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We investigated whether dosed failure motivates older adults to perform more repetitions in an exergame that involves hitting targets with stepping movements. The effect of dosed failure was studied in a within-participants design in which all participants performed this exergame in both a Standard condition, in which one never fails, and in a Dosed Failure condition, in which we introduced about 30% failures. The order of conditions (Standard First or Dosed Failure first) was chosen randomly for each participant. Results showed that participants performed more repetitions in the Dosed Failure condition compared with the Standard condition, while play duration and subjective motivation at the moment of quitting did not differ. This shows that dosed failure motivated older adults to put a greater amount of effort to perform the exercise without affecting play duration or subjective motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study analyzed the effectiveness of net exchanges (ie, number of times the pairs exchange their zone on the court from the net zone to the back zone or vice versa) in men's and women's professional padel depending on the competition phase. Methods: Data were collected from 41 matches, comprising a total of 4829 points, from both the qualifying and the main draws of the World Padel Tour Finland Padel Open tournament. Descriptive analysis (frequency and percentage) and inferential tests (Pearson chi-square [χ2], Cramer V coefficient [Vc], corrected standardized residuals, and chi-squared automatic interaction detection) were carried out. Results: There were significant differences (P <.05) in net exchanges between the main and qualifying draws, both in men's (79.6% vs 72.1% for no exchanges) and women's (62.2% vs 57.6% for no exchanges) padel. Additionally, differences in the likelihood of winning points based on whether the serving pair or the returning pair finished the rally at the net were highlighted. Indeed, finishing rallies at the net for the serving pairs increased the probability of scoring a winning shot (ie, in even-numbered net exchanges), while finishing rallies away from the net (ie, in odd-numbered net exchanges) was more likely to result in errors, for both male and female players and main and qualifying draws. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the strategic behavior of professional padel matches, highlighting the importance of net dominance and its impact on match outcomes, particularly in relation to gender differences and phase of competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To quantify and compare loads encountered in individual training sessions and games during noncongested and congested weeks in semiprofessional women basketball players. Methods: Using an observational, longitudinal design, 12 players from the same team had their external (PlayerLoad, relative PlayerLoad, and total and high-intensity inertial movement analysis variables) and internal load (session rating of perceived exertion [sRPE], sRPE-load, percentage of heart rate peak, and modified summated-heart-rate-zones load) monitored across a regular season. Training and game data were categorized into noncongested (0–1 game) and congested weeks (2–3 games). Linear mixed models and Cohen d effect sizes were used for analyses. Results: Comparisons between training sessions revealed higher (P <.05, d = 1.35–5.33) PlayerLoad, total inertial movement analysis, sRPE, and sRPE-load during training session 1 than training session 2 in congested weeks. Comparisons between training sessions and games revealed higher (P ≤.001, d = 1.10–1.66) sRPE and sRPE-load during games than training sessions 1 and 2 in noncongested weeks, alongside higher (P ≤.001, d = 1.87–3.55) sRPE during game 1 than training sessions 1 and 2 in congested weeks. Comparisons between games revealed higher (P <.05, d = 0.57–2.82) loads in game 3 during congested weeks compared with all other games. Conclusions: Training appeared to be tapered in congested weeks, likely to account for upcoming increases in game loading, but remained relatively consistent across sessions during noncongested weeks. Individual game loads remained relatively consistent but were noticeably increased when a third game was played in the week. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method is widely used in various fields as a powerful numerical integration technique for systems with many degrees of freedom. In MCMC methods, probabilistic state transitions can be considered as a random walk in state space, and random walks allow for sampling from complex distributions. However, paradoxically, it is necessary to carefully suppress the randomness of the random walk to improve computational efficiency. By breaking detailed balance, we can create a probability flow in the state space and perform more efficient sampling along this flow. Motivated by this idea, practical and efficient nonreversible MCMC methods have been developed over the past ten years. In particular, the lifting technique, which introduces probability flows in an extended state space, has been applied to various systems and has proven more efficient than conventional reversible updates. We review and discuss several practical approaches to implementing nonreversible MCMC methods, including the shift method in the cumulative distribution and the directed-worm algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of agility ladder training combined with plyometric or multidirection speed drills, on performance in young female volleyball players. Methods: Seventy-six young female volleyball players were randomly distributed into 3 maturity-matched groups: (1) the agility ladder + plyometric drills group, (2) the agility ladder + multidirection speed drills group, and (3) the control group. Both experimental groups followed a 6-week training program, twice weekly, in addition to the regular volleyball training sessions, while the control group participated only in the regular volleyball training sessions. Assessments pretraining and posttraining included countermovement jump, 20-m sprint, and agility T test. Results: Both experimental groups improved T-test performance (P <.005) but only agility ladder + multidirection speed drills group outperformed the control group (P <.05). Conclusions: Agility ladder training programs combined with either plyometric or speed drills can improve change of direction performance in young female volleyball players but only the combination of agility ladder with multidirection speed drills is more effective than volleyball training per se. The small effectiveness of these protocols may be attributed to the short training period, or to the fact that training elements were combined in a single session. This hypothesis remains to be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The pathogenesis of periodontitis may be related to host-mediated inflammatory and immune responses caused by accumulation of oral microbial plaque. Nutrients have anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory capabilities. Dietary intake of antioxidants and micronutrients is associated with the inflammatory burden of the diet. The Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index (CDAI) is a composite index for assessing the antioxidant properties of a diet, and the relationship with periodontitis is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between periodontitis and CDAI. Method and materials: The study was a cross-sectional design and included 7,471 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009 to 2014 database. Participants were divided into experimental and control groups according to the relevant criteria, where the control group consisted of participants with no/mild periodontitis (including 3,646 participants) and the experimental group consisted of participants with moderate/severe periodontitis (including 3,825 participants). First, baseline characteristics of the two groups of participants were compared. Weighted logistic regression analyses was used to explore the relationship between