bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PREDICTIVE VALIDITY WITHIN CATEGORIZATIONS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS: 1978, 1981, AND 19851
Authors: Morgan Rick 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTSAT scores, student‐reported high school grades, and scores for four other Admissions Testing Program tests were correlated with freshman grade point average for students at 198 colleges from the enrolling classes of 1978, 1981, and 1985. The purpose of the study was to determine whether observed changes in correlations between test scores and college grades were 1) restricted to the SAT, 2) due to changes in student subgroups, and 3) comparable at different ability levels within the freshman class. Declines were found in the correlation of freshman grades with three of the four achievement tests examined. The data were also analyzed for students classified according to sex, ethnic group, intended major, and SAT score level. Nearly all of these demographic subgroups had the pattern of a stronger relationship of SAT scores with freshman grades for the enrolling class of 1978 than for the enrolling class of 1985. A minimal decline in SAT regression weights was found for students scoring in the upper third of SAT test takers within their college. The recent decline in the relationship between SAT sores and freshman grades may be largely focused on students with SAT scores in the lower two‐thirds of their respective college classes.
TOWARD A FRAMEWORK FOR CONSTRUCTED‐RESPONSE ITEMS
Authors: Bennett Randy Elliot , Ward William C. , Rock Donald A. , LaHart Colleen 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTA framework for categorizing constructed‐response items was developed in which items were ordered on a continuum from multiple‐choice to presentation/performance according to the degree of constraint placed on the examinee's response. Two investigations were carried out to evaluate the validity of this framework. In the first investigation, 27 test development staff assigned 46 items of various formats to the categories. Overall, agreement with the intended item categorizations was good, with a median of two of a possible 27 judges disagreeing with a given item's classification. In the second investigation, responses of 40 examinees each to four sets of items were scored by test development staff, with each set scored by four individuals. Results showed scoring agreement to be highest for a category requiring the examinee to choose a response from an extended stimulus array and lowest for items requiring that the stimulus be reordered to form a correct sequence. Whether the reported agreement levels represent sufficient accuracy to permit the widespread use of such items in standardized tests depends on whether some degree of scoring error, however small, can be accepted.
FREE‐RESPONSE AND MULTIPLE‐CHOICE ITEMS: MEASURES OF THE SAME ABILITY?
Authors: Bennett Randy Elliot , Rock Donald A. , Wang Minhwei 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTThis study examined the relationship of multiple‐choice and free‐response items contained on the College Board's Advanced Placement Computer Science (APCS) examination. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the fit of a two‐factor model where each item format marked its own factor. Results showed a single‐factor solution to fit the data best in each of two random‐half samples. This finding might be accounted for by several mechanisms, including overlap in the specific processes assessed by the multiple‐choice and free‐response items, and the limited opportunity for skill differentiation afforded by the year‐long APCS course.
EQUATING ACHIEVEMENT TESTS USING SAMPLES MATCHED ON ABILITY
Authors: Cook Linda L. , Eignor Daniel R. , Schmitt Alicia P. 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTThe equating of reasonably parallel forms of College Board Achievement Tests in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics Level II, American History and Social Studies, and French is discussed in this paper. The results of five equating methods are compared: (1) Tucker, (2) Levine equally reliable, (3) Levine unequally reliable, (4) frequency estimation equipercentile, and (5) chained equipercentile. These methods are used with an internal common‐item anchor‐test data collection design. Three sampling strategies were evaluated: (1) random samples from populations similar in ability level, (2) random samples from populations dissimilar in ability level, and (3) samples from populations dissimilar in ability level that have been constructed to be similar in ability level by matching on the basis of a covariate, such as the distribution of scores on a set of common items. The criteria for comparison in all cases were the results of the Tucker procedure used with random samples from populations similar in ability level. These results were used as the criterion for equating results because they represent results obtained under the most optimal operational conditions.The results of the study indicate that it may be difficult, and in some cases impossible, to equate achievement tests using new‐ and old‐form samples obtained from populations that are different in ability level. All equating methods investigated in this study appear to be affected by group differences in ability. The equating methods that appear to be the most affected by these differences are the Tucker and frequency estimation equipercentile procedures. The methods that appear to be the most robust to group differences in ability are the chained equipercentile and the two Levine procedures.Matching on the basis of observed scores on a set of internal common items does not remedy the situation. In general, matching produces results, particularly scaled‐score means, for all equating procedures that are similar but that over‐ or underestimate the criterion scaled‐score means. Because the results (i.e., scaled‐score means) are similar across methods, the effect can be quite misleading in that, in the absence of a criterion, one could conclude that because consistent results are obtained across methods the results are close to “truth.” This was not found to be the case for the situations investigated in this study, and matching cannot be recommended as a procedure for rectifying the problem of sample ability‐level differences.
