Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA): validation study for vascular dementia

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a brief instrument developed for the screening of milder forms of cognitive impairment, having surpassed the well-known limitations of the MMSE. The aim of the present study was to validate the MoCA as well as its short version, which was proposed by the NINDS-CSN VCI Harmonization Standards for screening Vascular Dementia (VaD) patients. The results, based on a homogeneous sample of 34 VaD patients, indicate that the MoCA is a psychometrically valid and reliable instrument for cognitive screening in VaD patients, showing excellent discriminant validity. Both the full and short versions of the MoCA had excellent diagnostic accuracy in discriminating VaD patients, exhibiting an area under curve (AUC) higher than the MMSE [AUC(MoCA full version) = .950; 95% IC = .868-.988; AUC(MoCA short version) = .936; 95% IC = .849-.981; AUC(MMSE) = .860; 95% IC = .754-.932]. With a cutoff below 17 on the MoCA full version and 8 on the short version, the results for sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and classification accuracy were superior compared to the MMSE. In conclusion, both versions of the MoCA are valid, reliable, sensitive and accurate screening instruments for VaD patients

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) as a screening test for cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis

This study investigates the utility of the Portuguese version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) as a screening-method for identifying cognitive dysfunction (CD) in multiple sclerosis (MS). The 118 participants with comprehensive neuropsychological assessment were divided into two subgroups: (I) MS group (n = 59) and (II) control group (n = 59). The MS patients were classified as cognitively intact (n = 26) or impaired (n = 33, 56%). The results indicated that the MoCA is a psychometrically valid instrument in assessment of MS patients. The Multiple Linear Regression analyses highlighted the significant influence of Modified Fatigue Impact Scale and Irregular Word Reading Test on MoCA performance. The MoCA total score showed a good discriminative capacity between cognitively impaired and cognitively intact subjects. In addition, there were significant differences in MoCA cognitive domain scores between groups. The MoCA total score cut-off point for identifying CD in MS patients was a score below 26 points (AUC = 0.837, CI = 0.736-0.937). A proposed EM-MoCA-Subscore for identifying the MS-related cognitive impairment (max. score = 19 points, cut-off <17 points, AUC = 0.871, CI = 0.784-0.958), can reduce administration time for cognitive screening in clinical settings. The MoCA is a useful and sensitive instrument to identify the MS-related cognitive impairment.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Multi-Photon Signals from Composite Models at LHC

We analyze the collider signals of composite scalars that emerge in certain little Higgs models and models of vectorlike confinement. Similar to the decay of the pion into photon pairs, these scalars mainly decay through anomaly-induced interactions into electroweak gauge bosons, leading to a distinct signal with three or more photons in the final state. We study the standard model backgrounds for these signals, and find that the LHC can discover these models over a large range of parameter space with 30 fb$^{-1}$ at 14 TeV. An early discovery at the current 7 TeV run is possible in some regions of parameter space. We also discuss possibilities to measure the spin of the particles in the $\gamma \gamma$ and $Z\gamma$ decay channels.Comment: 18 pages, LaTe

Effects of a 10 km race on physiological and immunological responses

Introduction: The number of 10 km running races has been increasing in Brazil and the number of finishers almost triplicated in the last decade. However, there is limited amount of data showing the relationship between this event and the immune system response. Aim: Investigate the effects of a 10 km running race on physiological and immunological response in healthy well trained male volunteers. Methods: Fourteen male participants (32,21 ± 10,24 years old, 78,80 ± 9,30 kg) took part in this study. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), visual analog scale (VAS), heart rate (HR) and blood samples were taken before, immediately and 24 hours after the race. Lactate, glucose, creatine kinase (CK) and C-reactive protein (CRP), as well as leukocyte number and subpopulation of T cell (CD4+ and CD8+) were analyzed. Results: Participants completed this race in 49,85 ± 7,04 min. There was a significant increase post-race compared to pre-race for HR (67 ± 9 to 159 ± 21 bpm), RPE (6 ± 0 to 15 ± 2) and lactate (3.6 to 6.6 mmol/dL). Glucose levels did not present any significant changes. CK level did not change immediately after the race, but was higher (131,21 ± 62,50 to 286,85 ± 234,35 U/L ) at the 24 h post-race time point. CRP was lower at 24 h (8,37 ± 2,23 to 4,50 ± 2,28 mg/dL). VAS values changed from 0 (before) to 5,64 ± 2,20 (immediately after) to 2,21 ± 2,86 (24 hours). The number of circulating leukocyte (5,83 ± 0,89 to 9,15 ± 1,77 103/µL), neutrophil (2,96 ± 0,49 to 4,34 ± 0,73 103/µL), lymphocyte (2,21 ± 0,57 to 3,92 ± 1,27 103/µL), monocyte (0,46 ± 0,10 to 0,64 ± 0,23 103/µL) and basophil (0,05 ± 0,02 to 0,09 ± 0,03 103/µL) increased significantly immediately after the race, returning to the basal level in 24 h. There was no difference in circulating eosinophils number. The absolute number of CD4+ (828,5 ± 215,8 to 1063,2 ± 235,3 cell/µL) and CD8+ (766,92 ± 347,79 to 1470,30 ± 782,90 cell/µL) also increased immediately after the race returning to basal in 24 h. Significant reduction of the CD4+/CD8+ lymphocyte subpopulation ratio (1,21 ± 0,45 to 0,85 ± 0,33 cell/µL) was observed post-race returning to basal level at 24 h post-race. Results are presented as mean ± SD. (p\u3c0,0001). Conclusion: These results suggest that a 10 km running race is an intense physical activity and induces physiological changes. In addition, intense running provokes a significantly, although transient, modulation of the immune system, specifically of leukocyte sub-population

