Data Transformations for Inference with Linear Regression: Clarifications and Recommendations

Data transformations have been promoted as a popular and easy-to-implement remedy to address the assumption of normally distributed errors (in the population) in linear regression. However, the application of data transformations introduces non-ignorable complexities which should be fully appreciated before their implementation. This paper adds to existing Practical Research and Assessment Evaluation (PARE) publications on data transformations by providing a broad overview underlying the use of data transformations for the specific purpose of statistical inference and interpreting meaningful effect sizes. Data transformations not only potentially change the scale of the transformed variable; they also alter the fundamental relationships among variables while simultaneously changing the distribution of the errors. Given these repercussions, we clarify the nature of certain data transformations and strongly recommend the use of data transformations when they can enhance the interpretation of effect sizes. Accessed 5,515 times on https://pareonline.net from October 11, 2017 to December 31, 2019. For downloads from January 1, 2020 forward, please click on the PlumX Metrics link to the right

The use of the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire in Australian children

The effectiveness of the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ) as a screening tool was investigated in an Australian sample. Using the DCDQ, 129 children aged 9 to 12 years old were screened for Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), with a follow-up assessment of movement ability using the McCarron Assessment of Neuromuscular Development (MAND) as the criterion measure. The overall decision agreement between the two measures in identifying DCD was .64. The DCDQ had a sensitivity of .55 and a specificity of .74. The low sensitivity suggests that many children with DCD are not being identified by the DCDQ despite the inclusion of children with a suspect score on the DCDQ. As a screening tool, the DCDQ was accurate in identifying children with moderate or severe DCD but identified less than half of the children with mild DCD

Motor dysfunctions in ADHD and DCD: an examination of the error correction mechanisms

A high incidence of overlap between ADHD and DCD suggests that they may be related. However, different deficits may underlie the disorders. ADHD has response inhibition deficit whereas DCD has efference copy deficit. The present study examines the presence of these deficits in the respective disorders and within the ADHD subtypes. The ability of children to amend their hand movements during target perturbation is investigated in a double-step tracking task. Participants were children aged 10 to 12. The ADHD symptoms were screened by Australian Disruptive Behaviours Scale, Conner's Parent Rating Scale-Revised:L and Conner's Parent Rating Scale-Revised:L; DCD symptoms were screened by Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire and McCarrson Assessment of Neuromuscular Development measure. ADHD-PI only, ADHD-C only, ADHD-PI with DCD, ADHD-C with DCD, DCD only, and a comparison group were studied. The participants were required to capture a target that skipped twice in succession. Compared to other groups, control children were able to adjust the initial response amplitude as a function of the time between a superseding stimulus and initiation of a response. The corrective response furthermore was accurate with respect to the final step position. The results are discussed in terms of an error averaging mechanism underlying tracking performance

ADHD and DCD comorbidity: the associated problems

Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has a high comorbidity with Development Coordination Disorder (DCD). On their own, these disorders are often associated with many other behavioural and emotional problems. However, studies investigating associated problems in this comorbid group are limited. This study examined these associated problems in children with comorbid ADHD and DCD using the Conners' Parent and Teachers' Rating Scales (CPRS-R:L; CTRS-R:L). A total of 109 participants (82 males; 27 females) with age ranging from 9.8 to 12.7 (M=11.16; SD=0.79) participated in this study. Participants were placed into 4 groups: Controls (n=41), ADHD (n=29), DCD (n=17) and comorbid ADHD/DCD (n=22), based on the scores from the Australian Disruptive Behaviours Scale, the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire and the McCarron Assessment Neuromuscular Development measure. A multivariate analysis of variance was conducted on the parent-rated and the teacher-rated Conners' test variables Anxious-Shy, Perfectionism, Social Problems and Psychosomatic separately. Results revealed that parents reported significant social problems seen in children with ADHD and comorbid ADHD/DCD. These children have few friends, experience low self-esteem and self-confidence, and they also feel emotionally distant from peers. However, teachers only reported significant social problems seen in children with comorbid ADHD/DCD. In addition, parents reported significant psychosomatic symptoms seen in children with ADHD. No significant group differences were found for the variables Anxious-Shy and Perfectionism. These findings imply that children with comorbid ADHD/DCD experience more significant social problems compared to children with only ADHD or DCD

Topological data analysis of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and non-O157 survival in soils.

