Generalized Procrustes Analysis Research Articles

Sex and ancestry variation in ulna morphology in an adult South African cadaveric sample

BackgroundSex and/or ancestry estimations based on skeletal elements are vital in forensics, as these variables are key to identification of unknown skeletal remains. Unfortunately, patterns of skeletal variation are often shared between sex and ancestry groups, making independent estimation of such variables less accurate, especially when substantial size differences exist both within and between groups. Geometric morphometric analysis allows isolation of the size component of variation, enabling independent and more sensitive detection of shape variation between groups. This creates the potential for more accurate estimations of sex and ancestry either independently or simultaneously, thus reducing the chances of compounding errors of estimation. This would be especially beneficial in heterogeneous populations, such as that of South Africa, where group separation may be affected by complicated genetic and environmental influences. MethodsThis study assessed sex and ancestry variation in morphology of 1894 ulnae of South African males and females of the country's three largest ancestry groups. Three-dimensional data was submitted to Generalized Procrustes Analysis for superimposition and scaling to a common centroid size. Mean centroid sizes and shapes were compared, and accuracy of sex, ancestry, or sex-ancestry estimation was assessed using Discriminant Function Analysis and leave-one-out cross-validation. Covariation with size, age and year-of-birth were assessed through regression analysis. ResultsMale ulnae were absolutely and proportionally larger than female ulnae, while Black individuals were similarly larger than Colored and White individuals. Based on this variation, sex could be estimated with 68.8 % accuracy, and ancestry with 73.6 % accuracy. Simultaneous sex-ancestry assessment showed similar morphological patterning and yielded a mean classification accuracy of 73.6 %. ConclusionsThese results have practical value for forensic application, where relatively poorly elements such as the ulna are often all that is available for analysis. Additionally, simultaneous estimation of sex and ancestry reduces compounding errors that may arise from first estimating one variable and basing the rest of the biological profile estimations thereon. Such improved estimations are of great potential value, especially in heterogeneous populations such as that of South Africa.

Statistical shape analysis of the lentiform nucleus of children of different age groups: a retrospective study.

The basal nuclei are important during infancy because of the significant development of motor skills. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the shape differences of the lentiform nucleus between different age and gender groups. A total of 126 children's axial magnetic resonance image series were included in the presented study. These images were grouped between 1 and 5yr old. Right and left lentiform nuclei are marked with selected landmarks using TPSDIG v2.04. Statistical shape analyses were examined by a Generalized Procrustes Analysis. Our results showed that there was no statistically significant difference in lentiform nucleus shape between genders. However, there was a difference between the shapes of the right and left lentiform nuclei between the 1-yr and 5-yr age groups. These results demonstrated the shape changes in the lentiform nucleus during the first 5yr of life. Further clinical studies based on our results may be used to gather more detailed information about movement disorders and neuronal development.

Identification of new lines resistance to blackleg in an Argentinian rapeseed-breeding program

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is the third most important oil crop worldwide and it has a high demand for its industrial characteristics that make it suitable for human consumption and production of biofuels. The main yield losses of the crop are produce by blackleg, caused by Leptosphaeria maculans (Desmaz.) Ces. and of Not. [Anamorph Phoma lingam (Tode ex Fr.) Desmaz]. In this context, 469 inbred lines (ILs) of the INTA-EEA Paraná breeding program were phenotypic characterized for its resistance to Blackleg by artificial inoculations with a local isolation. From the initial 469 ILs, a total of 59 (13%) were identified as phenotypically resistant and were characterized by molecular makers associated to resistant genes (Rlm1, Lepr3, Rpg3Dun, and Rlm4) with the aim to identify lines carrying different resistance genes to be selected as parental lines in the development of new resistant genotypes. Moreover, the resistant ILs were characterized for its agronomics performance, including yield; percentage of oil; and content of fatty acids, over two crop seasons (2018 and 2019). A Generalized Procrustes Analysis was conducted to correlate all the traits evaluated and identify elite lines. From the 59 resistants ILs, four lines were selected based on their high performances and multiple resistant gene combinations, as started lines to develop a pyramiding gene strategy. The selection of these elite lines to combine traditional breeding and gene-pyramiding based on MAS in our breeding program is a useful strategy to develop superior rapeseed genotypes.

