Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Test Performance (test + performance)
Selected AbstractsImpact of Accommodation Strategies on English Language Learners' Test PerformanceEDUCATIONAL MEASUREMENT: ISSUES AND PRACTICE, Issue 3 2000Jamal Abedi How can we make effective accommodations for nonnative English speakers taking mathematics measures? What kinds of accommodations are useful and what kinds are not? Where does this research need to go in the future? [source] Modeling the Practical Effects of Applicant Reactions: Subgroup Differences in Test-Taking Motivation, Test Performance, and Selection RatesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SELECTION AND ASSESSMENT, Issue 4 2002Robert E. Ployhart Research suggests that Black,White differences in test-taking motivation may be related to subgroup test score differences, but this research has not shown the extent to which minimizing subgroup motivation differences will reduce subgroup differences in selection rates and adverse impact. This Monte Carlo study examined how enhancing Blacks' test-taking motivation for cognitive ability tests might reduce adverse impact across a range of (a) subgroup test differences, (b) selection ratios, (c) subgroup differences in test-taking motivation, and (d) relationships between motivation and test scores. The results suggest that although enhancing test-taking motivation will consistently reduce subgroup differences in test performance and adverse impact, the effect is often small and will not eliminate adverse impact for any condition we examine. However, under some conditions the reduction may be important, and the discussion considers conditions where even these minimal reductions may be practically helpful. [source] On the Construct Validity of Integrity Tests: Individual and Situational Factors as Predictors of Test PerformanceINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SELECTION AND ASSESSMENT, Issue 3 2001Michael D. Mumford Although integrity tests are widely applied in screening job applicants, there is a need for research for examining the construct validity of these tests. In the present study, a theoretical model examining the causes of destructive behavior in organizational settings was used to develop background data measures of individual and situational variables that might be related to integrity test scores. Subsequently, 692 undergraduates were asked to complete these background data scales along with (a) two overt integrity tests , the Reid Report and the Personnel Selection Inventory, and (b) two personality-based measures , the delinquency and socialization scales of the California Psychological Inventory. When scores of these measures were correlated with and regressed on the background data scales, it was found that relevant individual variables, such as narcissism and power motives, and relevant situational variables, such as alienation and exposure to negative peer groups, were related to scores on both types of integrity tests. However, a stronger pattern of validity evidence was obtained for the personality-based measures and, in all cases, situational variables were found to be better predictors than individual variables. The implications of these findings for the validity of inferences drawn from overt and personality-based integrity tests are discussed. [source] The Role of Cognitive Ability in Self-Efficacy and Self-Assessed Test Performance,JOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 4 2008Donald M. Truxillo Research has shown that test takers are often unable to assess their own test performance accurately. However, the role of cognitive ability in assessing one's test performance has not been explored. We examined whether high cognitive ability participants were better than low cognitive ability participants in assessing their performance on a video-based situational judgment test (SJT) of customer-service skills. Results indicated a strong relationship between actual and perceived SJT performance for high cognitive ability participants, but no relationship for those low in cognitive ability. The discussion focuses on implications for metacognitive theory, test perceptions, and providing feedback to applicants. [source] Cost effectiveness of pharmacogenetic testing for uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 before irinotecan administration for metastatic colorectal cancer,CANCER, Issue 17 2009Heather Taffet Gold PhD Abstract BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to examine the cost effectiveness of using a pharmacogenetic test for uridine diphosphate glycosyltransferase 1A1*28 (UGT1A1*28) variant homozygosity before administering irinotecan to patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. METHODS: A decision-analytic model from the Medicare payer perspective followed hypothetical patients who were treated with combined 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan. Under usual care, patients received a full dose of irinotecan. With genetic testing, irinotecan dosage was reduced 25% in homozygotes with the UGT1A1*28 variant allele. Test performance, chemotherapy toxicity, and quality-of-life weights were derived from clinical literature and product labels, and costs were derived from 2007 Medicare fee schedules. Chemotherapy efficacy after dose reduction, adverse event risk, and other parameters were varied in 1-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. The authors also calculated the value of investing in further studies of chemotherapy efficacy after homozygote dose reductions. RESULTS: Pretreatment genetic testing costs less ($272 savings per patient tested) and yields slightly improved quality-adjusted life expectancy (0.1 quality-adjusted day per patient tested; approximately 2 quality-adjusted hours). Results depended on treatment efficacy but not adverse event risk assumptions. The results indicated that testing would avoid 84 cases of severe neutropenia, including 4.4 deaths. At a threshold of $100,000 per quality-adjusted life year, the therapeutic efficacy of irinotecan in homozygotes after dose reduction had to be ,98.4% of full-dose efficacy for genetic testing to remain preferred. Future studies to determine whether this efficacy level can be achieved have an economic value of $22 million. CONCLUSIONS: The current results indicated that pharmacogenetic testing for UGT1A1*28 variant homozygosity may be cost effective, but only if irinotecan dose reduction in homozygotes does not reduce efficacy. Future studies to evaluate reduced-dose efficacy in homozygotes should be considered. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society. [source] Rey Visual Design Learning Test performance correlates with white matter structureACTA NEUROPSYCHIATRICA, Issue 2 2009Stefan Begré Objective:, Studies exploring relation of visual memory to white matter are extensively lacking. The Rey Visual Design Learning Test (RVDLT) is an elementary motion, colour and word independent visual memory test. It avoids a significant contribution from as many additional higher order visual brain functions as possible to visual performance, such as three-dimensional, colour, motion or word-dependent brain operations. Based on previous results, we hypothesised that test performance would be related with white matter of dorsal hippocampal commissure, corpus callosum, posterior cingulate, superior longitudinal fascicle and internal capsule. Methods:, In 14 healthy subjects, we measured intervoxel coherence (IC) by diffusion tensor imaging as an indication of connectivity and visual memory performance measured by the RVDLT. IC considers the orientation of the adjacent voxels and has a better signal-to-noise ratio than the commonly used fractional anisotropy index. Results:, Using voxelwise linear regression analyses of the IC values, we found a significant and direct relationship between 11 clusters and visual memory test performance. The fact that memory performance correlated with white matter structure in left and right dorsal hippocampal commissure, left and right posterior cingulate, right callosal splenium, left and right superior longitudinal fascicle, right medial orbitofrontal region, left anterior cingulate, and left and right anterior limb of internal capsule emphasises our hypothesis. Conclusion:, Our observations in healthy subjects suggest that individual differences in brain function related to the performance of a task of higher cognitive demands might partially be associated with structural variation of white matter regions. [source] Neurocognitive functions in euthymic bipolar patientsACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 5 2009K. Jamrozinski Objective:, Meta-analytic findings support the hypothesis of specific neurocognitive deficits for bipolar patients in the domains of attention, processing speed, memory and executive functions. This study aims to show neurocognitive impairment in euthymic patients with bipolar I disorder compared with healthy controls while detailing the impact of medication side-effects or illness characteristics on neuropsychological test performance. Method:, Forty euthymic patients with bipolar I disorder were compared with 40 healthy controls in a cross-sectional design. Clinical features and neuropsychological measures of IQ, psychomotor speed, verbal fluency, learning and memory, executive functions and attention were assessed. Results:, Patients without antipsychotic drug use did not differ significantly from healthy controls in any neuropsychological measure. Yet patients treated with antipsychotics showed significant underperformance in the domains of semantic fluency, verbal learning and recognition memory as well as executive functions related to planning abilities, even when clinical features were controlled for. Conclusion:, The impact of antipsychotic medication needs to be further clarified for euthymic bipolar patients and should be considered when neuropsychological test performance is interpreted. [source] Executive functions in children with dyslexiaDYSLEXIA, Issue 2 2005Astrid Reiter Abstract There is little data available concerning the executive functions of children with dyslexia. The small number of existing studies in this field focus on single aspects of these functions such as working memory. The aim of the present study was therefore to assess a variety of aspects of executive functioning in children with dyslexia. Forty-two children with dyslexia and 42 non-dyslexic children were examined using a neuropsychological test battery. The test battery consisted of standardised tests examining the assessment of working memory, concept formation, inhibition, flexibility, problem solving and fluency functions. Comparison between the test performance of non-dyslexic children and children with dyslexia revealed obvious difficulties of children with dyslexia in tests measuring working memory. Inhibition of inappropriate reactions was impaired in children with dyslexia in more demanding tests, but not in simple ones. Furthermore, children with dyslexia displayed impairments of both verbal and figural fluency functions. While in comparison to non-dyslexic children no disturbances of concept formation were observed, problem solving seemed to be partially impaired. The present findings suggest that children with dyslexia demonstrate impairments in a variety of executive functions. This should be considered in the development of new concepts in the treatment of dyslexia. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Avoiding Misconception, Misuse, and Missed Opportunities: The Collection of Verbal Reports in Educational Achievement TestingEDUCATIONAL MEASUREMENT: ISSUES AND PRACTICE, Issue 4 2004Jacqueline P. Leighton The collection of verbal reports is one way in which cognitive and developmental psychologists gather data to formulate and corroborate models of problem solving. The current use of verbal reports to design and validate educational assessments reflects the growing trend to fuse cognitive psychological research and educational measurement. However, doubts about the trustworthiness or accuracy of verbal reports may suggest a potential reversal of this trend. Misconceptions about the trustworthiness of verbal reports could signal misuse of verbal reports and, consequently, waning interest and missed opportunities in the description of cognitive models of test performance. In this article, misconceptions of verbal reports are addressed by (a) discussing the value of cognitive models for educational achievement testing; (b) addressing pertinent issues in the collection of verbal reports from students; and (c) concluding with avenues for a more productive union between cognitive psychological research and educational measurement. [source] Effects of Explanations on Applicant Reactions: A meta-analytic reviewINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SELECTION AND ASSESSMENT, Issue 4 2009Donald M. Truxillo One cost effective way to improve applicant reactions is by giving explanations. Although a literature on this topic has accumulated, the effects of explanations on applicant reactions have not been examined meta-analytically, and several aspects of giving explanations to applicants are unclear. For example, do explanations affect applicant reactions, and which outcomes are most affected? Do findings from lab studies generalize to field settings? Under what conditions are explanations most effective? To answer these questions, we meta-analytically examined the effects of providing explanations on applicant reactions. Based on 26 distinct samples from experiments and quasi-experiments (N=3481), our results suggest that explanations do affect applicants' fairness perceptions, perceptions of the hiring organization, test-taking motivation, and performance on cognitive ability tests. The effects on fairness are larger in field contexts than in lab settings and when they are used with a personality test rather than a cognitive ability test. Test-taking motivation mediated the relationship between explanations and test performance. Our discussion focuses on when to provide explanations to applicants in employment settings and directions for future research. [source] The Mediating Role of Feedback Acceptance in the Relationship between Feedback and Attitudinal and Performance OutcomesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SELECTION AND ASSESSMENT, Issue 4 2009Frederik Anseel The purpose of this study was to increase our understanding of applicant perceptions of feedback by drawing upon feedback process models. In Study 1, participants (N=125) completed a personality questionnaire as a first stage of a selection simulation. Results showed that the effect of feedback on attitudes toward the organization was mediated by feedback acceptance. In Study 2, participants (N=252) completed two parallel versions of an in-basket exercise and received informative feedback between the two versions. Results showed that the effect of feedback on subsequent test performance was partially mediated by feedback acceptance. Together, these results highlight the important role of feedback acceptance in selection and suggest new strategies to enhance applicant perceptions in selection. [source] Situational Tests in Student Selection: An Examination of Predictive Validity, Adverse Impact, and Construct ValidityINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SELECTION AND ASSESSMENT, Issue 4 2002Filip Lievens The Flemish Admission Exam ,Medical and Dental Studies' is comprised of four cognitive ability tests and four situational tests, namely two work samples (i.e., a lecture and a medical text) and two video-based situational judgement tests (i.e., a physician,patient interaction and a medical expert discussion). On the basis of the Admission Exam scores of 941 candidates (359 men, 582 women) this study shows that situational tests significantly can predict better than cognitive ability tests, with lecture and text emerging as significant predictors. When situational tests are combined with cognitive ability tests, there are no mean gender differences. Situational tests also enable us to measure a broader range of constructs. For example, in this study, the personality factor Openness is related to better situational test performance. Overall, this study demonstrates that situational tests may be a useful complement to traditional student selection procedures. [source] Modeling the Practical Effects of Applicant Reactions: Subgroup Differences in Test-Taking Motivation, Test Performance, and Selection RatesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SELECTION AND ASSESSMENT, Issue 4 2002Robert E. Ployhart Research suggests that Black,White differences in test-taking motivation may be related to subgroup test score differences, but this research has not shown the extent to which minimizing subgroup motivation differences will reduce subgroup differences in selection rates and adverse impact. This Monte Carlo study examined how enhancing Blacks' test-taking motivation for cognitive ability tests might reduce adverse impact across a range of (a) subgroup test differences, (b) selection ratios, (c) subgroup differences in test-taking motivation, and (d) relationships between motivation and test scores. The results suggest that although enhancing test-taking motivation will consistently reduce subgroup differences in test performance and adverse impact, the effect is often small and will not eliminate adverse impact for any condition we examine. However, under some conditions the reduction may be important, and the discussion considers conditions where even these minimal reductions may be practically helpful. [source] Individualism,collectivism and the role of goal orientation in organizational trainingINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 3 2009Altovise Rogers This research examines how individualism,collectivism and goal