Qualitative Descriptors Research Articles

Phenotypic Diversity of Morphological Traits of Pitahaya (Hylocereus spp.) and Its Agronomic Potential in the Amazonas Region, Peru

Pitahaya (Hylocereus spp.) is an economically significant cactus fruit in Peru, renowned for its rich nutritional profile and antioxidant properties while exhibiting wide biological diversity. This study aimed to morphologically characterize seven pitahaya accessions using qualitative and quantitative descriptors related to the cladodes, flowers, and fruits. Univariate and multivariate (FAMD, PCA, MCA, and clustering) analyses were employed to identify and classify the accessions based on their morphological traits. The analyses revealed three distinct groups: one consisting solely of AC.07; another with AC.02, AC.04, and AC.06; and a third including AC.01, AC.03, and AC.05. The first group exhibited superior characteristics, particularly in fruit traits such as the stigma lobe count (23.3), number of bracts (26.5 mm), and length of apical bracts (15.75 mm). The second group recorded the highest spine count (3.21), bract length (16.95 mm), and awn thickness (5.12 mm). The third group had the highest bract count (37) and an average locule number (23.65). These findings highlight the significant morphological diversity among the accessions, indicating the potential for classification and selection in pitahaya cultivation. The potential of AC.07 stands out in terms of its agronomic qualities, such as its fruit weight (451.93 g) and pulp weight (292.5 g), surpassing the other accessions.

An Exploratory Study of a Choreographic Approach to Golf Swing Dynamics: Bridging Biomechanics and Laban Movement Analysis.

This study introduces an innovative integration of Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) with biomechanical principles to examine the golf swing dynamics from an ecological perspective. Traditionally, LMA focuses on the qualitative aspects of movement, often isolated from external influences. This research bridges that gap by investigating how golfers manage and adapt to the inertial forces of the club throughout the swing. Using motion tracking sensors and screw theory, we analyzed the spatial movement pattern in the Kinesphere (mapped as an icosahedron) and related it to force dynamics in the Effort Cube through the inertia tensor. The results showed significant differences between skilled and novice golfers in terms of how efficiently they align their movements with the club's inertia. Skilled golfers demonstrated smoother Instantaneous Screw Axes (ISAs) and better synchronization with inertia forces, while novice golfers exhibited more abrupt deviations. These findings suggest that integrating qualitative movement descriptors with biomechanical models provides deeper insights into swing efficiency, performance improvement, and injury prevention. This combined framework offers a novel method to enhance both qualitative and quantitative analysis of golf swings.

Morphological characterization of the hippocampus: a first database in Ecuador.

The hippocampal volume is a well-known biomarker to detect and diagnose neurological, psychiatric, and psychological diseases. However, other morphological descriptors are not analyzed. Furthermore, not available databases, or studies, were found with information related to the hippocampal morphology from Latin-American patients living in the Andean highlands. The hippocampus is manually segmented by two medical imaging specialists on normal brain magnetic resonance images. Then, its morphological qualitative and quantitative descriptors (volume, sphericity, roundness, diameter, volume-surface ratio, and aspect ratio) are computed via 3D digital level-set-based mathematical representation. Furthermore, other morphological descriptors and their possible correlation with the hippocampal volume is analyzed. We introduce a first database with the hippocampus' morphological characterization of 63 patients from Quito, Ecuador, male and female, aged between 18 and 95 years old. This study provides new research opportunities to neurologists, psychologists, and psychiatrists, to further understand the hippocampal morphology of Andean and Latin American patients.

Agro-morphological genetic diversity assessment of Amaranthus genotypes from Ethiopia based on qualitative traits

