Sampling Strategy Within a Wild Soybean Population Based on Its Genetic Variation Detected by ISSR Markers

In order to determine an appropriate sampling strategy for the effective conservation of wild soybean (Glycine soja Sieb. et Zucc.) in China, a natural population from Jiangwan Airport in Shanghai was studied for its genetic diversity through the inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) marker analysis of a sample set consisting of 100 randomly collected individuals. A relatively large genetic diversity was detected among the samples based on estimation of DNA products amplified from 15 selected ISSR primers, with the similarity coefficient varying from 0.17 to 0.89. The mean expected heterozygosity (He) was 0.171 4 per locus, and Shannon index (1) was 0.271 4. The Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCA) further indicated that genetic diversity of the Jiangwan wild soybean population was not evenly distributed, instead, was presented by a mosaic or clustered distribution pattern. Correlation study between genetic diversity and number of samples demonstrated that genetic diversity increased dramatically with the increase of number of samples within 40 individuals, but the increase became slow and rapidly reached a plateau when more than 40 individuals were included in the analysis. It is concluded that (i) a sample set of approximately 35-45 individuals should be included to represent possibly high genetic diversity when conservation of a wild soybean population ex situ is undertaken; and (ii) collection of wild soybean samples should be spread out as wide as possible within a population, and a certain distance should be kept as intervals among individuals for sampling.

A simulation study of sampling time point designing for therapeutic drug monitoring based on a population pharmacokinetic model

Aim To develop a method to estimate population pharmacokinetic parameters with the limited sampling time points provided clinically during therapeutic drug monitoring. Methods Various simulations were attempted using a one-compartment open model with the first order absorption to determine PK parameter estimates with different sampling strategies as a validation of the method. The estimated parameters were further verified by comparing to the observed values. Results The samples collected at the single time point close to the non-informative sampling time point designed by this method led to bias and inaccurate parameter estimations. Furthermore, the relationship between the estimated non-informative sampling time points and the values of the parameter was examined. The non-informative sampling time points have been developed under some typical occasions and the results were plotted to show the tendency. As a result, one non-informative time point was demonstrated to be appropriate for clearance and two for both volume of distribution and constant of absorption in the present study. It was found that the estimates of the non-informative sampling time points developed in the method increase with increases of volume of distribution and the decrease of clearance and constant of absorption. Conclusion A rational sampling strategy during therapeutic drug monitoring can be established using the method present in the study.

Optimization of the Sampling Method for Genetic Variation Survey in Maize Populations Using SSR Markers

In this study, single-plant DNA sampling method, multi-plant leaf-mixing DNA sampling method, and single-plant DNA-mixing sampling method were adopted, to analyze the genetic variations of Meng A population and C population 1 using SSR markers and establish the optimal technological system for analyzing genetic diversity of maize populations. DNA samples in different treatments were amplified using 34 SSR primers which were uniformly distributed in ten chromosomes of maize. Polyacrylamidc gel electrophoresis was performed to analyze the polymorphism information content and genetic similarity coefficient of 60 individuals and compare the numbers of alleles amplified from DNA samples in different treatments. The results indicated that Meng A population and C population 1 both had relatively abundant genetic variations and the established technological system could be applied in researches of maize genetic diversity. Extracting DNA samples from mixed leaves of 12 individuals with five replications is the best sampling method, which could achieve similar results to mixed DNA samples of 12 individuals. This sampling method can be applied to analyze the genetic relationship among a large number of maize populations, which can not only reduce the workload, but also significantly improve the efficiency.

Estimation of the Population Mean Using Paired Ranked Set Sampling

In the situation where the sampling units in a study can be easily ranked than quantified, the ranked set sampling methods are found to be more efficient and cost effective as compared to SRS. In this paper we propose an estimator of the population mean using paired ranked set sampling (RSS) method. The proposed estimator is an unbiased estimator of the population mean when the set size is even. In case of odd set size the estimator is unbiased when the underlying distribution is symmetric. It is shown that the proposed estimator is more efficient than its counterpart SRS method for all distributions considered in this study.

