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Using Item Response Theory to Identify Key Symptoms of Insomnia in a Sample of University Students With Probable Eating Disorders
No full textPurpose
Researchers have theorized that interactions between appetitive and circadian disruptions result in increased eating disorder (ED) symptoms and insomnia. However, it is unclear how specific insomnia symptoms present among people with EDs and if the latent structure of insomnia in this population is similar to that of people with insomnia disorder.
Methods
We conducted a secondary analysis of data collected on ED and insomnia symptoms using a subset of students with probable EDs at a large Midwestern American university. Item response theory (IRT) for polytomous items was performed to identify item difficulty, discrimination, and information parameters for the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). IRT parameters were compared to those established in a 2011 study of people diagnosed with insomnia disorder by Morin and colleagues.
Results
Clinically significant insomnia symptoms were common among students with ED pathology and symptom endorsement for each ISI item ranged from 40.77 to 86.65%. ISI items assessing insomnia-related impairment and distress showed better discriminative capacities and had higher item information than items assessing sleep behavior alterations (i.e., difficulties falling asleep, difficulties maintaining sleep, waking too early). Item discrimination was largely similar among the ED sample compared to previous IRT analyses in an insomnia disorder sample.
Conclusion
Insomnia symptoms are common among university students with probable EDs and similar to those reported by people with insomnia disorder. When considering insomnia assessment, items assessing sleep behaviors alone are likely inadequate to provide information about insomnia severity among people with EDs.
Level V
Evidence obtained from a cross-sectional descriptive study
The Scientific Landscape of the Aging-in-Place Literature: A Bibliometric Analysis
No full textThe world’s population is aging and, as populations age, they exhibit an increased prevalence of chronic diseases, which can reduce the independence of elderly individuals. The set of initiatives known as aging in place, a common policy response to the aging population, is preferred by both the elderly population and policymakers. Aging in place is a broad and multifaceted topic that involves multiple stakeholders and academic disciplines. A science map of the literature on aging in place can help researchers pinpoint their efforts and help policymakers make informed decisions. Thus, this study maps the scientific landscape of the aging-in-place literature. This review used bibliometric analysis to examine 3240 publications on aging in place indexed in the Web of Science. Using VOSviewer 1.6.20, it conducted various analyses, including a citation analysis and an analysis of the co-occurrence of author-provided keywords. The study identified key research areas, leading countries, institutions, and journals, central publications, and the temporal evolution of themes in the literature. Based on its keyword co-occurrence analysis, the study identified five major research-area clusters: (1) aging-in-place facilitators, (2) age-friendly communities, (3) housing, (4) assistive technologies, and (5) mental health. This study improves the understanding of the various interdisciplinary factors that have influenced the research on aging in place. By making this research more accessible, the study can help researchers and policymakers navigate the extensive information on aging in place and complex relationships more effectively
Influence of Fused Deposition Modeling Process Parameters on the Constitutive Model of Hyperelastic Thermoplastic Polyurethane
No full textThermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) are suited for fused deposition modeling (FDM) of parts that require high levels of flexibility and strength. Predicting the deformation of TPU parts produced using FDM may be difficult, especially under large deformations, as their constitutive models depend on the printing process parameters. The lack of understanding led to the absence of constitutive models for TPU parts produced using FDM. This work aims to identify accurate hyperelastic constitutive models. Six groups of uniaxial tensile specimens were produced using FDM. These groups were made with variations in two process parameters, which were infill geometry and extrusion nozzle temperature. Infill geometries either corresponded to a zero-deposition angle (wall-only) or an infill deposition of ±45◦ raster angle (infill-only). It was determined that a third-order Mooney–Rivlin constitutive model can accurately describe these six groups. A finite element analysis (FEA) of the experiments using the proposed constitutive models resulted in limited errors for all groups. The proposed approach was verified through a combination of experiments and FEA of FDM TPU components undergoing large deformation
Demographic Correlates of Weight-Loss Strategies in US Adults: Cross-Sectional Analysis of NHANES Data 2017–2020
No full textObjective: To investigate the frequency of various weight loss strategies among adults in the United States and to explore which weight-loss strategies are associated with several demographic factors.
Methods: The study utilized 2017–2020 data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Adult participants (N = 3,130) who had tried to lose weight during the past year were included. Pregnant women and individuals under age 20y were excluded. Weight-loss strategies were categorized into 6 groups: consuming more healthy options (e.g., more fruits); consuming less un-healthy options (e.g., junk food); quality of diet changes (e. g., changed eating habits); assisted weight-loss method (e.g., special diet); exercising; and un-healthy strategies (e.g., vomiting). Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95%CIs were calculated using weighted logistic regression models.
Results: The most frequently employed strategies to achieve weight loss were exercising (60.6%), consuming less un-healthy options (60.4%), and drinking a lot of water (55.3%). Un-healthy strategies were less prevalent among older individuals (aOR:0.46 [95% CI:0.37–0.58]) and those with higher incomes (aOR:0.69 [95% CI:0.54–0.89]). Conversely, individuals with obesity class I (aOR:1.85 [95% CI:1.38–2.48]) and obesity class II/ III (aOR:1.69 [95% CI:1.27–2.25) showed an increased likelihood of adopting unhealthy strategies. Similarly, widowed individuals (aOR:1.31 [95% CI:1.03–1.66]) and those who have never been married (aOR:1.36 [95% CI:1.09–1.69]) exhibited a higher tendency for such behaviors compared to married individuals.
