214 Weekly Quiz
Jan 04, 2016
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. He owed over $1000 to the doctor.
B. He owed more than $1000 to the doctor.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. He owed over $1000 to the doctor.
B. He owed B. He owed more thanmore than $1000 to the doctor. $1000 to the doctor.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. The negotiators effected an agreement.
B. The negotiators affected an agreement.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. The negotiators A. The negotiators effectedeffected an agreement. an agreement.
B. The negotiators affected an agreement.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. D-day was a A. D-day was a historichistoric day. day.
B. D-day was a B. D-day was a historicalhistorical day. day.
Actually both!
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. Your procrastination had an averse effect on your grade.
B. Your procrastination had an adverse effect on your grade.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. Your procrastination had an averse effect on your grade.
B. Your procrastination had an B. Your procrastination had an adverseadverse effect on your grade.effect on your grade.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. The bacteria were treated gently.
B. The bacteria was treated gently.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. The bacteria A. The bacteria werewere treated gently. treated gently.
B. The bacteria was treated gently.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. Fewer men are in the class than women.
B. Less men are in the class than women.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. A. FewerFewer men are in the class than women. men are in the class than women.
B. Less men are in the class than women.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. I’m A. I’m averseaverse to banana flavor. to banana flavor.
B. I’m adverse to banana flavor.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. That A. That man and Iman and I were talking. were talking.
B. That man and me were talking.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. Their data was intriguing.
B. Their data B. Their data werewere intriguing. intriguing.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. She told Bob and me that the end was near.
B. She told Bob and I that the end was near.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. She told A. She told Bob and meBob and me that the end was near. that the end was near.
B. She told Bob and I that the end was near.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. I always thought it was further to the moon.
B. I always thought it was farther to the moon.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. I always thought it was further to the moon.
B. I always thought it was B. I always thought it was fartherfarther to the moon. to the moon.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. That 17th-century pot is a historical piece.
B. That 17th-century pot is a historic piece.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. That 17A. That 17thth-century pot is a -century pot is a historicalhistorical piece. piece.
B. That 17th-century pot is a historic piece.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. Between you and I, we should have it done in no time.
B. Between you and me, we should have it done in no time.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. Between you and I, we should have it done in no time.
B. Between B. Between you and meyou and me, we should have it , we should have it done in no time.done in no time.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. He A. He died ofdied of unknown causes. unknown causes.
B. He died from unknown causes.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. Binge drinking causes adverse health effects.
B. Binge drinking causes averse health effects.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. Binge drinking causes A. Binge drinking causes adverseadverse health health effects.effects.
B. Binge drinking causes averse health effects.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. To whom did you betray my secret?
B. To who did you betray my secret?
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. A. To whomTo whom did you betray my secret? did you betray my secret?
B. To who did you betray my secret?
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. The person about who you speak is a fool.
B. The person about whom you speak is a fool.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. The person about who you speak is a fool.
B. The person B. The person about whomabout whom you speak is a you speak is a fool.fool.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. A. It’sIt’s my reputation on the line. my reputation on the line.
B. Its my reputation on the line.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. She is the candidate who we hope to elect.
B. She is the candidate whom we hope to elect.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. She is the candidate who we hope to elect.
B. She is the candidate B. She is the candidate whomwhom we hope to we hope to elect.elect.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. The prevalence of autism is 10 out of 1,000 people.
B. The incidence of autism is 10 out of 1,000 people.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. The A. The prevalenceprevalence of autism is 10 out of 1,000 of autism is 10 out of 1,000 people.people.
B. The incidence of autism is 10 out of 1,000 people.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. She could have made it further in life.
B. She could have made it farther in life.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. She could have made it A. She could have made it furtherfurther in life. in life.
B. She could have made it farther in life.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. That strata includes most of the elderly patients.
B. Those strata include most of the elderly patients.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. That strata includes most of the elderly patients.
B. Those strata includeThose strata include most of the elderly most of the elderly patients.patients.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. That strata includes most of the elderly patients.
B. That stratum includes most of the elderly patients.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. That strata includes most of the elderly patients.
B. That That stratumstratum includes most of the elderly includes most of the elderly patients.patients.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. Asilomar was a peremptory strike aimed at shielding science from the public and its elected representatives.
