Measuring Activity Limitations Within the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS)

Background and Objectives To better understand the disablement process among older adults, improved measures of activity limitations are needed. Traditional population-level measures lack the ability to distinguish precise gradations of activity limitation and are unable to detect degrees of differences over a wide range of ability levels. Therefore, we used contemporary measurement methods to improve upon current methodologies for characterizing activity limitations within the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) . Research Design and Methods We used the NHATS Round 1 cohort to assess the feasibility of constructing an Activity Limitations scale using Rasch item response theory methods. Factor analysis was used to develop the scale from a set of existing items in the NHATS Mobility, Self-Care, and Household Activity domains. Psychometric properties of the scale were evaluated and the scale was used to examine change in activity limitations among the sample from 2011 to 2015. Results Results supported an 18-item scale (N = 7,609). Rasch infit and outfit statistics were within acceptable range for all items (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.95; sample score reliability = 0.83). From 2011 to 2015, 5.88% older adults demonstrated increase in function, 15% showed decrease in function, and 78% of the sample showed no change (did not exceed ± MDC90). Discussion and Implications Findings demonstrate that a unidimensional, interval scale of activity limitations can be constructed using traditional survey measures nested within the NHATS. Results revealed concerns regarding ceiling effects within the current self-report items of activity limitations suggesting future work is needed to expand the range of ability currently represented in the NHATS Activity Limitation items.

TINJAUAN KADAR ASPAL AC-BC PADA RUAS JALAN RIVERSIDE MENGGUNAKAN METODE CENTRIFUGE EKSTRACTION

Then findings pf ectraction gradation in table reveal that there is an asphalt is used ≥ and ≤ plan asphalt content in mixig JMF (Job Mix Formula) / so the rules is not appropriate with the specification. It shows that the laston mix will be influence. The findings of asphalt content or ectraction reveal that the mix of AC-BC which used in the field each point/sta. The collection sample score is still above and less from the specification requirement of JMF (Job Mix Formula) which is 5,75 %.

Preliminary Investigation of Executive Functions in Elite Ice Hockey Players

Elite level ice hockey places high demands on player’s physical and technical attributes as well as on cognitive and executive functions. There is, however, a notable lack of research on these attributes and functions. The present study investigated executive function with selected tests from the D-KEFS test battery among 48 ice hockey players and compared them to a standardized sample. Results show that ice hockey players’ scores were significantly higher on Design Fluency (DF) compared with the standardized sample score. Elite players’ scores were not significantly higher than those of lower-league hockey players. A significant correlation was found between on-ice performance and Trail Making Test (TMT) scores. Exploratory analysis showed that elite-level center forwards scored significantly higher on DF than did players in other positions. Future research should investigate whether assessment of executive function should be taken into account, in addition to physical and technical skills, when scouting for the next ice hockey star.

One hundred and seventy-five new species of Graphidaceae: closing the gap or a drop in the bucket?

Recent studies of the global diversity of the lichenized fungal family Graphidaceae suggest that there are a large number of species remaining to be discovered. No less than 640 species have been described since 2002, including 175 new species introduced in a collaborative global effort in a single issue in this journal. These findings suggest that the largest family of tropical crustose lichens may have an even higher number of species than Parmeliaceae. To estimate whether the discovery of 175 new species is a significant step forward in cataloguing extant diversity in this family, we employed a parametric method to predict global species richness of Graphidaceae using a GIS-based grid map approach. The model employs linear regression between observed species richness and sample score and vegetation composition per grid to predict individual grid species richness, and interpolation of species grid distributions to predict global species richness. We also applied a non-parametric species-area curve approach and non-parametric species richness estimators (Chao, Jackknife, Bootstrap) to compare the results from the different methods. Our approach resulted in a prediction of 4,330 species of Graphidaceae, including approximately 3,500 (sub-)tropical species in the core subfamilies Fissurinoideae, Graphidoideae, Redonographoideae, plus 125 species restricted to extratropical regions (outside the zone between 30° northern and 30° southern latitude) and 700 species in subfamily Gomphilloideae. Currently, nearly 2,500 species are known in the family, including species not yet formally described. Thus, our model suggests that even after describing 175 species in this issue and with another approximately 140 awaiting publication, the number of species still to be discovered and described is more than 1,800, and much work remains to be done to close this substantial gap. Based on our approach, we predict that most of this undiscovered diversity is to be found in Mexico, the northern Andean region, the eastern Amazon and central and southern Brazil, tropical West Africa, continental Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.

