A reliable and valid measure of COVID-19 patient-reported symptoms in outpatients: the Symptoms Evolution of COVID-19 (SE-C19) instrument

Background: There is no valid and reliable patient self-reported measure assessing symptomology among outpatients with COVID-19. The Symptoms Evolution of COVID-19 (SE-C19) is a self-administered new instrument that includes 23 symptoms, each rated for severity at their worst moment within the last 24 hours. We studied the psychometric properties of SE-C19. Methods: Reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change of the SE-C19 were assessed in 657 outpatients with confirmed COVID-19 enrolled in NCT04425629. SE-C19 and Patient Global Impression of Severity (PGIS) were administered daily from baseline (predose at Day 1) to end of study (Day 29). Findings: Most patients (70.0%) were aged ≤50 years and white (85.5%). At baseline, patients reported an average (SD) of 6.6 (3.9) symptoms (ie, rated as at least Mild) with 3.8 (3.3) of these symptoms being rated as Moderate or Severe. By Day 29, most symptoms had resolved; 74.4% of patients reported no symptoms and on average, only 0.6 (SD 1.5) were reported as at least Mild. Stable patients according to the PGIS showed scores with intraclass correlation values indicating moderate-to-good test-retest reliability (ie, 0.50-0.90). At baseline, 20 item scores (87%) varied significantly across PGIS defined groups supporting the validity of SE-C19. A symptom resolution endpoint was defined after excluding the item 'Sneezing', due to its low ability to discriminate severity levels, and 'Confusion', 'Rash', and 'Vomiting', due to their low prevalence in this population. Symptoms resolution required complete absence of all remaining items, except 'Cough', 'Fatigue', and 'Headache', which could be Mild or Moderate in severity. Interpretation: We identified 19 items that are valid and reliable to measure disease-related symptoms in COVID-19 outpatients and propose a definition of symptom resolution that could be used in future clinical trials and potentially, also in clinical practice.

A Comparative Study of Structural and Metabolic Brain Networks in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment

Background: Changes in the metabolic and structural brain networks in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) have been widely researched. However, few studies have compared the differences in the topological properties of the metabolic and structural brain networks in patients with MCI.Methods: We analyzedmagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) data of 137 patients with MCI and 80 healthy controls (HCs). The HC group data comes from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database. The permutation test was used to compare the network parameters (characteristic path length, clustering coefficient, local efficiency, and global efficiency) between the two groups. Partial Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to calculate the correlations of the changes in gray matter volume and glucose intake in the key brain regions in MCI with the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive (ADAS-cog) sub-item scores.Results: Significant changes in the brain network parameters (longer characteristic path length, larger clustering coefficient, and lower local efficiency and global efficiency) were greater in the structural network than in the metabolic network (longer characteristic path length) in MCI patients than in HCs. We obtained the key brain regions (left globus pallidus, right calcarine fissure and its surrounding cortex, left lingual gyrus) by scanning the hubs. The volume of gray matter atrophy in the left globus pallidus was significantly positively correlated with comprehension of spoken language (p = 0.024) and word-finding difficulty in spontaneous speech item scores (p = 0.007) in the ADAS-cog. Glucose intake in the three key brain regions was significantly negatively correlated with remembering test instructions items in ADAS-cog (p = 0.020, p = 0.014, and p = 0.008, respectively).Conclusion: Structural brain networks showed more changes than metabolic brain networks in patients with MCI. Some brain regions with significant changes in betweenness centrality in both structural and metabolic networks were associated with MCI.

