Market Efficiency of Euro Exchange Rates and Trading Strategies

This paper tests the hypothesis on market efficiency for returns on the euro against fifteen currencies while assuming predictability of returns, dependent on the sign and magnitude of endogenous shocks. Considering the properties of exchange rate returns, the quantile autoregression approach was selected in empirical analysis. Based on the research data sample, consisting of daily exchange rates between January first, 1999, and April thirty, 2020, the paper suggests profitable trading strategies depending on a currency pair. In the case of six out of fifteen currency pairs, exchange rate returns were found non-predictable or almost non-predictable. In the case of nine considered currency pairs, there was a significant linkage between current and past exchange rate returns, found as dependent on the sign and magnitude of endogenous shocks in exchange rate returns. Finally, the paper considered possible factors of inefficiency and suggested further research of the topic.

GWAS revealed effect of genotype × environment interactions for grain yield of Nebraska winter wheat

Background Improving grain yield in cereals especially in wheat is a main objective for plant breeders. One of the main constrains for improving this trait is the G × E interaction (GEI) which affects the performance of wheat genotypes in different environments. Selecting high yielding genotypes that can be used for a target set of environments is needed. Phenotypic selection can be misleading due to the environmental conditions. Incorporating information from phenotypic and genomic analyses can be useful in selecting the higher yielding genotypes for a group of environments. Results A set of 270 F3:6 wheat genotypes in the Nebraska winter wheat breeding program was tested for grain yield in nine environments. High genetic variation for grain yield was found among the genotypes. G × E interaction was also highly significant. The highest yielding genotype differed in each environment. The correlation for grain yield among the nine environments was low (0 to 0.43). Genome-wide association study revealed 70 marker traits association (MTAs) associated with increased grain yield. The analysis of linkage disequilibrium revealed 16 genomic regions with a highly significant linkage disequilibrium (LD). The candidate parents’ genotypes for improving grain yield in a group of environments were selected based on three criteria; number of alleles associated with increased grain yield in each selected genotype, genetic distance among the selected genotypes, and number of different alleles between each two selected parents. Conclusion Although G × E interaction was present, the advances in DNA technology provided very useful tools and analyzes. Such features helped to genetically select the highest yielding genotypes that can be used to cross grain production in a group of environments.

Cross-species testing of nuclear markers in Pelophylax water frogs in Greece and examination of their power to detect genetic admixture

The genus Pelophylax has been considered a model organism for understanding hybridization. Despite being the most diverse within the Western Palearctic group of Pelophylax, the ridibundus/bedriagae lineage that includes six species, remains largely understudied, revealing many knowledge gaps in regards to their evolution and conservation. Using genetic data from populations among species inhabiting contact zones could prove vital in filling these gaps. We tested 17 microsatellite markers for cross-species amplification in mainland Pelophylax species distributed in southern Balkans and evaluated their power to successfully detect population/species structure. Importantly, we examined their potential for identifying hybrids and backcrosses between known hybridized species. We detected 12 highly polymorphic loci that cross-amplified all species that showed no significant Linkage Disequilibrium and were able to discriminate among species and between parental and hybrids. We suggest their future use in genetic studies for the genus Pelophylax in Greece, including the identification of contact zones.

Dependence of pigment content in meadow clover leaves on soil phosphorus level

In 2018-2019, the effect of different levels of soil phosphorus on the pigment complex of the clover (Trifolium pratense L.) leaves was assessed. Total chlorophyll content was 15.34-19.05 and 11.47-14.10 mg g- 1 dry matter, of which Chl a accounted for 9.64-11.36 and 6.67-7.98 mg g-1 (2018 and 2019 respectively). Carotenoids content varied within 2.69-3.12 and 1.52-1.88 mg g-1 in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Weight ratio of total chlorophyll/carotinoids (5.7-6.7 in 2018 and 6.8-9.6 in 2019) gives the grounds to consider that there was not disorders in structure of the pigment complexes of leaves in both year. There were statistically significant linkage of level of soil phosphorus with Chl a (r = 0.536-0.743) and Chl b (r = 0.725-0.748) in cooler conditions of 2019. In wormer 2018, these links were insignificant (Chl a = -0.146 to -0.286 and Chl b = -0.257 to -0.275). Correlation between phosphorus content in soil and carotenoids content in leaves was insignificant in all cases. Chl pigments showed a polynomial second order relationship with level of soil phosphorus. In 2019, these relations was statistically significant at p ≤ 0.05 (R2 = 0.68-0.76) for both chlorophylls. Under conditions of 2018 these relations was insignificant (R2 = 0.10-0.43).

A Relationship between Natural Disaster and Poverty

This paper aims to discuss the impact of a disaster on the lives and livelihood and how it contributes to poverty. For this purpose, two major disasters in recent history were taken as reference. The common approach in defining and measuring poverty is the monetary approach; often disaster has seen only a matter of humanitarian importance. Nepal as a prone to different kinds of natural disasters has a significant impact on lives and livelihood as well. Despite this fact, poverty is narrowly defined. As there is a significant linkage between disaster risk and poverty, the poverty-related discussions must incorporate the impact and risk of disaster while formulating poverty reduction related policies.