Major Data of China's 1% National Population Sampling Survey,1995

ＭａｊｏｒＤａｔａｏｆＣｈｉｎａ′ｓ１％ＮａｔｉｏｎａｌＰｏｐｕｌａｔｉｏｎＳａｍｐｌｉｎｇＳｕｒｖｅｙ，１９９５Major Data of China's 1% National Population Sampling Survey,199...

The Probability of Pairwise Shared Ancestry and the Expected Number of Pairs of k-th Cousins in a Population Sample

An analytical solution is derived for the probability that a random pair of individuals from a panmictic population of size N will share ancestors who lived G generations previously. The analysis is extended to obtain 1) the probability that a sample of size s will contain at least one pair of (G - 1)th cousins;and 2) the expected number of pairs of (G - 1)th cousins in that sample. Solutions are given for both monogamous and promiscuous (non-monogamous) cases. Simulation results for a population size of N = 20,000 closely approximate the analytical expectations. Simulation results also agree very well with previously derived expectations for the proportion of unrelated individuals in a sample. The analysis is broadly consistent with genetic estimates of relatedness among a sample of 406 Danish school children, but suggests that a different genetic study of a heterogenous sample of Europeans overestimates the frequency of cousin pairs by as much as one order of magnitude.

Benchmark Dose Estimation for Cadmium-Induced Renal Effects Based on a Large Sample Population from Five Chinese Provinces

A survey involving 6103 participants from five Chinese provinces was conducted to evaluate the threshold value of urinary cadmium （UCd） for renal dysfunction as benchmark dose low （BMDL）. The urinary N-acetyl-13-D-glucosaminidase （UNAG） was chosen as an effect biomarker. The UCd BMDLs for UNAG ranged from 2.18μg/g creatinine （cr） to 4.26μg/g cr in the populations of different provinces. The selection of the sample population and area affect the evaluation of the BMDL. The reference level of UCd for renal effects was further evaluated based on the data of all 6103 subjects. With benchmark responses （BMR） of 10%/5%, the overall UCd BMDLs for males in the total population were 3.73/2.08 μg/g cr. The BMD was slightly lower in females, thereby indicating that females may be relatively more sensitive to Cd exposure than are males.

Bayes Prediction of Future Observables from Exponentiated Populations with Fixed and Random Sample Size

Bayesian predictive probability density function is obtained when the underlying pop-ulation distribution is exponentiated and subjective prior is used. The corresponding predictive survival function is then obtained and used in constructing 100(1 – ?)% predictive interval, using one- and two- sample schemes when the size of the future sample is fixed and random. In the random case, the size of the future sample is assumed to follow the truncated Poisson distribution with parameter λ. Special attention is paid to the exponentiated Burr type XII population, from which the data are drawn. Two illustrative examples are given, one of which uses simulated data and the other uses data that represent the breaking strength of 64 single carbon fibers of length 10, found in Lawless [40].

The acoustic survey of anchovy in the Yellow Sea in February 1999, with emphasis on the estimation of the size structure of the anchovy population

Estimation of the size structure of a fish population is often one of the primary objectives of an acoustic/trawl survey.The methods of estimation may be different with different sampling strategies.This paper describes the main results as well as the methods used during the acoustic survey of anchovy in the Yellow Sea in February 1999,with emphasis on the estimation of the number at length and biomass at length of the anchovy population surveyed under adoptive sampling strategy.The estimation is done for each transect.Within each transect,the biological sample data is weighted by fish quantity derived from the acoustic density ( s A) of the echo signs that the biological sample represents.This method makes full use of the acoustic data available in a rigorous manner.It is essentially to estimate the size structure of each group of fish aggregation thought to having similar size composition.It is believed that this method may lead to a more accurate estimate of the size structure of a fish population surveyed under adoptive sampling strategy.