B. Asilomar was a preemptive strike aimed at shielding science from the public and its elected representatives.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. Asilomar was a Asilomar was a peremptoryperemptory strike aimed at shielding strike aimed at shielding science from the public and its elected representatives.science from the public and its elected representatives.
B. Asilomar was a preemptive strike aimed at shielding science from the public and its elected representatives.
"Peremptory" -- Latin "perimere” -- "to take entirely"
--comes from "per-" ("thoroughly") and "emere" ("to take")
--implies removal of one's option to disagree or contest something
--sometimes suggests an abrupt dictatorial manner combined with an unwillingness to tolerate disobedience or dissent
--as in "he was given a peremptory dismissal"
“Preemptive" -- Latin "praeemere" --"prae-" ("before") plus "emere."
--means "marked by the seizing of the initiative"
--as in "a preemptive attack"
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. The president launched a preemptive attack.
B. The president launched a peremptory attack.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
A. The president launched a A. The president launched a preemptivepreemptive attack.attack.
B. The president launched a peremptory attack.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
Lecture Eight, August 3, 2005:
Methods and Materials,
Results,
Tables and Figures
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Methods and MaterialsMaterials and Methods Overview:• Give a clear overview of what was done
• Give enough information to replicate the study (like a recipe!)
• Be complete, but minimize complexity!1. Break into smaller sections with subheads
2. Cite a reference for commonly used methods
3. Display in a flow diagram where possible
• You may use jargon and the passive voice more liberally in the M&M section
Scientific Writing, HRP 214MaterialsMaterialsDrugs
generic name, manufacturer, purity, concentration, amount administered, etc.
Culture media, bufferscomponents and concentrations, temperature, pH
Experimental materialscell line, molecule, tissue, etc.
Animalsstate that the research was approved by the appropriate committee at your institution
Human subjectsstate that the research was approved by the appropriate committee at your institution
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Materialse.g., Human subjects
“Details of the study and testing procedures were explained to each subject, and a written, informed consent was obtained. The experimental protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Boards of Stanford University, the University of California, Los Angeles, the University of Michigan, the Helen Hayes Hospital, and Massachusetts General Hospital.”
Scientific Writing, HRP 214MethodsMaterials and Methods Overview:
• Be complete, but minimize complexity!1. Break into smaller sections with subheads
2. Cite a reference for commonly used methods
3. Display in a flow diagram where possible
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Methodse.g., Ksiazek et al. A Novel Coronavirus Associated with Severe Acute Respiratory SyndromeNEJM 348:1953-1966, May 15, 2003
METHODS
•General Approach
•Biosafety
•Isolation of Virus
•Serologic Analysis
•Pathological and Immunohistochemical Studies
•Molecular Analyses
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Methodse.g. Jonsson et al. Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 in Oncogenic Osteomalacia and X-Linked Hypophosphatemia NEJM 348:1656-1663; April 24, 2003.
METHODS
Peptide Synthesis and Antibody Production Generation of Recombinant FGF-23 Development of an ELISA for the Detection of FGF-23 Study Subjects
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Methods
The Journal of Cell Biology, Volume 161, Number 3, 521-533Proprotein convertase cleavage liberates a fibrillogenic fragment of a resident glycoprotein to initiate melanosome biogenesis
Joanne F. Berson1, Alexander C. Theos1, Dawn C. Harper1, Danielle Tenza2, Graça Raposo2 and Michael S. Marks1
Methods and materials•Cell culture and transfections•Antibodies•Plasmids•Recombinant virus production and infection•Metabolic labeling and immunoprecipitation•Immunoblotting•Subcellular fractionation•Electron microscopy
Scientific Writing, HRP 214MethodsFor clinical studies:
1. Study design
2. Setting
3. Patients/subjects
4. Interventions or predictors (independent variables)
5. Primary outcome (dependent variable)
6. Secondary outcomes
7. Statistical analysis
8. Sample size and power calculations, if available
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Methods
Subsections for a clinical study: Study design
randomized trial, prospective cohort, case-control, case-series etc.
Settingclinic, hospital, or general populationlocations
Participants eligibility criteria (inclusion, exclusion)
Independent variables how were predictors measured or interventions assigned and administered?
