Surveillance of Fish Diseases in the Nordic Countries

Due to the increasing importance of disease problems in the fish farming industry and the impact disease may have on both feral and farmed fish in the Nordic countries, monitoring and surveillance on diseases have for many years been considered to be of socioeconomic importance. All the Nordic countries have a national legislation as basis for their surveillance and disease control in aquatic animals and regulations listing notifiable diseases of concern to the countries. The list of diseases vary between the countries. In addition, Denmark, Finland and Sweden are ruled by [3] as regards placing on the market of aquaculture animals and products. The surveillance for viral diseases in all the Nordic countries has mainly been based on the testing procedures given in the EU Commission [2].

     

Amplifying the Interaction Between Two Identical Metallic Nanoparticles with a Large Interface Distance Based on the Strong Coupling-Like Phenomenon Involving Molecular J-aggregates

We introduce a new way to amplify the interaction between two identical metallic nanoparticles with a large interface distance (≥the radius of each nanoparticle). The proposed structure consists of two identical metallic nanoparticles embedded in molecular J-aggregates and the strong coupling-like phenomenon is described by the scattering spectra. Finite difference time domain (FDTD) method is employed to simulate this structure and the simulation results match the experiment well (Eizner et al., Nano Lett 15:6215–6221 2015; Lin et al., Nano Lett 15:4699–4703 2015; Zengin et al., Phys Rev Lett 114:157401 2015). Molecular J-aggregates take important roles in the strong coupling-like phenomenon and can be used to amplify the interaction between the particles. The scattering spectra of this proposed structure have two separated peaks, whose shifts are larger than those in the air with the interface distance decreasing. The coupling strength between the nanoparticles and the amplification of the interaction can be tuned by the incident polarization. This structure has potential applications in the field of quantum communications such as the quantum network, the quantum key distributions, and so on.

     

Innovation and the regulation of products of agricultural biotechnology in the United States of America

The policy of the United States government is to seek regulatory approaches, consistent with applicable laws, that protect health and the environment while reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens and avoiding unjustifiably inhibiting innovation, stigmatizing new technologies, or creating unnecessary trade barriers [Adapted from the National Strategy for Modernizing the Regulatory System for Biotechnology Products, Product of the Emerging Technologies Interagency Policy Coordination Committee’s Biotechnology Working Group (OSTP 2016)]. U.S. agencies are focused on delivering health and environmental protection based on the best available science; establishing transparent, coordinated, predictable, and efficient regulatory practices across agencies; and promoting public confidence in the oversight of the products of biotechnology through clear and transparent public engagement [Adapted from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity Report (USDA 2017)]. U.S. agencies that regulate the products of agricultural biotechnology discuss regulatory approaches presented during the June 2018 OECD Conference on Genome Editing Applications in Agriculture, focusing on plants developed using genome editing.

     

Screening LCA of torrent control structures in Austria

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to find a suitable life cycle assessment (LCA) method to quantify the most important environmental burdens caused by construction processes of torrent control structures. To find these environmental burdens, 17 construction projects of the “Austrian Service for Torrent and Avalanche Control” (WLV) were analyzed using the “cradle to gate with options” LCA methodology (CEN, 2013).

Methods

This article explains an LCA methodology for the product stage and the construction process of torrent control structures following existing standards. The iterative approach of LCA methodology (ISO, 2006a) was used to record all important processes of the system and to supplement missing information. The LCA methodology has been developed from existing standards of the construction and product sector. Since the production of some construction materials takes place locally, the generic data, for Austria, was adapted. Wood inherent biogenic carbon and primary energy, used as raw material, are treated as materials inherent properties (CEN, 2014). The contribution of the various processes was reproduced by hotspot.

