Genetic studies of different agronomic, quality and yield contributing traits in Gossypium hirsutum L.

An experiment of 4 × 4 diallel was carried out to study the gene action of different yield and yield contributing traits of four advanced cotton cultivars using Mather and Jinks approach. Significant variation was present for all the characters (P< 0.01). The data on recorded parameters revealed that most of the traits were fully or partially fit for genetic interpretation. Additive gene action (D) was significant and pre-dominant for all the characters while seeds per locule showed dominance effect of H1& H2, and it was confirmed by the value of degree of dominance (H1/D 0.5). The value of H2/4H1 and h2 (measures the direction of dominance) demonstrated asymmetrical division of dominant genes for all traits, except ginning out turn (G.O.T) percentage and fiber length, in parental material. All the studied traits showed high value of narrow sense heritability (h2NS), however seeds per locule possessed low heritability. The genetic analysis revealed that all the characters could be improved by progeny and pedigree selection, whereas hybrid dynamism could be exploited in the trait like seeds per locule.

Assessing the Prediction Accuracy of Geomorphon-Based Automated Landform Classification: An Example from the Ionian Coastal Belt of Southern Italy

Automatic procedures for landform extraction is a growing research field but extensive quantitative studies of the prediction accuracy of Automatic Landform Classification (ACL) based on a direct comparison with geomorphological maps are rather limited. In this work, we test the accuracy of an algorithm of automatic landform classification on a large sector of the Ionian coast of the southern Italian belt through a quantitative comparison with a detailed geomorphological map. Automatic landform classification was performed by using an algorithm based on the individuation of basic landform classes named geomorphons. Spatial overlay between the main mapped landforms deriving from traditional geomorphological analysis and the automatic landform classification results highlighted a satisfactory percentage of accuracy (higher than 70%) of the geomorphon-based method for the coastal plain area and drainage network. The percentage of accuracy decreased by about 20–30% for marine and fluvial terraces, while the overall accuracy of the ACL map is 69%. Our results suggest that geomorphon-based classification could represent a basic and robust tool to recognize the main geomorphological elements of landscape at a large scale, which can be useful for the advanced steps of geomorphological mapping such as genetic interpretation of landforms and detailed delineation of complex and composite geomorphic elements.

Lithofacies, Succession, and Their Genetic Interpretation of Lacustrine Gravel Beach-Bars

Based on the elaborate dissection of profile sections parallel and vertical with the shoreline and the forming beach-bars, the unique sedimentary succession of gravel beach-bars, “ABC” sequence, has been found, and their lithofacies and origin have been explained. The A interval is composed of poorly sorted sand and gravel, formed in the wave asymmetric zone. The B interval is composed of well-sorted gravel, formed in the breaker zone. The C interval is composed of normally graded sand, formed in the surfing zone. In the actual gravel beach-bars, three intervals are often presented in a variety of combinations, such as “ABCABC,” “BCBCBC,” “ABABAB,” and others. These findings provide an important basis for the identification and distribution prediction of beach-bar reservoirs in the ancient continental lake basins.

Geochemical and Volcanological Criteria in Assessing the Links between Volcanism and VMS Deposits: A Case on the Iberian Pyrite Belt, Spain

VMS deposits in the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB), Spain and Portugal, constitute the largest accumulation of these deposits on Earth. Although several factors account for their genetic interpretation, a link between volcanism and mineralization is generally accepted. In many VMS districts, research is focused on the geochemical discrimination between barren and fertile volcanic rocks, these latter being a proxy of VMS mineralization. Additionally, the volcanological study of igneous successions sheds light on the environment at which volcanic rocks were emplaced, showing an emplacement depth consistent with that required for VMS formation. We describe a case on the El Almendro–Villanueva de los Castillejos (EAVC) succession, Spanish IPB, where abundant felsic volcanic rocks occur. According to the available evidence, their geochemical features, εNd signature and U–Pb dates suggest a possible link to VMS deposits. However, (paleo)volcanological evidence here indicates pyroclastic emplacement in a shallow water environment. We infer that such a shallow environment precluded VMS generation, a conclusion that is consistent with the absence of massive deposits all along this area. We also show that this interpretation lends additional support to previous models of the whole IPB, suggesting that compartmentalization of the belt had a major role in determining the sites of VMS deposition.

Reply to “Porphyry-related high-sulfidation mineralization early in Central American Arc development: Cerro Quema deposit, Azuero Peninsula, Panama” by Corral (2021)

Dear Editor, we thank Corral (2020) for his anticipated interest in our paper on the timing of the porphyry-related high-sulfidation epithermal mineralization at Cerro Quema in the Azuero peninsula of southwestern Panama. Our study, based on three Re-Os ages for molybdenite intimately associated with Cu-bearing sulfide minerals from the hypogene roots of the La Pava center (Figure 1), shows that the main event of high-sulfidation Cu mineralization took place during the earliest Maastrichtian at ~71 Ma. The reported ages, together with the geologic relationships described in our paper (Perelló et al., 2020), plus a series of regional geologic, structural, petrochemical, and geotectonic considerations, not only precisely date the porphyry-related nature of the Cerro Quema high-sulfidation mineralization, but are also significant in that they confirm the rapid evolution of the earliest stages of the Central American Arc – from subduction initiation at 75-73 Ma to arc stability and maturation at 71 Ma (e.g., Buchs et al., 2011a and references therein) – and place the mineralization in a regional geodynamic setting. Irrespective of the regional geologic arguments reiterated by Corral (2020) in support of his previous genetic interpretation (e.g., Corral et al., 2016) and to invalidate our conclusions, Corral´s real concern is the reliability of our molybdenite ages, which are much older than his preferred age of mineralization for Cerro Quema. We believe that many of the points raised by Corral (2020), including the regional and local geologic backgrounds of the deposit and the dated samples, were properly addressed in Perelló et al. (2020), and that it would be redundant to repeat them here. Additional petrochemical evidence in support can be found in Whattam and Stern (2015, 2020) and Whatam (2018).

