Individual Test Performance Research Articles

A-17 Category Test performance in individuals with alcohol versus methamphetamine dependence

Abstract Objective The Category Test (CT) has consistently been found to be sensitive at detecting the effects of alcohol on the brain. However, this test has not been as widely used in examining the effects of methamphetamine. The current meta-analysis compared effect sizes of studies that have examined performance on the CT in alcohol versus methamphetamine dependent participants. Data selection Three researchers independently searched nine databases (e.g., PsycINFO, Pubmed, ProceedingsFirst), extracted required data, and calculated effect sizes. Inclusion criteria identified studies that had (a) compared alcohol or methamphetamine dependent groups to healthy controls and (b) matched groups on either age, education, or IQ (at least 2 out of 3). Studies were excluded if participants were reported to have Axis I diagnoses (other than alcohol or methamphetamine dependence) or comorbidities known to impact neuropsychological functioning. Sixteen articles were coded and analyzed for the current study. Data synthesis Alcohol studies showed a large effect size (g = 0.745, p < 0.001) while methamphetamine studies evidenced a moderate effect size (g = 0.406, p = 0.001); both without statistically significant heterogeneity (I2 = 0). Subgroup analysis revealed a statistically significant difference between the effect sizes from alcohol versus methamphetamine studies (Q-between = 5.647, p = 0.017). Conclusions The CT is sensitive to the effects of both alcohol and methamphetamine and should be considered when examining dependent patients who might exhibit problem solving, concept formation, and set loss difficulties in everyday living.

REGION-SPECIFIC ATROPHY AS MEASURED BY CORTICAL GRAY MATTER VOLUME IS ASSOCIATED WITH BOTH REGIONAL AND TOTAL CORTICAL AMYLOID-BETA BURDEN IN COGNITIVELY NORMAL INDIVIDUALS AT RISK FOR ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

Introduction Models of preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) have proposed that cerebral amyloidosis and subsequent neurodegeneration may occur years, if not decades prior to observable cognitive decline. We previously demonstrated that total cortical amyloid-beta burden was inversely associated with cortical gray matter volume but not episodic memory in a sample of cognitively normal, middle-aged participants, with a first-degree family history and varying genetic risks of AD (Mecca et al., 2018). The current study utilizes an exploratory approach to determine the regional contribution of cortical amyloid deposition to gray matter volume and neuropsychological test performance in pre-symptomatic individuals at varying genetic risk for AD. Methods As described previously (Mecca et al., 2018), cognitively normal participants aged 50-66 with a first-degree family history for AD were genetically screened to select three groups: APOE genotype e4e4 (n=15), e3e4 (n=15), and e3e3 (n=15), matched for age and sex. Participants were then studied with [11C]PiB PET, MRI, and neuropsychological testing. PET and MR images were co-registered for application of a ROI template (AAL for SPM2) to generate regional time-activity curves with cerebellum as the reference region. MRI images were segmented into gray matter, white matter, and CSF. Mask images of these segments were smoothed to the system resolution (∼6mm), and gray matter values of BPND were partial volume corrected (PVC). PVC-BPND was then computed using SRTM2 for frontal, posterior cingulate, precuneus, lateral parietal, lateral temporal, medial temporal, occipital, and basal ganglia ROIs. A cortical BPND (cortical amyloid) was also calculated by taking a weighted average of only the frontal, posterior cingulate, precuneus, lateral parietal, and lateral temporal regions. To quantify GM within each ROI, we applied inverse transformations of the AAL from MNI to subject space and calculated GM fraction as the number of voxels segmenting a GM divided by the total number of voxels in a region. Results The study sample consisted of 24 females and 21 males with an average age of 59.12 (SD 4.72) and 16.33 (SD 1.86) years of education. Participants demonstrated an average MMSE score of 29.66 (SD 0.91), GDS score of 0.71 (SD 1.25), WAIS-III FSIQ score of 115.04 (SD 13.32), and WRAT-3 Reading score of 109.47 (SD 9.64). As previously reported, mean cortical BPND was 0.145 ± 0.131 for APOE-e3e3, 0.297 ± 0.299 for APOE-e3e4, and 0.389 ± 0.222 for APOE-e4e4 participants. An exploratory analysis was performed to examine the regional contributions to the association between cortical amyloid burden and gray matter volume. There were significant inverse associations between gray matter fraction and cortical amyloid in the frontal (spearman r=-0.459, p=0.002), lateral temporal (spearman r=-0.546, p Conclusions Based on our regional exploratory analyses, the inverse association between cortical amyloid burden and gray matter volume is strongest in the frontal, lateral, and medial temporal lobes. This is consistent with models of preclinical AD in which neurodegeneration occurs early in the disease process and before manifest cognitive decline. Interestingly, although the occipital lobeis traditionally thought to be a region of low amyloid deposition, we find the regional gray matter volume is significantly correlated with both regional and cortical amyloid. This perhaps implicates the occipital lobe as part of the cortical signature of AD, at least in cognitively normal middle-aged individuals with an increased risk of developing AD. It is also noted that medial temporal lobe atrophy isn't associated with regional amyloid, but instead significantly correlated with total cortical amyloid deposition. This is expected given the medial temporal lobe's reputation as a known area of early atrophy but not amyloid deposition in AD. This research was funded by This research was supported by the Alzheimer's Association IIRG-07-60026 (CHvD) and National Institute on Aging (P50-AG047270). APM was supported in part by the NIH/NIA K23-AG057794. RSO was supported in part by the NIMH R25 IMPORT grant (#R25MH071584).

