Investigating possible causes of bias in a progress test translation: an one-edged sword

Dario Cecilio-Fernandes,André Bremers,Carlos Fernando Collares,Wybe Nieuwland,Cees van der Vleuten,René A. Tio 한국의학교육학회 2019 Korean journal of medical education Vol.31 No.3

Purpose: Assessment in different languages should measure the same construct. However, item characteristics, such as item flaws and content, may favor one test-taker group over another. This is known as item bias. Although some studies have focused on item bias, little is known about item bias and its association with items characteristics. Therefore, this study investigated the association between item characteristics and bias. Methods: The University of Groningen offers both an international and a national bachelor’s program in medicine. Students in both programs take the same progress test, but the international progress test is literally translated into English from the Dutch version. Differential item functioning was calculated to analyze item bias in four subsequent progress tests. Items were also classified by their categories, number of alternatives, item flaw, item length, and whether it was a case-based question. Results: The proportion of items with bias ranged from 34% to 36% for the various tests. The number of items and the size of their bias was very similar in both programmes. We have identified that the more complex items with more alternatives favored the national students, whereas shorter items and fewer alternatives favored the international students. Conclusion: Although nearly 35% of all items contain bias, the distribution and the size of the bias were similar for both groups. The findings of this paper may be used to improve the writing process of the items, by avoiding some characteristics that may benefit one group whilst being a disadvantage for others.

The Effects of Acupuncture on Peripheral Facial Palsy Sequelae after 20 Years via Electromyography

Saulo Fabrin,Nayara Soares,Simone Cecilio Hallak Regalo,Edson Donizetti Verri 사단법인약침학회 2015 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.8 No.5

Objective: This research used electromyography to evaluate the effects of acupuncture on facial palsy peripheral sequelae. Methods: The 44-year-old woman who participated in this study presented sequelae resulting from 20 years of peripheral facial nerve palsy (FNP) on the right side and synkinesis in the left eye. In electromyography, the electrodes were positioned on the motor points over the orbicularis oris and the orbicularis oculi muscles to establish myofunctional feedback prior to and after rehabilitation, which consisted of 20-minute sessions of acupuncture once per week for 20 weeks: using manual stimulation at acupoints Yintang, LR3, GB21, CV17, ST2, ST3, ST6, ST7, GB2, and SI19; and Tou-Kuang-Min and ST4 using electrical stimulation with a 4-Hz pulsed current. The subjective pain intensities were recorded. Results: The root-mean-square (RMS) electromyographic comparative analysis showed greater activation and recruitment of muscle fibers on the right side and a reduced overload on the left side, which promoted a functional evolution of movements and a positive response in the stomatognathic system. Conclusion: Acupuncture associated with electrical stimulation reversed the peripheral facial paralysis in a short time. Severe sequelae were minimized due to the balance of muscle activation in response to the electrical stimulation provided by the acupuncture needles.

Predictors of school adjustment in high school students of immigrant origin in Western Catalonia

Hinostroza Castillo Ursula,Lapresta-Rey Cecilio,Petreñas Cristina,Janés Junit 한국다문화교육학회 2023 Multicultural Education Review Vol.15 No.3

This study explores factors influencing school adjustment in immigrant students in Catalonia, Spain. Low school adjustment levels can lead to failure or dropout, particularly among immigrant students. The research analyzes acculturation strategies, intergroup contact, perceived discrimination, and origin's impact on school adjustment. Students from African, Latin American, and European backgrounds completed a questionnaire, revealing four acculturation strategies: marginalization, assimilation to Catalan culture, integration, and assimilation to Catalan and Spanish cultures. A kmeans cluster analysis identified these patterns. Linear regression highlighted intergroup contact, integration vs. marginalization, and integration vs. assimilation to Catalan culture as significant predictors. Higher intergroup contact scores correlated with improved school adjustment, while adopting integration or assimilation to Catalan culture predicted better adjustment compared to marginalization. Understanding and addressing these factors is vital for enhancing immigrant students' educational experiences and reducing the risk of academic challenges.

A “SURE” Approach to Testing for Convergence in Regional Integrated areas: An Application to Output Convergence in Mercosur

( Mariam Camarero ),( Renato G. Flores ),( Cecilio Tamarit ) 세종대학교 경제통합연구소 2008 Journal of Economic Integration Vol.23 No.1

In this paper we propose the use of a sequential multivariate approach to test for convergence. These tests allow us to reconcile the time series literature with the cross-sectional dimension which is basic when testing for convergence in regional blocs. In addition, this methodology helps to avoid the problem due to the limited dataset length. We apply multivariate unit root tests in two stages. First, we test for non-convergence without identifying the countries within the group that effectively converge and, in a second stage, the countries that converge are identified. The SURE technique allows for the existence of correlations across the series without imposing a common speed of mean reversion. The empirical results for Mercosur countries show that there is evidence of catching up of the small countries towards Brazil and, to some extent, Argentina. In contrast, the evidence of catching-up among the larger countries is weaker.