MISCELLANEA ETYMOLOGICA: TOPONYMICA

The paper deals with the verification of several etymological versions, suggested for interpretation of hydronyms (i.e. names of water geographical objects) of ancient Slovakia. Earlier these lexical units were classified as elements of Iranian (Sarmatian and Alanian) substratum in local Slavic historical toponymy. The author compares etymological versions, existing in scientific circulation, and finds out the soft spots in their argumentation and also notes the lack of proof for different contentions. The special attention is given to problematic question of ambiguity of orthography of documented forms hydronyms, because ambiguity all too often gives grounds for several (absolutely different) interpretations of one word. Consequently, here is focused on the problem of choice of a certain variant as more «authoritative» (i. e. maximally closed to primordial, etymological form) for research. Critical assessment of proposed above etymological versions uncovers new resources for genetic interpretation of five viewed hydronyms, which can be surely defined as Celt and Germanic lexical heritage in Slovak hydronymy. Among river names the primordial Germanic hydronym is pointed out; one is extended with Middle Iranian term of geographical nomenclature, which evidences about lexical reception of Germanic toponymy stratum traces in the speech practice of Sarmatian and Alanian population and consequently about both ethnoses lingual interaction. In particular Celtic and Germanic etymologies are suggested for such Slovakian hydronyms: Hasztergan, Hor. Hastrgan, Hor. Hastrgan = *Gaster-gan < Germ. *Gaster ‘stream in ravine’, extended with Iran. *kan ‘sorce, well, spring’; Kubra, Cubra = Celt. *kubr (< adj. *kumb-ro-) ‘stream, current on valley’; Metrbos = Germ. *Mittel-bach, *Mittel Bach or *Mitlpos(sky) ‘between creeks’; Nuduna = Celt. *nau-dun ‘port for boats’, ‘fortification with marina for boats’; Gardubarto, Gardubartu, Karduberka, Chaduwocha = Celt. *kar[r]-dubur = «stone water», «stone stream» + Hung. to [tava, tavat] ‘lake’, ‘pond’.

Rare Variants Associated with Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: Reclassification Five Years Later

Genetic interpretation of rare variants associated with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is essential due to their diagnostic implications. New data may relabel previous variant classifications, but how often reanalysis is necessary remains undefined. Five years ago, 39 rare ACM-related variants were identified in patients with features of cardiomyopathy. These variants were classified following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics’ guidelines. In the present study, we reevaluated these rare variants including novel available data. All cases carried one rare variant classified as being of ambiguous significance (82.05%) or likely pathogenic (17.95%) in 2016. In our comprehensive reanalysis, the classification of 30.77% of these variants changed, mainly due to updated global frequencies. As in 2016, nowadays most variants were classified as having an uncertain role (64.1%), but the proportion of variants with an uncertain role was significantly decreased (17.95%). The percentage of rare variants classified as potentially deleterious increased from 17.95% to 23.07%. Moreover, 83.33% of reclassified variants gained certainty. We propose that periodic genetic reanalysis of all rare variants associated with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy should be undertaken at least once every five years. Defining the roles of rare variants may help clinicians obtain a definite diagnosis.

THE LOWER SILURIAN TERRIGENOUS DEPOSITS OF THE LAOELING-GRODEKOVO TERRANE (SOUTH PRIMORYE): MATERIAL COMPOSITION AND FORMATION SETTINGS

This paper studies the original results of the material composition analysis of the Early Silurian terrigenous deposits of the Kordonka formation of the Paleozoic – Early Mesozoic Laoeling-Grodekovo terrane of the South Primorye. The research is aimed at reconstructing paleogeodynamic setting of the deposition of sediments of the formation, and determining the type and mother rock composition of the feed sources based on the complex genetic interpretation of the material composition of rocks. It was established that mineralogically and geochemically formation of the rocks correspond to the typical graywackes and represent petrogenic or “first cycle” rocks formed mainly through the source rock failure. They are characterized by a low maturity, low lithodynamic recycling rate of mother rocks and their rapid burial. The interpretation of the results of the complex study of the material composition of the rocks was carried out on the basis of its comparison with the compositions of ancient rocks and modern sediments formed in the well-known geodynamic settings. The obtained data indicate that deposits of the Kordonka formation accumulated in a sedimentary basin connected with an oceanic island arc. Being built by basic and intermediate volcanic rocks as well as by igneous and sedimentary rocks that constituted its base, this island arc was the source area that supplied clastic material to the aforementioned sedimentary basin.