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Abstract In flowering plants, the predominant sexual morph is hermaphroditism, and the emergence of unisexuality is poorly understood. Using Cucumis melo (melon) as a model system, we explore the mechanisms driving sexual forms. We identify a spontaneous mutant exhibiting a transition from bisexual to unisexual male flower, and identify the causal mutation as a Harbinger transposon impairing the expression of Ethylene Insensitive 2 (CmEIN2) gene. Genetics and transcriptomic analysis reveal a dual role of CmEIN2 in both sex determination and fruit shape formation. Upon expression of CmACS11, EIN2 is recruited to repress the expression of the carpel inhibitor, CmWIP1. Subsequently, EIN2 is recruited to mediate stamina inhibition. Following the sex determination phase, EIN2 promotes fruit shape elongation. Genome-wide analysis reveals that Harbinger transposon mobilization is triggered by environmental cues, and integrates preferentially in active chromatin, particularly within promoter regions. Characterization of a large collection of melon germplasm points to active transpositions in the wild, compared to cultivated accessions. Our study underscores the association between chromatin dynamics and the temporal aspects of mobile genetic element insertions, providing valuable insights into plant adaptation and crop genome evolution.

Abstract Roses are consistently ranked at the forefront in cut flower production. Increasing demands of market and changing climate conditions have resulted in the need to further improve the diversity and quality of traits. However, frequent hybridization leads to highly heterozygous nature, including the allelic variants. Therefore, the absence of comprehensive genomic information leads to them making it challenging to molecular breeding. Here, two haplotype-resolved chromosome genomes for Rosa chinensis ‘Chilong Hanzhu’ (2n = 14) which is high heterozygous diploid old Chinese rose are generated. An amount of genetic variation (1,605,616 SNPs, 209,575 indels) is identified. 13,971 allelic genes show differential expression patterns between two haplotypes. Importantly, these differences hold valuable insights into regulatory mechanisms of traits. RcMYB114b can influence cyanidin-3-glucoside accumulation and the allelic variation in its promoter leads to differences in promoter activity, which as a factor control petal color. Moreover, gene family expansion may contribute to the abundance of terpenes in floral scents. Additionally, RcANT1, RcDA1, RcAG1 and RcSVP1 genes are involved in regulation of petal number and size under heat stress treatment. This study provides a foundation for molecular breeding to improve important characteristics of roses.

PurposeIn this study, we retrospectively reviewed the use of flow cytometry (FCM) in the diagnosis of inborn errors of immunity (IEIs) at a single center in Algeria. Sharing insights into our practical experience, we present FCM based diagnostic approaches adapted to different clinical scenarios.MethodsBetween May 2017 and February 2024, pediatric and adult patients presenting with clinical features suggestive of immunodeficiency were subjected to FCM evaluation, including lymphocyte subset analysis, detection of specific surface or intracellular proteins, and functional analysis of immune cells.ResultsOver a nearly seven-year period, our laboratory diagnosed a total of 670 patients (372 (55.5%) males and 298 (44.5%) females), distributed into 70 different IEIs belonging to 9 different categories of the International Union of Immunological Societies classification. FCM was used to diagnose and categorize IEI in 514 patients (76.7%). It provided direct diagnostic insights for IEIs such as severe combined immunodeficiency, Omenn syndrome, MHC class II deficiency, familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, and CD55 deficiency. For certain IEIs, including hyper-IgE syndrome, STAT1-gain of function, autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome, and activated PI3K delta syndrome, FCM offered suggestive evidence, necessitating subsequent genetic testing for confirmation. Protein expression and functional assays played a crucial role in establishing definitive diagnoses for various disorders. To setup such diagnostic assays at high and reproducible quality, high level of expertise is required; in house reference values need to be determined and the parallel testing of healthy controls is highly recommended.ConclusionFlow cytometry has emerged as a highly valuable and cost-effective tool for diagnosing and studying most IEIs, particularly in low-income countries where access to genetic testing can be limited. FCM analysis could provide direct diagnostic insights for most common IEIs, offer clues to the underlying genetic defects, and/or aid in narrowing the list of putative genes to be analyzed.

