Explore the vast range of titles available.

High callus production is a feasible way to improve the propagation coefficient of garlic. It remains unknown how genotypes and explants affect garlic callus formation. In the present investigation, we found that there were significant differences in callus formation among garlic varieties. Tip explants were the best calli-producing source, and 91.05% of the explants from four varieties, on average, formed calli after 45 d of primary culturing. Upper leaf parts explants produced lower values. Among the different varieties and explant types, tip explants of variety T141 induced calli in the shortest time and had the greatest callus fresh weight at 45 d. An endogenous hormone contents analysis showed that auxins (indole-3-acetic acid and methyl indole-3-acetic acetate), cytokinins (trans-zeatin and dihydrozeatin), gibberellins 4, 9,15,19,24 and 53 , abscisic acid, jasmonic acid, jasmonoyl-L-isoleucine, and dihydrojasmonic acid were significantly greater in the tips than those in the upper leaf parts. High endogenous jasmonic acid content might play important roles in callus formation. These results will help us not only establish an efficient garlic callus induction protocol that can be applied to large-scale callus multiplication and regeneration, and to genetically improvement of garlic production, but also understand endogenous hormone roles in tissue/organ differentiation and dedifferentiation.

Flavonoids are natural polyphenol secondary metabolites that are widely produced in planta. Flavonoids are ubiquities in human dietary intake and exhibit a myriad of health benefits. Flavonoids-induced biological activities are strongly influenced by their in situ availability in the human GI tract, as well as the levels of which are modulated by interaction with the gut bacteria. As such, assessing flavonoids–microbiome interactions is considered a key to understand their physiological activities. Here, we review the interaction between the various classes of dietary flavonoids (flavonols, flavones, flavanones, isoflavones, flavan-3-ols and anthocyanins) and gut microbiota. We aim to provide a holistic overview of the nature and identity of flavonoids on diet and highlight how flavonoids chemical structure, metabolism and impact on humans and their microbiomes are interconnected. Emphasis is placed on how flavonoids and their biotransformation products affect gut microbiota population, influence gut homoeostasis and induce measurable physiological changes and biological benefits.

Transportation infrastructure underpins national mobility and economic growth, yet material sourcing for road construction imposes significant environmental and financial costs. As South Africa advances towards road construction, upcycling the reuse of reclaimed materials in higher-value applications offers opportunities to reduce waste and improve circular resource efficiency. This study assesses stakeholders’ perception and adoption of upcycling in the Material Utilisation Plans (MUPs) for road construction. A mixed-methods approach combined nine semi-structured interviews and thirty-two survey responses from professionals involved in the National Route 3 upgrade project. Thematic analysis identified key qualitative themes, while quantituative data from a five-point Likert scale were examined through descriptive statistics, reliability, and correlation analysis. Respondents supported existing downcycling practices (mean = 3.682, SD = 1.088) and expressed readiness to adopt upcycling for pavement surfacing, base, subbase, and subgrade (mean > 3.00, SD < 1.30). Major barriers included client specifications, limited awareness and material cost constraints. Reliability analysis (Cronbach’s α = 0.64–0.88) confirmed internal consistency across qualitative themes. Also, there was a positive correlation between reclaimed materials and cost, design specifications, and optimised cost (r > 0.30, p < 0.05), while downcycling correlated negatively with costs (r = −0.400, p < 0.05). This study provides new empirical evidence on the systemic barriers hindering upcycling adoption in South African road projects and offers a validated mixed-method framework linking perceptual, technical, and economic dimensions of material reuse. It recommends integrating upcycling criteria into design, testing, and procurement processes, shifting from compliance-based recycling to performance-based circular material management in national road infrastructure.

