Subjective Estimates Research Articles

Office hysteroscopic morcellation service: Evaluation of women experience and factors affecting satisfaction

ObjectivesTo evaluate the hysteroscopic morcellation service in office-setting in everyday practice outside the context of clinical trials. The primary objectives were to assess level of acceptability and factors affecting women satisfaction. The secondary objectives included assessment of complete resection rate, complications rate, pain score during the procedure and on discharge, and the correlation between the lesion size as subjectively estimated by the hysteroscopists versus the volume of morcellated tissues as semi-quantitively measured by the laboratory. MethodThe clinical data was compiled for 287 consecutive women undergoing hysteroscopic morcellation in office-setting from 1 January 2017 to 31 March 2021 in a teaching hospital in the UK. A questionnaire, formulated on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), was completed immediately after the procedure by the last 110 women undergoing the procedure. ResultsThe mean age of the cohort (n = 278) was 54.5 years (SD ± 12.5). Only 7 (2.4%) women required two-stage procedure because of size (fibroid ≥ 4 cm), vascularity or multiplicity of lesions. No complications were encountered. The majority of women completing the questionnaire (n = 110) found office procedure acceptable (105, 95.5%, VAS ≥ 7), were willing to have it again if indicated (102, 92.7%, VAS ≥ 7), would recommend it to family and friends (105, 95.5%, VAS ≥ 7) and confirmed receiving adequate preoperative information by doctors and nurses (107, 97.3%, VAS ≥ 7). The level of preoperative explanation and information-giving showed significant (p < 0.01) positive correlation with the level of acceptability and recommendation to others and significant (p = .007) negative correlation with the pain experienced on discharge. The median (IQR) estimated size at hysteroscopy was 2 cm (1–6 cm) for polyps and 2.5 cm (1–4 cm) for fibroid. The median (IQR) volume of the morcellated specimens as estimated by laboratory was 2000 mm3 (1100–3800 mm3). The estimated size at hysteroscopy was positively correlated with the specimen’s volume (Spearman’s rho (r) = 0.31, 95% = CI, 0.14–0.45, p < 0.01). ConclusionOffice hysteroscopic morcellation is associated with high satisfaction rate and low pain score on discharge. Good preoperative explanation and information-giving was the crucial factor that increased women satisfaction. Subjective estimation of lesion size by hysteroscopists may be an accurate and simple method of measurement.

A Wrinkle in Measuring Time Use for Cognitive Health: How should We Measure Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep?

One new case of dementia is detected every 4seconds and no effective drug therapy exists. Effective behavioural strategies to promote healthy cognitive ageing are thus essential. Three behaviours related to cognitive health which we all engage in daily are physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep. These time-use activity behaviours are linked to cognitive health in a complex and dynamic relationship not yet fully elucidated. Understanding how each of these behaviours is related to each other and cognitive health will help determine the most practical and effective lifestyle strategies for promoting healthy cognitive ageing. In this review, we discuss methods and analytical approaches to best investigate how these time-use activity behaviours are related to cognitive health. We highlight four key recommendations for examining these relationships such that researchers should include measures which (1) are psychometrically appropriate; (2) can specifically answer the research question; (3) include objective and subjective estimates of the behaviour and (4) choose an analytical method for modelling the relationships of time-use activity behaviours with cognitive health which is appropriate for their research question.

Quantitative and Qualitative Differences in the Canonical and the Reverse Distance Effect and Their Selective Association With Arithmetic and Mathematical Competencies

