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Four types of archaeogenetic data mining are used to investigate the origin of the Minoans and the Uralic peoples: (1) six SNP mutations related to eye, hair, and skin phenotypes; (2) whole-genome admixture analysis using the G25 system; (3) an analysis of the history of the U5 mitochondrial DNA haplogroup; and (4) an analysis of the origin of each currently known Minoan mitochondrial and y-DNA haplotypes. The uniform result of these analyses is that the Minoans and the Uralic peoples had a common homeland in the lower and middle Danube Basin, as well as the Black Sea coastal regions. This new result helps to reconcile archaeogenetics with linguistics, which have shown that the Minoan language belongs to the Uralic language family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Durable building materials are essential for sustainability in construction projects, aiming to reduce environmental damage from the start to the end of a building's life. Reducing the use of Portland cement in concrete production is essential because of the significant CO2 emissions generated globally during its production process. This study investigates the workability, compressive strength, and water absorption of concrete when Portland cement is partially substituted with waste glass powder (WGP) and recycled concrete powder (RCP). These two waste powders can be used to partially substitute Portland cement in order to produce environmentally friendly concrete. The activity of the particles in concrete made from these two waste powders is mostly determined by the type and rate of the powders, as well as the curing methods. Therefore, the current research examines how different curing conditions impact the workability, compressive strength, and water absorption characteristics of this innovative eco-friendly concrete that includes the abovementioned waste powders. According to the experimental results obtained, adequate strength can be achieved using an appropriate replacement level of the powders and curing methods. Therefore, the application of these two recycled mineral admixtures in concrete can save Portland cement and has certain environmental and economic benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Wild horses in the region around Dülmen in Westphalia, Germany, date back to the Middle Ages. These horses ranged the wooden and marsh area in small herds. The Dukes of Croÿ fenced these wild horses in 1856 in an area called Merfelder Bruch, near Dülmen, and managed this herd as a self-contained population. Stallions employed were from the Dülmen wild horse population and, in some breeding seasons, from other primitive horse populations. The Dülmen wild horse population has to cope with harsh natural conditions all year round. The Dülmen wild horse population consists of about 530 horses with around 380 mares. Each year, 2 to 3 stallions sire 50 to 60 foals. In the present study, we characterize, for the first time, the Dülmen wild horse population in comparison to warmblood, coldblood, and primitive horse populations using a highly informative microsatellite marker set. We found a high degree of genetic diversity in the Dülmen wild horse population. Genetic distance measures, principal component analysis, and Bayesian cluster analyses clearly demarcated the Dülmen wild horse population from the other 17 horse populations studied here. In addition, data supported the hypothesis of an early genetic divergence of Dülmen wild horses. The Dülmen wild horse population appeared as an invaluable resource to study the evolution of domesticated horses. The objective of the present study was to analyze the genetic diversity, individual-based assessment of population structure, and admixture in the Dülmen wild horse population in comparison to warmblood, coldblood, and primitive horse populations. The Dülmen wild horse is kept as a unique horse population in the Merfelder Bruch near Dülmen in Westphalia, Germany, and since 1856 has been managed by the Dukes of Croÿ. The Dülmen wild horse population is exposed to the natural conditions of the Merfelder Bruch all year round without human interventions for feeding and veterinary care. In the present study, genetic diversity was estimated for 101 Dülmen wild horses using multilocus genotypic information from a set of 29 autosomal microsatellites and compared with 587 horses from 17 different horse populations. Dülmen wild horses maintained a high degree of genetic diversity, with an average observed heterozygosity of 0.68, a mean number of 6.17 alleles, and heterozygote deficit of −0.035. Pairwise genetic distances (FST, Nei's standard, and Cavalli-Sforza distances) were closest to German coldblood breeds, Polish Konik, and Icelandic horses and most divergent from Sorraia and Przewalski's horses. Neighbor joining dendrogram and PCA plots showed a clear distinction of Dülmen wild horses from other populations, particularly from Przewalski horses. Posterior Bayesian analysis confirmed clear differentiation from other horse populations without an admixture pattern and a high membership index (0.92). It was possible to distinguish Dülmen wild horses from Dülmen and Polish Konik horses. In conclusion, Dülmen wild horses show a notable separation from other German horse breeds and primitive horse populations and may serve as a resource to study evolution of equine domestication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human populations have interacted throughout history, and a considerable portion of modern human populations show evidence of admixture. Local ancestry inference (LAI) is focused on detecting the genetic ancestry of chromosomal segments in admixed individuals and has wide applications. In this work, we proposed a new LAI method based on population-specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and applied it in the analysis of admixed populations in the 1000 Genomes Project (1KGP). Based on population-specific SNPs in a sliding window, we computed local ancestry information vectors, which are moment estimators of local ancestral proportions, for two haplotypes of an admixed individual and inferred the local ancestral origins. Then we used African (AFR), East Asian (EAS), European (EUR) and South Asian (SAS) populations from the 1KGP and indigenous American (AMR) populations from the Human Genome Diversity Project (HGDP) as reference populations and conducted the proposed LAI analysis on African American populations and American populations in the 1KGP. The results were compared with those obtained by RFMix, G-Nomix and FLARE. We demonstrated that the existence of alleles in a chromosomal region that are specific to a particular reference population and the absence of alleles specific to the other reference populations provide reasonable evidence for determining the ancestral origin of the region. Contemporary AFR, AMR and EUR populations approximate ancestral populations of the admixed populations well, and the results from RFMix, G-Nomix and FLARE largely agree with those from the Ancestral Spectrum Analyzer (ASA), in which the proposed method was implemented. When admixtures are ancient and contemporary reference populations do not satisfactorily approximate ancestral populations, the performances of RFMix, G-Nomix and FLARE deteriorate with increased error rates and fragmented chromosomal segments. In contrast, our method provides fair results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper probes into the influence of the steel slag particle size on the mechanical properties and microstructure of concrete, with steel slag serving as the primary raw material. Steel slag with different particle sizes was selected as the partial substitute material for concrete by mechanical grinding. The influence of steel slag on the compressive strength, bending strength, and microstructure of concrete was determined by laser particle size analyzer, specific surface area analyzer, strength experiment, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results show that mechanical grinding has significant effects on the particle size distribution and specific surface area of the steel slag. The optimal grinding time is 20 min and the specific surface area is 0.65 m2/g. D10, D50 and D90 are 0.91 μm, 16.57 μm and 46.40 μm, respectively. The steel slag with a fine particle size can better fill the pores in concrete and improve the compactness, thus enhancing the mechanical properties of concrete. The change in the steel slag particle size does not change the type of hydration products, but the smaller the particle size of steel slag, the better the gelling activity, the larger the hydration products, the denser the structure, and the better the mechanical properties. Therefore, the present study provides an important theoretical basis and practical guidance for the application of steel slag as an additive in the concrete industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tailings from gold mines gradually approach ultra-fine, making mine backfill costs higher and strength lower, which poses a serious threat to the safety of underground personnel and equipment. It is well known that suitable chemical