Utility of the Intelligibility in Context Scale for Predicting Speech Intelligibility of Children with Cerebral Palsy

The Intelligibility in Context Scale (ICS) is a widely used, efficient tool for describing a child’s speech intelligibility. Few studies have explored the relationship between ICS scores and transcription intelligibility scores, which are the gold standard for clinical measurement. This study examined how well ICS composite scores predicted transcription intelligibility scores among children with cerebral palsy (CP), how well individual questions from the ICS differentially predicted transcription intelligibility scores, and how well the ICS composite scores differentiated between children with and without speech motor impairment. Parents of 48 children with CP, who were approximately 13 years of age, completed the ICS. Ninety-six adult naïve listeners provided orthographic transcriptions of children’s speech. Transcription intelligibility scores were regressed on ICS composite scores and individual item scores. Dysarthria status was regressed on ICS composite scores. Results indicated that ICS composite scores were moderately strong predictors of transcription intelligibility scores. One individual ICS item differentially predicted transcription intelligibility scores, and dysarthria severity influenced how well ICS composite scores differentiated between children with and without speech motor impairment. Findings suggest that the ICS has potential clinical utility for children with CP, especially when used with other objective measures of speech intelligibility.

Studiosta steissille – Multimodaaliset kuuntelutehtävät ylioppilastutkinnon pitkien oppimäärien kielikokeissa 2018

Tässä tutkimuksessa tarkasteltiin ylioppilastutkinnon kielikokeissa esiintyvien kuullunymmärtämistehtävien reiluutta ja tarkoituksenmukaisuutta. Keskityimme multimodaalisiin tehtävätyyppeihin, jotka tulivat mahdolliseksi digitaalisen ylioppilastutkinnon myötä. Aineisto käsitti englannin (n = 37086), ruotsin (n = 1626) ja saksan (n = 491) pitkien oppimäärien kokeisiin vuonna 2018 osallistuneiden kokelaiden osiokohtaiset pistemäärät, joita analysoitiin tilastollisin menetelmin. Lisäksi kyseisten kokeiden koetehtäviä ja niiden kuvauksia analysoitiin teorialähtöisellä sisällönanalyysillä. Multimodaaliset tehtävät edellyttävät kielitaidon lisäksi monilukutaitoa eli monimuotoisten tekstien ja niiden yhdistelmien tulkintaa. Eri kohderyhmien välisiä eroja tutkittaessa havaittiin joitakin eroja englannissa poikien ja ruotsinkielisten ja ruotsissa tyttöjen eduksi. Tasa-arvoisimmiksi osoittautuivat saksan kokeet. Tulokset hyödyttävät koetehtävien laatijoiden lisäksi kielten opetuksen parissa työskenteleviä. From Studio to Station – Multimodal Listening Comprehension Task Types in in Long Syllabus of Languages in Finnish Matriculation Examinations in 2018 Abstract This study addressed fairness and meaningfulness of listening comprehension tasks in the newly digitalized Finnish Matriculation Examination focusing on multimodal task types. The data comprised item scores of test takers in 2018 in long syllabus English (n = 37086), Swedish (n = 1626) and German (n = 491) and related test tasks together with task description sheets. Item scores were analyzed with statistical methods, and the task content with theory-driven content analysis. Multimodal items prerequisite multiple language-related and general competences and strategies and combinations of them. Group wise differences between investigated groups were detected in English in favour of boys and in Swedish in favor of girls, while all differences were smallest in the German tests. The results contribute to item writing and language education in general. Keywords: listening comprehension, language assessment, high-stakes tests, computer-assisted testing

NCOG-49. UNMET NEEDS AND WISH FOR SUPPORT OF FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF PRIMARY BRAIN TUMOUR PATIENTS