LIKELY IMPACT OF THE GRE® WRITING ASSESSMENT ON GRADUATE ADMISSIONS DECISIONS
Authors: Powers Donald E. , Fowles Mary E. 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTThis “judgmental policy capturing” study investigated how the new Graduate Record Examinations (GRE®) Writing Assessment might influence graduate admissions decisions. Of interest was the likely impact of GRE Writing Assessment scores on graduate admissions decisions, as well as the probable effects of sending actual examinee essays to graduate institutions along with test scores and whether the presence of construct‐irrelevant flaws in these essays might negatively influence admissions decisions. To answer these questions, 23 graduate faculty — who represent nine graduate psychology and 14 graduate history departments and who have at least some experience with the admissions process —reviewed simulated admissions folders and made admissions decisions for a set of fictitious applicants. The study examined the relationship between these admissions decisions and a number of variables, including GRE Writing Assessment scores, the availability of examinee essays in admissions folders, GRE General Test scores, undergraduate grades, and the quality of the applicant's recommendation and personal statement. The study results suggest that GRE writing scores will probably have some impact on graduate admission decisions, but that overall, the availability of examinee essays will have substantially less, if any, influence. The study did not detect any significant tendency for graduate faculty to attend unduly to extraneous flaws in examinees' essays. A substantial majority of the participants felt that receiving applicants' GRE essays would either probably or definitely be useful.
FACTORS AFFECTING DIFFICULTY IN THE GENERATING EXAMPLES ITEM TYPE
Authors: Katz Irvin R. , Lipps Audrey W. , Trafton J. Gregory 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates the predictive validity of various features of Generating Examples (GE) test items – algebra problems that pose mathematical constraints and ask examinees to provide example solutions meeting those constraints. Selection of item features was motivated by a cognitive model of how examinees solve GE items using informal solution strategies such as generate‐and‐test. Experiment 1 examined the extent to which examinee performance can be explained by features predicted to affect difficulty, and Experiments 2 and 3 investigated the generality and cognitive bases of the difficulty model. The factors studied accounted for approximately 55% of the variance among item difficulty levels, and this predictive power was maintained on a more heterogeneous set of items. Cognitive strategies underlying the difficulty factors were also examined.
MINORITY STUDENT SUCCESS: THE ROLE OF TEACHERS IN ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM® (AP®) COURSES
Authors: Burton Nancy W. , Whitman Nancy Burgess , Yepes‐Baraya Mario , Cline Frederick , Kim R. Myung‐in 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTThis project described the characteristics and teaching behaviors of those successfully teaching AP® Calculus AB and AP English Literature and Composition to underrepresented minority students. Its purpose was to assist educators in improving the participation and performance of underrepresented minority students in AP classes. Study results showed successful teachers of minority students are good teachers for all groups. They express a high opinion of students, both majority and minority, and hold them to high standards. They make sure that students understand and can apply the fundamental concepts in the discipline. They also help students and parents understand and feel comfortable about college.
A FEASIBILITY STUDY OF ON‐THE‐FLY ITEM GENERATION IN ADAPTIVE TESTING
Authors: Bejar Isaac I. , Lawless René R. , Morley Mary E. , Wagner Michael E. , Bennett Randy E. , Revuelta Javier 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTThe goal of this study was to assess the feasibility of an approach to adaptive testing based on item models. A simulation study was designed to explore the affects of item modeling on score precision and bias, and two experimental tests were administered — an experimental, on‐the‐fly, adaptive quantitative‐reasoning test as well as a linear test. Results of the simulation study showed that under different levels of isomorphicity, there was no bias, but precision of measurement was eroded, especially in the middle range of the true‐score scale. However, the comparison of adaptive test scores with operational Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) test scores matched the test‐retest correlation observed under operational conditions. Analyses of item functioning on linear forms suggested a high level of isomorphicity across items within models. The current study provides a promising first step toward significant cost and theoretical improvement in test creation methodology for educational assessment.