periodontitis and CDAI. The linear relationship between the two was assessed using restricted cubic spline. Finally, sub-group analyses were used to assess model stability. Results: Differences between the two groups of participants were statistically significant in age, sex, race, education, ratio of household income to poverty, body mass index, smoking status, drinking status, and prevalence of diabetes. CDAI, as a continuous variable, was not found to be significantly associated with periodontitis. The CDAI was converted to categorical variables according to quartile. In model 1, participants in the second and third quartile groups had a lower risk of developing periodontitis compared with participants in the lowest quartile group (OR [95% CI] 0.810 [0.681, 0.963], P=.021; OR [95% CI] 0.811 [0.691, 0.951], P=.014; respectively). In model 2, participants in the second, third, and fourth quartile groups had a lower risk of developing periodontitis compared to the lowest quartile group (OR [95% CI] 0.803 [0.660, 0.978], P=.0349; OR [95% CI] 0.753 [0.632, 0.897], P=.003; OR [95% CI] 0.753 [0.617, 0.920], P=.008; respectively). There was a non-linear relationship between CDAI and periodontitis (P non-linearity=.0055), with the inflection point occurring at a CDAI equal to 0.6342. Conclusion: There is a nonlinear relationship between CDAI and periodontitis in US adults. However, further prospective studies are still needed to validate the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the study of stochastic systems, the committor function describes the probability that a system starting from an initial configuration x will reach a set B before a set A. This paper introduces an efficient and interpretable algorithm for approximating the committor, called the "fast committor machine" (FCM). The FCM uses simulated trajectory data to build a kernel-based model of the committor. The kernel function is constructed to emphasize low-dimensional subspaces that optimally describe the A to B transitions. The coefficients in the kernel model are determined using randomized linear algebra, leading to a runtime that scales linearly with the number of data points. In numerical experiments involving a triple-well potential and alanine dipeptide, the FCM yields higher accuracy and trains more quickly than a neural network with the same number of parameters. The FCM is also more interpretable than the neural net. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global diabatic potential energy surfaces (PESs) of CH2+ are constructed using the neural network method with a specific function based on 18 213 ab initio points. The multi-reference configuration interaction method with the aug-cc-pVQZ basis set is adopted to perform the ab initio calculations. The topographical properties of the diabatic PESs are examined in detail. In general, the diabatic PESs provide an accurate quasi-diabatic representation. To validate the diabatic PESs, the dynamics studies of the C+(2P1/2, 3/2) + H2 (v0 = 0, j0 = 0) → H + CH+(X1Σ+) reaction are performed using the time-dependent wave packet method. The reaction probabilities, integral cross sections, differential cross sections, and rate constants are calculated and compared with the experimental and theoretical results. Non-adiabatic dynamics results are in good agreement with experimental data. In addition, the non-adiabatic effect in the C+(2P1/2, 3/2) + H2 reaction is significant due to the non-adiabatic results being obviously larger than adiabatic values. The reasonable non-adiabatic dynamics results indicate that present diabatic PESs can be recommended for any type of dynamics study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global diabatic potential energy surfaces (PESs) of CH2+ are constructed using the neural network method with a specific function based on 18 213 ab initio points. The multi-reference configuration interaction method with the aug-cc-pVQZ basis set is adopted to perform the ab initio calculations. The topographical properties of the diabatic PESs are examined in detail. In general, the diabatic PESs provide an accurate quasi-diabatic representation. To validate the diabatic PESs, the dynamics studies of the C+(2P1/2, 3/2) + H2 (v0 = 0, j0 = 0) → H + CH+(X1Σ+) reaction are performed using the time-dependent wave packet method. The reaction probabilities, integral cross sections, differential cross sections, and rate constants are calculated and compared with the experimental and theoretical results. Non-adiabatic dynamics results are in good agreement with experimental data. In addition, the non-adiabatic effect in the C+(2P1/2, 3/2) + H2 reaction is significant due to the non-adiabatic results being obviously larger than adiabatic values. The reasonable non-adiabatic dynamics results indicate that present diabatic PESs can be recommended for any type of dynamics study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the linear Pearson correlation coefficient represents a well-established normalized measure to quantify the inter-relation of two stochastic variables X and Y, it fails for multidimensional variables, such as Cartesian coordinates. Avoiding any assumption about the underlying data, the mutual information I(X, Y) does account for multidimensional correlations. However, unlike the normalized Pearson correlation, it has no upper bound (I ∈ [0, ∞)), i.e., it is not clear if say, I = 0.4 corresponds to a low or a high correlation. Moreover, the mutual information (MI) involves the estimation of high-dimensional probability densities (e.g., six-dimensional for Cartesian coordinates), which requires a k nearest-neighbor algorithm, such as the estimator by Kraskov et al. [Phys. Rev. E 69, 066138 (2004)]. As existing methods to normalize the MI cannot be used in connection with this estimator, a new approach is presented, which uses an entropy estimation method that is invariant under variable transformations. The algorithm is numerically efficient and does not require more effort than the calculation of the (un-normalized) MI. After validating the method by applying it to various toy models, the normalized MI between the Cα-coordinates of T4 lysozyme is considered and compared to a correlation analysis of inter-residue contacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We introduce a general definition of a quantum committor in order to clarify reaction mechanisms and facilitate control in processes where coherent effects are important. With a quantum committor, we generalize the notion of a transition state to quantum superpositions and quantify the effect of interference on the progress of the reaction. The formalism is applicable to any linear quantum master equation supporting metastability for which absorbing boundary conditions designating the reactant and product states can be applied. We use this formalism to determine the dependence of the quantum transition state on coherences in a polaritonic system and optimize the initialization state of a conical intersection model to control reactive outcomes, achieving yields of the desired state approaching 100%. In addition to providing a practical tool, the quantum committor provides a conceptual framework for understanding reactions in cases when classical intuitions fail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a theoretical approach to estimate the permeability coefficients of substrates (permeants) for crossing membranes from donor (D) phase to acceptor (A) phase by means of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. A fundamental aspect of our approach involves reformulating the returning probability (RP) theory, a rigorous bimolecular reaction theory, to describe permeation phenomena. This reformulation relies on the parallelism between permeation and bimolecular reaction processes. In the present method, the permeability coefficient is represented in terms of the thermodynamic and kinetic quantities for the reactive (R) phase that exists within the inner region of a membrane. One can evaluate these quantities using multiple MD trajectories starting from phase R. We apply the RP theory to the permeation of ethanol