Search results

This paper aims to compare two diagnostic performance measures, i.e. signal‐to‐noise ratio (S/N ratio) and partial area under receiver operating characteristic curves (pAUC). It proposes the use of S/N ratio rather than pAUC for establishing optimal cut‐off point for diagnostic biomarkers.

This paper discusses the properties, uses, advantages and shortcomings of the two performance measures, namely the partial area under receiver operating characteristic curve (pAUC) and Taguchi's signal‐to‐noise (S/N) ratio. The benefits of S/N ratio have been illustrated in a sample of four biomarkers, each having five cut‐off points. The S/N ratio is compared to the pAUC index. The SAS software is employed to calculate pAUC and AUC.

This paper shows that S/N ratio can be used as a measure of diagnostic accuracy. The cut‐off point with the highest S/N ratio is the optimal cut‐off point for the biomarker. The proposed method has the advantages of being easier, more practical and less costly than that of pAUC.

This paper includes implications for the development of a more practical, equally powerful and less costly means of measuring clinical accuracy thereby reducing the costs and risks resulting from wrong selection of cut‐off point can be decreased.

This paper supports suggestions in the recent literature to replace pAUC with a new, more meaningful index.

Provides an overview of some of the findings of a recently completed study of school choice in 33 local schools which may be indicative of the effect of an increase in the marketisation of schools. Since it is unlikely that debate over parental choice can be settled by theoretical argument alone and it may also be too early to understand the full implications of the relevant recent government reforms in the UK, results from research in other sectors of education can be used in the interim. Presents research which is partly based on a limited market model of cheap fee‐paying schools. This market has been established for a long time, and so some of the benefits or damage caused by markets in education may already be observable in operation.

A place for auxiliary languages in vocational further education is a long way off, but few would dare to say it will never be won. For the present it is important to know that a language of this type does not necessarily represent one man's guess at what would be an improvement on national languages, but may be a scientific approach to finding a widely comprehensible ‘average’ language. The letter from Poland which the author quotes should present even the most unassuming linguist with few difficulties.

Self‐service photocopying is a subject largely neglected by the library community despite its importance to library operations and library users. The extant literature is small and scattered. A comprehensive overview is presented in order to bring together disparate sources of information and to introduce the reader to the managerial complexities of self‐directed photocopy services. It includes a discussion of organizational approaches, financial considerations, statistical reporting, equipment, access modalities, user surveys, and copyright.