scholarly journals The Role of Entropy in Construct Specification Equations (CSE) to Improve the Validity of Memory Tests

Entropy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 212
Author(s):  
Jeanette Melin ◽  
Stefan Cano ◽  
Leslie Pendrill
Keyword(s):  
Rating Scales ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Item Difficulty ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Practice Research ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Memory Tests ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Block Test

Commonly used rating scales and tests have been found lacking reliability and validity, for example in neurodegenerative diseases studies, owing to not making recourse to the inherent ordinality of human responses, nor acknowledging the separability of person ability and item difficulty parameters according to the well-known Rasch model. Here, we adopt an information theory approach, particularly extending deployment of the classic Brillouin entropy expression when explaining the difficulty of recalling non-verbal sequences in memory tests (i.e., Corsi Block Test and Digit Span Test): a more ordered task, of less entropy, will generally be easier to perform. Construct specification equations (CSEs) as a part of a methodological development, with entropy-based variables dominating, are found experimentally to explain (r=R2 = 0.98) and predict the construct of task difficulty for short-term memory tests using data from the NeuroMET (n = 88) and Gothenburg MCI (n = 257) studies. We propose entropy-based equivalence criteria, whereby different tasks (in the form of items) from different tests can be combined, enabling new memory tests to be formed by choosing a bespoke selection of items, leading to more efficient testing, improved reliability (reduced uncertainties) and validity. This provides opportunities for more practical and accurate measurement in clinical practice, research and trials.

Comparative study of visual and verbal short-term memory in English and Spanish speakers: Testing a linguistic hypothesis

1996 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Olazaran ◽  
Diane M. Jacobs ◽  
Yaakov Stern
Keyword(s):  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Spanish Speakers ◽  
English Speakers ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Adult Intelligence Scale ◽  
Intelligence Scale ◽  
Visual Span ◽  
Digit String ◽  
Block Test

AbstractIt has been proposed that differences in digit span performance between English and Spanish speakers are due to the greater number of syllables per digit in the Spanish language. To test this hypothesis, we studied the performance of 30 English- and 30 Spanish-speaking elders on the Wcchsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) Digit Span Subtest, a modified digit span test that was linguistically comparable for both languages, and the Corsi Block Test. Consistent with previous reports, we found that English speakers scored significantly higher than Spanish speakers on WAIS-R Digit Span Forward. Group differences were reduced on the modified Digit Span Forward, but remained significant. English and Spanish speakers scored comparably on Digit Span Backward (WAIS-R and modified) and Visual Span. We suggest that although differences in the number of syllables per digit string are in part responsible for the lower performance of Spanish speakers on Digit Span Forward, cultural and educational issues also contribute to the observed differences between English and Spanish speakers. (J1NS, 1996, 2, 105–110.)

Tracking and Targeting: Investigating Item Performance on the English Section of a University Entrance Examination over a 4-Year Period

2008 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 105
Author(s):  
Christopher Weaver ◽  
Yoko Sato
Keyword(s):  
Test Performance ◽  
Systematic Approach ◽  
Rating Scales ◽  
Item Difficulty ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Measurement Theory ◽  
Entrance Examination ◽  
University Admissions ◽  
Entrance Examinations ◽  
National University

This empirical study introduces population targeting and cut-off point targeting as a systematic approach to evaluating the performance of items in the English section of university entrance examinations. Using Rasch measurement theory, we found that the item difficulty and the types of items in a series of national university entrance examinations varied considerably over a 4-year period. However, there was progress towards improved test performance in terms of an increased number of items assessing different language skills and content areas as well as an increased number targeting test takers’ knowledge of English. This study also found that productive items rather than receptive items better targeted test takers’ overall knowledge of English. Moreover, productive items were more consistently located around the probable cut point for university admissions. The paper concludes with a detailed account of a number of probable factors that could influence item performance, such as the use of rating scales. 本論文では、ある国立大学における大学入試の英語の問題の変化を実証的に検証したものである。テスト項目の結果を検証するための体系的なアプローチとして、「母集団を対象としたアプローチ」および「足きり点を対象としたアプローチ」という方法を導入した。ラッシュ・モデリングを用いて分析した結果、過去４年間の間に、項目の困難度および項目の型について、様々な技能を測定していること、内容も多様であること、英語の知識を検証している項目が増えたこと、などの点で大きく変化していることがわかった。さらに、産出能力の方が受容能力を測定する項目よりも入学者決定の際の足きり点の周辺に収束する傾向が見られた。項目ごとの成績に影響を及ぼす可能性のある多様な要因について詳細な検討を行った。

scholarly journals Higher Handgrip Strength Is Linked to Better Cognitive Performance in Chinese Adults with Hypertension

