Statistical Support Research Articles

Statistical Analysis of Minsky’s Financial Instability Hypothesis for the 1945–2023 Era

Following the 2008 financial crisis, Hyman Minsky’s Financial Instability Hypothesis (FIH) emerged as a prominent financial theory to explain the occurrence of business cycles in the U.S. economy. There have been many theoretical, but few empirical studies dedicated to FIH. The current literature also lacks the statistical support to confirm the necessary conditions leading to financial instability and whether FIH concepts remains applicable in the post 1980s periods. This article presents a statistical methodology to analyze the financial debt ratios related to FIH for the 1945–2023 periods through the use of nonparametric statistical analyses of ordered alternatives and a binomial test for meta-analysis. The results indicated that the conditions leading to financial instability such as debt ratios did increase prior to the onset of a recession as prescribed by FIH during the 1945–1980s era. Furthermore, such conditions also repeated prior to some recessions occurred in the 2001–2023 periods. This study provides statistical support for Minsky’s FIH theory.

ARvolution: Decoding consumer motivation and value dimensions in augmented reality

Recent technological advancements, notably in augmented reality (AR), have disrupted the marketing landscape, arousing interest in immersive experiences for consumers. In particular, AR has emerged as a powerful tool for marketers across various industries for bridging the imagination gap. Despite this potential, many managers grapple with how to strategically integrate AR. The literature on AR marketing highlights its ability to inspire, engage, increase sales, induce impulse buying, and enhance customer–brand relationships. However, a comprehensive understanding of the value AR provides to users remains lacking. This study addresses this gap by applying consumption value theory to identify the dimensions influencing AR usage. By integrating this theory into the technology acceptance model, we establish a coherent framework for analyzing the values driving AR adoption. The study uncovers the importance of convenience value and informational value, in particular, for closing the imagination gap. While emotional hedonic value was only significant for female consumers, there was no statistical support for monetary value and social value in the present study. Thus, this study uncovers motivational values that people seek when they use AR.

Epigenetic Control of Adamantinomatous Craniopharyngiomas.

Studies addressing the methylation pattern in adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma (ACP) are lacking. To identify methylation signatures in ACPs regarding clinical presentation and outcome. Clinical and pathology data were collected from 35 patients with ACP (54% male; 18.1 years [2-68]). CTNNB1 mutations and methylation profile (MethylationEPIC/Array-Illumina) were analyzed in tumoral DNA. Unsupervised machine learning analysis of this comprehensive methylome sample was achieved using hierarchical clustering and multidimensional scaling. Statistical associations between clusters and clinical features were achieved using the Fisher test and global biological process interpretations were aided by Gene Ontology enrichment analyses. Two clusters were revealed consistently by all unsupervised methods (ACP-1: n = 18; ACP-2: n = 17) with strong bootstrap statistical support. ACP-2 was enriched by CTNNB1 mutations (100% vs 56%, P = .0006), hypomethylated in CpG island, non-CpG Island sites, and globally (P < .001), and associated with greater tumor size (24.1 vs 9.5 cm3, P = .04). Enrichment analysis highlighted pathways on signaling transduction, transmembrane receptor, development of anatomical structures, cell adhesion, cytoskeleton organization, and cytokine binding, and cell type-specific biological processes as regulation of oligodendrocytes, keratinocyte, and epithelial cells differentiation. Two clusters of patients with ACP were consistently revealed by unsupervised machine learning methods, with one of them significantly hypomethylated, enriched by CTNNB1 mutated ACPs, and associated with increased tumor size. Enrichment analysis reinforced pathways involved in tumor proliferation and in cell-specific tumoral microenvironment.