Development and characterization of five microsatellite loci for the hard tick Hyalomma marginatum (Acari: Ixodidae), through next generation sequencing

Hyalomma marginatum is a hard tick species of medical and veterinary importance that is widely distributed throughout Turkey. In this study, five novel polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated and developed from partial genome information using the Hiseq Illumina paired end technology. A total of 20,943,321 reads were obtained from vegetation collected specimens, 103 primer pairs were randomly selected for the analysis and 62 of them were tested for polymorphism. Seventy five specimens from nine different localities of Turkey were genotyped. Markers for selected loci were tested using labeled primers on capillary electrophoresis. Five loci were successfully scored and used to analyze genetic diversity. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 4 to 7, with an average of 5.4 alleles per locus. The average observed and expected heterozygosity values were 0.314 and 0.468, respectively. Two loci deviated significantly from Hardy-Weinberg expectations. No significant linkage disequilibrium was detected between loci. This study is the first attempt to generate genome sequence data and to develop SSR markers for H. marginatum. These markers will be useful to understand the taxonomic status of this vector, its population dynamics, and spatial distributions as well as mechanisms underlying Crimean Congo Heamorrhagic Fever transmission and the development and implementation of well-designed prevention strategies.

Variants in RETN gene are associated with Steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head risk among Han Chinese People

Introduction Gene polymorhisms has an important influence on RETN gene expression level, and the increased level of resistin encoded in RETN will lead to metabolic disorder, especially lipid metabolism. Moreover, steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (steroid-induced ONFH) is closely related to lipid metabolism level, so this study aims to explore the association of RETN Polymorphisms with susceptibility to steroid-induced ONFH in the Chinese Han Population.Methods In this case-control study, eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of RETN were genotyped by Agena MassARRAY system in 199 steroid-induced ONFH patients and 200 healthy controls. The association between RETN polymorphisms and steroid-induced ONFH risk was evaluated using genetic models and haplotype analyses. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by logistic regression adjusted for age.Results We found significant differences in the distribution of HDL-C, TG/HDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C between the patients and the control group (p < 0.05). In allele model and genotype model analysis, rs34861192, rs3219175, rs3745368 and rs1477341 could reduce the risk of steroid-induced ONFH. Further stratified analysis showed that rs3745367 was related to the clinical stage of patients, and rs1477341 was significantly correlated with an increased TG level and a decreased TC/ HDL-C level. The Linkage analysis showed that three SNPs (rs34861192, rs3219175) in RETN even significant linkage disequilibrium.Conclusions Our results provide the firstly evidence that RETN gene polymorphisms were associated with a reduced risk of steroid-induced ONFH in Chinese Han Population.

A multilocus sequence typing scheme of Pseudomonas putida for clinical and environmental isolates

Pseudomonas putida is a bacterium commonly found in soils, water and plants. Although P. putida group strains are considered to have low virulence, several nosocomial isolates with carbapenem- or multidrug-resistance have recently been reported. In the present study, we developed a multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme for P. putida. MLST loci and primers were selected and designed using the genomic information of 86 clinical isolates sequenced in this study as well as the sequences of 20 isolates previously reported. The genomes were categorised into 68 sequence types (STs). Significant linkage disequilibrium was detected for the 68 STs, indicating that the P. putida isolates are clonal. The MLST tree was similar to the haplotype network tree based on single nucleotide morphisms, demonstrating that our MLST scheme reflects the genetic diversity of P. putida group isolated from both clinical and environmental sites.

Polymorphisms rs693421 and rs2499601 at locus 1q43 and their haplotypes are not associated with primary open-angle glaucoma: a case-control study

Objective: The genetic spectrum of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in middle-eastern Saudi's is still elusive. To this end, we investigated an association between rs693421, rs2499601 and their haplotypes at chromosome 1q43 locus with POAG and its clinical phenotypes. Genotyping was performed with TaqMan® assays. Haplotypes and their interaction analysis were carried out by SHEsis and SNPStats online tools. Results: The minor “T” allele frequency of rs693421 was 0.48 in controls and 0.52 in cases (odds ratio (OR)=1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.85–1.54, p=0.368). Similarly, for rs2499601, the minor “C” allele frequency was 0.49 in controls as compared to 0.53 in cases (OR=1.19, 95% CI=0.89–1.60, p=0.236). Besides, genotype distribution for both these polymorphisms was also not significant in additive, dominant and recessive models. rs693421 and rs2499601, showed significant linkage disequilibrium (D’ statistics = 0.69, p<0.001) but haplotype association was non-significant (p=0.698). The significance did not vary after adjustment to age and sex. No significant genotype association was observed with intraocular pressure, cup/disc ratio and number of anti-glaucoma medication in POAG group. Furthermore, age, sex and genotypes did not contribute any significant risk of POAG in regression analysis. We report no association between rs693421, rs2499601 and their haplotypes with POAG and related phenotypes.