Establishment of optimal terms and methods for growing seed fruits of the new line LZ-2513 squash in the Tashkent region of Uzbekistan

Изучение кабачка (Cucurbita pepo var. giraumontia) в природно-климатических условиях Узбекистана и совершенствование технологии выращивания семенных плодов – важное направление селекционной работы по обогащению сортимента овощных культур и организации семеноводства этой культуры. Цель исследований: установить оптимальные сроки высева семян и посадки рассады перспективной линии короткоплетистой формы кабачка LZ-2513 при весеннем сроке выращивания на семенные цели. Исследования проводили в 2016 и 2019 годах на экспериментальном участке Научно-исследовательского института овощебахчевых культур и картофеля Республики Узбекистан (Ташкентский район Ташкентской области). Климат региона схож с условиями большинства овощеводческих хозяйств, расположенных в равнинной центральной части Узбекистана. Почвы опытного участка – типичные суглинки, окультуренные, влагоемкие, глубина залегания грунтовых вод – более 6–7 м, количество гумуса в почве – 0,641–0,943%, азота – 0,072–0,121%, фосфора – 0,130–0,171% и калия – 1,627–2,206%. Погодные условия 2016 и 2019 годов были благоприятными для роста и развития кабачка, за исключением засушливого июля и августа, в течение которых недостаток влаги компенсировали поливами. Испытаны четыре весенних срока посева и посадки рассады (в 2016 году – 3 апреля, 12 апреля, 20 апреля и 1 мая; в 2019 году – 1 апреля, 10 апреля, 21 апреля и 30 апреля). Делянки двухрядковые, длиной 10 м, схема размещения (140+70)/2×50 см. Площадь учетной делянки 21,0 м2. На каждой делянке размещались по 40 растений, повторность опыта четырехкратная. Установлено, что в условиях Ташкентской области Узбекистана наибольший выход семян из плодов у линии LZ-2513 был при выращивании кабачка рассадным способом в первой декаде апреля (в начале I и II декады апреля), а при безрассадной культуре – при посеве семян в начале апреля, что связано с наиболее благоприятными температурными условиями для культуры кабачка. The study of squash (Cucurbita pepo var. giraumontia) in the natural and climatic conditions of Uzbekistan and the improvement of the technology of growing seed fruits is an important direction of breeding work is to enrich the assortment of vegetable crops and the organization of seed production of this crop. The purpose of the research: to establish the optimal timing of sowing seeds and planting seedlings of a promising line of short-leafed squash LZ-2513 at the spring period of cultivation for seed purposes. The research was carried out in 2016 and 2019 at the experimental site of the Scientific Research Institute of Vegetable and melon crops and Potato of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Tashkent district of the Tashkent region). The climate of the region is similar to the conditions of most vegetable farms located in the flat central part of Uzbekistan. The soils of the experimental site are typical loams, cultivated, moisture-intensive, the depth of groundwater is more than 6–7 meters, the amount of humus in the soil is 0.641–0.943%, nitrogen – 0.072–0.121%, phosphorus – 0.130–0.171% and potassium – 1.627–2.206%. Weather conditions in 2016 and 2019 were favorable for the growth and development of squash, with the exception of dry July and August, during which the lack of moisture was compensated by watering. 4 spring sowing and planting dates have been tested (in 2016 – April 3, April 12, April 20 and May 1; in 2019 – April 1, April 10, April 21 and April 30). Two-row plots, 10 m long, layout (140+70)/2×50 cm. The area of the accounting plot is 21.0 m2. 40 plants were placed on each plot, the repetition of the experiment was fourfold. It was found that in the conditions of the Tashkent region of Uzbekistan, the highest yield of seeds from fruits of the LZ-2513 line was established when squash was grown by seedling method in the first decade of April (at the beginning of the first and second decade of April), and with seedless culture – when sowing seeds in early April, which is associated with the most favorable temperature conditions for squash culture.

Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD) to De-Orphanize Marine Molecules: Finding Potential Therapeutic Agents for Neurodegenerative and Cardiovascular Diseases

Computer-aided drug design (CADD) techniques allow the identification of compounds capable of modulating protein functions in pathogenesis-related pathways, which is a promising line on drug discovery. Marine natural products (MNPs) are considered a rich source of bioactive compounds, as the oceans are home to much of the planet’s biodiversity. Biodiversity is directly related to chemodiversity, which can inspire new drug discoveries. Therefore, natural products (NPs) in general, and MNPs in particular, have been used for decades as a source of inspiration for the design of new drugs. However, NPs present both opportunities and challenges. These difficulties can be technical, such as the need to dive or trawl to collect the organisms possessing the compounds, or biological, due to their particular marine habitats and the fact that they can be uncultivable in the laboratory. For all these difficulties, the contributions of CADD can play a very relevant role in simplifying their study, since, for example, no biological sample is needed to carry out an in-silico analysis. Therefore, the amount of natural product that needs to be used in the entire preclinical and clinical study is significantly reduced. Here, we exemplify how this combination between CADD and MNPs can help unlock their therapeutic potential. In this study, using a set of marine invertebrate molecules, we elucidate their possible molecular targets and associated therapeutic potential, establishing a pipeline that can be replicated in future studies.

