Morphometric Variables Research Articles

Assessment of Morphometric Variations among the Populations of Asian Sheat Catfish Wallago attu (Siluridae) from Five Indian Rivers

Assessment of Morphometric Variations among the Populations of Asian Sheat Catfish Wallago attu (Siluridae) from Five Indian Rivers

Insights into morphometry and topography of corpus callosum among Indians.

Corpus callosum is one of the major association fibre of brain performs an integral role of integration and communication of information between the two hemispheres. 50 formalin fixed cerebral hemispheres (25 right and 25 left) were used for the study. The longitudinal and vertical length of brain, longitudinal length and height of corpus callosum, distance of corpus callosum from various landmarks such as frontal and occipital pole, anterior commissure, lamina terminalis, and highest point on parietal pole and width of different parts of corpus callosum and height were measured. Results were analysed statistically. The results showed positive correlation between the longitudinal dimension of brain and all other parameters. Morphometric variation in size and its relation to nearby structures are seen in many neurological and psychiatric conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. Hence the present study can be used as reference by neurologist, neurosurgeons and psychiatrists.

Morphometric variations of Kawakawa (Euthynnus affinis Cantor, 1849) in Malaysian and Yemeni waters

Abstract. Binashikhbubkr K, Setyawan AD, Naim DM. 2023. Morphometric variations of Kawakawa (Euthynnus affinis Cantor, 1849) in Malaysian and Yemeni waters. Nusantara Bioscience 15: 269-278. Euthynnus affinis Cantor, 1849 (Kawakawa), a small epipelagic tuna that migrates, is one of the most commercially significant tunas in Indo-Pacific subtropical and tropical waters. Unfortunately, there is a lack of knowledge on the region's stock structure and management of the particular migratory species. The present investigation aimed to distinguish body shape differences among 20 populations of E. affinis across Malaysian and Yemen coastal waters. A total of 416 specimens of E. affinis were sampled from five central geographic regions: the South China Sea, Straits of Malacca, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and the Arabian Sea. Multivariate analyses, such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA), and Cluster Analysis (CA) of 12 morphometric variables, were conducted to differentiate 20 populations of E. affinis. The findings revealed significant differences in the body form among 20 populations. Morphological homogeneity was observed among populations from Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak). As expected, Yemen's (Mukalla City) populations were clearly segregated and formed a separate cluster. The highest percentage of correctly classified specimens (100%) came from populations in Pulau Tenggol (Terengganu) and Kukup (Johor). In contrast, the highest percentage of misclassified specimens (100%) came from populations in Kota Kinabalu (Sabah), Bintawa (Sarawak), Lumut (Perak), and Endau (Johor). Based on the Mahalanobis distances, hierarchical cluster analyses revealed that 20 populations of E. affinis could be clustered into three distinct groups. This is the first report on E. affinis from Peninsular Malaysia, Malaysian Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak), and the waters of Yemen using morphometric techniques.

Morphometrics highlights subspecies differentiation of continental (Rangifer t. tarandus) and insular (Rangifer t. platyrhynchus) Norwegian reindeer

Abstract Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) is an emblematic species with several recognized subspecies. Two reindeer subspecies are present in Norway: the wild and semi-domestic European tundra reindeer (R. tarandus tarandus) in continental Norway, and Svalbard reindeer (R. tarandus platyrhynchus) endemic to this archipelago. The main aim of this paper is to give a descriptive and quantified analysis of the modern wild reindeer morphological diversity. The morphometric variation was quantified, based on 262 adult specimens of both sexes, by both linear measurements, analysed through log shape ratio computed from post-cranial bones and teeth measurements, and landmarks and sliding semi-landmarks based geometric morphometrics (GMM) to quantify molars size and shape. All anatomical parts (teeth, metatarsals, metacarpals) highlighted differences between the continental and insular subspecies. Our main results pointed out morphometrics characteristics of nowadays reindeer subspecies, like differences in proportions between the size of metapodials or lower cheek teeth with the body size, that could be of great interest for archaeozoological research.

