Shape Traits Research Articles

The elephant in the room: How personal and workplace traits shape role stress in the construction industry

Geographical regions shape workplace stress, as each location presents distinct environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic conditions. These regional variations contribute to varying stress levels among workers depending on their unique conditions. This study explored the effects of personal and workplace traits on the role stress of the construction workforce in the South Asian region. Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey involving 274 project-level personnel from ten construction companies in Sri Lanka. Factor analysis validated regression analysis was performed to identify the effects of personal and workplace traits on role stress. The results highlighted the significance of age, education level, and organization tenure in shaping role stress. Specifically, the increasing age was associated with decreased role overload and work-family conflict. A higher level of education was linked to a greater likelihood of experiencing role conflict. Extended organization tenure was found to decrease role ambiguity but increase role conflict and work-family conflict among construction project employees. These findings hold implications for shaping organizational policies aimed at improving employee well-being. By incorporating these insights, organizations can develop strategies that foster a more supportive and healthier work environment.

Becoming a "Hungry Mind": Stability and Change in Need for Cognition across Adolescence.

Need for Cognition has been established as a key intellectual investment trait shaping students' academic development. However, little is yet known about its malleability, particularly in youth. This study investigated stability and change in Need for Cognition in a large longitudinal sample of 3409 adolescents from 166 classes in 27 schools in Flanders. Participants reported on their Need for Cognition in Grades 7, 8, 11 and 12. First, the latent rank-order stability of Need for Cognition between Grades 7 and 11 was found to be r = 0.50. This stability was of a similar magnitude to that of the Big Five personality traits observed in the same sample and larger than that of academic intrinsic motivation. Second, trajectories of Need for Cognition over time were found to vary between individuals. In particular, three trajectory classes could be identified, differentiated mainly by the initial level of Need for Cognition (i.e., a low, medium, and high trajectory). Finally, cognitive ability, cognitive stimulation at home, and parental autonomy support, but not parental educational level, were associated with higher odds of belonging to the high Need for Cognition trajectory and lower odds of belonging to the low Need for Cognition trajectory.

Assessing shell morphology in freshwater mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionidae) from the Maâden River, Tunisia: Insights from geometric morphometrics and shape descriptors

Identifying freshwater mussel species within the Unionidae family can be challenging due to systematic confusion. This study investigates shell shapes to identify four sympatric species of freshwater mussels (Potamida littoralis, Unio durieui, U. gibbus, and U. ravoisieri) in the Maâden river (northern Tunisia) using two morphological approaches: global shape descriptors and geometric morphometrics of shell contours. The results revealed significant differences in global shape descriptors among the species. More in-depth analyses showed distinct shape variations, with P. littoralis and U. gibbus significantly differing from U. durieui and U. ravoisieri across most descriptors. Notably, U. durieui and U. ravoisieri exhibited similar shape traits, differing primarily in roundness, characterized by low circularity and high ellipticity. Principal Component Analyses depicted substantial morphological variance, with Procrustes data requiring the first two components to fully elucidate dispersion. Linear Discriminant Analysis revealed effective discrimination among species, with an accuracy rate of over 74 % in classifying individuals into their respective populations across both approaches. Geospatial analyses indicated varying influences of latitude, longitude, and altitude on shell morphology among species. Latitude had noteworthy impacts on P. littoralis, approaching significance for shape descriptors and Procrustes data. Conversely, U. durieui and U. gibbus displayed minimal geographic influence on shell morphology, while U. ravoisieri showed significant variations across these parameters. This study highlights the distinct morphological differences among sympatric mussel species in northern Tunisia, providing valuable insights for conservation efforts, especially for species vulnerable to climate change.

Offspring may succeed well next to their relatives, but it needs particular traits.