admixtures can enhance the working properties of mortar materials. Therefore, in order to achieve the purpose of reducing the cost of ultra-fine tailings backfill and improving the working performance of ultra-fine tailings filling slurry, this paper provides a study on the effect of sodium silicate and calcium chloride on the properties of ultra-fine tailings cemented backfill materials. The results of experimental studies through rheology, strength, and microstructural tests, etc., showed that the optimal proportioning parameters of cementitious materials are 76.92% blast furnace slag, 19.24% carbide slag, and admixtures of 2.88% sodium silicate and 0.96% calcium chloride. The 3, 7, and 28-day uniaxial compressive strength of the ultra-fine tailings cemented paste backfill with the newly formulated blast furnace slag-based cementitious material increased by 124%, 142%, and 14%, respectively, compared to that of the ultra-fine tailings cemented paste backfill with the P. O42.5 cement. The setting time for ultra-fine tailings cemented backfill slurry is shortened by the addition of admixtures, and the shear stress of the slurry is correlated with the amount of hydration product generation and its formation of flocculating structure. Moreover, the cost of the newly prepared cementitious material is much lower than that of traditional cement, which lays a good foundation for the cemented filling of ultra-fine tailings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the hydration, microstructure, autogenous shrinkage, electrical resistivity, and mechanical properties of Portland cement pastes modified with PEG-PPG triblock copolymers with varied molecular weights. The early age properties including setting time and hydration heat were examined using the Vicat test and isothermal calorimetry. The hydration products and pore size distribution were analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and nitrogen adsorption, respectively. Mechanical properties and electrical resistivity were evaluated using the compressive strength test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). It was shown that the addition of the copolymers reduced the surface tension of the cement paste pore solution due to the presence of a hydrophobic block (PPG) in the molecular structure of the copolymers. The setting time and hydration heat were relatively similar in the control paste as well as the pastes modified with the copolymers. The results showed that copolymers were able to reduce the autogenous shrinkage in the paste due primarily to a reduction in pore solution surface tension. TGA showed a slight increase in the hydration degree of the paste modified with the copolymers. The compressive strength was reduced in the pastes modified with the copolymers that showed an increased volume of air voids. The addition of copolymers did not affect the electrical resistivity of the pastes except in the case where there was a large volume of air voids, which acted as electrical insulators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cornus mas grows in the "Cornelian Cherry Valley" in Lower Austria. The characterization of the biodiversity of this underutilized crop was undertaken to increase its visibility and to develop breeding parameters. To determine the genetic relationships among Austrian Cornelian cherries, a collection of 447 mainly wild accessions originating from four regions in Lower Austria were genotyped. Analyses of seven microsatellite loci detected a total of 74 alleles, with 10.57 being the average number per locus. Shannon's index was calculated to be 0.95 in locus CM008 and 1.80 in locus CM020. The average values of observed and expected heterozygosity were 0.54 ± 0.11 and 0.70 ± 0.12. The analyses revealed a high level of diversity. All accessions could be distinguished from each other, and wild and cultivated accessions could be separated. The pattern of grouping of the accessions based on the STRUCTURE (version 2.3.4) analyses suggested a greater number of subpopulations (K = 9). Karyotyping consistently yielded diploid chromosome numbers 2n = 2x = 18 for a millennial accession. The evaluations yielded a high degree of diversity, which provides excellent starting conditions for considerations of breeding strategies for the genetic enhancement of C. mas in Austria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Admixture and hybridization may play a key role in population dynamics and speciation with respect to habitat, demographic history, and adaptive selection. The present study examines the genetic diversity of two congeneric—but in different subgenera—holothurians that live in sympatry in mixed populations. Strong evidence of admixture was provided by analyzing RAD sequencing data from 90 and 67 individuals of Holothuria (Holothuria) tubulosa and Holothuria (Roweothuria) poli, respectively, from various areas of the Hellenic Seas (eastern Mediterranean). Coalescent demographic analysis revealed a recent directional gene flow from H. poli to H. tubulosa. The two species populations diverged around 13.5 thousand years ago, just after the Last Glacial Maximum. According to the pairwise sequential Markovian coalescent approach, the historical population effective sizes for both species declined during the last Pleistocene glaciations, probably due to population decline, followed by a relative rapid recovery as it is calculated using LD methods. The presented results imply a role for admixture upon secondary contact and are consistent with the recent suggestion that the genomic underpinning of ecological speciation often has an older, allopatric origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate inference of genetic ancestry is crucial for population-based association studies, accounting for population heterogeneity and structure. This study analyzes genome-wide SNP data from the Netherlands Twin Register to compare genetic ancestry estimates. The focus is on the comparison of ancestry estimates between family members and individuals genotyped on multiple arrays (Affymetrix 6.0, Affymetrix Axiom, and Illumina GSA). Two conventional methods, principal component analysis and ADMIXTURE, were implemented to estimate ancestry, each serving its specific purpose, rather than for direct comparison. The results reveal that as the degree of genetic relatedness decreases, the Euclidean distances of genetic ancestry estimates between family members significantly increase (empirical p < 0.001), regardless of the estimation method and genotyping array. Ancestry estimates among individuals genotyped on multiple arrays also show statistically significant differences (empirical p < 0.001). Additionally, this study investigates the relationship between the ancestry estimates of non-identical twin offspring with ancestrally diverse parents and those with ancestrally similar parents. The results indicate a statistically significant weak correlation between the variation in ancestry estimates among offspring and differences in ancestry estimates among parents (Spearman's rho: 0.07, p = 0.005). This study highlights the utility of current methods in inferring genetic ancestry, emphasizing the importance of reference population composition in determining ancestry estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The single-factor experiments are designed to quantitatively investigate the effects of silica fume, mineral powder, and fly ash on the mechanical and thermal insulation properties of desulfurization gypsum-based composites (DGCs). The effect mechanism is discussed from the microscopic morphology of the internal structure, and the corresponding relationship between the strength and thermal conductivity of this material is evaluated by the regression model. The results show that the admixture of silica fume, mineral powder, and fly ash improves the strengths and thermal insulation properties of DGCs, with the order of influence silica fume > mineral powder > fly ash. The optimal 28 d compressive strength and thermal conductivity are 34.17 MPa and 0.2146 W/(m·K), respectively, at a silica fume dosage of 35%. The enhancement effects on the strength and thermal insulation performance of DGCs are attributed to the increase in the hydration products C-S-H gel and Aft. Moreover, the thermal conductivity linearly decreases with the increase in the compressive strength of DGC after adding silica fume, mineral powder, and fly ash. The linear regression models exhibit good precision for evaluating the corresponding relationships between the compressive strength and thermal conductivity of DGCs with different admixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The human management of honey bees (Apis mellifera) has led to a reduction in the range and integrity of native subspecies, as they are replaced by foreign subspecies with traits that are perceived to be more desirable. Introgression—the transfer of alleles (gene variants) between genetically distinct lineages via hybridisation and repeated backcrossing—can lead to the loss of combinations of alleles that have built up over time as a result of adaptation. Measuring introgression is important for assessing the genetic integrity of