Use of multidimensional item response theory methods for dementia prevalence prediction: an example using the Health and Retirement Survey and the Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study.

BACKGROUND: Data sparsity is a major limitation to estimating national and global dementia burden. Surveys with full diagnostic evaluations of dementia prevalence are prohibitively resource-intensive in many settings. However, validation samples from nationally representative surveys allow for the development of algorithms for the prediction of dementia prevalence nationally. METHODS: Using cognitive testing data and data on functional limitations from Wave A (2001-2003) of the ADAMS study (n = 744) and the 2000 wave of the HRS study (n = 6358) we estimated a two-dimensional item response theory model to calculate cognition and function scores for all individuals over 70. Based on diagnostic information from the formal clinical adjudication in ADAMS, we fit a logistic regression model for the classification of dementia status using cognition and function scores and applied this algorithm to the full HRS sample to calculate dementia prevalence by age and sex. RESULTS: Our algorithm had a cross-validated predictive accuracy of 88% (86-90), and an area under the curve of 0.97 (0.97-0.98) in ADAMS. Prevalence was higher in females than males and increased over age, with a prevalence of 4% (3-4) in individuals 70-79, 11% (9-12) in individuals 80-89 years old, and 28% (22-35) in those 90 and older. CONCLUSIONS: Our model had similar or better accuracy as compared to previously reviewed algorithms for the prediction of dementia prevalence in HRS, while utilizing more flexible methods. These methods could be more easily generalized and utilized to estimate dementia prevalence in other national surveys

Global mortality from dementia : Application of a new method and results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Introduction Dementia is currently one of the leading causes of mortality globally, and mortality due to dementia will likely increase in the future along with corresponding increases in population growth and population aging. However, large inconsistencies in coding practices in vital registration systems over time and between countries complicate the estimation of global dementia mortality. Methods We meta-analyzed the excess risk of death in those with dementia and multiplied these estimates by the proportion of dementia deaths occurring in those with severe, end-stage disease to calculate the total number of deaths that could be attributed to dementia. Results We estimated that there were 1.62 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 0.41-4.21) deaths globally due to dementia in 2019. More dementia deaths occurred in women (1.06 million [0.27-2.71]) than men (0.56 million [0.14-1.51]), largely but not entirely due to the higher life expectancy in women (age-standardized female-to-male ratio 1.19 [1.10-1.26]). Due to population aging, there was a large increase in all-age mortality rates from dementia between 1990 and 2019 (100.1% [89.1-117.5]). In 2019, deaths due to dementia ranked seventh globally in all ages and fourth among individuals 70 and older compared to deaths from other diseases estimated in the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. Discussion Mortality due to dementia represents a substantial global burden, and is expected to continue to grow into the future as an older, aging population expands globally.Peer reviewe

Population-level risks of alcohol consumption by amount, geography, age, sex, and year: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2020

Background The health risks associated with moderate alcohol consumption continue to be debated. Small amounts of alcohol might lower the risk of some health outcomes but increase the risk of others, suggesting that the overall risk depends, in part, on background disease rates, which vary by region, age, sex, and year. Methods For this analysis, we constructed burden-weighted dose–response relative risk curves across 22 health outcomes to estimate the theoretical minimum risk exposure level (TMREL) and non-drinker equivalence (NDE), the consumption level at which the health risk is equivalent to that of a non-drinker, using disease rates from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2020 for 21 regions, including 204 countries and territories, by 5-year age group, sex, and year for individuals aged 15–95 years and older from 1990 to 2020. Based on the NDE, we quantified the population consuming harmful amounts of alcohol. Findings The burden-weighted relative risk curves for alcohol use varied by region and age. Among individuals aged 15–39 years in 2020, the TMREL varied between 0 (95% uncertainty interval 0–0) and 0·603 (0·400–1·00) standard drinks per day, and the NDE varied between 0·002 (0–0) and 1·75 (0·698–4·30) standard drinks per day. Among individuals aged 40 years and older, the burden-weighted relative risk curve was J-shaped for all regions, with a 2020 TMREL that ranged from 0·114 (0–0·403) to 1·87 (0·500–3·30) standard drinks per day and an NDE that ranged between 0·193 (0–0·900) and 6·94 (3·40–8·30) standard drinks per day. Among individuals consuming harmful amounts of alcohol in 2020, 59·1% (54·3–65·4) were aged 15–39 years and 76·9% (73·0–81·3) were male. Interpretation There is strong evidence to support recommendations on alcohol consumption varying by age and location. Stronger interventions, particularly those tailored towards younger individuals, are needed to reduce the substantial global health loss attributable to alcohol. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Accuracy versus precision in boosted top tagging with the ATLAS detector

