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\"The citrus industry is one of the world's most important fruit production industries, but global climate change, pests, diseases, and improper handling are affecting plant yields. CitrusProduction: Technological Advancements and Adaptation to Changing Climate presents information on advancements in the citrus industry examining various aspects of citrus from its production to harvest. It looks at the challenges and approaches in stress tolerance improvements, increasing citrus crop productivity, and reducing postharvest losses. The book details taxonomy, genetic diversity, and metabolic and molecular responses in citrus crops, as well as abiotic and biotic stresses affecting citrus production. Featuring numerous full-color illustrations throughout, this book poses new harvesting techniques along with postharvest physiology of citrus fruits, devising strategies to prevent crop losses. Citrus Production: Technological Advancements and Adaptation to Changing Climate is an essential resource for researchers, academicians, and scientists looking to expand their knowledge of citrus, particularly horticulturists, food scientists, and botanists\"-- Provided by publisher.

The study aims to examine the energy-GDP-exports nexus employing structural break models after testing for co-integration in the form of total/aggregate annual time series data of South Asia region. The novelty of the study rests in dividing the aggregate energy into fossil fuel– and non-fossil fuel–based energy consumptions with structural break at 2008 considering the global financial crisis into the aggregate production function framework with labor, capital stock, and exports, ceteris paribus. The findings corroborate that in all the three models estimated with aggregate energy, fossil fuel–based energy, and non-fossil fuel–based energy consumptions respectively, there is evidence of long-run linkages among the selected variables. The analyses of long run elasticities estimated demonstrate that labor and capital have positive and significant impact on the real economic output before the break date in all the three models. It is however intriguing that aggregate energy use remains positive before and after the break date while fossil fuel–based energy becomes insignificant after 2008. Likely, non-fossil fuel–based energy corroborates insignificant impact on real economic output after 2008. These findings have important bearings for the energy conservation options in the region of South Asia especially for changing/reducing the fossil fuel share with the non-fossil fuels, ceteris paribus.

PurposeThis study aims to identify critical capabilities to address unforeseen and novel disruptions, such as those instigated by COVID-19, and explore their role as essential enablers of supply chain resilience and responsiveness, leading to improved performance.Design/methodology/approachThe structural equation modeling technique was employed for analyzing the proposed associations using survey data from 206 manufacturers operating during the COVID-19 pandemic in a developing country, Pakistan.FindingsKey findings show how improvisation and anticipation act distinctly yet jointly to facilitate supply chain resilience and responsiveness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, data analytics capability positively affects anticipation and improvisation, which mediate the effect of data analytics on supply chain resilience and responsiveness.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings contribute to the theoretical and empirical understanding of the existing literature, suggesting that a combination of improvisation, anticipation and data analytics capabilities is highly imperative for enhancing supply chain resilience and responsiveness in novel and unexpected disruptions.Originality/valueThis is the first study to examine the impact of data analytics on improvisation and anticipation and the latter as complementary capabilities to enhance supply chain resilience and responsiveness. The empirical investigation explores the interplay among data analytics, improvisation, and anticipation capabilities for enhancing supply chain resilience, responsiveness, and performance during the unforeseen and novel disruptions, such as brought to bear by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract Serine protease inhibitors (serpins), a superfamily of protease inhibitors, are known to be involved in several physiological processes, such as development, metamorphosis, and innate immunity. In our study, a full-length serpin cDNA, designated Haserpin1, was isolated from the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera. The cDNA sequence of Haserpin1 is 1176 nt long, with an open reading frame encoding 391 amino acids; there is one exon and no intron. The predicted molecular weight of Haserpin1 is 43.53 kDa, with an isoelectric point of 4.98. InterProScan was employed for Haserpin1 functional characterization, which revealed that Haserpin1 contains highly conserved signature motifs, including a reactive center loop (RCL) with a hinge region (E341–N350), the serpin signature, (F367–F375) and a predicted P1–P1′ cleavage site (L357–S358), which are useful for identifying serpins. Transcripts of Haserpin1 were constitutively expressed in the fat body, suggesting that it is the major site for serpin synthesis. During the developmental stages, a fluctuation in the expression level of Haserpin1 was observed, with low expression detected at the 5th-instar larval stage. In contrast, relatively high expression was detected at the prepupal stage, suggesting that Haserpin1 might play a critical role at the H. armigera wandering stage. Although the detailed function of this serpin (Haserpin1) needs to be elucidated, our study provides a perspective for the functional investigation of serine protease inhibitor genes. Resumo Sabe-se que os inibidores de serina protease (serpinas), uma superfamília de inibidores de protease, estão envolvidos em vários processos fisiológicos, como desenvolvimento, metamorfose e imunidade inata. Neste estudo, um cDNA de serpina de comprimento total, denominado Haserpin1, foi isolado da lagarta Helicoverpa armigera na cultura de algodão. A sequência de ADNc de Haserpin1 tem 1.176 nt de comprimento, com uma grelha de leitura aberta que codifica 391 aminoácidos; existe um éxon, mas nenhum íntron. O peso molecular previsto de Haserpin1 é de 43,53 kDa, com um ponto isoelétrico de 4,98. O InterProScan foi empregado para a caracterização funcional do Haserpin1, que revelou que o Haserpin1 contém motivos de assinatura altamente conservados, incluindo um loop central reativo (RCL) com uma região de dobradiça (E341-N350), a assinatura da serpina (F367-F375) e um local de clivagem previsto de P1-P1' (L357-S358), que são úteis para identificar serpinas. As transcrições de Haserpin1 foram expressas constitutivamente no corpo gordo, sugerindo que é o principal local para a síntese de serpinas. Durante os estágios de desenvolvimento, observou-se uma flutuação no nível de expressão de Haserpin1, com baixa expressão detectada no estágio larval do 5º ínstar. Por outro lado, detectou-se uma expressão relativamente alta no estágio pré-pupal, sugerindo que o Haserpin1 pode desempenhar um papel crítico no estágio errante de H. armigera. Embora a função detalhada dessa serpina (Haserpin1) precise ser elucidada, este estudo fornece uma perspectiva para a investigação funcional dos genes inibidores da serina protease.

