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Climate change, food shortage, water scarcity, and population growth are some of the threatening challenges being faced in today’s world. Drought stress (DS) poses a constant challenge for agricultural crops and has been considered a severe constraint for global agricultural productivity; its intensity and severity are predicted to increase in the near future. Legumes demonstrate high sensitivity to DS, especially at vegetative and reproductive stages. They are mostly grown in the dry areas and are moderately drought tolerant, but severe DS leads to remarkable production losses. The most prominent effects of DS are reduced germination, stunted growth, serious damage to the photosynthetic apparatus, decrease in net photosynthesis, and a reduction in nutrient uptake. To curb the catastrophic effect of DS in legumes, it is imperative to understand its effects, mechanisms, and the agronomic and genetic basis of drought for sustainable management. This review highlights the impact of DS on legumes, mechanisms, and proposes appropriate management approaches to alleviate the severity of water stress. In our discussion, we outline the influence of water stress on physiological aspects (such as germination, photosynthesis, water and nutrient uptake), growth parameters and yield. Additionally, mechanisms, various management strategies, for instance, agronomic practices (planting time and geometry, nutrient management), plant growth-promoting Rhizobacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal inoculation, quantitative trait loci (QTLs), functional genomics and advanced strategies (CRISPR-Cas9) are also critically discussed. We propose that the integration of several approaches such as agronomic and biotechnological strategies as well as advanced genome editing tools is needed to develop drought-tolerant legume cultivars.

A comprehensive landslide inventory and susceptibility maps are prerequisite for developing and implementing landslide mitigation strategies. Landslide susceptibility maps for the landslides prone regions in northern Pakistan are rarely available. The Hunza-Nagar valley in northern Pakistan is known for its frequent and devastating landslides. In this paper, we have developed a landslide inventory map for Hunza-Nagar valley by using the visual interpretation of the SPOT-5 satellite imagery and mapped a total of 172 landslides. The landslide inventory was subsequently divided into modelling and validation data sets. For the development of landslide susceptibility map seven discrete landslide causative factors were correlated with the landslide inventory map using weight of evidence and frequency ratio statistical models. Four different models of conditional independence were used for the selection of landslide causative factors. The produced landslides susceptibility maps were validated by the success rate and area under curves criteria. The prediction power of the models was also validated with the prediction rate curve. The validation results shows that the success rate curves of the weight of evidence and the frequency models are 82% and 79%, respectively. The prediction accuracy results obtained from this study are 84% for weight of evidence model and 80% for the frequency ratio model. Finally, the landslide susceptibility index maps were classified into five different varying susceptibility zones. The validation and prediction result indicates that the weight of evidence and frequency ratio model are reliable to produce an accurate landslide susceptibility map, which may be helpful for landslides management strategies.

Plants react to the environment and to management interventions by undergoing architectural and structural modifications. A field trial was conducted in China in 2016 to study the effects of the plant population on morphological development of the maize canopy. The main objectives of the current study were (i) to characterize the effects of increased plant density on canopy morphology and stalk lodging and (ii) to explore the relationships between organ morphology and stalk lodging. The field experiment was composed of five plant densities (4.5, 6, 7.5, 9, and 15 plants m ) of three cultivars: Zhengdan 958 (lodging-resistant cultivar), Longping 206 and Jinqiu 119 (lodging-susceptible cultivars). In response to plant densities of all the three cultivars, the lamina and sheath lengths increased in lower phytomers but decreased in upper phytomers. The lamina width and internode diameter decreased for all phytomers in response to plant densities for all the cultivars. The correlation between organ morphology, plant density and stalk lodging was linear. Data obtained from characterization used in this study (that is, canopy morphology, correlation of organ morphology with stalk lodging traits in response to various plant densities for different cultivars, etc.) will be useful in future modeling studies to predict the morphology characteristics of the canopy affected by interplant competition and stalk lodging.

