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Wheat’s nutritional value is critical for human nutrition and food security. However, more attention is needed, particularly regarding the content and concentration of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), especially in the context of climate change (CC) impacts. To address this, various controlled field experiments were conducted, involving the cultivation of three wheat cultivars over three growing seasons at multiple locations with different soil and climate conditions under varying Fe and Zn treatments. The yield and yield attributes, including nutritional values such as nitrogen (N), Fe and Zn, from these experiments were integrated with national yield statistics from other locations to train and test different machine learning (ML) algorithms. Automated ML leveraging a large number of models, outperformed traditional ML models, enabling the training and testing of numerous models, and achieving robust predictions of grain yield (GY) ( R 2 > 0.78), N ( R 2 > 0.75), Fe ( R 2 > 0.71) and Zn ( R 2 > 0.71) through a stacked ensemble of all models. The ensemble model predicted GY, N, Fe, and Zn at spatial explicit in the mid-century (2020–2050) using three Global Circulation Models (GCMs): GFDL-ESM4, HadGEM3-GC31-MM, and MRI-ESM2-0 under two shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs) specifically SSP2-45 and SSP5-85, from the downscaled NEX-GDDP-CMIP6. Averaged across different GCMs and SSPs, CC is projected to increase wheat yield by 4.5%, and protein concentration by 0.8% with high variability. However, it is expected to decrease Fe concentration by 5.5%, and Zn concentration by 4.5% in the mid-century (2020–2050) relative to the historical period (1980–2010). Positive impacts of CC on wheat yield encountered by negative impacts on nutritional concentrations, further exacerbating challenges related to food security and nutrition.

Soil degradation due to global warming, water scarcity and diminishing natural resources negatively impacts food security. Soil fertility deterioration, particularly phosphorus (P) deficiency, remains a challenge in the arid and semi-arid regions. In this study, field experiments were conducted in different geographical locations to investigate the effects of organic amendments coupled with P fertilization and irrigation on soil physical-chemical properties, and the growth, yield and quality of wheat. Application of P fertilizers combined with organic amendments mitigated soil salinity, increased organic matter content, available water, hydraulic conductivity and available macronutrients, but decreased soil bulk density. Application of organic amendments slightly increased total Cd, Ni and Pb in soil, but Cd and Ni concentration was below allowable limits whilst Pb reached a hazardous level. Soil P fractions were significantly increased with the combined application of mineral P and organic amendments irrespective of salinity and irrigation. Crop growth yield and quality of wheat improved significantly in response to the integrated application of mineral P and organic amendments. In conclusion, the combination of mineral P sources with organic amendments could be successfully used as a cost-effective management practice to enhance soil fertility and crop production in the arid and semi-arid regions stressed with water scarcity and natural resource constraints.

Background Plasmodium vivax is the second most important human malaria parasite, widely spread across the world. This parasite is associated with important issues in the process toward malaria elimination, including potential for relapse and increased resistance to chloroquine. Plasmodium vivax multi-drug resistant ( pvmdr1 ) is suspected to be a marker of resistance although definitive evidence is lacking. Progress has been made in knowledge of biological factors affecting parasite growth, including mechanisms of regulated cell death and the suspected role of metacaspase. Plasmodium vivax metacaspase1 (PvMCA1-cd) has been described with a catalytic domain composed of histidine (H372) and cysteine (C428) residues. The aim of this study was to test for a link between the conserved histidine and cysteine residues in PvMCA1-cd, and the polymorphism of the P. vivax multi-drug resistant gene ( pvmdr1 ). Results Thirty P. vivax isolates were collected from Mauritania, Sudan, and Oman. Among the 28 P. vivax isolates successfully sequenced, only 4 samples showed the conserved His (372)–Cys (428) residues in PvMCA1-cd. Single nucleotide polymorphisms observed were H372 T (46.4%), H372 D (39.3%), and C428 R (85.7%). A new polymorphic catalytic domain was observed at His (282)–Cys (305) residues. Sequences alignment analysis of pvmdr1 showed SNP in the three codons 958, 976 and 1076. A single SNP was identified at the codon M958Y (60%), 2 SNPs were found at the position 976: Y976 F (13%) and Y976 V (57%), and 3 SNPs were identified at the position 1076: F1076 L (40%), F1076 T (53%) and F1076 I (3%). Only one isolate was wildtype in all three codons (MYF), 27% were single MY L mutants, and 10% were double M FL mutants. Three new haplotypes were also identified: the triple mutant YVT was most prevalent (53.3%) distributed in the three countries, while triple YFL and YVI mutants (3%), were only found in samples from Sudan and Mauritania. Conclusions Triple or quadruple mutants for metacaspase genes and double or triple mutants for Pvmdr1 were observed in 24/28 and 19/28 samples. There was no difference in the frequency of mutations between PvMCA1-cd and Pvmdr1 (P > 0.2). Histidine and cysteine residues in PvMCA1-cd are highly polymorphic and linkage disequilibrium with SNPs of Pvmdr1 gene may be expected from these three areas with different patterns of P. vivax transmission.

