Performance In Most Tests Research Articles

Chronological Age, Somatic Maturation and Anthropometric Measures: Association with Physical Performance of Young Male Judo Athletes.

Sport for children and adolescents must consider growth and maturation to ensure suitable training and competition, and anthropometric variables could be used as bio-banding strategies in youth sport. This investigation aimed to analyze the association between chronological age, biologic maturation, and anthropometric characteristics to explain physical performance of young judo athletes. Sixty-seven judokas (11.0–14.7 years) were assessed for anthropometric and physical performance. Predicted adult stature was used as a somatic maturation indicator. A Pearson’s bivariate correlation was performed to define which anthropometric variables were associated with each physical test. A multiple linear hierarchical regression was conducted to verify the effects of age, maturity, and anthropometry on physical performance. The regression models were built with age, predicted adult stature, and the three most significantly correlated anthropometric variables for each physical test. Older judokas performed better in most of the physical tests. However, maturation attenuated the age effect in most variables and significantly affected upper body and handgrip strength. Anthropometric variables attenuated age and maturity and those associated with body composition significantly affected the performance in most tests, suggesting a potential as bio-banding strategies. Future studies should investigate the role of anthropometric variables on the maturity effect in young judokas.

INVESTIGATING THE MOISTURE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF ASPHALT MIXTURES MODIFIED WITH HIGH-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE

Flexible pavements are susceptible to the damaging effects of moisture, causing various kinds of problemes for asphalt such as stripping. That reduces the durability and serviceability life of pavements and consequently increases the construction and maintenance cost. The aim of this research is to study the moisture sensitivity of the hot asphalt mixture with high-density polyethylene as an asphalt binder modifier. Asphalt 60/70 was mixed with several concentrations of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) ranging from 2% to 8% by bitumen weight using a high shear mixer at a temperature of 180 0C and a speed of 4000 rpm for 60 minutes. Penetration depth, softening point, rotational viscosity (RV), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests were performed on both the conventional and HDPE-modified binders. Asphalt mixtures were designed according to the Egyptian specifications using the Marshall method. Conventional and HDPE-modified asphalt mixtures' moisture susceptibilities were evaluated through indirect tensile strength (IDT) and loss of stability tests. Results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that HDPE was homogeneously dispersed through the binder with no polymer cluster formations. Testing results revealed that adding high-density polyethylene at a concentration of 4% gives superior performance in most tests. Adding HDPE significantly improved the properties of asphalt binder, increased the hardness of the asphalt mixture and reduced the effect of moisture damage.

Lévy flight distribution: A new metaheuristic algorithm for solving engineering optimization problems

In this paper, we propose a new metaheuristic algorithm based on Lévy flight called Lévy flight distribution (LFD) for solving real optimization problems. The LFD algorithm is inspired from the Lévy flight random walk for exploring unknown large search spaces (e.g., wireless sensor networks (WSNs). To assess the performance of the LFD algorithm, various optimization test bed problems are considered, namely the congress on evolutionary computation (CEC) 2017 suite and three engineering optimization problems: tension/compression spring, the welded beam, and pressure vessel. The statistical simulation results revealed that the LFD algorithm provides better results with superior performance in most tests compared to several well-known metaheuristic algorithms such as simulated annealing (SA), differential evolution (DE), particle swarm optimization (PSO), elephant herding optimization (EHO), the genetic algorithm (GA), moth-flame optimization algorithm (MFO), whale optimization algorithm (WOA), grasshopper optimization algorithm (GOA), and Harris Hawks Optimization (HHO) algorithm. Furthermore, the performance of the LFD algorithm is tested on other different optimization problems of unknown large search spaces such as the area coverage problem in WSNs. The LFD algorithm shows high performance in providing a good deployment schema than energy-efficient connected dominating set (EECDS), A3, and CDS-Rule K topology construction algorithms for solving the area coverage problem in WSNs. Eventually, the LFD algorithm performs successfully achieving a high coverage rate up to 43.16 %, while the A3, EECDS, and CDS-Rule K algorithms achieve low coverage rates up to 40 % based on network sizes used in the simulation experiments. Also, the LFD algorithm succeeded in providing a better deployment schema than A3, EECDS, and CDS-Rule K algorithms and enhancing the detection capability of WSNs by minimizing the overlap between sensor nodes and maximizing the coverage rate. The source code is currently available for public from: https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/76103-lfd.