Correlation between the salivary Streptococcus mutans levels and dental caries experience in adult population of Chandigarh, India

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the level of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) in adults of Chandigarh and to correlate the dental caries in these individuals with their S. mutans titers. Materials and Methods: Salivary levels of Streptococcus mutans, using Dentocult SM commercial kits were estimated in 200, 25-35 year old adults (males and females). Streptococcus mutans were detected in 87% of the study sample. Score 2, representing 105 - 106 CFU/ml (Colony Forming Unit) of saliva was found to be most prevalent, i.e. in 80 of 200 adults, followed by score 1, depicting S mutans with <105 CFU/ml, in 56 of 200 adults and score 3, with bacterial titer <106 CFU/ml in 38 of 200 adults. Results: Dental caries, recorded using Møller′s index, was found to be maximum in individuals with score 3, followed by score 2,1 and 0, thereby showing a positive correlation of dental caries with increasing titers of S. mutans. This correlation was statistically highly significant in males with figures as 8.73 decayed surfaces at score 2 rising to 17.38 at score 3. The mean of DMFT was higher among females than in the males in the present study. Conclusion: The split up data in males and females, showed a positive association between caries experience and salivary S. mutans scores. The results of the study will serve as a baseline data for future planning of preventive programs in adults.

Distribution of venous remodeling in exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage of horses follows reported blood flow distribution in the equine lung

Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH), which has been reported in humans and a variety of domestic animals following strenuous exercise, is most often documented in racehorses. Remodeling of pulmonary veins (VR) in equine EIPH was recently described, suggesting that it contributes to the pathogenesis of the disease. The cause of VR is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that the development of VR follows pulmonary blood flow distribution, preferentially occurring in the caudodorsal lung region. Furthermore, we hypothesized that VR underpins development of the other lesions of EIPH pathology. The lungs of 10 EIPH-affected horses and 8 controls were randomly sampled for histopathology (2,520 samples) and blindly scored for presence and severity of VR, hemosiderin (H), and interstitial fibrosis (IF). Mean sample score (MSS), mean lesion score, and percent samples with lesions were determined in four dorsal and three ventral lung regions, and the frequency, spatial distribution, and severity of lesions were determined. MSS for VR and H were significantly greater dorsally than ventrally ( P < 0.001) and also decreased significantly in the caudocranial direction ( P < 0.001). IF decreased only in the caudocranial direction. The percent samples with lesions followed the same distribution as MSS. VR often was accompanied by H; IF never occurred without VR and H. Similarity of the distribution of EIPH lesions and the reported fractal distribution of pulmonary blood flow suggests that VR develops in regions of high blood flow. Further experiments are necessary to determine whether VR is central to the pathogenesis of EIPH.

A NEW PROJECTION-TYPE SPLIT-SAMPLE SCORE TEST IN LINEAR INSTRUMENTAL VARIABLES REGRESSION

In this paper we introduce a new method of projection-type inference and describe it in the context of two stage least squares–based split-sample inference on subsets of structural coefficients in a linear instrumental variables regression model. The use of the new method not only guards against the uncontrolled overrejection of the true value of the parameters of interest but also reduces the conservativeness of the usual method of projection proposed by Dufour and his coauthors (Dufour, 1997, Econometrica 65, 1365–1388; Dufour and Jasiak, 2001, International Economic Review 41, 815–843; Dufour and Taamouti, 2005, discussion paper; Dufour and Taamouti, 2005, Econometrica 73, 1351–1365; Dufour and Taamouti, 2007, Journal of Econometrics 139, 133–153).

A Standardized Method for Collecting and Analyzing Language Samples of Preschool and Primary Children in the Public Schools

Language sampling is the "heart" of the language assessment process and is required in the State of California to determine eligibility, for language remediation services; however, it is time-consuming to obtain a sample, score it, and analyze it. In order to streamline the process, a modified format of the Multilevel Informal Language Inventory (MILI) was administered to 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old public school children. Scores obtained were used to compute normative data. Using this protocol, total administration, scoring and analysis time was reduced to approximately 35 minutes.

Psychological Need Structures of Law Enforcement Officers

Hypothesizing that a relationship exists between personality and occupational choice, the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule was employed to assess need differences for a sample of 33 metropolitan police officers, Edwards' adult male, and male college normative groups. Comparison with the adult male population indicates this police sample score higher on needs for achievement, exhibitionism, and heterosexuality. They score lower on needs for abasement, affiliation, deference, endurance, nurturance, and order. Comparisons with the male college normative population show this sample of police personnel differs in having a lower affiliation need. A discussion of these findings with those of two previous studies was undertaken. The common findings of the three studies suggest that compared to the male general population, police officers have higher needs for exhibitionism and heterosexuality and a lower need for affiliation. Further studies are necessary for clarification.