BIOINFORMATIC ANALYSIS OF THE CODING SEQUENCES OF NICOTIANA SYLVESTRIS sHSP

During the evolution, plants have developed defense mechanisms against temperature stress associated with the synthesis of protective proteins, among which molecular chaperones predominate, in particular low molecular weight heat stress proteins (sHSPs). Despite the important role these proteins play in the defense response to high temperature stress, they are still poorly studied for many taxonomic groups of plants. In particular, almost nothing is known about the organization and diversity of heat shock genes/proteins in representatives of such an important genus as Nicotiana (tobacco). The article presents the results of a bioinformatic analysis of the multigene/multiprotein sHSP family in N. sylvestris, an important model object in plant physiology, biochemistry, molecular genetics and cell biotechnology. The GenBank database was used to search for homologous sequences using the BLAST algorithm. Amino acid sequences were aligned using the L-INS-I method on the MAFFT server. Phylogenetic analysis was performed by the maximum likelihood method using the PhyML plugin for Geneious Prime 2023.2.1. Statistical support of branches was calculated using the aLRT-Chi2 method. It was found that within the compared amino acid sequences of N. sylvestris sHSP, three parts can be distinguished: the variable N-terminal region, the conserved α-crystallin domain (ACD), and the C-terminal region. Based on the alignment of the sHSP amino acid sequences, a similarity dendrogram was constructed, on which several clades with high statistical support are visualized. The results of the comparative analysis of the amino acid sequences show that sHSPs of N. sylvestris belong to 10 structural classes. Proteins of seven classes are believed to be localized in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus, while the rest are located in the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, plastids and peroxisomes. In total, according to the results of bioinformatic analysis, 24 genes encoding sHSP were found in the genome of N. sylvestris, as well as one pseudogene in which the fragment encoding the N-terminal region has been lost. Since the sequence of the pseudogene differs slightly from the closest representatives of this group, it can be assumed that the conversion of this region into a pseudogene is a relatively recent evolutionary event. Keywords: abiotic stress, bioinformatic analysis, genetic polymorphism, molecular genomics, molecular evolution, multigene family, α-crystallin domain, sHSP, N. sylvestris.

New mycoparasitic species in the genera Niveomyces and Pseudoniveomyces gen. nov. (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae), with sporothrix-like asexual morphs, from Thailand-SUPP

Supplementary files:&lt;br /&gt;Fig. S1. The best phylogenetic tree from Bayesian inference based on ITS. The statistical support values, namely Bayesian posterior probability (PP; &gt; 0.70) and maximum likelihood-based bootstrap (BS; &gt; 70 %), are shown above the nodes (PP/BS).&lt;br /&gt;Fig. S2. The best phylogenetic tree from Bayesian inference based on LSU. The statistical support values, namely Bayesian posterior probability (PP; &gt; 0.70) and maximum likelihood-based bootstrap (BS; &gt; 70 %), are shown above the nodes (PP/BS).&lt;br /&gt;Fig. S3. The best phylogenetic tree from Bayesian inference based on TEF1. The statistical support values, namely Bayesian posterior probability (PP; &gt; 0.70) and maximum likelihood-based bootstrap (BS; &gt; 70 %), are shown above the nodes (PP/BS).&lt;br /&gt;Fig. S4. The best phylogenetic tree from Bayesian inference based on RPB1. The statistical support values, namely Bayesian posterior probability (PP; &gt; 0.70) and maximum likelihood-based bootstrap (BS; &gt; 70 %), are shown above the nodes (PP/BS).&lt;br /&gt;Fig. S5. The best phylogenetic tree from Bayesian inference based on RPB2. The statistical support values, namely Bayesian posterior probability (PP; &gt; 0.70) and maximum likelihood-based bootstrap (BS; &gt; 70 %), are shown above the nodes (PP/BS).

