Imaging Through Random Scatterer with Spatial Coherence Structure Measurement

Optical coherence is becoming an efficient degree of freedom for light field manipulations and applications. In this work, we show that the image information hidden a distance behind a random scattering medium is encoded in the complex spatial coherence structure of a partially coherent light beam that generates after the random scatterer. We validate in experiment that the image information can be well recovered with the spatial coherence measurement and the aid of the iterative phase retrieval algorithm in the Fresnel domain. We find not only the spatial shape but also the position including the lateral shift and longitudinal distances of the image hidden behind the random scatterer can be reconstructed, which indicates the potential uses in three-dimensional optical imaging through random scattering media.

Development and Validation of a Goal Characteristics Questionnaire

How motivated a person is to pursue a goal may depend on many different properties of the goal, such as how specific it is, how important it is to the person, and how actionable it is. Rigorously measuring all of the relevant goal characteristics is still very difficult. Existing measures are scattered across multiple research fields. Some goal characteristics are not yet covered, while others have been measured under ambiguous terminology. Other conceptually related characteristics have yet to be adapted to goals. Last but not least, the validity of most measures of goal characteristics has yet to be assessed. The aim of this study is to: a) integrate, refine, and extend previous measures into a more comprehensive battery of self-report measures, the Goal Characteristics Questionnaire (GCQ; https://osf.io/3gxk5/?view_only=1ff0e62127c64b82862a0fe7d73c4faf), and b) investigate its evidence of validity. In two empirical studies, this paper provides evidence for the validity of the measures regarding their internal structure, measurement invariance, and convergence and divergence with other relevant goal-related measures, such as the motivation, affect, and the dimensions of Personal Project Analysis. The results show that our goal characteristic dimensions have incremental validity for explaining important outcomes, such as goal commitment and well-being. It concludes with practical recommendations for using the GCQ in research on goal-setting and goal-pursuit, and a discussion about directions for future studies

The Instruments Used to Assess Health Literacy and Pharmacotherapy Literacy of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 Patients: A Scoping Review

Background: Patients with chronic diseases, like diabetes need to continuously perform tasks associated with self-management especially with medications they use. It is shown that the patients with diabetes with limited HL and PTHL cannot read medication labels correctly, may misuse their medications, spend much more on therapy and generally have difficulties in understanding printed care instructions and perceiving health advice and warnings. There has been an increasing demand for valid and reliable instruments for HL and PTHL assessment in this population. This review aims to search and critically discuss instruments used to assess HL and PTHL in people with type 2 diabetes and propose their use in different settings.Methods: Authors conducted a comprehensive, electronic search of original studies using a structured approach of the Scopus and PubMed databases, during November and the first 2 weeks of December 2020 to find relevant papers. The review was conducted in accordance with the Cochrane guidelines and the reporting was based on the PRISMA-ScR. The comparison of instruments was made by utilizing a comparison model related to their structure, measurement scope, range, psychometric properties, validation, strengths, and limitations.Results: The final number of included studies was 24, extracting the following identified instruments: Korean Functional Test HL, NVS, FCCHL, HLS-EU-47, TOFLHA, S-TOFHLA, REALM-R, 3-brief SQ, REALM, HLQ and DNT-15. In all, FCCHL and 3-brief SQ are shown with the broadest measurement scopes. They are quick, easy, and inexpensive for administration. FCCHL can be considered the most useful and comprehensive instrument to screen for inadequate HL. The limitation is that the English version is not validated. Three-brief SQ has many advantages in comparison to other instruments, including that it is less likely to cause anxiety and shame. These instruments can be considered the best for measuring functional HL in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 and other chronic diseases. PTHL instruments (REALM and DNT-15) did not find the best application in this population.Conclusions: The future research should be directed in validation of the FCCHL in English and establishing of the structural validity of this questionnaire. Developing a specific PTHL questionnaire for this population will be of great help in management of their disease.

Evaluation of the Caregiver Preparedness Scale in African American and White Caregivers of Persons With Dementia During Post-Hospitalization Transition

Background and PurposeThe Preparedness for Caregiving Scale (PCS) is a widely used instrument to measure caregiver preparedness. The purpose was to evaluate the PCS in African American and White caregivers of patients with dementia upon discharge from the hospital.MethodsFactor structure, measurement invariance, and predictive validity of the PCS were assessed in a sample of 292 family caregivers/patient dyads.ResultsOne-factor structure of the PCS and measurement invariance by race was fully supported. Predicative validity revealed significant association between the PCS and anxiety (β = −.41, t = −7.61(287), p < .001), depression (β = −.44, t = −8.39(287), p < .001), and strain (β = −.48, t = −9.29(287), p < .001).ConclusionThe PCS is a valid and meaningful tool to measure preparedness in African American and White family caregivers of persons with dementia during post-hospitalization transition.

