The Nasal Width and Boxiness Index: Introduction and Pilot Study on Reliability and Validity of Sonographic Morphometry

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (04) ◽  
pp. 373-380
Author(s):  
Ralph Litschel ◽  
Abel-Jan Tasman

AbstractBoth intended and unintended surgical modifications of nasal width and shape of the nasal tip continue to be of interest to the rhinoplasty surgeon. As validated instruments for quantifying width and boxiness are lacking, the objective of this study was to introduce a width index and a boxiness index for the nasal dorsum and the nasal tip. A width index and a boxiness index were defined within the methodological limits of noncontact sonography. The reliability of both indices was studied by comparing the measurements of two examiners on the noses of five volunteers. The validity of the indices was studied by correlating the sonographic width and boxiness with the 5-point Likert scale ratings of photographs of 5 noses by 21 lay persons. Nasal width was defined as the diameter at a distance of 5 mm from the skin surface on a sonographic cross-section perpendicular to the skin surface. Boxiness was defined as the quotient of width at a depth of 1 and 5 mm. Bland–Altmann analysis revealed negligible bias between both examiners and 95% of limits of agreement of 13, 7, and 13% for width at 1 mm, width at 5 mm, and boxiness, respectively. Corresponding Pearson's correlation coefficients were r = 0.93, r = 0.93, and r = 0.71. The correlation between the cumulative lay persons' scores and sonographic width and boxiness were r = 0.97, r = 0.66, and r = 0.81 for nasal tip width, dorsal width, and boxiness, respectively. Both the width at a depth of 5 mm as measured with sonography and the boxiness index that is defined as width at a depth of 1 mm divided by the width at a depth of 5 mm may prove to be acceptable surrogate parameters for width and boxiness of the nose in comparative morphometric studies.

2001 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
GL Ambrosini ◽  
NH de Klerk ◽  
AW Musk ◽  
D Mackerras

AbstractObjectiveTo compare intra- and inter-method reliability of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) designed specifically to measure beta carotene (BC) and retinol intake, using two methods – the limits of agreement (LOA) and the correlation coefficient.DesignA cross-sectional study of dietary intake.SettingA randomized trial of vitamin A supplements in 2769 subjects with past asbestos exposure.SubjectsData from 57 men and 26 women, aged 28–72 years, living in Western Australia.MethodsThe FFQ was administered at baseline (FFQ1) and repeated 1 year later (FFQ2). Four 1-week diet records (DRs) were completed during the year.ResultsMean agreement between FFQ2 and FFQ1 was 120% for BC and 98% for retinol. LOA were 47–306% and 21–459%, respectively. Mean agreement between FFQ2 and the DR was 149% for BC and 63% for retinol; LOA were 50–447% and 11–349%, respectively. Mean agreement and LOA varied across energy intakes. Between the DR and FFQ2, correlation coefficients were 0.36 for BC and 0.51 for retinol. These varied considerably across age, gender and energy intakes and were not in accordance with limits of agreement findings.ConclusionAlthough correlation coefficients were positive and significant, there was less than ideal intra-method and inter-method reliability shown by the limits of agreement method. Bias was uneven across the range of intakes, the LOA were wide and, compared with the DR, the FFQ significantly over-estimated BC and under-estimated retinol. This shows the limitations of calculating correlation coefficients alone, for assessing reliability and validity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-67
Author(s):  
Elif Inan-Eroglu ◽  
Bo-Huei Huang ◽  
Leah Shepherd ◽  
Natalie Pearson ◽  
Annemarie Koster ◽  
...  

