Information Index Research Articles

Integrated Genetic Diversity and Multi-Omics Analysis of Colour Formation in Safflower

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is a medicinal and edible cash crop that is widely cultivated worldwide. However, the genetic diversity of safflower germplasm resources and the reasons for the variations in safflower flower colour remain unclear. In this study, we used a combination of agronomic traits and Indel markers to assess the genetic diversity of 614 safflower germplasm resources. The results showed that most of the evaluated agronomic traits had high variability. The mean values of the Shannon’s information index (I) and polymorphism information content (PIC) in 50 pairs of Indel markers were 0.551 and 0.296, respectively. The population structure, neighbour-joining phylogeny, and principal coordinate analyses classified all genotypes into four subgroups, and 214 safflower core germplasms were constructed. Multiple analyses of genetic diversity parameters, range conformity, and the percentage of variance difference showed that the core germplasm did not differ significantly and could represent the original germplasm better. Transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed that flavonoid synthesis-related genes, including CHS, F3H, ANS, and BZ1, were differentially expressed in different coloured safflowers. Most significantly, different genes and metabolite compounds in white safflowers were enriched upstream from the phenylpropanoid metabolic pathway to the production of naringenin, whereas those in red safflowers were concentrated in the downstream pathway from eriodictyol. Meanwhile, the preliminary quantification of anthocyanins and carotenoids extracted from red, orange, and white types of safflower showed that the level of both anthocyanins and carotenoids were highest in red types. This work provides new insights into the formation of different safflower flower colours and in the conservation and management of safflower germplasm.

A risk assessment method for power internet of things information security based on multi‐objective hierarchical optimisation

AbstractPower Internet of Things (PIoT) relies on various smart sensors and edge devices to support the operational status of the power grid. To address the challenge of conducting a comprehensive information security risk assessment for communication among heterogeneous devices in PIoT, a reliable security risk assessment method is proposed. This method, based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), considers four key dimensions: the cloud platform, communication transmission, edge side and terminal side. It integrates information indexes, the asset loss and risk probability to construct a risk assessment scheme oriented towards PIoT information security. The judgement matrix of AHP which fails the consistency test, is modified by using an improved multi‐objective particle swarm optimisation (IMPSO) algorithm, while minimising semantic offset distance. Verified through a case study, this method effectively reduces the consistency index to an average of 0.01 and achieves a correlation of 90.86% with traditional AHP assessment results.

Exploring the Relationship Between Humoral and Cellular T Cell Responses Against SARS-CoV-2 in Exposed Individuals From Emilia Romagna Region and COVID-19 Severity.

COVID-19 remains a significant global health problem with uncertain long-term consequences for convalescents. We investigated the relationships between anti-N protein antibody levels, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2-associated TCR repertoire parameters, HLA type and epidemiological information from three cohorts of 524 SARS-CoV-2-infected subjects subgrouped in acute phase, seronegative and seropositive convalescents from the Emilia Romagna region. Epidemiological information and anti-N antibody index were associated with TCR repertoire data. HLA type was inferred from TCR repertoire using the HLA3 tool and its association with clonal breadth (CB) and clonal depth (CD) was assessed. Age above 58 years, male and COVID-19 hospitalisation were significantly and independently associated with seropositivity (p = 0.004; p = 0.004; p = 0.04), suggesting an association between high antibody titres and symptoms' severity. As for the TCR repertoire analysis, we found no difference in CB among the cohorts, while CD was higher in seronegative than acute (p = 0.04). However, clustering analysis supported that seronegative patients are endowed with broader CB and deeper CD indicating a compensatory mechanism without effective seroconversion. The CD calculated on the TCRs associated with the single SARS-CoV-2 ORFs in convalescents is higher when compared to the acute. Lastly, we identified and reported on novel HLAs significantly associated with increased risk of hospitalisation such as HLA-C*07:02 carriers (OR = 3.9, CI = 1.1-13.4, p = 0.03) and on HLAs that associate significantly with lower or higher TCR repertoire parameters in a population exposed for the first time to SARS-CoV-2.