The Effect of Coherence Level and Assumption Form on the Wason Selection Task Solution

The Wason selection task is designed as a refutation attitude and based on the K. Popper principle of falsificationism. The numerous studies have revealed that specific forms of the task are solved better than abstract ones. However, researchers explain this phenomenon differently. The aim of the study is to introduce and explain the better solution effect by varying the coherence level and the assumption form of selection task conditions. The notion of “coherence” is introduced in the theory-theory concept approach to denote the connection between two concepts, as well as between the attributes of one concept. We have introduced three levels of coherence: formal coherence means the absence of any meaningful connection, external coherence implies the presence of an external “context”, and internal coherence includes the causal connection between the assumption concepts as well. Based on the selection task modifications analysis, it was found that conditions are implicitly formulated in the form of rules or hypotheses, which implies different testing strategies. The following hypotheses were tested: 1) the selection task solving efficiency will increase with the growth in the assumption attributes coherence level; 2) tasks with rules will be solved better than tasks with hypotheses on the same assumption attributes coherence level. The sample includes 193 subjects (median age 23 years, 60% female, 51% with higher education). Selection task modifications were used as stimulus material, where the coherence levels and the assumption form were varied. As a result, both hypotheses found statistical support. The novelty of this paper lies in the methodological separation of selection task modifications both by the assumption form — rules or hypo - theses, and by the coherence level of the tested assumption — formal, external and internal. The introduction of two forms and three levels of assumption coherence allows us to integrate the selection task solution factors revealed in different studies within a single explanation of the inclusion of the tested assumption in different kinds of theories.

Quantitative evidence for dimorphism suggests sexual selection in the maxillary caniniform process of Placerias hesternus.

Placerias hesternus, a Late Triassic dicynodont, is one of the last megafaunal synapsids of the Mesozoic. The species has a tusk-like projection on its maxillary bone, known as the caniniform process. This process has been hypothesized to be sexually dimorphic since the 1950s, however this claim has not been thoroughly investigated quantitatively. Here, we examined maxillae, premaxillae, quadrates, and fibulae from a single population from the Placerias Quarry in the Blue Mesa Member of the Chinle Formation, near St. Johns, Arizona, USA to determine if the caniniform process is dimorphic. We made a total of 25 measurements from the four bones and used a maximum likelihood framework to compare the fit of unimodal versus bimodal distributions for each set of measurements. Our results from complete maxillae reveal that the caniniform process has two distinct morphs, with a shorter and longer form. This interpretation is substantiated both by strong statistical support for bimodal distribution of caniniform lengths, and by clustering analysis that clearly distinguishes two morphs for the maxillae. Clustering analysis also shows support for potential dimorphism in the shape of the quadrate. However, no measurements from elements other than the maxilla have a strong likelihood of bimodal distribution. These results support the long-standing hypothesis that the caniniform in Placerias was dimorphic. Alternative explanations to sexual dimorphism that could account for the dimorphism among these fossils include the presence of juveniles in the sample or time-averaged sampling of a chronospecies, but both have been previously rejected for the Placerias Quarry population. The lack of strong dimorphism in non-maxilla elements and increased variation in caniniform length of the large-caniniform morph suggest that the caniniform is a secondary sexual trait, possibly used in intraspecific competition.

Writing as a Path to the Alphabetic Principle: How Preschoolers Learn that their Own Writing Represents Speech

ABSTRACTThis study explores how preschoolers develop understandings of the symbolic nature of print in the context of their own writing. Using qualitative methods and a cross‐sectional design, this study documents the learning trajectory that begins with children's earliest experiences linking speech and print in writing events and continues as they learn that English print is glottographic and alphabetic. Children's changing approaches to speech‐print linking provide evidence of their developing understanding of how print functions as a representational system. Participants were 134 English‐speaking 2‐ to 5‐year‐olds attending childcare classrooms where preschoolers' writing was frequent and valued. Children completed an open‐ended writing task where they wrote a photo caption and read it to an adult. Open and axial coding identified six core approaches to speech‐print linking during writing: marks not read, conversational speech without pointing, conversational speech with pointing to the graphic array, segmented speech with pointing to the graphic array, segmented speech matched to specific marks, and phoneme‐grapheme matching. A growth curve model provided statistical support for this ordering of the core approaches. Findings show that early writing experiences can be an important context for building foundational literacy skills such as the alphabetic principle. Adult practices that physically materialize speech‐print relations in writing may be especially supportive of this learning. We conclude that young children should be offered frequent opportunities to compose their own texts, and to interact with adults around their writing.