ACME2: An extended toolbox for automated cirque metrics extraction

With the availability of improved digital elevation models (DEMs) of global coverage, the morphological analysis of large populations of glacial cirques is possible, and can be used to derive important palaeoclimate and environmental information related to the distribution and history of former glaciers. In 2017, an ArcGIS toolbox, ACME (Automated Cirque Metrics Extraction), was developed to derive 16 cirque metrics based on input cirque outlines, threshold midpoints and DEMs. ACME has been widely used in cirque morphological analysis and regional comparisons. This paper presents a revised and extended toolbox, ACME2. This extended toolbox includes new functions to automatically derive cirque threshold midpoints (cirque foci) and 49 morphometric and locational variables, with attributes related to cirque location, size, shape, altitude, slope, and aspect, including variables related to the median axis, as well as 3 input metadata attributes. ACME2 also improves the methods for calculation of the hypsometric maximum and integral, and implements a new method for plan closure to be more consistent with the original definition. All ACME2 tools are coded in Python and can be imported into ArcGIS with user-friendly interfaces. Comparisons for 155 cirques in the English Lake District and 51 in the Shulaps Range, British Columbia, indicate consistency between the ACME2-derived and manually derived metrics, with most correlations r > 0.90: none <0.70. ACME2 provides more cirque metrics and automates the whole calculation sequence with cirque outlines and DEMs. Its comprehensive approach facilitates understanding of cirque form and development in all its variety.

Occurrence of tardigrades and morphometric and chemical conditions in rock pools by the Baltic Sea

Rock pools are eroded depressions in bedrock providing temporary aquatic habitats with varying morphometric and chemical conditions. Tardigrades have adapted to many habitats with varying and extreme abiotic conditions, including desiccation, but their occurrence in rock pools have rarely been investigated. This study investigated the occurrence of tardigrades and the morphometric and chemical conditions in rock pools by the Baltic Sea in southeast Sweden. Samples of benthic material were collected from rock pools at three sites near the town Karlshamn together with measurements of pool size, pH, temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen of the water. Tardigrades occurred in about one fifth of the rock pools and included five eutardigrade genera. Also rotifers and nematodes were observed in the samples. The morphometric and chemical variables varied both within and among the three sites but with few differences between rock pools with or without tardigrades. However, rock pools with tardigrades tended to be overall shallower than pools without tardigrades, indicating that more desiccating-prone rock pools may be more favourable habitats for tardigrades. The study shows that tardigrades are part of the micro-invertebrate fauna in rock pools and this habitat deserves more investigations into the occurrence of this animal group.

Morphological and biochemical variations caused by salinity stress in some varieties of Pennisetum glaucum L.

The salinity of the soil is a severe challenge to the sustainability of agricultural production. It causes significant loss in the productivity of crop plants. To overcome this problem, one of the possible solutions could be the identification and cultivation of salinity tolerant crop plants in salt affected land. Therefore, this study was designed to screen some varieties of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L. Family Poaceae), an equally important cereal crop for food and forage, for salinity tolerance in a pot experiment. Some eighteen varieties of Pearl Millet were utilized to investigate the morphometric and biochemical variations induced by saline stress. The plants were grown for three weeks under normal conditions in sand culture in disposable PVP cups with three inches diameter. Afterwards, the plants were challenged with salinity stress (aqueous solution of NaCl applied in successive steps of 50, 100, 150 and 200 mM with Hoagland’s nutrients). The plants adopted salinity stress after one week and harvested for various physio-biochemical attributes. The results showed that the varieties YBS-93, YBS-94, YBS-95 and YDR-8-1 exhibited tolerance toward salinity stress as their shoot length, root length, biomass production and K+ was maintained under salt stress. The levels of proline contents and free amino acids in their leaves were relatively higher under salt stress as compared with other varieties. The accumulation of Na+ in theses varieties was lower as compared to other varieties under saline stress. These findings indicated their potential strategy to cope with salinity stress. While theYBS-83, YBS-98, YCMP-19 and YCMP-34 varieties among the subjected eighteen varieties of Pearl Millet were screened as most sensitive varieties to salinity stress in these experimental conditions. Because these varieties had reduction in shoot length, root length biomass production and K+. Other varieties did not show any significant success in salinity stress management. This study has provided significant preliminary screening data of morphological and biochemical aspects of eighteen varieties of Pearl Millet for their capability of salinity tolerance. Further molecular investigations are underway which will be helpful in revealing insights of the salt tolerance mechanism and signaling pathways in the screened salt tolerant varieties.

