Using Song Dialects to Assess the Migration Strategy of the Golden-crowned Sparrow

Western Birds ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 311-321
Author(s):  
Edward R. Pandolfino ◽  
Lily A. Douglas
Keyword(s):  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Song Type ◽  
Migratory Connectivity ◽  
Migration Strategy ◽  
Chain Migration ◽  
Breeding Range ◽  
Winter Range ◽  
Song Dialects

Most techniques used to study migration of wild birds require capture for banding or for attachment and/or recovery of tags or transmitters. We took advantage of the fact that the Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla) sings in winter, combined with published data on the distribution of its distinct song dialects in the breeding range, to assess its migration strategy and migratory connectivity by means of these dialects. Using recordings of the Golden-crowned Sparrow’s song across much of its winter range, we categorized these birds by song type to identify their likely origin in some subset of the breeding range. This method allows examination of migration without the need to capture birds. Our results fit best with a pattern of chain migration, with the northernmost breeders wintering in the northernmost part of the winter range, and the southerly breeders wintering farther south. The results suggest strong migratory connectivity between segments of the breeding and winter ranges, though our small sample size makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions on connectivity.

A comparison between two ways to measure minimum frequency and an experimental test of vocal plasticity in red-winged blackbirds in response to noise

Behaviour ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 153 (12) ◽  
pp. 1445-1472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro A. Ríos-Chelén ◽  
Gavin C. Lee ◽  
Gail L. Patricelli
Keyword(s):  
Energy Distribution ◽  
Experimental Test ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Power Spectra ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Song Type ◽  
Threshold Method ◽  
Vocal Plasticity ◽  
Apparent Lack ◽  
Minimum Frequency

We examined whether red-winged blackbirds modulate their vocalizations in response to experimental highway noise, alternating between ambient-control and noise-playback periods. Our measures of song duration were shorter, and with a lower value of freq5% (a measure of energy distribution), during noise-playback; however, we interpret these results as noise-induced artefacts. This apparent lack of vocal plasticity should be taken cautiously because we had a small sample size and most birds produced only one song type: song type-related vocal plasticity was unlikely to be found. We found no evidence of a shift in minimum frequency with noise when this was measured with a threshold method on power spectra, but it seemed to increase when measured by eye from spectrograms. Our results suggest that the by-eye practice can lead to bias, which is problematic as several previous studies have used this procedure. Use of the threshold method, over the by-eye practice, is encouraged.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review of the Nickel Content of the Normal Human Prostate Gland

2021 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir Zaichick
Keyword(s):  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Prostate Gland ◽  
Nickel Content ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Prostatic Tissue ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
High Data ◽  
Ni Content

Introduction: The prostate gland is subject to various disorders. The etiology and pathogenesis of these diseases remain not well understood. Moreover, despite technological advancements, the differential diagnosis of prostate disorders has become progressively more complex and controversial. It was suggested that the nickel (Ni) level in prostatic tissue plays an important role in prostatic carcinogenesis and its measurement may be useful as a cancer biomarker. These suggestions promoted more detailed studies of the Ni content in the prostatic tissue of healthy subjects. Materials and methods: The present study evaluated by systematic analysis the published data for Ni content analyzed in prostatic tissue of “normal” glands. This evaluation reviewed 1889 studies, all of which were published in the years from 1921 to 2020 and were located by searching the databases Scopus, PubMed, MEDLINE, ELSEVIER-EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and the Web of Science. The articles were analyzed and “Median of Means” and “Range of Means” were used to examine heterogeneity of the measured Ni content in prostates of apparently healthy men. Results: The objective analysis was performed on data from the 20 studies, which included 743 subjects. It was found that the range of means of prostatic Ni content reported in the literature for “normal” gland varies widely from 0.030 mg/kg to 4.50 mg/kg with median of means 0.625 mg/kg on a wet mass basis. Conclusion: Because of small sample size and high data heterogeneity, we recommend other primary studies be performed.

scholarly journals BRAF and TERT mutations in papillary thyroid cancer patients of Latino ancestry

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 1310-1317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana P Estrada-Flórez ◽  
Mabel E Bohórquez ◽  
Alejandro Vélez ◽  
Carlos S Duque ◽  
Jorge H Donado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Papillary Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Double Mutant ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Papillary Thyroid ◽  
Women Studies ◽  
Colombian Women ◽  
Multi Center Study