Сучасний вимір соціальної політики країн Європейського Союзу – орієнтир реформ в Україні

The article presents modern approaches to measuring and possibly conducting a comparative analysis of the effectiveness of social policy in individual countries with the help of global and regional special indicator systems and global indices of well-being and social progress. It is emphasized that in the modern world, the scenarios of increasing social polarization, inequality and poverty of human development both within and between countries are currently being realized, as well as those associated with the contraction of public welfare, violation of social, labour and environmental standards, and reduction of the quality of social rights. The author identifies and briefly characterizes the main indicator systems for measurement and comparative analysis of the effectiveness of social policies in the EU member states, particularly the EU statistics on incomes and living conditions (EU-SILC) and the European pillar of social rights. The effectiveness of the social policy of the EU member states is analyzed by the indicators of “Median equalized net income per household member” and “Risk of poverty and social exclusion”, which make it possible to determine convergent and divergent trends in their growth. It is confirmed that two main trends are observed in the convergence processes: actual convergence (EU member states are becoming more similar); and an upward trajectory of living and working conditions, which improves the overall EU value. Recommendations are formulated regarding the need to reform Ukraine’s social policy and its statistical support as a candidate country for joining the European Union under the current EU regulatory environment. The assessment of the dynamics of the welfare indicators for EU and Ukraine populations according to the components of the Legatum Prosperity Index, which relates to the social sphere, proves the need for reforms and the development of measures to improve the living conditions and health of Ukraine’s population.

A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF COASTAL AND MARINE TOURISM: EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF ACTIVITIES, INTENTIONS, AND REASON FOR VISITING ON VISITOR SATISFACTION: THE MODERATING INFLUENCE OF VISITOR TYPES

The major purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics that contribute to visitor happiness, with an emphasis on Aqaba, Jordan's one-of-a-kind setting. Rather than selecting volunteers at random, the researchers took into account the entire community of Aqaba tourists. About 237 of the 500 surveys returned were usable for statistical purposes. In order to categorize the responses, a seven-point Likert scale was used. We use of Smart PLS 4 forms the basis of the analytical framework. There is strong statistical support for the findings of the study. Satisfaction (SA) is heavily influenced by the elements of Availability of Activities (AA), Intends to Participate (IP), and Reason for Visiting (RV). The T value for AA is 4.128 (p 0.001), which indicates statistical significance. IP also has a high T value (7.505, p 0.001), indicating a significant impact. The T value of 4.502 for RV (p 0.001) further demonstrates its statistically significant influence. Add the moderating variable TV to the research design to see how it affects the results. With a T-value of 1.971 (p = 0.049), we see that there is an interaction effect between (AA) and (SA), with (TV) serving as a moderator. The moderate influence of (IP) on (SA) results in a T value of 0.822 (p = 0.411), which is not statistically significant. However, the T value of 4.144 (p 0.001) demonstrates the significance of the interaction between RV and SA, indicating that TV has a moderating effect on the relationship between the two variables.

Inferring Viral Transmission Time from Phylogenies for Known Transmission Pairs.

When the time of an HIV transmission event is unknown, methods to identify it from virus genetic data can reveal the circumstances that enable transmission. We developed a single-parameter Markov model to infer transmission time from an HIV phylogeny constructed of multiple virus sequences from people in a transmission pair. Our method finds the statistical support for transmission occurring in different possible time slices. We compared our time-slice model results to previously described methods: a tree-based logical transmission interval, a simple parsimony-like rules-based method, and a more complex coalescent model. Across simulations with multiple transmitted lineages, different transmission times relative to the source's infection, and different sampling times relative to transmission, we found that overall our time-slice model provided accurate and narrower estimates of the time of transmission. We also identified situations when transmission time or direction was difficult to estimate by any method, particularly when transmission occurred long after the source was infected and when sampling occurred long after transmission. Applying our model to real HIV transmission pairs showed some agreement with facts known from the case investigations. We also found, however, that uncertainty on the inferred transmission time was driven more by uncertainty from time calibration of the phylogeny than from the model inference itself. Encouragingly, comparable performance of the Markov time-slice model and the coalescent model-which make use of different information within a tree-suggests that a new method remains to be described that will make full use of the topology and node times for improved transmission time inference.