Ingestive behavior and temperament of Nellore cattle classified for residual feed intake

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between ingestive behavior, temperament and residual feed intake (RFI) in Nellore cattle. Sixty-two bulls and 56 heifers after weaning, housed in individual pens, were evaluated in individual performance tests. Animals were classified as low RFI ( 0.135 kg day-1; greater than mean plus 0.5 standard deviation). Ingestive behavior was evaluated for 24 h by direct observation, every 24 days in bulls or every 10 days in heifers. Temperament was assessed by flight speed, reactivity in mobile confinement, composite score, and serum cortisol measurement. The most efficient animals (low RFI, 5.6 kg DM day-1) consumed 7% less feed than animals with medium efficiency (mean RFI, 6.0 kg DM day-1) and 13% less than the least efficient animals (high RFI, 6.34 kg DM day-1). More feed efficient animals spent a longer time feeding and ruminating per kg of DM consumed. Similarly, more efficient animals consumed less DM per hour and ruminated less DM per hour, but made the same number of visits to the feed bunk. High-efficiency animals were 13% and 35% faster to walk 1.77 m after release from the scale than medium- and low-efficiency animals, respectively, suggesting a more reactive temperament without differences in reactivity, composite score, or serum cortisol. Feed efficiency is associated with ingestive behavior and temperament in Nellore cattle. More efficient animals consume and ruminate less feed over the same period of time than animals with medium and low feed efficiency. In addition, more efficient animals exhibit a faster flight speed and are more reactive than less efficient animals.

Motion Control of Underwater Mine Explorer Robot UX-1: Field Trials

In this paper, we present the results of a series of field trials conducted with an underwater vehicle in the increasingly complex underwater environments of the Kaatiala mine in Finland, the Idrija mine in Slovenia, and the Urgeirica mine in Portugal. These field experiments have been performed to test and validate the motion control systems of the underwater explorer robot (UX-1), which are: a variable ballast system for buoyancy control, a variable pitch system for pitch control, and a propulsion system for depth and heading stabilization. The control method implemented is based on a state feedback linearization algorithm, previously tested and validated in a controlled water tank environment. Several experiments are shown which demonstrate the successful operation of the motion control systems in individual performance tests. Afterward, a full exploration and geo-scientific data collection mission is presented, where all of the motion control systems are active simultaneously during a deep dive to more than 100 m. The results obtained in the field tests demonstrate the effectiveness of the motion control systems and validate the UX-1 Robot platform as capable of performing the complex task of navigation and control in flooded mine environments.

