tested by using second-order confirmatory factor analysis(CFA).The EBTNS was tested on 1500 professional nurses working at tertiary,secondary,and primary hospitals in 6 regions(the central,northern,northeast,eastern,western,and southern)of Thailand.Proportional quota sampling was applied to recruit participants.Results:The hypothesized model fitted the empirical data.All 37 first-order indicators and 5 second-order sub-constructs showed significantly standardized factor loadings and effect sizes.The standardized factor loadings of 37 first-order indicators ranged from 0.58 to 0.89,and the construct reliabilities were moderate to substantial(R2=0.34-0.79).The 5 second-order sub-constructs displayed the standardized effect sizes,ranging from 0.81 to 0.96,and accounted for 65%-96%of the total explained variance.In addition,the construct validity was supported by convergent validity and discriminant validity.It also satisfied Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of 5 sub-constructs from 0.87 to 0.94,and a full scale was 0.97.Conclusions:The psychometric properties of the EBTNS are acceptable.This instrument has the potential to be used for evaluating and monitoring to prevent ethical problems of Thai nurses.

Image Instrument Construct Validation of University Institutions

The main purpose of this study was to determine the validation of construct and reliability of the image instrument in educational institutions. A non-random sample selection of 314 high school students from Montemorelos, Nuevo Leon was made. An instrument with 25 statements was created to measure the image of The University of Montemorelos （reliability a = 0.956）. The methodologies that were utilized in the validation were factorial analysis and confirmatory analysis, with the latter made with structural equations. In the factorial analysis, it was observed that the statements were grouped into four dimensions, as it was initially planned. With the exception of one item, all the other statements were grouped in the proposed dimension. In the confirmatory validation utilizing structural equations, all the selected criteria were fulfilled.

A STUDY ON THE CONSTRUCT VALIDITY OF LONG DIALOGUE MULTIPLE-CHOICE LISTENING COMPREHENSION TESTS: RETROSPECTION APPROACH

This paper aims to explore the construct validity of long dialogue multiple-choice (MC) listening comprehension tests through examining the retrospective verbal reports of eight Chinese EFL test-takers at tertiary level. It is found that the grammatical knowledge, discourse knowledge, pragmatic knowledge and sociolinguistic knowledge of language competence and all the cognitive and metacognitive strategies proposed in the framework of listening constructs are measured in the tests, which supports the constr...

Molecular kinetic theory of boundary slip on textured surfaces by molecular dynamics simulations

A theoretical model extended from the Frenkel-Eyring molecular kinetic theory(MKT)was applied to describe the boundary slip on textured surfaces.The concept of the equivalent depth of potential well was adopted to characterize the solid-liquid interactions on the textured surfaces.The slip behaviors on both chemically and topographically textured surfaces were investigated using molecular dynamics(MD)simulations.The extended MKT slip model is validated by our MD simulations under various situations,by constructing different complex surfaces and varying the surface wettability as well as the shear stress exerted on the liquid.This slip model can provide more comprehensive understanding of the liquid flow on atomic scale by considering the influence of the solid-liquid interactions and the applied shear stress on the nano-flow.Moreover,the slip velocity shear-rate dependence can be predicted using this slip model,since the nonlinear increase of the slip velocity under high shear stress can be approximated by a hyperbolic sine function.