There is ongoing debate about whether offspring perform best next to phylogenetically distantly related adult neighbours (due to the scarcity of enemies and competitors) or next to closely related adults (due to the abundance of mutualists). Here we hypothesise that relatedness of adult neighbours affects which traits confer performance rather than performance itself. We studied seed removal, seed germination and sapling growth in Sessile Oaks (Quercus petraea and hybrids), and how they depend on size, shape and other traits, under both closely and distantly related canopies, manipulating offspring-density, presence of insects, and fungi, and spatial proximity to oaks. We found that phylogenetic distance of adult neighbours affects only little performance of offspring but strongly which traits confer performance to offspring, in particular the size and shape of seeds and saplings. Differences in trait-performance relationships mostly disappear once insects or conspecific competitors are excluded (albeit exclusion of fungi reinforced these differences). Effects of phylogenetic distance of neighbours were not replaceable by the percentage of the gymnosperms among neighbours, nor the environmental conditions considered. We suggest that by responding to a biotic micro-mosaic of selection pressures, Sessile Oak flexibly succeeds in diverse neighbourhoods. Sessile Oak might maintain the potential for both, convergence with and divergence from phylogenetically distantly related species, thereby reinforcing or eroding phylogenetic signal of niches.

Do leaf traits shape herbivory in tropical montane rainforests? A multispecies approach

AbstractThe co‐evolutionary arms race between herbivores and plants forces plants to evolve protection strategies that reduce the palatability of the plant modules attacked by the herbivores. These characteristics of traits have consequences for both the survival of plant individuals and the composition of plant communities. Thus, correlating traits of for instance leaves with herbivory is an important step toward understanding the dynamics of plant populations and communities. Traits can either be measured using conventional lab methods or recently developed spectral sensing techniques. We examined whether leaf traits of trees are related to herbivory in a multispecies approach. Furthermore, we explored whether leaf traits characterized by spectral sensing provide similar relations to herbivory as lab‐based leaf traits. We established nine 1‐ha square plots evenly distributed over three different forest types in Ecuadorian tropical montane rainforests where we estimated herbivory as the leaf area loss (in square centimeters) of 20 (±5) leaves sampled from the canopies of 380 tree individuals belonging to 51 tree species (7 ± 1 individuals/species) using lab‐ and spectral‐sensing‐based methods. For each methodological approach, we ran 100 linear mixed‐effects models with all respective leaf traits as predictor and herbivory as response variables for data subsets containing one randomly selected tree individual of each species to estimate the range of the regression coefficients for each trait. Automated stepwise backward selections determined the frequency of each trait having an important influence on herbivory. We found no clear relations between leaf traits and herbivory for neither lab‐ nor spectral‐sensing‐based traits. A nested variance component analysis demonstrated that the observed variability was mainly due to the variation in trait concentrations between tree individuals of a species. Our results suggest that snapshot data lead to a mismatch between herbivory and the concentrations of traits during the peak of herbivory. Another explanation could be that environmental conditions or processes along the food web are more important in structuring herbivory than leaf traits.

The effects of intersexual interactions on survival can drive the evolution of female ornaments in the absence of mate limitation.

The evolution of sexual ornaments in animals is typically attributed to reproductive competition. However, sexual ornaments also arise in contexts where the ornamented sex is neither mate nor gamete limited, and explanations for ornamentation in these cases remain incomplete. In many species, particularly those with slow life histories, lifetime reproductive success depends more strongly on adult survival than fecundity, and survival can depend on intersexual interactions. We develop a population genetic model to investigate how the effect of intersexual interactions on survival may contribute to ornament evolution in the absence of competition for mates. Using female ornamentation in polygynous mating systems as a case study, we show that, indeed, ornaments can evolve when the ornament functions to modify interactions with males in ways that enhance a female's own survival. The evolutionary dynamics depend qualitatively on the specific behavioral mechanism by which the ornament modifies social interactions. In all cases, the ornament's long-term persistence is ultimately determined by the coevolution of the male locus that determines how males affect female survival. We outline the scenarios that are most likely to favor the evolution of female ornaments through the effects of intersexual interactions on survival, and we urge empirical researchers to consider the potential for this social selection mechanism to shape traits of interest across taxa.