Patterns of cognitive deficits in persons with spinal cord injury as compared with both age-matched and older individuals without spinal cord injury

Context/Objective: Cognitive deficits can impact as many as 60% of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). In an effort to identify the nature of cognitive deficits in SCI, we examined neuropsychological test performance in individuals with SCI, age matched healthy controls and older healthy controls.Design: Participants completed a motor-free neuropsychological test battery assessing attention, working memory, information processing speed, new learning /memory and executive control.Setting: Outpatient rehabilitation research facility.Participants: Participants included 60 individuals with chronic spinal cord injury [SCI; 32 with paraplegia (T2-T12) and 28 with tetraplegia (C3-T1)], 30 age-matched healthy controls (AMHC; 30–40 years old) and 20 older healthy controls (OHC; 50–60 years old).Outcome Measures: Wechsler Intelligence Scale – 3rd edition (WAIS-III) Digit Span and Letter-Number Sequencing; Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) – oral version; California Verbal Learning Test-II; Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT); Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI); Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System; Verbal Fluency subtest.Results: Significant differences were noted between the SCI and AMHC groups on measures of information processing speed, new learning and memory, and verbal fluency. No significant differences were noted between the groups on tests of attention or working memory.Conclusion: The current study documented differences in specific realms of cognitive functioning between a chronic SCI sample and AMHC. Implications for cognitive rehabilitation and overall quality of life are discussed. Additional research is needed utilizing a more comprehensive battery of motor-free neuropsychological tests that avoid the confound of upper limb motor limitations on cognitive performance.

Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction and Microcalorimetry in Synovial Fluid: Can Pathogen-based Detection Assays Improve the Diagnosis of Septic Arthritis?

To prospectively evaluate automated multiplex PCR and isothermal microcalorimetry tests for rapid and accurate diagnosis of septic arthritis. Patients with acute arthritis were prospectively included from October 2014 to September 2015. In synovial fluid (SF), leukocyte count and differential, culture, PCR, and microcalorimetry were determined. Septic arthritis was diagnosed by positive SF culture or (1) local clinical signs and symptoms, (2) increased SF leukocyte count, and (3) exclusion of noninfectious causes of inflammatory arthropathy. The performance of individual tests was compared with McNemar's test. Among 57 patients, 22 (39%) were diagnosed with septic arthritis. SF culture grew a pathogen in 10 patients (46%), PCR was positive in 5 (23%), and microcalorimetry in 10 (46%). Compared to SF culture, 49 concordant pairs were found for both methods (PCR and microcalorimetry; 86% agreement). In SF, PCR failed to detect Staphylococcus aureus (2 patients), Streptococcus pneumoniae (1 patient), Streptococcus dysgalactiae (1 patient), and Clostridium clostridioforme (1 patient). Microcalorimetry failed to detect S. dysgalactiae (1 patient), Streptococcus agalactiae (1 patient), and C. clostridioforme (1 patient). No statistical differences between the performance of SF culture, and PCR and microcalorimetry, respectively, were found. The processing time for PCR was 5 h and for microcalorimetry a median of 8.8 h (range, 2.3-64 h), whereas cultures required a median of 4.5 days (range, 3-14 days). Performance of SF PCR was inferior while microcalorimetry was similar to culture but provided results considerably faster. [Clinical trial registration number (https://www.clinicaltrials.gov): NCT02530229].