Primary outcomescase definitions/measurement
Secondary outcomes
Scientific Writing, HRP 214MethodsStatistical aspects Sample size
How sample size was determined
Explanation of any interim analyses and stopping rules.
Statistical methods
Statistical methods used to compare groups for primary outcome(s);
Methods for additional analyses, such as subgroup analyses and adjusted analyses.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
Additionally, for a Randomized Clinical Trial:Randomization Scheme Sequence generation
Method used to generate the random allocation Details of any restriction (e.g., blocking, stratification).
Allocation concealmentMethod used to implement the random allocation sequence Was the sequence was concealed until assignment of interventions?
ImplementationWho generated the allocation sequence?Who enrolled participants?Who assigned participants to their groups?
Blinding (masking) Were participants, those administering the interventions, and those assessing the
outcomes blinded to group assignment? Was the success of blinding evaluated?
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Methods2. Cite a reference for commonly used methods or previously used methods rather than explaining all the details…
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Methods
Each peptide was covalently coupled to agarose (AminoLink Kit, Pierce Chemical), and 30-to-200-ml quantities of each crude polyclonal antiserum were affinity-purified with the use of the appropriate
immobilized peptide, as previously described.13
Immunoprecipitations, SDS-PAGE on 10% polyacrylamide gels, and phosphorimaging analysis were performed as described previously (Berson et al., 2000).
From:
Oral topiramate for treatment of alcohol dependence: a randomised controlled trial
Johnson et al. The Lancet. Volume 361;17 May 2003
Week Morning dose Afternoon dose Total daily dose
1 0 mg 1x25 mg tablet 25 mg
2 0 mg 2x25 mg tablets 50 mg
3 1x25 mg tablet 2x25 mg tablets 75 mg
4 2x25 mg tablets 2x25 mg tablets 100 mg
5 2x25 mg tablets 1x100 mg tablet 150 mg
6 1x100 mg tablet 1x100 mg tablet 200 mg
7 1x100 mg tablet 1x100 mg and 2x25 mg tablets 250 mg
8 1x100 mg and 2x25 mg tablets 1x100 mg and 2x25 mg tablets 300 mg
9 1x100 mg and 2x25 mg tablets 1x100 mg and 2x25 mg tablets 300 mg
10 1x100 mg and 2x25 mg tablets 1x100 mg and 2x25 mg tablets 300 mg
11 1x100 mg and 2x25 mg tablets 1x100 mg and 2x25 mg tablets 300 mg
12 1x100 mg and 2x25 mg tablets 1x100 mg and 2x25 mg tablets 300 mg
Schedule is similar to that provided in the Physicians' Desk Reference (2000). The placebo and topiramate groups received the same number of tablets; placebo tablets were inactive.
Table 1: Topiramate dose-escalation schedule
From:
Oral topiramate for treatment of alcohol dependence: a randomised controlled trial
Johnson et al. The Lancet. Volume 361;17 May 2003
Other tables and figures that can help illustrate methods:
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 2003; 35(5):826-831 Copyright © 2003 Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. All
rights reserved Published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Methods
Transcription of antisense RNA leading to gene silencing and methylation as a novel cause of human genetic diseaseCristina Tufarelli et al.Nature Genetics - Published online: 5 May 2003, doi:10.1038/ng1157
Methods
Transcription of antisense RNA leading to gene silencing and methylation as a novel cause of human genetic diseaseCristina Tufarelli et al.Nature Genetics - Published online: 5 May 2003, doi:10.1038/ng1157
Report methods in past tense (“we measured”),
But use present tense to describe how data are presented in the paper (“data are summarized as means SD”)
Writing methods:verb tenses
1. Point of view of the experiment:“Blood samples were drawn.”
Passive voice, but emphasizes the method or variable
2. Point of view of the experimenter:“We drew blood samples.”
Active voice, more lively, but sacrifices having the topic as the subject of the sentence
Requires creativity to avoid starting every sentence with “we”:
e.g., “Because the layers did not stick well, we processed them as small pellets.”
“After fixing the surface layers, we then…”
Writing methods:point of view
For sequencing, amplicons were purified with ExoSAP-Codes. The partial nucleotide sequences of the polymerase gene were aligned with published coronavirus sequences, using CLUSTAL W for Unix (version 1.7).