TikTok as a platform for hysteroscopy information: An analytical video-based cross-sectional study to assess quality, reliability, and accuracy.

To assess the quality, reliability, and level of misinformation in TikTok videos about hysteroscopy. A cross-sectional analysis of TikTok videos retrieved using "hysteroscopy" as search term was performed. Patient education materials assessment tool for audio-visual content (PEMAT A/V), the modified DISCERN (mDISCERN), global quality scale (GQS), video information and quality index (VIQI) and misinformation assessment were used. Of three hundred videos captured, 156 were excluded and 144 were included. Most videos were partially accurate or uninformative (43.8% and 34.7%, respectively). Non-healthcare providers produced more inaccurate or uninformative videos than healthcare workers (51.1% vs 4.0%; P < 0.001). Compared to content by professionals, content by patients showed increased distrust towards gynecologists (11.7% vs 0%; P = 0.012) and increased incidence of anxiety and concern towards hysteroscopy (25.5% vs 2%; P < 0.001). PEMAT A/V scores for understandability and actionability were low at 42.9% (interquartile range [IQR]: 11.1-70) and 0% (IQR: 0-0), respectively. Understandability (P < 0.001) and actionability (P = 0.001) were higher for professionals' created content relative to patients' videos. Similarly, median mDISCERN score was low (1 [IQR 0-2]), with significantly higher score for healthcare professionals compared to patients (P < 0.001). Overall video quality was also low, with median VIQI and GQS score of 7 (IQR 4-11) and 1 (IQR 1-3), respectively, and significantly higher scores for healthcare workers' captions compared to patients' for both (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). TikTok videos' quality on hysteroscopy seems unsatisfactory and misinformative, with low understandability and actionability scores. Videos recorded by healthcare workers show higher quality and less misinformation than those by patients. Raising the awareness regarding the low quality of medical information on social media is crucial to increase future reliability and trustworthiness.

Quality and readability of online information on Keratoconus in Portugal and Brazil

Introduction Keratoconus patients turn to the internet for answers to their disease expectations. Webpages are not filtered or submitted to evaluation before getting published. We aim to evaluate the quality and readability of the online information regarding keratoconus in Portugal and Brazil. Methods Two independent ophthalmologists and one ophthalmologist supervisor evaluated 30 Portuguese and 30 Brazilian websites by order of appearance in Google with the word “Queratocone” and “Ceratocone”, respectively. Two quality scores were used: a quality index of consumer health information (DISCERN) and the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark. Readability was evaluated with 3 scores: FleschKincaid Reading Ease (FRE), FleschKincaid Grade (FKG) and Automated Readability Index (ARI). Results Sites from private hospitals or clinics were the most prevalent in both countries, followed by health platform sites. Final JAMA benchmark was 1.13 ± 1.18 in Portugal and 1.07 ± 1.00 in Brazil. Final DISCERN was 34.07 ± 11.71 in Portugal and 38.17 ± 10.51 in Brazil. FRE and FKG scores denoted “difficult to read” and “college school level” in both countries; ARI denoted “professor” level in Portugal and “college student” level in Brazil needed to understand the text, a statistically significant difference. There was no correlation between Google ranking and quality and readability scores. Discussion and Conclusions The information on keratoconus available online to Portuguese-speaking patients is of poor quality and difficult to interpret. Ophthalmologists have a shared responsibility to tackle this challenge through multifold efforts. Educating our patients on how to find reputable websites can help them navigate their life with keratoconus.