and methylamine at different concentrations (infinitely dilute and 1 mol % conditions of permeants). Under the 1 mol% condition, the present method yields a larger permeability coefficient for ethanol (0.12 ± 0.01 cm s−1) than for methylamine (0.069 ± 0.006 cm s−1), while the values of the permeability coefficient are satisfactorily close to those obtained from the brute-force MD simulations (0.18 ± 0.03 and 0.052 ± 0.005 cm s−1 for ethanol and methylamine, respectively). Moreover, upon analyzing the thermodynamic and kinetic contributions to the permeability, we clarify that a higher concentration dependency of permeability for ethanol, as compared to methylamine, arises from the sensitive nature of ethanol's free-energy barrier within the inner region of the membrane against ethanol concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the survival of double-crown-retained implant-and-tooth-supported removable partial dentures (DCR-ITSRPDs), evaluate abutment survival, and identify first aftercare measures. Materials and Methods: The influence of various factors on the survival of the DCR-ITSRPDs and the abutments were observed in this retrospective and clinical follow-up study using the Kaplan-Meier estimate. In addition, the first-required aftercare measure for each prosthesis was evaluated. Results: In total, 47 DCR-ITSRPDs were investigated (mean observation: 4.3 ± 3.8 years; max: 14.3 years), 3 of which (6.4%) had to be replaced. The survival probability for DCR-ITSRPDs was 100% at 5 years and 75% at 10 years. A total of 297 abutments (120 natural teeth and 177 dental implants) were observed, 22 of which (7.4%; 6 teeth and 16 implants) failed. The survival probability for teeth was 90.2% at the 5- and 10-year mark; for dental implants, it was 90.4% at 5 years and 76.3% at 10 years. Conclusions: DCR-ITSRPDs are a successful and durable treatment option for patients with substantially reduced residual dentitions. Both prostheses and abutments show good survival times after 5 and 10 years in function. The patient-associated factors tested showed no influence on the survival of DCR-ITSRPDs and abutments. Peri-implant infection was the decisive factor for abutment loss; therefore, regular dental prophylaxis and examinations are of major importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to compare the maximum and rapid force production of Spanish football players and explore the differences between age group and level of competition. Methods: A cross-sectional study was developed to evaluate the peak force (PF), relative PF, and rate of force development over 250 ms (RFD0−250) during the isometric midthigh pull between groups of football players based on age group (senior vs junior) and level of competition (national vs regional). Using a portable isometric rig, 111 football players performed 2 isometric midthigh-pull trials on a force plate. Two-way analysis of variance with Bonferroni post hoc correction was applied, and statistical significance was set at P ≤.05. The PF, relative PF, and RFD0−250 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 percentiles were also calculated and descriptively reported, separated by age group and level of competition. Results: The analysis of variance revealed a significant main effect of the level of competition for the PF (P <.001), relative PF (P =.003), and RFD0−250 (P <.001). There was a significant main effect of age group for the PF (P <.001). There was a significant interaction effect of the age group × level of competition for relative PF (P =.014). National players were stronger than regional players on the PF and RFD0−250 (P <.001). Senior players were stronger than junior players for the PF (P <.001). Conclusions: Maximum and rapid force production are crucial for Spanish football players as they progress in both level of competition and age group. Practitioners should encourage young football players to prioritize strength development to improve their athletic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several types of dynamics at stationarity can be described in terms of a Markov jump process among a finite number N of representative sites. Before dealing with the dynamical aspects, one basic problem consists in expressing the a priori steady-state occupation probabilities of the sites. In particular, one wishes to go beyond the mere black-box computational tools and find expressions in which the jump rate constants appear explicitly, therefore allowing for a potential design/control of the network. For strongly connected networks admitting a unique stationary state with all sites populated, here we express the occupation probabilities in terms of a formula that involves powers of the transition rate matrix up to order N − 1. We also provide an expression of the derivatives with respect to the jump rate constants, possibly useful in sensitivity analysis frameworks. Although we refer to dynamics in (bio)chemical networks at thermal equilibrium or under nonequilibrium steady-state conditions, the results are valid for any Markov jump process under the same assumptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to cross-validate a recently proposed equation for the prediction of maximal oxygen uptake ( V ˙ O 2 max) in cycling exercise by using the average power output normalized by the body mass from a 5-minute time trial (RPO5-min) as the independent variable. Further, the study aimed to update the predictive equation using Bayesian informative prior distributions and meta-analysis. Methods: On different days, 49 male cyclists performed an incremental graded exercise test until exhaustion and a 5-minute time trial on a stationary cycle ergometer. We compared the actual V ˙ O 2 max with the predicted value obtained from the RPO5-min, using a modified Bayesian Bland–Altman agreement analysis. In addition, this study updated the data on the linear regression between V ˙ O 2 max and RPO5-min, by incorporating information from a previous study as a Bayesian informative prior distribution or via meta-analysis. Results: On average, the predicted V ˙ O 2 max using RPO5-min underestimated the actual V ˙ O 2 max by −6.6 mL·kg–1·min–1 (95% credible interval, −8.6 to −4.7 mL·kg–1·min–1). The lower and upper 95% limits of agreement were −17.2 (−22.7 to −12.3) and 3.8 (−1.0 to 9.5) mL·kg–1·min–1, respectively. When the current study's data were analyzed using the previously published data as a Bayesian informative prior distribution, the accuracy of predicting sample means was found to be better when compared with the data combined via meta-analyses. Conclusions: The proposed equation presented systematic bias in our sample, in which the prediction underestimated the actual V ˙ O 2 max. We provide an updated equation using the previous one as the prior distribution, which could be generalized to a greater audience of cyclists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the peak performance characteristics of the world top-8 swimmers and the key factors involved in the journey toward achieving better peak performance. Methods: The results of the world top-8 swimmers from 2001 to 2022 were collected from the World Aquatics performance database. Progression to peak performance was tracked with individual quadratic trajectories (1191 cases). Utilizing k-means clustering to group competitive feature variables, this study investigated key developmental factors through a binary logistic regression model, using the odds ratio (OR) to represent whether a factor was favorable (OR > 1) or unfavorable (OR < 1). Results: Significant differences (P <.001) in the peak age between men (23.54/3.80) and women (22.31/4.60) were noticed, while no significant differences (P >.05) in the peak-performance window for both sexes appeared. Peak performance occurred at later ages for the sprint for both sexes, and women had a longer duration in peak-performance window for sprint (P <.05). Peak-performance occurred at later ages for the breaststroke and butterfly for both sexes (P <.05). Binary logistic regression revealed that high first-participation performance (OR = 1.502), high major-competition performance (OR = 4.165), early first-major-competition age (OR = 1.441), participation frequency above 4 times/year in both phase 2 (4.3–8.0 times/y, OR = 3.940; 8.1–20.0 times/y, OR = 5.122) and phase 3 (4.1–7.5 times/y: OR = 5.548; 7.7–15.0 times/y: OR = 7.526), and a career length of 10 years or more (10–15 y, OR = 2.102; 16–31 y, OR = 3.480) were favorable factors for achieving better peak performance. Conclusions: Peak performance characteristics varied across sex, swimming stroke, and race distance in the world top-8 swimmers. Meanwhile, the research indicated that certain specific developmental factors were key conditions for the world top-8 swimmers to achieve better peak performance in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the stochastic modelling and analysis of a serial production network consisting of two manufacturing stations operating under a make-to-stock inventory policy. The outcome is a single type of product and every manufacturing station includes a machine and an output buffer. Both machines are gradually deteriorating during their operation. Deterioration results in a reduced production rate. Continuous-time Markov chain was used to model all the possible states the network transits over time due to the occurrence of certain events, such as client arrival, deterioration failure, production or repair completion. The structure of the Markov chain was thoroughly studied providing useful information, supporting the effort of numerical solving to determine the steady-state probabilities enabling the calculation of useful performance metrics like equipment availability, down time, idle time, utilisation and average inventory. Through a series of numerical experiments, the behaviour of the serial production network was examined while alternating its parameters. Interesting conclusions emerged regarding the factors affecting the operation of such production systems subjected to gradual deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study analyzed the sequences of actions in professional men and women padel players to identify common game patterns. Methods: The sample comprised 17,557 stroke-by-stroke actions (N = 1640 rallies) of the championship World Padel Tour. Multistep Markov chains were used to calculate the conditional probabilities of occurrence of actions during the rally. Results: Results revealed that men's and women's padel is mainly defined by 36 patterns constituting 55% and 63% of all actions in the game, respectively, with the 10 most common sequences accounting for 42% to 45% of the game. There were recurrent technical–tactical actions with specific offensive and defensive functions that were constantly reiterated during the rallies. In men, the use of smash, volley, bandeja, direct, back wall, back-wall lobs, and direct lobs followed a foreseeable pattern up to 8 lags, whereas women described predictable interactions for volley, bandeja, direct, lobs, and direct lobs up to 5 lags and for smash and back wall up to 4 lags. Conclusions: The ability of padel players to recall these patterns and enhance their anticipation skills may potentially improve their performance. These findings contribute to a better knowledge of professional padel game dynamics while providing coaches and players with useful information to optimize training and decision-making strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents an analytical model for travel time evaluation in double-deep, triple-deep, quadruple-deep and fivefold-deep tier-captive shuttle-based storage and retrieval system (SBS/RS). Under the assumption of the deepest location rule for the storage process and the nearest neighbour rule for the retrieval process, the expressions for single-command and dual-command cycle times of the shuttle vehicle and elevator are developed, from which the SBS/RS performance can be estimated. The model based on the probability theory enables the evaluation of all individual times that make up the cycle times and assessment of the average number of totes relocated during a retrieval process. Special attention is devoted to the modelling of the relocation of totes which block access to the requested tote during the retrieval process. The validity of the analytical model is examined via the developed simulation model. The given case study shows that the proposed analytical travel time model results match the results of the simulation model. The presented modelling strategy could be applied to bigger system racking depths following the same modelling logic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We spell out the paradigm of exact conditioning as an intuitive and powerful way of conditioning on observations in probabilistic programs. This is contrasted with likelihood-based scoring known from languages such as Stan. We study exact conditioning in the cases of discrete and Gaussian probability, presenting prototypical languages for each case and giving semantics to them. We make use of categorical probability (namely Markov and CD categories) to give a general account of exact conditioning, which avoids limits and measure theory, instead focusing on restructuring dataflow and program equations. The correspondence between such categories and a class of programming languages is made precise by defining the internal language of a CD category. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: As a multidisciplined combat sport, relationships between external and internal training loads and intensities of mixed martial arts (MMA) have not been described. The aim of this study was to determine the external loads and intensities of MMA training categories and their relationship to internal loads and intensities. Methods: Twenty MMA athletes (age = 23.3 [5.3] y, mass = 72.1 [7.2] kg, stature = 171.5 [8.4] cm) were observed for 2 consecutive weeks. Internal load and intensity (session rating of perceived exertion [sRPE]) were calculated using the Foster RPE for the session overall (sRPE-training load [TL]) and segmented RPE (segRPE-TL) for each training category: warm-up, striking drills, wrestling drills, Brazilian jiujitsu (BJJ) drills, striking sparring, wrestling sparring, BJJ sparring, and MMA sparring. External load and intensity were measured via Catapult OptimEye S5 for the full duration of each session using accumulated Playerload (PLdACC) and PLdACC per minute (PLdACC·min−1). Differences in loads between categories and days were assessed via Bayesian analysis of variance (BF10 ≥ 3). Predictive relationships between internal and external variables were calculated using Bayesian regression. Results: Session overall sRPE-TL = 448.6 (191.1) arbitrary units (AU); PLdACC = 310.6 (112) AU. Category segRPE-TL range = 33.8 (22.6) AU (warm-up) to 122.8 (54.6) AU (BJJ drills). Category PLdACC range = 44 (36.3) AU (warm-up) to 125 (58.8) AU (MMA sparring). Neither sRPE-TL nor PLdACC changed between days. PLdACC was different between categories. Evidence for regressions was strong-decisive except for BJJ drills (BF10 = 7, moderate). R2 range =.50 to.77, except for warm-up (R2 =.17), BJJ drills (R2 =.27), BJJ sparring (R2 =.49), and session overall (R2 =.13). Conclusions: While MMA training categories may be differentiated in terms of external load, overall session external load does not change within or between weeks. Resultant regression equations may be used to appropriately plan MMA technical/tactical training loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to a financial crisis, many organizations adjust their pay systems to reduce labor costs. In this research, we focus on the use of delayed pay (the postponement of employees' contractual compensation) and examine its effect on employee voluntary turnover outcomes. In a field study (Study 1) with data collected from the executive managers of 129 Chinese hotels experiencing a financial crisis caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), we find a positive relationship between delayed pay and the voluntary turnover rate at the organizational level. In addition, this relationship becomes weaker when delayed pay consists of a larger proportion of pay‐for‐performance (PFP). We then conduct an experiment (Study 2) to extend our theoretical framework to the individual level, establish causality, and examine the underlying mechanism. The results show that the perceived negative instrumentality of stay (i.e., expected economic losses associated with staying in an organization) explains why individuals intend to leave organizations adopting delayed base pay but not delayed PFP. We further replicate these findings in a critical incident technique study (Study 3). We also discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The probability of inserting, without overlap, a hard spherical particle of diameter σ in a hard-sphere fluid of diameter σ0 and packing fraction η determines its excess chemical potential at infinite dilution, μex(σ, η). In our previous work [R. L. Davidchack and B. B. Laird, J. Chem. Phys. 157, 074701 (2022)], we used Widom's particle insertion method within molecular dynamics simulations to obtain high precision results for μex(σ, η) with σ/σ0 ≤ 4 and η ≤ 0.5. In the current work, we investigate the behavior of this quantity at small σ. In particular, using the inclusion-exclusion principle, we relate the insertion probability to the hard-sphere fluid distribution functions and thus derive the higher-order terms in the Taylor expansion of μex(σ, η) at σ = 0. We also use direct evaluation of the excluded volume for pairs and triplets of hard spheres to obtain simulation results for μex(σ, η) at σ/σ0 ≤ 0.2247 that are of much higher precision than those obtained earlier with Widom's method. These results allow us to improve the quality of the small-σ correction in the empirical expression for μex(σ, η) presented in our previous work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The three body fragmentation of methane dication has been studied using the technique of cold target recoil ion momentum spectroscopy. The process is initiated by impact of energetic Ar9+ ions on neutral methane and the data is subsequently collected in coincidence with Ar8+ projectile. By analysing the dissociation channels leading to (H + H+ + CH 2 + ) and (H + H 2 + + CH+) fragments, it is concluded that these fragments are formed in a sequential manner via formation of molecular intermediates CH 3 + and CH 2 + respectively. It is shown that these molecular intermediates carry a few eVs as their internal energies, part of which is released when they emit an H-atom with the open possibility that the final detected fragments may still be internally excited. This was accomplished by analysing the two-steps of the sequential process in their own native frames. For a molecular system having three-dimensional structure, our results prove to be an ideal example to highlight the importance of using native frames for correct interpretation of the obtained results. Our results indicate that the dissociation of methane dication can be a major source of production of H-atoms in addition to H+ fragments with the probability of the two being of similar order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we examine a supply chain consisting of a supplier with capital constraint and multiple retailers with no working capital. The retailers can get either trade credit from the supplier or loan from banks. All the retailers are differentiated by their credit scores, which measure the possibility that they default. We show that when the retailer's default probability is high compared with the marginal cost, the retailer cannot get financial support. If the retailers only get money from banks, the more reliable a retailer is, the higher the wholesale price the supplier may charge him. We also find out that the supplier has the motivation to provide trade credit even when the retailers can get money from banks. And no matter where the retailers get money from, when the initial capital is a little insufficient, the supplier will reduce the quantity of the products provided to all retailers. As the initial capital becomes less, the supplier will cut off all the supply to the lowest-score retailer first no matter whether the supplier undertakes the default risk or not. In other words, when the retailers are heterogeneous, for supplier, it is not always the more retailers, the better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The returning probability (RP) theory, a rigorous diffusion-influenced reaction theory, enables us to analyze the binding process systematically in terms of thermodynamics and kinetics using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Recently, the theory was extended to atomistically describe binding processes by adopting the host–guest interaction energy as the reaction coordinate. The binding rate constants can be estimated by computing the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of the reactive state existing in the binding processes. Here, we propose a methodology based on the RP theory in conjunction with the energy representation theory of solution, applicable to complex binding phenomena, such as protein–ligand binding. The derived scheme of calculating the equilibrium constant between the reactive and dissociate states, required in the RP theory, can be used for arbitrary types of reactive states. We apply the present method to the bindings of small fragment molecules [4-hydroxy-2-butanone (BUT) and methyl methylthiomethyl sulphoxide (DSS)] to FK506 binding protein (FKBP) in an aqueous solution. Estimated binding rate constants are consistent with those obtained from long-timescale MD simulations. Furthermore, by decomposing the rate constants to the thermodynamic and kinetic contributions, we clarify that the higher thermodynamic stability of the reactive state for DSS causes the faster binding kinetics compared with BUT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a new data-driven reliability analysis framework through combining the sample convolution and interaction network (SCINet) with Bayesian probability recursion to predict the time-variant reliability of bridge girders. The structural response predicted by SCINet and the state parameter (i.e., the variance of normal distribution) estimated by Bayesian dynamic linear model (BDLM) are used to form the limit state function to predict time-variant reliability. The results with a practical bridge show that the proposed method can predict future structural responses and time-variant reliability more accurately than BDLM, long short-term memory (LSTM), and long- and short-term time-series network (LSTNet) methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For phase II clinical trials that determine the acceptability of an experimental treatment based on ordinal toxicity and ordinal response, most monitoring methods require each ordinal outcome to be dichotomized using a selected cut‐point. This allows two early stopping rules to be constructed that compare marginal probabilities of toxicity and response to respective upper and lower limits. Important problems with this approach are loss of information due to dichotomization, dependence of treatment acceptability decisions on precisely how each ordinal variable is dichotomized, and ignoring association between the two outcomes. To address these problems, we propose a new Bayesian method, which we call U‐Bayes, that exploits elicited numerical utilities of the joint ordinal outcomes to construct one early stopping rule that compares the mean utility to a lower limit. U‐Bayes avoids the problems noted above by using the entire joint distribution of the ordinal outcomes, and not dichotomizing the outcomes. A step‐by‐step algorithm is provided for constructing a U‐Bayes rule based on elicited utilities and elicited limits on marginal outcome probabilities. A simulation study shows that U‐Bayes greatly improves the probability of determining treatment acceptability compared to conventional designs that use two monitoring rules based on marginal probabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional decision-making methods often struggle with inherent uncertainty and imprecision in data. Neutrosophic set-based algorithms offer a novel approach by incorporating degrees