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the second most commonly diagnosed malignancy in U.S. Latinas and in Colombian women. Studies in non-Latinos indicate that BRAF and TERT mutations are PTC prognostic markers. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and clinical associations of BRAF and TERT mutations in PTC Latino patients from Colombia. We analyzed mutations of BRAF (V600E) and TERT promoter (C228T, C250T) in tumor DNA from 141 patients (75 with classical variant PTC, CVPTC; 66 with follicular variant PTC, FVPTC) recruited through a multi-center study. Associations between mutations and clinical variables were evaluated with Fisher exact tests. Survival was evaluated with Kaplan–Meier plots. Double-mutant tumors (BRAF+/TERT+, n = 14 patients) were more common in CVPTC (P = 0.02). Relative to patients without mutations (n = 48), double mutations were more common in patients with large tumors (P = 0.03), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.01), extra-thyroid extension (P = 0.03), and advanced stage (P = 6.0 × 10−5). In older patients, TERT mutations were more frequent (mean age 51 years vs 45 years for wild type TERT, P = 0.04) and survival was lower (HR = 1.20; P = 0.017); however, given the small sample size, the decrease in survival was not statically significant between genotypes. Comparisons with published data in US whites revealed that Colombian patients had a higher prevalence of severe pathological features and of double-mutant tumors (10 vs 6%, P = 0.001). Mutations in both oncogenes show prognostic associations in Latinos from Colombia. Our study is important to advance Latino PTC precision medicine and replicates previous prognostic associations between BRAF and TERT in this population.

Relationship between fatigue and cytokine levels in patients age 50+ with acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 19566-19566
Author(s):  
A. Panju ◽  
D. Kelvin ◽  
M. D. Minden ◽  
S. M. Alibhai
Keyword(s):  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Best Supportive Care ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Published Data ◽  
European Organization ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Markers Of Inflammation ◽  
Cytokine Levels

19566 Background: Fatigue is the most common and disabling symptom affecting patients with AML; effective prevention or treatment measures have yet to be found. Cytokines, biological markers of inflammation, may represent a major cause of fatigue, but published data are limited. Methods: Patients age 50 or older with AML were recruited between May and September 2006. All patients were fluent in English, within one year of diagnosis, and free of any other active malignancy. Fatigue was measured using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT) Fatigue subscale, a single-item global fatigue scale, and the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30. Blood was simultaneously drawn for quantitative measurement of a panel of 13 cytokines. Repeat measurements were done 4–6 weeks later. Correlational analysis was used to examine relationships between individual cytokines and fatigue scores. Changes in fatigue scores between time points were correlated with changes in cytokine levels. Results: 34 patients (23 men; 11 women) were enrolled (mean age 67 y; range 52–84). 27% had not started chemotherapy or were receiving best supportive care, while the rest were undergoing active chemotherapy. At baseline, a weak correlation (r=0.332, p=0.059) was seen with interleukin (IL)-6 and at least one fatigue measure. No correlations (r<0.30) were observed with any of the other cytokines (interferon (IFN)-?, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IP-10, MCP-1, MiG, and tumor necrosis factor-a) and any fatigue measure. Follow-up data were available for 29 patients. A statistically significant correlation with fatigue was seen with IL-2 (r=0.407, p=0.032), and clinically-important correlations that did not achieve conventional statistical significance were seen with IFN-? (r=0.331, p=0.085), IL-5 (r=0.344, p=0.073), and IL-10 (r=0.326, p=0.091). Conclusions: Based on these data, the most promising cytokine-fatigue relationship was noted with IL-2. However, IFN-?, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-10 also showed potentially important relationships with fatigue. Given our small sample size and patient enrolment at differing time points during their treatment course, further controlled studies are warranted. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Staging with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) for nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT): The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre experience

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e16140-e16140
Author(s):  
C. J. Pezaro ◽  
G. C. Toner ◽  
R. Hicks
Keyword(s):  
Fdg Pet ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Stage I ◽  
Initial Assessment ◽  
Second Primary ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Cancer Centre

e16140 Background: We retrospectively evaluated our single institution experience using FDG-PET as part of initial assessment of stage I/II NSGCT. Previous studies by de Wit et al and the TE22 trial concluded that there was a very limited role for PET staging in NSGCT. Despite these results, PET continues to be utilised in our center. Methods: With local ethics approval, the PET center database at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (PMCC) was used to identify a series of 26 patients with NSGCT who underwent FDG-PET as part of staging investigations between 1998 and 2008. Demographic and clinical information was collected using electronic and paper medical records. Histological samples were reviewed if additional information was required. Results: Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) was present in 10 (38%) of orchiectomy specimens. 15 patients had stage I disease on both CT and PET. PET upstaged 7 patients from stage I to stage II disease, and all upstaged patients received systemic chemotherapy (3 cycles BEP). 1 patient with stage I disease on PET and CT received adjuvant chemotherapy (2 cycles EP). 3 patients with LVI and stage 1 disease on CT and PET underwent surveillance. With median follow-up of 33 months (range 1–94), all patients were alive without disease recurrence, although 1 patient was treated for a second primary NSGCT. Conclusions: Using PET images, we were able to identify patients with low volume metastatic disease and achieve 100% relapse-free survival rates. Despite the small sample size, these results are promising and are better than expected based on published data. This might be explained by the quality of the PET imaging, including attenuation correction and combined CT/PET for enhanced sensitivity interpreting retroperitoneal disease. Further evaluation of PET is warranted, particularly in patients with equivocal CTs or with the high-risk feature of LVI. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.