colonies for breeders and conservationists. However, there is no agreed upon approach for measuring introgression in honey bee colonies. Here, we compare two commonly applied statistical methods for estimating introgression in honey bees from both individual and colony-pooled genetic data: a clustering approach (ADMIXTURE) and an allele pattern approach (ABBA BABA). Overall, data from a single individual from a colony resulted in lower introgression estimates than those from pooled colony samples using ADMIXTURE. However, ABBA BABA consistently yielded lower introgression estimates than ADMIXTURE. This study highlights that sometimes one individual is not enough to assess colony-level introgression and future studies using pooled colony approaches should not be solely dependent on ADMIXTURE for introgression estimates. The human management of honey bees (Apis mellifera) has resulted in the widespread introduction of subspecies outside of their native ranges. One well known example of this is Apis mellifera mellifera, native to Northern Europe, which has now been significantly introgressed by the introduction of C lineage honey bees. Introgression has consequences for species in terms of future adaptive potential and long-term viability. However, estimating introgression in colony-living haplodiploid species is challenging. Previous studies have estimated introgression using individual workers, individual drones, multiple drones, and pooled workers. Here, we compare introgression estimates via three genetic approaches: SNP array, individual RAD-seq, and pooled colony RAD-seq. We also compare two statistical approaches: a maximum likelihood cluster program (ADMIXTURE) and an incomplete lineage sorting model (ABBA BABA). Overall, individual approaches resulted in lower introgression estimates than pooled colonies when using ADMIXTURE. However, the pooled colony ABBA BABA approach resulted in generally lower introgression estimates than all three ADMIXTURE estimates. These results highlight that sometimes one individual is not enough to assess colony-level introgression, and future studies that do use colony pools should not be solely dependent on clustering programs for introgression estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effect of microbead dosages (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) on the carbonation resistance of expanded polystyrene (EPS) concrete was investigated. Five groups of EPS concrete specimens were produced and underwent rapid carbonation testing. The carbonation depth and strength after carbonation of the specimens were measured at different carbonation ages (7 days, 14 days, and 28 days) and analyzed to determine the effect of microbead dosages and compressive strength on carbonation resistance. Results indicated that the carbonation depth increased with the progression of carbonation time. The introduction of microbeads was found to significantly improve the carbonation resistance of EPS concrete, leading to a reduction in carbonation depth of over 50% after 28 days and an increase in strength after carbonation by 18–56%. A relative compressive strength model for EPS concrete after carbonation was developed, which could accurately characterize the growth of compressive strength. Based on the analysis of EPS concrete carbonation depth data, a prediction model for the carbonation depth of EPS concrete with microbead dosage was established through fitting, providing improved accuracy in predicting carbonation resistance. The microstructure of EPS concrete was also examined using scanning electron microscopy to uncover the underlying mechanisms of microbead enhancement on carbonation resistance. These findings have potential implications for future research and engineering applications in the carbonation resistance of EPS concrete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest trees growing in high altitude conditions offer a convenient model for studying adaptation processes. They are subject to a whole range of adverse factors that are likely to cause local adaptation and related genetic changes. Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.), whose distribution covers different altitudes, makes it possible to directly compare lowland with highland populations. This paper presents for the first time the results of studying the genetic differentiation of Siberian larch populations, presumably associated with adaptation to the altitudinal gradient of climatic conditions, based on a joint analysis of altitude and six other bioclimatic variables, together with a large number of genetic markers, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), obtained from double digest restriction-site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq). In total, 25,143 SNPs were genotyped in 231 trees. In addition, a dataset of 761 supposedly selectively neutral SNPs was assembled by selecting SNPs located outside coding regions in the Siberian larch genome and mapped to different contigs. The analysis using four different methods (PCAdapt, LFMM, BayeScEnv and RDA) revealed 550 outlier SNPs, including 207 SNPs whose variation was significantly correlated with the variation of some of environmental factors and presumably associated with local adaptation, including 67 SNPs that correlated with altitude based on either LFMM or BayeScEnv and 23 SNPs based on both of them. Twenty SNPs were found in the coding regions of genes, and 16 of them represented non-synonymous nucleotide substitutions. They are located in genes involved in the processes of macromolecular cell metabolism and organic biosynthesis associated with reproduction and development, as well as organismal response to stress. Among these 20 SNPs, nine were possibly associated with altitude, but only one of them was identified as associated with altitude by all four methods used in the study, a nonsynonymous SNP in scaffold_31130 in position 28092, a gene encoding a cell membrane protein with uncertain function. Among the studied populations, at least two main groups (clusters), the Altai populations and all others, were significantly genetically different according to the admixture analysis based on any of the three SNP datasets as follows: 761 supposedly selectively neutral SNPs, all 25,143 SNPs and 550 adaptive SNPs. In general, according to the AMOVA results, genetic differentiation between transects or regions or between population samples was relatively low, although statistically significant, based on 761 neutral SNPs (FST = 0.036) and all 25,143 SNPs (FST = 0.017). Meanwhile, the differentiation based on 550 adaptive SNPs was much higher (FST = 0.218). The data showed a relatively weak but highly significant linear correlation between genetic and geographic distances (r = 0.206, p = 0.001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural hybridization between closely related species in sympatry is an evolutionary process that is common in orchids. Once seen as a threat to parent species, interspecific genetic change is increasingly viewed as a source of novel variation in some ecological contexts. Terrestrial fringed orchids in the genus Platanthera contain several clades with high genetic compatibility among species and many putative hybrids. We used biallelic SNPs generated with 3RAD sequencing to study the hybrid complex formed from the parent species P. blephariglottis, P. ciliaris, and P. cristata with high resolution. The genetic structure and phylogenetic relationship of the hybrid complex revealed site-dependent gene flow between species. We documented extensive hybridization and cryptic hybrids in sympatric sites. Interspecific genetic exchange is particularly common between P. blephariglottis and P. ciliaris, with cryptic hybrids among putative P. ciliaris samples being more common than parental assignments in sympatric sites. Hybridization across the triad species complex can reticulate lineages and introduce adaptive alleles. Conversely, it can reduce diversification rates and introduce maladaptive alleles. Investigation into whether anthropogenic forces are eroding species boundaries, particularly the permeable P. blephariglottis and P. ciliaris boundary, is appropriate for conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genotype imputation is widely used to enrich genetic datasets. The operation relies on panels of known reference haplotypes, typically with whole-genome sequencing data. How to choose a reference panel has been widely studied and it is essential to have a panel that is well matched to the individuals who require missing genotype imputation. However, it is broadly accepted that such an imputation panel will have an enhanced performance with the inclusion of diversity (haplotypes from many different populations). We investigate this observation by examining, in fine detail, exactly which reference haplotypes are contributing at different regions of the genome. This is achieved using a novel method of inserting synthetic genetic variation into the reference panel in order to track the performance of leading imputation algorithms. We show that while diversity may globally improve imputation accuracy, there can be occasions where incorrect genotypes