\u3ci\u3eWilliamsonia Lintneri\u3c/i\u3e (Odonata: Corduliidae) - A First Michigan Record With Additional Notes on \u3ci\u3eW. Fletcheri\u3c/i\u3e

Williamsonia lintneri is newly recorded for Michigan, and additional Michigan sites are given for W. fletcheri. Both species appear to be bog/fen- obligate inhabitants, and adults may appear as early as late April in Michi- gan. In addition, the North American distributions of both species are sum- marized

Drying of post-harvest rough rice with silica gel: A preliminary investigation

Rice drying operations can encounter problems of over drying and losses in head rice yield (HRY) through the formation of fissures. Typical rice drying methods also utilize large volumes of expensive fossil fuels to dry the kernels. Drying of rice with a solid desiccant such as silica gel has several potential advantages that avoid some of these problems. Two cultivars of long-grain rough rice, ‘Cheniere’ and ‘Wells’ with harvest moisture contents of 17.8% and 22.0%, respectively, were dried over a 48-h period with various ratios of rough rice-to-silica gel. It was found that an intimate mixture of 3:1 rough rice to silica gel was sufficient to dry these rice lots to 12.5% and 14.3% within 12 h, respectively. Head rice yields of desiccant-dried rice showed no considerable differences from the control. Rough-rice drying curves for all rough rice-to-silica gel mixtures followed exponential relationships

Descriptions of Nymphs of \u3ci\u3eItzalana Submaculata\u3c/i\u3e Schmidt (Homoptera: Fulgoridae), a Species New to the United States

The 3rd, 4th, and 5th instar nymphs of ltzalana submaculata Schmidt are described from southern Texas. Previously recorded only from Surinam, this is the first record of this fulgorid from the United States and Mexico

Genomic assembly analyses of Asian teleost species seabass (Lates calcarifer) and arowana (Scleropages formosus)

The genome assembly and annotation of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) , a marine teleost with aquaculture relevance will be described, an initiative of Genome 10K . Though \u3e 500 eukaryotic genome sequences are available in public repositories, the majority are highly fragmented with incomplete assemblies, so considerable effort and resources are often spent to improve their quality. In the present study, PacBio long read sequencing , genetic and optical mapping, and syntenic inference were combined to build a chromosome-length assembly with a contig N50 size over 1 Mb and scaffold N50 size over 25 Mb that span ~90% of the genome was achieved. The population structure of L. calcarifer species complex was analyzed by re-sequencing 61 individuals representing various regions across the species’ native range from North-Western India across South-East Asia and Australia to Papua New Guinea. Tandem repeat and SNP annotation identified high levels of genetic diversity and confirmed earlier indications of a population stratification comprising three clades with signs of admixture apparent in the South-East Asian population. The quality of the Asian seabass genome assembly far exceeds that of any other fish species, and will serve as a new standard for fish genomics. The Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus), one of the world’s most expensive cultivated ornamental fishes, is an endangered species. It represents an ancient lineage of teleosts: the Osteoglossomorpha a high-quality chromosome-level reference genome of a female golden-variety arowana will be presented using a combination of deep shotgun sequencing and high-resolution linkage mapping. In addition, two draft genome assemblies for the red and green varieties were generated and assessed. Phylogenomic analysis supports a sister group relationship between Osteoglossomorpha (bonytongues) and Elopomorpha (eels and relatives), with the two clades together forming a sister group of Clupeocephala which includes all the remaining teleosts. The arowana genome retains the full complement of eight Hox clusters unlike the African butterfly fish (Pantodon buchholzi), another bonytongue fish, which possess only five Hox clusters. Differential gene expression among three varieties provides insights into the genetic basis of colour variation. A potential heterogametic sex chromosome is identified in the female arowana karyotype, suggesting that the sex is determined by a ZW/ZZ sex chromosomal system. The high-quality reference genome of the golden arowana and the draft assemblies of the red and green varieties are valuable resources for understanding the biology, adaptation and behavior of Asian arowanas. Vij et al Chromosomal-Level Assembly of the Asian Seabass Genome Using Long SequenceReads and Multi-layered Scaffolding PLOS Genetics DOI:10.1371/journal.pgen.1005954 April 15, 2016 Bian et al The Asian arowana (Scleropagesformosus) genome provides new insights into the evolution of an early lineage of teleosts Scientific Reports | 6:24501 | DOI: 10.1038/srep24501 19 April 201

