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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Dissociation of the distance effect and size effect in one-digit numbers.

Magnitude comparison of single digits is robustly characterized by a distance effect (close numbers are more difficult to compare than numbers further apart) and a size effect (for a given distance, comparison difficulty increases with increasing size). The distance effect indicates access to the mental number line (Dehaene, 1997), and the size effect is usually interpreted as indicating that the mental number line represents larger numbers more vaguely than smaller ones. In contrast, we have argued earlier (Verguts, Fias, & Stevens, 2005) that for symbolic numbers (Arabic or verbal notation), the size effect does not originate from the mental number line but, instead, originates from mappings to relevant output components that are specific for magnitude comparison. If the latter is true, it should be possible to dissociate the distance effect from the size effect in tasks other than magnitude comparison. In two experiments, we observed a robust distance effect in same/different judgments, which implies access to the mental number line. Yet the size effect was absent. Consistent with our prediction, this finding establishes a dissociation between the size effect and the distance effect.

Adult↗

Decreasing effect sizes for effectiveness studies- implications for the transport of evidence-based treatments: comment on curtis, ronan, and borduin (2004).

The most important finding from the N. M. Curtis, K. R. Ronan, and C. M. Borduin (2004) meta-analysis for the broader field is likely the difference in effect sizes between multisys- multisystemic therapy efficacy versus effectiveness studies. This difference has important implications for research on the transport of evidence-based treatments to community practice settings. For example, factors rarely considered in efficacy research (e.g., funding structures, organizational climate, program maturity, site characteristics) are emerging as important determinants of treatment fidelity and, in turn, clinical outcomes for practice in real-world settings. Current research is clearly demonstrating that evidence-based practices can be successfully transported, but much remains to be learned regarding the optimal parameters of such transport.

Adolescent↗

Age effects and size effects in the ears of gekkonomorph lizards: inner ear.

Audiograms have indicated greater auditory sensitivity in larger than in smaller geckos; part of this difference, interspecifically and intraspecifically, is explained by middle-ear proportions. To investigate the contribution of the inner ear to the variation in sensitivity, we examined it in museum specimens representing 11 species and three subfamilies. We measured papilla basilaris length, and, when intact, the saccular otoconial mass. Papilla length approximated 1% of rostrum-anus length in large geckos but 2% in small geckos; in some species some inter-aural difference was indicated. Over the lumped material, relative papilla length varied as a function of body length, with highly significant correlation. Similar relations prevailed within each subfamily. However, intraspecifically the correlation of papilla basilaris length with animal size was usually nonsignificant. Hair cell populations assessed from SEM photographs were larger in the larger species but intraspecifically did not relate to an individual's size. Hence interspecifically, the dependence of auditory sensitivity on animal size seems supported by inner-ear differences but intraspecifically this relation derives only from the middle ear. Otoconial mass, as measured by its volume, was correlated with animal length both interspecifically and intraspecifically.

Age Factors↗

A neutral model with fluctuating population size and its effective size.

We consider a diffusion model with neutral alleles whose population size is fluctuating randomly. For this model, the effects of fluctuation of population size on the effective size are investigated. The effective size defined by the equilibrium average heterozygosity is larger than the harmonic mean of population size but smaller than the arithmetic mean of population size. To see explicitly the effects of fluctuation of population size on the effective size, we investigate a special case where population size fluctuates between two distinct states. In some cases, the effective size is very different from the harmonic mean. For this concrete model, we also obtain the stationary distribution of the average heterozygosity. Asymptotic behavior of the effective size is obtained when the population size is large and/or autocorrelation of the fluctuation is weak or strong.

Genetics, Population↗

Gene genealogies when the sample size exceeds the effective size of the population.

We study the properties of gene genealogies for large samples using a continuous approximation introduced by R. A. Fisher. We show that the major effect of large sample size, relative to the effective size of the population, is to increase the proportion of polymorphisms at which the mutant type is found in a single copy in the sample. We derive analytical expressions for the expected number of these singleton polymorphisms and for the total number of polymorphic, or segregating, sites that are valid even when the sample size is much greater than the effective size of the population. We use simulations to assess the accuracy of these predictions and to investigate other aspects of large-sample genealogies. Lastly, we apply our results to some data from Pacific oysters sampled from British Columbia. This illustrates that, when large samples are available, it is possible to estimate the mutation rate and the effective population size separately, in contrast to the case of small samples in which only the product of the mutation rate and the effective population size can be estimated.