are imputed following the inclusion of more diverse haplotypes in the reference panel. We, however, demonstrate a technique for retaining and benefitting from the diversity in the reference panel whilst avoiding the occasional adverse effects on imputation accuracy. What is more, our results more clearly elucidate the role of diversity in a reference panel than has been shown in previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic discoveries related to Alzheimer's disease and other dementias have been performed using either large cohorts of affected subjects or multiple individuals from the same pedigree, therefore disregarding mutations in the context of healthy groups. Moreover, a large portion of studies so far have been performed on individuals of European ancestry, with a remarkable lack of epidemiological and genomic data from underrepresented populations. In the present study, 70 single-point mutations on the APP gene in a publicly available genetic dataset that included 2504 healthy individuals from 26 populations were scanned, and their distribution was analyzed. Furthermore, after gametic phase reconstruction, a pairwise comparison of the segments surrounding the mutations was performed to reveal patterns of haplotype sharing that could point to specific cross-population and cross-ancestry admixture events. Eight mutations were detected in the worldwide dataset, with several of them being specific for a single individual, population, or macroarea. Patterns of segment sharing reflected recent historical events of migration and admixture possibly linked to colonization campaigns. These observations reveal the population dynamics of the considered APP mutations in worldwide human groups and support the development of ancestry-informed screening practices for the improvement of precision and personalized approaches to neurodegeneration and dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, novel monodisperse basic magnesium sulfate whiskers (5Mg(OH)2·MgSO4·7H2O) were prepared under low-temperature and atmospheric-pressure conditions, using the admixture sodium citrate. X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to characterize the structure and morphology of the whisker products. The analysis results showed that the product was composed of high-purity basic magnesium sulfate whiskers. The lengths and diameters of the whiskers were 10–20 μm and 0.1–0.2 μm, respectively, and their aspect ratios were higher than 30. The formation mechanism of 5Mg(OH)2·MgSO4·7H2O involved direct assembly from the precursors without the formation of magnesium hydroxide for redissolution. High-purity MgO whiskers with smooth surfaces were prepared using the as-prepared whisker products via thermal decomposition. Thus, the findings of this study can provide technical support for the cost-effective industrial-scale preparation of basic magnesium-sulfate whiskers and associated whisker products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to reveal the effect of phosphorus slag (PS) admixtures on the properties and hydration mechanism of circulating fluidized bed fly ash (CFA)-based multi-solid waste cementitious material (CWM). The results indicate that PS as an admixture is more helpful for improving the performance of CWM systems compared with blast furnace slag with a high specific surface area (HBFS) and gasification slag (GS). In this work, CWM2 is prepared with 30 wt.% CFA, 10 wt.% red mud (RM), 20 wt.% blast furnace slag (BFS), 10 wt.% PS, and 30 wt.% cement clinker (CC). The compressive strength and expansion value of CWM2 are the optimal (51.15 MPa and 0.70 mm) when the mass ratio of (Ca + Na)/(Si + Al) is 0.84, which can meet the requirements of 42.5 fly ash Portland cement. In addition, the polymerization degree of CWM2-28 days is the optimum (51.57%) because [PO4] and [SiO4] combine to improve its polymerization structure. The main hydration products are C-S-H gel, C/N-A-S-H gel, and ettringite in CWM, which are conducive to improve the compactness of the micromorphology. In addition, the consolidation of Na, As, Cd, and Hg is promoted in CWM2 by physical encapsulation and charge balance, which meet the drinking water requirements of the World Health Organization (WHO). Therefore, this work provides a new idea for the application of PS as an admixture in CFA-based multi-solid waste cementitious material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past two decades, studies of Y chromosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms (Y-SNPs) and short tandem repeats (Y-STRs) have shed light on the demographic history of Central Asia, the heartland of Eurasia. However, complex patterns of migration and admixture have complicated population genetic studies in Central Asia. Here, we sequenced and analyzed the Y-chromosomes of 187 male individuals from Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Karakalpak, Hazara, Karluk, Tajik, Uyghur, Dungan, and Turkmen populations. High diversity and admixture from peripheral areas of Eurasia were observed among the paternal gene pool of these populations. This general pattern can be largely attributed to the activities of ancient people in four periods, including the Neolithic farmers, Indo-Europeans, Turks, and Mongols. Most importantly, we detected the consistent expansion of many minor lineages over the past thousand years, which may correspond directly to the formation of modern populations in these regions. The newly discovered sub-lineages and variants provide a basis for further studies of the contributions of minor lineages to the formation of modern populations in Central Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steppe bison are a typical representative of the Mid-Late Pleistocene steppes of the northern hemisphere. Despite the abundance of fossil remains, many questions related to their genetic diversity, population structure and dispersal route are still elusive. Here, we present both near-complete and partial mitochondrial genomes, as well as a partial nuclear genome from fossil bison samples excavated from Late Pleistocene strata in northeastern China. Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian trees both suggest the bison clade are divided into three maternal haplogroups (A, B and C), and Chinese individuals fall in two of them. Bayesian analysis shows that the split between haplogroup C and the ancestor of haplogroups A and B dates at 326 ky BP (95% HPD: 397-264 ky BP). In addition, our nuclear phylogenomic tree also supports a basal position for the individual carrying haplogroup C. Admixture analyses suggest that CADG467 (haplogroup C) has a similar genetic structure to steppe bison from Siberia (haplogroup B). Our new findings indicate that the genetic diversity of Pleistocene bison was probably even higher than previously thought and that northeastern Chinese populations of several mammalian species, including Pleistocene bison, were genetically distinct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coyotes are ubiquitous on the North American landscape as a result of their recent expansion across the continent. They have been documented in the heart of some of the most urbanized cities, such as Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City. Here, we explored the genomic composition of 16 coyotes in the New York metropolitan area to investigate genomic demography and admixture for urban-dwelling canids in Queens County, New York. We identified moderate-to-high estimates of relatedness among coyotes living in Queens (r = 0.0–0.5) and adjacent neighborhoods, suggestive of a relatively small population. Although we found low background levels of domestic-dog ancestry across most coyotes in our sample (5%), we identified a male suspected to be a first-generation coyote–dog hybrid with 46% dog ancestry, as well as his two putative backcrossed offspring that carried approximately 25% dog ancestry. The male coyote–dog hybrid and one backcrossed offspring each carried two transposable element insertions that are associated with human-directed hypersociability in dogs and gray wolves. An additional, unrelated coyote with little dog ancestry also carried two of these insertions. These genetic patterns suggest that gene flow from domestic dogs may become an increasingly important consideration as coyotes continue to inhabit metropolitan regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research endeavors to link the physical and chemical characteristics of select polymer hydrogels to differences in printability when used as printing aids in cement-based printing pastes. A variety of experimental probes including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), NMR-diffusion ordered spectroscopy (DOSY), quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS) using neutron backscattering spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), along with molecular dynamic simulations, were used. Conjectures based on objective measures of printability and physical and chemical-molecular characteristics of the polymer gels are emerging that should help target printing aid selection and design, and mix formulation. Molecular simulations were shown to link higher hydrogen