Stability of parallel evolution in shell traits between the littoral and sublittoral ecotypes of the Antarctic limpet Nacella concinna along a 17-year time series

Abstract Ecotypes constitute valuable markers for understanding the phenotypic responses influenced by evolutionary forces and environmental variations. Assessing the role of these processes in establishing and maintaining ecotype divergence is essential for anticipating evolutionary responses to future climate shifts. We studied the evolutionary dynamics of phenotypic population structure between Nacella concinna ecotypes through a morphometric and temporal analysis (2004–2021) in Antarctica. This approach enables the assessment of contemporary evolutionary dynamics in the presence of biotic and abiotic factors, facilitating the inference of interactions between the acting forces. Using generalized Procrustes analysis, ecotypes were successfully discriminated by their lateral shell traits consistently persisting over the analysed period. Multivariate linear and univariate mixed models revealed a significant temporal effect on shell phenotypic variation, surpassing the effect of inter-ecotype differences. However, according to phenotypic trajectory analysis, this temporal effect did not alter the direction of the phenotypic trajectory of ecotype shell shape, which evolved in parallel during the time series. Despite the environmental variation, the evidence of parallel evolution might indicate the incidence of natural selection in ecotype divergence rather than relying solely on phenotypic plasticity. This work enhances our understanding of ecotype temporal changes and microevolution, underscoring the importance of long-term phenotypic monitoring.

Quantifying hominin morphological diversity at the end of the middle Pleistocene: Implications for the origin of Homo sapiens.

The Middle Pleistocene (MP) saw the emergence of new species of hominins: Homo sapiens in Africa, H. neanderthalensis, and possibly Denisovans in Eurasia, whose most recent common ancestor is thought to have lived in Africa around 600 ka ago. However, hominin remains from this period present a wide range of morphological variation making it difficult to securely determine their taxonomic attribution and their phylogenetic position within the Homo genus. This study proposes to reconsider the phenetic relationships between MP hominin fossils in order to clarify evolutionary trends and contacts between the populations they represent. We used a Geometric Morphometrics approach to quantify the morphological variation of the calvarium of controversial MP specimens from Africa and Eurasia by using a comparative sample that can be divided into 5 groups: H. ergaster, H. erectus, H. neanderthalensis, and H. sapiens, as well as individuals from current modern human populations. We performed a Generalized Procrustes Analysis, a Principal Component Analysis, and Multinomial Principal Component Logistic Regressions to determine the phenetic affinities of the controversial Middle Pleistocene specimens with the other groups. MP African and Eurasian specimens represent several populations, some of which show strong affinities with H. neanderthalensis in Europe or H. sapiens in Africa, others presenting multiple affinities. These MP populations might have contributed to the emergence of these two species in different proportions. This study proposes a new framework for the human evolutionary history during the MP.

Parametrization of the Calcaneus and Medial Cuneiform to Aid Potential Advancements in Flatfoot Surgery.

Flatfoot is a condition commonly seen in children; however, there is general disagreement over its incidence, characterization and correction. Painful flatfoot accompanied with musculoskeletal and soft tissue problems requires surgery to avoid arthritis in adulthood, the most common surgical approach being two osteotomies to the calcaneus and medial cuneiform bones of the foot. This study focuses on the parametrization of these two bones to understand their bone morphology differences in a population sample among 23 normal subjects. Population differences could help in understanding whether bone shape may be an important factor in aiding surgical planning and outcomes. A total of 45 sets of CT scans of these subjects were used to generate surface meshes of the two bones and converted to be iso-topological meshes, simplifying the application of Generalized Procrustes Analysis and Principal Component Analysis, allowing the main sources of variation between the subjects to be quantified. For the calcaneus, 16 Principal Components (PCs) and, for the medial cuneiform, 12 PCs were sufficient to describe 90% of the dataset variability. The quantitative and qualitative analyses confirm that for the calcaneus PC1 describes the Achilles attachment location and PC2 largely describes the anterior part of the bone. For the medial cuneiform, PC1 describes the medial part of the bone, while PC2 mainly describes the superior part. Most importantly, the PCs did not seem to describe the osteotomy sites for both bones, suggesting low population variability at the bone cutting points. Further studies are needed to evaluate how shape variability impacts surgical outcomes. Future implications could include better surgical planning and may pave the way for complex robotic surgeries to become a reality.

