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Objective: Normative neuropsychological data are essential for interpretation of test performance in the context of demographic factors. The Mayo Normative Studies (MNS) aim to provide updated normative data for neuropsychological measures administered in the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging (MCSA), a population-based study of aging that randomly samples residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, from age- and sex-stratified groups. We examined demographic effects on neuropsychological measures and validated the regression-based norms in comparison to existing normative data developed in a similar sample. Method: The MNS includes cognitively unimpaired adults ≥30 years of age (n = 4,428) participating in the MCSA. Multivariable linear regressions were used to determine demographic effects on test performance. Regression-based normative formulas were developed by first converting raw scores to normalized scaled scores and then regressing on age, age2, sex, and education. Total and sex-stratified base rates of low scores (T < 40) were examined in an older adult validation sample and compared with Mayo's Older Americans Normative Studies (MOANS) norms. Results: Independent linear regressions revealed variable patterns of linear and/or quadratic effects of age (r 2 = 6–27% variance explained), sex (0–13%), and education (2–10%) across measures. MNS norms improved base rates of low performance in the older adult validation sample overall and in sex-specific patterns relative to MOANS. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the need for updated norms that consider complex demographic associations on test performance and that specifically exclude participants with mild cognitive impairment from the normative sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The Pelli-Robson and LEA contrast sensitivity charts are commonly used in clinical settings to measure contrast sensitivity. Although the Pelli-Robson chart is considered the gold standard, it is limited by its bulky size. The LEA chart, on the contrary, offers a more practical and portable option that is still reliable. This has led to questions about whether we can predict Pelli-Robson scores based on LEA scores. This study developed a conversion method to help transition from the LEA chart to the Pelli-Robson chart and validate the conversion score. Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed the relationship between LEA and the Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity test. Our study examined a total of 120 eyes. We developed a conversion table through the equipercentile equating method. Subsequently, we assessed the reliability and accuracy of this algorithm for converting LEA results into Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity scores. Results: The study used a conversion table to convert LEA scores to Pelli-Robson scores. The conversion table achieved a reliability of 0.91 based on intraclass correlation, and the algorithm had an accuracy of 81.6% within a 1-point difference from the raw score. Conclusions: This study reported a reliable and comparable conversion algorithm for transforming LEA scores into converted estimated Pelli-Robson scores, thereby improving the usefulness of existing data in both clinical and research contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) total score is a widely used measure of functional status in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Motor Neuron Disease (ALS), but recent evidence has raised doubts about its validity. The objective was to examine the measurement properties of the ALSFRS-R, aiming to produce valid measurement from all 12 scale items. Longitudinal ALSFRS-R data were collected between 2013-2020 from 1120 people with ALS recruited from 35 centers, together with other scales in the Trajectories of Outcomes in Neurological Conditions-ALS (TONiC-ALS) study. The ALSFRS-R was analyzed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Rasch Analysis (RA) and Mokken scaling. No definite factor structure of the ALSFRS-R was confirmed by CFA. RA revealed the raw score total to be invalid even at the ordinal level because of multidimensionality; valid interval level subscale measures could be found for the Bulbar, Fine-Motor and Gross-Motor domains but the Respiratory domain was only valid at an ordinal level. All four domains resolved into a single valid, interval level measure by using a bifactor RA. The smallest detectable difference was 10.4% of the range of the interval scale. A total ALSFRS-R ordinal raw score can lead to inferential bias in clinical trial results due to its non-linear nature. On the interval level transformation, more than 5 points difference is required before a statistically significant detectable difference can be observed. Transformation to interval level data should be mandatory in clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Scale (WHODAS 2.0) have been widely used to measure functional impairment and disability. To ensure that the scores from these two scales are practically exchangeable across diseases, therapies, and care programmes, the current study aimed to examine the linkage of the WHODAS 2.0 with the SDS and develop a simple and reliable conversion table for the two scales in people with mental disorders. A total of 798 patients (mean age = 36.1, SD = 12.7) were recruited from outpatient clinics of the Institute of Mental Health, and the Community Wellness Clinic in Singapore. Using a single-group design, an equipercentile equating method with log-linear smoothing was used to establish a conversion table from the SDS to the WHODAS 2.0 and vice versa. The conversion table showed that the scores were consistent for the entire range of scores when the scores were converted either from the SDS to the WHODAS 2.0 or from the WHODAS 2.0 to the SDS. The agreement between the WHODAS 2.0's raw and converted scores and SDS's raw and converted scores were interpreted as good with intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.711 and 0.725, respectively. This study presents a simple and reliable method for converting the SDS scores to the WHODAS 2.0 scores and vice versa, enabling interchangeable use of data across these two disability measures. • To ensure that the scores from these two scales are exchangeable across treatments and diseases, a conversion is important. • We present a simple and reliable conversion table to convert SDS to WHODAS scores or vice versa using equipercentile equating method. • The scores were consistent for the entire range of scores when the SDS scores were converted to the WHODAS or vice versa. • This is the first study that provided an algorithm that enable data across these two disability measures to be used interchangeably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aicardi-Goutières syndrome is a genetic inflammatory disorder resulting in dispersed neurologic dysfunction. Despite a recognition of overall motor impairment, fine and visual motor skills are undercharacterized. We hypothesize that there is a spectrum of fine and visual motor skills in the Aicardi-Goutières syndrome population as captured by a standard outcome measure, the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales (PDMS-2), which will be proportional to overall disease severity. In a cohort of 74 subjects, the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales–2 grasping and visual-motor integration subtests were administered concurrently with the Aicardi-Goutières syndrome Severity Scale (severe [range 0-3], moderate [range 4-8], and attenuated [range 9-11]). The cohort was also compared by genotype and performance as defined by raw scores. The distribution of Peabody Developmental Motor Scales–2 scores within a genotype was assessed by interquartile ranges (IQRs). Peabody Developmental Motor Scales–2 grasping and visual-motor integration performance was the least variable in the TREX1 -cohort (IQR: 10.00-12.00) versus the SAMHD1 and IFIH1 cohorts (IQR: 51.00-132.00 and 48.50-134.00, respectively). Neurologic severity highly correlated with both fine and visual motor skills (Spearman correlation: r = 0.87, 0.91, respectively). A floor effect (lowest 10% of possible scores) was observed within the severe cohort (n = 32/35), whereas a ceiling effect (top 10%) was observed in the attenuated cohort (n = 13/17). This study characterized the spectrum of fine and visual motor function in the Aicardi-Goutières syndrome population, which correlated with overall neurologic dysfunction. The Peabody Developmental Motor Scales–2 grasping and visual-motor integration showed promise as potential assessment tools in moderate and attenuated Aicardi-Goutières syndrome cohorts. A better understanding of fine and visual motor function in this population will benefit clinical care and clinical trial design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study cross-validated multiple Trail Making Test (TMT) Parts A and B scores as non-memory-based embedded performance validity tests (PVTs) for detecting invalid neuropsychological performance among veterans with and without cognitive impairment. Data were collected from a demographically and diagnostically diverse mixed clinical sample of 100 veterans undergoing outpatient neuropsychological evaluation at a Southwestern VA Medical Center. As part of a larger battery of neuropsychological tests, all veterans completed TMT A and B and four independent criterion PVTs, which were used to classify veterans into valid (n = 75) and invalid (n = 25) groups. Among the valid group 47% (n = 35) were cognitively impaired. Among the overall sample, all embedded PVTs derived from TMT A and B raw and demographically corrected T-scores significantly differed between validity groups (ηp2 =.21–.31) with significant areas under the curve (AUCs) of.72–.78 and 32–48% sensitivity (≥91% specificity) at optimal cut-scores. When subdivided by cognitive impairment status (i.e., valid-unimpaired vs. invalid; valid-impaired vs. invalid), all TMT scores yielded significant AUCs of.80–.88 and 56%–72% sensitivity (≥90% specificity) at optimal cut-scores. Among veterans with cognitive impairment, neither TMT A or B raw scores were able to significantly differentiate the invalid from the valid-cognitively impaired group; however, demographically corrected T-scores were able to significantly differentiate groups but had poor classification accuracy (AUCs =.66–.68) and reduced sensitivity of 28%–44% (≥91% specificity). Embedded PVTs derived from TMT Parts A and B raw and T-scores were able to accurately differentiate valid from invalid neuropsychological performance among veterans without cognitive impairment; however, the demographically corrected T-scores generally were more robust and consistent with prior studies compared to raw scores. By contrast, TMT embedded PVTs had poor accuracy and low sensitivity among veterans with cognitive impairment, suggesting limited utility as PVTs among populations with cognitive dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study a standardized effect size was created for use with the SIBTEST procedure. Using this standardized effect size, a single set of heuristics was developed that are appropriate for data fitting different item response models (e.g., 2-parameter logistic, 3-parameter logistic). The standardized effect size rescales