Information Content Research Articles

Digilite Content Management System Digital Library Lite

Digital library is a system that organizes and provides access to digital information content. Unlike conventional publishing, which has physical content like books, journals, and journals, digital publishing offers content in electronic format that can be accessed through a computer or other device connected to the internet. It allows users to search, download, and create various types of content, such as e-books, articles, videos, and more, from various sources. In the rapidly evolving digital era, effective and efficient content management is crucial for organizations, businesses, and individuals who want to build online presence. Content Management Systems (CMS) are a useful tool for creating, editing, and distributing content on the web without technical knowledge about coding. CMS provides user-friendly tools, allowing users to easily use text, images, videos, and other elements in their sites. Web-based digital library is a platform that uses CMS to create and distribute content without requiring technical knowledge. Users can search, download, and create digital content from various sources connected to the internet. CMS also provides a user-friendly interface and allows users to manage content efficiently, making it an ideal solution for various web publishing needs, from personal blogs to large business portals. Digital library is designed for ease of use and infrastructure, avoiding various issues. It can help create a modern, literate culture and contribute to the development of a more efficient and user-friendly system.

The Genetic Diversity of 69 Widely Used Chinese Sorghum Hybrids Released between the 1970s and 2010s

Sorghum has a long history of cultivation in China. In this study, we aimed to clarify the genetic relationships and genetic variation trends in widely used Chinese sorghum hybrids which were released from the 1970s to 2010s and attempted to analyze the changes in sorghum breeding. A total of 257 alleles were detected by 51 polymorphic SSR markers among 69 widely used hybrids; an average of 5.04 alleles were detected by each marker. The average Shannon’s index and polymorphism information content (PIC) of markers were 1.39 and 0.70, respectively. Nei’s genetic diversity index continuously increased in four different breeding development stages (1973–1982, 1983–1992, 1993–2002, and 2003–2014). Genetic diversity gradually increased among the sorghum hybrids. Genetic similarity coefficients in the four breeding development stages first showed an increasing trend, and then a decreasing trend, finally stabilizing with an average value of 0.65. The genetic similarity changes in hybrids in early and late maturing areas were consistent at different breeding development stages. The genetic similarity coefficients in late maturing areas were constantly higher than those in the early maturing areas. This is related to China’s creative utilization of A2 cytoplasmic male sterile materials in the 1990s. A cluster analysis determined that 69 hybrids were divided into two groups, A and B. Group A could be further subdivided into four subgroups. These findings could provide a reference for parental selection and hybrid breeding in sorghum improvement programs.

Lossy Image Compression with Stochastic Quantization

Introduction. Lossy image compression algorithms play a crucial role in various domains, including graphics, and image processing. As image information density increases, so do the resources required for processing and transmission. One of the most prominent approaches to address this challenge is color quantization, proposed by Orchard et al. (1991). This technique optimally maps each pixel of an image to a color from a limited palette, maintaining image resolution while significantly reducing information content. Color quantization can be interpreted as a clustering problem (Krishna et al. (1997), Wan (2019)), where image pixels are represented in a three-dimensional space, with each axis corresponding to the intensity of an RGB channel. The purpose of the paper. Scaling of traditional algorithms like K-Means can be challenging for large data, such as modern images with millions of colors. This paper reframes color quantization as a three-dimensional stochastic transportation problem between the set of image pixels and an optimal color palette, where the number of colors is a predefined hyperparameter. We employ Stochastic Quantization (SQ) with a seeding technique proposed by Arthur et al. (2007) to enhance the scalability of color quantization. This method introduces a probabilistic element to the quantization process, potentially improving efficiency and adaptability to diverse image characteristics. Results. To demonstrate the efficiency of our approach, we present experimental results using images from the ImageNet dataset. These experiments illustrate the performance of our Stochastic Quantization method in terms of compression quality, computational efficiency, and scalability compared to traditional color quantization techniques. Conclusions. This study introduces a scalable algorithm for solving the color quantization problem without memory constraints, demonstrating its efficiency on a subset of images from the ImageNet dataset. The convergence speed of the algorithm can be further enhanced by modifying the update rule with alternative methods to Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD) that incorporate adaptive learning rates. Moreover, the stochastic nature of the proposed solution enables the utilization of parallelization techniques to simultaneously update the positions of multiple quants, potentially leading to significant performance improvements. This aspect of parallelization and its impact on algorithm efficiency presents a topic for future research. The proposed method not only addresses the limitations of existing color quantization techniques but also opens up new possibilities for optimizing image compression algorithms in resource-constrained environments. Keywords: non-convex optimization, stochastic optimization, stochastic quantization, color quantization, lossy compression.