A methodological approach to identify priority zones for monitoring and assessment of wild bee species under climate change

Climate change is affecting wild populations worldwide, and assessing the impacts on these populations is essential for effective conservation planning. The integration of advanced analytical techniques holds promise in furnishing detailed, spatially explicit information on climate change impacts on wild populations, providing fine-grained metrics on current environmental quality levels and trends of changes induced by estimated climate change scenarios. Here, we propose a framework that integrates three advanced approaches aiming to designate the most representative zones for long-term monitoring, considering different scenarios of climate change: Species Distribution Modeling (SDM), Geospatial Principal Component Analysis (GPCA) and Generalized Procrustes Analysis (GPA). We tested our framework with a climatically sensible Neotropical stingless bee species as study case, Melipona (Melikerria) fasciculata Smith, 1854. We used the SDM to determine the climatically persistent suitable areas for species, i.e. areas where the climate is suitable for species today and in all future scenarios considered. By using a GPCA as a zoning approach, we sliced the persistent suitable area into belts based on the variability of extremes and averages of meaningful climate variables. Subsequently, we measured, analyzed, and described the climatic variability and trends (toward future changes) in each belt by applying GPA approach. Our results showed that the framework adds significant analytical advantages for priority area selection for population monitoring. Most importantly, it allows a robust discrimination of areas where climate change will exert greater-to-lower impacts on the species. We showed that our results provide superior geospatial design, qualification, and quantification of climate change effects than currently used SDM-only approaches. These improvements increase assertiveness and precision in determining priority areas, reflecting in better decision-making for conservation and restoration.

Robust and optimal alignment of high-dimensional data using maximum likelihood estimation through a random sample consensus framework

AbstractCorrecting spatial orientations of groups of high-dimensional data sets such that they are all in a consistent coordinate system is often a time-consuming and error-prone process. Automation of this process can be accomplished by using Generalized Procrustes Analysis to estimate the relative orientations among a population of high-dimensional data sets. A least squares Procrustes solution is applied through a maximum likelihood estimation and random sample consensus framework for robustness. The likelihood model is comprised of a mixture distribution where inliers are modeled using t-distribution and outliers from a uniform distribution. Applications will focus on a synthetic data set that emulates triaxial acceleration data and also real shock data from a population of triaxial accelerometers. Outliers represent either non-rigid body responses, environmental noise, and/or sensor and data acquisition issues. The intended application for the methodology is to robustly automate the rotation of populations of experimentally collected triaxial accelerometer data sets to a single global coordinate system.

Impact of orthodontic-induced facial morphology changes on aesthetic evaluation: a retrospective study

BackgroundThe profound influence of orthodontic treatments on facial aesthetics has been a topic of increasing interest. This study delves into the intricate interplay between orthodontic treatments, facial feature alterations, and aesthetic perceptions.MethodsA total of 73 patients who had undergone orthodontic treatment were included in this study. Facial photographs were taken before and after treatment. Ten orthodontists provided facial aesthetic ratings (FAR) for each patient's frontal, profile, and overall views. 48 facial landmarks were manually placed by the orthodontists and normalized using Generalized Procrustes analysis (GPA). Two types of phenotypes were derived from facial landmarks. Global facial phenotypes were then extracted using principal component analysis (PCA). Additionally, 37 clinical features related to aesthetics and orthodontics were extracted. The association between facial features and changes in FAR after orthodontic treatment was determined using these two types of phenotypes.ResultsThe FAR exhibited a high correlation among orthodontic experts, particularly in the profile view. The FAR increased after orthodontic treatment, especially in profile views. Extraction of premolars and orthognathic surgery were found to result in higher FAR change. For global facial phenotypes, the most noticeable changes in the frontal and profile views associated with FAR occurred in the lip area, characterized by inward retraction of the lips and slight chin protrusion in the profile view, as well as a decrease in lip height in the frontal view. The changes observed in the profile view were statistically more significant than those in the frontal view. These facial changes were consistent with the changes from orthodontic treatment. For clinical features, two profile features, namely pg.sm.hori and pg.n.ls, were found to be associated with FAR following orthodontic treatment. The highest FAR scores were achieved when pg.sm.hori was at 80° and pg.n.ls was at 8°. On the other hand, frontal clinical features had a subtle effect on FAR during orthodontic treatment.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that orthodontic treatment improves facial aesthetics, particularly at lip aera in the profile view. Profile clinical features, such as pg.sm.hori and pg.n.ls, are essential in orthodontic treatment which could increase facial aesthetics.