Effects of Acupuncture at the Yintang and the Chengjiang Acupoints on Cardiac Arrhythmias and Neurocardiogenic Syncope in Emergency First Aid

Saulo Fabrin,Nayara Soares,Daiana Pezarezi Yoshimura,Simone Cecilio Hallak Regalo,Edson Donizetti Verri,Jacqueline Rodrigues de Freitas Vianna,Eloisa Maria Gatti Regueiro,Josie Resende Torres da Silva 사단법인약침학회 2016 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.9 No.1

This study evaluated the effectiveness of YinTang and ChengJiang acupoints on patients with cardiac arrhythmia and neurocardiogenic syncope in emergency first aid. A 45 year old woman underwent acupuncture. She had a previous history of a valvuloplasty for rheumatic disease and two acute myocardial infarctions, followed by four catheterizations and an angioplasty. Needling of the YinTang acupoint and stimulation of the ChengJiang acupoint through acupressure were performed for 20 minutes soon after syncope and during tachycardia, hypertension, tachypnea, and precordial pain, without any effect on peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) or the glycemic index. Data were analyzed comparatively by using the following parameters at rest, during syncope, and at 1 minute and 10 minutes after an emergency acupuncture procedure: blood pressure; heart rate; SpO2; and respiratory rate. We found that acupuncture at YinTang and ChenJiang acupoints induced cardiovascular responses, increased the limits of the body's homeostasis, and normalized the patient's condition in the case of syncope. Acupuncture using a combination of ChengJiang and YinTang acupoints had an immediate effect on the autonomic nervous system and on maintaining homeostasis and energy balance in the body. Although this technique was effective, the patient was still referred to the Emergency Room.

Limited mandibular movements after removal of the mandibular third-molar: use of the anterior bite plane and complementary therapies

Marcelo Palinkas,Regina Maura Arantes Nassar,Mariangela Salles Pereira Nassar,Solange Aparecida Bataglion,César Bataglion,Cássio Edvard Sverzut,Takami Hirono Hotta,Simone Cecilio Hallak Regalo 셀메드 세포교정의약학회 2012 TANG Vol.2 No.1

The traumatic removal of the mandibular third molar may promote post chirurgic consequences such as orofacial pain and limited mandibular movements. The aim of this case report is to describe the use of an anterior bite plane and complementary therapies (low level laser therapy and acupuncture) to treat the muscular dysfunction and the painful symptoms. A 33 year-old male patient who had a severe malocclusion and signs and symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction was submitted to an initial clinical examination: electromyography of the masticatory muscles and IRM of the temporomandibular joint. After treatments, the results showed reduced pain symptoms and an increase of the mandibular movements and adequated electromiographic activities. The authors concluded that the combination therapies may be used as an alternative treatment because it satisfied the functional requirements of the patient and provided an asymptomatic clinical condition.

Functional assessment of respiratory muscles and lung capacity of CrossFit athletes

Saulo Cesar Vallin Fabrin,Marcelo Palinkas,Evandro Marianetti Fioco,Guilherme Gallo Costa Gomes,Eloisa Maria Gatti Regueiro,Gabriel Pádua da Silva,Selma Siéssere,Edson Donizetti Verri,Simone Cecilio H 한국운동재활학회 2023 JER Vol.19 No.1

CrossFit is a high-intensity training related to physical fitness and respiratory capacity that can promote changes in lung function. This crosssectional study was aimed at evaluating respiratory muscle strength, electromyographic (EMG) activity, and lung capacity in CrossFit athletes. Thirty subjects aged between 25 and 35 years were divided into groups: CrossFit athletes (n= 15) and sedentary individuals without comorbidities (n= 15). Respiratory muscle strength was evaluated using maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, lung capacity, and EMG of the sternocleidomastoid, serratus anterior, external intercostal, and diaphragm muscles at respiratory rest, maximal inspiration and expiration, and respiratory cycle. Data were tabulated and subjected to statistical analyses (t-test and Spearman test, P< 0.05). Respiratory muscle strength on EMG of the sternocleidomastoid, serratus, external intercostal, and diaphragm muscles at the respiratory cycle and maximal forced inspiration and expiration were higher in the CrossFit athletes group than in the sedentary group without comorbidities. CrossFit athlete group showed significantly strong positive correlation between maximal inspiratory and expiratory muscle strengths (Spearman rho= 0.903, P= 0.000), with increasing muscle strength during inspiration favoring an increase in strength during expiration. The forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) also showed a significantly high positive correlation (Spearman rho= 0.912, P= 0.000) in the CrossFit athletes group, showing that higher FVC favors higher FEV1. The results of this study suggest that improved fitness is based on increased respiratory muscle strength on EMG in CrossFit athletes.

Trends in Scientific Literature on Atypical Antipsychotics in South Korea: A Bibliometric Study

Francisco López-Muñoz,Winston W. Shen,Raquel Moreno,Gabriel Rubio,Juan D. Molina,Concha Noriega,Miguel A. Pérez-Nieto,Lorena Huelves,Cecilio Álamo,배치운 대한신경정신의학회 2013 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.10 No.1

Objective We have carried out a bibliometric study on the scientific publications in relation to atypical or second-generation antipsychotic drugs (SGAs) in South Korea. Methods With the EMBASE and MEDLINE databases, we selected those publications made in South Korea whose title included the descriptors atypic* (atypical*) antipsychotic*, second-generation antipsychotic*, clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine, ziprasidone, quetiapine, sertindole, aripiprazole, paliperidone, amisulpride, zotepine, asenapine, iloperidone, lurasidone, perospirone and blonanserin. We applied some bibliometric indicators of paper production and dispersion with Price's law and Bradford's law, respectively. We also calculated the participation index (PI) of the different countries, and correlated the bibliometric data with some social and health data from Korea (such as total per capita expenditure on health and gross domestic expenditure on research and development). Results We collected 326 original papers published between 1993 and 2011. Our results state fulfilment of fulfilled Price's law, with scientific production on SGAs showing exponential growth (correlation coefficient r=0.8978, as against an r=0.8149 after linear adjustment). The most widely studied drugs were risperidone (91 papers), aripiprazole (77), olanzapine (53), and clozapine (43). Division into Bradford zones yielded a nucleus occupied by the Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry (36 articles). A total of 86 different journals were published, with 4 of the first 10 used journals having an impact factor being greater than 4. Conclusion The publications on SGAs in South Korea have undergone exponential growth over the studied period, without evidence of reaching a saturation point.