Profile of ectoparasites and biometric condition of snakehead (Channa striata Bloch 1793) collected from different habitats

Studies related to the comparison of ectoparasites that infect snakehead from different habitats and their relationship to biometric conditions have not been widely studied. Thus, present study aimed to investigate the prevalence, intensity, dominance, and predilection of ectoparasites on snakehead collected from ditches, paddy fields, and swamps and correlate them with biometric conditions. In total of 90 snakehead fish were collected from ditches, paddy fields, and swamps. The observation of ectoparasites was performed on the gills, fins, and skin. The parameters measured in this study were ectoparasite profiles and biometric condition of fish. Specifically, the parameters of the ectoparasite profile included prevalence, intensity, dominance, and predilection. Meanwhile, the parameters of the biometric conditions were the length-weight relationship, the distribution of length and weight classes, and condition factors. Five species of ectoparasites that have been identified as Tetrahymena sp., Epistylis sp., Trichodina sp., Dactylogyrus sp., and Gyrodactylus sp. Tetrahymena sp. infection in snakehead was reported for the first time. The ditch habitat had the highest prevalence and intensity, which were 76.7% and 15.4 ectoparasites/fish, respectively. Tetrahymena sp. and Epistylis sp. were detected in sneakhead from all habitats, Trichodina sp. was detected at ditch and paddy field habitats, whereas, Gyrodactylus sp. and Dactylogyrus sp. were only found in swamp habitats. The gill was the predilection organ that most vulnerable to ectoparasite infection. Infected Snakehead tend to have lower average weight and length than healthy snakehead. Snakehead with a weight range of 115.2-145.2 g and a length range of 258.5-268.5 mm tend to be more vulnerable to ectoparasite infection compared to other sizes.Keywords:Tetrahymena sp.PrevalenceIntensityPredilectionLength-weight relationship

DANSR: A Tool for the Detection of Annotated and Novel Small RNAs

Existing small noncoding RNA analysis tools are optimized for processing short sequencing reads (17–35 nucleotides) to monitor microRNA expression. However, these strategies under-represent many biologically relevant classes of small noncoding RNAs in the 36–200 nucleotides length range (tRNAs, snoRNAs, etc.). To address this, we developed DANSR, a tool for the detection of annotated and novel small RNAs using sequencing reads with variable lengths (ranging from 17–200 nt). While DANSR is broadly applicable to any small RNA dataset, we applied it to a cohort of matched normal, primary, and distant metastatic colorectal cancer specimens to demonstrate its ability to quantify annotated small RNAs, discover novel genes, and calculate differential expression. DANSR is available as an open source tool.

Neglected Very Long-Chain Hydrocarbons and the Incorporation of Body Surface Area Metrics Reveal Novel Perspectives for Cuticular Profile Analysis in Insects

Most of our knowledge on insect cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) stems from analytical techniques based on gas-chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). However, this method has its limits under standard conditions, particularly in detecting compounds beyond a chain length of around C40. Here, we compare the CHC chain length range detectable by GC-MS with the range assessed by silver-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (Ag-LDI-MS), a novel and rarely applied technique on insect CHCs, in seven species of the order Blattodea. For all tested species, we unveiled a considerable range of very long-chain CHCs up to C58, which are not detectable by standard GC-MS technology. This indicates that general studies on insect CHCs may frequently miss compounds in this range, and we encourage future studies to implement analytical techniques extending the conventionally accessed chain length range. Furthermore, we incorporate 3D scanned insect body surface areas as an additional factor for the comparative quantification of extracted CHC amounts between our study species. CHC quantity distributions differed considerably when adjusted for body surface areas as opposed to directly assessing extracted CHC amounts, suggesting that a more accurate evaluation of relative CHC quantities can be achieved by taking body surface areas into account.

Corporate Tax Planning: Impact of COVID-19 and Transfer Pricing: Approaches for Comparability Adjustments

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has varied significantly across market sectors and companies, and the disruptions generated by the pandemic have had major implications for the transfer-pricing practices of many multinationals. The COVID-19 crisis has challenged the efficiency of traditional benchmarking of profit margins and markups on the basis of the profitability of comparable companies. In this article, we provide a framework for addressing two key questions: (1) how to ensure that the data used for setting or testing transfer-pricing results are appropriate in terms of comparability and that they adequately reflect economic reality for the tested party; and (2) what adjustments need to be made if the tested party's results fall below the arm's-length range. Given the extraordinary circumstances, we cannot rely on a simple analysis of historical data to adjust for the impact faced by businesses as a result of COVID-19. For example, in situations where the taxpayer's results have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to a greater extent than the results of comparable companies, the approaches outlined in this article will provide the taxpayer with an estimated arm's-length range of profitability for the comparable companies that is calibrated to the impact of the pandemic on the tested party's results. These approaches are aligned with the transfer-pricing guidance for COVID-19 adjustments issued by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in December 2020.

