Barcelona Test Research Articles

Validez del factor cognitivo de la PANSS como medida del rendimiento cognitivo en esquizofrenia

The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) is a widely used instrument for measuring symptomatology in patients with schizophrenia. Numerous studies have analyzed the factorial structure of this scale and have suggested a fivefactor model, namely: negative, positive, excited, anxiety/depression, and disorganized (or cognitive). The latter factor has been related to neuropsychological tests, with a view to analyzing its utility as a measure of cognitive functioning in schizophrenia, but data are inconclusive. The aim of the present study was to analyze the factorial structure of the PANSS and to assess the relationships between factors and neurocognitive tests. The sample comprised 235 outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia. To investigate the factorial structure of the PANSS, a principal component factor analysis was performed. Cognitive functioning was measured with a shortened version of the Barcelona Test. Unlike previous studies, our study obtained a six-factor model, with disorganized and cognitive symptoms separated in two different factors. The cognitive factor obtained in this study was related to all subtests of the Barcelona Test. The disorganized factor, however, was only related to two of these subtests. Our results support the use of a six-factor model and suggest that the cognitive factor could be a valid measure of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia, although the use of a standard neuropsychological battery is advisable.

Control de la tenacidad de los hormigones reforzados con fibras usando el ensayo de doble punzonamiento (ensayo barcelona)

Traditionally, flexural testing of prismatic beams is used to characterize the strength and behavior in post – cracking regime of fiber – reinforced concretes (FRC). These tests exhibit a high dispersion in their results, and therefore invalidate the use of such tests for the systematic control of FRCs works. Also, they have the disadvantage of being complex tests, which require heavy specimens and highly qualified staff . The use of other standard tests of direct and indirect tensile strength has also been intended, which have proved very complex to implement and also have high dispersion. Aiming to solve this set of problems, an indirect tensile test based on the configuration of double punching test, called the Barcelona test, has been proposed to control tensile behavior of FRC. This test requires smaller specimens, with a high specific surface of fracture, allowing to obtain values representative of strength and toughness of materials, with considerably less dispersion than other experimental methodologies. This paper presents the results of different experimental campaigns, which validate the use of Barcelona test as a suitable methodology to systematic characterization FRC in works.

Validity of the PANSS cognitive factor as a measurement of cognitive performance in schizophrenia

IntroductionThe Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) is a widely used instrument for measuring symptomatology in patients with schizophrenia. Numerous studies have analyzed the factorial structure of this scale and have suggested a five factor model, namely: negative, positive, excited, anxiety/depression, and disorganized (or cognitive). The latter factor has been related to neuropsychological tests, with a view to analyzing its utility as a measure of cognitive functioning in schizophrenia, but data are inconclusive. The aim of the present study was to analyze the factorial structure of the PANSS and to assess the relationships between factors and neurocognitive tests. Material and methodsThe sample comprised 235 outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia. To investigate the factorial structure of the PANSS, a principal component factor analysis was performed. Cognitive functioning was measured with a shortened version of the Barcelona Test. ResultsUnlike previous studies, our study obtained a six-factor model, with disorganized and cognitive symptoms separated in two different factors. The cognitive factor obtained in this study was related to all subtests of the Barcelona Test. The disorganized factor, however, was only related to two of these subtests. ConclusionsOur results support the use of a six-factor model and suggest that the cognitive factor could be a valid measure of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia, although the use of a standard neuropsychological battery is advisable.

Double Punch Test to control the energy dissipation in tension of FRC (Barcelona test)

Current testing methods used to measure tensile properties of Fiber Reinforced Concrete (FRC) are mainly based on bending test of beam specimens. They normally show a considerable scatter that makes difficult the quality control, as in particular when such properties are intended to estimate the strength of structural members. In order to improve the material assessment procedure, the Double Punch Test (DPT) has been recovered for the quality control of the tension behaviour of FRC. Former experimental research showed the feasibility of the test and a reduction of the scatter in the values of the tensile strength and of the toughness. This paper describes the results of an experimental program carried out using both DPT and bending test on FRC with different type of fibers, concretes and fiber contents. In addition, a correlation between both tests is proposed. Its application to steel and polyolefin FRC specimens shows very good results.

Development of simple cognitive function measures in a community dwelling population of elderly in Spain.

To develop and assess the consistency and validity of simple cognitive function measures for an elderly population with low levels of formal education for use in a longitudinal study of dementia. Data were from the population longitudinal study 'Growing old in Leganés' (Spain). In 1993, a random sample of 1540 people over 65 was drawn from the City Roll of Leganés from which 1284 (83%) were successfully interviewed. Measures of memory and orientation were based on the SPMSQ (Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire), the Barcelona test and the short story from EPESE (Established Populations Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly). Non-response to a test item was coded as an error. Internal consistency was assessed by factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha. Construct validity was examined with multiple linear regressions of the proposed measurements on variables chosen from the existing literature on cognitive function. Two factors, memory and orientation, emerged from the factor analysis. Internal consistency of the proposed indexes for memory and orientation was acceptable. Memory and orientation scores were summed into one summary index of cognition. Associations between covariates and both cognitive indexes were in the expected direction. Among those highly functional, orientation was influenced by illiteracy due to higher error rates in the time orientation items based on dates; however, memory and summary scores were not significantly different by literacy status. A large proportion of the variance in IADL was explained by the memory and orientation measures. The memory and orientation indexes are valid and reliable measurements of cognitive function for use in a population of community dwelling elderly with low levels of formal education and high rates of illiteracy.

Development of simple cognitive function measures in a community dwelling population of elderly in Spain

Objective To develop and assess the consistency and validity of simple cognitive function measures for an elderly population with low levels of formal education for use in a longitudinal study of dementia. Methods Data were from the population longitudinal study ‘Growing old in Leganés’ (Spain). In 1993, a random sample of 1540 people over 65 was drawn from the City Roll of Leganés from which 1284 (83%) were successfully interviewed. Measures of memory and orientation were based on the SPMSQ (Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire), the Barcelona test and the short story from EPESE (Established Populations Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly). Non-response to a test item was coded as an error. Internal consistency was assessed by factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha. Construct validity was examined with multiple linear regressions of the proposed measurements on variables chosen from the existing literature on cognitive function. Results Two factors, memory and orientation, emerged from the factor analysis. Internal consistency of the proposed indexes for memory and orientation was acceptable. Memory and orientation scores were summed into one summary index of cognition. Associations between covariates and both cognitive indexes were in the expected direction. Among those highly functional, orientation was influenced by illiteracy due to higher error rates in the time orientation items based on dates; however, memory and summary scores were not significantly different by literacy status. A large proportion of the variance in IADL was explained by the memory and orientation measures. Conclusion The memory and orientation indexes are valid and reliable measurements of cognitive function for use in a population of community dwelling elderly with low levels of formal education and high rates of illiteracy. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.