How to analyze the Visual Analogue Scale: Myths, truths and clinical relevance

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gillian Z. Heller ◽  
Maurizio Manuguerra ◽  
Roberta Chow
Keyword(s):  
Visual Analogue Scale ◽  
Statistical Methods ◽  
Analogue Scale ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Ordinal Regression ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Vas Scores ◽  
Ordinal Level

AbstractBackground and aimsThe Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is a popular tool for the measurement of pain. A variety of statistical methods are employed for its analysis as an outcome measure, not all of them optimal or appropriate. An issue which has attracted much discussion in the literature is whether VAS is at a ratio or ordinal level of measurement. This decision has an influence on the appropriate method of analysis. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of current practice in the analysis of VAS scores, to propose a method of analysis which avoids the shortcomings of more traditional approaches, and to provide best practice recommendations for the analysis of VAS scores.MethodsWe report on the current usage of statistical methods, which fall broadly into two categories: those that assume a probability distribution for VAS, and those that do not. We give an overview of these methods, and propose continuous ordinal regression, an extension of current ordinal regression methodology, which is appropriate for VAS at an ordinal level of measurement. We demonstrate the analysis of a published data set using a variety of methods, and use simulation to compare the power of the various methods to detect treatment differences, in differing pain situations.ResultsWe demonstrate that continuous ordinal regression provides the most powerful statistical analysis under a variety of conditions.Conclusions and Implications We recommend that in the situation in which no covariates besides treatment group are included in the analysis, distribution-free methods (Wilcoxon, Mann–Whitney) be used, as their power is indistinguishable from that of the proposed method. In the situation in which there are covariates which affect VAS, the proposed method is optimal. However, in this case, if the VAS scores are not concentrated around either extreme of the scale, normal-distribution methods (t-test, linear regression) are almost as powerful, and are recommended as a pragmatic choice. In the case of small sample size and VAS skewed to either extreme of the scale, the proposed method has vastly superior power to other methods.

scholarly journals A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE CHROMIUM CONTENT OF THE NORMAL HUMAN PROSTATE GLAND

2021 ◽  
pp. 10-15
Author(s):  
ZAICHICK V
Keyword(s):  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Prostate Gland ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Prostatic Tissue ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
High Data ◽  
Cr Content ◽  
Data Heterogeneity

The prostate gland is subject to various disorders. The etiology and pathogenesis of these diseases remain not well understood. Moreover, despite technological advancements, the differential diagnosis of prostate disorders has become progressively more complex and controversial. It was suggested that the chromium (Cr) level in prostatic tissue plays an important role in prostatic carcinogenesis and its measurement may be useful as a cancer biomarker. These suggestions promoted more detailed studies of the Cr content in the prostatic tissue of healthy subjects. The present study evaluated by systematic analysis the published data for Cr content analyzed in prostatic tissue of “normal” glands. This evaluation reviewed 1958 studies, all of which were published in the years from 1921 to 2020 and were located by searching the databases PubMed, Scopus, ELSEVIER-EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and the Web of Science. The articles were analyzed and “Median of Means” and “Range of Means” were used to examine heterogeneity of the measured Cr content in prostates of apparently healthy men. The objective analysis was performed on data from the 28 studies, which included 1282 subjects. It was found that the range of means of prostatic Cr content reported in the literature for “normal” gland varies widely from 0.009 mg/kg to 0.34 mg/kg with median of means 0.095 mg/kg on a wet mass basis. The level of intra-prostatic metal does not depend on age and androgen status. Finally, because of small sample size and high data heterogeneity, we recommend other primary studies be performed.

