Preview: Some traditional measurements of forecast accuracy are unsuitable for intermittent-demand data because they can give infinite or undefined values. Rob Hyndman summarizes these forecast accuracy metrics and explains their potential failings. He also introduces a new metric—the mean absolute scaled error (MASE)—which is more appropriate for intermittent-demand data. More generally, he be...

The author discusses Liebowitz's (1979) and Rieder's (1979) reviews of current issues regarding the diagnosis of borderline patients. He cites the need for further research examining the basic characteristics of the borderline syndrome. He also recommends that greater attention be directed toward defining subtypes of the syndrome. The author believes that a combination of the descriptive approa...

Quine argues that if sentences that are set theoretically equivalent are interchangeable salva veritate, then all transparent operators are truth-functional. Criticisms of this argument fail to take into account the conditional character of the conclusion. Quine also argues that, for any person P with minimal logical acuity, if ‘belief’ has a sense in which it is a transparent operator, then, i...

An entrepreneur, attempting to establish a new business, selling what he believes will be a groundbreaking new product, meets with a group of prospective investors. During a discussion about his strategy and business plan, the exchange turns to measurement. An investor asks him how he will measure his success, and the entrepreneur responds with, "Well, simple. I will know I have a successful bu...

asserts that "plain common sense?the acquisition of knowledge of the conduct and experience of human beings which comes from a wide experience of life" is a useful asset to the psychologist. He has a poor opinion of the Oedipus Complex, listing it in the Index, as "Oedipus Complex (supposed)." He believes in the individuality of each child, and even suggests that some can benefit from corporal ...

Preterm birth affects 12% of all births in the United States. Recent studies support the hypothesis that progesterone supplementation reduces preterm birth in a select group of women (ie, those with a prior spontaneous birth at <37 weeks of gestation). Despite the apparent benefits of progesterone in this high-risk population, the ideal progesterone formulation is unknown. The American College ...

hen Kant inquired into the capability of the human mind and drew the conclusion that the entire universe, as we know it, is only appearance and not reality —i.e., noumena— “he said nothing absolutely new,” Paul Deussen notes humorously in Die Philosophie des Upanishads (204). According to this critic, Kant’s doctrine on the phenomenal world comes down to demonstrating in a more intelligible way...

In a paper recently published Sherrington (I) summarizes our knowledge concerning tonus, both of smooth and of striated muscle. He points out that the definitions of tonus heretofore advanced are unsatisfactory inasmuch as some are ambiguous while others serve only t,o account for certain phases of muscular activity. The muscle fiber, he believes, is not to be regarded as an elastic string for ...

In a paper recently published Sherrington (I) summarizes our knowledge concerning tonus, both of smooth and of striated muscle. He points out that the definitions of tonus heretofore advanced are unsatisfactory inasmuch as some are ambiguous while others serve only t,o account for certain phases of muscular activity. The muscle fiber, he believes, is not to be regarded as an elastic string for ...