DNA, Mitochondrial↗

[Geography of effective size in the rural population of northern Eurasia: effective size and the intensity of random genetic drift].

On the basis of 655 direct and indirect estimations of effective size (Ne) of rural populations, a map of the geographic distribution of Ne in northern Eurasia was constructed. A geographic cline of Ne was found, with its value decreasing by three orders of magnitude from the direction of southwest (the western Caucasus and Central Asia) to northeast (the coasts of the Sea of Okhotsk and the Bering Sea). The area of highest distribution density of mean Ne values was situated meridionally between the Ob and Yenisei rivers from the Arctic coast of Taimyr Peninsula to the eastern Sayany and the south Baikal regions. Another similar area covered the south Baltic region, Belarus, and northwestern Ukraine. The average effective population size in northern Eurasia was Ne = 211.6, the geometrical mean G = 176, the harmonic mean H = 147, and the modal value Mo = 102. These characteristics of effective population size indicate a considerable contribution of stochastic gene drift to the differentiation of the northern Eurasian gene pool and the geographic cline of the rate of gene drift in the subcontinent. By means of transformation of the Ne map, a map for the rate of stochastic gene drift (1/4Ne) in northern Eurasia was obtained.

Asia↗

[Geography of effective size of rural populations of Northern Eurasia. Geographic correlation between effective size and level of heterozygosity of populations].

A significant geographical correlation (r = 0.719) was found between the logarithm of effective size (InNe) and heterozygosity level (H) in populations under the assumption of the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The area of highest positive correlation was positioned meridionally between the Ob and Yenisei rivers, from the Arctic coast of Taimyr Peninsula to eastern Sayans and the southern Cis-Baikal region, i.e., in the same region where the highest distribution density of mean Ne values was found. Two additional areas of high correlations were found on the northern Black Sea coast and in the lower Lena river region. Analysis and mapping of correlation ratios eta H/lnNe2 and eta lnNe/H2 revealed that effective size substantially influenced heterozygosity level (as could be expected in the case of an intense gene drift), and heterozygosity level influenced effective size to the same extent. The latter relationship indicated an intense adaptation, and changes in diversity of the gene pool caused substantial demographic changes. However, this might be accounted for by direct gene migration into a population prevailing over reverse migration, i.e., mechanical population growth prevailing over natural growth.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Reporting point and interval estimates of effect-size for planned contrasts: fixed within effect analyses of variance.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this tutorial is threefold: (a) review the state of statistical science regarding effect-sizes, (b) illustrate the importance of effect-sizes for interpreting findings in all forms of research and particularly for results of clinical-outcome research, and (c) demonstrate just how easily a criterion on reporting effect-sizes in research manuscripts can be accomplished. The presentation centers on within-effect analyses of variance including the one-way design for testing pre-post hypotheses and the two-way parallel-groups design for making direct comparisons of competing treatment protocols (e.g., experimental treatment versus control). The presentation is supported with worked examples and a web site containing templates for software applications. EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES: The reader will be able to: (1) explain the rationale for the increased use of estimates of effect-size in reporting results in published research manuscripts; (2) describe what an effect-size is (generally considered) and provide a rationale for its importance; (3) distinguish among the many forms of effect-size and apply their features to the most appropriate choices under specific research circumstances; and (4) appropriately report and interpret effect-sizes.

Algorithms↗

Coalescent process with fluctuating population size and its effective size.