bond probability and larger radius of gyration to higher viscosity gels. Furthermore, the higher viscosity gels also produced higher elastic properties, as measured by neutron backscattering spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron tailing solid waste not only has a high annual output but also has a low comprehensive utilization rate. Low utilization rate of iron tailings seriously restricts the development of comprehensive utilization of solid waste. In order to prepare an iron tailings-based ternary solid waste admixture and to verify its application to concrete, first, the effect of solid waste synergy on the strength of an iron tailings-steel slag-desulfurization ash admixture (ISD) system was investigated. Second, the effect of chemical activator dosing on the strength of an ISD system was studied and the mechanism of chemical activator action on the ISD system was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TG-DTA) Then, the effect of this admixture on the strength of concrete was studied. Finally, the mechanism of the effect of this admixture on the strength of concrete was clarified by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and backscattering electron tests (BSE). The results showed that the 7 d and 28 d compressive strengths of the ISD admixture were significantly higher than those of iron tailings single admixture. The 7 d and 28 d compressive strengths of the ISD system reached 24.9 MPa and 36.1 Mpa, respectively, when the ratio of iron tailings:steel slag:desulfurization ash = 1:1:1. Na2SiO3 is suitable for the early strength agent of the ISD admixture, but the amount of admixture should not exceed 0.6% of the admixture. TG-DTA shows that Na2SiO3 is enhancing the early strength of the ISD system by promoting the consumption of Ca(OH)2 in the ISD system to produce C-S-H. However, in the late reaction of the ISD system, Na2SiO3 inhibits the late strength development of the ISD system by suppressing Ca(OH)2 production. Concrete with ISD dosing of 30% or less meets the C40 requirement. MIP and BSE show that ISD provides a filling effect to concrete, but also causes a reduction in the active reactants of concrete and the combined effect of microfilling and active effects affects the strength development of ISD concrete. This study provides a theoretical and scientific basis for the preparation of iron tailings-based ternary solid waste dopants, and, in addition, the study promotes the consumption of iron tailings solid waste and the development of multiple solid waste dopants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creole sheep represent a strategic genetic resource for populations living in marginal areas under financial restrictions on the American continent. Six Colombian sheep breeds (two wool (BCL-Boyacá and NCL-Nariño, 12 and 14 samples) and four hair (OPCE-Ethiopian, 54 samples; OPCS-Sudan, 74 samples; OPCP-Pelibeuy, 59 samples; OPCW-Wayúu, 24 samples) were genotyped using the Illumina Ovine SNP50 BeadChip. Data was also included from international 44 breeds from International Sheep Genomics Consortium (ISGC) and from data published in previous a previous work on the Caribbean and African breeds. Although geographically separated, wool (NCL, BCL) and hair types (OPCE, OPCS, OPCW) presented little genetic differentiation (FST 0.05) at a global level but several groups of animals separated suggesting local clustering due to geographical isolation. The OPCP underwent a recent crossing with Mexican Pelibuey, explaining its differentiation. Findings in this work such as the proximity to West African Djallonké (WAD) and Barbados Black Belly (BBB), suggest different introductions of African type animals from the Caribbean region on a pre-existing genetic basis formed by animals deriving from the first importations coming from Europe in colonial times. As expected, Colombian wool breeds showed, in particular in Admixture software results, a greater genomic component in common with European breeds and in particular with Iberian ones (Churra). This study provides a basis for future research into the genetic diversity within and between the Colombian sheep breeds analysed, and scientific data for policy decisions on Farm Animal Genetic Resources (FAnGR). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foamed concrete is mostly used for backfilling of long-distance tunnels and compressive strength is an important technical index to control the quality of foamed concrete. The influence factors on compressive strength of low-density foamed concrete were obtained by the single factor test method based on the targeted dry density and compressive strength. The results show that the HT composed of pollution-free animal protein oil and vegetable oil is an efficient foaming agent and can produce stable foams. The cementation ability of cement can be fully expressed when a water to cement ratio of 0.45~0.5 is employed, making foamed concrete have a compressive strength higher than 2 MPa. The foam content is inversely proportional to the compressive strength and dry density of foamed concrete, and the volume ratio of slurry to foam should be 2:1~3:1. The content of fly ash is also inversely proportional to the compressive strength but positively proportional to the dry density. When the content of admixture is 40~55%, the compressive strength of foamed concrete with low density is not less than 2 MPa. The mixing proportion can be changed in the reasonable range to meet the requirements of different projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar, Galliformes) is one of the most important game birds in its native range, spanning from the Balkans to eastern Asia, and the regions of Europe, North America and New Zealand where it was introduced. Previous studies found two main genetic lineages of the species forming an eastern and a western clade. Chukar Partridges are raised in game farms and released to supplement natural populations for shooting in the USA, Canada, Greece, and Turkey. To explore intraspecific genetic structure, phylogeography, and possible genetic admixture events of A. chukar in Turkey, we genotyped individuals from fourteen wild and five captive populations at two mitochondrial and ten microsatellite DNA loci in. Wild and farmed Chukar Partridge samples were analyzed together to investigate possible influences of intraspecific hybridizations. We found that the farmed chukars, which mainly (85%) cluster into the eastern clade, and wild ones were genetically distinct. The latter could be separated into six management units (MUs), with partridges from Gökçeada Island in the Aegean Sea forming the most divergent population. Intraspecific hybridization was detected between wild and captive populations. This phenomenon causes rampant introgression and homogenization. The phylogeographic analysis revealed admixture among wild populations; nevertheless, this did not impair pointing to Anatolia as likely having a "refugia-within-refugia" structure. We recommend that the genetic structure of Chukar Partridge and its MUs be taken into account when developing the policy of hunting, production, and release to preserve the genetic integrity of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paracoccidioidomycosis is an endemic fungal disease to Latin America caused by at least five species-level genotypes of Paracoccidioides, named P. lutzii, P. brasiliensis (S1a and S1b populations), P. americana, P. restrepiensis, and P. venezuelensis. In this manuscript, we report on Paracoccidioides sp. sampling efforts in armadillos from two different areas in Brazil. We sequenced the genomes of seven Paracoccidioides isolates and used phylogenomics and populations genetics for genotyping. We found that P. brasiliensis and P. lutzii are both present in the Amazon region. Additionally, we identified two Paracoccidioides isolates that seem to be the result of admixture between divergent populations within P. brasiliensis sensu stricto. Both of these isolates were recovered from armadillos in a P. lutzii endemic area in Midwestern Brazil. Additionally, two isolates from human patients also show evidence of resulting from admixture. Our results suggest that the populations of P. brasiliensis sensu stricto exchange genes in nature. More generally, they suggest that population structure and admixture within species is an important source of variation for pathogenic fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this experiment was to complement the shortcomings of existing surface treatment methods and to implement water repellency inside concrete to prevent water penetration and improve the durability of concrete. Carriers to provide water repellency were fabricated using fly ash (FA), silica fume (SF), and natural zeolite which are used as admixtures for concrete. They were mixed with cement mortar, tested, and evaluated. The compressive strength of the water-repellent impregnated natural zeolite (ZWR) specimen was 83% of that of ordinary Portland cement (OPC), and its contact angle was found to be 124°. The water penetration test and chloride ion penetration test confirmed that the water absorption and total passing charge were reduced, while the