orientation impact training effectiveness through study of an internationally diverse sample of engineers who were undergoing technical training. In light of contemporary views of individualism,collectivism, we argue that collectivism will moderate the influence of learning and performance goal orientations on training by shaping the impact of one's perceived social context on existing performance concerns and goals. Using a sample from a large multinational corporation, we examined the effects of individualism,collectivism and goal orientation on training transfer intentions, motivation to learn, and test performance. Mixed support for our hypotheses was found. Collectivists were found to exhibit higher levels of training transfer intentions and motivation to learn. However, when collectivism was combined with a performance goal orientation, its effects on training outcomes were diminished. Applications for organizations and future extensions of the present research are discussed. [source] Cognitive and Mobility Profile of Older Social DancersJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 8 2006Joe Verghese MD OBJECTIVES: To define the cognitive and physical attributes of regular social dancing so as to help establish its health benefits and help plan future dance interventions to prevent adverse outcomes in older adults such as falls, slow gait, and dementia. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey with two-group comparison. SETTING: Bronx County, New York. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-four cognitively normal older social dancers (OSDs) were compared with 84 age-, sex-, and education-matched older nondancers (ONDs) participating in a community-based study. MEASUREMENTS: Motor and cognitive performance was assessed using validated clinical and quantitative methods. RESULTS: There were no differences in the frequency of participation in other cognitive and physical leisure activities, chronic illnesses, or falls between OSDs and ONDs. Cognitive test performance was not different between OSDs and ONDs. OSDs had better balance but not strength than ONDs. OSDs had a longer mean stride±standard deviation than ONDs (117.8±10.5 cm vs 103.4±20.2 cm, P=.008) on quantitative gait assessment, with a more stable pattern during walking with reduced stance time (63.9% vs 65.9%, P=.01), longer swing time (36.1% vs 34.1%, P=.01), and shorter double support time (27.9% vs 30.9%, P=.03). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that long-term social dancing may be associated with better balance and gait in older adults. [source] Leukoaraiosis Predicts Hidden Global Functioning Impairment in Nondisabled Older People: The LADIS (Leukoaraiosis and Disability in the Elderly) StudyJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 7 2006Leonardo Pantoni MD OBJECTIVES: To determine whether leukoaraiosis severity is independently associated with differences in global functioning in nondisabled elderly patients. DESIGN: Cross-sectional data analysis from an ongoing longitudinal multicenter and multinational study. SETTING: The Leukoaraiosis and Disability Study, a collaboration aimed at assessing leukoaraiosis as an independent predictor of the transition to disability in older people. PARTICIPANTS: Six hundred thirty-nine nondisabled subjects (288 men, 351 women, mean age±standard deviation 74.1±5.0) with magnetic resonance imaging,detected leukoaraiosis of different severity and presenting with one of the following: mild cognitive or motor disturbances, minor cerebrovascular events, or mood alterations or in whom leukoaraiosis was incidentally identified. MEASUREMENTS: Centralized assessment of leukoaraiosis severity according to the three severity degrees of the Fazekas scale; Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD) Scale for measurement of global functioning. RESULTS: At baseline, 44% of participants had a mild, 31% a moderate, and 25% a severe degree of leukoaraiosis. A significant trend toward declining performance on the DAD Scale was apparent with increasing leukoaraiosis score severity (total score=98.8, 98.6, 97.5, respectively, in the three leukoaraiosis categories, analysis of variance P=.002). Similar trends were obtained for basic (P=.01) and instrumental (P<.001) function items. The statistical significance of these differences was confirmed in a multiple linear regression analysis correcting for numerous factors known to influence disability in older people. Executive function test performance declined along with increasing leukoaraiosis severity and was significantly related to DAD total score. CONCLUSION: Even in nondisabled elderly patients, levels of functional ability are related to white matter lesion severity. Executive dysfunction may mediate this relationship. [source] Evaluation of an indirect serum ELISA and a bacteriological faecal culture test for diagnosis of Salmonella serotype Dublin in cattle using latent class modelsJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2004L.R. Nielsen Abstract Aims:, To evaluate a conventional bacteriological test based on faecal culture and an indirect serum ELISA for detection of S. Dublin infected cattle. To compare the predictive values of the two tests in relation to the prevalence. Methods and Results:, A total of 4531 paired samples from cattle in 29 dairy herds were analysed for presence of S. Dublin bacteria in faeces and immunoglobulins directed against S. Dublin lipopolysaccharide in an indirect serum ELISA. Sensitivity and specificity were estimated at two ELISA cut-off values using a validation method based on latent class models, which presumably provides less biased results than traditional validation methods. Stratification of data into three age groups gave significantly better estimates of test performance of the ELISA. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed for comparison of overall performance of the ELISA between the three age groups. The sensitivity of the faecal culture test was low (6,14%). ELISA appeared to have a higher validity for animals aged 100,299 days of age than older or younger animals. Overall, the negative predictive value of the ELISA was 2,10 times higher than for the faecal culture test at realistic prevalence of infection in the test population. Conclusions:, The diagnostic sensitivity of the faecal culture test for detection of S. Dublin is poor, the specificity is 1. The superior sensitivity and negative predictive value of the serum ELISA makes this test preferable to faecal culture as an initial screening test and for certification of herds not infected with S. Dublin. Significance and Impact of the Study:, A quantitative estimate of the sensitivity of a faecal culture test for S. Dublin in a general population was provided. ELISA was shown to be an appropriate alternative diagnostic test. Preferably, samples from animals aged 100,299 days of age should be used as these give the best overall performance of the ELISA. Plots of ROC curves and predictive values in relation to prevalence facilitates optimisation of the ELISA cut-off value. [source] The Role of Cognitive Ability in Self-Efficacy and Self-Assessed Test Performance,JOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 4 2008Donald M. Truxillo Research has shown that test takers are often unable to assess their own test performance accurately. However, the role of cognitive ability in assessing one's test performance has not been explored. We examined whether high cognitive ability participants were better than low cognitive ability participants in assessing their performance on a video-based situational judgment test (SJT) of customer-service skills. Results indicated a strong relationship between actual and perceived SJT performance for high cognitive ability participants, but no relationship for those low in cognitive ability. The discussion focuses on implications for metacognitive theory, test perceptions, and providing feedback to applicants. [source] Differences Between Self-Adapted and Computerized Adaptive Tests: A Meta-AnalysisJOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL MEASUREMENT, Issue 3 2001Angela K. Pitkin Self-adapted testing has been described as a variation of computerized adaptive testing that reduces test anxiety and thereby enhances test performance. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of these proposed effects of self-adapted tests (SATs); meta-analysis procedures were used to estimate differences between SATs and computerized adaptive tests (CATs) in proficiency estimates and post-test anxiety levels across studies in which these two types of tests have been compared. After controlling for measurement error, the results showed that SATs yielded proficiency estimates that were 0.12 standard deviation units higher and post-test anxiety levels that were 0.19 standard deviation units lower than those yielded by CATs. We speculate about possible reasons for these differences and discuss advantages and disadvantages of using SATs in operational settings. [source] PATHOGEN DETECTION IN FOOD MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORIES: AN ANALYSIS OF QUALITATIVE PROFICIENCY TEST DATA, 1999,2007JOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 4 2009DANIEL C. EDSON ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to assess laboratories' ability to detect or rule out the presence of four common food pathogens: Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter spp. To do this, qualitative proficiency test data provided by one proficiency test provider from 1999 to 2007 were examined. The annual and cumulative 9-year percentages of false-negative and false-positive responses were calculated. The cumulative 9-year false-negative rates were 7.8% for E. coli O157:H7, 5.9% for Salmonella spp., 7.2% for L. monocytogenes and 13.6% for Campylobacter spp. Atypical strains and low concentrations of bacteria were more likely to be missed, and the data showed no trend of improving performance over time. Percentages of false-positive results were below 5.0% for all four pathogens. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The results imply that food testing laboratories often fail to detect the presence of these four food pathogens in real food specimens. To improve pathogen detection, supervisors should ensure that testing personnel are adequately trained, that recommended procedures are followed correctly, that samples are properly prepared, that proper conditions (temperature, atmosphere and incubation time) are maintained for good bacterial growth and that recommended quality control procedures are followed. Supervisors should also always investigate reasons for unsatisfactory proficiency test results and take corrective action. Finally, more research is needed into testing practices and proficiency test performance in food testing laboratories. [source] The Effect of Moderate to Heavy Alcohol Consumption on Neuropsychological Performance as Measured by the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological StatusALCOHOLISM, Issue 3 2010Alisa Green Background:, Excessive alcohol use is associated with damage to the structure and function of the brain and impairment of cognition and behavior. Traditional test batteries used to assess cognitive performance in alcoholics are extensive and costly, limiting their use across various clinical and research settings. The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) is a relatively new instrument that attempts to overcome some of these limitations. As yet the individual effect of moderate to heavy alcohol consumption on RBANS performance has not been examined. The primary aim of this study was to explore and quantify differences in performance between controls and drinkers on the RBANS and to examine the influence of age, gender, and alcohol use patterns on test performance. Methods:, Data from a subset of "Using Our Brains" (UoB) donors (n = 28) still actively drinking