Genomic analysis links the American mink Royal pastel coat phenotype to retroviral element type 1 insertion in the HPS3 gene.

To date, only 10 of the more than 30 fur colours that had been observed in American mink (Neogale vison) have been linked to specific genes. The Royal pastel fur colour is part of a large family of brownish colours that are quite similar to one another, making breeding and selecting processes more difficult. Here we carried out whole-genome sequencing of five American minks with Royal pastel (b/b) phenotypes originating from two distinct mink populations. We identified an insertion of endogenous retroviral element type 1 (ERV1) into the first intron of the gene encoding the HPS3 protein, which regulates the trafficking of tyrosinase-containing vesicles to maturing melanosomes. With Cas9-targeted nanopore sequencing, we reconstructed the full-length sequence of the 11.7 Kb ERV1 insertion and observed hypermethylation that spread to the HPS3 gene promoter region. These findings highlight the role of HPS3 in the formation of melanosomes and melanin, as well as the genetic process regulating the intensity and spectrum of hair colour. Moreover, in mink breeding projects, these data are also useful for tracking economically important fur qualities.

Effects on Metallization of n+-Poly-Si Layer for N-Type Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact Solar Cells.

Thin polysilicon (poly-Si)-based passivating contacts can reduce parasitic absorption and the cost of n-TOPCon solar cells. Herein, n+-poly-Si layers with thicknesses of 30~100 nm were fabricated by low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) to create passivating contacts. We investigated the effect of n+-poly-Si layer thickness on the microstructure of the metallization contact formation, passivation, and electronic performance of n-TOPCon solar cells. The thickness of the poly-Si layer significantly affected the passivation of metallization-induced recombination under the metal contact (J0,metal) and the contact resistivity (ρc) of the cells. However, it had a minimal impact on the short-circuit current density (Jsc), which was primarily associated with corroded silver (Ag) at depths of the n+-poly-Si layer exceeding 40 nm. We introduced a thin n+-poly-Si layer with a thickness of 70 nm and a surface concentration of 5 × 1020 atoms/cm3. This layer can meet the requirements for low J0,metal and ρc values, leading to an increase in conversion efficiency of 25.65%. This optimized process of depositing a phosphorus-doped poly-Si layer can be commercially applied in photovoltaics to reduce processing times and lower costs.

Mixed-mode Zentangle and Pastel Nagomi artwork for improving mental well-being in university students during COVID-19 pandemic - a randomized controlled feasibility trial.

Background: University students are identified as a high-risk group for mental health problems. Artworks have been found effective in enhancing individuals' mental well-being in different populations, but none have been conducted on university students. This study was to address this research gap to determine the feasibility and estimate the preliminary effects of Zentangle and Pastel Nagomi on the mental well-being of undergraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: This was a 3-arm randomized controlled trial, with 33 undergraduates allocated to two 8-week artworks (Zentangle or Pastel Nagomi Art group) and a control group. Data were collected at baseline, and weeks 4, 6, 8, and 12. Focus group interviews were conducted at the 12-week follow-up. Results: The consent and attrition rates were 80.5 and 6.06%, respectively. The attendance rate ranged from 83.3 to 100%. Compared with the control group, the Pastel Nagomi art group had a significant improvement in retaining positive affect at week 6. This retention could be further observed at week 12. Moreover, the Zentangle group had a significant increase in positive affect at week 4, with better retention at week 12. In addition, the within-group analyses showed that the Pastel Nagomi art group had significantly decreased negative affect at weeks 6 and week 12; and the Zentangle group had significantly decreased depression at week 8. The qualitative findings suggested that the intervention resulted in the participants enjoying the artwork process, and being proud of their artwork and personal growth. Limitation: The study included an imbalance number of online vs. face-to-face sessions, and repeated measures may have affected the results. Conclusion: The study suggests that both artworks are effective in improving undergraduates' mental well-being and that it is feasible to conduct future large-scale studies (263 words).

Production of enriched cakes by apple pulp and peel powder and evaluation of chemical, functional and textural properties / Producción de pasteles enriquecidos por pulpa de manzana y cáscara en polvo y evaluación de propiedades químicas, funcionales y texturales