of truth, indeterminacy, and falsity. This paper explores the structure and implementation of these algorithms, highlighting their potential to handle real-world complexities. The application of neutrosophic sets in medical diagnosis is presented as a case study, demonstrating how the algorithm aids in evaluating probabilities for various diagnoses under uncertain conditions. The paper concludes by discussing limitations and potential applications in diverse fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Highly customized products and rapid delivery are essential in modern assembly systems, while efficient and error-free assembly processes are crucial. Supporting assembly operators with assembly instructions is paramount, but creating and maintaining qualitative instructions for high-variety, low-volume production systems is complicated and labor-intensive. Consequently, quality problems in assembly instructions are frequent and usually result in severe adverse outcomes. Recognizing and addressing these problems is challenging, as available assembly information on the shop floor is often not monitored, and instruction authors are overwhelmed by the workload. This research proposes a novel methodology for automatically and objectively evaluating the quality of assembly instructions based on the Behavioral Observation Theory. A behavioral coding scheme for manual assembly activities was developed, and the effects of low-quality instructions were explored through an empirical study. In a series of assembly experiments, subjects performed tasks guided by intentionally flawed instructions. The most impactful behavior types were identified and used as input features for a classifier algorithm, which computes a probability score for quality issues in an instruction version. This approach enabled us to identify low-quality instructions via operator behavior with an accuracy of 64% and estimate the type of quality problem with 54% accuracy. While there is room for improvement in accuracy, the most significant quality problems were successfully identified. By highlighting these issues, the method engineer can address them effectively, substantially enhancing the set of assembly instructions. We pinpointed areas for further research and improvements, which will enhance the monitoring of the quality of assembly instructions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to assess the reliability of butt-welded joints under increasing pressures (20, 40, and 60 bar) using FAD and the probabilistic FORM. The material used in the study is A48 AP steel. The analysis focuses on three specific areas of the welded joint: base metal (BM), weld metal (WM), and the heat-affected zone (HAZ). The results show a significant decline in reliability as pressure increases, with the weld metal becoming particularly vulnerable starting at 40 bar. At 60 bar, the base metal exhibits the lowest reliability index (4.99), indicating a heightened risk of failure. While the probability of failure remains low at 20 bar, it increases substantially as pressure rises, particularly affecting the weld metal and base metal. As a result, it is recommended to implement continuous monitoring programs and preventive maintenance once the safety factor drops below 3.0, ensuring the long-term integrity of welded structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Multiple intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRS) in a wireless system are considered to enhance performance, efficiency, and flexibility in wireless networks. In this paper, we analyze outage probability (OP) for multiple IRS panels‐assisted wireless systems over Nakagami‐ m fading channels. We focus on selecting the best IRS panel to maintain the quality of service and enhance the user experience. We derive two closed‐form OP expressions using the central limit theorem and Laguerre series expansion. Additionally, we develop a novel asymptotic OP expression and obtain a novel diversity order. The diversity order of the considered system model depends on the minimum fading parameter (m) between the transmitter‐IRS panel and IRS panel‐receiver links and the number of IRS panels. We thoroughly investigate the impact of system parameters and validate our analytical results with simulations. Our findings emphasize that diversity order depends on the minimum fading parameter (m) between the transmitter‐IRS panel and IRS panel‐receiver links, the number of IRS elements in each panel, and the number of IRS panels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bivariate analysis is essential in several applied fields, such as medicine, engineering, biology, and econometrics. Many parametric and non-parametric procedures can be used for bivariate analysis. Non-parametric procedures require fewer conditions than their parametric counterparts. Therefore, this article proposes an accurate approximation of the p-values and the probability mass functions of some non-parametric bivariate tests, including bivariate sign tests and medians. The proposed approximation, saddlepoint approximation, is compared to the traditional approximation method, asymptotic normal approximation method, and Edgeworth expansion through three real data examples and a simulation study. The numerical results show that the proposed approximation method is more accurate than the asymptotic method and Edgeworth expansion. Furthermore, it is computationally less demanding than the simulation method, which is permutation-based and time-consuming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article considers a bidimensional delay-claim renewal risk model with a constant interest force, in which it is assumed that each main claim and its corresponding delayed claim from one business line satisfy a general dependence structure and the generic inter-arrival time pair from the two lines of main claims is arbitrarily dependent. In the presence of subexponential main and delayed claims, the corresponding asymptotic formulae for four types of finite-time ruin probabilities are established which extend some existing ones in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earthquake resistance of bridge structures is an important part of ensuring the functionality of transportation network systems. The structural system of a bridge is composed of multiple components, and the damage of different components may affect the function of the bridge, while the system seismic fragility analysis provides an effective way to evaluate the overall seismic performance of the bridge. In the past, the failure probability of a system is often estimated by the correlation between components, but the complex correlation between components brings certain difficulties to the actual calculation. In this paper, an efficient, accurate and universal method of system fragility analysis is proposed. This method decouples the correlation between components from the perspective of relative damage, adopts the critical demand-to-capacity ratio as the response variable of the system, realizing the dimensionality reduction of the response variables and simplifying the system fragility analysis from high-dimensional fragility analysis to one-dimensional fragility analysis. This methodology offers a viable solution to the challenges posed by the wide estimation of fragility boundaries in the boundaries estimation method and the complexities involved in analyzing correlation of components in the joint probability method. Comparison with traditional methods indicates that the proposed method exhibits high efficiency and convenience, making it suitable for practical engineering applications in system fragility computation. The proposed method holds great potential for future applications in the field of complex bridge structure fragility analysis, large-scale regional seismic damage prediction, rapid assessment, and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the Harnack inequality for nonnegative solutions to second-order parabolic equations in double divergence form. We impose conditions where the principal coefficients satisfy the Dini mean oscillation condition in x , while the