Confirmatory factor analysis and measurement invariance by gender,age and levels of psychological distress of the short TEMPS-A

Background

The Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego – Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) is a widely used self-reported tool aimed at measuring the affective temperaments that define the bipolar spectrum, with cyclothymic, depressive, irritable, hyperthymic, and anxious subscales. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was rarely used to confirm the expected five-factor model. Measurement invariance was never tested.

Methods

Cross-sectional, survey design involving 649 Italian college students (males: 47%). The short 39-item TEMPS-A and the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) were used as measures of the affective temperaments and of psychological distress, respectively. CFA was applied to the TEMPS-A. Measurement invariance by gender, age and levels of psychological distress on the GHQ-12 was calculated with the establishment of subsequent equivalence constraints in the model parameters across groups.

Results

The expected five-factor model had the best fit for all CFA indexes. Configural, metric and scalar invariance of the five-factor model of the TEMPS-A was proved across gender, age and levels of psychological distress of the participants. The hyperthymic temperament subscale has low or no links with the other affective temperament subscales, which were interrelated with medium to large effect sizes.

Limitations

College students might be not representative of the general population. No information on the clinical status of the students was available beyond self-report data.

Conclusion

The study proved the measurement invariance of the (short) TEMPS-A, which is a pre-requisite to compare groups or individuals in cross-sectional and longitudinal surveys. Generalizability cannot be assumed without replication of the findings in clinical samples.     

寰枢椎后方结构解剖学研究及临床意义

目的 测量寰枢椎后方结构相关数据,为设计寰枢椎后路内固定系统提供解剖学依据。 方法 测量30例寰椎和枢椎骨标本、50例男性和50例女性CT寰枢椎后方结构相关数据,分别比较骨标本、CT图像测量指标的侧别及性别统计学差异,比较骨标本数据和CT数据统计学差异。 结果 骨标本测得后中线处高（10.75±1.38）mm、厚（8.55±1.77）mm,内、外侧后中线到两侧椎动脉沟内侧缘距离分别为（13.45±0.73）mm、（20.28±2.20）mm,内、外侧缘后弓夹角分别为（141.00±3.43）°、（134.67±2.87）°。CT测量后中线处高（10.45±1.61）mm、厚（8.12±1.57）mm,内、外侧后中线到两侧椎动脉沟内侧缘距离分别为（13.60±1.26）mm、（20.48±2.05）mm,内、外侧缘后弓夹角分别为（141.23±9.64）°、（135.47±9.02）°,后弓外侧缘半径（26.77±2.14）mm,枢椎板斜率（58.34±7.60）°,寰椎后弓下缘至枢椎棘突上缘高（19.07±2.73）mm,寰枢椎后间隙高（6.83±2.01）mm。CT数据大部分性别差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。骨标本和CT数据左右侧差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。骨标本与CT数据差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。 结论 寰枢椎后方骨性结构解剖特征较为固定;CT能较好地反映该特征;本研究可为寰枢椎后路内固定系统设计提供解剖学依据。     

诊断X线机辐射剂量的测量

为提高诊断X线机的诊断质量,促进放射防护工作的开展,根据"国际辐射单位和测量委员会"(International Commission on Radiological Units and Measurements,ICRU),"国际放射防护委员会"(International Commission on Radiation Protection,ICRP)关于辐射对人体的损害之划分标准,作者对岛津制作所90年代中期生产的XEB150L-20型500mA X线机按照国家规定的要求及有关标准,分别对辐射空气释动能率,半价层,输入量重复性,输出量线性,高对比分辨率,光野与照射野一致性及X线管的焦点等参数进行了测试。分析了测试的数据与结果,并进行了简要的评价。     

寰椎的解剖学测量及其临床意义

目的　探讨寰椎因素致椎 基底动脉供血不足的发病机制及手术切开横突孔减压提供解剖学依据。方法　在5 0例中国成年人干燥寰椎标本上 ,对具有临床意义的数据进行解剖学测量。结果　寰椎横突孔与椎动脉沟的成角左侧为(6 7 87± 5 39)°,右侧为 (6 9 84± 4 5 5 )° ;椎动脉沟绕寰椎侧块成角 :左侧为 (6 2 4 6± 4 6 6 )°,右侧为 (6 3 6 1± 2 31)°。寰椎横突孔前壁厚度 :左侧为 (2 96± 0 5 4 )mm ,右侧为 (3 2 1± 0 4 0 )mm。横突孔后壁厚度 :左侧为 (2 2 8± 0 5 7)mm ,右侧为 (2 0 2± 0 2 6 )mm。以上数据左、右侧比较差异无显著性。结论　椎动脉行经在寰椎横突孔与椎动脉沟内时 ,在骨性结构上有明显的两个成角 ,即横突孔与椎动脉沟的成角和椎动脉沟绕过侧块的成角 ,椎动脉的这两个成角增加了血液循环的阻力 ,同时在头颈部旋转运动时 ,椎动脉与骨性成角间更加贴近 ,这两个成角与椎 基底动脉供血不足的发生有关。寰椎横突孔后壁较前壁薄 ,此数据可作炒寰椎横突孔后壁切开减压时手术参考依据     