Results and discussion

Hotspots of the different stages are related to the construction materials used. The emissions and primary energy inputs in the product stage are clearly dominated by concrete and steel. If these two materials are used sparingly, the focus is on machine application and transportation. Depending on the selected scenarios, the smallest share of emissions, in relation to the total result of product and construction stage emitted by transport, is 3% and the maximum share is 69%. The greatest environmental impacts in the construction stage are caused by excavation work and transportation on-site. With an average of 4% in the construction stage, the transport of workers to the construction site cannot be neglected as is done in the building sector.

Conclusions

The conclusion of this study is that existing LCA models can be adapted to protective structures. In contrast to conventional buildings, the construction process and transportation are much more important and cannot be neglected. Shifting the hotspots to these processes requires specific calculation rules for that particular field. There is still a need for research to find a suitable functional unit and to develop a methodology for the use and end of life stage of these structures.

     

Species notions that combine phylogenetic trees and phenotypic partitions

A recent paper (Manceau and Lambert in bioRxiv, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1101/075580) developed a novel approach for describing two well-defined notions of ‘species’ based on a phylogenetic tree and a phenotypic partition. In this paper, we explore some further combinatorial properties of this approach and describe an extension that allows an arbitrary number of phenotypic partitions to be combined with a phylogenetic tree for these two species notions.

     

On the role of excitonic interactions in carotenoid–phthalocyanine dyads and implications for photosynthetic regulation

In two recent studies, energy transfer was reported in certain phthalocyanine–carotenoid dyads between the optically forbidden first excited state of carotenoids (Car S₁) and phthalocyanines (Pcs) in the direction Pc → Car S₁ (Kloz et al., J Am Chem Soc 133:7007–7015, 2011) as well as in the direction Car S₁ → Pc (Liao et al., J Phys Chem A 115:4082–4091, 2011). In this article, we show that the extent of this energy transfer in both directions is closely correlated in these dyads. This correlation and the additional observation that Car S₁ is instantaneously populated after Pc excitation provides evidence that in these compounds excitonic interactions can occur. Besides pure energy transfer and electron transfer, this is the third type of tetrapyrrole–carotenoid interaction that has been shown to occur in these model compounds and that has previously been proposed as a photosynthetic regulation mechanism. We discuss the implications of these models for photosynthetic regulation. The findings are also discussed in the context of a model in which both electronic states are disordered and in which the strength of the electronic coupling determines whether energy transfer, excitonic coupling, or electron transfer occurs.

     

Theory of Optical Coupling Effects Among Surfactant Au Nanoparticles Films

In previous reports, Dalfovo et al. showed experimentally that thin films of Au nanoparticles (NP) with organic coating change their optical properties when exposed to several analytes in the vapor phase (Anal Chem 84:4886–4892 2012; J Phys Chem C 119:5098–5106 2015). This optical behavior was associated with changes in the mean distance between nanoparticles, which resulted in a displacement of their plasmon bands towards blue or red in the presence of toluene (Tol) or ethanol (EtOH) vapors, respectively. In the report by Dalfovo et al. (J Phys Chem C 119:5098–5106 2015), in-situ grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray spectroscopy (GISAXS) was performed to determine changes in the inter-NP distance within the film. In the present work, we perform theoretical calculations to interpret the results obtained by Dalfovo et al. (Anal Chem 84:4886–4892 2012; J Phys Chem C 119:5098–5106 2015). For this purpose, we employ two different theoretical approaches, a quasi-static method (QS) and the Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker method (KKR), in order to describe the plasmon resonance shift as a function of the inter-NP distance changes during exposure to Tol and EtOH vapors. Both theoretical approaches describe qualitatively the behavior observed in previous experimental results that correlate the plasmon resonant wavelength with the inter-NP distance obtained by GISAXS. Our theoretical results show that the plasmon resonant wavelength strongly depends on the ratio between the inter-particle distance and the diameter of the nanoparticles and consequently, these films could be used for optical tuning.

