Abstract P848: A Better Way to NIHSS

Introduction: “A Better Way to NIHSS” evaluated feasibility and effectiveness of in-person National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) training compared to traditional training across a 17-hospital system. Stroke practitioners are encouraged and sometime required to be NIHSS certified. Despite the ubiquity of the scale, it presents challenges for care providers. Items with poor reliability, improper technique, and scoring errors may lead to a lack of recognition of neurologic decline. Standard computer-based training may not effectively prepare RNs. An updated in-person course was needed to improve practitioner satisfaction and scoring accuracy. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that we could improve practitioner satisfaction, scoring accuracy and system efficacy by developing and implementing an in-person NIHSS course. Methods: Pitfalls of traditional computer training were identified by a stroke APN. In collaboration with national and regional subject matter experts, evidence-based curriculum was developed. Emphasis was placed upon live demonstration of exam technique, and student return-demonstration for psychomotor competency. Tools were provided to meet visual and read/write learning styles. Over 1-year, a hospital system collaborated to standardize the curriculum, HR certification and tracking process, and instructor training. Instructors received 1-on-1 training and mentorship to effectively deliver content. Instructors in training often co-taught classes until they were comfortable, had speaker notes to assist them, and training sessions geared to their needs. Standardized evaluation tools, stakeholder input, data, and random chart audits were utilized to evaluate effectiveness. Results: Over 18 months, 14 instructors were trained and 896 RNs certified. Evaluations showed improved learner knowledge, skills, and confidence. Educator training led to improved instructor evaluations. Documentation showed improved accuracy of scoring during random chart audits. Items with greatest improvement were limb ataxia, facial droop, visual fields, and aphasia. Conclusion: Systems should consider implementing and offering in-person NIHSS course to reduce the incidence of improper exam technique and scoring errors.

NOFSal-MP10: A single hypervariable STR 12-plex for accurate verification of triploidy in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

An increasing interest in production of sterile fish in aquaculture requires rapid, accurate and efficient testing for certification of triploidy prior to sale. Further, validation of triploidy can be beneficial, and even required, for accrediting methods of triploid production. A PCR-genotyping approach using a single megaplex of 12 hypervariable STR markers shows accurate and highly repeatable results enabling verification of ploidy in a single test. The NOFSal-MP10 panel contains 12 STR markers mapped to 9 chromosomes with an average of 21.4 alleles per marker for a combined total of 257 alleles based on genotyped samples to-date. The hypervariable nature of these 12 STRs leads to a large probability for three uniquely sized alleles to be observed at each marker, thus providing a rapid confirmation of ploidy based on the count of allele fragments per marker. Further, as a PCR amplification step is involved, this method is robust to DNA quality and quantity, making it suitable for very early determination of ploidy, as early as the eyed-egg stage. Repeat genotyping of positive control diploid Atlantic salmon over two different capillary electrophoretic instruments in different laboratories and with multiple laboratory personnel proves the panel’s robustness to scoring errors with an overall allelic error rate of 0.3% and a false-positive triploid assignment rate of zero. Genotyping of DNA from 1238 eggs and larvae from 18 independent triploid production batches over three years confirmed triploidy in 98% of samples based on a semi-strict criterion of three unique alleles at one or more loci, and 95% based on a strict criterion of three unique alleles at two or more loci.HighlightsThis paper describes a rapid quantifiable test for validation of triploidy in Atlantic salmonThe method is highly accurate and repeatable and robust to DNA quality, allowing testing in embryonic stagesRapid early testing of triploidy will enable certified sales of triploid eggs for production

Rancang Bangun Aplikasi Kraepelin Test Berbasis Web Menggunakan Metode Bubble Sort

Psychological testing has now become an important enough part of life to be able to understand and recognize one's potential and personality. One of the instruments used by psychologists is Kraepelin test. Kraepelin test is part of a psychological test that measures speed, accuracy, constancy, and endurance at work. The scoring process is currently done manually, so it requires time, calculation process and high accuracy, for this research makes a website-based application with the aim to facilitate scoring so that it can anticipate misperceptions about the results of other people's tests because scoring errors are done manually. Kraepelin test in this application uses the UI version which amounts to 40 question lines referring to the standard standards of the Kraepelin Test norm. To maintain the rigidity of the problem, the Bubble Sort method is used. Psychology Expert Test obtained the percentage of suitability between the application with the manual, namely: Panker (Speed) 100%, Tianker (Accuracy) 100%, Janker (Constancy) 100% and Hanker (Endurance) 100%.

Development of microsatellite markers for the threatened species Coleocephalocereus purpureus (Cactaceae) using next-generation sequencing

Ten microsatellite loci were developed and validated for the endangered cactus species Coleocephalocereus purpureus. The markers were obtained from sequences generated by whole genome shotgun sequencing approaches. A testing group of 36 specimens of the main grouping were genotyped and all described markers presented suitable outcomes to population genetic studies, showing polymorphic status for C. purpureus testing group with clean and reproducible amplification. No evidence for scoring errors, null alleles or linkage disequilibrium was detected. Number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 6 and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.78 to 0.99. These new microsatellite loci are suitable to be used in future diversity and structure population studies of C. purpureus.