Patterns of neuropsychological changes after general anaesthesia in young children: secondary analysis of the Mayo Anesthesia Safety in Kids study

BackgroundWe hypothesised that exposure to multiple, but not single, procedures requiring general anaesthesia before age 3 yr is associated with a specific pattern of deficits in processing speed and fine motor skills. MethodsA secondary analysis (using factor and cluster analyses) of data from the Mayo Anesthesia Safety in Kids study was conducted, in which unexposed, singly exposed, and multiply exposed children born in Olmsted County, MN, USA from 1994 to 2007 were sampled using a propensity-guided approach and underwent neuropsychological testing at ages 8–12 or 15–20 yr. ResultsIn the factor analysis, the data were well fit to a five factor model. For subjects multiply (but not singly) exposed to anaesthesia, a factor reflecting motor skills, visual-motor integration, and processing speed was significantly lower [standardised difference of –0.35 (95% confidence interval {CI} –0.57 to –0.13)] compared with unexposed subjects. No other factor was associated with exposure. Three groups were identified in the cluster analysis, with 106 subjects (10.6%) in Cluster A (lowest performance in most tests), 557 (55.9%) in Cluster B, and 334 (33.5%) in Cluster C (highest performance in most tests). The odds of multiply exposed children belonging to Cluster A was 2.83 (95% CI: 1.49–5.35; P=0.001) compared with belonging to Cluster B; there was no other significant association between exposure status and cluster membership. ConclusionsMultiple, but not single, exposures to procedures requiring general anaesthesia before age 3 yr are associated with a specific pattern of deficits in neuropsychological tests. Factors predicting which children develop the most pronounced deficits remain unknown.

SA32. Cognitive Functions in Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder Patients: A Comparative Study

Abstract Background: Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder patients tend to exhibit cognitive decline related to the diagnosis. However, little is known about the differences or similarities in their cognitive profile. The aim of the study was to compare the cognitive functions of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder patients. Methods: Thirty-four participants were assessed and divided into 3 groups—schizophrenia (SC, n = 16), schizoaffective (SA, n = 7), and healthy controls (HC, n = 11). The MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery, Central and South America version, was used to assess cognition. All participants signed an informed consent. Clinically stabilized outpatients were identified by psychiatrists at the National Institute of Psychiatry “Ramon de la Fuente” (INPRF) in Mexico City. The neuropsychological assessment was performed by trained psychologists at the same institution. HC were similar in age and gender to both clinical groups. They were captured at universities. Results: Preliminary results show that SC had significant lower performance in most tests when compared to HC. Differences between SC and HC were observed in processing speed, verbal learning, verbal working memory, reasoning, and attention tests. HC scored significantly higher in the visual working memory test when compared to both clinical groups. EA achieved middle scores between SC and HC in most tests, although no statistical differences were found. Conclusion: SC patients exhibit a more pronounced cognitive decline than SA patients. SA patients achieved middle scores between HC and SC in most neuropsychological tests. Interestingly, SA showed a pronounced decline in visual working memory, similar to the one observed in SC patients.

Screening 5 and 6 year-old children starting primary school for development and language.

Beginning school is an important milestone for children. Children's readiness for school involves cognitive, physical, and emotional development. Certain school programs allow children to start first grade after 66 months of age, together with 72 month-old children. In order to estimate school readiness, we screened children before starting first grade and compared their school performance according to their age and socio-demographic characteristics. Marmara School Readiness, Denver II developmental screening, and language assessment tests were applied. Language delays were more frequent and school readiness test scores were lower in the younger group compared to older children. However, school achievement did not differ between the two age groups. Preschool education, parental income and education affected performance in most tests. Preschool screening seems effective in detecting children with lower than average developmental skills, and the school system may provide a practical opportunity for providing support to those children.

Non invasive blood flow measurement in cerebellum detects minimal hepatic encephalopathy earlier than psychometric tests.