Understanding the relationship between symbolic numerical abilities and individual differences in mathematical competencies has become a central research endeavor in the last years. Evidence on this foundational relationship is often based on two behavioral signatures of numerical magnitude and numerical order processing: thecanonicaland thereverse distance effect.Theformerindicates faster reaction times for the comparison of numerals that are far in distance (e.g., 2 8) compared to numerals that are close in distance (e.g., 2 3). The latter indicates faster reaction times for the ordinal judgment of numerals (i.e., are numerals in ascending/descending order) that are close in distance (e.g., 2 3 4) compared to numerals that are far in distance (e.g., 2 4 6). While a substantial body of literature has reported consistent associations between thecanonical distance effectand arithmetic abilities, rather inconsistent findings have been found for thereverse distance effect. Here, we tested the hypothesis that estimates of thereverse distance effectshow qualitative differences (i.e., not all participants show areverse distance effectin the expected direction) rather than quantitative differences (i.e., all individuals show areverse distance effect, but to a different degree), and that inconsistent findings might be a consequence of this variation. We analyzed data from 397 adults who performed a computerized numerical comparison task, a computerized numerical order verification task (i.e., are three numerals presented in order or not), a paper pencil test of arithmetic fluency, as well as a standardized test to assess more complex forms of mathematical competencies. We found discriminatory evidence for the two distance effects. While estimates of thecanonical distance effectshowed quantitative differences, estimates of thereverse distance effectshowed qualitative differences.Comparisons between individuals who demonstrated an effect and individuals who demonstrated noreverse distance effectconfirmed a significant moderation on the correlation with mathematical abilities. Significantly larger effects were found in the group who showed an effect. These findings confirm that estimates of thereverse distance effectare subject to qualitative differences and that we need to better characterize the underlying mechanisms/strategies that might lead to these qualitative differences.

A fuzzy FMEA assessment of hydroelectric earth dam failure modes: A case study in Central Brazil

The good operating practices of hydroelectric plants with earth dams recommend that continuous monitoring of the construction elements should be carried out to ensure their stability and integrity. Engineers have frequently used FMEA to assess mechanisms that can cause damage or failure of such structures because it is a self-documented and straightforward method. We adopted fuzzy approximate reasoning to mitigate the rigidity of the FMEA rating scales and to address the bias and inaccuracy inherent in subjective estimates. This paper applies linguistic variables in a two-stage assessment. In the first stage, we computed the RCI through the combined effect of Occurrence and Severity. In the second stage, we combined the RCI with Detection to compute the FIS-RPN. The failure modes, causes and effects, the rule bases for the two stages and the membership functions were obtained through in-depth interviews with a focus group composed of staff members of the Corumbá IV hydroelectric plant, located in Central Brazil. The fuzzification process assured more consistency to the RPN calculation, treated the imprecision and provided fair management value to prioritize actions and improve monitoring processes.

Applying Mixed-Effects Modeling to Behavioral Economic Demand: An Introduction.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40614-021-00299-7.

Dental age estimation of young subjects with unilateral palatally displaced canine teeth

Delayed tooth eruption is often seen in patients with palatally displaced canines (PDC), but there is controversy over whether tooth formation is also delayed. This study attempts to elucidate the answer by addressing methodological shortcomings in previous studies. Archived records were searched, and 100 patients (aged 8-16years) with unilateral PDC were identified. Records of 50 women and 50 men were matched for age and sex with unaffected controls. The exclusion criteria included hypodontia. Dental age (DA) was calculated using the population-specific Maltese database and subtracted from the chronological age (CA). Nonparametric tests were used to compare CA-DA in patients with PDC and controls to determine the DA of end-of-series teeth. No statistically significant difference with CA-DA between patients with PDC and controls was found. In addition, there were no particular teeth significantly delayed in development. Unilateral PDC does not affect dental developmental age, and the end-of-series teeth investigated show no delay in development.

Does somatosensory feedback from the plantar foot sole contribute to verticality perception?

Aim of the study In upright standing, the human foot sole is the only point of contact with the ground conveying information about the pressure distribution under the feet. We examined how the altered somatosensory input from the plantar foot receptors, when standing on a soft surface, affects the subjective estimation of the earth vertical in different sensory contexts. Materials and methods Twelve (12) healthy young females (mean age: 21.8 ± 2.4 years) adjusted the orientation of a visual line (35 × 1.5 cm) representing the roll orientation of a hand-held (attached on a 24.9 × 4 cm cylinder) or head-attached electromagnetic tracking sensor (Nest of Birds, Ascension Technologies Inc., VT. USA, 60 Hz) under two visual conditions (eyes open, eyes closed) while standing on a soft or firm surface. The mean absolute (accuracy) and variable (precision) error in the verticality estimate was depicted in the sensor’s roll deviation from the gravitational vertical. Results The accuracy and the precision of the estimate decreased in the absence of vision, while standing on the soft surface and when the estimate was provided by an active hand rather than head rotation. The surface effect was significant only in the absence of vision and when the estimate was provided by the hand. Conclusions The contribution of the plantar foot mechanoreceptors to gravity perception is sensory context dependent. Perception of the earth vertical is more accurate when estimated by active head rotation due to the integration of the vestibular and neck proprioceptive afferents.

