We included interaction terms between each vignette and covariate (e.g. between first vignette and age groups) and tested for all parameters of the vignette covariate interactions (Wald's test) to be equal to zero (global test for VE) (27).
The amplification efficiencies of the target genes and the reference genes were tested to be approximately equal not varying more than 5% from each other.
The efficiency of target and reference amplifications was tested to be approximately equal.
The proportions of losses of microsatellites on the wild-type and mutant alleles were tested to see if they were equal using a χ test, and the difference did not reach significance (P=0.22).
Primer concentrations were tested to ensure equal amplification efficiency between aromatase and 18S.
The equivalence testing that was used in reliability analysis was performed by two one-sided t-tests, which tested paired differences to be equal [ 38].
Preoperatively, all sensations were tested and checked to be equal on right and left knees and also equal in the medial and lateral quadrants on either side of the midline over each knee.
The amplification efficiencies of RHOXF2 and TKTL1 in human and other non-human primates were tested and proven to be equal.
