On the construction of generalized Grassmann representatives of state vectors

Generalized $Z_k$-graded Grassmann variables are used to label coherent states related to the nilpotent representation of the q-oscillator of Biedenharn and Macfarlane when the deformation parameter is a root of unity. These states are then used to construct generalized Grassmann representatives of state vectors.Comment: 8 page

Capturing wheat phenotypes at the genome level

Recent technological advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have dramatically reduced the cost of DNA sequencing, allowing species with large and complex genomes to be sequenced. Although bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the world’s most important food crops, efficient exploitation of molecular marker-assisted breeding approaches has lagged behind that achieved in other crop species, due to its large polyploid genome. However, an international public–private effort spanning 9 years reported over 65% draft genome of bread wheat in 2014, and finally, after more than a decade culminated in the release of a gold-standard, fully annotated reference wheat-genome assembly in 2018. Shortly thereafter, in 2020, the genome of assemblies of additional 15 global wheat accessions was released. As a result, wheat has now entered into the pan-genomic era, where basic resources can be efficiently exploited. Wheat genotyping with a few hundred markers has been replaced by genotyping arrays, capable of characterizing hundreds of wheat lines, using thousands of markers, providing fast, relatively inexpensive, and reliable data for exploitation in wheat breeding. These advances have opened up new opportunities for marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS) in wheat. Herein, we review the advances and perspectives in wheat genetics and genomics, with a focus on key traits, including grain yield, yield-related traits, end-use quality, and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. We also focus on reported candidate genes cloned and linked to traits of interest. Furthermore, we report on the improvement in the aforementioned quantitative traits, through the use of (i) clustered regularly interspaced short-palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9)-mediated gene-editing and (ii) positional cloning methods, and of genomic selection. Finally, we examine the utilization of genomics for the next-generation wheat breeding, providing a practical example of using in silico bioinformatics tools that are based on the wheat reference-genome sequence

Supplementary File for Capturing wheat phenotypes at the genome level

Supplementary S1: Yield and related traits in bread wheat. Table S1: Examples of genomic regions, candidate and cloned genes for yield and related traits in bread wheat. Supplementary S2: Drought tolerance. Table S2: Examples of genomic regions and candidate genes for drought tolerance. Supplementary S3: Heat tolerance. Table S3. Examples of genomic regions and candidate genes for heat tolerance. Supplementary S4: salinity tolerance in bread wheat. Table S4. Examples of genomic regions and candidate genes for salinity tolerance in bread wheat. Supplementary S5: Frost tolerance. Supplementary S6: Disease resistance. Table S5. Examples of genomic regions, candidate and cloned genes mapped for disease resistance in wheat species. Supplementary S7 insect and mite resistance. Table S6. Examples of genomic regions and candidate genes mapped for insect and mite resistance. Supplementary S8: Quality traits. Table S7. Examples of genomic regions, candidate and cloned genes for quality traits.Recent technological advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have dramatically reduced the cost of DNA sequencing, allowing species with large and complex genomes to be sequenced. Although bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the world’s most important food crops, efficient exploitation of molecular marker-assisted breeding approaches has lagged behind that achieved in other crop species, due to its large polyploid genome. However, an international public–private effort spanning 9 years reported over 65% draft genome of bread wheat in 2014, and finally, after more than a decade culminated in the release of a gold-standard, fully annotated reference wheat-genome assembly in 2018. Shortly thereafter, in 2020, the genome of assemblies of additional 15 global wheat accessions was released. As a result, wheat has now entered into the pan-genomic era, where basic resources can be efficiently exploited. Wheat genotyping with a few hundred markers has been replaced by genotyping arrays, capable of characterizing hundreds of wheat lines, using thousands of markers, providing fast, relatively inexpensive, and reliable data for exploitation in wheat breeding. These advances have opened up new opportunities for marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS) in wheat. Herein, we review the advances and perspectives in wheat genetics and genomics, with a focus on key traits, including grain yield, yield-related traits, end-use quality, and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. We also focus on reported candidate genes cloned and linked to traits of interest. Furthermore, we report on the improvement in the aforementioned quantitative traits, through the use of (i) clustered regularly interspaced short-palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9)-mediated gene-editing and (ii) positional cloning methods, and of genomic selection. Finally, we examine the utilization of genomics for the next-generation wheat breeding, providing a practical example of using in silico bioinformatics tools that are based on the wheat reference-genome sequence.Peer reviewe

