title: Fast floating-point processing in Common Lisp

authors: Fateman, Richard J.

subjects: C programming language

abstract: Lisp, one of the oldest higher-level programming languages, has rarely been used for fast numerical (floatingpoint) computation. We explore the benefits of Common Lisp, an emerging new language standard with some excellent implementations, for numerical computation. We compare it to Fortran in terms of the speed of efficiency of generated code, as well as the structure and convenience of the language. There are a surprising number of advantages to Lisp, especially in cases where a mixture of symbolic and numeric processing is needed.

text: Fast floating-point processing in Common Lisp Lisp, one of the oldest higher-level programming languages, has rarely been used for fast numerical (floatingpoint) computation. We explore the benefits of Common Lisp, an emerging new language standard with some excellent implementations, for numerical computation. We compare it to Fortran in terms of the speed of efficiency of generated code, as well as the structure and convenience of the language. There are a surprising number of advantages to Lisp, especially in cases where a mixture of symbolic and numeric processing is needed.

year: 1995-03

title: Enhancing the precision of the Self-Compassion Scale Short Form (SCS-SF) with Rasch methodology

authors: Adu, Peter

abstract: Objectives: Precise measurement of self-compassion is essential for informing well-being–related policies. Traditional assessment methods have led to inconsistencies in the factor structure of self-compassion scales. We used Rasch methodology to enhance measurement precision and assess the psychometric properties of the Self-Compassion Scale Short Form (SCS-SF), including its invariance across Ghana, Germany, India, and New Zealand. Method: We employed the Partial Credit Rasch model to analyse responses obtained from 1000 individuals randomly selected (i.e. 250 from each country) from a total convenience sample of 1822 recruited from the general populations of Germany, Ghana, India, and New Zealand. Results: The initial identification of local dependency among certain items led to a significant misfitting of the SCS-SF to the Rasch model (χ2 (108) = 260.26, p < 0.001). We addressed this issue by merging locally dependent items, using testlets. The solution with three testlets resulted in optimal fit of the SCS-SF to the Rasch model (χ2 (27) = 23.84, p = 0.64), showing evidence of unidimensionality, strong sample targeting (M = 0.20; SD = 0.72), and good reliability (Person Separation Index = 0.71), including invariance across sociodemographic factors. We then developed ordinal-to-interval conversion tables based on the Rasch model’s person estimates. The SCS-SF showed positive correlations with measures of compassion towards others, optimism, and positive affect, alongside negative associations with psychological distress and negative affect. Conclusions: The current study supports the reliability, as well as the structural, convergent, and external validity of the SCS-SF. By employing the ordinal-to-interval conversion tables published here, the precision of the measure is significantly enhanced, offering a robust tool for investigating self-compassion across different cultures.

text: Enhancing the precision of the Self-Compassion Scale Short Form (SCS-SF) with Rasch methodology Objectives: Precise measurement of self-compassion is essential for informing well-being–related policies. Traditional assessment methods have led to inconsistencies in the factor structure of self-compassion scales. We used Rasch methodology to enhance measurement precision and assess the psychometric properties of the Self-Compassion Scale Short Form (SCS-SF), including its invariance across Ghana, Germany, India, and New Zealand. Method: We employed the Partial Credit Rasch model to analyse responses obtained from 1000 individuals randomly selected (i.e. 250 from each country) from a total convenience sample of 1822 recruited from the general populations of Germany, Ghana, India, and New Zealand. Results: The initial identification of local dependency among certain items led to a significant misfitting of the SCS-SF to the Rasch model (χ2 (108) = 260.26, p < 0.001). We addressed this issue by merging locally dependent items, using testlets. The solution with three testlets resulted in optimal fit of the SCS-SF to the Rasch model (χ2 (27) = 23.84, p = 0.64), showing evidence of unidimensionality, strong sample targeting (M = 0.20; SD = 0.72), and good reliability (Person Separation Index = 0.71), including invariance across sociodemographic factors. We then developed ordinal-to-interval conversion tables based on the Rasch model’s person estimates. The SCS-SF showed positive correlations with measures of compassion towards others, optimism, and positive affect, alongside negative associations with psychological distress and negative affect. Conclusions: The current study supports the reliability, as well as the structural, convergent, and external validity of the SCS-SF. By employing the ordinal-to-interval conversion tables published here, the precision of the measure is significantly enhanced, offering a robust tool for investigating self-compassion across different cultures.

year: 2024

title: An indigenous psychologies teaching and research hub : Enabling our resources, strengths and histories

authors: Nikora, Linda Waimarie

abstract: This paper was presented as part of an informal indigenous psychologies dialogue session at the Australian Psychological Society's annual conference. In this paper, we present the concept of an indigenous psychologies teaching and research hub that reduces distance, helps students remain in community, uses resources efficiency, and has the capacity to bring indigenous psychologist and academics into closer communication.

text: An indigenous psychologies teaching and research hub : Enabling our resources, strengths and histories This paper was presented as part of an informal indigenous psychologies dialogue session at the Australian Psychological Society's annual conference. In this paper, we present the concept of an indigenous psychologies teaching and research hub that reduces distance, helps students remain in community, uses resources efficiency, and has the capacity to bring indigenous psychologist and academics into closer communication.

year: 2014