Psychometrics in Practice at RCEC

A broad range of topics is dealt with in this volume: from combining the psychometric generalizability and item response theories to the ideas for an integrated formative use of data-driven decision making, assessment for learning and diagnostic testing. A number of chapters pay attention to computerized (adaptive) and classification testing. Other chapters treat the quality of testing in a general sense, but for topics like maintaining standards or the testing of writing ability, the quality of testing is dealt with more specifically.\ud All authors are connected to RCEC as researchers. They present one of their current research topics and provide some insight into the focus of RCEC. The selection of the topics and the editing intends that the book should be of special interest to educational researchers, psychometricians and practitioners in educational assessment

Enhanced Concrete Bridge Assessment Using Artificial Intelligence and Mixed Reality

Conventional methods for visual assessment of civil infrastructures have certain limitations, such as subjectivity of the collected data, long inspection time, and high cost of labor. Although some new technologies (i.e. robotic techniques) that are currently in practice can collect objective, quantified data, the inspector\u27s own expertise is still critical in many instances since these technologies are not designed to work interactively with human inspector. This study aims to create a smart, human-centered method that offers significant contributions to infrastructure inspection, maintenance, management practice, and safety for the bridge owners. By developing a smart Mixed Reality (MR) framework, which can be integrated into a wearable holographic headset device, a bridge inspector, for example, can automatically analyze a certain defect such as a crack that he or she sees on an element, display its dimension information in real-time along with the condition state. Such systems can potentially decrease the time and cost of infrastructure inspections by accelerating essential tasks of the inspector such as defect measurement, condition assessment and data processing to management systems. The human centered artificial intelligence (AI) will help the inspector collect more quantified and objective data while incorporating inspector\u27s professional judgment. This study explains in detail the described system and related methodologies of implementing attention guided semi-supervised deep learning into mixed reality technology, which interacts with the human inspector during assessment. Thereby, the inspector and the AI will collaborate/communicate for improved visual inspection

ASAS/WHO ICF Core Sets for ankylosing spondylitis (AS): how to classify the impact of AS on functioning and health

Objective: To report on the results of a standardised consensus process agreeing on concepts typical and/or relevant when classifying functioning and health in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) based on the International Classification of Functioning and Health (ICF).Methods: Experts in AS from different professional and geographical backgrounds attended a consensus conference and were divided into three working groups. Rheumatologists were selected from members of the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS). Other health professionals were recommended by ASAS members. The aim was to compose three working groups with five to seven participants to allow everybody's contribution in the discussions. Experts selected ICF categories that were considered typical and/or relevant for AS during a standardised consensus process by integrating evidence from preceding studies in alternating working group and plenary discussions. A Comprehensive ICF Core Set was selected for the comprehensive classification of functioning and a Brief ICF Core Set for application in trials.Results: The conference was attended by 19 experts from 12 countries. Eighty categories were included in the Comprehensive Core Set, which included 23 Body functions, 19 Body structures, 24 Activities and participation and 14 Environmental factors. Nineteen categories were selected for the Brief Core Set, which included 6 Body functions, 4 Body structures, 7 Activities and participation and 2 Environmental factors.Conclusion: The Comprehensive and Brief ICF Core Sets for AS are now available and aim to represent the external reference to define consequences of AS on functioning

Organizing Knowledge in Implementation of Knowledge Management as Strategy for Competitive Bussiness at PT Telkom

This study is entitled Organizing Knowledge in Implementation of Knowledge Management. The research was conducted in bussines organization. The research objectives are to find out new concept in coverage of knowledge by knowledge management implementation at Telkom organizing explicit knowledge ; to analysis personal characteristic knowledge manager. This research use by qualitative methode with case study approach at Telkom Japati 1st street Bandung. Technique of gathering data uses observation, archived record, interview, documentation dan physical ware. From the results of studies that have been done, so the conclusion can be drawn as follows: Knowledge management which is done by making taxonomy based processes and business operations is called as knowledge centers that are stored on the intranet while competency-based stream called virtual competency center. Organizing knowledge in virtual storage by creating taxonomy of knowledge toward process and operating bussines, tree types of knowledge are:Structure knowledge: unstructure knowledge and less structure knowledge. For other media are managed by a special unit that is the library. The technology media support information and communications intended to improve information transfer and sharing of knowledge organization as a whole through cooperation and communication between individuals. Recomendation: It is better to make guidelines of writing articles on KM Tool, in order to avoid a flood of information that is not need. For example the text have been made by others. .It is better also to make the theme of writing, so that the contributors will more focus in creating the knowledge. Therefore, it will give deep exploration a theme. Form of virtual communication in KM should also explore the tacit knowledge. It is appropriate if the contributors are also allowed to create works that are audio-visual format. For example how to use technology in the 3.5 G DAT file format, or how to assemble the satellite Telkom2. Keyword: Business communication; Knowledge management; Organizational Communication; Organizing knowledge; Knowledge strorag