Intraoperative Cuff Pressure Measurements of Endotracheal Tubes in the Operating Theater

Abstract Background: Endotracheal tube (ETT) intracuff pressure (PINTRACUFF) monitoring is not a mandatory part of daily anesthetic practice in many countries. Correct PINTRACUFF is required to ensure adequate ventilation, to prevent aspiration, and to avoid complications. The aim of this study was to objectively measure the PINTRACUFF in ETTs among patients from an Australian tertiary hospital to define the range of PINTRACUFF values seen in a setting without the use of routine objective monitoring. Patients and Methods: A prospective single-center audit of PINTRACUFF of 268 elective and emergency surgical patients undergoing general anesthesia with an ETT was performed. PINTRACUFF values were measured with a calibrated cuff manometer following the induction of anesthesia. Patient characteristics were compared between three patient groups of measured PINTRACUFF values: 20 cmH2O, 20–30 cmH2O, and &gt;30 cmH2O. Results: To estimate the PINTRACUFF, only the auditory method was used among 66.0% of the patients, the tactile method was used in 18.3%, and the remainder used both or other methods. Following induction of anesthesia, the mean PINTRACUFF was 31.0 cmH2O (±standard deviation 16.4). The PINTRACUFF was &lt;20 cmH2O for 54 patients (20.1%), and it exceeded 30 cmH2O for 103 patients (38.4%). Patients with a PINTRACUFF &gt;30 cmH2O had a marginally higher body mass index (BMI) compared to patients with a PINTRACUFF &lt;30 cmH2O (P = 0.002). Patients with higher BMIs and smaller ETTs had higher cuff pressures. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that replacing subjective estimation methods with mandatory cuff pressure measurement can ensure that normal values are achieved during anesthesia.

Dental Age Estimation: A comparison of three methods of estimating dental age in a population of Kuwaiti children and adolescents

BackgroundDental age estimation using the simple average method utilizing the Demirjian 8 stage tooth developments system has not previously been compared to the 14 stage system of Moorrees. Neither method has been previously used nor compared with the Atlas method in a Kuwaiti population. The recent development of a Kuwait reference data set provides the means to determine which of these methods is the most accurate for age estimation in Kuwaiti subjects. Patients, materials and methodsThe sample was dental panoramic tomographs (DPTs) from the archives of Kuwait Ministry of Health Dental Hospitals comprising 375 healthy children aged between 5 and 15 years.Each of the anonymized DPT was assessed in random order and personal details masked from the observer. ResultsIntra and inter examiner agreement were calculated using Cohen's Kappa with scores of 0.76 or above which is ‘good to excellent’ agreement.The chronological age (CA) minus dental age (DA) difference using the simple average method (SAM) is an overestimate of 0.39 years for females and an underestimate of 0.14 years for males. The London Atlas overestimated the chronological age by 0.60 years for females and 0.19 years for males. Moorrees technique gave an underestimate of 1.01 years for females and 0.89 years for males.Bland-Altman plots showed an even distribution of difference around the chronological age. The Bland Altman plots showed the spread of the differences between chronological age and dental age for each of the three methods. ConclusionsThe simple average method was the most accurate within, 2–3 months of chronological age. The London Atlas and Moorrees methods were less accurate.This makes the simple average method the favoured technique for dental age estimation in a forensic science setting where ethnic specific reference data are important.

Elites Do Not Deplete - No Effect of Prior Mental Exertion on Subsequent Shooting Performance in Elite Shooters.

In order to perform at the highest level, elite shooters have to remain focused during the whole course of a tournament, which regularly lasts multiple hours. Investing self-control over extended time periods is often associated with lower levels of perceived self-control strength (i.e., the subjective estimation of how much mental effort one is capable of investing in a given task) and impaired performance in several sports-related domains. However, previous findings on the effects of prior self-control efforts on shooting performance have been mixed, as elite shooters seem to be less affected by preceding self-control demanding tasks than sub-elite athletes. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of self-control on shooting performance in elite shooters. Hence, we randomly assigned elite shooters to an experimental (n = 12) or a control condition (n = 11) and asked them to perform a series of 40 shots at baseline (T1) and again after a task which either did or did not require self-control (T2). Additionally, we continuously measured the shooters’ level of perceived self-control strength. We assumed that in elite athletes, shooting accuracy as well as the perceived level of self-control strength would not be significantly affected over time from T1 to T2 in both conditions. In line with our assumptions, Bayesian linear mixed effect models revealed that shooting performance remained relatively stable in both conditions over time and the conditions also did not differ significantly in their perceived levels of self-control strength. Contrary to resource-based theories of self-control, these results speak against the idea of a limited self-control resource as previous acts of self-control did not impair subsequent shooting performance in elite athletes.