and meeting criteria for moderate to heavy alcohol use (30 to 80 g of ethanol per day) (Harper, 1988) and 28 matched controls (age, education, and premorbid Intelligence Quotient) were compared. Results:, Participants in the alcohol group performed below the healthy control group on the visuospatial and immediate memory index, and also on the RBANS total score p < 0.001 and showed a greater decline in RBANS scores from estimated cross-sectional premorbid levels. There was a positive association between alcohol ingestion in the preceding 12 months and the language index p < 0.03 and the semantic fluency subtest (p < 0.03). Age was negatively associated with story memory (p < 0.02), coding (p < 0.001), list recognition (p < 0.01), story recall (p < 0.03), and figure recall (p < 0.02). Conclusion:, Our results suggest that the RBANS is able to detect and characterize differences in verbal fluency, visuospatial skills, components of declarative memory, and psychomotor speed between healthy controls and moderate to heavy active alcohol users. Executive functions, commonly affected by alcoholism and not included in the RBANS, require assessment with additional measures. [source] Parietal Gray Matter Volume Loss Is Related to Spatial Processing Deficits in Long-Term Abstinent Alcoholic MenALCOHOLISM, Issue 10 2009George Fein Background:, We previously demonstrated relatively intact cognitive function (with the exception of suggestive evidence for persistent deficits in spatial information processing) in middle-aged long-term abstinent alcoholics (LTAA, abstinent for 6 months or more) compared to age and gender comparable nonalcoholic controls (NAC) (Fein et al., 2006). Methods:, In the current study, we examine cortical gray matter volumes in the same samples to determine whether gray matter volumes in LTAA are consistent with the cognitive results , i.e., exhibiting gray matter volumes comparable to NAC in most brain regions, except for possible indications of persistent shrinkage in the parietal lobe subserving spatial information processing. Results:, We found gray matter shrinkage in LTAA in the parietal lobe consistent with the spatial processing deficits in this same sample. More compelling, in LTAA, the magnitude of parietal gray matter shrinkage was negatively associated with spatial processing domain performance and positively associated with alcohol dose. Gray matter volume deficits were present in the occipital and other cortical tissue, but poorer visuospatial test performance correlated significantly with smaller volumes in the parietal cortex only. Conclusions:, Taken together, the cognitive and structural imaging data provide compelling evidence that chronic alcohol abuse results in shrinkage of the parietal cortex with associated deficits in spatial information processing. [source] Executive Functioning Early in Abstinence From AlcoholALCOHOLISM, Issue 9 2004Sandra Zinn Background: Executive dysfunction is among the cognitive impairments that may persist after abstinence in alcohol-dependent persons. The type(s) and extent of executive dysfunction early in abstinence have not been well characterized, but they may have important implications for the evolution of behavioral treatment strategies. Methods: To determine which aspects of executive functioning were impaired in early abstinence, we administered memory and executive function tests to veterans who successively presented for treatment at an outpatient substance abuse clinic. We then compared the neuropsychological performance of these recovering alcoholics (n= 27) with that of age-matched primary care outpatients (n= 18). We also examined group differences in self-evaluation of cognitive decline and evaluated associations between drinking history and cognitive impairment in the index group. Results: We found that the normal and alcohol-dependent groups differed on abstract reasoning, memory discrimination, and effectiveness on timed tasks. Patients in the alcohol-dependent sample were also more likely to perceive themselves as cognitively impaired. It is interesting to note that the duration of alcohol use did not relate to neuropsychological test performance, but recent quantity consumed and days of sobriety were associated with nonverbal abstract reasoning ability. Conclusions: Executive functions are impaired early in abstinence and should, therefore, be taken into account when early behavioral treatments are being developed. [source] Sensitivity of Bedside Ultrasound and Supine Anteroposterior Chest Radiographs for the Identification of Pneumothorax After Blunt TraumaACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 1 2010R. Gentry Wilkerson MD Abstract Objectives:, Supine anteroposterior (AP) chest radiographs in patients with blunt trauma have poor sensitivity for the identification of pneumothorax. Ultrasound (US) has been proposed as an alternative screening test for pneumothorax in this population. The authors conducted an evidence-based review of the medical literature to compare sensitivity of bedside US and AP chest radiographs in identifying pneumothorax after blunt trauma. Methods:, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for trials from 1965 through June 2009 using a search strategy derived from the following PICO formulation of our clinical question: patients included adult (18 + years) emergency department (ED) patients in whom pneumothorax was suspected after blunt trauma. The intervention was thoracic ultrasonography for the detection of pneumothorax. The comparator was the supine AP chest radiograph during the initial evaluation of the patient. The outcome was the diagnostic performance of US in identifying the presence of pneumothorax in the study population. The criterion standard for the presence or absence of pneumothorax was computed tomography (CT) of the chest or a rush of air during thoracostomy tube placement (in unstable patients). Prospective, observational trials of emergency physician (EP)-performed