scholarly journals Holding out for a reliable change from confusion to a solution: A comment on Maassen's “The standard error in the Jacobson and Truax Reliable Change Index.”

2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 894-898 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANTON D. HINTON-BAYRE
Keyword(s):  
Error Term ◽  
Personal Communication ◽  
Error Distribution ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Reliable Change Index ◽  
Random Errors ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Reliable Change ◽  
Hypothesis Model ◽  
The Difference

It is important to preface this piece by advising the reader that the author is not writing from the point of view of a statistician, but rather that of a user of reliable change. The author was invited to comment following the publication of an original inquiry concerning Reliable Change Index (RCI) formulae (Hinton-Bayre, 2000) and after acting as a reviewer for the current Maassen paper (this issue, pp. 888–893). Having been a bystander in the development of various RCI methods, this comment serves to represent the struggle of a non-statistician to understand the relevant statistical issues and apply them to clinical decisions. When I first stumbled across the ‘classical’ RCI attributed to Jacobson and Truax (1991) (Maassen, this issue, Equation 4), I was quite excited and immediately applied the formula to my own data (Hinton-Bayre et al., 1999). Later, upon reading the Temkin et al. (1999) paper I commented on what seemed to be an inconsistency in their calculation of the error term (Hinton-Bayre, 2000). My “confusion” as Maassen suggests was derived from the fact that I noted the error term used was based on the standard deviation of the difference scores (Maassen, Expression 5*) rather than the Jacobson and Truax formula (Maassen, Expression 4). This apparent anomaly was subsequently addressed when Temkin et al. (2000) explained they had employed the error term proposed by Christensen and Mendoza (1986) (Maassen, Expression 5). My concern with the Maassen manuscript was that it initially appeared two separate values could be derived through using expressions 5 and 5* using the Temkin et al. (1999) data. This suggested there might be four (expressions 4, 5, 5*, and 6), rather than three, ways to calculate the reliable change error term based on a null hypothesis model. Once again I was confused. Only very recently did I discover that expressions 5 and 5* yield identical results when applied to the same data set (N.R. Temkin, personal communication) and when estimated variances are used (G. Maassen, personal communication). The reason for expressions 5 and 5* yielding slightly different error term values using the Temkin et al. (1999) data was due to use of nonidentical samples for parameter estimation. The use of non-identical samples came to light in the review process of the present Maassen paper—which Maassen now indicates in an author's note. Thus there were indeed only three approaches to consider (Expressions 4, 5, & 6). Nonetheless, Maassen maintains (personal communication) that Expression 5, as elaborated by Christensen and Mendoza (1986), represents random errors comprising the error distribution of a given person, whereas Expression 5* refers to the error distribution of a given sample. While it seems clear on the surface that the expressions represent separate statistical entities, it remains unclear to the present author how these expressions can then yield identical values when applied to test–retest data derived from a single normative group. Unfortunately however, my confusion does not stop there.

scholarly journals Reliable Change Formula Query: Temkin et al. reply

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 364-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
NANCY R. TEMKIN ◽  
ROBERT K. HEATON ◽  
IGOR GRANT ◽  
SUREYYA S. DIKMEN
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Standard Error ◽  
Direct Method ◽  
Single Point ◽  
Reliability Coefficient ◽  
Reliable Change Index ◽  
Square Root ◽  
Reliable Change ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The One

Hinton-Bayre (2000) raises a point that may occur to many readers who are familiar with the Reliable Change Index (RCI). In our previous paper comparing four models for detecting significant change in neuropsychological performance (Temkin et al., 1999), we used a formula for calculating Sdiff, the measure of variability for the test–retest difference, that differs from the one Hinton-Bayre has seen employed in other studies of the RCI. In fact, there are two ways of calculating Sdiff—a direct method and an approximate method. As stated by Jacobson and Truax (1991, p. 14), the direct method is to compute “the standard error of the difference between the two test scores” or equivalently [begin square root](s12 + s22 − 2s1s2rxx′)[end square root] where si is the standard deviation at time i and rxx′ is the test–retest correlation or reliability coefficient. Jacobson and Truax also provide a formula for the approximation of Sdiff when one does not have access to retest data on the population of interest, but does have a test–retest reliability coefficient and an estimate of the cross-sectional standard deviation, i.e., the standard deviation at a single point in time. This approximation assumes that the standard deviations at Time 1 and Time 2 are equal, which may be close to true in many cases. Since we had the longitudinal data to directly calculate the standard error of the difference between scores at Time 1 and Time 2, we used the direct method. Which method is preferable? When the needed data are available, it is the one we used.