Subjective assessment of complexity and prognosis after pulmonary vein isolation as significant predictor for procedural success.

Subjective estimation of recurrence after atrial fibrillation ablation is an important tool in clinical use. The aim of this study is to evaluate (1) if the subjective complexity of an atrial fibrillation ablation procedure is correlated with rhythm stability and (2) if the subjective prognosis of the operator has a predictive value. We prospectively enrolled patients admitted for ablation of atrial fibrillation. Two scores were given immediately after the procedure by the operator: the complexity and the prognosis scores. With routine follow-ups, we tried to evaluate the correlation between the subjective scores and measured outcome. The study population included 611 patients (63 ± 10years, 37% females, 61% persistent AF). During follow-up (FU) (median 24, IQR 7-36months), recurrences occurred in 44% patients. Both scores (prognosis and complexity) correlated significantly with age, persistent AF, LA diameter, procedural characteristics, and recurrences. On multivariable analysis, complexity (OR 1.304, 95%CI 1.016-1.675, p = 0.037) and prognosis (OR 1.443, 95%CI 1.080-1.982, p = 0.013) scores remained significant predictors for arrhythmia recurrences. On ROC analysis, both scores showed significant predictive value for rhythm outcomes after catheter ablation (AUC 0.599 and 0.613, both p < 0.001 for complexity and prognosis scores, respectively). Complexity and prognosis scores are significant predictors for arrhythmia recurrences after AF catheter ablations and even independent when competing with simple risk factors.

Clinical Validation of the Automated Characterization of Cone Size and Center in Keratoconic Corneas.

To evaluate an automated method for detecting the cone shape characteristics and to assess the cornea specialists' subjective variability of these measures using different maps. Topographic images of the anterior and posterior surface of each eye were presented to 12 clinicians in two different types of map: tangential curvature and relative elevation to the best-fit sphere. They were asked to mark the cone center and its boundaries in the two maps without knowing that they belonged to the same patient. The results between the maps were compared to assess the subjective variability dependent on the map type and the automated method was compared against both estimations to assess its accuracy. Considering the results of anterior and posterior surfaces, there was low agreement between the cone center estimations using different types of maps for 10 of the 12 cases (P < .05), whereas the comparison between the automated method and the two map estimations did not show differences in 11 of the 12 cases (P > .05). There was high variability, up to 55%, among clinicians' estimations of the cone area. The results of the automated method were within the range of the expert's estimations. An objective, mathematically derived method of determining morphological dimensions of the cone was consistent with clinicians' evaluations. Although there was high variability among the experts' subjective estimates, which were highly influenced by the type of map, the objective method provided a reliable evaluation of the keratoconus shape independent of maps or color scale. [J Refract Surg. 2021;37(6):414-421.].

Speech quality estimation with deep lattice networks.

Intrusive subjective speech quality estimation of mean opinion score (MOS) often involves mapping a raw similarity score extracted from differences between the clean and degraded utterance onto MOS with a fitted mapping function. More recent models such as support vector regression (SVR) or deep neural networks use multidimensional input, which allows for a more accurate prediction than one-dimensional (1-D) mappings but does not provide the monotonic property that is expected between similarity and quality. We investigate a multidimensional mapping function using deep lattice networks (DLNs) to provide monotonic constraints with input features provided by ViSQOL. The DLN improved the speech mapping to 0.24 mean-square error on a mixture of datasets that include voice over IP and codec degradations, outperforming the 1-D fitted functions and SVR as well as PESQ and POLQA. Additionally, we show that the DLN can be used to learn a quantile function that is well-calibrated and a useful measure of uncertainty. The quantile function provides an improved mapping of data driven similarity representations to human interpretable scales, such as quantile intervals for predictions instead of point estimates.