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 985
Author(s):  
Shenghua Lu ◽  
Fabian Herold ◽  
Yanjie Zhang ◽  
Yuruo Lei ◽  
Arthur F. Kramer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
Adult Health ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Chinese Adults ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Relationship

Objective: There is growing evidence that in adults, higher levels of handgrip strength (HGS) are linked to better cognitive performance. However, the relationship between HGS and cognitive performance has not been sufficiently investigated in special cohorts, such as individuals with hypertension who have an intrinsically higher risk of cognitive decline. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between HGS and cognitive performance in adults with hypertension using data from the Global Ageing and Adult Health Survey (SAGE). Methods: A total of 4486 Chinese adults with hypertension from the SAGE were included in this study. Absolute handgrip strength (aHGS in kilograms) was measured using a handheld electronic dynamometer, and cognitive performance was assessed in the domains of short-term memory, delayed memory, and language ability. Multiple linear regression models were fitted to examine the association between relative handgrip strength (rHGS; aHGS divided by body mass index) and measures of cognitive performance. Results: Overall, higher levels of rHGS were associated with higher scores in short-term memory (β = 0.20) and language (β = 0.63) compared with the lowest tertiles of rHGS. In male participants, higher HGS was associated with higher scores in short-term memory (β = 0.31), language (β = 0.64), and delayed memory (β = 0.22). There were no associations between rHGS and cognitive performance measures in females. Conclusion: We observed that a higher level of rHGS was associated with better cognitive performance among hypertensive male individuals. Further studies are needed to investigate the neurobiological mechanisms, including sex-specific differences driving the relationship between measures of HGS and cognitive performance in individuals with hypertension.

scholarly journals Real-world presentation with heart failure in primary care: do patients selected to follow diagnostic and management guidelines have better outcomes?

Open Heart ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. e000935
Author(s):  
Alex Bottle ◽  
Dani Kim ◽  
Paul P Aylin ◽  
F Azeem Majeed ◽  
Martin R Cowie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Practice Research ◽  
Clinical Practice Research Datalink ◽  
Initial Management ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Specialist Referral ◽  
Partial Completion ◽  
General Practices ◽  
Using Data

ObjectiveTo describe associations between initial management of people presenting with heart failure (HF) symptoms in primary care, including compliance with the recommendations of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and subsequent unplanned hospitalisation for HF and death.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study using data from general practices submitting records to the Clinical Practice Research Datalink. The cohort comprised patients diagnosed with HF during 2010–2013 and presenting to their general practitioners with breathlessness, fatigue or ankle swelling.Results13 897 patients were included in the study. Within the first 6 months, only 7% had completed the NICE-recommended pathway; another 18.6% had followed part of it (B-type natriuretic peptide testing and/or echocardiography, or specialist referral). Significant differences in hazards were seen in unadjusted analysis in favour of full or partial completion of the NICE-recommended pathway. Covariate adjustment attenuated the relations with death much more than those for HF admission. Compared with patients placed on the NICE pathway, treatment with HF medications had an HR of 1.16 (95% CI 1.05 to 1.28, p=0.003) for HF admission and 1.03 (95% CI 0.90 to 1.17, p= 0.674) for death. Patients who partially followed the NICE pathway had similar hazards to those who completed it. Patients on no pathway had the highest hazard for HF admission at 1.30 (95% 1.18 to 1.43, p<0.001) but similar hazard for death.ConclusionsPatients not put on at least some elements of the NICE-recommended pathway had significantly higher risk of HF admission but non-significant higher risk of death than other patients had.

scholarly journals Test method for assessing the emotional intelligence of adolescents (MSCEIT-YRV)

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 73-84
Author(s):  
E.A. Sergienko ◽  
E.A. Khlevnaya ◽  
T.S. Kiseleva
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Psychometric Testing ◽  
Test Method ◽  
General Level ◽  
Gender And Age ◽  
Test Standardization ◽  
Gender And Age Differences ◽  
Understanding Emotions ◽  
Using Data

This paper contains a description of the task methodology for assessing the level of development of emotional intelligence in adolescents aged 10 to 18 years MSCEIT–YRV (Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test – Youth Research Version). The paper provides main data on the adaptation of the methodology to the Russian-speaking sample. Adaptation and psychometric testing of the methodology were carried out using data from 996 adolescents aged 10 to 18 years (430 boys and 566 girls, mean age 13,3 years). This methodology provides information on the general level of development of emotional intelligence, indicators of the Experiential and Strategic domains of emotional intelligence and scores for four abilities (identification of emotions, facilitation of thought, understanding emotions and emotion management). The main psychometric indicators of reliability and validity of MSCEIT-YRV meet the requirements of test standardization. The paper also describes gender and age differences in emotional intelligence, shows a comparison of normative samples for the English and Russian versions of the MSCEIT–YRV method.