A - 65The Influence of Gender on Neuropsychological Test Performance and Symptom Reporting in Individuals with Prolonged Concussion Symptoms

A - 65The Influence of Gender on Neuropsychological Test Performance and Symptom Reporting in Individuals with Prolonged Concussion Symptoms

Postpartum Testing to Detect Persistent Dysglycemia in Women With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

The rate of gestational diabetes has doubled, and identifying the 30% with persistent postpartum dysglycemia (prediabetes or diabetes mellitus) is important because low-cost interventions have been proven to prevent overt diabetes mellitus, improve health for women, and potentially decrease the risk for birth defects in future pregnancies. Consensus guidelines continue to recommend a 4- to 12-week postpartum 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) despite persistent reports that only 35% of women complete the test. Physician ordering rates can improve, but the largest barriers to postpartum testing are clearly patient-related. Initiatives to improve OGTT testing rates have been only moderately effective and required allocation of staff time, diverting resources from other clinical areas. Alternative testing models using single-draw tests that bypass patient barriers show promise for improving the diagnosis of postpregnancy dysglycemia. Specifically, evidence is emerging in the pregnant and nonpregnant populations that, compared with the OGTT, the single-draw hemoglobin A1C test may identify more patients with prediabetes, bypasses patient barriers to testing such as the need for fasting, and has less laboratory variation compared with the OGTT or fasting plasma glucose. The risk-benefit focus should shift from comparing individual test performance statistics presuming the OGTT to be the "gold standard" to data reporting the ability of a test to facilitate identification of patients. We review the evidence regarding postpregnancy testing and make recommendations for strategies to improve the identification of dysglycemia and postpregnancy health.

Validation of a short cognitive battery to screen for fitness-to-drive of people with multiple sclerosis.

Some symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) affect driving. In a recent study, performance on five cognitive tests predicted the on-road test performance of individuals with relapsing-remitting MS with 91% accuracy, 70% sensitivity and 97% specificity. However, the accuracy with which the battery will predict the driving performance of a different cohort that includes all types of MS is unknown. Participants (n = 118; 48 ± 9 years of age; 97 females) performed a comprehensive off-road evaluation that lasted about 3 h and a standardized on-road test that lasted approximately 45 min over a 2-day period within the same week. Performance on the five cognitive tests was used to predict participants' performance on the standardized on-road test. Performance on the five tests together predicted outcome of the on-road test with 82% accuracy, 42% sensitivity and 90% specificity. The accuracy of predicting the on-road performance of a new MS cohort using performance on the battery of five cognitive tests remained very high (82%). The battery, which was administrable in <45 min and cost ~$150, was better at identifying those who actually passed the on-road test (90% specificity). The sensitivity (42%) of the battery indicated that it should not be used as the sole determinant of poor driving-related cognitive skills. A fail performance on the battery should only imply that more comprehensive testing is warranted.

The Quality Sequencing Minimum (QSM): providing comprehensive, consistent, transparent next generation sequencing data quality assurance.

Next generation sequencing (NGS) is routinely used in clinical genetic testing. Quality management of NGS testing is essential to ensure performance is consistently and rigorously evaluated. Three primary metrics are used in NGS quality evaluation: depth of coverage, base quality and mapping quality. To provide consistency and transparency in the utilisation of these metrics we present the Quality Sequencing Minimum (QSM). The QSM defines the minimum quality requirement a laboratory has selected for depth of coverage (C), base quality (B) and mapping quality (M) and can be applied per base, exon, gene or other genomic region, as appropriate. The QSM format is CX_BY(P Y)_MZ(P Z). X is the parameter threshold for C, Y the parameter threshold for B, P Y the percentage of reads that must reach Y, Z the parameter threshold for M, P Z the percentage of reads that must reach Z. The data underlying the QSM is in the BAM file, so a QSM can be easily and automatically calculated in any NGS pipeline. We used the QSM to optimise cancer predisposition gene testing using the TruSight Cancer Panel (TSCP). We set the QSM as C50_B10(85)_M20(95). Test regions falling below the QSM were automatically flagged for review, with 100/1471 test regions QSM-flagged in multiple individuals. Supplementing these regions with 132 additional probes improved performance in 85/100. We also used the QSM to optimise testing of genes with pseudogenes such as PTEN and PMS2. In TSCP data from 960 individuals the median number of regions that passed QSM per sample was 1429 (97%). Importantly, the QSM can be used at an individual report level to provide succinct, comprehensive quality assurance information about individual test performance. We believe many laboratories would find the QSM useful. Furthermore, widespread adoption of the QSM would facilitate consistent, transparent reporting of genetic test performance by different laboratories.

