scholarly journals Hindfins of Ichthyosaurus: effects of large sample size on ‘distinct’ morphological characters

2018 ◽  
Vol 156 (4) ◽  
pp. 725-744 ◽  
Author(s):  
JUDY A. MASSARE ◽  
DEAN R. LOMAX
Keyword(s):  
Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Large Sample Size ◽  
Large Sample ◽  
The Third ◽  
Full Picture ◽  
The Common ◽  
The Difference

AbstractThe abundance of specimens of Ichthyosaurus provides an opportunity to assess morphological variation without the limits of a small sample size. This research evaluates the variation and taxonomic utility of hindfin morphology. Two seemingly distinct morphotypes of the mesopodium occur in the genus. Morphotype 1 has three elements in the third row: metatarsal two, distal tarsal three and distal tarsal four. This is the common morphology in Ichthyosaurus breviceps, I. conybeari and I. somersetensis. Morphotype 2 has four elements in the third row, owing to a bifurcation. This morphotype occurs in at least some specimens of each species, but it has several variations distinguished by the extent of contact of elements in the third row with the astragalus. Two specimens display a different morphotype in each fin, suggesting that the difference reflects individual variation. In Ichthyosaurus, the hindfin is taxonomically useful at the genus level, but species cannot be identified unequivocally from a well-preserved hindfin, although certain morphologies are more common in certain species than others. The large sample size filled in morphological gaps between what initially appeared to be taxonomically distinct characters. The full picture of variation would have been obscured with a small sample size. Furthermore, we have found several unusual morphologies which, in isolation, could have been mistaken for new taxa. Thus, one must be cautious when describing new species or genera on the basis of limited material, such as isolated fins and fragmentary specimens.

scholarly journals Acupuncture for Chronic Pain-Related Insomnia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Fushui Liu ◽  
Jianyu You ◽  
Qi Li ◽  
Ting Fang ◽  
Mei Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Sham Acupuncture ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Large Sample Size ◽  
Cure Rate ◽  
Significant Difference

Objectives. Acupuncture has been widely used to relieve chronic pain-related insomnia (CPRI). However, the efficacy of acupuncture for CPRI is uncertain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture for CPRI. Methods. Seven electronic databases were searched from inception to December 2018. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included if acupuncture was compared to sham acupuncture or conventional drug therapies for treating CPRI. Two reviewers screened each study and extracted data independently. Statistical analyses were conducted by RevMan 5.3 software. Results. A total of nine studies involving 944 patients were enrolled. The pooled analysis indicated that acupuncture treatment was significantly better than control group in improving effective rate (OR = 8.09, 95%CI = [4.75, 13.79], P < 0.00001) and cure rate (OR = 3.17, 95%CI = [2.35, 4.29], P < 0.00001), but subgroup analysis showed that there was no statistically significant difference between acupuncture and sham acupuncture in improving cure rate (OR =10.36, 95% CI [0.53, 201.45], P=0.12) based on one included study. In addition, meta-analysis demonstrated that acupuncture group was superior to control group in debasing PSQI score (MD = -2.65, 95%CI = [-4.00, -1.30], P = 0.0001) and VAS score (MD = -1.44, 95%CI = [-1.58, -1.29], P < 0.00001). And there was no significant difference in adverse events (OR =1.73, 95%CI = [0.92, 3.25], P =0.09) between the two groups. Conclusions. Acupuncture therapy is an effective and safe treatment for CPRI, and this treatment can be recommended for the management of patients with CPRI. Due to the low quality and small sample size of the included studies, more rigorously designed RCTs with high quality and large sample size are recommended in future.

scholarly journals Selecting the special or choosing the common? A high-powered replication of Kim and Markus’ (1999) pen study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Otterbring ◽  
Roopali Bhatnagar ◽  
Michal Folwarczny
Keyword(s):  
Mass Media ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Cultural Difference ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Original Study ◽  
Size Estimation ◽  
Economic Progress ◽  
Western Values ◽  
The Common

