This study used a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method based on the growth hormone pseudogene (GHp) in chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) to determine genetic sex. The GHp is present as a single copy in the genome of the male chinook salmon but is absent in the female, providing a means of using this real-time qPCR method to discriminate genetic sex. Comparisons between genomic DNA samples from 2 geographically distinct populations of chinook salmon (Columbia River, Washington, and Yukon River, Alaska) showed, within each population examined, that the males were clearly differentiated from the females. There were no interpopulation differences between males or females. The advantages of this real-time qPCR method are that it is rapid, is amenable to high sample throughput, and provides an accurate numerical value that allows comparisons between samples by statistical methods.
The probability unit in a first statistics course is difficult to teach because there is not much time, the concepts and mechanics are difficult, and the students do not see the relevance of learning it. Research by Cosmides and Tooby (1996) supports our findings that instructors should avoid fractions and decimals and capitalize on students' affinity for counting things. In addition, we avoid the use of normal tables at the beginning of our discussion of continuous random variables by using uniform and triangular distributions. These ideas may be used in traditionally structured classes or in group-based and activitybased classes.
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