     

Applying social life cycle assessment to evaluate the use phase of mobility services: a case study in Berlin

Purpose

The main purpose of this S-LCA case study is to analyse social impacts of the use phase of mobility services is a holistic way, taking into account positive as well as negative impacts. The use phase plays an important role for the assessment of services, which is why this study exclusively focuses on the use phase assessment. That way, this study aims to contribute to answer the question whether mobility services can improve quality of life in cities.

Methods

For the analysis, seven different mobility options were chosen in the city of Berlin, Germany, including free-floating car sharing, e-scooter sharing, S-Bahn, subway, tram, bus and the car in private ownership. For the analysis, five stakeholder groups that are outlined in the S-LCA Guidelines (UNEP 2020) were taken into account: Local Community, Consumer, Worker, Value Chain Actors and Society. For a detailed analysis of all relevant aspects, 37 indicators were analysed, out of which 23 are quantitative and 14 are qualitative. For data collection, several different data sources were used, including publicly available data e.g. from statistics as well as own data from interviews.

Results and discussion

For comparability, all results are displayed on a 5-point scale from???2 to?+?2, in line with the Handbook (Goedkoop et al. 2018) and the S-LCA Guidelines (UNEP 2020). For some indicators, the results of the case study are as expected, for example regarding impacts on air quality. For other indicators, however, the results are specific for the analysed mobility services in Berlin and therefore give new insights and reveal new aspects, as for example in the case of job creation for the local community. The main challenge of this S-LCA case study was data availability and data quality, which is why assumptions and simplifications had to be made, especially regarding space occupancy and the allocation of common infrastructure.

Conclusions

This S-LCA case study provides a holistic assessment of the use phase of mobility services, taking into account five stakeholder categories and their respective social impacts. The study illustrates specific results for the city of Berlin, showing positive as well as negative social impacts of mobility services and outlines a procedure for further studies. That way, this case study contributes to answer the overlying question whether mobility services can improve quality of life in cities.

     

LCM development: focusing on the LC promoters and their organizational problem-solving

Purpose

Life cycle management (LCM) implies a specific sustainability perspective which extends environmental management along the product life cycle, with the aim of decreasing negative environmental impact throughout the product chain. Research has identified that the adoption of LCM in the industry depends upon its situational adaptation to the organizational context. Even so, little is known about the specifics of this adaptation. With this paper, our aim is to add knowledge on LCM adoption and adaptation.

Methods

A systematic analysis of empirical material on life cycle (LC) activity in six multinational corporations (MNCs) is conducted, by applying a secondary analysis of qualitative data (Heaton 2008). In order to study instances of LCM adoption and adaptation, we focus on the acts and situations of LC promoters. The identified instances are analyzed through the lens of situated problem-solving (Kuhn and Jackson 2008).

Results and discussion

Sixty-seven instances of LC promotion were identified and analyzed, resulting in the identification of eight categories of problem-situations typically encountered by LC promoters. The identified problem-situations represent different situations when the organizational appropriateness of the LC approach is at stake and to which responses tailored to the organization are put forward by a LC promoter. The results bring to the fore the ubiquity of organizational and creative problem-solving, highlighting the role of LC promoters as change agents for LCM adoption, and depict the development of LCM as an emergent practice, rather than an implementation process.

Conclusions

This paper provides a first systematic analysis of LC promoters enacting a variety of responses to organizationally challenging LC situations, thus detailing the adaptation necessary for embedding LCM in the industry. Findings show that the development of LCM to a great extent is about the promotion of a LC approach, and that LC promoters need organizational knowing, in addition to LC knowing, to make the LC approach relevant to management and business.

     

Fixation probabilities for the Moran process in evolutionary games with two strategies: graph shapes and large population asymptotics

This paper is based on the complete classification of evolutionary scenarios for the Moran process with two strategies given by Taylor et al. (Bull Math Biol 66(6):1621–1644, 2004. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bulm.2004.03.004). Their classification is based on whether each strategy is a Nash equilibrium and whether the fixation probability for a single individual of each strategy is larger or smaller than its value for neutral evolution. We improve on this analysis by showing that each evolutionary scenario is characterized by a definite graph shape for the fixation probability function. A second class of results deals with the behavior of the fixation probability when the population size tends to infinity. We develop asymptotic formulae that approximate the fixation probability in this limit and conclude that some of the evolutionary scenarios cannot exist when the population size is large.