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 have been implicated in many foodborne illnesses caused by the consumption of contaminated fresh produce. However, data on their persistence in soils are limited due to the complexity in datasets generated from different environmental variables and bacterial taxa. There is a continuing need to distinguish the various environmental variables and different bacterial groups to understand the relationships among these factors and the pathogen survival. Using an approach called Topological Data Analysis (TDA); we reconstructed the relationship structure of E. coli O157 and non-O157 survival in 32 soils (16 organic and 16 conventionally managed soils) from California (CA) and Arizona (AZ) with a multi-resolution output. In our study, we took a community approach based on total soil microbiome to study community level survival and examining the network of the community as a whole and the relationship between its topology and biological processes. TDA produces a geometric representation of complex data sets. Network analysis showed that Shiga toxin negative strain E. coli O157:H7 4554 survived significantly longer in comparison to E. coli O157:H7 EDL 933, while the survival time of E. coli O157:NM was comparable to that of E. coli O157:H7 EDL 933 in all of the tested soils. Two non-O157 strains, E. coli O26:H11 and E. coli O103:H2 survived much longer than E. coli O91:H21 and the three strains of E. coli O157. We show that there are complex interactions between E. coli strain survival, microbial community structures, and soil parameters

Motor dysfunctions in ADHD and DCD: an examination of the error correction mechanisms

A high incidence of overlap between ADHD and DCD suggests that they may be related. However, different deficits may underlie the disorders. ADHD has response inhibition deficit whereas DCD has efference copy deficit. The present study examines the presence of these deficits in the respective disorders and within the ADHD subtypes. The ability of children to amend their hand movements during target perturbation is investigated in a double-step tracking task. Participants were children aged 10 to 12. The ADHD symptoms were screened by Australian Disruptive Behaviours Scale, Conner's Parent Rating Scale-Revised:L and Conner's Parent Rating Scale-Revised:L; DCD symptoms were screened by Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire and McCarrson Assessment of Neuromuscular Development measure. ADHD-PI only, ADHD-C only, ADHD-PI with DCD, ADHD-C with DCD, DCD only, and a comparison group were studied. The participants were required to capture a target that skipped twice in succession. Compared to other groups, control children were able to adjust the initial response amplitude as a function of the time between a superseding stimulus and initiation of a response. The corrective response furthermore was accurate with respect to the final step position. The results are discussed in terms of an error averaging mechanism underlying tracking performance

The use of the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire in Australian children

The effectiveness of the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ) as a screening tool was investigated in an Australian sample. Using the DCDQ, 129 children aged 9 to 12 years old were screened for Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), with a follow-up assessment of movement ability using the McCarron Assessment of Neuromuscular Development (MAND) as the criterion measure. The overall decision agreement between the two measures in identifying DCD was .64. The DCDQ had a sensitivity of .55 and a specificity of .74. The low sensitivity suggests that many children with DCD are not being identified by the DCDQ despite the inclusion of children with a suspect score on the DCDQ. As a screening tool, the DCDQ was accurate in identifying children with moderate or severe DCD but identified less than half of the children with mild DCD

The discovery of Silk Route: Cultural and technology communication between China, Korea and Japan

One of the earliest civilizations took place in Asia, particularly the East Asian region. As a main result of war, historical travel, such as trading and pilgrimage, influenced the daily life of most people in the region. The Han Dynasty was traced back as the most significant period that triggered travelling activities during the discovery of the Silk Road. Since then, travelling facilities were developed, which consequently led to the increased inter-region movement of people and merchants. This study explores the historical development of travels in Eastern Asia, with a particular focus on the expansion of the Silk Road throughout several dynastic periods of China, as well as its influence on peninsular Korea and Japan. This study concludes that the Silk Road is an important channel for the exchange of tangible and intangible elements between China, Japan, and peninsular Korea as a sinicization process, particularly in the exchange of food, papermaking, and printing technology. An increased understanding of Asia’s travel history helps to assess the travelling patterns in the region by revisiting the influence of tourists’ socio-demographic factors to include the cultural background with historical element

Production of tylosin by Streptomyces fradiae in palm oil medium

Streptomyces fradiae (NRRL 2702) produced tylosin when cultured on a synthetic defined medium M3. Palm oil, palm kernel oil and their fractions, as well as fatty acids and glycerol were investigated to serve as the major carbon source in shake flask culture. The lipids, glycerol and fatty acids, particularly palmitic acid but not oleic or lauric acid, were suitable for growth and tylosin production. For palmitic acid, at 168 h, the dry cell yield and tylosin production were 8.9 mg/ml and 0.84 mg/g cell mass respectively