Background: Thigh-worn accelerometers have established reliability and validity for measurement of free-living physical activity-related behaviors. However, comparisons of methods for measuring sleep and time in bed using the thigh-worn accelerometer are rare. The authors compared the thigh-worn accelerometer algorithm that estimates time in bed with the output of a sleep diary (time in bed and time asleep). Methods: Participants (N = 5,498), from the 1970 British Cohort Study, wore an activPAL device on their thigh continuously for 7 days and completed a sleep diary. Bland–Altman plots and Pearson correlation coefficients were used to examine associations between the algorithm derived and diary time in bed and asleep. Results: The algorithm estimated acceptable levels of agreement with time in bed when compared with diary time in bed (mean bias of −11.4 min; limits of agreement −264.6 to 241.8). The algorithm-derived time in bed overestimated diary sleep time (mean bias of 55.2 min; limits of agreement −204.5 to 314.8 min). Algorithm and sleep diary are reasonably correlated (ρ = .48, 95% confidence interval [.45, .52] for women and ρ = .51, 95% confidence interval [.47, .55] for men) and provide broadly comparable estimates of time in bed but not for sleep time. Conclusions: The algorithm showed acceptable estimates of time in bed compared with diary at the group level. However, about half of the participants were outside of the ±30 min difference of a clinically relevant limit at an individual level.


Author(s):  
Ling-Yu Guo ◽  
Phyllis Schneider ◽  
William Harrison

Purpose This study provided reference data and examined psychometric properties for clausal density (CD; i.e., number of clauses per utterance) in children between ages 4 and 9 years from the database of the Edmonton Narrative Norms Instrument (ENNI). Method Participants in the ENNI database included 300 children with typical language (TL) and 77 children with language impairment (LI) between the ages of 4;0 (years;months) and 9;11. Narrative samples were collected using a story generation task, in which children were asked to tell stories based on six picture sequences. CD was computed from the narrative samples. The split-half reliability, concurrent criterion validity, and diagnostic accuracy were evaluated for CD by age. Results CD scores increased significantly between ages 4 and 9 years in children with TL and those with LI. Children with TL produced higher CD scores than those with LI at each age level. In addition, the correlation coefficients for the split-half reliability and concurrent criterion validity of CD scores were all significant at each age level, with the magnitude ranging from small to large. The diagnostic accuracy of CD scores, as revealed by sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios, was poor. Conclusions The finding on diagnostic accuracy did not support the use of CD for identifying children with LI between ages 4 and 9 years. However, given the attested reliability and validity for CD, reference data of CD from the ENNI database can be used for evaluating children's difficulties with complex syntax and monitoring their change over time. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.13172129


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua-hong Wu ◽  
Feng-qi Wu ◽  
Yang Li ◽  
Jian-ming Lai ◽  
Gai-xiu Su ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) may seriously affects patients’ quality of life (QoL), but it was rarely focused and studied in China, so we explore JIA children’s QoL using Chinese version of the PedsQL4.0 Generic Core and PedsQL3.0 Rheumatology Module scale, and analyzed the psychometric properties of these two Scales among Chinese JIA children. Methods We recruited 180 JIA patients from Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Institute of Pediatrics and Hebei Yanda Hospital from July 2018 to August 2019. The questionnaires include information related on JIA, PedsQL4.0 generic core and PedsQL3.0 Rheumatology Module scales. According to the disease type, onset age of and course of JIA, we divided them into different groups, then compared the QoL status among different groups. Moreover, we analyzed the reliability and validity of these two scales in these 180 JIA children. Results The mean score of PedsQL4.0 generic core scale on these 180 patients was 82.85 ± 14.82, for these in active period was 72.05 ± 15.29, in remission period was 89.77 ± 9.23; the QoL score of systemic, polyarticular and oligoarticular JIA patients were 77.05 ± 19.11, 84.33 ± 12.46 and 87.12 ± 10.23. The mean score of PedsQL3.0 Rheumatology Module scale on 180 patients was 91.22 ± 9.45, for these in active period was 84.70 ± 11.37, in remission period was 95.43 ± 4.48; the QoL score of systemic, polyarticular and oligoarticular JIA patients were 89.41 ± 11.54, 89.38 ± 10.08 and 93.71 ± 6.92. In the PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core scale, the α coefficients of total scale and almost every dimension are all greater than 0.8 except for the school activity dimension of 0.589; the correlation coefficients of 22 items’ scores (total 23 items) with the scores of dimensions they belong to are greater than 0.5 (maximum value is 0.864), and the other one is 0.406. In PedsQL3.0 Rheumatology Module scale, except for the treatment and worry dimensions of 0.652 and 0.635, the α coefficients of other dimensions and the total scale are all greater than 0.7; the correlation coefficients of all items’ score were greater than 0.5 (the maximum is 0.933, the minimum is 0.515). Conclusions The QoL of Chinese JIA children is worse than their healthy peers, these in active period and diagnosed as systemic type were undergoing worst quality of life. The reliability and validity of PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core and PedsQL3.0 Rheumatology Module scale in Chinese JIA children are satisfactory, and can be used in clinical and scientific researches.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Minjeong Kim ◽  
Ja Young Oh ◽  
Seon Ha Bae ◽  
Seung Hyeun Lee ◽  
Won Jun Lee ◽  
...  