Ice accretion on rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (RWUAVs) needs to be studied separately from the fixed-wing UAVs because of the additional flow complexities induced by the propeller rotation. The aerodynamics of rotatory wings are extremely challenging compared to the fixed-wing configuration. Atmospheric icing can be considered a hazard that can plague the operation of UAVs, especially in the Arctic region, as it can impose severe aerodynamic penalties on the performance of propellers. Rotary-wing structures are more prone to ice accretion and ice shedding because of the centrifugal force due to rotational motion, whereby the shedding of the ice can lead to mass imbalance and vibration. The nature of ice accretion on rotatory wings and associated performance degradation need to be understood in detail to aid in the optimum design of rotary-wing UAVs, as well as to develop adequate ice mitigation techniques. Limited research studies are available about icing on rotary wings, and no mature ice mitigation technique exists. Currently, there is an increasing interest in research on these topics. This paper provides a comprehensive review of studies related to icing on RWUAVs, and potential knowledge gaps are also identified.

Ice accretion on commercial aircraft operating at high Reynolds numbers has been extensively studied in the literature, but a direct transformation of these results to an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operating at low Reynolds numbers is not straightforward. Changes in Reynolds number have a significant impact on the ice accretion physics. Previously, only a few researchers worked in this area, but it is now gaining more attention due to the increasing applications of UAVs in the modern world. As a result, an attempt is made to review existing scientific knowledge and identify the knowledge gaps in this field of research. Ice accretion can deteriorate the aerodynamic performance, structural integrity, and aircraft stability, necessitating optimal ice mitigation techniques. This paper provides a comprehensive review of ice accretion on fixed-wing UAVs. It includes various methodologies for studying and comprehending the physics of ice accretion on UAVs. The impact of various environmental and geometric factors on ice accretion physics is reviewed, and knowledge gaps are identified. The pros and cons of various ice detection and mitigation techniques developed for UAVs are also discussed.