Abstract: After the end of the Cold War, and the fall of what was known as the Soviet Union, signs of the new world began, represented in the American model most present in the writings of thinkers and philosophers such as the American philosopher Francis Fukuyama. Who presented his thesis on the end of history, as an inevitable end to the course of history, and considered democracy the ideal political model. The thesis was until recently the most present and influential. Revolutionary ideas began to appear against the American model, a revolution represented in the economic dimension, and this is what is represented today by the awakening of the Chinese dragon, and The revival of the Russian nation through the most influential philosophical ideas on Russian politics today, and the spread of the idea of Eurasianism, or the land civilization in the face of the water civilization, represented in the philosophy of Alexander Dugin Keywords: Political theory; Eurasian; end of history; democracy; liberal

We investigate the potential influence of fair employment practices and financial inclusion on economic growth, focusing on aligning our analysis with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8). Our study encompasses various countries, including 26 low-income, 20 middle-income, and 15 high-income nations. Utilizing a dynamic fixed-effect panel data approach and employing the Generalized Method of Moments from 2010 to 2021, our findings reveal that conducive environments for decent work and enhanced access to digital financial services positively impact economic growth. This synergistic effect of SDG 8 components is particularly pronounced in high-income countries, suggesting the potential for accelerated economic growth rates. Conversely, our analysis finds no discernible impact on the economic growth of low-income countries. For middle-income countries, nuanced coefficient outcomes provide a more intricate understanding of their economic dynamics. Through extensive impulse-response analysis using a Panel Vector Autoregression model, we illustrate the distinct effects of shocks related to decent work and financial inclusion across various income categories. Our results are robust to multiple sensitivity tests, underscoring their reliability and signaling significant policy implications for acknowledging the critical role of decent work and financial inclusion in fostering economic growth.

The double flower developmental process is regulated via a complex transcriptional regulatory network. To understand this highly dynamic and complex developmental process of Dianthus spp., we performed a comparative analysis of floral morphology and transcriptome dynamics in simple flowers and double flowers. We found that the primordium of double flowers of ‘X’ was larger in size compared to that of simple flowers of ‘L’ in Dianthus chinensis. RNA-seq and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) during flower development, identified stage-specific gene network modules. Expression analysis by RNA-seq indicated that a group of genes related to floral meristem identity, primordia position and polarity were highly expressed in double flowers genotypes compared to simple flowers genotypes, suggesting their roles in double-petal formation. A total of 21 DEGs related to petal number were identified between simple and double flowers. The experiments of in situ hybridization revealed that DcaAP2L, DcaLFY and DcaUFO genes were expressed in the intra-sepal boundary and petal boundary. We proposed a potential transcriptional regulatory network for simple and double flower development. This study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanism underlying double flower formation in Dianthus spp.

The ease of usage and the convenience of cloud computing come with considerable responsibility. The latter, consists of carefully addressing different security aspects of this technology. The integrity and availability of the outsourced data constitute essential considerations for adopters’ final decisions. However, the most critical factor is the efficiency of integrity checks, which must prioritize restricted-resource data owners without affecting the performance of the Cloud Service Provider. This paper proposes a secure scheme, called Proof of Exponentiation of Dynamic Data Possession ${ \mathsf {PoEDDP} } $ based on ${ \mathsf {RSA} } $ -Accumulators. The proof of concept demonstrates that this scheme is 20 times faster compared to other ${ \mathsf {RSA} } $ -based cryptographic accumulator schemes. It could be improved to achieve great results with proper optimizations on the larger integer multiplication side.

Abstract Rose (Rosa) is a prominent ornamental plant that holds substantial economic and social significance. Roses originating from different regions exhibit intricate phenotypic and genetic characteristics, but the majority of rose genetic resources are poorly characterized. In this study, 192 genotypes of the genus Rosa were examined using 33 phenotypic traits and 10 pairs of SSR markers. Compared to wild species, both old garden and modern roses exhibited a significant level of diversity, with flower color having the highest degree of diversity and style morphology having the lowest degree of diversity. This phenomenon may be attributed to the limited utilization of wild roses due to their simpler ornamental traits and the frequent phenotypic and molecular infiltration between old garden roses and modern roses. Following a inaugural comprehensive evaluation employing principal component analysis, R. chinensis ‘Zihongxiang’, R. hybrida ‘Burgundy Iceberg’, R. hybrida ‘Conrad F. Meyer’, R. rugosa ‘Gaohong’ and R. floribunda ‘Sheherazad’ were selected as core germplasm resources for future breeding. Moreover, three tetraploid roses, namely R. hybrida ‘Midnight Blue’, R. floribunda ‘Sheherazad’, and R. hybrida ‘Couture Rose Tilia’, with significant differences in both phenotypic and molecular profiles were selected and reciprocally intercrossed. Ultimately, two populations were obtained exhibiting significant variation in flower size, annual stem color, stem pickle density, and leaf number. Furthermore, our results indicated that the traits of flower diameter, flower height, petal width, and petal number may potentially be controlled by two major-effect loci. In conclusion, this study provides novel insights into the evolutionary patterns of Rosa germplasm resources. It paves the way for identifying core genotypes that carry distinct ornamental characteristics and possess immense value for breeding novel varieties in the future.