J-105 Recent developments in HIV testing in the US: Where we are, what's new, and where we hope to go

In the last 30+ years, there have been significant advances in the field of HIV testing. Improvements in test sensitivity for early or acute HIV infection have occurred largely because test developers have targeted analytes that appear sooner after infection. But there have also been advances in other aspects of the tests, including things like reductions in the time to it takes for tests to produce a result in the laboratory, and tests that can be performed accurately outside of laboratory settings (e.g. in a park, nightclub, or a church). While the performance of individual tests improved incrementally over the last 30 years, from 1989 until 2014 the algorithm for laboratory diagnosis of HIV infection remained largely unchanged. But, since 2014, that guidance has already been updated twice as new data and new tests continue to emerge. However, challenges have also been identified as laboratories try to implement the recommended algorithm. In addition to logistical issues with the algorithm, recent data have documented how PrEP and early treatment initiation have led to new questions for HIV diagnostics. In the face of these challenges, the landscape of available HIV tests continues to expand and improve. Several groups are developing platforms for single use devices that quantify HIV nucleic acid in less than an hour. In fact, similar technologies have already been implemented for other viral diseases. This presentation will review the latest information on HIV test technologies, describe the challenges and opportunities that current and emerging technologies create for HIV testing, and discuss barriers to implementation and new opportunities for HIV prevention and care in the context of this evolving technology.

Noncredible cognitive performance at clinical evaluation of adult ADHD: An embedded validity indicator in a visuospatial working memory test.

The assessment of performance validity is an essential part of the neuropsychological evaluation of adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Most available tools, however, are inaccurate regarding the identification of noncredible performance. This study describes the development of a visuospatial working memory test, including a validity indicator for noncredible cognitive performance of adults with ADHD. Visuospatial working memory of adults with ADHD (n = 48) was first compared to the test performance of healthy individuals (n = 48). Furthermore, a simulation design was performed including 252 individuals who were randomly assigned to either a control group (n = 48) or to 1 of 3 simulation groups who were requested to feign ADHD (n = 204). Additional samples of 27 adults with ADHD and 69 instructed simulators were included to cross-validate findings from the first samples. Adults with ADHD showed impaired visuospatial working memory performance of medium size as compared to healthy individuals. Simulation groups committed significantly more errors and had shorter response times as compared to patients with ADHD. Moreover, binary logistic regression analysis was carried out to derive a validity index that optimally differentiates between true and feigned ADHD. ROC analysis demonstrated high classification rates of the validity index, as shown in excellent specificity (95.8%) and adequate sensitivity (60.3%). The visuospatial working memory test as presented in this study therefore appears sensitive in indicating cognitive impairment of adults with ADHD. Furthermore, the embedded validity index revealed promising results concerning the detection of noncredible cognitive performance of adults with ADHD. (PsycINFO Database Record

How to choose the most appropriate cognitive test to evaluate cognitive complaints in primary care

BackgroundDespite the wealth of research devoted to the performance of individual cognitive tests for diagnosing cognitive impairment (including mild cognitive impairment and dementia), it can be difficult for general practitioners to choose the most appropriate test for a patient with cognitive complaints in daily practice.In this paper we present a diagnostic algorithm for the evaluation of cognitive complaints in primary care. The rationale behind this algorithm is that the likelihood of cognitive impairment -which can be determined after history taking and an informant interview- should determine which cognitive test is most suitable.MethodsWe distinguished three likelihoods of cognitive impairment: not likely, possible or likely. We selected cognitive tests based on pre-defined required test features for each of these three situations and a review of the literature. We incorporated the cognitive tests in a practical diagnostic algorithm.ResultsBased on the available literature, in patients with complaints but where cognitive impairment is considered to be unlikely the clock-drawing test can be used to rule out cognitive impairment. When cognitive impairment is possible the Montreal cognitive assessment can be used to rule out cognitive impairment or to make cognitive impairment more likely. When cognitive impairment is likely the Mini-Mental State Examination can be used to confirm the presence of cognitive impairment.ConclusionsWe propose a diagnostic algorithm to increase the efficiency of ruling out or diagnosing cognitive impairment in primary care. Further study is needed to validate and evaluate this stepwise diagnostic algorithm.