We consider a Wright-Fisher model whose population size is a finite Markov chain. We introduce a sequence of two-dimensional discrete time Markov chains whose components describe the coalescent process and the fluctuation of population size. For the limiting process of the sequence of Markov chains, the relationship of the expectation of coalescence time to the harmonic and the arithmetic means of population sizes is shown, and the Laplace transform of the distribution of coalescence time is calculated. We define the coalescence effective population size (cEPS) by the expectation of coalescence time. We show that cEPS is strictly larger (resp. smaller) than the harmonic (resp. arithmetic) mean. As the population size fluctuates more quickly (resp. slowly), cEPS is closer to the harmonic (resp. arithmetic) mean. For the case of a two-valued Markov chain, we show the explicit expression of cEPS and its dependency on the sample size.

Genetics, Population↗

Adaptive statistical analysis following sample size modification based on interim review of effect size.

In designing a comparative clinical trial, the required sample size is a function of the effect size, the value of which is unknown and at best may be estimated from historical data. Insufficiency in sample size as a result of overestimating the effect size can be destructive to the success of the clinical trial. Sample size re-estimation may need to be properly considered as a part of clinical trial planning. This paper is intended to give the motivations for the sample size re-estimation based partly on the effect size observed at an interim analysis and for a resulting simple adaptive test strategy. The performance of this adaptive design strategy is assessed by comparing it with a fixed maximum sample size design that is properly adjusted in anticipation of the possible sample size adjustment.

Algorithms↗

Nest excavation in ants: group size effects on the size and structure of tunneling networks.

Collective digging activity was studied in the ant Messor sancta Forel in laboratory conditions and with a two dimensional set-up. We analyzed the digging dynamics and topology of tunneling networks excavated by groups of workers ranging from 50 to 200 individuals over 3 days. In all conditions, the dynamics of excavated sand volume were clearly non-linear. Excavation began with an exponential growth and after 3 days reached a saturation phase in which activity was almost totally stopped. The final volume of sand excavated was positively correlated with the number of workers. At the end of the experiments, the two-dimensional tunneling networks were mapped onto planar graphs where the vertices represent small chambers or intersections between tunnels and the edges represent tunnels. We found that all the networks belonged to a same topological family and exhibited several striking invariants such as the distribution of vertex degree that follows a power law. When increasing the number of ants, some changes occurred in the network structure, mainly an increase in the number of edges and vertices, and the progressive emergence of enlarged and highly connected vertices.

Animals↗

Sonochemical synthesis of cerium oxide nanoparticles-effect of additives and quantum size effect.

Cerium oxide (CeO(2)) nanoparticles were prepared sonochemically, by using cerium nitrate and azodicarbonamide as starting materials, and ethylenediamine or tetraalkylammonium hydroxide as additives. The additives have a strong effect on the particle size and particle size distribution. CeO(2) nanoparticles with small particle size and narrow particle size distribution are obtained with the addition of additives; while highly agglomerated CeO(2) nanoparticles are obtained in the absence of additives. Monodispersed CeO(2) nanoparticles with a mean particle size of ca. 3.3 nm are obtained when tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAOH) is used as the additive and the molar ratio of cerium nitrate/azodicarbonamine/TMAOH is 1/1/1. Blue shifts of the absorption peak and the absorption edges of the products are observed in the UV-Vis absorption spectra as a result of the quantum size effect. The samples have been characterized using powder XRD, TEM, DLS, and absorption spectra.

Journal Article↗

How interchangeable are different estimators of effect size?

The computation of effect sizes is a key feature of meta-analysis. In treatment outcome meta-analyses, the standardized mean difference statistic on posttest scores (d) is usually the effect size statistic used. However, when primary studies do not report the statistics needed to compute d, many methods for estimating d from other data have been developed. Little is known about the accuracy of these estimates, yet meta-analysts frequently use them on the assumption that they are estimating the same population parameter as d. This study investigates that assumption empirically. On a sample of 140 psychosocial treatment or prevention studies from a variety of areas, the present study shows that these estimates yield results that are often not equivalent to d in either mean or variance. The frequent mixing of d and other estimates of d in past meta-analyses, therefore, may have led to biased effect size estimates and inaccurate significance tests.

Electronic Data Processing↗

Review of assumptions and problems in the appropriate conceptualization of effect size.