From: Ksiazek et al. A Novel Coronavirus Associated with Severe Acute Respiratory SyndromeNEJM 348:1953-1966, May 15, 2003
Writing methods:passive voice and jargon
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Methods: passive voice
Peptides were synthesized by the Biopolymer Core Facility, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. Peptides representing portions of the FGF-23 precursor — [Cys70]FGF-23(51–69)amide,
[Tyr185] FGF-23(186–206)amide, [Tyr223]FGF-23(206–222)amide, and [Tyr224]FGF-23(225–244)amide — were coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin, emulsified with complete Freund's adjuvant, and used for subcutaneous immunization of eight goats (with approximately 100 µg per animal); each…
From Jonsson et al. Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 in Oncogenic Osteomalacia and X-Linked Hypophosphatemia NEJM 348:1656-1663; April 24, 2003.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Results
Results are different from data!
Results=the meaning of the data
Most data belong in figures and tables
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Results
Results:
•Report results pertinent to the main question asked
•Summarize the data (big picture); report trends
•Cite figures or tables that present supporting data
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Results
Does it belong in the text or in a table or figure?
*text is used to point out simple relationships and describe trends
Examples:
“Over the course of treatment, topiramate was significantly more effective than placebo at improving drinking outcomes on drinks per day, drinks per drinking day, percentage of heavy drinking days, percentage of days abstinent, and log plasma -glutamyl transferase ratio (table 3).”
“The total suicide rate for Australian men and women did not change between 1991 and 2000 because marked decreases in older men and women (table 1) were offset by increases in younger adults, especially younger men.7”
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Results
Hints:
•Use subheadings
•Include negative and control results
•Give a clear idea of the magnitude of a response or a difference by reporting percent change or the percentage of difference rather than by quoting exact data
•Reserve the term “significant” for statistically significant
•Do not discuss rationale for statistical analyses
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Writing Results: tense
Use past tense, except to talk about how data are presented in the paper.
e.g.:We found that…Women were more likely to…Men smoked more cigarettes than…
BUT:Figure 1 shows…Table 1 displays…The data suggest
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Writing Results: tense
Example:Information was available for 7766 current cigarette smokers. Of these, 1216 (16%) were classified as hardcore smokers. Table 1 gives characteristics of all the smokers. The most striking difference was that hardcore smokers were about 10 years older on average and tended to be more dependent on tobacco. Significantly more hardcore smokers had manual occupations, lived in rented accommodation, and had completed their full time education by the age of 16 years. There was no difference
by sex.
FROM:Jarvis et al. Prevalence of hardcore smoking in England, and associated attitudes and beliefs: cross sectional study BMJ 2003;326:1061 (17 May)
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Writing Results: point of view
Use the experimenter point of view:
-more active
-since you can talk about the subjects of your experiments, “we” can be used sparingly while maintaining the active voice.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Writing Results: point of view
Comparison with Californian estimates
Using the same definition of hardcore smoking as adopted in the Californian study, we found a prevalence of 17% across all age groups and 19% among smokers aged 26 compared with a figure of 5% for this group in the US study. When we added the Californian requirement of 15 cigarettes a day to our criteria we found a prevalence of 10% among smokers aged 26, still twice the prevalence in California
FROM:Jarvis et al. Prevalence of hardcore smoking in England, and associated attitudes and beliefs: cross sectional study BMJ 2003;326:1061 (17 May)
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Writing Results: point of view
Differences in attitudes and beliefs by level of dependence
To test whether it was appropriate to exclude a measure of cigarette dependence from our criteria for defining hardcore smoking, we
compared attitudes and beliefs by dependence in hardcore and other smokers (table 4). For most items, beliefs were similar in low and high dependence hardcore smokers but strikingly different from those of other smokers. For example, almost 60% of both low and high dependency non-hardcore smokers agreed that improved health would be a major benefit from quitting whereas among hardcore smokers only 27% of low dependency and 32% of high dependency smokers agreed. Similar differentiation in beliefs by hardcore smoking status, but not dependence level, emerged for other items, especially those related to health.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Tables and Figures
Editors (and readers) look first (and maybe only) at titles, abstracts, and Tables and Figures!