     

First study of asexual planulae in the coral Pocillopora damicornis type β SSH05c from the southwestern Indian Ocean

With the recent taxonomic revision of the scleractinian Pocillopora damicornis (Linnaeus 1758), now identified as a species complex, former reproduction studies must be reconsidered. In this context, this study focuses on P. damicornis type β, more precisely SSH05c sensu Gélin et al. (Mol Phylogenet Evol 109:430–446, 2017b), found exclusively in the Indian Ocean. We aimed to determine whether P. damicornis type β SSH05c is able to produce asexually derived larvae. For this, colonies were collected in Reunion Island and kept in aquaria. Two mother colonies released larvae that were genotyped using 13 microsatellite loci along with the mother colony to compare their multi-locus genotypes and identify clones. All planulae (9 and 84, respectively) presented a genotype identical to their mother colony. This study provides the first evidence of asexual larval production in P. damicornis type β SSH05c from the southwestern Indian Ocean. However, given the limited data set, more studies are needed to better characterize the role and frequency of this reproductive strategy for this lineage.

     

Global properties of nested network model with application to multi-epitope HIV/CTL dynamics

Mathematical modeling and analysis can provide insight on the dynamics of ecosystems which maintain biodiversity in the face of competitive and prey–predator interactions. Of primary interests are the underlying structure and features which stabilize diverse ecological networks. Recently Korytowski and Smith (Theor Ecol 8(1):111–120, 2015) proved that a perfectly nested infection network, along with appropriate life history trade-offs, leads to coexistence and persistence of bacteria-phage communities in a chemostat model. In this article, we generalize their model in order to apply it to the within-host dynamics virus and immune response, in particular HIV and CTL (Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte) cells. Our model can describe sequential viral escape from dominant immune responses and rise in subdominant immune responses, consistent with observed patterns of HIV/CTL evolution. We find a Lyapunov function for the system which leads to rigorous characterization of persistent viral and immune variants, along with informing upon equilibria stability and global dynamics. Results are interpreted in the context of within-host HIV/CTL evolution and numerical simulations are provided.

     

Increased levels of superoxide dismutase suppress meiotic segregation errors in aging oocytes

The risk of meiotic segregation errors increases dramatically during a woman’s thirties, a phenomenon known as the maternal age effect. In addition, several lines of evidence indicate that meiotic cohesion deteriorates as oocytes age. One mechanism that may contribute to age-induced loss of cohesion is oxidative damage. In support of this model, we recently reported (Perkins et al. in Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 113(44):E6823–E6830, 2016) that the knockdown of the reactive oxygen species (ROS)–scavenging enzyme, superoxide dismutase (SOD), during meiotic prophase causes premature loss of arm cohesion and segregation errors in Drosophila oocytes. If age-dependent oxidative damage causes meiotic segregation errors, then the expression of extra SOD1 (cytosolic/nuclear) or SOD2 (mitochondrial) in oocytes may attenuate this effect. To test this hypothesis, we generated flies that contain a UAS-controlled EMPTY, SOD1, or SOD2 cassette and induced expression using a Gal4 driver that turns on during meiotic prophase. We then compared the fidelity of chromosome segregation in aged and non-aged Drosophila oocytes for all three genotypes. As expected, p{EMPTY} oocytes subjected to aging exhibited a significant increase in nondisjunction (NDJ) compared with non-aged oocytes. In contrast, the magnitude of age-dependent NDJ was significantly reduced when expression of extra SOD1 or SOD2 was induced during prophase. Our findings support the hypothesis that a major factor underlying the maternal age effect in humans is age-induced oxidative damage that results in premature loss of meiotic cohesion. Moreover, our work raises the exciting possibility that antioxidant supplementation may provide a preventative strategy to reduce the risk of meiotic segregation errors in older women.