Kim and Markus (1999) found that 74% of Americans selected a pen with an uncommon (vs. common) color, whereas only 24% of Asians made such a choice, highlighting a pronounced cross-cultural difference in the extent to which people opt for originality or make majority-based choices. Although influential, their original study relied on small sample size (N = 56), falling short of current standards for sample size estimation and power calculations. The present high-powered study (N = 729) replicates the overall findings from Kim and Markus (1999; Study 3), finding that American participants were significantly more inclined to make an uncommon choice (62.5%) compared to their Chinese counterparts (50%). However, our obtained effect size (r = .12) is significantly weaker than that of the original study (r = .50). Interestingly, given the globalization of mass media and the rapid economic progress of many Asian cultures during the last decades, a significantly larger proportion of Chinese, but not American, participants selected a pen with an uncommon color now than during the time of the original study. As such, mass media may have exported certain Western values to cultures traditionally characterized by collectivism and conformity, making such cultures more individualistic.

scholarly journals Gender Wise Distribution of Income Using L-Moments Method

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Muhammad Alam ◽  
Saeed Ullah Jan ◽  
Alam Zeb
Keyword(s):  
Income Distribution ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Parameters Estimation ◽  
Large Sample Size ◽  
Unknown Parameters ◽  
Moments Method ◽  
L Moments ◽  
Distribution Of Income

<em>The main purpose of this work is to explore the income distribution of both male and female in Pakistan over the period of 2010-2011. For this purpose, the lognormal distribution with known parameters is used as a model and its unknown parameters are estimated by three methods that are likelihood, moments and L-moments. The results show that citizens of Pakistan are not equal in income and the probability plot suggested that the income of the male is greater than that of a female in Pakistan. Moreover, for small sample size, the best method of parameters estimation is the L-moments, while, for large sample size the best method is a maximum likelihood. Findings of the study suggest that suitable policy is required to maintain equality in income distribution in the country. It will consequently reduce the gap among rich and poor and will certainly improve social welfare.</em>

scholarly journals On the Subrange and Its Application to the R-Chart

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (24) ◽  
pp. 11632
Author(s):  
En Xie ◽  
Yizhong Ma ◽  
Linhan Ouyang ◽  
Chanseok Park
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Correction Factor ◽  
Relative Efficiency ◽  
Least Squares Method ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Large Sample Size ◽  
Large Sample ◽  
Sample Range ◽  
Conventional Sample

The conventional sample range is widely used for the construction of an R-chart. In an R-chart, the sample range estimates the standard deviation, especially in the case of a small sample size. It is well known that the performance of the sample range degrades in the case of a large sample size. In this paper, we investigate the sample subrange as an alternative to the range. This subrange includes the range as a special case. We recognize that we can improve the performance of estimating the standard deviation by using the subrange, especially in the case of a large sample size. Note that the original sample range is biased. Thus, the correction factor is used to make it unbiased. Likewise, the original subrange is also biased. In this paper, we provide the correction factor for the subrange. To compare the sample subranges with different trims to the conventional sample range or the sample standard deviation, we provide the theoretical relative efficiency and its values, which can be used to select the best trim of the subrange with the sense of maximizing the relative efficiency. For a practical guideline, we also provide a simple formula for the best trim amount, which is obtained by the least-squares method. It is worth noting that the breakdown point of the conventional sample range is always zero, while that of the sample subrange increases proportionally to a trim amount. As an application of the proposed method, we illustrate how to incorporate it into the construction of the R-chart.

scholarly journals Risk Assessment of Intermittent and Continuous Nasogastric Enteral Feeding Methods in Adult Inpatients: A Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Guang Yang ◽  
Bojun Zheng ◽  
Yi Yu
Keyword(s):  
Sample Size ◽  
Group Size ◽  
Enteral Feeding ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Size Group ◽  
Large Sample Size ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Feeding Methods

Diarrhea and pneumonia are common and serious complications in hospitalized patients requiring nasogastric enteral feeding. Our study aimed to compare the risk of diarrhea and pneumonia between intermittent nasogastric enteral feeding (IEF) and continuous nasogastric enteral feeding (CEF). We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane for relevant articles published from August 9, 1992, to September 1, 2019. A total of 637 IEF and CEF patients were included in our meta-analysis. Odds ratios (ORs) with associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to estimate the effects of diarrhea and pneumonia. We showed that hospital patients that required IEF had an increased risk of diarrhea compared with CEF. In the subgroup analyses, similar conclusions were identified in the non-China group and small sample size group (size < 100). However, our results showed no significant differences in the China group or large sample size group (size ≥ 100). Furthermore, our analysis showed that no significant association was observed for the risk of pneumonia between IEF and CEF patients. For inpatients requiring nasogastric enteral feeding, CEF is a better method of enteral nutrition compared with IEF, of which patients experience a significantly increased risk of diarrhea.

