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Technical note: A linear model for predicting δ 13 C protein
Author(s) -
Pestle William J.,
Hubbe Mark,
Smith Erin K.,
Stevenson Joseph M.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/ajpa.22743
Subject(s) - linear regression , isotopes of carbon , isotope , stable isotope ratio , regression analysis , value (mathematics) , regression , term (time) , linear model , chemistry , δ13c , mathematics , statistics , analytical chemistry (journal) , physics , chromatography , nuclear physics , quantum mechanics
Objective : Development of a model for the prediction of δ 13 C protein from δ 13 C collagen and Δ 13 C ap‐co . Model‐generated values could, in turn, serve as “consumer” inputs for multisource mixture modeling of paleodiet. Methods : Linear regression analysis of previously published controlled diet data facilitated the development of a mathematical model for predicting δ 13 C protein (and an experimentally generated error term) from isotopic data routinely generated during the analysis of osseous remains (δ 13 C co and Δ 13 C ap‐co ). Results : Regression analysis resulted in a two‐term linear model (δ 13 C protein (%) = (0.78 × δ 13 C co ) − (0.58× Δ 13 C ap‐co ) − 4.7), possessing a high R ‐value of 0.93 ( r 2 = 0.86, P < 0.01), and experimentally generated error terms of ±1.9% for any predicted individual value of δ 13 C protein . This model was tested using isotopic data from Formative Period individuals from northern Chile's Atacama Desert. Conclusions : The model presented here appears to hold significant potential for the prediction of the carbon isotope signature of dietary protein using only such data as is routinely generated in the course of stable isotope analysis of human osseous remains. These predicted values are ideal for use in multisource mixture modeling of dietary protein source contribution. Am J Phys Anthropol 157:694–703, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.