Conclusion: The likelihood of using various weight-loss methods differs based on demographic characteristics. Recognizing these tendencies can guide public health initiatives and customized strategies for weight control
Piezochromic Behavior of 2,4,6-Triphenylpyrylium Tetrachloroferrate
No full textIn advanced photonics, there is a growing interest in piezochromic luminescent materials that exhibit multicolor switching, driven by their potential applications in optical recording, memory, and sensors. Here, the piezochromic behavior of 2,4,6-triphenylpyrylium tetrachloroferrate (Py-FeCl4) under high pressures from 0 to 9 GPa is reported. The observed multicolor changing properties of Py-FeCl4 (yellow–orange–red–maroon–black) are found to be fully reversible upon decompression to ambient conditions. The mechanism of Py-FeCl4 piezochromism is investigated via Raman, infrared, and UV–vis spectroscopy combined with powder X-ray Diffraction. The absence of structural phase transitions as well as the abrupt shifts of bandgap values together with characteristic Raman and IR peaks within 0-9 GPa suggests that the Py-FeCl4 multicoloring switching behavior is driven by an electron transfer between the inorganic FeCl4− anion and the organic pyrylium cation. The obtained results demonstrate that Py-FeCl4 dye is a good candidate for developing high-pressure sensing technologies designed to function in extreme environments. Moreover, due to the inherent role of molecular-structure relationships in the pyrylium salt\u27s photophysical properties, findings suggest the potential discovery of piezochromic behavior in other pyrylium compounds
Transformative Technology Integration: A Quantitative Study of the Effects of Observed Modeling of Mentor Teachers and Teacher Educators on Elementary Preservice Teacher Technology Integration Efficacy
No full textIn a technology-driven era marked by the widespread use of computers, mobile devices, software, and apps, stakeholders in both government and academia have been formulating strategies, frameworks, and models to integrate technology into the educational landscape seamlessly. Despite these efforts, a critique of preservice teacher preparation is its lack of focus on equipping educators with the necessary skills for effective technology integration in K-12 settings. Grounded in Bandura\u27s social cognitive theory, TPACK and Kimmons\u27 PICRAT Model, this study was guided by overarching questions: What are the reported observations preservice teachers make of technology modeling practices in their teacher preparation coursework and field placements? Is there a relationship between the modeling observations of Teacher educators/mentor teachers and preservice teachers\u27 reported technology integration efficacy? Is there a relationship between the observations of modeling of teacher educators/mentor teachers and preservice teacher lesson plan technology integration? To explore these questions, preservice teachers in elementary education completed a survey recording their technology integration efficacy, observations of technology modeling by their teacher educators, and observations of technology modeling by their mentor teachers. Additionally, preservice teachers submitted lesson plans to investigate the application of observed modeling in their teaching practice. Results of this study indicated that teacher educator modeling and mentor teacher modeling are significant predictors of preservice technology integration efficacy
Purchasing Choices that Reduce Climate Change: An Exploratory Factor Analysis
No full textHousehold consumption is a primary source of green-house gas emissions. Individuals can substantially reduce their climate impact by making sustainable purchasing choices, such as choosing products that are made locally and have less packaging, buying used, repairing items rather than replacing them, supporting libraries and bike-share programs, encouraging others to buy less, and donating to charity in someone’s name rather than buying gifts. The Climate Change Action Inventory measures the frequency of 77 daily behaviors, including 14 items regarding Climate-Friendly Purchasing Choices. The purpose of this research was to determine if purchasing choices could be divided into meaningful factors. We recruited 500 United States MTurk workers, aged 19 to 76 (mean 40). Both the minimum average partial test and scree test both suggested three factors, which were rotated using direct oblimin. We labeled the factors Choosing Sustainable Options, Supporting Collective Action, and Avoiding Buying New. These three factors have strong inter-correlations, suggesting that interventions to increase one type of sustainable purchasing choice might also impact other types of sustainable purchasing choices
Breakaway Roping – Event Analysis and Resistance Training Model
No full textTopics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 5: Issue 1, Article 9, 2024. Breakaway roping is a rodeo event that has received little empirical investigation, and to the best of our knowledge, no specialized resistance training recommendations have been disseminated. Furthermore, the purpose of this article was to (1) outline and analyze the biomechanical and physiological requirements of breakaway roping, and (2) articulate a theoretical specialized annual strength training and conditioning periodization plan for collegiate breakaway roping rodeo athletes. Included within the training plan are 8 distinct mesocycles containing general and event specific exercises of which are associated with the biomechanical and physiological demands of the breakawa
Same-Sex Coupled Households in the Mountain West, 2020 Census
No full textThis fact sheet examines same-sex partnership household data from the 2020 United States Decennial Census. This fact sheet analyzes married and unmarried same-sex households in relation to all partnered households in the five Mountain West states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah
‘Brain Drain’: Net Gains and Losses of College- Educated Residents in the Mountain West, 2023
No full textThis fact sheet examines the number of college-educated individuals who moved to Mountain West states (Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah) and to selected metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) in the Mountain West in 2023. The “2024 Study: ‘Brain Drain’? The States With the Largest Net Gains and Losses of College-Educated Americans” report contains data from the Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC) of the Current Population Survey conducted by the United States Census Bureau. The study includes data on where college-educated residents move and which areas experienced ‘brain drain,’ where college-educated residents move to other places