Exploring the effects of catchment morphometry on overland flow response to extreme rainfall using a 2D hydraulic-hydrological model (IBER)

The hydrological response of a catchment to heavy rainfall is determined by many environmental and climatic variables, including the catchment size, shape and morphology, land use, soil depth and type, and prevailing weather conditions. As a result of the interaction between these variables, the hydrological response of a catchment is unique and can be highly variable depending on the antecedent conditions and characteristics of the meteorological event. This complexity makes it problematic to identify the significance of individual drivers of hydrological response. Here, the role of catchment morphometry in controlling hydrological response was explored by creating abstract catchments so the impact of morphometry could be isolated from the confounding impacts of other parameters that are known to impact hydrological response and flood risk. A procedure was developed to select catchments that represent a range of global morphometries, and these were then simplified and treated as synthetic catchments. A coupled hydrological-hydraulic model (IBER) was used to model the hydrological response to 4 constructed rainfall events (one magnitude, four distribution types), consistent across all catchments, and representing torrential rainfall (60 mm h−1). Designed rainfall were equally distributed across the whole area in each catchment. Catchments were statistically partitioned into groups based on their morphometry (i.e. shape, slope, size, hypsometric slope, etc) and distinct hydrological responses were observed between groups. Catchment size was significantly related to peak flow or lag time with a power law, in line with previous studies, and relationships with other morphometric parameters were stronger when catchments were assessed in separate size groupings. Area and the average slope of catchments were key parameters in controlling peak flow magnitudes. Variation in hydrological response was much greater between catchments for the same rainfall event, than within the same catchment for different rainfall events. The results suggest that hydrological response can be broadly characterised using morphometric variables, increasingly obtainable using Earth Observation methods, providing potential benefits for flood prediction, flood alerts, and focusing where more detailed flood modelling is required.

Assessment of Morphometric Variations Among the Populations of Asian Sheat Catfish &lt;i&gt;Wallago attu&lt;/i&gt; (Siluridae) from Five Indian Rivers

Morphological variations of the Asian sheat catfish, Wallago attu (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) sampled from the rivers Gomti, Ganga, Yamuna at Lucknow, Kanpur and Agra districts in Northern India, river Hooghly at Kolkata in Eastern India and river Pampa at Kerala in Southern India were analyzed in the present study. Images of 261 specimens of W. attu were taken without harming the fish to evaluate the morphometric variation using 8 digitized homologous landmarks for truss analysis and geometric morphometrics. Size corrected morphometric variables were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant function analysis (DFA). Coefficients of all PCs were positively and negatively correlated to 31 significant (p 0.001) truss measurements due to variations in size and shape. Morphometric measurements lying in the head region such as head length (HL), eye diameter (ED), inter-orbital length (IOL) and snout length (SNL) contributed most to differentiate the populations in truss analysis. The ED, HL, SNL and IOL of Yamuna fish was significantly (p 0.001) smaller than the other fish populations. This could be attributed to the heavy pollution load in the Yamuna River and differences in the feeding regimes of fish. PCs and relative warps depicted differences in geometric analysis because of body shape variations among different river populations. The scatter plot in DFA revealed the presence of three distant and different phenotypic groups of W. attu among five wild river populations of fish with 70.5 and 83.9% of correct classification of fish into their original groups in truss and geometric analysis respectively. A single homogenous stock of fish was found to be in the rivers Gomti, Ganga and Hooghly because of a high level of intermixing (maximum misclassification) among the three river populations, whereas Yamuna and Pampa populations were two non-overlapping isolated groups due to negligible intermixing. These variations in the present study might be the effect of geographical isolation and river fragmentation due to the change in habitat that restricts fish movements. This is the first report on the morphometric assessment of W. attu that provides base line data for further confirmatory stock studies that would be useful for conservation and sustainable management of this vulnerable fish.