BACKGROUND Most primary brain tumour patients rely on informal caregivers (i.e. family members or friends) for practical and emotional support. While caregiving can be rewarding, it may lead to significant burden. To develop support it is therefore vital to distinguish between unmet needs, and an actual wish for support. Study aims: 1) identify the presence and magnitude of caregivers’ unmet needs; 2) examine associations between unmet needs and wish for support; 3) evaluate perceived usefulness of caregiver needs screening in clinical practice. METHODS Family caregivers of primary brain tumour patients were recruited and asked to complete an adapted version of the Caregiver Needs Screen (CNS) which consisted of 33 common issues in neuro-oncology caregiving (scale 0-10), and the wish for support (yes/no). Participants ranked (0-7) their experience of using the CNS with a study-specific evaluation questionnaire. Descriptive and correlational analyses were applied. RESULTS Caregivers (N=79) reported between 1-33 unmet needs (M=17.20, sd=7.98) but did not always wish for support (range 0-28, M=4.71, sd=6.63). Most distressing items were changes in patient’s memory or concentration (M=5.75, SD=3.29), followed closely by patient’s fatigue (M=5.58, SD= 3.43), and recognising signs of disease progression (M=5.23, SD= 3.15). A weak correlation was found between the total number of unmet needs and wish for support (r=0.296, p=0.014). Caregivers most often wished for support with recognising disease progression (N=24, 34.78%), and least often with managing spiritual issues (N=0, 0%). Caregivers evaluated the CNS tool positively (mean item scores ranging 4.19-6.21 out of 7). CONCLUSIONS Family caregivers experience distress resulting from many neuro-oncology specific needs, but this is not directly related to a wish for support. Caregiver needs screening could be useful to tailor support to suit caregivers’ preferences in clinical practice.

Quantity Surveying Profession and Its Prospects in Nigeria

The study assessed the prospects of the Quantity Surveying profession in Nigeria. The study identified and evaluated the level of performance of the identified functions performed by the quantity surveyors in the Nigerian Construction industry. The study reveals that there is a high level of performance of the basic functions of the quantity surveyors which include feasibility and viability studies, contract documentation, life cycle costing, preliminary cost advice, etc. The study also examined the factors militating against the effective performance of the quantity surveyor’s functions in the Nigerian Construction industry. The study identified and presented some possible factors militating against the performance of Quantity Surveying functions and some anticipated measures to enhance the quantity Surveying profession for evaluation by the respondents using structured questionnaires. The data collected were analyzed with SPSS version 23 using frequencies and mean item scores. The study revealed some major factors militating against the effective performance of the quantity surveying profession in the Nigerian Construction industry like widespread corruption in Nigeria with a mean score of 4.53, obsolete curriculum and inadequacy in modern equipment with a mean score of 4.41, professional rivalry from kindred profession with a mean score of 4.35, level of adoption of UT with mean a score of 4.32, and inadequacies in academic and professional training with a mean score of 4.18 among others. The study equally revealed some important measures requiring implementation to enhance the quantity of Surveying profession in Nigeria like a clear delineation in professional functions in the construction industry to curb professional rivalry with a mean score of 4.35, reviewing the curriculum of Tertiary Institutions with a mean score of 4.24, improving professional skills through continuing professional development with a mean score of 4.15, improving technological applications in the execution of Quantity Surveying functions with a mean score of 3.91 and professional certification in specialized areas with a mean score of 3.85.

Quantity Surveying Profession and Its Prospects in Nigeria

The study assessed the prospects of the Quantity Surveying profession in Nigeria. The study identified and evaluated the level of performance of the identified functions performed by the quantity surveyors in the Nigerian Construction industry. The study reveals that there is a high level of performance of the basic functions of the quantity surveyors which include feasibility and viability studies, contract documentation, life cycle costing, preliminary cost advice, etc. The study also examined the factors militating against the effective performance of the quantity surveyor’s functions in the Nigerian Construction industry. The study identified and presented some possible factors militating against the performance of Quantity Surveying functions and some anticipated measures to enhance the quantity Surveying profession for evaluation by the respondents using structured questionnaires. The data collected were analyzed with SPSS version 23 using frequencies and mean item scores. The study revealed some major factors militating against the effective performance of the quantity surveying profession in the Nigerian Construction industry like widespread corruption in Nigeria with a mean score of 4.53, obsolete curriculum and inadequacy in modern equipment with a mean score of 4.41, professional rivalry from kindred profession with a mean score of 4.35, level of adoption of UT with mean a score of 4.32, and inadequacies in academic and professional training with a mean score of 4.18 among others. The study equally revealed some important measures requiring implementation to enhance the quantity of Surveying profession in Nigeria like a clear delineation in professional functions in the construction industry to curb professional rivalry with a mean score of 4.35, reviewing the curriculum of Tertiary Institutions with a mean score of 4.24, improving professional skills through continuing professional development with a mean score of 4.15, improving technological applications in the execution of Quantity Surveying functions with a mean score of 3.91 and professional certification in specialized areas with a mean score of 3.85.

