Variability In Test Performance Research Articles

Clostridioides difficile Infections in Children: What Is the Optimal Laboratory Diagnostic Method?

The diagnosis of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in the pediatric population is complicated by the high prevalence of asymptomatic colonization, particularly in infants. Many laboratory diagnostic methods are available, but there continues to be controversy over the optimal laboratory testing approach to diagnose CDI in children. We evaluated commonly used C. difficile diagnostic commercial tests in our pediatric hospital population at Sidra Medicine in Doha, Qatar. Between June and December 2023, 374 consecutive stool samples from pediatric patients aged 0-18 years old were tested using: Techlab C. diff Quik Chek Complete, Cepheid GeneXpert C. difficile, QIAstat-Dx Gastrointestinal Panel, and culture using CHROMagar C. difficile. The results of these tests as standalone methods or in four different testing algorithms were compared to a composite reference method on the basis of turnaround time, ease of use, cost, and performance characteristics including specificity, sensitivity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value. Our study showed variability in test performance of the different available assays in diagnosing CDI. In our population, a testing algorithm starting with Cepheid GeneXpert C. difficile PCR assay or QIAstat-Dx Gastrointestinal panel as a screening test followed by toxin immunoassay for positive samples using the Techlab C. diff Quik Chek Complete kit showed the best performance (100% specificity and 100% positive predictive value) when combined with clinical review of the patient to assess risk factors for CDI, clinical presentation, and alternative causes of diarrhea.

Short-term memory, attentional control and brain size in primates.

Brain size variability in primates has been attributed to various domain-specific socio-ecological factors. A recently published large-scale study of short-term memory abilities in 41 primate species (ManyPrimates 2022 Anim. Behav. Cogn. 9, 428-516. (doi:10.26451/abc.09.04.06.2022)) did not find any correlations with 11 different proxies of external cognitive demands. Here, we found that the interspecific variation in test performance shows correlated evolution with total brain size, with the relationship becoming tighter as species with small sample sizes were successively removed, whereas it was not predicted by the often-used encephalization quotient. In a subsample, we also found that the sizes of brain regions thought to be involved in short-term memory did not predict performance better than overall brain size. The dependence on brain size suggests that domain-general cognitive processes underlie short-term memory as tested by ManyPrimates. These results support the emerging notion that comparative studies of brain size do not generally identify domain-specific cognitive adaptations but rather reveal varying selections on domain-general cognitive abilities. Finally, because attentional processes beyond short-term memory also affect test performance, we suggest that the delayed response test can be refined.

Point of care testing for the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infections: a review.

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) remains a major complication following total joint arthroplasties (TJA), significantly affecting patient outcomes and healthcare costs. Despite advances in diagnostic techniques, challenges persist in accurately diagnosing PJI, underscoring the need for effective point-of-care testing (POCT). This review examines the current literature and latest developments in POCT for diagnosing PJI, focusing on biomarkers such as alpha-defensin, leukocyte esterase, calprotectin, and C-reactive protein (CRP). Criteria from various societies like the Musculoskeletal Infection Society, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and the International Consensus Meeting were compared to evaluate the effectiveness of these biomarkers in a point-of-care setting. POCT provides rapid results essential for the timely management of PJI, with alpha-defensin and leukocyte esterase showing high specificity and sensitivity. Recent advancements have introduced novel biomarkers like calprotectin, which demonstrate high diagnostic accuracy. However, challenges such as the variability in test performance and the need for validation under different clinical scenarios remain. While POCT for PJI shows promising results, their integration into clinical practice requires standardized protocols and further validation. The evolution of these diagnostic tools offers a potential shift toward more personalized and immediate care, potentially improving outcomes for patients undergoing TJA.

Modeling the ductility characteristics of ultrahigh-performance fiber-reinforced concrete using a precise, computation-efficient, and comprehensive data-driven random forests-based approach

The most relevant features of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) are its ductility, toughness, and pos-cracking (residual or strain-hardening) parameters under direct tensile stress. Nonetheless, measuring these parameters requires complicated and delicate tests in which minor variations in test performance might render the findings invalid. This research is aimed at creating four different machine-learning algorithmic regressions for estimating the uniaxial tensile performance of UHPFRC. Hence, the first crack stress σcc, the maximum post-cracking strength σpc, and its associated strains, εcc, and εpc, were modeled through the Random Forest algorithm. The developed approaches showed a high goodness-of-fit for regression measured in the test subset, presenting R2 values of 0.894, 0.909, 0.930, and 0.911 in guesstimating the behavior of UHPFRC under direct tensile stress (viz., σcc, σpc, εcc, and εpc). The proposed models are a tool for assessing UHPFRC under ductility requirements and reducing the experimental campaign's time and costs by pre-selecting the available constituents with the proper performance on the algorithmic approaches.

A cross-sectional methodological study: evaluation of the examiner performance on the Dix-Hallpike test

Purpose The Dix-Hallpike test is recommended to diagnose Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). This research aimed to quantify the movement of a healthy subject during the Dix-Hallpike test and determine what factors contribute to performance variation from the recommended head position with 20° cervical extension, 45° cervical rotation, and a brisk movement velocity. Materials and methods Examiners performed the Dix-Hallpike test 10 times. The examinee’s movement was recorded with Qualisys and processed with Visual3D. The proportion of variation in test performance within examiners, between examiners, and due to examiner position was calculated. Results Thirteen participants, 54% male and mean age 40, performed 50 cranial and 77 lateral Dix-Hallpike tests. Head position differed significantly from the recommendations with the cranial tests for extension (mean difference [MD] = 11.6°, p < 0.001) and rotation (MD = 4.8°, p < 0.001) and with lateral tests for extension (MD = 13.3°, p < 0.001). The largest proportion of variation was between examiners (60–91%), followed by within-examiners (3–16%). The examiner position contributed to 20% of the variation in the cervical rotation achieved. Tests lasted, on average, 1.80 s. Conclusions Differences within and between examiners visually estimating the Dix-Hallpike test endpoints may impede BPPV diagnosis accuracy.

A-244 Examining the Effects of Computer Operating Configuration on Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics V 4.0 (ANAM4) Reaction Time: A Repeated Measures Approach with Clinical and Research Implications

Abstract Objective Computerized cognitive tests are vulnerable to measurement error due to hardware and software configurations of the administration computer. Though automatic score corrections are often provided to account for this, they may mask subtle individual variations in test performance. We investigated the group and individual impact of correcting for measurement error while accounting for possible order effects using data from a larger study of computer platform effects on reaction time measurement. Methods ANAM4 TBI Military’s Simple Reaction Time (SRT) subtest was administered repeatedly on three different computer platforms. We compare two of those platforms: Platform 1, a Dell D630 configured for ANAM4 TBI Military administration; Platform 3, a Dell E6540 with default settings. A mechanical arm with a preset RT was first used to capture measurement error on each platform. SRT was then administered to healthy US Army soldiers in a randomly selected administration order, such that platform 1 was first and platform 3 was third for n = 58 and platform 3 was first and platform 1 second for n = 53. Results Platform 3 was on average 43.06 ms slower than Platform 1. Group analyses suggested applying a 43.06 ms correction to Platform 3 scores resulted in scores similar to Platform 1. However, it appears there were subtle practice and fatigue effects for some individuals that were possibly masked by the score correction. Conclusion Correcting for error due to computer configurations is important in RT measurement, though there may be subtle individual statistical and clinical implications that are lost at a group analysis level.

Point-of-care serological assays for delayed SARS-CoV-2 case identification among health-care workers in the UK: a prospective multicentre cohort study

