Search results for "M function"

Structural Validity of the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score for Orthopaedic Pathologies with Rasch Measurement Theory

2022

Publisher Copyright: © 2021 The Authors A B S T R A C T Background: The Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) is one of the most frequently used patient reported outcome measures for foot and ankle conditions. The aim is to test the structural validity of the Finnish version of the FAOS using Rasch Measurement Theory. Methods: FAOS scores were obtained from 218 consecutive patients who received operative treatment for foot and ankle conditions. The FAOS data were fitted into the Rasch model and person separation index (PSI) calculated. Results: All the five subscales provided good coverage and targeting. Three subscales presented unidimensional structure. Thirty-eight of the 42 items had orde…

Information Functionals and the Notion of (Un)Certainty: Random Matrix Theory - Inspired Case

2007

Information functionals allow one to quantify the degree of randomness of a given probability distribution, either absolutely (through min/max entropy principles) or relative to a prescribed reference one. Our primary aim is to analyze the “minimum information” assumption, which is a classic concept (R. Balian, 1968) in the random matrix theory. We put special emphasis on generic level (eigenvalue) spacing distributions and the degree of their randomness, or alternatively — information/organization deficit.

Rasch Analysis of the Japanese Version of Teacher Efficacy for Inclusive Practices Scale: Scale Unidimensionality

2020

This study aimed to examine the construct validity of the Japanese version of the Teacher Efficacy for Inclusive Practices (TEIP) scale. The sample consisted of 250 teachers in Japan. Rasch analysis was used to examine the psychometric properties of the scale. Results did not support the 18-item Japanese version of the TEIP scale as a unidimensional scale for measuring TEIP. However, they do support the final 14-item Japanese version of the TEIP scale as a unidimensional scale for measuring TEIP. Four items were removed from the original 18-item scale (items 12, 8, 5, and 3) for violation of the local independency assumption. No item with differential item functioning (DIF) was detected. On…

Study of the effects of climate extremes on functioning of intertidal assemblages to design an early warning sensor network

2020

Stable isotopes: a tool for understanding trophodynamic functioning in coastal lagoons

2010

Food web structure in Mediterranean coastal lagoons under different trophic conditions

2011

Monitoring tropical forests under a functional perspective with satellite-based vegetation optical depth.

2020

Monitoring ecosystem functions in forests is a priority in a climate change scenario, as climate-induced events may initially alter the functions more than slow-changing attributes, such as biomass. The ecosystem functional properties (EFPs) are quantities that characterize key ecosystem processes. They can be derived by point observations of gas and energy exchanges between the ecosystems and the atmosphere that are collected globally at FLUXNET flux tower sites and upscaled at ecosystem level. The properties here considered describe the ability of ecosystems to optimize the use of resources for carbon uptake. They represent functional forest information, are dependent on environmental dri…

Measuring dispositional optimism in patients with chronic heart failure and their healthcare providers: The validity of the Life Orientation Test-Rev…

2017

Patrizia Steca,1 Dario Monzani,1 Antonia Pierobon,2 Giulia Avvenuti,2 Andrea Greco,1 Anna Giardini2 1Department of Psychology, University of Milano – Bicocca, Milan, 2Psychology Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri Spa SB, IRCCS Montescano, Montescano, Italy Abstract: The Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R) measures dispositional optimism (DO) – an individual difference promoting physical and psychological well-being in healthy adults (HAs) as well as in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and healthcare providers (HPs). Controversy has arisen regarding the dimensionality of the LOT-R. Whereas DO was originally defined as a one-dimensional construct, empiri…

Plant diversity enhances the natural attenuation of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAHs and oxygenated PAHs) in grassland soils

2019

Increasing plant species richness stimulates microbial activity in soil, which might favor biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs). To explore the relationship between plant community composition and PACs in grassland soils (Fluvisols exposed to an urban atmosphere), we determined the concentrations of 29 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 15 oxygenated PAHs (OPAHs) in topsoils of 80 plots of a grassland biodiversity experiment. The plots included different levels of plant species richness (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 60 species) and 1–4 plant functional groups (grasses, small herbs, tall herbs, and legumes) in a randomized block design. The concentrations (ng g−1) of ∑29PAHs an…

Shifts in microbial diversity through land use intensity as drivers of carbon mineralization in soil

2015

10 pages; International audience; Land use practices alter the biomass and structure of soil microbial communities. However, the impact of land management intensity on soil microbial diversity (i.e. richness and evenness) and consequences for functioning is still poorly understood. Here, we addressed this question by coupling molecular characterization of microbial diversity with measurements of carbon (C) mineralization in soils obtained from three locations across Europe, each representing a gradient of land management intensity under different soil and environmental conditions. Bacterial and fungal diversity were characterized by high throughput sequencing of ribosomal genes. Carbon cycl…