Abstract The identification of top quark decays where the top quark has a large momentum transverse to the beam axis, known as top tagging, is a crucial component in many measurements of Standard Model processes and searches for beyond the Standard Model physics at the Large Hadron Collider. Machine learning techniques have improved the performance of top tagging algorithms, but the size of the systematic uncertainties for all proposed algorithms has not been systematically studied. This paper presents the performance of several machine learning based top tagging algorithms on a dataset constructed from simulated proton-proton collision events measured with the ATLAS detector at √ s = 13 TeV. The systematic uncertainties associated with these algorithms are estimated through an approximate procedure that is not meant to be used in a physics analysis, but is appropriate for the level of precision required for this study. The most performant algorithms are found to have the largest uncertainties, motivating the development of methods to reduce these uncertainties without compromising performance. To enable such efforts in the wider scientific community, the datasets used in this paper are made publicly available.</jats:p

Effect of collection time on the viability of banana pollen grains

The objective of this study was to assess the pollen viability of six improved diploid banana plants (AA) collected in different periods of the day, in two seasons of the year (winter and summer), using in vitro germination test and staining. Pollen grains collected at 8 am (anthesis), 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm and 4 pm were evaluated. We used a culture medium for pollen germination containing 15% sucrose, 0.01% H3BO3, 0.01% KNO3, 0.03% Ca(NO3)2.4H2O, and 0.02% MgSO4.7H2O, solidified with 0.8% agar, adjusted to different pH. The pollen viability was evaluated by staining with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC). The highest pollen germination rates and viability were obtained at 8 am and the lowest at 4 pm, in both seasons. The average in vitro germination percentage and viability level were negatively influenced by the number of hours after anthesis. During the summer, the pollen viability and in vitro germination rates were highest when compared to winter period. The results presented can help at the selection of genetic materials and enable inferences on the best pollen collection time for use in cross breeding programs for plant improvement

Auriculotherapy to reduce anxiety and pain in nursing professionals: a randomized clinical trial

RESUMEN Objectives: to evaluate the effectiveness of the auricular protocol (APPA) in reducing pain and anxiety and improving the quality of life of the nursing staff of a hospital. Method: randomized clinical trial with an initial sample of 180 professionals divided into 4 groups Control (G1), Seed (G2), Needle (G3) and Tape (G4). The evaluation instruments were the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Pain Visual Analog Scale and Quality of Life instrument, applied at the start and after five and 10 sessions (five weeks). Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Cohen's d Index were used in the analysis. Results: there was a statistical difference (p < 0.05) for anxiety according to the repeated measures ANOVA, with better results for the G3 in the final assessment (Cohen's d index 1.08/17% reduction). There was a reduction of pain of 36% in G3 and 24% in G2 and a 13% increase in the mental aspect of quality of life for the G3, although without statistical significance. Conclusion: the APPA protocol reduced the anxiety levels of nursing staff after 10 sessions. Further studies are, however, suggested with new populations and in different contexts so that the results can be confirmed. RBR-5pc43m.Objetivos: evaluar la efectividad del protocolo auricular para reducción de ansiedad, dolor (APPA) y mejoría de calidad de vida, en equipo de enfermería de un hospital. Método: ensayo clínico aleatorizado con muestra inicial de 180 profesionales divididos en 4 grupos: Control (G1), Semilla (G2), Aguja (G3) y Cinta Adhesiva (G4). Los instrumentos de evaluación fueron el Inventario de Ansiedad Rasgo-Estado, la Escala Visual Analógica de Dolor y el instrumento de Calidad de Vida, aplicados en el inicio, y después de cinco y 10 sesiones (cinco semanas). En el análisis se utilizó la estadística descriptiva, la análisis de variancia (ANOVA) y el Índice d de Cohen. Resultados: hubo diferencia estadística (p < 0,05) para la ansiedad según ANOVA de medidas repetidas, con mejores resultados para el G3 en la última evaluación (índice d de Cohen 1,08/17% de reducción). Hubo reducción de 36% en el G3, 24% en el G2 para el dolor y 13% de aumento en el nivel mental de calidad de vida para el G3, a pesar de que sin diferencias estadísticas. Conclusión: el protocolo APPA redujo los niveles de ansiedad en el equipo de enfermería después de 10 sesiones. Se sugiere realizar más estudios con nuevas poblaciones y en diferentes contextos para que los resultados puedan ser confirmados. RBR-5pc43m.Objetivos: avaliar a efetividade do protocolo auricular para redução de ansiedade, dor (APPA) e melhoria de qualidade de vida em equipe de Enfermagem de um hospital. Método: ensaio clínico randomizado com amostra inicial de 180 profissionais divididos em 4 grupos Controle (G1), Semente (G2), Agulha (G3) e Fita Adesiva (G4). Os instrumentos de avaliação foram o Inventário de Ansiedade Traço-Estado, Escala Visual Analógica de dor e instrumento de Qualidade de Vida, aplicados no início, depois de cinco e 10 sessões (cinco semanas). Na análise utilizou-se a estatística descritiva, a análise de variância (ANOVA) e o Índice d de Cohen. Resultados: houve diferença estatística (p < 0,05) para a ansiedade segundo ANOVA de medidas repetidas, com melhores resultados para o G3 na última avaliação (índice d de Cohen 1,08/17% de redução). Houve redução de 36% no G3, 24% no G2 para a dor e 13% de aumento no nível mental de qualidade de vida para o G3, embora sem diferenças estatísticas. Conclusão: o protocolo APPA reduziu os níveis de ansiedade em equipe de enfermagem depois de 10 sessões. Mas, sugerem-se mais estudos com novas populações e em diferentes contextos para que os resultados se confirmem. RBR-5pc43m