DEVELOPMENT OF UKRAINIAN ENTERPRISES IN CRISIS ECONOMY IN BRAND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

The purpose of the article is to improve and deepen the theoretical aspects of brand value assessment methods, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages, combining existing techniques for more effective assessment of the enterprise, the practical calculation of the brand value "Kiivkhlib" on the example of the Ukrainian enterprise-leader of the baking industry. In the article the theoretical analysis of publications, which considered the main aspects of the brand management system at the enterprises, in particular domestic ones, was carried out. The authors also highlighted the subject of the research, which is the given factors and structural elements of brand identity and value from the side of strategic activities of companies that operate in two Ukrainian markets – the market of milk and dairy products and the market of bakery and bakery products. Methodology. To determine the brand value was chosen one of the enterprises in the bakery industry, located in Kiev – "Kiivkhlib". The calculation was carried out using a combination of methods "Interbrand Model" and the method of royalty based on the data of the public accounts of the enterprise for 2019. Determination of the index of the brand role was carried out by expert method using seven basic criteria (leadership, stability, market, internationality, trends, support, protection). The last step was the calculation of the final brand value, where the brand profit is defined as the product of the intangible profit value and the brand role index. Also to calculate the final brand value, it was necessary to calculate the discounted cash flows over the years of the economic life of the investment. Results. As a result the index of brand role added up to 86%. As for "Kiivkhlib" it was determined that the brand multiplier value of 18,8 corresponds to a point estimate of brand strength (86 points). The results obtained by using the method based on "Interbrand" model showed that brand value of "Kiivkhlib" is at the level of 5093,1 thousand UAH. Due to the fact that this model involves a large number of subjective estimates, the results may differ from the calculations obtained by using other methods and models. Practical implications. The value of the brand affects both the financial aspects of the enterprise and its non-financial side. It is worth noting that the brand is an intangible asset but it provides a real financial result in the form of profit. That is why companies, seeking to gain a leading position in the market, should pay close attention to assessing the brand value and using the obtained data in strategic management.

Predicted and Measured Changes in Posterior Corneal Astigmatism after Uncomplicated Femtosecond Assisted LASIK (FsLASIK) and Microkeratome LASIK Correction for Myopia and Low Astigmatism

ABSTRACT Purpose: To compare predicted and measured changes in astigmatism at the posterior corneal surface (PCS) after FsLASIK or LASIK. Methods: Astigmatism was measured at both corneal surfaces (PentacamTM) before and 3 months after unremarkable FFsLASIK (roup 1,n = 100) or LLASIK (roup 2,n = 100) for myopia (−7.25DS to −0.75DS) and low astigmatism (≤1.00DC). Photoablation was achieved using Schwind Amaris750STM laser (Aberration Free profile, centered on corneal vertex). Pre-and postop astigmatic data, according to subjective refraction and estimates for the corneal surfaces (over the central 3.2 mm zone), were subjected to vector analysis to calculate surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) by refraction (SIAR), at the anterior (SIAFact) and posterior corneal surfaces (SIABact). The difference vector between SIAR and SIAFact was regarded as the predicted SIA at the PCS (SIABest). Results: Reporting key findings. Mean(±sd,95%CI) SIABest and SIABact powers in group 1 were −0.52DC(±0.35,-0.56 to −0.45) and −0.11DC(±0.08,-0.13 to −0.10) in group 1, −0.35DC(0.20,-0.39 to −0.32) and −0.08DC(0.07,-0.09 to −0.06) in group 2. Differences between SIABest and SIABact were significant for powers but not axes. Significant correlations(p < .01) were revealed between (I) SIAR and SIAFact powers [Group 1, SIAR = 0.370.SIAFact-0.292,r = 0.299. Group 2, SIAR = 0.484.SIAFact-0.394,r = 0.519] but not the axes and (II) ΔC (difference between pre-[x1] and postop measured PCS astigmatic powers) and x1 [Group 1, ΔC = 0.384x1 + 0.119,r = 0.423. Group 2, ΔC = 0.135x1 + 0.047,r = 0.229,p = .022]. There was no correlation between SIABest and SIABact powers or axes. Conclusion: The changes in posterior corneal astigmatic powers according to Pentacam measurements are small and do not account for the deficit between SIAR and SIAFact after FsLASIK or LASIK.