Impact of Social Media Marketing on Purchase Intention: The Moderating Role of Perceived Enjoyment

The purpose of this study is to the effect of social media marketing on the purchase intention as the mediating role of perceive enjoyment. This study used the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to examine the variables that influenced participants’ decisions about whether or not to buy tickets to events using social networking sites. This study presented an online survey disseminated through social media based on TPB, using a quantitative research approach. Controllers of events pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram formed the sample population of the study. Convenience sampling technique use for this study and select ample of N= 125. The review showed that all research protocols were accepted. Among all the independent variables of event fans intention, event fans behavior EWOM and brand loyalty had a significant positive effect on the dependent variable of intention to purchase event tickets. This study provided statistical support for the performance of the TPB when it comes to event marketing and social media activities. This suggests a deeper understanding of rational decision-making and social influences in the formation of behavioral intentions and intentions. The model also included a component of subjective pleasure. While there was perceived interest, the event’s social media pages were well received. This emphasizes the importance of presenting information and content in an engaging and simple way. When it comes to promoting events, perceived enjoyment seems to be an important influence. This highlights the need to create a great user experience for the product page, emphasizing customer feedback, information sharing through their engaging product-related stories and experiences between social media, for customers connect, communicate, share with their friends and help, that’s a brand new marketing strategy. Event marketers should use social media to help create, promote and organize events. If the marketing goal is to spark broad interest in the event, social media is a great way to reach a core group of customers, members and donors.

LEVERAGING NURSING ASSESSMENT DATA TO IDENTIFY FRAILTY INDICATORS OF HOSPITAL DISCHARGE DISPOSITION

Abstract Frailty among older adults is associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates and poorer hospital outcomes. Although frailty is not routinely assessed in the hospital setting, elements of frailty are captured in nursing assessments. The purpose of this study was to examine components of the Risk Analysis Index (RAI) captured in electronic health record (EHR) assessment data and their associations with discharge disposition. This was a retrospective observational study of EHR assessment data which included encounters of older adult patients (≥ 65 years) who were admitted from home to a medical/surgical unit of an academic hospital in North Central Florida between January 2012 and May 2021. The components of the RAI included in the study were sex, age, cancer, renal failure, heart failure, cognitive decline, unintentional weight loss, poor appetite, and shortness of breath at rest. Descriptive statistics were generated and compared between patients discharged to home versus those who were discharged to Post-Acute Care (PAC) facilities. Unadjusted associations were assessed using univariate logistic regression. Consistent with existing literature on frailty, all but one of the included RAI components (i.e., male sex) exhibited higher odds of discharge to a PAC facility with strong statistical support. Recognizing functional decline due to frailty is integral to the mission of improving patient safety. This study provides a preliminary proof of concept for leveraging existing assessment data in the EHR to capture frailty in older adults. Future studies of the overall predictive value of RAI with disposition are warranted.

Hospitalization Costs for Patients with Acute Appendicitis: An Update Using Real-World Data from a Large Province in China.

