Why social psychologists using Structural Equation Modelling need to pre-register their studies

Experimental social psychologists are increasingly aware of the need to pre-register their plans for data collection and analysis. But pre-registrations are still rarely used by social psychologists (and other researchers) who use structural equation modelling (SEM). SEM is useful for testing complex models, but its very capacity for complexity means that it requires many decisions to be made by the researcher. By flexibly making decisions in such a way as to produce a statistical model that has “good” fit, researchers can easily end up reporting a model that fits the sample data well—even if this finding would be entirely unreplicable in a new sample. In this presentation, I will discuss why and how pre-registration can profitably be applied in SEM research. In addition, I will discuss how pre-registration provides a partial resolution to the ongoing and acrimonious debate over which global fit statistics are most appropriate in SEM.fals

The Psychometric Properties of a Brief Version of the Systemizing Quotient

“This version of the article may not completely replicate the final authoritative version published in European Journal of Psychological Assessment at https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759/a000283. It is not the version of record and is therefore not suitable for citation. Please do not copy or cite without the permission of the author(s).”Publishe

Do hotter temperatures increase the incidence of self-harm hospitalisations?

“This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Psychology, Health and Medicine on 07 Apr 2015, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/13548506.2015.1028945.”Publishe

Reversible optical tuning of GeSbTe phase-change metasurface spectral filters for mid-wave infrared imaging.

Tunable narrowband spectral filtering across arbitrary optical wavebands is highly desirable in a plethora of applications, from chemical sensing and hyperspectral imaging to infrared astronomy. Yet, the ability to reconfigure the optical properties, with full reversibility, of a solid-state large-area narrowband filter remains elusive. Existing solutions require either moving parts, have slow response times, or provide limited spectral coverage. Here, we demonstrate a 1-inch diameter continuously tunable, fully reversible, all-solid-state, narrowband phase-change metasurface filter based on a GeSbTe-225 (GST)-embedded plasmonic nanohole array. The passband of the presented device is ∼74nm with ∼70% transmittance and operates across the 3-5 µm thermal imaging waveband. Continuous, reconfigurable tuning is achieved by exploiting intermediate GST phases via optical switching with a single nanosecond laser pulse, and material stability is verified through multiple switching cycles. We further demonstrate multispectral thermal imaging in the mid-wave infrared using our active phase-change metasurfaces. Our results pave the way for highly functional, reduced power, compact hyperspectral imaging systems and customizable optical filters for real-world system integration

Perceptions of Powerlessness Are Negatively Associated with Taking Action on Climate Change: A Preregistered Replication

“Final publication is available from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/eco.2020.0012]”Despite segments of skepticism, the majority of the general public in most countries believe that climate change is occurring and caused by human activities. Behavior changes by individuals can reduce greenhouse gas emissions to at least some extent, but a range of psychological and economic barriers can prevent individuals from taking action. A survey of New Zealanders by Aitken, Chapman, and McClure (2011) reported that belief in human influence on climate change and the risks of climate change were positively correlated with taking action on climate change. Conversely, perceptions of powerlessness and the commons dilemma were negatively correlated with taking action on climate change. Feeling powerless was associated with placing less importance on climate change as an influence on actions. Although the study by Aitken et al. has been influential, it was exploratory in nature, had a moderate sample size, was not preregistered, and has not previously been replicated. In this study, we report a preregistered replication with a sample of 352 Australians testing four hypotheses based on Aitken et al.'s findings (as summarized above). All four hypotheses were supported, reproducing Aitken et al.'s key findingsfals

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Parameters at 1 Year Correlate With Clinical Outcomes Up to 17 Years After Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation

Background: The ability to predict the long-term success of surgical treatment in orthopaedics is invaluable, particularly in clinical trials. The quality of repair tissue formed 1 year after autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) in the knee was analyzed and compared with clinical outcomes over time. Hypothesis: Better quality repair tissue and a better appearance on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 1 year after ACI lead to improved longer-term clinical outcomes. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Repair tissue quality was assessed using either MRI (11.5 ± 1.4 [n = 91] or 39.2 ± 18.5 [n = 76] months after ACI) or histology (16.3 ± 11.0 months [n = 102] after ACI). MRI scans were scored using the whole-organ magnetic resonance imaging score (WORMS) and the magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) score, with additional assessments of subchondral bone marrow and cysts. Histology of repair tissue was performed using the Oswestry cartilage score (OsScore) and the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) II score. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the modified Lysholm score preoperatively, at the time of MRI or biopsy, and at a mean 8.4 ± 3.7 years (maximum, 17.8 years) after ACI. Results: At 12 months, the total MOCART score and some of its individual parameters correlated significantly with clinical outcomes. The degree of defect fill, overall signal intensity, and surface of repair tissue at 12 months also significantly correlated with longer-term outcomes. The presence of cysts or effusion (WORMS) significantly correlated with clinical outcomes at 12 months, while the presence of synovial cysts/bursae preoperatively or the absence of loose bodies at 12 months correlated significantly with long-term clinical outcomes. Thirty percent of repair tissue biopsies contained hyaline cartilage, 65% contained fibrocartilage, and 5% contained fibrous tissue. Despite no correlation between the histological scores and clinical outcomes at the time of biopsy, a lack of hyaline cartilage or poor basal integration was associated with increased pain; adhesions visible on MRI also correlated with significantly better histological scores. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that MRI at 12 months can predict longer-term clinical outcomes after ACI. Further investigation regarding the presence of cysts, effusion, and adhesions and their relationship with histological and clinical outcomes may yield new insights into the mechanisms of cartilage repair and potential sources of pain

Sudden Death and Left Ventricular Involvement in Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND: Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited heart muscle disorder characterized by myocardial fibrofatty replacement and an increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Originally described as a right ventricular disease, ACM is increasingly recognized as a biventricular entity. We evaluated pathological, genetic, and clinical associations in a large SCD cohort. METHODS: We investigated 5205 consecutive cases of SCD referred to a national cardiac pathology center between 1994 and 2018. Hearts and tissue blocks were examined by expert cardiac pathologists. After comprehensive histological evaluation, 202 cases (4%) were diagnosed with ACM. Of these, 15 (7%) were diagnosed antemortem with dilated cardiomyopathy (n=8) or ACM (n=7). Previous symptoms, medical history, circumstances of death, and participation in competitive sport were recorded. Postmortem genetic testing was undertaken in 24 of 202 (12%). Rare genetic variants were classified according to American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics criteria. RESULTS: Of 202 ACM decedents (35.4±13.2 years; 82% male), no previous cardiac symptoms were reported in 157 (78%). Forty-one decedents (41/202; 20%) had been participants in competitive sport. The adjusted odds of dying during physical exertion were higher in men than in women (odds ratio, 4.58; 95% CI, 1.54-13.68; P=0.006) and in competitive athletes in comparison with nonathletes (odds ratio, 16.62; 95% CI, 5.39-51.24; P<0.001). None of the decedents with an antemortem diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy fulfilled definite 2010 Task Force criteria. The macroscopic appearance of the heart was normal in 40 of 202 (20%) cases. There was left ventricular histopathologic involvement in 176 of 202 (87%). Isolated right ventricular disease was seen in 13%, isolated left ventricular disease in 17%, and biventricular involvement in 70%. Among whole hearts, the most common areas of fibrofatty infiltration were the left ventricular posterobasal (68%) and anterolateral walls (58%). Postmortem genetic testing yielded pathogenic variants in ACM-related genes in 6 of 24 (25%) decedents. CONCLUSIONS: SCD attributable to ACM affects men predominantly, most commonly occurring during exertion in athletic individuals in the absence of previous reported cardiac symptoms. Left ventricular involvement is observed in the vast majority of SCD cases diagnosed with ACM at autopsy. Current Task Force criteria may fail to diagnose biventricular ACM before death