Amaranths are a promising plant in the family of Amaranthaceae because of their nutritional and functional properties, such as their high antioxidant content and dietary fiber content. However, it's being disregarded for several reasons, such as ignorance, a lack of in-depth research, and the plant's long-term genetic growth in Ethiopia, among other factors. In the current work, we described the genetic diversity of 120 amaranth genotypes using qualitative criteria. The experiment, which was configured with an alpha lattice design and duplicated twice, was run for two seasons in 2020 and 2021. Twenty qualitative descriptors were looked for in the gathered data. Among the 20 qualitative variables that were assessed, the chi-square test result indicated the presence of prevailing phenotypic variation. The results of the agro-morphological characterization also revealed a significant amount of variance. The overall mean of the Shannon diversity indices (H') was 0.61. The indices for germination rate, leaf margin, prominence of leaf veins, and the existence of auxiliary inflorescence varied from 0.12 to 0.99. The estimated diversity indices showed more intra-regional diversity (0.66) than inter-regional diversity (0.34), demonstrating the existence of gene flow between growing regions. Shannon–Weaver Diversity Index, ranged from 0.00 for auxiliary inflorescence to 1.94 for leaf coloration, with an overall mean of 19 characters (95%) that were found to have high diversity (> 0.76) while auxiliary inflorescence was invariant. Except for auxiliary inflorescence, all qualitative features showed a lot of variation. Additionally, Amaranthus hybridus L. subsp. cruentus (L.) Theil recorded the greatest Shannon diversity index (0.47) while Amaranthus spinosus L. recorded the lowest (0.00). The hierarchical clustering grouped all the genotypes into three clusters. The first cluster included the most genotypes (58), followed by the second (47), and the third cluster contained the fewest (15). Principal component analysis showed that the first six principal components with eigenvalues greater than one contributed 72% of the variability among genotypes. The study unequivocally demonstrated that, even when the genotypes were grouped into a small number of clusters, there was still enough divergence within the clusters to demonstrate the genotypes of amaranth to have a high genetic diversity. These results indicate that there is substantial genetic diversity among Ethiopian amaranth genotypes, which should be safeguarded and may be utilized in breeding in the future.

Maximizing similarity: using correlation coefficients to calibrate kinetic parameters in population balance models

Crystallization plays a crucial role as a separation and purification technique, particularly in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. By adjusting process parameters, the productivity, product quality, and efficiency of downstream processes can be improved. In complex processes, model-based design becomes invaluable. Population Balance Models (PBMs) have successfully aided the chemical industry in achieving more effective production processes for decades. These models can utilize various input data sources to identify the dominant mechanisms and calibrate model parameters. While inline particle monitoring tools serve as excellent qualitative descriptors, challenges arise from experimentation and data interpretation, hindering their direct application in the kinetic parameter estimation of PBMs. In this study, we present a novel approach that utilizes information from inline particle monitoring tools for the kinetic parameter estimation of PBMs, bypassing the associated obstacles. Our pioneering approach relies on offline product size data and the correlation-based utilization of inline particle monitoring information. The paper compares this novel strategy with two parameter estimation techniques: the classical method using solute concentration and product size data and a somewhat naïve approach, which assumes that the inline particle monitoring data can directly be compared with the simulations. The prediction capabilities are evaluated through two in-silico case studies. The results indicate that the precision and predictive capability of the correlation-based technique are comparable to the classical approach, both for noisy data and for a system undergoing significant agglomeration and deagglomeration. The use of Pearson’s correlation coefficient yields the best results in the novel cases. These findings in in-silico datasets provide a foundation and motivation for the practical application of this idea, unleashing the so-far hidden model development potential of such measurements.

Navigating the Marine Strategy Framework Directive D11: Updates on Threshold Values and Future Perspectives

The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), enacted by the European Union in 2008, seeks to achieve a Good Environmental Status for European seas through 11 qualitative descriptors. This paper specifically examines Descriptor 11 (D11), which focuses on the impact of anthropogenic noise on marine ecosystems. Despite significant advancements and extensive work done by expert groups and researchers to establish methodologies for assessing this issue, critical gaps remain, such as the effects of anthropogenic noise on many marine species, including cetaceans. As the second MSFD cycle concludes, this paper emphasizes the need for further research on other forms of energy, such as electromagnetic fields, and advocates for standardized approaches, including a unified Level of Onset of Adverse Biological Effects (LOBE) for species and habitat.