AbstractWe evaluated the reliability and validity of the 5-scale grading system to interpret the point-of-care immunoassay for tear matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9. Six observers graded red bands of photographs of the readout window in MMP-9 immunoassay kit (InflammaDry) two times with 2-week interval based on the 5-scale grading system (i.e. grade 0–4). Interobserver and intraobserver reliability were evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients. The interobserver agreements were analyzed according to the severity of tear MMP-9 expression. To validate the system, a concentration calibration curve was made using MMP-9 solutions with reference concentrations, then the distribution of MMP-9 concentrations was analyzed according to the 5-scale grading system. Both intraobserver and interobserver reliability was excellent. The readout grades were significantly correlated with the quantified colorimetric densities. The interobserver variance of readout grades had no correlation with the severity of the measured densities. The band density continued to increase up to a maximal concentration (i.e. 5000 ng/mL) according to the calibration curve. The difference of grades reflected the change of MMP-9 concentrations sensitively, especially between grade 2 and 4. Together, our data indicate that the subjective 5-scale grading system in the point-of-care MMP-9 immunoassay is an easy and reliable method with acceptable accuracy.


2016 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian K.C. Lo ◽  
Leia Minaker ◽  
Alicia N.T. Chan ◽  
Jessica Hrgetic ◽  
Catherine L. Mah

Purpose: To adapt and validate a survey instrument to assess the nutrition environment of grab-and-go establishments at a university campus. Methods: A version of the Nutrition Environment Measures Survey for grab-and-go establishments (NEMS-GG) was adapted from existing NEMS instruments and tested for reliability and validity through a cross-sectional assessment of the grab-and-go establishments at the University of Toronto. Product availability, price, and presence of nutrition information were evaluated. Cohen’s kappa coefficient and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) were assessed for inter-rater reliability, and construct validity was assessed using the known-groups comparison method (via store scores). Results: Fifteen grab-and-go establishments were assessed. Inter-rater reliability was high with an almost perfect agreement for availability (mean κ = 0.995) and store scores (ICC = 0.999). The tool demonstrated good face and construct validity. About half of the venues carried fruit and vegetables (46.7% and 53.3%, respectively). Regular and healthier entrée items were generally the same price. Healthier grains were cheaper than regular options. Six establishments displayed nutrition information. Establishments operated by the university’s Food Services consistently scored the highest across all food premise types for nutrition signage, availability, and cost of healthier options. Conclusions: Health promotion strategies are needed to address availability and variety of healthier grab-and-go options in university settings.


2014 ◽  
Vol 138 (6) ◽  
pp. 809-813
Author(s):  
Carolyn R. Vitek ◽  
Jane C. Dale ◽  
Henry A. Homburger ◽  
Sandra C. Bryant ◽  
Amy K. Saenger ◽  
...  