Like the abstract, figures and tables should stand alone and tell a complete story.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Table Titles and Footnotes
Titles:
•Identify the specific topic or point of the table
•Use the same key terms in the title, the column headings, and the text of the paper
•Keep it brief
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Table Titles and Footnotes
Footnotes:
•Use superscript symbols to identify footnotes, according to journal guidelines:
•A standard series is: *, †,‡,¶,#,**,††, etc.
•Use footnotes to explain statistically significant differences
•E.g., *p<.01 vs. control by ANOVA
•Use footnotes to explain experimental details or abbreviations
•E.g., EDI is the Eating Disorder Inventory (reference)
•Amenorrhea was defined as 0-3 periods per year
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Table FormatsFormat:
Model your tables from already published tables! Don’t re-invent the wheel!!
•Use three horizontal lines: one above the column headings, one below the column heading, and one below the data
•Use a short horizontal line to group subheadings under a heading
•Follow journal guidelines RE:•roman or arabic numbers;•centered or flush left table number, title, column, headings, and data; •capital letters and italics;•the placement of footnotes; •the type of footnote symbols
Tables: baseline, descriptive data
Table 1. Base-Line Characteristics of the Women Who Underwent Radical Mastectomy and Those Who Underwent Breast-Conserving Therapy.
Veronesi et al. Twenty-Year Follow-up of a Randomized Study Comparing Breast-Conserving Surgery with Radical Mastectomy for Early Breast Cancer NEJM 347:1227-1232; October 17, 2002
Three horizontal lines
TABLE 1. Clinical and biochemical characteristics of control subjects and patients with anorexia nervosa From: Stoving: J Clin Endocrinol Metab, Volume 84(6).June 1999.2056-2063
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Figures
Use the fewest figures and tables needed to tell the story
Do not present the same data in both a figure and a table
Scientific Writing, HRP 214FiguresThree varieties of Figures:
1. Primary evidence • electron micrographs, gels, photographs, etc.• indicates data quality
2. Graphs• line graphs, bar graphs, scatter plots, histograms, boxplots, etc.
3. Drawings and diagrams• illustrate experimental set-up
• indicate flow of experiments or participants
• indicate relationships or cause and effect or a cycle
• give a hypothetical model
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Figure Legends
**Allows the figure to stand alone.
Contains:
1. Brief title
2. Experimental details
3. Definitions of symbols or line/bar patterns
4. Statistical information
Transcription of antisense RNA leading to gene silencing and methylation as a novel cause of human genetic diseaseCristina Tufarelli et al.Nature Genetics - Published online: 5 May 2003, doi:10.1038/ng1157
NEJM Zucca et al. 338 (12): 804, Figure 1 March 19, 1998
Figure 1. Histologic Patterns in the Evolution from Chronic Gastritis to Gastric Lymphoma.
Esposito, Paul W. MD. Trampoline Injuries. Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research. 1(409):43-52, April 2003.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Figures
Graphs• line graphs
• scatter plots
• bar graphs
• individual-value bar graphs
• histograms
• box plots
• relative risks
• survival curves
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Graphs
Exercise:
Which graphs work and why?
Which graphs confuse and why?
