Genome Editing accelerated Re-Domestication” (GEaReD) – a new major direction in plant breeding

The effects of climate change, soil depletion, a growing world population putting pressure on food safety and security are major challenges for agriculture in the 21st century. The breeding success of the green revolution has decelerated and current programs can only offset the yield affecting factors. New approaches are urgently needed and we propose, “Genome Editing accelerated Re-Domestication” (GEaReD) as a major new direction in plant breeding. By combining the upcoming technologies for phenotyping, omics and artificial intelligence with the promising new CRISPR-toolkits, this approach is closer than ever. Wild relatives of current crops are often adapted to harsh environments and have a high genetic diversity. Re-domestication of wild barley or teosinte could generate new cultivars adapted to environmental changes. De novo domestication of perennial relatives like Hordeum bulbosum could counter with soil depletion and increase soil carbon. Recent research already proved the principle of re-domestication in tomato and rice and therefore laid the foundation for GEaReD.

Descending Dysploidy and Bidirectional Changes in Genome Size Accompanied Crepis (Asteraceae) Evolution

The evolution of the karyotype and genome size was examined in species of Crepis sensu lato. The phylogenetic relationships, inferred from the plastid and nrITS DNA sequences, were used as a framework to infer the patterns of karyotype evolution. Five different base chromosome numbers (x = 3, 4, 5, 6, and 11) were observed. A phylogenetic analysis of the evolution of the chromosome numbers allowed the inference of x = 6 as the ancestral state and the descending dysploidy as the major direction of the chromosome base number evolution. The derived base chromosome numbers (x = 5, 4, and 3) were found to have originated independently and recurrently in the different lineages of the genus. A few independent events of increases in karyotype asymmetry were inferred to have accompanied the karyotype evolution in Crepis. The genome sizes of 33 Crepis species differed seven-fold and the ancestral genome size was reconstructed to be 1 C = 3.44 pg. Both decreases and increases in the genome size were inferred to have occurred within and between the lineages. The data suggest that, in addition to dysploidy, the amplification/elimination of various repetitive DNAs was likely involved in the genome and taxa differentiation in the genus.

Multi-Headed Conv-LSTM Network for Heart Rate Estimation during Daily Living Activities

Non-invasive photoplethysmography (PPG) technology was developed to track heart rate during physical activity under free-living conditions. Automated analysis of PPG has made it useful in both clinical and non-clinical applications. Because of their generalization capabilities, deep learning methods can be a major direction in the search for a heart rate estimation solution based on signals from wearable devices. A novel multi-headed convolutional neural network model enriched with long short-term memory cells (MH Conv-LSTM DeepPPG) was proposed for the estimation of heart rate based on signals measured by a wrist-worn wearable device, such as PPG and acceleration signals. For the PPG-DaLiA dataset, the proposed solution improves the performance of previously proposed methods. An experimental approach was used to develop the final network architecture. The average mean absolute error (MAE) of the final solution was 6.28 bpm and Pearson’s correlation coefficient between the estimated and true heart rate values was 0.85.

The Solution Ways of the Agricultural Problems in Samtskhe-Javakheti Region

In Georgia agriculture faces many challenges though there are few beneficial movements in this sector. As the article mainly describes the challenges of potato production development, the statistical data analysis will be useful. In 2008-2019 local potato supply rate was increased from 86% up to 93% in the country, especially in the condition when the potato land plots reduced from 24 thousand to 16.4 thousand ha, while the quantity of the produced potato has been increased unequally. Rural farms, regardless they are domestic or commercial are still flexible on the market against the prices of other agricultural product, this was the reason why the total potato land plots used to increase or reduce. In many cases the reason for reduction of the plots is the problems with harvest sales and low prices compared to primary cost of the product due to which the cultivated land plots were reduced. In addition, 99% produce potato. The majority of Samtskhe-Javakheti residents was and is engaged before and now in the agriculture actively. The region population is actively involved in both crop production and livestock breeding. The speed of production volume changing in the agriculture gives us possibility to base regional development concept on agricultural development in combination with the processing industry. For the recent years the size of the state funding of the sector is permanently increasing, though there are many indicators showing that it is early to talk about quality improvement of the field. Additionally, the article discusses the steps made towards development of agriculture and there are stipulations about the reasons of their ineffectiveness. The solution ways and directions are also suggested for overcoming the causes on the example of Samtskhe-Javakheti region. By considering the fact that potato production is the major direction of the crop production in Samtskhe-Javakheti, the discussion mainly focuses on existing situation in potato growing of the region, analyzing the situation, threats and opportunities, strengths and weaknesses. In Summary, we have developed the model for the region in order to have a precedent for overcoming the challenges in the potato production, which will show the rural household and enterprises how it is possible to reflect supporting policy of the state on the financial results of the activities. The model does not require great financial expenses, though it can be an important stimulus for other domestic farms and the example for the regional cooperatives developed on the model, supporting to development agriculture and entire region together processing industry. Keywords: Agriculture, potato production.