Caracterización morfoagronómica de poblaciones de maíz criollo (Zea mays L.), provincia de Manabí, Ecuador

Ecuador is a country with a wide genetic diversity of maize and there are populations of native maize conserved by farmers that have not yet been characterized. These genetic resources could be conserved and used in plant breeding programs. The objective of this research was to characterize the morpho-agronomic diversity of 38 populations of native maize from the province of Manabí, Ecuador, using 19 quantitative and 11 qualitative morpho-agronomic descriptors. During the dry season of 2022 (July - December) at the Portoviejo Experimental Station of the National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIAP), plots of 8 m2 were established for each population of native maize, with 0.3 m between plants and 0.8 m between furrows and each furrow was 5 m long. Cluster analysis showed the formation of four groups, where the populations of hard kernels with large ears and soft kernels with short ears were separated into different groups. The quantitative variables ear height, panicle length, percentage of lodging, number of kernels per row and biomass of the inflorescence rachis recorded "D" indices of 0.75, showing themselves as discriminant variables in the formation of the groups, while the most discriminating qualitative variables were kernel type (χ2 = 49.09***, P= 0.742, V= 0.64), kernel color (χ2= 51.955***, P= 0.75, V=0.64), row arrangement (χ2= 18.11*, P=0.56, V=0.39), and kernel surface shape (χ2 = 20.52*, P=0.58, V=0.41). The native maize races identified were Candela, Cubano, Tuxpeño, Tusilla, and Uchima, observing significant genetic diversity in the populations studied. It was concluded that the characterized native maize populations were a valuable genetic resource for the conservation and use of this cereal. Keywords: genotypes, landraces, genetic variability, conservation of genetic resources.

Novel comprehensive analysis of skilled reaching and grasping behavior in adult rats

BackgroundReaching and grasping (R&G) in rats is commonly used as an outcome measure to investigate the effectiveness of rehabilitation or treatment strategies to recover forelimb function post spinal cord injury. Kinematic analysis has been limited to the wrist and digit movements. Kinematic profiles of the more proximal body segments that play an equally crucial role in successfully executing the task remain unexplored. Additionally, understanding of different forelimb muscle activity, their interactions, and their correlation with the kinematics of R&G movement is scarce. New methodIn this work, novel methodologies to comprehensively assess and quantify the 3D kinematics of the proximal and distal forelimb joints along with associated muscle activity during R&G movements in adult rats are developed and discussed. ResultsOur data show that different phases of R&G identified using the novel kinematic and EMG-based approach correlate with the well-established descriptors of R&G stages derived from the Whishaw scoring system. Additionally, the developed methodology allows describing the temporal activity of individual muscles and associated mechanical and physiological properties during different phases of the motor task. Comparison with existing method(s)R&G phases and their sub-components are identified and quantified using the developed kinematic and EMG-based approach. Importantly, the identified R&G phases closely match the well-established qualitative descriptors of the R&G task proposed by Whishaw and colleagues. ConclusionsThe present work provides an in-depth objective analysis of kinematics and EMG activity of R&G behavior, paving the way to a standardized approach to assessing this critical rodent motor function in future studies.

Morphological Characterization of Opuntia Accessions from Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain) Using UPOV Descriptors

Twenty Opuntia accessions from Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain) were classified according to 52 quantitative and qualitative descriptors, including the traits of the cladodes, flowers, fruits, and spines, as described by the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) guidelines. A database composed of 20 accessions and 52 traits was used to perform a cluster analysis based on the Euclidian distance and Ward’s method and a canonical discriminant analysis. In terms of the analyzed characteristics, cactus pears with orange flesh showed less variability than cactus pears with white or purple flesh. Good classifications according to fruit flesh color were obtained using discriminant analysis. As a result of the cluster analysis, Opuntia plant accessions with white, orange, or purple-fleshed fruits were classified into four homogeneous groups according to the cubic clustering criteria. This study proves that it was possible to make a preliminary classification of Opuntia varieties from the Canary Islands based on a few main morphological characteristics. To improve the classification, a molecular analysis of the different Opuntia plants is necessary.