Clinician-Friendly Physical Performance Tests for the Knee.

Do individual physical performance tests (PPTs) used as measures for lower extremity function have any relationship to injuries in athletes aged 12 years or older? Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used to locate articles. The authors searched PubMed, EMBASE, and SPORTDiscus, in addition to searching by hand. The search strategy combined the terms athlete, lower extremity, and synonyms of performance test with the names of performance tests. Studies were included if they involved a test that met the operational definition for a PPT. The included studies assessed components of sport function (eg, speed, agility, and power), determined readiness for return to sport, or predicted injury to the lower extremity. All PPT measures could be performed on the field, courtside, or in a gym with affordable, portable, and readily available equipment. Studies were excluded if they made use of 3-dimensional motion capture, force platforms, timing gates, treadmills, stationary bikes, metabolic charts, or another nonportable, costly testing device. Athletes were categorized on the Tegner Scale at a minimum of level 5, which is the lowest level that still encompasses competitive athletes. Studies were included if 50% or more of the participants were rated above 5 on the Tegner Scale. Studies were excluded if the sole purpose was to judge movement quality or range of motion. Studies were selected if they identified the knee or a knee injury as a focal point of the paper. The Consensus-Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) was used to critique the methodologic quality of each paper with a 4-point Likert scale. The title and methods of each paper were extracted. Extracted data were summarized using ratings of unknown, conflicting, limited, moderate, and strong. An initial search revealed 3379 original articles for consideration. After initial review, 169 full-text articles were evaluated and 29 articles were included in the systematic review. Six tests were examined for the best evidence of methodologic quality: (1) 1-legged single hop for distance, (2) 1-legged triple hop for distance, (3) 6-m timed hop, (4) crossover hop for distance, (5) triple jump, and (6) 1-legged vertical jump. A summary of the methodologic properties of the 6 tests showed fair/poor reliability, fair/poor hypothesis testing, good criterion validity, and good/poor responsiveness. No tests predicted knee injury in athletes. Although numerous authors have evaluated PPTs at the knee, evidence for the measurement quality of these functional tests is limited and conflicting. Ample opportunity exists for researchers to further examine PPTs for the knee. Until more knowledge is gained about these PPTs, clinicians should exercise caution when making clinical decisions based on the results of these tests.

Identification of the Predictive Power of Five Factor Personality Traits for Individual Instrument Performance Anxiety

This study, with the aim of identifying the predictive power of the five-factor personality traits of music teacher candidates on individual instrument performance anxiety, was designed according to the relational screening model. The study population was students attending the Music Education branch of Fine Arts Education Departments in Educational Faculties in Turkey with the sample comprising 256 students attending the Music Education branch of Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Pamukkale University and Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University during the 2016-2017 academic year. For data collection in the study, the Individual Instrument Performance Test Anxiety Scale developed by Dalkıran et al. (2014) and the Adjective-based Personality Test developed by Bacanlı et al. (2009) according to the five factor concept were used. Correlation analysis was performed to test whether there was a significant correlation between the individual instrument performance anxiety of students and the five factor personality traits. Additionally, to determine the predictive power of the five factor personality traits on individual instrument test performance anxiety of Music Education branch students, standard multiple regression analysis was performed. Data were tested at the significance level of 0.05. According to the obtained data, it can be said there is a significant correlation between the individual instrument performance anxiety levels and the five factor personality traits of Music Education branch students. A positive and high level relationship was identified between performance anxiety levels and the five factor personality trait of emotional balance/neuroticism, while there was no correlation with agreeableness and performance anxiety level. Extraversion and openness to experience had a negative correlation with performance anxiety level, while there was a positive correlation observed between conscientiousness and performance anxiety. The five factor personality traits of emotional balance/neuroticism and conscientiousness positively and significantly predicted performance anxiety, while extraversion negatively and significantly predicted performance anxiety level. Contrarily, openness to experience and agreeableness were not identified to significantly predict performance anxiety level.