壮族人蛛网膜下池的CT观测

目的　获取壮族人蛛网膜下池的CT解剖数据及其变化规律。方法　对 2 5 4名健康壮族 (男 12 7,女 12 7)的头部CT片进行了测量 ,测量项目为 6项 ,并进行统计分析。结果　头部 6项指标平均值男大于女 ,性别差异有高度显著性。壮族脑池测量值 ,各年龄组间比较 ,大脑纵裂池和鞍上池各年龄组差异有显著性 (P <0 0 5鞍上池的 5 0～岁除外 ) ;环池除相邻年龄组间差异无显著性 (P >0 0 5 )外 ,各年龄组间均存在差异 (P <0 0 5 ) ;四叠体池 2 0～岁组与各年龄组及 30～组岁与 6 0～组岁间差异有显著性 ;大脑外侧窝池 5 0岁以前 3个年龄组间无显著性差异。结论　壮族人蛛网膜下池各年龄组间变化有自己的特点和一定的规律性 ;蛛网膜下池的解剖数据男大于女 ,存在性别差异     

Assessment of Periodic Blood Loss: Interindividual and Intraindividual Variations of Pictorial Blood Loss Assessment Chart Registrations

Study ObjectiveTo explore the interindividual and intraindividual variation of Pictorial Blood Loss Assessment Chart (PBAC) registrations of subjective perception of minimal, normal, and heavy menstrual bleeding in women using their usual sanitary protection.DesignRetrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-3).SettingUniversity tertiary hospital.PatientsWomen who had participated in 4 previously published prospective studies using PBAC as the outcome measure.InterventionsPatients underwent hysteroscopic removal of polyps, laparoscopic occlusion of uterine vessels, or uterine artery embolization, and control subjects received no treatment.Measurements and Main ResultsPBAC scores, hemoglobin concentration, and subjective assessment of periodic blood loss were recorded in 429 women during 1049 menstrual cycles. The median PBAC values in groups of women who assessed their bleeding as light, normal, and heavy were 45.0, 116.0, and 254.5, respectively (p < .001). Sensitivity and specificity for specific PBAC cutoff points were calculated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. The maximum sensitivity for assessment of heavy periodic blood loss (78.5) was reached at a PBAC score of 160. The corresponding specificity was 75.8. At PBAC values below 130, 90% of the women reported normal blood loss, and 91% had hemoglobin values >12.0 g/dL. The reliability of repeated PBAC scores for individual measures was assessed via calculation of the intraclass correlation coefficient, which for repeated PBAC measurements was 0.86 (95% confidence interval, 0.80–0.90) for average measures.ConclusionThe interindividual variation was high, and the intraindividual variation was low. A low PBAC score may be used to define treatment end points for clinical use or in trials.     

Comparison of physical activity assessed using hip- and wrist-worn accelerometers

ObjectivesIt is unclear how physical activity estimates differ when assessed using hip- vs wrist-worn accelerometers. The objective of this study was to compare physical activity assessed by hip- and wrist-worn accelerometers in free-living older women.DesignA cross-sectional study collecting data in free-living environment.MethodsParticipants were from the Women's Health Study, in which an ancillary study is objectively measuring physical activity using accelerometers (ActiGraph GT3X+). We analyzed data from 94 women (mean (SD) age = 71.9 (6.0) years) who wore a hip-worn and wrist-worn accelerometers simultaneously for 7 days.ResultsUsing triaxial data (vector magnitude, VM), total activity volume (counts per day) between the two locations was moderately correlated (Spearman's r = 0.73). Hip and wrist monitors wear locations identically classified 71% individuals who were at the highest 40% or lowest 40% of their respective distributions. Similar patterns and slightly stronger agreements were observed when examining steps instead of VM counts.ConclusionsAccelerometer-assessed physical activity using hip- vs wrist-worn devices was moderately correlated in older, free-living women. However, further research needs to be conducted to examine comparisons of specific activities or physical activity intensity levels.     