General analysis of signals with two leptons and missing energy at the Large Hadron Collider

A signal of two leptons and missing energy is challenging to analyze at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) since it offers only few kinematical handles. This signature generally arises from pair production of heavy charged particles which each decay into a lepton and a weakly interacting stable particle. Here this class of processes is analyzed with minimal model assumptions by considering all possible combinations of spin 0, 1/2 or 1, and of weak iso-singlets, -doublets or -triplets for the new particles. Adding to existing work on mass and spin measurements, two new variables for spin determination and an asymmetry for the determination of the couplings of the new particles are introduced. It is shown that these observables allow one to independently determine the spin and the couplings of the new particles, except for a few cases that turn out to be indistinguishable at the LHC. These findings are corroborated by results of an alternative analysis strategy based on an automated likelihood test.Comment: 18 pages, 3 figures, LaTe

Learning Interpretable Rules for Multi-label Classification

Multi-label classification (MLC) is a supervised learning problem in which, contrary to standard multiclass classification, an instance can be associated with several class labels simultaneously. In this chapter, we advocate a rule-based approach to multi-label classification. Rule learning algorithms are often employed when one is not only interested in accurate predictions, but also requires an interpretable theory that can be understood, analyzed, and qualitatively evaluated by domain experts. Ideally, by revealing patterns and regularities contained in the data, a rule-based theory yields new insights in the application domain. Recently, several authors have started to investigate how rule-based models can be used for modeling multi-label data. Discussing this task in detail, we highlight some of the problems that make rule learning considerably more challenging for MLC than for conventional classification. While mainly focusing on our own previous work, we also provide a short overview of related work in this area.Comment: Preprint version. To appear in: Explainable and Interpretable Models in Computer Vision and Machine Learning. The Springer Series on Challenges in Machine Learning. Springer (2018). See http://www.ke.tu-darmstadt.de/bibtex/publications/show/3077 for further informatio

Bionomics of Culex quinquefasciatus within urban areas of Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate density, parity rates, daily survival and longevity of natural populations of Culex quinquefasciatus in three neighborhoods with distinct socio-economic and infrastructure profiles. METHODS: Mosquito collections of the Culex quinquefasciatus species were performed weekly during two four month periods, from August to November 2008 (spring) and March to June 2009 (fall), in a favela (slum), a suburban area and a middle class area of Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil. Collections were performed with backpack aspirators, in 20 randomly selected houses in each area per week, during 15-20 minutes per house. Ovaries were removed from captured females and classified as initial, intermediary or final stage. Furthermore, females were dissected for determination of parity based on the condition of the tracheal system. Mosquito survival rate and longevity were estimated on a per month basis for each neighborhood. RESULTS: We collected a total of 2,062 Culex quinquefasciatus, but monthly vector density was not correlated with temperature and rainfall. We dissected the ovaries of 625 Culex quinquefasciatus, and overall, there was a higher proportion of nulliparous females during the dryer months, while gravid females were more frequent in rainy months. In the middle class neighborhood, the parity rate reached up to 93.75% with survivorship of 0.979. Lower parity and survival rates were obtained in the suburban area (as low as 36.4% parity and 0.711 daily survival). Up to 84.7% of Culex quinquefasciatus females could survive the eight day period needed to complete West Nile Virus incubation. CONCLUSIONS: The survival rate of Culex quinquefasciatus varied significantly between the neighborhoods. This suggests that vectorial capacity and disease transmission risk may vary greatly between different urban areas, which is potentially useful information for vector control programs

Study of intrinsic risk factors for falls in institutionalized elderly people

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo identificar a presença de fatores intrínsecos que predispõem a quedas em idosos moradores em instituições de longa permanência na cidade de Goiânia (GO). Trata-se de estudo descritivo transversal realizado em seis instituições de longa permanência para idosos existentes na cidade de Goiânia. A amostra da investigação constou de 95 idosos que atenderam aos critérios de inclusão e exclusão. Utilizou-se um questionário contendo dados clínicos relacionados às condições de saúde-doença; dados cognitivos; avaliação da capacidade para as atividades básicas de vida diária e avaliação do equilíbrio e marcha. Os idosos avaliados, no geral, apresentam vários fatores de risco, apontados pela literatura, para quedas, tais como: relato de dificuldade motora em membros inferiores (90%), déficit visual (81,1%), uso de três ou mais medicamentos (59,7%), suspeita de depressão (37,9%), falta de equilíbrio em apoio unipodal (37,9%) e altura do passo anormalmente diminuída (32,6%). As informações obtidas nos permitem apontar condições determinantes que aumentam a possibilidade dos eventos queda acontecerem na amostra estudada, sinalizando à necessidade de que estratégias de promoção de saúde, prevenção de agravos e reabilitação devam ser tomadas. _________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTThe objective of this research was to identify intrinsic risk factors that predispose elderly people living in long-term institutions in the city of Goiânia (GO) to falls. The present descriptive transversal study was carried out in six long-term institutions for seniors in the city of Goiânia. The investigated sample consisted of 95 elderly that fitted the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A questionnaire was used for collecting clinical data related to health-disease conditions; cognitive data; capacity to develop basic daily life activities and equilibrium and gait. In general terms, as pointed out the literature, the examined elderly presented different fall risk factors such as: motor difficulty in lower limbs (90%), visual deficit (81,1%), use of 3 or more kinds of medicines (59,7%), suspected depression (37,9%), lack of equilibrium/unstable unipodal support (37,9%) abnormally decreased height in step (32,6%). The obtained data allow us to set indicators for the increase in falls among the studied sample, demonstrating the need for creating strategies for health promotion, prevention of injuries and rehabilitation