179 research outputs found
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Fitting the Mixed Rasch Model to a Reading Comprehension Test: Identifying Reader Types
Standard unidimensional Rasch models assume that persons with the same ability parameters are comparable. That is, the same interpretation applies to persons with identical ability estimates as regards the underlying mental processes triggered by the test. However, research in cognitive psychology shows that persons at the same trait level may employ different strategies to arrive at the solutions. This is a major threat to the construct validity of a test since the construct representation of the test changes for different classes of respondents. In this study a reading comprehension test composed of 20 multiple-choice items is analysed with mixed Rasch model. Findings show that a two-class model fits the data best. After investigating class specific item profiles the implications of the study for test validation along with the contribution of the research to our understanding of reading processes are discussed. Accessed 7,812 times on https://pareonline.net from March 05, 2013 to December 31, 2019. For downloads from January 1, 2020 forward, please click on the PlumX Metrics link to the right
Chattering-free sliding mode control with a fuzzy model for structural applications
This paper proposes a chattering-free sliding mode control (CFSMC) method for seismically excited structures. The method is based on a fuzzy logic (FL) model applied to smooth the control force and eliminate chattering, where the switching part of the control law is replaced by an FL output. The CFSMC is robust and keeps the advantages of the conventional sliding mode control (SMC), whilst removing the chattering and avoiding the time-consuming process of generating fuzzy rule basis. The proposed method is tested on an 8-story shear frame equipped with an active tendon system. Results indicate that the new method not only can effectively enhance the seismic performance of the structural system compared to the SMC, but also ensure system stability and high accuracy with less computational cost. The CFSMC also requires less amount of energy from the active tendon system to produce the desired structural dynamic response.ARC DE150101703 and ARC LP14010059
Left atrial drainage of the right superior vena cava: A case report
An isolated right superior vena cava (RSVC) draining into the left atrium represents a very rare congenital malformation, especially in the absence of a partial anomalous pulmonary venous return. This condition leads to hypoxemia, cyanosis, and clubbing without any other signs of heart defects. We describe an 8-year-old girl, who was referred to our hospital due to unexplained cyanosis. Segmental approach in transthoracic echocardiography showed left atrial drainage of the RSVC, which was subsequently confirmed by contrast echocardiography and angiography. Surgical repair via trans-section and anastomosis of the superior vena cava to the right atrium was performed to prevent the complications of right-to-left shunting and cyanosis. During a 4-year follow-up, the patient remained in very good clinical status and her serial echocardiography was normal except for very mild left atrial and left ventricular enlargement. © 2018, Tehran Heart Center. All rights reserved
Left atrial drainage of the right superior vena cava: A case report
An isolated right superior vena cava (RSVC) draining into the left atrium represents a very rare congenital malformation, especially in the absence of a partial anomalous pulmonary venous return. This condition leads to hypoxemia, cyanosis, and clubbing without any other signs of heart defects. We describe an 8-year-old girl, who was referred to our hospital due to unexplained cyanosis. Segmental approach in transthoracic echocardiography showed left atrial drainage of the RSVC, which was subsequently confirmed by contrast echocardiography and angiography. Surgical repair via trans-section and anastomosis of the superior vena cava to the right atrium was performed to prevent the complications of right-to-left shunting and cyanosis. During a 4-year follow-up, the patient remained in very good clinical status and her serial echocardiography was normal except for very mild left atrial and left ventricular enlargement. © 2018, Tehran Heart Center. All rights reserved
Measurement of the Remaining In-Plane Polarization Transfer Coefficients for the 10-B(p,p') 10-B Reaction at 200 MeV
This research was sponsored by the National Science Foundation Grant NSF PHY-931478
Advanced therapeutic modalities in hepatocellular carcinoma: Novel insights.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer, is usually a latent and asymptomatic malignancy caused by different aetiologies, which is a result of various aberrant molecular heterogeneity and often diagnosed at advanced stages. The incidence and prevalence have significantly increased because of sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, chronic infection with hepatotropic viruses and exposure to aflatoxins. Due to advanced intra- or extrahepatic metastasis, recurrence is very common even after radical resection. In this paper, we highlighted novel therapeutic modalities, such as molecular-targeted therapies, targeted radionuclide therapies and epigenetic modification-based therapies. These topics are trending headlines and their combination with cell-based immunotherapies, and gene therapy has provided promising prospects for the future of HCC treatment. Moreover, a comprehensive overview of current and advanced therapeutic approaches is discussed and the advantages and limitations of each strategy are described. Finally, very recent and approved novel combined therapies and their promising results in HCC treatment have been introduced
Medium Effects in the Normal Component Polarization Observables for the 13-C(p,p')13-C, (1/2)- → (9/2)+ Reaction at 200 MeV
This research was sponsored by the National Science Foundation Grant NSF PHY-931478
Quasielastic 12C(e,e'p) Reaction at High Momentum Transfer
We measured the 12C(e,e'p) cross section as a function of missing energy in
parallel kinematics for (q,w) = (970 MeV/c, 330 MeV) and (990 MeV/c, 475 MeV).