Parents' Experience and Satisfaction in Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Ethiopia: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study Using an Adapted Version of EMPATHIC-N

Background: In neonatal intensive care units (NICU) setting, parents' experience and satisfaction permit to evaluate clinical practice and improve the care of infants and parents. Little is known about this topic in low resource settings. The aim of this study was to (1) translate, adapt and validate the EMpowerment of PArents in THe Intensive Care-Neonatology (EMPHATIC-N) questionnaire in two languages in Ethiopia (2) explore parents' satisfaction with the care received in the NICUs in three hospitals; and, (3) explore socio-demographic characteristics and level of the NICU influence on the EMPATHIC-N domains.Methods: This was a cross-sectional multicenter study. Participants were recruited from three different NICUs in Ethiopia upon discharge. We reduced the original EMPATHIC-N instrument to 38 items, culturally adapted and validated it in two local languages. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was applied to verify the factor structure of the questionnaire, investigating the relationship between items and the five latent domains. Single item scores and the aggregate scores of the domains were investigated across NICUs and in the sample overall. Differences in the distribution of the domain scores were tested according to socio-demographic participants' characteristics. The scores of four general questions about overall experience and satisfaction were investigated in relation to the participant's characteristics and NICU levels. Qualitative data were collected using four open-ended questions and a synthesis of results was provided.Results: Almost all the parents answered to the questionnaire (92%, n = 386). Questionnaire items on satisfaction on average scored more than four. The highest mean scores were obtained for Parental participation (median: 5.17; iqr: 4.67–5.62), while they were lower for Organization/Hospital environment (median: 4.67; iqr:4.33–5.17). Different levels of parent satisfaction were observed across the NICU levels showing a statistically higher satisfaction in level II NICU compared to the other levels. Education, place of residence and length of stay were associated with parental satisfaction and experience.Conclusion: This study validated two Ethiopian versions of the EMPATHIC-N questionnaire to assess parents' experience and satisfaction during their child's stay in the NICU. The differences found across the three levels of NICU suggest the need to further investigate the determinants of satisfaction.

Information Technology Student’s Perception Toward E-Learning During Pandemic Covid-19

The outbreak of COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the educational system around the world. It prompted the closure of educational institutions, which had a negative impact on the student activities all over the world. COVID-19 required confinement and isolation due to its infectious nature thus imposed seclusion, which has a significant impact on lecturers and student’s personal interactions. The quantitative approach has been adopted and responses using the data that collected through online questionnaires from 200 students from Department of Information technology and Communication at Politeknik Ungku Omar. This research was conducted during August – September 2021 and the data were recorded in SPSS and analyzed using descriptive statistics. This study reveals that the most difficulties in e-Learning to adjust their learning styles and maintain focus. Moreover, students also most of the students have less motivation when learning online compared to face-to-face learning. The mean perceived in the differences of perceptions according to gender, household income and area of residence are also have significantly different. this study reveals that most students satisfied with the lecturer’s teaching delivery through online platform. This item scores the highest score mean among other items. Most students recommend reducing workload and providing longer assessment times to improve motivation in an e-Learning environment. By giving light on the perspective of diploma students, the findings of this study add to current studies on students' perspectives and preferences for e-Learning education