Geometric morphometrics of face profile across horse breeds and within Arabian horses

Horse traits under selection are largely quantitative and affected by multiple genes. Horse face shape is an example of a continuous trait, which due to the reliance on observational assessments, is classified into; “dished”, “straight”, and “roman-nosed”. This categorization is often inadequate to convey the full spectrum of the face shape variation especially for genetic studies. The first objective of the current study was to use geometric morphometric methods to quantitatively phenotype face shapes and examine its variation across horse breeds. The second objective was to analyze the face shape variation within Arabian horses since face shape is (1) favored, valued, and genetically selected in certain lineages (e.g. Egyptian), (2) is evaluated by registries and scored in shows, and (3) in its extreme forms pose health concerns. We digitized landmarks on lateral profile photos, particularly on the dorsal curvature of the rostrum, and subjected these landmarks to Generalized Procrustes Analysis to generate independent shape and size variables which were statistically compared across breeds and within Arabians. Horse breeds varied in nasal curvature, ranging from extremely concave to extremely convex, with over 70 % of horse breeds exhibiting intermediate concavity (i.e., straight profile). Interestingly, Arabian horses possessed the highest diversity in face profile and individuals clustered into three distinct shape sub-groups (one dished and two straight profile clusters). Our quantitative phenotyping method can be the basis of future genetic studies of facial profile within Arabian lineages as a favored traits and potentially manage its extreme forms as a likely genetic disease.

Abstract 14291: Novel 4D Procrustes Motion Analysis Applied to CMR Links LMNA Mutation Severity With Myocardial Dynamics

Introduction: Procrustes motion analysis (PMA) is a novel method to extract microstructural tensor data from CMR cines. Aim: To illustrate its usefulness in phenotyping patients with confirmed pathogenic lamin ( LMNA ) mutations ( LMNA+). Methods: This n=187 prospective multi-centre CMR study (NCT03860454) recruited LMNA+ (n=67), participants with dilated cardiomyopathy carrying wild-type LMNA gene (DCMwt; n=73) and healthy volunteers (HV, n=47). Left ventricular (LV) cines were analyzed using 3D feature tracking. Generalized procrustes analysis was used to calculate the radial, circumferential, and longitudinal strains. To explore differences in myocardial dynamics between these groups, PMA was employed to derive the procrustes trajectory size at 16 homologous time points of the cardiac cycle in comparison to a common diastolic reference point. Results: Compared to HV, LMNA+ had worse radial and circumferential strain values ( Fig. 1 ). Compared to DCMwt, LMNA + had better strain profiles after adjusting for late gadolinium enhancement. LMNA+ truncating variant carriers had a smaller procrustes trajectory size during diastole compared to splice and missense variant carriers (i.e., reduced myocardial dynamics according to the PMA) ( Fig. 2A ). Similarly, LMNA+ who had a mutation upstream of nuclear localization signal (worse mutation) had lower myocardial dynamics compared to those who had a downstream mutation ( Fig. 2B ). Conclusion: Detailed information on myocardial deformation patterns between diastole and systole can be inferred using PMA applied to CMR cines. Procrustes trajectory size may be a novel marker of myocardial dynamics linked to mutation severity.

Gamification design: toward developing image perception scales for generation Z consumers

Purpose Drawing from the Personal Construct Theory, this study aims to analyze the impact of using gamified apps on user behavior by investigating the service-related images and individual preferences of Generation Z (GenZ) consumers, as these emerge from gamified applications in a tourism context. Design/methodology/approach The repertory grid analysis (RGA) elicited the top elements that reflect GenZer perceptions in tourism from empirical studies in the UK and Greece. Generalized procrustes analysis was used to investigate the structure of the data for the creation of representative consensus biplots of the most important conceptual constructs to advance consumer decision-making modeling via gamification. Findings As per different gamified app best-practices considered, the authors extract not only common perceptual elements (e.g. place informative aspects, exploration, lodgings, food/catering) but also different image components (e.g. virtual/interactive, business vs commercial traveling, entertainment, heritage/cultural informative aspects) from comparing UK with Greek GenZers’ responses. These extracted attributes are then presented in two dimensional charts, respectively, toward creating tourist perception scales. Research limitations/implications Notwithstanding the wide availability of gamified apps, research on gamification design in tourism and hospitality is still in the early phase. This study demonstrates the need to identify and optimize the formation of different images among GenZers. It also highlights the advantageous nature of the proposed combination of procrustes analysis with the RGA. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is among the first empirical ones toward creating scales for measuring tourist perceptions of GenZers coming from different consumer markets. It responds to scholars’ recent calls for better informing gamification design and improving contemporary consumer experience.