Clinician-Friendly Physical Performance Tests for the Hip, Ankle, and Foot.

Do individual physical performance tests (PPTs) for the lower extremity have any relation to injury in athletes 12 years of age and older? The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed to locate articles. Three databases were searched from inception to January 13, 2014: PubMed, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus. Search phrases were sport, athletics, athletes, and injuries combined with strength, power, endurance, agility, and function. Reference lists of all remaining articles and personal collections of the authors were then reviewed for any missing articles. Studies were included according to the following criteria: (1) published in English, (2) presented as complete articles (ie, no abstracts or posters), and (3) involved human participants. Studies were excluded on the following criteria: (1) a combination of PPTs was examined, (2) the results were measured using equipment that was expensive or not readily available to the average clinician, (3) the PPTs examined impairment-level data, (4) the PPTs examined tasks not relevant to the lower extremity, or (5) the participants scored 4 or less on the Tegner Activity Scale. The final analysis involved 31 studies. The name of the PPT and methods were extracted. Each PPT was then critiqued using the Consensus-Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments, a 4-point Likert scale. Data were also summarized using a score of unknown, strong, moderate, limited, or conflicting for the best evidence synthesis. A total of 14 PPTs were examined; however, names and methods of the PPTs were inconsistent throughout the literature. In descending order, based on frequency of appearance in the literature, the PPTs were (1) 1-legged hop for distance, (2) vertical jump, (3) Star Excursion Balance Test, (4) shuttle run, (5) 6-m timed hop, (6) triple hop, (7) 40-yd sprint, (8) triple crossover hop for distance, (9) 6-m timed crossover hop, (10) T-agility, (11) hexagon hop, (12) medial hop, (13) lateral hop, and (14) multi-stage fitness (beep test). The Star Excursion Balance Test in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions was the only test that could help identify injury risk. The 1-legged hop for distance and hexagon hop showed a moderate ability to differentiate between normal and unstable ankles. In dancers, the medial hop in dancers differentiated between painful and normal hips with moderate evidence. Very little evidence supports the use of PPTs for athletes with lower extremity injuries. A panel of experts needs to standardize the names and methods of widely accepted tests.

Clinimetric validity of the Trail Making Test Czech version in Parkinson’s disease and normative data for older adults

Objective: The influence of demographic variables on the Trail Making Test (TMT) performance in older individuals and empirical findings on clinical validity in predementia states, such as Parkinson’s disease mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI), are limited. The principal aim of this study was to add normative data for the Czech population of older adults and explore the clinimetric properties between PD-MCI and PD patients with normal cognition (PD-NC). Method: The study included 125 PD patients classified as 77 PD-MCI and 48 PD-NC and 528 older individuals (60–74 years, further subdivided for normative tables into 60–64, 65–69 and 70–74 age groups) and very old individuals (aged 75–96, further subdivided into 75–79, 80–84, 85–96) cognitively intact Czech adults. Results: Mostly age, to a lesser extent education but not gender, was associated with most TMT basic and derived indices (TMT-B – A). However, the ratio of TMT-B/TMT-A was independent of both age and education. We provide corresponding T-scores that minimize the effect of demographic variables. The results showed a high discriminative validity of TMT basic and derived indices for the differentiation of PD-MCI from PD-NC (all p < .05). The classification accuracy for the differentiation of PD-MCI from controls was optimal for the TMT-B only (80% area under the curve) based on norm adjusted scores. The classification accuracy of the TMT for PD-MCI vs. PD-NC was suboptimal. Conclusions: The cut-offs and normative standards are useful in clinical practice for those working with PD patients and very old adults.