drift and zeroth-order coefficients belong to specific Morrey classes. Our analysis contributes to advancing the theoretical foundations of parabolic equations in double divergence form, including Fokker-Planck-Kolmogorov equations for probability densities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Timing determinism in embedded real-time systems requires meeting timing constraints not only for individual tasks but also for chains of tasks that involve multiple messages. End-to-end analysis is a commonly used approach for solving such problems. However, the temporal properties of tasks often have uncertainty, which makes end-to-end analysis challenging and prone to errors. In this paper, we focus on enhancing the precision and safety of end-to-end timing analysis by introducing a novel probabilistic method. Our approach involves establishing a probabilistic model for end-to-end timing analysis and implementing two algorithms: the maximum data age detection algorithm and the end-to-end timing deadline miss probability detection algorithm. The experimental results indicate that our approach surpasses traditional analytical methods in terms of safety and significantly enhances the capability to detect the probability of missing end-to-end deadlines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Out-of-distribution (OOD) recommendations have emerged as a popular field in recommendation systems. Traditional causal OOD recommendation frameworks often overlook shifts in latent user features and the interrelations between different user preferences. To address these issues, this paper proposes an innovative framework called Attention-based Causal OOD Recommendation (ABCOR), which applies the attention mechanism in two distinct ways. For shifts in latent user features, variational attention is employed to analyze shift information and refine the interaction-generation process. Besides, ABCOR integrates a multi-head self-attention layer to infer the complex user preference relationship and enhance recommendation accuracy before calculating post-intervention interaction probabilities. The proposed method has been validated on two public real-world datasets, and the results demonstrate that the proposal significantly outperforms the current state-of-the-art COR methods. Codes are available at https://github.com/YaffaGan/ABCOR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Probability theory is applied to the effect of severe disturbances on the return rate on capital within multiannual stands growing crops. Two management regimes are discussed, rotations of even-aged plants on the one hand, and uneven-aged semi-stationary state on the other. The effect of any disturbance appears two-fold, contributing to both earnings and capitalization. Results are illustrated using data from a recently published study, regarding spruce (Picea abies) forests in Austria. The economic results differ from those of the paper where the data is presented, here indicating continuous-cover forestry is financially inferior to rotation forestry. Any severe disturbance may induce a regime shift from continuous-cover to even-aged forestry. If such a regime shift is not accepted, the disturbance losses reduce profits but do not affect capitalization, making continuous-cover forestry financially more sensitive to disturbances. Revenue from carbon rent favors the management regime with higher carbon stock. The methods introduced in this paper can be applied to any dataset, regardless of location and crop species. Author summary: A method is developed for the evaluation of the financial effects of disturbances of periodic growth processes. It is found that not only profit rate, but also capitalization is affected. In the case of a non-periodic growth process, however, profit rate is affected but not necessarily capitalization. This makes the periodic growth process financially more robust to disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Segond fracture is considered a component of the anterolateral complex (ALC) injury, yet the underlying cause and clinical outcomes of this bony avulsion remain subjects of debate. Additionally, MRI measurements of altered tibiofemoral position in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-injured patients with a Segond fracture have not been reported. The purpose of this study is to measure the rotational tibiofemoral position on MRI in ACL-injured patients with a Segond fracture. Methods: A total of 44 patients with a primary ACL injury and a concomitant Segond fracture were included in the Segond fracture group, with the time from injury to MRI within 3 months. Avulsion was confirmed via preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans. The control group comprised 44 matched patients with primary ACL injury and an MRI-determined ALC injury but without a Segond fracture, also with the time from injury to MRI within 3 months. The MRI-determined ALC injury included injuries to the anterolateral ligament, Kaplan fibers, and anterolateral joint capsule, as identified based on previous studies. Sex, age, and BMI were matched between the two groups using propensity score matching (PSM). Arthroscopic findings, concomitant collateral ligament injuries, and preoperative MRI measurements were compared between the two groups. Results: The Segond fracture group demonstrated a higher frequency of concomitant patellar and femoral trochlear injuries (p = 0.0110) and lateral collateral ligament injuries (p = 0.0121) compared to the control group. Additionally, significantly increased internal rotational tibial subluxation (IRTS) (p = 0.0095) and axial internal tibial rotation (ITRa) (p = 0.0306) were observed in the Segond fracture group. A strong positive correlation was found between IRTS and ITRa (rp = 0.8201), indicating that these two tibial rotation measurement methods were correlated. No significant differences were observed in the measurements of anteroposterior tibiofemoral position and posterior tibial slope (PTS) between the two groups. Conclusion: The presence of a Segond fracture was associated with significantly increased internal tibial rotation measured on MRIs, suggesting that this bony avulsion may represent a more severe form of ALC injury in ACL-injured patients and should be managed with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a crucial biomarker in various physiological and pathological processes. While elevated GDF15 levels are linked to increased mortality risk, the role of DNA methylation (DNAm)-predicted GDF15 in predicting mortality has not been extensively studied. The purpose of the study is to investigate the association between DNAm-predicted GDF15 levels and all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in a nationally representative cohort. Methods: Data from NHANES 1999–2002 were analyzed. DNAm-predicted GDF15 levels were estimated using a regression model. Weighted multivariate Cox regressions were employed to assess the relationship between DNAm-predicted GDF15 and mortality outcomes. Restricted cubic splines were used to explore dose-response relationships, and subgroup analyses were conducted to enhance result reliability. Results: Higher DNAm-predicted GDF15 levels were significantly associated with increased all-cause mortality risk (HR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02–1.15). Participants in the highest DNAm-predicted GDF15 tertile showed significantly higher all-cause mortality risk (HR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.16–2.10) and a 2.52-fold increased risk of cardiovascular mortality (HR = 2.52, 95% CI: 1.22–5.19). Kaplan-Meier curves revealed decreasing survival probability with higher DNAm-predicted GDF15 tertiles. Restricted cubic spline analysis demonstrated a non-linear dose-response relationship between DNAm-predicted GDF15 levels and cardiovascular mortality. The positive correlation between DNAm-predicted GDF15 and mortality remained robust in most of subgroups. Conclusions: DNAm-predicted GDF15 independently predicts all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. This association persists across multiple models