Kernel-GPA: A globally optimal solution to deformable SLAM in closed-form

We study the generalized Procrustes analysis (GPA), as a minimal formulation to the simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) problem. We propose Kernel-GPA, a novel global registration technique to solve SLAM in the deformable environment. We propose the concept of deformable transformation which encodes the entangled pose and deformation. We define deformable transformations using a kernel method and show that both the deformable transformations and the environment map can be solved globally in closed-form, up to global scale ambiguities. We solve the scale ambiguities by an optimization formulation that maximizes rigidity. We demonstrate Kernel-GPA using the Gaussian kernel and validate the superiority of Kernel-GPA with various datasets. Code and data are available at https://bitbucket.org/FangBai/deformableprocrustes.

Using qualitative behavior assessment to investigate the effect of tourist presence on the welfare in captive tigers (Panthera tigris) in three tourism facilities in Thailand.

Numerous facilities around the world offer tourists interactive experiences with captive tigers. Yet, the animal welfare implications of this practice have not been widely studied. This study aimed to investigate whether qualitative behavioral assessment (QBA) could: (i) provide a valid indicator of tiger's emotional state and (ii) be applied to assess whether unfamiliar human presence with hand-raised captive tigers had an impact on the emotional state of those tigers. To investigate this, QBA was applied to video clips of hand-raised captive tigers from three sites (two offering unfamiliar human interaction, Sites A and C, and one retirement site with no direct interactions, Site B) in Thailand. QBA allows inferences to be made about animal emotion on the basis of descriptions of behavioral expression. Analysis, using a free choice profiling methodology, was provided by observers (N = 38) split between three groups; tiger keepers and vets from the Thai venues (n = 12), UK-based animal behavior MSc and vet students (n = 16), and international tiger keepers (n = 10). Tigers (N = 35) were split between Sites A (n = 7), B (n = 18), and C (n = 10) and filmed at three time points; morning (0800-0930 h); midday, (1130-1230 h); and evening, (1630-1830h) totaling 105 clips. Using generalized procrustes analysis, a consensus profile was calculated for each observer group. Two meaningful dimensions of behavioral expression, explaining 75.0% of the variation, were observed across these groups: Dimension 1 (D1: "active"/"interested"/"agitated" to "relaxed"/"calm"/"chilled-out") and Dimension 2 (D2: "bored"/"stressed"/"frustrated" to "relaxed"/"curious"/"interested"). There was clear agreement between the three observer groups in terms of tiger emotional expression along D1. However, agreement was more variable on D2. The behavioral expression on D1 was not significantly affected by site but was significantly affected by an interaction between age and time of day. Time of day also affected scores on D2, with the Thai observer group also showing an effect of site. During the midday period, when unfamiliar humans were present, all tiger age groups showed more positive behavioral expressions on D1 (lower scores: "relaxed"/"calm"/"chilled-out") and more negative behavioral expressions on D2 (higher scores: "bored"/"stressed"/"frustrated"), which could indicate that the presence of unfamiliar humans was a stressor. However, tigers in the retirement Site C also displayed similar behavioral expressions, which could indicate a deeper welfare issue. With further development, QBA could be used as part of a valid tool for long-term measurement of behavioral expression in captive tigers.

Taniatrechus xeniae sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Trechini), the second species of the most specialised troglobitic carabid genus of the Caucasus

