Comparative study on the phenology, gender and yield components of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) varieties

The intensity of sex expression is important in crops, including cucumber, since sex form and flowering have direct effects on date of harvesting and yield. Two groups of cucumber comprising a native variety (Odukpani) and elite varieties (Griffaton, Poinsett, Ashley, Marketmore and Monarch) were evaluated in 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons at the Teaching and Research Farm, College of Agriculture, Garkawa, Plateau State; to assess flowering, sex expression and some yield traits. The experimental design was randomized complete block design with the 6 cucumber varieties as the treatments, replicated five times. The two groups differed significantly (p < 0.05) in phonological, flowering and yield traits assessed. The elite varieties were superior with respect to flowering traits, as they flowered early. The intra-population hierarchical cluster analysis of quantitative traits grouped the elite varieties in one main cluster and the native variety (Odukpani) alienated as an outlier. The cluster plots showed that Odukpani was robust in vegetative growth, produced few but larger fruit size and flowering was delayed for over two weeks. Conversely, the elite varieties flowered early, produced more flowers and recorded superior number of fruits per plant. The profuse production of pistillate flowers by the elite varieties had pronounced yield advantage over the local variety. Hybridization between the two groups of cucumber would make a mark in the drive for sustainable cucumber fruit yield.

Software implementation of the main cluster analysis tools

This article discusses an approach to creating a complex of programs for the implementation of cluster analysis methods. A number of cluster analysis tools for processing the initial data set and their software implementation are analyzed, as well as the complexity of the application of cluster data analysis. An approach to data is generalized from the point of view of factual material that supplies information for the problem under study and is the basis for discussion, analysis and decision-making. Cluster analysis is a procedure that combines objects or variables into groups based on a given rule. The work provides a grouping of multivariate data using proximity measures such as sample correlation coefficient and its module, cosine of the angle between vectors and Euclidean distance. The authors proposed a method for grouping by centers, by the nearest neighbor and by selected standards. The results can be used by analysts in the process of creating a data analysis structure and will improve the efficiency of clustering algorithms. The practical significance of the results of the application of the developed algorithms is expressed in the software package created by means of the C ++ language in the VS environment.

Auction Application for Beringkit Animal Traditional Market Based on Android

Beringkit Animal Market is one of the large traditional animal markets in Bali which is famous for selling superior cows. In addition to selling superior cows, Beringkit Animal Market also sells dogs and various types of poultry such as chickens, ducks and roosters. However, in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak, traditional markets are considered as the main cluster for the spread of COVID-19 due to the large number of interactions between buyers and traders. The implementation of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) has resulted in a lack of income for traders at the Beringkit Animal Market. This study aims to design an Android-based online animal auction application as a medium for buying and selling animals to minimize physical interaction between buyers and traders, the online auction transaction process is chosen because the auction transaction process can bring together traders and buyers in the same online media and make offers up to reach the highest agreed price. The research method applied is the DSRM method or Design Security Research Method, application development uses Android Studio to develop mobile applications, and uses Visual Studio Code to develop web-based systems. Data storage and web server management in this study using MySQL and Laravel. The results of this study are in the form of an Android-based animal auction application that can be used as a medium for transactions between buyers and traders who have gone through the blackbox testing process with the test results as expected.

Genetic diversity, antifungal evaluation and molecular docking studies of Cu-chitosan nanoparticles as prospective stem rust inhibitor candidates among some Egyptian wheat genotypes

