A functional variant in the Stearoyl-CoA desaturase gene promoter enhances fatty acid desaturation in pork

There is growing public concern about reducing saturated fat intake. Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) is the lipogenic enzyme responsible for the biosynthesis of oleic acid (18:1) by desaturating stearic acid (18:0). Here we describe a total of 18 mutations in the promoter and 3′ non-coding region of the pig SCD gene and provide evidence that allele T at AY487830:g.2228T>C in the promoter region enhances fat desaturation (the ratio 18:1/18:0 in muscle increases from 3.78 to 4.43 in opposite homozygotes) without affecting fat content (18:0+18:1, intramuscular fat content, and backfat thickness). No mutations that could affect the functionality of the protein were found in the coding region. First, we proved in a purebred Duroc line that the C-T-A haplotype of the 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (g.2108C>T; g.2228T>C; g.2281A>G) of the promoter region was additively associated to enhanced 18:1/18:0 both in muscle and subcutaneous fat, but not in liver. We show that this association was consistent over a 10-year period of overlapping generations and, in line with these results, that the C-T-A haplotype displayed greater SCD mRNA expression in muscle. The effect of this haplotype was validated both internally, by comparing opposite homozygote siblings, and externally, by using experimental Duroc-based crossbreds. Second, the g.2281A>G and the g.2108C>T SNPs were excluded as causative mutations using new and previously published data, restricting the causality to g.2228T>C SNP, the last source of genetic variation within the haplotype. This mutation is positioned in the core sequence of several putative transcription factor binding sites, so that there are several plausible mechanisms by which allele T enhances 18:1/18:0 and, consequently, the proportion of monounsaturated to saturated fat.This research was supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (AGL2009-09779 and AGL2012-33529). RRF is recipient of a PhD scholarship from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (BES-2010-034607). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of manuscript

On the parameters of absorbing layers for shallow water models

Absorbing/sponge layers used as boundary conditions for ocean/marine models are examined in the context of the shallow water equations with the aim to minimize the reflection of outgoing waves at the boundary of the computationaldomain. The ptimization of the absorption coefficient is not an issue in continuous models, for the reflection coefficient of outgoing waves can then be made as small as we please by increasing the absorption coefficient. The optimization of the parameters of absorbing layers is therefore a purely discrete problem. A balance must be found between the efficient damping of outgoing waves and the limited spatial resolution with which the resulting spatial gradients must be described. Using a one-dimensional model as a test case, the performances of various spatial distributions of the absorption coefficient are compared. Two shifted hyperbolic distributions of the absorption coefficient are derived from theoretical considerations for a pure propagative and a pure advective problems. These distribution show good performances. Their free parameter has a well-defined interpretation and can therefore be determined on a physical basis. The properties of the two shifted hyperbolas are illustrated using the classical two-dimensional problems of the collapse of a Gaussianshaped mound of water and of its advection by a mean current. The good behavior of the resulting boundary scheme remains when a full non-linear dynamics is taken into account

Operationalisation of the Capability Approach

While the Capability Approach offers a rich, comprehensive and innovative way to measure well-being, its operationalisation is a demanding task. This chapter starts by broadly discussing some central issues related to the operationalisation of the Capability Approach and providing an overview of how these have been addressed in the recent empirical literature. Applications of the Capability Approach in labour market and education research are then explored, discussing how quantitative and qualitative methodological and empirical challenges have been tackled. The chapter then moves to present the methodological and empirical strategies used in a project concerning the capabilities of young unemployed people in different European countries, highlighting issues of how to suitably capture and measure young people's capabilities were addressed and outlining lessons learned that are relevant to those using the Capability Approach in the future