The ring expansion and homologation of the biomass derivative Cyrene (6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1] octan-4-one) has been developed by Lewis-acid promoted reactions with ethyl diazoacetate. Insertion into the C3–C4 bond gave a ring-expanded β-ketoester regioisomer as an equilibrating mixture of diastereomers, which was subjected to a one-pot hydrolysis and decarboxylation to give the 7,9-dioxabicyclo[4.2.1]nonan-5-one system (homocyrene). The reactivity of homocyrene was then investigated in a series of transformations known for the parent 6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1] octan-4-one system, including the Baeyer–Villiger oxidation affording S-6-(hydroxymethyl)pyran2-one, which has been used for the synthesis of jasmine lactone, and another one-carbon ring expansion. The ring-expansion process for Cyrene could be used to prepare chiral C6 and C7 synthons on scale from biomass.

To identify the genetic determinants of domestication and productivity of Asian water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis), 470 genomes of domesticated river and swamp buffaloes along with their putative ancestors, the wild water buffaloes (Bubalus arnee) are sequenced and integrated. The swamp buffaloes inherit the morphology of the wild buffaloes. In contrast, most river buffaloes are unique in their morphology, but their genomes cluster with the wild buffaloes. The levels of genomic diversity in Italian river and Indonesian swamp buffaloes decrease at opposite extremes of their distribution range. Purifying selection prevented the accumulation of harmful loss-of-function variants in the Indonesian buffaloes. Genes that evolved rapidly (e.g., GKAP1) following differential selections in the river and swamp buffaloes are involved in their reproduction. Genes related to milk production (e.g., CSN2) and coat color (e.g., MC1R) underwent strong selections in the dairy river buffaloes via soft and hard selective sweeps, respectively. The selective sweeps and single-cell RNA-seq data revealed the luminal cells as the key cell type in response to artificial selection for milk production of the dairy buffaloes. These findings show how artificial selection has been driving the evolutionary divergence and genetic differentiation in morphology and productivity of Asian water buffaloes.

Background COVID-19 caused a signifcant impact on food security; particularly among low- and middle-income countries. The objective of the current study was to assess both the direct and indirect impact of COVID-19 on individuals’ food security in the metropolitan and regional context of Ethiopia.

Methods This project utilized a retrospective study design with a mixed methods approach. It assessed the food insecurity experience of individuals both before and after the emergence of COVID-19 through the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). Food sellers were interviewed to identify the factors that increased post-COVID-19 emergence food insecurity. Inferential analysis using ordinal logistic regression was undertaken based on the Polytomous Universal Model (PLUM) procedure.

Results The size of the family and the type of work for income generation were statistically associated (p<0.05) with the food security of individuals, both before and after COVID-19 emergence. Location (p=0.002, odds=0.37), age (p=0.002, odds=2.57) and educational status (p=0.001, odds=0.24/) of individuals had a statistically signifcant efect on the food security of individuals before COVID-19 emergence only. The ordinal value of all FIES indicators increased after COVID-19 emergence compared with pre-pandemic food insecurity. Overall food security of individuals was reduced by 21.5%, with the moderate and severe food insecurity of individuals increasing by 13.1% and 15.9%, respectively. The COVID-19 preventive measures that afected the individuals’ food security, in the order of their priority, were: transport bans; food price increment; lockdown measures; job loss; market bans; social distance restrictions; fear of the pandemic; movement restrictions; over-buying; food inaccessibility; and, lack of cash due to bank closure. In addition, pre-existing non-pandemic related natural and man-made disasters played a role in the food security crisis, including drought, war, and desert locust emergence.

Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has directly and indirectly affected individuals’ food security. Learning from the experiences of COVID-19 may assist governments in preparing for future pandemics. Suggested improvements include forming impact reduction task forces and establishing disease prevention strategies that will not compromise food security.

The objective of this study was to identify the indirect impact of COVID-19 on the food safety of individuals potentially experiencing a food security crisis. Structured food safety questions were formed for the food safety practice assessment and standardized ‘Food Insecurity Experience Scale’ questions were used to assess individuals’ food insecurity experience. The food safety items were taken as dependent variables (effect to be tested), and the food insecurity items were taken as independent variables (the cause that determines the impact). Ordinal logistic regression using the Polytomous Universal Model (PLUM) was used for inferential analysis. Demographic variables (location, level of education, living arrangements/family size, and type of work for income generation) were significantly associated (p<.05) with both the food safety practice and food insecurity experience of individuals before the pandemic’s occurrence. However, no statistically significant association was observed between demographic characteristics and the food safety practices and food insecurity experience of individuals post the emergence of COVID-19. COVID-19 and its infection prevention measures improved the food safety practices of individuals and negatively impacted their food security experience, with no indirect impact on food safety due to their food security crisis was identified by this study. COVID-19 has improved the food safety practices of individuals, yet detrimentally impacted their food security. As a result, encouraging the sustainability of optimal food safety practices, planning and implementing food security resilience strategies, establishing emergency preparedness taskforces, taking lessons from COVID-19, and being prepared for future pandemics are recommended.