Morphometric Study of Swimming Crab (Portunus pelagicus) Using Truss Network Analysis for Determination of Stock Structure in FMA 711

The crab of Portunus pelagicus is a fishery resource with a wide distribution area and quite diverse environmental conditions in Indonesia, giving rise to morphometric diversity. The study aims to analyze differences in morphometric diversity of crab populations (P. pelagicus) in the waters of Indonesian Fisheries Management Area (FMA) 711, landed in Bintan, Bangka, and Ketapang, which can describe the condition of the crab stock units. A total of 300 individuals were collected from all locations using random sampling. The crab morphometric characters were analyzed using Truss Network body shape method (TNA). The Kruskal Wallis results analysis showed distinguishing in some morphometric characters for both carapace and abdomen. Cluster analysis shows that there were two population groups: The Bintan group, and the Bangka-Ketapang groups. The discriminant analysis on the carapace characters resulting that the crabs from three locations have the potential for more than one stock unit, so different management is needed.

Utilidad de la volumetría del tercer ventrículo en pacientes con hidrocefalia a presión normal

ObjectiveTo use third ventricle morphometric variables as a tool for the selection of patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) who are candidates for ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPS). Material and methodsRetrospective study enrolling patients with iNPH. Katzman infusion test was performed and a Rout>12mmHg/ml/min was considered a positive result. The transverse diameter and the volume of the third ventricle were measured in the preoperative MRI. Postoperative improvement was assessed with the NPH score. The results were analysed with SPSS software. ResultsFifty-two patients with a mean age of 76 years were analysed. There was no difference in the diameter of the third ventricle among patients with a positive result and those with a negative result in the infusion test (12.28mm vs. 11.68mm; p=0.14). Neither were difference detected in the ventricle volume of both groups (3.6cm3 vs. 3.5cm3; p=0.66). Those patients who improved after VPS had a smaller third ventricle compared to those who did not respond after surgery (11.85mm vs. 12.96mm; p=0.009). Diameter and volume of third ventricle present a significant strong correlation (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.72; p<0.0001). ConclusionMorphometric variables of third ventricle may be useful in predicting a good response to VPS in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus.

Morphometric and genetic variations of three grouper species (genus Epinephelus) from the northern region of Aceh province, Indonesia

Groupers are a commercial group of reef fish found worldwide in the warmer waters, including Indonesia. Epinephelus is one of the dominant genus in the Indonesian waters of the Aceh province waters, where three species Epinephelus areolatus, Ephinephelus fasciatus, and Ephinephelus merra are frequently caught by fishermen in the northern region. However, information on the morphological and genetic variations of the species are limited. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to document morphological and genetic variations of the species in addition to validate their taxonomic and kinship status. The specimens were collected from June to December 2020 at Lampulo fishing port Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia. A total of 180 Epinephelus samples representing 60 samples of each species were used for the morphometric analysis. Of these, ten individuals were randomly taken for DNA analysis based on the Cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene. One-way ANOVA and Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) were performed to distinguish morphometric variations among species. Morphological analysis displayed that E. fasciatus and E. merra had high similarities, while E. areolatus was distinguished from others. The genetic analysis showed grouper samples were differentiated into three species namely of E. fasciatus, E. merra and E. areolatus. The closest genetic distance was between E. fasciatus and E. merra (12.81%), while the farthest genetic distance was between E. areolatus and E. merra (16.05%). The two methods used in this study can be used to validate the taxonomic status of a species.