Smart cities utilise advanced technology to enhance the quality of life, economic efficiency, and environmental sustainability of citizens. This transformation is both vital and complex in Africa due to rapid urbanisation and socio-economic challenges. This paper examines the prospects, challenges, and pathways toward smart city development in African cities. The study was conducted through a systematic literature review and case study analyses of initiatives for smart city development in Africa. The findings indicate that infrastructure deficits, financial constraints, weak policy frameworks, limited expertise, and socio-economic inequalities are the key challenges. The high use of mobile technologies, innovation hubs, and increasing policy support have created opportunities. Strategic actions for transforming African cities include strengthening infrastructure through public–private partnerships, developing financial mechanisms, creating coherent policies, promoting inclusivity, and building technical capacity. Technologies such as Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are among the key enablers, supporting the growth of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), improving infrastructure, fostering inclusive governance, managing resources sustainably, and enhancing public services such as healthcare and education. The study also proposes a conceptual framework for smart cities in Africa and outlines a pathway to unlock the continent’s potential for smart cities. It is argued that African cities need to address systemic challenges, leverage unique opportunities, and ensure inclusivity at the urban level. An integrated approach that utilises advanced technologies and prioritises sustainability and resilience is essential for developing smart and inclusive cities.

Nitrogen (N) is one of the most important nutrients affecting maize productivity. The effects of osmotic stress on nitrogen assimilation still remain unclear. The aim of this study is to characterize the physiological and biochemical responses to the N level and examine the expression of the genes involved in the N assimilation pathway under osmotic stress. Maize seedlings were supplied with three N levels; low N (LN, 0.5 mM), moderate N (MN, 10 mM) and high N (HN, 20 mM) with or without 10% of PEG6000. Results showed that osmotic stress reduced photosynthesis, and transpiration rate as well as stomatal conductance while increased N assimilation at HN. The activities of NR and GPT enzymes were negatively correlated with the N level. However, a positive correlation was observed between the activities of other N assimilation related enzymes and HN level under osmotic stress. The relative expression of genes involved directly in nitrate transport, for example, ZmNRT1.2, ZmNRT2.2, and ZmNRT2.3 were higher at LN level. At LN application, the genes involved in the N assimilation pathway, like ZmGln4, ZmGln5, ZmGs1.3, ZmGs1.4, and ZmSupp showed higher expression levels under osmotic stress. Overall, the expression level of osmotic-stress related genes was decreased at HN level. Taken together, we concluded that though the mRNA levels and enzymatic activities of N assimilation related enzymes were varied and not typically correlated at various nitrogen levels under osmotic stress. However, the expression level of major N assimilation related genes could be used as biomarkers for the identification of maize genotypes or mutants with high nitrogen assimilation under osmotic stress.

Effective water resource management plays a crucial role in achieving sustainability in agriculture, hydrology, and environmental protection, particularly under growing water scarcity and climate-related challenges. Soil moisture (θ), matric potential (h), and hydraulic conductivity (K) are critical parameters influencing water availability for crops and regulating hydrological, environmental, and ecological processes. To address the need for accurate, real-time soil monitoring in both laboratory and open-field conditions, we proposed an innovative IoT-based monitoring system called SHYPROM (Soil HYdraulic PROperties Meter), designed for the simultaneous estimation of parameters θ, h, and K at different soil depths. The system integrates capacitive soil moisture and matric potential sensors with wireless communication modules and a cloud-based data processing platform, providing continuous, high-resolution measurements. SHYPROM is intended for use in both environmental and agricultural contexts, where it can support precision irrigation management, optimize water resource allocation, and contribute to hydrological and environmental monitoring. This study presents recent technological upgrades to the proposed monitoring system. To improve the accuracy and robustness of θ estimates, the capacitive module was enhanced with an integrated oscillator circuit operating at 60 MHz, an upgrade from the previous version, which operated at 600 kHz. The new system was tested (i.e., calibrated and validated) through a series of laboratory experiments on soils with varying textures, demonstrating its improved ability to capture dynamic soil moisture changes with greater accuracy compared to the earlier SHYPROM version. During calibration and validation tests, soil water content data were collected across a θ range from 0 to 0.40 cm3/cm3. These measurements were compared to reference θ values obtained using the thermo-gravimetric method. The results show that the proposed monitoring system can be used to obtain predictions of θ values with acceptable accuracy (R2 values range between 0.91 and 0.96). To further validate the performance of the upgraded SHYPROM system, evaporation experiments were also conducted, and the θ(h) and K(θ) relationships were determined among soils. Retention and conductivity data were fitted using the van Genuchten and van Genuchten–Mualem models, respectively, confirming that the device accurately captures the temporal evolution of soil water status (R2 values range from 0.97 to 0.99).

