This study was conducted to provide comprehensive information on the current status, constraints, and policy responses regarding rice cultivation in Uzbekistan for researchers and policymakers engaged in rice production in Central Asia. Despite annual fluctuations, Uzbekistan’s rice cultivation area has consistently exceeded 100,000 hectares each year. The yield per unit area improved by 19.2%, increasing from 4.21 t/ha in 2021 to 5.02 t/ha in 2024. In terms of cultivation methods, the proportion of doub le c ropping rose f rom 50.7% t o 71.6%, a lthough productivity remained h igher in s ingle cropping (5.35 t/ha) compared to double cropping (4.88 t/ha). Rice demonstrated an economic advantage of 2-5 times per hectare compared to major crops such as wheat, corn, and cotton. However, domestic production growth has not kept pace with rising consumption demands, leading to a sharp increase in imports, from 9,000 tons in 2019 to 108,800 tons in 2023. The structure of rice imports is shifting from a heavy reliance on Kazakhstan (90%) toward diversification, including partnerships with Pakistan, Thailand, and other countries. Major constraints to rice production in Uzbekistan include an arid climate, chronic irrigation water shortages, and soil salinization, which affects 50-70% of irrigated farmland. In response, the government established a comprehensive development strategy through Cabinet Resolution No. 986 in 2019 and is currently promoting economies of scale by establishing 42 clusters across 8 provinces (covering 41,440 hectares, or 29.7% of the total area). To address water scarcity, laser land leveling technology has been implemented on over 700,000 hectares as of 2024, aimed at reducing irrigation water usage and increasing yields, with plans to further expand water-saving cultivation technologies. In terms of international cooperation, the KOPIA project is enhancing quality seed production and distribution, as well as establishing machine transplanting cultivation technology. Partnerships with IRRI and participation in the Council for Partnership on Rice Research in Asia (CORRA) are strengthening the development of climate- adaptive varieties and international networks. Overall, Uzbekistan’s rice industry has the strategic potential to contribute significantly to food security, rural economic development, and regional trade activation through systematic policy implementation and enhanced international cooperation.

Virtual Reality Head Mounted Display (VR HMD)-based flight simulators have recently emerged as promising tools for enhancing pilot training effectiveness. This study aims to establish a set of evaluation criteria for the development of VR HMD-based flight simulators and to determine their relative importance and priority using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Through an extensive review of the literature, a hierarchical evaluation model was constructed, consisting of three primary criteria and ten sub-criteria. A structured questionnaire was administered to experienced pilots, and the collected data were analyzed using the AHP methodology to assess the relative weights of each criterion. The analysis revealed that the fidelity of system performance is the most influential factor in evaluating VR HMD-based flight simulators. These findings present a structured evaluation framework and offer practical insights for guiding the strategic development and optimization of VR HMD-based flight training systems.

This study examined the effects of pre-soaking solvents and repeated steaming-drying (SD) cycles on the antioxidant activity and active compound content of Rehmanniae Radix Preparata(RRP), the processed root of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. SD treatments were conducted for 1 to 9 cycles using four different pre-soaking solvents: Takju (a traditional rice wine), Spirits, Honey, and Sugar solution. The results showed no significant differences in DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities or in total polyphenol and flavonoid contents among the pre-soaking treatments, although samples pre-soaked in honey and Takju exhibited slightly higher levels. Polyphenol and flavonoid contents increased progressively with the number of SD cycles, reaching levels 2–3 times higher after nine cycles. Catalpol content remained relatively constant regardless of treatment, whereas aucubin content increased in all groups, with the highest accumulation observed in the Takju treatment. Similarly, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) content increased with the number of SD cycles, with the highest levels found in the honey group, followed by Takju, Sugar, and Spirits. In conclusion, while the type of pre-soaking solvent had minimal influence on antioxidant activities and catalpol content, both aucubin and 5-HMF contents increased with additional SD cycles, with Takju proving particularly effective in enhancing their accumulation.