Background: Apple pomace is a by-product of the fruit juice industry and comprises peel, seed, stem, and pulp tissues. This by-product contains dietary fibers, polyphenols, vitamins, and organic acids that can benefit human health and have a high potential as a dietary source. Baked products are well-known food types to humans and have a key role in feeding people worldwide. Nowadays, enriched products such as bread, cakes, and biscuits are available in stores. Different studies worldwide have been done about applying the by-products of the fruit juice industry in the bakery. Objective: This research aimed to evaluate apple peel (APE) and pulp (APU) powders separately as a partial substitute for wheat flour in cake production. Methods: Apple peel and pulp separately produced as the residual wastes of juicing were dried for 3 hours in oven (60°C). The dried pulp and peel were ground and sieved using a 60 µm mesh. In this research, chemical and physicochemical analyses were performed according to AACC (Approved Methods of the American Association of Cereal Chemists) and standard food analysis methods. Textural characteristic was analyzed by a texture analyzer (Brookfield CT3-10 Kg, US) equipped with an aluminum probe. Results: Different levels of APE and APU powders (10%, 20%, and 30 %) were used to enrich the cakes. The ash content, fat content, water adsorption capacity, and oil absorption capacity of the wheat flour were lower than APU and APE, whereas the moisture content, protein content, bulk density, and pH showed a reverse trend. Adding APU and APP to the cake formula increased total dietary fiber (TDF) from 4.14 % in the control sample to 27.71 % in the sample with 30 % apple peel powder (APE-30). The highest a* colorimetric parameter (redness) in the cake core was 3.82 in the APE-30 sample. The addition of APE and APU significantly increased the hardness, gumminess, and chewiness of the samples (p<0.05). APE-10 samples could improve the nutritional properties of the cakes without significant reduction (p>0.05) in overall acceptance compared to the control sample. Conclusion: The results of this research demonstrated that a partial replacement of the wheat flour with apple pulp and peel significantly increased the dietary fibers, especially insoluble dietary fiber, compared to the control sample. Apple pulp and apple peel powders had the potential for use in cake making as a good source of dietary fibers

Antecedentes: la pulpa de manzana es un subproducto de la industria del jugo de frutas y se compone de tejidos de cáscara, semillas, tallo y pulpa. Este subproducto contiene fibra dietética, polifenoles, vitaminas y ácidos orgánicos que pueden ser beneficiosos para la salud humana y tienen un alto potencial como fuente dietética. Los productos horneados son de tipos de alimentos bien conocidos para los seres humanos y son clave en la alimentación de las personas de todo el mundo. Hoy en día, los productos enriquecidos como pan, pasteles y galletas están disponibles en las tiendas. Se han hecho diferentes estudios en todo el mundo sobre la aplicación del subproducto de la industria del jugo de frutas en la panadería. Objetivo: El propósito de esta investigación fue evaluar los polvos de cáscara de manzana (APE) y pulpa (APU) como sustituto parcial de la harina de trigo en la producción de pasteles. Métodos: Cáscaras de manzana y pulpa producidas por separado como desechos residuales de jugos, se secaron durante 3 horas en el horno (60 °C). La pulpa seca y la cáscara fueron molidas y tamizadas usando una malla de 60 micras. En esta investigación el análisis químico y físico-químico realizado de acuerdo con el AACC (Aprobado Métodos de la Asociación Americana de Químicos del Cereales) y los métodos estándar de análisis de alimentos. La característica textural fue analizada por el analizador de textura (Brookfield CT3-10 Kg, US) equipado con una sonda de aluminio. Resultados: Se utilizaron diferentes niveles de polvos APE y APU (10, 20 and 30 %) para enriquecer los pasteles. La capacidad de absorción de ceniza, grasa, agua y aceite de la harina de trigo fue menor que la APU y APE, mientras que la humedad, la proteína, la densidad a granel y el pH mostraron una tendencia inversa. Además, APU y APE en fórmula de pastel, aumentaron la fibra dietética total (TDF) de 4.14 % en la muestra de control a 27.71 % en la muestra con un 30 % de polvo de pelar de manzana (APE-30). El parámetro más alto a* colorimétrico en núcleo de pastel fue de 3.82 (enrojecimiento) en la muestra APE-30. La adición de APE y APU aumentó significativamente la dureza, gomosidad y masticabilidad de las muestras (p<0.05). Las muestras de APE-10 podrían mejorar las propiedades nutricionales de los pasteles sin reducción significativa (P<0.05) en aceptación general, en comparación con la muestra de control. Conclusión: Los resultados de este estudio demostraron que un reemplazo parcial de la harina de trigo por pulpa de manzana y cáscara aumentó significativamente la fibra dietética especialmente la insoluble, cuando se compara con la muestra de control. La pulpa en polvo y la cáscara de manzana tienen el potencial de uso en la fabricación de pasteles como una buena fuente de fibra dietética.

Genome Analysis of Sable Fur Color Links a Lightened Pigmentation Phenotype to a Frameshift Variant in the Tyrosinase-Related Protein 1 Gene.

Sable (Martes zibellina) is one of the most valuable species of fur animals. Wild-type sable fur color varies from sandy-yellow to black. Farm breeding and 90 years of directional selection have resulted in a generation of several sable breeds with a completely black coat color. In 2005, an unusually chocolate (pastel) puppy was born in the Puschkinsky State Fur Farm (Russia). We established that the pastel phenotype was inherited as a Mendelian autosomal recessive trait. We performed whole-genome sequencing of the sables with pastel fur color and identified a frameshift variant in the gene encoding membrane-bound tyrosinase-like enzyme (TYRP1). TYRP1 is involved in the stability of the tyrosinase enzyme and participates in the synthesis of eumelanin. These data represent the first reported variant linked to fur color in sables and reveal the molecular genetic basis for pastel color pigmentation. These data are also useful for tracking economically valuable fur traits in sable breeding programs.