thoracic US were included. Trials in which the exams were performed by radiologists or surgeons, or trials that investigated patients suffering penetrating trauma or with spontaneous or iatrogenic pneumothoraces, were excluded. The methodologic quality of the studies was assessed. Qualitative methods were used to summarize the study results. Data analysis consisted of test performance (sensitivity and specificity, with 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) of thoracic US and supine AP chest radiography. Results:, Four prospective observational studies were identified, with a total of 606 subjects who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The sensitivity and specificity of US for the detection of pneumothorax ranged from 86% to 98% and 97% to 100%, respectively. The sensitivity of supine AP chest radiographs for the detection of pneumothorax ranged from 28% to 75%. The specificity of supine AP chest radiographs was 100% in all included studies. Conclusions:, This evidence-based review suggests that bedside thoracic US is a more sensitive screening test than supine AP chest radiography for the detection of pneumothorax in adult patients with blunt chest trauma. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:11,17 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine [source] Comparison of the Bayer VERSANT HCV RNA 3.0 and the Roche COBAS Amplicor HCV Monitor, Version 2.0, assays in HCV genotype 4 infectionJOURNAL OF VIRAL HEPATITIS, Issue 11 2007W. Jessner summary Prediction of treatment response is clinically important in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 4 infection. Early viral kinetics is useful in this respect for genotype 1 but interpretation is dependent on assay linearity and reproducibility. The VERSANT HCV RNA 3.0 (bDNA-3.0) and the COBAS Amplicor HCV Monitor 2.0 (HCM-2.0) have been widely used quantitative assays. We wanted to comparatively evaluate the two tests in a large genotype 4 sample. Genotyping was performed by NS5b sequencing. Viral load was tested in parallel in 32 patients at least six times on antiviral therapy with interferon , (IFN,). Totally, 198 samples within a quantitative range from undetectable to about 7 × 106 IU/mL (bDNA-3.0) were obtained and compared. Twenty-two samples with viral load above 500 000 IU/mL tested by HCM-2.0 were 1:100 diluted and retested. Quantitative values were fitted to a third order polynomial (M = 0.118303 + 1.07503 × V+ 0.0112128 × V2 , 0.0055504 × V3; M,HCM-2.0, V,bDNA-3.0, both log IU/mL) showing progressive nonlinearity of HCM-2.0 above 100 000 IU/mL but better clinical sensitivity with respect to bDNA-3.0. Dilution lead to a gain of at least a factor of 2.7 and thus, overestimation compared with bDNA-3.0. Deviation from linearity and overestimation upon dilution by HCM-2.0 are similar with HCV genotype 4, compared with other HCV genotypes. Differences in test performance were not detected for subtypes but for individual patients possibly related to specific quasispecies patterns. The interpretation of viral kinetic data becomes difficult due to overestimation upon dilution of baseline values by HCM-2.0. [source] assessment: Influences of deep learning, need for cognition and preparation time on open- and closed-book test performanceMEDICAL EDUCATION, Issue 9 2010Marjolein Heijne-Penninga Medical Education 2010: 44: 884,891 Objectives, The ability to master discipline-specific knowledge is one of the competencies medical students must acquire. In this context, ,mastering' means being able to recall and apply knowledge. A way to assess this competency is to use both open- and closed-book tests. Student performance on both tests can be influenced by the way the student processes information. Deep information processing is expected to influence performance positively. The personal preferences of students in relation to how they process information in general (i.e. their level of need for cognition) may also be of importance. In this study, we examined the inter-relatedness of deep learning, need for cognition and preparation time, and scores on open- and closed-book tests. Methods, This study was conducted at the University Medical Centre Groningen. Participants were Year 2 students (n = 423). They were asked to complete a questionnaire on deep information processing, a scale for need for cognition on a questionnaire on intellectualism and, additionally, to write down the time they spent on test preparation. We related these measures to the students' scores on two tests, both consisting of open- and closed-book components and used structural equation modelling to analyse the data. Results, Both questionnaires were completed by 239 students (57%). The results showed that need for cognition positively influenced both open- and closed-book test scores (,-coefficients 0.05 and 0.11, respectively). Furthermore, study outcomes measured by open-book tests predicted closed-book test results better than the other way around (,-coefficients 0.72 and 0.11, respectively). Conclusions, Students with a high need for cognition performed better on open- as well as closed-book tests. Deep learning did not influence their performance. Adding open-book tests to the regularly used closed-book tests seems to improve the recall of knowledge that has to be known by heart. Need for cognition may provide a valuable addition to existing theories on learning. [source] The ChromaGen contact lens system: colour vision test results and subjective responsesOPHTHALMIC AND PHYSIOLOGICAL OPTICS, Issue 3 2001Helen A. Swarbrick Summary The ChromaGen lens system is designed to enhance colour perception in colour vision deficiency (CVD). To investigate its efficacy, 14 CVD subjects were prescribed ChromaGen contact lenses. Colour vision tests (Ishihara, Farnsworth Munsell D-15, Farnsworth Lantern) were administered at baseline, lens dispensing, and after a 2-week lens-wearing trial during which subjective responses were recorded daily using visual