​Discriminant Analysis to Characterize Mastitis Resistant and Susceptible Karan Fries Cows and Response Operating Characteristics Curve for Comparing Regression/ Discriminant Model

Background: The profitability in the dairy enterprises is strongly affected by udder health and, to a minor extent, by morphometry. The present study was conducted to differentiate mastitis susceptible and resistant animals based on udder and teat type traits infrequently exist. Methods: The study was undertaken in ICAR-NDRI, Karnal of Haryana. A discriminate model was applied to differentiate mastitis susceptible and resistant Karan Fries cows for the study. For meeting the objective; 123 Karan Fries cows were subjected to developing a reliable mathematical function/equation (discriminant functions) for the provision of maximum separation among the mastitis resistant and susceptible animals. The hypothesis was designed to know if these udder and type traits appeal to mastitis-resistant and susceptible animals. The hypothesis for testing the equality of covariance matrices was depicted as: H0: ∑1 = ∑2 Vrs H1: At least one pair of sigma’s ∑ is different. Result: The model included contributory factors such as fore udder length, central ligament, udder balance, shortest distance of floor from fore teat (SDFT), shortest distance of floor from rear teat (SDRT), fore udder attachment (FUA), teat direction, Rear legs rearview, Hock development, udder depth, and udder width constructed and was found to demonstrate 69.1 per cent accuracy with p less than 0.001 and the Karan Fries functions at group centroids are -0.169 and 0.443 respectively for mastitis resistant and mastitis infected animals. The model will facilitate 92.1 per cent of the cases to correctly classify for mastitis resistant animals and the remaining 7.9 per cent being misclassified into the mastitis group.

Study of Sexual Dimorphism in Metatarsal Bones: Geometric and Inertial Analysis of the Three-Dimensional Reconstructed Models

The aim of the present paper is to determine the sex of the individual using three-dimensional geometric and inertial analyses of metatarsal bones. Metatarsals of 60 adult Chinese subjects of both sexes were scanned using Aquilion One 320 Slice CT Scanner. The three-dimensional models of the metatarsals were reconstructed, and thereafter, a novel software using the center of mass set as the origin and the three principal axes of inertia was employed for model alignment. Eight geometric and inertial variables were assessed: the bone length, bone width, bone height, surface-area-to-volume ratio, bone density, and principal moments of inertia around the x, y, and z axes. Furthermore, the discriminant functions were established using stepwise discriminant function analysis. A cross-validation procedure was performed to evaluate the discriminant accuracy of functions. The results indicated that inertial variables exhibit significant sexual dimorphism, especially principal moments of inertia around the z axis. The highest dimorphic values were found in the surface-area-to-volume ratio, principal moments of inertia around the z axis, and bone height. The accuracy rate of the discriminant functions for sex determination ranged from 88.3% to 98.3% (88.3%–98.3% cross-validated). The highest accuracy of function was established based on the third metatarsal bone. This study showed for the first time that the principal moment of inertia of the human bone may be successfully implemented for sex estimation. In conclusion, the sex of the individual can be accurately estimated using a combination of geometric and inertial variables of the metatarsal bones. The accuracy should be further confirmed in a larger sample size and be tested or independently developed for distinct population/age groups before the functions are widely applied in unidentified skeletons in forensic and bioarcheological contexts.

SEX DETERMINATION FROM HIP BONE FRAGMENT IN DHANBAD, JHARKHAND

The current study used discriminant function analysis to derive a model for determining sex from an adult hip bone fragment (distal ischio-pubic portion). The discriminant function obtained was DF = .76*SYL +1.60*SYW + 4.36. *DOF – 24.88. The three predictors [maximum vertical length of symphyseal surface (SYL), maximum width of symphyseal surface of pubis (SYW), and maximum diameter of the obturator foramen (DOF)] accurately categorised 90.0 % of the cases. Cross-validated ndings revealed 86.7% accurate categorization. This preliminary research's ndings indicate that these three factors lead to gender discrimination in the study participants. Again, discriminant functions are population specic. Using the discriminant function on a sample from the population of Dhanbad, Jharkhand, the hipbone may be sexed quite accurately. This metric analysis may be utilised for the population's hipbone fragments.