Transcreation and Creativity in Higher Education

New professional profiles have recently emerged in the translation sector. Within these, transcreation is worth mentioning. Nevertheless, transcreation training is not yet extended within higher education in translation and interpreting. The main objective of this chapter is to present a task-based learning experience introduced in a French-Spanish translation course at the University of Granada (Spain), aimed at promoting transcreation and transcreation skills. This is divided into (1) to describe the task-based proposal, the materials and methods used, and its learning objectives and (2) to identify the strategies the students put into play. Students' answers were processed with the qualitative analysis software NVivo. Results show that students activated creative strategies to adapt linguistically and culturally the materials proposed and displayed cross-curricular competences such as creativity or decision-making. Including transcreation in translation and interpreting training seems a promising line of research. Nevertheless, further progress is needed in the evaluation of transcreation.

Several Yeast Species Induce Iron Deficiency Responses in Cucumber Plants (Cucumis sativus L.)

Iron (Fe) deficiency is a first-order agronomic problem that causes a significant decrease in crop yield and quality. Paradoxically, Fe is very abundant in most soils, mainly in its oxidized form, but is poorly soluble and with low availability for plants. In order to alleviate this situation, plants develop different morphological and physiological Fe-deficiency responses, mainly in their roots, to facilitate Fe mobilization and acquisition. Even so, Fe fertilizers, mainly Fe chelates, are widely used in modern agriculture, causing environmental problems and increasing the costs of production, due to the high prices of these products. One of the most sustainable and promising alternatives to the use of agrochemicals is the better management of the rhizosphere and the beneficial microbial communities presented there. The main objective of this research has been to evaluate the ability of several yeast species, such as Debaryomyces hansenii, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Hansenula polymorpha, to induce Fe-deficiency responses in cucumber plants. To date, there are no studies on the roles played by yeasts on the Fe nutrition of plants. Experiments were carried out with cucumber plants grown in a hydroponic growth system. The effects of the three yeast species on some of the most important Fe-deficiency responses developed by dicot (Strategy I) plants, such as enhanced ferric reductase activity and Fe2+ transport, acidification of the rhizosphere, and proliferation of subapical root hairs, were evaluated. The results obtained show the inductive character of the three yeast species, mainly of Debaryomyces hansenii and Hansenula polymorpha, on the Fe-deficiency responses evaluated in this study. This opens a promising line of study on the use of these microorganisms as Fe biofertilizers in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture.

Aflatoxin Accumulation in a Maize Diallel Cross Containing Inbred Lines with Expired Plant Variety Protection

In-field infection of maize (Zea mays L.) ears by the fungus Aspergillus flavus Link:Fr causes pre-harvest aflatoxin contamination of maize grain. Germplasm lines with host-plant resistance to aflatoxin accumulation are available to breeders, but these lines often possess undesirable agronomic characteristics. Commercial lines with expired plant variety protection (ex-PVP lines) are a potential source of elite germplasm available to public maize breeders. A diallel cross containing three aflatoxin-accumulation-resistant germplasm lines and seven ex-PVP lines were evaluated in replicated trials for aflatoxin contamination after artificial inoculation and for yield. The resistant germplasm lines Mp313E, Mp715, and Mp717 were the only lines with significant general combining ability (GCA) for reduced aflatoxin accumulation. Of the ex-PVP lines evaluated, the Stiff-Stalk line F118 was the most promising line to use in breeding crosses. Based on its GCA, it was the only ex-PVP line that did not significantly increase aflatoxin and the only ex-PVP line that significantly increased yield. Second-cycle breeding lines derived from crosses between F118 and the resistant donor lines will be valuable if they combine the donor lines’ disease resistance with F118’s earlier maturity while introgressing the disease resistance into a genetic background that aligns with the industry’s well-defined heterotic groups.

Yield and yield component performance of soybean promising line in upland during the rainy season

Soybean development in dry land during the rainy season not only contributes to soybean production but also has the potential to be a source of seeds. The research aimed to identify the yield and yield component performance of soybean promising line at upland in the rainy season. A total of fourteen soybean promising lines and two check cultivars were evaluated for their yield and yield components in Blitar and Malang. The field experiments were conducted in each location during the rainy season 2021 using a randomized block design with four replicates. A significant GEI was found on the plant height, number of branches/plant, number of nodes/plant, number of filled pods/plant, and 100 seed weight. The Blitar location indicated resulting in the optimum yield and yield components of the tested promising lines. The average yield in Blitar was 2.81 t/ha (an average of 2.07 – 3.60 t/ha) and in Malang was 2.16 t/ha (an average of 1.52 – 3.18 t/ha). The number of branches and number of nodes has significant roles in determining the seed yield in soybean. Two genotypes with consistently high yield in Blitar and Malang are recommended to be evaluated in further advanced yield trials in different environments.

