Low Effective Size Research Articles

A multicenter blinded preclinical randomized controlled trial on Jak1/2 inhibition in MRL/MpJ-Faslpr mice with proliferative lupus nephritis predicts low effect size

Data reproducibility and single-center bias are concerns in preclinical research and compromise translation from animal to human. Multicenter preclinical randomized controlled trials (pRCT) may reduce the gap between experimental studies and RCT and improve the predictability of results, for example Jak1/2 inhibition in lupus nephritis. To evaluate this, we conducted the first pRCT in the kidney domain at two Spanish and two German academic sites. Eligible MRL/MpJ-Faslpr mice (female, age13-14 weeks, stress scores of less than two and no visible tumor or signs of infection) were equally randomized to either oral treatment with the Jak1/2 inhibitor baricitinib or vehicle for four weeks. Central blinded histology analysis was performed at an independent fifth site. The primary endpoint was the urinary protein/creatinine ratio. Baricitinib treatment did not significantly affect proteinuria, histological markers of activity and chronicity, or the glomerular filtration rate but significantly improved plasma autoantibody levels and lymphadenopathy. Data heterogeneity was noted across the different centers referring in part to phenotype differences between MRL/MpJ-Faslpr mice bred at different sites, mimicking well patient phenotype diversity in lupus trials. Multicenter pRCT can overcome single-center bias at the cost of increasing variability and reducing effect size. Thus, our pRCT predicts a low effect size of baricitinib treatment on human lupus nephritis in heterogeneous study populations.

Conservation genetics of relict tropical species of Magnolia (section Macrophylla)

Special conservation efforts should be made for relict species, as they usually have small population sizes and restricted distributions, placing them in critical extinction risk. To achieve conservation, information about genetic diversity distribution is needed. Here, using nine nuclear microsatellites, we analyzed 23 populations of five recently described species of Magnolia distributed in Mexico, which were previously assigned to Magnolia dealbata. We aimed to determine the level of genetic diversity and the distribution of genetic variation and proposed conservation measures. Compared to other endemic and relict species, we found a moderate level of genetic diversity in most populations; however, we identified two populations with no genetic variation. Additionally, we found evidence of positive values of inbreeding likely due to geitonogamy. We found a strong population structure, low effective population size, and no evidence of bottlenecks. Patterns of genetic differentiation did not support the morphological distinction of five species, so we hypothesized that the gene pools may instead represent well-differentiated populations of a single species. We argue that the pattern of genetic differentiation is explained by the natural fragmentation of the cloud forests after glaciation events, and the effects of genetic drift in small populations poorly connected by gene flow. Despite the moderate levels of genetic diversity, special attention is needed to guarantee conservation, with emphasis on the populations in the central region of the country as well as the valuable populations identified in the southwestern region.

Dentofacial deformity and orthognatic surgery: Influence on self-esteem and aspects of quality of life

This study aimed to assess the extent to which psychosocial and functional aspects are affected in orthognathic surgery patients. The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-CRO14), Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire and Self-Esteem (SE) Scale were used. The sample included 110 Caucasian subjects (73% females) aged 19–54 years. Fifty-five patients with dentofacial deformities were treated by combined orthodontic-orthognathic surgical treatment, and 55 others, matched by sex and age, were untreated controls without dentofacial deformities. In comparison with the untreated subjects, patients before surgery had a poorer quality of life, with the largest effect size in oral function (OF) and OHIP (average differences 8.0 and 14.7, respectively; p < 0.001; r = 0.65 and 0.63), while the lowest effect sizes were in awareness of facial aesthetics (AW) and SE. The treatment induced statistically significant changes in all psychosocial and functional aspects, mainly with a large effect size (p < 0.001; r = 0.48–0.78). The major effect size was a decrease in facial aesthetic concerns (FE; 7.6 ± 6.2; p < 0.001; r = 0.78), followed by a decrease in impairment of OF and OHIP (8.0 ± 7.1 and 16.6 ± 14.6; p < 0.001; r = 0.75). The lowest effect size was in the decrease in AW and increase in SE. After surgery, all aspects were similar to those in the untreated subjects. In conclusion, facial deformity raises many issues, primarily related to aesthetic concerns and functional impairment; however, orthognathic surgery manages to improve quality of life to be similar to that of the population without deformities.