喙突下撞击综合征的MSCT测量与分析

目的：应用MSCT对喙突下撞击综合征（CIS）患者第二肩关节骨性结构进行研究,测量喙突下间隙骨性距离及喙突外倾角大小,并与健康人进行对比。方法：使用GE Ligtspeed 16层螺旋CT对18例CIS患者患肩及22例健康人双肩关节进行扫描,分别在薄层横断位图像及后处理VR、MPR图像上观察撞击征患者第二肩关节骨性结构;并测量病例组及对照组喙突前外侧点到肱骨头之间的最短距离（简称C-H）及喙突外倾角大小。结果：①病例组C-H均值及标准差为（5.89±1.86）mm,正常组左、右肩C-H值分别为（8.67±3.22）mm、（8.38±2.54）mm;正常组中左、右肩C-H值差异不大,P〉0.05,而病例组与正常组左、右肩C-H值均有显著性差异（P〈0.001）;②对照组外倾角均值及标准差为28.8°±4.33°,病例组为32.2°±5.18°,两组无统计学意义（P（0.05）,但病例组中有5例外倾角明显大于对照组上限值（38°）,介于41°~54°之间;③18例CIS患者中,5例有喙突或肱骨小结节骨赘形成;5例喙突外倾角增大解剖变异;2例为肩部陈旧性骨折;7例肩关节无骨质结构异常改变。结论：CIS患者喙突下间隙较正常人狭窄,当C-H≤5.5 mm时应考虑有撞击综合征存在。骨赘形成及喙突变异（外倾增大）为CIS产生的重要原因。MSCT是诊断CIS的重要方法。     

Evaluation of raw acceleration sedentary thresholds in children and adults

The aim was to develop sedentary (sitting/lying) thresholds from hip and wrist worn raw tri‐axial acceleration data from the ActiGraph and GENEActiv, and to examine the agreement between free‐living time spent below these thresholds with sedentary time estimated by the activPAL. Sixty children and adults wore an ActiGraph and GENEActiv on the hip and wrist while performing six structured activities, before wearing the monitors, in addition to an activPAL, for 24 h. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine sedentary thresholds based on activities in the laboratory. Agreement between developed sedentary thresholds during free‐living and activPAL were assessed by Bland‐Altman plots and by calculating sensitivity and specificity. Using laboratory data and ROC‐curves showed similar classification accuracy for wrist and hip thresholds (Area under the curve = 0.84–0.92). Greatest sensitivity (97–98%) and specificity (74–78%) were observed for the wrist thresholds, with no large differences between brands. During free‐living, Bland‐Altman plots showed large mean individual biases and 95% limits of agreement compared with activPAL, with smallest difference for the ActiGraph wrist threshold in children (+30 min, P = 0.3). Sensitivity and specificity for the developed thresholds during free‐living were low for both age groups and for wrist (Sensitivity, 68–88%, Specificity, 46–59%) and hip placements (Sensitivity, 89–97%, Specificity, 26–34%). Laboratory derived sedentary thresholds generally overestimate free‐living sedentary time compared with activPAL. Wrist thresholds appear to perform better than hip thresholds for estimating free‐living sedentary time in children and adults relative to activPAL, however, specificity for all the developed thresholds are low.     

Influence of the ear temperature range on the measurement bias between an infrared thermometer and a reference probe for post-mortem interval determination

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the post-mortem outer ear temperature (OET) on the measurement bias previously observed for short post-mortem intervals (PMI) between a commercially available infrared thermometer and a reference metal probe thermometer. To that end, 100 refrigerated bodies were added to our initial cohort to investigate lower OET. In contrast to our previous findings, a very good concordance was noted between both methods. There was still an overall underestimation of ear temperatures with the infrared thermometer, but the average bias was significantly reduced compared to that observed in the initial cohort (1.47 °C for the right ear and 1.32 °C for the left ear). Most importantly, this bias progressively decreased as the OET decreased, becoming negligible for OET lower than 20 °C. These results are in agreement with literature data regarding these temperature ranges. The discrepancy observed with our previous observations may be due to the technical characteristics of the infrared thermometers. The lower the temperatures measured, the more the measurements approach the lower limit of the measuring range of the device and tend to give constant values, resulting in a smaller underestimation of the measurements. Further research is needed to assess the interest of integrating in the already validated OET-based formulae a variable dependent on the temperature measured with the infrared thermometer, to eventually allow infrared thermometry to be used for PMI estimation in forensic practice.