     

Product environmental footprint of a cross-laminated timber system: a case study in Italy

Purpose

This study aims to apply the product environmental footprint (PEF) methodology to a wooden wall element, the Massiv–Holz–Mauer® (MHM), in an existing building in Northern Italy. The PEF is a multi-criteria measure of the environmental performance of products throughout their life cycle (European Commission 2013).

Methods

The environmental footprint of the MHM wall element was calculated for the impact categories required by the PEF, using a cradle-to-grave approach. Foreground data was collected at each life stage and completed using data from the Ecoinvent 3.1 database (Wernet et al. 2016). An additional analysis (optional according to the PEF methodology) was conducted for assessing the sustainability of forest management in the sites where wood is extracted from, using data from the forest management plan.

Results and discussion

The results show that, for most of the environmental indicators, the use phase has the highest environmental impact, followed by the production, end-of-life, raw material acquisition, and construction phases. These results depend on the different duration of the life cycle phases, and on the attribution of the total operational energy of the building to the structural components of the wall, though other factors, such as the efficiency of the heating system, may be responsible. Future PEF sectorial specification should specify how to account for the use phase of structural building components. For the majority of the impact categories, the impact is mainly due to processes that occur in the background system, such as production of capital goods and construction of facilities and storehouses. The wooden material production generates relatively low impacts, thanks to the fact that the wood is sourced locally and from forests where a close-to-nature forest management is adopted, characterized by natural regeneration without the use of fertilizers and pesticides.

Conclusions

This study shows that the PEF methodology can be successfully applied to a single wood supply chain, allowing the identification of the main hotspots and actions for reducing the environmental impacts. The PEF leaves space for additional environmental information, which, for some product categories, may play an important role. In the case of wood products, we suggest the inclusion of an assessment, even qualitative, of the sustainability of forest management.

     

Flux control-based design of furfural-resistance strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for lignocellulosic biorefinery

We have previously developed a dynamic flux balance analysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for elucidation of genome-wide flux response to furfural perturbation (Unrean and Franzen, Biotechnol J 10(8):1248–1258, 2015). Herein, the dynamic flux distributions were analyzed by flux control analysis to identify target overexpressed genes for improved yeast robustness against furfural. The flux control coefficient (FCC) identified overexpressing isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH1), a rate-controlling flux for ethanol fermentation, and dicarboxylate carrier (DIC1), a limiting flux for cell growth, as keys of furfural-resistance phenotype. Consistent with the model prediction, strain characterization showed 1.2- and 2.0-fold improvement in ethanol synthesis and furfural detoxification rates, respectively, by IDH1 overexpressed mutant compared to the control. DIC1 overexpressed mutant grew at 1.3-fold faster and reduced furfural at 1.4-fold faster than the control under the furfural challenge. This study hence demonstrated the FCC-based approach as an effective tool for guiding the design of robust yeast strains.

     

ATR function is indispensable to allow proper mammalian follicle development

Mammalian female fertility relies on the proper development of follicles. Right after birth in the mouse, oocytes associate with somatic ovarian cells to form follicles. These follicles grow during the adult lifetime to produce viable gametes. In this study, we analyzed the role of the ATM and rad3-related (ATR) kinase in mouse oogenesis and folliculogenesis using a hypomorphic mutation of the Atr gene (Murga et al. 2009). Female mice homozygotes for this allele have been reported to be sterile. Our data show that female meiotic prophase is not grossly altered when ATR levels are reduced. However, follicle development is substantially compromised, since Atr mutant ovaries present a decrease of growing follicles. Comprehensive analysis of follicular cell death and proliferation suggest that wild-type levels of ATR are required to achieve optimal follicular development. Altogether, these findings suggest that reduced ATR expression causes sterility due to defects in follicular progression rather than in meiotic recombination. We discuss the implications of these findings for the use of ATR inhibitors such as anti-cancer drugs and its possible side-effects on female fertility.