Agriculture is facing a severe threat to its sustainability due to the growing demands for food, feed, and other renewable nonfood raw materials in the face of global warming. Regenerative agriculture is increasingly recognized as a vital solution to a range of ecological and social issues. It actively revitalizes ecosystems, focusing on soil health, biodiversity, and mitigating climate change, going beyond sustainable practices. Governments and other organizations at all levels, from global to regional, are exploring how regenerative agriculture can be integrated into climate change initiatives to sustain ecosystem. This powerful benefit can be achieved without reducing yields or farmer profits. Soil, as a living and dynamic environment, is home to a diverse range of micro- and macro biota that contribute to its characteristics. Healthy soil is characterized by favorable physical properties (texture, water-holding capacity), chemical properties (pH, soil organic matter; SOM), and biological properties (microbial diversity, and soil respiration), which are essential for nurturing nutritious and profitable crops and improve human health. Regenerative farming is attracting interest from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to improve soil health and sustain ecology. Several academics and non-governmental organizations have attempted to explain the scope and significance of regenerative agriculture. This review outlines how regenerative agriculture practices can mitigate global warming, improve soil health, boost biodiversity, and its socioecological impacts. For future prospects, further scientific research required to examine the effects of regenerative agriculture on both livestock and human health, in order to promote a healthier community.

Aim. This research study aims to examine the professional quality of life (ProQOL) among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Pakistan during the fourth wave of COVID-19. Background. Under intense pressure to fight the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, HCWs are more likely to experience psychological problems. Numerous investigations carried out in the past at various points during the pandemic have shown that COVID-19 has had important detrimental effects on HCWs. However, there are many unknowns with regard to ProQOL for HCWs. Methods. This is a cross-sectional study conducted with Pakistani HCWs who performed their duties during the fourth wave of COVID-19. Data were collected between January 1 and March 31, 2022. A total of 258 HCWs took part in the study evaluating ProQOL. The significance level was <0.05. Results. Most respondents were males (79.1%), and 20.9% were females. The scores of secondary traumatic stress (STS), burnout (BO), and compassion satisfaction (CS) were 24.03 ± 3.79, 19.18 ± 2.92, and 35.29 ± 4.37, respectively. Compared with higher-income groups, HCWs with lower incomes were significantly (P<0.001) more likely to experience psychological issues. Males had lower BO and STS than female HCWs (P<0.001). Similarly, doctors had a lower STS than nurses (P<0.05). HCWs who worked hours per day longer had a heavier STS (P<0.001). Conclusion. This study shows low BO levels, moderate CS levels, and STS levels among HCWs. HCWs with lower salary were at a higher risk of mental distress due to the pandemic. HCWs who worked for long hours and had less income had more STS and BO. HCWs who were dissatisfied with their works had poor CS. Implications for Nursing Management. It is supposed that these results may help HCW managers to improve job satisfaction and rewards while reducing working hours and workload to improve the ProQOL of HCWs fighting COVID-19. The government should focus on the mental health of HCWs, enhancing their satisfaction and allocating sufficient resources.

Background: Occupational stress refers to the psychological pressure from work‐related factors. Stress overload is a key contributor to the global nursing shortage. Excessive workloads and psychological pressure further exacerbate stress among healthcare professionals. Aims: This study aims to examine the impact of psychological counseling (PC), job characteristics, and perceived respect on occupational stress among Pakistani nurses. Methods: This cross‐sectional study was carried out by nurses from Pakistan, using a random sampling method. Data were collected between April 1 and May 31, 2024. We have access to the nurses’ work‐related stress, respect, and PC through an online questionnaire. A total of 292 nurses took part in the study. Results: Out of 292 participants, 276 completed the survey, with 71.38% male and 28.62% female. The main causes of occupational stress were low income (95.56%), high workload (80.80%), occupational injury (65.95%), family factors (64.50%), strict leadership (60.50%), and physical problems (56.16%). Additionally, 36.23% of nurses had limited faith in the effectiveness of PC, followed by a moderate belief. According to multiple logistic regression analyses, a correlation between a PC high work‐related stress significantly affects nurses’ mental health, increasing the need for PC ( p = 0.0979). Stress relief methods like reading, music, or outdoor sports reduce the stress (OR 2.298–11.031, p < 0.001). At the same time, factors like nurse–patient relationships and strict leadership contribute to high‐stress levels ( p = 0.417, p = 0.682), with reducing work intensity showing minimal impact ( p = 0.993). Conclusion: Our study indicated that low salaries, a high workload, and low respect could cause occupational stress among nurses who need high PC. Implications for Nursing Management: These findings can guide hospital administrators and nurse managers in enhancing rewards, reducing work hours, and improving job satisfaction. Additionally, better working conditions and training programs can help mitigate occupational stress and support nurses’ mental health.