Efficient Screening in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Using Sequential Machine Learning Models, Questionnaires, and Pulse Oximetry Signals: Mixed Methods Study.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by frequent pauses or shallow breathing during sleep. Polysomnography, the gold standard for OSA assessment, is time consuming and labor intensive, thus limiting diagnostic efficiency. This study aims to develop 2 sequential machine learning models to efficiently screen and differentiate OSA. We used 2 datasets comprising 8444 cases from the Sleep Heart Health Study (SHHS) and 1229 cases from Taipei Veterans General Hospital (TVGH). The Questionnaire Model (Model-Questionnaire) was designed to distinguish OSA from primary insomnia using demographic information and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaires, while the Saturation Model (Model-Saturation) categorized OSA severity based on multiple blood oxygen saturation parameters. The performance of the sequential machine learning models in screening and assessing the severity of OSA was evaluated using an independent test set derived from TVGH. The Model-Questionnaire achieved an F1-score of 0.86, incorporating demographic data and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Model-Saturation training by the SHHS dataset displayed an F1-score of 0.82 when using the power spectrum of blood oxygen saturation signals and reached the highest F1-score of 0.85 when considering all saturation-related parameters. Model-saturation training by the TVGH dataset displayed an F1-score of 0.82. The independent test set showed stable results for Model-Questionnaire and Model-Saturation training by the TVGH dataset, but with a slightly decreased F1-score (0.78) in Model-Saturation training by the SHHS dataset. Despite reduced model accuracy across different datasets, precision remained at 0.89 for screening moderate to severe OSA. Although a composite model using multiple saturation parameters exhibits higher accuracy, optimizing this model by identifying key factors is essential. Both models demonstrated adequate at-home screening capabilities for sleep disorders, particularly for patients unsuitable for in-laboratory sleep studies.

Using three-dimensional virtual imaging of renal masses to improve prediction of robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy Tetrafecta with SPARE score

ObjectiveTo improve the predictability of outcomes in robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy, we utilized three-dimensional virtual imaging for SPARE nephrometry scoring. We compared this method with a conventional two-dimensional scoring system to determine whether 3D virtual images offer enhanced predictive accuracy for Tetrafecta outcomes.MethodsWe retrospectively collected basic information, demographic data, and perioperative indices from patients who underwent robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for renal masses at the Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University. A three-dimensional visualization system (IPS system, Yorktal) was employed to reconstruct the patients' imaging data using AI-based automatic segmentation, resulting in a three-dimensional visualization model (3DVM). This model was then imported into the virtual surgical planning software (Touch Viewer System, Yorktal) for automatic measurement of the SPARE score. Tetrafecta was defined as a warm ischemic time (WIT) of less than 25 min, negative surgical margins, absence of major perioperative complications, and no decline in postoperative renal function. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was utilized to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the SPARE score.ResultsA total of 141 patients were included in this study, with a mean age of 55.6 ± 11.14 years and a mean tumor size of 3.5 ± 1.2 cm. All variables, except for estimated blood loss (EBL) (Coefficient = 0.056, 0.035; P = 0.514, 0.685), showed significant correlation with the SPARE score when comparing CT and 3D virtual models (Tetrafecta: Coefficient = 0.408, 0.56; P < 0.001, < 0.001; WIT: Coefficient = 0.340, 0.237; P < 0.001, 0.007; ΔeGFR: Coefficient = 0.212, 0.257; P = 0.012, 0.002). The area under the curve (AUC) values from the ROC curves indicated that the 3D virtual model group had significantly better performance than the 2D image group for the SPARE score. However, there was no significant difference in the ROC curves for the SPARE complexity category between the two imaging modalities (AUC for SPARE category with 3DVM = 0.658 vs. AUC for SPARE category with CT = 0.643, P = 0.59; AUC for SPARE score with 3DVM = 0.854 vs. AUC for SPARE score with CT = 0.755, P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe SPARE score combined with 3DVM has a more accurate predictive ability for Tetrafecta of RAPN compared to the traditional 2D SPARE score.

An integral renewal equation approach to behavioural epidemic models with information index.