GRABSEEDS: extraction of plant organ traits through image analysis

BackgroundPhenotyping of plant traits presents a significant bottleneck in Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) mapping and genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Computerized phenotyping using digital images promises rapid, robust, and reproducible measurements of dimension, shape, and color traits of plant organs, including grain, leaf, and floral traits.ResultsWe introduce GRABSEEDS, which is specifically tailored to extract a comprehensive set of features from plant images based on state-of-the-art computer vision and deep learning methods. This command-line enabled tool, which is adept at managing varying light conditions, background disturbances, and overlapping objects, uses digital images to measure plant organ characteristics accurately and efficiently. GRABSEED has advanced features including label recognition and color correction in a batch setting.ConclusionGRABSEEDS streamlines the plant phenotyping process and is effective in a variety of seed, floral and leaf trait studies for association with agronomic traits and stress conditions. Source code and documentations for GRABSEEDS are available at: https://github.com/tanghaibao/jcvi/wiki/GRABSEEDS.

Genomic prediction for potato (Solanum tuberosum) quality traits improved through image analysis.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the most widely grown vegetable in the world. Consumers and processors evaluate potatoes based on quality traits such as shape and skin color, making these traits important targets for breeders. Achieving and evaluating genetic gain is facilitated by precise and accurate trait measures. Historically, quality traits have been measured using visual rating scales, which are subject to human error and necessarily lump individuals with distinct characteristics into categories. Image analysis offers a method of generating quantitative measures of quality traits. In this study, we use TubAR, an image-analysis R package, to generate quantitative measures of shape and skin color traits for use in genomic prediction. We developed and compared different genomic models based on additive and additive plus non-additive relationship matrices for two aspects of skin color, redness, and lightness, and two aspects of shape, roundness, and length-to-width ratio for fresh market red and yellow potatoes grown in Minnesota between 2020 and 2022. Similarly, we used the much larger chipping potato population grown during the same time to develop a multi-trait selection index including roundness, specific gravity, and yield. Traits ranged in heritability with shape traits falling between 0.23 and 0.85, and color traits falling between 0.34 and 0.91. Genetic effects were primarily additive with color traits showing the strongest effect (0.47), while shape traits varied based on market class. Modeling non-additive effects did not significantly improve prediction models for quality traits. The combination of image analysis and genomic prediction presents a promising avenue for improving potato quality traits.

Heritable intraspecific variation among prey in size and movement interact to shape predation risk and potential natural selection

Abstract Predator and prey traits are important determinants of the outcomes of trophic interactions. In turn, the outcomes of trophic interactions shape predator and prey trait evolution. How species' traits respond to selection from trophic interactions depends crucially on whether and how heritable species' traits are and their genetic correlations. Of the many traits influencing the outcomes of trophic interactions, body size and movement traits have emerged as key traits. Yet, how these traits shape and are shaped by trophic interactions is unclear, as few studies have simultaneously measured the impacts of these traits on the outcomes of trophic interactions, their heritability, and their correlations within the same system. We used outcrossed lines of the ciliate protist Paramecium caudatum from natural populations to examine variation in morphology and movement behaviour, the heritability of that variation, and its effects on Paramecium susceptibility to predation by the copepod Macrocyclops albidus. We found that the Paramecium lines exhibited heritable variation in body size and movement traits. In contrast to expectations from allometric relationships, body size and movement speed showed little covariance among clonal lines. The proportion of Paramecium consumed by copepods was positively associated with Paramecium body size and velocity but with an interaction such that greater velocities led to greater predation risk for large body‐sized paramecia but did not alter predation risk for smaller paramecia. The proportion of paramecia consumed was not related to copepod body size. These patterns of predation risk and heritable trait variation in paramecia suggest that copepod predation may act as a selective force operating independently on movement and body size and generating the strongest selection against large, high‐velocity paramecia. Our results illustrate how ecology and genetics can shape potential natural selection on prey traits through the outcomes of trophic interactions. Further simultaneous measures of predation outcomes, traits, and their quantitative genetics will provide insights into the evolutionary ecology of species interactions and their eco‐evolutionary consequences. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Genomic structure and marker-trait association for plant and fruit traits in Capsicum chinense and Capsicum baccatum germplasm