Context.— Systems-based practice (SBP) is 1 of 6 core competencies required in all resident training programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Reliable methods of assessing resident competency in SBP have not been described in the medical literature. Objective.— To develop and validate an analytic grading rubric to assess pathology residents' analyses of SBP problems in clinical chemistry. Design.— Residents were assigned an SBP project based upon unmet clinical needs in the clinical chemistry laboratories. Using an iterative method, we created an analytic grading rubric based on critical thinking principles. Four faculty raters used the SBP project evaluation rubric to independently grade 11 residents' projects during their clinical chemistry rotations. Interrater reliability and Cronbach α were calculated to determine the reliability and validity of the rubric. Project mean scores and range were also assessed to determine whether the rubric differentiated resident critical thinking skills related to the SBP projects. Results.— Overall project scores ranged from 6.56 to 16.50 out of a possible 20 points. Cronbach α ranged from 0.91 to 0.96, indicating that the 4 rubric categories were internally consistent without significant overlap. Intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.63 to 0.81, indicating moderate to strong interrater reliability. Conclusions.— We report development and statistical analysis of a novel SBP project evaluation rubric. The results indicate the rubric can be used to reliably assess pathology residents' critical thinking skills in SBP.


2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 632-641
Author(s):  
Sumiati Tarigan ◽  
Saldy Yusuf ◽  
Yuliana Syam

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the interface pressure and skin surface temperature in relation to the incidence of pressure injury (PI) using three different turning schedules. Method: This was a pilot study with a three-armed randomised clinical trial design. Participants at risk of PI and treated in the high dependency care unit in a regional hospital in Makassar, Indonesia participated in this study. Patients were repositioned at three different turning schedules (two-, three- and four-hourly intervals). Interface pressure measurement and skin surface temperature were measured between 14:00 and 18:00 every three days. The incidence of PI was assessed during the two-week observation period. Results: A total of 44 participants took part in the study. A one-way ANOVA test revealed no difference in interface pressure among the three different turning schedule groups within two weeks of observations: day zero, p=0.56; day four, p=0.95; day seven, p=0.56; day 10, p=0.63; and day 14, p=0.92. Although the average periumbilical temperature and skin surface temperature were not significant (p>0.05), comparison between these observation sites was significant on all observation days (p<0.05). Regarding the incidence of PI, the proportional hazard test for the development of PI in the three groups was considered not different (hazard ratio: 1.46, 95% confidence interval: 0.43–4.87, p=0.54). Conclusion: No difference in interface pressure and incidence of PI on the three turning schedules was observed; however, there was a potential increase in skin surface temperature in comparison with periumbilical temperature for all three turning schedules.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leming Zhou ◽  
Jie Bao ◽  
I Made Agus Setiawan ◽  
Andi Saptono ◽  
Bambang Parmanto

BACKGROUND After a mobile health (mHealth) app is created, an important step is to evaluate the usability of the app before it is released to the public. There are multiple ways of conducting a usability study, one of which is collecting target users’ feedback with a usability questionnaire. Different groups have used different questionnaires for mHealth app usability evaluation: The commonly used questionnaires are the System Usability Scale (SUS) and Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire (PSSUQ). However, the SUS and PSSUQ were not designed to evaluate the usability of mHealth apps. Self-written questionnaires are also commonly used for evaluation of mHealth app usability but they have not been validated. OBJECTIVE The goal of this project was to develop and validate a new mHealth app usability questionnaire. METHODS An mHealth app usability questionnaire (MAUQ) was designed by the research team based on a number of existing questionnaires used in previous mobile app usability studies, especially the well-validated questionnaires. MAUQ, SUS, and PSSUQ were then used to evaluate the usability of two mHealth apps: an interactive mHealth app and a standalone mHealth app. The reliability and validity of the new questionnaire were evaluated. The correlation coefficients among MAUQ, SUS, and PSSUQ were calculated. RESULTS In this study, 128 study participants provided responses to the questionnaire statements. Psychometric analysis indicated that the MAUQ has three subscales and their internal consistency reliability is high. The relevant subscales correlated well with the subscales of the PSSUQ. The overall scale also strongly correlated with the PSSUQ and SUS. Four versions of the MAUQ were created in relation to the type of app (interactive or standalone) and target user of the app (patient or provider). A website has been created to make it convenient for mHealth app developers to use this new questionnaire in order to assess the usability of their mHealth apps. CONCLUSIONS The newly created mHealth app usability questionnaire—MAUQ—has the reliability and validity required to assess mHealth app usability.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document