Preferensi Habitat Ikan Gabus [Channa striata (Bloch 1793)] di Perairan Rawa Aopa, Sulawesi Tenggara

The use of habitat by fish is closely related to efforts to find the best conditions for the survival of these fish. This study aims to analyze the habitat preferences of Striped snakehead in Rawa Aopa waters, Southeast Sulawesi. This research was conducted from November 2018 to February 2019 in the waters of Swamp Aopa Southeast Sulawesi. Fish collection using traps. The constancy and fidelity index determined the preference of striped snakehead for habitat type. A total of 1024 striped snakehead fish were caught during the study with a length range of 200,0-420,0 mm and 69,0-596,0 g weight. Striped snakehead measuring 200-367 mm were consistent in occupying habitats with a slightly dense to dense water plant density, while sizes 368-388 and 389-430 mm were consistent in habitats with sparse water plant density. The preference level of striped snakehead fish size 389-430 mm to habitats with rare aquatic plants is very high (Fij = 6). Therefore, the size can be used as an indicator of habitats with the rare aquatic plant category. The preference for 200-367 mm striped snakehead fish in dense aquatic plant habitats indicates that these habitats are foraging, growing, and protective zones. Keywords: Channa striata, fish habitat, Rawa Aopa, Southeast Sulawesi, stripe snakehead

Stimuli for Adaptations in Muscle Length and the Length Range of Active Force Exertion—A Narrative Review

Treatment strategies and training regimens, which induce longitudinal muscle growth and increase the muscles’ length range of active force exertion, are important to improve muscle function and to reduce muscle strain injuries in clinical populations and in athletes with limited muscle extensibility. Animal studies have shown several specific loading strategies resulting in longitudinal muscle fiber growth by addition of sarcomeres in series. Currently, such strategies are also applied to humans in order to induce similar adaptations. However, there is no clear scientific evidence that specific strategies result in longitudinal growth of human muscles. Therefore, the question remains what triggers longitudinal muscle growth in humans. The aim of this review was to identify strategies that induce longitudinal human muscle growth. For this purpose, literature was reviewed and summarized with regard to the following topics: (1) Key determinants of typical muscle length and the length range of active force exertion; (2) Information on typical muscle growth and the effects of mechanical loading on growth and adaptation of muscle and tendinous tissues in healthy animals and humans; (3) The current knowledge and research gaps on the regulation of longitudinal muscle growth; and (4) Potential strategies to induce longitudinal muscle growth. The following potential strategies and important aspects that may positively affect longitudinal muscle growth were deduced: (1) Muscle length at which the loading is performed seems to be decisive, i.e., greater elongations after active or passive mechanical loading at long muscle length are expected; (2) Concentric, isometric and eccentric exercises may induce longitudinal muscle growth by stimulating different muscular adaptations (i.e., increases in fiber cross-sectional area and/or fiber length). Mechanical loading intensity also plays an important role. All three training strategies may increase tendon stiffness, but whether and how these changes may influence muscle growth remains to be elucidated. (3) The approach to combine stretching with activation seems promising (e.g., static stretching and electrical stimulation, loaded inter-set stretching) and warrants further research. Finally, our work shows the need for detailed investigation of the mechanisms of growth of pennate muscles, as those may longitudinally grow by both trophy and addition of sarcomeres in series.

Length distribution, gonad maturity level, and catchable size of fish caught around FADs in Ternate Sea

Pelagic fishery business in Ternate Sea are mainly based on FADs fishing operations. Increase of intensive fishing activities will also increase the pressures on local pelagic fish resources of Ternate Sea in the future. So far, there has been limited scientific information related to the fish caught by local fishers. The aim of the study was to investigate length distribution, gonad maturity level (GML), and catchable size of fishes caught around FADs. The research was conducted in August 2020 in Ternate. The research method was a survey research by collecting samples of fish caught from gill nets and hand lines for total 30 fishing trips. The study results showed that the catch consisted of mackerel scads and yellow scads. The mackerel scads caught by gill nets were between 13-26 cm in size and dominated by the 19-20 cm size class, while fishes sizes caught by hand line were between 14-27 cm which were dominated by the 18-19 cm size class. Yellow scads caught with both gill nets and handlines showed the same length range of 12-23 cm, which was dominated by the size class of 18-19 cm. Mackerel scads caught with gill nets and handlines were dominated by fish in GML II (47%) followed by GML III (32%). GML of yellow scads caught with gill nets was dominated by GML III by 75%, while for fishes caught by hand line the percentage of GML III is 68%. The mackerel scads caught with gill nets and handlines were dominated by the non-catchable size category (100% for gill nets and 98.79% for handlines). On the other hand, all yellow scads caught with both gill nets and handlines are entirely (100%) of catchable size.

Catch Pattern for Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) of Different Commercial Trawls in Similar Times and Overlapping Fishing Grounds

Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) is harvested using different design midwater trawls. Knowing the selective properties between trawls is crucial information for the management of the krill resources. This study compared the catch patterns between different commercial krill trawls at similar times and overlapping fishing grounds based on scientific data collected by scientific observers onboard commercial trawlers Long Teng (LT) and Fu Rong Hai (FRH). The results showed significant differences in the length-dependent catch densities and cumulative catch densities of krill between the two trawls. The krill length range in catches from LT's trawl was wider than that of FRH's trawl. Furthermore, the catch would consist of a larger proportion of smaller krill in the LT's trawl. The LT's trawl caught significantly higher proportions of krill below 38 mm than FRH's trawl. Even, the LT's trawl caught substantial numbers of krill <30 mm, whereas the FRH's trawl caught very few of them. The main factors causing the difference between trawls in catch pattern were inferred to be related to gear design including differences in mesh sizes used. The results of this study enhance the quality of comparative analysis of scientific data from commercial trawls and the understanding of gear selectivity of different configuration trawls used for harvesting krill.