The progressive reduction of synthetic agrochemical fertilizers is one of the key factors in the shift from conventional agriculture to sustainable farming. Nitrogen (N) is the ruling element in the development of agricultural production, but its use in the mineral form or its excessive use causes several environmental issues. Since the release of N nanocomposites coincides with their uptake by crops, N loss reduces while enhancing plant uptake due to nano fertilizers application. Additionally, an intercropping legume with cereal as an eco-friendly pattern could improve and rationalize the nitrogenous inputs. Therefore, a two-year field trial was conducted to determine the efficacy of nano-chitosan-loaded N (CS-NNPs) for saving mineral N amounts applied in maize-based on maize-soybean intercropping and enhancing land productivity. Methods In a randomized split-plot design in three replicates, three intercropping patterns, in addition to the sole crops, and three N levels were implemented. Intercropping involved three intercrop configurations [planting maize rows (M) alternated with soybean rows (S) in patterns of 4M:2S, 2M:4S, and 3M:3S)], in addition to planting sole maize crop (SMC) and sole soybean crop (SSC). N fertilization treatments included adding 288 kg N ha −1 (MN100%) and two levels of CS-NNPs composite involving 216 kg N ha −1  + 2 foliar sprays of CS-NNPs (MN75% + 2CS-NNPs), and 144 kg N ha −1  + 3 foliar sprays of CS-NNPs composite (MN50% + 3CS-NNPs). Under the tested treatments, the agronomic traits, intercropping indices, and economic benefits were estimated. Results Findings revealed that the application of SMC × MN75% + 2CS-NNPs, followed by 4M:2S × MN75% + 2CS-NNPs showed the highest growth, biological yield, and grain yield of maize. The interaction of SSC × MN75% + 2CS-NNPs, followed by 2M:4S × MN75% + 2CS-NNPs resulted in the highest seed yield components, biological yield, straw yield, and seed yield of soybean. Application of 2M:4S × MN100%, 2M:4S × MN50% + 3NNPs, and 3M:3S × MN100% recorded the maximum total land equivalent ratio. While applications of 2M:4S × MN100%, 2M:4S × MN75% + 2CS-NNPs, and 3M:3S × MN100% achieved the highest land equivalent coefficient, land-use efficiency, area time equivalent ratio, and percent yield difference. Likewise, both interactions of 2M:4S × MN75% + 2CS-NNPs and 3M:3S × MN100% recorded the highest system productivity index. Better yield advantage of maize-soybean intercrop compared with the monocrop since total actual yield loss values were positive and higher than zero in all interactions of intercropping pattern × N fertilization. Fertilizing maize with MN50% + 3CS NNPs grown under the 2M:4S pattern had the highest positive aggressivity values. Conclusion The productivity shortfall accompanying the 25% N reduction was compensated by the application of CS-NNPs. Thus, N applied to the maize intercropped with soybeans can be rationalized. This undoubtedly has a good economic payoff for the maize growers with the conservation of the agricultural environment. In maize production systems, it is advisable to fertilize the plants using 216 kg instead of 288 kg nitrogen ha −1 when nano chitosan-loaded nitrogen composite twice (0.48 kg nitrogen ha −1 ) applied.