Taniatrechus xeniae sp. nov., the second species of the genus, is described from Prostornaya Cave in the central part of the Bzyb Mountain Range, Abkhazia. A comparative study of all available specimens of the genus is carried out using both linear morphometrics (indices) and geometric morphometrics: generalised Procrustes analysis (GPA), principal component analysis (PCA), and canonical variate analysis (CVA). This study allowed us to estimate infraspecific variation in the external morphology of T. setosus Belousov et Dolzhansky, 1994, on the one hand, and to reveal reliable diagnostic features that distinguish between the two species, on the other. The diagnosis and description of the genus are completed to include the new species and variation found in the type species. Some characters were also described more accurately or corrected based on more abundant material. The major morphological features of Taniatrechus spp. are photographed, their geographic distribution is mapped, and new data on living conditions of the genus are provided. The members of the genus seem to be the most specialised hypogean Trechini in the Caucasus, with the deepest finding ever reported for Coleoptera (one specimen of T. setosus was found at a level of 1,800 m below the cave entrance). In view of recent discoveries in highlands, the subterranean layer suitable for living of hypogean insects may reach more than three km thick in intensively folded karst areas. Thus, the hypogean life is much more widespread than previously thought. Prostornaya Cave, the type locality of T. xeniae sp. nov., is described for the first time.

A Parametric Thoracic Spine Model Accounting for Geometric Variations by Age, Sex, Stature, and Body Mass Index

<div>In this study, a parametric thoracic spine (T-spine) model was developed to account for morphological variations among the adult population. A total of 84 CT scans were collected, and the subjects were evenly distributed among age groups and both sexes. CT segmentation, landmarking, and mesh morphing were performed to map a template mesh onto the T-spine vertebrae for each sampled subject. Generalized procrustes analysis (GPA), principal component analysis (PCA), and linear regression analysis were then performed to investigate the morphological variations and develop prediction models. A total of 13 statistical models, including 12 T-spine vertebrae and a spinal curvature model, were combined to predict a full T-spine 3D geometry with any combination of age, sex, stature, and body mass index (BMI). A leave-one-out root mean square error (RMSE) analysis was conducted for each node of the mesh predicted by the statistical model for every T-spine vertebra. Most of the RMSEs were less than 2 mm across the 12 vertebral levels, indicating good accuracy. The presented parametric T-spine model can serve as a geometry basis for parametric human modeling or future crash test dummy designs to better assess T-spine injuries accounting for human diversity.</div>

Genetic analysis of geometric morphometric 3D visuals of French jumping horses

BackgroundFor centuries, morphology has been the most commonly selected trait in horses. A 3D video recording enabled us to obtain the coordinates of 43 anatomical landmarks of 2089 jumping horses. Generalized Procrustes analysis provided centered and scaled coordinates that were independent of volume, i.e., centroid size. Genetic analysis of these coordinates (mixed model; 17,994 horses in the pedigree) allowed us to estimate a variance–covariance matrix. New phenotypes were then defined: the “summarized shapes”. They were obtained by linear combinations of Procrustes coordinates with, as coefficients, the eigenvectors of the genetic variance–covariance matrix. These new phenotypes were used in genome-wide association analyses (GWAS) and multitrait genetic analysis that included judges’ scores and competition results of the horses.ResultsWe defined ten shapes that represented 86% of the variance, with heritabilities ranging from 0.14 to 0.42. Only one of the shapes was found to be genetically correlated with competition success (rg = − 0.12, standard error = 0.07). Positive and negative genetic correlations between judges’ scores and shapes were found. This means that the breeding objective defined by judges involves improvement of anatomical parts of the body that are negatively correlated with each other. Known single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on chromosomes 1 and 3 for height at withers were significant for centroid size but not for any of the shapes. As these SNPs were not associated with the shape that distinguished rectangular horses from square horses (with height at withers greater than body length), we hypothesize that these SNPs play a role in the overall development of horses, i.e. in height, width, and length but not in height at withers when standardized to unit centroid size. Several other SNPs were found significant for other shapes.ConclusionsThe main application of 3D morphometric analysis is the ability to define the estimated breeding value (EBV) of a sire based on the shape of its potential progeny, which is easier for breeders to visualize in a single synthetic image than a full description based on linear profiling. However, the acceptance of these new phenotypes by breeders and the complex nature of summarized shapes may be challenging. Due to the low genetic correlations of the summarized shapes with jumping performance, the methodology did not allow indirect performance selection criteria to be defined.

