The precision of the RSA analysis was assessed using double examinations in all patients at the 2-month follow-up; the second set was done after complete repositioning of the patient and equipment.
The ML analysis was assessed using 1000 replications of the LR-ELW edge support tests [ 24].
The relative intensity of the spleen was then calculated, and statistical significance for the image analysis was assessed using a two-tailed parametric analysis.
The statistical analysis was assessed using either Student's t-test or one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by a post hoc Bonferroni's test.
The effect of weight and cardiac output on each of the structural parameters (covariate analysis) was assessed using the minimum objective function of NONMEM, -2 × Log Likelihood (-2LL), to decide whether to accept or omit a covariate.
The experimental reproducibility of the gene copy number analysis was assessed using data from DNA isolated in 2 different laboratories (n = 3) or DNA isolated from different cultures in the same laboratory (n = 5).
The tree reliability under ML analysis was assessed using a bootstrap resampling of 100 replicates (BP) [ 87].
Sensitivity analysis was assessed using the Jackknife procedure by looking at the individual influence of a study and then repeating the analysis by excluding the studies with the largest weights.
Validity and reproducibility of the classification obtained with hierarchical cluster analysis was assessed using non-hierarchical k-means cluster analysis, in which the optimal number of clusters identified through hierarchical cluster analysis was pre-specified.
Interobserver agreement for identifying synovitis using visual analysis was assessed using the Cohen κ-test.
