In this paper, we obtain the strong consistency and asymptotic distribution of the Theil-Sen estimator in simple linear regression models with arbitrary error distributions. We show that the Theil-Sen estimator is super-efficient when the error distribution is discontinuous and that its asymptotic distribution may or may not be normal when the error distribution is continuous. We give an exampl...

The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) is one of the most frequently used questionnaires to evaluate the impact of dermatological diseases on patients' lives. This study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the instrument and to test its unidimensionality in a large sample of patients with psoriasis (n=976) hospitalized at IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy. Nine hundred patients completed th...

Economic theory reduces the concept of rationality to internal consistency. The practice of economics, however, distinguishes between rational and irrational beliefs. There is therefore an interest in a theory of rational beliefs, and of the process by which beliefs are generated and justified. We argue that the Bayesian approach is unsatisfactory for this purpose, for several reasons. First, t...

The objective of this work was to develop bioadhesive topical gel of Aceclofenac with the help of response-surface approach. Experiments were performed according to a 3-level factorial design to evaluate the effects of two independent variables [amount of Poloxamer 407 (PL-407 = X1) and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose K100 M (HPMC = X2)] on the bioadhesive character of gel, rheological property o...

Psoriasis Family Index is a quality of life instrument for family members of patients with psoriasis developed in English. The aims of this study were to translate the Psoriasis Family Index into Brazilian Portuguese, culturally adapt it and verify its reliability and validity. The study followed these two steps: 1) Translation, linguistic and cultural adaptation, 2) Validation. The translated ...

This study aimed to evaluate the construct validity of a version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The version was inserted into a multidimensional questionnaire and applied face-to-face to 235 sterilized women. Non-response rate was 1.7%. The sample proved to be highly homogeneous, with low income and education. Cronbach's alpha of 0.948 indicated high internal consistency. Factor an...

Objective: To examine the internal consistency and factor structure of the Brazilian adaptation of the UPPS Impulsive Behavior Scale. Methods: UPPS is a self-report scale composed by 40 items assessing four factors of impulsivity: (a) urgency, (b) lack of premeditation; (c) lack of perseverance; (d) sensation seeking. In the present study 384 participants (278 women and 106 men), who were recru...

This paper contributes to the literature on the sale price appraisal ratio (SPAR) as an alternative house price index methodology. Housing market transaction data for 12 cities or districts in New Zealand for the period 1994 – 2004 is utilised to test the effect of measurement errors in assessed values on index accuracy and temporal aggregation on index stability. The main findings are: 1) temp...

OBJECTIVE To describe the methodology for evaluating habitual physical activity that was adopted for a survey among the male population utilizing a questionnaire validated earlier. METHODS The Baecke questionnaire on habitual physical activity was translated into Portuguese and then back-translated into English by two anglophone teachers. The final version of the questionnaire was applied in ...

OBJECTIVES To compare the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the motor subscale of the functional independence measure (FIM), the original 10 item Barthel index (BI), and the 5 item short form BI (BI-5) in inpatients with stroke receiving rehabilitation. METHODS 118 inpatients with stroke at a rehabilitation unit participated in the study. The patients were tested with the FIM motor...