Same but different? Measurement invariance of the PIAAC motivation-to-learn scale across key socio-demographic groups

Abstract Background Data from the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) revealed that countries systematically differ in their respondents’ literacy, numeracy, and problem solving in technology-rich environments skills; skill levels also vary by gender, age, level of education or migration background. Similarly, systematic differences have been documented with respect to adults’ participation in education, which can be considered as a means to develop and maintain skills. From a psychological perspective, motivation to learn is considered a key factor associated with both skill development and participation in (further) education. In order to account for motivation when analyzing PIAAC data, four items from the PIAAC background questionnaire were recently compiled into a motivation-to-learn scale. This scale has been found to be invariant (i.e., showing full weak and partial strong measurement invariance) across 21 countries. Methods This paper presents further analyses using multiple-group graded response models to scrutinize the validity of the motivation-to-learn scale for group comparisons. Results Results indicate at least partial strong measurement invariance across gender, age groups, level of education, and migration background in most countries under study (all CFI > .95, all RMSEA < .08). Thus, the scale is suitable for comparing both means and associations across these groups. Conclusions Results are discussed in light of country characteristics, challenges of measurement invariance testing, and potential future research using PIAAC data

Executive Functions in the Early Years in Asia and Europe: Predicting Academic Achievement and non-Cognitive Skills

Co-chair of Paper symposium: 1-01

Versuch einer Juristisch- Logisch- und Statistischen Abhandlung über die Fragen: a) Ob der bisher in dem Lehn-Rechte üblich gewesener Sprach-Gebrauch des dominii directi und utilis richtig, und die hiermit verknüpfte Begriffe in den Gesetzen gegründet seyn oder nicht? und b) Ob den Bergwerks-Verwandten an ihren Bergwerken ein sogenanntes dominium utile, oder was sonsten für ein Recht und welche vorzügliche Befugnisse dem Landes- und Obersten Berg-Herrn, der Verleihung ohngeachtet, zustehen? : Welche letzere aus der Allgemeinen Bergwerks-Geschichte und den Quellen des Berg-Staats-Rechts ganz kurz mit hergeleitet werden soll

von O. F. C. Maehler Berg-Richter des Clev- Moers- Märkischen Berg-Amts-Collegii zu WetterVorlageform des Erscheinungsvermerks: gedruckt bei der Wittwe Voig

Branched-chain amino acid catabolism rather than amino acids plasma concentrations is associated with diet-induced changes in insulin resistance in overweight to obese individuals

Background & aims: 3-Hydroxyisobutyrate (3-HIB), a catabolic intermediate of the BCAA valine, which stimulates muscle fatty acid uptake, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. We tested the hypothesis that circulating 3-HIB herald insulin resistance and that metabolic improvement with weight loss are related to changes in BCAAs and 3-HIB. Methods and results: We analyzed plasma and urine in 109 overweight to obese individuals before and after six months on hypocaloric diets reduced in either carbohydrates or fat. We calculated the homeostasis model assessment index (HOMA-IR) and whole body insulin sensitivity from oral glucose tolerance tests and measured intramyocellular fat by magnetic resonance spectroscopy. BCAAs and 3-HIB plasma concentrations were inversely related to insulin sensitivity but not to intramyocellular fat content at baseline. With 7.4 +/- 4.5% weight loss mean BCAA and 3-HIB plasma concentrations did not change, irrespective of dietary macronutrient content. Individual changes in 3-HIB with 6-month diet but not BCAAs were correlated to the change in whole body insulin sensitivity and HOMA-IR independently of BMI changes. Conclusions: 3-HIB relates to insulin sensitivity but is not associated with intramyocellular fat content in overweight to obese individuals. Moreover, changes in 3-HIB rather than changes in BCAAs are associated with metabolic improvements with weight loss. (C) 2017 The Italian Society of Diabetology, the Italian Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis, the Italian Society of Human Nutrition, and the Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved