Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Performance Tests (performance + test)
Kinds of Performance Tests Selected AbstractsSustained attention as a potential endophenotype for bipolar disorderACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 3 2010I. Ancín Ancín I, Santos JL, Teijeira C, Sánchez-Morla EM, Bescós MJ, Argudo I, Torrijos S, Vázquez-Álvarez B, De La Vega I, López-Ibor JJ, Barabash A, Cabranes-Díaz JA. Sustained attention as a potential endophenotype for bipolar disorder. Objective:, Nowadays, it is accepted that to identify the biological basis of psychiatric illnesses it would be useful to deconstruct them into the most basic manifestations, such as cognitive deficits. The aim of this study was to set attention deficit as a stable vulnerability marker of bipolar disorder. Method:, Sustained attention was evaluated by the Continuous Performance Test (DS-CPT) in 143 euthymic bipolar patients and 105 controls. To estimate the influence of clinical profile in attention, patients completed a semi-structured interview. Results:, Bipolar patients showed a deficit in attention during euthymic periods. This disturbance correlated with years of evolution, age of onset and age of first hospitalisation; and was not influenced by other clinical data. Conclusion:, Sustained attention may be considered as an endophenotype of the illness. [source] The Impact of Maternal Age on the Effects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure on AttentionALCOHOLISM, Issue 10 2010Lisa M. Chiodo Background:, Prenatal exposure to alcohol has a variety of morphologic and neurobehavioral consequences, yet more than 10% of women continue to drink during pregnancy, placing their offspring at risk for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Identification of at-risk pregnancies has been difficult, in part, because the presence and severity of FASD are influenced by factors beyond the pattern of alcohol consumption. Establishing maternal characteristics, such as maternal age, that increase the risk of FASD is critical for targeted pregnancy intervention. Methods:, We examined the moderating effect of maternal age on measures of attention in 462 children from a longitudinal cohort born to women with known alcohol consumption levels (absolute ounces of alcohol per day at conception) who were recruited during pregnancy. Analyses examined the impact of binge drinking, as average ounces of absolute alcohol per drinking day. Smoking and use of cocaine, marijuana, and opiates were also assessed. At 7 years of age, the children completed the Continuous Performance Test, and their teachers completed the Achenbach Teacher Report Form. Results:, After controlling for covariates, stepwise multiple regression analyses revealed a negative relation between levels of prenatal binge drinking and several measures of attention. The interaction between alcohol consumption and maternal age was also significant, indicating that the impact of maternal binge drinking during pregnancy on attention was greater among children born to older drinking mothers. Conclusion:, These findings are consistent with previous findings that children born to older alcohol-using women have more deleterious effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on other neurobehavioral outcomes. [source] Relationship of psychopathological symptoms and cognitive function to subjective quality of life in patients with chronic schizophreniaPSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES, Issue 1 2010Kenji Tomida md Aims:, The purpose of the present study was to examine the extent of the effects of psychopathological symptoms and cognitive function on quality of life (QOL) in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Methods:, Data were obtained using the Japanese Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale (JSQLS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Wisconsin Card-Sorting Test (WCST) Keio version, and Continuous Performance Test (CPT) for 52 schizophrenia patients. Results:, Stepwise regression analysis showed that PANSS depression/anxiety factors predicted JSQLS psychosocial conditions and motivation/energy, and that WCST Categories Achieved predicted JSQLS symptoms/side-effects. Conclusions:, Psychopathological symptoms and cognitive function affect subjective QOL in patients with schizophrenia. If the final goal is treatment that improves QOL in a manner that patients themselves are aware of, clinicians probably need to consider a treatment strategy that improves depression/anxiety symptom. [source] Correlation between scores on Continuous Performance Test and plasma concentration for schizophrenic patients on risperidonePSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES, Issue 2 2004PO SEE CHEN md Abstract, The purpose of the present paper was to evaluate the relationship between plasma antipsychotics concentration and cognitive task performance. This may provide valuable information for rational dosage titration. Literature on the relationship between plasma risperidone (RIS) concentration and performance on the Continuous Performance Test (CPT) remains scarce. Ten patients (four male, six female) were given RIS for more than 1 year. Steady-state plasma concentrations of the parent drug RIS and its active metabolite, 9-hydroxy-risperidone (9-OH-RIS), were measured using specific liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay. Psychopathology, side-effects of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) and CPT were also assessed. A negative correlation was found between CPT performance and the plasma RIS, 9-OH-RIS and its active moiety (RIS + 9-OH-RIS) concentrations. Both RIS and 9-OH-RIS have an impact on the CPT performance of schizophrenic patients. Optimal active moiety plasma concentration for best cognitive performance needs further study. [source] Comparison of hangover effects among triazolam, flunitrazepam and quazepam in healthy subjects: A preliminary reportPSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES, Issue 3 2003Taro Takahashi Abstract The aim of the present study was to compare the hangover effects of night-time administration of triazolam (0.25 mg), flunitrazepam (1 mg) and quazepam (15 mg) in healthy subjects. Daytime sleepiness and performance level following the night-time administration of the drugs were assessed using Standford Sleepiness Scale (SSS), Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire (SEQ), Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), actigraphy recordings and Continuous Performance Test (CPT). Fifteen healthy volunteers were given one of the three hypnotics at each drug session, which lasted for 1 week, in a single-blind cross-over fashion. No significant between-drug difference was observed for the psychomotor performance assessed by CPT. Subjective hangover effects assessed by SSS and SEQ in the morning were prominent for flunitrazepam and quazepam relative to triazolam, whereas objective indices such as MSLT or activity counts obtained in actigraphy indicated a marked hangover effect of quazepam compared with the other two compounds restrictively in the afternoon, which were nearly in accordance with their pharmacokinetic profiles. [source] Probing attentional dysfunctions in schizophrenia: Startle modification during a continuous performance testPSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 4 2008Erin A. Hazlett Abstract Startle eyeblink modification was measured in 20 relatively asymptomatic medicated schizophrenia outpatients and 18 matched controls in order to test for deficits in early and later stages of attentional processing during a memory-load version of the Continuous Performance Test. Participants viewed a series of digits and pressed a button after the digit 7 of each 3,7 sequence. On some trials, a startling noise burst was presented either 120 or 1200 ms following cues that a response might be needed soon (the digit 3) and also following noncues. Controls showed greater startle inhibition at 120 ms following cue than noncue prepulses, whereas patients showed equal inhibition to both, suggesting a deficiency in allocation of controlled attentional resources in early stages of processing. The patients, however, did show large startle inhibition at 120 ms when a distracting stimulus accompanied the task-relevant cue, unlike the controls, who ignored the distracting stimulus. In contrast, both groups showed equal startle inhibition 1200 ms following cue and noncue prepulses, indicating that later modality-specific attention processes are not impaired in patients during this paradigm. Both groups also showed equal inhibition at 120 ms during passively attended prepulses, suggesting that automatic attentional processes were not impaired in these patients. [source] Persistent attentional dysfunction in remitted bipolar disorderBIPOLAR DISORDERS, Issue 2 2001Kelly E Wilder-Willis Objectives: Although previous research has shown that attentional dysfunction is common during acute mood episodes in individuals with bipolar disorder (BPD), few studies have examined whether attentional deficits are evident during periods of symptom stability. The goal of this study was to determine whether clinically stable individuals with BPD would have attentional disturbances relative to healthy subjects. Methods: Fourteen patients with BPD and 12 healthy comparison subjects participated in the study, and were administered the Degraded Stimulus Continuous Performance Test (DSCPT), Digit Span Distractibility Test (DSDT) and Grooved Pegboard Test (GPT). Psychiatric symptoms were assessed with the Young Mania Rating Scale and the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms. Medication side effects were measured with the Simpson Rating Scale. Results: The patient group responded significantly more slowly than the control group on the DSCPT (z=,2.52, p=0.01) and the GPT (z=,3.37, p=0.001). There was a trend towards the BPD patients demonstrating impaired perceptual sensitivity on the DSCPT (z=1.68, p=0.09). The two groups did not differ on the DSDT (z=,1.06, p=0.3). Poor performance on the GPT and DSCPT target reaction time were not associated with symptom ratings or medications. Conclusion: The findings suggest that impairments in fine motor skills and reaction time may be present in clinically stable patients with BPD, even after accounting for psychiatric symptoms and medication effects. Performance decrements on attentional tasks may be in part reflective of motor impairments in patients with BPD. [source] Is there progressive cognitive dysfunction in Sjögren Syndrome?ACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 3 2010A preliminary study Martínez S, Cáceres C, Mataró M, Escudero D, Latorre P, Dávalos A. Is there progressive cognitive dysfunction in Sjögren Syndrome? A preliminary study. Acta Neurol Scand: 122: 182,188. © 2010 The Authors Journal compilation © 2010 Blackwell Munksgaard. Objective,,, The aim of this study was to determine the progression of cognitive dysfunction in primary Sjögren Syndrome (SS). Methods,,, Twelve subjects with SS were compared with ten subjects with migraine and ten healthy controls on neuropsychological, mood and fatigue tests at baseline and 8 years later. Results,,, At follow-up, SS subjects performed below subjects with migraine on the Continuous Performance Test (CPT) but did not differ on other tasks. Compared with controls, both clinical groups obtained lower scores on simple reaction time, patients with SS obtained lower scores on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and patients with migraine performed below controls on the Benton's Judgment of Line Orientation Test (JOLO). Clinical groups did not differ on cognitive changes over time, except that migraine subjects improved on verbal fluency. Compared with baseline, both SS and migraine patients were more impaired on simple reaction time, Trail Making Test part B, Stroop and JOLO. However, they showed higher scores on verbal and visual memory, WCST and CPT reaction time. SS also showed higher levels of depression and fatigue than migraine and controls, with no significant changes over time. Discussion,,, Preliminary evidence indicates some cognitive deficits in both SS and migraine following a pattern of fronto-subcortical dysfunction without a significant cognitive decline over time. [source] Performance Tests and Pressure Drop Measurements in the Anode Flowfield of a ,DMFCFUEL CELLS, Issue 4 2010S.-S. Hsieh Abstract Cell performance tests and measurements of the pressure drops in the anode flow channels of a custom-made microdirect methanol fuel cell (,DMFC) are conducted and studied for different methanol concentrations (0.5,2,M), flow rates (10,20,sccm) and operating temperatures (40,80,°C). The anode flowfields consist of three channel/four pass flow channels with widths of 500,2000,,m and a total length of 300,400,mm. Moreover, flow characteristics of the CO2 gas bubbles and methanol solution in the anode flow channels are identified and analysed for CO2 fraction through visualisation. Finally, an optimal channel size for the present ,DMFC is obtained. [source] New Centrifugal Blood Pump With Dual Impeller and Double Pivot Bearing System: Wear Evaluation in Bearing System, Performance Tests, and Preliminary Hemolysis TestsARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 4 2008Eduardo Bock Abstract:, A new dual impeller centrifugal blood pump has been developed as a research collaboration between Baylor College of Medicine and Institute Dante Pazzanese of Cardiology for long-term left ventricle assist device (LVAD). A design feature of this new pump is a dual impeller that aims to minimize a stagnant flow pattern around the inlet port. Several different materials were tested in order to adopt a double pivot bearing design originally developed by Prof. Dr. Yukihiko Nosé from Baylor College of Medicine. Hydraulic performance tests were conducted with two different inlet ports' angle configurations 30° and 45°. Pump with inlet port angle of 45° achieved best values of pressure ahead and flow after 1800 rpm. Preliminary hemolysis tests were conducted using human blood. The pump showed good performance results and no alarming trace of hemolysis, proving to be a feasible long-term LVAD. [source] Effect of magnetic field on the performance of new refrigerant mixturesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 3 2003Samuel M. Sami Abstract Performance test results of new alternative refrigerant mixtures such as R-410A, R-507, R-407C, and R-404A under various conditions of magnetic field are discussed, analysed and presented. The test results were obtained using an air-source heat pump set-up with enhanced surface tubing under various magnetic field conditions. Performance tests were conducted according to the ARI/ASHRAE Standards. The test results demonstrated that as magnetic field force increases, compressor head pressure and discharge temperature slightly increase as well as less liquid refrigerant is boiling in the compressor shell. This has a positive effect in protecting the compressor. The effect of magnetic field on mixture behaviour varies from one mixture to another depending upon the mixture's composition and its boiling point. Furthermore, the use of magnetic field appears to have a positive influence on the system COP as well as thermal capacities of condenser and evaporator. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Behaviour of refrigerant mixtures with gas/liquid injectionINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 14 2003Samuel M. Sami Abstract In this paper, the impact of gas/liquid injection on the behaviour of new alternative refrigerant mixtures such as; R-410A, R-507, R-407C, and R-404A are discussed, analysed and presented. The test results were obtained using an air,source heat pump set up with enhanced surface tubing heat exchanger under various gas/liquid injection ratios. Performance tests were conducted according to the ARI/ASHRAE Standards. The performance data demonstrated that as gas/liquid injection increases compressor head pressure and discharge temperature decrease and this has a positive effect in protecting the compressor. The effect of gas/liquid injection on mixture behaviour varies from mixture to another depending upon the mixture composition. Furthermore, hot gas injection appears to have a significant and positive influence on the COP. The performance of refrigerants R-407C and R-404A has been enhanced with 5% gas injection and mix of gas and liquid 5% injection, respectively. The data presented in these figures also show that other hot gas injection ratios and gas/liquid mix degrade the heat exchanger performance. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Effect of magnetic field on the performance of new refrigerant mixturesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 3 2003Samuel M. Sami Abstract Performance test results of new alternative refrigerant mixtures such as R-410A, R-507, R-407C, and R-404A under various conditions of magnetic field are discussed, analysed and presented. The test results were obtained using an air-source heat pump set-up with enhanced surface tubing under various magnetic field conditions. Performance tests were conducted according to the ARI/ASHRAE Standards. The test results demonstrated that as magnetic field force increases, compressor head pressure and discharge temperature slightly increase as well as less liquid refrigerant is boiling in the compressor shell. This has a positive effect in protecting the compressor. The effect of magnetic field on mixture behaviour varies from one mixture to another depending upon the mixture's composition and its boiling point. Furthermore, the use of magnetic field appears to have a positive influence on the system COP as well as thermal capacities of condenser and evaporator. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Study of liquid injection impact on the performance of new refrigerant mixturesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 2 2003Samuel M. Sami Abstract In this paper, the test results of liquid injection impact on the performance of new alternative refrigerant mixtures such as: R-410A, R-507, R-407C and R-404A are discussed, analysed and presented. The test results were obtained using an air-source heat pump set-up with enhanced surface tubing under various liquid injection ratios. Performance tests were conducted according to the ARI/ASHRAE standards. The performance data demonstrated that as liquid injection ratio increases, compressor head pressure and discharge temperature decrease. This has a positive effect in protecting the compressor. The effect of liquid injection on mixture behaviour varies from one mixture to another depending upon the mixture's composition. Furthermore, liquid injection appears to have a significant influence on R-410A behaviour compared to the other mixtures in question. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A hybrid N -body code incorporating algorithmic regularization and post-Newtonian forcesMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 1 2008S. Harfst ABSTRACT We describe a novel N -body code designed for simulations of the central regions of galaxies containing massive black holes. The code incorporates Mikkola's ,algorithmic' chain regularization scheme including post-Newtonian terms up to PN2.5 order. Stars moving beyond the chain are advanced using a fourth-order integrator with forces computed on a GRAPE board. Performance tests confirm that the hybrid code achieves better energy conservation, in less elapsed time, than the standard scheme and that it reproduces the orbits of stars tightly bound to the black hole with high precision. The hybrid code is applied to two sample problems: the effect of finite- N gravitational fluctuations on the orbits of the S-stars, and inspiral of an intermediate-mass black hole into the Galactic Centre. [source] Fast Reciprocating Probe Assembly for the KSTARCONTRIBUTIONS TO PLASMA PHYSICS, Issue 5-6 2006J. G. Bak Abstract A fast reciprocating probe assembly (FRPA) that can scan a distance of up to 32.5 cm with a maximum speed of 1.7 m/s was fabricated to obtain the spatial profile of basic plasma parameters in the edge region of the KSTAR plasma during a plasma discharge of 20 s. The probe driving mechanism consists of two parts; first a slow movement driven by a servo motor system and then a fast reciprocating movement actuated by a pneumatic system. A performance test of the drive system, which is remotely controlled by a PC, was carried out. The prototype of the probe head for the KSTAR FRPA was fabricated as a modular type for easy replacement. It was installed in the fast injection probe assembly (FIPA) in the Hanbit magnetic mirror device, and a radial plasma parameter profile measurement was carried out. The performance test results of the drive system and the profile measurements using the probe head are presented. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Eliminating a sulfuric acid mist plume from a wet caustic scrubber on a petroleum coke calcinerENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, Issue 3 2001Charles A. Brown Reducing sulfuric acid mist emissions and eliminating the visible plume that remained after steam dissipation were the objectives of a project recently completed for a petroleum coke calciner. The coke calciner produces flue gas containing SO2 that is treated with a wet caustic scrubber. The scrubber is extremely efficient at removing most of the SO2, but some oxidizes to SO3, catalyzed by vanadium in the coke dust that collects in the waste heat boiler. Submicron droplets of H2SO4 form when the flue gas is quenched by the scrubber liquor, and makes its way through the scrubber. This paper describes the installation of, and performance test results for, a wet electrostatic precipitator (WESP), as well as SO2 scrubber modifications that were re q u i red to make room for the WESP. The successful project significantly reduced sulfuric acid mist emissions, eliminating the visible plume while maintaining a very low SO2 outlet concentration, even after removing one of three gas-liquid contactors. [source] Cognitive response control in writer's crampEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 6 2001D. Berg Disturbances of the motor and sensory system as well as an alteration of the preparation of movements have been reported to play a role in the pathogenesis of dystonias. However, it is unclear whether higher aspects of cortical , like cognitive , functions are also involved. Recently, the NoGo-anteriorization (NGA) elicited with a visual continuous performance test (CPT) during recording of a 21-channel electroencephalogram has been proposed as an electrophysiological standard-index for cognitive response control. The NGA consists of a more anterior location of the positive area of the brain electrical field associated with the inhibition (NoGo-condition) compared with that of the execution (Go-condition) of a prepared motor response in the CPT. This response control paradigm was applied in 16 patients with writer's cramp (WC) and 14 age matched healthy controls. Topographical analysis of the associated event-related potentials revealed a significant (P < 0.05) NGA effect for both patients and controls. Moreover, patients with WC showed a significantly higher global field power value (P < 0.05) in the Go-condition and a significantly higher difference-amplitude (P < 0.05) in the NoGo-condition. A source location analysis with the low resolution electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) method demonstrated a hypoactivity for the Go-condition in the parietal cortex of the right hemisphere and a hyperactivity in the NoGo-condition in the left parietal cortex in patients with WC compared with healthy controls. These results indicate an altered response control in patients with WC in widespread cortical brain areas and therefore support the hypothesis that the pathogenesis of WC is not restricted to a pure sensory-motor dysfunction. [source] A genome-wide quantitative trait loci scan of neurocognitive performances in families with schizophreniaGENES, BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR, Issue 7 2010Y.-J. Lien Patients with schizophrenia frequently display neurocognitive dysfunction, and genetic studies suggest it to be an endophenotype for schizophrenia. Genetic studies of such traits may thus help elucidate the biological pathways underlying genetic susceptibility to schizophrenia. This study aimed to identify loci influencing neurocognitive performance in schizophrenia. The sample comprised of 1207 affected individuals and 1035 unaffected individuals of Han Chinese ethnicity from 557 sib-pair families co-affected with DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Edition) schizophrenia. Subjects completed a face-to-face semi-structured interview, the continuous performance test (CPT) and the Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST), and were genotyped with 386 microsatellite markers across the genome. A series of autosomal genome-wide multipoint nonparametric quantitative trait loci (QTL) linkage analysis were performed in affected individuals only. Determination of genome-wide empirical significance was performed using 1000 simulated genome scans. One linkage peak attaining genome-wide significance was identified: 12q24.32 for undegraded CPT hit rate [nonparametric linkage z (NPL-Z) scores = 3.32, genome-wide empirical P = 0.03]. This result was higher than the peak linkage signal obtained in the previous genome-wide scan using a dichotomous diagnosis of schizophrenia. The identification of 12q24.32 as a QTL has not been consistently implicated in previous linkage studies on schizophrenia, which suggests that the analysis of endophenotypes provides additional information from what is seen in analyses that rely on diagnoses. This region with linkage to a particular neurocognitive feature may inform functional hypotheses for further genetic studies for schizophrenia. [source] An experimental approach to executive fingerprinting in young childrenINFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2002Michael Beveridge Abstract This paper presents a methodology designed to investigate the potential independence of memory and inhibition as component processes of executive function (EF) in young school age children. Two groups of 30 6- and 8-year-olds were tested on three EF tasks; a continuous performance test, a Stroop-like task, and a start/stop task. Each task had four conditions, which systematically combined two levels of memory load and two levels of inhibitory demand. This design enabled us to examine whether, within the range of memory and inhibitory loads used, the effects of memory and inhibitory demands on these tasks were additive and independent, or instead interacted with one another. Analyses of both errors and response times across the three tasks provided no positive evidence for the view that memory and inhibition are inter-dependent processes. The tasks proved sensitive to age, with the 8-year-olds generally outperforming the 6-year-olds. In addition, effects of the memory and inhibition manipulations were observed. However, there was little evidence that memory load and inhibitory demand interacted in the way that would be expected if these factors draw on a shared pool of common executive resources. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The Effects of Staffing on In-Bed Times of Nursing Home ResidentsJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 6 2004Barbara M. Bates-Jensen PhD, CWOCN Objectives: To examine the effect of staffing level on time observed in bed during the daytime in nursing home (NH) residents. Design: Descriptive, cross-sectional study. Setting: Thirty-four southern California NHs. Participants: A total of 882 NH residents: 837 had hourly observation data, 777 had mealtime observations, 837 completed interviews, and 817 completed a physical performance test. Measurements: Cross-sectional data collected from participants at each NH site included direct observations (hourly and mealtime), resident interviews, medical record review, and physical performance tests. Results: In multivariate analyses, staffing level remained the strongest predictor of time observed in bed after controlling for resident functional measures (odds ratio=4.89; P=.042). Residents observed in bed during the daytime in more than 50% of hourly observations were observed also to experience increased daytime sleeping (P<.001) and less social engagement (P=.026) and consumed less food and fluids during mealtimes than those observed in bed in less than 50% of observations, after adjusting for resident function (P<.001). Conclusion: In this sample of NHs, resident functional measures and NH staffing level predicted observed time in bed according to hourly observations, with staffing level the most powerful predictor. Neither of these predictors justifies the excessive in-bed times observed in this study. Staff care practices relevant to encouraging residents to be out of bed and resident preferences for being in bed should be examined and improved. Practice recommendations regarding in-bed time should be considered, and further research should seek to inform the development of such recommendations. [source] Serum insulin-like growth factor-1 concentration in pigs divergently selected for daily food intake or lean growth rateJOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS, Issue 4 2003N. D. Cameron Summary Divergent selection over seven generations for daily food intake (DFI) and for two lean growth rate (LGA and LGS) selection objectives in pigs produced correlated responses in serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentration. The LGA and LGS selection objectives were for lean growth, but with performance testing on ad libitum (LGA) or on restricted (LGS) feeding regimes. There were 342 animals in the study, with an average of 46 pigs in each selection line and 72 pigs in the control line. All animals were performance-tested from 30 to 90 kg on an ad libitum feeding regime. Selection on DFI increased IGF-1 at 6 weeks of age (158 versus 104 ,g/l, SED 21; control 136 ,g/l) and selection for high LGA increased IGF-1 at 30 kg liveweight (202 versus 161 ,g/l, SED 14; control 185 ,g/l). At 6 weeks of age and at 30 kg of weight, there was no response in IGF-1 with selection on LGS (128 versus 129 and 167 versus 153 ,g/l, respectively) suggesting that IGF-1 may not be a reliable physiological predictor of genetic merit for such a selection objective, which combined rate and efficiency of lean growth. IGF-1 measured immediately prior to the start of performance test may be useful in determining which animals to performance test for a lean growth selection objective, whereas IGF-1 measured at 6 weeks of age may be a useful physiological predictor of genetic merit for daily food intake during performance test. Zusammenfassung Serumkonzentrationen des insulinähnlichen Wachstumsfaktors-1 bei Schweinen, die entweder auf tägliche Futteraufnahme oder auf hohe Wachstumsrate für Magerfleischanteil selektiert wurden Die Selektion von Schweinen über sieben Generationen einerseits auf tägliche Futteraufnahme (DFI) und andererseits auf zwei Wachstumsraten für Magerfleischanteil (LGA, ad-libitum -Fütterung; LGS, rationierte Fütterung) ergab korrelierende Konzentrationen am insulinähnlichen Wachstumsfaktor (IGF-1). An der Studie waren 342 Tiere mit einer durchschnittlichen Tierzahl von 46 Schweinen pro Selektionsgruppe und 72 Schweinen als Kontrollgruppe beteiligt. Alle Tiere wurden zwischen 30 und 90 kg bei der ad-libitum Fütterung leistungsgeprüft. Die Selektion auf tägliche Futteraufnahme (DFI) erhöhte die IGF-1 Konzentrationen in der 6. Lebenswoche von 104 ,g/l auf 158 ,g/l (Kontrollgruppe 136 ,g/l) und die Selektion auf LGA bei der ad-libitum -Fütterung bei einem Lebendgewicht von 30 kg von 161 ,g/l auf 202 ,g/l (Kontrollgruppe 185 ,g/l). In der 6. Lebenswoche und bei 30 kg Lebendgewicht gab es keinen Anstieg der IGF-1 Konzentrationen in der Selektionsgruppe LGS mit rationierter Fütterung (128 ,g/l bzw. 129 ,fg/l in der 6. Lebenswoche; 167 ,g/l bzw. 153 ,g/l bei 30 kg),was darauf hinweisen könnte, dass IGF-1 wahrscheinlich kein verlässlicher, physiologischer Marker für den genetischen Erfolg für ein solches Selektionsziel, welches die Wachstumsrate und die Effizienz beim Magerfleischwachstum kombiniert, darstellt. Die direkt vor Prüfungsbeginn ermittelten IGF-1 Konzentrationen könnten bei der Auswahl der Tiere, die an einer Leistungsprüfung für die Wachstumsrate des Magerfleischanteils als Selektionsziel herangezogen werden sollten, hilfreich sein. Die IGF-1 Konzentrationen, die in der 6. Lebenswoche gemessen werden, sind wahrscheinlich ein hilfreicher physiologischer Marker für den genetischen Erfolg für DFI während einer Leistungsprüfung. [source] Emotional intelligence and mental disorderJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 9 2009Janine Hertel Abstract Emotional abilities were measured with a performance test of emotional intelligence (The Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test; Mayer, Salovey, & Caruso, 2002) in patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder, substance abuse disorder, or borderline personality disorder (BPD), and a nonclinical control group. Findings showed that all clinical groups differed from controls with respect to their overall emotional intelligence score, which dovetails with previous findings from self-report measures. Specifically, we found that the ability to understand emotional information and the ability to regulate emotions best distinguished the groups. Findings showed that patients with substance abuse disorder and BPD patients were most impaired. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 65: 1,13, 2009. [source] Home alone: Assessing mobility independence before discharge,,§¶JOURNAL OF HOSPITAL MEDICINE, Issue 4 2009Dennis M. Manning MD, FACC Abstract Hospitalists are often confronted with discharge planning responsibility and decisions for elderly patients who live alone. The absence of an in-home helper (spouse, partner, or care-giver) reduces the margin of safety and resilience to any new debility. Research has documented that during hospital stays elderly patients tend to become deconditioned, even if there is no new specific neurologic or motor deficit. In the patient whose pre-hospital mobility independence is not robust, and perhaps marginally compensated, inpatient stays for any diagnosis may result in critical decrements in mobility independence. The present study is an effort to design a bedside tool for the hospitalist by which to discern, or screen, for such debility. The tool is a hierarchical performance test we named I-MOVE (Independent Mobility Validation Examination). It is a quick series of bedside mobility requests to demonstrate capability of fundamental movements critical to independent living. We describe manner in which I-MOVE can be performed. Moreover, we describe the face validity and the high interrater reliability (> 0.90 intra-class correlation coefficient) of two RNs who independently administered and scored I-MOVE for 41 patients on a General Medical Care Unit. Although not yet studied in correlation with outcomes, nor with validated mobility assessment tools, we believe I-MOVE can serve as a useful extension of the nurse's assessment, or the Hospitalist's physical examination. Discerning the continued capability of mobility independence is a desirable, on-going insight for discharge planning of the elderly patient who resides alone. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2009;4:252,254. © 2009 Society of Hospital Medicine. [source] Objective and subjective hardness of a test item used for evaluating food mixing abilityJOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 3 2007N. M. SALLEH Summary, The aim of this study was to compare objective and subjective hardness of selected common foods with a wax cube used as a test item in a mixing ability test. Objective hardness was determined for 11 foods (cream cheese, boiled fish paste, boiled beef, apple, raw carrot, peanut, soft/hard rice cracker, jelly, plain chocolate and chewing gum) and the wax cube. Peak force (N) to compress each item was obtained from force,time curves generated with the Tensipresser. Perceived hardness ratings of each item were made by 30 dentate subjects (mean age 26·9 years) using a visual analogue scale (100 mm). These subjective assessments were given twice with a 1 week interval. High intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for test,retest reliability were seen for all foods (ICC > 0·68; P < 0·001). One-way anova found a significant effect of food type on both the objective hardness score and the subjective hardness rating (P < 0·001). The wax cube showed significant lower objective hardness score (32·6 N) and subjective hardness rating (47·7) than peanut (45·3 N, 63·5) and raw carrot (82·5 N, 78·4) [P < 0·05; Ryan,Einot,Gabriel,Welsch (REGW)-F]. A significant semilogarithmic relationship was found between the logarithm of objective hardness scores and subjective hardness ratings across twelve test items (r = 0·90; P < 0·001). These results suggest the wax cube has a softer texture compared with test foods traditionally used for masticatory performance test, such as peanut and raw carrot. The hardness of the wax cube could be modified to simulate a range of test foods by changing mixture ratio of soft and hard paraffin wax. [source] Influence of working side contacts on masticatory function for mandibular distal extension removable partial denturesJOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 3 2003S. Sueda summary The aim of this study was to clarify the influence of working side contacts for masticatory function for a distal extension removable partial denture. Five subjects who had edentulous arches from second premolar to second molar opposing natural teeth participated. Working side contacts were altered by using three types of artificial teeth attached to the denture base. A-form teeth made contact with opposite teeth while acting as the working side in a lateral excursion. The cusp angles of B- and C-form teeth were decreased by 10° and 20°, respectively compared with A-form teeth. B-and C-form teeth discluded with opposite teeth on the working side. Subjects were asked to perform two kinds of masticatory performance test. Obtained data were evaluated by the repeated-measures anova and the Tukey test for multiple comparisons. Results revealed that there was a significant difference (P=0·001) in the three types of teeth in the mixing ability test and the value of A-form teeth was statistically less value than those of the other teeth. However, there was no significant difference in the comminuting ability test. These results suggested that working side contacts between artificial teeth and opposite natural teeth influenced mixing ability, but not comminuting ability. [source] Excessive daytime sleepiness in patients suffering from different levels of obstructive sleep apnoea syndromeJOURNAL OF SLEEP RESEARCH, Issue 3 2000Sauter Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a frequent symptom of patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). EDS is a high-risk factor for accidents at work and on the road. Thirty untreated patients with different levels of severity of OSA were studied concerning night sleep and EDS. The criterion for severity was the respiratory disturbance index (RDI): 15 patients were classified as ,moderately' apnoeic (RDI < 40), 15 as ,severely' apnoeic (RDI > 40). Following night-time polysomnography, objective and subjective aspects of EDS were studied. To assess objective EDS the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) and a computer-based vigilance performance test were used. Subjective EDS was determined using the Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Visual Analogue Scales for Performance (VAS-P) and Tiredness (VAS-T). Well-being was assessed using the Scale of Well-Being by von Zerssen (Bf-S/Bf-S,). Severe apnoea patients spent more time in stage 1 and less in slow-wave sleep. MWT latencies tended to be shorter in the severe apnoea group. Vigilance testing revealed no group differences. Patients with moderate apnoea described themselves as more impaired in all subjective scales, but only SSS scores reached statistical significance. Our results suggest that there is no simple correlation between polysomnographic and respiratory sleep variables at night on the one hand, and the extent of EDS on the other hand. Furthermore, subjective and objective evaluation of EDS does not yield the same results. New approaches which allow a more detailed analysis of night sleep and daytime function are required to identify high-risked patients. [source] Dairy cows trapped between performance demands and adaptability,JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 7 2009Wilhelm Knaus Abstract The tremendous increase in the lactation performance of dairy cows during the last 60 years has had dramatic consequences on fertility and vitality (fitness) of the animals. Unprecedented average lactation performance levels have resulted in an equally unprecedented reduction in longevity. Economic pressure to further reduce the age at first calving is still high, although the negative correlation between precocious maturity and longevity is well documented in the relevant literature. Ever more aggressive selection and feeding measures are being taken to shorten the rearing time of heifers in order to reduce the cost of replacement heifers. An additional decrease in the stayability of cows has to be expected when the age at first calving is lowered even further. For reasons of profitability, dairy cows should complete an average of at least four lactations. Cows from the most important dairy breeds in the United States and Bavaria, Germany, already dropped below that crucial threshold many years ago. The same phenomenon has been observed in dairy cows in Austria over the past few years. Holstein cows that were culled in Austria in 2007 had an average of only 3.3 parities. To improve this situation, dairy cattle breeding programs should put a much higher emphasis on selection for traits of longevity and lifetime performance and, in return, markedly reduce the emphasis on selection for lactation performance in general and early-lactation performance test results in particular. Over millions of years of evolutionary adaptation, cattle have acquired the ability to utilize fibrous low-quality plant substrate. Only a strongly forage-based feeding regimen is, in the long run, in accordance with their digestive and metabolic configuration. The massive use of concentrates (mostly grain) in cattle rations increases the risk of digestive and metabolic disorders in cattle and consequently leads to impaired animal welfare. Finally, the careful management of scarce resources demands that a closer look be taken at the food balance in dairy rations, i.e., an awareness of how much food that is edible for humans is being fed to livestock. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Measurement of development of cognitive and attention functions in children using continuous performance testPSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES, Issue 2 2008Noriko Kanaka ba Aim:, The development of attention function in children is still not sufficiently clear. Although it is difficult to objectively assess attention function, continuous performance tests (CPT) can be used to objectively assess cognitive function along with attention. The development of cognitive and attention functions was examined in children using a CPT. Methods:, A total of 541 healthy girls aged 5,12 years participated. Ten parameters were calculated: numbers of cancellations for either target stimuli (T-cancel) or non-target stimuli (N-cancel), numbers of omission errors (Omission) and commission errors (Commission), hit rate (Hit), false alarm rate (False), mean reaction time for correct response (RT), coefficient of variance for mean reaction time (CVRT), sensitivity index (d,), and ln,. Results:, The parameters were divided into three types based on pattern of change. T-cancel, False, and Commission, which are related to inhibition of response, N-cancel, Hit, and Omission, which are related to inattention to stimuli, and CVRT, which is related to stability of processing time, exhibited significant change until 5 or 6 years of age. d,, which is related to ability to discriminate between target or non-target, exhibited significant change until 8 years of age. RT, which is related to processing time, exhibited significant change until 11 years of age. ln, exhibited no significant differences among age groups. Conclusions:, These findings indicate that inhibition function, inattention to stimuli, and stability of processing time develop first. Discrimination ability subsequently increases based on these developments, and finally processing time is reduced. [source] Probing attentional dysfunctions in schizophrenia: Startle modification during a continuous performance testPSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 4 2008Erin A. Hazlett Abstract Startle eyeblink modification was measured in 20 relatively asymptomatic medicated schizophrenia outpatients and 18 matched controls in order to test for deficits in early and later stages of attentional processing during a memory-load version of the Continuous Performance Test. Participants viewed a series of digits and pressed a button after the digit 7 of each 3,7 sequence. On some trials, a startling noise burst was presented either 120 or 1200 ms following cues that a response might be needed soon (the digit 3) and also following noncues. Controls showed greater startle inhibition at 120 ms following cue than noncue prepulses, whereas patients showed equal inhibition to both, suggesting a deficiency in allocation of controlled attentional resources in early stages of processing. The patients, however, did show large startle inhibition at 120 ms when a distracting stimulus accompanied the task-relevant cue, unlike the controls, who ignored the distracting stimulus. In contrast, both groups showed equal startle inhibition 1200 ms following cue and noncue prepulses, indicating that later modality-specific attention processes are not impaired in patients during this paradigm. Both groups also showed equal inhibition at 120 ms during passively attended prepulses, suggesting that automatic attentional processes were not impaired in these patients. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||