Salt-responsive miRNA-SSR markers from Dongxiang wild rice: characterization and potential application in exploring salt-tolerant genetic resources

Abstract MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in regulating salt tolerance in Dongxiang wild rice (DXWR, Oryza rufipogon Griff.). The development of salt-responsive miRNA-simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers will significantly bolster research on DXWR, providing novel tools for exploring salt-tolerant genetic resources and advancing the development of salt-tolerant rice varieties. In the present study, a total of 137 miRNA-SSR markers were successfully developed, specifically derived from miRNAs responsive to salt stress in DXWR. Subsequently, a subset of 20 markers was randomly selected for validation across three distinct DXWR populations, along with 35 modern rice varieties. Notably, 13 of these markers exhibited remarkable polymorphism. The polymorphic markers collectively amplified 52 SSR loci, averaging four alleles per locus. The polymorphism information content values associated with these loci spanned from 0.23 to 0.70, with a mean value of 0.49. Particularly noteworthy is the miR162a-SSR marker, which demonstrated distinct allelic patterns and holds potential as a diagnostic marker for discriminating the salt-tolerant rice varieties from the non-tolerant varieties. This study provides a valuable tool for genetic analysis and precision breeding, facilitating the identification and utilization of valuable salt-tolerant genetic resources.

Progeny Selection and Genetic Diversity in a Pinus taeda Clonal Seed Orchard

The present article describes the development of an improved Pinus taeda clonal seed orchard adapted to the edaphoclimatic conditions of Uruguay. Initially, 2068 hectares distributed in nine companies were prospected, and 124 plus trees were identified based on growth, straightness, and health traits. These trees were clonally propagated via grafting to establish a clonal seed orchard. For the genetic evaluation of the orchard, two progeny tests were carried out in the Rivera and Paysandú municipalities. Quantitative genetic analyses allowed us to identify a simple genotype–environment interaction and an expected genetic gain for volumes of 17%, 13%, and 8% for selection intensities of 12%, 25%, and 50%, respectively. Moreover, the genetic diversity of the 124 clones of the orchard was assessed using 10 microsatellite markers. The fingerprinting profiles allowed us to identify a total of 224 alleles. The polymorphism information content of the different markers was in the range of 0.594 to 0.895. The combined probability of identity and probability of identity among siblings had a discrimination power of 8.26 × 10–14 and 5.91 × 10–5, respectively. Analysis of the genetic structure demonstrated that the seed orchard population was not structured by the supplier.

Stock Splits Puzzle: An Additional Answer From Pre‐Split Earnings Announcements

ABSTRACTIf stock splits are used by managers to convey private information to the public, we hypothesize that the information content of splits should be related to the information managers reveal during quarterly earnings announcements. Supporting this hypothesis, we find that post‐split stock returns and operating earnings growth are positively correlated with the 5‐day returns around the last earnings announcement prior to the splits. This relationship holds even after controlling for different characteristics, including size, book‐to‐market, and momentum. These findings add new evidence to the rich literature on the signaling hypothesis regarding the motivation behind this corporate event.

Novel discretized gravitational search algorithm for effective medical hyperspectral band selection

Medical hyperspectral imaging present a promising avenue for non-invasive diagnostic methods for diseases. Nonetheless, the sparsity of medical hyperspectral data within high-dimensional spaces introduces the “curse of dimensionality”, which diminishes the efficiency and accuracy of data processing efforts. Therefore, spectral dimensionality reduction emerges as an essential process in the analysis and utilization of MHSIs data. To retain the intrinsic properties of the spectral bands, an effective unsupervised band selection algorithm is proposed leveraging the gravitational search algorithm (GSA-UBS) to identify the optimal band subset. Taking into account the informational content and redundancy among candidate bands, a comprehensive evaluation criterion is established that incorporates a band distance matrix and an information entropy vector. Additionally, a straightforward discrete search strategy is developed that enables gravitational search algorithm to directly retrieve the original sequence numbers of the selected bands, bypassing the conventional 0–1 band weighting approach. The extensive evaluation of GSA-UBS on three publicly available invivo brain cancer MHSIs datasets and a remote sensing hyperspectral image demonstrates its superior performance compared to various state-of-the-art methods. The source code for GSA-UBS can be accessed at https://github.com/zhangchenglong1116/GSA_UBS.