ESTIMATING DENSITY AND POPULATION SIZE OF TIBETAN SNOWCOCK IN TIBET

The population situation of Tibetan Snowcock (Tetragallus tibetanus) has been surveyed by line transect sampling in Tibet from 1987 to 1989. The total length of samplings is 4444km, which were arranged in an area of 1 million.km2. 783 snowcocks were recorded in 35 line transects of 408km in the effective length. From these data, the densities of the snowcocks were estimated from negative exponential density distribution and jackknife method. The average density is 1.4523 cocks/ km2 and varies from 5.6580 to 0.0697 indiv. -km2. The population size of the snowcocks is 187.303±24.781 cocks in Tibet. In this paper, the author also discussed how to locate the line transect samplings, determine the observation width, choose possible shapes of the detection function and calculate the habitat size.

Maximizing Sampling Efficiency

Background and Goals: Although health care quality improvement has traditionally involved extensive work with paper records, the adoption of health information technology has increased the use of electronic record and administrative systems. Despite these advances, quality improvement practitioners now and for the foreseeable future need guidance in defining populations of individuals for study and in selecting and analyzing sample data from such populations. Statistical data analysis in health care research often involves using samples to make inferences about populations. The investigator needs to consider the goals of the study, whether sampling is to be used, and the type of population being studied. While there are numerous sampling strategies designed to conserve resources and yield accurate results, one of these techniques—use of the finite population correction (FPC)—has received relatively little attention in health care sampling contexts. It is important for health care quality practitioners to be aware of sampling options that may increase accuracy and conserve resources. This article describes common sampling situations in which the issue of the finite population correction decision often arises. Methods: This article describes 3 relevant sampling situations that influence the design and analysis phases of a study and offers guidance for choosing the most effective and efficient design. Situation 1: The study or activity involves taking a sample from a large finite target population for which enumerative inferences are needed. Situation 2: The population is finite and the study is enumerative. A complete enumerative count of “defects” in the process is needed so that remediation can occur. Here, statistical inference is unnecessary. Situation 3: The target population is viewed as infinite;such populations are “conceptual populations” [1] or “processes”. Results: The article shows how savings in resources can be achieved by choosing the correct analytic framework at the conceptualization phase of study design. Choosing the right sampling approach can produce accurate results at lower costs. Several examples are presented and the implications for health services research are discussed. Conclusion: By clearly specifying the objectives of a study and considering explicitly whether the data are a sample or a population, the practitioner may be able to design a more efficient study and thereby conserve resources. This article provides a conceptual framework in the form of three situations, several examples, and an algorithm (Figure 1) to help the intervention planner determine how to classify the study and when to apply the FPC.

Bayesian Estimation of Population Size via Capture-Recapture Model with Time Variation and Behavioral Response

We consider the problem of population estimation using capture-recapture data, where capture probabilities can vary between sampling occasions and behavioural responses. The original model is not identifiable without further restrictions. The novelty of this article is to expand the current research practice by developing a hierarchical Bayesian approach with the assumption that the odds of recapture bears a constant relationship to the odds of initial capture. A real-data example of deer mice population is given to illustrate the proposed method. Three simulation studies are developed to inspect the performance of the proposed Bayesian estimates. Compared with the maximum likelihood estimates discussed in Chao et al. (2000), the hierarchical Bayesian estimate provides reasonably better population estimation with less mean square error;moreover, it is sturdy to underline relationship between the initial and re-capture probabilities. The sensitivity study shows that the proposed Bayesian approach is robust to the choice of hyper-parameters. The third simulation study reveals that both relative bias and relative RMSE approach zero as population size increases. A R-package is developed and used in both data example and simulation.

Estimating the Size of an Injecting Drug User Population

This article describes a sampling and estimation scheme for estimating the size of an injecting drug user (IDU) population by combining classical sampling and respondent-driven sampling procedures. It is designed to use the information from harm reduction programs, especially, Needle Exchange Programs (NEPs). The approach involves using respondent-driven sampling design to collect a sample of injecting drug users who appear at site of NEP in a certain period of time and to obtain retrospective self-report data on the number of friends among the IDUs and number of needles exchanged for each sampled injecting drug user. A methodology is developed to estimate the size of injecting drug users who have ever used the NEP during the fixed period of time, and which allows us to estimate the proportion of injecting drug users in using NEP. The size of the IDU population is estimated by dividing the total number of IDUs who using NEPs during the period of time by the estimated proportion of IDUs in the group. The technique holds promise for providing data needed to answer questions such as “What is the size of an IDU population in a city?” and “Is that size changing?” and better understand the dynamics of the IDU population. The methodology described here can also be used to estimate size of other hard-to-reach population by using information from harm reduction programs.

