SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

Today, salinity stress causes extensive damage to crops, and high soil salinity is one of the limiting factors for crop yields. A practical approach to lessen the negative effect of salinity stress is to use mineral nutrition methods such as spraying plants with silicone. To investigate and compare the effect of silicon and silicon nano-chelate on the wheat plant resistance (Shiroodi cultivar) to salinity stress, a factorial experiment was designed and conducted in a completely randomized design with five replications under hydroponic conditions. Experimental treatments included concentrations of 0 and 2 mmol/L silicon, 0 and 0.424 g/L silicon nano-chelate, 0 and 150 mmol/L sodium chloride, and their interaction. The growth and physiological indices showed that salinity stress decreasing effect on shoot dry weight, root fresh weight, catalase activity, and ascorbate peroxidase. These increases indicate the activation of the plant defense system against salinity stress conditions. The results also showed that silicon nano-chelate treatment under salinity stress reduced dry and fresh weights of roots and shoots. These two compounds additionally influenced the content of catalase activity, ascorbate peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase content in shoots. Simultaneously, the silicon and silicon nano-chelate treatment under salinity stress reduced the dry and fresh weight of roots and shoots, catalase activity, and ascorbate peroxidase. Therefore, the results obtained in this study generally showed that silicon under salinity stress increased plant growth and positively affected the activity of its antioxidant system. But silicon nano-chelate not only did not improve plant performance but also reduced its growth.

Background: Recently, research has been carried out to improve the efficiency of electronic devices in general. With the commercial search for consolidated materials and the growth in demand with monitoring of costs, research has sought to minimize these effects with the replacement or functionalization of other substances, which may be applied at lower costs without compromising operating yields already achieved. Objective: This work aimed to obtain molecular modeling and reactivity parameters of -caprolactam and o-phenanthroline to evaluate the interaction capacity in the formation of molecular systems. Conductance measurements were taken to observe the electrolytic behavior. Infrared and UV-visible spectra were recorded to characterize vibrational transitions and evaluate spectrochemical properties. Methods: The WebLab program was used to obtain structural data and calculate reactivity parameters. Conductance was obtained in QUIMIS Q-405 equipment. IR spectra were recorded on PERKIN ELMER FRONTIER equipment. UV-vis spectra were recorded in a SHIMADZU equipment 200 – 1000 nm range to record the main transitions. Results and Discussions: Electron donor atoms are centered mainly on oxygen and nitrogen, respectively, which are sterically more favorable. The behavior was non-electrolyte. Groups with vibrational transitions sensitive to chemical interactions are comprised of C=N, C-N, and C=O bonds. The  parameter indicates transitions in the 190 – 300 nm region and the near-infrared, and the oscillator strength is typical of molecules used as dyes and sensitizers in optical light-emitting systems or light-to-electricity converters. Conclusions: We observed that these ligands have a donor capacity for the formation of complex systems that meet the need for electron transfer in optical pumping devices for the intensification of transitions or radiation converters, which can also be applied in radiation-to-electricity converter systems.

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.