The development of musical taste and judgement : an investigation of the standard of musical taste and judgement in an unselected group of New Zealand school children

The purpose of this investigation is clearly expressed in its title; it is an attempt to trace the development (whether positive or negative) of the degree or standard of musical taste or judgement throughout the school life of an unselected group of normal children.

The development of musical taste and judgement : an investigation of the standard of musical taste and judgement in an unselected group of New Zealand school children

The purpose of this investigation is clearly expressed in its title; it is an attempt to trace the development (whether positive or negative) of the degree or standard of musical taste or judgement throughout the school life of an unselected group of normal children.

A Network Analysis of the Relationship among Reading, Spelling and Maths Skills

Background. Skill learning (e.g., reading, spelling and maths) has been predominantly treated separately in the neuropsychological literature. However, skills (as well as their corresponding deficits), tend to partially overlap. We recently proposed a multi-level model of learning skills (based on the distinction among competence, performance, and acquisition) as a framework to provide a unitary account of these learning skills. In the present study, we examined the performance of an unselected group of third- to fifth-grade children on standard reading, spelling, and maths tasks, and tested the relationships among these skills with a network analysis, i.e., a method particularly suited to analysing relations among different domains. Methods. We administered a battery of reading, spelling, and maths tests to 185 third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade children (103 M, 82 F). Results. The network analysis indicated that the different measures of the same ability (i.e., reading, spelling, and maths) formed separate clusters, in keeping with the idea that they are based on different competences. However, these clusters were also related to each other, so that three nodes were more central in connecting them. In keeping with the multi-level model of learning skills, two of these tests (arithmetic facts subtest and spelling words with ambiguous transcription) relied heavily on the ability to recall specific instances, a factor hypothesised to underlie the co-variation among learning skills. Conclusions. The network analysis indicated both elements of association and of partial independence among learning skills. Interestingly, the study was based on standard clinical instruments, indicating that the multi-level model of learning skills might provide a framework for the clinical analysis of these learning skills.

Heart failure medication after a first hospital admission and risk of heart failure readmission, focus on beta-blockers and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system medication: A retrospective cohort study in linked databases

Background This study assessed the association between heart failure (HF) medication (angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACEI)/angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARB), beta-blockers (BB), mineralocorticoid-receptor antagonists (MRA) and diuretics) and HF readmissions in a real-world unselected group of patients after a first hospital admission for HF. Furthermore we analysed readmission rates for ACEI versus ARB and for carvedilol versus β1-selective BB and we investigated the effect of HF medication in relation to time since discharge. Methods and findings Medication at discharge was determined with dispensing data from the Dutch PHARMO Database Network including 22,476 patients with HF between 2001 and 2015. After adjustment for age, gender, number of medications and year of admission no associations were found for users versus non-users of ACEI/ARB (hazard ratio, HR = 1.01; 95%CI 0.96–1.06), BB (HR = 1.00; 95%CI 0.95–1.05) and readmissions. The risk of readmission for patients prescribed MRA (HR = 1.11; 95%CI 1.05–1.16) or diuretics (HR = 1.17; 95%CI 1.09–1.25) was higher than for non-users. The HR for ARB relative to ACEI was 1.04 (95%CI 0.97–1.12) and for carvedilol relative to β1-selective BB 1.33 (95%CI 1.20–1.46). Post-hoc analyses showed a protective effect shortly after discharge for most medications. For example one month post discharge the HR for ACEI/ARB was 0.77 (95%CI 0.69–0.86). Although we did try to adjust for confounding by indication, probably residual confounding is still present. Conclusions Patients who were prescribed carvedilol have a higher or at least a similar risk of HF readmission compared to β1-selective BB. This study showed that all groups of HF medication -some more pronounced than others- were more effective immediately following discharge.