the raw beta-uni value using a pooled variation that incorporates the beta-uni inclusion factor. Although the heuristics for the standardized and unstandardized effect sizes provide similar true-positive and false-positive rates in most conditions, the standardized effect size provides higher true-positive rates for conditions where item response variability is smaller in proportion to raw score differences. Inflated false-positive rates were solely impacted by smaller sample sizes, whereas larger sample sizes improved true-positive rates. An empirical application is provided to demonstrate how the standardized effect size provides for a more consistent comparison across items with varying response distributions. This study lays the foundation for the utilization of a standardized effect size for both dichotomous and polytomous item response models using the suite of SIBTEST procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) in elementary school-aged youth have increased in recent years. Understanding the risks associated with childhood STBs is necessary for prevention efforts. The current study examined clinical and neurocognitive characteristics of a community sample of elementary school-aged children with (STB+) and without (STB-) a history of STBs. The final sample included 93 families with children average age of 7.8 years (SD = 1.3). Children in this sample were racially diverse, evenly split by sex, and most identified as non-Hispanic. Neurocognitive functioning was assessed using computerized behavioral measures. Child clinical characteristics were assessed using self-report measures and STB history was assessed using semi-structured interviews. Of the 93 families, 64 STB- children and 29 STB+ children participated. On average, STB+ children were older, reported higher levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms, and were more likely to have a parental history of suicidal behavior (PH+). Regarding neurocognitive functioning, STB+ children exhibited lower raw scores for both the NIH Dimensional Change Card Sort Task (NIH-DCCS) and NIH Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test (NIH-Flanker). Multivariable regression analyses revealed raw scores for NIH-DCCS and NIH-Flanker, PH+ status, and child age were associated with childhood STBs. Prospective data is needed to confirm cross-sectional findings. Poorer neurocognitive functioning and PH+ status may serve as risk markers for STBs in elementary school-aged children. Targeting prevention programming for these risks may reduce the likelihood of STBs in at-risk elementary school-aged youth. • Neurocognitive functioning of 6–9-year-old youth with and without a history of STBs • STB+ children exhibited more neurocognitive deficits compared to STB- children. • Parental history of SB, age, and neurocognitive functioning related to child STBs [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Several instruments are available for measuring (aspects of) adaptive functioning, but knowledge is lacking about which is best to use to monitor patients with etiologically homogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders. In this study we compare the use of the Vineland-Z and ABAS-3 adaptive behavior scales in such a specific group. Method: Of patients with a molecularly confirmed diagnosis of Kleefstra syndrome, 34 were assessed with both the Vineland-Z and ABAS-3 of which 12 (35,3%) males and 22 (64,7%) females. Raw scores and developmental ages were calculated and a comparison between the instruments was done via correlation analysis. Results: Biological age ranged from 12 to 50 years old (median age of 23,1 ± 9,6 years). Pearson r correlation analyses show that the Vineland-Z and ABAS-3 assessments are highly interchangeable in this population. However, there are practical issues which require attention: (i) the use of ABAS-3 needs several versions to cover the whole adaptive spectrum, and (ii) the Vineland-Z discriminates more at the lower end of the adaptive functioning spectrum compared to the ABAS-3, but less at the higher end. An ideal instrument for this specific purpose is not yet available. Conclusions: We recommend that either the Vineland-Z, with modification of the dated items, the abridged version of the Vineland III, or a merge of the 0-4/5-17 ABAS-3 versions would work best to assess the entire spectrum of adaptive functioning adequately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) scavenge electricity from low‐frequency mechanical motions. This study proposes a simple and cost‐effective method to synthesize a dual‐surface modified Ecoflex polymer (SME Sponge) with a porous inner structure and micro pyramidal projections on its surface. An Ecoflex‐Aluminum‐based contact separation triboelectric nanogenerator (EA‐CS TENG) is fabricated to investigate the impact of pores and micro pyramidal projections on triboelectric performance. The performances are evaluated with and without an air gap between the materials. Despite the gapless responses being lower than those with the air gap, the gapless system demonstrates the capability to charge a 0.1 µF capacitor up to 0.8 V with mechanical forces of 9 N, validating the potential of surface‐modified porous triboelectric materials for gapless TENGs. Additionally, the device with an air gap achieves a charge of 0.1 µF up to 3.3 V with mechanical forces of 9 N. Finally, a completely self‐powered tally counter is employed to verify the powering and sensing applications of EA‐CS TENG with an air gap. This study confirms the feasibility of utilizing low‐cost EA‐CS TENG as a renewable energy source for generating electricity from mechanical motions and driving devices without the need for batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first meta-analysis of all studies related to remote-viewing tasks conducted up to December 2022. After applying our inclusion criteria, we selected 36 studies with a total of 40 effect sizes. Both frequentist and Bayesian meta-analyses revealed a strong average effect size of .34; 95% confidence interval: .22 -.45, after the exclusion of outliers, without signs of publication bias and a minimal decline effect. In terms of raw scores, these average results correspond to a difference in hits score of 19.3%; 95% confidence intervals:13.6%–25%, above the expected chance. Among the meta-analyses of moderators, a small nonstatistical difference emerged between the precognitive and clairvoyance tasks, particularly for those with an outbound agent. A comparison among meta-analyses results observed with other experimental protocols testing extrasensory perception showed the clear superiority of remote viewing. After more than 50 years of investigation into extrasensory perception, remote-viewing experimental protocols appear to be the most efficient for both experimental and practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The present study aimed at deriving equating norms to estimate scores on the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS) based on those on the ALS Cognitive Behavioral Screen (ALS-CBS™) in an Italian cohort of non-demented ALS patients. Methods: ALS-CBS™ and ECAS scores of 293 ALS patients without frontotemporal dementia were retrospectively retrieved. Concurrent validity of the ALS-CBS™ towards the ECAS was tested by covarying for demographics, disease duration and severity, presence of C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion and behavioural features. A linear-smoothing equipercentile equating (LSEE) model was employed to derive ALS-CBS™-to-ECAS cross-walks. Gaps in LSEE-based estimation were managed via a linear regression-based equating approach. Equivalence between empirical and derived ECAS scores was tested via a two-one-sided test (TOST) procedure for the dependent sample. Results: The ALS-CBS™ predicted the ECAS (β = 0.75), accounting for the vast majority of its variance (60% out of an R2 = 0.71). Consistently, a strong, one-to-one linear association between ALS-CBS™ and ECAS scores was detected (r = 0.84; R2 = 0.73). The LSEE was able to estimate conversions for the full range of the ALS-CBS™, except for raw scores equal to 1 and 6 – for whom a linear equating-based equation was derived. Empirical ECAS scores were equivalent to those derived with both methods. Discussion: Italian practitioners and researchers have been herewith provided with valid, straightforward cross-walks to estimate the ECAS based on ALS-CBS™ scores in non-demented ALS patients. Conversions herewith provided will help avoid cross-sectional/longitudinal inconsistencies in test adoption within research, and possibly clinical, settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: WHO recommends repeated measurement of patient safety climate in health care and to support monitoring an 11 item questionnaire on sustainable safety engagement (HSE) has been developed by the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions. This study aimed to validate the psychometric properties of the HSE. Methods: Survey responses (n = 761) from a specialist care provider organization in Sweden was used to evaluate psychometric properties of the HSE 11-item questionnaire. A Rasch model analysis was applied in a stepwise process to evaluate evidence of validity and precision/reliability in relation to rating scale functioning, internal structure, response processes, and precision in estimates. Results: Rating scales met the criteria for monotonical advancement and fit. Local independence was demonstrated for all HSE items. The first latent variable explained 52.2% of the variance. The first ten items demonstrated good fit to the Rasch model and were included in the further analysis and calculation of an index measure based on the raw scores. Less than 5% of the respondents demonstrated low person goodness-of-fit. Person separation index > 2. The flooring effect was negligible and the ceiling effect 5.7%. No differential item functioning was shown regarding gender, time of employment, role within organization or employee net promotor scores. The correlation coefficient between the HSE mean value index and the Rasch-generated unidimensional measures of the HSE 10-item scale was r =.95 (p <.01). Conclusions: This study shows that an eleven-item questionnaire can be used to measure a common dimension of staff perceptions on patient safety. The responses can be used to calculate an index that enables benchmarking and identification of at least three different levels of patient safety climate. This study explores a single point in time, but further studies may support the use of the instrument to follow development of the patient safety climate over time by repeated measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improved quality of life (QoL) is an important outcome goal following epilepsy surgery. This study aims to quantify change in QoL for adults with drug‐resistant epilepsy (DRE) who undergo epilepsy surgery, and to explore clinicodemographic factors associated with these changes. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis using Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. All studies reporting pre‐ and post‐epilepsy surgery QoL scores in adults with DRE via validated instruments were included. Meta‐analysis assessed the postsurgery change in QoL. Meta‐regression assessed the effect of postoperative seizure outcomes on postoperative QoL as well as change in pre‐ and postoperative QoL scores. A total of 3774 titles and abstracts were reviewed, and ultimately 16 studies, comprising 1182 unique patients, were included. Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory–31 item (QOLIE‐31) meta‐analysis included six studies, and QOLIE‐89 meta‐analysis included four studies. Postoperative change in raw score was 20.5 for QOLIE‐31 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 10.9–30.1, I2 = 95.5) and 12.1 for QOLIE‐89 (95% CI = 8.0–16.1, I2 = 55.0%). This corresponds to clinically meaningful QOL improvements. Meta‐regression demonstrated a higher postoperative QOLIE‐31 score as well as change in pre‐ and postoperative QOLIE‐31 score among studies of cohorts with higher proportions of patients with favorable seizure outcomes. At an individual study level, preoperative absence of mood disorders, better preoperative cognition, fewer trials of antiseizure medications before surgery, high levels of conscientiousness and openness to experience at the baseline, engagement in paid employment before and after surgery, and not being on antidepressants following surgery were associated with improved postoperative QoL. This study demonstrates the potential for epilepsy surgery to provide clinically meaningful improvements in QoL, as well as identifies clinicodemographic factors associated with this outcome. Limitations include substantial heterogeneity between individual studies and high risk of bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore the feasibility of using an adaptive behaviour profile (ABP) assessment generated from a well‐known measure—the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Second Edition (VABS‐II)—as an instrument for outcome measures in adolescents and adults with Dravet syndrome. Method: We administered the VABS‐II to 35 adolescents and adults with Dravet syndrome (15 males; mean age 24 years, SD 8 years, range: 12–46 years) and collected epilepsy history and neurological features at the time of assessment. We conducted a cross‐sectional analysis of VABS‐II raw scores and performed cluster analysis to identify different subgroups. We then explored possible relationships between clinical and epilepsy features, ABPs, and age. Results: Most participants obtained the minimum standard scores in the various VABS‐II subdomains, while the raw score analysis outlined interindividual and intraindividual differences among skills. We found two subpopulations: one with a 'lower' ABP and one with a 'higher' ABP, corresponding respectively to individuals in whom myoclonic seizures or generalized spike‐and‐wave activity were present ('complete phenotype') or absent ('incomplete phenotype') on electroencephalography. Interpretation: This study further delineates the natural history of Dravet syndrome. The assessment of an ABP through the VABS‐II raw score analysis provides a means by which to illustrate profiles of adaptive behaviour in adolescents and adults with Dravet syndrome but shows limitations related to poor sensitivity in measuring fine clinical details. There is a need for new and more specific tools to monitor patients with developmental and epileptic encephalopathies. What this paper adds: Most adults with Dravet syndrome obtained the minimum standard scores in the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Second Edition (VABS‐II) subdomains.The VABS‐II raw score analysis showed interindividual and intraindividual variability.Individuals with myoclonic seizures and/or generalized spike‐and‐wave activity on electroencephalography showed a worse adaptive behaviour profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For this observational cross-sectional study, different modalities of verbal fluency tasks (VFTs) were compared between 143 participants: 35 cognitively healthy controls (CHCs), 71 mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 37 mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Binomial logistic regression models were defined to identify VFT variables associated with MCI and AD, with respect to CHC. The results showed that the best errors/repetitions variable associated with MCI and AD was the phonemic task, and with every error the odds of being in the MCI group increased 9.9 times and 12.2 times in AD group, accompanied by high accuracy values (MCI: AUC = 0.824, sensitivity = 0.676, specificity = 0.943; AD: AUC = 0.883, sensitivity = 0.784, specificity = 0.943). The results suggest that, in addition to solely register raw scores, a simple counting of errors and repetitions during VFT can offer valuable clues in detecting MCI and AD, especially in the phonemic task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders are often associated with coordination problems. Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) constitutes a specific example of acute and complex symptomatology that includes difficulties with motor control. The present proof-of-concept study aimed at testing a new, bespoke tablet-based motor coordination test named SpaceSwipe, providing fine-grained measures that could be used to follow-up on symptoms evolution in PANS. This test enables computationally precise and objective metrics of motor coordination, taking into account both directional and spatial features continuously. We used SpaceSwipe to assess motor coordination in a group of children with PANS (n = 12, assessed on in total of 40 occasions) and compared it against the motor coordination subtest from the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (Beery VMI) 6th edition, traditionally used to follow-up symptomatology. Using a bivariate linear regression, we found that 33 s of the directional offset from tracking a moving target in SpaceSwipe could predict the Beery VMI motor coordination (VMI MC) raw scores (mean absolute error: 1.75 points). Positive correlations between the predicted scores and the VMI MC scores were found for initial testing (radj = 0.87) and for repeated testing (radj = 0.79). With its short administration time and its close prediction to Beery VMI scores, this proof-of-concept study demonstrates the potential for SpaceSwipe as a patient-friendly tool for precise, objective assessment of motor coordination in children with neurodevelopmental or neuropsychiatric disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals with schizophrenia show impairments in a variety of selective attention tasks. Research on the negative priming (NP) effect in schizophrenia has yielded mixed evidence. This meta-analysis aimed to examine the NP effect exhibited by patients with schizophrenia and the impact of study methodology on findings. The methods and reporting of this meta-analysis followed the PRISMA guideline. Eligible studies were identified through primary literature search in MEDLINE, PsycInfo, PsycArticles, and Embase and secondary search based on included studies and important reviews. Three-level random effects-models were used to summarize between-group differences in the raw NP score, as well as the NP ratio and baseline reaction time (RT) as secondary outcomes. We identified 1383 studies published between 1966 and 2022 and reviewed 27 studies that consist of 627 patients with schizophrenia and 653 controls in total. Compared to healthy controls, patients with schizophrenia showed a mildly reduced raw NP score with marginal significance, Hedges' g = −0.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.35 to 0.02, p = 0.084. However, analysis of a subsample of studies indicated a significant, moderate reduction in the NP ratio among patients, g = −0.52, 95% CI −0.91 to −0.14; p = 0.014. Moderator analyses revealed a longer illness duration as predictive of a more reduced NP effect. This meta-analysis lends tentative evidence to impaired attention or memory process as measured by the NP task in schizophrenia. More research is needed to substantiate our results and clarify the impact of study design and patient characteristics on findings. • Schizophrenia has long been associated with attention impairments. • This meta-analysis investigated the negative priming effect in schizophrenia. • Patients with schizophrenia showed a reduced negative priming effect. • A longer illness duration predicted a more reduced negative priming effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Down syndrome is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability but there are few studies on the development of toddlers with this syndrome. Considering the importance of early interventions aimed at improving the abilities of this population, the purpose of the present study is to assess the cognitive, language, and motor development of a group of 144 Italian toddlers with Down syndrome aged 12-36 months (individually matched for gender, chronological age, and parental education level with typical development toddlers) through the use of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddlers Development-III (BSID-III). The assessment of cognitive, language, and motor development of people with low abilities is far from being easy because it is very frequent to find flat profiles, where strengths are obscured and weaknesses are predominant. So, an alternative method of converting raw scores to weighted scores was used to overcome the floor effect of BSID-III scores. Results showed an increase in cognitive and communicative delay evident as early as the second and third years of age and a developmental profile of toddlers with DS characterized by strengths in expressive and receptive communication skills. Results were discussed in reference to the literature in recent years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TechCheck is an assessment of Computational Thinking (CT) for early elementary school children consisting of fifteen developmentally appropriate unplugged challenges that probe six CT domains. The first version of TechCheck showed good psychometric properties as well as ease of administration and scoring in a validation cohort of 768 children between 5 and 9 years of age. To increase sensitivity and reduce possible ceiling and floor effects, grade-specific versions of TechCheck (K, 1, 2) were subsequently created. In the present study, we explored how CT skills could be compared across grades when grade-specific versions of TechCheck are administered. First, we examined TechCheck raw score distributions and responses within CT domains in a representative sample of students from the three grades. Grade-specific Z-scores and percentile rankings were then calculated. To show utility of this normalization system, we used percentiles to compare CT outcomes between first and second graders who participated in a ScratchJr coding educational intervention. While TechCheck change scores suggested an unexpected 42.74% difference in CT outcomes between first and second grade, application of the normative scoring system indicated a more plausible 5.17 percentile rank difference between grades. Normative analysis may provide a more meaningful way to compare results across grades when grade-specific versions of TechCheck are used. Implications for the future use of the TechCheck CT assessments are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study analyzed the relationships between the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT; deadlift, standing power throw, hand release push-up, sprint-drag-carry, leg tuck/plank, 2-mile run) and a 6.44-km tactical foot march (TFM) in Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets. Data from 29 cadets were analyzed. Cadets carried a 15.88-kg rucksack, fighting load carrier, 3-L hydration pack, and replica M4 carbine during the TFM. Partial correlations controlling for sex determined ACFT and TFM relationships. ACFT total score, leg tuck, 2-mile run, and sprint-drag-carry were associated with the TFM. Aerobic and anaerobic capacity, and upper body/trunk strength emerged as fitness components related to cadet TFM performance. The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), consisting of deadlift, standing power throw, hand release push-up, sprint-drag-carry, leg tuck or plank, and 2-mile run, is the United States Army's new fitness test. The ACFT is designed to measure multiple fitness components required to perform combat tasks. One critical task is the tactical foot march (TFM), where soldiers cover long distances while carrying loads comprised of mission-essential equipment. As the ACFT is meant to predict soldier task performance, determining the relationships between the ACFT and the TFM is important. Data from 29 cadets (♂ = 20, ♀ = 9) from one university Reserve Officers' Training Corps program were analyzed. The ACFT was recorded in raw and scaled scores. The TFM was performed over 6.44 km, with time recorded. Cadets carried a 15.88-kg rucksack, fighting load carrier, 3-L hydration pack, and replica M4 carbine. Independent samples t-tests evaluated ACFT and TFM between-sex differences. Partial correlations, controlling for sex, determined ACFT event and TFM relationships. Male cadets outperformed females in all ACFT tasks (p ≤ 0.039), except the push-up. ACFT total score, leg tuck, 2-mile run, and sprint-drag-carry showed large correlations with the TFM (r = ±0.463–0.531, p ≤ 0.026). Aerobic and anaerobic capacity and upper body/trunk strength were important fitness components for cadet TFM performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Participants were enrolled into a pilot randomized-controlled 4-week trial comparing the efficacy and feasibility of app-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to a stretching program. Headache-related disability and quality of life were assessed using the Pediatric Migraine Disability Scale (PedMIDAS), Kidscree27, and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. Multivariable regression analysis were performed to assess the group effects in the presence of adherence and other covariates. Twenty participants completed the study. Adherence was significantly higher in the stretching than in the CBT app group (100% vs 54%, P <.034). When controlling for adherence and baseline scores, the stretching group showed greater reduction in PedMIDAS score (average: 29.2, P <.05) as compared to the CBT app group. However, in terms of the Quality-of-Life Indicators, pre- and postintervention raw scores were not significantly different between groups (P >.05). App-based CBT was not superior to a stretching program in reducing headache-related disability in a select population of pediatric headache patients. Future studies should assess if implementing features to the CBT app, like tailoring to pediatric age groups, would improve outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients are often asked to fill out paperwork in medical settings, but varying reading levels can affect the ability to self-report. By screening for reading level, clinicians can prevent potential patient confusion, frustration, and embarrassment. Clinicians can also avoid problems leading to misdiagnosis and providing materials that patients will not understand. The Wide Range Achievement Test – Fourth Edition (WRAT4) Word Reading (WR) subtest provides an estimation of word reading grade level as well as premorbid ability. The North American Adult Reading Test (NAART) only provides an estimation of premorbid abilities, but it is quick to administer and available in the public domain. By correlating these word reading measures (NAART & WRAT4 WR subtest), word reading level can be estimated by using the NAART alone. This project was a systematic replication of a study conducted by Jones et al. using a demographically-different sample of participants. Results indicate that NAART error scores and WRAT4 WR subtest raw scores were significantly correlated. Although the distributions of WRAT4 WR subtest raw scores from the Jones et al. study and the current study significantly differed, there was not a statistically significant difference between the proportion of predicted reading levels at/above or below fourth or fifth grade and actual reading levels at/above or below fourth or fifth grade. This finding suggests that the original regression equation created by Jones et al. can be applied to the current sample to accurately predict reading level classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fraudulent activity within a financial ecosystem often involves the coordinated efforts of several bad actors. Expressing the interactions between participants in a system as a mathematical graph allows researchers to apply social network analysis to understand the nature of these relationships better. This article proposes and extends a unified approach using an autoencoder to detect anomalies in a transactional setting. The methodology begins with a neural architecture search to determine the best autoencoder model architecture configuration. This is followed by a threshold optimisation process to find a reconstruction error that best discriminates between non-anomalous and anomalous classes. Gaussian scaling is applied to the raw anomaly scores in order to represent the output in an interpretable and universally transferable form. The unified approach is extended by selecting and including network metrics as features, for the purpose of producing a model that can detect anomalies from both standard transactional data and network data representing the relationships between users within a financial system. Applying SHAP on the model output highlighted the strongest contributing or offsetting network metric features for all anomalies detected. The PageRank and degree centrality network metrics were most important in detecting anomalous instances within the data. Including network metrics in the feature space generated encouraging model performance results, leading to a potential low operational cost of fraud. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In this phase II psychometric study on the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), we tested the clinicometric properties of Italian norms for patients with mild cognitive impairment (PwMCI) and early dementia (PwD) and provided optimal cutoffs for diagnostic purposes. Methods: Retrospective data collection was performed for consecutive patients with clinically and biologically defined MCI and early dementia. Forty-five patients (24 PwMCI and 21 PwD) and 25 healthy controls were included. Raw MoCA scores were adjusted according to the conventional 1-point correction (Nasreddine) and Italian norms (Conti, Santangelo, Aiello). The diagnostic properties of the original cutoff (< 26) and normative cutoffs, namely, the upper limits (uLs) of equivalent scores (ES) 1, 2, and 3, were evaluated. ROC curve analysis was performed to obtain optimal cutoffs. Results: The original cutoff demonstrated high sensitivity (0.93 [95% CI 0.84–0.98]) but low specificity (0.44 [0.32–0.56]) in discriminating between patients and controls. Nominal normative cutoffs (ES0 uLs) showed excellent specificity (SP range = 0.96–1.00 [0.88–1.00]) but poor sensitivity (SE range = 0.09–0.24 [0.04–0.36]). The optimal cutoff for Nasreddine's method was 23.50 (SE = 0.82 [0.71–0.90]; SP = 0.72 [0.60–0.82]). Optimal cutoffs were 20.97, 22.85, and 22.29 (SE range = 0.69–0.73 [0.57–0.83], SP range = 0.88–0.92 [0.77–0.97]) for Conti's, Santangelo's, and Aiello's methods, respectively. Conclusion: Using the 1-point correction, combined with a cutoff of 23.50, might be useful in ambulatory settings with a large turnout. Our optimal cutoffs can offset the poor sensitivity of Italian cutoffs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiac patients and those with chronic medical conditions often suffer from comorbidities such as insomnia and mood disorders. Previous treatment protocols have focused on resolving symptoms of anxiety and depression in this population using Stress Management Training (SMT). However, these treatments have neglected the importance of sleep problems in these patients. This pilot trial sought to address this by examining the feasibility of a novel CBTi/SMT treatment protocol. 42 participants attending a Cardiac Rehab (CR) exercise program registered in this 7-week non-randomized pilot trial. The primary objective of the pilot trial was to determine the feasibility of the protocol for retention and adherence rates. Secondarily, the authors sought to examine the potential efficacy of the program in terms of treating insomnia, depression, anxiety, emotion dysregulation, and arousal. 29 participants attended at least 1 class, with 21 participants completing the program. The average attendance for the program completers was 6 out of 7 classes (SD = 0.8) with four days of practice each week (SD = 1.6) for 33 minutes daily (SD = 16.8). Moreover, the number of participants meeting clinical threshold for insomnia, anxiety, and/or depression was significantly reduced at post-treatment and follow-up. Similarly, raw scores on the relevant scales were significantly reduced at both timepoints. This pilot trial provided preliminary evidence for the feasibility and efficacy of targeting sleep improvement with a combined CBTi/SMT protocol. This provides the groundwork for future RCTs to establish the effectiveness of targeting insomnia in a range of medical populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2023 Tally Time annual report in African Violet Magazine summarizes the results of 42 shows across six geographic regions. A total of 292 different African violet varieties were recorded, including both species and hybrids. The report lists the winners in each category, with Buckeye Nostalgia receiving the most awards. The report also provides information on the number of winners and shows reported in each region. [Extracted from the article]