Multi-gene and lineage comparative assessment of the strength of selection in Hymenoptera

A recommendation of: Arthur Weyna, Jonathan Romiguier Relaxation of purifying selection suggests low effective population size in eusocial Hymenoptera and solitary pollinating bees 10.1101/2020.04.14.038893

A novel canis lupus familiaris reference genome improves variant resolution for use in breed-specific GWAS.

Reference genome fidelity is critically important for genome wide association studies, yet most vary widely from the study population. A typical whole genome sequencing approach implies short-read technologies resulting in fragmented assemblies with regions of ambiguity. Further information is lost by economic necessity when genotyping populations, as lower resolution technologies such as genotyping arrays are commonly used. Here, we present a phased reference genome for Canis lupus familiaris using high molecular weight DNA-sequencing technologies. We tested wet laboratory and bioinformatic approaches to demonstrate a minimum workflow to generate the 2.4 gigabase genome for a Labrador Retriever. The de novo assembly required eight Oxford Nanopore R9.4 flowcells (∼23X depth) and running a 10X Genomics library on the equivalent of one lane of an Illumina NovaSeq S1 flowcell (∼88X depth), bringing the cost of generating a nearly complete reference genome to less than $10K (USD). Mapping of short-read data from 10 Labrador Retrievers against this reference resulted in 1% more aligned reads versus the current reference (CanFam3.1, P < 0.001), and a 15% reduction of variant calls, increasing the chance of identifying true, low-effect size variants in a genome-wide association studies. We believe that by incorporating the cost to produce a full genome assembly into any large-scale genotyping project, an investigator can improve study power, decrease costs, and optimize the overall scientific value of their study.

Relative genetic diversity of the rare and endangered Agave shawii ssp. shawii and associated soil microbes within a southern California ecological preserve.

Shaw's Agave (Agave shawii ssp. shawii) is an endangered maritime succulent growing along the coast of California and northern Baja California. The population inhabiting Point Loma Peninsula has a complicated history of transplantation without documentation. The low effective population size in California prompted agave transplanting from the U.S. Naval Base site (NB) to Cabrillo National Monument (CNM). Since 2008, there are no agave sprouts identified on the CNM site, and concerns have been raised about the genetic diversity of this population. We sequenced two barcoding loci, rbcL and matK, of 27 individual plants from 5 geographically distinct populations, including 12 individuals from California (NB and CNM). Phylogenetic analysis revealed the three US and two Mexican agave populations are closely related and have similar genetic variation at the two barcoding regions, suggesting the Point Loma agave population is not clonal. Agave‐associated soil microbes used significantly more carbon sources in CNM soil samples than in NB soil likely due to higher pH and moisture content; meanwhile, soil type and soil chemistry analysis including phosphorus, nitrate nitrogen, organic matter, and metals revealed significant correlations between microbial diversity and base saturation (p < 0.05, r 2 = 0.3676), lime buffer capacity (p < 0.01, r 2 = 0.7055), equilibrium lime buffer capacity (p < 0.01, r 2 = 0.7142), and zinc (p < 0.01, r 2 = 0.7136). Soil microbiome analysis within the CNM population revealed overall expected richness (H′ = 5.647–6.982) for Agave species, while the diversity range (1 − D = 0.003392–0.014108) suggests relatively low diversity marked by high individual variation. The most prominent remaining US population of this rare species is not clonal and does not seem to be threatened by a lack of genetic and microbial diversity. These results prompt further efforts to investigate factors affecting Agave's reproduction and fitness.