Profile and needs of primary informal caregivers of older patients in Belgian geriatric day hospitals: a multicentric cross-sectional study

BackgroundWith the improvement of life expectancy, the world faces increasing demands for care of older persons. In this manuscript, we define the characteristics of primary informal caregivers (PIC) of patients aged 75 years and older admitted to geriatric day hospitals (GDH) in Belgium. A PIC is defined as the person who most often provides care and assistance to persons who need to be cared for. We describe PIC socio-demographic characteristics, satisfaction, burden and wishes about caring; the type of assistance provided and received, their self-rated health, socio-demographic and medical characteristics of proxies, in particular the presence of behavioural disorders.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in 25 GDH.ParticipantsFour hundred seventy-five PIC of patients ≥75 years and their proxies. PIC completed a questionnaire at the GDH assessing burden by Zarit Burden Index-12 (ZBI-12), self-rated health, social restriction due to caregiving and financial participation. We compared the characteristics of PIC with high and low burden, and the characteristics of spouses and adult children PIC. We also analyzed factors associated with a high burden in a multivariable logistic regression model.ResultsPIC were mainly women (72%), adult children (53.8%) and spouses (30.6%). The mean age was 64 ± 14 years for PIC and 84 ± 5 years for care recipients. PIC helped for most of Activities in Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental ADL (iADL). The median ZBI-12 score was 10 [IQR 5–18]. In multivariable regression analysis, a high burden was positively associated in the total group with living with the relative (p = 0.045), the difficulty to take leisure time or vacation (p < 0.001), behavioral and mood disorders (p < 0.001;p = 0.005), and was negatively associated with bathing the relative (p = 0.017) and a better subjective health status estimation (p < 0.001).ConclusionPrimary informal caregivers, who were predominantly women, were involved in care for ADL and iADL. A high burden was associated with living with the relative, the difficulty to take leisure time or vacation and the relative’s behavioral and mood disorders. Bathing the relative and a subjective health status estimated as good as or better than people the same age, were protective factors against a high burden.

689 Objective Assessment of Inpatient Sleep Patterns and Quality: A Pilot Study

Abstract Introduction Sleep disruption is common among hospitalized patients due to psychological, physiological, and environmental reasons including illness, pain, anxiety, invasive interventions, frequent monitoring, and stimuli, especially noise and light. The AASM has published guidelines for the use of actigraphy in the outpatient setting, but there is a paucity of literature evaluating the validity of actigraphy in inpatients. The aim of this study is to evaluate sleep in hospitalized general medicine patients undergoing sleep medicine consultation using actigraphy and qualitative surveys. Methods A single-site prospective study in hospitalized medicine patients. Patients were observed with a Fitbit® Charge3 wrist actigraphy device overnight, then administered 7 surveys: Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ), qualitative questionnaires assessing sleep history, sleep hygiene, barriers to sleep, STOP-BANG, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Patient-Health Questionniare-2 (PHQ-2). Actigraphy data including total sleep time, slow wave sleep time, and number of awakenings was compared with patient-reported data. Results In preliminary analysis, six patients met inclusion criteria and underwent sleep medicine consultation, overnight actigraphy, and completed 7 surveys. Based on subjective sleep history questionnaires, average total sleep time was 437 + 215 minutes. Actigraphy revealed average total sleep time was 228 + 80 minutes with an average of 3.6 nocturnal awakenings. Increased number of awakenings on actigraphy was not correlated with increased number of awakenings by survey. The most frequently reported barriers to sleep on patient surveys were pain and being woken up for labs or vital signs. The average STOP-BANG score was 6 out of 8 and average ESS was 14 out of 24. Conclusion Restorative sleep warrants consideration alongside complex medical care during hospitalization. Patients experience decreased total sleep time and increased number of awakenings while in the hospital compared with their subjective estimates of sleep at home. Actigraphy provides a non-invasive and reliable way to monitor some sleep parameters in the inpatient setting. An elevated STOP-BANG score could represent sleep disordered breathing and impact perceptions of sleep quality. Patient-identified barriers to sleep are targets for quality improvement. Future studies should compare inpatient actigraphy data to polysomnographic data and the effect of sleep-directed interventions on sleep quality in the hospital. Support (if any):