porosity and pore size were improved. For the other specimens, except ZWR, water repellency was judged to be insufficient due to the low fixing ability for the water-repellent's active ingredient. The results of evaluating the physical performance and durability of cement mortar for the selection of the optimum carrier revealed that powders other than ZWR are not suitable as a material for providing water repellency to concrete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most efficient and environmentally friendly methods for preventing a landslide on a slope is to vegetate it. Vegetation-pervious concretes have a promising potential for soil protection. In this study, the vegetation-pervious concrete with low alkalinity was developed and studied. Combined with a grid beam structure system, the stability and strength between the vegetation-pervious concrete and base soil are believed to be enhanced effectively. For improving plant adaptability, the alkalinity of concrete can be decreased innovatively by adding a self-designed admixture into the cement paste. The effects of the admixture content on alkalinity and compressive strength of the hardened pervious concrete were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and compression test, respectively. Meanwhile, the permeability of the vegetation-pervious concrete was studied as well. Through comparing with ordinary pervious concrete, the effect of low alkaline pervious concrete on vegetation growth was investigated in a small-scale field for ten weeks. The test results indicated that the alkalinity of the cement samples decreased with the increase of admixture content, and the vegetation grew successfully on previous concrete. By increasing the admixture content to approximately 3.6%, the compressive strength of pervious concrete was more than 25 MPa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concrete is a type of construction material in which cement, aggregate, and admixture materials are mixed. When cement is produced, large amounts of substances that impact the environment are emitted during limestone extraction and clinker manufacturing. Additionally, the extraction of natural aggregate causes soil erosion and ecosystem destruction. Furthermore, in the process of transporting raw materials such as cement and aggregate to a concrete production company, and producing concrete in a batch plant, substances with an environmental impact are emitted into the air and water system due to energy use. Considering the fact that the process of producing concrete causes various environmental impacts, an assessment of various environmental impact categories is needed. This study used a life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental impacts of concrete in terms of its global warming potential, acidification potential, eutrophication potential, ozone depletion potential, photochemical ozone creation potential, and abiotic depletion potential (GWP, AP, EP, ODP, POCP, ADP). The tendency was that the higher the strength of concrete, the higher the GWP, POCP, and ADP indices became, whereas the AP and EP indices became slightly lower. As the admixture mixing ratio of concrete increased, the GWP, AP, ODP, ADP, and POCP decreased, but EP index showed a tendency to increase slightly. Moreover, as the recycled aggregate mixing ratio of concrete increased, the AP, EP, ODP, and ADP decreased, while GWP and POCP increased. The GWP and POCP per unit compressed strength (1 MPa) of high strength concrete were found to be about 13% lower than that for its normal strength concrete counterpart. Furthermore, in the case of AP, EP, ODP, and ADP per unit compressed strength (1 MPa), high-strength concrete was found to be about 10%~25% lower than its normal strength counterpart. Among all the environmental impact categories, ordinary cement was found to have the greatest impact on GWP, POCP, and ADP, while aggregate had the most impact on AP, EP, and ODP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When cement-based materials are transported at a construction site, they undergo high pressures during the pumping process. The rheological properties of the materials under such high pressures are unknown, and estimating the workability of the materials after pumping is a complex problem. Among various influential factors on the rheology of concrete, this study investigated the effect of mineral and chemical admixtures on the high-pressure rheology. A rheometer was fabricated that could measure the rheological properties while maintaining a high pressure to simulate the pumping process. The effects of superplasticizer, silica fume, nanoclay, fly ash, or ground granulated blast furnace slag were investigated when mixed with two control cement pastes. The water-to-cement ratios were 0.35 and 0.50. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of industrial by-products as admixture to ASTM Type I cement (ordinary Portland cement (OPC)) was investigated with the objective of improving the solidification of organic marine clayey soils. The industrial by-products considered in this paper were oyster-shell powder (OSP), steelmaking slag dust (SMS) and fuel-gas-desulfurized (FGD) gypsum. The industrial by-products were added to OPC at a ratio of 5% based on dry weight to produce a mixture used to solidify organic marine clayey soils. The dosage ratios of mixtures to organic marine clayey soils were 5, 10 and 15% on a dry weight basis. Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test after 28 days revealed that the highest strength was obtained with the OPC + SMS 15% mixing ratio. The UCS of specimens treated with this mixture was >500 kPa, compared with 300 kPa for specimens treated with a 15% OPC + OSP mixture and 200 kPa when 15% of OPC was used alone. These results were attributed to the more active hydration and pozzolanic reaction of the OPC + SMS mixture. This hypothesis was verified through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses, and was confirmed by variations in the calcium carbonate (CaCO3) content of the materials during curing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thlaspi arvense is a well-known annual farmland weed with worldwide distribution, which can be found from sea level to above 4000 m high on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). In this paper, a phylogeographic history of T. arvense including 19 populations from China was inferred by using three chloroplast (cp) DNA segments (trnL-trnF, rpl32-trnL and rps16) and one nuclear (n) DNA segment (Fe-regulated transporter-like protein, ZIP). A total of 11 chloroplast haplotypes and six nuclear alleles were identified, and haplotypes unique to the QTP were recognized (C4, C5, C7 and N4). On the basis of molecular dating, haplotypes C4, C5 and C7 have separated from others around 1.58 Ma for cpDNA, which corresponds to the QTP uplift. In addition, this article suggests that the T. arvense populations in China are a mixture of diverged subpopulations as inferred by hT/vT test (hT ≥ vT, cpDNA) and positive Tajimaf's D values (1.87, 0.05 < p < 0.10 for cpDNA and 3.37, p < 0.01 for nDNA). Multimodality mismatch distribution curves and a relatively large shared area of suitable environmental conditions between the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) as well as the present time recognized by MaxEnt software reject the sudden expansion population model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The wild boar is one of the most common wild animals. On the territory of Russia, there are two subspecies of the wild boar—European and Asian. At the beginning of the 20th century, the wild boar in the European part of Russia was practically exterminated. Later the population was restored by importing animals from other regions and by self-repopulation. The aim of our research was to assess the population structure of the Russian wild boar in comparison with the wild boar from other regions of the world and to determine the level of autozygosity, which allows us to determine the state of the population. We found traces of introgression of the Asian wild boar into the European one due to, migration of the wild boar in the population recovery process. Further analysis for genetic influx into Russian wild boar population identified four samples in which more than 10% of the genome belonged to domestic pigs. The Homozygous-by-Descent (HBD) Segments evaluation showed a low level of autozygosity in comparison with the aggregate sample of the European wild boar. Based on our genetic evaluation, we concluded that the population of the Russian wild boar of the European and Asian subspecies are characterized by a sufficient level of genetic diversity. The wild boar is the wild ancestor of the domestic pig and one of the most common species of ungulates. At the beginning of the 20th century, the wild boar was practically exterminated in the European part of Russia. In the period 1935–1988, 7705 boars were caught in various regions of the European part of Russia, the Far East, Ukraine, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Tajikistan and resettled in the territory of Russia. Asian and European wild boars dwell the