Archaeal glycolipid adjuvanted vaccines induce strong influenza-specific immune responses through direct immunization in young and aged mice or through passive maternal immunization.

Vaccine induced responses are often weaker in those individuals most susceptible to infection, namely the very young and the elderly, highlighting the need for safe and effective vaccine adjuvants. Herein we evaluated different archaeosome formulations as an adjuvant to the H1N1 influenza hemagglutinin protein and compared immune responses (anti-HA IgG and hemagglutination inhibition assay titers) as well as protection to an influenza A virus (strain A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 H1N1) homologous challenge to those generated using a squalene-based oil-in-water nano-emulsion, AddaVax™ in a murine model. The impact of age (young adult vs aged) on vaccine induced immune responses as well as the protection in pups due to the transfer of maternal antibodies was measured. Overall, we show that archaeal lipid based adjuvants can induce potent anti-HA responses in young and aged mice that can also be passed from vaccinated mothers to pups. Furthermore, young and aged mice immunized with archaeal lipid adjuvants as well as pups from immunized mothers were protected from challenge with influenza. In addition, we show that a simple admixed archaeosome formulation composed of a single sulfated glycolipid namely sulfated lactosylarchaeol (SLA; 6′-sulfate-β-D-Galp-(1,4)-β-D-Glcp-(1,1)-archaeol) can give equal or better protection compared to AddaVax™ or the traditional antigen-encapsulated archaeosome formulations

Aquaculture economics in Asia and the Pacific: A regional assessment

As aquaculture expands in importance globally, there is an increasing need for corresponding economic information, to aid managers, policy-makers and planners. This document seeks to provide a review of the current state of this aquaculture economics information and research base in developing countries, based on a comprehensive compilation of available literature on the subject. A broad integrated view is adopted, encompassing micro- and macro-economics, market analysis, socio-economics and environmental economics, the relationship with non-aquaculture economic activities (household economics), as well as relevant socio-cultural considerations. The circular contains two principal components. First, there is a set of regional assessments (Africa and the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific) reviewing the economics of aquaculture activity, the state of the art in aquaculture economics research, and research priorities for the future, on a region-by-region basis. Second, a set of annotated bibliographies is provided, one for each of the three regions, together with a bibliography of general references. In total, 1 154 references are included: 77 General; 223 for Africa and the Middle East; 133 for Latin America and the Caribbean; and 721 for Asia and the Pacific. Each bibliography documents available literature on the economics of aquaculture systems, emphasizing the most recent literature but also including older literature as relevant to the current state of aquaculture. All bibliographies are indexed according to country, aquatic species, production environment, production system and eight economic subject areas.A broad overview is given of research and information on aquaculture economics in Asia and the Pacific. Following a description of the general state of aquaculture in the region, an examination is made of the available research and information on the various aquaculture systems: inland/freshwater aquaculture; brackishwater /coastal aquaculture; and, marine aquaculture/sea farming. Studies on post-harvest handling, processing, transportation and marketing, and market analysis and development are discussed. Environmental issues and concerns, social equity and women's issues, community-based coastal resources management, technology transfer and macro-economic policies and institutional structures are also analysed. Aquaculture economics research is also assessed, highlighting thrusts, priorities, constraints and needs

Cumulative effects of planned industrial development and climate change on marine ecosystems

AbstractWith increasing human population, large scale climate changes, and the interaction of multiple stressors, understanding cumulative effects on marine ecosystems is increasingly important. Two major drivers of change in coastal and marine ecosystems are industrial developments with acute impacts on local ecosystems, and global climate change stressors with widespread impacts. We conducted a cumulative effects mapping analysis of the marine waters of British Columbia, Canada, under different scenarios: climate change and planned developments. At the coast-wide scale, climate change drove the largest change in cumulative effects with both widespread impacts and high vulnerability scores. Where the impacts of planned developments occur, planned industrial and pipeline activities had high cumulative effects, but the footprint of these effects was comparatively localized. Nearshore habitats were at greatest risk from planned industrial and pipeline activities; in particular, the impacts of planned pipelines on rocky intertidal habitats were predicted to cause the highest change in cumulative effects. This method of incorporating planned industrial development in cumulative effects mapping allows explicit comparison of different scenarios with the potential to be used in environmental impact assessments at various scales. Its use allows resource managers to consider cumulative effect hotspots when making decisions regarding industrial developments and avoid unacceptable cumulative effects. Management needs to consider both global and local stressors in managing marine ecosystems for the protection of biodiversity and the provisioning of ecosystem services