Dielectric spectroscopy‐based estimation ofVCDinCHOcell culture
Authors: Lee Hae Woo , Carvell John , Brorson Kurt , Yoon Seongkyu 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBACKGROUNDIn mammalian cell culture processes, viable cell density (VCD) is one of the most crucial parameters for monitoring of the current status of cell growth and protein production. Among the various real‐time monitoring tools available forVCDin Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell culture, dielectric spectroscopy is one of the more reliable due to its simplicity, robustness and accuracy. These attributes enable efficient monitoring and control of the corresponding processes. However, one of the major drawbacks of dielectric spectroscopy is frequent deterioration of accuracy during the late‐growth phase ofCHOcell culture. This can be caused by abrupt changes in the cell physiology, as well as environmental conditions.RESULTSIn this study, various kinds of chemometric tools were employed to understand the spectral dynamics of dielectric spectroscopy during extendedCHOcell culture, including different cell growth phases. Then, the performance of different multivariate regression models were compared with conventional Cole‐Cole equation‐based approaches. The models were compared in their ability to estimateVCDinCHOcell culture from dielectric spectra from several batches of bioreactor operations. Multivariate analysis of dielectric spectral datasets clearly revealed the time‐varying evolution of spectral dynamics during the transition between cell growth phases. The best prediction performance from the dielectric spectroscopy was realized using a regression model based on locally‐weighted partial least squares (LWPLS). This estimation model best compensated for spectral dynamics observed during the different cell growth phases.CONCLUSIONDielectric spectroscopy combined withLWPLSallows achievement of optimal and stable estimation ofVCDduringCHOcell culture, regardless of inherent differences in cell growth phases. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Scoring hip osteoarthritis with MRI (SHOMRI): A whole joint osteoarthritis evaluation system
Authors: Lee Sonia , Nardo Lorenzo , Kumar Deepak , Wyatt Cory R. , Souza Richard B. , Lynch John , McCulloch Charles E. , Majumdar Sharmila , Lane Nancy E. , Link Thomas M. 
Published: August 2014

BackgroundTo develop a semi‐quantitative MR‐based hip osteoarthritis (OA) evaluation system (Scoring hip osteoarthritis with MRI, SHOMRI), and to test its reproducibility and face validity.MethodsThe study involved 98 subjects with informed consent. Three‐Tesla MR imaging of hip was performed in three planes with intermediate‐weighted fat saturated FSE sequences. Two radiologists assessed cartilage loss, bone marrow edema pattern, subchondral cyst in 10 subregions, and assessed labrum in 4 subregions. In addition, presence or absence of ligamentum teres integrity, paralabral cysts, intra‐articular body, and effusion in the hip joint were analyzed using the SHOMRI system. The reproducibility was assessed with intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICC), Cohen's Kappa values and percent agreement. SHOMRI scores were correlated with radiographic Kellgren‐Lawrence (KL) and OARSI atlas gradings, and clinical parameters, the hip osteoarthritis outcome score (HOOS) and hip range of motion (ROM), using Spearman's rank correlation and ordinal logistic regression.ResultsICC values were in the excellent range, 0.91 to 0.97. Cohen's Kappa values and percent agreement ranged from 0.55 to 0.79 and 66 to 99%, respectively. SHOMRI demonstrated significant correlations with KL and OARSI gradings as well as with clinical parameters, HOOS and ROM (P < 0.05). Among the SHOMRI features, subchondral cyst and bone marrow edema pattern showed the highest correlation with HOOS and ROM.ConclusionSHOMRI demonstrated moderate to excellent reproducibility and significant correlation with radiographic gradings and clinical parameters. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:1549–1557. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Structure of the full‐length insecticidal protein Cry1Ac reveals intriguing details of toxin packaging into in vivo formed crystals
Authors: Evdokimov Artem G. , Moshiri Farhad , Sturman Eric J. , Rydel Timothy J. , Zheng Meiying , Seale Jeffrey W. , Franklin Sonya 
Published: August 2014

AbstractFor almost half a century, the structure of the full‐length Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insecticidal protein Cry1Ac has eluded researchers, since Bt‐derived crystals were first characterized in 1965. Having finally solved this structure we report intriguing details of the lattice‐based interactions between the toxic core of the protein and the protoxin domains. The structure provides concrete evidence for the function of the protoxin as an enhancer of native crystal packing and stability.
