Week 41 - Sampling

Although last week I actually started period 1 of my first trial here at our nutrition lab, this was the week of data collection, and I have to say that it all went pretty well. I was pretty nervous that I might miss something or one of my interns might lose something or mix something from the wrong subsamples. Sure, it took just a bit longer than we expected to get the subsampling done, but we got better day by day and will only get faster.

Since the understanding of sub-sampling and the theory behind it seems to be pretty weak among graduate students, I thought I'd spend a few minutes elaborating on the basics of sub-sampling and why we do it. It's pretty simple shit, kids.

1) Sub-sampling is the sampling of a larger pool of available options.
2) The idea of sampling is that you have a population and a guess of what that population looks like can be achieved by taking pieces of it. In my case, this is achieved by collecting all of it, after taking many random samples throughout the rumen, but in other cases it is achieved by controlling group size and sample location to get lots of variety in the sample.
3) Then you want to sub-sample. This is just taking some out, but doing it randomly again. In theory, if you have randomly sampled, and then you randomly sample from that sample, then you will have smaller and more numerous sub-samples to have for experiments.

What people never seem to understand is the importance of getting a representative sample in the first place and how this is done. Make sure your sample is mixed well (equilibrium, stir-bars, shaking, shuffling, mixers). Make sure your sample is taken from arbitrary locations in a greater field. Keep these location samples even in size (otherwise you will weight the results towards the data coming from the larger - or smaller - fields). Store, preserve and handle your samples correctly (seriously, how many times do people have to leave samples to freeze beyond their storage and melt down, releasing disproportionate matter relative to the sample?). Keep backups and good labels (and don't store your backup in the same place as your primary sample - what's the point?). And train other people to sample in person (just because your directions say to do something, that doesn't mean they know how to do it).

In other news, the baby rolls right on through the growing stage with good doctor updates and we're talking about a June 20th induction before the OBGYN goes on vacation with his family. So the big day is rapidly approaching and we're started to get ready for the trip to the hospital. With our pre-registration comes the first big headache with pregnancies - in$urance. The hospital calls and says that payment is required before arrival, but don't believe them. You shouldn't pay anything until you get done and it's billed through the proper channels. They're just bitter about the people who don't follow through. We're not those people and we ought to be treated better.

Baptism class was this weekend as the congregation plans to move into the family center during sanctuary expansion. Let me just say quickly that I was very disappointed in the baptism class. Being a Lutheran (LCMS), I could have taught this Catholic class with stricter keeping to the scripture and meaning of baptism than this woman did. I thought we were there to learn, but apparently we were there just to generalize about baptism and to learn how to fill out papers correctly. Some Christians have far too low of standards for the education of their children and family in the faith - we will not be among them.

Betsy, sound asleep at home.

My wife feeding the sheep, AND the dog. Both seem to love corn.

Sheep have finally arrived at our residence and this time for good. Phil, the large ram, won't take crap from Betsy and he makes for a much better sheep-chaser-breaker than I could have hoped. Betsy now slows down, respects the ram and is only friendly with the other sheep, who do not run. Next sheep over to the house will be our 4-H'er's wether for the county fair in September. With the sheep at the house and Betsy adapted, she has sunk into thinking she's one of them. She sleeps heavier at night with a purpose to achieve in the morning of protecting (and playing with) the group.

Related to the sheep, we finally burned up the big pile of clear-out from the fence project that was stacked behind the barn. With the cool weather, there's nothing better than a big fire with friends and s'mores.

Got to love those big hot fires!

Still burning the next day (8 ft. fencepost in fire for size reference).