SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

In many low-temperature areas, the environmental factor is an important limiting factor for the production and distribution of horticultural plants. This study aimed to investigate the cold tolerance of the male catkins and inoculated female flowers to screen the popular native hazelnut cultivars in Qazvin under low-temperature stress. A completely randomized factorial block design with three replications was used in this experiment with eight cultivars (Nakhnroud, Khandan, Mish-Pestan, South of Qarabagh, Asl-e-Qarabagh, Rasmi, and Gerdashkevar). After removing each of the treated samples at the end of the experiment, the samples were examined morphologically (appearance) and compared with the control. The changes were recorded as qualitative traits. To understand the influence of cold stress on reproductive organs, hydrogen peroxide and proline were measured. The results showed the onset of freezing in unopened male catkins at -7 and -9 °C and in inoculated female flowers at -3 °C. Damage to unopened male catkins' tissue occurred at -11 °C and in female flowers at -5 °C. The highest value observed among cultivars in the case for proline content of male catkins was in Mish-Pestan and Khandan cultivars with 0.816 and 0.660 µmol/ g FW, respectively. In inoculated female flowers, Mish-Pestan and Tabestaneh cultivars with 0.185 and 0.168 µmol/ g FW, respectively, showed the highest statistically significantincrease in proline content. Interestingly, the cultivars with the highest proline content in male catkins indicated the most increase in H2O2; Mish-Pestan and Khnadan with 0.569 and 0.541 ug/g FW, respectively. Asl-eQarabagh was observed to have the least H2O2 content (0.042 ug/g FW) among cultivars. Again, in inoculated female flowers, those with the highest concentration of proline (Mish-Pestan and Tabestaneh) were found to have the highest H2O2 content (0.335 and 0.331 ug/g FW, respectively

Background: The Second Southern Science Conference (SSCON 2024) represents a significant milestone in international scientific collaboration, bringing together researchers from twelve nations across multiple continents. The conference, held in Mendoza, Argentina, and co-hosted by the University of Vassouras in Brazil, marked both the 64th anniversary of Universidad de Mendoza and the 20th anniversary of Periódico Tchê Química, demonstrating the growing importance of cross-border academic partnerships. Aim: This study aimed to document and analyze the outcomes and impact of the Second Southern Science Conference, focusing on participation metrics, collaborative patterns, and institutional contributions while highlighting the significance of the hybrid format in facilitating global scientific dialogue. Methods: The analysis involved quantitative assessment of conference participation metrics, including the number of approved papers, author distributions, and institutional representation. The study examined participation patterns across countries and institutions, analyzing collaboration trends through statistical data visualization and comparative analysis of submission rates. Results: The conference achieved significant participation metrics with 65 approved papers and 242 contributing authors, averaging 4 authors per paper. The Universidad Nacional de Córdoba emerged as the leading institution, showcasing its 4 centuries legacy of academic excellence. The analysis revealed strong representation from Latin American institutions, with Brazil and Argentina leading in submissions. Most papers involved 2-5 collaborators, indicating effective research collaboration patterns. Over 500 people participated in the event through both in-person and virtual attendance options. Discussion: The hybrid format successfully facilitated broader international participation and knowledge exchange, which is particularly beneficial for addressing contemporary global challenges. The strong showing from Latin American institutions highlights the region's growing influence in international scientific discourse. The conference's interdisciplinary nature fostered new collaborative initiatives and research partnerships. Conclusions: The conference demonstrated the effectiveness of hybrid international scientific events in fostering global collaboration and knowledge exchange. Areas for improvement were identified, including extended submission timelines and establishment of a permanent management committee. The success of this edition supports the planning of future iterations, with the next edition scheduled to be held in Vassouras, Rio de Janeiro.