Testing the Specificity of Predictors of Reading, Spelling and Maths: A New Model of the Association Among Learning Skills Based on Competence, Performance and Acquisition

In a previous study (Zoccolotti et al., 2020) we examined reading, spelling, and maths skills in an unselected group of 129 Italian children attending fifth grade by testing various cognitive predictors; results showed a high degree of predictors’ selectivity for each of these three behaviors. In the present study, we focused on the specificity of the predictors by performing cross-analyses on the same dataset; i.e., we predicted spelling and maths skills based on reading predictors, reading based on maths predictors and so on. Results indicated that some predictors, such as the Orthographic Decision and the Arithmetic Facts tests, predicted reading, spelling and maths skills in similar ways, while others predicted different behaviors but only for a specific parameter, such as fluency but not accuracy (as in the case of RAN), and still others were specific for a single behavior (e.g., Visual-auditory Pseudo-word Matching test predicted only spelling skills). To interpret these results, we propose a novel model of learning skills separately considering factors in terms of competence, performance and acquisition (automatization). Reading, spelling and calculation skills would depend on the development of discrete and different abstract competences (accounting for the partial dissociations among learning disorders reported in the literature). By contrast, overlap among behaviors would be accounted for by defective acquisition in automatized responses to individual “instances”; this latter skill is item specific but domain independent. Finally, performance factors implied in task’s characteristics (such as time pressure) may contribute to the partial association among learning skills. It is proposed that this new model may provide a useful base for interpreting the diffuse presence of comorbidities among learning disorders.

Social Sampling: Children track social choices to reason about status hierarchies

We tested whether preschool-aged children (N = 280) track an agents’ choices of individuals from novel social groups (i.e., social choices) to infer an agent’s social preferences and the social status of the groups. Across experiments, children saw a box containing two groups (red and blue toy cats). In Experiment 1, children were randomly assigned to Social Selection in which items were described as “friends” or to Object Selection in which items were described as “toys.” Within each selection type, the agent selected five items from either a numerically common group (82% of box; selections appearing random) or a numerically rare group (18% of box; selections violating random sampling). After watching these selections, children were asked who the agent would play with among three individuals: one from the selected group, one from the unselected group, or one from a novel group. Only participants who viewed Social Selection of a numerically rare group predicted that the agent would select an individual from that group in the future. These participants also said an individual from the selected group was the “leader.” Subsequent experiments further probed the Social Selection findings. Children’s reasoning depended on the agent actively selecting the “friends” (Experiment 2) and children thought a member of the rare selected group was the “leader” but not the “helper” (Experiment 3). These results illustrate that children track an agent’s positive social choices to reason about that agent’s social preferences and to infer the status (likelihood of being a “leader”) of novel social groups.

Pregnant women’s knowledge and behaviour to prevent cytomegalovirus infection: an observational study

ObjectivesCongenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection can negatively affect pregnancy outcomes, but may be prevented by simple precautions. Literature suggests that gynaecologists do not always adequately inform about preventive behaviour and most pregnant women have a low-level knowledge regarding cCMV infection. The aim of this study is to evaluate knowledge and risk behaviours related to cCMV infection in an unselected group of pregnant women.MethodsAn institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted in three Maternal and Fetal Divisions in Rome between November and February 2019 on 296 pregnant women, their knowledge on cCMV was measured using six cytomegalovirus (CMV) related questions.ResultsOut of the 296 respondents, 59.1% had heard, read or seen information about cCMV infection. Regarding the way of transmission, 96/296 (32.4%) correctly recognize children as a potential source of the infection but only 25/296 (8.44%) knew all prevention practices, 28/296 (9.5%) of women reported that they have never performed cCMV test during pregnancy.ConclusionsThe results of this survey show that knowledge on cCMV infection among pregnant women is poor. This highlights the need to improve counselling on all preventive practices for cCMV infection during perinatal care consultation.