Socially responsible investment sukuk (Islamic bond) development in Malaysia

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 599-619
Author(s):  
Mahfuzur Rahman ◽  
Che Ruhana Isa ◽  
Ginanjar Dewandaru ◽  
Mohamed Hisham Hanifa ◽  
Nazreen T. Chowdhury ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Socially Responsible Investment ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Large Sample Size ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Responsible Investment

Purpose This study aims to explore the underlying issues related to the development of socially responsible investment (SRI) sukuk in Malaysia. It identifies factors attracting investors and issuers, as well as challenges for the development of SRI sukuk (Islamic bond) in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach This study conducted semi-structured interviews to collect data from the institutional investors, SRI sukuk issuers and arrangers, as well as researchers. A total of 19 experts were approached in which 10 participated in the interview. The thematic analysis technique is used to report the findings. Findings This study uncovers that social contribution through business activities (i.e. investment in the education sector) is the key motivational drivers for the investors and issuers. Besides, investment risks, lack of performance measurement standards, high transaction costs, risks of return, shortage of enough Islamic bonds, investors’ confidence and lack of awareness are the major challenges for the development of SRI sukuk instruments. Research limitations/implications Due to the challenges in finding experts on this subject matter, this study was able to manage only 10 interviews from the participants, which is a small sample size. However, the findings of this study cannot be ignored. Future research should carry out with a large sample size (i.e. at least 30 interviews) to validate the current findings. Originality/value This study is among the pioneer in Malaysia, which explores the influencing factors of selecting Islamic bonds as an investment option. This paper provides some valuable implications for investors through discovering the challenges for the growth of SRI sukuk in Malaysia, which can also be applicable in a global setting.

scholarly journals Continuing or ceasing bevacizumab beyond progression in recurrent glioblastoma: an exploratory randomized phase II trial

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 171-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth J Hovey ◽  
Kathryn M Field ◽  
Mark A Rosenthal ◽  
Elizabeth H Barnes ◽  
Lawrence Cher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sample Size ◽  
Phase Ii ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Recurrent Glioblastoma ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Best Response ◽  
Additional Chemotherapy ◽  
The Difference

AbstractBackgroundIn patients with recurrent glioblastoma, the benefit of bevacizumab beyond progression remains uncertain. We prospectively evaluated continuing or ceasing bevacizumab in patients who progressed while on bevacizumab.MethodsCABARET, a phase II study, initially randomized patients to bevacizumab with or without carboplatin (Part 1). At progression, eligible patients underwent a second randomization to continue or cease bevacizumab (Part 2). They could also receive additional chemotherapy regimens (carboplatin, temozolomide, or etoposide) or supportive care.ResultsOf 120 patients treated in Part 1, 48 (80% of the anticipated 60-patient sample size) continued to Part 2. Despite randomization, there were some imbalances in patient characteristics. The best response was stable disease in 7 (30%) patients who continued bevacizumab and 2 (8%) patients who stopped receiving bevacizumab. There were no radiological responses. Median progression-free survival was 1.8 vs 2.0 months (bevacizumab vs no bevacizumab; hazard ratio [HR], 1.08; 95% CI, .59–1.96; P = .81). Median overall survival was 3.4 vs 3.0 months (HR, .84; 95% CI, .47–1.50; P = .56 and HR .70; 95% CI .38–1.29; P = .25 after adjustment for baseline factors). Quality-of-life scores did not significantly differ between arms. While the maximum daily steroid dose was lower in the continuation arm, the difference was not statistically significant.ConclusionsPatients who continued bevacizumab beyond disease progression did not have clear survival improvements, although the study was not powered to detect other than very large differences. While these data provide the only randomized evidence related to continuing bevacizumab beyond progression in recurrent glioblastoma, the small sample size precludes definitive conclusions and suggests this remains an open question.

scholarly journals Meta-Analysis and Forest Plots for Sustainability of Heavy Load Carrier Equipment Used in the Industrial Mining Environment

