Heston.com

Music Playlist

Tom — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:09:42 +0000

Click Here to listen to my latest Rhapsody Playlist

Test of Clinical Significance

Tom — Mon, 05 May 2008 03:44:03 +0000

Here is a mathematical formula that acts as a test of clinical significance. This formula helps clinicians determine the clinical value of a research study.

When does a patient’s test more likely than not indicate they fall in the normal population?

When does he test more likely than not indicate they fall in the abnormal population?

The mean value for the normal population = Xn

The standard deviation for Xn = SDn

The mean value for the abnormal (sick) population = Xa

The standard deviation for Xa = SDa

STEP 1. Calculate the threshold Z value thusly (when Xa > Xb):

Z = (Xa – Xn) / (SDa + SDn)

STEP 2. Calculate the threshold value:

Threshold = Xa - (Z * SDa)

When Xa > Xb, when the patient’s test value is greater than the threshold value, then it is more likely than not that they fall in the abnormal population. When the patient’s test value is less than the threshold value, then it is more likely than not that they fall in the normal population.

Thomas F. Heston, MD

Idaho History Day

Tom — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:36:09 +0000

Cecilia Heston and Emalie Bumgardner won 1st place in the North Idaho Regional History Day Competition in the Youth Group Documentary.

News Article - http://www.shoshonenewspress.com/articles/2008/03/19/news/news05.prt

The Chinese Must Go - a documentary on the Chinese Exclusion Act in Idaho

Idaho History Day 2008 Awards - Cecilia Heston

Two

Tom — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 01:03:25 +0000

Falling in love again
with the girl of my dreams
I’m going head over heels again
looking forward to brand new things
that we are gonna see from a different view,
and do all the things we’ve wanted to.

I’m going head over heels again.
I’m going one-on-one with you, again.

And it’s just us two.
Just two.

Falling in love again
with the woman for me.
I’m going head over heels again
reliving the dream
that brought us together and joined our hearts
the start of forever, never to part.

I’m going head over heels again.
I’m going one-on-one with you, again.
It’s through and through.

Two.
Just two.

We’re gonna do it our way we can’t hold back
We’re going full ahead on our one way track.
We’re gonna see the things we’ve wanted to.
It’s an everyday thing, it’s our life
it’s a great joy ride.
Everyday with you it’s a great joy ride.
You and me we’re living the dream, a great joy ride.

Just me and you, everyday, living life the
way we want to, me and you.

Two.
Just two.

- Tom Heston

lyrics with Alex Heston

The Unintended Consequences of ‘Three-Strikes’ Laws

Tom — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 04:14:52 +0000

The US’s incarceration rate is the highest in the world (1 out of 100 in the US are in jail according to a recent report). But it isn’t making us any safer:

http://www.nber.org/papers/w13784

http://www.slate.com/id/2186901?nav=wp