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We assessed whether and how the discourse written for prototype integrated tasks (involving writing in response to print or audio source texts) field tested for the new TOEFL® differs from the discourse written for independent essays (i.e., the TOEFL essay). We selected 216 compositions written for 6 tasks by 36 examinees in a field test--representing Score Levels 3, 4, and 5 on the TOEFL essay--then coded the texts for lexical and syntactic complexity, grammatical accuracy, argument structure, orientations to evidence, and verbatim uses of source text. Analyses with nonparametric MANOVAs, following a 3-by-3 (task type by English proficiency level) within-subjects factorial design, showed that the discourse produced for the integrated writing tasks differed significantly at the lexical, syntactic, rhetorical, and pragmatic levels from the discourse produced in the independent essay on most of these variables. In certain analyses, these differences were also obtained across the 3 ESL proficiency levels.

Possible integrated and independent tasks were pilot tested for the writing section of a new generation of TOEFL® (Test of English as a Foreign Language™) examination. This study examines the impact of various rating designs as well as the impact of the number of tasks and raters on the reliability of writing scores based on integrated and independent tasks from the perspective of generalizability theory (G-theory). Both univariate and multivariate G-theory analyses were conducted. It was found that (a) in terms of maximizing the score reliability, it would be more efficient to increase the number of tasks rather than the number of ratings per essay; (b) two particular single-rating designs having different tasks for the same examinee rated by different raters [p × (R:T), R:(p × T)] achieved relatively higher score reliabilities than other single-rating designs; and (c) a somewhat larger gain in composite score reliability was achieved when the number of listening-writing tasks was larger than the number of reading-writing tasks.

To assess the effects of timed/untimed testing conditions on intelligence scores, high school students were assigned to an intelligence test under either conditions and subsequently to a battery of eight reaction time tests. Results showed that subjects scores were related to the speed with which they processed information. (JAZ)

In the spring of 2002, a mail survey was conducted to determine the use of individualized radiographic examinations (selective radiography) for comprehensive care patients at all sixty-four U.S. and Canadian dental schools. Results from previous surveys were used to evaluate the long-term longitudinal trends. Among sixty-two schools (97 percent response rate), selective radiography was used by 34 percent of schools for dentulous adult patients, by 100 percent for edentulous adults, and by 28 percent for children. Having a credentialed chief of service increased the likelihood that selective radiography would be used for dentulous adults (odd ratio[OR]=2.36) and for children (OR=2.33). Selective radiography for dentulous adults increased from 2 percent of schools in 1977 to 36 percent in 1997 and leveled off thereafter. Between 1987 and 2002, selective radiography for edentulous adults was used at nearly all schools (96-100 percent) and for children at about a quarter of dental schools (22-28 percent). Among the sixty-one schools for which there are complete data since 1987, the continuous use of routine radiography was most common (39 percent of schools) for dentulous adult patients, whereas the continuous use of selective radiography was uncommon (7 percent). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in childhood cancer survivors (CCSs). Echocardiographic myocardial strain imaging is recommended in adult patients with cancer, but its role in pediatric CCSs has not been well established. Aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of abnormalities in left ventricular strain in pediatric CCSs, to compare strain with other echocardiographic measurements and blood biomarkers, and to explore risk factors for reduced strain., Methods: CCSs ≥3 years from their last anthracycline treatment were enrolled in this multicenter study and underwent a standardized functional echocardiogram and biomarker collection. Regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with longitudinal strain (LS)., Results: Five hundred forty-six pediatric CCSs were compared with 134 healthy controls. Abnormal left ventricular ejection fraction (<50%) and mean LS ( Z score, <-2) was found in 0.8% and 7.7% of the CCSs, respectively. LS was significantly lower in CCSs than in controls, but the absolute difference was small (0.7%). Lower LS in CCSs was associated with older current age and higher body surface area. Sex, cumulative anthracycline dose, radiotherapy, and biomarkers were not independently associated with LS. Circumferential strain, diastolic parameters, and biomarkers were not significantly different in pediatric CCSs., Conclusions: Global systolic function and LS are only mildly reduced in pediatric CCSs, and most LS values are within normal range. This makes single LS measurements of limited added value in identifying CCSs at risk for cardiac dysfunction. The utility of strain imaging in the long-term follow-up of CCS remains to be demonstrated.