139 Does Extraversion Predict Subjective Ratings of Sleepiness and Performance During Sleep Deprivation?

Abstract Introduction Repeated exposure to total sleep deprivation (TSD) within individuals has demonstrated task-specific, trait-like individual differences in cognitive impairment and subjective sleepiness. Research has suggested that introversion/extraversion may predict individual vulnerability to TSD. While previous analyses have found that extraversion does not reliably predict objective performance impairment on the psychomotor vigilance test (PVT) during TSD, it is not known whether extraversion may predict individuals’ subjective responses to TSD, including subjective ratings of sleepiness, fatigue, mood, performance, and effort. Methods N=21 healthy adults (aged 21-38; 9 women) completed three 4-day/3-night laboratory sessions – each including a baseline night, 36h TSD period, and recovery night –separated by at least 2 weeks each. Two of the sessions were preceded by a week of sleep extension (12h nightly sleep opportunities), while one session was preceded by a week of sleep restriction (6h nightly sleep opportunities), in randomized, counterbalanced order; only the sleep extension sessions are used here. Prior to the experiment, subjects filled out the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), which yielded an extraversion score; one subject did not complete the questionnaire and was excluded from analyses. Every 2h during TSD, subjects completed a 60min neurobehavioral test battery. At the beginning of the test battery, subjects completed the Karolinksa Sleepiness Scale (KSS) and visual analog scales of mood and fatigue (VAS-M and VAS-F). At the end of the test battery, subjects completed self-ratings of their performance (1–7 scale) and effort (1–4 scale). The relationship between extraversion and subjective scores after sleep deprivation (average over last 24h of 36h TSD period) relative to baseline (average over first 12h of TSD period) was analyzed using mixed-effects analysis of covariance, controlling for order, with a random effect over subjects on the intercept. Results No significant relationships were observed between extraversion and subjective estimates of sleepiness (KSS, p=0.45), fatigue (VAS-F, p=0.80), mood (VAS-M, p=0.14), performance (p=0.89), and effort (p=0.93). Conclusion These results indicate that extraversion is not a reliable predictor of trait-like individual differences in subjective vulnerability to 36h TSD. Support (if any) NASA grant NAG9-1161, CDMRP grant W81XWH-20-1-0442

Dental age estimation: Development and validation of a reference data set for Kuwaiti children, adolescents, and young adults

ObjectivesThis study was designed to establish a Reference Data Set for Dental Age Estimation of young Kuwaiti subjects. DesignDental Panoramic Tomographs of 1393 Kuwaiti children, adolescents, and young adults aged between 3 and 26 years were re-used to establish a Reference Data Set. The Tooth Development Stages described by Demirjian et al. in 1973 was used to assess all the teeth on the left side of the Maxilla and the Mandible. The Accuracy and Precision of Dental Age Estimation for Kuwaiti children and adolescents was investigated by calculating the age of children using 50 females and 50 males of known age separate from the main study sample. This was the Validation Sample. Summary data for the individual Tooth Development Stages, comprising the number, mean, and standard deviation were used to estimate the age of the subjects in the Validation Sample using the Simple Average Method to calculate the Dental Age. ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference between the Chronological Age and the Dental Age in males with a mean difference of 0.14 years (1.75 months). The difference in females was significant at −0.33 years (−4.1 months). ConclusionsThese data demonstrate that estimated Dental Age in Kuwaiti females is close, just over 4 months, and is very close, in males within 1.75 months of the Chronologic Age.

An experimental paradigm for studying sense of agency in joint human–machine motor actions

In this paper, we propose an experimental technique for studying the sense of agency (SoA) in joint human-machine actions. This technique is based on the use of an electromechanical finger-lifting device that enables a joint motor action initiated by a participant and completed by the machine. The joint action, later referred to as an "active-passive" action, was implemented as a reaction time task and contrasted with other levels of participant's involvement, including active movement, passive movement, and observation of a dummy's movement. In each trial, a feedback sound signal informed the participant whether they had performed the task successfully, i.e. faster than a threshold, which was individually adjusted in the beginning of the experiment. In the active condition, the result depended on the participant, while in other conditions it was preprogrammed for the servo. In context of this task, we studied direct time estimates made by participants and auditory event-related potentials (ERP) in 20 healthy volunteers. The amplitude of the auditory N1 component in the responses to the feedback sound showed no significant effect of activity and success factors, while its latency was shorter in successful trials. Interaction of activity and success factors was significant for subjective time estimates. Surprisingly, the intentional binding effect (subjective compression of time intervals, which is known as a correlate of SoA) only emerged in trials of active condition with negative results. This observation was in contrast with the fact that the active and active-passive movements were both voluntarily initiated by the participant. We believe that studying SoA with the proposed technique may not only add to the understanding of agency but also provide practically relevant results for the development of human-machine systems such as exoskeletons.