Morphometric variation and species density of Nerita (Neritidae: Gastropoda) in the coastal waters of Ambon Island, Indonesia

Nerita is one of the species with high diversity in the coastal waters of Ambon Island. With this high diversity, the way to assess the length of various Nerita species is through a morphometric study. Meanwhile, density studies are useful for knowing the number of each of these diverse Nerita species. The purpose of this study was to identify the Nerita species to calculate the density and morphometrics. This research was conducted in an intertidal area in two locations, namely Seri and Tawiri villages. The morphometric characteristics of Nerita consist of shell length, shell width, aperture length, spire height, columella length, aperture length, and lip thickness. The density calculation refers to the density formula. The results showed that there were 9 species of Nerita, namely N. polita, N. chamaeleon, N. patula, N. exuvia, N. maxima, N. squamulata, N. albicilla, and N. planospira. N. polita has the highest density value (41.33 ind/m2) while N. patula (0.04 ind/m2) has the lowest density value. Morphometric analysis shows that there are variations in shell size among these species. Shell morphometric variations can be used as a reference for studying the phenetic diversity of Neritaidae in Ambon Island waters

Vanilla pompona Schiede (Vanilloideae-Orchidaceae): Morphological Variation of the Labellum in the Mexican Localities of Veracruz, Puebla, Jalisco and Oaxaca

Vanilla pompona is the third most important commercial species of the genus Vanilla, but the morphometric variation of its flowers is not well known. In orchids, infraspecific variation is expressed in the labellum. This study had the objective of analyzing the floral variation of V. pompona collections from the localities in Veracruz, Puebla, Jalisco and Oaxaca, in Mexico. During the flowering period, we obtained 55 collections of V. pompona flowers, and the labellum of each flower was dissected. We used ImageJ to measure and portray 54 lines and 7 angles in these labella. With the data obtained, we performed an analysis of variance, principal component analysis and cluster analysis. The results showed significant differences among the collections and localities in the means of the lines of the basal, middle, and apical regions of the labellum. Also, six morphotypes were obtained, and we found that variation was associated with factors such as the environment, geographic barriers, and pollinator pressure. Moreover, we observed variation in flowering periods in one locality of Veracruz. We concluded that there is infraspecific variation within and between the collection localities of V. pompona in the Atlantic region (Puebla and Veracruz) and the Pacific region (Jalisco and Oaxaca), Mexico.

Geographic Variation in Testicular Morphometrics, Androgen Receptor Expression and Anti-Müllerian Hormone Levels in the Intermediate Roundleaf Bats across Distinct Regions in Thailand.

The hipposideros larvatus (intermediate roundleaf bat) is one of the insectivorous bats which has an agro-ecological role as a controller of the insect population. The reproductive patterns of H. larvatus are intricately linked to its ecological role and survival. An understanding of the testicular morphology can contribute to conservation for this species particularly in areas where its populations might be declining or under threat. However, these bats may also be associated with zoonotic diseases which can have significant public health implications. The aims of the study were to examine the morphological data as well as the expression of the androgen receptor (AR) and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in the male reproductive organs of H. larvatus from different areas of Thailand and at different sampling periods. Their testes were processed for histological investigation and immunohistochemistry for AR and AMH. The results showed differences among the various sampling areas and different sampling periods, which suggested seasonal breeding characteristics. The higher testicular morphometric data were observed in H. larvatus from the Dong Phayayen (DY) and Chiang Dao (CD) areas during June, while the size of seminiferous tubules decreased thereafter. High AR immunostaining was noticed when the testicular morphometric data were higher in DY bats during June. On the other hand, low AR was observed in bats during August and September, which was concomitant with the decreases in seminiferous tubule size and germinal epithelial height. The results suggest a potential correlation between AR immunostaining and the active phase of testicular functions in H. larvatus during June which may imply the involvement of AR with the enhancement of testicular activity. Conversely, the low expression of AR may contribute to the upregulation of AMH in the testes and may indicate lower testicular activity in H. larvatus in Thailand.

