scholarly journals Variability in the interpretation of probability phrases used in Dutch news articles — a risk for miscommunication

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (02) ◽  
pp. A03 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanne Willems ◽  
Casper Albers ◽  
Ionica Smeets
Keyword(s):  
Science Communication ◽  
Large Variability ◽  
Neutral Context ◽  
Interpretation Of Probability ◽  
Verbal Probability

Verbal probability phrases are often used in science communication to express estimated risks in words instead of numbers. In this study we look at how laypeople and statisticians interpret Dutch probability phrases that are regularly used in news articles. We found that there is a large variability in interpretations, even if the phrases are given in a neutral context. Also, statisticians do not agree on the interpretation of the phrases. We conclude that science communicators should be careful in using verbal probability expressions.

Palmar Musculature: Does It Affect the Development of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? A Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trevor Simcox ◽  
Lauren Seo ◽  
Kevin Dunham ◽  
Shengnan Huang ◽  
Catherine Petchprapa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Anatomical Variation ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Transverse Carpal Ligament ◽  
Large Variability ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Control Study

Abstract Background The etiology of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is multifactorial. Static mechanical characteristics of CTS have been described, but dynamic (muscular) parameters remain obscure. We believe that musculature overlying the transverse carpal ligament may have an effect on carpal tunnel pressure and may explain the prevalence of CTS in manual workers. Questions/Purposes To utilize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging to estimate the amount of muscle crossing the area of the carpal tunnel and to compare these MRI measurements in patients with and without documented CTS. Methods A case–control study of wrist MRI scans between January 1, 2018, and December 1, 2019, was performed. Patients with a diagnosis of CTS were matched by age and gender with controls without a diagnosis of CTS. Axial MRI cuts at the level of the hook of the hamate were used to measure the thenar and hypothenar muscle depth overlying the carpal tunnel. Muscle depth was quantified in millimeters at three points: midcapitate, capitate–hamate border, capitate–trapezoid border. Average depth was calculated by dividing the cross-sectional area (CSA) by the transverse carpal ligament width. Statistical analysis included Student's t-test, chi-square test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient calculation. Results A total of 21 cases and 21 controls met the inclusion criteria for the study. There were no significant differences in demographics between case and control groups. The location and depth of the musculature crossing the carpal tunnel were highly variable in all areas evaluated. A significantly positive correlation was found between proximal median nerve CSA and muscle depth in the capitate–hamate area (correlation coefficient = 0.375; p = 0.014). CSA was not significantly associated with chart documented CTS. Conclusions We found large variability in our measurements. This likely reflects true anatomical variation. The significance of our findings depends on the location of the muscles and the line of pull and their effect on the mechanics of the transverse carpal ligament. Future research will focus on refining measurement methodology and understanding the mechanical effect of the muscular structure and insertions on carpal tunnel pressure. Level of Evidence This is a Level 3, case–control study.

Spray irrigation on dairy pastures - efficient or not?

2006 ◽  
pp. 177-181
Author(s):  
S.M. Thomas ◽  
D. Bloomer ◽  
R.J. Martin ◽  
A. Horrocks
Keyword(s):  
Irrigation System ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Dairy Farmers ◽  
Large Variability ◽  
Irrigation Application ◽  
Irrigation Uniformity ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Spray Irrigation ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Distribution Uniformity

Applying water efficiently is increasingly important for dairy farmers and other users of surface and groundwater resources to maintain sustainable production. However, irrigation is rarely monitored. We used a questionnaire survey and measurements of five spray irrigation systems working in normal farm conditions to make observations on how efficiently irrigation is being managed. Survey results from 93 dairy farmers showed that, although the farmers believe they know how much water is being applied during irrigation, only 60% make measurements, and about 18% measure irrigation uniformity. Catch-can measurement of irrigation application depth for the different spray systems indicated large variability in application depths during irrigation, and field distribution uniformity ranged greatly between the different systems, decreasing in the order of centre pivots >travelling irrigators> K-line. Changes in irrigation system settings were sometimes made without considering application depths or uniformity. If our five case studies are typical, they may explain the large range of seasonal irrigation amounts recorded in the survey. We recommend that farmers monitor irrigation application depths and uniformity to help manage irrigation water efficiently and to help them estimate the value of irrigation to their enterprise. Keywords: distribution uniformity, water use efficiency, catch cans

Percutaneous Mitral Annuloplasty for Treatment of Functional Mitral Regurgitation