The aim of this study is to investigate the factors influencing hospitalization costs for patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis in China. We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from Provincial Health Statistics Support System Database from S Province in China. This dataset contained all hospital's electronic medical records from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2018 including both public and private hospitals. The target population was identified based on the principal diagnosis of appendicitis (ICD-10: K35). To examine the impact of various factors on hospitalization costs, we conducted a multivariate linear regression analysis. Furthermore, we employed the Shapley value decomposition method to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the factors that influenced hospitalization costs and their respective levels of importance. Our study comprised 317,200 cases. During the period from 2015 to 2018, the average hospitalization expenses for patients with acute appendicitis were estimated at approximately 7014 RMB (1061 USD), which accounts for a considerable 12% of China's per capita GDP. The results of this study demonstrate a significant correlation between various factors, such as the patient's age, gender, marital status, occupation, payment method, number of complications, treatment method, hospital tier, and ownership, and the total hospitalization costs and subcomponents of hospitalization costs. Notably, the treatment method employed had the most substantial impact on hospitalization costs. To the best of knowledge, this is one of the first studies to investigate the hospitalization costs of acute appendicitis incorporating both patient-level and hospital-level covariates, using a large sample size. To reduce the costs associated with acute appendicitis in China, it is recommended to consider suitable treatment options and explore the option of receiving medical care at lower-tier and privately-owned healthcare facilities.

Performance-based inference of selection on stomatal length and specific leaf area varies with climate-of-origin of the forest tree, Eucalyptus ovata

Understanding how functional traits affect plant performance and fitness is a key step in unravelling the role of natural selection in shaping the evolutionary trajectory of populations. We examined early-age selection acting on leaf traits via their effects on growth performance and fitness, measured in Eucalyptus ovata trees planted in a common-garden field trial embedded in a reforestation planting in Tasmania, Australia. We focused on two important leaf traits - stomatal length and specific leaf area (SLA) - measured two years after planting, and compared interplanted E. ovata groups originating from dry and wet home-site climates, with the trial site having intermediate long-term mean annual rainfall. Two-year height growth was used as the performance attribute, and the time-averaged tree survival over the subsequent six years as the fitness component. There was evidence for performance-based selection on the leaf traits, with the strength and form of selection depending on the trait and climate group being considered. In this sense, selection in the dry group operated mainly on stomatal length where a combination of directional (favouring longer stomata) and stabilizing selection was detected, whereas selection in the wet group acted only on SLA and was purely stabilizing. Estimates of performance-based correlational selection were not statistically significant. For both climate groups, estimates of fitness-based selection gradients provided evidence for significant directional (but not quadratic) selection on height performance, favouring individuals with faster growth, but did not indicate statistical support for direct effects of the leaf traits on tree survival, conditional on measured performance. These results validated qualitative inferences of selection from the performance-based analysis, and suggested that selection on the leaf traits appeared to be mediated by their effects on early-age height performance, which in turn directly influenced later-age survival. We discuss the mechanisms by which the focal traits may have affected height performance, and likely factors contributing to the different patterns of phenotypic selection observed in the two groups experiencing the same environment. We also provide expressions of analytical derivatives that were developed for the estimation of selection gradients based on a logistic regression model relating a binary fitness response to linear and nonlinear covariate terms for the target regressor variables.

Safety and Effectiveness in Treatment Naive CLL Patients with or without High Risk Features Treated with Veno Under Real-World Conditions in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland

Background In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the association of genetic markers such as del(17p), TP53 and IGHV status with disease prognosis is well established. In clinical trials, treatment with Venetoclax in combination with Obinutzumab (VenO) has shown promising efficacy and good tolerability in all subgroups 1. However, there is limited real-world data in specific genetic subgroups. Aim Effectiveness and safety data were analyzed for therapy naive patients treated with VenO focusing on CLL patients with or without the genetic risk factors TP53 mut and/or del(17p) as well as IGHV status. Methods VeRVe is a non-interventional, observational, prospective study with 60 study sites in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. CLL patients treated with VenO according to the local label 2 were included. Study documentation is possible at baseline, weekly during ramp-up, monthly until the end of month 6 and quarterly afterwards up to a maximum of 2 years. Response assessment was documented after ramp-up, 3, 12 and 24 months. Results Until April 12 th, 2023, 101 patients were enrolled and received at least one dose of Venetoclax, 42 % were IGHV unmutated. Baseline characteristics were balanced between the genetic risk groups. Patients with TP53 aberrations were older compared TP53 wildtype patients (71 vs. 66 a). 70% of patients with TP53 aberration, 68% of patients with wt TP53, 74% of patients with IGHVunmutated and 71% of patients with IGHVmut had at least 1 comorbidity. The best overall response rate after 12 months for 88 evaluable patients is shown in the figure. Estimated PFS-rate after 1 year was 93% in the total population, 100% in patients with TP53 aberrations, 91% in patients with wt TP53 95.1% of patients with IGHVunmutated and 82.5% of patients with IGHVmut. Estimated OS -rate after 1 year was identical to the estimated PFS. CTCAE grade AEs 3-5 were reported in 35% of the total population, in 21% in the TP53 aberrant, in 35% in the TP53 wt, in 33% in the IGHVunmutated and 10% in the IGHVmut population. A total of 3 patients had laboratory TLS. No new safety signals were detected. Conclusion In summary, both patients with or without TP53 aberration and with mutated or unmutated IGHV had high rates of best ORR, estimated PFS, and OS. Reassuringly, CR/CRi rates were high in patients with TP53 aberration or IGHV unmutated patients. Treatment was well tolerated. Disclosures DR has received honoraria or research grants from AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Gilead, Janssen, Verastem, Roche, Cellestia. IS has received honoraria from AbbVie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, BeiGene, Janssen, Roche, Servier. HH received speaker or consulting fees from AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Celgene, Janssen, Roche, and Beigene. CL received consulting fees from AbbVie, Amgen. TW received honaria or research funding from Novartis, Celgene, Roche, Bayer, Teva and Abbvie. CL and JH are employees of AbbVie and may own AbbVie stock. BS received speaker or consulting fees from AbbVie, Alexion, Amgen, AstraZeneca, BeiGene, BMS, Hexal, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis and SOBI. PP has received honoraria from Amgen, Gilead, Janssen, Sanofi-Aventis, Takeda. Honorarium paid by AbbVie was not related to authorship of this abstract. No honoraria or payments were made for authorship. AbbVie sponsored this study and contributed to the design, study conduct. AbbVie participated in the interpretation of data, review, and approval of the publication. All authors had access to all relevant data. Statistical support was provided by Daniela Giesder and Anna Eisen of GermanOncology GmbH, which was funded by AbbVie.

X3DFast model for classifying dairy cow behaviors based on a two-pathway architecture

Behavior is one of the important factors reflecting the health status of dairy cows, and when dairy cows encounter health problems, they exhibit different behavioral characteristics. Therefore, identifying dairy cow behavior not only helps in assessing their physiological health and disease treatment but also improves cow welfare, which is very important for the development of animal husbandry. The method of relying on human eyes to observe the behavior of dairy cows has problems such as high labor costs, high labor intensity, and high fatigue rates. Therefore, it is necessary to explore more effective technical means to identify cow behaviors more quickly and accurately and improve the intelligence level of dairy cow farming. Automatic recognition of dairy cow behavior has become a key technology for diagnosing dairy cow diseases, improving farm economic benefits and reducing animal elimination rates. Recently, deep learning for automated dairy cow behavior identification has become a research focus. However, in complex farming environments, dairy cow behaviors are characterized by multiscale features due to large scenes and long data collection distances. Traditional behavior recognition models cannot accurately recognize similar behavior features of dairy cows, such as those with similar visual characteristics, i.e., standing and walking. The behavior recognition method based on 3D convolution solves the problem of small visual feature differences in behavior recognition. However, due to the large number of model parameters, long inference time, and simple data background, it cannot meet the demand for real-time recognition of dairy cow behaviors in complex breeding environments. To address this, we developed an effective yet lightweight model for fast and accurate dairy cow behavior feature learning from video data. We focused on four common behaviors: standing, walking, lying, and mounting. We recorded videos of dairy cow behaviors at a dairy farm containing over one hundred cows using surveillance cameras. A robust model was built using a complex background dataset. We proposed a two-pathway X3DFast model based on spatiotemporal behavior features. The X3D and fast pathways were laterally connected to integrate spatial and temporal features. The X3D pathway extracted spatial features. The fast pathway with R(2 + 1)D convolution decomposed spatiotemporal features and transferred effective spatial features to the X3D pathway. An action model further enhanced X3D spatial modeling. Experiments showed that X3DFast achieved 98.49% top-1 accuracy, outperforming similar methods in identifying the four behaviors. The method we proposed can effectively identify similar dairy cow behaviors while improving inference speed, providing technical support for subsequent dairy cow behavior recognition and daily behavior statistics.