Sexual dimorphism in morphology and plumage of endangered Yuma Ridgway’s Rails: a model for documenting sex

Many applications in wildlife management require knowledge of the sex of individual animals. The Yuma Ridgway’s Rail Rallus obsoletus yumanensis is an endangered marsh bird with monomorphic plumage and secretive behaviors, thereby complicating sex determination in field studies. We collected morphometric measurements from 270 adult Yuma Ridgway’s Rails and quantified the plumage and mandible color of 91 of those individuals throughout their geographic range to evaluate inter-sexual differences in morphology and coloration. We genetically sexed a subset of adult Yuma Ridgway’s Rails ( N =101) and used these individuals to determine the optimal combination of measurements (based on discriminant function analyses) to distinguish between sexes. Males averaged significantly larger than females in all measurements and the optimal discriminant function contained whole-leg, culmen, and tail measurements and classified correctly 97.8% (95% CI: 92.5-100.0%) of genetically sexed individuals. We used two additional functions that correctly classified ≥95.5% of genetically sexed Yuma Ridgway’s Rails to assign sex to individuals with missing measurements. These simple models provide managers and researchers with a practical tool to determine the sex of Yuma Ridgway’s Rails based on morphometric measurements. Although color measurements were not in the most accurate discriminant functions, we quantified subtle inter-sexual differences in the color of mandibles and greater coverts of Yuma Ridgway’s Rails. These results document sex-specific patterns in coloration that allow future researchers to test hypotheses to determine the mechanisms underlying sex-based differences in plumage coloration.

Nephrometric score based on 3D modeling (3D nephrometry score) for the probability prediction of intra- and postoperative complications for kidney surgery

Aim: The purpose of the study is the development and evaluation of the informativeness of the author’s 3D nephrometric score application to predict the probability of intraoperative and postoperative complications in kidney operations. Material and methods: The study includes 264 patients who underwent surgical treatment of renal tumors, before that CT and 3D modeling were carried out. All patients underwent an analysis of the surgical intervention complexity on the C-index, PADUA, R.E.N.A.L., and developed 3D nephrometric score. To determine the set of variables that allow to classify patients, the method of discriminant analysis was used to predict the nature, volume of blood loss, duration of ischemia, and the number of complications. The sensitivity and specificity of the predictors were estimated with the help of ROC analysis. Results: Indicators have been established to classify patients according to the probability of complications, the amount of blood loss and the duration of ischemia during surgery for kidney cancer. We have created linear models that predict the development of bleeding during surgery, the volume of blood loss of more than 200 ml and the duration of ischemia more than 20 min, as well as the likelihood of complications using discriminant functions. The proposed author’s nephrometric score exceeds the capabilities of C-index, PADUA, R.E.N.A.L in many ways in blood loss and time of ischemia predicting, which allows us to recommend it for the assessment of resectability in kidney operations.

Anelaphus villosus (Fabricius) and A. parallelus (Newman) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) can be accurately distinguished using body measurements and DNA barcoding

Anelaphus villosus (Fabricius) and A. parallelus (Newman) are longhorned beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae: Elaphidiini) that closely resemble each other in appearance. In practice, if antennomere 3 is distinctly longer than antennomere 4, the specimen is considered to be A. villosus, but the accuracy of this methodology is unknown. Authorities disagree about the ease of separating these two species based on morphological traits, and recent work hypothesises that they should be synonymised due to the difficulty of distinguishing them by either morphology or natural history. Assuming correct initial species determinations of curated specimens, as well as of those determined with DNA barcoding and by the primary author, data from 23 body measurements were collected from 50 A. villosus and 60 A. parallelus specimens. Stepwise discriminant analyses and discriminant functions were used to evaluate the ability to distinguish these species based on morphology. Species assignments from discriminant functions were very accurate and were supported by assignments determined with DNA barcoding. The ability to distinguish A. villosus and A. parallelus based on morphological and molecular differences provides evidence against the taxonomic hypothesis of synonymy under one species. A need for greater ecological understanding of these species remains.