Phenolic Antioxidant Protection in the Initial Growth of Cryptocarya alba: Two Different Responses against Two Invasive Fabaceae.

The allelophatic effect of the invasive Fabaceae, Ulex europaeus and Teline monspessulana, on the production of phenolic compounds in C. alba seedlings was investigated. It was expected that the oxidative stress caused by the allelochemicals released by both invaders would induce a differential response in the production of phenolic compounds in C. alba seedlings. These antioxidant mechanisms guaranteed C. alba plants' survival, even to the detriment of their initial growth. Cryptocarya alba seedlings were irrigated with T. monspessulana (TE) and U. europaeus (UE) extracts and water as a control. After eight months, morphometric variables were evaluated, and leaves were collected for histochemical analysis. The methanol extracts from treatments and control leaves were used for anthocyanin, phenol, and antioxidant activity quantifications. Both invasive species induced an inhibitory effect on the morphometric variables. Teline monspessulana induced leaf damage and increased the anthocyanin content by 4.9-fold, but did not affect the phenol content. Ulex europaeus induces root damage and a decrease in phenol content, but does not affect the anthocyanin content. Both Fabaceae extracts affected the profile and polyphenol concentration and consequently decreased the antioxidant capacity of C. alba leaves at low extract concentrations. Phenols, lignin, and ROS accumulate on C. alba leaves, but the histochemical reactions were less intense under UE. Although C. alba develops different antioxidant protection mechanisms against stress induced by UE and TE, its survival is guaranteed, even to the detriment of its initial growth.

Zebra finches have style: Nest morphology is repeatable and associated with experience

We investigated whether birds build nests in repeatable styles and, if so, whether styles were associated with past nest-building experience. Laboratory, captive bred zebra finches in an Experimental group were given nest-building experience, whereas, birds in a Control group were not. Each pair (n= 20) then built four nests that underwent image analyses for nest size, geometric shape and entrance orientation. Birds built nests in repeatable styles, with lower morphometric variation among nests built by the same pair and higher morphometric variation among nests built by different pairs. Morphology was not associated with construction time, body weight, nor age of birds. We found lower morphometric variation among nests built by the Experimental group, which also used less material to build nests compared to the Control group. Prior experience may therefore have been advantageous, as learning to reduce material usage while achieving a similar product (nest) may have lowered building costs.

Sleep deprivation soon after recovery from synthetic torpor enhances tau protein dephosphorylation in the rat brain.

Neuronal Tau protein hyperphosphorylation (PPtau) is a hallmark of tauopathic neurodegeneration. However, a reversible brain PPtau occurs in mammals during either natural or "synthetic" torpor (ST), a transient deep hypothermic state that can be pharmacologically induced in rats. Since in both conditions a high sleep pressure builds up during the regaining of euthermia, the aim of this work was to assess the possible role of post-ST sleep in PPtau dephosphorylation. Male rats were studied at the hypothermic nadir of ST, and 3-6h after the recovery of euthermia, after either normal sleep (NS) or total sleep deprivation (SD). The effects of SD were studied by assessing: (i) deep brain temperature (Tb); (ii) immunofluorescent staining for AT8 (phosphorylated Tau) and Tau-1 (non-phosphorylated Tau), assessed in 19 brain structures; (iii) different phosphorylated forms of Tau and the main cellular factors involved in Tau phospho-regulation, including pro- and anti-apoptotic markers, assessed through western blot in the parietal cortex and hippocampus; (iv) systemic factors which are involved in natural torpor; (v) microglia activation state, by considering morphometric variations. Unexpectedly, the reversibility of PPtau was more efficient in SD than in NS animals, and was concomitant with a higher Tb, higher melatonin plasma levels, and a higher frequency of the microglia resting phenotype. Since the reversibility of ST-induced PPtau was previously shown to be driven by a latent physiological molecular mechanism triggered by deep hypothermia, short-term SD soon after the regaining of euthermia seems to boost the possible neuroprotective effects of this mechanism.