Estimation of the effect size parameter, D, the standardized difference between population means, is sensitive to heterogeneity of variance (heteroscedasticity), which seems to abound in psychological data. Pooling s2s assumes homoscedasticity, as do methods for constructing a confidence interval for D, estimating D from t or analysis of variance results, formulas that adjust estimates for inflation by main effects or covariates, and the Q statistic. The common language effect size statistic as an estimate of Pr(X1 > X2), the probability that a randomly sampled member of Population 1 will outscore a randomly sampled member of Population 2, also assumes normality and homoscedasticity. Various proposed solutions are reviewed, including measures that do not make these assumptions, such as the probability of superiority estimate of Pr(X1 > X2). Ways to reconceptualize effect size when treatments may affect moments such as the variance are also discussed.

Analysis of Variance↗

Estimating relative population sizes from simulated data sets and the question of greater African effective size.

Previous genetic and craniometric studies have suggested greater genetic diversity and a larger effective size in Africa. Several demographic scenarios can explain a larger African effective size, and anthropological geneticists have attempted to obtain better estimates of relative population sizes among continental regions in the Old World. A least-squares approach of estimating relative population weights was developed by Relethford and Harpending ([1994] Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 95:249-270), who applied it to craniometric and genetic data sets and concluded that the ratio of African, Asian, and European effective sizes was 3:1:1, respectively; another data set of short tandem repeat (STR) markers yielded a similar estimate of 7:1:2. However, an estimate from restriction site polymorphism (RSP, also known as restriction fragment length polymorphism, or RFLP) data yielded a very different estimate of 1:1:8. Thus, the European and not the African effective size was largest. Simulations showed that this was the result of ascertainment bias in which polymorphic markers were originally identified in a small panel of Caucasians, leading to inflated heterozygosity in the European sample and thus an inflated population weight. This paper extends those computer simulations to incorporate not only ascertainment bias but also interpopulation gene flow and demographic expansion in two types of genetic data, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, which are similar but not precisely identical to RSPs) and STRs. The effects of these three parameters on SNP and STR relative weight estimates are described. Simulations show that the ascertainment scheme affects SNP data but not STR data. Gene flow has a noticeable effect on the bias and efficiency of the estimates in both types of genetic data. Population expansions have a large effect only in one ascertainment scheme in the simulated SNP data and no effect in STR data. Relative population weight estimates from four published STR data sets are also reported. These estimates are similar to each other: all show a larger African weight and a European weight somewhat larger than the Asian weight. Because the STR simulations show that when gene flow is greater than 0.01 migrants per generation the African population weight is biased upward, it is likely that the African weights in the four STR data sets are inflated. However, the simulations suggest that the African effective size is still largest of the three regions and is probably at least as great as the sum of the Asian and European effective sizes.

Africa↗

Effect size and power in assessing moderating effects of categorical variables using multiple regression: a 30-year review.

The authors conducted a 30-year review (1969-1998) of the size of moderating effects of categorical variables as assessed using multiple regression. The median observed effect size (f(2)) is only .002, but 72% of the moderator tests reviewed had power of .80 or greater to detect a targeted effect conventionally defined as small. Results suggest the need to minimize the influence of artifacts that produce a downward bias in the observed effect size and put into question the use of conventional definitions of moderating effect sizes. As long as an effect has a meaningful impact, the authors advise researchers to conduct a power analysis and plan future research designs on the basis of smaller and more realistic targeted effect sizes.

Humans↗

Measures of effect size in the reporting of rehabilitation research.

Effect size measures were computed for a sample of 100 research studies published in four leading rehabilitation journals. The effect size measures were categorized as small, medium, or large according to established criteria. Analysis of the effect size measures revealed that the average treatment effect was in the medium range (0.69). Further data analysis exposed a statistically significant difference in mean effect size values across articles contained in the four rehabilitation journals. A regression analysis indicated that characteristics of the study design were not significant predictors of effect size values in the 100 studies. The interpretation of effect size measures in relation to statistical significance testing is discussed and the argument made that reporting measures of effect size will assist researchers in determining the sensitivity of experimental manipulations in rehabilitation research.

Analysis of Variance↗