We propose an integral model describing an epidemic of an infectious disease. The model is behavioural in the sense that the force of infection includes the information index that describes the opinion-driven human behavioural changes. The information index contains a memory kernel to mimic how the individuals maintain memory of the past values of the infection. We obtain sufficient conditions for the endemic equilibrium to be locally stable. In particular, we show that when the infectivity function is represented by an exponential distribution, stability is guaranteed by the weak Erlang memory kernel. However, through numerical simulations, we show that oscillations, possibly self-sustained, may arise when the memory is more focused in the disease's past history, as exemplified by the strong Erlang kernel. We also show the model solutions in cases of different infectivity functions taken from studies where specific diseases like Influenza and SARS are considered.

Effectiveness of the implementation of educational programs on healthy nutrition, implemented within the framework of the Demography national project

Introduction. Within the Demography National Project, the Federal Service for Supervision in Protection of the Rights of Consumer and Man Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor) performs specific activities aimed at creating an environment that raises people’s awareness about health diets. The number of people who have been educated on the matter represented an index of the key performance, unfortunately, it does not show whether any socially significant results have been achieved, first of all, concerning health protection. The aim of this study is to suggest a complex approach to assessing effectiveness of introduction of educational programs on health diets implemented within the Demography National Project. Materials and methods. Effectiveness of educational activities was assessed using the data obtained following the introduction of The Educational Program for Population Residing in Specific Areas as regards Environmental Exposures (macro- and micro-nutrient deficiency, specific climatic conditions) (hereinafter called The Program). The program was implemented relying on an educational resource for distance learning between April 2021 and May 2024. The obtained data was analyzed by using non-parametric statistical techniques. Health status was analyzed using data on incidence associated with unhealthy diets. Economic efficiency was estimated in conformity with the established methodology. Results. A complex approach is suggested to assess whether implementation of educational programs is effective. It includes such characteristics as a number of people, who mastered a program; level of attained knowledge and its trend; modelling a relationship that involves determining how many disease cases have been prevented; as well as economic efficiency assessment. Using one Program as an example, we analyzed such indices as the percentage of population who mastered it; their initial and attained level of knowledge (according to data obtained by control activities); the percentage of people with positive trend in the level of attained knowledge (per the results of individual check-ups). In addition to that, we calculated the number of prevented diseases associated with unhealthy diets (four hundred seventy two diseases of the musculoskeletal system) with the following assessment of implemented activities per economic indices (not less than 41.5 million rubles of the gross domestic product (GDP) losses prevented annually). Limitations. When analyzing how many people mastered the program, we relied on data about introduction of the program based on using only one communication channel. Conclusion. Use of this complex approach to assessing effectiveness of implementation of educational programs on healthy diets makes it possible to clearly show whether short-term goals (percentages of people with positive trend in the level of attained knowledge are the most informative index) as well as long-term ones (incidence associated with unhealthy diets) have been successfully achieved. It also allows estimating economic efficiency of implemented activities.

Analysis of the outcome indexes in randomized controlled trials of acupuncture and moxibustion for mild cognitive impairment

To analyze the outcome indexes of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture and moxibustion for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) so as to provide a reference for the protocol design and the construction of a core outcome set in relevant clinical trials of acupuncture and moxibustion for MCI. From CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMbase, and Web of Science, RCTs of acupuncture and moxibustion for MCI were searched, and the time duration was ranged from January 1st, 2018 to October 31th, 2023. The general information and outcome indexes of the included studies were collected and analyzed through literature screening and data extraction. A total of 46 studies were eligible, with 2 072 samples and 18 diagnostic criteria involved. The outcome indexes were categorized into 7 domains according to functional attributes, including clinical symptoms/signs, TCM symptoms/syndromes, physical and chemical examination, quality of life, psychiatric and mental health, safety assessment, and patient satisfaction. Eighty-four outcome indexes were reported, with the use frequency of 237. Currently, RCTs of acupuncture and moxibustion for MCI were limited in the big difference in neuropsychological assessment tool, the inadequate reports on educational degree/educational years, the diversity of physical and chemical detection indexes, the inconsistency of the time points for outcome evaluation, the insufficient application of primary and secondary outcomes, the lack of the application of TCM diagnosis, pattern/syndrome differentiation and outcomes, and the shortage in long-term prognosis and economic assessment. It is recommended to specify and develop the core outcome set of acupuncture and moxibustion for MCI to advance the standardization of related research design, the rational selection of outcome indexes, and the reliability of the research results.