Efficacy of a Transdiagnostic Self-Help Internet Intervention for Reducing Depression, Anxiety, and Suicidal Ideation in Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundLow-intensity self-guided mental health interventions that are delivered on the web may meet the needs and preferences of adults with mild to moderate symptoms. However, few clinical trials have examined the effectiveness of self-guided transdiagnostic interventions within a naturalistic setting.ObjectiveThis randomized controlled trial (RCT) tests the effectiveness of the video-based transdiagnostic intervention FitMindKit in reducing depression symptoms (primary outcome), anxiety symptoms, disability, and suicidal ideation, relative to an attention-matched control condition called HealthWatch. MethodsThe RCT was conducted with adults living in the Australian Capital Territory, Australia. Participants (n=1986) were recruited through the web using social media advertisements, screened for psychological distress, and then randomized to receive one of two 4-week programs: FitMindKit (12-module psychotherapy intervention) or HealthWatch (12-module program providing general health information). Participants were assessed at baseline and at 4 weeks postbaseline. To maintain the ecological validity of the trial, participants completed brief assessments and interventions without direct researcher contact or incentives.ResultsMixed model repeated-measures analyses of variance demonstrated that FitMindKit significantly improved depression symptoms (F1,701.7=3.97; P=.047), along with panic symptoms (F1,706.5=5.59; P=.02) and social anxiety symptoms (F1,680.0=12.37; P<.001), relative to the attention control condition. There were no significant effects on other outcomes.ConclusionsSelf-guided transdiagnostic interventions can be beneficial when delivered directly to end users through the internet. Despite low adherence and small effect sizes, the availability of such interventions is likely to fill a critical gap in the accessibility of mental health services for the community.Trial RegistrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618001688279; http://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=376113.International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR2-10.1016/j.conctc.2019.100341

Searching Far and Genome-Wide: The Relevance of Association Studies in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and rare variant association studies (RVAS) are applied across many areas of complex disease to analyze variation in whole genomes of thousands of unrelated patients. These approaches are able to identify variants and/or biological pathways which are associated with disease status and, in contrast to traditional linkage studies or candidate gene approaches, do so without requiring multigenerational affected families, prior hypotheses, or known genes of interest. However, the novel associations identified by these methods typically have lower effect sizes than those found in classical family studies. In the motor neuron disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), GWAS, and RVAS have been used to identify multiple disease-associated genes but have not yet resulted in novel therapeutic interventions. There is significant urgency within the ALS community to identify additional genetic markers of disease to uncover novel biological mechanisms, stratify genetic subgroups of disease, and drive drug development. Given the widespread and increasing application of genetic association studies of complex disease, it is important to recognize the strengths and limitations of these approaches. Here, we review ALS gene discovery via GWAS and RVAS.

Polygenic risk score for genetic evaluation of prostate cancer risk in Asian populations: A narrative review.

Decreasing costs of genetic testing and interest in disease inheritance has changed the landscape of cancer prediction in prostate cancer (PCa), and guidelines now include genetic testing for high-risk groups. Familial and hereditary PCa comprises approximately 20% and 5% of all PCa, respectively. Multifaceted disorders like PCa are caused by a combinatory effect of rare genes of high penetrance and smaller genetic variants of relatively lower effect size. Polygenic risk score (PRS) is a novel tool utilizing PCa-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified from genome-wide association study (GWAS) to generate an additive estimate of an individual's lifetime genetic risk for cancer. However, most PRS are developed based on GWAS collected from mainly European populations and do not address ethnic differences in PCa genetics. This review highlights the attempts to generate a PRS tailored to Asian males including data from Korea, China, and Japan, and discuss the clinical implications for prediction of early onset and aggressive PCa.

Whole-Genomes From the Extinct Xerces Blue Butterfly Reveal Low Diversity and Long-Term Population Decline

The Xerces Blue (Glaucopsyche xerces) is considered the first known butterfly to become globally extinct in historical times and was notable for its iridescent blue colour with white spots in the ventral wings. The last specimens were collected in their restricted habitat, in the dunes near the Presidio military base in San Francisco, in 1941. To explore the phylogenetic relationships and demographic history of this iconic butterfly, we have sequenced at medium coverage four 80 to 100-year-old Xerces Blue and seven historic Silvery Blue (G. lygdamus) specimens, its closest living relative. We have subsequently compared their genomes to a novel assembled and annotated genome of the Green-Underside Blue (G. alexis). The phylogenetic relationships assessed with complete mitochondrial (mtDNA) genomes indicate that Xerces Blue diverged from the Silvery Blue lineage at least 850,000 years ago. We used the nuclear genomes to explore their past demographic history and found that while both species experienced a population growth during the Eemian interglacial period, Xerces Blue decreased to a very low effective population size in post glacial periods, a trend opposite to that observed in the Silvery Blue. The patterns of runs of homozygosity in the Xerces Blue reveal signs of background inbreeding in this species to a much greater extent than the Silvery Blue, while global heterozygosity shows an opposite trend. In addition, Xerces Blue carried a higher proportion of derived, putatively deleterious amino acid-changing alleles than the Silvery Blue. We conclude that Xerces Blue experienced a long population decline process prior to its final extinction.