Condition Assessment of Concrete Bridge Decks Using Ground and Airborne Infrared Thermography

Applications of nondestructive testing (NDT) technologies have shown promise in assessing the condition of existing concrete bridges. Infrared thermography (IRT) has gradually gained wider acceptance as a NDT and evaluation tool in the civil engineering field. The high capability of IRT in detecting subsurface delamination, commercial availability of infrared cameras, lower cost compared with other technologies, speed of data collection, and remote sensing are some of the expected benefits of applying this technique in bridge deck inspection practices. The research conducted in this thesis aims at developing a rational condition assessment system for concrete bridge decks based on IRT technology, and automating its analysis process in order to add this invaluable technique to the bridge inspector’s tool box. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) has also been vastly recognized as a NDT technique capable of evaluating the potential of active corrosion. Therefore, integrating IRT and GPR results in this research provides more precise assessments of bridge deck conditions. In addition, the research aims to establish a unique link between NDT technologies and inspector findings by developing a novel bridge deck condition rating index (BDCI). The proposed procedure captures the integrated results of IRT and GPR techniques, along with visual inspection judgements, thus overcoming the inherent scientific uncertainties of this process. Finally, the research aims to explore the potential application of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) infrared thermography for detecting hidden defects in concrete bridge decks. The NDT work in this thesis was conducted on full-scale deteriorated reinforced concrete bridge decks located in Montreal, Quebec and London, Ontario. The proposed models have been validated through various case studies. IRT, either from the ground or by utilizing a UAV with high-resolution thermal infrared imagery, was found to be an appropriate technology for inspecting and precisely detecting subsurface anomalies in concrete bridge decks. The proposed analysis produced thermal mosaic maps from the individual IR images. The k-means clustering classification technique was utilized to segment the mosaics and identify objective thresholds and, hence, to delineate different categories of delamination severity in the entire bridge decks. The proposed integration methodology of NDT technologies and visual inspection results provided more reliable BDCI. The information that was sought to identify the parameters affecting the integration process was gathered from bridge engineers with extensive experience and intuition. The analysis process utilized the fuzzy set theory to account for uncertainties and imprecision in the measurements of bridge deck defects detected by IRT and GPR testing along with bridge inspector observations. The developed system and models should stimulate wider acceptance of IRT as a rapid, systematic and cost-effective evaluation technique for detecting bridge deck delaminations. The proposed combination of IRT and GPR results should expand their correlative use in bridge deck inspection. Integrating the proposed BDCI procedure with existing bridge management systems can provide a detailed and timely picture of bridge health, thus helping transportation agencies in identifying critical deficiencies at various service life stages. Consequently, this can yield sizeable reductions in bridge inspection costs, effective allocation of limited maintenance and repair funds, and promote the safety, mobility, longevity, and reliability of our highway transportation assets

A System for Interactive Assessment and Management in Palliative Care

The availability of psychometrically sound and clinically relevant screening, diagnosis, and outcome evaluation tools is essential to high-quality palliative care assessment and management. Such data will enable us to improve patient evaluations, prognoses, and treatment selections, and to increase patient satisfaction and quality of life. To accomplish these goals, medical care needs more precise, efficient, and comprehensive tools for data acquisition, analysis, interpretation, and management. We describe a system for interactive assessment and management in palliative care (SIAM-PC), which is patient centered, model driven, database derived, evidence based, and technology assisted. The SIAM-PC is designed to reliably measure the multiple dimensions of patients’ needs for palliative care, and then to provide information to clinicians, patients, and the patients’ families to achieve optimal patient care, while improving our capacity for doing palliative care research. This system is innovative in its application of the state-of-the-science approaches, such as item response theory and computerized adaptive testing, to many of the significant clinical problems related to palliative care