We investigate the potential influence of decent work and financial inclusion on economic growth, aligning our analysis with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8). Analyzing a diverse set of 26 low-income, 20 middle-income, and 15 high-income countries, we utilize a dynamic fixed-effect panel data approach and apply the Generalized Method of Moments from 2010 to 2021. The findings highlight that favorable conditions for decent work and increased access to digital financial services contribute positively to economic growth. The synergistic effect of these SDG 8 components is notably pronounced in high-income countries, with greater potential for elevated economic growth rates. Conversely, no discernible impact is observed on the economic growth of low-income countries. The results for middle-income countries present nuanced coefficient outcomes, offering a more intricate interpretation of their economic dynamics. An extensive impulse-response analysis, conducted using a Panel Vector Autoregression model, demonstrates distinct impacts of shocks related to decent work and financial inclusion across various income categories of countries. Our findings pass various robustness checks, affirming their reliability and suggesting significant policy implications for recognizing the crucial role of decent work and financial inclusion in fostering economic growth.

KAI2 proteins are plant α/β hydrolase receptors which perceive smoke-derived butenolide signals and endogenous, yet unidentified KAI2-ligands (KLs). The number of functional KAI2 receptors varies among species and KAI2 gene duplication and sub-functionalization likely plays an adaptative role by altering specificity towards different KLs. Legumes represent one of the largest families of flowering plants and contain many agronomic crops. Prior to their diversification, KAI2 underwent duplication resulting in KAI2A and KAI2B. Here we demonstrate that Pisum sativum KAI2A and KAI2B are active receptors and enzymes with divergent ligand stereoselectivity. KAI2B has a higher affinity for and hydrolyses a broader range of substrates including strigolactone-like stereoisomers. We determine the crystal structures of PsKAI2B in apo and butenolide-bound states. The biochemical, structural, and mass spectra analyses of KAI2s reveal a transient intermediate on the catalytic serine and a stable adduct on the catalytic histidine, confirming its role as a bona fide enzyme. Our work uncovers the stereoselectivity of ligand perception and catalysis by diverged KAI2 receptors and proposes adaptive sensitivity to KAR/KL and strigolactones by KAI2B.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major health threat with limited treatment options. One of various new antiviral strategies is based on a fusion of Staphylococcus aureus nuclease (SN) with the capsid-forming HBV core protein (HBc), termed coreSN. Through co-assembly with wild-type HBc-subunits, the fusion protein is incorporated into HBV nucleocapsids, targeting the nuclease to the encapsidated viral genome. However, coreSN expression was based on transfection of a plasmid vector. Here, we explored whether introducing protein transduction domains (PTDs) into a fluorescent coreSN model could confer cell-penetrating properties for direct protein delivery into cells. Four PTDs were inserted into two different positions of the HBc sequence, comprising the amphiphilic translocation motif (TLM) derived from the HBV surface protein PreS2 domain and three basic PTDs derived from the Tat protein of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1), namely Tat4, NP, and NS. To directly monitor the interaction with cells, the SN in coreSN was replaced with the green fluorescent protein (GFP). The fusion proteins were expressed in E. coli, and binding to and potential uptake by human cells was examined through flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. The data indicate PTD-dependent interactions with the cells, with evidence of uptake in particular for the basic PTDs. Uptake was enhanced by a triplicated Simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen nuclear localization signal (NLS). Interestingly, the basic C terminal domain of the HBV core protein was found to function as a novel PTD. Hence, further developing cell-permeable viral capsid protein fusions appears worthwhile.