In this contribution to a review symposium on Robert T. Tally's book For a Ruthless Critique of All that Exists , Craig Martin responds to criticisms of critique made by scholars such as Eve Kosofsky. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the surge in new brain-directed treatments, metrics to detect the alteration in developmental trajectories in cognition and adaptive behavior have become increasingly important. We propose Growth Scale Values (GSVs) as a solution to monitoring children with severe neurologic/neurodegenerative conditions. This report stems from a panel of experts presenting at the Gorlin symposium (WORLD Symposium) and a subsequent open Webinar sponsored by the National MPS Society. Because norm-referenced scores (Standard Scores or Intelligence Quotient, i.e., IQ) do not yield information about gain, stability, or loss of skills, they are not suitable for natural history studies or clinical trials. Age-equivalent (AE) scores have been the standard metric used in natural history studies. While AEs are familiar and interpretable to clinicians and parents, they are imprecise due to lack of standard deviations, standard errors of measurement, and equal intervals between scores. Raw scores also have unequal intervals and are not comparable between ages or ability levels. The GSV, a nonlinear transformation of raw scores using item calibration to make an interval scale score, can be used for accurate measures of within-person change. GSVs have been identified as a useful metric for longitudinal measurement of other conditions involving neurodiversity. These growth scores circumvent inaccurate AEs in infants, are not limited by age and can be used for impaired patients who are chronologically above the normative age range. GSVs have interval properties (a given difference between GSV values represents the same difference in ability at all score levels) and each GSV value has a known standard error of measurement (SEM). GSVs are recommended to measure change in cognitive and adaptive behavior in natural history studies and in clinical trials for children with neurologic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To provide normative data and examine form equivalency of the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R) in a sample of 9th decade adults. Method: The sample was comprised of 90 healthy individuals ages 80-84 (n = 42) and 85-89 (n = 48). The average years of education was 14.8 (2.4). The BVMT-R Forms 1 and 4 were administered in a counterbalanced order, one week apart. Form equivalency was conducted utilizing Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results: There were no significant gender, education, or MMSE differences between the two age groups or between the counterbalanced subgroups. There were no significant differences between Forms 1 and 4 for the 80-84 age group. However, BVMT-R Form 1 Trial 1 and Total Recall raw scores were significantly higher than those for Form 4 in the 85-89 age group. Conclusions: Individuals in their early 80s obtained comparable scores on Forms 1 and 4 of the BVMT-R; however, individuals in their late 80 s showed more difficulty learning and recalling information presented in Form 4 compared to Form 1. It is recommended that clinicians consider form-specific normative data with this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A brief bedside test has recently been introduced by Hoche et al. (Brain, 2018) to screen for the Cerebellar Cognitive Affective Syndrome (CCAS) in patients with cerebellar disease. Objective: This multicenter study tested the ability of the CCAS-Scale to diagnose CCAS in individual patients with common forms of hereditary ataxia. Methods: A German version of the CCAS-Scale was applied in 30 SCA3, 14 SCA6 and 20 FRDA patients, and 64 healthy participants matched for age, sex, and level of education. Based on original cut-off values, the number of failed test items was assessed, and CCAS was considered possible (one failed item), probable (two failed items) or definite (three failed items). In addition a total sum raw score was calculated. Results: On a group level, failed items were significantly higher and total sum scores were significantly lower in SCA3 patients compared to matched controls. SCA6 and FRDA patients performed numerically below controls, but respective group differences failed to reach significance. The ability of the CCAS-Scale to diagnose CCAS in individual patients was limited to severe cases failing three or more items. Milder cases failing one or two items showed a great overlap with the performance of controls exhibiting a substantial number of false-positive test results. The word fluency test items differentiated best between patients and controls. Conclusions: As a group, SCA3 patients performed below the level of SCA6 and FRDA patients, possibly reflecting additional cerebral involvement. Moreover, the application of the CCAS-Scale in its present form results in a high number of false-positive test results, that is identifying controls as patients, reducing its usefulness as a screening tool for CCAS in individual patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Parkinson's disease (PD), verb-naming tasks (VNTs) have been proposed as superior to noun-naming ones in detecting language deficits, although such a hypothesis is not supported at a statistical level. Objectives: The main aim of this study was to provide diagnostic accuracy evidence for a VNT and noun-naming task (NNT) in detecting cognitive impairment (CI) in PD patients. Method: Thirty-three consecutive PD patients were subdivided into participants with (PD-CI; N = 12) or without CI (cognitively unimpaired, PD-CU; N = 21), based on a raw score ≤25 or >25 on the Mini-Mental State Examination, respectively. The NNT and VNT by Neuropsychologia [2006 Jan;44(1):73–89] were administered. Diagnostic accuracy of the NNT and VNT was assessed through receiver-operating characteristics analyses by comparing PD-CU to PD-CI patients. At the optimal cut-off, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV), and likelihood ratios (LR+, LR−) were separately tested for the NNT and VNT against PD-CU versus PD-CI classification. Results: Diagnostic accuracy was higher for the NNT (AUC = 0.85; p = 0.001) versus the VNT (AUC = 0.68; p = 0.092). Consistently, the NNT yielded higher sensitivity, specificity, and post-test features than the VNT (NNT: sensitivity = 0.75, specificity = 0.81, PPV = 0.69, NPV = 0.85, LR+ = 3.94, LR− = 0.31; VNT: sensitivity = 0.67, specificity = 0.67, PPV = 0.53, NPV = 0.78, LR+ = 2, LR− = 0.5). Conclusions: In accordance with the Movement Disorders Society guidelines, NNTs are diagnostically sound psychometric instruments to discriminate PD patients with versus without CI. However, these findings need replication by (1) employing a gold standard different from the Mini-Mental State Examination, which does not capture the full range of CI in this population and (2) subdividing PD patients into those with mild CI and dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Cricket, particularly the 20-20 over format and especially Indian Premier League (IPL) is most watched and loved by the people, even where no one can guess who will win the match until the last ball of the last over of the match. In India, the IPL have started in the year 2008 and now it is the most popular T20 league in the world. So, it is decided to develop a basic Machine Learning (ML) model for predicting the scores at the end of powerplay (at the end of sixth over) in every innings for every match. Predicting a score in a Cricket Match depends on various key factors like a home ground advantage, past performances on that ground, records at the same venue. And also, the overall experience of the players, record with a particular opposition, correlation between ever bowler to the ever batsmen and the overall current form of the team and also the individual player. This paper briefs about the key factors that affect the result of the cricket match and the regression model that best fits this data and gives the best predictions. IPL Score predictor is a ML based prediction approach with the help of Python Programming where the data sets namely IPL Ball-by-Ball 2008-2020 and all matches are used like Previous stats data are cleaned and trained in all dimensions covering all important factors such as: Toss, Home Ground, Captains, Favorite Players, Opposition Battle, Previous Stats etc., with each factor having different strength with the help of Regression Model, Consideration of all these strengthening factors helps in predicting the accurate power play scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical practice guidelines are a valuable resource aiding medical decision-making based on scientific evidence. In anaesthesia, guidelines are increasing in both number and scope, influencing individual practice and shaping local departmental policy. The aim of this review is to assess the quality of clinical practice guidelines published in high impact anaesthesia journals over the past 5 yr using the internationally validated Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II instrument. A literature search was conducted in Scopus to identify all guidelines published in the top 10 anaesthesia journals as per Clarivate Analytics Impact Factor from 2016 and 2020. Fifty-one guidelines were included for analysis by five independent appraisers using AGREE II. Each guideline was assessed across six domains and 23 items. Individual domain scores were calculated with a threshold agreed via consensus to represent high-quality guidelines. There was a significant increase in overall score over time (P=0.041), driven by Domain 3 (Rigour of Development, P=0.046). The raw overall score for Domain 3, however, was low. The other domains performed as expected based on previous studies, with Domains 1, 4, and 6 achieving high scores and Domains 2 and 5 incurring poor ratings. Most guidelines studied involved international collaboration but emerged from a single professional society. Use of an appraisal tool was stated as high but poorly detailed. The improvement in the overall score of guidelines and rigour of development is promising; however, only seven guidelines met high-quality criteria, suggesting room for improvement for the overall integrity of guidelines in anaesthesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A lack of universal definitions for response and remission in pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has hampered the comparability of results across trials. To address this problem, we conducted an individual participant data diagnostic test accuracy meta-analysis to evaluate the discriminative ability of the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS) in determining response and remission. We also aimed to generate empirically derived cutoffs on the CY-BOCS for these outcomes.Method: A systematic review of PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase and CENTRAL identified 5,401 references; 42 randomized controlled clinical trials were considered eligible, and 21 provided data for inclusion (N = 1,234). Scores of ≤2 in the Clinical Global Impressions Improvement and Severity scales were chosen to define response and remission, respectively. A 2-stage, random-effects meta-analysis model was established. The area under the curve (AUC) and the Youden Index were computed to indicate the discriminative ability of the CY-BOCS and to guide for the optimal cutoff, respectively.Results: The CY-BOCS had sufficient discriminative ability to determine response (AUC = 0.89) and remission (AUC = 0.92). The optimal cutoff for response was a ≥35% reduction from baseline to posttreatment (sensitivity = 83.9, 95% CI = 83.7-84.1; specificity = 81.7, 95% CI = 81.5-81.9). The optimal cutoff for remission was a posttreatment raw score of ≤12 (sensitivity = 82.0, 95% CI = 81.8-82.2; specificity = 84.6, 95% CI = 84.4-84.8).Conclusion: Meta-analysis identified empirically optimal cutoffs on the CY-BOCS to determine response and remission in pediatric OCD randomized controlled clinical trials. Systematic adoption of standardized operational definitions for response and remission will improve comparability across trials for pediatric OCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The Dunning-Krueger effect is a cognitive bias where individuals tend to overestimate their abilities in areas where they are less competent. The Cordoba Naming Test (CNT) is a 30-item confrontation naming task. Hardy and Wright (2018) conditionally validated a measure of perceived mental workload called the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). Researchers reported that workload ratings on the NASA-TLX increased with increased task demands on a cognitive task. Anxiety is known as an emotion that can make an individual more susceptible to develop a mental health condition. We examine if the Dunning-Krueger effect occurs in a Mexican population with and without current symptoms of anxiety and possible factors driving individuals to overestimate their abilities on the CNT. We predicted the abnormal symptoms of anxiety (ASA) group would report better CNT performance, report higher perceived workloads on the CNT, and underperform on the CNT compared to the normal symptoms of anxiety (NSA) group. We also predicted the low-performance group would report better CNT performance, report higher perceived workloads on the CNT, and underperform on the CNT compared to the high-performance group. Participants and Methods: The sample consisted of 192 Mexican participants with NSA (79 low-performance & 113 high-performance) and 74 Mexican participants with ASA (44 low-performance & 30 high-performance). Participants completed the CNT, NASA-TLX, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in Spanish. The NASA-TLX was used to evaluate perceived workloads after the completion of the CNT. Meanwhile, the HADS was used to create our anxiety groups. Finally, CNT raw scores were converted into T-scores, which then were averaged to create the following two groups: low-performance (CNT T-Score <50) and high-performance (CNT T-Score 50+). A series of 2x2 ANCOVAs, controlling for gender were used to evaluate CNT performance and perceived workloads. Results: We found a significant interaction where the low-performance ASA and the high-performance NSA groups demonstrated better CNT performance and reported higher perceived workloads (i.e., performance, temporal demand) on the CNT compared to their respective counterparts (i.e., low-performance NSA & high-performance ASA groups), p's<.05, ηp's2=.02. We found a main effect where the high-performance group outperformed the low-performance group on the CNT and reported lower perceived workloads on the CNT, p's<.05, ηp's2 =.04-.46. Conclusions: The Dunning-Krueger effect did not occur in our sample. Participants that demonstrated better CNT performance also reported higher perceived workloads regardless of their current symptoms of anxiety. A possible explanation can be our sample's cultural norms of what would be considered as abnormal symptoms of anxiety, is a normal part of life, decreasing the possibilities to experience self-efficacy distoritions. Future studies should investigate whether the Dunning-Kruger effect may be influencing other aspects of cognitive functioning subjectively in Mexicans residing in Mexico and the United States with and without current symptoms of anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: As neuropsychologists aim to collect valid data, maximize the utility of assessments, make effective use of time, and best serve patient populations, measurement of performance validity is considered a critical issue for the field. As effort may vary across an evaluation, including performance validity tests (PVTs) throughout the assessment is important. Incorporating embedded PVTs in addition to free standing PVTs can be particularly useful in this regard. COWAT and animal naming are commonly administered verbal fluency measures. While there have been past investigations into their potential for detecting invalid performance, they are limited, and more research is needed. Perhaps most promising, Sugarman and Axelrod (2015) described a logistic regression derived formula utilizing the combined raw scores of COWAT and animal naming. The current study aimed to investigate the use of embedded PVTs within COWAT and animal naming to provide further support for the use of embedded PVTs in these measures. Participants and Methods: All subjects were from a mixed clinical sample comprising military veterans from two VA Medical Centers in the northeast U.S., who were referred for neuropsychological evaluation. Subjects deemed credible had zero PVT failures. Subjects were considered non-credible performers if they failed at least two out of a possible eight PVTs administered. Subjects who failed one PVT were excluded from the study (n = 53). The final sample consisted of 116 individuals with credible performance (Mean Age = 35.5, SD = 8.8; Mean Edu = 13.6, SD = 2; Mean Est. IQ = 106, SD = 7.9) and 94 individuals with psychometrically determined non-credible performance (Mean Age = 38.5, SD = 9.4; Mean Edu = 113, SD = 2.1; Mean Est. IQ = 101, SD = 8.7). Performance of COWAT and animals in detecting non-credible performances was evaluated through calculation of classification accuracy statistics and use of the logistic regression formulas reported in Sugarman and Axelrod (2015). Results: For COWAT, the optimal cutoff was a raw score of <27 (specificity = 89%; sensitivity = 31%), and a T-score of <35 (specificity = 92%; sensitivity = 31%). For animal naming, optimal cutoffs were <16 for raw score (specificity = 92%, sensitivity = 38%) and <37 for T-score (specificity = 91%; sensitivity = 33%). The logistic regression formula based on raw scores for both COWAT and animal naming was inadequately sensitive at the recommended cutoff in this sample, but a coefficient of >.28 was revealed to be optimal (91% specificity; 42% sensitivity). When the formula for T-scores was used, a coefficient of >.38 was optimal (91% specificity; 28% sensitivity). Conclusions: Results of the current research suggest that PVTs embedded within the commonly administered COWAT and animal naming verbal fluency tests can effectively detect low effort, in concordance with generally accepted standards. A logistic regression formula using raw scores in particular appears to be most effective, consistent with findings reported by Sugarman and Axelrod (2015). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Individuals tend to overestimate their abilities in areas where they are less competent. This cognitive bias is known as the Dunning-Krueger effect. Research shows that Dunning-Krueger effect occurs in persons with traumatic brain injury and healthy comparison participants. It was suggested by Walker and colleagues (2017) that the deficits in cognitive awareness may be due to brain injury. Confrontational naming tasks (e.g., Boston Naming Test) are used to evaluate language abilities. The Cordoba Naming Test (CNT) is a 30-item confrontational naming task developed to be administered in multiple languages. Hardy and Wright (2018) conditionally validated a measure of perceived mental workload called the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). They found that workload ratings on the NASA-TLX increased with increased task demands on a cognitive task. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the Dunning-Kruger effect occurs in a Latinx population and possible factors driving individuals to overestimate their abilities on the CNT. We predicted the low-performance group would report better CNT performance, but underperform on the CNT compared to the high-performance group. Participants and Methods: The sample consisted of 129 Latinx participants with a mean age of 21.07 (SD = 4.57). Participants were neurologically and psychologically healthy. Our sample was divided into two groups: the low-performance group and the high-performance group. Participants completed the CNT and the NASA-TLX in English. The NASA-TLX examines perceived workload (e.g., performance) and it was used in the present study to evaluate possible factors driving individuals to overestimate their abilities on the CNT. Participants completed the NASA-TLX after completing the CNT. Moreover, the CNT raw scores were averaged to create the following two groups: low-performance (CNT raw score <17) and high-performance (CNT raw score 18+). A series of ANCOVA's, controlling for gender and years of education completed were used to evaluate CNT performance and CNT perceived workloads. Results: We found the low-performance group reported better performance on the CNT compared to the high-performance, p =.021, np2 =.04. However, the high-performance group outperformed the low-performance group on the CNT, p =.000, np2 =.53. Additionally, results revealed the low-performance group reported higher temporal demand and effort levels on the CNT compared to the high-performance group, p's <.05, nps2 =.05. Conclusions: As we predicted, the low-performance group overestimated their CNT performance compared to the high-performance group. The current data suggest that the Dunning-Kruger effect occurs in healthy Latinx participants. We also found that temporal demand and effort may be influencing awareness in the low-performance group CNT performance compared to the high-performance group. The present study suggests subjective features on what may be influencing confrontational naming task performance in low-performance individuals more than highperformance individuals on the CNT. Current literature shows that bilingual speakers underperformed on confrontational naming tasks compared to monolingual speakers. Future studies should investigate if the Dunning-Kruger effects Latinx English monolingual speakers compared to Spanish-English bilingual speakers on the CNT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Mayo Test Drive (MTD): Test Development through Rapid Iteration, Validation and Expansion, is a web-based multi-device (smartphone, tablet, personal computer) platform optimized for remote self-administered cognitive assessment that includes a computer-adaptive word list memory test (Stricker Learning Span; SLS; Stricker et al., 2022; Stricker et al., in press) and a measure of processing speed (Symbols Test: Wilks et al., 2021). Study aims were to determine criterion validity of MTD by comparing the ability of the MTD raw composite and in-person administered cognitive measures to differentiate biomarkerdefined groups in cognitively unimpaired (CU) individuals on the Alzheimer's continuum. Participants and Methods: Mayo Clinic Study of Aging CU participants (N=319; mean age=71, SD=11, range=37-94; mean education=16, SD=2, range=6-20; 47% female) completed a brief remote cognitive assessment (∼0.5 months from in-person visit). Brain amyloid and brain tau PET scans were available within 3 years. Overlapping groups were formed for 1) those on the Alzheimer's disease (AD) continuum (A+, n=110) or not (A-, n=209), and for 2) those with biological AD (A+T+, n=43) or with no evidence of AD pathology (A-T-, n=181). Primary outcome variables were MTD raw composite (SLS sum of trials + an accuracy-weighted Symbols response time measure), Global-z (average of 9 in-person neuropsychological measures) and an in-person screening measure (Kokmen Short Test of Mental Status, STMS; which is like the MMSE). Linear model ANOVAs were used to investigate biomarker subgroup differences and Hedge's G effect sizes were derived, with and without adjusting for demographic variables (age, education, sex). Results: Remotely administered MTD raw composite showed comparable to slightly larger effect sizes compared to Global-z. Unadjusted effect sizes for MTD raw composite for differentiating A+ vs. A- and A+T+ vs. A-T- groups, respectively, were -0.57 and -0.84 and effect sizes