Quantitative radiomics and qualitative LI-RADS imaging descriptors for non-invasive assessment of β-catenin mutation status in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Gain-of-function mutations in CTNNB1, gene encoding for β-catenin, are observed in 25-30% of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). Recent studies have shown β-catenin activation to have distinct roles in HCC susceptibility to mTOR inhibitors and resistance to immunotherapy. Our goal was to develop and test a computational imaging-based model to non-invasively assess β-catenin activation in HCC, since liver biopsies are often not done due to risk of complications. This IRB-approved retrospective study included134subjects with pathologically proven HCC and availableβ-catenin activation status, who also had either CTor MRimaging of the liver performed within 1year of histological assessment. For qualitative descriptors, experienced radiologistsassessed the presence of imaging features listed in LI-RADS v2018. For quantitative analysis, a single biopsy proven tumor underwent a 3D segmentation and radiomics features were extracted. We developed prediction models to assess the β-catenin activation in HCC using both qualitative and quantitative descriptors. There were 41 cases (31%) with β-catenin mutation and 93 cases (69%) without. The model's AUC was 0.70 (95% CI 0.60, 0.79) using radiomics features and 0.64 (0.52, 0.74; p = 0.468) using qualitative descriptors. However, when combined, the AUC increased to 0.88 (0.80, 0.92; p = 0.009). Among the LI-RADS descriptors, the presence of a nodule-in-nodule showed a significant association with β-catenin mutations (p = 0.015). Additionally, 88 radiomics features exhibited a significant association (p < 0.05) with β-catenin mutations. Combination of LI-RADS descriptors and CT/MRI-derived radiomics determine β-catenin activation status in HCC with high confidence, making precision medicine a possibility.

Risk Evaluation and Attack Detection in Heterogeneous IoMT Devices Using Hybrid Fuzzy Logic Analytical Approach.

The rapidly expanding Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) landscape fosters enormous opportunities for personalized healthcare, yet it also exposes patients and healthcare systems to diverse security threats. Heterogeneous IoMT devices present challenges that need comprehensive risk assessment due to their varying functionality, protocols, and vulnerabilities. Hence, to achieve the goal of having risk-free IoMT devices, the authors used a hybrid approach using fuzzy logic and the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) to evaluate risks, providing effective and useful results for developers and researchers. The presented approach specifies qualitative descriptors such as the frequency of occurrence, consequence severity, weight factor, and risk level. A case study with risk events in three different IoMT devices was carried out to illustrate the proposed method. We performed a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) attack on an oximeter, smartwatch, and smart peak flow meter to discover their vulnerabilities. Using the FAHP method, we calculated fuzzy weights and risk levels, which helped us to prioritize criteria and alternatives in decision-making. Smartwatches were found to have a risk level of 8.57 for injection attacks, which is of extreme importance and needs immediate attention. Conversely, jamming attacks registered the lowest risk level of 1, with 9 being the maximum risk level and 1 the minimum. Based on this risk assessment, appropriate security measures can be implemented to address the severity of potential threats. The findings will assist healthcare industry decision-makers in evaluating the relative importance of risk factors, aiding informed decisions through weight comparison.

Morpho-Physiological Characterization of Potato (Solanum Tuberosum) Genotypes of the Andigenum and Phureja Group from the Working Collection of the Universidad De Nariño

This study presents the morpho-physiological characterization of potato (Solanum tuberosum) genotypes from the Andigenum and Phureja groups, cultivated at the Nariño, Colombia. The research addresses the vital role of genetic diversity in agricultural sustainability and food security, highlighting the importance of genetic resources for crop improvement and ecosystem stability. The study utilized a comprehensive morphological characterization based on both qualitative and quantitative descriptors to assess genetic variability within the university's potato collection. This approach allowed for the identification of duplicates, the enhancement of a morphological database, and insights into the genetic diversity of the collections. Using techniques like Multiple Correspondence Analysis (ACM) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), distinct clusters of genotypes were identified, which were highly influenced by their ploidy levels. Results indicated significant morphological variation between diploid Phureja and tetraploid Andigenum genotypes. Phureja genotypes showed greater similarity among themselves compared to the more diverse Andigenum group. This morphological diversity is importante for the identification of specific traits beneficial for breeding programs, such as resistance to environmental stresses and diseases. The study underscores the importance of maintaining genetic diversity within potato germplasm collections, facilitating the selection of genotypes with desirable agronomic traits. The findings contribute significantly to the understanding of the genetic and morphological foundations necessary for the future genetic improvement of the potato, a staple food crop with profound implications for global food security. The geographic distribution of the genotypes also suggested a correlation between morphological traits and geographic locations, reinforcing the role of local adaptation in crop diversity and resilience.

