Detection of selection signatures in farmed coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) using dense genome-wide information

Animal domestication and artificial selection give rise to gradual changes at the genomic level in populations. Subsequent footprints of selection, known as selection signatures or selective sweeps, have been traced in the genomes of many animal livestock species by exploiting variation in linkage disequilibrium patterns and/or reduction of genetic diversity. Domestication of most aquatic species is recent in comparison with land animals, and salmonids are one of the most important fish species in aquaculture. Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), cultivated primarily in Chile, has been subjected to breeding programs to improve growth, disease resistance traits, and flesh color. This study aimed to identify selection signatures that may be involved in adaptation to culture conditions and traits of productive interest. To do so, individuals of two domestic populations cultured in Chile were genotyped with 200 thousand SNPs, and analyses were conducted using iHS, XP-EHH and CLR. Several signatures of selection on different chromosomal regions were detected across both populations. Some of the identified regions under selection contained genes such anapc2, alad, chp2 and myn, which have been previously associated with body weight in Atlantic salmon, or sec24d and robo1, which have been associated with resistance to Piscirickettsia salmonis in coho salmon. Findings in our study can contribute to an integrated genome-wide map of selection signatures, to help identify the genetic mechanisms of phenotypic diversity in coho salmon

Age Diversity Climate Affecting Individual‐Level Work‐Related Outcomes

The present study answers the call for more studies to investigate the age diversity climate’s effect on individual‐level outcomes. Building on the social identity approach and social exchange theory, we surveyed 110 Italian employees aged between 18 and 61 years old (M = 46.10, SD = 10.02) and investigated the role of age diversity climate in predicting intentions to quit (H1), job‐related wellbeing (H2), and work engagement (H3). Our findings confirmed the hypotheses (H1 and H2), showing the added effect of age diversity climate over and above age, job tenure, role clarity, job demands, job control, perceived support, and perceived job and organizational fit. In fact, age diversity climate accounted for a significant increase in the variance explained for two of the three hypothesized models (i.e., intentions to quit and job‐related wellbeing, but not work engagement). To conclude, this study contributes to the existing literature by showing the age diversity climate’s predictive value for turnover intentions and job‐related wellbeing, and corroborating the importance of supporting age diversity through a variety of Human Resources Management strategies

Optical test of the DS1 prototype concentrating surface

This paper describes the optical test of the DS1 prototype concentrating surface carried out by CTAER. The DS1 is a parabolic Stirling dish developed under the framework of “SOLARDIS” project. The aim of this investigation was to characterize the DS1 prototype optical parameters. For this purpose the real and the theoretical flux distribution was calculated on a target placed at the focal length and a comparison between them reported about the value of some relevant parameters. The theoretical flux distribution was obtained by photogrammetry technique and ray tracing tools; the real flux distribution was measured by photographic flux mapping technique of lunar images. The results comparison showed that the dish surface had an average optical error of 2.5mrad (it includes errors due to deviation of surface normal vector and the effect of the specularity, but it does not include the sun shape error) and an estimated spillage value of 7%, for this geometry

Optical test of the DS1 prototype concentrating surface

This paper describes the optical test of the DS1 prototype concentrating surface carried out by CTAER. The DS1 is a parabolic Stirling dish developed under the framework of “SOLARDIS” project. The aim of this investigation was to characterize the DS1 prototype optical parameters. For this purpose the real and the theoretical flux distribution was calculated on a target placed at the focal length and a comparison between them reported about the value of some relevant parameters. The theoretical flux distribution was obtained by photogrammetry technique and ray tracing tools; the real flux distribution was measured by photographic flux mapping technique of lunar images. The results comparison showed that the dish surface had an average optical error of 2.5mrad (it includes errors due to deviation of surface normal vector and the effect of the specularity, but it does not include the sun shape error) and an estimated spillage value of 7%, for this geometry

Decolorization of Synthetic Textile Dyes by Fungal Endophytes Isolated from the Leaves of Philippine Mangrove (Avicennia marina)

Textile dyes in wastewater can be harmful pollutants when released into the environment without treatment. Biodegradation of textile dye effluents by different microbes, including fungi, has become popular as an alternative to physicochemical methods. The mangrove Avicennia marina is known to harbor endophytic fungi which have the potential to carry out dye degradation. Therefore, this study assessed the ability to decolorize synthetic dyes of endophytic fungi isolated from the leaves of A. marina. Of the nine fungal endophytes, Aspergillus niger, Syncephalastrum racemosum and Penicillium citrinum exhibited the highest mycelial growths in solid media, while all endophytes adsorbed Congo red. Through liquid decolorization assay, four isolates decolorized Congo red at greater than 89% decolorization rates. P. citrinum (55.45%), Mycelia sterilia (85.19%), A. flavus (44.91%) showed the highest decolorization rates of Methylene blue, Malachite green and Rhodamine B, respectively. The ligninolytic enzymes produced by the endophytic fungi, laccase exhibited the highest activity with values higher than the positive control