     

Gorgorhynchoides pseudocarangis n. sp. (Acanthocephala: Isthmosacanthidae) from Pseudocaranx dentex (Carangidae) in southeast Queensland,Australia, with comments on the Isthmosacanthidae

Gorgorhynchoides pseudocarangis n. sp. (Isthmosacanthidae), is described from the intestine of the white trevally Pseudocaranx dentex (Bloch & Schneider) (Carangiformes: Carangidae) collected in Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. The new species has a proboscis armature of 27–28 rows of 16–17 hooks. It is most similar morphologically to Gorgorhynchoides bullocki Cable & Marafachisi, 1970 and Gorgorhynchoides gnathanodontos Smales, 2014 but differs from the former in having a longer proboscis with more rows of hooks, ventral hooks 6/7–12 with notched tips and trunk spines which do not extend onto the anterior bulbous swelling, and from the latter in having a longer proboscis, ventral hooks 6/7–12 with notched tips, more circles of trunk spines, larger eggs and a proboscis armature with all hooks lacking manubria. Previous molecular phylogenetic analyses have shown that the genus Serrasentis Van Cleave, 1923 is sister to Gorgorhynchoides Cable & Linderoth, 1963, although some have failed to resolve these two lineages in separate monophyletic clades. We performed novel single-gene and concatenated phylogenetic analyses using cox1 mtDNA, 18S and 28S rDNA gene-sequences, resolving Gorgorhynchoides and Serrasentis in monophyletic sister clades and demonstrating that Gorgorhynchoides pseudocarangis n. sp. is phylogenetically distinct from related species for which molecular sequence data are available. We view the previous amendment of the Isthmosacanthidae to include the genera Golvanorhynchus Noronha, Fabio & Pinto, 1987, Gorgorhynchoides, Isthmosacanthus Smales 2014 and Serrasentis, and the transfer of the family to the Polymorphida, as the most satisfactory classification at present, although additional molecular evidence would provide greater stability.

     

Oligo(cis-1,4-isoprene) aldehyde-oxidizing dehydrogenases of the rubber-degrading bacterium Gordonia polyisoprenivorans VH2

The actinomycete Gordonia polyisoprenivorans strain VH2 is well-known for its ability to efficiently degrade and catabolize natural rubber [poly(cis-1,4-isoprene)]. Recently, a pathway for the catabolism of rubber by strain VH2 was postulated based on genomic data and the analysis of mutants (Hiessl et al. in Appl Environ Microbiol 78:2874–2887, 2012). To further elucidate the degradation pathway of poly(cis-1,4-isoprene), 2-dimensional-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was performed. The analysis of the identified protein spots by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight tandem mass spectrometry confirmed the postulated intracellular pathway suggesting a degradation of rubber via β-oxidation. In addition, other valuable information on rubber catabolism of G. polyisoprenivorans strain VH2 (e.g. oxidative stress response) was provided. Identified proteins, which were more abundant in cells grown with rubber than in cells grown with propionate, implied a putative long-chain acyl-CoA-dehydrogenase, a 3-ketoacyl-CoA-thiolase, and an aldehyde dehydrogenase. The amino acid sequence of the latter showed a high similarity towards geranial dehydrogenases. The expression of the corresponding gene was upregulated > 10-fold under poly(cis-1,4-isoprene)-degrading conditions. The putative geranial dehydrogenase and a homolog were purified and used for enzyme assays. Deletion mutants for five aldehyde dehydrogenases were generated, and growth with poly(cis-1,4-isoprene) was investigated. While none of the mutants had an altered phenotype regarding growth with poly(cis-1,4-isoprene) as sole carbon and energy source, purified aldehyde dehydrogenases were able to catalyze the oxidation of oligoisoprene aldehydes indicating an involvement in rubber degradation.