Wheat has a remarkable importance among cereals worldwide. Wheat stem and leaf rust constitute the main threats that destructively influence grain quality and yield production. Pursuing resistant cultivars and developing new genotypes including resistance genes is believed to be the most effective tool to overcome these challenges. This study is the first to use molecular markers to evaluate the genetic diversity of eighteen Egyptian wheat genotypes. Moreover, the molecular docking analysis was also used to assess the Cu-chitosan nanoparticle (CuChNp) treatment and its mode of action in disease control management. The tested genotypes were categorized into two main cluster groups depending on the similarity matrix, i.e the most resistant and susceptible genotypes to stem and leaf rust races. The results of SCoT primers revealed 140 polymorphic and 5 monomorphic bands with 97% polymorphism. While 121 polymorphic and 74 monomorphic bands were scored for SRAP primers (99% polymorphism). The genotypes Sakha 94, Sakha 95, Beni Sweif 4, Beni Sweif 7, Sohag 4 and Sohag 5 were resistant, while Giza 160 was highly susceptible to all stem rust races at the seedling stage. However, in the adult stage, the 18 genotypes were evaluated for stem and leaf rust-resistant in two different locations, i.e. Giza and Sids. In this investigation, for the first time, the activity of CuChNp was studied and shown to have the potential to inhibit stem and leaf rust in studied Egyptian wheat genotypes. The Spraying Cu-chitosan nanoparticles showed that the incubation and latent periods were increased in treated plants of the tested genotypes. Molecular modeling revealed their activity against the stem and leaf rust development. The SRAP and SCoT markers were highly useful tools for the classification of the tested wheat genotypes, although they displayed high similarities at the morphological stage. However, Cu-chitosan nanoparticles have a critical and effective role in stem and leaf rust disease control.

A Multiwavelength Dynamical State Analysis of ACT-CL J0019.6+0336

In our study, we show a multiwavelength view of ACT-CL J0019.6+0336 (which hosts a radio halo), to investigate the cluster dynamics, morphology, and ICM. We use a combination of XMM-Newton images, Dark Energy Survey (DES) imaging and photometry, SDSS spectroscopic information, and 1.16 GHz MeerKAT data to study the cluster properties. Various X-ray and optical morphology parameters are calculated to investigate the level of disturbance. We find disturbances in two X-ray parameters and the optical density map shows elongated and axisymmetric structures with the main cluster component southeast of the cluster centre and another component northwest of the cluster centre. We also find a BCG offset of ∼950 km/s from the mean velocity of the cluster, and a discrepancy between the SZ mass, X-ray mass, and dynamical mass (MX,500 and MSZ,500 lies >3σ away from Mdyn,500), showing that J0019 is a merging cluster and probably in a post-merging phase.

Molecular characterization of NDM-1-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from hospitalized patients in Iran

Background The emergence of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most important challenges in a healthcare setting. The aim of this study is double-locus sequence typing (DLST) typing of blaNDM-1 positive P. aeruginosa isolates. Methods Twenty-nine blaNDM-1 positive isolates were collected during three years of study from different cities in Iran. Modified hodge test (MHT), double-disk synergy test (DDST) and double-disk potentiation test (DDPT) was performed for detection of carbapenemase and metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) producing blaNDM-1 positive P. aeruginosa isolates. The antibiotic resistance genes were considered by PCR method. Clonal relationship of blaNDM-1 positive was also characterized using DLST method. Results Antibiotic susceptibility pattern showed that all isolates were resistant to imipenem and ertapenem. DDST and DDPT revealed that 15/29 (51.8%) and 26 (89.7%) of blaNDM-1 positive isolates were MBL producing isolates, respectively. The presence of blaOXA-10,blaVIM-2, blaIMP-1 and blaSPM genes were detected in 86.2%, 41.4%, 34.5% and 3.5% isolates, respectively. DLST typing results revealed the main cluster were DLST 25-11 with 13 infected or colonized patients. Conclusions The presence of blaNDM-1 gene with other MBLs encoding genes in P. aeruginosa is a potential challenge in the treatment of microorganism infections. DLST showed partial diversity among 29 blaNDM-1 positive isolates.

