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Background: Sorghum is a climate-resilient crop and is a key food, feed, and industrial raw material source. Dwindling yields associated with recurrent drought and short rain seasons necessitate the development of early-maturing and high-harvest index sorghum varieties for sustainable production and livelihoods. This study aimed to phenotype sorghum for maturity period, harvest index, and associated traits to guide production and select complementary parents for breeding population development with desirable product profiles. Methods: One hundred and six genetically diverse sorghum genotypes were evaluated during the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 growing seasons using a 10 × 11 alpha lattice design. Significant (p < 0.001) genotype-by-season interaction and genotype effects were detected for days to 50% anthesis (DTA), grain filling period (GFP), days to 75% maturity (DTM), plant height (PH), shoot biomass (SB), number of productive tillers (NPT), grain yield (GY), and harvest index (HI). Results: The study selected early-maturing genotypes, such as AS232, AS603, ACCI-S-108, and ACCI-S-118, with maturity periods of 133.2, 136, 136.75, and 137.5 days, respectively. Relatively higher harvest indices were recorded for genotypes AS232, AS352, AS229, and AS619, with mean values of 41.74, 41.04, 40.54, and 38.98%, in that order. Two principal components were identified, explaining the genetic variations of the test genotypes for the maturity period and harvest index component traits. The assessed sorghum genotypes were resolved into three maturity groups: early (16% of the test genotypes, 133–142 DTM), intermediate (69%, 143–161 DTM), and late (15%, 161–183 DTM). Three HI groups were discerned, including high HI (16.98% of the evaluated genotypes with HI 35.63–41.74%), intermediate HI (64.15% with 22.27–35.16%), and low HI (18.87% with 14.47–21.16%). The days to maturity showed significant (p< 0.001) positive correlations with DTA (r = 0.75), SB (r = 0.42), and a negative association with HI (r = −0.47). Furthermore, HI exhibited a significant (p < 0.001) negative relationship with DTA (r = −0.39) and SB (r = −0.56). Conclusion: The selected early-maturing and high HI genotypes are recommended for grain production and breeding, aiming at low-moisture agro-ecologies.

Soybean is an indispensable crop producing the majority of vegetative oils and proteins. China has been importing millions of ton of soy beans in recent years. Developing new varieties with favorable traits in both yield and resilience has great potential to meet the market needs in China. In this study, we bred a new variety (Xiangchun 37) which has been licensed by Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in 2024. In the field tests, Xiangchun 37 showed medium maturity period (107.4 days from sowing to harvest), high yield (187.3 kg/667m 2 ), and high seed oil content (22.19%). Overall assessment showed Xiangchun 37 had other favorable traits including the plant architecture and disease resistance. In conclusion, Xiangchun 37 is a new variety suitable for Hunan Province, China and has promising future for further genetic improvement as a germplasm with multiple favorable traits.

To explore the characteristics of and variations in aroma components across different plum varieties and maturity stages, this study employed headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS). This method was used to systematically analyze the aroma components of 12 early-maturing, 15 medium-maturing, and 11 late-maturing plum varieties. The variations in volatile components among these three germplasm types were then compared using multivariate statistical methods. The examination revealed that 138 aromatic components were meticulously identified and quantified, such as 26 aldehydes, 63 esters, 13 ketones, 30 alcohols, and six other compounds. Thirteen main aroma compounds including acetic acid hexyl ester, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol acetate, hexanal, 1-hexanol, 3-hexenal, butanoic acid butyl ester, (E)-2-hexen-1-ol, hexanoic acid butyl ester, propanoic acid butyl ester, (E)-2-hexenal, L-.alpha.-terpineol, (Z)-2-hexen-1-ol acetate, and 1-butanol were considered dominant. The orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) combined with variable importance projection (VIP) results showed that 24 differential aroma compounds were screened out from 38 varieties of plum fruits based on their differences in aroma components, which can be used to distinguish plum fruits at different ripening times. Twenty-four aroma-contributing compounds were identified based on their odor activity values (OAVs). Among these, 14 key aroma components with OAVs ≥ 10 were highlighted. In summary, the aroma compounds of early- and late-maturing plum germplasm exhibited rich diversity, with significant differences in aroma components between plums of varying maturity and germplasm. These differences can serve as indicators for identifying different plum germplasm.

