Item Objective Congruence Analysis for Multidimensional Items Content Validation of a Reading Test in Sri Lankan University

This paper presents the findings of a study that intended to seek the content validity (CV) evidence of an instrument to measure the reading ability of university students in Sri Lanka. The reading passages and items were adapted from CEFR aligned Learning Resource Network (LRN) materials. The items were designed based on the cognitive processing involved in completing each reading task as prescribed by Khalifa and Weir (2009). As a part of collecting evidence for content validation of the instrumentation, Item Objective Congruence (IOC) analysis is used in this study. In IOC, the congruence between the cognitive processing of reading and the test items were studied providing quantified data for CV. A pool of twelve experts examined a total of 41 test items against eight cognitive processing effectively. As the experts had chosen more than one objective for an item, the IOC formula simplified by Crocker and Aligna (1986) for multi-dimensional assessment of multiple combinations of skills was applied in the present study. The findings of the IOC indicate the experts’ varying degrees of agreement in terms of what some of the items were designed to assess. 38 items had acceptable IOC indices, one item was removed from the study and two items were modified. Items having high congruence show that they test only one skill and those indicating low congruence notify that, items assess more than one cognitive processing skill. The study demonstrates the utility of the IOC method in gathering evidence for CV. Test development and validation are crucial in assessment which is the first and foremost process to evaluate educational management.   

Management of a Patient With Tracheal Stenosis After Previous Tracheotomy

Tracheal stenosis after tracheotomy can cause difficult airway management and respiratory complications. It is difficult to predict tracheal stenosis after tracheotomy based on a patient's symptoms as the symptoms of tracheal stenosis appear only after they become severe. In patients with a history of previous tracheotomy, it is important to consider the risk factors for tracheal stenosis. Detailed preoperative evaluation of patients with a history of previous tracheotomy is essential and should include 3-dimensional assessment of the airway. We report the preoperative assessment and perioperative management of an 83-year-old woman at high risk for tracheal stenosis due to a previous emergency tracheotomy who was scheduled to undergo general anesthesia for a right maxillectomy for squamous cell carcinoma. Preoperative anteroposterior chest radiograph revealed findings indicative of tracheal stenosis. Additional detailed examinations of the stenotic area were conducted with computed tomography imaging and bronchofiberscopy. General anesthesia with nasotracheal intubation was performed, and although there were no adverse intraoperative events, stridor after extubation was observed. Nebulized epinephrine was administered via an ultrasound nebulizer and effectively improved the patient's postoperative transient dyspnea.

A review on Cone Beam Computed Tomography in dentistry

Introduction: Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) has transformed the manner in which radiological evaluation is performed. Methods: This article discusses the different aspects of CBCT, common dental applications of CBCT for diagnosis and treatment in different dental specialties from the current literature. Results: CBCT has been widely accepted into different dental practices. The main reasons are the decreased size, low cost, less exposure to radiation as compared to computed tomography. CBCT enables the three dimensional assessment of the region of maxilla, mandible, cranium, and associated structures. Conclusions: Dentists and dental specialists can utilize three dimensional radiography- CBCT for a comprehensive diagnosis. CBCT can also help in identifying the structures such as root canals, bifurcated canals, supernumerary teeth, impacted teeth in different planes and thus are a valuable tool for dental treatment planning.

Multi-Dimension Tool Wear State Assessment Criterion on the Spiral Edge of Milling Cutter

In the assessment of the tool wear state for the spiral edge of milling cutter based on machine vision, the traditional assessment criterion is often inaccurate due to the problem of information missing or incomplete especially near the tip area. In order to deal with this problem, different lighting-condition setting and additional non-image information compensation techniques are needed . In view of this, an integration tool wear detection method combined line laser edge detection and machine vision is proposed. Subsequently, the combined data acquirement experimental system is designed and built, which can simultaneously acquires two types of parameters: diameter and images under the same detection condition. Then, based on the above information, a multi-dimension series assessment criterion is proposed consisting of three dimensions index: The one-dimensional assessment index gives the average wear value of the spiral side, which mainly used as data ordination and characterizes the rule of tool wear degradation; the two-dimensional assessment index describes the contour of the wear region and calculates the area value, which can predict the change of the tool wear stage more precisely; the three-dimensional assessment index gives the 3D morphology by adding depth information within the wear region and quantified the volume of the worn-off part, which provides clues for early warning of the deterioration caused by the tool worn. Experiments proved that the multi-dimension series assessment criterion is helpful to reflect the trend of tool life and give a more accurate assessment of the tool wear state for the spiral edge of milling cutter.