A Systematic Review of the Aluminum Content of the Normal Human Prostate Gland

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Prostate Gland ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Prostatic Tissue ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Al Content ◽  
High Data ◽  
Data Heterogeneity

The prostate gland is subject to various disorders. The etiology and pathogenesis of these diseases remain not well understood. Moreover, despite technological advancements, the differential diagnosis of prostate disorders has become progressively more complex and controversial. It was suggested that the aluminum (Al) level in prostatic tissue plays an important role in prostatic carcinogenesis and its measurement may be useful as a cancer biomarker. These suggestions promoted more detailed studies of the Al content in the prostatic tissue of healthy subjects. The present study evaluated by systematic analysis the published data for Al content analyzed in prostatic tissue of “normal” glands. This evaluation reviewed 1981 studies, all of which were published in the years from 1921 to 2020 and were located by searching the databases Scopus, PubMed, MEDLINE, ELSEVIER-EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and the Web of Science. The articles were analyzed and “Median of Means” and “Range of Means” were used to examine heterogeneity of the measured Al content in prostates of apparently healthy men. The objective analysis was performed on data from the 25 studies, which included 1190 subjects. It was found that the range of means of prostatic Al content reported in the literature for “normal” gland varies widely from 0.89 mg/kg to mg/kg with median of means 29.0 mg/kg on a wet mass basis. Finally, because of small sample size and high data heterogeneity, we recommend other primary studies be performed.

scholarly journals Associated Factors of Acute Chest Syndrome in Children with Sickle Cell Disease in French Guiana

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Narcisse Elenga ◽  
Emma Cuadro ◽  
Élise Martin ◽  
Nicole Cohen-Addad ◽  
Thierry Basset
Keyword(s):  
Associated Factors ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Annual Number ◽  
Acute Chest Syndrome ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Matched Case ◽  
Pain Crisis ◽  
Control Study

A matched case-control study was performed in order to identify some associated factors for ACS or to confirm the published data. Controls were children hospitalized during the same period for pain crisis who did not develop an ACS during hospitalization. Between January 2006 and October 2010, there were 24 episodes of ACS distributed among 19 patients (8 girls and 11 boys). The median age was 7.5 years (range: 3 to 17 years) for the cases and 7 years (range: 3–18 years) for the controls. Four cases and 11 controls were treated with hydroxyurea (HU). In 75% of the cases, the ACS had arisen 24–72 hours following admission. The independent factors associated with ACS were average Hb rate <8 g/dL (OR = 4.96, 95% CI = 1.29–27.34, andP=0.04), annual number of hospitalizations >3 (OR = 5.44, 95% CI = 3.59–8.21, andP=0.003), average length of hospitalization >7 days (OR = 3.69, 95% CI = 3.59–8.21, andP=0.003), and a pathological transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) (OR = 13.77, 95% CI = 2.07–91.46, andP=0.003). Although the retrospective design and small sample size are weaknesses of the present study, these results are consistent with those of previous studies and allowed identifying associated factors such as a pathological TTE.

scholarly journals NEURODEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOMES AT 4–10 YEARS OF AGE IN CHILDREN BORN AT 22–25 WEEKS GESTATIONAL AGE: AN UPDATED META-ANALYSIS

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. e26-e26
Author(s):  
Sharon Ding ◽  
Thierry Daboval ◽  
Brigitte Lemyre ◽  
Nick Barrowman ◽  
Gregory Moore
Keyword(s):  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Perinatal Care ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Outcomes ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Loss To Follow Up

Abstract BACKGROUND Published data on long-term outcomes are an important resource for clinicians to support expectant parents making perinatal care decisions. OBJECTIVES To update our 2013 meta-analysis with data from recently published, high quality cohorts of 22–25 wk GA infants using relevant definitions of neurodevelopmental disability (NDD). DESIGN/METHODS We used a peer-reviewed electronic search and grey search. Two authors independently reviewed cohorts published after May 2012 with the following inclusion criteria: born ≥1995 in a developed nation, assessed for NDD at 4–10 yrs; prospective data collection, <30% loss to follow-up, consistent definitions for moderate-to-severe (M-S) NDD as per those from EPICure; and results reported by GA. We contacted authors for clarification. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to provide pooled proportions at each GA. Weighted regression was used to examine the relationship between GA and NDD within each study. I2 was used to assess heterogeneity. RESULTS From 2481 titles, 20 full-text articles were reviewed and six (added to the nine from 2013) met inclusion criteria. High heterogeneity at higher GA and wide CIs at lower GA persisted. Results showed rates of M-S NDD in school-age survivors were: 42% (95%CI 23,64%; I2 0%) at 22 wks; 41% (95%CI 31,52%; I2 30%) at 23 wks; 32% (95%CI 25,39%; I2 44%) at 24 wks; and 23% (95%CI 18,29%; I2 60%) at 25 wks GA. The new analysis continued to show a significant decrease in likelihood of M-S NDI between each GA wk (8.1% decrease per wk (95%CI -11.8, -4.5%, p<0.001) but not for likelihood of severe NDD (2.7% decrease per wk (95%CI -6.6, 1.3%), I2 45%, p=0.18). CONCLUSION This high quality data can be used by physicians to support parents during the decision-making process for their infant. Heterogeneity and a small sample size at 22 wk GA remains a concern in the interpretation of the data.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document