Initial Experience Using the Radiofrequency Needle Visualization on the Electroanatomical Mapping System for Transseptal Puncture

Introduction. Transseptal puncture (TSP) is a routine access route in patients with left-sided ablation substrates and is performed safely on fluoroscopy (+/− echocardiographic guidance). We report on our experience using a radiofrequency (RF) needle in an unselected group of patients to demonstrate safety and usefulness of direct tip visualization on the 3D electroanatomical mapping (EAM) system with specific emphasis on total radiation exposure. Methods and Results. We retrospectively reviewed 42 consecutive left-sided ablation procedures with TSP performed using an RF needle guided by fluoroscopy and/or EAM visualization by a single operator. The procedures included atrial fibrillation (n = 33), atrial tachycardia (n = 8), and ventricular tachycardia (n = 1) ablations. Fourteen of 41 patients had congenital heart disease, including 9 patients with previous septal closure. Twenty-two patients had at least one previous TSP. All TSPs were performed successfully and without complications. The overall median fluoroscopy time amounted to 3.2 min and median exposure of 199.5 µGy∗m2. In a subgroup of patients (n = 27), the RF needle was visualized on the EAM system: median radiation time was 0.88 (interquartile range: 0–3.4) min and median exposure 33.5 [0–324.8] µGy∗m2. Conclusions. TSP using an RF needle is an effective technique, also in congenital patients with artificial patch material and in normal patients with multiple previous TSPs. Moreover, the RF needle tip visualization on EAM allows a low (or even zero) fluoroscopy approach.

AB1288-HPR BURTON PATIENT REPORTED OUTCOME MEASURES (B-PROM): STEPS TOWARDS VALIDATION

Background:Patient reported outcome measure (PROMS) and experience measures (PREMS) are becoming of vital importance in the assemment of treating the rheumatic diseases. There have been a variety measuring different elements of a patients disease journey. To date few have been developed specifically in rheumatology outpatients, to that end the Burton rheumatology unit in the Midlands UK developed a 12 question PROM looking at the three domains of emotional, physical and functional health, this has been mindful of previois PROMS and PREMS developed1,2,3.Objectives:To validate a new PROM questionnaire in an unselected group of rheumatology outpatients with osteoarthritiss (OA)Methods:Consecutive patients with OA attending outpatients in Burton were asked to fill in the questionnaire at the beginning and after completing education and exercise programme designed by the physiotherapists to treat OA. The results collated were analysed using STATA ™. Cronbach’s alpha was calculated to look internal validity within domain and overall to assess validity of the questionannire. This was done within domain and with the overall questionnaire.Results:130 patients were included, mean age was 65 and diagnosis was osteoarthritis. 71.5% patients were female. Cronbachs alpha results for the communication, relationship and reliability within the first domain were 0.80, 0.82 and 0.82 respectively. Domain 1: alpha for all three questions was 0.93. Domain 2: alpha for questions on knowledge was 0.60, reliability 0.81, fatigue 0.79 and pain 0.85. Domain two overall agreed with the other two domains was 0.95 . Domain 3: the alpha for movement was 0.81, strength was 0.73, independence was 0.81, mobility was 0.91 and social was 0.92. Domain three had an alpha overall of 0.93Conclusion:The B-PROM shows good validity and could be used in patients with OA, further work using it on other patient groups will be performed.References:[1]Nutland H et al.A New Patient Reported Tool in The Assessment of Physiotherapy for Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis. doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-eular.5926[2]Nisar M et al. Development of A Patient Reported Self-Assessment Tool for Rheumatology Patients. doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-eular.4670[3]Bosworth A, Cox M, O’Brien A, Jones P, Sargeant I, Elliott A, Bukhari M. Development and validation of a Patient Reported Experience Measure (PREM) for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other rheumatic conditions.Curr Rheumatol Rev. 2015 May 21. Clinical Rheumatology. February 2016, Volume 35, Issue 2, pp 513-516Disclosure of Interests:Ramasharan Laxminarayan Speakers bureau: Novartis, Pfizer and Lilly, Allison Dean: None declared, Helen Nutland: None declared, Lisa Bembridge: None declared, Marwan Bukhari Speakers bureau: Bristol-Myers Squib, UCB celltech, Roche/Chugai, Pfizer, Abbvie, Merck, Mennarini, Sanofi-aventis, Eli-Lilly, Janssen, Amgen and Novartis.