Psychometric Analysis of the Dating Anxiety Scale for Adolescents in Samples of Polish and U.S. Young Adults: Examining the Factor Structure, Measurement Invariance, Item Functioning, and Convergent Validity

This study explored whether the Dating Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (DAS-A), which was originally developed in the United States to assess dating anxiety in adolescents, is appropriate for use in samples of young adults from Poland and the United States. The factor structure, measurement invariance across country, gender and relationship status, degree of precision across latent levels of the DAS and the functioning of individual items, and convergent validity were examined in a sample of 309 Polish and 405 U.S. young adults. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported the original three-factor measurement model of the DAS. Invariance tests revealed factor loadings and item thresholds that differed across subgroups, supporting partial metric and partial scalar invariance. The MIRT analysis showed that all items adequately discriminated participants with low and high anxiety. Dating anxiety latent factor correlations with mental health and interpersonal competence were significant in the expected negative directions. The results call for careful interpretation of research involving the DAS in cultural, gender, and relationship status groups, particularly when the primary goal is to compare mean levels of dating anxiety. Further development of the scale is recommended before it can be used across country, gender, and relationship status groups.

Blood pressure variability and night-time dipping assessed by 24-hour ambulatory monitoring: Cross-sectional association with cardiac structure in adolescents

Greater blood pressure (BP) is associated with greater left ventricular mass indexed to height2.7 (LVMi2.7) in adolescents. This study examined whether greater BP variability and reduced night-time dipping are associated with cardiac remodeling in a general population of adolescents. A cross-sectional analysis was undertaken in 587 UK adolescents (mean age 17.7 years; 43.1% male). BP was measured in a research clinic and using 24-hour ambulatory monitoring. We examined associations (for both systolic and diastolic BP) of: 1) clinic and 24-hour mean BP; 2) measures of 24-hour BP variability: standard deviation weighted for day/night (SDdn), variability independent of the mean (VIM) and average real variability (ARV); and 3) night-time dipping with cardiac structures. Cardiac structures were assessed by echocardiography: 1) LVMi2.7; 2) relative wall thickness (RWT); 3) left atrial diameter indexed to height (LADi) and 4) left ventricular internal diameter in diastole (LVIDD). Higher systolic BP was associated with greater LVMi2.7. Systolic and diastolic BP were associated with greater RWT. Associations were inconsistent for LADi and LVIDD. There was evidence for associations between both greater SDdn and ARV and higher RWT (per 1 SD higher diastolic ARV, mean difference in RWT was 0.13 SDs, 95% CI 0.045 to 0.21); these associations with RWT remained after adjustment for mean BP. There was no consistent evidence of associations between night-time dipping and cardiac structure. Measurement of BP variability, even in adolescents with blood pressure in the physiologic range, might benefit risk of cardiovascular remodeling assessment.

Examination of the Social Emotional Assets and Resilience Scales (SEARS) Youth Report: Factor Structure, Measurement Invariance, and Validity

The Social and Emotional Assets and Resilience Scale (SEARS) is a promising instrument for prediction of resilience in youth; however, there is limited data to support its use. The purpose of the current study was to examine the factor structure, measurement invariance, internal consistency, and validity of the SEARS-Adolescent Report in youth 8 to 20 years of age. Two hundred and twenty-five childhood cancer survivors ( Mage = 15.9, SD = 4.2; 51.4% male; 74.5% White) and 122 student controls without history of significant health problems ( Mage = 14.2, SD = 3.5; 54.1% female; 79.5% White) 8 to 20 years of age completed the SEARS-A. The SEARS-A was found to have an adequate factor structure and model fit (χ2 = 1215.5, p < .001; root mean square error of approximation = .057; comparative fit index = .95; standardized root mean square residual = .06) and demonstrated invariance across domains of age, health status, gender, race, and socioeconomic status (Δ comparative fit index < −0.01). It also demonstrated excellent internal reliability, criterion validity, and current validity when compared with another well-established measure of psychological adjustment. As such, the SEARS-A has potential to be a useful, valid, and psychometrically sound tool for predicting social–emotional adjustment outcomes among at-risk youth 8 to 20 years of age.

Development of contactless measurement device for overhead contact line

In order to reduce maintenance labor of overhead contact lines (OCL), a contactless measurement device for OCL was developed. This device is mounted on a roof of a vehicle of a train and measures static three-dimensional positions of wires of OCL and detects positions of OCL fittings without touching the OCL while the train is running. We proposed hybrid sensing method that combines stereo measurement by image processing with structure measurement by laser range scanners and it realized to measure OCL geometry with high-precision even in sections with complicated OCL structure. In addition, we developed position detection method of the OCL fittings that can cope with changes in height and stagger of OCL by using machine learning. Measurement data of OCL contactless measurement device is static position of OCL without influence of a probe such as a pantograph. With this device, the OCL static position can be measured continuously instead of at each support point or dropper point. For maintenance of OCL, the criterion of OCL is defined as a static position. The device is utilizable for OCL maintenance and it sophisticate maintenance of OCL. For example, this device realize the height difference measurement of the crossing section, which has been conventionally measured by maintenance workers. In addition, the device are utilizable for OCL fittings inspection. Maintenance workers can check the image of OCL fittings without on foot into the field. Furthermore the static position data of OCL can be used to create simulation model of OCL dynamic behavior. Using this model, it is possible to know the dynamic response of cases where various pantographs pass at various speeds. Running tests was conducted on commercial line, and the performance of the device was verified when running at a speed of 130 km/h. The results shown that the repeated measurement accuracy is within 10 mm, and the OCL fitting detection rate is 90 % or more.