Is asthma associated with cognitive impairments? A meta-analytic review

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Asthma is a chronic disease with significant health burden and socioeconomic and racial/ethnic disparities related to diagnosis and treatment. Asthma primarily affects the lungs, but can impact brain function through direct and indirect mechanisms. Some studies have suggested that asthma negatively impacts cognition, while others have failed to identify asthma-related cognitive compromise. We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis of cognition in individuals with asthma compared to that in healthy controls. We also examined the impact of some key potential moderators. Method: Data on cognitive outcome measures and sociodemographic, illness-related, and study-related variables were extracted from studies reporting cognitive test performance in individuals with asthma compared to that in controls. Results: There was no evidence of publication bias. A random-effects model examining differences in task performance between 2017 individuals with asthma and 2131 healthy controls showed significant effects in the small to medium range. Cognitive deficits associated with asthma were global, with strongest effects on broader measures involving academic achievement and executive functioning, but with additional impact on processing speed, global intellect, attention, visuospatial functioning, language, learning, and memory. Severity of asthma was a key moderator, with greatest cognitive deficits associated with severe asthma. Cognitive burden was also greatest in asthma patients who were younger, males, from low socioeconomic backgrounds, and from racial/ethnic minorities. Effects were independent of type of population (child versus adult), type of study (norm-referenced versus control-referenced), or reported use of oral or inhaled corticosteroid medications. Conclusions: There is cognitive burden associated with asthma, particularly among vulnerable groups with severe asthma. This could be due to increased risk of intermittent cerebral hypoxia in severe asthma. The clinical need to assess cognition in individuals with asthma is underscored.

PENERAPAN METODE ROLE PLAY PADA MATAKULIAH PUBLIC SPEAKING UNTUK MAHASISWA JURUSAN PENDIDIKAN BAHASA INGGRIS DI IAIN SURAKARTA

This study explores instructional process, individual performance, and attainments on public speaking. Classroom action research design with three cycles and 12 meetings was used. Conducted in IAIN Surakarta on March to June 2016, it assigned 26 students of semester IV-B as subject. Check list, interview, and field notes were used as the instruments. The analyses foused on classroom participation, individual performance, and scores on formative test. This study revealed that: (1) In Cycle I, motivation, partipation and performance were low, mean scores of classrom participation was 64.10% (fair), individual performance 58.46 (low) and formative test 65.12 (fair); (2) In Cycle II, learning participation, encouragement and motivation increased. Average scores on classroom participation was 81,41% (good), individual performance 71,92% (fair) and formative test 74,81 (fair). (3) Cycle III achieved higher gains in participation, motivation, enrouragement, and test. Average scores on classroom participation, individual performance and formative test attainments were 83,98% (good), 81,54% (good), and 80,27 (good). The use of 14 aspects of public speaking as template and appeals of persuation from Aristoteles: ethos, pathos and logos was crucial.

AVALIAÇÃO DO COMPONENTE GENÉTICO NA EXPRESSÃO FENOTÍPICA DE CARACTERÍSTICAS PRODUTIVAS DE BOVINOS NELORE SUBMETIDOS À PROVA DE DESEMPENHO

Resumo Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito do componente genético na expressão fenotípica de características produtivas de bovinos da raça Nelore submetidos à prova de desempenho individual. Os dados utilizados foram provenientes de 51 touros jovens participantes da Prova de Desempenho Individual de Touros Nelore realizada na fazenda experimental Capim Branco da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. As características avaliadas foram peso e perímetro escrotal padronizado aos 365 e aos 450 dias de idade, área de olho de lombo e acabamento de carcaça. Com o intuito de avaliar a contribuição do componente genético no desempenho produtivo dos animais foram consideradas as predições das diferenças esperada na progênie dos animais e dos touros (pais dos animais). Para verificar os efeitos dos grupos genéticos sobre o desempenho produtivo foram realizadas análises de variância por meio do procedimento General Linear Model do aplicativo Statistical Analysis System. Verificou-se que os filhos de touros com maior potencial genético tendem a apresentar melhor desempenho produtivo. Concluiu-se que o uso de animais geneticamente superiores permite a obtenção de melhores índices zootécnicos refletindo em maiores ganhos em produtividade do rebanho.