Job satisfaction and performance of the Greater Manila area salesforce of Magnolia Corporation non-carbonated beverages business unit

This marketing research study on Magnolia Corporation\u27s GMA salesforce in the Non-Carbonated Beverages Business Unit has the following objectives: (1) to describe the level of job satisfaction and performance of the salesmen, (2) to determine the relationship that exists between the dimensions of job satisfaction and the overall job satisfaction of the salesman, (3) to find out the relationship that exists between job satisfaction and performance. Data were gathered through face-to-face survey interviews, informal interviews, and observation. All of the seventeen regular plant-based salesmen of Magnolia Corporation NCB and their respective route helpers, Regional Sales Managers, and customers were the subjects of the study. The total number of customer\u27s surveyed is three hundred sixteen. Majority of the salesmen (51.7%) expressed satisfaction with most of the different dimensions of job satisfaction. Majority of the route helpers (61.4%) gave the salesmen high performance ratings. Almost 50 percent (48.83%) of the customers strongly agreed that the salesmen are performing their duties and responsibilities very well. The ratings according to the Regional Sales Manager\u27s evaluation show that, as a whole, most of the salesmen\u27s performance ratings are either very good (25.5%) or simply good (43.1%). Considering those performance ratings, there is a need for reorientation of the salesmen, regarding their role in the customers\u27 businesses. In the correlational results, it appears that there is no significant positive relationship between the salesmen\u27s job satisfaction and performance according to the evaluation of the customers, Regional Sales Managers, and route helpers. However, significant positive relationship exists between the salesmen\u27s satisfaction with their relationship with Regional Sales Managers and their performance as evaluated by the Regional Sales Managers

Socio-cultural context of fishers’ participation in coastal resources management in Anini-y, Antique in west central Philippines

The vicious cycle of poverty, overfishing and resource degradation in coastal communities in the Philippines calls for action that will address the problem of declining fish catch and degraded fish habitats. The literature has shown that an efficient and effective coastal management program can be instrumental in approaching this problem. In order to secure food and livelihood of fishers, the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center/Aquaculture Department collaborated with the local government of Anini-y, Antique to develop a sustainable utilization of natural marine resources through sea ranching of abalone within the Nogas Island marine protected area. Establishing a marine protected area is a means of conserving natural stocks while sea ranching is considered an effective strategy that can increase fishery resources. The two management schemes are considered as effective coastal resources management strategies. The success of a sea-ranching project is dependent not only on biophysical but also on socioeconomic factors as determinants of community participation and cooperation. A social assessment was conducted to determine the fishers’ socio-cultural characteristics, their perceptions of their coastal resources and knowledge on how to effectively manage these coastal resources. The fishers’ awareness on fishing regulations and the extent of their participation in community's coastal resources management activities were also determined. Data were collected from a household survey using a semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with key informants. The fishers generally scored low in almost all aspects of their socioeconomic wellbeing. Most fishers perceived that their coastal resources were in a bad condition which they attributed to illegal and commercial fishing, increasing number of fishers and the poor enforcement of fishery regulations. However, the weighted mean scores of their knowledge on coastal resources management, awareness to fishery regulations and participation in community coastal resource management activities were average. This implied that fishers when trained and developed can become potential partners for effective coastal resources management programs.The authors acknowledge the helpful suggestions/comments of Dr. Nerissa D. Salayo, Dr. Relicardo M. Coloso, Ms. Marilyn B. Surtida, Mr. Demetrio G. Estenor and Ms. Dianne Hope M. Tormon. This study was funded by SEAFDEC/AQD

The Malalison experience: empowering an island community in west central Philippines

A 64-page booklet that describes SEAFDEC/AQD’s community fishery resources management project from 1991 to 1998 with a post project assessment in 2009