Of the most fundamental fields of modern biology is transcriptomics, with a focal point on the expression pattern of plants under various conditions by assessing ribonucleic acid. So far, this approach has been a game-changer in revealing the gene structure, function, and most importantly, their cellular and biological role. Considering the criticality of pathogens for crop plants, understanding plant defense mechanisms against them is in high demand. This study aimed to review the principles of these approaches and their recent application in the plant. An Important method to address this gap is transcriptomics, which can effectively provide insight into plants against pathogens. This field has covered different aspects of plant biology besides the plant-pathogen relationship. Identifying pathogens in infected plants and the series of reactions they provoke at the gene level is crucial to finding the responsible gene (s). Finding the gene associated with resistance or vulnerability to a specific pathogen paves the way to differentiate the potential genotypes. Thus, the breeding attempts would be more successful. The advancement in biotechnology has revolutionized this field with some of the methods that have been commonly applied in studies on the plant-pathogen relationship, for instance, Northern blotting, microarray, real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Background: The interview with Professor Dr. Fernando Luiz Pellegrini Pessoa covers his extensive career and contributions to chemical engineering, focusing on innovations and sustainability. Objectives: To explore Professor Pellegrini's experiences in various areas of chemical engineering, including teaching methods, research in supercritical extraction, biodiesel production, and process intensification. Methods: Semi-structured interview addressing topics such as academic and industrial career, teaching methods, ongoing research, and future perspectives for the chemical industry. Results: Professor Pellegrini highlighted the importance of practical application of theoretical knowledge, the development of the Water Source Diagram method, advances in supercritical extraction and biodiesel production, and the need for process intensification in the industry. Discussion: The interview revealed the importance of integration between academia and industry, the need for teaching methods that facilitate learning, and the challenges in implementing sustainable and efficient technologies in the chemical industry. Conclusion: Professor Pellegrini emphasizes the importance of process intensification and sustainability in the evolution of the chemical industry. He highlights the need for greater collaboration between academia and industry to address future challenges and implement innovative solutions.

Background: β-thalassemia is a blood disorder in which the body does not make hemoglobin normally. Aim: To assess serum sclerostin in female patients with beta-thalassemia and compare with the healthy controls and to predict its complication associated with the bone pathophysiology, for designed improvement the lifestyle goodliness for these patients. Material and methods: Sixty-nine female beta-thalassemia (βT) patients (54 βT major and 15 βT Intermedia), aged 8-40 years who dependent on transfused blood, and 20 healthy controls were evaluated serum sclerostin, and was examined the relationship with hematological parameters RBC, Hb, PCV, WBC, PLT, BMI, splenic status, iron, and ferritin levels. The information of beta-thalassemia patients was collected and records by the questioner. Results: A significantly increased serum sclerostin level (mean 26.80±0.91) pg/ml was showed in βT patients compared with the healthy controls (10.03±0.68, p  smaller than  0.001) pg/ml. Furthermore, a significant decrease (p smaller than 0.05) of the sclerostin level was observed in β-thalassemia major compared to intermedia β-thalassemia patients. Serum sclerostin level revealed a significant increase in progress age; it is highest in the age group (30-40) year as compared with age group (8-18) and (19-29) year respectively. Sclerostin showed no associations with the RBC, Hb, PCV, and significantly positively correlated (p smaller than 0.05) with serum iron, ferritin levels, WBC, and PLT count. Significantly higher sclerostin levels in splenectomized and underweight groups were observed compared to unsplenectomized and normal-weight groups (p smaller than 0.05) of βT patients. Conclusions: Sclerostin plays an important role in beta-thalassemia patients and can serve as a biomarker associated with the bone pathophysiology and indicator to prevent the continuation of such serious diseases caused by iron overload in these patients.

Background: A new management model for construction and demolition waste (CDW) was proposed for the city of Rio de Janeiro, hence waste the city planning area estimated generation; the results were compared with the data published by COMLURB and SNIS through the statistics tests was proved that CDW had been dispersed, which support the hypothesis that the current model cause dispersion of the rubble. Aim: This study proposes a new management model for CDW to the city, according to regions where occur the higher production of rubble. Methods: The estimation of rubble was obtained through the issued licenses from 2006 to 2020 published by SMPU. The quantification of rubble in the city was carried out by adopting the generation indicator from licensed construction activities. The amount of CDW published by COMLURB and SNIS was compared through statistics tests ANOVA and T-Test, the second period from 2006 to 2020 and 2011 to 2020. To measure the area to implant a CDW recycling plant, criteria from production capacity were used. Results: ANOVA test to data from 2006 to 2020 and 2011 to 2020, according to a confidence interval of 95%, found the P value 0.589 and 0.022, respectively, it was verified that the significant difference is between data from COMLURB and Estimated. The T-test was applied from the same period in data from SNIS and estimated the P values 0.399 and 0.014. Discussion: The data from Estimating between 2006 and 2020 showed the best representation. The Área de Planejamento – AP (Planning Area) 4 was where 50.70% of the total rubble, after the AP 3 with 17.66%, the AP 5 was estimated at 16.59%, last of all, AP 2 and AP 1 were calculated the generation of 8.28% and 6.77%, respectively. Therefore, sizing the CDW recycling producing 361,99.00 tons per year demands an area of 32,397.50 m². Conclusions: It was concluded that the receipt of CDW in transfer stations managed by COMLURB is not allowed; therefore, the need to create a construction waste recycling plant was presented, to this end, it is necessary to have an available area of approximately 32,397.50 m².