Skate egg nursery areas support genetic diversity of Alaska and Aleutian skates in the Bering Sea

Skate egg case nursery sites are specific locations on the ocean floor where some species of skates deposit egg cases to incubate for up to 5 yr until hatching. We examined genetic diversity within and among skate egg nursery sites of the Alaska skate Bathyraja parmifera and the Aleutian skate B. aleutica in the eastern Bering Sea to gain a better understanding of how skates utilize these areas. Restriction-site associated DNA (RAD) sequencing libraries were used to obtain single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) datasets for B. parmifera (5285 SNPs) and B. aleutica (3309 SNPs). We found evidence for significant genetic differentiation among all B. parmifera and B. aleutica nursery areas, with 1 exception. B. parmifera from the spatially proximate Pribilof and Bering Canyons were genetically similar, suggesting that this may represent a large contiguous nursery area. Genetic differences between embryos at distinct developmental stages within nursery areas were not significant. Adult B. parmifera taken from the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands were genetically distinct from embryo collections, implying that additional genetic types of B. parmifera may exist that were not represented by the nursery areas sampled in this study. Our data also showed evidence for low effective population sizes and low Ne/N ratios. Results indicate that nursery areas support genetically distinct components of each species, which underscores the importance of skate egg nursery areas for conservation of genetic diversity.

Demography, genetics, and decline of a spatially structured population of lekking bird.

Understanding the mechanisms underlying population decline is a critical challenge for conservation biologists. Both deterministic (e.g. habitat loss, fragmentation, and Allee effect) and stochastic (i.e. demographic and environmental stochasticity) demographic processes are involved in population decline. Simultaneously, a decrease of population size has far-reaching consequences for genetics of populations by increasing the risk of inbreeding and the strength of genetic drift, which together inevitably results in a loss of genetic diversity and a reduced effective population size ([Formula: see text]). These genetic factors may retroactively affect vital rates (a phenomenon coined 'inbreeding depression'), reduce population growth, and accelerate demographic decline. To date, most studies that have examined the demographic and genetic processes driving the decline of wild populations have neglected their spatial structure. In this study, we examined demographic and genetic factors involved in the decline of a spatially structured population of a lekking bird, the western capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus). To address this issue, we collected capture-recapture and genetic data over a 6-years period in the Vosges Mountains (France). Our study showed that the population of T. urogallus experienced a severe decline between 2010 and 2015. We did not detect any Allee effect on survival and recruitment. By contrast, individuals of both sexes dispersed to avoid small subpopulations, thus suggesting a potential behavioral response to a mate finding Allee effect. In parallel to this demographic decline, the population showed low levels of genetic diversity, high inbreeding and low effective population sizes at both subpopulation and population levels. Despite this, we did not detect evidence of inbreeding depression: neither adult survival nor recruitment were affected by individual inbreeding level. Our study underlines the benefit from combining demographic and genetic approaches to investigate processes that are involved in population decline.