A qualitative Decision Tree model for Common Beans and Cowpea classification

Common beans and cowpea are two grains that form part of the preferred diet in several countries, mainly due to their nutritional value. Knowledge of their diversity is important for plant breeding and determines the conservation and use strategy. Previous analyzes show that there is variability for a set of qualitative and quantitative descriptors for this species. The objective of these work was to use data from qualitative descriptors to generate a decision tree model that makes it possible to classify common bean and cowpea genotypes. 17 bean genotypes were used, 12 of which were common beans and 5 were cowpeas. Eight qualitative descriptors were used to characterize the bean genotypes. Machine learning techniques were used to generate decision tree models for classifying bean genotypes. Using the accuracy, precision and F1-score metrics in the cross-validation approach, we select the best decision tree model. This model was adapted into a flowchart for use in various purposes, aiming to classify beans based on qualitative descriptors.

Morphoagronomic descriptors of rice landraces varieties (Oryza sativa L.) from the state of Maranhão

Rice landrace varieties are adapted to the most diverse environmental conditions, which is clearly important in periods of great climatic and sanitary uncertainties. However, there is a gap in their description in the literature. Maranhão, Brazil, has wide diversity in landrace seeds, with rice varieties that can significantly contribute to the genetic breeding of the species. Based on this information, the objective of the present study was to characterize the landraces rice varieties, through the description of the morphological and agronomic profile. The study analyzed 23 qualitative heredity descriptors and three quantitative descriptors in 21 rice landrace varieties from different locations in the state of Maranhão, according to the methodological procedures recommended by the National Cultivar Protection Service. A randomized block e experimental design was used (DBC), with 21 treatments and four replications. Considering complementing To complement the study, a multicategorical analysis was carried out between the 21 accessions, based on qualitative data obtained from the 22 morphological descriptors, which generated a dendrogram. The results showed that there are differences between the qualitative descriptors. Quantitative descriptors are highly significant, with regard to the number of tillers, with emphasis on the Edinho variety. The Quechi variety was responsible for one of the factors that most influences the rice yield, with the highest number of grains per panicle. The varieties Codozinho, Edinho, Palha Murcha and Pé Roxo, are more productive in number of panicles. The dendrogram formed three clusters with evidence of dissimilarities between the varieties. The results show that the landrace varieties differ in their morphoagronomic characteristics and can be valuable materials in the construction of a new, more sustainable agriculture.

Phenotypic Diversity of Quinoa Landraces Cultivated in the Ecuadorian Andean Region: In Situ Conservation and Detection of Promising Accessions for Breeding Programs

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is an ancestral crop in the Ecuadorian Andean region, and its landraces have always been of great social and food importance for the native population. Currently, there is no updated information about their phenotypic diversity and conservation status nor about the changes that have occurred in the last decades. A total of 268 accessions of quinoa landraces collected at two different times (1978–1988 and 2014–2015) in three representative Ecuadorian Andean provinces (Imbabura, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo) were evaluated for forty agro-morphological (17 quantitative and 23 qualitative) traits. Most of the quantitative traits showed high variability, some of them with great importance for commercialization and germplasm selection for breeding programs (e.g., panicle width, grain width, 1000-grain weight or seed yield per plant). Ten quantitative and eleven qualitative descriptors were significantly different between both collections. Regarding the presence/absence of saponin, all the accessions collected four decades ago had saponin, while it was found in only 18% of accessions collected more recently. The phenotypic relationships in the dendrogram did not show clustered accessions by their geographical origin or by collection. A selection index allowed us to detect a few accessions recently collected in Chimborazo with high promises for future breeding programs, with high seed yields per plant values and a reduced or no saponin content. The agro-morphological information obtained may be very useful for the suitable management and conservation of this ancestral plant genetic resource, both on the farm by indigenous farming communities and ex situ by the Germplasm Bank of the Ecuadorian National Institute for Agricultural Research (INIAP).