**Does the graph tell a simple story?
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Figures
Graphs• line graphs
*Used to show trends over time or age
(can display group means or individuals)
Figure 3. Hypertension Prevalences in 6 European and 2 North American Countries, Men and Women Combined, by Age Group
JAMA Vol. 289 No. 18, May 14, 2003
Figure 3. Effect of Weight Loss on Serum Leptin Concentrations and Expression of the ob Gene in Seven Obese Subjects, Expressed as a Percentage of the Initial Value. Considine et al. NEJM 334: 292; February 1, 1996
From:
Oral topiramate for treatment of alcohol dependence: a randomised controlled trial
Johnson et al. The Lancet. Volume 361;17 May 2003
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Tables and Figures
Figure 2: Change in self-reported drinking outcomes from baseline (week 0) by study week
Fig. 1. Sleep-dependent learning of a texture discrimination task: Subjects were trained and then retested at a later time. Each subject was retested only once, and each point represents a separate group of subjects. (A) Improvement across a night's sleep. Subjects were trained and then retested either 3 to 12 hours later on the same day (open circles) or after 8 to 24 hours after a night's sleep (filled circles). All told, n = 57, with n = 7 to 9 for individual points. Error bars = SEM. (B) Improvement across a week. Solid bars: Subjects were retested the same day as training (day = 0) or after 1 to 7 days (n = 122). Open bar: Subjects were sleep deprived the night after training and retested after a total of 3 days (n = 11). Error bars = SEM. (C) Overnight improvement was correlated with both the amount of SWS (solid squares) and of REM (open circles) in each quarter of the night, and the Pearson correlation coefficient was plotted (n = 12). Significant correlations were seen for the percentages of time spent in SWS during the first quarter of the night (SWS1) and in REM during
the last quarter of the night (REM4). (D) SWS1 was multiplied by REM4 for each subject and plotted against
the individual's overnight improvement. From Stickgold et al. (11, 12). From: Stickgold: Science, Volume 294(5544).November 2, 2001.1052-1057
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Figures
Graphs• bar graphs
*Used to compare groups at one time point
*Tells a quick visual story
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
FIGURE 2- Relationship between BMC of the forearm/heel and time since menarche. *Significantly different than forearm BMC of group 1 (< 1 yr since menarche); BMCA: forearm BMC; BMCH: heel BMC.
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 2003; 35(5):720-729
Figures: bar graphs
Figure 1. Bone mineral density of amenorrheic (gray bars) and eumenorrheic athletes (black bars). Asterisk indicates P<.01; error bars indicate SE. From: Rencken: JAMA, Volume 276(3).July 17, 1996.238-240
Comparison of the total loads accumulated in Tour and Vuelta. Phases I, II, and III are intensity phases below the ventilatory threshold (VT), between VT and the respiratory compensation point (RCP), and above RCP, respectively…. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 2003; 35(5):872-878
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Figures
Graphs• scatter plots
*Used to show relationships between two variables (particularly linear correlation)
*Allows reader to see individual data points=more information!
Figure 1. The Relation between the Percentage of Body Fat and the Serum Leptin Concentration in 136 Normal-Weight and 139 Obese Subjects.
Considine et al. Serum Immunoreactive-Leptin Concentrations in Normal-Weight and Obese Humans NEJM 334: 292; February 1, 1996
Figure 2. Correlation between Expression of the ob Gene in Adipocytes and the Percentage of Body Fat in 27 Normal-Weight and 27 Obese Subjects. The data are expressed as the ratio of ob cDNA to actin cDNA. There was no difference in the amount of actin cDNA among the subjects studied.
Considine et al. NEJM 334: 292; February 1, 1996
Fig. 4. Individual subject ApEn scores of GH secretion (m = 1; r = 20% sd) and cortisol secretion (m = 1; r = 80% sd) in normal weight women ([white four pointed star]) and in women with AN ([white diamond suit]). Horizontal lines represent the median values. *, P 0.05 (AN vs. controls). From: Stoving: J Clin Endocrinol Metab, Volume 84(6).June 1999.2056-2063
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Figures
Graphs• survival curves
•Compares probability of failure (or survival) of two or more groups
Cumulative Hazard: WHI
On hormones
On placebo
Hazard ratio = instantaneous
rate ratio
Nominal confidence intervalAdjusted CI;
adjusted for “multiple
comparisons”
Women’s health Initiative, JAMA, 2002
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Figures
Graphs•Boxplots and histograms
•To show or compare data distributions
Box Plot
90
100
110
120
130
140
150
160
170
P O U N D S
maximum (163.9)
interquartile range
whisker
75th percentile (138.6)
minimum (93.9)
25th percentile (115.5)
median (127.0)
A quartile = a quarter of the data
x
Histogram
80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 1600
5
10
15
20
25
Percent
POUNDS
Data are divided into 10-pound groups (called “bins”).
With only one woman <100 lbs, this bin represents <1% of the total 120-women sampled.
Percent of total that fall in the 10-pound interval.