Production and transport of reactive species through plasma–liquid interactions play a significant role in multiple applications in biomedicine, environment, and agriculture. Experimental investigations of the transport mechanisms of typical air plasma species: hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and ozone (O3) into water are presented. Solvation of gaseous H2O2 and O3 from an airflow into water bulk vs. electrosprayed microdroplets was measured, while changing the water flow rate and applied voltage, during different treatment times and gas flow rates. The solvation rate of H2O2 and O3 increased with the treatment time and the gas–liquid interface area. The total surface area of the electrosprayed microdroplets was larger than that of the bulk, but their lifetime was much shorter. We estimated that only microdroplets with diameters below ~40 µm could achieve the saturation by O3 during their lifetime, while the saturation by H2O2 was unreachable due to its depletion from air. In addition to the short-lived flying microdroplets, the longer-lived bottom microdroplets substantially contributed to H2O2 and O3 solvation in water electrospray. This study contributes to a better understanding of the gaseous H2O2 and O3 transport into water and will lead to design optimization of the water spray and plasma-liquid interaction systems.

The huge development of climatic change highly affects our crop production and soil fertility. Also, the rise in the uncontrolled, excessive use of chemical fertilizers diminishes the soil prosperity and generates pollutants, threatening all environmental life forms, including us. Replacement of these chemical fertilizers with natural ones is becoming an inevitable environmental strategy. In our study, we evaluated the responses of Pisum sativum L. to the action of single species and consortiums of plant growth-promoting bacteria (Azotobacter chroococcum, Bacillus megaterium, and Bacillus cerkularice) in clay and new reclaimed soil types in terms of phenotype, yield components, and physiological and biochemical responses. Data analysis showed single or consortium microbial inoculation significantly increased the measured traits under clay and calcareous sandy soils compared to the control. Shoot physiological and biochemical activities, and seed biochemical activities were significantly enhanced with the inoculation of pea seeds with three types of bacteria in both soil types. The bud numbers, fresh weight, and seeds’ dry weight increased in seeds treated with A. chroococcum and B. megaterium in the sandy soil. Taken together, these findings suggested that the inoculation of plants with PGP bacteria could be used to diminish the implementation of chemical fertilizer and improve the goodness of agricultural products. These findings expand the understanding of the responsive mechanism of microbial inoculation under different soil types, especially at physiological and biochemical levels.

Objective To quantify space loss following premature extraction of primary first molars (Ds) over a follow-up period of at least six months and evaluate its clinical implications. Materials and methods A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, LILACS, Web of Science, and Embase was conducted. Only longitudinal split-mouth cohort studies were included. The primary outcome was the amount of space loss in the extraction region, measured against the contralateral control side. Results 7 studies were included, comprising 141 children for maxillary analysis and 171 children for mandibular analysis. Meta-analysis for space loss revealed a mean difference (MD) of -0.52 mm (95% CI: -0.79 to -0.26; p  < 0.001) in the maxilla after 9–12 months, and − 1.78 mm (95% CI: -2.09 to -1.47; p  < 0.001) in the mandible after 8–9 months. Conclusions Premature loss of Ds in children aged 6–9 years results in space loss of -0.52 mm in the maxilla and − 1.78 mm in the mandible. Space maintainers are indicated following mandibular extractions, while maxillary cases may not require routine intervention.

Deep Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) are the state-of-the-art systems for image classification due to their high accuracy but on the other hand their high computational complexity is very costly. The acceleration is the target in this field nowadays for using these systems in real time applications. The Graphics Processing Units is the solution but its high-power consumption prevents its utilization in daily-used equipment moreover the Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) has low power consumption and flexible architecture which fits more for CNN implementations. This work discusses this problem and provides a solution that compromises between the speed of the CNN and the power consumption of the FPGA. This solution depends on two main techniques for speeding up: parallelism of layers resources and pipelining inside some layers. On the other hand, we added a new methodology to compromise the area requirements with the speed and design time by implementing CNN using Xilinx SDSOC tool (including processor and FPGA on the same board). Implementing design using HW/SW partitioning will enhance time design based on high level language(C or C++) in Vivado HLS (High Level Synthesis). It also fits for more large designs than using FPGA only and faster in design time.