Uncovering untapped potentials: diversifying business may yield profitable earnings, yet it remains an overlooked strategy among beekeepers

Beekeeping is a rewarding business that offers numerous opportunities beyond just honey production. While most beekeepers are solely focused on honey production, this approach can be limiting due to the fluctuation of weather and market conditions. Therefore, it is essential to diversify your business by exploring other honey bee products and services. Our research investigated the beekeeping practices of 100 beekeepers from seven regions in southern Brazil to identify the most common practices and potential opportunities for diversification. Our study focused on ten major beekeeping practices, including products or services as honey, queen rearing, swarm, propolis, pollen, beeswax, royal jelly, sanitary control activity, digital technology enthusiasm, and migratory beekeeping. We used a semi-structured questionnaire consisting of 86 questions that were analysed with generalized Procrustes analysis and clustered heatmap. Overall, we found that honey production, digital technology enthusiasm, and migratory beekeeping are the most common beekeeping practices among beekeepers, regionally. Conversely, the exploitation of beeswax, pollen, swarm, and royal jelly production were relatively rare, creating opportunities for beekeepers looking to diversify their earnings and reduce competition. Additionally, our research revealed that certain regions have adopted specific beekeeping practices better than others, which suggests that there are possibilities for improvement and growth in the beekeeping industry. Finally, our research demonstrates the potential for beekeepers to diversify their business beyond just honey production. By exploring other honey bee products and services, beekeepers can reduce the impact of market limitations caused by weather and market fluctuations, ultimately creating a more resilient and profitable business.

Elemental Assessments in Paddy Soil for Geographical Traceability of Rice from Peninsular Malaysia

This investigation aimed to establish the geographical traceability of Malaysian rice by assessing the elemental composition in paddy soil. Multi-element determination in combination with a chemometric approach was applied to evaluate the elemental concentrations of paddy soil from granaries cultivated with the same rice variety and to assess the relationship between elements in the soil and rice (SAR) system. A total of 29 elements (aluminum, arsenic, barium, bromine, calcium, chlorine, cobalt, chromium, cesium, europium, iron, gallium, hafnium, potassium, lanthanum, lutetium, magnesium, manganese, sodium, rubidium, antimony, scandium, samarium, thorium, titanium, uranium, vanadium, ytterbium and zinc) were successfully determined in paddy soil from Kedah, Selangor and Langkawi by neutron activation analysis. A significant difference (P < 0.05) between 18 elements in the soil samples was obtained. The chemometric approaches of principal component and linear discriminant analyses demonstrated clear discrimination and highly corrected classification (100%) of the soil samples. A high classification (98.1%) was also achieved by assessing 10 elements (aluminum, arsenic, bromine, chlorine, potassium, magnesium, manganese, sodium, rubidium and zinc), which similarly applied to rice geographical origin determination. Similar elements in SAR were also observed for differences in the pattern of correlation and bioaccumulation factor between the granaries. Furthermore, the generalized Procrustes analysis showed a 98% consensus between SAR and clear differences between the studied regions. The canonical correlation analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between the chemical profile of SAR (r2 = 0.88, P < 0.001). Therefore, the current work model provides a reliable assessment to establish rice provenance.

Regional plantar forces and surface geometry variations of a chronic ankle instability population described by statistical shape modelling

BackgroundUnderstanding detailed foot morphology as well as regional plantar forces could provide insight into foot function and provide recommendation for footwear design for chronic ankle instability (CAI) people. Research QuestionThis study presented 3-dimensional statistical shape models of feet from three different populations including CAI, copers and healthy individuals, with regional plantar forces also acquired. MethodsSixty-six males (22 participants per group) were included in this study to capture 3-dimensional foot shapes under a standing condition and regional plantar forces during a cutting maneuver. Principal component analysis was performed to generate a mean foot shape of each group as well as modes of variations. A generalized procrustes analysis was used to achieve rapid registration of mean shapes. Besides, regional plantar forces and contact duration among these three populations were compared. ResultsFor 3-dimensional foot shapes, although no significant differences of the average distance between each mode and mean shape were found among three populations, there were subtle variations in mean shapes. The CAI population presented a more bulging of the lateral malleolus; copers were characterized by the flexion of the lesser toes, a more bulging of the medial foot in the sagittal plane; and healthy individuals showed a greater heel width and a more bulging of the heel in the sagittal plane. In terms of plantar forces, healthy individuals had significantly greater summated plantar forces and greater plantar forces in the lateral heel area during the early contact phase compared to copers and CAI participants. SignificanceOverall, this study suggested that repetitive ankle sprains may lead to the bulging of the lateral malleolus. Further, CAI and copers seem to stabilize the ankle joint by medially shifting the center of pressure compared to healthy individuals under the static and less challenging dynamic conditions.