Evaluating modularity in the hominine skull related to feeding biomechanics.

Modular architecture of traits in complex organisms can be important for morphological evolution at micro- and sometimes macroevolutionary scales as it may influence the tempo and direction of changes to groups of traits that are essential for particular functions, including food acquisition and processing. We tested several distinct hypotheses about craniofacial modularity in the hominine skull in relation to feeding biomechanics. First, we formulated hypothesized functional modules for craniofacial traits reflecting specific demands of feeding biomechanics (e.g., masseter leverage/gape or tooth crown mechanics) in Homo sapiens, Pan troglodytes, and Gorilla gorilla. Then, the pattern and strength of modular signal was quantified by the covariance ratio coefficient and compared across groups using covariance ratio effect size. Hierarchical clustering analysis was then conducted to examine whether a priori-defined functional modules correspond to empirically recovered clusters. There was statistical support for most a priori-defined functional modules in the cranium and half of the functional modules in the mandible. Modularity signal was similar in the cranium and mandible, and across the three taxa. Despite a similar strength of modularity, the empirically recovered clusters do not map perfectly onto our priori functional modules, indicating that further work is needed to refine our hypothesized functional modules. The results suggest that modular structure of traits in association with feeding biomechanics were mostly shared with humans and the two African apes. Thus, conserved patterns of functional modularity may have facilitated evolutionary changes to the skull during human evolution.

Mr. Toad's wild fungi: Fungal isolate diversity on Colorado boreal toads and their capacity for pathogen inhibition

The amphibian skin pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has caused an ongoing biodiversity crisis, including in the locally endangered Colorado boreal toad (Anaxyrus boreas). Although researchers have investigated the bacteria living on amphibian skin and how they interact with Bd, there is less information about fungal community members. This study describes (1) the diversity of culturable fungi from boreal toad skin, (2) which subset of these isolates is Bd-inhibitory, and (3) how Bd affects these isolates' growth and morphology. Most isolates were from the orders Capnodiales, Helotiales, and Pleosporales. Of 16 isolates tested for Bd-inhibition, two from the genus Neobulgaria and three from Pseudeurotium inhibited Bd. Fungal growth in co-culture with Bd varied with weak statistical support for Neobulgaria sp. (isolate BTF_36) and cf Psychrophila (isolate BTF_60) (p-values = 0.076 and 0.092, respectively). Fungal morphology remained unchanged in co-culture with Bd, however, these results could be attributed to low replication per isolate. Nonetheless, two fungal isolates’ growth may have been affected by Bd, implying that fungal growth changes in Bd co-culture could be a variable worth measuring in the future (with higher replication). These findings add to the sparse but growing literature on amphibian-associated fungi and suggest further study may uncover the relevance of fungi to amphibian health and Bd infection.

Myrmecridium hydei, a novel marine species from Thailand

Myrmecridium hydei was isolated from decaying branch of Areca species submerged in seawater from Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, Thailand. The new species is supported by phylogenetic analysis of combined ITS and LSU sequence data. Myrmecridium hydei formed a distinct clade from M. phragmitigenum, M. phragmiticola and M. sambuci with moderate statistical support. The species also differs from other Myrmecridium species by having a longer sympodial, straight or flexuous to geniculate-sinuous conidiophore and obovoid or fusoid to irregular, guttulate conidia without a wing-like sheath. Myrmecridium hydei is described as a novel species based on morphology and phylogeny.