Genetic variation in growth traits and stem–branch characteristics and their relationships to Eucalyptus clones

Eucalyptus has become an important genus in China because it displays adaptability to a wide range of site conditions and produces pulp wood and veneer on short rotations. The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters and relationships and consider impli- cations for development of clonal forestry. We assessed growth traits, stem-branch characteristics, crown diameter and height of fresh branch for 20 Eucalyptus hybrid clones in China measured at the age of 44 months. Analysis of variance showed that there were significant differences in growth traits, height of fresh branch and stem straightness among clones. Significant differences in height, volume, crown diameter, height of fresh branch and branch size among replicates were also recorded. Coefficients of vari- ation ranged from 9.84 to 28.54 % for growth traits, 12.03 to 17.25 % for stem-branch characteristics, 18.26 % for crown diameter and 11.73 % for height of fresh branch. Estimates of repeatabilities for height, diameter at breastheight over bark, volume, crown diameter, height of fresh branch, stem straightness and branch size at clone mean level were 0.86, 0.80, 0.80, 0.54, 0.85, 0.77 and 0.44 respectively. Diameter at breast height over bark and height had strongly positive phenotypic and genotypic correlations with volume, ranging from 0.96 to 1.00. The positive genotypic and phenotypic correlations between growth traits and other studied traits suggested that fast growing clones always had bigger crown diameter, higher height of fresh branch, straighter stems and relatively smaller branches.

A SAS Macro for Testing Differences among Three or More Independent Groups Using Kruskal-Wallis and Nemenyi Tests

As a nonparametric method,the Kruskal-Wallis test is widely used to compare three or more independent groups when an ordinal or interval level of data is available,especially when the assump-tions of analysis of variance (ANOVA) are not met.If the Kruskal-Wallis statistic is statistically signifi-cant,Nemenyi test is an alternative method for further pairwise multiple comparisons to locate the source of significance.Unfortunately,most popular statistical packages do not integrate the Nemenyi test,which is not easy to be calculated by hand.We described the theory and applications of the Kruskal-Wallis and Nemenyi tests,and presented a flexible SAS macro to implement the two tests.The SAS macro was demonstrated by two examples from our cohort study in occupational epidemiology.It provides a useful tool for SAS users to test the differences among three or more independent groups using a nonparametric method.

Statistical analysis for genome-wide association study

In the past few years, genome-wide association study （GWAS） has made great successes in identifying genetic susceptibility loci underlying many complex diseases and traits. The findings provide important genetic insights into understanding pathogenesis of diseases. In this paper, we present an overview of widely used approaches and strategies for analysis of GWAS, offered a general consideration to deal with GWAS data. The issues regarding data quality control, population structure, association analysis, multiple comparison and visual presentation of GWAS results are discussed; other advanced topics including the issue of missing heritability, meta-analysis, setbased association analysis, copy number variation analysis and GWAS cohort analysis are also briefly introduced.

Application of network meta-analysis in the field of physical activity and health promotion

Continued advancement in the field of physical activity and health promotion relies heavily on the synthesis of rigorous scientific evidence.As such,systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials have led to a better understanding of which intervention strategies are superior(i.e.,produce the greatest effects)in physical activity-based health behavior change interventions.Indeed,standard meta-analytic approaches have allowed researchers in the field to synthesize relevant experimental evidence using pairwise procedures that produce reliable estimates of the homogeneity,magnitude,and potential biases in the observed effects.However,pairwise meta-analytic procedures are only capable to discerning differences in effects between a select intervention strategy and a select comparison or control condition.In order to maximize the impact of physical activity interventions on health-related outcomes,it is necessary to establish evidence concerning the comparative efficacy of all relevant physical activity intervention strategies.The development of network meta-analysis(NMA)-most commonly used in medical-based clinical trials-has allowed for the quantification of indirect comparisons,even in the absence of direct,head-to-head trials.Thus,it stands to reason that NMA can be applied in physical activity and health promotion research to identify the best intervention strategies.Given that this analysis technique is novel and largely unexplored in the field of physical activity and health promotion,care must be taken in its application to ensure reliable estimates and discernment of the effect sizes among interventions.Therefore,the purpose of this review is to comment on the potential application and importance of NMA in the field of physical activity and health promotion,describe how to properly and effectively apply this technique,and suggest important considerations for its appropriate application in this field.In this paper,overviews of the foundations of NMA and commonly used approaches for conducting NMA are provided,followed by assumptions related to NMA,opportunities and challenges in NMA,and a step-by-step example of developing and conducting an NMA.

Trans-base and trans-vault low-velocity penetrating brain injury:A retrospective comparative study of characteristics,treatment,and outcomes

Low-velocity penetrating brain injury(LVPBI)caused by foreign bodies can pose life-threatening emergencies.Their complexity and lack of validated classification data have prevented standardization of clinical management.We aimed to compare the trans-base and trans-vault phenotypes of LVPBI to help provide guidance for clinical decision-making of such injury type.;A retrospective study on LVPBI patients managed at our institution from November 2013 to March 2020 was conducted.We included LVPBI patients admitted for the first time for surgery,and excluded those with multiple injuries,gunshot wounds,pregnancy,severe blunt head trauma,etc.Patients were categorized into trans-base and trans-vault LVPBI groups based on the penetration pathway.Discharged patients were followed up by outpatient visit or telephone.The data were entered into the Electronic Medical Record system by clinicians,and subsequently derived by researchers.The demography and injury characteristics,treatment protocols,complications,and outcomes were analyzed and compared between the two groups.A t-test was used for analysis of normally distributed data,and a Mann-Whitney U test for non-parametric data.A generalized linear model was further established to determine whether the factors length of stay and performance scale score were influenced by each factor.;A total of 27 LVPBI patients were included in this analysis,comprised of 13(48.1%)trans-base cases and 14(51.9%)trans-vault cases.Statistical analyses suggested that trans-base LVPBI was correlated with deeper wounds;while the trans-vault phenotype was correlated with injury by metal foreign bodies.There was no difference in Glasgow Coma Scale score and the risk of intracranial hemorrhage between the two groups.Surgical approaches in the trans-base LVPBI group included subfrontal(n=5,38.5%),subtemporal(n=5,38.5%),lateral fissure(n=2,15.4%),and distal lateral(n=1,7.7%).All patients in the trans-vault group underwent a brain convex approach using the foreign body as reference(n=14,100%).Moreover,the two groups differed in application prerequisites for intracranial pressure monitoring and vessel-related treatment.Trans-base LVPBI was associated with higher rates of cranial nerve and major vessel injuries;in contrast,trans-vault LVPBI was associated with lower functional outcome scores.;Our findings suggest that trans-base and trans-vault LVPBIs differ in terms of characteristics,treatment,and outcomes.Further understanding of these differences may help guide clinical decisions and contribute to a better management of LVPBIs.