To assess whether non invasive blood flow measurement by arterial spin labeling in several brain regions detects minimal hepatic encephalopathy. Blood flow (BF) was analyzed by arterial spin labeling (ASL) in different brain areas of 14 controls, 24 cirrhotic patients without and 16 cirrhotic patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE). Images were collected using a 3 Tesla MR scanner (Achieva 3T-TX, Philips, Netherlands). Pulsed ASL was performed. Patients showing MHE were detected using the battery Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score (PHES) consisting of five tests. Different cognitive and motor functions were also assessed: alterations in selective attention were evaluated using the Stroop test. Patients and controls also performed visuo-motor and bimanual coordination tests. Several biochemical parameters were measured: serum pro-inflammatory interleukins (IL-6 and IL-18), 3-nitrotyrosine, cGMP and nitrates+nitrites in plasma, and blood ammonia. Bivariate correlations were evaluated. In patients with MHE, BF was increased in cerebellar hemisphere (P = 0.03) and vermis (P = 0.012) and reduced in occipital lobe (P = 0.017). BF in cerebellar hemisphere was also increased in patients without MHE (P = 0.02). Bimanual coordination was impaired in patients without MHE (P = 0.05) and much more in patients with MHE (P < 0.0001). Visuo-motor coordination was impaired only in patients with MHE (P < 0.0001). Attention was slightly affected in patients without MHE and more strongly in patients with MHE (P < 0.0001). BF in cerebellar hemisphere and vermis correlated with performance in most tests of PHES [(number connection tests A (NCT-A), B (NCT-B)and line tracing test] and in the congruent task of Stroop test. BF in frontal lobe correlated with NCT-A. Performance in bimanual and visuomotor coordination tests correlated only with BF in cerebellar hemisphere. BF in occipital lobe correlates with performance in the PHES battery and with CFF. BF in cerebellar hemisphere correlates with plasma cGMP and nitric oxide (NO) metabolites. BF in vermis cerebellar also correlates with NO metabolites and with 3-nitrotyrosine. IL-18 in plasma correlates with BF in thalamus and occipital lobe. Non invasive BF determination in cerebellum using ASL may detect MHE earlier than the PHES. Altered NO-cGMP pathway seems to be associated to altered BF in cerebellum.

Neurobehavioral effect of chronic and bolus doses of methylmercury following prenatal exposure in C57BL/6 weanling mice

Several studies with animals have shown that even low and medium prenatal and postnatal exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) can result in locomotor, motor coordination and learning deficits. However, some behavioural effects of MeHg remain controversial and the methods to model human MeHg exposure in animal still remain to be optimized. We investigated the neurobehavioral effects of two different patterns of MeHg exposure. MeHg was given mixed in palatable food that mice readily ate. For the first pattern (chronic group), C57BL/6 mice dams were given 1.4 μg/g body weight (BW)/day ( n = 20) throughout gestation mixed in palatable food. For the second pattern (bolus) dams were given 6.0 μg/g BW/day mixed in palatable food on gestation day 12 and 16 together with a lower chronic dose of 0.85 μg/g BW/day mixed in palatable food on all remaining gestation days ( n = 20). Day 12 and 16 were chosen because neuron proliferation and the start of migration for many brain regions occur during that period. Behavioural testing on weanling animals started at 8 weeks. Both the chronic and bolus groups showed an impairment of working memory and visual spatial ability in the radial arm maze task. Other tests did not provide clear evidence that methylmercury exposure had significant adverse effects on locomotor activity, motor coordination or emotional reactivity. However, the chronic groups had a tendency for lower performance in most tests including activity in Skinner box and open field trials, as well as a higher number of anxiety-like behaviors. Chronic exposure to lower levels of MeHg combined to acute exposure with high levels of a few days during gestation appears to be less damaging than chronic exposure to slightly higher levels without acute MeHg exposure even though, equal amounts were administered during gestation. Possibly, as indicated by preliminary data, the relatively larger impact of chronic administration of a higher daily dose could be the consequence of a higher brain MeHg burden in pups compared to brain MeHg levels in the pups from dams receiving a smaller daily dose with 2 large doses on gestation day 12 and 16. Alternatively, bolus MeHg could have had a larger impact if administered on different gestation days when some neural development processes are more sensitive to MeHg.

Visuospatial cognitive tests for the evaluation of patients with Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurological disorder characterized by motor disturbances, neuropsychological symptoms and cognitive changes, including cases of dementia. The most frequently described cognitive changes in these patients involve executive and visuospatial functions, which are very important for the execution of daily life activities.ObjectiveTo compare different tests used to examine visuospatial functions in patients with PD.MethodsThirty-five patients (21 women) with PD symptoms (medicated and “on”) and mean schooling of 5.5±4.2 years were examined using the following tests: Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Dementia Rating Scale (DRS), Scales of Outcomes of Parkinson's Disease (SCOPA-COG), Hooper Visual Organization Test (HVOT), Judgment of Line Orientation, Form V (JLO), and Clock drawing task – CLOX (1 and 2).ResultsThe mean MMSE score was 24.8±3.03and 54.8% of the patients performed correctly in the copy of a pentagon drawing, with a medium-level performance in most tests. Good correlations were detected between JLO versus SCOPA Assembling patterns (0.67), JLO versus HVOT (0.56), JLO versus CLOX2 (0.64), SCOPA Figure Composition versus HVOT (0.54), CLOX1 versus CLOX2 (0.43), and DRS Construction versus CLOX2 (0.42).DiscussionAlthough correlations were detected, not all were strong, probably because the tests employed do not measure solely visuospatial functions, but also other skills such as attention, motor ability and executive functions. A limitation of the present study was the lack of a control group for the establishment of adequate standards for this population.