BackgroundHealth-care workers constitute a high-risk population for acquisition of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Capacity for acute diagnosis via PCR testing was limited for individuals with mild to moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and a substantial proportion of health-care workers with suspected infection were not tested. We aimed to investigate the performance of point-of-care and laboratory serology assays and their utility in late case identification, and to estimate SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence.MethodsWe did a prospective multicentre cohort study between April 8 and June 12, 2020, in two phases. Symptomatic health-care workers with mild to moderate symptoms were eligible to participate 14 days after onset of COVID-19 symptoms, as per the Public Health England (PHE) case definition. Health-care workers were recruited to the asymptomatic cohort if they had not developed PHE-defined COVID-19 symptoms since Dec 1, 2019. In phase 1, two point-of-care lateral flow serological assays, the Onsite CTK Biotech COVID-19 split IgG/IgM Rapid Test (CTK Bitotech, Poway, CA, USA) and the Encode SARS-CoV-2 split IgM/IgG One Step Rapid Test Device (Zhuhai Encode Medical Engineering, Zhuhai, China), were evaluated for performance against a laboratory immunoassay (EDI Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 IgG ELISA kit [Epitope Diagnostics, San Diego, CA, USA]) in 300 samples from health-care workers and 100 pre-COVID-19 negative control samples. In phase 2 (n=6440), serosurveillance was done among 1299 (93·4%) of 1391 health-care workers reporting symptoms, and in a subset of asymptomatic health-care workers (405 [8·0%] of 5049).FindingsThere was variation in test performance between the lateral flow serological assays; however, the Encode assay displayed reasonable IgG sensitivity (127 of 136; 93·4% [95% CI 87·8–96·9]) and specificity (99 of 100; 99·0% [94·6–100·0]) among PCR-proven cases and good agreement (282 of 300; 94·0% [91·3–96·7]) with the laboratory immunoassay. By contrast, the Onsite assay had reduced sensitivity (120 of 136; 88·2% [95% CI 81·6–93·1]) and specificity (94 of 100; 94·0% [87·4–97·8]) and agreement (254 of 300; 84·7% [80·6–88·7]). Five (7%) of 70 PCR-positive cases were negative across all assays. Late changes in lateral flow serological assay bands were recorded in 74 (9·3%) of 800 cassettes (35 [8·8%] of 400 Encode assays; 39 [9·8%] of 400 Onsite assays), but only seven (all Onsite assays) of these changes were concordant with the laboratory immunoassay. In phase 2, seroprevalence among the workforce was estimated to be 10·6% (95% CI 7·6–13·6) in asymptomatic health-care workers and 44·7% (42·0–47·4) in symptomatic health-care workers. Seroprevalence across the entire workforce was estimated at 18·0% (95% CI 17·0–18·9).InterpretationAlthough a good positive predictive value was observed with both lateral flow serological assays and ELISA, this agreement only occurred if the pre-test probability was modified by a strict clinical case definition. Late development of lateral flow serological assay bands would preclude postal strategies and potentially home testing. Identification of false-negative results among health-care workers across all assays suggest caution in interpretation of IgG results at this stage; for now, testing is perhaps best delivered in a clinical setting, supported by government advice about physical distancing.FundingNone.

National Trends in the Safety Performance of Electronic Health Record Systems From 2009 to 2018

Despite the broad adoption of electronic health record (EHR) systems across the continuum of care, safety problems persist. To measure the safety performance of operational EHRs in hospitals across the country during a 10-year period. This case series included all US adult hospitals nationwide that used the National Quality Forum Health IT Safety Measure EHR computerized physician order entry safety test administered by the Leapfrog Group between 2009 and 2018. Data were analyzed from July 1, 2018 to December 1, 2019. The Health IT Safety Measure test, which uses simulated medication orders that have either injured or killed patients previously to evaluate how well hospital EHRs could identify medication errors with potential for patient harm. Descriptive statistics for performance on the assessment test over time were calculated at the overall test score level, type of decision support category level, and EHR vendor level. Among 8657 hospital-years observed during the study, mean (SD) scores on the overall test increased from 53.9% (18.3%) in 2009 to 65.6% (15.4%) in 2018. Mean (SD) hospital score for the categories representing basic clinical decision support increased from 69.8% (20.8%) in 2009 to 85.6% (14.9%) in 2018. For the categories representing advanced clinical decision support, the mean (SD) score increased from 29.6% (22.4%) in 2009 to 46.1% (21.6%) in 2018. There was considerable variation in test performance by EHR. These findings suggest that despite broad adoption and optimization of EHR systems in hospitals, wide variation in the safety performance of operational EHR systems remains across a large sample of hospitals and EHR vendors. Hospitals using some EHR vendors had significantly higher test scores. Overall, substantial safety risk persists in current hospital EHR systems.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ACUTE MOOD, SLEEP, AND SEX ON NEUROCOGNITIVE PERFORMANCE POST-CONCUSSION IN ADOLESCENTS