for Global-z were -0.54 and -0.73 (all p's<.05). Because biomarker positive groups were significantly older than biomarker negative groups, group differences were attenuated after adjusting for demographic variables, but MTD raw composite remained significant for A+T+ vs A-T- (adjusted effect size -0.35, p=.007); Global-z did not reach significance for A+T+ vs A-T- (adjusted effect size -0.19, p=.08). Neither composite reached significance for adjusted analyses for the A+ vs A- comparison (MTD raw composite adjusted effect size= -.22, p=.06; Global-z adjusted effect size= -.08, p=.47). Results were the same for an alternative MTD composite using traditional z-score averaging methods, but the raw score method is preferred for comparability to other screening measures. The STMS screening measure did not differentiate biomarker groups in any analyses (unadjusted and adjusted p's>.05; d's -0.23 to 0.05). Conclusions: Remotely administered MTD raw composite shows at least similar ability to separate biomarker-defined groups in CU individuals as a Global-z for person-administered measures within a neuropsychological battery, providing evidence of criterion validity. Both the MTD raw composite and Global-z showed greater ability to separate biomarker positive from negative CU groups compared to a typical screening measure (STMS) that was unable to differentiate these groups. MTD may be useful as a screening measure to aid early detection of Alzheimer's pathological changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Given the lack of comprehensive neuropsychological tools and neuropsychological services in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), cognitive screeners for dementia can be useful tools to screen for suspected dementia at the population level. However, most available screeners have not been developed or validated in SSA populations. The Community Screening Instrument for Dementia (CSID) was developed for cross-cultural use, and it has a cognitive testing component and informant interview. We have previously demonstrated that lower years of education and female sex are associated with lower scores on the CSID. Here, we examine the utility of demographically adjusted CSID scores in a community sample of Congolese older adults. Participants and Methods: 354 participants (mean age=73.6±6.7, mean education (years) =7.3±4.7; 50% female) were randomly recruited in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and completed the CSID and the Alzheimer's Questionnaire (AQ) to examine functional abilities. Raw scores were demographically adjusted for education and sex by adding 1 point for <12 years of education and 1 point for female. Cognitive impairment was classified as a total score below 25.5. Rates of impairment were compared between raw scores and demographically-adjusted scores. Demographic profiles were examined between both classifications Results: Average raw CSID scores were 25.23 (SD=4.19) and average demographically-adjusted scores were 26.59 (SD= 4.09). Approximately 43.1% of the sample was impaired based on the raw CSID scores compared to 30.4% with the demographically-adjusted scores (x2= 12.334, p<.001). There was a higher proportion of females (n=95; 26.8%) classified as impaired with the raw SCID scores compared to the demographically-adjusted scores (n=62; 17.5%; x2= 8.87, p=0.003). Approximately 27.4% (n=97) of the participants classified as impaired with the raw SCID scores had primary education or less (i.e., 1-6 years) compared to 18.9% with the demographically-adjusted scores (n=67; (x2= 107.77, p<.001). Forty-five participants were re-classified as not impaired with the demographically-adjusted scores with the majority of these participants being female (73.3%), having primary education (66.7%), and being functionally unimpaired on the AQ (91.1% unimpaired). Conclusions: We demonstrate that raw scores on the CSID can lead to misclassification of impairment in females and in individuals with lower years of education. Demographically-adjusted scores on the CSID can help properly capture those with suspected dementia while reducing false positives. Given the effects of education and sex on performance, future studies should examine if demographically adjusted scores improve the sensitivity and specificity of the CSID in Congolese populations and compare its performance to other screening tools to determine the most appropriate screener for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) experience intellectual disability, such that measures of cognitive and adaptive functioning are near the normative floor upon evaluation. Individuals with DS are also at increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) beginning around age 40; and test performances and adaptive ratings at the normative floor make it difficult to detect change in cognition and functioning. This study first assessed the range of raw intelligence scores and raw adaptive functioning of individuals with DS at the normative floor. Next, we assessed whether those raw intelligence scores were predictive of raw adaptive functioning scores, and by association, whether they may be meaningful when assessing change in individuals with a lower baseline of cognitive functioning. Participants and Methods: Participants were selected from a cohort of 117 adults with DS in a longitudinal study examining AD risk. Participants (n=96; M=40.9 years-old, SD=10.67; 57.3% female) were selected if they had both a completed measure of IQ (Kaufmann Brief Intelligence Test; KBIT2) and informant ratings of adaptive functioning (Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales; VABS-II). Multiple regression was conducted predicting VABS-II total raw score using K-BIT2 total raw score, while controlling for age. Results: A slight majority (57.3%) of the sample had a standardized IQ score of 40 with the majority (95.7%) having a standardized score at or below 60. Additionally, 85.3% of the sample had a standard VABS-II score at or below 60. Within the normative floor for the KBIT2 (IQ=40), there was a normal distribution and substantial range of both KBIT2 raw scores (M = 31.19, SD = 13.19, range: 2 to 41) and VABS-II raw scores (M = 406.33, SD = 84.91, range: 198 to 569). Using the full sample, age significantly predicted raw VABS-II scores (ß = -.283, p =.008). When KBIT2 raw scores were included in the model, age was no longer an independently significant predictor. KBIT2 raw scores significantly predicted raw VABS-II scores (ß =.689, p <.001). Age alone accounted for 8.0% of variance in VABS-II raw scores and KBIT2 raw scores accounted for 43.8% additional variance in VABS-II raw scores. This relationship was maintained when the sample was reduced to individuals at the normative floor (n = 51) where KBIT2 raw scores accounted for 23.7% of the variance in raw VABS-II scores (ß =.549, p <.001). Conclusions: The results indicate that meaningful variability exists among raw intelligence test performances that may be masked by scores at the normative floor. Further, the variability in raw intelligence scores is associated with variability in adaptive functioning, such that lower intelligence scores are associated with lower ratings of adaptive functioning. Considering this relationship would be masked by a reduction of range due to norming, these findings indicate that raw test performances and adaptive functioning ratings may have value when monitoring change in adults with DS at risk for AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The EQ-5D-5L and its value sets are widely used internationally. However, in the US and elsewhere, there is growing use of PROMIS, which has a value set (PROPr) based on the stated preferences of the US population. This paper aims to compare the characteristics of EQ-5D-5L and PROPr value sets and to highlight potential implications for users. Methods: US, Australian and English value sets were used for EQ-5D-5L. PROPr utilities were calculated based on PROMIS-29 + 2. We examined, in each case, (i) the characteristics (e.g. range of values, number of unique values) and distribution of all possible 'theoretical' utilities; (ii) dimension/domain importance ranking by the utility of corner states (i.e. health states with the worst level in one domain and the best in all others); (iii) comparisons of utilities for health states hypothesised to be comparable in terms of severity across EQ-5D-5L descriptive systems and PROMIS-29 + 2 domain scores; (iv) the changes in values of adjacent states (i.e. a one-level change in one dimension for EQ-5D-5L and a four-point change in raw scores for PROMIS-29 + 2, with the other dimensions held constant) for dimensions hypothesised to overlap conceptually or be correlated between the two instruments. Results: EQ-5D-5L and PROPr utilities differ systematically. First, the US EQ-5D-5L utilities range from − 0.573 to 1, whereas PROPr values for PROMIS-29 + 2 range from − 0.022 to 0.954. Second, in the US (and English) EQ-5D-5L value sets, pain is the most important dimension whereas in PROPr pain is one of the least important (apart from sleep disturbance). Third, classified based on severity across EQ-5D-5L descriptive systems and PROMIS-29 + 2 domain scores, PROPr has substantially lower values than EQ-5D-5L values for comparable 'mild' health states, but higher values for more 'severe' health states. Last, when one dimension is considered across its best to worst levels and all other dimensions are held constant at their best or moderate level, in EQ-5D-5L value sets, the greatest changes in utility occur between levels 3 and 4 (moderate and severe) problems; in PROPr that occurred between the most severe states and their descriptively adjacent health states. Conclusion: There are very considerable differences between US EQ-5D-5L and PROPr utilities, despite both in principle representing utility on the same scale anchored at 0 and 1 and both representing the preferences of the US general public. It is important for decision makers and clinical triallists to be aware of these differences. Further work is needed to assess the impact of these differences in value sets using population and patient data, and in longitudinal settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to verify the equivalence and effectiveness of the tablet-administered Korean Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (K-RBANS) for the prevention and early detection of dementia. Methods: Data from 88 psychiatry and neurology patient samples were examined to evaluate the equivalence between tablet and paper administrations of the K-RBANS using a non-randomly equivalent group design. We calculated the prediction scores of the tablet-administered K-RBANS based on demographics and covariate-test scores for focal tests using norm samples and tested format effects. In addition, we compared the receiver operating characteristic curves to confirm the effectiveness of the K-RBANS for preventing and detecting dementia. Results: In the analysis of raw scores, line orientation showed a significant difference (t=-2.94, p<0.001), and subtests showed small to large effect sizes (0.04-0.86) between paper- and tablet-administered K-RBANS. To investigate the format effect, we compared the predicted scaled scores of the tablet sample to the scaled scores of the norm sample. Consequently, a small effect size (d≤0.20) was observed in most of the subtests, except word list and story