ObjectivesCapsicum baccatum and C. chinense are domesticated pepper species originating from Latin America recognized for their unique flavor and taste and widely diffused as spicy food for fresh uses or for processing. Owing to their capacity for adaptation to diverse habitats in tropical regions, these species serve as a valuable resource for agronomic traits and tolerance to both biotic and abiotic challenges in breeding projects. This study aims to dissect the genetic diversity of C. baccatum and C. chinense germplasm and to detect candidate genes underlying the variation of plant morphological and fruit size and shape traits. To that goal, SNP data from genotyping by sequencing have been used to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of 103 accessions belonging to the two species. Further, plants have been assessed with main plant descriptors and fruit imaging analysis and association between markers and traits has been performed.ResultsThe population structure based on 29,820 SNPs revealed 4 subclusters separating C. chinense and C. baccatum individuals. A deeper analysis within each species highlighted three subpopulations in C. chinense and two in C. baccatum. Phenotypic characterization of 54 traits provided approximately 125 thousand datapoints highlighting main differences between species for flower and fruit traits rather than plant architecture. Marker-traits association, performed with the CMLM model, revealed a total of 6 robust SNPs responsible for change in flower traits and fruit shape. This is the first attempt for mapping morphological traits and fruit features in the two domesticated species, paving the way for further genomic assisted breeding.

Reproductive character displacement: insights from genital morphometrics in damselfly hybrid zones.

Reproductive Character Displacement (RCD) refers to the phenomenon of greater differences in reproductive characters between two species when they occur in sympatry compared to when they occur in allopatry to prevent maladaptive hybridization. We explored whether reinforcement of a mechanical barrier involved in the first contact point between male and female genital traits during copulation in the cross between Ischnura graellsii males and Ischnura elegans females has led to RCD, and whether it supports the lock-and-key hypothesis of genital evolution. We employed geometric morphometrics to analyze the shape and size of male and female genital traits, controlling for environmental and geographic factors. Consistent with an increase in mechanical isolation via reinforcement, we detected larger divergence in genital traits between the species in sympatry than in allopatry, and also stronger signal in females than in males. In the Northwest (NW) hybrid zone, we detected RCD in I. graellsii males and I. elegans females, while in the Northcentral (NC) hybrid zone we detected RCD only in I. elegans females and I. elegans males. The detection of RCD in both sexes of I. elegans was consistent with the lock-and-key hypothesis of genital evolution via female choice for conspecific males in this species. Our study highlights the importance of using geometric morphometrics to deal with the complexity of female reproductive structures while controlling for environmental and geographic factors to investigate RCD. This study contributes valuable insights into the dynamics of reproductive isolation mechanisms and genital coevolution.

Personality and political representation—How personality traits shape MPs' attitudes toward gender equality

AbstractThis study analyzes whether the personality traits of Members of Parliament (MPs) affect their attitudes toward the representation of gender equality issues. Based on the Big Five personality traits, we argue that Openness to Experience and Conscientiousness shape MPs' positions toward gender equality policies through two different pathways. The first pathway proposes a direct connection. While Openness is expected to positively affect MPs' support for gender equality, Conscientiousness is assumed to have a negative impact. The second pathway runs indirectly, linking Openness and Conscientiousness to preferences toward gender equality through the effect of these personality traits on MPs' general ideological positions. Using data from a survey of elite politicians in Germany and Switzerland, the results of a causal mediation analysis show a positive direct effect of Openness that holds independent of a mediating influence of political ideology. The analysis deepens our understanding of gender equality legislation and the MPs engaging in it.

3D Morphological Feature Quantification and Analysis of Corn Leaves.

Marked variations in the 3-dimensional (3D) shape of corn leaves can be discerned as a function of various influences, including genetics, environmental factors, and the management of cultivation processes. However, the causes of these variations remain unclear, primarily due to the absence of quantitative methods to describe the 3D spatial morphology of leaves. To address this issue, this study acquired 3D digitized data of ear-position leaves from 478 corn inbred lines during the grain-filling stage. We propose quantitative calculation methods for 13 3D leaf shape features, such as the leaf length, 3D leaf area, leaf inclination angle, blade-included angle, blade self-twisting, blade planarity, and margin amplitude. Correlation analysis, cluster analysis, and heritability analysis were conducted among the 13 leaf traits. Leaf morphology differences among subpopulations of the inbred lines were also analyzed. The results revealed that the 3D leaf traits are capable of revealing the morphological differences among different leaf surfaces, and the genetic analysis revealed that 84.62% of the 3D phenotypic traits of ear-position leaves had a heritability greater than 0.3. However, the majority of 3D leaf shape traits were strongly affected by environmental conditions. Overall, this study quantitatively investigated 3D leaf shape in corn, providing a reliable basis for further research on the genetic regulation of corn leaf morphology and advancing the understanding of the complex interplay among crop genetics, phenotypes, and the environment.