At w=475 MeV, at the maximum of the quasielastic peak, there is a large
continuum (E_m > 50 MeV) cross section extending out to the deepest missing
energy measured, amounting to almost 50% of the measured cross section. The
ratio of data to DWIA calculation is 0.4 for both the p- and s-shells. At w=330
MeV, well below the maximum of the quasielastic peak, the continuum cross
section is much smaller and the ratio of data to DWIA calculation is 0.85 for
the p-shell and 1.0 for the s-shell. We infer that one or more mechanisms that
increase with transform some of the single-nucleon-knockout into
multinucleon knockout, decreasing the valence knockout cross section and
increasing the continuum cross section.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figures, Revtex (multicol, prc and aps styles), to appear
in Phys Rev
Effects of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Eating Plan on Cardiovascular Risks Among Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A randomized crossover clinical trial
Objective: To determine the effects of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating pattern on cardiometabolic risks in type 2 diabetic patients. Research design and methods: A randomized crossover clinical trial was undertaken in 31 type 2 diabetic patients. For 8 weeks, participants were randomly assigned to a control diet or the DASH eating pattern. Results: After following the DASH eating pattern, body weight (P = 0.007) and waist circumference (P = 0.002) reduced significantly. Fasting blood glucose levels and A1C decreased after adoption of the DASH diet (−29.4 ± 6.3 mg/dl; P = 0.04 and −1.7 ± 0.1%; P = 0.04, respectively). After the DASH diet, the mean change for HDL cholesterol levels was higher (4.3 ± 0.9 mg/dl; P = 0.001) and LDL cholesterol was reduced (−17.2 ± 3.5 mg/dl; P = 0.02). Additionally, DASH had beneficial effects on systolic (−13.6 ± 3.5 vs. −3.1 ± 2.7 mmHg; P = 0.02) and diastolic blood pressure (−9.5 ± 2.6 vs. −0.7 ± 3.3 mmHg; P = 0.04). Conclusions: Among diabetic patients, the DASH diet had beneficial effects on cardiometabolic risks
Microscopic calculations of medium effects for 200-MeV (p,p') reactions
We examine the quality of a G-matrix calculation of the effective
nucleon-nucleon (NN) interaction for the prediction of the cross section and
analyzing power for 200-MeV (p,p') reactions that populate natural parity
states in O, Si, and Ca. This calculation is based on a
one-boson-exchange model of the free NN force that reproduces NN observables
well. The G-matrix includes the effects of Pauli blocking, nuclear binding, and
strong relativistic mean-field potentials. The implications of adjustments to
the effective mass ansatz to improve the quality of the approximation at
momenta above the Fermi level will be discussed, along with the general quality
of agreement to a variety of (p,p') transitions.Comment: 36 pages, TeX, 18 figure
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