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
Lutz Buellesfeld ◽  
Lazar Mandinov ◽  
Eberhard Grube ◽  
◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitral Regurgitation ◽  
Coronary Sinus ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Mitral Annulus ◽  
Functional Mitral Regurgitation ◽  
Invasive Treatment ◽  
Large Variability ◽  
Mitral Annuloplasty ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Anatomical Relationship

Functional mitral regurgitation affects a substantial proportion of patients with congestive heart failure due to myocardial infarction or dilated cardiomyopathy. Functional mitral regurgitation greatly increases morbidity and mortality. Surgical annuloplasty is the standard of care for symptomatic patients with moderate or severe functional mitral regurgitation; however, a large number of patients are refused surgery. Several percutaneous approaches have been developed to address the need for less invasive treatment of mitral annulus dilatation. Devices using coronary sinus to cinch the mitral annulus are relatively easy to use; however, a number of factors may limit their clinical application, such as suboptimal anatomical relationship between the coronary sinus and mitral annulus, risk of coronary artery compression, large variability in the coronary venous anatomy and conflict with other therapies such as ablation or cardiac resynchronisation. Direct mitral annuloplasty is anticipated to be more effective than the coronary sinus approaches; however, it has yet to prove its safety and efficacy in carefully designed clinical trials. The best candidates and the best timing for each percutaneous mitral annuloplasty therapy, whether direct or indirect, have yet to be identified.

PARADIGMA KEILMUAN KPI DALAM PERSPEKTIF DAKWAH

1970 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 310-322
Author(s):  
Aan Herdiana
Keyword(s):  
Science Communication ◽  
Professional Competence ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Scientific Level ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Methodological Approaches ◽  
Activity Design ◽  
Practical Level

Islamic Communication and Broadcasting or commonly known as KPI, as one of the majors in Islamic colleges, must have an identity. Basically, the KPI’s scientific design can not be separated from two things, first, at the scientific level, the device is able to make science communication and science propaganda as the basis of activity design and the movement of Islamic broadcasting through various paradigmatic, theoretical, and methodological approaches. This is what is referred to as the ability of theoretical understanding (knowledge-based capability). Second, at a practical level, facilitating the growth of capabilities that could be the foundation undergraduate professional competence of KPI. Komunikasi dan penyiaran Islam atau yang biasa dikenal dengan KPI, sebagai salah satu jurusan di perguruan tinggi agama Islam, harus mempunyai identitas. Pada dasarnya desain keilmuan KPI tidak terlepas dari dua hal, Pertama, di level keilmuan, mampu menjadikan perangkat ilmu komunikasi dan ilmu dakwah sebagai basis dari desain aktivitas dan gerakan penyiaran Islam melalui berbagai pendekatan paradigmatik, teoritik, dan metodologis. Inilah yang disebut sebagai kemampuan pemahaman teoretik (knowladgebased capability). Kedua, di level praktis, memfasilitasi tumbuh kembangnya kemampuan yang dapat menjadi pijakan kompetensi profesi sarjana KPI.

Quantifying idiosyncratic and shared contributions to stimulus evaluations

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel Eduardo Martinez ◽  
Friederike Funk ◽  
Alexander Todorov
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Variance Component ◽  
Psychological Problem ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Large Variability ◽  
Four Dimensions ◽  
Stimulus Evaluation ◽  
Crossed Random Effects ◽  
Novel Objects ◽  
Variance Component Estimates

A fundamental psychological problem is identifying the idiosyncratic and shared contributions to stimulus evaluation. However, there is no established method for estimating these contributions and the existing methods have led to divergent estimates. Moreover, in many studies participants rate the stimuli only once, although at least two measurements are required to estimate idiosyncratic contributions. Here, participants rated faces or novel objects on four dimensions (beautiful, approachable, likeable, dangerous) for a total of ten blocks to better estimate the preferences of individual raters. First, we show that both intra-rater and inter-rater agreement – measures related to idiosyncratic and shared contributions, respectively – increase with repeated measures. Second, to find best practices, we compared estimates from correlation indices and variance component approaches on stimulus-generality, evaluation-generality, data preprocessing steps, and sensitivity to measurement error (a largely ignored issue). The correlation indices changed monotonically and nonlinearly with more repeated measures. Variance component analyses showed large variability in estimates from only two repeated measures, but stabilized with more measures. While there was general agreement among approaches, the correlation approach was problematic for certain stimulus types and evaluation dimensions. Our results suggest that variance component estimates are more reliable as long as one collects more than two repeated measures, which is not the current norm in psychological research, and can be implemented using mixed models with crossed random effects. Recommendations for analysis and interpretations are provided.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document