Trait-Fitness Associations via Fecundity and Competition in a Two-Million-Year-Long Fossil Record.

AbstractThe evolution of phenotypic traits is usually studied on generational timescales or across species on million-year timescales. We bridge this conceptual gap by using high-density sampling of a species lineage, Microporella agonistes (Bryozoa, Cheilostomatida), over 2 million years of its evolutionary history, to ask whether trait-fitness associations are consistent with evolutionary trait models often applied to phenotypic time series. We use average fecundity and competitive outcome as two different fitness components, where competitive outcome is a proxy for partial survival. Examining three quantitative traits in multivariate analyses, we present evidence that some traits experienced substantial selective pressures, in part controlled by past environments. A complex interplay of resource competition with an altering set of competitors and past temperatures has contributed to the changing patterns of phenotypes within the focal species. A comparison with congeneric species living in the same regional community suggests that size traits are more temporally variable and less constrained than shape traits. Our analyses also show that while controls on phenotypes are complex and varied in time, ecological and evolutionary processes that unfold on shorter timescales are not inconsistent with macroevolutionary patterns observed on longer timescales.

Genome-wide association study for polledness, horn shape, and wool traits in Original Valachian sheep

Abstract. The Original Valachian sheep is an endangered Slovak national breed that is well adapted to high-altitude pastures. The sheep can be horned with various shapes and can have multi-coloured or completely white or black wool. Breeders are interested in learning about the genetic basis of these traits. We conducted a genome-wide association study based on the genomic information of 96 sheep genotyped by the GeneSeek GGP Ovine 50K SNP (single-nucleotide polymorphism) chip and on the following traits: polledness (presence or absence of horns), horn shape, and wool colour (completely white and completely black). The univariate linear mixed model was used to discover genetic variants significantly associated with tested traits. The Bonferroni correction and the false-discovery rate were used as significance thresholds. The RXFP2 gene (chromosome 10, 29.5 Mb) was identified as a strong candidate for polledness. In addition, when compared to animals with sideways-turned horns vs. polled, the region around the ADAMTS3 gene (chromosome 6, 88.47 Mb) was significant. A total of nine significant genomic regions were found when comparing the sideways-turned spiral horns with the backwards-curled horns, the two most frequent horn types in Original Valachian sheep. The RXFP2 may also contribute to the genetic control of horn shape. Genes identified in other regions were involved to osteogenic differentiation and osteoblast proliferation (PCP4, chromosome 1, 260.7 Mb), bone mineral density and mineral content (NKX1-2, chromosome 22, 43.75 Mb). The significant genetic variants close to the region of MC1R (chromosome 14, at 14.2 Mb) were associated with the wool colour of sheep that were fully white or fully black animals. The results of this study will contribute to a better understanding of the phenotypic variability of the Original Valachian sheep, especially regarding traits that are very important for breeders of this endangered breed.

Genome-Wide Association Study as an Efficacious Approach to Discover Candidate Genes Associated with Body Linear Type Traits in Dairy Cattle.

Body shape traits are very important and play a crucial role in the economic development of dairy farming. By improving the accuracy of selection for body size traits, we can enhance economic returns across the dairy industry and on farms, contributing to the future profitability of the dairy sector. Registered body conformation traits are reliable and cost-effective tools for use in national cattle breeding selection programs. These traits are significantly related to the production, longevity, mobility, health, fertility, and environmental adaptation of dairy cows. Therefore, they can be considered indirect indicators of economically important traits in dairy cows. Utilizing efficacious genetic methods, such as genome-wide association studies (GWASs), allows for a deeper understanding of the genetic architecture of complex traits through the identification and application of genetic markers. In the current review, we summarize information on candidate genes and genomic regions associated with body conformation traits in dairy cattle worldwide. The manuscript also reviews the importance of body conformation, the relationship between body conformation traits and other traits, heritability, influencing factors, and the genetics of body conformation traits. The information on candidate genes related to body conformation traits provided in this review may be helpful in selecting potential genetic markers for the genetic improvement of body conformation traits in dairy cattle.