scholarly journals Relative toxicity of benzodiazepines and hypnotics commonly used for self-poisoning: An epidemiological study of fatal toxicity and case fatality

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 654-662 ◽  
Author(s):  
Galit Geulayov ◽  
Anne Ferrey ◽  
Deborah Casey ◽  
Claudia Wells ◽  
Alice Fuller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Practice Research ◽  
Clinical Practice Research Datalink ◽  
Relative Toxicity ◽  
Reference Drug ◽  
Alcohol Involvement ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Hypnotic Drugs ◽  
Using Data

The relative toxicity of anxiolytic and hypnotic drugs commonly used for self-poisoning was assessed using data on suicides, prescriptions and non-fatal self-poisonings in England, 2005–2012. Data on suicide by self-poisoning were obtained from the Office for National Statistics, information on intentional non-fatal self-poisoning was derived from the Multicentre Study of Self-harm in England and data on prescriptions in general practice from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink. We used two indices of relative toxicity: fatal toxicity (the number of fatal self-poisonings relative to the number of individuals prescribed each drug) and case fatality (the number of fatal relative to non-fatal self-poisonings). Diazepam was the reference drug in all analyses. Temazepam was 10 times (95% confidence interval 5.48–18.99) and zopiclone/zolpidem nine times (95% confidence interval 5.01–16.65) more toxic in overdose than diazepam (fatal-toxicity index). Temazepam and zopiclone/zolpidem were 13 (95% confidence interval 6.97–24.41) and 12 (95% confidence interval 6.62–22.17) times more toxic than diazepam, respectively (case-fatality index). Differences in alcohol involvement between the drugs were unlikely to account for the findings. Overdoses of temazepam and zopiclone/zolpidem are considerably more likely to result in death than overdoses of diazepam. Practitioners need to exercise caution when prescribing these drugs, especially for individuals who may be at risk of self-harm, and also consider non-pharmacological options.

scholarly journals Effects of Dehydration and Rehydration on Cognitive Performance and Mood among Male College Students in Cangzhou, China: A Self-Controlled Trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 1891 ◽  
Author(s):  
Na Zhang ◽  
Song M. Du ◽  
Jian F. Zhang ◽  
Guan S. Ma
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Error Rates ◽  
Digit Symbol ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Mental Work ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
Baseline Test

Water accounts for 75% of brain mass. Associations may exist between hydration and cognitive performance. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dehydration and rehydration on cognitive performance and mood. In this self-control trial, 12 men were recruited from a medical college in Cangzhou, China. After 12 h of overnight fasting, the participants took baseline tests at 8:00 AM on day 2. First morning urine and blood osmolality were analyzed to determine hydration state. Height, weight, and blood pressure were measured following standardized procedures. A visual analog scale for the subjective sensation of thirst was applied, and a profile of mood states questionnaire was applied. Tests were conducted for cognitive performance, including a test of digit span forward and backward, digit-symbol substitutions, dose-work, and stroop effects. Participants were required not to drink water for 36 h but were given three meals on day 3. On day 4, the same indexes were tested as a baseline test. At 8:30 AM, participants drank 1500 mL of purified water over 15 min. After a 1 h interval, the same measurements were performed. Compared with baseline test results, during the dehydration test, participants had lower scores of vigor (11.9 vs. 8.8, %, p = 0.007) and esteem-related affect (8.2 vs. 5.7, %, p = 0.006), lower total scores of digit span (14.3 vs. 13.3, %, p = 0.004), and higher error rates for dose-work (0.01 vs. 0.16, %, p = 0.005). Compared with the dehydration test scores, rehydration test scores showed that fatigue (4.3 vs. 2.1, %, p = 0.005) and total mood disturbance (TMD) (99.0 vs. 90.2, %, p = 0.008) improved, and scores of forward, backward, and total digit span increased (7.7 vs. 8.6, p = 0.014; 5.7 vs. 1.2, p = 0.019; 13.3 vs. 15.4, p = 0.001). Increases were also noted in correct number of digit symbol substitutions, reading speed, and mental work ability (70.8 vs. 75.4, p < 0.001; 339.3 vs. 486.4, n/min, p < 0.001; 356.1 vs. 450.2, p < 0.001), and reaction time decreased (30.2 vs. 28.7, s, p = 0.002). As a conclusion, dehydration had negative effects on vigor, esteem-related affect, short-term memory, and attention. Rehydration after water supplementation alleviated fatigue and improved TMD, short-term memory, attention, and reaction.

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