Is YouTube an Adequate Source of Learning About 3D Printing in Orthodontics?

We aimed to assess the content, quality, and reliability of information provided by YouTube videos regarding 3D printing in orthodontics. YouTube was searched using the term ‘3D printing in orthodontics’. 91 videos that met the inclusion criteria were selected. Videos were rated independently by two assessors using reliability of information index, GQS and HONcode. General parameters, video purpose, source and topic were recorded. Videos uploaded by doctors had significantly higher GQS and reliability of information scores compared to videos from companies. Moderate/high information content videos had significantly higher GQS compared to low information content videos. There is a need for better quality videos about 3D printing in orthodontics.

Assessment of Quality and Reliability of YouTube Videos for Student Learning on Class II Resin Composite Restorations.

YouTube has emerged as a popular platform for accessing educational content. However, its effectiveness has been a topic of debate in dental education. This study aimed to analyze the content and quality of YouTube videos focusing on Class II resin composite restorations. The first 100 videos of Class II resin composite information on YouTube were evaluated. The overall quality of the videos was assessed using the video information and quality index (VIQI) and Content Score based on Class II resin composite criteria. Videos with a score of less than the mean were recognized as low-content. No significant differences were observed between high- and low-content videos when the number of views, likes, duration, days since upload, viewing rate, and interaction index were investigated (p>0.05). The number of subscribers revealed a marginally significant difference (p=0.053). The high-content videos demonstrated higher mean values compared to the low-content videos in flow (4.6 vs. 3.8; p=0.0004), accuracy (4.3 vs. 3.3; p<0.0001), value (3.7 vs. 2.9; p=0.002), and precision (4.8 vs. 4.2; p=0.0002). The overall VIQI score was significantly higher (p<0.0001) in high-content videos (Mean 17.4; SD 1.5) compared to the low-content videos (Mean 14.2; SD 2.2). When the Content Score was assessed, high-content videos (Mean 9.9; SD 1.3) revealed a higher score (p<0.0001) than low-content-videos (Mean 4.2; SD 2.3). Most YouTube videos showcasing Class II resin composites serve as effective teaching tools. However, a significant number of videos with low content exist. Therefore, dental students should exercise caution when utilizing YouTube videos for learning purposes.

Evaluating the Efficacy of Artificial Intelligence Using Machine Learning Models in Predicting Functional Recovery Post-Stroke

Abstract Background: Stroke is a significant health problem in India, with an uneven prevalence and high early mortality rates. Worldwide, stroke is the second leading cause of death. In the initial months post-stroke, motor impairment is a primary concern, in addition to various other deficits. Predicting recovery after a stroke is crucial for optimizing resource allocation. Utilizing machine learning offers the potential to enhance therapeutic decision-making and predict individual recovery outcomes in stroke rehabilitation. Objectives: We aimed to employ machine learning algorithms to predict functional recovery after stroke by estimating Barthel Index scores, identifying patterns and correlations within the dataset, and determining the most effective machine learning model among the five algorithms that were tested. Materials and Methods: Participants were screened for eligibility before enrollment, and demographic information, stroke characteristics, and Barthel Index scores were recorded. The dataset was split into training and testing subsets for analysis. Five machine learning algorithms were trained using the initial dataset to develop predictive models. Results: High alcohol and tobacco use potentially influenced Barthel Index scores and stroke recovery. The recovery process varied based on stroke type, with ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. The Random Forest model exhibited the highest predictive accuracy among the models. Conclusion: The study highlights the role of demographics, lifestyle habits, comorbidities, and stroke type in functional recovery poststroke. The Random Forest model demonstrated the most reliable predictive capability, indicating artificial intelligence’s potential in stroke recovery prediction. Furthermore, research studies are needed to develop and evaluate robust prediction models.