Validity and Responsiveness of PROMIS Following Hip Arthroscopy for FAIS

To determine the responsiveness of Patient-Report Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) compared to legacy patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) at 6-month follow-up. Data from consecutive patients who underwent primary hip arthroscopy between August 2018 and January 2019 for the treatment of FAIS were analyzed. Baseline data including demographics, pre- and 6 months post-operative outcomes were recorded. Computer adapted testing (CAT) was used to administer PROMIS Physical Function (PROMIS-PF), PROMIS Pain Interference, and PROMIS Depression outcome measures. The legacy PROMs included Hip Outcome Score-Activities of Daily Living (HOS-ADL), Hip Outcome Score-Sport Subscale (HOS-SS), and the international hip outcome tool 12 questions (iHOT12). Responsiveness of each PRO tool was evaluated by calculating effect size (ES) and relative efficiency (RE). An effect size ≥0.80 was considered large. Ninety-six patients with an average age and BMI of 32.4±11.9 years and 25.9±6.1 kg/m2 respectively had completed outcome measures at 6 months and were included in the final analysis. Except for PROMIS Depression (ES=0.04), the effect size was large for all outcome measures including PROMIS Pain Interference (ES=0.96), PROMIS-PF (ES=0.96), HOS-ADL (ES=1.29), HOS-SS (ES=1.06), and iHOT12 (ES=1.87). PROMIS-PF was less responsive than the legacy PROMs with RE of 0.55, 0.93, and 0.24 for HOS-ADL, HOS-SS, and iHOT12 respectively. HOS-SS had a similar efficiency against the other legacy PROMs with REs of 0.59 and 0.26 for HOS-ADL and iHOT12. The iHOT12 was the most responsive outcome measure compared to PROMIS Pain Interference (RE=3.95), PROMIS-PF (RE=4.13), HOS-ADL (RE=2.26), and HOS-SS (RE=3.84). In patients at 6 months post-operative from hip arthroscopy for FAIS, iHOT12 was the most responsive in reference to pre-operative outcomes and PROMIS PF had a lower effect size compared to legacy hip specific PROMs. In addition, responsiveness of PROMIS-PF correlated well with the responsiveness of HOS-SS.

Total vs. Bioavailable: Determining a Better 25(OH)D Index in Association with Bone Density and Muscle Mass in Postmenopausal Women.

The concurrent presence of low bone density (osteopenia/osteoporosis) and low muscle mass (sarcopenia) in older adults has led to the recognition of “osteosarcopenia” (OS) as a singular entity. Vitamin D may play important role in the manifestation of OS, in terms of intake, absorption, and bioavailability. Evidence suggests that bioavailable 25(OH)D may be a better indicator of Vitamin D compared to total 25(OH)D due to its weak bind to albumin, increasing its ‘availability’. The aim of this study was to assess total and bioavailable 25(OH)D levels in postmenopausal women and to determine their associations to bone density and muscle mass. We assessed body composition, bone density, and 25(OH)D indices of multiethnic, postmenopausal Malaysian women. A significant and negative correlation was found between body fat % and each index of 25(OH)D. Both bioavailable and total 25(OH)D were positively correlated with serum calcium and negatively correlated with iPTH(intact parathyroid hormone). VDBP(Vitamin D binding protein) level was significantly correlated with bioavailable 25(OH)D level, but not with the total 25(OH)D level. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that bioavailable, but not total, 25(OH)D was significantly correlated to bone density and muscle mass, (where stronger correlation was found with bone density), suggesting its superiority. Nevertheless, the low effect size warrants further studies.

High genetic drift in endangered northern peripheral populations of the Behr's hairstreak butterfly (Satyrium behrii)

Abstract The persistence and adaptation of leading‐edge peripheral populations may be critical for allowing species to shift their range limits under climate change. However, peripheral populations are potentially vulnerable to genetic, demographic, and environmental stochasticity. Here, we characterise genetic variation across space and among years in northern peripheral populations of the Behr's hairstreak butterfly in British Columbia, Canada. This butterfly is dependent on antelope‐brush ecosystems that are threatened in this part of the world and is federally listed as Endangered in Canada. Using a large panel of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) genetic markers, we found low diversity in these populations. We also detected a high degree of year‐to‐year variation in allele frequencies, resulting in low effective population size estimates. Our findings suggest that Canadian populations of the Behr's hairstreak experience high genetic drift and may be vulnerable to genetic stochasticity. Unstable demography, low effective population size, and low genetic diversity in these populations could impede their adaptation to rapidly changing environmental conditions and contribute to a contraction of the species' range under climate change.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis for Better Measurement of Listening Effort in Adults with Hearing Loss