recall, which showed a medium effect size (d=0.21), while picture naming and subtests of delayed memory showed significant differences in the one-sample t-test. In addition, the area under the curve of the total scale index (TSI) (0.827; 95% confidence interval, 0.738-0.916) was higher than that of the five indices, ranging from 0.688 to 0.820. The sensitivity and specificity of TSI were 80% and 76%, respectively. Conclusion: The overall results of this study suggest that the tablet-administered K-RBANS showed significant equivalence to the norm sample, although some subtests showed format effects, and it may be used as a valid tool for the brief screening of patients with neuropsychological disorders in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the Flynn effect is a well-recognised phenomenon impacting tests of cognitive ability, limited research has been conducted into its relevance for tests of premorbid ability. Consequently, we aimed to investigate whether estimated FSIQ scores from four commonly used word reading tasks (the NART, the NART2, the WTAR, and the TOPF) were influenced by the Flynn effect. We administered the NART, WTAR, and TOPF to 120 healthy community-dwelling adults. Using these raw scores we calculated estimated FSIQ scores using the predictive models published in the relevant manuals and compared these with scores obtained on the WASI-II. We found a linear increase in estimated FSIQ, with the oldest reading task, the NART, returning the highest scores and the most recent, the TOPF, the lowest. The NART, WTAR US, and TOPF US overestimated intellectual ability compared to current functioning measured by the WASI-II. Our findings indicated tests of premorbid functioning appear to be subject to the Flynn effect, and clinicians should exercise caution in using older word reading tasks such as the NART. Our results support the need for Australian standardisations of these instruments. KEY POINTS What is already known about this topic: The Flynn effect is the well-known observation that population intelligence is increasing by 3 IQ points per decade. Word reading tasks reliably and validly estimate premorbid intellectual functioning in patients with neuropsychological impairment. There is some evidence indicating word reading tasks might be impacted by the Flynn effect. What this topic adds: We replicated previous research and found results that were consistent with the Flynn effect in estimating premorbid intellectual functioning across the TOPF, WTAR and NART2 and NART. Our results confirmed older tests such as the NART are likely to significantly overestimate premorbid intellectual functioning and should be used with caution. Differences in predicted FSIQ scores based on UK and US norms point to a need for future Australian standardisations of these tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Physician burnout is often assessed by healthcare organizations. Yet, scores from different burnout measures cannot currently be directly compared, limiting the interpretation of results across organizations or studies. Objective: To link common measures of burnout to a single metric in psychometric analyses such that group-level scores from different assessments can be compared. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: US practices. Participants: A total of 1355 physicians sampled from the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile. Main Measures: We linked the Stanford Professional Fulfillment Index (PFI) and Mini-Z Single-Item Burnout (MZSIB) scale to the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) in item response theory (IRT) fixed-calibration and equipercentile analyses and created crosswalks mapping PFI and MZSIB scores to corresponding MBI scores. We evaluated the accuracy of the results by comparing physicians' actual MBI scores to those predicted by linking and described the closest cut-point equivalencies across scales linked to the same MBI subscale using the resulting crosswalks. Key Results: IRT linking produced the most accurate results and was used to create crosswalks mapping (1) PFI Work Exhaustion (PFI-WE) and MZSIB scores to MBI Emotional Exhaustion (MBI-EE) scores and (2) PFI Interpersonal Disengagement (PFI-ID) scores to MBI Depersonalization (MBI-DP) scores. The commonly used MBI-EE raw score cut-point of ≥27 corresponded most closely with respective PFI-WE and MZSIB raw score cut-points of ≥7 and ≥3. The commonly used MBI-DP raw score cut-point of ≥10 corresponded most closely with a PFI-ID raw score cut-point of ≥9. Conclusions: Our findings allow healthcare organizations using the PFI or MZSIB to compare group-level scores to historical, regional, or national MBI scores (and vice-versa). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient methods of analysis readily available for clinicians continue to be limited within neuropsychological assessment at the raw data level. Here, a novel approach for generating predictive response patterns and analysing neuropsychological raw data is offered. In order to assess the usefulness of association rule learning as an analysis tool for neuropsychological raw data, Frequent Pattern Growth (FP‐Growth) was used to mine patterns from the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Neuropsychological Battery (CERAD‐NB) database. Complete assessment data for 84 post‐mortem confirmed Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases and 294 age, race, and education matched controls were analysed across baseline and one‐year follow‐up using FP‐Growth, for the purpose of assessing the clinical utility of a finer analysis at the raw data level and the feasibility of predicting response patterns for clinical/control groups. Output from FP‐Growth, in terms of the number of frequent itemsets retained across both evaluation timepoints, was discernable between controls, mild, and moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease cases (p <.001, and η2 =.488). Patterns within raw data scores, both in terms of frequent itemsets and predictive association rules, appear to be differentiable across groups within neuropsychological analysis, which indicates that FP‐Growth is applicable as a supplementary analysis tool for neuropsychological assessment by means of offering an additional level of data analysis, predictive item response capabilities, and aiding in clinical decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite major efforts to address psychological distress and quality of life (QOL) in people with cancer, only none to small intervention effect has been observed. There is reason to question whether psychosocial needs of patients have already been met under the usual oncology care.Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review was to examine changes in depression, anxiety and QOL during the existential plight in advanced cancer.Methods: A literature search was performed in the PubMed and APA PsycINFO databases from year 1976 up to May 31, 2021. Longitudinal observational or experimental research targeting depression, anxiety or QOL in advanced cancer (stage III or IV), with baseline time since cancer diagnosis within 100 days, follow-up within 16 weeks post-baseline were eligible. Quality rating was based on the GRADE guidelines.Results: Overall QOL did not reveal clinically relevant changes for the majority of studies as evaluated by effect size and raw score changes (median effect size 0.01, interquartile range -0.10-0.15). Nonetheless, modest to moderate improvement was found for depression (median effect size 0.28, interquartile range 0.03-0.38) and anxiety (median effect size 0.57, interquartile range 0.32-0.79).Conclusion: Transient distress symptoms and temporarily reduced functioning in the oncology setting may be considered normal, whereas impaired overall QOL needs to be addressed. Developing innovative interventions that enhance QOL for patients newly diagnosed with advanced cancer without interfering with patients' natural adaptation process is imperative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older age and HIV disease are independent risk factors for problems in many aspects of everyday functioning. However, less is known about how these risk factors may combine to influence everyday functioning over time. The current study examined the possible combined effects of age and HIV serostatus on change in everyday functioning over a 1-year period and its specific associations with changes in neurocognition. A repeated measures factorial design was employed. Participants included 77 older persons with HIV (PWH), 35 younger PWH, 44 older HIV-, and 27 younger HIV-adults who each completed baseline and follow-up visits approximately 14 months apart. Everyday functioning was assessed using a standardized self-report measure of activities of daily living (ADLs) at each visit. A comprehensive clinical battery assessed six domains of neurocognition. Raw scores on each neurocognitive measure were converted to sample-based z-scores, from which a global neurocognitive z-score was derived. Older PWH reported the poorest everyday functioning at baseline and follow-up visits at medium-to-large effect sizes. However, these ADL disruptions among older PWH were relatively stable over time, differing significantly from younger PWH who evidenced mild ADL improvements from baseline to follow-up. Within the entire sample, everyday functioning at baseline predicted neurocognitive performance at follow-up, but the reciprocal relationship was not significant. Older adults with HIV have high rates of ADL problems, which appear stable over 1 year, the trajectory of which differed from younger adults with HIV for whom mild improvements were observed. Importantly, the results also suggest that problems with ADLs may sometimes precede neurocognitive declines. Further examination of longitudinal data is needed to elucidate the long-term trajectory of neurocognitive and functional changes in older PWH to support early detection and proper management of clinical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a small-area index of the multifactorial phenomenon loosely referred to as gentrification, with application to New York City (NYC). The relative change of key input variables (median family income, median rent and proportions of non-Hispanic white, 20–34-year-olds and adults with a 4-year college degree) was computed from the years 2000 to 2016 for NYC census tracts that are spatially normalized to the year 2010. Raw scores derived from principal components analysis were then spatially smoothed through a fully Bayesian conditional autoregressive model, presenting an innovation over previous methods since it essentially blurs the otherwise artificial tract boundaries and results in a simulated posterior distribution of scores for each tract. The median and upper/lower percentiles provide a point estimate and assessment of uncertainty, respectively, of gentrification for each tract. The mapped index is visually consistent with the general understanding of gentrification in NYC, and the index is positively associated with census tract-level change in home values, as measured separately from a real property database. Although we developed this index as the quantitative part of a mixed methods approach to understanding gentrification in New York City, the methodology is intended to be applicable in other cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]