Development of SSR markers for genetic diversity analysis and species identification in Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce based on transcriptome sequences.

Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce is a well-known traditional Chinese herb belonging to the Polygonatum. However, the understanding of the genetic diversity of this species at the molecular level is limited due to the lack of transcriptomic and genomic information. In this study, 37,387 unigenes were assembled based on the transcriptome sequencing of the rhizome of Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce., and 11,021 single- sequence repeats (SSR) motifs, mainly consisting of single-nucleotide repeats (44.44%), dinucleotides (31.06%), and trinucleotides (22.59%), were identified. Based on these SSR motifs, 9,987 primer pairs of SSR markers were designed and 68 SSR markers were randomly selected for verification, of which 21 SSR markers showed polymorphisms among the 24 Polygonatum odoratum germplasms. Ninety-four alleles were detected: the observed alleles ranged from 2 to 11, the effective alleles varied from 1.086 8 to 4.916 8, the Shannon diversity index was 0.173 2~1.749 7, and the polymorphism information content PIC ranged from 0.076 7 to 0.803 9. Based on our analysis of genetic diversity (SSR genotypes) and population structure, we divided the 24 germplasm resources into two groups, indicating that the germplasm with similar geographical origins can be grouped together. In addition, the primers 'YZ14' and 'YZ47' could effectively distinguished the related species: Polygonatum kingianum Coll.et Hemsl., Polygonatum sibiricum Red., Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua, Polygonatum zanlanscianense Pamp. and Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce. This is the first study in which a dataset of expressed sequence tag (EST)-SSR markers is constructed for the Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce, and these newly developed EST-SSR markers provided a very efficient tool for genetic relationship analysis, species identification and marker-assisted selection breeding of Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce.

Exploring Sampling Strategies and Genetic Diversity Analysis of Red Beet Germplasm Resources Using SSR Markers

By using 14 SSR primer pairs, we here analyzed and compared the amplification results of 534 DNA samples from six red sugar beet germplasm resources under three treatments. These data were used to explore the sampling strategy for the aforementioned resources. Based on the sampling strategy results, 21 SSR primer pairs were used to evaluate the genetic diversity of 47 red sugar beet germplasm resources. The six population genetic parameters used for exploring the sampling strategy unveiled that individual plants within the population had a relatively large genetic distance. The genetic parameters Ne, I, and Nei’s of the randomly mixed sampling samples increased rapidly between 10 and 30 plants before decreasing. Therefore, when SSR technology was used to analyze the genetic diversity of the red sugar beet germplasm resources, the optimal sampling gradient for each population was the adoption of a random single-plant mixed sampling sample of no less than 10 plants and no more than 30 plants. The 21 SSR primer pairs were used to detect genetic diversity in 30 random mixed samples of 47 resources. The average polymorphic information content (PIC) was 0.5738, the average number of observed alleles (Na) was 4.1905, the average number of effective alleles (Ne) was 2.8962, the average Shannon’s information index (I) was 1.1299, the average expected heterozygosity (Nei’s) was 0.6127, and the average expected heterozygosity (He) was 0.6127. The genetic distance of the 47 germplasm resources ranged from 0.0225 to 0.551 (average: 0.316). According to the population structure analysis, the most suitable K value was six, which indicated the presence of six populations. Based on the clustering analysis results, the 47 germplasm resources were segregated into six groups, with obvious clustering and some germplasm resources noted for having groups with close genetic relationships. We here established a more accurate and scientific sampling strategy for analyzing the genetic diversity of red sugar beet germplasm resources by using SSR molecular markers. The findings provide a reference for collecting and preserving red sugar beet germplasms and protecting their genetic diversity.