Potential of peppers of the genus Capsicum and their use as an ornamental plant

Capsicum is a genus of the Solanaceae family, where the different types of domesticated peppers are found. They are bushy plants, originating from the Americas, producing fruits that are generally used in cooking. The Garden of the School of Agronomy, at the Federal University of Goiás, has a collection of peppers with 167 accessions, where part of these accessions (57) was evaluated to verify their suitability as an ornamental plant. This work was carried out in the experimental area of the Garden of the School of Agronomy at the Federal University of Goiás, in Goiânia – GO Brazil, in the Horticulture sector. The experiment was installed in August 2022 with sowing carried out in resistant plastic trays, with 50 cells, kept in a greenhouse and transplanting carried out in the open area. 5 (five) seedlings were used per accession, where for every 10 (ten accessions of the collection, 5 (five) seedlings of round potted commercial red pepper were transplanted, also added to the collection, with the code (UFGMH070) and the experiment outlined in enlarged blocks. The studied accessions were characterized agronomically, using fifteen descriptors recommended by IPGRI (1995). Among these descriptors, eight are quantitative in nature (plant height (PH), crown diameter (CD), fruit length (FRL), fruit width (FRW), pericarp thickness (PT), number of locules (NL), pericarp weight (PW) and seed weight (SEW) and seven have a qualitative nature (flower color (FLC), position fruit size (FRP), fruit color (FRC), fruit shape (FRS), fruit surface (FRS), seed color (SEC), seed surface (SES). For data analysis, a matrix was estimated of dissimilarity, through the joint analysis of quantitative and qualitative variables, with this matrix, a dendrogram was obtained. The grouping of accesses was obtained using the UPGMA (Unweighted Pair-Group Method Using an Arithmetic Average) method. The data were analyzed by the computational software R. To establish the ornamental value of the plants, the criteria of the Veiling cooperative in Holambra were used, where the variables plant height and position of flowers and fruits, among the descriptors evaluated, are the most important. According to the cluster analysis, there was a division into seven groups and it was possible to observe that Group III had the highest number of accesses, 63.16%, followed by Group II with 15.79%, Group IV with 12.28%. %, Group V with 3.51% and those who were isolated, in groups with only one access Group I 1.75%, Group VI 1.75% and Group VII 1.75%, of the total accesses. Within the dendrogram, the group with the largest number of accessions is Group 3, where in this group are the plants that presented ideal plant height, white flowers and fruits with an upright arrangement, ideal characteristics for their use as an ornamental plant. Agronomic characterization, based on quantitative and qualitative descriptors, enabled an interpretation of genetic dissimilarity, which allows better targeting, for the producer, research, as well as for extension.

REMOVAL OF SOFT CAST AT HOME AFTER PAEDIATRIC TRAUMA IS SAFE AND CONVENIENT FOR CAREGIVERS

At-home softcast removal with no routine clinical follow-up has shown to be safe and effective following paediatric orthopaedic trauma. It minimises clinician contact time and reduces cost. However, there is limited data on the caregiver experience.Retrospective analysis of paediatric fractures requiring application of circumferential softcast that was later removed at home. Two time points were included: (1)July–September 2022, (2)February–April 2023. Demographics data included age, fracture classification, angulation, manipulation requirement, complications or unplanned re-attendance. Caregivers were given an information leaflet on cast removal. Caregivers completed a telephone Likert questionnaire reviewing time taken to remove cast, qualitative descriptors of cast removal and overall satisfaction.77 families were contacted at mean 93 days post injury. Mean age was 7.5 years. 41(53%) were distal radius and 20(26%) both-bone forearm fractures. The remaining were hand, elbow or tibia injuries. 40(52%) injuries required manipulation under procedural sedation with mean sagittal angulation 24 degrees. 13(17%) patients re-attended with cast problems. Caregivers estimated a mean 13 minutes to remove cast. 83% found it ‘extremely’ or ‘somewhat’ easy. 75% were ‘extremely’ or ‘somewhat’ satisfied. 71% were ‘extremely’ or ‘somewhat’ likely to recommend at-home cast removal. Qualitative descriptors ranged from from ‘traumatising’ to ‘fun’ and ‘straightforward’.The experience at our tertiary centre confirms at-home softcast removal with no further orthopaedic follow-up is safe and feasible, even in those requiring manipulation under sedation. The majority of families reported a positive experience; this however is not universal. Adequate patient information resources are integral to a positive caregiver's experiences.