Estimation of Bounded Populations and Carrying Capacity with the Logistic Model

Estimation of bounded populations and carrying capacity in the presence of a sample frame is considered. Models based on Logistic model are proposed. Like the existing estimators, this estimation technique deals with initial condition and is based on yearly population totals in order to fit in a model within a given period of time in this study. The proposed Logistic model technique has shown to be efficient especially with large data. The empirical study indicated that the Logistic model is efficient and can estimate properly even in the presence of outliers.

Population assessment and habitat associations of the Visayan Hornbill(Penelopides panini)in Northwest Panay,Philippines

Background:Seven out of ten hornbill species in the Philippines are threatened with extinction.Among these is the endangered Visayan Hornbill(Penelopides panini),found on the islands of Panay and Negros.Threatened by habitat loss and hunting,its population size is thought to have declined from 1800 individuals 20 years ago to less than 1000.However,a recent study on Negros estimated 3564 individuals across three core forest blocks.This study aims to quantify the Visayan Hornbill population size in and around the Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park(NWPPNP)on Panay,the largest contiguous low-elevation forest landscape remaining across its range,and its broad habitat associations across a gradient of environmental degradation.Methods:Hornbills were surveyed using 10-min distance sampling point counts(n=367)along transects(average length 1.1 km).Environmental variables were recorded along transects,while habitat was classified into primary forest,secondary forest,plantation,or open habitat.Distance software was used to estimate population densities stratified by habitat,with the overall population estimate taken as a mean of habitat density estimates weighted by habitat area.Using generalized linear mixed models,hornbill occurrence was modelled using combinations of nine environmental variables as main and two-way fixed effects.Results:Surveys covered 204.4 km^(2) of the 374.8 km^(2) Northwest Panay Peninsula.Hornbills were not recorded in plantations or open habitats.Hornbill density was significantly higher in primary forest(17.8 individuals/km~2±26.9%CV)than in secondary forest(3.7 individuals/km^(2)±33.2%CV;z=15.212,P<0.001).The overall population estimate for the NWPPNP and environs is 2109 individuals,and 2673 individuals for the entire Northwest Panay Peninsula.Hornbill presence was best explained by a model including distance from the Park boundary alongside five interaction effects and transect as a random effect.Distance,and the interaction between distance and medium-sized trees were significant predictors of hornbill presence.Conclusions:Our study evidences the habitat preference of the Visayan Hornbill,highlights the importance of the NWPPNP for the species'conservation,and provides strong evidence for re-assessing the global population size.

An Assessment of the Marine Mammal Abundance and Population Density within the Ghanaian Offshore Construction Areas

The Gulf of Guinea region enjoined with the unique characteristics of the Guinea surface and underwater currents driving the upwelling season, besets the ecological importance of the area amidst growing offshore development. Though several attempts are being made to identify the various cetacean species inhabiting the area, little to no progress is made to under the animal population, their behaviour and distribution in the face of the growing threat. The study hence attempts to develop cetacean population and distribution estimation within Ghana’s offshore construction sites in the time frame of field development while emphasizing the effects of operations on animal behaviour and habitats, purpose at providing an understanding with the general behaviour of these mammals peculiar to the area and too what level the impact of change is having on distribution trends. The study finds the upwelling tends to suggest, strong animal presence in the area during feeding. Short-fin pilot whales were a dominant cetacean feature within the observed cetacean population estimated to have 160 (CV = 0.3728) presence. Findings suggest the strong biological importance, BIA (habitat, feeding and breeding), as well as operations drawing on animal curiosity, heightened animal vulnerability. Further studies are required to understand the temporal and spatial distributions patterns, while efforts are needed to ensure protected areas are established, animal surveillance and conservative attitudes are encouraged.