territory of Russia. The aim of our research was to study the genetic diversity and structure of wild boar populations in different regions of Russia using genome-wide genotyping. We have determined the genetic distances, population structure, parameters of genetic diversity and significantly expanded our understanding of the genetic state of the Russian wild boar. For the first time, we calculated autozygosity of the wild boar of the European and Asian subspecies using Homozygous-by-Descent (HBD) Segments analysis, which is important in terms of population recovery. We also found evidence of hybridization between Russian wild boar and domestic pigs. A group of European wild boars showed introgression of the Asian boar into population. The mean level of the inbreeding coefficient in European wild boar was higher than in Asian wild boar, and combined groups of the European boar had higher inbreeding coefficient than Russian wild boars. These results obtained can be used in population management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen as a carbon-free fuel is commonly expected to play a major role in future energy supply, e.g., as an admixture gas in natural gas grids. Which impacts on residential and commercial gas appliances can be expected due to the significantly different physical and chemical properties of hydrogen-enriched natural gas? This paper analyses and discusses blends of hydrogen and natural gas from the perspective of combustion science. The admixture of hydrogen into natural gas changes the properties of the fuel gas. Depending on the combustion system, burner design and other boundary conditions, these changes may cause higher combustion temperatures and laminar combustion velocities, while changing flame positions and shapes are also to be expected. For appliances that are designed for natural gas, these effects may cause risk of flashback, reduced operational safety, material deterioration, higher nitrogen oxides emissions (NOx), and efficiency losses. Theoretical considerations and first measurements indicate that the effects of hydrogen admixture on combustion temperatures and the laminar combustion velocities are often largely mitigated by a shift towards higher air excess ratios in the absence of combustion control systems, but also that common combustion control technologies may be unable to react properly to the presence of hydrogen in the fuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Genetic diversity of livestock is vitally important as it enables the adaptation of future populations to changing environments. Therefore, preserving a sufficiently large genetic diversity is key. However, for many local cattle populations, little is known about their genetic diversity such as inbreeding level, effective size etc. We studied the genetic diversity of two local Belgian red cattle populations (Belgian Red and Belgian White Red cattle) using state-of-the-art genomic techniques. These tools assessed diversity at the population and individual level, and allowed the positioning of these two breeds in an international context of 52 other (European) cattle breeds. Accordingly, we contribute to the general knowledge of European red cattle, and more specifically we help the breeders, breed organization and the government to manage the genetic diversity of both breeds. Genetic diversity is increasingly important for researchers and society. Small and local populations deserve more attention especially, as they may harbor important characteristics. Moreover, small populations are at greater risk and their genetic management is often more challenging. Likewise, European red cattle populations are threatened, as they are outcompeted by more specialized cattle breeds. In this study, we investigate the genetic diversity of two local Belgian red cattle breeds: Belgian Red and Belgian White Red cattle. A total of 270 animals were genotyped via medium density SNP arrays. Genetic diversity was assessed using runs of homozygosity screening, effective population size estimation and Fst analyses. Genomic inbreeding coefficients based on runs of homozygosity were estimated at 7.0% for Belgian Red and 6.1% for Belgian White Red cattle, and both populations had a low effective population size (68 and 86, respectively). PCA, Fst and admixture analyses revealed the relationship to 52 other international breeds, where they were closest related to some Belgian, French, Scandinavian and Dutch breeds. Moreover, Fst analyses revealed for Belgian Red cattle a signature of selection on BTA6, adjacent to the KIT gene. This study gains important knowledge on the genetic diversity of these two small local red cattle breeds, and will aid in their (genetic) management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While recent advances in genetics make it possible to follow the genetic exchanges between populations and their phenotypic consequences, the impact of the genetic exchanges on the sensory perception of populations has yet to be explored. From this perspective, the present study investigated the consequences of African gene flow on odor perception in a Malagasy population with a predominantly East Asian genetic background. To this end, we combined psychophysical tests with genotype data of 235 individuals who were asked to smell the odorant molecule beta-ionone (βI). Results showed that in this population the ancestry of the OR5A1 gene significantly influences the ability to detect βI. At the individual level, African ancestry significantly protects against specific anosmia/hyposmia due to the higher frequency of the functional gene (OR ratios = 14, CI: 1.8–110, p-value = 0.012). At the population level, African introgression decreased the prevalence of specific anosmia/hyposmia to this odorous compound. Taken together, these findings validate the conjecture that in addition to cultural exchanges, genetic transfer may also influence the sensory perception of the population in contact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, we present new insights into the genetic diversity, differentiation, and structure of Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima of western Iberia and the Azores and Madeira islands and of B. macrocarpa from southern Portugal. B. macrocarpa occurs only in southern Portugal and frequently in sympatry with B. vulgaris subsp. maritima, showing genetic introgression. B. macrocarpa has a better-defined structure than B. vulgaris subsp. maritima, which has a high degree of admixture. A great differentiation (FST ranging from 0.277 to 0.184) was observed among the northern populations of B. vulgaris subsp. maritima. In contrast, only a small differentiation (FST ranging from 0.000 to 0.026) was detected among the southern B. vulgaris subsp. maritima populations. The inland B. vulgaris subsp. maritima populations ("RIO" and "VMT") are distinct from each other, which also occurs with the two islands' populations ("MAD" and "AZO"). The existence of two distinct Atlantic Sea currents can explain the fact that Madeira is related to the southern populations, while the Azores is related to the northern populations. We consider that understanding the relationships existing within Beta spp. is key to future genetic studies and for the establishment of conservation measures. Our results show that the southern coastal areas of Portugal should be considered as a potential site for in situ conservation of the beet wild relatives. Special attention is needed in what concerns B. macrocarpa because this is a rare species that also occurs in a sympatric relationship with B. vulgaris subsp. maritima. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A general imbalance in the proportion of disembarked males and females in the Americas has been documented during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and the Colonial Era and, although less prominent, more recently. This imbalance may have left a signature on the genomes of modern-day populations characterised by high levels of admixture. The analysis of the uniparental systems and the evaluation of continental proportion ratio of autosomal and X chromosomes revealed a general sex imbalance towards males for European and females for African and Indigenous American ancestries. However, the consistency and degree of this imbalance are variable, suggesting that other factors, such as cultural and social practices, may have played a role in shaping it. Moreover, very few investigations have evaluated the sex imbalance using haplotype data, containing more critical information than genotypes. Here, we analysed genome-wide data for more than 5000 admixed American individuals to assess the presence, direction and magnitude of sex-biased admixture in the Americas. For this purpose, we applied two haplotype-based approaches, ELAI and NNLS, and we compared them with a genotype-based method, ADMIXTURE. In doing so, besides a general agreement between methods, we unravelled that the post-colonial admixture dynamics show higher complexity than previously described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To adjust breeding programs for local, commercial, and fancy breeds, and to implement molecular (marker-assisted) breeding, a proper comprehension of phenotypic and genotypic variation is a sine qua non for breeding progress in animal production. Here, we investigated an evolutionary subdivision of domestic chickens based on their phenotypic and genotypic variability using a wide sample of 49 different breeds/populations. These represent a significant proportion of the global chicken gene pool and all major purposes of breed use (according to their traditional classification model), with many of them being characterized by a synthetic genetic structure and notable admixture. We assessed their phenotypic variability in terms of body weight, body measurements, and egg production. From this, we proposed a phenotypic clustering model (PCM) including six evolutionary lineages of breed formation: egg-type, meat-type, dual purpose (egg-meat and meat-egg), game, fancy, and Bantam. Estimation of genotypic variability was carried out using the analysis of five SNPs, i.e., at the level of genomic variation at the NCAPG-LCORL locus. Based on these data, two generally similar genotypic clustering models (GCM1 and GCM2) were inferred that also had several overlaps with PCM. Further research for SNPs associated with economically important traits can be instrumental in marker-assisted breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a study of the effect of water glass and its introduction on the hydration of Portland cement and its properties in plastic and solid states. The introduction of sodium water glass into the mixing water extends the setting time of Portland cement by 35%, while introduction into the cement paste reduces it by 24.4%; for potassium water glass, the respective values are 10.8% and 10.8%. The introduction of sodium water glass into the mixing water decreases its consistency by 17.6%; its introduction into the cement paste reduces its consistency by 97%. Based on microcalorimetric studies and using the modelling method, mechanisms of the processes occurring in the cement paste, for various methods of introducing water glass admixtures, and their influence on the properties of cement are proposed. The important implications of the obtained results are that, using various methods for introducing admixtures of water glass, it is possible to regulate the setting of cement slurries within significant limits that are important during their transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we assessed the level of genetic introgression between red foxes bred on fur farms in Poland and the native wild population. We also evaluated the impact of a geographic barrier and isolation by distance on gene flow between two isolated subpopulations of the native red fox and their genetic differentiation. Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA was collected from a total of 308 individuals (200 farm and 108 wild red foxes) to study non-native allele flow from farm into wild red fox populations. Genetic structure analyses performed using 24 autosomal microsatellites showed two genetic clusters as being the most probable number of distinct populations. No strong admixture signals between farm and wild red foxes were detected, and significant genetic differentiation was identified between the two groups. This was also apparent from the mtDNA analysis. None of the concatenated haplotypes detected in farm foxes was found in wild animals. The consequence of this was that the haplotype network displayed two genetically distinct groups: farm foxes were completely separated from native ones. Neither the River Vistula nor isolation by distance had a significant impact on gene flow between the separated wild red fox subpopulations. The results of our research indicate a low probability of genetic introgression between farm and native red foxes, and no threat to the genetic integrity of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The Iberian Peninsula is considered a reservoir of genetic diversity and the source for the recolonization of continental Europe by several mammal species, after the last glaciation period. Here, we intended to characterize the genetic patterns and origins of one of those species, the roe deer, through the analysis of different genetic markers, as there is a major knowledge gap about the species' populations at the western edge of roe deer distribution in the Iberian Peninsula. We found that western Iberia is a diversity hotspot for roe deer, with shared gene pools with other European and Iberian regions, but also with unique genetic elements, particularly the case of the relict population of Peneda Gerês National Park. Due to the distinct genetic diversity that was observed in western Iberian populations, we highlight the importance of these populations as sources of resilience against global changes. Our results provide useful information for the management and conservation of this species in the Iberian Peninsula. We advise transboundary management between Portugal and Spain as a rule, as well as careful evaluation of reintroduction actions, that should take in account the genetic data, in order to maintain the genetic heritage of roe deer in Europe. The roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is native and widespread in Europe and its phylogeography has been clarified in the last decades. Southern peninsulas are considered as reservoirs of genetic diversity and the source for the recolonization of Europe after the last glacial maximum. Even though roe deer populations have been genetically characterized, there is a major knowledge gap about the populations at the western edge of its distribution. To fill this caveat, and based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA data, we aim to: (i) characterize the genetic diversity and structure of roe deer in western Iberia; (ii) clarify the origins and phylogeographical affinities of these populations, namely the relict population from Peneda Gerês National Park (PNPG, Portugal) and the likely allochthonous populations from central and south (CS) Portugal; (iii) discuss the implications of our findings for the management and conservation of the roe deer. Three major genetic clusters were inferred based on nuclear genotypes and were structured in a similar way as the three major mtDNA clades present in Iberia. Patterns inferred with nuclear markers confirmed PNPG as a relict population. Roe deer from CS Portugal share haplotypes with Central Europe rather than with other western Iberian populations, confirming its mainly allochthonous origin. Our results highlight western Iberia as a diversity hotspot for roe deer. We highlight the role of intraspecific genetic diversity as a source of resilience against ongoing global changes; the need for transboundary management and the importance of genetic data to inform management and conservation. When considered, repopulation or translocation measures should follow the IUCN Law of Reintroductions and meticulously conducted in order to preserve the genetic heritage of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Genomic prognostic biomarkers play an important role in the application of precision medicine in patients with uveal melanoma (UM). In this study, we performed a pilot study to assess the impact of global and local genetic ancestry on the presence of these prognostic biomarkers. We found a trend for correlations between high risk biomarkers and European ancestry. These results highlight the need for a rigorous genetic ancestry methodology to study the role of ancestry in determining prognosis in patients with UM. Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common cancer of the eye and leads to metastatic death in up to half of patients. Genomic prognostic biomarkers play an important role in clinical management in UM. However, research has been conducted almost exclusively in patients of European descent, such that the association between genetic admixture and prognostic biomarkers is unknown. In this study, we compiled 1381 control genomes from West African, European, East Asian, and Native American individuals, assembled a bioinformatic pipeline for assessing global and local ancestry, and performed an initial pilot study of 141 UM patients from our international referral center that manages many admixed individuals. Global and local estimates were associated with genomic prognostic determinants. Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis was performed on variants found in segments. Globally, after correction for multiple testing, no prognostic variable was significantly enriched in a given ancestral group. However, there was a trend suggesting an increased proportion of European ancestry associated with expression of the PRAME oncogene (q = 0.06). Locally enriched European haplotypes were associated with the poor prognosis class 2 gene expression profile and with genes involved in immune regulation (q = 4.7 × 10−11). These findings reveal potential influences of genetic ancestry on prognostic variables, implicate immune genes in prognostic differences based on ancestry, and provide a basis for future studies of admixed patients with UM using rigorous genetic ancestry methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]