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The globally Vulnerable wetland-dependent bird species Leptoptilos javanicus was once thought to avoid farmlands, but recent studies in lowland Nepal showed that the species uses farmlands extensively for foraging and breeding. Identifying whether this preference of L. javanicus to these habitats is common throughout Nepal is essential to understanding the conservation needs of the species. This study aimed to explore the seasonal distribution and habitat utilisation by L. javanicus in and around the Barandabhar Corridor Forest by using 220 randomly selected squares within a 500 × 500 m2 grid. We visited centroids of each selected square to collect data on L. javanicus distribution, habitat types, and probable causes of disturbance in two seasons (rainy: August – September 2019 and winter: December – January 2019–2020). A total of 64 observations of L. javanicus (n = 29 in winter, n = 35 in rainy) were made. Leptoptilos javanicus were seen in more squares outside the Protected Area (65.2%) during the rainy season. Variables that negatively influenced L. javanicus sightings were distance to the road (few individuals seen close to the road), distance to the village (few individuals seen close to settlement), and areas under human disturbance (only few individuals seen in areas with more livestock and people) during both seasons. The farmlands around the Barandabhar Corridor Forest hosted many individuals of L. javanicus and are a new location in lowland Nepal with a resident population of this species. Past assumptions regarding L. javanicus conservation require revision, and including a focus on farmlands is an important requirement in Nepal's conservation planning.

With the rising fear of Islamisation in Europe and increasing Islamist sentiment in Turkey, the issue of religion in the context of integration of Turkey into the European Union remains relevant. After a long-lasted wait and continuous negotiations, Turkey seems to be moving further away from getting accepted in the EU. The research focuses on the religious factor in this unrelenting friction between the two regions / entities and answers the question as to why the EU and Turkey should consider religion as one of the variables in the European integration. The analysis is done with the use of primary and secondary sources with special focus on Samuel Huntingtons realism-inspired work Clash of the Civilization. Turkish sources were used for better understanding the dynamics of Turkey. In terms of methodological approach the research is done with using the content analysis and contemporary observation of socio-political scenario and behavioral changes that the EU and Turkey going through. The authors conclude that there is no proper mechanism to consider religion as a variable, but psychologically it is still playing a major role in both the EU and Turkey. The authors believe that the EU and Turkey should discuss the religious dimension of integration while talking other dynamics.

A comprehensive study in grain yield potential is crucial in the selection among wheat genotypes. Grain weight alone doesn’t decide the portion of economic yield in a harvest index as grain yield is the subtractions of many yield components. Information of associations among traits and yield implies their relative importance for selection in yield improvement. Correlation study is a widely used measure to determine the degree of relationship between various traits. The path analysis is a powerful measure which partitions the correlation coefficient and deals with the relative importance of yield contributing traits on yield. The correlation and path coefficient analysis of grain yield in wheat is reviewed in the paper.

Global population growth is demanding for more food production in the future. The selection of the plant for cropping has led to the loss of valuable genotypes. Genome-editing technology is the recent advances in plant breeding which allows the insertion, deletion or substitution of the specific loci in the target host cell. Among the homologous recombination (HR) technology, transcription activation-like effector nuclease (TALEN), zinc finger nucleases (ZFN) and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR); the most popular these days is CRISPR/Cas. Here, we review the methods of genome-editing, their applications, potentials, and the regulatory issues related to genetically modified organisms.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are non-coding RNAs not coding for protein which are usually > 200 nucleotides in length and have various biological functions. Most recent advancements about role of lncRNAs in maize is compiled in this article. In maize lncRNAs function as abiotic stress tolerance including drought, boron, salt, help in growth regulation by influencing flowering time, help in seed development and play role in low phosphate tolerance, they are also responsive to mycorrhizal fungi. This review is intended to have overall view on maize lncRNAs and guide in further research on maize lncRNAs so that lncRNAs can be used in maize improvement.

One of the most desired and highly valuable characters is aroma or fragrance, whose preference and demand is increasing day by day. Aromatic rice is considered proudly as an asset in many countries. More than 200 types of volatile substances are found in rice among which 2-acetyl-1-pyrrole (2-AP) is the most important compound in fragrance rice. By the help of map-based cloning, Badh2, the principal gene contributing 2-AP was mapped on chromosome 8. Non-functional BADH2 protein is resulted if a mutation occurs in badh2 gene. Hence, the accumulation of principal aromatic compound, 2-AP occurs in aromatic rice. This paper provides the insights into the genetic basis, gene function and application of aroma gene functional markers in the cultivation, production and breeding of aromatic rice along with its genetic improvement.

Aim. To specify the mechanism of atrial fibrillation (AF) development and to evaluate the function of left atrium after restoration of sinus rhythm in patients with AF and acute myocardial infarction (MI) without significant reduction in left ventricular systolic function.Material and methods. 52 patients with MI were enrolled into the study and divided into 2 groups. The first group included 29 patients with inferior MI, the second one – 23 patients with anterior MI. All patients underwent percutaneous intervention within first 24 hours after the onset of MI symptoms. Time and triggering factors of AF symptoms onset, its duration, the size of the heart chambers and time of left atrium function recovery were evaluated.Results. In patients with anterior MI AF developed later than in those with inferior MI (on day 2 in 12 patients and on day 3 – in 11 patients with anterior MI versus on day 1 in 25 patients and on day 2 – in 4 patients with inferior MI, pConclusion. AF has less favorable course in anterior MI. In this category of patients AF paroxysms are followed by hemodynamic disorders, and after the restoration of sinus rhythm the majority of patients has consistently impaired mechanical function of the left atrium, which is related to an increased risk of thromboembolic complications.

Aim. To specify the mechanism of atrial fibrillation (AF) development and to evaluate the function of left atrium after restoration of sinus rhythm in patients with AF and acute myocardial infarction (MI) without significant reduction in left ventricular systolic function.Material and methods. 52 patients with MI were enrolled into the study and divided into 2 groups. The first group included 29 patients with inferior MI, the second one – 23 patients with anterior MI. All patients underwent percutaneous intervention within first 24 hours after the onset of MI symptoms. Time and triggering factors of AF symptoms onset, its duration, the size of the heart chambers and time of left atrium function recovery were evaluated.Results. In patients with anterior MI AF developed later than in those with inferior MI (on day 2 in 12 patients and on day 3 – in 11 patients with anterior MI versus on day 1 in 25 patients and on day 2 – in 4 patients with inferior MI, p