Multivariate Analysis Approaches for Dimension and Shape Discrimination of Vitis vinifera Varieties

In this study, berry dimensions and shape traits, which are important for the design of the grape processing system and the classification of 10 different grape varieties grown in same ecological conditions (‘Ata Sarısı’, ‘Barış’, ‘Dımışkı’, ‘Hatun Parmağı’, ‘Helvani’, ‘Horoz Karası’, ‘Hönüsü’, ‘İtalia’, ‘Mevlana Sarısı’, and ‘Red Globe’) were determined; differences between the varieties were identified with the use of discriminant analysis. The largest grape varieties were identified as ‘Ata Sarısı’ and ‘Red Globe’. The ‘Red Globe’ and ‘Helvani’ varieties had geometrically sphere-like shape. The ‘Barış’ variety had the lowest size averages. According to elliptic Fourier analysis, the primary source of shape variation was ellipse and sphere-looking varieties. However, shape variation was seen due to the existence of a small number of drop-like varieties. According to discriminant analysis, shape differences of the varieties were defined by two discriminant functions. Based on these discriminant functions, the greatest classification performance was achieved for ‘Mevlana Sarısı’ and ‘Dımışkı’. In scatter plots, three shape definitions (sphere, ellipse, and drop) were made for grape varieties. Cluster analysis revealed 4 sub-groups. The first sub-group included the ‘Mevlana Sarısı’ variety; the second sub-group included the ‘Hönüsü’, ‘Hatun Parmağı’, ‘Dımışkı’, and ‘Horoz Karası’ varieties; the third sub-group included the ‘Ata Sarısı’ variety; the fourth sub-group included the ‘Barış’, ‘Helvani’, ‘İtalia’, and ‘Red Globe’ varieties. The variety in the first group had a geometrically ellipse-like shape, the largest length, and the smallest width. The size data were the smallest for the second sub-group. The third sub-group, with the ellipse-like shape, had the large size data. The grape varieties the closest to the sphere were classified in the fourth group, and these varieties had the large sizes.

Growing space in a 35-year-old Pinus taeda stand

Considering the economic importance of the Pinus species in Brazil, especially in the southern region, this study was carried out to fill some gaps and assist in the production processes of this species. The specific objective was to evaluate the influence of different growing space regimes in experimental plantations of Pinus taeda L., aged 35 years, without thinning, located in the state of Santa Catarina. Diameter at breast height (DBH) and total height data were collected, and the Gamma and Weibull (3P) probability density functions (PDF) were used to describe the structure of the diameter and height variables, respectively. Then multivariate analysis and discriminant functions were applied to identify the correlation of these variables. For qualitative variables, tree health was assessed in three classifications: 1 - Healthy, with no apparent damage; 2 - Initial stage of deterioration by pests and/or diseases; and 3 - Advanced stage of deterioration by pests and/or diseases. The trunk quality variable was also evaluated in three classifications: 1 - Trunk without apparent defects; 2 - Slightly crooked trunk, however cylindrical and devoid of considerable ramifications; and 3 - Trunk with strong tortuosity or bifurcation. The results showed that growing space directly affected the average diameter. Stands with greater space per tree maximized the variables when considering height and DBH together. Stands with less growing space, on the other hand, favored better trunk quality, and the dominant individuals in height had superior health and trunk quality compared to the others.