Analysis of Methodology for the Application of Stratified Random Sampling with Optimum Allocation： The Case Study of Forest Bioenergy

In this paper, analysis of methodology was realized for the application of stratified random sampling with optimum allocation in the case of a subject of research which concerns the rural population and presents high differentiations among the three strata in which this population could be classified. The rural population of Evros Prefecture （Greece） with criterion the mean altitude of settlements was classified in three strata, the mountainous, semi-mountainous and fiat population for the estimation of mean consumption of forest fuelwood for covering of heating and cooking needs in households of these three strata. The analysis of this methodology includes： （1） the determination of total size of sample for entire the rural population and its allocation to the various strata; （2） the investigation of effectiveness of stratification with the technique of analysis of variance （One-Way ANOVA）; （3） the conduct of sampling research with the realization of face-to-face interviews in selected households and （4） the control of forms of the questionnaire and the analysis of data by using the statistical package for social sciences, SPSS for Windows. All data for the analysis of this methodology and its practical application were taken by the pilot sampling which was realized in each stratum. Relative paper was not found by the review of literature.

Evaluation of Pesticide Residues in Human Blood Samples of Agro Professionals and Non-Agro Professionals

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the pesticide residues in human blood samples of volunteers related to Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas districts, Pakistan. The volunteers of both districts were divided into four groups on the basis of their exposure period to pesticides i.e. Group A-5 to 9 years, Group B-10 to 14 years, Group C-15 to19 years and Group D-above 20 years. Out of total 188 volunteers, 145 volunteers (77.1%) were agro–professionals and 43 volun- teers (32.9%) were non–agro professionals. Chlorpyrifos, endosulfan, 1, 1, 1-trichloro-2, 2-bis (p-chorophenyl) ethane (p,p'-DDT) and parathion residues were detected in many samples. The predominant pesticides found in blood samples of both district volunteers were chlorpyrifos (with highest mean concentration of 0.37 mg kg-1 in the D group of Mirpurkhas) and endosulfan (with highest mean concentration of 0.30 mg kg-1 in the D group of Hyderabad). The quantity of pesticide residues detected in some blood samples of agro-professionals were found to be at the alarming level.

Estimating index of population trend by re-sampling techniques （jackknife and bootstrap） and its application to the life table study of rice leaf roller, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis （Lepidoptera： Pyralidae）

Taking a published natural population life table of rice leaf roller, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis （Lepidoptera： Pyralidae）, as an example, we estimated the population trend index, I, via re-sampling methods （jackknife and bootstrap）, determined its statistical properties and illustrated the application of these methods in determining the control effectiveness of bio- agents and chemical insecticides. Depending on the simulation outputs, the smoothed distribution pattern of the estimates of I by delete-1 jackknife is visually distinguishable from the normal density, but the smoothed pattern produced by delete-d jackknife, and logarithm- transformed smoothed patterns produced by both empirical and parametric bootstraps, matched well the corresponding normal density. Thus, the estimates of I produced by delete-1 jackknife were not used to determine the suppressive effect of wasps and insecticides. The 95% percent confidence intervals or the narrowest 95 percentiles and Z-test criterion were employed to compare the effectiveness of Trichogrammajaponicum Ashmead and insecticides （powder, 1.5% mevinphos ＋ 3% alpha-hexachloro cyclohexane） against the rice leaf roller based on the estimates of I produced by delete-d jackknife and bootstrap techniques. At a = 0.05 level, there were statistical differences between wasp treatment and control, and between wasp and insecticide treatments, if the normality is ensured, or by the narrowest 95 percentiles. However, there is still no difference between insecticide treatment and control. By Z-test criterion, wasp treatment is better than control and insecticide treatment with P-value 〈 0.01. Insecticide treatment is similar to control with P-value 〉 0.2 indicating that 95% confidence intervals procedure is more conservative. Although similar conclusions may be drawn by re-sampling techniques, such as the delta method, about the suppressive effect of trichogramma and insecticides, the normality of the estimates can be checked and guaranteed, and the correlation among sequential life stages of rice leaf roller is also considered in the estimation. Judged by the P-values from Z-test, the delta method is more conservative.