The crop rhizosphere is the main site of soil microbial activities. Understanding the structure and diversity of microbial communities in the crop rhizosphere will help us reveal interactions between rhizosphere microorganisms and plant growth. In this study, the rhizosphere soil was collected from 35 cultivated barley varieties at the mature stage. To investigate the structure and diversity of bacterial communities in the rhizosphere of different barley varieties, the 16S rDNA gene of microorganisms from the soil was sequenced using Illumina MiSeq next-generation high-throughput sequencing technology. The results showed that 13, 25, 49, and 59 bacterial flora with relative abundance >1% were detected from 35 barley rhizosphere samples at the phylum, class, order, and family levels, respectively. The abundance of bacteria among varieties differed relatively little, but the abundance of the same bacteria in rhizospheres of different varieties was different. In addition, both the cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) divided the 35 samples into three clusters at the phylum level. Groups III and IV showed significantly higher abundance than group II in Proteobacteria, while group II exhibited significantly higher abundance of Chloroflexi than groups III and IV. This finding provides a realistic basis for further using the relationship between barley rhizosphere microorganisms and barley growth to improve the resistance and quality of barley.

High starch yield is the most important trait for commercialized cassava starch production. Furthermore, cyanide present in cassava roots poses a health challenge in the use of cassava for food. Cassava genotypes have varying maturity periods that are also environmental dependent. This study aimed at identifying suitable cultivars and optimum time of harvest to maximize starch production across three environments. The study found significant difference between genotypes, locations, harvest period, and all the interactions (P ≤ 0.001) for all traits analyzed. Kiroba recorded high starch yields of 17.4, 12.7, and 8.2 t ha−1 at Chambezi, Amani, and Magadu, respectively. Kilusungu recorded highest cyanide content of 300–400 ppm across all locations but Kiroba recorded highest values of 800 ppm, 15 months after planting at Chambezi. Genotype by environment (GGE) biplot analysis revealed that Kiroba was a superior cultivar in terms of starch yield. Kilusungu recorded highest cyanide content and average starch yield, therefore suitable for use in starch production. The study confirmed effect of genotype and genotype by environment interaction, Kiroba cultivar was superior in terms of starch yield and maximum starch yield was obtained at 9 months after planting. Nyamkagile and Kibandameno had the lowest cyanide content across all environments. The potential of cassava as a biomaterial for different industries depends on its yield and starch content, and consequently starch yield. Also, cassava use for food is constrained by its cyanide content. This study aimed at identifying suitable cultivars and optimum time of harvest to maximize starch production across three environments. Also, cyanogenic potential of cassava landraces as affected by environmental conditions have been established.

The article illustrates the proof of the scientific guess about that physical and mental health of women, who do fitness, is better than those women, who don't do fitness. There are results of the conducted survey (SF-36 questionnaire) of target group - women in the second period of maturity (aged 35-55) in Australia, the United Arabic Emirates and Ukraine. Comparing empiric data according to Student's criterion, the authors justify that there are statistically valid differences between all of the findings in all points and charts of the SF-36 questionnaire (p<0, 05), this proves that women (aged 35-55) who do fitness, evaluate their physical and mental health condition higher, than those female respondents who do not attend health-improving fitness classes. At the same time, the level of respondents' satisfaction with physical and mental well-being in the samples (first sample is represented by women who do fitness, and the second one - by women who do not attend fitness classes) differs in accordance with the country, where the respondents live. The study reports, that among those women who do fitness, Ukrainian women are more satisfied with their physical condition, the least satisfied respondents of this sample are the women from the United Arabic Emirates. There are the same tendencies among those women who do not attend fitness training classes. The key findings proved that fitness classes have a positive impact on women's perception of their physical and mental health. Due to the data of the conducted survey such a conclusion can be made that those social and cultural conditions of the country, where women live, influence respondents' subjective perception of their health. It is less relevant to women who do fitness, and more relevant to those women, who do not attend fitness training. Conducting more surveys on the basis of the SF-36 questionnaire is considered as a follow-up study trend.