Right to information: legal positions of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine

The article reveals the legal positions of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine regarding everyone’s right to information. Attention is focused on information that is collected by state authorities, local self-government bodies, institutions and organizations, and which is not a state or other secret protected by the Law of Ukraine «On Information» and which every person has the right to familiarize himself with. Separate attention is focused on confidential information (information with limited access). One of the types of confidential information is medical information, which, on the one hand, in special cases provided for by the Fundamentals of the Health Care Legislation of Ukraine, can be disclosed to family members or a legal representative of the patient, and on the other hand, in accordance with the decision of the European Court of Human Rights person in the case of «M.K. against Ukraine» confirmation by a doctor of a patient’s illness to a member of his family, even if he learned about it from the patient himself, is an interference by the state in a person’s right to private life, and in the case of infectious diseases, it is qualified as not carried out «in accordance with the law». Attention is focused on the fact that such situations arise more and more when military personnel undergo medical examinations and that there are prohibitive norms of a special law that forbid the disclosure of medical information regarding a certain list of diseases of a military personnel to his employer (military unit), commander, family members of the military personnel. Regarding the confidentiality of information and about a person who holds a position related to the performance of the functions of the state, local self-government bodies, and about members of his family, the legal positions of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine are established: absolutely in each specific case it is determined whether information about a person belongs to confidential; there are guarantees of protection of the rights of the above-mentioned persons, and additional legal burdens, and therefore the state is called upon to ensure a balance of public and private interest. The article also draws attention to the fact that even under martial law conditions, control (direct; indirect) by institutions of public power is prohibited both in terms of content and dissemination of information, even if the state pursues such a goal as protecting the information space from what is considered harmful by the state information that is not necessary for society. The practice of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine on this issue is established. Attention is focused on the fact that censorship cannot be used in Ukraine to protect the information field of the state even in war conditions - it is prohibited in part 3 of Art. 15 of the Constitution of Ukraine.

Communication: concept, essence, content

The article provides a theoretical analysis of the essence and content of communication, which, being an element of social interaction, ensures the transmission and exchange of information in various spheres of human activity. The analysis of linguistic, socio-psychological, activity, cultural, informational and semiotic approaches carried out in the article made it possible to understand the diversity of ideas about communication, to formulate a more complete idea of its essence and content. It also made it possible to identify inaccuracies and discrepancies in the understanding of the concept of communication, which is important for further development and clarification of the theoretical and applied aspects of this problem, and will also contribute to the development of recommendations on the formation of effective interaction and dialogue, reducing misunderstandings, avoiding conflicts and improving the quality of relations, including and legal. The article analyzes the key components of communication. Special attention is paid to its essence, which consists in creating and maintaining social relationships. It plays an important role in the formation of social consciousness, cultural identity and social integration. Communication ensures the coordination of actions and decision-making, promotes the exchange of knowledge and experience, as well as the formation of public opinion. Emphasis is placed on the fact that, by its very nature, it is a multifaceted and dynamic process, covering various aspects of interaction between people. Such interactions include verbal and non-verbal means of communication, emotional and rational components, and social and cultural contexts. It contributes to the preservation of cultural heritage and adaptation to changes in society. It is substantiated that the main purpose of communication is the transfer and exchange of information, knowledge, emotions and ideas to achieve mutual understanding. It was found that the content of communication includes informational, emotional, motivational and evaluative aspects. Informational content refers to facts, data, and knowledge that are conveyed during communication. The emotional aspect reflects the emotional state of subjects and affects their perception of information. The motivational aspect is related to the intentions and goals that drive communication. The evaluative aspect includes the evaluation of information and the reaction to it, which determines the course of communication and the subsequent behavior of subjects.

Interaction of motor behaviour, cortical oscillations and deep brain stimulation in Parkinson disease