and stratified subgroups, supporting GDF15's value as a biomarker for mortality risk stratification. Future research should elucidate underlying biological mechanisms and evaluate GDF15's clinical utility in guiding mortality risk reduction interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: This study set out to examine the stiffness of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) and Achilles tendon across postmenopausal women with osteosarcopenia (OS), osteoporosis (OP), and normal bone mineral density. Furthermore, we explored the relationship between muscle-tendon stiffness and postural sway during a curve-tracking task in both sagittal (AP) and frontal (ML) planes. Methods: Seventy-three women volunteered to participate in this study. The participants were classified into OS (T-score ≤ − 2.5 and muscle mass below 5.5 kg/m2), OP (T-score ≤ − 2.5), and healthy (T-score >-1) groups. The shear wave elastography was used to determine GM and Achilles tendon stiffness during rest and activation. The postural sway was recorded using a force plate during the performance-based curve tracking (CT) task. Results: The stiffness of the GM and Achilles tendon was found to be significantly lower in the OS group compared to the OP and healthy groups (P < 0.05). In the CT task, the OS group exhibited a significant decrease in the mean absolute (P = 0.011) and RMS error (P = 0.022) in the ML direction compared to the OP group. Additionally, a positive correlation was found between the ML mean absolute error and both GM and Achilles's stiffness during rest and activation (P < 0.05). Discussion and conclusion: The OS group exhibited the lowest muscle-tendon stiffness. The GM and Achilles stiffness was positively correlated with poor performance-based balance, particularly in the ML direction. This may increase the risk of falls and subsequent hip fractures during simple daily weight- shifting activities in women with osteosarcopenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Loneliness is a significant public health concern associated with adverse mental and physical health outcomes in older adults. This study examined the nature and correlates of predominant loneliness trajectories in a nationally representative sample of older U.S. military veterans. Methods Participants included 2,441 veterans (mean age = 63, 8% female, 80% White) from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study, a 3-year longitudinal cohort study. Growth mixture modeling (GMM) was used to identify distinct trajectory classes of loneliness based on self-reported ratings. Multinomial logistic 3-step regression analyses examined potential psychosocial risk and protective factors associated with loneliness trajectories. Results GMM revealed 3 distinct loneliness trajectories: low-decreasing loneliness (61.2%), moderate-increasing loneliness (31.6%), and high-increasing loneliness (7.2%). Being married/partnered and perceiving a greater purpose in life emerged as protective factors against elevated levels of loneliness. Worse cognitive functioning was a risk factor for the moderate-increasing loneliness trajectory, while greater psychological distress and more adverse childhood experiences were risk factors for the high-increasing loneliness trajectory. Discussion Nearly 40% of older U.S. veterans exhibited trajectories characterized by moderate to high levels of loneliness, with both groups showing increases over time. Targeted interventions that promote social connectedness, enhance purpose in life, and address mental health concerns and early life adversities may help mitigate the negative health consequences associated with chronic loneliness in this vulnerable population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variable selection and large-scale hypothesis testing are techniques commonly used to analyze high-dimensional genomic data. Despite recent advances in theory and methodology, variable selection and inference with highly collinear features remain challenging. For instance, collinearity poses a great challenge in genome-wide association studies involving millions of variants, many of which may be in high linkage disequilibrium. In such settings, collinearity can significantly reduce the power of variable selection methods to identify individual variants associated with an outcome. To address such challenges, we developed a Bayesian hierarchical hypothesis testing (BHHT)—a novel multiresolution testing procedure that offers high power with adequate error control and fine-mapping resolution. We demonstrate through simulations that the proposed methodology has a power-FDR performance that is competitive with (and in many scenarios better than) state-of-the-art methods. Finally, we demonstrate the feasibility of using BHHT with large sample size (⁠ n ∼ 300,000) and ultra dimensional genotypes (∼ 15 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs) by applying it to eight complex traits using data from the UK-Biobank. Our results show that the proposed methodology leads to many more discoveries than those obtained using traditional SNP-centered inference procedures. The article is accompanied by open-source software that implements the methods described in this study using algorithms that scale to biobank-size ultra-high-dimensional data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expression of a typical yeast gene results in ∼50 3′ mRNA isoforms that are distinguished by the locations of poly(A) sites within the 3′ untranslated regions (3′ UTRs). The location of poly(A) sites with respect to the translational termination codon varies considerably among genes, but whether this has any functional significance is poorly understood. Using hierarchical clustering of 3′ UTRs, we identify 8 classes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes based on their poly(A) site locations. Genes involved in related biological functions (GO categories) are uniquely overrepresented in 6 of these classes. Similar analysis of Schizosaccharomyces pombe genes reveals 3 classes of 3′ UTRs, all of which show overrepresentation of functionally related genes. Remarkably, Sa. cerevisiae and Sc. pombe homologs share related patterns of poly(A) site locations. These observations suggest that the location of poly(A) sites within 3′ UTRs has biological significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methods for detecting gene flow between populations often rely on asymmetry in the average length of particular genealogical branches, with the ABBA-BABA test being a well-known example. Currently, asymmetry-based methods cannot be applied to a pair of populations and such analyses are instead performed using model-based methods. Here we investigate genealogical asymmetry under a two-population Isolation with Migration model. We focus on genealogies where the first coalescence event is between lineages sampled from different populations, as the external branches of these genealogies have equal expected length as long as there is no post-divergence gene flow. We show that unidirectional gene flow breaks this symmetry and results in the recipient population having longer external branches. We derive expectations for the probability of this genealogical asymmetry and propose a simple statistic (⁠ A m ⁠) to detect it from genome sequence data. A m provides a two-taxon test for gene flow that only requires a single unphased diploid genome from each population, with no outgroup information. We use analytic expectations and simulations to explore how recombination, unequal effective population sizes, bidirectional gene flow and background selection influence A m and find that the statistic provides unambiguous evidence for gene flow under a continent-island history. We estimate A m for genome sequence data from Heliconius butterflies and Odocoileus deer, generating results consistent with previous model-based analyses. Our work highlights a signal of gene flow overlooked to date and provides a method that complements existing approaches for investigating the demographic history of recently diverged populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]