Morphological Characterization and Diversity Assessment of Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] Genotypes using DUS Descriptors as per PPV and FRA, 2001

Background: Variety characterization is the foremost important step that should be done by breeders to classify a variety into distinct groups. A significant technique for locating and assessing several genotypes for the registration, protection and production of seeds of superior quality is the Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) characterization. Consequently, the current investigation aimed to use DUS descriptors to describe and assess the variance present in mungbean genotypes. Methods: One hundred forty-two mungbean genotypes were examined using 21 agro-morphological qualitative DUS descriptors in a randomized block design with two replications across two seasons, kharif 2021 and kharif 2022. Result: In the twenty-one DUS traits that were examined, four characters’ plant growth habit, leaf shape, leaf size and seed size exhibited trimorphic variance. Three characters (plant habit, stem pubescence and pod pubescence) were found to be identical among all genotypes while fourteen characters displayed dimorphic variance. All of the mungbean genotypes displayed a significant degree of variance for all DUS characteristics. Based on the UPGMA method of clustering, the dendrogram classified all the one hundred forty-two genotypes into three major clusters. The presence of variation among the genotypes under study was demonstrated by the further classification of these primary clusters into five sub-clusters. The majority of the genotypes were found in cluster II (121 genotypes), which was followed by cluster I (18 genotypes) and cluster III (3 genotypes).

Words and numbers: a comparative study of medical and journalism students’ descriptors of risk, numeracy and preferences for health risk communication

BackgroundGiven the complementary roles of health professionals and journalists in communicating health risks to patients and the public, there have been calls for physicians to work with journalists to improve the quality of health information received by the public. Understanding the preferences of medical and journalism students for the way in which health risks are communicated and their understanding of words used to describe risk is an important first step to inform interdisciplinary learning.MethodsMedical and journalism students (n = 203) completed an online survey where they were given qualitative descriptors of risk such as ‘a chance’, ‘probably’ and ‘unlikely’, and asked to assign a number that represents what the word means to them. Different formats of communicating risk (percentages, natural frequency and visual aids) were provided and students were asked to select and explain their preference. A thematic analysis of reasons was conducted. Numeracy and perceived mathematics ability were measured.ResultsNumbers assigned to the descriptor ‘A chance’ had the highest variability for medical students. Numbers assigned to the descriptor ‘Probably’ had the highest variability for journalism students. Using visual aids was the most popular format for risk communication for both courses (56% of medical students and 40% of journalism students). Using percentages was twice as popular with journalism students compared to medical students (36% vs. 18%). Perceived mathematics ability was lower in students with a preference for natural frequencies and in journalism students, however performance on an objective numeracy scale was similar for all three formats (percentages, natural frequency and visual aids). Reasons for choosing a preferred format included good communication, eliciting a response, or learning style.ConclusionsEducation on health risk communication for medical and journalism students should emphasize the need for qualitative descriptors of risk to be combined with the best available number. Students are already considering their role as future communicators of health risks and open to tailoring the mode of presentation to their audience. Further research is required on the design and evaluation of interdisciplinary workshops in health risk communication for medical and journalism students to maximise the opportunities for future inter-professional working.

Avaliação e caracterização morfoagronômica de acessos de abóbora provenientes do semiárido do nordeste brasileiro

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate morphoagronomic characteristics of different Cucurbita moschata (Duch) accessions from the Semiarid region of the Northeast of Brazil. Two experiments were conducted at the experimental field of the Bahia State University (Department of Technology and Social Sciences), Juazeiro, BA, Brazil, one from May to October 2021 and another from February to July 2022. Eighteen C. moschata accessions were evaluated in the first experiment, and 11 S1 progenies were evaluated in the second. Quantitative descriptors were analyzed in both experiments: fruit weight (FW; kg); fruit diameter (FD; cm); fruit length (FL; cm); fruit internal cavity diameter (FICD; cm); fruit internal cavity length (FICL cm); average of fruit skin thickness (AFST; mm); average of fruit flesh thickness (AFFT; mm); soluble solids content (SS; °Brix); 100-seed fresh weight (100SFW; g); 100seed dry weight (100SDW; g). Qualitative descriptors evaluated included fruit shape, fruit ribbing, skin color, flesh color, flesh texture, and skin texture. Significant differences were found for FW, FD, FL, FICD, FICL, AFST, AFFT, and SS in the first experiment, and or FD, FL, FICD, FICL, AFST, SS, and 100SDW in the second experiment. The results indicate genetic variability among accessions for quantitative and qualitative morphological fruit characteristics.