Here the authors show genome-wide chromatin changes and transcriptional reprogramming occur in response to heat stress in tomato, leading to the transient formation of promoter-enhancer contacts to drive the expression of heat-stress responsive genes. Furthermore, they show chromatin spatial reorganization requires HSFA1a, a transcription factor (TF) essential for heat stress tolerance in tomato.

Evaluation of shear strength characteristics of coarse-grained soils by performing laboratory tests resorts often to a scalping or scalping/replacement procedure due to the presence of oversized particles in comparison with the device size. This work aimed to study consequences of these two procedures on the resulting shear strength characteristics. Experimental tests were performed on soils having gap-graded particle size distributions by using triaxial apparatuses with small and medium diameters [PHI] = 50 and 100 mm. Original soils were mixtures of fine particles (sand and glass beads) and coarse particles (two types of gravel). The original soils were scalped and (or) scalped/replaced by two different procedures. Different factors that influenced the mechanical properties of the scalped and scalped/replaced soils in comparison with those of the original soils were analyzed: (i) the compactness parameter controlled for scalped and scalped/replaced soils, (ii) the fine content of the original soils, and (iii) the procedure used for the scalping/replacement. Key words: coarse-grained soils, scalping, scalping/replacement, mechanical behavior, triaxial device L'evaluation des caracteristiques de resistance au cisaillement des sols a gros grains par des essais de laboratoire recourt souvent a une procedure d'ecretage ou de substitution en raison de la presence de particules surdimensionnees par rapport a la taille du dispositif. Ce travail vise a etudier les consequences de ces deux procedures sur les caracteristiques de resistance au cisaillement qui en resultent. Des essais experimentaux sont realises sur des sols dont la distribution granulometrique est lacunaire, a l'aide d'appareils triaxiaux de petits et moyens diametres [PHI] = 50 et 100 mm. Les sols d'origine sont des melanges de particules fines (sable et billes de verre) et de particules grossieres (deux types de gravier). Les sols d'origine sont ecretes et/ou substitues par deux procedures differentes. Differents facteurs qui influencent les proprietes mecaniques des sols ecretes et substitues par rapport a celles des sols d'origine sont analyses : (i) le parametre de compacite controle pour les sols ecretes et substitues, (ii) la teneur en fines des sols d'origine et (iii) la procedure utilisee pour la substitution. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : sols grossiers, ecretage, substitution, comportement mecanique, dispositif triaxial, Introduction Coarse-grained soils are characterized by widely graded particle size distributions. For this particular class of soils, large grains (stone and gravel) coexist with fine particles (sand, silt, and clay). [...]

Teaching English as a foreign language is given a vital concern in the Algerian field of education due to the major role English plays in the modern world. Many research papers have been devoted to find ways to make the process of teaching/ learning English successful and evidently found that the educational beliefs or the conceptions teachers hold about teaching and learning have a direct influence on shaping teachers’ classroom practices and figuring their students’ learning experience. Many research papers have been devoted to find ways to make the process of teaching/ learning English successful and evidently found that the educational beliefs or the conceptions teachers hold about teaching and learning have a direct influence on shaping teachers’ classroom practices and figuring their students’ learning experience. This study is an attempt to investigate Algerian teachers’ conceptions of teaching and learning and the potential relationship existing between these conceptions and the teaching approaches. To reach this aim, ten (10) teachers of English have participated in the study. The data were collected through classroom observation, the Conceptions of Teaching and Learning Questionnaire (CTLQ) and the Approaches to Teaching Inventory (ATI). The results revealed teachers’ dominant conceptions and prevailing beliefs about teaching and learning and showed the salient impact these conceptions have on their teaching approaches. The study concludes with some pedagogical implications addressed to provide policymakers with insightful information about the current educational practices and the EFL contemporary learning setting aiming to inform and enhance pre-service teachers’ education program as well as in-service teachers’ professional training and development.

In this paper, we are concerned with the study of the mathematical analysis for an optimal control of a nonlocal degenerate aggregation model. This model describes the aggregation of organisms such as pedestrian movements, chemotaxis, animal swarming. We establish the wellposedness (existence and uniqueness) for the weak solution of the direct problem by means of an auxiliary nondegenerate aggregation equation, the Faedo–Galerkin method (for the existence result) and duality method (for the uniqueness). Moreover, for the adjoint problem, we prove the existence result of minimizers and first-order necessary conditions. The main novelty of this work concerns the presence of a control to our nonlocal degenerate aggregation model. Our results are complemented with some numerical simulations.