The Solution Ways of the Agricultural Problems in Samtskhe-Javakheti Region

In Georgia agriculture faces many challenges though there are few beneficial movements in this sector. As the article mainly describes the challenges of potato production development, the statistical data analysis will be useful. In 2008-2019 local potato supply rate was increased from 86% up to 93% in the country, especially in the condition when the potato land plots reduced from 24 thousand to 16.4 thousand ha, while the quantity of the produced potato has been increased unequally. Rural farms, regardless they are domestic or commercial are still flexible on the market against the prices of other agricultural product, this was the reason why the total potato land plots used to increase or reduce. In many cases the reason for reduction of the plots is the problems with harvest sales and low prices compared to primary cost of the product due to which the cultivated land plots were reduced. In addition, 99% produce potato. The majority of Samtskhe-Javakheti residents was and is engaged before and now in the agriculture actively. The region population is actively involved in both crop production and livestock breeding. The speed of production volume changing in the agriculture gives us possibility to base regional development concept on agricultural development in combination with the processing industry. For the recent years the size of the state funding of the sector is permanently increasing, though there are many indicators showing that it is early to talk about quality improvement of the field. Additionally, the article discusses the steps made towards development of agriculture and there are stipulations about the reasons of their ineffectiveness. The solution ways and directions are also suggested for overcoming the causes on the example of Samtskhe-Javakheti region. By considering the fact that potato production is the major direction of the crop production in Samtskhe-Javakheti, the discussion mainly focuses on existing situation in potato growing of the region, analyzing the situation, threats and opportunities, strengths and weaknesses. In Summary, we have developed the model for the region in order to have a precedent for overcoming the challenges in the potato production, which will show the rural household and enterprises how it is possible to reflect supporting policy of the state on the financial results of the activities. The model does not require great financial expenses, though it can be an important stimulus for other domestic farms and the example for the regional cooperatives developed on the model, supporting to development agriculture and entire region together processing industry. Keywords: Agriculture, potato production.

Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis of Ovis Aries Knee Joint Meniscus: Does it Have Any Similarity with Human Meniscus?

Background: Meniscus plays a pivotal role in normal function of knee joint and is exposed to heavy load of pressure and trauma. The aim in this study is to investigate ultrastructure of medial and lateral meniscus of Ovis aries, in addition to comparing the findings with human meniscal structure. Methods: 14 samples of freshly-excised meniscus of ovis aries were provided. After conventional preparation, the samples were studied via electron microscopy (EM) and its elements were microanalyzed. Results: In the macroscopic evaluation, the meniscus surface was completely smooth, but in the microscopic observation, longitudinal ridges and grooves were observed. In addition, several types of cells that were different morphologically and bundles of collagen fibers were observed. The major direction of collagen fibers was circumferentially, but there were radial fibers as well. In the microanalysis of the ovis aris meniscus, the following elements were present: sodium, carbon, and oxygen, with sodium having the highest percentage among the elements. In medial meniscus of the samples, a small amount of calcium was detected. Conclusion: By comparing the present findings with those of other studies, many similarities were observed between ultrastructure of ovis aries and human knee meniscus. The compatibility in the ultrastructures will imply the possibility of application of this specimen for xenograft meniscal transplant procedure.

Immune Therapy Opportunities in Ovarian Cancer

Immunotherapy has emerged as a highly promising approach in the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy, PARP inhibitors (PARPis), neoantigen vaccines, and personalized T-cell therapy have been associated with encouraging clinical activity in a small subset of patients. To increase the proportion of patients who are likely to derive benefit, it will be important not only to generate sufficient numbers of antitumor T cells but also to overcome multiple inhibitory networks in the ovarian tumor microenvironment (TME). Therefore, a major direction is to develop biomarkers that would predict responsiveness to different types of immunotherapies and allow treatment selection based on the results. Moreover, such biomarkers would allow rational combination of immunotherapies while minimizing toxicities. In this review, we provide progress on immune therapies and future directions for maximally exploiting immune-based strategies for the treatment of ovarian cancer.