The private health sector was officially recognized in the Republic of Congo over 20 years ago June 6, 1988, establishing the conditions for the independent practice of medicine and the medical-related and pharmaceutical professions. The Congolese government recently expressed its commitment to working with the private health sector in order to strengthen the health system, improve the health of the population and preserve the basic human right to a healthy life through the National Health Care Policy, which it adopted in 2003, the 2007-2011 National Health Development Plan and the 2010 Health Care Services Development Program. Throughout these various documents there is an acknowledgement that the lack of coordination with the private health sector is a weakness of the health system. Nevertheless, the scarcity of information about the private sector in policy and planning documents suggests that the government's engagement with the private health sector is limited. There is no official government policy on the private health sector, or strategies or working plans to encourage cooperation between the public and private sectors. The objective of this assessment was to better determine the role, position, and importance of the private sector within the health system, in order to identify the limitations to its development as well as ways it can be integrated into the efforts to meet the objectives of the Plan national de developpement sanitaire (PNDS) [National Health Development Plan]. The World Bank Group contracted with the Results for Development Institute (R4D, United States) and Health Research for Action (HERA, Belgium) as well as with a team of local consultants, to conduct a 'study of the private health sector in the Republic of Congo.' This study was conducted in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Population (MSP), which arranged and oversaw a steering committee consisting of actors from the public and private sectors to facilitate and guide the study. The goal of the study and the workshops was a concrete plan of action for the health sector that could be used by the Congolese government, the private sector in the Republic of Congo, and international development partners. Certain aspects of the action plan should be included in the work programs of the Programme de developpement des services de sante (PDSS) [Health System Development Project] for the years 2011-2013.

This report addresses the large flood exposures of Central Europe and proposes efficient financial and risk transfer mechanisms to mitigate fiscal losses from natural catastrophes. In particular, the Visegrad countries (V-4) of Central Europe, namely, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and the Slovak Republic, have such tremendous potential flood damages that reliance on budgetary appropriations or even European Union (EU) funds in such circumstances becomes ineffective and does not provide needed cash funds for the quick response and recovery needed to minimize economic disruptions. The report is primarily addressed to the governments of the region, which should build into their fiscal planning the necessary contingent funding mechanisms, based on their exposures. The report is addressed to finance ministries and also to the insurance and securities regulators and the private insurance and capital markets, which may all play a role in the proposed mechanisms. An arrangement using a multi-country pool with a hazard-triggered insurance payout mechanism complemented by contingent financing is proposed, to better manage these risks and avoid major fiscal volatility and disruption.

The purpose of this study was a comprehensive analysis of various aspects of the metabolism of erythrocytes in women with type 2 diabetes, according to the age characteristics of carbohydrate-metabolism compensation. The results, which are based on the nature of changes in the parameters of carbohydrate and energy metabolism, gas transport, and antioxidant systems of the blood, contribute to the understanding of the role of metabolic changes in red-blood cells leading to changes in their biological properties, the severity of which reflects the adaptive capacity of the body in terms of hyperglycemia in different age groups in type 2 diabetes.

The Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus, a long-lived decapod crustacean, is fished throughout its geographical range and generates close to 1 billion US dollars annually. Fisheries across this range are fully- or over-exploited, spurring management strategies such as closed seasons and minimum size limitations. The objective of this study was to determine the minimum legal size and appropriate closed season for the lobster population of Saint Kitts and Nevis by assessing and comparing the functional, physiological and morphological determinants of sexual maturity. Such a comparison has never been attempted for this species. Females did not reach functional maturity until 87.8 mm carapace length (CL) based on the presence of a spermatophore and eggs, but reached morphological maturity based on the presence of ovigerous setae at 72.5 mm CL. Physiological maturity was intermediate at 82.8 mm CL. Determinants of functional maturity overestimate the size at sexual maturity, while the presence of ovigerous setae underestimates it. The gonadosomatic index, a reliable method of assessing physiological maturity in female P. argus, can be used to monitor changes in reproductive activity in both males and females. Gross assessment of the ovary may be used to determine size at physiological maturity, and functional maturity can be used to calculate peak periods of reproduction. The peak physiological and functional maturity for P. argus occurs from March to May. As a result, we propose a closed season from March to June and suggest assessment of reproductive dynamics in order to determine minimum legal size for harvesting P. argus.