Glaciers are the largest freshwater repository on the earth surface. Northern Pakistan is covered with some of the largest midlatitude glaciers in the world. Most of the recent studies on the region lead to contradictory results that glaciers in the Karakoram ranges have shown either advancement, retreat or stable behaviors and therefore coin the term “Karakoram anomaly.” In the present study, temporal Landsat satellite images, acquired in the years of 1977, 1999, 2001, 2007, 2009 and 2014, were used to evaluate the temporal dynamics of the selected glaciers in the Hunza Valley, northern Pakistan, including the Batura, Passu, Ghulkin and Gulmit. The glaciers outlines were extracted using NDSI and slope gradient, followed by manual editing. The Landsat-derived glacier inventories were verified through the fine-resolution WorldView-2 satellite image and field observations. Evaluating the temporal glacier inventories reveals that the selected glaciers are retreating; however, the melting rate is varying depending on the supra-glacier debris cover. The melting or advancing of glacier is also influenced by the mean annual temperature and precipitation records. The study should assist in predicting the future climate of the region.

Background: The demanding requirements of nursing education impose great stress on students, which can adversely affect their health and well‐being in terms of academic and clinical performance. Aims: This study aimed to determine the level of stress and the main causes of stress among medical and nursing students. Methods: This cross‐sectional study was conducted with medical and nursing students in Pakistan via a convenience sampling method. Sources of stress‐associated factors were assessed using online questionnaire. The data were collected between July 1 and August 31, 2024. A total of 302 medical and nursing students participated in the research. Descriptive statistics (frequency, mean) and inferential statistics were used to analyze the collected data. Results: According to the findings, medical and nursing students experience stress from multiple sources, with financial difficulties, academic workload, clinical practice, and environmental factors being the primary contributors. The most common stressors were insufficient income, pressure from clinical instructors and staff, and unfamiliarity with patient diagnoses and treatments. Multifactor logistic regression analysis revealed that stress from assignments and workload was significantly associated with fear of poor grades ( p = 0.046), while clinical practice quality also showed a significant effect ( p = 0.029). Additionally, dealing with patients with physio‐psychosocial issues ( p = 0.039) and unfamiliarity with clinical conditions ( p = 0.012) were significant predictors of stress. These findings highlight the complex and multifaceted nature of student stress. Conclusion: This study revealed that medical and nursing students experience significant levels of stress related to finances, clinical practice, and academics, which affects their performance. Medical and Nursing Implications: Educational administrators must establish policies that assist medical and nursing students. Some of these policies could include evaluating the workload of Medical and nursing students, refining curriculum design, providing financial support, and providing scholarships to students facing challenging circumstances.

Foxtail millet ( Setaria Italica L.) plays a principal role in food security in Africa and Asia, but it is sensitive to a variety of herbicides. This study was performed to clarify whether pyrazosulfuron-methyl can be used in foxtail millet fields and the effect of pyrazosulfuron-methyl on the photosynthetic performance of foxtail millet. Two foxtail millet varieties (Jingu 21 and Zhangzagu 10) were subjected to five doses (0, 15, 30, 60, and 120 g ai ha −1 ) of pyrazosulfuron-methyl in pot and field experiments. The plant height, leaf area, stem diameter, photosynthetic pigment contents, gas exchange parameters, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, antioxidant enzyme activities, and antioxidant contents at 7 and 15 days after pyrazosulfuron-methyl application, and the yield of foxtail millet were measured. The results suggested that pyrazosulfuron-methyl inhibited the growth of foxtail millet and reduced the photosynthetic pigment contents, photosynthetic rate, and photosynthetic system II activity. Similarly, pyrazosulfuron-methyl decreased the antioxidant enzyme activities and antioxidant contents. These results also indicated that the toxicity of pyrazosulfuron-methyl to foxtail millet was decreased gradually with the extension of time after application; however, the foxtail millet yield was still significantly reduced. Therefore, pyrazosulfuron-methyl is not recommended for application in foxtail millet fields.

Split-hand/foot malformation (SHFM) shows diverse heterogeneity and manifests with reduced penetrance and variable expressivity. This study investigated the underlying genetic cause of a family segregating SHFM. Exome sequencing followed by Sanger sequencing identified a novel single nucleotide heterozygous variant (NC_000019.9 (NM_005499.3):c.1118del) in UBA2 cosegregating in the family in an autosomal dominant manner. Our findings conclude that reduced penetrance and variable expressivity are the two remarkable and unusual features of SHFM.