It is known that the greater the number of lymph nodes removed at thoracotomy, the higher the survival rate [31,32], even if all nodes are shown to be negative, presumably by increasing the certainty of the N0 classification [33].
However, comparisons cannot be deterministic if they are measuring ability because it is difficult to determine with certainty the classification of abilities as they are not necessarily fully observable.
These were subjected to the detailed necropsy examination and culture protocol described in [ 6], designed to maximise the certainty associated with the classification of TB status.
Figure 4 depicts an analysis of the classification certainty and uncertainty.
Reproducibility was reported using the number of subgroups detected, classification stability (agreement on which subgroup each individual disc-level or patient was allocated to), and classification probability (certainty of the subgroup allocation of each individual).
Specifically, better model fit was suggested by a lower Akaike information criterion (31); a lower Bayesian information criterion (32); a significant Lo-Mendell-Rubin likelihood ratio test, suggesting the more complex model (i.e., model with more groups) fits the data better than the model with fewer groups (33); and entropy, the estimate of certainty of classification (ranging from 0 to 1).
For example, the El Escorial criteria (Brooks, 1994) and their subsequent derivatives use the relative burden of upper and lower motor neuron signs for classification of the clinical certainty of the diagnosis of ALS, but it is possible to have advanced disease and a less certain El Escorial category, and the criteria cannot therefore be used for staging.
"That is absurd," Sanders said of the classification.
Such conformities increase the certainty of the interpretation.