Docência em Enfermagem: insatisfações e indicadores desfavoráveis Enseñanza en Enfermería: insatisfacción e indicadores desfavorables Teaching in Nursing: dissatisfaction and unfavorable indicators

OBJETIVO: Identificar e analisar entre docentes de um curso de graduação em Enfermagem os momentos de insatisfação e os indicadores desfavoráveis de sua profissão e a relação entre esses elementos. MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo-exploratório de abordagem qualitativa, tendo como participantes 13 professores. A técnica de coleta de dados foi um questionário com questões norteadoras: de identificação e sobre a temática. A análise do material foi por identificação dos eixos temáticos e categorização. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se que a insatisfação na profissão compreendeu principalmente, duas categorias: questões éticas e o excesso de atividades, categorias que também foram identificadas como indicadores desfavoráveis da profissão. CONCLUSÃO: Tanto a insatisfação, quanto os indicadores desfavoráveis tiveram como principais questões éticas e excesso de atividades da carreira acadêmica, demandando atenção, devido aos problemas de saúde que podem acarretar ao profissional.<br>OBJETIVO: Identificar y analizar entre los profesores de un curso de Enfermería los momentos de insatisfacción y los indicadores desfavorables de su profesión; y, la verificar la relación entre estos elementos. MÉTODOS: Se trata de un estudio descriptivo exploratorio con abordaje cualitativo, en donde participaron 13 profesores. La técnica de recolección de datos fue un cuestionario con preguntas orientadoras (identificación y tema). El análisis de los datos fue realizado mediante la identificación de temas y categorización. RESULTADOS: Se encontró que la insatisfacción en la profesión, estuvo principalmente compuesta por dos categorías: 1) aspectos éticos y 2) actividades excesivas; estas categorías también aparecieron como indicadores desfavorables de la profesión. CONCLUSIÓN: Tanto la insatisfacción como los indicadores desfavorables estuvieron relacionadas con cuestiones éticas y actividades excesivas de la carrera académica, lo que exige atención, debido a los problemas de salud que pueden ocasionarle al profesional.<br>OBJECTIVE: To identify and analyze, among teachers from an undergraduate course in nursing, moments of dissatisfaction and unfavorable indicators of their profession, and also to verify the relationship between these elements. METHODS: It was a descriptive exploratory study with a qualitative approach; 13 teachers took part in the research. The technique of data collection was a questionnaire with leading questions (identification and on the theme). The data analysis was made by identification of themes and categorization. RESULTS: It was found that the dissatisfaction with the profession was mainly expressed by two categories: 1) ethical issues and 2) excessive activities; these categories were also identified as unfavorable indicators of the profession. CONCLUSION: Both, dissatisfaction and unfavorable indicators were related to ethical issues and excessive activities demanded by the academic career; this situation demands to pay attention, since those issues may cause health problems to the professional