Plasmodium vivax is the most widely distributed human malaria parasite. Outside sub-Saharan Africa, the proportion of P. vivax malaria is rising. A major cause for concern is the re-emergence of Plasmodium vivax in malaria-free areas. Oman, situated in the south-eastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula, has long been an area of vivax malaria transmission but no locally acquired cases were reported in 2004. However, local transmission has been registered in small outbreaks since 2007. In this study, a local outbreak of 54 cases over 50 days in 2014 was analyzed retrospectively and stained blood slides have been obtained for parasite identification and genotyping. The aim of this study was to identify the geographical origin of these cases, in an attempt to differentiate between imported cases and local transmission. Using circumsporozoite protein (csp), merozoite surface protein 1 (msp1), and merozoite surface protein 3 (msp3) markers for genotyping of parasite DNA obtained by scrapping off the surface of smears, genetic diversity and phylogenetic analysis were performed. The study found that the samples had very low genetic diversity, a temperate genotype, and a high genetic distance, with most of the reference strains coming from endemic countries. We conclude that a small outbreak of imported malaria is not associated with re-emergence of malaria transmission in Oman, as no new cases have been seen since the outbreak ended.

Soil salinization and sodification have become a considerable threat to sustainable crop production for food security. The efficient biological practice in rice cropping systems, besides modulating saline-sodic soil properties using different amendments, is a necessary tactic to accelerate reclamation. This research aimed to evaluate the potential ameliorative effect of seven organic/inorganic amendments addition on soil properties and the differential responses of three rice genotypes under saline-sodic soil conditions at north of Egypt. A 2-year (2019 and 2020) field experiment was conducted with three rice genotypes, viz., Sakha 106, Giza 179, and Egyptian hybrid rice 1 (EHR1) cultivated in saline-sodic-affected soil amended with seven organic/inorganic amendments, i.e. , gypsum, rice straw compost (RSC), farmyard manure (FYM), sulfur, sulfuric acid, calcium superphosphate, and rice husk beside control (unamended soil). This experimental design was a two-factor strip plot with randomized complete blocks with four replications. The morpho-physiological (SPAD chlorophyll , water content, leaf area index, and shoot dry weight) and biochemical (catalase (CAT) activity, proline content, carbohydrates, leaf sodium (Na + ) and potassium (K + ), and Na + /K + ratio) responses, the associated soil physico-chemical and microbial properties, yield, and its components were determined. RSC, gypsum, or sulfur were the most effective amendments in ameliorating saline-sodic soil properties by significantly reducing electrical conductivity, bulk density, and pH compared to the control and initial soil. Gypsum, RSC, FYM, or sulfur amendments significantly decreased the soil Na + by 14.2, 11.7, 9.1, and 8.3%; sodium adsorption ratio by 14.9, 12.6, 10.4, and 8.7%; and exchangeable sodium percentage by 13.5, 11.5, 9.3, and 8.2%, respectively, over both seasons compared with control. The organic amendments surpassed inorganic regarding microbial biomass carbon, soil respiration rate, and dehydrogenase activity with the superiority of RSC, FYM, and rice husk over the control treatment. These soil restorations were favorably reflected in morpho-physio-biochemical parameters, yield, and its components for all the tested rice genotypes. The EHR1 is the superior genotype in terms of ion (Na + and K + ) selectivity, CAT activity, possessing lower proline and higher morpho-physiological responses, and productivity. The EHR1 had a considerable physiological effect on saline-sodic soil stress, producing higher yield (7.70 and 7.50 t ha −1 ) after treating with RSC or gypsum. This indicates that RSC outperforms other amendments in improving saline-sodic soils and enhancing rice productivity. Overall, a single application of rice straw compost (organic amendment) and gypsum or sulfur (inorganic amendment) is a viable sustainable approach for modulating saline-sodic soil’s physico-chemical and microbial properties and for boosting rice’s agronomic and physiological responses in an arid environment.

Two field experiments were carried out in two successive seasons to examine the effect of weed management on wheat crop under saline condition and how herbicides can interact with foliar application with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) to improve weed suppression and enhance crop growth and productivity under salinity stress. Clodinafop-propargyl was the best option to attain acceptable grassy weeds control. Increasing IAA from 0 up to 150 ppm significantly increased number and dry weight of grassy weeds in wheat after 80 days from sowing. Application of IAA at 150 ppm recorded the highest number and dry weight of weeds. Clodinafop-propargyl produced the lowest values of number and dry weight of weeds as well as nutrients uptake by weeds when water spraying was added. While application of IAA at 150 ppm gave the maximum values of flag leaf area, SPAD meter values, number of spike/m[2], spike length, number of spikelets/spike, grains number/spike, grains weight/spike, as well as grain, straw, and total crude protein, phosphorus and potassium percentages when clodinafop-propargyl treatment was applied. It could be concluded that using IAA at 150 ppm resulted in enhancement of growth and productivity of wheat crop when integrated with clodinafop-propargyl treatment under salinity condition.