Revolutionizing Financial Markets: The Role of Distributed Ledger Technology in Payments, Clearing, and Settlements

Distributed ledger technology (DLT), also known as blockchain, is considered one of the technological innovations with significant potential to revolutionize payments, clearing, and settlement processes. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the application of DLT in these areas by evaluating its benefits, opportunities, and the risks and challenges associated with its practical and long-term adoption. This study employs a comprehensive systematic literature review as its primary methodology, involving the identification, selection, and critical analysis of relevant academic and industry sources. By conducting an exhaustive analysis of the literature, the research ensures a thorough and balanced examination of current knowledge, uncovering key trends, advancements, and existing gaps in the field. The findings reveal that current systems for clearing, settlements, and cross-border payments are often inefficient, slow, and costly. A DLT-based alternative has the potential to enhance these processes by making securities clearing and settlement more timely, transparent, efficient, and secure.  DLT allows organizations to conduct transactions in payments and settlements systems without requiring a central entity or intermediaries such as banks or clearinghouses, potentially enabling a more efficient, transparent, and secure financial market. Various DLT protocols have been employed in payments and securities initiatives, with central banks across multiple countries launching DLT-related research to assist the financial and commercial sectors in developing this technology. DLT-based systems represent a major opportunity to address the current frictions in payment clearing and settlement processes and are likely to cause a considerable change in market structures.  However, the technology is still in its early adoption stage and faces various obstacles, including technological barriers, privacy concerns, and regulatory challenges that need to be addressed by relevant stakeholders. The study emphasizes the importance of collaboration among stakeholders, including regulators, financial institutions, and technology providers, to overcome these challenges and leverage the opportunities presented by DLT in revolutionizing financial services. This paper contributes to the broader discourse on the potential of emerging technologies to disrupt traditional financial services processes. It underscores the need for continued exploration and resolution of the issues hindering the adoption of DLT to fully realize its transformative potential in the financial sector. By examining these aspects, this paper seeks to shed light on the future landscape of payments, clearing, and settlements, and the role DLT might play in shaping it. The study underscores the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to overcome the challenges and leverage the opportunities presented by DLT in revolutionizing financial services.   Keywords: Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) – Payments – Clearing – Settlements. JEL Classification : G23, G28, G15 Paper type: Theoretical Research Distributed ledger technology (DLT), also known as blockchain, is considered one of the technological innovations with significant potential to revolutionize payments, clearing, and settlement processes. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the application of DLT in these areas by evaluating its benefits, opportunities, and the risks and challenges associated with its practical and long-term adoption. This study employs a comprehensive systematic literature review as its primary methodology, involving the identification, selection, and critical analysis of relevant academic and industry sources. By conducting an exhaustive analysis of the literature, the research ensures a thorough and balanced examination of current knowledge, uncovering key trends, advancements, and existing gaps in the field. The findings reveal that current systems for clearing, settlements, and cross-border payments are often inefficient, slow, and costly. A DLT-based alternative has the potential to enhance these processes by making securities clearing and settlement more timely, transparent, efficient, and secure.  DLT allows organizations to conduct transactions in payments and settlements systems without requiring a central entity or intermediaries such as banks or clearinghouses, potentially enabling a more efficient, transparent, and secure financial market. Various DLT protocols have been employed in payments and securities initiatives, with central banks across multiple countries launching DLT-related research to assist the financial and commercial sectors in developing this technology. DLT-based systems represent a major opportunity to address the current frictions in payment clearing and settlement processes and are likely to cause a considerable change in market structures.  However, the technology is still in its early adoption stage and faces various obstacles, including technological barriers, privacy concerns, and regulatory challenges that need to be addressed by relevant stakeholders. The study emphasizes the importance of collaboration among stakeholders, including regulators, financial institutions, and technology providers, to overcome these challenges and leverage the opportunities presented by DLT in revolutionizing financial services. This paper contributes to the broader discourse on the potential of emerging technologies to disrupt traditional financial services processes. It underscores the need for continued exploration and resolution of the issues hindering the adoption of DLT to fully realize its transformative potential in the financial sector. By examining these aspects, this paper seeks to shed light on the future landscape of payments, clearing, and settlements, and the role DLT might play in shaping it. The study underscores the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to overcome the challenges and leverage the opportunities presented by DLT in revolutionizing financial services.   Keywords: Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) – Payments – Clearing – Settlements. JEL Classification : G23, G28, G15 Paper type: Theoretical Research&nbsp