Construction of a Clinical Prediction Model for Complications After Femoral Head Replacement Surgery.

While femoral head replacement is widely used with remarkable efficacy, the complexity and diversity of postoperative complications pose a serious prognostic challenge. There is an urgent need to develop a clinical prediction model that can integrate multiple factors and accurately predict the risk of postoperative complications to guide clinical practice and optimize patient management strategies. This study is dedicated to constructing a postoperative complication prediction model based on statistics and machine learning techniques, in order to provide patients with a safer and more effective treatment experience. A total of 186 patients who underwent femoral head replacement in the Orthopedic Department of our hospital were collected in this study. Forty-two of the patients had at least one postoperative complication, and 144 had no complications. The preoperative and postoperative data of patients were collected separately and medical history was collected to study the correlation factors affecting the occurrence of postoperative complications in patients and to establish a prediction model. Possibly relevant factors were included in a one-way logistic regression, which included the patient's gender, age, body mass index, preoperative diagnosis of the mode of injury, osteoporosis or lack thereof, as well as medical history, surgical-related information, and laboratory indices. After analyzing the results, it was concluded that operation time, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), white blood cell count, serum albumin, and osteoporosis, were the risk factors affecting the development of complications after femoral head replacement in patients (P < 0.2). The data obtained were further included in a multifactorial regression, and the results showed that operation time, AST, white blood cell count, serum albumin, and osteoporosis were independent risk factors for complications after the patients underwent femoral head replacement (P < 0.05). Based on the results of this study, five factors, including duration of surgery, AST, white blood cell count, serum albumin, and osteoporosis, were identified as independent risk factors for complications after patients underwent femoral head replacement. In addition, the prediction model developed in this study has a high scientific and clinical application value, providing clinicians and patients with an important tool for assessing the risk of complications after affected femoral head replacement.

Genetic structure of the population of Przewalski’s horse (Equus przewalskii) according to cytogenetic and ISSR markers

Background. Przewalski’s horse is included in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the Red Data Book of Ukraine as an endangered species. To confirm the uniqueness and consolidation of rare animal species, cytogenetic and molecular genetic monitoring is necessary. Obtaining biological material (blood) for genetic research is preceded by immobilization of wild ungulates. The successful selection of drugs for the purpose of sedation and analgesia helps to preserve the life and health of the animal. Materials and Methods. Przewalski’s wild horse population (10 heads) of the F. E. Falz-Fein “Askania-Nova” biosphere reserve, immobilization of animals with the Madison drug and the Reverson antidote, cytogenetic and molecular genetic (ISSR-fingerprinting) analysis. Results. The effectiveness indicators of doses of Madison and Reverson were: in horses m = 200 kg – a dose of Madison 20 mL/head, immobilization after 22 min, in horses m = 300 kg, a dose of Madison – 25 mL/head, immobilization in 20–22 min. The Reverson antidote was applied in the following doses: animal m = 200 kg – a dose of Reverson 5–15 mL/goal, cessation of the sedative effect – 12 min; animal m = 300 kg – a dose of Reverson 5–15 mL/goal, cessation of the sedative effect – 18 min. Observation of the effect of the drugs did not reveal any negative side effects. Cytogenetic analysis determined the karyotype norm of somatic cells with 2n = 66 chromosomes. Genomic disorders, aneuploidy, accounted for 6.7%, polyploidy – 1.3 %. Structural violations (chromosomal and chromatid breaks) were not detected. The results of the micronucleus test: the share of lymphocytes with a micronucleus – 3.0 ‰, binuclear lymphocytes – 2.3 ‰, mitotic index – 7.7 ‰. Genetic indicators of the population of Przewalski’s horses according to ISSR markers: when using (GA)9C as a primer, microsatellite repeats of polymorphic loci were not found, and according to primer (GAG)6C – 50 % of polymorphic loci. The main indicators of genetic diversity, with the help of ISSR markers: the share of polymorphic loci was 25 %, the average gene diversity per locus – 0.39, the Shannon–Wiener information index – 2.5. Conclusions. No negative side effects occur when Madison and Reverson drugs are used to immobilize Przewalski’s horses. According to the results of cytogenetic analy­sis, the stability of the karyotype of the studied animals was established. The study of genetic polymorphism of the horse population by ISSR markers (AG)9C and (GAG)6C indicates a high degree of genetic consolidation. All tested animals are relatively safe according to the revealed intra-population genetic diversity.