The present study aimed to identify better tools for measuring listening effort in the hearing-impaired and/or hearing aid users and to suggest its clinical implication by using systematic review and meta-analysis. To search articles from six electronic databases, ‘listening effort’, ‘hearing loss/hearing impaired’, and ‘hearing aid(s)’ were used as their key terms. Although 8,761 articles were found initially, only 19 articles which met the inclusion criteria were applied to the further review and analysis. In a checklist of the study quality, there was no significant difference between the articles. Based on meta-analysis of three subgroups (i.e., objective, subjective, and self-report rating), the objective measurements showed statistically significant and the highest effect size (1.031, 95% confidence interval: -0.106-2.169), whereas the self-report rating had the lowest effect size (-1.280, 95% confidence interval: -4.180-1.620) with no significance. Although the funnel plot was asymmetrical, the Egger’s regression asymmetry test revealed no publication bias. In sum, the objective measurement showed the most effective way to evaluate the listening effort for the hearing-impaired and/or hearing aid users. However, there was a non-negligible variance between the types of measurements. In the following study, we suggest to investigate certain relationship between listening effort and speech perception performance in the hearing-impaired and/or hearing aid users and to establish standardized criteria for clinical purposes of the listening effort.

The Effect of Genetic Variants Associated With Age-Related Macular Degeneration Varies With Age.

PurposeThe prevalence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) increases dramatically with age. This large collaborative study investigates the effects of 51 late-AMD–associated genetic variants in different ages, focusing on individuals above the age of 90 years.MethodsThe study included 27,996 individuals of the International AMD Genomics Consortium; 14,539 showed late AMD (51.9%) and 13,457 were controls (48.1%). Four age groups were compiled: 60 to 69 years, n = 6514, AMD = 2210 (33.9%); 70 to 79 years, n = 12228, AMD = 6217 (51.7%); 80 to 89 years, n = 8285, AMD = 5326 (64.3%); and ≥90 years, n = 969, AMD = 686 (70.8%). The effect sizes of 51 AMD-associated genetic variants were calculated for all age groups and were compared among the age groups.ResultsSix variants were associated with late AMD in individuals ≥ 90 years of age (P ≤ 0.0006). For rs10922109 and rs570618 (both in CFH), the minor allele (MA) was protective, and minor allele frequency (MAF) increased with age in cases and controls. For rs116503776 in C2/CFB/SKIV2L, the MA was protective, and MAF increased in cases. For rs3750846 in ARMS2/HTRA1, the MA increased risk, and MAF was lower in cases with increasing age. For rs6565597 in NPLOC4/TSPAN10, the MA increased risk. For rs5754227 in SYN3/TIMP3, the MA was protective, and there was no consistent variation in MAF with age. Variants in CFH and ARMS2 showed lower effect sizes at greater age. Interaction analysis showed strong age-related effects for rs570618 (P = 2.24 × 10–7) and rs3750846 (P = 0.001). Total genetic risk was lower in individuals ≥ 90 years old (area under the curve [AUC], 0.795) than in those 70 to 79 years old (AUC, 0.831; P = 0.03)ConclusionsEffect sizes and MAF of genetic risk factors for late AMD differed among the age groups. These results could guide future work on AMD risk assessment in older individuals.

The Effectiveness of Storyline-Based Education Program on Critical Thinking Skills of Preschool Children

The study was conducted to examine the effect of the education program, prepared based on storyline method, on critical thinking skills of five-year-old children. The study was designed using a quantitative model and experimental design. 43 children including 22 in the experimental group and 21 in the control group attending preschool education institutions in the city center of Kırklareli in the school year of 2017-2018 participated in the study. In addition to the existing education programs, the storyline education program was applied by the researcher to the children in the experimental group for 10 weeks (an hour in two days a week) between 19.03.2018 and 22.05.2018. The children in the control group continued their current education programs. In the study, “personal information form” and the “Critical Thinking Skills Test for 5-6 year-old Children (CTTC)” developed by the researcher were used. In the analysis of the data, experimental design with pretest, posttest, retention test, control group was applied to analyze the data. In order to determine the effect of experimental process in cases where the data had normal distribution and homogeneity of the assumptions was provided, two-way ANOVA method was used for mixed patterns that could address the inter-group, intra-group and common effect between the pretest and posttest. In cases where assumptions were not provided, it was examined whether or not posttest and pretest difference scores differed based on the experimental and control groups. For this, independent samples t test was used in the cases where the normality assumption was not provided; whereas, Mann Whitney U test was used for the other situations. It was found as a result of the study that the education program prepared with storyline method made a significant difference in the total score of the critical thinking skills test and in the scores of interpretation, explanation, inference, analysis, and self-regulation subscales of the critical thinking skills test in children in the experimental group. When assessing the effect size of the significance revealed, a high effect size was found in the total score of the critical thinking skills test, an effect size above moderate in the analysis and self-regulation subscales, a moderate effect size in the inference and explanation subscales, and a low effect size quantity in the interpretation subscale.