Evaluation of the prognostic significance of leptin, adiponectin and resistin in the development of diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Background. There is evidence of the participation of adipose tissue hormones leptin, adiponectin and resistin in the formation of metabolic disorders in the retina, retinal neovascularization, and diabetic microangiopathy. The development of methods for the mathematical evaluation of the prognosis of diabetic retinopathy (DR) formation with the participation of adipokines is a relevant problem in modern diabetology. Aim. Elaboration of a mathematical model for assessing the prognostic significance of serum leptin, adiponectin and resistin to study the likelihood of deve­loping and progressing DR in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Materials and methods. An open observational single-center one-stage selective study was conducted among patients with type 2 DM and DR. The blood serum concentration of leptin, adiponectin and resistin, HbA1с, lipid metabolism findings were determined, the results of an instrumental examination of the fundus were analyzed. The diagnostic predictive value of serum leptin, adiponectin and resistin was assessed using discriminant analysis. Statistical analyses were conducted using Statistica 9.0 (StatSoft, Tulsa, OK, USA) software. The differences were considered statistically signifi­cant at p < 0.05. A model with linear combinations of the serum leptin, adiponectin and resistin, triglyceride (TG), HbA1с, type of antihyperglycemic therapy (oral anti-hyperglycemic medication or insulin therapy) were developed, and, subsequently, formulas for classification-relevant discriminant functions were derived. Results. Fifty-nine patients (107 eyes) with type 2 DM and DR (men and women; mean age, 58.20 ± 0.18 years; mean diabetes duration, 9.19 ± 0.46 years; mean HbA1с 9.10 ± 0.17 %) were assigned to the basic group and underwent the study. They were divided into three DR groups based on the stage of DR. When performing the ran­king of patients for discriminant analysis, the stage 2 DR group was aggregated with the stage 3 DR group for convenience to form the stage 2 + 3 DR group based on the pathognomonic sign (portents of proliferation or actual proliferation). Anti-diabetic therapy (ADT) included metformin, either alone (type 1 ADT) or in combination with oral anti-hyperglycemic medication (metformin + OAHGM, type 2 ADT) or insulin therapy (metformin + IT, type 3 ADT). Inclusion criteria were informed consent, age above 18 years, pre­sence of T2DM and DR. Exclusion criteria were endocrine or body system disorders leading to obesity (Cushing’s syndrome, hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, polycystic ovarian syndrome, or other endocrine disorders, including hereditary disorders, and hypothalamic obesity), type 1 DM, acute infectious disorders, history of or current cancer, decompensation of comorbidities, mental disorders, treatment with neuroleptics or antidepressants, proteinuria, clinically significant maculopathy, glaucoma or cataract. The study followed the ethical standards stated in the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Local Ethics Committee. The formulas for classification-relevant discriminant functions were derived based on the results of physical examination, imaging and laboratory tests, and subsequent assessment of clinical signs of DM (HbA1с), DR stage and serum leptin, adiponectin, resistin, TG concentrations and taking into account the type of antihyperglycemic therapy. The classification functions (CF) computed based on the variables found from the above developed models provided the basis for predicting the development of DR. The formulas for CF from model are as follows: CF1 = 0.29 • TG + 1.55 • HbA1С + 1.81 • ADT_Type + 0.04 • Leptin + 0,34 • Adiponectin + 0,91 • Resistin – 13,82. CF2= 0.05 • TG + 1.36 • HbA1С + 3.01 • ADT_Type + 0.08 • Leptin + 0,35 • Adiponectin + 1,01 • Resistin – 15.95. A step-by-step approach to a diagnostic decision should be used. First, blood samples are tested for serum leptin, adiponectin and resistin, TG, blood HbA1c, and the patient is assigned a code for ADT Type (metformin only, 1; metformin + OAHGM, 2; or metformin + IT, 3). Second, CF1 and CF2 values are calculated based on clinical and laboratory data. Finally, the two values are compared to determine which is greater. The predictive decision is made by selecting the classification function with the greater value. Thus, if CF1 > CF2, the process can be stabilized at this stage given adequate glycemic control (through compensation of carbohydrate metabolism) and body mass control as well as patient compliance. If CF1 < CF2, the pathological process may progress to the next stage or even within stage 3, and there is an urgent need to reduce BMI, and to correct the ADT and the blood lipid profile. Conclusions. The informative value and statistical significance of the model were 71.4 % and p = 0.040, respectively. Using the formulas, one can determine the probability of progression of DR.