We characterize luminosity components of Ultra/Luminous Infrared Galaxies (U/LIRGs) in multi-wavelength from the X-ray to far-infrared. A set of 63 AGN U/LIRGs was selected where these galaxies are powered by a central active galactic nucleus (AGN). Utilizing the X-CIGALE code, SEDs for these galaxies are carried out where their SEDs are fitted with observations. Accordingly, the physical parameters such as the stellar mass, the dust-to-gas mass ratio, and the star formation rate are calculated. The total luminosity and its decomposed components (stellar, AGN, X-ray) are also calculated. We characterized these luminosities in relative to the intrinsic luminosity and in relative to each other. As a function of the stellar mass, these luminosities reveal an increase with different correlation coefficients, showing a strong correlation. In correlation with the intrinsic AGN power, the stellar, AGN, and X-ray luminosities are strongly correlates in their variation to the intrinsic AGN luminosity, showing stronger correlations of AGN, and X-ray luminosities than those of the stellar one. In relationships between various luminosity components, both the stellar and X-ray luminosities reveal strong correlations with the AGN luminosity. On the other hand, the X-ray luminosity varies strongly with the stellar luminosity and moderately with IR luminosity. Compared to obscured AGN galaxies, both the stellar and AGN luminosities similarly vary with increasing the intrinsic power of the active nucleus but for obscured AGN they are faster in their variation than that of U/LIRG. These correlations may offer valuable insights to understand the physical properties and their relationships through the evolution of U/LIRGs.

This study investigates the biomechanical performance of various dental materials when filled in different cavity designs and their effects on surrounding dental tissues. Finite element models of three infected teeth with different cavity designs, Class I (occlusal), Class II mesial-occlusal (MO), and Class II mesio-occluso-distal (MOD) were constructed. These cavities were filled with amalgam, composites (Young’s moduli of 10, 14, 18, 22, and 26 GPa), and glass carbomer cement (GCC). An occlusal load of 600 N was distributed on the top surface of the teeth to carry out simulations. The findings revealed that von Mises stress was higher in GCC material, with cavity Class I (46.01 MPa in the enamel, 23.61 MPa in the dentin), and for cavity Class II MO von Mises stress was 43.64 MPa, 39.18 MPa in enamel and dentin respectively, while in case of cavity Class II MOD von Mises stress was 44.67 MPa in enamel, 27.5 in the dentin. The results showed that higher stresses were generated in the non-restored tooth compared to the restored one, and increasing Young’s modulus of restorative composite material decreases stresses in enamel and dentin. The use of composite material showed excellent performance which can be a good viable option for restorative material compared to other restorative materials.

The preparation of adsorbents plays a vital role in the adsorption method. In particular, many adsorbents with high specific surface areas and unique shapes are essential for the adsorption strategy. A Zn–Mg–Al/layer double hydroxide (LDH) was designed in this study using a simple co-precipitation process. Adsorbent based on Zn–Mg–Al/LDH was used to remove crystal violet (CV) from the wastewater. The impacts of the initial dye concentration, pH, and temperature on CV adsorption performance were systematically examined. The adsorbents were analyzed both before and after adsorption using FTIR, XRD, and SEM. The roughness parameters and surface morphologies of the produced LDH were estimated using 3D SEM images. Under the best conditions (dose of adsorbent = 0.07 g and pH = 9), the maximum adsorption capacity has been achieved. Adsorption kinetics studies revealed that the reaction that led to the adsorption of CV dye onto Zn–Mg–Al/LDH was a pseudo-second-order model. Additionally, intraparticle diffusion suggests that Zn–Mg–Al/LDH has a fast diffusion constant for CV molecules (0.251 mg/(g min 1/2 )). Furthermore, as predicted by the Langmuir model, the maximal Zn–Mg–Al/LDH adsorption capacity of CV was 64.80 mg/g. The CV dimensionless separation factor (R L ) onto Zn–Mg–Al/LDH was 0.769, indicating that adsorption was favorable. The effect of temperature was performed at 25, 35, and 45 °C in order to establish the thermodynamic parameters ∆H o , ∆S o , and ∆G o . The computed values indicated exothermic and spontaneous adsorption processes. The study presented here might be used to develop new adsorbents with enhanced adsorption capabilities for the purpose of protecting the water environment.