A - 7 Genome-Wide Association Study of Traumatic Brain Injury in U.S. Military Veterans.

Large-scale genetic studies of traumatic brain injury (TBI) are lacking; thus, our understanding of the influence of genetic factors on TBI risk and recovery is incomplete. This study aimed to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of TBI in VA Million Veteran Program (MVP) enrollees. Participants included a multi-ancestry cohort (European, African, and Hispanic ancestries; N = 304,485; 111,494 TBI cases, 192,991 controls). TBI was assessed using MVP survey data and ICD codes from electronic health records. GWAS was performed using logistic regression in PLINK, and FUMA was used for post-GWAS analysis. Genetic correlations between TBI and several health domains (risk-taking behaviors, psychiatric disorders, neurocognitive variables, and brain morphometrics) were also evaluated. SNP-based heritability was 0.060 (SE = 0.004, p = 7.83x10-66). GWAS analysis identified 15 genome-wide significant loci at p < 5x10-8. Gene-based analyses revealed 14 gene-wide significant genes, including NCAM1, APOE, FTO, and FOXP2. Gene tissue expression analysis identified the brain as significantly enriched, particularly in the frontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and nucleus accumbens. Genetic correlations with TBI were significant for risk-taking behaviors and psychiatric disorders, but generally non-significant for neurocognitive and brain morphometric variables. The strongest genetic correlation was with PTSD (rg = 0.69, SE = 0.04, p = 2.5x10-75). This first well-powered GWAS of TBI showed that TBI is a heritable trait and identified 15 loci including genes relevant to TBI biology. Findings also revealed high genetic correlations with psychiatric and risk-taking traits, significantly advancing understanding of the genetic basis of TBI. Results set the stage for future TBI GWASs that focus on diversity and chronicity of symptom sequelae.

Hidden morphology of Shackleton Crater, lunar South Pole

The article's goal is the detailed description of geomorphologic structures on the floor and interior walls of Shackleton Crater and a reconstruction of their formation histories.A Digital Elevation Model (DEM) with 20 m grid was constructed for the area around the crater based on Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) data. The DEM was analysed for slope steepness, Maximal Catchment Area (MCA) and four curvatures: maximal (kmax), minimal (kmin), horizontal (kh) and vertical (kv). Using this extensive set of Morphometric Variables (MVs) for the first time for a detail lunar DEM revealed unknown structures in permanently shaded areas.The previously identified large elevated structures “A" and “C" are attributed to landslides. “A" is related to a relatively large meteoroid impact that produced a recognisable crater on the exterior slope of Shackleton. “C" is associated with a landslide scar affecting the rim of Shackleton Crater directly above it. Structure “B” is not related to landsliding, but without of additional high-resolution geophysical data, its origin remains unclear.The low number of small impact craters on the steep slopes and sediment fields indicates ongoing surface erosion due to migration of unconsolidated fine grains and their deposition downslope. The foot slope zone is characterised by multiple accumulations of debris flows in the form of thin strips, identified as local landforms with kh > 0. On the surface of elevated structures “A”, “B” and “C” the map of kh reveals tree-like structures – erosion forms previously unknown in lunar geomorphology. These structures are formed by branching spurs characterised by several orders. The spurs are located relatively perpendicularly to the altitude isolines.The thickest (up to 120 m) slope deposits form a relatively flat area between the elevated structure “B" and the crater wall. These deposits should be of the greatest interest for future investigations searching for buried volatiles mixed with slope deposits.