ПОРІВНЯННЯ SQL І NOSQL БАЗ ДАНИХ НА ПРИКЛАДІ ПРОЕКТУВАННЯ АФФІЛЕЙТ РЕПОРТ СИСТЕМ

Nowadays, due to the rapid development of social networks and the blogger culture, there is a tendency to use affiliate systems to promote their product. The Affiliate Reporting Service is a service offered to customers who want to analyze the affiliate systems' performance data. These systems are used by business executives and business owners to analyze ecommerce data and convert it into profit/expense data to adjust their business path further. This type of service includes data storage for all affiliates, data archive management, conversion of advertising campaigns, trend tracking, and more. These systems are based on large data sets that need to be stored correctly and safely stored and processed using database management systems. There are two major direction: SQL and NoSQL, relational and non-relational databases. The differences between them are how they are designed, what types of data they support, how they store information, how they support information security. A rigid relational database schema helps maintain the security and integrity of data when stored and modified. The lack of a rigid database schema and the need to change the entire structure of the table with a minimal change in the storage concept, make it easier to work with non-relational databases and subsequently support them, but it also has its disadvantages. It is important to understand that the tasks are different and the methods for solving them are also different; Choosing a database and database management system is a complex multi-parameter task and is one of the most important steps in developing such applications. Properly selected database will reduce the monetary and time costs associated with the development of the software, as well as facilitate system support in the future. The purpose of the article is to compare relational and non-relational databases by different metrics used in Affiliate Reporting Systems Design. In particular, a performance analysis was conducted on the performance of various operations, on the basis of which conclusions were drawn about the use of a particular database.

WOMEN IN REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCE: To be or not to be a testis

Work that established the testis as the driver of male development, and the Y chromosome as the bearer of the male-determining gene, established a working model, and set the stage for the molecular age of mammalian sex determination. The discovery and characterization of Sry/SRY at the top of the hierarchy in mammals launched the field in two major directions. The first was to identify the downstream transcription factors and other molecular players that drive the bifurcation of Sertoli and granulosa cell differentiation. The second major direction was to understand organogenesis of the early bipotential gonad, and how divergence of its two distinct morphogenetic pathways (testis and ovary) is regulated at the cellular level. This review will summarize the early discoveries soon after Sry was identified and focus on my study of the gonad as a model of organogenesis.

Determination of Boiler Building Verticality in Power Plant Construction using Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS)

Nowadays, Indonesian government is focusing on build up infrastructures, especially power plant infrastructures to fulfil electrical energy needs. One of the power plants that will be built up is Waai power plant which located on Waai village, Maluku Province. Waai power plant had been postponed since 2014. In order to build this power plant, the advisability of the building needed to be checked from its verticality level. This level was determined by Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS). The TLS’s point clouds were registered using two methods, there are target to target and cloud to cloud methods. There are 65 beams on the power plant boiler building, but only 31 beams that used as the samples to assign the verticality of the boiler construction. The verticality level was set on the X-axis, Y-axis, and the resultant of the X and Y axis by using Pythagoras theorem after the bottom and top coordinates from each beam was determined. The Queensland Building and Construction Admission Standards and Tolerances Guide 2016 was used as tolerance of verticality level. The result of the verticality calculation presented on the X-axis consisted from -0ᵒ 1’ 26,678” to 0ᵒ 4’ 11,778” with the average was 0ᵒ 1’ 40,820” and major direction pointed the positive axis. On the Y-axis, the average was -0ᵒ 0’ 45,772” with -0ᵒ 3’ 33,345” as minimum and 0ᵒ 1’ 25,319” as the maximum and the major direction went to the negative axis. The verticality on the resultant of X and Y axis was from 0ᵒ 0’ 45,225” until 0ᵒ 4’ 15,674” with the average was 0ᵒ 2’ 27,057” and the direction was to the southeast. After the verticality number was compared with the tolerance, the verticality level was smaller than the standard on each beam. From the result, we can conclude that the boiler building on the Waai power plant can be categorized safe to reconstruct.