Abstract Recent progress in the study of Parkinson's disease (PD) has highlighted the pivotal role of beta oscillations within the basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical network in modulating motor symptoms. Predominantly manifesting as transient bursts, these beta oscillations are central to the pathophysiology of PD motor symptoms, especially bradykinesia. Our central hypothesis is that increased bursting duration in cortex, coupled with kinematics of movement, disrupts the typical flow of neural information, leading to observable changes in motor behavior in PD. To explore this hypothesis, we employed an integrative approach, analyzing the interplay between moment-to-moment brain dynamics and movement kinematics, and the modulation of these relationships by therapeutic deep brain stimulation (DBS). Local field potentials were recorded from the hand motor (M1) and premotor cortical (PM) areas, and internal Globus Pallidus (GPi) in 26 PD patients undergoing DBS implantation surgery. Participants executed rapid alternating hand movements in 30-second blocks, both with and without therapeutic pallidal stimulation. Behaviorally, the analysis revealed bradykinesia, with hand movement cycle width increasing linearly over time during DBS-OFF blocks. Crucially, there was a moment-to-moment correlation between M1 low beta burst duration and movement cycle width, a relationship that dissipated with therapeutic DBS. Further analyses suggest that high gamma activity correlates with enhanced motor performance with DBS-ON. Regardless of the nature of coupling, DBS’s modulation of cortical bursting activity appeared to amplify the brain signals’ informational content regarding instantaneous movement changes. Our findings underscore that DBS significantly reshapes the interaction between motor behavior and neural signals in PD, not only modulating specific bands but also expanding the system's capability to process and relay information for motor control. These insights shed light on the possible network mechanisms underlying DBS therapeutic effects, suggesting a profound impact on both neural and motor domains.

When echoes surpass voices: Market reaction to forwarded news

We examine the impacts of two types of news, forwarded news and novel news, on market reactions and investor attention in the Chinese stock market. Surprisingly, we find that forwarded news evokes a stronger market reaction than novel news. To understand this phenomenon, we investigate and find three mechanisms through which forwarded news influences investor behavior: filtering, verification, and amplification effects. The filtering effect shows that forwarded news, having been selected for resharing, contains information content that has persistent effects on stock return. The verification effect indicates that forwarded news, particularly following scandals involving news platforms, is perceived as more credible, thus eliciting a stronger market reaction. The amplification effect shows that the redistribution of news magnifies its reach and captures investor attention, leading to increased investor search and trading on the stocks. Moreover, the impact of forwarded news on investor attention is more pronounced for firms with greater information opacity. Our results show the distinctive roles of forwarded news and novel news in the financial market, highlighting the importance of considering the heterogeneity of news information.

Instagram Social Media Management Strategy @Disparbudpora_Bondowoso As A Communication Medium In Promoting Bondowoso District Tourism

This research is motivated by the concern of the Bondowoso Regency Government about falling behind Banyuwangi Regency in promoting one of their top tourist attractions, the Ijen Crater. The Ijen Crater has been recognized as part of the Global Geopark. Currently, many local and foreign tourists consider the Ijen Crater a Banyuwangi tourist destination because it spans two regions. The objectives of this research are first to understand the social media management by the @pariwisata_bondowoso account, and second to assess the impact and results of social media management in promoting tourism in Bondowoso Regency. This research employs a qualitative method. Data Data were collected using observation techniques, direct interviews, and documentation. The conclusion drawn is that the tourism promotion strategy implemented by Disparbudpora is quite good in providing informative and engaging content, but there are challenges in conducting evaluations, which have not been optimal. The impact of Disparbudpora Bondowoso's social media management in promoting tourism in Bondowoso Regency is evident from the followers' responses in the comment section, likes, and the reach achieved by the @pariwisata_bondowoso Instagram account. The result of the social media management by Disparbudpora is that followers receive relevant and high-quality information.

Investigation of the Use of Computer-aided Translation (CAT) Tools in Freelancing Practice in Saudi Arabia

To cope with large information content in today’s multilingual Saudi Arabia, translation services are essential. Like any other industry, translation practice was heavily affected by technological advances. Professionals in the translation field use technology like Computer-Aided Translation (CAT) tools to complete their translation tasks. Freelance translators are not exempt from this. This study examines the utilization of CAT tools in the freelance industry in Saudi Arabia. Fulford and Granell-Zafra (2005) have proposed a model that incorporates both information and Communication Technology (ICTs)and CAT tools, facilitating a diverse array of activities such as document creation, information search and retrieval, communication, business management, marketing, procurement, and translation. While CAT tools support document creation, business management, and translation, ICT tools are responsible for the remaining activates . This research aims to thoroughly analyze the characteristics of Saudi freelance translators who use CAT tools, evaluate their usage of CAT tools, and acquire valuable insights into their overall attitudes towards CAT tool. The data was gathered using the survey method and distributed among 98 Saudi freelance translators. The data was analyzed using SPSS descriptive analysis and frequency tables showing percentages of each respondent. The results show that Saudi freelance translators employed general-purpose software like MS Word and MS PowerPoint, whereas less interest was given to special-purpose software which represent CAT tools . The vast majority of the participants agreed on the positive effect of CAT tools. Finally,it may be beneficial to conduct further research to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the topic.