Women’s entrepreneurship in Pakistan has been booming in recent years, and it has made a significant impact on social and economic expansion. However, it is notable that these businesses are smaller in size and considered less profitable when compared with men’s entrepreneurial efforts. This dilemma encourages the investigation of the success factors that contribute to the performance of women-owned businesses (WOBs) within this understudied region. Factors that may determine the success of WOB in Pakistan are divided into four broad headings: the entrepreneur’s characteristics, internal business environment, external business environments, and supportive factors. This study also explores the direct and moderating role of perceived national culture within the framework. The results demonstrate that the entrepreneur’s characteristics, external business environments, and supportive factors are positively related to the performance of WOB, while the internal business environment is of little significance. Furthermore, while perceived national culture does not influence the performance of WOB, it weakens the relationship between the entrepreneur’s characteristics and performance but strengthens the impact of supportive factors on the performance of the WOB. This study leads to a solid awareness about the critical success factors, the perceived national culture, and their association with the performances of WOB within Pakistan.

PurposeSupply chain literature highlights that environmental uncertainty (EU) encourages firms to integrate their business strategies and develop strategic flexibility (SF). The authors’ use the dynamic capability view (DCV) to explain why the EU motivates firms to develop SF and integrate business strategies for better supply chain coordination (SCC) and enhanced performance. This study tests the role of SCC as a mediator between (1) business strategy integration (BSI) and operational performance, and (2) SF and operational performance. The study also measures the contingent effect of structural constructs on the relationship between EU, BSI and SF.Design/methodology/approachData of 356 firms drawn from the continuous innovation network (CINet) are used in this paper. Structural equation modeling (SEM) is used to test the direct, indirect and moderation hypotheses.FindingsThe paper finds that EU enhances SF and BSI. Further, BSI has a significant positive impact on SCC that drives operational performance. The paper also finds that SF has no direct impact on SCC rather it affects SCC through BSI. SCC mediates the relationship between (1) SF and operational performance, and (2) BSI and operational performance. The organization's structural factors including connectedness and formalization moderate the effect of EU on BSI and SF.Originality/valueThe paper extends debate at the interface of supply chain risk and strategy literature and provides a specific understanding of the “external-internal-external” mechanism in the context of the turbulent business environment. This mechanism helps to understand why and under what structural conditions EU (external) leads to BSI and SF (internal). Further, BSI and SF (internal) help firms to manage SCC (external) effectively that in turn improve operational performance.

This study explore the dynamics of malaria transmission utilizing a novel fractional nonlinear coupled malaria model with a beta derivative, intending to expand our understanding of the complex factors that drive disease spread. By using the General Exponential Rational Function Method (GERFM), the fractional nonlinear partial differential equations are transformed into nonlinear ordinary differential equations, yielding a range of complex traveling wave solutions, including kink, anti-kink, and dark solitons. The physical behavior of these attained solutions is illustrated through detailed 2D and 3D graphs. The analysis shows key outcomes such as the occurrence of bifurcation analysis, quasi-periodic and chaotic patterns, as well as multi-stability and sensitivity within the model, underscoring the elaborate nature of malaria transmission dynamics. These findings offer new understanding into the modeling of disease spread and provide a strong structure for future research in malaria control. Finally, the study contributes to the development of more accurate predictive models with potential applications in the biomedical sciences, extending the role of fractional calculus in comprehension complex biological systems.

Nano-titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) is one of the most commonly used materials being synthesized for use as one of the top five nanoparticles. Due to the extensive application of TiO 2 nanoparticles and their inclusion in many commercial products, the increased exposure of human beings to nanoparticles is possible. This exposure could be routed via dermal penetration, inhalation and oral ingestion or intravenous injection. Therefore, regular evaluation of their potential toxicity and distribution in the bodies of exposed individuals is essential. Keeping in view the potential health hazards of TiO 2 nanoparticles for humans, we reviewed the research articles about studies performed on rats or other mammals as animal models. Most of these studies utilized the dermal or skin and the pulmonary exposures as the primary routes of toxicity. It was interesting that only very few studies revealed that the TiO 2 nanoparticles could penetrate through the skin and translocate to other tissues, while many other studies demonstrated that no penetration or translocation could happen through the skin. Conversely, the TiO 2 nanoparticles that entered through the pulmonary route were translocated to the brain or the systemic circulation from where these reached other organs like the kidney, liver, etc. In most studies, TiO 2 nanoparticles appeared to have caused oxidative stress, histopathological alterations, carcinogenesis, genotoxicity and immune disruption. Therefore, the use of such materials in humans must be either avoided or strictly managed to minimise risks for human health in various situations.