Development of New Robust Optimal Score Function for the Weibull Distributed Error Term in Multilevel Models

A popular robust estimation technique for linear models is the rank-based method as an alternative to the ordinary least square (OLS) and restricted maximum likelihood (REML) in the presence of extreme observations. This method is applied in machine reliability analysis and quantum engineering, especially in artificial intelligence and optimization problems where outliers are commonly observed. This technique is also extended for the multilevel model, where the shape of error distribution contributes a significant role in more efficient estimation. In this study, we proposed the Weibull score function for the Weibull distributed error terms in the multilevel model. The efficiency of the proposed score function is compared with the existing Wilcoxon score function and the traditional method REML via Monte Carlo simulations after adding simulated extreme observations. For small values of shape parameter in Weibull distribution of error term showing the presence of outliers, the Weibull score function was found to be efficient as compared to the Wilcoxon and REML methods. However, for a large value of shape parameter, Wilcoxon score appeared either equally efficient than the Weibull score function. REML is observed least precise in all situations. These findings are verified through a real application on test scores data, with a small value of shape parameter, and the Weibull score function turned out the most efficient.

The Effect of Education Earthquakes and Tsunami Preparadness Emergency Planning

Background: Bantul regency.is one of the areas in which there is the danger of earthquakes and tsunamis. To minimize the impact disasters need to have knowledge on communities including elementary school students who are part of communities that are vulnerable to disasters. Objective: The purpose of this study was to understand the effects of earthquake and tsunami education on elementary school emergency planning Jigudan Pandak Bantul Yogyakarta. Research Methods: Quantitative precision using pre experimental methods. Approach used in one group pretest-posttest design. The population of this study was 46 students in 5 of grade of 10-12 years old. Sample taking used the total sample. The instrument used is a questionnaire. The statistical test for Wilcoxon. Emergency planning research before they gave education to earthquake and tsunami disasters total 15 responders (32.6%) ready, 22 reponders (47.8%) almost ready, 9 responders (19.6%) less ready. Research Results: Emergency planning after giving them earthquake and tsunami aducation total 35 responders (76.1%) completely ready, 11 responders (23.9%) ready. Statistical test using the Wilcoxon score (P: 0,00) was smaller than or equal to degrees of prospering α: 0.05 (p : 0,000 < 0,05 ). Conclusion: There was a significant impact on the readiness of emergency planning students before and after being given the education of earthquake and tsunami disasters. Keywords: Education Disaster Earthquake, Emergency Planning, Tsunami

Pengaruh Konseling Qur’ani Untuk Menurunkan Tingkat Depresi Pada Mahasiswa

This research aims to know the difference between the experimental group given intervention with Quranic counseling and a control group without intervention. This is quasi-experimental research that used untreated control group design with pretest and posttest. The subjects of this research were 20 students of UIN Antasari Banjarmasin that have passed the screening test. They were divided into an experimental group and control group, each of which consisted of 10 people. After the data were analyzed using non-parametric Mann-Whitney test, it was found out that = - 1553; sig = 0.121 (p>0,05), which means there was no significant difference between the level of depression on students in the experimental group after the intervention and the level of depression on students in control group. Afterward, according to the analysis result on Wilcoxon score in the post-test and interview by the experimental group, it was found out that Z score = - 0,609a and p score = 0,542; therefore, p > 0,05. It means Quranic counseling is relatively effective to decrease the level of depression on the students. Despite there was no significant difference between the experimental group and control group, the depression level on the experimental group, however, did not increase even though the Quranic counseling had been given over two weeks before.

Silent Laryngopharyngeal Sensory Deficits after Stroke

Dysphagia and aspiration are two devastating sequelae of stroke. Recent work has shown that laryngopharyngeal (LP) sensory deficits are associated with aspiration in stroke patients with dysphagia. The phenomenon of silent LP sensory deficits, where the patient exhibits no subjective or objective evidence of dysphagia, yet has an LP sensory deficit, has not been previously described. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensory capacity of the laryngopharynx in stroke patients who had no subjective or objective complaints of dysphagia. We determined the sensory threshold in the laryngopharynx using air pulse stimulation of the mucosa of the pyriform sinus and aryepiglottic fold. Eighteen stroke patients (mean age 65.6 ± 11.5 years) and 18 age-matched controls were prospectively evaluated. Normal thresholds were defined as <4.0 mm Hg air pulse pressure (APP). Deficits were defined as either a moderate impairment in sensory discrimination thresholds (4.0 to 6.0 mm Hg APP) or a severe sensory impairment (>6.0 mm Hg APP). Stroke patients were followed up for 1 year to determine the incidence of aspiration pneumonia (AP) as verified by chest radiography. In 11 of the stroke patients studied, either unilateral (n = 6) or bilateral (n = 5) severe sensory deficits were identified. The elevations in sensory discrimination thresholds were significantly greater than those in age-matched controls (7.1 ± 0.6 mm Hg APP versus 2.5 mm Hg APP; p < .01, Wilcoxon score). Among patients with unilateral deficits, sensory thresholds were severely elevated in all cases on the affected side compared with the unaffected side (p < .01, Wilcoxon score). Moreover, the sensory thresholds of the unaffected side were not significantly different from those of age-matched controls. Aspiration pneumonia did not occur in the patients with normal LP sensation or in the patients with unilateral severe LP sensory deficits. However, in the 5 patients with bilateral, severe LP sensory deficits, 2 developed AP, both within 3 months of their LP sensory test. The results of this study showed, for the first time, that stroke patients without subjective or objective clinical evidence of dysphagia could have silent LP sensory deficits. These impairments could contribute to the development of AP following stroke. The findings in this study suggest that LP sensory discrimination threshold testing should not be restricted only to patients with clinical dysphagia.