Design and in vitro effectiveness evaluation of Echium amoenum extract loaded in bioadhesive phospholipid vesicles tailored for mucosal delivery

The Echium amoenum Fisch. and C.A. Mey. (E. amoenum) is an herb native from Iranian shrub, and its blue-violet flowers are traditionally used as medical plants. In the present study, an antioxidant phytocomplex was extracted from the flowers of E. amoenum by ultrasounds-assisted hydroalcoholic maceration. The main components, contained in the extract, have been detected using HPLC-DAD, and rosmarinic acid was found to be the most abundant. The antioxidant power of the extract along with the phenolic content were measured using colorimetric assays. The extract was loaded in liposomes, which were enriched adding different bioadhesive polymers (i.e., mucin, xanthan gum and carboxymethyl cellulose sodium salt) individually or in combination. The main physico-chemical properties (i.e. size, size distribution, surface charge) of the prepared vesicles were measured as well as their stability on storage. The viscosity of dispersion and the ability of vesicles to interact with mucus were evaluated measuring their stability in a mucin dispersion and mobility in a mucin film. The biocompatibility and the ability of the formulations to protect keratinocytes from damages caused by hydrogen peroxide and to promote the cell migration were measured in vitro

AUGMENTING THE PHILIPPINES’ DOST-ASTI’S POTENTIAL FLOOD EXTENTS MAPPING SERVICE WITH S-BAND NOVASAR-1 IMAGES

The Philippines’ Advanced Science and Technology Institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-ASTI) has developed an AI-based and near real-time flood extent mapping service that utilizes C-Band Sentinel-1 SAR images. However, this method is limited by the availability of the Sentinel-1 images during flooding events. To address this issue, the institute, through its SARwAIS Project, utilized the S-Band NovaSAR-1 satellite, which was designed and launched by Surrey Satellite Technology, Ltd. With a 10% share to NovaSAR-1’s imaging capacity, the country can task image acquisitions that could help augment the Sentinel-1 datasets. Successfully captured images are prepared using the institute’s developed pre-processing workflow. Afterwards, a thresholding method, adopted from UN-SPIDER’s recommended practices for flood mapping, is employed to identify potentially flooded areas from these images. Generated products are then assessed to determine their relative accuracy in detecting potential floods. Satisfactory products are then distributed to relevant disaster management agencies and are also published in the agency’s social media page for further information dissemination. Python scripts were then developed to automate the established workflows, which were initially done manually. These scripts also help expedite the generation of flood maps especially when processing multiple SAR images. The acquisition and utilization of NovaSAR-1 images substantially help the country address the gaps on the availability of workable data for a more informative disaster response especially during flooding events

A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Water as a Rooting Hormone in a Hydroponic and Conventional Set-up in Growing Ocimum basilicum (Basil)

Food shortage is still a problem in the Philippines since millions of people may be classified as undernourished. Efforts to augment the insufficiency include developing an efficient planting method as a source of food. This experimental study tested the effectiveness of coconut water as a rooting hormone on hydroponically and conventionally grown basil plants by measuring the height, fresh weight, leaf length, and root length for three weeks, which also served as the dependent variables. Consequently, two (2) hydroponic set-ups and two (2) conventional set-ups utilize a randomized block design. The set-ups containing coconut water served as the independent variables, while the ones without served as the control. Before the data gathering procedures, the containers were sterilized, the tap water was exposed to sunlight, and the basil seeds were soaked in coconut water. Six hours later, the seeds were planted. After three weeks, the leaf length and root length were measured using a digital caliper, while the height and weight were measured using a standard ruler and digital scale. The nutrient solution and pH level were also monitored. Data was analyzed using two-way ANOVA for leaf length and plant weight, while one-way ANOVA was used for plant height and root length. In addition, a post-hoc test was used for variables that had a significant effect. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the mean. The hydroponic setup was effective on producing a higher yield for root length (M=112), while the conventional setup was effective on plant height (M=99.7) and leaf length (M=44.1). While the intervention had no significant contribution (p\u3e0.05), hydroponics as an alternative planting technique still has potential in the agricultural sector