Population Genetic Structure and Breeding Pattern of Cimex hemipterus (F.) (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) in Malaysia

The surge in tropical bed bug Cimex hemipterus (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) infestations has led to an increase in genomic studies. In this study, the population genetics and breeding patterns of 22 Malaysian populations were analyzed, including genetic differentiation and genetic distance. For seven microsatellite loci, the number of alleles varied from 6 to 14. The allelels per loci contrasted sharply between the overall population and within the populations. The average observed and expected heterozygosity was 0.280 and 0.828 for the overall population and 0.281 and 0.657 among the populations, respectively. Based on polymorphic information criteria, the markers with a value >0.5 were highly polymorphic. In the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, the loci of Ch 09ttn, Ch 01dn, and Ch 13dn of the overall population showed signs of a null allele. The stutter peaks caused no scoring errors; large allele dropouts were not detected for any loci; and a correlation imbalance was not indicated. The genetic differentiation among populations was moderate, with a coefficient of genetic differentiation (FST) of 0.144. The bed bug populations showed strong inbreeding, with highly positive coefficients of inbreeding (FIS). The molecular variation attributed to inbreeding was 83% within the populations, compared with 17% among the populations. The admixture individuals in STRUCTURE and neighbor-joining phylogenetic trees also indicated weak genetic structure in the geographical populations, suggesting moderate gene flows between populations. Thus, moderately active dispersion and human-mediated transport shaped the genetic structure of C. hemipterus populations in Malaysia.

Wechsler Administration and Scoring Errors Made by Graduate Students and School Psychologists

Individuals trained in the use of cognitive tests should be able to complete an assessment without making administrative, scoring, or recording errors. However, an examination of 295 Wechsler protocols completed by graduate students and practicing school psychologists revealed that errors are the norm, not the exception. The most common errors included failure to administer sample items, incorrect calculation of raw scores, failure to record responses verbatim, and failure to query. Significant differences were found between specific error frequencies of students and practitioners. Adequate training in administering the Wechsler scales is clearly essential. Based on the outcome of this study, it is recommended that programs training students to administer cognitive assessments provide ample feedback, and that practicing psychologists maintain best practices and take part in continuing education regarding cognitive assessments.

Developing Proficiency in Standardized Cognitive Assessment Scoring: How Much Is Enough?

This study aims to systematically evaluate the scoring errors made by psychologists in training, in the hopes of providing strong, empirically based guidelines to training programs. Survival analysis was used to determine the number of attempts required for graduate students to achieve proficiency in scoring standardized record forms from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fourth Edition (WISC-IV). The results suggest that the majority of students will require at least six attempts prior to achieving proficiency in the standardized scoring procedure associated with the WISC-IV. The significant contribution of this study stems from its notably larger sample size ( N = 546 record forms) and increased ecological validity compared with previous studies. As a result, this study is likely to improve training in an area that has been established as a core competency for school, clinical, and counselling psychologists.

Common Examiner Scoring Errors on Academic Achievement Measures

This study examined the scoring errors across three widely used achievement tests (Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement–Second Edition [KTEA-2], Woodcock–Johnson Tests of Achievement–Third Edition [WJ-III], and the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test–Third Edition [WIAT-III]) by novice examiners. A total of 114 protocols were evaluated for differences between the measures on the frequency and type of scoring errors. Within-measure analyses were also conducted to identify particular composites or subtests that might be more prone to error. Among the three measures, the WIAT-III was found to have the most scoring elements and was, therefore, the measure most susceptible to errors in scoring. Irrespective of the measure, more errors occurred on composites requiring greater examiner inference and interpretation, similar to previous studies on the propensity of scoring errors on cognitive measures. Results are discussed in relation to assessment fidelity and to assessment training practices.

Parentage determination of cuttlefish (Sepiella japonica) based on microsatellite DNA markers

Microsatellite markers have been used for more than ten years to elucidate parentage relationships in aquaculture species. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of utilizing microsatellite markers for parentage determination in cuttlefish (Sepiella japonica) using simulations and real data analysis. We developed a panel of eight microsatellite markers in our lab. These markers were highly polymorphic with a mean of 10.1 alleles and an average expected heterozygosity value of 0.809. Using five simple sequence repeat markers, an allele frequency data-based simulation indicated that the combined exclusion probability values would be over 99%, whereas the rate of assignment success for the real data set was 91.8%. Mismatches caused by null alleles and scoring errors at microsatellite loci were the major reasons for the discrepancies between the simulations and real data analysis. We concluded that microsatellite markers can be used as a powerful tool to evaluate the effectiveness of enhancement and release programs for S. japonica.