Phylogenomic and comparative genomic analyses of species of the family Pseudomonadaceae: Proposals for the genera Halopseudomonas gen. nov. and Atopomonas gen. nov., merger of the genus Oblitimonas with the genus Thiopseudomonas, and transfer of some misclassified species of the genus Pseudomonas into other genera

The evolutionary relationships among species of the family Pseudomonadaceae were examined based on 255 available genomes representing >85 % of the species from this family. In a phylogenetic tree based on concatenated sequences of 118 core proteins, most species of the genus Pseudomonas grouped within one large cluster which also included members of the genera Azotobacter and Azomonas . Within this large cluster 18–30 clades/subclades of species of the genus Pseudomonas consisting of between 1 and 36 species, were observed. However, a number of species of the genus Pseudomonas branched outside of this main cluster and were interspersed among other genera of the family Pseudomonadaceae . This included a strongly supported clade (Pertucinogena clade) consisting of 19 mainly halotolerant species. The distinctness of this clade from all other members of the family Pseudomonadaceae is strongly supported by 24 conserved signature indels (CSIs) in diverse proteins that are exclusively found in all members of this clade. Nine uncharacterized members of the genus Pseudomonas also shared these CSIs and they branched within the Pertucinogena clade, indicating their affiliation to this clade. On the basis of the strong evidence supporting the distinctness of the Pertucinogena clade, we are proposing transfer of species from this clade into a novel genus Halopseudomonas gen. nov. Pseudomonas caeni also branches outside of the main cluster and groups reliably with Oblitimonas alkaliphila and Thiopseudomonas denitrificans . Six identified CSIs are uniquely shared by these three species and we are proposing their integration into the emended genus Thiopseudomonas , which has priority over the name Oblitimonas . We are also proposing transfer of the deep-branching Pseudomonas hussainii , for which 22 exclusive CSIs have been identified, into the genus Atopomonas gen. nov. Lastly, we present strong evidence that the species Pseudomonas cissicola and Pseudomonas geniculata are misclassified into the genus Pseudomonas and that they are specifically related to the genera Xanthomonas and Stenotrophomonas , respectively. In addition, we are also reclassifying ‘Pseudomonas acidophila’ as Paraburkholderia acidicola sp. nov. (Type strain: G-6302=ATCC 31363=BCRC 13035).

Infection of Cronobacter sakazakii ST1 Producing SHV-12 in a Premature Infant Born from Triplet Pregnancy

Cronobacter sakazakii can cause severe life-threatening invasive infections in neonates, with a high mortality rate mostly associated with powdered infant formula consumption. The study describes a fatal C. sakazakii infection in premature infant fed only with expressed human milk. Despite the identification of etiological factor from patient’s blood, the epidemiological investigation, including mother’s skin, hospital surfaces, milk expressing devices, and milk samples, did not show bacterial contamination. The infection was caused by C. sakazakii ST1, being one of the leading genotypes reported in invasive infections. The phylogenetic analysis of the international collection of the ST1 organisms allowed us to identify the isolate as a member of the main cluster. The pathogenic potential of the isolate was augmented by the presence of IncFIB-like molecule representing virulence plasmids of pESA-3 family. Isolate presented ESBL phenotype associated with blaSHV-12 gene harboured by IncX3 plasmid. The described case gave valuable information to genetics of Cronobacter, and also urges the need of wider whole-genome sequencing implementation as a part of diagnostic procedure.

Social Capital and Social Networks in the Life Sciences Industry Clusters. An Analysis of Selected Case Studies

Subject and purpose of work: The study aims to explore the role of social capital in the new concept of “effective” cluster, by exploiting not only its human and financial assets but also the social networks with the cluster. Materials and methods: The study presents the case-study findings of the five life-sciences clusters which were conducted in 2018-2019. Additionally, the article discusses the role of social capital and the collaborative efforts within the life sciences clusters during the Covid-19 pandemic. Results: All the analyzed cluster environments have their own social dynamics. Considering the scale and scope of social ties, the Cambridge and Medicon Valley clusters conform with the concept of the “functional clusters”, while the Bay Area and Seattle clusters can be classified as “effective clusters”. Conclusions: All the cluster ecosystems have evolved from different origins and they follow different evolutionary paths. Yet, clusters with richer social capital achieve higher collaborative synergy, leading to an increase in knowledge spillovers and innovations. Public policies should focus on the active promotion of social networks and market-oriented intermediaries connecting main cluster partners.