Background:Both sleep disturbance and mood changes are common symptoms post-concussion (Sell & Rubeor, 2017). Studies have found these symptoms are correlated with poorer performance on neurocognitive testing (Kontos et al., 2012 and Kostyun et al., 2015). In addition, Brown et al., (2015) showed that females report more symptoms at both baseline and post-concussion compared to males on the Post-Concussion Scale and the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 2.Hypothesis/Purpose:The purpose of this study is to investigate how a patient’s sex, as well as self-reported acute mood and sleep symptoms are related to neurocognitive performance in individuals with concussion.Methods:Data were acquired through IRB-approved retrospective chart review. Composite scores from the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) computerized evaluation and self-reported symptom scores on the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale were gathered for 1619 adolescents age 12-18 (49.3% female) who presented to a large metropolitan outpatient clinic for treatment of concussion.Results:Females endorsed higher overall symptoms (x=19.52, SD 19.37, median 13.0 for females; x=12.88, SD 15.89, median 7.0 for males; Mann-Whitney U Test p<0.001). This same pattern emerged for the mood and sleep symptom clusters (female mood mean=2.92, SD 4.51; male mood mean=1.64, SD 3.34; female sleep mean=1.59, SD 2.0; male sleep mean=1.11, SD 1.84; both Independent Samples Mann-Whitney U Tests ps<0.001).There were significant but modest negative correlations between mood symptoms and performance on verbal memory (r=-0.174), visual memory (r=-0.213), and visual motor speed (r=-0.146) composites (all ps<0.01). There was positive correlation between reaction time composite and mood symptoms (r=0.191). There were significant but modest negative correlations between sleep symptoms and performance on verbal memory (r=-0.171), visual memory (r=-0.184), and visual motor speed (r=-0.161) composites (all ps<0.01). There was a positive correlation between reaction time composite and sleep symptoms (r=0.196, p<0.01).Conclusion:Consistent with prior research, adolescent females reported more symptoms post-concussion, including total symptom score, mood symptoms, and sleep symptoms. Adolescents presenting with more mood and sleep symptoms demonstrated poorer performance on neurocognitive testing. However, given the modest nature of the correlation, a significant amount of variation in test performance is not explained by symptom report. Results from this study underscore the importance of a multidimensional concussion assessment that includes both symptom report and cognitive testing when working with pediatric athletes. This study also reinforces the importance of understanding potential effects of sleep, mood, and sex on concussion.

Using Variance to Explore the Diagnostic Utility of Baseline Concussion Testing.

The Graded Symptom Checklist (GSC), Standardized Assessment of Concussion (SAC), Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), and King-Devick Test (KDT) are considered important components of concussion assessment. Whether baseline testing improves the diagnostic utility of these tests remains unclear. We performed an observational cohort study to investigate the within-subject and between-subjects variability of these tests over repeated assessments during two football seasons to examine whether baseline testing reduces variability in test performance. Thirty-five male collegiate football players completed weekly clinical concussion assessments over two seasons. Within-subject (week-to-week) and between-subjects (player-to-player) variability for each test were compared using a bootstrap analysis. Within-subject and between-subjects proportions of overall variance for each test score were calculated. Mixed-model analyses were used to quantify practice effects resulting from repeated testing. For the GSC and BESS, within-subject and between-subjects variability did not significantly differ. For the KDT, the proportion of within-subject variance (20.2%) was significantly less than the between-subjects variance (79.8%). For SAC, however, the proportion of within-subject variance (66.8%) was significantly greater than the between-subjects variance (33.8%). A small, but significant, practice effect was observed for the BESS and KDT tests. When athletes are evaluated during a football season for concussion using the GSC, SAC, and BESS, comparing their scores to baseline performance is likely no more beneficial than comparing them to normative population data for identifying neurological changes associated with concussion. For the KDT, comparison to baseline testing is likely beneficial because of significantly higher between-subjects variability.

Age and Gender- Related Test Performance in Community Dwelling Elderly Population: Six-Minute Step Test and Four Square Step Test

Background and purpose: Aging is associated with a decrease in the efficiency of several functions,among which are posture control and functional capacity, even in the absence of diseases. There is littledata available in literature describing variation in test performance for older adults who are functioningindependently. The available data are less and often difficult for clinicians to use as a basis of comparisonin documentation because they are not presented in terms of age and gender groupings. The purpose of thisstudy is to investigate aging related changes in balance and functional capacity performance in communitydwelling elderly people.Method: Total 60 subjects were included and divided into 3 groups according to age groups. Group 1 (60-69), Group 2 (70-79), Group 3 (80-89) in each group 20 subjects with 10 males and 10 females. The informedconsent was taken. Six Minute Step Test (6MST) and Four Square Step Test (FSST) were performed onthem. The number of steps taken by the subjects in 6 minutes were recorded in 6MST and the time taken bythe subjects to complete the FSST were recorded using stopwatch. The data obtained was analyzed usingindependent t- test and one way ANOVA.Result: 6MST and FSST scores were significantly different in all 3 age groups. The results showed thatthere is a progressive decrease in the 6MST and progressive increase in the time taken to complete FSSTwith increasing age. However, there was no significant difference between males and females performancein 6MST and FSST.Conclusion: From the results it can be concluded that there is a progressive decrease in the test performance(6MST &amp; FSST) with age in community dwelling elderly people.

What is the real number of Lyme disease cases in Canada?

BackgroundLyme disease is emerging in Canada due to expansion of the range of the tick vector Ixodes scapularis from the United States. National surveillance for human Lyme disease cases began in Canada in 2009. Reported numbers of cases increased from 144 cases in 2009 to 2025 in 2017. It has been claimed that few (< 10%) Lyme disease cases are reported associated with i) supposed under-diagnosis resulting from perceived inadequacies of serological testing for Lyme disease, ii) expectation that incidence in Canadian provinces and neighbouring US states should be similar, and iii) analysis of serological responses of dogs to the agent of Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi.We argue that performance of serological testing for Lyme disease is well studied, and variations in test performance at different disease stages are accounted for in clinical diagnosis of Lyme disease, and in surveillance case definitions. Extensive surveillance for tick vectors has taken place in Canada providing a clear picture of the emergence of risk in the Canadian environment. This surveillance shows that the geographic scope of I. scapularis populations and Lyme disease risk is limited but increasing in Canada. The reported incidence of Lyme disease in Canada is consistent with this pattern of environmental risk, and the differences in Lyme disease incidence between US states and neighbouring Canadian provinces are consistent with geographic differences in environmental risk. Data on serological responses in dogs from Canada and the US are consistent with known differences in environmental risk, and in numbers of reported Lyme disease cases, between the US and Canada.ConclusionThe high level of consistency in data from human case and tick surveillance, and data on serological responses in dogs, suggests that a high degree of under-reporting in Canada is unlikely. We speculate that approximately one third of cases are reported in regions of emergence of Lyme disease, although prospective studies are needed to fully quantify under-reporting. In the meantime, surveillance continues to identify and track the ongoing emergence of Lyme disease, and the risk to the public, in Canada.

Developing a test of L2 Chinese pragmatic comprehension ability

BackgroundThis study aims to develop a test for assessing pragmatic comprehension ability in Chinese as a second language (L2). Following the framework of an argument-based approach to test validation, this study attempts to obtain backing for the Evaluation and Explanation inferences.MethodsTest items were developed based on two sources of authentic language use (i.e., field notes and a corpus of natural language use). Following a series of piloting, 107 examinees of L2 Chinese completed the test (k = 39) in the main study. Among them, nine examinees had retrospective interviews that probed the knowledge, strategies and processes involved in completing the test.ResultsThe assumption underlying the Evaluation inference was supported by satisfactory statistical characteristics of the test (e.g., item/test difficulty, item discrimination, distractor functioning, and item/person fit); moreover, the two assumptions associated with the Explanation inference were backed by quantitative and qualitative evidence demonstrating that variations in test performance were attributable to the targeted construct of pragmatic comprehension ability.ConclusionThe test appears to be a reliable instrument for assessing pragmatic comprehension ability in L2 Chinese. The test results can be used to inform decision-making on curriculum development for interested Chinese programs.

TOMMORROW neuropsychological battery: German language validation and normative study

IntroductionAssessment of preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) requires reliable and validated methods to detect subtle cognitive changes. The battery of standardized cognitive assessments that is used for diagnostic criteria for mild cognitive impairment due to AD in the TOMMORROW study have only been fully validated in English-speaking countries. We conducted a validation and normative study of the German language version of the TOMMORROW neuropsychological test battery, which tests episodic memory, language, visuospatial ability, executive function, and attention. MethodsGerman-speaking cognitively healthy controls (NCs) and subjects with AD were recruited from a memory clinic at a Swiss medical center. Construct validity, test–retest, and alternate form reliability were assessed in NCs. Criterion and discriminant validities of the cognitive measures were tested using logistic regression and discriminant analysis. Cross-cultural equivalency of performance of the German language tests was compared with English language tests. ResultsA total of 198 NCs and 25 subjects with AD (aged 65–88 years) were analyzed. All German language tests discriminated NCs from persons with AD. Episodic memory tests had the highest potential to discriminate with almost twice the predictive power of any other domain. Test-retest reliability of the test battery was adequate, and alternate form reliability for episodic memory tests was supported. For most tests, age was a significant predictor of group effect sizes; therefore, normative data were stratified by age. Validity and reliability results were similar to those in the published US cognitive testing literature. DiscussionThis study establishes the reliability and validity of the German language TOMMORROW test battery, which performed similarly to the English language tests. Some variations in test performance underscore the importance of regional normative values. The German language battery and normative data will improve the precision of measuring cognition and diagnosing incident mild cognitive impairment due to AD in clinical settings in German-speaking countries.

Test Performance Variation Between Settings and Populations.

The present paper is the third in a series on the evaluation of new tests designed to detect the disordered gambler. The present paper has two objectives. First, the observed variation in test performance between settings and populations is described in general terms and an explanation of the observed variation is presented in terms of what is referred to as spectrum effects. Second the expected variation in test performance between settings and populations is illustrated with several examples and the implications emphasized for the purpose of test evaluation.

Projected effect of fecal immunochemical test threshold for colorectal cancer screening on outcomes and costs for Canada using the OncoSim microsimulation model

BackgroundImmunochemical faecal testing (FIT) is used in Canada for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. The threshold for FIT abnormality is under operator control and this study uses a simulation model to predict the effect of threshold selection on outcomes including years-of-life gained, CRC incidence and mortality, and direct health system costs. MethodThe OncoSim Model was used to predict outcomes of biennial screening between ages 50–74 years in a cohort aged 45 years followed until death for eight FIT threshold values between 50 and 225ng/ml. The literature on FIT performance was reviewed and seven parameter sets of sensitivity and specificity values by FIT threshold were created to span published variation in test performance in subjects with CRC, adenomas or no colorectal neoplasia. ResultsReducing the FIT threshold reduced both projected CRC incidence and mortality for all parameter sets, although cost impacts and cost-effectiveness varied compared to no screening. Biennial FIT was projected to be cost-effective at all thresholds considered with a maximum of CAD$ 5400 per QALY over the seven parameter sets and a maximum of CAD$ 6800 per QALY for a one level change in the eight threshold levels considered. Demand for colonoscopy varied strongly with FIT threshold and was greatest for the lowest threshold (50ng/ml) but the magnitude varied across the 7 parameter sets. ConclusionsCompared to no screening, all thresholds of FIT examined were predicted to be cost-effective in the prevention and management of CRC. Threshold choice strongly influences predicted demand placed upon colonoscopy resources.