Development of DNA molecular identity cards for germplasm of Murraya paniculata based on SSR markers

To promote the conservation and utilization of the germplasm resources and provide a basis for the breeding of new varieties of Murraya paniculata, this study analyzed the genetic diversity of the germplasm resources and developed the molecular identity(ID) card of M. paniculata. Multiple fluorescence PCR-capillary electrophoresis was performed for 65 germplasm accessions of M. paniculata based on 9 SSR markers identified from the M. paniculata genome, and the molecular weights and alleles of the amplified bands were analyzed. According to the banding patterns of the 9 SSR primers, this study analyzed the genetic diversity of each germplasm accession of M. paniculata and developed molecular ID cards for the test samples. The results showed that 9 pairs of SSR primers detected 78 alleles, with an average of 8.67 alleles. The observed and expected heterozygosity was 0.338-0.831(average of 0.601) and 0.413-0.853(average of 0.721), respectively. The Shannon's information index varied within the range of 0.880-1.994, with an average of 1.41. The polymorphic information content was within the range of 0.391-0.835, with an average of 0.696, which indicated rich genetic diversity. When the genetic identity was 0.347, the 65 germplasm accessions were classified into 5 groups. Based on the results, this study employed the 5 SSR primers with higher polymorphisms to develop the molecular ID cards for the germplasm resources of M. paniculata and created QR code ID cards for the 49 core germplasm accessions preserved in the Yunfu germplasm nursery, laying a foundation for the new variety breeding, production, utilization, and traceability of M. paniculata.

Genetic Diversity Analysis and Core Collection Construction of Ancient Sophora japonica L. Using SSR Markers.

Sophora japonica is an important native tree species in northern China, with high ornamental, medicinal, and ecological value. In order to elucidate the genetic resources of ancient S. japonica, 16 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to evaluate its genetic diversity and population structure and build a core collection of 416 germplasms from the Shandong, Shanxi, and Hebei provinces. A total of 160 alleles were detected, the mean major allele frequency (MAF)was 0.39, and the mean effective number of alleles (Ne) was 4.08. Shannon's information index (I), the observed heterozygosity (Ho), the expected heterozygosity (He), and the polymorphism information content (PIC) were 1.58, 0.64, 0.74, and 0.70, respectively, indicating relatively high genetic diversity in ancient S. japonica germplasms. Low genetic differentiation coefficient (Fst = 0.04) and frequent gene flow (Nm = 9.74) were found in the tested S. japonica populations, and an analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated that the genetic variation mainly came from within individuals (84%). A genetic structure and cluster analysis indicated that 416 ancient S. japonica germplasms could be divided into five subgroups, and there were obvious genetic exchanges among different subgroups. A core collection consisting of 104 (25% of the original collection) germplasms was constructed using the R language package Genetic Subsetter version 0.8 based on the stepwise regression method. The retention rates of the number of alleles (Na), Ne, I, He, and PIC were 87.50%, 106.24%, 103.02%, 102.50%, and 102.74%, respectively. The t-test analysis suggested that there were no significant differences between the core collection and the original collection. The principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) showed that the core collection was uniformly distributed within the initial collection and was able to fully represent the genetic diversity of the original collection. These results provide a scientific basis for the conservation and utilization of ancient S. japonica germplasms.