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8672
Author(s):  
Somnath Chattopadhyaya ◽  
Brajeshkumar Kishorilal Dinkar ◽  
Alok Kumar Mukhopadhyay ◽  
Shubham Sharma ◽  
José Machado
Keyword(s):  
Sample Size ◽  
Reliability Analysis ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Forest Plot ◽  
Large Sample Size ◽  
Heavy Load ◽  
Combining Data ◽  
Load Carrier

It is a common recommendation not to attempt a reliability analysis with a small sample size. However, this is feasible after considering certain statistical methods. One such method is meta-analysis, which can be considered to assess the effectiveness of a small sample size by combining data from different studies. The method explores the presence of heterogeneity and the robustness of the fresh large sample size using sensitivity analysis. The present study describes the approach in the reliability estimation of diesel engines and the components of industrial heavy load carrier equipment used in mines for transporting ore. A meta-analysis is carried out on field-based small-sample data for the reliability of different subsystems of the engine. The level of heterogeneity is calculated for each subsystem, which is further verified by constructing a forest plot. The level of heterogeneity was 0 for four subsystems and 2.23% for the air supply subsystem, which is very low. The result of the forest plot shows that all the plotted points mostly lie either on the center line (line of no effect) or very close to it, for all five subsystems. Hence, it was found that the grouping of an extremely small number of failure data is possible. By using this grouped TBF data, reliability analysis could be very easily carried out.

scholarly journals Cephalometric Norms Among Qatari Females

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hayder Abdallah Hashim ◽  
Najah AL-Sayed ◽  
Ayah AL-Qaisi
Keyword(s):  
Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Large Sample Size ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Nasolabial Angle ◽  
Vertical Relationship ◽  
Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeon ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Lower Incisors

Aims: The aims of this study were to introduce cephalometric norms for Qatari females and compare the result with previous published reports. Material and method: The sample consisted of 57 cephalographs with age range 18 to 25 years old. All subjects satisfied the criteria of selection. Cephalometric measurements of Qatari females were then compared with Eastman Standard norms and Arabs studies as well as reports conducted among Oriental and Black races. Results: The result indicates that Qatari females presented with higher mean values of sagittal and vertical relationship compared to Caucasian cephalometric norms. In terms of dental variables proclined upper and lower incisors in relation to their dental bases, and a reduction in inter-incisal angle. The soft tissue variables indicate that the lips were slightly protrusive in relation to Rickett’s esthetic line, and the nasolabial angle was less obtuse. The bimaxillary proclination and protrusion of the upper and lower incisors were existed in all Arab populations as well as in Black and Oriental races whereas the Caucasian had retrusive dentition. Conclusion: Due to limitation of the present study, it is difficult to draw a solid conclusion due to small sample size.  Hence, large sample size is recommended for both sexes in order to establish cephalometric norms which will be of great help not only to the orthodontist but also to the oral and maxillofacial surgeon as well as the pedodontist.

Identification of point mutation in Exon 2 of MBL1 gene and its relationship with Somatic Cell Score (SCS) in Sahiwal cattle

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamaldeep Kamaldeep ◽  
Ankit Magotra ◽  
B. L. Pander ◽  
Manjeet Manjeet ◽  
B. S. Malik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sample Size ◽  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Point Mutation ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Somatic Cell Score ◽  
Large Sample Size ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Exon 2 ◽  
Pcr Rflp

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is one of the most important constituent and a pattern recognition molecule of the innate immune system. MBL gene possibly contributes to bacterial infection resistance and was proposed as a molecular marker for milk production traits to control mastitis. Due to its location near to QTLs associated with Somatic cell score (SCS) and mastitis , the MBL1 gene may be considered as a candidate gene. Sahiwal cows in milk were selected randomly to identify g.2686T>C point mutation in exon 2 of MBL1 gene and its association with somatic cell score. A 401 bp PCR fragment of MBL1 gene encompassing the exon 2 was amplified and digested with Hae III to screen the reported SNP. Genotype analysis using PCR-RFLP revealed a polymorphic banding pattern. Sequencing was also carried out to validate the PCR-RFLP results of nucleotide sequence in a particular region. The preliminary information obtained from the study indicated that the targeted variantof MBL1 gene in indigenous cattle had no association with SCS and mastitis resistance which may be a breed specific characteristic. Since present study has formulated the results based on a relatively small sample size, further studies with large sample size are required to validate these results.

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