Downregulation of growth hormone 1 gene in the cerebellum and prefrontal cortex of rats with depressive-like behavior.

Depressive-like behaviors in animals are usually assessed by standardized behavioral tests such as the forced swimming test (FST). However, individual variation in test performance may obscure group differences and thereby hinder the discovery of genes responsible for depression. Few reports have shown the influence of individual variability in identifying the genes associated with depressive-like behaviors. In this study, we conducted microarray analysis to identify genes differentially expressed in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and cerebellum of rats stratified by FST immobility ratio (% immobility in 5 min) into a control group [immobility ratio: -1 to +1 standard deviation (SD) from the mean] and a depressive group (immobility ratio: +1 to +2 SDs above the mean). Genes differentially expressed in both the cerebellum and PFC of the depressive group were Alas2, Gh1, Hba-a2, Hbb, Hbb-b1, Hbe2, LOC689064, Mrps10, Mybpc, Olf6415, and Pfkb1. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis identified Gh1 as a hub gene in the networks of differentially expressed genes in both brain regions. This study indicates that the depressive-like behavior may be related to the decrease of Gh1 expression in the cerebellum and PFC.

Montreal Cognitive Assessment for Screening Mild Cognitive Impairment: Variations in Test Performance and Scores by Education in Singapore

Background: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was developed as a screening instrument for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We evaluated the MoCA's test performance by educational groups among older Singaporean Chinese adults. Method: The MoCA and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were evaluated in two independent studies (clinic-based sample and community-based sample) of MCI and normal cognition (NC) controls, using receiver operating characteristic curve analyses: area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity (Sn), and specificity (Sp). Results: The MoCA modestly discriminated MCI from NC in both study samples (AUC = 0.63 and 0.65): Sn = 0.64 and Sp = 0.36 at a cut-off of 28/29 in the clinic-based sample, and Sn = 0.65 and Sp = 0.55 at a cut-off of 22/23 in the community-based sample. The MoCA's test performance was least satisfactory in the highest (>6 years) education group: AUC = 0.50 (p = 0.98), Sn = 0.54, and Sp = 0.51 at a cut-off of 27/28. Overall, the MoCA's test performance was not better than that of the MMSE. In multivariate analyses controlling for age and gender, MCI diagnosis was associated with a <1-point decrement in MoCA score (η² = 0.010), but lower (1-6 years) and no education was associated with a 3- to 5-point decrement (η² = 0.115 and η² = 0.162, respectively). Conclusion: The MoCA's ability to discriminate MCI from NC was modest in this Chinese population, because it was far more sensitive to the effect of education than MCI diagnosis.

Culture, Perception, and Artistic Visualization: A Comparative Study of Children's Drawings in Three Siberian Cultural Groups

In a study of three indigenous and non-indigenous cultural groups in northwestern and northeastern Siberia, framed line tests and a landscape drawing task were used to examine the hypotheses that test-based assessments of context sensitivity and independence are correlated with the amount of contextual information contained in drawings, and with the order in which the focal and background objects are drawn. The results supported these hypotheses, and inspection of the regression relationships suggested that the intergroup variations in test performance were likely to result from differences in the attention accorded to contextual information, as revealed by the drawings. Social and environmental explanations for the group differences in context sensitivity are also discussed. The conclusions support the argument that cultural differences in artistic styles and perceptual tests reflect the same underlying perceptual tendencies, and they are consistent with the argument that these tendencies reflect corresponding differences in patterns of social and environmental interaction.

The Validity of the Mayer–Salovey–Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) as a Measure of Emotional Intelligence

The concept of emotional intelligence (EI) has drawn a great amount of scholarly interest in recent years; however, attempts to measure individual differences in this ability remain controversial. Although the Mayer–Salovey–Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) remains the flagship test of EI, no study has comprehensively examined the full interpretive argument tying variation in observed test performance to variation in the underlying ability. Employing a modern perspective on validation, this article reviews and synthesizes available evidence and discusses sources of concern at every level of the interpretive argument. It is argued that a focus on causal explanation of observed variation in test performance would significantly improve the validity of the MSCEIT as a measure of EI.