analogue scales. ChromaGen lenses significantly reduced Ishihara error rates(p<0.001; ANOVA), particularly for deutan subjects. There was also a significant reduction in errors(p<0.005) on the D-15 test. Conversely, lens wear had no significant effect on Farnsworth Lantern test performance. Subjectively, subjects reported enhanced colour perception, but poor vision in dim light. Judgement of distance and motion were only slightly affected. We conclude that ChromaGen lenses may enhance subjective colour experience and assist in certain colour-related tasks, but are not indicated as an aid for CVD in occupations with colour vision-related restrictions. [source] Generalized self-efficacy and performance on the 20-metre shuttle run in childrenAMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2008John Cairney It has been argued that motivation significantly affects the measurement of aerobic capacity when using field tests with children. In this study, the impact of generalized self-efficacy on performance (Stage Completed) in the Léger shuttle run is examined in a cohort of children (N = 2,245, 9.38 ± 0.52 years old) in Grade 4 from 75 elementary schools. Children completed the Children's Self-perceptions of Adequacy in and Predilection for Physical Activity scale (CSAPPA) to establish levels of generalized self-efficacy toward physical activity, were measured for height and weight, and then completed the Léger Shuttle run to predict aerobic capacity. Regression analysis was used to study the impact of self-efficacy on test performance. After adjusting for age, gender, and BMI, two of the three CSAPPA factor subscales, higher perceived adequacy regarding physical activity (, = 0.196, P < 0.001) and greater predilection to select physical over sedentary activities (, = 0.123, P < 0.001), were independently associated with better test performance as indicated by stage completed. Together, self-efficacy accounted for 9% of the total variation in Léger shuttle run performance. A significant interaction between BMI and perceived adequacy was found (, = ,0.106, P < 0.005). Children with both high BMI scores and below average perceived adequacy had the poorest performance results. Generalized self-efficacy, as measured by the CSAPPA, is significantly related to Léger shuttle run performance. Moreover, self-efficacy influences the relationship between other known factors affecting test performance (BMI), suggesting that self-perception of ability/competence has a complex effect on test performance. These results illustrate the importance of considering psychological factors when interpreting physiologic assessments in children. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Improvement of cognitive functioning in mood disorder patients with depressive symptomatic recovery during treatment: An exploratory analysisPSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES, Issue 5 2006LAURA MANDELLI Psy. Abstract, Depressive symptoms have a large impact on cognitive test performance of mood disorder patients. After remission, some improvement of cognitive functioning has been observed, but also stable deficits have been reported both during depression and remission. In the present study, the authors aimed to investigate the cognitive functioning of mood disorder patients in relation to early symptomatic recovery, by comparing performances at the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) of responders and non-responders to the antidepressant treatment. The sample was composed of 51 hospitalized patients for a major depressive episode (major depressives/bipolars = 37/14). All patients were treated with fluvoxamine and evaluated at baseline and after 4 weeks using the 21-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. All subjects were once assessed for their cognitive functioning with the WAIS-R, at the end of the fourth week of treatment. In the current sample, patients who showed a significant symptomatic remission after 4 weeks of treatment showed higher total WAIS-R scores and a lower incidence of cognitive impairment, compared to non-responders to treatment. No major differences could be observed on any particular subtest, but rather a global improving of scores in responders compared to non-responders to pharmacotherapy. Pre-treatment illness severity, that was significantly higher among non-responders, was significantly associated with patients' intelligence quotient scores. Despite a number of limitations, present data support a strong effect of depressive symptoms on patients WAIS-R performances and an early global improvement of cognitive functioning concurrent with symptomathology recovery during pharmacological treatment. [source] Teachers' perceived usefulness of strategy microanalytic assessment informationPSYCHOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS, Issue 2 2006Timothy J. Cleary The current study examined special education teachers' ratings of the usefulness of strategy microanalytic assessment (SMA) (i.e., self-regulation, strategy use) and standardized norm-referenced assessment information (SNRA) (i.e., cognitive and academic skills). Ninety-six participants separately rated the frequency with which SMA and SNRA are used in schools and the usefulness of each report [i.e., Teacher Rating Questionnaire (TRQ)] for intervention planning about a case study. A mixed model experimental design revealed that even though SNRA information is more typical of the data provided in evaluation reports/Individualized Educational Programs, the SMA data were rated significantly more helpful than the SNRA for enhancing important school-related outcomes (e.g., test performance) as well as teacher-related roles (e.g., developing instructional plans). Despite the participants' consistent preference for SMA information, their overall TRQ ratings of the SNRA were positive. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 43: 149,155, 2006. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||