How Informative Is the Marginal Information in a 2 × 2 Table for Assessing the Association Between Variables? The Aggregate Informative Index

The analysis of aggregate data has received increasing attention in the statistical discipline over the past 20 years, with the ongoing development of a suite of techniques that are classified as ecological inference. Much of its development has been focused solely on estimating the cell frequencies in a 2 × 2 contingency table where only the marginal totals are given; an approach that has been received with mixed reviews. More recently, the focus has shifted toward analyzing the overall association structure, rather than on the estimation of cell frequencies. This article provides some insight into how informative the aggregate data in a single 2 × 2 contingency table are for assessing the association between the variables. This is achieved through the development of a new index, the aggregate informative index. This new index quantifies how much information, on a [0, 100] scale, is needed in the marginal information in a 2 × 2 contingency table to conclude that a statistically significant association exists between the variables. It is established that, unlike Pearson’s (and other forms of the) chi-squared statistic, this new index is immune to changes in the sample size. It is also shown that the new index remains stable when the 2 × 2 contingency table consists of extreme marginal information.

On Non-Random Mating, Adaptive Evolution, and Information Theory.

Population genetics describes evolutionary processes, focusing on the variation within and between species and the forces shaping this diversity. Evolution reflects information accumulated in genomes, enhancing organisms' adaptation to their environment. In this paper, I propose a model that begins with the distribution of mating based on mutual fitness and progresses to viable adult genotype distribution. At each stage, the changes result in different measures of information. The evolutionary dynamics at each stage of the model correspond to certain aspects of interest, such as the type of mating, the distribution of genotypes in regard to mating, and the distribution of genotypes and haplotypes in the next generation. Changes to these distributions are caused by variations in fitness and result in Jeffrey's divergence values other than zero. As an example, a model of hybrid sterility is developed of a biallelic locus, comparing the information indices associated with each stage of the evolutionary process. In conclusion, the informational perspective seems to facilitate the connection between cause and effect and allows the development of statistical tests to perform hypothesis testing against zero-information null models (random mating, no selection, etc.). The informational perspective could contribute to clarify, deepen, and expand the mathematical foundations of evolutionary theory.

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Camellia drupifera (Theaceae) and Its Related Species Evaluated by SSR Markers

Oil–tea camellia has a long history of cultivation and utilization, with a history of more than 2000 years. In China, it is the main woody oil crop with high economic value and a national resource with unique characteristics. Concurrently, it is also known as one of the four major woody oil crops in the world. However, the genetic background of Camellia drupifera Lour. on Hainan Island in China is still unclear, and there is a great lack of systematic genetic characterization, which seriously hinders the development and utilization of oil–tea camellia germplasm resources and genetic improvement on Hainan Island. To analyze the genetic diversity and kinship between C. drupifera and its related species, this study utilized SSR molecular marker technology to genotype 160 individuals from 23 populations. A total of 137 alleles were amplified from the 14 polymorphic primers, with an average of 9.786. The average number of effective alleles and that of Shannon’s information index for each locus were 1.865 and 0.633, respectively, suggesting that the screened SSR markers presented a moderately high level of polymorphism. Additionally, the mean observed heterozygosity (0.915) was greater than the mean expected heterozygosity (0.450), indicating an excess of heterozygotes in the tested population. The results of the principal component analysis (PCA), molecular variation analysis of variance (AMOVA) and population structure analysis were generally consistent; specifically, there was a high degree of individual heterozygosity within the population, and genetic variation occurred primarily among individuals within the population (90%) but rarely among groups (10%). Additionally, the UPGMA clustering divided the 160 germplasm resources into four major clades, and C. drupifera was principally grouped in two distinct branches; meanwhile, Camellia gauchowensis was also mainly clustered in these two clades. Camellia oleifera individuals were chiefly concentrated in other independent branches. It can be speculated that C. drupifera is genetically close to C. gauchowensis, but genetically distant from C. oleifera. This study can provide the scientific basis for the identification, collection, preservation, evaluation, and innovative utilization of oil–tea camellia.