Isn't here just there without a "t" - to what extent can digital Clinical Case Discussions compensate for the absence of face-to-face teaching?

Objective: COVID-19 challenges curriculum managers worldwide to create digital substitutes for classroom teaching. Case-based teaching formats under expert supervision can be used as a substitute for practical bedside teaching, where the focus is on teaching clinical reasoning skills.Methods: For medical students of LMU and TU Munich, the interactive, case-based, and supervised teaching format of Clinical Case Discussion (CCD) was digitised and implemented as dCCD in their respective curricula. Case discussions were realised as videoconferences, led by a student moderator, and took place under the supervision of a board-certified clinician. To prevent passive participation, additional cognitive activations were implemented. Acceptance, usability, and subjective learning outcomes were assessed in dCCDs by means of a special evaluation concept.Results: With regard to acceptance, students were of the opinion that they had learned effectively by participating in dCCDs (M=4.31; SD=1.37). The majority of students also stated that they would recommend the course to others (M=4.23; SD=1.62). The technical implementation of the teaching format was judged positively overall, but findings for usability were heterogeneous. Students rated their clinical reasoning skills at the end of the dCCDs (M=4.43; SD=0.66) as being significantly higher than at the beginning (M=4.33; SD=0.69), with low effect size, t(181)=-2.352, p=.020, d=0.15.Conclusion: Our evaluation data shows that the dCCD format is well-accepted by students as a substitute for face-to-face teaching. In the next step, we plan to examine the extent to which participation in dCCDs leads to an increase in objectively measured clinical reasoning skills, analogous to a face-to-face CCD with on-site attendance.

Integrating Genetic Data and Demographic Modeling to Facilitate Conservation of Small, Isolated Mountain Goat Populations

ABSTRACTAcquisition of field data and analytical methods needed for conservation and management of wildlife populations represent significant challenges, particularly for species that inhabit landscapes that are difficult to access or species that persist in small, isolated populations. In such instances, integrating diverse and complementary data streams, such as genetic and non‐genetic data, can advance our understanding of population dynamics and associated management implications. We examined how genetic and morphologic data can be used to articulate population structure of a low‐density, peninsular population of mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) on the Cleveland Peninsula, Alaska, USA, and surrounding areas, 2005–2018. We then use a population demographic modeling approach to examine how the use of population structure information influences sustainable harvest quotas, as compared to a panmictic, null model. Specifically, we conducted extensive field sampling of genetic (n = 446) and morphologic (i.e., horn length, n = 371) data to characterize population structure. We conducted demographic analyses and examined harvest modeling scenarios using a sex‐ and age‐specific matrix population modeling approach. Genetic and morphologic data analyses suggested peninsular subpopulations were demographically isolated, relative to surrounding mainland populations. Specifically, genetic structuring was evident and followed an isolation‐by‐distance, stepping‐stone pattern indicating limited interchange, low effective population sizes, and reduced genetic diversity along a peninsular extremity to mainland gradient. Harvest modeling indicated that overharvest would likely occur if the panmictic, null model was used to guide harvest because the smallest genetically defined population at the peninsular extremity was too small to permit any level of sustainable harvest. Our analyses illustrate the importance of using genetic and morphologic data, in combination with demographic modeling, to quantitatively delineate population boundaries and dynamics for ensuring viability of small, isolated populations. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.