Relationship Between Heterosis and Genetic Distance Determined by SSR Markers in Oriental Tobacco

Hybrid cultivars could be beneficial to achieve high leaf yields while maintaining good quality properties in oriental tobacco. Identification of parents constitutes a major part of a hybrid breeding program. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between the genetic distance of parents determined by simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers and heterosis levels in hybrids produced from those parents for leaf yield and quality properties in oriental tobacco. Twenty-one hybrids produced by half diallel crossing among seven tobacco genotypes used in oriental tobacco production in Turkey were grown along with their parents in three locations in 2012 and 2013. Twenty-nine SSR markers were used to determine genetic distances among seven tobacco genotypes. A total of 80 alleles were produced by all twenty-nine markers. Average number of observed alleles per polymorphic marker was 2.96. Twenty-seven of 80 alleles were observed in only one of the seven parents. The polymorphic information content of markers varied from 0.215 to 0.810 (average 0.480). Mid-parent heterosis levels ranged from 18.03 to 42.00% for leaf number, between -19.75 and 38.06% for leaf width, between -17.51 and 36.25% for leaf length, between -34.38 and 76.12% for leaf yield, between -78.30 and 154.01% for sugar content and between -45.40 and 143.29% for nicotine content. Heterosis levels were correlated with genetic distances between parents for leaf number in Erbaa 2012 and Tokat 2012 locations, for leaf width in Erbaa 2013 location, for leaf length in Erbaa 2013 location, and for leaf yield in Tokat 2012 location only. SSR markers were very effective to determine genetic distance of oriental tobacco, and only two markers could distinguish all seven genotypes used in the study. The findings indicated that genetic distance determined by SSR markers used in the present study is not sufficient to predict hybrid performance in oriental tobacco.

Methodological and practical recommendations for improving the quality of forecasts of innovative development of science, technology and engineering

The generated long-term forecasts for the development of science, technology and engineering are widely used to determine priority areas of scientific and technological development. In an unstable economic situation, it is important to ensure the quality of forecasts, since they determine the priorities and priority areas for financing scientific and technological development projects. Therefore, the problem of improving the quality characteristics of long-term forecasts for the development of science, technology and engineering is relevant. The authors set the goal of determining a set of measures to improve. the quality of the generated forecasts, taking into account modern conditions of economic development, characterized by instability and sanctions restrictions. For this purpose, a systematic and integrated approach to the development of proposals is used. Complexity lies in a comprehensive analysis of the factors influencing the forecast results, and proposals are formed on the basis of a systematic account of the component indicators of forecast quality and mutual connections. The paper presents proposals to improve the accuracy, usefulness, information content, completeness and reliability of forecasts. The similarities and differences between the proposals and the existing ones are shown, and the directions for applying the developed recommendations by the participants in the formation of long-term forecasts for the development of science, technology and engineering are also revealed. The novelty of the article lies in the fact that the authors, based on the use of systematic and integrated approaches, have identified the main methodological and practical proposals for improving the quality characteristics of long-term forecasts for the development of science, technology and engineering. This will help improve the quality of scientific and technological forecasts and effectively spend budget funds to finance new projects formed on the basis of forecasting results.

The Relationship Between Executive Functioning and Narrative Language Abilities in Aphasia.