On the effectiveness of weighted moving windows: Experiment on linear regression based software effort estimation
Authors: Amasaki S. , Lokan C. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractIn construction of an effort estimation model, it seems effective to use a window of training data so that the model is trained with only recent projects. Considering the chronological order of projects within the window, and weighting projects according to their order within the window, may also affect estimation accuracy. In this study, we examined the effects of weighted moving windows on effort estimation accuracy. We compared weighted and non‐weighted moving windows under the same experimental settings. We confirmed that weighting methods significantly improved estimation accuracy in larger windows, although the methods also significantly worsened accuracy in smaller windows. This result contributes to understanding properties of moving windows. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impacts and indicators of change in lotic ecosystems
Authors: Friberg Nikolai 
Published: August 2014

Fresh waters have seen the largest decline in biodiversity of any ecosystem, with lotic ecosystems particularly impacted by human activities. The main drivers of environmental change relate primarily to agriculture, urbanization, and industrial production that have resulted in severe habitat degradation in streams and rivers worldwide. The increasing impact of climate change and invasive species has put further pressure on these systems. For more than a century, status of rivers and streams has been assessed using biological indicators and represents a prime example of applying ecological knowledge to address societal issues. Today, legislative regulations and water management rely primarily on measurements of ecological status through the assessment of biotic communities. There has been a continuous development of these biological indicators but primarily based on fundamental approaches that date back to the original assessment systems. The indicators used today ignore large parts of what is occurring in the ecosystem and cannot, in most cases, diagnose the cause of degradation with a reasonable precision. There is clearly a need to improve existing assessment systems through new and innovative approaches that, as an example, include ecosystem processes and can be linked more closely to the services that lotic ecosystems provide. This article critically reviews the use of biological indicators in the context of inherent properties of lotic ecosystems and types of degradation, and suggests how assessment could be refined through applying a number of additional approaches to those already used. WIREs Water 2014, 1:513–531. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1040This article is categorized under:

Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness
Water and Life > Stresses and Pressures on Ecosystems
Science of Water > Water and Environmental Change
More valuable dead than deterred? Crop‐raiding bears in Lao PDR
Authors: Scotson Lorraine , Vannachomchan Kongseng , Sharp Thomas 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTHuman–bear conflicts may contribute to population declines of Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) and sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) in Southeast Asia. We investigated crop‐raiding behaviors by bears and responses from affected farmers in and around a protected area in northern Lao PDR during August–October 2011. We interviewed farmers and made visual inspections of raided fields in 6 villages. Villagers reported that more crops were lost to bears than to all other wildlife species combined. Commercial and local sweet corn fields were the most commonly damaged. Perceived crop damage by bears varied widely among villages (11‐39% of total area) and individual farmers (1–90%). Farmers' estimates of the extent of bear crop damage were higher than our estimates of the same fields. Although farmers reported Asiatic black bears as more common crop‐raiders than sun bears, this assessment is suspect, because bears were reported to raid fields exclusively at night. Locals used a wide range of mainly ineffective methods to deter bears from crops. Clearing paths around crop fields was most common (approx. 90% of farmers). Few farmers admitted using snares to remove offending bears, because this is illegal. However, the collective evidence indicates that snaring does occur, and farmers would gain more by killing and selling bears for their parts than by protecting their fields from bear damage. This may explain the unexpected finding that most farmers (approx. 90%) said they liked bears in the area, and did not report damage to authorities. Consequently, they may not be motivated to try or maintain new deterrent techniques. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
Increased and early lipolysis in children with long‐chain 3‐hydroxyacyl‐CoA dehydrogenase (LCHAD) deficiency during fast
Authors: Haglind C. Bieneck , Nordenström A. , Ask S. , von Döbeln U. , Gustafsson J. , Stenlid M. Halldin 
Published: August 2014

AbstractChildren with long‐chain 3‐hydroxyacyl‐CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (LCHAD) have a defect in the degradation of long‐chain fatty acids and are at risk of hypoketotic hypoglycemia and insufficient energy production as well as accumulation of toxic fatty acid intermediates. Knowledge on substrate metabolism in children with LCHAD deficiency during fasting is limited. Treatment guidelines differ between centers, both as far as length of fasting periods and need for night feeds are concerned. To increase the understanding of fasting intolerance and improve treatment recommendations, children with LCHAD deficiency were investigated with stable isotope technique, microdialysis, and indirect calometry, in order to assess lipolysis and glucose production during 6 h of fasting. We found an early and increased lipolysis and accumulation of long chain acylcarnitines after 4 h of fasting, albeit no patients developed hypoglycemia. The rate of glycerol production, reflecting lipolysis, averaged 7.7 ± 1.6 µmol/kg/min, which is higher compared to that of peers. The rate of glucose production was normal for age; 19.6 ± 3.4 µmol/kg/min (3.5 ± 0.6 mg/kg/min). Resting energy expenditure was also normal, even though the respiratory quotient was increased indicating mainly glucose oxidation. The results show that lipolysis and accumulation of long chain acylcarnitines occurs before hypoglycemia in fasting children with LCHAD, which may indicate more limited fasting tolerance than previously suggested.