Consistent prokaryotic community patterns along the radial root axis of two Zea mays L. landraces across two distinct field locations.

The close interconnection of plants with rhizosphere- and root-associated microorganisms is well recognized, and high expectations are raised for considering their symbioses in the breeding of future crop varieties. However, it is unclear how consistently plant-mediated selection, a potential target in crop breeding, influences microbiome members compared to selection imposed by the agricultural environment. Landraces may have traits shaping their microbiome, which were lost during the breeding of modern varieties, but knowledge about this is scarce. We investigated prokaryotic community composition along the radial root axis of two European maize (Zea mays L.) landraces. A sampling gradient included bulk soil, a distal and proximal rhizosphere fraction, and the root compartment. Our study was replicated at two field locations with differing edaphic and climatic conditions. Further, we tested for differences between two plant developmental stages and two precipitation treatments. Community data were generated by metabarcoding of the V4 SSU rRNA region. While communities were generally distinct between field sites, the effects of landrace variety, developmental stage, and precipitation treatment were comparatively weak and not statistically significant. Under all conditions, patterns in community composition corresponded strongly to the distance to the root. Changes in α- and β-diversity, as well as abundance shifts of many taxa along this gradient, were similar for both landraces and field locations. Most affected taxa belonged to a core microbiome present in all investigated samples. Remarkably, we observed consistent enrichment of Actinobacteriota (particularly Streptomyces, Lechevalieria) and Pseudomonadota (particularly Sphingobium) toward the root. Further, we report a depletion of ammonia-oxidizers along this axis at both field sites. We identified clear enrichment and depletion patterns in microbiome composition along the radial root axis of Z. mays. Many of these were consistent across two distinct field locations, plant developmental stages, precipitation treatments, and for both landraces. This suggests a considerable influence of plant-mediated effects on the microbiome. We propose that the affected taxa have key roles in the rhizosphere and root microbiome of Z. mays. Understanding the functions of these taxa appears highly relevant for the development of methods aiming to promote microbiome services for crops.

Yield and morphological characteristics of cloves from Semarang plantation, Indonesia

Abstract Cloves, originating from Indonesia’s Moluccas Islands, have spread across various regions over time. Semarang, Central Java, is a notable clove production center, showcasing distinct advantages. Despite originating in the 1980s, Semarang’s clove production remains robust, boasting longevity and high yields. This study focuses on Semarang’s clove plantation, which belongs to the Samyo Rahayu Farmers Group in Gebugan Village, Bergas. The research aimed to evaluate clove yield and morphological traits. The methodology involved selecting high-yield blocks followed by the selection of mother trees. Morphological characteristics like canopy shape, stem dimensions, leaf attributes, and inflorescence traits were examined. Additionally, GC-MS analysis identified oil chemical components. Findings revealed an average plant height of 11.72 m and trunk circumference of 115.55 cm. Canopy shape primarily exhibited a cylindrical form with 1-3 main branches. Leaves displayed green, glossy, and smooth textures upon maturity, transitioning from reddish to bright red in their young shoots, with petiole length of 2.17cm, leaf length of 10.96 cm, and leaf width of 4.39 cm and ratio 2.5. Inflorescences followed a short type, with pink to red mature flower tubes, rounded or slightly pointed corollas, and distinctive red corollas – characteristics typical of the Zanzibar type. Inflorescences were characterized by short arrangements, with an average of 12-20 flower buds per inflorescence. There were tree-to-tree fresh flower yield fluctuations between 40 to 100 kg. Dried clove bud with water content 5.73-6.82 % contained oil 14.67 – 17.96 %. Essential oil compounds analysis indicated the presence of 15-20 chemical components, with eugenol constituting over 70%, signifying its primary compound. This population may be recommended as genetic material for breeding high-yielding cloves.