scholarly journals Still Different After All These Years Extensive and Intensive Margins of Exports in East and West German Manufacturing Enterprises

2016 ◽  
Vol 236 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
West Germany ◽  
Firm Characteristics ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Economic Point ◽  
Manufacturing Enterprises ◽  
Extensive And Intensive Margins ◽  
East German ◽  
The Difference

AbstractThis paper uses a new tailor-made data set to investigate the differences in extensive and intensive margins of exports in manufacturing firms from East Germany and West Germany. It documents that these margins do still differ in 2010, 20 years after the re-unification of Germany. West German firms outperform East German firms at all four margins of exports – they have a larger propensity to export, export a larger share of total sales, export more goods and export to a larger number of countries. All these differences are large from an economic point of view. A decomposition analysis shows that in 2010 between 59 percent and 78 percent of the difference in margins can be explained by differences in firm characteristics.

scholarly journals Time-weighted Reliable Change Index: Defining clinically relevant transitions when the time and magnitude of change are unknown

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marieke A. Helmich
Keyword(s):  
Reliable Change Index ◽  
Simple Extension ◽  
Symptom Checklist ◽  
Reliable Change ◽  
Relevant Variable ◽  
Multiple Observations ◽  
Depression Subscale ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Over Time

Clinically relevant change in symptoms is often assessed as the difference between two measurements, for instance, in pre- to post-treatment scores. However, most measures do not include, or account for, time as a relevant variable. To adapt the existing Reliable Change Index (RCI) to flexibly extend over multiple observations over time, a simple extension of the formula is proposed. With this adaptation, the Time-weighted RCI allows researchers to explore changes that vary in magnitude (by confidence level), as well as over different time spans (by number of observations). To illustrate, the TwRCI is applied to the depression subscale of the Symptom-Checklist-90. In conclusion, the TwRCI is a flexible definition of reliable change that is particularly useful when the time and magnitude of change are unknown.

Difference Fourier Analysis of Glucose Embedded and Frozen Hydrated Purple Membrane

1982 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 74-75
Author(s):  
Jules S. Jaffe ◽  
Robert M. Glaeser
Keyword(s):  
Purple Membrane ◽  
Data Set ◽  
High Resolution Data ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Crystallography ◽  
Fourier Techniques ◽  
Versus Protein ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Difference Fourier ◽  
Ideal Method

Although difference Fourier techniques are standard in X-ray crystallography it has only been very recently that electron crystallographers have been able to take advantage of this method. We have combined a high resolution data set for frozen glucose embedded Purple Membrane (PM) with a data set collected from PM prepared in the frozen hydrated state in order to visualize any differences in structure due to the different methods of preparation. The increased contrast between protein-ice versus protein-glucose may prove to be an advantage of the frozen hydrated technique for visualizing those parts of bacteriorhodopsin that are embedded in glucose. In addition, surface groups of the protein may be disordered in glucose and ordered in the frozen state. The sensitivity of the difference Fourier technique to small changes in structure provides an ideal method for testing this hypothesis.

Die Wirksamkeit eines Frühinterventionsprogramms für Jugendliche mit Computerspiel- und Internetabhängigkeit: Mittelfristige Effekte der PROTECT+ Studie

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolin Szász-Janocha ◽  
Eva Vonderlin ◽  
Katajun Lindenberg
Keyword(s):  
Internet Use ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Reliable Change Index ◽  
Gaming Disorder ◽  
Statistical Classification ◽  
Reliable Change ◽  
Classification Of Diseases ◽  
International Statistical Classification