85-95
95-105
105-115
115-125125-135
135-145
145-155155-165
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Figures
Graphs•Confidence intervals/relative risks
•To show dose-response of a protective or harmful factor
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Diagrams and Drawings
Figure 2. Relation between altitude and inspired oxygen pressure From: Peacock: BMJ, Volume 317(7165).October 17, 1998.1063-1066
Scientific Writing, HRP 214Diagrams and Drawings
Figure 5. Effect of hypoxia on central nervous system From: Peacock: BMJ, Volume 317(7165).October 17, 1998.1063-1066
NEJM Talan et al. 340 (2): 85;January 14, 1999
Figure 1. Location of Wound Infections in 50 Patients Bitten by Dogs and 57 Patients Bitten by Cats.
Drawings: illustrate cause and effect/relationships
Figure 2: Proposed pathways among disordered eating, menstrual irregularity, and low BMD. Solid lines represent associations suggested by the current study; dashed lines represent associations suggested by previous studies.
Figure 3. Model of the Difference in the Rate of Progression to AIDS between Patients with HLA-B*35-Px and Those with HLA-B*35-PY.
Xiaojiang Gao
Gao et al. Effect of a Single Amino Acid Change in MHC Class I Molecules on the Rate of
Progression to AIDS NEJM 344:1668-1675; May 31, 2001
Figure 6. Possible origin of partially committed keratinocyte stem cells, and their specific association. We have demonstrated that the three concentric regions of the hair follicle (ORS, IRS, and shaft) originate from distinct progenitor cells. As discussed in the text, three possibilities can be envisaged for the origin of these cells: (A) they may derive from a totipotent keratinocyte stem cell that is still present and operative in the mature hair follicle; (B) they may derive from a totipotent progenitor cell during development, but exist as independent entities in the mature hair follicle; (C) they may be intrinsically the same, but become committed to differentiate along different pathways in response to stimuli from the local environment. For three progenitor cells to come together and originate a hair follicle, they must either interact specifically with each other (D), or use a specific anchoring mechanism, which could be provided by dermal papilla cells and/or their extracellular matrix (E). This latter mechanism could contribute to the hair-inducing capability of dermal papilla cells (DP), together with the likely, but as yet elusive release of hair-inducing growth factors (GF). From: Kamimura: J Invest Dermatol, Volume 109(4).October 1997.534-540
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
1. Eminent, imminent, immanent
Eminent: outstanding, famous
Imminent: about to happen
Immanent: inherent (often religious context)
The book was written by an eminent authority.
Given the latest clashes, the war was clearly imminent.
He believed in the immanent unity of nature taught by the Hindus.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
2. Emigrate and immigrate
Emigrate is to move out of a country.
Immigrate is to move into a country.
She emigrated from Poland and immigrated to the United States.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
3. Epidemic, endemic, pandemic
Epidemic: describes a disease that quickly and severely affects lots of people and then subsides (From Greek: epi= upon + demos=people: literally ‘upon the people’)
Endemic: describes a disease that is continually present in an area and affects a relatively small number of people (en=within + demos=people; means ‘native’)
Pandemic: describes a widespread epidemic that may affect entire continents or even the world (pan=all + demos=people: literally ‘all people’)
There was an epidemic of SARS in Hong Kong last month.Malaria is endemic to that part of South Africa.AIDS is a pandemic.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
4. Flaunt and flout
Flaunt is to display ostentatiously Flout is to openly disregard
The dot-com millionaires liked to flaunt their wealth.The dot-commers flouted the usual conventions—spending
recklessly and flagrantly—until the bust.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
5. Sex and gender
Use sex for biological differences
Use gender for cultural or social differences
They determined the sex of the organism from a karyotype.
He flouted traditional gender roles by being a stay-at-home dad.
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
BONUS TOPIC: redundancy
Which are redundant?HIV virusG6PD deficiencyROC curveSAS software
And with a little international flair…Rio Grande riverSierra Nevada mountains
Scientific Writing, HRP 214
BONUS TOPIC: redundancy
YES:HIV virus—human immunodeficiency virus virusRio Grande river—Big River riverSierra Nevada mountains—Sawtoothed Mountain
Range Covered in Snow mountains
NO:G6PD deficiency—glucose-6-phosphate
dehydrogenase deficiencyROC curve—receiver operator characteristic curveSAS software—statistical analysis system software