Optic cup morphology associated with glaucomatous damage: Findings from the Primary Open-Angle African American Glaucoma Genetics (POAAGG) Study

PurposeWhile it has been well established that advanced glaucoma is associated with a large cup-to-disc ratio (CDR), it is not known if the shape of the cup, particularly excavated cups with expanded lower portions (bean-pot cups), play any additional role in glaucomatous damage. We investigated this among individuals of African ancestry, a population that is more vulnerable to glaucoma than any other ethnic group. DesignCase-control study Methods SettingInstitutional (University of Pennsylvania) Subjects3,255 eyes from 1,734 glaucoma cases from the Primary Open-Angle African American Glaucoma Genetics (POAAGG) study. ProcedureTwo graders independently assessed quantitative and qualitative aspects of the optic cup, with any discrepancies adjudicated by an ophthalmologist. The predominant cup shape (>50 %) was chosen in cases in which features of two or more cup shapes were present in the same eye. Comparisons of demographic and ocular characteristics among three cup shape groups (conical, cylindrical, and bean-pot) performed using generalized linear models, and generalized estimated equations applied to account for inter-eye correlation. Main Outcome MeasuresQualitative features of cup shape and phenotypic traits, in conjunction with demographic and genetic information. ResultsOf 3,255 eyes, a total of 1,339 (41.1 %) exhibit a conical cup shape, 1,470 (45.2 %) have a cylindrical cup shape, and 446 (13.7 %) display a bean-pot cup shape. Compared to other cup morphology, bean-pot cups are significantly associated with lower MD, larger CDR, higher IOP, thinner RNFL, and worse VA in logMAR (all p < 0.001). Genetic analysis does not show any association between various genetic variants and cup shape. Factors independently predictive of bean-pot cupping include younger age at diagnosis (aOR 0.96 per 1 year increase in age of enrollment, p < 0.0001), CDR (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.87, p < 0.0001), and the presence of certain optic disc features, including visible pores in the LC (aOR 2.76, p < 0.0001), nasalization of vessels (aOR 2.64, p < 0.0001), and vessel bayonetting (aOR 2.94, p < 0.0001). ConclusionThis study shows the clinical significance of different cup shapes in glaucoma in an African ancestry population and suggests that bean-pot cups are associated with the most severe glaucomatous damage, independent of cup-disc ratio. This association should be considered when determining prognosis following glaucoma interventions.

Shell shape variation of the symbiotic gastropod Phenacovolva rosea in Vietnam

This study investigates the shell variability of Phenacovolva rosea, a symbiotic gastropod inhabiting octocorals, in relation to geographical location and host coral species. We analyzed shells from 53 adult specimens collected at three locations in the north of Vietnam and one in the vicinities of Nha Trang City (southern Vietnam). To describe the shells' outlines, elliptical Fourier descriptors were applied. Based on the shell outline data, principal component analysis was performed. Additionally, height and width of P. rosea shells were measured. Only the first two principal components were effective, with the first principal component accounting for 92.8% of the variation. It closely correlated with width-to-height ratio of shells. According to dispersion analysis (ANOVA), shells in Nha Trang were significantly slimmer with longer terminal processes compared to those from the three northern locations. The coral host species also impacted shell shape when considering the entire dataset. However, this difference may have stemmed from shell variations between locations, as coral composition is not independent of location. When regional samples were analyzed separately, no significant impact of the host was detected. The factors that differed between northern locations and Nha Trang were then discussed, along with the mechanisms underlying their influence. We suggest that predation risk, influenced by water turbidity, is greater in the clearer waters of Nha Trang. This increased predator pressure may explain the presence of long terminals on P. rosea shells found in Nha Trang, potentially providing protection against some fish predators. Furthermore, the shorter and wider shells found in northern locations may be advantageous in waters with higher current speeds, whereas the long-teminal shells with narrow apertures observed in Nha Trang may be better suited for slower currents. The climate disparity, encompassing temperature and salinity mediated through precipitation, could also potentially influence shell morphology. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear due to the complex nature of these interactions and the scarcity of literature data. Isolating host-specific shell shape traits from other factors proved challenging, given the close association between host species composition and location. Laboratory experiments modeling each factor independently may provide a solution to this issue.