Zusammenfassung. Fragestellung: Das junge Störungsbild der Computerspiel- und Internetabhängigkeit hat in den vergangenen Jahren in der Forschung zunehmend an Aufmerksamkeit gewonnen. Durch die Aufnahme der „Gaming Disorder“ in die ICD-11 (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems) wurde die Notwendigkeit von evidenzbasierten und wirksamen Interventionen avanciert. PROTECT+ ist ein kognitiv-verhaltenstherapeutisches Gruppentherapieprogramm für Jugendliche mit Symptomen der Computerspiel- und Internetabhängigkeit. Die vorliegende Studie zielt auf die Evaluation der mittelfristigen Effekte nach 4 Monaten ab. Methodik: N = 54 Patientinnen und Patienten im Alter von 9 bis 19 Jahren (M = 13.48; SD = 1.72) nahmen an der Frühinterventionsstudie zwischen April 2016 und Dezember 2017 in Heidelberg teil. Die Symptomschwere wurde zu Beginn, zum Abschluss der Gruppentherapie sowie nach 4 Monaten anhand von standardisierten Diagnostikinstrumenten erfasst. Ergebnisse: Mehrebenenanalysen zeigten eine signifikante Reduktion der Symptomschwere anhand der Computerspielabhängigkeitsskala (CSAS) nach 4 Monaten. Im Selbstbeurteilungsbogen zeigte sich ein kleiner Effekt (d = 0.35), im Elternurteil ein mittlerer Effekt (d = 0.77). Der Reliable Change Index, der anhand der Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) berechnet wurde, deutete auf eine starke Heterogenität im individuellen Symptomverlauf hin. Die Patientinnen und Patienten bewerteten das Programm zu beiden Follow-Up-Messzeitpunkten mit einer hohen Zufriedenheit. Schlussfolgerungen: Die vorliegende Arbeit stellt international eine der wenigen Studien dar, die eine Reduktion der Symptome von Computerspiel- und Internetabhängigkeit im Jugendalter über 4 Monate belegen konnte.

Pleasure as a Sign of Efficacy of Mental Activity

1997 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 226-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Cabanac ◽  
Chantal Pouliot ◽  
James Everett
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Psychology ◽  
Magnitude Estimation ◽  
Mental Activity ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Macintosh Computer ◽  
Science Students ◽  
Cognitive Efficiency ◽  
Sensory Pleasure ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Mental Tasks

Previous work has shown that sensory pleasure is both the motor and the sign of optimal behaviors aimed at physiological ends. From an evolutionary psychology point of view it may be postulated that mental pleasure evolved from sensory pleasure. Accordingly, the present work tested empirically the hypothesis that pleasure signals efficacious mental activity. In Experiment 1, ten subjects played video-golf on a Macintosh computer. After each hole they were invited to rate their pleasure or displeasure on a magnitude estimation scale. Their ratings of pleasure correlated negatively with the difference par minus performance, i.e., the better the performance the greater the pleasure reported. In Experiments 2 and 3, the pleasure of reading poems was correlated with comprehension, both rated by two groups of subjects, science students and arts students. In the majority of science students pleasure was significantly correlated with comprehension. Only one arts student showed this relationship; this result suggests that the proposed relationship between pleasure and cognitive efficiency is not tautological. Globally, the results support the hypothesis that pleasure is aroused by the same mechanisms, and follows the same laws, in physiological and cognitive mental tasks and also leads to the optimization of performance.

COMBINATORIAL POLYNOMIALLY COMPUTABLE CHARACTERISTICS OF SUBSTITUTIONS AND THEIR PROPERTIES

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 34-41
Author(s):  
VLADIMIR NIKONOV ◽  
◽  
ANTON ZOBOV ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Expectation ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Small Range ◽  
Computational Point ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Bijective Function ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Element Base ◽  
Selection Of

The construction and selection of a suitable bijective function, that is, substitution, is now becoming an important applied task, particularly for building block encryption systems. Many articles have suggested using different approaches to determining the quality of substitution, but most of them are highly computationally complex. The solution of this problem will significantly expand the range of methods for constructing and analyzing scheme in information protection systems. The purpose of research is to find easily measurable characteristics of substitutions, allowing to evaluate their quality, and also measures of the proximity of a particular substitutions to a random one, or its distance from it. For this purpose, several characteristics were proposed in this work: difference and polynomial, and their mathematical expectation was found, as well as variance for the difference characteristic. This allows us to make a conclusion about its quality by comparing the result of calculating the characteristic for a particular substitution with the calculated mathematical expectation. From a computational point of view, the thesises of the article are of exceptional interest due to the simplicity of the algorithm for quantifying the quality of bijective function substitutions. By its nature, the operation of calculating the difference characteristic carries out a simple summation of integer terms in a fixed and small range. Such an operation, both in the modern and in the prospective element base, is embedded in the logic of a wide range of functional elements, especially when implementing computational actions in the optical range, or on other carriers related to the field of nanotechnology.

