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Making Measures, Setting Standards, and Rasch Regression
Published in Trevor G. Bond, Zi Yan, Moritz Heene, Applying the Rasch Model, 2020
Trevor G. Bond, Zi Yan, Moritz Heene
Table 9.9 presents the FACETS analysis from the modeled standard facet. As presented, each rating (Unacceptable, Problematic, Good, and Excellent) is associated with a logit ability measure on the construct map, representing a level of mastery. These logit ability measures are used to establish the standard. The passing standard for the sample examination is positioned between ability measures associated with the “Good” and “Problematic” categories, which represent “Borderline Pass” and “Borderline Fail”. Traditionally, the midpoint is taken as the standard, however this decision, like that of the written examination, is based on the philosophy of the testing group. By using the “Problematic” value as the standard, the benefit of the doubt for measurement imprecision is largely awarded to the test-taker. By using the “Good” value as the standard, the testing group has made the decision to hold test-takers to the highest level of confidence in the passing decision and “protect the public.” Use of the midpoint represents a balanced approach. Table 9.9 presents the impact of using each standard on the sample population in our example. It is notable that there is no correct answer. There is no absolute value or decision that is correct in all cases. There is instead, guidance, and understanding. So long as the standard-setter understands what is being afforded and what is being denied with one approach or the other, then there is clarity.
The validity of abbreviated forms of the National Adult Reading Test and Spot-the-Word 2 for estimating full-scale IQ
Published in Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 2022
Ian van der Linde, Lewis Horsman, Peter Bright
It is critical to use unimpaired rather than clinical participants to develop and refine hold tests, since it is necessary to measure the relationship between the proposed hold test score and the predicted variable in the normative population (Crawford et al., 1998). 69 participants with no reported history of brain disorder (34 male, 35 female) were recruited by opportunity sampling, ranging in age from 18–67 (mean 38.45, SD 16.52). The recruited participants completed between 10 and 23 years of education (mean 15.67, SD 2.64) and none had previously undertaken any of the tests employed in this study. All participants were UK residents and spoke English as their first language. No neurological condition or learning difficulty likely to affect their performance was declared (self-reported). All participants had normal/corrected-to-normal vision and hearing. Ethical approval was awarded for the study by the relevant university research ethics panel. Participants consented to participate in writing, and were treated in accordance with the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki. We report all data exclusions, all manipulations, and all measures in the study.
Monocentric experience of leadless pacing with focus on challenging cases for conventional pacemaker
Published in Acta Cardiologica, 2018
Christophe Garweg, Joris Ector, Gabor Voros, Adèle Greyling, Bert Vandenberk, Stefaan Foulon, Rik Willems
In our cohort, Micra TPS was successfully implanted in 65 of 66 patients (98.5%). No dislodgement or pericardial effusions were observed. Post-implantation follow-up showed stable electrical performance and no device infection. These data are in accordance with those of the Micra Transcatheter Pacing Study [4]. In this large prospective, multicentre, non-comparative study, 719 of 725 patients were successfully implanted with satisfactory electrical performance at 6-month follow-up (mean pacing capture threshold of 0.54 V at 0.24 ms and an R-wave of 15.3 mV assessed in 297 patients). The authors reported 28 major complications (4%) in 25 patients including one death, 3 cardiac perforations, 8 pericardial effusions. In our study, we observed one major adverse event (1.5%) during the learning curve of the operator. One patient presented a significant increase of the pacing threshold with intermittent loss of capture, resolved by surgical device repositioning during scheduled valve surgery. Even if this repositioning was successful, it has to be noticed that Micra TPS has not been labelled for implantation during open heart surgery. The device malfunction was related to its entrapment in the chordae of the tricuspid valve. This could not be anticipated at the time of the implantation since the electrical parameters were acceptable and the mechanical stability was confirmed by ‘pull and hold’ test [13].
Effectiveness of a 12-month home-based exercise program on trunk muscle strength and spine function after lumbar spine fusion surgery: a randomized controlled trial
Published in Disability and Rehabilitation, 2022
Outi Ilves, Marko H. Neva, Keijo Häkkinen, Joost Dekker, Salme Järvenpää, Kati Kyrölä, Arja Häkkinen
Measurements were performed at the beginning of the intervention (three months postoperatively) and at the end of the 12-month intervention (Figure 2). Maximal isometric trunk extension and flexion strength was measured by a strain-gauge dynamometer and analyzed with a computer program (Isopack, Newtest, Oulu, Finland). The isometric trunk muscle strength tests by strain-gauge dynamometer has been reported to have good reliability [12,22]. The isometric strength test was performed in a standing position, with 20 cm of distance between the feet. The pelvis was fixed against the metal support from below the iliac crest and the harness was placed around the chest right under the armpits. The harness was horizontally attached to the strain-gauge dynamometer with a metal strain. Patients performed two maximal isometric contractions, and if the result improved more than 10%, they were asked to perform the third contraction. The best result was used in the analysis. Absolute strength levels were expressed as Newtons (N). From the extension and flexion strength results, the extension/flexion ratio (E/F-ratio) was calculated, which quantifies the possible imbalance between the extensor and flexor muscle strength. The muscle endurance of the back muscles and muscle fatigability were measured using Biering-Sørensen’s static hold test in the prone position, where the lower body is fixed on the bench and upper body is held in the straight horizontal position as long as possible, max. 240 s [23,24]. The intraclass correlations (ICCs) for the reliability of Biering-Sørensen’s test have been reported between 0.83 and 0.93 in healthy or asymptomatic subjects [24–26], and the critical difference between two measurements has been shown to be 54% in healthy subjects and 57% in low back pain patients [27].