Developing Novel Rice Genotypes Harboring Specific QTL Alleles Associated with High Grain Yield under Water Shortage Stress

Rice is considered a strategic crop for many countries around the world, being the main cash crop for farmers. Water shortage stress occurrence as a result of climate change is among the main threats challenging rice breeders in the last few decades. In the current study, 19 Fn-lines were developed from four populations by crossing a reverse thermo-responsive genic male sterile (rTGMS) line, M.J.5460S, with the three high-quality Egyptian commercial cultivars Giza177, Sakha105, Sakha106 and the promising line GZ7768 as male parents. These newly developed lines, along with their parents, and two water shortage stress-tolerant international genotypes (Azucena and IRAT170), were cultivated under water-shortage stress conditions and compared with their performance under well-watered conditions. Results indicated that the yielding ability of the 19 newly developed lines exceeded those for the two Egyptian parents (Giza177 and Sakha105) under well-watered conditions. The lines M.J5460S/GIZA177-3 and M.J5460S/GIZA177-12 were the best performing genotypes under water shortage stress conditions. The genetic and heritability in broad sense estimates indicated that direct selection for grain yield (GY) under water-shortage stress is highly effective in the current study. Molecular marker analysis revealed that M.J5460S/GIZA177-3 had accumulated the quantitative trait loci (QTL)s, on the chromosomes 2, 3, and 9, which contribute to GY under water-shortage stress from their high yielding tolerant ancestor, M.J5460S. It could be concluded that those lines are high yielding under both well-watered and water-stress conditions harboring several QTLs for yield enhancement under both conditions and that the markers RM555, RM14551, RM3199, RM257, RM242, and RM410 are among the markers that could be used in marker-assisted selection (MAS) breeding programs for such stress condition.

Identification of winter common wheat samples of Kharkiv breeding by protein markers

Aim. Identification of new winter wheat breeding material developed in Kharkiv by electrophoretic patterns of storage proteins to select the most promising lines. Methods. Protein fractionation was performed by APAG- and SDS-electrophoresis. Results. The genotypes of winter wheat samples of the competitive variety trial at seven storage protein loci Gli-A1, Gli-B1, Gli-D1, Gli-A3, Glu-A1, Glu-B1, Glu-D1 were studied. We identified eight alleles at the Gli-A1 locus, seven at Gli-B1, five at Gli-D1, four at Gli-A3, five at Glu-B1, three at Glu-A1, and two at Glu-D1. Most of the identified alleles are typical for Ukrainian winter wheat varieties. Along with them, theree were lines with introgressed alleles marking for the wheat-rye translocations 1AL/1RS and 1BL/1RS. The biotype of the line Erythrospermum 484-19 carries an introgressed allele from Ae. tauschii at the Gli-D1 locus. Conclusions. According to field and laboratory trials of samples, there were neither significant advantages nor disadvantages of lines with wheat-rye translocations compared to lines without translocations (typical for the East Forest-Steppe zone). The promising line of the use of the 1AL/RS or 1BL/RS translocations (carrying disease resistance genes) is their coupling with the allele Glu-B1al associated with high grain quality. Keywords: winter wheat, storage proteins, alleles, translocations.

Conjugates of Ultrasmall Quantum Dots and Acridine Derivatives as Prospective Nanoprobes for Intracellular Investigations

Designing nanoprobes in which quantum dots (QDs) are used as photoluminescent labels is an especially promising line of research due to their possible medical applications ranging from disease diagnosis to drug delivery. In spite of the significant progress made in designing such nanoprobes, the properties of their individual components, i.e., photoluminescent QDs, vectorization moieties, and pharmacological agents, still require further optimization to enhance the efficiency of diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Here, we have developed a method of engineering compact multifunctional nanoprobes based on functional components with optimized properties: bright photoluminescence of CdSe/ZnS (core/shell) QDs, a compact and effective antitumor agent (an acridine derivative), and direct conjugation of the components via electrostatic interaction, which provides a final hydrodynamic diameter of nanoprobes smaller than 15 nm. Due to the possibility of conjugating various biomolecules with hydroxyl and carboxyl moieties to QDs, the method represents a versatile approach to the biomarker-recognizing molecule imaging of the delivery of the active substance as part of compact nanoprobes.

Contrastive Feature Typologies of Arabic Consonant Reflexes

Attempts to classify spoken Arabic dialects based on distinct reflexes of consonant phonemes are known to employ a mixture of parameters, which often conflate linguistic and non-linguistic facts. This article advances an alternative, theory-informed perspective of segmental typology, one that takes phonological properties as the object of investigation. Under this approach, various classificatory systems are legitimate; and I utilize a typological scheme within the framework of feature geometry. A minimalist model designed to account for segment-internal representations produces neat typologies of the Arabic consonants that vary across dialects, namely qāf,ǧīm,kāf, ḍād, the interdentals, the rhotic, and the pharyngeals. Cognates for each of these are analyzed in a typology based on a few monovalent contrastive features. A key benefit of the proposed typologies is that the featural compositions of the various cognates give grounds for their behavior, in terms of contrasts and phonological activity, and potentially in diachronic processes as well. At a more general level, property-based typology is a promising line of research that helps us understand and categorize purely linguistic facts across languages or language varieties.