Genome Empowerment for the Puerto Rican Parrot – Amazona vittata

A unique community-funded project in Puerto Rico has launched whole-genome sequencing of the critically endangered Puerto Rican Parrot (Amazona vittata), with interpretation by genome bioinformaticians and students, and deposition into public online databases. This is the first article that focuses on the whole genome of a parrot species, one endemic to the USA and recently threatened with extinction. It provides invaluable conservation tools and a vivid example of hopeful prospects for future genome assessment of so many new species. It also demonstrates inventive ways for smaller institutions to contribute to a field largely considered the domain of large sequencing centers

The identification of long non-coding RNA ZFAS1 through an exploratory RNA-sequencing analysis and its association with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in colon cancer adenocarcinoma.

Colorectal adenocarcinoma is the fourth most common cancer diagnosed worldwide and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. This dissertation performed an exploratory RNA-sequencing analysis comparing gene expression between colon adenocarcinoma tissue and paired normal colon epithelium. After identification of a number of lncRNAs that were increased in expression in colon adenocarcinoma compared to normal colon epithelium, we aimed to validate the expression and investigate their function in vitro. Specifically, we focused on the lncRNA ZFAS1 and its association with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. These studies found the following: 1. Seven candidate lncRNAs were identified from the exploratory RNA-sequencing analysis to be significantly increased in expression in colon adenocarcinoma, three of which ZFAS1, GAS5, and PVT1 were found to be significantly increased in colon adenocarcinoma compared to paired normal colon epithelium as examined by laser capture microdissection. 2. Both ZFAS1 and GAS5 are significantly increased in cytoplasm of cell lines compared to the nucleus, whereas PVT1 was more represented in the nucleus. As such there was significant knockdown of both ZFAS1 and GAS5 following transfection with siRNA. 3. Knockdown of ZFAS1 leads to decreased proliferation and migration in colon adenocarcinoma cell lines. In contrast, knockdown of GAS5 did not lead to a change in proliferation. We focused our subsequent investigation on ZFAS1. 4. ZFAS1 has a reciprocal relationship with miR-200b and miR-200c expression in vitro but not with three of the other experimentally verified miRNAs that bind ZFAS1. We also validated the functional effect of miR-200b and miR-200c mimics on decreasing cell migration. 5. ZFAS1 knockdown is associated with the functional changes on cellular phenotype through decreasing ZEB1 expression through miR-200 signaling, causing a subsequent increase in the expression of the epithelial marker, E-cadherin, and a decrease in the expression of the mesenchymal marker, vimentin. These findings demonstrate an association between ZFAS1 and miR-200/ZEB1/E-cadherin, vimentin signaling in EMT signaling in colon adenocarcinoma. In contrast to typical EMT signaling, ZFAS1 knockdown also leads to decreased cell proliferation suggesting its potential value as a therapeutic agent

A decade of GigaScience: A perspective on conservation genetics

Wide interest in species conservation is young. To many it began early in 1903 when Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir set up a camp under the Grizzly Giant in the Mariposa Grove of California\u27s Yosemite Valley. Over three days they decided to broaden the US National Park footprint across the USA. Conservationists were inspired in the coming decades by the writings of wildlife conservation pioneers—Osa Johnson (I Married Adventure), Karen Blixen (Out of Africa) and Rachel Carson (The Silent Spring). Countless crusaders developed a passion for preserving dwindling species in those early days, yet none of these conservation advocates mentioned the word genetics, let alone genomics. The genome sequencing projects that have followed on from these have brought in an enormous amount of data, including whole genome sequences for thousands of non-human species, both individual and population wide. This huge resource has revolutionized conservation genetics, bringing in ways to assess the health of at-risk populations, devise genetic-driven breeding strategies, and other means to attempt to preserve the over 1 million species (and growing) under threat today