TO THE PROBLEMS OF COMBATING CORRUPTION IN MODERN RUSSIA AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF ANTI-CORRUPTION

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Dranishnikova
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
The State ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Modern Life ◽  
Existing Problems ◽  
Moral Point ◽  
Material Goods ◽  
The Russian Federation ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Government

In the article, the author reflects the existing problems of the fight against corruption in the Russian Federation. He focuses on the opacity of the work of state bodies, leading to an increase in bribery and corruption. The topic we have chosen is socially exciting in our days, since its significance is growing on a large scale at all levels of the investigated aspect of our modern life. Democratic institutions are being jeopardized, the difference in the position of social strata of society in society’s access to material goods is growing, and the state of society is suffering from the moral point of view, citizens are losing confidence in the government, and in the top officials of the state.

ЕКАТЕРИНА ВЕЛИКАЯ И ДИАЛЕКТИКА ПРОСВЕЩЕННОЙ МОНАРХИИ

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 39
Author(s):  
С. И. Дудник ◽  
И. Д. Осипов
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Policy ◽  
Separation Of Powers ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Human Sciences ◽  
The Rule Of Law ◽  
Political Ideas ◽  
The People ◽  
Specific Interpretation ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Conservative Values

The article discusses the problems of evolution and the formation of the ideology of an enlightened monarchy in Russia. In this regard, the philosophical and political ideas of Catherine the Great, as well as their theoretical and ideological premises, are analyzed. It is noted that the philosophy of education in Russia was closely connected with the concepts of Voltaire, Didro, Montesquieu, Beccaria, Bentham, their views on natural law and human freedom, humanism and the rule of law. These concepts in the philosophy of Catherine received a specific interpretation, due to the sociocultural conditions of Russia. This was manifested in the famous work of Catherine the Great “The Nakaz”, which recognized Montesquieu's argument in favor of the autocracy, but at the same time, his point of view on the separation of powers was rejected. The specificity of the doctrine of enlightened monarchy lies in the combination of liberal and conservative values, which form eclectic forms. This was the dialectic of the supreme power, the difference between the enlightened monarchy and the ideology of absolutism. The article also notes that education in Russia is associated with fundamental socio-political reforms, processes of secularization of culture. At this time, the natural and human sciences are developing. The changes positively influenced the development of medicine, beautification of towns and public education. Also considered are the views on the autocracy of the opposition nobility intelligentsia: A. N. Radishchev and noted that his criticism of the autocracy was determined by an alternative cultural policy, proceeding from the protection of the interests of the people. The doctrine of enlightened monarchy is characterized by internal worldview inconsistency and political inconsistency, which did not allow solving the pressing social problems of the establishment of legal state, democratization of society and the abolition of serfdom.

Territorial Distribution of Alcohol and Drug Addictions Mortality Concerning Regional Disparities in the Slovak Republic from Year 1996 to Year 2015

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Slovak Republic ◽  
Regional Disparities ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Extreme Position ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Female Sex ◽  
Male Sex ◽  
The Individual ◽  
High Level

BACKGROUND: This paper deals with territorial distribution of the alcohol and drug addictions mortality at a level of the districts of the Slovak Republic. AIM: The aim of the paper is to explore the relations within the administrative territorial division of the Slovak Republic, that is, between the individual districts and hence, to reveal possibly hidden relation in alcohol and drug mortality. METHODS: The analysis is divided and executed into the two fragments – one belongs to the female sex, the other one belongs to the male sex. The standardised mortality rate is computed according to a sequence of the mathematical relations. The Euclidean distance is employed to compute the similarity within each pair of a whole data set. The cluster analysis examines is performed. The clusters are created by means of the mutual distances of the districts. The data is collected from the database of the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic for all the districts of the Slovak Republic. The covered time span begins in the year 1996 and ends in the year 2015. RESULTS: The most substantial point is that the Slovak Republic possesses the regional disparities in a field of mortality expressed by the standardised mortality rate computed particularly for the diagnoses assigned to the alcohol and drug addictions at a considerably high level. However, the female sex and the male sex have the different outcome. The Bratislava III District keeps absolutely the most extreme position. It forms an own cluster for the both sexes too. The Topoľčany District bears a similar extreme position from a point of view of the male sex. All the Bratislava districts keep their mutual notable dissimilarity. Contrariwise, evaluation of a development of the regional disparities among the districts looks like notably heterogeneously. CONCLUSIONS: There are considerable regional discrepancies throughout the districts of the Slovak Republic. Hence, it is necessary to create a common platform how to proceed with the solution of this issue.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document