Although individuals with aphasia commonly exhibit challenges in executive functioning (EF) and spoken discourse, there is limited research exploring connections between these abilities within this specific population. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between verbal and nonverbal EF and narrative productions in aphasia using a multilevel linguistic approach. Participants included 22 persons with aphasia (PWA) and 24 age- and education-matched, neurologically healthy controls (NHC). All participants completed assessments for EF and a story retelling task. Narrative samples were analyzed for microlinguistic (productivity, lexical and syntactic features, semantic content, word and sentence errors) and macrolinguistic (coherence, informational content, organization, and language use) characteristics. Correlational analyses were employed to explore the relationships among narrative variables. EF factors, extracted from principal component analysis, were used as predictive variables in hierarchical stepwise regression analyses to evaluate their role in predicting narrative performances of PWA and NHC. Relative to NHC, PWA exhibited impaired narrative performance affecting both microlinguistic and macrolinguistic levels. Breakdowns at the structural level (i.e., reduced productivity, syntax, lexical retrieval, and diversity) correlated with impaired story completeness, organization, and connectedness; this relationship was more prominent for PWA. Three EF factors representing (1) verbal EF, (2) verbal and nonverbal fluency, and (3) nonverbal EF were extracted. Factors 1 and 2 largely predicted narrative performance, whereas Factor 3 (i.e., nonverbal EF) contributed prominently to predicting macrolinguistic discourse performance in both groups although accounting for less variance in the data. Overall, lower EF scores, particularly verbal EF variables, predicted poor narrative performance in both groups. Our results indicate that both linguistic and extralinguistic cognitive abilities play a role in story retelling performances among PWA. Notably, both verbal and nonverbal EF skills were found to be correlated with narrative abilities. However, the extent of their contributions varied depending on the discourse levels assessed. These findings provide a significant contribution to our understanding of the cognitive factors associated with breakdowns in discourse among PWA and highlight the importance of comprehensive assessment of EF and discourse within this population. https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.26485627.

Development of Cost-Effective SNP Markers for Genetic Variation Analysis and Variety Identification in Cultivated Pears (Pyrus spp.).

Pear (Pyrus spp.) is a major fruit crop in the Rosaceae family, and extensive efforts have been undertaken to develop elite varieties. With advances in genome sequencing technologies, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are commonly used as DNA markers in crop species. In this study, a large-scale discovery of SNPs was conducted using genotyping by sequencing in a collection of 48 cultivated pear accessions. A total of 256,538 confident SNPs were found on 17 chromosomes, and 288 SNPs were filtered based on polymorphic information content, heterozygosity rate, and genome distribution. This subset of SNPs was used to genotype an additional 144 accessions, consisting of P. pyrifolia (53), P. ussuriensis (27), P. bretschneideri (19), P. communis (26), interspecific hybrids (14), and others (5). The 232 SNPs with reliable polymorphisms revealed genetic variations between and within species in the 192 pear accessions. The Asian species (P. pyrifolia, P. ussuriensis, and P. bretschneideri) and interspecific hybrids were genetically differentiated from the European species (P. communis). Furthermore, the P. pyrifolia population showed higher genetic diversity relative to the other populations. The 232 SNPs and four subsets (192, 96, 48, and 24 SNPs) were assessed for variety identification. The 192 SNP subset identified 173 (90.1%) of 192 accessions, which was comparable to 175 (91.1%) from the 232 SNPs. The other three subsets showed 81.8% (24 SNPs) to 87.5% (96 SNPs) identification rates. The resulting SNPs will be a useful resource to investigate genetic variations and develop an efficient DNA barcoding system for variety identification in cultivated pears.

Study on Single Nucleotide Polymorphism of LAP3 Gene and Its Correlation with Dairy Quality Traits of Gannan Yak.

This study explored the polymorphism of the leucine aminopeptidase (LAP3) gene and its relationship with milk quality characteristics in Gannan yak. A cohort of 162 Gannan yak was genotyped utilizing the Illumina Yak cGPS 7K BeadChip, and the identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were evaluated for their association with milk protein, casein, lactose, and fat concentrations. The results showed that four SNPs (g.4494G > A, g.5919A > G, g.8033G > C, and g.15,615A > G) in the LAP3 gene exhibited polymorphism with information content values of 0.267, 0.267, 0.293, and 0.114, respectively. All four SNPs were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p > 0.05). The g.4494G > A and g.5919A > G SNPs were significantly associated with protein content (p < 0.05), with homozygous genotypes showing significantly higher protein content than heterozygous genotypes (p < 0.05). The g.8033G > C SNP was significantly associated with casein content, protein content, non-fat solids, and acidity (p < 0.05), with the CC genotype having significantly higher casein, protein, and non-fat solids content than the GG and GC genotypes (p < 0.05). The g.15,615A > G SNP was significantly associated with average fat globule diameter (p < 0.05). In general, the mutations within the LAP3 gene demonstrated a positive impact on milk quality traits in Gannan yak, with mutated genotypes correlating with enhanced milk quality. These results indicate that the LAP3 gene could be a significant or candidate gene affecting milk quality traits in Gannan yak and offer potential genetic markers for molecular breeding programs in this species.