Bvr-1, a Restriction Locus of a Type C RNA Virus in the Feline Cellular Genome: Identification, Location, and Phenotypic Characterization in Cat X Mouse Somatic Cell Hybrids

Somatic cell hybrids were constructed between BALB/c-RAG mouse cells and feline lymphoma cells by the hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine selection scheme. RAG cells spontaneously produce an endogenous B-tropic type C virus. Cat-mouse hybrids preferentially segregate feline chromosomes and retain murine chromosomes,demonstrable by karyotypic and isozyme analyses. Despite the presence of the complete mouse genome, including the viral genome, virus production was diminished to 1-5% of the levels observed in RAG parents based upon particle-associated RNA-dependent DNA polymerase (reverse transcriptase) activity in the culture fluid. Thirty-seven hybrids made on four different occasions had suppressed virus levels, and no hybrids expressed parental virus levels. Reverse selection experiments on 6-thioguanine demonstrated that a restriction gene, tentatively named Bvr-1, was linked to the feline structural genes for hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (IMP:pyrophosphate phosphoribosyltransferase; EC 2.4.2.8) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (D-glucose-6-phosphate:NADP+ 1-oxidoreductase; EC 1.1.1.49) in cats, probably on the X-chromosome. The genetic mode of action of Bvr-1 is trans dominant in restriction of murine leukemia virus. The restriction locus results in a block late in virus maturation but prior to release, since expression of antigens for viral structural proteins and mature budding particles is apparent on surfaces of restricted hybrid cells but not in high-speed pellets from culture fluid of restricted cells

Formative Evaluation of Job Clubs Operated by Faith- and Community-Based Organizations: Findings From Site Visits and Options for Future Evaluation

Over the past several decades, job search support groups, commonly referred to as “job clubs,” have evolved into one of several important activities used by the public workforce system and faith- and community-based organizations to enhance worker readiness and employability, as well as to provide ongoing support to unemployed and underemployed individuals as they search for jobs. The U.S. Department of Labor\u27s (DOL) Chief Evaluation Office (CEO) contracted in September 2012 with Capital Research Corporation, Inc. and George Washington University to conduct an assessment of job clubs sponsored by faith-based and community-based organizations (FBOs/CBOs). The overall purpose of this evaluation effort was to systematically describe the key characteristics of job clubs being offered by a range of faith- and community- based organizations, document how they differ from and are similar to the job clubs operated by publicly-funded workforce agencies (such as at American Job Centers [AJCs]), and identify potential approaches that might be used for more rigorous formal evaluation of impacts and effectiveness. Findings from the telephone interviews with stakeholders and in-person interviews with facilitators during the site visits indicate that job clubs operated by FBOs, CBOs and public workforce agencies are alike in many ways, with all of them emphasizing the critical importance of: (1) networking during the job search; (2) offering ongoing peer support and sharing of similar experiences among participants; and (3) providing instruction and guidance on the basics of the job search process (e.g., elevator pitches, resume development, job interview practice). Noteworthy differences between the FBO/CBO job clubs and those operated by public workforce agencies are related to staffing patterns and available resources for program operations and services. While public workforce agency job clubs are led by paid professional staff, supported by the full complement of workshops, activities, and other services typically available through AJCs/One-Stop Centers, FBO/CBO job clubs, in most cases, operate with limited budgets or no funding whatsoever. Additionally, compared with public sector agencies, FBOs/CBOs typically collect little in the way of participant-level data, such as participant identifiers, demographic characteristics, service receipt, or outcomes. Finally, although this report suggests several approaches to future rigorous experimental/non-experimental and process/implementation evaluation of FBO/CBO-sponsored job clubs, there are likely to be formidable challenges to implementation of rigorous evaluation methods because these job clubs rarely collect identifying information on participants, such as Social Security numbers, and are generally opposed to random assignment for their programs